Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

Note: Thanks for all your reviews. I tried changing the last chapter so Haruka would seem less out of character but I still need help. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Chapter 8: Things Gone Wrong II

Haruka sighed as she snuck past the palace guards and disappeared in to the palace stables. Whenever Haruka felt angry or unhappy, the blonde would visit the stables and seek out one of her best friends. The young girl walked down the pens until she came to a particular horse. The animal had a beautiful black coat that glimmered in the sun and a fierce look in her eyes. Smiling softly, Haruka reached into her pocket and drew out an apple she had brought for the horse.

Ever since Michiru had stormed out of her room, Haruka had been feeling completely horrible. She hadn't meant to yell at Michiru.She just lost control. Not bothering to saddle the horse, Haruka climbed onto the horse and urged it into a trot, not caring as she rushed past the yelling palace guards.

The blonde shook her head. So many things were on her mind. Michiru...

Haruka watched Michiru stomp out of her room angrily. Her hands clenched, Haruka walked over to the door and slammed it shut. Breathing deeply, Haruka leaned against the closed door and slowly sank to the floor. Why were there tears in her eyes?

Haruka lifted a hand and quickly wiped away the droplets of water. She didn't mean to yell at Michiru. Haruka had just felt so frusturated over the past few days. She knew that Michiru had been avoiding her. The day that she had walked into the garden with Yaten and Mimet, she had seen Michiru sink into the shadows so that she would not be seen. Haruka didn't mention it but it had been bothering her.

Hearing a knock on the door, the princess quickly scrambled on to her feet. She couldn't let Michiru see that she had been crying. Haruka reached out and pulled open the door, putting on a happy expression.

"Michiru, I- Yaten?"

"Haruka, are you okay?"

Haruka's heart plummeted. So Michiru hadn't come back to make things up. Haruka tried putting on a smile for her friend but found herseld failing miserably. "Yaten, I... Please... please, just leave."

Haruka turned away, trying to hide her falling tears. She couldn't bring herself to face Yaten right now. Why didn't Michiru come back?

"Haruka..." Yaten stepped forward uncertainly. Seeing that Haruka didn't yell at him or react violently, the silver haired teen placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Haruka shook her head. Did things look okay? The blonde blinked in surprise as she felt herself being pulled into a hug. Haruka could tell that this was really awkward for Yaten but appreciated the effort her friend was giving. Giving up to the painful feeling in her heart, Haruka let all her tears flow freely as she clung desperately onto Yaten.

Haruka clung on tightly to the mane as the horse sped through the training field. She closed her eyes as she felt the wind ruffle her hair and twist around her loose clothing.

"Michiru!" Haruka called as she knocked on the other princess' door. "Michiru!"

Haruka grunted with frustration as she continued to knock but found that her efforts were wasted. She wanted to set things right.

"Michiru, open the damn door!" Haruka yelled. The blonde tried not to yell at Yaten too as he was currently beside her trying not to laugh out loud at her efforts to try to get Michiru to come out. "Okay, you don't have to open the door but please listen to me -Yaten, you better stop laughing or else I'm going to punch you. Michiru, I'm sorry I lost my patience before. Please forgive me. Yaten, Mimet and I are visiting the marketplace tomorrow and I would really like it if you could come."

Haruka listened patiently for a reply but none came. Haruka looked completely disgruntled. "Yaten I really don't find what's so funny."

"Sorry, Haruka, but it's amusing to see you yelling at a door." Yaten said, placing a comforting hand on the blonde's shoulder. "Besides, has it ever occured to you that Michiru might not be in the room."

"How do you know she isn't?"

"Because she is right behind you."

Michiru sighed as she walked silently down the crowded street with Haruka, Mimet and Yaten. Even though it was still early, the streets of Charon were completely packed with various people. Children scurried around like little mice, exploring the vast market place while adults rushed by, ready to start another work day. They had the entire day to explore outside the castle and Michiru knew she should be grateful. Yet the young woman couldn't help but feel defeated as she glanced over at Haruka chatting with Yaten. Haruka had been very kind to her the entire day and had tried to spend more time talking to Michiru but the aqua-haired girl decided to distance herself from Haruka and Yaten for now. She had accepted the invitation to go to the marketplace with Haruka, but she felt like she needed sometime to think things over.

