Used Weapons ============ by Albrecht Halbstein (halbstein@hotmail.com) [PG-13] (I think) Disclaimers ----------- Let's get over with the usual stuff first. The Sailor Moon characters are the properties of their creator Takeuchi Naoko, the publisher Kodansha, and the animation company Toei. I use the characters and the stories without the permissions of the aforementioned parties. I added some characters, made up some facts, and altered some of the original storyline for dramatic effects and to suit my purpose. Notes from yours truly ---------------------- All comments are welcome and encouraged. I do appreciate any idea for any possible revision. The author's e-mail address is halbstein@hotmail.com. Again, the story is told in the first person point of view. I find it easier to tell a story this way. In any case, this fanfic is about Haruka and Michiru. You know who they are. You have been warned. ========== I yelped. "Michiru! Don't sneak up on me like that." I tried to collect myself and return my attention to the schematics on the screen in front of me. Michiru grinned. "You and your twentieth century toy... What should I do with you, Haruka? When will you ever grow up?" My eyes were still fixed on the screen when I reluctantly said, "I'm all yours to fix later, Michiru. But let me finish checking the wiring of this car for now, please?" Michiru chuckled. "I just need your opinion on something. I'm sure you can spare a minute or two, ne? Haruka?" I almost yelped again when she ended her question next to my right ear. I sighed and leaned back into her slightly. "Hmm... What is it?" "Where should I hang that painting?" "Michiru... You needed a minute of my time for a silly question like that? Oi..." I leaned forward again to continue looking at the schematics. "_That_ painting, Haruka." "Hmm?" "The one I painted after the ball at the Palace on last Saturn's day." "Hmm..." "I said you need to work out." "Ah! _That_ painting! Oi oi." I saw that there wasn't any way I could pay more attention to my car for the day. I had to get back to it when I could have some peace and quiet later. I shut down the console and turned around in my chair to face Michiru. "First of all, Michiru, why do you want to hang it up? And, why do you ask for my opinion? You know I never questioned your judgement on things of the sort." "To remind you to get back in shape, perhaps?" "Seriously, Michiru." Michiru chuckled. "It was painted exactly 900 years after I asked you to model for me for the first time in the twentieth century, Haruka. You turned me down the first time but not this time." "But... but... don't you think it's better to keep it in your private studio? I mean, it's not exactly suited for display." Michiru grinned. "Like I said, to remind you to get back in shape, Haruka." She poked my stomach as if to make her point. "Michiru..." My protest was interrupted by the beeping of my senshi communicator. I accepted the unexpected call and heard Diana's voice on the other end. "Come to the palace... quick!" "What is it, Diana? Are your dad and mom fighting? Do you need us to break up the cat fight or something?" Michiru gave me a jab in the ribs and talked into the communicator. "What happened in the Palace, Diana? Why isn't it Artemis at the communication center?" "Come quickly! The Palace is under attack. The blitzkrieg came out of nowhere. We still don't know who the enemy is. The Inner Senshi are doing their best to protect the royal family. My dad and mom have their paws full controlling the Palace weapons system. Pluto is guarding the time portal. Since your residence is rather far away from the Palace and in a secluded area, you are our only hope of a counter attack. Quick!" "We are on our way, Diana." ---------- Neptune and I stayed hidden in a tree on a small hill overlooking the Palace. "The troops surrounding and inside the Palace seem to constitute their entire force. I do not see any back-up or secondary troop around, do you? Does your mirror show anything?" "Mm... No. Their advantage must have been the quick and surprise attack. Once they penetrated into the Palace, even raising the shield and activating the weapons system would be completely useless to fight them off. I suppose our side responded quickly enough to hold some of the troops outside. My guess is that the enemy anticipated that in advance so they put their main force in the front and took full advantage of the surprise and delayed reaction time." "That would be my estimate, too. I say that we give them a dose of their own medicine. You sneak into the Palace and capture the leading culprit. I'll salvage from our dispersed troops and clean up outside the Palace. There is no time to lose. Be careful, Neptune. I'll see you in the Palace courtyard after we finish them off." I gave her a quick hug and pat on the back and jumped off. "You be careful, too, Uranus. I... " I already ran off and couldn't hear the end of her sentence. Whatever it was, it could always wait. I thought to myself, "we'll have all the time in the world later, won't we?" ----------- I looked around in the courtyard and saw a bruised Michiru leaning against a tree. I wasn't in the mint condition myself, either. But that was not important. I ran toward her. "How are you holding up, Michiru?" She hugged me tightly. I winced and tried to stifle my groan. "These are only superficial cuts. It's nothing bandages and a good rest couldn't fix. What about yourself? Ara... You are still in your work clothes." I relaxed a little as she pulled away. I chuckled. "A nice hot bath and a good caring will do for me. Actually, you know what's on my mind right now? I want to go home and finish my car so that I can cruise around the city. I need something to relax me from this bloody battle." "Oh? Is your car the only