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Also, this is my first fanfic, so please be gentle.

Italics mean thoughts of the characters

Echoes of the Past

Chapter 1

Michiru Kaioh came out of Mugen Academy to find her roommate and best friend, Haruka Tenoh doing what she did best. Flirting. She was leaning against the railing on the stairs leading up to the school, surrounded by girls. Michiru had gotten used to Haruka's flirting though she couldn't say that it didn't bother her. She knew she had feelings for Haruka that were more than just friendly. But she also knew that Haruka would never return those feelings, so she had to keep them secret. After all, with all those girls groveling at her feet why would she choose Michiru? Of course, there was still one thing that those girls didn't know about her.

"Tell us Haruka, how does a hot guy like you manage not to have a girlfriend?"

There they go again with the 'guy' thing. Haruka didn't mind being thought of as manly, but she was always afraid of what might happen if they ever found out she was a woman. Her career, her reputation, everything would be ruined. There were a select few people who knew she was a woman and she intended to keep it that way.

"I don't know Mitsu, care to venture a guess?"

That was all the provocation Mitsu needed. She sidled up right in front of Haruka and put on the most seductive expression she could. This was her moment.

"I would guess that most girls are too afraid to ask you out. But I think we can fix that."

"Haruka, I hate to interrupt your little love-fest here, but don't you have to be at the track in about fifteen minutes?" The girls parted to look at Michiru. Their eyes burned with jealousy. Why should she get to live with Haruka? But they consoled themselves in the fact that Haruka and Michiru were not dating, so they still had a chance. Haruka stood up.

"Sorry Mits, duty calls."

Mitsu flashed the biggest smile she could find "That's all right, we'll continue this later."

Haruka waved to the girls as she and Michiru made their way to her motorcycle.

"I'll never understand you Ruka"

"What, you can't tell me you don't do the same thing when boys fall all over you!"

Michiru blushed profusely and said quietly "That's different"

Haruka looked at her pointedly "And how exactly is it different?"

Blushing even more, Michiru looked away so as not to see the smug smile on Haruka's face.

They arrived at the track twenty minutes later and were greeted by Haruka's irate manager and friend, Judiko.

"You're late" he said, standing with arms crossed and a severe look on his face.

"Come on Jude, you look like my mother." Haruka replied, walking past him into the garage where her racing car was housed. Judiko glared at her a little as she walked past and then turned his attention to Michiru. He smiled. She had to be the most beautiful woman on earth. He never could understand how Haruka could live with her without succumbing to her charms. "Hi Michiru, how was school?"

She returned his smile and pulled her violin out of the car. She always took the time while Haruka was doing laps to practice. "Oh you know, boring as always."

Judiko smiled and then turned away and headed into the garage to meet Haruka. Michiru tuned her violin and began to work.

By the time the two young women arrived at home it was six o'clock. Haruka immediately sat down and turned on the TV while Michiru moved into the kitchen to make dinner. She loved evenings like this. They didn't have a lot of homework, so they were able to just relax. She got to cook dinner which she loved to do and then they usually watched a movie or read or did something just relaxing. Sometimes it felt to Michiru as if they were actually married. But she quickly dismissed that idea from her head. Don't be so naive, she thought, she could have anyone in the world, so why would she pick you?

Haruka walked into the kitchen and leaned against the door frame. Michiru was at the counter with her back to her. She stood there for a few minutes just watching her. She loved the way her body moved, the gentle grace with which she completed every little task. She knew that she had feelings for the woman, but she told herself she couldn't. She didn't deserve Michiru. She was such an amazing woman, a violinist, a painter. She was sweet and kind. Haruka on the other hand was soiled. She had done so many bad things in her life. She was a rebel. She didn't deserve Michiru. So all she could do was watch.

Michiru turned around holding a cutting board full of vegetables for the salad and, startled by Haruka's presence, shrieked and dropped the board, scattering vegetables everywhere. "Ruka you scared me. How long have you been standing there?"

"Not long" Haruka lied. "Let me help you pick those up." She picked up the vegetables and helped Michiru to wash them and finish the dinner.

They ate by candlelight as they often did (they both enjoyed the aura) and chatted softly about the day's occurrences. When they were finished, they both got up and began carrying leftovers and dishes into the kitchen. Upon entering the kitchen, however, Michiru slipped on a vegetable that they had not picked up and all that she was holding came crashing down along with her. She found herself caught in the arms of Haruka who had also dropped everything she was carrying. She looked into Haruka's eyes and for a split second something passed between them, something neither had ever felt before. It was a kind of electricity. They had never been this close before. Instead of immediately getting up and picking up the mess that now covered the kitchen floor, they stayed in their compromising position, both of them silent. Slowly, Haruka moved her head towards Michiru's. Her brain was screaming at her to stop, but she could not get her body to obey. She just kept moving in, her lips coming within an inch of Michiru's before the doorbell broke them out of their trance.