:peeks out from hiding spot: Um...yeah...so here's chapter three!
Thanks to Ten'ousai, Soleil-Lune, aquaxeyes, amnesia nymph, petiyaka, X00001, SithLibrarian, RunningStorm for reviewing! And Ten'ousai was the winner of both competitions yesterday for being the first to review and for guessing the story (Destined Love)! Same competition for today's chapter. First to review will get a chibi paragraph of tomorrow's update.
Insert usual disclaimer banter here.
Rated M for adult themes, language, and violence.
"I have something for you," Haruka said. Michiru frowned as the Wind Senshi pulled out a black velvet box. She opened it and held it out to Michiru.
The Sea Senshi peered inside at the ring. A pair of jewels rested in the center of the silver band. The bottom jewel was sea green and the top was deep blue. She pulled the ring out and noticed an inscription on the inside of the band. 'The Sea and Sky always' it read. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized it was a wedding ring. She looked up at Haruka, tears of joy shimmering in her eyes.
"Will you marry me?" Haruka asked softly.
Michiru threw her arms around the blonde in reply, kissing her repeatedly. "I will," she mumbled between kisses.
Haruka rested a hand on the smaller woman's lips and took the ring from her hand. The blonde gently held Michiru's hand and slipped the ring on her left ring finger. "Ashiteru yo Michiru," Haruka whispered. She suddenly grinned and picked the smaller Senshi up, causing her to let out a small cry of surprise. Haruka carried Michiru inside and closed the balcony doors with her foot. She walked to the bed and gently set Michiru down, lying next to the smaller woman as they began to kiss.
- - - - - - - - - -
Kyra watched as Alex slept, a warm smile on the Dark Senshi's face. "Alex?" Kyra whispered softly.
"Michiru…" the platinum haired Senshi murmured.
Kyra's face darkened. "Oh no beloved. You belong to me!" she hissed. She increased the effects of the spell Alex was under and the younger woman winced. Her eyes slowly opened.
"Kyra?" Alex whispered softly.
"Hello lover," Kyra smiled.
Alex smiled back and propped herself up as Kyra ran a hand through her white hair. "How long have you been sitting there?"
Kyra smiled. "Does it matter?"
Alex laughed softly. "I guess not." The two kissed, Kyra filling Alex with even more darkness. "What time is it?" Alex asked as they broke apart.
"Nearly noon."
Before more could be said there was a soft knock on the door and Kunzite walked in, bowing. "Forgive me, but there is an urgent matter that needs your attention milady," he reported.
Kyra kissed Alex one last time before leaving the room. He turned and looked at the Senshi. "How are you?" he asked.
"Glad to be home at last," Alex said. She rose to her feet and stretched. "Can you tell Kyra I went out for a walk in the city?"
"Of course," he said with a bow. He excused himself and left the room.
Alex walked over to the dresser and changed into a pair of black jeans and a black short sleeve shirt. She picked up a black leather jacket and pulled it on. She slipped a pair of black boots on and vanished, reappearing in London.
She stepped out of the alley and began walking down the street when beautiful violin music reached her ears. Alex made her way towards the music and came to a stop on the fringe of a large crowd as they gathered around an aqua haired woman. Alex frowned. It's her… she realized, recognizing the woman she had bumped into. The woman finished playing and the crowd began to disperse.
Alex was about to leave when the woman rested a hand on her shoulder. Alex staggered slightly as pain rippled out from her heart. As quickly as it had come it was gone. She turned and looked at the smaller woman.
"Are you all right?" the woman asked in a sincere voice.
"I'm fine," Alex said. "Um…Miss…"
"Sorry. Kaioh…sorry again," she giggled. Alex smiled, enjoying the aqua haired woman's laugh. "I've been in Japan most of my life. Michiru Kaioh," she said.
Michiru…why do I know that name? Alex thought. She noticed the ring on Michiru's left finger. "Who's the lucky guy?"
Michiru lifted her hand and gently held the ring. "My soulmate…who died…a long time ago…"
"Sorry."
Michiru shook her head. "I know I'll meet her again one day."
"What…what was her name? If you don't mind me asking," Alex requested.
