Haruka ended up downstairs, sitting in her previous place, back turned to the stairs. She had put on Michiru's old music, and now, as the end of a violin piece approached, Haruka thought to herself of the song soon to the play. She had always felt empty when it came on. But...Things were changing. That song began to play, and following the melodic opening, Michiru's voice crashed into the room, in a cool wave. It had been a long while since Michiru's voice swam so openly there.

Warm hands found themselves around the collar of Haruka's white blouse. And a soothing whisper trickled into her ear: "It doesn't matter, guy or girl."

Haurka stood and turned towards the small girl. In the dim light of the fleeting sun, her golden hair cascading in divine waves, she looked as haunting as a princess from a distant world. Haruka stood next to her in a flash. Usagi's hands slid perfectly into place-- a hand on Haruka's shoulder, and a gently bent arm, waiting to be captured by Haruka. Haruka took it, and then placed a hand on Usagi's waist.

The two swirled around the dimming room, unaware of just how quickly it was seeping into night. They swirled together, their motions melting together into a perfect movement. The background music became a blur, a gentle voice leading through their dance. For this brief time, Usagi was not clumsy, but captivated.

Haruka could not look away from Usagi, or think for a moment about anything, even the gentle sound of Michiru in the background.

"You don't know what you're getting yourself involved with, Kitten." Haruka began, tipping Usagi back gracefully, then pulling her back, in a smooth motion.

"I know enough. I know I can't turn away from you." Usagi's eyes swirled in deep passion, a passion Haruka almost couldn't look away from.

"You're too delicate to handle the world you're trying to enter."

"I'm stronger than you think. I can save you, I can save everyone."

"You don't even know what you're going against, you don't know their powers."

"I know I can save them, especially if you are with me." Usagi sounded...desperate. Haruka's lips parted, and again, it felt as if her heart was beating again.

Haruka went silent, swirling the girl before dipping her low, then leaning into Usagi, as she hung within Haruka's arms.

"What about your lover, don't you miss him? Doesn't losing him make you said?"

Usagi looked up, thoughtful, at Haruka and whispered, "Sadness isn't going to hold me back, especially from a chance of happiness." She whispered, blushing gently.

They stood erect, gazes locked together. Neither of them noticed the absence of Michiru's voice, as the song had long ago come to an end.

There was a slam on the front door.
And again.
And, a third time.

The door was being bombarded, and screaming could be heard on the other side. Haruka looked towards it, "Stay here." She said quickly.

Within the briefest blink, the door was open and Haruka was already outside. Usagi, trembling with fear ran after her. She stood in the doorway, starring ahead. There stood Haruka, already with a blood arm, and Mamoru, his dark eyes, sunken and dull and limping, starring ahead of her. In his hands was a fraction of Usagi's school girl skirt.

"I need her blood." He said, his voice deeply demanding.

Haruka verbally scuffed at him, "I won't let you get a drop of it."

"Ma..Mamoru..?" There was no 'Mamo-chan'. No, he wasn't dear to her any longer.

He smirked, and cracked canines glimmered in the night's light. "Usa-ko, come here."

Usagi took a step further into the house, shaking her head vividly. Haruka looked back at the visibly shaking and frightened girl. "No!" Usagi screamed, closing her eyes tightly.

"You won't hurt me, Usa-ko. I know it. I love you, Usa-ko, help me, please." He begged, taking what seemed like an injured stumble closer to the girl. He fell, and coughed, looking up pitifully at his former lover.

Haruka, in a rushed gust stood before Usagi, who clung desperately to her.

"No! Go away!" Usagi yelled, then whispered, her voice shaking as bad as the rest of her. She began to cry.

"You don't want to do this, leave." Haruka commanded.

Instantly, Mamoru stood before Haruka and whispered, "No." Forcefully, Haruka punched him back, sending him flying and skidding into the dirt.

Haruka jumped over to him, landing perfectly in front of him, a few feet ahead. Mamoru wasted no time in charging at her, releasing a violent scream. The two exchanged punches and dodges, before Mamoru grabbed Haruka's fist. He then squeezed quickly and hard, his eyes hardening in hunger. Haruka screamed loudly, as the bones began to give under the pressure. She landed a solid kick in his side, relaxing his grip and sending him onto the dirt path beside them.

"NO!" Usagi screamed, running up to Haruka.

"Stop!" Haruka yelled back, feeling the dark smirk curling Mamoru's lips.

Before Usagi could reach Haruka, Mamoru stood, a firm grasp on the small girl's neck. Usagi's wide eyes locked onto his dark and foreign eyes.

"No...Haruka-san.." Her voice creaked, as her feet left the ground. He licked his lips. Usagi closed her eyes.

The grip around her neck crumbled, and Haruka currently stood in front of him, dodging the furious punches. Her hand, as messy as a crumpled flower hung limply at her side. They were now a safe distance away from the small girl.

Usagi reached into the top of her dress, pulling out the broach hidden to the side of her breast.

"Moon Prism Power, Make Up!" As the magical words fell from her lips, the transformation took effect. Starring ahead at Mamoru, her moon stick appeared within her hands.

