Ciao ragazzi! (And no, I'm not saying 'bye', in Italian 'ciao' also means hello, for those who are unaware ^_^;;) Anyways, this is my first fanfic I've ever written and ever written and put online for the world (or simply Hamena fans) to see. I got the idea from a couple of sources, the first one being when I was feeling a little 'insane' myself one day, and listening to a great deal of Silver Chair and Dashboard Confessional. Also, I would like to thank Mandy, (Violin Tides) for her help with the idea of how Haruka and Michiru should meet, arigato! ^_^
Alora… I guess I should state that I DO NOT own Sailor Moon, or any of the characters, because they belong to Naoko Takeuchi, and well if I was her, I would have written a much better fic than this, ne? However the story is completely mine, although some little lines may have been borrowed from other sources, although I think only one…which is where I state, "And suddenly Haruka knows a different kind of thirst, as she drinks in sight of her…" was taken from Wendy and Richard Pini's comic, ElfQuest… because I love that scene and line so much, and I highly recommend anyone to check it out if they like a bit of fantasy.
Oh, and for those who don't know, arigato = thank you, hime = princess, gomen = sorry, hai = yes, Sugoi = cool, awesome, baka = idiot, silly, stupid…etc, and I chose to use the suffixes for the names as is in the anime. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe that Haruka and Michiru do not use them when speaking to each other, so don't get mad at me if I'm not making them use "chan" or even "ko" as Mamoru calls Usagi.
And well I think that is all that needs to be said, other than I would greatly appreciate constructive criticism and well… comments and opinions altogether. You can e-mail me at Herbal_skittles@hotmail.com. Arigato!
This Ruined PuzzleBy Tenoh Racer
***Prologue***
Her head lolled back and fourth against the wall of the padded room as she stared vacantly at the window spectators seldom peered through. Wisps of short blond hair hung limply in front of her face, shielding empty teal eyes, once carrying so much blithe and happiness. She hung her head low as she recalled events of the past; events often repeating themselves like a mantra in her mind.
*** Flashback ***
"I don't care what you have to do, just fix her!" A hysterical voice of a middle-aged woman's rang through the white walled building echoing in the hallways.
"Mam, I don't think you understand, there's nothing we can do to 'fix' her, we can only guide her though these feelings and emotions she has, and help her to become more comfortable with herself." The Doctor somewhat calmly informed her, nervously plucking at his I.D. tag. Had he known this woman personally, he would have thought it wise to have kept his mouth shut and agreed, for that one statement alone stirred an eruption from the woman so great, birds nesting in trees outside the institute flew up in a panic.
"Good…Sir…" She had managed to say with much difficulty while forcing a smile through gritted teeth. "I must not have made myself very clear… I specifically said that I do not care what it is you have to do, but I want you to take whatever means necessary and FIX her! I will not have any daughter of mine parading around in men's clothes and catching young girl's eyes!" And with that she flung the office door open, and stormed out stopping halfway as she met her daughter's irate stare. She quickly spun around and glared at the Doctor with her piercing gaze adding: "I'll be back to make sure your doing your job right, and to observe her progress. She's not coming home with me until she is a normal human being, just like the rest of us!" And once again she turned on her heels and marched out of the room, slamming every door behind her.
"Hai Tenoh-san…" He mumbled solemnly as he rose from his seat.
Haruka stared at her feet, her hands under her behind in a P.O.W. (Prisoner of War) position, fighting to hold back the tears that burned in her eyes. She had long given up on fighting with her mother. She just couldn't win; and as strong a person as Haruka was, her mother continued to rein victorious over her. A pair of black shoes disrupted her view of her own as she looked up to meet the Doctor's penetrating gaze and his outstretched hand.
"Now don't
you worry Haruka-san, we're going to take good care of you…
*** End Flashback ***
Six long months passed since then, and according to her mother she was still as "un-normal" as ever. As her mother's visits increased, so did the punishments and limitations she received along with them. She had wanted so badly to wipe away the stray tear that fought to free itself from her eye, but her arms were constrained in the white jacket she had been forced to wear some days earlier. She had received it too as a punishment for her wild temper. She had been outraged and banged on the walls yelling for someone's attention to let her out and that she wasn't insane. Most unfortunately her calls were disregarded without question. She had even gone to extremes such as kneeing one of the staff in the groin upon their attempts to examine her physically, giving her shots if needed. The jacket seemed to act as a special seal, reminding her even more so how "unusual" she was. Why couldn't her mother just accept her and love her for who she was? She was a free soul; she thrived on the feeling of speed and the wind as it whipped through her hair when she could catch it, but the restraints showed her that she was no longer that free spirit, but a rat in a laboratory.
