Disclaimer: I own nothing blah blah blah.

A/N: Thanks this time go to cardcaptor eternity (there should be plenty of new chapters for you now!), Lokileysmith (things are gonna get crazy now), Sailor France (oy, that's some heavy reading, girl!) Christina Aza (thank you for being the first person to at least venture a guess about what the Creature is! Even though it wasn't right, your idea would actually make a really great fanfic), and, of course, aiisha, and she knows why. We're on the home stretch, folks, so I thought I'd put these chapters all up together to keep the pacing. Enjoy!

Haruka shook her aching head as she opened the door. The meeting had broken up only minutes after Usagi stormed out. Everyone just sat and glared for a while, then one by one they left, most in a huff. The Shitennou had been the first to depart, each heading out for a walk to cool their tempers When Haruka finally followed everyone else, she left only Setsuna and Mamoru in the apartment.

Pushing the door open, she found the living room dark and silent. The sun was setting, and she suddenly remembered Usagi. The silly girl wouldn't really try to speak to the Creature, would she? Especially alone.

There's no telling what she'll do. Best remind Mamoru to go looking for her.

She flipped on a light, and yelped in alarm.

"Michiru! What are you doing?"

Sitting very still in a chair across the room, Michiru did not answer for a long moment. She stared with ice cold aquamarine eyes, her hands at her sides, her legs crossed elegantly. Even in this strange moment, Haruka had to marvel at her beauty.

"I've been waiting for you for over an hour, Haruka."

"Gomen, but I walked Makoto home. She was upset after the fight."

"I see."

When she said no more, Haruka ventured another question. "Where's Hotaru?"

"Upstairs. She wasn't feeling well, so I put her to bed."

"Ah."

More awkward silence.

"Michiru, is there something you want to talk to me about?"

"Iie."

"Oh." Haruka waited for more, than kind of shrugged. "Alright. If you're sure…"

"I've been thinking a lot today." Michiru uncrossed her legs and rose, her hands folded behind her back. She began to walk towards her lover. "I really have. I've thought over everything, and I can only see one answer."

"Okay," Haruka said slowly. "One answer to what?"

"To you."

"Oh. Alright. Uh, what is this answer?"

Michiru stood in front of her, looking up with those opaque eyes. "I think we're past talking."

"We are?"

"There's only one thing for it."

"Ano…" Haruka leaned a little closer. "I truly have no idea what we're talking about, love."

"Women."

"Women?"

"Women." The corners of Michiru's mouth turned down. "And you."

"Uh, Michiru, I don't know how to tell you this, but you're gay too."

"That's not what I mean. Other women, Haruka." Michiru shook her head. "I love you so much, I don't know what I would do if you found someone else. So I'm not going to let you."

"If I found someone else?" Haruka couldn't help the little laugh that escaped her. "Michiru, have you been at the saké again?"

"Actually, I think I'm seeing the clearest I have in a long while. I told you, I'm not going to let you leave me."

"I'm not going to lea-!"

Haruka stumbled backwards, then looked down in shock. Blood stained the long rip across the chest of her white tee-shirt. Her eyes jerked back up to Michiru, who had not lost her cool when she swung the blade.

"Now, Haruka, don't make a fuss," she advised, advancing with the kitchen knife in front of her. "Hotaru is sleeping."

"Have you lost your mind?" Haruka shouted, backing away with her hands up. "What are you doing, Michiru?"

"I am not going to let any other woman have you. You are my partner, my love!" Another pass with the knife was dodged. "But does that matter to you? Iie! What does my heart matter to you?"

"Michiru!"

"SHUT UP!"

A table was sent flying as Michiru flung herself at Haruka. The two slammed into the wall, the knife sinking into her target's shoulder.

"SHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUP!"

Every scream was punctuated by a wild stab. Haruka evaded most, letting them slash the wallpaper and plaster around her head, but not all. One gouged her cheek, leaving a scarlet streak along the wall. Another nicked her ear.

