The door was being pounded on, as it was the last night.
Another set of pounds, accompanied by some muffled voices.
And again.
Haruka sighed, and pulled herself up. Usagi looked up, pouting. Haruka gently caressed Usagi's cheek, gliding it gently across in a loving gust.
"It'll just be a second, Kitten." Haruka whispered, with a small smile. As she walked away; Usagi's eyes followed the sway of Haruka's hips. Gracefully, they swirled with power only found in Gods; Her long legs ended in such precise steps, it was entrancing to watch them. Usagi blushed, realizing the intensity of her own stare. She touched her hair gingerly, which had been tied up in her usual dumpling* style since she had transformed the previous night.
As Haruka approached the door, her heightened hearing picked up the gentle hum and whispers of what sounded like a couple of teenage girls. Puzzled, Haruka swiftly opened the door with little hesitation. She then stood face to face with two girls, both shorter. The sun-shine blond immediately blushed after just looking at Haruka. Nervously, the girl looked down. The one that made eye contact had amethyst eyes, burning with relentless passion. Neither were in their school uniforms.
"Excuse me, but do you happen to know where Usagi is?" The black haired girl asked.
Haruka thought to herself for a second, taken back by the extreme intimacy** the girl has used to address Usagi.
"Yeah. But, who are you?" Haruka responded smoothly, as a cool wind rolled in. She leaned against the door, clearly capturing the attention of the blond one, who again looked at Haruka, blushing furiously.
"We're her friends, we would like to see her." Rei responded with firmness sparking in her tone.
"Rei-chan?" A sweet voice called from behind Haruka. Haruka stood erect and looked behind her to see Usagi standing roughly a yard behind her, and approaching. The one who must've been Rei practically pushed passed Haruka and grabbed onto the smaller golden haired girl.
"You idiot! You could have been killed!" Rei reprimanded. The girl who had been standing next to her, with pristine sunshine locks that rested unrestrained against her back, grabbed Rei's shoulder, breaking the girl's furious concentration, and diverting it to the blond.
"Rei-chan, it's okay," The girl's eyes took on a mysteriously wise shine, "We have another soldier in our presence." She smiled gently.
Rei, clearly shocked, began to look at the other girl, "But Minako-chan…" She gave Haruka a deep look, a penetrating stare of awareness; both Rei and Minako knew exactly what Haruka was— her 'condition'.
"Keh." Haruka whispered tossing a look to the side, "I may be infected, but I can fight." She crossed her arms over the crème colored blouse.
"We need to all talk about this. Let's meet at Rei's shrine, ne?" Minako offered, with a gentle smile, mostly aimed at Haruka.
Haruka offered a solid nod, "We'll be there shortly."
Minako nodded softly and laced her arm around Rei and pulled the girl gently past the door, closing it behind her.
Outside, Rei turned to Minako, her amethyst eyes burning in jealous embers.
"You're attracted to him!" Rei said in a pouting voice. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked away.
Minako pressed a soothingly warm hand against Rei's cheek, carefully moving the girl's face to look at her. Minako offered a beautiful smile, as a wind combed through her shining locks, and swirled their long hair together.
"Rei-chan, you'll always be my number one." Minako leaned in close, their lips almost touching. Rei pressed forward, completing the gesture of intimacy. The two blushed, Rei with a dopey grin crossing her face, and Minako with a deep feeling of happiness.
Rei wrapped her arms around Minako's waist, like ivy, tangling and interweaving for an intimate grip. Minako gently returned the gesture, wrapped and resting her arms on Rei's shoulders. They stood close, staring deeply into each other, Rei with a bit of hesitance. For the first time in a long while, they both became lax. It was rare they could relax anymore; the two were always tense with worry.
"Don't say such things, Minako-chan. You and I both know someone else comes first…" Rei looked at the now closed door to their side. Minako also looked, and nodded, humming in agreement.
"You're right. Our Princess will always be our first." Minako's eyes were not downcast or sad, but filled with bravery, honor and love. Rei smiled, looking at her lover and seeing this.
'Minako-chan is so strong. She truly is a wonderful leader.' Rei thought to herself, gently kissing Minako's cheek, earning a kind giggle from the pretty girl.
