IV. Precipitando Part 2

TW/CW: blood and graphic depiction(s) of violence

Michiru took in a deep breath before exhaling slowly. Bubbles erupted from her nose and rose to the surface, skirting across her skin. She reached out and dragged her fingers through seaweed before curling her fingers and dragging them through the sand, letting the sedimentary rock pool underneath her bare fingernails. A small parrot-fish swam past her left ear and across her face, bumping into her nose.

The water around her began to shake as a loud banging sound disrupted the silence. Michiru flinched, reaching up to cover her ears. Frowning, she slowly turned onto her side, looking over her shoulder. Kasumi's large eye stared back; her index finger pressed firmly against the glass. "It's time for you to get dressed," she insisted. Reaching her hand up she pressed the face of her watch against the glass.

Michiru glanced at the time before nodded. Closing her eyes, she clasped her hands together in front of her to her chest, her nipples brushing against her forearms. The around water ceased all movement. A moment later, goosebumps erupted along her skin, and she let out a deep, shaky breath. Opening her eyes, she watched as her aquamarine tail slowly turned back into her pale legs, her teal painted toes shining brightly against the linoleum floor.

"Please don't tap on the glass," Michiru said. She grabbed the towel from the table in front of her and began to dry her legs and feet. A black Fortic appeared on her body in a flash of teal light. "I already told you, it hurts my ears."

"You're right, I'm sorry," Kasumi apologized with a low bow. She picked up a small bottle of fish food and sprinkled it the surface of the water. Three parrot-fish quickly swam up and began nibbling at their food. A damsel fish swam in and out of the seaweed that lined the bottom of the tank. "I just had to make sure you were out before the VIP guests started to arrive."

"Sometimes it's a better world under the surface." Michiru carefully folded the towel up into a neat square and placed it back onto the table. Kasumi rushed over and dropped to her knees, a pair of black heels and a pair of black heels with aquamarine soles in her hands. Michiru pointed to one of the pairs before looking at her reflection in the mirror. "Better than what's to come." She picked up a diamond necklace and fastened it around her neck, the jewel resting right above her cleavage. She then reached up and smoothed the lace of the yoke of her dress flat against her chest, her painted fingernails the perfect contrast to the dark clothing.

"I thought you found her?" Kasumi asked. She slipped the shoes onto Michiru's feet before standing back up. She then opened the large makeup box on the table and began rooting around for some makeup brushes and lipgloss.

"I did, but she's running away." Michiru ran her hands down the bodice of her dress, smoothing out any wrinkles. She then titled her head up to allow Kasumi to put lipgloss onto her lips and eyeshadow onto her eyelids. Once finished, Michiru stood up and moved across the room to her violin case. "It's what she's good at."

Kasumi jumped, dropping the items in her hands as a loud knock came from the other side of the dressing room door. She glanced over at Michiru, who nodded, before rushing over to the door. Michiru popped the lock on her violin case and carefully removed the instrument from its velvet sheath.

"Um, excuse me, Kaiou-san, but two of the backstage pass holders are here," she called out. "What are your names?"

"Tsukino Usagi," a high voice called out.

"Ten'oh Haruka," came a second gruff voice.

Miciru carefully placed her violin and bow in her right hand as she moved to close the case with her left. Kasumi checked off their names from a clipboard before stepping to the side and allowing the two guests into the room. Michiru turned and regarded them with a warm smile. Usagi's hands were clasped to her chest, a look of excitement and awe on her face. Haruka was a few paces behind her, looking around with faint interest.

"Oh wow, so pretty," Usagi breathed. She reached into her purse and pulled out a small notebook and a pen. "Please, may I have your autograph?" Her hands shook as she held the items out.

Michiru nodded once, bringing her violin up to her chin. "Of course. I will indulge you of your request, but would it be alright if I tune my instrument first?" she asked. Haruka stuffed her hands into her pockets before taking interest in the aquarium from across the room.

"Oh! Of course. Do what you need to." Her hands shook so much that her notebook and her pen ended up falling to the floor. Haruka quickly reached out and retrieved them. As she moved to stand up, she couldn't help but notice the flash of porcelain skin within the slit of Michiru's dress as she moved into a comfortable position.

