An Elderly man stands by a lovely decorated horse and buggy. The seats are of red velvet, the horse looks young if a bit nervous with it's bright white coat and blue eyes. Usagi can't help but to stop and ask the man if she can pet the horse's flowing mane, he nods to her with a warm smile.
"This horse is so pretty and so soft aww!"
"How would you like to go for a free ride young miss? This is Snowflakes second event, she's done well so far but more practice on a route is always good." He says with a warm grin as he dusts some snow off the seat.
"Oh yes please! This will be so much fun, thank you so much sir!" I hop onto the soft chilly seat. I feel the wagon begin to move with a slight jerk. "This will be fun, I have never done this before!"
"In that case young miss, we will take the long way so you can get the full experience of all that holiday beauty. Lets go snowflake." He gives the line a gentle flick and the horse starts moving. "First we will be going through the decorated area of the park."...
Theo is busy, off talking to what he calls important acquaintances so this is my chance. I move toward the door and slip on my jacket, once outside in the winter sunlight I see the path just before the park. I am sure the buggy carrying Haruka and that girl went that way, I must find them. I wait a few moments for another buggy. "Alright here goes." I jump right in front of it. "STOP!"
"Oh my!" The old man quickly halts Snowflake. "Easy girl." He calls out gently to calm the startled animal, then quickly turns to look at the young lady now climbing inside the buggy. "What can I do for you miss? Is there something wrong?"
I catch my breath and slow my heart rate as I sit down. Normally I'd never do anything like this, when I get to Ruka I will give her an ear full. "Yes please, follow that wagon that's way ahead of you. Its very important that I speak with them, I can pay." I point out the path I saw them take, towards the open area of the park.
The elderly man nods and I feel the jerk of the wagon as it begins to move along the snow covered path at a nice speed. I should catch up to Haruka soon. After a moment to catch my breath I realize Usagi was here, she must have hired the wagon in the first place.She must think I have gone crazy, hijacking her buggy to chase down Haruka. A long awkward moment drags on and I feel bad that I haven't so much as greeted Usagi or explained anything.
"Michiru! Hi!" I hug her. It's nice to see her without that mean guy that was clinging to her arm, I have so much I want to ask her.
Michiru gives her a gentle hug back. "I am sorry to steal your ride Usagi but what I am doing is extremely important. I'd talk more but I need to watch where we are going." She says clearly trying avoid the subject. I let her and just watch as we near the dog park, where you can see people watching their fur babies play ...
"Now Cameron keep a tight hold on Buddy." A distracted Mom calls out to her kid, she seems more interested in gossiping with what looks like old friends off to the side.
"I am mom. Come on Buddy, quit pulling so hard!" There is snapping sound as the leash breaks and the excitable dog races off to bark at the horse and buggy passing through the park.
Snorting and jerking the buggy, wide eyed and panicked the horse shoots off with the buggy she nearly tramples the dog but just barely misses them causing the lucky dog to run away.
"Whoaaaa!" Usagi squeals as she lands right in Michiru's lap as they bounce along the bumpy path pulled by the runaway horse. They can hear the elderly gentlemen struggling to calm Snowflake down. How can I ask Michiru anything with this going on? Usagi wonders.A big pot hole interrupts her thoughts as she and Michiru bump heads while trying the get back into the seat from where they had half fallen on the floor of the buggy. "OW!"
I wanted to follow Haruka not race her! Michiru thinks as she sees them pass the other buggy in a blur of speed. Rubbing her head, this is such a headache, this day started bad and has only gotten worse. How will I find Haruka now?...
"Someone sure is in a hurry Haruka" Hailey points. "Look at that wagon go, it looks like it's in a horse race and I thought the road had crazy drivers this time of year." She jokes.
"That is crazy, it's the first time I have seen one doing that too." I take a deep breath, there is a fresh cold pine scent in the air. "I am in no hurry, this is great, I like how the sun makes the snow sparkle on the trees." I lift Hailey out of the buggy. "You may be right in me finding something I like."
