Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to update. Busy week.

Getting Together

Haruka leaned against the wall and sank to the floor while staring at the dolphin earring in her hand. Michiru didn't leave the earring behind by accident. She had left it as a goodbye present. Michiru never intended to come back to Pluto.

The candlelight flickered gently, as Haruka sat on the cold floor staring at the earring in her hand. Michiru didn't want to come home to her. The princess said that she had a duty to her planet. Haruka frowned softly as she thought about what Anna said about Michiru.

"I remember when her Highness was young, she had no friends. All day, she would study in her room so that she could become a successful ruler in the future. The Queen wanted to make sure her daughter learned everything."

Fingering the earring, Haruka remembered something Michiru had told her not long ago.

"Before I met you, that was how I lived. If I was able to live without needing any support from anyone previous to meeting you, I could do it now."

The blonde buried her head in her hands. What could she do? She did not understand why Michiru would rather stay on Neptune than go home with her. Duty? Becoming a senshi and training to defend the solar system was duty as well. Was what Michiru said an excuse? It was like trying to walk in the dark. Haruka did not know where to go or what she was after. Haruka blinked as her own voice echoed in her mind.

"I don't know who your so called "friends" are but I know that true friends would never abandon each other. Your friends weren't good enough for you. They failed you as a friend and I promise you that I would never leave you."

Haruka closed her hand around the earring. She knew what to do now. Once the princess of Uranus makes a promise, she will keep it to the very end. She was going to return the earring to Michiru and bring her back to Pluto. She knew that Michiru didn't enjoy facing the duties she had on Neptune. Perhaps in the future, after her training on Pluto, it would be Michiru's time to take on those responsibilities but it should not be today or tomorrow.

The blonde pushed herself off the floor in the cramped closet and grinned happily. Besides, she couldn't return to Pluto as a failure. What would Setsuna think of her? Uranians were anything but failures.

Pinching out the burning candle, Haruka put her hand on the doorknob but paused when she heard two voices growing louder in the hallway.

"Seiya, your father is already very impatient."

"Taiki, I don't care. I've told him a thousand times that I do not like Princess Neptune," Seiya shouted. "She is a great person. Talented, beautiful, artistic… but I do not love her."

"Seiya, very few people of your status marry for love," The person called Taiki argued. Though he was impatient, his voice carried a sense of reason. "Listen, you can't delay the engagement for long. So you managed to postpone your parents from coming to the palace for a month by setting termites in one of their factories and stopped the meeting tomorrow by putting itching powder in your father's shampoo but you can't continue like this forever."

"Taiki," Seiya cried exasperatedly, slamming a fist against the closet door. Haruka grumbled quietly as pieces of wood rained down from the ceiling but did not reveal herself to the two people outside the broom closet. "Get this through your head! I do not want to marry Princess Neptune!"

"Get this through your head Seiya, your father will make you marry Princess Neptune whether you like it or not and no matter how hard you try to prevent it. Please stop doing all these things to stop it. You will only get us into more trouble."

Seiya sighed sorrowfully. "Do you want me to live miserably for the rest of my life."

"No, but I do not believe that it would be a good idea for you to run away," Taiki replied.

"Okay, so you won't let me run away."

"Your father will have my head. I'm supposed to look after you."

"Okay, let's say I marry her and then ditch her."

Taiki was about to open his mouth to voice his disapproval however someone beat him to it. The closet door that Seiya was leaning against suddenly burst open, sending Seiya flying to the floor. In a blink of an eye, Seiya was pinned to the ground by a cross blond.

"I suggest you think of a different plan," Haruka growled, her face merely a few inches away from Seiya's. Her gray-green eyes pierced into Seiya's dark blue orbs as the two engaged into a heated staring contest. "If you hurt Michiru in anyway, I will personally make sure you die a painful death."

Taiki blinked in surprise but quickly regained his senses. Running over to Seiya, Taiki grabbed the blond from behind in an attempt to pull the young man off Seiya. Everything was a blur as Taiki felt the blond twist around in his grasp. Taiki's eyes widened as he saw a fist soaring in his direction and leapt back.

Seiya scrambled onto his feet and sent a fist flying over into his attackers direction. His fist barely flew past the blonde's face and Seiya gasped as the blond grabbed her arm and pulled, causing him to fall forwards.

Seiya reached forward with his other arm and grabbed onto his attacker, causing them both to topple over. Seiya and Haruka both landed with a muffled thump on to the red-carpeted floor. The dark haired adolescent landed on top of the blond, his hands still clenched onto the attacker's shirt. Both appeared to be dazed.

