Happily Ever After...Is It Really? ================================== by Albrecht Halbstein (halbstein@hotmail.com) [PG-13] (I think) Disclaimers ----------- Let's get over with the usual stuff first. The Sailor Moon characters are the properties of their creator Takeuchi Naoko, the publisher Kodansha, and the animation company Toei. I use the characters and the stories without the permissions of the aforementioned parties. I added some characters, made up some facts, and altered some of the original storyline for dramatic effects and to suit my purpose. Notes from yours truly ---------------------- All comments regarding the story itself, the crippled and awkward writing style, the intolerable grammar and spelling, and the inappropriate vocabu- lary usage are welcome and encouraged. I do appreciate any idea for my possible revision. The author's e-mail address is halbstein@hotmail.com. Again, the story is told in the first person point of view. I find it easier to tell a story this way. I planned to stop writing an SM fanfic when I finished my previous story. It is true that I hate writing more than anything else. However, a question came into my mind when I took a stroll in a park along a tiny lake the other night. I saw a young couple holding each other at a rather secluded spot. An image of Haruka and Michiru popped into my head. (Gee, doesn't it just ruin the mood? ^_-) It is said at the end of most fairy tales that "they (the prince and the princess) lived happily ever after". Did they? How? Well, I don't know. I planned to write a tragedy but did not have the heart to. In any case, this fanfic is about Haruka and Michiru. You know who they are. You have been warned. =========================================================================== The afternoon sun in the winter is especially precious and appreci- ated. It is short but warm. It makes you want to savor every second it shines on you. I open my eyes. I sigh contentedly. We are sitting in the sunroom of our house. I like the light. I like taking a nap in this room. I turn my head and say to Michiru, "thank you for accompany me through the past 50 years of the road. Thank you, Michiru." Michiru opens her eyes and laughs lightly. "Thank you for LETTING me, Miss Ten'ou" is her reply. "Letting you?" I complain. She chuckles and says, "I am the one who insisted on staying with you, remember?" "Hey! There was no such thing!" I complain again. "Ara, Haruka. Like I said before, your head is not the charming part of you," says Michiru. "Ahem...well...anyway, thank you," I reply. Her smile freezes, and she turns to me, saying, "what if I tell you now that I shall leave you tomorrow?" My eyes open wider. She just stares at me, "hmm?" "Michiru, you are not serious, are you? I mean, you can't be serious," I ask. I feel as if something is caught in my throat. I look down. A few minutes of silence have passed. She is still staring at me as I bury my face in my hands. "Are you really leaving? Why? I cannot imagine a life without you around" is my muffled reply. I sigh. "So, the proud and mighty Haruka-san is finally begging me to stay?" she asks. I lower my hands and look up at her. She finally lets out a giggle. My eyes open wider again as I come to the realization of what she was trying to do. "Hey! Who said I'm begging?" I say. "Ara, Haruka-san. It really does not hurt to admit it," says the still giggling Michiru. "Well! I shall prove to you that I am not begging. I am MAKING you stay," I say with an evil grin. I turn my whole body, grab her by her shoulders, and push her back down. I growl and bite her neck lightly. I say with a muffled voice, "still gonna leave? Still gonna leave?" and tickle her. Michiru giggles uncontrollably and gasps for air. "Stop being...a kid... Haruka," Michiru manages to utter a few words while giggling. "You...you know...I was only...teasing." My hands stay at her waist, and I raise my head. I look at her with a pleading look, "so, you will stay?" I break into laughters less than a second later. I pull her up to the sitting position as I sit up myself. I pat her on the back lightly. The pat turns into a light brush gradually. "That should teach you something," I say in a low voice. Michiru chuckles, "no, that should teach YOU something." I chuckle, too. Somehow, sitting here with her looking over the sea outside brings up some memories. They, like the tide hitting the shore, flush to me. ---------- I remember... It was soon after Chaos was defeated. Setsuna returned to her post at the time portal. Hotaru had grown up to the state before her rebirth, so we returned her to Prof. Tomoe. "You know, Michiru, now that there is no more fight, we don't...uh... have to stay partners anymore," I looked down and said in a barely audible voice. "You...uh...can go to the best music school like you have always