III. Bad News and a Blonde Visitor

¤•°… •°¤...¤•°… •°¤...¤•°… •°¤

A/N: Hello :) Well I feel like I haven't really given much info about this new story. So here is a more detailed summary: This story as I mentioned before is not entirely mine. As I continue writing some of you will learn to love it and some of you will lose interest which is fine. The original story is full of drama and war-fights. I don't intend to destroy any kind of original work, so I'm trying to make the story mine. What I mean is that I have made some changes to it, so that it could accommodate to our favorite pair (H&M). Also, I don't want to damage any image you personally have about the protagonists, but I'll have to mold their personalities to make the story flow. I'm sorry if this brings any trouble to anyone, but feel free to stop reading at any point. One more thing- this story is rated M because of language and sexual content, so if you don't feel comfortable again it's your choice. I know we're not supposed to write notes, but it was really necessary for anyone who wants to keep reading to know all of this. I'll be updating weekly for sure, but if I can I'll do it sooner. This chap and next seemed weak, but they're mainly complementary to the story-so, that's why I'm giving warnings now because from chap 7 and on everything will be on a roller coaster, so for those who want to join welcome to Millennium Love. Tsk, tsk- sorry lol I forgot- ITALICS: Thoughts, inner turmoil's or flashbacks.

Disclaimer: I do not own of the characters from Sailor Moon (Haruka Tenoh & Michiru Kaioh) everybody else in the story is mine. All rights to their respective original owners. I'm sorry if I'm misusing them.


Another day welcomed Neptune. Sun rays made their way through a glass window as a blonde woman lazily got up from her bed. The room she stayed in was a total mess; her huge bed was a tangle of silk bed sheets and pillows. The night before had been a crazy night, just like Friday's night, and many other nights before that, but oddly the blonde's bed was empty. Haruka talked, danced and even drank one or two liquor shots, but never did nothing more. The blonde had a peculiar reputation-being a womanizer- the Uranian always laughed about the rumors. People always made up stories because of her sociable persona, yes, she wouldn't lie, she had gone to bed with women before, but that didn't mean she bedded every single woman she met. Haruka had spent her entire weekend with her guy friends and girlfriends outside in the ocean in the daylight and at night she would throw a ball where people would dance and drink. Haruka rarely got drunk, she liked it to entertain herself but she was very aware of her limits. At the end Haruka was a responsible person even though she sometimes didn't recognize it herself, but today was Sunday and she needed to get ready to go back to her daily routine at Uranus the next day.

What a beautiful morning just perfect to have a quick jog on the beach's warm sand before I leave. Haruka didn't think it twice and dressed herself in her running outfit. Brown shorts, white tank top and black tennis shoes. She ran on the shoreline for about 3o minutes and had quickly advanced very far from her beach house. At a point the blonde runner stopped to contemplate the ocean and the wild waves while white seagulls greeted her. She closed her eyes as she tried to figure out what the ocean wanted to tell her. She abruptly opened her eyes when she heard an uncontrollable crying. A few meters away from her was a kneeling figure of a woman. Her long, curls flew wild against the cool breeze of the morning. She cried without noticing anything or anyone, she only stared at the small particles of grain on the soil as they disappeared when she tried to get a grasp of them, cold water wet her fine dress as the waves reached her, but she seemed not to care.

Did she have to be told that the woman needed to be alone? No, Haruka knew better. She knew the woman needed her space as she cried in such deserted place, but she couldn't help herself as her feet moved on their own.

"Are you okay?" The Uranian princess found herself asking a total stranger of aqua hair, whom she really thought looked familiar.

The woman jumped up a bit when she felt a warm hand on her shoulder and two beautiful teal eyes looked down at her. Quickly she wiped her treacherous tears from her teary eyes. She wouldn't let anyone see her dismay state, and her shameful tears. "Yes," was the quietly reply.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to disturb you or anything…I just…you seemed to need someone to talk to." Haruka couldn't find words to explain her sudden appearance as she stared at sadden deep blue eyes. She pulled her hand away as she felt the woman on the sand stiffen a bit.

