AN (a little bit rambling opening from the author): Hello there, how are you? Yes, I am starting a new story. This one I wrote because I want to share a bit of my feelings occasionally in a day. Slowly, it has turned into a story... and I figured out if I could share it in form of Sailor Moon Fanfiction. This one is important for me, so please treat it kindly. If you like the first chapter, gives feedback and reviews so I can see that you like the story. I would post the next chapter very soon if you like this kind of AU.
I never own Sailor Moon but this story plot is totally mine.
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To feel the wind caress your face gently under the warmth of summer was the best thing she had jotted down in her favorites list. In addition, the sound of rustling wind and the breeze of sea nearby had soothed her form turmoil storm inside her mind.
"Catch the ball, Haruka!"
She turned her head sideways, unfortunately the ball slipped from her hand and caught her on the face instead. She would register the pain later as the burst of laughter that came before her were more humiliating than the ball's attack.
"It's not really like you to daydreaming when we are playing the ball..."
"Playing ball wasn't my idea. I chose for build a sandcastle." She sarcastically remarked. The white sand would be so a waste if she kept playing around on it not with it.
"We don't have many choices since you can't swim, Haruka." The other replied.
"Then go swim by yourself! I won't hold you back!" She combed her short sandy blond hair with her fingers and staring nervously at the blue sea.
"I'd rather not leaving you alone here..." The woman who seemed in her early twenties was throwing a disapproving look toward her. She didn't like it.
"Setsuna! I am fine! Go play with your friends!" She grunted in frustration. She liked here, the beach. She loved the scenery and always wait the arrival of summer vacation. However, the only source of her frustration was how everyone would always give her this weird look everytime she went too near with water.
Especially her older sister, Setsuna. The woman would've won several nagging awards considering how she kept hovering around her.
"I'm not leaving you alone. This is the Beach! No way I will leave a 10 years old like you alone at place like this."
Haruka narrowed her eyes, knowing her sister wouldn't just let her alone. "You are not mother!"
There, she had said it. The words that would sting the most for her sister.
Haruka saw it in her eyes that her choice of words had hurt the older woman deeply. Setsuna glanced sideways avoiding Haruka's eyes. A friend near her was trying to comfort her.
"That was mean, Tenoh. She just wants to look out for you." Setsuna's friend, who had thrown the ball toward her face was reprimanding her. His name was Mamoru something and the blond could see how he always acted as the nice gentleman in most occasions. The guy was actually nice, but Haruka had no intention to share nice things with anyone now.
"This is not your business, Cassanova. Now, leave me alone." Haruka turned from the unbearable sight. Her sister was in verge of crying. Haruka never hated Setsuna, she just sometimes didn't know how to express her want through nice words. Since Setsuna never listened to her but she should listen to every words her sister said.
Haruka knew the beach like she knew the palm of her hand. She grew up in this town and the beach had been already a part of her life. The sea, especially had been a part of her and changed her family completely when her mother's boat was drowned by it. The beach had taken a woman Haruka treasured most on this planet but the blond still couldn't take her eyes away from the vastest blue under the sky. Time like this, the sea was so calm. It almost made her believe that it wasn't the same sea that had taken her mother away. Because it was so beautiful.
Build a sand castle. Haruka had a thought. Her lips twitched up in excitement.
An hour went by and the blond was now admiring her works.
Rather than a castle, it looked more like a ruin.
She gritted her teeth. She had no sense of aesthetic and creativity afterall. The blond was only looking for fun. Since she didn't bring her bicycle with her, she could only do what second grade kids do.
However, she appreciated the solitariness.
"It is cute. A doll house?" A voice came from behind.
Haruka turned her head and then her body followed involuntarily since she didn't want to twist her neck because of the wonderful sight her eyes had fixed on.
An angel? No. The girl didn't have a halo over her head. Haruka checked.
"... Need more windows and the roofs need improvement. Overall, it is a cute dollhouse." Haruka only could hear the last part of the girl's words.
