[:::six:::]
Usagi awoke in the middle of the night to find Seiya lying in her arms. She gently kissed him on the cheek and turned her attention to where she had placed her slippers. With her slippers on she made her way to the kitchen where she would get a glass of water and return to bed.
When she opened the door however she found Mamoru stabbing Seiya in the chest. "NOOOOO!!!" She screamed, as the glass fell from her hand and shattered on the floor.
Usagi woke up suddenly covered in sweat. It was a dream, a horrible nightmare. She had to get outside for some fresh air. She walked out on to the porch in her robe and stared at the stars. She whispered "Seiya." and hoped to turn around and see him next to her as before. She was disappointed.
When she awoke in the morning she found everyone sitting around the kitchen table. Everyone was becoming a weak term to describe the number of people that were left. She could only guess how alone Yaten felt right now, but Minako seemed to be helping him out. Haruka still had Michiru to worry about her and Mamoru seemed to be hanging around Makoto often.
They hadn't spoken since that night. They both knew that it was over, words were not necessary to state the obvious. The seven of them sat around the kitchen table discussing a way to track the enemy. "I have to get out of this house!" Usagi suddenly blurted out. "Why can't we leave? If they are going to get us, then there's nothing anyone can do about it anyway!" She was more than a little peeved.
"Usagi listen to yourself. You sound like you want them to find you." Makoto pointed out.
"Well that would be better than just sitting around here hiding not accomplishing anything." She turned around in a huff and stormed off.
"I'll go after her." Minako got up.
"I'll go with you.' Yaten followed her.
They wanted to give Usagi space and time to cool off. She didn't know that she was being followed. She headed to the park as usual. She came to the top of the bridge and looked down at the water as she had done many of times before. Minako and Yaten stayed off to the side of the bridge. They felt bad for her.
Some one approached Usagi. She thought that it was Seiya. When the woman spoke she knew that it wasn't and was down hearted. "Are you expecting some one?" The woman asked.
"I hope so." Usagi replied without looking up at the woman.
"How can you hope to expect some one? You either do or you don't." The woman stated matter of factly. "What's your name?" The woman asked.
Usagi turned her head and looked right at the woman. Her eyes seemed to frighten the woman. "Why do you ask? I don't know you."
"That's right, if I knew you I would already know your name. Your eyes say a lot about you, you know. Your eyes tell me that you're depressed and waiting for your love to return." The woman tried to put her hand closer to Usagi's.
"I'm glad that I have you as a friend Minako." Yaten said while keeping his eyes on Usagi.
Minako turned her head to him in utter dismay. It was not like him to confess such a feeling.
"I don't think I could have went on after Maker was gone and Fighter wasn't here. I'm not lonely and it's because of you." He took his gaze off of the bridge and turned it to meet Minako's still shocked face. "I'm sorry for being so pissy to you before." He smiled.
She didn't know what to say so she said the first thing that came to her mind. "Anytime."
"Excuse me, I should be going now." Usagi was starting to get annoyed with the woman.
The woman grabbed onto her wrist as she tried to walk away. "Don't go."
Usagi tried to break free. Minako and Yaten saw this and got up to start running towards her. Why did they have to be so far away? They began to transform, not caring who was watching. The woman changed into a cloaked figure. Venus and Healer feared they were going to be too late. They saw Jupiter and Neptune run by them being lead by Uranus. They must have worried that they were gone too long.
"No, we're not going to make it in time!" Uranus voiced her concern, now she was visibly shaken. "Stop!!!" She screamed will all of her breath.
The cloaked figure turned around with Usagi in her arms. ~This girl must be very important to have five sailor senshi coming to her aid.~
The senshi were almost to the woman when she began to pull Usagi's face up for the kiss. Usagi felt a hard force hit her body as the woman disappeared from her vision. The woman's hold on her had been broken. She looked up to see Fighter holding her.
Fighter had appeared behind the cloaked woman, when Uranus screamed she knew that it was her only chance to save her Odango. If she had fired her attack she would have hit her too, this was the only way to free her. She had to blow her cover, she couldn't and wouldn't just sit back and watch her hurt her Odango.
The other senshi was shocked, but quickly regained their composure to attack. Uranus was the first to strike against the woman. Her attack seemed to barely scratch the woman once again revealing a golden skinned woman. Not giving up and still upset from the fact that she had almost failed her princess again her attack became more violent and malicious than anyone they had witnessed before. All of her fury and rage seemed to be pulsating in her sword as she sped towards and lunged at the woman showing no mercy.
