The day of the competition finally arrived. We "Michiru Kaioh and Haruka Tenoh" are definitively out of the competition; however now Competition Posters are everywhere with big bold letters saying "Gaia and Neptune's King on Stage"; as always it amazes me how quickly those names can sold out anything. The posters came out on Sunday Night by Monday night there wasn't a single empty seat left. Apparently we are just that good. I think with a smirk.

The girls were excited since all the practice would pay off since we would be joining them on stage to play for them; well them and all the other 27 competitors but hey, it's a price that I am willing to pay if it will make my Michiru happy.

A single black piano stands already in the middle of the stage and several mic's are already on stage waiting for the singers to be used. Someone is tuning the piano to perfection and I can help to thank they guy because for what I heard before I was sounding awful.

For some reason I believe that the noises coming from behind the curtain can be heard above the piano sounds; the contestants seem a bit overwhelmed because they will be singing with famous people or they are really curious to find if they will be knowing the secret identities of both Gaia and Neptune's King; the later ones are a bit disappointed since "they aren't here yet". Michiru and I shared a smile over the disappointed girl claiming that she will die if we aren't there soon.

Well; yeah we are both here and we've been here for the past hour; since it was the time that the participants where to show up and we first had to make a stop to bribe all of them onto not saying that we were; well, our alter ego's selves. Geez, this kind of thinking can be really confusing sometimes.

I remember that once, Michiru told me that she was in love of Neptune's King and I was so darn angry at Neptune's King at that moment that I left school. Someone called Kaito and he went looking for me and he tried to explain to a really angry me that I was indeed annoyed with myself. I know that the same happened to Michiru when "Neptune's King" told her that "he" was in love of a girl named "Michiru Kaioh" and not in love of "Gaia" … so see… if you can simply avoid alter ego's; please take my advice and just live without them.

Anyways, bribery was quite successful, at least we all learned that Usagi can actually be good at remembering things if you say them while she is eating and she was eating the most gigantic ice cream treat that I've seen in my life. I run and can eat like that; you know it goes all to nowhere. But that girl, she is one lucky girl… or maybe she runs just as much as I do since I know she runs most mornings to school.

Michiru smiles and says "I know now what I have to do for the next exam; I'll just feed her to death and she will be the brightest girl in the room" and laugh at that. "I can't believe that Ami actually said something like that"

"I guess the being happy is taking the shyness out of her; how did you know?" I say and we look at Ami. She is arm on arm with Makoto and they look extremely contempt with being just like that. Michiru just shrugged.

"Woman sixth sense?" she smiles

"And why didn't I get my spidey senses up then?"

"You were too busy playing the piano and trying to escape singing" she stated and then when I thought that the room couldn't be louder, someone hits something and a loud boom it's heard. People start to talk even louder and suddenly

"Ladies and Gentlemen… I'm just doing some crowd control here. The competition will start in half an hour. The order of presentation is posted on those boards there and there; so please take a look. You will be called from stage; however we don't want you to be lost in the bathroom or something while people are waiting for you outside" That could only come from my dear Kaito-papa. I smile when I see his whitening hair coming to meet us.

While people rushes trough the room trying to get a look into the boards we scape to the sanctuary of "Neptune's King and Gaia" dressing rooms; Kaito smiles at us as soon as he gets in;

"How are you my big starts?"

"Kaito, we are perfect. Thanks"

"So I got you both new outfits and some really nice masks. They are there"

"We both got black this time?" Michiru asks incredulous; well, normally if I wear black; then Michiru wears white. Actually, normally I were black and Michiru whatever other color they want her to wear and of course those awful masks that make you sweat like a pig; but hey not complaining here since it is what keeps our fans from knowing who we are.

"Yes, it seemed to Madame Ki that you would look better for blending with the dark. So that's only for playing in the background." Says Shun entering the room

"Shun, long time without seeing you" I say and he smiles at me

"Haruka, I hope you are taking good care of my charge"

"As usual; I don't want you to break my fingers I still need them to play" I said jokingly and he grins while MIchiru just blushes.

"Ok, so how this is going to work?" I ask changing subjects.

"Well… it will be like this…" Kaito starts and I only know that my hands and Michiru's will be very sore tomorrow and not for the reason that I would love the most on a Friday night. If you know what I mean

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I'm used to play for hours no end but this is my first; I mean. I haven't play in the background of anything since I was 6. Now I am on stage and if you can even see a piece of my hair then you have great vision.

Five minutes after our entrance to the dressing room was a known at the door and Kaito and Shun welcomed a perfect stranger called "Madame Xi"; I don't know what's going on with the "Madame" thing on the label but I have to say that tonight I like Madame Xi more than Madame Ki.

