Disclaimer : I do not own Bishoujo Sailor Moon or any of its characters except for Kazuki/Akira/strange people who I made up randomly on the spot. The original manga rightfully belongs to Takeuchi Naoko.
Chapter 14: Sinking
by Enchanted Ice Star
Hey Michiru, I'll be seeing you soon. I...don't laugh, but I can't wait. These past few days have been surreal. I want to tell you everything when I get back. I better go now, flight's boarding. See you in a bit.
So now I was standing here, unable to sit like the dozens of other people waiting for loved ones to arrive, family to come back, or simply friends waiting for friends returning from just a brief vacation. I kept my eyes trained on the sliding glass doors that the passengers of United Airlines Flight 113 would soon be walking through. The distinct smell of airport wafted through my sensitive nostrils and my fingertips tingled from suppressed excitement.
Finally. Ten days were gone and done with and Haruka was coming home. I felt a small, involuntary smile spread on my lips at such thoughts. I had thought ten days would never go by, and now, it was over with. I couldn't quite believe how silly I had acted, though only in my mind, for the past few days. Setsuna and Hotaru would never understand the feelings I had felt during Haruka's absence. I simply didn't voice them. Or simply, I had been incapable of voicing them for emotions were such difficult things to describe...
Just as I was about to waste more time drowning in my own thoughts, people started trickling through the glass doors, slowly at first, then in streams. People started getting up from their seats, some waving little signs with names scrawled on them, but I was already standing without a silly sign, knowing Haruka would be able to find me anywhere. As I tilted my head to get a better look over a taller man in front of me, I nearly felt the wind being knocked out of my lungs when somewhat ran headlong into me.
I stumbled slightly but didn't fall over, quickly looking around me to see what clumsy person had ran right into me. The person wasn't as lucky, for she was sprawled quite ungracefully before my feet in a tangle of long, golden hair tied up in the strangest hairstyle I had ever seen in all my life. Surprisingly enough, the girl leapt to her feet almost immediately, a hand scratching the back of her head sheepishly as she bowed apologetically towards me.
"Gomen neh! I didn't mean to run into you," she said this all quite hastily and bowed one last time before running off again, long, blonde pigtails streaming after her running figure. My eyes followed the girl with the absurd meatball styled hair until she turned the corner sharply and nearly ran into another innocent bystander. I could only stare. What a strange, young woman...
But I didn't have the chance to marvel over the adorable stranger for long when I abruptly felt a familiar set of eyes on me. I tentatively turned back towards the general direction of the sliding doors and was immediately captured by a pair of dancing, teal eyes that I had longed to see for the past ten days. Uncontrollably, my heart picked up its pace and I could feel it beating quite harshly against my chest. I knew I must have looked quite blank or stunned, but I never knew that seeing Haruka in the flesh again after missing her presence for a few days would be such an impact.
She was just as I remembered, still tall and handsome, perhaps hair slightly longer and difficult to keep out of her eyes. Maybe I was just noticing the little things, for she seemed excited about something, that light in her eyes brighter than usual as she took quick, long strides towards me...our distance closing. No more oceans, no more countries between us. Just a few centimetres of navy blue airport carpet. And then, she was there. Right in front of me. I could reach out and touch her. Warm and tangible. Right beneath my fingers.
My gaze searched hers and we did not speak for a few seconds before she swept me up into an almost bone crushing hug. I stifled a cry of surprise and ended up giggling lightly into her ear, returning the embrace, both not minding the spectators around us pointing and whispering. I felt that sensual chuckle of hers ring pleasantly in my ears as she whispered an affectionate, "I missed you."
And in a heartbeat, I felt a strange indescribable feeling welling inside of me. It hurt slightly, when I pulled back to search her eyes again. She missed me. I wanted to hear those words from her, but now that she had spoken them, it set a strange sensation through me and I could only puzzle over my bizarre feelings. It had seemed detached, sort of hollow...or maybe I was just being stupid and thinking too much again. I should be ecstatic, insanely happy that Haruka was finally in my arms again, but I was awfully sedate all of a sudden and could only smile up at her, hoping my strange, worrisome feelings were not shining through to her.
