I am on top of Hailey now, in the missionary position, our kissing has definitely become intense. It's as if nothing has changed, as if we never broke up those two years ago, we finally pull apart to breathe. She touches my face and I can't help but wince since the pain is still fresh, not only the bruise on my face but in my heart, even as I do try to move on.

"Haruka I am sorry if I hurt you." Hailey says kissing my cheek, then another peck to my lips. "You have not changed much, if at all but that's fine with me. All I ask is one thing, if we are to go further then we go to your bedroom so that I can take better care of your needs."

I cant' help but smile down at Hailey, hungrily taking in her beautiful flushed cheeks and her sparkling blue eyes. I move a few strands of her red hair away from her face, I want to get right to that. "It's been a shitty two days and I will enjoy making you scream my name." I sit up and pull her to me. She's light and easily fits in to my embrace but before I can continue we're interrupted the muffled sound of a ringing and vibrating phone from the other side of the a sigh I get up and walk over to where my phone landed, it's easy to see with the cracked screen that I will need a new one. I press the green button to answer the phone. "Hey whats up?"

"Haruka, it's Ami. I know it's late and I am sorry but if you can help us out it would be great. The bus was supposed to arrive over an hour ago but there's no sign of it. Its been a cold, miserable night for Usagi and I and we are stuck downtown maybe Michiru and you could pick us up please? If not we understand."

I look over to where Hailey is sipping her tea. "Ya I'm on my way but do me a favour and call Odango's mother." With that I hang up on Ami and turn to Hailey. "I need to go pick up those girls who called me, it's hard to explain..."

"No need to explain, having our date interrupted wont end the world but I do know that you can't legally drive with that sling of yours on. So I will be the one driving your car and helping out. Hand me your keys Rebel."

"I knew you would say that, fine. Here's the keys Hailey. Lets hurry though, it can get dangerous in down town Chicago late at night and they are not exactly adults." We grab our coats and rush out the door...

"The elderly man here is so nice Ami, to let us in his store for a while even though hes supposed to be closed. Wow look at all these cute retro toys. This place is amazing." I peak over only to see Ami is distracted by chess boards and other smarty games that I could never play. I sigh. "Hmm." I pick up a weird old jack in the box and turn the handle but it sounds off to me...

"JOKER RAWWWWWWWWW GIVE ME YOUR HOLIDAY HEART!"

Suddenly an ugly painted face is seen, as darkness begins to flow through the little shop it's followed by a menacing laugh. The glowing empty sockets are sickening just to see, in less then a second sharp silver springs are bouncing all over, not including the ones that grab on to us harshly which gives me no time at all to try and save Usagi.

I can barely breathe. I see Ami screaming in pain. I was hoping we destroyed all of these things! I can't even reach my brooch to transform. I feel the spring tightening, this ugly monster with it's evil face of red and green paint is coming after me. I can smell it's horrible breath coming from it's sharp tooth mouth that smirking cruelly at me as it reaches with it's long claws to move the material on it's pocket to reveal the familiar black star on it's chest. I watch in fear as it begins to glow, things are starting to look blurry...

Something don't feel right. The wind has changed rapidly.

"Are you ok Haruka?" Hailey parks Haruka's car on the side of the road near a curb. "Where are your friends?"

I don't want to worry Hailey, I kiss her and answer. "They are probably browsing inside, they really like to shop. I will go get them, you wait here." I can already feel the evil somewhere around here. Quickly I transform behind a rose bush. I see dark energy flowing out of the retro store and rush inside.

"WHO'S FIRST!"

Things are going black then I hear..

"WORLD SHAKING!"

Dodging the springs, only getting a scratch on my leg, I don't listen to the screeching music. I focus on finding a weak point on this monster.I roll behind a cart, my ears hurt so I stuff cotton from a teddy bear I tear open into my ears. I pause for a moment to recover from that sonic attack and finally see a possible weak point.