There was no need for the others to attack, they all stared in awe at what Uranus had just done, they were all amazed at how much her feelings could manipulate her power. No one spoke of what had just happened, no one wanted to tempt the anger of Uranus again.
The forceful hit of Fighter's body before had knocked Usagi unconscious. Fighter never wanted to hurt Usagi, but the powerful body check that she had given her was better than letting her be taken by the enemy. The remaining senshi gathered around where Fighter was now holding Usagi.
"When did you get here?" Michiru asked Fighter while checking Usagi's vital signs. Fighter was silent and unsure of what to say. She still wasn't sure that she was welcome here.
Healer didn't care either way about the feelings of the Earth senshi towards her partner and wrapped her in a warm embrace. "I'm so happy that you came. Maker."
"I know." Fighter said cutting Healer off before she had to rehash the painful situation. Venus smiled at Fighter and felt a sigh of relief escape her lips. Everyone detransformed and retreated back to the outer's house.
"I was invited and welcome here. I didn't want to let my presence be known. I hid in the shadows, the only one who knew that I was here was Odango." Seiya explained to the group before him. "I couldn't just sit back while she was in danger."
Usagi was in the other room resting when Mamoru walked in the door. They had to call him; they couldn't just leave him in the dark at such a time. Once he laid eyes on Seiya he knew the atmosphere that he had to face by staying there. Seiya showed no signs of animosity towards him, that would not have help the situation that they were in now.
"Well you are very much welcomed here." Haruka told him while shooting an evil glance in Mamoru's direction. "I'm sorry that you didn't come before with the other Starlights."
Seiya nodded that he understood. He knew that this was a big step that Haruka was taking to greet him in such a manner, he was oblivious to her feelings towards Usagi though. Knowing that Usagi was in the other room and knowing that it wasn't wrong for him to see her now, he got up and headed in her direction.
Mamoru also got up and followed him. Haruka took note of this and in turn followed Mamoru. Mamoru came into the room and saw Seiya sitting by Usagi's bedside. He felt like such a fool. "I'm sorry." Is all he said as he walked up behind Seiya.
"It's alright, I know how you must have felt. My being mad at you now is not going to help our progress however." Seiya had turned to face Mamoru giving him what little dignity he deserved. Haruka listened tentatively at the door.
"I don't expect you to like me after what I did. I was foolish and let my own feelings get in the way of protecting the ones that I love." Mamoru looked down at the ground. "And now I have paid the ultimate price for that." He got up and began to walk away, but stopped and looked back at the sleeping Usagi. "Please make her happy the way that I couldn't."
Seiya nodded he could only imagine the pain and torture that Mamoru was putting himself through let alone the pain that the others had pushed onto him. Haruka had nothing to hide and made no attempt to conceal herself as Mamoru exited the room. There had always been a timid spark between the two; perhaps Mamoru had sensed her feelings towards Usagi.
"We have to get Meiki back." Makoto began the conversation between the occupants of the living room.
"We have no idea where to start looking." Michiru said as she watched Mamoru and Haruka return to join the group.
"If Mercury were here we could have gotten a reading on the two men that disappeared before us." Minako was sitting next to Yaten on the couch. The closeness between to the two was noticeable now. They had been there for each other the past couple of weeks as they watched their friends suffer. They each had found a new friend in each other.
"Luna and I will find out where they are." Artemis had spoken up finally. "We will go to the moon and use its computer. This way we will be able to track their negative energy."
"It is our only hope now." Luna joined Artemis's side. "We'll return shortly to tell you of our findings." They said as they walked outside.
"Good luck."
Usagi began to awaken. The first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was Seiya smiling at her. "Seiya."
"Oi Odango."
Usagi got up out of bed with the help of Seiya. "What are you doing? You should be resting." He cautioned her.
"I can't I have to tell the others." Usagi seemed to be in a hurry and very flustered all of the sudden as struggled to reach the door.
"Tell them what?" Seiya was growing more concerned by the minute; he couldn't understand what she would have to say to the others so urgently.
"My mother, she came to me she told me how to transform." Usagi was out the door and Seiya was on her heals.
"Usagi!" Haruka exclaimed as she came charging into the living room to be met with stares. "What are you doing up?"
"Queen Serenity came to visit me in my dream, she told me how to transform." Usagi started to explain as she looked around to see who was here. "I have to go to the moon."