wanted and fulfill your dream of being a world famous violinist. You can live your...own...life...from now on." My voice trailed to a complete silence. Michiru put her finger on my lips to stop me. "Shhh. Haruka, look at me. Look at me now," she said. "I am not going anywhere or doing anything without you. It is not the same anymore now that I have found you. I want to stay with you, and I shall not leave as long as you do not ask me to leave. That is another promise I made to myself...and to you... when I put on this promise ring to raise Hotaru." I looked up and into her eyes. I could not even utter any word, but my heart was filled with... something. Whatever that something was, I knew I could live with it... without regret. I could feel myself beginning to smile while still staring at her beautiful eyes. My eyes opened wider when I saw her face moving closer and closer to mine... ---------- I remember... Oh, how I loved to tease the cute girls, Usagi being the favorite and the most unsuspecting target. That is where part of the fun was. We invited Usagi to a little French bistro. I accompanied Michiru on another one of her shopping spree earlier that day. I left Michiru to continue shopping on her own so that I could meet Usagi at the bistro on time. We all know that Michiru would not be on time for anything else when she shopped. Michiru, on the other hand, knew that I would use any excuse to get out of a shopping spree with her. {chuckle} This time I had a legitimate excuse. It is impolite to let your guest wait for you, isn't it? On the other hand, Usagi has always been known for her tardiness. {cough} Anyway, like I said, ANY excuse. Both Michiru and Usagi were late, as expected. But Usagi arrived much earlier than Michiru did. Good thing I was already there to meet Usagi. "Yo, Odango! It's nice to see you again," I greeted Usagi. "Ha-ru-ka-san! Don't call me that anymore! I'm a college student now. It's really embarrassing," whined the blushing Usagi. I laughed, "gomen, gomen. You look even stunning than before. How is school? How are things with Mamoru-san?" She replied, "thank you, Haruka-san. Well, school...eh... hehehe. But Mamo-chan and I plan to get married after I graduate. I am working very hard toward graduation." I put my hand on hers. "That is good. I mean, you have not married yet. There is plenty of time before you graduate. I still have a chance, eh? Just give me time." I asked with a grin. Usagi looked at me, dumbfoundedly, and blushed again. "OUCH!" I yelped. "Dear...uh...god...I mean dear god, Michiru, you could have put some bricks in there, Michiru." Michiru had just whacked the back of my head with her purse while I was still grinning at Usagi. "That can be arranged, Haruka," said Michiru plainly. She sat down in the chair next to mine, shaking her head. "Good afternoon, Usagi," said Michiru politely. Usagi just woke up from her daze, "oh...heh...good afternoon, Michiru-san. I didn't see you come in." "Of course you didn't," said Michiru, glaring at me. "Usagi, did you see what this ferocious woman just did to me? Don't ever judge a lady by her appearance. OUCH! I'll become stupid if you keep doing that, Michiru," I said, rubbing the back of my head. Michiru had just slapped the back of my head. Ooh, I just loved to see her get jealous and mad. I thought to myself, "perhaps someday she will get really mad and..." The thought of being...ahem...punished brought a grin to my face. It was as if she read my mind. "Really! Haruka! And your head is not the charming part of you, by the way," said Michiru. I coughed. Yup, she read my mind. We went on to discuss the purpose of this meeting. Even though things seemed all quiet and peaceful, we wanted to make sure that all of us could be mobilized when the call of duty reached us at any time. Usagi had really grown up and matured. I was slightly surprised when she agreed with our concern and actually proposed some plans. Knowing that relaxed me a bit. At least I did not have to worry about her leadership and enthusiasm. We decided on a preliminary plan pending on other girls' opinions. Over all, the meeting was pleasant and productive. ---------- I remember... We treasured every moment we could be together. We both were young. We both were busy. She joined the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra as the concert master and first chair violinist. She had to go on tours with the orches- tra. I joined the Ferrari team of the Formula One race. I was usually on the road from March till November. When we got free time together, we stayed home. Since we were always elsewhere, home was the place we wanted to be and the happiest place for us. Our home was built on a cliff over- looking the sea. Walking to the sand beach below us did not take long and was not strenuous. When we were home, we watched the rising sun, walked on the beach, played in the sea, or just stayed indoor, enjoying the peace and quiet...ahem...from other people, that is. Occasionally, we dropped by each other's tour unexpectedly, hoping to give the other a surprise. I usually waited in her dressing room with a bottle of champagne in my hand and two crystal glasses on the dresser. I dozed off on the sofa a few times and did not wake up till she lightly knocked my head with a champagne glass and said, Ňtime to wake up, sleeping beauty.