*I've got to be honest
*I think you know
*We're covered in lies and that's OK
*There's somewhere beyond this I know
*But I hope I can find the words to say
*Never again no
*No never again

Haruka had spent the last few months alone.  She had waited for the
call from Michiru telling her to come home.  The call never came.  So,
Haruka tried a different approach.  She sent Michiru flowers, gifts,
tokens of her love and requests for forgiveness.  Haruka called, she
dropped by, she sent Sing-O-Grams... Michiru refused to speak with
her.

Seven months.  Seven months without Michiru.  She felt as if someone
had cleaved out her heart.  And, of course, someone had.  She had done
it to herself with her lustful actions with Usagi.  She deserved this. 
No, she deserved to never be with Michiru again.  But, Haruka could
not accept that.  She needed Michiru.  She loved her and wanted her. 
No, this separation had to be put to an end.

Haruka dressed and got into her car.  She had to make Michiru
understand it was her she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. 
At that moment she knew what had to be done.  She went to Usagi's
friend's mother's jewelry store.  And not to buy just any bauble.  No,
she would ask Michiru to marry her.

Together.  Forever.  That was what she wanted.  She was sure that was
what Michiru wanted as well.  It was just there was a loss of trust
and it had to be gained back.  Haruka had not even *flirted* with
anyone since moving back into her condo.  No one held any appeal.  It
was no fun to flirt if she could not irritate Michiru.  She just hoped
Michiru had not found someone else.

*But I've been unable
*To put you down
*I'm still learning things I ought to know by now
*It's under the table so
*I need something more to show somehow
*Never again no
*No never again

Michiru was finishing her dinner dishes when there was a knock at the
door.  She sighed.  All she needed was another 'Sing-O-Gram' from
Haruka.  It took her an hour and a handsome tip to get that teddy bear
to stop it's screams of 'I love you, I love you, Won't you love me
back.'  She rolled her eyes, chuckling as she opened the door.

On the doorstep was a small puppy.  Perhaps eight or nine weeks old,
yellow.  A lab.  It yipped at her.  She laughed and snatched it up. 
On it's collar was a note.

	'Meet me at 9.  Our place.  Please.'
	
Michiru took the puppy and the bag of puppy supplies into the house. 
She had missed Haruka so much.  It had been so long without her and
the loss cut her like a knife.  She would sometime talk aloud to
Haruka, or cuddle with the pillow Haruka slept on.  It was hard, but
Haruka had to be punished for the betrayal, for the lies.  She had to
know what life was without someone she loved as much as Michiru loved
her.

Michiru went into the shower, carrying the puppy with her.  It was a
girl.  How cute.  Michiru smiled and sat on the bathroom floor playing
with the new puppy and trying to think of a name for her.  Finally,
she decided on one.

"Shinrai.  That's your name."

The puppy yapped at her, panting and wiggling all around.  Michiru
felt the giggle bubble up in her throat.  Alright.  Haruka won.  She
would meet her in their secret place.  Michiru got up and got ready to
bathe, laughing all the time.  She had always wanted a dog.  And
Shinrai was perfect.

She just wondered how Haruka would like to get up at 2 am to take her
for walks.

*'Cause you're a god
*And I am not
*And I just thought
*That you would know
*You're a god
*And I am not
*And I just thought
*I'd let you go

Haruka watched the road for a car.

It was 9:15.

Michiru wasn't coming.

Haruka was about to leave when she heard a stick break.  She spun and 
was attacked by a little yellow ball of energy.  She laughed, petting 
the puppy and looking for Michiru.

"Were you going to give up on me?"  Haruka turned to the sound of that 
beautiful voice.  Michiru stood by their tree, dressed in a soft white 
gown.

"Never."  Haruka approached her.  "What did you name her?"

Michiru inched closer to Haruka.  "Shinrai."

Haruka lowered her eyes.  "I am sorry, Michiru.  There is nothing I 
can do to take it back or undo the hurt I caused.  I love you."  She 
looked down into the soft blue eyes of Michiru, feeling the prick of 
tears.  "Please.  Let me come home."

Michiru felt her heart swell.  She opened her mouth when Haruka put 
her finger up.  "And, because I want you to know how serious I am 
about you -- how much I love you and need you in my life..."  Haruka 
held out her hand.

Michiru thought she was seeing things.  "Haruka..."

"Yes, Michiru.  Please.  Be my wife.  My love.  For always."  Held out 
was a single solitaire diamond, surrounded by waves of aqua marine.  
Very simple yet very beautiful.

Tears fell from her eyes.  "Yes, come home Haruka."  She allowed 
Haruka to place the ring on her finger and then she kissed the blonde, 
holding her tight and crying while their new puppy yipped and ran in 
circles around them.

Life was good.

--- End Part Six ---