"So you know what I've been putting up with lately, right?" "... Yes..." Michiru crossed her arms and lay back further on her pillows. "Well, there you have it. You're throwing this all at me out of the blue, expecting me to accept it, on top of everything else I'm already dealing with." "I'm not done explaining, Michiru." "Fine then. Continue. The sooner you finish, tell me how to get out of this crazy outfit, and leave, the better." Pluto looked skyward as if to say 'Why me?', then continued. "As I was saying, you are one of the Outer Senshi; Sailorneptune. Don't think you just got randomly picked to be a Senshi in this time, however." Pluto picked up her staff and stood up. "Watch." The large maroon orb on her staff started glowing, and an image started flickering to life in front of Michiru's eyes. She could see a group of women clad in the same type of fuku as Pluto, with slight differences in design and many in color. They were fighting a hideous army, and seemed vastly outnumbered. She could make out Pluto in the crowd, but she was... standing to the side? Huh? The warriors continued to fight, and one by one, were struck down. The army was advancing quickly, led by a woman with bright red hair and a purple dress. She was moving towards a man with black hair and silver trimmed black armor, who was trying to protect a fragile looking blond in a long white dress. It was hard to tell what happened, but the next thing she knew, Michiru was watching them float through the air, then all the bodies around them lift up and become encased in glowing balls and disappear. "W-What was that?! I... That looked like something I saw..." The orb stopped glowing and Pluto set her staff aside. "That was the fall of the Silver Millennium. An army from a group called the Dark Kingdom attacked. We weren't well enough prepared, and lost. The Queen, Serenity, wanted her daughter and her court to have another chance, and sent them all into the future, to be reborn with no memory of their previous existence. There was a catch, however. To send the princess and her court, the Dark Kingdom had to be sent as well." "And the Senshi? What happened to them? Are they supposed to fight again? You say I'm a Senshi, was I just picked out of some people or..." "Michiru... You were alive back then. You are one of the Senshi sent into the future." Michiru's eyes snapped wide open. "... what..." "It's no joke. I remember you _quite_ well... and you're as stubborn as ever, quite frankly. You were one of my best friends, you and-- That's of no matter right now. The point is, you are a Senshi, reborn into this time, and one day you'll have to fight again." "Why come to me now?! You say the Dark Kingdom was sent here too, won't they reawaken like we have?! If I'm supposed to be a Senshi, why didn't you get me sooner?" Pluto looked away. "You won't realize the battle with the Dark Kingdom happened... you see... it already did." "What?" "It's a bit difficult to explain. The Inner Senshi were killed battling them, and were resurrected again. The time you've spent on Earth cycled around, back to the point of time where they encountered the Dark Kingdom. New threats are rising up now, however, new enemies. These first ones will be taken care of by the Inner Senshi... but as you have seen, another is preparing. You battled one of their prototype minions today. This battle will be of far more importance, and you must prepare." Michiru stood up and walked over to her window. "Pluto... this is too much for me at once. I hear everything you're saying, but I don't know how to deal with it." "I'm sorry... I'm operating under instructions." "Whose?" "I can't tell you that." "Why not?" Pluto narrowed her eyes. "I have certain duties to follow, regulations, orders, I can't sidetrack at all, can't bend them the slightest." "... Yeah..." Michiru lay her head against the glass. "So... what am I supposed to do about all this?" "Like I said, you need to train. You have to be ready for battle. You will undoubtedly face more enemies before the real battle begins. You will probably be having flashbacks of your past life, especially when you transform." "Why is that?" "The nature of the magic involved, and... let's just say, you're a unique Senshi." Michiru grumbled a bit and muttered something under her breath. "I heard that." "Sure you did." "Well, I did. And don't worry, you aren't the only one. You had a partner in the Silver Millennium, and she'll be awakened later, don't worry. She should have been earlier, but... circumstances are not ideal for her to become a Senshi at this time." Michiru looked at her quizzically. "'Partner'? In battles, I assume?" Pluto