Note on Planet Names: Ten'ousei=Uranus; Kaiousei=Neptune; Meiousei=Pluto; Dosei=Saturn; Kasei=Mars; Suisei=Mercury; Mokusei=Jupiter; Kinsei=Venus ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Serenity sighed as she wandered around her garden, holding one red rose in her hand. Prince Endymion was fond of roses, red ones especially. Now that her mother knew about her clandestine trips to Earth, she was constantly watched and confined to the palace. "It's not fair," she muttered. "It's just not fair. I love him so much." "It really isn't fair, Koneko-chan." Serenity spun at the voice, smiling at the visitor's use of her pet name. "Haruka-san!" The princess bowed, a smile on her lips. "Good morning, Koneko-chan. It sounds to me like you told your mother of your exploits." "When you left, apparently you told her that you knew with whom I am falling in love. She asked me for his name, and I gave it to her. I have not been allowed to leave the palace since." "Forgive me, my princess. I did not mean to hurt you or your prince." Serenity laid her hand on Haruka's arm. "No, my protector. I should have told her sooner. She does not want me to be unhappy, but she cannot allow me to marry a prince of Earth. She's right, but I love him too much to let him go." "Would you like to see him again?" Serenity's eyes widened. "You can do that?" "Yes, if you help me. I brought a friend with me, and we need to speak to you, alone, preferably somewhere your mother will not peek in. If she does, there could be trouble." "Take me to your friend, then, Haruka-san." "Let me go speak to your mother first." *~*~*~*~*~*~* "I understand perfectly, Majesty. I have had some practice running just my kingdom and there is no easy day. But your daughter? Are you sure she was on Earth?" Serenity nodded, sipping her tea as delicately as the princess of Kaiousei tasted hers. "She told me so herself. I am glad that she did not lie, but Earthlings do not live for very long. She loves him now, but soon he will die and she will be lonely. I know what it is to be lonely and she should not feel that pain for a very long time." "I, too, lost my father very long ago, before I could even remember him. I know why Serenity seeks love and finds it in such an unlikely place. I wish there was a way I could help." "Unless you could introduce her to a nice young duke or lord from any planet but Earth, I do not think so." "Perhaps I can be of some help, Your Majesty." Queen Serenity turned, eyes wide at the voice considered by most to be deep enough for a young man's rather than a woman's. "Haruka-kun! You returned." Haruka inclined her head; she was now dressed in a pale green suit accented by gold edging and her beautifully decorated sword, black boots exchanged for white. She also wore the symbol of her planet as golden earrings. "I did, Majesty, after the young princess of Neptune showed me that I still have a great deal to offer. Your daughter is confined to this palace where there are no men at all from which she can choose a suitable mate. Even the son of a wealthy merchant in the city would be a far better match for the Moon Princess than a prince of Earth. Let Michiru-san and me take your daughter into the city and to the mansions and lesser castles of the dukes and lords of the Moon. Once she sees what's out there, she may wish to travel to other planets and choose a husband. At least she will not be depressing herself with thoughts of the Earth Prince Endymion anymore." The queen sighed, staring into her teacup. "I fear that I may never be able to make my only child happy, Haruka-kun. Take her into the city, but keep one of my guards with you at all times. I will protect her, no matter what. Michiru-san, Haruka-kun, I can offer you rooms for tonight when you return from escorting my Serenity around the city. By the way, Haruka-kun; does your father know what you've been up to?" Haruka rested one hand on her sword hilt, a challenge in her altered stance. "Did you tell him that I was here?" "Koshu-kun and I do not speak much anymore." "Because of my mother," Haruka realized. "You cared for Kazeko as all of the senshi did, but you alone had the power to save her. When you contacted your husband and told him that the queen of Uranus would not survive her daughter's birth, you did not want Koshu to know." "Haruka-kun—" "Because he would beg you to use the maboroshi no ginzuishou and you could not." Serenity stared up at the young senshi, eyes wide. "Kazeko-chan is inside you. Some part of her remains to guide her daughter. She knew, Haruka-kun. She knew that I could save her, but it would cost me my life and she would not allow it. The ginzuishou cannot dispense power indiscriminately, and Kazeko would not let me die for her. I managed to use some power to save her child, to save you, but neither Koshu nor Shousha has ever forgiven me for not saving the one woman that meant the most to both of them." "And you don't want to make Serenity ever face that choice as you did." Queen Serenity nodded at Michiru's words. "I can't let her lose someone and know that she could have done something, should have done something." Haruka laid her hands on the queen's shoulders, forcing her to look up. "I don't blame