ENDING ONE: Faith
The door slammed shut and Michiru remained silent as she stared at the door. 'How could Minako be so heartless? 'The blonde was gloating at the defeat of the beautiful racer, but Michiru could only focus on the cruelty of her roommate.
"Did you see the look on her face? Ha! She is so pathetic!" proud of her performance, Minako plopped on to the couch and opened a beer.
"Who the hell are you?" Michiru didn't even look at the blonde but the intensity of anger showed through the small frame.
"What? Are you defending her? She's disgusting! How the hell could you…" Michiru flipped around, fire in her eyes.
"You, are disgusting! You can't tell me that you didn't see the pain in Haruka's eyes. You know you never deserved her. NOT AT ALL!" the small woman spat, "She asked you for help and you couldn't get over yourself to save her!" Michiru grabbed her jacket and reached for the handle.
"Where are you going?" Minako sat up and glared at her roommate.
"I am going to help her! She needs me! You can just sit there in your self pity till I get home" with that, Michiru slammed the door leaving a gawking Minako in the void.
Haruka stumbled in the alleyway, holding her arm; which wouldn't stop shaking.
"God… damnit" Fatigue set in and pulled the star to the cold stone pavement, hands shaking she slowly reached in to her jacket and began searching, pulling out a familiar gold pouch; which she set on the ground and resumed her search. A soft smile graced the woman's lips as her target was reached.
Pulling out a worn, folded piece of paper; hands trembling she unfolded the sheet and gazed at the faded notes that graced the paper.
"Michiru…" a gentle tear ran down Haruka's pale cheek.
"How are you feeling today Ms. Tenoh?" a nurse at the rehabilitation center caringly asked as she brought in a tray of food for the recovering addict.
Haruka simply nodded, staring blankly at the ceiling.
"How are those withdrawals treating you? Obviously better, you're not screaming this morning." She smiled as she adjusted the pillow behind Haruka's tired head. "I must say, even without hair you still look good …"a sweet smile crept onto the woman's features.
"Well, I think since you're doing so well…" the nurse walked over to a small CD player in the corner of the bland room and pressed play, quietly a calming tune crept in the room. Heavenly violin, played carefully by delicate fingers, trickled in to the patient's ears and immediately soothed the aches bringing a much needed release.
"…that's beautiful…"her voice was weak and tired, but obviously touched by the sweet song.
"You like it? It's a young artist by the name of Michiru Kaioh. I think it is absolutely beautiful, can you believe she is your age? Kids now a day, so damn talented" she smiled at the rising amateur racer lying in front of her.
Haruka just simply nodded.
"Well I'll leave this on and turn off the light, I'll see you tomorrow okay?"
Haruka nodded and closed her eyes as she was engulfed in the waves of sound.
Morning came again and the nurse followed routine of bringing in Haruka's meal and checking on the progress, "So how are we doing today Ms. Tenoh?"
"…good… how about yourself…" the response was weak, but still surprising to the nurse.
"Wow, you're actually talking. You must be feeling pretty good." A huge grin coated her features as she helped the woman sit up.
"…there is something… something about this music… it… it's…" she paused as the thought of the exact wording, "comforting. I feel…at peace."
"Well anything that keeps you from screaming" the nurse chuckled as the racer rubbed her bald head.
"Yeah…well…" she laughed nervously as the nurse chuckled.
March 6 2005
My life has been a selfish one… I'm making a vow at this moment; never put myself before the ones I love again.
Being here, I've seen how horrible effects of drugs, not only in my circumstance, but in the lives of all their path of destruction. I look at the dirt on my own hands and can't help but wonder if I can find salvation, or perhaps I am damned for the sins I have committed. Sitting in self loathing and hatred of the world around me; lost in darkness, I have found a small glimpse of hope.
A sweet tune carries notes assuring me of my strength, and the comfort needed so that I can be forgiven.
I can change, I can get over this!
Dear diary, If I ever have the chance, if I survive this massacre of mind altering hallucinations; pray that I get the chance to thank Michiru Kaioh for saving my sanity.
-Haruka Tenoh
Each day, music filled the small room as the racer scribbled down each note as they reached her ear.
"Haruka!" the nurse yelped as the racer teasingly goosed the older woman.
"If I knew you were going to be such a flirt…" a blush crept across her features.
"I can't help it, I just… feel so…" she spread her arms and looked towards the ceiling, "Alive!"
The nurse smiled and handed Haruka an envelope.
"well then I think we can be safe in giving you these." Haruka opened the white envelope and quickly read the message inside:
Tenoh, Haruka
March 15, 2005
In the care of Ms. Tenoh, we have evaluated the patient and have confidence that she has been cured of her addiction to the drug: heroin, and hereby release her from our facility.
