Title: If Dreams Came True: Chapter 5
Author: Lady Hesperide
Address: ladyhesp@hotmail.com
Rated: PG-13
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and all its characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi, not me, I don't have any claim to them. Also, this work of fanfiction is written purely for my own pleasure and that of others, I'm making no money here, so no one should have a problem. The story is fully mine, and the rights to that are mine as well, use the story for anything but enjoyment without my permission, I'll hunt you down and...... You get the idea, it will not be pretty.
Note: I think I'm starting to get back on track here, don't hold me to that though. Enjoy,
Lady Hesperide
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Michiru ran into her room and slammed the door behind her. She fell against the wood, sinking down to her knees. Unchecked tears were streaming down her face.
How could this be? Why was it that everything around her was turning out to be Power full, abnormal? St. John was her link to the remnants of her previous life. He had heard of her before, she had clung to the thought that if at least one other being was interested in the start up musician and artist- not a messenger with the Power of Neptune- she could perhaps return to that simple life some day when all was set to rights. Now even that slim hope was gone. Power drew Power, no matter it's nature or potential. It was their power, not their souls, that had bound them. Her feelings were no more real then the lust which some mistook for true love.
Michiru lay on the floor, broken in heart and spirit. In the back of her mind, that part of her conscious that told her of danger, and just now showed her the true power of Neptune, whispered that she would survive even this last hit. That it was not as bad as she made it out to be at the moment. She would survive and be all the stronger and more dedicated to her mission thanks to this new twist. But Michiru did not want to listen to that insistent little voice now. No, for now she need a good cry, and then to get lost in her music or art.
She felt a hand on her back, gently rubbing between the shoulder blades. Drowning as she was in self pity, Michiru did not care who it was. Once more that small part of her said that the only one who could be there now was Setsuna. Sailor Pluto was the only one who could have simply shown up in the middle of her room- especially since her back was to the door, an only entrance. Michiru took all the comfort Setsuna was willing to offer. She needed someone else with her now, she dimly realized.
"Hush Michiru." Setsuna whispered in her gentlest of tones gathering the sobbing girl into a comforting embrace.
Setsuna let the other girl cry it all out. Not even she had thought that St. John would reveal himself so soon.
As far as Setsuna had understood from everything she'd gathered on lukoi they kept their secrets close to heart. It was a rare occasion that one of them revealed themselves to non lycanthrope. There had to have been a reason he so readily went to Michiru's aid. And now Michiru would have to calm down enough to talk to him and find out what that reason was.
Setsuna was not heartless, as many of those who knew her over the millenniums have come to think. She understood the sorrow Michiru felt. There was no denying that the girl was thrown head first into a cold sea, but there was just nothing else to be done. Time twisted and turned and no one could control it. If she could have, Setsuna would go back and revive Sailor Neptune at an earlier time, so the girl would be able to better adjust. But she was not allowed to do that. Michiru had to pull herself together, her supposed ability to do so was one of the reasons why the original Sailor Neptune's soul was reborn in this girl. When Michiru came down a bit she raised her tear stained face up. "You know what happened, don't you?" She asked trying to control her reseeding sobs.
"Yes." Setsuna saw no merit in deceiving her this far along in the story. "I was about to attack as well when St. John jumped it. I was afraid that my attack would hurt him in the process. While our attacks do not harm our own Soldiers, there is always a risk that the human who gets in the way of an attack does not have a pure heart. Anything corrupt in the way of an attack gets destroyed, or at least damaged in some way. Some may be turned back to their original, pure forms."
Setsuna sat back from the girl, folding her long legs under her. There was a good reason to distance herself now, she felt that Michiru would be angry now, she was the only one at whom that anger could be directed- there was no one else around.
"Did you know what he is?" Michiru also sat up, but they remained on the floor. "Did you know all this time?"
"I knew, but not until the morning." She stayed Michiru's questions with a shake of her head. "I did not feel the need to worn you for his kind are very secretive. They keep their Power well cloaked and far out of sight. In a way they are more careful then even we are. Not many have seen their true forms, or imagine that they exist."
"You want me to find out why he saved me, don't you? I can see it in your eyes, you're not telling me something that makes you very curious as to what he was thinking. I'll make a deal, you tell me why you want to know, and I'll get everything out of him that I can."
