Haruka's opponent was not a man, and it was not a woman. She almost gasped when she realized that she was being pitted against one of the legendary deadly youma warriors, formed when a human was possessed by a floating evil spirit after ignoring the tributes and laws of their ancestors. The youma were unbeatable, untrainable, and just as deadly to their owners as their enemies. Then Haruka spotted the tall pole in the center of the arena, and she almost fell to the ground. Makoto, head hung, was roped to the pole, bait for the monster and incentive for Haruka to fight her best. Makoto looked up, and her emerald eyes locked on Haruka's. "Help me," she whispered. The youma, its red tentacles swirling around its body, spun at the faint words, ready and willing to kill the easy target. Furious at Kurai's ploy, Haruka jumped at the youma as the crowd cheered. It was her toughest fight ever; alone, Haruka dodged the attacks and protected her partner, unable to imagine fighting alone for the rest of her life. She couldn't lose Makoto, she couldn't. The fight was doomed from the beginning. The youma, though a little angered by the woman's constant attacks, was not injured, and it easily threw Haruka to the ground. Winded, lying at the foot of the pillar, Haruka wiped the blood off her forehead and touched Makoto's foot. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I couldn't protect you." "Then I'll protect you," Makoto whispered, closing her eyes and concentrating. In the center of her forehead, a symbol easily recognizable as the astronomical sign for the planet Jupiter appeared, glowing green. Pale blue lightning reached down for Haruka, touching the blonde as the youma stalked closer, ready to attack. Winded by the power from her partner, Haruka closed her eyes, absorbing the power, and the symbol for the planet Uranus appeared in gold on her forehead. She opened her eyes, throwing her free hand up to protect her face, and she watched in awe as the youma fell back, glowing red as it fainted. Dizzy, Haruka leaned back, and her world went dark. She never noticed the elegant, aqua-haired woman in the crowd or that her partner was also unconscious. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "Stop it!" Kurai froze where he stood, anxiously looking up into the crowd. The voice had come from the young daughter of Kanto Region Duke Kaiou Tsuyu and Duchess Kaiou Shousha, and she was quickly heading down into the arena, flanked by three guards and five attendants. Kurai bowed nervously, wondering why young Duchess Kaiou Michiru was at his arena and why she wanted to see him. "Yes, my Lady?" "That was cruel! That woman on the pole had no chance to defend herself and you should not pit your fighters against a youma." Kurai shrugged. "She won." "It's a miracle," Kaiou Michiru hissed. "Those two are no longer your concern. I am taking possession of the pair and that youma." Kurai stared at the lady, unable to believe his ears. "What? But they belong to me. I adopted them fifteen years ago and they belong to me. I have papers." "Then you had better send one of your lackeys after them. Because I am taking Kino Makoto and Ten'ou Haruka with me." Young Duchess Kaiou's expression brooked no argument, and the seven guards that joined her dared Kurai to disobey their master. Caught, Kurai sent three of his men to his office after the papers he had for the pair of orphaned fighters, regretting his decision to make the fight more interesting. Ten minutes later, the two women were safely in the back of Michiru's limousine, and the lady was crouched by the youma's side. Haruka's final desperate attack had miraculously changed the youma back into a human, and the unconscious, black-haired Shinto priestess was also sent to Michiru's car. Kurai admitted that he had only found the youma, so he did not possess her, allowing the Duke of Kanto's only daughter to leave the Tokyo Fighting Palace and return to her father's home. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Haruka woke slowly, warm and comfortable for the first time in her life. She opened her eyes to find herself in a huge canopied bed, occupying an even larger, gold bedroom. Slowly, uncertain where she was or what she would find, Haruka sat up and touched her forehead. The cut was bandaged, as was her side where the youma's claws had injured her. Her right hand, the one she had thrown up to protect herself from the youma, was also bandaged, and the fighter could feel it throbbing, not used to channeling power. The door opened, and the fighter found herself in the corner, arms raised defensively, before she realized what she was doing. The woman who entered her room, a beautiful maiden with shoulder-length aqua hair and deep sapphire eyes, smiled, a tray of food in her hand. "Are you hungry, Ten'ou Haruka? You've been asleep all day." Haruka unfolded herself, cautiously returning to the bed and taking the tray, watching the woman as she ate greedily. She was hungry, and the food in her hands was far better than anything Kurai ever ate. "Who are you?" "My name is Kaiou Michiru, daughter of the Duke and Duchess Kaiou of Kanto Region. I was at the arena, and I brought you to my house after you fainted." "Mako-chan," Haruka whispered. "Where is Mako-chan?" "She's already awaked and clean. Her wounds have been bandaged and she is eating well. She wasn't as bad off as you." "Me?" "You expended a lot of energy, Ten'ou-san." "Call me Haruka. Most people call me Haruka-kun." Michiru bowed her head, knowing the fighter's masculine appearance, actions, and way of speaking were to protect her from the harsh realities of an orphaned life. "You can see Makoto-san as soon as you finish eating. All three of