I watch it searching for me as I stay hidden, moving along the shadows of the tall antique shelves at the very back. Time is not on my side, Usagi lays limp on the ground and Ami is barely holding back the giant spring squeezing her. While it's focus is on her I decide this is my best shot to strike again right at it as quick as the wind I hit him. "WORLD SHAKING!" He explodes with a horrible screech, nothing is left but some gears along with torn material laying on a mark on the floor.

The scratch on my leg is deeper then I thought but has already begun healing and the shop is nearly destroyed. There is not one area that don't have damage.

I feel the spring disappear as I drop to the ground, taking deep breaths I can slowly see shapes appear. Not far from me I see Sailor Uranus, her lips on Usagi's. She must be trying CPR to revive her. The room is mostly empty, nothing is left but a black mark and some junk left where the monster had been.

I watch as the young blonde slowly began to breathe and come to. "Hey Odango you ok?"

I open my eyes and see Sailor Uranus, I feel her warm arms wrapped around me her hold gentle yet firm. I try to speak but barely a whisper comes out, my tears fall, my arms hurt from the sharp spring and my body feels like its been squeezed worse then toothpaste but were alive, thanks to Haruka.

I look her over, the Senshi healing has already begun. "You need first aid Odango but you'll be fine." I de-transform, holding her against me as she is still taking everything in with tears falling her expressive eyes still focused on me I kiss her forehead and slowly stand with her in my arms.

I watch Ami check the elderly store clerk before she takes out her phone and dials an ambulance, telling them there was an accident she gives them the address. She looks ok other then a few scrapes but once she's off the phone I ask if she's alright anyway.

"Yes thank you, just a few deep scratches. I don't want to think what could of happened if you hadn't showed up." I see Usagi looks weak and dizzy with deep scratches on her arms and some on her legs.

"She will be ok Ami, when the shock wears off try to call her mom and see if you can get her to stay at your place for the night. If her mother sees her like this I know things wont go well."

Ami nods. "I will try and explain everything and hope for the best. Hopefully she will think logically, if not we will need to come up with some way of explaining Usagi injuries." I pull out my phone and dial the number my phone shows as a missed call.

Haruka checks on Usagi. "How are you feeling Odango? Don't worry, we will get you fixed up soon."

Usagi still looks woozy but answers. "I feel a little less dizzy." I whisper to Haruka

I see Haruka walking with two young girls, one talking on her cell the other in Haruka's arms looking injured. "Oh my god Haruka, what happened?"

I had to think fast. "They got jumped by two men, one had a knife, I got to them in time and stopped it. I already called the police, they told us to get out of here, they will call my cell if they need more info. They looked like two addicts desperate for cash is all I know." I lie, hopefully it's convincing.

Wow those two are marked and bruised pretty awful but Haruka has nothing but maybe a scratch or two with that one bruise from before. I know she has learned self defence from those abuse victim self defense classes along with Judo but holy shit. They must of barely touched her. I focus on the blond girl that was hurt. "Shouldn't we take her to the hospital?"

Haruka answers confidently. "No, it will be alright. We can fix her up at my place just fine, I always make sure to have a good first aid kit. You know how I get in to fights at times, though not as much as I used too. I gently set Usagi in the backseat as Ami gets in, she's still trying to talk sense to Usagi's mother."

"We better work quickly." I get in and sit down in the passenger seat, my arm is throbbing from carrying Odango. I hear Ami trying to talk to Odango's mother but it don't sound like it's going well at all. I can hear the yelling from here.

"No luck Haruka, she wants Usagi home in less then an hour, she's quite enraged still." Haruka nods and I feel the car move but she's not driving, an unfamiliar girl with short red hair is driving the car, isn't that's strange? I look at Usagi who looks at me, were both wondering who this woman is now. Last we knew Michiru was the only one she trusted, then again no one knew everything about Haruka, she wasn't one that liked many people in her space or to really talk about herself at all.

