"From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven, and when two souls that are destined to be together find each other, the streams of light flow together and a single brighter light goes forth from that united being."

- Ba'al Shem Tov

The assembly with the princess was extended; it was already dark when I reached our house. I took off my coat and tossed it at a random direction, racing up the stairs two steps at a time. I've waited too long already, I can't take it anymore. I have to see her now, else, my heart would crumble into pieces. I ran towards our room as fast as I could.

The door opened, and there she was, cradling her baby in her arms. Her eyes were closed, her concentration was full. Her most prized possession cried out a bittersweet melody, a song about two lovers separated by duty as soldiers. One has to stay home and guard the throne, while the other has to go and protect their leader.

I was ecstatic to see her; it has been months since I last saw her, since I last held her in my arms. I was smiling like a child who was given a birthday present. But I was no child, though it was my birthday today. And my gift was this lovely lady walking towards me, with tears in her eyes.

"Hush," I told her, and cupped her face in my hands. "Don't cry, my princess." I hugged her and kissed her tears away.

"I miss you." Three simple words, before she broke down and encircled her arms around my waist. "I need you," she said, before claiming my lips with hers.

I was taller, stronger, yet I felt weak against her. The temptation was strong, but I have to fight back. I need to. The night was still young, and I still had plans.

"I need you to come with me," I whispered as I broke away, regretfully. There were no arguments, just a smile between us two. It was enough, far more than words can say.

It took us a few minutes to go to where I wanted us to be. The sky was perfect, no clouds, no rain…it was only the moon and the stars with us. I led her to our favourite spot atop that mountain, where we can see heaven and sea meet.

"Ara…what's this?" She wondered when she saw the candlelit dinner I prepared.

"It's…It's a…surprise," I stuttered, finding no words to explain what that was. I shrugged, then sighed inwardly; I was such a cornball. I should've asked Minako for an advice.

"It's lovely," my goddess smiled, and led us to the table.

----

"Ruka, wake up. Ruka!"

BAM. Someone whacked me with a hard object.

"Ouch!" I cried and jumped out of the bed. I tried to rub sleep off my eyes to see whom the suspect was, only to shrink back in fear when I saw Hiroko glaring at me. "What the hell did I do, evil sister?"

"Well, not only did you just forget to eat lunch and overslept…" She crossed her arms in front of her. "…but you're almost already late for that party!"

"Wha…what time is it?"

"It's 5:30pm! For goodness' sake, I really think you need to have a dozen alarm clocks in this room. Or better yet, get a girlfriend who'll wake you up on time," and she was off, slamming the door to make an impact. Argh, I think I need to replace it again.

Shit…I muttered. I cursed for around an hour until I was ready to leave the house. I decided to whether I'll use the bike or the car, but chose the former, because it'll take me faster to my destination.

Speeding down the city seeming like hell's flames were chasing after me, I reached the Kaioh mansion in approximately half an hour, barely a few minutes after the party started. Well…better late than never, ne? It wasn't bad. I hope.

The maids greeted me with full smiles, as I entered the ballroom. It was huge, with lots of food and chairs over the corners. The curtains were made with golden silk, laced with silver-like threads. And in the center of the room, a band composed of old musicians was playing their piece onstage.

----

"I've written a song about you," my beloved beamed proudly after we shared our first dinner together in five months. "It was the only thing that stopped me from going crazy." Once again, tears formed in her eyes. My heart broke.

"I'm sorry. I know it's hard, I felt the same way. It is our duty to protect the kingdom, but it kills me every second when I'm not with you. We'll never be separated again, I made her promise."

I took her hands and placed it on my chest. "I couldn't sleep at night without you by my side. I can't even breathe right, my world was dark. You are my only light, my princess."

"Since when did you become poetic?" She tried to tease me, but I was serious. I stood up, so did she, and we hugged each other tight, making up for the lost days that we were away form each other.

I lived for her and her alone. The emotion was just too much. I needed to tell her everything. In four simple words, I opened up my heart and said, "I love you, Neptune."

"I love you too, Uranus." She smiled again. Now, I was the one in tears.

And under the mystical light of the moon, we kissed…like there was no tomorrow.

----

"Sir? May I ask what drink you want, sir?"

I blink back in confusion. "Huh?" I managed to reply stupidly.

The girl in front of me giggled. "Sir, I was asking if you want a drink." She made a gesture to the tray she was holding. She was smiling and batting her eyelashes, attempting to look cute. She even flirted with me after a while.

But I was not in the mood. I told her no, I'm alright. I'm just waiting for my girlfriend. Hah, that serves her right. She retreated to another table with a sad face, and I wouldn't care less.

I replayed the earlier scene on my mind. Me, kissing another girl? What the hell was that? And who is she? Why is it that I feel so empty, now that the daydream is over? Why do I have this longing in my heart, this need to see her, to hold her in my arms again? To kiss her, like what happened in that reverie.

I was flooded with questions, though my thoughts were soon broken when someone tapped me on my right shoulder.

"So, my boy…you came! It is nice of you to be here at my daughter's birthday party." Mr. Kaioh greeted me again with 'my boy'. I wonder how he'll react when he learns that I'm no boy. I snickered on the inside.

"Speaking of her, where is she…" he trailed off, searching through the crowd for a face. "Aha, there she is! Moeko, come here," the man beckoned to a person behind me.

I armed myself with a killer smile and turned around…only to face someone foreign, someone unfamiliar. It was a girl with turquoise hair, a slim body, and a pale face. "I'm Kaioh Moeko. Thank you for coming to my party." Her voice was girly, and she was beautiful. But she was not my Medusa.

She offered her hand to me, and I took it, grazing it with the lightest touch from my lips.

"Tenoh Haruka…" I stalled, completely disappointed, and confused on what was happening. If not for the obvious loud cough from her father, I would never have continued. "A pleasure to meet such a fine lady like you."

I knew what he was thinking and almost everyone else around us when they saw me with Moeko's hand, looking like I didn't intend to release my hold. But the truth was, my mind was reeling in disorder…the lady from the picture shares quite a resemblance to my goddess. I swear, she was like an older version of her. But why…

"Moeko, my darling…would you like to have a dance with Haruka?" The older Kaioh coached us to the dance floor, where a slow song was being played. The sweet sound of the violin, accompanied by a piano, sent a pang of jealousy in my heart. Though the pianist was a bit-off at some keys, the feeling of the violinist was apparent. Whoever that person was, they were jealous. But why play a piece like that in a birthday? Who in their right mind would do that?

The answer soon came known to me, when I saw who was now on the stage. It was her…my goddess, my angel…my Medusa! But…how…why…why was she up there and not here with me?

If she's not Moeko, then who is she?

Reference:

Rabbi Israel (Yisroel) ben Eliezer is considered to be the founder of Hasidic Judaism. He was a Jewish Orthodox mystical rabbi who is better known to most religious Jews as "the Holy Baal Shem" (der Heiliger Baal Shem in Yiddish), or most commonly, the Baal Shem Tov.

Disclaimer:

Haruka, Michiru, and the rest of the BSSM gang belong to Naoko Takeuchi. I'm just borrowing them for a little while.

And no, I am not Jewish.