Here is the second to last chapter of the story. I probably could have combined this chapter and the next chapter, but I opted not to.
Moving right along...
I am not Naoko Takeuchi so therefore I do not own Sailor Moon or any of its affiliated characters. But Kairen I do own. She was created for the sole purpose of this story.
Dozo minna-san!
Haruka heard a door open and footsteps on stone. She remained on her knees, her head bowed. The footsteps stopped and Haruka could see a pair of loose white pants in her line of sight. The owner of the pants knelt down and Safiel lifted Haruka's head. She stared at him with hate-filled eyes.
"Haruka-san please, just serve my brother," he pleaded softly.
Part of Haruka wanted to agree so she could be released. She had remained in the cold, stone dungeon for nearly a week and was weak from hunger and thirst. She licked her parched lips and opened her mouth to agree when Michiru's face appeared before her eyes and smiled. "Michiru…" she choked out. Safiel frowned at the name and Haruka shook her head in reply to his plea.
Safiel sighed. "Can you at least tell me if Petz is all right?" She barely nodded her head and he smiled faintly. He pulled out a small vial of water. "Drink…I swear on my honor that it's clean." He pulled off the stopper and carefully poured the contents into her mouth.
Haruka felt the cool liquid rush down her throat. She looked at Safiel, the hate in her eyes diminished. "Arigatou," she whispered. He nodded and began walking away. He paused as he heard her singing. He frowned and looked down at her. He recognized it at a tragic love song. He turned and continued up the steps, wondering as to why Haruka was singing the song.
- - - - - - - - - -
Serenity looked at the seven kneeling before her, the three escorts of Kakyuu in the back of the room. "It seems that Haruka-san has been captured," she said. "We just received the message this morning."
"What can we do?" Michiru asked immediately.
"Nothing," Serenity answered.
"Nani?" the geisha demanded angrily.
"I cannot and will not risk more of you being captured," Serenity said. "We don't even know where exactly she is being held."
"The sisters can tell us!" Michiru said. "We can't just abandoned Haruka like this!" she shouted passionately.
"Kaioh Michiru! You gave an oath to follow my orders. My orders are that we do nothing," Serenity snapped.
The geisha glared at Serenity. With barely a bow she stormed out of the room. She wiped the tears from her eyes and silently cursed. She whirled around when someone cleared their throat. She saw the four sisters looking at her timidly. "We heard," Petz said softly.
"So?" Michiru demanded.
"We can tell you where the Clan is," Calaveras replied.
"And what to expect," Beruche added.
"I cannot ask that of you," Michiru said.
"We're offering," Koan said.
"Please…we want to help," Petz said. "We'd go with you, but it would look as though we double crossed Serenity-sama." Michiru saw in Petz's eyes that she desperately wanted to go.
"Is there a message you want me to take?" she asked.
Petz smiled softly. "If it isn't too much trouble…please tell Safiel-sama I…I love him…and that I found somewhere to live in peace."
Michiru nodded. "We'll make sure he gets the message." The five turned and saw Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten standing nearby. Seiya grinned. "Can't let a lone geisha go on a long journey without an escort," he said with a wink. Michiru bowed in thanks.
"We should hurry and leave," Taiki suggested. "Before the others notice."
"What about Kakyuu-hime?" Michiru inquired.
"She'll be safe with the others here," Yaten answered. "Now lets hurry and go!"
- - - - - - - - - -
Haruka glared at Demando and the others. "This is your last chance to willingly join us," Demando said.
"I'd rather die than serve bloodthirsty savages like you," Haruka replied.
"We are no more bloodthirsty than you," Demando said.
"So choose to live in peace with the White Moon Clan," Haruka said. "You have to have noticed that others of your clan are."