Madame Xi a pink and blue haired short and kind of round woman clad in a bright yellow outfit is the newest addition to "Gaia and King Neptune's" concerts. Finally the label decided to stop making us sweat our face out behind masks so they searched for a makeup artist that could paint them on us.

You know the face of Haruka at the mention of make up on her face. Completely priceless. I think that's the real reason behind Kaito and Shun had stayed longer than usual. But even Haruka knows that make up is way better than asphyxiation from idiotic half face covering mask. You know when we saw Tuxedo Mask the first time; we kind of pitied him. But he disappeared like 5 minutes later and we got to the conclusion that I was because of the damn mask.

Back on track, Madame Xi made a beautiful mask resembling a dark sky on the top half of Haruka's face and then she worked on mine. When she finished mine I noticed that at some point Haruka already got dressed on her black tuxedo, black shirt, black tie. The only white on her was the lower part of her face and her blonde hair that soon was hidden behind a black fedora. And then I went to change and geez, Madame Ki did a fabulous job on made it as tight as she could. If there was such a thing as a "skin clothes" and not only skin tight clothes; then this dress would fit in right on. It is a nice dress looks kind of like the one Audrey Hepburn has on the Breakfast at Tiffany's poster but tighter and I too get to wear a hat to cover my hair.

We got the 10 minutes call and we stood up and got out to prepare, but oh my, face the hordes probably would sound more accurate. As soon as we got out of the room half of the group lounged forward to us. I saw the girls on a corner and smiled to them.

"There will be time for this later" Haruka said with a calm voice "however if you don't let us move; we won't be able to start the programme and we still have to tune instruments" she said and the group parted. Haruka lead me all the way through the piano, there was a mark and a chair so if I wanted to sit I could just do it.

"nani? Who put a chair here?" Haruka said

"I.. did it…" came a music tech or something "for Miss Gaia; so she could sit if she wants too" he said smiling lovingly to me. I smiled and say my thanks

"yes, thanks but Gaia will sit beside me if she needs it; just like every other time" Haruka says and you know for a woman that knows how much I love her; she still can be pretty jealous.

"Thanks for saving me; my knight in black armor" I tease and she laughs

"I don't see why you wouldn't want to use a chair while you have more than half of a perfectly comfortable bench"

Five minutes later, we started playing and that was probably two or two and half hours ago. You know I have to be very grateful that they actually did auditions for this competition otherwise I could see myself playing for another two days without ending. According to Shun they got more than 2000 competitors and at the end only 30 passed to the show. Rei, Ami and Mina passed through; while Molly got disqualified at some point. A very excited Mina told us that Ami and Rei would be presenting their duet too. So at the end everyone was really happy.

Around half an hour ago, Rei presented a version of Adele's Someone like you; the producers decided that she needed to sing something popular so people could sing along if they wanted. Then four or seven contestants later Mina sung Evanescence's My Inmortal and know we are waiting for Ami as the last contestant. I Turn the pages of the music sheet to see what she is singing and apparently she is doing My Heart will go on. For what rest of the music that we are playing for them it's only her; two duets and then Rei and Ami version of "Water and a Flame" by Celine Dion and Adele.

Haruka smiles tiredly at me and I smile back then we hear "Good Night I am Ami Mizuno" we give her a couple seconds and then Haruka starts.

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When the final notes of "Water and a Flame" slowly die, the girls on stage bow and say a couple of thank you's to a roaring audience.

"Well, I guess now we need to thank to the musicians behind the sounds" the orchestra was lighted

"And the ones in the dark stage; please help me thank to our violinist solo… Gaia!" a spotlight blinds Michiru and she smiles politely and bows and people first gasp and then clap wildly

"And of course, to our pianist, Neptune's King" Haruka stands out beside Michiru and bows too. They smile at each other lovingly.

"And after all that playing they will be back to bring us some more of their graceful hands…while our judges ... well, judge"

Not even a fly would move out of the chairs; no one wanted to lose this opportunity to hear the famous musicians. The tickets where were way cheaper that their usual rates and for most of the people in the audience it was a one in a lifetime event to be able to hear them live.

Whoever even their most fervent fans wouldn't be ready for what was coming. Soon, the lights on the stage where dimmed again; and when the blood red curtain where opened; the stage looked like the universe; thousands of shimmering starts floating on the background. A soft black and fluffy carpet covered the stage floor now and the black piano now was now uncovered from the black plastic that was covering it and it was now looking in all its crystal glory. Letting the starts shimmer trough.

"Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen" Michiru soft voice cut the deep awed silence. "We really hope that you enjoyed the night"

"And we have to thank you for your support; since it goes to something close to both of our hearts" Haruka continued.

"Therefore; to show you our deep appreciation"

"We will give you a show; that we never did publicly before"

"We hope that you really like it"

Suddenly someone voice filled the auditorium

"Grace"

A spotlight was turned on Michiru apperead on the center of it; her clothes now on a shimmering acqua green tight to the waist and then flowing down to her knees; showing of her creamy white perfect legs. Her hair was no only half covered by the black hat that she was wearing before. Then the voice spoke again

"Elegance"

A second spot light was turned on and now Haruka had a black tuxedo but now the shirt was white and the waistcoat was on a shimmering dark blue. She didn't have the tie anymore and the last buttons remained open. Her hair was messed up and in her arms to cufflinks shone in acqua green. Both were now barefooted.

It was the most comfortable clothes that anyone have seeing them use on stage. They bowed and people clapped madly. They then; instead of bowing to each other walked down to the middle point and shared a hug and a brief kiss on the cheek.

"I'm here with you" Michiru said

"I wouldn't be anywhere else" Haruka responded.

They whispered to each other forgetting the mic's attached to their cheeks; then blushing when people reacted to the exchange. And Haruka went for her piano and Michiru for her violin. They start to play one of the well-known musics and instead of ending it they play several of their renowned ones all together as one. For the first time the public sees how everything that they connects with the next one. A sad music wrote by Michiru connects with and angrier one wrote by Haruka followed by a happy one from Haruka to a romantic one from Michiru to one that sounds like a raging storm of fear then they ended on a blast of a one that they wrote together conveying their fears, their hopes and at the end their love. Then Haruka stopped playing and Michiru continued with her song accompanied by the orchestra before people could recognized the first notes Michiru's violin stoped and her sweet voice filled the void .

"There's no chill and yet I shiver; there's no flame and yet I burn

I'm not sure what I'm afraid of and yet I'm trembling" Once people believed that they couldn't be more shocked the piano joined

"There's no storm yet I hear thunder and I'm breathless why I wonder

Weak one moment then the next I'm fine"

I feel as if I'm falling every time I close my eyes

And flowing through my body is a river of surprise

Feelings are awakening I hardly recognize as mine"

What are all these new sensations?

What's the secret they reveal?

I'm not sure I understand

But I like the way I feel"

The music played a short instrumental and Michiru moved to sit next to Haruka back to back; make the public now she was singing for her or that she was thinking of her.

"Oh why, why, why, why, oh

Why is it that every time I close my eyes he's there?

The water shining on his skin the sunlight in his hair

And all the while I'm thinking things

That I can't wait to share …

with him"

She rose again and went back to the middle of the stage wrapping her arms around herself

" I'm a bundle of confusion yet it has a strange appeal

Did it all begin with him and the way he makes me feel?"

The lights off the stage were dimmed until the only light on was over Haruka; who seemed glowing under the moonlight on a dark night; the shimmering universe of the background looking even more outstanding. While Michiru contour disappeared in the night

"I like the way he makes me feel, he makes me feel

I like the way, I like the way he makes me feel"

The last notes of the song started to fill the emptiness left by her voice then Haruka started

"No more talk to darkness; forget these wide-eyed fears

I'm here; nothing can harm you, my words will warm and calm you

Let me be your freedom; let daylight dry your tears"

I'm here with you, beside you

To guard you and to guide you"

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime

Turn my head with talk of summertime

Say you need me with you now and always

Promise me that all you say is true

That's all I ask of you" A light was turned on showing Michiru playing violin to show that Haruka was talking to her.

"Let me be your shelter, let me be your light

You're safe, no one will find you

Your fears are far behind you" Michuru went to sit next to Haruka again this time leaning her head on Haruka's shoulder.

"All I want is freedom a world with no more night

And you; always beside me; to hold me and to hide me" Michiru stood up and then embraced the tall pianist covering Haruka's face from the public, and quickly kissed her cheek.

"Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime

Let me lead you from your solitude; say you need me with you,

Here beside you; anywhere you go, let me go too

Love me

that's all I ask of you"

Haruka brought her head back to lean it on Michiru's shoulder as she did many times before while doing the piano instrumental and recovering her breath.

"Say you'll need me now and always

say you'll love me

you know I do

Love me

That's all I ask of you" the last notes where fading and on the screens at the side and images of Haruka and Michiru exchanged a quick and full of love kiss was showed and the public went crazy with applauses and another song started; Michiru once again was with her back leaning on Haruka's back; sharing the bench as they did several times….

