Haruka inhaled deeply, allowing the cool air to fill her lungs. Then, with a deep exhale, she folded herself forward, stretching her long legs. The afternoon jog released some of the aggression she held for her bandmate, one in particular who was riding her last nerve. But, since the performance was quickly approaching, it would simply not due to gift her the quick, strong hit she wanted. So a run was the next best thing.
Glancing around the area where she stopped, she spotted a small cafe with an arcade attached. A snack and some fluids sounded good to her, and observing the flurry of high school students as she entered, she decided to look around. They had familiarized themselves quickly with the different customs of the planet they were on and specifics that helped them pass at the appropriate age. The sounds inside the Crown arcade were something else, the musical tones of the games and the excited squeals igniting something that the concert performances couldn't.
Placing her order at the counter and receiving a strange look from the boy as he took her money, she shyly accepted the cup handed to her. Her eyes roamed around her attention on the machines and not the crowd growing around the counter.
"If you're interested in a game or two, the racing one over there has a free tournament. If you win, you can keep playing," the boy pointed towards the far wall where a small crowd had gathered. "It also is nice because there's a special helmet you can wear," he sheepishly smiled as he held a red racing helmet over the counter. Taking the offered item, the employee tilted his head toward the Four Lights poster promptly displayed on the wall. She looked at her smiling face staring back at her before thanking the boy and slipping the helmet on.
Approaching the racing game, the tournament employee acknowledged her and gestured to the first four seats. Slipping into the cockpit, she found it was set like the interior of an automobile and quickly found the throttle and other controls. The use of such a device was another thing the starlights had taught themselves, only to find out that high schoolers not only did not need to drive, but it was also not allowed for most of them.
"Might as well put the skills to the test," she chuckled, remembering the first time they got behind the wheel. Some excited chatter to her side alerted her that her competition for the tournament was taking their seats. Glancing to see who she was up against, her heart jumped into her throat when she saw a familiar blonde odango squeezing under the helmet. Her suspicion was confirmed when the brunette joined her as the blue and blonde haired ones were cheering behind them.
"Turn on the ignition!" Minako demanded as Usagi switched the ignition.
"Wow, the vibrations feel so real!" The shorter girl was amazed by the setup.
"You want to step on the gas and shift straight to 5th!" Makoto instructed as she slipped her helmet on.
"It seems these girls have never been in a vehicle before," Haruka chuckled as she placed her hands on the steering wheel.
"Competitors, start your engines!" The employee called out over the roar of the game before a countdown flashed on the screen. Haruka left the line before the other cars realized the light had changed. Even though it was a simulation, she expertly gauged the angle and the speed as she approached each turn, managing the controls precisely. There were a few differences between this simulation and the battle ones they used on Kinmoku. However, seasoned warriors had hand-eye coordination and awareness of their surroundings regardless of whether it was a simulation. Effortlessly passing the other cars in the game, she glanced at the blonde next to her, the young girl struggling with the controls.
"Press harder on your throttle," she coaxed. "Increase your speed." A smile grew on her lips as she saw the blonde's marker move up from last place.
"Usagi! Look at your speed!" Minako called out. "You were last place, and now you nearly caught up!" Haruka smiled as there was no way they would catch her. Even in the simulation, she was like the wind as she sped past the young blonde's car. The speed she passed caused the other girl to jerk the wheel. She spun out, flying into the wall.
"Do you see how fast he is going?" Someone called out as Haruka crossed the finish line. "I think he set a new lap record!" The cheering continued. She saw the group of girls heading towards the door, their turns complete since they didn't win.
Haruka jumped from her seat, slipping the helmet off and flipping her blonde bangs out of her eyes.
"It's him! It's Haruka!" Several of the girls cried as they moved closer to her.
"Excuse me," she called as she stretched her neck to see where the girls went, catching the flicker of the arcade door. "Here," she offered as she handed the helmet back.
"Demo, Haruka-kun, you won your round, and you can continue," the employee blushed as he tried to push the helmet back to her.
"I'd rather let someone else have a chance. Who would like to play my turn as a favor to me?" She called out as several people jumped their hands into the air. Finally, the employee, overwhelmed with all the cries for Haruka's helmet, silently apologized as she slipped towards the door.
