Name: Nightbreak

Fic: Vampire Princess Michiru Chapter 3

address: cadz0001@algonquinc.on.ca

This chapter has taken an extremely long time to do, with ideas being tossed
away left, right, and centre.  I'm starting to think that I'm just my worst
critic.
Well, at least my editors are supportive.  Thanks to Chaos, Blazej, and
Beans
for their own editing selections (especially to B for his no-nonsense
attitude for
criticisms and "I'll get around to it sometime"motivation) and to the
members of
the Circle of Time project for their support.

And a side note, which two out of three editors recommend: In the SM manga,
Michiru knows a bit about Tiger Eye, or so I'm told.  However, in the anime,
the
Outers were not around for the SuperS season, and would have no knowledge
of the Dead Moon Circus, save what the Inners would tell them.

At the same time, "in the manga, Tiger Eye and his other two compatriots are
indeed killed and nothing more is said of them.  In the anime, the Trio use
the
last of their power to restore Usagi's dream mirror before they return to
their
animal forms. However the Pegasus shows up and takes the three animals into
his homeworld of dreams, Illusion. There the fish, hawk and tiger are given
a
second chance at life."
Thanks to His Lordship Chaos for that information.

- - - -
Vampire Princess Michiru  (Part 3)
- - - -

     A tired sigh broke the silence.
     Flat on her back on the couch, Michiru stared up at the ceiling.
"Halfway
there, Haruka," she murmured.  Then she closed her eyes as her partner's
hand
began brushing her hair back.  "Oh, this feels lovely . . ."
     Haruka nodded and kept stroking Michiru's forehead as the turquoise
hair
spilled over into her lap.  The two of them had been up early, having taken
PalaPala back to the darkness that morning.
     "Soon we can take our own rest," Michiru continued, "Queen Serenity
will
lift our curses from us . . ."  Opening her eyes again, she looked into the
steel
mask that hid her lover's face.  "And most importantly, I get to see your
face
again."  Smiling, she shut her eyes once more, letting her mind wander as
she
enjoyed Haruka's soothing touch.
     Two Asteroid Senshi were down, two left to go.  Thankfully, Vesta and
Pallas had returned home with remarkably little struggling.  Michiru hoped
that
Ceres and Juno would go the same way, but she knew the Asteroids could be
extremely headstrong.
     Just then, the phone rang, jarring her out of her reverie.
     Haruka snatched the receiver up and held it to her ear.  She listened
for a
second or two, then looked at the ceiling in resignation and pressed the
headset
against the side of Michiru's head.
     "Kaioh-san, it's Sister Mary Therese.  I hope you haven't forgotten our
appointment tonight."
     Drawing in a deep breath, Michiru let it out slowly, exasperated.  "I
haven't
forgotten, Sister.  I'll be there, don't worry."
     "I'm not worried, Kaioh Michiru.  Oh, and feel free to bring Ten'oh-san
with
you too, if you like."
     "Thank you.  I'll be sure to tell her.  See you in a little while."
She made a
quick motion to Haruka, who hung up.  "Guess who?"
     Behind the mask, Haruka's blue eyes rolled expressively.
     "Good guess.  A little reminder of our meeting for tonight, and you're
invited."  Michiru chuckled lightly at the expression the eyes held now.
"Oh,
you don't feel like seeing her again?  Well, you don't have to come if you
don't
want to."
     Haruka's body sagged in relief.  Lifting her other arm off Michiru's
stomach,
she tapped the face of her watch.
     "What time?"  Michiru pulled Haruka's arm down and squinted at the
hands of
the watch.  "Not for another hour or two.  Just enough time for a nice quiet
nap, ne?"
     Haruka nodded in agreement and pulled an afghan off the back of the
couch.  Covering Michiru up to her chin, she dimmed the light beside them
and
resumed the gentle head massage.
     Another deep sigh from the Senshi of Neptune.  "Haruka, you are far too
wonderful to me, did you know that?"

