A/N - I know. I suck for not updating sooner but the plus side is all the chapters will be this long from now on. Is that a plus side? I don't know. Just to let people know. I got a new job which won't affect my writing but will affect my updating so there will probably be no updates one week then a crapload the next week... ah the joys of my work. Anyway, I'm sure eveyrone knows by now that I don't own Sailor Moon (or any of the songs featured in any of my fics) but it's nice to remind you all. Meh, I've ranted enough, here's the chapter. Enjoy.

CHAPTER 6 – I'M NOT IN LOVE

'Gomen ne sunao ja nakute, yume no naka nara ieru, shikou kairo wa sho-to sunzen, ima sugu aitai yo. Nakitaku naru you na moonlight, denwa mo dekinai midnight, datte junjou doushiyou, ha-to wa mangekyou'

Minako could hear the melody playing softly in the background of the lounge as she sat crossed legged, lounging on the sofa. Minako was confused by Michiru over what Minako initially thought was a straight forward incident that meant little to everyone.

"So? Michiru-chan, it's not like it's the first time Haruka-chan has said she wouldn't date an escort."

Michiru shook her head.

"No, Mina-chan, I don't mean that... I mean, I knew she would never want anything to do with an escort... but the way she spoke about m-m-us. That we only do it for money, we're nothing but trouble. I've never felt lower, for us."

Minako did not know if Rei spotted it, but Michiru was struggling with herself to not cry in front of the two. Maybe she did, because momentarily their eyes locked before Minako frowned slightly as Rei looked away in a hurry. Rei, who was standing at that time, then sat down gently next to Michiru and rubbed her back supportively. Minako heard the melody play the second time, but it was interrupted.

"Look, Michiru-chan, you are stronger than this. And besides we all know that 90 percent of the time, Haruka-chan never thinks before she speaks," Rei said as she let out a small smile at Michiru, which Michiru saw, smiled back and nodded in gratitude of the comfort.

"I know that you're right, but it doesn't change the fact what she said hurt. I mean, I should hate her because of what she said. Yet I don't. Not really. I still love her. Even though she was a bitch." Michiru frowned as she remembered when she and Ami were outside Haruka's office.

"Ami-chan, you need to relax. Look at you, you're trembling... this wouldn't have anything to do with a tall brunette, now would it?" Ami's eyes widened and a bright red flush came over her face. Michiru smirked and Ami shook her head.

"No! Kino-san has nothing to do with me!" Ami tried to sound resolute but Michiru couldn't help but noticed the way her voice wavered. Michiru smiled gently at her.

"Look, it's no secret that Haruka-chan thinks her friend likes you. There's no harm in it, Ami. It's flattering I think. All you need to do is be honest with yourself Ami. Do you want to go out with Makoto or not?" Ami looked into Michiru's deep blue eyes and opened her mouth to try and respond, only to be interrupted by Makoto's voice coming from the office they were standing outside of.

"Okay, Haru-chan, but if I do will you ask Michiru-chan out?"

Suddenly, Michiru could feel her heart pound against her chest as she heard Makoto ask her friend that question. Silence overcame her, as everything was blocked out from Michiru's mind as she waited for the blonde's voice to respond.

"Iie! What? Makoto-chan, I'm totally not going to do that! Are you mad?"

Michiru scrunched her face up in confusion; why was Haruka being so defensive?

"Ne, Haruka-chan, don't you think she's cute? I'm pretty sure she'd say yes if YOU asked her out."

A grin enveloped Michiru's features. Haruka thought she was cute. It was said in the silence. And that brunette was damned right. If Haruka asked Michiru out, she'd say yes in a heartbeat. But her smile only lasted for a short while.

"Mako-chan, you know the rule. I don't date these sorts of girls. I mean, come on, they do it for money. You know, that's just asking for trouble." And that was when Michiru's smile disappeared from her face. That's all Haruka thought she was.

A whore.

A money-grabbing whore.

'Gomen ne sunao ja nakute, yume no naka nara ieru, shikou kairo wa sho-to sunzen, ima sugu aitai yo'

Setsuna sighed as the annoying ringtone from a familiar phone blared throughout the office for the second time. She stood from her desk and brushed the long, green strands of hair from her face. She made her way to it, with every intention of getting to the phone before the annoyingly addictive ringtone took its toll on her.

'Nakitaku naru you na moonlight, denwa mo dekinai midnight, datte junjou doushiyou, ha-to wa mangek-'

"Haruka-san, how many times do I have to tell you to change the ringtone of this phone?"

"But, Setsuna-san, if I change the ringtone, then how will you know which phone is mine?"

The green haired woman sighed. There was a childish chuckling that came from the familiar voice of the tomboy blonde sounded in her ears. Luckily, Setsuna managed to get to the cell-phone that was left carelessly on the desk, before it got to the instrumental that she found just as annoying.

"Why is your phone here, Haruka-san? I know I gave you the day off but you are working tonight, so you do need your phone."

