Chapter 4: Coincidence

"YOU really look good in that!"

"Let me try toooo!"

"Yeah… you look like a snail trying to fit into its shell!"

"Rei!"

"There they go again…"

"Always like children…"

"Hey, guys. How about this?"

"It sure fits you, Minako." The tall brunette in the group responded. They were actually forced to go shopping by Minako who suddenly had fit for shopping. No one knew why but they all knew that they were going to find about it, soon.

"You think so?" The blonde swirled around the store with the dress over hers. Two of them were arguing, Rei and Usagi. Ami was too busy with her book but she always look at the dresses Minako picks up.

"What are you looking for, anyway?" Makoto asked. Her lap was almost buried in the pile of dresses that Minako wanted to try out. They had picked them before hurrying to the dressing room. Usagi took one light yellow dress, with an off-shoulder collar with a ribbon to be tied on the back and a row of white jewels lining the collar with a blue one on the middle.

"Something to wear for the dance!"

"There's a dance?"

"At your school?"

"No, no. It's going to be at the Mugen Gakuen, Rei."

"I hear that it's a highly acclaimed school." Ami stated, raising her eyes from the book that she held for almost two hours now.

"Hai, it is." Minako nodded and danced around them. Usagi looked at her questioningly.

"But… how are you going to get in? Don't you need an invitation or an ID?" Rei asked as Usagi nodded like a pup. She was from a different school than the other four, being a child of a priest.

"Oh… it's really not for Mugen's students only. It's for everybody. The president of the Kanagaya company wanted to hold their annual celebration there. I hear it's because of the school's orchestra." Minako said while looking at her own reflection.

"I'd like to go, too!" Usagi said. "I wanna to go the dance, too!"

"You wouldn't fit in a dress, baka! You're too fat!"

"Rei!"

"Of course, you can go. I'm surprised that you don't know about it, Usagi! Didn't Mamoru tell you about that? I think he's going, too…" Minako was nodding at her reflection, well pleased at what she's seeing.

"Who will you be with…?" Makoto asked.

"Uhmm… I don't know yet."

"Oh…"

"But I'm sure there are lots of good looking guys there!" She smiled and danced around each of them. Usagi was picking out dresses from the pile Minako gathered and placed each over her dress while the priestess was criticizing her.

"You guys should go too!" Minako exclaimed. "In that way, we could all enjoy ourselves!" Ami raised her eyes from her reading and saw the expression in Minako's face. The one which nobody can resist that even before she could react, she knew that she already lost the bet. Sighing, she agreed and resumed to reading.

Now, for that tux…

She entered the department store, straight towards the men's section. She knew that she shouldn't be there. Anybody would find out about her gender if she would try out one of the tux there. But she doesn't mind. It was the day before the dance and she still haven't acquired the damn suit.

She eyed the displays and was suddenly browsing among the suits. She liked one informal suit but she knew that it would impossible to get inside the auditorium once the dance had begun dressed like that. So she picked up the white and the black tux, holding them up to compare them.

"Oof…" Someone bumped into her and dropped their bags. She turned around and saw two girls helping the one with long blonde hair in half-pony stand up. Two other girls were busy picking up the contents of the paper bag that the blonde had dropped.

"Gomen." She placed the suits back to the stand reached out her hand to help the girls. Blue eyes met hers and the blonde suddenly stood up and jumped.

"Haruka!"

Nani? She gave a puzzled look. She doesn't know why the girl knew her name. She was certain that the girl wasn't from school, either. Yet, she knew that she had met that person before. She just didn't remember.

"Guys, it's Haruka!" Minako was shouting. The others crowded around her to look at the handsome blonde that their friend had told them about.

"You're Haruka?"
"Ooooo, Handsome!"

"Did you fight that bad guy to save Minako?"

"You are really brave!"

She still looks puzzled but she smiled.

Minako? Is that the person I saved? She looked at the blonde and back to her friends. They can't be lying… they all look so honest.

"You're all her friends, I suppose." Haruka said to the group. "I'm not surprised that she told you about me." She looked at Minako who smiled at her. Blush creeping up to the younger girl's cheek.

