The Distant Days of Uranus
Part 4: Distant Dreams
Later the following day…
When you are relaxed, happy and satisfied; waking up to the world is such a wonderful experience. This was the feeling that Haruka had as she showered and dressed. She had spent the night with Sky; and it had been everything she had hoped and more. Most of their evening had been spent just holding each other. There had been kissing; but it had been gentle and welcoming. They hadn't done anything else other then cuddle and kiss; which, to her surprise, was more satisfying then any else they could have done. It had been a very long time since any one had just held her and let her feel secure.
Haruka finished buttoning her shirt and left the bedroom. She heard Sky's voice from upstairs. He tone was cool and professional; like talking to a sheet of ice. Haruka made her way upstairs; pausing at the last step. Sky was sitting at her huge desk; dressed in a pale green shirt and blue jeans; her hair loose around her shoulders.
The desk was swarmed by paper and computer print-outs. Sky had her phone tucked between her shoulder and jaw; her hands were busy shuffling papers.
"Well, that is the problem." Sky muttered, "The electrical current is being shorted by the noise-reduction lining. We have to rethink its composition if we want it inside the hood of the car. Perhaps we should rethink that; try and put it between layers of fiberglass and incorporate it into the body of the car." There was a long pause; Sky continued moving papers. She turned in her chair and looked up. Her eyes widened at the sight of Haruka; she grinned.
Haruka returned it.
"Ito, hang on I have another call." Sky pressed a button on her phone and stood up. "Good morning."
Haruka wasn't expecting Sky to come over and give her a kiss and hug; but that's what she got. "Morning."
Sky was still smiling as she stood in the circle of Haruka's arms. "Feel free to have breakfast…or rather lunch before you leave.
"Is it that late?" Haruka had no idea what time of day it was.
"I should get back," Sky kissed her softly, "You cell phone has been going off for the last couple of hours."
Haruka was surprised, "How long have you been awake?"
"A while; I was doing business calls to the United States and South America most of the night."
"Did you get any sleep?" Haruka asked.
Sky shrugged, "Some; this is a very busy week, I will sleep when I can."
Haruka smoothed her hands through the white hair; taking a moment to enjoy the feel of Sky's hair and skin under her hands.
"Can I see you again?"
Sky looked into her eyes for a long time. "If that's what you want. I thought we agreed on one night."
Haruka smiled gently, "Don't be mad; but I really enjoyed what we did."
Sky's pale cheeks darkened with a blush, "Me too."
"I want to see you again; if that's okay."
"Sure." Sky laid a gentle kiss on Haruka's lips, "I have to get back. Call me."
"I will."
Haruka watched for a few minutes as Sky went back to her business call. After a while, Haruka left the house and returned to her car. She looked into the pale blue of the sky and studied the angle of the sun; it was late, well past noon. How long had she slept? Haruka had no idea.
As she sat behind the wheel of her car; her cell phone started to ring. She hesitated a moment before taking it out and answering it.
"Hello?"
Michiru's
voice came over the line, "You didn't come to help Usagi."
"No, we kept out of the personal stuff, I saw no reason to get involved now."
"That was because we had a mission," Michiru reminded her coldly. "We don't anymore."
Haruka was quiet; she sat in Sky's driveway and stared at the windows in the second floor. She could see the outline of the woman at her desk. She was still working with the papers.
"Michiru, I didn't feel right about getting involved."
"No, you wanted to spend the night with her."
Haruka took a breath in; she had a choice, she could lie or she could tell the truth. This is what she had been trying to avoid. "I did, yes." Her tone was careful, calm. "But we just held each other; nothing more."
"You said I could trust you." Michiru's voice had gone soft.
"And you can; I didn't do anything sexual, Michiru. It was more comforting."
There was a long moment of silence; Haruka could hear the chatter of voices in the background.
"Where are you?"
"At the house; we came home when you didn't show. Usagi has been worried about you."
