"You know Michiru; I don't actually have a cottage that we could go to." She laughed.

Michiru frowned. "I needed to come up with something so that my mother wouldn't be worried. What if I asked 'Can I spend the night at my friend's house for the week because I got into a fight with a monster and I don't want you to see my wounds?'?"

Haruka shook her head. Michiru seemed to be opening up a little and didn't seem so tense. Haruka was relieved. Could Aunt Kohana be right about this girl?

Haruka parked in front of Michiru's giant house and gazed at it. "Wow Michiru, you really are amazing aren't you?"

Michiru blushed. "Um…let's go upstairs so I can pack okay?"


Michiru leaped out of the car and scurried up to the door. She peeked her head inside the door and breathed deeply. "She isn't here Haruka, come inside."

Haruka nodded and followed Michiru up to her room. It was beautiful. The walls were the same color as Michiru's hair. There was a king-sized bed and a bookshelf full of books next to it. The vanity was covered in makeup and brushes. Haruka smiled as Michiru threw clothes into a giant suitcase. "Are you taking your whole room Michiru?"

Michiru rolled her eyes. "Well I am going to be staying for a week Haruka."

Haruka laughed and glanced at the panties and bra that Michiru quickly placed into a zipper pocket. Haruka blushed deeply and met Michiru's eyes.

"Um…this is embarrassing…but where is your bathroom." Haruka smiled at herself for thinking of something to cover up her blushing so quickly. Good job Ruka.

Michiru smiled. "It's right down the hall Haruka." Was she really blushing at that or was it my panties?

Haruka laughed uncomfortably and walked away.


She shut the door and looked at herself in the mirror. What are you thinking Haruka? This girl isn't right for you! Think about what she told you though. She basically threw herself at you…I don't know if I can get through this week with her. Oh Ruka…remember what happened last time? Do you want something like that to happen again? Could you live with that? Remember what your parents said? She turned on the cold water and splashed some on her face. You can just be friends with her Haruka. You can do friends right?


Michiru finished packing and zipped up her suitcase. She tried lifting it and winced. Tears came to her eyes and she tried not to fall to the ground. She didn't realize how sore and tired she was. I can't let Haruka know how bad this hurts. She wiped her eyes as Haruka walked in.

Haruka smiled. "Ready to go Michiru?"

Michiru sighed to herself. She didn't notice.


Haruka picked up Michiru's heavy suitcase and threw it in her trunk and started the car.

Haruka glanced at Michiru. Her face was pale and it looked as though she was in pain. "Michiru, once we get home you can go right to sleep and I'll unpack for you okay?"

Michiru pretended to perk up. "Oh no Haruka, lets go somewhere after we get to your house okay? I'm fine, really. I'll sleep well later tonight."

Haruka frowned. "I don't think that is such a good idea."

Michiru looked into Haruka's eyes trying to change the subject. "Haruka, can I ask you something?"

Haruka turned her eyes nervously back onto the road. "Sure, what's up?"

Michiru put her hair behind her ear. "Well, why did you pick it up? Why did you chose to be a Sailor Senshi and give up your life?"

Haruka smiled. "Look what you did for me Michiru." She motioned to Michiru's wounds. "I knew that if I didn't pick up that magical stick that you would never speak to me again and if you did speak to me, I could never live with myself knowing that I let you down. Besides, I wanted to get to know you better. I don't have many friends in this town." By the end of Haruka's speech, Haruka's face was bright red and so was Michiru's.

Michiru silently screamed inside with bliss and beamed. "Oh, well thank you." She said trying to sound indifferent but failed miserably.

Haruka cleared her throat. "No problem. Um, we're here."

Michiru walked out of the car and tried to lift her suitcase. She shrieked and fell to the ground.

Haruka sprinted over to her side. "Michiru!"