-----
     Sister Mary Therese nervously clutched at her rosary beads as she
watched
the last of the parishioners leave the sanctuary.  Michiru had occupied her
thoughts for most of the day, and even through much of the service, as she
sought to understand the mystery of the young woman.
     Kaioh Michiru.  Who was she?  Therese still didn't have an answer for
that
and she didn't have too much to go on, either.
     From what she could see, though, Michiru had a great deal of both power
and pain.  Whether the one had been the cause of the other she couldn't say,
but
she wanted to know more about both.
     As Therese walked down the aisle to the back of the church, she found
herself wondering about the four girls that she had promised to watch for.
Michiru and Haruka were quite eager to retrieve them.  What was their rush?
     She pulled the wooden doors shut and bolted them for the night.  The
other
Sisters had already extinguished the candles and tidied up for the cleaners.
Turning off the lights in the entryway, she went back into the sanctuary to
head
through to the convent.
     Then Therese stopped dead in her tracks as she saw Michiru sitting in
the
last pew.  She knew that the girl hadn't been there when she went out.  "You
move fast, Kaioh Michiru.  Yet another puzzle for me."
     The aqua-haired woman didn't look up.  "Why must everything be a
problem for you to solve?" she asked softly, thumb and forefinger toying
with
the edge of her black and red kimono. "Why must you question the things I
do,
demanding answers that I may not be able to give?  Is this the way your God
is, intrusive and demanding?"
     Hesitantly, Therese moved forward and sat down.  "Sometimes, yes.  He
does demand to be in every part of our lives.  And many times He is not shy
in
getting our attention.  I question what you do because I have to know who or
what I am returning these girls to.  Is it in their best interests?  What is
happening to them when they return?  And, most importantly, who are you that
possess these strange powers and behave as if humanity is below you?"
     Stung, Michiru raised her head, her golden eyes alight with an inner
fire.
"We have saved this world countless times from destruction by other forces,"
she replied in a low voice, "I have fought against friends, faced death more
times than I care to remember, and have seen the end of Earth approach again
and again.  But no one on this planet has known this, since it all happened
away from your little everyday lives.
     "Your kind worries about simple things, such as work, food, and money.
We had to worry about youma, the Silence, the lives of our companions.  Yet
we still managed to keep humanity out of most of our battles.  No one ever
thanked us for risking our lives or saving theirs.  Few  even knew that we
had
done it.  If I behave as if humanity is below me, Sister, then I do so
because
I've been defending you for far too long.  That is why I hunt the Asteroids,
because they do not belong here with you.  Their powers are such that having
them among you is dangerous for your kind."
     "Who are you, Kaioh-san?  And who are they?  Why are you so afraid to
tell me?"
     "Who am I?" Michiru repeated, "I was a warrior.  A soldier of an old
Kingdom.  Now I am simply a guardian.  I wait for the time when I can leave
this world and rest with my friends.  But before I am allowed to do that, I
must
return the Asteroids to that rest which I was supposed to keep safe."
     "Supposed?" Therese prompted, sensing the emotion behind the last
sentence.
     Michiru lowered her eyes.  "I became ill.  Haruka and another Senshi,
Setsuna, disobeyed our orders and broke the darkness of our comrades' sleep
to save my life.  It was then that the four Asteroids left.  They thought
that
they had been awakened to fight, but it was just Haruka being her usual
determined self."  She touched her lips lightly.  "As punishment, we were
both
cursed and sent to bring the girls home.  When we are done, we can join the
sleep of our Kingdom.  Others will watch the seal in our place."  She looked
back up.  "There's your truth, Sister."
     "That's not the whole truth, is it Kaioh-san?"
     "No.  But it is all I will tell you and all you need to know," she
replied,
"Now, are you satisfied that our precious Asteroids are in no personal
danger
from me?  Because the sooner that they are back in our care, the sooner I
can
see my companion's face again!"
     The nun got to her feet and stepped backwards out of the pew.  "Then
don't
let me keep you."
     Michiru inclined her head.  "Thank you.  I'm sorry if I seem to be in a
bad
mood, Sister, but it may be because I'm tired.  Will you continue to help
us?"
     "Perhaps.  If I find out anything, I will consider passing it on to
you.  But I
still don't know if I can fully trust you.  And tonight's conversation has
shown
that very clearly.   Remember that."
     "I'll do my best," she said dryly.
     As the Senshi began walking away, Mary Therese raised her voice.
"Michiru,
about that man you talked about when we first met, the one who attacked me .
. .
What was his name?"
     She half-turned.  "You want his name?  Why?  To make him seem more
human to you and less of a monster?  Or perhaps you wish to pray for the
animal
soul that was doomed the moment he began that harvest of mirrors?"
     Therese shook her head slowly.  "You have no compassion for your
enemies,
do you?"
     "Like I said last time, Sister, I never had that luxury.  Instead, I
had to stop
him and his compatriots from killing innocent people every day of the week."
Michiru looked as if she wanted to say much more, but swallowed her words
and sighed.  "His name was Tiger Eye.  If he went by anything more personal
than that, I never knew it."
     She nodded.  "Thank you."
     Michiru faced her down the aisle.  "Don't worry about Tiger Eye.  He's
gone.  Worry about what could happen if I don't find Ceres and Juno before
they start trying to look for Vesta and Pallas.  Asteroid Senshi have always
been
a touch on the deranged side.  And their powers are greater than mine or
Haruka's.
If it comes to a fight, we may be in trouble.   That's what you should worry
about."
Turning on her heel, Michiru strode out.  She didn't look back again.

