(no subject)
Name: Sean
Livejournal: taleofmorewoe
Contact: AIM - heirofamalfoy; E-Mail - heirofamalfoy@gmail.com
Other Characters Played: N/A
Are you 18 or over? Yes.
Canon: Sailor Moon
Character: Tenoh Haruka
Timeline: Post-Sailor Stars, almost immediately after the final episode.
Personality: Haruka is the type of person who believes in doing the right thing at any cost. She is willing to make sacrifices, even extraordinarily large ones, in order to carry out her missions and protect the planet from distraction. This is shown the most in Sailor Moon S when they're searching for the talismans (details about this is in her history) and she is willing to sacrifice the lives of those with pure hearts in order to find talismans. She even was willing to sacrifice herself, once she realized the talismans were inside her and Michiru, and shot out her own pure heart in order to save the world, asking Usagi to find the third and protect the planet from destruction as her final wish. She does this again in Sailor Stars, willing to die in order to save everyone. This shows she is selfless at the very core of herself and willing to do anything to protect not only those that she loves, but the world on a whole.
She is a fiercely loyal and noble individual as well. She will hold up her end of a promise, even if it goes against her natural instincts. She promises Michiru that she will not let her emotions get in the way of their mission and to run if there is danger they can't overcome. At one point when she is held captive by an enemy, she fights her urges to rescue her in order to fulfill that promise. She is passionate about keeping it when Usagi tries to tell her to go back and save Michiru, unwilling to back down. This shows how important her word is to her and she refuses to break it no matter the cost.
Haruka is stubborn and bluntly honest. She is cynical in many ways and refuses to believe that things can be accomplished without sacrifices. She believes people who think so are naive and only use wishful thinking, unwilling to grow up and face the reality of life. Because of this, despite not being much over sixteen when we meet her, she still refers to the Inner Senshi as "kids", finding them to be much younger than herself in maturity. She believes herself to be far more wizened to the cold reality of the world.
Despite her knowledge and fierce determination to save the world in Sailor S, we see that Haruka is also extremely conflicted about the thought of letting people die when it actually comes to a possible reality. She is worried about having blood on her hands and she has a hard time simply sitting back when Usagi's pure heart is stolen. Sailor Moon's consistent idealism that they could save everyone without having to make sacrifices manages to stir things in her, hopes of her way actually being true. We see her waver over whether or not her way is actually the right way, but is always pulled back to her beliefs by Michiru. In the end, while she yearns for idealistic thinking, she's seen too much damage and hardships to be able to ever fully believe in them.
Haruka seems to have a somewhat lengthy temper. Her anger seems to only come out when something directly challenges her moral beliefs or to push people away so as not to get them involved in her own wars. She becomes almost violent with Usagi when she steals her transformation heart mid-Sailor S to stop her from getting in the way of their getting the talismans, knowing that she would try to stop them from sacrificing innocent people in order to obtain them. She again becomes furious with her at the end of the series when she willingly hands over the Holy Grail to Mistress 9, not even forgiving her when she manages to save the world. Instead, she and Michiru attack Usagi, demanding that she prove to them that she is the true future Queen or they'll kill her. Once she's shown Usagi's true powers, she is quick to back down, however, showing that Haruka has no problem admitting that she is wrong when faced with the proof of it. This shows a certain humility in her character that is almost contradictory to her usual arrogant persona.
She's certainly not all work and no play, though. Haruka is an extreme flirt and Michiru even makes hints that she has a weakness for pretty girls. She doesn't mind when people mistake her for a man, finding it almost amusing, even, and encouraging it by continuously telling obviously straight women that they still have a chance with her. Her charismatic personality and charming way with words has made girls still continue to blush in her presence, even after knowing that she's a girl. She's one of those people that others seemingly can't help but admire and even crush on. She seems to enjoy teasing and embarrassing people, most notably Usagi, and is quite good at reading peoples personalities in order to know what comments would get the best reaction out of them.
Haruka is highly intelligent and driven. She is able to get in to Mugen Academy, a prestigious school that is known for only taking promising geniuses into their student body. Despite her missions, she is obviously able to maintain the grade point average needed to stay in the Academy through the entire year. She is shown to be an incredibly talented pianist and she has the discipline early on to become the youngest racer in Japan when she's only in Junior High. She has a great deal of passion for life and doing the things she enjoys and it's shown in how quickly she seems to excel at the things that she tries.
She is also extremely respectful and traditional in many ways. She enjoys attending historical and traditional tea ceremonies, she enjoys the festivals that come into Tokyo quite readily, and she is often very respectful towards her superiors and elders. Once Usagi has proven herself, she is just as respectful towards her as she is towards Mamoru and Setsuna, and becomes twice as protective as she was before. This doesn't stop her teasing, of course, but shows that when it counts, she knows how to keep herself in line with those who are in some way her betters.
At one point in Sailor Stars, Haruka gives a very moving speech about being in love. About love being a wonderful thing. After she is able to openly care for Michiru, it's clear that Haruka has a deep appreciation for being in love and expressing it. Despite being a private person in many ways, her affections for the people she cares about aren't something she hides from the public eye. This is shown through out Stars, even, with how often she says flirtatious and loving remarks referencing Michiru and Haruka's love life at home. About how she wishes for her to touch her gently, about how she doesn't listen to certain talks outside of bed. It comes back to her flirtatious nature, but her speech on the stage shows it's more than that. Haruka loves to be in love.
In short, Haruka is a friendly and loving individual on the outside who enjoys to flirt, while being quietly determined, with strong moral convictions, and a stubborn streak that could probably bring an Emperor to their knees.