looked at her slyly. "That's probably the least of what she's your partner in." Michiru blushed a bit. "You don't mean that we... we... um..." "I do." "... oh..." Crap... I had a lover?! "Moving on, you need to learn how to detransform, so you aren't stuck like that. I don't have much more time to stay here. I'm sorry I can't help more, but... like I said, the rules..." "Let's just get this over with." "You're still blushing. You have to be calm for this." "Oh shut up." Once Michiru returned to a normal color, Pluto nodded and said softly, "Just think about the uniform leaving you, of your normal clothes reappearing." Pluto then turned around to face the other way. She was startled when her fuku suddenly rippled, then disappeared with a trail of cherry blossom petals swirling around her, then her normal clothes appeared again. I better make sure not to do _that_ in public, last thing I need is to give someone a peep show! No wonder Pluto turned away... Suddenly a rush of memories hit her again, making her stumble. The past... The ball is beautifully decorated, as always. The princess and her prince are off to one side laughing, the other Senshi dancing with their partners, except for Pluto... poor thing... and that mysterious woman that we're all told to avoid, but the two of us know better, that this woman is just as human as the rest of us... "May I have this dance?" I laugh and smile sweetly at Her. "Of course you may." She gives me one of Her patented grins, and whisks me away on the dance floor. Always the show-off, She twirls me around, dips me, all those fancy little dance touches that reveal She's a pro. I giggle a bit as the dance ends and She bends to kiss my cheek. "Why don't we go off alone?" She whispers huskily to me, Her lips darting towards my neck, then my own lips. "That would be wonderful," I murmur, returning Her kisses. She lifts me up in Her arms, carrying me to the balcony. I smile up at Her... so romantic and tender, a side She never shows anyone else. "Wait," Pluto calls out to us, then calling us by our Senshi names. "Would you wait a moment?" I sigh and smile at Her, and She carefully lowers my legs till my feet touch the ground again. "Yes, Setsuna? No need to be formal amongst your best friends..." Pluto comes over to us, and I'm surprised to see her eyes a bit watery. "I'm afraid... I'll be returning to the Gate shortly..." "No! You just got back!" I cry. Then She asks, "Why do you have to leave so soon?" "Duties," Pluto spits out. "It'll be awhile before I can return." "I'm so sorry..." I whisper. I hug her tightly, as does She. "Oh, my friends... I'll miss you..." "And we'll miss you," we say in unison. She smiles sadly at us, then looks up as if hearing something. "It's time to go... farewell." I wipe my tears away, and we all wave to each other. The Gate opens, and she enters. And that's that last time I saw her before the battle... Michiru looked up at her, crying a bit. "Setsuna! Oh God..." She ran over and hugged her tightly. Pluto emitted an "ooof!" but hugged her back. "I forgot my own best friend... how could I have done that... oh lord..." She suddenly pulled back with a puzzled look. "What the... you were there after I was born here? I have a memory of... I can hear you talking..." "Yes, that was me," Pluto smiled a bit as she nodded. Michiru stood to the side and held her hands to her cheeks. "I... I feel so strange... I wish I understood what was going on..." "You'll probably be disoriented a bit, but things will clear up eventually ... I have to leave now, but I want to remind you before I leave, please train, please be prepared. When it's time to fight, we'll need you in the best possible shape." "Wait! Setsuna!" Pluto looked back over her shoulder. "Yes?" "Well, the last time you left was really the _last_ time you left... I... Is there any way I could contact you?" "If you need me, I'll try to be there." "Cryptic as always." Pluto chuckled. "Always. Bye." "... Bye." Pluto held her staff high over her head and shouted a something Michiru couldn't quite understand. A pair of ornate doors appeared out of nowhere and swung open, and Pluto quickly stepped through, trailing out fog as they slammed shut and disappeared. Michiru stood staring at the empty spot for awhile, not even realizing how much she was trembling. Gone. Just like that. Through doors that appeared out of nowhere. She started chuckling a bit, not noticing the slightly hysterical edge it took. She was a Senshi. Or she was again. But did the past really count when you couldn't remember it? Great, she thought to herself. What am I supposed to do now? I got some crazy suit and jumbled memories. My