This is the sequel to Dante's Prayer. Hope everyone enjoys it! *I dream of rain *I dream of gardens in the desert sand *I wake in pain *I dream of love as time runs through my hand The house was quiet. Setsuna had taken Hotaru to school before she went to work herself. Haruka just lay in bed in the guest room staring at the ceiling. She knew she would have to leave the room soon, that she would have to face her new life. She just wanted to prolong it a bit longer. She had moved into the guest room that night... the night that Michiru had not come home with them. Setsuna had brought some of Haruka's clothing and necessities out of the room Haruka had shared with Michiru. Haruka had not set foot into the room since that morning, not even to pick out the dress Michiru had been buried in. Every night she lay in the bed, eyes wide, sleep a far off memory... Her heart hurt, her mind refused to shut off. She relived every moment she had had with her Michiru... and every moment she had wasted. She relived the battle, relived her life since she had been reborn as Sailor Uranus. So many regrets and all the time in the world for her to wallow in them. Usagi had come by once, but couldn't coax Haruka out. Poor Odango had left the mansion in tears, her heart aching for the pain she could not fix. Setsuna would bring up Haruka's meals and Hotaru would come in a visit for a while after school. Haruka looked forward to the visits from her daughter. They talked, always avoiding the mention of Michiru, they played games and they watched TV. Haruka looked over at the clock. It was only 11 in the morning. The days dragged on and on. She took a deep breath, pulled the covers back and sat up. She needed a shower and to brush her teeth. She went to the closet and got some clothing and went out into the hall. To her left was the end of the hall and her old room, to the right were the other two bedrooms and a bath the two shared. She should have turned right. She should have ignored the closed wooden door. She should have left the past alone... tried to get on with her life. Instead, she turned the knob on the last door of the hall and stepped in the cool, dark room. *I dream of fire *Those dreams are tied to a horse that will never tire *And in the flames *Her shadows play in the shape of a man's desire "Haruka! Why can't you pick up your clothes? The hamper is right next to your pile!" "Haruka, come watch the sun set over the ocean with me... " "Haruka, must you continue to race? It's so dangerous, and I don't know what I would do with myself if you ever had an accident..." "I love you, Tenoh Haruka, more than all the seas." "Love me, Ruka..." Each moment played itself out in Haruka's mind. The nights the cuddled while watching Mary Poppins, the mornings she woke to Michiru standing in front of the French doors to the balcony in that sea-foam green nightie staring out over the ocean, of the steamy showers and the family pillow fights... Haruka stood in the center of the room that had taken Michiru months to decorate to perfection, tears forming in her eyes. "Michiru..." *This desert rose *Each of her veils, a secret promise *This desert flower *No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this She tossed her clothes onto the vanity chair and slowly approached the bed. She sat on her side, and closed her eyes. She could almost pretend that Michiru was puttering in the kitchen before work while Haruka was getting ready for her morning shower. But almost. Haruka opened her eyes and laid back into the pillows, sinking into the thick indigo comforter Michiru had found at a little shop in China. Michiru's smell surrounded her. Tortured her, teased her memory. Brought the pain to her in a fresh sweep. They had made love in this bed right before they left that morning, Michiru had made the bed up while Haruka showered, but had not changed the sheets. Even weeks after her death, weeks after that morning, Haruka could still find Michiru's scent laced on the sheets. Her shampoo's perfume was present on her pillow... the book she was reading the night before was still on the nightstand, the bookmark forever stuck on page 78. Hotaru had been reborn... dare she hope that somewhere in the world Michiru had been reborn at the same time that her soul slipped away? And, even she had been reborn, would she be the same person? Have retained any memory of their life? Or would she be someone new? Someone who would not remember their love fondly? So many questions, and no answers in sight. *And as she turns *This way she moves in the logic of all my dreams *This fire burns *I realize that nothing's as it seems She had never realized how Michiru had changed her life. She felt so much. There was too much pain, and only Michiru had been able to brush the dark thoughts that had plagued her most her life away. Now what? What was she to do with herself? Then a revelation. She sat up in the bed and saw her refection in the large mirror atop the bureau and couldn't help but feel embarrassed. Michiru would have a fit, to see her wallowing in such misery. Yes, her loss was great, greater than she had ever imagined. But, Michiru was here. Here in all they had made together. A home for Hotaru, a warm place of love and safety. Yes, she still mourned her passing, yes, she wished she had noticed Michiru when she had been watching her for months... but they were empty wishes and she was still needed. Her duty was now to the princess and prince. She and Michiru would one day be together again... it was just a matter of time, a test of faith. And it was a test Haruka was now prepared to pass. *Sweet desert rose *This memory of Eden haunts us all *This desert flower, this rare perfume *Is the sweet intoxication of the fall The sun was high, the tide was in, and the white sand was warm beneath her feet. Haruka walked the same strip of beach she and Michiru had spent so many nights walking. The waves lapped at her toes and the gulls screeched overhead. Haruka took a deep breath and looked out over the bright blue ocean. "Michiru, you would love the ocean today." As Haruka stood there basking in her memories, a little ball of energy smacked into her. She fell back onto the warm sand with a loud thud while a squirming mass tried to stand back up and apologize at the same time. "I'm sorry!" "It's O-" Haruka began and then looked up at the little girl. Into eyes as blue as the ocean, with hair the color of exotic sea kelp... with waves to match the tide. She sat, astonished, looking at a girl, maybe 7 or 8 years old who looked so demure and pouty about running down this perfect stranger. Haruka closed her mouth and smiled at her. "It's ok, accidents happen. I'm Haruka. What's your name?" The little girl opened her mouth when a tall, elegant woman ran over. "Michiru! You need to be more careful! You could have hurt someone!" She huffed out at the child. "I'm sorry, Momma. I just wanted to catch the wind!" The girl explained. The mother just rolled her eyes. "Come now, Michiru. We need to get back to your father. Say goodbye to your new friend." The woman stood back and Michiru stepped forward. "Goodbye, Miss Haruka," and placed a light kiss on Haruka's lips... flooding the older woman with so many memories. This child even had the faint scent her old Michiru had... what did it all mean? The girl stepped back as the mother picked her up. "Michiru, we don't kiss girls. My, you are getting heavy... you seem to grow bigger everyday!" They walked off to a distant beach blanket, the blue-eyed child looking back all the way. Haruka's heart swelled, her eyes filling with tears of happiness. Michiru had come back. She had come back to her love, to her duty. She looked up at the clear sky, filled with gulls, the oceans kissing her toes delicately. She smiled. Now it was her turn to wait... **** The End ****