Disclaimer: I am afraid that I do not own Sailor Moon. I do, however, own some of the hilarious situations that they get themselves into. Read and enjoy!
So, the line separation did not work out again. I'm gonna try it one more time, and if my new method doesn't work… I'll just think of another one!
For reference, this is what the line separations should have looked like:
Chapter 9:
"What did you say?" Makoto asked menacingly. Haruka pretended to give a great, grumbling snore. Makoto laughed, then instantly fell asleep, still a little woozy from all of the night's events.
The Next Morning: Hospital
"HI!" a surprisingly loud voice boomed.
Next:
Chapter 10:
Chibiusa raced out of the bedroom door. Both she and Usagi quickly said bye to Usagi's parents (still on the move), then quickly ran out the door, into the start of a brand new day.
A Few Minutes Later: School Entrance
The mother and daughter didn't encounter any of their friends on the way to school, but met up with all of them right outside the front entrance.
Next:
Chapter 10:
"Come on, Michiru," Setsuna said. "We should get to our homeroom as well. We can't be late, seeing as we're setting an example for Usagi." Michiru laughed and followed Setsuna through the glass doors.
A Few Hours Later: Home Economics Class
"And this is the frying pan, used to fry foods like bacon and eggs," said the Home Economics teacher, Ms. Park, holding up a frying pan for the whole class to see.
Next:
Chapter 10:
The two girls arrived at the entrance of the school and waited for everyone else to show up. When they finally did, Michiru announced, "Let's go visit Haruka!"
A Few Minutes Later: City Streets
During the trip, Usagi muttered to Minako (who's turn it was to push Usagi), "Why didn't we get a RIDE to the hospital? It took forever to get ANYWHERE running last time."
Oh yeah, and don't worry: there's plenty more to come!
The Sailor Senshi Rise Again:
Chapter 11: Rain, Questions, and Memories
The group of friends departed the hospital, and all exclaimed various goodbyes before heading their separate ways. Eventually, only Usagi and Chibiusa remained.
"Well, let's get going, slowpoke," Usagi complained.
Chibiusa gave a long sigh. Then, she started to push. For a little while, there was only the noise of the surrounding traffic, then, Chibiusa spoke, "You know, YOU act a lot less mature then ME, even though you're the mother in this relationship."
Usagi rolled her eyes. "Trust me. I've had to take care of YOU plenty of times."
Chibiusa scoffed. "Like when?"
"Like when you came back from the future and your magic wand thing wouldn't work." Usagi crossed her arms, looking smug. "YOU even THANKED me!"
Chibiusa's eye twitched and she did not respond, thereby indicating that Usagi was right.
When the two were about halfway home, storm clouds began to turn the sky a dark shade of gray. Pretty soon, thunder could be heard from a distance.
"Storm's coming," Chibiusa muttered anxiously.
"Don't worry, Chibiusa. We'll be fine," Usagi reassured her.
A few seconds later, it began to pour. There was so much rain that it was almost impossible to see. Lightning flashed across the sky, causing the path to become clear for only a second, only to then fade into darkness yet again.
"You can't get your cast wet!" Chibiusa shouted, her voice barely rising over the noise of the thunder.
"Since when?" Usagi shouted back.
"Since always, you idiot!" Chibiusa pushed Usagi as hard as she could in an attempt to get her home before her cast completely melted away. This caused Usagi to go flying, landing on the rain-soaked concrete with a crash and a scream.
"You almost broke my other leg!" Usagi screeched.
"Shut up!" Chibiusa screamed, on the edge of losing it with fury. "Just try to get back in! I'll help!" After a few moments, Usagi was successfully situated in her wheelchair.
"I know!" Usagi shouted. She pulled out her school books from the back of her wheelchair, accidently slamming Chibiusa on the nose in the process.
"Ow!" Chibiusa held her nose with her left hand, while trying to steer through the nothingness with her right.
"Sorry, Chibiusa!" Usagi shouted. "But I've got a way to keep my cast dry! Look!" Usagi pointed to her cast, which she was now holding her books over.