-----
     As Michiru alighted on her roof, she sighed and sat down right where
her
feet had landed.  Many of Therese's words had bothered her.  Of course she
had never had any compassion for her enemies.  They had been killers, the
Dark Armies of the galaxy.  It was hard to feel for someone who insisted on
ripping your starseed out of your head and your head off your shoulders.
     And she couldn't understand the nun's worries about the Asteroid
Senshi.
Why couldn't she see that no harm would come to the girls?  They weren't
going to be punished for leaving the darkness.  She and Haruka were already
living *those* punishments for all of them.
     Growling in both frustration and weariness, Michiru clambered off the
roof
and slid the patio door aside.  "I'm back, Haruka."  Then, as she raised her
head
to look over the living room, her eyes widened in horror.
     Beyond overturned chairs and broken glass, she could see the Space
Sword
rammed deep into the brick of the fireplace.  The whole front of the
fireplace was
blackened, as if scorched.
     Kicking debris out of the way, she stumbled over to the Sword to pull
it
out.  Being unearthly sharp, it could cut through almost anything, but to be
driven that deeply into material such as brick took tremendous strength.
     As she grasped the hilt, it crinkled beneath her hand, startling her.
Then she
noticed the paper wrapped around the grip.

              **Hey, Neptune.  I wish I could say it's nice to see you and
Uranus
              again, but we've got business to discuss.  And since Uranus
wasn't
              feeling up to talking to me, I've decided that I need to see
you.  If
              you want to find the two of us, let's just say that the circus
is back in
              town and leave it at that.  You're smart, I know you'll figure
it out.
              Ta-ta!


Juno

              P.S.  Oh, sorry about the mess, but Uranus didn't feel like
moving.
              I had to . . . convince her.**

     Feeling a rush of anger, Michiru planted her feet and yanked on the
Sword.
It came loose with a rasping and crumbling of mortar.  She kicked cushions
aside until she found the sheath, then slid it over the Sword.
     Two steps and she was outside.  Another and she landed on the roof
again.
     Tying the sword and sheath to the belt of her kimono, Michiru turned
around and glowered out at the night.  "You think you were hunted before,
Juno?  Just watch!"
     With a leap aided by her vampiric strength, she vanished into the
blackness.

