The birds screamed higher above. Louder. Shriller.
"Haru-chan!" She heard the tender voice behind her, felt the soft arms being wrapped around her waist. Arms she knew all her life. She had felt all her life. But not that way.
"My little Haru-chan."
She turned around and faced a young woman with long blonde hairs. They almost touched the ground. The young woman wore a long, white dress and looked simply beautiful. The bright sunlight was reflected in her shimmering green eyes and a tender smile laid on her lips. Lips she wanted so desperately to kiss.
Mama?
She wasn't sure. She couldn't remember. But as she felt how those soft hands stroke through her own blonde strands she simply knew the that this young woman was her mother.
"Mama..." she felt the tears streaming over her face. Knowing that it were tears of joy. Not of sorrow. But of endless happiness.
"Mama!" she screamed and fell into soft arms that embraced her tenderly. To hold her loving tight. "I missed you so much, Mama!" she cried and clinched herself on the young woman. She wasn't even ashamed that she behaved like a small child.
"I told you you'd love her." Said the little boy and grinned a wicked grin. He screamed and started to laugh loudly as a young man raised him into the air and swirled around with him. Blue eyes sparkled loving while the young man danced around the beach with his son. Wind played with his red hairs and a free smile laid on his lips, too.
"Mama? Papa?" she stepped a little bit back and watched them. Her family. "Shinji?" It was nothing but a quiet whisper and more tears ran down over her cheeks.
"Hai, we're here, Haru-chan." Smiled her mother and walked over to her husband. To give him a quick, but loving kiss.
"We said that we would wait for you, didn't we?"
"And now let's go!" screamed Shinji and escaped his father's arms. But he didn't fell down into the warm sand. Something hold him back. Something white on his back. She blinked once, twice but the vision didn't escape. Fascinated she saw how the wings moved on her brother's back.
"Come with us, Haru-chan."
"Hai, it's time to go."
"To be happy with us."
"Up in the mountains."
"Haru-chan..."
She turned around and saw how huge wings spreat behind her parents. Now they looked indeed like angels. Guardian angels. As they once had told her.
And I am an angel's child.
She smiled and wiped away her tears with a quick motion. Then she stripped her leather jacket and saw that she wore the same strange white clothes her family wore. She turned her head and her chin dropped as she saw the huge wings. Right on her back. Touching the warm sand. They felt soft. Incredibly soft. Wind went through the feathers and she started to shiver. A wide smile appeared on her redden face as she turned again to her parents. Saw them smiling at her. Knowing. Loving. Being there. Forever.
"Come with us."
"And everything will be fine."
"We love you."
"Haru-chan."
"Sis."
"Darling."
"Follow us."
"Just believe in us."
She nodded and simply spreat her own wings.
dbdbdb
Beep.
The little girl didn't care about the strange noises around. All she saw was her daddy. One of the persons she loved most in her life. A shadow stepped nearer to the bed and the small child laughed happily. She let go off the teddy and simply laid down next to the lifeless body. Ignoring the hoses and all the injection. The blood flowing over a pale skin. Over skinny arms.
"Luv ya!." She whispered and hold the white shirt tight. As tight as she could. With all the powers a small child of her age had. With all the love her heart felt. With all the desire the little soul could bare.
"Luv ya!"
She closed her eyes, again seeing those sparkling green eyes. Again hearing the teasing words in her mind. Not understanding the meaning, but understanding the deep feelings that stood behind.
"Luv ya, daddy..."
She yawned and slowly settled into sleep. Finally being there where she wanted so badly to be. In her daddy's arms. In so soft, so warm arms. In an embracement she missed so much during all those weeks. An eternity she couldn't define. But she could indeed feel.
The shadow stepped nearer. Soft hands stroke through black hairs. Dark eyes shone with love on the two persons. A scythe was leaned against the bed as the shadow leaned closer. To kiss the burning cheeks of a little girl who dreamed in her sleep. A tender smile laid on the tiny face and she looked really happy. Here. Where she belonged. At her daddy's arms. Knowing that her mommy was only some corridors away. Not far away. Not as far as she had feared the past weeks. Not that far at all...
I love you.
The shadow leaned over the pale young woman and kissed softly on those bloodless lips. Slightly breezing at them. Carefully blowing a little bit of fresh air at them. Healthy air. Healing air.
Hotaru yawned again and a bright sign appeared on her forehead. Just as it did on the shadow's forehead. It glowed in all shades of purple and suddenly the whole room was filled with that light. Wind blew through the hospital and moved blonde and black hairs.
Beep...
From one second to another the shrunken cheeks were slightly redden and the eyes moved behind the closed lashes. Still closed.
A soft hand was placed upon the motionless chest and a silver light seemed to cover the whole body of a weak woman. A once so powerful, a once so strong woman. It shook and suddenly the chest moved again. First slightly and not noticeable. But it moved on and the stronger the breathing got, the higher the hill became.
Beep...
I love you. For all time. Just as you promised me.
The shadow turned around and waved into the darkness. A smile laid on her face and she nodded. Then she took her scythe and stroke again through dark hairs. Knowing that her own guardian was safe her. For all times. Until she would wake up again. And even after that day.
I love you.
Within the next moment the shadow was gone as if it had never existed.
I love you, daddy.
Beep...
Beep. Beep. Beep.
dbdbdb
Her wings tickled. She giggled and moved them slightly.
"Come with us, Haru-chan."
"There's nothing left to fear."
"There you're safe."
"With us."
She smiled and wanted to walk over to them. To embrace them. To fly away with them. Although she didn't know how to fly at all. But it didn't matter. Her family would show it to her.
Luv ya!
She froze in motion as she heard the high child's voice in her head. Laughing happily. A hand she couldn't see seemed to grab her shirt and she felt a warm body next to her own one.
Nani?
Luv ya!
She frowned and turned around to look again to the sea. To the bright sun shinning from above. To the waves crashing to the warm sand. To the birds flying through an endless sky.
Luv ya, daddy.
Himme-chan?
She didn't know where that thought came from. Nor did she know why she felt suddenly so sad. So alone. Why she wanted to cry although she had her family around.
Who's Himme-chan?
Again she felt the warm body, felt soft lips on her own. Not knowing where they came from. Not seeing anyone standing before her. There was nothing than the sea. An endless sea she loved so much. A deep blue sea that reminded her on something. Or someone? She couldn't tell. She simply couldn't remember.
I love you.
She squinted and her green eyes grew wide as she saw the shadow standing there. On the waves. As if there was no water she could sink in. As if she was weightless. As if she could fly, too.
I love you. For all time. Just as you promised me.
She had promised something? She couldn't remember? But somehow she knew that that soft voice didn't lie to her. That it would never do. That it would never could.
Warmth filled her belly and she gasped hard for breath, as she saw those tender hands reaching out for her. Black hairs were moved by wild wind and tears shimmered in dark eyes.
I love you.
Automatically she wrapped her wings around her freezing body and stretched her arms out. Knowing that there was no chance of ever touching the far away shadow. No matter how hard she tried to.
What shall I do?
She asked silently, not waiting for an answer. Tears blurred her view and she simply went on her knees in the warm sand that seemed to be hard with a sudden. Stony. Pain flashed through her body but it was gone the next moment.
Shall I stay here and wait? Until you tell me to go?
Relive filled her heart as the shadow waved her hands and a tender smile appeared on a shinning face. Then the shadow nodded and turned around. And vanished within the next second.
