Author's Notes: Hello! I still exist! Ok, so updating/writing in the couple of weeks before you get married doesn't really work well. . But on the up side, I am, now, a happily married woman to the most wonderful woman in the world. ^_^

Anyways, ACTUAL notes now. As always, I don't own Sailor Moon and friends. I wish I did. Please enjoy! We're getting to where I know you'll be excited. And yes, I really do like Setsuna. I promise.

Taking her helmet off, Haruka shook her head, allowing the wind to tease her hair, freeing it from being pressed against her head. Her lap time was better than it had been, but she still wasn't happy with it. The upcoming race was going to be difficult. The first one, she'd been underestimated. This time, they would be gunning for her. She needed to be the top of her game. She had to be. Same with the car, which meant the brakes needed to be touched up. They were too heavy, too slow to respond. Helmet tucked under her arm, she nodded to the stocky mechanic, motioning with her hand she wasn't sure about the brakes. She didn't expect him to know what she wasn't happy with, but that was easily rectified.

"Tenoh-san, what's wrong with her?"

She frowned, nodding back toward the car, "Brakes are off. I'm having to lay into them too hard."

Ichiro nodded, waving the team over. Haruka watched as the man, fully a head and change shorter than she was, commanded a team of mechanics who raced toward the car. "We'll have her ready for tomorrow."

Haruka chuckled dryly, "Let's just make sure she's ready for Sunday, hmm? It won't be as easy to slip between cars this time. They'll know I'm coming." Her eyes scanned the group now pushing the car into the garage. She couldn't have asked for a better crew. Some of the men, such as Ichiro, had been doing this for nearly as long as she was alive, and his dedication to the art was more than she could have ever asked for. Her dedication and hard work would be for nothing without a car to match it.

The smile faded into a frown as she squinted, noticing a woman standing not far from the garage. "Ichiro-san? Who's that?" motioning with one finger so as not to draw attention to the object of discussion.

Ichiro turned briefly, before shaking his head, "Some bureaucrat I think? She said she's with one of your sponsors. Told her she had to wait until you were done."

Haruka stopped, "How long has she been here?"

He shrugged, "Not long after you pulled out. She's been waiting for a half-hour or so."

Grumbling, Haruka gripped her helmet harder. Yes, she needed to test the car, but she'd taken longer than strictly necessary, which left her being rude to one of the people who was paying her way. Never a good thing. "Take care of the car," she said, striding toward the woman and putting on her best I'm sorry I was rude faces. She would have to warn Ichiro about not informing her when she had company. Getting lost in the track was too tempting.

The woman was tall, slender and dressed in business fashion. Heels that had to be at minimum three inches made the woman a good bit taller than herself. Hands were in front of her, clasping a folio, manicured. The pencil skirt landed well above her knee, well, at least the sponsors knew what she liked. Rather, what most men would like. Still, sleeping with the sponsors was out of the question. First because it was bad form, even for her, and second, the sponsors didn't seem to realize she wasn't male. It was better for everyone, including her career, if they never found out.

She bowed low, hoping to display appropriate humility at having made the woman late. "Please forgive me. I hadn't been informed you were waiting for me."

The woman shook her head, green-black hair cascading down her back, grazing hips that Haruka was actively avoiding looking at. "I hadn't wanted you disturbed, Tenoh-san. However, now that you are available, I wish to speak with you. I am Meioh Setsuna, currently with the Tomoe Research Foundation. We'd like to discuss your sponsorship."

"Of course, where would you like to speak? The manager's office?" Years of practice kept her voice level. It was never a good thing when a sponsor showed up without your agent there. Of course, she couldn't remember the Tomoe Foundation having been one of her sponsors, but more money meant she could invest more into the car and crew, and the crew was woefully underpaid in her mind. So she forced her most charming smile and motioned ahead.

"Your charms won't work on me, Tenoh-san. And I would prefer to talk with you elsewhere." Haruka stopped mid-stride. This was definitely not going according to plan. Oh, others had resisted her charms, but track business was customarily discussed at the track. Or over drinks, but that usually meant more than just her and a potential sponsor. She nodded and followed Setsuna to a chauffeured car waiting just outside.