Maybe it was just weird to finally see her again. Maybe it was just a bit surreal and I wasn't use to that sudden overwhelming rush of wild, free smell that was so distinct to Haruka and Haruka alone. Yes, that must be it.
"Where's Setsuna? And that little girl you told me so much about?" Haruka piped up, taking my hand in hers as we picked up her single luggage before going towards the parking lot where I had left Haruka's Ferrari.
"I actually dubbed Setsuna the job of babysitter while I came to pick you up," I smiled up affectionately at her taller form, slightly teasing as I leaned in closer. "I wanted a bit of alone time with you, of course."
Haruka only answered with a knowing smirk, eyes landing on her yellow car with a sort of nostalgic look on her face. "I missed you too," she patted the car lightly before throwing her suitcase into the trunk and going around to the driver's seat. I laughed and shook my head, getting into my rightful spot in the passenger's seat. It never felt all that right driving this car anyway. I was much too use to turning towards my left to see Haruka's windswept hair dancing over her eyes. I missed it dearly.
As we backed out of the parking space, I once again turned towards my left to see Haruka sitting there, driving, and my heart settled. But something was nagging at me again. Haruka seemed slightly off. I didn't know what it was. That strange light to her eyes that told me something was up. I tilted my head thoughtfully and absentmindedly tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear before daring myself to ask.
"Haruka? Is there something you're not telling me?"
Her eyes widened for a millisecond before she chuckled and plastered a neutral look on her face, though I could see through it any day. "I tell you everything, Michiru. What can I hide from you anyway?" She said this in such a light, joking tone that I almost felt that I was the one being overly sensitive and awkward. I looked away and frowned ever so slightly.
"You just seem sort of excited."
She laughed. How I missed that sound. "I'm excited to see you." Her tone was teasing again, that obvious statement causing her to break out into another light chuckle. My heart danced all the while, but still, I trusted my instincts and calmly looked towards her again, eyes narrowed ever so slightly when I felt like I needed to do some prying.
"No really, Haruka. Something's up and you're hiding it from me," I tried to keep my voice steady, nonchalant almost but found it difficult to do so.
Haruka's sloppy grin fell, replaced by a sort of sheepish look. "I don't understand how you can do that."
"Do what?"
"Read my mind or something."
I laughed musically and shook my head, "Haruka, I love you, that's the key to my so called psychic ability," I paused and continued in a more serious tone, "But stop trying to change the subject."
Haruka sighed almost soundlessly but I caught it nonetheless. "Okay, I was planning to tell Setsuna and you over dinner but since you're being such an impatient woman-"
"Impatient?"
"Nagging, prying, curious--"
I raised an eyebrow, "Haruka."
She laughed and ran a hand through her hair, a habit of hers that I missed during her absence. "Right, right, no changing the subject," her tone dropped slightly and we stopped at a red light. "I did really well over in America," she started slowly, as if slightly insecure all of a sudden about her next words. She gazed at me for a moment before looking skywards. Once again, the heavens were cloudless, clear- a beautiful blue. "Really, really well..." she trailed off and looked at me again, that charming twinkle in her eye. She was excited, I could tell. It was adorable when Haruka got excited about anything, for she rarely did. Nothing really surprised the tall woman and nothing could really inspire much of a twinkle in her eye. Then, she cracked into a wide grin and I found myself smiling with her, though unsure why I was doing so. "Yamaha's inviting me to race for them, in France."
I felt my lips twitch ever so slightly and the smile was suddenly harder to hold. Horrible, horrible Michiru, I scolded myself as those selfish, selfish, unacceptable thoughts ran through my head again. Happy, I was suppose to be happy for her stunning news. Delighted, thrilled. Perhaps I should be hugging her, showering her with kisses and congratulations...so I did. I leaned over and planted my lips on her cheek briefly before pulling back, murmuring a heartfelt, "Congratulations."
