Whew...things are getting intense, aren't they? To add to the intesity, here's chapter four!
Thanks to Ten'ousai, amnesia nymph, X00001, aquaxeyes, petiyaka for reviewing last chapter! And Ten'ousai was first to review again! Yay! Once again the competition is in effect! First to review will get a sneak peek at tomorrow's update! Will Ten'ousai be the first to review again? We'll see, won't we?
:whisperes: Guess what? No? Then come closer, come closer...eh...a little too close...there! Yeah...they're not mine...mice...didja get it? Everyone always says rats but I said mice...oh go read the chapter! I'm tired...
This story (and this particular especially) has been rated M due to violence and adult themes.
Alex looked up from the book she was reading as Kyra walked into the room. The evil queen smiled. "Are you ready to stop the evil Senshi?"
The Senshi closed her book and rose to her feet. "I am."
"Come with me," she said. She led the Senshi out of the room, a cold smile on her face. Now…the beginning of the end starts…
- - - - - - - - - -
Michiru looked up as screams sounded from the park. She set a few bills on the table to pay for her untouched tea and ran outside. She ducked behind a tree and saw a humanoid youma with dozens of tentacles lashing out at innocent bystanders. Making sure no one could see her, she quickly transformed.
"Machi na sai!" Neptune ordered, appearing before the youma. She frowned when it suddenly vanished.
"I thought that might draw you out Sailor Neptune," a voice smirked.
The Sea Senshi turned and saw a woman in gold armor standing behind her. "Who are you? What do you want?"
"My name means little since you will die. As for what I want, I already have one thing I want," she smiled.
"What?"
"Dark Shaking!"
Neptune leapt away. That attack…it was similar to hers…demo…demo…
A tall, lithe figure appeared next to the armored woman. "You'll pay for betraying me Sailor Senshi," the figure growled.
Neptune frowned. "Betray? What are you talking about? Who are you?" Her sea blue eyes widened in shock as the figure stepped into view. "Ma…masaka…" she whispered softly.
Uranus glared at Neptune, her teal eyes cold. "Ready to suffer?"
"I never betrayed you Uranus. Never," Neptune said.
"Liar."
"I'm not lying to you Uranus!" Neptune watched in disbelief as Uranus pulled a black bladed Space Sword out.
"Prepare yourself betrayer," Uranus growled. "Dark Sword Blaster!"
"Star Serious Laser!"
The second attack deflected Uranus'. The Dark Senshi growled in anger. "Who did that?" she demanded. The three heard the snapping of fingers.
"Penetrating the darkness of night…"
"The air of freedom breaks through!"
"We are the three sacred shooting stars! Sailor Star Fighter!"
"Sailor Star Maker!"
"Sailor Star Healer!"
"Sailor Starlights are here!" The three leapt down from the tree and stood next to Neptune. "We thought we'd come help," Maker said at Neptune's look.
Fighter turned and smiled at Uranus. "Long time no see."
"Dark Shaking!"
"Silent Wall!" The attack slammed into the barrier and dispersed. Saturn and Pluto appeared next to the Starlights.
"My, my, my…it seems we don't have to go looking for you," the armored woman smirked.
"Stop this now and release Uranus from your spell!" Pluto ordered.
"Uranus is under no spell," the woman returned.
"Liar!" Neptune growled. "If that were true then the Space Sword would be silver, not black! You've tainted her!"
"How dare you accuse me of that!"
"Allow me," Uranus returned. "Dark Sword Blaster!" The six Senshi leapt out of the way of the attack.
"We'll get her," Fighter said, nodding towards the woman. "You try and reach Uranus." Neptune nodded and watched as the five swarmed the armored woman.
Uranus looked up and saw them. Her eyes narrowed and she began to run towards them when a strong attack slammed into her, knocking her several yards back. She looked up at Neptune, anger on her face. "You took me from her," she growled. "Killed me twenty years ago…admit it!"
