Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, or any of it's characters.

Note: Apologies for delays in chapters, I am on a new work schedule that has me completely exhausted as of late. I do overnights and it's been nonstop until we have another person on board with us...that and I am currently also trying to regather all my notes for this and hopefully not miss anything since I did get a new laptop and want to make sure I have everything good to go for chapters and what not. Do not fret I will NOT abandon the story I will finish this, that is a promise, I may just drop off here and there due to work and my daily life lol.

Haruka rolled onto her side as she felt her body coming to. Despite her earlier activities with training and with Michiru, she was surprisingly waking up to feeling pretty normal. No aches, or soreness, proving that a nap was all she needed, everything else was just added bonuses in her mind. She stretched herself out as she reached out for her said partner, but felt nothing. Quickly opening her eyes, she glanced around to find her room vacant. Sitting herself up she glanced over at her clock, it was working on being well past dinner time, she shot right up, "Apparently several hours of sleep was needed." she huffed as she searched her closet for something more appropriate to wear. Yanking her pants on and her shirt, she slipped out of the room to make her way downstairs to figure out where everyone was at.

She spotted Gran on the stairway on her way down, "Hey Gran, where's everyone at?" Gran chuckled, "Glad to see you're finally up. Your father is with Agnes in the dining hall having small talk, Michiru left dinner a little bit ago. I think she went outside to get some fresh air." Haruka felt her breath catch before Gran spoke again, "Don't worry, she's not gone far. You two need to stop fretting over the other every time you two are apart. Yes, I know there's something evil out there, but she is safe and can handle herself just like you can." Haruka sighed, "I will never stop worrying until that thing has been taken care of for good. I'll see you around." as she made her way outside. She kept herself moving at a decent pace to not seem frantic, but wanted to be with Michiru in case something were to happen,

Once outside, she spotted Michiru laying down staring up at the night sky, she made her way over, "Hey, surprised to see you outside, usually that's my sort of thing." Michiru sat up at the sudden voice, but softened when she saw her, "Never a bad idea to have a change of pace every now and then. I see you're finally awake, sleep well?" she smiled up at her. Haruka nodded, "I did, though I did have pleanty of help with that thanks to you." as she sat down next to her. Michiru chuckled to herself before laying back down, "Glad I could be of some good use." as she stared back up at the sky. Haruka smiled down at her, "So did I miss anything?" Michiru shrugged, "Not really, just more talk of our upcoming trip to Neptune and more planning. Your father and Agnes broke into the wine and were talking about good times and their past memories, I decided to give them space." as she brushed a few loose strands of hair behind her ear.

Haruka leaned back on her arms, "Sounds like they are having a good time then, aside from just constant strategy talk and planning our little adventure. It's good to see him relaxing during all of this. I get worried about him sometimes, ever since mom passed." Michiru rolled onto her side, "What was she like?" she inquired with a small smile. Haruka laid herself on the ground next to Michiru, "My mother? From what I can remember, she was very poised and elegant, but man did she have a wild side. I guess I get that from both my parents." she laughed. Michiru closed her eyes as she talked about her, "I remember always being outside with her, she was constantly guiding my every step, trying to get me to settle down some, but at times she knew it was pointless. In pictures I do look like her a lot, just her hair was much longer than mine, more than yours too. I can see why my dad fell for her, she had such beauty and grace, much like you Michi, I don't think I match anywhere near that of her."

Michiru chuckled, "You are your mother, but mixed with the craziness your father brought, it's a well balanced mix I'd say. Though I cannot say I can see you with longer hair than me." she teased. Haruka laughed, "Yeah could you imagine, as wild as the wind as I can be, that would not end well for anyone, mostly me." Michiru laughed, rolling onto her side to rest her head on her chest, "I love you the way you are Haruka, I am glad to have been by your side all these years. I don't know where I would have ended up had it not been for you and your father." Haruka wrapped her arm around her, "I am glad things had turned out the way they had. The night you literally fell from the sky." she chuckled. Michiru shrugged, "Can't say it was fun, I remember being quite terrified when I landed. No idea where I was, then hearing all those guards trying to open that thing I was in. It wasn't until you found me that I felt safe, like now." she nuzzled into her neck.

