Chapter 5: Moments Of Sanity
„Haruka, wake up." The blonde groaned and opened her eyes to the gentle voice of Setsuna, only to nearly fall off the window bench in the next second. Setsuna grabbed her arms just in time to prevent her from falling, and after a few seconds, Haruka had regained her balance. "You fell asleep on the window bench. I suggest you go to bed." The green haired woman spoke, smiling. Haruka yawned and nodded while she climbed off the window bench, for one moment not thinking about her hurt leg. She was reminded about it when a stinging pain erupted from the wound and spread all over her body. Letting out a pain filled gasp, Haruka stumbled forward and nearly fell again – only to be caught from Setsuna once more. "Be careful!" the senshi of time and space scolded. Haruka just sighed, leaned on her crutches and made her way over to the bed. She was just about to lie down when the phone rang, causing both Setsuna and her to jump. "Who's calling at such a time?" Setsuna then grumbled, looking at her watch. It was three o'clock in the morning. "I'll be right back." With that, the time guardian left the bedroom and went to answer the phone. When she returned a few minutes later, her face had an unhealthy pale color. "Who was that?" Haruka asked, alerted. "The mental asylum." Setsuna replied, her voice shaking. "Haruka…Michiru managed to escape somehow. And the doctor fears that she's on her way to us…and that she may try to kill you again."
Haruka sat on the bed, not able to say anything. She just stared at Setsuna, her shock clearly showing on her face. "W-what?" the blonde finally managed to stammer out. Setsuna nodded, sitting down next to Haruka. "What shall we do now?" Haruka finally asked, looking at her friend with tears shimmering in her eyes. "I can't bring myself to hurting her…even if she would try to rip my heart out, I'd let it happen." "We must talk to her." Setsuna replied, trying to keep calm. "Maybe we can convince her to go back into the asylum." Haruka let out a short, bitter laugh. "Yeah right. Setsuna, Michiru shot me. Do you really think that she'll listen to our words now? She still thinks that I want to…" the blonde trailed off. Both women flinched again when the doorbell rang. "That has to be her." Haruka spoke, her voice unsteady. Before Setsuna could reply anything, the blonde had grabbed her crutches and got to her feet. "Haruka, don't." Setsuna spoke while her blonde friend already was on her way to the door. Haruka looked over her shoulder, a fierce determination in her eyes. "I'll let her in and try to talk to her." The blonde then spoke. Setsuna just opened her mouth to object, but it was too late. Haruka opened the door.
"Hi, Michiru." The blonde calmly spoke, looking down at the smaller woman who had once been in love with her. And maybe still was. "Hello." Michiru replied softly. She noticed how Harukas eyes checked her hands and other body parts. "I don't have any weapons with me." The aqua haired girl spoke, causing Haruka to look away and cough. "I didn't imply that you have." The blonde finally spoke, looking at her love's face again. "Your eyes told me." Michiru replied, taking a step towards the blonde – who took a step back in return. Michiru stopped and looked at her, a hurt expression in her face. "You are scared of me, right?" she finally asked. Haruka shrugged, nearly loosing her crutches in the process. "That shouldn't surprise you." The blonde then replied. "After all, you…you shot me." Michiru nodded, looking down on the floor. "As if I could forget that." She then whispered, her eyes glued to the white bandage that was shimmering through Harukas blue pajama slacks. "I'm sorry." She finally spoke, causing Haruka to frown. "Sorry?" she repeated. Michiru nodded, letting out a sigh. "Haruka, I can't stay longer." Michiru suddenly spoke, her voice getting frantic while the paranoid glint returned to her eyes. "If I do…I'll attack you again." "She had a sane moment!" Haruka finally realized, her eyes widening. "Michiru!" she called out, taking a step forward while her love already made her way out of the door. "Michiru, wait!" The door was closed, leaving Haruka standing in the doorway. "Michiru." The blonde whispered, a single tear rolling down her cheek.
Michiru walked out of the house – and found herself looking at five police men who all aimed their guns at her. "Don't shoot!" Michiru called out, raising her hands. "Did you harm Tenoh-San?" one of the police men shouted, causing Michiru to flinch. "No." she replied. One of the windows opened, and Haruka poked her head out. "Nothing happened!" she yelled. "We just talked." The leading police man nodded and looked at Michiru again. "Would you follow us, please?" he asked. Michiru nodded, looked up at Haruka one last time and then calmly walked over to the waiting police car.