Everyone was in shock; just minutes before Luna and Artemis had left to go to the moon. "What is on the moon?" Minako asked.
"The crystal fountain. I must drink from it to receive my full powers and those of my mother." Usagi seemed very serious and determined. "I need help. Since I can't transform now I need some one to come with me to give me strength."
"I will go with you." Haruka stood and made her way to Usagi before anyone could object.
"No, I'll go with you too." Seiya offered up. "Please let me go." He was almost begging.
"Please stay here and get some rest. Haruka and I will be fine we will return shortly." Usagi smiled at him, she knew that he wouldn't have listened to anyone else to stay except her. He nodded his head and returned to his room in defeat.
Haruka transformed and the two left in a brilliant light.
They arrived on the moon in the computer control room. Artemis and Luna were shocked to see the two there. "What are you here for?"
"Queen Serenity told me in my dream to come and drink from the crystal fountain. Quick, where is it?" Usagi began to search around frantically for it.
"It's in the center of the palace." They all began to run to the spot of the alleged fountain. They came to an abrupt halt when they spotted it. Dry.
Usagi ran to it and looked in. "What am I supposed to do?" She began to cry. "How am I supposed to drink from it if it is dry?" Tears began to stream down her face and come to a point on her chin. "Mother. Help me."
A single teardrop fell from her face and landed on the bottom of the drained fountain. Suddenly the fountain seemed to come to life; Water sprayed from its holes and gathered in a pool at the base. Usagi's eyes lit up as she saw the water that seemed to glisten in the light although it was bleak and dark in the chamber. When she finally came back to reality she reached her hands down and scooped the water up into them forming a cup. As she drank from the water her hair began to turn white and her clothes began to change into a new fuku. When she stood Sailor Cosmos stood before Uranus, Luna and Artemis.
"Sailor Cosmos. The ultimate form of the Heavens." Luna said in almost a whisper as she witnessed what had happened.
"We have to get back to Earth now. We have all of the data that we need. We've found the enemies headquarters. It is surprisingly close." Artemis said without wasting anytime. The two senshi picked up the cats and disappeared just as mysteriously as they had come.
When they arrived back at the outer's house everyone was amazed to see Sailor Cosmos. No one recognized her as Usagi until she detransformed. Minako ran up and hugged Usagi. "I'm so happy."
"Luna and Artemis have found the enemies base. It's too late to attack it tonight, we will launch or plan tomorrow after we've all had rest." Usagi was actually giving orders, these were the qualities that were to make her a good Queen.
Everyone turned in to their rooms. Seiya slept in Usagi's room, he had been away from her for far too long. He made himself a small bed on the floor next to hers.
Michiru was sitting facing her vanity mirror as she brushed her hair. She saw Haruka coming up behind her but made no motion to acknowledge her. Haruka came up behind her and loomed down from above her. Michiru's silken camisole hung lightly on her delicate frame. Haruka brushed the straps off of her shoulders and bent down to kiss her neck and shoulders. Michiru stopped brushing her hair and watched her in the mirror. "Stop." She said as she stood up replacing her straps to where they had previously been.
Haruka stayed where she was as Michiru crossed the room to sit on the bed. "What's wrong?"
"I don't want you touching and kissing me while you're thinking of her. I've known what you've been doing for long enough and I just can't do this anymore." Michiru looked seriously at Haruka who began to make her way to the bed also.
"What are you talking about." Haruka tried to touch the girl but she swiftly pulled away. "Don't do this Michiru. You know that's not true."
"Do I? Do you think that I'm blind? Do you think that I wouldn't notice?" Tears began to form in the senshi of the sea's eyes.
Haruka didn't like to see Michiru cry. They had been together for what seemed like an eternity, helping, supporting and loving one another. This must have been plaguing her for a long time to finally break down like this. "It's not that way. It's different."
"How?" She said through a sob.
"I love you as my lover and my soul mate. I'm not going to deny that I love our Princess, but it's a different kind of love. I want to protect her and keep her safe, as my duty and as her friend. Don't you see, no one could ever take your place. Not even our Princess." Haruka rarely showed this side of herself to anyone. The only one that she could remember being this way with was Michiru. She just brought out a calmer more gentle side of her. She was still not sure if she was comfortable with this or not but made an effort to try.
Michiru knew Haruka better than she knew herself perhaps. Michiru tried to speak again but was cut off by Haruka's lips. The argument seemed to be over and peace was restored. Never again would she doubt Haruka's love for her.
