Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Knight for Uranus ❯ Chapter 8

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Disclaimer: The original Sailor Moon characters and story all belong
to Naoko Takeuchi. Any characters that did not appear in the original
story are my own creation.

Ratings/Warnings: Somewhere between PG and PG-13. If the idea of
Haruka showing interest in a guy makes you see red, you probably
won't like the story.

Summary: Long ago during Silver Millennium, each of the Sailor
Princesses ruled over her own planet, protecting Queen Serenity and
her young daughter from danger. And protecting each princess was a
knight: one sworn to guard and protect her no matter what. Though the
two of them were never required to marry each other, it seemed like
destiny as the princesses fell more in love with their protectors
each day. So Artemis tells the story. But if it is true, then each of
the girls should also have a person they are destined for in the
present time. As spring blooms and romance is in the air, this seems
to be coming true for everyone... except Haruka.

Story Setting: Shortly after SuperS.

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A Knight for Uranus: Chapter 8
by Katrina Kadabra

Taylor quickened his pace. A bouquet of tulips, Haruka's favorite
flower, was tucked safely under his arm. It was Saturday, and as
always, Haruka was scheduled to race today. A few days ago, her
biggest competitor had gotten into a mysterious accident. No one
seemed to know for sure what caused it. He would be fine, the doctors
said, but he would have to stop racing for a few weeks. Strangely
enough, Taylor had a date set up with Haruka the same night as the
accident but she had canceled at the last second for reasons she
wouldn't say. Taylor didn't really connect the two incidents; he had
simply shrugged them off. Now he had love on his mind and that was
all that mattered.

As he approached the track, Taylor was so caught up in his thoughts
that he didn't even notice someone call out to him as he walked past.

"Hey Taylor!" Taylor looked to see who had greeted him. One of his
classmates stood there waving his hand at him.

"Oh, hey, Seth," said Taylor.

"Long time so see," Seth commented. "So where are you off to?"

"The motocross track," Taylor replied. "Haruka's racing today."
Seth's eyes widened and he let out a rude laugh.

"With flowers?" he taunted.

"Yes, with flowers," Taylor answered and Seth shrugged.

"If you ask me, you should find other things to spend your money on.
That girl's just a waste of your time. If a girl is what you can call
her, of course."

Taylor narrowed his eyes. "Watch your mouth," he warned.

"Hey, take it easy," said Seth, pressing his hands in a downward
motion in an attempt to calm Taylor's fury. "I'm just telling it like
it is. Haruka Tenou doesn't date guys. She'd sooner wish you off the
face of the earth. Besides, don't you think you've got a little
competition?"

"I thought just you said she sooner wish guys off the face of the
earth."

"I was talking about Michiru."

Taylor scowled. He opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't seem to
get the words out. He knew Seth and Haruka did not get along. It was
no secret how Seth teased Haruka about her racing among other things.
But still...

"What is it you have against her anyway?" Taylor finally asked.

"Nothing," Seth answered. "I just thought you might like to know the
truth about your little girlfriend that's all."

"Look," said Taylor as calmly as possible. "I don't pry into Haruka's
personal affairs. If there's something she wants to tell me, she
will. I trust her." Taylor turned his back. He didn't want to lose his
temper here; it would only make things worse. But his fury was overwhelming
him and despite however disrespectful it might be, he couldn't help but
let the rest of his thoughts out:

"I can say this much. Haruka is a far better person than you will ever be.
The way you talk about her at the races as if she has no feelings at all!
Maybe she just needs someone to show her that not every man will hurt her."

With that, Taylor started to walk away, hoping the argument would be
finished. Unfortunately, Seth had one last blow to deal.

"You trust her?" he asked. "Strong words from someone whose
girlfriend is not only cheating on him, but who also attempted to
murder someone over a race." Taylor stopped cold in his tracks.

"What are you talking about?" he asked fearfully. Seth smiled.

"You know, they still don't know who sabotaged Yamada's motorcycle.
But Haruka is the only racer who can't account for her whereabouts
that night."

"How do they know it was a racer?" Taylor asked. "It could have very
well been you trying to ruin Haruka's racing career." Seth seemed
taken back , but he quickly regained himself.

"Me? Now that's a good one. But I don't waste my time on trash like
her. I have better things to do." He stood up and started to leave
the room. "Think about that when you bring her those flowers,
Taylor."

Taylor did not humor Seth with a reply. He just continued his walk
towards the track. Seth's words stung at his heart more than he cared
to let on. Why was he letting those words get to him? Haruka had always
been a good, honest, and kind-hearted person. He gave her no reason to
think anything less of her. Then why was there so much doubt in his heart?

* * * * *

Haruka stood at the starting line, preparing herself for the race
ahead. She took a couple of deep breaths trying to clear her head. It
was time to become one with the wind again. As she entertained these
thoughts in her mind, and of the racers walked up to her.