"Don't worry. You're not disturbing anything, I was about to leave." The aqua haired woman stood up from her spot and intrigued looked at the person in front her. She hadn't really noticed, but her intruder was a tall blonde woman of striking teal eyes, even though the person in front of her looked boyish she could tell from the white tank top the blonde was indeed a woman.

Haruka gulped as she looked at the other woman closer. I can't believe it! It's her! The woman I saw when I got here...she is more beautiful up close. The blonde smiled warmly at the stunning woman. "My name is Ha…"

"There you are! I was looking for you all over the place child. Why do you disappear like that?" An old woman of curly black hair and violet eyes approached the aqua haired woman. Haruka frowned as she was interrupted and only watched the two women in silence.

"I am sorry nanny. I didn't wish to scare you like that," the aqua haired woman smiled at the old woman.

The black curly old woman looked at Haruka then at the aqua haired woman and the latter only shook her head.

"I'm sorry I have to go now." She gave the blonde an apologizing smile.

Haruka thought the aqua haired woman was a bit too old to have a nanny, but of course she didn't say anything as she warmly returned the gesture. She watched how the two women headed to an awaiting carriage and disappeared from her sight.

The day passed without any other occurrence and the blonde princess headed back to her home planet. The journey wasn't long due that Uranus was right next to Neptune. It was in the afternoon when the handsome princess arrived home.

Uranus

"I found her!" A happy blonde shouted as she stepped inside her palace. "I think is really her," the blonde approached a green haired man who strangely wasn't wearing his always navy blue army uniform, but a black suit instead.

"H-Haruka…" Katsuru whispered.

"What's wrong Katsuru?"

The blonde for the first time looked around the palace. Maids weren't wearing their usual short, brown skirts they had as uniforms either, but black dresses. Haruka felt a void inside her when she saw Sayame walking towards her- he also wore a black suit. "No…" she whispered.

"I am sorry Haruka," a whispery voice said as the silver haired man put both of his hands on the blonde's shoulders.

Haruka violently shrugged them off. "No! What kind of sick joke is this Sayame?"

"I am sorry Haruka." Sayame repeated. "They were about to enter Malata's outer ring when a meteor hit them and they couldn't dodge it…nothing could be done they instantly died."

Haruka felt like she was gonna pass out any moment now. Her heart sunk, she couldn't help but blink away the mild wetness that had begun to threaten her eyes. "When was this? Why didn't you inform me soon?"

"It was last night and we figured you were already coming…so we decided to wait for you."

Haruka couldn't believe what she heard, just last night she was having so much fun and then this morning she had met this beautiful young woman. Why was life so cruel? Why her parents?

"My parents…" she sobbed as she threw herself on the old man's arms. Usually she never let anyone see her crying, usually her parents were alive and at home. Her parents, her only family was gone and she was left alone.

Sayame could not do much and all he did was hugged the young princess as tight as possible. "Cry child, cry and let everything out. You're strong and will overcome this, Katsuru and I will be here by your side supporting you all time."

"Thank you." Haruka managed to say between sobs. She put herself together and calmly spoke. "I want Uranus to honor my parents. We'll mourn my parents and then we'll get back to work."

Sayame saw the determined face of the blonde ruler and knew that the carefree adolescent was gone long ago. "Alright, as you please my Queen."

Haruka winced but kept silent as she heard how Sayame addressed her. She knew things were gonna change, and many people now depended on her. Haruka had to put everything her parents taught her about being a fair and nice ruler into practice. Uranus will mourn the death of her parents, but then they will have to move on and continue for the well of their planet.

A week after her parents suddenly death, Haruka sat at the royal study. She sat in the same chair she was sitting when she last saw him, in front of the same oak desk. I least I told them I loved them before they…Parents I promise I will make you both proud of me wherever you two are.

"Haruka." Sayame softly spoke to the blonde, "there's something you must know about your future."

The blonde stopped her line of thoughts and focused on what the old man in front her was trying to tell her.

