Subject: [ffml][SM][fanfic]
From: Tiff47@aol.com
Date: 6/25/1999, 11:24 PM
To: ffml@fanfic.com

Ok, well I joined this ML a while ago and have just gotten the nerve to send 
this, so be gentle =) I wrote this months ago and it is also my first fanfic, 
hmm...ever! So C&C would be helpful. 

BTW this is a Haruka and Michiru fic, it's set back in the silver millennium 
time. I've only seen the anime, and I think I heard that both were never at 
the moon, at anytime...but I just changed that...<he he> also, if the inner 
senshi seem a little...uh, off...sorry =) ok I'll stop blabbering. 

I don't know about the title, suggestions?



The Blossoming of our Love

Chapter 1

Place: Moon Palace

"Mother!  Mother!  Where are you?" a girl with blonde 
hair in a strange style, called out as she walked quickly 
through the hallways.  She then saw a tall figure walk 
out of a room.

"Serenity, what is it?  Why aren't you getting ready?" the 
tall figure replied.  She was an older woman with a similar 
hairstyle, but had silvery white hair.

"Mother," Serenity said exasperated.  "I've been looking for
you for a half an hour already.  Where were you?"

"I have been around the palace, checking the preparations 
for the event this evening.  Today is very important, and
I wanted to be sure that everything would run smoothly. 
Now dear, what is it that you want?"

Her daughter looked at her feet for a few seconds before 
speaking.  "Actually, I don't really *want* anything.  I 
just wanted to ask you something."

The older woman gave a warm smile.  "Well, what is it 
honey?" 

"Well, um...I just wanted to know that well uh..."

"Serenity, is there something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong mom.  Well, not exactly," the girl said 
hesitantly.  "I'm just worried that maybe they won't like 
me.  I mean, it's because of me that they have to leave 
their families and homes, to stay here and protect me.  
What if they hate me?"  Tears started to form in the 
princess' eyes. 

The queen smiled at her daughter and gave her a hug. 
"Hush now Serenity.  They won't hate you.  You're 
such a kind and sweet girl, they'll like you.  They're all 
really nice too, from what I've heard.  Don't worry.  
You'll all feel like one big happy family in no time.

"Really?" sniffled Serenity.

"Of course."

"Well...then I guess I'll go get ready now.  Thanks mom."  
Serenity smiled.  She then turned around and began to 
run down the hallway towards her room.

"Don't worry Serenity.  Everything will turn out fine." 
Queen Serenity said to herself as she also left to check 
one more time to see that everything was in place.

* * * * * * * * * 

Place: Palace of Neptune

"Michiru, your father and I are really proud of you and 
we know you'll do your best to fulfill your duties as a 
senshi."

Three figures stood in the middle of a large room.  Two 
stood hand in hand facing the other with smiles on their 
faces.  

"Thank you for your support, mom, dad." a girl with 
turquoise hair said, her eyes beginning to water.  "But, 
I'm going to miss you both very much, and my home.  I 
don't know if I can do it.

"Don't doubt yourself Michiru.  You have grown to be a 
very independent young woman.  You can do anything 
you set your mind to." the King of Neptune reassured his 
daughter.  At these words, the Princess of Neptune lunged 
herself at her parents for a final embrace.  

"I'll visit as soon as everything gets settled," muffled 
Michiru, through her mother's dress.

"I know dear."

A creaking sound was then heard and both the King and
Queen lifted their gazes.  The door opened to show a 
young man.

The man kneeled down on one knee and began to speak. 
"Your majesties, the transport is ready for its destination 
to the moon."

"Thank you.  We will be there in a moment." the king 
replied.  The young man then rose and left the room.

"Well, I guess I should go.  I shouldn't keep everyone 
waiting."  Michiru said.

"Yes, it wouldn't be the best first impression if you were 
late," Michiru's father said jokingly.  The three laughed a 
bit and then proceeded to exit the room.

* * * * * * * * * 

Place: Palace of Uranus

"Haruka!  Aren't you going to even say goodbye to your 
own father?"  A tall man cried out to a figure walking 
briskly through the gates of the palace.  The figure 
stopped and turned around to face the man.  The figure 
had short sandy blonde hair and wore navy pants and a 
white shirt.  At first glance, one could have easily 
mistaken the figure to be a man, but in reality, she was in 
fact a woman.  

"Hmm...the thought did cross my mind, but I guess I 
forgot." the girl said half thoughtfully and the other 
half with a bit of humor.

"Haruka," her father said with a little bit of sternness, 
"that is not very funny."

Haruka walked backed towards her father with a smile 
on her face.  "Oh Papa, you have no sense of humor."