"Someday" Michiru voice cut the applauses

"Somewhere" Haruka responded

"We'll find a new way of living," was Michiru's next sentence

"We'll find a way of forgiving" Haruka deep voice completed

"Somewhere" Michuru dreamed and stood out of the bench and walked to the middle of the stage

"Somewhere" Haruka affirmed and stood too. Someone took her place at the piano but she didn't care anymore. She was singing for her lover making her believe

"There's a place for us; somewhere a place for us

Peace and quiet and open air wait for us somewhere"

She reached for Michiru and with one swift movement; Michuru's back was now leaning on Haruka's chest; as they did many times before. Michiru smiled

"There's a time for us; someday they'll be a time for us

Time together with time to spare, time to learn, time to care" she said turning on Haruka's arms and delicately caressing her check with her hand. Then she took several steps back and Haruka stood rooted to her position

"Someday" Haruka affirmed again

"Somewhere" this time Michiru nodded too

"We'll find a new way of living" Haruka said

"We'll find there's a way of forgiving… somewhere" Michiru sang

"Somewhere" Haruka said dreamily

They walked to each other and stood looking at each other eyes before both singing

"There's a place for us ; a time and a place for us"

"Hold my hand and we're half way there" Haruka said bringing her hand half way up on a height that was easily reachable to Michiru's hand. And Michiru took it.

"Hold my hand and I'll take you there" Michiru free hand was now up and waiting for Haruka's that took it without doubts saying

"Somehow" her features where extremely happy

"Someday" and Michiru face was as happy as her lover's was.

"Somewhere" they both ended and Haruka brought her Michi as close as she could and they were lost on their own world. They didn't hear the applauses or the wild screams, nor did they hear the orchestra playing another song nor did they feel the stage lights dimming out of their embrace.

They were brought back to life when Kaito pushed Haruka and that made them move a couple steps to gain stability. Kaito laughed at them and showed them the now closed curtains. Haruka scratched her head.

"I think we lost track of time" she smiled sheepishly to Kaito, Shun just laughed openly at them.

"That was wonderful, both of you! If we knew this earlier you probably would never be out of tour" Shun said.

"Now, you need to salute the audience then there's a 10 minutes break since the judges where too stunned with your presentation to actually judge anything"

"Hai!" both said and Kaito signaled the curtain handler to open it. Both Haruka and Michiru stood in the middle; hand on hand and bowed. Once again the public went crazy. Haruka signaled Michiru and another round of applauses and some whistling sounded. Michiru then pointed to Haruka and claps where renewed.

"Thank you, and thanks to the marvelous orchestra" Michiru voice said

"Have a good night everyone; and contestants may the odds be with you" Haruka ended. Then she pointed Michiru to turn and they leaved the stage with Michuru's hand on Haruka's arm.

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They returned to their dressing room where Michiru helped Haruka out of the makeup mask; then she got rid of hers and they both where back to their own regular clothes.

"Thanks Haruka, for doing this with me"

"I'll do anything with you, I'll do anything for you"

They exchanged a well-deserved kiss. After that Haruka checked that no one was out there so they could escape the dressing room. They did and walked to the place where Ami, Rei and Mina where standing. Michiru denied with the head when she saw that Mina was about to say something to them. Instead they exchanged pleasantries and waited with them for the results.

Ami turned out 3; apparently her blush of shyness got through the hard judges, Mina and Rei weren't as lucky. The second place went for a guy that sung an aria and the first went for a girl that presented a pop number complete with dancing steps and spiting fire.

They escaped the auditorium and waited for Usagi, Makoto and Mamoru to exit before mixing with the crowd coming out, hearing about the spectacular performance of the contestants and the unique performance of Gaia and Neptune's King and how they all knew that they were together. They all

"Well, what gives, Neptune's King is an incredible hot guy for a pianist and Gaia is a sexy woman for a violist; is like destiny or something"

But when Usagi stomach growled and that was followed close by Haruka's stomach, they were treated to diner by their favourite stars.

"I think we are already there" Michiru whispered to Haruka after the whole group was sit and were talking to each other about the contest and their performance.

"Hai. I think that day came the day that I met you"

They already had found a new way of living; once they decided that they could still be friends of the inners. They already had found a new way of forgiving, once they had to give their lives not so long ago, and as they said out there, there's no time like the now.

THE END

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Yup, I still don't own anything not Sailor moon nor the songs that by the way are for Michiru Barbra Streisand "The Way he makes me feel" from Yentl. And for Haruka the Phantom of the Opera's 'All I ask of you' version of Jackie Evancho (again) and finally for the duet is Barbra Streisand and Jackie Evancho Somewhere. So this is the end, hope you liked it.