*Running Against the Wind*
-Chapter 2 | Whispers of the Breeze-
Michiru studied her mirror intently by the wide, floor to ceiling windows of Haruka's dormitory room, her normally sweet eyes narrowed and mind conjuring up images of a life past and a danger present, flutters of jealousy in her heart at the sight of *her*.
"What's wrong?" Her lover's voice was gentle and concerned, unlike his normal cold or wistful tones.
She looked up with a tender smile, erasing the fleeting pictures with a swift swipe of her elegant hand.
"I was trying to read the mirror when something interfered and it clouded over," she lied. "It wiped off easily though."
He stared at her, and she was unable to read his blank expression. Haruka sighed softly, quickly moving to her side and wrapping his arms about her shoulders, face buried in her hair.
"Michiru."
She closed her eyes, feeling tears swelling up within. If only hers was the only name he uttered with such love…she touched the glass pane with one hand, fingers loose and barely brushing against the slick surface.
"What we're trying to do…may be useless…" His voice had taken a harder edge to it, the warrior of the wind becoming dominant once more. "Whatever we do, it may already be too late…"
Michiru inhaled softly, whispering in reply, "We knew that when we started, Haruka."
There was a quiet moment of silence before she continued, stronger. "The wheels of fate have started turning. The new awakening will finally come soon."
He turned her to face him, crystal blue eyes softening at the glistening tears in hers.
"We have to gather the three Talismans," she murmured, then fell into sobs, grasping his arms as she wept, salty tears stinging his own.
For with the Talismans came the Sovereign Queen of Death, Creation, and Infinite Oblivion.
*
Mamoru flipped through the pages of his newly purchased book, walking and turning corners as if he possessed some internal radar system. He stopped the pages from turning, his remarkable blue eyes landing on the chilling features of a gently smiling Professor Tomoe; the supposedly paternal smile eerily similar to a predator's when it was befriending the prey. 'Professor Tomoe, huh?'
Quickly, he scanned the page, reading the kanji rapidly.
:: Professor Tomoe Soichi
Superintendent Mugen Gakuen.
Professor Mugen Gakuen
University Section
Professorate Degree from T University, Genetic Engineering Division ::
Kaiou Michiru paused in her walking to the bookstore, having spied the broad shouldered back of one Chiba Mamoru.
"Are you researching Mugen Gakuen?" she asked with an understanding, though somewhat enigmatic, smile, unwittingly startling him.
"Ah…," he managed to squeeze out.
"The owner of the college, Professor Tomoe, is a famous scientist." Her smile was kind and patient, beautiful eyes sweetly reinforcing her words before she chuckled lightly. "Although……he was expelled from the academic establishment a long time ago."
Mamoru started, surprised yet again.
"Expelled? Some people in Mugen Gakuen……call it the Training School for Sorcerors. Did you know that?"
Her smile grew, pleasure evident on her ivory face.
"Because there are so many talented people from so many different fields, perhaps," he finished, awaiting her response.
"Or maybe…," she began, stopping her words when a timid schoolgirl's voice chimed shyly, "Um, excuse me…are you the violinist Kaiou Michiru?"
"Yes," Michiru smiled, turning from Mamoru, who watched the exchange with interest.
"I'm your biggest fan! Can I get your autograph?" shrilled the girl, obviously struck by hero worship.
She obliged.
'Kaiou Michiru…,' he mused, smiling wryly.
"And are you…a Sorceress of many talents?" Mamoru questioned, amused.
She literally beamed at him, face radiant and lovely, beckoning unknowingly. "That's right. I have a concert coming up. Please come. I can give you some tickets."
Tsukino Usagi paused on her way to the Crown Arcade, a sudden feeling of intense pain striking her stomach. Hiding around a corner, she gazed with wide eyes at her Mamoru…and Michiru.
'Is that…Mamoru? Why are those two…standing together?'
Her heart thumped painfully, throat contracting slowly. 'She's one of the people we have to be very careful of…why are you talking with her?'
And suddenly, she recognized that face, from a night not long ago, the icily beautiful face of a Senshi with aqua green trimmings on her fuku, staring jealously back at her.
The pain in her gut throbbed into a cancerous feel, pervading her body. 'She…'
Turning, she ran off, face flushed and heart confused.
*
Coming to a stop before the colorful neon sign of Crown Arcade, she sighed sadly and stepped onto the rubber panel, the automatic doors sliding open with a faint 'whoooosh' and an annoying elevator music-like jingle.