The girl appeared to be as old as Haruka's. She had a haircolor which reminded Haruka on the sea. The color though was lighter and wavy. The girl's eyes were another different story. It was deep and pulled anyone in directly to the orbs. Now the blond checked for fins, the girl wasn't possibly a mermaid or any possible gorgeous creatures that came from fairytale, right?
Haruka felt the girl was staring back at her, observing with amused expression.
"It's meant to be a castle." The blond finally found her voice back. No way she would keep standing there looked dumb. She had enough share of time to do that in her childhood.
Her mouth formed an O shape and glanced at the sand ruin she had made full onf understanding.
"A castle which had being stepped on a dragon." Haruka was sweating, obviously not due to the heat. This one was cold sweat of nervous. At least she hadn't stuttered yet. Perhaps a dragon wouldn't be enough for a castle to be turning into ruin like her creation.
She cleared her throat and continued, "Stepped on by a pack of dragons... which they were supposedly huge... mountain huge...?" The blond made a gesture of how big the dragon with both arms. She swung them excitedly and then stopped when she heard a giggle.
"I get it... that's too bad. It would've been an amazing castle if it hadn't been attacked by the dragons." Now the girl was tagging along with Haruka's story.
Blushing, Haruka thought a way to continue her tale. "Yeah... dragons are bad... but well, they are mad because of people kept hunting them... and then when the dragons attacked the castle, appeared bunch of soldiers that were called dragon slayers!"
That time, the girl had lowered herself and took a seat on the sand. Haruka noted that she had positioned herself in most comfortable position while looking up at Haruka.
"I like fairytale..." She shrugged. "Can you tell me more?" The girl patted a space beside her.
Haruka was speechless. She only nodded and made a way to sit on the girl's side.
"My sister said that if fairytale should have a princess in it." Haruka wasn't sure about her own spontaneous story.
"You have dragons..." She pointed out. "And dragon slayers..."
"They are not princess." Haruka frowned. Her mind was working to find more decent story she would present for the cute girl beside her.
"How about we change the dragon slayers to princesses?" She suggested.
Haruka was dumbfounded, "Can princesses beat pack of dragons?"
For second time, the girl shrugged and smiled. Haruka noticed how the girl's smile had been her next favorite below the scenery of the sea in summer.
"Princess should be like... more... like you." Haruka gestured the girl's appearance from head to toe. She was flawless and the heat of summer seemed never bother her silk delicate skin.
"Well, then... I can slay dragons too!" Cheerfully the girl took Haruka's hands in hers. "You can too! Let's slay all dragons that had ruined the castle!"
Haruka was shocked, surprised, and then the girl's cheerfullness seemed contagious. She giggled and swung their hands together. "Yeah!"
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After their first encounter, both girls would promise each other to meet every morning at the beach. Haruka learned the other girl's name. Kaioh Michiru. She was 10 years old and currently in five grade like Haruka. The girl was just spending the summer holiday on her relative's place. Michiru's attractiveness on the sea was almost similar like the blond had on the rustle of the wind. They were together spending their time making fairytales and sandcastles. It turned out that Michiru had more creativity skills in art than Haruka. The girl built a real castle like a freaking fairy tale palace. They both used it as the instruments for their own fairytale.
"Haruka, how about this time, the dragon came out from the sea?" Michiru gave an idea. The girl was making another kind of dragon species with the sand. Haruka had expected it would turn out to be another cute one like the 'dragons' she had invented previously.
"Aren't they supposedly flying on the sky?"
Michiru formed the dragon shape, this time the aqua haired girl was trying hard to fulfill Haruka's request. Make the dragon scarier. "There are ones who swim too. They have fins instead of wings."
Haruka huffed. Michiru stepped back from her new dragon's creation. The blond was grateful that this time the dragon looked less a hello kitty. "Better." Haruka mumbled.
"If the dragons are from the sea, how the princesses would beat them?" The blond asked.
"They should be able to swim." Michiru stated.
Haruka bowed her head, hiding her face from Michiru. Until this time, she hadn't told the aqua haired girl that she couldn't swim at all. Ashamed, Haruka occupied herself to build another ruin. That thing she was only good to do.
