Time to... All the Senshi had been informed by Mamoru's phone call the next day. No one could really think of a reason for why Usagi had lied to Mamoru about going to Rei's place. Even Luna seemed to have no idea. Then again she hadn't seen the blonde princess in two days."She has been quiet lately, more serious and mature." Makoto suddenly said while she and the others were waiting at the shrine for Usagi to show up. "Maybe she's getting more aware of how serious it is to be a queen, or atleast to become a queen. She is trying to give it her best." Luna stated. She was sitting next to Artemis at their usual spot. In front of the senshi, having a clear view of what was happening around them. "But have you looked at her Luna, she looks so empty. She is trying to hide it but she can not hide such things from her friends. Or atleast not from me. Something is obviously bothering her. I don't think she is acting so mature all of a sudden because she finally realised how serious it is to rule as a queen. I think it has something to do with the fact she is having doubts about that future." Ami whispered. Everyone looked at her in surprise. "Do you know something we don't know?" Rei questioned the blue haired girl who shook her head. "Ofcourse not but I can still remember how she reacted when she was revealed as our princess. She didn't want to be a princess, she wanted to be Usagi Tsukino. A normal teenager. She always believed that after this mission she would be able to live up to that dream but she can't." Ami added. Minako thought about the other's words for a couple of minutes before shaking her head."No." She said. By this point everyone was looking at her. No one asked her anything but instead of that they just gave her a questioning look."She's engaged with Mamoru for what, four days now?" Minako said. It wasn't a real question so no one answered. She nodded."About four days, yeah. She's just scared. I read in a magazine that 50 percent of the female population get cold feet right before the wedding." "Minako, I know that must sound really obvious to you and maybe all of us but all due respect...Usagi's wedding won't happen until June." Rei said, ignoring the cold glare her secret lover was giving her. Yes, secret lover. She and Minako had decided not to tell the others about their relationship. Not in fear of not being accepted but simply because they hadn't found the right moment to tell them. "Hi everyone..." Suddenly a voice said. All four girls turned around to face the small blonde. "Hi Usagi, We're so glad you could make it!" Makoto said, walking up to the blonde she hadn't seen in two days or so to give her a hug. She stopped when she suddenly noticed Michiru. She was walking towards them as well. The brunette turned around, giving the others a questioning look but they seemed to be just as confused about Michiru's appearance as Makoto. (Two hours ago) Slowly Usagi pushed the door to Michiru's bedroom open."Michiru, are you awake?" She asked. When she didn't get a reply she decided to wake the sleeping girl up. Michiru had slept for one whole day and she thought it would be time to wake the other up. "I am awake, you don't have to be so sneeky." Michiru's voice came from under the covers. Usagi smiled as she straightened up and closed the doorb ehind her again, walking towards the bed and sat down on the edge. "How are you feeling?" The blonde wanted to know. She could see movements come from under the covers."Ah you're super lazy. Even compared to me." Usagi joked, crawling on top of the aqua haired girl and pulled the blankets away. "The light!" Michiru whined as she covered her eyes with her hands. "Yep, you sound perfectly ok again." Usagi stated. She was still sitting on top of the aqua haired girl who was trying hard to get back to sleep again."Michiru..." Usagi's voice grew serious again. Michiru seemed to notice this because the moment after Usagi had said her name she dropped her hands, staring up at the blonde. "Yes?" She asked. Usagi blushed when she realised she was still sitting on top of the other. Quickly she crawled off Michiru. The older girl giggled at the blonde's nervous behaviour."What I wanted to ask..." The princess paused, trying to regain her calm composure which was hard. The blush on her face grew deeper. "What?" Michiru asked."Why are you blushing?" "Your..." Usagi whispered. She seemed to be embarrassed."I can see your...uh..." Usagi looked away, staring at the cupboard across the bed. Michiru whow as still confused gazed down at her robe which had slightly moved, revealing her breast for a small part. At this point she was blushing as well but at the same time she started laughing. "We're