I finally decided to start posting my chapters because I know the edits will never end, so by posting I'm forcing myself to move on. I think I also started getting cold feet and was trying to find reasons not to post my fic yet. So here goes nothing! Please R&R, no flames please, but constructive criticism is accepted. I just ask that you be gentle because it's my first time. Thank you!

Disclaimer: I don't own any Sailor Moon characters, nor am I promoting any registered commercial products mentioned in my story.

A/N: Italics are inner thoughts, except for the poem excerpt.

Chapter 1: Fall From Innocence

From childhood's hour I have not been

As others were; I have not seen

As others saw; I could not bring

My passions from a common spring.

From the same source I have not taken

My sorrow; I could not awaken

My heart to joy at the same tone;

And all I loved, I loved alone.

—Edgar Allan Poe

"Haruka-chan!"

A young girl with short blonde hair rolled her green eyes and got up from the floor where she was watching Speed Racer, her favorite TV show. In the playroom, it was just her and one other boy.

The boy pointed at her and laughed, "A-ha!"

"Shut up Masanori-chan! You know she calls me because I'm better than you!" Haruka retorted. The boy glared at her and stuck out his tongue. Haruka ignored him and continued into the living room where a gentleman was sitting with her babysitter, Ruriko.

"Haruka-chan, this is Kaiou Takeshi," said Ruriko. Haruka bowed respectfully and Takeshi nodded in acknowledgement. "Will you please play the piano for Kaiou-san?" she asked the young girl.

"Hai," Haruka responded, bowed, and sat down on the bench in front of the piano. It may have been a request, but she had no choice. Last time she tried to get out of playing the piano, she was punished by Ruriko, and later her mother. As she started to play, she began to think, Okaa-san says my talent for piano is a blessing; I say it's a curse. I hate when I have to play for someone. Haruka's fingers moved skillfully and gracefully across the keys, striking chords and playing melodies. At the end of the piece, she placed her hands on her lap to signify the end of the performance, then stood up and bowed as Ruriko and Takeshi applauded.

"Haruka-chan, that was wonderful!" Takeshi praised. "And a very difficult piece. Mozart, is it?"

"Arigatou, Kaiou-san. And yes, it is Mozart," Haruka replied.

"Amazing. How old are you Haruka-chan?"

"Eight, turning nine this year."

"Same as my daughter! And how long have you been playing piano?"

"Since I was three."

Takeshi looked at Haruka in awe. "I'm impressed! You have quite a gift, Haruka-chan."

You mean curse, Haruka thought. "Domo arigatou, Kaiou-san."

"Very good Haruka-chan. You may go back to the playroom now," Ruriko said.

Haruka walked back into the playroom and resumed her spot on the floor. Sadly, to her dismay, Speed Racer had ended and another program ensued. Masanori threw a paper ball at her. Unfortunately for him, Haruka's reflexes were sharp. She caught it and pegged it back at him hard enough to make it hurt.

The next day Haruka arrived at Ruriko's after school and as always, the first thing she did was practice her piano lessons. If she was lucky, Ruriko wouldn't have her learn a new piece and she could just go through her pieces and be done with it.

"Well done, Haruka-chan," said Ruriko when she finished playing her last piece. Haruka held her breath. "I have to do something right now, but tomorrow you will learn something new."

"Hai!" Haruka said and quickly left to go to the playroom. She lucked out today. There was still time before Speed Racer would come on, so she began doing her homework.

A few minutes later she heard Masanori come in, but there was someone else with him, a girl by the sound of her voice. Haruka got uncomfortable. She never really cared to meet anyone new and pretended to be oblivious as Ruriko came into the playroom with the new arrival.

"Haruka-chan, this is Kaiou Michiru," said Ruriko.

Haruka jerked her head to the side a bit to move her short blonde bangs from her eyes when suddenly she found herself drowning in blue eyes as deep as the ocean. She felt strange and she swore her heart stopped beating. She's… She's… beautiful! Haruka couldn't think of any other word that could describe her. Cute was lacking and pretty seemed to fall too short. No, this girl defined beautiful and Haruka felt paralyzed where she sat. The girl had wavy aqua-colored hair that fell just below her shoulders. She was holding a violin case.