-----
     High above Sister Mary Therese's head, the bells tolled six times,
signalling
the end of her morning devotions.  As she walked down the halls of the
convent,
she paused in front of an archway to watch the sun rising.  She decided the
weather was too good to ignore, so she stepped out into the small courtyard
to
bask in the light.
     Although she hadn't admitted it the other night, she was worried about
Michiru and her partner.  The two of them seemed to have turned their backs
on the world, seeking solace in each other while they waited for their
"rest".
     Therese had no doubt that Michiru had been telling her the truth.
After the
aqua-haired girl had left, she remembered where she had heard of the
"Senshi"
before.
     Only a few people hadn't heard the rumours of the girls who appeared
and
fought monsters in the streets of Tokyo all those years ago.  The police had
never identified them and one day, all sightings had just stopped.  The
stories
died out and the memory of those girls had faded from the public
consciousness.
Except for the ones whose lives had been saved by those girls.
     Therese knew that she had met the Senshi who had been called Neptune.
And she could believe that girl had seen all those battles and deaths.  It
was
evident in her eyes.
     "So," she said to the air, "You don't wish to face my world, but you
can't
return to yours just yet.  Now what do I do with you, Kaioh-san?"
     "For starters, you could come on up and enjoy the view," came a quiet
voice.
     She whirled, but the courtyard was empty.  Only the small beds of
flowers
waved in the morning breeze.
     "Up here, Sister."
     Lifting her gaze to the sloping roof, Therese found Michiru lying on
her
stomach, head pillowed on her arms.  Michiru looked asleep, but then one
golden
eye slowly opened and she smiled slightly.  "If you think the sunrise is
beautiful
down there, see it from here."
     Therese looked up at her, then went over to a ladder that was leaning
against
the roof.  Hitching her robes, she climbed up and eased herself across the
shingles
until she was sitting beside the younger woman.
     Michiru carefully pulled herself up into a sitting position as well,
then indicated
the orange sky.  "This is my first sunrise in a long while.  I'm glad it
hasn't changed
much since last time."
     The nun nodded slowly, not saying anything.
     "Now, since you took my last suggestion, how about understanding that I
want nothing to do with people?  I will leave them all behind when my Queen
calls me back, so I don't want to cause them any trouble when it happens.
Is
that so wrong?"
     Therese opened her mouth, but closed it again.  Then she shook her
head.
"I don't want to argue with you, Kaioh-san.  It seems we've been doing a lot
of
that lately.  What are you doing back so soon?"
     Michiru looked down and lifted the Space Sword off her belt.  "Haruka
is
missing.  Juno got her last night and I've spent hours looking for them,
with no
luck.  I've been sleeping here since about three this morning.  I couldn't
stay
home and  . . ."  Her voice caught in her throat as she cradled the Sword in
her
arms.
     "You need help," Therese finished.
     "Please."  All her amusement was gone and the pain and worry for her
lost
partner was plain on her face.  "I'm not used to being without her, Sister.
We've fought together for years, even when we were forced into betrayal to
save this world.  I can't go and face Juno alone like this.  I *need*
someone
with me."
     Gently, Therese took the Sword from her and lifted the sheath.  Even
in the brightness of the morning, the metal still shone strongly enough to
make the eye hurt.  "What kind of weapon is this?"
     "A Talisman," Michiru replied, reaching into the neck of her kimono and
pulling out the Deep Aqua Mirror.  "Just like this one.  They nearly cost
Haruka and I our lives once, so we're very protective of them.  That's why
I'm
so worried about her, since it was left behind when she was taken."
     The nun carefully replaced the sheath and handed it back to her.  "Do
you
know where Ten'oh-san is?"
     "No.  I searched for hours last night . . . . " Then she sat bolt
upright and
stared out across the rooftops.  "Sister, tell me you see that shelter over
there."
     "What?"  Therese squinted a bit, trying to block some of the sunlight
from
her eyes.  "That circus tent?  I see it.  Why?"
     "Juno left me a note saying that the circus was back in town.  I had
thought
it was a joke, a reference to her days with the Dead Moon Circus, but she is
an
acrobat of high degree.  Perhaps she joined a real circus while she waited.
I
must have missed it in the dark last night!"
     Therese laid a hand on the younger woman's shoulder.  "Slow down,
Kaioh-san.  What do you plan to do, jump in and wave that sword around?  You
asked me to help you and I will, but my way.  Now let me get to the ladder,
since
I can't jump around like you can."
     Impatiently, Michiru sighed and tried to calm herself.

