Chapter 8: The talismans
Michiru was analysing the school data when Haruka approached her.
« Anything new? »
« Not really… I'm not very good at that… Computers… They make me sick. » said Michiru.
« I won't be any help… I do not use those things unless I really have to… »
« I… I got to see Hotaru. »
« You must have expected that. We've been here for two weeks now. And the school isn't so big. »
« Yes… But still… She's so… It's a shock. When I saw her the last time she was… a baby. She was just a little girl and now she's a teenager. And she looks so down… Do you remember how she was happy just months ago? Do you remember how it was before all this senshi crap entered our lives? »
« I prefer not think about the past. Now these are our lives. It's not great, but we have to cope with it. Hotaru has been kidnapped and we'll get her back before it's too late. »
« Haruka… You and I no all too well… That it is too late. »
« I don't want to hear that. »
« But it's the truth. Either way… Now there are two options. She can become Saturn and destroy the world, or she can become Mistress nine and dominate the world with the enemy. »
« I said I don't want to hear that. »
Michiru was shaking slightly. She passed a nervous hand on her face to make her tears disappear. Haruka mustn't see her cry.
« So… How is this search for pure heart going. »
« I found several persons that could be targeted. »
« That's what is great about all that… We just have to follow the enemy to find potential bearers. »
« The problem is that our enemy is not very smart… »
Haruka smiled.
« Probably Keiko's leading the research. We'd better ask her to be more accurate. »
« And blow our cover? »
« I was joking. »
« An idea crossed my mind… I'm not sure you're gonna like it. »
« I'm listening. »
« What if… Usagi was one of the bearers? »
« Tsukino Usagi? »
« Yes… »
« It's… highly possible. She's sailor moon… and a princess… And she keeps scolding us, trying to reason us about our dirty duty. It fits perfectly… She's even too pure hearted if you want my opinion. »
« We should keep an eye on her. »
« I was thinking about something. We should talk to Chibiusa. »
« Why? »
« I wouldn't want her to cross Hotaru's path by accident. Imagine her reaction. »
« I can… You're right, but I'd rather send Setsuna. »
« Why? They never even met. »
« Setsuna talked to me… She knows the little princess. Better than we think. It seems that Setsuna is closer to the inners than we thought. She knows Usagi for a while and got close to Chibiusa since she's a baby… This little girl… She told me she was not feeling well after her father's departure. »
« Mamoru-san? But she looks so cheerful… She doesn't seem like she is in trouble or… »
« She is… She misses her father, she doesn't understand why he left. That's what Setsuna told me. The two of them were very close. We have been hard Haruka… I think she misses Hotaru as much as we do. We should have let them be together when they could. »
« It is too late for regrets… I begin to think our roommate is a bit too secretive. Can we really trust Setsuna? I mean… We saw Usagi and her together, and there was no hint… She hides things from us. And she's has a part of responsibility in Hotaru's kidnapping. I know we wanted to forget about that… But I have the impression that she's playing with us. »
« It's my opinion too. She's the senshi of the time, I'm sure she knows more than we think… If she told us everything we could achieve our mission quicker. »
« Haruka… »
Michiru had just felt a wave of power… A monster had appeared somewhere.
« Yes, I felt it. »
« When I think we were supposed to go to History class the afternoon… »
« Too bad… »
« I'm sure you're rejoicing yourself. But skipping class won't make you graduate. »
« I'll destroy this school before such a thing happen. »
They left the room and drove to the place they knew a monster had appeared.
As usual they found the inners already there. But a detail had changed… It seemed the method of the enemy was different. There was no monster after all… But a new witch. And Usagi had her heart out of herself, so had Minako and Chibiusa.
« Since when does the witches target three people at the same time? »
« It's a new one… I guess she's trying something new… »
« Michi! Look! »
« No way! Keiko! »
« I knew she was part of them… »
« But she never had powers! »
« Well… Now she does. »
Haruka and Michiru waited a bit to see if the pure hearts were going to change into talismans. They watched the fight… The Star Lights were pretty good as usual, Mars, Jupiter and Mercury were doing their best either, but it was not enough, as usual too.
