Black Thorns on a White Rose

Chapter Five: Reflections

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.

Writer's Comments: Wow, sorry about so long with the updates. College snuck up on me and while it is FINALS WEEK, I have found new initiative with this story and am proceeding with it. Again, I am sorry for the delay in the story, so please forgive me, life happens. Leave me a review, for I like praise very much.

Haruka sighed as she ran a comb through her damp hair, staring at a mirror in front of her, an ironic smile on her features. It's usually Michiru who looks in a mirror to find out the truth, not me…she thought as she set the brush down and continued to study her reflection. It was the first time that Haruka had done that sort of thing in a while. She knew for a fact that mirrors never lied, and she was hoping to find some answers in this one's reflection.

"Answers to what questions, though? I know what I want answered, but I don't know if I can find those answers," she said, her teal eyes glaring at the glass, as though daring it to try and lie to her.

Getting up, Haruka knocked over the chair and began to stew. She had only been gone from Crystal Tokyo one day and already she was questioning everything she'd known, all because of one sparring session in the garden and one look from navy blue eyes…as vast as the starry skies…no, I will not go into that train of thought. If I'm going to find my answers, I'm going to need a clear head. I'll just act as though nothing's changed. Nodding to herself, Haruka began to get dressed for dinner with Kakyuu and the other women. Trying not to think, because that would mean more doubts, she cursed as she tried to lace up the strings on the back of her dress.

"Fuck, I hate these damn dresses! Why must everyone insist that now that I'm a Princess, I have to dress the part? Now I know why I hardly ever wore women's clothing…it's uncomfortable and constricting. Screw this," she said and tossed aside the gown, going for her other clothes instead.

Figuring that since she was going away for a while, she could wear whatever the hell she liked, so Haruka had packed some of her favorite outfits. One of them being an Armani pants-suit and dress shoes. Slipping into her undergarments and then the suit, she sighed and shifted the cool and soft fabric over her skin.

"Now this is more like it. At least I can recognize myself when I look in the mirror now."

Turning around in front of the mirror slowly, Haruka didn't even notice when Seiya walked to her door and peeked inside. She's wearing her old clothes again! But I thought she'd gone femme over the years. Guess I was wrong, she thought with a smile. In truth, Seiya had actually liked the men's clothes on Haruka, because they just seemed to suit her more. Putting Haruka in a dress is like forcing Yaten to wear men's clothes again. She really didn't like it when we had to pose as guys…especially the clothing. Tapping on the door and chuckling as Haruka jumped, Seiya entered the room and clapped her hands.

"Lovely, just lovely, do you think you can do that last spin for me again? I didn't get to see all of your charms," the raven-haired woman drawled, raising her eyebrow in a challenge.

"Save it, Seiya. What do you want?"

The clipped and cold tones were unexpected and made Seiya wince inwardly. She hasn't used that tone with me since the battle with Galaxia. What's gotten into her all of a sudden? Her mind flashed back to the garden and the sparring session and she flushed, wondering if it was her that made Haruka act so cold. Realizing that she'd just been standing there without saying anything, she cleared her throat and went over to the other woman.

"Kakyuu-hime bade me come here to escort you to the dining hall. But I assume you're going to be the one doing the escorting? You're dressed the part after all," Seiya teased lightly.

"Are you making fun of how I dress? I can say just as many things about you as you can about me."

"Iie, iie, I'm not making fun of how you dress. There was time enough for that when we were younger."

"You still act like we were younger."

Seiya was becoming swiftly annoyed with the way she was being treated. Haruka had no right to talk to her like that, and Seiya wasn't going to stand for it. Especially since they had called a truce for as long as the white-haired female was visiting. Seiya walked over and pushed Haruka's shoulder.

"What the hell's gotten into you suddenly, Haruka? First you call a truce, then you try and kill me while sparring, then you actually act nice to me, and now you're acting all cold! Will you kindly explain what's going through that head of yours? Because I'm not getting it!"

Haruka looked at Seiya stoically for a moment, and then she started to laugh. Seiya sweat-dropped and nearly fell over in exasperation. Trying to get a grip on her giggles, the white-haired female coughed and cleared her throat before turning to look at the mirror again, her worries and questions coming back to her. That stopped her laughter cold as she gazed at her reflection.

"Seiya…do you think…that I've changed?"

"EH? Where did that come from?"

"I just need your answer…onegai?"

Seiya did face plant at that last comment. She'd never said "please" to Seiya before and it made her wonder what Haruka was thinking about. Carefully, she began to weigh the question in her mind.

"Well…to be honest…I think you have changed Haruka. You've lost a lot of your spirit, that fire you once had in the heat of battle. I don't think it's because of peaceful times either. It seems like you've given something up, something very important to you, and I wonder what it could be."

"I think…it's because I've become a slave to destiny and time itself that I've lost the spirit of the wind within my soul. I was once free and had my dreams, my fire, and spirit. I didn't know accepting my past as a Senshi would change my future so much. To be honest," she walked over and fingered the material of her dress. "I don't think this is who I really am. However, I won't have the chance to find out who I've become because I'll never be able to get away from my destiny. I can't even choose my own life's partner…"

"I thought Michiru was your partner?"

"She is…or was. Still, ever since we've separated to build our kingdoms, she's become distant and closed off to me. I think it's because I've changed so much. You're right Seiya; I have given something up that's important to me. I've given up myself to destiny, and shut away my dreams in a drawer. In a way, I'm jealous of the other Senshi on Earth. They can still chase their dreams and aspirations, but far away from that world, I can't pursue mine."

