THE SECRET COLONY OF YAKUSHIMA
Chapter 12: "What We Sow"
A Sailor Moon fanfic

By Bill K.


Back and forth they chattered, their strange speech growing more angry and animated with every exchange. Seeing Cheegah this animated, Uranus wondered how much the other macaques had meant to her. She wished Cheegah would move away so Uranus could make another attempt at Bungah.

Unexpectedly, Cheegah lunged for the gun. Bungah drew back defensively. Another lightning bolt flashed, bathing the area in brilliant white light. As was the custom of primates, if an attack lunge was unsuccessful, the attacker drew back to a defensive position. Cheegah, having missed the gun, pulled back to regroup and make a second try. Bungah, though, countered with an offensive move, bringing up the pistol and leveling it at the female macaque. The scene winked back to dark for just a moment, before another brilliant lightning bolt sizzled in the sky, drenching the wet scene in a blue-white hue. Uranus could see Cheegah's eyes widen as she stared her own death in the face.

"SPACE SWORD BLASTER!" Uranus shouted loudly, desperately, her voice drowned out by the thunder rumbling over the jungle.

Her sword stroke shot out spinning energy arcs that cut through the saturated air, unaffected by the pouring rain. Bungah started to squeeze the trigger on his pistol. But the energy arcs were on him in a second, gashing through his small body and spraying blood everywhere. Cheegah fell back, spooked both by the gun and by the impact of the energy arcs. Bungah reared back, screeching inhumanly in pain, then lost his footing on the trunk of the tree. The wounded macaque plummeted to the ground, landing in a bush beneath the trees.

Cautiously Uranus and Neptune approached the bush. Uranus had her sword at the ready, just in case Bungah was still alive and able to attack. Using the sword, Uranus pushed the bush back. Bungah lay on the ground, unmoving, his lower torso sliced and bleeding out. There was no rise and fall of his small chest. The macaque was dead, possibly before he hit the jungle floor, definitely after.

But the pistol was still gripped in his paw. Uranus felt something on her shoulder. She glanced and found Cheegah perched there, peering down at Bungah.

"It was him or you," Uranus said. "And it wasn't going to be you. Not if I could help it."

Her eyes locked on Bungah's body the entire time, Cheegah reached over and gently stroked the side of the Senshi's face.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save the others. Maybe if," and Uranus paused, wondering if there truly was anything she could have done differently. "Anyway - - I won't tell them about you. As far as the world is concerned, you all died here tonight. Go live out your life in peace."

Cheegah just stared down at the lifeless macaque. Almost half a minute passed. Then suddenly she pushed off of Uranus's shoulder and leaped to a nearby tree. From there she leaped to a second tree. In moments she was gone.

While Uranus just stared after the macaque, Neptune bent down and pried the pistol out of Bungah's paw. She straightened up and with her free hand touched Uranus on the arm.

"We'll let the Self-Defense Force dispose of this," she said to Uranus, as much to shake her partner out of her melancholy as anything. "They can retrieve the helicopter wreckage. We've done all we can."

"Yeah, I guess so," Uranus mumbled. "She didn't ask for any of this. Cheegah, I mean."

"None of us do," Neptune replied. "It's not what happens to us. It's how we react to it."

"Yeah," Uranus grunted. "Maybe she'll go back to being a macaque - - try to blend in. Live out her life, hopefully in peace. Or maybe she'll be the mother of a whole new race that we're going to have to share the planet with."

"That might even be a good thing," Neptune suggested.

"Yeah," Uranus replied with a cynical chuckle. "Because we both know how well humans share. Come on. Let's find your mirror."


Haruka Tenoh lay on the bed in the hospital near Yakushima Airport and didn't bother to conceal her ill-temper. When she and Sailor Neptune had reached the Research Facility hut, they were met by a squad of Self-Defense Forces. Once their edited story of the "terrorists" being dealt with was relayed, the two Senshi allowed their forms to return to their civilian identities. That's when Haruka recalled that she had a concussion and a separated shoulder. After bowing to Michiru's vehement insistence, between coughing fits because she was still sick, that she allow herself to be treated, the two women were airlifted to Yakushmia by the JSDF.

"I'm glad to see you made it back," Dr. Kuroi said. Haruka glanced in the direction of the voice. Kuroi was walking very gingerly toward her, one arm across her ribs.

"Even though I'm one of 'them'?" Haruka asked. As usual with her, the remark was a jab clothed in the disguise of flippancy.

"Never going to let me forget that, are you?" Kuroi scowled. "I concede that the Senshi can handle problems that mere humans like myself can't. But I prefer democracy, thank you."

"I'll remember that when we start the purges," Haruka quipped again. Kuroi wasn't entirely sure she was kidding. "So what did you tell the JSDF? About Gegah and them, I mean?"

Kuroi frowned. "As little as possible. I told them I got separated from you, I made it to the Research Facility, and I waited there until Sailor Venus found me." Kuroi seemed upset, possibly by having to lie, possibly by something else. "I figured it was a debt I owed to Gegah and Cheegah. Not because I want to be a party to you Senshi manipulating the public."

"Probably doesn't matter to you, but I think you did the right thing," Haruka nodded.

