College Life Part 6: Who were those sailor suited super heroines? by Greenbeans Disclaimer: Yes, I did say that Uranus and Neptune probably wouldn't make an appearance, but by *demand* here they are. Enjoy their one shot in the lime light. Also, I'm kinda skating on ice on this one, but I didn't know if they celebrated Holloween in Japan or not. So, regardless if it's right or not, I begin with Haruka and Michiru not knowing what Holloween is. If it's wrong, tell me, and I might get around to rewriting the beginning someday.... Comments, thoughts, complaints, compliments, ramblings, and flames are all accepted. But the latter two stand a serious chance of being printed out and turned into rat cage lining. All characters are property of their respective holders. I belong to myself, thank you, and have a nice day :) ********** Thursday ********** "Hey there Beans! What are you up to?" I looked up from my reading to see Haruka, with Michiru in tow, standing in front of me. She slid into the booth seat opposite me with Michiru next to her. It wouldn't do me any good to point out that I was studying for a Humanities test tomorrow and that I'd prefer to be left alone. I closed the book I was reading and resigned myself to listening to whatever had come to her this time. "Actually, we had a question for you," she said while leaning back into the padding and putting her arm across the top behind Michiru. Maybe if I answered it quickly I could get back to my cramming. "What is it?" I asked politely. "What is this Holloween thing that we keep on hearing about?" "What's Holloween?" 'Aw, why couldn't she have asked a simpler question with a shorter answer?' Beans griped to herself. "It has a rather *long* history that I don't want to go into, but the meat of it is: little kids get dresses up and go around pounding on doors asking for candy on Holloween night." "It's a little kids holiday? What do the big kids get to do?" Haruka asked. "Either give out candy to the little kids or go around scaring the younger ones. The dorms does a haunted house and lets the kids go around the rooms asking for candy," I needed to get back to my studying. "Go around scaring little kids, eh? Sounds like fun," she grinned wickedly until Michiru jabbed her in the ribs. "No, it doesn't. You wouldn't think it was fun if Hotaru came home scared would you?" Michiru scolded. At the mention of 'Hotaru' Haruka's expression changed from wicked to concerned. [Eyebrow twitch] "You're right. I wouldn't want to see Hotaru scared," she admitted. "Who's this 'Hotaru'?" I asked. They both looked at each other, then Michiru answered, "Hotaru is my younger cousin. We raised her and are like parents to her." Having someone to look after you is good, but Haruka as a role-model? "Let me guess, you were her dad, right, Haruka?" I jeered. [Eyebrow twitch again] She then smiled broadly. "I make a fine father," she proclaimed. The people at the table next to us look at us with an odd expression on their faces. (Haruka was doing female today) "Well, she does call us Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa," Haruka finished proudly. "I see," never anyone from child services around when you need them.... "Any ways, if you want to learn more about Holloween, go down to the library and check a book out about it. There's a lot behind it, but I don't have the time to tell you it all." Michiru, taking the hint, got up to leave. Haruka was about to protest, but Michiru distracted her by suggesting they go play the Formula 1 game. I gave her a thankful look as Haruka went to get change. At least Michiru was perceptive. ***** "Beans, I'm glad you're here," my roommate greeted as I walked in the door to our room. "The Head RA * wanted to know if you were going to do that gorilla thing again this year." * For those not in college yet, the Head RA is the Head of the Resident Advisors, pretty much the top student nacho in the dorms. I grinned sheepishly at that. Last year I'd wanted to go around and scaring little kids. So I'd borrowed a gorilla suit to wear. I was heading through the lobby all dressed up when I decided to stop and 'entertain' the little kids that were waiting to go through the haunted house. Well, I ended up spending the entire night there playing gorilla. Not many know that it was me who was in the gorilla suit, but most figured that it was a girl. (I didn't *fill* the suit all that well) But it did work out well for them because the kids were entertained while waiting and I was happy because I did get to scare some of the younger ones. Though, I did take my mask off to show them that I was a person after all. "I haven't decided what I'm going to do Saturday, but I will probably borrow the gorilla suit again," I said. 