Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.
Author's Notes: Sorry for the late update.
Transformations
Michiru shut her eyes tightly as she felt the cold edge of the knife hover over her throat. The young woman laughed bitterly. It didn't matter anymore. She was nothing but a hollow shell. She was merely a puppet. Without Haruka, she had nothing much to live for except for her duties as a princess. She just regretted not being able to uncover who Mimet really was to the world.
"Kill me if you want, but make this quick," Michiru said coldly.
"Are you so eager to die?" Mimet asked as she fingered the glimmering blade. The young woman tilted her head to one side and examined Michiru. "Well, it's no loss for me. Quite the opposite actually."
Michiru stared tearfully down at the ground. I'm sorry mother... I'm sorry Haruka...
"Michiru!"
Three heads snapped towards the direction of the shout. Haruka stumbled through the bushes, panting heavily. Her hair was tangled and her clothing was torn however Haruka appeared to be greatly relieved. She didn't know how she managed to find Michiru. Haruka had simply ran with all she had and let the wind guide her motions. The blonde was very glad now that she had, even if she had to run through a dozen rose bushes.
Mimet frowned looking highly displeased. How did Haruka find her way here? This was not supposed to happen. Thinking quickly, Mimet came to the decision that she had no choice but to dispose of the blonde. Mimet nodded at the man she had hired to help her. He was to be ready to make a move on Haruka at her command. The man nodded at Mimet and made signals with his hands while looking at bushes behind Haruka.
Raising her head, Haruka quickly examined the situation. The blonde searched for Michiru first. The princess was tied to a tree but seemed to be unharmed. Beside Michiru stood Mimet with a sharp blade in her hand. To the right was a dangerous looking man dressed in a black coat and torn pants. Seeing that they were not making any movements, Haruka turned to Michiru.
"Aren't you glad I made it on time?" Haruka shouted to her partner. The blonde watched the princess stiffen and turn away from her. She bit her lip and tried again. "I'm... I'm sorry I doubted you Michiru."
Michiru made no reply and Haruka uncertainly stepped forward towards the aqua-haired princess with a pained look in her eyes. Michiru, please look at me. Don't be this way.
"Enough of this," Mimet interrupted snappily. She pointed her knife at Haruka. "You are not going to ruin the plans I worked so hard to complete. Dispose of her for me."
The man beside Mimet stepped forward and grinned at Haruka. "It would be my pleasure."
Haruka leapt back as the man charged forward at her, a knife in his hands. The blonde smirked as she watched the man trip over and fall face first onto the ground. He was big but definitely not graceful.
Quickly spinning around, Haruka ran towards Mimet but was stopped when she felt something hit her from behind. Haruka was sent flying in to the ground. The lush green grass cushioned her fall but Haruka could still feel the pain from the impact. Wincing slightly, Haruka only had a moment to think before she felt the attacker strike again.
Haruka quickly rolled to the side as she felt a rush of air beside her. Her eyes widened as she saw a knife quivering at the spot where she had been lying moments before. She looked up to see another man grinning at her.
"Damn it," the blonde swore. How did she miss him? He must have been hiding in the bushes the entire time. She scrambled onto her feet only to find the first man charging at her. Haruka was sent flying into a tree. The blonde cried out in pain as she hit the hard trunk of the tree and slowly slid to the ground.
"Haruka!"
The blonde felt her heart clench painfully at the sound of Michiru calling out her name.
"Michiru..." the blonde said weakly. She tried to focus her eyes, as the two men stepped towards her but all Haruka could see were fuzzy outlines. Clenching her head, Haruka cried out in pain as she felt herself being lifted by the collar of her shirt by one of the men.
"I guess this is it," Mimet said sweetly. "It's a pity too, since I will not be able to help Yaten as I promised."
Haruka felt a cold blade press itself against her neck. "Game over."
"Haruka!" Michiru cried, struggling against the rope that held her to the tree.
The blonde shut her eyes tightly. She didn't want it to end like this. She didn't want to die. Not yet...
Through her eyelids, Haruka saw a strong flash of light. The strong grasp on her was released and Haruka crumpled onto the floor. Her eyes snapping open, the blonde saw a strange pen-like object hovering in front of her. It shimmered brightly, capturing Haruka in its spell. The blonde automatically reached forward and grasped on to the pen. It fit right into her hand as if it were made just for her. Closing her eyes, Haruka raised the pen in to the air and called out, "Uranus Planet Power, Make up!"