both girls Usagi, you act like you just saw something dirty on the discovery channel." Michiru said between fits of laughter. "It's not funny." The blonde whispered, still staring at the cupboard."I am not used to seeing..." "But you did see Mamoru's..." Michiru didn't dare to finish her question, this conversation was obviously making the other feel uncomfortable."Sorry, I won't ask. Now why don't you tell me what you woke me up for?" Usagi seemed to be relieved about the change of subject."Uhm well, ah first look me into the eyes and tell me you are truly feeling ok." Usagi said. Once again Michiru giggled. "Usagi, I can't look you into the eyes. You're the one who is staring at my..." She followed Usagi's eyes."At the cupboard." She finished. Quickly Usagi looked back at the aqua haired girl who straightened up the robe she was wearing."Ah you see, I am feeling fine. I just needed sleep. I haven't slept for quite some time." The blonde stared at the aqua haired girl for a couple of minutes as if she was examining her before nodding."Ok I believe you. Now what I wanted to ask was...Well...If you...Mhh you wanted...I.." She seemed to have a hard time asking her question. "You can ask me Usagi, I won't bite." Michiru said with a wink. "Iwaswonderingifyouwantedtocomewithmetothesenshimeetingthisafternoon!" Usagi said. Michiru gace her a confused look. "You were wondering if I...what?" She asked. The other took a deep breath."If you wanted to come with me to the senshi meeting. If you don't want to or if yuo still feel a bit sick just tell me." Once again Usagi stared at the cupboard instead of facing Michiru. Until she felt Michiru's hand on her shoulder which caused her to turn her head back again. "I don't mind coming along." Came the reply. Usagi smiled."It's not like...Well I want to tell the others about my true feelings for Mamoru and that I am not going to continue...I am just afraid they won't understand." "So you decided not to stay with Mamoru?" The blonde nodded. "I had some time to think about it while you were sleeping and I've decided I want him to be happy with someone who truly deserves him. I haven't found the courage to tell the others before but I think it is about time to tell them the truth. I hope that as my friends they will understand." Now it was Michiru turn to smile."I am glad to hear that and I am sure they'll understand but you don't need me for that." "I know..." "Maybe you should confront them with this without me. They are your friends, I don't think they really like me that much. I mean sure they're nice but...Do you really think they would want me there when you tell them?" Usagi nodded."Atleast I got you to back up for me in case they react like I fear they will. I can already hear Luna's screams when she finds out." "If you are sure, I will come with you. And don't worry. It is your life and no matter what they say..." "It will always be my decision, not theirs." Usagi finished for her aqua haired friend."I know Michi...thanks a lot for your faith in me." Michiru flinched at that nickname. Haruka used to call her that before, before they broke up. When Usagi also noticed her mistake she quickly looked down at the ground again, apologizing. "Don't worry, it is ok. I like that nickname." Michiru stated. It was the truth but at the same time a lie. She liked being called 'Michi' but the memories attached to that nickname bothered her. -Flashback- "Michiru I have to tell you something..." Haruka whispered. She gazed nervously at the beauty in front of her. Michiru smiled, taking the blonde's hands in hers. "Haruka you can tell me anything...Is something bothering you?" "Not bothering." Came the reply."I need to confess something but I am..." "Afraid?" Michiru wondered out loud. "Afraid." Haruka stated with a smile."I don't want this to affect us...I like the way we are now." "Haruka?" The aqua haired girl's heart was racing in her chest. Was Haruka really saying what she thought she was? The tomboy swallowed away the lump that had formed in her throat."Michi, I..." Michiru smiled upon hearing that nickname. She had never heard Haruka calling her 'Michi' before. This had to promise something good."I love...you." Haruka finally managed to say. Michiru was so surprised that she had no idea what to say at first. By the same she realised she had to say something Haruka had already pulled away, looking down at the ground as she started to make small steps backwards. "I love you too Ruka." Michiru finally said, catching up with Haruka by making a small run before pressing her lips together with Haruka's. -End Flashback- 'Why did you tell me you loved me in the first place, no one told you to