'Even though the blasted thing is so *hot*,' I added silently. "If he comes around again I'll tell him that you're getting the suit and that you might," she said before getting back to her homework. "Gee thanks," I shook my head at the role I'd unintentionally carved for myself. Halloween was a lot more fun when I was a kid. ***** (Later that night, at Haruka and Michiru's house) In a darkened room two figures sat quietly while gentle orchestra music played. A single candle struggled to forge a path of light though the surrounding darkness, but was having little success. The rooms two occupants didn't mind their surroundings. They preferred it this way. It gave a certain air of mystery. One of the rooms occupants laid down her fork to ask a question of the other. "Are you alright, Michiru? You haven't eaten much." "I feel something, something with evil intentions. I don't know what, but I think it's a warning," she said slowly. Some might think she's paranoid or crazy, but Haruka knew better than that. "Have you tried your mirror?" She asked, her meal forgotten. "Yes, it doesn't tell me much. But I think it will show itself within the next few day," she looked over to her partner with a concerned expression. Neither of them wanted to continue the fighting that was their destiny, but they must. "We will be ready," Haruka stood to take her plate to the kitchen. "We will defeat this threat and continue with our lives here." "Do you think we should call the others?" Haruka shook her head, her short hair twisting around. "No, we can handle this ourselves. There's no reason to ruin their lives with our problems." "You're just being stubborn," Michiru also stood and placed her arms around Haruka's neck. "You know me so well..." She leaned over towards Michiru's face. And we cut away from this private moment with an outside view of the house. The little light from the candle that allowed one to see in is snuffed out. (And the author successfully side steps another mushy scene =P) ********** Friday ********** I lugged the box with the gorilla suit up to my room. I tried to imagine Michiru wearing this, but failed horribly. Now, Haruka was a different story. It was made for someone taller than me, so she might even fill it out well. Nah, I doubted that they would chose to celebrate this odd holiday. It just didn't seem their style. ***** Near the college, the pair in question were walking the shore of a small lake. "I think it has something to do with this lake, but it's not time yet," Michiru said while putting her mirror away. "Let's go to the library and see if we can dig up any information on this oversized pond," Haruka skipped a rock across it's clam waters. ***** Beneath the water's surface, a presence stirred.... (No, this isn't a repeat of the first season SM episode, so keep reading) ***** "Nothing," Haruka groaned after spending an hour of going through old newspapers on microfiche. "I haven't found anything either," Michiru said from a nearby book shelf. "May I help you?" An elderly woman, the head librarian, asked. "Only if you know the history of the small lake that's a mile from here," Haruka leaned away from the viewer. "Moore's Lake? Quite a history it has. Nothing that you will find in print, but there is an old legend surrounding it," she replied. "Will you please tell us the story?" Michiru asked, her attention piqued. "Well now," she sat down and Michiru did the same. "It's said that when the first settlers came to this area Moore's Lake was actually located 3 miles west, where the tech school is now. A fellow by the name of Moore decided that the land where the lake was would be perfect for farming. He gathered together a hundred men and had the lake moved to where it is now. "According to legend, a lake god wasn't pleased at being moved from it's location. The land were the college is now is supposed to be cursed by the lake god. Once a year, the lake god is allowed to walk the earthly plane and extract revenge for being moved from it's resting place. "That night is coincidentally Holloween night, which makes the whole story less credible by half. Personally, I think it was started by some college seniors who wanted to scare freshmen," she disregarded the entire tale with a wave of her hand. Haruka and Michiru looked at each other significantly. "Thank you for telling us the story," Michiru said politely and smiled at the woman. She smiled at them in a grandmotherly sort of way. "Certainly, children. Now, don't go writing a report about this or anything because there are no facts to back it up." "Trust us, we won't," Haruka reassured while resisting the urge to bristle at being called a 'child'. (Moral of the story X2: 1. Librarians and libraries are good. 2. Much can be learned from our elders :) ***** The pair had decided to go to the college and try Michiru's mirror there. During the drive there Haruka asked, "What do you think?" "It could very well be as she says, either way. A story meant to scare others or a mad lake god. I intend to find out which." "Glad we agree." ***** They went behind one of the buildings and made sure they were alone before Michiru pulled out her mirror. She got a definite feeling of wrongness, but she couldn't pin it down any further than that. "Hey you two!" Beans called out of a second story window above them. "I'll be down in a minute, so wait up." Michiru waved acknowledgment. "Do you think she saw anything?" Haruka asked. Michiru shrugged. "Hi," Beans greeted. "I saw something flashing out the window so I stuck my head out and saw you two. What was that by the way?" "Oh, the sun must have caught my mirror!" Michiru feigned surprise. She held it out so that Beans