"We did no such thing Uranus," Neptune whispered softly. "You were shot and killed on your way home with our daughter."
Uranus frowned. "Daughter? That's impossible!"
Neptune knelt down, her sea blue eyes soft. "Sailor Moon was able to use the power of the Silver Crystal to help us have a child of our own." She smiled. "But we were lucky and got twins."
"You…you're lying…" Uranus stammered.
"I could never lie to you. You are the only soul I will ever love."
The Wind Senshi's eyes widened. Her head began pounding and she held the left side of her chest as pain rippled out from her heart. She glared at Neptune. "What…are you…doing…to me?"
"Nothing," Neptune said. She looked at the Space Sword and saw silver lines appearing through the black. She looked back at Uranus and held out her hand. "Will you come with me and see the truth with your own eyes?" Uranus began reaching for Neptune's hand. A blast suddenly hurled Neptune away and Kyra stalked forward. She pressed her hand on the Dark Senshi's shoulder and they vanished.
Neptune pushed herself up and held her dislocated right arm. "Neptune! Are you all right?" Pluto asked as she and the others limped over.
"I was reaching her…" Neptune whispered.
"We'll get her back Neptune," Healer said.
"I know…I know…"
- - - - - - - - - -
Alex grunted as she hit the floor, blood trickling from her split lip. She sat up and glared at Kyra. "What the hell was that for?" she demanded angrily.
"You were letting yourself be seduced by that…that…that whore!" Kyra screamed, slamming her foot into the teen's stomach. Alex gasped for air as the evil queen continued her beating. After several minutes she stopped and stormed away.
Alex lay trembling on the floor, her right eye swollen shut, cuts and bruises marring her body. She pushed herself up and vanished, reappearing in London. She stumbled down the street and immediately ran into someone. She fell to the ground, whimpering in pain.
"I'm so sor…Alex?" a stunned, familiar voice asked. The teen looked up at Michiru as she knelt down. "Oh my god…are you all right?" Alex struggled to speak but her throat was in too much pain. Without another word Michiru carefully helped the younger woman up. She guided the younger woman down the street and helped her into a five star hotel lobby. Saying a silent prayer of thanks for the deserted lobby, Michiru went to the elevators and got in. She hit the button for her floor and the machine lifted them into the air.
The doors dinged and slid open. Michiru helped Alex down the hall and swiped her keycard in the door. She opened it and they went in. Michiru secured the door behind them and pressed a talisman given to her by Rei on the door. She half carried, half pulled the teen into the main room. She walked past the beds and went into the large bathroom. She flipped the toilet seat down and seated Alex on it. Michiru left the bathroom briefly and went to her suitcase. She pulled out a first aid kit and returned to Alex. She set the kit on the sink and opened it up.
Michiru pulled out some antiseptic and a gauze pad. She opened the package of the pad and poured the liquid on the gauze. She turned to Alex and smiled in apology. "Sorry, but this might sting," she said softly. Alex didn't move and Michiru began gently wiping off the drying blood, being careful not to rub too hard. After a few minutes Michiru was forced to get a new gauze pad. She finished cleaning off Alex's face. "I need to take off your shirt, okay?" she asked. Alex nodded and, with help from Michiru, pulled the long sleeve black shirt off. Michiru stared in shock. Large bruises and welts covered Alex's back, chest, and abdomen. "Kami-sama…who did this to you?" The Sea Senshi blinked when she saw a tear slide from Alex's left eye.
Barely managing to hold in her anger against Kyra, Michiru cleaned off the younger woman's upper body before she began bandaging the more serious cuts. She left the bathroom for a few minutes and returned with a bottle of water. "Here," she said, unscrewing the cap. Alex accepted the bottle and took a small sip of water. She gasped in relief as the cold liquid ran down her throat. "Better?" Michiru asked.
Alex nodded. "Thank you," she whispered in a hoarse voice.
