Seiya strained as she lifted her head from its spot between her knees, her frown deepening as she spotted the puddles of moisture on the fabric covering her knees. She angrily wiped her face giving her a momentary glimpse of the other room occupants before her vision clouded again with unshed tears. Taiki was in the chair, an abandoned book on her lap as she tried to take her mind off the grave scenario before them. Her gaze slowly focused on the two figures on the floor, though Seiya guessed she wasn't seeing anything.
Haruka lay on her back, teal eyes locked onto the ceiling fan that spun overhead. A smaller figure curled beside her on the floor, the sensitive Light using the tall blonde as a pillow as she tried desperately to control her sobs. A gentle hand provided a comforting touch until Yaten stopped shaking. The blonde glanced down to confirm that the shorter idol had drifted back to sleep before she lazily moved the gentle hand up to play with her locks.
They were all emotionally exhausted, drifting aimlessly in their sadness, lost without their princess. Yaten had taken on the full force of all their combined emotion, and whether intentional or not, she resented the burden she had to carry. Her mood worsens with the emotional exhaustion, and the others soon learn that any talk about their situation quickly leads to a surprisingly violent outburst from the shortest member. The question of how they let this happen came and went without an explanation. As they tried to make sense of it, the memory repeatedly played, exhausting them all over again.
Seiya sat up straight as she heard the noise again that had pulled her from musings. Turning her head the rest of the way around the room until she spotted the small cell phone discarded on the end table. Finally realizing it was the source of the annoying sound, she picked it up to silence it, pausing when she saw the name displayed.
"Seiya?" The soft voice practically whispered on the other end of the phone. "I was worried," Usagi continued when the singer remained silent.
"It's been rough," Seiya finally sighed, her voice taking on a timber she didn't realize, and she could sense the petite blonde flinching on the other end of the line.
"Maybe we can come by with food, and we can…."
"We'll be fine," she relented to calm the young girl as she could hear her begin to tear up on the other end. "Okay, we'll let you know," Seiya responded with a sly smile before she closed the cell phone. Teal eyes blinked at the singer knowingly but remained still for the silver-haired girl to stay asleep.
"She wants to visit," Seiya sighed as she kneeled beside the blonde, her gaze resting on the floor. "They're worried about us."
"Why are they so worried?" Taiki snorted from her seat as she moved the unread book from her lap.
"They are our friends," Seiya glared at the tall idol. "Why would they not worry?"
"They just want our help," the brunette sighed.
"We know better than most what they are up against. It'd be stupid not to want our help," Haruka retorted. The three paused as they heard the whimpers of the silver haired idol stirring, hoping silence would lull her back to sleep. Lime green eyes blinked open at them, a hopeful look on her face before a sadness took hold.
"I had a dream we returned to Kinmoku," she rubbed her eyes.
"That's right, there is nothing left for us here anymore," Haruka agreed as she moved to lean her back against the sofa. All three looked up from the floor at the tall Light in her chair, waiting for her response.
"Everything I read," Taiki began, annoyed that the others suspected she had already checked. "We can accomplish the power needed to rebuild with the four of us."
"But Galaxia isn't defeated. So we leave them here alone?" Seiya countered, one eyebrow raising in a challenging manner that the blonde recognized instantly.
"Hey, no one is saying that just yet," Haruka jumped between the two, diffusing the argument that Taiki had done so many times for her. "Maybe we should talk to them, make a plan," she continued. "Whether they need our help or not, we can defeat her faster together." Haruka paused, her words burning her throat as she spoke them, the memory of Michiru's imputation still a fresh wound.
"Why should we delay rebuilding our home to help those girls? They didn't do anything, as Princess Kakyuu was murdered by those bitches!" Yaten groaned as she folded her arms over her chest.
"You're going to leave it up to those little girls to get revenge on Kero and Fox?" Haruka accused the smaller light, lime green eyes narrowing dangerously at her.