"But didn't you have the chance to go after your dreams after Galaxia was defeated? What did you do all those years?"

Haruka laughed. "If you're going to end up ruling, you need to learn politics, government, and such. So, I went back to school and studied everything I thought a good ruler should know. Oh sure, I rode my motorcycles and raced my cars, but it wasn't the same."

"What about the others?"

"They finished school as well, but all went off to chase their dreams. They figured that there would be time enough to learn how to be good rulers when Crystal Tokyo came to be."

Seiya was surprised. She knew that the other Senshi all had dreams, but she didn't think they would put aside the responsibility of learning how to rule in order to chase them. It seems as though Haruka was the only one who wanted to take responsibility for the future. That does sound like her, giving up her own happiness so that she can prepare for the future. Getting an idea, Seiya went over and grabbed Haruka's hand, tugging her towards the door.

"Nani? Seiya, what are you doing?" Haruka demanded, immediately planting her feet and refusing to budge.

"I'm going to get you out of here. You're too tense and I doubt that a formal dinner is going to do you any good at this point. I'm taking into the city and we're going on an adventure."

"Why am I suddenly uneasy about this?"

But Seiya good-naturedly brushed off her complaints and proceeded to drag her through the halls and out the front gates. Along the way, Haruka had stopped resisting and was actually looking forward to getting out and exploring the city. She'd never seen Kinmoku, not even flashes of it, and was eager to get out of the palace. Brushing her white hair out of her eyes, Haruka looked around the bustling marketplace as people went about their business. Of course, since they'd come from the palace, people were pausing to bow before moving on. Also, they got quite a few stares, since no one knew Haruka was really a woman. Going back into her old habits, Haruka immediately began to flirt and tease the women that came up to talk with them, much to Seiya's irritation. Well, there's one thing about her that hasn't changed…she's still a notorious flirt, the raven-haired woman thought.

"Haruka," Seiya cut in, pushing the woman away from her latest victim. "I thought you grew out of teasing young women."

"Well, I can't help it," she replied with a grin. "It's good to be acting like myself again, that's for sure. Now Seiya, you surely wouldn't deny me the chance to be myself, would you?"

"No…I mean…you've really got to…oh shimmatta, you're just as annoying as ever, Haruka."

"Yes, but you're relieved, because I'm finally acting like myself again. Now, where can we get something to eat around here? Plus, if you don't want me flirting, then we'd better eat somewhere outside of the city."

Seiya solved that problem by buying some food from a vendor and the two of them set out of the city. Walking along the path, enjoying both the food and each other's company, Haruka had to admit that she felt a lot more relaxed. It was the first time in a long time where she felt as though she had control over her own life. After all, she'd chosen to spend time with Seiya, she had chosen to be nice to the others, and although Haruka didn't choose to come to Kinmoku at first, now she was actually glad Usagi had urged her to go. It's strange to be walking along a meadow with Seiya…especially since I'm so used to her being a 'him' and everything. She seems to have matured over the years as well…I'm impressed. Taking a bite out of the fruit she was eating, Haruka paused to listen to the wind whisper through the tall grass. It seemed to sing to her and she felt something stir in her heart. To her, it had been far too long since she had stopped to listen to the wind.

"You all right, Haruka?"

"Hai…"

Deciding not to interrupt the white-haired woman, Seiya closed her eyes and just basked in the quiet moment they were sharing. It didn't feel awkward, as quiet usually felt to Seiya, it felt comfortable instead. For a while, neither one of them spoke, as they watched the sun sink over the horizon and listened to the wind whistle through the grasses. Seiya smiled as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, not bothered by the fact other strands were stinging her eyes. Looking over, Haruka gave a smile, shook her head, and stood behind Seiya, gathering the thick hair in her hands. What's she doing? Seiya wondered.

"Your hair is getting in the way," Haruka explained simply and removed a scarf from her pocket and proceeded to tie the soft strands back and away from Seiya's face. "This will work better."

"Ano…arigato…"

"No problem."

Releasing the ponytail, Haruka placed her hands on Seiya's shoulders and slowly wrapped her arms around the other woman. Although this was awkward, considering that Seiya was taller than her now, Haruka didn't mind. It was only an inch or two at most; they were still pretty close in height. This was startling to Seiya, to say the very least.

"Haruka, you do realize what you're doing right?"

At the sound of Seiya's voice, the spell that had settled over Haruka was broken. It had felt so natural to just wrap her arms around Seiya's shoulders and just enjoy the night with her. Michiru never let me hold her like that…not even after we made love…she was always asleep, Haruka thought with a sigh as she pulled away. Smoothing out her jacket, she turned to head back. Tilting her head to the sigh, Seiya wondered what had caused Haruka to act that way.

"Haruka?"

"Let's head back, it's after dark and they're probably worried about where you are. And we don't want to worry your friends, right?"

"Hai."

As the two headed back, neither one of them spoke because they were too wrapped up in their own thoughts. Seiya was wondering why Haruka had acted so affectionate and Haruka was asking herself over and over again why she had felt the desire to hold Seiya like that. Neither one knew what it meant, but Seiya knew for sure that it hadn't been unpleasant. Looking over at the other woman, the raven-haired Senshi swallowed and reached out to take Haruka's hand. Surprisingly, the slender hand Seiya had attempted to grasp accepted the gesture. As they walked back to the castle, the two Senshi's hands were joined.

Yay! Some physical contact! Don't worry, there's going to be a LOT of self-reflection and conflict on both their parts. After all, it just wouldn't be a reasonable fic without a good reason to break up Haruka and Michiru. R&R please!

Ree