"Try not to talk just yet," Michiru said. She felt something wet slide down her face and she wiped the tear away.
"Why…are you…crying?" Alex whispered.
"I don't like seeing people I care for hurt or in pain," Michiru returned. "Sorry…" she quickly said. "I uh…should make sure that you're not bleeding on your legs," she said.
Alex nodded and set the bottle down. She fumbled to undo her belt but her hands kept slipping. She looked up as Michiru stilled her hands. The Sea Senshi gently undid the belt and undid the button and zipper to Alex's jeans. She's so gentle…so kind… Alex thought, her heart thudding in her chest. Her jeans were pulled off and she shifted on the cold seat. Bruises and welts mottled the skin on her legs.
Michiru looked up at Alex. "I um…I'm just going to check to make sure nothings broken. Sorry if it hurts." Alex nodded and felt Michiru gently probe her legs, began extra careful around the bruises and cuts. Alex gasped sharply as Michiru touched a bruised rib. "Sorry." Alex nodded and the aqua haired woman continued her inspection for several more minutes. "Well…nothing feels broken, but then again I'm not a doctor. I would like to wrap your ribs if I may."
"Why?"
"Because they seemed bruised…"
"No. I meant…why are you doing all this for me? I barely know you."
Michiru pulled out a single roll of an Ace compression bandage. "True…but…I feel as though I've known you for a lifetime." She smiled. "Maybe in a past life, ne?" she giggled. Alex smiled and winced as she lifted her arms. Michiru carefully began wrapping the bandage around the teen's ribs. She secured the bandage when she was done. "Wait here for a second." Alex nodded and Michiru left.
The Sea Senshi went to her suitcase and pulled out a pair of dark blue flannel pants and a white tank top. She returned to the bathroom and set the clothes on the sink. "I hope these fit."
Alex took the soft pants and slid them on, Michiru helping her stand. The aqua haired woman grabbed the tank top and slipped it over the younger woman's head, slightly mussing up her hair. She helped the injured teen out to the bed and helped her sit down on the soft mattress.
"Thank you," Alex whispered.
"Is there anyone I can call to let them know you're okay?" Michiru asked.
Alex shook her head. "I'm an orphan."
"Ara! I'm sorry."
Alex smiled. "It's all right. I don't mind you knowing…strange…isn't it?" she laughed faintly.
Michiru sat down on the corner of the bed. "I don't think so." She looked at Alex and smiled. "If you don't mind my asking…who attacked you?"
"It's nothing…just a misunderstanding between me and someone else."
"If this 'someone else' is someone who says they love you, then they must not love you all that much."
"What do you know?" Alex snapped.
"I know that if someone says they love you, they don't go beating you because of a mistake. Sure there may be yelling and angry words, but if they truly love you with their entire being, they don't raise a hand against you. They raise a hand to protect you and would be willing to sacrifice themselves for you." Michiru looked at the ring on her finger. "That's how my soulmate died. She willingly gave up her life so that my children and myself could live."
Images of Neptune diving in the way of an attack about to hit Uranus flashed through Alex's mind. "I'm sorry…it's just…" she fell silent.
"What?"
"I keep having these…visions or hallucinations, or whatever the hell they are, about a person I was told betrayed me…but…they feel…right…but so does what I was told…" she winced and held her head as it began throbbing.
"Follow your heart Alex," Michiru said. "True love isn't supposed to make sense. It's meant to sweep you off your feet and keep you guessing for the rest of your life. It's about following your heart, not your head." She frowned worriedly when the white haired Senshi held her eyes, her eyes tightly shut. "Alex?" she asked worriedly. She rested a hand on the young Senshi's shoulder.
