"Everyone, come see!"

The gathered group in the back yard of what was once Haruka's house turned to the corner of the yard that they had set up a play pen and a large blanket for Chibi-Usa. Hotaru was settled a few feet from her, and ever so cautiously, the pink-haired princess was toddling her way toward her. Mamoru, who already had the video camera out there to tape his friends, turned the camera on Chibi-Usa as she finished the last few steps and collapsed gleefully into the older girl's arms. Usagi went over and picked her daughter up, hugging her tightly. Everyone else gathered around as well and Chibi-Usa delighted in the attention, though she was quite unaware as to what she had just accomplished. She only giggled and clapped her hands together, looking at everyone else, eyes bright with interest.

Mamoru passed the camera off to Seiya, who dutifully continued to tape Chibi-Usa as her father took her from Usagi and tossed her up into the air, catching her easily as she went straight back to his arms. The little girl squealed in delight, and Usagi squealed out an order at her husband to be careful. He chuckled and leaned down to kiss her softly.

"I'm not intruding on anything, am I?"

Everyone turned to the familiar voice. As Seiya turned, the camera inevitably panned with him, and it settled on Haruka. She was standing at the edge of the yard, a faint smile on her lips as she saw them all. The smile faded as no one moved at first, but was quickly put back in place as Hotaru rushed forward to hug the tall blond. Usagi smiled softly and went over as well, baby Chibi-Usa in the arms of her father who followed along, Minako and Makoto were quick to follow, as were Ami and Rei - and with them went Yaten and Taiki. They all offered her a hug, and soon Haruka was holding the little birthday girl in her arms. Chibi-Usa appeared confused at first, but slowly recognition dawned and a smile lit her face. It didn't hurt that Haruka had just presented her with a pink teddy bear though. This went on for a bit longer before Mamoru tossed a glance back over to Seiya. "I've got to get back to the grill or we'll never get dinner over with until it's time for breakfast..."

Usagi smiled softly at her husband, then took Chibi-Usa and looked to Hotaru. "Come on, let's see if we can get her to walk again." They headed back to the blanket. Minako and Makoto followed, Makoto taking the camera from Seiya so that she could film those who had settled back down on the blanket. Then Taiki and Yaten made some excuse about helping Mamoru with the food and went off with them, Rei following along behind and Ami went to play with Chibi-Usa as well.

Haruka gave the last of her departing friends a faint smile before her gaze finally landed on Seiya. Her smile faded as she awaited his reaction to her return. He didn't say anything at first, just walked over to her slowly as in a manner to waste time. She stuffed her hands into her pockets and watched him approach, remaining silent as she knew she probably deserved to be yelled at for the way she had disappeared. He simply looked up at her for a moment, and then a small, wry grin broke his calm demeanor. "Why do you have to be so tall..?"

She was a little surprised at that reaction. "Uhm... well..." She was stopped in the middle of her attempt to answer as Seiya grabbed the tie she wore and pulled her down so that their lips met. He kept a tight hold on the tie to make the kiss continue, and only let go as a cheer went up from their friends. He released the tie and a blushing Haruka pulled away.

"It's about time!"

Haruka glared over at Minako who only giggled and turned back to Chibi-Usa, who was settled in the middle of the circle and happily playing with the new toy she had just received.

"I figured that I had better do that before you went and told me that all that time away made you decide that you didn't care about me."

Haruka started to respond, but was interrupted by Mamoru calling that dinner was ready. Everything from that point provided no time for private conversation. The table - two picnic tables put end to end - was covered with the things that had just come from the grill, several items that Makoto had brought over, and a few odds and ends that Rei, Ami, and the three brothers had brought. The dinner was loud and boisterous, as was watching Chibi-Usa trying to blow out the single candle on her cake, nearly bursting into tears before Mamoru blew the thing out from behind her back. She laughed gleefully, they all had cake - Chibi-Usa's mainly ending up all over her face or clothes - and then some amount of time was spent on the presents that had been settled before her. Soon the pile of colorfully wrapped boxes was undone and made into instead a pile of presents and a pile of torn paper and ribbons. Hotaru settled a bow on the pink-haired princess's head before helping her down and taking her inside to be washed up. Everyone else set about cleaning, and then leaving. Usagi retrieved Chibi-Usa while Mamoru gathered her things from the back yard with the help of several of the girls and Yaten. Taiki was inside washing the few dishes that belonged to the brothers that had been used for the party along with the help of Ami. Haruka helped Seiya and Makoto with moving the picnic tables from the middle of the yard to the side, back to where when it was bright outside, they would be shielded by the shade of the trees at the edge of the yard. After that, everyone pretty much dissipated. The Chiba family left so that their daughter could get to bed, Minako and Makoto left so that they could get Hotaru back to her house before it was too late, and Taiki and Yaten left with Ami and Rei.

Seiya and Haruka finished up what little cleaning there was left in silence, walking around to the front to toss a couple of garbage bags into the trash cans that awaited pick-up the next day. She stuffed her hands into her pockets and glanced at him again. "Well, let's see if I can get this out now without being interrupted. Seiya, I just can't-"

"Wait, forget it. I don't want to hear this little speech. That's one thing I can live without. Just forget any of what I've told you, okay? I mean, it's not the same thing as how I felt about Usagi, but it will eventually go away too..."

"Seiya-"

"What?! Why do you insist on pursuing this subject? I release you from having to answer, okay. Just leave i-"

"Seiya!" Haruka grabbed his shoulder and spun him around before grabbing the front of his shirt in her fist and holding him in place. "You'd think you would have learned by this point, but there never seems to be any way to get a point across to you without physical force! I haven't seen you in over a year and you still insist on being the one to do all of the talking! Now, can you hold still and shut up long enough to let me talk?"

Slightly surprised by the outburst, he gave a nod of his head and was released.

"Better." She gave a faint sigh and shook her head. "I was going to say that I just can't keep running from this... issue like I have been. I think I've been running from it since that day in the music store..." She trailed off a minute before giving another shake of her head. "Look, my point is that I'm not sure if I love you... Just the idea of even liking a guy is a new thing for me, because I'm at least sure that I'm attracted to you." She smiled a little as Seiya gave a small chuckle.

"Well, that's nice to know."

"Yeah, well... My point is that, while I'm not sure exactly what my feelings are for you, I am sure that I'd like to have the chance to explore them and figure them out..."

"Aw, Haruka... Are you asking me to be your boyfriend? That's so cute..."

She glared at him, but a small blush colored her cheeks. "You know, I could very well just disappear again. It's not that hard to do, really."

"No!" Seiya grinned up at her. "That's okay. I'll quit rubbing it in your face."

"You better."

He smiled and grasped her tie once more to pull her down for another kiss, one that was allowed to go interrupted for some time since their friends were not there to act as an unwanted audience. Seiya finally pulled back after a couple minutes. "Well, that was better."

"You know, I'm going to have to quit wearing ties around you. I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with not being the one in control."

Seiya laughed and gave a teasing wink. "Get used to it. Because I'm not planning on letting go of you for a long time yet."