Haruka found herself on her feet and standing at the window before she knew what had awakened her. The moonlit night was quiet, except for the soft hiss of the wind. She scanned the yard, and was aware of a vague sense of unease, but could find nothing specific that looked or felt wrong. Nonetheless, she did not move from her position. She put one hand on the French door, but did not move to open it. In the moonlight, her hand looked a ghostly, pallid color. She lifted her hand from the window, and held it in front of her. She brought her left hand up and turned them both over, gazing at them in the liquid silver light. ------------------------------------------------------------ It had been raining, no, teeming, as she had sat in the window ledge of her apartment in Tokyo. The phone had rung and the answering machine had picked up the call. It was Eudial, gloating, threatening even as she offered a deal - a deal that was clearly an invitation to a trap. Haruka had listened impassively as the inept woman called back and finished her smug message. Michiru had entered towards the end of the message, toweling her hair. Haruka had looked at her hands, thinking of the deeds they had done, the lives she had hurt, the damage she had caused, the mission she had sworn to fulfill. She hadn't spoken out loud, but Michiru came over to her and touched her. "I like your hands." she had said, answering the unspoken comment. A thought had flashed into Haruka's head at that moment, a memory of the two of them vowing that they would have no time for love until they had completed their mission. Haruka's eyes widened as their fingers intertwined. As she gazed into the blue eyes that looked up at her, Haruka had realized the magnitude of their folly, how huge a lie that vow had been. For it had been a lie, and Haruka could see it written clearly in Michiru's face. As if Michiru had hit her with Deep Submerge, Haruka lost her breath and began to drown in the truth that Michiru's eyes now told her. Michiru loved her, whatever she had said, mission or no mission. And Haruka could no longer deny what she knew to be true. She loved Michiru, more than she could ever express. And they were meant to be together. They both knew it and they both had lied. And now they had run out of time. They had an appointment with Eudial and the Talismans...and their deaths. The rained had stopped. So had time. Michiru had stood and Haruka had followed her. Michiru reached up and clasped her hands around Haruka's neck, drew her in and they kissed. It seemed that time would stand still as long as they needed it to. The storms clouds had rolled back and the sun began to fill the apartment with amber light. Michiru had run her hands through hair that now burst into golden flame. Haruka had not broken their embrace, even as they had lowered themselves to the tatami.... ------------------------------------------------------------ Haruka looked up sharply, drawing herself back from the bittersweet memory. Sweet, she thought with a smile, as sweet as Michiru's lips, but the smile faded as she recalled the pain she had felt upon seeing Eudial pull the trigger and blast Michiru's crystal heart out of her body. Haruka had thought that her own heart would burst, but to her dismay it had continued to beat, just as if nothing had happened, as if Michiru was not laying on the floor of the cathedral, lifeless. Usagi had not understood then, and maybe Haruka hadn't either, not fully, that death with Michiru would have been a blessing; a cessation of the loneliness that threatened to swallow her, and relief from the horrible mission they had sworn to complete. Haruka breathed deeply, steadying herself and focused her attention on the night outside. She heard, or rather felt, a slight movement from the trees. She knew that it was this that had awakened her, but what *it* was, she could not say. Her hand went once again to the door, and once again, she stayed herself. Haruka quieted her mind, searching out the wrongness she felt...there! Her gaze fell on a shadow among the trees in the yard. It moved. Not with the branches that swayed gently, but with a unnatural, stealthy motion. She gave the French door a push and began to step outside. In the glass she saw the reflected flash of light from Michiru's mirror, and she was aware, as she stepped onto the balcony of a quiet, strong presence at her back. One step, two, and then she stopped dead in her tracks. Looking down into the yard, Haruka could clearly see several dark forms, like shadow puppets, all angles and exaggerated shapes, orbiting slowly around a lone figure. Sailor Saturn stood in the ring of darkness, her violet light fighting against a blackness that threatened to eclipse...no, swallow it. With one motion Haruka launched herself over the balcony and transformed as she did so. With a muffled thump, Sailor Uranus landed, rolled and ran for the circle, drawing her Sword, before the figures even