Setsuna smiled a humorless smile. Sailor Neptune's no nonsense attitude was quickly taking over. That would be a good sign. "I want to know because for a man like St. John it is very dangerous to reveal himself. He is what is called Lukoi, a werewolf. By giving you the knowledge of what he is he not only endangered himself, but his whole pack as well. You now have the power to recognize another one of the pack he belongs to no matter how they try to hide themselves.
"Now, I don't fully understand how that works, never before have I had a reason to deal with the lycanthropes of any kind, I just know that it does. I want to know what would make him risk so much."
"And you can't believe that he did it out of friendship, maybe love." Michiru made it a statement, a bitter and resentful one for that.
"That could have played a part in his decision, yes. I'm not heartless Michiru, I know that you must think that I am, perhaps you have good reason." Now Setsuna was hurt by the other's bitterness. There was no reason for the girl to take any further frustration out on her- she had taken enough of it- especially not in this way. "But if we are going to work together on this you have got to stop. If I truly did not give a damn about any this," she swept her hand to include everything around in her statement. "I could very simply do my job and stay out of the protection business. I'm here because I don't want for the people of this earth to suffer at the hands of Evil."
With that quite but firm statement Setsuna got up off the floor and walked a bit away, farther into the room. Somehow Michiru had killed off all her sympathy for the other's position with that last remark. She stopped in the middle of the room and calling softly "Pluto Planet Power, make up." transformed. As Sailor Pluto she felt the walls once settle once more around her inner most being. She was the Lone Senshi of Pluto, Guardian of the Gates of Time, she had a duty to the Queen and she would not fail her.
"Find out why he put his pack at risk to save you. I have my own ways Michiru, but it will be easier for everyone if I didn't use them." Sailor Pluto put it as a threat. She was done being nice and understanding. She had seen all through history that kindness would not be allowed where it was not wanted.
"I have to go. I'll be back some time later to see how it went between the two of you. One way or another you should be ready to leave tomorrow."
She waved her key in front of her and opened a white hole through which she stepped, disappearing instantly. The portal closed behind her without a sound.
Michiru stared at the place where Setsuna had been a moment before. What had she done? The woman was her only guide, the only other being who shared her quest. She had just alienated her best hope for success.
She could not stop thinking of how Setsuna had comforted her. She had been so compassionate toward her, both at their first meting and now. In truth she had not deserved Michiru's resentment any more then Daniel did.
She groaned in acute pain that had no physical source. She had managed to make a fine mess of the entire situation. It was high time to rectify that.
Michiru crawled a little way to the bed, weak from her emotional turmoil and physical exertion. Once at the bed she used it for support to stand. Catching her reflection in the mirror she cringed, "Damn, but I look like I've been to hell and back." She muttered to herself. Her eyes were puffy and red rimmed from crying, strands of blue-green hair tuck to her cheeks. Her clothes, with occasional tears appearing here and there, were rumpled to the extreme. If she was to go speak with Daniel before the night was out she had to bring herself to order, and fast. A hot shower was the first on her list of things that must be done. She started there, organizing her thoughts as she went along. The familiar motions soothing her raw nerves.
In just under an hour she knocked on his door. When no answer came she knocked louder. "Daniel, open up! I know you are in there."
After a few more moments she heard a click that signified the lock being unlatched. But the door did not budge. Michiru pushed at the wood, it gave way and she entered.
The room was in disarray, it seemed as though Daniel had been busy destroying everything in sight. He himself sat in a chair near the corner. He looked like a man about to face the gallows.
Michiru came to stand in front of him, "Daniel?" she inquired softly.
This must be real hard for him as well. "Daniel, why did you do it?"
He slowly raised hid disheveled head and stared at her blankly. Then his brown eyes focused on hers. The misery there made Michiru want to wrap him in her Power and protect him from all the monsters of this world.
"If I hadn't," he spoke when she had finally thought that he wouldn't answer. "my pack would surely die, and with them will go all the others."
"What... what do you mean?" Michiru asked sinking to the bed, the fine hairs along the nape of her neck rising in apprehension.
"I've been having this dream--" Michiru went into a fit of coughing at that statement. After assuring Daniel that she was fine she urged him to please go on. "Well, as I said, I have this recurring dream. Nightmare really. It is always the same thing, I see my pack being swept up in a fury of black and red energy. They are torn limb from limb and then fully disintegrated. It was a horrible sight, I could hear their ghosts' screams of pain. And then their voices raise in one to tell me that the only way to prevent this destruction is for me to bring sea and wind together. After that, there is total silence. The emptiness is perhaps more terrifying then any other part of the vision.
