Cool Admiration

Sailor Uranus turned to her side, whimpering slightly, only faint memories returning to her of the last battle. She tried to remember, but all her head could register then that she was very, very cold.

She placed a would-be gloved hand onto her forehead and groaned. Her glove was gone completely, with the exception of a lose, blue glove band, and her hand was bleeding horrifically. Un-shed tears sprang to her eyes as She gritted her teeth in pain.

Finally, she managed to crawl onto her knees, one hand balancing her, trying to see if she could stand. One ankle felt broken, but she ignored this, and finally stood, huffing a tiny bit.

Wincing, she closed one eye, and tried to observe her surroundings. She took one slouching step, and noticed with dismay that one heel was missing from her left boot, and that She had to limp to the nearest shelter.

Joy.

Sighing, she cradled her bloody hand with her other, and began to walk. Her arms were bruised, and her legs were cut. Her breathing was restricted to only short, baby breaths, and she was incredibly dizzy.

She took one hesitant step, then another... she obviously stepped into an invisible hole, because she fell again, and the freezing snow sunk deeper into the wounds.

It was over.

Racing, pianos, everything she did was over. She was going to die in this frozen hell. She closed her eyes, and fell once more.

END! (Ha! Gotcha! ^_~* )

~*~

She woke up to similar surroundings. The endless snow. The cool blue sky. The frozen ponds and lakes of ice.

Only she was being carried. Her blood had dried, and her ankle had now swollen and was a bluish purple color. But someone was carrying her, one hand one her back and one up under her knees. She had been resting her head on this mystery persons chest. She wearily looked up.

She wasn't dead at least, but when she saw who it was that was saving her life, she might as well had been.
She coughed, and she looked down. She coughed again, realizing she must have come down with something. It should've been much colder, but she felt warm.

Sailor Star Fighter looked down, and even in this situation, smirked grimly.

"Are you up, then?"

She coughed more, and spit up some blood. Seiya frowned.

"Don't worry, I found a shelter. It's a cave, but it's better than out here."

"There's no people out here?" she asked, hoarsely.

"Afraid not there, beautiful." She stared, and Seiya grinned.

"You look awful." she explained. Haruka glared, all the strength she could muster.

"How in the hell did we get out here?" she mumbled. Seiya, with bruises and cuts also, sighed. "We were in the process of a Sailor Teleport, but something obviously went wrong, and now we're in the middle of no where."

"Where are the others?" Haruka asked. Seiya frowned.

"I managed to get a signal from Ami's computer to my communicator, and she told me everyone was alright and there in Tokyo, but since we had to get to the North Pole to get Beryll again... *we're* here and *they're* there."

Haruka shuffled around in Seiya's arms. "I can walk." she muttered, roughly.

Seiya looked at her and laughed. "When I got to you, you were in a state of nothingness. You looked pretty beat up-"

"I don't need your help! I can walk by myself!"

Seiya rolled her eyes. "It's your funeral." She dropped her without a warning. Haruka grunted and then proceeded to give Seiya the evilest glare she could.

She did what she had done previously: roll to her side, balance herself, attempt to stand, walk, then fall back again.

Seiya laughed once more, and Haruka growled at her. "Why aren't you in this sort of state?"

Seiya suddenly turned sober. "I- I remember the ground quaking, and the first thing that came to mind was Beryll was trying to stop it. A red beam shot from the ground, and..."

She stooped and picked Haruka up once more, even through Haruka's protests.

"You kinda knocked be out of the way."

Haruka fumed and practically shouted, "I would do no such thing! There would be no better of a prize than see you get shot right through your chest by any red beam there was lying around!"

Seiya frowned, eyes looking hurt, and shrugged. "Well, you did." she whispered. "It was kind of slow motion, really... you looked at me, panicked, looking like you were muttering my name, and ran, then pushed me out of harms way. Had you not, then I would just be you wouldn't be stuck here with me... I mean, I sort of grabbed your hand when the beam... it's hard to explain. Just believe me, okay?"

Haruka crossed her arms. "I would never do that."

"I couldn't imagine you doing it, but you did. Can you remembering doing it?"

"No!"

"Can you remember *not* doing it?"

Haruka was silent, and shivered, as it was suddenly cold. The thought of Seiya dying was... well, it was a bit weird, that's all. Nothing else. Just weird.

~*~

"Here we are!" said Seiya, finally, and set her on a rock to where she was sitting up.

"Home sweet home." she said, slowly. She scowled at her. "Would you rather just *freeze* out there?"

Haruka returned the scowl, while Seiya sighed. "This isn't going to be easy." she whispered to herself. She cracked an eye open and observed Haruka's wounds.

"First things first, I suppose. We're gonna have to take to your ankle. Give me your skirt."