Her cheeks turned a light pink for a moment before she composed herself. The light turned green and we were off again. I sat back in my seat, not feeling lighter or more accomplished for getting those words out of Haruka. In fact, I felt slightly heavier, like another boulder had been placed on my shoulders and I couldn't really carry it because it was too heavy. I let my weight fall back into the leather seat and my shoulders sagged, though not visibly.
"It's crazy," Haruka muttered, though her voice sounded miles away. "Everything's happening so fast."
"You like the speed though," I piped up, unaware that I was even speaking though I could feel my lips closing and parting. I ran my tongue over its dry surface and frowned inwardly.
She chuckled and shrugged calmly. "I guess I do."
Silence. The car's engine droned on in my ear. The radio was off. I wondered dismally to myself why I felt so out of place. So silent. Haruka was finally back and yet I didn't feel that flood of joy I thought I would feel. I did, of course, but now, I couldn't really move a finger. I could only sit here and stare ahead, wondering, wondering, worrying...I laughed hollowly. I was being foolish again.
"So when are you going?" I asked, once again keeping my tone quite light-hearted.
"Er," Haruka paused for a heartbeat before answering, "I'm not really sure. Probably not for a while. A month or two? They'll mail me with more info."
My lips parted again to ask another question, but I stopped myself before the words could tumble out. How long are you going to go for? Another ten days? Two weeks? I held my breath. I didn't really want to know. Either way, short or long, Haruka was going to leave again. I looked out the window and didn't really see the scenery flashing by my eyes. It would be fine, though. My life didn't depend on Haruka's mere presence. Our relationship was stronger than that.
"You're quiet."
Her voice snapped me out of my reverie and I turned to smile at her softly. "The silence makes me feel you better."
She stared at me in confusion, but I only continued smiling and looked away. "Without any sound, I feel like I can hear your heartbeat. Your presence is more overpowering...it's comforting." I shut my eyes and felt tired, but knew I shouldn't be. "Remember? Your heartbeat is like the waves. The only things that really calm me."
"You're always calm," Haruka stated.
"Hmm," I felt my lips quirking into a smile of amusement. "Maybe."
"And I'm not," Haruka confessed with a smirk. "I can't even sit in one place for more then a minute without fidgeting. No wonder I can never model for you."
My smile broadened. "Then I'll keep you calm."
I felt Haruka look at me for a moment, though my eyes were still shut. Funny, how I could feel her gaze on me, this comforting weight that always fell across my soul. "Then I'll make sure you don't get too lazy, always sitting around painting."
I giggled lightly, though it wasn't really genuine. "That works out quite nicely, doesn't it?"
I felt Haruka nod and we fell silent again, enjoying that silence that I loved and hated all at the same time. I treasured it in that I could think better, pick out my thoughts and ponder over every morsel of confusion, sadness, numbness, and wonder why I was feeling this way. I despised it in that I could hear my own horrible thoughts better, the silence not masking or veiling my selfish desires for Haruka to stay. Stay...stay and wither away with nothing to do but yield to my selfish heart. I let my head tilt to one side, away from Haruka, and opened my eyes slowly to stare at the verdant scenery again.
Hotaru answered the door, and when she did, her violet eyes widened quite suddenly at the sight of Haruka whom she had heard much about. She stepped aside hastily for us to enter. As I slipped out of my shoes, I saw Haruka out of the corner of my eye glancing at the little girl nervously. I giggled at the sight of the flustered blonde but decided not to be cruel and break the ice for them.
"Hotaru, this is Haruka. Haruka, I'm sure you recognize Hotaru from my painting," I started kindly, taking a hold of Haruka's arm out of habit.
Hotaru stared up at her in a sort of awed amazement. "Michiru-mama told me all about you!" She started, losing her earlier shyness quite abruptly. "Can you really drive around those car thingies really, really, really fast? Can you?" She only stopped for us to blink before she plowed on. "And if you can, can you show me? Can you? Setsuna-mama read me something about cars, but I got really confused and it was boring. But Michiru-mama makes your stories sound all exciting. Are cars really that exciting?"