***
Mellifluous notes of a classical piece had been woven from the hands of a talented young violinist, whose bow gracefully danced across the strings as they had countless times before. Her aqua hair, as beautiful and full of natural waves as the ocean itself, hung loosely over her back, blowing softly in the wind. The sound of waves gently crashing against the shore could be heard, along with soft winds rustling nearby trees, adding to the serene setting and tone of a calm autumn morning. The girl was out on the deck of her parent's beach house, totally oblivious to the world around her, engulfing herself in her thoughts and in her music. At times her music was her only outlet from the life she led. Her parents had died in a plane crash when she was very young, but she was old enough to remember the last time she saw them, and the fond memories from earlier before. Such thoughts brought tears to her eyes when she really thought about them long enough. However, she was not living unloved. She resided with her uncle Takeshi who took her in with open arms and provided her with a princess's desires. Although she was very grateful, there was something else missing in her life, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.
Her brows furrowed together as she drew her piece to a close, feeling a chill up her spine as the wind picked up and the waves began to crash somewhat more harshly against the shore. Her eyes fluttered open revealing deep pools of blue, scanning the ocean before her. She set her violin down and wrapped her arms around herself as the uneasiness she began to feel steadily increased.
It wasn't uncommon that she would get these awkward "vibes." She had been feeling them for the past few years, although she could never explain their meaning. And somehow she had the odd notion that the ocean had something to do with it. Since she was a child she felt a special connection to the ocean, and the water element itself. In the water she felt completely at peace and completely free… the world's problems could not even reach her. But could the mere rustling of the wind and the water's waves really have anything to do with it?
She picked up a small stone nearby and flung it into the water, tears welling in her eyes as she watched it skip across the water's surface, leaving ripples behind itself until it was devoured by the waves that approached it.
"Just leave me be!" she yelled into the distance before her, falling to her knees and wrapping her arms around them, pulling them to her chest.
"Just… leave me…"
***
Chapter one: Beautiful Stranger
"Ara, Haruka-san, calm down!" The nurse giggled as she watched the excited teenager practically bouncing off the walls behind her.
"Come on, come on, come on! Hurry, I'm about to explode if I stay in here another minute longer!" The tall blond whined as she jogged in small circles unable to contain the energy welling up inside her.
"Alright alright I've almost got it." The nurse replied as she fumbled with the set of keys in front of her. Finally finding the right one she turned the key and opened the door. "Alright Haruka-san…" she stopped mid-sentence to find Haruka was no longer behind her, but already outside clad in gym shorts, t-shirt, and running shoes, running in full speed around the provided track. The nurse crossed her arms and smiled to herself as she watched the young girl running on and off track, every now and then hurdling obstacles in her way such as small bushes.
She really needed that… she's been pent up inside for so long, the least we can do is let her out to be free and let her release some of that energy inside of her. 'Though her freedom is only to a certain extent,' her mind chided. It should show some change in her behavior thankfully, maybe she wont be so hotheaded and difficult with us when we work with her. Although there really isn't anything wrong with her at all. She doesn't belong here… her wild soul can't be contained for too long, otherwise we are the ones who will cause problems for her…
The nurse mused to herself as she continued to watch Haruka, glancing at her watch every now and then to make sure she was back inside at the designated time.
Haruka proceeded back on the track, picking up speed as the warm winds swept through her hair, caressing her body, a faint smile on her face.
It may only be for a short while, but at least I can get out and run now. Thank Kami-sama for Nuriko-san, she's helped me so much and seems to be the only one who really cares about me here. She's the one who got me out of that jacket, and is the one who asked the doctor to let me out once in a while. She's kind of like the loving mother I never had…kind of. But still, I don't know how much more of this place I can take…
She slowed her pace gradually as she saw Nuriko waving an arm, motioning her to come back; her time was now up.
Kinda like prison…and I'm guilty of being myself.
***
A familiar voice from behind roused her from her trance. She turned towards the voice to find her uncle standing in the doorway holding two cups of tea, with a heart-warming smile on his face chuckling softly.
"Hm?" She turned her head a little with a skeptical look on her face.
