Tell me a story where we all change,
and we'd live our lives together and not estranged.
I didn't lose my mind, it was mine to give away.
Couldn't stay to watch me cry,
you didn't have the time, so I softly slip away...

No regrets. They don't work.
No regrets. They only hurt.
Sing me a love song. Drop me a line.
Suppose it's just a point of view,
but they tell me I'm doing fine.

I know from the outside, we looked good for each other.
Felt things were going wrong when you didn't like my mother.
I don't want to hate, but that's all you've left me with;
a bitter aftertaste, and a fantasy of how we all could live...

No regrets. They don't work.
No regrets. They only hurt.
I know they're still talking, the demons in your head.
If I could just stop hating you, I'd feel sorry for us instead.

Remember the photographs (insane),
the ones where we all laughed (so lame).
We were having the time of our lives...
well, thank you, it was a real blast.

Everything I wanted to be, every time I walked away.
Every time you told me to leave, I just wanted to stay.
Every time you looked at me, and every time you smiled,
I felt so vacant, you treated me like a child.
I loved the way we used to laugh,
I loved they way we used to smile.
Often I sit down and think of you for a while.
But then it passes me by, and I think of someone else instead.
I guess the love we once had is officially dead.

(No regrets - Robbie Williams)

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1

When she walked into the already crowded bar, she didn't need to search for her friends, as the bunch of happy young women was easily spotted, as they laughed and danced and talked, doing their own thing, and catching every man's attention while doing so. The beautiful blonde one, with her hair tied up in two buns that left two soft looking, endless pigtails to fall down her back almost to her knees was the first one to spot her, smiling brightly at her and happily waving her hand.

"Over here!" she yelled, in order to be heard over the general noise.

She returned the smile, making her way towards them, not really knowing what to say to them. There was a time when they were all close friends. There was a time when she didn't feel the need to search for a topic of conversation with any of them. There was a time when she considered herself one of them.

But that was all in the past now.

Sure, she still talked to them. She still cared about them all. But ever since that faithful night, three years ago, she had found herself growing farther and farther away from them. In part it was her own fault, because she hadn't known how to deal with everything, with her life, with herself, back then. So she had simply drifted away.

She still had her once a week happy meeting with Usagi, where the two of them would talk about life and work and school, and whatever else came to mind, over a cup of coffee and maybe a nice pie.

And she still went to music shops with Minako, when the two of them felt 'rich enough' -as Minako would put it- to indulged themselves on a healthy music overload, going through the isles, looking for new albums, or all time classics that went into their 'must have' list.

She still met Ami at the library, or at the recreation center, whenever the blue haired genius had the time to escape from her studies.

And she also practiced sports with Makoto. She smiled inwardly to that. A couple for months ago, the both of them had enrolled themselves on a self defense class, after agreeing this time of peace was bad for them, only to end up beating up the class' teacher. So, no self defense class. They didn't need that... Just a regular gym class here and there. And they were both currently hooked up with their spinning class.

And then there were the meetings with Rei. That girl was really something. She never really knew what Rei would put her up to, until she got to the Temple, but everything was possible. From cleaning up the entire place, to re-decorating her bedroom, going through a manicure session with girly talk, and a completely mad Senshi of the Fire wanting to kill poor dear old Yuichiro...

And of course, she still met up with Hotaru at least twice a week, and with Setsuna whenever the Senshi of Time was around -and she herself was actually aware of it... Setsuna did have a rather annoying habit to be so secretive all the time.

But she kept herself away from group gatherings. Religiously. She made it a point on not going to birthday parties, and any kind of celebration for that matter. Oh no, she avoided those at all costs, just so she wouldn't see Her.

After twenty two years on this earth, she had come to realize she didn't have all the answers. Most of the times, she didn't even have answers at all. But if there was one thing she was completely and absolutely positive, was her determination on not wanting to see Her, ever again.

At first it had been out of heartache. Then out of anger. And the anger had stayed there for so long, she didn't know what was left after that... Nothing, probably... Just the bittersweet taste of a past love she had once considered her everything. And the nostalgic, sentimental part of her didn't want that to end there. She didn't want nothing. She wanted her memories. She liked those...

After she had learned how to look into the past without crying like there was no tomorrow, with nothing but a dull throbbing of what had been in her chest, she learned to appreciate and cherish her memories. And if letting go of the anger meant to let those behind... then she would stayed mad at Her.