Haruka sighed, "I'm glad I found you. I'm glad I have you here with me now. I don't know what the future will hold, but I hope it will be at your side, as long as you will have me." kissing her forehead. Michiru leaned into the embrace, "I will always have you Haruka." leaning up to kiss her cheek. Haruka sighed, "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm starving." Michiru giggled, "I'll bet you are! Come on, I am sure there's plenty of left overs from dinner. Perhaps maybe sneak a bottle of wine ourselves to indulge in." as she sat herself up. Haruka followed, "Sounds good to me love, lets go." as she got to her feet and helped Michiru up to make their way back inside.

The night came and gone rather quickly before the two were awoken up the next morning to further train and prep for their upcoming fight. Today was to be done slightly different, Agnes wanted them to fight and think more strategy wise per the king's request. The two were more than capable of handling combat skills up close and at some distance, but now were being told to do the opposite: stealth. Each would have a a chance to separate and place a more strategic attack towards the other. This was to test them in being able to attack without being noticed. Haruka was able to do so much easier than Michiru was due to her previous training. Haruka had helped guided her some in how to attack without getting caught. Michiru grew frustrated with how much of a challenge this had become for her, Haruka continued to help, "I know you don't want to hear this, but being calm is the most important thing. I'll give you a moment to collect your thoughts before we begin again."

Michiru sighed in defeat, "Working side by side with you is the easiest, but I know there is a great chance of being separated and needing to be able to fight in a more controlled environment. I just hope I can manage something before the week is out." she walked off in frustration. Haruka went to follow, but her father stopped her and he took the lead instead. Agnes talked over things with Haruka as her father made his way to catch up with Michiru, "Michiru wait up a moment." Michiru turned and saw him approach, "I'm sorry, I'm just not as skilled and trained as Haruka is." He sighed, "That is not your fault Michiru, we didn't take the necessary steps with you as we should have when it came to this, but know this, you can do this. I assure you, you are your father's daughter." he said with a smile.

She looked at him with a raised eyebrow, he chuckled and continued to elaborate, "Your father was one of these best strategic commanding officers of his time. You are no fighter like Haruka, but fight you do have in you, just like you have this in there too." tapping the side of her head. She sighed, "What am I doing wrong?" feeling completely defeated right now. He smiled, "Stop overthinking it. You are trying way too hard, its more simplistic than you are making it to be. You know what she is capable of and that is why she has the upper hand, but you know what you need to do, just do it the way you know how, the same way you do when you fight. I promise you, you will be able to succeed if you stop overthinking it. Now what do you say?" Michiru smiled meekly, "Alright, I'll give it another go." He smiled, "You can do this Michiru, I know you can. Now get back in there and knock her down off her pedestal like you've always managed to do." giving her a nudge.

Michiru laughed and made her way back over. Haruka smiled as she approached, "You ready?" Michiru nodded, "As ready as I'll ever be." as she took off out of sight. Haruka made her way back out to their playing field to await whatever might be coming. Agnes and her father stood to the side to keep themselves at a distance, not wanting to get caught in the middle of the storm they brewed up. Haruka stood her ground, dug a small pit for her foot, ready to leap up at a moments notice. The wind rustled about her, it was almost an eery quiet, sending a tingling sensation through her body. She was much on edge with the thrill this brought her, it excited her to no end. A loud crack was heard, her eyes snapped into the direction, watching a tree collapse to the ground. Haruka felt the ground shift beneath her feet slightly before her feet shifted as well, readying herself for anything.

Again it became quiet, nothing but the sound of her breathing coming out in a slow controlled manner. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut through, the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. She closed her eyes, focusing on her surroundings, a low rippling noise caught her attention: water. She opened her eyes to catch sight of water coming out from nowhere, but Michiru wasn't in sight. Haruka darted her eyes around to try and locate the source, but found it difficult the more water that came about. She felt water rush past her feet from behind, causing her to jerk her body around, again Michiru was not in sight. Haruka felt her heart beat quicken in it's pace, her senses were peaked, "Where are you Michi?" she spoke in a taunting manner to herself.