"I knew I left it somewhere," and there was a pause. Setsuna knew it was deliberate by Haruka, and she was not going to fall for it. "Can you drop it by my place, Setsuna-san? I'm still moving my cousin's stuff into my spare room. Please?!" Setsuna winced as she heard how whiny the blonde became after the pause didn't work. She sighed heavily.

"I'll have it taken at yours within the hour."

"Arigatou! I gotta go, thanks again, Setsuna-san."

The green-haired employer shook her head in despair, "I really should shout at you to call me Miss M but something tells me that's a lost cause." Although Setsuna couldn't see the blonde she could imagine that she was grinning like a smug ass, "See you later, Haruka-san."

Setsuna hung up the phone and shook her head. It wasn't like Haruka to forget her phone, but then again if Haruka really was moving her cousin into her apartment then a bent of an absent-mind could be expected. Setsuna made her way out of the office and down the stairs, only to be halted in mid steps as she heard hushed tones coming from the lounge. Usually, there was always some form of commotion going on, especially if Rei and Minako were here. But luckily for Setsuna, so was Michiru and the aqua-haired woman was most definitely the peacekeeper in Haruka's absence. Setsuna was known for her stealth in the office, so it came as no surprise that by the time she had reached the lounge's closed door no-one had heard her yet. She raised her hand to grab the handle to the room when she heard something very interesting being discussed in the room. Setsuna stopped in her tracks and listened to the three voices coming from within.

"But I need to get over that. I need to stop putting myself under an illusion. Haruka wants nothing to do with a girl like me. So I need to put as much distance as I can between us." Michiru stood up and straightened her skirt out.

"Starting with 'Tenoh-san'?" Minako smirked and Michiru caught her eye. There was a small silence and Michiru nodded silently. She felt bad, she hadn't told the girls about the entire conversation; of her true emotions and feelings when it came to Haruka. She only gave them the cliff-notes version. Minako had that glazed over look in her eyes.

"There's no harm in telling her your feelings, Michiru-chan."

The aqua-haired escort shook her head, crossed her arms across her chest and smirked somewhat bitterly, "Minako-chan, let's not go there okay? Look, if we were meant to be, there'd be a sign. You can call me superstitious, but I believe in omens and signs and with Haruka there just isn't one."

That instant, the door flew open to reveal Setsuna standing with one arm crossed over her chest, her hand other hand holding up a cell-phone and a smirk gracing her features as well as one fine green eyebrow raised ever so slightly.

"Miss M?" All three voices questioned at the same time causing Setsuna to smile amusedly before clearing her throat.

"Hello girls. Michiru-chan, I need you to take Haruka-san's cell-phone to her apartment. She left it here."

Setsuna waited for a reply from the aqua haired escort but all she received was a blank expression. Behind Michiru, Minako was stifling her laughter and Rei was smirking. Setsuna raised her eyebrow and waited for Michiru to reply. After five more seconds, Setsuna got a response from Michiru. Well, more like a reaction.

"WHAT?! Why do I have to take it to Ha-Ha-Tenoh-san? Why not send Mina or Rei?" Every single word was said as a screech and accompanied with a pair of hands flying through the air, as though to emphasis the already well made point.

"Rei doesn't have a licence, Minako WILL get lost with any directions I give her, and Ami is at an exam today. So, you do it."

Setsuna threw the cell-phone in the air and Michiru reluctantly caught it. She looked at Setsuna, Rei then Minako; begging each to take the phone from her, using only her bright blue eyes. She was rejected by each person, and each person gave a knowing grin to her.

"Fine. But just so you know, Miss M. I so do not like you right now!"

Michiru left the room with a slight scowl on her face. Setsuna laughed and turned to the two remaining escorts.

"Aside from kicking that girl in the ass is there a more obvious sign I can give her?" Setsuna gave a hearty laugh - it was rare she was so genuinely amused by the girls. It was only a few moments later that Setsuna noticed that she was laughing on her own. She stopped and looked to the blonde nearest to her. "Why aren't you two laughing?"

"Miss M... do you eavesdrop on conversations?!" Minako's eyes bulge a little as she spoke. Miss M smirked and cocked her head.

"It's my office; I hear and see everything that happens, Minako-chan. Why? Worried about something?" Minako instantly shook her head to her employer and smiled as angelically as she could. But Setsuna couldn't help herself. She had been quiet for too long about these two.

"I don't know what's going on exactly between you two but today you've been too quiet around each other, not that I miss the noise you all usually make. But, this weird tension love-hate thing you've got going on needs to stop. So sort it out. I don't care about the result but sort it out."

A shocked blonde nearly faltered back in her steps as the green-haired owner of After Dark sent a blank expression towards both girls. Rei cleared her throat.

"There's nothing to sort out, Miss M."

Setsuna scoffed loudly, "Yeah, and I'm the Tooth Fairy."

She left the room and Minako glanced over to Rei.

"Do you want to sort this out, Rei?"

The raven-haired woman narrowed her eyes at the blonde.

"There's nothing to sort out."

Minako giggled gently and Rei sighed. Clearly Minako was enjoying this all too much.

