Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Knight for Uranus ❯ Chapter 9

[ 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 9
by Katrina Kadabra

The next morning the sunlight flooded into Michiru's bedroom. She
could feel its warmth, but could not see the rays hitting her closed
eyelids and taunting her to get out of bed like it usually did. She
opened her eyes to find Haruka standing there and looking over her.
She sat up straightly.

"It's about time you woke up," Haruka said.

"Haruka, what's going on?" Michiru asked, as she started to pull her
hair out of its bow. It was unusual for Haruka to be up at this time,
even more so for her to come into Michiru's room without asking.
Considering what had happened the night before, Michiru had expected
to spend most of her morning trying to get Haruka out of bed.

"Oh, nothing," Haruka answered. "I was just thinking... you don't
have anything going on today, do you?" Michiru shook her head, and
then stood up out of bed, picking up the brush that lay on her
dresser and beginning to stroke her hair. Haruka smiled contentedly
at Michiru's response.

"Great. Then I've got an idea. Why don't we go on a boat ride this
afternoon? It's a beautiful day, and we haven't done anything for the
two of us in ages."

"The two of us?" Michiru seemed perplexed, but something in the back
of her mind told her where Haruka was headed. "What's this 'two of
us' all of a sudden? If you don't mind my saying so, you were broken-
hearted after the incident with Taylor last night. Why are you so
interested in us now?" Haruka shrugged.

"I did some thinking last night," she said, looking out the window at
the waking world. "About me and Taylor... maybe it just wasn't
supposed to be, you know? Maybe I've been going about things all
wrong. And maybe... maybe the one I've been looking for is the one
who's been here the whole time." She took a step toward Michiru, but
Michiru only pulled away from her.

"Haruka, you know I care about you. A lot. But watching you these
past few weeks... I've seen a side of you I've never known before.
And believe me, I know you well. That's why I can't help feeling that
you were right from the start." She turned away from Haruka and
looked out the window. The birds hopped quickly from branch to
branch, chasing each other. Their soft voices filled the morning
air. "Nowadays," Michiru sighed. "Nowadays we try to be acceptable of
every idea that comes into the world, no matter how right or wrong
they may seem to us."

"So we're tolerant," Haruka answered. "Isn't that good?"

"Perhaps. But it makes me wonder... have we become so tolerant that
we have lost something sacred?" Haruka laughed a bit, not really out
of amusement, but something that sounded like she tried to force out
of herself to sound amused.

"Come on," she said to Michiru. "What are you talking about? What
have we lost? Love is love. An attraction between two people."

"That's not what you told me earlier," Michiru answered, turning her
head back towards Haruka. She placed her hand poetically over her
heart. "Remember? 'That sacred connection between a man and a
woman..."

"Look, I said a lot of stuff earlier, alright?" Haruka said sharply.
She sat herself down on the bed and sighed. "None of it matters
anymore," she added sadly. There was a long pause, with no sound but
rustling of the branches and the chirping of the birds outside.
Michiru stood poised, as if a bit of movement would disrupt the
balance of the room. Haruka pulled her legs up together and clutched
them to her chest. Her eyes were red and damp as she looked up at the
ceiling and spoke again. "You know, sometimes at night, when I'm
lying alone, I begin to wonder what's wrong with me. Am I some sort
of mistake? If I'm supposed to be a woman, why do I look, act, and
think so much like a man?" Michiru finally shifted from her perch and
pulled herself next to her companion.

"I can't tell you if you're the same or not," she said. Her voice was
gentle and compassionate. "Only you know your thoughts. But perhaps
you have more of a woman inside of you than you give yourself credit
for."

"Come on, Michiru," Haruka answered with a bit of anger as she turned
away from her. "Even Usagi says that when I try to protect her, it
feels like a man is holding her." Michiru refused to be blocked. She
got down on her knees to make sure her face was level with Haruka's
as she spoke.

"We are who we are, both our strengths and our weaknesses. And I'm
not asking you to deny yourself. Forget what Usagi says. Forget what
everyone says. Look at yourself." Michiru took Haruka's hands,
holding them out so that both of them could see. "Are these hands..."
she asked. "...the ones you've been given from your birth... are they
really meant for holding another woman in them? Or do you still
believe there is nothing sacred about that kind of relationship?"
Suddenly, as if Michiru had finally destroyed the dam holding back
Haruka's emotions, the tears began to flow.

"I wanted to be with him," she cried. "I wanted it so badly." Michiru
clutched Haruka's shoulders, holding her steady.

"Then don't give up so quickly. If this is truly what you feel
yourself being guided towards, then don't be so quick to give up and
just fall back to what's made you comfortable. No one said love was
an easy road, Haruka. It's a big decision, so make the right one."

