The Tale of the Dragon and the Wind

By Chari Vondillarizz

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Warning: Adult themes and content, reader discretion advised.

Disclaimer: I do not own or profit from any existing properties of the Sailor Moon Universe, with exception of originally created characters and properties. Thank you.

Story takes place after the Dream Arc/SuperS but before the Stars Arc

Chapter 1: Rain

*Haruka*

Haruka looked up at the moon and could not believe that they had survived yet another onslaught of invaders. In just a short few weeks she and Michiru would be returning to high school. The thought of it was strange. They had been through so much and sacrificed so much, could they simply go back to high school life? Of course, the dreams she was having were not helping matters. She sat on the hood of her most prized possession, her yellow convertible. Thankfully the top was up because rain started falling in small bursts. As Haruka looked at it, she was reminded of her dream. Rain… Rain that sparkled like diamonds. How could that be? It didn't make sense.

Quickly she got into her car and headed back toward home. The darkness was daunting, even for her, when combined with the rain. Eventually she had to stop on a stretch of deserted road. Haruka slammed her fist on the dash out of frustration, but then she tilted back her chair. She was resigned to her fate for the evening. It was tough though, Haruka did not want to fall asleep. Unfortunately, her body had other plans….

…Haruka stood in an empty castle, everything quiet and still. She could hear her shoes clacking the floor as she walked. There was barely enough light to see, but still she pushed on. As she looked out the long windows, Haruka could see the sparkling rain falling in waves. It was so unusual for it to rain like this. When she looked ahead she could see a light in the distance. It was bright and warm. Everything in Haruka's being hungered for that light. She began running, trying to reach it but no matter how far she ran Haruka could not catch it. At last, Haruka had to stop and catch her breath. As she did so, the princess of Uranus heard a scream. I feminine voice screamed out her name. Just once, and then the light that she had been running towards was gone and Haruka felt nothing…. Nothing but cold darkness surrounding by pelting and vicious rain…

Haruka sat up in her car with a jolt. There it was again, that damned dream. It made no sense to her. What did it mean? Where was she? What was that light? And who was screaming for her? More importantly, why did that scream make Haruka's heart feel as if it were shattering? She realized that she was covered in sweat again too. This was why she had been taking so many late night drives. Haruka didn't want to worry Michiru, and she could not bring herself to tell her partner about the dreams she was having. Every time that she tried, Haruka got knots in her stomach.

As the sun was rising on Tokyo, the Sky King finally made her way home. Not surprisingly, Michiru was asleep on the couch. She had obviously been waiting for Haruka. Looking upon her sea siren, Haruka felt guilty that this was becoming a nearly every night occurrence as of late.

Haruka sighed and scooped Michiru into her arms, carrying her up to their room and their bed. When she laid her on that beautiful white fluffy bed, Michiru opened her eyes a little and mumbled, "Where were you Ruka?"

She smoothed her lover's wavy hair and smiled timidly, "The rain, I just got caught in the rain Michi. Get some sleep." Haruka kissed her head and tucked her in. But she couldn't join her. She did not know why, but she knew that she couldn't. So, as had become the norm… Haruka would come home, put Michiru to bed, and then go and sleep on the couch for a couple of hours before anyone else got up.

Sure enough, a couple of hours later Haruka drug herself from the couch and hopped into the shower. She buzzed her way through it. Just as she was getting out the bathroom door opened and Haruka saw Michiru standing there, a frown across her face. Haruka plastered on a smile, "What's wrong Michi? There's still hot water."

"It wasn't hot water I was worried about Ruka," Michiru grumbled as she walked past Haruka coldly. Haruka knew she deserved Michiru's anger with the odd way she had been acting. Yet it still stung. Without saying anything else Haruka walked out and got dressed, deciding to go for a run since the rain had stopped.

When she went into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water, Haruka saw Setsuna standing at the counter, making coffee. She started to turn until she heard Setsuna speak, "So, you had another nightmare then?"

Frozen in place, Haruka stammered, "How… How did you know?" She had not told anyone about the dreams she had been having. Then logic kicked in and she snapped, "Of course you knew! You probably know what they mean too, don't you?"

Setsuna turned and looked at her with a sternness that was unique to the Senshi of Time, "Haruka, even if I did know what they mean you know I cannot tell you. The better question, why haven't you told her?"

Squirming under her wise friend's gaze, Haruka huffed, "Why would I tell her? She would only worry. I love her and I don't want to worry her."

