~*Chapter Three*~

Haruka's mind was brought back to focus on the present when she felt the girl beside her shift just a bit. Michiru was waking up. It never failed to bring a grin to the racer's lips – shortly after stirring, the violinist's nose would wrinkle adorably for a second, as though it knew just what was about to happen before the rest of her body did. Then those dark lashes would slowly open, revealing sleep-hazed teal eyes to the world. Then she'd watch focus return to her lover's gaze, followed by a kitten-like stretch and an incoherent, groggy mumble. Only then would the day begin – one way or another. Even in this awkward position, even though she'd probably only slept a couple of hours at most, Haruka watched her lover with an odd sense of wonder as she went through the motions she always took when waking.

"Ah… there's my sleeping beauty," she murmured, fingers carding through sea-toned curls as Michiru finally became aware of what was around her.

"Ruka…" the girl's voice was laced with joy and surprise to find her protector was awake again – and seemingly far better off than she'd been only hours ago. "How're you feeling?"

The blond smirked at the question, then frowned a little. "Like I was shot three times?" she replied, giving her head the tiniest of shakes. "Not as bad as I could be, though. Must have me on something strong."Michiru nodded at this, then leaned in and brushed the lightest of kisses to Haruka's lips.

"You're alive, and awake. That's all that matters. Hotaru will be happy to know her Papa is all right, too." Though they weren't out of the woods, yet. The doctors were still worried about complications, and until they gave the all-clear Michiru would still worry. "You gave us such a scare. Without the benefit of a transformation, you could have…" she broke off, her voice cracking slightly toward the end, which was like an arrow in Haruka's heart.

"I… I'm sorry, Michi. I just saw the gun and I acted. I couldn't let him… Not you. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if you'd been shot." Her partner gave her a watery smile at that, and a tear slid down her pale cheek.

"Just remember, Ruka… I feel the same about you."

There was a light pink tint to Haruka's cheeks that Michiru found absolutely endearing, and a moment later that free hand of the racer lifted and traced along its partner attached to the violinist. The aqua-haired girl's fingers twitched slightly at first, then lifted to the delicate dance they'd long since grown accustomed to, twining and untwining, shifting until fingers slid together properly and they were left simply holding hands. It had started back when they were younger – shortly before Haruka learned she was a Senshi – and to this day, it never failed to make both girls' hearts flutter.

"I can't promise I won't do it again, but… I'll try." It was the closest thing Michiru would get to the promise she wanted, and so the girl simply nodded, then lifted their clasped hands to her lips, pink flesh ghosting over Haruka's knuckles.

The tomboy smiled then eyes widened in shock for a moment as a yawn took over – was she really that tired? The girl at her side giggled, then leaned in to gift her with another achingly soft kiss to her lips. "Sleep, Ruka. I'll watch over your dreams." The kiss left Haruka dazed for a moment, but the blond gave a tiny nod a moment later and let her eyes close. Whether it was her body trying to mend, or the drugs they put her on, she was exhausted – and having her lover beside her certainly helped comfort her as she drifted off to sleep.

Once she was certain that the Senshi of the Wind had drifted back into deep slumber, the aqua-haired woman couldn't help but smile. Haruka would be okay. The minute she'd opened her eyes and saw her lover awake, Michiru had known the other woman would be just fine. It would take some time, a lot of rest and some rehabilitation, but she knew her partner would recover completely. It wouldn't be any harder or easier than the loss of their families, and they'd gotten through that, hadn't they?

And bitter as the loss had been, they'd found the silver lining in it all – it'd brought them ever closer, a step beyond friendship.

She remembered that night vividly. The night the world showed her just how bittersweet it could be. She'd been reeling from loss, fear, and heartache. Feeling as though the water she loved so much had come to drown her and swallow her whole. There had been no sky above, no air to breathe – until arms wrapped around her as they lay in bed. Such a small change, yet it made all the difference. She'd twisted to face her best friend, and the next thing she knew, her own arms had circled Haruka, her face pressed against the soft flesh between shoulder and breast, and she'd clung to her through the night.

It'd been right. And it would have been perfect, had the reason for such a display not been so cruel. She'd even woken up to the sweetest feeling of fingers carding through her hair and trailing along her back.