Seiya moaned and lifted his head from the blonde's chest. The young man blinked. This didn't seem right. Seiya appeared confused for a moment as she stared at the blonde's chest. Then, gasping in surprise, Seiya immediately took his hand off the blonde's shirt and jumped off the young "man" who had attacked her. "You're a girl!"

"I'll break your head off, you pervert!" Haruka yelled, as she got up from the floor. The blonde bristled in anger and was about to give Seiya a miserable death however Taiki stepped in between the two.

"Let's talk this over. Fighting is not the only solution."

Haruka didn't seem to hear because she was too busy thinking of ways to kill Seiya. Seiya was too busy staring at his hand to actually hear Taiki, which only infuriated Haruka even more. "I believe you said that you didn't want Seiya hurting the princess. We both do not want this engagement to happen, correct?"

Haruka blinked and lowered her fist, still breathing heavily. She shot a poisonous glare at Seiya before turning back to Taiki. "Yes, I do not want him to marry her."

"Then why don't we work together to formulate a plan." Taiki looked at the two staring angrily at one another. Haruka looked like she wanted to murder Seiya right there on the spot while Seiya glared arrogantly at Haruka. Both clearly disliked the other. "I want you two to shake on it."

Haruka took in a deep breath in attempt to restrain herself from punching Seiya in the face as he hesitantly extended his hand. "Fine."

Haruka reached forward with her hand and formed a fist, which she aimed in Seiya's direction. In a flash, Seiya caught the fist in his hand and grinned triumphantly. Growling, Haruka drew back her fist.

Taiki just sighed and rubbed his temples. He will just pretend that he never saw that and that the two shook hands just like normal people.

Smoothing the snow-white tablecloth in front of her, Michiru stared at her plate dully as she sat alone in the dining hall eating lunch. The huge room felt oddly empty today but there was no difference in how Michiru ate any other day. Looking around the room, Michiru noticed the usual maids that served her standing by, the large painting of the ocean hanging on the wall in the far end of the room, and the sunlight filtering in through the soft indigo curtains that hung behind her. The warm feeling Michiru usually felt when she was in the room seemed to have evaporated into thin air.

Returning her gaze to the table, Michiru lifted a glass of water to her lips. Was she to live the rest of her life like this? Was she to live the rest of her life cold and alone? Her fingers tightened around the cool glass. Perhaps she had made the wrong choice when she told Haruka to leave her. Michiru pressed her lips together. Yet it was for the good of everyone. Haruka loved Yaten and brining Michiru back would only cause difficulties for all three of them, besides, she was far more useful here on Neptune. Gently placing her glass of water down, Michiru looked down at her plate.

Mushrooms, Michiru thought monotonously as she prodded the object with her fork, are still stupid. Sighing softly, Michiru stuck her fork into the mushroom and brought it to her mouth.

"Why is a pretty princess like you are you eating alone?"

Michiru turned to see Seiya pull out a chair and take a seat beside her. A few maids came over to the table to ask Seiya if he needed anything but the young lord just waved them away. The young man wore a burgundy vest over a white shirt and dark black pants. His raven-colored hair was neatly tied up and cascaded elegantly down his back.

Seiya leaned back in his chair and smiled at the princess. "Why are you staring at me? I know I'm good looking but you really are starting to freak me out."

Michiru returned his smile and shook her head. "Everyone else is busy. What brings you here, Lord Kou?"

"Call me Seiya. You don't mind if I stay here do you?"

"Not at all."

Seiya turned to the palace maids and motioned for them to leave the room. When they hesitated, Seiya grinned and said, "Don't worry, I won't do anything to your princess. Besides, we're almost engaged."

Michiru frowned as the last maid exited the room and the door snapped shut. It was a custom that a man and a woman can't be in the same room alone. A person of Seiya's status should know that and respect that. "You know that this isn't allowed. There will be terrible rumors about us around the castle for weeks."

Seiya grinned and nodded, "Exactly."

When Michiru opened her mouth to protest, Seiya placed a finger on her cherry blossom lips.

"I really don't care about rumors anyway," he said nonchalantly.

Michiru pushed her chair back and stood up quickly. Her light blue dress ruffled slightly as Michiru moved back with a worried expression on her face. "Lord Kou, please don't do this."

Seiya blinked. "Do what? And please call me Seiya."

"I believe that you are a respectable man. Please don't ruin that impression," Michiru said coolly, keeping a wary eye on the man.

Seiya stared at Michiru in confusion. "Princess Neptune, I have no idea… Oh, I see."