I love you, daddy.
Daddy? Am I a daddy?
She didn't know. But somehow it felt right to be called that way. As if she was very often called daddy in her life before. Before...
"Haru-chan?"
She raised her head and looked directly into her mother's concerned face.
"I can't go." She whispered and more tears streamed over her suddenly pale cheeks. "I can't go with you. Not now."
Angela sighed slightly and simply embraced her daughter to hold her tight.
"I know, Haru-chan." Angela answered and rocked her gently. "I know. But some day you will be able." Her mother kissed her and comforted her the best she could.
"But one day you will."
dbdbdb
She felt the breeze running through her short blue hairs and her dark pullover. Wildly she winced and turned around. To stare with wide eyes at the blank wand. Twice she blinked and the shadow she had just seen disappeared. Together with her dizzy mind.
"Doctor!" again she screamed and watched all the people running around. Suddenly very busy. Very hectic. This was an emergency and they all knew it.
Beep...
Different machines were pushed into the room and different voices shouted around. Until Dr. Taka stepped into the room. With one word they all silenced and Michiru could see the disbelieved expression on the older woman's face.
Now everything is over.
Michiru swallowed hard and tears ran over her cheeks. Tears she thought she already cried. During the past weeks. Her hands automatically stroke her belly while she saw her Ruka again before her eyes. An always laughing Ruka. A sometimes sad and even desperate Ruka. A tall blonde who hold her tight. Who loved her. With all her heart. Even after she found out about their destiny. As sailor senshi. To be doomed to safe the world by harming and even hurting innocent people. By even sacrificing each other.
... my little witch...
Again she heard the teasing voice in her mind. Silently she sobbed.
I love you, Michi-chan.
She froze like hell in her think clothes. In the pullover that once had been Ruka's. Still she could smell the tomboy's scent. As if she would stand right behind her. Holding her tight. Telling her again and again how much she loved her. That she wanted to spend all her life with her. With her and Himme-chan.
Promise me never to leave me, Michi-chan. Please, promise! again she heard the shaky voice. As she had heard it that evening before they had to go to new schools. Was it only five years ago? Really only five years that passed to quickly?
Of course I promised.
She hold her belly tighter, feeling that it grew. That it already showed the first, slight, mysterious signs of the child she carried. Their child.
And you promised, too, Ruka.
Michiru stepped into the crowded room and leaned against the wall. That was as white as her skin. That was as wide as her blue eyes.
So, keep that promise, Ruka! Don't leave me! Please!
Please...
Beep...
Beep. Beep. Beep.
She didn't know if she should scream as she noticed the regular lines on the monitors. The regular hills. The regular breathes the fragile body did. On its own.
"She's trying to breathe!" shouted Dr. Taka and suddenly kneeled on the soft mattress. To remove all the hoses and the small mask from the now blue face. "We have to get all this shit out before she's suffocating!" She shouted some more instructions and Michiru saw how more injections were pushed into a skinny arm. The sea goddess wanted to turn away. Simply to turn away and to run. She didn't want to see all this pain any longer. The endless suffering.
If I'll ever be connected to silly machines, please, switch them off. Let me go and forget me, okay? It's better this way.
Gomen, Ruka. I can't do that!
Michiru clenched her fists and slowly went on her knees. Still seeing how Dr. Taka removed all the hoses. Still seeing all the blood that suddenly covered Haruka's neck and her mouth. Still seeing how the chest moved in a steady rhythm.
Up and down.
Up and down.
Up and down.
All by itself. Without the help of those machines. Of those life supporting machines. Now they only controlled. If anything would went wrong. But they didn't push anymore the fresh air into the lungs. Now the lungs breathed for themselves to get it.
Goddess...
Michiru trembled even more and lowered her head.
"That's incredible. She breathes on her own..." whispered Dr. Taka and controlled quickly the pulse. Looked into still blurred green eyes. The woman was still unconscious. The chance of ever waking up again was still a tiny one. But the body seemed to want to live That was a good sign. It was almost a miracle.
Dr. Taka turned around as she heard the silent sigh. One nurse reacted quickly and caught the famous violinist as she simply let go and fainted. Tears still streaming over pale cheeks.
But only almost a miracle.
Dr. Taka stroke through blonde strands and gave her assistants another order.
No one seemed to notice the little girl sleeping deep and tight next to a wonderful warm body. No one seemed to notice the happy smile on a tiny face as a small hand grabbed for a white shirt to hold it tight. Determinedly tight. For all times. And to let never go again.
And no one seemed to notice that a skinny arm was protectively wrapped around the small child. An always lifeless, an always cold arm. That didn't move during the past weeks by itself.
Now it simply hold the little girl tight. To shelter her from all pains of this world. To take care for her.
To never let her suffer.
dbdbdb
That had been tight.
Still she felt dizzy. And weak. And tired. But her thoughts spun around in her mind and simply let her no peace. No sleep. No recovery at all.
Ruka almost died.
Michiru stirred her tea and stared for another long time on her spoon. It shook. Just like her hand, her whole body shook.
I almost lost her. Forever...
"Is the tea okay this way? I mean, I pushed over the sugar box and used too much hot water for the tea, but..."
Shortly Michiru looked up and watched how Makoto danced around the kitchen. To make supper. To get a meal done surely no one would eat. Not that they didn't like Makoto's meals. They were fantastic. Simply delicious. But somehow they all weren't hungry. Especially not after what happened yesterday.
"It's fine, Mako. Arigato."
"If you say so..." Again Makoto opened the fridge. For the umpteenth time. And again she didn't know what she actually wanted. So she grabbed the butter. Just to put it back after some seconds.
We're all nervous after what happened yesterday.
Michiru sighed deeply and the spoon went into the hot tea. But she didn't drink. She wasn't thirsty. Nor was she hungry. Nor was she anything at all. Anything but tired. But she didn't dare to sleep. Because too many nightmares haunted her down.
"Kei and I decided to go to the hospital again." Yuri crossed the kitchen, already holding her jacket in her arms. It got colder from day to day. And now it was really freezing at night. After dusk. In total darkness that seemed to cover the earth now. Their souls.
My future...
"Do you want to come with us?" Yuri stole some tomato pieces and chewed thoughtfully. She looked at the young woman who stared obstinately into her tea.
She thinks that I should have let her die. That I simply should have let my Ruka go. That it would have been the best for all of us. Simply to let this endless suffer ending. Simply...
"No..." managed Michiru to say and stirred again in her tea. Warm blankets laid around her shaking body to warm her. But deep inside her heart seemed to be frozen.
Makoto is really a good nurse. Not only for me.
The thunder senshi really seemed to like Kei. The young man who was always shy. Always a little bit distant. Always unsure if he was doing the right thing. If anyone would blame him for being in jail for some years. For something he'd done. For something he'd regretted. For something that hadn't been that bad at all. He had only stolen some things, broken into an empty flat. He never hurt innocent people, never beat anyone. He simply got the wrong lawyer after he had the wrong friends. But now he had the right ones. And slowly, very slowly he recognized it.
I am happy for him.
I wish I could be the same happy myself.
"No..." Michiru drank some gulps of her tea. It was indeed too sweet. But that didn't matter. It was warm and made with love. That mattered.
No, I don't want to come to the hospital. Not today. Not yet. And not with you.