you, Serenity-san, and I know that my father doesn't, either. Not really. He knows the risks of a Senshi's life and the choices we must make. And Shousha is just lonely. She lost both of her parents, her first and only son, Kazeko, and her husband all in a very short amount of time. She only hates me because I lived and my mother died. She does not blame you and she never really did." Serenity smiled. "You really do have something to offer, Haruka-kun. Go; take my daughter into the city. I will see you tonight. And don't worry; I won't tell your father." Haruka bowed as she and Michiru left, walking close enough to touch but just barely not. The queen of the Moon watched them leave, wondering just what had happened on Kaiousei. *~*~*~*~*~*~* Haruka followed Serenity and her guard, waiting for the right moment to relieve themselves of the extra burden. The guard would not approve of a trip to Earth. Michiru touched Haruka's hand, indicating that she would distract him long enough for Haruka to strike. With all the grace given to her as Shousha's daughter, Michiru sauntered past the guard, gazing at the necklaces on display in the next shop. "Aren't these so pretty? What do you think?" The guard shrugged, obviously interested in the princess. "I've seen better. You deserve more than theses petty charms. We could—" The guard fell to the ground, unconscious, Haruka standing above him, her arms crossed. "You didn't have to flirt with him like that." "Like what, Haruka?" Michiru walked past her lover and kissed her cheek lightly. "It's all for the mission. We'd better put him somewhere while we're gone." "I have a friend near here," Serenity volunteered. "You can tell me what you wanted to talk to me about there." When the guard from the palace opened the door, Haruka started. "It's you," she whispered. "I remember you from the palace." "I do have to live somewhere, you know. I only work in the palace. Serenity-san, what do you need?" "We'd like for you to watch over a friend for us while we're gone. He's not currently conscious, a bit too much excitement for one day, and my friends and I have things we need to do." "I'd be glad to help you, Serenity-san. Bring your friends in. Welcome to my house, Haruka-kun. And you, miss?" "I am Michiru. Your house is very welcoming." Haruka, who had been carrying the guard, laid him in one of the chairs in the room. The controller excused himself for a moment so his three visitors could discuss their plans for the rest of the day. Haruka sighed as she sat down beside Michiru and across from Serenity. "Koneko-chan, we came here because Michiru and I are going to get married." Serenity's eyes widened. "Uso! You can't be serious! It's not legal for two royal women to wed! Especially senshi, Haruka-san!" The taller woman smiled, and Serenity knew that she had planned something devious. "We did not plan this, Koneko-chan, but Shousha-sama caught us together and ordered us to marry. Immediately, in fact." "She thought you were a man," Serenity whispered. "There is no way a priest will marry the two of you, Haruka-san. Besides, he or she would have to report to the reigning monarch of the kingdom where you wed." "My Haruka has solved that problem," Michiru laughed. "She just happened to have a friend priest who would perform the ceremony, and Earth is not part of the Silver Millennium." "Earth? Haruka-san! You can't go to Earth!" "Why not? You do." "But my mother—" "Will never find out," Haruka assured the princess. "You'll be able to see your prince, witness our wedding, get away from the moon for a while, and your mother will never know. Neither will Michiru's if we can help it." Serenity smiled and shook her head. "You guys are a bad influence on me." "Great! Come on, then; we have to meet the priest in a different, quieter part of town very soon. Before Earth-rise, anyway. Oh, we ought to get some nice peasant cloaks from your friend while we're at it." "I'll speak to him. Haruka-san, I know that you did not plan your wedding just so I could see Endymion again, but I appreciate it." "Anytime, Koneko-chan. My princess." *~*~*~*~*~*~* Kiyoshi waited patiently, watching the peasants and merchants walk past. They spared him nary a glance, well used to the presence of holy men and women in their poor corner of town. When three travelers dressed in brown cloaks did stop in front of him, Kiyoshi knew without any words that Haruka, Michiru, and young Princess Serenity had arrived. They said nothing as they retreated into an abandoned building, Haruka only pushing the hood off her head when they were completely alone. "Ready to go, Kiyoshi-kun?" "Always, old friend. I knew a few of the servants in the palace from the queen's visit to Ten'ousei, though that was a long time ago, and they are waiting to deliver the messages to the princesses when they arrive. They're also going to keep the queen busy in case she senses something amiss or spots one of the four senshi. Take us to Earth." Haruka pulled Michiru into her arms, wrapped one arm around the young Moon Princess, and let Kiyoshi grab her lover's delicate hand. With her free hand, Haruka curled her fingers around her henshin stick and concentrated. "Powers of the Senshi before