Michiru smiled warmly, her eyes twinkling in amusement. "Haruka Ten'ou."
"Weird…Haruka's my middle name…and Ten'ou's my last name…"
"Are you a racer?" Michiru inquired.
"Yeah."
Michiru looked down. "Just like her." She looked up at Alex. "First place every time, right?"
"Haven't lost yet," Alex smiled.
"I'll have to see your next race then," Michiru smiled.
"I'd like that," the teen replied.
Something began beeping and Michiru flipped open a watch. Her face fell slightly. "I have to go. It was nice to bump into you again," Michiru said with a warm smile. She winked at the platinum haired woman and walked away.
Alex stared after her, a warm feeling spreading through her body. "Yes…yes it was…" she whispered. She jumped when a hand rested on her shoulder.
"Forgive me, but Kyra needs your assistance," Kunzite whispered.
Alex's face and eyes hardened and she nodded. She turned and walked away. The disguised Demando looked in the direction of Michiru who had hidden herself behind a tree. He barely nodded his head and turned to follow Alex.
Michiru watched him leave before turning to her communicator. "What is it Ami-chan?" she asked.
"You're right. Alexandra Haruka Ten'ou was born nearly twenty years ago around the time Haruka-san moved on. Several years ago she got into motor sports and has been winning every competition she's been in. I showed her picture to Usagi-chan and the others and they thought it could have been Haruka had the hair been dirty blonde," Ami's voice crackled through.
"Did you pass my warning along?"
"Hai. I'm trying to find out everything I can about this Kyra person, but it isn't easy. Not even Setsuna-san remembers her."
"Okay. You guys just be careful. And I'll be careful as well," she added as Ami opened her mouth to speak. "Ja." She closed the communicator and walked off.
- - - - - - - - - -
Alex embraced Kyra. "What's wrong?" the Dark Senshi asked.
"The time has come for us to strike against the Sailor Senshi," Kyra replied.
Alex frowned, feeling as though something was wrong. "But…can't we just leave them alone and live in peace?"
"They are trying to put the false queen on the throne to rule this solar system. If that happens, the entire galaxy could fall. Love, we have to stop them. For the sake of the world," Kyra said.
"I…I don't know…" Alex murmured. "Something just doesn't seem right about attacking them."
Kyra growled softly in frustration. She's resisting the spell better than I thought. But she is mine…perhaps a more drastic method is order to ensure her mind no longer strays… she thought. She slipped a vial into her hand and smiled faintly. Without warning she slammed the Senshi to the ground and shoved the open vial into her mouth. Alex coughed, trying to spit out the liquid. The contents trickled down her throat and her eyes rolled into the back of her head.
Kunzite and the three other Shitennou walked in and stopped when they saw the scene. "My Queen?" Nephrite asked.
"She is indeed powerful," Kyra smiled, rising to her feet. She looked down at the twitching body of Alex. "Take her to my chambers." She turned and left.
The four men carefully picked Alex up and carried her down the hall and through the palace to Kyra's room. They placed the unconscious teen on the bed and stepped back. "This does not seem right," Jadeite murmured.
"We've no choice but to serve," Zoisite replied.
"Jadeite is right though. We are meant to protect the Earth, not help destroy it," Nephrite said. "We nearly destroyed it when we were seduced by Beryl...we vowed not to let it happen again!"
"There is little we can do," Kunzite said. "We must wait and silently pray for the best to happen." They left and went to a deserted part of the palace. They sealed the doors and windows and set a barrier up to prevent eavesdropping.
"Have the Senshi been warned?" Jadeite asked.
"Yes," Kunzite said, sitting down. "Demando disguised himself as me and warned Neptune."
"We have to get Uranus away from Kyra," Zoisite said.
"You saw what happened just now. There's no chance of saving her," Nephrite replied. "That stuff will completely wipe her mind and make her forget everything."
"True love is something that is never forgotten," a voice said. The four men turned as Demando and Safiel appeared out of the shadows. Demando looked at them all in turn. "We have to push Alex and Michiru together, no matter what the cost."
"What happens if we don't?" Jadeite asked.