Ami and I both are curious about the girl with the short red hair, she seems parks the car and holds the door for me, asking if I need help. "I feel ok to walk now, thank you." Even if I feel a bit shaken still. I see Haruka and Ami rush to me, supporting my steps as I walk, my legs shaking with each step. Once we get to the apartment I am sat gently on the couch. "owww." My arms still sting...

"I got the First Aid box Odango, we will have you cleaned up and on the road to recovery in just a moment." I see her wounds have been healing well, I clean them up anyway. "We need to let the cuts dry after washing them, I know it stings, I will bandage them after I put some of this cream on, it stops infection.

"I got you a glass of water, thought it may help a little. My name is Hailey, I am glad you are alright, I hope you feel better soon."

"Thank you." The cool water brings relief to my dry throat but I can't help how curious I feel about the girl we have never seen before. Considering how easy it had been for the various dark forces to appear out of no where, the sudden appearance of strangers was something Haruka had warned them to watch out for.

I finish wrapping Usagi arm and then begin to wrap up the other.

"Can I use your bathroom before we go Haruka."

"Sure Odango, it's the door over there just down the hall." I watch, just in case they need extra help, as Ami walks to the bathroom with Usagi. Once they're in, I pull Hailey to me. "You were a huge help, I don't know how to thank you. I just need to make sure they get home and I won't need to bother you anymore."

"Your no bother at all Haruka, I am glad that everyone is ok. That is what truly matters."

I walk out of the bathroom, I see Ami, it looks like shes decided to download another book while waiting for I look the other way I see Haruka, she's holding Hailey in her arms, talking at first then she pulled her closer and kissed her. I feel my jaw drop, I tug Ami's arm, she has to see this.

I push Usagi's jaw up. "It's not really our business what Haruka does but she can't know we saw them, we must act like nothing out of the ordinary has occurred."

"You two ready to go?"

"Yes, I was just making sure Usagi was alright, I will help her get ready. Come on lets get your coat on."

"Ok when your ready, let Hailey and I know." I put my hood up and zip shut my black leather jacket. I used to dress up more for Michiru who always looked so elegant. It's a relief to just be casual again. I shake my head to get her out of my mind as Ami and Usagi come to the door. We get to my car as quick as we can since it's now a little after eleven.

I get in the drivers side of Haruka's car again and start it up. She gives me directions to Usagi's home, it sounds pretty easy to get to. It only takes twenty minutes to get there with the traffic still a heavy with late night Christmas shoppers. This year some of the big malls and superstores are open 24 hours. As I pull into the driveway that Usagi pointed out to me, I see this angry lady dressed in a puffy blue coat with messy blond hair come running out, as Ami helps Usagi out of the car Haruka gets out too so she can explain what had happened.

"YOU AGAIN!" The woman shouts at Haruka accusingly, then on seeing Usagi helped out of the car she gasps in shock. "LOOK AT MY BABY!" She shove past everyone to grab Usagi. "WHAT DID YOU DO!" She glares at Haruka.

Haruka stares back looking tense. "I saved her from being jumped by two men, Ami was with her, there was a knife, I was able to beat them off."

"WHY SHOULD I BELIEVE YOU? I AM CALLING THE COPS!"

This must be Usagi's mother, what is wrong with that woman flipping out at Haruka like that. How dare she talk Haruka like that, we were just trying to help.

Before I can respond I see Hailey get out of my sports car looking beyond angry, I always did like her temper.

Hailey stomps over to Usagi's mother and starts shouting at her. "THIS IS THE PERSON WHO SAVED BOTH THEIR LIVES, SO BACK OFF! HARUKA MAY LOOK ROUGH BUT SHE'S NO LIAR AND NO CROOK. TRY ASKING THE DAUGHTER YOU DON'T LISTEN TOO!"

Usagi straightens up as best she can considering her injuries and speaks up. "It's true mom Haruka IS a hero to me and Ami, she saved us."

