Here be today's chapter. Work for the next chapter and the rest of the story is done! A bit sad since this is shorter that I'd thought it'd be but oh well. At least the chapters are nice and lone, ne?
Thanks to Amnesia Nymph, aquaxeyes, X00001, LectorAnonimus, Ten'ousai, Soleil-Lune for reviewing last chapter!
A warning before the disclaimer: Towards the end of this chapter is some Haruka/Michiru intimacy so if you'd prefer not to read it feel free to skip over it. It's in the fic because one: this is more of an older teen/adult fic than my other ones; two: a random muse showed up and demanded it; three: This IS a Haruka/Michiru fic.
Here's a shocker for everyone: I don't own the rights to Sailor Moon or the Crow. Sigh...oh well. Off to SugoiCon as you guys read!
People once believed that when someone dies, a crow carries their soul to the land of the dead.
But sometimes, something so bad happens that a terrible sadness is carried with it and the soul can't rest.
Then sometimes, just sometimes, the crow can bring that soul back to put the wrong things right.
Michiru sipped at her wine. A man with slicked back blonde hair and jade eyes sat across from her. "How are you and Kaze doing?" he asked.
"We're doing okay," Michiru replied, setting the glass down.
"I'm glad to hear it. So…any thoughts on when you'd like to have your next big concert?" he asked.
"Not yet," Michiru replied.
"Well as soon as you do know let me know and I'll get everything set up," he informed her. She smiled and nodded in thanks.
Far above the pair, watching them through the skylight, was Haruka, the crow perched on her shoulder. She glared at the man with hate-filled eyes, recognizing him from the memories she had seen in the gang leader's mind. She rose to her feet, her eyes cold and hard. She turned and walked away, hoping that by not breaking in the man wouldn't know Michiru was a Senshi.
- - - - - - - - - -
Setsuna looked up as the door crashed in. She leapt to her feet as men dressed in black stormed the room. Three shots rang out, striking the Senshi in the chest. She fell to the floor, her garnet eyes watching as the figures laughed. One knelt down next to her. "The boss said you were to die first Time Senshi," the apparent leader smirked.
"Setsuna-momma!" Hotaru cried from the doorway.
"Run…" Setsuna whispered urgently. She felt her heart begin to slow and she stared up at the ceiling. So this is what it feels like to die… she thought.
"Heh…she's dead," another figure smirked.
"IIE! Setsuna-momma!" Hotaru cried. She looked at the body of her adoptive mother, tears streaming from her dark eyes.
The door suddenly flew open. "You weren't invited," the figure said in a cold voice, walking into the house.
"The hell you painted up for freak? Halloween is months over!" one of the thugs shouted at Haruka. They emptied round after round into Haruka but the blonde continued to walk towards them. She latched onto two of the three thugs and slammed their heads together with a resounding crack. The pair crumpled to the floor. Haruka shifted her attention to the remaining thug.
"The word mother is the name of God on the lips and hearts of all children," Haruka said. "It is a great crime to take a mother from a child, whether that mother is the child's real mother or not."
The thug hit the wall, panic on her face. "I was jus' following orders…" she stammered, fear in her eyes. "Please don't kill me!"
"I'm not going to kill you this time," Haruka said. "Instead, you're going to tell your boss that he's dead. He just doesn't know it yet." The female thug nodded and fled the house. Haruka turned away and knelt down next to Setsuna's body. She looked up into the eyes of Hotaru.
"She's gone," Hotaru whispered. "She's gone…"
"If the people we love are taken from us, the way they live on is to never stop loving them," Haruka whispered.
"Demo…demo…" Hotaru sniffed.
Haruka brought her left index finger to her lips. Hotaru fell silent and the blonde placed her hands on Setsuna's body. Haruka's head dipped down and her hands began to tremble. Hotaru watched in amazement as Setsuna suddenly gasped for air, her wounds gone. The Time Senshi looked at Haruka. "Haruka-san…" she whispered.
