*Every breath you take
*Every move you make
*Every bond you break
*Every step you take
*I'll be watchin' you

Michiru replaced the violin and glanced at clock.  Her evening
routine.  It was 6 pm.  She had to get the track by 6:30.  No problem.
Haruka would be there until 8.  There was a meet tonight.

Michiru had been following the blonde for weeks now.  Close, but far
enough away that Haruka would not think she was being followed.
Michiru's mind had been filled with visions of this woman since Sailor
Pluto had come to her in her room, freeing her mind of the chains her
parents had placed there.  She had given up her family and all she had
had so she could pursue this woman.  The one who was her partner.  The
one who would help her save the world.

Lately, Michiru had noticed that Haruka's concentration was wavering.
She was distracted and uneasy.  Michiru knew why.  Sailor Uranus could
feel her near, wanted to be awakened.  But, Michiru would not force
upon Haruka the choice that she herself had taken happily.  Michiru
knew what it was like to be forced into a mold.  And if Haruka did not
like the mold of a Sailor Senshi, then Michiru would not force her to
fill it.

Michiru headed down to the track.  As she walked she thought back over
the past 3 months.  She had grown up a lot in that time.  She had her
own condo, was in charge of her finances, performed and managed to get
accepted to the same high school that Haruka attended.  Most people
would call her fascination with Haruka an obsession.  But, Michiru
reasoned, she needed to watch Haruka in case the time came to awaken
Uranus.

Though, Michiru had been finding herself thinking of Haruka in less
and less of a professional manner.  More often than not, she found
herself wondering what it would be like to be held by the track
star... to be kissed in the morning... to sleep --

She cut that thought off right there.  She had started to wonder about
her preferences lately.  She knew she had not loved Ichiru, but that
was due to his age and their lack of common ground.  Though... she did
have little interest in men.  She did not find her heart fluttering at
the cute boys who crossed her path.  She did not fantasize to their
images.  Just... Haruka.

*Every single day
*Every word you say
*Every game you play
*Every night you stay
*I'll be watchin' you

Michiru leaned against the fencing, watching Haruka run.  She was the
fastest, the strongest, the most beautiful.  Michiru felt her face
flush up.  No.  This couldn't be.  Was she... falling for this woman?
No.  She didn't like women.  Michiru chuckled.  How silly.  She looked
over her shoulder and saw Elza warming up by a bench and decided to go
chat with her before the meet.

"Elza-san!"  Michiru skipped over to her friend, smiling.  Elza looked
up and waved.

"Michiru-san!  You spend an awful lot of time here.  You thinking of
joining the team next year?"

Michiru laughed.  "I don't think so.  I trip over my own feet."

Elza stared at her.  "Right.  Michiru, you are the most graceful
person I know!  You never trip!"

Michiru blushed.  "I know.  I just... no, I am here to watch you and
all the other athletes.  I really am not a good runner.  I took dance
and art lessons, not track.  I admire the talent you all have."

The coach called to Elza.  The meet was starting.  "I'll see you
later, Michiru-san!"  Elza ran off to join the others.  Michiru went
to sit in the bleachers, watching Haruka take her mark.  She ran like
the wind.  Strong, clear, and fast.  Michiru felt her heart flutter.

She was falling for her.

*Oh, can't you see
*You belong to me
*How my poor heart breaks
*With every step you take

The light went on in Haruka's condo.  Michiru knew why.  The dreams
that had haunted her haunted Haruka as well.  Four to five days a week
Haruka would awake late in the night, dress and run.  What she didn't
seem to understand, Michiru thought, was that one could not outrun
one's destiny.

Michiru secretly hoped Haruka would accept the mission -- would aid
her in the quest to find the Messiah of Silence.  So far Michiru had
little luck finding this Messiah.  She had met with Sailor Pluto only
once more, and that was how she found out about her calling, what she
was to do.  Though she had not spent much time looking.  She watched
Haruka mostly.  She had transformed into Sailor Neptune several times
already.  She had been so scared the first time.  But, she had
vanquished the enemy.

