Chapter IV: Creeping In
Her eyes were closed she could feel the wind caressing her cheeks. When was the last time she felt relaxed and content? Michiru could hardly remember. Right now she felt no pain over the loss of her lover. It was as if her longing for love seemed to have ceased.
Michiru was finally free.
"Michiru ... it's not fair... "
Michiru tried to open her eyes but couldn't.
"... To indulge in your own world..."
"What?" Michiru asked but nothing came out of her lips. She struggled but to no avail.
"Don't leave me alone..."
"Amara!" Michiru screamed through her head, hurting this time. Flashes of pain seeping through her veins, her chest... She coughs...
Her eyes slowly opened but her vision was blurred. She could see blonde strands, warm arms holding her tight.
"Let it all out... That's ok..." The voice whispered stroking her wet hair.
"Let it all out..."
Michiru could hardly make out anything now. She felt tired, extremely tired. She could hear the ocean, kind whispers in her ear. Her heart seemed to overflow but didn't know what for. She wasn't in love. She was still half conscious.
Am I in heaven?
She felt being laid to a comfortable bed.
Pine...
She deduced. A hand reached for her forehead. Asking her, begging her to reply:
"Why were you floating in the ocean?"
But she was tired. She was so tired of crying, of being sad that she just slept it off.
"Who are you?"
And that night, was the first night, in a very long while that Kaioh Michiru fell sound asleep.
She took one last whiff of the steam from her tea and drank silently. It was 7am in the morning and she was already busy. She had called Dr. Mizuno who apparently knew the maiden she had just pulled out of the water. Haruka just got out of the hospital and was in a small diner taking a much needed meal. Her day seemed to have no apparent end.
She sighed.
It had been a long time since she had been to a hospital. She felt uneasy, troubled. But it wasn't because she was IN a hospital taking the stranger.
It was the fact she had found Kaioh Michiru.
Haruka massaged her temples, her thoughts in disarray. Letting out another sigh, she let the information sink in.
She had found Amara's lover.
She was almost dead when Haruka got to her.
She felt weak and she felt burdened since then.
"I'm sorry for having to call this late. I wasn't sure if it was ok for you to make a house call. But this is urgent. I know no doctor around the area... Setsuna..." Haruka trailed off, her shaky hand gliding gently through her hair.
The doctor gave out a smile then turned serious.
"The patient...?"
"In here." Haruka motioned.
Careful not to disturb her mermaid's slumber, the blonde opened the door.
She heard a gasp.
The good doctor's eyes went wide. Haruka didn't know what to react next. Because the doctor's lips moved then uttered...
"Michiru..."
Kaioh Michiru.
Her head throbbed and Haruka wasn't sure if it was because of the lack of sleep. The events that have transpired have led her to the conclusion that she wasn't ready for.
She wasn't ready for the spotlight.
She wasn't prepared to be drawn into what was left of Amara's world.
She wasn't ready for Kaioh Michiru.
"Amara?" the voice was shaky, almost unsure. The woman in front of her was in so much shock, Haruka had to run after her phone.
"Iie... Tenoh Haruka..."
"Kaioh Nami..."
Haruka shook Nami's hand, the latter's eyes never leaving hers.
She felt violated.
No one could stare that much right. It was as if she was a ghost.
Haruka let out a small smile. She was after all Amara's carbon copy. At least, almost. Before she could make up anything to say, Nami spoke with coldness this time.
"You should leave."
Unable to say anything her eyes travelled to Michiru then to Dr. Mizuno who seemed to have spoken through her eyes...
"She's going to be alright."
The hot tea snapped her out of her reverie. She smiled at the man beside her who in turn smiled back. It was going to be a long day for Haruka. Running off to the beach house would be the most logical solution for now. Haruka had a feeling if she didn't leave the city, her face would be plastered on all tabloids and the nine o clock newsbreak.
"Hime-chan..." She heard the voice say.
