Red carpet, flashing camera lights and security lined the entry to the Ocean club. The yearly gala was in full swing when Haruka's limo finally made it to the front doors. Security pulled open the door, Haruka stepped out to a furry of screams and cheers. She waved at the fans that surrounded the club, hoping for a glimpse of their favorite celebrity. Haruka posed for a picture.

Usage hadn't been prepared for the cameras or the glamour of the event, but Haruka had told her that accompanying her was part of her job. 'You're my assistant; you need to assist me.' She'd said with a laugh. Usagi's day hadn't started with her usual arrival at the Tenoh condo, instead an army of stylists arrived at her apartment, fashion designers arrived with dresses, caterers handed her cups of coffee and small bites of food while hair stylists combed and fasten her long yellow hair tight against her head. Usagi didn't typically wear a lot of make-up but tonight rouge covered her lips, dark black liner circled her eyes and the scent of flowers followed her. The dress she chose was tight against her body showing the curve of her breast and her hips, it hugged everywhere but flowed like water at her knee. The dress shimmered when the light hit it, she could barely walk in the heels but she knew she looked good. The security guard helped her out of the car and Haruka took her hand wrapping her arm around Usagi's waist. 'Ready?'

'Sure.' Usagi replied taking a deep breath and allowing Haruka to guide her into the party. They were stopped several times by the media.

'Who is your date tonight?' a reporter asked.

'Usagi Tskino.' Haruka answered plainly. The reporter nodded as if she knew Usagi's name. As they continued to walk Usagi stumbled, Haruka caught her and steadied her.

Usagi had never been to the Ocean club before, she's read about it in the tabloids and scheduled it into Haruka's calendar for her dinner dates with her father but never had Usagi dreamed she would be allowed inside. Typically the Ocean club was reserved for parties or private events, even when it was available to the public neither Usagi nor Mamoru could afford the prices. Haruka lifted a glass of champagne and handed it to Usagi. 'Mingle.' She smiled. 'Enjoy yourself. Just act like you're more important than anyone else and they'll treat you that way.'

'There are so many important people here.' Usagi hesitated.

'They're just people.' Haruka smiled.

Tucked away in the back corner of the Ocean club Minako sipped her third glass of champagne and avoided eye contact with anyone who walked by. Yaten was seated at the bar chatting with his fellow Three light members, laughing at something Taiki has said. Minako frowned.

'It's never good to see such a beauty looking so sad.' Haruka whispered into Minako's ear slipping up behind her. Minako turned to face Haruka, a slight smile across her lips.

'Haruka.'

'You should be the life of this party.'

'Probably. I'm just not in the mood to party.' Minako scanned the room. 'Yurrichio isn't here yet.'

'He'll show.' Haruka said. 'I've never seen him miss a party.'

'Can't you just agree to do it Haruka, please?' Minako begged again, her cheeks rosy from the drink.

'We've talked about this Mina.' Haruka warned.

'And we'll keep talking until they cancel the whole tour and my career is over.' Haruka rolled her eyes and took the seat across from Minako.

'I guess we will.'

The music began to slow as Haruka checked her watch, fear began to set in, it was late and the party would be winding down. Yurrichio it seemed would miss this party after all. Downing the last of her beer Haruka stood. 'Where are you going?' Minako asked her words slurred from the amount of liquor she'd consumed.

'To the ladies.' Haruka replied shortly. Yaten and the three lights had joined them earlier, he stroked Minako's back as Haruka slipped away from the table. Usagi had spent the night seated next to Seiya, trying to ignore his flirting as she sent message after message to Mamoru. The party would be a bust Haruka decided as she made her way across the room to the washrooms, dodging the remaining few reporters.

Pushing the door open she signed, her options for helping Minako were limited.

'I understand.' A song like voice echoed through the walls of the bathroom. 'Then we will have to cancel.' It continued. 'Without a pianist there is no show.' Haruka dropped her shoulders and peered around the corner her eyes locking with a set of aqua orbs fighting tears. 'I have to go.' The woman said before clicking her phone. 'Sorry.'