Background: Not much is given to us about Haruka's childhood. We do know that by the time she was in Junior High, Haruka was a star athlete and a well-known race car driver, one of (if not the) youngest in Japan. She started to race because she loved the sound of the wind that would rush through her ears and found that the speed brought comfort to her. She felt different from other people and used it as a means of escape from horrible dreams she was having. Dreams of what she called "The Silence" that was destroying the world and a lone figure of a woman telling her that she was destined to save Earth from this fate.
She was introduced to Michiru at a race by a mutual friend. She knew right away that she was the woman from her dreams and, slightly disturbed by this, blew her off, despite Michiru's kind request to be able to draw her portrait. Michiru approached her later when Haruka came to a violin concert of hers. Haruka had been mesmerized by a painting that Michiru had done that was hanging on the wall, one of the Silence that had invaded her dreams so many times. The two of them spoke of the dreams they had and Haruka once more stormed away when confronted with the fact that she was supposed to save the world. She wanted nothing to do with it.
The next time they met was in a garage where she found a small boy curled up in pain at one of her races. Haruka attempted to help the boy, but he quickly transformed into a monster and began to attack. She was unable to attack back as all she could think of was the small boy trapped inside. She needed to defend herself, but had no idea how to. It was then that her Transformation Stick appeared before her and Haruka was given the option to embrace her destiny and become a Sailor Scout. Michiru interrupted her before she could grab it and attacked the boy herself. She ended up severely injured by the monster he had become, but still managed to defeat him. He returned to the little boy he was, weak by otherwise fine, and Haruka went to tend to Michiru. She was worried for her, angry even, for having risked her life to save her. She told her there was no way she could become a star violinist if she injured her hand, a dream that had been expressed to her during their earlier meetings. Michiru admitted that she had been interested in Haruka before she ever knew that she too was a Sailor Scout and that she had wanted nothing more than to ride along side her in her car.
It was after that confession that Haruka embraced her identity as a Sailor Scout and began her mission to save the world with Michiru.
The two enrolled in Mugen Academy in Tokyo when they had the feeling that it was housing evil forces. They posed as students there while investigating and searching for pure hearts that could hold the talismans needed to save the world from Silence. The cover as students in such a school makes it easy for them to live on their own and have enough free time to work on their mission.
When Haruka first arrives in Tokyo, she meets Usagi and Minako in an arcade. The two think that she's a boy and proceed to follow her around, trying to find out more about her, and figure out if she's single. Haruka never corrects them and even drags it along, never mentioning she's not really a boy, but never saying she is one either. She lets them both know they still have a chance, even when they feel threatened by Michiru's presence, and seems to get a kick out of making them think she's a cute boy. The two tell the other Sailor Scouts all about her, but when Michiru and Haruka show up at the arcade the next day, Haruka's coat is off and it's more visible that she's a female. They try and figure out where the cute boy is and are thoroughly embarrassed to find out that she's not a boy at all.
Still, she forms a friendship with the scouts, especially Usagi. They are unaware they are battling each other as Sailor Scouts, fighting for the pure hearts - while the Inner Senshi wish to save these people and return all the hearts so the keeps don't die, Haruka and Michiru wait until they're sure they aren't talismans before giving them back to each person. They meet up on many enemies, butting heads on whether or not sacrifice is needed to save the world or figure out if they can do it without anyone dying. Haruka is torn, but sticks beside Michiru in believing sacrifice is the only way.
She struggles through most of the series, especially when Usagi's pure heart is the one that is almost taken. She is relieved when it turns out to not be a talisman, despite how brightly it shines. She and Michiru stick around to help them fight, making sure that the Sailor Scouts are safe before they disappear without a word.
It isn't until Minako's pure heart is taken that they finally learn of one another's true identities. Usagi, Michiru, and Haruka are all trapped in a garage with an unconscious Minako and faced with the need to either hide their identities and let the pure heart be taken, or transform and fight for Mina's pure heart. All three decide to transform, showing who they are to one another, and making it so that Michiru and Haruka look to them as rivals instead of allies from that point on.
When Haruka and Michiru are told that the talismans are going to appear and given the location, they decide to ask Usagi to meet them at the top of Mugen Academy. They tell her to not get involved and Haruka takes her transformation heart in order to make sure she can't follow them and turn into Sailor Moon. The two of them leave on a helicopter to go to a Cathedral in the middle of the water to meet their opponent. They are confident in their ability to get the talismans, but when Michiru is kidnapped, Haruka panics. She had promised to not rush and try and defend her if one of them were injured or put in danger, and the mission was most important, but it doesn't seem to matter to Haruka. When she's told that Michiru has a talisman inside her heart, she finds it hard to believe, and doesn't know how to save her.
She finds out that her heart holds a talisman as well. When her pure heart is about to be shot out, Michiru breaks free of her bindings and goes to try and save her, despite the fact that there are machines that will attack her with arrows in an attempt to kill her. Haruka begs her to stop, but she still tries to save her, fighting for the gun that will take her pure heart from her. She gets her own pure heart shot out and it turns into a talisman before their eyes.
Usagi arrives and tries to save her from the Witch attacking her. Despite getting rid of her for a short while, Haruka still goes to shoot out her own pure heart. Usagi tries to stop her, but Haruka pushes her away. She asks her to find the third talisman and get the Holy Grail to the true Messiah to save the world. She shoots out her own heart, sacrificing her life, and the talisman appears before Usagi's eyes.
The talismans are stolen by the Witch however who runs off with them. The Sailor Scouts go after her and Usagi battles her in order to try and get the talismans back. Sailor Pluto shows up with the third talisman and when the three are rejoined, Haruka and Michiru's pure hearts are returned to their bodies as well. The three talismans bring about the Holy Grail, which Usagi promptly manages to take before the Witch can get it. She runs off and the Sailor Scouts are left to help Usagi, whose powers were drained by attempting to use the powers of the Grail.
