“It was my own choice.”
“I’m won’t let you fall.”
The promise of eternity was renewed, enter destiny.
Haruka’s POV
The deadly silence is coming, its very being threatened the future of this fragile planet. To prevent this, my partner and I must find three magical talismans that lie dormant within the pure hearts of three special people. Somewhere, they are somewhere in this overcrowded city.
I took refuge under the shade of a large oak tree, or to be more exact, I sat on one of its sturdy branches. My stress melts away as I sit here, enjoying the soothing cool breeze of the wind. There was a special bond between the wind and I, it existed even before I had learnt that I was the senshi of the wind, Sailor Uranus. Sweat caked itself onto my short blonde strands as the wind cooled the droplets. I had only been running moments before. Although I was the track team’s the star runner I was required to practice everyday…Even in this inhumane heat. I would’ve cursed but the peaceful ambiance once again lulled me into a content state, my eyes watching lazily as the green leaves shifted steadily. They only made soft noises.
My concentration was broken when I heard the shouts of sprinters beginning their drills. Running…At one point in my life I wished to be fast as the wind. It was before I tried to escape my destiny, before I met her.
She should be done art class any minute now. I pulled myself up to stand on the tree branch. A trickle of sweat ran down the side of my face. Well, there was one way to cool down quickly and I can’t let her see me in my messy state.
“Take deep breaths.” I told myself. “ichi…ha…ni…ha…sa-” I became too controlling of my breathing and caused some air to go down the wrong way.
Cough! Cough!
My one of my hands grabbed my throat for support as my eyes started to tear. I coughed a bit more while my free hand felt for balance on the oak’s main bark. Finally my breathing went back to normal and the pain had passed. I hope no one saw that. My hopes faded when I heard someone giggling and I knew only one person with that polite giggle.
“So where’s san?” Came the amused voice.
“Michiru…”
The aqua haired goddess stood beneath the tall oak. When our met I saw mischief dancing in her aqua eyes, perhaps she’s a good mood? I inspected her quickly, nothing out of the ordinary. The usual Mugen Gakuen girls’ uniform, the reddish-brown long sleeve shirt, accompanied by the green striped, skirt and neatly tied bow. Ugh, those skirts look so uncomfortable, especially out in this weather. I felt myself wince and continued to stare longer, frowning slightly in thought. That was when another desired cool wind hit the tree, sending a second wave of lush leaves sprawling aimlessly downwards. The leaves framed Michiru’s face so perfectly; her hair imitated the ocean’s waves themselves as those aqua locks embraced the wind. The sea senshi closed her eyes and smiled when she felt the wind tug at her shoulder length hair…So beautiful.
My once comfortable track-wear, consisting of my favorite gold tank top and shorts started to feel very uncomfortable. My body fidgeted slightly. If I hadn’t been worrying about my nervousness I would have noticed that ever so slowly I was leaning further and further forward off of the branch I stood on.
“Haruka?”
My eyes blinked quickly as my mind snapped back to reality. Was I staring? My face turned a bright shade of red and I was sure it wasn’t from the running this time.
“Is there something on my face?” Michiru questioned, her hand was already brushing against her fair skin, checking her cheeks for anything out of the ordinary.
“Nani…? Ah! No! No, it’s just…” Michiru looked up, waiting for my explanation.
Think of an excuse, fast! One glance down and my eyes fell upon a piece of paper slightly hanging out of the scrapbook Michiru held in one of her hands. Bingo.
“I couldn’t quite see that work of art.” I attempted with a smooth voice.
Michiru looked down at what I brought her attention to and pulled out the piece of paper with care.
“This? But Haruka, it’s just a plain piece of paper.” She giggled.
“Ah…well.” I could feel myself panic, since when have I never had anything to say? Comebacks were my specialty, that made me feel a little better but this situation was something different.
“You know, it was very difficult to see from up here and you could never tell right? But it probably doesn’t matter because anything you make is a work of art.” I rambled quickly.
She merely took the compliment and smiled to my relief.
