Haha, I'm even starting this one before I finish the other one, two chapters before XD I've been so bad on that chapter, I apologize ^^'

Note: 'Words like this are memories.'

Excerpts from episode 194 or 28 of season 5, Sailor Stars.

"What Happens After The Storm?" I kind of just thought of the title, remembering the figure-of-speech, "calm before the storm". I didn't want to say "Aftermath" because then some might think it was the last chapter when it's not, and that's never a good thing ._.

Sailor Moon is owned by Toei Animation and Naoko Takeuchi.

~That night~

"Do you want me to sleep with you tonight, Haru-chan?" Usagi asks.

Haruko is lying on the couch, facing in, and clutching a cushion to her chest. Usagi is in the kitchen with boxes, putting things away.

Haruko shakes her head, although Usagi can't see her. "No, I'd rather be alone, thank you," she says just loud enough for Usagi to hear.

Usagi looks at her sadly, knowing her pain well. "Alright. I understand, I've been through this, too. Believe it or not-"

"Just leave me alone, Usagi!"

Usagi is hurt. She can't remember her ever calling her 'Usagi' so harshly, usually just a friendly 'Usa-chan'. "S-Sorry. Want me to leave?"

"Y-Yeah."

"Okay. Sorry."

Haruko hears the front door open and shut, and she sighs. She can't hold it in anymore! She cries and sobs heavily.

Mamoru is sitting on his couch watching TV, when he hears a knock at the door. He sighs, pausing his show. He stands and stretches, then proceeds to answer the door. "Comin'!" he calls, and jogs over to the door. "Usako? What's up, so late?"

"Haru-chan kicked me out," she says, looking away. Then she lifts her gaze. "Can I stay here till she simmers down?"

"S-Sure." He moves to let her in. "Come on in."

"Thanks. Sorry for the intrusion."

"Not at all. I'm glad you came," he answers, shutting off the TV.

~In reality~

"N-No… I dunno." Haruko sighs. "Just… give me some time, okay?"

"Right. Sorry."

"It's not your fault."

Usagi nods slowly, becoming distracted by a pack of brand new plates from Haruko's mother.

~Earlier that day~

The group had spent the whole day together, walking around and having fun. While they were at a restaurant, being ever-loud and care-free, Usagi thought of something that might help them all.

"Hey, Rei, come with me to the bathroom," Usagi said. "I'll be right back, y'all!"

"Alright, see ya!"

"What's up, Usagi?" Rei asked once they were out of ear- and eyeshot.

"Well…" Usagi hesitated. "Could you and the girls take Haru-chan out tomorrow? I've got a date with Mamo-chan and I don't want to leave her alone. Plus, she could use some girl-time to get to know y'all, you know, to feel more comfortable here. It's a big transition for both of them, since they both grew up in Kyoto with just each other to rely on and not having Akira is really hard for her. I'm really worried and don't want to leave her alone."

Rei shrugged. "Sure, no problem. It'll be fun!"

Usagi sighed in relief. "You're a real lifesaver! Thanks a million!"

Rei smiled. "Anytime!"

~The next morning~

Haruko couldn't sleep the night before, so she just gives up and walks out to the front room. She sees light filtering through the curtain and sighs. She wants to hate the morning sun, but she can't bring herself to. She smiles out the window sadly, admiring the beauty of the Earth. She watches a nearby nest of birds receive breakfast from their mother, and a stray black cat hops up on the porch from the stairs.

The cat looks up at her, staring quizzically with dark-blue eyes. It opens its mouth as if to say something, which confuses her. "What's your mind, kitty-cat?"

"Open the door, Haru," the cat seems to say. The cat's voice sounds just like Akira's.

Haruko is shocked. She looks around to see where the voice might have come from instead. Sure, she'd known cats to talk, but that was just Luna and the white male cat she'd met yesterday, Artemis. This cat didn't have a crescent-moon-shaped bald spot. It's just a normal cat, but not a normal cat. This cat is different.