With them alive again, Haruka and Michiru are determined to find the true Messiah, sure that Usagi can't be her as she is made too tired by using the power of the Grail. They stay in Tokyo in order to find her, and while they no longer look to the Inner Senshi as enemies, they tell them to not get involved, not wanting to wrap them up in the war. They continue to search for the Messiah, popping up to help defeat Daihmon's who are collecting pure hearts along the way.
When Chibi-Usa becomes friends with a young girl named Hotaru, the Outer Senshi are skeptical. Haruka feels a strong evil presence comes from her and witnesses her blasting away an enemy with a powerful, magical force. She knows there's something wrong with her and eventually, with the help of Pluto and Michiru, they figure out that she is Sailor Saturn, the guardian of the planet of destruction and rebirth. They are well aware that she could be used as the Messiah of Silence or, if awoken, would destroy the world to stop the Silence from coming. They want to prevent this at all costs and are willing to kill Hotaru - however the Inner Senshi continuously get in their way, as they don't want Chibi-Usa's friend to be harmed.
Still, in the end, Mugen Academy turns out to be the source of the evil activity on the planet. Hotaru's father has been possessed by an evil force that has taken over his mind, causing him to create daihmons and attempt to steal pure hearts. Hotaru was possessed by the evil force of Mistress Nine. They capture Chibi-Usa to use her pure heart to awaken Mistress Nine's full powers. Haruka and Michiru attempt to save her, but the forcefield throws Haruka back, making it impossible for her to get through. She tries to warn Usagi before she too runs into it, but Sailor Moon refuses to listen. They're forced to watch as Chibi-Usa's pure heart is stolen and used to awaken Mistress Nine.
While the Inner Senshi tend to Chibi-Usa to try and keep her alive, Haruka and Michiru attempt to follow Mistress Nine. They want to destroy her before she can get her hands on the Holy Grail, but she is too powerful for them to defeat. She ties them up and they are forced to watch as Usagi struggles with destroying her, knowing Hotaru is inside of her. Michiru and Haruka both scream at her, telling her they will never forgive her if she hands over the Grail to the Messiah of Silence. They will not forgive her for being so willing to destroy the world. But Mistress Nine tricks Usagi into believing Hotaru needs the Grail to survive and break free - she willingly hands it over and Mistress Nine uses it to begin the process of bringing the Silence upon the world by giving the grail to Pharaoh Ninety.
Hotaru still manages to break free of Mistress Nine's body, becoming Sailor Saturn, and destroying Pharaoh Ninety before the world is destroyed. Haruka and Michiru watch as Usagi's pure heart becomes more powerful than the Holy Grail, showing them she is the Messiah, and watching as she saved Hotaru by bringing the baby she regenerates to out of the destruction. They take the baby and leave without a word.
They return the baby to the Professor, who is in a hospital with memory loss and several injuries. They give him his baby and decide they only need to make one more stop. Haruka and Michiru confront Usagi about what she did, telling her that they have no choice but to kill her, as she has not proven herself their future Queen and only made herself a danger to the planet. They battle her, Tuxedo Mask stopping the other Sailor Scouts from getting involved. While it seems like they are going to beat her, she eventually shows them her true powers, and Haruka and Michiru bow down to her, knowing she is the future Neo-Queen Serenity and the true Messiah. They leave Tokyo knowing that the world is in safe hands now.
Haruka and Michiru more or less disappear after this. They return in the Sailor SuperS special, in which Haruka is shown ill in bed with a maid tending to her. Michiru comes back early to catch her flirting with Haruka tries to wave off innocently. They are attacked in their room, but managed to successfully destroy the enemy. They realize that the world is in danger again and return to Tokyo.
In Sailor Stars, they're primarily absent. Hotaru is returned to the Outer Senshi's care and they raise her away from the darkness that they're forced to battle, hoping to give her a normal childhood (for someone who is aging at such a rapid pace, anyway). Haruka is referred to as Haruka-papa around her and is probably the more relaxed of the three parents. She genuinely cares for Hotaru and looks to her as a daughter.
The Three Lights perform with Michiru at a concert, where Seiya flirts with her in the dressing room. Haruka walks in on it with Usagi and is anything but pleased, clearly jealous by the attention he's giving her. She tries to shake his hand in a manly fashion to scare him off. It at least makes him leave. Her opinion of him isn't improved any when they are forced to transform into the Star Lights around the Inner and Outer Senshi. Haruka is aware that Seiya has been spending a great deal of time with Usagi since they arrived in Tokyo, and when she becomes aware that he is one of the strange new Sailor Scouts, she demands that they stay away from their Princess, as things have gotten too complicated and they are doing nothing but hurt her.
Still, outside of this, they mostly stay at the sidelines as things start to heat up. A great deal of the action of Sailor Stars takes place with them no where in sight. It isn't until the final battle with Galaxia that they begin to help again as the Outer Senshi, prepared to fight to save the Earth from Galaxia. She attempts to attack her with their talisman sword, but are quickly thrown back. They continue to fight regardless, trying to find a way to defeat her (and flirting all the while with Michiru). When it seems bleak, Galaxia offers them a deal; if they wear the bracelets that she's sealed with her energy, they will be able to continue to live without their star seeds. Neptune and Uranus decide to take her up on this deal, seemingly willing to forget about their mission to protect Earth and Usagi. They become harsh and cruel, attacking the other Sailor Senshi that they considered their friends. Galaxia is amused by the outcome, watching as they try to steal the Star Seeds of their fellow soldiers.
