Disclaimer: No surprise here. I still don't own the characters.

Hi everybody, sorry for the late update. I'll promise to have the next chapter up sooner. I've already started on it so it can't take as long as this one. I'm glad to see the last chapter surprised all of you, yes Michiru is the demon queen. I still think it's amazing how most people were already able to guess it. (I tried to keep it hidden so well!)

anyway, enough ramblings...enjoy.

Superior

chapter four

- The goddess of Venus -

part 2

''For centuries we've been hiding underground,'' An aqua haired man spoke to a young girl who held his hand in her own. He was lying on his bed, still dressed in what seemed to be the clothes of a king. He wore a silver armor with a blue cape around his neck. It wasn't hard to see that this man had a high status. ''We've kept hidden during the witch hunts and the wars,'' He went on. ''But it's finally time to walk among them. To live in peace with the humans. We've waited for so long but now I know our kind is ready. We can't wait any longer.''

He moved his hand up to touch the girl's cheek. ''You can do it, Michiru. You can lead our kind the way. It's all we've ever wanted, your mother and I.''

The aqua haired girl placed her hand on his hand and quietly sobbed.''You don't need me for that. Do it yourself.'' She managed to say. Her father didn't look the age he really was. He could've easily been mistaken for her brother. Her father always called it a curse; being thousands of years old but not aging one day. He said it was the only thing that seperated them from the humans, the only thing that made them different. While most humans grew old and died their kind would remain the same age.

Michiru never believed that was the only difference between her kind and the humans. If that had been the only thing then why had they been hiding underground for this long? It was because most demons didn't look like humanbeings, they were too different. Humans were too fragile compared to her kind, they died so easily, they were so incredibly sad. She had heard of people wanting to die just because their loved one died or left them to be with someone else. She had heard of people killing themselves because they were miserable. Oh, what a sad race they were. She would never understand why her father wanted to live among them while he could rule over them easily.

''I wish I could be there,'' The king spoke and smiled sadly. ''But my time has come.'' While one hand rested on his daughter's cheek the other one rested on his stomach which was bleeding. A week ago one of their kind escaped into the world of the humans and killed a couple of them. In order to stop the escaped demon the king went along with his army. They managed to stop the demon in the end but not without a fight. A fight in which her father got fatally wounded.

A cry escaped Michiru's lips as she watched her father close his eyes. ''Father, please,'' She rested her head on his chest and cried. ''Wake up.''

They don't know why or how. People only know that they are hunted by demons and that they are terrifying creatures. So humans always think about what to do when they enter a forest of a village. They are such weak and pathetic creatures. Atleast that's what Michiru always thought of the humans who feared her kind. Sometimes for a good reason and sometimes for no valid reason at all. If she hadn't met Haruka she probably be still thinking like that.

The truth was that not all people were spineless and worthless creatures of god. Haruka was actually prepared to die while trying to kill the demon queen in order to protect the people she cared about and even people she didn't know. She believed in a world without demons. And truthfully, a long time ago Michiru believed in such a world as well. That was before she lost faith in her own kind and the humans. But now, slowly, she started to have faith again.

''What, are you afraid?'' Venus asked after staring at the aqua haired demon queen for a few minutes. It looked like the queen was in too deep thought to even notice her. It angered her. Venus had killed many humans and demons in order to get where she was now. She deserved respect.

Michiru would've said ''Ofcourse not,'' but Venus was clearly anticipating her reaction.

''Because you will quake in fear. All, be they human or demon, look on my form and give way with awe, and treat me as special.I have tired of this treatment.'' The goddess-like demon went on.

''They say,'' The aqua haired demon started. ''If the demon queen dies all of the demons die with her. Killing me would mean your end as well.''

''I'm bored anyway.'' Venus replied. Although she tried to sound tough she had a difficult time hiding her trembling hand. Facing the demon queen in person was something most demons could only dream of. Venus was actually disappointed by their queen's appearance. She looked exactly like a human. Except for the yellow cat-like eyes and the fangs but she had kept them well hidden until now. Was their queen ashamed of their own kind?

Venus raised her hand a bit and licked the tip of her fingers before they transformed into sharp looking claws. Her eyes too had changed color, they had been blue before but now had the color of blood. Venus didn't seem to particulary eager to fight the queen even though she had led on it would be an honor. Michiru wondered if the blonde demon really was bored. She almost pitied her. The 'goddess' had been surrounded by people who worshipped her for a long time now and yet she felt like she was alone.