To see again how Yuri stared at her niece. Seeing her late sister in law again laying there. Seeing again her dead brother there. Looking with her blue eyes sadly at Michiru. Almost punishing. That she didn't stop this endless suffering.
Not now. Not when there's a slight chance. Not when Ruka tries to survive. When her body wants to keep going. When there's still hope. Even if it's tiny...
She winced surprised as she felt soft arms being wrapped around her body. Holding her tight with so strong powers Michiru didn't have herself anymore.
"It's okay, child." Said Yuri quietly in her ear and squeezed her tenderly. Let her again feel that she really belonged to the Tenô family. Not only because Haruka begged her aunt that Michiru should live in one of their guest rooms. But also because the thin girl conquered Yuri's heart with her love and her shyness. And her trust. "I know how you feel. It's okay."
Then Yuri let go and took her jacket again.
"Guess we'll be back in about two hours, Mako." She shouted and left the kitchen.
"Okay. I'll take the food into the fridge." Smiled the thunder senshi and suddenly had to grin. In her heart she felt sad but the others wanted to come over around eight to watch a movie. A movie they wanted to get from Rei's big archive. Makoto could already see them arguing about the topic. About the actors. About the animals in there. About the popcorn Usagi already ate without letting Rei a chance to get something, too.
"Hope it's okay for you that we simply rent your living-room." Makoto took her own tea and sat down next to Michiru. For a long while they sat there in silence. Each one thinking her own personal thoughts. Remembering their own personal memories.
"No, it's good to have you all around." Smiled Michiru after a long while and stirred again around in her tea. "You're so fantastic lively. So loudly."
Makoto grinned a regretful grin and searched for the sugar.
"I know that we're too loud. But this time we won't wake Hotaru-chan up. I promise."
"Don't worry, Mako. Himme-chan's waiting for a chance to watch TV with you. It's alike how quiet you are. She finds out and cries so long until you'll take her out."
"Do you wanna join us?"
"No, arigato. There's something else I want to do this evening."
dbdbdb
The small package stood on her desk. Near a big window. As it stood now for over two months. Untouched. Just like the post delivered it. Only two days after Haruka's operation. It was from the wind senshi. Michiru knew that writing to well. And it was addressed to the sea goddess.
I am a coward.
"Rei, I don't wanna watch that terrible movie!"
"Baka!"
"Jerk!"
"HEY, that's MY popcorn!"
"Ah!..."
Michiru smiled sadly and closed the door silently behind herself. The voices fated away. But they would be there. The whole Sailor team. If anything was wrong. If she didn't want to be alone any longer. If she simply needed to talk.
The sea senshi swallowed hard and stepped slowly nearer. She hesitated and finally stretched her hands to touch the small package. They trembled.
I am such a coward!
But the same time she knew why she couldn't open the package. It was Haruka's last one. Maybe there was her last letter in it. The letter telling her goodbye. The letter telling her Michiru all the strange things she tried to tell her shortly before she fainted. In that small apartment. In her arms.
Sooner or later I have to open it.
She took it and went over to the bed. To sit down on the soft mattress. To stare at the grey package for another long time.
Sooner than later.
Again she remembered what had happened yesterday. Only 24 hours ago. How tight it had been.
Maybe it's better to know what's in there before it's all too late.
Michiru took a deep breath and took the knife in her hands. With a quick motion she simply ripped the hard material open and stared for a longer time at all the paper that dropped out. Formal paper. Written by computer. Signed not only by Haruka. But also by a lawyer.
Nani?
Michiru blinked and laid the knife away. She crept deeper on the bed and wrapped the blanket around her freezing body while her hands observed the content. Letters. Letters. Even more letters. All written by a lawyer.
Nani?
It took Michiru a very long time to realize that it was Haruka's last will. And it took the sea goddess another eternity until she realized that there were only two persons mentioned in all those pages. Over and over again. A Kaioh Michiru and a Kaioh Tomoe Hotaru. She inherited them the big house, all the other flats she owned somewhere all over Japan, even all over the world to save taxes. She inherited them all her riches, all the money. On one page Yuri was mentioned, too. That she should get something, too. Something she really wanted. There was a sum named in the paper, but Michiru was sure that Yuri didn't want riches. She earned enough with her job and inherited enough money from her own parents. But surely Yuri wanted to have something special. That would remember her always of her niece. And maybe even of her late brother.
Oh, Ruka...
Michiru sniffed and searched for a handkerchief. She couldn't find one and so she wiped away her tears with the corner of her blanket.
It all was so formal. So impersonal. But there would be no doubt if anyone would say that this last will wasn't real.
The lawyer must have cost her a little fortune.
More tears ran over her pale cheeks. Tears she thought she had already cried. But somehow her eyes weren't dried yet. Somehow there were still tears in her. And as long as they burned in her eyes she simply let them fall.
My poor honey.
Suddenly she remembered what she had screamed at Haruka as the tall blonde took her bag and simply went through the door and never came back. That it all was hers. That she shouldn't be the one leaving, but Michiru. That even the violin belonged to the wild car racer.
Now not any longer.
Michiru swallowed hard and her hands trembled even more. Haruka really seemed to be worried about her. Again the sea goddess heard the low voice in her ears. Promising that she would always take care for her. That she would never have to suffer again the way she suffered in the orphanage. That she would never ever have to live in poverty again. That there was finally someone there who took care for her.
But I don't want your riches, Ruka. I want YOU!
Michiru pushed the papers away and stared for a long time at the closed letter. There was only one name written on it in a neat writing: Michi-chan.
Nani?
Her hands trembled even more as she took the small envelope in her hands. It was light. Too light for a letter. But too heavy to be empty.
Shall that be all to say good bye to me?
Suddenly anger filled her soul and her eyes sparkled angry.
Does she really think she'll get rid of me that easily? That I would be satisfied with such a small letter? When all I ever wanted was her? My little family!
She heard the appeasing rushes of the waves near the house. Could hear the laughing of the girls downstairs. Could hear her own fast heart beat in her ears.
One day you have to open it. Why not now?
Because she's not dead! She won't die! Not when I am around!
Nevertheless she couldn't take the envelope away. Nevertheless she stared at it for another hour. Nevertheless she finally ripped it open. And stared at the content in disbelieve. It seemed to be empty. She looked into it but there was no letter in it. Not even a card. Nothing.
Nani?
She frowned and put the envelope away. At that moment something fell into her lap. It sparkled in all lights of the rainbow in the dimmed moon's light.
Nani?
Michiru reached for it and it took her twice tries until she hold the small object in her shaking fingers.
Nani...
It was a ring. A small ring. A beautiful ring. It was made out of white gold and hold a blue jewel there.
Nani...
Michiru turned the ring over and over and more tears burned in her tired eyes. Her thoughts spun around and she simply couldn't think a clear thought. She hold the jewellery a little bit tighter and squinted as she wanted to read the letters inside the gold. There stood only one word. A single world. Only a word. A word that moved Michiru deeply.
Eternity.
The ring escaped her hands and she winced away as if she burned herself.
No, that can't be. That simply can't be. That can't...
But she knew that it was. It was not only a gift nor was it just a normal ring. As she got so many during those six years. As she got so many ear rings, so many necklaces. So many other jewellery. But this ring was special.
She wanted to ask me.
Michiru's eyes grew wide and she shook her head. Crept deeper into the blankets. Her body trembled uncontrollable and her sobbing increased.
