Here's the chapter for today. The last chapter was for yesterday. And there are only a couple more chapters left until the end. Sad, I know.
Go read this chapter for I will not be rambling!
Not mine...sadly...
Rei and the others ran up to Michiru as the geisha walked through the garden. "Is it true that you captured two members of the Black Moon Clan?" the priestess demanded.
Michiru nodded. "Where are they?" Minako demanded.
"Haruka took them away to interrogate them," Michiru answered.
"Serenity-sama agreed to that?" Setsuna inquired.
Michiru nodded. "She did. The look in Haruka's eyes…it was…frightening…"
"Haruka-poppa has had a hard life. She keeps her past to herself. She never says why though," Hotaru said.
"It is her place to say, not ours to guess," Setsuna said.
"What do we do until Haruka-san finishes with those two?" Makoto asked.
"We wait," Ami answered.
- - - - - - - - - -
Haruka glared at the two women in front of her, her teal eyes cold and hard. "Make it easy on yourself and tell me everything."
"Why should we tell you anything?" Beruche demanded.
Haruka pulled out her wakizashi and placed it on the table in front of her. "I had this chamber built special. Only I know where it is and how to get in and out. Your fellows won't be able to hear you scream."
"You're lying! The White Moon Clan doesn't torture its prisoners!" Koan shouted at her.
Haruka shrugged. "There are exceptions to every rule. I'm that exception." She took a sip of water and set the bowl back down on the table. "Let's start off easy. What are your names?" They remained silent and Haruka shook her head. "It's not that hard of a question. I'll start. My name's Uranus."
"We know who you are," Koan said.
"I don't think so," Haruka corrected. "Otherwise you'd be even more afraid of me than you are now. You see, I get very protective of Serenity-sama and her daughter. They've been like family to me and I'd do…just about anything for them. Even if it meant losing my honor in their eyes." She rose to her feet and picked up the sword on the table. "So I'll ask again, who are you?"
"We serve the Black Moon Clan," Beruche answered.
"Yes I know that. That tattoo on your head gives that away. I'm more interested in your names. I already know Petz. And the guy most likely is Crimson Rubeus. So that leaves you two and the other as mysteries."
"Find out for yourself!" Koan spat.
"I could always bring Saturn in here, but the one time I did that she was too soft." Haruka suddenly slammed the wakizashi into the stone, the blade piercing the stone an inch before it stopped. "I have no problem with taking my time in getting the information, but it can get a bit…messy."
Koan trembled in fear. "My name is…"
"Shut up!" Beruche ordered.
"She'll kill us both and not bat an eye about it!" Koan exclaimed.
"She won't kill us. She needs us alive," Beruche grinned.
"Actually, only one," Haruka smiled coldly. "And it seems your friend is more willing to talk, so why don't I just get rid of you?" Haruka pulled the sword free and pressed the blade against Beruche's throat.
"Beruche!" Koan cried. Haruka smiled and rose to her feet, removing the sword.
"Baka!" Beruche snapped.
"So that must make you Koan and the other one Calaveras. The Ayakashi Sisters, am I right?" the blonde asked. She chuckled softly. "So the Black Moon is starting to send its best after us…I think we can handle it."
"There are only seven of you mystical ninja. What makes you think you can stop all of us?" Beruche demanded.
Haruka shrugged. "Honestly we're growing tired of this feud. Serenity-sama wants peace and so do the rest of us. Can you honestly tell me you aren't tired of it as well?" the blonde questioned.
"We fight for our ancestors and what they believed in!" Koan said.
"But do you believe in it?" a voice asked. Serenity walked into the room and looked at the two women. "Do you believe that your leader should be made emperor? Do you really thing that will make things better?"
"Iie…" Koan whispered after a moment. "But what else can we do?"
"We have to follow orders…that's our life!" Beruche added.
Haruka turned away from them, silently agreeing and understanding them. "Everyone has a choice to make in their lives," the blonde whispered. She looked at them. "I know how it feels to follow orders." She glanced slightly at Serenity. "Sometimes it's the hardest thing I do, but I do it because I was given a chance to live here." She looked at the two sisters then stood behind Serenity.