Playfully, Minako leaned into Rei, attacking the girl's cheek with multiple quick kisses. The two giggled happily, Rei frequently saying, "No, no, no!" while trying to kiss the persistent Minako back. The battle ended in the two holding hands, smiling deeply and walking towards their destination.
It was around five o'clock before Haruka and Usagi arrived. Haruka wore a loose button down shirt, off-white with golden buttons, her pants a dark blue. Usagi was dressed in her torn uniform, and both carried a helmet under their arms. Upon entering the shrine, only Minako and a blue haired girl were present.
The blue haired girl, who wore glasses, tipped the glasses off the edge of her nose and placed it on top of the book. She smiled gently, still in her school uniform, which was the same as Usagi's. "Good evening." The girl said simply.
"Ami-chan!" Usagi exclaimed happily, quickly sitting down beside the girl. Minako, who was sitting on the bed also in her uniform (different from the other two), smiled gently, gazing at the two. Haruka stood back awkwardly, unsure of what to do. Ami and Usagi chatted to themselves for a few minutes, allowing Haruka to further examine the room they were in: it appeared to be Rei's, by the smell of it. She had manga filling the bookshelf near the wall, and her head low.
"Ne, 'ruka-chan, sit with us, please?" Usagi asked, looking up and smiling at Haruka.
Haruka blushed and nodded, "Y-Y-Yeah" She stuttered nervously, only deepening her blush.
"It's nice to meet you, Haruka-san. My name is Ami." Ami stated very precisely, blushing slightly. Ami spoke properly, and almost old fashioned, but she seemed sweet.
"It seems Kitten has so many beautiful friends." Haruka said, winking at Ami, who immediately turned plum in color. Usagi looked back at Haruka, pouting lightly.
Haruka pulled Usagi closer, and from behind whispered against her ear: "You're more than beautiful my Kitten, you have no need to worry."
It was then Rei came in, sliding a door open with a basket of fresh laundry under her arm and balanced on her hip. She walked over the bed, and placed it down, "Alright, Ami-chan, your clothes are clean, so is Mako-chan's uniform, but that's all I could get in this time. More will be done in an hour." She wiped the sweat threatening to drip from her brow.
Seconds later, a taller girl with nutmeg colored hair entered, carrying a giant pot of what appeared to be sukiyaki. The smell was heavenly, even to Haruka who didn't even like food anymore. "I just finished with dinner, and your kitchen is clean, Rei-chan." The tall girl stated, setting the pot of divine food on the low table, in the center.
"Thank you, Mako-chan." Rei said quickly, as the two left, more than likely to retrieve chop sticks, rice and personal bowls.
During the course of the meal, Haruka learned about the girls and their situations. Rei's grandfather had been infected six months ago and vanished slightly after that. Because she was a training priestess and her father was a politician and thus always traveling, Rei was forced to leave school to take over the shrine. Ami's mother was in Germany, working with other doctors trying to find a cure for the "virus". Makoto, who was living alone often stayed with Rei, as did Ami. Minako was over often, as was Usagi, to help out. They were all soldiers, and knew of their past. Minako in particular told stories of the moon kingdom, talking of a beautiful world. Shortly after the girls finished this, they all broke out into giggling, as Usagi had clumsily managed to spill strips of beef and rice all over herself. Even Haruka couldn't help but to chuckle at the sweet natured girl.
After Usagi came back cleaned, they all sat, talking casually to each other. It was easily around ten at night, on that Thursday night.
"Haruka-san, what do you like to do?" Minako asked, looking at the tall soldier. She sat, leaning forward, her elbows on the table, hands overlapping and her chin resting on the backs of her hand.
"Well…I like to race." She said, briefly.
"And kidnap pretty girls?" Minako asked with a playful smile, punctuated by her sticking the tip of her tongue out, to further indicate her playful nature. Haruka stuttered and blushed deeply.
"No! That's not—" She began
"It's okay, Haruka-san, I was just playing." Minako said with a small giggle. The other girls looked on in amusement.
After a few moments of silence, Haruka spoke again, "It is late. I'll take Usagi-chan home."