"Haruka!" I give her a playful punch. "I am talking about picking a Christmas tree you flirt! Now lets see if we can find one that suits your picky taste hmm?"
"Well we can try but I promise you I will be stubborn and it may take time, there is a certain tree that will catch my attention and no other one." I wink and take another breath of pine fresh air and enjoy the view of the field full of beautiful trees sparkling in the sunlight like magic.Only to feel a snowball hit my back hard. "Oh! So you want it that way do you?" I make a few snowballs quickly and chase Hailey around the trees.
Our laughter echos in the air, this is so much fun. Haruka of course has half covered my back in snow but I don't care. Hearing her laugh is the greatest thing ever. I quickly hide behind a tree layered in heavy snow.
"AHA! GOTCHA!" But then a pile of snow then covers me from head to toe, after I clear my eyes I spot Hailey bent over laughing in front of me, shaking my head I pull her in to my arms and kiss the snow right to her...
"Easy girl easy now." The old man says to Snowflake gently, the buggy slowly comes to a halt near a path with a fork in it. One way goes to the tree farm, one to where the village of sweets is and the other goes to the Holiday square where music and entertainment are for adults. "I am so sorry ladies are you both alright?"
"I think so, that was quite a ride we had there." Rubbing my head I see Usagi stumble out as well with a bump beginning to form on her head. She looks fine other then that though, as much as I should stop and explain myself to her I can't, there is no time. I shove money to the man, there's no way I can catch up to Haruka now. I must get back to Theo as much as I hate it. Without a word I take off running down the path towards the adult section.
"I can't take money after you both had such a rough ride, here young miss, you take it and enjoy the rest of your time at the festival. Would you like a short ride anywhere else."
"Um well." I look at the money in my hand and my head is still pounding, I try to see where Michiru is but she's already disappeared toward the adult section and there is no way I'm going in there! "Um... Sure. To the village of sweets please."
"Right away miss, I promise this will be a much better ride then that event you experienced, lets go now Snowflake girl." The wagon starts to move with a slight jerk with an unusually deep in thought Usagi riding it...
I am shoveling all the dirty snow as fast as I can, I can't afford to just leave and lose this job but my fingers are numb, my gloves are still wet and my jacket is still damp from the splashes of dirty slush. My body aches all over, there is not one part of me that don't hurt in one way or another. It's getting hard to lift the shovel full of the heavy half melted slush. Suddenly I feel a flush of warmth filling me. "Ahhhh, it's about time it starts warm up, been freezing all day."
A pain fills my chest, breathing becomes hard, I lean against a tree but it's no use. Relief don't come, holding my chest I gasp in fear of my life, I am alone. None of my friends even know I am here. "Cough cough COUGH!" The world spins as if I am on the soup bowl ride, only high speed. Soon I feel nothing at all then darkness takes hold of me...
I throw more snowballs and I get Hailey easily with her hitting me in return. We are having a blast together when out of the corner of my eye I see someone fall over near a snowbank of very dirty snow. Everyone else seems too busy shopping for trees to notice. I stop near a huge Christmas tree, this isn't good, I catch Hailey in my arms with a firm playful hold. "Gotcha, I like this huge tree right here. Will you tell them that for me while I go make a quick call?"
I laugh. "Yes I can." It's about time Haruka picks one, I watch her jog away from the loud chatting crowd and screaming kids but when I take a better look holy cow. The tree to me looks like it would be too big to even fit through the door let alone the living room!Leave it to her to pick this one. I sigh...
I get to the pile of snow and the person turns out to be Minako, she looks awful in her dirty wet coat. Her face is pale, her fingers are turning blue. Holy shit, I have been looking for her but didn't think I'd find her like this. I check her pulse, it's weak and her breathing don't sound good. Worried, I dial 911 on my phone...
Hailey walks over with the sales woman. "The tree my girlfriend is interested in is right over here, we were wondering what perhaps the cost might be. It's quite the big beauty." Hailey touches the branch that has the most sparkling snow...
