As I said last chapter, I've no idea on how long this is gonna be. That path for the ending of this story just got a major twist thanks to Soleil-Lune's review. So expect a major twist in the chapter after this one...and in this one...
Moving on!
I still don't own Sailor Moon or the rights. I do own a bokken though...
Dozo minna-san!
Last time...
Haruka finished saddling the horse and swung up onto the animal's back. "Why should I stay someplace I'm hated?" Her words left Michiru speechless. "Be out of here by spring Kaioh-san. Otherwise my fellows might kill you." She turned her head and ignored the ache in her heart and the tears that slid from her green eyes. She let out a sharp cry to the horse and it lunged forward into a gallop.
Michiru stared after the blonde, unable to stop the tears from falling. "Haruka!" Michiru cried but the blonde was gone. She sank to her knees, holding her face in her hands as she sobbed. "Baka…baka…" she swore at herself. What have I done?
A pair samurai and a geisha followed after a servant. They could see cherry blossoms beginning to bloom through the windows. The servant led them through the ornate halls and to a large receiving room where nearly a dozen figures were kneeling. The servant gave the woman with platinum hair a deep bow and hurried out. The two samurai knelt down and the geisha knelt down behind them.
"What brings the Emperor's dignitaries to my clan's home?" the woman asked, a tattoo of a golden crescent moon on her forehead. Behind her was a young blonde girl with the same tattoo.
"The Divine Emperor sends his greetings to the Moon Clan and his thanks in the protecting of his people," the older of the samurai said with a bow.
"So you come with a new assignment?" the woman asked.
"Iie Serenity-sama," the samurai said. "We were only sent with the payment."
Serenity nodded. "Freeing the land of corruption needs no payment, but we will humbly accept the Divine Emperor's payment." A young woman wearing an elegant kimono and blonde hair hurried in and went to Serenity's side. She whispered something in the woman's ear and the soft eyes hardened. The blonde bowed and went quickly to one side, kneeling down.
"Is there a problem Serenity-sama?" the younger samurai asked.
"A clan matter," Serenity said, rising to her feet.
"Might we be able to help in anyway as a show of faith?" the older samurai offered with a bow.
"If you wish to watch," Serenity said. The others kneeling around Serenity rose to their feet. The two samurai and geisha did as well. The geisha stared at the people of the Moon Clan, not recognizing any of them as Haruka. Michiru suppressed a sigh and followed after her two escorts. She had spent the last year looking for the blonde as she made her return as a geisha, but it seemed that Haruka had vanished.
They were led outside and over to what looked like a training area. They halted in front of a ring where over a dozen mats were and all knelt down. Several men came out from a small building, dragging a figure behind them. Another set of men came out with a large wooden cage and pulled it over the ring. The figure was roughly thrown into the cage and a large, burly man walked in, a pair of shuko on his hands.
The figure stood, disheveled dirty blonde hair glinting in the sun. The black hakama pants were tattered and torn in several places and the dark blue gi jacket's sleeves were all but ripped off. Dirty bare feet supported the figure. Several bruises and cuts marred the figure's face.
Serenity rose to her feet and the man in the cage with the figure bowed. "Tenno Haruka. You abandoned your duties and your clan over a year ago. Justice will be served this day."
Michiru stared in shock at the figure. "It…couldn't be…" she whispered quietly.
"Sumimasen, demo…what's going on?" the younger samurai asked a blue haired woman next to him.
"Tenno-san left the clan after a mission over a year ago. Without permission. This is the punishment."
Haruka looked at the man and snorted in contempt. "Let's go ugly," she growled. She blocked the first few of his attacks but he suddenly backhanded her, the metal of the shuko splitting her skin. She crashed to the ground and laughed. "Pathetic!"
"Is Tenno-san crazy?" the young samurai asked.
"No," a brown haired woman said, her hair tied back. "Tenno-san just doesn't care if she lives or dies anymore."
"How do you know?" the older samurai inquired.
"I was the one who found her lying in a gutter," the brown haired woman answered. "She was singing an old tragic love song."
Guilt ripped through Michiru. She helplessly stared at the cage as the man continued to beat Haruka. The blonde grunted in pain as she was shoved against the wooden bars and slid to the ground, her eyes barely open.