Michiru met the gaze of the boy. She was also taken aback by his handsomeness and found his wind-blown looking hair charming. It was his big emerald green eyes that stunned her the most.

"Hello," Haruka said timidly.

"Michiru-chan's father was the one you played the piano for yesterday," Ruriko explained. "She and Masanori-chan go to the same school and she will be coming here, so I want you to make her feel welcome." A harsh tone came from the living room and Ruriko winced. "Sounds like Masanori-chan is having a hard time reading the notes, so I'll leave you two to get acquainted," Ruriko said and walked out the playroom. Haruka could hear Ruriko scolding Masanori for not playing the correct notes and smirked.

"Maa, sounds like he doesn't know what he's doing, ne?" Michiru said. She was soft-spoken, but Haruka thought she had the sweetest voice she ever heard.

"Yeah, he probably doesn't," Haruka replied and they laughed together. "Masanori's a showoff," Haruka continued, "but he's not very good at what he tries to showoff."

Michiru laughed in agreement. "Yeah, that's how he is in school."

There was a moment of silence as they looked at each other. Finally Haruka said, "Anou, here, sit down."

"Oh, right," Michiru said and sat down next to Haruka at the kotatsu table. Haruka could smell the scent of a sweet ocean breeze and she breathed it in deeply. "So, what are you working on?" Michiru asked.

"Just some math homework. I want to finish up before Speed Racer comes on."

"I see. Well I better get started on my homework as well." As Michiru took out her notebooks from her backpack, a few pages from her sketchbook fell out. Haruka quickly reached over to help pick them up and her hand met Michiru's.

"Er, sorry," Haruka blushed and pulled her hand back. I touched her hand.

"It's okay," Michiru said, also blushing. He's so cute!

Haruka looked at the pages as Michiru gathered them up. They were mostly landscapes and still-lives. "Wow, you drew these? They're really good!"

"Arigatou, Haruka-chan."

They stared at each other again, then Haruka cleared her throat and tried to resume her homework. She found, however, that she couldn't concentrate anymore. She kept glancing at Michiru out of the corner of her eye. What's happening to me? Why am I feeling like this? What am I feeling? She watched the other girl as these questions flew through her mind. The more she took in every detail of Michiru's beauty, the more her heart pounded.

Michiru knew Haruka was watching her. She wasn't even really doing homework, but she acted like it so that she had something to do with Haruka. She kind of liked how he shyly placed his eyes on her. Haruka. She repeated the name in her mind over and over.

Suddenly Masanori came in. "Haruka-chan! What are you doing? Speed Racer is on!"

Haruka blinked. She had lost track of time and realized she forgot all about Speed Racer. How could I forget Speed Racer?

"Stupid girl!" Masanori muttered.

"At least I'm smart enough to read the notes," Haruka snapped back. "You've been trying to learn that piece for months now!"

Haruka's a girl? Michiru thought amidst the bickering between the other two children.

"Why don't you stop acting like a boy? You're never gonna be one!" Suddenly Masanori found himself pinned to the floor, face down with his arms twisted behind him. Michiru was amazed at how quickly Haruka moved.

"Oh yeah? Well I'm more a boy than you'll ever be!" Haruka cried out triumphantly.

"Haruka-chan! Masanori-chan! What's gotten into you?"

Haruka and Masanori looked up to see Ruriko standing above them with her hands on her hips. She did not look happy. Haruka let Masanori go and he scrambled to his feet.

"She started it," Masanori whined.

"I don't care who started it! That is no way to behave!" Ruriko lectured. "Now I want you both to apologize to Michiru-chan for your behavior."

They both apologized to Michiru, which Michiru accepted – more Haruka's apology than Masanori. Haruka was embarrassed to have been chided in front of Michiru, but as soon as Michiru smiled at her, her embarrassment melted away. Masanori sulked and turned his attention to the TV. The doorbell rang and Ruriko went to answer it.