"Haruka told me and Yaten about your earrings," Mimet said abruptly, dropping back to talk to the aqua haired woman. "I promise I would keep an eye out for them."

Michiru stared at the ground in silence for a moment and then turned to Mimet. "A maid brought them to me this morning. She said she found them in the library. I guess I left them there and forgot about them."

Michiru suddenly felt ashamed for secretly blaming them on Mimet the day before. Haruka was right. She shouldn't have judged them because they were thieves. After all, it wasn't there choice, just as it wasn't Michiru's choice to be a princess. The violinist glanced around the market place with a sad smile. Back home, her mother wouldn't have given her that much freedom. She was glad that she was out of her grasp if only for a while.

"You really care about Haruka don't you?" Mimet asked softly, gazing intently at Michiru.

"She... " Michiru hesitated, thinking over the words to say. "She is a close friend."

"Just a close friend?"

Michiru stopped walking and stared at Mimet. Just a close friend? What did Mimet mean by that? Surely she didn't think Michiru was that type of person. Haruka was a friend and it will always remain that way. "Yes, we are only friends. Nothing more."

Haruka and Yaten stopped and turned to the two behind them. "It's almost noon. Let's find a place to sit down for lunch."

Haruka leaned back casually on her chair and stared at the cloudless sky. The alluring scent of food tickled her nose and told her that the food was almost ready. The group had found an elegant cafe by a canal and had decided that it was a suitable place to have lunch. People chattered lightheartedly and compared their purchases, from the neighboring tables that were spread outside the cafe. Michiru and Mimet had gone to explore the canal nearby while she and Yaten waited for lunch to be prepared.

The blonde haired woman stared off into the distance, thinking silently. Haruka was glad that Setsuna had given them the day off so they could go to the marketplace with their guests. After all, she and Michiru needed time to relax and think things over. She just wished that Michiru would actually talk to her.

Well, it's not like its my fault that she doesn't want to talk, Haruka thought stubbornly. Sighing softly, she leaned forward so that the front two chair legs were able to touch the ground again. What am I going to do?

"Help! I'm drowning!" yelled a familiar voice.

Who did that voice remind me of? Michiru? No... the voice was too high. Haruka gasped as she realized it belonged to Mimet. Leaping up from her chair, Haruka sprinted over to the canal where people were beginning to gather. The tall blonde pushed through the crowd to the front where the action was taking place. Seeing Mimet wildly splashing in the water, Haruka jumped in without thinking and struggled over to her friend.

The princess of Uranus gasped as she felt the chilly canal water envelope her body. Struggling slightly, Haruka made her way towards Mimet. The princess wasn't exactly a good swimmer either and when she grabbed Mimet, she was beginning to have trouble herself trying to keep from drowning.

The murky water wrapped itself around the two bodies, slowly devouring them but the blonde wasn't going to give up that easily. Haruka gasped, trying to keep both her head and Mimet's above the surface as the angry waves slapped her face. Swimming wasn't an activity Haruka had learned and she was beginning to regret it now. Water filled her mouth and nose as she struggled to keep from drowning. Suddenly she felt a firm arm wrap itself around her and slowly drag the two woman onto the shore.

Flopping down onto the stone floor, Haruka started coughing uncontrollably, spewing out water. Water trickled down her cold face and soaked through her thin clothes, dripping onto the ground. A pair of concerned eyes peered at her from above.

"Thanks Michiru," Haruka coughed. Her entire body seemed to ache horribly. She tried to focus her eyes on the figure before her as her vision slowly cleared. "Yaten? You..."

"Are you okay, Haruka?" The silver-haired male asked with concern as he leaned over Haruka. His clothing was completely soaked and his hair dripped with water. "You shouldn't jump into the water like that if you don't know how to swim."

Haruka blinked in confusion. She had thought Michiru was the one that had saved them. Her friend was an excellent swimmer and was suppose to be with by the canal with Mimet. Where was Michiru then? She quickly pushed herself off the ground and glanced around frantically.

"Where is Michiru?" Haruka asked in alarm. She tried to stand up but Yaten held her down. "Is she alright?"

"I'm here," a voice said quietly. Face paper white, Michiru knelt down beside Haruka. She seemed to be unharmed but then, why hadn't she been there to save Mimet when she was drowning?