"My future?" She frowned, "what do you mean by that?"

"Your father and I were very good friends. He left me these documents." Sayame hold a black folder in his hands. "It's a marriage agreement signed by your parents."

Haruka suddenly remembered the talks she had with her parents about said subject. "I already knew about that."

"Yes, but I have understood you don't know who you are to marry yet."

"No, I don't know."

"Well here is what you need to know." Sayame handed Haruka the folder, "you are engaged to the princess of Neptune," the silver haired man watched for any reaction from the blonde, "there is something else Haruka."

"I'm listening." Haruka didn't look up from the documents she closely read, but kept attentively listening.

"I know about your opposition to such marriage, but you must marry," at this point Haruka stopped reading as she heard the worriedly tone from her friend. "There is an important clause in those documents. If you don't marry, we will lose Uranus and it's the same for them. If the princess refuses to marry you, they will have to hand us Neptune."

Haruka looked surprised to hear such an important detail from the agreement her parents had compromised her to. "Don't worry Sayame; I already had planned to marry whoever I had to marry. I will do it for my parents' memory and well…now that I know about that clause, I can't lose Uranus…that's all I have left." Haruka looked down to the papers laying on her desk.

Sayame took his queen's hands on his and squeezed them gently. "You're not alone Haruka. We will help you through all of this."

Haruka smiled and shook her head lightly. "I really appreciate your help Sayame. You are a very good friend, but I know you were retiring this month and Katsuru was taking your place and that's how is gonna be."

"But…"

"No buts. I will be alright. I still have Katsuru and I have understood you were moving out to Neptune." She smiled even more, "Well, if you still want to help me you can inform me about the happenings on Neptune since now is gonna be of my importance."

Sayame smiled back to her and let go of her hands. "Alright as you wish."

"Yes, I have planned to travel to Neptune tomorrow. I have to talk to the King and Queen of Neptune and I guess I will meet my bride," a shade of red appeared on the blonde's cheeks as she spoke but quickly recovered.

"Excellent. The set date is getting closer just a few weeks from now and you will be officially an adult and will have to marry her…so it's good you get and meet her before you marry her."

"Weeks?" The blonde exclaimed alarmed.

The general looked at her with sympathy. "Look at the bottom of the third page."

Haruka did as she was told. She sighed putting the documents down on the desk. "I must marry the princess on my birthday."

"Don't worry Haruka; I've heard the Neptunians are good people and the royalty too, including the princess."

"Yes, although…I don't know why my parents never told me about her. I guess it doesn't matter anymore, I will meet her tomorrow and marry her by the end of the month." Haruka tried to think as positive as she could, but she simply didn't know if things were gonna be that easy.

Next day in Neptune

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

It had been the worst days Michiru had lived in her entire life. She had discovered she had been unscrupulously lied to. I'm so dumb, but I will never believe in men anymore! I'm not gonna cry for him any longer, he doesn't deserve my tears. Michiru silently sat in the same bench she had sat during her secret meetings with the Neptunian soldier in the rose garden.

Did she see it coming? No. Definitely no. Did it still hurt? Hell yeah. All that she ever wanted had vanished within a few days. Michiru Kaioh had been deceived and probably laughed at. The story in which she, the princess had finally met her true love and knight had not happy ending unlike the fables her mother told her when she was a small and innocent child. Her knight was nothing more than a cheap imitation of her ideal love…could that possibly be why it didn't hurt her as much as she thought it would?

Haruka looked down to her right hand and tenderly watched a golden ring with a big sapphire stone her parent's had given her as an early present for her 21th birthday. She inhaled profoundly before she stepped on the marble stairs leading to a huge palace in the Neptunian planet. Haruka was received by a proper servant and quietly awaited in the middle of the palace. There was a medium size water fountain in the center and she could see green plants peeking out from what she assumed was a sort of garden area. She stood patiently when a loud thud was heard. She quickly moved to where the sound came from and was taken aback from the sight she had before her.

"Please let me help you." Haruka said in her usual husky voice.

