Chapter 14
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon the wonderful Miss Naoko Takeuchi does and we love her for making characters like Haruka and Michiru.
(Katsumi's Palace)
Haruko awoke with Kimi resting in her arms she idly stroked a hand through the girl's soft blue hair waking the girl. "Hi." Kimi said leaning up and kissing Haruko.
"Hey." Haruko said returning the kiss. "Today is the day."
"Yeah, after today it's done." Kimi said pausing for a minute, "But what exactly are we doing?"
"Making things right I guess." Haruko said.
"Are you sure what we are doing is right?" Kimi said snuggling into Haruko.
"Yea don't you trust the Queen?" Haruko asked.
"Do you?" Kimi said.
"I do." Haruko said.
"Then I trust you." Kimi said. "Come on lets get this done."
(Chiba Manor)
Haruka and Michiru slept on the couch while Michiyo was on one of the chairs. Hotaru, Makoto and Ami had gone back home with Hotaru going to Ami's apartment it was closer to the school and her parents had insisted she still go to school. Michiru and Michiyo had offered to take the first shift of guarding Usagi while Haruka had refused to leave them much to Michiru's displeasure. They both awoke to the sound of a crash and a scream. All three were on their feet and upstairs before they could blink. They found Usagi lying on the floor in her room tangled up in the sheets and a groggy Mamoru sitting up. "Usako." He said then shook his head.
Haruka walked over to Usagi and helped her up, "You alright kitten?"
"Yea must have rolled over to far." Usagi said.
"Our Usagi-chan ever the clumsy one." Michiru said.
"Right I'm gonna go get something to eat." Michiyo said heading back down the stairs knowing full well she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep even if she tried. That chair she slept in wasn't the most comfortable. She started down the stairs though when she reached the bottom she was surprised at someone grabbing her and pulling her into the closet. She felt a hand placed over her mouth as another set of hands bound her wrist together.
"Miss me sister?" Neo Uranus whispered. Michiyo wanted to scream to call out to their parents warning them Haruko was here but the moment Neo Uranus removed her hand Neo Mercury stuck a piece of tape over her mouth. "Really Chiyo I'm sorry it has to be this way." Neo Uranus said hitting Michiyo across the back of the head. She eased Michiyo to the floor setting her down gently on the ground.
"One down one to go." Neo Mercury whispered.
"Two if you count Endymion." Neo Uranus said.
"Ha just one all he does is spout words and throw flowers around. Besides he should be leaving for work soon. It's almost-" Neo Mercury said but was cut off by Neo Uranus covering her mouth and pointing through the slits on the closet door at Mamoru. They watched as he pulled a white coat on and headed for the door.
"Usako I really think I should stay in case something happens." Mamoru said.
"Mamo-chan I'll be fine Michiru-san and Michiyo-chan are here." Usagi said. "Didn't you say since Ami-chan took leave your ward was short a doctor?"
"Yea I suppose call me though if anything happens I love you Usako." Mamoru said kissing his wife and stepping out the door.
"Make that just one." Neo Mercury whispered.
"Ok Neptune is still upstairs I'll take her out while you get Moon." Neo Uranus said.
"What about Haruka?" Neo Mercury asked.
"She's mortal what harm can she be?" Neo Uranus said.
(Upstairs)
Michiru stood holding Chibi-Usa in her arms rocking the child. Despite the objections of the senshi Usagi had called Helios and got Chibi-Usa saying she missed her too much. She had woke up and started crying while Mamoru was getting ready to leave. She had volunteered her and Haruka to check on the child. "Kami-sama Haruka do you remember when our girls were this small?"
"Heh I remember when Hotaru was that small." Haruka said stepping up behind Michiru looking over her shoulder at the child.
"I'll never forget the first time you changed her diaper." Michiru giggled at the thought of a confused Haruka not the least be sure what she was doing.
"Hey it's not my fault I'm an only child." Haruka said.
"So am I love." Michiru reminded her.
"Well you had a babysitting job in middle school." Haruka said.
"While you spent your time running on the track until you couldn't stand." Michiru said.
"Touching story." Neo Uranus said.
"Haruko." Both Michiru and Haruka said at the same time. Michiru set Chibi-Usa back down in the crib then pulled out her henshin stick.