"They will be dealt with soon enough," Demando returned. "But if you are adamant in refusing to serve us willingly…" he trailed off. Haruka was suddenly jerked backwards and she fell to the ground. Several guards swarmed forward and bound her legs together, a pair of thick poles preventing her from bending her legs. Her arms were pulled out to the side and she was lifted into the air by the guards. They roughly slammed her down on a table and strapped her to it. She struggled to get free when two boards locked her head into place. A strap rested tightly against her forehead so that she could not lift her head. Several more straps went over her body.
Safiel came into her line of sight, a look of apology in his eyes. He pushed her hair away from her forehead. "Don't do this," she whispered.
"I've no choice," he whispered softly. He lifted a needle and pressed it onto her forehead. He continued to tattoo her, cursing himself for doing it. After what seemed like an eternity to Haruka, he finished and walked away. She felt the bonds on her arms, legs, and the rest of her body being removed. She suddenly shot forward. She killed a guard and grabbed his sword. She hurled it at Demando but Kairen deflected it.
"Do you think they'll take you back with that mark?" Demando laughed.
"I know they will," Haruka returned. "They know I'd never willingly betray the White Moon Clan."
"You are a member of the Black Moon Clan!" Kairen shouted. "Accept your fate!" she ordered.
Haruka shook her head. She reached inside her belt and pulled out a hidden throwing knife. "Not before I die defending my clan," she growled. Her arm shot out in a blur and struck Kairen in the shoulder. Haruka started to run for the window when Demando moved in front of her. He smiled and slammed his foot into her stomach. She dropped heavily to her knees and desperately gasped for air, her arms wrapped around her stomach.
"You know the punishment for attacking a member of the Black Moon royalty," he told her. She was hauled to her feet by several guards and dragged away. Demando, Esmeraudo, and Kairen followed. Safiel walked back to his rooms. He closed the door and picked up an inkbottle. In a fit of rage he hurled it across the room where it struck the wall and shattered. Black ink slid down the wood. He bowed his head in defeat.
Cold steel rested on his neck and he stiffened. He raised his head and watched as three figures stepped into view, their eyes hard. "Dare?" he asked.
"Your executioners if you don't tell us what we want to know," the person behind him informed him. "Who are you?"
"Safiel," he answered. He was shoved forward and he turned. A woman with sea green hair met his eyes. Her blue eyes stared at him impassively. "Who are you?"
"Petz sends her love to you and that she found somewhere to live in peace," the woman said.
"You know Petz? Is she safe? Is she all right? Where is she?" Safiel demanded.
"She's fine," the tall man said.
"She's with her sisters," the shortest man said.
"Where?" Safiel asked.
"Under the White Moon Clan's protection," the woman answered. "They wanted to stop the senseless fighting and live somewhere in peace. They now are."
Safiel smiled and bowed his head. "I'm glad." He looked back up at her. "Are… are you a member of the White Moon Clan?"
"Yes," she said. "Where's Uranus?" Safiel lowered his eyes.
- - - - - - - - - -
Haruka glared at Demando as her arms were chained to the columns in the dungeon. One of the guards pulled out a whip and walked around behind her. Haruka steeled herself for what was to come. She barely flinched as the leather cord ripped into her back, splitting the fabric and skin. The guard stopped after several minutes and looked at Demando, a brow arched. He smiled faintly and gave the guard a small nod. He tossed the whip down and pulled out another. This one had several braided leather cords, a few metal spikes stuck through the leather.
The guard slammed it down into Haruka's back. Her eyes shut in pain and she clenched her jaw. The guard switched hands and brought the whip down again. Haruka was unable to stop the shriek of pain from escaping her throat. She lifted her head and glared at Demando. He turned and walked out of the dungeon with the other two.
- - - - - - - - - -
Seiya grabbed Michiru as she tried to run out of the room when they heard the scream. "Yameru!" he snapped. "You can't help her if you get caught!"
"Please, let me help you," Safiel begged.
"Why should we trust you?" Yaten asked.
"Because I can help you save Haruka-san."