Elsewhere turned out to be a small restaurant near the bay. Setsuna hadn't spoken anything more the entire time, derailing every attempt by Haruka to begin conversation. By the time she handed her menu back to the waitress, Haruka was raw. She didn't like to be kept waiting. Didn't like to be held suspended in time waiting for something. It made her hand itch and her legs ready themselves for a sprint that would never come.

"Thank you for joining me."

"I'm not sure I had much choice?" Haruka glanced up to meet the woman's eyes and looked back toward her water glass. Something in them disturbed her. It was like she was being studied, and that never ended well. Especially when she felt like whatever the woman saw disappointed her.

"We always have choices."

Vague. Brilliant. Haruka hated people who liked to talk in riddles. She never understood why people insisted on hiding behind things like that. "So, what can I do for you? Other than drive fast?" she laughed, hoping to distract the woman from whatever it was she didn't like about Haruka.

The bad joke seemed to work as the other woman cracked a bit of a smile. "Actually, a few things. One of which is to drive well, because I have authority to offer a considerable sponsorship."

The blond leaned back slightly, raising an eyebrow before letting her eyes wander then settle once again on the woman before her, this time, however, she was ready for the piercing garnets. "All right. That's easy enough, but you didn't have to wine and dine me for that." She couldn't keep the smirk off her face as she flirted slightly. Even if her companion wasn't going to be tempted, the moves were too well ingrained. Too practiced.

"No, but I thought you might want to not be around your mechanics when I discussed the rest. I didn't think you wanted them to understand the specific dynamics of your relationship with a particular actress." The way she said 'dynamics' ripped the world out from under the blonde. Shit. Haruka's stomach knotted hard enough she wasn't sure she would be able to eat the meal she had just ordered. Kobe steak might as well be used tatami mat as dry as her mouth was. "I see you understand I've figured out more than your usual sponsors."

She was certain she couldn't get any paler. All blood pooled at her feet, urging her to run, never look back, but there was a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that it wouldn't work. That no matter how far or fast she ran, all roads would lead back here. "What do you want?" She was perversely pleased with herself for sounding so calm.

"I really have no issues with you having a relationship with a woman," Setsuna said blandly, her hand gesturing vaguely, "Just not her."

"What's wrong with Minako?"

"Have you? No, I can see you haven't." Haruka stared at the woman as her narrowed eyes made assessments on what could only be their bedroom activities. She was ready to walk out, sponsorship or no sponsorship. "Nothing is wrong with her. But there are a few people in this world, Tenoh-san, that you will not date. Aino Minako is one of them. Find another."

"And if I refuse?"

A dark eyebrow went up. "Do you really want to go there? Live with her, I don't care, but don't sleep with her. You will regret doing so. Though, if I'm correct, you've never been able to."

"Enough is enough. Keep your sponsorship and your dinner." Haruka stood up, face flushing now that anger had replaced fear. The woman was positively insane. She had to be. Calling her out on being a lesbian? Then commenting, blindly, on Haruka's lack of prowess in bed? Whether or not she'd been able to have sex with Minako was irrelevant. It just wasn't done.

"Sit down, Tenoh-san. There's no reason to make a scene. Is it really so terrible to deny yourself sleeping with a woman you don't love in that respect? Or is it just that I know?" She smiled in response to narrowed green eyes. "There is a great deal about you that I know. However, there is only one other request I have."

Haruka sat down slowly. "You mean dictating my love life isn't enough?" venom laced her voice with menace she hadn't realized she could feel. It wasn't about Minako. They hadn't slept together like that; something always came between the two women, usually Minako's heterosexuality, but other times it had been Haruka's guilt. Or a sudden stomach flu or migraine. A panic attack about the car. It was the idea that a sponsor would dictate specifically who she was able to date. No, it wasn't that. It was that this woman knew she and Minako hadn't had sex.

Setsuna shook her head, "A favor. A dear friend of mine is engaged and his fiancee has a birthday at the end of the month. Would you please attend? And bring your actress with you."

Now she laughed, dry and hollow. "Is this a way to make sure we're platonic by then?"

Her laughter died as the other woman simply shook her head. "No, but she is a big fan of musical theater, as is my friend's daughter. A different friend," she clarified.

"Ah, so I convince Minako to go so your friend can have a celebrity drop in?"

"You and Aino-san would make three celebrities dropping in, as you so eloquently put it. But yes."

Haruka shook her head, "You've got a strange idea of how sponsorship works."