Haruka stared. "Are you crazy?!" she exploded. "We're going to have to keep warm, and you want me to give you my skirt?"

Seiya sweatdropped. "We're going to double up your skirt, alright? We put some ice in it, and the swelling may go down. If we go deeper into the cave, we can probably manage to make a fire. If we start a fire, and manage to break a lake open, we catch some fish and eat. If we can some how make a door to keep the warmth in a snow out, then we're gonna some how manage to stay warm, got it?"

"We're going to be stuck here that long?" asked Haruka, softly. Seiya nodded slightly.

"Only a few days until Pluto can get permission to use her Time Staff to get us out of here. There needs to be more than two Scouts to Teleport, and the others can't, or else they might just get stuck in the jungle or something. It's all we can do for now. We won't be stuck here longer than 3 days."

Haruka bit her lip, then took her bow and tore it off. She handed the material to him, then tore the back bow off as well.

"I'm not about to take of my skirt." she said, raising an eyebrow at her. Seiya just blushed, and collected some ice.

~*~

In short, they had managed to make a shelter by bear skin. They roasted some fish and by the second day, had somehow managed to settle into the shelter... but not with each other.

"You sorry little-" began Haruka, but Seiya blocked her shot.

"I did *NOT* mean to say it, okay? I'm sorry!"

Haruka wiped her tears. "Michiru would NEVER do that!"

Seiya nodded furiously. "You're right. She wouldn't. I didn't mean it. I'm sorry."

Haruka turned away from Seiya's sorries, and whispered: "I saw her, too."

Seiya froze. (No pun intended. I'm serious.)

"I saw her kiss that guy, too. She never told me or anything-" A sob escaped her throat. "She lied to me." Haruka coughed, as her cold worsened, and laid on her side.

"I'm tired." she said, finally. "I need to sleep."

It was true- she hadn't slept in two day and nights. She was tired, grumpy, and over emotional. She closed her eyes, and finally fell asleep.

It was to cold for Seiya- her fuku was not exactly set up for the weather. She laid next to her, as it was agreed they would do this only for warmth. They managed to stay alive, at least.

At least.

~*~

Haruka let one eye open when she felt a touch on her arm. No one had actually *touched* her, but Seiya was shivering like no one else's business. Haruka frowned. Seiya was, in a way, blocking the tiny winds that escaped the "door", and was practically blue.

She frowned again.

"Stupid thing..." she muttered, and poked Seiya in the ribs. Seiya stirred, but did nothing more.

"Seiya- get up. You're turning blue, you-" Suddenly, she stopped.

"Seiya." she urged again. "Wake up."

Seiya didn't move.

"Seiya, you sorry little thing- get UP!" she cried, and bit her lip. Finally, she just dragged the leather-clad women next to the fire. "Up! Wake UP! SEIYA, WAKE UP!!!"

Seiya stirred once more, and Haruka frowned. What had been wrong with her? Just a temporary moment of insanity, that was all.

Seiya looked up at her. "You... have to yell?"

Haruka scowled at him. "No, but you looked like you were going to freeze right to death."

Seiya shrugged and shivered. "You looked cold, that's all." she whispered.

Haruka hesitantly touched Seiya's thin arm. Finally, after a minute of thought, and slid as closely to Seiya as possible. Seiya, in a haze, cracked one eye open.

"Whatcha' doin...?" She still was half asleep. Haruka draped her arm around the small waist.

"Be quiet, Seiya, and go to sleep."

Seiya was neutral, and finally leaned and snuggled next to her. "Thanks, Haruka..."

"I said go to sleep."

Pluto smiled.

~*~

Haruka couldn't help but smile. For some reason, she felt comfortable...

She turned, and Seiya was right next to her. Haruka was in her arms, and she softly pried herself out of them, trying not to wake her up.

She froze.

They were no longer in a cave, but in a room. It had open windows, with morning streaming in.

Setsuna walked in. "Well, well, well. Up, are we? I brought you some tea. You were freezing in that rock of yours."

"Where-"

"Your house, silly!" chimed in Hotaru, running in like an airplane, arms extended and a silly grin plastered on her face.

Haruka realized she was right. The pictures of Hotaru and Haruka and Setsuna...

"Where's Michiru and the others?"

"The others are in the living room!" said Hotaru, finally putting down her arms.

"And Michiru?"

"Hotaru." said Setsuna, suddenly, "Why don't you go get some honey for their tea?"

Hotaru nodded, spread her "wings", and ran out.

Setsuna turned back and gave her a strained smile.

"Michiru's not here right now."

"Why not?" The question was stupid, but Haruka didn't care. "With *him*?"

Setuna looked at her, shocked. "You... you knew?"

"You knew and didn't tell me?!" yelled Haruka, getting up and running towards Setusna.

"Why?! Where IS SHE!?!"

Setsuna pried her off, softly. "Haruka..."