"Michiru-chan! Your father's here to pick you up."

No, don't take my Michi yet. Haruka blinked. My Michi?

Sayonara Haruka-chan! I'll see you tomorrow!" Michiru said before she walked out. Strangely, she felt sad to go.

"Sayonara Michiru-chan." My Michi.

At home, Haruka couldn't stop thinking about Michiru. She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling and sending her thoughts up to the night sky, replaying the day over and over in her mind. She closed her eyes and saw the beautiful girl. Just beautiful. And her voice is so sweet, so angelic. I want to be with her. I want to touch her, feel her. I want to kiss her. Haruka stopped herself and her brow furrowed, questioning that last statement. Suddenly a smile spread across her face as she realized, I'm in love! I'm in love with the most beautiful girl in the world and it feels so nice! At that Haruka turned to her side and fell asleep in bliss.

Michiru was also thinking of Haruka. She was still strongly attracted to her, even after finding out Haruka was a girl. She didn't understand it, but that's how she felt. She wanted to spend more time with Haruka and know more about her. She thought she might ask Masanori since he'd known Haruka since they were babies, then decided against it after remembering the way Masanori had tried to bully Haruka only to find himself eating the floor. The last thing on Michiru's mind before she finally drifted into sleep was green eyes, Haruka's green eyes.

Never before had Haruka been so eager to get out of school the next day. When she got to Ruriko's, she immediately began playing the piano when Ruriko stopped her.

"Hold on, Haruka-chan. You don't need to play those pieces today. I just want you to spend today learning this piece." Ruriko spread the pages out in front of Haruka and then pulled up a chair. "Yoshi, let's begin."

Haruka began sight-reading the piece and in no time, she was playing it flawlessly. As with every new piece, however, Haruka had to play it ten times through before she was done, even if it was perfect. Why does this piece have to be so long? Haruka thought, playing through the fourth time. She was in the middle of the eighth time when Masanori and Michiru arrived. Haruka looked up to see her love walk in while she continued playing.

Michiru felt a warm sensation wash over her when she saw Haruka and heard her playing. Smiling, she called, "Hi Haruka-chan!"

I love the way she says my name. "Hi Michiru-chan," Haruka greeted back. Michiru walked past her to go to the playroom and she caught the smell of the ocean again. Her heart sank a little. Two more to go and then I can go to her! Haruka continued playing the piano, being careful not to rush it for fear of Ruriko making her do all ten rounds over again, when she felt someone watching her. She looked around and was startled to see Michiru sitting beside her on the chair Ruriko used.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't meant to scare you," Michiru apologized. I just wanted to watch you play.

"It's okay, I'm fine," Haruka said and offered a smile as she kept playing.

"Anou, you sound really good," Michiru said bashfully.

"Arigatou." Haruka's heart pounded nervously. She was thrilled that Michiru was here beside her. Suddenly the idea of being stuck to the piano for a while longer didn't seem so bad. Haruka never wanted to play for anyone before, but now she wanted to impress Michiru and express all her emotions to her through the melodies coming from her fingertips.

Michiru didn't take her eyes off Haruka for a second. She watched her fingers dance across the keys in a fluid motion that reminded her of the wind. The melody reached into her soul and she could actually feel a warm wind surrounding her and embracing her. It whispered words only she could hear – I want to be with you now. The feeling faded just as Haruka concluded the piece.

Wow, what just happened? thought Michiru. Haruka was about to begin her final round, but Michiru stopped her. "Wait, before you begin," Michiru said, "I have an idea. I'll be right back."

Haruka wondered what Michiru was up to as she ran off into the kitchen where Ruriko was preparing an afternoon snack. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but after a few moments, Michiru reappeared with her violin.

"I asked Ruriko-san if she didn't mind me playing with you," Michiru confessed a bit shyly. "She thought it was a good idea."

Haruka nodded and waited till Michiru was ready, then she began to play. Haruka's chords and Michiru's melodies blended into a perfect harmony. It was like a whole new world of sound had opened up. This time, Michiru wasn't the only one hearing whispers. Haruka could hear the sea's soothing waves – Hold me, I want to be yours.

