Land of the Rising Sun
Chapter 2: Off Day
Haruka sat at the kitchen table. It had been nearly a week since they'd gone to the races. There was in fact a new threat. The team was still trying to figure out what they were after. They seemed to be focused on athletes right now. Luna and Artemis both suspected it had something to do with the energy of people who competed in sports. They were still digging for information.
Warm sunlight illuminated the kitchen as Haruka read through the morning paper. Her family was up and moving about. Soft conversation buzzed around her. Hotaru was getting ready for school. She was dressed in her uniform and checking her backpack one last time. Michiru was on the phone with the local museum curator. They were in negotiations for some of Michiru's work. She was confirming her meeting with him later today.
Haruka turned another page and stopped. Her breathing skipped a few beats. She stared at the headline. Her eyes widening as she read the article.
RISING STAR CRASHES IN GALA RACE
The article went on to talk about the race; how it was a showcase of champions. It talked about the teams and the top tiered riders. Haruka quickly scanned through it searching for Sunrise's name. She found it about half way through the article.
Rising star, Sunrise Daniels crashed late Thursday during the Gala Race.
Team doctors confirm that she is injured; and will not be riding for awhile.
It is not known at this time the extent of Ms. Daniel's injuries. Her team would not comment.
This crash could potentially cost the young American star the season Title.
The crash happened on turn four of the Toyota Race Track, Thursday night.
Thos who witnessed the crash say that the bike came apart under the rider.
Rising concerns about the safety of using older model bikes.
The Daniel's team thanks fans for their support and prayers.
Haruka stood up from the table; she grabbed her jacket. Michiru and Hotaru looked up in startled surprise. "I have to leave." Haruka kissed Michiru on the cheek. Hugged her daughter. "I'll call you later."
Michiru stares after her lover. She glances at the table and frowns. Pulling the paper closer she looks at the printed story. "Oh my."
Hotaru looks at the article. "I hope she's okay."
**
Haurka parked her car and jumped out. There are security guards around the entrance of the Toyota Race Track. They pause in conversation as she jogs up to them.
"Hey Tenno," One of them greets, bowing slightly.
"Hi, I am here to talk to Sunrise Daniels." Haruka pauses as she nears the group.
The guards exchange a look. Finally one of them nods. "Sure thing, go on in."
Haruka nods; she walks past them, breaking into a run as she enters the building. There are a lot of corridors and potential places she could be. Haruka pauses as she enters a long hall leading to the door stands. She runs up it, into the outdoors. From here she could see the track. Teams are scattered about the inner track; practicing. She sees press cameras and photographers gathered near the far left side.
Haruka looks around; this place is massive, sunrise could be anywhere.
"Hey blondie," Turning around. Haruka looks up at the stands.
Sunrise is sitting a halfway up; in the middle seat. Haruka jogs up the stairs and shimmies her way down the aisle. She sits down next to Sunrise. Looking over the American, she resists the urge to flinch. Dark bruises march up the ride side of the girl's neck; there is an ugly bruise around her left eye. Sunrise's t-shirt is accompanied by a dark blue sling trimmed in white. The sling supports her left arm. There are bruises on her right arm; a couple of her fingers are in splints made of foam and metal.
Sunrise glances at Haruka. Her blue eyes seemed brighter because of the bruises. Her eyes held an expression of repressed pain. A tension associated with discomfort. Despite that, a smile teased her lips.
"I look that bad, huh?" Sun's voice was weak; strained.
Haruka shrugs looking away from her. "A little is good, but not this much."
Sun gently laughs, it's a fragile sound. "What are you doing here?"
"I read about the crash; wanted to check on you." Haruka settled back into the seat. She rested both elbows on the back of her seat. "You know, you wanted to hang out, you could have just called. No need to crash yourself to bits."
Sunrise smiled gently, "What can I say? I'm American, we like doing things a certain way."
Haruka smiled, chuckling a little. "I am glad to see your safety gear did its job."
"Yep," Sun nodded, she looked at her right hand. "I was going to ride without the lined jacket; cause of the heat, but I decided to wear it. Good thing I did. The jacket guards kept me from being broken into a wheelchair."
"So the paper downplayed the crash." Haruka muttered.
Sun was quiet a moment, "It a normal ride. Then, as I came around turn 4, going up the hill, I felt the bike go loose. I was in the air when it came apart. The next thing I know, I am sailing through the air with nothing under me. I hit the ground and was like being stampeded. The riders tried to get out of the way. But there's only so much room and coming off that hill...." Sunrise shook her head.
Haruka looked at her, "It takes a lot of strength to make it through something like that. On the upside now, perhaps Chris can talk to the team, let you use the Sun-Chaser."
Sunrise nodded, "I thought that too. Maybe. First, I have to mend up enough to sit on a bike. Never mind while it moves."
Haruka looked out at the track; watching the teams. "What's going to happen with your sponsors?"
"They are going to use the second rider, Vince something, until I am cleared to ride again. I am hoping it only takes a week."
"No way," Haruka shook her head, sitting forward. "You have too many broken bones. It's going to take longer than that."
