Haruka reclined in her perch, her gaze fixed on the sisters as they lay in the pile of pillows on the floor. The lights were dim when she arrived that evening, and some light flashing, and strange screams alerted her as she frantically climbed the tree. When she was just about to reach the balcony, her keen senses immediately extinguished the adrenaline in her system. As the surge of energy flooded out of her, she slumped back in the tree, noticing for the first time the two girls on their pillow fort. The screen flashed on each other their faces as the rouge finally decided they had chosen a horror movie for the evening.

Unable to muster the energy to engage with the two excited girls and quickly realizing that she wouldn't be able to fight off their eager invitations to watch the movie with them, she resided in her spot in the tree. Soon the mumbling of the film and the colors changing as they illuminated the screen, she found her mind wandering. The story that Minako spun was that the Kou bother had joined her co-conspirators to save Seiya from her wrath. Her blue eyes rolled at that as if anything was to keep. She wondered if Seiya had put his bother up to the task, unsure how Taiki would have known to approach the manager and the miko in the first place. A bust of breath flooded from her nose as she dismissed the thought. She was too far and too deep to worry about how the situation came about. Her determination came now to end it and simply hope the detective didn't get in her way.

"Haruka?" A soft voice called her from her fleeting thoughts as a door clicked open on the balcony. The blonde slinked deeper into her perch, recognizing ping Usagi's voice but unsure how the younger girl knew she was there.

"I know you're there," the smiling blonde softly called. "You can quit hiding 'cause I'm not going to give up and go to bed if you ignore me. I'll sleep out here if I have to!" Usagi threatened with a smirk on her face. The idea of bed rippled through her as she stretched her arms up, releasing a small yawn-sigh combination.

"As entertaining as it would be to watch you try to stay away," a husky voice echoed from the tree. Usagi spun as she looked over her shoulder, the mysterious blonde sitting on a branch with one leg tucked comfortably under her. She gently lifted herself forward, dropping on one foot and her knee before the odango blonde. "That won't be necessary." Usagi flashed a knowing smile at the rogue before launching forward to wrap her arms around the older woman.

"What were you doing up there anyways?" The girl whined, a million complaints floating in her mind. But, of course, if the rogue had watched that ecchi movie Chibiusa picked, she might not have needed to seek out the cool evening air.

"I was just thinking," Haruka excused herself as her hand tentatively raised to wrap around the smaller girl. She faltered for a moment, standing herself up tall but not entirely pushing the younger girl away.

"What about?" The soft blue eyes stared at her as she pondered the question.

"There are so many things I want to protect you from, but I am starting to fear that I am the most dangerous of all of them," Haruka sighed, allowing her insecurities to slip through to the younger girl.

"I think it would hurt the most to be away from the ones you love," Usagi smiled, the older girl blinking at the unexpected wisdom before nodding in agreement.

"So what got you so flustered that you had to escape to the cool night air?" Haruka smirked, happy to change the tide. Usagi immediately turned red, mumbling as she tried to explain the plot of the American movie to the scantily dressed woman they were watching. As if answering her silent plea for a distraction, something pulled her attention into the distance. Usagi had a chance to exhale as the spotlight was off of her.

"What do you see?" She questioned, noticing that the rogue's visage physically tensed up at whatever caught her attention. Haruka grunted as she finally escaped the girl's hold, her entire body facing whatever was out there. "Haruka?" She questioned again, pulling on the blonde's arm to regain her attention.

"I'm going to check it out. Do me a favor?" The rogue smiled at the girl while still transfixed in the distance. "Head inside and get ready for bed." Haruka could sense the girl's frown, finally peeling her gaze back to the pouting blonde. "I'll tell you what. Let me check it out, and I'll be back in time to tuck you in," she winked at the girl before bringing her lips softly to her temple. She lifted herself onto the railing, leaping into the quiet air before her arms extended to catch a branch. She swung with silence. Usagi was amazed by the brand propelling her over the wall that circled the yard.

"What was that?" Chibiusa asked as she joined her sister on the balcony.

