I think I might end this soon enough... I don't want it getting redundant... As always your thoughts are apriciated.
All the business arrangements had been implemented and all the kingdoms were doing at least a little better financially. Haruka had held the first of many press conferences about the rise in violence that had so far been swept under the rug. She did not reveal her own attack but had laid the groundwork for later. She did not want to shock the people with too much information at once. She would ease them into the realization in due time, but not quick enough for her own desires. She thought of Aiko nearly non-stop these days.
Usagi was making personal visits to each of the kingdoms; starting with the outer lying one's to use the silver crystal to look for any witness's that Yuri might have placed a block on. She was due on Uranus in three days. Michiru was due back from Neptune roughly the day before Usagi arrived. They had had a great deal of business to attend too what with helping Mercury and a few other offers that had come up thanks to the increased communication of the kingdoms. Haruka leaned against the railing of her balcony and sighed exasperatedly. She was going to be alone the next two days at least, as she had been for the last twenty-five. She was nearly out of her mind with longing for Michiru and was counting the minutes until her return. They talked each night, usually at long length, on the note-phones but it just wasn't the same as being able to the woman in her arms. She straightened and went into her room to go through some paperwork. If she could not be with Michiru, she could at least get some work done. Haruka worked nearly non-stop when Michiru was not around to distract her. She decided to hold a public forum to listen to the people's grievances the next day. It had occurred to her that she was trying to do all this work for the people when she was not entirely certain what it was that the people actually wanted. She alerted the security staff that jumped to readiness and even brought a few new trainee's to grand meeting hall to go over some new procedures with them. Haruka looked at the clock, it was nearly two am, no wonder the security personnel had been surprised to hear from her. She stretched and crawled into bed not even bothering to undress. She went through the motions the next day, meeting directors and having lunch with her father whose illness had slowed again and he was getting some strength back. They ate in his study and he wanted her to come tell him all of the people's complaints after the forum this afternoon. She nodded and kissed the top of his head and headed off to the grand meeting hall. The complaints were surprisingly similar to Haruka's own thoughts on the matters. She was actually quite an astute ruler. A few petitions surprised her though. A young woman was petitioning the right to attend law school and another, the right to wed another female. Haruka had not even been aware that there was a law against it. She hid her surprise and listened to the woman's argument.
"Your Majesty, I do not believe love is available only to those precious few of privilege. I feel it belongs to everyone and I would like the chance to find happiness with another of my own sex, as you have with the princess of Neptune." The woman was young, probably the same age as herself. Haruka was silent considering the situation. She finally nodded and took a piece of parchment and drafted a marriage license herself. She sent the woman off to get it notarized and made official with the head priest. She listened to a few more, not many had come. Haruka had to take this as a sign that perhaps things were not as dire in her land as she had thought. Either that or the people were not secure in the belief that Haruka truly would listen. She stretched after the last of the people had cleared the hall. Haruka had kept a list, which she had revised and expanded to suit the people's grievances. She had sent the young female lawyer off with the chief justice and was happy to hear that the two were getting along famously when she checked latter that day. Haruka went back to her father and discussed the meeting with him in detail.
"Father why are there laws against same sex marriages amongst the peasants?" Haruka asked a stern curious note in her tone. Her father looked perplexed.
"Haruka there are so many laws from ancient times that need revised or amended or abolished, please, give an old man a break. I did the best I could while in office to go through the law books and find quirks just such as that which would need revision. I have a list, I think…" He trailed off rummaging through his desk and finally coming up with a piece of old looking parchment. He handed it to her and she looked it over. He told her to keep it when she offered it back. She kissed his cheek when he became tired and headed back to her own quarters to think about the day's events. It had been a productive day, even if she had not accomplished anything major. She sat out on her balcony in the night thinking her dark thoughts about all that had happened. She looked out over her kingdom and up to the sky where she could see Neptune shinning a clear and true blue. It was as a becon of hope to a lost sailor. She stared at it in the sky, her thoughts turning to Michiru. She was just going over Michiru's every soft curve in her mind when Setsuna appeared next to her.
"Setsu-Chan!" She exclaimed happy and yet unnerved to see her friend. "What brings you here?" She asked not showing her raw nerves.
"Tomorrow is Aiko's first birthday. The planetary symbol of her powers, if she's a senshi, will glow bright on her forehead tomorrow at the exact moment of her birth." Setsuna told Haruka.
