Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. Sailor Moon and Superior belong to their rightful owners.
Superior
Chapter eleven
- Burn the Witch part 1 -
''We're leaving.''
Those had been Michiru's first and only words this morning before dragging Ami and Haruka towards the forest again. She hadn't even bothered to introduce herself to the blue haired girl who was now following them. At first Haruka wasn't so sure about taking Ami with them, not only because Ami was human and they would be in constant danger but also because she wanted to be alone with the aqua haired demon girl. They had to sort out what happened between them and how things would go from here.
But after giving it some thought she decided that maybe having Ami around wasn't so bad. Now she wasn't the only human anymore and wouldn't have to feel like the weakest link all the time. But also because being alone with Michiru could change everything between them. It could go into two directions. Bad or worse. There was no way Haruka could afford falling in love with a demon.
Michiru was going to be gone after Haruka would've killed the demon queen. Falling in love with a demon could mean the end for the entire human race. Haruka couldn't do it. She couldn't just let everyone have died in vain. Hitomi, her family, even Minako.
''What about Satoshi?'' Haruka asked after a while. They had strayed from the stone path and were now wondering around in the grass, surrounded by thick trees. At some parts rays of light shone through the open cracks in the leaves from the trees high above them.
''You didn't want to say goodbye earlier, didn't you? Just giving you your wish.'' The aqua haired girl replied. She sounded annoyed, irritated and, Haruka couldn't quite place what it was but Michiru sounded sad for some reason.
''I thought you were so against that plan.'' The blonde replied, noticing how Ami was watching the two with interest.
''We're going to find the queen.'' Michiru replied. She really didn't feel like having this conversation anymore. Satoshi had ruined every little bit of a good mood she had left. Minako had killed the rest.
''What about those other six sins?'' The tomboy now wanted to know. After all, it had been Michiru who said they would strike sooner or later.
Michiru who was walking a few metres ahead of them slowed down her pace so she was walking closer to the other two girls. ''They're after us anyway. Rei told us herself.''
''Rei?'' Haruka raised an eyebrow. Who the hell was that?
''The priestess.'' The aqua haired demon corrected herself. ''Those other sins will follow us here. Satoshi and the rest of your town would be safe. Us on the other hand, you should worry about.''
Finally Ami decided to speak up, noticing the tension growing. ''Are you two always bickering like this?''
Michiru rolled her eyes and quickened her pace again obviously disliking Ami's presence. Haruka on the other hand placed a hand on Ami's shoulder and smiled a bit reassuring. ''Not really. Things are just stressful lately. I'm sure you can understand why.''
The blue haired girl nodded and gazed over at Michiru sadly. ''She's a demon, right?''
''Yes.'' Came the reply and for a moment Haruka was afraid Ami would want to run away now. Instead Ami just nodded and smiled.
''She will protect us then. I can see it in her eyes. She's not evil like the one that killed my sister.'' There was a short pause. ''So if I understood right from your conversation, you two are actually after the queen. The demon queen herself?''
''They say that if the queen dies they all die. So I'm going to hunt her down and reclaim the world. Well, not really reclaim it. I'm just giving it back to our kind.'' Haruka put a hand through her hair in frustration. She'd said it so many times but it sounded more and more surreal every time she told someone about her mission. After losing to that priestess and losing Minako, a very strong demon, it seemed like something impossible to do on her own. Kill the queen of all the demons. The strongest one of them all.
''Who says it was your world to begin with?'' Michiru hissed. ''If you would've read a couple of books, written by humans, you'd see that demons and angel-like creatures lived on this earth a long time ago. Long before humans did. Not to mention the greek gods. Hades, Ares, Zeus. You name it.''
''Those are myths.'' Haruka was getting irritated as well now. The fact she didn't know what was going on with Michiru and why she'd been so set on leaving all of a sudden was bothering her.
''No offense but your kind thought demons were myths too until a little while ago.''
''Fine, whatever. I'm not having this conversation with you anymore. I was talking to Ami anyway.'' Haruka shot back. She noticed Ami getting uncomfortable again.
''Speaking about Ami,'' Michiru suddenly slowed down again and then finally stopped causing Haruka and Ami to come to a halt as well. ''Who the hell are you anyway, if I may ask.''
''Uh,'' The blue haired girl blushed, obviously a little intimidated by the aqua haired girl who was slightly taller than her. ''Ami Mizuno.''
''Not that. I know your name. Where did you come from all of a sudden?'' Michiru wanted to know. Her question was completely reasonable considering people were following them and attempted to kill her and Haruka. She had to be cautious but it seemed Haruka was being anything but that. Taking along another traveler after what just happened. Haruka couldn't be that gullible.
''I thought,'' Ami started but Haruka interrupted her by standing in between Ami and Michiru all of a sudden, pushing Michiru back slightly.
Michiru was taken aback by Haruka's actions so it took her a while to regain her cool composure. Finally her eyes met Haruka's and before she could even start to defend herself all the anger had disappeared again and was replaced by sadness and a fluttering feeling in her stomach. She was sad because Haruka was looking at her with such an angy look on her face but the fluttering feeling was because having Haruka's face so close to hers made her realize how madly in love she was with the tomboy.