"Haruka went to check on something," Usagi mumbled her reply, her eyes still following the direction that the rogue headed. Her eyes scanned the darkness, silently pleading she could see what the rogue saw. As they roamed, a flash of blue light sprung through the air. Usagi gasped as she leaned closer to the railing to see if the phenomenon would reappear. Instead, they both witnessed blue lightning cracking up through the sky long enough for her to follow it down to the source.

"Has someone moved into that mansion?" Chibiusa questioned as her gaze followed her sisters.

"Not that I am aware of, but something is going on over there. I need to go help her!" Usagi crazed as she turned to the door. A firm grip pulled her hand as she turned to see concerned red eyes.

"What do you mean you have to help her? What can you do to combat that?" Chibiusa snarled, visibly angry the blonde would run out into the night. Usagi chewed her lip, unsure how to answer the younger girl's insistence question. "I'm tired of this, Usagi. I know you have been going somewhere late these past few days, and now you are ready to run off into the night. What is going on?" She demanded.

"I'm sorry, Chibiusa. I will explain everything, but there is no time now. I can't tell you how I know, but I am certain she needs my help." Usagi gently moved her sister to the side, grabbing a coat as she slipped through the bedroom door.

The pink haired girl watched the door close with no additional explanation as her arms folded over her chest. She had a good guess where the blonde set off, and a sudden conflict of emotion stirred within her. She knew what she was supposed to do at this point, her eyes squinting as she struggled to find the strength to follow her sister.

~*~*~

Haruka hopped onto the stone bench, her form remaining close to the cold surface as she scanned the garden. The grounds were quiet, and she could easily stick to the shadows as she approached the home. The lights had subsided recently, but she debated the best way forward as she faced the large open patio and the threat they could start anytime. Quickly lowering herself to the ground, she maintained her crouching position as she followed the railing curve. It was the long way around, but the detail of the cutouts between the stone pillars obscured her form as she navigated the railing's natural curve. As she reached the upper deck adjoined the home, she peered through the wood railing at the ardent building. The lights were all extinguished, giving an appearance that it had remained abandoned since the night of the lavish party.

She knew that not to be accurate, that at this moment, there must be at least six people within the walls. When the police took Prince Demand into custody, his supporters contested that he arranged to remain on house arrest. Michiru had assured the rogue that it was the best option for all involved. Since he was a diplomat, he could quickly leave the country if they were to threaten to put him in a jail cell. Upon hearing this, Haruka made the mistake of confiding all of the magical secrets the silver haired man held as all the more reason to lock him up and throw away the key. Michiru even admitted the State Police were unsure if they could keep him in a cell.

She had spent every evening since his house arrest began positioned between this cursed building ad the room where her Koneko slept. If anything had bridged that gap, she would never be able to forgive herself. The teal haired agent made her swear she wouldn't approach the prisoner concealed within these walls. Her brand of justice would not satisfy her. Yet when the agent reminded her that the same blade would not sit right with Usagi, she finally persuaded the rogue to agree. But once Demand began to assert his power, the sparks that became the beacon to all outsiders, she simply lost her patience to wait at the border.

She looked at the two side doors she knew to be blocked. She got lucky that the details of the police assigned to the manor were left on Setsuna's desk. She could never tell with the green-haired chief by accident or design, but she would not excuse such a fortune. Combining the known guards ensuring that Demand stays in and his protection to keep people like her out, her sight narrowed in on the ballroom door. Recalling from the party how it opened to the grand parlor, she mused that they would not have reinforced it because no one could be stupid enough to break in a glass door. She smirked at the challenge. An average person wouldn't try, but she was the embodiment of the wind.

Following the shadows, she approached the large window opening, closing the distance in two swift strides. She readied her sword on the third stride, swinging and cutting the lock clean in half. She landed gracefully in a kneeled position, pausing to listen for anyone who may have heard the wind rustle outside. A satisfied frown grew on her lips, and she sheathed her sword, pushing the door open with the strength of a winter squall before she crossed the threshold herself.

