Note: Hey everyone, I hope you're enjoying this fic so far. What started out as peep induced madness has turned into something, in my humble opinion at least, pretty cool. Thanks to everyone who has commented on this fic, you guys are very encouraging. It's enough to make The Cyclone a little misty. *sniff*
Well, enough ego inflation, on with the show…
I look at the half-eaten sandwich in my hands and sigh. It isn't a culinary masterpiece at any rate yet, I know that I should finish it. But I just don't feel like eating. Honestly, I haven't felt like doing much of anything the past few days. All I've been able to do is sit around my apartment and try to figure out how to get Setsuna to talk to me.
I haven't come up with anything. There's a reason we leave all the tactical planning to Ami, you know. I just don't know what to do. How do you get someone who can travel through time as she pleases to sit down for a talk when she doesn't want to even see you?
I close my eyes and lean against the large tree I'm currently seated under. I came to the park today in hopes of finding some answers while in my element. However, nature's not being too helpful. "At least I'm getting some fresh air."
"Talking to the trees again Makoto?" A husky voice chuckles.
I pop one eye open to glance at my guest. To someone who didn't know better, it would appear that a rather handsome young blond man was standing before me, I however, knew better. "Hello, Haruka."
"Hi Makoto," She gestures to the grass beside me. "Mind if I have a seat?"
"Would it matter if I did?"
She smiles and shakes her head. "Not really." Then she sits down beside me.
I close my eye and steady myself. I have the distinct feeling that I'm not going to like this conversation.
"Why haven't you been answering your phone, odango and the others are worried about you?"
"I haven't answered my phone because I didn't want to talk to anyone."
Haruka raises an eyebrow at me. "Really, or is it just that you didn't want to talk to the people that did call?"
"I just want to be left alone for a little while."
"Running from things won't help the situation. Trust me, I'm an expert at running."
"I need to work this through on my own."
"No, you need help Mako. You still haven't talked to anyone about your memories yet. You need to face the things you saw and accept your past. Stop being a coward."
My eyes snap open at that comment, I'm barely able to keep my rising anger in check. All of the sudden something in me snaps, and before I know it words are flying from my lips.
"I've accepted it. Gods, I've accepted it. I'm not the one who's running from her past Haruka. In fact I'm not the one you should be giving this little lecture to either, so why don't you get out of my face already, before I make you get out of it."
A small smile spreads across Haruka's face. I half expect her to make another rude remark, but she surprises me instead. "You're right. You're not the one I should be lecturing, but she has this nasty habit of running off to the gate every time Michiru and I try to talk to her about this."
"If I'm right then why are you here?"
"To make sure that you felt about her the way we though you did. Besides you were worrying the princess…" She answers and then mumbles something I can't entirely understand.
"What was that last part?"
She sighs and places a hand on my shoulder. "And because I was worried about you too."
A very strange look must be crossing my face at the moment, because she begins to speak again. "Look, I know we haven't been on the best of terms in this life."
"Not on the best of terms? Well, let's see…you let a youma almost kill me so you could see if I had a talisman. You called me and any other inner senshi weak whenever you got the chance. You constantly…"
"Alright," She interrupts me before I can go any further. "Maybe not on the best of terms was a bad choice of words."
I can't help but smile. "It's okay, you were doing your duty. I did manage to punch you in the gut after all."
She smiles back at me. "That you did. Not just anyone can break through my defenses like that, you're quite the warrior Makoto."
I think my eyes are going to pop out of their sockets. Did Haruka just complement me on my fighting abilities? I put a hand to my heart dramatically. "Quick the world is going to explode at any second, the great Sailor Uranus just acknowledged that an inner senshi can actually fight."
She rolls her eyes at me. "Anyway, the point is we've all remembered a lot about our past lives and one of the things I remember most is that we were friends then, good friends. I'd like to be your friend again if you'll let me."
I meet her gaze and from the look in her eyes I can tell that's she's serious about this. "I think I'd like that Haruka. But if you ever call me a coward again..."
***
Haruka and I sat under the tree for hours after that talking about the past. She's actually a good listener. It felt good to talk about things even if it wasn't with Setsuna
The sun was making it's way past the tree tops when she rose to leave. "Sorry, to have to stop the drive down memory lane, but I promised Michi that I'd take her out tonight and I need to get cleaned up before our date."
I nod. "I really should get home too. I need to call the girls and let them know that I'm still alive."
She offers her hand and helps me up. We say our good-byes and each go our separate ways.
I've only walked a few feet when I hear her call my name.
"Oh Makoto, when you call Usagi will you check on Hotaru for me? She's spending the night over there and since Michiru and I are going out tonight I won't be able to do it myself."
"Sure, Haruka."
She runs a hand through her hair and shakes her head. "It's a shame really. Hotaru's going to be at Usagi's place and Michiru and I probably won't be home till tomorrow morning, I don't know what Setsuna is going to do in that big house all by herself tonight. Maybe someone should go and keep her company."
I smile and nod. Having Haruka as a friend is going to be a very good thing.
"Maybe someone should."
Another note: I know you guys are like "where's the action?" Sorry, but I've always wondered if Haruka and Makoto had ever worked out their differences over the events that happened in the S season. I've read a couple of fics that explored the issue and I thought I'd take a crack at it. Don't worry in next episode there'll be the showdown that you've all been waiting for, at least I hope you're waiting for it…you're waiting right? Right?
By the way I own nothing…Nothing you hear! Damn, why can't I own anything? Why, why, why?