A/N: And so here it is guys. I hope you all love this chapter, since I put a lot of effort into this. Finally you all get your Haruka and Michiru looove. –shot- Also, thanks for all the reviews, favorites and story alerts, it really, really does motivate me. I know it's been a month, practically, but I've had lots going on and… yeah. I promise I won't leave you guys hanging like last chapter, though. Three months was waaay too much. Anyways, enjoy this. Huge thanks to everyone who alerted, favoritedand reviewed on this, guys! Couldn't do it without you.

-0-

The air of distress around Haruka was so thick she was nearly afraid she'd drown in it. The Uranian's posture was tense and forced, only walking fast enough to be an acceptable distance away from Michiru. Michiru fought not to question Haruka's sudden touch demeanor, enduring it as they came closer to the room. A brief moment of set in and she wondered what this entire thing could be about. Perhaps Haruka had a bad day and wanted to talk to her? Or was it more? She almost immediately scratched the former idea out of her thoughts; Haruka wouldn't be acting like that for something as petty as a bad day. There was the underlying sense of something more serious in the way Haruka was composing herself.

Michiru waited for Haruka to open up the door to the room, taking the cue to enter once the blond held it open for her. When she got inside, she heard the door close and allowed herself to finally voice her concern. She stared at the way Haruka's shoulder's didn't seem to relax anymore then when they had been walking in the hall, posture stiff and tense. 'That's new.' She couldn't help but think. Most of the time Haruka allowed herself to relax in Michiru's presence, but…

"Is something wrong, Haruka?"

Haruka didn't reply for a couple of minutes, opting to only shuffle around the room, murky gaze kept anywhere but on Michiru. The aquanette waited patiently, however. She only watched with faint amusement and worry as Haruka continued to fix trivial little things; straightening out the counter, standing up her sword against the wall and other things similar to that.

The blond personally wondered how she was going to break her thoughts out to Michiru without it coming off as odd. After all, how was she supposed to simply casually tell her that people suspected them of being in a poorly played out relationship? How was she even supposed to be comfortable with that idea? And acknowledging the fact that there really could be more to them…

"Maybe we shouldn't hang around each other… so much." She didn't have it in her to completely cut things off, the last two words slipping out of her mouth before she could even think to stop them. She turned to look at Michiru, frowning at the widened aqua eyes she caught for just a second, only for them to relax and reflect understanding. It made Haruka have to stop for a second.

Did Michiru know? Or perhaps it was just her normal demeanor in play; cool, collected, composed, even in bouts of confusion. Gods, Haruka hoped that was the case. "What would give you that idea?" She questioned, tone familiar. It was hinted with a dash of calm surprise but underneath that, it was laced with a knowing sort of edge. An edge that made Haruka attempt to pry into Michiru's mind, eyes searching aqua orbs for a time before she turned them away, just before speaking.

"Don't you think people might get a bit suspicious?" The words were slow and cautious, Haruka leaning back to press her palms against the dresser behind her.

"About..?"

"… seeing us. I mean, it's not exactly the most normal thing for…" She paused for a second, unsure of how to word it correctly. "… a Prince's sister to be hanging around their fiancé so much." Her wording was horrible, her logic was worse, but Michiru had to have gotten the point at the least. Gaze flickering back over to Michiru, she awaited her next words.

"Why so, Haruka? What would they be suspecting?" And she still prodded, as if wanting Haruka to come out with something more. Because Haruka wasn't already stretching the boundaries, right? What did the aquanette think she was going to get out of this? A swell of frustration flooded her mind. They'd be suspecting a forbidden relationship. Hell, maybe something stupid like a plan to get out of the marriage. Or, suspecting that one of them was completely infatuated with the other. It pained Haruka to admit how absolutely right they were on that.

It was all on her end, she thought. "Isn't it already obvious?" The steady sneer that left her own lips was followed with a clenched fist, nails digging into the palm of her hand. Tone hard, muscles taut, she barely caught sight of the shocked Michiru. That tone was so unfamiliar, so unlike the usual way she'd speak to Michiru. They were tinged with harshness. "Please tell me you understand Michiru, it's not that hard, it's just not." Michiru wasn't sure whether she was hearing desperation or pure anger leaking through Haruka's words this time around. They were all coated in a cold kind of layer, covering whatever was under.