best friend... er, who I remember as being my best friend... Hell, this is too confusing... just left me alone to piece things together myself. And I can remember a lover that I had then, which I certainly don't have now. Who was she? I guess I might as well try to get the hang of this crazy stuff. She lifted her henshin pen for only the second time in this life. "Neptune Planet Power, MAKE-UP!" It felt so strange to transform... but once she did, she felt strangely comfortable and at ease. She felt more energetic, stronger, more agile. It was quite unusual. Neptune walked over to her window and shoved it open. She looked down at the ground. She'd jumped it before--was bruised for weeks afterwards, but it wasn't guaranteed death if she leapt. Might as well see if this Senshi thing made the trip any different. She stood on the sill. She leapt. She landed. She looked back up at her window. That was it? No "oomph!," no falling on her butt after stumbling, no rubbing new bruises... just the sound of her feet hitting the ground? This could be interesting. Just to test, she jumped up in the air, hoping to reach her window. She did. Okaayyyy... Can jump up to a two story window and jump off it with little effort and no pain. Hmmm. Definitely interesting. Jumping back down, she looked around her house, then ran down to the lake. The lake was as calm as usual, but-- She stopped and stared. And she felt. What was this she felt? The lake was stirring somewhat... fed by a river leading out to the sea. The sea... Was she feeling the sea? It seemed disturbed, worried, but it didn't feel threatened, at least not yet. What was she supposed to make of that? She stood there for awhile, pondering. She could leap inhuman amounts, sense the sea, and now that she thought about it, she had run faster than ever before. This wasn't too hard... Waitaminute... I can't go anywhere like this! I'm dressed in some costume for crying out loud! I have to get inside and get this off! She rushed back to her window, leapt in, and shut it behind her. She detransformed with a sigh. She was overwhelmingly tired then for some reason. She could faintly hear Pluto's voice chanting to her. Was the Time Guardian putting her to sleep? She yawned and lay down on her bed again. Well... a little nap couldn't hurt... yeah... She's running towards me now Her short, silky hair flying in the wind (oh how she wants to be one with the wind) Not noticing all the stares she receives (so gorgeous, both her soul and body) Then she is standing close beside me Holding me against her perfect form Bending to tenderly kiss my lips Hold me forever please my love... Smoothing back my hair, whispering to me Her voice smooth as honey, deep as the sea Her strong arms warming me as I lean against her Her embrace and words promise eternity together My partner in all things, my soulmate, my lover So many titles to give, none capture our closeness She has always been here for me, as I am for her Together forever, in all things, yes, all things... Reddened sky overhead Screams cutting the air We're separated in the crowd Have to transform have to hurry The troops are closing in quickly now Must fight... protect the princess... Where did you go?! I can't do this without you! Punching kicking throwing thrusting attacking with my own special powers Where did you go?! I'm so scared for you... Darkness, blood, bodies lying everywhere I see our teammates on the ground I'm alone... where did you go? Are you alive? Running crying screaming so scared... Dark queen approaching the princess Have to find you can't stop can't wait Can feel you but can't see you, where are you?! One of the four gray-clothed men, trying to block my path-- You're there, sword held ready, telling me to stay back Striking at him, seeming to kill him, you look so sad I hold you, crying against you, we're the only ones left... Movement over your shoulder, he's standing to fight again I smile sadly at you, you'll try to protect me... I can't allow that, I can't let you die for me, I'm not worth it He leaps, his own sword raised, you whirl around, I shove you Blade descending, I close my eyes, this is for you... i can't see i can't feel i'm numbed by my pain lying on the ground looking up at the sky did i save you? was my sacrifice worth it? i'm supposed to live to fight i tried but you have to live... now i'm lying here dying... sobbing... i hear screaming someone's lifting me up now... crying.... i see you then i couldn't before you're holding me in your arms blood caking your uniform, tears pouring down your face you weep against my hair, shouting out my name, begging i can barely speak... my mouth is