Despite their grief – despite their loss and their aching hearts - it was then that they'd both realized their friendship was far more than simple friendship. And it was that morning that they shared their first, hesitant kiss.

It was Michiru who had started it, too, though she blamed the wonderful feeling of Haruka's fingers along her back as the catalyst for her initiative. She'd laid there in bed, the early morning sun peeking through her window and warming the sheets they were tangled in, and savored the feel of fingers tracing words along her back – along the bare skin where her pajama top had ridden up. Words, she realized. Not just patterns, but words. She sniffled a little, nuzzling into Haruka's shoulder, until she felt those fingertips etch out the word 'love'. Then the hand stilled, resting over smooth skin once Haruka realized that Michiru was very much awake.

"Hey… you okay?" that low, husky voice asked her. The young violinist had shaken her head slightly, but just as she felt that warm hand lighten as though to leave, she pushed up just a few inches, her head tipping so that her lips could brush along Haruka's own. The hand never did leave. Instead, it paused – as though the blond was in shock – and then settled at the small of Michiru's back, pulling her closer.

The kiss lasted a few long seconds as Michiru felt her heart jolt in her chest – Haruka was kissing her back! Those arms around her tightened for a moment, then relaxed as the kiss ended and they were left staring at each other. Grief had pushed them past what barriers they'd set up for themselves, and Michiru had known then and there that there was no going back. Not that she wanted to.

"This isn't going to be easy," she heard Haruka say, even as fingers moved to sift through her hair. Her eyes opened – and she was dimly aware that she'd closed them for the kiss.

"I don't care," was her own stubborn response. "Life's already made things hard. It'll be easier facing it with you." She took a slow breath, letting that sentiment settle, then smiling the tiniest of smiles. "I could go through this a hundred times and be okay, so long as you were here, 'Ruka."

That earned a watery, half-laugh before lips claimed her own again – this time Haruka was the one who'd made the motion, and Michiru let the sensation chase away some of her heartache.

"I feel the same," her friend had said once the second kiss had ended, and together they'd laid on Michiru's bed for another ten minutes, just holding each other.

Eventually, though, they had to get up. There were funeral arrangements that needed to be taken care of, living arrangements that needed work, school issues to deal with… And Michiru's mother to think about.

Hanging to life by a thread.

They took turns for the bathroom, getting ready for the day, then together shuffled down into the kitchen, where Uncle Hatsuto was fixing a western breakfast.

"Morning, girls. Sleep all right?" the man asked the pair, and they shared a small glance between them before nodding.

"As well as could be expected," the violinist replied quietly. Polite as she almost always was. 'Better, actually,' but she wasn't about to say that. They picked up plates, then added toast, a fried egg, and some sliced carrot and lettuce before sitting down and pouring themselves some orange juice, while Michiru's Uncle made a small cup of coffee.

"Good," the older man said as he settled at the table. "We need to discuss what will happen to the two of you, but I think that can wait for a time. Michiru… Your mother is still alive, but the doctors do not think she will last long. I would advise you going to the hospital to spend what time you can with her. We can talk of the house, Horse, and your lodgings tomorrow, or the day after if necessary."

Both girls nodded, picking at their food solemnly, neither one all that hungry. Despite it, they did eat – Haruka nudging Michiru and insisting that it wouldn't be good to go the entire day on an empty stomach – before heading to the hospital. Uncle Hatsuto dropped the two off, insisting that he'd be taking care of funeral arrangements, and handed them some money for lunch and a single document. "If someone gives you trouble for being there, or being alone, just show them that and they'll leave you be," he insisted gently. "I'll meet you here around three, and we can talk more over dinner." Haruka was already liking this cousin-called-Uncle of Michiru's. He was a nice guy, she had to admit, especially for an adult trying to take care of them.

The entire morning and part of the afternoon was spent in Michiru's mother's hospital room, neither one saying much of anything. They'd pulled two chairs over, the violinist holding one of her mother's hands in her own, while Haruka settled beside her friend, an arm wrapped around her shoulders. They only stirred when the blond realized it was going on one, and they hadn't eaten. Yet again she acted as the voice of reason, leading Michiru to the cafeteria to eat, only to resume their previous sitting while the machines the older woman was hooked up to beeped steadily.