The blonde rose to her feet. "The man Hogosha is the one responsible for trying to end the world," she said. "His name is Damien."
"Da…Damien? You're certain?" Setsuna demanded, rising to her feet. Haruka nodded once. "It couldn't be…"
"What couldn't be?" Haruka demanded.
- - - - - - - - - -
Hogosha watched as Michiru drove away. He smiled faintly, his jade eyes turning cold. He turned and walked back into the building. He returned to the top floor and noticed a young, frightened woman standing off to the side. "Speak!" he commanded.
"We…we killed the target as you ordered…demo…"
He walked over to her and forced her to look at him. "What?"
"Some freak showed up…killed my two friends…"
"Did you kill this 'freak'?" Hogosha asked.
"We tried but the bullets wouldn't drop him."
"So this freak of yours killed two of your companions and just let you go," he said, turning away from her. He poured himself some wine and sipped it.
"He told me to tell you that you were dead and just didn't know it yet."
Hogosha laughed. "I will soon be a god in this world. This person is a fool if they think they can kill me." He looked at the clock. "In a short time Michiru should be calling extremely distraught over her friend's death. I, being the perfect gentleman of course, will make the offer to her of staying here with her son and adopted daughter. She will agree and then all that will remain is the rest of the Senshi's children."
A man with black hair turned from the window. "Sir, what do you need with the children of the Sailor Senshi?" he asked.
"Their blood is the purest of all, the child of Sailor Moon's especially. By sacrificing them to the Dark Lord, his power will come into me and I will become his vessel in this world." Hogosha turned and walked to the window. "The Senshi will pay for banishing me during the Silver Millennium." He smiled. "My little sister has already paid the price of betraying me."
- - - - - - - - - -
Teal eyes watched as Michiru walked into the room. She set her purse down on the bed and began removing her jewelry. Haruka closed her eyes as memories of her and the Sea Senshi danced to the front of her mind…
Haruka carried Michiru into the bedroom, both their faces flushed from laughter and the small amount of alcohol they had had at their wedding. The blonde Senshi set the shorter woman on the bed and they kissed.
"I love you Michiru," Haruka whispered between kisses.
"I love you more," came the reply as the pair stared at each other, smiling.
"You win Michi," Haruka smiled softly.
Michiru smiled and pushed the black tuxedo jacket off of the blonde's shoulders. It fell to the ground and the Sea Senshi began working on the buttons to Haruka's white shirt. "What's my prize?" she asked seductively.
Haruka's skin quickened as Michiru's slender hands brushed her skin as she pushed the shirt off. "Anything you want," Haruka answered softly in a low, husky voice. The blonde's hands were busily undoing the ties of the sea green kimono Michiru was wearing. The garments fell to the bed and were pushed onto the floor.
Michiru smiled suddenly pushed Haruka down onto the bed. She kissed her lover as they finished shedding the remainder of each other's clothes. "Now behave," Michiru whispered in Haruka's ear.
"What about the door?" Haruka questioned.
"Setsuna-san took Hotaru with her to stay at a hotel tonight." Michiru grinned wickedly. "You're all mine tonight." Haruka smiled and kissed the aqua haired woman passionately, her hands pulling the Sea Senshi close…
Haruka blinked away tears. She locked her emotions behind a brick wall in her heart, her face becoming hard. She silently stepped out of the shadows and stood a few feet behind Michiru. "You look like you had a good time," Haruka said softly.
The Sea Senshi jumped and whirled around. "Ha…Haruka…I didn't know you were here," she said.
"It was a good thing I was here tonight," she said as she started to walk around the room. She stopped at the dresser and looked at the pictures that decorated the top.
"Naze?" Michiru asked.
"Your boyfriend send three of his flunkies to kill Setsuna."
The Sea Senshi frowned. "Boyfriend sent to kill…what in the name of Kami-sama are you talking about?"
"Your new boyfriend, Hogosha."
"He is not my boyfriend and he didn't send anyone to kill anyone," Michiru returned, glaring at Haruka.