"So where is your partner?"

"Hospital wouldn't let her in, given her current state as a massive germ factory," Haruka shrugged to conceal her disappointment. "It's OK. I've been alone before. And colds don't last forever."

Haruka noticed that the doctor wanted to ask something, but wasn't sure how to do it diplomatically. With typical lack of patience for such reticence, Haruka spoke.

"You want to ask something. Go ahead," Haruka said.

"I apologize," Kuroi shook her head. "It's just - - I was surprised by the open passion you two demonstrated. You must love each other a great deal."

"She's the best thing in my life," Haruka mused. "I'd be lost without her. I WAS lost until I met her." She glanced at Kuroi. "Surprise you that I could love someone?"

"Given the way you were flirting with me when we first met," Kuroi replied cooly.

"I told you," Haruka waved dismissively. "That's just the way I say 'hello'. It's a game."

"Does she know that?"

"Sure."

"Are you sure?"

"What are you getting at?" Haruka scowled.

"I'm getting at this: If someone who claimed they loved me openly flirted with other women, I'd be hurt. I'd wonder if I could trust them. And I might just get mad enough to leave. Did you ever stop to consider that?"

Haruka just stared at nothing, her brow knit.

"I guess not," Kuroi said neutrally. "Well, I hope you recover fully. Thank you for helping me and thank you for trying to help those poor macaques. And please don't take offense, but I hope I never meet you again. Your lifestyle is too active for my tastes."

Kuroi gingerly walked away, leaving Haruka still staring at nothing. After the doctor was gone, Haruka brought the phone over from the night stand next to the bed and punched in a number.

"Michiru?" she asked.

"Haruka?" Michiru responded on the phone with a sing-song chuckle in her voice. "Well, I guess this is the only way we can communicate for the next few days. How are you feeling?"

"Michiru," Haruka persisted. "Have I - - well, told you recently how much I love you?"

"Define 'recent'," Michiru chuckled.

"Because I do. And if I've ever done anything to hurt you - - I'm sorry."

"OK, now you're worrying me. What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Haruka assured her. "Maybe the bump on the head just knocked some sense into me. But I am sorry if I've unintentionally hurt you."

"I know you are," Michiru responded. Haruka could feel her smiling through the phone. It made her feel good.


"Terror threat in Yakushima neutralized," the news reader on TV Asahi announced to the viewing public. "In an official release from the Crystal Palace, it was announced that a small band of revolutionaries was neutralized by members of the famed Sailor Senshi. The group was previously responsible for shooting down a commercial helicopter over the jungle of Yakushima Island. The official release further stated that all five members of the separatist band were killed in the attempt to apprehend them. Their motives and identities are still under investigation, but the palace reports that no other members of the group are thought to exist. The statement was immediately challenged by opposition party head Dietman Takahashi."

"Of course," Luna replied sourly. She and Artemis were watching the broadcast from their command center in the palace.

"Another brilliant job of feeding the press a statement without really saying very much," Artemis said with a subtle tweak.

"What else could I do?" Luna asked. "Once His and Her Majesty were informed of the situation and of the promise made by Sailor Uranus, there was no other choice besides concealing some of the facts of the case. In such a situation, it's best to stay as close to the truth as possible while consigning the facts you wish to conceal to gray areas such as 'under investigation'."

"Aren't you going to have to come clean eventually?"

"Doubtful," Luna replied. "This matter will stay in the public's mind until the next major local or world crisis and then be forgotten. Dietman Takahashi will move on to other criticisms of the regime, since he isn't fond of much that we do. And if it does come out, we can claim the investigation is still ongoing and proceed from there. In that instance, my only concern would be for that poor macaque who survived this."

"Do you ever worry about being able to lie to the public so glibly?" Artemis asked.

"Lies of omission, Artemis, not lies of commission. Perhaps it's a subtle difference, but it is a difference. As is the reasoning behind it." She glanced at him. "It's an imperfect world, Artemis. Sometimes noble goals are achieved by less than noble means."

"It's a good thing you're cute," Artemis said, glancing over as he said it.

"And it wouldn't be if I were hideous?" Luna asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Touche," the white cat replied tongue-in-cheek.


Days later and everything was back to where it was before. Haruka was out of the hospital. Michiru was fully recovered from her respiratory infection. Serenity was back from Darwin in time to enjoy her first Christmas with little Setsuko. She looked and felt like her old self and showered the child with gifts, much to Luna's consternation. However, on the advice of both Ami and Endymion, the reclamation tour of the Pacific Rim was suspended. The Queen protested that she was feeling fine, but eventually yielded to pressure. Luna even put out a press release stating that the tour was suspended for health reasons. This elicited an avalanche of sympathy cards and good wishes messages, both from Japan and around the world.

Serenity was in her "office", at her board working on the latest page of "Fire Princess Rika" and discussing policy with Endymion when Haruka and Michiru entered. Ami was dogging their heels and the doctor was not happy.

"Please, Haruka!" she begged as the trio entered. "I promise it won't be invasive!"

"No," Haruka replied.

"I'll use my Senshi Computer! The long range scanners are very perceptive at a great distance! She won't even know I'm there!"