Usagi awoke in the middle of the night to find Seiya lying in her arms. She gently kissed him on the cheek and turned her attention to where she had placed her slippers. With her slippers on she made her way to the kitchen where she would get a glass of water and return to bed.
When she opened the door however she found Mamoru stabbing Seiya in the chest. "NOOOOO!!!" She screamed, as the glass fell from her hand and shattered on the floor.
Usagi woke up suddenly covered in sweat. It was a dream, a horrible nightmare. She had to get outside for some fresh air. She walked out on to the porch in her robe and stared at the stars. She whispered "Seiya." and hoped to turn around and see him next to her as before. She was disappointed.
When she awoke in the morning she found everyone sitting around the kitchen table. Everyone was becoming a weak term to describe the number of people that were left. She could only guess how alone Yaten felt right now, but Minako seemed to be helping him out. Haruka still had Michiru to worry about her and Mamoru seemed to be hanging around Makoto often.
They hadn't spoken since that night. They both knew that it was over, words were not necessary to state the obvious. The seven of them sat around the kitchen table discussing a way to track the enemy. "I have to get out of this house!" Usagi suddenly blurted out. "Why can't we leave? If they are going to get us, then there's nothing anyone can do about it anyway!" She was more than a little peeved.
"Usagi listen to yourself. You sound like you want them to find you." Makoto pointed out.
"Well that would be better than just sitting around here hiding not accomplishing anything." She turned around in a huff and stormed off.
"I'll go after her." Minako got up.
"I'll go with you.' Yaten followed her.
They wanted to give Usagi space and time to cool off. She didn't know that she was being followed. She headed to the park as usual. She came to the top of the bridge and looked down at the water as she had done many of times before. Minako and Yaten stayed off to the side of the bridge. They felt bad for her.
Some one approached Usagi. She thought that it was Seiya. When the woman spoke she knew that it wasn't and was down hearted. "Are you expecting some one?" The woman asked.
"I hope so." Usagi replied without looking up at the woman.
"How can you hope to expect some one? You either do or you don't." The woman stated matter of factly. "What's your name?" The woman asked.
Usagi turned her head and looked right at the woman. Her eyes seemed to frighten the woman. "Why do you ask? I don't know you."
"That's right, if I knew you I would already know your name. Your eyes say a lot about you, you know. Your eyes tell me that you're depressed and waiting for your love to return." The woman tried to put her hand closer to Usagi's.
"I'm glad that I have you as a friend Minako." Yaten said while keeping his eyes on Usagi.
Minako turned her head to him in utter dismay. It was not like him to confess such a feeling.
"I don't think I could have went on after Maker was gone and Fighter wasn't here. I'm not lonely and it's because of you." He took his gaze off of the bridge and turned it to meet Minako's still shocked face. "I'm sorry for being so pissy to you before." He smiled.
She didn't know what to say so she said the first thing that came to her mind. "Anytime."
"Excuse me, I should be going now." Usagi was starting to get annoyed with the woman.
The woman grabbed onto her wrist as she tried to walk away. "Don't go."
Usagi tried to break free. Minako and Yaten saw this and got up to start running towards her. Why did they have to be so far away? They began to transform, not caring who was watching. The woman changed into a cloaked figure. Venus and Healer feared they were going to be too late. They saw Jupiter and Neptune run by them being lead by Uranus. They must have worried that they were gone too long.
"No, we're not going to make it in time!" Uranus voiced her concern, now she was visibly shaken. "Stop!!!" She screamed will all of her breath.
The cloaked figure turned around with Usagi in her arms. ~This girl must be very important to have five sailor senshi coming to her aid.~
The senshi were almost to the woman when she began to pull Usagi's face up for the kiss. Usagi felt a hard force hit her body as the woman disappeared from her vision. The woman's hold on her had been broken. She looked up to see Fighter holding her.
Fighter had appeared behind the cloaked woman, when Uranus screamed she knew that it was her only chance to save her Odango. If she had fired her attack she would have hit her too, this was the only way to free her. She had to blow her cover, she couldn't and wouldn't just sit back and watch her hurt her Odango.
The other senshi was shocked, but quickly regained their composure to attack. Uranus was the first to strike against the woman. Her attack seemed to barely scratch the woman once again revealing a golden skinned woman. Not giving up and still upset from the fact that she had almost failed her princess again her attack became more violent and malicious than anyone they had witnessed before. All of her fury and rage seemed to be pulsating in her sword as she sped towards and lunged at the woman showing no mercy.