"Stop it!"

Haruka shoved Michiru away, and she staggered, tripped over the table, and fell.

"Damn you!"

"What have I done to you?" Haruka shouted back.

"Why couldn't you love me half as much as I love you? Why couldn't you need me the way I need you?" Michiru pushed herself up. "Look what you've done to me! I'm a fool, desperate for you! I can't stand you!"

Another lunge, and she tackled Haruka to the ground. Struggling for the knife, Haruka elbowed her in the face. Michiru's nose bled, dripping onto Haruka's face, but she did not seem to notice. When Haruka twisted the knife almost out of her hand, she bit down viciously on one finger until blood oozed from between her teeth.

"Let go!"

Haruka's hand closed in those glorious aqua wave, and yanked her head back. Michiru growled as the finger was ripped from her mouth, then spat a piece of flesh to the side. A hard punch to the gut made Haruka gasp for breath, but she refused to release the other woman's hair as she tried to pry the knife away.

"Michiru, let go!"

A knee ground into Haruka's abdomen, and she grunted in pain. Finally, with a deft turn, she yanked the blade free of her insane lover's grasp.

"Stop it!"

"SHUT UP! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOU!"

An open palm strike to the nose made Haruka howl in pain, and throw Michiru to the side. Black spots danced in her vision, and for a moment she lay still, trying to make the room stop spinning.

When her eyes cleared, she saw Michiru standing over her with a heavy lamp.

"GAH!"

Haruka rolled to the side an instant before the lamp smashed into the floor. Shards of porcelain and glass peppered both combatants, but did not slow either down. Haruka almost got her feet under her, but Michiru leapt onto her, knocking her back to the ground, then straddling her waist and wrapping her hands around her throat.

"What does it take to make you go away?" Michiru shouted.

"Mi- Michi-" Haruka struggled for enough breath to speak, clawing at her hands, which seemed to possess an unnatural strength suddenly. "St- stop!"

"I can't!" Michiru panted. "I can't stop, Haruka!"

"Pl- please!"

"I can't! I won't let you leave me!"

"You-are-ki-ll-ing-m-e!"

"I know, so just be quiet, love, and it'll all stop!"

"M- Mi- Mich-iru!"

Haruka gripped both her wrists, and pulled with all her might.

Michiru's hands flew apart, and a look of rage flashed across her lovely face. But Haruka did not hesitate, shoving her away as hard as she could. She forced herself up, grabbed the fallen knife, and lurched towards the stairs.

"Haruka, get back here!"

She did not heed Michiru, scrambling up the stairs on her hands and feet to the second floor with a speed driven by panic. Her beloved had lost her mind!

"Oh, God! I have to stop her!" Haruka croaked, stumbling into a wall. Her knees gave out suddenly, and she slumped to the floor, gasping and coughing.

"Haruka-papa? What's going on?"

Her head whipped around in horror. "Hotaru! Go back to your room! Hide under your bed, no matter what you hear!"

The little girl did not obey, but instead hurried out into the hall, dropping down next to Haruka's head. "What happened to you?"

"Michiru's gone insane! Go hide, quick! I'm going to try and knock her out, and tie her up!"

"Why?"

"She's trying to kill me! She might try to hurt you, too!" She jerked as she heard footsteps on the stairs. "Hurry, Hotaru! Please!"

"Are you sure she's gone insane?"

"Of course!"

"But… don't you remember? Just a few nights ago, she pushed you away when you needed her. Are you sure this isn't something she had planned?"

Haruka shook her head, trying to clear it. She felt strange, like flies were buzzing around inside her skull.

"That wasn't her fault. The Abyss…"

"The Abyss works off our deepest, most secret feelings. This is something she has merely been waiting to do. Now, the Abyss has opened her heart, and let out her coldness, her indifference, for you to see."

Haruka blinked, putting a hand to her temple. Somehow, that wasn't right… Was it?

Michiru appeared around the corner. "Haruka, why did you run away?"