A/N – I needed to write something cute, I just had to. We all knew it was leading up to this! I had to give them a few memories together before Mugen! I just had to! You understand, right? sigh Well, at least this is one less thing that I need to back story. This chapter is making up for my previous tiny ones. Happy Saint Patty's day! And thanks for the reviews once more! I love you all! Mwa!

Chapter Eleven

When I saw you there in the shadow of the setting sun
When I saw you there in the shadow of the setting sun
You looked so beautiful
You looked so beautiful

When I saw you there I couldn't resist your tender kiss
When I saw you there I couldn't resist your warm caress

Christfuck – Wumpscut

"I'll make some tea." Michiru said, making her guest comfortable.

Haruka was sitting on Michiru's bed, her eyes gazing around her surroundings. Michiru's apartment was simple yet complex at the same time. Paints graced almost every surface and there were at least three unfinished canvases in her living room. On the walls many paintings, abstract, surreal or impressionistic, hung.

The kitchen was attached to the living room; the only thing that separated the two was a counter. The bathroom was close by also. Michiru's room seemed very adult for a fourteen, almost fifteen, year old. The bed was large, a queen size, and the dresser showed no signs of child like interests.

Everything was neat and tidy in the house. Even the mess of the paints seemed organized in their own little way. Michiru puttered away in the kitchen, boiling water, preparing cups and finding the tea.

"How long have you lived here alone?" Haruka asked.

"The same length of time my parents have been dead." came the reply from the kitchen.

"Sorry I asked…" Haruka said under her breath.

Michiru walked back into the bedroom holding a tray. She placed the tray down on her bedside table, two cups of hot tea rested on it.

"Let them steep." Michiru advised.

Haruka nodded, pulling back her hand. They both sat in silence for a few minutes, each staring in opposite directions. Haruka held her breath, wondering if she should break the silence. Michiru managed to do the hard task before the other girl.

"I'm glad you're here." She said, her gaze turning towards Haruka.

"I'm glad you're alright. You know, I get really worried when you call so early in the morning."

"Psh, it's only three a.m." Michiru giggled.

"Cute."

"You think so? My, does the almighty Tenoh Haruka have a soft spot for the ladies?" Michiru joked.

"Does Elza ever get tired of you talking like that?"

"Ouch, an insult."

There was another moment of silence. The tea slowly steeped away.

"Haruka, I have a question for you." Michiru said timidly.

"What is it?"

"Do you like me?"

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"No, I don't mean like me as in friend like me. I mean like me as in more than friend like me. You know, boy likes girl like me, except this would be more like girl likes girl like me…"

"Michiru, you're babbling."

Another long silence. Their gazes slowly drifted apart and rested on opposite corners of the room. Michiru blushed furiously.

"You haven't answered my question." Michiru said.

"Because I'm thinking about it."

"What's there to think about?"

"A lot, okay. This isn't 'twenty questions'. God girl, do you have an obsession with that game or what?"

"I've never played it. Sounds like fun though."

"It is when you try it. Great game, lots of fun."

"You haven't answered my question, stop stalling."

"I'm not stalling."

"Oh yes you are."

"No I'm not."

"Screw you Tenoh Haruka, just answer the goddamn question!"

Haruka spun around and grabbed Michiru by her shoulders. With a quick movement the blond planted her lips perfectly on the violinist's. Michiru's eyes opened wide with shock then slowly relaxed. The kiss was powerful and seemed to last forever. They broke apart from their kiss; Michiru's eyes met Haruka's.

"I guess that answered your question." Haruka smiled.

"I think it did as well."

"The tea looks like its done steeping."

"So it is."

"Maybe you should go take the tea bags out."

"I'm doing that right now."

"I think we're in an awkward situation."

"Haruka must be a genius to have figured that out."

"Don't burn yourself."

"I live on my own and I've fought youma, I don't think a tea bag is going to do much damage."

"This is still an awkward situation, Michiru."

"I understand that. Maybe if I keep on talking it'll become a little less awkward."

"No…I actually think that it's making the situation worse."