Haruka felt a small twinge of guilt now. She had forgotten how Usagi could get when she was worried. "I'll be home soon."
"Don't rush home for me." Michiru said flatly.
Haruka was suddenly angry, "I won't."
She hung up and sighed. Motion out of the corner of her eye made her look up. Sky stood at the entrance of her house; looking at Haruka.
"Car trouble?" Sky asked lightly.
"Yeah." They both knew it wasn't car trouble.
Sky stepped out of her house; she had a cloth wrapped object in one hand. She made it to the car and handed it over. "You haven't eaten in a while."
Haruka accepted the gift, "What about your calls?"
"I am the president of a powerful international company. I can delegate some of the work."
Haruka was suddenly reminded of the envelope Mamoru had given her for Sky. She had to search all of her pockets and found it. "Chiba Mamoru gave this to me; from the dean of his program."
Sky took the envelope and opened it. There was a letter inside; she read it over silently. After a few minutes she let out a heavy breath.
Haruka was curious,
"Good news or bad?"
Sky smiled, "Wonderful news actually.
They want to discuss my working for the university."
Haruka arched a brow, "Since when are you a professor?"
"I got my PhD a few years ago. I had a long recovery road from the accident so I used that time to get my doctorate."
"So, they want you to teach at the university your company helped expand?"
"That's what this letter says. The Dean and I were going to talk about it after the opening on Friday. But he's been called away; so he's asked if I will discuss it over the phone. He seems very anxious to have me at the university. It's not customary to talk about positions like this over the phone."
Haruka looked at the wrapped package in her hands. "So you might be staying for a long time then."
Sky looked up; studying the other woman. Haruka's expression seemed troubled; unhappy. Sky folded the letter in her hands and tucked in her back pocket. Folding her arms across her stomach; she let her mind consider things for a very long time.
"We would hardly each other." Sky muttered finally. "I would probably be at the university as much as I am working now. Then there is always the traveling lecture circuit. I wouldn't be around very much."
Haruka had no idea where the emotions came from; or what to do with them, so she did the only thing she could think of. She reached out and pulled Sky closer. The woman had to lean over the door car to touch Haruka.
They held each other for a long time. Haruka didn't know who to make sense of anything she felt. It was all jumbled into a mess of complex things. None of which her mind could process.
"Haruka, I have never seen you cry."
It took her a moment to realize it. "Sorry."
"Don't be, it's okay." Sky relaxed against Haruka's body; settling more comfortably against the edge of the car. "Just because this happened once, doesn't mean it will happen again. It could be one of those temporary things. You know? It's quite possible we'll be able to meet in public and it will like we're friends."
"We are friends," Haruka sighed heavily; clutching at Sky's arms around her shoulders. "The problem is, there is a great risk of us becoming more than that."
Sky was quiet for a long time, "Haruka; you have to make that choice for yourself. Only you can decide if you want that."
Haruka looked up at her; Sky's white hair fell around her shoulders; the silken mass gently brushed Haruka's hands. "I can't think about anything right now. My head is so messed up."
"We should keep away from one another for a while then."
Haruka's hands tightened on Sky's arms. "I don't think that would help me."
"You weren't confused before I showed, Haruka. You were happy before I sought you out. This was just supposed to be business; I thought perhaps I was over you, so I could do this as just another deal. Another driver and another contract. But then I saw you, sitting there; and all of my resolve to keep it business, vanished. I didn't want to walk in there and tease you; but I couldn't help myself. I knew that I had to have you; I just didn't expect to feel like I do."
"And how do you feel?"
Sky was quiet; slowly she pulled away. "Don't ask me that, Haruka. Please."
"Why not?" Haruka looked up at her; Sky's eyes were careful, guarded. "Why won't you tell me how you feel?"
Sky slowly detached from Haruka and stepped back from the car. Her gaze studied the ground for a few minutes. "You have to decide for yourself what you want. I can't have any influence over this. I want to; I mean I want to keep you with me and never let you go." Sky stopped and seemed angry for a moment, "Damn, I promised myself I wouldn't admit that."