Minako clasped her arm around Haruka's and swirled around the blonde taking her along. A plan had already formed in her mind. Suddenly, she stopped and announced, "Haruka and I will be going to the dance!"

Nani?

The dance?

With her?

But… Michiru….

"Excuse me, Mi… Minako…? I would like to take you to the dance, but you see, I already have a date. Gomen." With that, Minako's face dropped and Makoto was smirking. "Anyway, if I could see you there, I would dance with you."

Her face brightened up. She smiled at Haruka. "Arigato. It would be nice…"

"I wanna go to the dance, too!"

'Shut up, Usagi!"

"Shhh… don't be so noisy."

"Sigh!"

"You all want to go, too?" Haruka was speaking to them. Automatically, their faces were all dreamy at the handsome guy in front of them. Minako was looking at their reaction and tried not to laugh. "You can all come if you want too. I'm sure there'll be lots of guys for you all there." She gave them a smile.

They're really close friends…

"Well," she straightened up. "I'll be going now. I have something else to take care of. It was nice meeting all of you." She looked at the suits at the counter, before going out.

Maybe, at another shop…

Her window was wide open. She was standing before it, letting her hair flow with the rush of wind inside her bedroom. Her eyes were closed and all she could sense is the wind blowing against her face. Caressing her in a certain manner that she couldn't explain. Her thoughts were wandering through what happened in the past few days. School, rehearsals, dance, invitation…

Haruka…

She spoke the name quietly to herself. She knew all that happened was fast. Her being friends with the same person she shouted at the other night at school, their unexpected meeting at the park, and the blonde's invitation to the dance.

Haruka…

She didn't like to go to the dance for any reason other than the orchestra. She doesn't want to socialize. No, not yet. She's not yet ready, that she had concluded a long time ago even before she transferred to this new school. She would never be ready to accept anybody just like that.

But you did to Haruka…

You opened up to her. You laughed…

Yes, I did… But it's… just…

You like her, don't you?

I…

I…

"Uranus! I missed you… love…"

"I missed you, too, my Neptune princess…"

I… don't know…

"Stay here."

"No, I want to go with you. I want to fight with you."

"But… alright. You win."

You like her… And she likes you too…

"The sunset's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Hai, Uranus… I wish it would be this peaceful forever."

I…

"Aishiteru."

"Aishiteru."

I don't know.

She never said so… What if she's like the other's I've met?

She shook her head, gently opening her eyes to see that the sky has already turned orange. A teardrop escaped her eyes. She then sighed and closed the window, letting herself fall on her bed and remained there until Hikari called her for dinner.

There he goes!

Ooo…!

Oh my god, if he would dance with me…

He's soooo handsome!

Haruka had just arrived at school in a silver Ferrari that she owned but seldom use. She hopped out of the vehicle, causing her bangs to fall down on her eyes giving her a more manly appearance. Straightening her tux, she proceeded to walk toward the auditorium.

The room was large, but somehow it looked little with all the people around. The banquet was at the left side. The orchestra was already on the stage. Everybody was busy talking with one another when she entered the hall. A proud smile pasted on her face. She looked around for her date, and found her already sitting on the first violin's seat, looking as beautiful as ever in a deep blue narrow dress.  She smiled at Michiru who didn't seem to notice her because she was busy running her through the sheets. Kanagaya's president, Kiei Fumari was talking with the conductor giving him instructions before he formally started the occasion.

Haruka looked around for seats but found most of them occupied. The dance had already started and she had passed a lot of girls ogle at her when she passed by them but she was determined that her first and last dance would be Michiru's. Once more, she looked at her date among the musicians on stage. Sighing, she went out of the side door and made her way to the benches located around the building.

"Uranus!"

Nani?

She seemed to have heard a woman's voice calling out. Uranus? Isn't that a planet?

She ignored the call and seated herself.

"Uranus!"

Again?

She reached down in her pocket and felt something there. The stick she had found one morning was suddenly in her pockets. She looked at it, examining it carefully and even raising it up in the air. Trying to see if something will happen if she raised it. But nothing happened. All she felt was the wind brushing against her face and playing with her.

Nothing special, she thought.