“Well, why don’t you come down silly?”
Eh? My eyes stared at the branch I had been standing on the entire time. That’s right, I was still in the tree. It was embarrassing how I needed to be reminded of these minor details sometimes.
“But it’s cool up here.” I felt myself sulk. Being up here made me feel like I could do anything… Even saving the world. You see things you normally wouldn’t see when you look down at the world from a different view. Besides, it was cooler up here.
“Well you sure don’t look like it. Your face is flushed!”
“W-well, you know, from the running and all…”:
“No buts. I can’t let my partner faint from heat stroke or whatever before we save the world.”
Was it really safe for her to talk like this out in the open? For a moment I examined the environment. Good, it didn’t seem like anyone was within earshot.
“I’m not going to faint from a little heat stroke, they’re nothing to me!” Striking a pose, I rested my arms resting on my hips, then turned my head slightly to the side and showed off a confident smile. I could hear Michiru sigh, her footsteps came closer stopping short of the tree’s trunk. Was she going to sit down? I opened one of my dark green eyes, curious to see her reaction. Staring back up at me with her arms crossed, her aqua blues were threatening me to come down that instant or she’d do something I’d regret.
“Tenoh Haruka!”
“All right, all right…” I chuckled.
Teasing Michiru always gave me a pleasure although I wasn’t sure why. Sometimes she would seem so stressed out about our mission, playing eerie sad songs on her violin. It pained me to see her like that, if I could get her to smile or laugh even once in awhile it was enough. Maybe, once it’s all over I’ll be able to keep her smiling. What an odd feeling this was. We’re just friends, partners in battle at the most. So why am I feeling like this? What is this emotion?
My mind was wandering again, slowly losing consciousness of my balance. The cool breeze doubled back full force this time.
“Haruka!”
Ah! My reflexes were slower than my mind for once. I’m going to fall!
“Oof!”
Thud.
As my mind reeled in confusion there were only two things that I knew for sure. The pain in my body wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected it to be and I had landed on something…Soft. Soft? The ground was never this soft as far as I could remember. My heart was racing so fast. I paused for a moment and listened attentively. As I listened closer and held my breath I realized it wasn’t my heart racing that I heard.
“Haruka, could you please get off? It’s hard to breathe.”
My head shot up, startled to see Michiru’s eyes looking directly back into my own. Saying we were close would be an understatement. I had fallen on top of her as she couched my fall.
“Oh! Gomen ne Michiru!”
I jumped off of her and extended my hand to pull her up. She took it, I couldn’t help but notice that her hands are very soft…As she preceded to brush off the extra leaves and grass that clung to her uniform I bent down to retrieve her scrapbook.
“Domo arigato, Haruka.” She thanked as I handed her the book.
“…Gomen nasai. I didn’t really mean to fall on you. Daijobu des ka?”
“Hai, no worries Haruka.”
Something inside scolded myself. After seeing Michiru in many battles against our enemies I should know that she was a strong person, that this incident wouldn’t effect her much. Still a part of me saw her as fragile. A foolish thought perhaps but I had this desire to protect her.
“Shall we get something to eat now?”
“Huh? Ano… All right. I totally forgot that I was starving! Lemme go shower and change, I’ll be right back, I promise.”
Michiru’s POV
Haruka has been acting strangely lately, I wonder why? She isn’t usually so clumsy, I mean how often does she fall out of a tree! As I recall just before the incident she had this spacious look on her face…I almost had a heart attack when she started to fall.
Tsing.
“Ugh…”
My vision dulled, darkness wrapped itself around my being. Everything was dark, only darkness. Another vision, they always started like this. What was going to happen now? I’ve had so many of late, my nightmares of the world’s destruction, the future if Haruka and I failed. My body went felt cold, leaning towards numbness. If we failed… There was so much at stake and at times I wanted to fall to my knees, buckling under the pressure. Let myself go, let myself fall. But I couldn’t, she won’t let me, so I cannot. I can only fight to win.