me," she whispered, "take me to Earth, where no rules govern our actions and where love may flourish unhindered. Mother, take me to the one place you would not travel." In the back of her mind, the princess heard her mother laugh as wind surrounded the tiny group and they vanished without a sound. They appeared in the garden on Earth where Serenity and Endymion always met. The prince, shocked, stood up from his contemplations and stared at the Moon Princess. "Serenity," he gasped. "You've returned to me." The golden-haired girl jumped into her boyfriend's arms and let him hold her, content to be together again. Haruka felt Michiru's hand slip into hers and she smiled. Like the Earth prince and Moon princess, they were sacrificing tradition and laws for the sake of love and destiny. She prayed that it would be enough. A tall pillar of flame wound with a golden heart chain announced the arrival of the Senshi of Fire and Love, and, a moment later, water and leaves brought Ami and Makoto. The four princesses, clothed in dresses that accented their personal color and personality, turned to face Michiru and Haruka. Minako wore a stunning golden dress that shone in the light from the sun with a slit in the side almost too high to be indecent, while her best friend and partner wore red accented with the gold and orange of flame with a shorter slit. Ami wore a long, loose dress bearing the many colors of calm water while Makoto wore various shades of green. Michiru, of course, was wearing a beautiful pale blue dress hemmed in light violet, and Haruka wore her pale green and gold suit. "Haruka-kun!" Makoto exclaimed. "You're marrying Michiru-san?" "I am, Makoto-san, though I did not reveal my true identity to anyone I visited. Ami-chan, Mako-chan, Rei-chan, Minako-chan; my true name is Ten'ou Haruka, and I am not a man but a woman, sole daughter of the king of Ten'ousei. I ran away from my home a while ago in order to discover the truth of our Senshi powers and to meet my partners. And I have." "You can't be Ten'ou Haruka," Ami whispered. "You can't." "Remember when that servant saw Ten'ou Kazeko in the control room that night? What did he say that he saw?" "The Space Sword and Sailor Uranus's henshin stick," Makoto answered, eyes wide. Haruka opened her hand, and the dark blue and yellow stick that only Sailor Uranus could wield lay there, sparkling in the sun. Makoto's eyes flew to the sword at the senshi's hip, and Haruka drew it. "The Space Sword," Rei whispered. "Moons of Mars! You are her! Then how can you marry Michiru-san? It's against the law for two noble women to marry!" "Not on Earth." They got it. The princesses stared at their equal, their partner, and they finally realized what was going on. "You told us that love is a fragile flower that should be allowed to grow," Minako whispered. "You told me that there is not time enough in one life to live as your father and you would wish," Ami added. "You told me not to forget my dream. You knew, and you came to us to help us. You found out why the Senshi make such a wonderful team, and you have continued the tradition. You will marry her, and there is no one here who would stop you." "That's nice to know, Ami-chan," Haruka whispered. "Thank you." In the warm, friendly silence that followed, Kiyoshi cleared his throat. "My friend, it's time to begin." *~*~*~*~*~*~* Setsuna's eyelids fluttered. In the midst of her meditations, when all of her considerable will should be bent on the truth of the future, something had disturbed her. Reaching for her staff, the Guardian of Time and Space stared into her Garnet Orb. "No," she whispered. "Haruka, you can't do such a thing! Love may allow it but Destiny will punish you! Haruka!" She disappeared in a white flash, henshin stick taking her to Earth, though she feared that she would be far too late. *~*~*~*~*~*~* Haruka bent down to kiss her Michiru, her wife, and the paired senshi cheered. Though they might never find the courage to repeat the actions of the princesses of Kaiousei and Ten'ousei, the four senshi, the Moon Princess, and the Earth Prince celebrated the holy bond Ten'ou Haruka and Kaiou Michiru now shared. A thunderclap signaled the arrival of another senshi, one not invited for a very good reason. Tall and proud, powerful in her sailor fuku and staff, the green-haired Queen of Meiousei glared at the young couple. Makoto pulled Ami behind Haruka and Michiru, trusting in the leader of the Outer Senshi to protect them. Rei pulled Minako behind the couple as Prince Endymion followed their lead. Haruka and Michiru faced Setsuna, unafraid. "Haruka-san, why would you do such a thing? There are reasons that laws exist to keep senshi apart." "You're the one that sent me out into the Silver Millennium so I could discover myself. I did, and I found Michiru, as well. I'm happier than I've ever been, and I have you to thank for it." "Haruka-san, you must not be with Michiru-san. Outer Senshi aren't even supposed to leave their palaces for long periods of time and we do not interact with each other very much. There will be a price for this, my friend." Haruka hung her head, Michiru wrapped securely in her arms. "I know. But we are not afraid of the future. I can endure