A/N: Okay, so for this one, I've been wondering, if you give fish air resuscitation, will you have to give it through the gills? ^^ This WILL apply to this little bit in a moment. . .

DISCLAIMER: Naoko Takeuchi has seen her creation of Sailor Moon through the end, and I'm just a fanfiction writer who has a crazily vivid imagination. . . ^^

We'll Get Through This. . . Change?

(Somehow)

Michiru rolled over onto her belly and drew a ragged breath.

Air.

She was on land.

So why was it so hard to breathe?

Struggling to right herself, she glanced down at the heavy tail that was her two feet. Flipping it, she scattered the water in the sky and smiled as the sun shone down and made the droplets sparkle.

Sun?

Inner instinct told her not to panic, and she glanced around. The whole area was cleanly kept, and if one didn't know what had happened last night, it was as if it had never happened. Except for all the glass scattered at the bottom of the pool.

The DRIED-OUT pool.

Suddenly, her common curiousity won and Michiru tried in vain to remember if mermaid were considered fish. And if fish could breathe out of water. Du-uh.

Work, brain, work!

Yes, she knew the majority of fish couldn't breathe out of water, but she remembered playing with this certain fish when she was little, and it had flopped out of the well and slapped her senseless in the face when she poked it. . .

The the gray thing had flopped to the ground outside the well and made vain little splashing attempts. DRY splashing attempts. Before it, well, died. But not because of lack of oxygen in water. Oh, no, it was because the cat had pounced on it and had rid it of its guts.

Michiru shuddered as she remembered that. Yes, a mudfish. Or something like that, that was it. Well, she didn't think she was a mudfish, since that mudfish's scales had been a slimy dull gray, not sparkly and blue like hers was.

Breathe, she told herself. Besides, how bad could it be?

"Ungh. . . M-Michiru, you kind of stink like canned tuna. . . Oi! Michiru, are you okay? Oh, my God, you're turning blue- oh, wait, you ARE kinda blue to start with, M-Michiru, hey. .!"

She looked down and was stunned when an eagle-like Haruka peered up at her, her eyes slitted in predatorial worry. Something was off, there was almost a look of hunger in those piercing green eyes, even though her words were concerned and almost panicked.

*peck*

"Eeep? H-Haruka, what're y- ow, dang it, what're you DOING?"

Michiru pulled away when her partner's head suddenly snapped forwards and her regal mouth clamped firmly down on her neck. A claw-like grip snagged onto her waist, and Michiru squirmed as Haruka drew back and pecked forwards again.

Looking at those confused green eyes, Michiru wondered what was wrong.

"H-Haruka? Ow! Hey, stop it, or I'm gonna slap you. .! EEEKK!"

"Oh, God, WHY do you have to be so shiny? M-Michiru, aaugh. .!"

And Haruka picked her up.

Struggling, Michiru looked at those eyes, and she saw for the first time the feral lust in them. A blast of wind, and Michiru realized Haruka had spread her wings open in a snap. Muscles bunched underneath her, and she realized they were going to be airborne in a matter of seconds.

"W-Wait, Haruka. .!"

*peck*

"Prey usually struggles more, Michiru."

*FLAPFLAPFLAPFLAP*

Michiru gasped as the world fell away underneath her. Instinct took over, and it was all Michiru could do not to scream when her partner landed into a tree's bushy branches, flailing wildly as a bird does when it lands with prey in its beak.

"Mmm, Michiru, why do you have to sparkle. .?"

She watched in concern as racer lowered her head and nipped again at her neck. Squirming slightly, Michiru wondered dizzily what would happen to her if she tried flopping to the ground a couple sixty feet below.

The sky was a nice golden hue, and it reminded her of Haruka's eyes when they'd flashed that feral notice, clouds dotting the perfect horizon around neighboring mountains. Even though she hadn't had time to wonder about it last night, Kiroto's place really was magnificent.

On the border of non-civilization, the mansion stood proud and regal as it showed its proud exterior to the world. Of course, Michiru didn't have time to worry about that now, Haruka had her lips and teeth to her collarbone, and she was afraid she'd be ravished as a meal than more-than-friend lover when this was over.

"Haruka, stop it, you bad little hawk, get off- whoa, o-ohh, yeah. .!"

If Michiru could hear herself, she'd probably blush. A second before, she'd just let out the sexiest groan she'd ever let out in her LIFE. Haruka drew away, her gaze lidded and hot as she grinned at her, the gold glitter slowly parting to reveal that intimate green of her eyes.

"Yes, Michi?"

Blushing fiercely, Michiru wished to anything she had on those tight jeans and t-shirt and could climb down trees as fast as a monkey could. Gently but firmly pushing Haruka away, she smiled nervously and backed away, glomping onto the amused racer when she started to slip.

"Y-You're not hungry, right?"

Smiling gently at the nervous woman, Haruka reached out and softly eased away the stray hairs that covered her forehead. Michiru sighed audibly when her partner shook her head.

"No, Michiru, I'm not. I just brought you up here because you needed some water."