-----
     The gates were closed and locked and a extremely large man in black
jeans
and shirt was doing his best to discourage any company.  He peered over the
top of his sunglasses at the two women as they approached.  "Sorry ladies,"
he
said, leaning back against the metal bars.  "Can't let you in during
rehearsal
times.  Kind of throws the performers off a bit, you know?"
     Michiru fought the urge to bare her fangs at him and simply throw him
out of
her way.
     Therese seemed to sense her agitation and laid a hand on her arm.
"We're
not here to watch the show.  We're looking for an acrobat named Juno, if she
works here."
     He frowned and lifted his shoulders, stretching the fabric of his shirt
even
more.  "Don't know a Juno.  You sure she's with us?"
     Michiru patted her head.  "She has green hair, usually done in three
tails,
acts a bit oddly, and detests taking orders from people?"
     "Oh, her!  Yeah, she calls herself JunJun, though.  Hell of a temper,
that
kid, if you get on her bad side.  Sorry, Sister."
     Therese waved it off.  "We'd like to see her.  She might be expecting
us, if
you could please check?"
     "Sure thing.  Just wait here a sec."
     As soon as he was out of earshot, Michiru sighed, feeling aggravated.
"So
much for the element of surprise."
     Therese shrugged.  "What do you want, Kaioh-san?  Your partner back or
a
fight on your hands?"
     "Right now, both might do me a lot of good."  Then Michiru slapped her
forehead and sighed again.  "Oh Kami, I'm starting to sound like Haruka."
     "She's the one with the quick temper?"
     "More than somewhat.  Maybe that's why she had the Sword and I had the
Mirror in our heart crystals.  They would match our personalities."
     "I'm not going to ask," the nun murmured.  Then, after an awkward
pause,
"The other day, when I came to your house, I heard the two of you playing.
You're extremely good, you know."
     Michiru looked up disbelievingly.  "You heard?"
     "Yes, well, it was hard not to with your window open.  You performed
publicly, didn't you?"
     "At times, yes," she admitted, "But that was before our battles became
more serious.  I do miss the stage to some degree, but it is a small price
to pay
for our safety."
     "Would you consider one more performance?" Therese asked,  "For my
convent?  I haven't heard music like that in years and I'm sure many of the
others would love to hear you play."
     Michiru smiled, bowing her head in acknowledgement.  "I'm honored for
you to say so, but it may not be possible.  As I said earlier, when the
Asteroids
are returned, my Queen has promised to take us below for our own rest.
We've been waiting many years to hear her say those words and now she has."
     Then they both turned as the security guard reappeared and lifted the
gate
up.  "She's just going in for her training, but she said to let you in."  He
nodded
at Therese respectfully, standing aside to let her in.  "You'll find her out
back."
     Michiru smiled at him as she went through.  "Thank you."
     "No problem.  Just don't let the director know.  He doesn't care much
for
free visitors."  At that, he grinned, winked, then lowered the gate back
down
and resumed his intimidating stance.
     As the women walked around the main tent, Therese spoke again.  "What
do you plan to do now?"
     Michiru shrugged, stepping over a puddle.  "I'll have to tell Juno that
there
are no more attacks coming.  That's probably what she wants to see me about.
She'll get upset, yell at me a bit, then we'll talk seriously.  I just have
to let her
get her yelling out of the way first."
     The two of them came in sight of a large structure with a trampoline in
the
middle.  A girl in her late teens had just stepped up from the crash mats
onto
the trampoline and was adjusting her balance.  Her green hair was in a
ponytail
reaching down to her waist and she brushed her bangs back as she tested her
legs.
     Then she began jumping.  With each leap she gained a bit more height
until
she was more than fifteen feet in the air.  While Michiru and Therese
watched,
she executed flips and twists in nearly impossible combinations.
     Michiru smiled at Therese's expression and leaned over.  "That is a
lifetime
of practice coupled with the power of an Asteroid," she said as JunJun did a
double backflip with a twist, landing perfectly on her feet and rebounding
into
the air.
     "Can she still crash?"
     "Of course.  The power that we have doesn't prevent us from being
injured.
Look at her left arm; it's wrapped up.  I wonder if that's from last night."
     The two were leaning on another barrier that separated the practice
area
from the rest of the field.  As they talked, Michiru watched JunJun
carefully.
Vesta and Pallas had been willing to listen to her before, but she knew that
the
Senshi of Juno wouldn't be as easy.
     Then JunJun landed and froze her momentum, bouncing to a stop.  Her
head came up and she stared at Michiru, straight into her eyes.  She tilted
her
head forward, acknowledging the presence of the elder Senshi.  Then she
resumed her routine.
     At that, Michiru snorted softly.
     Therese glanced at her.  "What's wrong?"
     Michiru shook her head, hair swinging around her ears.  "Nothing.  I'm
sorry."
     The nun moved closer to her.  "Tell me about Ten'oh-san.  You two are
more than just close friends, aren't you?"
     "Haruka is . . . all I have.  She is my companion, my partner, and my
friend.
And I love her so deeply that I can't even begin to describe it.  Once, I
remember
saying that a world without Haruka would be hardly worth saving.  That
is more so now.  When I was sick, she didn't even think about the punishment
for disobeying our orders, but went and took the blood I needed.  And now,
even with her face and voice sealed away as punishment for that, she
continues
to care for me as only she can.  I want her back.  Then I will send Juno
back to
the sleep where she belongs."
     "Before you do all that," Therese cautioned, "You're going to have to
talk
to Juno, remember?"  At Michiru's sour look, she frowned back.  "You asked
me for my help, Kaioh-san.  If you dislike the way I do things, then I
shouldn't
be here.  You can handle things yourself, just like you handled those
monsters
years earlier."
     "If I was dealing with youma and demons, my job would be much easier,"
Michiru replied softly, "But to be facing other Senshi again, I must have a
balance.  Facing the Asteroids . . . brings back memories.  Unpleasant ones
of
another fight I was in.  One day I might tell you of it, too.  But for now,
I
admit I do need your help."
     Therese watched as JunJun landed upright in a spectacular finish.
"That
will be good enough for me, Kaioh-san, despite your impatience and doubts.
And it looks like your friend is ready for you, too."
     Moving quickly through the gate, Michiru strode towards the trampoline
and the people around it.  As she came closer, JunJun nodded again in
greeting
as she sat on the metal edge, wiping her face with a towel.
     "Care to give it a try, Neptune?  Or do you just reserve that kind of
exercise
for special occasions with Uranus?"  She grinned at that, gesturing to
dismiss
the others around her.
     Michiru walked right up to the Asteroid Senshi.  "If you wanted my
attention,
 Juno, you have it.  Now, let Haruka go."
     "Hold on, Neptune!  I *know*."
     "You know?" Michiru asked, frowning.
     Juno rolled her eyes.  "That there is no surprise attack coming!  Geez,
it's not
hard to sense absolutely *nothing* is happening out there.  Coupled with the
fact
that now I can't feel two of my sisters' presence any more, I'd say that
you're
trying to gather us back in.  What went wrong?"
     "My health," Michiru replied quietly.  "I was sick and Haruka woke you
by
accident when she went into the darkness to save my life."
     "Oh, is that it?  Sorry I forgot to send flowers or something, but I've
been a
little busy as of late.  Feeling better?"
     "Not quite," she said, ignoring JunJun's biting sarcasm.  "But enough
about
me.  Why did you attack Haruka?  What do you want?"
     JunJun shrugged.  "Not much, really.  I guessed you'd be coming after
me,
but I wanted to talk to you before you tried to send me back to the
darkness.
Uranus wasn't in much of a talking mood when I went to your house, so I had
hoped that I could talk to her here instead.  But she hasn't woken up yet."
     "She won't be talking any time soon, either," Michiru said, "Not since
Queen Serenity sealed her voice in punishment for breaking the darkness."
     "Then let me tell you, Neptune.  I'm not ready to go back yet!"
     "Resisting again, Juno?"  Michiru hitched up her kimono and carefully
sat
down beside her.  "What's wrong with being able to rest from our fights?"
     JunJun twisted her towel in her hands.  "Nothing!  But there's just . .
.
something I'm worried about.  You probably can't do anything about it, but I
want someone else to know about it, just in case I lose it in my sleep down
there!"
     Michiru nodded, glancing back at Therese.  "All right.  But we should
talk
privately, then.  Not here in the open."
     JunJun looked up.  "My trailer's just over there.  Follow me."

