* ACT 2 *
I made my way to the Crown Karaoke my camera in hand, smiling to my self as I thought of how much of a genius Minako-chan could be when she put her mind to it. The release of the third album LOVE was only a few weeks from its world wide release, and Minako-chan had decided to give an exclusive interview and photo shoot to the magazine that I worked for but only if I, as a friend of Minako-chan, was the one to conduct the interview and take the pictures. For once working for my father came in handy as he felt I was more than ready to be an interviewer as I had more than once proven my skills as a reputable photographer, even in the world of celebrities who never looked at me the way they looked at others who they considered nothing more than paparazzi, more concerned for the money than respecting those they took pictures of.
Arriving at Crown Karaoke I felt a lightness in my heart as I walked through the door to see Minako-chan with her hair kept up by a hat on her head talking with Matoki-kun, he was talking about Mako-chan while Minako-chan was talking about her budding relationship with Rei-chan. With Minako being a celebrity she had not gone public with her sexuality, and Rei being the daughter of a very strict politician, knew he would not approve even though he knew of Rei's preferences so the two were keeping their relationship secret only myself, the other girls and Matoki-kun being the only ones to know about the two dating. None of us cared, and truthfully I had never seen either Minako-chan or Rei-chan looking so happy and in love, none of us cared if the two were both women, love in my eyes and I knew the eyes of those who knew could never be defined by race, religion, or sex no I knew deep in my heart that we all knew love, true love, like Minako and Rei had found. knows no boundaries.
"Usagi-chan," Matoki-kun said when he saw me waving at me and as I returned the gesture Minako-chan turned and after greeting me as well with a simple, "Usagi," the two of us hugged in greeting. "So ready to do that interview," Minako asked me as we broke apart and I couldn't help but laugh as I nodded my head, "here or," but before I could say anything about the room were we had met together many times during our battle against the Dark Kingdom the doors to the Crown opened as a tall figure with brown-blond hair and soft brown eyes came through the doors. He was wearing a white dress shirt, black slacks, and polished black shoes, a matching black dress jacket buttoned over the shirt. "Konnichiwa, Matoki-san," a deep but not quite baritone voice said, "Konnichiwa Haruka-san, back again," Matoki-kun replied in greeting before the man Matoki had called Haruka turned his attention in our direction.
"Ah, I see you are not alone today Matoki-san, talking with these beautiful ladies, should I be having a chat with Makoto-san," Haruka said and despite the fact that I was married and Minako-chan was not into men, we both turned a very pretty shade of pink at Haruka's complement anyway. "That won't be necessary Haruka-san, this is an old friend of mine Usagi-chan and her friend, um," here Matoki paused not knowing what to say, but Minako surprised us both when she removed her had sticking out her hand with a large smile on her face as she said, "and I am Aino Minako, it is a pleasure to meet you Haruka-san," though Haruka's response was just as shocking as he simply shook Minako's hand saying it was an honor to meet us both not even seeming to react to the fact that he had just met a world famous singing idol as we learned that Haruka's family name was Tenoh as he like Minako had done a more formal introduction of himself.
"So, I'm guessing you and Michiru-san are meeting here again," Matoki-kun said as Haruka nodded though before it seemed as if he was going to say something in reply the doors to the Crown opened again as a beautiful young woman with soft curly brown hair and matching eyes walked through the doors of the crown, she like Haruka was wearing a white dress shirt, though she was wearing a black skirt and matching heals. "Michiru," Haruka said with a warm tender smile in the woman's direction. "Haruka," she replied in greeting coming to stand next to Haruka only for her eyes to drift in our direction before she looked at Haruka with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, um, Michiru these are some of Matoki-san's friends. This," he said pointing towards me, "is Usagi-san," and I nodded offering my hand which Michiru gladly took, "and this is Minako-san," Haruka said introducing the two and like Haruka, Michiru didn't seem phased in the slightest at meeting someone of such fame as the two shook hands.