Seiya laughed and got up from his chair, still clutching his stomach. "You don't think I'm that type of person do you?"

Michiru made no reply, obviously thinking he was the type of person that took advantage over girls when no one was watching. Seeing the doubt on Michiru's face, Seiya laughed even harder, and fell onto the floor.

"I really don't see what's so funny," Michiru huffed but comforted to find that Seiya was a decent person.

Seiya shook his head, still laughing loudly. "I'm sorry, but I actually came here to try to talk about the exact opposite."

"Pardon?" Michiru walked towards Seiya, her high heels clicking against the wooden floor. She stopped in front of the young man and offered a hand.

Seiya grasped onto Michiru's hand and pulled himself off the floor. Leading them back to the table, Seiya pulled back a chair for Michiru and flopped down on another chair. Seiya sighed softly, and tilted his chair back, lifting his face up to stare at the elaborately decorated ceiling. He blew at his bangs causing locks of hair to lift up.

"See, the thing is Princess Neptune—"

"Michiru."

Seiya tilted his head to look at Michiru and nodded, "See, Michiru, I do not want to be engaged to you."

Michiru grimaced. She could understand how he felt. So it seems that they were both chained to duty because of their status. She didn't wish to be engaged with Seiya either but she had no choice and told him so.

"You do have a choice though," Seiya said, leaning forward and placing all four chair legs back onto the ground. Seiya's midnight blue eyes gazed deeply into Michiru's eyes as he spoke. "I am making a choice to stop the engagement."

"But you don't have the power to do that." Michiru protested. "Besides, this is for the good of the planet."

Seiya waved that aside. "You could marry another person and do better for the planet. To be honest with you, I will make a horrible king. I'm irresponsible, arrogant, impatient… I could go on and on and you could fill a hundred encyclopedias on how bad of a king I would make."

"But—"

"You don't want to marry me either do you?" Seiya questioned.

The princess shook her head, her motion causing her short aqua tresses to swirl around her. "You're nice, but I want to marry someone I love."

Seiya smiled. "So anyway, Taiki, Haruka and I—"

"Haruka?" Michiru cried in surprise. "She is still here?"

"Of course," Seiya replied, making a face. "She said that she wouldn't leave with out you."

"But—"

Seiya shook his head, telling Michiru to listen. "We decided that me running away wouldn't be the best plan in the world and spent the entire night going over possible ideas. So we finally came up with the plan where we indirectly convince our parents that we would be a horrible match. We could stage arguments around the castle and in front of our parents and show that we are bad influences on one another. I'm sure they'll call off the engagement within a week."

Michiru frowned. She couldn't do this to her mother could she? After the King died, there was great worry over the Queen's health and it was made a priority that Michiru find a husband to rule over Neptune in case anything happened to the Queen. However, Haruka couldn't stay on Neptune forever and Seiya admitted himself that marrying him will be a grave mistake. Michiru chewed on her lip as she thought over her options. No matter how she looked at it, it seemed that the best choice would be to work with Seiya's plan. There were many other men in the world that could be competent kings. Plus, her mother appeared to be in fine health.

"All right Seiya, I'll do it."

"Great," Seiya exclaimed, jumping up from his chair. "We'll start planning right away."

Michiru hesitated for a moment before asking, "How is Haruka?"

"Well," Seiya said, scratching his head, "she wanted to come along to tell you the plan but Master Souichi needed her for something."

"Why is she helping Souichi do things?"

"I'm not too sure myself. I think Haruka is working for Souichi right now. She was mumbling about as she left… um, I think she mentioned that it was how she got into the castle. Michiru, who is Haruka really? Whenever I am around her, I could sense a strong aura surrounding her. She is not a ordinary castle maid."

Michiru faltered as she thought of how to answer Seiya's question. She knew that she could trust him; after all, they were in the same boat. Now that she knew how Haruka had gotten into the castle, Michiru was slightly more relieved that she hadn't snuck in on her own. Perhaps if Seiya knew, he could also help her. "Haruka is Princess Uranus but Seiya, promise me you'll help her keep this a secret. See, my mother has issues with Haruka's family."

Seiya's eyes widened and he lifted his hands, blushing softly. "Guess I was lucky I got away with it."

Michiru looked at him curiously.

"Uh, long story," Seiya said, chuckling nervously. "Anyway, I got to go now."

Seiya pushed himself off the chair and headed towards the exit. As he placed his hands on the elegant doorknobs, he paused and looked back at Michiru. "Michiru, I could tell Haruka cares a lot about you. Just thought that you should know."

Seiya then disappeared behind the door, leaving Michiru to think about what he just said.