I couldn't contain my fit of giggles and could only conceal it behind a shaking hand. I shifted my gaze towards Haruka who looked very much startled by the child's very long and hasty speech. She opened her mouth once or twice before finally scratching the back of her head. "Um, yeah? Cars are cool," Haruka answered awkwardly before chuckling and turning to look at me. "Your Michiru...Michiru-mama didn't tell me about how talkative you were Hotaru-chan." She turned her accusing gaze back towards Hotaru who was now blushing.
"Gomen neh! Do I talk too much? I can be really serious too. Just like Setsuna-mama," little Hotaru-chan strained to keep a straight face but ended up pouting. Haruka laughed and I felt my heart warm at the sight. I decided then and there that Hotaru and Haruka would have no problem with one another.
"Haruka, welcome back."
A fourth voice joined us and Setsuna entered, a small smile on her face. "I heard Hotaru's voice all the way from the backyard," she eyed the little girl almost sternly. "Anyway, how was America?"
Haruka grinned, forgetting her luggage by the door as we all trailed into the kitchen. Hotaru seemed to have lost interest in us and had gone off to the television. "It was everything and more than I expected," she answered. "I was just telling Michiru earlier about going to France."
"France?" Setsuna blinked slightly.
"I'm going to race for Yamaha now. Everything is progressing faster than I thought it would be," Haruka grabbed a mug and poured herself some water. I pretended to be busily searching through the fridge for something to cook for dinner. I paused on a bag of lettuce as Haruka continued, "But there's nothing else that I rather be doing."
In the distance I heard Hotaru squeal in childish terror as a sort of deformed creature flashed across the TV screen. I shut the fridge again, giving up on dinner for the moment and finding myself looking at Haruka again. Setsuna finally turned her gaze towards me and I caught it, frowning mentally at the look she was giving me. It was a sort of sad expression, a look of understanding, but I didn't want it to be so. I smiled and rested my head against Haruka's arm. "You know, Setsuna has gotten awfully good at cooking dinner."
"Oh?" Haruka raised an eyebrow dubiously.
Setsuna rolled her eyes before eyeing the microwave. "My new best friend over there is a great help."
Haruka laughed before suggesting, "Then I guess dinner's on Setsuna. Michiru, did I leave my suitcase by the door?"
"You did," I answered softly.
"Hm, it's gotten sort of heavy," she continued just as quietly. "I think I might need some help carrying it up."
"Up?"
"Yeah," she shrugged lightly. "To our room."
"I would have thought this little trip of yours would have gotten you stronger," I poked at her arm playfully.
Setsuna made a strange sort of noise before waving towards the doorway. "If you must declare your next endeavors to the rest of the household, then do so quickly. Or just go already," she did another exasperated wave towards the doorway.
Haruka gave her an apologetic grin before scooping me off my feet. I laughed into her chest breathlessly and glanced up at her. "I thought we were going to get your suitcase...which isn't me exactly."
"Later," she whispered.
Setsuna deliberately dropped a frying pan and I couldn't help but burst into giggles as Haruka sped up her walk and away from the dangerously loud banging kitchen.
After showering, I found myself walking into the living room with a fluffy, white towel in my hair only to find Haruka and Hotaru sitting quite mesmerized and dazed on the couch and staring at the television screen. Running the towel one last time through my damp aqua locks, I paused to see what was so interesting to the two and walked closer, stopping short to stand behind the couch.
"Starlight Honeymoon Therapy...Kiss!"
I raised an eyebrow at the screen just as Hotaru jumped up cheering. Haruka heaved a sigh of relief as Hotaru eventually danced her way into Haruka's lap and respectively plopped herself quite comfortably on her. "See! I told you! Sailor Moon always beats the bad guys!"
"But she's so...stupid," Haruka mumbled as if at lost for a better word.
"Nah-uh! That's just because you haven't watched this for long enough," Hotaru defended quite hotly. "There's always something that only Sailor Moon can do. And she's not exactly stupid. She's nice. And kind, and she's always saving the world."