Haruka was barely aware when she suddenly felt a pair of hands touching her cheeks. When her thoughts cleared over, stopped abruptly by the sudden heat, her eyes came in contact with Michiru's face, connecting sharply with aqua orbs.

"Haruka," Michiru's tone was firm and she knew that the woman's eyes were scrutinizing her. Michiru was seeing right through her, and she tore her eyes away from the gaze, frustration flaring slightly at the thought. Why did the Neptunian have that uncanny ability to see right through her? She knew Michiru could. It was just as irritating as anything else at this moment, really. Haruka normally didn't let her emotions show through her tough outward exterior. Then why could Michiru always, always figure her out? What made her so special? The blond knew the answer to the question as soon as she thought it, but she refused to acknowledge it in her steadily building irritation. She had already let Michiru in a long time ago.

"What?" She responded, tone hard and she felt Michiru's fingers twitch against her face, unable to see the pained look that shot across her face. She gritted her teeth and resisted the urge to look back up into aqua orbs.

"Come on. You're stressed. Let's train for a bit." The hand that formerly rested on her cheek slid down to rest on her shoulder, squeezing the toughened muscle gently. Haruka was about to protest that it wasn't even morning yet and they really, really shouldn't. She was about to bark it out when she was caught by that gaze again and it was pleading this time around. So maybe Michiru wasn't the only one who could see through her.

At the emotion that flickered there, Haruka felt her stomach tighten uncomfortably and she gulped down the sudden lump in her throat, accepting with a weak nod.

-0-

After the two had geared up loosely, the both headed out to the training yard in silence. The air around them was so tense and Haruka hated feeling like it was her fault. No, it was her fault and that was a bothersome idea. Now when Michiru took even one glance at her, she felt her entire body freeze and warm up at the same time. Thalassa was right, wasn't she? If they didn't separate soon, the Uranian princess had no doubts that she was going to do something. Something she'd end up regretting. 'All because of Michiru,' The random thought rang in her mind and she felt sick at it.

It wasn't Michiru's fault she felt like this. It wasn't Michiru's fault that Haruka was completely infatuated with her. But it was. How could anyone be so perfect? How could anyone end up getting so close to her? If only she wasn't so alluring. There was just something about the other Princess that drew her in, so how couldn't it be her fault? A bitter laugh almost left her lips at the thoughts.

"Haruka?" The named woman tilted her head over to look at Michiru, managing a weak smile. They had already gotten outside, and now it was just up to Haruka to collect the lanterns and set them in the usual spots. She did so with less vigor then usual, lazily filling the lanterns with oil and flicking the match. Watch the fire burn for a few long seconds, then she'd then set them slowly on each of the posts, a few good minutes wasted on this feat.

She was sure they both needed the silence anyways. Or at least she definitely did.

Finally, after a few more minutes of repeating the routine, she wandered back over to Michiru, still unable to really focus her gaze on the artist. "You ready?" She muttered quietly to the aquanette.

Michiru looked about ready to say something else entirely, before she shut her mouth and nodded in response. The coil in Haruka's stomach tightened painfully.

-0-

Despite the obvious difference in their choice of time, their training had gone on uninterrupted. Probably because it had already been the late hours of night when they had gotten outside, although the thought was a little odd, considering the Uranian swore that there should still have been soldiers wandering around the castle even at those times. Unless of course, the King and Queen had the fancy suggestion of not having that either. Just don't train your daughter and have the guards missing on late nights. A smart thing to do. Haruka briefly wondered whether they actually gave a damn or not, only to scold herself later at the thoughts. Of course they did…

Speaking of training, the blond couldn't help but notice the way Michiru had improved. Early on they had resorted to simple sparring. Dodging and attacking were two things Michiru got down very easily, and if she was good at anything, it was dodging and then landing quick, flexible blows to the enemy. Haruka was confident that they could have already moved onto later lessons, but that would require talking on her part. Something she wasn't ready for at the moment. So she just simply continued the hand-to-hand combat.

The actions, coupled with silent puffs was a comfort to Haruka, she had to admit. In the back of her mind she was reminded of her last sparring session with Oberon and she kept back a flinch at the reminder that at that moment, she had been pretty irate as well. She managed to keep herself in check with Michiru, luckily. Even if she was beyond annoyed, the green-eyed female couldn't imagine herself hurting Michiru like that. No. Never.