She had barely taken five steps inside when a calloused hand tugged back on one of the twin tails of blonde hair tumbling from the buns, causing her to shriek.
Whirling around defensively, she found herself facing Ten'ou Haruka in all his six-foot-plus glory, one hand clamped at the base of her bun, cooling the pained skin. Lips opening slightly, she blushed a pale pink color.
"Yo, Muffin-head! We meet again. Do you come to this arcade often?"
Staring at him, trying to calm her racing heart and the blush stealing across her cheeks, she had a flitting image of the young man in silver armor, the soothing moonlight glinting off steel gauntlets and boots…
'Ten'ou Haruka? He looks like that masked Senshi…'
Taking a hesitant step toward him, she began slowly. "Um…are you…possibly…a Sailor Senshi?"
His eyes widened, then his face turned bright red and he jerked backwards, one rough hand flying to his face as she turned beet red herself, gasping angrily at her own idiocy.
"Huh? What's that? A Sailor Senshi?" he repeated, grinning weakly.
Mentally, she berated herself. 'Aack! Stupid! Stupid! Usagi, you dummy, he's a guy!'
His slightly amused voice broke her thoughts. "You like that, don't you? Senshi and fighting."
She blinked a few times, mouth forming a delicate 'o'.
His smile was gentle and she felt a ghost of a memory flutter tremulously through her mind, vanishing sadly.
"You and your friends. Are you in some sort of a battle game?"
Face heated, she brought her loosely clenched fist up to her face, crying, "It's not just a…"
"Stay away from Usagi!"
The girl saw the four teenagers who protected her glaring ominously at Haruka, who was looking over his shoulder at them. Her face was still bright, though she felt strangely disappointed, words clawing at her throat.
Dropping his head and shaking it ruefully, he glanced up through his thick white blonde bangs. "Tch…ah, well."
So he turned to leave, the girls moving so he could exit.
Usagi took a trembling step forward, eyes wide and wishing, mouth opened as if to call him back, her soul calling, 'ah!'
Stepping outside, closely followed by the quartet, she watched his retreating form, stride confident, but slower than the pace she saw him normally walk with. Fast. As if he was trying to flee some fearful monstrosity…
'Like I fight against my destiny,' her mind thought sadly and she closed her eyes softly, feeling a sudden breeze caress her lovingly before fading away…into nothing…and she missed the wind…
*
Crown Parlor was a happy establishment, cheerful and suitable for the family.
And the feasting spot of the original six Senshi a week later.
"Wow. So you're on the student council for your new class, Chibi-Usa?" Makoto grinned.
The little girl nodded sagely, joyfully licking the sweet confectionary delight from her lips, pink curls bouncing as she nodded a second time, as if to assure her first response was correct. "That's right. I even get to be in the opening ceremony as the class representative!" she cheered, thrusting her spoon into the air with joyous fervor. "The new students were keeeee-yute!" she added, firmly adding more emphasis on the drawn out word, 'cute'.
"Chibi-Usa is already in second grade," Minako giggled, staring off into space as she reminisced.
"And we're finally in ninth grade," Usagi finished, looking depressed as she rested her chin on the table's edge. "Ah-ah! It's so depressing. The entrance exams are coming up."
"If an enemy appears now," the other blonde sobbed, "there's no way I'll advance to next year!"
Makoto winked roguishly at the two saddened girls, whipping her journal out of nowhere they could see.
"There, there. Let's forget that depressing topic. Y'know, tomorrow is April 17! Rei-chan's birthday. Let's have a party for her!"
As if a thought had suddenly occurred to the tall brunette, she twisted her head around every which way, looking frantically for any sign of the fiery priestess. "Come to think of it, where *is* Rei-chan?"
"She went to Mount M yesterday for training," Minako remarked glumly, still hung up on the thought of high school entrance exams.
"Training?!" Makoto screeched.
"She wanted to purify herself before her fifteenth birthday," continued Minako.
"No way! I wanted to have a party!" wailed Kino Makoto, clasping her hands over her face and moaning softly.
The two lunar cats, Artemis and Luna, male and female (respectively), white and black (respectively once again), were reading a newspaper, Artemis with growing interest and worry.
"Look, Luna," Artemis stated in a low voice, a worried edge to it.
"What?" she replied inquisitively, peering over his furry shoulder at the ad. Her red eyes widened remarkably, then narrowed dangerously.
"Mugen Gakuen's traditional camp for new students is on Mount M…"
PallaPlease ~ February 8, 2001.