Ó That ruined about half of my intended surprise. When Michiru dropped by my races, she usually popped up on the podium, touching the nape of my neck before hugging me for the photos. I guess she liked to see me stiffen for a second. I sometimes wondered what she was made of. {chuckle} There was this one time when we returned to her hotel room after I dropped by her performance. There was a private wedding party in the ballroom of that hotel. We, having nothing better to do that night...well, ahem, not true actually, sneaked into the party and pretended to be the invited guests. Some members of the groom's family recognized Michiru. We felt a bit embarrassed being caught. The hosts were kind enough to let us stay, but under one condition. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are honored here tonight to have two unexpected guests among us. They will perform a lovely sonata. Please give a warm welcome to these two lovely ladies, Miss Kaiou Michiru and Miss Ten'ou Haruka," announced the groom's father. Gee, he could be just a tad more sarcastic. Michiru was the one who was asked to perform. But Michiru insisted on having me at the piano. I REALLY wondered what she was made of. In any case, we played Sonata No. 8 for piano and violin by Beethoven. After the performance, we mingled with other guests. I guess I had too many glasses of champagne. I asked other lovely ladies for rounds of dances. Oddly enough, they appeared to be more than happy to dance with me. I did not remember the details, but the last thing I remembered was Michiru, with a cold expression that could freeze hell, yanking me out by my ear. I, not forgetting the suaveness, winked, blowed kisses, and apologized my way out. I ended up waking up in the bathtub of her hotel room with an aching back the next morning. ---------- I remember... A new cellist in the orchestra had a crush on Michiru. He became really excited when he heard that Michiru was not married. He did not bother to learn other facts. One night, when I went to pick up Michiru after their rehearsal, I saw the gentleman talking to Michiru. When I approached them, the gentleman said to Michiru, "would tomorrow night be fine with you, Kaiou-san?" That sounded like an alarm to me. Michiru answered, "yes, it would be fine." The indescriably exultant expression on his face told me that it was definite an alarm. After he walked away, I walked up to Michiru and asked, "what was that all about?" Michiru replied flatly without looking at me, "it was nothing. By the way, I shall not have dinner at home tomorrow night." I wanted to ask more but refrained from doing it. We drove home quietly. I felt gloomy the next morning and decided to take my bike out for a spin around the city. I did not return home until afternoon. Michiru was home alone. When I walked into the house, closing the door behind me, I heard Michiru being on the phone. I heard her saying the name of a restaurant. We had been there a few times before. It was a rather cozy restaurant by the beach not far from our house. It seemed to me that Michiru would have dinner with that guy at that restaurant. I sighed quietly. We did not talk to each other. She did not want to say anything, and I dared not to say anything. At about 6 PM she left the house. I sat in the sunroom, staring at the sea outside. I thought to myself, "is she angry with me? Does she like the cellist that much that she doesn't even want to look at me? What should I do now?" I could not stand the coldness from her. At around 7:30 PM I decided to go to the restaurant and see how she was doing. I entered the restaurant and asked for a less noticeable corner table. I scanned the entire room and saw where Michiru sat. She was alone for the moment. There were 2 glasses with very little amount of red wine remaining at the bottom on her table. She stood up from her chair and walked to the lady's room. I turned my head back to my own table and buried it in the menu so I would not be recognized. A waiter walked up to my table, holding a tray with a cordless phone on it. He said, "Miss Ten'ou? There is a phone call for you." I was surprised and confused. I did not say what my name was when I entered the restaurant. I did not tell anyone that I was here. I thanked the waiter and picked up the phone, "Ten'ou Haruka." It was a complete