Chapter 6: A Stone in the Deep Sea

*Pheonix*

"Tell me again why we have to go to this orientation," Pheonix groaned as she plopped back on the bed. She looked over at Mikayla as her sister checked everything in the mirror. She insisted that her Juben High School uniform look perfect, complete with red bow at her ponytail. Phoenix laughed at how particular her sister could be.

Mikayla shook her head, "We want to make a good impression, or that is what mother said anyway," She pulled Phoenix up and smoothed her crimson hair and the wrinkles in her uniform.

The two girls went downstairs with their bags and Mikayla went over and gave her step mother a kiss. Phoenix, on he other hand, just stood in the doorway and waved. After the two left home, they walked swiftly down the street as they were running a bit late thanks to Mikayla's primping. As they made their way towards the school Phoenix teased Mikayla, "So, are you a bookworm or a princess now?"

Her blonde sister laughed and whipped her ponytail, showing more sassiness than normal, "You keep saying we should be princesses. Can't I be both?"

From behind they heard an exuberant voice accompanied by a hearty laugh, "If my friend Ami is any indication that is definitely a possibility!" When the sisters turned they laid eyes on a joyful blonde with a half ponytail and a red ribbon tied into a bow the same shade as the one Mikayla wore in her own hair.

There was something so bright and shiny, but strong as well, about the girl standing before them. Her smile was full of life and her eyes full of warmth. But when Phoenix glanced at her sister she noticed that Mikayla was frozen like a statue. Phoenix nudged her sister and smiled at the girl, noticing her uniform, "Are you a high school student too? We're on our way to orientation."

The golden haired girl bowed, "Yes, I am on my way there too. My name is Aino, Minako." She then extended her hand.

Phoenix took it and shook it, smiling back at her. "My name is Phoenix and this is my sister Mikayla. We just moved here from overseas."

"That's awesome! I actually lived abroad for a while myself," Minako replied as she laughed and linked arms with Phoenix getting them walking again. As she looked behind her Phoenix saw that Mikayla was following them, much to her relief. But why was her sister acting so strangely around this bubbly girl?

The exuberant blonde chattered away as they all walked, Yes, Mikayla continued to trail behind them quietly. Phoenix knew her sister could be shy but something about this situation struck her as different.

She tried to pull Mikayla into the conversation, "Mikayla can sing too! You should hear her!" Glancing back to smile at her sister encouragingly Phoenix saw a mortified expression on her face.

Well, that had backfired, but Minako seemed unaware, "Really? That is awesome! I'd love to hear it sometime!"

Phoenix tried to cover for her frozen sister, "Maybe eventually. I just think it'll take some time to get used to Japan. Everything is so different here."

"Oh that totally makes sense," Minako exclaimed. And with that she started chattering away again about all the best places to visit in the Juben District. Phoenix found her quite hilarious to be honest.

As the three girls neared the campus finally Phoenix stopped, ice running through her veins as her jaw dropped without her even being aware of it. Her eyes looked on the sight before her and she couldn't move. She could scarcely even breathe. Minako looked at her in confusion as did Mikayla. Still Phoenix could not find her voice to tell them what was going on.

From down the street she watched them, the perfect couple. Or that was how they appeared to most she assumed. But something was off, like they had once been completely in sync until a gear had slipped. Her eyes widened when the blonde, Haruka had been her name, made eye contact with her.

She watched Haruka break free from the beauty at her side and obviously head their way. Without thought Phoenix broke from Mikayla and Minako to come to meet her, something shifting inside of her. She could see a strange mix of emotions in the tall stranger's eyes and somehow it made her feel even more drawn to Haruka.

When the two had closed the distance Haruka spoke first, "Morning. Phoenix, right? I didn't think I would see you again so soon." There was an edge to her voice when she spoke."

"I didn't expect to see you either. I'm here with my sister for new student orientation," Phoenix replied, her voice husky with her desire to prove herself to the woman before her. In her mind, Phoenix couldn't really see Haruka as a girl. She was a woman. Something told Phoenix that she had seen things in life that she could only imagine.

Haruka's eyes darted behind Phoenix and she chuckled. When Phoenix looked at her questioning Haruka merely waved her off. There was still a guardedness in her movements, yet Haruka leaned down to kiss Phoenix's cheek and then dashed back to where she had come from. As she did Phoenix watched her and was met by a pair of eyes that were as cold as the ones from her dream. Wait, were those the ones from her dream?

