Chapter 21

Wedding dress scandal

« I feel weird… it's like I've got too pasts. » said Haruka as she tied her clothes in the dressing.

« I have this impression. I guess it's because there are not much time between the two lives, we needed only ten years before being reborn. And our past life stopped almost at the same point it is now. We were twenty and getting married just as now. »

« I promise this time we will really do it. »

« Don't say this, Ruka, you can't know… »

« I won't let them separate us again. »

« Neither will I, but I still wonder how they defeated us in the first place. »

« Miharu said that Uranus and her had intervened at the last moment. If they hadn't we would have won. »

« They must be powerful… Miharu will pay what she did to me all this time. I still can't believe she controlled me. I hated her so much, but never I thought that she was in my mind. »

« The important is that she isn't there anymore. » said Haruka as she exited the dressing and grabbed Michiru by behind and leaned a kiss in her neck.

« But I… She hurt you. »

« She did this. It wasn't you. Stop mix the two. We'll defeat this army of clones then we'll be happy ever after. »

« You shouldn't be so optimistic. »

« And you should begin to prepare the wedding. Remember I said it was up to you to organise everything. »

« Ok, so if it's up to me I'll find you a pure white dress… »

« No way! We discussed this already… »

Michiru returned to face Haruka and took her face in her hand then leaned a gentle kiss on her lover's lips.

« Silly… I love you the way you are. And I will never force you into wearing a stupid dress if you don't want to. And you look great in a tux. You always look great… Oh Ruka I'm so glad you're back to me. »

Michiru pulled her arms around the blonde's neck and burried her face in her neck.

« I'm glad too. I've been so blind. If only I had known I would have got rid of this demon for you… I guess there are some details we need to fix by the way… First, I never slept with Miharu, second I noticed the difference but I thought it was just that you weren't in love with… »

« Stop this Haruka, there's no need. I don't need you to tell all this, don't need you to explain. I trust you it's enough and no explanation in the world is worth this. »

« So I guess you never hanged out with… »

Michiru silenced her by a kiss. Haruka knew this discussion was useless.

« You should go and pick your dress today. » said Haruka.

« I don't know… Don't you think it would be too quick? I mean our priority should be to defeat the clones, and we just got back together… We may need some time. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad and everything's perfect to me… »

« No it's not too quick. I just really want to marry you. Because I know you're the only one I love, and I'm impatient because in none of our lives we reached the wedding day. We… Always died before. Those enemies are tough Michi. I'd like to marry you before anything happen before.»

« Nothing will happen, don't be anxious. And we don't need marriage to be in love.»

« I know, but it means very much to me… you said I was too optimistic? »

Michiru smiled, she was really enjoying the moment, she enjoyed each moment since the last night. Haruka was nice, teasing and loving towards her again. She couldn't help but think she was lucky everything was solved, nothing from their separation was left, except that know they knew how painful it was to live without each other. Worse, Michiru knew how painful it was to have Haruka as enemy, to loose her love, though now she knew she had never really lost it, but it still hurt to remember those last weeks. Fortunately Haruka seemed ready to do anything to make her forget about it. She was happy and enthusiast even if the enemy was still near.

Hotaru suddenly entered the room.

« Did you finish to install your things? » asked Hotaru.

Haruka nodded, she was still holding Michiru in her arms. The atmosphere in the house just made her happy. She had so much good memories in it. And being reunited again with the outer senshi was great. But a memory suddenly came back to her, about Setsuna. She remembered an argument she had had with Michiru about her, thirty years ago.

« Michi, I have something important to tell you. »

Michiru raised her head from her painting to look at her lover.

« I think we should move when after the wedding. »

« Move? But Haruka… This mansion is great… Why do you suddenly… »

« No Michiru you don't get it. I mean I'd like you and me to move, only you and me. That's not because of the mansion… »

« But Haruka, we can't. We form a family… Setsuna, Hotaru, you and me… »

« No Michi, not really. I mean… Hotaru is our daughter. But Setsuna… Well I don't think it's good for all of us to live together. We're a couple and she's single… She must feel bad… »

« Haruka you're not serious? Setsuna is glad to have us. Ok now I understand, it was funny Ruka, good joke… »

Haruka couldn't believe her eyes. Michiru didn't see what was going on. She didn't want to tell it but…

« Michi it's not a joke… I really want to move with you out of this house, let's rent a nice apartment… Or maybe we could buy a house in the countryside… Just the two of us. »

Michiru's face hardened. She suddenly understood Haruka was not joking.