« Do you think one day they will be able to manage a fight by themselves? » asked Haruka.
« I hope! Because as soon as we free Hotaru I don't care about the rest, we will just go on a cruise! » answered Michiru.
« They are too weak… I pity them. »
« You're a bit hard. »
« They are children who think they can handle adult business. They shouldn't interfere. It's our mission. »
« I agree with you on that point. But we need Sailor Moon. The enemy wouldn't disappear without her final blow, you know it. »
« I'm not sure about that. We're not giving everything, if we did we might defeat it completely. »
« Maybe… Well, I think they're really getting in trouble now. And Usagi, Minako and Chibiusa aren't the talismans bearers so… Why wouldn't we save the situation again? »
« Why not… I told you I didn't feel like going to History class today anyway. »
Haruka and Michiru jumped from their hiding place and stepped in the middle of the fight, suprising Keiko by their powerful attacks. But the witch avoided them.
« At last! I was waiting for you! »
« Really? Well… you will regret it… Didn't you wonder why your mates all died before accepting the job? » asked Haruka.
« I know… That's why I awaited you. I told the boss you were special and no one is better than me to handle the two of you. Haruka, Michiru… Oh sorry, should I say Neptune and Uranus. »
They glanced at each other in surprise.
« Didn't I tell you I'll kill you Michiru, you and her… »
« That's just great… Now I will have the privilege to kill you with my own hands. And no law will forbid it. » said Haruka, grinning.
« Haruka she knows about us it means her boss knows too… »
« I know, Michiru. It seems it will be time to break in and get our daughter back. »
« Haruka… »
« Sorry guys, you'll have to get out of this by yourselves, we have a date. »
Michiru suddenly got Haruka's plan and quickly turned to the three victims to place their hearts back then ran with her, leaving the others behind.
« At least they will be able to fight with the best of their possibilities. I don't like it… leaving them alone with that monster. »
« Keiko doesn't care about them. She will be after us. They are secure. »
« Probably… »
They were now arrived at the school, and back to their casual clothes.
« We must find Hotaru quickly. »
« I bet Keiko contacted her boss and that person hid her. »
« This boss is very certainly her father. »
Haruka sent her a hurt look.
« I mean biological father. You know I didn't mean… »
« Let's save our daughter. »
« Haruka we can't run blindly. We must have a plan. We're talking Hotaru… But not only… She has one of those eggs in her. She's partially one of them. This malediction will awake at one moment or another. »
« We'll get rid of it. I have a plan. We kidnap Hotaru and lead her to Setsuna, who will find a way to awake Saturn. »
« Are you kidding!!! It would destroy the world!!! »
« How do we know it? She might be reasonable… »
« I'd rather not count on that hypothesis. »
« Do you have a better plan? »
« Just kidnap her, to begin with. »
« Right… »
Haruka and Michiru must have been born under a good star… They were truly lucky that day. As they were debating on how to find Hotaru and kidnap her discretely, they heard coughs from the girl's bathroom as they passed by. They entered and found Hotaru on the floor and falling into unconsciousness at their sight.
« Wow… I wouldn't have thought it'd be so easy… » said Haruka, as Michiru ran to her daughter to examine her. Haruka took the unconscious and incredibly light body in her arms.
« Your Haruka-papa's here, little one. »
Haruka and Michiru walked away. There was no one in the corridors, which made things easy, too easy maybe.
« How did you get her? » asked Setsuna.
« An incredible luck. » answered Haruka.
« But I guess you already know, senshi of time. » added Michiru.
« I don't know everything, just what I want or need to know… And things weren't suppose to occur like that… »
« Do you have a problem with that? » asked Michiru.
« No… »
« Listen, we have to know if we can trust you. I know you won't tell us everything, but at least can you promise you won't give Hotaru back to them and that you will help us watch over her? » asked Haruka.
