A/N – The fanfic is trying to kill me! I've lost so much sleep from writing this, it's not even funny. No…wait…it is funny because it's me.

I loved the reviews, a thanks goes out from me to those who reviewed! more loves We are now officially into the S storyline, I would like to dub this chapter as "Michiru Stalks Haruka". Hooray!

Chapter Eight

Doesn't hurt me, you wanna feel how it feels,

You wanna know; know that it doesn't hurt me,

You wanna hear about the deal I'm making,

You and me,

And if I only could make a deal with God,

And get him to swap our places,

We running up that road, we running up that hill,

We running up that building.

Running Up That Hill – Placebo

A scream echoed from the park. The scream was strangled and hurt. Michiru lifted up her head, her mind suddenly became alert. The rolling sea inside her became very turbulent.

The day had been nice, it was sunny outside and the birds were chirping away delightedly. Michiru had taken a walk to sketch out a picture of the wildlife. Now she sensed danger. Her hand went to her dress pocket, fingers touching the transformation pen.

She got up and began to run towards where the sound had come from. She had to inspect the danger first; she didn't want any pointless deaths or any innocent people getting hurt. She ran fast, her hair flying wildly. Her high heels pounding madly against the concrete park path, she breathed quickly, head turning around searching for the victim.

Michiru found herself traveling off the path into a densely wooded area, the birds had stopped chirping and it was eerily quiet. Michiru checked around, she suddenly became tense. Her hand drew out the pen and she raised it above her head.

"Neptune Planet Power, Make Up!" She yelled.

She felt the power peak inside her and then calm. She found herself once again dressed in the sailor senshi outfit, the pen gone. Eyeing her surroundings, Neptune began to walk around the thicket of trees. Her ears pricked when she heard the sound of something trying to sneak up on her but failing miserably.

Neptune turned around and found herself facing another monster. This one was worm like, a gapping hole in it's giant head lines with teeth and drooling. It had four short and stubby arms, all tipped with giant claws. It's legs were none existent, just a large tail supported the creature upright.

Sailor Neptune took a few steps backward, he hands instinctively balled into fists. The creature hissed, tossing its head around madly, spittle flying about. She grimaced, her deep sea green eyes suddenly becoming very cold. The sense of battle came to her body, the sea pounded within in her and a sudden rush of adrenaline made her excited.

The monster took a dive for her, teeth barred. Sailor Neptune quickly jumped out of the way, the creature dove into the ground beside her and quickly turned around. Neptune raised her arms into the air, preparing for an attack. The creature quickly recovered and dove at Neptune once again, Neptune had to jump out of the way again.

The monster was too quick to recover; every time Neptune jumped out of the way it was always followed by another attack. A bead of sweat dripped down the lone Sailor Senshi's forehead but she had no time to wipe it away. The mouth filled with razor sharp teeth came down at her again, this time barely missing.

Neptune was fast but she was beginning to tire. The fatigue would cost her life and Neptune knew and understood that. She needed a plan, and needed one quick. Eyeing her surroundings quickly, Neptune decided to take advantage of the trees. She hoped that the monster wasn't smart enough to climb.

Dodging another attack, Neptune bounded for a tree. She grabbed a branch and swung her body upwards. She flew through the air for a second and caught another branch. Hoisting herself upwards, she gazed downwards on the confused monster. To it, it looked like the Sailor Senshi had completely vanished into thin air.

Raising her hands above her head, Sailor Neptune began her attack. The dazed creature had no chance of dodging it from way down there. The power began to form in her hands, the words would release it on her foe.

"Deep SUBMERGE!"

Sailor Neptune threw her attack at the monster, hitting it square on and stunning it. The monster writhed in pain, spitting and struggling from the attack. For a moment Neptune felt herself pitying it but quickly remembered that it was her enemy and if she didn't stop it she would be killed along with many innocent people.

She raised her arms again, preparing her attack and collecting her energy. The creature below stopped its helpless quivering and was now full of rage. It knew that Sailor Neptune was up in that tree and was now intent on getting her down; this was most unfortunate for Neptune.

It bit the base of the tree with its teeth, knowing through the wood and thick bark. The tree began to shake and Neptune slowly began to lose her balance. She had no choice but to jump and quickly attack the monster.

The tree began to fall and Neptune saw this as a golden opportunity. She leaped into the air, arms raised over her head and her power gathering.

"Deep SUBMERGE!"

The ball of energy barely hit the creature but it threw it off balance. It rolled around on the ground, mouth filling with dirt and grit, parts of the tree caught in its teeth. Neptune landed with ease and raised her hands again.

"Deep SUBMERGE!"

The ball of energy hit straight on, beating the monster back into the ground. A gapping charred hole was what was left of the monster's side. It screamed a blood curdling scream and began to smoke and burn away. A human figure appeared in the flames, it was a middle aged woman. She collapsed on the ground and vanished.

