Chapter 9: Perplexed Connections

*Haruka*

Crystal Tokyo

Haruka reported to Queen Serenity's chambers as requested. Though she didn't know yet what it was about, something told her it had to do with Kiyoko. Something was off in their bond. It was as if she were blocking her again. Haruka entered and found Serenity, Usagi, Helios, and Seiya waiting for her. It definitely had to do with Kiyoko. She looked at Helios and gave a quick bow, "You requested my presence?" Knowing that it had to do with Kiyoko made Haruka tread lightly. She didn't like that Seiya was here without her, not one bit.

Helios nodded and replied, "Yes, Haruka. We need to know whatever you know about the nightmares that Kiyoko has been having." This was what Haruka was worried about. She wanted to answer them, but how would Kiyoko feel? She tried deflecting, "I am sure Seiya knows more about them than I do, you're Highness."

Seiya knew what Haruka was up to and she wasn't in the mood. She snapped, "I've already told them what I know. If I had more information we wouldn't need you!" She hated feeling like Haruka knew more about her wife than she did. To Kiyoko's credit, Seiya knew she'd been working to build more defined boundaries with Haruka.

Serenity snapped, not willing to tolerate their bickering, "Enough! I don't care about your issues right now! I am worried about my sister!" She turned her eyes on Haruka, hard and stern, "Now Sailor Uranus, please tell us whatever you know about Kiyoko's nightmares."

A sigh escaped Haruka's lips as she spoke, "May I ask why you aren't just discussing this with Kiyoko?" Something was amiss here.

The look in Seiya's face changed. It morphed from spiteful to sorrowful and she replied in a low tone, "You don't feel it? She's gone….. She went back to the old Moon Kingdom… And she specifically requested that no one follow her…."

Blinking, Haruka couldn't believe her ears, "She what? I can't believe she'd leave at a time…." And then her voice trailed off as her mind went back to the empty bed chamber.

Seiya was so angry and confused, she shouted, "What do you know Haruka? Tell us now!" She felt so powerless in this.

Haruka swallowed and said, "I don't know much. I know she's still having them every night. I know they're getting worse." She hesitated, but in the end told them anyway, "And I know that they have to do with something happening here… Something tragic…." Her mind was haunted by the look Kiyoko had on her face as Haruka had tried to confront her.

Usagi started to talk about how they needed to go after her, even though she said not to and Seiya cut her off, "No Usagi, if she asked to be left alone then we leave her alone. She wouldn't have asked for no reason."

Haruka nodded, "Agreed. We should trust her. Kiyoko is strong." It was strange to agree with Seiya, but she knew Kiyoko. If she wanted to be left alone, then that was all there was to it… For now anyway. She turned her attention back to Serenity, "Serenity, I think we need to focus our attention on watching Botan and discerning whether she is an ally or an enemy."

Twentieth Century

Haruka couldn't catch her, that mysterious girl who called herself Atsuko. Heaven knows she tried! Haruka ran after her as quickly as her legs would go, but eventually she lost her. She stood there on a sidewalk outside of a flower shop remembering when Atusko had touched her face, though she was certain that wasn't her real name. It was strange, like there was a connection between them and there was definitely power there. However, Haruka didn't think she was an enemy. This was confusing for Haruka. Normally everyone was a potential enemy in her mind, but something in her couldn't put this girl into that category.

The scent of roses wafted from the shop as a customer exited and washed over Haruka. Somehow it made that feeling of connection even stronger in Haruka's mind. Usually the scent of roses made her think of Michiru at best and Mamoru at worst. Everything about this was so perplexing.

She meandered her way back to more familiar territory and went to the studio Michiru was rehearsing in today. Normally she rehearsed at home, but with her upcoming engagement she'd chosen a studio for part of her preparation. Haruka walked in and sat down, looking at the floor.

Michiru stopped playing and approached her, asking, "What happened Haruka?" She didn't like to see her partner so glum. It worried her a bit also. Haruka had agreed to find out more about that strange girl.

Still not looking up, Haruka muttered, "She got away from me. That girl literally ran away!" It was so frustrating.