She wanted to ask me to spend all my life with her...
The sea goddess gulped and buried her face in her icy hands.
When?
Where?
What date?
Why didn't I...?
So many questions. So few answers.
Do you know that I'd say hai? That it would have been the happiest moment in my whole life?
She pushed the blanket away and jumped suddenly out of the bed. Reeling with unsure steps over to the balcony door. Looking up to a cloudy autumn sky. Seeing the moon shinning through dark clouds.
Did you know that I want to become your wife, Ruka?
Michiru swallowed hard and leaned herself against the glass. Felt the nice cold on her burning skin. Felt how her tears wetted some strands of her sea green hairs. Of short hairs.
What have I done to myself?
Michiru looked for a long time at her reflection in the now dark glass.
What have I done to you, my love?
She wrapped her arms around her body. Again she remembered all the times she had been busy. With her music. Simply letting Haruka at home. With little, crying Hotaru. Again she saw the romantic atmosphere of their sixth anniversary. Of an anniversary she simply forgot. Of another important day she wasted playing her instrument. For the mass. For the audience. For people her playing wasn't meant for. She only wanted to play for her Ruka when she had been younger. She only wanted to see the tall blonde smiling. And accompanying her with her soft piano play.
What have I done to ourselves?
Michiru bit hard on her lower lip and bowed. She picked up the ring and watched it for a long time in silence. Her tears dried and a determined expression appeared on her the last weeks so tired face.
I have to do it. And even if I'll fail, then at least I tried it.
She thought about this possibility the whole last weeks. That there was indeed a slight chance to rescue Haruka. To wake her up. To show her the way back to life. But Michiru had hesitated. Because of Himme-chan. Because of her own fear. Because of all the nice friends needing her.
Do they really need me?
Michiru swallowed hard and slowly walked over to her big wardrobe. Thoughtful she opened the door and stared at the clothes in there. Clothes she never wanted to wear again. Because Haruka bought them for her. Not a long time ago. Only a few months. A few weeks that seemed to be now eternity. In another time. In a another life. Maybe even in another universe.
Himme-chan needs us. Both of us. I can't tell her stupid lies about her daddy.
Michiru touched her slim belly, still holding the ring tight in her hands.
Nor can I let it grow up without its daddy. It would be unfair for them. For our little children.
The sea goddess pulled some clothes out and her old back bag. And a small staff she thought she would never hold again. She would never raise again. She would never feel burning again in her icy hands.
And I need her. I can't live without her. Not the way I did the past weeks. Not with a ghost. Not with all our friends suffering.
Michiru wiped away some tears from her cheeks as she packed her back bag. Suddenly a thin smile laid on her lips. It expressed not only love and trust. But also hope. Hope and believe. That everything would be fine. That everything would turn alright. That there was still a happy end possible for them.
And if not? If you fail? If there's no chance anymore to bring her back?
Michiru swallowed hard and hold the ring tighter in her hands.
Then I tried all I could.
And if you're going to die, too?
I won't die. Nor will she die. I won't let this happen.
And if it'll happen?
Michiru ignored the inner voice yelling in her mind as she took an old leather jacket and simply left the light house by the sea. To call for a taxi. To get to the hospital. To rescue her love.
No matter what it costs.
I simply have to risk it.
dbdbdb
Michiru, that can't be your seriousness! I WON'T wear that dress. Even if it's my auntie's thirty fifth birthday. I WON'T... okay... but only for you...
I like your playing, Michi-chan.
I like you, Michi-chan.
Come, drive with me on my bike. It's great. You'll enjoy it. Believe me.
Do you believe me, Michi-chan?
Do you trust me?
Do you love me? The way I love you?
Of course I do.
It was in the middle of the night. She sneaked into the hospital. No one seemed to have noticed her intrusion. No seemed to have noticed her at all.
Of course I do.
For a long time Michiru watched her lover under the thin blanket. There were now less machines standing around. Now controlling the heartbeat and the breathing. Haruka's body worked now again on itself. She achieved more in two months than her mother in all those five years. But she was still unconscious. A sleeping beauty in a golden castle.
Are the 100 years over now? Am I the prince on a white horse? In a shimmering armour?
I want you to stay with me. Please, never leave me again, Michi-chan. Please, stay with me.
I love you, don't ya know?
Michi-chan...
... little witch...
Michiru put the back bag down and reached inside it. She took the golden henshin out she got to know too well during the past years. During all those battles. During the hard, senseless fights.
I don't want this any longer, Michi-chan. I don't want to harm other people. I don't want to harm you!
Once Haruka had thrown her henshin away. Simply into the wild waves and never wanted to see it again. But they found it the next day laying in the wet sand. Sparkling mysteriously. Showing them that it was their destiny. That there was no chance of ever escaping.
We faced destiny together.
Michiru stroke through blonde strands and kissed pale cheeks very, very carefully.
As we'll face it this time.
Then she put the henshin into a lifeless hand and squinted as the golden light suddenly filled the small room. A bright glow covered Haruka for some seconds and as it disappeared the tall blonde wore her familiar Sailor fuku again under the white blanket.
Neptune, I won't let anything happen to you.
WATCH OUT, Neptune! There's another youma!
I don't want to steal those heart crystals.
But we have to do it to save the world, Neptune. I wish there was another way...
Neptune!
Stay where you are! Don't move! There're more arrows. There're...
Neptune! Leave now! Run away! Forget me! Neptune!
Neptune...
Michi-chan...
It is our destiny to fight. For the sake of the world. Of our friends. And of ourselves.
"I simply can't let you go like that, Ruka. Don't be angry about me." Whispered Michiru and stroke again through blonde strands. Then she turned around and took her own henshin. It felt familiar in her hands. But the same time completely different.
"We'll bring her back." She touched her lightly grown belly and smiled sadly at her unborn child. She knew what it would mean if she didn't have any success. Not the success she prayed so much for. If she'd die it would die, too. Without ever getting the chance to be born. To live. To fall in love one day, too. And to understand why its mother chose that way. The stony one.
Michiru looked again at closed eyes. Saw again them sparkling in her slowly fading memory. Heard again the low laughter. Heard again the teasing voice in her mind. Knowing that she was doing the right thing. The only possible thing. The only acceptable one.
"Neptune, make up!"
It was nothing but a shaky whisper. She closed her eyes as she felt the waves playing with her body. As she heard the rushing of the sea that now filled the room.
Then there was silence.
And darkness.
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Music filled the warm summer air. A soft violin melody. The thin girl stood next to the big window and the bright sun seemed to surround her. Wind played with her sea green hairs. Her eyes were closed. Only the music seemed to exist for her. In her own world she shared with no one. Not till then.
"You play very well."
Surprised she opened her eyes as she heard the clapping. She looked at the other girl who seemed to be her age. But she was taller than she. And she looked more self-considered.
"Oh... well..." The smaller girl frowned and blushed as she saw the grin on the other one's face. "I learned a little bit, but it's not as good as I want it to be."
"I liked it." The blonde observed the old violin and raised one eyebrow. "Isn't that...?"
The thin girl stepped a little bit back and tried to hide the violin behind her back. She blushed even more and her blue eyes looked desperately around.
"That's the music teacher's one, isn't it?" The taller girl laughed as the other girl nodded shyly and stretched her strong hand.
"I am Tenô Haruka. It's nice to meet you."
