A storm had swept through the city, causing the streets to fill with mirrors made of water. They were constantly being shattered by the rain that fell every second of every minute for the last several weeks. During the night it would pound harder, and the sea would become angry, reaching onto land and pounding its fist-like waves onto the Earth, before retreating and later repeating the action.
As the weather persisted, and more and more people became ill (same) at an alarming rate, Usagi had clearly become stressed. It seemed every day the girls were saving someone from being turned. But, for every person they saved, eight more would end up in the hospital by the end of the night. Schools were starting to be shut down; Rei's already closed, Minako's expected to close very soon, and Juuban would follow.
The virus was becoming more and more aggressive; Minako looked at Haruka with pity every time they conquered an infected, while Rei watched her with a fiery glare. Needless to say, Haruka and Usagi were both feeling drained.
Usagi looked out the window, sitting on the small bench next to the windowsill; the window overlooked the ocean, the cascading and falling force that pushed against the edge of the house with its powerful waves. Haruka watched her from a distance, pausing in repetitive action of putting glasses back in the cupboard.
The princess looked sad, and deep in thought, her dark eyes almost dimming to black. Silently, Haruka placed the last glass away, and as smooth as a breeze, she rolled in behind Usagi and placed a gentle yet firm hand on the girl's small shoulder.
"Don't be so sad, Kitten." Haruka whispered gently into the girl's ear. Usagi sat up straight, as the hairs on her neck stood on edge, and a blush rose on her cheeks. And yet, as quickly as she rose, she sunk back down.
"But…" Usagi's voice lingered, in a desperate mist.
"But what?" Haruka asked. Usagi turned to Haruka, her sapphire eyes catching the last remaining muted light hiding behind the stormy sky; and yet, those eyes captured the rays effortlessly, though they were so sparse.
"It's my fault…" Usagi whispered, looking down. Haruka reached out and lifted the girl's slender chin, lifting it up until their gazes locked.
"What's your fault?" Haruka asked gently.
"This is…I brought you into this. If I had just—" Now it was Haruka that used her cool finger to seal Usagi's lips.
"No. I chose to be by your side." Haruka said quickly.
"But why?"
"Because… I care about you." Haruka said softly. Usagi looked up to Haruka, her eyes sparkling in the darkness, as night set in.
"Really?" Usagi asked in a sweet murmur.
"Yeah." Haruka said with a kind smile. Usagi closed her eyes in happiness. She turned back to the window, examining the sea. Haruka quietly stepped over towards the balcony, looking outside through the windowed doors.
"The storm is so intense, I wonder if it's trying to tell us something." Usagi said, her eyes locked on the now black sea. She began to lean back, and her eyes widened; Usagi's arms started to flail, and she yelped several times, trying to swim back towards balance; she ended up landing harshly on her tail bone. Usagi cried out, leaning onto her side and cupping the bottom of her back tenderly; a cool hand was on her shoulder instantly. Usagi paused her tears and looked at the infected and beautiful creature next to her.
"Be careful, or something will come and get you…" Haruka whispered next to her ear, before gently nibbling on the girl's earlobe. Usagi's back arched and she gasped. Those high cheeks filled with a solid blush, as her eyes turned to Haruka. The taller smiled, earning a gentle smile from the other; the injury was forgotten.
Haruka pulled Usagi up, and with their hands tightly interlaced, they walked out onto the balcony and stared out. They never once spoke, but allowed the giant waves to speak for them. Just being in each other's presence was soothing.
Eventually though, as the rain began to pound again, falling into the sea and hitting the roof of the house, it became colder. Usagi began to shiver.
"'ruka-chan?" Usagi said softly.
"Yeah?"
"I'm cold…" Usagi began, "And…I want you to warm me up…" She finished in a delicate whisper. Her cheeks were filled with a deep blush.
"I'm going to warm you up…" Haruka whispered, leaning down and kissing Usagi's warm cheek. Usagi blushed. Haruka looked down and smiled, before softly kissing Usagi on the lips, as well. The kiss was nothing more than a gentle breeze, where the lips touched, but it left Usagi aching for more.
As Haruka pulled back, Usagi leaned into her, pulling with her, wordlessly begging for more. Haruka stood straight up, out of Usagi's reach and smirked down at her. Usagi pouted, puffing her childish cheeks out ever so slightly. Haruka's eyes softened as she stroked Usagi's cheek lovingly.