The sound of Uncle Hatsuto clearing his throat broke them from the stupor of listening to a clock tick and a heart monitor beep. Two pairs of eyes fixed on him, and he managed a sad smile. "I'm sorry… I'm later than I expected. But if you wish we can go home, or somewhere else for dinner. There is a lot we need to discuss."

"Out."Michiru didn't even need to hesitate. In public, she'd remain far more composed than alone, and she'd be able to focus on what was being said, rather than her heartache. "Let's go out to eat, Uncle Hatsu…" she insisted in a quiet yet firm voice.

So they'd gone out.

Over a shared plate of potstickers, the two girls learned the finer details of what was going on.

"When all of this is over, custody of the two of you will be turned over to me. That is… unless your mother makes a full recovery, Michiru…"

"Which isn't looking likely," the girl responded in a monotone voice, earning her shoulder a small squeeze from the blond sitting to her right. Even if her mother were to survive this, the doctors had little hope of her being anything more than a shell – brain-dead and incapable of raising the girls any further.

"I don't want to think about it any more than the two of you wish to. But we'll be forced to, I think, in the next few weeks. You girls are old enough to begin dictating your own lives, though. I've seen you both do so on a number of occasions, just this past year." Both girls raised eyebrows at this, and Hatsu did manage a sad chuckle. "I know you didn't see me around, but I talked to my brother almost every week, and… I've been around, when work allowed me to."

He drew in a long breath to steady his voice, then released it and continued. "Your parents, when they've spoken to me about you, have told be a lot about you two. You are both driven individuals, and I do not wish to step between you and your plans for the future. That isn't to say I will not be a guardian for you. If you need someone to talk to, or need help in any way, I'll be there the minute you ask. It would be too much to ask either of you to shoulder all of the burdens of adulthood while you're still learning your way through life," the older man continued with a sad smile.

"I would suggest that, if the worst happens, we sell the houses your parents own now and find somewhere you can live together in until your schooling ends. Something not quite so large, where you won't have to worry about yard work or upkeep on the property itself. I'll even pay for it – you can put what money you have from your parents away to grow for the future, and I don't have any children of my own – so who else should I spend my money on?"

Michiru dipped a potsticker into the dark brown sauce in its dish, then chewed thoughtfully on a bite before giving a tiny nod. "I think it would work," she murmured, then glanced to her quiet friend.

Haruka considered the prospect a few moments before nodding her assent. "Sure. It isn't like there are many options, anyway," she insisted, eyes falling to her plate for a few moments before lifting to fix on her best friend. "And … I'd like the company."

Hatsuto Kaioh glanced between the two girls curiously, careful not to let his watchfulness be noticed, and smiled slightly to himself. Their parents had been right – there was far more between them than simple friends would share. The two had an air of destiny about them, and shared a connection that ran deeper than most people could likely fathom. He would wager that if they didn't end up in a relationship together, they would be joined at the hip till the day they died in other ways, their fates intertwined – he was certain of it.

Michiru finished her potsticker, then smiled over to her uncle – genuine, even if her loss never really left her eyes. "Uncle Hatsuto… thank you. For everything. I know it can't be easy for you – you loved my parents as much as I do, at least. But … it means a great deal to me, and I think Haruka as well, that you're doing this for us. I mean… I know it's in the will, but you didn't have to accept. You didn't have to do any of this, and…"

"Michiru. You're a wonderful girl, as is Haruka. I couldn't say no, for so many reasons. The fact that I loved my brother dearly, and my sister-in-law – your mother – is part of it. But … a bit of it is because of what I see when I look at the two of you. I want to help the two of you in whatever way I can. It would be an honor."

Both girls blushed at the compliments, and they finished their dinner in silence before returning back to the Kaioh home. Horse greeted the three of them enthusiastically, and after giving him some much-needed and deserved attention and walking, they headed for bed.

Except that things had already changed drastically between Michiru and Haruka, and both girls could feel it, as though it were some tangible thing lingering between them.

"Do you want the shower first?" the aqua-haired girl asked gently as Haruka began going through her bag for her pajamas and the following day's clothing. The blond's head turned toward her friend, cheeks flushed despite the innocence of the question.

