(( DISCLAIMER: I do not own Sailor Moon or any affliated works except this fanfic right HURRR of course -w- I hope you like this little introductory chapter to the rest of the story J Enjoy! Also, for anyone wondering, this fan fic isn't really set during any time or place. I just sortof… pictured Final Fantasy X and onwards type of lands and worlds for these two to live in :P Nothing based on any reality I know of xD ))

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It was said that those who joined the imperial guard were descended from the angels of heaven. They were strong, fast, intelligent, beautiful, and all wore the insignia tattooed upon their backsides, of angel wings; right in the center of their shoulder blades.

What made them unique was that the guard held both men and women.

One in particular, Haruka Tenou, had steadily climbed the ranks and become leader of the guard, commanding the entire army in times of war and battle.

She was highly esteemed and respected. Foes were intimidated by the stunning blonde woman; the exact woman who could fell any opponent with such ease.

There were rumors about the legend - stating the guard were descended from angels - being true…

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She lifted her head from her newest painting and smiled when she saw her mother come inside.

"Afternoon," Michiru cooed in a gentle voice.

Her mother, Aisling smiled at her, coming closer to look at her painting. "It's beautiful…" she said.

Michiru smiled up at her, looking it over quietly. "It's finally coming along…"

Aisling chuckled softly and ran a hand through her daughter's greenish blue hair. "It's lovely… What is it a painting of, exactly?"

"An angel."

Aisling blinked, looking at Michiru quietly. "An angel…" she repeated quietly.

Michiru nodded and looked up at her mother. "Yes. I reread the legend of the guard, and I decided I'd like to paint an angel… I imagine that this is how they would look," she smiled at the winged being on her canvas.

Aisling sighed and then smiled at Michiru. "It's gorgeous," she said again, and leaned down, kissing the top of Michiru's head. "You best clean up though. The guard is returning and your father wants you present as well to welcome them home," she smiled.

Michiru turned to smile at her and nodded, then put down her paintbrush after rinsing it in the small cup of water and stood, beginning to clear away everything so she could go to the main entry and welcome home the guard who had been out in battle for a few days now.

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Haruka kneeled before the royal family, the rest of the guard having gone to the respective rooms in another area of the palace to get rest and bathed and fed, all as quickly as possible.

Though for Haruka, nothing was more important than seeing the face of her beloved princess.

"Welcome home," Michiru smiled at her warmly.

She flashed a perfect smile back, her posture becoming more straight and proud as she averted her eyes from thos beautiful deep blue orbs to the eyes of Aisling, the Queen.

"Welcome home," the Queen said as well and smiled at the blonde woman. "I trust all went well?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Haruka responded eloquently, bowing her head and glanced at the empty seat of the King. "Pardon my asking, but, is The King faring well?"

"He is still ill…" The Queen sighed, her expression becoming troubled. "I do so apologize for his lack of presence, but the doctors have assured me nothing but bed rest will be good for his health."

Haruka nodded and glanced quickly at Michiru to see her downcast gaze, no doubt, pained by her father's persistent illness, which had come out of nowhere and shocked the kingdom. Haruka sighed and then looked at the Queen again, who too, had shadowed eyes.

"Will we be seeing you at dinner tonight?" The Queen asked Haruka.

The blonde woman nodded. "Of course. I could never turn down such an invitation," she smiled. "I best be off to get cleaned up and ready for dinner with such lovely young ladies," she said, flashing them both a charming smile as she turned to go.

Michiru watched her go and smiled to herself, then looked up at her mother. "May I excuse myself quickly to prepare for dinner?" she asked.

"Of course," she chuckled softly, nodding her head.

She smiled and stood, proceeding down the corridor to her room so she could change into something more suitable for dinner.

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Haruka came to the already set dining table which seated herself, The Queen, and Michiru. Only the royal family and the chief of the guard was allowed to eat together at the table, as such had been the rules for a very long time.

Michiru glanced up and over at Haruka, smiling faintly and nodded her head in welcome to the blonde woman, then began to eat quietly.

Haruka could sit there all day, admiring the aquanette, watching the way her fingers delicately folded over the utensil in her hand with such profound etiquette… the way her delicate thin wrists moved so fluidly, no doubt in the way ease as when she painted in her gallery room. Eventually though, Haruka tore her gaze away and began to eat quietly, those two seconds seeming to last an entire lifetime…

After they ate, Haruka thanked the Queen for her invitation to join them, and rose, excusing herself as she headed outside, no doubt to resume her constant practicing so her moves and her reflexes had no chance of faltering in any battle.

Michiru finished her food a little after and rose, thanking her mother and also excused herself, disappearing in the direction of her gallery room.

She stepped inside and sat in front of the window, gazing out at the back training area of the palace.

She could still remember the day her mother had scolded her for selecting such a small (in comparison to other rooms in the palace) room to create her own personal art gallery. She had told her it was small, and that the view of the training area was most inappropriate for a young lady. If anything, she should have a beautiful view of their kingdom, or the rolling valleys to the west of their palace. But no… Michiru had insisted she wanted this room, and with that view. She liked to watch her guard working hard to protect their family.

Not to mention, she got to see Haruka…

Her dear friend, for so many years.