As her men took care of Haruka, Mimet focused her attention on the princess of Neptune. The princess trembled as she watched her friend dodge Mimet's men. Mimet could tell that Michiru had indeed fallen in love with Haruka; the princess just wasn't willing to admit it, or perhaps she was too afraid to. Pathetic. Mimet placed two fingers under Michiru's chin and lifted her head so that they were looking into one another's eyes.
"Any parting words?" Mimet asked sweetly.
Michiru coldly jerked away from Mimet's hold and whispered, "I will die happily knowing Haruka will kill you afterwards."
"You hold so much faith in your partner even after she abandoned you," Mimet laughed. Michiru truly was foolish. How could she have so much faith towards the person who had so easily been tricked in to distrusting her? How could Michiru still love Haruka? She was weak, and the weak crumbled beneath those who were powerful. "How sad."
"Here are my parting words to you," Mimet whispered, bringing the knife up. "Good-bye."
Suddenly there was a bright flash of light. Shielding her eyes with her arms, Mimet was forced backwards.
Michiru felt warmth overwhelm her and energy course through her body. The rope around her slowly dissolved and the princess was free. Blinking rapidly, the young woman raised her head to see a pen-like object floating in front of her. Hesitating for only a second, the aqua-haired princess reached forward, wrapped her fingers around the pen and called out, "Neptune Planet Power, Make up!"
Her eyes narrowed, Sailor Uranus kept a close watch over the five men that stood in front of her. If they were to make any sudden movements, she was going to be ready. The man on her left charged forward with a knife and Uranus dodged the knife and grabbed the man's arm.
"Tsk, tsk, this isn't how you treat a girl," Uranus teased. "Where did you learn your manners?"
Gathering her strength, Uranus formed a fist and punched the man in the stomach. Gasping in pain, the man collapsed on to his knees. The knife lay tossed aside on the ground. Uranus kicked it aside so that no one else could use it, her eyes never leaving the men that stood threateningly in front of her.
A man made signals with his hands, and everyone spread out in a circle surrounding Uranus. The blonde tensed, and prepared herself for the attack. Her eyes shifted from side to side, not letting the men slip out of her sight. What was she going to do if they all attacked her at once? Uranus was clearly outnumbered. Even in her transformed state, she wasn't sure if she was able to take them all on at once. As if noticing the same thing, the men started forward. With a loud shout, the men all charged forward towards Haruka.
"Deep Submerge!"
A blue planet-shaped orb sped towards the men, shattering their attack on Uranus. The blonde tensed as she felt someone slide behind her but relaxed when she realized whom it was.
"Glad to see that you've finally joined me."
"I couldn't let you get bullied by all those nasty men," Neptune replied lightly.
The men around them started to rise. Uranus smirked. Even though they were still outnumbered, Uranus felt comforted with Neptune by her side. She felt as if the roaring ocean was behind her back, supporting her in whatever challenges lay ahead. As the men surrounded the two soldiers, Neptune and Uranus moved together, back to back. Each easily blocking the attacks from the enemy. The two soldiers moved perfectly with each other's movements and seemed to be able to read one another's thoughts as they smoothly attacked and blocked.
Breathing heavily, a man spat, "This isn't over."
"Oh, I think it is," a smooth voice said from behind the bushes.
Instantly, palace guards sprouted from the bushes and within moments, had completely surrounded the clearing. The attackers were quickly bound and were being dragged away. Uranus scowled as she saw a few palace guards carrying an unconscious Mimet away. She hoped she got what was coming to her.
The Queen of Pluto glided towards Uranus and Neptune with a small smile on her face. Even after knowing Setsuna for five years, Haruka had difficulty understanding what the older woman was thinking between the serious and wise ruby eyes. The older woman gazed around the clearing before focusing her attention on the two princesses. "You two did a good job."
Uranus grinned, and relaxed slightly. The young woman untransformed. "Your sense of timing is scary, you know that?"
Setsuna just smiled, her eyes glittering brightly. This was just the first step. A lot more awaited Haruka and Michiru. Although she was confident in them, she hoped that they would be strong enough to face the challenges that lay ahead. If they were strong and trusted in one another, then they would find great success. She just hoped that they would not end up like their parents.
Turning around to congratulate Michiru, Haruka's face fell as she realized her partner was no longer there. "Michiru?"
The blonde looked to her left to see her partner striding past some palace guards and through the bushes.
"Michiru, wait!"
The aqua-haired princess paused, her back still facing Haruka as if she did not want to look at her partner. "Did you want anything, Princess Uranus?"
Haruka stood there, staring blankly at Michiru. Princess Uranus? Since when did Michiru refer to her as Princess Uranus? The blonde opened her mouth but no words came out. This was repeated a few more times but Haruka did not manage to say anything to Michiru.