"Let's get into the shower." Haruka said, causing Usagi's eyes to go wide, her face to flush and heart to pound.
"Am I dirty?" Usagi asked in a small voice.
"Not physically." Haruka said, with a playful wink.
Usagi looked at Haruka, puzzled.
"I guess I'm the dirty one, for wanting to have my way with you…" Haruka laughed to herself.
Usagi blush deepened, "What if I want you to have your way with me…?"
Haruka felt a surge of emotions run through her, almost making her feel light headed. "Then I'll fulfill your wishes and mine…" Haruka whispered into Usagi's lips, before pulling away so a kiss couldn't be formed. Haruka would swear her heart was racing at that moment, pounding so strongly in her chest that Usagi could even hear it.
"I don't know…" Minako said softly, resting her back on the floor, on the side of her bed, while the back of her thighs were pressed against the side of the medium sized mattress and her calves laid on top of it. Her sunshine hair pooled out around her.
"Do you really think we can trust her?" Rei asked; she laid on the bed, head on the pillows, with one of Minako's stuffed animals (a chubby pig, with an extra large nose) up towards the light, a great distance from her body.
"I'm not entirely sure. She does have the spirit of a soldier, even if her body isn't capable of transforming."
"But, what's a soldier if she can't transform?"
"Rei-chan!" Minako exclaimed.
"What?" Rei dropped the pig and rolled on her side, to the edge of the bed and looked at Minako, who looked back.
"It doesn't matter whether or not a soldier can transform, what matters is we protect our princess and this planet. If we can't transform, it makes things harder, but not impossible. We can't give up on her because of that. She's saved Usagi several times already, more than we know about I'm sure."
"I guess you're right. It's just…" Rei hesitated.
"I know, Rei-chan, I don't want to see her get hurt, either. Especially after Mamoru-san."
"We couldn't even protect her from him, are we going to protect her from another soldier? Especially one as strong as Haruka-san?" Rei questioned softly.
Minako sat up, swinging her legs down to the floor; she reached up and touched Rei's pale cheeks gently, admiring her dark and vulnerable violet eyes.
"We can and will. We learned from last time, and we won't lose anymore." Minako said with a gentle smile. Her robin blue eyes held no doubt, no insecurities, just confidence. Rei smiled back.
"Minako-chan…" Rei began.
"I think we should go to bed early tonight, Rei-chan."
Rei looked over at the clock, "But it's only 8! It's too early to sleep. We still have to plan, we told Mako-chan and Ami-chan we would!"
"I never said anything about sleeping." Minako stuck out the tip of her tongue playfully.
Pale skin stretched tightly over large, cat like eyes. It fidgeted rapidly, as if trying to shake free from a nightmare's prison. It was of no use though. Gentle waves of dour magic rinsed over the girl, almost matching her natural love of waves. It seemed hundreds, if not thousands were watching her, eagerly seeing if the girl would awaken and become their savior from their queen.
A sharp gasp filled the room; alas, they had hope.
The woman sat up, her body thinner than it used to be, and perhaps more delicate as well; her muscles felt hot and almost as if they were filled with venom; her body felt foreign, but so did her mind. She brought up a hand and combed through the aqua colored hair that had slipped over her shoulder.
"So, you've awakened, Michiru." A voice called from the shadows. It was followed by the steady drip of high heels hitting the floor.
"Who are you?" She questioned.
"The one who brought you back." The same feminine voice responded; her figure became visible from the shadows. The wide, almost inhuman rounded hip popped from the shadow first, and soon the light slithered up to her waist, bust, and then shoulders, revealing her body and soon her face. The woman's reptilian eyes almost smiled at Michiru.
"Brought me back?" Michiru questioned carefully. She swung her legs over the edge of the cool stone 'bed' she had been laying on. Her stomach knotted up in uneasiness.
"I am your Queen, Michiru. You're going to serve under me, to survive."
"What?""
"Thanks to my magic, a virus is floating through your body, it's source is my power. It steals and steals your energy, making me grow stronger. Except for you, we're empowering you now as well, as my top soldier. If you want to remain alive, you will do my bidding. Eventually, we will rule everything."
Michiru shook in shock, and looked down at the ground, unsure what to make of this situation; her eyes fell to a crimson jewel hanging around a long silver chain that fell just below her bust. Her fingers traced along the smooth sides.