"I know. Setsu I've been trying to avoid thinking about it all damn day!" Haruka cried miserably. "I can't stand not having her with me. I miss her, I think about her constantly, that and Michiru but I don't know how much longer I can go on like this Setsuna. I don't know how I could have been so wrong!" She exclaimed showing great despair. Setsuna came and stood beside Haruka's chair. Haruka wrapped and arm around Setsuna's waist and rested her against the other woman's stomach in an old comforting gesture. Setsuna nodded her understanding.
"Don't despair Haruka. How are things coming along with the plans for the kingdom?" She asked quietly running her fingers absently through the sky princess's hair in a comforting manner.
"Well enough. The people have accepted everything in good stride. I do not see why I can't tell them about the attack yet. I am miserable and increasingly distracted every day. Setsu that is just as bad if not worse than the shock of having her here would be. I can't focus."
"Haruka, you must try. I know it is difficult. This is an extremely delicate situation though. I will return to the gates of time and go over things with Chronos and see what state things are in." Setsuna promised.
"Thank you Setsu-Chan." Haruka stated hugging her quickly before she stood as the time senshi teleported out. Haruka went back into her room, leaving the balcony doors open. It was safe; her room was situated suck as that It could not be gotten to from the outside, unless of course you could teleport. Haruka did not let herself think about that. She lay in bed for a fit-full nights sleep filled with memories and dreams. She gave up the next day and after a cup of coffee she canceled all the meetings on the schedule, then went and found her father.
"Hello daughter." He greeted her warmly looking up from a massive volume he had been reading.
"Hello father." She nodded taking a seat in front of him.
"You seem distressed." He stated in a matter of fact voice looking her over. Haruka nodded.
"It's Aiko's birthday today. She was born at exactly three pm one year ago today after fourteen hours of labor." Gareth nodded and smiled warmly at his daughter. He couldn't imagine all that she must be feeling. He shook his head and closed the volume in front of him.
"I would think that you would want to keep busy today, try, and keep your mind off of it, if nothing else." He advised.
"I couldn't concentrate; there wouldn't be any use in trying to go about business as usual. I can't believe a year went by so fast." Haruka stated sadly. Gareth nodded agreement. He did his best to keep her busy but she was growing increasingly antsy the closer to three pm. He was tired and needed rest. He hated that his strength was failing him when he needed it, especially where his family was concerned. He vowed vengeance on that little prick that had done this to her. Haruka seemed to sense the state he was in and rang for his personal servant to come aid her father. She kissed the top of his head and he drew her into a hug. She left then and went for the piano in the grand ballroom. She sat down and played her fingers raw and after an hour she went straight back to her quarters. She sat on the edge of her massive bed and rubbed at her aching sides. She had been remembering her hours of labor all day and the closer to time it got, the worse the pain was. She looked at the clock and wondered where Michiru was. She had not wanted to be alone today of all days. Just as tears were running down her cheeks and she thought the memories would get the best of her, Michiru appeared next to her. The blue haired woman immediately took Haruka into her arms.
"What's wrong love? What is it?" She asked worry evident on her beautiful face. Haruka hugged her tightly, clinging to her as if she were a life preserver and in a way she was.
"Aiko was born exactly one year ago today. In fifteen minutes to be exact." Haruka told her through gritted teeth.
"Oh, Haruka, I'm so sorry I couldn't get here sooner. What is wrong? Why are you in pain though?" She asked wanting to help but she first needed to know what was wrong. Haruka cried out in pain and Michiru's concern grew.
"I don't know! I don't know what's happening!" Haruka cried into Michiru's shoulder. Michiru ran her hands through her lover's hair and chewed her lip.
"How long has this been going on?" She asked softly.
"All day, I've been with father, trying to not think about it. It's as if I'm being forced to relive that moment." Haruka stated trying desperately to get a grip on her body.
Haruka doubled over in pain and Michiru had enough. She called for Setsuna and Chronos. They appeared almost immediately. Setsuna took in the state of Haruka lying doubled over on the edge of the bed and went to her. She ran a hand over her abdomen and scanned the room for any tricks of any kinds. The room was clean.
"Setsu-Chan, what's going on?" Michiru asked worry evident on all their faces.
"I do not know; this has never happened before." Setsuna stated in a calm voice though her worry was obvious on her face. She turned to Chronos and asked him in sight had any of the Senshi ever been separated from their children like this before? He shook his head no after a moment.
"Well we can't just leave her like this." Chronos stated. Setsuna nodded and had a worse thought.