Alex felt the older Senshi's hand and the pain she felt doubled. She squeezed her eyes closed tighter when the pain suddenly stopped. Frowning, she opened her eyes and blinked. She was in a cemetery and could see Michiru kneeling next to a grave, a black coat in her hand. A young girl was standing next to the woman. Alex was about to walk forward when a figure appeared. She wore a soft, light blue kimono, a dark blue jacket hanging open. She helped the aqua haired woman up and gently held her face. "They, the spirits, gods, whatever you want to call them, said I could return to life. I had them send Mika back. Only you and the other Senshi will know that she died. Kaze and Mika won't," Haruka explained.
"What about you?" Michiru asked.
Haruka grinned. "I can be reborn, demo…Mika deserves to live now with her mother, brother, and sister."
"Demo…"
Haruka captured Michiru's lips with her own. She pulled away after a moment. "There will be many sad feelings coming to hold you down, but you'll never be hurt by sadness again, for I will always be by your side," Haruka whispered.
"Ruka…" Michiru began.
"I'll find you again Michi. I promise," Haruka said as she stepped away. She faded away, a smile on her face.
Alex blinked at the scene and another replaced it. She instantly recognized the room. "This is the hospital I was born in…" she whispered. She watched as a nurse gently set a newborn baby down in the crib in the nursery.
"So sad her mother died," another nurse whispered softly. "Does she have any family?"
"Not that we're aware of. All we know is her last name is Ten'ou."
"Any relation to that famous racer who died last year?" the nurse questioned.
The other nurse shook her head. "I doubt it. Though I wonder why her mother wanted this girl to be named after Haruka Ten'ou."
"We'll make Haruka her middle name. Her first name will be…Alexandra." The other nurse nodded and they left the room.
A transparent form appeared over the baby and she opened her bright teal eyes. It giggled and reached up at the figure. The figure smiled and placed a hand on the child's head before disappearing. Alexandra Haruka Ten'ou smiled and closed her eyes as she fell asleep, the symbol of Uranus glowing faint blue on her forehead before fading away.
Alex blinked and she found herself back in the hotel room, a worried Michiru looking at her. "Are you okay?" Michiru demanded.
"I…I think…" she fell silent and shook her head. She looked up at Michiru. "You're Neptune, aren't you?"
"If I am, what will you do?" she asked. "Will you kill me…Uranus?"
"I don't…everything is so mixed up!" she shouted, holding her head in her hands.
Michiru knelt before Alex and gently lifted the girl's head. "You are the only soul I will ever love…Ruka."
"Don't be afraid to follow your heart Alex. A Sailor Senshi's power comes from love and understanding, not hate…" a voice whispered in the teen's head.
"I…it isn't..." Alex whispered.
"It's okay Alex. I just want you to be happy. And if that means you want to be with…with someone else…then that's fine," Michiru whispered.
"I don't know what I want…" she admitted.
"No one's forcing you into anything Alex."
Alex looked at Michiru and saw the sincerity and love in her sea blue eyes. "Could I…I mean…just for tonight…could…" her face reddened as she fell silent. "Sorry…forget it…"
Michiru rested her hand on Alex's. "I'm yours," she whispered.
"Even though I…I tried to…to kill you?"
She nodded. "Love is also learning to forgive the one we love of their mistakes." She sat on the bed and brushed Alex's hair out of her eyes. "In every life we've lived…I've never been able to stay mad at you." She smiled. "I love you too much." She reached out and gently wiped away the Wind Senshi's tears.
Alex leaned in and gently kissed Michiru. The other woman returned it. This feels…right… Alex realized. They broke apart. "Why me?" Alex whispered.
"The Sea and Sky are nothing without the other," she replied. She looked at the teen. "Are you okay?"
"I've um…I'm not…" Alex stammered.
Realization dawned on Michiru and she smiled. "It's okay. We don't have to if you don't want to."