lie.' Michiru thought. She was shaken out of her thoughts by Usagi again. "Are you alright Michiru, you were spacing out. Are you feeling sick again, headache, stomache, cold?" The blonde asked concerned. The older girl nodded."Yes, yes I am fine. Sorry. I was just thinking about..." ...Haruka, again! ..."About how you could probably tell Mamoru about your true feelings without hurting him." She lied. Even though Usagi knew the other was lying she decided not to mention it. If Michiru wanted to tell her then she would do it eventually."I don't think I will tell him today. I need to think this through. I mean tell the others will be different from telling Mamoru. I know he will be hurt and mad and pained but..." A tear rolled down the princess' cheek but it just sticked with that one tear. No more followed. "Don't worry Usagi, it'll be fine. If he loves you he will understand." Michiru stated, placing her hand on the other's shoulder once more."Now let me get ready. I need to find some clean clothes and I desperately need a shower." Usagi nodded but stayed put. After a few seconds Usagi finally realised that Michiru needed her to leave the room in order to get dressed. "You can stay if you want but you seemed to have some problems with that before when you saw a part of my..." Michiru got interrupted by Usagi who jumped up and hurried to the door. "No it's ok, I gotta go and do...something in the livingroom anyway!" She yelped and with that said she disappeared in the hall, closing the door behind her. Michiru giggled to herself. Usagi truly was a cute yet innocent girl. On the other side of the door Usagi leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.'Why am I so nervous around her, I've seen Rei naked before. Accidentally but I wasn't as embarrassed or...' She decided not to give this any attention. She had other, more important things, on her mind. (Present, Hikawa Shrine) "Hi everyone..." A voice said. All four girls turned around to face the small blonde. "Hi Usagi, We're so glad you could make it!" Makoto said, walking up to the blonde she hadn't seen in two days or so to give her a hug. She stopped when she suddenly noticed Michiru. She was walking towards them as well. The brunette turned around, giving the others a questioning look but they seemed to be just as confused about Michiru's appearance as Makoto. "Oh hey Michiru, we hadn't been expecting you as well." Makoto said, giving Usagi a small yet tight hug before shaking Michiru's hand."It's nice to see you again. Both of you." To be honest, Makoto wasn't really happy with the aqua haired girl's appearance. The outer senshi usually never came to their meetings. It had always been something for just the five of them. Then again Michiru never had been such a bother to them. She was a quiet girl. "Ah yes." Michiru said, returning the other's handshake."Usagi insisted me to come along." "So she has been with you and Haruka?" Rei asked, stepping towards them as well. She gave Usagi a skeptical glare."Do you know how worried Mamoru is about you? He called me last night to check if you were with me. It seemed to claimed I called you?" It sounded like a statement but there was obviously a hint of a questioning tone in her voice. Usagi scolded Rei for betraying her like that. The other three inner senshi including Michiru were now looking at Usagi."I thought you said you called him and told him you were with me." Michiru said. The blonde princess blushed. Maybe inviting Michiru along wasn't such a great idea. Now she had to explain herself to everyone including Michiru for why she had lied. "I...well you see, that's actually a funny story." Usagi started but Rei cut her off. "Spare us your lies Usagi. We've been talking a bit and we've all come to one conclusion." The raven haired girl spoke."You are hiding something from us and Mamoru. You can't just run off like that and leave everyone worried. Besides you are late again, we thought you had gone missing!" "Rei, calm down." Makoto said, giving the miko a warning look. If Rei would upset Usagi then there would be no way for Usagi to tell them what was going on."Now Usagi, why don't you tell us what is bothering you. It's not like you to lie." Ami seemed to be the first one to notice that there was something wrong with this picture. She had seen nor heard a car drive up to the temple. This would mean that Michiru and Usagi either took a bus here or they had come walking."Didn't Haruka bring you?" She asked. Michiru went wide eyes at that questioned as she shivered. Then she calmed down and gazed down at the ground. "Michiru..." Minako wanted to start but was cut off by the other blonde. "Michiru and Haruka aren't together anymore." Usagi stated."Listen you guys...I went to Michiru's place because I needed to tell someone about...It's not like I don't trust you with my problems but I needed someone's opinion and well, believe it or not, fate made me choose Michiru by accident." "Usagi, just tell us." Rei whispered, giving Michiru an I am sorry look. She wanted to know more about why Haruka and Michiru had broken up but by the looks on Michiru's face she decided otherwise. Michiru obviously wasn't ready for it yet.Michiru just nodded and gave the raven haired girl a greatful smile. With that she focussed on Usagi again. "I don't want to be with Mamoru anymore!" Usagi finally said. 