Chapter 13

A truth revealed

When Michiru awoke she was in her night clothes, and the bed was cold by her side. Haruka hadn't sleep. She slowly remembered the last night events and shivered at the thought of it. She got up and dressed herself with a dress she could handle easily. Haruka preferred one. Then she took Hotaru and went to the practicing room. She knew that if she didn't convince Haruka to renounce, Hotaru would. But she was wrong.

« Haruka… Please don't do this. We could just run away, just Hotaru, you and me…»

« The duel is set within three hours. I will kill this man. Don't tell me you do not wish to see him dead? »

« Ruka… Don't say such thing in front of our daughter. »

« Sorry. But I won't be satisfied before having my sword performing him. »

Haruka hit a bag with her sword with violence.

« You should listen to your wife. She is right. Run away before it's too late. » said a woman behind them. They returned to see who it was. A dark-green haired woman was standing behind them, wearing a strange outfit; it was white and dark-green. Michiru had never seen such a short skirt… She recognized Setsuna at first sight.

« Setsuna! What is this? And why… »

« Yesterday you didn't listen, don't make this error twice. Hotaru dear, come here. »

Hotaru tended her small hands in the direction of Setsuna. Michiru mechanically handed her the baby. She covered her mouth as she saw a symbol gleaming on her forehead as Setsuna took her in her arms.

« I am Sailor Pluto. And this is Sailor Saturn. She awakened; it means that troubles are coming. I come from the future; I know what those troubles are. You must awake before it's too late. In the future from where I come from you didn't because Uranus died. »

« Setsuna? Are you possessed? This outfit… And the strange things you are saying… No one can come from the future… » said Haruka.

« Who's this Uranus you sentenced to death? » asked Michiru, afraid because she knew the answer.

« You know it perfectly well, Neptune. You'd better follow me. To awake you'll need to face the enemy, but it is not located in this country. The four of us must leave for Japan. »

« Japan? Are you mad? We have our lives here and this stuff doesn't interest us, you are just mad. » yelled Haruka.

« Haruka… She may be right. I don't want you to die… Even if you win the duel, they'll kill you; this king is as respected as god himself. »

« Your honour is worth my life Michiru. »

« What? My honour? And what do you think your life is worth to me? I won't let you die! »

Pluto knew the fight was lost, she knew Haruka Tenoh for long enough, since the beginning of times, in other planets, she had always been stubborn, and she had always fought for Michiru. They had been lovers since the beginning. In every life, fate made that they met. The other senshis had difficulties in finding themselves, the hardest was finding the princess, but those two had always joined first. Now Pluto knew that when she found one, the other wasn't far. It was amazing.

« Ok so go and get yourself killed. I take Hotaru with me. Don't worry I bring her somewhere safe. Believe me this place won't be safe for long and you'll have others problems soon. »

Pluto disappeared with the baby. Michiru hadn't the time to react. But she wasn't worried, she trusted Setsuna even if she was confused by the new information she just received. Haruka hit her fist on the wall.

« Damn! »

« Haruka… you'll be killed! »

Michiru began to cry then she grabbed Haruka.

« Don't go, please! Don't leave me! »

« I must, Michi. And I won't die. I promise I'll always come back to you. »

Haruka caressed her wife's face and kissed her lovingly.

« Stop crying now… I'm fed up with practicing… We've got about two hours before leaving… You may give me some courage and strength. »

Haruka let her hand travel from Michiru's back to her chest and the other to her butt… She addressed her a look full of desire.

« Haruka… Something's wrong with your mind? Someone stole our baby and just tell you that you'll be killed in three hours, but your only thought is… »

« It's Setsuna, Hotaru isn't stolen… I trust her, I don't know why… and you'll regret it… If I'm killed… You'll pass the rest of your life regretting not having accepting my last request. »

« Haruka! That's not funny… And stop letting your hands… well… O… Okay…»

« You put the ideal dress… Easy to get off… I knew it was a good idea to buy it.»

Haruka had managed to pull her hand in a place she knew Michiru was sensitive… At the girl's last words she got rid of the dress and leaned her on the very thick carpet she used to fall when she practiced with an opponent.

« You always do this when you want to win a fight with me! »

« If I didn't you would always win! And it's the most pleasant way I know to win a fight with you… besides there was no fight… I just wanted you. »

« The fight was first about the fact I don't want you to duel, then because I wasn't in the mood for… Hey! »

Haruka wasn't paying attention to her words and was kissing her face, neck and breasts with passion. Her fingers had just slid into Michiru's sex again.

« Not in the mood, you said? I find you are pretty 'in the mood' honey… »

« Considering what you are doing how couldn't I? I am naked, on a carpet and you are on top of me kissing me… »

Haruka looked at Michiru, she pulled off shirt, bandages, trousers and underwear very quickly before leaning again on the turquoise haired girl. For a moment, Michiru was forgetting about the duel, the king, Haruka's death… Her thoughts were turned to how attractive was her wife and how she loved her. An hour later, she leaned naked against Haruka's body, hoping it wasn't the last time.

The trip to the palace was very silent. Michiru was embracing Haruka tightly and Haruka's father looked very worried. When they arrived at the palace; Michiru was asked to leave Haruka, which resulted very difficult. At the end they had to let her stay while Haruka prepared. Michiru kissed her with passion.

« Come back to me! Promise! »

« I won't let him win. I'll always come back to you, whatever the way. »

Haruka kissed her again and again till someone came to tell her she had to go in the arena of the duel: the large ground in front of the palace. Michiru had been reserved a special seat, the king had insisted on the point that she would have to see everything, she would have to see her 'husband' dying in awful suffering. Michiru's face was white as milk when she sat and watched Haruka, standing proudly, her sword in hand. She gestured over Michiru who sent her a kiss. The whole court was present, and the king arrived. He had pulled on his best suit and his sword was made of gold. After some polite words exchanged, they engaged the duel. At first, Haruka seemed to loose, but Michiru knew she was making fun of her opponent. She was worried nonetheless; the king didn't give all neither. Haruka finally engaged more fiercely, the king as well and the real fight began. The king was very good, Haruka was excellent. But the king wasn't very honest…

« So… How's your dear wife this morning? You shouldn't have interrupted; she would have known a real man… She didn't resist… »

« You forced her you old pervert. My wife is mine and only mine. She doesn't need a 'real man' since she has me. I'll prove you I'm a 'real man' if it's what you want! »

Haruka became fiercer. But Michiru worried, her movements were strengthened by anger but also less tidy and smart, she hit more but with less thinking and flexibleness, she was loosing her temper and it made her sword blind… So she made her first and fatal error. She let enough space for the king to make a cut on her chest. Michiru placed a hand on her mouth and got up. She saw Haruka fall on her back. Was she hurt? Was it the end?

« Haruka! NO! » yelled Michiru, tears beginning to run down her cheeks.

Suddenly she realised that Haruka wasn't bleeding. The whole crowd held its breath, the king looked horrified.