Usagi attempts to bring them back to themselves, clearly distressed that they're willing to harm their friends. They shout threats at her, willing to steal her Star Seed, making it seem like they are truly gone. Haruka even attacks the Star Lights with World Shaking, proving herself stronger than the others. It isn't until they are ordered to actually steal Usagi's Star Seed that they prove that it was all an act, attacking Galaxia with their powers instead in an attempt to steal her Star Seed and defeat her. They are unable to take it, however, and are shocked by the outcome, sure that she doesn't have a Star Seed at all and unable to grasp that they've failed. The bracelets that were being held around their wrists and keeping them alive disappear and Uranus and Neptune begin to fade and die.
Still, even as they die, Sailor Moon is heard crying, and Haruka can't help but tease, calling her a cry baby. The last thing they both wish for is to hold one another's hands, inching towards each other with the last bit of their energy. They die and disappear, hands still wrapped around one anthers.
Usagi's hope and determination allows her to save the world in the end, bringing all the Sailor Senshi back to life, including Haruka and Michiru. There are many tears and everything ends happily, as these stories tend to do.
Abilities/Additional Notes: Haruka has the ability to turn into Sailor Uranus, a magical girl form where she can control the forces of air and use them in powerful attacks. She also occasionally has visions (though not nearly as clear as Michiru's or Rei's) in dreams and often talks about the wind being restless before something bad happens, showing an ability to pick up on future situations in the energy of the wind. She was also able to obtain a powerful sword that can destroy supernatural beings when her pure heart turned into a talisman.
She also seems to have the ability to make every girl ever question their sexuality, but that's mostly harmless. Really.
Sample Journal Post: [ The video feed comes in to see a somewhat tired Haruka. After settling in to this new place and trying to figure things out, she's resigned herself to their being apparently no way out of it. ]
A week hasn't really improved my opinion on this place, and as I'm sure is the stance of many, I'd rather be home. I'm … more useful there.
[ She pauses momentarily and a small smile tugs at her lips. ]
But, if my beautiful Odango is here, I suppose that this place can at least be temporarily bearable.
My name is Tenoh Haruka. If there is any way I can be of service, I would like to know.
Sample RP: The light poured hazily in through the window, shining a dull illumination on the small apartment. The blonde woman sat quietly perched in the windowsill, listening as the final beep of the recorded message came to a close. It hadn't been too much of a surprise when the shrill voice had come through the speaker. Haruka and Michiru had been desperate enough to expose themselves in front of the enemy - it was only a matter of time before they found out where they lived. Still, to hear her so arrogantly sharing her knowledge of the hidden talismans, challenging them to come and find them too, was jarring to her senses.
"It's probably true that she found the owner of the talisman," Michiru said softly, looking over to her from the side table.
She gave a small noise of agreement. They'd both had the same feeling earlier that day; the seas and the winds changing. The tide turning, as it were. They both knew the talismans would appear any moment now. Any hour. Today was the day and all they could do was prepare. "It coincides with our premonition." She looked away from her, staring out the window again. "It's finally time."
Haruka stared at her hands, forehead wrinkling in worry. She had spoken so often of being willing to make sacrifices, of knowing it was for the greater good and knowing it was what needed to be done. She had always been so stern about it in front of Usagi -- no, Sailor Moon. To call her by her mortal name felt like too much of a connection. A connection she'd never been meant to form in the first place. She swallowed roughly, wondering if she could now stick to the harsh and cold words. Could she deal with it? With the blood on her hands? Would she ever look at them the same way again?
Would she be a monster? Would Michiru look at her differently? Would she look at herself differently? She swallowed roughly, her eyes surprisingly dry despite the lump building in her throat. She felt like she should have had some sort of emotion over this. Some sort of anger, depression - something other than this unbearable numbness that built in her hands. Something besides thinking of the possible hate for herself that she had yet to even really feel. Was this normal? Was this how warriors felt before going into battle, knowing they were going to take the lives of innocents?
Could she do this?
It didn't matter. She had to make these sacrifices. She had to get her hands on the talisman. She had to save the world at any cost. Her own insecurities, worries about whether she could deal with the tragedies later on - it didn't matter. What mattered was saving innocent lives. Of making sure the Silence didn't fall onto this Earth, destroying everything that was beautiful about it in its path. This planet was the future - the future for her Queen. She was meant to protect it at all costs. Her hands were tainted, starting now.
It was then she noticed the familiar feeling of eyes on her. The prickling in the back of her neck, the warm tugging in her gut that she always got when she was close by. Haruka looked up from her hands, confusion on her face. "Michiru…?"
She looked concerned. Worried, even. Haruka wondered if she'd maybe started speaking aloud, but she knew there was no need for it around Michiru. The two of them were cut from the same cloth; they knew each other better than anyone else. In the same way she always knew when there was something on the young woman's mind, she would always know when there was something on Haruka's. She had expected some sort of comfort, but when Michiru reached out to grab her hand, her eyes still widened some in surprise.
Her hands were surprisingly soft, considering how much the two of them fought their enemies. The calluses that were found on her fingers were ones from playing the violin, not from bringing down daihmons or Witches. She watched as their hands intertwined, dancing in some intricate pattern until their fingers laced with one another.
She laughed lightly, nervously even, and tired to act as though everything were fine and she only had to worry for her partner. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"Haruka. It's alright." They was never any fooling her. Haruka was still surprised when she came closer, leaning in with her face almost touching hers, their hands the only thing between them. "I like your hands."
There was something comforting in those words. Something that made the numbness start to disappear, replaced with a warmth that slowly spread through her veins. She squeezed her hand gently with her own, the surprise turning to a softer expression. For some reason, one she couldn't admit to herself, the fact that Michiru would always care, would always like her hands no matter how tainted they became, left her feeling more confident. It left her feeling… okay.
Lifting her free hand, she cupped the young woman's face, stroking her cheek with her thumb, and giving her a genuine smile. "… Thank you, Michiru," she muttered. She pulled the hands that were clasped closer to her face, pressing a soft kiss on the back of her hand. "I like your hands, too."