"Don't give me that," Yaten frowned. "I know what you're trying to do. You both just want to hang around those doxies that have bewitched you?" Yaten's body was impacted against the opposite wall of their room before she uttered another word.
"I told you to leave them out of this," Haruka hissed as her hand grasped the collar of the shorter girl. Her height was the perfect display of threat that Haruka could use.
And Yaten knew it. Still, the singer lifted her chin, returning the challenge—and completely turned her head to meet her gaze. Yaten was cornered, but she was not a coward. Haruka admired that about her.
"Nothing will come from this!" Taiki demanded. "What would our princess think if she saw us like this?" A hand on her shoulder signaled to the blonde she was out of line, and she released her grasp on the silver haired singer without relenting her stare. "We must remember her words to keep Sailor Moon safe. Even if we do not understand why, Kakyuu believed it important enough to give her life to protect them," Taiki buried her head in her hand to hide her disbelief at her own words. Indeed, they need to follow their princess's request. Taiki had suspected that in Kakyuu's time on this planet before the Starlights began their search, she had found a power that had yet to be revealed to them. At least, that is what Taiki hoped. Their princess came here in search of the ability to stop Galaxia, and they must continue her work. Purple eyes traveled over her teammates, each staring at a different room corner. She needed them to be able to work together before there was any hope of teaming up with the other scouts.
"Seiya, since you have a better rapport with Usagi, you may visit. Convince her that we are mending our souls and will be ready for the next steps," Taiki directed as the raven haired idol stared blankly at the sudden chasing. "As for you," she added, shifting her gaze to Yaten before the small model could complain. "I have found some notes from Kakyuu about meditation. Balancing your energy before you do anything else will benefit you." Lime green eyes rolled, but the short girl remained silent. "I will help monitor you while you focus," Taiki added as she turned to look at the blonde. Haruka blinked a few times as she realized everyone had a task to move forward, and they were waiting for her.
"She can come with me," Seiya offered to their surprise. "I'll need help to answer all of their questions." Haruka turned her gaze to the ground as she couldn't find a retort. She had no interest in seeing the teal haired woman again, and the other weren't far behind, assuming they shared the same opinion. Haruka lifted her head to meet the stare of navy blue eyes, telling her that the singer guessed her hesitation, but it wouldn't get her out of it.
"Good, now that is settled," Taiki slapped her hands together as she finally looked away from the silent conversation the two were having. "We'll meet back here by sundown, agreed? And notify us if you run into any trouble. I doubt we'll see Fox or Kero so quickly, but one cannot be too careful."
Haruka shoved her hands into her pocket as she took slow, calculated steps down the sidewalk, feeling like she was walking toward her doom. Seiya kept the languid pace without a word, not knowing what to say to comfort the blonde.
"So why did you want me to come with you? I guess I don't even register as competition for you anymore," the blonde released a mix of a chuckle and a sob. Seiya raised a curious brow at the blonde's odd joke but was slightly relieved that she was trying to make conversation.
"That's not entirely true," Seiya smirked as she nudged Haruka. "One smile from you, and I know Usagi will forgive you."
"You're telling me you don't sense it?" Haruka flatly asked as she stopped her movements, causing Seiya to glance over her shoulder at the blonde. When a confused stare was the only response, Haruka laughed as she ran her hands through her hair. "Of course, you don't. You have no reason to anymore," she relented in a defeated tone. Quickly becoming more concerned than curious at the blonde's ramblings, Seiya turned and grabbed her shoulders tightly to shake some sense into her.
"I can't believe you're letting Michiru's words get to you so. None of them listen to her, so I doubt she speaks for Usagi. She's just a stuck-up bitch…."
"No, she's right," Haruka's words were shaky as she struggled to steady her breathing. Seiya stared into the unsure teal eyes, a look she hadn't seen in the tall warrior. Haruka tilted her head to the side as she choked a sob. She stepped back from the raven haired woman, defeated that she had to show her.
