Author: Deathangelgw

Disclaimer: same as always! Hush up…I know they ain’t mine!

Warnings: Same as always

Rating: PG-13

Pairings: TK/SM hinted at so far…we’ll see what else soon!

Note: eh…uh…Enjoy and review? ^_^

‘thoughts’

After the fall of Kaolinite, the Senshi found themselves with a breather time as both sides recovered from the turmoil. Well…almost. A surprise drop in from Chibiusa, now also Sailor Chibimoon, gave new worries and annoyances to the Inner Senshi as they tried to guide her as well as protect her.  Even Neptune, Uranus, and Kinroze found their hearts softening to the little Sailor Senshi.

But the search and fighting continued, their newest rival being Eudial, a clever witch from the ‘Witches 5’. She kept them on their toes as she methodically looked for her own Talismans’ holders while supported by her Daimons. The Inner Senshi found themselves wondering if they could continue with the new rivals and still make sure that Neptune, Uranus, and Kinroze also didn’t succeed.

Makato especially found herself questioning her strength after a particularly grueling battle with a very powerful Daimon. Her quest for her focus led her up into the mountains where a man lived there, training constantly to find the perfect inner peace. There, she strived to become stronger, training hard every day that she was there.

To her surprise, the other four joined her to cheer her on. Heart warmed by their caring and concern, Makato found herself relaxing and refocusing on what was needed. After a pillow fight had sent everyone to sleep, Makato stood outside, gazing up at the stars. She contemplated on the fact that she needed to do things on her own, but she found herself wondering if she could.

“Your thoughts are deep into worry, Kino Makato,” a soft voice interrupted her thoughts and she looked over to see Kinroze Senshi leaning against one of the hut’s pillars. Kinroze smiled at Makato and jumped down lightly to the ground, turning to look at the confused younger girl.

“How did you know who I am? Is what the others say true?” Makato asked softly as she gazed at the other young woman.

Smiling again, Kinroze shrugged as she twirled a golden rose. “Depends on what is being said or not said, Sailor Jupiter. One can see another’s soul easily if they know where to look. But one has to search even deeper for their own soul’s strength in order to know their way,” Kinroze replied with a soft smile. She held her hand up and tilted her head slightly, beckoning.

Makato gazed at her silently for a minute, then came down the stairs, taking the offered hand. ‘So warm…she’s always so warm,’ Makato found herself thinking and blushed slightly, embarrassed. She looked up as she felt a gentle tug on her hand, leading the way from the hut towards the waterfalls nearby.

They traveled softly through the forest, finally coming to the waterfalls. Makato watched in curiosity as Kinroze knelt down next to the pool, gazing into the clear depths. “Makato-san…you think that you need to be an individual and strong on your own so you can be strong for the others. But, let me show you something,” she said softly, looking up at Makato with another soft smile.

Kneeling down, Makato watched as Kinroze took a small rock then made a little river from the pool in the sand. She watched the small trickle of water flow down, pooling into a small depression that Kinroze had made. Taking the small rock, Kinroze then blocked the path of the water. But, as they watched, it split and went around the rock.

“One can not stand alone against a power greater than itself. But…many can,” Kinroze explained softly as she placed four more rocks next to the one and was able to block the trickle.  Looking over at Makato as she gazed steadily at what had been shown, Kinroze murmured, “You are strong, Makato…but remember where your strength comes from. Not just from within, but from out. Seek your strength in what is around you as well as within.”

Makato looked up and smiled softly, nodding. “I…I will. With you and my friends…I can’t fail,” she stated softly, then blinked as she was gathered into a tender hug.

“Hai…that you can,” Kinroze replied softly as she ran her fingers soothingly through Makato’s hair, knowing that the young Senshi would indeed find her way.

And indeed, Jupiter found her strength for herself and for her friends, aiding in defeating a Daimon on her own. Somehow though, she knew that Kinroze had been nearby, encouraging her all the way.

*~~**~~*

But not all of their hearts were so easy to ease and Kinroze found that sometimes, just being there wasn’t enough. She watched silently from the shadows as her friend Elsa spoke with the unknowing Inner Senshi. She felt the currents shifting towards her friend and sighed inwardly. ‘Must it always come to this?’ she wondered sorrowfully, then stepped out. Her face turned cheerful as she walked over. “Elsa-chan!” she called out, waving.

“Nasia!! There you are!” Elsa called the nickname warmly as she stood up and ran over towards her friend.

“Gomen ne! I got caught up with an appointment! Been waiting long?” Genaisa asked sheepishly as she smiled at her friend. She cocked her head and smiled over at the staring younger girls. “Ah…you were having some fun, I see!” she commented teasingly.