"She'd never tell you her name willingly," Michiru snapped, the sword back at Safiel's throat.
"She was given a serum that made her tell the truth," Safiel said. "Even if she hadn't told us, we would have figured out who she was eventually."
"What do you mean?" Taiki inquired.
"She never told you?" Safiel asked.
"Told us what?" Michiru demanded.
"She was born a member of the Black Moon Clan," he answered.
They stared at him in shock. "That's a lie!" Michiru snapped.
"I swear it isn't." He looked at her with pleading eyes. "We just want to live in peace. My brother only keeps the feud going because he sees no other alternative."
"We need to go. If Haruka-san is a member of the Black Moon Clan…" Seiya started when Michiru cut him off.
"It doesn't matter if she is or not. The Ayakashi Sisters and other members of the Black Moon Clan live in peace with the White Moon Clan." She looked at Safiel. "You swear on your love for Petz that you will not betray us?"
"Hai."
"Do you have a plan?" she demanded.
Safiel thought for a moment. "I have one, demo…can you pose as a geisha?"
Michiru smiled. "I am geisha." He nodded and outlined his plan to the four.
- - - - - - - - - -
Haruka lifted her head as Demando, Safiel, Esmeraudo, Kairen, and several guards walked in. "Still unwilling to serve?" Demando asked. Haruka turned her head away in reply. "No matter. Safiel tells me he just finished something special for you."
The young man walked forward as several guards grabbed her head and forced her mouth open. Trust me, Safiel mouthed. He poured the contents into her throat and her mouth was slammed shut. She swallowed the liquid and sagged slightly in the arms of the guards.
"How long until it takes affect Safiel-sama?" Esmeraudo asked.
"A few hours at least," he answered.
"Place her in a guarded room until you're satisfied she serves us Safiel," Demando ordered.
"Hai," Safiel agreed. He watched as the others left. "Gomen Niisan…" he whispered softly. He turned to Haruka and picked her up. He carried her up the stone steps and down the halls to a modestly decorated room. He set her down on the bed and shut the door, locking it.
Haruka opened her eyes and sat up, looking in confusion at Safiel. "Why are you helping me?" she inquired. In reply he pulled out several throwing knives in a hip holster. She grabbed them. "Michiru…" she whispered.
"She and three others came to help you escape," Safiel said.
"So why am I still here?" she asked.
"To help end this feud," Safiel said. "My brother is not bloodthirsty. But this is the only way he knows on how to deal with this feud. Neptune and the other three agreed to help only if you would." Haruka looked down, uncertain. "Please Haruka-san. You were one of us once."
"What's the plan?" she asked.
- - - - - - - - - -
Demando smiled as Haruka walked into the room. She bowed to Demando and knelt down across from Safiel. "A highly respected geisha has come to entertain us," Demando said. "Be respectful, all of you." He lifted his hand and motioned for the guards to open the doors.
Only through years of training and practice kept Haruka from running to Michiru. She watched as the woman walked into the room, followed by three men. Taiki and Yaten were dressed as samurai and knelt down near the only entrance to the room. Yaten came in carrying the shamisen case. Panic rose in Haruka. If Kairen recognizes the shamisen… she started to think.
Michiru bowed to Demando. "Arigatou gozaimasu for having me," she said in a demure voice. She glanced at Haruka and saw the symbol on her forehead. The blonde barely nodded her head and looked away.
"Can you dance?" Demando inquired.
"Hai, demo, who will play the shamisen?"
"Kairen," Demando ordered. She bowed and walked to Yaten. He opened the case and Kairen picked up the shamisen. A frown formed on her face. Haruka casually rested a hand on the wakizashi at her waist, her right hand drifting to the shinobigatana on the floor. "What's wrong?"
"This was my shamisen." Kairen looked at the geisha. "Where did you get this?"
"I do not know what you mean. I had a shamisen bought for me, but I do not know where it came from," Michiru lied in a trembling voice.
