Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.
Chapter Six
The spotlight was bright, but Michiru didn't mind in the least. After years of performing, she had grown to love the light, the audience and the way time seemed to still. She adored transporting her audience, easing their stress and worries, and leaving them relaxed and happy. The melodic tones of her violin reached a crescendo and Michiru closed her eyes in sheer bliss. She had a way of pouring herself into the notes and in turn, her own fears melted away. All too soon, the song came to an end and she returned to herself once more. The applause and cheers of the country club's patrons were deafening. Her agent and parents would be pleased, as well as the club's prestigious president. This performance would open up even more doors to expand her popularity. She bowed deeply and waved to Elsa in the audience. Her friend, resplendent in an indigo cocktail dress, waved back and flashed her signature grin back at the violinist.
Michiru headed backstage to change into more comfortable clothes. Her dressing room was packed with flowers and notes from well wishers. The fragrant smell of roses tickled her nose as she exchanged her formal dress for a simple flowy polka dot skirt and plain black blouse. The warmth of the evening had her tying her lovely aqua tresses up with a black ribbon. Ready to mingle and maybe see if Elsa wanted to go have dinner together, Michiru left her dressing room, bag in hand. Wandering down the corridor towards the stage exit, she suddenly paused. Faint crying emanated from the backstage area.
Michiru followed the sounds of tears until she found the source. A young boy of ten was sitting on the dirty floor behind a wooden prop crate.
"Hey, what's wrong buddy?" she asked sweetly, smiling at the lad. He must belong to some members of the club, she thought. He was dressed handsomely in a charcoal suit, his tie adorned with Pokemon characters.
"I can't ffind my mmommy." he sobbed, looking up at her with tear filled green eyes. She ruffled his dark brown hair in comfort.
"Don't worry little one. I will gladly help you find her. Just curious, how did you end up back here?" The boy only shrugged his small shoulders and refused to answer. She pushed the crate out of the way and helped him to his feet. Michiru placed her hand on his shoulder and lead him towards the stage exit door. They rejoined the throng of people milling about in the country club's auditorium. Before she knew it, the child was pulling her towards a group of finely dressed women. He released Michiru's hand and snuggled up to the side of a lovely lady with long blonde hair.
"Shota! There you are. I was beginning to worry." she said. Turning to Michiru, she bowed deeply. "Ms. Kaioh, I am in your debt. Thank you for finding my son and bringing him to me."
"Mrs. Yamaguchi! I wasn't aware he was your son!" she responded as the older woman thanked her. The stunning blonde before her was none other than the wife of the country club's president. Michiru had only met the Yamaguchis a handful of times, but never their child.
"Yes, he is my son," the blonde admitted. "He can be mischievous, but we're rather fond of him. He was excited to be allowed to attend your recital tonight."
"I am honored." Michiru bowed deeply and then excused herself to go track down Elsa. The lovely violinist didn't get very far before she was pulled aside. The young woman had long fiery hair and a pointed nose.
"Ms. Kaioh, that was truly a lovely performance." she said. "I am Mr. Yamaguchi's secretary." Her cold amber eyes seemed to look straight through Michiru. "He is just now waiting for you backstage and asked me to send you his way. He said something about papers to be signed." She rolled her eyes as if the request had been a big burden to her. Before Michiru could protest, the redhead sashayed away into the crowd. Michiru shrugged her shoulders and headed back the way she had come.
"Mr. Yamaguchi?" called Michiru. She was backstage looking for the president of the country club who had summoned her. Searching behind the large red stage curtain yielded no results. She peeked into the dressing room she had occupied earlier and an adjacent empty one, to no avail. She was about to give up and carry on with her evening, when she heard the backstage catwalk rattle ominously. "Who's there?" she cried out. There was no answer.
The catwalk above her trembled and suddenly descended with a deafening crash! The sound and fall of the metal structure didn't frighten her nearly as much as what arose from the wreckage. Her eyes widened as she took in the monster before her. Unlike the previous youma she had faced, this one had thick, unruly brown fur covering its entire body. The head was canine like and boasted rows upon rows of razor sharp teeth dripping with saliva. It stood on its two long hind legs and began to advance upon her, yellow eyes glinting dangerously.
Michiru yanked out her transformation rod. This time, the words didn't feel as foreign on her tongue. "Neptune Planet Power Make Up!" She felt a brief reprieve from her fear and anxiety as the comforting vortex of sparkling water engulfed her petite form. When it dissipated, Sailor Neptune stood tall and strong, ready to face the threat to her life. The wolf creature disregarded her transformation.
"I've come for your pure heart." it growled menacingly. Michiru didn't pause to wonder at its words or even the fact that it could talk?! "Deep Submerge!" she called as she summoned the blue orb to her palm and launched it at the monster. This one is smarter, she realized as it swiftly ducked behind a crate and avoided her attack completely. Quick as a flash, it leapt up and over the crate to strike at Michiru with claws longer and sharper than knives. Tumbling out of the way, she narrowly missed being sliced open. Giving her no reprieve, the creature turned and attacked again, reaching for her with its giant hairy paws. The time she wasn't as quick and received a slash to her forearm. Adrenaline pumping through her system now that blood trailed down her arm, Michiru searched for higher ground. Racing towards the stairs of the catwalk, she prayed she could outrun the terrifying monster. She threw herself up the steps and maneuvered the small footpath with all the agility and grace of a Sailor Scout.
Unfortunately, the youma followed her up into the heights of the theatre. Shadows littered the twists and turns, slowing Michiru down as she tried to think of a plan. It couldn't chase her forever, she would tire and be a sitting duck for the youma to devour. It obviously didn't care about what happened to her once it got that which it sought. It was as she contemplated this that she made a grave mistake. Michiru had completely forgotten that the creature had collapsed part of the catwalk to announce its presence earlier. Spotting the huge gaping hole in the metal, she barely slowed in time to avoid plummeting fifty odd feet to the floor below. Michiru whirled around to face the monster closing in on her. "Deep Submerge!" She managed to lob another ball of energy at the wolf creature. It howled in pain and fury as the orb found its mark. However, the blast did not cease the advance of the youma. Michiru was trapped!