"Michi no." Haruka said taking her hand and shaking her head. "Haruko you don't have to do this. Fight it fight whatever spells she's placed on you. I know she doesn't have total control over you or you would have killed me yesterday."
"Something that can easily be remedied." Neo Uranus said.
"I don't think it's as easy as you say it is." Haruka said. "Because deep down inside you know the truth you know that your mother and I love you and you love us."
"Even if you were my real parents I can't forgive you for the crimes you've committed." Neo Uranus said.
"Katsumi is using you and Kimi-chan can't you see it?" Michiru said noticing Kimi wasn't there. "Usagi!"
"Don't worry love she's got Michiyo to watch her." Haruka said.
"Hehe not quite my dear sister is a little indisposed at the moment. Mercury should be taking care of Moon as we speak." Neo Uranus said.
Haruka didn't say anything just quickly ran across the room tackling Haruko. "Michiru downstairs now!" Michiru nodded as Haruka rolled around on the ground trying to pin Haruko down but finding she was no match for Neo Uranus.
(In the Kitchen)
"Michiyo-chan?" Usagi said walking into the kitchen expecting the teenager to be there. She walked into the kitchen thinking that it was odd that Michiyo wasn't there, "Maybe she stopped at the restroom or something." Usagi said aloud as she grabbed a bowl and poured some cereal into it. She looked up hearing someone enter the room, "Michiyo-chan?"
"Try again." Neo Mercury said her sword in hand. "What are you to do? Princess all your guardians gone."
"Not all of us!" Luna said jumping from the window onto Neo Mercury's back her claws digging in. She had come to check on Usagi. Ever since Diana was born she had been living with Artemis at Minako's home.
Neo Mercury batted at the cat finally knocking her from her back. Luna hit the ground hard as Neo Mercury walked over raising her sword to finish off the cat. "Submarine Violin Tide" Neptune yelled from the doorway the blast hit Neo Mercury and threw her into the wall. "Princess transform."
"Moon Crisis Make up!" Usagi yelled transforming into her sailor fuku. "Moon Tiara Action" The tiara flew across the room hitting Neo Mercury knocking her back into the other room. Neptune ran after her but Sailor Moon ran over to the cat. "Luna!" She picked the cat up holding her in her arms.
"I'm ok." Luna whispered.
In the other room Neptune wasn't fairing so well Neo Uranus must have over powered Haruka and she now faced both of the corrupted senshi though it appeared that Sailor Moon's attack had wounded Neo Mercury. Neo Uranus ran down the stairs seeing that Neo Mercury was injured and the path to Sailor Moon was block. She turned as the front door to the house opened and in stepped Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter. "Mercury back to the palace." She ordered causing Neo Mercury to disappear. "You've won this battle but you haven't seen the last of us." Neo Uranus said as she started to disappear though she didn't see Haruka run down the stair and grab her until she felt it. Both she and Haruka disappeared.
"Haruka!" Michiru yelled then dropped to her knees. " Baka Haruka,"
(Katsumi's palace)
Neo Mercury appeared in Katsumi's throne room and fell to the ground clutching her side. "What happened?" Katsumi demanded.
"We failed." Neo Mercury said.
"Where is Uranus?" Katsumi asked.
"She was just behind me." Neo Mercury said and as if on cue Neo Uranus and Haruka appeared tumbling to the ground.
They rolled their separate ways Neo Uranus getting to her feet faster than Haruka. She was on her feet with her sword pressed to Haruka's throat in seconds. "That was stupid really stupid. What did you expect to do?" Neo Uranus said as she kicked Haruka in the stomach.
"Michiru is always complaining about how I act before I think guess she is right." Haruka said receiving another kick.
"Baka." Neo Uranus said going to kick Haruka again but this time right before she made contact Haruka grabbed her foot and rolled pulling Neo Uranus with her and tripping the senshi. Haruka was on top of her before Neo Uranus could get her wits about her pinning her arms to her sides. Using her senshi given strength Neo Uranus sat up and head butted Haruka sending her flying back hitting the ground hard. Neo Uranus was back on her feet again walking over to the winded Haruka picking her sword up on the way. She kicked Haruka again, "Pathetic sorry but now it's time for you to die."