She deserved it, anyway. She was the one ruining their relationship.

"I'm so glad you could make it!" Minako exclaimed, smiling happily at her and making her look at the baby blue eyed blonde. "I didn't know if you'd come or not..."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," she said, with a half felt smile on her lips.

Sure, she was happy for Makoto. The girl had not exactly accomplished her dreamed of having a restaurant, but she did owned this bar. And it was sophisticated, popular, and everything a good place to hang out should be. And tonight there was a band playing here, and after Makoto had told her the insides of the band in question, she had agreed to come, happy to see old faces again.

"I'm surprised to see you here," Setsuna murmured in her ear.

"What do you mean?" she asked, frowning, as her eyes searched the room for one particular person for a moment, before they looked into magenta ones. "Why wouldn't I be here?"

"You tell me," the dark green haired, olive skinned woman said to her, taking a sip from her martini.

"I'm here, and I came to enjoy the night," she said, accepting the cosmopolitan Makoto handed to her. "So let's just do that, ok?"

"Hey, Mako, I'm not drinking anything," came a female voice from behind her, making her turn around to look at the silvery haired woman standing there.

She had her long, soft looking hair tied up in a messy bun at the back of her neck, with long strands cascading down her back, as a variation of the well known low ponytail she used to wear a few years back. But the slightly different hairstyle did nothing for her not to recognize the silvery haired, lime green eyed, petite woman standing there, with an off the shoulder, strapped black and white short dress that showed off her perfect legs, and the pointy, high heeled black leather boots, as she stood there.

"Explain to me why I'm not drinking anything!" she exclaimed, hitting the counter in a faked angry manner, as the smile and slight chuckled escaping her lips betrayed her.

"What do you want?" the brunette asked, smiling at her friend.

"Anything!" she answered, smiling back, and raising both her hands to make her point. "Surprise me!"

"Yaten?" she called out to her, not really believing her eyes.

Sure, she had suspected the Starlights would be there tonight, but actually seeing Yaten -and in normal, civilian, female clothes, with her hair done in a different way-, was actually kind of surprising. In a good way.

The young woman turned her head around to look at her, and her shinny lime green eyes blinked at her once, before a worried frown spread over her delicate features. "Holy Stars!" she exclaimed, turning back to Makoto. "I haven't drink anything yet, and I'm seeing things already!"

"Funny," she said, rolling her eyes, but chuckling at the Starlight's joke.

"See?" Yaten said, still talking to Makoto. "This is what your stuff does to me. It's so powerful, I get drunk just by thinking of it!"

"Is this your way of saying hello?" she asked, smiling when blinking green eyes looked at her, shining in amusement.

"Only when she's sober," came a third voice from behind the silvery haired young woman, making them both turn around. A woman with straight, brown hair reaching her shoulders, and startling purple eyes was standing there, clad in a black ruched halter top, skinny jeans, and matching mid calf high heeled boots. "Otherwise... you don't wanna know."

"You're such a party pooper," Yaten said, rolling her lime eyes at her friend.

"It's so nice to see you again," the brunette said, completely ignoring the petite silvery haired Starlight.

"Taiki," she acknowledged the tall Starlight, smiling at her. "It's really nice to see you too. You look... different."

"Do I?" Taiki asked, smiling, one hand going through her -considerably shorter- hair. "I'm still not sure about this..."

"Stop it, right there!" Yaten interrupted, before Taiki could even finished that sentence. "You look good, your hair looks good, that guy should get an award for giving you that haircut. Let it go already!"

"I take it is a rather new'new style' for you..."

"Yeah..." Taiki mumbled, her hand again going through her hair. "It's a relief not having to go through all that mass of knots every single morning, but I still kind of miss it..." she shook her shoulders for good measure, and then rolled her eyes at her own behavior. "Anyway! You here for the show? I'm sure Seiya would be so happy to see you here!"

"Yes, of course. Where is she, by the way?" she asked, searching through the sea of faces. "I haven't seen her..."

"Probably at the back. Don't worry, you'll see so much of her tonight, you'll have nightmares about her," Yaten joked, waving her hand, as she took a sip from the drink Makoto gave to her.

She smiled at her then, enjoying the Starlights' playful fighting. They reminded her of the Inners, and how they all used to hang out together. Only, considerably smaller in numbers...

Not long after that, and before the band would take over the stage, she decided to pay a little visit to the ladies' room. So she excused herself from her friends, took her purse, and made her way to the back of the room. There were four doors there.