"You've noticed the gem. That gem is what gives you your life. Without it, you'd be lifeless and drained to a pathetic point. You're not a pathetic girl, Michiru. Don't let yourself become it, either." Beryl said softly, approaching Michiru.
Michiru turned her shoulders towards Beryl and scooted back.
"Why do you think I should help you?" Michiru questioned, with an angry look distorting her normally angelic face.
"You Soldiers are all alike, choosing loyalty to that moronic princess of yours, the same one who caused you all to lose your lives! If she had given up her quest for love, none of you would've died in the Silver Millennium; not a single one. And yet, here you all are. You follow her, without logic. Following me wouldn't be any different, except of course, you wouldn't die." Beryl said, her long, yellow-tinged nails grazing her grayed skin.
Michiru remained silent, glaring at the woman; what princess? Why was she being called a soldier? Why did this all feel so…bad? Why couldn't she shake any of these feelings of knowing but forgetting.
"I won't serve beneath you, or anyone." Michiru closed her eyes and looked away.
Beryl sighed, "Fool." The tall, slightly aged woman raised her hand, palm up, until a ball of dark blue and black energy swirled within it. She clenched her first around it.
Michiru screamed. She fell down and onto her knees, those sea-like locks narrowing her vision; she struggled to breathe, her muscles tightened. And, within seconds, Michiru's body wasn't her own any more.
"Now, you are my soldier." Beryl said with a smirk.
It was just an hour before midnight, and Usagi laid in Haruka's bare arms while they whispered to each other, talking about their lives, the past, likes and dislikes, things they hardly ever got to learn about each other. Instead of this precious time, they tested their love by saving each other and protecting one another. For now they were normal lovers, sharing the magical sparks love gives us to build eternal fires with.
Usagi smiled up at Haruka, "What made you get into racing?"
Glass shattered downstairs. Usagi's eyes became wide with shock and disappointment. Haruka sighed, out of emotional habit. They both got out of bed, each barely throwing up a shirt before heading down. Though, out of sheer habit, Usagi brought down her broach.
They silently wandered down the stairs. Haruka was several steps in front of Usagi, who had to take cautious steps, while Haruka breezily raced down them. Haruka froze within several moments.
"Mi—Michiru?" Haruka whispered, her eyes locked on sea foam green waves. The girl with the wavy hair turned her head and smirked at Haruka. Her sea-colored eyes narrowed.
Usagi froze in place when she heard Haruka whisper that name, she sank down, so she could also see the woman. Usagi was taken aback by the woman's beauty; she looked like the depictions of the most beautiful goddesses. With her flawlessly smooth and even skin, her dark lashes, sophisticated look… 'I could never compete with her.' Usagi thought to herself. Her chest sunk within itself.
"Michiru?" Haruka asked again, louder. The woman whispered something, something neither of them could hear. Haruka began to step closer. Michiru threw a knife at Haruka, slicing her through the center of her right arm. Haruka screamed in pain and fell to her knees.
A monster, which appeared to have been once a swimmer, ran by quickly and grabbed Michiru. Haruka watched at the monster stole her previous lover. Her whole body shook in shock.
The monster pushed open the door, the wood splintering, and the majority of the door fell to the ground. For several moments, Usagi and Haruka stood and stared, too shocked to move. Usagi felt sick.
"We have to go after her." Usagi said gently, approaching Haruka.
"You're going to have to drive…" Haruka said, starting to pull the blade out of her arm. Usagi cringed and looked away, but kneeled next to Haruka. The words then processed in her mind.
"What?"
"I can't drive until my arm heals more. You've driven a manual before right?"
"Manual…?" Usagi questioned.
Haruka internally cringed, but laughed softly, "It will be an adventure then. Let's hurry."
As Haruka stood, Usagi transformed, "Moon Prism Power, Make Up!" As soon as the magic was finished, Usagi began to run after Haruka, barely pulling out her small communicator. "Everyone! There's trouble! A monster was around Haruka's, and running towards the main part of Tokyo! Hurry!"
All the girls responded one by one, and Sailor Moon closed her communicator, popped into the cherry red car, the key already in the ignition.
"Shift the car into neutral and start it. Press the pedal closest to the edge of the car while you shift." Haruka said.
Sailor Moon nodded and looked over to the knob-like device in-between her and Haruka. She pushed the pedal and moved the knob, and then started the car.