Where did that come from? Haruka wondered as they kept playing their duet.

They received high praise from Ruriko as they finished the piece, but they hardly noticed. They simply stared at each other, trying to comprehend what they just experienced. It was so overwhelming. Neither of them said anything about it as they went back into the playroom. They didn't know how to talk about it. Masanori was called into the living room for his piano lessons, leaving the two young girls alone. Finally, Michiru broke the awkward silence.

"So, what are your favorite hobbies?" Michiru asked as they sat down at the kotatsu table. Haruka took out her homework and Michiru began drawing.

"I love racing," Haruka answered almost immediately, relieved that there was something else to talk about. "When I get old enough, I want to race cars and motorcycles. But I love running track."

That must explain your wind-blown hair, Haruka, Michiru thought.

"What about you?"

"Hmm. I love art and music, as you can see. I want to be a violinist when I grow up, but I also love swimming at the beach."

That must explain your ocean breeze scent, Michiru, Haruka thought.

"Do you have a lot of friends?" Michiru continued.

"Not really."

"What about Masanori?"

Haruka scoffed. "He's so annoying. He's always teasing me and I don't understand why."

"Maybe he likes you," Michiru teased.

A look of disgust came over Haruka's face. "Ew! Gross!"

Michiru laughed. "Okay, well, is there someone you like?" she asked, thinking of the whispers she heard earlier while listening to Haruka play.

Haruka choked. "I… uh…" She felt sweat beginning to form as she desperately searched her mind for what to say.

"Michiru-chan!" Your father's here!" Ruriko called from the living room.

Michiru sighed. Aw, already? "Coming Ruriko-san!" Michiru called back. She gathered her things and turned to Haruka before leaving the playroom. "I'll see you tomorrow, Haruka-chan!" she said, waving goodbye. Again, she was saddened that she had to leave Haruka.

Haruka waved back and heaved a sigh of both relief and sadness. She didn't know how she was going to answer Michiru's last question. She touched the spot beside her where Michiru had been sitting, missing her already, then she noticed something red sticking out from underneath her books. She pushed her books aside. Michiru's pencil case! She must've missed it since it was underneath my books. Haruka carefully opened the case. Inside were pencils of various colors, a sharpener, an eraser, and then underneath the lid was a picture of Michiru. Michi! Haruka touched the picture longingly, remembering the whispers she heard while she and Michiru were playing their duet. She started to remove the picture from its plastic encasing, then stopped. No, she'll know I took it, and I'll be caught. Haruka quickly put the pencil case away. Sighing, she went back to her homework.

"So how do you like it at Ruriko-san's?" Takeshi asked his daughter on the way home.

"I like it," Michiru replied. I like Haruka.

"Are you getting along with everyone?"

"Masanori-chan's a little mean, but Haruka-chan is nice."

"The prodigy pianist?" He lightly laughed. "Yes, I figured you'd like her. It only makes sense that my genius violinist would get along with a prodigy pianist. The piano and violin are a perfect match."

Michiru liked the sound of that. "We played a duet today. Ruriko-san said we were very good."

"I know, she told me all about it." Takeshi patted his daughter on the head. "I'm so proud of you Michiru-chan! And when you're older, you will make your husband proud too."

Husband… Can girls be husbands? Michiru wondered innocently.

"Haruka-chan! Time for bed!" Sakura called to her daughter from downstairs.

"Hai! Can I just finish this race?"

"Hurry up! You better be in bed by the time I get up there!"

The distraction almost made Haruka miss the hairpin turn on Gran Turismo, but with quick maneuvers, she drifted perfectly through the bend and was on the final straight. She imagined herself on the circuit in real life, with Michiru in the stands, watching her, cheering for her. This is for you, Michiru! She crossed the finish line with a new record and threw her hands up victoriously.

Sakura snuck up behind her daughter and tickled her sides. Haruka collapsed onto her bed giggling uncontrollably.

"I got a new record for fastest time, Okaa-san!"