"People can choose their own fate. The White Moon Clan has always been willing to live in peace with the Black Moon Clan," Serenity said. She turned and she and Haruka left.
- - - - - - - - - -
Michiru looked up as Haruka walked towards her, a small smile on the blonde's face. The geisha rose to her feet and returned Haruka's smile. "Get anything out of them?" she asked.
"Only who they are and that they're tired of this feud."
"So what'll be done with them?"
Haruka sighed. "Serenity-sama will most likely offer them a chance to live here in peace if they want it."
"Is that wise? They could betray the clan."
"I know, but sometimes risks like that work out for the best," Haruka said softly.
"You trust Serenity-sama with something like this? It could be a trap."
"True, but those from the Black Moon Clan who begged to live here have proven themselves time and again."
Michiru stared at the blonde. "Members of that clan have lived here?"
"Some still do," Haruka said quietly. "Is it a problem for you?"
"If you trust them, then I suppose I can to," she replied. "What do the others say about them?"
Haruka shrugged. "Most of the members go and live in the nearby towns, but the others accept them. They trust Serenity-sama's judgment."
"What do we do about the other three?" Michiru asked. Haruka nodded towards the front gate and Michiru turned. Setsuna along with the other four were dragging in Petz and Calaveras. "What about that man?"
"Serenity-sama wants me to go after him."
"Alone?" Michiru asked.
Haruka nodded. "You still to learn how to use your gift Michiru. To do that you need to stay here and train."
"Demo…what if something happens to you?" Michiru questioned.
"I've done more dangerous missions alone koi. But now I'll definitely be sure to return. I have the most beautiful woman in the world waiting for me," Haruka whispered, tenderly holding Michiru's face.
"Swear to me you will return," she requested. "Onegai…"
"I swear I will come back Michiru. You're my heart and my life." She gently kissed the smaller woman and held her tightly.
They heard someone clear their throat and turned. Taiki stood there, smiling faintly. "I was told to tell you everything's ready to go," he said to Haruka.
"Where are your two friends?" Haruka asked.
"Yaten's with Kakyuu-hime and Seiya's with…Serenity-hime," Taiki said.
"So he's the one she's in love with," Haruka murmured. She stared Taiki in the eye. "If he hurts her or breaks Kohime-chan's heart he's dead."
Taiki saw the dangerous protective look in her eyes and nodded. "Somehow I don't doubt that Tenno-san."
Haruka smiled and kissed Michiru one last time. "I'll be back. I swear it." She turned and headed for the stables.
Taiki and Michiru watched her leave. "Tenno-san's very protective."
"Yes she is," Michiru agreed. "But it's only because she cares." Taiki nodded in understanding.
- - - - - - - - - -
Haruka calmly trotted through the forest, her ears and eyes alert for any danger. Two days had passed since she had left the castle and she had not found any sign of Rubeus. She took a small drink of water when a throwing star implanted itself in the waterskin. She dropped the bag and leapt off the horse, landing easily on her feet. She pulled the katana free and scanned the trees.
Rubeus came out of the tree line, a cold smile on his face. "So you're Uranus," he said in a bored voice.
"That I am," Haruka replied. "Facing me one on one?"
"I can take you easily boy," he snapped and rushed in. Haruka dove out of the way of his wild slash and rolled to her feet. She spun around and slashed the back of his legs. He cried out in pain and staggered to his knees.
"Is this what you call taking me easily?" Haruka smirked. Rubeus lunged to his feet and sliced Haruka in the leg. She grunted softly in pain but managed to stay standing. "Not bad." He staggered in again but Haruka dodged him, slicing his hand. He was forced to drop the sword and he fell to his knees.
He glared up at her, hatred burning in his eyes. "Your clan shall fall Uranus!" He started to say more when a shuriken seemed to grow out of his neck, causing his words to become garbled. He fell to the ground, dead.
Haruka warily looked around the forest. She let out a small cry of pain when something struck her in the left side of her neck. She pulled it out and saw a small dart in her hand. Her vision blurred and she fell to her knees. She looked up as a tall figure came into view. Before she could see the figure's face, she fell forward, unconscious from the dart.