"You must be careful," Haruka said as she handed the items back to Usagi. Their fingertips brushed against each other's. "Unless you're doing so on purpose so I can keep rescuing you."

"Hmm?" Michiru asked. She placed the bow onto the strings of her violin.

"I actually went to the wrong venue at first and lost my ticket." A light flush turned her cheeks to a dusty rose as she lowered her head in embarrassment. "Haruka-san, I-I mean, Ten'oh-san allowed me the use of one of hers as had lost mine. And then I kind of got lost back here." She chuckled, before reaching up and rubbing the back of her head. "So many hallways."

"Haruka-san is fine with me, kitten," Haruka answered.

"Haruka, how nice it is to see you taking such good care of your partner," Michiru commented, her dark blue eyes shifting focus to her. "So protective," she purred.

Usagi let out a loud shrieking laugh before shaking her head, her long blonde hair shaking. "We're not…we just met," she insisted. She looked over at Haruka who winked in response. She squeaked. "I-I already have a boyfriend."

"Oh? And she calls you kitten?" Michiru raised an eyebrow. "Well, be sure to be careful. I think a fox just found its prey."

"Don't say such things," Usagi said, waving her hands in the air.

"I'm glad you were able to make it tonight," Michiru said. "However, I thought you were busy."

"Surprisingly, my plans changed," Haruka commented. Kasumi cleared off a couch in the room before asking what the two guests would like to drink. After Haruka and Usagi gave their requests, Haruka placed a hand on the small of Usagi's back and pointed over to the couch. The girl was too entranced with the aquarium to notice. She shrugged and made her way across the room.

Michiru started to move her bow across the strings of her violin, a low timbre filling the room. A sharp pain erupted in Haruka's temple. Her steps faltered as she reached up to grab her head. Usagi, noticing Kasumi putting out some snacks, rushed over and tripped over her feet, slamming into Haruka's back.

Haruka grunted as she felt to the ground, pain erupting in her nose, dirt digging into her mouth. A knee was pressed hard into her back, limiting her movement. Her breathing became heavier, desperate to fill her lungs with air. She slowly turned her head, spotting long tendrils of blonde hair splayed out onto the ground. Haruka moaned in pain as she tried to reach her arm out, stopping as she felt an explosion of pain in her shoulder joint. Glancing down, the rounded ball of her shoulder joint pressed hard against her skin, straining for release.

"Leave her…" she rasped, spitting out blood. "Not…the princess."

Haruka's eyes followed the blonde hair and found a young girl on the ground, slowly trying to crawl on her hands and knees. Her long white dress was stained with blood, caked with dirt, and featured numerous tears. A crescent moon symbol on her forehead, glowed dimly. The girl was slowly making her way over to a girl in a red and white sailor suit, but came to a sudden stop, her head dangling back, as a dark figure stepped on her long hair.

Another dark figure walked over, a sharp dagger in its hand. "Don't…" Haruka pleaded. She shouted as a hand dug into her hair, pulling her head back. Another hand grasped her neck, forcing her in place. The blonde girl let out a cry of fear so loud, it sent a shock to Haruka's core, before the sound was snuffed from the dagger being dragged across her throat.

Haruka shut her eyes, squeezing them tightly upon hearing her body fall to the floor, a gurgling sound filling her ears. "…Ura…nus…"

Her eyes flew open. She blinked rapidly, taking in the screen of her alarm clock, reading the red digits. 2:29 AM. Haruka felt sweat dripping down her forehead as her shirt clung to her back. Taking in a shaky breath, she reached out and turned on the lamp on the bedside dresser. The low hum of the lightbulb split the silence of the room. Haruka reached up and felt her arm, sighing in relief that her ball and socket join was in its proper place.

Placing her hands down onto the bed, she moved to sit up straight but stopped upon feeling silky strands underneath her fingertips. Aquamarine silky strands. Turning to her side, she gasped loudly upon noticing Michiru sleeping peacefully, her bare back on full display.