Part 1: Orsus
Section 1: Adaption
Chapter 6-Kaiousei Uzushio (backtracks slightly from end of previous chapter)
The aqua-haired girl stood behind the heavy white draperies. She had been surprised to find that even the curtains of the ballroom were white. But then again, everything on the Moon was white–to represent purity, peace, and quite a few other things. White was also the color of the Silver Alliance, strangely enough. One would think that it would be silver.
Michiru fingered the strands of wavy blue-green hair distractedly. She was not nervous about the ceremony, as the others were, long used to things like this. She was merely worried for her friends and how she herself would react to seeing her parents again. Michiru was no longer Unabara Michiru...and yet...she sometimes wished that she was still the ignorant, useless little princess. Things had been easier then and less complicated. Laughing inwardly at her folly, she smiled brightly at Setsuna, who was leaving them. "Ganbatte ne, Setsuna-chan." [Good luck.]
"And to you as well." Garnet eyes shining softly, the dark-haired girl waited patiently for the announcer to say her name, then paused for a few nerve-wracking seconds before proceeding out smoothly.
"Esteemed ladies and gentlemen, the proposed Meiousei-sama."
Polite and enthusiastic applause sounded as Setsuna curtsied deeply, then made her way over to Queen Serenity's throne. Curtseying again to the lavender-haired woman, she took a position to the far left of the throne and settled herself solidly for the presentation of seven other girls that night.
"Esteemed ladies and gentlemen, the proposed Kaiousei-sama."
Michiru also walked forth in elegance, silently giving thanks for the lessons that had been pounded into her mind and body before as a princess to be perpetually graceful and cultured. With two dainty curtseys, all was over, and she would take her place next to Setsuna. Glancing over at the older girl, she saw that Setsuna was paying rapt attention to the audience and their surroundings. Following her example, she was surprised when a low but perfectly audible whisper met her ears.
"You did well, Michiru."
"Arigato gozaimisu," she smiled, happy to receive the praise. While Setsuna didn't skimp on compliments, she didn't give them out left and right either, just like their guardians. Any and all commendations were earned and deserved, not given.
"...Tennousei-sama."
She smiled to see Haruka doing her best to "float" down the aisle, to use one of Kaiiki's words. The blond-haired girl normally hated dresses, but she had seen the necessity in wearing one for this night and future appearances. Nevertheless, she was still uncomfortable but hiding it well. Michiru was proud of her friend, and she could see that Setsuna was as well. When Haruka finally stood beside her, royal blue eyes triumphant, Michiru said under the clapping, "That was nice, ‘Ruka. See, it wasn't as bad as you thought it would be."
Grinning wryly, she retorted, "No, it was worse. But I did okay, ne?"
"Of course."
"...Dosei-sama."
"I hope that Hotaru won't be too troubled about meeting her parents tonight. Well, at least her father and stepmother."
"She'll be fine," the aqua-eyed girl consoled reassuringly, "Hotaru's strong. You've helped her become that way."
The black-haired girl smiled at them both, purple eyes alight as she stood closest to the throne on the left. The entire first rank was full then, of the Outers: Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, and Saturn. The Inners, when they took their places, would go: Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, and Venus. Speaking of which, Makoto appeared next, just as uneasy about her clothing as Haruka. It was no wonder that they were such good friends, being alike in many ways–although that sometimes resulted in long and heated arguments that somehow drew the rest of them in as well.
"...Mokusei-sama."
Chestnut brown hair shining lustrously under the unblinking lights, Hitohana's eyes were sparkling with excitement as she stood on the other side of Queen Serenity. Her curtsey had been nearly as fine as Michiru's, and as she passed the Outers, she grinned and winked at them.
"...Kasei-sama."
"It's so strange to hear Kasei-chan being called Kasei-sama, by the Kous and Kakyuu, and Nukumori doesn't fit her. Hino Rei does, though," Michiru commented. She gave a slight nod to the raven-haired girl. Even if they weren't the closest of friends, they shared an important bond: one of deep respect.
"Remember, that part of our lives is over, despite what Usagi-chan says. She doesn't understand completely about duty yet, hers or ours. One day she will, and we will regret it."
