Black Thorns on a White Rose

Chapter Two: Alliances

By: Ree

Pairing: Kou Seiya/Ten'oh Haruka

Ages: Seiya (24), Haruka (24), Taiki (24), Yaten (24), Usagi (22), Mamoru (25-26), the Inner Senshi (22), Hotaru (20), Setsuna (Unknown, but appears 26), Michiru (24), Kakyuu (25), Chibi-Usa (Newborn babe)

Setting: Kinmoku Planet

Rating: R

Summary: It is the 30th Century Crystal Tokyo. Haruka has been feeling restless lately, and Neo Queen Serenity decides to send her on a diplomatic mission to Kinmoku. It's déjà vu all over again when she sees Seiya again for the first time. However, when Seiya (now a female) learns that her beloved Usagi married Mamoru and is now the Queen of Crystal Tokyo, it's all she can do to go on with her life. Can Haruka bring Seiya out of her misery once and for all? Or is it destined that the two of them will be mortal enemies forever?

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon; I don't want to claim ownership to Takeuchi-sama's noble work. So don't sue me! I don't own anything, I am just a poor student, and you won't get anything!

"Welcome to Kinmoku-sei, Haruka."

The woman in question merely raised an eyebrow at the almost civil greeting as the two stared each other down. It was like the old days when the two of them had stared each other down the first time they ever met. The same energy pulsed between them; it was as though they were challenging each other to make the first move. Both were spared from making the first move, however, by a voice that called out to them from behind.

"Haruka, what are you doing here?" a young woman with long brown hair down to her knees asked curiously, raising an eyebrow. "You, of all people, were the last person I thought would be here."

"Taiki," she acknowledged, not breaking Seiya's gaze. "Yaten."

"Haruka," the other young woman with long gray hair added, looking confused. "Why are you here?"

"I am here to speak with the three of you and your princess. If you would be so kind as to allow me inside so that we may get this meeting underway and I can return to Miranda as soon as possible, it would be very much appreciated," Haruka answered simply, uncrossing her arms.

Seiya glared at her with her navy eyes as though she didn't trust a word that the shorter woman was saying. Hn, I never noticed this before, but I seem to have grown a few inches taller than her. Interesting...a chuckle escaped the Starlight's lips as she turned with an impressive swirl of her skirt.

"Then please follow us, Haruka, we will show you in. Don't forget to wipe your feet before you enter, don't want the palace to be messed up," Seiya laughed before heading inside, leaving Haruka seething behind her.

"I ought to wipe the floor with you, you arrogant piece of garbage," she raged, her voice barely above whisper as she thundered after Seiya, making Taiki and Yaten wince as they trailed behind her.

"Do you think we ought to leave those two alone in the same room with our princess?" Yaten wondered.

"I don't think so. We'd better follow them before they end up destroying something. It's just like the good old days, ne, Yaten?" Taiki commented before laughing. "I don't think those two will ever get along."

"If they do, then I would be very suspicious," the other whispered as they followed the irate Senshi of Wind.

The two laughed as they trailed after Seiya and Haruka. Ahead, both of the women were walking as though they were completely oblivious to each other's presence. Still, Haruka knew that she should think of a comeback for the comment Seiya made earlier. I think I know just the one, she thought with a leer and turned her head. I want to see the look on her face when I tell her.

"Seiya, did you know that Usagi is married and has a child, now?" she asked in a would-be casual voice.

"Odango...she's...she's married?" Seiya stammered, the look on her face saying everything she was feeling.

"Oh yes, she and Mamoru were married about two years after the three of you and your princess left. She's the Queen of Crystal Tokyo now, with her daughter and husband at her side."

Taiki and Yaten winced in sympathy as they heard the cutting words Haruka said to their friend. The expression on Seiya's face was a mixture of anger, disbelief, and sorrow. He actually thought he stood a chance against Usagi's intended. That notion echoed in her mind as she watched Seiya carefully. The leader of the Sailor Starlights stopped dead in her tracks, catching Haruka off guard, so she stopped a few paces ahead of the other. The duo behind them waited to see what was going on, neither of them liking where this situation was going.

