I never own Sailor Moon.
.
The forecast for today had informed that it will be a sunny day without cloud.
Bull shit.
She had believed to a stupid weather prediction in television, which was the first time. Although Japan was a country which famous with its accurate weather forecast, she should've been better remain skeptic all the time. She had picked the wrong day to be not to. She grunted to herself, she couldn't help it that a series of misfortunate events had picked on her to be their victim.
Today was a freaking hard pour with multiple lightning decorated the dark sky above. Her practice had finished early because of bad weather and she had decided to go home by bracing the storm.
She knew the street well and it wasn't new experience for her to pass through one sharp turn in curve area on her way home. Today though, the street had been more slippery than usual, and she had clutched the brake too fast while curving. The stupid move had costed her tire to slip and dragged her down to steep part of the hill.
The pour perhaps had taken a part in her accident but it had also saved her life. Thanks to the rain, the ground had turned into mud and she landed on much softer soil.
In other words, next time she shouldn't trust the stupid forecast.
She did a double check for her bike's condition. From that pitiful state and the amount of smokes came out from it, she was certain that she wouldn't go home on it again. There was saying, in times like this, human had to be positive.
Positive, my ass.
Since it was quite heavy storm, the street was quiet and no one passing by to help. She was trapped in the middle of the storm between rocky steeps and broken motorcycle. Her cell phone wasn't helping after the fall. It was wet and busted. She sighed, she had to call home or they would be worried.
Especially her. She had told her to bring a coat or at least wore warmer clothes for today. She had great sixth sense and she had told her in past few days the sea had been restless.
Kaioh Michiru is really something. She chuckled while imagining what kind of scolds she would get when she came home. Surely the scold would include banning her from riding a motorcyle for a year. Perhaps two.
She couldn't just sitting around waiting for help. There was a gas station about 4 miles ahead. However, in order to do that, she needed to climb the steep slope to reach the main street. She had winded down pretty good from up there, she should be thankful to be alive right now.
There was something wrong with her right wrist. She just realized when she couldn't move it normally. In fact, it refused to move at all. Then she rolled up her jacket sleeve only to gasp upon the unpleasant sight. There was a deep purple bruise surrounding her wrist, trailed to back of her hand, in addition of swelling.
It seems I twisted it when I pressed the brake. Either way, she couldn't climb with only one hand. She got up slowly and began to examine her surroundings. Behind her was the wood, a city little forest that connecting town and the hill she was in. She could walk straight to reach the town, although it would take more time than climbing to the main street.
Through the woods was currently her only option. She didn't need to worry since the worst animal that possibly roaming was probably some wild cats. The other day though, Michiru said that she saw glimpse of owl in the forest. Cats and owl were no big deal.
So she grabbed her damage helmet and slowly made her way to the forest. She groaned in each steps as her body muscles were ache from the fall. It would be total sore tomorrow morning.
Few minutes that felt like an hour later, she halted her steps. She should've been greeted by the view of the city right now, but the forest only got darker. There was strange feeling and she knew she was actually lost.
The problem was, no one had gotten lost in a freaking city forest before. Even 5 years old Hotaru would find the way back home herself. The area was small and safe, it was so near to the town. She shook her head, it was very strange. Perhaps she had hit her head or something. The situation turned from bad to worse when the fog appeared.
The stupid forecast didn't tell about fog. The city area didn't have a history with fog before. Moreover the creepy mist since it was so thick that she barely could see anything around her.
It's time to call for help.
"Hello! Is there anybody around? I need help!"
She received no response. Her voice echoed, making the atmosphere creepier. She shuddered, mentally banished any negative thoughts inside her head. There was no youma but in pinch situation like this, maybe it would be alright if she used her senshi power. She could clear out the fog with her wind.
The thought cheered her up. She reached her jacket's pocket but found nothing.
"What?" She took off her racing jacket rolling up and down but there was nothing, anything. Terrified, losing her henshin stick, she ran back to the place where her broken motorcycle was. The faster she ran, the forest path seemed had transformed into never ending labyrinth. Twenty minutes sprint and she still hadn't seen anything. At first, she had begun to think it was her mind playing tricks on her but she then pinched her cheek hard.
It hurts. This is not a dream then. Crap, I can't lose my henshin stick!