"If you don't need anything, I'll be in my room," Michiru said coldly. Then without looking back, the aqua-haired princess disappeared in the bushes.
Haruka ran her fingers through her tangled hair as she stared out the fogged up window. Rain droplets slowly trickled down the window, leaving a faint trail behind them. The wind howled and the old castle moaned loudly. Thousands of tiny droplets of rain continued to pour down from the sky, creating a thick curtain of water. The blonde stared outside the window dully. Her mind wondered to the events that had happened the day before. Everything was still fresh in the young woman's mind.
Remember to always trust in your heart. It will never lead you astray.
Haruka frowned as the words echoed in her head. When she had asked what Setsuna had meant by the words, the older woman replied that Haruka needed to figure out herself. Clearly Setsuna had meant to tell something important to Haruka but the blonde did not understand what she was supposed to do. When it came to issues with love and the heart, Haruka found everything to be too complicated. In addition, Haruka wasn't sure if she wanted to face the issue.
Then there was Michiru. Michiru had been avoiding her in hallways and rooms and would not look at her. Haruka had thought that everything was forgiven when they had both battled together against Mimet's hired men. There was such a strong sense of unity. Haruka stared at her reflection on the glass panes of the window. Was Michiru scared of her? What was Michiru afraid of? She didn't look scary. Haruka looked like she always did. The blonde frowned again and leaned her head against the cool surface of the window.
"Michiru, tell me what is wrong."
"Setsuna!"
The blonde princess skidded around the corner and continued to sprint down the hallway towards the throne room, with a earring clutched in herlefthand. Upon reaching the grand doors, the princess flung it open without bothering to knock. There was a huge bang as the doors slammed against the walls. Haruka winced but continued forward in to the large chamber.
Light cascaded down through the large windows that stretched from the floor to the ceiling on the side of the throne room. The room was empty except for one figure standing calmly beside the window. The woman wore a white blouse and a forest green knee length skirt with ruffles on the end. Her body was bathed in light while her shadow stretched across the cold marble floor. Haruka paused a few feet away from the figure.
Loneliness, sadness, pain. These dark feelings surrounded the Queen of Pluto as she gazed sadly out the window and at the bright blue sky that stretched over the kingdom. Her expression was unreadable, but Haruka could sense unease in the air. The blonde cleared her throat, announcing her presence. Setsuna blinked and the spell was broken. The dark emotions receded and the Queen turned her attention to Haruka with a small smile on her face.
"Did you need anything?"
Haruka blinked, slightly confused at what had just happened but quickly remembered the reason why she had sought out Setsuna. Tightening her grip on the single earring in her hands, Haruka asked softly, "Michiru... is she really...?"
Setsuna smiled sadly. "Yes, she has returned to Neptune. She had received news yesterday night that her father had passed away. She returned home to attend the funeral."
"But will she be coming back?" Haruka asked, shaking slightly. Michiru would come back. Why wouldn't she? The silence that followed her question was unnerving and doubts began to crawl into Haruka's mind. Michiru wouldn't stop her training would she? Haruka opened her fists and stared down at the aquamarine earringMichiru had left behind on Haruka's night table. The aquamarine seemed to wink at her as the sunlight fell upon thesmall dolphin shaped stone.
The Queen felt bad for the two of them. Haruka and Michiru both knew deep down inside what they wanted but were too afraid or unable to admit it. Setsuna studied Haruka for a moment before slowly answering, "I don't know... it will be her decision to make."
Her eyes still on Haruka, Setsuna recalled the events that had happened earlier that day.
Light from the rising sun fell through the large glass window, illuminating the large, cold room. Light slowly crept up the cold marble floor. Two figures stood in front of the large window, their faces hidden in shadow.
"Are you sure about your decision?" the older woman asked softly. Her deep ruby colored eyes were filled with worry and concern as she looked at the young woman before her.
"Yes, they need me back home," Michiru said flatly, staring at the floor. Locks of aqua colored hair fell over the princess' eyes. "Mother is also worried because we haven't found out who is seeking to kill me. She believes that I will be safer at home."
Silence fell over the two figures. Setsuna looked out the window at the rising sun, thinking deeply.
"You'll have to face Haruka sooner or later. Running away from her won't help you."
Michiru looked up from the floor with shock. How did she know? "I can't face Haruka now."
"You love her, don't you?" Setsuna asked in the same calm voice.