"Sailor Star Storm, Stage On!"
Her words echoed as she forced her body into the movements she's known her whole life. Seiya stared momentarily before scanning the area, assuming the blonde sensed a danger that she hadn't. That stopped a moment later when both women were met with silence. Seiya's gaze shifted to the side before her face turned white.
"What happened?" She stuttered as the blonde's tear-filled eyes only drifted to the sky, silently cursing the still night. Even the wind had left her.
"I don't know," Haruka finally admitted aloud. "I can't transform," she added dejectedly, just in case it wasn't clear to the raven haired idiot.
"Since when?" Seiya asked in disbelief.
"Since it happened," Haruka added as she turned her head to the side, staring hard at the ground. She was waiting for the rejection, the exact words Michiru had told her only a few nights ago. When arms wrapped around her, she let a yelp of surprise at the sudden movements.
"Why didn't you say anything, you dumb blonde?" Seiya asked softly, even though it carried her accusing tone.
"We were dealing with so much," Haruka sighed. "And what difference would it make other than prove Michiru right?"
"That's not true," Seiya jerked back from the hug but still held tightly to the blonde. "I have yet to see her be right about anything," she added accusingly. "It doesn't change anything. You have shared your blood, sweat, and tears with us now more than ever. Nothing will change that." Haruka gave a soft smile. "We may have to change some tactics," Seiya chuckled. "But I'm used to doing all the work until you catch up," she teased before the blonde shoved her.
"I can still kick your ass, senshi or not," Haruka barked warningly, signaling Seiya to tread lightly on the topic.
"I guess we will see," Seiya smirked. "But for now, let us go see Usagi."
~*~*~
"Hey, Odango!" Seiya greeted in her best cheerful voice when the short blonde peered from behind the door. Singing all those concerts while not knowing the fate of their princess strangely had prepared her for concealing the true despair she felt now that Kakyuu was gone. She swallowed the hollow feeling as the bright blue eyes blinked in recognition before silently welcoming her into the home.
"I hope you don't mind, but I brought some company," Seiya smiled as she tilted her head to the tall blonde trailing unsure behind her. Usagi smiled slightly more as she began to understand the reason for the unexpected visitors. Almost as if she understood the importance of the two choosing her to include in their healing process.
"Please have a seat. I can make some snacks," Usagi offered as she showed them the living room.
"Ah, that is alright," Seiya quickly dismissed as she recalled the young girl's propensity to destroy anything she cooked. "We don't mean to impose."
"Some tea then?" The young girl offered again, which the two former idols relented. Relaxing on the sofa as the water was headed, Haruka looked around as she rubbed her hands on her pants.
"Seiya, what are we doing?" She asked with a slightly shaky tone as she turned to look at the door that Usagi had disappeared.
"Relax, we are here to visit and show that we are still willing to help. Just act natural," Seiya sighed, slightly annoyed by the blonde's uncharacteristic jitters.
"Chibi!" The small red haired girl cheered, causing Haruka to jump in her seat as she realized the girl was kneeling at the table.
"Exactly, chibi," Seiya replied tauntingly.
"Nope, that's her word. Only she says it," Haruka rebutted as she lifted her chin challengingly. "She coined it!" A smile grew on the raven haired singer's face, pleased that Haruka was finally letting go of her fragility as she moved to the floor to admire Chibi Chibi's drawing. Seiya glanced back towards the kitchen, partly wondering what she was going to say to the bun head blonde. Then, as she began to wonder what was taking her so long, a knock sounded at the front door. Navy blue eyes met teal orbs as they waited silently. When the knock sounded again, they shared a glance before they noticed the small child was opening the door.
"Chibi Chibi! What are you going?" Rei called as she looked at the small girl alone at the door. "Amazingly, Chibiusa survived her stay here—" she muttered as she spotted the two idols on the sofa. "So it is true," she added with a curve on her lips.
