It's been a while since I've updated, sorry guys! I just had the hardest time trying to figure out how to proceed. This chapter, so far, is the hardest one I've had to write. I almost cried through half of it! It's still a bit rough but I like how it's going. I thought it would be interesting for Michiru and Selene to have a conversation about Selene's decision and it turned out rather well. Still hurts though, so be warned!

Disclaimer: Naruto, Sailor Moon, and Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles, their characters, settings, etc., belong to their respective creators. All original characters and settings belong to me!

Chapter 24: The Proposal

Michiru had greatly enjoyed her time out of her prison made of gold in the land of Mist, especially since she was able to meet the lady in the white…Princess Selene was such a wonderful person. The short time she spend with the princess she would cherish in her heart forever.

She calmly followed her escort to the Land of Water, not once thinking of running away. Her desire to meet Selene had been completed anyway, what more was there to do? Upon arriving in the Land of Water, Michiru was promptly escorted back to her husband's manor, the gates to the property signifying her end to freedom. She walked down long corridors to the receiving room, where her husband sat upon his small dias, waiting for her with his smug look upon his bastard face. Michiru knew very well the man did not love her, rather he loved her power. Having the ability to see visions through a mirror was quite an amazing feat to be sure. Any lord would do anything to grab such power for himself.

"My runaway bride, at last you have returned." He stood and as he walked down the steps, a servant came back and handed him a scroll. "You are just in time…" He handed Michiru the scroll.

Instantly Lady Michiru knew something was up.

"Why the suspicion?" He gave a slick smile. "I am giving you want you most wanted…Your freedom…"

She balked at his words. "What…Whatever do you mean, my lord?"

"A new development has arrived…One that will bring greater power to me than you…Thus, I have annulled our marriage. Do not worry, your family will still retain their honor."

Annulled? Seriously? After all the trouble he went through to get her hand? Her power? Why would he suddenly kick her out like leftover scraps for the dogs?

He flicked his wrist. "Get her out of here." The nearby guards grabbed Michiru.

"Wait."

She froze at the familiar voice and form that walked in. She was dressed in the same outfit Michiru had first seen her in and Michiru knew now why Lord Mizu was dismissing her.

"Princess Selene…" Lord Mizu walked up to the Crystal princess, kissed her hand. "I am sorry you had to bear witness to this…"

"Lord Mizu, you are kind and sincere." Selene knew how to work proper etiquette. "However, I will need some guidance as to how I am to be your wife…I am unknown to the ways of your lands." She smiled at Michiru. "Who better to guide me than one who has held the position before?"

A raised eyebrow. "You wish for my ex-wife to be your lady in waiting?" He did not seem to like this and Michiru knew why. She wasn't your typical Mist wife. "Perhaps another…More appropriate woman would be best, Princess…"

Michiru put on a smile.

"You are indeed most wise, Lord Mizu…" She stated. "A marriage with the princess of Crystal will indeed bring our lands good fortune, as the mirror has shown me." She saw his confusion and she chose her next words carefully. "Why do you think I journeyed to Suna in the first place, my lord? It was not to run away, but to find your true bride." She gave a bow. "I would be honored to teach the princess our ways."

The lord of the land contemplated Michiru's words.

"Very well…"

The rooms Michiru once called her prison now had a new mistress to greet them. Not once did Selene waiver, even when Lord Mizu decreed the wedding to happen as soon as possible. Michiru surmised he was not taking any chances, not when he would be close to a throne.

There was no need for guards because Selene would not leave yet again Lord Mizu was always careful of his prized possessions. Two guards stood outside the new lady's room, preventing anyone from entering or leaving.

Finally alone with her new lady, Michiru asked the question that bugged her the moment all of this happened.

"Why?" It came with a bundle of irrational confusion and worry. "Why do this for a complete stranger?" Somehow Michiru believed that wasn't so…They were not strangers…Not people who just met recently. It felt as though she knew Selene longer than she had known her parents.

Selene regarded Michiru with calm eyes. Though she was but twenty years of age, the Crystal Princess seemed to have lifetimes of wisdom hidden behind her pools of light blue.

"I just cannot allow a friend to be without happiness." She said. "It is confusion, I know, but we of Crystal believe everyone deserves to be happy. No matter their rankings."

There was another question handing in Michiru's mind.

"How did you get here so fast?" She was sure the teleportation jutsu was still in development here. There was no possible way Selene could have gotten here before her.

The princess simply continued to smile. "All that should matter is that you are free to love whomever you desire."

This was wrong, completely and utterly wrong. Selene was putting up a good front but Michiru knew her heart belonged in Suna with the Kazekage. This princess from a foreign land was sacrificing her heart, her love, for someone she just met.

Wait a minute.

"Does he know you are here? What you have done?"

That made Selene sigh. "If he does or doesn't, this is still my decision." She looked into the mirror upon the dresser. "He was right…I cannot let go of who I am so easily. I cannot let the outside world break my Crystal resolve. If sacrificing my happiness would save a friend, a dear one at that, then I would give it wholeheartedly."

Michiru watched a crack in Selene's calm form reveal itself as a tear falling from her eyes. Like the gentle woman she was, Michiru approached and brush the tear away with her finger.

"Then might I give a proposal to you…" Her decision made, she hugged the woman. "Let me protect what is left of your heart…As payment for my freedom."

Selene placed a hand upon Michiru's arm. "Thank you…"

Michiru smiled.

"No, dear one…Thank you…"

Next Time: For the People, Not for Love