Finally Michiru jumped up into the air, making sure she didn't hit the ceiling of the room, and moved into the demon's direction with amazing speed. For a moment it looked like she was going to hit the goddess who was amazed by her incredible speed but just in time Venus managed to dodge Michiru's attack.

The demon queen landed on her feet in the shallow pool of water the 'goddess' had been lying in earlier. She muttered something about 'wet shoes' and then turned her attention back to the now frightened 'goddess'.

''What?'' Michiru wanted to know. Her attack hadn't been that frightening.

''That's holy water. Demons are allergic to it.'' The blonde demon replied.

Michiru raised an eyebrow. Hadn't the 'goddess' been lying in it earlier too? Why was it so shocking that some demons were immune to holy water? She wasn't the demon queen just because of her family's inheritance. Rulers of the demons had to be strong and overcome any kind of weakness, like blocking out the pain. Michiru had learned a long time ago how to make her body get used to the burning sensation of holy water. It had been painful at first but now it was like standing in normal water.

''My mother was human,'' Venus replied to the unasked question. ''My father fell in love with a human and that's why I'm stuck in this god forsaken body.''

Immidiately Michiru's eyes went back to their original color and even the fangs behind her lips disappeared. ''Humans and demons can have children?'' This was a great shock to her. She had heard stories from the family's high priest about such things being impossible. Half breed children shouldn't exist and so god had made it impossible for those kind of children to be born. Atleast that's what she's been told.

''Of course,'' Venus smiled sadly. ''But it was a forbidden love. The royal family sent soldiers to kill me and my parents. My human mother managed to keep me hidden away from the soldiers and that's what got her killed.''

''I'm sorry, I didn't know.'' Michiru wasn't sure if her apology was audible enough for the other demon to hear but she didn't care at this point. Why had her father never told her about such annihilations?

''Ofcourse you knew,'' Obviously Venus had heard her. ''You were the queen who brought our worlds together. How do you think my parents met? Who did you think ordered them to be killed by those royal soldiers? It was you and that priest!''

Michiru went wide eyed upon hearing this. She didn't consent to such a thing, her whole mission was to bring the humans and demons together. It had been her father's last will.

No wonder so many demons turned against her. They thought she was tricking them or something like that. This didn't make any sense. Why wouldn't she know about this? The high priest of the family would've surely told her, he was one of her close friends. ''You're lying,'' The demon queen said. It was the only explaination she could think of.

''Ask my family when you meet them in hell!'' Venus yelled and charged forward.

She had just enough time to note Michiru's weary shake of the head when there was ablur of motion and she felt strong hands seize her. Venus was fighting instantly, violently, trying with all her strenght to throw them off. But they were like hands of steel. She lashed out savagely, trying to strike at the vulnerable area under Michiru's jaw. It did no good; her arms were pinioned behind her, her body immobilised.

She was as helpless as a bird under the claws of a lean and expert cat. She went limp for an instant, making herself a deadweight, and then she suddenly surged with all her power, trying to break free, trying to get a blow in. The cruel hands of the demon queen only tightened on her, making her struggles useless. Pathetic. What had she been thinking in the first place, challeging the demon queen head on.

Was she really prepared to die like this?

Venus felt fingers grasp her hair, jerk her head back, exposing her throat. Her struggles redoubled and became frantic. She could see the emptyness in the aqua haired demon's eyes. They were no longer catlike but almost pitch black. Venus had never seen such emptyness before. Michiru's eyes showed no pain or hate or joy. In fact, it showed no sign of emotion at all. They were just that, empty.

In vain Venus tried to raise her claw to atleast strike the queen once before being killed by her. But it was impossible for her to move any longer. The fear she felt had taken complete control of her. She was done for. She was going to get killed. She was going to die.

And then all of a sudden Michiru released Venus' limp body.

Michiru had been this close to actually killing the fake goddess. It had been a stinging pain in her stomach that had brought her back to reality. She gazed down at the wound which was bleeding heavily. Just like her father's wound had so many decades ago. When she looked down again her eyes met those of the 'goddess'. Venus seemed to be just a surprised as the queen. She probably thought she had lost this battle the moment it started. ''You got me. You're the first to ever get this close.'' The queen spoke and smiled. She hadn't even realised Venus had hit her in the first place.