The already large tree begins to grow even BIGGER and the pine smell has turned rotten. The once green needles turn pure black with thorns instead of needles on the branches. Bright glowing green eyes and a glowing black star to match are at it's top.
"KYUJITSU! ROAAAAAAAARRRRRRR LEAVE YOUR HOLIDAY HEARTS TO ME!"
My jaw drops in shock before I can move, both the sales woman and I are wrapped tightly in it's sharp branches and yanked off the ground helplessly up into the air. I try to scream my girlfriend's name but it's grip is too tight. I can only watch as something pink and glowing is taken from the saleswoman and her face is as pale as death.
"Hang in there Minako." Haruka spots the monster. "HOLY SHIT." I duck behind a tree, there is no choice, I have to fight. I gently lay Minako behind a thick patch of trees and quickly transform. It has Hailey,I see the ugly thorn filled branches reaching out grabbing more people and taking their hearts before dropping them to the ground. I catch as many people as I can dodging as fast as possible, this one is fast. Eventually I manage to snatch Hailey from the monster and get to cover, I lay Hailey down to check on her. She's pale and barely breathing just like the other many victims.
I aim and hope this blast at least distracts it. People are panicking and running all over, it's not easy keeping them safe. I watch for the best spot to hit while avoiding the people it has still in its grasp. "WORLD SHAKING!" It makes a terrible high pitch screech and looks at me with bright empty eyes that turn to a burning red of rage. Focused on me now, it begins rapidly hurling thick bundles of branches my way.I see Sailor moon arrive along with Mercury and feel relieved.
They attack right away which further enrages the beast, next I know not only are branches wildly whipping out but thorns are now shooting out and knocking some of the other trees down. I narrowly avoid being harpooned by a large thorn that blasts a tree not far from the corner Minako is laying helplessly. Thats too close.
I land by the both of them, half breathless. "Listen to me, Minako is here but she's sick and passed out over there. I already called an ambulance." I dodge and pull Sailor moon away from a whipping branch. "You need to move faster, damn it." She is still in my arms as I barely move us away in time.
"SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!" I listen in shock to the news of Minako, it explains why shes not here. Even Sailor moon looks terribly worried.
"DEEP SUBMERGE!" I stop a grabbing branch from taking hold of Sailor mercury, I spot Sailor Uranus and my heart soars but this is no time to lose focus. Our water attacks are not doing enough damage to this Monster plant.
A branch catches hold of my leg whipping me harshly up into the air. I feel the wind blowing harshly around me as I aim right for it's Dark Star. "WORLD SHAKING!" I hit it hard and it let's me go. I land hard on the ground, the monster is screeching terribly. "Hurry Sailor moon!"
"MOON HEALING ESCALATION!"
I get up, both my knees are scraped but I am ok. I watch the monster fall to it's explosive death. I feel Sailor Neptune calling out to me but I won't do it, instead I rush over to Hailey who is slowly waking up. I de-transform and can already hear sirens loudly heading our way. I see other people slowly waking up, some confused, some groaning and yelling in pain. I rush to Minako, who's breathing has started to become ragged and make sure she gets in an Ambulance first, Usagi goes with her sitting inside.
"Haruka"... I touch her shoulder gently, I hold in my tears that threaten to show.
I push Michiru's hand away harshly. "Don't touch me."
"Please, listen. We need to talk sometime, we are partners you know, you are important to me. Not just as a Sailor Scout Haruka."
"Bullshit leave me alone." I walk away and get in the Ambulance Hailey is in. The door shuts behind me as I take a seat,I can see Michiru through the window, she has tears in her eyes but I didn't need to look to know. With the connection we have it hurts my heart too, like a knife stabbing me but there's no going back. I am done with it all. The past don't matter,I don't care what some stars say, I do what I want. I turn to Hailey and take her hand in mine...
"Are you alright Michiru?" I ask with concern, it's not normal for her and Sailor Uranus to be so distant, their usually so close.
"I am fine Ami." I can feel the pain from Uranus in my heart and the heat of deep anger. I turn to Ami. "I am sure Haruka needs time to help a friend of hers for now lets help all these citizens."...