"...Suisei-sama."
Before they could remark on Setsuna's nearly inaudible interjection, the petite blue-haired girl emerged. She was positively trembling, but it wasn't that noticeable. She curtseyed flawlessly, despite her anxiety, and nearly fell over in relief when she stood next to Rei, who reached over unobtrusively and squeezed her hand for a second before letting go.
"Ami's come a long way from being afraid of water and crying the first time she had to swim," Hotaru observed with peaceful gravity, "we've all come a long way."
"We'll go further still. Together," Michiru said firmly.
"...Kinsei-sama."
"Minako. You know, I'll never understand how she can complain that she'll die of fright one minute, because a few seconds later, she's flashing a dazzling smile to the audience and enchanting them all. And she still keeps smiling, no matter what."
Smiling a twisted smile again, Haruka replied dryly, "It's one of her gifts. Trust me, it could be worse."
"Do we want to ask?"
~~~~*~~~~
"Unabara-sama. It is an honor to see you–again," Michiru said to her mother, curtseying.
"Michiru-chan, you look as beautiful as always. I'm happy that you seem to like the Moon."
Looking at the queen more closely, the aqua-haired girl was more than shocked to see that she was pregnant. "Okaa-san, you're–?"
"Hai. Remember, Michiru, you were my only daughter. Because you will be the next Kaiousei-sama, there is a need for an heir to Neptune."
Still, Michiru frowned in confusion. While she had been glad to be rid of the burden of being the Princess of Neptune, it still felt a little strange to hear that she would have a sibling after so many years. "But otou-san is dead."
Shrugging her bared shoulders elegantly, the queen smiled tolerantly. "Oh, Michiru-chan. You're just as sweet and as naive as I remember you, darling. Just because your father is dead doesn't mean that I cannot have any more children."
Feeling a strange tightness in her throat and chest, she asked, "Then who is the father of this baby? You would let her or him grow up without that knowledge?"
"I don't know, but I don't think it really matters that much. Of course, the rulers of the other planets are quite shocked, but Queen Serenity will support me. They, in turn, will have no choice but to accept this simple new fact. There are more serious things in the world at the moment. Speaking of which, I should go talk to Serenity-sama now. Ganbatte ne, Michiru-chan. And don't forget, although you are no longer considered a princess or known to the world as my daughter, aishiteru." [...Good luck...I love you.]
As she walked off purposefully without looking back, Michiru sighed deeply and watched her. ‘Aishiteru, okaa-san. I just wish things weren't like this. What would otou-san say? And what about ojii-san and obaa-san?' [I love you, mother...What would father say? And what about grandfather and grandmother?]
"Michiru?"
She turned to see Makoto standing next to her. "Hai?"
"Was that your okaa-san?" At her nod, the brunette girl asked, "Dajibou?"
"Dajibou. Don't worry. I know she loves me, and she told me so, but okaa-san was never a very good queen. I have to admit it. I'm not even sure if she's a very good person. My otou-san's memory is being soiled by her unfaithfulness. She's always tried to make me into the perfect princess, but she never really ruled anyway. Ojii-san wouldn't let her, and now I understand why. Maybe it's right that men have the real power, then."
Incredulously, Makoto exclaimed, "Nani?! You want the world to be dominated by a bunch of chauvinist pigs who just see the power? King aren't always better than queens, you know. People are people. Queen Serenity is a good ruler."
"You're probably right," she admitted. "I'm just...I don't know. Have you seen Haruka?"
"Hai. She's over there, with Hotaru and the King of Saturn. The queen came over and mouthed off on her, and now she's very upset, but Haruka seems to be cheering her up. Oh, I would have wiped that nasty smirk off that–that woman's face if Ami hadn't stopped me."
Closing her eyes, envisioning what would have happened if she _hadn't_ stopped Makoto, Michiru thanked the gods that Ami had been there. While she treasured Makoto for her friendship and her personality, she still had to learn that people didn't attack queens at things like this. Particularly if they were going to be senshi. Senshi were supposed to be neutral to everything except evil.