"So what do you call a man who you have a private dinner just for two with?" Haruka demanded.
"Were you spying on me?" Michiru demanded.
"I was worried about you because none of the others have seen this guy."
"So how do you know he sent people to try and kill Setsuna-san?" Michiru demanded heatedly.
"Because I recognize him. His full name is Hogosha Damien. He's the man who had Mika killed! He killed me and just tried to kill Setsuna-san tonight! She had three bullets in her chest!"
"She looked fine to me when I came home," Michiru shot back.
"Thanks to an apparent gift I now have," Haruka growled. "Why are you being so difficult Michiru?"
"Why are you so adamant Hogosha-san, who happens to be one of my biggest sponsors, is responsible for everything? Are you jealous?"
"Jealous? That man ordered my death! I saw him order it to the gang leader who carried it out!"
"Don't lie!"
Haruka did her best to keep her temper in check. It was not easy. "Fine," she whispered, her head bowed. She turned from Michiru. "Go ahead and walk down the path to the killer of your wife and child." She lifted her head and looked at Michiru, her teal eyes burning with hate and sorrow. "But if you take Kaze or Hotaru down that path too, there won't be a safe place in this world or the next from me."
"You're overreacting Haruka," Michiru said.
Haruka was suddenly stranding right in front her. "Is this me overreacting?" she demanded. Before Michiru could do anything Haruka had placed her hands on Michiru's head. Michiru's eyes closed and images swam in her mind…
Hogosha glared at the group of men across the room. "You are certain they will get the job done Ja'aku?" he asked a man with black hair.
"I can guarantee it sir. They'll be able to take care of the target."
"Send the leader over."
Ja'aku nodded and walked over to a man with dark hair and red eyes. The pair walked over and the red-eyed man lit up a cigarette. "Your boy here says you got a job for us," the gang leader said.
"I want you to take care of someone for me," Hogosha said. He handed the gang leader a folder.
The man took it and opened it up. "Ten'ou? You want me and my boys to take out Ten'ou? He's awesome! We can't do this!"
"Ten'ou Haruka is a woman. I need her taken care. If she lives then she'll get in the way of my plans," Hogosha answered.
"Yeah…demo…" the leader began.
Hogosha smiled cruelly. "Did you forget what I can do?"
The gang leader's face paled. "We'll take care of it," he said quickly.
"Good. And if she has a child with her, kill the kid as well."
"Kill a kid?" the leader asked.
"Do it, or else," Hogosha snapped. The gang leader nodded and hurried back to his friends…
- - - - - - - - - -
The others laughed and joined in the jeering. They fell silent as a tall, dark haired man entered the room. He was nearly six feet tall and had dark red eyes. He was dressed completely in black and stood over the kneeling Haruka.
"Don't take this personally Ten'ou. I'm just following orders," he said.
Haruka glared at him. "Let the kid go and I'll let you live," she snarled.
The man chuckled. "I think not my dear." He pulled out a gun and took the safety off. "I let you live, and plans get messed up. I can't let that happen."
Haruka lunged at the man. "I said let her go!" she bellowed.
The man shook his head. "I was going to let her live as leverage, but if that's the way you're gonna be about it…" he trailed off, shaking his head. He aimed the gun at Mika who looked at Haruka fearfully.
"Poppa…" she whimpered.
Fear rose in Haruka's eyes. "Don't hurt her! Please! I'll do whatever you want! Just don't hurt my daughter! Don't hurt…!" she exclaimed when a gunshot cut her off. Tears streamed down her face as the men holding Mika let her body drop to the floor. "Mika…" Haruka whispered. "MIKA!!" she bellowed in grief.
"I wouldn't worry," the man said, pointing the gun at her. "You'll be joining the whelp soon."
Haruka glared at the man, hatred and fury in her green eyes. "I'll kill you for what you've done," she growled.