"Until now I did not know what the ghost spoke of, but now that I have seen your Power I know that I was being told to unite another two of the Sailor Senshi. You command the sea, that means that it's up to me to somehow unite you with the Senshi who commands- or is like- the wind.
"This is the only course of action that would ultimately save my pack." His words had a certain finality to them that caused Michiru to shiver.
"So....... do you know who the other is?" She finally asked.
"No. But I have a friend in the neighborhood of Mugen Gakuen High, she has told me about another girl who is a track competitor of hers. She says that this girl is like the wind. Those are her exact words. I figure that's a good place to start. Plus she knows something of Power, no matter what she'll be able to help you."
"All right, I guess that I owe you a bit of an explanation as well." She began slowly, sitting back. She won't tell him everything- just enough that Daniel would know what he was willing to die for, what his pack might still die from.
"Yeah, I think I deserve a few words from you." Daniel wanted to say more. Indeed he wanted to rant at her that he wasn't the only one who had kept his true self a secret. He wanted to tell her that she should not have gotten so upset, or feel so betrayed just because he too possesses Power. But he kept all that to himself, he also wanted to hear what she had to say about what had happened.
Michiru cleared her throat delicately, "A part of my mission is to find the Sailor Senshi of Uranus. With her help we must then go on to search out the three Talismans with which the Messiah will be able to defeat the Silence. My guess is that the destruction you saw in your dream is the same as that which I see. The Silence is coming and so far there is little that can stop it.
"I have found a way to track Uranus, but it's not definite at this time. Any assistance that you might be able to provide will be greatly appreciated.
"This is also the real reason why I had to leave home and come to Tokyo." There, that was enough to keep them both comfortable. Sailor Pluto would not have liked to it if she was mentioned, and Michiru wanted to patch things up between them.
"Well then." Daniel got up and started pacing the small length of the room. "I'll call Elsa tonight, tell her I'm coming for a short visit and would like to see her. You use your tracker thing, if the one you are looking for is near by you can... I don't know, do what you want. I'll just introduce you.
"You have to understand," he went on quickly, the words tumbling almost, "I can't be away from my pack for too long. I am Alfa wolf. I can only stay as long as it takes you to settle down, find Uranus. After that I must go back home."
Daniel abruptly stopped right in front of her, Michiru's eyes level with his midriff. He seemed to be waiting for something, perhaps some form of reaction. But Michiru had nothing to say, or rather too much that could not be said, not without putting both of them in an uncomfortable position.
Michiru looked up into his eyes. With a pang she realized that they were no longer an open book to her, that said more then any words. What ever Daniel saw in her face at that moment must have given him the same impression as his shuttered eyes had given her. He heaved a soundless sigh and walked back to his seat.
"I know you can not stay here." Michiru said once she was sure that her voice wound not fail her. "I actually thought that tonight would be our last night together. I guess in a way it was." The last was a bare whisper.
"I don't know about you Daniel, but the fact that you have Power changes everything for me." She could not believe that she could say this out loud to anyone, much less Daniel himself. "I'll travel with you to meet this Elsa. I'm doing this only because it will help both of us in our quests, and probably the world at large." Her voice grew in confidence and strength as she went on. "If we encounter another on of the Dark I ask you to stay out of it, let me do my job."
She got up to leave, this was it, she had nothing else left. Her defenses were fast crumbling in the face of her own words, yet it were those words that spurred her on. She was right, it was her job, her destiny, her reason for existing in general. There was no room for failure or deviation from the course already set in for her, and for Daniel as well.
Michiru was almost at the door when Daniel pulled her back by the elbow, forcing her around at the same time. Bringing the face to face once more.
"That's it? You're just going to leave and go on with your 'quest'?" His eyes burned with emotion too complicated for her to understand, too dangerous to explore with her inner senses. "Not a word about the last few days we spent together?" He was truly incredulous at her lack of emotion in this matter. How could she not even mention their involvement with each other? He knew that she had felt those currants as well as he, there was no way for him to be alone in this.
"Don't you know?" Michiru asked, letting her eyes narrow to slits as the only sign of what it meant to her to speak of the matter. "Power draws Power. What we felt was nothing but a sub-continuos need to strengthen our own abilities. Especially since we are of different Sources. It was not real Daniel. Nothing of it, nothing." She jerked her arm out of his slackened grip. She wanted to leave, now, before they could hurt each other any more then what was necessary.