"You're lying aren't you? You're just saying all of those things because you know how I feel about Odango."

"Keep telling yourself that, Seiya, but I speak the truth. It was always destined that Usagi and Mamoru would marry and they have come into that destiny. Face it; you've got no chance with her."

"Liar!" she accused, glowering at Haruka with pain written all over her face. "You're lying!"

"Am I?" Haruka shot back, meeting Seiya's harsh stare and returning it with one of her own.

The two of them stood there for a few minutes before Seiya turned away and headed in the other direction, heartbroken. Guilt began to well up in the woman's heart for breaking the news to Seiya like that, but Haruka immediately brushed it off. There's no reason to feel guilty, she was bound to find out sooner or later that koneko-chan was married. Still, she couldn't quite shake that guilty feeling as Taiki and Yaten led her through the golden halls of the palace and towards the throne room. Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed when they reached the room until Yaten finally jabbed her in the stomach.

"Itai, what was that for?" she demanded angrily, rubbing her side.

"The princess has been trying to get your attention for the past five minutes," Yaten explained dryly.

"Ara, gomen nesai Princess Kakyuu, I didn't realize," she apologized hurriedly and inhaled deeply. "Neo Queen Serenity of Crystal Tokyo would like to send her heartfelt greetings to you and hopes that you are well. In addition, she is hoping for an alliance to be made between Kinmoku-sei and our Solar System. I have been sent here to extend an invitation to the Crystal Palace, in the hopes that you will visit Earth for Usagi has missed you all very much."

She had dropped all formality when reaching the end and gave them a friendly smile. It was met with a brilliant smile from Kakyuu as she stepped down from her throne and went forward. Taking the other's hand in hers, the red-haired young woman beamed at Haruka.

"Of course we will go and visit Earth. I have been eager to visit Usagi- chan for a while now. I just wasn't sure when would be a good time, but this is wonderful. Taiki, Yaten, please find Seiya and let her know."

"Ano...Princess...we don't know where Seiya is," Taiki pointed out, looking a bit embarrassed.

"You don't? What happened?" Kakyuu asked, turning to her two guardians and raising her eyebrow.

"Well, Haruka and Seiya had an exchange that caused Seiya to leave. We don't know where she went or where she would be going. I'm sorry..." Yaten explained, scowling at Haruka.

"Oh dear...Haruka, would you be so kind as to try and find Seiya while I ready everything?"

"Yes, Princess Kakyuu."

Turning with a swish of the pale blue material attached to the back of her gown, Haruka hurried off. Immediately, that guilt had returned when she thought of what she had said to Seiya. I wasn't being rude, I was just saying it as it is, she rationalized as she began to look around. Damn, why couldn't one of the others have been asked to look for her? I have no idea where I'm going. Sighing irritably, she pushed her white hair out of her eyes and continued down the different halls. Everywhere she met, the calming scent of lilacs and olive blossoms followed her, and it seemed to soothe her nerves. Soothe my nerves? I wonder...and with that, she headed for the gardens by hopping out of a window. Making her way through the different paths, she soon heard what sounded like someone crying softly. It appears as though I've found her. Groaning inwardly, Haruka rounded a corner, and sure enough, there was Seiya, tears coursing down her cheeks as she clenched her fist in her gown. Not wanting to seem as though she was eavesdropping, the teal-eyed female immediately went over and sat down next to Seiya, who promptly turned away.

"Seiya, I know what I said wasn't the most tactful of things to say...but you would have found out eventually."

"Since when have you cared about being tactful?"

"Look, I'm just trying to apologize. You and I both know that we can't stand each other and if you're going to come with your princess and friends to Crystal Tokyo then we'd better learn to get along."