"I'm sorry; I'm such a clumsy person." A beautiful woman smiled.

"No problem." Haruka returned the friendly smile, "Tenoh Haruka, Ruler of Uranus." Haruka said as she reached for the woman's hand and kissed it on the back, never leaving her beautiful eyes.

The woman gasped, but quickly composed. "I'm Marina Kaioh, princess of Neptune." The blunette woman curtsied lightly at the blonde.

"Ahem." An unexpected cough made Haruka break contact with the beautiful blunette.

"Michiru." Marina hesitantly smiled at her sister. "I see you're doing much better."

The aqua haired woman looked at her sister and then she curiously looked at the person next to her. The blonde hair and teal green eyes looked so familiar. "It's you again!" Without her knowledge Michiru smiled as she recognized the blonde woman.

Haruka smiled back at her, ignoring the blunette next to her. "Hai, it's me again." She said as she reached for the aqua haired woman's hand and repeated the action she did with the blunette. "Tenoh Haruka, Ruler of Uranus."

Marina could only look in rage at how her sister and the Uranian ruler happily greeted each other. I can't believe it! Damn you Michiru! You even had to have a handsome and fine 'wife?' to marry! Sheesh I can't believe it, but I so want to see your reaction when you find out she's is a woman and not a man as you might think, and even better…that you will have to marry her. Marina did her best to not start laughing in front of her sister and visitor. She had been stunned when she saw the tall blonde standing in the middle of the palace. She thought of a handsome man, but when she heard the Uranian's name and title she knew who it was.

Michiru wasn't surprised of the blonde's actions because she had just watched her do the same with her sister, and she only thought of it as a polite and unusual thing do to for a woman, but nonetheless she kept smiling. "I'm Michiru Ka…"

"Haruka!" The King and Queen of Neptune approached the young blonde and the other two women.

Haruka respectably bowed in front of the Neptunian's rulers a bit confused that they knew who she was. "I… Nice to meet you." That's all she could manage to say.

"Gomen." Hotaka spoke first, "First I want you to know that we're very sorry about your parents' loss." Hotaka put a white, long arm over the blonde's shoulder.

"Yes, Haruka. We knew your parents even before you were born." Amaya said as she repeated her husband's actions.

Haruka just looked at them without knowing what to say. Marina and Michiru curiously watched their parents' interaction with the blonde visitor.

"Oh that's right!" Hotaka realized the young blonde didn't know who they were. "I'm Hotaka Kaioh," he said as he extended his hand, "and this is my wife Amaya Kaioh."

"Tenoh Haruka." The blonde still a little clueless said. "I'm here to talk about a matter my parents and you agreed years ago."

Hotaka and Amaya nodded in understanding and for the first time they noticed their daughters standing right behind the blonde Uranian.

"Hai. It will be better if we talk this in private." Amaya said as she looked at Michiru and then at Marina.

Haruka turned away looking at Marina and smiled, then she looked at Michiru and her smile grew even more. She then looked back at the Neptunians. "Alright as you wish your majesty."

Hotaka remained silent and he started walking away leading the way for his wife and visitor.

"Weird…"Michiru softly said after they were gone.

Marina only smiled well knowing what her parents and the blonde were gonna talk about. "Hai."

A huge red painted room welcomed the Uranian as the Neptunian king sat behind a desk similar to the one she had back at home and the queen paced around the room.

"I see you're informed of the contract your parents and we agreed years ago." Hotaka spoke as he took some documents on hand.

"Yes, my parents told me a couple of years ago about the arranged marriage." Haruka remembered how her mother had told her about the agreement as a way to stop her life style, "but I didn't know who I was supposed to marry."

"Yes, well. Your parents and we agreed to let you children enjoy your life freely without any worries about arranged marriages and stuff, that's why I assumed they didn't tell you as we still have to tell our daughter."

Haruka frowned, this was gonna be harder if the Neptunian princess didn't know she was supposed to marry and to marry a woman on top of it. "I guess now it will be a good time. My birthday is in a couple of weeks and we have to marry by then if you don't want to lose your planet."