Haruka reached out but Sky backed up, "There is nothing wrong with how we feel about each other."
Sky stared at her, her silver eyes were dark. "Haruka, would you have an affair with me if I were someone else? Would you leave Michiru because you wanted to and not because you could run to me?"
Haruka frowned, "What?"
"I am asking you a very simple question. If I wasn't here; if I were someone else, would you still be here?"
She'd never thought about it; at least not seriously. "I don't have an answer to that."
Sky stepped back further and crossed her arms. "I have an answer. But you need to work that out on your own."
"Are you saying you won't see me again if I can't answer that?"
Sky shook her head, "No, no. If you want to see me; call me. But I need you to choose that on your own."
Haruka frowned, "Don't you want me?"
Sky closed her eyes; it seemed to take a lot of effort for her to breathe in. "I want you; it's almost maddening how much I want you. It drives me crazy when you leave; I never knew if you'll be back. Everything in me aches when I think of you. I think of you all the time."
Haruka was startled at the flash of joy in her body. "All the time?"
"Yes," Sky opened her eyes, "Haruka, do you want to know why I designed a new super bike and a new car?"
She did actually; that was a lot of work and very high risk. "Tell me."
"It was the only way I could have you on my mind and still work. The bike and car are my best efforts at keeping you with me."
The car and bike were designed around her? No one had ever done that before. In fact, no one had ever done anything just for her. She had never inspired something like that before. Not even for Michiru; the artist had never drawn something just for her; never painted or sculpted just for her lover.
"Sky, I am honored."
The woman dropped her gaze to the ground and sighed. "Good. I am glad."
Haruka's cell phone went off again. "Damn it. They spend their time yelling at me and saying how I am being foolish; and then they don't leave me alone." She tossed the cell phone to the passenger seat.
"They are yelling at you? Who's they?"
Haruka shook her head, "My so-called friends."
Sky looked around at the garden; studying the greenery and patterns in the sand. "I am sorry to have caused you such trouble."
"You didn't, honestly. My friends just aren't used to me not responding when they call. Usually I am the first one there."
"It's my fault you're not with them." Sky's voice sounded angry but also sad. "I am leaving." Sky turned back to the house.
"No!"
Haruka vaulted over the door of her car and caught the woman around the waist. Holding her close; her scent filled Haruka's head. She smelled of sunshine and leather. It was the smell of the track; of racing. Haruka clutched her tightly and reveled in that familiar, comforting scent.
"Haruka?" Sky
turned her head, looking at the taller woman. "What are you
doing?"
What was she doing? It was a good question. Problem was;
she had no idea. It was just instinct.
"You smell like racing." Haruka whispered softly; loosening her grip around Sky's middle. "It's so soothing."
"I shouldn't smell like motor oil." Sky tugged at her shirt, sniffing it. "Smells like Gain detergent to me."
Laughter rolled out of Haruka, "You smell like sunshine and hot leather. Like a summer race."
"Well, that's the first time I've heard that." Sky relaxed into Haruka's body and they stood holing one another for a few minutes.
Eventually Haruka released Sky and stepped back into her car. "I am going to call you."
"I look forward to it."
Once on the road, Haruka felt her shoulders tense. She didn't really want to go home. No doubt someone would yell at her; or accuse of her of something. Or worse, no one would say anything and just ignore her. Last night, with Sky, Haruka hadn't done anything wrong. It was cuddling and kissing; it was something that had comforted her; calmed her. If Michiru hadn't been so distant lately perhaps Haruka would have come home to her. Would have spent the night holding her lover; instead of holding Sky. But they hadn't really spoken since the day Sky walked into the Arcade. Michiru had left vague, short notes in place of being home; and was often asleep when Haruka came into the house. It was hard to tell what was happening anymore.