Seiya paused for a moment, turned, and glanced over at Haruka, who was giving him a rather aggravated look. "You mean to tell me that Princess Kakyuu, Taiki, Yaten, and I are going to Crystal Tokyo?"

"Your princess is making the arrangements even as we speak. Koneko-chan wants an alliance forged with your planet so that way, in case either of our worlds needs assistance, we will be there to provide it. Since you'll most likely be staying at the Crystal Palace and I will be remaining on Miranda, after this neither of us will have to set eyes on the other."

"What makes you think that'll happen?"

"Koneko-chan understands how we feel about each other and will most likely try to keep us apart. Besides, I have rebuilding that must be done on Miranda before I can consider staying in Crystal Tokyo."

"There you are," Taiki said and walked over. "Princess Kakyuu said that it would take at least a week for us to be ready to go to Crystal Tokyo so until then you'll stay here with us Haruka."

"Naniyo?" she cried, getting to her feet.

"Gomen ne, Haruka, but I'm afraid that's how it's going to have to be. Seiya, will you show our guest to a room?" Taiki asked with a small smile before turning and heading back through the gardens.

"Well, it looks as though you won't be getting back to Miranda as soon as you had hoped, Haruka."

"Shut up, Seiya."

"As long as you're here..." the other rose to her feet and straightened her gown before turning seriously to Haruka. "The two of us should call a truce. I don't want to be constantly arguing with you while you're here and I'm sure you don't want to do so either."

"A truce? Between us?"

"Hai."

Placing her chin in her hand for a moment, Haruka looked considering. The idea is a good one...still, I'm not sure if she and I will be able to keep to the truce. Inwardly, she sighed and massaged her temple. Well, I guess this is just a test of will I'll have to endure for now. Lowering her hand and glancing at Seiya seriously, she began to study the other intently, eyes trailing over the firm and toned body underneath the fabric of the dress she wore. There were curves, but not too many, and they helped to accentuate Seiya's body in a very nice way. Looking back up into her eyes, Haruka felt a pull there, the same as when she had first locked eyes with Seiya after the concert. This time, however, the pull was different somehow. It was as though the depths of space were in Seiya's eyes and Haruka felt herself getting lost in them. Oh no, what am I thinking? Michiru is the one that I care about!

"Well, Haruka?" Seiya finally spoke, breaking Haruka out of her reverie. "Are you all right?"

"Of course I'm all right, and I think it would be in both of our interests if we did have a truce for now. After all, if we're going to be in such close company, we should learn to tolerate each other."

"Very well."

And she held out her hand for the other to take. Eyeing it warily, Haruka accepted the offered hand and felt a jolt shoot down her spine. Seiya felt the exact same thing and she released Haruka's hand quickly. What was that I felt just now? It was as if lightning had shot down my spine. Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Seiya looked away quickly. Still, while the other was examining her hand and looking suspicious and a bit confused, the navy-eyed woman couldn't help but admire the proud stature Haruka had. Standing tall and strong, she really was a sight to behold. Clad in the navy blue gown and the ribbon wrapped around her neck only helped to emphasize the slenderness of the neck. Following the curve of the neckline down to her chest, Seiya tore her gaze away before it went too far. I can't believe I was admiring Haruka's body! She's the last woman I thought I'd admire.

"Seiya, are you all right?"

"Hai, Haruka," Seiya replied, shaking her black-haired head slightly. "Now if you'll follow me, I'll show you to your room."

As Haruka followed Seiya through the castle and to a room, she tried to keep her thoughts on anything but the fact that she had been looking flatteringly at Seiya. It made her shudder to think of it. I can't think of Seiya that way...it is Seiya after all. Besides, I have Michiru. Still, after Seiya left and Haruka went to the window, she sighed heavily in frustration.

"I was not admiring Seiya."

Well, you know what they say folks, denial is more than just a river in Egypt. Aren't you glad I updated so quickly? LoL! Anyway, read and review, lemme hear your thoughts on my story!

Ree