"Don't take your foot off of that petal, and shift it through neutral and to the number one. Then lift your foot off and you're ready to go." Haruka explained.
Sailor Moon followed the directions, and took off. Clumsily, she turned around the corner, accidently venturing over to the wrong side of the road for a good 15 seconds before laughing nervously to herself. Haruka suddenly had doubts and gulped nervously.
The car began to roar loudly, "What's wrong with it?" Sailor Moon asked, as they went down the road at a slow speed.
"Switch it through neutral, and then up to second, using the same pedal you were using!" Haruka said softly, but with a great deal of energy.
Sailor Moon nodded and switched it to second, causing the car to shake back and then forth. They zoomed off quicker, "Now, shift into third!" Haruka said as they began to gain speed.
Hurriedly, Sailor Moon shifted into third. Haruka felt her stomach tighten; she would've already had this car up and running at full speed.
"Kitten, switch into fourth!"
"Alright!" Sailor Moon said with a nod. As she switched into gear, the car jolted forward a little, and she cringed, "I'm sorry!"
Haruka scanned the streets, the skies, anything. Her mind was blaring in a chaotic storm; nothing made sense! That was Michiru, right? How was she alive? How was she here, now that Haruka had Usagi? Was she never dead?
She looked straight ahead again: the world was blurred. Haruka blinked several times, and realized the windshield was soaked in water. "Can you even see?" Haruka asked.
"No…" Sailor Moon answered in a small voice. Haruka reached over and turned a small stick behind the steering wheel, causing the windshield wipers to come on. Sailor Moon blushed in embarrassment. Suddenly, the car entered a large puddle, or rather miniature lake, causing the car's tires to lose contact with the ground.
"What's happening?" Sailor Moon asked in a panicked voice. She began to swerve, and then attempt to correct it.
"Lift your foot off the gas!" Haruka said loudly and quickly. 'I may have to kiss the ground when we get out…' Haruka thought to herself. Sailor Moon lifted her foot and the car slightly slowed. Once contact was gained, they began to gain speed again.
The car began to scream, the engine at a solid rev. Haruka felt nervous, and quickly spoke, "Go up to the next gear! Hurry!"
Sailor Moon nodded rapidly, and began to switch gears. But, instead of the smooth transition Haruka was used to, the gears moaned and screeched as the smaller girl stumbled into fifth gear. Haruka swallowed hard and tried her best to focus on her arm, hoping it would be fully healed soon.
She then noticed something flicker in the corner of her eye. Haruka whipped her head around and saw Michiru and the monster. Bits of seaweed trickled down and stirred in the wind, falling from the monster's fin like feet.
"Hurry, turn right!"
"You got it!" Sailor Moon began to turn the wheel; the inner two wheels left the ground.
"Slow down!" Haruka yelped loudly. Sailor Moon slammed on the brakes, skidding into the turn, thanks to the anti-lock brakes. As they came to a complete stop, they looked at each other, Sailor Moon's eyes sprouting tears rapidly.
"You can do it, kitten." Haruka said softly.
Usagi nodded, and gained a small smile of determination. Swiftly, she switched started back down in the first hear and gradually made it into the sixth, with the help of Haruka. Cautiously, Sailor Moon looked down at the speedometer. She paled.
"I'm going 147? 147? No way! I can't do this!" Sailor Moon cried.
Haruka placed a hand on the girl's small shoulder, "You've been doing it this far, you can keep doing it!" Quickly, the older and taller woman looked around rapidly, and saw the monster standing before Michiru, in the middle of the street. Sailor Moon slammed on the breaks, and the two of them skidded to a stop, roughly 7 yards in front of Michiru and this monster.
Before Sailor Moon could unbuckle or even remove the key, Haruka was outside, and standing a short distance away from the monster. Quickly, she crawled out of the car and looked stared at the three of them.
As Sailor Moon opened the door, the hard sound echoed through the air, the city streets frozen, it seemed; no one was around, and the normally bustling and warm city center was a cool and hallow (hallow or hollow?) castle of what it used to be. She closed the door and brought a closed fist to her chest.
The rain continued to pour, lightening to a tolerable drizzle.
Haruka couldn't look away from Michiru, she hadn't even noticed the sound of the door closing, or even the rain that had now drenched her white blouse, forcing it to cling to her slender curves.
