Usagi was exhausted, and it wasn't even her fault this time! She wasn't staying up late to read manga or anything of the such! It all was Luna! Luna says that she has to learn to control her powers as Sailor Moon better so she can avoid a repeat of last time. What was that supposed to mean? She'd won last time hadn't she? What was Luna's problem?

So Usagi sat on the couch, doing nothing. She had wanted to go to the arcade this weekend but now she couldn't! She was just so tired.

Usagi was pulled out of her thoughts as the phone started to ring, and Usagi groaned as she forced herself up to get the phone.

"Hello?" Usagi said, her voice lacked it's normal energy,

"Usagi?" The voice on the line spoke,

Usagi blinked and realized she knew that voice. Usagi was quiet for a second, before realizing the person on the phone was probably Michiru.

"Oh! Hi, Michiru!" Usagi spoke, feigning energy.

"Usagi, I was wondering if you'd like to meet somewhere today? If you're not busy that is."

Usagi stopped and thought for a moment that hanging out with Michiru sounded fun, but she was just so tired.

"I'm sorry Michiru. I'm very tired. I don't think I can go anywhere today, I'm sorry."

There was a pause on the line for a second, and it was a minute before Michiru spoke again,

"Oh well if you don't feel up to going anywhere, would you mind if I came to you?"

Usagi blinked,

"Yeah that would be fine. It sounds much better than being alone at home all day."

Usagi waited for a minute,

"Alright then! I'll see you soon, Usagi." Michiru spoke, her tone light.

_

Michiru entered the Tsukino household, and took her shoes off. Michiru glanced around, before turning to observe Usagi's appearance. Usagi had heavy bags under her eyes, and looked a bit pale. Michiru felt anger rising in her chest. That cat, how could she? Not only did she have to get Usagi, their princess, involved with Senshi business, it was clear that the cat was running her ragged.

"Usagi," Michiru spoke, her voice soft and gentle.

Usagi looked at her in confusion,

"Michiru? Is something wrong?"

Michiru shook her head and smiled,

"Are you sure you're feeling well? You look exhausted."

"I'm fine re-" Usagi didn't finish her sentence as she fell forward, and passed out.

Michiru quickly caught Usagi before she hit the ground, and frowned. How could that cat be so careless? Overworking the Princess to this point. The anger Michiru had felt before had only grown.

"Rest now, Princess. I'll take care of you." Michiru spoke, talking to nobody in particular.

Michiru sighed, and figured she'd call Haruka to come help as well.

_

Haruka sat in a chair in Usagi's bedroom, and watched as her Princess lay in bed, unconscious. Michiru had called her, and asked her to come help. It seems that cat, had overworked their Princess to the point of exhaustion, and she had developed a fever. Haruka scowled, at the thought of Usagi having to act as a Senshi, it was dangerous.

Haruka knew there was nothing she could do about it. If she tried anything she could compromise her identity as well as Michiru's.

Haruka wondered when Michiru would get back, she had gone to get medicine.

"Haruka…?" A weak voice spoke, it appears Usagi had woken.

Haruka looked over at Usagi, she was pale, and her eyes were half closed. It looked like she was having a hard time keeping them open.

"Michiru called me after you passed out."

"I passed out?" Usagi spoke, her voice weak, and strained.

"You did and you also have a fever. Any guesses what could have caused it?" Haruka asked, not expecting a truthful answer from Usagi.

"I…no…"

Haruka looked away from Usagi for a moment,

"Where's your mom?"

"Oh, she's out with my brother and father. I didn't go because I felt unwell."

It was quiet for a moment,

"I'm sorry…for being such a burden like this." Usagi spoke quietly,

Haruka's eyes widened,

"No you're not a burden. Michiru and I are happy to take care of you. Don't ever think you're a burden."

Usagi was quiet and looked at Haruka, a bit shocked. just sat in silence.

After a moment she spoke,

"Thank you…"

_

It was quiet when Michiru got back, by that time Usagi had already fallen back asleep.

Michiru looked at the sleeping princess, and felt a warmth in her chest. A feeling she already knew well. Curious Michiru looked towards Haruka. She wondered if she felt….

"Haruka? How do you feel about the Princess?" Michiru spoke, filling the silence.

Haruka looked at her curiously,

"What do you mean?"

Michiru smiled,

"I think you know what I'm asking you."

Haruka paused and Michiru continued,

"When I look at the princess I feel a warmth. The same warmth I feel towards you. I've felt this for a long time…even in our previous lives when we never got to meet her. Now that I've met her these feelings have only grown. I'm asking you, Haruka, if you feel the same."