"We know about that." Amaya hissed behind her husband. "It's just that…" light brown eyes looked into teal stern eyes.

"What's wrong your majesty?" Haruka recognized worriedness and uncertainty in the Neptunian's tone.

"Amaya," the aqua haired woman smiled. "Please call me Amaya. We already call you Haruka, so it is fair you call us by our names too." Amaya looked into two surprised dark green eyes and only smiled wider.

"Ok Amaya, please tell me what's wrong? I can sense there is something you seem to want to say, this is the best moment."

Amaya wondered unsure, but decided against her doubts. "I love my daughter Haruka," she paused trying to recollect her thoughts as she tried to figure out what she wanted to tell the tall blonde. "I don't want to see her unhappy. I only wish her happiness."

Even though Haruka barely knew the Neptunian's rulers, she knew what the aqua haired woman meant. After all, those were the same words her mother once told her. "I understand Amaya," she smiled as she ran her hand through her short sandy hair. "I don't want to hurt her either," she patted her right lap and looked determinedly at the queen. "What would you like me to do? I am willing to make the hard change smoothly as possible."

The King sat listening to the conversation between his wife and the young blonde. He knew that the agreement hadn't been such a bad thing after hearing the Uranian, his wife talked as he kept silent.

"Hmm…I was thinking you could get close to her before the wedding. I know it won't really make much a difference since we only have a couple of weeks but…"

Haruka listened thoughtfully at the queen's words. The idea seemed rather helpful to her; she after all didn't know the young princess and it would be helpful to at least get to know some things about her fiancée. "I think is a good idea." Haruka interrupted the queen. "I don't think Marina would mind if I try to become her friend."

The Queen and King exchanged glances; Hotaka broke his silence and faced the blonde Uranian. "Marina?" he chuckled shaking his head slightly.

Haruka was confused, wasn't the blue haired woman her fiancée? She remembered the blunette introduced herself as the princess of Neptune. Had she listened wrong or something? "What is it?" she asked still confused.

"Marina is not your fiancée." Amaya said with an amused expression as well. "Your fiancée is my oldest daughter."

"We have two daughters. They are only one year apart, but you're engaged to the first born of Neptune, and that is my older daughter…Michiru." Hotaka said as he massaged his temple.

The handsome Uranian's eyes and mouth were wide open. She clearly remembered the young miss of sea green hair on the beach and just a moment ago she had been able to recognize her again in the Neptunian's palace.

Michiru…

"She is a beautiful young lady and she will be a good wife." Hotaka smiled reassuringly and Amaya nodded in agreement.

"I…I will try to be a good spouse too." Haruka managed to say still not able to get out of her astonishment.

"I know you will." Hotaka spoke as he embraced his wife. "Why don't you join us for dinner? I will make sure a maid gets your luggage to one of our guest rooms."

"I think I will accept your invitation for dinner, but I already sent my luggage to the house I own here."

"You own a house here?" Amaya curiously asked.

"My parents bought it a long time ago and I have come a few times with some friends before." Haruka smiled sheepishly.

"Ok then as you please, but we must hurry before dinner gets cold." Hotaka stated as he moved to the door.

The dinner room was large, very large. Their table was very long too, the Neptunian's could easy accommodate 20 persons if they wished. The black haired king was seated in the main chair, his wife and Marina to his right and Haruka to the left; she was now seated next to another aqua haired woman, but a lot younger than the queen… Kaioh Michiru.

"And to what do we owe the visit of Haruka?" It was Marina who broke the silence after dinner was served and no one seemed to say something.

Hotaka frowned and glared at his daughter. "Marina what manners are those? How do you address someone so casually when you don't know that person?"

Haruka who had been quietly eating her meal reacted. "There is no problem," the blonde faced the King, "after all we have already introduced ourselves." She smiled at the blunette and Marina smiled back at her.