silence in the phone. "Moshi moshi?" I inquired after a few more seconds of silence. Then I heard a familiar giggle on the phone. I was speechless. "Come to my table now, Haruka," said the voice on the phone. I was motionless in addtion to speechless with the phone still at my right ear. Then I heard a whisper in my left ear, "I have to come and get you myself, don't I? Do you need a formal invitation besides that, dear Miss Ten'ou?" I felt two hands on my shoulders. I turned my head left and found myself face-to-face with Michiru. "Uh...oh, hi, Michiru, what a coincidence that you are at this restaurant, too," I stuttered while trying to sound calm and slide my way through the predicament. Michiru slightly shaked her head with an obviously disapproving look and said, "come to my table first, and THEN we'll talk." "Are you sure that I wouldn't interrupt anything?" I asked cautiously. Michiru walked back to her table. I followed her. As I looked around for another chair, she said, "just sit in that chair, Haruka." I sat down, still looking around. "Stop looking, Haruka. That chair is for you," she said. "But...but...didn't..." I started and was cut short by her. "I did not have a dinner date at all. I called him this morning and told him everything. Why did I accept his invitation last night? Well, I wanted to let you know how _I_ feel sometimes. I deliberately let you hear this restaurant because I knew very well that you could not stay home and would most definitely follow me here. I made a reservation for us. I am disappointed that it took you that long to finally come here," explained Michiru. I started, "I...uh..." She cut me off again, "do you wish it to be real next time?" I quickly replied, "no, of course not. Oi!" "Ara, Haruka, I hope you will always remember how you felt earlier today and have learned a lesson," she concluded. I dropped my head and replied in a barely audible voice, "I am sorry, Michiru." We gradually started our usual chat again over dinner. Over all, it was a pleasant dinner. We took a stroll on the beach after dinner. I put my arm around her waist and pulled her very close to me when we walked. I guess it was my subconscious acting out. I did not want to lose a good thing in my life. ---------- I remember... We both had pretty much enjoyed the life of being single, at least nominally, until Akira came into our life. We were about middle age. I had retired from Formula One races because Michiru said that she could not stand the fear of the possibility that I might end up in a fatal accident in the circuits one day anymore. But I still did occasional charity races and kept a good connection with the racing circle and my old crew. Michiru had reigned as one of the most renowned solo violinists in the world for a long time. She was not with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra anymore. But she still performed with them when they invited her for home performnces. In addition, she accepted invitations to play elsewhere only for special occasions. Therefore, when Akira came into our home, we were more available for him. We put him into Hotaru's room. Hotaru preferred silence, so that room was the most quiet room in the house. It was the first night. I walked into his room and asked him to come out for dinner. He was lying on the bed and did not even bother to open his eyes. I frowned and growled inside. If I were 20 years younger, I might have picked him up by the collar and taught him some proper manners. I stood there, staring at this 12-year-old boy. Michiru came into the room from behind me. She squatted next to the bed and started talking. "Akira, I know you miss your father. I miss him as much as you do, if not more. He was my twin brother. We had a wonderful and memorably childhood together. He was a great brother and father. When we were kids, we promised that we would always be there for each other. He had kept his promise and always been one of my supports over the years. It was his dying wish that I would take care of you. It showed his trust in me and his love in you. I promised that I will make him proud of you if he could see you from heaven. Akira, give me a chance and help him rest in peace. Hmm?" Akira's father was shot while attempting to stop a bank robber. He died in the emergency room. A few drops of tear rolled down Akira's temples. He slowly opened his eyes. "Aunt...Michiru..." He turned and wrapped his arms around Michiru's neck. Michiru quietly patted the sobbing boy's back. I turned around and walked out of the room quietly. Akira was a stubborn boy. We never saw him crying again since that night. His attitude toward me was still cold and ignoring in general. He did not show too much warmth toward Michiru, but at least he responded to her and spoke to her sometimes. Therefore, when Michiru asked me to take