The inside of the home was still dark, but there was a flicker in a room deeper, confirming where she'd find the occupants. Keeping to the walls, she quickly crossed the room, only pausing when she reached an entryway. Blue eyes scanned around the corner. Finding it empty, she shrugged. The B team was likely on hand tonight, but a scowl began to grow as she realized she should have come across some sort of security by now.

The cackle of what she guessed was a fireplace alerted her that her goal was near. She readied to enter the room, silently stalking her prey. She opted for her family blade, releasing it from her leg holster and flipping it in her hand once to confirm the grip was set. She skulked into the room, her legs leading the way while the rest of her remained low. A high-back sofa sat between her and her nemesis. Her heart beat swelling as she could make out the figure unabashedly enjoying the fire roaring before him. Taking a step closer and closer, her jaw setting as she remembered all the pain this man had caused.

Her clouded mind registered the soft blob that met her next step, blue eyes sweeping down before widening in shock. At her feet lay a barely breathing officer. She shuddered about what had happened but settled in to determine this was all the more reason it had to end here.

"Ruka, what a surprise to find you here," a curious voice echoed as the figure on the sofa turned to greet her. The shock ripped through her existence, holding her as the man stood from the furniture, facing her full-on. Then, with as much control as she could, she turned to look at the rest of the room, finding a limp body in just about every corner was the remnants of Demand's security.

"Mamoru, what is going on?" She questioned as her voice finally came back under her control. She lifted her height from her torso, extending her long neck to view without relinquishing her footing. Her body remained poised to strike should the need still arise.

"Ahh, ever the good assassin," Mamoru smiled. "But I fear you may be too late for your target," he smirked as she met the sight before her.

Demand lay on the table. A soft yellow light encircled his body like mock restraints. But as she followed the trail, she saw that it didn't seem to hold him in place but instead channeled him to the dark haired man.

"What is this sorcery," she demanded. "Release him."

"I assure you I am the only thing keeping him alive at this point," Mamoru sighed, disappointed that he would need to explain finding him this way. "Much of his natural power is sedated being separated from the Malefic Black Crystal. So I had to help him," the tall man explained as she moved around the sofa. Soft blue eyes trailed him, not relinquishing her advantage to him at all.

"You see, Ruka, you had it wrong before. I think Kakyuu took the crystal for her own benefit, leaving him to die," gesturing to the silver haired prince. "But I knew I could trust you to get close to the Kou boy. So, please, tell me where she is keeping it so I can save him." Mamoru's pleading eyes grew in her vision as he stepped closer. "I swear that all I want is to reunite the crystal with him."

"Then why lie to me from the start? I expected you to be better than that. Or did all the family business you have been doing corrupt your tongue?" Her acid words pushed Mamoru back as she suddenly realized how close he had grown.

"You insolent brat!" He spat, swinging at the blonde as she ducked his blow. As the second one came, she blocked with her forearm. The family blade grasped tightly in the fisted grip as she used her strength to push back the arm locked with hers. "Ah, the Tenoh family dagger," he observed as they struggled for dominance. "Such a family heirloom. Unfortunately for you, it did nothing to help your father, as it will do nothing to help you!" His arms swung from the lock, pushing the blonde off balance and landing on her shins. Mamoru smiled as she rested her hand on the ground to regain strength.

"Your weakness is showing," he spat as she turned his back to her. An ethereal growl escaped her lips as she launched herself at her friend. She released a tormented cry as she raised the blade, ready to plunge into his chest.

"I'll show you weakness," she barked as she plunged the blade. As metal reached his skin, the metallic material was to sand, blowing away until she was left with her hand resting on his chest. Her head jerked up to meet his, a knowing smirk on his lips.

'Yes, I suppose you will," he coldly commented as she grabbed her wrist, pulling her off balance as his hand connected with her cheek.

"Mamo! What are you doing to Haruka?" The high pitched voice rang in her ears as she struggled to lift herself from the ground.

Koneko? The thought rang through her mind like the bells of a cathedral, echoing and growing with each repetition. She slammed her fist to the floor, desperately crying for her to be wrong. She was not confident why the strength was evading her, whether from the fear that the blonde was now in danger or the ultimate betrayal from the closest thing to her family. She finally pushed herself up enough to roll to her side just as the odango blonde landed at her side.

