Disclaimer: I don't own Haruka or Michiru; they belong to the wonderful Takeuchi Naoko. This story, however, is mine.
A/N: This Haruka and Michiru fiction is set in 17th century Japan. I will be using Japanese honorifics in this story, but if I use them in the wrong way please let me know. Also, this story will be completely AU. Any form of comment and critic is welcome. Enjoy!
Prologue
The warm glow of the fire filled the one room cottage on a bitter winter's night. Two trembling figures sat hunched near the flame trying to warm their freezing bodies. The smaller figure started to wail as a cold gust of wind blew through the open windows, destroying the flames and banging the only door open. The mother of the child brought her five year old daughter onto her lap, and started to stroke the girl's curly hair, trying to hush the distressed child.
oVoVoVoVoVo
The sound of men marching through the thick forest alerted three shadows that time was slowly ebbing away. Before them pressed against a tree, was a middle-aged man whose lips were blue and hands were trembling, due to the icy temperature and lack of warm clothes.
The tallest member of the trio stepped forward and pressed a short, sharp blade on the man's throat, before whispering, " answer, you baka!" The poor man just turned his head, not answering. Then suddenly, he felt piercing pain and everything went black. Darkness filled his world.
oVoVoVoVoVo
A loud thump echoed through the night. It made Tenoh-san's ears prickle. There were many different sounds that Tenoh-san could associate with the night but the noise he just heard sounded suspiciously like a body of some large animal or possibly a human, coming into contact with the forest floor. The rapid footsteps which could be heard after the thump confirmed his suspicions.
Darting forward into the bushes with his sword drawn, Tenoh-san came across a figure lying on the cold earth that was covered in snow. Upon moving closer, the soldier could see the motionless form was a man, most likely poor because of the rags he wore. Crimson red liquid was splayed across his clothes and the ghostly pale face told Tenoh-san that the man was dead. Sighing, he bent down and picked up the body and started to carry him away back to his fellow soldiers.
Later that night when all was silent, Tenoh-san prayed for the dead man and his family who didn't know that their loved one had moved on. He also whispered a small prayer for his own daughter and wife, before standing up from his kneeling position and heading back to his camp quietly not wanting to disturb the silence.
In a small home, in the deathly quiet forest a shrill cry could be heard.