Livejournal: taleofmorewoe
Contact: AIM - heirofamalfoy; E-Mail - heirofamalfoy@gmail.com
Other Characters Played: N/A
Are you 18 or over? Yes.
Canon: Sailor Moon
Character: Tenoh Haruka
Timeline: Post-Sailor Stars, almost immediately after the final episode.
Personality: Haruka is the type of person who believes in doing the right thing at any cost. She is willing to make sacrifices, even extraordinarily large ones, in order to carry out her missions and protect the planet from distraction. This is shown the most in Sailor Moon S when they're searching for the talismans (details about this is in her history) and she is willing to sacrifice the lives of those with pure hearts in order to find talismans. She even was willing to sacrifice herself, once she realized the talismans were inside her and Michiru, and shot out her own pure heart in order to save the world, asking Usagi to find the third and protect the planet from destruction as her final wish. She does this again in Sailor Stars, willing to die in order to save everyone. This shows she is selfless at the very core of herself and willing to do anything to protect not only those that she loves, but the world on a whole.
She is a fiercely loyal and noble individual as well. She will hold up her end of a promise, even if it goes against her natural instincts. She promises Michiru that she will not let her emotions get in the way of their mission and to run if there is danger they can't overcome. At one point when she is held captive by an enemy, she fights her urges to rescue her in order to fulfill that promise. She is passionate about keeping it when Usagi tries to tell her to go back and save Michiru, unwilling to back down. This shows how important her word is to her and she refuses to break it no matter the cost.
Haruka is stubborn and bluntly honest. She is cynical in many ways and refuses to believe that things can be accomplished without sacrifices. She believes people who think so are naive and only use wishful thinking, unwilling to grow up and face the reality of life. Because of this, despite not being much over sixteen when we meet her, she still refers to the Inner Senshi as "kids", finding them to be much younger than herself in maturity. She believes herself to be far more wizened to the cold reality of the world.
Despite her knowledge and fierce determination to save the world in Sailor S, we see that Haruka is also extremely conflicted about the thought of letting people die when it actually comes to a possible reality. She is worried about having blood on her hands and she has a hard time simply sitting back when Usagi's pure heart is stolen. Sailor Moon's consistent idealism that they could save everyone without having to make sacrifices manages to stir things in her, hopes of her way actually being true. We see her waver over whether or not her way is actually the right way, but is always pulled back to her beliefs by Michiru. In the end, while she yearns for idealistic thinking, she's seen too much damage and hardships to be able to ever fully believe in them.
Haruka seems to have a somewhat lengthy temper. Her anger seems to only come out when something directly challenges her moral beliefs or to push people away so as not to get them involved in her own wars. She becomes almost violent with Usagi when she steals her transformation heart mid-Sailor S to stop her from getting in the way of their getting the talismans, knowing that she would try to stop them from sacrificing innocent people in order to obtain them. She again becomes furious with her at the end of the series when she willingly hands over the Holy Grail to Mistress 9, not even forgiving her when she manages to save the world. Instead, she and Michiru attack Usagi, demanding that she prove to them that she is the true future Queen or they'll kill her. Once she's shown Usagi's true powers, she is quick to back down, however, showing that Haruka has no problem admitting that she is wrong when faced with the proof of it. This shows a certain humility in her character that is almost contradictory to her usual arrogant persona.
She's certainly not all work and no play, though. Haruka is an extreme flirt and Michiru even makes hints that she has a weakness for pretty girls. She doesn't mind when people mistake her for a man, finding it almost amusing, even, and encouraging it by continuously telling obviously straight women that they still have a chance with her. Her charismatic personality and charming way with words has made girls still continue to blush in her presence, even after knowing that she's a girl. She's one of those people that others seemingly can't help but admire and even crush on. She seems to enjoy teasing and embarrassing people, most notably Usagi, and is quite good at reading peoples personalities in order to know what comments would get the best reaction out of them.
Haruka is highly intelligent and driven. She is able to get in to Mugen Academy, a prestigious school that is known for only taking promising geniuses into their student body. Despite her missions, she is obviously able to maintain the grade point average needed to stay in the Academy through the entire year. She is shown to be an incredibly talented pianist and she has the discipline early on to become the youngest racer in Japan when she's only in Junior High. She has a great deal of passion for life and doing the things she enjoys and it's shown in how quickly she seems to excel at the things that she tries.
She is also extremely respectful and traditional in many ways. She enjoys attending historical and traditional tea ceremonies, she enjoys the festivals that come into Tokyo quite readily, and she is often very respectful towards her superiors and elders. Once Usagi has proven herself, she is just as respectful towards her as she is towards Mamoru and Setsuna, and becomes twice as protective as she was before. This doesn't stop her teasing, of course, but shows that when it counts, she knows how to keep herself in line with those who are in some way her betters.
At one point in Sailor Stars, Haruka gives a very moving speech about being in love. About love being a wonderful thing. After she is able to openly care for Michiru, it's clear that Haruka has a deep appreciation for being in love and expressing it. Despite being a private person in many ways, her affections for the people she cares about aren't something she hides from the public eye. This is shown through out Stars, even, with how often she says flirtatious and loving remarks referencing Michiru and Haruka's love life at home. About how she wishes for her to touch her gently, about how she doesn't listen to certain talks outside of bed. It comes back to her flirtatious nature, but her speech on the stage shows it's more than that. Haruka loves to be in love.
In short, Haruka is a friendly and loving individual on the outside who enjoys to flirt, while being quietly determined, with strong moral convictions, and a stubborn streak that could probably bring an Emperor to their knees.
