Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or Fruits Basket

"Michiru… let's give the princess her space. We will follow along behind her to keep her safe. Why don't you trail behind her on the left, I'll flank her on the right. Stay out of sight but close enough to intervene in case of trouble…

Michiru giggled. "Haruka… I've been protecting our princess just as long you have. I also know you better than you know yourself. I've got this," she said, clutching her mirror and veering off towards the right as Haruka had suggested.

"There's no way I'm staying behind either when we're sending Tohru and your friend into the lion's den. You don't know Akito," said Kyo. Yuki just nodded and followed after Kyo.

Michiru pulled Haruka aside and whispered to her. "The redhead's with me… I have to something to show him. You take the grey haired kid. Please have a chat with him on your walk over."

"What about?," asked Haruka, "You know I'm not really a people person. Besides, the guy hasn't said two words since we met and I bet that wouldn't if I didn't engage. It'd be easier that way."

Michiru glared at her. "This is what the princess would've wanted."

Usagi and Tohru were already a soccer field's distance ahead of them. Even still at Michiru's words Usagi suddenly turned her head sharing a glance with Haruka as the wind stirred up around her.

Haruka laughed. "Looks like you're right. Ok, ok… but I'm not good at this whole human compassion business. Give me youmas and enemies any day."

"Better get used to it, Haruka. We're future members of the royal court of Crystal Tokyo and something tells me that "maintaining diplomacy" and "achieving world peace" will be part of our new mission," said Michiru.

"Don't remind me… but hopefully I can be a guard or something and leave all that diplomacy crap to Mamoru. He's kinda made for that kind of thing anyway."

Michiru planted a tender kiss on Haruka's lips before jumping ahead into the trees. "Don't worry love. We have time yet to enjoy our freedom. Now, make haste. That boy's already ahead of you," said Michiru heading after Kyo making up the distance between the two of them almost instantly.

Haruka POV

As Haruka had imagined walking with Yuki to the Sohma Compound was incredibly awkward. If she'd have had her way the silence would have only remained until they arrived at the compound. Then Haruka could have found her own vantage point up in a tree away from everyone else to keep an eye on Usagi until this side errand was over. But of course, Usagi expected more of her today. And she had no idea how to even begin an conversation with this boy…

Haruka glanced at him and tried to remember any clues from their conversation with the other Sohma's earlier to see if she could find any common ground. She remembered the dazed and hurt expression on his face when Tohru had come back with Kyo, and again we she'd hugged him and professed her love. It was then the Haruka realized that she and this boy had something in common.

Haruka cleared her throat. Here goes nothing, she thought.

"It must be hard, huh, watching those two?," asked Haruka.

Yuki who all this time had been lost in his thoughts gasped and turned to Haruka. "I don't know what you mean. I don't wanna talk about this. We've gotta keep moving so we arrive at the compound soon after Miss Honda and your friend."

Haruka laughed and patted Yuki roughly on the back. "I think I've got the walking and talking thing down. Seriously though, I know a thing or two about unrequited love."

Yuki was taken aback. "What?! It's not like that. My love for Miss Honda is … it's more complicated. Also, I kinda like someone else but I haven't been able to bring myself to… uhm …" said Yuki, suddenly pausing when he realized how much information he'd given away to a total stranger. "Did Manabe put you up to this? How dare you presume to be so personal with me!"

Haruka sighed. Time to speak from the heart. "Believe me kid, I know more than you realize about how complicated love can be and the many intricacies and facets involved in any kind of feelings. Your own and the ones of those you love and care about around you. You see, my soulmate and lover is Michiru. We were lovers and soulmates in a previous life and were reincarnated in this one. We found each other first before all others, and embarked on our own mission. But when I met Usagi, I felt something I'd never felt in my previous life. I was always bound to protect her, but in this life I felt something more. And I think she feels it too, but… it is not meant to be. We can feel it and not act on it… but there was only way we could do so."

"How?," asked Yuki through tears that had starting forming upon listening to Haruka's story about feelings that so mirrored his own.

"You have to be honest with yourself, acknowledge it, accept it, and then share it with your partner - or in your case potential partner. Michiru was angry at first, and I thought she might leave me. But when she realized that the type of bond I share with our princess is not that of a soulmate like her, but a special bond of love just meant for the two of us, she accepted it. It's an innocent love and bond, nothing more. But I could never give it up. It's a part of me and I need that bond to survive in this world.

Yuki nodded. "So you think I should confess my love to Machi and also explain about the motherly love I feel for Tohru?"

Haruka was taken aback at the mention of motherly, not at all what she'd expected to hear. She gave him another hard pat on the back. "Yes I do, buddy. Only, probably not all at once."

Yuki smiled. "Ok… If this really works today and Tohru and Usagi are able to break the curse, I'll gather up the courage to tell Machi how I feel."

They could see the Sohma compound ahead now and Tohru and Usagi were just making it past the gates.

"Game time," said Haruka.

Yuki nodded, "Now we wait. Good Luck, Miss Honda."