She placed it back in her pocket, stared at the stars for a while then closed her eyes to just enjoy the music.

The time has come…

She was absorbed in listening that she didn't hear the crunching of leaves behind her as a woman walked away, carrying a staff in her hands and disappear from sight.

"The music here is amazing!" Minako exclaimed. The group had just arrived and all were amazed by the decorations and the capacity of the auditorium. "Look! There she is!" She was looking at the orchestra and noticed Michiru who was sitting at the first row.

"Where? Where?" Usagi popped her head near Minako's so as to see if she could follow her friend's stare.

"There!" She pointed at the girl with aqua curls.

"Oooo… she's beautiful!"

"Of course, she is. Very famous, too!" Ami said causing all the four to look at her curiously. "I read the announcement of for the ball so I did some research on their orchestra. I've heard that they've really improved. Well, with her in the band, they'll surely be the best!"

At that moment, the orchestra stopped playing and Kiei Fumari stood up to talk. The members of the orchestra left their seats to join the crowd.

Michiru saw Haruka during the first song and knew that the blonde went out. She was going out herself, anyway, just to get some fresh air. The hall was already swarming with people and she didn't want to get stuck inside doing nothing. And their next performance is still minutes away.

"Ooops, sorry!"

"Excuse us…"

She stopped on her tracks to see five girls in front of her, all looking tired of battling with the people who were in their way to meet her. They were still catching their breaths when Minako spoke up.

"Hello! Are you Kaioh Michiru?" The girl in question looked at her before nodding. She doesn't really like fans but there's something about the group before her that made her feel comfortable.

"Yes." Was her only reply but it made the five starry-eyed as they continued to stare at her.

"Goody! I'm Aino Minako and these are, Tsukino Usagi, Hino Rei, Mizuno Ami and Kino Makoto." She spoke too fast that Michiru just nodded her head to the person the one named Minako was pointing. "It was nice to meet you, Ms. Kaioh!"

Ms. Kaioh.

She flinched a little when she heard it. She wasn't used to be called Ms. Kaioh, even during interviews after her concerts. Always, she requested everybody to call her by her first name.

You're very beautiful… Ms. Kaioh…

Come here…

Come on… don't resist…

She shook her head as a memory she had forgotten came back to her mind.

"Ms. Kaioh, are you alright?" Ami spoke up. She was wearing a black evening gown adorned with sequins on the linings. Among the five, she looked most exquisitely dressed.

"Uh huh. Don't worry, it's just a slight headache." She looked up to see concerned young faces looking at her. Worry was apparent on their eyes. "If you may excuse me, I would like to get some air." She knew it was slightly immodest to leave like that, but she have to make herself forget that memory once again. A memory that ruined her, that haunted her for a long time. She was only glad that the media didn't know about that.

"Can we go, too?" Usagi asked. Michiru smiled at the remark. They certainly is an interesting group.

"Ms. Kaioh needs to rest, Usagi. We shouldn't bother her." Ami explained to her friend.

"Ooohhh…"

"Hey, Usagi! Mamoru's over there!" Rei exclaimed and all of a sudden, Usagi was looking all over the place for her boyfriend.

She watched the scene play before her that she couldn't help but giggle. But she had to go. Haruka would be waiting for her. Not that she expected the blonde to be outside. "It was great meeting all of you. Thank you for understanding." She bowed a little and looked once again at the faces of the girls.

"Oh, it's nothing!" Ami replied.

"Can I have your autograph?" Minako said to the leaving Michiru.

"I'll give it to you later. We'll most probably see each other again tonight, right?" Right then, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning around, she was met face to face by Haruka, who was looking at her. With a handsome grin on her face.

"There you are! I was looking all over for you… I heard the music stop so I…"

"Haruka!"

"Oh, it you! Nice to see you all here. I see that you all came. Hope you enjoy the dance. Anyway, Michiru…"

"You call her Michiru?" Minako said.

"Uh, yeah. She's my classmate."

"Ooh."

"Well, shall we dance?" Haruka offered her arm to Michiru who took it gracefully. All the girls sighed at the sight of them arm in arm. "See you!" Haruka and Michiru smiled at the girls and went their way. Leaving the five speechless.

