Chapter 3: Strange Encounters

*Mamoru*

He was looking at the paper in his hand. Usako had scribbled Haruka's number on it. As he stared at it, Mamoru wondered how he had let her talk him into this. Oh right, he would do anything for his beloved Usagi. Sometimes he cursed himself for that. Mamoru stared at that piece of paper a while longer before he forced himself to dial the number. Part of him hope that Haruka would not answer, but after about five rings she did. On the other end of the phone he heard, "Hello, Haruka Tenoh, who is this?"

Mamoru groaned internally, remembering how direct Haruka was. He cleared his throat and replied, "Hey, it's Mamoru. I was hoping we could meet somewhere. I would like to speak with you about something." If she was going to be blunt, he guessed he should too.

Through the receiver he heard a big sigh and then a long silence. Eventually Haruka told him, "Fine. Meet me at Jubin Park in an hour." In an instant all that Mamoru heard was a dial tone. He frowned at the phone. This was not a good idea.

Regardless of his reservations, Mamoru found himself walking through the park an hour or so later. After a bit he saw her. Haruka was leaning against a tree, fidgeting, as the sun set behind her. He chuckled, remembering when they all had mistaken her for a man. Even now she could pull it off in her black dress shirt and navy slacks.

Taking a big breath, he approached her, "Thanks for meeting me Haruka." Mamoru extended his hand in a gesture of good faith.

Watching, Mamoru waited as Haruka eyed his hand momentarily before taking it. This was what had always bothered him about her, she acted as if he were second rate. Mamoru didn't know if it was because he was not a Senshi, or because he was a man. Either way, he hoped it improved before he took the throne with Usagi.

Haruka shook his hand and got right to the point, "I am guessing the princess asked you to talk to me because of the nightmares?" She leaned back again, crossing her arms.

The Earth Prince nodded, "Yes. She asked me to see if I could help, since you haven't told Michiru about them." He paused, worried about how Haruka would react, "If you'd rather talk to Rei…"

She shook her head and cut him off, "No. If I talk to Rei, she'll tell Michiru whether I want her to or not." Mamoru had to admit that Haruka had a point there.

Conceding that she had a point, Mamoru pushed on, "Do you want to go somewhere and talk then?" Sometimes he felt like a fish out of water talking to her. Mamoru also knew that Haruka, along with the other Outer Senshi were private individuals.

Haruka shook her head, "No, this is fine." She stood there, arms still crossed, with a stone expression that clearly told Mamoru this was anything but fine.

Running a hand through his raven hair nervously, Mamoru continued, "Okay then. Why don't you tell me about the nightmares that you've been having?"

Her desire not to answer him was painted all over Haruka, but she did so anyway, "First off, I want to be clear. NO ONE is to hear about this, and yes I mean the princess. Tell her we talked or whatever, but you cannot tell her about my nightmare… and it's one that repeats every night." Mamoru saw her look at him expectantly and so he nodded. She seemed satisfied with this and went on, "Like I said, it's the same dream every night and it feels real. It doesn't feel like a dream. Waking up in a cold sweat isn't helping either." Haruka told Mamoru about the dream: the rain, the light, the scream, and the darkness.

Mamoru listened, placing his thumb and index finger on his chin as he mulled it over. After several minutes he responded, "I think you're right. I don't think it is just a dream. It sounds like a memory." He watched as her eyes grew wide and so he kept going, "It reminds me of when I would dream about the Silver Millennium, about Serenity and the Silver Crystal."

Haruka's brow furrowed, "But the voice wasn't Michiru's… And…" She got quiet and looked at the ground. Mamoru found this side of Haruka confusing. He did not see her allow herself vulnerability EVER as far as he knew.

With a sigh, the Earth Prince placed one hand on her arm, "Listen, whatever is going on, you should…. "His voice dropped off as her saw a vision. Mamoru saw a dragon made of fire, nothing more. But that alone was enough. Something was definitely going on. Taking a breath, he forced his composure back, "You should talk to Usagi or Michiru. Usagi will be there for you. She's there for everyone. And Michiru, she's your partner."

Nodding, the Senshi of the Sky walked away, no goodbye, no thank you, no words at all. Mamoru stood there, wondering if the dragon he had seen was connected to her dream about the light. Either way, he had a feeling that trouble was on its way…. But what kind?

*Phoenix*

The fiery red head sat there, alone. She had gotten into a fight with her mom about something. Hell, she couldn't remember what at this point. But she had walked for what seemed like an extremely long time, trying to let her anger walk itself out. That helped usually. Today though, today Phoenix could not get her blood to stop boiling.

She was about to get up and try to figure out where she was when her eyes focused in on something, or rather someone, and Phoenix felt frozen. It had to be a coincidence! Otherwise, why would this happen twice in one day? No matter the reason, Phoenix was staring at her and knew she needed to stop. Still, her eyes wouldn't listen.

Then things just got worse, the object of her staring turned around and locked eyes with her. Phoenix thought to herself…. …'No! No! No! Don't look at me!'… …But she did not listen. She looked at Phoenix, clearly astonished. It may have helped if Phoenix had actually said something, unfortunately she could only stare feeling mortified of herself.

Phoenix's embarrassment only intensified further when the target of her staring started walking towards her. She told herself that she had to get up. She had to leave now. She didn't want to talk. Yet, she sat there just watching.

A moment later Phoenix was faced with the tall and beautiful woman that her sister had mistaken for a man earlier. She looked up as the woman looked down at her, her sandy blonde bangs falling into her face. Then she smiled at Phoenix and it was so bright that it didn't feel like sunset anymore. When the woman spoke, Phoenix noticed how smooth her voice was. She said, "Hey there. Didn't I see you earlier today with another girl?"

At first Phoenix just nodded woodenly. But then she got pissed at herself for acting like such a foolish girl and she found her voice, "Yes, I think so. I was with my sister." She stood up, taking note of how much taller than her the other girl was. Without thinking, she extended her hand, "My name is Phoenix, nice to meet you."

The blonde only hesitated an instant. As she took Phoenix's hand she replied, "Nice to meet you. My name is Haruka…" She stopped talking abruptly and then Phoenix saw a strange image flash in her mind. She saw a dragon entirely made of fire. She could feel her eyes widening, but clearly she was not the only experiencing something here. The blonde, Haruka, looked at her with wide eyes as well. She pulled her hand back and just stared at Phoenix.

It made Phoenix want to squirm, those steel blue eyes boring into her. Finally, she couldn't take it and so she looked down. She mumbled, "I'm sorry."

The tall girl whispered in response, "What was that? Who are you?" She seemed confused and suspicious at the same time. Phoenix understood, she felt the same way. Then she remembered the other girl, the one with the dark hair. Phoenix had told Mikayla to stay away from her, at the same time there was this nagging voice in her head that told her she needed to see her RIGHT NOW.

Then she remembered what she had told them. Come to the Hikawa Shrine. Phoenix needed to go there. She had to. So she muttered as she turned on her heels, "Sorry, but I have to go see a girl." Phoenix took off, hoping and praying the blonde wouldn't follow her… And that she could find the stupid shrine and that this girl could actually help her.