It was getting dark out, and there was a party being held on the beach.  Campfires were lit, and marshmallows were being roasted, to make s'mores.  Haruka was lying on her blanket, on a distant side of the beach, far away from the others.  She was puzzling over her situation.

            *What is to become of us?*  Haruka asked herself for what seemed like the thousandth time.  Sitting up, she hugged her knees to her chest, shivering slightly as the wind picked up.

            A warm mantle was placed about her shoulders, and Haruka's head snapped up.

            "Hello," Mamoru was granted before Haruka pulled him into a fierce embrace.

            "Gods." she whispered.  "I missed you."

            "Shhh."  Mamoru soothed.  Putting a finger underneath her chin, Mamoru tilted Haruka's face upward toward his own.  He studied her lips, making them soft with his lingering gaze.

            Not able to take it any longer, Haruka pressed her lips against his firmly.  Mamoru sighed into her mouth, and Haruka opened her own just enough to emit his tongue.

            Wrapping his arms around Haruka, Mamoru levered her down on the ground, letting their kiss become more intense.

            It wasn't until Haruka felt his arousal warming against her thigh that she broke off the kiss.  Panting, she smiled apologetically up at Mamoru.

            "Sorry," she whispered.  "But they might see us."

            "They might not."  Mamoru countered.

            "But they might."  Haruka replied a little more forcefully.

            Mamoru sighed, rolling off of her.  He lay on his side, grasping one of her hands and playing with her fingers. "God, I want you."  He stated, looking at her longingly. "You're all I ever think about anymore." Now he blushed. "I'm obsessed."

            Haruka's eyes welled with joyful tears.  "I love you so much."  She whispered.

            "And I love you."

            There was a silence, then:

            "Come to my apartment tonight," Mamoru said, almost pleading.

            The answer came to her instantaneously.  "Yes, my love."

            "You will?"  Mamoru asked.

            Haruka nodded.  "I will."

            When Haruka got home, she raced into her bedroom, and threw open her closet.  She started looking about for something to wear, when she heard a noise behind her.

            "Well, well, well."  Michiru said.  "Where are *you* going?"

            "Out."  Haruka replied.

            "Oh no you aren't!"  Michiru cried.

            Ignoring her "girlfriend", Haruka continued to go through her closet.  Suddenly, her eyes caught on a black, spaghetti strap tank top.  She pulled it out, looking it up and down.

            Michiru gasped loudly.  "Haruka, don't you dare. I gave you that two years ago, and you never once wore it for me.  Never once."  Blinking through tears, Michiru added, "But you'd wear it for *her,* wouldn't you?"

            "Her?"  Haruka asked, not catching on immediately. 

            "Yes," Michiru hissed.  "*Her.*  Who is she, Haruka? What has she done to you?" Michiru choked on a sob.

            "Michiru," Haruka said, "There is no 'her'." Even though she was telling the truth, Haruka felt no better for it.

            "Oh isn't there?"  Michiru choked out, tears running down her face.  "Haruka," she cried, "I gave you my heart!"

            "Michiru..." Haruka moved closer to hold her dear friend--no, sister...but Michiru pulled away.

            "Don't touch me!"  Michiru hissed.  "Never touch me again!"

            "What?"  Haruka asked, dumbstruck.  She had never seen Michiru act in such a fashion before.

            Michiru continued as if Haruka had not interrupted. "Not after you touched *her,* Haruka."

            Haruka felt hot tears well in her eyes.  "Michiru," she said, "Please don't act this way.  I still love you..."

            "No," Michiru sniffled, drawing herself up.  "You don't.  I can tell."  She reached out, touching Haruka's face.  "Not the way that you used to.  The excitement's gone from your eyes.  I'm old news."

            "Oh, God Michiru," now Haruka was crying, too. "Please..."

            "I hope that she makes you very happy, Haruka." Michiru said.

            "Michiru..."

            "No, Haruka.  Just stop it."  Sucking in a breath, Michiru pointed to the door.  "Go."

            "What?"

            "Go to her, Haruka."  Michiru slid to the ground, her body shuddering.  "If she makes you happy, then go.  I love you, Haruka Tenou.  I love you, and I always will."  Now sobs were racking her body.  "Please don't forget me."

            "Michiru, I..." Haruka stopped.  "Is this what you want?" she asked.  "Do you want me to leave?"

            "No," Michiru sobbed.  "I want you to love me."

            "But I..."

            "Just leave.  We can talk tomorrow, but I only have so many tears."

            Wiping her eyes, Haruka nodded.

            When Mamoru answered the door, Haruka hurtled herself into his arms, sobbing.  Not knowing what to do, Mamoru lead her inside of the apartment.  The lights were out, and candles were lit, shining like Heaven's light. Rose petals were sprinkled on the bed, and two goblets of expensive wine sat on the night table.

            Sitting her down on the bed, Mamoru rocked Haruka, stroking her hair gently.  They sat like that; Haruka's sobs the only sound.

            When she was out of breath, Haruka looked up into Mamoru's eyes, hiccuping.

            "Do you want to talk about it?"  Mamoru asked gently.

            Haruka swallowed, and nodded.  "M...Michiru," she choked out.  "We broke up."  Haruka closed her eyes, and more tears coursed down her cheeks.  "She hates me."

            "Oh, no..." Mamoru soothed.  "I'm sure that she doesn't hate you."

            "You're right," Haruka hiccuped.  "She loves me. But that's just as t-terrible, because I don't love her the s-same way, and she knows it."  More tears came with the revelation, and Haruka didn't bother to wipe them away.

            Mamoru hugged Haruka to his chest, kissing her forehead.  He could tell that it was going to be a long night.

            When Haruka awoke, tears had plastered her eyelashes together.  Rubbing her burning eyes, she yawned.

            "Morning."  Mamoru whispered.

            "Morning."  Haruka returned.  Remember the previous night, she placed a hand on his shoulder.  "About last night, Mamoru, I'm so sorry.  It was suppose to be our night..."

            "Don't worry."  Mamoru replied.  "I love you, Haruka.  When you're in pain, I am, too.  You needed me."

            "Thank you."  Haruka whispered.  She kissed him lightly.  "I still feel badly, though.  I mean, you didn't need to hear all that."

            "Hey," Mamoru said, turning her to face him.  "I love you.  Forever.  Unconditionally.  I understand how much Michiru means to you, and I don't feel threatened by that.  She was--and still is--a very big part of your life."

            "I'm not so sure about that."  Haruka waited for the tears to arise, but they stayed back.  *Must have run out.*

            "Oh, I am."  Mamoru wrapped his arms around her. "You two are more like sisters than the Inner Senshi-- she'll come around."

            "Maybe," Haruka said slowly, keeping her hope in check.  "But what about us?  I can't ever tell her."

            "No," Mamoru said.  "Maybe not; but let's just take this one day at a time.  And," he kissed her forehead. "Until all this clears up, one minute at a time."