But this wasn't the voice she heard the last time.
This wasn't the voice that was asking her who she was.
Michiru slowly opened her eyes. The light hurt a bit. Her head turned slightly from side to side. She felt she was in a different place.
There was no more scent of pine. The wind was silent.
She found her father standing right next to her bed with the rest of her family.
"Don't over do that again hime-chan... Don't run off without us..." Her father choked out the words.
This was the first time she saw her father in tears.
He didn't cry when Amara died.
Nor did he shed tears on funerals they have already attended.
First time...
"Gomen..." It was barely a whisper but Michiru managed to let it out.
Her father understood and held her tighter.
It was though if he let go, Michiru would disappear.
I have to live.
Michiru clenched her teeth, feeling warmth cover her body.
I have a family. I am young. I have so much to live for.
I can love again.
Then it was set.
Kaioh Michiru decided to live once more.
She didn't know why they were coming, but she was certain she did nothing wrong. She tried to be the hero. She tried to do the right thing. It was right for her to save Kaioh Michiru, right?
Haruka let out a heavy sigh.
It was the right thing to do, right?
Was I supposed to hide myself? Was I supposed to think of my personal inhibitions, my fears of tomorrow in exchange for her life?
She sighed again.
At what cost Haruka? At what cost?
She closed her eyes letting out another sigh escape from her lips.
"Ojou-sama..." The maid bowed making her turn to look.
"Kaioh-sama and Meioh-sama have arrived."
"Arigatou." Haruka stood up and went out to the living room. Setsuna was sitting comfortably while Nami remained standing. Her attention fixed on the uninteresting coal in Haruka's fireplace.
"Ohayo gozaimasu..." Haruka bowed and the other two bowed in return.
"Can I help you?" She turned to Setsuna who merely smiled in reply.
Haruka turned to Nami who was back at probably staring at things in her fireplace.
"How is your sister?" She asked.
She didn't know how she sounded. She didn't know how it got out. Haruka mentally scolded herself from being so unsure of what she wanted.
"Is she awake now?" She asked again.
Still there was no reply.
"I hope I didn't seem to have overstepped. I had no choice. I had to save her. Take her to the hospital..."
Haruka trailed off not knowing what to say.
Kaioh Michiru's sister was still staring at space.
There was some bit of silence and the maid had just placed a set of tea cups for the visitors.
By then Nami sat beside Setsuna.
She drank the tea before speaking.
"Do you know Tenou Amara?" She asked Haruka just nodded in reply.
At least she thinks she knows Amara. She was with Kaioh Michiru. She was a famous racer. She was a track star, etcetera. What else was there to know?
Oh yeah... She looks like me...
Haruka set her eyes on Nami who was still in low spirits. Her mind started to wander now.
Is Michiru alright?
Michiru. She said to no one.
Say Kaioh-san because you are not Tenou Amara to call her Michiru.
But still, Haruka liked the fact on how the maiden's name rolls into her tongue.
"Then you know who she was in my sister's life?"
"Hai..." Haruka took a seat as she replied.
This was going to be a 48-hour day... More or less...
Michiru was still lying on the hospital bed, while Ami took her blood pressure. The heavy air in the room was lifted and was replaced with a happy, hopeful scene Michiru's family was dying to have. She smiled as her father spoke to her other siblings. They were busy about something.
She asked but they only replied in due time.
...In due time? I almost died and you reply, in due time?
Michiru shook her head. Ami merely smiled at her and took off the sphygmomanometer.
"I think you're ready to go home."
"Arigatou..." She replied quickly closing her eyes.
Pine...
"Ami-chan..." Michiru began as she opened her eyes.
"Hmmm? Are you ok?"
"Hai... I just..." She noticed her parents perking up as she spoke.
Why are they so interested at what I'm about to say all of a sudden? They were too busy just moments ago.
"Just what Michiru-chan?"