Background: Not much is given to us about Haruka's childhood. We do know that by the time she was in Junior High, Haruka was a star athlete and a well-known race car driver, one of (if not the) youngest in Japan. She started to race because she loved the sound of the wind that would rush through her ears and found that the speed brought comfort to her. She felt different from other people and used it as a means of escape from horrible dreams she was having. Dreams of what she called "The Silence" that was destroying the world and a lone figure of a woman telling her that she was destined to save Earth from this fate.
She was introduced to Michiru at a race by a mutual friend. She knew right away that she was the woman from her dreams and, slightly disturbed by this, blew her off, despite Michiru's kind request to be able to draw her portrait. Michiru approached her later when Haruka came to a violin concert of hers. Haruka had been mesmerized by a painting that Michiru had done that was hanging on the wall, one of the Silence that had invaded her dreams so many times. The two of them spoke of the dreams they had and Haruka once more stormed away when confronted with the fact that she was supposed to save the world. She wanted nothing to do with it.
The next time they met was in a garage where she found a small boy curled up in pain at one of her races. Haruka attempted to help the boy, but he quickly transformed into a monster and began to attack. She was unable to attack back as all she could think of was the small boy trapped inside. She needed to defend herself, but had no idea how to. It was then that her Transformation Stick appeared before her and Haruka was given the option to embrace her destiny and become a Sailor Scout. Michiru interrupted her before she could grab it and attacked the boy herself. She ended up severely injured by the monster he had become, but still managed to defeat him. He returned to the little boy he was, weak by otherwise fine, and Haruka went to tend to Michiru. She was worried for her, angry even, for having risked her life to save her. She told her there was no way she could become a star violinist if she injured her hand, a dream that had been expressed to her during their earlier meetings. Michiru admitted that she had been interested in Haruka before she ever knew that she too was a Sailor Scout and that she had wanted nothing more than to ride along side her in her car.
It was after that confession that Haruka embraced her identity as a Sailor Scout and began her mission to save the world with Michiru.
The two enrolled in Mugen Academy in Tokyo when they had the feeling that it was housing evil forces. They posed as students there while investigating and searching for pure hearts that could hold the talismans needed to save the world from Silence. The cover as students in such a school makes it easy for them to live on their own and have enough free time to work on their mission.
When Haruka first arrives in Tokyo, she meets Usagi and Minako in an arcade. The two think that she's a boy and proceed to follow her around, trying to find out more about her, and figure out if she's single. Haruka never corrects them and even drags it along, never mentioning she's not really a boy, but never saying she is one either. She lets them both know they still have a chance, even when they feel threatened by Michiru's presence, and seems to get a kick out of making them think she's a cute boy. The two tell the other Sailor Scouts all about her, but when Michiru and Haruka show up at the arcade the next day, Haruka's coat is off and it's more visible that she's a female. They try and figure out where the cute boy is and are thoroughly embarrassed to find out that she's not a boy at all.
Still, she forms a friendship with the scouts, especially Usagi. They are unaware they are battling each other as Sailor Scouts, fighting for the pure hearts - while the Inner Senshi wish to save these people and return all the hearts so the keeps don't die, Haruka and Michiru wait until they're sure they aren't talismans before giving them back to each person. They meet up on many enemies, butting heads on whether or not sacrifice is needed to save the world or figure out if they can do it without anyone dying. Haruka is torn, but sticks beside Michiru in believing sacrifice is the only way.
She struggles through most of the series, especially when Usagi's pure heart is the one that is almost taken. She is relieved when it turns out to not be a talisman, despite how brightly it shines. She and Michiru stick around to help them fight, making sure that the Sailor Scouts are safe before they disappear without a word.
It isn't until Minako's pure heart is taken that they finally learn of one another's true identities. Usagi, Michiru, and Haruka are all trapped in a garage with an unconscious Minako and faced with the need to either hide their identities and let the pure heart be taken, or transform and fight for Mina's pure heart. All three decide to transform, showing who they are to one another, and making it so that Michiru and Haruka look to them as rivals instead of allies from that point on.
When Haruka and Michiru are told that the talismans are going to appear and given the location, they decide to ask Usagi to meet them at the top of Mugen Academy. They tell her to not get involved and Haruka takes her transformation heart in order to make sure she can't follow them and turn into Sailor Moon. The two of them leave on a helicopter to go to a Cathedral in the middle of the water to meet their opponent. They are confident in their ability to get the talismans, but when Michiru is kidnapped, Haruka panics. She had promised to not rush and try and defend her if one of them were injured or put in danger, and the mission was most important, but it doesn't seem to matter to Haruka. When she's told that Michiru has a talisman inside her heart, she finds it hard to believe, and doesn't know how to save her.
She finds out that her heart holds a talisman as well. When her pure heart is about to be shot out, Michiru breaks free of her bindings and goes to try and save her, despite the fact that there are machines that will attack her with arrows in an attempt to kill her. Haruka begs her to stop, but she still tries to save her, fighting for the gun that will take her pure heart from her. She gets her own pure heart shot out and it turns into a talisman before their eyes.
Usagi arrives and tries to save her from the Witch attacking her. Despite getting rid of her for a short while, Haruka still goes to shoot out her own pure heart. Usagi tries to stop her, but Haruka pushes her away. She asks her to find the third talisman and get the Holy Grail to the true Messiah to save the world. She shoots out her own heart, sacrificing her life, and the talisman appears before Usagi's eyes.
The talismans are stolen by the Witch however who runs off with them. The Sailor Scouts go after her and Usagi battles her in order to try and get the talismans back. Sailor Pluto shows up with the third talisman and when the three are rejoined, Haruka and Michiru's pure hearts are returned to their bodies as well. The three talismans bring about the Holy Grail, which Usagi promptly manages to take before the Witch can get it. She runs off and the Sailor Scouts are left to help Usagi, whose powers were drained by attempting to use the powers of the Grail.