him to the race track, both Akira's and my response was "WHAT?!" There was no way that I would want to be alone with that kid. "It's completely out of the question, Michiru," I shouted. "Harukaaaaa, I have to go out today and cannot take him with me. Since you need to go to the race track, I don't see any harm for you to take him with you. You two really need to learn to get along," pleaded Michiru. "No! He can stay home and play his video games. I am NOT taking him with me," I replied very determinedly. "I'll be worried if we leave him home alone. Do it for me, please?" she pleaded again. "No way! I am NOT going to..." I was cut off and my eyes shot wide open when Michiru changed her way of pleading. I coughed. It was a good thing that Akira was not in the room at the time. I whispered into her ear, "Michiru, that's not fair. You can't always take advantages of my weakness like that." She giggled, "ara, it's your weakness? I did not know. Now, will you take him with you?" I whispered, "only if you agree to pick up where you leave off later." She giggled again and shoved me off, "now go!" I sighed and took Akira to the race track with me. We did not speak to each other on the raod. When we arrived at the race track, I got out of the car and walked toward the garage on my own. He quietly followed me like he could care less. I waved at a rookie, "yo, Kaede, how is it going?" He smiled at me, "hey, Haruka-san. Guys! Look! Haruka-san is here. Oh, who is that handsome young man with you, Haruka-san?" A few others gathered around. "Say, don't you think he looks like Haruka-san? Is he your son, Haruka- san?" "Ha! Ha! Ha! Very funny, guys." "Now that you mentioned it, he bears some resemblance to Michiru-san as well. Ooooooh...OUCH! I'm only kidding, Haruka-san." "Get out of here, you guys, before I send you to the hospital" "Seriously, Haruka-san, are you going to introduce him to us?" I growled inside. "He is Michiru's nephew. His name is Kaiou Akira," I said flatly. "And he hates me," I mumbled to myself. The crews went up to Akira and introduced themselves to him. Oddly enough, he was actually rather polite to them and talked to them. "Well, it's all good with me as long as he does not get on my nerves," I thought to myself and walked off to talk to the chief engineer about the upcoming event. After I was finished with the business, I looked for Akira. I found him among the crew hovering over a race car. He was laughing. I didn't know he was actually capable of laughing. "Look look, Aunt Haruka. They taught me how this engine works," he said to me excitedly. I stared at him with an obviously shocked look. It then hit him what he just said. His smile froze. I said plainly, "my business here is done," and I walked away. He pulled himself from the car unwillingly and followed me. We drove home without saying a word to each other. I told Michiru about it later that night. Michiru just smiled at me. Now SHE was giving me the creeps. I was...ahem...coerced to take him to the race track a few more times. It surprised me that he was actually more willing to go then I was to take him. What surprised me more was that he began to acknowledge my existence. He started to ask me questions about cars and racing when we drove. Since they were my favorite subject, I had no objection talking about them. Even though they were about the only things we talked about, it was still a good beginning nonetheless. He gradually showed interests in car racing and started to take the initiative in visiting the race track. It took a couple more years before we spoke close to normally with each other. But it still lacked the warmth he had toward Michiru. I did not really mind that as long as he did not give me an attitude like he used to. We brought him to our senshi reunion every year. He did not know it was a "senshi" reunion. None of the kids knew about our senshi form. Oh, yes, all the inner girls, and even Hotaru, had children by then. O-chibi- chan dropped by every year, too. She was a teenager. This time travelling concept is confusing. I did not want to think too much about it. My brain was not all that useful anyway. Ahem. All of us senshi still treated Usagi as the future queen and O-chibi-chan as the future princess. The kids certainly did not know why we always treated the two Usagi with the highest respect. But the kids followed our example and respected them as much... well, most of the kids, with the exception of Akira. Akira had no problem with the inner girls and Usagi because they were his elders. But with Chibi-usa, he could care less. He did not completely ignore her but was just reluctant to speak with her. Chibi-usa was used to being treated like a princess all her life, both in the present and in the future. Being given the attitude the way Akira did was not something she could swallow. They