The entire drive to West Tokyo had been hell for Michiru. The cell-phone had rung at least fifteen times, and each time Michiru could not bring herself to answer the phone; she had no idea how to handle the work phone and she was worried it could have been Haruka. And right now Haruka was something Michiru could not handle.

Pulling up outside the apartment complex she had never been to before, Michiru double checked the name of the building with the instructions Miss M had given her. 'Yup, this is Kirigoe Heights'. Michiru parked in the visitors' bay and briskly walked into the lounge of the building, in the hopes of just dropping the phone off and leaving a few moments later. She couldn't handle seeing the blonde still, and she really wanted to get this over and done with.

After walking down the hallway of the ninth floor slowly, Michiru came to 9D and knocked the floor three times. At first there was no sound, so Michiru knocked again. The sound of rustling and someone rushing to the door was distinct. A few moments later, Michiru was greeted with the sight of the door slowly opening to reveal a pretty young dark-haired girl with startling purple eyes. After a second or two of stunned silence from both of them, Michiru finally spoke.

"Um, excuse me, do you know where Tenoh-san lives? I thought it was this number but clearly – "

"This is Tenoh-san's apartment. How can I help you?"

The girl's voice sounded shaky and scared to Michiru. By her body language, it seems as though she was dying to hide behind the door… if she could. The aqua-haired woman held out the cell-phone for the younger girl to take. The younger girl who Michiru could only assume was Haruka's younger cousin.

"Well, can you make sure that Tenoh-san gets this? It's her cell-phone from work, she left it there."

The younger girl took it smiling sheepishly, before she replied "Hai, Haru-chan told me you'd be coming by, it's a pleasure to meet you Meioh-san. I am Tomoe Hotaru."

Hotaru bowed to Michiru and a giggle escaped from Michiru's mouth. Hotaru instantly jerked her head up, staring at Michiru with a mixture of hurt and confusion in her purple eyes. Michiru stopped laughing.

"Gomen, Tomoe-san... it's just that I am not Meioh-san. I am Kaioh Michiru, I work at the agency."

Hotaru's cheeks began to redden slightly and she giggled nervously. "Oh... please forgive me, Kaioh-san, I just assumed that..." Hotaru trailed off and Michiru put her hand on one of her shoulders, politely cutting the younger girl off.

"No, don't worry about it. And please call me Michiru, Kaioh-san is my... it's my mother."

There was an air of hurt surrounding the words that Michiru had said and Hotaru instantly recognised the sorrow within the words. It was the same way Hotaru would speak when she remembered her mother. Her dead mother. Hotaru opened the door to the apartment fully.

"Please, come in Michiru-chan. A cup of tea is the least I could make you. I'm sure Haru-chan would want me to be hospitable to her friends." Michiru remained at the door fighting with herself should she go in or not?

"Um... Tomoe-san – "

"Hotaru."

A smile graced Hotaru's features and Michiru instantly felt herself warm to the young girl. Michiru couldn't suppress her own grin. She continued speaking, "Hotaru-chan... where is Tenoh-san?"

Hotaru seemed confused and raised one eyebrow, and seemed to be taking in Michiru. The aqua-haired woman was standing o the threshold and seemed to be scanning the room behind Hotaru.

"Haruka-san is getting my things from my family home, Michiru-chan. She won't be back for another hour or so. Tea?"

Deciding that it was safe, Michiru entered into the apartment she looked around. It was decorated in a way she had expected yet she was still shocked. It was minimalist. The walls were a neutral beige colour, and a cream sofa was against the wall opposite the door, the window was large and gave a tremendous view of Tokyo. The kitchen was separated with a dine-in area, and an enormous refrigerator. There was a small corridor opposite where Michiru was, and Hotaru could see Michiru's inquiring gaze taking in the apartment.

"Have you not been here before, Michiru-chan?" Purple eyes gently gazed into blue.

"No, Hotaru-chan. I have not." Hotaru smiled gently and walked over to the corridor.

"The bathroom is down here. It's the second on your left. Now, is green tea okay, Michiru-chan?" Michiru only nodded as she saw Hotaru head to the kitchen area and watched her begin to make the tea. Michiru noted the girl was very timid in the way she spoke, her body language did not exude confidence although she had been polite. And the young girl was certainly mature in her actions and the way she had been with Michiru.

"You are Tenoh-san's cousin right, Hotaru-chan?"

Hotaru moved herself out from the kitchen and leaned against the wall, her arms crossed over her chest. She nodded and brought her head up to look Michiru in the eyes.

"Do you not like Haru-chan, Michiru-chan?"

"What?! No, of course I do! Why would you ask such a thing, Hotaru-chan?"

Michiru could feel her cheeks go pink and she tried to suppress the blushing. She hoped to the gods that Hotaru hadn't noticed, and it seemed as though Hotaru hadn't.

"Then why do you call Haru-chan, Tenoh-san? Even I know she hates being called Tenoh-san. She always has."

Michiru sighed, she was saved from answering however as the kettle began to boil in the kitchen, forcing Hotaru back into the area to prepare the tea. Michiru took advantage of this moment and decided to change the subject. "So... what school do you attend, Hotaru-chan?"