"Of course I do.  Where do you think yours came from?"

"Well, it certainly couldn't have been from you."

"Very cute Haruka." the king said dryly. 

They stood there for a few moments in silence.  Neither 
were very good at expressing their emotions.  
"Well, I should be going now.  Goodbye, Papa."

"Goodbye Haruka.  Remember to behave yourself over 
there and don't do anything you know you shouldn't do."

"And what are you implying," the blonde remarked with 
her arms crossed over her chest.

"You know exactly what I'm implying.  And don't strain 
yourself too much.  I realize that your duties to protect 
this solar system requires that you work, but it won't help 
if you tire yourself out."

"Don't worry so much Papa.  I can take care of myself."

"Yes, I know," he paused for a second before a smile 
crept on to his face.  "You're such a beautiful, grown 
woman now.  Much more mature than when you were 
younger."

"Papaaaa..." Haruka said irritably.

The King of Uranus now had a smug look on his face.  
"Now who's the one with a sense of humor?"

Haruka just glared at her father, but it didn't take too 
long for him to back down.  "Ok, ok.  Goodbye my 
daughter."

'Finally' she thought to herself and turned around back 
to the gates.

"Oh, there's one more thing I have to say before you 
leave."

Haruka sighed inwardly.  "And what is that?" she asked, 
her back still facing him.

"I'm very proud of you Haruka, and I know your mother 
would be as well."

She stiffened at this remark.  'Mother being proud of me. 
I don't think so.'

She gave one more wave to her father and then walked 
out the gates of her home.

* * * * * * * * * 

Place: Transport station on the Moon 

"Let's see, the sign says I'm here, but where's 
here??...hmm..."  A girl with long blonde hair tied in a red 
bow said to herself.  She had been staring at a sign for 
the last five minutes, but couldn't figure it out.  'What am 
I doing?' she asked herself.  'I'm Minako, the Princess of 
Venus, the soldier of love, and I'm lost.  They told me 
someone would be waiting for me to take me to the 
palace.  Of course there was absolutely no one waiting 
for me.  *sigh* ' 

"Excuse me, but would you know how to get to the 
Moon Palace?"

Minako turned around to see a tall brunette girl wearing 
a long flowing green dress.  "Actually, I was trying to 
figure out how to get there myself.  I was told that 
someone would be taking me there, but when I arrived, 
no one was waiting for me."

"That is the exact same thing that happened to me.  
Wait a sec, would you happen to be one of the sailor 
senshi?" the brunette asked.

"As a matter of fact, I am."  Minako replied.  "I am Minako, 
Princess of Venus."

"Nice to meet you Venus.  I'm Makoto of Jupiter."

"Please just call me Minako.  We're going to be around 
each other for a while anyway.  Why keep formalities." 

"True, as long as you call me Makoto then."

"Great, now that that is settled.  Let's try to find out how 
we're suppose to get to the palace."

The two girls then stood in front of the sign and tried to 
figure out what it was trying to say.

* * * * * * * * * 

Rei eyed the crowd, trying to find a sign or something 
that would tell her whom she was suppose to go with, 
but she saw nothing.

'Hmm...I wonder where this supposed *person* is 
suppose to be' she said to herself as she thought back 
to what her parents told her, about someone picking 
her up.  *sigh* What a way to start.  She walked around 
a bit and noticed two very nicely dressed girls staring 
at a sign.  'Maybe they would know something.'

"Excuse me."

The two heads turned to her direction.  "Yes?" said the 
blonde.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but would you know if there 
was a person here, who was suppose to bring the 
princesses of the planets to the moon palace?"

The two girls giggled at that and smiled.  "What a 
coincidence.  We were looking for that person too, 
but now we resorted to finding our own way," the 
brunette replied.

"Oh, so this means you must be senshi too."  Rei 
remarked.  "Allow me to introduce myself.  My name 
is Rei, Princess of Mars."

"Nice to meet you.  I am Makoto of Jupiter and this is 
Minako of Venus.  You may call us Makoto and 
Minako though."

"Ok, Makoto, Minako.  So, have you figured out 
where we were suppose to go?"

"Well...we're still trying to find out from this sign 
where here is..." Minako let out a nervous laugh.

"Oh, I see.  Let me see if I can figure it out."

"Be our guest."

The three girls stood there staring at the sign, until 
they were interrupted again by another voice.

"Excuse me.  But would you happen to know how to 
get to the Moon Palace." 

They turned around to see a blue haired girl, wearing 
a knee length sky blue dress.  The three sighed.

"Here we go again."