"Where was I before I got here?" By now everyone seemed concerned.
Was there something wrong with the question? Michiru narrowed her eyes and focused on her friend who turned to look at her parents.
Didn't she know who took her to the hospital?
"Anou... There was an emergency call and I responded to it. Was surprised to see you then unconscious Michiru-chan..." Dr. Mizuno replied almost shaky.
Was she afraid of something?
Are they hiding something from me?
Michiru wondered but her head throbbed mainly because of her probable concussion which caused her to think of something else.
Pine...
This wasn't the day to ask questions.
Kaioh Michiru must rest. She can try and figure out things when she regains her strength.
She stared at her laptop. Haruka was neither sleepy nor tired. She was confused.
You can't date her and you can never be her friend.
She wasn't planning on meeting Kaioh Michiru anytime soon. But she wasn't keen on not meeting her either.
...Whatever will be, will be as the song says.
She's trying to pick up the pieces in her life. And you're probably here for a different reason too. I'm being unfair, but I don't want my sister to get involved with you. Your face will remind her of her dead lover. Would you want to be loved just because you had the face of the greatest love she ever had?
Nami was not stopping with her barrage of requests and questions, questions that never even passed Haruka's mind. Was it wrong she had saved Kaioh Mchiru? Why was she grilled as if she had other intentions?
Haruka replied of course. She replied to what seemed accusations, obligations and complications. She explained her intentions for moving to Tokyo. But for some reason, through Setsuna's pleading eyes, she did not mention about Amara's heart. Saving Michiru complicated things. But was that better than an alternative life where she left her for dead?
No...
Haruka had a feeling she would feel incomplete. This was her chance to repay Amara. But alas, she was not making it easy for Haruka.
Tokyo is not big enough to keep my sister away from pain. So please, spare her the torment. We are thankful you saved her. But it is best if you both don't meet each other.
"Why?" Haruka asked receiving nothing in reply.
Earlier it was the same question left by Kaioh Nami unanswered.
Why?
She didn't do anything wrong so why should she give in to their demand?
Why?
She asked herself frustrated. She angrily through her laptop to the floor. Haruka was going to regret it in the morning. But what was she to do?
Kaioh Michiru seemed hurt. And was she to stand aside and just pretend it never happened.
Standing up she said, "I can...!"
But her heart was wavering, somewhat saying, you can but you wouldn't want to.
"Tons of people in Tokyo. I can date whoever i want."
But there is something about her that makes you want to drown in her world.
This time the her desk lamp found the floor. The maid would have a field day tomorrow.
"What if it makes her unhappy, Haruka?"
What if you're the only thing missing in her life now?
Haruka let out a sad smile...
I'm thinking of dating her, and yet I haven't even tried being her friend... What makes me so special ne?
"Nothing Haruka. Nothing."
Pine...
The sweet scent was stinging her nose even if the scent wasn't really there.
Was it the person's cologne? Was it the room's air freshener? Perhaps. Michiru could only sigh as she read the day's newspaper.
It has been two days since the tragic miscalculation of her mental state as Ami would put it. She had been living with her parents since then just to give in to their pleas. Michiru was starting over and she wasn't really keen on what to do just yet. Well she was keen about doing something though.
She wanted to say her goodbye.
Michiru placed the newspaper on top of the coffee table then stood up. She walked up to garden and stared at the different flowers that have been planted.
Yellow...
Blonde...
She sighed not knowing his or her name.
There was a time she thought it was just a couple of blonde paramedics. Minako and Usagi are blonde. So what else could it be?
Warm hands...
Of course they had to be. The person who saved her was alive.
But then she remembered someone telling her, somewhat complaining about her not being fair.
Was she?
Maybe because she refused to let go, that she refused to live. Or she refused to ACTUALLY live since she died. Maybe she was telling her that the world wasn't just about her. That the world contained more than the two of them... But then... Why did she say not to leave her alone?