"You're good with words, Michiru." Haruka stood up, attempting to dry
her eyes. "But there's no way to patch things up between Taylor and I
now. Not after what happened. He knows I've lied to him; I can see it
in his face.

"So tell him the truth."

"The truth is that I'm Sailor Uranus!" Haruka cried out. "It's the
one thing I can't tell him!" Michiru sighed, looking at the floor.

"They say that love finds a way," she said. As if on cue, the
telephone rang. Michiru reached for it, but Haruka blocked her. Her
hand shook slightly as she brought the receiver to her ear.

"H-hello?"

"Haruka," came a familiar voice on the other line. "Hi, it's me."

"I know it's you, Taylor," Haruka said. She found her voice short and
angered; she couldn't seem to let go of it.

"Listen, I know what I said to you last night... it must have really
hurt you,"

"Well, you're right, it did," Haruka answered. There was a sigh on
the other line.

"I guess I let the guys talk me into thinking a lot of stupid stuff
when I should have been listening to you all along. Listen, I know it
won't begin to make up for it, and it's a selfish thing for me to ask
you to help me clear my conscience and all when you're the one who's
been hurt so unfairly. But if you were willing to come to the café
and hear out my apology, it would mean a lot." Haruka finally felt
her anger starting to drift away. Were these words truly of Taylor's
heart... how he felt for her? But before Haruka could make a
decision, there was a scream coming from the other line.

"Taylor?" she yelled. "Taylor!" But there was no reply. The line was
dead. Haruka did not think twice. She ran out the door, grabbing her
transformation pen as she left.

Haruka had never known her legs to carry her so quickly. Not even
when she was still running to escape her destiny as Sailor Uranus.
Why? Was it for Taylor? Or could she just not bear not having the
answers any longer?

Haruka knew exactly where to go, even without Taylor's instructions.
The café near the lake. He always called her from there. As Haruka
ran up, she saw some sort of monster throwing Taylor to the ground.
He grunted as his arm hit the pavement. The monster, resembling a
large insect prepared itself for another attack. The sight made
Haruka's heart stop. Without thinking, she charged forward, colliding
her body into the creature's. The insect groaned and fell over.
Haruka sighed and walked over to Taylor. He was out cold. Gently, she
picked him up and carried her over to the bushes where he would be
hidden and safe.

"Stay here," she whispered. "I'll protect you." With that, she turned
back towards her adversary, which was quickly getting back to its
feet. Haruka reached for her wand, but the creature lunged at her, so
she quickly had to dodge it. This monster was fast; she needed only a
few moments to transform, but she couldn't seem to get them.
Meanwhile, in the bushes, Taylor began to regain conciseness. He
looked up, trying to remember what had happened to him. Peering
through some of the branches, he saw Haruka fighting with the beast.
He started to get up, but his arm ached as he went to lean on it.
Suddenly, as he watched, Haruka took a flying leap onto a nearby tree
limb. Taylor was shocked; he had no idea she could jump like that.
But there was more. Haruka pulled some sort of blue wand from her
pocket and thrust it into the air.

"Uranus Planet Power! Make Up!"

Taylor watched her as her body became engulfed in the blazing orange
light. The same thought raced through his mind over and over again.
Sailor Uranus... Haruka was Sailor Uranus. So explained all her
reasons for secrecy. And he had blamed her for something that was not
her fault. No amount of apology could make up for it now. Taylor hung
his head in sorrow as Haruka finished her transformation, still
unaware that she was being watched.

"I don't deserve her..." Taylor whispered. Suddenly, he heard a low
growling as the monster attacked from behind. Taylor quickly leapt
form the bush, almost directly into Haruka's arms.

"Taylor!" she exclaimed. "When did you wake up? Did you see...?"
Taylor turned to look into her eyes.

"I know who you are," he said solemnly. Haruka gasped. She suddenly
wanted to ask him everything: What did he think of her - now that he
saw her this way? But, unfortunately, there was no time for
questions. The monster lunged again. Uranus gasped and tried to push
Taylor out of its path, taking a large gash on the shoulder as she
did. Uranus grunted as she fell to the ground; she did not let
herself cry.

"Haruka!" Taylor yelled out. "Haruka, are you alright?" Uranus forced
herself up, slipping her communicator into her hand. "Sailor
Soldiers..." she whispered. "Please help me!" Suddenly, a clawed foot
stepped down on her hand. Uranus cried out in pain. The creature
prepared for another attack, this time landing its foot on Haruka's
windpipe. Uranus struggled to keep the air flowing into her lungs.
She turned her head towards Taylor.

"Taylor... I'm... sorry..." she gasped out.

"Haruka!" Tears began to stream down Taylor's face. She could not die
now. She couldn't. "Haruka, no!" Taylor's voice echoed through the
trees. A glimmer of light suddenly appeared on his forehead. A warm
light which quickly engulfed Haruka's body, as if pulling her into a
different world...