"But she's always falling over and stuff," Haruka grumbled, the two still unaware of my presence right behind them.
"I bet you can't fall over all the time like that and get up as if nothing ever happened," Hotaru snapped back with an intelligent air to her voice as she nodded heavily at her own words. "Yeah, and I bet you'd have a billion boo-boo scars but Sailor Moon doesn't."
Haruka opened her mouth to start something along the lines of "But it's a cartoon--" when I decided to cut in. "Watching TV, you two?"
The blonde jumped and Hotaru promptly fell off her lap and onto the carpet with a grumble. "Owy! Haruka-papa, you're suppose to stay still!"
"Haruka-papa?" This time unable to keep the bemusement from my tone as Haruka looked over her shoulder to stare at me in a sheepish manner. I crossed my arms, towel draped across one, and smiled down at her from my standing position. "Was Haruka-papa watching cartoons with Hotaru-chan?"
Haruka opened her mouth to retort but Hotaru beat her to it. "Yep! Haruka-papa thought Sailor Moon was going to die, but Sailor Moon doesn't die, right? I mean, that doesn't happen, right Michiru-mama?" Hotaru blinked her big, innocent eyes at me. "It's so obvious too! I don't understand why Haruka-papa got all confused."
"I didn't know Haruka-papa liked watching cartoons," I commented in all honesty, blue eyes widening slightly at this new discovered hobby.
"Uh--" Haruka began intelligently before Hotaru cut her off again.
"But I think Haruka-papa only watches because she thinks they're pretty!" Hotaru flushed at her own words but still continued on in a hurry. "It's true, it's true! I saw Haruka-papa drool when Sailor Neptune came on!" She seemed awfully proud at the fact of catching her Haruka-papa in drooling action and promptly beamed back at me.
I raised an eyebrow at Haruka who was now looking quite red in the face. "Oh dear Haruka, you shouldn't drool in front of children. We don't want Hotaru-chan picking up such habits."
"Habits?" Haruka seemed to have finally gained her senses and was sitting upright on the couch. "And I didn't drool. I was just staring," she grumbled defensively and stood up at her full height, only to be knocked back down on the couch by a leaping Hotaru.
"You promised you'd watch another episode with me!" The little girl squealed and Haruka sighed her way back into the cushions, only a mop of unruly blonde hair visible from my point of view. I almost looked at her sympathetically but Hotaru looked up and her eyes brightened. "And Michiru-mama too! You have to watch too!"
"I do?" Caught off guard, I let myself be dragged onto the couch and fell into a tangle of pillows and Haruka's arm somewhere in the fray. Hotaru giggled happily and leapt in between us, snuggling her tiny form against my arm. Haruka looked over her dark head to catch my gaze with a sort of exasperated pout which caused me to giggle. Without another word, Haruka comfortably positioned her arm over Hotaru and around my shoulder as the theme song of Sailor Moon started jingling from the speakers.
"See, see! Haruka-papa's staring again!" Hotaru commented as the screen flashed to a woman with a hairstyle quite like my own. I almost paled at the similarities and had to cast a side-glance at Haruka to see if she was staring.
"I have to stare at the screen because we're watching TV," Haruka explained as calmly as she could.
Hotaru giggled, "Haruka-papa's blushing!"
Haruka scowled and I had to try my best not to laugh. It was all very adorable and amusing to me but I could tell that Haruka was getting annoyed. Finally, Hotaru turned her attention back to the screen and was calmly watching this she-man turn into a woman. I stared at the flat, plasma screen and wondered if this was okay for children to watch. Hotaru did a sort of awe appraising sound while Haruka seemed to choke on air.
"What the hell?" Haruka spluttered, unable to help herself. "I thought that person was a man!"
"She is a man," Hotaru answered in a knowledgeable tone. "But he turns into a woman when he transforms with that thingamabob! And him too! Oh, and that white-haired guy too!" She paused and mumbled as if with annoyance. "I don't like their costumes."