"Then this galaxy will be thrown into darkness," Safiel answered. "As for what Alex was forced to drink, I made sure it was flawed."
"Flawed how?" Kunzite asked.
Safiel smiled. "It's just a normal sedative drink."
"We all know our jobs. It's time we…"
The doors suddenly burst open and the six men whirled around. Kyra entered the room, an amused smile on her face. "So this is where you all meet."
"Safiel…get out of here!" Demando hissed.
"Niisan…"
"Go, alert the Senshi," Demando ordered. The Shitennou charged forward as Demando threw up a wall. Safiel vanished from sight as Kyra knocked the Four Generals aside. Demando rushed forward and was about to slam his fist into Kyra when she unleashed a wave of energy at him. He flew across the room and slammed into the wall, blood dribbling down from a gash in his head. He crumbled to the floor and lay still.
The Shitennou rose to their feet and glared at Kyra. "Die," Kyra hissed. Her hands shot out and energy arced out from her fingers, slamming into the four men. They grunted in pain and fell to the floor. Kyra smirked and left the room.
Kunzite pushed himself up, blood oozing from the wound in his stomach. "De…Demando…" he gasped. He looked over and saw the Prince's eyes were misted over. Kunzite looked at the other Generals. He bowed his head. "Damn it…" he whispered. He summoned every ounce of energy he had left and vanished. He reappeared in a clearing on the concrete. He rolled onto his back, his silver hair spilling on the concrete.
"Are you all right?" a voice asked. Kunzite looked over as a woman with long blonde hair ran over. "So…so na!"
"Venus…help…" he begged. "Onegai…"
Minako looked at the wounded General, unsure of what to do. She knelt down and brushed his silver hair out of his face. "What happened to you?" she asked. She watched as his eyes fell close. She bit her lip and sighed. Making up her mind she carefully picked him up and pulled him into her apartment building.
- - - - - - - - - -
"You did WHAT?" Rei shouted at Minako.
"Keep it down!" Minako snapped. "I had no choice."
"You could've let him bleed to death," Makoto replied.
"We're suppose to be the good guys Mako-chan. He asked for help," Minako returned, glaring at her friends.
"So…who is this guy?" Kaze asked, tossing his shaggy aqua hair out of his face.
"One of the Four Generals that served Beryl," Setsuna answered.
"I thought he was dead. Michiru-san said he was killed by Demando," Ami said.
"We can ask when he's healed enough," Usagi said.
A door opened and they looked up as a shirtless and bandaged Kunzite walked into the room. "You may ask now Moon Princess," he said.
"What the hell is going on?" Seiya asked. "Why did Michiru-san say you were dead if you're not?"
"Things are…complicated with this new enemy," Kunzite said, easing himself down in a chair. "She resurrected myself and the other three Generals along with Demando and Safiel. When she revived us, however, we were given our true memories back. We began plotting against her while acting loyal to her. Unfortunately, Demando was found out. Myself and the other three were ordered to kill him. We faked his death and he began posing as my double."
"Who is this new enemy?" Mika asked.
"Her name is Kyra. She's the ruler of the sun…and she seeks to rule this solar system." He paused, pain still evident on his face. "She found the six of us out and killed Demando and the other three. Safiel was able to escape and I was left for dead."
"Where is Safiel?" Chibi-Usa asked.
"He could be with Petz," Hotaru suggested. "I'll call."
"There…is something else you must know. Something that I am ashamed to say I had a hand in doing," he said.
"What?" Taiki asked.
- - - - - - - - - -
Alex stood on the ramparts to the castle, the wind blowing through her short hair. A pair of arms slipped around her waist and she smiled as a familiar scent invaded her nose. "This place is beautiful," a soft voice whispered. Alex smiled and glanced down as the figure stood next to her. The smaller woman giggled as the wind blew. "You can even smell the sea."
Alex wrapped her arm around the smaller woman. "Nothing is as beautiful as you Sea Goddess," she grinned.
Sea blue eyes looked up at Alex. "Are you merely saying that to get me to stay or do you really mean it?"
Alex chuckled. "Both," she whispered, caressing the smaller woman's face. "I love you Neptune. Now and forever."