Haruka slowly opened her eyes. Her feet rested on air. Her hands in
his. Haruka looked warily at her surroundings. She and Taylor stood
suspended in space. The pitch black sky glittered with starts, and a
large blue planet could be seen before them. Taylor's outfit was
different, a suit of armor like that of Prince Endymion's, only this
armor was blue. Haruka's Sailor uniform had changed as well. Her
brooch was the shape of a star, her skirt layered, her sleeves were
two round spheres, and on her back were two grand white wings. The
uniform of an Eternal Sailor Soldier.

"Where are we?" Taylor whispered, as if in a trance.

"You don't know?" Haruka whispered back. "This is my home." At those
words, Haruka's body was suddenly taken hold of by gravity. She
gripped Taylor's hands as tightly as she could, and just as suddenly
as they had appeared in the depth of space, they were transported
again to the surface of Haruka home planet. From Haruka's boots rose
a cloud of mist as they landed on the surface. Taylor stood across
from her. Before them, almost hidden in the mist, was a majestic
castle. Its towers twirled into an intricate pattern. The castle
Miranda.

Memories flooded back to Haruka as she walked down the empty halls.
She could almost hear a small child's voice calling out. A child who
longed for escape from the repressive atmosphere of the palace in
which she lived, but who always seemed to end up with a scolding
whenever she tried to leave it behind. She grew up learning the ways
of both a princess and a protector. Her kingdom was modest but happy.
There were people who lived and thrived there on that planet. There
was her mother, a loving and devoted parent. Her assistants who
taught her all that she would need to know for the day she assumed
the position of Sailor Uranus. And there was a knight. Haruka looked
up at Taylor. His body was emitting a warm light, and there was a
symbol on his forehead, the bluish unmistakable mark of Uranus.

"Oh my gosh," Taylor gasped. "I'm not from earth, am I? I know this
place. I was born here. I am from the planet Uranus." He looked into
Haruka's eyes. The truth that had been held down for so many years,
now finally exposed. Yes, Taylor was from her world. He was that
knight. Haruka still remembered that dark day... when the Negaverse
came to attack the Moon Kingdom. She at her forbidden post could do
nothing to stop it. Only her beloved, one of the chosen knights of
Queen Serenity's court, was allowed to leave the outer planet to
protect the royal family. But it had all ended in despair. Once he
had left to challenge the Negaverse... that was the last Princess
Uranus had seen of him. Until now.

"I can see you..." said Taylor. "It's like a lost dream. The day you
took up your Space Sword and went with the Outer Sailor Soldiers to
summon Sailor Saturn. I was on the Moon Kingdom, trying to protect
Queen Serenity. I couldn't be there with you." Tears welled up in
Haruka's eyes. She could control her emotions no longer.

"You were with me," she said. "I think... deep down in my heart, I've
always felt you there. But I didn't know what I was looking for." She
turned away from Taylor. She did not think she could stand to look
into his eyes anymore. "Maybe that's why I threw myself so hard into,
my racing, my duty. Everything. Even Michiru." She looked down at her
feet. "I'm not sure why you really want me Taylor. I've been really
foolish, I know that."

"You're the woman I love," Taylor said. "You weren't foolish; you
just got a little lost. I'm only thankful that you've come back to
me."

Haruka smiled through tearful eyes. "Maybe it's destiny." With that,
the two of them joined in a loving embrace that seemed to shatter the
world around them. And in a bright flash of light, they found
themselves standing back in the middle of their previous battle. Only
now Haruka felt an immense strength welling up inside of her; a power
she had never known before.

"You will not go any farther," she announced to the creature who had
dared attack her and the one she loved. She held up her weapon,
showing the glimmering blade. "Uranus Space Turbulence!" In a mighty
blast, Uranus' attack destroyed the monster and all traces of it.
Exhausted, Uranus fell to her knees and her costume began to
retransform itself. She was a Super Sailor Soldier again. Taylor
jumped in to catch Haruka as she fell. Slowly she opened her eyes and
looked up at him.

"My hero," she managed to force out. It felt like forfeiting the
championship trophy. Taylor smiled.

"My heroine," he said to her. Then he held her close. "Just because
you're a girl doesn't mean you can't protect me. We protect each
other. We're not two people filling out roles here. We're in love; we
are one."

"One," Haruka whispered. It echoed in her mind, a ray of white light
reflecting into a spectrum. "I love you," she said to Taylor. And the
words were pure, beautiful, and true. Taylor brought his lips in
towards hers.

"I love you too," he whispered. Their lips met, and a wave of
enchantment seemed to spread over the two of them. They would never
let each other go.

The End!