"Haruka?" Michiru called Haruka who was suddenly went quiet.
"What if I can't swim? What would you do with the dragon then? I can't help you beating a dragon." The blond pulled her folding knees onto her chest. Her eyes were sulking on the sea, as if blaming it for her lack of skills in swimming.
Michiru took the information a while longer. She followed Haruka's movement and staring at the sea too.
"If you can't swim... then you would fly!"
The words turned Haruka's attention to Michiru.
"You attack from the sky!" Michiru's index finger pointed upward, to the clear light blue sky above the sea. "And I will take care the water... we will have each other's back!"
Michiru's words put a smile back on Haruka's face. It was the most fun summer the blond ever experienced.
At least until the point that incident happened.
8 years later
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Haruka lowered the gear for the upcoming turns around the corner. She swayed her body to balance the movement with her bike. This year was important year for Tenoh Haruka. She finally could get a driving license and move out from the house to go to the college. 8 years ago, she and her sister had moved out from their old house near the beach to the suburb residence outskirt of city. It had been not easy to experience changing drastic environment like that, but Haruka had made it.
The blond parked her bike on the curb in hurry. She spotted the truck which was supposedly carrying her things to her new place was already waiting in front of the house. The ever famous Setsuna was also waiting her with arms crossed on her chest. Haruka knew she would get another long speech.
"Haruka, where have you been? You were supposed to get home at 1 o'clock sharp." Setsuna sighed. The older woman was now working at university as professor in physics. Setsuna had always been a bright even genius woman. If she would've gotten rid of her bad habit in nagging, Haruka was sure her sister would've been a happy married woman by now. Even though deep down, the blond had a guess that her sister was too busy taking care of her that she often forgot about her own well-being.
"I can handle it. What are you doing here?" Haruka accepted some documents and did some double checked with her packaging. She didn't bring much but she liked to not leave any important things behind.
"Helping you! since you are so charming and surely would have many friends helping you move out." Everyone noted the sarcasm on Setsuna's tone. Haruka brushed it off, "I have friends." The blond defended her honor.
"They are not your friends, they are your fans, or followers whatever." Setsuna waved her hand and now began to help the helpers carrying Haruka's things to the truck.
"Wait, let me do that. I can do that!" The blond grabbed the box from her sister's hand. "You just… do whatever you were doing before coming here… don't you have a work to finish?" Haruka swore that her sister was really insufferable to the core.
"I had permission. This is your move out… I want to be with you… helping you." That was Setsuna's vulnerable voice. Haruka had to admit that the woman was the only person who against her to continue study outside the city. Of course the blond had strong reasoning of her college choice. The main reason was to get away far from her sister. Not that Haruka hated her, she loved her sister very much. After their mother's death, her sister had transformed from irresponsibility teenager into a mother for Haruka. Those were Setsuna's sacrifices while the blond was busy sulking and whining without her mother. Out of the two, Haruka knew that she existed to be Setsuna's burden. Now was the time to put a stop into it. To show to her sister that she was fully an adult, a responsible one nonetheless.
"We still have farewell dinner tonight." Since Setsuna kept insisting to help, Haruka gave the lightest box to her sister to carry.
Setsuna's expression turned grim on Haruka's words. "a farewell…" She repeated weakly.
Haruka cursed inwardly. Why she kept saying things that hurt the only family she had in this world? She had no intention to do that. "I mean… a dinner where both of us have promised each other to not cry over me moving out."
Then a cry still broke out. "I don't understand why you choose to go away…. I… there won't be irritating sounds of that annoying bike entering the driveway anymore!"
Haruka smiled, a bitter one. "We had this conversation countless time, sis…"
"I know.. I just… I promise I won't bring it up or cry when we have a dinner tonight." Setsuna put her hands up, wiping away her falling tears. Some would find Setsuna to be too dramatic now, but Haruka had understood it a little. They both only had each other since… well… since long time.