had time to turn. "Space Sword Blaster!" she cried, and cut one shadow-form neatly in half. She spun, blocked behind her as she drew the sword across her back, then pulled down diagonally from behind her right shoulder, slicing through one figure, then thrusting into another. As her sword penetrated the figures, they disappeared, but more came forward to replace them. Sailor Uranus lost sight of Sailor Saturn, except when the Glaive's blade flashed in the moonlight. "Submarine Reflection!" Sailor Neptune's voice made Sailor Uranus smile grimly at her opponents. Three shadow creatures were obliterated as light shot out of Sailor Neptune's Mirror. Sailor Uranus stepped into the swirl of darkness that surrounded Sailor Saturn. She heard no noise, as she drew her sword across limbs, or thrust into torsos. Where one shadow disappeared another appeared somewhere else. The circle was getting smaller now, her sword's radiance grew a little dimmer. In a moment, she, Sailor Neptune and Sailor Saturn would be back to back, in the center of the engulfing darkness. As the figures drew closer, they seemed to block out the moonlight and even absorb sound. Sailor Uranus felt herself bump up against Sailor Neptune. Silence. A deep, horrifying non-sound fell around Sailor Uranus' ears. She felt as if she was going blind and deaf all at once. Her hand fell limp and her Talisman disappeared. She opened her mouth to shout, but nothing sound emerged. She felt as if she were wrapped in a shroud. The blackness deepened... Then slowly, as if from very far away, came a soft sound. The sound of a staff being swung, the sound of a naginata... or a... Sailor Uranus strained to hear it, it was so familiar. Like a beacon, the sound took on a resonance, straining at the non-sound, pushing it back. The rhythm of the spinning staff grew, vibrating with life. Sailor Uranus felt it in her body, as her heart beat stronger with every pass of the staff... the weapon... what was it, it was so familiar. Comprehension came like a burst dam, through the dullness of her mind...the Glaive! A Glaive now spinning with incredible speed and power. Sailor Uranus spun around to see Sailor Saturn standing before her and Sailor Neptune, warding off the shadow shapes, pushing them back with her Glaive. Sailor Saturn increased the complexity of the pattern, now cutting into one shadow, or another. The humming of the spinning Glaive filled Sailor Uranus with new power and her sword sprang into her hand, shining brightly. She could see the flash of the Mirror on one side and hear the hum of the spinning Glaive on her other. Sailor Uranus closed her eyes and allowed herself to match Sailor Saturn's pattern, until both blades echoed through the quiet night. As if an unspoken signal was given, all three Senshi called out, as one. "Submarine Reflection!" "Space Sword Blaster!" "Silence Wall!" Gold, silver and violet light combined, flared, and encompassed the shadow figures. As the light touched them, they burst into a black stream of energy, and disappeared without a sound. Silence, the normal, busy, night silence, fell around the three women. Sailor Uranus kneeled, catching her breath. She flexed her hands and arms, trying to undo the thickness the shadow creatures had brought upon her. She turned to check Sailor Neptune, who was swaying slightly, but stood. With their brows drawn together, the two women slowly turned, knowing, fearing, what they would see. Sailor Saturn stood, leaning lightly on her Glaive. She smiled a little sadly at them. She had grown another inch or two and now stood almost as tall as Michiru. "I think," she said firmly. "it's time to talk to the other Senshi." And her hands fell softly to her side, as she collapsed to her knees. "Hotaru!" Haruka and Michiru cried out as one, and both caught the girl in their arms, as she swayed. The Glaive disappeared as Hotaru's transformation reversed itself, leaving the girl barefooted, in pajamas now too small for her. "Hotaru!" Michiru felt for a pulse and sucked in a breath as she found one, slow, but strong. Hotaru's eyes fluttered, but they did not open. Haruka picked up the girl and walked back towards the house without speaking. Michiru trailed her, carrying her mirror as if it were extremely heavy. Both women looked grimly at the sun that broke past the horizon and shone on their faces. It wasn't the sun they needed now, it was the Moon. ------------------------------------------------------------ Haruka leaned on the doorframe, hands in her pockets. She looked out over the crowded living room. It always seemed so large, she reflected, until we have a family get-together. She smiled a little at her own joke, and looked over her shoulder at Michiru, who was bringing in a tray from the kitchen. Haruka reached over and took the tray from Michiru, and gestured for her to sit. "You're still weak. Please...I'll do this." Haruka let her hands linger over Michiru's. Bright blue eyes, a