Half pacing in the waiting room, the pale walls and green chairs does little to help the tense cloud of worry.The smell of coffee suddenly fills the air, in the opposite corner of the room there is Haruka speaking to a nurse before she walks away. I watch her stir a freshly made cup of coffee as I walk over to where she sits near the newspapers and magazines. "Hey, um. Are you alright? I noticed that thing with you and Michiru?"
"Look Odango. Enough has happened, I moved on and that's all I will say."Sipping my coffee I see her concerned eyes. I sigh, I know she means well. As princess and future queen it's her job to look after us as we do her. I set my cup down. "I didn't mean to snap at you."
"I know you didn't, it's just I care about you like the others and well it hurts to see anyone fight. Even more so now but by moving on, did you mean with Hailey? You see Ami and I saw you kiss her, it was a total accident, we were not spying or anything I swear." Haruka only silently nods while she takes another sip of her coffee, the sound of foot steps interrupt our talk as a nurse walks in to greet her.
"Haruka, you can go see your girlfriend now. She will be just fine, she's weak and we plan on keeping her over night. With good rest she should be fine by tomorrow."
"Thanks." I shake the nurses hand. "I will see you later Odango." With that I leave to follow the nurse to Hailey's room. Once inside I see her looking at me with a smile, grabbing a chair I sit as close to her as possible and take her hand. "You look like your feeling better."
"I am, thanks to you Haruka. I know it was you who saved me, I was still awake and being held up high by that monster. I saw you behind a bush, you changed with a golden light before I blacked out. I know your one of those heroes, if you can't say anything I won't make you but thank you for saving my life. I love you."
Shock goes through me as she reveals that she knows I am a Sailor Scout, no valid answer comes to my mind. All I can say is. "You should get some rest." Then I give Hailey a deep kiss. "Don't forget, you still need to help me find a tree and show me those events you talked about so much today. I will be right here all night with you I promise."
"Alright Haruka." I am to tired to fight her stubbornness. As I close my eyes and go back to sleep, I feel her hand holding mine...
I get home with Theo, saying we are both a mess is an understatement. We are covered in sticky sap, tree needles and covered in muddy snow from everything that has happened and yet he couldn't love me more, ugh! I just can't wait to get away from him, get up in my room, take a bath and go to bed. Unfortunately before I can get away from everyone, my Mother and Theo's Mother see us.
"Michiru-MY GOD NOT AGAIN-what happened!" Says my mother.
"Theodore, son, what happened to you?!" Says Theodore's mother.
"Everyone was attacked mother but we are ok, others got worse."
Theo puts his arm around my shoulders. Ugh, can he just stop touching me? "At least we got home in one piece
"Well this news should excite you Michiru, Theodore's mother and I have finished arranging the cruise, you will play with me on stage there. This will give you a great start to your career. I know your playing is excellent, I have no doubt you will do well, we leave right after Christmas."
My breath caught in my throat I am in shock.Everything I have been practicing for. Working hard for. The reward of this opportunity. But at the same time, what about Haruka, just thinking of her makes tears come to my eyes.
"Look, your daughter is crying in joy Sakura. She's so excited, words can not come to her. It reminds me of you when you first started out to become a world known sensation and me a business tycoon, well a big start like this requires a good rest before the real hard work begins. You both must be tired I think it is a good time for us all to retire for the evening."
"Yes I agree Mother."Says Theodore, kissing Michiru on the cheek. "I will see you in the morning to help you prepare and for our next date."He says before walking off to the guest room.
I felt something, I don't know what because my thoughts are just racing.
Next thing I know, my mother is leading me to my bedroom, wishing me a good night and talking about how she can't wait for all of us to leave. When my door closes I just collapse on my bed, crying. Why is it this way, why!?...
"Thanks for dropping me off at home Haruka." I give her a hug, she smiles only a little.
"It's fine but I need to pick things up and get back to the hospital. Goodnight Odango." I speed away. There's no news on Minako right now, all we know is they are working on her severe fever. Damn it I should of worked harder on finding her. I pull in to my parking spot and rush into my place. Picking up my clothes, medications and toothbrush quickly and easily packing everything in my bag. I grab my pillow and get back in my sports car.