And evil was the Dark Kingdom. It was all very simple, really. Good equals the Silver Alliance and the Moon Kingdom, and evil equals the Dark Kingdom and Metallia. She hated it. What if there _were_ good people–or creatures–in the Dark Kingdom that couldn't help if they were born there? What if they didn't want to be born there? It wasn't as if they had a choice. And there were evil people in the Moon Kingdom, too. And yet, how does one define evil? Just being bad? Rulers sometimes had to make choices that were considered "bad" but better for the general public. Were kings and queens then also evil?
Wrenching her mind away from these unsettling thoughts, Michiru brushed a few strands of wavy green hair out of her way. She had done up her hair in a bun, with tendrils of hair cascading down. She had remembered her mother doing her hair in the same manner and had always wanted to try it herself. Now, though, her desire was to rip it out and leave her hair flowing over her shoulders in undisputed waves. It had grown so long in the past two years without cutting, and the guardians agreed it was time that the girls trim their hair. Hair was a very bad thing to have in abundance when fighting. It hindered the sight and was something easy to grab and cause pain with. Funny, it sounded like what people said love was like.
Ah, love–yet another thing senshi were supposed to avoid. Too bad that almost every senshi in the history of the Silver Millennium (and the eras before that as well) had fallen in love or had lovers. And almost every time, it ended in tragedy. Lovers or just loved ones, like family, could be used against a senshi if anyone found out. And then lovers were always jealous when senshi had over obligations above their private lives.
Michiru suspected, however, that a man had had come up with the idea of creating senshi. It also explained why there were no male senshi. After all, she had seen pictures of sailor fukus, which had extremely short skirts. Besides that, since no senshi had ever been male, it was easy for the world to press this restriction down upon senshi: no love for one of the opposite (or same, in certain circumstances) sex. Of course, had a man been a senshi, he probably would have broken tradition without a qualm. Unfortunately, there being no male senshi, the rule reigned supreme and would never break, it seemed. Poor, poor protectors of the world. They had no love, and the people they defended didn't care. It was ludicrous!! Men were considered supreme in this universe, and yet, the protectors of the planets were female. So very ironic...just like human nature.
~~~~*~~~~
A few months after the ball, it was Michiru's twelfth birthday, and Usagi had been released from her princess lessons (to her immense relief) so she could attend. The Moon Princess danced around with great excitement and many cheers, but no one wanted to scold her and ruin her elation. Birthdays were not that big a deal on the Moon, but the guardians had not wanted to take one of the last childhood pleasures away from the girls. Thus, they had a little gift-giving each time there was a birthday (and nine birthdays per year were quite enough celebration, in Artemis's opinion).
For the first year they had been on the Moon, the guardians have gifted each girl with the silver necklaces and planetary symbol pendants on the birthdays. The second year, and current one, they had opted to present them with daggers that would last them their entire lives, although they would probably acquire more. They had expected Artemis to find finer broadswords than the ones they used in practice, but he had merely smiled and said that they would see what would happen when the time came.
Michiru accepted her dagger with thanks but without any more comment. Like a few of the others, she was not one for weaponry. True, Haruka claimed there was a certain magic to it, watching and parrying and seeing opportunity, but they argued about the subtlety of weapons rather often. Setsuna and Hotaru together had gotten a bracelet of aquamarine stones for, Minako had went along with Rei's suggestion of small balls filled with sand that would ease stress, Makoto had baked her a sumptuous cake that they all shared, and Haruka and Ami had bought her very fine brushes and oil paints. Fingering them lovingly, she asked in surprise, "How did you know that I wanted to paint again?"
"Well, you did say that you enjoyed your drawing and painting lessons on Neptune. I thought you might like to continue." Ami nodded, agreeing with the older girl. She smiled shyly at Michiru, who beamed back. She already knew what she wanted to paint...and they say that a picture is worth a thousand words. So is love. But then again, so many things are like love–life gets very confusing.
~~~~*~~~~
The arrival of year three shocked everyone, having snuck up very quickly. By this time, hand-to-hand combat practice was so routine that the girls could have gone through it in their sleep and sometimes did. Broadswords and sabers were comfortable to use, even for those that had been reluctant at start. Using daggers was second nature; stances had been memorized so thoroughly that they barely realized that it was habitual and did it unconsciously without having to think about it. They could run at the speed of wind and endure hours of training one on top of the other after subjecting their minds to hard and complex problems during classes.
