Author's Notes: Yes, the holidays ate me. I won't even begin to make excuses. Anyways...standard disclaimer applies. I do not now, nor have I ever owned Sailor Moon or any of the characters within.

Specifically in this chapter, I hope I didn't do the Japanese business culture too much of a disservice. While I understand Western business subterfuge, I haven't had much experience with the Japanese equivalent. I'm just proud of myself that I didn't make an Tom and Jerry references (though yes, I'm putting that here to just get it out. LOL). Please forgive any cultural inconsistencies between this chapter and how any of this might have actually played out in a real situation. I did try my best, but I won't lie and say I spent months researching business etiquette.

Thank you all in advance!

Michiru had been fighting the headache all day. Even now, her head was pounding despite having taken two different kinds of pain killers. If she had thought avoiding Katashi was any form of sound strategic path, she would take it in a heartbeat. Of course, considering that option only left her with a growing pit in her stomach and no relief on the headache front. Sitting at her vanity, her eyes drifted toward Neptune's mirror. She blinked and shook her head, actively focusing instead on picking out jewelry. The midnight blue dress she'd worn had a draped neckline that fell just wrong for anything less than a lavaliere. Despite the short sleeves, she chose to leave her wrists bare. They were going to eat and she always hated avoiding a bracelet at dinner. All that was left was earrings. The decision was not engrossing enough to keep her mind from drifting.

She had come too far to back out now. Too much was at stake. Sighing, she held up the aquamarine teardrop earrings and closed her eyes allowing herself a moment of self-loathing before straightening her back and putting the finishing touches on her appearance. He would be here shortly and the less time he spent around Ami, the better. Michiru frowned at the thought of Ami and Katashi analyzing each other. Worse, the knowledge that the Earth general had his memories meant that it was entirely possible he might know who Ami was. Ami, of course, wouldn't know who he was, but her interest in him could disrupt Michiru's efforts. The thought had far more appeal than she wanted to admit to herself.

"Sinking to self-sabotage? Really, Michiru?" she asked, looking into her vanity disapprovingly. Any further self-reprimanding was prevented by the door buzzer. Michiru sighed loudly, "Show time." With any luck, her date would go smoothly.

She didn't believe in luck anymore. She did, however, believe in carrying a handbag just large enough to hide her transformation pen. The slight weight it added to her bag was welcome comfort as she opened the door and smiled warmly at her date.

"You look very lovely, Kaioh-san. Perhaps all you needed was to know who it was picking you up?" While his tone was warm, his eyes were cold before they returned to gazing ahead as they walked. Michiru smiled slightly, irritated not so much at the observation but at the crassness of delivery. Was he trying to get under her skin?

"Thank you, you look quite dashing yourself. Well, there is a difference between dressing for an outdoor concert and dressing for a dinner date. The company is hardly a factor." She briefly entertained telling him she could say the same about his attire but she felt returning the off-color compliment a bit out of place. Had he been Haruka, Michiru stopped the thoughts right there. Had he been Haruka, far too many things would be different to even begin the comparison.

"I hadn't asked you if you had any food preferences, so I hope that a soba house is acceptable?"

She nodded and said, "Yes, that sounds lovely," though the question hadn't really been a question. She hadn't made a preference known so he was going to enforce his own will on her and everything they did together. Michiru thought it would be more strategic to allow him that perception of control. Men were always easier to manipulate when they were overconfident and Maeda Katashi oozed confidence.

"There is a place I enjoy. I believe," he smirked, "that you had asked for a glimpse into my true self?"

"That I did. I look forward to it. People in our professions rarely get to be open with those around us. It would be a pleasant change of pace." Her blue eyes flashed mischievously at him when he turned to look at her as she spoke. Had she been less convinced he could sense something from her, she might not have chosen to be as antagonistic. As it was, they were playing a game of cat and mouse and the only way to find out what he had planned was to dangle apparent mistakes before him. She might have to play the mouse in this game, but mice were clever. Foolish mice didn't live long enough to play such games.

That Katashi spent the drive to the restaurant in silence didn't surprise her. Venus was the exception rather than the rule when it came to personalities of leaders and Kunzite had led a human army. Still, strong and stoic wasn't precisely something she was interested in at the moment though she would allow him his concentration. It gave her time to study his mannerisms.

The soba house was a cozy little establishment that tried to cater to the young and hip crowd. It seemed to be working. The dining room itself was filled with well dressed twenty-somethings. There had even been some in kimono, though Michiru doubted their grandmothers would have agreed to that designation. It wasn't the kind of place Michiru would have gone on her own. Not that she didn't enjoy soba houses, but it was very apparent to her that she didn't quite fit in. Her preferences ran toward more sedate and subtle. Still, perhaps the lunch crowd was less ostentatious.

The host led them to a corner table near a large fish tank. If there had been any hint of her existence in the Silver Millennium, she would have sworn Kunzite knew precisely with whom he was dining. As it was, she hoped he was mistaking her for Mercury.

"On weekends," Katashi gestured vaguely, "They will sometimes host independent musicians. Some are very good. Others are less impressive." He shrugged, "But occasionally," he inclined his head toward the stage on the far end of the room where a blonde in a wraparound sunflower print dress was setting up a microphone. "Occasionally, one finds a star."

If recognizing Minako hadn't been discomforting enough, Michiru practically bristled at how he pronounced the last word. It was a predatory caress.

"Oh? Have you heard her before?" Of the several questions she wanted to ask, that was the only one she allowed past her lips, accepting the water offered by the waiter with a bow of her head.

"No, but I can tell. She shines, doesn't she? I've heard about her. A musical theater actress. Dated a race car driver for a while, didn't she?"