"I gave this to my daughter. Where did you get it?" Kairen demanded.
Seiya glanced at Haruka as did Taiki and Yaten. She barely nodded her head and the three men leapt into action. Taiki slammed the solid wooden doors shut and moved aside as Seiya slammed a wooden bar into place. Yaten pulled Kairen away from Michiru and tossed the geisha a wakizashi. Michiru grabbed it in mid-flight.
Demando started laughing. "Assassins from the White Moon Clan no doubt. I never would have expected it of the great Kaioh Michiru," he chuckled. "But you are outnumbered and outmatched." His gaze shifted to Haruka. "Uranus, kill them."
Haruka rose to her feet and pulled the shinobigatana free of its sheath. She walked to Michiru and stood in front of her. Her face broke out into a smile and she hugged the smaller woman. "Seems I underestimated the Black Moon," she said.
"I told you to be careful," Michiru scolded.
"NANI KORE WA?" Demando bellowed.
Haruka turned and glared at Demando. "I told you Demando-sama. I will never betray my clan."
"Safiel! You said the concoction would work!"
"I lied to him," Haruka said.
"You traitorous little whelp!" Kairen snapped. She lunged in. Haruka swiftly slammed her knee into her mother's stomach and watched her drop like a stone.
Haruka turned back to Demando. "Please. Enough with the bloodshed Demando-sama. Talk peace with the White Moon Clan. They'll listen."
Demando looked the people of the White Moon Clan over. "How do I know you speak the truth?"
Haruka motioned for Michiru and the other three to remain where they were. She stepped forward and knelt down, bowing to Demando. "I made an oath to serve the White Moon Clan and the Black Moon Clan. If this petty feud continues, I cannot and will not serve both." She held up the shinobigatana to him. "If you wish to continue the feud, then take this blade and kill me with it."
Demando stared in disbelief at Haruka as did the others. "You would give your life just so that you would no longer have to fight?" he asked.
"I have loyalties to both clans Demando-sama. The Black Moon Clan taught me to fight and die and the White Moon Clan showed me how to live."
"Perhaps this feud has gone on long enough," he said softly.
"Demando-sama!" Esmeraudo exclaimed.
"We only fight this feud because we were trained and bred to. We deserve peace. Both sides do. The reason for the feud does not matter. Not anymore. It's over." He looked at his younger brother. "I should have listened to you Safiel. Gomen ne."
"Niisan…" Safiel whispered, a smile on his face.
Haruka smiled and began to lift her head when she felt something ram through her stomach. She gasped in pain and stared at stomach. "Kairen!" Demando snapped.
"Demando-sama said it was…" Esmeraudo began when Kairen rammed a dagger through the woman's heart.
"You are weak Demando! Weak!" Kairen screamed. "I'll finish this feud on my own!" she shrieked and ran to the doors. She knocked away the three men and heaved off the bar. She ran outside, wounding anything in her path.
"Haruka!" Michiru cried, cradling the blonde's head in her lap. She looked up as Demando knelt down next to her. He tore off his cape and wrapped it around the blonde's wound.
"Safiel! Get the healers now! I have one last person to kill," he growled.
"Iie!" Michiru ordered. "She killed the woman I loved. I will hunt her down and kill her," Michiru said in a low, dangerous voice. She rose to her feet and pulled off the large, elegant kimono revealing a ninja outfit underneath. She tore off the wig and wiped the make-up off of her face. She then ran outside after Kairen, revenge the only thing on her mind.
Japanese Guide:
Dare: Who is it? or Who is there?
Yameru: Stop.
Nani kore wa: What is that/What's going on.
Only one more chapter left. Sad I know. But the good news is I'm starting to write an AU about the Super season. I've kinda hit a writer's block brick wall with Eternal Senshi: VI for the moment but I've not given up on it!
I'm rambling so I'll shut up and let you review.