-Chapter 2 | Whispers of the Breeze-
Michiru studied her mirror intently by the wide, floor to ceiling windows of Haruka's dormitory room, her normally sweet eyes narrowed and mind conjuring up images of a life past and a danger present, flutters of jealousy in her heart at the sight of *her*.
"What's wrong?" Her lover's voice was gentle and concerned, unlike his normal cold or wistful tones.
She looked up with a tender smile, erasing the fleeting pictures with a swift swipe of her elegant hand.
"I was trying to read the mirror when something interfered and it clouded over," she lied. "It wiped off easily though."
He stared at her, and she was unable to read his blank expression. Haruka sighed softly, quickly moving to her side and wrapping his arms about her shoulders, face buried in her hair.
"Michiru."
She closed her eyes, feeling tears swelling up within. If only hers was the only name he uttered with such love…she touched the glass pane with one hand, fingers loose and barely brushing against the slick surface.
"What we're trying to do…may be useless…" His voice had taken a harder edge to it, the warrior of the wind becoming dominant once more. "Whatever we do, it may already be too late…"
Michiru inhaled softly, whispering in reply, "We knew that when we started, Haruka."
There was a quiet moment of silence before she continued, stronger. "The wheels of fate have started turning. The new awakening will finally come soon."
He turned her to face him, crystal blue eyes softening at the glistening tears in hers.
"We have to gather the three Talismans," she murmured, then fell into sobs, grasping his arms as she wept, salty tears stinging his own.
For with the Talismans came the Sovereign Queen of Death, Creation, and Infinite Oblivion.
*
Mamoru flipped through the pages of his newly purchased book, walking and turning corners as if he possessed some internal radar system. He stopped the pages from turning, his remarkable blue eyes landing on the chilling features of a gently smiling Professor Tomoe; the supposedly paternal smile eerily similar to a predator's when it was befriending the prey. 'Professor Tomoe, huh?'
Quickly, he scanned the page, reading the kanji rapidly.
:: Professor Tomoe Soichi
Superintendent Mugen Gakuen.
Professor Mugen Gakuen
University Section
Professorate Degree from T University, Genetic Engineering Division ::
Kaiou Michiru paused in her walking to the bookstore, having spied the broad shouldered back of one Chiba Mamoru.
"Are you researching Mugen Gakuen?" she asked with an understanding, though somewhat enigmatic, smile, unwittingly startling him.
"Ah…," he managed to squeeze out.
"The owner of the college, Professor Tomoe, is a famous scientist." Her smile was kind and patient, beautiful eyes sweetly reinforcing her words before she chuckled lightly. "Although……he was expelled from the academic establishment a long time ago."
Mamoru started, surprised yet again.
"Expelled? Some people in Mugen Gakuen……call it the Training School for Sorcerors. Did you know that?"
Her smile grew, pleasure evident on her ivory face.
"Because there are so many talented people from so many different fields, perhaps," he finished, awaiting her response.
"Or maybe…," she began, stopping her words when a timid schoolgirl's voice chimed shyly, "Um, excuse me…are you the violinist Kaiou Michiru?"
"Yes," Michiru smiled, turning from Mamoru, who watched the exchange with interest.
"I'm your biggest fan! Can I get your autograph?" shrilled the girl, obviously struck by hero worship.
She obliged.
'Kaiou Michiru…,' he mused, smiling wryly.
"And are you…a Sorceress of many talents?" Mamoru questioned, amused.
She literally beamed at him, face radiant and lovely, beckoning unknowingly. "That's right. I have a concert coming up. Please come. I can give you some tickets."
Tsukino Usagi paused on her way to the Crown Arcade, a sudden feeling of intense pain striking her stomach. Hiding around a corner, she gazed with wide eyes at her Mamoru…and Michiru.
'Is that…Mamoru? Why are those two…standing together?'
Her heart thumped painfully, throat contracting slowly. 'She's one of the people we have to be very careful of…why are you talking with her?'
And suddenly, she recognized that face, from a night not long ago, the icily beautiful face of a Senshi with aqua green trimmings on her fuku, staring jealously back at her.
The pain in her gut throbbed into a cancerous feel, pervading her body. 'She…'
Turning, she ran off, face flushed and heart confused.
*
Coming to a stop before the colorful neon sign of Crown Arcade, she sighed sadly and stepped onto the rubber panel, the automatic doors sliding open with a faint 'whoooosh' and an annoying elevator music-like jingle.
