Pregnant 10

Michiru set off to Haruka's room after Malus had been properly tended to. As Malus had said, she was also detecting the aura of the Crystal, which was yet another reason to kill Uranus. Not only had she assisted in the isolation and destruction of her kingdom, she had injured her mate, and had the audacity to touch her as if she were someone familiar.

 The Silver Crystal was a formidable weapon, as they had all seen in the past, but now they had something more powerful. Still, it would be better if such a power no longer existed. 

Michiru had no idea of how Uranus had gotten hold of the crystal to begin with; she remembered it as something that could only be wielded by a female member of the White Moon family. Michiru ignored it and continued to head toward the room without giving it another thought. 

Michiru unlocked the door to the holding cell. Her nose was greeted with a rather pungent odor as she did so. Sailor Uranus had transformed back into her civilian clothing and appeared to be napping at the far end of the room. She had left a rather large pile of vomit right in front of the door, which was where the retched smell was coming from. 

 Michiru, more than a bit disgusted, walked around the pile. Sailor Uranus didn't stir as she approached. It would have been an easy task to kill her while she slept, but she wanted Uranus to suffer.
Haruka awoke to find Michiru standing over her. She was holding a knife covered in dried blood in her right hand. Michiru's left was clenched in a fist. Her lips spread into a vicious smile.

"Did you sleep well?" Michiru asked quite sarcastically.

Haruka rubbed at her eyes. "Michiru? Michiru! What- why are you-""

"Stop mumbling, you fool," Michiru ordered, digging the toe of her white shoe into Haruka's side. "Get up."

Haruka, wincing, did as she was told. "Michiru," she said slowly, as to prolong her life, "I don't know what's happened to you, but I'm going to get to the bottom of this. You're going to be okay."

Michiru decided to wait a moment before she put the knife in Uranus' heart. She was so desperate about helping her that it was amusing. She was the one who would be needing help. Michiru grinned wider, showing nearly all of her teeth. Haruka place her hand on Michiru's abdomen and no longer doubted that her partner was pregnant.

"Michiru, I know this was an accident, so I am not going to hold this against you. We can keep the baby. You always wanted a family right? I always thought that you'd make a wonderful mother."

During the time she had spent in the room, she had realized that a gentle approach would be best. It wasn't Michiru's fault to begin with, and no mater how angry she might have been, she would never stoop so low as to punish Michiru with violence or neglect.

Haruka knelt before Michiru and brought the aquamarine ring from her pocket. She took Michiru's hand, which was startlingly cool, and slipped the band on her finger. Haruka stood up again and wrapped her arms around Michiru.

"I want you to marry me. I love you so much, Michiru. I always wanted to be with you. That day- what I said on the cruise- you know I didn't mean a word. I'll never look at another woman, I swear. Just please say that you'll ma-"

Michiru brought her knee sharply into Haruka'a stomach and pressed her fingertips into her chest to push her away.

"Didn't I tell you not to touch me?" Michiru asked, glaring at the doubled-over form. The vibes from the Crystal fell to nearly a whisper. Michiru didn't question this reaction. She was beginning to become annoyed, and it was about time to end this nonsense. 

Michiru knelt down next to Haruka and placed the blade of the knife against Haruka's throat. She straddled Haruka's thighs with her own to prevent a struggle.

"Mi-chan. It's me. Haruka," she pleaded. "I love you."

Michiru pressed the knife harder, drawing blood, but not cutting anything vital. Michiru dropped the knife and got up. She kicked Haruka in the side with an angry cry and then stormed out of the room. Somehow, she couldn't bring herself to kill Uranus. There was something in her eyes that seemed so familiar. So kind.

---

Rei could no longer feel the warm light that Usagi had always given off, but she could sense a similar presence that she hadn't felt before. Ami had picked something up from a nearby dimension that could be nothing other than the Sliver Crystal.

 Haruka and Michiru's signals were also being picked up from the same area, although Michiru's was somewhat different than usual. Minako and Makoto were deeply devastated, although not so much as Mamoru who was sentenced to remain hospitalized for some time. 

The fire had shown Rei something the night after Usagi's death. She had seen Usagi, sitting by the TV, a figure behind her coming toward her and stabbing her in the stomach. The vision had ended before she could see the face of the murderer, but she believed it to be a woman. 

 Haruka and Michiru always seemed to detect the enemy before them, and if this had something to do with the Dark Moon, they would have been there first. Setsuna was ready to transport the five of them into the dimension.Rei held her hand out, ready to fulfill her duty as the new lead of the inner senshi. Holding down a sobs, the rest of the senshi, pilled their hands on top of hers.

"Let's do this."

Makoto gave Rei a very understanding glance. "Let's."