little strained, met hers. "Thank you." Michiru squeezed Haruka's hands and gave her the tray. "Are you sure you are alright?" she asked the taller woman. "I saw you lose your Talisman..." "I'm fine." Haruka said shortly. She didn't want to bring this up yet. The Inner Senshi were so young and this burden was so large... Michiru's eyes narrowed, as if she was reading Haruka's mind. "Haruka. We need to tell them - everything." "I know. It's hard to remember that they are grown. And it's hard to not want to take it all on myself." Michiru smiled softly. "I know. It is hard. But we are stronger together..." a loud burst of laughter drew their attention. Chibi-Usa was relating a story of the antics of the future Senshi, and all the girls were giggling, with the exception of a deeply embarrassed Makoto, and Minako, who if not embarrassed, certainly looked chagrined. Haruka carried the tray into the room and placed it on the central table. Hands reached out for drinks and in a moment the tray was nearly empty. Haruka pushed the tray into the center of the table and left it, to stand by Michiru. Lightly cradling Michiru's body in the crook of one arm, Haruka allowed herself to relax just a little. Things would be alright, she reminded herself. They were stronger together... Setsuna called everyone to attention and briskly got down to business. Haruka spent the time watching everyone's faces, gauging their reactions, their responses. Predictably there was an outburst of shock and denial, questions and an outpouring of concern. Haruka noted the calm stillness that came from Mamoru and the equally powerful air of caring and love that Usagi radiated. It was almost as if the essence of their true natures as Prince and Princess had begun to coalesce about these two. Haruka noted that, when Usagi now spoke, every eye turned towards her and they listened, perhaps more carefully than they once had, to what she had to say. Even Chibi-Usa treated Usagi with a bit more respect. Imperceptible to one who did not know them, Haruka considered with a grin, as she watched Chibi-Usa spear a tidbit off of Usagi's plate and Usagi slap the girl down. Haruka and Michiru related their accounts of the morning's events. It was difficult, but Haruka told them of losing her Talisman, and the weakness that Sailor Saturn had rescued her from. Michiru supported Haruka, commenting that she too had lost her Talisman for a moment before her power returned. Eventually the topic turned towards possible action. Haruka listened closely, looking for signs of weakness in the younger women, signs that did not appear. She was gratified by the inner strength in their bearing, and the wisdom in their words. The door opened and all conversation ceased. All heads swiveled to watch as Hotaru entered the room. Her face was drawn, but she stood straight and tall, and her step was firm. Chibi-Usa launched herself at her friend and hugged her in relief. "Hotaru-chan? Are you alright?" Chibi-Usa gave the taller girl another hug. Hotaru looked down at her dearest friend and smiled reassuringly. "I'm fine, Chibi-Usa-chan." She looked around the room and included everyone in it. "I'm fine, really." Haruka watched her for signs of an injury, but Hotaru moved smoothly into the room, seating herself between Usagi and Chibi-Usa. Usagi took one of her hands and gave it a quick squeeze. Hotaru smiled at her, blushing a little at all the attention focused on her. "Hotaru..." Usagi began, but Haruka stepped forward and stopped her with one hand lightly on her shoulder. Setsuna nodded at Haruka and turned to the younger women. "We've told you all we know, and what we have conjectured. Now, I'm sorry Hotaru," she turned towards her daughter, her eyes sad and worried, "we have to know what's going on. Do you know anything? Can we do anything to stop this?" Her eyes fixed on Usagi, whose jaw was tightening. "I can only speak for myself, Princess, when I say that I will gladly sacrifice my life, if that's what it would take to save Hotaru." "No!" Hotaru jumped up from her seat, hands clenched. "No! That's the entire point! You'd ruin everything!" Mamoru reached out a hand, but Hotaru shook him off. Usagi stood and faced Hotaru. "Hotaru-chan, what do you mean, we'd 'ruin everything?' You have to tell us what's going on." She took one of Hotaru's clenched fists in her hand, her eyes dark with concern. Hotaru shook her arm violently, but Usagi kept her grip firm. Hotaru's face began to change, to become darker, cruder and her eyes took on a feral look. She snarled and threw out an arm, aiming at Usagi's face. The slap never landed. Haruka had jumped the couch as soon as she saw Hotaru coil. Her hand intercepted the blow, turning it away from her Princess and trapping the arm. She grabbed Hotaru firmly and shook her, calling her name. "Hotaru-chan!" Haruka gripped her shoulders and tried to connect with the girl's eyes. "Hotaru, come back!" She could feel tension build under