"That's great, but it's time for bed now, so please turn everything off."

Haruka did as she was told and got into her bed, which had race cars and black and white checkered print all over the bedsheets. Her mother hoped she would grow out of this tomboy stage soon. She wanted her daughter to pursue piano more than racing.

"Okaa-san?"

"Yes, Haruka-chan."

Haruka smiled sheepishly. "Can I tell you a secret?"

"Of course, you can tell me anything!" Sakura smiled and leaned in closer towards Haruka.

Haruka blushed. "I'm in love."

Sakura's face turned into utter surprise. "Oh, really? With who?" she asked curiously.

"Her name is Michiru-chan."

Sakura let out a gasp. 'Her' name? She looked at her daughter in shock. Haruka's eyes looked innocently back at her, unfaltering. Sakura could see the passion in Haruka's eyes. It was the same passion she saw in her husband's eyes when they first met. After all, it was his eyes that Haruka inherited. "Haruka-chan," she paused, choosing her words carefully, "girls aren't supposed to fall in love with other girls. It's just not normal. Girls fall in love with boys. They grow up and get married."

Haruka's smile faded and a crease appeared on her bow. "I don't understand, Okaa-san. So I'm not normal?"

Sakura caressed Haruka's brow, trying to ease the crease away. "No, it's not that. Maybe you do love her, but it's because you see her as the sister you wish you had. You're an only child Haruka-chan, it's normal to feel close to someone that's the same age as you."

"No, it's different," Haruka argued and she started to feel angry. "I don't wish I had a sister."

"Haruka-chan, listen to me –"

"No, you don't understand. I love her!"

"Haruka!" Sakura had grasped Haruka's shoulders and faced her daughter directly towards her. "Girls only like boys! Not other girls. So stop this foolishness."

Haruka remained silent and looked down at her hands. She didn't realize she had clenched her fists so tightly that she left crescents where her nails had dug into her skin. In a matter of minutes, her whole view of life changed. She wanted to cry, but held it in. She decided she would never confide with her mother ever again.

Sakura took a deep breath and slowly let it out. She reached over to Haruka and hugged her, giving her a kiss on the top of her head. "You will understand Haruka-chan. In time, you will understand."

Haruka slipped herself under the covers. "Oyasumi nasai."

"Oyasumi." Sakura got up and left Haruka's room, closing the door behind her.

Girls don't like other girls. It's not normal. I must be cursed. I didn't choose this. I just love her so much. These thoughts haunted Haruka as tears began to soak her pillow and she quietly cried herself to sleep.

Haruka and Michiru were sitting outside on the swings in the backyard. Above them the tree rustled in the cold restless wind. Haruka was staring out into the distance, lost in her thoughts, still brooding over what her mother said.

"Haruka-chan?" Michiru's heart ached as Haruka's sad green eyes turned to her. They were a bit puffy, as if she'd been crying all night. "Is something wrong? Why are you so quiet today?"

Haruka dropped her gaze to the ground and shook her head. "It's nothing," she murmured.

Michiru watched Haruka a few moments longer, then thought it best to try to change the subject. Besides, there were more things she wanted to know about Haruka. "Truth or dare?"

"Huh?" The sudden change in subject caught Haruka off guard and she was confused for a second.

"Truth or dare?" Michiru repeated. She hoped Haruka would pick truth. She really just wanted to ask questions, not make Haruka do silly pointless things. She didn't need Haruka to prove anything to her. She just wanted to know her.

Haruka thought about it, and then said, "Truth."

"Okay, hmm." Michiru wondered what to ask first. "I know! Why do you want to be a boy?"

Haruka raised an eyebrow. "It's not that I want to be a boy, I've just always been like this." But if I could, I'd want to be a boy so that it'd be okay to be in love with you. "Your turn! Truth or dare?"

"Truth!" Michiru said instantly.

Haruka wasn't sure if she wanted to ask this question or not, but she had to know. "Is there someone you like?"

Michiru blushed. "Yes!" She giggled, "but I won't say who! You'll have to ask that the next time I pick truth! Now you, truth or dare?"

