Disclaimer: I don't own any Sailor Moon characters.

A/N: This is a rewrite of Stargazer. I call it Echo because it's a repeat by definition, but also for sentimental reasons. Furthermore, it was Leona Lewis's second album, 'Echo,' that demolished my writer's block and carried me through this rewrite. Now that I think about it, it was Leona Lewis's 'Spirit' album that got me through my other first fics. Her voice gives me eargasms, and she's so beautiful. Ahem, but not as beautiful as my lover, who, as co-author of the original Stargazer, I'd still like to credit. I referred to her as my ex last time, but let's just say it's a different story now.

Chapter 1: Can't Breathe

Aqua tresses shimmered in the moonlight. It was springtime and a warm, gentle breeze swept past now and then, causing the girl's sundress to caress her figure. A sad tune filled the air around her and seemed to even drift into the depths of the sea. Despite this piece's melancholic tone, however, one could still appreciate the brilliance in which it was played. Once the song came to an end, Michiru sighed and put her violin in its case. She sat down on the sand and looked up to the clear sky, where all the stars were in sight. She loved stargazing and tonight was a perfect time for that. Michiru loved the sky. She loved Haruka. Sadly, almost painfully, Haruka belonged to another, and so Michiru's love was unrequited. Michiru picked up her violin again and began playing while she thought of what happened earlier that day.

The first bell rang, which meant the students had five more minutes to get to class. Michiru plowed through the crowded halls in an attempt to get to first period on time for once. She was almost there. All she had to do was turn the next corner and—

THUD

Before she knew what hit her, Michiru was on the floor with her books by her side. She scowled.

Why can't people watch where they're going?

A voice said, "I'm so sorry, I didn't see you. Are you alright?"

Michiru looked up into a pair of beautiful green eyes that was partially covered with sandy blonde bangs and her irritation vanished. Haruka picked up Michiru's books and then held a hand out to her. Michiru gratefully took it and, with a smile, replied, "Yes, I'm fine, thanks."

"Alright then, better get going. It's Friday, which means hall sweep," Haruka smiled back and handed Michiru her books. "See ya!" she said and took off in the other direction.

After watching Haruka disappear around the corner, Michiru exhaled slowly and put the shaky hand that Haruka held over her racing heart in an attempt to steady it.

Second bell rang.

Damn, so much for being on time, Michiru thought. It was nice bumping into Haruka though.

Michiru went through the motions of all her classes: bell rings, pack up and leave, next class, sit, unpack, do work, take notes, and repeat. When fourth period ended it meant only one thing – lunchtime, the only time she and Haruka were in the same place at the same time. She went to her locker and grabbed her lunch before entering the cafeteria. As usual, Michiru sat with her best friend, Elsa, and a few others. And as usual, Elsa was hyperactive and chatting away.

Once in a while Michiru would glance towards the other end of the cafeteria in Haruka's direction. She raised an eyebrow and smirked as it seemed there was yet another conflict between Haruka and her girlfriend. Both of them were standing, waving their hands about and raising their voices.

"Fuck you, Haruka! You wanna put on a show for all these mother fuckers?"

"Will you just calm down, April?" Haruka yelled in frustration.

"I hate you, Haruka! It's over!" the girl's scream echoed through the bustling cafeteria and she stormed towards the exit.

Now, in any other place, this might attract spectators and attention, but in this case it was considered part of the daily, normal routine. The students of Mugen Gakuen lost count of how many times they'd witness the couple break up, only to be together again and repeat the cycle.

That is one unhealthy relationship, Michiru thought.

But then something different happened. As Haruka ran after April and held her to keep her from walking away, April slapped Haruka in the face. The stunned look on Haruka's face was mirrored on Michiru's face.

Elsa waved a hand in front of Michiru, bringing her out of her daze.

"Sorry, Elsa," she stammered, "what were you saying?"

Elsa stuck her tongue out and repeated, "I asked if you were planning on going to prom. It's in about a month and three weeks. I'm so excited!"

"Um, I don't know. Maybe, if I find a date." Then it hit Michiru. "A month and three weeks? Elsa, it's all early!" she protested. "I'm more anxious to get out of school. I can't stand Kaorinite and her clique."

"Ugh, me too!" Elsa agreed. While Elsa burst into a stream of rants about the self-proclaimed elite girls in school, Michiru turned her attention back to Haruka, but she was nowhere to be found.

Lunch ended and the next time she saw Haruka was at the end of the day, driving away, with April by her side.

I wish I could go for a ride with you, Michiru thought and closed her eyes. Her tune became restless as she was tormented with thoughts of Haruka again. There really was nothing she could do to keep Haruka off her mind.