They had met when Michiru was only 12, and Haruka had been 15. They had made friends almost immediately when Michiru realized Haruka was so young in comparison to the other soldiers, and she had decided she too, desired a friend. In so doing… they had begun to talk and enjoy each others company not long after Haruka's arrival; who had arrived at the palace in tow with her father who had been a part of the guard until he'd died in battle.

The thought of Haruka having lost her father at the age of 16, only a year after arriving there, was a terrible one. Michiru had wished Haruka's father might make it through the recovery, but he had not, and had died of a serious internal poisoning after taking a poison edged blade to his shoulder.

It was what had brought them even closer as friends when her own father had fallen mysteriously ill. The fear of losing him had been in everyone's minds, and Haruka had come to Michiru upon hearing and had told her that no matter what, she would be there to protect her. Those words alone had dried her tears significantly and put a relieved smile on her face, the only indications that Haruka's words had touched her and warmed her heart.

Michiru looked at her sketch pad and sighed, standing and walked over to it, then reached for a small pack, slinging it over her shoulders and left her room.

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Haruka stood near a dummy, patched and stitched up in so many places there was probably more thread than fabric to hold it together for practice fighting.

She stood ready, her bejewelled blade in hand, and raised it, pointing at the heart of her enemy.

She moved slowly, then began to move faster, the movements all coming naturally from seven years of continued practice. She could do the entire routine with her eyes closed if she wanted to… but she had no desire to show off to the others.

"You've come along quite well…" said a charming and gentle voice from somewhere to Haruka's right.

She gasped, stumbling out of sync with her practiced routine and spun around wide eyed, her breathing heavy and shaky from exertion.

Michiru giggled, sketch book in hand, and her blue eyes sparkled beautifully in the sun as she looked at her friend. "Did I frighten you?" she raised a finely arched brow.

Haruka gazed at her, and then a grin formed on her lips. "Not at all… that was all done on purpose," she smirked.

Michiru smirked back. "Of course it was…" she teased. "May I watch?" she asked, gesturing to a tree close by where she could sit and watch Haruka practice her already phenomenal sword fighting skills.

The blonde woman grinned and nodded. "Of course," she said, watching the princess walk to the tree and make herself comfortable underneath it.

Haruka then reached up to the back of her loose linen shirt and tugged at it a few times to get some air flow going through it, the sweat rolling down her back becoming most unpleasant. She then took her position and narrowed her eyes, beginning again, moving rapidly and with ease it almost looked as though the woman was flying…

Michiru watched her in awe, her full pink lips parting just a little bit in awe as she watched, thoroughly enjoying the beautiful sight. She reached into her pack and pulled out a small sketch pencil, worn down from all the days she spent sketching on any surface she was allowed to, and began to draw the swift and powerful female guardswoman.

Haruka could see from the corner of her eyes that her princess was drawing. She hoped it was herself… With that possibility in mind, she moved even more swiftly and gracefully, swinging her sword with such fluidity, that it almost looked as though nothing of what she did was humanly possible.

It was beautiful.

When Haruka grew tired, she stopped and leaned against the now slit up dummy, panting heavily, the ends of her blonde hair having darkened a little with sweat as it dripped in the hot summer sun, down to the green ground beneath her bare feet.

The guards always practiced in bare feet, not knowing what sort of footwear they might have in what terrain. This way, they were at least somewhat prepared with their feet toughened up.

Green eyes met blue, and Haruka flashed her a somewhat tired, but happy smile. She pushed herself off the dummy and walked over to Michiru and sat collapsed down beside her onto her side, and looked at her sketch pad as she folded her fingers together over her waist.

Michiru smiled at her and raised a brow again. "So unlady like ot be sweating all over the princess in such a way," she giggled.

Haruka grinned even wider. "Eh, I simply cannot help myself. You're beauty and talent just causes me to perspire in sheer excitement to be in your very presence," she joked.

Michiru could not help the laugh that escaped her and she pushed Haruka onto her back a bit and then sighed, leaning back against the trunk of the tree.

Haruka laughed softly and moved to sit up next to her and then looked at the sketchbook, surprised how far along the drawing had come.

"You're so talented, Michiru… you must teach me some day," she said, running a finger over the smooth but confident lines of the princess's work.

Michiru smiled up at her and nodded. "Perhaps I shall. Of course, you will need to be far less sweaty at that time," she giggled.

Haruka rolled her eyes and poked Michiru's side gently. "I will, I promise," she chuckled.

The two smiled at one another, and relaxed for a little while, talking and enjoying the warm weather, until Haruka had to return to training and Michiru had to go back inside.

On the way in, Haruka turned back and watched her go, smiling to herself.

Her princess… She had no idea how incredibly beautiful she had become, with her long wavy aqua hair, and her big beautiful blue eyes. And the shapely curves that Haruka just KNEW in her heart remained hidden under all those folds of silk and satin robes.

She loved her… She loved the smell of her, the presence of her, the smile of her… the look of her… Everything.

Haruka knew she would do absolutely anything to stay by her princess' side…

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(( And there you have it J Chapter on of Guardian Angel. I have to say, I absolutely love the pairing of Haruka and Michiru :D No matter what time frame or setting they're in, I could read about these two for AGES! So I hope you liked this little introductory chapter to the story :D Anywho! Off I go to read books and watch more Sailor Moon -w- Toodloo! It's so good to be writing fan fic again - w - ))