My face felt submerged under the freshness of a cool wave. How I needed that. What did you need to show me? The ocean roared in my ears, coming and retreating with the tide.
Ping.
The sound echoed into the darkness acting as the starting signal. A face flashed before my eyes. As the image sharpened the figure could be identified with greater clarity. The girl was younger than I was. Her hair- raven black and quite long, it extended down her back. The clothes she wore resembled a priestess. Perhaps she was a miko? Something told me this was the next target and the events will take place soon, but where? My eyes squinted slightly hoping to spot something of the image to give me some sort of clue. Anything, it has to be at near a shrine…There! An old wooden sign directly in the background over the girl’s right shoulder read “Hikawa Shrine”.
Then that’s where we’ll go I felt myself resolve.
I waited, standing motionless. Darkness rolled back and the image faded. Patiently the reality I expected did not come back to my annoyance. Aren’t you done yet?
Ping.
What did this mean? Another vision? I don’t understand, I felt myself think in shock. Never have there been two at once; the enemy couldn’t possibly attack two separate targets simultaneously could they?
Then it came, the sound echoed once more and I saw…Aqua eyes? Was I looking into a mirror? What the…My legs staggered back into the darkness away from the image. Was this mockery? Rage and confusion swelled inside my chest, the whole situation didn’t seem logical. However the image persisted, it wouldn’t leave me be. Those eyes looked so sad but why? Why did I feel compelled to look away? It felt shameful not to be able to look the problem in the eye; it made me feel like a coward. I gulped as I slowly brought my gaze back up. The image did not expand further; this person’s eyes were my only clue. Curses escaped silently under my breath. It’s difficult to tell how much time passes in this state. No time must be wasted!
“Haruka!” I screamed.
Haruka’s POV
Without the sweat and grim my body felt good as new. Or fresher at least. Michiru was still standing where I had left her ten minutes ago but she had a distant look on her face.
“Michiru?”
She didn’t move as I closed the distance between us.
“Michiru!” I started to run.
It must be another vision. I hate it when they happen, it leaves a person open and vulnerable.
“Michiru, wake up!”
My hands shook her shoulders lightly. Come one, wake up Michiru. Looking deeply into her eyes I saw disorientation and flickering of pain? What was she seeing that hurt her so? A voice in the back of my head answered my question for me, ‘what if it was the end of the world?’. I hoped not, those nightmares were enough to drive Michiru or myself into a depressive state for days at a time. I had one only last week, and it…
What could I do to snap her out of it? Think! Anything would do right now! My eyes searched her face again. I hesitated at a thought but it looked like my only option. In one motion I learned forward and pressed my lips pressed against hers. They felt so soft. It hurt me to think that I was enjoying myself while she is suffering in her trance-like state but I was sure this was the most effective way to snap her back to reality.
We stood like that for what seemed like an eternity. I drew her smaller figure close and pressed our bodies together in an embrace, hoping she’d feel my body heat. I didn’t care if anyone saw us; it was my last concern. Please wake up Michiru. As if it was on cue, Michiru’s eyes fluttered briefly.
“Mmff?”
My eyes shot open when I had realized she was back to normal.
“Michiru! You’re back! What was it? What did you see?”
“H-Haruka…?”
She backed away immediately. My arms felt slightly disappointed that the embrace had been broken, however, I masked the emotion from her.
“Michiru?”
She only stood there looking more confused than ever. Was she going to yell at me? It didn’t occur to me that she might be disgusted with my actions afterwards, the possibility never occurred to me at the time. I was only concerned about her safety. Quickly I broke the uneasy silence,
“Can’t let my partner space out.” I joked.
Michiru only continued to stare blankly at me.
“Ano…Are you ready to grab a bite to eat? It’s getting a bit late and…”
“Time!” She suddenly burst out.
“Time?” It definitely wasn’t the response I was expecting. I looked down at my watch. “You want to know the time or…?”
“No! Haruka, I saw it, the target.”
I nodded my head, understanding what she had just told me. The happy feeling was definitely gone.