She had barely taken five steps inside when a calloused hand tugged back on one of the twin tails of blonde hair tumbling from the buns, causing her to shriek.
Whirling around defensively, she found herself facing Ten'ou Haruka in all his six-foot-plus glory, one hand clamped at the base of her bun, cooling the pained skin. Lips opening slightly, she blushed a pale pink color.
"Yo, Muffin-head! We meet again. Do you come to this arcade often?"
Staring at him, trying to calm her racing heart and the blush stealing across her cheeks, she had a flitting image of the young man in silver armor, the soothing moonlight glinting off steel gauntlets and boots…
'Ten'ou Haruka? He looks like that masked Senshi…'
Taking a hesitant step toward him, she began slowly. "Um…are you…possibly…a Sailor Senshi?"
His eyes widened, then his face turned bright red and he jerked backwards, one rough hand flying to his face as she turned beet red herself, gasping angrily at her own idiocy.
"Huh? What's that? A Sailor Senshi?" he repeated, grinning weakly.
Mentally, she berated herself. 'Aack! Stupid! Stupid! Usagi, you dummy, he's a guy!'
His slightly amused voice broke her thoughts. "You like that, don't you? Senshi and fighting."
She blinked a few times, mouth forming a delicate 'o'.
His smile was gentle and she felt a ghost of a memory flutter tremulously through her mind, vanishing sadly.
"You and your friends. Are you in some sort of a battle game?"
Face heated, she brought her loosely clenched fist up to her face, crying, "It's not just a…"
"Stay away from Usagi!"
The girl saw the four teenagers who protected her glaring ominously at Haruka, who was looking over his shoulder at them. Her face was still bright, though she felt strangely disappointed, words clawing at her throat.
Dropping his head and shaking it ruefully, he glanced up through his thick white blonde bangs. "Tch…ah, well."
So he turned to leave, the girls moving so he could exit.
Usagi took a trembling step forward, eyes wide and wishing, mouth opened as if to call him back, her soul calling, 'ah!'
Stepping outside, closely followed by the quartet, she watched his retreating form, stride confident, but slower than the pace she saw him normally walk with. Fast. As if he was trying to flee some fearful monstrosity…
'Like I fight against my destiny,' her mind thought sadly and she closed her eyes softly, feeling a sudden breeze caress her lovingly before fading away…into nothing…and she missed the wind…
*
Crown Parlor was a happy establishment, cheerful and suitable for the family.
And the feasting spot of the original six Senshi a week later.
"Wow. So you're on the student council for your new class, Chibi-Usa?" Makoto grinned.
The little girl nodded sagely, joyfully licking the sweet confectionary delight from her lips, pink curls bouncing as she nodded a second time, as if to assure her first response was correct. "That's right. I even get to be in the opening ceremony as the class representative!" she cheered, thrusting her spoon into the air with joyous fervor. "The new students were keeeee-yute!" she added, firmly adding more emphasis on the drawn out word, 'cute'.
"Chibi-Usa is already in second grade," Minako giggled, staring off into space as she reminisced.
"And we're finally in ninth grade," Usagi finished, looking depressed as she rested her chin on the table's edge. "Ah-ah! It's so depressing. The entrance exams are coming up."
"If an enemy appears now," the other blonde sobbed, "there's no way I'll advance to next year!"
Makoto winked roguishly at the two saddened girls, whipping her journal out of nowhere they could see.
"There, there. Let's forget that depressing topic. Y'know, tomorrow is April 17! Rei-chan's birthday. Let's have a party for her!"
As if a thought had suddenly occurred to the tall brunette, she twisted her head around every which way, looking frantically for any sign of the fiery priestess. "Come to think of it, where *is* Rei-chan?"
"She went to Mount M yesterday for training," Minako remarked glumly, still hung up on the thought of high school entrance exams.
"Training?!" Makoto screeched.
"She wanted to purify herself before her fifteenth birthday," continued Minako.
"No way! I wanted to have a party!" wailed Kino Makoto, clasping her hands over her face and moaning softly.
The two lunar cats, Artemis and Luna, male and female (respectively), white and black (respectively once again), were reading a newspaper, Artemis with growing interest and worry.
"Look, Luna," Artemis stated in a low voice, a worried edge to it.
"What?" she replied inquisitively, peering over his furry shoulder at the ad. Her red eyes widened remarkably, then narrowed dangerously.
"Mugen Gakuen's traditional camp for new students is on Mount M…"
PallaPlease ~ February 8, 2001.