"Hello, Haruka." Deep blue eyes sparkled and now the tall blonde blushed, too. "I am Kaioh Michiru."
"Michiru, a nice name. Do you wanna be my friend?"
First there was confusion on a pale face. Then the soft lips curved in a bright smile.
"I'd like to, Haruka."
"Do you wanna play with me?"
She frowned and opened her eyes. And squinted in the bright sunlight. She heard the rushes of the near seas, could smell the salty air. Somewhere birds screamed and she laid on warm, soft sand.
Nani?
Michiru squinted again and the memories disappeared. Just like a dream did when she awoke after a long sleep.
Do you wanna be my friend?
Again she heard the cheeky voice in her head. Again she felt how her hard started wildly to beat in her chest and how she wanted to jump around in joy. That she really found a friend on that bloody school no one seemed to like her at.
I needed almost one year to realized that I was the only one Haruka ever asked to be her friend...
"Do you wanna play with me?"
Michiru blinked and turned her head. And stared in disbelieve at the child standing over her. The blonde strands were moved by slight wind and dark green eyes shone with happiness.
Ruka?
But she saw that the child was a boy. A cute little boy. A boy that looked the way she imagined her Ruka had looked when she was young. When she had been five years old. When she had lost her parents.
"You wear funny clothes. But I like them." The little boy grinned and threw the red ball into the air. To catch it again. With a wicked grin on his face Michiru knew too well.
"Just the way I like you."
Slowly Michiru came to her feet and looked shortly at the familiar sailor fuku she was wearing. It always had been narrow and now it seemed to be even tighter. She was in the forth months now but when she wore normal clothes you could hardly see any difference.
These clothes aren't normal. They never had been.
Under the tight top everyone could see that her belly was grown. In a special way only becoming mothers did. Two weeks after Haruka's operation she stopped throwing up her food. She felt fine again and even stronger. Although she was earlier tired and slept longer than normal. When she found sleep. When no nightmares were haunting her down. When she simply refused to leave the small room in the huge hospital. There had never been any complications, no pain. So that she sometimes almost forgot that she was pregnant. Only the visits at her doctor remembered her at the little child. Everything was fine. It grew inside her belly. It felt fine there. It simply developed like a normal baby of now four months inside its mother's womb.
I never had the courage to ask if it's a boy or a girl.
The doctor asked her but she didn't want to know it. Not when her Ruka wasn't around to hear it, too. Not when Michiru wasn't able to tell her lover if Himme-chan would get a small brother or sister.
"Do you wanna play with me or not? Then I'll ask my older sis." The boy kept grinning and kicked the ball around on his knee. As he had just learned during the past weeks.
His sister?
Michiru's eyes grew wide as she recognized who the little boy was.
"Shinji...?" her voice was a silent whisper and automatically she grabbed the ball and hold it tight.
"Hai?" Dark green eyes looked loving up at her. "And who are you?"
"I am your sister's girlfriend." Answered Michiru honestly. Not caring what the little boy would think. For a moment there was a sad expression on the small face, then he turned around and pointed over to the beach.
"She's over there." He declared and pointed to a shadow sitting in the warm sand. Staring out to the moving waters. "Then you're like papa. He followed mama the same quickly." Tears sparkled in green eyes, then he simply took his ball and ran away.
Papa?
Mama?
Michiru swallowed hard. Not knowing what to say. Not knowing what to think. About this strange vision.
Is it only a vision?
Then her legs started to move. Into the shadow's direction. A shadow Michiru would recognize everywhere. Luck and happiness filled herself as she saw her Ruka sitting there. Watching over the wide sea. With open eyes. Without any hoses being connected to her body. A body that didn't look fragile any longer. It was strong again. Powerful. Nothing remembered of the illness she had suffered of so long weeks. Two months now. A tender smile laid on those lips. The once so pale skin was now redden and her arms weren't skinny any longer. Michiru could see familiar muscles.
Uranus.
The tall blonde wore the familiar fuku again. A fuku she had hated all her life. But maybe today it would safe her life. No matter how short the skirt was. No matter how tight the top. No matter how high the heels.
Ruka!
She wanted to scream it out loud. But somehow she couldn't. She only stumbled nearer and felt tears burning in her eyes. Now tears of joy, not of sorrow any longer.
Ruka, I am here! I won't leave you. I'll always be with you. Just as I promised you. Can you remember? Only five years ago.
Ruka...
Michiru stopped and watched her lover for a long time. Simply enjoying what she saw. Simply enjoying this moment in time. Her Ruka sitting there. As she had done for a lot of times near the light house by the sea.
I missed you so much, my darling.
Now tears wetted Michiru's cheeks and she couldn't hold back a sob any longer. Haruka winced slightly and turned around. And stared at her for some seconds that seemed to be eternity in surprise. Then a bright smile bloomed on her face. The next moment she was on her feet and by her girlfriend's side. Embraced her and swirled around with her.
"Michi-chan!"
Haruka laughed loudly and danced over the beach. Together with her lover in her strong arms. Michiru laughed, too, but still tears streamed over her cheeks.
"I missed you so much, Michi-chan." Haruka let her down and embraced her. Felt how Michiru clinched on her as if she was her only life line. The sobbing increased.
"I missed you, too, Ruka. And I won't let you go again."
Michi-chan...
Haruka hold her tight and her thoughts spun around in her head. When she first met Shinji she didn't remember anything at all. Not even who she actually was. But her memory came slowly back with her family. And now, seeing and feeling Michiru near her, she remembered everything that happened. Everything.
"How..." Haruka swallowed hard and squeezed her Michi-chan shortly before she slowly let her go. "How did you come here?" She shivered as she thought how her papa once followed her mama. "I told you that Himme-chan needs you. That you're able to live without me. Michi-chan, please, tell me that you didn't do the mistake I've almost done. Please..:"
More tears run over a pale cheeks and Michiru shook her head. Endless relieved sparkled in dark green eyes for a moment before they were filled with concern again.
"But how..." she managed to say and shook her head again. "But I felt in coma, right? Just like my mother once."
"Hai, you did." Michiru sobbed quietly and wiped away her tears. They were replaced by new ones. "But you want to live, Ruka. Your body wants to live. And so I decided to come to take you home."
"Nani?"
"I'll take you home, Ruka." Michiru stretched her arms towards her lover who stumbled some steps back. Suddenly tears burned in green eyes, too. "You belong to me, Ruka. To us. We simply can't let you go like that." Michiru touched the sailor fuku and smiled sadly. "We will never be able to defeat those new enemies without Sailor Uranus. So let's go, Ruka."
Haruka swallowed hard and felt wind messing her strands. Cold wind. Black wind. She had felt for so many times when she had been alive.
"I am sorry, Michi-chan..." she whispered and stepped again a little bit away. "But I can't go. I simply can't follow you. It's against the rules. It's against nature. It's against my illness."
Michiru shook her head and her hand grabbed into nothing as Haruka went again away.
"I am Sailor Neptune, I have supernatural powers. I don't care about your illness. I don't care about nature. You can leave this nightmare. You can wake up from coma. I know that, Ruka. Please, believe me. Just take my hand and we'll go. Believe me, Ruka. Please, believe me..."
Haruka saw all the pain in her lover's eyes. Knowing that she never wanted to see her girlfriend like that. That she tried all she could to prevent this situation. A situation her father had to face, too. Maybe not this way. Maybe not as a sailor senshi. But in his own personal nightmares he had to face it. And he decided. For his wife. Against life. Against his little girl.
