Tenoh Haruka

For tamingthemuse - 109

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:22:55 GMT

Title:
End and Beginning
Fandom:
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon
Prompt:
109 Anguish
Warnings:
Character death
Rating:
PG
Summary:
The prologue to a series of an AU fanfic that will be known as Sailor Moon A (for "allies" and/or "atonement"). A final battle against an unknown enemy paves the way for a new adventure. (I have not seen Stars, and it will be a long while before I do, so this fanfic is not in any way based off Stars.)

"Please don't cry, Serenity."

It took Sailor Moon a few moments to realize she was being talked to. Tears were streaming down her face as she stroked the lifeless cheek of Endymion. She lifted her head at the voice and looked around.

The corpses of the Sailor Soldiers lay strewn about the battleground. The ruins of the Moon Kingdom did not appear that different than when the Dark Kingdom had laid waste to it so long ago. Yet it was here that a new evil had tried to enter the world, through a void that Queen Serenity had thought permanently sealed.

It was here that the Sailor Soldiers had fought something they could not see and had been killed.

Except for two.

Sailor Moon saw the other survivor and ran to her.

It was Sailor Uranus, her back against a fallen column. Her clothes were in tatters, and her body was beaten. She parted her lips to draw in a pained breath, and a bloody arm curled around the figure against her chest.

Sailor Neptune lay there, her head over Uranus's heart, and Moon wanted to believe, for just a moment, that she was asleep, resting her wounds. But she did not move, even as Uranus stroked her torn back. Uranus's breathing was ragged, Neptune's was non-existent.

Tears stood in Uranus's eyes, ready to fall, but she looked straight into Moon's blue ones and repeated herself as she pigtailed girl knelt beside her.

"Please don't cry, Serenity."

"I won't," Moon promised. Even as she said it, she sobbed. Her body ached, but she barely noticed her own wounds. "I won't, Uranus."

Uranus managed a slight smile, ignoring the falling tears. "Good. Thank you." She drew another harsh, pained breath, and Moon sobbed again. "I am so sorry, Princess."

"Sorry?"

"We are supposed to protect you."

"Uranus!"

"We are.." She winced, opening her mouth in a silent cry. Moon cried harder as two tears escaped from Uranus. "We tried so hard for you, Serenity... I'm sorry."

"Shh, shh, it's okay," Moon whispered. She seemed to transform before Uranus's eyes. Her innocence remained, but she seemed older, a woman, not a girl. She touched Uranus's cheek. Not romantically, but almost motherly. "Rest." She could barely speak. "Just rest."

"This is only a dream," Uranus murmured, and her voice sounded less pained but distant. "We'll wake up..."

"We will," Moon assured her.

"Maybe in the 30th Century." Uranus tried to laugh and gasped instead. "You and King Endymion. And the princess."

"Yes, yes."

"And I..."

"Will be visiting, with Neptune." Moon could no longer see, her eyes clouded with tears. Her voice was choked with sobs. "We'll have to wake you two up. You always sleep late together."

Uranus smiled before her eyes fluttered and she released a breath without drawing another one.

Moon cried freely but pulled herself to her feet as she felt the ground shake. She held her hands out in front of her, and the Silver Crystal appeared. The rumbling grew stronger, but she held her ground. Her sailor uniform lengthened and lost its color, and she changed from Sailor Moon into Princess Serenity.

She was still crying as she whispered, "Once more, Silver Crystal. Please. Just once more. Let us be happy. Let us be normal. Just once more."

The void flashed, and a shadow loomed behind it. The Silver Crystal glowed and Serenity shut her eyes. She felt the shadow rush at her, and the crystal glowed, bright and warm, above her hands.

She heard a scream. Was it her? Or was it the shadow? She opened her eyes and saw white everywhere.

And she knew no more.

For true_writers 4.B.3

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:56:32 GMT

Tenoh Haruka
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon
470 words

The rhythm of the waltz. One, two, three.

A waltz had played when the princess of Uranus had first asked the princess of Neptune to dance. They had been at the very center of the dance floor as their fathers, who had felt their heirs should meet if they were to protect the solar system properly, had watched in awe. Gone were the odd looks of Neptune's king at the strange manners of Uranus's boyish princess. Gone were the reserved expressions of Uranus's king at the detached manner of Neptune's princess. They stared as their daughters danced, never speaking a word to one another until the dance was over, and yet they moved in perfect harmony.

It had been a waltz that Uranus had danced with Princess Serenity, holding her close and whispering her oath to protect her from the dark forces that were rising. The princess had blushed the same as if the promises had come from her beloved Prince Endymion. As the song ended, a man in a mask, as many men were for the Moon Kingdom's dance, had asked Serenity for the next dance. Uranus had known him. None other than Endymion, unable to show his face for fear the Queen's guards would think he had allied with the Dark Kingdom.