Another loud crack was heard followed by several more. Several trees collapsed, a wave of water rushing them out towards her. Haruka lept into action, locating the key source, the wind shifting her to her destination with ease. She quickly made herself into a good fighting stance before she slammed her fist into the ground calling forth her planet's power, "World Shaking!" as the ground erupted beneath her, rushing towards the center of the collapsing trees. She watched as it completed it's destructive path, the dust settling, again it went eerily quiet. Haruka scanned the area, hoping she hadn't done anything to hurt Michiru. She stood her ground, but soon felt a rush of water wrap around her ankles slamming her to the ground. Haruka yelped at the sudden contact, her hand clawing at the earth beneath her as she felt the water drag her alongside it. She quickly slashed at it with her wind abilities to free herself, leaping back onto her feet.

Haruka scanned the area, trying to figure out the new source, "Getting better Michi, but how long before I find you?" she taunted. She heard nothing, no come back, she smirked, "Smart move, but I will find you." her eyes darting over to an oncoming wave. She was quick on her feet, moving out of the way, but felt another force of water slam her into a nearby boulder. She grunted upon impact, "Well played." she spoke through gritted teeth. She got back into her stance, spotting water ahead: bingo! Haruka quickly sprinted in said direction, her body becoming the wind itself as she sped over there. She landed with ease, her eyes scanning the area, she saw where Michiru was apparently camping it out, but no longer there. Water remained in a puddle around her, it was odd to her, "Michiru, not a smart idea leaving behind traces for me to find you." to called out.

More silence, but not like the way she was feeling it earlier, something seemed off now. She walked around, keeping her guard up. It wasn't long until she heard a quiet leap behind her, Haruka turned quickly grasping hold of it and pinning it to the tree. She froze when she saw it was Michiru, "Michiru, what the-" feeling her hand cover her mouth. Michiru shushed her, "Something's not right." she spoke quietly, releasing her hand. Haruka eyed her, "What's going on?" Michiru motioned towards the pathway behind her, "While I was here waiting, something seemed off. I didn't want to seem like I noticed until you got over here. Look at how the trees are facing, they do not follow the wind patterns like the others." Haruka turned to look, spotting the way the trees faced, they seemed unaffected from the wind, "You're right, but why?" she inquired.

The two carefully made their way over to investigate, keeping themselves on guard, not sure of what to expect. All that was heard was the steps they made as they cautiously approached the pathway. Haruka's eyes scanned around them, trying to spot anything else unusual, Michiru did the same. Haruka soon felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on edge again, feeling the ground shiver slightly beneath her feet. Haruka went to speak, but a loud explosion erupted between them, sending them both flying backwards roughly. The two quickly got to their feet, watching as a dark entity molded itself together. Haruka was quick on her feet, using her swift wind abilities to aid in attacking the new enemy. Michiru followed suit and sent a small wave to help destroy it, "Where did this thing come from!?" she yelled out in mid fight. Haruka slammed her fist to the ground to launch another atttack as the black monster growled in response to them, "No idea, but its going back to wherever it came from!"

"Agreed!"

The two watched as the monster growled in defense at them, keeping itself distant from harm. It watched them carefully before taking off into the shadows to escape. Haruka charged after it, "After it!" as Michiru followed behind her. They continued to chase it into the woods more, hearing it screech and growl as it moved faster to get away. Haruka lept into the air to try and strike it down, but as she reached for it, the monster disappeared. Haruka landed making a small divot in the ground where she hit, her eyes scanned around her, "What the hell?" Michiru looked around as well, "Where did it go?"

The two felt the uneasiness that surrounded them, it was calm, but the air around them was disturbed. Haruka shifted to keep themselves close, but soon felt the ground beneath her break. Michiru turned at the sound of alarm from Haruka's voice as the earth broke apart beneath her, "Haruka!" as she went to assist her, but the monster reappeared behind her.

"Michiru, behind you!"