No, Himme-chan needs her.
Haruka took a deep breath and lowered her head.
"I want so badly to follow you, Michi-chan." She whispered and clenched her fists. "But I simply can't."
Michiru's eyes grew wide as she saw how her girlfriend opened silently her wings.
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"Michiru? Are you here?" Kei rubbed his tired eyes. It was past midnight and when he looked after his sister to ask if she needed anything he found the bed empty. Untouched. As if Michiru didn't sleep there the whole night. "Princess?"
He opened the door and looked into the small room. Saw the pale woman still laying in the bed. Breathing regularly. As if she was asleep. But the young man knew he wasn't.
"Princess? Are you..." Kei's voice died away as she saw the chair on the ground. A young woman was laying on the cold ground. Her eyes were closed. She breathed regularly, too. Holding a golden staff tight in her hands.
"Princess?"
Kei took his sister in his arms and shook her for some moments. As he didn't wake her up, he stumbled over to the corridor and yelled loud for the nurses. And Dr. Taka.
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"You can't stay here, Ruka. We all need you!" Michiru went over to her girlfriend and before Haruka could react she had grabbed some feathers. And pulled them out.
"Ouch!" The tall blonde whimpered and tried to escape. "What the hell..."
"Rip them off! Then you'll become a human again and then you'll be able to follow me, Ruka. So RIP THEM OFF!" Michiru screamed and hold more feathers in her hands. Haruka shook her head, then she took those hands and hold them determinedly tight.
"That won't change anything, Michi-chan. Please, be reasonable."
"I am, Ruka. I am!" Michiru sobbed and stared at the bloody feathers in her hands. "I am reasonable. The whole time. When I have to think of Himme-chan. Of what I shall tell her when you won't wake up again. And when I think of our own child, Ruka. I..." Michiru lowered her head and clenched her fists. Her head started to ache and she believed that it was going to explode. Was it all in vain? Couldn't she save her girlfriend? Was everything already too late? Was it all over?
"I can't carry it alone, Ruka. Hell, I am afraid of giving birth to it without you being around." Michiru raised her head again and stared in astonished green eyes. "I can't raise a little child that might look like you, Ruka. Without you being around. Without you being a proud daddy." Michiru threw away the feathers with a quick motion as if she burned herself on them. "I need you, Ruka. I can't bare all this alone. I simply can't..."
Haruka didn't answer. She only came nearer and placed two hands on the grown belly. A tender smile appeared on her face and some tears ran now over her cheeks, too.
"Our little one..." Again she remembered how much they had wished an own child after they decided to adopt Himme-chan. That the future senshi of death would have a brother or sister one day. But they both had known that it would be impossible. A dream for all times. Just a wish. A wish that seemed to become reality.
With me as daddy.
Haruka blinked and stroke over the soft skin under the narrow top.
Without me as daddy...
"I am so sorry, Michi-chan. I want to come with you. But I simply can't." Haruka moved her wings and suddenly two shadows appeared behind her. Michiru blinked and recognized the tall blonde's parents. Persons she had seen for a lot of times during the past weeks. In old photo albums. She watched together with auntie Yuri. Hearing all the stories Haruka never told her. About her childhood. About her mother's illness. About her father's suicide. About a life that should have been so happy – but hadn't been.
"Haru-chan now belongs in our world, little girl." Said Gendo and hold his happy smiling son in his strong arms. A son he was never able to hold when he had been alive. A son who died during his birth. A son who never breathed. Who sacrificed his life for his sister. "But we know your pain."
"Go back and care for your children. They need you." Smiled Angela and placed her hands on Haruka's shoulders. Wings appeared on her back, too.
Angels...
Michiru swallowed hard and shook her head again.
They're all angels. And my Ruka is an angel's child...
NO!
"No, Ruka, I won't let this happen! I simply won't let you stay here. I won't let you die like that. Without fighting. Without laughing at destiny and showing that it's able to carry on. " Michiru clenched her fists and anger filled her soul. And deep sorrow. "Did you already forget what Sailor Moon told us? That it's able to defeat every enemy when you simply try hard enough? That we can reach everything when we try it together? When we simply don't give up?" She screamed now, but she didn't dare about it any longer. "So don't you give up, Ruka. Don't you dare to give up life. It's too much worth than to simply throw it away like that. Think of Himme-chan and your unborn child. And, hell, Ruka, think of yourself. Do you really want to die? Do you really want to leave life before it really started? Do you really want to run away how you had done your whole childhood? To hide in your own world? And leaving the ones behind you love?"
Michiru reached under her top and hold a necklace in her trembling hands. Haruka winced wildly as she saw the ring sparkling in the sunlight. It was made out of white gold with a blue jewel that once had remembered her of the wide sea.
"Do you know my answer, Ruka?"
The tall blonde clenched her fists and simply didn't know how to react. She knew too well how excited she had been when she bought it. To ask her Michi-chan to become her wife. And how sad she had been when Michiru didn't come home before midnight. How desperate she had been when she got to know that there would never be a chance to see her as her bride.
"It's hai, Ruka. Hai..." Michiru burned her face in her icy hands and cried even more. "Come home, Ruka. Leave your own world. Share the real one with me..."
Haruka swallowed hard and her whole body started to tremble.
Haru-chan, what's wrong with you? Why did you beat your classmate?
There's nothing wrong, auntie Yuri.
Really? Do you want to talk about it, Haru-chan?
No...
Haruka felt her mother's hands still on her shoulders and took a deep breath.
I know why you want to be the fastest car racer, Ruka.
And why, Michi-chan? Do you really think to read my thoughts like that?
Because you want to be the best so that everyone admires you. So that people will love you.
That's nonsense, Michi-chan. I like the speed, that's all.
Don't you see that the persons around you already love you? That you don't have to fight for their love?
Michiru raised her head again and Haruka looked for a long time in pleading blue eyes and her wings shivered slightly as she freed herself out of her mother's embracement. Silently she stepped over to her lover and took her simply into her arms. To hold her tight. To never let her go again. Although she knew too well that she had to.
And, did she like you, Ruka?
Haha. Guess she thought I was a guy, Michi-chan. They're all stupid brats.
Just like me?
Hm...
Come here, Ruka. There's no need of flirting any longer...
Haruka lowered her head and kissed her Michi-chan. With all her love. With all her passion. With all her despair. Feeling the slightly grown belly against her slim one. Knowing that she would never see this small child. Although she loved to.
I love you, Ruka.
I love you, too.
"I am sorry, Michi-chan. But I can't. There's no way to break the rules. To change the destiny."
Michiru hold her tight as she wanted to go again.
"No..." she whispered and kissed her again. Knowing that it was probably the last kiss they'd share.
Promise me to never leave you, Michi-chan. Please, promise...
Of course I promise, Ruka.
"Do you remember, Ruka? What I once promised you? That I'll never leave you." Michiru smiled suddenly and stroke through blonde strands to mess them. "I'll keep that promise. Whatever it'll cost."
"Michi..."
"Hush, honey." Michiru nodded determinedly and watched over to the Tenô family. "If you aren't able to come with me, then I'll stay with you."
The sea goddess kept smiling as she stroke over salty cheeks. Then she spreat her wings, too.
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Beep. Beep. Beep.