I set the stuff on the passenger side, knowing Hailey is scared of hospitals, I rush back to her as quick as possible. The nurse lets me in knowing I am staying with her tonight.I see she's still fast asleep thanks to the anxiety medication given earlier.Her hand begins to search for mine, I quickly grasp it gently. Grabbing my pillow, I plan on trying to rest a bit, though sitting in the chair it feels like a brick wrapped in plastic. Ugh. I fix my pillow and close my eyes.
Sleep must have found me somehow. Only when waking up I can tell I am on the hospital floor because I am stretched out. I must of slid out of the chair, damn that explains why my head hurts but why in hell is my hand hurting. As I open my eyes and they adjust to the bright light I see a black running shoe on my hand and above that the pink pants of a nurse uniform. I hear a gentle voice talking to Hailey who probably woke up wondering where the fuck I am. My hand is tingling and hurting, how does she not know she's standing on my hand?!"DO YOU MIND!"
"Oh! I am so sorry! Are you alright? I didn't see you!" The nurse is clearly surprised to be looking down at a young woman who is more then half under the hospital bed, looking half asleep and not happy about the nurse that was just stomping her hand with her running shoe. "Oh you'll want to watch your head honey!"
"What?" I go to get up. "OW!"As if I didn't have a headache as is, along with my neck and back too. The whole combo. Damn that dream again of Neptune calling to me must of not helped and most likely added to why I am down here soaked in sweat yet again. I feel like road kill and most likely look it.
"Your condition concerns me." The Nurse says reaching out to Haruka. "Let me help you up and examine you dear."
"Thanks but no." I slowly stand up stretching myself out. I hear crunching sounds coming from all sorts of areas in my body. Ugh. Along with my head, which is still pounding, even my arm pain is back with a vengeance. Good thing therapy is not till a few days from now because my body feels like it's been in a wrestling match from hell.
Hailey sees her girlfriend groaning and stretching. "Haruka there you are! Are you ok? Wait don't answer that, I know it by looking at you that your definitely not ok."
I am slowly getting to be fully awake, I tell her not to worry about it. I begin looking around the room, at least Hailey feels better. I feel ready to kill someone if they touch me right now. I can't remember how in the hell I fell asleep but I am sure it's that damn dream of Michiru that put me on the floor. My anger increases at that thought. I will not let the past control me.
"Is your hand and head alright?" The nurse asks Haruka as she sets down a tray with a fresh hot breakfast for Hailey to eat.
I take a deep breath, not really wanting to rage at a nurse. "Yes, I am just fine. Thank you. All I really want to know is if Hailey is ok."
"Hailey should be able to leave this afternoon, I can get you a tray of food if you like, there is extra this morning."
Hailey takes a gentle hold of Haruka hand. "Yes please, bring her one. She needs food with her morning medications."
"Alright, breakfast coming up." The nurse leaves the room to go get Haruka a breakfast tray.
"What a way to wake up in the morning. Ugh, sorry Hailey. I will try to calm down."
"I know your having a rough start, if I woke up with someone stepping on me I'd be pissed off too. But trust me, she didn't mean to." Hailey pulls Haruka over, holding her close. "If I wasn't afraid, you would not of had to wake up like this."
"Don't. It's fine Hailey."I see the nurse bring in the food with a warm smile, apologizing to me yet again before she leaves to help another patient. I go to my bag and grab my medicine and take it before I eat. There are bad days I can get with my mood disorder, I tend to distance myself a lot on those days, this feels like one of them. But I think some sleep that don't include a floor will help. It don't take me long to finish the tray of food, orange juice, a bran muffin, a bowl of oatmeal and a fruit cup. I forgot I haven't eaten since yesterday...
Usagi is walking down the hall of the hospital with a teddy bear and a bundle of balloons. Minako will love these! She thinks. I wonder where her room is... Realizing she's a bit lost she stops and ask a Nurse only to be told there are no visitors allowed and that's all the nurse says before she leaves to go tend to someone.