'Stupid Usagi, stupid. I could've tried to make it sound less cruel and direct.' She scolded herself. While she had been speaking those words she had stopped looking at her friends. Her eyes were now closed as she waited for them to start yelling and disagreeing with her. Much to her surprise it stayed quiet. Slowly she opened one eye. The others just stood there, the looks on their faces showing nothing but shock. She opened her other eye as well."Guys...I can't believe I am saying this but could you please say something?" Even though Usagi's words sounded like a helpless plead to their ears the four inner senshi stayed quiet. They were speechless. From all the things they had been assuming that would be bothering their blonde princess this was the last thing they had expected."What exactly do you mean?" Rei finally managed to ask. She simply couldn't believe that Usagi had meant it in the way it had sounded. "I don't love Mamoru. Yes, I care about him but not as lovers care about eachother. I love Mamoru like I love you guys. As a good and close friend." Usagi whispered, confirming Rei's fear. "D-do you know w-what that means to..." Ami stammered, unable to finish her question. Instead of that Makoto finished for her. "To our future?" Usagi just nodded. The only one who had been quiet for a while had been Minako. When Michiru gazed over to the blonde goddess of love she was surprised to see the shocked look disappear from her face as it was replaced by an honest smile."That's great news!" Minako cheered. Everyone turned around to look at her, raising their eyebrows. "He was good for nothing anyway. Ok, ok that sounded mean but all he did was get kipnapped, get charmed over by the enemy and believe some silly dreams. Usagi deserves much better anyway! And don't look at me like I lost my mind because I know that you all secretly agree with me." The blonde cheered, running over to Usagi. With that she started hugging the blonde princess who was still too shocked by Minako's reaction to move. "Minako..." Rei started but decided not to make any comments. She knew all too well that Minako never really liked Mamoru. She had told her a million times before. This was the only time she had heard Minako say something like that in front of anyone else. "Usako, I was so worried." Suddenly a male voice said, surprising everyone. In shock Usagi pulled away from Minako to look up at her fiancée. "M-mamoru..." The blonde stammered in shock. Then she went back to her usual act and put a fake smile on her face."I am so sorry to have worried you!" She said, running over to him and hugging the man tightly."I was on my way to Rei when I bumped into Michiru. She was kind of down so I decided to cheer her up." Another lie. She just hoped he wouldn't ask anything about it. The five other girls and the two cats who hadn't said anything and just watched the scence stared at the two 'lovers' in front of them. Now that they knew the truh about Usagi's feelings the scence in front of them had lost its reality somehow. Mamoru smiled at hearing Usagi's words. He knew she was lying but he was, at this point, happy about knowing for a fact that she was safe and in his arms. 'Blind fool.' Rei thought. She didn't like to admit it but Minako was right. He wasn't good enough for Usagi. He was too blind to even see that something was bothering his fiancée. Plus, if this man really didn't make their princess happy than they had no other choice but to accept that and just see what the future would bring them. Michiru had stopped looking at the scence in front of her as she clenched her fists. She didn't know why but somehow all of this made her remember of her times with Haruka. Had Haruka faked her smile, her feelings for Michiru just like Usagi faked her smile and feelings for Mamoru as well? To be Continued... Ah in the next chapter I will promise all of you some romance between Usagi and Michiru. Top class! Haha, you'll see what I mean.
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