Then it happened one day, we came round the same way

You can imagine his surprise when he saw his own eyes

I said please, please understand

I'm in love with another man

And what he couldn't give me

was the one little thing that you can

-Heart (All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You)

~NEPTUNE~

Michiru

Michiru held Haruka's hand as they entered Qwyn's penthouse. Her lover hesitated for awhile before allowing herself to be led to Rukia's room. They paused at the door.

There was the soft sound of the piano playing. She almost didn't want to interrupt but it had to be done. The music stopped as she knocked.

The door opened and she watched the look of skepticism leave her lover's face. She had seen her own eyes in the girl.

"Mama?" Rukia asked as she looked at Michiru. "Is this papa?"

She nodded and the girl hopped into Haruka's arms.

Haruka accepted the child and she lovingly embraced her. A trail of tears fell down her cheek.

"Why are you crying?" Rukia asked.

"I'm glad to see you," Haruka said.

"ég elska þig," Rukia said.

"Dóttir mín, ég elska þig," Haruka said. She set Rukia down and knelt beside her. "We have a lot to talk about. Plus I have a lot of stories to tell you."

"I want to hear all of them," Rukia cheered. She started leading Haruka into her room.

Michiru was about to follow but she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"We have a problem," Qwyn said. She followed him to a desk and he pulled out a tablet and pulled up a schedule. "Read this."

I, King Victarion, the first of my name, ruler and protector of Neptune, am hereby ordering Ambassador Qwyn Sea Breeze to hand over the assumed child of Princess Michiru. If you resist this demand I will send out a warrant for your detainment on charges of treason.

"He's gone mad," she said.

"I fear he may be on his way now," Qwyn said.

She looked over to Rukia's room.

"She won't let him take her," she said. She looked back at Qwyn.

"The only way you'll be free is if you run now while everyone is distracted," Qwyn said.

"We can't," she replied.

"Keep Rukia safe," Qwyn said. "I have enough Lunarian Marks to get you to Neptune but in Nelisport show them this." He reached into his pocket and pulled out an iron coin with an engraving of a kraken on it. "Recite Mar an fhithich cuileagan, and someone will take you to where your ancestors prayed."

"Only me?" she asked.

"Yes, you need to have Haruka to take Rukia to Uranus and hide there," Qwyn said.

"She will never let me go alone," she said.

"Then get rid of the ship on Uranus then take a tram to Neptune," Qwyn said. "Don't let anyone recognize either of you."

"That's easy for Haruka," she said. She remembered that Haruka fooled everyone by posing as a soldier for several years. "Me on the other hand."

"You will be fine," Qwyn said. He turned away and rushed to a closet and pulled a a sword in a scabbard. "Here's the real Trident."

"How did you-"

"It was seized from you when you were tried for the rebellion," Qwyn said.

"Thank you, Qwyn," she said.

"Explain things to those two and I'll get my marks together for you," Qwyn said. "Let me know when you are ready and I'll make a commotion by starting a war for King Victarion."

"But-"

"The Queen's justice is more just than Victarion's justice," Qwyn said. He looked toward Rukia. "Dying for her is worth all the pain."

"Thank you for taking her in and letting me get to know her," she said.

"Thank Venus," Qwyn said.

"Venus?" she asked.

"She wants freedom for all of you," Qwyn said. "It seems she is a rebel."

"Interesting," she said.

"Quickly now," Qwyn said.

She turned and walked into Rukia's room.

"Mama, what's wrong?" Rukia asked.

"There's something I need to tell you," she said.