What?

Cocking her head to the side, Michiru pondered what Haruka had said and couldn't come up with any plausible explanation. Water, in trees? Had Haruka gotten more than bird-brain when she'd taken on the golden hawk's form?

"Heh, see, here. Trust me. . ."

And Michiru shrieked when Haruka took her by the shoulders and dunked her into the branches. She struggled at first, wondering if her partner had lost her mind, but then felt the cool wetness on the soft branches.

Almost instantly her breathing was easier, and her skin felt as if she had taken a thousand baths, she was so refreshed. How had Haruka known. . .?

"You knew. . ."

A simple smile, the dimple coming out on those adorable hawk cheeks.

"Yup. I mean, c'mon, I needed to fly around, and it rained last night, with all the pool's water flung around on the branches. Go figure, right?"

Michiru laughed and slung an arm around her partner, loving the feel of soft silken feathers underneath her hand. She was a bit scaly, she realized, but the blue tinge wasn't too bad of anything. Edging closer to Haruka, Michiru sighed, then glanced down towards the mansion.

"We've got to go back and find where Kiroto is, maybe collect some pictures of the animals we saw last night."

A huffed grunt, and Michiru smiled again when Haruka shifted under her, taking her in a firm hold from her lap. She was warm and trembling a bit from the cold branches, so Michiru hugged her tight, making sure the wings were at full attention before they lifted off.

This time, with her not moving too much, Haruka showed off her newly-acquired soaring skills, and they circled above the mansion before landing quietly in the large lobby of the room they'd been in last night.

Giggling softly, Michiru gave a gentle peck to Haruka's cheek and was nuzzled in return. They were giddy from their earlier high, but intensive training from the secret agent companies back at work made them go on full alert again.

". . . Haruka?"

"Hmm?"

Michiru turned to her partner, brow furrowing as she realized her predicament. She knew she was blushing a bit, but she couldn't help it. Nothing had really prepared her for the changing into a mermaid, and while it was helpful last night, right now it was a big hassle.

A REALLY big hassle.

"I can't walk."

She loved the force her blond counterpart put in her answer, the wholesome dedication, but Michiru knew it was unprofessional and just plain time-consuming. Shaking her head, she gestured towards the full water tank near the edge of the wall.

Thankfully clear and free of any suspicious clumps resembling seaweed, Michiru pointed to it and patted Haruka's right wing, knowing her touch would make the blond automatically turn. It was something she'd discovered one night, when they'd had to share a bed and room during training.

While true for basic necessities and training, the other members of the organization had been more than willing and happy to group the two together, saying it was for the 'bond' of partnership to set in and they'd be able to rely on each other more fully.

Anyway, they'd discovered they both shared the need to cuddle with stuffed animals at night, and while Michiru's was a plushie dolphin and Haruka's a beanbag race car, it was no different than saying they wore pajamas to bed.

Except the organization had banned them from bringing any 'extra equipment' not suited to the mission, so they'd had to leave their cuddle buddies home and 'rough it'. They'd both come to the mutual agreement they'd share pillows and cuddle the pillows while sleeping on them, but it had been practically impossible.

Haruka was a complete dominating cuddler, hugging the whole thing while Michiru lay on top of hers, which resulted in really embarassing situations. Finally, at around eleven at night they'd just given up and angrily cuddled each other, trying to get into each other's bubble.

Surprisingly, both had fallen asleep immediately.

Michiru had been the first one to wake, and by accident she'd realized Haruka tilted towards in near her hand when she pressed lightly. She'd confirmed it one mission when they'd had to dodge some dangerous missiles. Haruka had been surprised, but then she shook it off with a joke that she now knew who was pushing her buttons.

Light bantering soon ensued, and they'd come to a tight friendship.

"Haruka, I know I'll just slow you down. You'll have to find Kiroto by yourself and get some evidence. I'll stay here- hopefully I can make myself useful and keep guard. I'll whistle real loud if someone comes, okay?"

She saw the determined glint in her partner's eyes that signaled the usual storm of argument, but Michiru cut it off and carefully dove into the tank, not putting too much pressure on Haruka's arms as she did so.

Air seemed to breathe through her skin, and Michiru let out a breathe she'd been holding in reserve throughout the skies, unconsciously worrying if her air supply would dry out. Looking out the glass at Haruka, she blew her a small kiss and winked.

"Hurry back, Haruka! Then we can see if we can turn back to. . . humans!"

Her partner nodded, determination clear on her face. Smiling, Michiru leaned against the cold glass and wondered if she should tell Haruka later how cute she looped hopping side to side as she fluttered through the halls.

Nah, she decided.

She'd keep that information to herself.

For now.

00000000000000000

Haruka hopped through the halls, trying as best as she could to keep quiet but failing miserably as her wings brushed the large corridors with every breath she took.

The racer cursed as she stumbled, flapping instinctively. She knew she couldn't fold her wings in, she needed them out to be as intimidating as possible if she ever ran into those animals that had attacked them last night.

