Disclaimer for my own sanity:
I wrote this story back in 1999. I don't think it's too bad, but I don't know what I was thinking way back then either so don't be too harsh on me :P
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
A Senshi's True Lies
- Chapter Eight (revised) -
"Haruka, they've taken a hostage… It's Hotaru."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm really sorry, I don't know what to say. Maybe he grabbed her in the middle of the night or something. We had no idea until just now… But look, Haruka, I don't want you to worry, we're gonna get her back."
Haruka ignores Yaten and runs to Michiru.
"Where's Hotaru, Haruka?"
"C'mon, we're gonna get her back." Haruka takes Michiru's hand and they get into a helicopter.
"What are you doing?" Yaten yells. "Do you realize it has been years since you've piloted one of these?"
"It's like riding a bike; you never really forget," she replies. "Besides, if I break it, they can take it out of my pay." They close the doors and once again take off toward Mamoru's location.
-.-.-
At the captured office building, Mamoru sends for a video crew to broadcast his threat to Tokyo.
"This is a message from Chiba Mamoru and Aino Minako. You have seen a demonstration of our power. If our demands are not met, Tokyo will be destroyed. Do not force us to destroy this city and do not attempt to use force against us."
While Mamoru makes his speech, Hotaru eyes the key necessary to detonate the nuclear bombs.
"We are all prepared to die. With one turn of that key, everyone in this city will die…instantly!"
"What key?" The television reporter asks.
"That key!" Mamoru points to the detonating device and discovers the key is gone. "Who's taken the key!"
He eyes Hotaru evilly, as she runs out of the room and up to the roof.
"Shoot her!"
Hotaru successfully makes it to the roof and begins to climb the construction equipment with terrorists at her heels. She carefully steps along a crane extending outward from the building. Mamoru follows her to where they're suspended over the street, where if anyone were to slip, they'd fall the thirty stories to their death.
-.-.-
No sooner had Hotaru and Mamoru begun their dangerous climb, a helicopter lands on the roof in the midst of the other terrorists. They approach the aircraft with caution, guns pointed and ready. Just as they're peeking in, it explodes, and sends men flying every which way off the building. Neptune and Uranus emerge from the smoke.
"Where's Hotaru?"
Uranus points out to the beam. "There!"
They stare at Mamoru who's closing in on Hotaru every second. She's crying fiercely and looks as if she'll let go at any moment.
"Hotaru!" Neptune yells, and begins walking out towards them.
"Neptune, matte!"
Ignoring her lover's warning, Neptune proceeds faster, needing to assist her 'daughter.'
"Give me the key!" Mamoru orders Hotaru.
"No way! If you shoot me this will fall!"
"No!"
"Mamoru!"
Mamoru turns his head just in time to see a fist flying at his face, which hits him directly in the jaw. He catches himself before falling, and looks into the green-blue eyes of the owner of the strike which almost killed him. "You!"
Sailor Uranus curses after observing Mamoru didn't fall.
"Haruka-papa! Michiru-mama! Help me!"
"Neptune, get to Hotaru!" Uranus yells to Neptune, who's on the opposite side of the beam. While she's distracted, Mamoru takes the perfect opportunity and shoots at her hands. She notices just in time to let go and avoid losing a few fingers, however, letting go so quickly only makes her lose her balance, and her feet slip off the beam. Mamoru thinks he has cause to celebrate, but finds her grasping the beam with all the strength left in her tired hands, the rest of her body hanging beneath her ready to fall thirty stories if she lets go. The evil grin returns to his face at this sudden twist of fate.
"Well, well, well. Looks like the tables have turned, Tenoh." Mamoru gets down on his knees and removes her fingers' grip, one by one.
"What'cha gonna do now? Huh? No one to save you this time."
"No! Don't!"
Mamoru points his gun at Neptune, who had hurried back when she learned her partner almost fell. "I don't think so, Michiru. You didn't do anything last time, you're not going to interfere this time." Just as he removes another finger, an acute pain forms in his mid back. At first, he just ignores it. Plucking another finger from the beam, he laughs at her panicked attempts to hang on with one hand. "You know, our group no longer has any need for either of you… Once Haruka falls, I might as well kill Michiru too!" As he's sliding Uranus' remaining hand off the beam, the sharp pain gets even more harsh. He brushes the feeling aside until he stares at Neptune, who's now smiling at him with a sly, almost evil grin. 'What's going on?' He thinks. 'I'm about to make her lover fall to her death and she's happy about it!' His confusion increases when he looks down at Uranus and sees the same wicked grin. The pain in his back is increasing, and the two Senshi begin to laugh. "What the hell!"
"Mamoru."