"Hey, Chibiusa-chan!"

The squealing of Jun through the hallway as she ran towards Chibiusa attracted the attention of nearly every person in the nearby vicinity. The pink-haired odango girl turned and smiled to her new friend, "Ohayo, Jun-chan. What's up?"

Jun giggled like an infatuated schoolgirl – well, she was one – and she leaned against Chibiusa's locker.

"Well, tryouts for sports team are going on until the Christmas break, Chibiusa-chan! Today is the swimming team! So, we're all going to try out for that!"

Jun began dragging Chibiusa with her towards the swimming pool as soon as the pink-haired girl closed her locker.

"Jun-chan, I don't get why any of us are going to watch though! You all say you hate swimming!" Before Jun could respond, her three cohorts appeared from nowhere all giggling.

"Be-cause! Helios-kun is the captain of the swimming team. That means we can see him in practically almost nothing, Chibiusa-chan! And don't worry, we won't be the only girls there for that!" Chibiusa went bright pink at the implication of Helios in only his swimwear.

"But won't Helios-kun's girlfriend be there?"

In the two and a half days she had been acquainting herself with the four girls, she hadn't found the courage to ask any direct questions about Helios nor the girl she had seen with him before. She had only found out about Helios because it seemed to be the only thing the four girls ever spoke about when they weren't in lessons. Ceres instantly stopped waking and turned to Chibiusa with a confused expression on her face.

"Helios-kun's girlfriend? What are you talking about, Chibiusa-chan?"

Chibiusa went a slight pink across her face before stuttering out her answer. "O-on my first day here... I saw Helios-kun... Never mind"

Ceres stifled back a laugh and Jun grinned. Pallas shook her head and Ves was the one to eventually speak. "Helios-kun has a girlfriend?" She looked confused then grinned, "I hope you don't mean Tomoe, that freak... what did this girlfriend of his look like?"

"She had – " Chibiusa was interrupted by Jun looking down at her watch and squealing.

"Oh My God! We have to go, or we'll miss Helios-kun in his Speedos!"

The four girls all shocked Chibiusa with their limited attention span but Chibiusa ran alongside with them, determined to stay with her new friends.

"Ah that's great Mimet-chan. Can we take it from the bridge again though? Just to harmonize?"

Seiya was sitting in music studio as equalizing as Mimet. The red-head is currently been invading his life, and, singing in the recording booth. As hard as Seiya tried to concentrate, his mind only ever brought him back to an image of crimson eyes and green hair. Her tanned skin highlighting her exotic beauty and her mysterious aura only allured him to her. He must have been pretty distracted because after a few moments, one of the two men sitting with him in the studio snapped their fingers in front of his eyes, instantly bringing Seiya out from his trance.

"Yo! Seiya, man, are you okay? She finished singing like three minutes ago."

The silver haired man looked confused at his black haired friend. It was very rare that Seiya ever daydreamed while working.

"Gomen, Yaten... I've just got something on my mind," Yaten turned to his brown haired friend Taiki and they both shared a concerned look upon hearing that. Taiki nodded and leaned towards the microphone and spoke to Mimet.

"Hey, Mimet, we've got to clean up some of the tracks, take ten."

Taiki didn't even wait for a response but found that Mimet complied nonetheless. As soon as Taiki and Yaten were sure they were alone with Seiya, Taiki cleared his throat. "So... what's wrong, Seiya?"

Seiya looked over to his friend and fought with himself. Should he tell them that he has fallen in love with a woman who had no interest in him, and that he knew nothing about her whom he talked to less than five minutes? "Nothing... just stress, guys. Mako's restaurant opening is tonight, you know and I guess it's just the thought of the paparazzi and all that," Okay, Seiya knew he shouldn't have lied. But he didn't need the mocking that he would inevitably get from the two.

Yaten grunted agitatedly, "Jeez, Seiya, if that's all that bothers you then you need to get out more. Get a girl. Get laid." Yaten smirked as she spoke, and Seiya and Taiki both spared a glance at Yaten; clearly showing they were not impressed with his crude remark.

Taiki cleared his throat. "Well, I think maybe you do need a relationship, Seiya. It has been three years since you last were involved with someone. You're making work your entire life. You're not the Seiya you once were. I think it would benefit everyone if that Seiya came back." Taiki smiled softly to Seiya. The dark-haired man sighed and nodded his head.

"I know that you're right... well, not you Yaten, but you're right Taiki. I should pursue a relationship." At first these words were spoken with an empty meaning but as Seiya blinked, a split second image of that green haired temptress was floating before him. He stared resolutely at his hands and he spoke again, this time more firmly, "I have to pursue that relationship, Taiki, you're right!"

"What about me? I'm right! You need to get laid, Seiya! All that stress would be gone!" Seiya smiled and playfully hit Yaten upside the head.