Rei nodded and hummed a gentle 'yes'.
Ami looked and smiled, "That's right, we have school tomorrow. It was nice talking with you, Haruka-san."
"Will you be able to come over with Usagi-chan tomorrow?" Makoto asked.
Haruka looked to the side, unsure of her true answer; she had always been one to find her own way, even with Michiru that had been the case. "Yeah." She said, though it wasn't convincing.
Minako and Rei stood and walked Haruka and Usagi to the top of the stairs leading down. They all talked quietly amongst themselves; the gentle hum of their conversation lost in the crashing waves of the distantly near city lying at the bottom of the massive stairs.
Inside the shrine, Ami and Makoto looked at the open door, distantly seeing Rei and Minako. A cool breeze rolled into the room. Ami shivered, rubbing her arms gently. Makoto, seeing this, moved closer to Ami.
"Ma-Mako-chan!" Ami stuttered, becoming flustered. Makoto shared the blush, before slowly placing her arm around Ami, "Let me protect you from something, Ami-chan." Ami smiled, and leaned her head on Makoto's shoulder.
It was late at night when Haruka finally found herself back at her home, alone. She pushed passed the door, after unlocking it, and took a few steps in, mindlessly closing the door behind her. The house felt so…hallow. It used to be filled with such an energy, a vibrant love that seemed to fill the air. But now… A small breeze carried a scent through the room; it was Usagi's scent. And, with that smell, it wasn't empty anymore. Haruka smiled to herself.
"I get it now. It's you who made this place bearable again. Who ever thought I'd get addicted to someone so easily?" Haruka asked herself. Her thin hands, with risen blue veins, ran quickly over the cool wall as she walked by. Her mind was racing, yet blank. She felt troubled yet…happy. What was this strange mix bewitching her?
Across town, Usagi crawled into bed, Luna already lying at the foot. Her parents had left, with Shingo, apparently worried that he was showing early signs of being infected. Luna claimed that he wasn't, and that her parents were worrying too much. Usagi, of course, trusted Luna, and had no problems falling asleep quickly. Once Usagi was surely asleep, Luna cracked open an eye. Once confirming her suspicion that Usagi was asleep, she crawled out of the bed, and out the cracked window.
Luna wandered down the streets, turning corners specifically and making every precaution necessary. She finally reached the shrine and nudged her way through one of the thin paper doors. She meowed and hopped onto the low table, getting the attention of the girls.
"Luna?" Ami questioned, blinking before setting down her book gently.
Minako and Rei scooted off of the bed and sat at the table as well, joining Ami and Makoto.
"What's wrong, Luna?" Rei asked inquisitively.
"It's about Haruka-san, isn't it?" Minako asked after a small pause. Her eyes became serious and firm, unlike the normally bubbly girl. Rei glanced at Minako, admiring the girl internally, for her strength.
Luna nodded, "Yeah. I…I don't know if we can trust Haruka near Usagi."
"He seems to really care for Usagi-chan though, and he is a soldier!" Makoto stated.
Luna looked confusedly at Makoto, "Eh…Mako-chan…Haruka is a girl…"
With unison, the four girls are spoke in shock, "What?!"
"Sailor Soldiers are all female. Without exception." Luna stated, closing her eyes and sighing.
"But…Haruka-san speaks with such masculinity…"*** Ami stated, bringing a cool hand up to her flushed cheeks.
"Everyone! That isn't important! What is important is the safety of our princess. Haruka-san cannot transform. And…she's been infected. We do not know if she'll try to kill Usagi or not." Luna grumbled, her eyes becoming softer and softer as she spoke.
"But…" Minako began, but never finished. Rei looked down, knowing exactly how much it would hurt her friend to lose someone close, again. With frustration, Rei closed her eyes, accepting the idea that it was to protect Usagi that they'd do it. Ami looked down, sighing deeply and internally battling with herself.
"Damnit…This war is too cruel." Makoto whispered, her voice shaking as much as her body.
"Yeah…But, we'll find an end to it. We'll restore peace." Minako said, bravely.
"But at what cost? When do we say it's been enough suffering for Usagi?" Rei questioned harshly. The room fell to a sudden silence.