"I want to!" Alex said quickly, her face reddening. "I've just…"
Michiru giggled as the other Senshi searched for something to say. "If there's anything you don't want me to do, just let me know, okay?" Alex nodded, her heart pounding loudly in her ears. The Sea Senshi carefully and gently eased the tank top off before guiding Alex down on the bed. Michiru softly kissed Alex as she shed her own clothes. Alex returned the kiss, her nervousness beginning to fade. Her eyes fell halfway closed as Michiru moved her kisses down to her neck.
Michiru sat up and gently ran her hand along the uninjured part of Alex's chest. She leaned down and began kissing the young woman's chest. Alex gasped in surprise, her arms wrapping around Michiru. The Sea Senshi pushed the flannel pants off. They were closely followed by the pair of boxers Alex had on. She slid her hand along the inside of the teen's thigh as she recaptured her lips in a passionate kiss. Alex's eyes fell completely closed as Michiru slipped her fingers inside the young Senshi.
Alex began writhing beneath Michiru, pleasure rolling through her body. She felt the aqua haired woman's fingers caressing her inside, her skin flushing with the intimate exploration. Michiru's mouth returned to the young woman's darkened chest and she gasped as the Sea Senshi caressed her chest with her mouth. Alex moaned in pleasure, her hands gripping the sheets tightly as she came. She cried out in bliss, tears streaming from her eyes.
Michiru pulled the young Senshi close. "I didn't hurt you at all…did I?"
Alex cuddled close to Michiru. "Not at all," she whispered. "That was… amazing…" she whispered.
"I have been out of practice for a while," Michiru replied.
"How long is 'a while'?" Alex asked, looking up into the sea blue eyes.
"Nearly twenty years."
The Wind Senshi stared in shock. "Twenty…but…you look twenty! Twenty-five at most..."
Michiru giggled. "The curse of the Senshi. We're immortal."
"How is that a curse?"
"Mars is watching her husband age and grow older while she looks the exact same as she did twenty years ago."
"I suppose burying loved ones would be hard…" Alex admitted. She absently trailed her finger over Michiru's soft abdomen and the Sea Senshi giggled.
"That tickles," she laughed.
A mischievous grin appeared on Alex's face. The Sea Senshi closed her eyes, her mouth gaped open as Alex's hand slowly roamed down her body. Michiru gasped slightly as she felt Alex's fingers slide into her. Her breathing quickened and she began to writhe under the platinum haired woman as the fingers slid in and out of her.
"Kami-sama…" Michiru whispered. Alex began applying tender kisses to Michiru's neck and shoulders. She moved to the smaller woman's chest and nuzzled her lover's breasts. The Sea Senshi's hands were gripping the sheets tightly as she came. "Kami-sama!" she cried, tears of content sliding out her tightly closed eyes. The two lay together amidst the rumpled sheets.
"I don't wanna leave you," Alex whispered after a half hour of silence.
"Then don't," Michiru said.
"I may not have a choice…" Alex returned.
Michiru turned to the young woman and gently held her face. "We all have choices Alex. I could have said no but I didn't want to. You could have said no but didn't. You could have opted not to take the henshin pen when it appeared but you did. We all have choices to make. Just know that my choice will always be you."
Alex blinked away her tears. "If she finds me…she'll…she could kill you for what we just did…"
"Then I can die happy," Michiru replied.
"I don't want you to die!" Alex exclaimed, wincing as she sat up. "I…I can't lose you…" She looked down. "When I'm with you…everything feels right…like the world has found balance…"
Michiru sat up and rested a hand on Alex's shoulder. "I lost you once already in this lifetime. I'll be damned if I sit back and lose you again." Alex turned and smiled. Michiru kissed her passionately and Alex felt her body fill with warmth.
"You wanna go again?" the teen asked.
Michiru smiled. "If I say no?"
"Too bad," came the reply. Michiru laughed and pulled Alex down.
Is the Wind Senshi really back? And what will Kyra do when she finds out? Well I'm not gonna tell you. You'll have to wait till tomorrow to find out. Until, leave a review for continued inpsiration!