“Hai hai! These girls are hoping to come here next year,” Elsa replied with a grin as she came over to the watching Inner Senshi. “This is my physical therapist, Nasia-chan…er, I mean Chiba Genaisa,” she introduced as she gestured to her friends.

“Konnichiwa, minna. It is a pleasure,” Genaisa greeted as she bowed to them.

“I’ve seen you before,” Minako murmured thoughtfully as she tapped her chin suspiciously as she gazed at Genaisa.

Genaisa just smiled softly and winked before glancing at her friend. “Shall we get going? We need to do a few new training exercises that I need to teach you,” she commented with a grin.

“Hai hai! Ja ne, minna! Good luck with your exams!” Elsa cried with a grin and a wave as she walked from the group.

“Arigato and good luck!” all five younger girls called out as they bowed and smiled at the two as they walked away.

“They’re good girls,” Genaisa commented softly as she walked with her friend towards the gym.

“Hai. Indeed,” Elsa murmured with a warm smile. “I hope they make it,” she added with a chuckle. They both looked over in surprise as the sound of screeching wheels sounded and a car door slammed. They both gasped in surprise as a woman in a lab coat came from the car and pointed an interesting gun at them. “Which of you is Elsa-san?” the redhead sneered out.

Genaisa frowned darkly and pushed her friend away. “Run! Hayaku!” she commanded urgently. She gasped as a shockwave shot past her, knocking her into the bushes. Frowning, she jumped into the trees and transformed, then landed near where Haruka and Michiru were watching grimly. “I suggest that you two take your destinies and follow through,” she suggested softly, surprising them. They nodded and transformed, and then all three moved to attack.

“At last! I have the crystal!” Eudial cackled as her Daimon kept the Inner Senshi captive while she grabbed the crystal heart from Elsa.

“Think again, Eudial!” Neptune’s soft voice cried as she landed between the Senshi and the Daimon. She slashed her hand up, freeing the five as she straightened.

“Nani?! Not you two!” Eudial exclaimed in exasperation then shrieked as Uranus’ attack knocked the crystal towards Kinroze as she gently caught it and held it close, smirking. “Hey!! Give that back!”

“Don’t think so, Eudial…it’s not what you want anyways. It’s not a talisman,” Kinroze stated with a smirk.

“Nani?! Oooohhh…you always ruin everything!! Hurdler!! Take care of them all!!”  Eudial shouted angrily as she ran to her car and ran away.

“Hai!” Hurdler replied gleefully as she tossed a shoelace at the startled Senshi and most of them jumped out of the way. Kinroze leapt in and grabbed Sailor Moon as she watched the shoelace come at her in horror.

“Arigato, Kinroze-san!” Sailor Moon cried gratefully and Kinroze smiled at her gently as she placed her on her feet. They watched as Uranus put the Daimon into a half-Nelson pin and told Neptune to attack, startling the Inner Senshi.

“Uranus!! Get out of the way!” they cried out as the ball of power shot towards the two.

“Watch…and learn,” Kinroze murmured soothingly and smirked as Uranus jumped out of the way as the ball hit. “Sailor Moon! Now!” Kinroze commanded and grinned as Sailor Moon snapped to and attacked swiftly, destroying the Daimon. Walking towards Uranus and Neptune, Kinroze showed them the crystal. “It isn’t what we are searching for,” she murmured quietly.

“Give it back then…we won’t waste our time anymore,” Uranus replied as she gazed at Kinroze through narrowed eyes. Kinroze turned away and placed the crystal back gently before the three walked off, heading in their own directions.

“Those three are so full of themselves,” Jupiter stated with a sigh.

“But what a great team they make,” Venus said appreciatively.

Genaisa watched the Inner Senshi from the bushes sadly. ‘They are so young and innocent. They have not seen what we have. Maybe someday they will understand,’ she thought as she looked down at her rose signet, the source of her own transformation. She, like Haruka and Michiru, had been forced to take their destinies after seeing the end of the world. ‘I will do this and hope to save my family as well as their bright stars. I just pray it won’t have a tragic cost,’ she prayed silently, her heart heavy.

*~~**~~*

A few days later, another Daimon attacked a friend of Chibiusa’s, but again, Sailor Moon and Sailor Chibimoon prevailed with help. Usagi felt that maybe things were going to be getting better.

She had no idea how right she was. A week later, Mamoru, Usagi, and the rest of the Inner Senshi were invited to a high-class get together at Mamoru’s former teacher, Edwards, mansion outside of town. Excited at the thought of a wonderful time dancing and speaking to intelligent foreign exchange students, the Inner Senshi decided to get as ready as they could for the party, including learning some English.

But they were not the only ones invited. On his way out, Edwards decided to go for a walk in the park. There, he ran into someone that he didn’t think he’d see again. “Chiba Genaisa? Is that you my dear?” he asked softly as he saw the young woman painting on one of the benches in the park.