"Sensei, shouldn't we stop this?" the young samurai whispered.
"This is their way," the other replied. "We've no right to interfere." Michiru turned her head away and he saw. "Are you all right?"
"The sounds are…disturbing to me," Michiru said.
"Serenity-sama, would it be possible for us to somehow…have music play? Our companion is not fairing as well as we," the older samurai requested.
Serenity looked at the geisha and saw the faint sick look in the sea blue eyes. "Has she brought an instrument with which to play?"
"Hai Serenity-sama," Michiru said with a bow.
A servant came forward carrying a wooden case. He set it down and Michiru opened it. She pulled out the shamisen Haruka had given her and began to play it. After a few chords she began singing softly, her eyes closed as she played.
Haruka forced her eyes opened and saw a geisha playing a shamisen. The geisha's soft voice reached her and the blonde was flooded with warmth. The eyes of the geisha opened and locked onto Haruka's. The blonde ninja stared into the sea blue eyes of Michiru. The geisha's eyes were full of sorrow and love. Haruka barely kept the tears from her eyes and the smile from her face. Michiru nodded faintly.
Haruka's eyes hardened suddenly and she back rolled away from the man to her feet. She tore off her sleeves to her shirt and used them to wipe the blood off her face. She tossed them to the side and calmly watched her opponent. He rushed in. Haruka leapt up and grabbed onto the cage roof, her body parallel to the ground. She swung down and slammed her palms into a horizontal bar. The piece of wood cracked off and she pulled it inside the cage, twirling it expertly.
"Something's different Mother," the blonde with the crescent moon tattoo said.
"Serenity-hime's right," a raven haired woman in a miko outfit agreed. "Tenno-san's attacks are more focused."
"She's more focused," a woman said, her dark green hair hanging down her back. Her garnet eyes shifted to the geisha. "Almost as if those two share a connection."
Haruka slammed the make-shift staff into her opponent's head. The piece of wood shattered and the man fell to the ground. Haruka grabbed the man and threw him into the door of the cage. It fell open and the blonde limped out. Michiru had stopped playing and stared at the blonde. The geisha was barely able to keep from throwing herself into the blonde's arms.
The elder Serenity rose to her feet. "You know the laws of the clan."
"I know, and I accept my fate," Haruka said. "But I also am allowed a final request, am I not?"
Serenity nodded. "Name it."
Haruka wiped some blood from her face and looked at Michiru, her teal eyes soft. The geisha rose to her feet and ran to the blonde. She threw her arms around the lithe woman and held her tightly. Haruka grunted slightly but she was smiling. "I never should have let you leave Haruka! I'm so sorry," Michiru whispered.
Haruka smiled. "I may have physically left, but my heart remained with you," she returned softly. "I'm glad I got to see you one final time."
Michiru looked up at Haruka. "Demo…"
Haruka shook her head. "I have to obey the laws Michiru. I made the mistake of leaving and now I have to pay for it."
The young Serenity turned to her mother. "Can't we forgive Haruka-san?"
"The law is clear in this case daughter. Tenno-san left without our leave and must be punished accordingly."
"Demo…" the young blonde began but the woman with the garnet eyes rested a hand on the princess's shoulder.
Haruka smiled at Michiru and kissed her softly. "I am with you always…koi." She limped forward and knelt down, her head bowed. "I am ready Serenity-sama."
"Setsuna," Serenity said.
The woman with dark green hair bowed and picked up a katana. She walked to the kneeling ninja. "Sumimasen Haruka-san." Haruka nodded and Setsuna stood behind the blonde, silently praying to the gods for a miracle. Michiru suddenly rushed forward and stood in the way. "Stand aside geisha," Setsuna ordered.
Michiru shook her head. "Michiru, do it," Haruka said calmly.
"I'm the reason you left. They can punish me for it," Michiru said firmly, not backing down.
"You are not a member of the clan geisha," Serenity said. "You are not bound by our laws or the consequences for breaking those laws."
"I don't care. I won't watch the person I love die just because I was afraid of who she was and pushed her away," Michiru said. "If Haruka dies…I die."