Then again, she was just letting her thoughts run anywhere but the current situation. Honestly, she wanted to open her mouth and congratulate Michiru. Break the spell of silence, at least, but she couldn't quite find the words without it coming out awkward. Not just yet, anyways. She rubbed her shoulder, walking over to a lantern and gingerly picking up a lantern, putting out the fire easily. The silence was broken by another softly firm, "Haruka," cutting through the air. For a minute the warrior wondered just how many times Michiru was going to say her name today.

She continued to collect the lanterns instead.

What could she say in response, anyways? What did she even have to say right now, without making a mockery of herself? Without revealing everything? "Haruka, please," She heard Michiru say again, tone still the same only with a pleading edge to it that she imagined would fit with the pleading gaze from earlier. Another lantern was collected silently.

"Talk to me." Desperate.

Something nearly snapped in Haruka then and there at it, and she shut her eyes tightly, gritting her teeth to calm herself. A painful thump whacked against her chest and she realized it was her heart beating painfully; the sound of Michiru like that bothered her so much. 'It's your fault, remember?' She reminded herself, and a shaky breath was inhaled. "What?" She croaked out, weakly, and she cursed herself for it. "What?" She repeated in a hardened tone.

"Look at me." The source of the words was close to her, and it wasn't that aspect that made her drop the unlit lantern on the ground, the brass hitting the floor with a loud clunk. It was the sensation of Michiru's hand pressing against her back, and all the muscles in Haruka's body tensed, a quiet curse leaving her lips at her slip up. Slowly, she turned to look at Michiru, familiar aqua orbs meeting her own ever-changing ones. She briefly wondered what color her eyes were now, people had always told her it changed according to emotion. Were they a murky teal-green, attempting to obscure emotion? Or a vibrant green that gave her away? A dark, angry, cold blue or..?

"… yes?" Haruka voice was stronger then she expected it would come out, a calm overlay that contradicted her mixed movements.

"We need to talk." Michiru stated, disregarding the fallen brass lantern and stepping closer to Haruka. The extra warmth from Michiru's hand left and Haruka saw it drop back to her side, and she would have loved to believe the action was hesitant.

Haruka nodded slowly, opened her mouth, and spoke, finally. "I… I met with Thalassa today." Haruka admitted as if it would solve everything. A nervous laugh left her lips and she sighed. "She's… she's interesting, to say the least." Haruka let her eyes examine Michiru again and noted with slight interest, the hardened set of her jaw at the information.

"Ah, is that so?" Her collected tone didn't match the tense set of her face. "What did she say?"

Hesitation crept up within Haruka once again. She knew Michiru wasn't stupid. If her actions from just hours earlier weren't a hint at what Thalassa had come to her about, then her words would certainly be a confirmation. Perhaps that was what Michiru wanted. A confirmation that Haruka didn't want to give. 'She thinks we might be together,' Could have been it, but it wasn't. It wasn't because simply put, it was: 'She knows that I'm in love with you and I'm scared.'

That wasn't what she said at all, and she locked eyes with Michiru again. Something unintelligible flashed in Michiru's eyes when their gaze met and the Uranian was concerned with what it might have been. "I think…" The tomboy started to say, pausing with partial hesitation. "I think… she believes our friendship to be a little more then friendly." Haruka forced the words to come out strong and they nearly did, save for the waver of her syllables during the last word. Inwardly flinching, she wondered if Michiru had caught the mistake, only to find the aqua haired teen didn't comment at all.

In truth, the teen seemed like she was in deep thought. "Titan," Michiru started to say and Haruka's eyes narrowed at the sudden mention of her brother. She said nothing, though, wondering what could be so important that he had to be mentioned. "I think Titan has been rather jealous as of late." A blond eyebrow was raised at the words and Michiru's eyes focused on her again.

"I don't believe Thalassa is…" Michiru seemed to cut her own words short and it left Haruka a little disappointed. Piecing together the words, she thought back to the sharp glances Titan had been giving her these days. No teasing, only harsh words. It was practically the cold shoulder from the Prince of Uranus. Haruka, on the other hand didn't really care either way. The two siblings had never gotten along.