Genaisa looked up in surprise. “Edwards?! Oh my gosh is that you?!” she cried in shocked English as she laughed softly in joy and got up. They hugged tightly, overjoyed at seeing each other.

“My goodness! I never thought I would see you again, little one!” Edwards replied in delight as he smiled at her brightly, brushing her hair gently.

“I know. I graduated three years ago and have been working or doing my music and drawing since,” Genaisa said with a smile as they sat down. “It’s been so long! Are you still teaching?” she asked fondly.

“Ah, yes I am still teaching. In fact, tonight I am having one of my get togethers. I invited some special musicians from Mügen School. It should be wonderful and I think that you should come, my dear! You could sing with them that special song you had made so many years ago!” Edwards explained, smiling in delight at his idea.

Genaisa’s smile faltered as she heard about the musicians. “From Mügen School, huh?” she asked weakly. ‘Michiru and Haruka…they suspect me as is…they won’t leave me alone for sure if I go…’ she thought as she nibbled on her lip as Edwards answered her, unconscious of her being uncomfortable. She shook herself mentally, smirking slightly as he talked on about the coming evening. ‘You know…why don’t I? If they find out…then they find out. Perhaps it is time anyways. And…I would like to be able to speak to them as equals…’ she thought, suddenly wistful. “All right! I’ll go! What time?” she said firmly, grinning as he laughed happily and gave her the specific details. ‘All right…fate, guide me safely this night,’ she prayed silently before focusing on what her dear foster father was saying.

*~~**~~*

Haruka sighed softly as she sipped her champagne and watched the guests as they mingled before she and Michiru were to perform. She really hated formal gatherings, but Michiru’s inspiration had pointed that they might be needed there that night and they could hardly refuse such a highly complimentary invitation. So…she was stuck there.

She blinked though as she saw a young woman being led to where their host was speaking with Usagi and her gang. ‘That’s…’ She couldn’t believe it! It was the girl that they always saw before the Daimons would appear!!

“Looks like my inspiration was correct,” Michiru mused softly, yet amused as she sipped her own glass of champagne.

“Hai…looks like,” Haruka agreed with a smirk. Maybe they’d find out who she was as well.

“Haruka….do you get the feeling that we know her and well?” Michiru murmured as she glanced around.

“Hai. Though I don’t know from where,” Haruka replied softly then cocked an eyebrow as Edwards came over to them, leading the girl over.

“Tenoh-san! Kaioh-san! I’m so glad I found you both! This is Chiba Genaisa, one of my other special guests. She is going to be performing with you, singing ‘Suisougaku no Kitai’,” Edwards explained with a bright smile.

“Tenoh Haruka-san? Kaioh Michiru-san? It is a pleasure to meet you both,” Genaisa demurred softly as she bowed to them both. “I hope that you will play with me,” she added as she looked at them, smiling softly.

“Do you know the lyrics for ‘Wind Music of Hope’?” Haruka asked, slightly condescending before she sipped her drink.

Genaisa bowed her head, smiling softly. “I should hope so, Tenoh-san. I wrote it,” she replied graciously.

“You did?! Sugoina!” Michiru cooed excitedly and Genaisa smiled warmly.

“Michiru loves that song, but as I recall…you aren’t the singer,” Haruka commented in curiosity.

Genaisa bowed her head again. “You are correct. I wrote it and a friend of mine who was just starting out heard me and asked if she could use it,” she replied with a smile.

“Well then, I think that this shall be a wonderful performance. Perhaps you would like to warm-up before?” Edwards asked as he led the way to the side den. The three youth followed him, then faced each other as the doors were shut.

“I have heard much about you both, Tenoh Haruka-san…Kaioh Michiru-san. I am pleased that we will be able to perform together,” Genaisa said with a smile.

Haruka nodded and went to the baby grand in the corner. Michiru smiled warmly at Genaisa as she got her violin out. “Shall we practice a bit? Haruka and I will be playing a classic piece as well.”

“That sounds wonderful. Is it all right with you, Tenoh-san?” Genaisa asked warmly. Haruka nodded and ran her fingers over the keys in a warm-up scale. She smirked as Michiru warmed up with her in opposing scales. They both were surprised as Genaisa joined them, her voice floating along the scales in a perfect fifth to them. Haruka then started playing the song and the other two females joined in at the appropriate times.

As they practiced, the three young women felt a strong connection tease them with memories. But they didn’t think on it as they went out and performed. Haruka noted that Usagi and her friends were no where around as they performed and wondered on it before becoming lost to their music. She found her eyes locking with Genaisa’s while they sang and felt a jolt of familiarity and longing shoot through her. She looked down, disconcerted as she focused on her music. She didn’t think anything more on it as the night wore on.