Michiru set her glass down with graceful precision. "She definitely has a presence that can demand attention. As far as the gossip, I tend to try to avoid it. Both being in it and reading it." She shrugged and turned from the stage to look back at her date. "I hadn't realized this was a working date."

Now he arched an eyebrow and Michiru was extremely grateful she had her transformation pen on her. "No? And here I thought we'd been at least that honest with each other."

An aqua eyebrow went up followed by a corner of her lips. "We did leave quite a bit of unfinished business between us, didn't we?" Her smile fell just slightly as she watched his attention leave her and settle once again on the vocalist.

"Enough that tonight alone wouldn't be enough to settle it. Wouldn't you agree?"

Sapphire held onto ice as Michiru caught his gaze and wouldn't let go. Being that forceful wasn't something she was accustomed to having to be, but it wasn't out of her skill set and obviously he wanted it. He craved the challenge; she would rise to the occasion. "That I would. Now, perhaps we should discuss the terms of working together?"

He chuckled, a low throaty laugh that left Michiru hollow inside. "Perhaps together is the wrong word but we can certainly discuss terms." He raised his glass to his lips and made a pointed glance at Minako before returning his attention to Michiru. "You see, while I may not appear it, I am a busy man and I really only have enough time in my current schedule to focus on one star." He set his glass down and leaned back in his chair, every inch the overconfident male she always tried to avoid letting run her life. This time it was his glare that sent ice crystals into her blood. "Now, if you'd be interested in being that star, Kaioh-san?"

Katashi crossed his arms casually, alternating his gaze between the two women. Michiru knew he was allowing her time to think despite them both knowing the choice she would make. She wasn't contemplating refusing his offer; she might as well have resigned her position the moment she set foot on this path. There wouldn't be a discussion. Uranus could continue on without her there, but to jeopardize a Venus who wasn't awake? If she could just know that the warrior would wake to defend herself, she might not have to continue on this path. However, to sacrifice the head of the princess's personal guard in a cowardly attempt to save her own skin was more against her nature than what she was going to do.

Twirling her finger into her hair as if it required thought, she nodded slowly, "You make a compelling argument, but tell me, what is it you see in me that makes you think I work well with others?"

"Let's just say I think you are worth the gamble. After all, someone who can shine as brightly as you on her own could shine so much more if she were working with someone who knew what she was worth."

Fire built inside her at the accusation. He might not know her name, her status, but there was no question in her mind he knew her allegiance. The thought alone made her fingers twitch for her transformation pen. Or her phone. She was in too deep, but she had to warn Uranus. Even if the other wouldn't listen.

"I must say, I'm intrigued, but I'm unused to being manhandled. Still," she focused on her water glass, tracing her finger around the rim, "I'm sure we could come to an agreement were you to spend your energies on my career." The last word was spoken lightly, as if there weren't double meanings to everything they'd been saying. Code and subterfuge had been her area of expertise. If he thought her slow, that was his failing. However, if he was half as smart a strategist as she'd been led to believe, he would at least have the intelligence to not underestimate her.

He smiled broadly, the cat having caught the canary. That the canary had walked into the cat's mouth seemed to escape him. "Excellent. I am sure you'll find it most enlightening."

"Of that, Maeda-san, I have no doubt." She raised her glass in response to his and as she took a sip of her water, she began to truly wonder what she'd gotten herself into. They had been working under the assumption that their identities were secret. Precisely how much did he know and how did he find out? As much as the soldier in her wanted to warn her comrades, it argued just as strongly for her to remain as she was, to not let him know he'd unnerved her.

The rest of the dinner went well, all things considered. Katashi focused more on Michiru, which was both blessing and curse as far as she was concerned. Minako sang a short set then left the stage, but, as Michiru noted, not without glancing first toward Michiru and Katashi. Obviously, the girl knew at least his mundane reputation. It wasn't until the next act came on stage that her evening was disrupted by a blond man no older than herself who approached the table looking nervous.

"Please forgive the intrusion." He bowed to both of them. "Maeda-san, there is a matter which requires your personal attention."

Michiru's attention was immediately drawn to the dynamics between the two men. Despite the obvious closeness between the pair, Katashi was the more powerful one. He retained his casual air, only betraying his nerves by quick motions with his eyes that would have been missed if she hadn't been looking at him. The other gentleman, Jun apparently, was unnaturally stiff, even for an apparent salary man come to interrupt his superior on a night out. As she watched the two men, she became aware that her date was becoming more tense. It wasn't anything he said, so much as she noticed how much attention he gave his subordinate, how intense his unfaltering gaze was on the younger man. Unlike his colleague, Katashi never glanced at either herself or the door Minako had exited that she could see, though she was pretending to be interested in the young woman who stood at that same door. The woman had her long hair unbound and was quite obviously not dressed for an evening out. When their eyes met, however, all pretense of attention was forgotten as Michiru realized the young woman watching their table with interest was familiar to her.

All thoughts as to the identity of the young woman, however, were cut short as her attention was brought back to her own table and her date apologizing to her.

"It's nothing, Maeda-san."

He bowed his head, "Still, I am sorry to cut our evening short. If you wish to enjoy dessert, please do so. All of dinner as well as your transportation home will be arranged."

She glanced quickly between the two men before settling on Katashi once more. "Of course. I understand, emergencies do happen."

Her acceptance of his exit seemed to ease the tension out of the younger man though Katashi remained alert as he bowed once more and left the table. She watched the pair head toward the door, the younger man leaving his side to drape his arm around the shoulders of the young woman who was waiting for him. Michiru's stomach knotted up as she watched the pair. They were obviously in love, but something was bothering them both, which meant that Katashi's emergency was not music industry related.

Taking a last drink of her water, Michiru waited desperately for the trio to leave.