"I said, Ohayo, Hime-chan," he repeated as he handed her the other cup of tea. Hime-chan had been his little nickname for her since she was a baby, even though she was now at the age of 17.
"Gomen…" she muttered with a faint blush on her cheeks as turned to face her uncle completely.
"It's alright," he chuckled once more, "your father was the same way, never could break him of the shell he encased himself in whenever he went out to his own world." He sighed looking out to the ocean thoughtfully as he stood next to Michiru. When he received nothing but silence in reply he turned and noticed his niece staring off into the distance again with a troubled expression on her face.
"Everything all right, Michiru-chan?" he asked, his voice a little more serious now, observing his niece's actions.
"Hm? Oh… hai hai…" she added wearily.
Though unconvinced, he moved onto the next question. "Are you still going to appear and perform at Yoshida's Institute?" Michiru was to appear at the Institute with a charity performance because she believed everybody needed a little light in their lives, especially for those who's was out of reach. The previous week she had visited an "orphanage" and spent some time with the children there; played small pieces and donated a sum of money to the facility.
"Hai, I just… need more rest I suppose, but I'll be there. I should probably be getting ready soon." And with that she set down her un-touched, now cold tea and made her way into the beach house to call her manager and ready herself for her performance.
If I can't help the hovel of a soul inside of me, I can at least try to help others feel a little bit of happiness…
***
The building was well lit and decorated accordingly, banners reading 'Welcome Michiru-san!" hung proudly in the main entrance hallway. The nurses wore small gold pins shaped like violins next to their nametags, and tried to look as presentable as possible, straightening their skirts and continuously looking in mirrors fixing their hair. The entire staff and patients of the institute were in various stages of excitement and anticipation as they waited eagerly for the arrival of Kaioh Michiru, all except for a certain tall blond standing in a far corner of the room with her arms crossed in front of her chest, a smirk crossing her face.
She didn't understand why she had to be there. She just wanted to be in her room, away from everyone else where she could just be alone with her thoughts. She had no interest in seeing some snobby millionaire who only showed up to make a good name of herself, only to receive more fame and money later on in the long-run. Why else would someone show up to a place where everyone is bouncing off the walls and talking to themselves? She couldn't stand to watch everyone's enthusiastic and ignorantly happy faces any longer. If she absolutely had to stay and watch, she would focus her attention to the floor, staring at her shoes.
Soon the commotion in the room began to increase and Haruka lifted her head in vague interest to just get a "glimpse" of what all the fuss was about. She was quite surprised when she saw how excited Nurse Nuriko-san had become, and was fighting through the crowd, while jumping up and down with a pen in one hand, and what appeared to be a glossy photo of she supposed to be Kaioh Michiru, though she couldn't get a clear enough look because Nurse Nuriko was waving it around frantically. She raised an eyebrow though smiled inwardly to herself for the way Nuriko was acting. Apparently she was a closet Kaioh Michiru fan.
Unable to see anything past the still forming crowd, Haruka turned and picked up a paper cup to get herself a cup of water, only to find much to her irritation that there was no more, and the more irritated she felt, the thirstier she seemed to grow as well. She sighed in an obviously exaggerated way, displaying her exasperation, glaring at anyone who dared turn to look in her direction. However any annoyance she felt soon died away when her ears had perked up to the sweetest voice she had ever heard in her life:
"Konnichiwa, minna." Came the voice of the cerulean haired beauty before her. Haruka thought her eyes were about to bulge right out of their sockets as she surveyed the exquisite goddess. She wanted to look away, but felt compelled to keep on watching, because if she didn't, bad things would happen, or so she thought. Her palms began to grow sweaty as the smaller girl drew nearer, and this was from seeing from afar alone! What was wrong with her? She had seen pretty girls before, but none so…
"Beautiful…" she mused aloud to herself. Beautiful was the only word she could think of to describe her, and even then it didn't sound good enough. The word to describe this girl simply did not exist it seemed. She stood erect, eyes transfixed on the girl, unable to do anything else but stare, and the more she stared the more nervous she became. She watched how the girl shook hands with the head doctors and psychiatrists, the nurses, much to Nurse Nuriko's delight, and smiled warmly at a few of the patients, even giving a small girl a hug. She glided along the room towards the diminutive stage where she was to play, and took her violin from a man whom Haruka assumed was her manager, unhooking the hinges on the case, revealing a highly polished Stradivarius. She picked up the instrument gracefully, resting it on her shoulder, taking hold of the neck with her left, bringing the bow to the strings with her right. She waited a moment, scanning the audience briefly before she allowed herself to fall into her own world of music and tranquility.