-----
     As JunJun walked into her trailer, she turned on a small floor lamp.
"Wakey-wakey, Uranus.  You've got company."
     "Haruka!"
     Michiru rushed in, brushing past JunJun and leaping into her partner's
arms.
The masked Senshi carefully sat up on the bed, leaning against the wall as
Michiru snuggled into her embrace.
     JunJun chuckled.  "You'll have to excuse them," she told Therese, who
had
entered behind her, holding the Space Sword.  "They do so hate being apart."
     "So I've noticed," came the amused reply.
     "Hey, who are you anyways?  Neptune doesn't seem the type to be needing
spiritual guidance."
     Therese smiled.  "Just think of me as Kaioh-san's last link to her own
humanity.  She seems to have left that behind a long time ago."
     Nodding, JunJun lowered her voice.  "Unfortunately, Sister, almost all
of us
have.  It's part of being who we are, you understand.  Then again, I don't
really
think I was ever human to begin with.  Hey, Neptune!  You want her to stay
for
this?"
     Michiru looked up from her talk with Haruka.  "She's been worried about
you for ever since I first asked her for help.  I think she should hear you,
just
so she can understand my position better."
     "All right," JunJun shrugged, "Then listen carefully.  I don't know if
my
thoughts will survive after I'm put back to sleep, so I'd like you to know
them.
And, if for some reason my fears come true, Neptune, remember me to
Serenity, would you?  Remind her of all I've done."
     Michiru frowned as she leaned back against Haruka and her companion
wrapped her arms around her waist.  "Juno, what are you so worried about?"
     "It's quite simple, Neptune.  Frighteningly obvious, too.  We Asteroid
Senshi have always been the wild cards of the Senshi deck.  Whenever there
was a task that Queen Serenity didn't want her precious normal Senshi to
handle, she'd send us.  To be honest, we've done things to protect the Moon
Kingdom that would make even you shudder.  It's our style, really.  But most
of that vanished when we fell asleep."
     "Then you joined Nehelenia when you woke again," Michiru said, golden
eyes
narrowing.
     "Let's just pass over that, shall we?  That's not my concern right now,
Neptune."
     "Then what?"
     "I'm afraid of what's going to happen to us when Serenity creates
Crystal
Tokyo!  When she brings peace to the Kingdom, what will happen to her
wildest fighters?  Are we going to be forgotten and tucked away somewhere
safe?  Or is she going to send us into battles far away until people forget
us and
we die alone?"  JunJun shook her head, long green hair swinging.  "Don't get
me wrong, Neptune.  I don't mind the idea of peace.  It's the problem of
living
with it for too long that I don't like.  When peace comes, soldiers are
always
looked at with scorn.  And with our records . . . ."
     Michiru sat silently, knowing that JunJun was right.  Crystal Tokyo
would
still need warriors, but ones it could control.  Even though the Asteroids
answered only to the Queen, their radical approach to things would make them
undesirable.  The Outer and Inner Senshi would be safe, due to their
planets'
status and their own proven loyalty, but the Asteroids had no such
guarantee.
Senshi that held as many secrets as they did would be more of a liability.
     "Juno . . . ."
     "Scares you, doesn't it, Neptune, that something like that could
happen?
Well, if it does, remember what I told you here.  Because they won't listen
to
us once their minds are made up."  JunJun heaved a deep sigh and rested her
chin on her hands.  "Okay.  You want me to come home now, right?"
     Nodding, Michiru broke Haruka's embrace and knelt in front of the
Asteroid
Senshi.  "I wish I could say you had a choice, but you don't.  If the curses
laid
on us are to be lifted, you four have to sleep again."  She gently took
JunJun's
hands in her own.  "I promise you, I won't forget what you told me.  And, if
you need help when the time comes, both Haruka and I will support you."  She
felt the girl squeeze her hands tightly.
     "Thanks, Neptune.  I'll come to your house tonight after the show.
It's our
last booking in Tokyo and I'll just tell them I have business here.  If they
don't
let me go, I'll yell at them a little."  For the first time in a while, a
smile
appeared on her face.  "But I'll see you this evening and that's my
promise."
     "All right."  Michiru pushed herself to her feet and gestured to Haruka
and
Therese.  "We should go, then.  Both Haruka and I need our own rest."