She was too preoccupied; she didn't notice that the fog surrounding her had cleared.
Out of frustration, she threw out several colorful curses out loud. She didn't care if people hear it, she needed help anyway.
"WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THIS SACRED AREA!" Deep male voice shouted like a thunder. She jumped a little, surprised.
She spun around, finally the help came.
"ANSWER THE QUESTION!"
Only, she was greeted with a sword on her face.
"What the-" She couldn't complete her curse when the man shouted again.
"I SAID ANSWER THE QUESTION! WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!"
This man to her, seemed pretty dangerous.
"My name is Tenoh Haruka and I need help. My bike just crashed in this area... well, can I borrow your phone?" She kept her attention to the sword and the angry man before her.
"You aren't aswering with truth, I shall not believe you."
Haruka was pissed off with the angry stranger. She was hurt, soaked, and dirty.
"Hey, what's your problem?" Haruka swung her helmet to the sword, slapping away from her face. It appeared to be her second stupid move after the incident with the brake. The next second, her helmet was cut into two, like a watermelon.
Holy shit.
"My last warning to you..." The man didn't shout this time, he spoke with a deep low tone and serious killing eyes.
Haruka just paid attention with his appearance. He was wearing like soldier uniform, complete with set of weapon around his belt. Haruka wondered if she was facing a law officer or simply serial killer.
The man swung down his sword. "WHO..." Haruka avoided to the right.
The sword changed its course and move horizontally, aiming her waist. "ARE..." She dodged back her step.
"YOU!" Final stroke was diagonal to the left. It missed Haruka's shoulder but the racer's body directly connected to the ground below. She didn't have any space left to dodge.
The man knew and he was ready to deliver the attack.
"WAIT!" This time, a woman's voice. Haruka turned her head, looking at her savior.
"My highness sent me to escort this person. You shall not harm her!"
What's with these people and their words? Is there anyone interested in helping me? Haruka rolled her eyes, her frustration was doubled.
"This stranger has trespassed to the sacred area, the punishment is death." The short tempered man replied.
Haruka had had enough with these people. She got up and was about to give her piece of mind to both man and woman.
She met with the sword again, "Don't-move,"
Haruka put her hands up, "I'm unarmed, but if I had a right to choose, I would go with this lady over here. No offense." She grinned to the woman. At least, the woman didn't want to turn her into watermelon.
"This is Poseidon temple, your existence and behavior is unaccepted!"
"Put down the sword colonel, I have an order from the gate keeper to bring this person. She had seen her arrival." The woman intercepted. Haruka had to admit that the woman's glare was more menacing than the man.
The sword was hovering before Haruka's face before it took its retreat together with the owner.
"Follow me," The woman gestured for Haruka to follow her way. She observed the woman's appearance. She wore a simple long white black gown that covered everything except the area around her cleavage. It wasn't ordinary attire and Haruka had thought her senshi uniform was fancy.
"Stranger, do you aware where you are right now?" The woman asked.
Haruka frowned, she took a moment and witnessing the scenery around her.
The obvious thing was, it wasn't a city forest anymore. The trees were bigger and the environment Haruka had never seen before. Few animals moved passing them were certainly not cats or owls.
"I can answer that question for you."
In front of her, standing green haired woman she had known very well.
.
"So you are telling me that the dimension was disturbed?" Haruka shifted on her seat. She still hadn't had her comfortable position yet inside a carriage. "Ugh, do we have to ride this thing? I prefer a taxi." The blond mumbled between her breaths.
"I'm afraid we don't have that in this dimension. We do have space shuttles though, if it will ease your feelings." The enigmatic woman was smiling at her. Haruka assumed whatever she was seeing she was happy with it.
"Setsuna, I don't think... sorry, I mean Pluto... you are called Pluto in here, right?"
The green haired woman nodded. Haruka couldn't tell the difference between the woman across her and her best friend. They were too much alike.
"I don't think you know how to fix this right?" Haruka's hands made animated move pointing all the stuffs around them. She hissed when her injured wrist made a contact with hard wood frame inside the carriage.
"Son of a bitch!"
Pluto frowned hearing Haruka's curse. Her expression showed disagreement and concern, "Are you okay?"
"Yes. Don't tell me that in this dimension you can't curse like that..."
"You may but you better not. Practically the culture is much the same with your dimension... let me see your hand."
