Love, Duo Maxwell
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the story. Hah! Can't take that from me, you copyright Nazis!
All right! This is my second fan fiction based on Ruka. Hope you like! Oh, and don't worry about Codename: Kamikaze, it's still in the creative process. I'm not done yet! Well, thanks for sitting through my ranting. On to the story!
Dear Ruka,
What's up, babe? I can't complain. Something pretty great has come up. My duty as a soldier seems to be winding down. Yep, looks like I'll be a civilian soon. Excited? I can finally come drop in and visit you!! I'm not sure when, but don't worry; I'll pop in as soon as I can. I hope this letter finds you; you haven't written back in a while. Well, I'll see you in a bit! I miss you.
Love,
Duo Maxwell
Haruka folded the letter slowly. It was strange. She felt something close to guilt after reading the telegram from her old friend. It had gone on as long as she could remember clearly. They had written each other back and forth since the young man left for war.
Her heart ached. She didn't like to think of her childhood; but letters from Duo always ignited her memory. Haruka lived on the streets back then. Who knew whom her parents were or if she even had any. She met the rambunctious boy when she was eight. He took care of her back then. Haruka truly admired the boy, who, despite their situation, was always cheerful and mischievous.
"It doesn't matter now," Haruka stated bluntly. Her life was better now; it was complete. She had Tura and Suna. She had the four younger girls of the inner senshi. She had her prince and princess. Above all, Haruka had her sweet Michi. When she became Sailor Uranus, the young woman washed away her past and everyone in it. But she couldn't get rid of the boy who saved her from herself.
"Sorry, Duo. Things have changed. I've changed" She knew it wasn't true. Despite all she had been through, she was the same person she had always been. Haruka couldn't remember a time when she wasn't bloodstained, so the events of her mission meant nothing to the person she was. "Everything is different now." "What's that, Haruka?" The tall blonde turned to the mature voice of her lover. "Oh, nothing, Michi. Just thinking out loud." The smaller girl smiled at the senshi of the wind, "Well then, are you ready?" "Yep, let's go." The pair was headed for Rei's temple. The inners were throwing a birthday party for Usagi. Neither Michi nor Haruka wanted to go. Setsuna was in New York at a fashion expo and Hotaru had left for an art camp in Hiroshima, so they knew they'd be left to socialize with the younger girls of the senshi team. In light of this, they were going; after all, it was Koneko's birthday.
Once at the shrine, the couple was engulfed by the chatter of the younger females. "Thank God there's alcohol!" the violinist muttered. Haruka was a bit shocked. Her lover wasn't much for alcohol, but by some twist of fate, Michiru had knocked back four margaritas and a couple screwdrivers. "Good thing you're driving, Ruka," the senshi of love whispered to the amazed warrior. "Yeah, I don't know what's gotten into Michi, Mina-chan. Perhaps I should get her home." "Oh, leaving so soon?" the equally intoxicated Usagi hiccupped as she took another sip of her mixed drink. "Afraid so, Koneko. Thanks for having us. Happy birthday, princess." Upon excusing herself, Haruka took the aqua haired woman by the waist and led her to the car.
Once home and in bed, Haruka hummed lightly into the senshi of the sea's ear. She felt her lover quiver slightly. "What's wrong, Michi?" the blonde girl asked. Michiru turned to the taller woman and brushed the hair from her lover's eyes. "Do you really want to know?" "I'll have to find out eventually, won't I?" she asked coolly. "I suppose so," Michiru responded as she traced the beautiful woman's neck with her delicate fingers. Michiru turned away from her lover and brought the other senshi's strong arms around her, "My parents, they finally found out about us." "Is that all?" Haruka scuffed. She thought them dense for not figuring it out by then. "They don't approve." Haruka felt pity for the girl she was holding. She knew the magnitude of respect and love Michiru had for her family. "They want me to chose. Them or you." Haruka nearly exploded with laughter, but stifled it. They had to be kidding. 'Shame,' she thought, 'They don't stand a chance, pitting Michi's feelings for them against her pure love for me.' The blonde was amused. "So, who do you chose?" she responded in a teasing matter. When she didn't get a response, she realized the violinist was asleep. Haruka pulled the smaller girl into a tighter embrace. "Oyasumi nasai, Michi."
When the sky king woke, she found she was alone in the vast house. 'Michi must have had some errands to run,' Haruka thought as she dressed for the racetrack. The senshi spent the day doing maintenance on her bike. She wiped the axle grease from her hands and glanced at the clock on the wall. 5:30. Michi would be getting out of her art lesson at 6. 'Perfect! I'll go meet her.'
Haruka hopped into her car and made the trip she had a hundred times before. As she drove up, she saw the people from Michi's class file out of the old building. The blonde got out of her car and was met with a surprised look from the aqua haired girl. "Ruka? What are you doing here?" "Surprise! I decided to pick you up." "But… last night…" Michiru whispered. Haruka thought back to the night before, 'They want me to choose. Them or you.' It hit her. Michi made her choice the other night. Haruka just wasn't listening. Crystal blue eyes filled with tears, but she wouldn't dare cry in front of Michi. "Are you sure, Michi?" The smaller woman looked down then stared squarely into Haruka's eyes, "Yes Ruka. It's for the best." The sky king smiled; a sad, slow smile that stung the sea senshi's soul. "I'm…I'm staying with my parents tonight." This didn't surprise the sky king. Her destined one had just dropped her; nothing surprised Haruka anymore. "How are you getting there?" The aqua haired woman shrugged her tiny shoulders. Haruka took Michiru's hand and placed the car keys in it. "Take my car. You can drop it off later." "But how will you get home?" "I'm a track star," she winked, "I'll run." "Ruka," the young woman swooned. "I'll see you around, Michi."
The senshi of the wind ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She ran through the park, past Rei's shrine, around the Juuban shopping district. It didn't matter to Haruka that it was dark and drizzling softly. It was pouring steadily when the blonde reached Mugan High School. That's where it had started. Her life as a warrior and her life with Michi began with the haunted building before her. She chuckled. Softly at first, then hysterically. The roar of thunder silenced her. It didn't matter. She loved Michi, that wouldn't change. She was suddenly very aware that she was soaked and freezing. Haruka took one last look at where in all began and took off for home.
Haruka strolled numbly down the walkway that led to her front door. She ached all over, running and crying for five hours straight will do that to a person. The sky king couldn't even think. "Ruka?" The blonde slowly looked towards the person calling her name. She saw a lean man about her age and height. His chestnut brown hair was worn in a long braid and his amethyst eyes were both mirthful and mighty. In one hand he held what appeared to be a letter and the other wielded a bouquet of calla lilies. Her favorite flowers. "Hey, Duo." Haruka's eyes were heavy. She felt herself start to fall. Fatigue caught up with her and the senshi was dead to the world. Shinigami scrambled to catch the falling blonde. She landed squarely in his arms. Duo looked at Haruka's tear streaked face. "Hey yourself, Ruka."
So, what do you think? Please review and tell me how you like it. You can also email me at samthegreat@hotmail.com. Ja~ne!