Title: Deer
Disclaimer: I still don't own sailor moon.
Author's notes: This chapter takes place about five years after Haruka's death.
Chapter 2
* It will be five years tomorrow. It's amazing how fast time goes by. Ryoka has been living with Setsuna, Hotaru, and me for about four years now. She is a lot like her sister in some ways and in others she is totally different. It's almost time for Hotaru to graduate from High School now. She has grown so much in the past few years. Usagi and the others all have jobs now, except for Ami because she is going to medical school. *
Setsuna: Michiru?
Michiru: What?
Setsuna: You seemed kind of spaced out. Anyways, you need to get going, don't you have to work today.
Michiru: Yes, I guess I better get going so I'm not later then I already am.
Setsuna: Me too.
Michiru: See you!
Setsuna: Bye, have a good day!
-Michiru gets into her red convertible-
* I remember when Haruka used to drive this car. Haruka would have been so proud of me now, I teach an art and music class to these wonderful children who love what they're doing. One of them plays the piano and looks just like Haruka, but a younger version. In fact, her name is Haruka. Since she is only five years old tomorrow she's not the best at the piano, but she's got real talent. *
-Michiru arrives at the school of art and music-
Michiru: Hello everyone! I'm so sorry I'm late. I got caught up with some things at home. Let's get started.
-Michiru teaches the ten kids who were assigned to her. Their ages ran from four to 18. By the end of the day everyone is anxious to go home because it is the beginning of winter break-
* It's starting to snow. I like the snow; it gives me a peaceful feeling. I better get home before it starts snowing too hard to see in. *
-Michiru arrives at the house just as it begins to snow harder-
Michiru: Hello, Setsuna!
Setsuna: Hi, Michiru. How was your day?
Michiru: It was pretty good. I think everyone's happy to get a break now.
Setsuna: I know I am.
Michiru: Where're Hotaru and Ryoka?
Setsuna: Hotaru's boyfriend is taking her to dinner and the movies. Ryoka is up in her room watching TV.
Michiru: Ok. Well, I'm going to go take a nap, and then I'll make dinner.
Setsuna: That sounds like a good idea.
-They both sleep for a little bit before dinner. After dinner they're watching a bit of TV when they hear a knock on the door-
* I wonder who that is. *
Michiru: I'll get it.
-She opens the door-
Michiru: Haruka! What are you doing? Shouldn't you be at home with you parents?
Haruka: Miss Michiru, I want to stay with you. I don't want to stay with my parents.
Michiru: Why?
Haruka: They're mean!
Michiru: How are they mean to you?
Haruka: …
Michiru: Don't worry you can tell me anything, I won't hurt you.
Haruka: My parents get mad and… sometimes they take their anger out on me.
-Haruka begins to get teary eyed, but tries not to cry-
Michiru: Come here, it's ok to cry.
-Haruka cries while Michiru holds her. After her cries begin to stop she looks into Michiru's eyes-
Haruka: I want to stay with you.
Michiru: Of course you can stay here. You can sleep in Hotaru's room on the pullout bed.
Haruka: Really!
Michiru: Really.
Haruka: Thank you so much!
-Haruka hugs Michiru-
Michiru: Let's get you to bed. I think 9 o'clock is a little late for someone who's almost five to be up.
Haruka: Yeah, I am kind of tired.
-Michiru lets Haruka borrow some of Hotaru's old pajamas and makes the pullout bed. She kisses Haruka goodnight and she almost immediately falls asleep. Michiru goes back downstairs to talk to Setsuna-
* I hope Haruka will be ok. She's so cute and innocent. *
Setsuna: Who was at the door?
Michiru: Haruka, she's a student of mine.
Setsuna: What was she doing here?
Michiru: Her parents have been taking out their anger at her so she's staying with us tonight. I'm going to go to the police in the morning. She really wanted to stay here and I didn't know what else to do.
Setsuna: Is she ok?
Michiru: I think so. She's got some obvious bruising though.
Setsuna: What room is she staying in?
Michiru: I put her in the pullout bed in Hotaru's room. When will Hotaru be home?
Setsuna: 11 o'clock.
Michiru: Ok, I hope she doesn't accidentally wake Haruka.
Setsuna: She'll be careful.
-After an eventful episode of ER (^_^) Hotaru comes home-
Michiru: Hi Hotaru. How was your date?
Hotaru: It was great. We went to this really nice restaurant and then we went to the movies.