Standing on the sidewalk, she glanced around quickly. She spotted the group of girls heading down the street before turning the corner towards the park that contained the shrine. As she caught up, she saw the unmistakable trails of two long pigtails dancing toward the entrance to the park. Approaching the gate, she looked around, spotting the other four girls still climbing the stairs to the shrine. "They left Usagi alone, interesting," she smiled.
~*~*~
"I don't think we should have left Usagi alone," Makoto sighed as she dropped her pencil onto the table. She had been staring at the same page forever, her mind never wandering far from the odango blonde.
"She wanted to be able to talk to Mamoru, and she should have the chance not to be embarrassed by us," Minako shrugged as she flipped her pencil around her fingers.
"I get that, but why did she want us to leave her in the park?" Makoto sighed.
"Maybe she's got herself a new boyfriend," Rei pouted. "You said that Seiya from the Starlights was paying her a lot of attention at school. Maybe she's meeting him and doesn't want us to know?" She added as she folded her arms. Minako managed to drop her pencil as it twirled her fingers at the thought.
"She wouldn't keep that from us, would she?" The blonde wondered.
"Has anyone asked Usagi how she is handling Mamoru being gone?" Ami added as she picked up the pencil from the floor. "Did she share anything about how often she talks with him?" She pondered aloud as she handed the writing utensil back to the blonde.
"Now that you mention it, she hasn't said anything," Rei hummed, leaning on the broom she was holding.
"Oh! She got a postcard from him not too long ago!" Minako smiled. "She had it in class!" The others shared glances as they returned to their tasks. "She'd tell us if something was wrong," Minako shrugged. "Maybe she just doesn't want to talk about him being away."
~*~*~
Usagi released a heavy breath, her head sinking further into her hand. She had left the girls to study, saying she wanted to talk to Mamoru before it was late in America. Unsure why she would say that, as she had not spoken with him since he left. The only thing she received was a postcard.
"Why would he send something without signing it?" She whined before leaning back on the bench, her eyes glancing skyward.
Suddenly, something slipped over her eyes. Startling her at first, but the warm touch of the hands felt soothing to her. "Mamo?" She called out as she took the hands in hers, removing them from her face. She looked back, half expecting to see the tall raven haired man, but instead of being met with a familiar royal blue stare, intense teal eyes stared back.
"If you're not careful, I might take you away and eat you," Haruka teased the young girl as she released her hands. A wicked smirk on her lips as she turned away from the young girl.
"Wait!" Usagi called, Haruka pausing her steps. "Have I met you before?"
Haruka faltered at the question. But, of course, they had met before, a few times, actually. So why would the girl ask such a thing? Then, deciding to play dumb, she turned to look at the girl.
"Don't you know who I am?"
"I wouldn't ask if I knew who you were," Usagi jerked, folding her arms in an offended manner. Then, glancing to see the tall blonde standing there, she dropped her arms. "It's just that— I feel like I know you."
"Well, maybe you have seen me on a poster?" Haruka offered, entertained at the current banter.
"Are you a racer?" Usagi pondered aloud. When the taller blonde took a step closer to her, she could see the confusion in his eyes. "The way you handled the racing game. I guessed you were a professional."
"Would you believe me if I told you I have never driven before that?" Haruka smirked, taking a step closer until her shoes touched the younger girl's.
"Really? Wait, what poster would I have seen you on if you're not a racer?" Haruka couldn't help it. She threw her shoulders back, a deep, husky chuckle escaping. Surely this girl was joking. Once her laughter was under control, she glanced down, the blonde still looking at her curiously.
"You really don't know where you might have seen me before?" She teased, a wolffish smile growing as the younger girl shook her head. Then, placing her hand on the back of the bench for leverage, she leaned her body over the young girl trapping her in place. She hovered her head a few inches above the girl as cornflower blue eyes stared at her. "Maybe I am one of those you see on the warning posters for how dangerous I am," her words lead just above a whisper.
"I don't think you are dangerous," Usagi smiled, never wavering from Haruka's intense stare.
"It's too late after you're caught by a wolf, my little kitten," Haruka murmured, the young blonde still not flinching.
"You may be a woman in man's clothing, but you're no wolf," Usagi giggled as Haruka straightened her back. Usagi suddenly turned very red, looking at her hands as if they were the most exciting thing. "I shouldn't have said that," she muttered in the form of an apology.
"Particularly to someone you don't know," Haruka added once the shock wore off.