"I'll see you in the morning." She said from the corridor, then turned and left his field of vision. The loud thud the door gave as it shut was a direct reflection of Michiru's heart. Never again will she get emotionally involved while on this mission, not during any other. The consequences were too great for her to be willing to risk them, or her heart.
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Chapter 6
Setsuna, in Sailor Pluto form, waited back in Michiru's room. Michiru was not at all surprised, she had expected the green haired woman to show up, but she was not too happy about it.
"You were right. He did it out of loyalty to his pack, not love toward me." She walked to the mini fridge and got herself a cold club soda. With a motion she offered the other contents to Setsuna.
"No thank you." She stood up from the only chair and walked over to stand by the window. Outside the velvety night wrapped everything in a thick kind of black. The streets were abandoned of all occupants, not a sound was heard.
"I saw what happened, I'm sorry Michiru, for your sake I had hoped that it was not so. For the mission it is better this way. I think he'll point you in the right direction."
Michiru could not guess the other's thoughts, her face was turned away and her voice was as even as anything. "Thanks, I think." Michiru wasn't sure how to go on, she let the room fall silent for a few moments. "You know who Sailor Uranus is, don't you?" at the slight nod of Setsuna's averted head she went on. "But you can't tell me. Why not, Setsuna?" there was no anger in her voice any more, the question was more plea then inquiry. She truly did want to understand, this made no sense to her. One minute Sailor Pluto was helping her and guiding her along, the next she shut up tight as a drum.
"I'm not allowed to get involved more then is dictated." She said in a low voice thick with regret and resignation. How could she explain this to someone so young, someone who had no connection to the time-space continuum.
"So you also know how this conflict is going to end, why bother with
us at all?"
"Ahhhh, Michiru." She shook her head hopelessly, "If only there was a simple answer. Don't you see, the future is not definite. There are many variables, changing factors, decisions, outside forces. Even if one knows what must ultimately happen we must work to make it better.
Nothing is just a given where time is concerned. Nothing ever stays the same.
"All I know is how things will turn out if we go on this course. If the course changes so does the outcome." Setsuna sincerely hoped that that was an adequate explanation, but she doubted it.
"Let me ask you something then, what happens to you when the time line changes?" Michiru pronounced each word slowly, as if just forming the thought for herself. She wanted to know what motivated Pluto. She seemed so far removed, even now she was untouchable, like one of the 'outside' forces she had just spoken of. Why was she involved in the lives of just mere mortals. Michiru silently reproached herself. She had to kill the resentment before it was allowed to cloud her judgment. She also had to admit that she had no basis in her prejudices. The only thing that Setsuna had done so far has prove that she did not want the world to end.
"Nothing." Setsuna spoke with exaggerated patience, as if talking to a child. "I get to watch human kind struggle for survival. At times it is quite amusing, they have a love of killing each other like no other beings I had ever watched. But most of it is really pathetic. Sad, to the point of most pathetic."
This was the time to change subjects, this one was getting nowhere fast. "Thank you for not mentioning to the werewolf. The less people know of my existence the better for us all."
"I did not think he needed to know everything." Michiru was willing to drop it for now, she'd return to the topic later on. "I doubt that he was completely honest with me as well."
"No, I would imagine not. Very well," Setsuna pushed herself away from the window to fully face Michiru. "You leave tomorrow, I'll see you once more between now and when you go on from there, if you have to.
"Goodnight Michiru."
"Goodnight." Michiru said to thin air, for the Keeper of Time was already gone from the room.
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"YOU WHAT?!?!?" the shadows about Mistress9 roiled and glowed with livid anger.
"Mistress, there was an interference... an unexpected complication..." the Professor stammered before her obvious temper. Dear Gods she was going to kill him for sure now! He had never before seen her quite this angry, even the shadows seemed to be frightened as they writhed, now tinged with a brighter purple.
"You could not capture one inferior man? One human like any other with a pure heart that you said would be mine! I do not tolerate failure Tomoe, ever, you know that." The last phrase was pronounced in her usual, calm, tone of voice. That scared the Professor more then any threat she could have insinuated. If he could not pacify her fast then he had absolutely nothing to look forward to in the future but pain. His thoughts raced like lightning.