"I'm...sorry." She closed her eyes, "Moon healing escalation!" firing the blast of lunar magic at her former lover. Mamoru screamed as the light washed over him; the virus had set too long within his body and rotted his very spirit. He crumbled into dust.

Haruka looked at Usagi with fright. It was astonishing what she could do...And she was...a solider? Her forehead suddenly felt so warm...

Usagi's eyes slid closed, her transformation disintegrated, and she fell. But her small body never touched the ground; instead, she found her place within Haruka's arms.

It was morning when Usagi awoke, in the warm of a strange bed that smelled of the wind. Haruka walked in after a few moments, "You're awake, I see." She smiled gently, sitting next to the waking girl. The room was a shaded golden orange color, no direct sunlight was entering the room.

Usagi hummed a gentle yes, "Are you alright?" She asked gently, looking at Haruka's hand, which somehow looked the same as the other.

Haruka rubbed her hand gingerly and laughed nervously, "Yeah, I guess it just seemed worse in the head of the moment." She sounded melancholy, and distant.

There was a long pause before Usagi spoke again; "I guess I should explain about yesterday."

Haruka looked to the side, an answer clear in her mind, "I think I already know. The easiest way to get rid of them is to kill them, right? They are, after all not humans. Why let such things exist…" She sounded bitter, and hurt.

Usagi looked shocked, "No! I would never want to kill anyone. I want to heal and save them. He was the first one to die from it...I guess that's why my friends lied to me." Usagi paused before continuing, "Almost everyone who gets infected with the virus remains their true selves underneath it all. But...a few, very few people lose who they are, they become so filled with hatred...they lose themselves. Those people who lose themselves can't survive the purification. Those who are still human can." Her eyes trickled up Haruka, "I want to save everyone. My friends protect me, so I won't be killed by those who are unhappy with me...But sometimes it isn't enough." She sighed to herself.

"How can you purify them?" Haruka asked, curious.

Usagi smiled nervously, "I don't know exactly how it works. my cat, Luna, introduced me to my powers. It took me a while to learn how to use them. But, I do know the virus is caused by someone called Metalia and Beryl. They are trying to take the mysterious silver crystal, which I have." She explained, "It sounds crazy, but the crystal is really what allows me to do it."

Within the back of her mind, brief memories of...something, flickered within Haruka's mind. She nodded, believing the smaller girl, though it seemed crazy.

"Usagi, Michiru gave me this, when we first met. And...it became warm last night, which is when I noticed it again." She handed a pen to Usagi. Usagi looked at it, before looking up at Haruka, "You're...a Soldier."

Haruka's eyes widened. "What?"

Usagi touched the girl's forehead, where the faint imprint of the symbol could still be seen, "Uranus..." Usagi whispered delicately, her eyes becoming unfocused.

Haruka's eyes become swept in a gust, as she stood, holding the pen.

"Uranus planet power, make up!" She said calmly, a magic washing over her, but ultimately failing. She stood, shocked. Haruka looked at Usagi.

Usagi tilted her shocked head to the side, "Why?"

Haruka looked down, ashamed as the pen slipped slowly from her fingers. "I'm... infected." Usagi's eyes went wide. The pen hit the ground.

Usagi crawled out of bed, and pressed herself against Haruka, wrapping her arms delicately around the taller woman. Haruka shakily wrapped her arms around her, and it felt as if for a moment her heart was beating, again.

"When I'm around you, it feels as if my heart is beating again..." Haruka said awkwardly, clearly nervous about sharing something so intimate. She was blushing.

Usagi looked up and giggled, "You're so adorable, Haruka-san."

Haruka leaned down, "No, Haruka-chan, when you address me."

Usagi looked thoughtful for a moment, "No, 'ruka-chan."

Haruka laughed. A genuine, pure and happy laugh, "That's perfect."

"Really?" Usagi asked excitedly.

"Yes, my kitten." Haruka responded, placing a tender kiss on the top of Usagi's head.

A gentle tapping on the glass disturbed the two of them, and Usagi went to open it, as Haruka couldn't. In came bouncing a small black cat. Haruka, of course, was puzzled. "Luna!" Usagi exclaimed.

The cat let out a small, annoyed sounding meow before proceeding to talk, "Usagi-chan! You're so irresponsible! What're you doing at this strange place?! Everyone has been worried about you!"

"But Luna, I found a new solider!"

"What? Usagi-chan found a soldier all by herself?!"

"Hey, why do you sound so shocked? I'm a talented solider!"

The two continued on, while Haruka watched, rubbing her eyes and gently pinching her cool skin. "This...isn't a dream? A cat is talking?" Internally, Haruka laughed at herself for being most shocked about a talking cat.

"How long has she been that way?"

"I...don't know. 'ruka-chan, how long have you been...you know." Usagi asked bashfully.

Haruka shook her head lightly, "A couple years."

Luna closed her eyes, "The only way to reverse it is to get the most concentration of the magic...Which is Usagi's blood. It is dangerous, but is the only way to take out the virus and to see if you are a true soldier." Luna paused, and she seemed much older, burdened by the tough times, "We may have lost most of our soldiers through this virus, we already lost our prince..."