could have a brief look at it. "Wow, it's beautiful!" She said appreciatively. "It cost me much to get it," she admitted while Haruka did the eyebrow twitch thing. "I'm sure something like it would," Beans replied innocently. "Beans, have you ever heard anything about a lake god in Moore's Lake?" Haruka asked as Michiru put the mirror in her purse (and, more precisely, her dimensional pocket) "Oh yes, the angry lake god. No one's threatened to sacrifice you have they? They usual select a half dozen freshmen a year to dunk in the lake as appeasement to the lake god; who is also the god of good grades on finals." "Uh, no, no one is trying to sacrifice us, but we heard that the lake god walks the campus on Holloween night," Haruka persisted. "You don't believe that jibberish, do you? That story is used to scare freshmen into becoming the sacrifice. It's just a bunch of hot air," she said. "Oh yeah, are you two doing anything tomorrow night?" "I think we have plans," Michiru answered. Tomorrow night they were going to be staking out the school. "Too bad, then I guess I'll be doing the gorilla thing again," Beans shook her head remorsefully. "Oh well, see you," she waved and left around the corner. "We have work to do," Haruka said to Michiru before they walked back to her car. "Tomorrow is going to be a busy night," Michiru agreed. ********** Saturday ********** I slipped into the gorilla suit that I was going to be sweating in for the next several hours. I didn't put on the mask or gloves yet since I wouldn't be making an appearance for another 20 minutes or so. "I'm sure the Head RA appreciates what you're doing for the little kids," Jeff said from my roommates bed. They had decided to stick around this weekend instead of heading off for that mysterious secluded place that they go to each weekend. "If he truly appreciated it he would do it himself or pay me," I grumbled. "Come on, Beans, you're just being difficult. You know that you enjoy doing things like this even though you claim to hate all small children," Alex said from behind Jeff. She was giving him a back rub. "I *do* hate all small children and I *am* being difficult," I agreed. ***** On top of the dorm building, two silhouetted sailor suited figures watched over the campus. (BTW, how do they always end up on the roofs of buildings?) "I can feel it coming..." ***** At Moore's Lake, a figure began to emerge from the waters. It's shape was not well defined in the setting sunlight. It moved with purpose in the direction of the college. ***** Little monsters -- er, I mean children -- were mobbing me as I hopped around the lobby like an ape. It was hot, it was sweaty, but some poor fool had to do it. Why me? ***** The two sailor suited figures jumped down from the roof of the building when one felt that the presence was here. They moved through the crowd of people that had gathered for the dorms festivities. They didn't look out of place with everyone else in costume. The older brothers of some of the trick-or-treaters did look appreciatively as the two women pushed through them towards the baseball diamond. "If only every good lookin' babe wore a costume like that for Holloween, it'd been my favorite holiday!" One young man commented to another. ***** After throwing another little brat off my back, I decided that it was time for a break. I went outside -- where it was *cool* -- and took off my mask. I wandered out the way of the baseball diamond because no one would be there who expected me to act like an ape. I spotted two familiar forms out that way. "Haruka? Michiru? What are you doing out here?" I ran to catch up with them. "Hey, nice costumes! I would have never guessed it possible to get you into such a short skirt Haruka!" Both looked like they'd been hit with a load of bricks. "You-- you recognize us?" Michiru stammered. "Of course! You're hair is unmistakable. What are you up to any ways? I thought that you had plans for this evening?" "Listen, Beans, you have got to get out of here," Haruka said in all seriousness. "What?!" I was shocked. "I'm serious, it not safe --" she finally looked behind her to see a nasty looking *thing* standing behind her. "Oni!" They said together. "A demon? What the hell?" Haruka picked me up and moved me back away from the creature. "Run!" Haruka yelled at me and gave me a good shove on the way. Now, I'm not saying that I'm a coward, but I can tell a bad situation when I see one. I took her advice and retreated. ***** Out in the field, a slight breeze blows and some cherry blossoms drift across the scene, even though there are no cherry trees around for miles. A violin began to play and all focus moves to a head shot of Uranus. "In the name of the world of sky and earth, Uranus. The Senshi of flight, Sailor Uranus!" The view turns to show Neptune being eclipsed by Uranus's tall frame. With one arm across her chest and the other up in a thoughtful pose (she certainly has the market cornered when come to that, ne?) she says: "In the name of the deep water world, Neptune. The Senshi of placenta, Sailor Neptune!" [Oni shutters slightly at the placenta part] Uranus stutters slightly because the rhythm of their speech is off without Pluto's addition. "We