The girl's reply discouraged Haruka, but seeing Michiru happy and enjoying this game was enough to make her smile. "Dare!" she claimed, not wanting to give Michiru a chance to ask her the same fearful question she never answered before.

Michiru frowned in disappointment. She wanted to ask the tomboy who she liked, but she guessed it would have to wait. She had to think for a moment since she wasn't prepared with a dare. Finally, she said, "Okay, Haruka-chan. I dare you to swing and jump past that rock over there." She pointed to a rock a couple feet away.

"Pft, too easy!" Haruka began pumping her legs to get the swing going. The swing rose higher and higher. When Haruka felt she was swinging at her highest, she let go of the chains and flew out in front of her. She landed about two feet past the rock Michiru had indicated, then turned around to face Michiru. Leaning to the side with her arms crossed in front of her and a grin on her face, she asked, "How's that?"

Michiru clapped her hands. "You did it!"

Haruka bowed as if in front of a large audience, making Michiru laugh. "And now for my next trick, I will make a flower appear out of thin air!" With some quick hand movements, she produced an origami flower she had made and kept inside her pocket. Mocking a TV show host, she presented the flower to Michiru saying, "For the lovely young lady." Her playful eyes were hypnotizing.

Michiru giggled. "Stay there, I'm going to come to you," she said and started swinging.

"Michiru-chan, wait, don't try to—"

The smaller girl swung forward and let go before Haruka could finish, but she barely reached the target rock. Her footing slipped as she landed and she began to fall back when suddenly she was caught from behind by two arms. She turned her head to look behind her and was surprised to see Haruka. How did she get there so fast?

"Daijyobu?" the blonde asked with the most concerned look on her face.

The girl in Haruka's arms blushed profusely and nodded.

Haruka smiled and slowly separated herself from Michiru. She stepped back and cleared her throat. "Here's your flower."

Michiru thanked her savior and put the flower in her hair.

Kami-sama, you're so beautiful. Haruka thought. "Okay, so truth or dare?" she inquired eagerly. Now was her chance to ask Michiru who she liked.

"Hmm, I bet you want me to say 'truth' now, huh?" Michiru said slyly.

"It's up to you," Haruka said, trying to act indifferent.

"Well I say dare!" Michiru said defiantly.

Haruka scratched her head and looked up at the sky, pondering what to dare Michiru to do. "I dare you to…" kiss me. She shook her head to clear the thought out of her mind.

"What's that, Haruka-chan?"

"Huh? I didn't say anything, still thinking." Did I say it out loud? Did she hear me?

A car beeped and they both looked to see Michiru's father's car pulling up to Ruriko's house. Michiru sighed. "Guess I can't do a dare, I have to go now." They went back inside through the backdoor and Michiru got her things. She was leaving the playroom when Haruka went after her.

"Michiru-chan," Haruka said.

Michiru stopped and turned around so quickly that Haruka almost walked into her. Their faces were so close that they could have kissed. They stared at each other for a second, but it seemed like years before Haruka stepped back, trying to hide her blush.

"I… anou… you forgot this yesterday," Haruka said holding out Michiru's pencil case. "I found it under my books."

Michiru's eyes lit up. She took the pencil case and hugged Haruka. "Oh thank you, Haruka-chan! I thought I lost it!"

Without thinking, Haruka hugged Michiru back, pulling her close to her. The scent of the ocean overwhelmed her and she closed her eyes. If only you knew how so in love with you I am, Haruka thought.

Michiru was surprised at how tightly Haruka was embracing her, but she liked it. She felt the same warmth when she was listening to Haruka play the piano and she didn't want her to let go.

"Come on, Michiru-chan!" Takeshi called from up front. "Your mother is waiting!"

"Hai!" Michiru called back to her father. They awkwardly pulled away from each other, both their faces bright red. Michiru took one last look at the tomboy. "See you next week Haruka-chan."

"Sayonara Michiru-chan."