"She's the princess, this is her destiny. It may not be the kindest, but Usagi-chan will make it through." Luna stated.
"And as her soldiers, we must protect her. Even if… it's from one of us." Minako said, with her own internal strength shining in her baby blue-eyes.
A strong breeze rolled through the courtyard of the school, leaves from the autumn trees spilled throughout the air, some climbing up from the ground. The school day was over, and the skirts of several school girls' was lifted and then pushed down by their hands. There was much chatter among the seemingly happy students that grey-afternoon. Ami, Makoto and Usagi exited together.
Across the school, even though she was still a good distance away, Haruka's eyes locked on the small smiling girl. Without noticing, she smiled.
It wasn't long before Usagi also saw her, as well as Makoto and Ami. Usagi became brighter when she saw Haruka, shinning with great love and happiness. She waved largely and poised herself to run to Haruka. Makoto grabbed Usagi's slim shoulder and held her in place. Usagi looked with confusion at Makoto. Ami and Makoto both stepped in front of Usagi, blocking Haruka from seeing her.
"What're you doing?' Usagi asked confusedly.
"Usagi-chan…you can't see Haruka-san anymore." Makoto stated.
"What?" Usagi questioned with a tinge of hurt.
"She may…she may try to hurt you, or turn you or even…" Ami couldn't finish the sentence.
"We need you Usagi-chan. You're our princess, we will protect you." Makoto stated.
"No! 'ruka-chan won't hurt me, I believe in her." Usagi cried, trying to push past her friends.
Rei and Minako each placed a hand on Haruka's shoulders, causing her to turn around. She was shocked that they had even managed to startle her, though Haruka had been pretty absorbed into Usagi.
"Leave her alone." Rei stated simply.
"What if I refuse?" Haruka asked, pulled out of both of their touches and leaning her weight on one hip. A fierce wind stirred through them.
"We'll assume you're trying to kill her and protect our princess." Minako stated.
"All of this because I'm turned, huh?" Haruka asked with a cocky cough.
"We don't know your intentions, you could just kill her! We won't take that chance!" Rei stated, her heated gaze growing from embers to a full fire.
"'ruka-chaaaaaan!!" Usagi screamed. Haruka turned towards the girl, and got ready to sprint towards her.
With surprising grace, Minako managed to do a front flip jump **** over Haruka and landed right in front of her. "Stay away from her." She said in a low voice.
"Damnit…" Haruka cursed and looked down off to the side. 'I'm sorry, Kitten…' her fingernails dug into her tightly balled fists. Again, she was losing a lover.
Usagi was already thrown over Makoto's shoulder and being carried away, Ami walking silently by their side. Usagi hung her head in defeat and became limp, crying to herself lightly. "No…" She whispered gently to herself. Minako and Rei soon followed, turning their backs on the solitary Haruka.
An icy cold breeze rolled through the air, and the sky became an angry grey; the sea was surely turbulent in anger, as Michiru would've pointed out. Haruka looked to her side, forcing her eyes open from their previous clamped state. But, there was no one, not Michiru, not Usagi.
'If you're here with me…' Michiru's voice managed to trickle through Haruka's mind again. She gave herself a half smile—it was incredible how a couple small droplets could cause a sea of power in her mind.
'What kind of sadness could hold me still so that I can never again turn around…If you're here with me.' That single line, the melodic raise and fall, reminded Haruka. "That's right."
The wind shifted.
"I won't give up, Kitten." Haruka promised.
Author's notes:
*Dumpling, from odango atama, literally translating to dumpling head
**Addressing someone by JUST their first name is incredibly intimate, like something only long-term lovers do.
***Haruka tends to speak using a boy-ish pronoun and uses masculine styles to form her sentences. She doesn't do this exclusively in the manga, though.
****This is one of Minako's special volley-ball moves. It is a reference to something seen in the anime.
I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter!! The next one should be coming sooner, with any luck. Please please please review!! :3 I'd like to know people's thoughts on the story so far, even if it's just a small "I like it!" or "I think you should go suck on a spoon, you poopy writer!" Anything is welcomed. =]
Until next time, adieu.