III. Lapping the Wind: Two New Knights

Summary: Takes place after the Sailor Stars arc. The senshi are in danger again, but this enemy is too strong for them to face on their own, can figures from their future guide them to a new beginning?

Stories in the Future Series(in chronological order):

1. The End of Peace

2. Sapphire Rose

3. Lapping the Wind: Two New Knights

4. The Return of Hope

Chapter 1: Unexpected Phenomenon

20th Century, Pre Queen Neo-Serenity's Reign

Tokyo, Japan

Earth

"Did you feel that?" Haruka asked leaning against a white pillar on the edge of the veranda of the Outers' home accompanied by her two other housemates, both seated not too far away from where she stood. "It was like a shift, the energy around us seemed to shift."

The expanse of their yard spread out before them, the dark green wisps of grass waving peacefully in the breeze. The stars dazzled overhead in the dark indigo of the midnight sky. Hotaru had been tucked into bed and was sleeping soundly inside the house.

Michiru closed her blue eyes to the cool night, to the darkness around them, and to the stars shining over their heads, as she leaned back on the deck railing she was seated on; trying to feel more than sense the change around them. It was not visible energy, but an aura which only a senshi could experience. The aura was not dangerous as any of which she had felt radiating from their enemies when discovering them, but a pure energy. And strangely it felt familiar, as if it were in some odd way…a part of her.

Michiru looked over at her silent partner who was turned away watching the distance. She had to feel it too. She had to feel that familiar pull, but Haruka would never acknowledge it. It was dangerous to acknowledge such a thing as to feel affinity to a possible enemy. Deep blue eyes turned their focus on the senshi of time calmly sitting in the chair across from her. She was calm, too calm about this whole thing. Normally, Pluto was the most offensive of their team. She had to know something, she probably did. Whatever this was, it was not a direct threat to them, only aware of their presence and focused intently on them.

"What do you think it is?" Haruka asked turning to her fellow guardians.

Michiru shook her head elegantly to indicate that she did not have a clue and thought it was too early in the game to formulate a guess.

"Setsuna?" Haruka asked.

"I cannot be sure, but I will say this: do not jump to defense so quickly on this. We are not even sure yet if it is something we have to fight and assuming that it is may harm our position more than help us. We must be careful of our actions this time." Setsuna said looking between both of her companions seriously, "And most importantly, we cannot assume too much. We must be on our toes, but not overly expectant. At any rate, we must be ready for everything at this point."

The other two nodded their agreement. The peaceful night sky rumbled as dark clouds blocked the light of the stars. The wind intensified and sharp lines of white light broke the clouds in syncopation with the noise. As the first drops of rain began to pour down, Setsuna stood.

"That's odd." Haruka squinted her eyes against the uprising storm. "It came out of no where."

"As will the path of the future, it seems." Setsuna replied. She then walked over to the door. She hesitated as she opened it and looked back at Haruka and Michiru who had come to stand beside her. She watched them together for a moment longer, sighed inaudibly and entered the house.

Haruka continued to stare off at the incoming rain as though it was about flood the yard and over run them and their home. A soft hand grasped hers in a gentle, but firm grip while another rested soothingly in the crook of her arm. She turned to regard her partner beside her.

"It would be a lot easier to take if we knew what we were up against." Haruka confessed.

"I know." Michiru agreed rubbing her hand along her partner's arm comfortingly. "But we have to take it in moderation, one step at a time. Though Setsuna's explanation did not sound like her normal response to any threat. Normally, she is the most offensive of all of us, perhaps she knows something and probably does."

"But what if whatever it is attacks before we know-"

Michiru squeezed her hand reassuringly and continued calmly, "What if, Haruka? We cannot predict what if's and can't afford to worry about them right now. We can only be vigilant and watchful as we always are. If we are able to do just that, we will be able to protect the princess against any attack."

Haruka sighed tiredly and nodded, it was late and she needed her sleep for the race tomorrow. "You're right. You're always right."

Michiru smiled sweetly, "Only for you, beloved."

Despite everything, Haruka was still nervous, but her soul mate's presence was enough to quell the majority of her fears. Michiru's eyes traced every contour of Haruka's face as it went through numerous expressions and finally settled on her eyes.

"We should just enjoy our time together while we still can." Michiru said as she brought up one hand to run her fingers along Haruka's jaw line. "You taught me that."