"Hm?"

"The shower. Do you want it first?"

Haruka had faltered still, wavering in her reply as she stared at the girl she considered to be her best friend. Part of her wanted to say 'we could share', but the rational side of her insisted they were still too young. Such things were meant for adults, after all, and while they were getting older, they weren't quite so mature. Not yet.

So she gave a small smile to Michiru, abandoning her task to stand before her friend, and arms looped around the other girl's small waist. "You go first. I can wait," she insisted – but didn't let go of her just yet. And it seemed as though Michiru didn't want to be let go of, either. She nodded, but slid her arms up and around the back of Haruka's neck, her head falling to rest against the taller girl's shoulder.

"I'm sorry," the words spilled out after a few moments of peace. "You've been so… amazing. You've been so strong for me, and I know it's got to be eating away at you, too." Haruka had tensed in her friend's arms at that. It was true enough – Haruka wanted nothing more than to fall apart, to scream at how unfair the world was. To sob over the loss of the last family she knew. But she'd been strong for Michiru, who had lost three, not one. She'd held herself together, acting as the person Michi needed.

She'd no idea that the other girl had noticed, but hearing it nearly undid all she'd worked hard to hide. A shiver ran through her, and she felt her friends arms tighten around her neck, pulling her down. Haruka buried her face into the curve of her friend's throat, and the shaking continued until she heard a soft sob… and realized the sound hadn't come from Michiru, but from herself.

"Michi…" she choked out quietly, the name muffled against the girl's skin. "I miss him…"

Finally, Haruka was grieving, letting the emotions run through her rather than shoving them aside to be the rock her friend had needed the last twenty-four hours. And Michiru simply sniffled and cried with her, mourning her own loss and trying to comfort the girl who had given her such support.

Neither girl knew who had started the kisses that night, either. They'd collapsed on the bed at some point, neither with the will to remain standing. And someone dropped a kiss on someone's shoulder, and the other ghosted their lips over a pale throat. It never went further than kisses and soft touches to exposed skin. A whisper of fingers along an arm, or tracing a jaw line. Or a mouth that held fast to the heated flesh of the other girl's neck, enticing soft mewls of pleasure that served as a wall against the pain of loss.

No, neither girl knew how it had started this time, nor did they remember when it had ended. At some point, though, they must have faded into the blackness of sleep.

It was the middle of the night when consciousness began to return to them. Once again they were a tangle of limbs. Each had one arm somewhere around the other's middle, while Haruka had one hand tangled in Michiru's hair, and Michiru had her second hand resting over Haruka's upper arm. Foreheads rested against one another, and gold and aqua hair wove together on their shared pillow. Lower limbs formed a basket weave of sorts, alternating limbs going in opposite directions.

It was Haruka who opened her eyes first, and she couldn't help the smile that came to her face when she saw Michiru just inches away. As though she sensed her friend waking, a moment later the petite girl's eyes flicked open as well, and she immediately tipped her head in to steal a quick, close-mouthed kiss from Haruka's lips.

"It's still dark," the shorter girl observed a moment later, frowning as blue eyes took in the inky black through the window over Haruka's shoulder.

The blond sighed, nuzzling into her friend's cheek and hair. "Too early to be up…"

Yet neither seemed able to sleep.

"Ruka?" the blond felt the girl in her arms tense for a moment.

"Mm?"

"This… whatever it is… between us. You're okay with it, right?" There was a hint of uncertainty in the girl's voice, even as she lifted her head from Haruka's chest for a moment to truly look at her. "You want it, too?"

The blond lay there stunned for a moment, letting her eyes fall closed as Michiru watched her. She knew Haruka well enough – the girl wasn't hesitating in her answer so much as she was likely trying to work out how to phrase her answer so she was satisfied with it. Or perhaps she was mulling over the very thing Michiru had been all day – trying to define just what was between them. Finally, green eyes opened and a smile was gifted to the violinist as the arm around her middle tightened a touch. "I couldn't ever be unhappy with anything that was 'us', Michi. So yes, I'm 'okay' with it. More than 'okay'. I don't even know if there's a name for 'us' or what we have. Maybe we're too young to know one. Or maybe they'll never come up with the right term. But … there is an 'us'. And part of me knows that since I met you, there always has been." She frowned a little, stroking her hand through Michiru's hair. She wasn't much of a talker usually, but in this case she wanted to get it all out.