always ended up bickering and exchanging some really nasty remarks at every reunion. It was a good thing that we only had a gathering like this once a year. When Akira graduated from senior high school, I gave him a car as a present to congratulate him on both graduating from high school and entering college soon. It was a custom-made car with a real Formula One Ferrari race car engine underneath the hood of a custom-designed convertable sports coupe body and chassis. The hood ornament was a scaled replica of the top portion of my transform stick. He did not know where the design of that thing came from but still thought it was cool looking. I have to admit that the crew of my old racing team had to take the majority of the credits for the making of that car and for teaching Akira how to drive a real champ/open-wheel car. >From then on, he drove me to the race track in his car. I got really nervous and uncomfortable sitting in a car not driven by me. But I tried to live with that. One day, after we had a fast food lunch and were about to head for the car, we bumped into Mamoru-san and Chibi-usa. Mamoru-san and I chatted politely while leaving the two young adults alone for a bit. We were interrupted very abruptly by a squeal of brakes. I turned my head. What I saw drained away all the blood in me. I nearlly fainted but hung on. I dashed to Akira, who was now unconsiously lying in a bed of blood. Mamoru-san was shocked as well and wanted to help. I could not hear or see anything else. I yelled "TOKE", pushed everybody away, and took Akira into the car. I somehow heard Chibi-usa saying to Mamoru-san, "it was not my fault. It was all his fault. He should not have given me that kind of attitude. I pushed him because I did not want to see him again." I did not have time to make head or tail of all this. I sped to the nearest hospital and sent him into the emergency room. I could not think at all. After I calmed down a little, I started to worry about what I should tell Michiru and how I could face her. I bit my lip and called Michiru on the phone. "Michiru, come to the municipal hospital. Akira is in the emergency room." She hung up the phone as soon as I finished those sentences. She ran to the door of the emergeny room some 30 minutes later. I saw tear streaks on her cheeks. I then told her what happened as far as I could tell. She bit her lower lip without saying a word. She walked to a corner seat and sat down. I sat down next to her and attempted to comfort her. She shrugged me off. I did not know what to do or say. I stared at the light above the door of the emergency room. I stood up as soon as the light went off. But Michiru was faster than I. When the doctors and nurses walked out, she was already standing next to them and asking them how he was doing. I stood at a distance and clenched my fists tight. The doctor in charge told Michiru that Akira could live. However, he would be paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of his life. There was little hope of recovery. Michiru lowered her head for a few moments and then raised her head to thank the doctor. Akira was moved from ER to ICU immediatedly. Michiru followed them to the ICU and sat down in a seat outside. She just sat there, motion- less. I went up to comfort her again, and she shrugged me off again. I knew there was nothing I could do to alter what had happened. I wish that Michiru would blame me, scold me, talk to me, or do something instead of giving me this silence treatment. I could not bear seeing her all bottled up like this. "Michiru, I..." She closed her eyes. I sighed. It had been several hours since Akira was taken to the hospital. I decided to leave the hospital and return with some food. I came back about 30 minutes later. Michiru still sat there like a statue. I put the food next to her and sat down in a seat across the hallway. I sat there, trying to remember more details about what happened on the street. It was Chibi-usa. It was Mamoru-san. I gritted my teeth. I dozed off in the seat. When I woke up, it was already the next morning. Michiru was still in the same posture, staring blankly at a distance, expressionless. The food was untouched. I sighed and decided to go home alone. I washed up and changed clothes before I returned to the hospital. Michiru had disappeared from the seat. The food was still there. I searched around for Michiru and finally found her in the lady's room, sobbing. I left her alone in there because I knew she did not want me around. I returned to the hallway outside the ICU and saw Usagi and Mamoru-san standing there. I could feel the anger building up inside of me. I growled, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Usagi looked at the floor. Mamoru-san started, "we want to see how..." "WHAT GOOD WOULD IT DO? WOULD IT BRING A LIVELY AKIRA BACK TO