Haruka looked at the cat, "I have to...drink her blood?"

Luna nodded, "Her blood is the purest. It'll save you."

Without noticing it, Haruka ran her tongue gently over her fangs. She nodded briefly. Haruka looked at Usagi, and they locked glances, Usagi offered a small smile before walking to Haruka and grasping onto her hand, "It'll be all okay, 'ruka-chan."

"Usagi-chan! You address her so intimately…" Luna purred in curiosity; her tail flipped around.

Usagi blushed and looked at the ground, "Yeah. 'ruka-chan is a very special person to me."

Haruka's own eyes grew wide, and she felt as if she were stumbling, though she was stationary.

Luna's eyes took on a mysterious shine, "I'm happy for you, Usagi-chan." the words were sweet, and genuine. "A solider so strong will go to any length to protect you. And with how clumsy you are…" Luna let the words hang.

"You're mean!" Usagi pouted, earning a small chuckle from Haruka, who immediately rubbed the pile of blond hair below her. Usagi looked at the taller woman then smiled gently.

"I'll just have to always be there to catch my kitten…" Haruka whispered lowly, wrapping her arms around Usagi's shoulders. Usagi blushed softly. The smaller girl turned to the other, her other.

"'ruka-chan…" Usagi whispered. Neither noticed, but it was then Luna left.

Haruka looked at the precious girl within her arms, and her eyes scanned the girl smoothly.

A breeze from the door opened a crack rolled in. Haruka pulled Usagi closer.

A long time past before either of them moved or spoke. They stood, enjoying the balance between warm and cool, protector and protected, and the living and not-quite living. Haruka felt sick, with an odd ache in her stomach, an ache that had been absent for a long, long time.

"I'm scared…" Haruka whispered, ashamed of her intimate feeling.

"It's okay. I believe in you." Usagi whispered, looking up at the taller soldier and smiling happily, "It'll all be okay!"

Haruka smiled. She didn't notice how Usagi looked down and as she did, the smile fell. Haruka didn't see the smaller girl's eyes flicker with distress. Slowly, they moved to the bed, holding hands. When they sat next to each other, it was then Haruka noticed the melancholy shine in the girl's normally happily glossed eyes.

"What's wrong? She asked, concerned.

Usagi looked at the sandy-haired goddess, "It…it hurts to know I killed him."

Haruka paused, feeling her chest begin to ache, "Do you still love him?"

"No…But still…I care about him. It's unfair."

"You cannot win in every battle, there will be some losses, but without those losses you cannot reach your goal."

"No, there doesn't need to be losses, there doesn't have to be anything to lose."

"It's inevitable."

"No, it's not. Why must those people die?"

Haruka stopped and looked at the passionate girl below her. The solider was blown away by the passion the small maiden kept within her. Haruka smiled gently, "You're such a bright light.."

Usagi's eyes softened, and she touched Haruka's cheek.

"Usagi…would it be okay?" Haruka asked, with a tone of vulnerability.

The golden haired girl nodded, humming a gentle yes. She leaned back, resting on the fluffy white pillows behind her. Her golden locks fanned out around her in tumbling waves, and her creamy skin glowed. Haruka leaned over the girl, looking down at the beautiful woman that Haruka already felt so deeply connected to; Usagi was truly special.

Haruka leaned further down, her lips gently touching the silken neck of the princess. With more force, Haruka placed a possessive kiss right under the girl's jaw bone. Slowly, she lifted her lips and smooth slid down, placing three more kisses before ending at the side of Usagi's neck.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Haruka closed her eyes and thought of when she first saw Usagi, while her teeth slowly applied more and more pressure to the girl's creamy skin. With her tongue, Haruka could feel the blossoming pulse that promised blood. The memory of how beautiful, how delicate and yet…the haunting power linger under her skin…She had stood out more to Haruka than…anyone.

She stopped. Haruka opened her eyes and looked at the confused goddess above her.

"What's wrong?" Usagi asked, bringing a gentle hand to the back of Haruka's head and combing her hair gently.

"I… I can't do it."

"Why? Don't you want to…?" Usagi let the question hang in her sincere confusion. Haruka leaned into the girl, straddling over the small girl. Their foreheads collided gently, and their eyes locked.

"I'll find my own way, Kitten."

"But…" Usagi began.

Haruka leaned in closer, their lips almost touching; she could feel the gentle breeze caused by Usagi's cadenced breath. The two leaned into each other, and Haruka's hand, as smooth as a rolling breeze, trailed up the smaller's side. For a second, her hand was slowed by the smooth fabric of the dress, but that tension pulled Usagi's back into an arch, pressing herself closer to Haruka.

Haruka's eyes turbinate eyes swirled with a mysterious wind, a passionate breeze. And, that breeze became a full wind storm, a storm Usagi could not escape. The smaller girl's eyes began to drift closed.

Author Notes: A terrible cliff hanger!! I'm so sorry, there was no better place to end it. Classes are ending in the middle of this week however, so hopefully I'll be able to get another update soon!! Hope everyone is enjoying the fiction so far!!