* * * * * * * * * 

Place: Moon Palace

"WHAT?!!!"  Queen Serenity cried.  "What do you mean 
that no one has yet to go bring the princesses to the 
palace?"  The Queen of the Moon kingdom was usually 
a very calm and well dignified woman, but today was 
not one of those days.

"I'm sorry your highness.  Everyone was preoccupied 
with the festivities tonight that we forgot to send 
someone." replied a guard.

"OH NO!!  All of them must have already arrived and 
are still at the Transport Station.  I don't believe this. 
I tried so hard for nothing to go wrong." the Queen 
sighed in exasperation.

"I am terribly sorry your highness."

"It's all right.  Just please send someone down there 
now."

"Yes, my queen." the guard then stood up and ran out 
of the room.

'I can't believe this.  All the rulers of the six planets 
entrusted me with the safety of their children, and I 
leave them stranded at a transport station.  This is not 
a good way to start' Queen Serenity thought to herself. 

'Not a good way at all.'

* * * * * * * * * 

Place: Transport Station on the Moon

'This is *not* what I thought I would be doing the first 
day on the Moon.'  Haruka thought to herself.  She had 
been wandering for over an hour already trying to find 
this so call *person* who would take her to the palace. 
'What a waste of time.  I could be doing something more 
important right now.'

"Excuse me."

Haruka turned around to the voice.  Before her stood a 
girl with shoulder length, wavy turquoise hair, wearing 
a very exquisite aquamarine dress.  "Yes."

'Wow, what a low voice, but somehow, I know she's 
definitely a woman.'  "Would you happen to know 
where someone would go to get to the moon palace?"

"Sorry, but no.  I've been walking around this damn 
building for over an hour trying to find out how to get 
there."  Haruka replied, with an edge of annoyance in 
her voice.

"Would that mean that you are a sailor senshi?" 

"Yea, I'm Haruka of Uranus.  And you would be?"

"Michiru, Princess of Neptune.  It's nice to meet you 
Haruka."  Michiru said as she reached out her hand.

"Nice to meet you Neptune."  Haruka took Michiru's 
hand and shook it.

"Please, call me Michiru."

"Sure, whatever.  So, what do you suggest that we do?"

Michiru was a little offended of her fellow senshi's 
rudeness, but allowed it to pass for now.  "Well, we 
could look for the other princesses.  I'm pretty sure that 
they are probably still here since we are.  They wouldn't 
have brought them to the palace and just left the two 
of us stranded here."

"I guess.  Well come on.  Let's take another walk around."

They walked around a corner and spotted four well 
dressed girls huddled around a sign.  *sigh* Haruka 
thought to herself  'that must be them'.  Haruka gave 
Michiru a "What in the world are they doing look" and 
the shorter girl giggled.

'Well, since I was stuck here longer than I wanted to be, 
I'm going to have a little fun.'  Haruka then began to walk 
away from Michiru, motioning for her to stay put and to 
be quiet.

"I can't believe we have been standing here for three 
hours staring at this stupid sign!"  Rei cried in frustration.

"Calm down Rei.  I think I have it figured out." Ami said 
to the girl.

 By now, Haruka was right behind the group.  She 
cleared her throat and all four girls turned around, 
surprised at the sound.

"Excuse me young ladies," Haruka said in her most 
suave voice.

All the girls stared at Haruka with wide eyes and their 
mouths partly opened.

'What a hunk' were the thoughts of mostly all the girls.

"Is there a problem?" continued Haruka.

Minako was the first to recover.  "Actually sir, there is."

"You see," Makoto interrupted, "we were suppose to 
be taken to the palace a while ago, but no one came
to pick us up."

"Do you think you could help us, kind sir?" Rei asked.
She had never seen someone so handsome before.

"Of course ladies.  I would never abandon such
beautiful women at a place like this.  Follow me."

'Boy, Haruka is laying it on real thick' thought
Michiru, who was trying her best to stifle her 
giggles.

Rei, Minako and Makoto followed Haruka with hearts
in their eyes, while Ami just followed with a blushed 
face.  Haruka led them towards Michiru.

"Oh, I almost forgot.  This is Michiru, Princess of
Neptune.  I found her a little while ago."

"Hello Neptune," the girls said simultaneously.

"Please call me Michiru."

"Well, Michiru, I am Minako, of Venus, this is Rei of 
Mars, Ami of Mercury, and Makoto of Jupiter."

"Nice to meet you all."

"Ok, now that we all know each other let's go." Haruka
led the group outside the station and everyone
finally got a glimpse of the Moon Kingdom.

"Wow! It's beautiful." exclaimed Minako.

"It sure is.  There are so many lights."  Rei said, equally 
amazed.