US? WOULD IT?" I conitnued. Usagi mumbled, "it was an accident. It was unintentional. I just want to see if there is anything I could do to help." "YES! ACTUALLY THERE IS! THERE IS ONE THING YOU CAN DO. EDUCATE THAT DAUGHTER OF YOURS. DON'T LET HER RUN LOOSE AND KILL EVERYONE ELSE. THE WORLD DOES NOT REVOLVE AROUND HER. NOT EVERYONE HAS TO SPOIL HER AND PUT UP WITH HER," I shouted. Mamoru-san had a stern look. Usagi wanted to say something but gave up. I did not want Michiru to see them. It would only hurt her. But Michiru walked up from behind me before I could get rid of them. She stared at them without any expression and said with an icy and commanding voice, "you know his state. You can go home now." Usagi wanted to go up to Michiru but was held back by Mamoru-san. Mamoru-san said, "we are very sorry and regret that a thing like this happened." He then turned and alked away with Usagi. Michiru walked passed me as if I did not exist and sat down in the seat that she previously occupied. I really could not take it anymore. I walked up to her and knelt down before her. I begged, "talk to me, Michiru. Please say something to me, anything. Blame me! Scold me! It was all my fault. I cannot bear seeing you suffer like this. Stop torturing youself. Michiru, I beg you." I stayed there, letting my tears drip down. A few moments later, she slowly moved her gaze to me. Her face twitched a little. "Why? Why did you let him out of your sight? Why weren't you there to protect him? Why couldn't you be faster? Why..." Her words turned into indistin- guishable sobs as she slid down from the seat. She buried her face in my shoulder, crying in pain, and pounded on my chest. I just knelt there and let her vent the anger, despair, and disappointment that were bottled up inside her. I really wished that I could do something... ---------- I remem..."How are my two favorite aunts doing?" A cheery voice interrupts my memory. I turn my head as I feel a hand on my shoulder. It is Akira. He put his hands on MichiruŐs and my shoulders and poked his head between ours. He then drapes his arms around our shoulders and pulls us closer. "Did I interrupt anything? Any precious moment?" "Akira!" I exclaim. "What brings a Formula One star racer like you to this neck of the woods today?" "Oh, I donŐt know. I suddenly missed my aunts very much and decided that I had to see them," he says playfully. I laugh and say, "who taught you to be so sweet and flattering?" "You, of course, Aunt Haruka," he replies and winks at me. Michiru giggles, "ara, Haruka. ItŐs because today is your birthday." "Aww, Michiru. And I was expecting a private...a VERY private evening with you only," I fake a pout. Akira coughs. "Happy birthday, Aunt Haruka," says Akira. He releases us and turns his head, shouting, "Maruko! Kenji! Come here! Say happy birthday to Grandma Haruka." His wife Keiko shoves the two vivacious kids to the sunroom. The two kids say sonorously in unison, "Grand-ma Mi-chi-ru! Grand-ma Ha- ru-ka!" Maruko says excitedly, "Grandma Haruka, your house is huge!" Akira slaps MarukoŐs back very lightly and says, "Ma-ru-ko!" Maruko pouts. Kenji says, "happy birthday, Grandma Haruka." Maruko does not want her brother to be the leader, so she also shouts it out. With their voices jumbled up, it is hard to tell what they said. Akira claps and says, "now, would you all come in for dinner? Keiko has prepared your favorite dishes, Aunt Haruka. DonŐt forget to save some stomach for her killer dessert." Ah, yes, I almost forgot to finish the story. Setsuna and Hotaru appeared out of nowhere and walked up quietly to the crying Michiru and the kneeling me. We did not notice them until Setsuna said, "this will not be tampering with the fate of the kindom." I turned my head and looked at them in surprise. Michiru stopped crying and looked up at them with teary eyes. Hotaru nodded. MichiruŐs eyes opened wider with an unbelievable look. I chided myself for not being able to think of this earlier. Hotaru said, "have you forgotten that I am not only the senshi of destruction but also the senshi of rebirth? I am happy that I can use my power on something constructive instead of destructive." And, yes, Hotaru healed Akira just enough so that he would not be paralyzed. We thought it was best to let the other injuries recover naturally. After all, one miracle was already hard enough to explain to the doctors and nurses. It took him about 6 months to be able to walk like normal again. After he graduated from college, he decided to carry the Kaiou family name into the racing circle and let it shine. I was more than happy to see that. Michiru was not too thrilled with that idea. But I knew that she was happy and satisfied with how Akira turned out to be because she secretly looked up at the sky one day and smiled for a moment. Everything was well.