thing that can relax you? Hmm?" "..." She chuckled. "Don't forget. You haven't told me where you want the painting." I grumbled. "Excuse me, ma'am." I swirled around as our privacy was intruded by a soldier. "Yes?" "The royal family will honor the Inner and Outer Senshi in the training field shortly. I was asked to inform you, ma'am." "Why is it in the field, not inside the Palace as an event like this was held traditionally?" I asked curiously. "I was told that the honor will be presented in front of the entire armed force. I have carried out my order. Now, if you'll excuse me, ma'am." The soldier saluted and walked away. "What do you think, Michiru? I don't feel right about this." Michiru laughed. "You really need to relax. Showing up in front of the royal family in your work clothes isn't exactly a good idea, but it isn't going to get you killed. I'm sure they understood the urgency of the earlier emergency better than we did. Besides, they won't know the difference if we go in our senshi outfit." "That's not what I meant. Something is wrong with the said ceremony. That's what bothers me." I caught a glimpse of Pluto as I was talking. I was too late to call out for her. "I wonder why Pluto's eyes are swollen and red. She was in such a hurry as usual." Michiru chuckled and patted me on the shoulders. "C'mon, Haruka. Let's get the ceremony over with so we can discuss about the painting again." "Oi..." I put my right arm around her waist as we left for the field. "I really don't like this feeling." "Haruka..." "Use your mirror then." "Ha-ru-ka..." ---------- There were a few armed soldiers in the field. That was it - the few soldiers were the only people and things there. I looked around and did not see any of the Inner Senshi or the royal family present. "Is this some kind of jo... What's the meaning of this?!" I protested and struggled as a few heavily armed soldiers encircled me and Michiru from behind and handcuffed us. "I shall take these if you don't mind." Serenity's Chief Advisor came up and took away our liprods. We reverted to our civilian form. "What do you think you are doing, Advisor?" I demanded. "I have Her Majesty's authority to execute you, Uranus and Neptune." I was speechless. A thousand things ran through my head, but none warranted an execution. Michiru's face paled as white as a sheet of high-grade office paper. She snapped out of the shock sooner than I did and asked, "on what charges, if I may ask?" The Advisor snickered. "Blame your demise on your power and ability, darlings." I cringed. "Oh, better yet, blame on your existence." I started but Michiru uttered first. "Does it have anything to do with the rumor?" I turned to Michiru. "The rumor? What rumor?" The Advisor snickered again. "I always knew you are the smarter one of the two, Neptune. It's very unfortunate for Uranus, as clueless as she is, to have been your partner. She'll have to move to the Realm of Hades with you even though she doesn't pose as a direct threat." I demanded, "what are you talking about?" "You really haven't heard the rumor, Uranus?" "That's what I've been asking, Advisor. What rumor?!" "Neptune would be more suited to rule Crystal Tokyo and had been preparing for a mutiny. That's the rumor." "What?! You can't be serious. How could you or even the royal family take a stupid rumor, which may have been only a joke started by some prankster who had nothing better on his mind, seriously? Uncuff us this instant and I'll forget about this unhappy incident." "Tsk tsk tsk... Uranus... You really don't understand, do you? The authority of Crystal Palace cannot be questioned or compromised. How else will they be able to rule the land? You _are_ challenging their authority as we speak, Uranus. Do you realize the impact a seemingly harmless rumor like that has on the morale of the armed forces? An unextinquished cigarette seems harmless enough, but it could start a wild fire given it is tossed to the right places." "I dare not challenge their authority, Advisor. You are twisting our discussion. The thought of replacing the current ruling family in any way at any time has never even crossed our mind." "That may or may not be true in the past. You can't guarantee the future. You did pledge your allegiance to Galaxia, or Chaos, rather, once, didn't you? Your intention was unclear, and still is. Her Majesty cannot be too careful. Yes, it is also true that you and Neptune saved the royal family from the most recent attackers. For that, the royal family and the kingdom are grateful. However, it also demonstrated what you and your partner are capable of. It just substantiated the possible threat. It didn't necessarily imply that the rumor was true. It just validified whatever fear the royal family have had." "That's absolutely ludicrous! I demand to speak to Her Majesty." The Advisor snickered. "It's useless, Uranus. It would be a waste of Her Majesty's time. You'll still go down to the Realm of Hades no matter what. History has taught us - better safe than sorry. No hard feelings. We've wasted enough time talking. My order was to finish this as quickly and quietly as possible. I should send you on your way now. Any last wish? Uranus? Neptune?" Neptune, who looked more ghastly than before, finally said faintly, "may Haruka and I have ten minutes to say good bye?" I was about to complain about the absurdity again, but Michiru stopped me with a dejected look. "Five minutes is all you get." "Thank you." The Advisor walked away. The soldiers, though still encircled us, pulled away a few yards to give us limited privacy. Michiru nodded to them to acknowledge their small but courteous gesture. She turned to face me. I leaned in and rested my forehead on hers. "We could get out of these handcuffs and escape. You know we are capable of doing at least