you are weak and need to regain what strength you can." "Three?" "The youma. Because of you, she transformed back into her human state. She wants to thank you, by the way." Haruka, finishing her meal, looked up at the lady. "Michiru-san, why are we here?" "I took you away from the Fighting Palace. Your adoption papers have been voided, and you are both free now." "Free? Free of Kurai, never forced to fight again? Mako-chan is free of the threat of his harem?" "Yes. You can stay here as long as you need to, and we can find you jobs or your real families, if you wish." "Families?" Michiru smiled at the look on Haruka's face. "Yes, my reluctant fighter. My father's scientists can easily determine your lineage and Makoto-san's. Who knows, maybe you guys have family out there somewhere who can take you in." "I don't want to be separated from Mako-chan. We've only had each other for fifteen years, and I can't abandon her now." "You don't have to," Michiru soothed. "We can find your families, but you don't have to go to them if you don't want to. Finish your meal and I'll take you to Makoto-san. She's waiting for you." Makoto smiled at Haruka as the taller woman entered her room. "I see you're finally awake, Haru-chan. Do you feel better?" Haruka enfolded the brown-haired woman in her arms, smiling to hold back the tears. "I was so worried about you," she whispered. "Why would he use you as bait?" "To provoke you, Haru-chan. I thought that the youma would kill you; neither of us has ever fought alone before. But you did well." Haruka pulled back, sitting on the bed beside her partner, who was wearing a long, flowing green dress. "What was that, Mako-chan? What did we do?" "I don't know and nobody here knows, either. The Duchess of Tokyo Prefecture's Kanto Region, Kaiou Shousha, Michiru-san's mother, did say that power like ours is only ever seen among the nobility. They're searching for our families now, to see if we are lords or something. I really don't want to leave you, Haru-chan, even if they find our families. We've never been separated." "I know," Haruka whispered. "Michiru-san promises me that we won't be forced to leave. By the, way, whatever we did healed that youma." "Really? But I thought that youma could not be healed." "Would you two like to meet her?" Haruka and Makoto looked up at Michiru's voice, having forgotten the young duchess for a moment. "Yeah, we would. Please." "Follow me, then, my young fighters." Haruka, one arm wrapped securely around Makoto's waist, followed the aqua-haired duchess, and she smiled when she realized how much she wanted to fondle that hair. She had always been drawn to women, but she had always assumed that it was a byproduct of the revulsion she felt toward men, mostly because of Kurai. But Kaiou Michiru was quite beautiful. The duchess opened a door three rooms down the hall, and a soft voice invited the three visitors in. Haruka stopped still when she saw the woman crouched by the small altar in the corner, fingers intertwined in prayer. "Hino Rei!" Rei, her long, raven-black hair highlighted in red by the small fire, turned, a smile on her face. "Hello, Haruka-kun. See? I told you that I would get you out one day." Haruka's mind flashed back to her meetings with the young priestess, who had been a constant visitor to the fighting palace. She told Kurai that he had to keep his fighters in top condition by prayer, and he had allowed her presence in the Tokyo Fighting Palace for a full year. Then he discovered that Rei had been sneaking food to his fighters and he kicked her out. Before she left, Rei had promised Haruka and Makoto that she would one day free the pair from the arena. "But how did you get turned into a youma?" "I don't remember that well. I think my heart was corrupted because I ignored my prayers and my shrine for months, searching for a way to free you. I found Michiru-san, and she agreed to get both of you out if I could arrange a meeting. I planned to get Kurai to think that she wanted to talk to him about a special show, but I never got to see him. I was attacked by a strange woman and a daimon thing, and I don't remember anything else until I woke up here, yesterday morning. All I know is that you two saved me." "We're not sure how," Haruka admitted, smiling. "But I'm glad you're here." "My father has legions of guards searching for the demon woman who cursed you," Michiru interjected softly, "but I do not hold much hope for their success. For now, my friends, you are all welcome to stay here." Rei smiled up at the duchess. "I have already enjoyed the comforts and hospitality of the Kanto Palace, Michiru-san. My father, though, has no idea where I am, and I would like to call him." Michiru smiled unexpectedly, eyes sparkling. "Perhaps it's Aino Minako you haven't spoken to in months." Rei glared at the duchess, returning to her contemplations. "I have spoken to Minako recently, and she sends her best. I really am worried about my father's reaction, though, because he wanted me to return three months ago and begin my training to take his place, since my Seijinshiki is fast approaching. I really didn't want to, though, especially now, and I have to find a good excuse." Haruka raised an eyebrow. "Rei-san? Your father is a noble?" "Yeah, sure. He's Region Duke Hino Akaneiro of Kinki. My family is in charge of Shiga, Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hyogo Prefectures. Since we govern Kyoto, all of the Hino daughters are expected to become Shrine Maidens before taking their titles, but I wanted to become a Shrine Maiden for different reasons than just tradition, mainly to help people like you and end the dominion of the Fighting Palaces. I really never wanted to rule