"Y'know, I would have that Kakyuu would have made you more of a gentleman... clearly her efforts are in vain." Yaten stuck his tongue out at his long time friends as they laughed at Seiya's remarks. Taiki looked at his watch,

"We had better bring Mimet in. This album won't make itself." Yaten made a look of annoyance.

"I'm sick and tired of all these bimbos making albums, there has to be some girls out there with enough natural talents to outdo all of these generic idiots." Taiki laughed and began discussing with Yaten the difficulty in actually finding anyone with talent and appeal in the music industry anymore.

After a moment or two, Taiki sent a message over the studio intercom for Mimet to return to the booth and Seiya forced his mind to concentrate. He, Yaten and Taiki would produce this album like they had dozens before... and after his work was done Seiya would began his search across Tokyo for the woman he only knew as Meioh-san.

The beautiful view was one of the many reasons Setsuna had loved her office.

She wanted something to remind her of the beauty of the world that was hidden among all the ugliness that seemed to be more prevalent in every other day of life. She was not always the way she was today. She had a relatively happy childhood. Well, from when she was born until she was ten that was. Her mother and father lived happily together in a house in the outskirts of Osaka. Her mother was pregnant and her father was beaming with joy, they were expecting a boy according to the doctor. They had even 

picked out a name; Kazuhiko. At the time, it seemed like a perfect name. Setsuna's father, Norio was ecstatic. His first son would be one of his greatest joys; it was something every father wanted to feel - a bond with the son as the mother feels with the daughter.

Looking out of her window at the winter sunset looked so surreal, like looking at a weird canvas. Beautiful, but depressive. It was almost as if she was looking at a colour chart, one of her life. From the sunlight beauty at the horizon, going up to some grey area as if to depict the forced happiness in the middle, and then to the blackest part of the sky. Just like the blackest part of her life.

When her brother was born, Setsuna could not have been happier. She was going to be a big sister. Onee-chan. She was delirious. Her brother had their mother's dark brown hair, but had their father's blue eyes. He seemed so healthy. He really did. That's why it came as such a shock when he died three weeks later. Breathing complications the doctors called it. But Setsuna didn't care what they called it, either way her darling little brother was taken from them all almost as soon as he had been given to them. She was distraught, often crying every night at the loss of her little brother. Her mother became a numb women, often just sitting on her bed and staring up at the ceiling every single night. Not speaking a word to anyone. Her father became engrossed in his work, and every now and again a violent verbal assault would find its way from his mouth. She knew they both began to drink heavily, her mother was on anti-depressants and Setsuna became used to her home life. But it was when she was twelve that an incident happened. It forged who she was for the rest of her life. It was the first and last time her father ever raised his hand to her mother.

How ironic. A beautiful view outside, just to remind her of memories inside that she'd rather forget.

"You're getting fucking lazy, Kame. Why do I even bother coming home to this shit-hole? It's not like you ever clean up or cook." Setsuna sat on the stairs in her home and heard the sounds of her father opening and slamming shut the cupboards.

"Where is all the fucking food, Kame? I give you all that fucking money and the cupboards are bare. I bet if I looked in the liquor cabinet that'd be full!"

"Shut up, Norio! Like you don't help yourself to the booze!" A bitter laugh escaped her father's lips.

"I pay for it I can drink it, but I expect a meal when I come home from work. You're pathetic excuse for a woman." Once again the sounds of her father searching through the kitchen could be heard. He sighed and then the hiss of a can being opened filled the silent house. Setsuna blinked, another drink. She kept count. That would be the 59th beer opened in four days in the house. She saw her father walk into the living room and sit on the sofa. Her mother walked in slowly after, a glass filled with an amber liquid was in her hand. No doubt Jack Daniels was keeping her mother company tonight.

"You've let yourself go, Kame. You really have. I'm ashamed to tell anyone that you're my wife. Ha, well, you barely are, I suppose. I should just say you're the woman I pay to stay around me." Kame emptied the contents of her glass and slammed the glass down on the coffee table, instantly getting her husband's attention. His eyes blazed with an intensity she had never known before.

"The woman you pay for? What am I now? Your whore, Norio? You disgust me. You pig!" Norio stood up, instantly towering over his wife and he held her wrists tightly in his hands.

"If you were a whore, I would probably be a bit happier, Kame. At least I'd get to fuck a whore. When was the last time we slept together, do you even know the answer?" Kame looked down at the floor, of course she knew when. Not since Kazuhiko had died. She couldn't bring herself to. Norio didn't release her from his grip. "Not since Kazu... it's like I repulse you. Well, guess what? You're stuck with me, babe." He said the word babe with such disgust that he made Setsuna wince. She wanted to stand up and force her parents to stop this, but she had talked to some of her friends and found out that some of them had been hit by their parents for interfering, and she didn't want to be hit by her parents. Setsuna was thrown from her thoughts by the sound of her mother shouting.

"Shut up, Kame!" Norio threw his wife onto the floor and he straddled her.

"What about Setsuna?! Get off of me Norio!" Her father laughed, not his usual laugh, it was sinister and had a hint of malice to it.