"Hey, Tenou!" Haruka turned to face him. It was most unusual for the
racers to speak with each other before going out into the
competition, even more so for one of them to speak to her. The man
was rather straightforward with his business.

"Word is Yamada won't be racing for a couple weeks," he said. "Pretty
nasty fall he took. Lucky he wasn't killed."

"So I hear," Haruka answered. "Why are you asking me about it?"

"Where were you last Tuesday night?" the racer asked abruptly. Haruka
gulped. That was the night the Sailor Soldiers had been fighting
their new enemy. She and Michiru did not return back to their
apartment until very late.

"I was home," Haruka quickly lied.

"We tried calling your apartment until two in the morning," one of
the other racers said. "You weren't there."

"What does this have to do with anything?" Haruka asked, frustrated.
Just then, the call as made for the racers to appear at the starting
line. The man quickly put on his helmet, refusing to answer Haruka's
question. Haruka's shook off his rudeness. She had become accustomed
to it. Now she had a race to win.

* * * * *

Haruka was successful in the race, as usual. Even though she won, she
was still not very happy. She had made many errors during the race;
it was a wonder to her she had even placed in it. Haruka looked at
the people's faces as she walked by. There was no cheering, only
angry glares. One woman in the front row yelled out to her,

"I hope you're proud of yourself." Haruka didn't know what to say.
She should've been proud; she had won the race. But why? Why the
anger? A darkening cloud could be seen in the distance. Haruka ran
blindly down the road. Everything was so confusing; she just needed
to find someone who would support her. In her rush, Haruka almost ran
Taylor down as he came down the sidewalk. Haruka looked longingly up
into his eyes. They were not filled with the compassion of the night
before. They looked angry and hurt, but she didn't know why.

"Taylor, there you are," she said with relief, ignoring his eyes. He
did not smile back at her.

"Hello Haruka," he said simply.

"Everyone's upset with me," said Haruka. "I mean, I usually expect
some of the other racers to be a little bit sore. They always are.
But today... no one cheered me on today."

"Oh," Taylor replied, shifting his gaze to the sidewalk. "You haven't
heard then."

"What?" Haruka was almost afraid to let the words leave her
lips. "What are they saying about me?" Taylor still showed no signs
of emotion, his eyes locked hard on the cold cement.

"They think you're the one who sabotaged Yamada's motorcycle."

Haruka gasped. "And what do you think?" she pleaded. Taylor turned
his head away.

"I don't know what to think," he mumbled.

"You... you can't possibly believe..." Words were leaving Haruka's
head quickly. He couldn't take their side. He couldn't.

"Well you do know a lot about motorcycles," Taylor pointed out.
Haruka's spirits fell; her body ached with betrayal.

"I can't believe you would think that, of all people," she said
trying to hide the pain.

"Well, can you blame me?" Taylor asked. "Look at the situation!" He
reached out and gripped Haruka's shoulders. His voice was calmer now,
but still stern.

"Look, we've been so close these past few weeks," he said. "I know
you won't tell anyone where you were that night. But can you at least
tell me?"

Haruka turned her face away from him. "We've been through this," she
said coldly. "I can't tell you where I was."

"Why not?" Taylor insisted.

"Because I can't!" she yelled, struggling to pull herself away. "Now
let go of me!"

"Fine!" said Taylor. "Keep your secrets! See what I care!" At that he
roughly released Haruka, allowing her to stumble backwards just a bit
in her haste to get away. Haruka quickly regained her balance, but the
incident only got her more frustrated.

"Why should I have to give you all this information for you to trust
me!" she yelled. "You know, what was it I ever saw in you, I
haven't got a clue! You're all the same!"

"Fine!" Taylor retorted. "Why don't you go cry to Michiru then?"
Haruka's crushed emotions quickly exploded into violent flames.

"Get away from me!" she shrieked through her tears. "Just... get
away!" Taylor gave no response, merely turned sharply and walked down
the street. His pace quickened as he went along, leaving Haruka
standing alone. A clap of thunder roared overhead as a cloud poured
out its sorrows from the sky, slowly turning the pavement from an ash
gray to charcoal black. Haruka stood still, letting the rain drip
down her hair. She didn't care anymore. It was just as dark outside
as it was inside. Presently, Haruka turned to go home.

Michiru awaited Haruka's return anxiously. When she finally came in
the door, her clothes soaked with rainwater and her face with tears,
Michiru did not need a report on what had happened. Haruka sat down
on the couch, not bothering to remove her jacket. Michiru watched and
Haruka's eyes reported it all: the pain, the sorrow, the agony of a
heart that yearned so for love and was crushed the first time it
tried to trust. Michiru sat herself quietly next to Haruka, an ever-
present support. When Haruka's emotions finally gave way and the
tears began to fall again, Michiru rested her friend's head gently on
her shoulder, massaging Haruka's back as she wept. Outside, large
raindrops fell hard against the windowpanes, creating a soothing
rhythmic symphony that could be heard long into the night.