With them alive again, Haruka and Michiru are determined to find the true Messiah, sure that Usagi can't be her as she is made too tired by using the power of the Grail. They stay in Tokyo in order to find her, and while they no longer look to the Inner Senshi as enemies, they tell them to not get involved, not wanting to wrap them up in the war. They continue to search for the Messiah, popping up to help defeat Daihmon's who are collecting pure hearts along the way.
When Chibi-Usa becomes friends with a young girl named Hotaru, the Outer Senshi are skeptical. Haruka feels a strong evil presence comes from her and witnesses her blasting away an enemy with a powerful, magical force. She knows there's something wrong with her and eventually, with the help of Pluto and Michiru, they figure out that she is Sailor Saturn, the guardian of the planet of destruction and rebirth. They are well aware that she could be used as the Messiah of Silence or, if awoken, would destroy the world to stop the Silence from coming. They want to prevent this at all costs and are willing to kill Hotaru - however the Inner Senshi continuously get in their way, as they don't want Chibi-Usa's friend to be harmed.
Still, in the end, Mugen Academy turns out to be the source of the evil activity on the planet. Hotaru's father has been possessed by an evil force that has taken over his mind, causing him to create daihmons and attempt to steal pure hearts. Hotaru was possessed by the evil force of Mistress Nine. They capture Chibi-Usa to use her pure heart to awaken Mistress Nine's full powers. Haruka and Michiru attempt to save her, but the forcefield throws Haruka back, making it impossible for her to get through. She tries to warn Usagi before she too runs into it, but Sailor Moon refuses to listen. They're forced to watch as Chibi-Usa's pure heart is stolen and used to awaken Mistress Nine.
While the Inner Senshi tend to Chibi-Usa to try and keep her alive, Haruka and Michiru attempt to follow Mistress Nine. They want to destroy her before she can get her hands on the Holy Grail, but she is too powerful for them to defeat. She ties them up and they are forced to watch as Usagi struggles with destroying her, knowing Hotaru is inside of her. Michiru and Haruka both scream at her, telling her they will never forgive her if she hands over the Grail to the Messiah of Silence. They will not forgive her for being so willing to destroy the world. But Mistress Nine tricks Usagi into believing Hotaru needs the Grail to survive and break free - she willingly hands it over and Mistress Nine uses it to begin the process of bringing the Silence upon the world by giving the grail to Pharaoh Ninety.
Hotaru still manages to break free of Mistress Nine's body, becoming Sailor Saturn, and destroying Pharaoh Ninety before the world is destroyed. Haruka and Michiru watch as Usagi's pure heart becomes more powerful than the Holy Grail, showing them she is the Messiah, and watching as she saved Hotaru by bringing the baby she regenerates to out of the destruction. They take the baby and leave without a word.
They return the baby to the Professor, who is in a hospital with memory loss and several injuries. They give him his baby and decide they only need to make one more stop. Haruka and Michiru confront Usagi about what she did, telling her that they have no choice but to kill her, as she has not proven herself their future Queen and only made herself a danger to the planet. They battle her, Tuxedo Mask stopping the other Sailor Scouts from getting involved. While it seems like they are going to beat her, she eventually shows them her true powers, and Haruka and Michiru bow down to her, knowing she is the future Neo-Queen Serenity and the true Messiah. They leave Tokyo knowing that the world is in safe hands now.
Haruka and Michiru more or less disappear after this. They return in the Sailor SuperS special, in which Haruka is shown ill in bed with a maid tending to her. Michiru comes back early to catch her flirting with Haruka tries to wave off innocently. They are attacked in their room, but managed to successfully destroy the enemy. They realize that the world is in danger again and return to Tokyo.
In Sailor Stars, they're primarily absent. Hotaru is returned to the Outer Senshi's care and they raise her away from the darkness that they're forced to battle, hoping to give her a normal childhood (for someone who is aging at such a rapid pace, anyway). Haruka is referred to as Haruka-papa around her and is probably the more relaxed of the three parents. She genuinely cares for Hotaru and looks to her as a daughter.
The Three Lights perform with Michiru at a concert, where Seiya flirts with her in the dressing room. Haruka walks in on it with Usagi and is anything but pleased, clearly jealous by the attention he's giving her. She tries to shake his hand in a manly fashion to scare him off. It at least makes him leave. Her opinion of him isn't improved any when they are forced to transform into the Star Lights around the Inner and Outer Senshi. Haruka is aware that Seiya has been spending a great deal of time with Usagi since they arrived in Tokyo, and when she becomes aware that he is one of the strange new Sailor Scouts, she demands that they stay away from their Princess, as things have gotten too complicated and they are doing nothing but hurt her.
Still, outside of this, they mostly stay at the sidelines as things start to heat up. A great deal of the action of Sailor Stars takes place with them no where in sight. It isn't until the final battle with Galaxia that they begin to help again as the Outer Senshi, prepared to fight to save the Earth from Galaxia. She attempts to attack her with their talisman sword, but are quickly thrown back. They continue to fight regardless, trying to find a way to defeat her (and flirting all the while with Michiru). When it seems bleak, Galaxia offers them a deal; if they wear the bracelets that she's sealed with her energy, they will be able to continue to live without their star seeds. Neptune and Uranus decide to take her up on this deal, seemingly willing to forget about their mission to protect Earth and Usagi. They become harsh and cruel, attacking the other Sailor Senshi that they considered their friends. Galaxia is amused by the outcome, watching as they try to steal the Star Seeds of their fellow soldiers.