"Hey, where is Usagi?" Makoto asked before either singer could ask what the Miko meant by her comment.
"She was making tea, but it has been a long time," Seiya offered as she ran her hand unsurely along the back of her neck. Makoto nodded at the information as she made her wait towards the back of the house, pausing in the doorway.
Usagi stood in the kitchen, a few green patches on her hair that were likely the matcha, while the front of her apron was soaked. Seiya covered her face to contain the laughter as the brunette approached the girl.
"Usagi, what happened?" Makoto asked as she surveyed the damage.
"I was just making tea," the blonde smiled as she hid the broken cup handle behind her back.
"Here, let me help," the tall girl offered as she ushered the others out of the room.
"Why are you here?" Rei stared at the two idols before they could sit on the sofa.
"Visiting," Haruka offered as she raised a questionable eyebrow at the priestess's tone.
"Interesting," Rei hummed without raising her gaze from the drawings on the table. "Most announce their visit, whereas Usagi didn't mention you would come by," she continued.
"What are you getting at?" Seiya now asked incredulously.
"Haha," Rei chuckled as she waved her hand in front of her. "I am just making conversation," she giggled, tilting her head innocently to the side. Seiya and Haruka shared a curious frown but decided that further questions would not make this smoother.
"We were just gathering to watch a movie," Makoto offered as she walked behind Usagi carrying the tea cups.
"Yeah, the others should be by shortly!" Usagi cheered as Haruka gulped.
Haruka looked over worriedly at Seiya as the raven haired singer wedged between Rei and Minako on a pillow. A scary movie had been chosen once everyone arrived, and Seiya made the mistake of proudly declaring she was not scared of anything. Unfortunately, her words were poorly chosen as the two girls used her jacket and shoulders to shield them from view, resulting in the singer being jerked in many directions. However, she was confident that the singer was not even watching the screen anymore and instead focused on not being ripped apart by the two scaredy cats.
Haruka didn't care for the movie either, but when her eyes wandered the room to distract from the screen, she found the ocean senshi staring into her soul. When the two older girls arrived, they positioned themselves on either side of the room, and Haruka could feel their gaze piercing her from every direction. When the credits thankfully started to roll, Haruka used the excuse to stand, making it as if she was stretching before slowly backing out of the room.
Standing back into the kitchen, she rested both palms against the smooth surface of the countertops as she took the first deep breath of the evening. This had been nothing like the intended but had been not nearly as bad as she feared it would be. She released the long exhale just as footsteps sounded behind her. She knew who had joined her without looking, the scent of the sea invading her as if an onshore gust was within the room.
"Imagine my surprise when I arrived and found you here," Michiru offered as she looked around disinterested in the kitchen.
"Well, that makes two of us," Haruka shrugged, her words ringing true as she was still unsure how she ended up in the situation. Michiru paused as she considered her words before she drifted her gaze down toward an object Haruka had just now noticed. The teal haired beauty looked at the reflective surface, Haruka recognizing it as the hand mirror that she often carried.
"Did I ever tell you about my mirror?" Michiru hummed, her tone sounding as if she was catching up with an old friend. Haruka stood with her back straight as her gaze followed the shorter woman around the room.
"It's your good luck charm," she nodded, taking a guess as the woman always carried it with her.
"It's more than a good luck charm," Michiru smiled. "It's an amulet," she added matter of factly. "It allows me to see the truth in people in situations."
"And you have seen my truth," Haruka callously asked, refusing to let the woman stalking the room affect her.
"It doesn't work that way. It doesn't always show me what I want when I want it," Michiru pouted, disappointed.
"What would it matter? You already made your decision," Haruka hissed as she recalled the woman's acid words. Anger filled her that she seemingly made such a judgment with no proof.
"This is true, and the mirror wouldn't change that," Michiru hummed as she lowered the mirror's face to the counter. Then, standing beside Haruka, she reached her hand to the tall woman's shoulder, turning the blonde to force her to face her in every sense. "Yet you never defended yourself, you never tried to tell me why."
