Part III: I'll Take You In My Arms
The woman just stared at Haruka with hazel eyes that seem to pierce through her body. It felt like she was reading the blonde from the depths of soul. She could feel her jaw slightly locking so she forced out a smile.
"Are you Amara's friend?"
The girl nodded and shook Haruka's hand.
"Meioh Setsuna. I'm one of her best friends here in Tokyo."
"Nice to meet you…"
"Nice to meet you too…"
"Would you like to go for coffee or something? I'd like to know more about her. If you don't mind…"
"Sure… Let me just give her these." Setsuna gave her a smile and bent down to pay her respects to Amara.
It took a while before the green haired woman stood up. By now, Haruka was leaning against a tree nearby, watching her.
"She misses you a lot, Amara. I wish I could help her…" She heard Setsuna whisper.
Who was the person Setsuna was talking about? An idea popped into Haruka's head. Maybe she could make this person feel better as a sign of thanks to the heart that was beating in her chest. It wasn't as life saving, but maybe it was enough to make her feel less indebted to the fallen Amara Tenou.
"So where do you live?" Setsuna smiled at her.
Her eyes were so sincere. Haruka knew she was a good person. Not that she was a good judge among people. She rarely interacted with people outside the confinement of her home. It was maybe because they were less warm when they talked to her. Or Haruka just didn't like people around her, for now. So which one is which?
"I bought a house not far from here. It's some sort of beach house."
"Ah… A friend of mine has one just around here too."
"Should I take you there? After I take you to coffee or something…" Haruka offered blushing lightly on the cheek.
Setsuna smiled once more and gave her a nod.
It was a short walk from Amara's grave to Haruka's car. But along the way, Haruka learned a few things about her donor. Amara was a race car driver and a track star. She was known in Tokyo. One reason why Setsuna was surprised Haruka's face hasn't made it into the tabloids. Setsuna said they look alike but they do dress differently. Haruka seemed to be at ease with her feminine side, showing off the curves under her blouse. She still looked like a man from a far. A beautiful man as Setsuna would put it.
Once they were on the car, Setsuna told her about how Amara was when she was still alive. She was a good friend, and a great lover to some person named Kaioh Michiru. Haruka found out that Kaioh Michiru was a famous violinist but opted to retire in isolation after Amara's death.
"Waste of talent if you ask me…" Haruka muttered as she parked the car in front of the coffee shop.
"She hasn't gotten over her. And I think she could never get over her. It was…"
"Traumatic?"
"Hai…"
"Well maybe she just needs time. We all need time to recover…" Haruka smiled going out of her car to open the door for Setsuna.
They entered the coffee shop which housed little customers that day. Setsuna said they were lucky. Someone might mistake her for Amara and the paparazzi would go crazy. Haruka thought, if she was going to be an instant celebrity, would it be good? Of course the answer was simple.
It can't be good.
Setsuna went on with her stories. Most of which were stories about the people and events that surrounded Amara's family and friends after her funeral. As she heard them, Haruka thought, why did Amara died? She seemed loved and wanted, needed even. Haruka's life revolved only with her brother. There was nothing to live for. Amara had a lot to be alive for.
So why Haruka?
"Is there something wrong?" Setsuna looked at her worriedly.
She didn't realize her mind was wondering. Heck she didn't even realize her coffee had gone cold. Apologizing to Setsuna, she smiled and waved her hand to have another cup. This time she was sure to drink it up.
Her companion just smiled and continued on with her stories. This time it was about things in Tokyo Haruka should see. Later on Haruka realized she should do something in her spare time. Training perhaps? But she needed to see a doctor regularly. She asked Setsuna who she could refer her to.
"Mizuno. Mizuno Ami. She's a friend too. I'll write down her clinic address for you." Setsuna took a napkin and wrote the address.
"Arigatou."
"Why would you need a doctor? Is the heart still unstable?"
"Iie… I just want to take care of myself. I don't get a heart that's compatible everyday."
"I see… Well… I should be getting home. It was nice to spend time with you."
"Same here. Can I have your number?" Haruka blushed pointing to her mobile phone.
"Well… Just in case I need someone to take me around." She added as she let out a small smile.
"Sure…" Setsuna replied taking Haruka's phone to enter her number.
"Call me." It was more of an invitation for Haruka's ear.
And there was nothing else better to reply.
"Hai."
She could pretend to smile a little but feel nothing in the end. It was her mother's birthday, she should be happy.
But she wasn't.
Her sisters tried to entertain her, forced her to dance with the guests even.