''God, I hate you.'' The aqua haired demon wasn't speaking directly to Haruka but to the effect the blonde was having on her.
''Then just leave and don't come back. I don't need you to find the queen. Everything was fine until you came around. There's no reason for me to trust you anyway, just as you have no reason to trust Ami. You're a demon, why would you betray your own kind like this? You lied about your name earlier and god knows what else you lied about. So don't even start with that ugly behaviour. Ami is human. You know it, I know it.''
It was true. Michiru couldn't sense any demon presence nearby and especially not from the blue haired girl. ''That's how you feel about me after everything that happened?'' And just like that her emotions were all over the place again. Sadness, anger, frustration. ''I almost burned to death to protect you!''
''About that!'' Haruka shot back, getting closer to the aqua haired beauty. ''How the hell can you have survived that fire when Minako died?''
''Please stop fighting.'' Ami tried, knowing there was no way to get those two on good terms now. She didn't know what was going on exactly but there certainly was some tension between those two. 'Sexual tension.' Although Ami couldn't quite place why she put it under the category of 'sexual' tension.
''You wish I had died? You'd be happy if I had? Would've been real easy for you wouldn't it Tenoh?'' Michiru yelled, her emotions getting the best of her. She didn't understand how one simple emotion like love could make her feel this upset and hurt. It was like someone ripped out her heart, put it back, just to do it all over again. No, it felt like someone was smashing her heart into a million pieces with a slash hammer.
''Of course not!''
''I love you!'' Michiru yelled. There, it was out before she even realized she'd said it.
Ami put her hands in front of her mouth in shock and a couple of seconds later when it finally set in Michiru copied Ami's moments. Haruk on the other hand didn't seem to react at all. She just stood there, staring down at Michiru with the same look on her face as she had when this argument started.
''You should really say something.'' Ami whispered to the blonde in front of her and gently poked the taller woman in her back, attempting to encourage the other to reply. The blonde never did anything except standing there for what seemed like an eternity.
Finally Michiru cast her eyes down in shame and put both her hands on her head as if it was hurting really bad. ''I shouldn't have... You should just,'' She obviously had a hard time figuring out what to say. How could Haruka be so heartless after she just poured her heart out.
''You should just tell me the trust about everything. What's your deal with the demon queen, how did you survive that fire and who are you really?'' The blonde tomboy demanded to know.
''Don't ask me questions when you can't even reply to mine!''
''You just confessed your love. That's hardly a question. And how the hell do you think this would end? With us living happily together while demons kill my friends and family. Not like there's much left.''
''We'll find another way.''
''I'm going to kill the queen.''
''You can't kill the queen.''
''Watch me.''
''You can't.'' Michiru pressed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
''And why the hell not?'' Haruka didn't even understand why she was this mad. Maybe because she knew that whatever Michiru was going to reply she should've seen coming.
''Because I'm...'' Michiru got interrupted by the sound of something exploding from behind the trees. It was difficult to see anything because of the deep and dark shadows but every few seconds there were flashes of light which reminded Michiru of little flames going on and off. Finally after a few moments of quietness something was shot into the direction of the three girls.
Haruka pushes Ami's head down, causing both of them to hit the ground and evade whatever it had been that was thrown at them. Michiru had been in the clear from the start so she just held her position. Annoyed by Haruka heroic action to help Ami. They all turned around to look at a body covered in blood that had landed against a tree.
''A demon.'' Michiru identified the body. It was clearly dead now. Something or someone had been able to kill it. Then it finally hit her that she was feeling the presence of another demon closing in on them at full speed. Not a demon weak like the one behind them but something much stronger and faster. Yet it was a familiar aura that made Michiru feel at ease.
''How do you know that?'' Haruka wanted to know, getting up again and helping Ami get up as well.
''I told you, upper level demons can sense other demons.'' The aqua haired queen explained.
The blonde raised an eyebrow. ''I thought you were a lower level demon. Atleast, that's what you told me. Another lie I assume.''
''Not now. Someone is coming.''
Once more all three girls focussed on the shadows were they could clearly see a pair red glowing moving closer to them. Ami couldn't help it but hide behind Haruka a little. Was it coming after them now?
''You killed one of your own kind. Why?'' Michiru demanded, not waiting for the person in front of them to fully appear.
The figure in the shadows seemed surprised for a moment but then went back to staring at the three girls with an intense stare. Then it moved closer, stepping into a ray of light.
It was a green haired woman with ruby red eyes. She was wearing a black dress that reached just below her knees with black high heels underneath. On her left wrist she wore a little silver bracelet with the letter H on it. She scanned the area for a moment before dropping to her knees in a very lady-like manner. ''I killed it because it attacked me.''
''Stand up, please.'' Michiru asked the bowing woman, fearing she might've known her identity. The green haired woman nodded and got up again, bowing her head slightly and identifying herself as Setsuna Meioh, an upper level demon who used to live in a village nearby.