"Do I? I can make it a paid appearance if that appeases you, but I'd rather it not be a press event."

The woman was unshakeable. Haruka wanted to be done with her, but she really couldn't afford to turn away sponsors at this point. Not if she was being level headed. "Who's the third?"

"Kaioh Michiru."

"Don't know her."

"She's a violinist. I'll be asking her to perform."

Green eyes glinted as a dark smile spread across Haruka's lips. "You haven't asked her."

"Nonetheless, she will agree when I do."

"And how do you know that?"

A slow knowing smile crept upon her features overtaking any semblance of oblivion. "I got you to agree, didn't I?"

"Ahh, blackmail. Nectar of the gods of money."

"A necessary evil on occasion." Setsuna bowed slightly to Haruka.

##

Setsuna couldn't say she was proud of everything she'd done, especially recently. Manipulating events was nothing new to her, but outright manipulation of one of her only friends was a new low. As she held the hand of the young girl she escorted down the road, she smiled sadly. Too many intrigues, too many lifetimes. Perhaps one day she could find comfort from her solitude. There was no denying that part of her interest in the young girl at her side came from loneliness, the rest from understanding the girl's identity itself. Tomoe Hotaru was the daughter of her boss, Chieko Tomoe, a woman with no maternal instinct and all too happy to allow Setsuna the opportunity to take Hotaru out as frequently as she wished. One such opportunity was happening today. Gaining private lessons with Kaioh Michiru had been easier to procure than Setsuna had imagined, though she doubted her old friend would be any more aware of their past than Haruka had been. She herself had only gotten glimpses and half-remembered dreams until recently. Until the moment Usagi had given her the orb. Where she had found it and how it had made it to this time were questions she didn't bother asking. Thankfully, the princess was as innocent as ever, not seeing a reason to argue with the promise of making up to her the shortened visit. Since then, her days were filled with determining who was around, and more importantly, who knew what.

Of course Serenity and Endymion had found each other, and all of the others, including herself, had gravitated toward each other. Even Mars and Endymion had met, his search for his identity having led him to her shrine long before she had met him. However, no matter the connections, the attraction, none had awakened. Not even the princess whose gift had finished waking her. Finding Hotaru, however, had been a surprise. There had been no doubt that this girl could awaken as Saturn, but the queen's last actions rang in her head and Pluto found herself unwilling to destroy a child who had given her hope when all had been lost.

Now, however, she would introduce Hotaru to Michiru in hopes that the girl could force Neptune awake. With the princess around and none of the guardian senshi awake, the outers were needed more than ever. Their vows of service had to be disrupting their lives. Haruka's inability to have intimacy with Minako was proof of that. She chuckled to herself. That had been a low blow, but it was necessary. Too many reasons Uranus would never forgive herself if Haruka actually managed to force through the blocks. However, the closeness between Haruka and Minako was no surprise and in the world they were living in, she could see how it could be confused for something else.

The apartment building was a comfortable size, generally pleasant for most salarymen with a small family. Setsuna nodded at the child, soothing the questions the precocious girl wouldn't ask as she reassured her this was precisely where they were supposed to be. The apartment was several doors down from the elevator on the eleventh floor. She knocked, smiling as she heard a violin being played then silence.

"Are you ready?" she asked the young girl who was still gripping her hand tightly.

Hotaru nodded. "Is she really the best teacher ever?"

Setsuna chuckled and nodded, squatting down, smoothing Hotaru's clothes in preparation for a good impression. "Yes, she is. She is the best violinist I've ever seen, and she's very nice."

"I hadn't realized my reputation had gotten to be so much," a soft chuckle came from above them.

Setsuna stood up, bowing to Michiru who returned the gesture. Hotaru followed suit then smiled brightly when Michiru made a point to return the bow even deeper to her.

"Meioh Setsuna," she confirmed to the young aqua-haired woman at the door.

"Please, come in. And this must be Hotaru-chan?"

Setsuna nodded, "Yes. It is a pleasure to meet you, Kaioh-san. You come highly recommended."

Michiru blushed, shaking her head. She was grateful for the reputation, but with the headaches recently, she hadn't felt as if she quite deserved the accolades. "Thank you." Turning to the child, Michiru knelt down, "Hotaru-chan, have you ever played the violin before?"

Hotaru nodded, "Mama let me learn."