Michiru jerked her body around to face the oncoming monster once more. Haruka was quick to move, but felt her body slam against the edge of a now large open hole in the ground. Michiru quickly moved on her feet to dodge the monsters attack. Haruka held herself up carefully trying to pull herself up to get to Michiru. Michiru dodged another blow, but the monster continued to growl and shriek in anger as it tried to hit it's target. Haruka hauled herself up, but felt a force knock her back down to where she barely managed to catch back onto the ledge. She looked up to see the priest grinning psychotically down at her, "My how a single sip from her blood can make me feel so alive again." his voice hissed at her gleefully. Haruka narrowed her eyes as she kept herself from falling, "Doesn't change the fact that together we will destroy you before you can amount to anything else!" The priest snickered, "Not unless I kill you right now." his fingers tracing her's that were clinging to the edge. Haruka spat, "You wouldn't dare, it would be a waste of power for you."

He glared down at her before eyeing the fall below her, "Mm true, but I doubt the fall here would end your life that fast. I could still keep you alive long enough to drain you, then Neptune will follow."

Haruka growled as she used the wind to shift herself up, bringing her knee to to collide with his jaw. She watched as the priest flew back, scraping along the ground slightly stunned. Haruka launched at him again, "I will never allow you the chance!" she screamed. The priest rolled out of the way of her attack, "She is mine, always has been, she promised herself to me, I will have her!" he hissed. Haruka growled, her teeth grinding, her body rigid and tense, "Through my dead body!" The priest grinned, "That can be easily obtained." as he went to go for her.

"Deep Submerge!"

Haruka felt the wave rush past her and watched as the priest flew across the path, snapping bark and branches as his body flew past it in the process. Haruka turned to see Michiru landing next to her, "Haruka, are you alright!?" she turned to face her. Haruka nodded with a smile, "Very much, where's the monster?" Michiru smiled, "Dealt with, now lets take care of this damn priest." as she turned her focus on him. Haruka grinned, "Couldn't agree more." as she stood her ground next to Michiru. The priest grunted as he gathered himself to his feet, he eyed the two, "You may have defeated the small pet, but there will be more. Mark my word, I will have what is mine." eyeing Michiru. Michiru narrowed her eyes, "I am not yours, I will never be yours." she snapped. Haruka clenched her fist as she heard the priest chuckle with delight, "Oh, but you are mine Neptune. You promised yourself to me so long ago, though you just don't remember."

Haruka narrowed her eyes, "I swear it's like you enjoy listening to yourself talk. It's just poison coming from you mouth." clenching her jaw. The priest grinned, "Allow me to shed some light on this subject." as he vanished into the shadows. Both women were quick in defense mode, eyes scanning around them as he continued to speak, "Many years ago, we went out on a little 'picnic' as you remembered it as. Children are so open minded and easily trusting. The innocence you possessed, made this all the more easy." his voice echoed around them. Michiru recalled something similar from her mother's diary, it was the day they discovered the priest to be bad. Her mind tried to pull this information, but proved difficult. Haruka glared at her surroundings, "Only something as evil as yourself would think such things." she growled.

The priest continued his taunt, "Yet being the future Neptune and no one knew of what she was to become, I had to ensure her fate to me. It was so easy, I gave her something that kept things secret until the time was right. Though doing that was my downfall, it hid her true identity and when her damn mother got involved and separated her from me, well she's where she belongs for taking what was mine. I just had to buy myself time to find her, and behold when you two aged together, waking both entities within, I finally had her back. Uranus is just an added bonus to my feast and rise to power."

Michiru snapped, "How dare you speak of her in such a way! You are the one who will pay for your actions, you will be stopped!" feeling her body shake with anger. Haruka reached for her, but felt Michiru jerk away at the touch, "Michi?" The priest chuckled, "Try as you might, but know you will fail, just like before." as his voice disappeared. The two glanced around, it was completely silent. Darkness soon seeped along the ground from a nearby tree, it flowed from it's source like it was bleeding. Both Haruka and Michiru eyed it cautiously, soon a loud crack was heard, Haruka yelped when she felt a vine wrap around her neck, slamming her to the ground. Michiru panicked as she went to reach for her, but soon felt a vine wrap around her own slamming her to the ground. The priest chuckled as he slithered out from the darkness, "Now this is fun." she chimed.