"Then let her hear. It'd do her some good to know a woman's place in the house." Setsuna's eyes widened at this and she ran quietly to her room. She locked her door and began to pack all of her belongings into a bag. She was no idiot. She knew what her father was doing to her mother while she was up there – a man does not straddle a woman and force himself onto her without it going further. Married or not. Oh no, Setsuna was no idiot. But she was a coward. She didn't dare go back downstairs, not until she thought it was safe for her. She could run away to her grandparents. They lived in Tokyo. Her mother's parents, although they had not spoken since the death of their grandson, Setsuna knew she would be safe there. She had no idea how long she was in the room packing and thinking until she heard a loud banging on her door and the handle began turning furiously.

"Let me in, Setsuna!" She froze at the sound of her father's voice. She shook her head, forgetting he couldn't see her. The banging became heavier on the door and after a few moments he must have given up because it stopped and she heard him going into his own bedroom. She didn't dare open the door. She was terrified. What stopped her father from doing that to her? It wasn't unheard of, and she was determined to not let it happen to her. Not now. Not ever. An hour later, Setsuna gained the courage to open her door, she looked out and saw no-one. She snuck over to her parents' bedroom door and peeked in, seeing her father out cold on the bed. Silently, she began making her way downstairs, where she saw her mother sobbing on the sofa, and clutching a pillow, using it to wipe away her tears. Setsuna stopped in her tracks, unsure what to do. Her mother looked up and saw her.

"Sets?" Crimson eyes looked into her mother's brown eyes. She gulped nervously, her mother wiped her eyes once more and looked resolutely into her daughter's eyes.

"Regardless of whatever he says... Never let a man ever touch you when you don't want to be touched."

Her mother's words had pierced her mind and soul that day. The next day while her father was at work and her mother was in bed, Setsuna took her bag and ran away to her grandparents. She thought she would be in 

trouble with her father, but he didn't even care. He knew where she was, but didn't give a shit. Her mother gave guardianship to Setsuna's grandparents and the two had raised her for the remainder of their years. They died four years ago. They left Setsuna all their estate, including the building she was standing in right this second. They owned it as part of their accounting business, but closed it down a year before they died, giving it to Setsuna to do as she wished. She bet they'd be turning in their grave if they knew what she was doing with it right now. Setsuna had often wondered if her life had been different if she had ever let a man into her life. She once toyed with the possibility of being bisexual but found that she only found some women attractive, but she couldn't imagine spending her life with a woman for the rest of her years. She couldn't think of a man either, but that was because she found it so hard to trust any men. The only man she had only ever trusted was her grandfather.

She sighed loudly. Men had shown an interest in her, they thought that Setsuna was gorgeous, that she held some exotic mystery to her. They had no idea she was in fact a simple girl from Osaka.

That was when she realized the market for fantasy. Men want something they can't have, something that doesn't exist but if you make it so as it appears to exist, you could be wealthier than you ever imagined. And she was. She could afford to never work another day in her life. And she had been thinking of this. She had told no-one but she placed an advertisement for the premises of After Dark to be put up for sale. She was ready to leave this world behind. Ironic; her mother telling her that one thing had lead to this profession.

But to Setsuna, the girls' were the ones who laid out the boundaries and the clients did whatever their fantasies, in this case the girls', allowed them. None of the girls had ever been put in harm, none ever felt worried for their lives. They knew what each job was and took it if they wanted it. The girls' felt safe in their job. That world of safety would be abandoned though... all because Setsuna was ready to settle down.

She sighed deeply as she now stared into the fading horizon as the whole sky starts to be consumed in darkness. She wouldn't worry about settling down now.

Now, if only she had someone to settle down with.

"Wow, Helios-kun, that was fantastic, I've never seen someone swim so elegantly." Pallas gushed at the boy of her dreams.

He smiled politely, "Arigatou, Pallas-chan."

Helios had swam, seen the other tryouts swim, and had already gotten changed byt the time his 'fan club' had caught up with him. He was currently in his school uniform and his hair was slightly damp, no doubt from the shower he had taken after his activities in the pool.

"Helios-kun, have you met the new girl?"

Helios turned around and for the first time he saw Chibiusa, he smiled, this time it was a genuine smile and he kept his eyes locked with her.

"It's a pleasure to meet you...er...?" Chibiusa blushed and gasped.

"I'm Tsukino Chibiusa." She bowed as did Helios.

"I'm Helios. I'm not one for formalities, Chibiusa-chan." She blushed at the way he said her name. Helios noticed and smirk a little, feeling that this girl was nothing like the four girls she was currently friends with. Pallas, Ves, Ceres and Jun watched the two with mouths agape. He was being nicer to Chibiusa then he had ever been to them and they couldn't figure out why for the life of them.

"Where do you live, Chibiusa-chan? If you don't mind me asking, that is," Chibiusa shook her head and smiled.

"Of course not Helios-kun. I live in the Yuzno apartment complex – "

"Oh, that's on my route home... Would you mind if I walked you home, Chibiusa-chan?" A blush erupted across Chibiusa's face and Ceres spoke up to interrupt.

