Chapter 6: Believe In Yourself
The next morning, Michiru was more than nervous while she walked over the school yard to the main entrance. She just couldn't forget the dream she had had the night before; the image of Haruka lying on the ground dead ran through her head non-stop, making her heart hurt. Slowly, the aqua haired girl pushed the door open and entered the hallway, ignoring the looks and comments that were whispered about her being perfect. "I'm everything, but not perfect." Michiru thought to herself. "If they knew…" "Hey." A low, husky voice suddenly came from her right, causing the aqua haired girl to flinch before she slowly looked over, only to find herself face to chest with Haruka. "Hi." She softly spoke after a few moments of silence. The two women then stood in the hallway, looking at each other, until Haruka spoke: "We need to talk. Meet me in the cafeteria after school." Michiru nodded, and Haruka turned and around and walked off, the aqua haired girl looking after her with a sad expression in her blue eyes. "She probably hates me now…" Michiru thought to herself, letting out a heavy sigh before she walked into class.
To Michiru, it seemed as if the school day would last forever. Finally, the last lesson ended, and Michiru hurried to get out of class. She was walking to the school cafeteria when Satoshi suddenly blocked her way. "We need to talk." The boy spoke, grabbing her arm. "Not now, Satoshi, I'm meeting Haruka." Michiru replied, trying to free herself from the young man's grip. "No you won't." Satoshi gnarled, his eyes suddenly becoming as cold as ice. Ignoring Michirus protests, the young man pulled his ex-girlfriend into a dark alley, pushing her against the wall. "You will listen to me now." Satoshi demanded, holding Michirus arms so tight that it hurt. "Satoshi, you're hurting me! Let go of me!" Michiru cried out, seriously frightened by now. "You little…" Satoshi growled, raising his fist as if he wanted to hit her. "In the name of Uranus, let go of her!" a deep, husky voice suddenly came from his left, causing him to look over in surprise. "Sailor Uranus…" Michiru cried out, relief in her voice. "Who are you?" Satoshi asked, frowning. Uranus gave him a smirk. "Uranus is the name, nice to meet you. And now let go of her." The blonde warrior demanded. Satoshi growled and just was about to reply something when a bright beam of energy shot out of nowhere, hitting him in the back. Satoshi got thrown against the wall and passed out while Uranus went into fighting stance, realizing that she couldn't use her World Shaking here, since the alley was way too narrow. The demon who had shot his beam at Satoshi appeared out of nowhere, attacking the blonde warrior. "Michiru!" Uranus called out while she dodged the monsters first attack, "run!" "I won't leave you alone with this monster!" Michiru shouted back. Uranus looked over at her, just about to yell again, when the demons fist crashed into the side of her head, throwing her against the brick wall. Uranus groaned in pain, while blood started to run from the abrasion the demon had brought to her. She staggered, nearly fell, but before this could happen, the demon had grabbed her around the waist and smashed her against the wall once more. "Haruka!" Michiru cried out, her heart filling with fear all of a sudden. And that was when an aqua colored, somehow odd looking stick appeared in front of her, bright light extending from it. Michiru stared at the thing in shock, not knowing what to do. "Michiru!" Haruka called out before the demon hit her against the bricks once more. The blonde could hear her ribs crack, hoping and praying that they wouldn't break. "Michiru, please, help me!" Uranus cried out once more, while Michiru still stared at the stick as if it was some kind of miracle. The demon let go of Haruka, and she fell to the ground, groaning in pain. "Please…" the blonde whispered, looking at the aqua haired girl with pain-filled eyes. "Haruka…I don't know if I can do that!" Michiru cried out, her voice clearly showing her insecurity. The demon raised it's clawed hand to end Harukas life, and the blonde let out one last, desperate shout: "Please, Michiru, you gotta believe in yourself!" Then, the demon's claws shot down, and Haruka squeezed her eyes shut, already preparing for the last flash of pain before darkness would come.
"Deep Submerge!" The attack hit the demon once second before it managed to tear Haruka open, and the monster got thrown away from the hurt blonde, against the wall. Haruka slowly opened her eyes again, the corners of her mouth moving upwards when she saw Sailor Neptune standing in front her. Then, the blonde passed out.
"Haruka! Haruka, wake up!" Haruka groaned and opened her eyes, for one second wondering why the street felt so soft. Then, she realized that she laid in her bed. "Huh…?" the blonde mumbled, looking around. Her eyes fell on Michiru, who looked pretty tired and worn-out. "Finally, you're awake." The aqua haired girl spoke, smiling at her friend. "What…what happened?" Haruka asked, rubbing her aching head. Michiru explained about the demon and about the fact that she had accepted the henshin stick. Haruka sat up in the covers, ignoring the ache in her rib cage, and put a gentle hand on Michirus shoulder. "It's good that you accepted it, Michiru. So you will be my partner in fighting?" Michiru nodded, her face growing serious all of a sudden. "Yes, Haruka, in fighting. But not in love." Haruka stared at her, the pain she felt clearly showing through her voice when she spoke: "Not…not in love?" Michiru shook her head, letting out a small sigh. "I'm sorry, Haruka, but I can't." With that, the aqua haired girl rose from the chair she had been sitting on. "I'm sorry." She repeated while walking towards the door, avoiding to look at Haruka. Finally, Michiru was gone, and Haruka stayed where she was, unshed tears glistening in her eyes.