*Setsuna*

She watched as Hotaru played in the backyard of the lovely home that they shared with Haruka and Michiru… Sadness struck Setsuna as she wondered how long their home would be the refuge she had come to love. With what she knew, she knew it could not stay the way that it was. What she had learned at the time gate had only confirmed the fragments of memory that were streaming back to her.

Hotaru had a few more weeks before she would start school and ChibiUsa would be returning to the thirtieth century while Mamoru studied abroad. That reminded her of when she returned from the time gate and he started talking about not going with the bizarre events that were beginning to unfold. She had nipped that in the bud. Her senses as guardian of time had told her that it was imperative that he go.

A moment later the gate to the backyard opened and the guest that Setsuna had been waiting for arrived. She stood and smiled at Rei, "Thank you for coming over on such short notice."

Rei nodded and the two sat down together. Setsuna watched as the Senshi of Fire attempted to find a comfortable position. She could not. It wasn't hard to figure out why though. The Senshi of Time inviting one over was not seen as a good sign. Hell, Setsuna wasn't certain it was good either.

She sighed and just jumped in, "So, I know you're curious about why I invited you over Rei. "

The raven haired girl tilted her head slightly, "One could say that. It's not like you tend to invite us over just to have tea."

An almost nervous laugh echoed from Setsuna, "That's true. We should though. We are all allies." It was her turn to shift a bit. Finally she went on, "You're right though. I have something that I need to discuss with you and you alone."

Shock ran over Rei's features, "Me?" She blinked and then her face hardened, "It's about that girl that came to the shrine, isn't it?"

Setsuna knew she would connect the dots quickly so she cut straight to it, "Yes it is about that girl… Your sister."

Rei's eyes widened like saucers and she croaked, "My… sister? What do you mean?"

Setsuna reached into her pocket and pulled out a red stone. She extended her hand, "This was given to me. I was told to give it to you and you alone."

With trepidation Rei reached out and took the stone. When she did she was overwhelmed by a flood of red light as a piece of her past that had been lost to her returned.

She was shown more of her home on Mars than she had known before. Her parents were there, laughing and arguing much like she had done with Jadeite in that life. And at her father's feet was a young girl with fiery red hair and garnet eyes. Rei listened as the girl tugged on his leg and he scooped her up. He told the girl, "No need to worry Tatsu! Your sister will visit soon."

Wave after wave came and she watched as the girl grew and grew, strong willed and sharp tongued. Rei watched herself fight with Tatsu over Tatsu's reckless nature. Her adventurous spirit as their father called it.

Finally she was shown the image of a funeral where she stood with Minako and another blonde girl while Minako worked tireless to comfort them both. The blonde girl letting the tears flow freely while Rei stood like stone, both inconsolable in their own way.

When she was returned to the backyard of the Outer Senshi home, Setsuna could see the pain in her eyes, "She was to be the first Senshi of the Asteroids, but she was...lost."

Rei curled her fingers around the stone, "Lost?! How?!"

A sigh escaped Setsuna's lips, "I am afraid that I have told you all that I can Rei. But please know that I am truly sorry."

Without a word Rei stood and walked toward the gate, "Whoever robbed her of her life…. They will know my Flame Sniper!"

*Michiru*

After everyone else had gathered for orientation, Michiru pulled Haruka off into one of the empty classrooms. They had been there for a short while and Haruka had yet to speak. She had yet to question Michiru's decision to bring her here. And she had yet to make eye contact with her.

Frustration was at a boiling point for Michiru and so she let the fine mask of composure slip, "So… who was that girl you spoke to? The one you kissed on the cheek? Is she the reason you've been staying out most nights?"

Still Haruka did not look at her, her voice flat as she replied, "She's just a girl I met the other day. She just moved here. And no Michi, she isn't why I have been gone."

That flatness, that lack of feeling was more painful than a thousand angry screams. She reached out, but dropped her hand of touching Haruka's arm. The queen of the Deep Sea was lost. Over and over she saw the scene in her mind.

Michiru could see Haruka's guard, but she could also see a genuine sense of happiness in her lover. Happiness caused by the very presence of that girl.

As she stared at Haruka, Haruka stared at the floor. Eventually Michiru couldn't take anymore. She balled her fist and turned to walk out of the classroom, swearing to herself that nothing and no one would take Haruka away…. No matter the cost….