"I do, but I realized that I can't. I can't love Haruka," Michiru cried, her voice almost cracking. Why did Setsuna have to mention Haruka? Every time that she thought of the blonde, she would feel her heart breaking into two. She would have loved to stay here with Haruka but Haruka did not trust her. Haruka did not need her anymore. She was needed back at home. Her duty as the Princess of Neptune called for her.
"Why not?"
"I just can't," Michiru whispered. The young woman stared down at the floor once again while pulling uneasily at the pink long sleeved shirt she wore. "Besides, I have a duty as the Princess of Neptune."
Michiru continued on as if she was trying to convince herself as much as Setsuna. "It is my destiny. Ever since the day I was born, it had been my destiny to become Queen of Neptune. Everything is already laid out. I will marry an intelligent and capable young man and we will rule over Neptune for the rest of our days. Mother has already found me a suitor. I cannot fall in love with Haruka. It was never meant to be."
The young princess held back her tears as she heard her own words. She knew that this was not the future she wanted. However, Michiru knew that there was no other choice. The Queen had already set everything and Michiru, as a good little princess, was to follow through.
Setsuna bent down and placed a finger under Michiru's chin, lifting her head up so that their eyes met. "Nothing is set in stone Michiru. Here is something I told your mother a long time ago: The future is always in motion. Nothing is set. I'm not sure if she understood it or if she is pretending not to, but no matter what, you are the only one who will be able to choose your own path. Even if you are born as a princess, bound with duties to your planet, you are still able to choose your own path."
Michiru's eyes widened as she heard those words.
"Father," Michiru said slowly. "Do you sometimes feel like a marionette?"
"A marionette?"
"Do you feel that you can't choose how to lead your life? That you have no control of where it goes?" Michiru stared down at her small hands, waiting for an answer. Surely her father has felt the same as she did now. It seemed that the queen had set up Michiru's entire future for her, whether she liked it or not.
"Well... I believe that everyone is able to choose," the king said thoughtfully and bent down to look at Michiru in the eye. "You are the only person that is able to choose the path you want to take. Some may end up with happiness and joy and some paths may end up with regret and pain."
Michiru paused to consider this, but she still couldn't quite understand what her father meant. She had no control of what path she took, her mother did. Seeing the expression on his daughter's face, the king reached into his pocket and drew a small box out.
"That reminds me," he said, smiling slightly. "I got these from you while on my journey."
Curiously opening the box, Michiru gasped as she saw a pair of beautiful earrings. They were gems shaped like little dolphins with gold lining the edge of the design. It glowed a beautiful aquamarine color and shimmered magically in the sunlight.
"These are to remind you that you will always be free like the dolphins," the king said closing the lid of the box and handing it to Michiru. "I want you to follow your heart. There is a sea of possibilities out there and if you follow your heart, it will never lead you astray."
Michiru's eyes filled with tears as the memory resurfaced. The princess reached in to her pocket and closed her hands around theone of the earrings that the King had given her so long ago. "Father..."
Setsuna's eyes softened as she gripped Michiru's shoulders comfortingly. She wanted to give the young woman encouraging words. She wanted to tell Michiru that everything would be okay. However, if she had said that, she would be lying. Many challenges lay ahead. They would either stand united or fall in to darkness. Setsuna couldn't make the decisions for Michiru, but she hoped that the young princess would be able to choose a path that she would not regret later in life. She had been unable to help her friends, and did not wish for Michiru to make the same mistake Urana, Ruby and Neptina had.
"You'll have time to think this over, while you're away," Setsuna said softly. "However, I hope you would reconsider your decision. You and Haruka are partners. You cannot live the rest of your life avoiding her."
"My mind is already set," Michiru whispered. "I know I will have to face her later. It would be unavoidable. I just can't see her right now. If I look at her, if I look in to those deep green-gray eyes of hers, I know I will not be able to leave her and disappoint everyone at home. I know I will not have the heart to complete what I am suppose to finish."
"But..." Haruka struggled to find words. "Why, why wouldn't she come back?"
Setsuna merely shook her head. "For that, you'll have to ask her."
Haruka bit her lip, the sentence repeating itself in her mind. Decision made, Haruka faced Setsuna with a determined look in her eyes. "Setsuna, could you let me go to Neptune?"
"So you're going to clear things up with Michiru?"
"Yes, I know I won't be happy until things are cleared up," Haruka replied loudly.
Her eyes sparkling brightly, Setsuna nodded. Perhaps it would work out to a happy ending after all.
Haruka's usually neat room was in chaos as the blonde flung various pieces of clothing into her travel bag. Digging through her drawer, Haruka found a green short-sleeved shirt that she was rather fond of and tossed it in to the luggage bag as well. She was leaving tonight and needed to have everything packed before she left for Neptune.