Michiru slowly walked along the winding path that ran through the palace gardens. Stopping by a lake, Michiru looked up and gazed thoughtfully at the stunning sunset. Hundreds of colors seemed to fill the sky as the sun slowly sank beneath the horizon. "If only I had met you before Yaten did. Perhaps it was not meant to be."

"Your highness, we must hurry back or else we will miss dinner."

Michiru turned to look at the maid who had accompanied her during her walk. The girl appeared nervous but Michiru gave her a reassuring smile. "I want to stay out here a little longer. You should return to the castle and find a dress for me to wear for the meal, I'll return also after a minute.

Biting her lip, the girl bowed her head but made no comment as she walked away.

Haruka sighed as she wiggled the lock with her pick. She had learned a few tricks from Yaten, however, she was no where as good as the silver-haired boy. "Come on."

The blonde grinned triumphantly when she heard a click. She knew that Malachite wouldn't be back in a while because she had put rotten milk in his tea and knew that he would be in the washroom for quite some time. She needed as much time as she could get. From what she could remember the last time she visited the room, there were many books to look through.

The blonde stuck her head in the room and looked around carefully. When there appeared to be no traps, the Uranian stepped into the dark room and closed the door behind her. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness as she scanned her surroundings.

Haruka walked up to a book shelf and ran her finger along a spine of a book. This wasn't what she was looking for. The blonde looked around at all the books in the room and reminded herself of why she was doing this.

"Thanks for bringing these books for me, Haruka."

The blonde eased the pile of books on to the table and looked curiously at Souichi. "What are these books for anyway?"

Souichi took a book from the pile and flipped through it. "I'm doing some research. See, during the past few years, the weather patterns seemed to have changed on Neptune. Well actually, it isn't only weather patterns but other things as well. Natural disaster have been occurring all over the planet. Disease, famine, tornados… and to make things even worse, King Neptune passed away. And since her Majesty would not accept any help from Queen Uranus, this makes it even more important that Michiru marries someone."

"What do you think the causes are?" Haruka asked, leaning forward. The Uranian Princess frowned softly as she looked over the data with Souichi.

"I'm not sure but this couldn't just be bad luck. I believe that there is a force behind it."

"But how?" Haruka asked, turning to face the silver haired man. The blonde's eyes widened as a thought struck her. "Dark magic?"

Souichi smiled. "Impressive. I was thinking along the same lines as well. Suppose one of the sorcerers or sorceresses we banned from our solar system were to come back, they would want revenge on those who forced them out."

Haruka furrowed her brow and said slowly, "Malachite has some of the ancient spell books."

Souichi looked up from his research. "How do you know?"

"One of the castle maids and I helped deliver them to his office. "

Souichi closed his book shut with a snap, and started pacing the room. A few times he glanced at Haruka but continued pacing. "Malachite? Perhaps the Queen had granted him permission to go over the books. Many of us are doing research on the issue. Yet…"

Souichi stopped pacing and walked over to Haruka. "Do you think you could do me a favor?"

Haruka nodded grimly. If it would help planet Neptune and Michiru, then Haruka was willing to offer whatever she could. "What do you want me to do?"

Haruka walked past the bookshelf and headed towards Malachite's desk. The blonde slid behind the desk and was surprised to find that none of Malachite's drawers were locked. Frowning, Haruka examined a drawer. It appeared to be an ordinary drawer. Placing her hand on the handle, Haruka pulled it open and was surprised to find that it was empty.

The blonde closed the drawer and straightened up. Haruka froze as she suddenly noticed silver thread that surrounding the desk. How did she not feel it as she walked past? The blonde walked up to the thread and examined it. One line ran from the wall behind the desk to a book case in front while another that was attached to walls on opposite sides of the room ran across the front.

Reaching forward, Haruka touched the thread. Eyes widening as her hands past through the thread, Haruka realized that she had activated some sort of signal to alert Malachite of her presence.

"Shit."

Spinning around, Haruka started to sprint out of the room. However the now solid thread seemed to come to life and wrapped instantly wrapped itself around Haruka's wrist. Haruka pulled against the thread but found that it was no use. The other lines of thread shot towards the girl and grabbed onto both of Haruka's legs.

Gasping, Haruka reached into her pocket for her transformation pen. "Uranus planet power, make up!"

The threads instantly dissolved as Haruka transformed into Uranus. Breaking into a run, Uranus charged towards the door. Flinging it open, Uranus rushed out the door with out bothering to close it and sprinted down the hall. Behind her, Uranus could hear hurried footsteps echoing down the hallway.