Michiru had been observing the tall blonde from the corner eye and saw how the Uranian woman didn't mind her sister's comment. She frowned when she remembered she hadn't finished her introduction with the blonde. "Haruka-san?" she softly said as she waited for the tall tomboy to face her.

"Yes?" Haruka stopped smiling and slowly turned her head to see a smiling Michiru.

"I never finished introducing myself, I am Michiru Kaioh." She kept smiling at the blonde.

Haruka already knew this information, but quickly ignored the awkwardness of the moment. "Nice to meet you Michiru-san." She said as she smiled at the aqua haired woman.

"Same thing, Haruka-san."

"So? Nobody is going to answer me?" It was once again Marina who interrupted the moment as she innocently looked at Haruka. She smiled at the blonde and then at her father.

"Haruka…" Hotaka was lost for a moment and then Haruka came for his help.

"I wanted to visit your parents." Haruka looked at Marina and then Michiru, "they were friends of my parents and I wanted to meet them."

Marina frowned, but quickly composed herself. She knew that wasn't the reason the blonde appeared at the palace, but didn't really want to dig in, at least not in front of her parents. "Ah oh, and are you planning on staying long? I wish you will, this palace is really boring and I would enjoy some company." She said as she bit her lower lip and winked flirty.

"Marina!" Amaya scolded her daughter for her bold behavior.

"I don't think Princess Haruka wants to stay here, she has her own planet and responsibilities." Michiru calmly said as she reached for a cup of tea.

Everybody in the table was shocked Michiru already knew Haruka's real gender. Well at least it was gonna be easier this way. Haruka sheepishly smiled at her. "Actually… I was planning on staying on Neptune for a few months after my wed…after I do something first." She looked at the Neptunian's rulers and then back at Michiru, "and please no titles I simply like to be Haruka." She said smiling.

Hotaka and Amaya smiled happily, they understood the blonde. They clearly knew Haruka was gonna take their daughter to Uranus after the wedding, but hearing that the blonde wanted to stay a bit longer made them happy.

"Well only if you too call me only Michiru."

"Ok Michiru."

The two of them looked at each other for a moment. The king and Queen liked how the two young women seemed to be fine with each other. They thought that maybe, just maybe the agreement hadn't been such a bad idea.

"You can call me Marina too." The blunette said as she tried to gain back Haruka's attention. For an unknown reason to her, Marina didn't like at all how the blonde looked at her sister. Michiru was still hurt even if she tried to sound and act happy, Marina knew she still wasn't over Adoki and that made her happy. Seeing the blonde trying to be friendly to her sister would not work for her plan. She didn't want to see Michiru happy ever again.

Haruka turned to face Marina and smiled to her. "As you wish Marina." Haruka looked back at the Neptunian's rulers as she took the napkin on her laps away. "I think is time for me to go. I still have some unpacking to do and it is already late."

The King and Queen stood up, following the blonde and the two princesses. "Very well then, but we'll see you tomorrow right?" Hotaka gestured with his head at Michiru without this one noticing.

"Yes, of course. If you Michiru and Marina don't mind my presence I would like to come back tomorrow."

"Of course we don't mind, you're very welcome." Michiru said as she looked at the blonde and then at her parents.

"Yes, you can come as many times as you wish." Marina got closer to Haruka and held her hand. "I already told you I like company."

Haruka smiled uneasily at Marina. She liked the young blunette woman, they could possible become good friends, but she was more interesting on becoming Michiru's friend. "Alright but then don't say anything when you get tired of me." The blonde joked never leaving the beautiful sea blue eyes of her fiancée.

Marina let go of Haruka when she felt that the blonde wasn't really paying her any attention. "Of course not."

The meeting with the Neptunians had went well, very well and Haruka was relieved that she would had no problems with them and she felt like she had gotten along with Marina and Michiru…well the young princess was very friendly to her even if she didn't talk much. Surely there was gonna be more time to get to know her Neptunian princess and future wife.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Thanks to anyone who continues to read this. I really appreciate the reception my story has gotten. I'm sorry again for the long author note; I promise I won't write any long ones anymore haha Please enjoy and R&R.