Michiru handed Haruka her tea. They sat on the bed, staring into different corners, both slowly sipping their tea casually.

"No, you're right Michiru; the talking helped make it less awkward."

"See, I was right."

"Okay."

"So, about your dream…"

"You're changing the subject."

"What subject was there to change from?"

"I dunno, you're just making it sound that you didn't just kiss me a few minutes ago."

"But I did…"

"Yeah, but you're making it seem like you just didn't, which I may add doesn't help the awkward atmosphere."

"So, what do you want me to do, kiss you again…?"

Michiru blushed and spun away from Haruka, the tea almost spilling. A hand was placed gingerly on Michiru's shoulder. The violinist shook, she was nervous. Haruka kissed the young girl's shoulder.

"It's alright. But remember, you're the one who asked me if I liked you or not." Haruka said.

"I know, I know." Michiru turned around and met Haruka's gaze.

Their lips locked once more, Haruka pulled Michiru tightly against her. They both were very careful not to spill the tea they were holding. Eventually the kiss parted but this time the awkward feelings were gone.

"It's just like in my dream…" Michiru whispered as Haruka held her close.

"Hmm?" Haruka murmured.

Michiru loosened a little from the hold Haruka had on her. She smiled cheerfully at her partner.

"It feels just like the dream I had before I knew you were a senshi. I like it."

"Well then, I'm glad you like it. It would be extremely disappointing if you didn't." Haruka chuckled.

They both drank their tea in silence, but the silence was no longer awkward. It seemed to bring the two senshi a little closer together. Soon the tea was all gone; Michiru set the cups back on their tray.

"It's late." Haruka noted, peering through Michiru's blind.

"It's going to be dawn soon." Michiru said.

"Yeah, maybe we should get some sleep."

"School tomorrow. Hey, Haruka, what high school are you planning to get into?" Michiru asked, laying down on her bed.

"Mugen." came the reply.

"Wait, you're applying to Mugen Gakuen!"

"Why is that so surprising?" Haruka looked at the girl sprawled out on the bed.

"You need a lot of prestige to get into that, but I'm not surprised that you're applying to it. It's nice to see you aiming high."

"Thanks you, I think…What about you Michiru? Where are you planning to go?"

"Mugen Gakuen of course. They want me to go there." Michiru smiled proudly.

"I wouldn't expect to see any less from Kaioh Michiru."

"The entrance exams are coming up soon." Haruka said, she plopped down on the bed next to Michiru.

"I'm confident that I will get in. I've been studying a lot with all the free time I've had on my hands."

"That's good."

"You still want to know about my dream?" Michiru asked her eyes closed.

"Yes, I do. If it means a new mission…"

"I think we need to find the woman in my dream. I think she is the Messiah, the one who has all the power to stop the coming Silence."

"It must be approaching soon if you're having these dreams."

"I disagree Haruka. It's been months since I've had my first vision of the Silence. I think these are warnings, giving us time to act quickly and interpret them so that it won't be too late to fight." Michiru rolled onto her side.

"That makes sense, but what about those objects you say you saw?"

"We need to find them."

"Hmmm?"

"They are important. I could feel it. Without them our efforts will be futile. They are just as important as the Messiah. She must use them."

"But where to find them?"

"I don't know yet. We have to figured that out…but if we're too late." Michiru cringed at the thought of people dying.

"I know the cost."

"We have each other."

"We do, but…we cannot sacrifice our lives for each other. Do you understand what I mean? Just like our dreams for our futures this needs to be sacrificed and we must come to accept the fact that it's not permanent in any way." Haruka said, her hand moved to hold Michiru's chin.

"Our lives cannot be wasted on each other. If one of us gets hurt or dies we need to move on no matter how much it hurts." Michiru nuzzled into Haruka's hand.

"Right, we need to hold that promise. No matter what, one of us has to survive. If one of us gets left behind they get left behind. No turning back, no matter what."

"Agreed."

Haruka leaned over and kissed Michiru.

"I think it's time for bed." Michiru said wearily.

"I think you're right, do you want me to sleep on the couch?"