Ami speaks up after her. "Yes, Usagi is Correct. It would have been much worse if Haruka hadn't stepped in. As for the police getting involved, Haruka also already spoke with them, they arrested the two not long after the incident. We would have been back a lot sooner but there were a lot of bus issues which is why you could not get a hold of me. At one point I was speaking with someone at that time but there was no luck in getting a new bus sadly, so I got in contact with Haruka eventually and she came for us which turned out to be a very lucky turn of events."

It looks likes that explanation shocked her out of her rant. "Ohh... Well... Then lets get you inside Usagi. Thank you for bringing her home, good night." Clearly exhausted from the stress, she gently leads Usagi inside.

Getting in the passenger seat, I was still in shock at how Hailey got out and defended me to Usagi's mother. I watched as she got in along with Ami and started to drive. I didn't have to say anything really because Ami was easily giving directions, she don't live too far from Usagi so it didn't take to long to get her home.

"Thanks for everything, have a good evening." Ami waves good bye at Haruka and Hailey before heading inside to go to bed after a long day.

We got back to my place in silence, the day itself was catching up to me and my arm was hurting enough that I knew I'd need to take my pain medicine. As we stepped in to my apartment I took off my jacket feeling exhausted but ok. Hailey looked like she was going to leave and I caught her hand. "Don't."

"Haruka?" I looked at her overtired form, her eyes are bloodshot, even someone as strong as her has limits. "I will stay with you." I feel her grip relax. "I will make a bed on the couch."

"No." Haruka says.

"What are you trying to say to me Haruka?" Hailey asks.

In an exhausted tone Haruka explains. "I mean no, I don't want you on my couch, it's no good as a bed unless you want to wake up unable to move... Dad always says for sitting it's great but sleep on it and your asking for trouble.I'd rather not have to walk on your back at six am and you know how I feel about my space."

Hailey gives Haruka a sarcastic look."Well what do you want me to do? I'd think the couch is better then the shower stall or the table Haruka. I am not so flexible that I can sleep standing up nor do I want to fall on your hard kitchen floor, as clean as it may be." I hear Haruka's familiar husky laugh.

"Hailey."Haruka takes my hand. "I want you in my space, I know you and trust you, I want you in my bed."

My heart begins to pound. We haven't shared a bed since we broke up two years ago when she moved, since then we have just talked over the phone and stayed good friends. Seeing each other a little bit here and there, nothing this a good choice? I don't know but we are both hard working yet lonely people and this isn't some stranger, it's Haruka... "Alright, I'd like it too."

Haruka begins to kiss me, she always did like to interrupt. She pulls away after a moment. "Thank you for stepping in tonight, I promise to make it up to you."

"People like that tick me off too and its not just the homophobic side. You saved her daughter and it's not like you came there for any other reason but to be a decent person. I didn't like how she was treating you, I mean you could of been hurt so badly. Just thinking of it scares me."

Haruka shrugs."Thanks but you know me, with fighting there was no need to worry."

"Ever since I have met you Haruka there's something special about you, it's what attracted me to you and still does." This time I allow myself to make a move to answer the kisses she's been giving me by gently giving her a full french kiss on her lips.

A moan escapes me, her kiss still heats up my entire body. I take Hailey to my bedroom and knock her roughly on the bed. I hold her down as I deeply kiss her she moans then a yawn escapes her and we both laugh.

I grab a pair of pajamas and hand them to her as a yawn hits me too. The pain in my arm has yet to leave me and that's probably what is tiring me out but it's no big deal. I grab my own pajamas and ask her if it matters which side she sleeps on.

"You know it doesn't, I will put these on and be right back." As I walk to the bathroom to get changed I thing its a good thing her and I are nearly the same height and Our sizes are not that different. Her pants are a bit long on me and since my breast size is a bit bigger than her I can't do up the top two buttons on the blue pajama shirt, other then that the pajamas are fine. I walk back to the bed and see her swallow her medicine. I get in bed and lay beside her. feeling her pulling me into her arms before we both fall in to a very deep sleep...