"Mistress, Fangfare's failure was not complete, we now have an advantage over these who would oppose you!" The words tumbled out rushed and almost unintelligible. Professor took a deep breath to steady his raging nerves, if he was to talk his way out of this he could not blunder here.
"What are you blabbing about this time, you idiot? Do you realize that this man MUST be dead, yesterDAY!" He could have sworn that he saw her eyes flash- if she had eyes- but one could never be sure where the Mistress was concerned.
"Mistress, if you will just give your humble servant a chance to speak." He pleaded most pathetically.
"Speak you worthless swine." The shadows settled to a position more or less normal to them.
The Professor swallowed heavily. "You see, Mistress, when Fangfare attacked your target someone came to his rescue, a Sailor Senshi none- the-less."
"Those impudent sluts! I'll be the end of them yet." The threat was a low murmur- vehement, though thoughtful at the same time. Mistress9 had always known that the lost Senshi of the Outer Planets would interfere with her plans for the world. Over the years she had developed a burning hatred for the mini-skirt wearing girls. To her they were pesky bugs, yet even bugs could sometimes be dangerous.
"Yes, that they are." the Professor hurried on before she got impatient. "One of them saved the man. A Sailor Neptune I believe, she called to the power of that planet to destroy my creation. She must have known the man, she very concerned for him. It might be that he is worth more alive to you then dead." Professor Tomoe was full of hope at this point, so far she had not blasted him into nega-space. That meant she wasn't going to until next time. As with most psychopathic super villains Mistress9 was easily provoked, but her anger was easily diverted, once she had a new target the old one no longer mattered.
Her curiosity was piqued, but she was not about to admit it to the little tworp who now huddled before her. "Leave me. I'll summon you when your fait is decided."
Tomoe bowed out of the darkened room. Mistress9 watched him leave. What a truly pathetic fool he is, he didn't even have a clue as to why she was using him. No idea of what was his true value to her in this conquest.
His daimon were an asset, but not his best. She reached out with her mind to the one truly wanted. Yes, sleep child, she thought with satisfaction, preserve your strength for me little one. Soon the time will come when the two of us will rise as one, and then this world will tremble before us. Oh, how it will tremble!
Sailor Pluto's attempt at rescue was valiant. She would give the Time Keeper that. Already she had put forth her plans of restoring Sailor Neptune, and Uranus will most certainly follow- if she knew her competitor well enough, which she did. Chances were those two were also searching for the Talismans that would make up the Holy Grail. She'd let them search with only token resistance to alleviate suspicion, let them do her dirty work.
They can sweat it out for me, find the talismans, kill some unnecessary baggage. I'll Just come in at the end and reap the profits of their efforts.
Satisfaction flooded her being. With it came a certainty of success unparalleled by any other emotion. Sailor Neptune cared for the Fait's messenger, her heart will be her ultimate downfall the same Fait predicted. She now had the Worrier's weakness right under her thumb.
Or at least will have him soon enough.
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The trip to where Esra resided was very different from the one they had taken to Tokyo, not to say much shorter.
The first half of the day was spent taking care of bills and finding a rental car. From there on Daniel and Michiru traveled in complete silence, broken only by the most cursory comments.
They arrived at their destination with the sun low at their backs. The buildings here stood high and proud, their white walls bathed in soft fading light. Sparse trees stood on the sidewalk. Groups of people drifted by, enjoying the evening air.
"Well, here we are." Daniel said drawing the little car up to the curb and parking.
Michiru took time to scan the area for power flows and eddies, but there was nothing to worry about. She took a peak into her bag where- to her elation- the Uranus pen was flashing at a steady rate of one flash per second.
"Where ever we are, Uranus is closer then before." She looked back at Daniel for a reaction, but face was as impassive as it had been since the morning.
"Good. Lets go in, Esra would be waiting for us." Michiru winced at his clipped tones. She knew that this was her fault, yet she could not help feeling that he was being unfairly cold towards her.
They reached the sixth floor with crackling tension between them. Stopping by one of the doors Daniel knocked heavier then was called for.
"One minute!" was heard through the door. A couple of seconds later it was thrown open to reveal a girl of about Michiru's age.
"Daniel!" she squealed throwing her arms around his neck. "You bastard, how come I haven't seen you in over four months now?" Her English was accented, but one could easily tell that she was accustomed to it.
"Work, and the pack keep me busy, dearling." He said unwinding her slim strong arms from about his already damaged throat. At the mention of 'pack' Esra threw a worried look at Michiru who merely stood to the side.