« Of course I will. Who do you think I am? »
« We also have another problem. What can we do against Mistress nine? It's obvious this monster is already inside her. »
« I don't know… Really. In fact… Maybe it's dangerous to keep her near. »
« She's our daughter, so she stays, Mistress nine or not. » said Haruka.
« Ok… »
They leant the girl in her own bedroom. Would she remind her past when she'd awake in the middle of her things? Haruka and Michiru were not that optimistic.
« We need you to watch over her. We can't protect her right now. We have a fight waiting for us. » said Haruka.
Outside of the house, the inners and the Starlights were waiting.
« We're here to give you a hand. » said Sailor Moon.
« We don't need you. You're too weak, and this is our fight. » said Michiru.
« Don't mess with us. » added Haruka.
« Maybe… Maybe Chibiusa could enter and have a talk with Setsuna. In fact… It would be interesting if all of you stayed. Our daughter is inside and she needs protection until we defeat our enemy. »
« How is Hotaru-chan? » asked Chibiusa, truly worried.
« In a very bad condition. Setsuna will explain you. »
« Mum, I want to stay with Hotaru-chan. »
« Ok… We… We'll stay. I know your daughter means the world to you… » said calmly Sailor Moon.
« Thanks. » answered Michiru.
« Do you think they'll be able to do something if the enemy comes? » asked Michiru.
« Sure… »
« Weren't you thinking they were weaklings? »
« I still do… But they are good people, I trust them. They'll do their best. »
« Hotaru-chan is not awaking! » said Chibiusa. Setsuna had explained her everything and she was desperate.
« Maybe Usagi or Kakyuu could do something… » proposed Mercury.
« Usagi? What do you think? » asked Rei.
« Odango? » asked Seiya.
The girl was nowhere to be seen.
Haruka and Michiru arrived at Mugen Gakuen at night. They found who they were searching for very quickly.
« You've been careless, Keiko. Your boss won't be happy with you for loosing his daughter. » said Haruka.
« You have no idea in what mess you are. Didn't you think it was easy? »
« Sure. We were waiting for you to come home but you didn't. » answered Michiru.
« I don't care about the little brat. By the way, I was the one to kidnap her in the first place. I'm supervising all what concerns you. »
« Here comes a time to put an end to that. I mean all those years I regretted I did not kill you when I learned what you did to Michiru. And you're telling me you kidnap my daughter? That she's suffering, ill, maybe dying because of you? You're giving me a second reason to kill you. »
« Your murder will make me win two things… Personal revenge, recognition of my boss… And an unlimited power. »
« You're dreaming. » said Michiru.
« Really? And if told you that I knew the identity of the bearers of the talismans since the beginning and that it is one reason for which I was hired? What if I told you I and my friends attacked innocent people to trap them? »
Haruka and Michiru truly were surprised. How could that girl, that witch know it? They had been searching hard, and she knew it from the start?
« Stop talking nonsense… If I follow you… Those persons can be the Star Lights or the inners. We already know that some of them aren't the bearers, so who?! » asked Michiru.
Keiko grinned.
« If I shoot one of you, will the other one jump and save the other… And if I told you you were the bearers… Would you kill each other for the sake of humanity? »
« We're not the bearers. We can't be. » said Haruka.
« You're mistaken. » added Michiru.
« I'm relieved, for a moment I thought you were a step ahead of us. Well… Maybe Michiru is a bearer since she's a real angel but…» said Haruka lightly.
In the blink of an eye, Keiko shot Haruka. Michiru didn't even think about it twice, she jumped on her and was shot in her place.
« Michiru!!! »
The pure heart exited her chest as Haruka held onto her tightly.
« Take it Haruka… Take it and save our daughter… Setsuna will help you. »
The pure heart crystal turned into a mirror with the symbol of Neptune at the back and Michiru fell into unconsciousness. Haruka couldn't let go. Michiru's life was going away. Michiru was dying in her arms. She was brought back to reality by a kick on her side that ejected made her fall and sent Michiru's body aside.