It was only that damned glint she saw in his eyes whenever Titan looked at Michiru.

Jealousy, was it? It would make sense. Perhaps her brother had been waiting for something like this to happen. Watch her steal away his fiancé and then out her for it. Or maybe, maybe it had come unexpectedly. Maybe she had finally gotten a step up in Titan's stupid little game. Princes were supposed to get the Princesses, not… Princesses.

A smile nearly graced her lips, until she remembered Michiru wasn't her's to begin with.

"However, he… I admit he came up to me earlier, just a tad bit suspicious…" Haruka could only imagine Titan's rough words and reactions and a familiar burst of angry fire started in her stomach. She kept her outward appearance blank as she took in the information. The man had been suspicious all along, hadn't he? Did he not trust his sister with anything?

Not that the blond said it wasn't a wise idea. Titan was right this time. She hated to say it but Titan was was right, and giving into that…. a slow breath went past her lips and she barely heard the sound of Michiru calling her name softly, breaking her out of her thoughts and making her realize the long silence she had caused for them. This only strengthened this; they had to end it. Or, she had to. She had to break away from Michiru. The thought pained but with those two people… important people, nonetheless…

"Haruka…" The masculine female choose to ignore the low whisper, the warmth of Michiru's hand on her shoulder making her body tense for the umpteenth time that day. She could practically feel those aqua orbs burning into her skin, cold and calculating, yet warm and pained at the same time. Narrowing her eyes, she pointed her gaze downward, watching blades of grass flick pointlessly in the mild wind near her feet. If Michiru noticed she didn't comment.

"Ruka…" Fingers started tracing little circles over taut skin, attempting to have the blond calm down at the least. Haruka bit her tongue to keep from saying anything, sharply snapping away from Michiru's grasp, turning away from her and retrieving her sword from the ground.

"That's why, okay?" She referenced the first words that started the entire conversation. They shouldn't hang around so much. She wanted to say something like, 'We can't,', but just what did that mean anyways? It sounded odd and awkward and… and nice because it sounded like the feelings were mutual.

Hah, she could only dream.

The gaze still didn't disappear though. It was still there, right on her back and god, when in the name of Uranus did Michiru become so persistent? "Haruka." Her own name was said yet again and said Uranian wondered if Michiru was growing tired of calling it out just yet. Perhaps is she did then this would be over already. Haruka snapped back up, turning swiftly to face the other, prepared to show her a fierce look that yelled, 'No!'.

It dropped as soon as she realized she was nearly nose to nose with Michiru.

"So that's why you're being so stubborn, then? Worry?" It was the first time Haruka heard Michiru's voice come out so low. The hint of agitation didn't go unnoticed, although Haruka couldn't do much but just stare, feeling Michiru's breath blowing against her face. Aqua eyebrows were tugged down in a look of distress and the blond drank it all in. The frustrated look beginning to cloud the aquanette's face, slowly, eyes twinkling with determination. "..Mm." She sounded out softly in something she couldn't even justify as a reply. Michiru seemed to ignore it, if anything.

"You'd have the right to," Michiru's words were a faint whisper in Haruka's ears, so quiet she strained to hear them regardless of the close distance. Unless it was the rush of her heart in her ears that caused the words to be inaudible. A hand – on her face now, how and when did it get there? – kept her face close, and the blond felt their noses touch and that shuddering breath she was holding in nearly escaped. The eyes watching her shone again with something she couldn't quite place, and the next words came, forced and pained. "They aren't entirely wrong."

Before the words could process correctly, their lips were already connected. She wasn't entirely sure who really started the kiss, but maybe, maybe it was Michiru, because Haruka had to stab her sword in the ground behind her and hold herself up to keep herself supported. She leaned on it, body swaying back slightly and Michiru seemed to follow. Michiru's palms were sweaty against Haruka's face as she held her there, although she didn't even need to.

It wasn't like Haruka was going anywhere, anyways.