A second waltz had been danced that night with two couples putting all to shame. Endymion and Serenity had glowed, and their presence was only enhanced by the second couple, who were also enhanced by Endymion and Serenity. The second couple had been Uranus and Neptune, stunning the courts of the Inner planets as they had their own. While others had danced as well, even other dancers found their eyes drawn to the princesses and prince. Then the alarm had been sounded. In the middle of the waltz, the Dark Kingdom had come, and it was time for battle.

Centuries later, Tenoh Haruka had asked Kaioh Michiru to dance when a waltz played as they ate dinner. They captivated the other diners near the dancefloor, though they did not notice it themselves. They were alone in the universe while that waltz played, with only the other for company.

Then, in the estate of Edwards, Michiru had requested a dance with Chiba Mamoru. Haruka had smiled and silenced the protests of Tsukino Usagi by offering her hand. The blush that came over the girl's cheeks seemed familiar, and Haruka felt, as they danced, as if she had done this before, as if she had led this same girl in a waltz that had drawn so much attention long ago.

A waltz with Michiru at the same party, with her perfect partner, interrupted by a daimon seeking a pure heart.

And now, Haruka was laid on the couch of her spacious apartment, listening as Michiru played her violin.

One, two, three. The rhythm of the waltz.

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:29:45 GMT

Tenoh Haruka yawned a small bit as she opened her eyes. Her back was stiff, and she quickly discovered why. She had fallen asleep in a classroom chair, tilted back against the table behind it so it would not fall over. She covered her mouth as she yawned again.

"Good morning." It was a teasing tone, and Haruka glanced to the side to see Kaioh Michiru sitting at another table, facing her. Her artbook was open, and she was putting away her drawing supplies.

"Michiru-san," Haruka murmured, "I apologize. I did not mean to fall asleep."

"You do not have to apologize. I came in here during the lunch period and slept." Her voice was soft, and her tone told volumes. It had been a long night last night. Another human-turned-monster had appeared, and Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus had been forced to dispatch it. They had come away unharmed and, thankfully, so had the human.

It had only been two weeks since that day at the circuit, when Haruka had tried to stop Michiru from attacking a young man who had become a monster. And now... Last night, she had almost killed the young woman who had become a monster. It was her duty, as a Sailor Soldier. She supposed she should worry. It felt too easy to disregard the human inside the monster. But it was what had to be done. And, so far, no one had died.

...It was only a matter of time, though.

She looked at Michiru, and the identical thoughts met midair.

"Did you get anything eaten?" Haruka asked, and Michiru shook her head.

The aqua-haired girl then managed a smile. "You didn't have to wait for me. I didn't need you to sit today."

"I know," Haruka replied. "But I wanted to give you a ride home."

"I finished it." Michiru looked at her open artbook, and Haruka felt a warmth stir in her at the sincerity of the smile that Michiru gave the drawing.

"May I see it?"

"Of course."

Haruka rose, stretching herself out, and she walked up behind Michiru's chair. She peered over the other girl's shoulder. The drawing was beautiful, more beautiful than Haruka would have ever pictured herself to be.

Michiru whispered, after a moment, "You said you wanted to be the wind."

"It's beautiful."

Haruka touched Michiru's shoulder as the artist closed her book and stood up. She was smiling still, a true smile.

"Do you have to go home right away?" Haruka asked.

"No, I live alone," Michiru responded.

Haruka smiled slightly. "Let me buy you dinner."

"Haruka-san..."

"I insist."

"Thank you."

The two young women walked out of the classroom and down the empty school halls until they reached the main door. Haruka's yellow sports car was parked, illegally, in the firelane right in front of the door.

"Oh, Michiru, one more thing," Haruka said, stopping as they exited the school.

Michiru looked back at her. "What is it?"

Haruka approached. She did not speak as she placed a hand under Michiru's chin, tilted the girl's head up slightly, bowed her own head, and their lips met.

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:36:15 GMT

Tenoh Haruka looked at the school. It was smaller than the one she attended, but it was a school for the arts, a rather exclusive one. She frowned a bit, already feeling out of her element. She wasn't a fan of most art. She could appreciate it, yes, and she was content with music, but being surrounded by art...

She had always loved sports.

Still, she had promised. So, she steeled herself and approached the building. Classes had let out for the day, and she stood out. She was in her own school's uniform, and more than a few people stared as she walked up the pathway.

Small though the school was, she would need assistance.

As a young woman, probably in tenth grade, passed her, Haruka gestured, and she stopped. So did the three friends that she was with.

"Excuse me," Haruka began.

"Oh, you don't need any excuse," the girl said, and she giggled.

Haruka smiled, indulgent, and bowed a small bit. "I am looking for Kaioh Michiru."

"Kaioh-san? Why would you want to see her?"

"I promised her I would come by today."

"You poor thing!"

Haruka saw Michiru. She was now about three feet behind the group of girls. She did not smile, merely looked at Haruka and the four others, though none of them noticed her.

"She's really stuck up," one of the girls volunteered, and Haruka frowned as she saw Michiru's expression drop.

"She has talent," another said, "but she thinks she's so much better than everyone else. We've tried to befriend her, but she just goes off."