« No way, Ruka. There's no way I'll abandon out daughter. And since she's attached to Setsuna as much as to us we must stay together. And Setsuna is our best friend, we can't do that to her. Have you lost your mind? »

« Haruka, Haruka! What are you thinking about? »

« Huh? Michi… Nothing… »

« Hotaru was asking you if you could give her a ride on your motorbike while Setsuna, Makoto and I prepare lunch…»

« Great… O… Okay. »

« Please Ruka… Could you take Minako with you too? I don't want her hanging around the kitchen… She's is such a disaster… »

« Sorry but with Hotaru we're compete. That's a motorbike, not a car… »

Haruka tightened her grip on Michiru's body then buried her face in her neck, inhaling her calming scent. Then she leaned a kiss on her lips and let go of her as Hotaru took her hand to lead her outside.

Michiru, Makoto and Setsuna managed to cook the lunch quickly (mainly because they sent Usagi, Minako, Rei and Mamoru to the swimming pool). Haruka and Hotaru hadn't come back so they just sat and began to talk around the table as the meat was in the oven.

« I think I will go in town this afternoon. Haruka suggested I could find a wedding dress. »

« So quick? But when is the wedding? Don't you two rush the things? You just made up. » said Mako.

« I thought that but Haruka and I love each other so why waiting? We prefer just forget about everything. The wedding will be held as we planned it, on June 25th. »

« I could make the dress for you. » said Setsuna.

« Really? It would be great! You're the best sewer and designer of the world for me. » said Michiru.

« Yes, why don't you come with me. I would take you measures. »

« Great. Let's go. »

« I stay here to watch the meat. » said Mako as Setsuna and Michiru left for the living room.

In the living room, Setsuna closed the doors and asked Michiru to undress as she search for her (mètre de couture).

« What kind of dress would you like? » asked Setsuna as Michiru was proceeding to put off her bra.

« A pure white dress. A princess dress… The kind of dress we all want when we are little. I'd like it to be the most beautiful dress I'd ever wear. » said Michiru dreamily.

« And what will wear Haruka? »

« A tux. She would be marvellous in a dress, but Haruka is a tomboy, she has her personality and I love it. I love everything in her. She'll look handsome whatever she wears. And tux fits her perfectly. »

« If you say so… »

Setsuna passed the meter around Michiru's waist, (hanches) and everything. But suddenly the door flew open.

« Michiru? Mako said you were in there to discuss about the wedding dress… »

Haruka's eyes widened in horror. The rest of her memory came back to her like a slap in the face.

« Michi I didn't loose my mind, I'm just… »

« Listen Ruka, I love you more than anything. We're going to marry and everything went good until now. Please explain me why you suddenly want to change our life. I thought you were happy. Now I… I'm confused. I thought I would have seen it… Haruka I would be ready to do anything to make you happy. But please don't ask me to leave Hotaru. Can't you… just… well… If you really aren't happy… then we should… think of it… I mean moving. But only if you tell me why. »

« I'd rather not… You'd think I'm paranoiac. But I'm sure of what I… »

« Tell me Ruka. We promised to never have secret. We're going to marry and I want everything. If you hide this to me it begins bad. »

Michiru got up and embraced Haruka. She was so confused. She knew Michiru would do anything for her. But she knew Michiru wouldn't be happy if they left, even if she loved her more than life. She would do it because she loved Haruka, but only that. Michiru would have to make a choice, and she had to do it with all the cards in hand.

« Michiru… The problem is… I'm jealous. »

« Huh? »

« I think Setsuna… Well… She looks at you… In a strange way lately. I'm sure she… she fell in love with you. »

Michiru's face hardened. She pulled apart.

« Haruka! You said stupid things before but this one is… Setsuna can't be… Why are you always so jealous? We're going to marry, nothing will separate us. I don't know why you can still worry. You perfectly know I wouldn't… »

« I know. I trust you. And I'm sure of what I'm saying, she said it to Minako and I overheard the conversation. I know you would never cheat on me. But I watch her for weeks and I can't bear to see her look at you this way… »

Michiru's face froze.