Artemis and Luna had been extremely pleased with their progress, but they were getting worried. The girls knew each other's fighting styles too well, which was why improvement in combat against one another had slowed to a standstill. Everything was so predictable that it took forever to finish matches.
Another problem was the development of individual fighting styles: it wasn't happening, except for Setsuna, Haruka, and Makoto, who had studied them in depth and developed their own. The rest of the girls merely copied what they were given and perfected it, reproducing machine-like movements.
For the first year, the physical body and spiritual mind had been the focus. For the second year, it was weaponry. Now, the third year had arrived, and powers had to be stirred, at the very least. And for the last years, preparation for the long journey, training for acceptance of the duties of a senshi, and perfecting technique and spurring powers to greater heights would be the goals.
Closer than ever, the girls knew what was important in life and taught each other the most important lessons in friendship and love. Still, problems arose. Not many understood why seventeen year old Setsuna was eager to spend time with the young men that flocked around her dark beauty in public appearances, why Haruka had become so moody at fourteen, why Michiru insisted on almost complete solitude while painting had become more secretive and reclusive at year younger than Haruka. Hotaru and Ami, at eleven and ten, were still blissfully unawares of body maturation. Makoto, on the other hand, although the same age as Hotaru, had received the brunt end of puberty and had disliked it–intensely. Nevertheless, Setsuna was always around to help her through the hardest times. Artemis had heard about a certain incident when he had been away on a diplomatic visit to Venus, and after hearing Luna's less than detailed account of the events that had occurred, the white-haired man had been very relieved that he had been away and was the only male guardian. Minako and Rei spied on Setsuna together, planned to match-make several of the court couples that resisted their attempts, and managed to avoid as much trouble as possible by sweet-talking their way out of pinches (something Minako was very accomplished at).
Friendships had developed, become better, become strained, but none had fallen apart. Haruka and Michiru spent most of their free time together: while the former released her feelings, the latter drew and listened without a word, then gave sound advice that was almost always followed. Makoto taught Hotaru how to cook, and they had begun growing closer. When the black-haired girl had expressed an interest in learning how to fight better, they had taken to sparring together in their free time, with Makoto giving her extra tips and improving her skills. Minako and Rei tended to get argumentative as they went through tougher times, but they still remained best friends. Setsuna found in Ami someone much older in mentality than ten, while the younger girl saw her older friend as someone to guide her way and teach her about life.
Seiya, Taiki, Yaten, and Kakyuu were rarely able to visit, but they still had not revealed the secret of the Starlights and their princess to the girls. After spending a lot of time with them, gradually their real court names and identities had been revealed. The guardians had not been pleased, but they had foreseen this coming–it was inevitable not to drop their real names once in a while. It was no mystery to anyone that Yaten was romantically interested in Minako–except to Minako herself. The cheerful blonde merely took his frequent visits as friendly ones and treated him as she would a brother, something that dismayed him to the depths of his soul. He wanted very much to make it clear to her how he felt before she left in another two years, but Seiya had merely laughed and told him he had plenty of time and was being paranoid. Nevertheless, Yaten remained convinced that it was better not to say anything and kept his mouth firmly shut.
~~~~*~~~~
Michiru pressed her fingertips to her temples and massaged them gently, trying to block out the noise of Minako and Rei bickering in the background. Turning back to her canvas, she smiled at the image forming. It was of the bustling marketplace, the one they had always gone to before it became hard to go anywhere without public escort. After many public appearances, the girls were easily recognized even in the greatest of crowds. Being restricted to the palace for so many years, they were finally granted full access to almost every part of the castle when they could not go anywhere else on the Moon. Adding a flick of bright red to a woman's scarf, she dipped a tinier brush into her water and formed a delicate point at the end, preparing to add in minute details. "Michiru?"
"Hai?" she replied automatically, not bothering to look up. She could probably recognize her guardian's voice in her sleep.
"Artemis and Luna want you all inside."