- - - - - - - - - -
Water dripped down on dirty blonde hair. The figure slowly stirred and lifted her head. Haruka tried to move her arms but the clinking of metal met her ears. She opened her eyes and lifted her head, still groggy from the effects of the dart. She immediately saw that her arms were extended and chained between two solid stone pillars. She was kneeling down on a cold stone floor. Haruka looked around at her dank surroundings and let out a slow breath.
Footsteps met her ears and she looked up as several figures descended the flight of stone steps. The lead figure, dressed in white and a purple cape, halted several feet from Haruka. His silver white hair glinted in the torchlight. To his left was a woman with long green hair dressed in a dark green kimono, green jewels decorating the silk and woman's wrists and neck. On the man's right was a slightly younger looking man with dark blue hair. He wore baggy white pants and a dark midnight blue jacket. Each had a black, inverted crescent moon on their foreheads. The final figure stood in the shadows, preventing Haruka from seeing who it was.
"So this is the mighty Uranus," the man in white smirked. Haruka remained silent, not rising to the man's bait. "Do you know who I am?" Haruka made a big show of yawning and looking bored. This caused the man to laugh. "Just what I expected from you Uranus." He suddenly grabbed her head and forced her to look at him. "I am Demando, ruler of the Black Moon Clan!" he hissed. Haruka stared into the dark eyes of the Black Moon leader. He shoved her head away and turned away from her, the cloak billowing with the movement. "It would prove wise of you to remember." He turned back to her. "Now what is your real name?"
Haruka remained silent and the woman struck the blonde across the face with her fan. The White Moon ninja glared at her but said nothing. "Answer Demando-sama!" she ordered in a somewhat shrill voice. Haruka remained silent and the woman struck her again. The blonde yawned again, knowing it would irritate them. The woman raised her hand to strike Haruka again.
"Enough Esmeraudo," Demando ordered. He smiled at Haruka. "You do live up to your reputation Uranus."
"Are we even sure this is Uranus?" Safiel asked.
Demando smiled. "A valid point Safiel." The Black Moon leader walked around behind Haruka and pulled her violently to her feet. He tore off her right sleeve, revealing the symbol of Uranus on her arm. "There's your proof." He shoved her down to her knees and walked back in front of her. "Now what's your real name?" Haruka didn't reply. Demando's face darkened and he viciously grabbed her hair, pulling her head back. "It would prove wise of you to answer me." In way of reply, Haruka spat in his face and grinned. He slammed his fist into her face. Her smile vanished and she spat a glob of blood to the side. She felt her split lip with her tongue and spat again to the side.
"Tell us who you are," Safiel ordered. "Or we will take more drastic measures."
"My name is Uranus," Haruka said.
"We know it isn't the name you were born with. That's the name we want," Safiel said reasonably. "Onegai."
Haruka looked at him and realized he was trying to prevent her from being killed. She smiled faintly. "I've already told you my name. Any name before that is dead."
"I have no qualms about beating the information I want from you," Demando informed her. "Just tell me what I want to know."
"I'll die before I betray my clan," she growled. "So just go ahead and get it over with. You won't get a damn thing from me."
"So it seems," Demando agreed. "Safiel."
The younger man nodded and stepped in front of Haruka. "Gomen," he whispered. She frowned when he suddenly grabbed her hair and pulled it back hair. Haruka kept her mouth close. Esmeraudo forced her mouth open by squeezing her cheeks. Safiel uncorked a small bottle he produced from his pocket and poured the contents into her mouth and down her throat. Her mouth was forced closed and they held her nose. Haruka tried to spit the liquid out but couldn't. It trickled down her throat and she was forced to swallow. Safiel and Esmeraudo backed away. The blonde sagged heavily in the chains as her vision wavered and doubled. She tried to focus her eyes but her mind was growing fuzzier by the second. Demando lifted her head up.
"Safiel is quite good at mixing various herbs," he informed her.
"What…did you…do to…me?" she slurred.
"It's a compound I developed that forces a person to tell the truth," Safiel said.
"What is your real name you were given at birth?" Demando demanded. Haruka shut her eyes and shook her head. "Kotaeru!"