"Why what?" Haruka choked, desperately searching her mind for the answer Michiru thought she had. "I have done nothing but be straightforward with my intentions," Haruaka answered through her teeth.
"Ara, is that so? Lying to your fans, hiding your identity, following us to school, refusing to tell us anything about the enemy that you lead right to us," Michiru released a soft chuckle. "It is all pretty straightforward when you think about it."
"You have no idea," Haruka released a growl as she took Michiru by the shoulders, forcing the shorter woman to look at her. Then, smiling as her smug look dropped from her delicate features, her teal eyes pierced the ocean blue orbs. "You think you know, but you have no idea how hard it is to do all those things."
"Are you for real right now?" Michiru snorted, the blonde caught off guard by the sudden drop of the prim facade. The teal haired woman diverted her gaze for the moment, contemplating something as she softly bit her lip. The penetrative blue orbs suddenly flicked back to focus on her as Michiru lifted one hand up and around the blonde's neck. She firmly pulled Haruka's face down to meet her own, her lips pressing against hers. Before Haruka could register what was happening, the warmth of the lips was gone, and Michiru had moved out of her reach.
"We'll see what is real," Michiru coldly demanded as she raised her mirror, the glistening surface the last thing Haruka saw before a bright blue light encompasses her.
~*~*~
Haruka is looking around, a brightly lit hallway surrounding her instead of the kitchen. Along the wall, a large opening allowed much of the light to flow in, and a short shadow was standing alone. Approaching the shorter figure, she saw herself, many years ago before she achieved her signature height. She turned to see what was holding the younger Haruka's attenuation, finding the other starlights practice in the window, the view outside reminding her of Kinmoku. She blinked, surprised at the memory, and the smaller figure remainder unmoving, seemingly unaffected by her approach. Then, standing beside the small girl, the features became focused. Teal eyes lined with tears that refused to fall and long sandy blonde hair that flowed in the slight breeze that seemingly surrounded her with no clear indication of the source.
The longing in her face sent tremors of remembrance within her body, and she tightened all her muscles to remain in control. Stiffly, she turned to look out the window, the view already in her mind. She watched as Fighter, Maker, and Healer were met with an older man as they focused on sending their blast of energy from their hands to a cutout figure across the yard.
"Ah, found you," she softly said as she looked at the more petite figure. "We're missing practice."
"These aren't my powers," the smaller girl calmly said as she remained focused out the window. "And I don't have my henshin. They took it away," she added, nodding to the group in the yard. "They're having so much fun." Haruka's lips pursed as she heard the words, looking down as this younger version of her voiced the thoughts she never seemed capable of. "I hate them." The younger girl Turing, walked away from the window.
"We did, didn't we?" Haruka softly smiled, causing the younger to pause, her back turned to her. "People in cliques are the worst," she continued. "Because they made us feel more excluded than we already were."
"I hated the outings too," the small girl added.
"Yeah, those were the worst. I can hear the whispers, people pointing out how different and unique we are. But, I mean, they weren't wrong. I can't remember anything I didn't hate in those days."
"It sucks. No one needs a looser like me around," the smaller girl lowered her head. "Can I just die?" Haruka blinked in surprise at the words.
"Um, I think we should probably hold off on that." She softly smiled. "Not much further down the road, we'll make a friend. She's annoying, so heads up on that. We'll meet a kid with great taste in music and a kid who is as tall as she is kind. Oh, and a semi-spineless princess and her posse too. And believe it or not, there are a lot of people who want to be friends with us. But, best of all, we'll meet someone who will cry for us and laugh at our jokes. And keep us in line when we start acting up." The younger girl looked down as if she was considering something. "I promise she is out there."
"I guess I can wait then," the younger girl sighed as she fought back a smile as she retreated down the dark hallway as of she was finally going to join the others.