She looks back to see, instead of a cat, there's a monster standing right next to her, seeming to resemble Akira. Haruko screams in fear.

"Haru-chan!" it shouts. The voice sounds like Usagi's now. "Haru-chan, wake up!"

Haruko shoots up in bed real fast, sweating bullets. `Just a dream! ` she thinks in relief, panting.

"Are you okay? You were screaming!"

"Yeah," Haruko croaks, her voice barely above a whisper. She clutches her aching throat in bewilderment. "I need some water."

"I figured as much," Usagi says, smiling, "so I brought you a glass." She reaches past Haruko and pulls back, handing her a tall, clear glass full of room-temperature water. "Here. Drink up!"

"Thanks. Really, I don't deserve you. You're so good to me," Haruko says sadly, pulling her knees up under her chin.

"Hardly!" Usagi objects. " It was about time I returned the favor, and it's because me that you're in such pain anyway." Haruko tenses. "Sorry," Usagi apologizes. "That was a little insensitive, wasn't it? Hey, I've got an idea!" Without waiting for a response, she continues. "How 'bout you spend the day with the other girls, you know, to get to know them? They're tons of fun!" She smiles.

Haruko looks up from her glass and smiles. "That sounds great."

Usagi's smile widens. "Great! They'll be psyched!" She stands and starts to head back out of the room.

"Wait. You're making it sound like you're not going. What about you?"

Usagi freezes and turns around, a sheepish expression falling over her left-over smile. Caught! "A-Actually, I have a date today, and can't make it. Sorry, but it's easier for you to get to know them if I'm not in the way!"

Haruko looks back at her glass. "Oh. Okay."

"S-Sorry!"

Haruko's head snaps up again to view Usagi's nervous expression, a little ticked. "Stop that."

Usagi is surprised. "What? Stop what?"

"Stop acting like I'm some fragile little girl who can't handle herself. Stop apologizing. Stop acting like I'm someone different. Stop pitying me!"

Usagi's shocked expression softens to one of remorse and regret. "You're right. I'm-" Usagi sighs and leans in to embrace Haruko. "Please allow this one last time. It's sincere. I'm sorry I hurt you. I didn't mean to." Usagi remembers something similar that happened to her once, a lifetime ago, but she keeps her mouth shut.

'You don't need to escort me...'

'Don't take it so lightly! The enemies target is your Star Seed!'

'You can't predict when they'll attack you! They could be disguised!'

'A club, teargas, and a talisman from Hikawa Shrine. Use them to protect yourself.'

'I appreciate you guys, but I think it's too much.'

'We can't be too careful! That's the key!'

'But, I think you guys will also get in trouble!'

'Do I look so irresponsible?'

What if something happens to you while Mamoru-san isn't here?'

'That's alright, I'm alright by myself!'

'You said you were alright. Now you're crying you're lonely. Aren't you weird?'

'When I think about it, I'm not good at enduring things. For example, even if I decide to work on my homework today, I'll easily lose myself and start eating snacks until I'm full and hungry, and I'll probably go to sleep after that. I thought I had a strong will to go on, but when I saw the rose, I remembered him! Even though I can't hear his voice, except on the answering machine, and I hadn't received any letters, I thought I was okay. I could survive just by myself. But… But I just can't stand being by myself! I want to see you… I want to see you, Mamo-chan!'

'Am I not good enough?'

Usagi suppresses a shudder, and swallows. She hates remembering that day. She always feels awful when he isn't around, and right then in her memories was no exception.

She hears Haruko's stomach rumble, and laughs, drawing back from the hug. "Want some breakfast?"

Haruko snickers. "Better leave that to me, Usa-chan!"

"Hey!" Usagi laughs along with her. "Okay, well, I'll go pick out our outfits! It's a good thing we went shopping yesterday, I wouldn't want to wear the one outfit I had!" She heads back to her room.

