"Really, you were great, Michiru!" It was just after the concert and Jesi and her skipped the party to go home since Michiru begged the pianist reasoning that she was already tired.

"Oh, alright. And you were, also!" She giggled as she walked towards her room. She was tired, already and wanted to have a good rest. "Good night!"

"G'night!" Jesi shouted from the living room. Michiru shut the door, undressed and retreated to the bathroom to take a shower. She slipped into the water and closed her eyes. Trying to find relaxation in her element. To find peace again. Like the time when they had defeated Galaxia. Although she knows that it would be a long time before it happens again. When they would defeat their new enemy.

Yes, she already saw the dream. Just as the others felt it, too. More powerful than Chaos itself. More destructive than Galaxia. No, it wasn't human. And her chills grow more each passing day.

She thought about the sailor soldiers fighting without her. Them giving up their own dreams and she, among the ones who were supposed to protect the planet, was living her dream and not minding her duties as a soldier. Of being one of those the soldiers have to protect. Of being able to live a normal life, throwing away the destiny that was supposedly hers.

Darkness surrounded her. She felt like drowning. She wanted to scream but her voice failed her terribly. Not a sound came out of her and she was quickly running out of air. She tried to swim but something held her down. Someone was tugging on her feet. She took a gulp of water and swam downward only to see a body. A lifeless body with hands still holding on to her feet.

Haruka…

She heard a loud laughter. A low voice filled with so much hatred. And of the same time enjoyment of watching her.

She slapped the blonde's face trying to return consciousness on her. There was no reaction. Still she tried to resuscitate the blonde and to swim to the surface but a strong force held her down. She could feel her tears running down her cheeks although she was deep in the waters. Waters that held her. That won't let her save Haruka. Her partner… soulmate. Her only love.

"NO!"

She was screaming inside the bathroom. Her arms flailing everywhere trying to grab something to hold on. She was desperately crying out for help. While whispering softly Haruka's name.

"NO!"

She was watching a comedy when Jesi heard the scream. She was startled that it came from Michiru's bedroom and hurried up to check what it is. She was about to knock when she heard another scream. Forgetting her manners, she quickly went inside the bathroom and saw Michiru in the tub. Screaming… for help.

"Michiru…" She whispered as she shook the girl awake. Blue eyes slowly opened letting her tears fall. She looked as if she came from another dimension. From a place packed with horrible visions, dreams. She flung her arms at Jesi and cried.

What happened, Michiru?

What's bothering you…?

She wanted to ask, but she couldn't say anything. Just wrapping her arms around the crying girl. Ignoring the fact that Michiru was still in the tub, naked and wet. She just wanted to comfort her friend. For now…

"You okay?" Jesi asked her for about ten times now and all she did was nod. She has been crying all night. Jesi gave her a bathrobe and took her out of the bathroom towards the living room, making her tea afterwards. Before settling down on the chair opposite her.

"Do you…" She looked at Michiru who was still looking gravely. Staring at nothing in front of her. With her hands trembling.

She sighed. The sight a few hours ago was still fresh in her mind. Michiru was indeed in pain. She fears something as well as she wants another. What? She doesn't know. Michiru wouldn't answer her, not when she's still in a shock. Not when she couldn't stop crying. But she knew that time would pass and Michiru would tell her.

I hope…

"Jesi…" Michiru quietly spoke. Her lips were trembling as words came out of her. Jesi looked up and met the other girl's eyes. "Thank you…"

She wanted to say more. She wanted to have her burden lifted. So she can live without the pain anymore. With suffering from the pain love has brought her. Why? Why does love got to be that way? That it has to be painful? Why can't I damn forget it?!

Jesi nodded but she saw Michiru's troubled thoughts through her eyes. Waters begin to well-up again. The pianist stood and sat down beside Michiru. Holding her in an embrace. Letting her cry all that she could.

"Hush…"

Michiru raised her head from Jesi's shoulder. Her eyes staring off in the emptiness of the room. "I… I'm sorry… Haruka…"

Pain was striking her inside. She slowly remembers her past. The years she had spent together with the blonde racer. When they were still happy. Trusting. Loyal. Perhaps, in love…

Memories flashed back in her mind and clouded her thoughts. Haruka flirting. Making up to her. The candlelight dinners. Their concerts. Their house. Himme-chan. How they had lived peacefully and full of love. Their life as sailor soldiers and their battles together. Especially their fight with Eudial and the puppet master. Until she began to doubt about Haruka's feelings. When Haruka spend most of the day's time outside. Even if there were no practices. Coming home late at night, sometimes, when she was already asleep. Greeting her with just a peck on the cheek. Lying down, going to sleep. Like an individual. Like she doesn't exist beside her.

She could remember the day she left their house. Haruka was begging her not to go. Who knelt in front of her just to make her realize that she's not bluffing. That she's sincere. About her love for Michiru.

Sky goddess…

She could remember the other's face during the scouts Christmas celebration in Usagi's house. How it lightened up when the mechanic appeared. How those teal eyes looked at her as id judging her. Asking her why is her expression so grave. So sad. She felt that Haruka doesn't know her. And never knew her. And intentionally hurt her.

But she loved her… with all her heart. With everything that she has.

Haruka…

"I'm so… sooorrry…" She continued to sob as the images of her vision coming back to her mind. Drowning her troubled soul over and over again.

"Haruka!" Minako's voice can be heard as she opened her communicator.