Chibiusa, who was busy concentrating on the path ahead, didn't bother to look. "Yeah, that's great, Usagi!" she shouted sarcastically. "Now just shut up until we get home!"
It took a while (with many wrong turns and accidently running into the street once or twice), but eventually, the two made it home safely. They didn't bother ringing the doorbell. Instead, Chibiusa opened the door, and collapsed on the front rug.
"Chibiusa? Chibiusa!" Usagi shouted, attempting to wake her up.
"What's that? Who's there?" Usagi's mother came running into the room. She took one look at Chibiusa, one at Usagi then shouted for everyone to come over.
"What is it? What happened?" Usagi's father asked anxiously. When he saw Chibiusa, he picked her up, and started to rock her gently to wake her.
"What happened now?" Shingo asked, annoyed. When he saw the condition Chibiusa was in, he glared at Usagi. "What did you do to her, idiot?"
Usagi started to sob. "Well there was a storm." She shook her head despairingly. "We had to get home! So Chibiusa pushed me all the way!" Usagi wheeled over to Chibiusa, and gently placed her hand on her head. "Oh, Chibiusa," she said quietly. "I'm SO sorry."
Chibiusa's eyes instantly opened. She started to laugh. "Ha ha. Got ya!" She jumped down.
Usagi's eye twitched. "What was THAT for, you little brat! You almost gave us a heart attack!"
Chibiusa stuck her tongue out at her. "Payback for forcing me to go through all of that!"
Usagi glared at Chibiusa for a second, and then unexpectedly wrapped her arms around her, giving Chibiusa a giant hug. "I'm so glad that you're okay."
Chibiusa looked shocked, and then hugged her mother back. "Thanks."
They let go, and everyone was staring at them. "What?" they both asked defensively.
Usagi's mother began to cry. "I'm so happy!" she shouted. "Everyone getting along with each other!" She wiped her eyes. Her happiness turned to sour disapproval in an instant. "Usagi," she asked threateningly, "did you get your cast wet?"
Usagi shook her head quickly. "No! Just a little bit! Look!" Usagi handed her mother her soaked textbooks, and then pointed to her mostly dry cast.
Usagi's mother sighed. "I guess that's good. I'll put these on the radiator to dry." Usagi's mother left the room.
"You both missed dinner, but you should just get in bed and rest," Usagi's father said gently. "We'll have Shingo give you girls some food."
"But—" Shingo groaned.
"No buts! Now help me prepare them some food." Usagi's father departed to the kitchen.
"Stupid," Shingo muttered at his older sister. Then, he reluctantly followed his father.
Luna, who had been listening at everyone's feet the whole time, hopped up onto Usagi's shoulder. "Where were you two?"
"Always the tone of disapproval," Usagi sighed. "We were at the hospital, visiting Haruka."
Luna gasped. "What's Haruka doing in the hospital?"
The two girls stared at Luna in disbelief for a second, and then they both laughed. "That's right," Chibiusa said, "We didn't tell you the epic story, did we?"
"The what?" Luna asked in a tone of voice that sounded like a disapproving mother.
The girls then told Luna everything from Usagi's father pushing Haruka to the ground, to love letters from Michiru. When they were finished, Luna shook her head. "You girls… always getting into trouble without my guidance. And Artemis'."
They both laughed. "Well, we should probably be getting to bed," Usagi told Chibiusa. Chibiusa pushed Usagi to their room. "Goodnight, Luna." All they heard was an annoyed meow in return.
After the two girls were situated in bed (with Chibiusa's nose wrapped up with tape), with warm pajamas on and bowls of warm chicken noodle soup, they began to fall into a deep sleep, even though they were both still soaking wet.
Their sleep was then interrupted by a loud banging on their door. "Hey, Usagi!" Shingo's muffled voice shouted. "Phone call from Haruka!"
"What?" Usagi grumbled. "Can you bring me the phone?" There was no response. Usagi sighed. "PLEASE?"
Shingo opened the door and handed the phone to Usagi. "Here ya go." He flicked her on the head, then left to go relax.
"Yo yo yo, dis is U-dog! What up?" Usagi called into the phone.
Chibiusa, who was attempting to return to sleep, covered her head with her pillow. She groaned. "No. Don't even keep me up with that!"