Haruka frowned as her hands closed around something hard in the underneath all her clothes. Drawing her hand out from the drawer, Haruka realized it was a small drawstring with something in it. Walking over to her bed, the princess placed the small pouch on top of the blankets and stared at it. Haruka fingered the faded green cloth of the drawstring bag. She stared distantly at the item as if remembering something from far away.
Hearing a knock on the door, Haruka broke away from her thoughts and called out to the person to come in. The door slowly creaked open and Haruka heard soft footsteps approach her from behind.
"Did Queen Pluto need something?" Haruka asked, thinking that it was one of the palace servants. Hearing no reply, the blonde shifted slightly in her position, turning to look at the person standing behind her. Green-gray eyes widened as it met the shocking bright lime colored eyes.
"Haruka..." The silver-haired young man stepped forward uncertainly.
The blonde turned away and continued to pack her bags. She needed to finish packing.
"Is it true that you are leaving for Neptune tonight?" Yaten asked quietly. Haruka made no reply. The young man held back tears as he walked towards the blonde. Kneeling down beside Haruka, Yaten watched silently as Haruka furiously stuffed her clothes into the poor luggage bag.
Haruka felt Yaten's familiar presence as he kneeled beside her. The feeling was familiar but no longer felt warm to Haruka. All that the blonde was able to think about was Yaten's betrayal and how much she hated him for it. Haruka reached toward the green drawstring bag lying on her bed. Her hand hovered over it, hesitating slightly as memories flooded back to her. Grasping the bag in her hand, Haruka glanced at Yaten out of the corner of her eye. Hate... hate was a very strong word.
"Yaten."
The silver-haired boy raised his head, his eyes widening in surprise at the sound of his name. "Haruka?"
Reaching in to the green bag, Haruka drew out a shiny blue rock with white streaks over the surface and a pair of amber earrings. "These amber earrings... our friendship started when you stole them from me in the marketplace and returned them to me. They are still very valuable and if you still seek money and power, they will be able to give you that."
Haruka closed her eyes as if steeling herself to continue on with what she had to say next. Opening her eyes again, Haruka continued, "This rock... was your gift to me when our friendship was pure... when there was no motive behind us being friends. When you thought that the simplest things in life were beautiful. I'm giving these things back to you."
Her lips formed a sad smile as she handed the two items over to Yaten. Grabbing Yaten's clenched fist, Haruka slowly pried it open and placed the earrings and the stone in to her former friend's hand. Yaten merely gazed at Haruka with hurt in his eyes.
The blonde zipped her luggage bag closed. Effortlessly picking up the bag off the bed, Haruka headed towards the bedroom door. She realized that she did not hate Yaten. The memories of their childhood were full of happiness and joy. Yaten had given her a lot in life. Haruka could never hate Yaten. However, she couldn't bring herself to forget his betrayal and the dark motives for their old friendship. She didn't want to continue on with the burden and memory on her shoulders.
"Wait."
Haruka paused by the door.
Yaten stood up from the floor, both items in his hand and walked confidently towards Haruka. Standing in front of his old friend, Yaten reached forward, took Haruka's hand and placed the earrings on her palm. "This... is a gift for the start of a new friendship, one that is pure with no hidden motives. I now realize that friendship is more valuable than all the money in the world and hope that we would be able to start anew.
"This rock..." Yaten held up the polished blue stone in his hands. "When I was very young, whenever I looked at this rock, it reminded me of how the simplest things in life could bring you great joy; the whiteness of snow, the song of a lark, and the smile on your face. I never thought much of it anymore as I grew older. There did not seem to be anytime for me to sit down and admire the joy of life. Yet I gave you this rock because I thought that it would mean something to you."
Haruka blinked and looked strangely at Yaten.
"But now, I think I understand. I want you to have this back Haruka. This is for you to remember me by, whether you accept my friendship or not, and I hope that whenever you look at this rock, you will remember to enjoy life as well."
Shaking slightly, Haruka took the items in her hand.
"I hope... I hope you will be able to find Michiru, and be able to confess your love to her." Yaten turned away from Haruka, tears running down his cheeks. Taking one last look at Haruka, Yaten slid out the bedroom door.
Haruka stared sadly after her friend, pocketing the two items that Yaten had given back to her. "Maybe someday. But not today."
Picking up her bag, Haruka paused for a moment to ponder over what Yaten just said.As Haruka thought over Yaten's last words, four particular words seemed to leap out at her, causing the young women to drop the bag in shock. "My... love for Michiru?"