"Hey, what's up?" She was still in bed, groggy, for she hadn't had enough sleep the past few days. The nightmare has repeated itself over and over again inside her head. Yuki asked her the day before if there's anything that's bothering her, but she just kept it to her own. She knew the other wouldn't understand. That she gets these dreams about the future. That she will take part of the future, as one of the soldiers and trusted friends of the future queen. 

"Rei said she sensed another black energy coming and wanted us all down there."

There goes the good visionary. Oh well, Setsuna probably knew it, too.

"Be there in twenty minutes." She clicked her communicator shut.

Hope she doesn't wake up 'til I'm gone…

Haruka scribbled a note and placed it on the bedside table. She looked at Yuki who was sleeping peacefully before bending to kiss the girl's forehead. It was already seven in the morning. Not a typical time for her to get up. She would like to stay in bed, but she knew that the priestess could be mean sometimes. Especially on occasions like this. When they would probably talk about the future. The dark vision. The approaching evil… and the battle.

The tires screeched as she came to a halt. Her bangs hanging were loosely hanging in front of her eyes as she stepped out of the car. Teal eyes were unusually dark. Maybe from her loss of sleep. She climbed up the stairs slowly, entering the shrine after she got to the top and went to the living room. Every one had gathered in a circle.

"Good morning!"

"Haruka!" Minako exclaimed as she saw the blonde. Haruka looked around and saw that not all senshi were awake. Usagi was sleeping on Mamoru's lap, Chibiusa and Hotaru were sleeping on the floor. Setsuna was the only one standing except for her. The others were just sitting, trying to fight off sleep from their eyes. It was obvious that Rei, Mamoru and Setsuna were the only ones fully awake.

She looked at the senshi of time. Wondering if the older woman knew that this would happen. That something evil would happen again, even if the Silver Millenium has not been established yet. Her questions were answered by a simple nod.

She understood.

"What's the meeting for, Rei?" Minako asked. Her head propped by her right hand.

"Yeah," Usagi raised her head from Mamoru's lap and tried to open her eyes. "I'm still sleepy. Can't you tell us that in a later time?" Mamoru chuckled and combed his girlfriend's hair.

"This is important, Usagi!" Rei almost shouted. "I've sensed this evil a few days ago, but I wasn't certain at first, so I waited for it to develop. Just to prove that it's an evil energy. It's closing in on us. And the battle would soon start."

"We should be alert and be observant, then." Ami said as the others nodded in silence. Waiting for someone to speak up.

"I cannot say anything about the future, you ALL know that," Setsuna defended. "But this new one is really strong, much more than what we have faced before. And…"

"And…??? Hell, what is it, Setsuna?!"

Should I tell it…? The whole team was now awake and was listening carefully to the time senshi. Waiting impatiently for the next words that would come out from her. Knowing that it would take place, sometime, someday.

Setsuna looked at everybody. Everyone was yearning to hear what's next. She looked at each senshi and stopped when it was Haruka's gaze she met. Dropping her eyes, she sighed.

I guess… it's better that she knew.

"And… Haruka… You wouldn't be with us."

There, she said it. All the others looked at Haruka, then at Setsuna. They don't understand… As always. And I can't do anything about it…

"But why, Setsuna-mama?" Hotaru looked at her. Her eyes giving away the feeling of sadness. She couldn't understand. But Setsuna know that Hotaru will. 

Haruka looked at her, asking.

"What the heck do you mean that I won't be there?" It was Haruka who asked. Her eyes becoming darker and darker. "You know very well that I will fight for the princess, whatever it may cost."

"Yes, we all know that. You and Neptune make a great team, but in this one, you won't be around to help us." Once again, she met those questioning eyes, now, not only from one, but from all of them. Waiting for her to explain what she said. "That is all I can say, Haruka. Please understand…" Haruka just looked down. Seeing that she couldn't do anything more there, Setsuna turned around and left for her post at the time gate.

"Let's call Michiru-mama!" Hotaru stood up and ran for the phone followed by Chibiusa. Dialing her mother's number quickly and impatiently waiting for the operator to connect the call. Finally, the phone rang. A sleepy voice of a woman greeted them.

"Moshi-moshi! Can I please speak to Michiru-mama?" Jesi grumbled something about not understanding Japanese before she answered and called Michiru.

The person called her Michiru-mama…

She looked at Michiru who happily talked on the phone. Maybe she already have a family. Jesi looked over at Michiru before going back to the couch.

"Hello, Himme-chan! How are you?" Her voice sounded calm but she trembled slightly. Her eyes still has signs of tears. Jesi took her to the bedroom and let her rest. But she simply didn't find sleep. Not when her mind fails her. Not when her heart is aching so badly.

"I miss you. When are you coming home?" She sounded like crying. All the senshi were watching the senshi of destruction and rebirth. All with a sad face. They knew already what's going to happen.

"I…" she looked at Jesi who was busy watching tv. Or better yet, trying to divert her thoughts from Michiru by staring at the tv blankly. "Soon. I don't know the date yet but when I get to Japan, I'll stop by the house first. Okay?"

"Promise?"

"Promise. Take care of yourself, Himme-chan. And the little princess, too."

"Hai." There was now a smile on her lips. Michiru-mama would come home soon. She will be with us soon!

Michiru heard a silent click as she bid goodbye to her daughter. She went to the couch and joined Jesi who in turn moved so the aqua-haired woman can sit. Watching a comedy silently.