But she was bored.
She was uninterested.
There was a point that she thought, the part was made for her. Not for her mother. Most of the people were greeting her, telling her things long forgotten.
It must be hard to lose someone you love.
It must be hard trying to move on losing someone who meant so much that fast.
Yes it hurt.
But as people asked her about it, as people sympathized with her about it, the pain grew.
"Yare… Yare… A party is supposed to be celebrated Michiru-san."
A voice she knew to well. A voice she'd rather have her ears automatically shut out. Damn this life. Damn this person. He is sure to take advantage of her newly acquired status.
Kaioh Michiru, single and available.
Michiru wanted a large sign that said.
Kaioh Michiru, single and uninterested.
"I am celebrating. In my own way…" She replied not looking at the man.
"Come on now Michiru-san. Let me show you how to have a good time. It seems you lack the fun nowadays." He tried to take her hand but she violently slapped his hand away.
"Stay away from me." She stood up walking away from him.
She felt a strong hand grab hers, forcing her to turn. Her eyes shot dagger-like glares and she fought to free her hand. Of course he was stronger. She couldn't loosen the grip.
"Kou-kun, I don't want you around me. So let go before I call my father."
"You don't have to force yourself away from me hime-chan. I'm the only thing you got now that Amara's gone. No one is man enough for you. Amara wasn't even…" He didn't have to continue.
SLAP!
The mere mention of her name made Michiru's heart throb in sadness. Her anger multiplied. There were gasps amongst the crowd but she didn't care. His face deserved more of her hand and Kaioh Michiru was willing to let it all out.
Kou Seiya was degrading her late lover's name by uttering it through his mouth.
Blue eyes clouded. She will not have any of it.
SLAP!
"Never speak of Amara again. You are not human enough to speak her name." She walked away as her eldest sister followed.
"Michiru…" She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.
She knew Nami was afraid she would cry again. She would have, when she still had tears. Now, it seemed her tears had run dry. There were no tears in her eyes even if she wanted them. She lost weight, and at some point she seemed to have lost her life.
Why was she still around?
Michiru loved her family. She was fighting hard to have the will to live.
"Gomen, I should have asked the guards to look for him."
"It's ok… Onee-chan. He didn't really bother me." Her smile was faint, clearly forced.
"I think we should take you home…" Her father appeared out of the darkness.
Nami nodded as she hugged Michiru tighter. Her mother followed and hugged her too.
Their little princess was taking a while to cope up with the changes. Nevertheless they would be there. They would always be there for her. She was family.
"Gomen… I should be happy because you're still here… Gomen…" Michiru turned to her mother and started to sob.
It was evident.
Their youngest was crying but there were no tears.
It was their turn to cry now.
Why was life cruel to take away Amara? Didn't Michiru deserve to be happy? It had been a while for her family to accept the fact she loved Amara. It had been hard to just be happy for their hime-chan. Where they wrong? Should they have taken Michiru farther away from her? Would she be happier?
What ifs can't answer them.
"I should go…" Michiru whispered pulling away from her mother's arms.
"You don't have to hime-chan. We'll prepare your room…" She didn't give her father the chance to finish his offer.
"Iie… Arigatou for being here with me… Arigatou for loving me… I just have to do this on my own… Happy birthday…" She kissed her mother's cheek and slowly walked away.
Amidst the crowd she could her family's worry sent through the wind. But she couldn't do anything about it. Her heart was lonely and still broken.
Can someone come along and pick up the pieces?
There were days she hoped someone would.
But those days seemed to be long gone.
Silently she sat as the limo began to move. The road home was still the same. She gets out of the city, crosses the highway in the outskirts of the beach line, to a house a top a cliff, overlooking the ocean. There were hundreds of other beach houses but hers was the only house on the cliff.
That lonely cliff…
It wasn't supposed to be lonely. It was supposed to be a happy place - A happy home. A home she should have shared with Amara.
If she was alive…
The driver pulled over her driveway. And slowly she made her way to her room. She didn't bother about the maids. She didn't bother about the calls that she got.
Her heart was tired.
And so was her body.
She took off her clothes and changed into her nightie. Touching her violin, she walked out to house and let the wind swept through the light fabric covering her body.
She felt cold but she didn't back out.
She stayed there, eyes transfixed on the pale moon.
Just then the wind blew softer than before. It was not violent anymore. It was more like kisses on her cheek. She walked towards the end off the cliff where there was a path on the way down.
Why she would take the path was a blank to her too.