"I want you. I want 'us', Michi. Never, ever doubt that." Haruka had kissed her then, taking her breath away and sending her heart thudding in her throat for a few moments with the sheer joy of it all.

They stayed awake for a good hour or two longer, twined contentedly together till first Haruka drifted off, then Michiru as weariness finally caught up with her.

It was Horse that woke them up the next morning, the large dog insisting on climbing into Michiru's bed and licking their faces.

"Horse…." Haruka groaned as the girl in her arms giggled, fingers lifting to shove the happy dog to the side so they could sit up. The larger dog didn't bark – he never did – but he made a little 'harumph' sound as though irritated that the two girls were still in bed when there were things to do – like take him for a walk.

"Someone wants to be taken out," Michiru snickered, rolling out of bed and stretching with toes curled and arms lifted high. Haruka looked over just in time to see the display, and her cheeks went slightly pink – how lucky was she that the girl she was watching was hers? "Well, then, let's oblige his majesty, shall we?" she responded with a little grin of her own.

It almost felt normal.

For a few minutes, both girls had forgotten their loss. For those few moments in time, the grief wasn't there, and it was just the two of them – going through the motions of what could be their mundane lives. Young as they were, Michiru knew they could do it, too – they could live like this. They could wake up in the morning, have breakfast, go to school – and when they got older, a job – come home… a plain routine made perfect just because it'd be the two of them.

Of course, forgetting could only last so long. Neither needed to dress – they'd fallen asleep wearing their clothes from the night before, having long forgotten to shower – but as they headed for the door, they shared a glance. Expressions were bittersweet, smiling strained smiles at each other. Both were glad for the company, both were glad to have the other to lean against as they struggled to get through the hand life had dealt them. But both were still struggling.

Horse helped, prancing in front of them as though he hadn't noticed the loss of three of his masters, snuffling at flowers or other hidden scents only he could pick up. His nose twitched this way and that as he meandered through the neighborhood, and the pair behind him simply let him choose where to go. They didn't talk during the walk – they simply strolled side by side, fingers occasionally brushing against each other, and eventually Horse grew tired and headed home. Michiru knew he would, too – he always did. Even on the few occasions that he'd gotten out, he'd return tired and dirty but incredibly happy to be home.

The afternoon was funeral preparations and another visit to the hospital.

The next morning, Michiru learned that there would be one more funeral to prepare for – her mother had passed away during the night. Haruka had watched her carefully for her reaction, but it would seem that her companion had already cried as much as she was capable of crying. There were no more tears to shed, only a significant sense of loss.

To keep things simple, and not have them grieving for longer than necessary, all four funerals had been orchestrated to occur together. There'd been no objections, as no one had the heart to force either of the two surviving girls to suffer any longer than absolutely necessary. Even if some didn't like the idea of Haruka's father's grave being so far away from her mother's, or that they would be grieving with total strangers, one look at the pair of girls mourning the loss of the last close family they had shut everyone up.

The night following those funerals, a storm crashed into Japan – a weak typhoon, but powerful enough keep all of Tokyo indoors for the night. Rain lashed at windows, blowing horizontal as trees bent in the wind. The sea churned with a deep-seated anger, and those ships and boats not properly secured certainly were rueful of it the next morning. To Michiru and Haruka, it only seemed that the elements themselves were mourning with them.

Yet the next morning, the sun peeked over the horizon, welcoming a new day as though the world hadn't been a vicious, whirling mess overnight. The two girls stepped out onto the front stoop for Horse's morning walk together, and despite tree limbs littering the yard, the pair couldn't help but feel an odd sense of hope. Fingers twined together for a few moments, tight and reassuring.

They'd get through this.

Author's Note:

So... we're halfway through now. three more chapters and an epilogue to go. All chapters are uploaded now, just needing some extra editing and TLC before posting. Stand by for more - they should be happening every day or two (or three, if one gives me trouble).

Please let me know what you think. Right now things are pretty tame, but things are about to get heated. The trips down memory lane are over, and reality is about to rear its ugly head. Won't say any more than that.