"But it's a beautiful day, and we're supposed to have free time!" She pouted slightly, and Kaiiki didn't have the heart to scold her charge. They had been worked hard all day, all week, all these years, and deserved even this brief respite in a small open-air courtyard.
"Gomen nasai, Michiru. But it's important that we get your mind ready to accept the strain of having your powers."
Eyes alight with interest, the aqua-haired girl quickly began putting away her paints, making sure to screw the caps on the tubes tightly. She remembered what a fit her teacher had thrown on Neptune when he had found the paint all dried up one day...she shivered slightly, remembering his wrath. "We'll finally get to use our powers?"
Kaiiki smiled at her eagerness. "Well, not right away, but yes, you will be able to soon. Now come on, the others are waiting."
Looking around, Michiru blushed when she realized that everyone was gone. Even Minako and Rei had ceased whatever they were arguing about and had gone indoors. "Gomen. I didn't notice."
"It's okay, but remember, Michiru. Inattentiveness is dangerous."
"I know...but I'm only caught off guard when I'm painting. Like Makoto when she's cooking, or Ami swimming. It's strange," she mused, "that she used to hate water and be afraid of it."
"She doesn't adore it, but it and your painting and Makoto's cooking are expressions of the soul. Each of you will find something to revel in and keep you sane."
"Kaiiki-sensei, I know you're trying to share a piece of wisdom with me, but please don't try to make it sound so depressing. There are enough sad things in this life."
~~~~*~~~~
"Relax and clear your minds. Act as if you are about to start mediation, but do not begin meditating. Just wait." Phobos and Deimos spoke together as one, and their voices were soothing and slightly numbing.
Closing her eyes, Michiru did as she was told. They were all holding hands in a circle, and she was holding Setsuna and Haruka's hands. They had been told power channeling would be better this way. Of course, she told herself sourly, it might help if they actually had the power to begin with.
As if reading her minds, they chimed, "Do not be too impatient...now, reach into your innermost selves. To get there, try to think of what you like doing the most. An activity with which you can express yourself and be at peace."
Reaching in as they had ordered, Michiru was surprised to see that she could see a gleam of bright aquamarine in her mind's eye. She opened her eyes, startled, and met seven other pairs of eyes. Only Setsuna's were undisturbed, and she realized rather jealously that Setsuna had had knowledge of her powers long before the others and had never said anything. Garnet eyes met blue-green, and Michiru bowed her head once more as she saw the apology in them. She must have had no other choice.
Letting her eyelids drift closed once more, Michiru imagined that the sea-green in her mind was paint, and she dabbled into it gently, as if about to create a masterpiece with it. Suddenly, she gasped in shock and stiffened as it flowed across her mind, immersing her. At first, it felt as if she had merely managed to open a lock and triumph came over her. But then, pain began to flow through her, and she cried out loud with the others as different-colored energies poured into the mix and created bonds. There were seven in all, and one rope of pure aqua power. Still, the pain continued unendingly, and Michiru no longer knew anything except the brilliant color that was both agony and ecstasy. She couldn't think, and all she wanted was for the blinding pain to stop. Suddenly, it did, and she found herself still in a sitting position, still in the training room, and still holding tight to the hands of her two friends.
Glaring at Artemis, Rei snapped, "You didn't tell us that it would hurt this much."
"What did you want me to say? Sorry, but it'll hurt more than anything you've ever known? This had to happen. I _am_ sorry, Rei, minna."
"That was...incredible. Painful, but incredible."
"Haruka!!"
~~~~*~~~~
‘I guess,' Michiru thought to herself late at night under the stars, ‘that I've finally committed to being a senshi. That power surge was so scary, but it feels like something I've always wanted. There's a warmth coming from the power, and it feels like the oceans. Sometimes calm, sometimes stormy. I guess that's me. I never wanted to marry, because it felt like pledging my life to another, giving them complete control. That's what I'll give to Usagi-chan in a few years, if I can. Willingly...and yet...is there really that big a difference? I trust her, and she would never hurt me purposefully, but other things can. Still: I'm elegance, grace, tact, a princess, a warrior, the ocean, a watercolor painting...and a simple girl with a complex destiny. Kami-sama help us all. Give me the courage to go on and do what I must do.'
Caelum
