author: Samantha
Rating: G
Timeline: after SailorStars
Notes/Summary: A short story to go with a short writing on the dangers of obsession.
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Obsession

Michiru shadows Haruka's every move all the way to the car. Her lover is leaving for a three-week practice with her racing team in a district of Japan entirely too far away for her liking. Three weeks without hearing her beautiful voice, touching her silky hair or tasting her delicious lips. Entirely too many mornings for Michiru to wake in a cold, empty bed.

"Haruka, can't you stay a little longer? I mean, it's such a long drive, so you can stay tonight and catch a flight there tomorrow morning."

The tall blonde woman puts the last of her luggage in the back of her car and closes the door. "I've told you I'd rather drive there than fly. Even if it will take an extra day, leaving now will also help you three adjust, as well as me."

Michiru folds her hands and stares downcast. "Hai, but that's an extra day you could be spending with us."

"It's an extra night too, ne?" Haruka lifts Michiru's chin and smiles slyly at her. "We both know that if I stay tonight I'm just going to end up with my boxers around my ankles and it will be that much harder to leave tomorrow morning."

Michiru sighs and hugs her. "But it's three weeks."

"Only three weeks, Sweetie. You're strong. It'll be over before you know it."

"No it won't. Three weeks without you is like three years. I'm not strong without you."

Haruka pulls a small velvet box from her jacket pocket and places it in Michiru's hands. The young girl gasps in surprise and opens it slowly.

"Oh, Haruka, it's beautiful."

The wind Senshi lifts the golden necklace and clasps it around her partner's neck. "You're beautiful." Michiru admires the heart-shaped silver diamond suspended from the chain as Haruka caresses her neck. "You know, Michiru, you may not agree with me, but sometimes I think you're even stronger than me. I have to survive these next three weeks without you, too. I don't know what I'm going to do with all that spare time."

"You'll have plenty of things to keep you occupied."

The lovers embrace warmly and share a kiss. "But I want you to keep me occupied."

"Then stay here tonight."

"You know I can't do that, Love." Haruka kisses Michiru's forehead and trails her fingers down her face. "I love you."

Michiru takes Haruka's hand in hers and kisses it. "I love you more."

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How do you know you're in love?

When the object of your affections is the topic of your every thought and desire; is this love, or admiration? When you gaze upon them you feel short of breath, and you swear your heart stops, if only for a second; is this love? When something is so eminent in your life that it becomes your life; is this love...or obsession?

It's dangerous loving something so much that you know if it were ever taken away, you wouldn't know what would be left--of yourself.

Something that excites your emotions is the product of admiration. Something that shares your emotions is the product of love. Something that consumes your emotions is the product of obsession.

The step past love is infatuation. When love becomes a fetish, you begin fueling a lust that will never be satisfied. You crave for more and more, but no matter how much you obtain, you'll always want. It's a never-ending search for fulfillment.

The most frightening part: where would you be if the object of your fantasies was never in your life to begin? If the love and obsession is so real that your life now revolves around it, even seems to depend on it, you would be someone completely different; something completely different.

It's good to have a passion in life, but don't love it so much that you can't mentally and emotionally afford to lose it.