Michiru Kaioh Michiru@tellmeimcute.com
Rating: PG
http://smcollection.www.50Megs.com/index.html

Any comments, suggestions, flames, rants, are always welcome. Though
the last 2 will be given the respect they deserve. (read: they will
be used for virtual kitty-litter.)


Standard disclaimers apply. I do not own any rights to Sailor Moon or
any of the characters therein. I am merely borrowing them for a little
while. Now, on to the story!


Windswept Waters
Part 9: Secrets Revealed

It was days since she had last had news of Haruka. The villiages
kept getting larger, then turned to towns, and finally...This. She
pushed her hair out of her eyes, weary to her very core. What she saw,
and what no one could fail to hear, were the sights and sounds of a
very large, bustling city. *How will I ever find her in there? If she
is even IN there!* Michiru bit her lip, but forced her tired feet to
carry her to the city gates.
Each person was being questioned before they were allowed through.
The guards looked as tired and hot as she was herself, and it was only
mid-morning.

"State your name and business."
"My name is Michiru. I am looking for someone. A--friend of mine."
She was nervous, unsure as she had not been since she started this whole
adventure. The guard looked at her. Noted her travel-worn and stained
clothing, dust-covered and slightly tangled hair, she felt as though he
looked right through her, into the very core of her being.
"Who do you seek? Are they expecting you?" The guard sounded slightly
bored.
"I do no think you would know her. Her name is Haruka Tenoh and--"
His eyes widened in surprise and he cut her off, drawing her to
the side, out of the traffic. "How do you know the Lady Haruka? Speak
quickly now, and tell the truth. How did a commoner meet her? Do you
know where she has been these past few years? Speak!"
Michiru's eyes blazed. She was Not used to being spoken to that
way, and was heartily sick of being treated like dirt just because
her clothes were worn looking.
"I am not a commoner. My name is Rian. Lady Rian Kaioh. The only
daughter of Lady Nara and Lord Patrick Kaioh." She stood tall, pulling
about her all the hautier she had ever seen her Lady Mother use when
she felt herself insulted.
The guard blinked and drew back, momentarily surprised at the change
that came over her. Then he grabbed her painfully by the elbow.
"We'll see about that. You want the Lady Haruka? Then you'll GET
the Lady Haruka. She'll put the lie to your claim." And he marched her
off into the heart of the city.

They were standing in a large waiting room. The guard had finally
let go of her, but kept his eyes upon her. He acted like he was expecting
some great reward for bringing in, what he thought, was a liar. If this
WAS Haruka, he would get a big surprise. She smiled to herself, rubbing
the feeling back into her elbow. But... LADY Haruka? It didn't make sense.
Not at all. If she was a lady, what about the story she had told her that
day? About her dead father, and living in the street?
She had no more time to wonder, for at that moment, the double-doors
were opened and a figure stepped into their midst.
She was tall, dressed in mens clothing, but with a slightly feminine
touch. As she turned towards them, her eyes widened in shock.
"Haruka? I--I don't understand. I thought--"
Again, Michiru was cut off. Haruka had hurried over, and oblivious of
her nice things, swept her into a tight embrace. As she pulled back, she
seemed to remember the guard.
"I thank you for bringing her to me. You have done your duty well.
That will be all."
When the guard had left the room, closing the doors behind him, Haruka
pulled Michiru towards the small couch in one corner of the room.
"How did you find me? I can't believe you are actually here! I was
so worried about you! I was getting ready to go back for you but--"
This time Haruka was the one who was cut off. Michiru had had
just about enough. She was tired, and hungry, and wanted a bath, but
most of all, she wanted ANSWERS.
"Haruka." That single word stopped her midsentance. Michiru
pulled her hands from Haruka's grasp and sat back, watching her with
an inscrutable expression.
"Haruka. What is going on? You told me your father was dead. Yet
I find he is not. You told me you lived on the street and had to steal
to survive. Yet I find that is not true either. LADY Haruka. I believe
you owe me some kind of explination. And at this point, I am More than
ready to hear one."
"I can explain. I swear to you, this time you will get the whole
story. I never lied to you, I just...didn't tell you everything." Haruka's
face had flushed, then paled as she listened to Michiru. Now only
two spots of color remained, high on each cheek.
"Would you like a bath? Or something to eat first?"
"Now Haruka. I want the explination Now."