"Ten…no…Haruka…" she whispered.
Demando slammed his fist into her head. "Tenno Haruka? That's impossible! She died along with her father!" Blood dripped from the cut above her right eye. "I thought you said that stuff would work Safiel."
"It does," he persisted.
"Then why does he claim to be Tenno Haruka?" Demando snapped.
"Perhaps because she is Tenno Haruka," the figure said, stepping into view. She had long, dirty blonde hair, wore a dark blue kimono, and had cold teal eyes.
Haruka blinked away the blood that fell in her eye and looked up. Her eyes widened and she shook her head. "You're dead…you're dead…" she whispered.
- - - - - - - - - -
Michiru sighed and stared out of the window. The rain was coming down hard, limiting visibility. She bowed her head and absently fingered the tanto Haruka had given her a few weeks ago.
"Michiru-san, daijoubu?" Minako asked, sensing the geisha's worry.
"I'm worried about Haruka. She should have been back by now," Michiru said.
"Rubeus may have fled," Rei suggested.
"I don't think he would have," Ami said. "Not from what Petz and the others have told us."
"They may still be loyal to the Black Moon Clan though," Makoto pointed out.
"True, but Michiru-san's right. Haruka-san would have sent a message to us by now," Setsuna said.
"So the question is, why hasn't she?" Minako figured.
Michiru looked back out of the window. Hotaru rested a comforting hand on her shoulder. Michiru turned and smiled at Hotaru. "Haruka-poppa will be all right Michiru-momma," she said.
Michiru nodded. I hope so… she prayed.
- - - - - - - - - - -
The woman with long blonde hair knelt down in front of Haruka, a cold smile on her face. "Hello musume."
"You died…" Haruka whispered.
"Several members of the Clan found me and saved my life. I had hoped they had found you as well, but they never did…until now."
Haruka stared at the symbol on her mother's forehead. "You're…not…my mother…" she snapped, her vision blurring.
"It seems the White Moon Clan has turned you into a loyal servant Haruka," Demando commented. He looked at her mother. "Kairen, however, has remained loyal to her true Clan."
"The White Moon Clan…is my…true clan…" Haruka growled. She glared at Demando. "I'll…kill you…"
Demando snorted and viciously backhanded her. "I think not Haruka." He hauled her to her feet and stared her in the eye. "Did you forget where you come from? Where you truly learned how to fight? How to kill? Who you truly are?"
"Iie…" she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Did you forget to whom you first swore your undying loyalty to?" he demanded.
The tears began falling from her eyes. "Iie…"
"Who did you swear your loyalty to first?" he asked. She began sobbing. "Kotaeru!" he shouted.
She bowed her head. "To…you and…the Black Moon Clan…"
He smiled in victory and released her. She sank to the ground, only being held up by the chains. "You will serve us again Haruka. Mark my words."
"You've a duty to it," Kairen added. The four turned and began walking away.
Haruka's eyes hardened and she hauled herself to her feet. She violently yanked the chains, glaring at the four. They stopped and looked back at her. "I'll die before I serve you again!" she shouted. She pulled against the chains again, her face a mask of rage. "Do you hear me?" she yelled.
Demando curled his lip and walked up the steps, the others following. Safiel looked at Haruka for a brief moment before following the others. "I do not think she will serve you willingly Demando-sama," Kairen said.
"I figured as much." The leader looked at his younger brother. "Can you come up with something that will erase her memory of the past several years?"
Safiel saw the determined look in his brother's eyes and nodded. "I can."
"Do it. Now," Demando ordered continued down the hall as Safiel headed for his workshop. He walked inside the slightly cluttered room and closed the door. He sat down and rested his left elbow on a table as he held his head in his hand. Sighing, he pulled out several rolls of paper and spread them out, looking at the writing and making a few notes on a fresh sheet of paper.
Japanese Word Guide:
Kohime-chan: Little Princess.
Onegai: Please.
Musume: Daughter
I admit that not even I was planning on having Haruka being an original member of the Black Moon Clan; it just kinda happened that way.
So? Was it a fun unexpected chapter? Drop me a review please! I like reviews. They make me happy!