"You can't kill me if you're dead," he smirked. He pressed the gun against her head and pulled the trigger. The men let Haruka's body fall to the floor, her arm falling on top of Mika's. "Take their bodies," the leader ordered. "Toss the kid in the street. Dump hers into the river." The men nodded and did as they were ordered…
Michiru blinked and looked up at Haruka, having fallen to her knees during the parade of images. Tears shimmered in her eyes. "He…he…" she whispered. She wrapped her arms around her middle and bowed her head.
Haruka knelt down and gently lifted Michiru's head with her hand. "We have to stop him before he ends the world."
Michiru's eyes burned with determination. "I'll do more than stop him…" she growled angrily.
Haruka smiled. "We will save the world," she agreed. "But we can't leave the kids unprotected or vulnerable."
"Maybe Usagi-chan could as Helios to take the children to Elysian until Hogosha is stopped," Michiru suggested.
"Sounds like a plan," Haruka agreed as they rose to their feet. She blinked when Michiru suddenly engulfed her in a tight hug, her body shaking with sobs. "Michiru?"
"I prayed everyday for you to come back safe…ever since the police came and told us that Mika was dead and you most likely were too," Michiru whispered. "I didn't want to believe you were dead…demo…demo…"
Haruka held her lover. "Everything will be okay Michiru." The Senshi looked up into the teal eyes. She reached up and gently held the blonde's painted face. Haruka pulled away and turned from Michiru, her head bowed. "I didn't want you to see me like this," Haruka whispered. She stiffened when she felt Michiru's hand rest on her shoulder. "Michiru…" Haruka whispered as the smaller woman turned the blonde around. The Sea Senshi placed her hand over Haruka's mouth.
"I don't care if your hands are stained or not," she whispered. "In this moment right now you are alive. I just want to hold you...just one last time." She reached up and pushed the black coat off of Haruka's shoulders, letting it slide down to the floor.
Haruka remained still as the Sea Senshi pulled off the black shirt the blonde was wearing. The violinist's slender hands then began working on the black jeans. Haruka closed her eyes, inhaling deeply through her nose. Michiru's scent swam into her nose and the carefully constructed wall Haruka had erected around her emotions crumbled. She opened her eyes and unzipped the dress Michiru was wearing. It slid off of the Senshi's shoulders and landed on the floor.
Michiru pushed the blonde's jeans off and the pair stepped away from their clothes, hastily removing the other's undergarments. Haruka pushed Michiru onto the bed and gently lay on top of her, capturing the Sea Senshi's lips in a passionate kiss. Michiru eagerly returned the kiss, her nails scraping against Haruka's back. The blonde let out a small hiss of pleasure and kissed Michiru's neck. The smaller woman's eyes fell halfway closed as her breath quickened. The Senshi's heart began pounding as Haruka's hands roamed down the aqua haired woman's body.
Michiru closed her eyes completely as Haruka began moving her tender kisses down from her neck to her chest. The Sea Senshi suddenly stopped the blonde. Haruka looked up at the smaller woman, confused. "Nani?" she whispered.
"I want the real you," Michiru answered. Haruka frowned in confusion. "I don't want to see you as the Crow. I want to see my Ruka's face." She got off the bed and pulled Haruka towards the bathroom. The blonde went after Michiru, remembering that her face was still painted with the white and black paint. The Senshi turned on the shower and pushed Haruka in. She followed and closed the glass door.
"This water's a bit cold Michi," Haruka said.
"Then I guess we should cuddle to stay warm," the smaller girl winked. Haruka chuckled as the water slowly became warmer. Michiru picked up a washcloth and rubbed some soap onto it. "Hold still," she ordered. She reached up and began washing off the white and black make-up. Haruka closed her eyes as the hot water slammed into her back. She had not slept or eaten since returning. She didn't even feel pain anymore. But as the water hit her skin she could feel her muscles relaxing. She felt the washcloth leave her face and turned to the stream of water.
"Ruka…are you all right?" Michiru asked worriedly.
The blonde opened her eyes and turned to the Senshi. "I'm fine," she said.