"Come now.  The Queen must be very worried about 
you all by now.  Let's not make her worry more."

The girls willingly followed Haruka, and soon after 
found a carriage and were driven to the palace.

* * * * * * * * * 

Place: Moon Palace

"WHAT?!" Queen Serenity cried out for the second 
time of the day.  "What do you mean they weren't 
there?! They must have been!"

"If your majesty would please calm down.  We have 
sent out guards to search all over the kingdom.  I 
assure you my queen that we will find them."

'I can't believe this.  I can't believe this.'

"Mother?"

Queen Serenity turned her head and saw her 
daughter enter the room with a look of concern 
on her face.

"Yes dear."

"I thought the girls were suppose to arrive earlier this 
evening."

"Yes, they were, but it seems that we had forgotten to 
go pick them up from the transport station and 
when we finally did send someone, they weren't there."

The princess gasped. "I hope they're all
okay."

"I hope so too."

* * * * * * * * * 

Place: Outside the Moon Palace

Haruka and all the girls were standing just outside of 
the gates of the palace.

"Well, here we are.  I told you that you could depend 
on me."

"Oh, we never doubted you for a second." Minako said, 
still starry eyed.

"Thank you very much." Ami said.

"No need for thank yous.  Just being able to spend a 
night with such pretty ladies is thanks enough." 
Haruka said with a grin.

'I think this is getting a little out of control' Michiru 
thought  'I admit that it was funny at first, but 
Haruka can really hurt these girls. It has to end now.'

As if Haruka knew what Michiru was thinking, before 
Michiru could open her mouth, Haruka spoke up. 
"Well, it's getting late.  I should be going.  Farewell 
my princesses." Haruka then winked at them and 
walked away.

"Wow! What a guy." sighed Makoto.

'Ok, this is my chance to clear this up' thought Michiru.

"Ano..." began Michiru.

"Princess Venus, Princess Mars, oh look, all of you 
are here!" A guard  ran towards them with a really 
relieved look on his face.  "We have been looking all 
over the kingdom for you."

"Well, here we are." Minako said with a smile.

"Please come in.  The Queen has been expecting you." 
The guard opened the front door and led the princesses 
into the throne room.

* * * * * * * * *

Place: throne room in the Moon Palace

"Your highness we have found the princesses."

"You have. Thank goodness. Where were they?" the 
Queen asked relieved and inwardly grateful that  no 
one would try to kill her now for losing their daughters.

"Actually, they were at the front gates of the palace."

"They were? But how..."

The door to the throne room then opened, revealing five 
young women.  Once inside they all curtsied in respect
for the queen.

"Please rise, I have been very worried about you all. 
I am so happy that all of you are safe...wait a second." 
Queen Serenity began to count the number of girls again. 
'One, two, three, four, five...five! There's suppose to be 
six!!' Queen Serenity thought to herself and began to 
panic.

"Please, could you all tell me your names and the planets 
you represent."

Ami was the first to rise and she introduced herself. 
"I am Ami, Princess of Mercury.

"I am Rei, Princess of Mars."

"I am Makoto, Princess of Jupiter."

"I am Minako, Princess of Venus."

"And I am Michiru, Princess of Neptune."

"It is a pleasure to meet you all.  I am Queen Serenity 
of the Moon Kingdom.  I am sorry about my behavior.  
I am not usually this...anxious, but it seems that we are 
missing one of the princesses.  The princess of Uranus.  
Did anyone see her at the station?"

Ami, Rei, Makoto, and Minako looked at each other 
and then at the Queen and shook their heads.  Michiru 
then spoke.

"Actually your highness..." Michiru began.

"I am right here." 

All heads turned to face the entrance of the room to find
a figure kneeling on the ground.  The figure then raised 
her head, and a few gasps were heard.

"Good evening your highness.  I am sorry to have 
worried you.  Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Haruka 
of the Planet of Uranus."  Haruka then rose, and walked 
towards the other girls.  As she did, she heard Minako 
stammering "but...but...but" 

Haruka winked at the girls and whispered "I never said 
I was a boy."

All four girls stared at her with blushes on their faces.  
Haruka then turned her head to face Michiru, and 
received a very angry and disapproving look from the 
other girl's face.  Michiru then looked away from Haruka.

'I wonder what's her problem' Haruka asked herself.

"I am glad that you arrived here safely Haruka.  This 
goes to all of you.  I also would like to apologize for 
what happened earlier this evening.  It seems that we 
all were preoccupied with preparations for your arrival, 
we had forgotten to send someone to bring you to the 
palace.  I am very sorry." Queen Serenity said.