''I heard there was a group of two demons and one human hunting the demon queen and killing rebellions,'' Her eyes fell on Ami. ''But it seems there was some mistake. I count two humans and one demon.''
The aqua haired demon sighed in relieve. This woman obviously had no idea she was the demon queen but she didn't seem like someone she could fool easily. Michiru had to get rid of this woman fast. ''I'm sorry, I don't know what you want but we simply can't trust you. As enemies of the demon queen we can't afford to trust anyone who walks up to us. Even if you killed one of your own. How do we know you just killed an enemy and not some innocent demon?''
''Innocent demons do not exist.'' Setsuna replied simply, her voice never betraying any form of emotion. Yet Haruka couldn't help it but feel attracted to the green haired demon, she was pretty and her eyes were luring her in somehow. ''And you don't have to trust me. I didn't expect you too. I only wish to ask for your help.''
''Help?'' Haruka was now curious.
''Haruka, no.'' The aqua haired demon warned her companion, knowing it was already too late.
Setsuna smiled kindly. Now she just seemed out of place in her dress and in this forest. She looked like a princess who just came back from the ball but had lost her way. It scared Haruka how easily demons could change their moods in just a few seconds. ''My friend is being held prisoner by a village that's protected by a fake god. I can't defeat it on my own. Especially since I've been brought up by that town. I've lived there even before demons came crawling from their holes. People knew about me too but that fake god managed to make the towns people turn against me and hurt my friend.''
''Your friend is a demon too, I suppose?'' Ami wanted to know. It was only obvious to think that but Setsuna's answer surprised her.
''No. She's a human. A little girl. Her name is Hotaru Tomoe.'' The green haired demon sighed, her smile disappearing and being replaced by a sad look. Now she went from emotionless to nice to sad. And that only in the five minutes they had known her.
''And why would your village want to hurt one of their own?'' Michiru asked. Something was fishy about this woman's story.
''They want to burn her for being a witch next week. She'll be a warning to other demons and a sacrifice to their god.'' Came the reply. ''I know what you're thinking and you're right. I don't need your help because I'm too weak. I could easily kill every last one of them but I can't. They used to be my friends, their parents and grandparents were my friends and even some sort of family. I refuse to hurt them.''
''And they know you,'' Haruka said. A plan had already formed in her head and by the way of speaking even Michiru knew there was no avoiding it now. They were going to put their travel on hold once more to help this woman and her human friend. ''Me and Ami can enter that town without a problem since we're human. That fake god can't identify us as demons and so we won't seem like a threat. We could sneak Hotaru out without even alerting anyone.''
''Thank you.'' Setsuna bowed her head once more. ''I know you still don't trust me but I don't mind being tied up for the time being. If it makes you sleep better.'' The last part was obviously meant for Ami and Haruka seeing as Michiru didn't sleep.
''There's no need for th...'' Ami wanted to finish her sentence but was cut off by the aqua haired girl.
''We will do that. After all, you suggested it yourself so I assume there won't be a problem, right?''
''Right.''
''Michiru, seriously why are you acting like such a bitch?'' The blonde tomboy stepped into the smaller girl's direction.
''Is that actually what you wanted to ask me?''
''Stop acting like this if you ever expect me to return your feelings.'' The blonde hissed. She made sure only Michiru could hear her words. Although her words had been nothing but a whisper she was pretty sure Setsuna had heard them too somehow because the moment she had spoken her words Setsuna moved a little uncomfortably, looking away as if she was watching something really obscene.
''Hotaru!'' A voice called out to the young girl who was sitting by the water. She had chin lengthed black hair and was wearing a plain grey dress. She appeared to be feeding the birds and ducks some bread. ''Stop wasting your food like that.''
A tall man with black hair walked up to her with an angry look on his face, lifting her up by her arm forcefully. ''I'm not buying you any food when you're out of it. Don't think I'm being nice to you because I will have you replaced, you little insect.''
Hotaru didn't reply and dropped the last piece of bread to the ground while looking up at the man. You couldn't see it if you weren't looking for it but Hotaru could see the distortion on his face, showing that he was nothing close to a man. She wasn't scared of him anymore. She used to be when he found her four years ago but now she actually wished for him to kill her. How foolish had she been to beg him to spare her life.
''I should rip you apart right now,'' He snorted and tightened the grip around her arm, making it crack.
Hotaru pulled a little on the ropes that held her hands tied together. They'd been too tight before but after pulling on them a lot they didn't hurt her as much anymore. Her bleeding wrists had stopped hurting as well. Maybe it was because she was too tired to feel pain or to even cry. Two days ago they had locked her up here for talking to a demon.
Never for a second Hotaru had thought of Setsuna as a demon. Setsuna was nice to her unlike that aweful man that brought her to this town in the first place. She pitied her own kind for being so stupid. They banned a good demon from their town and let a really bad one enter. Most people weren't even acting like humans anymore. They were puppets now. His puppets.
To Be Continued
Sorry about Haruka's and Michiru's constant fighting. There's a reason behind it. I'll give away one hint; Ira.