"It's nice to meet you both, my name is Kaioh Michiru, I hope Haruka hasn't been bothering you to much, this person is quite the flirt," Michiru said playfully while Haruka scratched the back of his head his cheeks dusting a light shade of pink as he whispered, "Michiru," in embarrassment as myself and Minako-chan politely acted as if we had heard nothing. "Flirting," Minako-chan said looking at me with a knowing smile. "No, Haruka didn't flirt with us at all, or at least I don't think so," I said making sure to brush my hair out of my eyes with my left hand as me and Minako smiled as Haruka's eyes widened when he caught sight of the wedding band on my ring finger. "Well I'm glad you can control yourself when need be, but we should be going," Michiru said taking Haruka's arm. "You're not jealous are you," Haruka asked as the two began walking out the door we just heard Michiru reply "maybe," before the doors shut behind them.
"Ok, Matoki spill," Minako-chan said as she and I curious as well turned towards Matoki both of us hearing Nephrite who had been in the back stocking the shelves laugh as Matoki explained about the newest visitors to the Crown who always met at his store, neither ever staying to sing, but they had bought things and the three had even talked a few times. "It's strange, I know that I need to do this interview with you for my new album, but at the same time I want to get to know both of them better as well," Minako-chan said to me as I smiled an idea already forming in my mind. "Who say's we can't do both," and Minako's look soon matched my own as she placed her hat and sunglasses back on knowing exactly what I had been thinking. "Interview while we meet, greet and get to know," "pictures later," first Minako-chan and then myself said as we followed after Haruka and Michiru leaving an amused Matoki and Nephrite who had come out from the back behind. "You know if the princess wasn't married, and Minako-san was into men," Nephrite said as Matoki replied, "I would be worried as well," the two nodding their heads in sync, though neither of to them noticed, as they went back to work.
~ PGSM S ~
Somehow myself and Minako-chan were able to keep track of Haruka and Michiru while also doing an interview but knowing Minako-chan as well as I did it was quite easy to do, but as we walked both of us wondered how we could approach Haruka-san and Michiru-san without them thinking we were strange for following them like this, no answer coming to us as we followed the two to a small business called Kameda Motors were Michiru left Haruka after whispering something to Haruka. Myself and Minako-chan approached the shop to see Haruka talking with the owner who was working on a dark blue sports car. "Still following me, such curious koneko you two are," Haruka said surprising the two of us who had been hiding by the garage doors both of us showing ourselves, our cheeks quite red. "Gomen," Minako-chan said. "We wanted to have a chance to learn more about you and Michiru-san," I added the both of us rubbing the back of our heads in embarrassment.
"Well I guess I could answer a few of your questions, come on lets leave Kameda-san to his work," Haruka-san said stepping outside the shop and towards a small concrete ravine. "So go ahead ask away," Haruka said with a smile that could make many a girl feel week in the knee and even I who am married and Minako who isn't even into men could feel that smiles affects. "You and Michiru-san," "what is your relationship to her," first myself then Minako-chan asked. "Me and Michiru," Haruka said sounding a bit surprised at our boldness, "well, we are, close," Haruka said as Minako-chan nodded as if expecting the answer and blushing I looked at the ground surprised at the idol's question myself. "Don't believe everything you here, this one is not always honest," Michiru-san said startling all three of us as she seemed to appear as if out of no where, Haruka going up to her the two talking quietly as Minako-chan and myself watched the two with a smile now understanding what Haruka had meant when he said the two were close.
Haruka-san told Michiru-san about why we were all talking and somehow we all started talking about dreams and jobs, and learned that Michiru was a very talented artist and violin player who had recently began to gain fame in the art world for a series of paintings she had done about the sea. Myself and I could tell Minako-chan were surprised in a way to learn that Haruka was a talented piano player, and loved the thrill of the race so much so that she competed in many minor league circuits, Michiru-san said it was Haruka's dream to one day race professionally though Haruka with a shake of his head replied, "No, that isn't my dream anymore. My dream is to do something, a thing that only I have the conviction to do," Haruka said looking into the sky as Michiru took Haruka's hand in her own gently squeezing it, in support.
