"Who are you?"
This time, Haruka couldn't help the laughter that bubbled from the base of get stomach and made it's made up. The blue-eyed woman seated on the large grey bolder shifted. It looked like an uncomfortable makeshift seat, but somehow she was able to make it seem like a pedestal made for a goddess.
"Okay... Okay, sorry about that," The blonde rasped in between laughing fits. "You just... You just reminded me of something, that's all..." Haruka looked up and smiled crookedly and for a moment, Michiru was stunned. That smile. For some reason it stirred up a myriad number of emotions. She didn't know why, but she felt drawn to that smile. To this person in general. As if they were two magnets and there's some outside force that's pushing them away just to the point where they can't immediately snap back together. Noticing that she wasn't responding, Haruka continued, "So I'm Tenou Haruka. You are? I feel like I should know the name of such a beautiful maiden."
"I'm-I'm," Michiru stuttered. Since when was she the shy type? She finally squeaked out, "I'm engaged!"
Haruka blinked. She wasn't expecting that kind of introduction, that's for sure. "Uhm... Okay, then. Nice to meet you 'Engaged'. It's an interesting name you got there..." She clicked her tongue.
Sapphire rolled her eyes towards the darkening sky. When did these storm clouds come out? "No silly. My name is Kaioh Michiru." Without thinking, the violinist stuck out her pale hand. Suppressing a chuckle, the racer reached out and shook the offered hand.
Michiru was surprised at how soft and...familiar it felt. For some reason she had the urge to trace the knuckles with her own thumb.
"So... Kaioh 'Engaged' Michiru, may I ask what you're doing way out here at the top of the mountain?" The blonde sat criss-cross on the ground next to the smaller girl's seat, picking at the grassy patches that scattered all over the dirt.
"Same reason as you," Michiru couldn't help but say in a 'duh' voice. She was surprised with herself. It seemed all her manners flew out the window when this mysterious blonde showed up. But the thing that bothered her the most was that she didn't feel bad at all. She felt like she was just having lively banter with an old friend. It was starting to irritate her because she didn't know why she didn't know why.
"You must know me awfully well to make a conclusion like that," Haruka couldn't help but point out playfully with a smile as she took a random crooked twig and drew scribbles into the dirt.
"Well perhaps I'm just very good at judging one's character."
"You always have been..." She murmured under her breath. It came out too low for Michiru to hear so she shifted so she was directly facing the blonde.
"I'm sorry?"
Haruka shook her head, still looking down at her drawings. "Never mind, it's nothing." Then she noticed that her doodle masterpiece was being destroyed by large wet splatters. She tipped her head back and looked straight up into the sky. Not twenty minutes ago, it was crystal clear. Now the entire sky was painted with different shades of grey and the rumble of thunder could be heard. A flash of pure white broke through the dark clouds.
Michiru let out a squeak. She HATED thunder storms. ESPECIALLY lightening. Haruka knew this already, but to keep up this twisted façade, she gave the smaller woman a questioning look.
"Someone a little scared of storms? It's just rain, you know. You love water."
Michiru had to fight the urge to slide off the stupid rough rock and move next to the warm body of her new friend. But her pride kept her in the same spot. No way was she going to seek solstice in the arms of a stranger. "This isn't JUST rain! It's— wait, how'd you know I love water?"
"Well perhaps I'm just very good at judging one's character." Haruka mocked with a smirk, ignoring the fact that the rain was falling at a much faster rate.
The violinist gave a very cute pout. She stood up, prepared with a smart-ass remark, but lightning stroked once again and their world was filled with a blinding light. Thunder's drum rolled a few seconds later but the couple was both too distracted with the sudden red and orange obstruction in their view, not twenty feet away. The fire roared with intensity, but thankfully before it could grow in size, the rain poured harder and put out the flame in a matter of seconds.
Haruka pulled her hood over her wet hair and without thinking, she reached out and pulled Michiru to her by the waist. The violinist was too surprised by the sudden gesture that she didn't have time to react before Haruka spoke again.
"We should get out of the rain, shouldn't we?" She asked, looking up at another bolt of lightning. Michiru couldn't help but admire the racer's profile. Her half-hooded emerald eyes were covered in long, black lashes and her nose scrunched cutely before sneezing. "Sorry about that..." Haruka apologized, rubbing her nose with the arm that wasn't wrapped around the smaller woman.
Michiru could only smile. Whoever this Tenou Haruka person was, was very very cute. A nagging tug, Ego, at her heart told her to kiss the tip of the blonde's nose to make it feel better, but the more rational part, Id, told her that that would be crazy. Not that she wasn't already crazy to begin with. Who goes around feeling like they've known someone within a few minutes? It's too...cliché.
