"Haruka..."
Haruka Tenoh stirred, rubbing her eyes.
"Haruka..." the gentle voice called to her again.
"Nnngh..." Haruka squinted her eyes shut. "Leave me alone..." she mumbled.
"Wake up!" The pillow hit Haruka square in the face, startling her into alertness.
"What the hell--Michiru! What's the big idea?!" Haruka sat up in bed and glared at the aqua-haired beauty standing by her bedside.
"You weren't waking up," Michiru Kaioh replied, shrugging.
"So you don't have to beat me to death, do you?" Haruka complained, throwing the covers back.
"Oh, don't be such a baby, Haruka," Michiru sniffed.
"I'm not!"
Michiru arched her eyebrow.
"Oh...never mind." Haruka made a shooing motion with her arms. "Come on, go away so I can get dressed."
Michiru smiled slyly. "Feeling a bit shy this morning, are we?"
"No, feeling a bit like my sleep was interrupted," Haruka countered, grinning a little in spite of herself.
Michiru grinned. "See you at breakfast," she said, gliding out the door.
"Bitch!" Haruka laughed.
"Damn straight," Michiru called over her shoulder.
"Ah, that was refreshing." Michiru sat back in her chair, daintily pushing her plate away from her.
"Mmmhmm," Haruka replied, still chewing.
"Well, you seem to have quite an appetite this morning," Michiru observed, smiling.
"Yeah, well, it's not like I had a great wake-up call this morning or anything," Haruka replied, making a face.
"Well, you're not much of a morning person to begin with..."
"What is this? Open season on Haruka?" she laughed. "You're picking on me more than usual, Michiru."
"Sorry," Michiru laughed. "Hey, be happy I'm in a good mood at all!"
"Yeah, well, whatever floats your boat. If you get your kicks out of making fun of me, be my guest," Haruka snorted, draining her glass of orange juice.
Michiru gave her best innocent smile. "Oh come on, Haruka. Lighten up."
Haruka laughed. "Huh. It's usually me telling you to lighten up!" She wiped her hands on a napkin and stood. "Mind telling me why you woke me up so early?"
"Ten thirty is hardly early, Haruka," Michiru said, arching her eyebrow. "Being a bit melodramatic, now aren't we?"
"Fine, whatever. Just why did you get me up in such a god-awful hurry?"
"You seriously forgot?" Michiru studied Haruka with such intensity that she began to squirm.
"Forgot what, Michiru?"
"I can't believe you forgot!" Michiru stood, putting her hands flat on the table.
"Forgot what?"
"We are supposed to be going to get Setsuna to bring her to the party!"
"Party--?" Haruka's eyes widened. "Shit! I totally forgot! The party's tonight?!"
"Yes!" Michiru threw her hands in the air. "I can't believe you forgot!"
The party was to benefit the new opera house. Michiru and Haruka had agreed to host the event since both were accomplished musicians.
"I know, I know! Rub it in my face later; we have stuff we have to do to get ready!" She took her keyring out of her pocket. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes, I'm ready," Michiru sighed, rubbing her temples. She had the beginnings of a headache forming there.
"Are you all right?" Haruka stopped in the doorway. She looked concerned.
"I'm fine. Let's go."
"Grab a jacket; it might be chilly later."
Michiru smiled to herself as she took her favorite coat off the hanger in the hall closet. Haruka always worries about me, she thought. It gave her a sort of warm feeling inside. Still grinning, she walked out to where Haruka was waiting by the car.
Haruka opened the door for her and helped her in. When Haruka slid behind the wheel a few moments later, she said, "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Michiru replied. "I'm just smiling."
Haruka gave her a sidelong glance as she navigated the long mansion driveway. "OK. What are you smiling about, may I be so bold to ask?"
"You."
Haruka put the car in park at the end of the driveway. She turned to face Michiru. "Look, I know you were pissed off at me because I for--"
Michiru placed a finger on Haruka's lips to silence her. "Shh. I'm not mad anymore."
Haruka looked a little relieved. Michiru removed her hand. "Then why--"
She was again silenced, but this time it was Michiru's lips against her own. They kissed for a minute, and when they parted, Michiru sighed. "Well, shall we go get Setsuna?" she asked, smoothing her skirt out on the seat.