The demon queen's smile wasn't an evil one or a smirk, it almost looked like a sincere and satisfied smile but it scared Venus nonetheless. When she looked down at what had been a bleeding wound Venus noticed how Michiru had stopped bleeding already. In fact, the wound seemed to have healed completely. Was this the true power of the Kaioh family? How foolish had she been to challenge her. So incredibly foolish.

Venus bowed her head down and and sunk her hands into the dirt, much like the people who worshipped her had done earlier. ''Go ahead. Make it quick.'' She somewhat begged and closed her eyes. A tear slide down her cheek although she had no idea where it had come from. Her heart was racing and for the first time in a long time she was actually scared. She had no clue where that human emotion had come from.

''Stand up,'' The demon queen demanded.

Venus just kept her eyes focussed on the ground as if she wasn't worthy enough of looking at the aqua haired demon. She planned to remain that way until that damned queen stopped toying with her and just ended all of this. She had lost and admitted defeat. What else did she want from her?

Suddenly she was shaken out of her thoughts when she realised someone was offering her a hand to get up. 'It can't be,' she thought and slowly looked up. And yes there it was, Michiru was smiling down at her while holding out her hand. There was no sign left of those empty eyes Venus had feared so much earlier. She didn't know what to believe anymore, she didn't know what was real either.

''I'm not going to hurt you.'' Michiru spoke and sat down on her knees in front of Venus. ''You should get dressed into something comfortable before those humans wake up.'' Venus who was still naked suddenly became very aware of herself and blushed. Her eyes were no longer focussed on those of Michiru but were now looking at the tear in the queen's chinese dress.

A sigh of relieve escaped her lips. Maybe she wasn't as ready to die as she thought she was. Once more Michiru offered Venus her hand and this time the blonde 'goddess' took it in her own and allowed herself to be pulled up. Behind her she could hear one of her male victims, an old man, start to wake up.

Michiru had noticed it too and quickly turned around to walk towards the blonde woman she had entered the temple with. It made Venus wonder why the queen was walking around with a human. Did this blonde woman hold a significant meaning to the queen? ''What's going to happen now?'' She asked before even realising the question had escaped her lips.

She watched as the aqua haired demon sat down on her knees once more beside the still unconscious blonde woman. Michiru cupped the blonde's face and seemed to hold a peaceful smile on her lips as she whispered something inaudible to the unconscious form. ''You're coming with me and Haruka.''

'Haruka,' Venus repeated in her mind. Where had she heard that name before? 'Wait, what?' Michiru's words finally sunk in.

''You're strong. And half human. I didn't think it was possible but it's perfect. I want to show Haruka that demons aren't all evil. You're a great example. Besides, you are strong. I could use your help.''

''You're stronger than me. What could I possibly do to help?'' Venus asked although she was wondering why she was even asking this. She really wasn't planning on traveling with that queen.

''I want this world to be what it used to be. A peaceful place. To do that I need to destroy all demons who have gone astay. I need to make sure humanbeings and demons can live together in harmony.'' Came the reply. Michiru's voice sounded determined.

Venus nodded although she didn't quite understand why the queen would want something like that, live equally among humans. ''You said you wanted that woman to know demons weren't all bad. Why is she with you if she's against our kind.''

''She knows I'm a demon. And I don't think she really likes me much but if I can't change the mind of one human how will I be able to convince the whole world?'' She paused for a moment while stroking Haruka's hair. ''She's a strange one. She only beats us demons down but doesn't kill us. She believes that life is holy. She will only take one life. Mine. The life of the queen of all demons.''

''You mean you're friends with someone who actually wants to kill you?'' Venus was astonished.

Michiru nodded and rested Haruka's head on her lap as she continued stroking the blonde's hair. ''She doesn't know I'm the demon queen and for now I wish to keep it that way,'' She eyed Venus. ''I expect you to keep my secret. I did spare your life after all.''

The blonde 'goddess' didn't reply. Instead she turned around to look out of the small window in the corner of the room. Venus squinced her eyes focussing on a strange kind of machinery that lie in front of her hidden underneath leaves and mud. She assumed the thing was what was called a 'car' a long time ago. And invention made by human beings to make transport easier. This one looked like it hadn't been used in ages. It was probably from a long time ago before the demons even started to possess the earth.