Sunrise was quiet for a moment. "They're willing to give me the rest of the season off. But if I don't finish it, I won't have a sponsor for next year. I'll start from the beginning again. I didn't ride this hard for this long; to end up at the starting gate a second time." She shook her head, "No, I have to get myself back to riding form, fast."
"How are you going to ride if you can't grip the handles? Or balance the bike?" Haruka asked, glancing at Sun. "Be serious."
Sun shook her head again, "I am serious. If you layer the compression shirts, a smaller size under the normal size, it's just as good as a brace. It will hold the ribcage injuries in place. As for my hands; I can wait until I have some range of motion back. It's only three fingers." She held up her right hand, "Pinkie-finger and thumb, I can still ride with it. It'll hurt like a bitch, but I've ridden with sprained and broken toes before. Sprained wrists, dinged collar bone. I can do this."
Haruka sighed. She hid her smile. You had to be tough to compete at this level. She stood up, "Not today, today you're mine. Come on, I know this great place for lunch."
Sunrise stared up at Haruka for a long time. She finally nodded, "Sure."
Haruka offered a hand and Sun took it with her right hand. She moved stiffly and like it hurt; but Sun never complained. She stood up, dropping Haruka's hand. Haruka went down the stairs first, she paused, looking back. Sun moved slowly, Haruka offered the hand again. Sun hesitated before taking it. The tension in Sun's body worried Haruka, but neither of them said a word. Once in the hallway, Sun let go of Haruka's hand. They walked slowly down the hall. It was a long, slow walk back to Haruka's car.
Haruka opened the passenger side door; Sun gently, carefully folded herself into the vehicle. They left the parking lot. Haruka drove at her usual speed; not thinking about until she was stopped at a red light.
She glanced at her passenger; Sun was looking at her surroundings. "Am I driving too fast?"
Sun shook her head, slightly, "Nope, just looking around."
The light changed and they moved on. It took a few minutes to reach their destination. Haruka helped Sun out of the car. They walked slowly, side by side, toward the cafe. Sun paused a few times, looking in to the shop windows. Haruka stood next to her; letting her look at whatever caught her interest.
Once in the Cafe, they sat down near the windows. Sun watched the people go by; Haruka sat across from her. A young waitress appeared, asking if they wanted anything to drink.
"Sun, do you want anything?" Haruka asked.
Sun blinked, focusing on the cafe, "Whatever your having is fine."
Haruka ordered tea for both of them and asked for menus. Sun returned to watching the people outside. "Do you like being in Japan?"
"Yes," Sun said quietly, "It's busy and crowded, but at the same, I feel at home here."
Haruka let the silence fall between them. She was studying Sun's face. The woman was relaxed. Totally and complete relaxed. Her eyes still showed pain; but it was lessened now, curiosity showed through clearly.
"Have you been to any of the temples yet?" Haruka asked.
Their drinks arrived and the waitress put the menus on the table. Haruka sipped at her tea; but didn't reach for the menu right away. Sun focused on the blonde across from her. She seemed to hesitate before speaking.
"Thank you," Sun muttered quietly, "It's nice of you to take me out of there."
Haruka nodded, "You're welcome."
"Are there nice temples around here?" Sun asked, she gently picked up her tea cup, sipping at it carefully.
Haruka thought of Rei's temple. "There is one. When you're better we can visit."
Sun smiled, it was fleeting and her face was empty a moment later. "I am sorry I had to get hurt, before we could do this."
"Don't be," Haruka shrugged, "I had my fair share of crashes. They can be blessings in disguise."
"I hope so." Sun sipped at her tea, "Should we order?"
Harkura picked up a menu and handed it to her. "They have good muffins here."
Sun managed a soft laugh, "Good to know."
Haruka placed the order for both of them. Before their food could arrive, they were interrupted. A sense of warning slid around Haruka. She looked out the window. The trees around them ruffled slightly in a gentle breeze. Haruka frowned.
"Something wrong?" Sun asked gently; glancing outside.
Haruka sighed, "I have to make a call," She stood up, "I'll be right back."
Sun nodded and Haruka left the table. Making her way across the cafe, she stepped into the ladies washroom. Checking it, she made sure it was empty. Stepping up to the counter, Haruka held out her hand. A bright gold flash of light and her communicator sat in her hand. Her planetary symbol was carved into the domed surface. Haruka opened it. A moment later, Michiru appeared in the small screen.
"The wind is uneasy." Haruka whispered.
Michiru nodded, "I know, I feel it too. We should meet up at Rei's" The ocean senshi paused, "You're with Sunrise."
Haruka nodded.
"How is she?" Michiru asked.
"The accident was pretty serious. She might be out for the rest of the season. She's tough though," Haruka paused, "She wants to get back to racing."
Michiru was quiet a moment, "What will you tell her?"
Haruka sighed, "I don't know. I've never had to do this before."
"I'll meet you at Rei's." A moment later, Michiru vanished from the screen.
Haruka closed the communicator and it disappeared in a glow of gold light. She stood at the counter, staring at herself. What would she? She'd never spent much time with anyone outside the senshi. She'd never had to come up with a story. What would she say?