One, she knew, lead to Makoto's private back office. Another one, with a white with red hearts boxer in a golden frame hanging from the wooden door, indicated the man's room. The one right across from it, with a white thong with orange flowers printed all over in a frame, indicated the ladies' room. And she shook her head at Makoto's unique, weird, but still kind of funny way to indicate the restrooms...

The fourth door was the one that lead to the makeup changing room for the band, so she ignored that one, and was about to open the door with the flowery patterned thong on it, when she thought she heard something, and she turned around, looking at the closed forth door.

Nothing. Silence. She shook her head, deciding it was just her imagination, when she heard it again.

There it was! That sound!

She followed it, stopping right in front of the closed door, when she heard it again. Somewhere on the back of her mind she registered the fact that she recognized that sound, but shook it off, as her curiosity got the better of her, and she pushed the door slightly open, trying hard not to make any noise, as the sounds were now stronger.

It was dark, but not dark enough for her eyes to miss the scene there.

A main of black hair tied up in a low ponytail. Faded blue jeans, somewhat tight. And a black shirt, or t-shirt, she couldn't really see from her position. And as the sound came again, clear as water, she knew why she had thought she recognize it. She had heard it before, so many, many times... so long ago...

There she was, with her back pressed against the wall, eyes closed, head tilted to a side, inviting the current invasion of lips over her neck. Her lips slightly parted, and soft, breathless, passionate moans escaping her. And although she couldn't really see anything, because of the dark of the room, and because of their position, she knew, without a doubt, who's those husky moans and that mop of short, soft blonde hair belonged to.

And as a particularly deep moan reached her ears, along with the sight of one tall blonde woman obviously rocking her hips in passionate movements, she felt her own body starting to tremble, and wet, salty streams started running down her cheeks.

She couldn't believe this! She hadn't seen her in over three years, and the first time she sees her again, was like this? Having sex with someone else? And not just anybody else!

She couldn't believe this!

How could she? How could Haruka do this to her? How could they? Why didn't anyone tell her about this? Why didn't they prepare her for this?

Did they even know?

She didn't care anymore. She needed to get out of there. Away from that blonde, moaning woman, and the terribly painful memories she brought with her. Away from her deceiving friends. Away from everyone!

With hot tears cascading down her cheeks, and her heart shattered into a million pieces over the hurtful image of a past love she thought she was done with, Michiru Kaioh ran out of the bar, without even looking back.

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IMPORTANT A.N:

First off, the tittle is still under consideration.

Second, no, I didn't forget about my other story. But this one's been jumping into my head for a while, in different forms and variations, and when it finally took form... I just had to write this chap!

But please keep in mind I'm a soon-to-be-dead college student, so be patient with the updating rate and the (quite possible) empty gaps of inactivity in between, kay?

This story was born out of a bunch of crazy 'what if' questions. Like, what if things didn't go according to plan? Little things, like, what if Minako is not a supermodel, and Makoto is not a world-known chef, and the Starlights came back to earth, but they're not singers anymore. And the big one, what if Michiru and Haruka broke up years ago? Would they change? How?

Add a few twists and turns, some really funny, crazy moments (I *am* the one writing this after all... and you already know I'm nuts!), a little heartache, a little romance, a HUGE sense of friendship, and you pretty much have the story!

It's set a few years after Galaxia. All characters would be making an appearance, but because of the story in itself, the main characters are Haruka and Michiru (duh!), and the Starlights (and they're girls, sorry to break the news for ya!). I felt like doing a little justice to them, so... here they are! I was kind of tempted to make them guys, but then I wouldn't be doing much justice, now would I?

So, they're girls, and I just threw a couple of 'original' characters of my very own. So I only own those. The rest belong to Naoko Takeuchi. I swear!

Oh! And this is completely manga based, so don't yell at me for not making Haruka a complete tomboy, ok? 'Cause she's not! Not a girly girl either (that's Minako's treat!), but you know... a little cleavage, tight shorts or pants and cool looking leather boots never killed anyone. And they're supposed to be twenty something, and like I said, there's a lot of 'what if's around this story, so bear with me!

(and I actually like having Haruka on sexy outfits! So sue me!)

With that said, I'm pretty sure there would be some parts on this particular story you won't like that much... like the ending of this chap... but please, stick with me! I promise I'll make it up!

Ok, I'll stop babbling now... so, did you like it? (the story, not my babbling)