Haruka dropped her box on the floor and sent a glare to the men from moving agencies. They nodded and left both sisters alone. After certain they both had been left alone, Haruka pulled her sister for a hug.
"Haruka." The older woman sounded surprised. The blond never hugged her before. Several times years ago… however, after the incident, they were likely driving away separately from each other. The contact became less and less while Setsuna kept worrying about her little sister, Haruka would try to avoid talking with her in occasion. It had been hard and the hug had brought back the painful memories for Setsuna. That and the warmth she had been long missed.
"Shut up… I will do this just once. You'll never bother me after today anyway." Haruka tightened her grip on Setsuna's shirt. The blond had grown up much taller than her sister and Setsuna sometimes had to admit that her blond sister was reliable in some opportunities.
Haruka buried her face on her sister's shoulder… hiding her crying eyes and failed miserably.
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The scenery hadn't changed a bit. The vast sea and sky with different kind of blue spread as far as the eye could see… they were only separated by a thin silver line of horizon.
Haruka took a deep breath. How she really missed the scent on this summer.
It was ironic to move away from the place which held bad memories and returned hoping it would recreate whole different kind this time. Haruka carried that hope. She had believed so much and getting pushed in deeper with the sea to leave it for the past. For her, the past was always near… while the future was there… the silver line of horizon.
Haruka pulled out her helmet over her head. She had lists to do when she arrived. However, it wasn't a bad idea to stop by and enjoy the sand under her feet after very long time. With rolled up sleeves and pants, Haruka stepped on the white sand with a wide smile.
"Well, hello there…" The blond greeted the sea. "Long time no see…"
With a grin plastered on her face, Haruka did some stance position in running. She counted down from 3.
"3…2…1!" Then the blond sprinted as fast as she could. She made her usual hideout place when she was 10 to be her finish line this time. The place she had encountered with that girl.
10 minutes later she arrived to the spot near only cliff on that sea. It was really different, as when Haruka were 10, she would take up 20 minutes to reach the spot by running.
I could've been faster… Haruka made a note. It was because she had been avoiding the sea water on her track path.
The blond looked up. Now, there was another thing she had been wanted to do but couldn't have done it as a child. Climbing the cliff.
It wasn't really high considering Haruka's height now. After all, the cliff wasn't the sea that Haruka couldn't swim on… she could climb a mountain, moreover a simple small cliff.
So, Haruka started putting a foot and climbed herself up to the slippery rock.
After reaching the top and full proud accomplishment in her chest, Haruka screamed in excitement. She could beat a high cliff she couldn't have climbed 8 years ago. It sounded silly but somehow the action had lifted something from the blond's mind.
She had expected to witness beautiful scenery from top of the cliff. However, to really watch the sun slowly setting before her was something she couldn't describe with words. Sea and sunset, 2 beautiful things that were going to clash with the earth in matter of seconds. Haruka had stayed to watch it and now she found her favorite spot to see the sunset from today onward.
When the red horizon was replaced by the dark night, Haruka got up. She had lost track of time just enjoying the scenery she had missed so much. It had been worth it though, and perhaps she could get back some other time.
The blond was about to descend the rocky path when she heard a muffle from below. Halting her steps, Haruka turned back and set her hearing to catch another muffle. The sound was certainly come from below the cliff.
Haruka lowered her body and looked down. Under the cliff was the breezy sea and only above the breezy wave, there was some jagged stones from the cliffs. She could see it under the dark skies. Tonight was a full moon when there wasn't a single cloud decorating the sky. So, Haruka could spot a figure of kitten trapped between the stones right under the jagged stones of cliff.
"Poor kitten," Its furs were pure white, that was the reason why Haruka could see it clearly in the night. Another muffle and the white fur ball creature stared at Haruka with its pairs of light blue orbs. The kitten was so cute, anyone wouldn't have a heart to leave it die on place like this.
"Hold on, I gotta get you out of there." Now Haruka began to observe and find a safe way to get to the kitten. She needed to climb down several rocks and jumped few meters through the water.