"You know them?" Michiru led them outside after a short dance. She was still a little dizzy and asked Haruka to go out. Just to take a walk around, before she was called again for another piece of music.

"Well… kinda." The blonde answered as she opened the door for Michiru.

It was a cold night, as it had rained during the afternoon. The moistness of the air could be felt when one stepped outside of the crowded auditorium. The sky was now clear with stars sparkling and the moon giving light to the darkened world.

"Here…" Haruka offered her coat to Michiru as they went out. "It is cold outside." She then wrapped the piece of clothing around the smaller girl's shoulder. Arranging it so it would fit well.

"Thank you." She walked towards the tree nearby and crossed her arms. It was really cold. It was already autumn and Christmas is already approaching very fast. It looks like were going to have a white Christmas. She sighed, her breath leaving a white trail as it disappeared.

She looked up at the stars with gentleness and a little bit of frailness on her face. Her thoughts seemed to spin. Like a world suddenly crashed over her. All the inconveniences of her life started to flow in her mind. She felt an urge to go inside and take her violin and leave, but refrained herself from doing so. She remembered her parents. What she had just found out. Her parent's death. Her unlikely incident… Those dreams that keep on haunting her.

Haruka stood a meter away from Michiru, watching the girl quietly. The whole place was silent except for the occasional bursting coming from the auditorium and the crackling of leaves whenever somebody passes by. She has her hands inside her pockets to keep them warm. She felt uncomfortable at the sight of Michiru standing there with an empty expression. She wanted to hold her, to protect her, to keep her safe. To shelter her from the cold wind. But she was frozen in her place. As a tear made its way down the other's cheek.

Nani?

She's crying…

I…

Slowly, Haruka walked toward Michiru who has her eyes away from the stars, just staring blankly upon the land set before her eyes. Eyes which now contain tears that are ready to flow down when set free.

"Hey…"

Michiru didn't look up. Carefully, Haruka took her in a comforting hug that even she was surprised in her actions. But she didn't move. For it felt right. To be there, comforting the smaller girl. To have Michiru in her arms.

What is she doing?

Michiru was taken by surprise as she felt a body pressed to her own. Giving her warmth. And the comfort that she badly needed. She wanted to go out of that embrace, but a part of her cries out to be held.

Haruka felt Michiru's body relax within her embrace. She smiled a little, knowing that she can comfort this young woman who was obviously in pain. She tilted her head a little. Looking at the stars then back to Michiru.

She smiled.

"There's always hope when you believe."

She didn't knew where that came from. But that was what she said. Michiru nodded in reply and settled in the taller girl's embrace. Enjoying the company, and at the same time, refraining herself from giving up to the pain she's still feeling.

AAARGH!!!!

A scream came from the auditorium and suddenly people came rushing out. All the doors were wide open and an eerie light escapes from the building. The two girls stared in disbelief at what was happening. Without any hesitation Haruka bid Michiru to stay put and ran inside.

She felt the stick became warm.

People were rushing out, trying to find safety. Haruka looked back to where she left Michiru, feeling guilty that she left the girl alone. But she felt something was calling her. She stuck her hand in her pocket and produced the stick. It was glowing bright yellow.

"Let me see your heart crystal!"

"Aaaarghhhhhh!"

Michiru looked at those running outside. She was getting frightened by the mob. She turned her back and wanted to run but she couldn't.

Haruka went inside.

She stared back at the building. Loud noises could be heard from the screaming of the remaining people inside. But she saw different flashes of light…

What is happening…?

"A fight is being staged inside." A voice said.

Michiru turned around to see the woman she had met before. When she was walking alone towards home. In a uniform that she doesn't know but felt familiar with. Talking to her about the destruction, how it is true. And that she has a part on it. That she can help stop it.

"You…"

She nodded. She knew that the younger woman knew her powers. That she remembers her from her dreams. And things that she cannot stop from coming even if she controls time.

They watched in silence the flashing lights of the auditorium until Pluto spoke up.

"She's hurt."

"What?"

"Uranus is in there, fighting. And she's hurt." Pluto said in silence. She wanted to help the other soldier but she would not dare give up the only possible chance that she could convince Michiru into accepting her destiny as Neptune.