"Of course she wouldn't mind, Helios-kun... will it just be you walking Chibiusa home or – "

"Hotaru is not in today."

Helios spoke somewhat annoyed at Ceres and he narrowed his eyes at the girls. "Are you ready to go, Chibiusa-chan?" She nodded and grinned to the four girls who all smiled, despite burning with jealousy deep inside.

The two teens had walked and talked pleasantly the entire way to Chibiusa's temporary home. Helios was grinning from ear to ear; simply glad to have had so much in common with the pink-haired girl.

"Wow. I love AKG too. Their first album was great, a bit too poppy – "

"But I liked that," Chibiusa blushed as she finished Helios's sentence.

She stared up at the apartment complex and suddenly became very self conscious. She fiddled with the hem of her shirt. Helios cleared his throat.

"You're nothing like Ceres and her friends." The bold statement from Helios caused Chibiusa to frown in confusion.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Helios smiled, and instantly disarmed the younger girl.

"It's a great thing."

There was an awkward silence and Chibiusa was debating on whether or not to ask him about the girl she had seen him with. Her little devil had won, yes she should ask!

"Um, Helios-kun?"

The fair haired boy looked into Chibiusa's eyes and nodded, indicating to carry on with whatever was on her mind, "I wanted to know if you had a girlfriend or not." As soon as the words left her mouth, Chibiusa mentally slapped herself on the head. She looked over and saw Helios was blushing and looking at his feet. She really didn't want to sound so forward.

"Um... no... W-wh-why?" Once again Chibiusa frowned in confusion.

"It's just that... I saw you with a dark haired girl the other day. I think she's Tomoe-san, but I've not yet seen her – "

"Hotaru's not my girlfriend. But she is my best friend. Why? What did those four tell you about her?" He sounded very defensive of Hotaru and Chibiusa admired him for that. She also liked the fact that Hotaru was not his girlfriend.

"Nothing! I just saw a girl walking with you and assumed she was your girlfriend... Jun told me it was Tomoe. That's all. I swear." Chibiusa saw Helios face turn calm again and he laughed sheepishly.

"Oh. Sorry, it's just that everyone gives her a hard time about stuff, and I don't like it when they do. She's a really nice girl once you get to know her." Helios turned and smiled to Chibiusa once again and she smiled in return. "Why did you want to know, Chibiusa-chan?"

He raised an eyebrow and felt his stomach swell somewhat. He was hoping she asked because she liked him, because he liked her, from the second he saw her. Her deep red blush answered his question and he grinned inwardly, 'Victory' he thought!

"Say, Chibiusa-chan, if you're not doing anything tonight, want to go to the Crown with me?"

Chibiusa bit her lip in excitement, she had heard the Crown Arcade was where everyone went and tonight she would get to go with Helios! Tonight she would – oh crap, tonight she was going to a restaurant opening with her cousin. She dropped her head, pouting slightly.

"Mou, I can't... but tomorrow I can!" She grinned and saw Helios smile too.

"Great! Well, then if I come by here at say lunchtime we can head for the day. Is that okay?" Chibiusa nodded and Helios looked at his watch,

"I had better go. I'll see you tomorrow, Chibiusa-chan." Helios turned to walk away, but then he stopped, grabbing the attention of Chibiusa. She looked at him, her head tilted in confusion. He grinned and moved forward, placing a gentle quick kiss on her cheek, before briskly walking away. Chibiusa raised a hand to her cheek, and grinned. He kissed her! Okay on the cheek, but a kiss is a kiss! She began skipping her way into the apartment complex.

She thought she was in love.

"Wow, so you play violin? I bet that was hard, Michiru-chan."

Hotaru was wide-eyed with awe as she listened to Michiru speak. The original one cup of tea had turned into twelve between the two; it had been over two hours. For some reason, the two had instantly bonded. Michiru was shocked by Hotaru's maturity and intelligence for a fifteen year old – near to be sixteen so she had been told. Hotaru was mesmerised by Michiru's confidence, grace and just overall, her in general. If ever she had thought of a perfect mother, Michiru fit the bill to a tee. Escort or not.

"Indeed, I do, Hotaru-chan... what about you?" Hotaru seemed to shrug, and Michiru instantly suspected some self-esteem issues.

"I'm just like Haru-chan I guess."

Hotaru saw the confusion in Michiru's eyes and laughed, "Ha ha, oh I guess, Haru-chan doesn't tell many people about that. I play the piano, like Haru-chan, but I'm nowhere as good as Haru-chan!" Michiru was intrigued; she had no idea that Haruka knew anything about music.

"Piano? Haruka-san?"

Hotaru instantly raised an eyebrow and grinned. Hotaru felt that around Michiru, she could be herself and she would not be judged. She was being more talkative than ever. Maybe, a little teasing too.

"Haruka-san now, huh? An hour ago it was still Tenoh-san! What did Haru-chan do to annoy you Michiru-chan? I've not seen her for a while but she's infamous in our family for never thinking before she speaks!" Hotaru giggled gently and soon Michiru joined in.