I could only nod in agreement and stare at the scantily clad "Sailor Starlights" and wondered if I should grab the remote and shut the whole thing off. Haruka was still staring wide-eyed as if unable to grasp the concept of gender changing people. I glanced at the clock nervously and began in a strained voice, "I think it's almost bedtime Hotaru-chan."
"We haven't even had dinner yet," Hotaru reminded.
"Oh," I bit my lip and racked my brain for some sort of an excuse. "I think your Setsuna-mama might be having some trouble with the microwave. Maybe I should go--"
"Oh, I'm sure Setsuna's doing fine," Haruka cut in, her voice slightly higher than usual as she shot me a snide glance. It seemed to read, "I'm not letting you go anywhere". She turned her attention back towards the screen, an air of forced composure around her. "Oh look, she's a man again. This is definitely your everyday cartoon--" Her eyes widened abruptly and her brief moment of calm composure was over. "Holy mother of--"
"Haruka!" I snapped, eyes widening at the obscene language that threatened to pour out of her mouth.
"What the hell was that!"
Hotaru beamed at her brightly. "Sailor Star Fighter is in love with Sailor Moon!"
"But he's a woman!"
Hotaru stared, "You're a woman."
"Oh," Haruka seemed to realize her own words and sagged noticeably on the couch. I giggled as quietly as I could into my hand and wondered if Hotaru knew how awkward she was making things. "Well, he's like...a man, but not a man, and yet he's a woman too...so it's not...normal," Haruka managed and nodded with finality. "Right. See, hime-chan, if you ever fall in love, it's either one or the other, not both at the same time."
Hotaru blinked at Haruka's sudden parental lesson on love.
"What I mean to say is," Haruka continued hesitantly, "that it's okay if you like both, I mean, like a girl or boy, but not just...a girl-boy, you know?"
Hotaru raised an eyebrow and swiftly crossed her small legs, making her look rather dignified next to the flustered Haruka-papa. "But Haruka-papa, girl-boys don't exist. This is a cartoon, you know."
Haruka fell silent and I lapsed into another wave of giggles which sent an annoyed glare from Haruka to me. Hotaru seemed satisfied by Haruka's inability to respond and immediately returned to her cartoon, clutching one of the many embroidered cushions to her chest. I was about to attempt to be a responsible guardian and watch over Hotaru as she watched this bizarre cartoon when a strange buzzing sound erupted amongst us.
Haruka's bemused expression was instantly replaced to one of surprise as she dug inside both of her pockets to find her cell phone. As she flipped the thing open, the buzzing disappeared and Haruka managed to wriggle her way off the couch and talk elsewhere. Hotaru didn't seem to notice, for Sailor Moon and her scouts were currently battling an oversized cat- a much too interesting event for even Haruka to divert. But I was nowhere as submerged into show as my adopted daughter and I could not help but follow Haruka's form to the corner of the room, where she held her phone close to her ear and replied mysteriously as if purposely trying to not let me hear.
After a minute or two, the short conversation was over and Haruka tucked her phone away, though she looked a bit distracted. I called to her from my position on the couch tentatively. "Haruka? Who was that?"
Haruka looked up as if just noticing me for the first time. I frowned at her sudden strange behavior until she laughed, once again trying to hide something. I could tell, as her eyes danced from one side of the room to the other. She really needed to do some acting lessons if she wanted to escape my questioning gaze. "Um, I think I'll be back in a hour or less. You guys don't have to wait for me for dinner--"
"Of course we'll wait," I couldn't help but say. "It's your first dinner back with us."
"Oh, right," Haruka muttered, still looking distracted as she headed towards the front door. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Where are you going?" I asked in slight confusion. One minute she was sitting with Hotaru and I watching Japanese anime, and the next, she was mysteriously running off somewhere. I could not help but let my brow furrow in utter curiousity and wonder.