that much. We've been through worse," I whispered. Michiru, though her head still rested against mine, shook her head slightly. "No, Haruka. We are capable of escaping the execution or recapture. However, we won't ever get our old life and freedom back. Staying alive as fugitives forever is worse than being dead. Do you think they would let us go just like that? No, never. We are a bigger threat to them now than before we had the talk with the Advisor." "Michiru..." "Let me finish, Haruka. We don't have much time left in this world. Our past life in the Silver Millennium was a sweet memory to me. Since we met again in the twentieth century, this life of our 900 years together leaves me no regret. And, when I go on to another life, I shall not drink the water from Lethe so that I do not forget any of this." I snickered. "Sure. We were in dormant state most of the 900 years." "Haruka, my every sentient moment with you has been filled with happiness and bliss. I am content. I would ask to enjoy that till the end of the time if it were an option. Seeing what an impossibility it is, I'll settle for what I have. Nobody likes to have his happy life taken away this way. I am not happy with this arrangement, either. But, I'm content knowing that we'll go to the nether world together. I really am. I don't know if the Realm of Hades exists. I hope it does. I hope we'll be able to build another life down there. Be it Erebus or Elysium, let's hang on to this hope, Haruka." Michiru raised her head and looked at me with a gut-wrenching smile. I couldn't say a word. I wanted to hug her and tell her that everything was ok. But we both knew that nothing was ok. I wanted to hug her and tell her that she didn't have to put on a courageous face and that it was ok to cry. But our hands had been cuffed, and I couldn't bring myself to say anything. I gulped and still looked at her speechlessly. "C'mon, Haruka. Think of this as a trip. I want to see your smile before we go. Please?" I broke down and sobbed on her shoulder. "Why does this happen to us? We didn't do anything wrong. How could you accept it so calmly? You don't deserve this. I don't deserve this." Michiru shook her head. "Shh... Haruka. I just hope that we won't land a job as sensitive and difficult as this one in the nether world. We'll be ordinary people. Ordinary is bliss. Ne, Haruka, what would you like to do? I wonder if they have cars for you to race in Elysium." I wanted to beg Michiru to stop. Every light word she said only wrenched my heart muscle-by-muscle. Every smile she put on only stabbed my heart deeper and deeper. My face was awash by tears. I silently kissed her neck. "Ahem. Time to go, darlings," the Advisor announced. I raised my head and shot him an animus glare. "Don't hate me, Uranus. I'm only carrying out my order." I closed my eyes and inhaled and exhaled deeply. I opened my eyes and looked at him again. "I have a request." "Oh?" "Could you please uncuff us? We won't run away." "Hmm..." "We would like to die with at least some dignity, Advisor." He looked at me and then thought for a few seconds. "Very well. Your request is granted." He gestured at one of the soldiers on guard to remove the handcuffs from our wrists. "Thank you." "Would you like to have your eyes covered?" "No. That won't be necessary. I want to be able to see Michiru all the way." "Very well. Farewell, Uranus and Neptune. Don't worry. There will be a state burial for you. You will be honored posthumously for your brave deeds and loyal service to the kingdom in the past." I snickered. "Thank you, I suppose." The Advisor walked away. I turned to Michiru and hugged her. "I guess this is it." "Yeah... At least I won't bug you about that painting again. Lucky you." I smiled bitterly. I let go of her and stood next to her as a firing squad of five lined up. I grabbed her hand and squeezed it lightly. We looked at each other, oblivious of everything and everyone around us, till a piercing pain tore through me. I fell on the ground as I found it hard to stand. I saw Michiru's face twitch slightly in pain. I rolled a little so that Michiru would fall on me instead of the ground. I didn't want her to land on the hard ground even though it probably didn't make much difference. She was barely breathing when I caught her. I struggled to take out the piece of cloth I always kept in a pocket of my work clothes and gingerly wipe the blood off the corner of her mouth. I wanted Michiru to look beautiful even when she died. Her eyes were tightly shut. I found it harder and harder to breathe. My mind began to drift apart. I struggled again to take a good look at her. I wanted every cell of my brain imprinted with her flawless visage. I hoped to be able to find her in the sea of souls later. Her chest had stopped heaving. The pain of realizing that she had left was more unbearable than that of the bullets piecing through me and the blood draining away. I moved myself so that I could talk into her ear. "Michiru, I lov..." I whispered before I finally collapsed. My consciousness gradually seeped away completely. ---------- I sat up in my bed, panting and huffing. I examined myself and looked around. "What the heck was that?" I muttered to myself. I got off the bed and walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water. Whatever it was, it was so vivid. I could still feel it. My hands were trembling. My heart was still pounding hard against my chest from the remaining anguish. "Talking cats? Ha! I knew I ate too much last night." I chuckled. "900 years from now? I'd become a mummy by then. Oh boy." I shook my head at my silly nightmare. My eyes opened wider as a question came up. "Who on Earth was Michiru?" === fin === June 18, 1999 === Background music: songs from a few of Ogata Megumi's CDs... on repeat.