dry, you're babbling... "please don't die! you can't! live! live! neptune! please!" i'm going numb... but warmed when you look deep into my eyes your kiss is so sad, but so passionate... i can't see or feel my body but i can feel your love now.... i hope you feel mine too..... i'm not afraid of dying if it was to save you i'm not afraid to die if it's in your arms it'll be ok... you'll be ok... i hope... "i love you" "i love you too..." ....goodbye Michiru gasped loudly as she woke up, immediately sitting up, her hands flying up to her mouth. She shivered all over and rubbed her arms to try and relieve the chill sensation she felt. She had the strangest feeling that Setsuna was standing there, but when she looked around, she couldn't see anyone. Michiru shakily stood, stumbling over to her dresser to brush her hair. She dropped the brush several times, finally giving up. She curled up into a ball on the floor, rocking herself back and forth, trying to calm her nerves. The dream... she knew it was real... but why couldn't she remember what her lover looked like, her name, any distinguishing trait for that matter? If Setsuna had really made her have that dream, she better have had a good reason for causing so much confusion. Michiru lifted her shaky hand to her forehead and pushed her hair back from her face. C'mon... concentrate... maybe you can piece together something... Michiru let out a loud gasp as the vision quickly replayed in her mind, but this time... her face... she could see her lover's face... "Haruka?" She slowly stood up and walked toward her mirror in a daze. "Haruka... my lover?... my partner?" "That's right." There it was again; Setsuna's mysterious whispering. She could hear it even though the woman wasn't present. "Haruka was Sailoruranus, and she will be... once circumstances... are more favorable for her. She is destined to be your partner again." "In all respects?" "Yes." "... Oh my..." Michiru leaned against a wall, still dazed. "I... I can't... believe it... I mean, I want to... It's just... wow..." "It just hasn't quite hit you yet, that's all." So there was silence. And more silence. "Haruka's gonna be MY lover!!!" Michiru squealed with delight, hugging herself and crying with joy. "Er... calm down..." "Oh hush! You have NO idea what this means to me!" Michiru laughed happily. "Everything's going to be fine, we'll--" She trailed off, eyes widening with fear as a chill went down her spine. The sea... it was restless... "Wha--... I... she's in trouble... oh my gosh ... I have to get to her house!" "What's going on?!" "I have to go, she's in danger, I can feel it!" "... Be careful." Michiru quickly shouted, "Neptune Planet Power, MAKE-UP!" Upon transform- ing, she leapt out her window. Have to get there quickly... who cares if someone sees me... have to get there fast... She rowed faster than she ever had before, and she had a feeling that the water sensed her urgency and propelled her quicker. She didn't bother to carefully anchor the boat at the dock; she raced straight to Haruka's backyard from the park. Leaping into the tree by Haruka's window, Neptune saw that Haruka wasn't there. She could hear a loud commotion downstairs, and quickly rushed to the back window and froze at the sight. "Oh no... no..." Katai had a stranglehold around Sunao's neck, and Haruka lay on the ground beside him, unable to move, but she could see everything that was happening. Haruka was crying out hoarsely, but it seemed none of the neighbors had heard. Sunao was frantically trying to pry Katai's hands away, but her strength was leaving her quickly, and Haruka was slipping closer to death. Neptune knew she had no choice in this matter; she had to intervene. She didn't even bother trying to produce the key, she just shouted, "Deep Submerge!" The blue energy ball slammed into the glass door, shattering it open instantly. Katai lost his grip on Sunao's neck in shock, and the woman fell to the floor, gasping for air before passing out. "Who the hell are you?!" Neptune didn't know why she chose her next words. "Invited by a new age, I'm Sailorneptune! Acting gracefully!" Katai snorted and rushed at her with his fist clenched for a punch. Neptune sidestepped him, bringing up her knee to catch his belly. He doubled over and collapsed on the floor, gasping deeply, and Neptune raced for a phone. She quickly dialed the emergency number and hurriedly gave the address and said that someone was dying, then dropped the phone back on the hook as she saw Katai standing up again. "Don't move!" he shouted at her. He lifted a gun up shakily, pointing it down at Haruka. Neptune stood stock still. "Get over here... next