"Tachi needs some help," she answered vaguely, already grabbing a jacket and slipping into a pair of shoes. The front door was open and shut in a few seconds and I could stare at the spot where Haruka was standing only moments ago. Tachi? One of her racing buddies were in need of help? I knew Haruka was a dedicated and loyal friend, but this was horribly sudden. I got up from the couch, careful not to bother Hotaru, and crept to the window. Pulling back the curtains, I watched as Haruka started the Ferrari and the lights flared on.
In seconds she was gone. I bit my lip, unable to help the sinking feeling in my chest. I knew I was suppose to trust her. I knew I was suppose to understand her. But suddenly, I felt like I didn't know her. Didn't know the woman who had saved me, given me a whole new world and shown me what freedom was. And yet I trusted her with all my life...but what was this biting, bitter feeling that made me want to run outside and chase after that disappearing car?
"Dinner's ready!" Setsuna's voice rang out from the kitchen, sounding very much relieved.
I entered the kitchen wordlessly and held a hand to my chin in thought. "Setsuna, do you know where our phonebook is?"
"Underneath the desk over there," Setsuna replied as she placed Hotaru's bowl on the table. "Where's Haruka? I heard the front door."
"She had to go somewhere for a bit," I answered stiffly as I pulled out the dusty, heavy book and flipped through it to find one particular number. "I think I'll wait for her."
Setsuna shrugged, looking a bit surprised by Haruka's abrupt departure. "Where can she go on her first day back?"
"Tachi needed some help on something," I answered just as mechanically and finally found the page I was looking for. Placing one finger to mark the line, I picked up the phone and punched in the numbers. As the phone rang, I walked out of the kitchen and into the entryway, eyes landing on the empty spot where Haruka's shoes were suppose to be. After the fifth ring, a male voice rang cheerfully into my ear.
"Tachi speaking, what's up?"
I paused and found my voice, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. "Tachi? This is Michiru, um, Ha--"
"Oh, Haruka's girl! Haven't seen you in a while. Why haven't you come down to the track lately?"
"I've been busy at the community centre," I answered calmly and took a breath as the next words tumbled out of my mouth. "Is Haruka there yet?"
"What?"
"Haruka," I repeated and thought quickly. "I think she mentioned that she was going by your place."
"Oh, really?" Tachi sounded thoroughly confused. "I thought she knew I was going out with Aoki tonight. I've been droning on about it all week, I'm sure she told me to shut up a thousand times."
I faked a laugh into the phone and quickly mustered, "Well, thank you. I must have misheard. Hope you have a lovely evening with Aoki-san."
"I definitely will. Catch you later, Michiru-san."
I hung up and felt that horrible sinking feeling again, except this time it seemed almost unbearable. As I placed the phone back in its place, Hotaru was telling Setsuna all about the latest Sailor Moon episode. I found myself upstairs and staring at the unmade bed due to previous afternoon adventures...I sighed and sank into the soft, springy mattress, taking in a waft of familiar windy scent. The sinking feeling intensified but I could only frown and stare ahead.
Where did she go? Why didn't she just tell me the truth?
"You don't have to lie..." I found myself saying out loud and clutched at the comforting weight of the necklace dangling on my neck. It was horrible, feeling as if this was the only thing left that I could hold onto that was purely Haruka. What on earth was happening? Why was she acting so differently and yet so normal at the same time? I sat up and glanced out the window. Setsuna's voice sounded from downstairs again. She said something along the lines of "dinner getting cold" and that I "better hurry up or else Hotaru's eating my pasta". I didn't care. I'd wait for Haruka.
Just as I promised...
AN: ...Oh my, where did Haruka run off to? Oh, before I forget to mention, the random references to "Sailor Moon" as a cartoon here is going to be slightly twisted in that in "my" version, the characters' civilian forms don't have the exact same names as Michiru, Haruka, etc. etc. or else they'd be really...confused. The "Sailor Moon" show in this fic has similar characters that just resemble the "normal" people in this fic...I wonder if I make any sense. So in no way is Hotaru going to jump up one day and say, "Hey! She looks like me! Her name is my name! And she's like...a whacked up sailor scout who self-destructs to save the world!" No. Aint gonna happen. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and reviews are what keep me going :)