three, er, I mean two soldiers of the outer solar system are being led by a new crisis and," they say together, "HERE WE ARE!" "Why did you come here?" Neptune called to it. "I have been forced from my land. Those who keep it from me will suffer as I have!" "Vengeful, aren't we?" Uranus remarked. It moved to attack her, but she lunged out of the way. "Bad move," Uranus scolded. She held her hand above her head. A ball of glowing yellow energy gathered around her fist. Smirking slightly she yelled out "WALDO SHAKING!" and slammed the ball into the ground. It streaked along to smashed into the lake god with no effect. [Eyebrow twitch and a muttered curse] Neptune raised her arms above her head and gathered her attack. "DEEP SUBMERGEY!" Her attack also slammed into the lake god to no effect. "You," it pointed to Neptune, "are aligned with water. You can understand the pain of having the waters parted, split, and dried up to leave nothing of you behind." It held its hand out to her. She screamed out in pain as she experienced what the lake god had felt so long ago. "Neptune, NO! Let her be!" Uranus pulled out her space sword and began to wale away at the lake god with it. While she did leave marks, it didn't seem to even take notice of her. "Please stop," she whispered softly. The pain reducing her to nothing more. It's head snapped up and it looked over at the dorm building. "I have returned," it said solemnly. "I can go to my home now." It released Neptune and sunk into the ground. Uranus caught her before she dropped on the grass. "I wonder what happened?" Uranus asked while hugging Neptune to her. "It found a home here. That's all I know," she closed her eyes to regain her strength. Uranus held her head in her lap while stroking her fingers through her soft sea green hair. ***** Beans ran up the steps to her room quickly, but carefully with the glass jar of water she held. She stopped when she noticed that the jar's water got murky, then settled down again. "Huh, I guess there *is* a lake god," she said after puzzling what had happened for a moment. After having Haruka and Michiru ask about the lake god legend, it got her thinking about if it was really true or not. Then she saw that *thing* and took a wild guess that it was. The whole point of the story was that the lake god's water, and thus itself, was forced from these lands. So bring the water back and the lake god should be happy. She took the jar into her room and set it gently onto her desk. "All I have to do is make sure Alex doesn't water her plants with you. Would you like a fish, maybe?" The jar's water turned slightly murky in response. "Well! I'll have to see what I can do about it, okay?" She went back out to the field to see if Haruka and Michiru were still there, but they had long since gone. "Guess, I'll have to tell them about the lake god tomorrow," she pulled her mask back on. It was past time for her to finish her gorilla duties. ********** End part 6 ********** "Insane!" you say? I warned in the first part that I was going for a "Greenwood" feel in this series and I think that I've hit it with this one. Okay, the fun part, how did Beans know it was Haruka and Michiru? Easy, she has two fully functioning eyes. No one can honestly say that they didn't know who they were once they were introduced to both halves. I'm not going to play ignorant by saying that Beans had no clue when it was obvious. Come on! This way is much more fun! A big thank you to SlrSaturn of ##sailormoon for what Uranus and Neptune say during their introduction. (Her version is much better than the one I was going to use ^_^) As for their yelling of their attacks. Yes, I know it's "World Shaking!" and "Deep Submerge!" But, listen to them, when they yell their attacks Uranus says "Waldo Shaking!" and Neptune says "Deep Submergey!" Honest! I'm not making this up (though I have nothing against making fun of it :) Also, you'll notice that they passed Hotaru off as Michiru's cousin. If you haven't figured it out already, they aren't playing it straight with Beans. In other words, they have nothing against lying to her if the truth isn't convenient. Next episode: "A deeper look" The lake god incident has left Michiru and Haruka wondering just what Beans knows. It's time to decided just how much they're willing to trust this American. (Plus the lake god gets it's fish tank ;) I'd like to acknowledge some of my favorite fanfic authors whom I drew inspiration from: * Tim Nolan: "Awakening", "Obligations" Thank you for answering all of my outer Senshi questions =) * Jackie Chiang: "Senshi Kurai" I really liked this fic for being serious and still having fun! * Brett Handy: "Oh my God!!" Series Thanks for all the advice and encouragement you've given, mate! Check out his Oh My Goddess and Ranma fics at his website at: http://www.ozanime.com/darkwind/ * A Sailor Moon Romance: For posting this and providing me with plenty of fics to read ;) http://ctdnet.acns.nwu.edu/~aerdnahu/ Also: * Aimee-chan: Who, after watching two episodes of "Greenwood", decided that it was twisted and wrong. Then only seeing a few episodes of SM S still volunteered to be a sounding board for this fic. (Can we say 'glutton for punishment'?) Thanks =)