Not far away, Haruka was driving alongside the shore, also reflecting on the day's events. She touched the side of her face. The sting from April's hand had long vanished, but she could still recall it vividly as if April were right there slapping her again. She could see April's open palm flying towards her, striking her vision black for a split second as the shock set in. She couldn't believe it happened. Yes, she and April were always fighting, but she never thought the day would come when it would become physical. Haruka was sure April didn't mean it, though, and she was sure they'd make up, they always do. She hoped they'd make up, at least, and hopefully things would get better. She just had to keep hanging in there.

Haruka withdrew her hand from her face and held it in front of her. Thoughts of April were suddenly replaced and she saw aqua, the color of a certain girl's hair. It was all a blur once she turned that corner earlier that morning in school. It reminded her of when she was younger, chasing seagulls along the beach, and a wave had unexpectedly crept up on her, surrounding her in an aqua blur. When Haruka took the girl's hand, her touch was soft and gentle, but like the wave from her childhood, the girl had sent her heart sprinting and her adrenaline pumping, but not from fear of drowning. Something inside Haruka didn't want to let go of her hands. Without thinking, Haruka drew her fingertips to her lips and blew a light kiss.

I wonder if I'll ever see you again, Haruka thought as she placed her hand back on the steering wheel. It's not like she didn't see the girl everyday at school, but there was a touch of guilt for every time she wandered a glance or two at the aqua-haired girl, even before that day's run-in. The longing to feel her touch again wasn't making it any better either because there was April.

And she and April were going to work it out.

But enough of that. Haruka reached over to the button to lower the window and soon the wind swept across her face. It was no coincidence that Haruka loved driving by the beach with its clear blue waters. Something about it made her feel she was where she belonged. She closed her eyes briefly and breathed deeply, letting the salty air purify her mind, leaving only a tranquil vision of aqua. Haruka was nearing the beach when suddenly she heard something.

Someone playing a violin? she guessed.

She parked her car on the side of the road and followed the sound. As she reached the entrance to the beach, her heart stopped and she had to blink her eyes. It was the aqua-haired girl. Haruka took off her shoes and quietly walked in further, hoping not to disturb the girl's performance. She sat a few feet from the mysterious girl and found herself completely spellbound. The melody coming from the strings captured the very essence of her emotions, a sea of conflict, pain, and longing, and yet despite all the turbulence, the sound of the violin was soothing, almost lulling. Haruka watched silently until the song came to an end.

Michiru cradled her violin in front of her and tilted her head up towards the sky, like she was surfacing and coming up for breath.

I wish you were here, Michiru thought as she leaned against the wind.

She opened her eyes and turned to put her violin in its case when she caught her breath. Sitting not three paces from her was the girl of her dreams, wearing a white and purple track jacket and denim shorts. Maybe she hit the floor harder than she thought.

"You!" The word expelled from Michiru's mouth before she knew what she was saying.

Humiliation spread across Haruka's face as she realized she must look like a stalker.

"Hi there," she greeted sheepishly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I just happened to be driving past here and I heard you playing. I, um, I couldn't help but stop and listen."

"Oh," Michiru replied and blushed a little.

"You play really well."

"Thank you," Michiru said humbly.

Haruka stood and dusted the sand off of her shorts. She extended her hand. "By the way, my name's Haruka Tenou."

"I'm Michiru Kaioh," Michiru said and took Haruka's hand, affirming to herself that it was no dream.

Haruka's heart was set off again by Michiru's touch and she had to take a deep breath to remain calm. "Michiru, that's a pretty name. I bumped into you this morning at school, didn't I?" She laughed a little nervously. "I'm really sorry about that."

Michiru was taken aback that Haruka would recognize her from their collision, especially with the swiftness she had left to avoid getting caught in the hall sweep.

"Oh, don't worry about it."

A moment of silence passed between the two girls. Haruka looked down at the sand then peered out at the water. Aqua. "So, do you come out here to play your violin often?"

"Yes, on most nights. I actually live nearby," Michiru said, unable to take her eyes off Haruka. "How about you? Do you drive out here often?"

Haruka heaved a sigh. "Yeah. It helps me clear my mind, find some peace. I like feeling the wind rush past me, like it's blowing all my troubles away. Especially the ocean breeze. It reminds me of…" Haruka caught herself. For a moment she had forgotten who she was talking to. She was just about to say it reminded her of Michiru.

For the first time, Haruka realized just how much truth was in her unfinished statement. She'd been thinking of Michiru more than she cared to admit. But she couldn't tell Michiru that. She had enough difficulty admitting to herself that the formerly anonymous girl was on her mind more than anything else, more than April.

Michiru looked at Haruka, waiting for her to finish. "Reminds you of...?"

Haruka shook off her thoughts and said, "Hawaii. I was there last summer. Really nice place."

"Oh, I see."

Haruka stood before Michiru, gazing at her, taking in every detail that she would never have noticed till now, from her deep sapphire eyes to the softness of her flawless fair complexion to the way her silky hair cascaded down to her shoulders. It was absolutely fixating, and she couldn't believe she was actually standing there with her. But in those deep pools of blue, Haruka saw a restless sea.