The weekend couldn't go by fast enough. It was torture waiting for Monday to arrive. The image of the blonde girl would not go away even for a second. A smile crept up on Michiru's lips as she glanced at the origami flower inside her pencil case where she kept it. She was in the middle of a sketch when she was interrupted by a knock on her door.

"Hai!" she responded, quickly covering her sketch.

The door opened and the woman from whom Michiru had inherited her features from entered the room. "Michiru-chan, your friend is here," she said. "She'd like to know if you can come out and play with her. Have you practiced your violin yet?"

"Hai, Okaa-san," Michiru replied.

"Then you may go," Mieko said, smiling at her daughter.

Michiru closed her pencil case and sketchbook and kissed her mother on the cheek before walking out the house. Always curious to see her daughter's artwork in progress, Mieko walked over to Michiru's desk and flipped through her sketchbook pages. There were sketches of what looked like a boy flying through the air. Mieko chuckled to herself. It seemed her little girl was growing up and admired this boy.

Monday finally arrived, but Michiru did not show up. Haruka waited for her everyday, but everyday Masanori arrived at Ruriko's alone.

"Hey Masanori-chan, where's Michiru-chan?" the blonde finally decided to ask.

"She's at home. Where else would she be?" Masanori replied, not looking up from his Nintendo DS. They were playing Mario Kart and racing each other.

"She's not coming here anymore?" Haruka tapped the button that released an item to attack Masanori.

The boy growled. "No, she was only here because her parents were busy moving their stuff to their new house," he said, sounding annoyed.

Haruka felt a pain inside her chest. Will I ever see her again?

"You suck!" Masanori exclaimed as Haruka beat him to the finish line. "I want a rematch!" he demanded. "I lost because you wouldn't shut up."

"The score is 16-0, Masanori-chan! You don't need a rematch, you need the mercy rule!"

A year passed, but not a day went by that Haruka didn't think of Michiru. She was riding the bus on her way to school and she closed her eyes and thought of the beautiful girl that had turned her world upside down. She realized that she had noticed other cute girls since then, but none captured her heart the way Michiru had. None of them were beautiful. They were just cute, or pretty. But one thing still haunted her: Girls aren't supposed to fall in love with other girls.

"Haruka-chan!" a voice interrupted her thoughts. A girl with black hair pulled back into a ponytail sat beside her.

"Hi Kyoko-chan," Haruka said.

"Did you do the homework last night?"

"Yeah, it was easy."

"Can I copy it? I didn't do it last night."

Haruka pulled out her homework. "Why don't you ever do your homework?"

Kyoko laughed. "Because I have a best friend who'll let me copy her's! I just hate homework. We do enough work in class."

Best friend. The words sounded strange to Haruka. She didn't know she was Kyoko's best friend. Kyoko hardly talked to her in class, unless she needed to know the answer to a question. But she said I'm her best friend, she thought as she watched the world go past the window. The bus stopped at a corner to pick up more passengers when Haruka saw aqua hair out of the corner of her eye. She turned to look in the direction and her eyes widened. The girl was carrying a violin case. Michiru? The aqua hair disappeared into the crowd walking down the street and the bus continued forward. Was it really her? She turned to Kyoko. If Kyoko was her best friend, she could trust her.

"Kyoko-chan, wanna know a secret?"

Kyoko stopped copying the homework. "Oh what is it? Tell me!"

"You promise not to tell anyone?"

"I swear, I swear!" Kyoko said impatiently.

"Okay, there's a girl that I really like a lot, and I think I just saw her."

"Oh," Kyoko said, looking a little puzzled. "So you're lesbian."

Haruka raised an eyebrow. "Huh? What's that mean?"

"It's when a girl likes other girls," Kyoko explained and continued copying Haruka's homework. "Do you like girls?"

Haruka hesitated. "Yeah, I do."

"Then you're lesbian," Kyoko concluded. "So what's her name?"

"Kaiou Michiru," Haruka whispered.

"Michiru-chan? I know Michiru-chan!"

"You do?"

"Yeah! She's one of my best friends! That's weird, Haruka-chan."

"Please don't tell her! You promised!" Haruka pleaded.