"Don't say that! Where is she?! Tell me!"

Seiya woke up with a start. Not giving a thought to her surroundings, she ran towards them.

"Haruka!" Get a hold on yourself!" she yelled. Haruka looked away.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Setsuna..."

Setsuna looked at her with sympathy. "I know you're upset. She'll be here with him in a moment. In the meanwhile... why don't Seiya and you go and freshen up? We've got much to catch up on!"

Setsuna offered one last small smile, and left them to their own affairs. Haruka looked at Seiya with hatred.

"You can go home now." she stated, in a obvious manner.

Seiya nodded. "Alright then."

And then she left, not looking back.

Not looking back.

Seiya was not looking back at her like she usually did. Maybe she was tired of Haruka, but Haruka missed it.

"Seiya..." she whispered. But the door had closed. She sat on the bed, and cried.

The room was filled with chatter, and everyone was there, including Minako, Usagi, Ami, Rei, Makoto, Michiru, *him*, Setsuna, Hotaru, Mamoru, Yaten, Taiki, and Seiya.

It was a celebration for the return of Seiya and Haruka in safe hands.

But Haruka was indifferent. Seiya kept making eye contact with her, and did not smile, but was telling her it was okay with her dark, alluring eyes. Haruka always looked away.

"And a toast to Haruka and Seiya's return!" said Setsuna, holding up her glass with a smile.

Were they oblivious?!?! She was MISERABLE! She'd rather be stuck in that cave more than anything than here!

Haruka faked a smile and held up her glass with everyone else's.

Everyone looked at Michiru now, as she had cleared her throat, and stood up. "Everyone." she began, blushing and looking away from Haruka's gaze.

"I would like you to meet Onkei." Onkei was the young man next to her. He smiled timidly and waved.

"Onkei is my... boyfriend, and I- Haruka!" Haruka had rammed her chair back and was getting up.

"I've lost my appetite." she muttered.

"Haruka, don't be childish about this!" Michiru called as Haruka stormed out of the room in a flurry.

The room was silent, until Seiya silently moved his chair back also.

"Seiya?" asked Setsuna, softly. Seiya smiled, and then left.

~*~

Haruka sighed, and rested her head in her hands. She was being complicated, wasn't she? She wiped away the tears, and looked at the still lake behind their grand house.

Now everything will change...

"Haruka!" called a voice. She tensed, recognizing it.

"Haruka, are you okay?" asked Seiya, softly, not sitting next to her.

"Fine." she muttered.

Seiya coxed her head. "Sure?"

"Yes, now do you mind? I-"

Seiya sat in front of her, and Haruka turned away. "I love you, Haruka. I have loved you since the first day we met at that concert."

Haruka raised her hand and slapped her. "How dare you!" she hissed. "To lie to make me feel better!"

"It's not a lie!"

Haruka scrambled up, but Seiya caught her wrist. Seiya arose and was eye-to-eye with her.

"It's not a lie."

"Let me go, you s-"

"Tell me you feel the same way!"

"I don't. You're going to just assume that I do? You are such a conceited-"

Seiya placed one finger on her lips. "Tell me," she whispered softly, in the darkness, "That you feel the same way. Just tell me."

Haruka started crying again, and turned away. "Let me go." she whispered. "Because I hate you."

Seiya slowly let go, breathing quickly. She told her how she felt, but the feelings were only from her side.

Haruka turned and was shaking from tears. She was such an idiot...

The silence was unbearable.

Seiya sighed. "Then would you at least just want to go inside? I'm sure you're tired of being cold."

Haruka glanced at her. So beautiful. She wanted to help her. She really did... Seiya wanted to help, because she loved her.

Haruka shock her head. "No..."

Seiya grabbed her shoulders, and turned her towards her. One moment of serene silence, and then she pressed her lips against Haruka's.

Haruka whimpered, but after a moment, finally sank into it.

She liked it.

Seiya finally departed and let go of her arms.

"I'm sorry. For causing you so much trouble. If you want, you never have to see me again." She laughed nervously, hatefully, desperately, hopefully...

Sorry.

She turned, and walked away, not looking back. She was going to leave? Now? At this point?

"You jerk!" she yelled. "You kiss me and leave?" Seiya turned and shrugged.

"I'm sorry I did it. Now I can't even look you in the eye anymore. You didn't seem to believe me when I said that I loved you, so I... I guessed I should convince you, but you didn't seem convinced, so I... I can't do anything but leave now."

They stared at each other. Seiya's hair shined with moonlight, and her eyes were dark, pulling Haruka in.

Would Haruka just get hurt again? She didn't know, but...

"Then... then I want to leave with you." Haruka decided.

Seiya smiled, and offered her hand. "Where do you want to go?"

"Go? Anywhere."

"Then we will."

Fin