"Then why are you crying?"
Haruka reached up and wiped the water and tears from her face. "I don't know," she replied honestly.
"What…what will happen to you when we stop Hogosha?" she asked softly.
Haruka turned off the water, her back to Michiru. "I don't know."
"Will…will you be able to stay?"
The blonde shrugged. "I have no idea Michiru. I thought I had just come back to avenge Mika's death as well as my own." She turned and held Michiru close. "Let's not worry about that though. I just want to be with you tonight." The Senshi of the Sea nodded and they kissed. Haruka blindly reached out and grabbed a large fluffy towel. She wrapped it around them and she began to dry her lover off.
Michiru smiled. She brushed the wet blonde strands from Haruka's face. "You are the only soul I love," she whispered.
Haruka smiled as she finished drying the smaller woman off. Michiru stole the towel and began to dry the blonde off as well. "I'll never leave you Michiru," Haruka whispered quietly. "If I do, I'll find you." Michiru smiled and let the towel fall to the ground. She allowed the taller woman to guide her back to the bed and fell back onto the sheets. Haruka passionately kissed Michiru. She partially lay on top of the smaller woman as her lips went down to Michiru's neck. The Senshi closed her eyes, her mouth gaped open as Haruka's hand slowly roamed down her body. Michiru's gasped slightly as she felt Haruka's fingers slide into her. Her breathing quickened and she began to writhe under the blonde as the fingers slid in and out of her.
"Kami-sama…" Michiru whispered. Haruka continued applying her tender kisses to Michiru's neck and shoulders. She moved to the smaller woman's chest and nuzzled her lover's breasts. The Sea Senshi's hands were gripping the sheets tightly as she came. "Kami-sama!" she cried, tears sliding out her tightly closed eyes.
Haruka gently wiped away her tears. "Ashiteru yo."
Michiru looked into Haruka's loving teal eyes. "Ashiteru yo Haruka," she whispered. She grinned suddenly and flipped the blonde over onto her back. "My turn," she told the blonde. She straddled the blonde and leaned down. The two kissed and Michiru moved down to Haruka's chest. She sat up and began massaging her lover's chest. A content smile was on Haruka's face, her eyes partially open. The aqua haired woman leaned down and left a trail of kisses that went from the blonde's chest to her taunt abdomen. She moved back up as she gently cupped the blonde's sex in one hand.
Haruka wrapped her arms around Michiru. She felt her lover's fingers move into her. Her breathing quickened as Michiru worked on her. Rapture spread through the blonde's body. She shuddered as the Senshi cuddled next to Haruka. "Ashiteru yo Michiru," Haruka whispered, holding the small woman close. Michiru smiled and kissed Haruka gently on the cheek. The two remained cuddled next to each other for the rest of the night, neither one wanting to move.
- - - - - - - - - -
Haruka stood out on the balcony, the wind ruffling through her short hair. She let out a slow breath, the wind making the sleeves of her white shirt billow. She turned and watched the moon sink into the lightening sky.
"Daddy?" a soft voice asked.
Haruka turned and her eyes widened, her voice caught in her throat. Tears threatened to spill from her teal eyes. She swallowed and did her best to hold back her tears. "Mika?" she whispered.
The small girl ran to Haruka and hugged her around her waist. Haruka felt her arms and the tears began to fall. "I've been trying to talk to Mommy and Kaze but they keep ignoring me along with everyone else," the girl whispered.
How do you tell your child she's dead? Haruka thought as she closed her eyes, one hand resting on Mika's head.
Japanese Word Guide:
Iie: No.
Naze: Why?
Kami-sama: God/gods.
Ashiteru yo: I love you.
See why the rating went to M? The other reason is violence...hurray violence!...though violence is bad in reality. Boo real violence! Hurray fictional violence!
Okay, before I begin rambling, drop a review. My only request is that any reviews sent to me are non-flames. Remember that old adage: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all". So keeping that in mind, send a review! Signed or unsigned!