Lightening cracked again and more rain poured. Haruka felt the smaller woman shiver and pulled her even closer, if possible. In the back of her mind she knew that she was being too forward, but so far Michiru hasn't said anything and right now, Haruka knew she needed her.
"C'mon, I know a place where we can use until the storm passes," Not giving her a second to protest, the blonde began trekking north and two minutes later, the couple reached the destination.
"A log cabin?" Michiru asked, as Haruka led her to the oak door.
"Fitting, isn't it?" Haruka smiled her signature crooked smile and opened the door. "Go ahead and set your bag down anywhere," She reached around until she found the light switch and turned it on. A dim gold glow cast through out the room and again, Michiru felt a certain familiarity with it. It was a small but roomy living room with two large slightly worn tan sofas and a coffee table in between. From the looks of the periodicals on the table, no one has been to the cabin in years. Michiru set down her bag on the floor and absently reached to twirl her hair but realized it was soaked, as so the rest of her outfit.
"Don't worry, I have some spare clothes you can use," Haruka said before disappearing behind one of the only two doors. She rummaged through the large walk-in closet and went through the different tops that were hanging neatly on the racks.
It was weird being back here again, but at the same, it still felt right. Back when they were still teenagers and together, the couple would go on hiking trips often and always tried to see how far they could go. But on the way up the mountain they would end up completely draining themselves and had no energy to walk back down. So Michiru's parents had the bright idea of building this small cabin for them to stay in and rest in order to return early morning.
Moments later, Haruka stepped out of the closet with a pair of flannel pajamas and a long sleeved thermal. She handed it to Michiru. "Here, it gets kind of cold at night," The violinist muttered a quiet thank you and was about to ask where she could change, but saw that the blonde was already peeling off her own wet clothes right in front of her.
Without warning, a steady blush crept up Michiru's neck and painted her cheekbones a rosy hue. Haruka was definitely the most beautiful creature on this planet. She was toned but not too toned to the point where she lost her feminine aspects. Tanned, strong arms reached up into the sky as she slid her t-shirt over her head and when she bent over to put on her pants... Michiru nearly fainted.
What was wrong with her? She has never been this attracted to anyone in her entire life, let alone a WOMAN. And to feel a collage of unknown emotions stir at the pit of her stomach only increased her worry. It wasn't normal to have such strong feelings towards someone in such a short amount of time.
Michiru, Michiru, Michiru. What the hell did you get yourself into?
"Michiru?"
Snapping into attention, Michiru answered, "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"
"Never mind that, are you okay? You're looking a bit flushed." Blonde eyebrows scrunched in worry and Haruka placed her hand on the smaller woman's forehead.
"Uhm... I...err..." Michiru was having trouble giving a direct response, seeing how Haruka's handsome face was only a few inches from her. Michiru swallowed and felt her tongue loosen. "I'm fine..."
Haruka had to fight the urge to kiss her. Every single fiber of her being was so ready to just lean in those few damn inches and kiss the lips she hasn't kissed in eight years. And seeing the aquanette all flushed didn't help her case at all. Damn Michiru for being so damn cute...
After they finished changing (when really it was Michiru changing and Haruka trying not to stare) they pulled the plastic cover off the sofas and plopped down, exhausted.
Haruka opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by the sound of her stomach growling lowly.
Michiru giggled. "Someone's hungry,"
Haruka gave her a sheepish smile before smirking, "Perhaps it's because I've been too busy taking care of a certain green-haired nuisance to find myself some food," She remarked playfully.
"Excuse ME," Michiru sat up, obviously offended, but the smile was still there. "It is AQUA, not GREEN, you DUMB BLONDE."
Haruka sat up too, resting her elbows on her thighs and leaned towards Michiru who was seated on the sofa across from her, "Are we really going to stoop to the dumb blonde jokes? After all I've done for you? Geez, you Kaioh's ARE stuck up..." She rolled her eyes overdramatically and sank back into the cushions with an adorable pout.
Now she was really offended. "Stuck UP?" Without thinking, Michiru got off her sofa and landed on Haruka's. She sat criss-cross style on the blonde's lap, facing her directly. It only took a second for them to lock eyes and right away Michiru was hypnotized. Meeting of sapphire and emerald in contrast, something changed. Michiru's eyes softened and Haruka's shined something with such intensity that Michiru was even sure what it was. The violinist spoke softly. "Is that really what you think of me?"