Setsuna watched Michiru interact with Hotaru. Nothing in the aqua-haired woman's movements indicated she had any idea who Hotaru was. There were no awkward pauses, no double-takes. Michiru was the perfect model of grace as she helped Hotaru tune the violin then sat back, guiding the girl through her scales gently.

Thankfully, with a connection already made between Usagi and Michiru, it would be easier to force the issue. Haruka had been as stubborn and suspicious as always, but then, she never enjoyed intrigue. Not that anyone else did, but Pluto and Neptune would often take the diplomat position so that Uranus could remain as forthright as she preferred. Setsuna was certain that through her friendship with Ami, Michiru would agree to play something for Usagi's birthday party. The party itself was still a few weeks away, and while she would prefer to have her colleagues by her side, patience would have to win out. The three of them had things to discuss, four if Saturn woke prematurely, something Setsuna wasn't sure how she would handle. Patience, yes, but they had to wake before their current selves did something their senshi selves would regret.

"Why did you hire me? I don't normally teach young children." Michiru asked quietly, nodding encouragement to Hotaru. She had hidden her reactions regarding the precocious child and the strange guardian, but she would not hold her peace forever. The girl reminded her too much of an image that had been burned into her mind from one of her dreams. An image that had left her shaking and nauseous for hours. The other woman also felt familiar. She wasn't one of the blondes Michiru was looking for, and she wasn't the person who had been standing next to Michiru in the dream. Unsure whether or not close scrutiny would be able to hide her concerns, Michiru opted for standing next to Setsuna, whispering sideways to her while keeping her eyes locked on Hotaru.

"Why did you accept?" The answer was delivered as simply as if Michiru had asked what day it was. Blue eyes flashed briefly to connect with garnet.

"I accepted because..." her voice trailed as she wasn't sure what answer to give.

"Because something inside you told you it was the right thing to do." Setsuna smiled at her, "The reasons are the same."

Michiru was grateful for the ready made answer. Bland, but true, she had just known to accept it. Though now, with a girl who looked like the one from her dreams and a woman who seemed to know far more than she was letting on, she began to wonder exactly what inside her wanted her to meet these people.

"No, Hotaru-chan, that wasn't quite right," Michiru winced as the bow scratched against the bridge. "Not that close, dear. The sound isn't quite right." She knelt and helped the young child, forcing herself to ignore the odd feelings she had. Her skin tingled. She felt the beginnings of another headache start and willed it away.

The rest of the lesson went similarly. Setsuna pressing just slightly to see how Michiru would act and Michiru actively not reacting. At the end, the only thing that was accomplished was Hotaru had gotten a successful lesson, which seemed to at least temporarily satisfy both women. Michiru escorted them to the door. "Of course, next Friday at the same time," she responded to Hotaru's request for another lesson. The child bounced happily and began dancing up and down the hallway. Michiru turned to Setsuna, "She's a lovely child."

"Thank you. I'll let her mother know." Setsuna glanced over at Hotaru once more before turning to Michiru. "I do have a personal request." Her hand went up to halt Michiru from saying anything, "I would be willing to pay for your time, of course. My best friend is throwing a birthday party for his fiancee. He has asked for my help. I would appreciate it if you would play something for them. One or two songs at most."

Michiru shook her head slowly, a sad smile gracing her lips. "I'm sorry. I do not perform privately."

"Please, it would mean a great deal, particularly to your friend Mizuno-san. Her friend is the fiancee."

Michiru blinked slightly. That was something she hadn't expected. "Does Ami-chan know of the party?" She eased her stance slightly at the nod. "Then please forgive me, but I'll ask her and I may still be there, but not as a professional."

Setsuna bowed. "Thank you. I look forward to seeing you there. Until then, we'll come back next week for our next lesson," she turned to the child, "Won't we, Hotaru?"

Michiru closed the door after a few more minutes of formalities and pleasantries. Leaning against it, her hand still on the knob, she bit her lip. "Forgive me. I know you are from a past I don't remember. Please understand, I do not wish to remember." The words were a whispered prayer she knew would be ignored. Whatever trauma she had suffered in a past life was returning to find her and she knew both Setsuna and Hotaru were part of that. What roles they played, she wasn't sure yet, but she knew there were others, one specifically that she hoped she would never meet.

"Forgive me." She shook, sliding down the door, gripping her stomach and staring into nothingness.