Haruka parked in her driveway and made her way into the house. She held the gift-wrapped bento box Sky had given her. Walking into the kitchen, she expected people. Anyone. Instead it was empty. Perhaps no one was home. Disappointment washed over; had they really just left? There wasn't even a note.
Closing the fridge; Haruka stared at the pictures of she and Michiru. There were group shots as well, all ten of them huddled into a single shot. Michiru was so beautiful; her sea-green hair and blue eyes sparkled. She was breathtaking. Her graceful body was always dressed well in fine clothes and elegant designs. She was so incredibly wonderful. Haruka counted herself as fortunate to have her lover.
Turning down the hall to the bedroom; she decided to change and work on her car. It was a warm afternoon and she hadn't worked on it lately. Opening the door of the bedroom she stopped in her tracks. Michiru was sitting on the bed; hands in her lap. Her blue sundress was accented with a green belt and shoes. She looked up and her eyes were puffy and red-rimmed. Her sea-colored hair famed her sad expression.
"Michiru?" Haruka closed the door and hurried to her lover. She knelt beside her; grabbing her hands. Michiru was tense. "What's wrong?"
The artist was quiet for a long time, "Are you really going to make me say it?"
Haruka frowned, "What's happened? Is it Usagi?"
Michiru sucked in a breath and pulled her hands away. She wiped her wet cheeks and stared very hard at Haruka. "Was she worth it?"
"Who?"
Michiru made an angry sound, "Who do you think?!"
The pieces finally clicked into place, "You're still on about Sky."
"You didn't come home, Haruka. You never showed when Rei called you. Was she more important than us?"
Us, it could mean the group or it could be them as a couple. Haruka was pretty sure it was used to imply both right now.
"Nothing happened," Haruka repeated the words and believed them. Nothing really had.
"You spent the night with her!" Michiru shook her head, hard enough to make her hair move. "How could you do that?"
"I fell asleep," Haruka's kept her tone even, relaxed. "It was just sleep, Michiru."
"No, it's not just sleep!" Michiru pushed to her feet; forcing Haruka to sit back on her knees and give her room. The artist stalked around the room; pacing angrily as she cried. "How long are we going to ignore this?"
"What?" Haruka asked, "What are we ignoring?"
"This!" Michiru waved her hands wildly, "You and me, it hasn't been working for a long time."
Haruka was quiet; she'd had the same thoughts. It took her several minutes to get passed the words. "Then let's try to fix whatever it is."
Michiru stopped in her tracks and stared at Haruka. "What did you say?"
"Lets fix it." Haruka repeated. "Come on, Michiru. We've been together so long; there's got to be a way to clear this up."
Michiru sat down on the opposite side of the bed; putting her head in her hands. "I am moving out."
Haruka was shocked; she hadn't seen that coming. "No."
"Yes," Michiru's voice was weak, soft with emotion. "I can't figure out anything with you around. I am afraid I don't love you anymore and I just don't know what to do."
"You don't love me anymore?" Haruka had said those words to Sky about Michiru only yesterday.
"I don't know!" Michiru cried and looked up; she had to turn on the bed to see Haruka. "I just don't know anything about us. It's not just because of Sky; I've been feeling like this for so long. I wasn't sure how to say it. I didn't even want to; but lately, with you always with her and me with my work. I felt really good."
Haruka sat quietly on the floor; she had felt the same way too. With Sky and her driving again…she had felt good for the first time in a long while.
"So we need to be apart for now, is what you're saying?"
Michiru sighed, "Unless you have another solution?"
Haruka considered, "We could just leave; go somewhere for a while. Just the two of us; work on our relationship. Find a way to make it work for us."
"So you don't want to be with Sky?"
Haruka opened her mouth; then shut it. She had to think about that. After a while she had an answer.
"There are things about Sky that I enjoy; she reminds me of the days of racing and motor sports. She's one of my oldest friends, Michiru. I knew her before I came to Japan and met you. I love to race and she let's me drive. I feel comfortable with her because I can be just me. There's no sailor senshi, no past lives, no future world. It's just me. Living every moment as if I was a normal woman."