"I won't. But you know, she already likes someone, some boy she met last year."

Haruka felt a sudden pain in her heart.

"Anyway, here," Kyoko said, handing Haruka back her homework. "Thanks for letting me copy it."

Michiru took out the drawing she kept hidden in the back of her sketchbook. I miss you so much, she said to the picture she drew of Haruka. She was sitting on a bench in Juban Park. It had been a year since she saw Haruka at Ruriko's house. Michiru found out from Masanori that Haruka no longer went to Ruriko's house after school, so there was no way of telling if she'd ever see Haruka again. She never told anyone about Haruka, but when someone asked, she would say there was already someone she was interested in. She pulled out her violin and played the melody she played when she and Haruka had done their duet, but without the pianist, it felt incomplete. She closed her eyes and saw Haruka staring back at her, the wind tossing her blonde hair around and her green eyes sparkling.

Before she knew it, the nearby clock tower began to chime the hour. I better get going or I'll be late. Michiru carefully put her drawing away and picked up her violin case. She walked past a bus stop just as a bus was pulling up to exchange its passengers. Suddenly she felt a gust of wind. She looked around her, feeling a familiar presence when two students bumped into her, rushing to make it on the bus. Annoyed, Michiru straightened herself out and continued walking to school.

The bus stopped in front of the school and Haruka went to her locker to get her books. Girls only like boys. "Shut up, I don't want to hear it," Haruka muttered under her breath. She slammed her locker shut and went to her homeroom. When she entered the classroom, the monotonous chatter silenced and all her classmates looked at her. She raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Lesbian!" someone shouted at Haruka.

Terror came over Haruka's face and she saw Kyoko standing with some of the other girls, looking disgustedly at Haruka.

"Ew Haruka-chan, don't look at me! I'm not a lesbian like you!" Kyoko said.

"Kyoko-chan, you swore!" Anger rose in Haruka's voice.

"I always thought you were weird! But thanks for always letting me copy the homework!"

The other girls laughed.

Haruka had to get out. She ran out the door as her teacher came in, nearly knocking her over.

"Tenou? Where are you going?"

Haruka ignored her and kept running.

"Tenou! Come back!"

Haruka was already down the hall and running down the stairs. Tears were streaming down her face. She burst through the entrance doors and didn't hold back. She felt the wind blowing against her face and welcomed it with all her heart. She ran without knowing where she'd go, just as long as it was far from here.

The sound of waves hitting the shore woke Haruka up. She sat up and looked around. She was alone, except for the seagulls. The last thing she remembered was running out of the school grounds. She couldn't remember when she got to the beach, or when she collapsed and fell asleep. She looked at her watch: 12:45. She had been out for at least 3 hours. Her stomach grumbled and she took her bento box out of her backpack. While she ate, she stared out into the ocean, recalling what happened earlier. I can't trust anyone, Haruka thought. This sucks. I'm in love with a girl I can't be with and now everyone in school knows. She was on the verge of tears again, but as the breeze carried the sound of the waves to her, she was somehow comforted. Michiru said she loved swimming at the beach. She sighed. The sea reminds me of her hair. This is probably the closest I can get to her now. I wish I took her picture from her pencil case. Haruka took one last look out into the ocean. I'll be here, Michiru.

Haruka went straight home from the beach. A grief-stricken Sakura was anxiously waiting for her. Haruka's teacher had called and told Sakura how Haruka had run away. Sakura was too relieved that her daughter was back to be angry, but she demanded an explanation.

"Well, young lady?"

"The other kids," Haruka started, "they were teasing me so much. So I just ran away."

"And where exactly did you go? Where were you this whole time?"

"I went to Crown Parlor and played at the arcades." Haruka lied. She didn't want Sakura to know her secret place.

Sakura hugged Haruka tightly. "Don't let those kids get to you. You're a beautiful, smart girl, and that might make some kids jealous, so they try to bring you down, but don't you let them." She tilted Haruka's chin up to look her daughter straight in the eye. "Just ignore them. You're so much better than they are."

"Okay, Okaa-san.