Venus thought it was difficult to imagine a time where people used computers to talk to each other or used television to be aware of what was happening in a land they'd never been and probably would never go to either. And those things called 'cars', they must've been wonderful and dangerous. She could remember hearing a human talk about cars a long time ago. To roll down your window and to have the wind blow on your hair, driving past the coast while listening to music, it must've been wonderful.

Her eyes drifted back on the rusted old car. The tires were flat and it had lost all color due to being exposed to the four seasons more than once. The front window was too dirty to look through but it didn't stop her from wondering about what it looked inside. In all those years she had been luring humans to this place she had never noticed that car before. She had never wondered about human life that much either. Something about that demon queen had woken something up from deep inside her. Maybe her human side. 'God I hope not,' She shook her head and smiled ironically.

''Minako,'' Venus suddenly said, breaking the silence.

Michiru didn't look up and just replied with a questioning sounding 'huh?'. She seemed to be too preoccupied with the blonde who was about to wake up.

''That's the name my parents gave me. Minako.'' She repeated while picking up a full lenght cloak and pulling the heavy material over her shoulders and naked body.

''Call me Michi,'' came the absent reply as Michiru's blue eyes met Haruka's green ones. ''Hi, welcome back.'' She whispered soothingly.

Haruka blinked a couple of times, trying to remember where she was and why she was lying on Michiru's lap. When all she could recall was talking to some guards outside she decided to ask Michiru, slightly embarrassed to have to ask that irritating demon girl. ''What happened?''

''You fainted along with a couple of other people,'' She eyed at the unconscious bodies that still lay on the ground. Only one man was already sitting up with his back against the wall, holding his head as if it was too heavy to carry. ''Some kind of gas leak I think.''

Haruka just nodded as if to say she would pretend of believe that excuse for now. Michiru found it scary how Haruka had been able to see through her lie that easily. It sounded pretty convincing to her. ''This is Minako,'' She quickly changed the conversation topic.

She felt the blonde tomboy move away from her lap and sit up. For some reason Haruka's action pained her. She had no idea why though. ''She going with us from now on. To find the demon queen.'' She lied.

Minako raised an eyebrow but shook it off and extended a hand to the taller blonde. ''Nice to meet you. I'm Minako.'' She wasn't going to admit it but it could actually be fun traveling with a human to find the demon queen. It would be an endless search.

There were bits of wet leaves and crumbs of earth adhering to Haruka's clothes, but she did not bother to brush them off. Instead she kept looking at the blonde beauty in front of her. She was almost too pretty to be human. And when Haruka thought about it, she probably was. ''Is she a demon too?''

''Do you really want to know?'' Michiru crossed her arms and smirked.

''And why are you deciding she's coming with us?'' Haruka turned her head to face the aqua haired demon. ''I never wanted you to come along in the first place. It's too dangerous.''

''Says the person who was lying on the ground drooling a few minutes ago.'' Michiru stuck out her tongue playfully. Minako just watched the scene in front of her in wonder. The demon queen she thought a couple of minutes ago had completely changed.

Haruka blushed and turned away from Michiru. Slowly she raised her hand to her mouth to see if there was actually any drool there. Her blush grew deeper when she realized she had been tricked again. ''I wasn't drooling.'' She muttered to herself. ''Anyway, do as you please. Tag along. Just don't expect me to help you every time you get in trouble.''

''Don't worry,'' Michiru reassured the blonde 'goddess'. ''She has a big mouth but when push comes to shove,'' She decided to finish that sentence with a wink.

''Let's go. Before these people all wake up. I'd rather not explain what we're doing here. Especially since I don't know either.''

''Gas leak.'' The aqua haired demon girl sang playfully but then gestured Minako to come along. Haruka was right, it was better to leave this place. Haruka may not remember but those other people might remember Minako.

To be Continued

Sorry for the late update!

In the next chapter Haruka, Minako and Michiru will head back to Haruka's hometown and face a whole new kind of enemy in demons who've taken the form of the seven deadly sins.

Everyone, thank you for reviewing the past few chapters, I'm glad people are enjoying this story. Hopefully I can keep updating! I look forward to your opinions on this chapter.

thesocialretard: although I enjoyed writing the previous chapter it just didn't feel like my own work, it had to put too much difficulty in it which made writing that chapter annoying as well. So I decided to go back to my usual style of writing. Hopefully I don't disappoint you too much, hehe. anyway, thanks for sticking to this story!