Haruka shook her head and laughed as she put the car in drive and aimed the car towards town.
"So, how have you two been?" Meioh Setsuna asked, taking off her hat and letting her long dark green hair flow behind her. Haruka had put the top of her yellow convertible down so they could get some fresh air. "And I wanted to thank you again for inviting me to stay with you. Especially with this big party tonight. I'm looking forward to it, though. You know how I love to hear you two play."
Haruka and Michiru smiled at each other across the front seat. Haruka slowed the car for a red light.
Michiru turned in her seat to face Setsuna. "We've been fine, Setsuna. How about yourself?"
"Oh, I've been doing all right..." she sighed. "I'm sort of homesick, I guess..."
Michiru nodded in sympathy. Setsuna had left home awhile ago and she said she didn't really get to keep in touch with anyone there that much. She had never told Haruka and Michiru why she left, nor did they think it was any of their business, anyway. But Haruka and Michiru had decided that Setsuna should visit with them for awhile to stave off the loneliness of living on her own.
Haruka floored it when the light turned green. Michiru gave her a look of mild annoyance, barely catching her balance. "Please, Haruka, you're not on the racetrack today."
"Sorry," Haruka grinned. "You OK, Setsuna?"
"I'm fine," Setsuna laughed.
They made it back to the mansion in record time, thanks to Haruka's driving technique. After she parked, Haruka helped both Setsuna and Michiru out of the car.
"You have such a lovely place," Setsuna marveled. "I had forgotten how beautiful it was."
"Thank you," Haruka and Michiru responded at the same time.
Haruka led the way and Michiru and Setsuna followed her inside.
"Haruka-sama. Michiru-sama," a young maid curtseyed as they entered. She hurriedly took their coats and Setsuna's bag even though she protested.
"I can get it myself--" Setsuna began.
"I'll get it, miss," the maid said. Setsuna handed her the bag, shrugging.
The maid curtseyed again and turned to Haruka. "Haruka-sama, where shall I put this?"
"Miss Meioh is staying in the guest suite, Hime. Please see that it is satisfactorily prepared for her."
"Yes, Haruka-sama." Hime curtseyed and scuttled off to prepare the room. Haruka's eyes followed her up the stairs.
"Haruka."
"Huh?" Haruka turned to see Michiru smiling at her. "Yes, Michiru?"
"Don't make me regret this morning." Michiru smiled wryly.
Haruka laughed. "You worry too much, Michiru."
"Do I have reason to?" Michiru countered, sniffing contemptuously. "She's just a maid after all."
"Michiru..." Haruka shook her head.
Setsuna cleared her throat softly. Haruka turned, mildly startled. She'd forgotten Setsuna was still standing there. She flushed slightly.
"I think I'll go to my room if that's OK. I had a long trip and I'd like to freshen up--maybe take a nap before tonight..." she said.
"Oh, that would be fine, Setsuna. I'll have Hime come back and show you the way--"
"No, that's fine," Setsuna replied, casting a quick glance at Michiru. "If you'll just tell me where it is I'm sure I can find it on my own."
Haruka shrugged. She gave Setsuna an appreciative look. As soon as she'd told Setsuna where her room was, she gave her instructions to tell Hime if she needed anything.
As soon as Setsuna was upstairs, Haruka went to Michiru.
"Michiru...are you all right?" Haruka asked worriedly. Michiru was standing with her back facing Haruka. She put her hands on Michiru's shoulders.
"I'm...fine, Haruka. I just have a headache. I'm sorry. I know you didn't mean anything before--"
Haruka turned Michiru so she was facing her. "Michiru, I would never hurt you. I'm sorry. I was just--" She trailed off. Michiru's cheeks were flushed. She looked like she might have a fever.
"You're sick," Haruka said worriedly.
"No, I'm fine," Michiru insisted, pulling away. "I just need some aspirin or something..."
"Are you sure?" Haruka moved closer again. Michiru did indeed look slightly feverish. Nothing too serious, Haruka surmised, seeing as how she's still walking around.
"I want you to go lie down. You need rest for tonight." Haruka took Michiru's hands in her own.
Michiru looked ready to protest, but then she finally resigned. "All right, Haruka."
"I'll make sure everything gets done before tonight. You just rest."
Michiru smiled appreciatively.
"Do you want me to walk you to your room?"