"No, I want you here beside me. You're comfy and I'm in a cuddling mood at the moment."

"It's because you got up so early."

"The dream, remember? I have an excuse." The aqua haired girl smiled, "Besides, I know you want to."

Haruka willingly obliged and crawled into the covers with the smaller girl. Michiru rested her head against Haruka's breast, feeling the warmth of Haruka's arms wrapped around her frame. If this was her heaven what would her hell be like? Michiru wondered as she drifted off to sleep.

The teacher's at school had been working their students hard, final exams were coming up. With final exams came the entrance exams to High School. Some students began to cripple under the pressure, some even went as far as suicide during this point.

Michiru studied for most of her waking hours. She set all of her violin performances and painting commissions aside. Her free time was spent with Haruka, either at Haruka's house or hers.

Michiru sat on the floor of her apartment, books and papers sprawled out in a heap in front of her. An empty coffee cup was on the living room table, more coffee was being brewed in the kitchen.

A knock came from her door and Michiru reluctantly got up to answer it. She opened the door and was surprised to see Haruka standing there smiling.

"You need a break from studying." Car key's dangled from the blonde's hand.

"Do I now?"

"Yes, I've decided to take you on a car ride."

"Oh?"

"Yes, to the sea. I even packed a lunch."

"Haruka made food? Should I be worried?"

"Get ready! Don't worry about being out late either, tomorrow is the weekend!" Haruka smiled, yanking gently on Michiru's hand.

"Alright, I'll come, just wait a moment."

Haruka waited patiently outside the apartment, tossing her keys up and down. She was dressed in a simple white dress shirt and tight blue jeans. She had sunglasses on the top of her head, an air of excitement radiated off of her.

"I'm ready." Michiru walked out her door and carefully locked it.

The violinist was dressed in a pretty navy blue ankle high skirt with a white button-up blouse. Her hair was tied back with a blue bow that matched her skirt.

Haruka stuck an arm out and Michiru grabbed it, nodding to her partner. They walked down the stair way which led to Michiru's apartment towards Haruka's convertible. Haruka opened the passenger's car door for Michiru and led the girl to her seat with a gesture of her hand. Quickly Haruka ran to the other side of the car and opened her door.

"I'm excited." Michiru said.

"You should be, I'm excited as well."

Haruka placed a key into the ignition and on her first try the engine roared to life. Haruka skillfully backed out of the apartment complex's parking lot, she u-turned and drove off onto the empty street.

"Haruka, I won't appreciate it if your picnic gives me food poisoning, no matter how much thought went into it." Michiru said over the roar of the wind.

"What was that! I couldn't hear your horrible comment about my cooking over the wind!"

"Yeah right Haruka!" Michiru laughed as she play fully punched the other girl in the arm.

"Careful there, you don't want me to cause an accident. I'm only in jr. high, remember? I'm not supposed to have a license."

"Oh, now I feel safe."

"I race, Michiru."

"And I paint."

"Just enjoy the date.

"Oh, it has formalities now? Now I can say that I went on a date with Haruka!"

"And everyone will be jealous. I can say that I asked Michiru out on a date now, and she said yes."

"Why, of course I said yes."

The car zoomed over busy over passes, stopped at intersections and made its way down the major high ways of Tokyo. Little conversation was made on the way to the sea; the two Senshi enjoyed the company of each other and the much needed break from studying. Eventually the car turned onto an empty road, the coast line was in the distance.

Haruka new exactly where she was going, she had driven down that road many times before. The coastline became closer, seagulls flew about overhead.

"It's gorgeous here." Michiru whispered in awe.

The car pulled to the side of the road and Haruka shut off the ignition. She then reached into the back seat and grabbed a picnic basket.

"Get out, we're here!" Haruka declared.

Michiru opened her door and looked down. A small beach stretched out before her, it was very private and deserted. A few pieces of driftwood were scattered across its surface. The sea was also before her.

Haruka came up beside her and held Michiru around the waist. They quickly kissed. Hand in hand they walked down to the beach together.

TBC…