Author's Note: Okay, I am in shock. I honestly had no clue that Kiss was plotting Chapter 10. SO I come in exhausted from a weekend study session, and to my utter surprise and delight Chapter 10 was waiting for me! So, I thought I would get us back in the normal swing of things and write Chapter 11. So here we go.... and then everyone repeatedly email Kiss for 12....

Disclaimer: We own nothing but the plot, oh and I had The Two Towers AND Season 1 of SM Uncut before Kiss...not to brag or anything.... Wanders off whistling

Usagi sat out in the cool morning staring sightlessly into world beyond the Shrine. Her blonde hair ruffling in the breeze and her coffee growing cooler in its place at her feet. Scenes from the past two days playing in her mind. Her mind torn between her heart and itself. Wanting everyone to end up happy and yet fearing no one would end up that way. She kept seeing Rei looking at Yaten with guarded longing in her lilac eyes. Yaten with tormented responses looking back in Rei's direction. Haruka's voice echoed in er mind telling her she would back off but not give up. With a groan and a deep sigh she got up and walked back into the shrine. Her head still in turmoil.

Rei watched and Yaten idly as she perused yesterdays paper. Lilac eyes clouded by doubt. The feelings she had for Yaten were fighting her loyalty to her princess. She knew in her soul that she would turn a blind eye to these feelings if Usagi chose Yaten. Like she had with Mamoru. Those feelings had died like a summers breeze. They had not shaken her the way these for Yaten had. And his kiss nd never made her mind swim. Oh Kami Sama...please let Haruka win! Because I do not want to harbor bitterness like this will grow into if she chooses her!

Minako watched Haruka with thoughtful eyes. The wind Senshi was string out the window at the birds chirping on one of the public patios of the Shrine. Her body tense nd her emotions hidden. But then their eyes met for a moment and for that split second Minako felt her pain. She felt the tearing of her heart that the one she adored might chose another. This was not the fun and games the inner Senshi had tried to make it. It was her life. And Minako smiled bravely and sent a silent prayer to the Powers That Be. A prayer that Haruka and her heart made it through this in one piece...

Usagi bounced back into the kitchen, "Okay everyone is MUCH to serious. This is our last day of freedom before the hell of school starts up once more for the week. I say we do something FUN. Something that we will all enjoy."

Makoto looked over at Usagi with a smile teasing the side of her lips, "Are you talking about...?"

Fiendish twinkle started in the endlessly deep blue eyes, "Oh but I am Makoto...Think they are up to it?"

The Inner Scouts began to smirk slowly, and suddenly Both Yaten and Haruka began to feel slightly nervous.

"Usagi what are you talking about?" asked Yaten, smiling sweetly and then winking playfully.

"Why the best place in the world...Game Zone of course!" Usagi said with a teasing grin, "Something for everyone!"

"But we must of course play the traditional first game." Ami said her normally calm blue eyes glinted with an unusual twinkle.

"Which is what exactly?" came Yaten's hesitant voice.

"Paintball of course..." Ami teased with a happy glint in her eyes.

"Paintball?"

"Best stress reliever in the world!"

"Besides shopping you mean right Makoto?" asked a teasing Minako.

"Well, nothing tops shopping!"

Haruka watched Usagi out of the corner of her eye – the princess had been avoiding both her and Yaten all day. And ironically Rei as well. Why she was avoiding the priestess was anyone's guess. Usagi seemed to be hanging back more and watching people. Her deep blue eyes seemed to be hiding her emotions. Which was rare for the very emotionally free princess. Se had closed herself off. But was still happy...or at least was doing a very good job of acting happy so no one delved to deep into her thoughts.

"Penny for your thoughts princess?" se asked quietly coming up from behind Usagi. The Lunar princess jumped and the ammo she had been loading into her gun spilled onto the floor. Wide blue eyes turned on Haruka and for a moment they revealed the inner turmoil residing wit in the woman who ruled her, and then the doors slammed shut and the almost real smile teased her full pink lips.

"Not worth that much today Haruka! Lost in thought. But now look what you made me do! Now I have to recapture all my ammo! Or was that your goal all along to beat me by giving me less ammo?" teased Usagi in a slightly breathless tone. Her eyes drank in the sight of the wind Senshi. Te navy eyes tat saw too much, the lips that needed to lipstick, the aura of confidence, the way the wind blew her hair slightly making Usagi want to run her fingers through it nd straighten it out.

"If you ever need to talk...." Haruka began with a tentative smile.

"I know, Ruka. I know you are always there to be my sounding board. But right now I need to work this out on my own. Not to be rude or anything. Now if you will excuse me I have paintballs to recapture." Usagi said with a sad smile and left Haruka standing there staring after her.

Yaten watched tem from the other side of the lobby. Her cat green eyes taking in the whole scene – part of her happy that Usagi had walked away from Haruka, another side of her was confused by her lack of utter joy. Why wasn't she rushing over to the princess and flirting? Why did a lilac eyed Shinto priestess keep popping into er mind, and the taste of a tender kiss flavored with salty popcorn and sweetness linger in her memories. She HAD kissed back. Why didn't that feel wrong? With a groan she turned and walked outside. Se had to figure this out before she went stark raving mad!