"What if Aiko is going through the same thing? Stress of that magnitude could kill her in the fragile state she's in." She stated unable to keep the worry from her words. Chronos nodded and made a gesture in the air with his time staff. Setsuna did the same. A clear box appeared between them and Michiru watched in wonder as they opened it and drew out a child that was no more than two and a half feet tall and very slight. They looked the sleeping child over and their concern became amplified. Setsuna did the only thing she could think of. She placed the child in her mother's arms who was nearly completely out of it at this point. It did not seem to help. Michiru sat next to Haruka and drew both her lover and the beautiful child into her arms. She wiped the sweat from Haruka's brow and looked at Setsuna and Chronos.
"We are loosing them both! You have to do something!" She cried in anguish. Setsuna made another gesture with her staff and suddenly there stood the moon princess in full princess attire.
"What in the name of the moon?" Usagi stated blinking confusedly.
"Usagi there is no time. We are loosing both Haruka and her child. You must do something!" Setsuna stated, concern dripping from her words. Usagi took in the state of the people in the room and immediately drew out the silver crystal. She looked at Setsuna and Chronos with a hint of anger.
"How did it get this bad? Why was I not called sooner?" She asked as a silver glow started to encompass her.
"Haruka did not call anyone. She thought it would pass. I only just arrived and called Setsu, who called you." Michiru explained rubbing Haruka's shoulder in vain, trying to comfort her.
"Princess, please. This has never happened before in the vast history of the senshi. None of them have ever been separated from their children in their early years." Setsuna stated sadly.
"We had no way of knowing this would happen." Chronos said clearly upset. Usagi merely nodded and the glow from her crystal pulsed and encompassed Haruka and her child who did not respond. Usagi pursed her lips and focused her thoughts on Haruka and the child. She thought of nothing other than saving them both. A pure golden light encompassed her then and she rose into the air, a pair of wings appearing on her back. She focused everything on the senshi of the sky and her child. They were both in so much pain; it was all Usagi could do to get through to them. She finally managed and once they had calmed down, she was able to feed them the crystals energy and draw them out of the prisons in their minds in which they were caged. Haruka finally realized that she was holding her daughter in her arms and enveloped in love. She opened her eyes finally to see her friends gathered around her and Michiru holding her loving and protectively. Usagi came back down to the floor, her wings disappearing. Setsuna was waiting. She steadied Usagi as she drew all that energy back into herself. Usagi drew back what she could without taking from Haruka and her daughter. As the princess cleansed the room of her energy, she sat heavily in a chair that Setsuna had brought over for her. Haruka looked at the child in her arms with wonderment. She noticed a thousand small differences in the child's appearance. She drew her close, smelled the girl's thatch of blonde hair, and kissed her forehead. As she did, a golden light erupted from the child and Haruka smiled as it faded and the crest of Uranus was blazing on Aiko's tiny forehead. Everyone smiled as it faded and drew in close to look at the princess of Uranus.
"She's beautiful Haruka." Usagi stated happily that it was all going to work out. She refused to loose one of her court, and the strongest of the senshi at that. "They are not to be separated again." Usagi ordered looking at Setsuna and Chronos. Both nodded. "I will make the announcement myself about the attack and a few of the details but not the important ones. I am the queen of the galactic alliance and my word is law. If I say this is so and acceptable, it shall be. I should be enough. It will have to be." She added vehemently. Setsuna simply nodded. Usagi seemed to be thinking much more clearly after that burst of energy from the crystal.
"Why are you dressed so formally Usagi?" Michiru asked as she stroked a finger along Aiko's cheek.
"I was about to attend a banquet on Pluto with Hotaru. You pulled me out just as I was about to open the doors of the banquet hall. I am sure Hotaru will cover, however I should be returning." She said standing.
"Have you recovered enough for such a thing?" Setsuna asked quietly. Usagi nodded.
"I should be fine however I will have to remain an extra day and rest on Pluto before arriving back here." Usagi stated. "Just try to stay in the palace for the next couple of days. I will take care of the people when I arrive day after tomorrow. If the staff should see her, let them see her and talk. It will work out Haruka. She is a senshi and there is no need to worry. I protect all my senshi." Haruka nodded looking exhausted. Usagi teleported herself back to Hotaru's and Haruka smiled at her friends and kissed Michiru for loving her enough to appear just in time. Michiru smiled at her love who looked truly at peace for the first time in two years. Setsuna and Chronos decided to stay for the next few days and went off to find King Gareth and let him know of the turn of events. He was too weak and tired to see his grandchild that night but he ordered Haruka bring her to see him first thing in the morning.