Haruka leaned forward slightly and put her hands on her partner's waist. " I love you."

Michiru smiled and leaned forward as their lips met in an adoring kiss, that deepened into one of passion and a free expression of love and devotion. Haruka moved one hand up to run along the slender curve of Michiru's neck and shoulder, caressing the smooth skin there beneath the silky blue tresses as she deepened the kiss. Michiru brought her hands up to hold Haruka's head gently, messaging her cheeks with her thumbs.

The moment stretched into eternity before them and refused to relent. It was everything and nothing in the vast expense of the world. It was a divine instant, the union of two souls in unprecedented love. It was also a disruption in the present, a defining moment unbeknownst to the two lovers. It was the turning of the tide and they were two ships of many to be caught up in its wake.

Somewhere not all too far away from the Outers' home, waves crashed and sprayed over the waterside rocks of the sea shore. The stars were peacefully glowing here, unobstructed by clouds of any form, regulating the delicate balance of dark and light in the night. The turbulent waters reflected the pristine serenity of the sky above them. The mirror, though tumultuous, hindered nothing of the beautiful image it harbored. It was a mass, a swirling, caving, rolling, smashing, conclave of all of the force s of the world. A virtual whirlpool of all that was, had been and would be. The sea, a host to all history and time.

And so it is fitting that, in this way, it would elevate itself to be fate's messenger in the lives of these few. The sea, a source of being as unpredictable as that which controls the making and order of every new day before it is born, shall take and active role in the history of those whom it created and even govern: those of Earth. To assist and guide all paths forward, not encouraging a one of them to look back and wonder, only to look to the future.

Indeed the sea, the fosterer of all existence on the planet, had one more life to give. The chaotic waters spewed and a cold, vigorously fighting figure flew from its depths to the surface. It coughed, heaved, and paddled against the current. But the waves caught and held fast, occasionally washing over the brown head and frantically coughing mouth. Finally, near enough to the shore to relent, the waves sped forth in a mad dash for the sand. The silver sheen engulfed, stirred, released, and retreated; leaving behind it the prone figure exhaling and inhaling gradually as if captive to the dregs of an unruly slumber.

But what recedes often returns either in memory or in form, and the cold waves flooded around the body cast ashore, soaking the dark clothes in icy breath and bathing one pale upturned cheek, bathing all in silver under the moon's radiance. The open mouth sputtered at the sudden intrusion of the salty liquid and the sore body groaned loudly at the sudden bath. Frigid skin, almost blue in its tint, shivered for warmth. Eyelids cracked open, and two cerulean orbs groggily gauged their surroundings. The tired head lifted up, off of the sand to look about. Ebony hair, reaching only to the ears, was plastered along with the moist sand across one cheek and up the length of the neck. The somnolent form rolled over onto its back, with limbs spread out limply across the sand.

Where was she? Blue eyes searched the sky for the moon. There it was! The great white orb, lustrous and full in its form. Her head cocked to one side in puzzlement as both eyebrows slanted in confusion. Here was the moon…and it was whole. Did it work? She pushed herself upon her elbows with a pitiful groan, and one even more fatigued than weathered as she stood, stretching every abused muscle in her back slowly.

Entarais, the name of the girl, then yawned as casually as if she had only just fallen out of bed. The trip was not that bad really.

"Well, fancy this. At least, for once, I am greeting the sand instead of the Huns." Entarais stated with a relieved sigh. "It has been much more forgiving."

In truth, she had been expecting to fall into another keep or land onto the steps of some hostile tribal territory as it had happened the last time.

Entarais looked down at her watch, clicked a few buttons, and the analogue clock, its orderly numerals so pristine on the surface; disappeared and a new face emerged. The flat surface of green circles and roving lines within the digital interface began beeping at her, indicating where it was she had landing and how far she had to go to reach the city. Resolute that she knew where she was, Entarais pushed a button and the analogue clock reappeared. Then without pausing, she began climbing the hill that lead to the upper road. If she was to make it to the city before dawn broke, she would have a lot of ground to cover. Landing point: the sea, Destination: Tokyo.

Author's Note: This is the beginning of the future series. It, much like my Silver Millennium piece Years of Silver Light , centers in the beginning on Haruka and Michiru and will then come to branch out over the lives of the other senshi. Tell me how you like it and leave a review for me!