Neo Uranus raised her sword high and was about to end Haruka's life when Katsumi yelled, "Stop. I might still have use for this one." Neo Uranus lowered her blade grumbled something and kicked Haruka again. "Tetsuji take this one to my chambers."
Haruka looked up and saw several guards walk over to her but by the time they picked her up she had passed out. Katsumi looked back over to Neo Uranus and Neo Mercury, "Tend to her wounds." Was all she said then followed Tetsuji and the guards.
(Chiba Residence)
Usagi sat in a chair with Luna in her lap half asleep. The poor cat had been thrown against the wall pretty hard but for the most part she was ok just a few bruises, next to her sat Artemis gently licking his wife. The rest of the senshi sat in the room excluding Haruka. They had all been called and Michiyo was found in the closet when she woke up and started thrashing about. Michiru sat in one of the chairs quiet not saying a word; she was torn with being completely pissed off at her wife and worried for her safety. She was pretty sure Haruko wouldn't hurt her but she wasn't so sure about Katsumi.
"Where is Haruka?" Setsuna asked looking around.
"The baka went and jumped through Haruko's portal." Michiru said bitterly the anger she was feeling coming out in her voice.
Setsuna sighed Haruka may have become wiser in the years but she was still brash as ever. "I'm sure she will be alright Haruka's a fighter." Setsuna said trying to sooth Michiru.
"She's still alive I can still sense it. I can't see her though something is blocking my mirror." Michiru said.
"Let's hope she can make it to tomorrow. I know where Katsumi's castle will be tomorrow." Setsuna said.
(Katsumi's Palace in her Chambers)
Haruka awoke lying in a soft bed covered in silk sheets, she hurt from head to toe but her side and head seemed to hurt the worst. She sat up but was gently pushed down back to the bed by a soft hand, a woman's hand. Her vision was still a little blurry from sleep but slowly cleared. "Lie still love." Katsumi said brushing a hand through Haruka's short blond hair.
"Where am I?" Haruka asked her vision clearing so she could see the woman with long blond hair before her.
"Safe in our room." Katsumi said taking Haruka's left and kissing it. Haruka noticed she didn't wear a ring on her hand but there was a tan like she had been wearing one.
"Our room?" She asked.
"Kami-sama those senshi must have hurt you worse than I thought. Ruka do you know who I am?" Katsumi asked as she worked one of her spells on Haruka.
"Katsumi?" Haruka asked trying to think of the woman's name.
"Yes love," Katsumi said, "I'm your lover, we have a beautiful daughter together her name is Haruko."
Haruka laid there her head clouded confused as she tried to bring the memories forth. At first she saw herself standing with a woman who had green hair but she couldn't see the woman's face then the woman with green hair was replaced with the clear image of Katsumi. "Ah yes." Haruka said then winced as pain shot through her side.
Katsumi leaned down and kissed Haruka, "Rest love you've been through quite a bit." Haruka nodded then closed her eyes easily falling back asleep. Katsumi sat gently stroking her hair until she was sure Haruka was asleep. The she stood and walked back into the throne room. Haruko and Tetsuji stood there waiting for her but Kimi was no where to be found. "Where is Mercury?"
"Resting my queen, she was injured but her wounds are not serious." Haruko said.
"Care to explain what happened? I figured the two of you could take care of this." Katsumi said.
"We easily subdued my sister and I had Neptune distracted long enough for Kimi to attack but something went wrong. That one in there," Haruko said pointing towards Katsumi's chambers, "attacked me allowing Neptune to help Moon before we knew what was going on we were surrounded by senshi. I ordered Mercury to come back then followed myself but Ten'ou followed." Haruko said.
"I see. You and Mercury will have one last chance to redeem yourselves you said that Pluto knew the location of this castle?" Katsumi said.
"Yes my Queen she claims to know where the castle will be tomorrow." Haruko said.
"Then we will be ready for them. Go see to your partner I want her fighting tomorrow." Katsumi said.
"Yes my queen." Haruko said bowing then started to leave but Katsumi stopped her.
"Uranus if you fail me again you better pray the senshi kill you." Katsumi threatened.
"We won't fail you my queen." Haruko said then bowed again before leaving the room.
To be continued…
Author Notes: For those that haven't read the manga Submarine Violin Tide is from it.
Angel's quick guide to japanese:
Baka: Idiot, dummy, stupid