Alone

Sailor Uranus rushed forward, pulling the small form of the younger Senshi to her. Holding the warm figure against her breast. The beat of her heart giving her relief, but also pain.

She'd almost lost her.

She'd almost lost her koneko...

But how? How had she escaped when there was no one? How had she overcome the odds against her? Could she be the legendary messiah? Could she be the soul who would defeat the silence?

Staring down at the limp form. She knew the younger warrior was not. The one she searched for had unlimited strength. This girl did not. She did not...

"Ruka?"

"She's not the one..."

"What do you mean?"

"She's not the messiah-"

"But-but... how!"

"The messiah has unlimited strength, koneko could only hold the transformation for that little time..."

They were staring at her, she knew. But she really couldn't find it in her to care. She'd almost lost Usagi... She'd almost lost her koneko...

Looking down at the pale face, she slowly rose to her feet. Pulling the sleeping girl with her. She found herself surprised at exactly how light the younger girl was.

Turning towards the newest scout, she nodded. Watching those silent red eyes probe her mind, heart, and soul. She felt bound, suddenly. As though her body had gone suddenly stiff, uncontrollable by her freewill.

Then, as though nothing had ever happened, the woman turned and left. Her heels clicking distantly against the cold marble.

Haruka held her princess tighter. Afraid she might loose her once more.

"Ruka?"

"Lets go home Michi."

"You're not going anywhere."

In an instant, six heads swung around to see a tall black figure jump through a window. Cape billowing against the wind. Haruka felt her fist clench in the soft folds of Usagi's uniform.

"What do you want?" She smirked at his dazed expression. What a moron.

"Hand over Usako, I'll take her home, where she belongs."

"Feh, get over yourself."

Those cold eyes grew distant and all the girls moved out of the way as he took a step forward. Michiru standing solidly by her side. Unmovable and strong. Michiru was always so strong...

"Do you know who you are talking to?"

"Don't really care."

A grip on her arm, alerted her to Usagi's awakening. And she held on all the tighter, pulling the small form as close as possible. Shielding her from the dark form before them.

"Hand over Usako, she is my responsibility."

"What is she a dog?"

"No, she is my princess."

Fury radiated her. Who was this fool to think he could control her? Besides, if what he said was true. Why had he not protected Usagi in all those fights? Why had he not shielded her from the daimons?

"She is no longer yours."

His face grew stoic, and for an instant she felt sparks of ice flinging around her, the winds cool huff chilling her to the bone. But it disappeared as quickly as it came. And she figured she had imagined it.

"She has and will always been mine."

Michiru stepped forward, her teal eyes narrowed and angry. So much that she could feel the storm as though it flew around her. Haruka could only hope a giant pitchfork appeared out of no where and she roasted the fool.

"Go fuck yourself,"

All thoughts of pitchforks blew from her mind, and she stared at Michiru in disbelief. Never before had she heard such foul words come from the kind, passionate girl.

"What did you saw wench?"

She wasn't sure what happened next, but somehow, she found herself on the ground. Empty handed, and yellow filling her vision.

However, when the soft thunk crackled through the silent air. She understood instantly. Green eyes rising to see a caped man holding his jaw while the shortest of warriors stood breathing heavily.

Pride filled her instantaneously.

"If you ever call Michiru-chan that again..."

The words were left off as she collapsed on the ground. Still tired from the last battle. Makoto rushed forward and caught her. Emerald eyes staring with betrayal at the man.

"You liar..." she whispered, and Haruka felt confusion wash over her. But she ignored it. The brunette's lover life did not concern her. Just that she needed to get Usagi home.

"Michi..."

"I'll grab her."

"Thanks," she headed to the door. Holding it wide as the aqua haired woman walked forward, her arms carrying the tired bundle.

"Lets go home Ruka."

She smiled and nodded. Before getting in the car.

The click of the door alerted her that Michiru was ready to go.

She smiled softly and turned out of the church yard. The wind blowing through her hair.

They were going home, for what felt like eternity.


Hotaru heard her fathers laugh from the deep recesses of her shadowed room, and pulled herself tighter. She wished he wouldn't do that. She wished he still played with her like before. She wanted her papa back. She wanted the man who loved her back.

Not the strange man whose laugh echoed through her entire body and filled it with a dread and fear that made the darkness all the stronger. It was so hard to fight already... So very hard...

But she would not give up. As long as she had Usagi-san. As long as Usagi-san shined so, she would be okay. She just knew it...

"Awe, is the little baby scared?"

She ignored the taunting, and hoped that the woman would leave, boring of her soon.

She did not.

"The darkness will consume you yet."

Purple eyes stared angrily back at the red headed woman. At her nanny. At Kaorinite.

"Never!"

The cackle of the woman as she left, sent even colder chills through her. Freezing her insides.

"Never..."


Mamoru made his way home slowly. Not certain at all how things had gotten so out of control. Not sure how he had lost his Usako.

What was wrong with her? Why did she care more for a stranger than him!

He stared up at the sky. He'd lost a good ally today. Makoto.

But he didn't care. It didn't matter at all to him whether she was with him or against him. All that came to his mind were those teal eyes staring at him with hurt. Those eyes that looked so much like Usako's. WHY!

Why did they remind him of the one he could not have! Why could he not have his princess? Was he or was he not the prince of Earth!

Sighing, he looked over towards the setting sun.

He didn't understand what he'd done wrong. He'd only tried to protect his love. That was all.

Was that so wrong?

Suddenly, though, as he rounded the corner, he had the most brilliant idea. For he was a brilliant man, was he not? The lovely prince charming, ne?

Smiling, he realized exactly what he'd do.

Brilliant indeed.