There was a pause on the other end, then Haruka spoke uncertainly, "Um… hello? I just wanted to ask you about these notes…"
Usagi snorted. "You mean from Michiru?"
There was a silence again. "Oh right, they're from Michiru." There was another pause. "Who is this?"
"What is your short-term memory being affected now too?" Usagi asked laughing. "It's Usagi."
"Well, Usagi, it's none of your business," Haruka snapped good-naturedly. "I just wanted her to clarify something."
"Oooh… What?"
"Nothing concerning YOU," Haruka replied. "Goodbye."
"WAIT!" Usagi screeched. Chibiusa groaned.
"What?" Haruka asked, annoyed.
"Could you PLEASE tell me about the notes?" Usagi begged.
"Why?"
"Uh… 'Cause I could help clarify them too?"
There was a slight pause. "You know, I think you're lying. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to call Michiru. Goodbye."
"WAIT!" Usagi shouted again, thinking of a different tactic. "I already know what's on them," she lied.
"Then why were you asking about them?"
"Because I wanted to see if you knew what they meant."
Haruka considered this. "I got her now," Usagi thought to herself.
"Well," Haruka said finally, "Do you know what the symbol means?"
"What symbol?" "Which one?"
"There's only one," Haruka said suspiciously.
"I know," Usagi snapped, afraid that she was about to be caught. "What does it look like?"
Haruka, sensing the lie, went along. "The big purple elephant with a dunce cap on. Goodbye." She hung up the phone before Usagi could respond.
"WAIT!" Usagi shouted for a third time. Hearing no response, she threw the phone to the ground, and turned to Chibiusa. "Can you believe that? Haruka hung up on me!" All she got in response was a snore.
A Few Minutes Later: Mugen Dorm
"Michiru," Hotaru called from the kitchen. "Haruka's on the phone."
Michiru, who had been in the middle of painting a difficult piece, stopped, threw her paintbrush and paints into the air, and ran over to Hotaru. Hotaru, slightly freaked out, handed Michiru the phone, and then walked into her room to get ready for bed.
"Hey, Haruka," Michiru said calmly, not wanting to seem freaked out that Haruka was calling. "What's up? Did you need something?"
"Yeah." She paused. "I wanted to know if you could explain something to me about these notes."
"Oh." Michiru blushed. "Well, I said that you would figure it out when you remembered."
"But you said that these notes were to help TO remember."
"Yes…well…" Michiru sighed, knowing that she couldn't avoid it any longer. "What's your question?"
"The same as before."
There was a very long silence. Finally, Michiru spoke carefully, "In a way."
There was another pause, except this one was much shorter. "What does that mean?"
"It means that they're about you in a way," Michiru said quickly.
"In what way?"
"Uh… Well…"
"Does this have anything to do with what Makoto said about us being, 'special friends'?"
"I'm gonna kill her for that." "Yes. We're very good friends, like she said."
"But she said that you wanted to explain it in your own way. So, is that your explanation?"
Michiru's eye twitched. "Yes," she said finally.
Haruka's silence lengthened.
"What? You don't believe me?"
"No. And I don't think for a moment that you expected me to."
Michiru cleared her throat. She then walked back into her art room, and sat down on one of the many stools in the room. "Well, what do you want me to say?"
"I want you to tell me the truth." There was a pause. "Are you not telling me because it's bad?"
"NO!" Michiru shouted honestly. "It's a wonderful truth!"
Michiru could hear Haruka's smile when she spoke again. "Then what is that truth?"
"That… I… care… about… you…" Michiru stuttered.
There was a long silence in which Michiru continued to get steadily redder. Then, Haruka finally spoke, "Like the way the others care about me? Like good friends?"
Michiru hung her head and sighed. "Kind of…"
"But none of them gave me letters. So it must be different?"
Michiru cleared her throat. "Well, I…"
"You know what? Never mind. I think I understand it now."
Relief flooded Michiru's face. "You do?"
Haruka nodded, then, realizing that she was on the phone, said, "Yes. But I do have one remaining question."
Michiru began to get nervous again. "What?"