"Oh, yes. Let me introduce you to Kaiou Michiru." He stepped away so that the girl could have an unblocked view at Michiru. "Michiru, this is Esra Gray, of whom I was speaking before."
Michiru came closer to the other girl extending her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you." She said softly, shaking the other's hand.
"Same here." Esra answered giving her hand a hard squeeze, testing for physical strength. There was not much there to speak of, her eyes went back to Daniel, questioning.
"May we come in please, before we start to speak?" His voice had an edge to it that bespoke of a deep frustration kept under straining control.
"Of course, I'm sorry." Esra got out of the way and they all filed into the small hallway. Michiru could not help feeling like a bug under inspection as she passed by Esra The girl definitely knew something about Daniel in the way of his true self. She also- Michiru sensed- did not relish the idea of Daniel sharing his secrets with another.
Inside the apartment was Spartan but elegant. The furniture well matched, there was no clutter, and all the surfaces were polished to a shine. They were offered to sit by the table while Esra went to get some refreshments.
"Michiru knows what I am." Was the first thing that came out of Daniel's mouth once Esra seated herself. He stole her questions with his next words. "She saved my life." That silenced the girl for good.
Esra looked back at Michiru, her eyes once more running over the slim figure before her. Some of the hostility in her gray eyes was replaced with disbelief. Michiru, seeing the confusion, let go of some of the restraints she kept on her Power, letting the runner- obviously attuned to such anomalies- see her true strength. The eyes widened at the sea green aura of Power that sprang around Michiru, she nodded in acknowledgment of the obvious.
"will you tell me?" She had learned a while back that Daniel did not disclose all his secrets easily. He had trusted her with the knowledge of his true self. Over the last two years he had shared other information with the clairvoyant competitor, but she never expected complete honesty from him. It went against his habits and way of life.
"No Esra, not this tale." Daniel shook his head regretfully. He really did wish that he could share with Esra, even young as she was her ability lent her a wisdom rare in life. But in this matter it was not his decision, it was Michiru's. And he doubted that she was willing to talk. As it was, he did not even imagine that she had told him everything she knew.
"You did not come for a social call, Daniel. Whatever it is, spill it." Esra was looking from Daniel to Michiru and back, trying to read into their minds and emotions. The two were blank. The witch with aqua hair and sea eyes masked herself well. Her Power was used and well guarded out of practice. Daniel simply shut the door on his talent, just a closed portal.
"You will remember, Esra, of a competitor you told me of some time ago. Someone who is like the wind?" Daniel's gaze was intent on her face.
Esra nodded, confused. "I was speaking of Ten'ou Haruka, she is faster then anyone I've ever seen.
"What do you want with her?"
"You are attuned to Power flows," Michiru spoke for the first time. The other two were startled by the force under her soft tones. Daniel in particular was surprised, he had never heard such steel in her. "Have you ever sensed anything about her? A sort of unpracticed, dormant strength of being?"
Esra thought for a minute. This was very serious indeed, both of their expressions said it plainly. "I'm not sure. I have sensed something when we ran together. As if her strength was coming from something metaphysical, I don't know.
"The thing is that I haven't seen Ten'ou in a while." At their startled looks she went on, "I transferred out of Mugen Gakuen High this past year. I now go to Shirakaba High School. The last time I saw her I was so intent on winning that my mind was not properly registering Power."
"What do you think?" Daniel turned to Michiru, disappointment obvious on his face.
Michiru remained unmoved. "So far this is our only lead, and we are closer to our goal. I'll need to see this girl face to face in order to know for sure if she is who I'm looking for. There is no point in
speculating beyond that."
A silence settled over the little table. Michiru was the only one who was still fully composed. She sat strait in her chair sipping her tea while Daniel into his cup, unseeing. And Esra was futilely trying to figure out just what the devil was going on around her. She felt that there were forces at work beyond her, maybe even beyond Daniel, but surely the aqua haired girl knew most of it all. Yes, Michiru would know a lot more then she was telling, plus there was probably someone dictating even to her. She had the air of one who was not acting fully of their own accord. The Power she had seen in the other was old, but it had a new, un-tempered sheen to it. Esra could not quite figure it out, how that was possible, but there were many forms of Power she had never seen before. It did however suggest that there was a part that controlled the Power that was completely the girl herself.
