True Destiny

Title: True Destiny
Author: kazeko
Chapters: ?
Rating: PG13
Series: no, alternate reality
Multipart: yes
Couples: Haruka/Makoto, Makoto/Ami, Haruka/Michiru, Serenity/Endymion, Rei/Minako, Rei/Minako/Setsuna, Setsuna/Ailan
Disclaimer: I have no ownership.
AN: It's an alternate reality Japan ruled by a feudal system in the modern age, and each region—a collection of five or six Prefectures—has a Duchess, all ruled by the Queen of Japan. All of the senshi are about 20, close to their Seijishiki, and everything else is explained.


Chapter 8: New Love

Haruka watched the shoreline speed past, the waves breaking before and foaming behind the great ship. Rei had decided to forego her return to Kinki, and Ami was not in Chugoku, so the cruise ship was speeding around the southwestern tip of Honshu's Yamaguchi-ken to land in Kyushu's Nagasaki-ken. Haruka knew the scenic trip would leave them in the water throughout the night, and she wondered how she could possibly sleep with Michiru lying in the room next to her. She hadn't realized until she kissed the aqua-haired beauty that she wanted the woman very much. Haruka closed her eyes and imagined running her hands over Michiru's soft skin, pulling her dress off and marveling at the white skin underneath, kissing her neck, her belly, her breasts . . .

"My! Aren't we ambitious!"

Haruka started at the liquid voice, relaxing as she realized that the young duchess was smiling. "How did you know?"

Michiru stopped beside Haruka, hands clasped in front of her, deep sapphire eyes sparkling in the sunlight. "I'm not sure. But I heard your thoughts from down below, and your lust is pulsing off you in waves."

Haruka blushed slightly, smiling as she wrapped an arm around Michiru's waist and pulled the woman to her side. "It's all your fault, you know. If you weren't so hot, I wouldn't be making love to you in my mind."

"You could always do it for real," Michiru whispered, purring against the blonde's side. "You've gotten me curious."

"Won't your parents be angry?"

"Of course, but I don't care anymore. I want to be with you, Ruka, no matter what anyone else thinks."

Haruka looked down at Michiru, startled by the name. "What did you call me?"

"Ruka. I've been thinking about it since we met, and I do not believe that Haru is a very good nickname for you. I like Ruka, hard and soft at the same time, a tough exterior, but with a musical quality. Do you mind?"

"It's perfect. How do you know about my musical talent?"

"I don't know. I just do." Michiru took both of Haruka's hands in hers and pulled the duchess down to the cabins. "Why don't you show me your talent?"

Haruka remembered thinking how lucky she was to have found Michiru.


She was so warm and content. She couldn't remember ever waking up feeling so . . . right. Michiru sighed as she rolled over, gasping as her muscles complained. Opening her eyes, she reached out to caress her sleeping lover, savoring the word. They belonged to each other, and Michiru could no longer deny that. Haruka had never even tried. The blonde stirred at the soft caress, opening her amazing emerald eyes and smiling. "Good morning."

"I think it's afternoon," Michiru chuckled. "We slept through morning."

"Can you blame us? We were up all night."

"Kami-sama, Ruka; we kept the ship up all night."

"They're just jealous." Haruka stretched, groaning, and Michiru laughed at the expression on her face. "Oh my . . . I don't think I've been this sore since my first fights at the arena. You are quite an opponent, love."

"I'd prefer to think of myself as a partner. And you're quite a handful yourself, Wind Dancer."

"That's really sweet." Haruka leaned over Michiru and kissed her gently, letting her hand trail down the smaller woman's body, soothing the slight aches she knew the woman was feeling. "Michi, tell me something."

"Anything, Ruka."

"Do you love me? Really love me?"

Michiru sat up, albeit painfully, and cupped Haruka's chin in her hand. "Ruka, I love you more than my life. You showed me that I can be myself and drop all of my pretenses and lies and the shields I built to keep others out. No matter what my mother and father say, I can be me. That's the greatest gift anyone could give me. When I thought you chose Mako-chan, I was so upset. It was worse than being alone. Then you said that you wanted me, and my life found new meaning. Ruka, if what I feel for you isn't love, than I don't know what is."

Haruka wiped the tears out of her eyes, pulling Michiru into her arms. "I don't think I could have said that any better myself. I love you, Michiru. I never thought I'd get the chance. I don't know what I would have done if you didn't rescue me from that arena."

"Neither do I," the sea senshi purred, snuggling back into her lover's arms. "I wonder if anyone will remember to come get us."

A loud knock on the door interrupted their conversation, and both looked up as Rei burst into the room, beaming at the couple as she jumped onto the bed, nudging the door closed as she leapt. "Hey! Look at you two! It certainly took you long enough!"

"Rei-chan! What are you doing?"

Rei grinned at the blushing duchess, smiling at Haruka. "I wanted to see if I was dreaming last night. Kami-sama, you two were loud! Both virgins, huh?" Michiru blushed, and Rei patted her on the cheek. "Don't worry, we all started somewhere. Even Minako had a first time. A long, long time ago."

"And you?"

"Who do you think Minako had her first time with?" Rei laughed as she stretched out on top of the blanket, lying between the two lovers. "Well, did you have fun?"

"Rei-chan, you sure are nosy. Minako-chan never mentioned this side of you."

"She probably also never mentioned that she and I refuse to let Setsuna sleep alone when she wanders down our way."

Michiru blushed at the thought, and Haruka laughed. "I knew there was something between the two of you! Why are you telling us now?"

"I was waiting for you two to hook up. Minako never goes for attached women, though married men might catch her eye now and then. I know of a couple of engagements she's broken. As long as you two are lovers and comfortable with being a couple, she won't mess with you."

"You were protecting us from your girlfriend?"

Rei nodded. "She's pretty feisty. You'll like her, though; she's very sweet. So, when are you gonna' get married?"

"Rei-chan! Out! That is enough of your speculations!" Michiru dumped Rei on the floor and crossed her arms over her chest, glaring until the miko bowed and slipped out of the room.

"Good luck," she whispered before she closed the door.

Michiru smiled at Haruka. "She's not usually that feisty and energetic."

"I have never seen her like that," Haruka murmured. "She was always so calm and quiet at the Arena. Maybe because she was busy plotting our escape. Is this Minako-san anything like Rei-chan?"

Michiru laughed and glanced at the closet, contemplating clothes and food. "She's a lot more energetic. She doesn't ever have a gloomy moment. She reminds me a lot of our princess, which may be appropriate since they are cousins."

"Will we meet her soon?"

"Rei-chan wouldn't have it any other way. Now that I think about it, I'm glad we'll be able to visit all of the Regions before returning to Tokyo and the queen. You're a lot more confidant and happy than you were when I picked you and Mako-chan up. This trip has done you a world of good, and you want to be at your best when we get to the Silver Palace." She slipped out of bed and reached for an appropriate dress, glancing at her lazy lover. "Though if we keep this up much longer, the crew will murder us for want of a good night's sleep and you'll never meet the princess."

Haruka grinned. "Let 'em try."

"Haruka! You're impossible! What am I going to do with you?"

"Would you like to come over and find out?"


TBC