"Yes, please, Haruka." Michiru smiled.
Maybe she isn't as bad as I thought. She looks a little better already...maybe it was just the light or something, Haruka thought, following Michiru up the staircase.
When she reached her room, Michiru turned to Haruka and smiled. "Well, don't let me sleep too long."
"I won't. You think I'm going to entertain all those guests without your charm?" Haruka smiled.
Michiru laughed lightly. "Such a flatterer," she said quietly.
Haruka hugged her. "Feel better, OK?"
"Thank you, Haruka," Michiru replied, hugging her back. Haruka kissed her lightly before she went into her room to rest.
Michiru smiled at Haruka through the crack in the door as she was shutting it. Haruka stayed in the hall until it quietly latched. Then she sighed and, casting a worried glance over her shoulder at Michiru's room, headed off to find Hime and the others to help prepare for the evening's events.
"Why hello, sir, glad you could make it." Haruka smiled a greeting as the new orchestra conductor was escorted into the room by one of the household servants. Haruka's blue dress swished pleasantly against the carpeting and her long blue evening gloves gave her a very elegant and feminine appearance.
"Haruka! You look stunning!" Setsuna exclaimed. She herself was wearing a floor-length black dress made of a slinky material and a single strand of pearls around her neck.
"Thanks, Setsuna. You look lovely, too," Haruka replied, smiling. "Confidentially, though, I feel much more natural in my racing uniform," she whispered conspiratorially, still smiling and nodding at various guests as they called out to her.
"Miss Tenoh," the conductor, Mr. Yoshino, called out. "Where is Miss Kaioh? I haven't seen her around yet."
"Where is Michiru?" Setsuna wondered.
"She wasn't feeling well earlier, and she said she wanted to lie down," Haruka replied quietly. "I guess I should go get her up now."
"I'm right here," Michiru called lightly. Some of the guests stopped their chatter as they watched in awed silence as she descended the staircase. She was wearing a luminescent white gown and had her hair wrapped elegantly with a sheer white cloth. Several exclamations could be heard around the room, most about her stunning beauty.
Haruka's breath caught in her throat. Michiru looked more beautiful than she had ever seen her before.
As she swept down the stairs, normal conversation began to pick up again. Several people came over and complimented Michiru on how gorgeous she looked.
"Michiru, you look fabulous," Haruka exclaimed quietly.
"Why thank you, Haruka. You look beautiful this evening as well," Michiru said lightly. They tried to take it easy on how much of their relationship other people saw. Although when they were around people that didn't know them, they tended to be far more open since most people thought Haruka was a man anyway.
"Are you feeling better?" Haruka asked worriedly as they made their rounds during the party, greeting guests and complimenting people every now and then.
"I feel much better, thank you," Michiru responded. "I think I just needed to lie down for a bit, that's all."
A little later during the party, Mr. Yoshino stood. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said, clearing his throat and tapping a fork on the side of a crystal wineglass to get everyone's attention. "I would like to personally thank Miss Tenoh and Miss Kaioh for the use of their home for this wonderful event. They have, I believe, agreed to perform for us one of their famed duets, have you not?" he asked, looking to Haruka and Michiru. They both nodded.
This was met with polite applause. "Then, without further ado, may I present Miss Tenoh Haruka and Miss Kaioh Michiru, entertaining for your enjoyment," Mr. Yoshino said, smiling.
The duo made their way to the front of the room, where the piano sat. An ornate white chair held Michiru's violin case.
The two began to play, the music flowing out of their instruments and filling the room. The enraptured guests all sat and quietly listened to the beautiful strains, some closing their eyes and others merely smiling softly.
It was during a more complicated bridge that Haruka noticed Michiru was slightly off with her timing. Funny, she thought. I don't think Michiru's ever messed up in front of an audience before. Haruka adjusted the speed of her playing ever so slightly. She glanced over at Michiru. She was no longer playing the way she normally did--without the aid of the music stand in front of her. Normally, she would play with her eyes closed, thoroughly lost in the music she was making. This time, however, she appeared to be straining to read the notes on the page.
Haruka was alarmed. Michiru was looking feverish again. She swayed slightly and her music was off tempo again. They were almost near the end of the selection. As the last strains of the final notes died away, Michiru swayed and nearly collapsed.