Michiru nodded at the silence that followed. "I feel the same way these days. I can be just me. Andy helped me realize just how much I had given up with the senshi duty."
"Who's Andy?" Haruka asked; there was no anger, no malice.
Michiru looked away, "He's the curator for the museum showing my work."
"A man?" Haruka had never realized Michiru might be drawn to a man. "Oh."
Michiru smiled shyly, "I was just as surprised as you are. I mean, a man. It never really occurred to me before. I always had you." She looked at her partner. "Have you ever thought about it?"
Haruka shook her head, "No. Men don't interest me."
"Have you ever considered that we were together simply because of the past?"
The thought had fleeting crossed her mind; years ago. But she had rejected it. She loved Michiru; the woman was amazing; she was everything to Haruka.
"Once, but I never gave it any real consideration. I mean; why would I? I love you. I always have."
"Always?"
Haruka paused, considered the implications. "Before I came to Japan I felt as if something was wrong with me. Not because I was drawn to women; but because I just felt incomplete. Then I met you and everything happened and I just never felt that way again."
"How about lately? Without the senshi business? Do you still feel complete?"
Haruka drew her knees to her chest, resting her chin on them. "No."
"Me either." Michiru was quiet, "If you hadn't been a senshi, if you hadn't met me. What would have done?"
Haruka sighed, "It's pretty obvious. I would have kept driving."
"I would have gone to Julliard. They offered me a place at the school; did you know that? Upon graduation I would have joined the Philharmonic; and painted. I think I would have lived in New York or Cannes."
Haruka smiled at the warmth in her lover's voice, "Sounds wonderful."
"Would you still have come to Japan?"
Haruka closed her eyes for a while, letting her thoughts form and trying to figure it out. She had denied herself these thoughts for so long; it took effort to get them to come back to her now.
"Eventually, perhaps." She slowly nodded, "Yes, I would have been a test driver for one of the big companies."
Silence fell between them for a long time. They were both lost in the what-if-realm of their own distant dreams. There was no sense of time passing; but it was dark when Haruka finally opened her eyes. Michiru was still sitting on the edge of their bed; her face peaceful as she watched her lover.
"So what now?" Haruka asked.
"Will you hate me if I ask to be on my own for now?"
Pain squeezed her heart; Haruka had to struggle to breathe around it. "If that's what you want."
Michiru sighed, her eyes dark. "I just need to be able to know who I am. And I can't really do that if I am here. All I am here is Michiru; senshi of Neptune. I forgot who I could have been; who I might still be."
Haruka nodded, "Than you need to go." Tears burned her eyes; she clenched her fists and pressed her forehead into her knees.
Michiru's soft hands touched Haruka's hair; her lips kissed her cheek. "I do love you, Haruka."
"I love you, too."
"can we at least keep in touch?" Michiru asked.
Haruka nodded, "I will keep my cell on me. I have no idea where I'll be living; so I can't give you a number."
"Living?" Michiru sat back, "Why not live here? This house belongs to both of us. I was thinking of moving to New York."
"No, I mean…" Haruka tried again, "You can move if you want. But I can't stay here without you. It just feels wrong."
Silently, Michiru stood up and crossed to the closet. She opened it and took out her suitcase.
"You're already packed?"
Michiru nodded, "I am glad we had a talk first, makes me feel a little better."
Haruka stared up at her lover, "How long have you been planning on leaving?"
Michiru kept her back to Haruka, "A while."
Confusion crashed in around Haruka; her heart ached, her head throbbed. "Michiru…"
The artist shook her head, "Don't, Haruka. Just let me go."
Haruka couldn't move as she watched her lover walk away and heard the front door close.
"MICHIRU!!!" Haruka fell into great sobs of sorrow and curled up on the floor; her tears burning her cheeks as she screamed in defeat.