"You look kind of troubled yourself. Perhaps you're out here for the same reason, trying to find some order through the madness?"

Michiru laughed lightly. "You could say that."

"Let me guess." Haruka crossed her arms in thought. "Would it have anything to do with Kaorinite and the Witches 5?"

Michiru burst out in laughter. "The Witches 5?"

"Yeah, I hear that's what everyone's starting to call them because there's no reason anyone would like them, unless they cast a spell on them."

"I see. Well yes, you could say that, too, but I just have a lot of things on my mind."

"Same here, but Kaorinite and her coven isn't one of them."

"Let me guess. Would it have anything to do with what happened today at lunch?"

Haruka's jaw tightened and her eyes dropped to the sand. Michiru smacked herself mentally. She should've known better.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything."

"No, it's alright. I know we put on a show everyday it seems." Haruka's shoulders drooped and her arms fell limp at her side.

"No, really, you don't have to tell me anything. I completely understand."

Haruka's hand ran absently through her hair and came to a rest at the back of her neck. Of all the people to talk to about her burdens, she would've never expected it to be Michiru. But then again, it was thoughts of Michiru that had always alleviated her distress.

Michiru held her breath, not wanting to break the ensuing silence, unsure of what to do next. All she could do was curse herself inwardly. If there was even a slight chance that this random encounter with Haruka could become anything more, she ruined it. Her heart sank as that last thought dawned her.

"Actually, I've just never really done this before," Haruka finally spoke.

Michiru looked at Haruka with interest. "Done what?"

"Talked. I've never talked to anyone about it. Or about anything at all."

"Why not?"

"I don't know. I guess I never really had anyone I could talk to, now that I think about it. The truth is April keeps me on a short leash. And I love her but," Haruka hesitated, considering her next words carefully, then said, "I'm not happy." Astonishment unfolded on Haruka's face and she sat back down on the sand. "I've never told anyone that, and I can't believe I just said it, but I feel like a weight just got lifted off my chest."

Michiru eased herself down on the sand beside Haruka and said, "That bad, huh."

"Yeah, I guess so."

Michiru looked down and saw that her hand lay next to Haruka's. She told herself she shouldn't, it may be too forward, but her hand didn't want to listen. It inched closer until finally Michiru's fingers lay on top of Haruka's.

"I know we just met, but you have me to talk to now, that is, if you want," Michiru said.

After a moment of no reply from Haruka, Michiru began to withdraw her hand, feeling like a fool and regretting her overconfidence, when her fingers were clasped. She looked up and met Haruka's eyes, which seemed more brilliant now up close.

"Thank you, Michiru," Haruka said, lacing her fingers with Michiru's and giving her hand a light squeeze.

Michiru shivered uncontrollably, but not from the breeze that was starting to grow chilly. She couldn't believe how one minute she and Haruka were strangers, and the next minute they were holding hands. It gave her goosebumps. She dared not wish for more; this was already too good to be true.

"You cold? Here, take my jacket," Haruka said. She slipped out of her jacket and placed it around Michiru's shoulders.

Michiru didn't object. She thanked Haruka and held the jacket tightly against her body. She could smell traces of Haruka's cologne on the jacket and made a mental note to try and find it the next time she went shopping.

"So, what's on your mind?" Michiru asked Haruka.

Haruka smiled. "For starters, of all the times I've driven out here, I wonder if you had always been here as well."

Soon the two continued to talk and got into deep conversations that led them to morning. If it was possible, they became best friends overnight knowing almost everything about each other within a matter of hours. And whether it was intentional or not, the girls had closed the awkward gap between them and sat side by side, arms interlocked, heads leaning against each other, watching the sun rise out of the ocean slowly. It was a wondrous sight. The waning gray skies gave way to a bright orange that glowed on the horizon, making an introduction to the sun's grand entrance. Once the sun had ascended, Haruka drove Michiru home.

"Thanks for the ride, Haruka," Michiru said as she unbuckled her seat belt, still exhilarated from having ridden by Haruka's side in her car.

"Not a problem. It was nice bumping into you again," Haruka said and winked.

Michiru laughed. "No hall sweep this time, though."

"Yeah, but really, I had a great time with you."

Michiru took a moment to look into Haruka's eyes, searching for the slightest indication that there was more to that statement than seemed, but maybe she was just getting carried away. "I did, too. Now remember, no matter what happens, everything's gonna be okay, and I'm here for you."

"Thanks. Oh, by the way, since I got to hear you play your violin, I think I owe you a performance."

"Oh? You play an instrument?"

"I play the piano." Haruka held up her hands and splayed her fingers.

"Deal," said Michiru and stepped out of Haruka's car. She turned to wave to Haruka one last time. Haruka waved back then drove off out of Michiru's neighborhood.