'Gomen ne sunao ja nakute, yume no naka nara ieru, shikou kairo wa sho-to sunzen, ima sugu aitai yo'

Haruka's phone, again.

Now, Michiru and Hotaru can't help but to laugh hard.

"It doesn't matter Hotaru-chan. But I really should get going. I have work tonight. Restaurant opening, I believe you're going too aren't you?" Michiru said as she slowly regained her composure.

Hotaru seemed more than happy at the prospect of seeing Michiru again and she nodded fervently, "Hai! Will we be able to talk again there, Michiru-chan?"

Michiru smiled gently and nodded, before standing up and straightening out her skirt. "I hope so. I will be accompanying Kou-san, a friend of Haruka-san's apparently. But, we'll see, okay?"

Hotaru nodded and put away the tea and the cups, neatly into the kitchen area.

"I'll see myself out Hotaru-chan, I'll see you in a few hours." Before Hotaru could respond, the sound of the buzzer filled the room as Michiru silently made her way out of the apartment. Hotaru looked to the intercom and pressed the white button, letting whoever buzzed speak loud and clear.

"Hotaru! Can you come down here and help me with these boxes? There are so many!"

"Hai, Haru-chan, I'll be right down!" Hotaru hung up and took the keys from the side, stuffing them into her pockets and left the apartment. She met Michiru at the elevator and got a surprised look from the aqua-haired woman.

"Hotaru-chan? Everything okay?" Hotaru nodded and the elevator pinged open as it reached their floor.

"Hai, Haru-chan is downstairs and wants help bringing stuff back up."

Michiru froze mid-step and stepped back out of the elevator.

Hotaru had already pressed the 'G' button and the doors were closing.

"I'll take the stairs, Hotaru-chan. Take care!" Michiru made her way over to the stairs and began descending them slowly. She only wanted to get out without being seen by the blonde tomboy.

Haruka was waiting impatiently downstairs. She had hired a moving van for the day and had an unpleasant layer of sweat on her body. She didn't like how hot it seems; she had everything of Hotaru's in the van and just wanted to get it all out. Haruka looked at her watch and then saw it had only been thirty seconds since she had called for her younger cousin. Haruka sighed and glanced around her surroundings. It was eerily quiet in the streets today. As Haruka glanced to her left, she saw a familiar midnight blue C180 Mercedes-Benz parked up by the corner. She was about to lean forward to see if the license place read "KA10H" or not but was prevented from doing that by the sound of her younger cousin's voice.

"Haruka! Hey, sorry it took me so long, the elevator took so long!" Haruka turned and smiled at her younger cousin.

"It's okay, Hota-chan. Just help me get all of this stuff out of the van and in the apartment and we'll call it a night okay?"

Haruka lead Hotaru to the van and opened up the back, there wasn't too much but it was more than her car could take in one ride. Haruka helped Hotaru up into the van and they looked around for the biggest things – it would be easiest to take them up first. The sound of a car didn't grab Haruka's attention, it was a normal sound to her on this street, but for Hotaru it grabbed her attention and she squinted at the Mercedes-Benz as it started up and once she recognized the driver, she threw her hand up in the air and waved from out of the van.

"Michiru-chan! Bye!"

Hotaru smiled like a fool and Haruka spun around so quick to look out to see Michiru that she almost knocked herself out on Hotaru's wardrobe, which was right next to her. Haruka shook her head, getting the shock of almost being knocked unconscious out of her system.

"Michiru-chan?" Haruka questioned Hotaru who smiled broadly.

"Hai, she came by to give you your cell-phone. She's such an amazing person, Haru-chan! It's a shame you can't find a girl like her."

Haruka stood stock still as Hotaru picked up a box of her belongings. Haruka was shocked at Hotaru's sentence; she barely knew Michiru... didn't she?

"And why are you such a fan of Michiru-chan, huh? Got a crush?" Haruka thought that by teasing Hotaru it would make it funnier but when she saw the shocked looked in the girl's eyes she felt guilty.

Hotaru cleared her throat. "No... but I wish I had someone like that for a sister... or..." Hotaru trailed off but Haruka knew she wanted to say mother. "She stayed for tea and we spoke for a long while. She promised to speak to me tonight at the restaurant too. I can't wait. She was going to give me some tips for school."

Haruka was in a state of shock. Who would have thought Michiru would be giving her younger cousin hints and tips for school? Kaioh Michiru?

Michiru, the escort?

Haruka thought deeply. Maybe there was more to Michiru than meets the eye. Haruka couldn't explain it, but that thought, brought a shiver up her spine.

"I can't wait either, Hota-chan."

"Sorry if I'm not gentle, I can say that in my dreams; My thoughts are about to short circuit." Moonlight Densetsu , Sailor Moon Theme

A/N 2 - Those are the translated lyrics of Haruka's ringtone. Sorry, but I found it hilarious to have that as her ringtone! So kiddies, there we have Chapter 6. For those of you who want to see what happens in Chapter 7 at Makoto's restaurant, click the submit review button and leave a word or two. More reviews higher chance of me updating ;) Take care!. -VR