her hands. Hotaru gave herself a great shake and then looked up at Haruka, surprise registering just before pain. "Oh my God!" she cried and threw her face into her hands. Haruka shifted her grip and drew the girl into her body, clutching her in a tight, supportive embrace. Hotaru sobbed like the child she truly was, and pressed her face into Haruka's chest. She could hear Hotaru speaking quietly in between sobs. "Not again, please." Hotaru's voice was weak, defeated. Haruka sat the girl down and made her drink some tea. Hotaru stared blindly into the cup, tears mingling freely with the dark liquid. Haruka's voice was soft when she took Hotaru's face in her hands and looked into the large violet eyes that stared up at her. "Hotaru, do you know who, or what it is? Can we stop this? Please, please trust us, we are your family." Usagi stood by Haruka's side, nodding. "Hotaru-chan, you don't have to bear this alone." Hotaru heaved a sigh and smiled wanly up at them. "I am sorry for upsetting you all. I feel sometimes," she tried to speak lightly, "that so many different entities have lived inside me that I'm a kind of cosmic hotel." Her voice cracked on the last word, and her eyes dropped. Haruka let go of her face, but kept one hand on the girl. Hotaru reached out for a hand and Haruka clasped it firmly. She might not be able to stop the pain, but she would do anything she had to protect this girl, her fellow Senshi, her daughter. ------------------------------------------------------------ Haruka watched as Hotaru fought off a new blackness or a memory, she thought, of an old one. The girl looked up a the concerned faces around her and tightened her lips. "I owe you all an apology. Several, I believe." She waved her free hand at the protestations that were spoken. Setsuna-mama," her voice was grim, but she used the name as easily as she always did, "Haruka-papa and Michiru-mama, I owe you especially. I know this has been hard on you. And I'm not entirely sure I can give you good news." She smiled tightly at Haruka and let go of her hand. Haruka was aware of feeling that something important had been taken away and she clenched the hand that had held Hotaru's. She stepped back and took Michiru's hand as soon as she could, to fill the odd void. Hotaru held her hands together in her lap and spoke down to the floor. "A long time ago, before many of you had even come into being, Saturn made a promise to someone. She would give up her own life energy to feed the entity, on one condition. That day, Sailor Saturn ceased being a Senshi of destruction, and she,... I, became a Senshi of death and rebirth. When Sailor Saturn uses, when I use my power, my life force is lessened by an equal amount. The entity uses it to survive. When Mistress 9 invaded my body her power contributed and I did not age perceptibly. Now... now the entity," she looked up at Setsuna and spoke hesitantly, "now Eternity wants more. Not only my life force, but yours as well. By not telling you of this ancient promise, I'm so sorry, Haruka-papa, Michiru-mama!" Her voice broke and new tears fell down her face. "I almost killed you!" Haruka felt Michiru's hand grip her own. Both of them moved forward to comfort the wretched girl. For a long time no one spoke. Haruka could see the tight faces around her, intense with concentration. Haruka opened her mouth to speak, but Setsuna's soft voice came from the settee. "Hotaru. I think its time we paid a visit to Eternity, don't you?" Haruka looked at Usagi, who looked ready to leave immediately, and Mamoru, who nodded at her. Haruka acknowledged her Prince and spoke evenly. "My job is to protect the Earth. This Eternity is a threat to my planet, to my Prince and Princess and most of all to you, Hotaru-chan. Even if this was long ago, I, we, would owe this to you as Senshi. But its not long ago, is it?" Her voice became gentle. Michiru, who had remained silent the entire time spoke now. "For Setsuna, Haruka and myself, I know I can say that, Hotaru-chan, we love you like a daughter - and like parents, we will fight to the death to protect you. As Sailor Neptune I can say that we four will not be fighting alone." There was a sharp burst of agreement from the younger Senshi. Haruka looked around her. She could see the grim determination on their faces and was pleased. She knew that they'd be able to face whatever threat Eternity posed. And she knew that Eternity, whatever it was, would never be the same again, when they had got done with it. Mamoru's voice was firm when he spoke. He also has a daughter, Haruka thought as she watched him, and he knows exactly how we are feeling. "What we need, is to understand what Eternity is, and where to find it. Hotaru-chan," he asked the girl. "Are you up to this?" She looked him in the eye. "Yes. I have to be." He held her gaze for a moment longer, then smiled softly. "Then let's begin at the beginning."
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