Haruka was at her side instantly. Michiru caught her balance and stood shakily. Guests gasped and stood to see if they could offer her assistance. Haruka and Setsuna waved them back.
"She has a very high fever," Haruka determined, placing her cool hand on Michiru's forehead.
Michiru groaned. Hime ran over. "Michiru-sama! Haruka-sama--is she all right?"
"Hime, call the doctor. Then take care of Michiru-sama's violin," Haruka instructed. "I'm going to get her to her room." Haruka picked Michiru up in her arms and carried her towards the stairs. "Mr. Yoshino, I'm sorry, but I think you will have to send everyone home now," Haruka said apologetically but firmly, whisking Michiru out of the room and over to the main staircase.
Setsuna was walking with them. "Haruka, I'll stay and help Mr. Yoshino," she volunteered. She squeezed Michiru's hand. "Take care of her."
Haruka nodded her thanks and carried Michiru up the stairs.
Less than an half an hour later, Doctor Chiyoda arrived. "What seems to be the trouble?" he asked as Haruka, now dressed in a pair of black slacks and a white shirt, led him up the stairs. "I don't usually make house calls, you know."
"I know, and I appreciate it very much," Haruka replied. "Michiru said she had a headache this morning, and I thought she looked a little feverish, so I had her lie down for most of the afternoon. This evening she seemed much better, but right after we finished playing our duet she nearly collapsed. When I felt her forehead, she was burning up."
By this time they were right outside Michiru's door.
Dr. Chiyoda nodded his head. "Probably just a simple case of the flu, but with how quickly it struck, it's probably good that you didn't move her too much."
Haruka nodded and stood aside to let the Doctor into Michiru's room. She was now dressed in her nightgown, lying on the bed, barely conscious.
"Hmmm..." Dr. Chiyoda gave her a quick examination. "She has a very bad case of the flu. She'll probably be very sick for the next few days. Maybe a week. Possibly more, depending on how good her immune system is."
Michiru was sleeping now.
"Just keep her in bed as much as possible, keep her comfortable, and make sure she drinks lots of fluids," Dr. Chiyoda instructed. "Also, here is some medicine. This should help the fever and the nausea. Just make sure someone is with her at all times if at all possible."
Haruka nodded. "No problem," she said. She cast a worried glance over at Michiru, who appeared to be sleeping soundly.
"Thank you for coming, Doctor," Haruka said a few moments later as she paid him at the door.
"No problem, Miss Tenoh. Just make sure you do what I said, and call me if she gets any worse."
"I will," Haruka said. "I promise."
"Nnngh..." Michiru stirred. "Haruka..."
Haruka woke with a start. "Huh--Michiru?"
Michiru was still in bed. Three days had gone by and she seemed to be getting worse, not better. The doctor had come by again the day before to check up on her, and all he was able to do was tell Haruka to keep an eye on her. "There's really nothing more you can do for her," he had said, shaking his head.
Now Haruka leaned closer to Michiru. Michiru appeared to still be sleeping fitfully. Her fever had gone up, yet she was very pale. Harkua sighed and sat back in her chair. She must have been talking in her sleep, she thought wearily. She was so tired...
She had been awake nearly all of the three days. She stayed by Michiru's bedside most of the time. Setsuna had tried to get her to go to sleep so she could watch Michiru, but Haruka was relentless. So Setsuna took it upon herself to keep Haruka healthy since she obviously didn't seem to care.
There was a light knock on the door. It creaked open to reveal Setsuna and Hime. Hime had a steaming tray of food, and Setsuna had two cups of tea in her hands.
"Knock, knock," Setsuna said quietly. "Here. We brought you food."
Haruka sighed and passed a hand over her eyes. "You didn't have to," she said, taking the tray from Hime nonetheless. Hime curtseyed and disappeared, casting a glance back over her shoulder at the sleeping Michiru.
"If I didn't bring you food, you would starve to death," Setsuna said lightly. She sat on the second armchair in the room. "Here. Drink this."
She handed a cup of herbal tea to Haruka. She sipped gratefully. "You're totally wiped out," Setsuna said after a slight pause. "You should get some rest."
