Disclaimer: I do not own Sailormoon.
Warnings: Shoujo-ai. Un-betaed. (My current beta reader is swamped with work.)
Notes: Well, since so many people reviewed, I decided to make a continuation. I'm surprised I can do fluff so well…lol…especially considering the last piece, "The Dying Sunset," I had in the works. I'm not sure if there'll be a chapter 3, but if there is, it'll probably be the last one.
Vocabulary:
Senshi = warrior
Youma = monster/demon
Gomen = sorry
A Quiet Scene II
The apartment was glowing in soft illumination. It was early afternoon, and the windows were open, letting the wind drift in with the scent of freshly fallen snow. A figure sat by the worn black piano with a gray and blue plaid blanket around her shoulders. Haruka's blond hair was an unruly mess, and the normally neat strands hung in her eyes. The wind swirled in with a sudden gust of white flurries, sweeping the bothersome hairs away from her green eyes. Haruka was oblivious; her teal orbs were focused on the arrangement of black and white keys before them. Haruka shifted her left hand into position, and took the hot cup of jasmine tea that was sitting on the top of the piano with her right. The taste was warm, light and soothing. Haruka put her cup back in its original place, and placed her right hand in its appropriate place on the keys. She took a deep breath, letting the wind and half-sunshine kiss away the last vestiges of fatigue that had plagued her from the fever that had dominated her consciousness the past two days. Slowly, the calm settled into her bones. Her fingers began to press into well-known ivory –
BANG!
Haruka jerked, and her fingers slipped to make a horrible chord that matched the door slam.
"Michiru?!"
The sea senshi looked up from her pile of shopping bags and gave her partner a watery smile. Haruka rose to take a majority of the parcels out of Michiru's hands. Michiru slipped out of her coat, flopped onto the sofa, and groaned.
"Remind me never to try to do the shopping during Shinjuku's annual winter blowout again." Michiru huffed at the stringy piece of marine-colored hair that was covering her right eye and being particularly annoying.
"They were that bad, huh?" Haruka chuckled. It was very rare when Michiru lost her composure, or her elegance.
"Don't remind me. The mob was horrible, worse than youmas." Michiru covered her face with both palms. She made a face at Haruka's laugh; it was very husky. Too husky. "Come over here." Haruka complied and Michiru placed delicate fingers on Haruka's throat. "Is it still sore?"
"No, I feel much better."
"Don't lie to me, Ten~oh Ha~ru~ka-san." Michiru playfully tapped Haruka on the nose on each enunciated symbol. "Anyway, my gift would be wasted then." Michiru rose and began to rummage through one of the bags. Haruka caught a glimpse of velvet blue. "Close your eyes." Haruka did so, and smirked. What would Michiru be giving her this time, tickets to the next grand prix, flowers?
The rattling of a small box broke her concentration.
"Here you go."
Haruka took the offered object in her hands, and read the small black letters printed on the yellow container. She blinked.
"Sunshine Cough Drops?"
"Yep. Now take one."
Haruka tried to smile as Michiru forced one of the lemon-flavored drops into her mouth. Haruka looked quickly at the calendar. It seems Michiru really had forgotten. Michiru caught the brief glance and giggled softly.
"Michiru?"
"Oh, ah…Haruka, swallow!" Michiru's face was suddenly serious, the voice commanding. Haruka gulped, wondering what had caused the change in demeanor. Michiru could be really scary when she wanted to be. Michiru smiled. The gesture evaporated like water on a hot summer day when she saw the open window. "What were you thinking Haruka?! You're an idiot. It's snowing outside!" She quickly drew the glass shut.
"I just needed a bit of air, that's all. You know I don't like staying cooped up." Haruka blushed in embarrassment, anticipating Michiru's further rants.
"So says the person who got sick because of the cold weather in addition to being worn out from youmas, midterms, and track practice!"
Haruka knew her partner so well.
"Gomen."
Michiru sighed. "Well, I always knew you didn't have a lot of intelligence…"
"Hey!"
"I guess I just fell in love with your kind heart, your kind smile…"
Haruka's eyes softened.
"And your musical talent, which I get to exploit!"
"So, I'm just here to boost your reputation as a musician?!"
"Of course," Michiru sniffed, "The studio loved the duet piece."
"You mean, the one I wrote for you last week?" Haruka raised an eyebrow.
"You wrote, I wrote, does it matter? No one remembers anyway. It all ends up enhancing the great Kaioh name." Michiru spread her hands to convey her surname's importance.
"Hey, I remember! It seems like you're the forgetful one," Haruka mumbled, glancing forlornly at the calendar again. The bold letters that read January seemed to mock her. Haruka's irritation melted away when Michiru snuggled up besides her on the couch.
"I'm sorry! Maybe the all the youma-chasing, school exams, orchestra practices, and studio meetings are affecting my health, too."
"Michiru?"
Michiru was snoring. Haruka sighed, and carried her to bed.
The stars were out, and Tokyo was alight in a human attempt to outdo the heavenly bodies when Haruka heard the violin music. She shifted in the white sheets, listening to the dips and thrills, and the long drawn out notes that lingered like the pleasant aftertaste one gets after eating a particularly delicious fruit. She sighed, and rose.
The moonlight streamed onto the figure in the middle of the living room, which itself, was lit warmly with candles. The oblivious Michiru played. Haruka stood by the doorway, and glanced at the calendar.
The previously unmarked January 27th was circled in bright red.
Michiru drew down her violin and smiled. As Michiru made her way towards her partner, she picked up a velvet blue box on the coffee table.
"Happy Birthday, Haruka. I hope you like your present."
Haruka smiled as she took the gift. How could she even doubt for a second Michiru had forgotten? Then Haruka cast the box aside. She embraced Michiru in a fierce hug.
"No Michiru, you're the gift. I'm honored to have had you with me the past year, and I'll continue to be, in the many years to come."
"Are you so sure?" The voice was teasing.
"Of course."
In the moonlight, two figures drew close to each other.
And then, there was only silence.
The End?
Please review.
It'd be nice to hear your thoughts, comments, and opinions on this chapter, and on whether I should create more chapters. Who knows, I may go beyond a chapter 3 if there's enough good feedback.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this fic! : )