The Senshi of time merely shrugged, "If you say so Haruka." Though it was clear by her tone that Setsuna did not believe her at all.

Haruka groaned and made her way out of the house, no good byes for anyone. She started jogging down the street and soon found herself in a full out run. It felt like the old days, when she would run from everything in life… Trying to escape her destiny as a solider without knowing it.

After a long while she ended up at the park, something about the lush green of the trees and the grass caught Haruka's attention. She went and sat down on a bench and started guzzling her water. A moment later Haruka felt two delicate hands over her own. She chuckled, "You going to eat me up now Usagi-chan?"

Usagi removed her hands and sat down next to Haruka, "No Haruka-san, but I got a call from Setsuna-san a little while ago. She said you may need to talk." She smiled and leaned her head on Haruka's shoulder.

Looking down at her princess, Haruka grumbled, "First she tells me she can't say anything, then she calls you. Traitor." Nonetheless, Haruka doesn't move. Something about her princess always makes her feel better, more relaxed.

Usagi looked up and blinked, "I think she is worried about you Haruka-san. I am. You've been acting weird for weeks now. When everyone else is celebrating the peace we have right now, you seem more miserable than ever."

Unable to resist the pure heart of her princess, Haruka sighs, "I have been having these strange dreams Usagi-chan. They're just weird and jarring. But I don't think they're premonitions or anything. I don't know what they are."

Haruka feels a hand on her own, "What does Michiru say about the dreams? She's pretty good with things like that?" Usagi smiles up so innocently at Haruka.

Something in that innocent gaze made Haruka's stomach knot up again, "I haven't told her Usagi-chan." She exhaled and went on, "Please don't say anything. I do not want to worry Michi with this until I know what the dream means."

The shocked expression Usagi wore did not surprise Haruka. Everyone knew of their relationship and that they stood against everything thrown at them together. So obviously Usagi would be surprised at the idea of Haruka keeping anything from Michiru. After a few minutes Usagi finally said something, "If that is want you really want Haruka-san."

Haruka got up from the bench and smiled down at Usagi, "Yes, that is what I want princess. Thank you, but I have to go. I'll see you around." That was all that Haruka said before she disappeared on the wind that she commanded by her will alone. That wind was her gift from the Goddess and she cherished it.

After a while Haruka found herself at this little restaurant. Her stomach growled and she looked down, remembering she hadn't eaten breakfast before she left for her run. She supposed that this was as good a place as any to stop and so she went and found a small table in the patio area and sat down. In no time at all, Haruka was approached by a slight girl with charcoal black hair and dark eyes. She wore the same uniform as a few other girls around, marking her as a waitress. The girl giggled as she approached Haruka, "Good morning, what can I get you to drink?"

Smiling back at the giddy girl, Haruka replied, "Some tea would be wonderful, thanks!" The girl nodded and handed her a menu before scurrying off to get Haruka's tea. Haruka shook her head and started perusing the menu.

A few minutes passed before the waitress brought Haruka her tea, her handing trembling a little as she sat in down. She blushed when Haruka smiled at her and asked, "Would you like anything else?" Her eyes twinkled as she looked at Haruka, like most girls did.

Nodding, Haruka told her, "A salad please, no dressing. And some breadsticks too." She closed the menu and handed it back to the waitress who bowed and ran off just as nervously to put in Haruka's order.

As she walked with another waitress who had just taken another order inside Haruka overheard her say, "Isn't he the cutest guy you've ever seen?" This just made Haruka shakes her head. It was not uncommon for those remarks to be made, to most of the world she looked like and lived her life as a man. It was not often that people saw her for the woman she was. Her dual nature was both a strength and a constraint at times.

Haruka was sipping her tea when two girls, not much younger than herself, walked by. One of them had hair a shade of blonde that lay somewhere between hers and Minako's. She seemed quiet, listening to her companion. Her companion was a touch taller than the other and had hair the color of fire. She was talking excitedly and using big gestures. Haruka could have sworn that when they passed her the one with the red hair looked right at her. Her eyes were nearly the same color as Setsuna's. But just as quickly the girl went back to talking to the blonde. They were clearly not from Tokyo and Haruka told herself that was what caught her attention. Even so, she couldn't look away from them until the two disappeared into a crowd down the street.

Just then the waitress brought Haruka her salad. Haruka mumbled her thanks, still looking in the direction the two girls had went. She vaguely heard the waitress grumbling as she walked away from Haruka, but she couldn't concentrate on it, not at all.

pg. 5