There was no need for the others to attack, they all stared in awe at what Uranus had just done, they were all amazed at how much her feelings could manipulate her power. No one spoke of what had just happened, no one wanted to tempt the anger of Uranus again.
The forceful hit of Fighter's body before had knocked Usagi unconscious. Fighter never wanted to hurt Usagi, but the powerful body check that she had given her was better than letting her be taken by the enemy. The remaining senshi gathered around where Fighter was now holding Usagi.
"When did you get here?" Michiru asked Fighter while checking Usagi's vital signs. Fighter was silent and unsure of what to say. She still wasn't sure that she was welcome here.
Healer didn't care either way about the feelings of the Earth senshi towards her partner and wrapped her in a warm embrace. "I'm so happy that you came. Maker."
"I know." Fighter said cutting Healer off before she had to rehash the painful situation. Venus smiled at Fighter and felt a sigh of relief escape her lips. Everyone detransformed and retreated back to the outer's house.
"I was invited and welcome here. I didn't want to let my presence be known. I hid in the shadows, the only one who knew that I was here was Odango." Seiya explained to the group before him. "I couldn't just sit back while she was in danger."
Usagi was in the other room resting when Mamoru walked in the door. They had to call him; they couldn't just leave him in the dark at such a time. Once he laid eyes on Seiya he knew the atmosphere that he had to face by staying there. Seiya showed no signs of animosity towards him, that would not have help the situation that they were in now.
"Well you are very much welcomed here." Haruka told him while shooting an evil glance in Mamoru's direction. "I'm sorry that you didn't come before with the other Starlights."
Seiya nodded that he understood. He knew that this was a big step that Haruka was taking to greet him in such a manner, he was oblivious to her feelings towards Usagi though. Knowing that Usagi was in the other room and knowing that it wasn't wrong for him to see her now, he got up and headed in her direction.
Mamoru also got up and followed him. Haruka took note of this and in turn followed Mamoru. Mamoru came into the room and saw Seiya sitting by Usagi's bedside. He felt like such a fool. "I'm sorry." Is all he said as he walked up behind Seiya.
"It's alright, I know how you must have felt. My being mad at you now is not going to help our progress however." Seiya had turned to face Mamoru giving him what little dignity he deserved. Haruka listened tentatively at the door.
"I don't expect you to like me after what I did. I was foolish and let my own feelings get in the way of protecting the ones that I love." Mamoru looked down at the ground. "And now I have paid the ultimate price for that." He got up and began to walk away, but stopped and looked back at the sleeping Usagi. "Please make her happy the way that I couldn't."
Seiya nodded he could only imagine the pain and torture that Mamoru was putting himself through let alone the pain that the others had pushed onto him. Haruka had nothing to hide and made no attempt to conceal herself as Mamoru exited the room. There had always been a timid spark between the two; perhaps Mamoru had sensed her feelings towards Usagi.
"We have to get Meiki back." Makoto began the conversation between the occupants of the living room.
"We have no idea where to start looking." Michiru said as she watched Mamoru and Haruka return to join the group.
"If Mercury were here we could have gotten a reading on the two men that disappeared before us." Minako was sitting next to Yaten on the couch. The closeness between to the two was noticeable now. They had been there for each other the past couple of weeks as they watched their friends suffer. They each had found a new friend in each other.
"Luna and I will find out where they are." Artemis had spoken up finally. "We will go to the moon and use its computer. This way we will be able to track their negative energy."
"It is our only hope now." Luna joined Artemis's side. "We'll return shortly to tell you of our findings." They said as they walked outside.
"Good luck."
Usagi began to awaken. The first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was Seiya smiling at her. "Seiya."
"Oi Odango."
Usagi got up out of bed with the help of Seiya. "What are you doing? You should be resting." He cautioned her.
"I can't I have to tell the others." Usagi seemed to be in a hurry and very flustered all of the sudden as struggled to reach the door.
"Tell them what?" Seiya was growing more concerned by the minute; he couldn't understand what she would have to say to the others so urgently.
"My mother, she came to me she told me how to transform." Usagi was out the door and Seiya was on her heals.
"Usagi!" Haruka exclaimed as she came charging into the living room to be met with stares. "What are you doing up?"
"Queen Serenity came to visit me in my dream, she told me how to transform." Usagi started to explain as she looked around to see who was here. "I have to go to the moon."
