GOMENSAI

NOTE: For my wonderful friend Bettina and her wife. This song and story combination is for the two of you. Hugs.

CHAPTER 1: The Letter

Early afternoon sunshine smothered the group of ten as it sat around a collection of tables. The busy streets of Tokyo flowed around them; like a dream. Warm summer weather wasn't going to last much longer; but on days like this, you wouldn't know it. Everyone was in their summer wear; shorts, tank-tops, summer dress or in Tenoh Haruka's case, light cotton trousers and a pale green t-shirt. Her sunglasses shielded her emerald eyes from the glaring warmth. The sun glistened off her golden locks; bringing out the pale blonde highlights. Her hair always lightened in the summer. She had one arm casually across the back of her lover's chair. Michiru was laughing to Rei. As always watching Michiru laugh brought a smile to Haruka's lips. The artist was beautiful. Her aqua coloured waves caressed her snow-white shoulders. She wore a green and white headband to keep them off her face. Her white sundress was patterned with dark blue paisleys. The sweet-heart neckline suited her slim figure. She was gorgeous and Haruka felt her heart swell with love. Impulsively she leaned over and laid a kiss on Michiru's shoulders. The woman gave her a loving glance, her lips curving in a smile.

"Awww."

Haurka jumped, she'd forgotten they weren't alone. Quickly she sat up and frowned. But it took effort. Across from her was Mina. The perky blonde was in a red t-shirt and orange shorts. Her long blonde hair was free around her shoulders; she looked love struck.

"It's so sweet!" mina gushed.

Haurka realized she wasn't talking about her and Michiru. She turned in her seat; directly over her shoulder was the latest teen romance film being advertised. The local movie theatre had a line-up forming.

"I have to go!" Mina sprang to her feet, "Come on Usgai! We have to get a spot in line!" Mina grabbed her friend's hand.

Usagi sputtered in protest as Mina hauled her away, "But Mina, my date with Mamo-chan..."

"Later! We have to get tickets before anyone else."

Michiru chuckled, leaning into Haruka's arms. "Remember being that young?"

"Barely," Haruka muttered coolly.

"Oh speaking of barely," Michiru sat up and leaned over, reaching into her purse. She straightened up, holding an envelope in her hands. "I barely remembered to give this to you. With the gallery opening and the book signing and the concerts, I totally forgot. I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Haurka took the letter and turned it over. Surprise lit through her; she stared at the FROM address and couldn't believe her eyes.

"Haurka?" Michiru touched her lover's shoulder. "Are you alright? You look stricken."

"I'm fine." Haruka shook herself. "It's from a friend, I haven' t seen her since my racing days."

"That's been years." Michiru peered at the envelope. "Why would she write to you all of a sudden?"

"Maybe she's getting married." Haruka muttered, studying the Kanji that spelled out her name and address. "She's the same age as me, you know. It's probably a wedding invite."

"Do you think you'll go?" Michiru asked.

"I don't know." Haurka sat up and used both hands to open the envelope. There was a sudden shriek across the street.

Michiru sighed, "Usagi has hurt herself again, I'll go look after it. You read your letter."

"It can wait." Haruka put the envelope in her pocket and left with her partner. The others were already at the theatre.

They had spent the afternoon waiting in line for tickets to the new movie. Haurka usually didin't like wasting her time; but Usagi had pleaded with her. Haruka couldn't refuse her future queen. So they had all waited and eventually got in to see the movie. All through the film, which was a teen romance, Haruka had thought of the letter, thought of the woman who had written it. Why now? Why after all these years?

The hour was late, close to midnight, before Haurka could hold the envelope in her hands again. She sat at the breakfast table and stared at it. The letter was still inside. Taking a deep breath Haruka took the letter out.

Opening the folded pages she read and couldn't believe what it said.

Dear Haruka,

How many years has it been? It seems like a lifetime since I last saw you. How are you? Still racing? I haven't read about you in the papers or magazines lately, so I guess you retired. I hope you're well and happy.

Gomensai, as you would say, I never made it over to Tokyo to see you. I wish I had. The pictures you showed of the city are beautiful. I still have them you know. I look at them every day and think of you. I also have the silver medals from all of our track meets. A good reminder of how you always beat me. But I don't mind, it makes me smile, which is needed these days.