"What is this symbol on the bottom right-hand corner? It's like a weird trident thing…"
"Oh that," Michiru laughed, relieved again. "That's just the symbol that indicates that I wrote it." "You have one too,"she thought to herself, not wanting Haruka to question her much longer.
"Oh. What is it? Or is it just a made-up symbol?"
"No, no. It's the symbol for the planet Neptune."
"Why? Do you like it?"
Michiru smiled to herself. "Yes."
There was another long silence. "Uh well…" Haruka started.
"Yes. I have to go as well."
There was another pause. "You're still gonna come in early, right?" Haruka asked uncertainly.
"Absolutely."
"Alright then. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Haruka. I lo— whoa!" Michiru shouted, catching herself.
"What? What is it?" Haruka asked, worried.
"N-nothing…"
Haruka was grinning to herself. "Well, goodbye then." She hung up.
Michiru hung up as well. Returning the phone to its place, she leaned against the very counter that Haruka had recently burst her head open on, thinking. "I almost told her," she thought. "That could have been really…"
Hotaru appeared in the kitchen in her pajamas. "Hey, Michiru," she said, seeing the worried expression on her face. "What's up with Haruka? Is she alright?"
Michiru nodded quickly. "Yes. Now go to bed."
Hotaru nodded, knowing not to question her further. She walked into her room, and closed the door behind her.
Michiru leaned there for several more minutes, still deep in thought. Eventually, she knocked on the wall, said "Goodnight!" to Setsuna, and then walked into her own bedroom.
The Next Morning: Mugen Dorm
Michiru groaned, smashing the top of her alarm clock to make it shut off. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, and glanced at the clock. 5:00 a.m. flashed in an eerie green light. She groaned again, and then covered her head with her pillow. A few moments later, she gasped, threw the pillow off her head, and sprinted to her closet. "I completely forgot!" She thought to herself as she dressed at top speed. "I've got to go see Haruka!" She ran into the bathroom, furiously getting ready. When she was done only a few minutes later, she scribbled a quick note on a Post-It to Hotaru, stuck it on the kitchen table, and ran out the door.
A Few Minutes Later: Hospital
"Sorry I'm late, Haruka," Michiru apologized as she sprinted through the door to her room. Running over to her bed, Michiru pulled up a stool and sat down.
Haruka, who had been sleeping, woke up, confused. When she saw Michiru, she smiled. "Hey," she said tiredly.
"You won't BELIEVE what I had to do this morning! I had to call a taxi, and then the engine stalled out. I had to find another taxi, but no one came over. So I sprinted the whole way here, and then the front desk took FOREVER to find your room, so I yelled at them. Then, Ami's mother heard the commotion, came over, and started to tell me about how I was 'disturbing the peace' and, 'shouting like an idiot.' Then, I explained that I had promised to you that I would come early to visit you, and she said that it was 'no excuse to wake up all of the patients within a 10 mile radius.' Eventually, she let me in, though. Probably because I explained to her that you were basically not a patient anymore, and she had said that you would be ready by tomorrow. I mean, she didn't say a specific time, so I came TODAY to pick you up." Michiru took a breath. "Anyway," she continued calmly now, "ready to leave?"
Haruka, who had stared at Michiru throughout her speech, shook her head.
"Why not?" Michiru asked, shocked.
"No, no! That's not what I meant!" Haruka exclaimed, attempting to calm Michiru down. "I was just clearing my head from that speech! I'm definitely ready to go!"
Michiru beamed. "Really?"
Haruka nodded. "Really."
Michiru held out her hand, which Haruka took. Michiru helped pull her out of bed, which only took a few moments now that the latter was better.
"Need to lean on me?" Michiru asked tentatively.
Haruka shook her head. "No, I think I'm fine. Thanks for offering though." She said awkwardly.
Ami's mother came walking through the door. As usual, she was being brisk about it. "Hello, Michiru," she said formally. "I'm glad to see that you've stopped sobbing to make me let you in."
Haruka grinned. "What?"
Michiru shook her head. "Thank you. Can Haruka leave now?"