"Haruka-san reminds me so much of Mamoru," I thought to myself as Minako-chan said out loud, "arigato, for sharing that with us." "Your welcome, we should be going Haruka," Michiru said first to Minako-chan and then the later to Haruka-san who nodded in agreement. "It was nice, getting to know you better," I said to the two who nodded and said the same though just before the two were going to leave we heard the car alarm of the vehicle Mr. Kameda was working on go off turning all of our attention towards the screaming car mechanic as all of our eyes widened as the car began to transform into a familiar shape, that of a Daimon. Haruka-san unknown to me and Minako-chan took a single step forward only to have Michiru grab Haruka's arm while whispering his name. "I know," the two said slipping into the shadows leaving me an Minako alone as we rushed towards the Daimon that had just taken Mr. Kameda's pure heart crystal, but because we ran into the shop I didn't see a bit of oil on the floor that I tripped on taking Minako-chan who was right behind me tripped over top of me allowing the Daimon to escape.
"We have to go after that thing, now," Minako-chan said as I nodded in agreement. "Venus Planet Power," "Moon Cosmic Power," "Make-up," the two of us said transforming into our guardian forms, and finding a bicycle that was built for two myself and Minako shared a quick look before nodding and deciding to borrow the bike, so that we could pursue the Daimon that was using a car like form to try to get away. Unknown to either of us though a motor bike was closely following the Daimon. "Ready, Haruka," Michiru said to her taller companion who simply nodded replying, "Lets go," as Michiru tightened her grip as Haruka took the bike up the side of the ravine, revving the engine and sending the bike into the air, and as the Daimon drove away with a dark smile, its eyes widened when it suddenly saw a motor bike flying towards it no one ridding on it, which crashed into the Daimon that screamed, "Steeringoo," as it crashed into a wall, before getting back up and readjusting the goggles on its head. "Stop right there," myself and Minako both slightly out of breath from ridding the bicycle only to find the Daimon on shaky legs recovering from what seemed like a wreck.
"What do you think you are going to do," the Daimon said as we both glared at it though the Daimon's smile turned to a frown when two voices spoke as one saying, "stop were you are," as the two mysterious warriors were in the light for the first time. "Guided by a new era, I am Sailor Uranus, acting magnificently," the taller of the two who had short silver hair and blue-green eyes said in a deep but not baritone voice, her fuku had a turquoise broach in the center of a dark blue bow that matched the skirt of her fuku. "Likewise, I am Sailor Neptune, acting gracefully," the shorter of the two who had curly aqua marine hair and eyes as blue as the sea said, her fuku had aquamarine round broach in the center of a dark sea green bow that matched the skirt of her fuku.
"Flashy," the Daimon said referring to the pose the two took after their introduction before charging at the two who shared a look before Uranus yelled, "World Shaking," finally giving a name to the golden sphere of energy that struck the Daimon that yelled, "Steeringoo," before the pure heart crystal flew from its hands. "Deep Submerge," Neptune said giving a name to the blue sphere of energy that we had seen which struck the Daimon that seemed to be drowned in water before falling to its knees Neptune catching the pure heart crystal in her gloved hands. "Now Sailor Moon," Venus said to me and with a nod I called the Spiral Heart Moon Rod to my hands. "Moon Spiral Heart Attack," I yelled as the attack struck the Daimon that yelled, "lovely," before turning back into a car, the familiar sight of pod coming out of the object transformed falling to the ground and cracking as a shadow like ghostly figure emerged giving one last evil laugh before vanishing into nothingness.