Everyone was in shock; just minutes before Luna and Artemis had left to go to the moon. "What is on the moon?" Minako asked.
"The crystal fountain. I must drink from it to receive my full powers and those of my mother." Usagi seemed very serious and determined. "I need help. Since I can't transform now I need some one to come with me to give me strength."
"I will go with you." Haruka stood and made her way to Usagi before anyone could object.
"No, I'll go with you too." Seiya offered up. "Please let me go." He was almost begging.
"Please stay here and get some rest. Haruka and I will be fine we will return shortly." Usagi smiled at him, she knew that he wouldn't have listened to anyone else to stay except her. He nodded his head and returned to his room in defeat.
Haruka transformed and the two left in a brilliant light.
They arrived on the moon in the computer control room. Artemis and Luna were shocked to see the two there. "What are you here for?"
"Queen Serenity told me in my dream to come and drink from the crystal fountain. Quick, where is it?" Usagi began to search around frantically for it.
"It's in the center of the palace." They all began to run to the spot of the alleged fountain. They came to an abrupt halt when they spotted it. Dry.
Usagi ran to it and looked in. "What am I supposed to do?" She began to cry. "How am I supposed to drink from it if it is dry?" Tears began to stream down her face and come to a point on her chin. "Mother. Help me."
A single teardrop fell from her face and landed on the bottom of the drained fountain. Suddenly the fountain seemed to come to life; Water sprayed from its holes and gathered in a pool at the base. Usagi's eyes lit up as she saw the water that seemed to glisten in the light although it was bleak and dark in the chamber. When she finally came back to reality she reached her hands down and scooped the water up into them forming a cup. As she drank from the water her hair began to turn white and her clothes began to change into a new fuku. When she stood Sailor Cosmos stood before Uranus, Luna and Artemis.
"Sailor Cosmos. The ultimate form of the Heavens." Luna said in almost a whisper as she witnessed what had happened.
"We have to get back to Earth now. We have all of the data that we need. We've found the enemies headquarters. It is surprisingly close." Artemis said without wasting anytime. The two senshi picked up the cats and disappeared just as mysteriously as they had come.
When they arrived back at the outer's house everyone was amazed to see Sailor Cosmos. No one recognized her as Usagi until she detransformed. Minako ran up and hugged Usagi. "I'm so happy."
"Luna and Artemis have found the enemies base. It's too late to attack it tonight, we will launch or plan tomorrow after we've all had rest." Usagi was actually giving orders, these were the qualities that were to make her a good Queen.
Everyone turned in to their rooms. Seiya slept in Usagi's room, he had been away from her for far too long. He made himself a small bed on the floor next to hers.
Michiru was sitting facing her vanity mirror as she brushed her hair. She saw Haruka coming up behind her but made no motion to acknowledge her. Haruka came up behind her and loomed down from above her. Michiru's silken camisole hung lightly on her delicate frame. Haruka brushed the straps off of her shoulders and bent down to kiss her neck and shoulders. Michiru stopped brushing her hair and watched her in the mirror. "Stop." She said as she stood up replacing her straps to where they had previously been.
Haruka stayed where she was as Michiru crossed the room to sit on the bed. "What's wrong?"
"I don't want you touching and kissing me while you're thinking of her. I've known what you've been doing for long enough and I just can't do this anymore." Michiru looked seriously at Haruka who began to make her way to the bed also.
"What are you talking about." Haruka tried to touch the girl but she swiftly pulled away. "Don't do this Michiru. You know that's not true."
"Do I? Do you think that I'm blind? Do you think that I wouldn't notice?" Tears began to form in the senshi of the sea's eyes.
Haruka didn't like to see Michiru cry. They had been together for what seemed like an eternity, helping, supporting and loving one another. This must have been plaguing her for a long time to finally break down like this. "It's not that way. It's different."
"How?" She said through a sob.
"I love you as my lover and my soul mate. I'm not going to deny that I love our Princess, but it's a different kind of love. I want to protect her and keep her safe, as my duty and as her friend. Don't you see, no one could ever take your place. Not even our Princess." Haruka rarely showed this side of herself to anyone. The only one that she could remember being this way with was Michiru. She just brought out a calmer more gentle side of her. She was still not sure if she was comfortable with this or not but made an effort to try.
Michiru knew Haruka better than she knew herself perhaps. Michiru tried to speak again but was cut off by Haruka's lips. The argument seemed to be over and peace was restored. Never again would she doubt Haruka's love for her.