Haruka did what she was told. The pain in her wrist could be her second concern now.
"You haven't answered my question yet. Can you fix this dimension problem?"
Pluto had her gaze fixed on Haruka's wound. She was quiet, too quiet even. Now Haruka knew what the difference between Setsuna and this woman.
"It depends on me in your dimension, Haruka. You see, I happen to be stronger than her in matter of seeing... but to get you back to your dimension it also requires her involvement in the same time."
"Whose fault is this again?"
Pluto looked up, put Haruka's sleeve back on carefully, "No one. It sometimes happens in dimension activities, like it sometimes raining in supposed sunny day."
The metaphor made Haruka rolling her eyes.
"Let's go to the infirmary once we reach the palace. Your wound needs immediate treatment, it's broken."
"Can you contact my dimension then? Like telepath Setsuna or something? I need to talk with Michiru that I'm trapped in another dimension and cannot get home for dinner." Haruka asked. Her tone was cynical and sarcastic.
Pluto didn't mind Haruka's rude speech to her, "Who is Michiru?"
Haruka sighed, "If you are Pluto then she is likely Neptune in this dimension. But in my world, she is Michiru, Kaioh Michiru."
The first time on that day, Haruka was witnessing an expression she never seen before from either Setsuna or Pluto.
"Ah, yes... Neptune. She is in the palace too."
Haruka had no idea if she was happy or horrified. Meeting this woman, Neptune, should be like seeing Michiru, but the fact that this was another version of Michiru... "I see..."
"Maybe it would be better for you to not see her. Better for both of you." Pluto said. She noticed the nervous expression from Haruka.
The blond racer though, felt like there was more meaning in Pluto's suggestion. She was holding back the truth about something.
"We are here,"
The blond looked out the window. Pluto had mentioned about a palace, but she forgot to say about how big.
The palace was very huge. Haruka noticed that the castle which had several huge fortresses around was bigger than Disney land.
"I apologize. I've seen your arrival weeks ago but I didn't know where you will show up. The Poseidon temple is the very last place I could've thought." Haruka saw the woman lowering her head. She had looked so strong and now she was defeated. Haruka couldn't see the image of her best friend looked so weak and sad.
"Tell me about the people here. I think I can guess who is who."
"I know a little bit about your dimension," Pluto leaned back to her seat. "You are what we are when you are transformed." An awkward pregnant pause filled in before she continued, "People like us, we don't have many choices in destiny. Even if it's another dimension or another time."
Haruka tilted her head to the side, this woman, like Setsuna loved to talk with riddles.
"That's why we have space shuttles." The older woman smiled pointing up the sky. The sky wasn't blue like Haruka had expected. It was more aqua marine blue with the green strips. There were also various stars decorating the sky, Haruka spotted a very familiar star.
"Is that...?"
"Yes," It was old news to figure that Pluto was a mind reader too.
"Where are we again?"
"Welcome to Neptune's soil, Haruka. The home of Poseidon," The older woman said, reaching out her hand to hold Haruka's hand.
Haruka's gaze still lingered on the scenery outside. Aside the green strip skies, Haruka witnessed they were passing coast and greeted with ocean scenery. She had guessed how awesome Michiru's planet would be, but she didn't think it would be this wonderful.
"What is that? A dolphin?" The racer pointed out a figure that was jumping several times on sea surface.
"It's baby siren. How unusual sight... Usually it's hard to spot a baby siren in this season," Pluto explained.
The creature called baby siren then soon was joined by the others.
"There are flocks of them!" Haruka was amazed, Pluto wanted to point out how the blond's jaw dropped and her mouth had opened too wide.
"They are sign of good luck here." Pluto decided to let Haruka got excited for a little more.
The carriage moved slower so Haruka guessed that they were almost there.
Pluto waved her hand, asking the blond to stay still on her seat.
"It appears the princess is outside... There are more guards in the gate." The green haired woman walked out first.
"By princess... you mean, Michi-I mean, Neptune?" Haruka asked, definitely curious.
Pluto's eyes disagree, "Yes, Haruka. I really suggest you to not see her now."
"Okay," The blond racer whimpered. She missed Michiru though and if this Neptune was Michiru's other version, Haruka would likely to see her, even in a glimpse.