Haruka grunted as she felt the vine tighten anytime she tried to move from it, her body soon was dragged back and up against a tree. Haruka reached for the vines, clawing at it, "You fucking coward." The priest snickered, "Coming from you Uranus, you fight just as dirty, well you did once, or twice in the past, but not too important at the moment. Right now, I have something to deliver to Neptune, it's the whole reason for my visit. Everything else was just added fun." as she approached Michiru. Michiru jerked at her restraints, "Stay away from me!" The priest hovered over her, his head cocked to the side as he grinned down at her, "Now where's the fun in that Neptune? This will help wake the fogged up little brain of yours, this will prove that you are mine and what you promised me years ago." as he knelt down next to her.

Haruka screamed at him, "Get the fuck away from her!" feeling the vine tighten causing her to cry out in a strained voice. Michiru heard the pain in her voice, "Haruka!" watching the priest trace his fingers along her cheek. She attempted to jerk away from his cold touch, he chuckled, "Just relax my sweet." as he dug his nails into his palm. Michiru watched and soon smelled blood as it formed around his nails, he smirked as he relaxed his hand. Michiru watched in fear as he moved his bleeding palm towards her mouth, "No!" her hands reaching to push his away. He laughed at her attempt, removing the vine from her neck to her hands instead to yank them away, "Just relax, all will be well." pressing his hand over her screaming mouth. Haruka jerked at her restraints, "Stop it!" she yelled. The priest felt her squirm beneath him to get away, he watched as the blood dripped from his hand into her mouth and around her face, "Shh, almost there my dear."

Michiru felt her body slow and become limp, Haruka noticed, "Michiru!" The priest removed his hand and grinned, "There we go, that was all you needed." as he stood to his feet. The vines released their hold on her, but MIchiru lied still. Haruka growled, "What did you do to her!? feeling blood trickle down her neck as the vines dug into her skin tighter. The priest smiled as he approached her, "Just helping her 'wake up' from her clouded memory." as he inhaled a deep breath, as if enjoying the aroma around him. He eyed Haruka as he stood in front of her now, "Though your scent has woken my hunger, perhaps i should give you what you asked for. Go for you instead, you are just as easy to obtain as she is. I don't have a preference, you both taste divine." as the vine pulled away. Haruka felt her neck released, but her arms became wrapped and pulled back and behind her against the tree.

The priest grinned as his hand grasped her chin tilting her head back exposing her neck, she grunted, "Stay the fuck away from me!" she spat. He chuckled, "Just relax, let it be." his mouth sucking at the blood at her cuts. Haruka cried out from the contact, it felt like fire, her body feeling drained. He hummed against it, trying to get more before pulling back, "Mm, your's taste just as good as Neptune's." as he reached with his hand to open the cuts more. Haruka felt his nail press into the vine cuts, her voice cracked from the pain. The priest watched as blood trickled down more from the small slice he made, "Just a bit more, you both taste heavenly." as he went to go for more with his tongue.

"Deep Submerge!"

The priest jerked as he heard a familiar threat, his eyes widening at the oncoming powerful wave. He felt it hit, taking on the powerful blast before collapsing to the ground. He hissed from the pain before he vanished completely, "This isn't the last of me." his voice rang out. The vines became free from control, Haruka fell to the ground, her hand reaching for her neck. She felt her body shiver from the pain radiating from it, Michiru fell to her knees next to her, "Ru-ka?" trying to see if she was okay. Haruka felt the burning in her neck still, she looked at Michiru who matched her weakened state, "I'm f-fine, you?" Michiru nodded before tilting over onto her side on the ground, "Y-yeah." Haruka felt her mind fogging up from the pain, she knew they needed to get back to the palace, get help from Agnes and her father. Using her last bit of strength in her voice, she yelled out loudly for help in hopes that they would hear her.