**
The house in front of her was familiar; she had no idea how she had gotten there. She couldn't remember driving. She staggered almost drunkenly up to the door and banged on it. Throwing all of her anger, her pain, and her sorrow into each strike; as if hitting the wooden surface would make the world right again.
The door never opened. Haruka collapsed in a heap of limbs and sobbed; head pressed into her hands.
Sky parked her car in the driveway. Getting out was a challenge; her evening gown was a mass of silk. Eventually she managed and closed the car door behind her. Her evening bag was small; but somehow her keys managed to stay lost. She dug for them, searching in the darkness as she walked up the steps to her house.
"Sky,"
She gasped and jumped, her keys falling to the ground. Sky looked down and couldn't believe her eyes. Haruka was a huddled, broken looking wreck on her doorstep. Sky went to her knees; not caring about the gown.
"Haruka, what on earth happened?"
"She's gone."
"What?" Sky looked around; hoping no one saw them. "Come on, let's get you inside."
Sky managed to unlock the house with her keys. Haruka couldn't manage to stand on her own feet; so Sky had to hold her up. The height difference made it a challenge and Sky was cursing her four inch stilettos as she hauled the woman into the house. In a very undignified way, Sky closed the door and continued to carry Haruka to the bedroom.
Haruka hit the bed and bounced once; she stared up at Sky as the woman looked down. Her platinum hair was sprinkled with diamond pins; they matched the necklace and earrings she wore. Her gown was a icy silver and fell around her in an elegant wash of cloth.
"You look wonderful." Haruka muttered.
"I was at a dinner meeting; I told you about them last night."
Haruka couldn't remember last night; she could only remember Michiru's back as she walked out. Tears came again and consumed the aching void in Haruka's world. She curled up and huddled on the gray cover. Grabbing fistfuls of the cloth she wept.
Sky arched a brow; looking around for something to help her understand. The room was huge and there was nothing to indicate what had happened. Sky rubbed her forehead and tried to think of how to help. She sat down on the bed and put an arm around Haruka's shivering shoulders. She didn't ask questions or demand to know what was wrong. She just held the sobbing woman.
Eventually Sky ended up holding Haruka against her chest. The two of them lay together; with Haruka cuddled up like a frightened child; Sky's arms around her; Haruka's head resting on her chest. The tears had stopped, the sobbing had silenced. Still neither one spoke. It seemed useless to use words.
The distant ringing of a phone made them both jump.
"Is that yours or mine?" Sky asked simply.
"Does it matter?"
Sky thought for a moment, "I guess not. I can always call them back."
"Do you mind if I stay with you?" Haruka asked vacantly.
Sky frowned, looking down at the woman draped across her body. "What?"
"Can I stay with you for awhile?"
"Haruka, what…" Sky stopped herself and tried again. "Sure, you can stay with me. Did you bring anything with you?"
"No." Haruka shuddered, "I don't even remember how I got here."
"Well you didn't drive; I didn't see your car anywhere near here."
Haruka sighed, "It doesn't matter."
"Should I make up the guest room? I haven't used it yet."
"No, I want to stay with you."
"Even in the same bed?" Sky asked in as neutral a tone as possible. She wanted to ask so many things; but she held back. It didn't seem like a good time.
"I need to feel someone next to me right now."
"Well I am going to be out of the house a lot in the next couple of days. The university opening is tomorrow; I have the Toyota Gala Saturday."
"Can I come with you?" Haruka asked, "I don't want to be alone."
"Come with me, to both events?" Sky frowned, "There will be a lot of press there. Lots of cameras taking pictures."
"So?" Haruka lifted her head enough to meet's Sky's eyes. "So what?"
"Well, I had arranged for a male escort; you know."
Haruka frowned at her, "You don't want to be see with me." Her words were fragile, her tone was broken.
"It's not about you. I don't want to be seen with a woman." Sky corrected softly. "People think I am straight."
"You're going to be a professor soon. Are you still going to run your company?"