Silent tears fell from Haruka's eyes. "Haruka," Serenity said in a stern voice. The blonde raised her head. "Would you die for this woman as she seems so intent to do for you?" the clan leader asked.
"A thousand times if need be," Haruka answered. "But my duty is first to the clan. I made an oath."
"You also have a duty to your heart," Serenity reminded her. "A path that you apparently tried to follow as best you could, but stumbled on." She walked to Haruka and stopped in front of her. "You have already lived out your punishment Haruka. Living without love is a punishment no one should live with." Haruka looked up at her leader, her eyes betraying her hope. Serenity smiled softly and offered her hand. Haruka took it slowly and rose to her feet. "A warrior may be forgiven if the reason for their abandonment is honorable. Love is honorable my wind ninja."
Haruka bowed deeply. "Domo arigatou gozaimasu!" she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. She straightened, a small smile on her face. Serenity smiled and barely nodded her head. In a flash the ninja was holding Michiru tightly and vice versa.
"I take it we'll be having a permanent guest then," Setsuna jibed.
"Ami-san, make sure Haruka-san is still in one piece," Serenity ordered. The blue haired woman bowed and walked to the two lovers. "Rei-san, fetch the healers to help." The priestess bowed and hurried inside.
Setsuna looked the blonde over. "I'd also suggest a bath Serenity-sama."
Haruka opened her mouth to reply when her eyes suddenly narrowed as a strong wind blew. She snatched the katana from Setsuna's hand and hurled it at the younger Serenity. The weapon flew past the stunned girl and struck something behind her. The tip of the blade imbedded itself in the tree. Setsuna and Ami, along with the other three women there surrounded the mother and daughter, weapons appearing in their hands. The two samurai had drawn their blades and moved over to Michiru and Haruka.
Several figures dropped out of the trees and glared at the group, the mottled clothing they wore making them harder to see against the foliage. "Thanks for leading us here Tenno," one sneered.
"You betrayed us?" the brown haired girl demanded.
Michiru reached inside the sleeve of her kimono and pulled out a pair of throwing knives. She pressed several into Haruka's hand. "Never go anywhere without a weapon. Isn't that what you taught me?" the geisha whispered.
Haruka smiled. "It is," she agreed just as quietly. Her cold gaze shifted to the other ninja. She limped forward and glared at them. "Had I known you were following me, I would have made more of an attempt to hide."
The other ninja's hand suddenly shot out, white powder flying from his hands. Haruka shut her eyes and threw a dagger, hitting the ninja in the throat. The other four ninja moved in. Michiru hurled a dagger at a ninja, striking him in the arm. The older samurai moved in and finished the man off. Setsuna, Ami, and the others easily dispatched the remaining three ninja.
Haruka opened her eyes and smiled. "I'd never betray my clan…" she murmured. She fell forward, her injuries and exhaustion finally catching up with her.
"Haruka!" Michiru cried.
Ami rushed over and checked for a pulse. "She's alive." Ami looked up at Serenity. "She will need to rest for at least a month."
Serenity nodded and looked at Michiru. "I take it you shall be staying with us."
Michiru bowed. "I would be honored to if you'll allow me."
"Of course we will," Serenity said.
- - - - - - - -
Haruka opened her eyes, her entire body sore and stiff. The blonde tried to sit up but was barely able to lift her head off of the bed. She fell back down and glared at the ceiling. She couldn't remember much of what had happened in the previous days. She just knew she had had a nice dream about Michiru coming to her rescue. Haruka smiled and closed her eyes, forming a picture of the geisha's face in her mind. A tear slid from her eye and she sighed. She heard a door open and laid perfectly still.
A cool damp cloth was placed on her forehead. The covers were pulled back and a gentle hand carefully removed the bandages on Haruka, replacing them with clean ones. Once done, the owner of the hands replaced the blanket and bent over Haruka. The blonde inhaled and a soft scent of the sea invaded her nose. Fingers brushed the hair from the blonde's face and a soft kiss was planted on her lips.
"I love you Haruka," a soft voice whispered.
The blonde's eye shot open and she stared at Michiru. "Michi…Michiru?" she whispered, not believing her eyes.
