epilogue: it doesn't matter

Motionless she stood on the empty stage. Her eyes were closed and her fingers seemed to fly weightlessly over the instrument's strings. They never missed a single note. The soft melody filled the evening air. The music sounded as fantastic as it had done on every concert she had given since she had been eight years old. However, this time the melody's character had changed. Now it sounded was more tenderly. Happier. Really free...

Warm summer wind played with her sea green hair and the long blue evening dress she was wearing. Barefoot she stood on the huge stage and didn't seem to notice anything else than her own world of music.

Suddenly she opened her blue eyes and searched the lines of the audience in front of her. She smiled tenderly as she found the person she loved more than anyone else. The melody got a little bit dreamy and as she closed her eyes again she took her lover with her into her world. Into their world.

"That's been really fantastic." Declared Ami and dried her wet cheeks. Normally she wasn't very touched by music but the last song had been the best love song she had ever heard. It showed so deep feelings: Real love. Unconditional trust.

"Hai." Admitted Haruka quietly as the audience applauded delightedly.

"Arigato, Haruka. It's nice of you to take me with you to her concert. You know I always wanted to hear her play."

The young car racer looked into the girl's happy face and picked up the bunch of flowers she bought this afternoon.

"We have to thank you that you really came."

Ami observed the flowers and her lips curved in a happy smile.

"Just go, Haruka. I want to risk a look at the music encyclopedia they sell over there." She pointed to the other side of the meadow and quickly disappeared between the busy people. "Just gimme five more minutes." Haruka could hear the girl and smiled because she knew that five minutes would never be enough for the small bookworm.

The young car racer turned away and went behind the stage. Michiru stood next to a table and put her violin carefully into it's case. Haruka waited until the instrument was save, then she embraced her lover from behind and swirled around with her. Michiru screamed surprised, then she started to laugh.

"Let me down. Ruka!" She said and her eyes shimmered happily.

"If that's your wish..." Haruka let the smaller senshi down, but instead of letting her go she pulled her nearer and gave her a long and loving kiss which Michiru returned immediately.

"Michi-chan, you played fantastic!" declared Haruka and blushed deeply. Although they declared their love to each other it was still very hard for the taller woman to show her feelings openly. Even to her lover.

"Arigato, Ruka. Did you like the last song?"

"Like? I love it. It's been so..." Haruka searched helplessly for the right words. "It's been so touching. Ami even cried and I..." She sighed and smiled tenderly at the younger woman in her arms. "I've never heard such a happy melody from your violin before."

"It's my love song for you." Giggled Michiru, but her eyes were very serious. "I love you." Said the young violinist and stared straight into dark green eyes she loved so much. Haruka blushed even more. Then she kissed her Michiru again. It was still very hard for her to say those simple words. But when she kissed her the young violinist knew that her feelings were returned.

We don't need much words.

Michiru felt how Haruka pulled her closer and kissed her more passionately. Her lips curved in a smile as she pulled her Ruka closer.

I love you, Michi-chan.

I am so glad we've finally broken the silence.

Silently they held each other tight. Kissing. Loving. Knowing that the other one would be there forever. Even if forever would end tomorrow by an attack of a youma or by a victim who really owned one talisman.

They returned from her vacation two weeks ago. The few days up in the mountains were the best ones of their lives. And after they went home they realized that every day could be special if they made it so.

They were happy with each other. As happy as they had never been before.

"May I get an autograph...?" The voice died away as the old man came nearer and saw the kissing couple.

"Gomen. I didn't want to..." The man stopped as Haruka stepped back and turned toward the violin. But she hadn't been fast enough. He could see her female outlines, because the shirt of her tuxedo was very narrow. Too narrow to hide herself behind it.

Firstly he looked at the young car racer, then at the young violinist and Michiru could see how Haruka automatically clenched her fists.

"Do you want an autograph?" asked Michiru politely but at the same second she knew that the old man didn't want it any loner. He stared at her with the look Haruka hated so much.

"You pervert!" he declared and threw the CD he held in his trembling hands to the ground. It cracked as the cover broke.

Haruka spun around and stepped protectively before the smaller woman. Her eyes shone angrily and she didn't left any doubts that she would beat him if I tried to hurt her Michiru.

The man watched Haruka contemptuously. Then he turned around and went away very quickly.

For a while they both kept silent. Finally Michiru took the broken CD in her hands and looked at the crumbled picture showing a wide ocean. She drew it some years ago when she wanted to explain her feelings with her music, because she couldn't explain them by words. Until now.

"Gomen..." said Haruka finally and ran thoughtfully a trembling hand through her short blond hair.

"It doesn't matter, Ruka. Really." Replied Michiru and took the flowers that laid now on the table. "As long as we're together." Michiru smelled at the flowers and a smile appeared on her face. "As long as we're happy." She raised her head. "White roses. My favourite flowers. They're beautiful, Ruka."

Haruka turned around and leaned forward. For some moments she just looked deep into deep blue eyes she loved so much.

"You're beautiful." Again she took her smaller senshi into her strong arms. "Where did we stop?"

Michiru returned her grin and kissed away all of Haruka's doubts.

"Can...can we go home? ... now?" Ami stared with a red head down on her shoes. She was really embarrassed. "Be... because it's past ten and my mother is worried so soon when I am too late."

Blue and green eyes looked startled at the girl with the school uniform that held a thick book tightly in her hands.

What will she think about us?

Will we lose her because of our feelings?

Will we lose the friendship we've gained with her and the other girls?

Ami finally raised her head and they watched each other in silence. The senshi of the water could feel the other women's uncertainty. At the same time she could feel their happiness. She thought of a quiet Michiru who sat in her kitchen that rainy night. Ami still saw the sad expression on the young violinist's face. And she thought of Haruka's reaction right after the fight with the rude man, although she the blonde hard to hide it.

Ami still heard the violin's soft melodies that touched her heart in such a deep way that she had to cry.

Because I suddenly felt so happy and didn't know why.

The young girl glanced from one woman to the other.

They're still the same.

Good friends.

And for the first time I know them they seem to be really happy.

Ami grabbed with each hand one of Haruka and one of Michiru and pulled them towards the silver Ferrari that was parked near the huge park - or the green oasis as the people of Tokyo called it.

"You're enviable." She whispered almost inaudible. Then she turned around and smiled confident in the other's still surprised faces. "Bye the way, I've found a really nice encyclopedia." She declared and giggled as she pointed at the thick book under her right arm.

A smile evolved on Michiru's still pale face.

"Just one?" she teased and could see the relieved expression in Haruka's green eyes, could hear her silent voice.

"Arigato, Ami."

Yes, it didn't matter.

As long as they had such understanding friends.

Haruka and Michiru looked each other deep into the eyes and smiled confidently.

Yes, they could live with the ignorant glances and bad shouting of old silly men. They could live with the fear of sacrificing one person for six millions. They could live with the knowledge that every day could be their last one.

It doesn't matter.

As long as we have each other.

Both watched Ami opening the book and showing some interesting pictures of old musicians to them. A happy expression was on her young face and her light blue eyes shone happily as she explained something laughingly.

As long as there's a ray of hope.

Finished writing: 21.June.2000

Corrected with the best of my knowledge and belief: June 2005.

I want to thank Alina for sending me looooong emails with suggestions and corrections of silly mistakes (I am too stupid for correct sentence order . '''). Domo arigatou for your support and your help. bows deeply

I also want to thank all readers who read this story and reviewed it. -.