Sky looked frustrated; she moved to get out of bed; Haruka pressed her weight more firmly on top of Sky; keeping her still.
"You can't do both, Sky."
"Who says I can't?" Sky demanded harshly.
"Look at how busy you are now. If you add being a full time professor to the list, you'll go insane." Haruka told her flatly. "You can't do both; you'll have to choose."
"That's not all I am having to choose it seems." Sky stared at her, "Why are suddenly so keen on being everywhere with me? What about Michiru?"
Haruka's eyes went dark; her expression fell. She lay back down and closed her eyes in a weak attempt to shut out the images.
Sky was quiet for a long time, "Oh, shit."
"Yeah, something like that." Haruka whispered, "She's left me."
Sky sighed, putting her hand on Haruka's hair; she stroked her fingers through it gently.
Haruka expected her to say something; the silence was unnerving. "Say something, please."
"Like what?" Sky asked softly. "Tell me what you want me to say and I will."
"I don't know; just don't be quiet. It's not what I need right now."
Sky took a few moments to think of what to say. "Ito called me back on the readings for turn number four. He thinks I am right about the noise-reduction lining affecting the computer's readings. We are going to take it out and try the car again. The lining is needed to keep the radio at optimal levels; so we have to redesign the body panels for the car. The lining adds extra weight to the panels; so we have to redo all the calculations for the car."
"The extra weigh will make the car drag more." Haruka muttered.
"Exactly; and that's what we don't want. So we have to rethink a few things." Sky changed topics, "The dinner tonight went well. The president of Toyota Speed is really anxious to see the car perform. Even without the lining. He said that he's received close to a hundred requests for the car; he wants to sell them for me here in Asia. He says that this years attendance at the Gala is the highest they've ever had confirmed. The press is already talking about it. My office has received countless phone calls for the press to come and see the car in action."
"That's all good, right?" Haruka asked.
"It would be," Sky sighed, "The problem was, I hadn't planned on producing a vast number of cars. I was just going to make them for my team. They still meet regulations and the IRL racing standards. It wouldn't be cheating if my team drove them. But with all this new attention; I might have look at making more."
"Is it the cost
you're worried about?"
Sky laughed gently, "No, not even a
little bit. I haven't even set a price for the car and people are
already offering me six to seven figures for it. They are having
their own private bidding war."
"So what's the problem?"
"If everyone has a Wind King, then the sport will change. New speeds will be reached; faster times. It will be like revolutionizing the whole sport; I don't know if I want that. I just wanted a better car; not a new sport."
"A Wind King?" Haruka frowned, "Is that what you called it?"
"Yeah, that's the name of the car."
Haruka smiled to her self, "Sounds dorky."
"Yeah, I know." Sky rested her hand on Haruka's back. "Who would have thought building a new car would have such impact?"
Haruka closed her eyes, "I am glad you're here."
Sky was surprised at that statement. She looked down at the tall woman lying across her body. "Hey, don't got to sleep on me. I am still in my evening gown."
Haruka opened her eyes and smiled, "Then I guess you take it off." She reached up and tugged playfully on the shoulder straps.
Sky made a face at her, "Come on, get off me so I can change."
Haruka sat up and Sky went to her feet. Sky changed into an overly large t-shirt and pulled back the covers. Haruka cuddled against her; letting her cover them both.
"You're going to over heat in your clothes." Sky muttered.
"I don't care, I feel so cold right now." Haruka shuddered and closed her eyes, "Sky,"
"Hmm?"
"Do you know what my name means?"
Sky stared at the woman who clutched her tightly. "It translates to sky king."
Haruka smiled, "Ironic isn't it?"
"Yeah, really ironic." Sky smoothed her fingers through Haruka's hair. "See you in the morning."
Haruka fell into sleep and struggled with nightmares. Only Sky's arms around her kept her from screaming and crying. Eventually the nightmares stopped and she was lost to deep, peaceful and silent sleep.
**