Kinki, anyway. I have no choice, but I would like a little more adventure before I go home." "You said that your Seijinshiki is approaching. When?" "The Seijinshiki is in January. I can't wait to be an adult, but I know my father will use it as an excuse to make me train for my position. Do you know when you turn twenty?" Haruka shrugged, glancing at Makoto. "I know that I was about three or four when I was taken from the orphanage and that I've been there almost fifteen years. I don't know how old I am, but I do celebrate my birthday every year. And Mako-chan's." "Haru-chan was born on January twenty-seventh and I was born on December fifth, so we fight extra-hard around New-Year's and have a big feast together." Makoto looked away, fists clenched as she remembered why they had to hide their celebrations. "Well, we used to." "That's all over now," Haruka whispered; "we don't have to hide anymore." Michiru was the only one to see the sudden spark in her blonde guest's deep emerald eyes, and she knew what it meant. Haruka could let her feeling for her partner show without fear of their master, and she had powerful feelings for the shorter girl. Michiru felt a strange and unexpected stab of jealousy for the bond the fighters shared, and she briefly wished that the blonde would look at her that way. She let the feelings fade as she turned her attention back to the Shinto priestess. "Rei-san, I have a boat ready to take you home whenever you wish. It's waiting in Tokyo Bay." Rei bowed her head. "Thank-you, my friend. I may leave in the morning. What will you do with these two?" Michiru laughed lightly. "I have no control over these two fighters. My people are searching for their families, but until then they may as well explore Japan." She turned to Haruka and Makoto, smiling. "Where would you like to go?" Haruka, eyes wide, shrugged. "I don't know. I never thought any further than the ring. Perhaps we could meet the other young duchesses, since you know them so well. If we are nobles, we need to know our rulers." "Excellent idea!" Rei stood up from her fire and spun to face Michiru. "Why don't we take them on a tour of the other Regions? Maybe they can even meet the Princess." Michiru shrugged, hands clasped sedately in front of her. "That sounds like a good idea. I may need to speak to my parents first." "Ask them at supper. You're having a feast in honor of our young guests; ask them then. Then we can go to Kyushu to pick up Minako and go for a tour." Michiru laughed as she left. "Minako," she chuckled. "Of course." Haruka looked at the young priestess. "You have a girlfriend?" Rei shrugged. "I guess so, Haruka-kun. We've never really discussed it, but I guess she's my girlfriend. Why?" Haruka led Makoto to the door and sent her back to the room Michiru had given her, asking the girl to get some rest before the feast that night, sitting down beside Rei when her brown-haired partner left. "Rei-san, how do you know that you love someone?" "There are many kinds of love, Haruka-kun. You're asking how I knew that I loved Minako." The blonde nodded. "Well, I'm not sure. It's not like I woke up one day and realized that I loved her, but it's not like it happened over a long period of time, either. I'm a duchess; I understand that I'm expected to have an heir to carry on the Hino name. My parents have been encouraging me to begin to think about a husband for a very long time, but I was far too involved with my priestess duties to worry about that. I've known Minako for years, and she came to my shrine often. She was a very good friend. I realized that I liked her a lot, but I wasn't going to say anything to ruin our friendship. Until she got herself a boyfriend. The day she told me, I realized that I was jealous. It took me a while; I tried to deny that I was falling in love with a girl, but it didn't work. They day she broke up with her boyfriend, I was there to comfort her, and she figured out how I felt for her. I guess it freaked her out, because we didn't speak for a month, but she came back to me. She didn't want to believe that she was a lesbian, but she was willing to believe that she loved me. My love for her is so very strong, Haruka-kun. I don't know how I know that I love her, but I do." "You realized that you were gay when you fell for her?" "Basically. Why?" "Kurai used and abused me for fifteen years, Rei-san, and Mako-chan, too. He's the only man I've ever really known, and I hate him. I've been protecting her for that long because I hate him, but does that mean that I love her? Does that mean that I'll hate all men? That I'm a lesbian?" Rei shook her head. "No, it doesn't. Maybe you'll meet a nice guy, or maybe your protective sisterly love for Makoto-san will steer you toward other women. You could be straight, or maybe not. Keep your mind and your heart open, Haruka-kun; love will find you. Fate knows who your soulmate is, and nothing can break the red string that binds you to that person. Don't worry." Haruka smiled. "Thank you, Rei-san. I'm going to go see how Mako-chan's doing." As the tall blonde left, Rei stood up. "You know, Haruka-kun, Makoto-san is not the only beautiful woman out there, if you swing that way. Michiru-san, for example, is very beautiful." Haruka couldn't stop her mind from latching onto the image of the aqua-haired woman, wondering if she was as nice as she seemed or if she was just being a good hostess. "She is, Rei-san. I'll try to remember that. I'll see you at the feast." Rei watched the blonde leave, shaking her head. "Oh yeah, she's gay. But I wonder who she'll fall for. She has a very close bond with Makoto-san, but it's a very familial bond. We'll see."
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