Haruka shook her head. "No, it's definitely not." Against her own mind's warnings, she reached up and tucked a loose strand of aqua hair behind Michiru's ear. She savored what it felt like to be able to touch Michiru like this. To feel her soft hair between her fingers and the soft skin when she brushed the back of her fingers against her cheek.
For a moment, it was like nothing ever went wrong.
But only for a moment. "So..." Michiru coughed, flushing, "Does this certain blonde know how to cook?"
A soft pink blush appeared on the Haruka's cheeks and she looked away for a moment, slightly embarrassed. "O-of course I can! I'm a Tenou!"
Michiru giggled and tilted her head slightly. Haruka thought it was very cute. "But you know... If a certain Kaioh doesn't get off my lap, I won't be able to show off my amazing chef skills,"
Sea blue eyes sparkled. "But I'm comfy here," She flirted without thinking before she spoke. Michiru blushed a deep scarlet as soon as she realized what he just said. The blonde merely laughed as an embarrassed Michiru got off her lap.
"So does the princess have any dinner requests?" Haruka asked making her way to the kitchen with the smaller woman following.
"Princess?" Michiru repeated, not with offense but curiosity.
"You... You remind me of a princess." The blonde admitted before opening the pantry door. She shuffled among the food.
"Does that mean I get a prince?" The shuffling stopped. Michiru inwardly smirked and leaned back on the counter, pale arms crossed. "It only makes sense. All princesses need a prince."
"Well if it's a prince you want, then it's a prince you get. You're the princess after all, you're supposed to get everything you want." Haruka answered simply, dumping a pile of non-perishables onto the counter.
"Does that mean I get a prince?" The shuffling stopped. Michiru inwardly smirked and leaned back on the counter, pale arms crossed. "It only makes sense. All princesses need a prince."
"Well if it's a prince you want, then it's a prince you get. You're the princess after all, you're supposed to get everything you want." Haruka answered simply, dumping a pile of non-perishables onto the counter.
Michiru began helping Haruka sort through the food, "So I'm assuming you're my prince?"
Haruka stopped what she was doing. "You're engaged aren't you?"
Surprised, Michiru looked up and locked eyes with the blonde's green soul searing eyes, studying her carefully. "You're right..." She trailed off after breaking the stare with a sad frown.
Haruka's heart throbbed. She didn't mean to hurt Michiru's feelings... She walked closer so she was right next to the shorter woman and their shoulders were touching. "Hey," She spoke softly, "If things don't work out with your prince, you'll have me as your back-up." The blonde smiled. It was different from her other more carefree smiles, this one was sweet and sincere. It made Michiru's heart melt.
"That means a lot actually... Thank you Haruka. It's nice to know that I'll have someone to run off to when this marriage collapses." This caught the racer off guard. It seemed Michiru was already planning the end of a marriage that hasn't even started yet.
"How about we talk about all of this over dinner? We don't need another tummy interrupting us," She poked the aquamarine's flat stomach accusingly.
Michiru giggled. "Sounds good. What are we having anyways? It seems all we have here is canned fruits and trail mix..." Which was a disappointment. After hiking so many miles she could use some solid food in her empty stomach now.
"We, my princess, are having mac n' cheese." Haruka held up a box of the orange pasta and grinned. Michiru mirrored the grin back.
After the macaroni was cook and prepared, Haruka brought two plates to the living room where Michiru was idly flipping through TV channels.
"You could've helped you know," The blonde teased, handing Michiru her plate.
"You told me not to!" She countered, grinning.
"Yeah, well." Haruka laughed and sat on the slightly worn lazy boy adjacent from Michiru's spot on the suede love seat. Michiru inwardly pouted at this distance between them, though she didn't know why. Since she couldn't stab that nameless feeling, she stabbed at her macaroni instead before taking a bite.
"...This isn't that bad." She admitted after chewing.
Haruka laughed. "Why do you sound so surprised?"
"Because," Michiru began. "You're TENOU HARUKA. One of the most famous and skilled racers of all time and also an avid listener to classical music."
The blonde blinked. That was certainly unexpected. "You seem to know a lot about me... And how exactly is it that you know I listen to classical music?" She asked with a golden eyebrow arched.
"My parents," Michiru answered simply, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "For some reason they both have this fascination for you and your career... They even went through special measurements to see if you bought any of my albums. Which you did, of course." The aquanetter smiled softly at Haruka. "So thank you for that."
The second Michiru mentioned her parents, the blonde held back an eye roll. They both knew exactly what Haruka's plan was. So much for disappearing from Michiru's life completely...
AN: Yeah, sorry about the wait. And for the kinda boring-ish chapter. I haven't really been in the writing mood. Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions because I'm kind of drawing a blank :]