Instead, she focused on the dancing. But, after dancing with Michiru, she searched for Genaisa, the longing within her coming up as she looked for the elusive woman.

But, she never found her as Eudial and her Daimon attacked, bringing the party to a screeching halt. The Senshi quickly put the Daimon out of commission, but the older Senshis’ hearts were heavy with growing hopelessness.

“If the future is shadowed, happy dreams will mean nothing,” Uranus murmured softly as she and Neptune sat in a tree, watching the party.

“We can’t give up,” Neptune whispered firmly. Both looked over suddenly as movement caught their eye.

Kinroze walked silently among the roses, caressing them gently as she smiled. She bent down and sniffed delicately at the soft petals. As she straightened, Neptune and Uranus watched in shock as their ally transformed, revealing her identity.

“Chiba Genaisa?!” Uranus whispered softly in shock as the raven-haired woman tossed her head and headed slowly back in.

She stopped in front of the tree and smiled sweetly as she closed her eyes. “You best hurry and come back to the party, Haruka-san…Michiru-san. You will be missed,” she suggested gently before tossing two roses at the stunned senshi. They caught the roses and watched Genaisa go inside before nodding at each other. Time for some answers…

Transforming back, the two young women returned to the party. “Michiru…I…” Haruka trailed off as she saw her best friend’s gentle smile and nod. Smiling back, the blonde went off to search for Genaisa as Michiru went to get some punch and to wait for the answers they might finally get.

Haruka searched silently, politely declining any dance requests as she searched. She stopped as she finally saw Genaisa dancing with a young man from Britain.  Fluidly, Haruka moved through the crowd and tapped the young man on the shoulder, bowing. “Pardon me, but may I cut in?” she asked in delicately accented English. She felt her heart pound as she locked eyes with Genaisa and saw the soft almost flirting smile. Haruka nodded at the young man as he accepted and Genaisa’s hand was placed into the blonde woman’s hand gracefully.

Time seemed to slow as they came closer and started dancing. They gazed at each other silently, searching the other’s eyes as they danced. A sudden wave of warmth and memories flooded over them and their eyes closed, unconsciously mirrored by Michiru on the side.

They saw themselves meeting at the Moon Kingdom palace, all the time they spent together, and the time they had said good-bye before death had separated them. Haruka held Genaisa closer to her, feeling tears of joy prick her eyes as they danced and remembered. Their pasts were still fuzzy, yet they felt complete together.

“You must have so many questions,” Genaisa whispered softly as the dance became slow. She felt the gentle arm around her waist tighten briefly, reassuringly as they swayed naturally together.

“Hai…demo…it can wait, fuurin,” Haruka whispered the beloved nickname warmly and smiled as Genaisa chuckled softly, happily. “I’m so glad I have found you, fuurin…”

“As am I, boufuu…as am I,” Genaisa whispered softly back.

After the dance finished, the two reunited friends went to the side, easily avoiding Usagi and her friends. They smiled at Michiru, then slipped out to the balcony. There, Michiru and Genaisa embraced tightly, happily in reunion.

But then, their happiness was sobered as Genaisa faced them both, troubled. “Your questions…I sense them heavy on your minds,” she stated softly as she looked away.

The other two nodded solemnly. “You know of the coming shadow and the need for the Holy Grail made from the Talismans and the Messiah,” Haruka said, eyes saddening as Genaisa turned and stood by the rail, head bowed. “You said you know two of the Talisman holders. Onegai…fuurin…tell us.”

“I can not, boufuu, though I long too,” Genaisa whispered, biting her lip to stifle a sob. She trembled as gentle arms held her and she sobbed. “Forgive me. I would tell you, yet the power that reveals the future also binds my tongue fast. Until we find the third, the two must stay hidden,” she whispered, relaxing as soothing hands trailed in her hair in a familiar and gentle way.

“It’s all right, my friend. I think we both are just overjoyed at having you back,” Michiru replied soothingly as she nuzzled Genaisa’s neck gently.

“Hai. Perhaps we should catch up over tea at home, ne?” Haruka suggested gently as she smiled, running a soothing hand down Genaisa’s arm. “We could take you home. Where do you live?” Her eyes widened in surprise as Genaisa said where she lived. “You’re kidding?! That’s just down the hall from us!” she exclaimed, surprised.

“Sugoina! Now we’ll get to visit even more!” Michiru cried happily as Genaisa giggled and nodded.

“All right then! I’ll get the car while you two be your gracious selves and graciously say good night!” Haruka instructed, grinning as the other two giggled. All three felt beyond lighter as they left, feeling more confident that they could, and would, succeed in their mission.

TBC

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