Ami's mother nodded. "If anything happens that doesn't seem normal, you can always come back." She walked over to Haruka's chart and wrote something on it. "I hope that you feel better, Haruka." She offered her hand.
Haruka shook it. "Thank you, Dr…?"
"Mizuno," Ami's mother said. "Remember, get plenty of bed rest. No physically straining activities for a week or two. Goodbye." And with that, Ami's mother left the room, leaving Haruka and Michiru alone.
There was an awkward silence for a while, then, Michiru asked, "Haruka, do you remember anything?"
Haruka thought. "Other than your name, and our relationship, which I'm still not very clear about, no."
Michiru looked down. "Oh," was all she said.
Haruka clapped her on the back. "Don't worry. I promise that I will remember by tomorrow." She started to move. "Now let's go! I don't want to be in this place longer than I have to." Michiru laughed.
Once they were out the front door, they began to talk.
"Why didn't the others come with you?" Haruka asked.
"Oh, I just wanted to come to get you by myself. THAT'S why I came so early." Michiru responded, still holding onto Haruka's hand so that the latter would have balance.
"Ah." Haruka looked down at her hand. "I don't need any help, thanks. I really am fine."
Michiru blushed and let go. "S-sorry."
They continued walking in awkward silence.
"So…" Haruka began.
"What's new with you?" Michiru asked.
"Nothing really. Not looking forward to going back to school."
Michiru laughed. "Trust me. You have good reasons for not wanting to go back."
The two laughed. "You hate it too?" Haruka asked.
"Doesn't everyone?"
"True, true…"
The rest of the walk home was about school, mostly Michiru talking about her classes, because Haruka couldn't remember hers. Once they arrived at the dorm building, Michiru pointed it out to her. "This is where we live now."
Haruka nodded. "I kind of recognize it. When did we move into it?"
"A little less than a year ago. Since we had tried living off campus for a year, we decided that we'd have a better college experience if we lived in a dorm. Plus, we could all live together. Me, you—"
"Setsuna and Hotaru," Haruka finished.
Michiru gasped. Then, she smiled brightly. "You remember them too now?"
Haruka, looking slightly shocked, nodded. "It was weird. Their names just came to me while you were describing this place." She hesitated. "Are they in there now?"
Michiru giggled. "Seeing as it's only…" she glanced at her watch. "6:12 in the morning, I think they probably will be."
"Yeah, yeah," Haruka said, pretending to be annoyed by Michiru's teasing comment. "Well, let's go then."
After walking past the front desk (at which the secretary was sleeping and snoring loudly), the two girls walked up the stairs and arrived in front of their room that they shared with Hotaru.
"Here we are," Michiru said brightly, searching her pockets for their room key.
"Nice little place, isn't it?" Haruka asked.
"Yes, I suppose." Michiru continued to search. After a few seconds, Michiru looked at Haruka slowly. "I think we have a problem."
"You forgot to bring the key to our room?" Haruka asked, rolling her eyes slightly.
Michiru laughed nervously. "When I woke up late I ran out of here. I suppose that I forgot to bring it with me."
Haruka shook her head and laughed a little. Stepping right up in front of the door, Haruka raised her fist. "Allow me," she said. She knocked on the door lightly. Hearing no response, she knocked louder. When this didn't work, she began to shout, "Hey, Hotaru! Wake up! You have to let us in because Michiru here forgot to bring the key!"
A few moments later, a sleepy-eyed Hotaru opened up the door. Processing who was there, she waved with her one hand while rubbing sleep out of her eyes with the other. "Do you mind, Haruka?" she grumbled. "School doesn't start for another two hours…" She began to turn around, then, she whipped back around, staring wide-eyed at Haruka. "Wait… That was YOU shouting my name?" she wondered, pointing at Haruka. When Haruka nodded, she squealed. "Yay! Haruka remembers me!" Hotaru ran up to Haruka and gave her a big hug.
Haruka stumbled back, still not completely recovered from her injury. "Hey, watch it kid!" she warned jokingly. "I'm still not completely healed up yet. I don't need punks like you trying to tackle me!" Hotaru let go, giggling.