« Your turn, dear… »
Haruka had no strength left. She had not been fighting, she had not been hurt, but the vision of the body near her, dying, sounded like her own death. If this shine left the world, her shine would disappear too.
The gun was near her chest… Haruka wasn't paying attention, all she could see was the body of her beloved, still gracious even when dying. And suddenly Keiko was pushed aside and a blonde girl was at her place. Haruka saw the scene more than her brain took it in account. Usagi was fighting Keiko and was quickly joined by Seiya, Yaten, Mars and Jupiter. The others were probably home with Hotaru. If Haruka had been conscious of what was happening, she'd have seen a good fight. For once, they stood a chance. But Haruka didn't care about what was occurring around… Her hand had entered in contact with the cold gun… She pointed to her chest. She had known for long she was a talisman bearer. But if she had not told it, it was because she knew Michiru wouldn't kill her. And it was too early to get killed by the enemy. She had wanted to wait for two of the talismans to be united. But she already knew for a while her life would be taken away. She would never have guessed Michiru was a talisman bearer… She should have seen it, but her eyes had been blinded by love.
« You knew too… ironic, isn't it… Wait for me, Michiru. » she muttered. Sailor Moon turned to her. She tried to jump on her, she tried to stop her… But light invaded the room and Haruka's heart crystal appeared, then let place to a sword.
She gathered the bit of strength she had left she got close enough to her lover to be able to place her head on her chest, trying to listen to her very weak heartbeat, knowing each one could be the last. She intertwined their fingers and inhaled her scent a last time before collapsing.
Michiru opened her eyes a last time and saw the talismans floating above them and Haruka's body on hers, unconscious. She weakly passed her hand on Haruka's cheek then through her hair and let it there. She realised Sailor Moon was calling for them, in fact she was shrieking.
« It's a nightmare… » she thought.
She would have never thought Haruka had a talisman… No, she knew it for long, but had not wanted to admit it. She had hid herself the truth, ignored it. It was just logical. They were linked. But this was the worst scenery she could have imagined. For a while, she had hope both of them could get out of that. Take Hotaru back and run away forever. Haruka mustn't be dying now.
Her life sparkle of life went away like a rose petal blown by the wind.
Haruka suddenly awoke, feeling a warmth invading her… She understood her heart crystal was back. How could it be? Michiru… Where was Michiru? She felt her aura before seeing her next to her, awaking too. The grail was in front of them… Along with Setsuna.
When the situation became normal again, that is to say, after Haruka and Michiru had time to hold each other in relief for a long moment, they were explained that their fellow senshis had been able to make Keiko run away for now. Setsuna had made her appearance during the fight and had began the ceremony of the grail. She was the third bearer. Once the emotion was passed, at least as much as it could be, Haruka took the things in hand.
« We take the grail home. » she said.
« We still have to find the messiah. » added Michiru.
« From now on, you all must not interfere. It will become dangerous and complicated. » said Setsuna.
« Thanks for your help. » added Haruka, embarrassed.
The three of them disappeared.
Later that night, Haruka and Michiru were standing on the balcony, watching their daughter sleep inside her bedroom. The grail was on the bedside table.
« We aren't good soldiers, are we? » said Haruka.
« We're pitiful you mean. »
« No more secrets, promise? »
« Promise. »
« I just wanted to… Protect you. I knew you wouldn't have bear it if I had told you the truth. I knew it for long. »
« Our research was in vain. I knew it… Well I hoped we'd find the third one. Setsuna was not bearing it in her heart, I couldn't guess. »
« I don't really know if we could have killed an innocent person anyway. Maybe it's better that way. »
« We're not dead. I'm relieved. I thought I was living a nightmare when I saw your body on mine… And in a way… I'm sorry to say that… But I was relieved, for I knew you'd not regret me, you'd not cry over me since you'd be dead too. I want you to live, but above all, I want to be happy. »
« And happiness means being with you, in life as well as in death. »