The blonde skidded around a corner and ended up in the balcony Anna had taken her to the day before. Uranus flew over the railing and landed lightly onto the grassy ground below. Un-transforming as she ran because it wouldn't be too good if someone saw Sailor Uranus in Triton Castle, Haruka headed towards Souichi's office as fast as she could.

Seiya kicked a pebble as he strode through the garden alone. The young lord looked around at the large lakes in the garden. Michiru had not shown up at all during dinner. They needed to begin their plan before their parents agreed on the engagement. There was not much time left. He was not going to be able to hold back his parents forever.

Michiru dusted her dress and stood up from the grassy ground. Looking at the grass stains on her dress, Michiru frowned unhappily. If her mother saw this, she would be lectured for hours. Speaking of her mother… Michiru's head shot up and the princess looked around wildly. The sky was already dark. She was sure that she had missed dinner. Her mother would be very displeased.

Michiru started forward however gasped in surprise when someone rammed into her, sending them both flying into the lake behind Michiru. The princess gasped as the water enveloped her entire body in a huge splash. Glancing at her attacker, Michiru froze when she realized that it was Haruka.

"Har—"

"She went this way!" A voice yelled.

Suddenly, the entire lake was surrounded by soldiers led by Malachite. The advisor stopped in front of the lake and stared at the two figures sitting in the water.

"Where is she? Where is that thief? Malachite growled angrily.

Dripping wet, Michiru straightened herself and faced Malachite angrily. "Have you forgotten your position Malachite?"

The man hesitated before bowing his head quickly to Michiru. "I am sorry for my rudeness your highness. However I have discovered that there is a thief in the castle. If you would so kindly tell me which direction she went."

"I did not see anyone pass by." Michiru replied calmly, sweeping back a dripping lock of hair.

Malachite opened his mouth to question Michiru again however he was interrupted by the arrival of the Queen.

Neptina strode coolly towards the huge group of people with her guards trailing after her. Stopping in front of the lake, the Queen turned to Malachite who whispered urgently into her ear. The Queen nodded and turned to look at Michiru.

"Michiru where were you during dinner and more importantly, what in the world are you doing standing in the lake?" Neptina asked, looking extremely displeased.

"See, I… um," Michiru mumbled incoherently as the Queen continued to glower at her. Michiru bit her lip as her mother eyed Haruka. She had clearly heard Malachite whisper the words thief and intruder to her mother. Did she suspect Haruka?

Suddenly Seiya stormed into the scene. He bowed quickly to the Queen before lifting his head and saying, "I'm afraid that it was my fault your majesty. See, I was worried about Michiru because she didn't show up for dinner so I came to the gardens and saw her with this man. I got angry and pushed them both into the lake."

Seiya turned to glared angrily at Michiru. "I can't believe you could do this to me! How could I marry you if you are having this affair with another man!"

"Michiru, is this true?" Neptina asked turning to her daughter.

Michiru glanced uncertainly at Seiya. "Mother, it's just a misunderstanding. See… I er, came out here to get some fresh air and bumped into Har –Bob-Joe. We started a conversation and Seiya suddenly came along and started yelling angrily at us for no reason and then pushed us into the lake."

"You looked like you were doing more than having a nice talk," Seiya shouted at Michiru.

The aqua haired princess glared angrily at Seiya and argued, "You are just an overly jealous person with an ego bigger than your head!"

Seiya opened his mouth to argue back but was interrupted by the Queen. "Enough. You two are going to be engaged. You will have to learn to communicate better. Michiru, you and Bon-Joe were just having a conversation, correct?"

Michiru nodded.

Neptina turned to Seiya and said in a much gentler voice. "It is just all a misunderstanding. Why don't you talk this over with Michiru."

Seiya nodded, still frowning.

"Now, Malachite, what did the intruder look like?" The queen questioned, turning to Malachite.

"She wore a short navy colored skirt and had short sandy hair."

"Well, it probably isn't Bob-Joe," the queen said, examining Haruka carefully. "That is unless he could turn into a girl, change his clothes while running and be at two places at once."

Malachite took one last look at Haruka before agreeing that it wasn't possible but the person did run in this direction and had the same color hair as Bob-Joe.

"All right, it's late," the Queen said, turning back to Michiru. "You better change your clothes Michiru. I'll ask the cooks to cook something for you to eat. Do not miss dinner again, do you understand?"

Michiru nodded and the Queen nodded with satisfaction and left the three young adults. Malachite followed the Queen along with his soldiers.

Sighing with relief, Michiru collapsed onto her knees, causing the water to ripple around her. "That was close."