Mamoru slowly stands and turns his head, eyes widening, terrified to see Sailor Saturn standing behind him with the Silence Glaive pressed hard against his back.
"Looks like the tables have turned yet again," Neptune giggles.
"How could you?" Saturn's voice deepens during the whispered phrase, frightening Mamoru more then the hate and fire igniting in her young eyes. "Here's for trying to destroy my mama, papa and Tokyo!"
Saturn forces the Glaive into Mamoru's back, the point slicing completely through and emerging out the other side. The three Senshi wince at the horrible sight before them, yet none would have had any objections to Saturn's actions. Mamoru screams out in pain before clutching his chest, collapsing onto the beam then falling to the street below.
Neptune quickly helps Uranus up, struggling so much she's forced to repeat one of our favorite scenes. "I've told you not to eat so much!"
Uranus kneels on the beam and hugs Neptune to her tightly. "Save the scolding for bed, dear."
- one year later -
Another fancy party at another huge mansion. Yet another cover for a terrorist gathering. This time not one, but three secret agents cautiously sneak past the guards and prepare to survey the area. Two of the women, one with wavy aqua hair and one with sandy blonde hair, walk around the ballroom together, greeting guests as if they were old friends. The two step out to the balcony and are grateful for the fresh air and quiet atmosphere. The blonde positions herself behind her partner and wraps her arms around her in a gentle embrace. They stand there for what seems an eternity, enjoying the feel of one another close by.
The taller of the two hugs the other tighter and whispers in her ear. "Michiru, you know how much I love you?"
The aqua-haired woman entwines her fingers with her lover's and leans back into her supportive embrace. "How much?"
"When I'm with you, Michiru, all the terrible things in my life seem to just disappear. My world is heaven when you're in my arms. I just want to lay down and hold you forever; never let go… A year ago we almost lost each other. In more ways than one… When we were in that hotel room, right before we were kidnapped, and you found out that I had invited you there, I was so afraid. Afraid of losing you. I was afraid you'd never want to speak to me again. I wouldn't have survived without you, Michi. You're my entire life. My very existence. You're the reason I get out of bed every day and face the world, no matter how hopeless things may seem. I know you'll always be there to comfort me, just as I'll always be there for you."
The shorter girl twists in her arms to face her, revealing a hint of tears lining her blue eyes. "Haruka."
Putting a finger to her soft lips to silence her, Haruka continues her unrehearsed speech. "Michiru, when Mamoru had that gun to my head, I could see the absolute terror in your eyes. I was frightened too, yes, but not from fear of dying… I was scared I'd never get to see you again. I'd never get to touch your soft body, or taste your sweet lips or hear your lovely voice. Even if I would have gone to heaven, it wouldn't have been heaven without you there… I love you more than words can describe. There's nothing I'd rather be doing than spending time alone with you; no one I'd rather be with. I'm madly, deeply, desperately in love with you. I can't express that enough, Michiru… Aishiteru…"
"I…I love you too, Haruka…more than you'll ever know."
There's no hiding it now. The tears silently trickle down both their faces, as all that's in their hearts surfaces into a passionate kiss which they intend to share. However, just as their lips are about to meet, a crying woman runs up to Haruka, wraps her arms around her neck, and cries her eyes out on her shoulder.
"Ooooooohhh, Haruka-san! That was beautiful!"
"Setsuna-san!"
"Setsuna-san, you were listening the whole time?"
"I was, Michiru-san. Kami-sama, you are so lucky to have someone like her. Haruka-san, that was beautiful!"
"Honestly! You pick the worst times to interrupt!"
"Gomen nasai. Hey! Isn't that the Tango playing?"
"Sure is," Michiru replies. "Care to dance, Haruka?"
"You still owe me a kiss later."
"You're getting more than that."
Haruka leads Michiru to the dance floor while Setsuna just continues crying. "They grow up so fast."
The Tango begins, and as Haruka leads Michiru into the dance, they all hear a distinct voice in their ears.
"Oh no! Tango!" Yaten. "Um, ladies?… Shit, here we go… Haruka? Michiru? Girls? C'mon, let's not get distracted… We've got serious work to do… Alright. C'mon. You three better get serious in there… I'd be serious if I was in there… Don't ignore me, Haruka. That's rude… Alright girls, come on… National security, ladies, c'mon. Life or death… Haruka? Haruka? Michiru? Michiru I was always on your side… I was always there for you, Michiru… Setsuna! Setsuna, c'mon… I know you can hear me… Girls, c'mon!……… You know what? I'm sick of being in the van. You guys are gonna be in the van next time. I've been in the van my whole career, Haruka!"
- THE END -