Setsuna had her meter around Michiru's chest. When Haruka entered, the two of them looked surprised. Michiru knew this expression, she had seen it before and it wasn't a good sign.

« Haruka, honey, Setsuna proposed to make a dress for me… Haruka! »

Haruka had almost ran to the sofa where she had grabbed a plaid that she pulled on Michiru to hide her body.

« Get out! Now! »

Setsuna looked surprised and her face went white. Michiru's was very confused. Setsuna exited the room quietly, followed by Haruka's killing glance. Once Setsuna was out, Michiru freed herself from Haruka's strong embrace.

« Haruka Tenoh! What was that? »

« That? That? You're naked in the living room with another's woman hands on your body and you need to ask? »

« It's Setsuna! She's already seen me naked more than once. I played the model for her very often. »

« Maybe but… Damn! Don't you remember what I said to you that day? »

Michiru suddenly remembered the discussion she had had with Haruka thirty years ago.

« Are… Are you sure? » asked Michiru, seriously shocked.

« Yes. You don't trust me? »

« I trust you, I've always trust you… But I thought Setsuna was straight… so I never worried… »

« It seems that she isn't. So now will you rethink my proposal? »

« I… I… Okay. We're moving. I don't want to live with this weight. And I don't want you to feel bad. I belong to you and only you. »

« I'd rather you to think of it. I don't want you to make a choice you'd regret.

But Michiru's choice was done. She belonged to Haruka and only to her. She didn't want any other eyes lie on her like Haruka's. And she knew her beloved blonde was a jealous person. If Michiru decided for them to stay, she put their couple in danger. And it was normal for Haruka to want privacy with her. She had to admit that she too regretted the life they had when they were only the two of them at the age of seventeen during the death buster's mission. Never they needed anything more than each other. They liked Setsuna, she was their best friend. But the only reason they were living with her was because Hotaru linked them. They had promised to raise her together. And Hotaru loved her three parents the same of course. But even if Michiru loved her daughter truly, she couldn't risk to loose Haruka. And after all, it wouldn't be that bad. They would stay friends.

« No Haruka. I made my decision. After the honeymoon we'll find another place to live. Don't feel guilty, I want it too. I don't do it only because of you being jealous. We're getting married, we need our home sweet home like every couples. And you don't have to live feeling threatened. No man would accept to live with another man who would be in love with his wife. You're a woman but it doesn't mean you have accept this. I even think you're patient, because if our best friend had fall in love with you we would already be gone. I love you Haruka. Trust me I won't let anything separate us. »

Michiru embraced Haruka tightly. She felt the blonde relax in her arms as she caressed her hair tenderly.

« I… I remember Haruka. »

« So what were you doing like this… »

« I didn't remember. I've just had a sort of flash back. »

She buried herself into her lover's arms. Tears began to run down her cheeks. The tears she didn't allowed herself to shed that day. Haruka caressed her hair as Michiru had done with her the last time.

« What will we do now? » asked Michiru.

« Just wait and see. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have react as I did. After all this is another life. Everything's supposed to be different… »

« But it isn't. Setsuna isn't in another life; she didn't die… Her feelings for me might be what they were before. »

« I remember now… Why Setsuna and Hotaru weren't with us on the last fight against the clones... »

« When we talked to Setsuna she decided to keep her position at the time gate all the time. And Hotaru was very angry with you. She thought you were just being silly, so she went with Setsuna… »

« And the enemy appeared not long after. Michiru… I don't know what to do. I can't deny I'm jealous, deadly jealous… But I don't want to loose Hotaru. »

« We must wait a little… After all thirty years passed. For us it seems like yesterday… It's so weird. Maybe Setsuna isn't in love with me anymore? »

« Maybe… If there's a possibility you are right We must take it. »

« So we'll wait. »

Haruka tightened her embrace around Michiru wrapped body in a comforting way then placed a small kiss on her forehead.

AN: So that was a chapter to explain the reason why Hotaru and Setsuna weren't fighting with their friends on the biggest fight of their lives… I hope I did right. I wait your reviews to tell me what you think of this and also of two last chapters I redone (I didn't consult my email at the moment. I will do it when I'll be back home. So I wrote this without knowing what you thought of the lasts chapters.) So thanks for having read and reviewed so far! See you in next chapter.