"Princess, Venus" Uranus said inclining her head in our direction causing both mine and Minako's jaws to drop. "This is not what we were looking for," Neptune said with a smile, gently tossing the pure heart crystal into my gloved hands. "Are, are you truly Sailor Uranus and Neptune, sworn guardians of the outer solar system," Venus not Minako asked them in a very strict no nonsense manor. "Yes, we are, but you should return that to its owner," "if you do not they could die," first Uranus then Neptune added as with a bow in my direction the two left seeming to vanish as quickly as they had appeared. "Come on Usagi-chan, we are going to have a lot of explaining to do after this is all said and done," Minako said to me as I nodded the two of us heading as quickly as we could back to Mr. Kameda's shop.
~ PGSM S ~
"That has to be the most irresponsible thing you two have ever done," Rei-chan said to Minako-chan and myself her fiery temper very close to boiling over. "Reiko," Minako said to the priestess taking her hands into her own their eyes each meeting the other's a silent conversation passing between the two without so much as a word being spoken, though after a few moments the tenseness in Rei's shoulders eased as she released a long slow breath. "Gomen," Rei-chan said as Minako-chan smiled releasing one of Rei's hands but still holding onto the other. "Glad that's over," Mako-chan said to Matoki who nodded his head in agreement. "You have strange friends Ami-san," I heard Nephrite whisper to Ami-chan who covering a laugh nodded but still whispered back, "yes, but the same could be said of other Shitennou," and though he looked slightly offended about it for a moment he soon nodded his head in agreement looking at the floor.
It seemed that Ami-chan was going to say something to Nephrite to try to get him to realize she was only joking when the doors to the Crown opened and Michiru-san entered a tall young woman by her side, dressed much like Haruka was though with the black dress shirt draped over one of her shoulders by her side. "Michiru-san," I said causing Minako-chan to turn with a smile though soon her brows knitted together as if in confusion. "I thought you and Haruka-san were spending the day together," she said as I nodded my head in agreement. "Ok, even I find myself curious of who this mysterious Haruka-san is," Rei-chan said as Ami-chan and Mako-chan nodded their agreement. "So, were is Haruka-san," I asked and in reply Michiru-san simply pointed beside her, causing both myself and Minako-chan to gasp as we looked properly at the person at Michiru's side. "I don't ever recall saying I was a guy," Haruka said as Rei-chan quickly looked towards a very pink Minako-chan who said, "I didn't know, honestly," while I looked towards Matoki and Nephrite to see they were just as shocked as the rest of us.
"I wonder what Mamoru will think about all of this," I thought to myself holding my head in my hand that was trying to ease the pressure of a headache I could already feel forming as I listened to Minako-chan apologizing about mine and her misconceptions. "Luna, and Artemis are going to love this one," Ami-chan said looking about how I felt as I let out a sigh knowing that what she said was true, if Mamoru didn't say anything I knew without a doubt that the two who were baby setting Chibi-usa for myself and Mamoru who was at work would never let me live such a mistake down, or at least not for a very long while.
Note:
So ends Act 2. I hope you all enjoyed the way I portrayed Haruka and Michiru in this their proper introduction to my story. Writing this chapter was a challenge as I wanted to stay as true to the spirit of the "inners" encounter with the "outers" as I could while still staying true to the live action drama world of PGSM.
I had my first official Ami & Nephrite moment, and I hope that you are enjoying the interactions between Rei & Minako now that the two are officially together, oh and who caught that little Makoto & Matoki moment as well. It will be a challenge to actually not focus so much on Usagi and Mamoru and remember that this story has other couples, dating or otherwise as well, I can only hope I can properly juggle them all and not mess with the natural flow of the story being told.
I also know that the ACTS are coming much slower this time, then they did with my last story but please know that I will never abandon this story. Taking on a project with a depth, such as that as the S (Third Arc) of the anime and manga provides and translating it into the world that is Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon is not an easy task, but it is a task that I enjoy the challenge of trying to bring to you my readers.
So until our next meeting,
I remain a . . .
KuRSeofTime