Usagi attempts to bring them back to themselves, clearly distressed that they're willing to harm their friends. They shout threats at her, willing to steal her Star Seed, making it seem like they are truly gone. Haruka even attacks the Star Lights with World Shaking, proving herself stronger than the others. It isn't until they are ordered to actually steal Usagi's Star Seed that they prove that it was all an act, attacking Galaxia with their powers instead in an attempt to steal her Star Seed and defeat her. They are unable to take it, however, and are shocked by the outcome, sure that she doesn't have a Star Seed at all and unable to grasp that they've failed. The bracelets that were being held around their wrists and keeping them alive disappear and Uranus and Neptune begin to fade and die.
Still, even as they die, Sailor Moon is heard crying, and Haruka can't help but tease, calling her a cry baby. The last thing they both wish for is to hold one another's hands, inching towards each other with the last bit of their energy. They die and disappear, hands still wrapped around one anthers.
Usagi's hope and determination allows her to save the world in the end, bringing all the Sailor Senshi back to life, including Haruka and Michiru. There are many tears and everything ends happily, as these stories tend to do.
Abilities/Additional Notes: Haruka has the ability to turn into Sailor Uranus, a magical girl form where she can control the forces of air and use them in powerful attacks. She also occasionally has visions (though not nearly as clear as Michiru's or Rei's) in dreams and often talks about the wind being restless before something bad happens, showing an ability to pick up on future situations in the energy of the wind. She was also able to obtain a powerful sword that can destroy supernatural beings when her pure heart turned into a talisman.
She also seems to have the ability to make every girl ever question their sexuality, but that's mostly harmless. Really.
Sample Journal Post: [ The video feed comes in to see a somewhat tired Haruka. After settling in to this new place and trying to figure things out, she's resigned herself to their being apparently no way out of it. ]
A week hasn't really improved my opinion on this place, and as I'm sure is the stance of many, I'd rather be home. I'm … more useful there.
[ She pauses momentarily and a small smile tugs at her lips. ]
But, if my beautiful Odango is here, I suppose that this place can at least be temporarily bearable.
My name is Tenoh Haruka. If there is any way I can be of service, I would like to know.
Sample RP: The light poured hazily in through the window, shining a dull illumination on the small apartment. The blonde woman sat quietly perched in the windowsill, listening as the final beep of the recorded message came to a close. It hadn't been too much of a surprise when the shrill voice had come through the speaker. Haruka and Michiru had been desperate enough to expose themselves in front of the enemy - it was only a matter of time before they found out where they lived. Still, to hear her so arrogantly sharing her knowledge of the hidden talismans, challenging them to come and find them too, was jarring to her senses.
"It's probably true that she found the owner of the talisman," Michiru said softly, looking over to her from the side table.
She gave a small noise of agreement. They'd both had the same feeling earlier that day; the seas and the winds changing. The tide turning, as it were. They both knew the talismans would appear any moment now. Any hour. Today was the day and all they could do was prepare. "It coincides with our premonition." She looked away from her, staring out the window again. "It's finally time."
Haruka stared at her hands, forehead wrinkling in worry. She had spoken so often of being willing to make sacrifices, of knowing it was for the greater good and knowing it was what needed to be done. She had always been so stern about it in front of Usagi -- no, Sailor Moon. To call her by her mortal name felt like too much of a connection. A connection she'd never been meant to form in the first place. She swallowed roughly, wondering if she could now stick to the harsh and cold words. Could she deal with it? With the blood on her hands? Would she ever look at them the same way again?
Would she be a monster? Would Michiru look at her differently? Would she look at herself differently? She swallowed roughly, her eyes surprisingly dry despite the lump building in her throat. She felt like she should have had some sort of emotion over this. Some sort of anger, depression - something other than this unbearable numbness that built in her hands. Something besides thinking of the possible hate for herself that she had yet to even really feel. Was this normal? Was this how warriors felt before going into battle, knowing they were going to take the lives of innocents?
Could she do this?
It didn't matter. She had to make these sacrifices. She had to get her hands on the talisman. She had to save the world at any cost. Her own insecurities, worries about whether she could deal with the tragedies later on - it didn't matter. What mattered was saving innocent lives. Of making sure the Silence didn't fall onto this Earth, destroying everything that was beautiful about it in its path. This planet was the future - the future for her Queen. She was meant to protect it at all costs. Her hands were tainted, starting now.
It was then she noticed the familiar feeling of eyes on her. The prickling in the back of her neck, the warm tugging in her gut that she always got when she was close by. Haruka looked up from her hands, confusion on her face. "Michiru…?"
She looked concerned. Worried, even. Haruka wondered if she'd maybe started speaking aloud, but she knew there was no need for it around Michiru. The two of them were cut from the same cloth; they knew each other better than anyone else. In the same way she always knew when there was something on the young woman's mind, she would always know when there was something on Haruka's. She had expected some sort of comfort, but when Michiru reached out to grab her hand, her eyes still widened some in surprise.
Her hands were surprisingly soft, considering how much the two of them fought their enemies. The calluses that were found on her fingers were ones from playing the violin, not from bringing down daihmons or Witches. She watched as their hands intertwined, dancing in some intricate pattern until their fingers laced with one another.
She laughed lightly, nervously even, and tired to act as though everything were fine and she only had to worry for her partner. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"Haruka. It's alright." They was never any fooling her. Haruka was still surprised when she came closer, leaning in with her face almost touching hers, their hands the only thing between them. "I like your hands."
There was something comforting in those words. Something that made the numbness start to disappear, replaced with a warmth that slowly spread through her veins. She squeezed her hand gently with her own, the surprise turning to a softer expression. For some reason, one she couldn't admit to herself, the fact that Michiru would always care, would always like her hands no matter how tainted they became, left her feeling more confident. It left her feeling… okay.
Lifting her free hand, she cupped the young woman's face, stroking her cheek with her thumb, and giving her a genuine smile. "… Thank you, Michiru," she muttered. She pulled the hands that were clasped closer to her face, pressing a soft kiss on the back of her hand. "I like your hands, too."