"I am not sure what it is, but for some reason, I feel as if I have known you forever," Usagi trailed off, still not meeting her gaze. Haruka turned on her heels, the conversation shifting from the surprise she thought she'd get from the young girl to something uncomfortable. "Wait! I am sorry, but please let me make it up to you!" The young girl called. "I'll— I'll buy you an ice cream!" Usagi offered, the young girl's smile widening when the tall blonde looked back at her.
"Oi Koneko, why don't we just pick something from the vending machine," Haruka panicked as she watched the shorter blonde turn back towards the arcade.
"I don't think they have ice cream," the question pouted as Usagi placed a finger on her chin.
"But they have boba. So I'll even treat," Haruka coaxed, desperate not to have to go back to the mess she left at the arcade.
"Oh, ok then!" The girl took the offered drink as she sat on the bench. Haruka watched the girl as she drank enthusiastically before she turned red from being monitored. She put the bottle down and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth.
"So, do you go to school around here?" Usagi asked as she desperately tried to find something other than her table manners to talk about.
"Hai, I do. Juban High School," Haruka offered.
"Really, I attend there too. So why have I not seen you around?"
"My brothers and I transferred there not long ago," she explained, chucking at the idea the younger girl still hadn't figured out who she was. Even though Usagi observed her gender, she thought it wise not to expose the rest of them. Somehow, the younger blonde seeing her as both a man and a woman didn't bother her. As the silence persisted, she finally decided to throw a clue. 'We had been touring before but decided we needed to focus on our studies more than concerts. So we choose Juban to enroll."
"Concerts?" Usagi looked at the older blonde, puzzled for a moment. Then, her stomach gurgled, causing a blush to fill her face and Haruka to laugh again. The older girl smiled and handed Usagi her unopened boba, much to Usagi's delight. She accepted the bottle, pausing for a moment as she looked up at the mischievous blonde.
"Hai, concerts," Haruka smiled as she stepped on top of the bench. "Let's see if this jogs your memory," her challenging tone left Usagi curious about what the older blonde was doing. Haruka lifted one foot to the backrest, a formidable and determined look on her face. She met the young blue eyes for a moment before lifting her arm high in the air to mimic the pose she had perfected at the beginning of the concert as she cast her rose to the crowd below.
The scenery around them flashed, and Usagi glimpsed the same challenging smirk and determined eyes she watched now. But the surroundings were different. Usagi looked around; the memories flooded her mind. This moment was seared into her mind as she had lost the last thread of hope. The enemy had invaded the planet, consuming Hotaru and the souls of Venus, Mars, Mercury, and Jupiter. Sailor Pluto and Sailor Neptune flanked her side, desperate to contain the alien. But, no matter how their attempts failed, they kept trying. Sailor Moon knew something was missing, that the Space Sword was missing. Desperate to try anything, she attempted to fill the void left by the missing Senshi with her Moon Stick. She knew it wouldn't work, but she had to try. As the tears streaked her face, a light brighter than she'd seen before escaped from her Moon Stick.
The flash of golden light forced her back until she fell to her knees. As she rested on the ground, she thought that the power of the Moon had finally reached its limit. Her vision was increasingly blurry from the tears that welled in her eyes. She almost missed the boots that now stood before her. She looked up at the unfamiliar attire only to be met with a challenging smile and intense teal eyes.
"Princess—"the mysterious figure breathed before her focus turned past her. At that moment, she saw the glow of the space sword appear from the center of the soldier, coming to rest in her hands. She brought it to her lips before raising her hand above her head.
The wind picked up that instant, a white light mixing with the yellow glow surrounding them. The power of the Space Sword joined the other talisman, and Sailor Moon felt the power amplify in her as her uniform changed. She looked up at the strong soldier before her, determined eyes meeting her before the incantation left her lips, allowing Super Sailor Moon to emerge.
"I think I know where I have seen you from!" Usagi excitedly claimed as she blinked away the memory. "I've seen you in my dreams!" She remembered the soldier from that night, sure of what she saw. The others were too far away, and the lights were too bright for them to admit they saw anything. Setsuna even realized she was not sure how the power of Uranus arrived that night. But Usagi knew.
"Ah, so you dream about me, Koneko?" Haruka smirked as she stepped down from the bench. She expected the younger girl to recognize her finally but was shocked at the blonde's admission.
"It's not like that," Usagi backtracked from the wolffish grin of the taller blonde. She waved her hand as if to dismiss the understanding, but to no avail. Haruka suddenly shifted her gaze, looking over Usagi's shoulder before taking the younger girl in her arms and jumping to the side.