God, how can you tell something like this in a letter? It seems so...I don't know, cold, stupid...no, it's impersonal. And something like this shouldn't be impersonal. It doesn't get more personal than this. I hate to say this, it makes me cry, even now...and I thought I had made peace with it. But I guess you never do.

Well, the truth is, this is the last letter I'll ever write, to anyone. I wanted my last words on paper to be to you. You always won the races and in the end you won my heart too. I guess you knew that. It's not like I could keep that a secret. I don't mind that you won all the medals and got all the fame, it suited you. But I miss my heart. Anyway you could mail it back to me. Just kidding. I am glad I lost my heart to you, I doubt anyone could have deserved it more. I hope it can still bring you joy, to think of me. I don't even know if you do think of me. I can't think of why you would, but I hope you do.

I have always wondered one thing. Why did you vanish so quickly? Where did you go? What happened to you? I hope you are alright.

Know that I love you and I always have.

Sincerely yours,

Parker James

Haruka sat back from the table; the letter slid from her hands. Parker was dead? Haruka shook her head, rejecting the idea. Parker James was not dead; she couldn't be. A woman like Parker die before thirty. She was too bouncy and bright, full of fun and laughter.

The memory o f her smile and laughter floated to the surface of Haruka's thoughts. Even after so many years buried, it was clear and sharp. The image of her face came with it. Parker had a lovely heart-shaped face, with brilliant earth-brown eyes, her auburn curls were wild and untameable. She had a wonderful figure with curves and other enticements. She had been almost too beautiful. But there had been a realism to her; her left hand was scarred from a burn she'd sustained as a child. The burn had evened out her beauty enough so that you didn't think she was a goddess.

Haruka pushed the memories away. She stared at the letter, not seeing it. Within her mind she could hear the argument in her heart. Did she dare to write back? Did she tell Michiru everything?

But why? Michiru was the present, Parker was the past. Haruka hadn't seen Parker James in over ten years. There was no reason to tell Michiru anything. But still....Haruka sighed as her heart won the battle. If this was the last letter from Parker, she had to know why.

Rising from the chair, she left the kitchen. Silently going down the hardwood floor hallway, Haruka paused at the bedroom door. Michiru was asleep.

"Come in, Haruka."

The blonde smiled softly as she opened the door, "I know I didn't wake you." She sat beside her lover, Michiru rolled over, putting one arm under her head. The other hand settled on Haruka's thigh.

"No, you didn't." Michiru eyed her, "What's wrong?"

"Remember the letter?" Haruka asked quietly

Michiru nodded, "So?"

"I think my friend is sick. But I don't know for sure, her letter is cryptic."

Michiru was quiet for a moment, "So you should go and find out what's happening." Taking the hand from behind her head; she reached over to their nightstand and opened drawer. "Here."

Haurka accepted the fold of papers and was startled, "But how? You didn't even read the letter!"

Michiru laughed, "Psychic remember? The mirror told me and then my dreams confirmed it. I knew you would need it." Michiru squeezed Haruka's thigh and sat up quickly kissing her lips. "Go now or you'll miss the plane."

"But I haven't packed yet."

"I did it for you earlier. The bag's in the closet. I didn't want Hotaru to see it and wonder. Have a safe trip; call me when you land."

Haruka couldn't believe her lover sometimes; Michiru was incredible. Leaning down she kissed her lover soundly and smiled at her. "I love you."

"Love you too. Now go, or you really will miss the plane."

"I'll call you." Haurka stood up and left their room, closing the door. She paused at her adopted daughter's room; peeking in. The young pre-teen was sound asleep. Haruka let her rest and closed the door. Quickly she made her way to the front door and opened the front closet. Her travel bag was there; as Michiru had said. She pulled it out, shut the door and put on her shoes. Grabbing her keys from the dish at the door, she left the house and backed her car out into the street.

She drove at her usual speed, too fast and loved it. The drive to the airport gave her a few minutes to think. Would Parker James still be alive when Haruka got there? And why did it matter so much to Haruka? Why did the need to see Parker drive her to leave her family? She didn't understand this near maddening desire to see her long-ago friend.

Haruka boarded the plane and took her seat. The flight would arrive early morning Washington D.C. time, and give Haruka plenty of time for a nap before they landed. She settled back in the cramped space and tried to understand her thoughts. They didn't make any sense and after several minutes she gave up and closed her e yes.

She was asleep by the time the plane took off.