Haruko finds that weird. That a person could change so suddenly. She wonders if that was how she acted before she moved to Kyoto. What else could've caused such a drastic difference?

Akira. That was another variable in this situation. They never actually got along, but, well, Akira isn't the easiest person to get along with. Could Usagi possibly be… glad she was gone?

No. Of course not. Usagi said herself that she loves Akira. She didn't want her to leave. She cried when she did.

Usagi walks out then holding two outfits. "I picked these both out for you! Which would you rather wear?" When Haruko doesn't reply, Usagi pouts. "Hey! Look at me!"

"Did you like Akira? Or did you just put up with her?"

Usagi freezes. "W-What?"

"I've noticed a big change in you, and there are two variables. The Chibas. So, tell me, did you even like her?"

"You… You think I'm happy she's gone, don't you? Oh, boy, do I have something to say to that!" Usagi is looking down at her bare feet, shaking with tears in both her voice and her body. "I am stung! I don't know what I did wrong, and I'm trying to fix it! Not everyone sits around moping when they're hurt, Haru-chan!"

"Oh, is that so?!" Haruko's voice rises with anger. She walks over to Usagi, tears slipping down her flushed cheeks. "Because you didn't spend the last three years sitting around moping! I know why you're saying those things! For one, you're a total hypocrite! You're telling me all these things, 'Oh, don't be so depressed, Haru-chan!'" she mocks. "'I've been through this too, so don't think you're anything special!'"

"I didn't say that!" Usagi screeches, her voice two octaves above its normal high-pitch. "Quit putting words in my mouth!"

"I know you didn't say that, but that's what you thought, isn't it?! Don't try to lie to me, it won't get you anywhere! And did you even like me at all?!"

"Of course I do! You're important to me!"

"Only 'cause we 'filled the void'! You can't do much without your precious 'Mamo-chan', can you?! You're just worthless, aren't you?! You know, I'm starting to see from Akira's view! As soon as you get your old friends, you just toss us in the trash! That's the real reason you're going on a date, isn't it?!"

"No, I wanted you to feel comfortable! I didn't want to come with me and feel awkward!"

"Maybe I didn't want to come at all! Maybe I wanted to stay with my family! I took a leap of faith with you, thought, 'Oh, well, it's my duty, so I should go!' and look where we are now! I'm screaming my head off at you, and the one most precious to me left! I should've gone when she did. I shouldn't have trusted someone different. The years where it was just me and her were great, then you had to come along and get in the way!"

"Well, gee, if you hate me so much, then I'll just pack my things leave! Maybe then, your precious 'Akin' will come back!"

"Fine! Leave! See if I care!"

"I will!" Usagi marches back to her room, the long-forgotten outfits lying crumpled on the floor. Not long after, she storms back with one duffel bag and a black cat trots after her. The cat glances sadly at Haruko, but doesn't stop following the blonde girl.

"Good riddance!" Haruko spits as Usagi slams the door behind her.

"Hello~? Kssht, Earth to Haru-chan! Come in, Haru-chan! Do you read?"

Haruko blinks against the hand waving in front of her face. "Huh? Oh, sorry, I was just staring off. What did you say?"

Usagi giggles. "I said, which outfit would you rather wear?"

~Later in the park~

Usagi sits on a bench, just waiting. She's kicking her sneaker-clad feet, watching some kids play soccer, when suddenly two hands—she can't tell if they're male or female—cover her eyes, blocking her vision, making her gasp. "Who is this?"

A falsetto voice chirps, "You have to guess!"

"Give me a hint! C'mon, please?"

"You have to do better than that, Dumpling!" the person says in a normal voice, which she recognizes immediately.

She spins around. "No way... Where have you been, you jerk?!" She smiles widely. "Seiya-kun!"

Ooh, look who came to visit~! :D Sorry I procrastinate so much. I'm even working on the next chapter now D: I'm so ba~d!