Kaioh Michiru…
As Nuriko was watching the performance, she looked around momentarily until she noticed that Haruka was nowhere to be found. She felt a slight sting of nervousness in her stomach until her eyes caught sight of unruly blond hair in the far back corner of the room. She then noticed a look in the blonde's eyes she had never seen before, and when she followed her gaze she then realized Haruka was staring at Kaioh Michiru with that look. Haruka appeared to be in another world of her own, unaware of anyone else in the room, but Michiru.
"Oh dear…" she thought allowed, but decided to disregard it and continue watching Michiru's extraordinary playing. Perhaps she would tease Haruka about it later.
During her playing, Michiru began to feel another one of her "vibes" although it was different this time. It made her feel almost good, although afraid at the same time. She opened her eyes and glanced around the room of faces, until she caught two teal eyes, looking back at her with a look of hunger, as if the stranger were devouring her with her eyes alone. She couldn't help but to stare back, feeling entranced by the gaze, wanting to know much more about them. There was something about this person…
The paper cup now fell to the floor as her arms went limp to her sides as she continued to stare in an almost zombie-like state, carrying a glazed look in her eyes. Haruka now knows a different kind of thirst, as she drinks in sight of her. Her petite figure swaying slightly to the music she easily created without falter; her royal blue dress hugging her body revealing stunningly attractive feminine curves. Well, she was a famous violinist after all, her brain reminded her.
'Quit staring you baka! What makes you think she would ever want to make friends, let alone even speak, to someone like you?' her mind scolded. She then tore her gaze away from the girl and tried to look elsewhere but her eyes always seemed to fall back into place, quick glances turning into a little more.
She felt butterflies swarming within her stomach, her heart race to her throat, and a light blush appear on her face as the violinist smiled sweetly to her, closed her eyes and continued her playing in her own world.
'Shimatta! That wasn't directed towards me was it?' She thought as her mind began racing with all sorts of explanations to the smile as she began to feel the heat rise to her face. In all of her confusion she began to move within the crowd of people and blend in so that she could avoid further embarrassment if possible. Noticing one of the nurse's gold violin pins lying vacant on the counter close by, an idea came to mind.
She swerved through the crowd, her eyes darting around the room making sure no one was watching her, and swiftly took the pin and hooked it on her shirt without anyone noticing. She admired the mini 24-karat violin before shoving her hands in her pockets, whistling as she strolled away from the 'crime scene' as casually as possible.
The aqua haired beauty was now nearing the end of her performance as she drew her last song to a graceful close, sweeping her bow down low as she bowed to the audience most elegantly. She lifted her head; deep blue eyes scanned the room once more, subconsciously searching for the tall blond in the back. Before she could give her thanks she was bombarded by fans who were specially invited, and members of the staff with questions and praise.
"Haruka-san! Kaioh-san was great wasn't she? But that was nothing; I've seen much better performances. I could even play what she played. In fact I even played some of Beethoven's greatest violin pieces when I was only 6!" The boy around Haruka's age gloated with an amusingly serious look in his eyes. Haruka only glanced his way indolently knowing very well none of this was true. Haruka had learned very early upon her arrival that Taka was a compulsive liar, and not only a compulsive liar, but incredibly gullible as well; something she believed he may never grow out of. For one thing, she didn't have a ranging knowledge of music, although she did know that Beethoven never played the violin.
"Sure Taka-kun…" she drawled, "and I own Mozart's saxophone."
"Sugoi!"
***
Michiru escaped the crowd for what she hoped would be a peaceful couple of minutes, explaining that she was feeling slightly dizzy and needed to go to the washroom and perhaps get herself a drink of water. She was still looking around the room for that mysterious face that held those intimidating, deep green eyes; backing up slowly whereas keeping an eye out all the while.
Cautiously Haruka wandered around the room, not particularly sure where she was headed, occasionally peaking over the heads of people looking for the mane of sea green curls. She began to walk backwards taking small steps at a time, oblivious to anything that may have been behind her, her eyes still searching through the different faces as a predator may while stalking it's prey.
The two continued to search the room, unaware that the other was practically right under their nose. They were about to give up when suddenly-
"Oof!"