She yearned for a partner.  She didn't feel whole without Sailor
Uranus.  If only there was some way of knowing for sure when the time
was to come.  The waiting was what really got to Michiru.  She wanted
to confide in Haruka.  She wanted to help her to stop running.  Give
her direction and purpose.  She wanted to make the sadness that she
had seen in her bedroom at her father's mansion leave those green
eyes.

Michiru ducked lower in her bush across from Haruka's condo as the
blonde exited the building and started her jog.  Michiru followed at a
slower pace, keeping her distance, always watching.  The late nights
got to her sometimes, but Michiru felt they were worth it if she got
to see Haruka.  And that time, lately, had been limited.  She had more 
and more responsibility put on her now that she was performing.  She 
knew how promising she was.  At least her family had given her 
something.

*Every move you make
*Every vow you break
*Every smile you fake
*Every claim you stake
*I'll be watchin' you

Four days later, Michiru sat in front of the full length mirror in her 
living room.  She drew the bow across the strings, practicing the new 
piece that had been composed for her specifically.  The fingering was 
difficult, and Michiru's patience with herself was starting to wear 
thin.  She valued the perfection she thought she had achieved with 
this instrument.

As she played, her mind drifted.  Once again she dwelled on the image 
of Haruka.  She had decided that she would ask Elza to introduce them.  
Perhaps use the excuse of an art model to get Haruka alone with her.  
She didn't think Haruka would go for it, but she just might.  There 
was no other reason or excuse she could think of to get Haruka away 
from the track or the mechanic shop.

Michiru, distracted by her plotting, dragged the bow harshly along the 
violin strings, causing a very displeasing note to emerge from her.  
She flinched, sighed, and put the violin down.  It was quiet and 
lonely for her.  Michiru had been so used to her days being planned, 
to having the best tutors and being taken care of.  She had just 
recently figured out how to cook.  She had enrolled in some 
extracurricular classes on cooking and basic homemaking.  Most of the 
girls in her classes would laugh at her.  They had parents who 
equipped them to be women.

Not her.

She had been equipped to be an art piece.  To have many children.  And 
to run a house of servants.

Michiru picked up the violin, took a breath and began again.  This 
time concentrating on the notes, on her fingers, on the emotion placed 
in the piece.

And this time, she completed it.

Perfectly.

*Since you've gone I been lost without a trace
*I dream at night, I can only see your face
*I look around but it's you I can't replace
*I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
*I keep cryin', baby, baby, please

Haruka layed sprawled on the floor of the garage, clothed in her 
racing uniform.  Michiru watched the yoma growl and approach the 
downed woman.  Suddenly, a bright light.  Michiru knew what it was.  
Her heart skipped a beat as Haruka reached up.  She could just keep 
silent and Haruka would pick up the wand out of curiosity and the 
choice would be made.  Michiru would no longer be alone.

Instead she called out.  She stopped her.  And she pulled out her own 
wand, raised it above her head and called out the words to awaken 
Sailor Neptune.  Haruka looked at her in stunned silence.  Michiru 
ignored her, focusing on the beast.  She attacked it, it attacked her.  
She was wounded, but she defeated it.

And now she lay in Haruka's arms.  Confessing her feelings, her 
happiness.  Oh no, tears.  She just looked up into Haruka's face, 
ignoring the searing pain in her arms.  She wouldn't be able to play 
the violin for a while.  All the pain from Haruka's harsh words at the 
track and on the cruise ship were forgotten.  Michiru felt physical 
pain and anticipation.

Would Haruka pick up the wand and join her?  Would Haruka love her as 
she had begun to love Haruka?  Would they be able to find the Messiah?  
The tears fell, forgotten.  She felt Haruka's muscles bunch, felt 
herself being put down gently.

And her breath caught.

She would no longer be alone.

---- End Part 2 ----