It was quiet, and Michiru waited for her lover's response,

"I…do, but we both know she will never return those feelings."

Michiru looked away,

"You're right. She already has someone she loves, and they'll meet again."

The silence grew a bit awkward until Haruka spoke again,

"Just because she loves someone else doesn't stop us from being here for her."

Michiru spoke with a sad smile on her face,

"You're right. The only thing we do is be there for her. Her life…is about to get harder."

Michiru knew it shouldn't be like that. Usagi's life shouldn't have to get harder. It should have been easy and carefree, but now it wasn't. The change had occurred when they were standing right next to her as well. If only they had been a little more vigilant.

_

When Usagi awoke again the first thing she noticed was a sharp pain in her head. The second thing she noticed was Michiru sitting by her bedside.

"Michiru…" Usagi spoke softly, noting that her throat hurt.

Michiru looked towards her with a soft smile. Usagi noted that Michiru often looks at her with that smile. That smile made Usagi feel warm, it made her feel important.

"How are you feeling, Usagi?"

"Not that great…" Usagi mumbled, slightly embarrassed.

"I have some medicine, would you like some?" Michiru spoke softly,

Usagi shook her head,

"I think I'm fine."

Michiru frowned at Usagi,

"Are you sure?"

Usagi nodded and was about to speak but stopped when Haruka walked in the room,

"I think your family's back, Usagi. There are people outside."

Usagi nodded, and Michiru stood up, likely going downstairs to talk to Usagi's mother.

Usagi hoped her mom wouldn't be mad that she had invited Michiru over. She wasn't holding her breath.

_

When Tsukino Ikuko came home with her son, and husband she did not expect to see two pairs of shoes by the door. Two pairs of shoes that she knew did not belong to Usagi. Had people come over? Had Usagi invited her friends over without saying anything beforehand?

"Miss Tsukino?" A girl spoke standing by the stairs, she looked to be slightly older than Usagi.

Ikuko crossed her arms, so Usagi did invite her friends over.

"I believe you were invited over by Usagi, yes?" Ikuko spoke, cutting straight to the chase.

"Actually, Miss Tsukino I was the one who had asked to come over. I'm Kaiou Michiru ma'm." The girl spoke, bowing slightly.

Ikuko thoughts grinded to a halt at the name,

"Kaiou Michiru? As in the violinist?"

Kaiou Michiru nodded,

"Yes, but Miss Tsukino I would like to inform you that your daughter, Usagi is sick with a rather high fever."

Ikuko stopped,

"Oh, so you were taking care of her?" Ikuko asked, a bit miffed.

Kaiou Michiru looked at her cooly,

"Excuse me, is there something wrong with that?"

_

Michiru didn't like the look on this woman's face, not in the slightest.

"Well you see…Usagi is rather unreliable and I would much prefer if she learned to take care of herself."

Michiru bit back a scowl, is that it? Usagi was only fourteen, and while she herself was only a year older she knew that not everyone matures at the same pace. Usagi for instance was quite immature, something Michiru found rather cute.

"With all due respect, Usagi had actually passed out, and was in no condition to take care of herself in my opinion."

Michiru could see the woman pause,

"Well she of should been able to when she woke up,"

"Usagi has been unconscious most of the day, and even if she hadn't been asleep. I would've still stayed." Michiru was seething, she had heard from Haruka about Usagi's apology earlier, and after this conversation it made more sense.

Now she didn't think this woman was a bad mother by any means. She just seemed to be pushing for Usagi to be "reliable" as she put it in the wrong way. Whatever it was Michiru didn't want to converse with this woman any longer.

"I see. Well thank you for your kindness," came the woman's response.

Michiru glanced at Haruka who stood on the stairs, it was time to leave.

"It was not an issue in the slightest, Miss Tsukino. We'll see ourselves out." Michiru spoke, bowing, if only to be polite.

It was then as they were leaving that Usagi's father spoke up,

"Thank you for taking care of Usagi."

Unlike his wife, he actually sounded grateful. So Michiru turned and smiled,

"You're welcome, Mr. Tsukino. We were happy to do it."

Nothing else was said as Michiru, and Haruka left the Tsukino household, and when they were outside Michiru let out a sigh of relief. Michiru was glad that conversation had ended.

The night air was cold, but Michiru and Haruka left content as they were sure their princess was in good hands. Now only if that cat would stay away from her.