"Gomen-nasai…" came a meek reply cut short when two sapphire blue eyes met emerald green ones. Once again the world around the two seemed non-existent, as they struggled internally to find the words to break the silence.
"Uh…g… gomen. Daijobu?" the tall blond stammered as she ran a hand through her messed hair, her eyes now wandering anywhere but directly into the two blue ones staring with an unreadable expression.
'Kami-sama… she's so beautiful. No, beautiful can't even begin to describe it. Her hair… I just want to run my fingers through…ah! Haruka what are you talking about?! You just met her! Hell, you've hardly even met her at that; you've only seen her!' Her mind chided as her face began to form a frown, almost forgetting that the girl was indeed still standing before her.
"It's alright, I wasn't looking where I was going anyway…" the smaller girl replied looking towards the floor in her embarrassment, stealing quick glances when she didn't think the blond was looking. She began to fully take in the taller girl's handsome features. Somehow she knew the other girl was female, and agreed with herself that the other could in fact pass for a male. Perhaps it was her eyes that gave it away…
'Why is it I feel so attract…er… interested in this girl? I see different sorts of people everyday, and I've barely spoken more than a few words to this girl, so why should she be any different? But still… something about those eyes and that face, so intimidating and mysterious, yet carrying such a childlike curiosity and innocence to them.'
Michiru gave a shy smile and decided to end the continuing awkward silence that had evolved between the two.
"So you seem rather um… fine" she stressed with much difficulty, unable to think of the proper word to use for the situation, " to be in a place like this." She finished with a weak smile fearing her introductory comment didn't go as smoothly as it could have.
"Oh!" Haruka cleared her throat and fiddled with the golden pin upon her chest. "Oh no no," she managed while chuckling nervously, trying to sound as calm and collected as possible, "I don't really belong here, I'm just uh… volunteering. You know, giving a little back to the community." She smiled her "lady-killer" smile and shoved her hands in her pockets, feeling a little bit more comfortable.
'Kami-sama that sounded incredibly corny…did that really just come out of my mouth?'
Michiru smiled and nodded but turned her head when she saw someone approaching the two.
"Haruka-san time to take your medicine!" The newcomer added cheerfully, obviously unaware, or ignoring, the warning looks on the blonde's face.
'Oh no not now Nuriko-san…' Haruka thought to herself as she saw the over-enthusiastic look on Nuriko's face.
Michiru brought her hand up to her mouth covering it slightly as she tried to stifle a giggle, but couldn't hold back an amused smile. Haruka's blossoming blush was soon turning to a near scarlet with Nuriko's every word; and Haruka never blushed, that just wasn't her thing, although this seemed to occur somewhat frequently around this Kaioh Michiru…
'Shimatta!'
"I uh… really don't know what she's talking about…" Haruka muttered trying to conceal her embarrassment as well as her irritation, opting for a "play-it-off" approach as she tousled the nurse's hair and punched her playfully in the arm.
"Ah, heh Nuriko-san your such a kidder!"
The nurse only stared dumbfounded before the cheeriness in her resumed again when a flicker of gold caught her attention.
"Oh Haruka-san you found it!" the nurse yanked the pin off of Haruka's shirt, attaching it to her own, and continued to torture Haruka, though seemingly unaware of what she was putting the poor girl through.
"I've been looking everywhere for it! Arigato! And whatever it is your talking about, I haven't a clue. Here now take your medicine and take a nap before you get cranky again like you did yesterday. The doctors don't want to have to wrestle you to the floor again to get you to cooperate."
By this time Haruka was beat red and out of excuses to save herself, looking worriedly from Michiru to the floor, to nurse Nuriko, fiddling now with the buttons on her shirt. Michiru simply stood in the same position, one arm wrapped around her waist as if she were hugging herself, and the other held to her mouth, a look on enjoyment still clearly visible on her face.
"Um… oh yeah, I have allergies you see, all that spring-time pollen. Well I'd better go. I'm sure another patient needs my aid." She said with a hint of false pride in her voice.
Michiru only giggled to herself as she watched the sandy haired girl being pulled away by a confused nurse who was shaking her head and saying something inaudible to her, the blond looking back at her with a slight smirk.
"Haruka…" Michiru said allowed, the name and letting it roll off of her tongue, smiling to herself as she did so.
***End Chapter One***
Author's note:
So what do you think so far? I know Haruka's character may be lacking slightly… gomen, but I'm working on it! Anyways, tell me what you think! ^_^