I wake up to my maid setting a fresh hot breakfast tray near my bed, I must of fallen asleep at some point but I don't know when. I felt the sea go rough yesterday. I was stuck in a dress adjustment but before I'd decide to just run there the sea went calm like nothing happened. I hope everything is alright. It would of been a great excuse to see Haruka.

I look at the food and although the smell is heavenly I am not hungry at all. Finding out Theo and his mother would be here in the afternoon instead of evening, that I am expected to be on perfect behavior and on top of that she made me speak with Theo on the phone. If he is anything like I heard, I am going to be so bored.

"Your mother awaits your appearance and demands you eat, once done eating I am to prepare you a bath before you try your dress on once more then your make up and hair has only a limited time to be prepared."

Michiru sighs. "I get it, thanks." I watch her leave. I need to just focus on getting through one day and then getting to Haruka to talk to me, if I keep thinking of that I am sure today will be easy. Ok. I pull the breakfast tray over with the hot oatmeal with dried fruit, a boiled egg, a waffle with fresh melted butter and syrup. On the side is a fresh hot tea pot full of breakfast tea and a tall glass of orange juice. I am able to eat at least half of my breakfast, I drink down the orange juice, pour myself a cup of tea and begin to sip on it as I hear my maid coming back in to tell me my bath is nearly ready. Even if I can do it myself, it's done for me...

I hit my alarm, hard. I wake up to the glare of the early morning sun, rubbing my eyes and get up to get dressed, eat quick and rush over to the Christmas market early. I, Minako, will not give up! This job isn't nice but it's better then nothing. I will get something better, I know it! Standing on the bus with the morning rush crowd I can barely move, I feel a tugging from my hand and notice someone has stolen my lunch. I sigh, oh well. I doubt I am going to be that hungry with where I will be cleaning.

Finally getting to my stop I hear the snow crunching under my feet as I get off the bus. It's very chilly this morning. I walk inside showing my ID tag from yesterday and sign in. I look at the time, it's a bit less then an hour before the Christmas Market opens up, I see some of the other vendors slowly starting up their stands.

"Good your here. You can start by shoveling the paths kid and putting down salt. Hurry up, I want it done before people arrive!"

"Yes sir." I take the shovel and the heavy wheeled bin of salt to pull with me as I walk back outside to clean up the paths to the different areas of shopping kids games food and concerts that and of course to Santa's igloo for professional photos this place is pretty big area if I had time id look around myself! I start by shoveling the main entrance path..

I woke up to the bright morning light of the sun to the sight of a shirtless Haruka still in a deep sleep. I am not surprised though since she took her pain medicine last night. I decide I'd make us breakfast. Getting up I walk to her kitchen and look in her cupboards, finding hardly anything, why hasn't she got groceries? I know she didn't tend to cook all that much but she did cook to a point. I will have to order something for now, then later remind her she needs food.

I hope shes still remembering her antidepressant that treats her mood disorder. Shes been on those ever since she fell down the stairs when she was ten, that's how her dad found out about the heard something falling down the hardwood stairs, only it was someone, her mom had hit her too hard so she stumbled backwards and fell down the steps hitting her head hard and cracking it mom had claimed it was an accident.

But Haruka's father wasted no time in calling an ambulance first because Haruka was not responding, they came quickly and rushed her to surgery. While that was happening her father also called police and had her mother arrested.

Haruka was never the same after that fall and her dad divorced her mom. After Haruka had mostly recovered they moved. I remember she told me all about it when we were dating.

I check the time when the food will be here and put on my clothes from yesterday then start to do some mopping to help out. I am a little picky with cleaning, as the smell of fresh pine-sol fills the air though I can't help but wonder to myself what this all means between Haruka and I...