-----
     "Your prayer was answered, Kaioh-san.  You did quite well."
     Michiru shook her head.  "I was very lucky, Sister.  Juno is quieter
than she
used to be, less arrogant.  She's so worried about what may happen to her
that
she can't even assume an attitude.  Perhaps that will temper her personality
in
the future."
     "Do you believe she will show up tonight?" the nun asked.
     "Asteroid Senshi may be many things, but their promises are good.  I
believe
her.  We'll let her stay with us for the night, then take her back to the
darkness
tomorrow.  Forgive me, but I can't allow you to accompany us for that.  Some
secrets must be kept.  But, thank you for your assistance."
     Therese nodded.  "I understand.  I was glad to help, Kaioh-san, and I
hope
to find you your fourth friend soon.  Tell Juno that I will include her in
my
prayers tonight, if that makes her feel better."
     "I will, Sister," Michiru said, putting her arm around Haruka's waist.
"Now, if you'll excuse us, we should get home before too many people see us.
Haruka's mask does tend to draw attention."
     Smiling mysteriously, the nun tilted her head in agreement, then turned
and
walked away.
     Michiru chuckled and poked her partner in the ribs.  "Come on.  We've
still
got that mess to clean up from your little fight with Juno.  I made sure to
leave
it just for you."  As she helped Haruka along, she looked over her shoulder
at
the back of Therese.  "She helped me a lot this time, Haruka.  More than I
ever
expected her to."  Looking back up, Michiru recognized the doubt in her
partner's
blue eyes.  "Yes, I still think we can trust her.  We may have to if she
finds Ceres
before we do."