Beep...
"Shit!" cursed Dr. Taka and looked desperately at the young woman. Shortly she observed the different monitors and swallowed hard. "We have flat line!" she screamed and her assistants and nurses ran around the bed. To get all the injections done. "How could that happen?" She looked again at a pale face, stroke with icy hands over sea green curls. "She didn't have that illness!"
She swallowed hard and closed her eyes.
Beep...
We have to do something or she'll die.
Beep...
As she opened them again she stared for some seconds at the slightly grown belly. Of course she had known that Kaioh Michiru was pregnant. She told her that it had been her and Tenô Haruka's greatest dream. That they went to a hospital in the states and returned pregnant. With their own child. Dr. Taka didn't know that medicine was actually ready to do such things today. But so she had been even more convinced that it was her task to safe Haruka, to let her wake up again some day. To look at her own child. A child she probably would have never been able to get one day, even when she didn't have fell into coma after the successful operation.
Beep...
We have to give her all we have to safe her life.
Dr. Taka swallowed hard and hated it to make such terrible decisions. Knowing that the young violinist would hate her when she'd wake up again.
If she'd wake up again.
We have to safe her life. Even if that means killing her child.
Beep...
"Flat line! You know what that means!" she screamed and ripped open the strange top the young woman wore. "Let's begin."
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No...
Haruka stared in blank horror at her girlfriend's wings. They weren't as big as her own ones. And they didn't consist of soft feathers. But of broken pieces. Of clothes. Maybe even of plates. Dark cloths touched the sand and Haruka could see bloody bones under them.
She's still alive and tries to spreat her angel's wings...
No...
"Michiru! Go back! RIGHT NOW!" she yelled and everything spun around herself. She saw how her girlfriend gasped hard for breath. She hold her belly and stared in disbelieve at the blood that ran down her naked feet. Forming a small lake in the sand. A red lake.
"Michiru! Get now back! You're killing your child! You're killing our child when you don't wake up again!" Haruka ran towards her and hold her as the sea goddess went on her knees. "And you're killing yourself!"
"Never, Ruka. Not without you." Fear shone in deep blue eyes. Death fear. Michiru gasped hard for breath and the pain in her body seemed to torn her apart. "Never..." It was nothing but a quiet sob and she feared to faint. The whole world turned into darkness and she heard a high noise. A noise she had heard once again. Stopped by a miracle. But she knew that there won't be another miracle. Not today. Maybe never.
"Never..."
She raised her head and saw her pale Ruka kneeling over her. The sand disappeared. Now they knelt on cold, hard stone. The sea dried and the sun simply set. The sky was now grey and icy wind ran through their sailor fuku.
"Go, Michi-chan. Think of yourself. Please."
"But not without you. Don't you know that I love you too much to live without you?"
Haruka shook her head and hold her lover tighter as Michiru gasped again for breath.
"Do you love me enough to live for our children?" It was a shaky whisper and Michiru's eyes grew wide as she saw the shadow suddenly standing behind her Ruka. Holding an object in its hands. It looked a little bit like a scythe.
Saturn?
But she didn't know. She didn't see any face nor eyes. Only the black dress the shadow was wearing. It didn't move in the wild storm.
Is this heaven or is it hell?
More pain flashed through her body and she felt how she simply gave up.
"No, Michiru! Please! Go back!" Haruka sobbed and tried to defend her from the bitter cold. Her breath froze and she rocked the bleeding person in her arms tenderly. The person that meant the most in her life.
Michi-chan...
"Please, think of yourself and go. I'll always love you, darling. And I'll never forget you, honey. Never." Haruka begged and now she heard the high noise, too. It sounded threatening. "We'll see again, Michi-chan. Alike how long it'll take. Just live. For our children. And for us..."
Michiru opened her eyes and smiled sadly through her tears. Wincing hard in pain.
"Live..."
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"Nani? WHAT happened?" Makoto took Kei's shoulder and shook him wildly. "And she's wearing a strange costume? Like a sailor?"
"Hai..."
Kei and Yuri exchanged glances. Then the older woman walked over to the excited girl and tried to embrace her. To comfort her.
"I know, that it's hard for you, Mako, but..."
"Shit! Can't you see what she's trying! She's trying to find Ruka as Neptune. Over the connection that was set between them million of years ago!" shouted Makoto and started to tremble. She ignored the sad expressions on the other's faces. Ignored the sympathy in blue and dark eyes.
Beep...
The noise came out of the operation room. Right behind the glass door to the left.
Beep...
"Shit! Flat line!" That was Dr. Taka's voice.
Dr. Taka-san?
Makoto's eyes almost dropped as she realized what was going on.
"Dammed!" she cursed herself and simply pushed the handy in Kei's hands. "Call Usagi and tell her that we need her help. That she has to transform! And that she has to be here, quickly! Michiru's and Haruka's life depends on that!"
Without saying one more word Makoto turned around and raised her own henshin.
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Beep...
"It's so damn sad. Forgive me, Kaioh-san. Forgive me..." Dr. Taka pushed the injection into the arm and sighed deeply. This medicine could rescue the young woman's life. Just like it would kill her child.
"Gomen.."
"NO!" The door was pushed open and the next moment a strong hand grabbed her arm and pulled the injection away. The clear fluid ran over the blankets and dried there.
"What the hell..." The doctor looked concerned at the girl. Brown hairs hang over her shoulders and she gasped exhausted for breath. As if she'd run a long way. She wore a similar uniform as the dying young woman.
Beep...
"Step aside, girl! I have to safe her life! You can't simply intrude into my operation room and..."
Beep...
The door flung again open and there stood another girl. Her blonde hairs almost touched the ground and she seemed to float as she came over to the bed. Shortly she looked at the lifeless young woman and tears burned in light blue eyes. She wore a white dress and somehow Dr. Taka thought of her as a princess. A beautiful princess. A powerful princess.
"She's the only one who can safe herself." Declared the girl and raised something that looked like a sceptre. "But we're the ones to show her that she has indeed this power."
A sign glowed on her forehead. It looked like a half moon.
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Sailor Pluto winced hard on the desk and several books fell down.
Then she closed her eyes and concentrated.
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Sailor Mercury embraced Sailor Venus and hold her tight.
Then they closed their eyes and concentrated.
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Tuxedo Mask took a shivering Sailor Chibimoon on his lap and stroke over pink hairs.
Then they closed their eyes and concentrated.
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Little Hotaru screamed in her small bed for her auntie Setsuna who was next room to read some books she brought from library today. A shadow stepped over to her bed and smiled tenderly down at the small girl. The sign appeared brightly on two foreheads.
Then Hotaru closed her eyes and concentrated.
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Three shadows awoke and stared at the ceiling. Asking silently if they'd really heard the help scream. Or if they only dreamed it.
Then they closed their eyes again. But they couldn't return into sleep. Instead they concentrated, too.
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"Go, Michi-chan. Go and forget me!"
Haruka hold her lover tighter, then she let go and stepped backwards. Knowing that the shadow stood right behind her. To take her away. Together with the black wind playing with her suddenly fragile body.
"Ruka..."
Michiru sobbed quietly and felt how the pain disappeared. A light shone in the darkness and a figure stepped outside. Several shadows followed her. Princess Serenity blinked and swallowed hard as she saw the wings. The tears. The sorrow.