"But Michiru--"
"You're not going to do Michiru any good if you're sick, too," Setsuna reasoned, looking over the rim of her cup. "It's not like we're going to forget about her. Really, Haruka," she continued, setting her cup down on the nightstand, "I'm here. I'd be happy to look after Michiru for a few hours while you rest."
"Well--" Haruka paused. She appeared to be thinking it over carefully. She's probably right. I'm not going to do Michiru a whole hell of a lot of good if I'm dead on my feet when she wakes up. And I am very tired... "Fine," she sighed at last. Setsuna nodded in satisfaction and stood. "Just take good care of her, Setsuna." Haruka smiled as she stood and moved to leave the room. She put her hand on Setsuna's shoulder and looked back one more time at Michiru. Then she left the room. Setsuna quietly closed the door behind her.
Back in her own room at last, Haruka changed into a pair of warm-ups and a t-shirt. You're getting soft, Haruka. You should be in there with her, a voice in her head nagged. "Oh, shut up," she said aloud, silencing the thought. She stretched out on her bed. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she was asleep.
She was in their house--only it no longer looked like their house. It wasn't bright and cheery anymore--it was gloomy and full of cobwebs as if no one had lived there for a long, long time. She ascended the staircase, carefully detouring around the hole in the third stair.
"Haruka?" she called tentatively. All the doors were shut in the upstairs hallways.
She tried the knob on Haruka's bedroom door. It was locked. "Where is everyone?" She was thoroughly puzzled, and more than a little frightened. The house was so quiet that her footsteps echoed down the halls.
The only unlocked door was that of her bedroom. When she opened the door, there were white drop-cloths over everything, as if someone had painted recently. But a fine layer of dust covered the cloths. She walked carefully into the room, avoiding a huge hanging cobweb. She shuddered involuntarily.
"My room..."
Over on her bureau, something glinted in the light coming through the fraying curtains and dusty windowpanes. She moved closer to investigate. It was a beautiful hand mirror--it was deep green and gold and had a beautiful symbol embossed in white on the back. It seemed very familiar, but she couldn't place where she'd seen it before...
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye she saw a shadow move. "Haruka--?"
As she turned, her eyes grew wide with fear. It wasn't Haruka. The hulking shadow had no features--it was solid darkness. It didn't seem to reflect any light at all--in fact, all the light in the room seemed drawn into the shadow itself. She gasped, her hand losing it's grip on the mirror. It struck the floor and shattered into thousands of tiny pieces.
The thing laughed.
Michiru covered her face and screamed.
Suddenly the whole atmosphere of the room changed. Through her fingers, she could see patches of sunlight on her bedspread. She dropped her hands in confusion, her heart still thudding at a breakneck pace in her chest.
She looked around her room in confusion.
"Michiru!" a voice exclaimed from a darkened corner of the room.
She jumped in terror. But when she looked across the room, she saw someone she recognized. "Setsuna!"
"You're awake!"
I didn't really scream out loud then. It was just a dream, Michiru thought with great relief. Her heartbeat had begun to return to a normal speed.
"I'm sorry if I scared you," Setsuna apologized, standing and coming over to the bed.
"I-I..."
"Michiru, how do you feel?"
"Huh?" It suddenly occurred to her why she was here, in bed in her room with Setsuna sitting in the corner. She had been very sick...
"I feel much better, thank you," she said, smiling. She looked around again, her face clouding slightly. "Where's Haruka?"
"I had to practically force her to go take a nap. She was so worried about you that she was awake for nearly seventy-two hours straight." Setsuna sat on the edge of the bed. "Poor thing. You must be starving."
"I...I am a little hungry," Michiru admitted, wincing as her stomach clenched to remind her that she hadn't eaten any solid food in several days.
"If you think you're up to it, I'll go get you some food, OK?"
"Sure." Michiru nodded. "Thanks."
"Do you...want me to wake Haruka?" Setsuna ventured.
"No, no--let her sleep," Michiru replied, smiling. "Can't believe she stayed up that long. She'll probably sleep for days now!"
Setsuna laughed. "Well, OK, but you just rest now. I'll be back in a few minutes and bring you some food."
Michiru nodded her thanks as Setsuna disappeared out the door.
Haruka's motorcycle sped up the long driveway to the mansion. Dead brown leaves blew across the pavement in front of her and swirled in the path her tires made on the drive. She looked slightly bewildered as she stopped her bike in front of the house.