"Such a pity that surprised didn't work," Usagi heard as she tried to look out from under Haruka's shield. A woman with white blonde hair reaching the floor and a blue leotard stood on the bench, a puzzled expression on her face as she studied the singed spot where they once stood. "Oh, well, I guess I should introduce myself then," the woman smiled a little too friendly as she extended a business card in her hand. "Introduction is proper. I am Sailor Aluminum Siren and have come to collect your star seed."
Usagi glanced towards Haruka, realizing she could not protect the racer without transforming in from of her. However, as Haruka positioned herself closer to the younger girl, she realized she wouldn't help if she couldn't find a way to sneak off.
"Now, if you, please hold still this time," Siren quipped as she raised her hands, the golden bracelets shimmering slightly in the sunlight
"Hold it right there!" Sailor Venus called out as she swung her chain towards the Siren. The woman only giggled as she sidestepped the golden flash. "Nani?" Venus muttered as her attack missed.
"Not this time," Mars called out. "Burning Mandala!" She called the fiery blast surrounding the white haired woman as she ducked with each one.
"I don't think I have enough business cards for all of you," her observations befuddled by the flames around her. "Oh well! Galactic Tsunami!"
"Dead Scream!" A purple light swept across the grass, connecting with the flash from the bracelets. "You two, get out of here!" Sailor Pluto ordered the two blondes in the grass. Haruka looked at Usagi, the question burning in her mind if she could run away from the shorter girl. Usagi assumed the question in her mind, rising to her feet and taking off from the fighting as another flash of green light lit around them.
Haruka ducked behind the fountain, pulling her henshin from her pocket. The best thing she could do was send this agent of the shadow galactic and hope Usagi could run far enough away.
"Sailor Star Storm, Stage On!" The golden light flowed over her before emerging in her black leather fuku. Sailor Aluminum Siren was raising her bracelets toward the other guardians when she called out her attack. "Star Space Turbulence!"
"What is this!" The white haired Senshi cried as the golden blast hit her. She raised her bracelets to shield her face, the golden light seemingly bouncing from her towards two of the Senshi.
"Mercury! Jupiter!" The green haired Senshi called out as she turned to glare towards where Star Storm was barely concealed in the shadows.
"My attack rebounded?" She muttered as she looked at her star henshin.
"I am the soldier who fights for love and justice! I am Sailor Moon!" The petite blonde called from the other side of the fountain. "How dare you try to hurt Mercury and Jupiter. Starlight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss!" The brilliant white light washed over Sailor Aluminum Siren before rebounded toward the injured Senshi.
"I won't blow it as Sailor Iron Mouse did!" The white haired Senshi shrieked.
"Star Serious Laser!"
"Star Gentle Uterus!"
The blue and purple streaks illuminated the tree canopy, striking the white haired senshi before she melted into nothing. Three more of the black fuku Senshi jumped down, joining the one on the ground.
"Are they alright?" The silver haired Senshi called out, looking to where Jupiter and Mercury were on the ground as Mars and Venus knelt beside them. She stepped towards the girls when a garnet staff swung past her face.
"Did you call them here? Did you signal her to get to Sailor Moon?" The green haired senshi seethed as she glared at the blonde senshi. Pluto moved herself to be between Sailor Moon and the others.
"No, Pluto. They didn't summon her. Instead, they saved us," Sailor Moon pleated as she pulled on Pluto's shoulder.
"That attack passed over Sailor Aluminum Siren and hit Mercury and Jupiter. They are working together."
"Fine. See if we help you anymore," the brunette senshi smiled.
"Good luck," the silver haired one added before all four jumped out of sight.
"No! I know they are not our enemies!" Sailor Moon continued to plead.
"What were you doing here alone if it was not a trap?" Pluto demanded. She leaned over the shorter girl, intimidating her with her height when she did not answer. "Who were you with?"
"I just ran into a classmate," Sailor Moon mumbled, looking around and wondering if Haruka escaped without harm.
"Come help me," Venus called out to the other two senshi. "They are alright, but we need to get them back to HQ," she added as she lifted Mercury over her shoulder. Pluto simply glanced once more at the blonde, silently telling her this was not over as she joined Mars to help raise Jupiter.
~*~*~
(A/N I came across this fan art of Haruka in a Starlight Uniform and thought it worth sharing. Not my Art
https//harukaheart/art/Untitled-937190524)