to them." Neptune walked over slowly. She had to buy time somehow for the ambulance to get here... "Why are you doing this, Ten'ou-san?" "Why?!" He laughed hysterically. "I hate the little bitch! It's her fault that I don't have a son! My wife, to stupid to bear a male that could live, only this dumb girl... I should have done this sooner! Shouldn't have dragged it out so long! But no, no, Sunao knows now, and I have to kill them both!" "There are other solutions... they could just move away, you don't have to do this." "Don't have to do this?! And let them get the chance to tell the police?!" "What if they knew that you would kill them if they did? Do you think they'd dare tell?" Just as Katai was distracted with that thought, she kicked the side of his head, knocking him to the ground and disarming him. She lifted the gun and quickly rapped the side of his head with it, knocking him unconscious. She detransformed as she knelt to check Sunao's pulse. It was steady, and her breathing was back to normal. She was very worried when she knelt down by Haruka and grabbed the phone, calling for an ambulance. She then called Teinei on her cellphone and quickly told her to get there right away. Michiru carefully leaned over Haruka after she'd put the phone down, checking the girl's breathing by putting her ear close to her nose. Her breathing was very weak, and after checking her pulse, she found that to be weak as well. Michiru quickly wiped her tears away, and sat hoping the ambulance would arrive soon. From what Katai had babbled, it sounded like Sunao had come home and found Haruka there, and Haruka told Sunao what happened. Sunao or Haruka must have confronted him and he attacked. Michiru jumped a bit when Haruka let out a soft groan. She was waking up a bit. Michiru nervously leaned over her again to see how well she was doing, and let out a startled gasp as Haruka's eyes snapped open. She was rooted to the spot as Haruka stared into her eyes, then smiled faintly, and her eyes fluttered shut. She started mumbling something and had just quieted down when the ambulance attendants rushed in. "What happened here?" a man asked Michiru as the others were examining their patients and preparing to load them onto stretchers. "I... I came here and I saw... the father choking his wife, the girl on the ground, dying." "How'd he end up like this?" "I... I managed to disarm him... he was too busy with them, didn't hear me come in." "What happened to the glass door over there?" "Uh, it was like that when I got here." "Are you a friend of the family?" "No... I... was just walking by and heard the shouts... the girl's aunt is on the way over." "All right, thank you." He went to assist the others. Michiru let out a sob when Teinei ran in and paled at the sight. "Michiru! What happened?!" Michiru mumbled the same explanation she'd given the ambulance attendant. She couldn't tell Teinei she was a Senshi, as much as she trusted her. And Haruka... a Senshi too... "Ma'am? You are the sister of this man, correct?" Teinei nodded. "Did this girl tell you what happened here?" "Yes... If you don't mind, would you place my brother in a separate ambulance from these two?" "Of course, we'll send for another one." Haruka and Sunao had been safely placed on board the ambulance, and Teinei turned to Michiru sadly. "I'll call you and tell you how things go," she whispered. "I'm sorry that... you can't come--" "No, it's better this way," Michiru said in a slightly hoarse voice. "She doesn't need to know that I was involved... and I'd just be too hysterical; I'd get in the way." Teinei nodded to her, then said, "Why don't you... just go to my house for now. Murasaki-chan will be back soon from the recital... tell her I had to check on my dad, he, uh, he was sick... make up something... don't let anyone know what happened... bye..." Michiru waved as the ambulance pulled away, then dropped to her knees in the grass, sobbing loudly. An attendant asked if she wished to stay; she refused, and trudged back to her boat and rowed home. She didn't quite notice when she'd entered Teinei's home and collapsed on the couch. Haruka could be dying now... If only she'd been a little quicker... "Don't blame yourself." Michiru gasped as she saw that Pluto now stood right in front of her. "What are y--" "Michiru-chan," Pluto said quietly. "You saved her life, and that of her mother. Don't be upset. Everything's going to be fine." "I... why are you... what..." "Don't try to talk; you're too upset right now. I came because you are in need of a companion right now... you're obviously distraught about what happened. You don't know how to deal with an enemy yet--"