Water. Haruka gulped. The blond was sure she would get wet after this, she just hoped she didn't completely plunge into the water. "Hold on, kitty." Slowly but surely Haruka made her way down. It was slippery but the blond could handle it. Keep her balance and steady was her every day activities.
She cursed when her left foot slipped, thankfully, her hands had kept her from dropping completely to the water below. "I hate sea on the night." The blond muttered and then continued climbing down carefully. Haruka had reached the last stone, and the only thing left was jumping to the rocky over there. It was near but the ragging water below didn't make the task easier.
A meow from the cat made the blond gather all her wits together. She counted in whisper and jumped one second faster. It was her habit to do something quick and fast.
A splash on her sneakers but she got to land to the cat's place. Haruka bent over to catch her breath then she looked up to the cat, throwing her boyish smile. "Hey, kitty. I got you." Haruka lifted the little cat and slipped it in between her jacket.
To get down was not really hard, but to find a way back up was another matter. It was tricky and the night wasn't helping. If she wasn't really afraid with the water, Haruka could cross short distance by swimming to the shore.
Her shoes were now more slippery than before. She had lost her stepping twice and surely she never wanted to fall into the water.
When Haruka again lost her stepping, her hands hadn't found any stone to hold on. Now, she was definitely would falling down… or so she had thought before a pair of hands grabbed her wrist.
"… Are you okay? I will pull you up." The figure above shouted at Haruka. It was a woman. Haruka regained her composure and found a way to pull herself up. Now she had support, it was easier although the force which had been helping her up wasn't really strong.
Reaching the top, Haruka was back crouching at her previous spot. This time, she was almost out of breath as adrenaline now leaving her system.
"What are you doing in place like this?" The woman was asking.
Haruka was too preoccupied with her breathing pattern that she almost forgot to thank her savior. She looked up, catching the white bikini that woman was wearing.
Her jaw dropped, not because of how wonderful figure was bathed under the moonlight, but because she knew the person. Her aquamarine wavy hair and remarkable pairs of eyes… a person who always reminded her of how beautiful the sea is…
"Michiru?"
The other woman was in the same state as Haruka. She had shock and surprised expression on her face, but it only lasted a second before she calmed again. The face Haruka knew would she make when they both created their own fairytale 8 years ago.
"Haruka…"
The blond really missed how Michiru calling her name. It was different, it was like there was some kind of emotions everytime the aqua haired girl saying her name.
Haruka blushed.
Then a silence. Breeze of wavy sea filled in the pause between two individuals who had lost each other over 8 years ago. There were so many things going between their mind but none of them had enough courage to talk it out.
"Meow…" A purr came from beneath Haruka's jacket. The blond just remembered how she had rescued the kitten and put it in her jacket. She opened the zip and took out the little white cat.
Haruka glanced at Michiru who still observing her.
"I saved her from below there… I don't know how she ended up stranded on that place…"
A nod from the other woman. Michiru was looking at the cat with gentle eyes.
"So, I guess… you can swim now?" A question… Haruka knew that Michiru had been holding in the question. After the question was out, Michiru had a remorse expression on her face.
"… No, I still can't swim." Haruka shook her head still pouring attention to the little cat in her hands while occasionally glanced at her long lost friend. "How are you?" Averting the topic and Haruka wanted to know how was Michiru doing after they both had been separated path.
Her face was unreadable when hearing Haruka's answer.
Michiru crossed her arms, leaning against her right foot while also averting her gaze from Haruka. "Fine." She shrugged. "I moved here after you moved out…"
Haruka didn't know about that.
There was a long sigh and Haruka saw Michiru turned her back on her. "Where are you going?"
Michiru didn't answer and continued walking away from Haruka.
That was a quite reunion. If only Haruka had more courage to talk to her… However, the blond had feeling that she would meet again with the aqua haired woman in near future.
Thank you for reading. Feedbacks would always and forever be appreciated. I would like to know what do you think about this story very much! You can reach out to me through my tumblr at inchemistrywetrust dot tumblr dot com.