-----
     JunJun sighed and brushed a tree limb out of her way.  "Serenity's
probably
going to mess with my head as soon as I'm snoring," she muttered.
     Michiru shook her head as she guided the Asteroid Senshi towards the
cliffs
at the edge of the forest.  "Juno, please stop worrying about it."
     "It's my right to worry, Neptune."
     "Fine.  Then do it quietly for just a few more minutes.  And no
bothering
Setsuna, either.  She has enough on her mind as the Senshi of Time."
Michiru
winced as she glanced up into the early-morning sun.  "And you know I
offered to try and ease your mind."
     "Thanks, but no thanks, Neptune.  I'm kind of squeamish about teeth and
my skin, you know."
     Shrugging it off, Michiru saw the Senshi of Pluto step out in front of
them.
"Setsuna, don't you ever sleep?"
     The green-haired Setsuna leaned on her Time Staff.  "Once in a while.
Too
much sleep, though, and I miss something important.  You all set for a nice
long
nap, Juno?"
     "More than I am for a rude awakening," JunJun muttered beneath her
breath,
 only to receive a gentle elbow from Haruka in her ribs.  "Oof!  Okay,
Uranus!"
     She moved forward to take Setsuna's outstretched hand, but paused.
"Uhhhhhh . . ."  JunJun's face turned pale and she clutched at her chest as
she
stumbled and fell to her knees.
     Immediately, the three Senshi were kneeling around her.  "What's wrong,
Juno?" Setsuna asked.  "Are you all right?"
     "Ceres . . ." JunJun gasped, "Neptune, you have to hurry and find her!
Something's wrong!"  Staggering, she tried to get back to her feet.  "I
changed
my mind.  I'm not going back!"
     Michiru didn't hesitate.  "Setsuna."
     The Senshi of Pluto nodded and grabbed JunJun's arms, holding her back.
"Let them take care of it, Juno.  You have another appointment."  She
managed to slam the butt of her Staff into the ground, causing the cliffs to
crack open and reveal the path to the darkness.
     Struggling, JunJun tried to get out of Setsuna's grip as she was
dragged
back.  "Let me go, Pluto!  You have no idea . . . I need to go to her. . ."
     Michiru looked anxiously at Haruka as the rockface sealed behind the
ranting Asteroid Senshi and their third partner.  "We'd better hurry.  If
something
happens to Ceres before we find her . . . . "
-----

               ~Though we share this humble path, alone,
                 How fragile is the heart,
                 Oh give these clay feet wings to fly,
                 To touch the face of the stars . . . .

                 Cast your eyes on the ocean,
                 Cast your soul to the sea,
                 When the dark night seems endless,
                 Please remember me . . .  ~

"Dante's Prayer", Loreena McKennitt, "Book of Secrets" album,   1997