"That's all right your highness.  We all had a very 
"amusing" afternoon, so it wasn't that bad," Haruka 
said with a smile, while the four girls blushed again.

"Well, that is nice to hear," the Queen said, not sure 
of what the girl meant. "However, I am afraid it is now 
too late for the party we were going to throw for you.  
We will have to postpone it until tomorrow."

"WHAT?!" a voice called out in the room.  Everyone 
turned to see a girl with long blond hair, up in two 
ponytails with two balls on top.  She wore a long white 
dress and was now blushing profusely.

"Ah, let me introduce you to my daughter and who is 
also the princess of the moon, Princess Serenity."

"Uh, hi." Serenity waved and smiled sheepishly.

"Now Serenity, what was the purpose of that outburst 
a moment ago." asked the Queen.

"Well...that is...uh..." the princess stammered. "It's just 
that it took me so long to get ready and to look just 
perfect, and now the party is postponed until tomorrow."

"Serenity, please don't whine.  It's not very becoming of 
a princess." her mother said disappointedly.

"I'm sorry mother."

"Parties are a waste of time anyway."  Everyone looked 
around to see who said that.  They found it to have 
come from Haruka's mouth.

Haruka crossed her arms and continued.  "We're not 
here to dress up in silly outfits and dance the night away.  
We're here to work and perform our duties as sailor 
senshi."

"I mean no disrespect your highness, but I came here 
to train so that I can protect this kingdom."

"And you will Haruka," responded the Queen.  "Your 
commitment to your services to this kingdom is in 
greatly appreciated, but I would also like you to be 
happy here."

"I'll be happy once I start working," Haruka muttered 
lowly to herself, but Michiru heard her.

"I am sure you are all very tired, and should get some 
rest.  While you are staying here, you will be sharing a 
room with one other girl.  The rooms will be as follows: 
Ami and Rei, Makoto and Minako, and Haruka and 
Michiru." The Queen then stood up and led the girls 
upstairs and down a hallway.  "Your luggages are 
already in your respected rooms." she added as she 
led them each to their rooms.  "Good night to you all, 
and sweet dreams."

"Good night your highness." responded the senshi.  
The queen then left and the girls entered their rooms.

* * * * * * * * *

Place: Uranus and Neptune's Room

"It's been a long day. I'm beat," yawned Haruka while 
stretching her arms. 

Michiru looked up from her bags. "From what? Fooling 
with young girls' minds?!"

Haruka glared at Michiru.  "What's your problem.  It 
was only a joke."

"A joke huh? Then why didn't I hear anyone else 
laughing, but you?" Michiru dropped what she was 
doing and walked towards the other girl.

"Maybe because I'm the only one here with a sense 
of humor." Haruka replied.

"You're absolutely right.  You're the only one here 
with that kind of sick sense of humor."

"WHAT?!" Haruka began to clench her fists. 

"You heard me.  I don't think I need to repeat myself," 
the other girl said with equal amount of anger.

"Look, I never said I was a guy.  Maybe they should 
all get their eyes checked or something."

"Well, it appeared to me you had no intention of 
letting them think otherwise.  Calling them 'such 
pretty ladies' and all." Michiru said mockingly. 

"Well, it appeared to me that *you* had no objections.  
I didn't see you stop me.  Actually, you were laughing 
too."

"That was before you went too far.  You shouldn't 
play around with people's feelings like that.  
It's not right."

"I'm soooo sorry, my dear Michiru, to have disappointed 
you  so.  Please tell me what I can do to make it up to 
you." Haruka remarked sarcastically.

"That will be enough Haruka.  I don't need to play 
your games."

"Yes, well, I predicted a person of your standards, 
all prim and proper, probably wouldn't know how to 
have fun anyway."

"Better to be prim and proper than an immature 
person who toys with other people's feelings."

"For the last time, I did no such thing.  They were 
the ones assuming something I was not."

"Well, it didn't help much either with your low voice, 
and the way you dress ."

"Now your criticizing the way I dress.  You know what, 
I am *not* going to waste another breath arguing with 
you."  She turned around and jumped into her bed.  
She then turned off the lights and pull the covers over 
her head.

Michiru then walked to her bed and did the same.

'Who does she think she is? Criticizing me like that.  
Of all the nerve.' Haruka thought to herself.

'Why do I get stuck with her?  Of all the people, I get 
her. It's going to be very difficult living in the same room
together. I don't need this aggravation' Michiru thought.

'Why me?' Both Haruka and Michiru thought at the same 
time.  

Soon after they drifted off to sleep.

* * * * * * * * *

well, there it is. I don't even really know if i like this...eh, oh 
well...thanx to anyone who read this

*Tiffany*