“All right…so got any idea who or where it is?”
“That’s the problem, there are two!”
“Nani!” I could feel my eyes widen.
“One is a raven-haired girl, a priestess at the Hikawa Shrine. The other, I can’t say for sure.”
“Well…at least we know where one is. What kind of clues did you find for the other girl? Any on her appearance?”
There was another pause. Michiru stood in front of me with her hands holding her chin in a thoughtful stance.
Waiting for her opinion I could only leave myself open for the doubts and worries that rooted into my mind. Why were there two targets? There was no way that Michiru could get dud visions, it was unthinkable. And if there were really two…then it means we’d have to separate. I know we promised each other if one of us dies that the other would continue the mission but the thought was rejected by my feelings. How could I let my partner go into a potentially dangerous situation alone? The voice in the back of my head reminded me, ‘she isn’t that weak’. You can never tell. The enemies are getting stronger by the day! ‘Maybe you’re the one who is weak, following Michiru around like a lost puppy. Have you ever thought that your fa-‘ Urusai! I’ll show you!
“The ocean.” She responded, ignoring my previous question. My mind snapped back. It took a few seconds before my eyes re-focused on her’s once more.
“T-the ocean?”
“I just…have this feeling Haruka.”
“Well it’s simple then! I’ll head over to take the shrine and you take the beach, most likely place it’ll happen right?”
“Haruka…”
I knew that tone, it was the “your not thinking before you act” one. How I knew that one well.
“It’s the best way Michi! If there are two targets we have to cover them both!” I assured her. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry! Ja ne!”
I sprinted as fast as I could before she could protest any further. The truth was I didn’t want to hang around much longer than I needed to, I was still worried about what she thought about that kiss. Even I didn’t know what to think of it. At least she woke up though. Her lips were so sweet…’You’re doing it again’. Stupid emotions!. I slapped myself harshly across my own face. After feeling the stung of the blow my mind only thought of one thing, get to the shrine!
Brroom!
The air soon rang with the sound of a motorcycle making distance.
Michiru’s POV
She left before I could say anything…It happened so fast, the vision and that…Kiss, did that really happen? My hand moved to touch my lips, the feeling of Haruka’s still lingered. What am I supposed to think? A light blush covered my face. Did she mean it? It took another minute before I had realized something else. Did she just call me ‘Michi?’.
“Oh…I don’t have time for this! Now I have to think, how am I going to get to the ocean?” Anything to get my mind off of what happened. “Haruka just took off…”
Beach area
The beach, the slightly rocky sand burrowed itself deeply under my feet. I didn’t bother to turn around, only listened to the public transport bus that sauntered away noisily. Grr, next time I see Haruka we’re going to have a talk about this, I swore. It wasn’t that I was angry with the tall blonde, just rather annoyed from exhaustion. Haruka is rather impulsive but for once I was glad that I followed one of her ‘plans’.
The ocean was the one place I felt at peace with myself, it was apart of me and I, a part of it. The same is similar for Haruka and the wind I was sure, although Haruka would never admit it. We are both partners and the world rested on our shoulders. Now I stand here, waiting for the appearance of the person who may carry one of the three magical talismans in their pure heart. The feeling was not new but it made my stomach flip flop inside. To take the talisman would mean killing the holder. Branded as murderer and a savior at once, how ironic.
It used to be a pleasant day, but now clouds gathered in the sky above. I hope this whole business will pass soon, you could catch a cold in the approaching weather. My school uniform wouldn’t provide much protection in a storm either. Where was this person?
Ping.
It was that familiar sound. My eyes were pulled towards one particular spot in the dark, clouded sky. Suddenly the sky emitted a bright flash of white light. My arms reached up instinctively to cover my eyes, preventing myself to be temporarily blinded. Peeking cautiously through a small space past my arm I could make out a figure falling, twisting in a spiral like downwards motion from the concentrated pink light towards the cold waters.
“What the…”
Unknowingly to Michiru, Destiny had just revealed its trump card!
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