"What happened?" Haruka asked, peering anxiously at her friend. Michiru's calm composure had completely evaporated, leaving a shaking young woman.

"I-"

"She tried to kill me, that's what!" Mimet leaped up from her sitting position and grabbed Michiru. Her apricot-colored eyes sparkled angrily as she pushed Michiru onto the ground. Mimet landed beside her and grabbed Michiru once again. Yaten quickly grabbed Mimet and pulled her away before she could do anything else to the princess.

"I didn't," Michiru whispered weakly from her position on the ground.

"She pushed me into the canal!" Mimet cried, fighting against Yaten's firm grip.

"I didn't," Michiru repeated, turning away from the two. Her aqua eyes met Haruka's deep green eyes. She stared desperately at her friend.

"Michiru... tell me you didn't do it," Haruka said weakly.

"I... I don't know," Michiru sobbed, looking away. It all happened so fast. She couldn't seem to recall anything at the moment.

"Haruka, if I were you, I would reconsider the friends I choose if they push people in to a canal once they lose their temper!" Mimet shouted, her face dripping with water.

Sobbing softly, Michiru flopped down onto her bed. Why did it seem that everyone was against her? Staring blankly at the ceiling, the princess tried to push the memory of the day away; How Haruka had asked her to explain, hoping that there was a reasonable explanation of why Michiru had pushed Fanny into the canal and the disappointment in her eyes when Michiru had failed to produce an answer.

Michiru flipped over to her side, clutching her blanket tightly in her hands. Everything was a blur --it had happened so quickly. One moment, she and Mimet had been arguing and the next moment, Mimet had fallen into the canal. Then Haruka had jumped into the water and was struggling to pull Mimet out. All Michiru could do was stand by the water, frozen with fear and shock. It was very lucky that Yaten was a strong swimmer or else both Haruka and Fanny would have drowned and it would have been Michiru's fault.

The radiant sun slowly disappeared under the horizon and the princess's room slowly filled with darkness as night crept up on the kingdom. The wind whispered soothingly and the water fountains outside in the palace garden seemed to chant comforting words to the sad princess. Yet their efforts were wasted.

The violinist shut her eyes tightly, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to break out. How did this disaster happen?

The thick mist swirled elegantly in the vast barren land. Everything was dark and clouded. It seemed impossible to see anything even if it was placed right in front of your nose.

Michiru took an uncertain step forward. Where am I? Where us everyone else?

"Mother? Father? Where are you?" Michiru called, spinning around so that the mist parted slightly. Nobody replied. The darkness seemed to grow stronger, wrapping itself around the princess's fragile body like a hungry snake. "Is there anyone out there?"

The aqua haired princess suddenly glimpsed something glowing faintly in the distance. With great effort, Michiru began to slowly step forward, the glow becoming stronger with each step. Something told her that the light was something important. She just had to reach it. Squinting slightly, Michiru realized that it was a person that was glowing. She was so close... if only she could see through this fog. Michiru gently pushed aside the curtain of mist that veiled the glowing figure and gasped as she discovered a person with short, dirty blonde hair and brilliant teal eyes.

"Haruka?" Michiru's voice was filled with surprise as she stared at her friend. She reached forward with her hand but was suddenly pulled back. Stumbling onto the floor, Michiru felt something tighten around her left wrist. Glancing down, she felt her mouth dry up as she saw a chain wrapped around her wrist. Looking back, the young woman realized the other end of the chain was held by people.

"What did I tell you about Haruka?" growled her mother. Her sapphire colored eyes burned brightly in the darkness.

"You are a girl," Mimet taunted, eyeing Michiru with disdain. "You are not suppose to fall in love with Haruka!"

"Haruka is mine," laughed Yaten.

Michiru gasped as she opened her eyes. Slowly setting herself into a sitting position, the aqua haired woman reached across to her night table to light a candle. Her heart beat rapidly as she fumble to find a match. Only when she found the match and lit the candle, did she relax slightly. The flame flickered weakly but slowly grew stronger to fill the entire room with a soft yellow light.

Trembling slightly, Michiru leaned back against her pillows to think over her dream.

What did it mean? What Mimet said back at the canal couldn't be true? Could it?

Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to write this. I'll try to update more often.