"Koneko, what are you doing here?"

~*~*~*

Haruka's eyes blinked as she finally opened them, her body jostling as she wiggled back and forth. Her brows furrow as she assesses her injuries, realizing it is not her moving. Her arms lifted from her torso to find the rope tight around her torso — and connected with someone else.

"Usagi, quite squirming," she sneered as the astonishment flooded her system that the two blondes were restrained on the floor.

"We need to get out of here. We need to stop him!" Usagi urged as she continued her struggle.

"No, Koneko. We need to figure out what Mamoru is doing and get you out of here."

"Why won't you let me help? Why do you insist on not working together to fix this."

"You couldn't understand," she muttered as she lowered her head in disappointment.

"I can understand so much if you just tell me. I am not the little girl you knew so long ago. You both kept me from the truth, then. It has helped nothing." The young girl pouted. The rogue's head lowered, her mind thinking of a way to get them both to safety. She considered if she could lift the small girl tied to her back, only to find he also restrained her feet. As a result, she couldn't hop them both to safety. She glanced over her shoulder to see if Usagi was tied the same, a yelp escaping as she recognized the injury in her shoulder.

"You're hurt," the younger girl stated with evident concern.

"It's nothing, Koneko," the rogue tried to reassure her.

"Haruka, you said we were connected," the girl firmly stated. The older blonde tilted her head at the strong words. "And connected means we do things together. So please worry about me and think about how to free us!" The rogue slumped as she realized Usagi was right. At this point, she was here, and the only way they would leave was together. She began to scan the room, looking for anything to help free them. The rope was not high quality, and she sighed as her dagger would have been perfect for pulling from her boot and slicing it. Her thoughts stopped as she felt the diminutive girl wiggle again.

"Koneko, stop that. It's not helping."

"I'm sorry, I can't help it. I have a horrible itch that just needs to be scratched. And I know your shoulder is bothering you, but your shoulder blade had the perfect edge that relieves it!"

Haruka's head shot up, her torso wiggling slightly.

"I thought you said that didn't help?" The blonde questioned as she tilted her head in an accusing manner.

"The idiot didn't check for my katana," Haruka smirked. "Koneko, Gomen. Wiggle away. I'll scratch your whole back if you do it double time!" The blonde scrunched her features at the odd request, but she obliged as she didn't get relief from the itch yet. Instead, she felt the rogue moving across her back, the blunt edge of the shoulder giving instant relief.

"Perfect!" The girl exclaimed.

"Yes, you're a wonder at back scratching—"her words frozen as she felt the rogue shift her weight. Haruka leaned back, her nose moving towards her belly button. Usagi. Head a grunt as the blond hosted her feet up to her head, sliding her head between them.

"Usagi, hop like a bunny! I can't hold this for long," her muffled voice commanded, and Usagi bounced as told. A few seconds later, she felt the jerk as Haruka's feet released, followed by a clang of metal. "On the count of three, we'll roll to the side. 1, 2–"

"Wait, the right or left? Usagi panicked as Haruka pulled them to the right. She released that they had landed on Haruka's katana, the blade quickly slicing the rope around them. The blonde stood, picking up the sword and tucking it back into the back of her riding suit.

"Good job, Koneko," she winked at the short girl before taking her hand, leading from the room. "Now we need to get you—"

"No! I am helping. We won't have this chance again, and we can't let him hurt that man. I can help!" The odango blonde pleaded. Haruka could only nod.

They found their way back to the room Mamoru was sitting with Demand, but the golden light wasn't surrounding him any longer. Instead, Prince Demand was sitting on the edge of the table. She followed his line of sight, Mamoru standing just opposite, with another person with him. She recognized the long red hair immediately.

"We have company," Haruka warned the younger girl. "Kaykuu is here." She squinted as she saw another figure enter the room. "With Seiya?"

~*~*~

(A/N - We're almost to the end - please review and let me know if I should do a Prologue for the aftermath!)