The door was slightly ajar, and several shingles were missing from the roof. A loose shutter banged in the brisk gusting wind. It looks like no one's been here in ages, she thought uneasily.
"Michiru?" she called. She was straddling her bike, contemplating whether or not to go in the house. The rolling boom of thunder in the distance made up her mind for her. Wheeling her bike alongside her, she entered the open garage. Her feet kicked up thick clouds of dust, and her bike left tire tread marks on the worn concrete floor.
She shook her head in disgust.
She went back around to the front of the house and carefully pushed the front door open all the way. It creaked and groaned in protest. She entered the house just as rain began to pour from the sky.
Great, now I'm stuck here, she thought gloomily. This place really looks like a dump. I wonder where Michiru is.
She decided to investigate. Nothing but dust in the kitchen. Plates were set out on the dining room table, but Haruka guessed they would need a very thorough washing before anyone ever ate off them again.
She decided to continue her search upstairs. She wasn't sure exactly what she was looking for, but maybe she would find it upstairs.
"Michiru?" She began to mount the creaking steps. She gasped in shock as her foot went right through the third step with a dry splintering sound. "What the hell?" Angry with herself for being so careless and so skittish, she shook off her pants leg to dislodge the clinging splinters. "Stupid," she muttered to herself as she continued her ascent, this time testing each stair before putting her full weight on it.
She decided to try some of the doors in the dark hallways upstairs. She headed for her room first. Perhaps whatever she was looking for would be in there.
She noticed that most of the doors were jammed between her room and the staircase. "Odd," she said quietly. She never remembered having locked any of the rooms last time she was here. "Michiru? Are you up here?" Haruka called out. Her voice echoed eerily in the silence.
The sound made her skin crawl. Guess I won't do that again, she thought. She was relieved to discover that her room was still unlocked. The door creaked open. Haruka jumped as a large cobweb wafted slowly to the ground directly in front of her face. Oh calm down, already, she thought bitterly. If Michiru could see how scared you are right now, you would never hear the end of it...Where is Michiru, anyway?
As she moved into her room, she thought she heard a creaking sound coming from downstairs. Heart pounding, she quickly shut and locked her door and, breathing heavily, leaned against the wood.
Face it, this is totally creeping you out, Haruka. So much for calm, cool, and collected, right?
She finally stopped to really look at her room. It was almost unrecognizable. There were dust-laden white drop-cloths over all her furniture. Her closet door hung crookedly and was ajar. Just enough sunlight came through the grime-streaked window to barely illuminate the room. Haruka thought she saw a glint from the top shelf of her closet when the curtains moved in a slight breeze that came through the cracked panes.
What the hell...? Squinting, she moved closer to the closet. She reached up onto the top shelf and pulled down a... "A sword? Where did this come from?"
The sword was beautiful, gold and shining metal, with colored jewels gleaming along the sharp blade. There was some sort of symbol engraved on the golden handle. It seemed very familiar, but Haruka couldn't place where she'd seen it before...
Just then, she thought she heard a noise from the hall. "What in the--" She thought she saw her doorknob begin to turn, but she couldn't be sure... Just an overactive imagination, as usual, Haruka. She shook her head. "This sword is so beautiful," she thought, turning it this way and that in the dim sunlight coming through the window.
She turned to face the door sharply. There was that sound again! "OK, who's there?" she called. She was terrified, but she figured she should go find out who it was. No one else better be in here! she thought somewhat indignantly. Dump or not, this is still my house! She gripped the sword and strode over to her door.
As soon as she stepped into the hall, she heard a shattering sound and a piercing scream come from the other end of the hall. Haruka ran down the hall, the hairs on her neck prickling. She skidded to a halt as a big black...thing...oozed out of the door at the end of the hall.
Michiru's room! Haruka realized, dread forming a cold, hard knot in her stomach.
"Michiru!" she cried. She charged the shadow in outrage. "What have you done to her?" she yelled.
The thing started laughing. It was a deep, rumbling sound. Haruka's blood ran cold. She was totally unprepared for the blow. The thing backhanded her across the hallway. She hit the railing of the stairs, her sword falling from her grasp and clinking to the parlor floor far below. Funny, she thought dazedly. The floor seems so far down... That was her last thought before the thing picked her up and threw her over the railing.