The aqua haired woman smiled at the blonde. "Hai."
"It…it wasn't a dream…" Haruka whispered in relief. She tried to move and let out a groan of pain.
Michiru smiled and held Haruka's hand. "You've been unconscious for nearly a week. Ami-chan and the healers were beginning to get worried…so was I."
"Gomen," Haruka murmured.
"It's all right. You're here now." She glanced briefly at the floor before returning her gaze to the blonde. "What happened?"
"About the trial?"
Michiru shook her head. "To you. After you left that house near Gion. Mako-chan said you've been gone for nearly a year."
Haruka turned her head away from Michiru. "It's not something I'm proud of." She felt Michiru squeeze her hand and she looked at the geisha.
"I'm sorry I made you leave. I just…I was told for as long as I can remember that the Moon Clan is evil," Michiru said.
Haruka chuckled softly. "Which Moon Clan?"
"Nani?"
"There are actually two Moon Clans. This is the White Moon Clan," Haruka said. Summoning her strength Haruka pushed herself up into a sitting position, panting slightly after she had achieved her goal. "The other clan…they're not exactly fans of the Emperor. They're the ones actually causing most of the corruption in the land."
"Does this other clan have a name?" Michiru asked.
Haruka nodded. "They're known as the Black Moon Clan. I bet you anything those ninja that attacked us at the safe house and followed me here were part of that clan," Haruka said.
"Demo…why do they hate the Divine Emperor so much?"
The blonde shrugged. "We don't know too much about them. And I don't want to say more."
"Doushite?"
"It's not your job to fight them. It's my job and a job Setsuna and Hotaru help me with. The other four focus on protecting Serenity-sama and Serenity-hime, but they occasionally lend a hand if we need it."
Michiru looked Haruka in the eye. "I lost you once Haruka. I am not losing you again. I'm going wherever you go."
They heard a soft laugh and turned to see Setsuna in the doorway. "She sounds like you Haruka-san," Setsuna smiled, walking in. She set a tray of food down and rose back to her feet.
"I won't let her soil her hands in blood," Haruka said.
"It's my choice Haruka," Michiru said.
The blonde frowned and looked sharply at Michiru, then to Setsuna. "Serenity-sama gave her permission to join the Clan," Setsuna said.
"Michiru!" Haruka exclaimed.
"It's my life Haruka," Michiru said. "If this is the only way I can stay with you then so be it."
"I didn't want this for you…"
Setsuna silently slipped out of the room. "Can you honestly tell me that a part of you isn't happy about my joining?" Michiru demanded.
Haruka bowed her head, knowing that the geisha was right. "I'm not worth that Michiru," she whispered.
Michiru tilted the blonde's head up. "You are to me." She kissed the ninja. Haruka closed her eyes, slipping a loose arm around Michiru's waist. They pulled apart and looked at each other. "Now, tell me about this…Black Moon Clan."
Haruka smiled and laughed softly. "You're good at interrogations Michiru." Michiru smiled innocently and the blonde shook her head. "It's a bit of a long story and…" she glanced down at her uncooperative legs and continued, "I don't think I'll be going anywhere anytime soon." Michiru got into a comfortable position and Haruka took a sip of water before beginning.
Japenese of the chapter:
Iie: No
-chan, -san, -sama: Honorifics used. -chan is most commonly used among friends, mainly for females. -san is used for those older than you or those you hold in respect. -sama is only used for those in a high position, like a Prime Minister or the Emperor. NOTE: It's rare for two people to not use an honorific when talking to someone, which was why in the BSSM Super episode "A Beautiful Boy? Secret of Tenno Haruka" Usagi and Minako made such a big deal about it when Haruka and Michiru didn't use honorifics when talking about each other.
Hakama pants: Very baggy pants worn by the samurai and other martial artists to help hide leg movements and to give them the appearance of floating.
Sensei: Teacher, master, etc.
Hime: Princess
So? Was this chapter okay? I hope so. I had a little trouble in writing it but I got it done, so yay! The next chapter will delve a little into the Moon Clans' past (Black and White). Hope you all like it! Until then, feel free to drop me a review! Reviews make me happy.