Michiru: Well, it sounds like you had fun.
Hotaru: I did. I'm tired. I think I'm going to go to bed now.
Michiru: Before you go there's something I need to talk to you about.
Hotaru: Ok.
Michiru: One of the kids I teach at school is going to be staying here with us. Her name is Haruka. She's sleeping on the pullout bed in your room right now so be careful not to wake her when you go to bed.
Hotaru: Why is she staying us?
Michiru: Her parents take their anger out on her. I don't know how long she'll be staying with us.
Hotaru: Is she ok?
Michiru: She seems physically ok except for some bruising.
Hotaru: I'm going to go to bed now, goodnight!
Michiru: Goodnight, Hotaru! I think I'm going to go to bed now too.
Setsuna: Me too.
-Everyone falls asleep quickly except for Michiru who is deep in thought-
* If Haruka is taken away from her parents where will she go? Should I take her in? What will Setsuna, Hotaru, and Ryoka think if I do or if I don't? How long has this been going on and I haven't noticed? There are just so many questions I have right now, but I don't have the answers. I really like Haruka, she's a good kid. She always does her homework and is very talented in music. I wish there was more I could do for her. I am so worried about her. I'm so tired though. It's becoming hard to think. *
-Michiru falls asleep. At 6 o'clock in the morning she wakes up to find a very awake Haruka jumping on the end of her bed-
Michiru: Good morning, Haruka!
Haruka: Good morning, Miss Michiru!
Michiru: You seem very happy today.
Haruka: I'm happy because it's my birthday!
Michiru: I didn't forget that. I'll make whatever you want for breakfast.
Haruka: Anything?
Michiru: Anything.
Haruka: Chocolate chip pancakes!
Michiru: Ok, I'll go make them right now.
Haruka: Can I help?
Michiru: Of course you can.
Haruka: Yeah!
Michiru: Come on, let's go.
-By the time breakfast was made the smell of it woke up Setsuna, Hotaru, and Ryoka-
Ryoka: We're having pancakes! What's in them?
Michiru: They're chocolate chip pancakes. Haruka and I made them.
Hotaru: I love chocolate chip pancakes!
Michiru: We made them because today is Haruka's birthday.
Hotaru: That's weird because Haruka…
-Michiru looked at Hotaru like please don't say that in front of Haruka-
Haruka: What's weird?
Michiru: Nothing, Haruka.
-After a really good breakfast everyone got ready for the day and Michiru prepared to take Haruka to the police-
Michiru: Haruka?
Haruka: Yes, Miss Michiru.
Michiru: We have to go on a little trip ok?
Haruka: Ok!
-Michiru and Haruka go to the police station-
Haruka: Why are we going here?
Michiru: So that you can legally stay with me.
Haruka: Ok.
Cop: How may I help you?
Michiru: I'd like to report someone for child abuse.
Cop: What is the name of this person?
Michiru: Mr. and Mrs. Tsuku. This is their child, Haruka.
Cop: Why do you have their child?
Michiru: She came to my house late last night and wanted to stay with me. Any kid her age should have been in bed.
Cop: We'll try to contact the parents and set up a court date.
Michiru: Can Haruka stay with me until the court decides whom she will live with?
Cop: I suppose so. What harm can it do?
Michiru: Thank you so much! My number is 555-6527. Call me when a court date is set up.
Cop: Ok.
Michiru: Bye!
Cop: Goodbye!
-Michiru and Haruka go home-
Setsuna: How did it go at the police station?
Michiru: It went fine. They're going to try to set up a court date, meanwhile she's going to stay with us.
Setsuna: That's good. So, what are we going to do for her birthday?
Michiru: I don't know. Maybe we should ask her what she wants to do.
Setsuna: Ok.
Michiru: Haruka!
Haruka: Yes?
Michiru: What do you want to do today?
Haruka: I want to go to the park!
Michiru: Ok, then we're going to the park.
-They all go to the park-
Haruka: I want to go on the swings!
Michiru: Ok, I'm coming.
-Haruka runs toward the swings and Michiru follows-
* She is so cute. I wonder if Haruka was like this Haruka when she was younger. When I'm around this Haruka I feel like Haruka's with me again. Taking care of Haruka will be so much fun! *
The end of Chapter 2
Thanks to everyone's help and ideas for this chapter. I hope you all liked it. Please review and tell me what you think.