The huge gate was opened and not long later, Haruka could hear a very familiar voice came over, closer to the carriage.
"Pluto, where have you been? I've been looking for you." Soft, gentle, polite, and holding strength inside it. Haruka could never forget that kind of voice.
Michiru. The wind senshi closed her eyes to plunge her attention only to Neptune's voice.
"Poseidon temple. There was something important I had to take care of. I thought you're preparing for the ball event tonight?"
"I want to feel the wind... just a little bit." Haruka caught there was sadness beneath that answer. The racer was wondering why. She didn't like it to see the sad Michiru.
"I understand... then after this, you should go back inside before you catch a cold." Pluto said. Haruka also noticed how the older woman was more relaxed around this princess.
"The wind behaves rather different today, do you feel it too?"
"Yes but you also said the same thing yesterday," Pluto retorted.
"... I'm serious, Pluto. Wait... do you bring a company?"
Haruka was sure she hid herself very well.
"Why?"
"There's someone inside the coach right? It is so rude to leave the guest alone, Pluto... Who is it?"
Sounded like Pluto had chosen to remain silent. Haruka completely understood if she didn't want to spit a lie to Neptune.
Haruka recalled her conversation with Pluto earlier. She hadn't asked about the other version of herself in this dimension.
"Haruka. Her name is Tenoh Haruka." Pluto finally spoke up.
"You don't want to introduce us?"
"I don't think now is the best time."
Now, Haruka could feel Neptune was smiling thorugh her voice, "If you say so. Next time, I want to see this Haruka... Perhaps she can attend the ball tonight."
Haruka released her breath. It seemed like the princess had headed back and she was allowed to go back to her initial position.
The blonde racer didn't know that at that time, instead of heading back, the princess had halted her steps because of the sudden gusts of wind. The wind picked up very strong, forcing her to spun back her body around.
What happened next was very fast. Haruka caught Neptune's figure which very similar with her Michiru. Their eyes met for per seconds. The blond swore she heard Pluto was gasping upon this.
They were separated several feets away. The racer didn't even notice how the aqua haired woman managed to react so quickly like lightning.
What Haruka knew is that there was a sword ready to cut her neck. Again.
This time though, the woman, princess of the freaking dimension was holding it against her. Haruka registered that the woman wasn't Michiru but she couldn't help it. They were too much alike.
"Who-Who are you..." The previous gentle voice had been replaced with low, deep, threatening tone.
Haruka averted her gaze to Pluto which literally just frozen because of several soldiers had been blocking the way between them.
"What... You are not Uranus." Deadly statement. Haruka gulped while shifting her sight back to the princess.
"Answer me!"
"I am Tenoh Haruka." She replied. It was same like the previous angry man back then.
Haruka eyed the sword nervously. She more worried that the princess would hurt herself rather than her. The wind senshi didn't understand why but the woman before her had appeared to be more broken and vulnerable.
"I-I can explain everything,"
"Don't you dare! Don't you dare to speak with her voice! Don't you dare looking at me with those eyes! I knew you are one of those monsters!"
"Neptune! She is not a monster. Put the sword away!" Pluto shouted. The gate time keeper couldn't break through barricade of guards in front of her.
They both exchanged glances for a moment. Haruka with her confused stare and Neptune with her killing glare. The time seemed had stopped for both of them.
It was enough for the princess lowering down her sword.
"I knew, there was something about the wind today..." She mumbled more to herself.
Haruka then did the most stupid thing she would've ever done. Aside by pressing the brake too fast and pissing off an angry man who was carrying a sword, she was pulling the princess to her side.
It was an immediate reaction. Her hands and body moved by themselves, pulling the almost crying woman in front of her for a hug. That was because Haruka had thought it was Michiru.
The princess, gotten caught in her moment of weakness struggled to break free from Haruka's tight embrace. She smacked, kicked as hard as her tremble body allowed.
"Let go of me! You are dead, Uranus! YOU ARE DEAD!" Neptune screamed, her voice mixed in with agony and sadness.
"What?" Haruka heard it but she was still processing the information.
Neptune repeated it as she took it Haruka didn't get it yet,
"You are dead. You were gone... but why... You are here?" The last word was drowned in whisper.
.
A/N: It's my first Harumichi fic with multiple chapters. I apologize if this isn't fulfill your appetite. See you in next chapter