There was a sound of stomping from the next room, and a few moments later, Setsuna swung her door open, appearing in the same state that Hotaru had been in just moments before. "Hello Haruka," she greeted tiredly. "You seem to be becoming your old self again. Always have to make your presence known." She laughed.
Laughing, Haruka said, "Hello to you too, Setsuna."
Gasping, Setsuna exclaimed, "You remember me?"
"And me too!" Hotaru shouted happily.
"Do you four mind?" A sleepy neighbor complained, opening her door just a crack. "Some people are trying to SLEEP!" She slammed the door.
"Let's catch up inside," Michiru advised, motioning the group towards the room she, Haruka, and Hotaru shared.
Once they were all inside, Michiru closed the door behind them. As soon as it was, commotion began as the three girls started to bombard Haruka with questions, and to exclaim how happy they were to see her.
"We're SO glad that you're back—!"
"How are you feeling—?"
"You're not gonna DIE are you—?"
"Stop it, you guys!" Haruka shouted good-naturedly, waving her hands in a further attempt to get them to stop. Once they did, Haruka answered their questions, "I'm glad to be back too. I'm feeling fine. And, don't worry, Hotaru, I'm DEFINITELY not going to die. If all of YOU haven't killed me while I was bleeding to death, I doubt you could kill me now, even IF you tried!" She laughed.
After everyone had stopped laughing, Michiru spoke up, "Alright everyone. Haruka can say hello to all of you later, but right now, she needs to just lie down and rest so she won't end up in the hospital again."
"Nah, I'm fine, Michiru," Haruka reassured her. "As long as I don't hit my head on the counter again, I'll be OK."
"Crushed is more like it," Setsuna said, laughing.
"And don't worry, Haruka. I moved all of my toys so you won't slip and 'crush' your head again," Hotaru added.
"Is that how I fell?" Haruka asked. Hotaru nodded. Haruka gave Hotaru a friendly punch on the shoulder. "Then I'll have to get back at you for that!"
Hotaru giggled, but then looked at the ground sadly. "I know. I'm REALLY sorry, Haruka."
Haruka looked aghast. "Hey, don't worry about it!" She crouched down so that she was at Hotaru's level, and looked her straight in the eyes. "I'm fine now. Besides, you didn't mean it." She winked.
"Well… how about I make us some breakfast?" Setsuna suggested. She walked into the kitchen. A few moments later, when she was out of sight, she called out, "Hotaru! Could you come help me with this?"
"Sure!" Hotaru ran into the kitchen.
"Hey, be careful, kid! I don't want YOU falling and hitting your head too!" Haruka called after her. She shook her head. "Little kids have so much energy. Makes me feel tired."
Michiru put her hand on Haruka's shoulder. "You have good reason to be tired. You just recovered from a traumatic head injury."
Haruka considered this, and then touched Michiru's hand. "Yeah, I guess."
After a few moments, Michiru removed her hand. "Now, you should really get some bed rest, like Dr. Mizuno said. Here, I'll take you to our room." She motioned to Haruka to follow.
Once they arrived at their room, Haruka looked around at the space. "So… this is our room, huh?" She went over and sat on a bed. "Not very comfy," she joked.
Michiru laughed. "Maybe not, but that's MY bed." She pointed to the one next to it. "THAT'S yours."
Haruka got up, and sprawled out onto her own bed. "Much better," she sighed.
Michiru laughed again. Turning to leave, she said, "I'll get you some breakfast once it's ready." When Haruka started to sit up, Michiru motioned with her hands. "No, no. You just rest and relax. You can think of it as breakfast in bed." She left.
After about 15 minutes, breakfast was ready. Michiru, good to her word, heaped a tray full of bacon, eggs, and toast. Hotaru placed a cup of orange juice with it, and Setsuna offered to carry the tray into the room. The three arrived at the room to find Haruka passed out in the very same position on her bed.
"I'll just leave it here," Setsuna whispered, placing the tray on the bedside table between the beds. She motioned to the others. "Let's go. We shouldn't wake her."
Hotaru happily followed, but Michiru stayed behind. Looking at Haruka, she sighed, shook her head, and smiled. She then followed the others out to the kitchen to eat breakfast with them.