Neptune furrowed her brow in contempt. She had a self loathing for what she was doing. She hated the method of doing this, she hated that there was no other way.

"The sacrifice of a few to save the many." She reassured herself, but the guilt was still there.

'There she is…' Michiru thought to herself, staring at Haruka Tenoh from behind a corner.

Michiru had made a point to follow the blond to each and every one of her classes. Elza had said that it was the equivalent of stalking and that Michiru had better not get caught. Elza had also comment on the fact that she was glad Michiru now had a new 'hobby'.

She gazed longingly at the other girl, totally aware of her emotions. This girl would be the one to fight beside her and that was a fate Michiru was more than happy to accept. Haruka looked around and Michiru ducked away.

Michiru had to admit to herself that following the girl around was fun, it made her life seem normal. To everyone around Michiru it would look like she had a crush on a boy like every normal teenager would. She was glad that the majority of the people didn't know that Haruka was really a female.

She heard footsteps from behind the corner, the blond walked right in front of her, coldness in her eyes. Michiru matched her stare with her own.

"Stop following me." The blond said casually and walked off.

"Can't trick the wind, can I Tenoh?" She called back smugly.

Haruka ignored her and walked down the school hallway. Michiru suppressed a giggle and remained her calm and collected self.

"And now may I present the very young and very talented Kaioh Michiru!" An announcer called through his microphone to the guests.

Everyone was dressed formally on the cruise ship, it was a party for the wealthy adults of Japan, and everyone had class, style and money. Michiru had longed to play for a huge audience, especially one this well cultured. She knew that word would get around about her talents and she would at last have the chance of fulfilling her dream.

She was wearing a lovely white gown, laced with a simple rose on her bosom. Her hands were clad in silk white gloves that came up to her elbows; she was holding her violin daintily.

Stepping onto the stage she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Lifting the violin under her chin she placed the bow on the strings and let out a soft, graceful note. Another note followed, and soon Michiru was playing a song that came from the bottom of her soul. It filled the room with its glory; the audience was mesmerized with how beautiful the song was. Michiru opened her eyes and scanned her surroundings. She almost stopped playing when her sight rested on the blond haired girl sitting in the back row.

So, Haruka was on this cruise ship. She must have come from a wealthy family to have even been invited. Very well, Michiru would have to direct her music to the one who she was sure she was destined to be with.

The aqua marine goddess closed her eyes once again, pouring out everything she had into her piece. When she had finished she opened her eyes again, but found that Haruka was gone. She smiled and bowed. Applause met her.

Walking off the stage Michiru was now determined to confront the woman from her dream. She knew that Haruka had to face her destiny and come to terms with it, just like Michiru was trying to do.

Michiru found Haruka after only a little while of searching. Haruka was dressed in a tuxedo that made her look older and more mature. Her hair was done perfectly, but even combed to perfection it still held the air of wild and recklessness.

Michiru had creeped up the stairs, making sure that the other girl wouldn't notice her presence. She noted in her mind that Haruka was gazing at the End of the World. The blonde's face was sullen, her eyes darting over the canvas.

Michiru sat down on the stairs, gazing at the other woman. She made sure that her stare could be felt.

"Haruka Tenoh, famous racer." Michiru said, breaking the silence, "You are very famous. So famous, in fact, that there is a girl at our school who wants to go on a drive with you in your care."

"Its strange that such a gentle girl like you could paint something as terrible as this." Haruka replied, totally disregarding Michiru's words, "What a horrible imagination."

"You know perfectly well that it's not my imagination." Michiru replied, an angry tone in her voice, "I can see it in my dreams and in my destiny, just like you."

Michiru tossed her aqua locks out of her face; Haruka turned around and stared at the woman sitting on the stares.

"I don't want to deal with it; I have dreams and a future career. I want to race; I don't want to have to stop that for this." Haruka gestured towards the painting, "You can do it yourself, and stop following me around."

"What makes you think that I want to do this? This was never my choice; all I want to do is play the violin. Sooner or later, Haruka Tenoh, you will have to face your destiny." Michiru stared coldly at Haruka, her aqua eyes full of hate.

They stared at each other for a long while, both now knowing what to say to one another. Haruka turned and looked at the painting again.

"I want you to leave me alone, Kaioh Michiru. I never want to see you again. You can't back away from your destiny, but I can. Tell me, how many people have you hurt?"

"I do this to protect people, the lives of the few over the lives of the many."

Haruka snorted and turned to walk down the stairway. Michiru grabbed her dress pants with a firm grip, Haruka stopped at stared down coldly.

"Do not judge me for what I do. I was never given a choice, believe me."

"I believe you." Haruka whispered.

Michiru let go of Haruka, trying not to show the tears forming in her eyes. Haruka walked off leaving Michiru alone to sit on the stairs and to gaze up at her painting.

TBC…