Who??

Princess of Neptune, Uranus needs you…

Nani?

Michiru looked at the building then at the tall girl beside her back and forth. Trying to understand what is happening, to know who is the woman beside her and who is Uranus and Neptune.

"You will soon understand, once you've accepted your destiny, Neptune." Pluto answered her questions and addressed her Neptune. She didn't notice it, but as she was about to say something, the scout cut her off. "Your destiny is to fight with the sailor soldiers and protect the planet. The dreams that haunts you often is a part of your awakening as a soldier. Michiru, this is your destiny." They were taken inside the building in a flash and she saw a girl in a sailor uniform just like the woman beside her, only in gold and blue, fighting a monster.

Suddenly, the soldier looked at her with the same eyes Haruka have, only it is dark with confusion. She is apparently at loss of tactics. She was surprised that Michiru was standing there. Looking at her. At the youma. She didn't notice an attack coming as she was quietly asking Michiru to go.

"Haruka!!!" She didn't know where did that came from. That person obviously isn't Haruka. The blonde wears loose clothing. Not like this girl who was wearing a mini-skirt and fitting. She turned to look at Pluto, wanting to ask her why she hadn't helped. But the sailor was gone.

Michiru looked around. The wall had crumbled down and the stage was completely destroyed. Luckily, only a few instruments were destroyed. Many of the orchestra might have brought their own instruments as they ran toward the door. She saw other people who were lying unconscious. They might have been victims of this monster. She felt anger boil up in her. Innocent people are here and the monster is fighting for something called 'heart crystal'. It just isn't right…

The youma was trying to get the soldier's heart crystal, too. Uranus dodged but the blast sent her flying backward.

Damn!

Haruka cursed as she tried to get up. The youma was aiming another shot at her when she heard a cry together with a blue planet swirling around and striking the youma down. Letting her regain her stance. She looked where the planet came from and there stood a woman. Dressed in the similar outfit as her, but in sea-green.

"Called by the new age, I am Sailor Neptune acting gracefully!" The blonde looked at the woman in disbelief. Neptune… It felt natural for her to say the name. It tasted sweet for her. Somehow.

"Welcome back, Sailor Neptune!" She gave the other a weak smile before attacking. "World Shaking!" Uranus got up and produced a yellow ball of energy and slammed in to the ground. The youma tried to defend itself but the attack was too powerful. The two soldiers stared at the monster at it disintegrated into dust.

"Where's Michiru?" Uranus walked toward Neptune, detransforming back to Haruka. She was fully aware that it's not allowed to transform or detransform in front of ordinary people. But she thought it is alright if it's in front of another scout like her.

"You're… Haruka…" Neptune said meeting the teal eyes of the blonde.

"Where's she?" Haruka repeated causing Neptune to flinch.

"Hey, don't shout. She's alright. In fact, I'm perfectly alright…" Neptune detransformed as Haruka's eyes widened.

"Michiru! God, I'm so worried about you!"

"Who wouldn't be… with you running off like that into the building!"

"Well, I'm safe, and you're safe. No harm done."

Michiru giggled at the sight of Haruka explaining in front of her.

"What?"

"Nothing… Let's go!" With that she grabbed Haruka's hand and they both walked out of the rubble, until they reached the streets.

"Tell me, how did you become Neptune?" Haruka asked Michiru who was admiring the night sky.

"I really don't know how. I just picked up this stick," she held out the henshin stick and held it in front of Haruka. "When you were being attacked. I felt something calling me and it drew me to reach for it. Then, I just threw that ball of water."

"So, the stick just appeared in front of you with out anyone saying that you were Neptune…?"

"Well, there's this woman called Pluto. She said that I should help you. And that I will understand soon as my memory comes back. I kinda hated the idea at first, but guess you made me accept it."

"You look wonderful in the uniform…"

"And I never thought I would see you wearing something short like the uniform, Haruka!"

"Hey!" They reached the car teasing each other. Haruka helped Michiru in before entering the driver's side. "Where to?"

~sheesh… Just finished this chapter. Sorry about the hurry in the last part. I just can't insert any thoughts into it.