"I will be back in a moment Hailey, I just want to wash up." I walk down the hall, hospital bathrooms are not my favorite but I need to freshen up. Hopefully it will help how my temper feels.
"Haruka!" Usagi waves excitedly. "I am so glad to see you!" Usagi runs up to her and gives her a hug.
"Hey Odango." I wasn't surprised to see her here ,she is still very worried for Minako "I am just on my way to the bathroom to get cleaned up, I slept on the floor last night. You should ask the nurse desk where Minako's room is." I end the conversation and hurry off,I feel bad but at the same time I need my space right now.
Usagi feels so curious she decides to peek into the room that Haruka came from. "Hmm." She looks in and sees Hailey in the hospital bed. She can't help it and walks in. "Hi there! Here are balloons for you!"
"Oh! Hi there, your Usagi aren't you? Thank you for the balloons, they are beautiful. I am so glad that I will be leaving here in the afternoon. Haruka was here but she wanted to get herself cleaned up. Is everything ok?"
"Ya, well sort of. They wont let anyone see Minako yet and wont tell me anything either" Usagi sighs. "I am worried a lot for her, she's my best friend"
"Well, I saw them rush her in with the sirens going, I am sure its just taking some time is all. Wait a little while and maybe they will have more news for you, I wish I could say more to make you feel better Usagi."
"Thanks its ok." Hailey seems to be pretty nice, this is the first time I am really getting a chance to talk to her. "Um, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure Usagi, have a seat if you like?" She points at a green chair with a warm smile.
"Thanks!" Sitting down I set the teddy bear on my lap. "Um, well I found this magazine, I was going to ask Haruka more about it. Maybe you can tell me what its all about, its this bit near the back, right there. You guys know more about this relationship stuff than me." I hand the magazine to Hailey while pointing.
"Lets see..." She takes a look at the title, it says Nightlife, it looks like it talks about great date spots, new easy recipes, sexy clothes ads and finally a list of twenty ways to make your lover desire you... "Oh!" Hailey looks over at a blushing Usagi curiously. After a moment to gather her thoughts Hailey answers. "What questions do you have exactly? There's a lot in here."
"I know." Usagi's cheeks are blushing in embarrassment, she is looking at her feet. "It's just, maybe, if I learn more about that stuff, along with the books Ami is helping me study for school to be smarter for Darien, he might love me more." Usagi squirms.
A nurse comes in, interrupting the awkward conversation. "Here are your release papers Hailey.Your alright leave, take care of yourself and stay healthy."
"I plan to. Thank you nurse. I just need to get dressed. Excuse me Usagi." She pulls the curtain around her bed shut, Usagi can hear the sound of moving cloth. "So is Darien your boyfriend?"
"Ya, he was, I thought before he gets back I'd learn stuff so I could impress him and maybe he will want me back ."
Hailey sounds concerned as she asks. "Are you sure that's the right magazine for you? I mean not all men think like that or want those particular things in a relationship."
"Ya, I know but I think that Darien does. Please, I want to know and I have no one else to talk to, so do you think you guys can help me?" Usagi still is looking down with a deep blush on her cheeks and hands shaking a bit while grasping the teddy bear in her lap. Their talk is interrupted again, this time by Haruka...
I walk in and see Usagi talking to Hailey through the curtain, I take a few sips of tea I bought while out. I feel a whole lot more awake and my mood has improved significantly, that space to myself really helped.
Hailey finishes getting dressed and pulls the curtain open, she looks very happy to see Haruka standing there with her tea in hand looking much more refreshed. "I am so glad your here, our friend Usagi would like our help with this magazine." And with that said she hands it over to Haruka.
"Ok then?" I take a sip of my tea and begin to read a few pages, the main subject in itself has me nearly choke on the tea I just drank, this is what Usagi is asking about?! "Wait, she wants MY help with THIS ? Where did she get this? And why?" I can't help but look at Usagi who's gaze right now won't meet mine. "Well lets get the hell out of here first..."