Dr. Emallee Cox,
IHCS healthcare rehabilitation center
Michiru's aqua locks blew in the cold wind as she held her jacket tight as her feet quickly lead her down the dark road. "Ruka… where are you?" Panic sank in as the rain began to fall harder and harder, she forced her step to be quicker and quicker.
"Haruka!" She yelled, but nothing but her echo and the crying wind responded. The rain began to pour and tears stung at the strong woman's eyes. "HARUKA!" she cried out in frustration as the cold began to set in.
"Michiru…" the voice responded quietly to the voice that couldn't truly be there. Darkness slowly began to creep into the racer's thoughts trying its best to trap the reality that Haruka knew into its void.
The voice sounded again and the blonde cursed her mind for its cruel tricks.
Her grip tightened on the paper as the star's light began to fade; her eyes close.
Michiru stood at the entrance to a dark alleyway, squinting, she tried her best to see what was in front of her. A certain feeling of nerves and fear ate away at her small frame; she tightened her jacket and tried her best to ignore it as she quickly ran in to the darkness.
"Haruka!" her voice bouncing off the brick and back to her ears "Haruka!" she quickened her pace.
"Haruka!" she stopped in her tracks as a light ahead shone indiscreetly on a frail woman who was curled up in a ball. Tears poured down her complexion as she ran over to the motionless form.
"Haruka…" she dropped to her knees and removed her jacket; wrapping it tightly around the unconscious woman. "Hold on Ruka, you'll be okay" she leaned over and brushed her lips against the racer's cheek. Michiru grabbed her phone out of her pocket and lead her trembling fingers to the numbers.
"911 what's your emergency?"
"This is Michiru Kaioh, I am on 5th east and Main next to the classical café. I have Haruka tenoh and she needs immediate medical attention…"
"We'll have someone there in ten minutes." The phone went silent and Michiru held her star tightly in her arms; Haruka's pale tone and cold body causing her heart to break.
"Haruka… please…please be okay…" she buried her face into Haruka's chest muffling her cries until the sounds of sirens sounded in the distance and flashing light flooded the alleyway.
"Please, hold on…"
Haruka awoke to a rythmatic beeping. "What…?" her eyes were sore but she forced them open and cringed as they adjusted to the light. An angel stood above her, bright aqua covered curls and a bright smile was the first thing she noticed as the darkness melted away.
"Michiru…?" her voice was barely audible but her message of love and gratitude was not lost in translation. "..What happened?"
"You are damn lucky Tenoh" A familiar voice snorted as she checked the star's vitals.
"What can I say?" the blonde laughed slightly.
"If it wasn't for Miss. Kaioh here, you'd be a gonner…" a small smile crept across Haruka's face.
'I'm sorry…" she lifted a finger and signaled her angel to come closer, the small woman obeyed and leaned close to Haruka.
"Michiru… I love you" the weak woman closed the slight distance and placed a sweet kiss on her savior's lips. "Thank you for saving me so many times… you're my hero…" Michiru rolled her eyes and kissed her racer two more times.
"Okay, slow down romeo…So the police agreed to drop the charges if you agree to go back to visit us at Rehab." Haruka nodded. "Will it work for you this time? Cuz' if you're just going to be back to your old self immediately after… I think you're better off in prison."
"I can do it this time…"
"You better" Michiru chimed in, "Because I'll be there to make sure you stay strong this time. I won't let you out of my sight." A very serious expression appeared on the patient's face.
"Yes ma'am."
The three laughed as Haruka held her violinist's hand tight and prepared for her long journey.
3 months later. ..
The day was perfect, not a cloud in the sky as the recovered racer walked out to face her new life.
"I think you look sexy bald." Michiru teased as she greeted her fiancé at the bottom of the stairs. "Just like Justin Timberlake" Haruka smiled and rolled her eyes as she wrapped her arms around her love.
"So does that mean I'm bringing sexy back?" Michiru only nodded as her idol held her tight and gave her a loving kiss.
September 16, 2007
Life… it's a crazy thing. You beat yourself up thinking you want one thing…and you end up finding what you needed which is completely different. The people you think are there for you abandon you and kick you when you're down; and others pick up on your vulnerability to use you for everything you have.
While I was in rehab, Usagi took everything and left me fearing I would destroy her image.(( I don't blame her… )) I followed up suite and filed a case against my dear old boss Mr. Honda and all involved in that repulsive act; and guess what… I WON! Ha ha… so that is paying for my therapy… it makes me sound like a crazy person but…hell it works. With everyone's help I've been clean for three months already! The one who helps me the most is my beautiful wife of course. Without her I'd be nothing… or possibly worm chow.
My race team was proud of me and they were more than happy to re-sign me back for the upcoming season so I guess it all turned out for the best. My hair is growing, the sky is clear and this is the last page in my diary. I'm glad I was able to write something uplifting for a change. Wish me luck and here's to never writing in here again!
-Haruka Tenoh.