anything as long as we are together." Setsuna held out her staff, Garnet Orb pointing at Haruka and Michiru. "I will not allow you to destroy our world for a love you will not sacrifice for the sake of the future of your kingdoms." Haruka pulled her henshin stick out and held it up, glaring at Setsuna. Makoto slowly pulled out her stick, Ami following her lead. Rei and Minako also flashed their henshin sticks as they dared the Queen of Pluto to fight them. Slowly, as if afraid of the others' reactions, Kaiou Michiru reached into her dress and pulled out a turquoise stick topped by a yellow star. "Mother wasn't using it," she explained sheepishly. "I wanted to protect you if something happened." Haruka nodded as she held up her stick. "Min'na, henshin yo!" "MARS PLANET POWER—" "MERCURY PLANET POWER—" "VENUS PLANET POWER—" "JUPITER PLANET POWER—" "URANUS PLANET POWER—" "NEPTUNE PLANET POWER—" "MAKE UP!!!" As one, the six senshi transformed, standing in a line before Meiou Setsuna. "Sailor Pluto, we have no quarrel with you," Uranus began, "but I will not have you interfering with my wedding. Michiru and I are legally bound by the laws of the Silver Millennium, and you cannot change that. No matter what." Haruka touched the sword on her hip, and Pluto slowly lowered her staff. "I do not approve and I can see nothing but pain and sorrow in the future for you two. You will die for your love and you would not have died, else." Her eyes softened, just a bit, as she looked at the senshi standing in front of her. Haruka, with her blonde hair cut short and her arms crossed defiantly, Space Sword on her waist, looked so much like her mother. "You remind me of Kazeko and Shousha. They were in love as you are in love, but they had the sense to forsake each other for the sake of their respective kingdoms." ‘Not really, Setsu-chan.' "Kazeko-chan!" The sword glowed for a moment, and a transparent woman with shoulder-length blonde hair—braided to keep it out of her way—and dressed in the fuku of Sailor Uranus appeared in front of her daughter. ‘Hello, Setsu-chan. We did not—we could not—sacrifice our love back then. But Shousha had a vision of our precious Moon Kingdom in ruins, and I had to prevent that future from occurring. So I married Koshu, as my mother wished. Shousha didn't speak to me for so long, but eventually she forgave me for leaving her for a man I really didn't love. She also married, and we became queens of our planets, though we never forgot each other. For the longest time, we'd visit each other every so often and we would not sleep alone. But that hidden, shadowy love was all we had left, all we would permit ourselves. The day she lost her son, I was there to comfort her and our storm filled the skies. Not long after, the next day, I discovered that I was pregnant with Koshu's daughter. You, Haruka. Shousha was so angry, because she knew that a daughter meant that I was moving on, away from her and the nights we stole together. She didn't speak to me until the day I went into labor.' "The day you died." Pluto hung her head. "I'm sorry, Kazeko. We all knew how much you and Shousha loved each other, and we watched her hold your hand as Haruka was born at last. She promised to hate your daughter for killing you, and we finally realized what you two had given up. The rest of us had been close, but the love of Outers is forbidden and you had to overcome more to be together. We really didn't understand." ‘As you do not understand my daughter.' Kazeko tipped her head, arms crossed. ‘They love each other more than I could have ever loved Shousha, because they are willing to sacrifice more. You and I both know that the law separating the Outers exists for a reason, but they are still young. Let them live, Setsu-chan. They love each other and I don't want them to end up like me and Shousha. You, of all people, understand the love two senshi can share, the forbidden love that has sustained you and our queen for so long.' Pluto reached out and took Kazeko's transparent hand. "Very well. I will let destiny steer her own course for now. I will see you again when the world ends." Kazeko chuckled. ‘Yes, my friend. We will meet then. And I will see Shousha again.' The former Sailor for the planet Uranus turned to her daughter and bowed her head. ‘Best of luck, my Haruka. And to you, Michiru. Do not make your mothers' mistake.' "I won't, Mother." Kazeko's ghost vanished, and Setsuna was left facing the lovers again. "Good luck, then. I will see you at the end, if not sooner. I will not tell your fathers and mothers, either, Sailor Senshi. The future really does belong to you, though you may have to put up with me for a little while longer." "It's not a chore, Setsuna-san." Haruka bowed her head as Sailor Pluto vanished, returning to her planet and her meditations. The senshi detransformed and looked at each other, wondering what to do next. Haruka smiled at the four Inner Senshi as she took Michiru's hand. "We probably should return to the Moon now and our own homes. Remember, my friends, we have a long time until we need heirs for our kingdoms. Our parents can wait; we cannot." The four nodded, smiling at Haruka.
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