Shut up! Haruka did not say it, but she wanted to. You have no idea what Michiru does. What she goes through. She has the destiny of a soldier. One who must sacrifice to save the world. She cannot have her dreams because she's busy protecting this world, even you!

"She doesn't like people," a third voice came, and Haruka did not think. Her hand was up and down before she could stop herself. The palm had left a bright red mark on the unlucky girl's face. She reeled, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Tenoh-san," Michiru spoke very quietly, "I think you should apologize."

Haruka looked at her for a moment, but she shook her head. "No. She deserved it." She walked past the girls, who were still staring, shocked that someone had slapped one of them. Haruka gave them a superior look and, without caring whether the aqua-haired Michiru minded, wrapped an arm around the girl's waist and pushed her back down the hallway. "Show me to your art room. I promised to sit for a drawing."

They did not speak again until they reached the art room. Haruka removed her arm from Michiru's waist once there was no one around to see, and she opened her mouth.

Michiru turned to look at her. Her eyes were wet, but the tears did not fall, and she was smiling just slightly. "Thank you."

Haruka could only nod.

Michiru wiped at her eyes, smiling still. "You can go behind that screen to change," she offered.

"Change?"

"Oh.. Nevermind. I'll get a stool."

"No." Haruka caught Michiru lightly by the wrist. "What did you want me to change for."

"I had hoped to draw you..." She trailed off. A faint blush came to her cheeks. The blush of a conscience that, when asked to explain to someone outside of the art world, realized how odd the request sounded.

Realization dawned on Haruka. "Oh."

"You don't have to," Michiru insisted. "I forgot that you've never done this before. I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

Haruka was quiet a long time, and she gave Michiru a small smile. She said nothing, just waving a hand as she walked toward the screen, slipping off the jacket of her school uniform as she went.

02. For justprompts

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:04:36 GMT

I love you.

I have never said that.

I should have said it the first time I saw you. Not the first time we met. The first time I saw you.

I left a book at school, and when I went back to get it, I stopped by the pool. I don't know why I did. I just did. You were there. I watched as you did three laps, and I did not dare move or speak. I watched you climb out of the pool, and I slipped away. I was afraid of you. Of my dream.

I never told you that.

I love you.

No matter what happens, I love you.

You'll read this someday. I promise you will. Once the Messiah appears. Once the Silence is stopped. You will read this. I don't know if I'll be around, though. This mission might kill me. I won't let it kill you. No matter what happens, I will protect you.

You have to know. You do, don't know? You know. You have to. I know I'm cold at times. I say we don't have time to fall in love. That all that matters is finding the Talismans. That is very important. But I do love you. I fell in love that first moment I saw you. I was sure when we spoke. You became my life the moment I kissed you.

I hope I'll be beside you when this is all over. When the Messiah is here and the Silence is stopped. But, just in case I'm not, I write this. You have to know. Just in case.

I love you.

01. For justprompts

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:58:33 GMT

After death, ressurection, and the defeat of Eudial, all Tenoh Haruka had wanted to do was go home, crawl into her bed, and stay there for a month. Preferably with someone at her side.

But Michiru has asked if they could go to the pool. Haruka had not argued. They had gotten their things and gone swimming, despite their battered bodies.

Now, her bike parked in the apartment's garage, Haruka walked through her door. She had let Michiru off at the door, and she heard the shower running. She didn't need a shower, not having felt like getting in the chlorine-filled water. She'd promised Michiru that they'd go to the ocean this weekend, and she'd swim with her there.

Haruka frowned. A damp towel was laying over the back of her couch. Michiru was amazingly neat. Except for that one little habit.

"Have a nice swim?"

"Oh yes, wonderful."

Haruka smiled at the turquoise-haired woman walking in. Michiru had only moved in two months ago, only about a week after Haruka had accepted her place in life as a Sailor Soldier.

Michiru carried her damp towel over her arm, and she slung it over the couch as she passed.

"I'm going to take a shower," she informed her roommate. Then, she gave a sly smile over her shoulder. "Care to join me?"

"Your towel," Haruka said, looking at the offending piece of cloth.

Michiru seemed confused. "Oh, I'm going to use a fresh one."

"Yes. But throw that one in the hamper."

"I will after my shower."

"Now."

"Why?"

"It will ruin the sofa."

"Not in ten minutes."

"Your showers are never only ten minutes."

"This one will be short."

"You always say that."

"You don't seem to mind!"

Their voices had raised, and Haruka was on her feet. "Put it in the hamper!"

"I do not take orders from you, Tenoh Haruka!" Michiru replied.

"Good God! It isn't difficult!"

"Then do it yourself!"

"It's your towel!"

Michiru's reply was entering the bathroom and slamming the door.

Haruka glared at the door and picked up the towel. She set it on the glass table near the couch. Like Hell she was going to put it away. Stubborn woman!

Haruka frowned at the towel on the back of her sofa and listened to the water in the bathroom run.

She walked over to the sofa, took the towel, and folded it as she walked. She deposited it in the hamper, located right by the bedroom door, and laid down on the bed to await Michiru.

It wasn't worth a fight. Not now.

It was too small to matter.