Risking a small hoot, Haruka whistled a low note that Kiroto and her used to use to when they'd went hunting. They used to have all kinds of things many kids would find cool nowadays, she realized.

But they'd let it all go when Haruka had declared she needed space from her adopted family and had gone after her dream, to become a top racer for Japan. After achieving that, she noticed her family or Kiroto hadn't contacted her, and she immersed herself in saving innocents from the streets, brawling against anyone who picked on anyone weaker.

The organization had spotted her then, when she'd saved a crippled man who once belonged to the organization. He had recommended her there, when he saw Haruka didn't really have anyone in the outside world and had the capabilities to easily pass the middle workers.

She sighed and righted herself. No time for a sympathy remembrance trip. Hopping over to the living room, Haruka remembered the cameras and crept low. It wasn't hard with her bird-like body, and Haruka found she could double herself over easier than usual.

Letting out that same low whistle, Haruka smiled when she heard a dim hoot of a wrong-pitched bird. Kiroto never did have the talent to hear herself whistle, which is why she never really attracted the small animals, but she did have some kind of atmosphere about her that drew the animals to her, almost like she'd ensnared them with a magical trap.

Soaring over lightly to the door she'd heard Kiroto call from, Haruka gave up stealth and started to call out, starting to get a feeling of fear when she heard the sound of snuffled barking. Why? She never had any problems with dogs. . .

"WHOA!"

"Wait, Jesul-chan! No, aaugh, she's my FRIEND!"

Haruka squeezed her eyes shut and groaned chirpily when a rough tongue about ripped her skin off her face. Whapping the sniffing snout with an irritated wing, Haruka snapped, zooming over to Kiroto and hiding behind the shorter blonde.

"Just WHAT- hey, you can. . . talk to them?"

Blue eyes appraised her new features, and Haruka scowled defensively when her childhood friend smirked. Nudging the. . . wolf. . . with her foot, Haruka growled back at it when it raised its lips and sneered at her.

"Nyaaa ta you, too, furry pelt!"

Sticking out her tongue, Haruka turned at a small giggle and felt a grin split her face when she saw a little girl, probably not even over her tens, trying to cover her mouth and her giggles. Hopping over to her, Haruka presented her head and almost felt like a fool when she squatted and preened.

"Hey there, I'm Haruka. Who're you, huh, little dark-haired cutie?"

She practically felt the smile whirl on the wind when the little girl laughed this time, presenting her with white teeth and sparkling purple eyes. Holding out her hand, Haruka took the girl's and shook it, professional.

"I'm Hotaru. Thank you. . . Thank you for taking me out of that seal out of the bottom of the pool. You don't know how squished it was in there!"

Haruka blinked.

This girl. . .?

"You. .?"

She watched as the girl nodded, tilting her face to smile again at her, and Haruka felt something inside her start to melt, become soft like mother's connection and father's protection. Gesturing helplessly to Hotaru, Haruka tried to pull away.

A hand on her shoulder stopped her, and when Haruka looked back into those wise, lonely orbs, she thought of something, then clung onto it determinedly. Remembering her partner in the water tank, Haruka took Hotaru's hands in hers and whispered fervently, wishing she were better with words.

"H-Hime-chan. . . Can I be your Haruka-papa? I-I've heard from Kiroto that you didn't have any parents. I-If you don't want, then you don't have to, b-but, you should meet my partner, I mean. . . She could be your Michiru-mama, if you wanted. Please, Hotaru."

When she saw the tears in the little girl's eyes, Haruka shook herself mentally. What the heck was she doing? Proposing adoption, or simple heart-breaking connection to a child? What if she couldn't provide for her or make her happy, make her smile, like her own parents hadn't been able to when she'd been in need...?

"-Haruka-chan? Haru-chan! Oh, my God. .!"

And Haruka blinked again when hands enfolded around her, a familiar scent consuming her from inside out. Something was right, everything in the world was better again. . .

"Sets-chan? Sets-chan, is it really you? SETS-CHAN!"

Haruka could feel herself losing all kinds of dignity as she turned and half lunged into those always-open arms, the familiar red eyes smiling and happy as she threw herself into her childhood friend's arms, she missed her so much. . .!

Pulling back, Haruka blindly took her childhood friend's hand in hers and Hotaru's small one and pulled them like a maniac towards the cages, back to where Michiru was. Calling over her shoulder to Kiroto, Haruka called her over and practically broke a leg trying to pull all her most important friends to her.

Michiru.

Once she got to Michiru and gathered them all, they'd be family again, like she'd never really had! Laughing, Haruka gathered them all in a hug and about jumped into the tank where Michiru was, trying to get her out and explain to her like she would her favorite toy, her favorite time of day, everything was great. .!

For once in a long time, Haruka felt at peace.

The mission could wait for a while.

This was her family. This was her life. This was the best moment in her life so far. Haruka felt whole once more.

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A/N: Pretty sudden of Haruka there. ^^ But I guess this version of Haruka really wants a family to call her own and settle down with. ^^