"No," Haruka replied.

"Just one scan!" Ami pleaded. "You don't know the significance of this scientific breakthrough! We can't afford to lose it!"

"Ami," Haruka replied, gently but firmly, "there's some things people weren't meant to know."

"I refuse to accept that!" Ami fumed. "The possibilities of such genetic engineering could produce tremendous benefits for everyone!"

"I'm not concerned with everyone," Haruka said. "I'm concerned with Cheegah. She didn't ask for this. And she's suffered enough because of it. She deserves to live her life in peace."

"I promise I won't . . .!" Ami began.

"I gave my word," Haruka replied stonily, "and I'm going to keep it."

Ami began to argue some more, but she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Michiru.

"You're not going to win, Ami," Michiru told her gently. "I happen to agree with Haruka on this, but even if I didn't, I know that look she has. You couldn't torture the information out of her."

Ami's shoulders heaved as she released a loud sigh of frustration. "This is all such," she muttered, "dark age thinking!" The fight seemed to go out of her. "Maybe I can reconstruct the process from his published works." And out the door she trudged.

"Oh, Haruka," moaned Serenity. "Couldn't you just . . .?"

"No, Dumpling," Haruka replied with a cocked eyebrow.

"Oh, all right," huffed the Queen. "It's just that I feel so bad for Ami-Chan."

"This Cheegah," Endymion began. "Are you certain she doesn't pose any kind of threat to humanity?"

"Yeah," Haruka nodded. Then she thought. "Well, pretty sure. I guess that depends on how successful she is at avoiding humans. After all, something we did turned Bungah against us. There's always the possibility that we'll screw up and do something to turn her. That's another reason why we all ought to leave her be."

"Well if you think so, that's good enough for me," Serenity smiled. "Although I wish I could have met her. She sounds cute!"

Haruka and Michiru traded grins.

"Well we just wanted to check on how you were, Serenity," Michiru said. "Haruka and I have an appointment."

"Second honeymoon?" Serenity grinned hopefully.

"Nah, I'm going to buy a helicopter," Haruka chuckled. This was greeted with surprised looks from both monarchs. "I've been kind of bored since the ice disaster. Formula-1 circuit is still down, and I'm a little old for that sort of thing anyway. So I'm going to start a commercial helicopter business. Rent it out for business shuttles and tourist things and like that."

"Wow!" marveled Serenity.

"You're OK with this?" Endymion asked Michiru. "After what happened in Yakushima?"

"Well, I'm not exactly thrilled with the prospect," Michiru shrugged. "But I was hardly thrilled with Haruka laying around the house all day whining that she was bored, either."

"I don't whine," groused Haruka.

"Like a two year old child," Michiru replied caustically. "So I decided that flying was the lesser of two evils. And barring mechanical failures or random gunshots, it should be relatively safe. I have every confidence in the pilot, after all."

"Good thing you said that," Haruka grumbled.


After a short dip, the tourist trade bounced back to old levels on Yakushima Island. People went back to traveling the trails in the jungle interior, stopping at the rest stops and trying to photograph any of the Sika Deer, Tanuki or Macaques that inhabited the jungle. Others stayed at the coastal inns and hotels, basking in the tropical climate and the beaches that touched the Pacific Ocean.

One such band of tourists were in a jeep following one of the designated trails when the mother in back signaled the driver to stop.

"Sota, Amiko, Jun, look!" she said, pointing out into the forest.

"What are they?" Sota, a boy of seven asked.

"They're macaques," the mother told them. "They live in the forest."

"Oh, they're so cute!" Amiko, a girl of six, cooed. "Can we go and pet them?"

"No, dear. They're wild animals," the mother cautioned. "If you try to approach them, you'll scare them away. Or you might scare them into attacking. Wild animals are best seen at a distance."

Just then, the mother heard a gasp from four year old Jun. Turning toward her daughter, the woman saw a small macaque perched on the back of the Jeep. The primate's eyes darted around, searching for threats and trying to assuage its curiosity. Suddenly the macaque's paw shot out and seized the doll that was in the four year old's hand. It darted off into the bush.

"My doll!" Jun screeched. "The monkey took my doll!"

"I'm sorry, Jun-Chan," the mother tried to console her. "I'll get you another doll when we get back."

"But I don't want another doll!" wailed the girl. "I want that one! That's my favorite! Get it back!"

And Jun burst into tears. Her mother tried to console her. There was no hope of getting the doll back. The macaque was too far away and any move she made would only spook it. Then she saw another macaque approach the one with the doll. The two began chattering back and forth, almost angrily at times. The woman thought a fight would ensue, but the bigger macaque didn't attack. They just kept arguing in their strange language.

Finally, to her surprise, the smaller macaque surrendered the doll to the bigger macaque. Even more surprising, the bigger macaque immediately headed for the Jeep. It leaped up on the side of the vehicle. Everyone watched anxiously, wondering what the primate intended. But the macaque leaned in and handed the doll back to Jun.

"Thank you," Jun said, cradling her precious doll against her breast.

And for a moment, to Jun's mother, it seemed like the macaque actually understood.

The End