"Haruka?" Usagi managed through a mouthful of Haruka's white dress shirt. "Are you okay?"

Haruka stepped back from her friend, nervously brushed a strand of her sand-blond hair behind her ear and cleared her throat. "Yeah- yes, I'm fine," she lied. Haruka knew it was not at all convincing from the sad expression on Usagi's face.

"You're crying, Haruka," Usagi noted. Haruka began to disagree, but Usagi wiped one of her pink-nailed fingers under Haruka's left eye and showed her. "You should just wait, I sure she wouldn't leave you! You are a wonderful provider- I mean, a wonder person," Usagi reconsidered her words, "well, both actually. Michiru loves you!" Usagi was crying too, by the time she was finished.

"It has been two days," Haruka suggested.

"WHAAAT?" Usagi shouted. "THAT IS ALL? OH MY GOSH! I THOUGHT SHE HAD BEEN GONE AT LEAST A FEW WEEKS OR SOMETHING!"

"She would have said somethi-"

"Give her some more time!"

Haruka nearly jumped in surprise. Usagi stood before her, hands on her hips, and glowering at her with a disgusted expression. She could be scary sometimes, but she had a point. It i was /i only two days. She could be doing anything.

i Anything? Most likely her new boyfriend. Maybe he isn't even new. Michiru has probably been with him the whole time. All of those roses that she suddenly appeared with. All of the chocolates. Letters, teddy bears, jewelry. /i

"HARUKA! ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?" Usagi interrupted, causing Haruka to snap out of her haze.

"Yes. I'll just call her again and see if she answers."

"No way! Just give her a break. You must have called her a billion times by now. If she wanted to answer, she would have already."

Usagi's logic was startling Haruka. She never knew that she was capable of thinking so clearly. It was even more amazing that she hadn't thought of it before. But why wouldn't Michiru want to talk to her?

"I have an idea!" Usagi suddenly exclaimed. You could almost see a light bulb turn on over her head. "When is your anniversary?" she asked in her normal, slow voice.

"Huh? Michiru and I aren't marrie-"

"No, silly, from the day you met!"

"April eight."

Usagi stared blankly at Haruka for several seconds until Haruka realized what she was getting at.Today was the eight of April.

"She has gotten you something really nice! Michiru is on her way here with it right now."

Michiru always gave her a little something on their "anniversary", but usually nothing else more than a new pair of socks or pajamas. There wasn't much that Haruka wanted from her besides her love. Michiru on the other hand, could always do with more trinkets and tokens. In fact, Haruka had completely forgotten to get her something. She didn't have time to go out and buy something, so she just hoped that a bit of passion would be enough.

Usagi sat back and relaxed on the sofa, pleased with her handiwork: A normal Haruka. She was even smiling. "Well, I will just wait here until she comes back, practice the violin for a few hours, and then she is all yours, okay?"

Haruka was in such a stupor, that she actually agreed with Usagi's ridiculous request. She sat down on the couch, still in a slight daze, and turned toward Usagi. "Thank you so much, Koneko. I never thought of that. I don't know what I would of done if you hadn't come over." That was a lie. Haruka knew exactly what she would have done. She would have sat on the loveseat until she heard news of Michiru, and would have looked a mess when she finally came home.

"I'm so glad I could help you. That's what I'm here for!" Usagi extended her fingers into another "V", nearly hitting Haruka in the face during the process of her ungraceful act. Haruka laughed, for the first time in a while. Michiru was usually the only one who made her laugh, but for the time being, she guessed that Usagi would do.

In the meanwhile, she needed to be presentable. Her hair wasn't combed, she reeked from not bathing in two days, and by now, guessed that her breath was worse than that of a dog.

Chapter is finished.