Haruka was preparing for her upcoming race, which would be held in a
different state/providence. The
arrangements had been made for her car to be shipped by plane with her, so now
packing was the last thing to do on the long list that had to be done before
every race. Michiru was in the other room, speaking with Setsuna.
"So," Setsuna repeated, "You talked to
Mamoru. And he said that Haruka
wasn't seeing another woman."
Michiru nodded.
"Then what's the problem?"
Setsuna asked. "Don't
you trust Mamoru's word?"
Michiru sighed. "It's
not *that,* Setsuna...I just don't know. You
had to have been there, had to have seen the look in his eyes when I brought it
up..." she sighed again. "I
really don't know what to think."
"Well," Setsuna began haltingly, "If you
really want to know...you could *pretend* to stay home from the race.
That'll give Haruka all week to screw up."
*I can't believe that I just betrayed a friend...*
Michiru gasped. "You're
right!" she cried with glee. "Then
I would know the truth, without a doubt."
Then she frowned. "But
what of the other Senshi? Won't
they be there?"
Setsuna shook her head.
"It's a three hour trip ---by plane--and there's a dance at the
school that weekend. Plus, Hotaru and I will be staying home this week, too
--she can't keep on missing school for racces, concerts and Senshi
business."
Michiru nodded distractedly.
"Perfect."
Haruka was just closing her suitcase when the phone rang.
After about two more rings, Michiru answered it.
Although she couldn't hear what was being said, Haruka could judge that
by the tone of Michiru's voice, she was disappointed.
"Haruka," Michiru walked into the room a few
minutes later. "I feel really
bad about this...but I've gotta stay behind this weekend.
Something's just come up, and I need to start practicing for..."
Haruka let Michiru's voice drift by her, unheard. *A whole
week with Mamoru!* Her mind screamed, before adding, *If he can get off work and
make up a good enough excuse for Usagi.* In spite of the setbacks, Haruka had to
bite her bottom to keep from grinning.
"...You don't mind?" Michiru asked, her voice
sounding just a bit too hopeful.
"Well," Haruka said, "I wish that you could
go ...but you know what they say: duty calls..."
Michiru nodded. "Well,
I guess that you'll be on your own."
Haruka shrugged. "I
guess."
"Just you, your car, and the track..."
"Yep."
Michiru seemed disappointed, but she let the matter drop.
Smiling a bit too cheerfully, she excused herself, and walked into the
other room.
*Hmmm.* Haruka had a sneaking suspicion that something was afoot, but
decided that giving Michiru the third degree only two months after their near
breakup would be folly.
"Whatever it is," Haruka murmured under her
breath, "I'm sure to know of it sooner or later."
Haruka and Mamoru were sitting around at Mamoru's house, watching TV and
making stupid jokes, when Mamoru brought up Michiru's visit.
"You know..." he said.
"Yes, I do."
Haruka interrupted, grinning flippantly.
Rolling his eyes, Mamoru continued.
"Michiru came to see me the other day."
"What?" Haruka
snapped. Now she wasn't laughing. "Why?"
"She asked me," Mamoru looked Haruka in the eye.
"If you were cheating on her with another woman."
Haruka gasped. "What
did you tell her?" she asked, hanging on his every word as if they were her
lifeline--which, in a sense, they were.
"I told her," Mamoru paused to wince, "That
you weren't cheating on her with another woman.
Since she never bothered to ask about a man..." Mamoru trailed off,
the rest obvious.
Haruka sighed, hunching into herself and wrinkling her
brow. "She's gonna figure it
out, sooner or later." Haruka reminded, as Mamoru put an arm around her
shoulders. She looked up at Mamoru's kind face.
"What about Usagi? Does she suspect anything?"
Mamoru shook his head.
"Not that I know of. She
has too much faith in Endymion and Serenity to believe that anything could
happen between Mamoru and Usagi."
Haruka nodded, sighing.
"That sounds like Usagi."
They were both silent for a few minutes, just enjoying the
closeness and warmth that they had never found in anyone else, but shared here.
Finally, Mamoru spoke.
"You want to tell them, don't you?"
Haruka nodded miserably.
"I do." She snuggled closer to her love.
"I just don't want to deal with the consequences."
Mamoru laughed lightly.
"Neither do I, 'Ruka... neither do I."