"Michiru? Is that really you?" Haruka asked quietly. The monster stepped to the side, as Michiru took a step forward. The edges of her long and thin chiffon dress were tainted a murky brown from the city.
Michiru didn't answer but instead took another step forward. Haruka followed, taking several steps forward. They stood, mere inches apart at this time. Haruka reached up, aching to comb the solitary piece of hair that clung to Michiru's wide cheek.
Haruka was kicked hard, in the side, and sent flying. Her body slammed into a wooden telephone pole, causing it to crack and splinter. She slid down.
"'ruka-chaan!" Sailor Moon cried out, her breath shaking out in waves of shock. Her sapphire eyes trembled, and her knees echoed in a series of shakes, threatening to drop the Soldier.
"Idiot." Michiru said in a chilled voice. She reached up and flipped a small section of her hair to rest behind her shoulder. She looked away from where Haruka was, and locked her gaze on Usagi. Those beautiful, perfectly lined and feline-like eyes clearly calculated and assessed Usagi, seeing past her transformation and the mask of bravery and maturity that came with it; Michiru saw her as just the small teenage girl.
"You're shameless for making us all go through this," Michiru began, "Sa-ilor Moon." She ended in a condescending tone.
"What?" Sailor Moon questioned in an accidental yelp. The rain stopped, but in a far distance, the deep groan of thunder echoed through the sky.
"You can't find the strength to fight her yourself, instead you drag everyone into this. You're a selfish disgrace of a Princess." Michiru turned her back.
Sailor Moon's lips parted, and she tried to speak, but it was in vain.
"Sailor Moon!" Sailor Mars cried out, running towards the smaller girl. Sailor Mars stopped, and looked to the direction Sailor Moon was. She froze, aware of the woman's power. 'She's also a Sailor Soldier?' Sailor Mars thought to herself in shock, 'Impossible! She gives off such negativity, but…no one else could ever be that strong.'
"So, the princess is rescued again. If only they knew they'd all die by your side." Michiru said, before completely vanishing, the sea-borne monster disappearing as well. Sailor Moon reached forward, as if planning to run to her, before hesitating and realizing her sluggish movements were in vain. Sailor Moon fell to her knees, and the transformation quickly faded. Usagi shook violently.
Sailor Mars looked worriedly at her friend, but scanned the area before approaching; she noticed Haruka laying before a cracked and dented telephone pole, large fragments of wood littered around her. Sailor Mercury was approaching the woman, cautiously. With her medical training, and Haruka's healing capabilities, she wasn't too worried about Haruka. Ami's sweet and affectionate voice could be heard cascading over the storm.
The clicking of heels and boots could be heard in the distance, and soon Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter arrived. Sailor Jupiter, being the physically strongest of four girls, went to help Sailor Mercury. Sailor Venus gingerly approached Sailor Mars, neither of them looking at each other, but staring at Usagi.
"What happened?" Sailor Venus asked softly.
"I..I don't know. I sensed a strong power from the one who was talking to Usagi…" Rei began.
"Was it another Sailor Soldier?" Sailor Venus sounded eager.
"I don't know. She was so dark, I don't think so. But…" Sailor Mars hesitated.
"What?" Sailor Venus asked.
"She knew. She knew about our past, she called Usagi the 'Princess'. She said we'd all die by her side." Sailor Mars continued, in a low voice.
"I see." Sailor Venus began. She paused for a long, long time before continuing, "Even if she is right, as least we die protecting the light of this universe. We cannot let that light dim."
Sailor Venus walked towards Usagi, and as she did, she allowed her transformation to fade. A wind stirred her hair, but never caused her confidence to falter.
In the far distance, the clouds parted, exposing a delicate crescent moon. But, the angry sea seemed almost to be retaliating against its control, lashing out in massive waves, as if to reach up and crush it.
Author's notes:
And there you have it! That's it for the latest chapter—a huge ten pages! I hope everyone enjoys where the story is going so far! I'm trying to keep it interesting. At this point, I'm guessing Usagi and Haruka have known each other for 5-7 months, it's probably in January or February. We're quickly approaching the big, fun battles! And yes, Michiru will be playing a large part in at least one of them, for those who are curious.
I just want to say thank you to all of the reviewers! Your comments really do make me happy, and help me continue to write! I'm glad you're all enjoying it so far!