It was something far too short that felt like forever to the blond. It hadn't even been much, just a rough press of their lips together that eventually toned down to a gentle touch. The Uranian only opened her eyes when she felt a shaky breath against her lips. "Michi…" She murmured quietly, a deep, slow breath leaving her lips. It had just been a simple peck and already she was breathless? Was that how much she'd been yearning for that? How much she'd truly wanted the artist? She found her own hands jolting up to stop Michiru's when they threatened to slide off of her face. Tears were pricking at the edges of Michiru's eyes and the tomboy leaned forward, this time her lips connecting with Michiru's cheek to calm her.

"I apologize," Michiru said and it still came as a shock to Haruka at the collected tone she still managed to maintain. Haruka only shook her head, already knowing what the apology was for as her mind slowly sunk into reality. Her forehead slid against Michiru's - and now she noticed their foreheads were connected - and at the reminder of their intimacy her heart skipped a few good beats. A part of her was concerned because, hell, she needed those. She took in a long breath through her nose, catching the scent of sea salt.

"Don't." Haruka found herself answering without much hesitation. "Don't." Her husky tone was gentle and she tightened her grasp on Michiru's hand, waiting patiently for said woman to collect herself. Sudden worry bubbled within her. Michiru might be doubting it, now. She could be realizing what he had done so wrong. 'Don't run,' She couldn't help but think, gaze searching longingly in Michiru's eyes for any sign. 'Please, don't run.'

She felt Michiru gently run her thumb against her cheek, before her hand wormed it's way out of her grasp. Her aqua gaze traveled to the side and she backed away, Haruka's heart dropped and-

"Escort me to my room, Ruka?"

The solider plucked her sword out of the ground with a nod.

-0-

The walk back to Michiru's quarters were just as silent as the walk to the training grounds had been. This time, though, the air was full of content, mingled with the contemplative feelings from both woman. This was wrong, they knew that it was. If they got caught the consequences would be great, and just on the topic of getting caught... that wouldn't be too hard. Others had already seemed to suspect them, and both knew this was only backing up their beliefs.

Only neither of them were sure they'd be able to push the other away, not now. A dangerous game, they were playing, and both felt fear from it. But the thrill was what brushed that off, along with the absolute need for each other. They both were rational enough to know that they should break it, that this wasn't smart nor was it a good idea to begin with. The only part was that... they knew they wouldn't be able to stop now.

Haruka stopped in front of the familiar door, staring as Michiru reached for the door knob. The door was opened, Michiru turning around to face her companion. She was met by a handsome smile from the blond and her breath caught in her throat for just a minute, making her struggle for the words she wanted to say. Haruka ended up speaking first, anyways.

"Good night, Princess."

Michiru might have complained about the formal name, yet she didn't want to, nor did she need to. It was said smoothly and lowly, making a shiver run down her back. Fond with just a touch of desire. "Mm, wait. Haruka." The aquanette stopped the taller one just before she had turned to leave. A blond eyebrow was raised and a smile danced across her lips, making Michiru's mood lift more. She then noticed that she had unconsciously grasped the lanky solider's wrist, and deciding to take advantage of that fact, she pulled the other down, the door frame hiding their kiss from view.

A rough shiver made Haruka's shoulder's jerk, the sudden kiss making her breath against the lips. It was fiercer then before, hesitation ebbing away to passion that Haruka honestly didn't know Michiru possessed. A whimper nearly escaped her when she felt Michiru's teeth suddenly bite at her lip softly, so she opened her lips in response, tilting her head. A low groan managed to make it's way into the kiss and just as soon as she felt that tongue in her mouth, it was gone. She ended up staring at a smiling Michiru, leaning against the door frame and staring at her in amusement.

Haruka straightened her back and Michiru spoke up again, softly. "I... see you tomorrow." A low chuckle left Haruka's lips and she leaned back, eyes sparkling with happiness that Michiru caught immediately.

"Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow."

-0-

A/N: And there you have it, guys! There was going to be way more in this chapter, instead of just these two making out. Er, making up. xD But then I noticed the word count was the typical word count for a chapter of this, so. I decided to save the next bits for later. c; It was really fun writing this chapter, honestly. At the beginning I struggled on how to start it off, but after that... wow, the motivation and need I had to finish this, haha. It was amazing. I chose to kind of write from Haruka's side, although it did occasionally slide back to Michiru's accidentally. Either way, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, seeing as I really liked it. -heart- Okay, until next time guys. More will happen with these two I sweaaar.