Michiru let out a sad smile.
Baka... You already left before I could. How could you ask me not to leave you...?
Her knees gave out and she found herself kneeling on the soft grass.
Baka... I know you want me to be strong. I know you tried... I know you loved me enough to fight to live... I will live... I will... My music will be my mistress... You, my wife in my heart... I will send my love through my music... I will be who you wanted me to be... I will be the one you first fell in love with...
"I don't know if you hate me right now. I don't know if I did what you would have wanted..."
Haruka felt silly but she felt she owed it to her to speak about it herself.
"I had to save her. And for some reason her family would not let me see her. Honestly, I only wanted to see if she was alright... But if her sister's pleas are your pleas, I would heed them. I will stay away from her. Although in all honesty, I would like to meet her. At least to give her what she needs in payment for your kindness..."
She put her hand on the gravestone, sighing to the fact that she was trying to explain things to someone who wasn't there. She didn't have to explain itself. Logically, but why was her heart doing this to her... It was making her feel conflicted and guilty.
I'm not guilty of anything...
Haruka let out with a grunt.
Just then she found herself thinking of Michiru's face.
"Kaioh-san..." She scolded herself.
I'm not you Amara... But I will not run from what are things to come... No more hiding in the shadows. I will keep my promise to your supposed to be in laws...
Haruka smiled placing the flowers on Amara's grave.
"I will not do anything that would keep her from being happy."
Michiru took a deep breath and help the flowers tightly in her arms. Why was she so nervous? She has been to Amara's grave a thousand times and she was sure nothing was going to be different.
But it was.
Was it because of the weather? The calm, sunny, breezy weather? Some kind of weather you want to snuggle up to someone?
Right, hurt yourself Michiru. You are not ready for relationships as of the moment.
Her heart was beating faster as she walked across the cemetery. The wind blew gently as if guiding her to her destination. She tried to remember that she had to call Setsuna.
Her friend had been asking her... No, begging her to drop by Makoto's place. She had already asked Ami what was urgent but the latter didn't really know what Setsuna's reason's where. Although, Michiru did feel Ami was trying to be discrete about something.
Neh, I will deal with all of you later. I have been a very bad friend since her death. I will make up for all the things I have missed.
Starting with Makoto and Ami's joint venture.
Michiru let out a sad laugh.
Joint venture eh?
She shook her head and continued to walk. Makoto had been trying to woo Ami for years. Ami, who took it upon herself to test Makoto, told Michiru they'll be 40 when she says yes.
Michiru stopped and stared at the sky.
She didn't think twice after you died. She wanted Makoto to know she loved her too. Ami was afraid to lose her like how I suddenly lost you...
"I know you'll say I'm in your heart Amara... But wherever your heart is... It wouldn't be you..." She spoke to no one as she reached a tree overlooking her lover's grave. Her heart was now starting to pound...
"What the..." Michiru began but her attention shifted to the person standing in front of Amara's grave.
Blonde...
Michiru hid herself. Growing angry while her heart started to beat faster, as if louder to her ears...
Who was the stranger? Was it a relative? Another lover? A man?
Amara's relatives have moved to the US two years ago.A reason why she had to leave back then.
Michiru waited as the stranger turned.
That face...It can't be...
Her heart was pounding now. Michiru could feel her blood rising to her ears.
You're dead Amara. Am I looking at your ghost? Or is this your twin?
Michiru covered her mouth. Tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Amara..."
She felt being watched but she didn't see anyone when she turned. Her heart pounded. She was scared.
She bowed then took a pill.
I forgot to drink... Now stop pounding... It gives me the creeps...
"Since when have I been nervous?" Haruka let out a smile.
She walked passed a tree then found flowers on the ground.
"Huh?" She looked around but there was no one in sight. Haruka searched for a card, for an indication to where the flowers were meant to be.
She found one.
Her blood rising to her ears.
Till we meet again Amara...
Love Michiru.