'My fault.' Haruka said raising her hands in defense. Haruka admired the beauty before her, long cream coloured legs, a flowing lavender dress cut just above the knee tied around the woman's slight waist, a deep v exposed ample cleavage and Haruka couldn't help but stare. She blushed. Letting her eyes wander back to the woman's. She pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and handed it to the woman.

'Thank you.' She said dabbing her eyes with it. 'I'm not usually this emotional.' Haruka smiled nodding to the woman. She studied her new friend considering whether to make a move or not, her heart was beating fast, she licked her lips. The woman handed Haruka's handkerchief back and Haruka tucked it into her pocket before offering the beauty her hand. 'Haruka Tenoh.'

'Michiru Kaioh.' The woman replied shaking Haruka's hand.

As fast as Haruka's heart has been beating it stopped. It couldn't be. Haruka had pictured an elderly woman, grey hair, permanent scowl, certainly not the woman before her. 'The violinist?' Haruka confirmed her tone more accusing than questioning.

'Yes.' Michiru replied. 'I wouldn't expect famous race car driver to be a fan.' She added flatly.

'Right, sorry.' Haruka said realizing she'd been rude. 'But you've heard of me?'

'Of course.' Michiru said standing. She straighten her dress. 'It was lovely to meet you, I'm sorry for the state I'm in.' Michiru made her way around Haruka washed her hands, dried them and made her way out of the bathroom, leaving Haruka alone. Her mind racing, her body on fire Haruka used the bathroom, washed her hands and made her way back to the table where Minako sat with her head rested on Yaten's shoulder.

'Yurrichio didn't come.' She frowned.

'No.' Haruka agreed. She was only half listening. How had she never met Michiru before? She mused.

'I'm ruined.' Minako sighed. Yaten stroked her hair.

'What?'

'Ruined Haruka.' Yaten countered.

'Right.' Haruka nodded. 'I'll do it.' She decided.

'You will?' Minako exclaimed jumping up from the table, her surprised was accompanied by Yaten.

'I'll have to rearrange my schedule, but I can't let your career be ruined.' Haruka said.

'I will owe you my life.' Minako shrieked with joy tossing her arms around Haruka.

'I'm sure it'll work out for the both of us.'

It was well beyond midnight when Usagi arrived home, she sat at her kitchen table pouring over Haruka's planner; there would be a mountain of work to cancel if Michiru agreed to have Haruka play on the tour. Usagi sighed and stretched. She would leave that mess for the next day, Haruka had to audition first.

The auditorium was large and empty when Haruka arrived, her paparazzi had been lost somewhere three blocks back, she pulled into the parking garage and killed the engine of her Audi R8. Yaten, Taiki and Seiya were on the stage instruments in hand but they weren't playing. Instead they stood dumbfounded as Michiru berated them. 'You can't just prance around the stage Seiya, you have to focus.' It was Taiki who noticed Haruka first.

'Oh good, she's here.' He said interrupting Michiru.

'Who?'

'The pianist we told you about.'

'Right.' Michiru frowned, she glanced at Haruka and her frown deepen. 'You?' Haruka nodded, she didn't appreciate Michiru's tone. 'Don't you race cars?'

'I'm a master of many things.' Haruka grinned making her way to the piano. 'Is the music here?' she asked.

'Yes, it's there.' Michiru said. Haruka could tell Michiru wasn't impressed to see her. She glanced over the notes admiring the difficulty of the tune. No wonder so many had been dismissed, there were notes difficult to reach. Haruka wasn't worried, she moved her fingers along the keys warming them up. 'Whenever you're ready.' Michiru sighed. She was already impatient. Haruka hit the first note, then her fingers found the rhythm of the song and she played it with ease. A smile crept across Michiru's face as she watched her music come to life. 'Where did you learn to play?' she demanded once the song was complete.

'Just always have.' Haruka replied. 'Was that enough?'

'Yes.' Michiru gasped.

'Am I hired then?' Haruka cocked her eyebrow.

'Yes, fine.' Michiru balled a fist and made a face, she wasn't happy but what choice did she have? Without a pianist the show would be cancelled. 'We start rehearsals on Monday.' She said grabbing her violin case and disappearing behind the stage. Haruka pulled her cellphone from her pocket and dialed Usagi.

'You'll have to rearrange my schedule. I'm going to be joining this tour.'