She just felt she needed to go below - Meet the ocean. Other than that, Michiru had no other reason.
Once she reached the rocks below, she could hear the waves crashing with each other. She felt cold once more. The wind growing angrier by the second.
But Michiru didn't move.
Instead she let the wind ravage her body. She let the ocean scream at her. Her isolation, her solitude, she felt she had enough. Her family would go on. There was no need for her to stay.
She walked a few yards, and Michiru was ashore. Along the sandy beach, the rest of the ocean was serene - inviting. Michiru's feet led her to the water.
Cold.
But calm.
She walked slowly towards deeper ends of the ocean.
Knees.
Waist.
By now the water was up to her chin but Michiru didn't care.
It was as if she was lured to it.
With the water above her head, she looked up to the sky. Glittering. Almost like gems into the night. Michiru closed her eyes and let the water overwhelm her body. Soon… The water was going to take away her hurt soul and she wouldn't have to feel pain anymore.
"Ojou-sama, would you need anything else?" The maid bowed in her presence as she took a drink of her red wine.
"Iie… Arigatou. I'll just see you tomorrow."
With a smile the maid left her in her room as she gazed at the moon.
Her brother was coming to visit in a few months. It wasn't like she didn't like the fact. It was just she needed time alone to be herself. She needed to bring herself up without the help of her brother. He was there since the beginning looking after her. But now it was different. He has a family now. Haruka has to make a life for her own.
Thus, moving to Japan.
But her brother worried about her. Thus, he was coming to check on her. Despite the fact his wife was pregnant.
Haruka noted she should call for apologies. Her brother could be absentminded sometimes. She knows she's family too, but hell, she wasn't in any distress... His wife was carrying HIS child! She would stay if she had a pregnant wife. She would stay and call her brother from a distance. But she would not leave.
She wouldn't forget someone as precious as that.
Lying on her bed, she tried hard to get some sleep. The comforters were plush and anyone could fall asleep right there and then. But for some reason though, she couldn't. Her heart was worried about something she didn't know. So naturally she walked out of bed and out into the beach.
She sat by the sand, her heart pumping faster now.
"What's wrong with me?" She asked herself as she stood to go back inside the house.
Just then she saw something floating, her white clothing almost luminous with the moon light.
"Oh dear…" Haruka didn't have to think twice.
She dove into the water and swam as fast as she could. She hoped the young woman was still alive. Haruka was thankful the ocean wasn't wild. She would have trouble swimming through if it had been. She caught the woman's hand first as she gasped for deep breaths. Her body was cold and there was no pulse. Or hopefully it was too weak Haruka could not find it.
Haruka hoped it wasn't too late.
She prayed it wasn't too late.
Reaching the shore, Haruka hurriedly tore out the woman's nightie. To hell with being discrete. The woman could die if she didn't do anything faster.
Well, if she isn't dead already.
With her palm on the woman's chest, Haruka started to administer CPR.
One.
Two.
Three.
"Come on now breathe!" Haruka bent down and could careless when her lips touched the woman's.
She breathed air to her then tried to continue CPR.
"Live… Come on now… Live…" Haruka was trying her best not to give up hope.
One.
Two.
Three.
She blew air to her again. But there was no reaction.
One.
Two.
Three.
"Damn you!" Angrily, Haruka hit the woman's chest with all her might.
She was about to give up when the woman coughed out water.
"Let it all out… That's ok… Let it all out…" Haruka wiped the woman's face with her palm.
The woman was breathing but labored. Haruka took her into her arms and took her inside the house.
Haruka had to keep her warm. Keep her safe. Maybe she had to call the doctor Setsuna told her about too. She can ask questions later. The woman seemed unconscious as of the moment.
She laid her on the bathtub and let warm water run through the woman's body. Aquamarine, Haruka thought. She never realized how exotic hair colors are in Japan. She took out come pajamas from her closet. And placed it on her bedside. Holding on to towels this time she went back to the woman in her bathroom. She drained the tub and slowly took off the remainder of the woman's clothes. Though Haruka tried to be professional with it, it was hard not to look at the woman's features.
Milky white skin, and according to Haruka's fingertips they were very smooth.
Shaking her head, Haruka took the towels and tried to dry off her beautiful stranger. She covered her up before moving her to the bed.
She had put clothes on her and then tucked her tight, to keep her warm... The stranger was still unconscious, oblivious to anything that Haruka has been doing to her.
"Why were you floating in the ocean?" Haruka asked the stranger but received no answer.
"Who are you?"