Rei hung back from her friends. For some reason today Usagi was avoiding not only Haruka and Yaten but herself as well. And Rei ad no idea what she had done to annoy her best friend. Sneaking a side look at Usagi she sighed and turned to follow everyone out the door. Gre5t, Usagi didn't even know about her feelings for Yaten yet and she was already brushing her off.... this was not a good sign of things to come.

Three hours and endless rounds of ammo later they were all laughing and lounging in the restaurant area of the entertainment complex. Yaten was sitting next to Rei letting er light floral scent send her thoughts to places tat normally only starred Usagi. They were laughing about something that had happened out on the course and her hand touched Rei's. The world seemed to stop and they looked at each other, getting lost in each other's eyes.

Usagi sat off to the side and watched them with solemn eyes. They were both caught up in each other that they didn't feel her eyes on them. Watching and trying to figure out what was real and what wasn't. Then it hit her. Yaten or Rei having these feelings didn't distress her. She was happy for them. Her eyes flew to Haruka and her heart melted a bit. The wind Senshi felt HER eyes on her and turned to meet the gaze. They held eye contact and Usagi let the walls down and let Haruka in for the first time that day. Ten she got up suddenly.

"Hey everyone, I am gonna get going. I have an earlier day tomorrow than just about everyone. I have to get my car out of the shop and everything. Haruka? Could you give me a ride home if it isn't too much trouble?" Usagi said with a perky smile, "And Rei? Want to meet for lunch tomorrow? I think we need to talk..."

Rei smiled happily, "I would love to meet you for lunch Usagi...noon on the quad?"

"Works for me...see everyone tomorrow."

Haruka was up and had an arm over Usagi's shoulder as they walked out the door. Yaten's eyes followed tem but for once there was no fiery anger in tem. Ami and Makoto noticed this and shared a shrug. Oh well you win some you lose some. And honestly? They had known all along Haruka was going to win... Se NEEDED Usagi. Yaten had just wanted her. The difference was HUGE.

Haruka looked at Usagi out of the corner of her eye as she drove her home. Te sporadic light of the street lamps illuminated her face and the walls were back up again. Where had her princess learned to close herself off like this? HER princess. That was what she was. She was HERS, and it didn't matter if se didn't know it yet. All Haruka had to do was be patient...unfortunately that was not one of her virtues.

"Ruka, my parents are gone this weekend, they won't be home till Monday will you come in with me for a bit? I hate being in that ouse alone... Please?" Usagi said finally breaking the tense silence in the sports car.

"Sure thing, not a problem Nec-- Usagi. I can do that." And with that Haruka pulled up in front of her ouse and parked the car, "Why don't I just stay the night?"

"Good, we need to talk anyway." Usagi said with a nervous smile.

Haruka took not of the nervousness and got worried. Tat could go either way. Damn it! Se followed Usagi into the house and waited while she turned on the lights, "Haruka, why don't you use the shower down here? I can use mine and then let's meet up in my room for that chat okay?"

Haruka nodded and slipped into the shadows silently to take her shower.

Usagi trembled as she climbed out of the shower. This was it. This was the moment she had been working up to all day. IT was Haruka. Se was the holder of her heart. She needed Haruka like se had never need Mamoru or Yaten or even Rei or Minako. Se was her heart. Strange how it came to her, as she was loading her ammo today and ad scared her so much. After all this was the revelation se had been looking for! This was going to take all her issues away... So why was she so scared?

Because this gave Haruka power over her that scared her. Usagi was a strong person, but Haruka could destroy her...damn that was scary....

Haruka swallowed hard on er way up the stairs to Usagi's room. Was it good or bad news? Was se totally off base went she thought it was about Usagi's decision? Her navy eyes grew wide, what if se was off base totally and Usagi just wanted some company? Get a hold of yourself Ten'oh.... take it slow...

Usagi was in her favorite blue nightshirt when Haruka came in she turned slowly and smiled bravely at Haruka. Her smile wobbled a bit as she motioned for her to sit on her bed.

"I need to tell you something. I know I have been evil and I haven't always known my own mind for the last few days. But you and Yaten have not made this easy. And before I tell you what my heart says. Tell me why this is all so important to you? Is this some sort of game or what?"

Haruka sot to er feet, "This is no game to me! Usagi, when we met you wrapped yourself firmly around my heart. I had Michi and you had Mamo-baka. So I did nothing. I id the feelings till they started to eat at my relationship with Michi. Then I realized something. You made it worth it. Just by being there with me you made it worth it. I loved you deeply and irrevocably. I still do I always will. You are my other half. The half I didn't know was missing till we met...."

"Ruka...I choose.... I choose you." And wit that said Usagi pulled Haruka's lips down to er and kissed her sweetly...claiming those lips as their mates...claiming Haruka as er own.... her love...her other half.

Yaten burst into Usagi's ouse the next morning early. They had to talk. She needs to find out how Usagi was feeling about her. If she even had a chance...what she saw when she open Usagi's door to wake her up was the last thing she expected....

"Usagi, wake up beautiful...."Yaten stopped cold in er track her eyes went huge and filled with pain.

AN: Go find Kiss. The next one is her baby.