She couldn't help it, Michiru laughed a little and replied, "Someone was faster than you? Now that is something!"

"Don't laugh Michi! It was so bizarre. She most certainly has power. I felt it," Haruka looked up at Michiru and said, "Just before she disappeared she told me that she'd see me around."

Michiru nodded and ran her fingers through Haruka's hair, "Then I suppose we'll get the opportunity to find out more about this girl after all."

*Kiyoko*

Favorably for Kiyoko, she was able to find an inexpensive hotel that rented rooms by the week. She'd decided to pay for one week and pray that she weren't here any longer than that. The idea of what could be happening at home because of Botan and that bizarre creature, Bugendai, was petrifying! Thinking about it reminded her of that last nightmare. It made her shiver from head to toe. The room was adequate. It had a single futon, a petite table with two chairs, a little kitchenette with a microwave, a bathroom with a shower, and a terrace that looked out over the area. For some reason Kiyoko wanted to be on the top floor and so she was thankful that the building had an elevator as well.

What had been an equally bizarre experience had been shopping. Trying to decide what she needed, what was the best buy, and having to get it all herself was new. She was royalty. Kiyoko had never had to shop for food, clothing, or household goods. It'd all been provided. It was a humbling thing for her. Though she had gone a little overboard on the clothes. But she'd forced herself to buy a simple black purse and only two pair of new shoes. Alright, maybe the shoes weren't such a smart thing. It wasn't like she was planning on taking any of this home.

She was musing about that as she walked done the street carrying a few bags of groceries, thinking of the simplest meals in her repertoire, for her diminutive kitchenette when she sensed her. Kiyoko inhaled deeply and turned to see Haruka sitting in a yellow convertible with the top down, waiting on a red light. Should she stay or go? Kiyoko wasn't certain. Evidently she had waited too long. She saw Haruka turn and catch sight of her.

Kiyoko made a snap decision and kept walking, confident that Haruka would follow. She was correct. Haruka pulled into a parking spot just ahead of Kiyoko and called out to her, "Atusko-chan! I guess you were right about seeing each other around."

Well, there was no choice now. Kiyoko walked over next to the car and smiled, holding her groceries. She looked at Haruka and said, "Yes Haruka-san, I suppose I was right."

Haruka looked Kiyoko up and down, taking in the new outfit that she'd changed into. Somehow it made her feel better. The top was very similar to the dress she was wearing, but purple with blue trim and no intricate beading. She'd also bought some knee length grey leggings to wear with it and a pair of matching grey boots. Eventually her gaze made it back to Atsuko's eyes, prompting her to recall how blue Haruka's own were. They were actually a similar blue to the hue she shared with her father. Her voice had that flirtatious and questioning edge to it again as she commented, "Nice outfit. You look quite cute. Have you found a place to stay?"

"Yes, I have. Thank you. It's nearby. I am actually on my way there to make some dinner," Kiyoko said and lifted her hands a bit, emphasizing the point with the groceries she was carrying. Then she asked, "Where's Michiru?"

Haruka smiled slyly, like she was up to something. She replied, "Still rehearsing. She's got a big show coming up. I should probably be there too, but I couldn't concentrate."

Kiyoko smirked. She knew this game. Haruka would flirt until she got all of the information she wanted to from Kiyoko. What she didn't know is that Kiyoko had learned it from her over a century ago, well of her life. Kiyoko said simply, "I won't keep you then. It was a pleasure to see you again Haruka-san."

She resumed walking toward her hotel, picking up her pace slowly. Kiyoko didn't want to run again, partly because she'd have to leave the groceries. A moment later she felt Haruka's hand on hers, taking some of the bags. When Kiyoko looked at her questioningly, Haruka smirked at her and said, "What? I'm hungry. Someone ate my cake earlier." Kiyoko laughed and the two of them walked on.

She glanced sideways at her oldest friend, who was technically a stranger and said, "I suppose I am making dinner for two then." Hopefully she could get just close enough to Haruka quickly so that she could find out where to find Setsuna. That was the plan at any rate.