Neptune smiled, snuggling close to Alex. "I love you too Uranus…you are the only soul I will ever love." Uranus smiled and leaned down to kiss Neptune…
- - - - - - - - - -
Alex opened her eyes and blinked, frowning at the dream. She rose to her feet and walked into the bathroom. She turned the faucet on and splashed water on her face. She shut the water off and grabbed a towel. She patted her face dry and looked in the silver mirror. "What the hell is going on with me?" she asked.
"Remember…" a voice whispered.
Alex looked around. "Who's there? Show yourself!" Silence met her ears and she turned back to the mirror. She stared in shock and slammed into the wall as she pushed herself away. "What the hell…?"
A woman similar looking to the white haired Senshi looked at Alex. "Remember…" the dirty blonde haired figure commanded.
"Alex, are you all right love?" Kyra's voice called through the door.
"I'm fine…" she replied. "Out in a minute…" She looked at the mirror image of herself. "Who are you?"
"Ten'ou Haruka, Sailor Uranus, Alexandra Ten'ou…the names change but the soul remains the same," the image said. "I am the real you."
"The real me?"
"Yes. You must remember who you are. You must save the others. The world is depending on you."
"Alex?" Kyra called.
The Senshi turned to the door. "Coming." She looked back at the mirror but the image was gone, leaving only her reflection looking back at her. Shaking her head, she opened the door. "Sorry."
Kyra smiled. "It's all right love." She grabbed Alex's hand and pulled her towards the bed. "Are you ready for a night you'll never forget?"
Alex pulled her hand free. "Not tonight Kyra. I'm too tired."
Kyra suppressed her frustration and forced a smile. "All right." Alex climbed back into her bed and closed her eyes, falling asleep. Kyra stroked the teen's forehead. "I will wait till you ready. But then…then you will be mine for all time…and you will kill Neptune and the Moon Princess as proof of your loyalty to me."
- - - - - - - - - -
Minako knocked on the door to the guest room of her apartment before going in. She closed the door behind her and saw Kunzite sleeping peacefully on the bed, the blanket barely covering his body. She set the tray of food down and walked over to the bed. She took the blanket and slowly pulled it up to his partially exposed chest. His abdomen was wrapped in white bandages.
The blonde turned to leave when a hand held hers. She stopped and looked down. "Gomen na sai…I didn't mean to wake you…" she whispered.
Kunzite smiled faintly. "You didn't." The smile faded away. "I am sorry for everything we did to you and the others under the command of Beryl. It may not mean much, but I do mean it."
"I know," Minako said softly, looking anywhere but at the General.
Kunzite released her hand. "Is something wrong?"
"Iie…it's just…over the years…memories from the Silver Millennium have been…returning to us…" she whispered.
Kunzite looked up at the ceiling. "I see." He closed his eyes as scenes of laughter with a beautiful blonde woman appeared in his mind.
"Kunzite…"
He opened his eyes and looked at Minako. "Yes?" He could see that she was nervous but desperately wanted to say something. "You may ask me anything Minako."
"Do…do you think…we could…ano…" she fell silent and closed her eyes, composing herself. You're the Senshi of Love Minako! Pull it together! She let out a slow breath and opened her eyes. "Do you still have feelings for me?"
The question caught Kunzite off guard. He closed his eyes and sat up, wincing as the wound stretched with his movements. "Honestly, I don't know. I still care about you…now that I can think clearly…but I don't know if it's love or not…" he trailed off. He looked up at her. "I am willing to find out if it is though, if you are."
Minako smiled shyly. "I'd like to find out too." He smiled and pulled her down to the bed. His calloused hand gently held her face. "We should go slow," she mumbled.
"Whatever pace you set I will follow," he whispered sincerely. In response she kissed him softly. He returned the kiss, feeling at peace for the first time since his days at the height of the Silver Millennium.
I've given up on the Japanese Word Guide. If you don't know what a word means, let me know via review.
An action packed story so far, ne? Now be kind and leave me one of those things with the words of the encouragement...what do they call those? Oh yeah! Reviews! Leave one of those non-flaming reviews if you please so this WIP can keep going.