"Let's go home, Neptune." She said and stepped before the crying senshi of the wide ocean. "Come home. We need you."
"But Ruka... I ..." Michiru raised her head and Serenity sighed deeply as she saw the pain in them. Once she had promised herself never to let her friends suffer again. The cruel way they had to suffer millions of years ago. Just to safe her. In a crazy mission they failed.
"We need Sailor Uranus. Don't worry. She'll be with you again." Serenity smiled but Michiru cried even more.
I want her NOW. Not in ten years. Not in thousand years. When we're reborn again. If we'll be reborn again. If we'll meet each other again.
"Neptune..." Serenity stroke through short sea green hairs as if the senshi was a small child. "Neptune, believe me. Will you?"
Michiru nodded hesitantly and sobbed again. She saw how Serenity stretched her hand, saw how the other senshi stepped in a protective circle around them. Excluded out Uranus. Haruka who wrapped her arms around her suddenly weak body. Reeling slightly. Thinking so many things at one. Remembering so many pictures at once. Wishing so badly to keep living. Together with her Michi-chan.
The dark shadow stepped nearer behind her and she felt the bitter cold.
I love you, Michi-chan. For all times.
Haruka blinked away some tears and sighed deeply. And saw how her girlfriend smiled an unsure smile towards their princess.
"Trust me, Neptune." Serenity kept smiling. "Trust in your soul mate. And trust in you." She closed her eyes as their hands touched. As Michiru took Serenity's and hold it tight. Several lights broke the darkness and the senshi stepped nearer. Closed the circle. To help her back.
Ruka...
Michiru closed her eyes, too. She knew it was her will that would take her away from that darkness. She knew if she'd cry for stop now, Serenity and the senshi would go without her. Then she remembered a happy laughing Hotaru. A growing belly showing the first signs of her unborn child.
Ruka, I love you. Please follow me.
Ruka...
Haruka turned away as her girlfriend disappeared. Together with Serenity. To keep living. To be there for her children. And for herself.
"And now?" she whispered and looked at the dark shadow. Saw the scythe shinning although there was no sun on the grey sky. No moon. "What happens now?" Her parents were gone. Just like her brother.
She didn't want to die. She wanted to live. So badly.
"And now..." It was only a whisper and she swallowed hard as she saw the scythe above. How it was swung. How it met her.
The pain flashed through her whole body and she screamed out loud as she went on her knees. Feathers swirled through he air. Light feathers. White feathers. Now covered with blood. Her wings broke and fell aside. On the cold stone. Her whole body started to ache and it simply refused to move any longer. She gasped hard for breath and fell down. With spreat arms. Something seemed to pierce her and there was a light shinning through the darkness. A soft voice whispering tender words. Words she couldn't understand. She needn't understand. They sounded like a welcome.
Nani?
Her throat was dry and she wanted to scream as more pain flashed through her body. But she was too weak for. Simply too tired.
Nani?
Am I dying now? Is that the end? Will I simply disappear into nothing?
"No, you won't."
She didn't hear the soft voice as she simply closed her eyes. Nor did she feel how the shadow laid the scythe aside and laid down next to her. To embrace her. To hold her tight. Even after her fuku disappeared. Even after she disappeared herself.
"You'll stay with us."
The shadow smiled satisfied and hugged a little bit tighter.
dbdbdb
Beep...
Sailor Moon went on her knees and gasped hard for breath. Still holding the sceptre tight in her trembling hands.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
A happy smile appeared on her face. Now knowing that everything would be fine again.
dbdbdb
There was again that bright light. She groaned and finally it was taken away. She managed to open her eyes and groaned even more. The mattress was soft under her body, but she couldn't move her arms. Nor could she hardly bare the incredible pain.
Her view was blurred and it took her some moments until she focused the person standing next to her bed. In a small room she didn't know.
What happened?
Dr. Taka smiled at her and her eyes were slightly wet. She hold a tiny torch in her hands and the next moment Haruka felt soft hands stroking through her blonde hairs.
What happened?
She blinked and tried to smile back. But she couldn't. She could not move. Not talk. All she could do was to stay alive.
Alive...
Michi-chan...
Haruka closed her eyes.
How long have I been away? Have I been in coma? Or was the operation just some hours ago?
She didn't know. She couldn't ask. Her mind was dizzy and slowly. Her thoughts puzzled and she was suddenly very tired. Haruka simply enjoyed those soft touches. Like a mother's touch. Then she heard the silent voice above her. Teasing her. With a slight sob in it.
"I told you that twenty percent are a chance."
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A warm hand touched her own one. Raised it. She wanted to scream because of the pain flashing through her right arm. But she didn't. Not as she felt soft lips kissing her fingers.
Michi-chan?
She opened her eyes and looked right into sparkling blue ones. Saw tears shinning in them. Saw all the love that laid in that look. All the joy. All the gratitude.
Michi-chan...
"Good morning, my wild racer." Whispered Michiru and smiled tenderly into her lover's still tired face.
Morning?
She turned her head and looked outside the window. Saw the sun shinning through different trees. Coloured trees.
Is it autumn?
Haruka swallowed hard and looked again at her sea goddess. She wanted so badly to raise her hand to wipe away those tears that escaped her love's eyes. But she was still too weak to. Still.
"Dr. Taka-san calls you a miracle, darling. Just like all the nurses around. And even the newspaper." Michiru kissed again those fingers, felt how they moved slightly. Haruka was still connected to different drips. To different machines. But she was awake. All that counted. Dr. Taka spoke for a long time with her and told her that Haruka would need a long time to recover again. Maybe she would never be as strong as she had been before the operation. Maybe she would never become the world champion in the formula one again. Maybe she would hardly ever fight with them again as Sailor Uranus. But she was alive. She breathed. She looked at her. She smiled a thin smile. The most beautiful smile Michiru had ever seen. Haruka would be with her. In the future. With her and Himme-chan. And the little child.
"Don't you ever dare to terrify my again in such a way, Ruka." Michiru sighed deeply and squeezed the hand softly. "I love you, don't ya know?"
Haruka managed to smile and nodded slightly.
I love you, too, Michiru. I won't give up. Never. And I'll be with you. Just as I promised you.
She swallowed hard and wanted to talk. But only a undefinable sound escaped her soar throat.
"Hush, darling. Don't speak. Give your body a little bit more time until you're teasing me again." Whispered Michiru and leaned over the bed to kiss her. Lightly on the lips. Haruka closed her eyes for some seconds to enjoy that gently touch. As she opened them again they were full of tears, too.
I never wanted to leave you, Michi-chan. Never. Not you nor...
She lowered her gaze and looked for a long time at her lover's belly. She couldn't see much because Michiru wore a night dress. A white night dress. Just a similar one she wore herself.
Did she lay in hospital, too?
Haruka gulped and pictures came into her mind. Pictures of a crying Neptune who didn't want to let her go. Pictures of a screaming Neptune. Pictures of a bleeding Neptune.
Were they true? Or only a nightmare?
She didn't know. But Michiru seemed to understand as she saw the fear in dark green eyes. She had always understand Haruka with less words. The tall blonde didn't talk much, especially when they got to know each other.
"Don't worry, Ruka. Everything is alright with me. And with our little one." Michiru brought the now nice warm hand and placed it on her belly. Now Haruka could see that it was still grown under the shirt. That their child was still there. Sleeping tight in its mommy's womb. "And soon you'll be fine, too."
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