"Will you be able to arrange for such a meeting?" Michiru asked snapping Esra out of her contemplations.
"I know where she works out, we could go there. I can introduce you, if you want." Esra was trying her best to be agreeable in hopes that someone would tell her what's going on.
Michiru gave her a small smile of thanks. "That will not be necessary just yet. If Ten'ou Haruka is the one I'm looking for, I'll have to make a place for myself here before I can confront her. Tell me, this is one of the neighborhoods that have a higher potency of power, no?" Her change of subject was unexpected, catching Esra off guard.
"Well, yes. I suppose you can say that. Those Sailor girls do a lot of their work around here. On occasion I've been knocked down by a Power flux, or a vision."
Michiru nodded. If anywhere, then this should be the place to find Uranus. It made perfect sense for them all to be drawn to the same place. After all, they come after evil, then the Evil comes after them, so they stay in the place of the first Evil. Yes, that circle of events was logical enough.
"Would I be able to see Ten'ou today?" No need to delay the inevitable, and she needed Daniel to be gone, soon. Michiru had a good feeling about Haruka, the name itself brought to her a sense of rightness.
Esra checked her watch. "Yeah, she'll probably still be there now. If we leave quickly we should be there in under half an hour."
"I thought you haven't seen her?" Daniel asked, puzzled by the contradictory statements.
"I haven't. I go to the same gym but at a different time. I always see her name on the list of visitors, though." Esra explained trying her best not to sound too annoyed at such a question.
"Oh." was Daniel's best answer as he colored lightly.
"Shall we leave then?" Inquired Michiru getting up to collect the now empty cups and deposit them in the kitchen sink.
"I don't see why not." Esra pointedly looked at Daniel.
"Off we go." He said raising his hands as if in defeat.
In short order they filled into the rental car- Esra did not own one, she preferred walking or running- and were on their way. Daniel sincerely prayed that this Ten'ou character was indeed Sailor Uranus. He had to return to England, as soon as possible. Yet he couldn't leave without fulfilling is mission. He also did not want to desert Michiru alone to face the Evil that so much favored Japan, and this place in particular. He held back a sigh at that thought. He really did not want to leave the girl. Michiru had a place in his heart sure and true, no matter what she said about Powers attracting each other. Esra has Power, and he felt nothing even close to this for the runner. True enough, her Power was responsible for their original meeting, but now they were like brother and sister. That was a far cry from what he wanted out of a relationship with Michiru.
Daniel looked at her in the rear view mirror. Ever since the morning her face had been a mask of unruffled calm. Not one emotion showed through, even her eyes became like still pools. He wondered what it was that she kept so well hidden. The thoughts that lurked behind her smooth facade fascinated him. He knew with uncanny certainty that he would never find out what she did not want him to know.
Michiru, for her part, resolved not to think of her budding- and now dead- relationship with Daniel at all. Her dreams warned that she fails from developing some distracting habits or other, she would not let it happen. She was now only concerned with finding Uranus and then the Grail.
Near her thigh, in the outer pocket of her shoulder bag, she could feel the transformation stick giving off a soft kind of heat. Ten'ou must be the one, she simply had to be. Both, her senses and the tracker on the stick reacted to the name and her proximity. It seemed even as if she knew the name, could almost imagine how her partner looks.
Her mind was already racing at the possibilities of her living here, the arrangements she'd have to make. She'll need to find an apartment, and enroll herself in Ten'ou's school. Oh, and see if there was a gallery around here that would take her paintings, there were a lot of expenses ahead of her.
She could not wait to get there! Couldn't this little jumble of metal go any faster? Michiru had never before been so edgy about seeing just a face, not even an introduction. She could hardly sit still in her seat. Setsuna would be very happy indeed if she found Uranus so soon.
Michiru frowned mentally. Sailor Pluto probably knew all along who Uranus was. No matter how she looked at it, she could not understand why Setsuna could not just tell her strait out. She never understood relativity of time as it was, now the Keeper of the Time Gates was confusing her even more.
Michiru gave up that rain of thought as she felt a headache coming on. She'd leave it to the violet eyed woman to deal with the complications of time. For now all she had to do was find the Senshi of wind. She supposed that Setsuna will have plenty to say about how she should proceed in telling the other her true identity and all such things. But first she had to know for sure that she had found Uranus. Yes, she should not jump the gun and follow her own advise.
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End of Chapter 6
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