Chapter 10
Chapter 10
"Haruka, Makoto. Ami and I where thinking we should go get new clothes for you, Makoto." Michiru said a little later when breakfast was finished and the two sister's had gotten their fill. Haruka shrugged and looked to a staring Makoto. Makoto blinked and smiled, giving a soft nod. "Good, then Haruka can you get the car ready and we'll get everybody out." Michiru said with a smile as she turned and made her way to the group that had settled in the kitchen.
"Mako, come on, the cars this way." Haruka said with a sigh as she grabbed her keys and lead the way to her car. Makoto followed, she winced at the bright light of day. "You okay?" Makoto nodded and gave another small smile. It took only a few minutes for Michiru to round everyone up and make sure everyone had a way to get home. "Are we all ready, Michi, Ami?"
"Yup, all ready. Just go on to the mall Ruka." Michiru informed, turning around to look to Makoto and Ami who sat in the backseat. "Do you mind going to the mall? Or is their something specific you'd like?" Makoto shook her head. "Are you sure? Well, okay." Michiru said and turned around, staring out to the road. "Haruka, I think he wants you to stop." Michiru said a few moments later, sighing as the police cruiser behind them motioned for them to pull over. "Now, Haruka!" She said with a little more force, placing her fingers lightly at her temple.
Haruka sighed and pulled over, rolling her window down with reluctance. "Where is he?" Haruka grumbled as she drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. Eventually the policeman exited his car; Haruka rolled her eyes as she saw him from the side-view mirror. "A tubby one, who wants to fill his quota, great." Haruka sighed as she pulled out her registration and license. Michiru reached out and lightly pinched her arm. "Just being honest." Haruka whined, rubbing at her arm. Makoto smiled and shook her head in the backseat; her new family-so it seemed, where all rather humorous.
The cop placed his hands on either side of the car door and smiled into the open window. "How's it going, friend?" He asked, bulging eyes wandering around the car, shifting to glance twice at the brunette in the backseat; whom had grown very still and had their head tipped out.
"Fine, fine. Just trying to beat traffic to the mall." Haruka said, already handing over her forms.
"Thanks. I'll go check these, then be right back." He said, brows forward as recognition seemed to cross his mind. He turned back to his car.
"Your supposed to tell me what I did wrong, if I did anything." Haruka growled, eyes narrowing as she watched him walk away, snickering as she saw him tug at his utility belt. "Old fat guys shouldn't be doing work like that if they can't fit their own uniforms."
"Haruka Tenoh, you be nice." Haruka nodded and sighed at her lovers' scolding.
"Okay, okay." Ami looked to the still girl beside her, frowning. She scooted closer and rested a hand on Makoto's shoulder, the brunette jerked away.
"Are you okay, Makoto?" Ami's quiet question caused both the front seat passengers to turn and look to Makoto.
"Mako? Is something wrong?" Haruka asked attention focused on her estranged sister and not the cop that had made his waddling way back to them. "Mako, you can—"
"Here's your form's. Would it be all right if I checked the car?" Haruka stared at Makoto for a moment before turning back to look at the cop.
"Actually, no it wouldn't be all right. I don't know why you pulled me over, I was going the speed limit on this section of highway and wasn't swerving. Why did you pull me over?" Haruka asked, fire slowly simmering in her voice.
The cop jerked, as though taken by surprise. He straightened his back and plucked at his utility belt, stepping away from the car. "I have the right to pull anyone, at any time, at any place over if I so choose to. Now, can you all please step out of the car." Haruka growled low in her throat, narrowing her eyes dangerously before slowly unbuckling and getting out of the car. He smiled and squinted up at her, pointing by his cruiser. "Good, now can you all stand over there. I'll just do a quick search of the vehicle." He smugly said, turning his attention to the car.
Haruka leaned on the car with her arms crossed, leaning over to nudge at Makoto. "He's a real piece of work, isn't he?" Makoto gave a stiff swallow, leaning over to Haruka. "Huh, Mako?" Haruka asked, her low voice lowering as she looked into Makoto's fearful eyes. "Do you know him?" Makoto nodded, then shook her hand back and forth. "Sort of. How?" Makoto scrunched her face and clenched her eyes, hands pantomiming petting across her body. "You—" Makoto quickly shook her head as she heard the shock in Haruka's voice. She brought her hands up and loosely mimed choking. "Oh, it would have been by force." Makoto nodded. Haruka frowned deeply, slowly putting an arm around Makoto's shoulder. Makoto stared at her before rested her head lightly on the broad shoulder that Haruka offered. "Michiru, Ami." Haruka lightly called, motioning with her head over to them when she saw the cop attempting to tug himself from the drivers seat. "I don't like him, do either of you know a way for him to get out of my car?" Both shook their heads, confused as to why Makoto was leaning against the tall blonde.
"Haruka, can I talk to you, over there." Michiru asked quietly, already taking her hand to lead her away.
"Huh, okay. I'll be right back, Mako." Haruka said, patting Makoto's shoulder as she was tugged past. "What is it Michi?"
"Shh." Michiru whispered, watching her cousin and lover's sister closely.
"Huh?"
"Shh."
Ami lightly tapped her shoulder against Makoto's, smiling up at her. "Hey, you okay?" Makoto shrugged, attempting a small smile. "Makoto, you know that it's not just Haruka that wants you to be all right, right?" Makoto tipped her head to the side and shrugged. "I mean…" Ami sighed, coming up with nothing as she looked up into green eyes. "I mean if you'll let me I'd like to help you anyway I can. And I don't just mean physically, I want to be your friend." Ami muttered the last part in a rush of breath, blushing just a bit as she flickered her eyes between Makoto and the ground. Makoto blinked a few times, surprise on her features before they smoothed into a smile and she placed her hand on Ami's small shoulders, getting her attention. Makoto nodded and pointed to herself before pointing to Ami. Ami smiled, and nodded. "Good, I mean, that's good. Good, right?" Ami babbled just a little. Makoto smile widened just a bit, giving a confident nod as she looked to the blue-haired young woman.
"I do know you!" The cop suddenly yelled, eyes wide. "You where the girl on the steps." His nose suddenly crinkled, his lips turned up in a cruel smile. "And this time you won't get away." Makoto felt her eyes widen as she both pushed Ami behind her and stepped away from him.
"Hey, what's your problem!" Haruka snapped as she stood in front of Makoto.
"She assaulted a police officer; who was just, innocently, offering her some help. I can take her in." He snickered and stepped closer, thrusting his belly out to the tall blonde. "But I won't if she does me a favor." He smirked up at the blonde, bodily pushing her out of the way to get to the brunette. "You going to finish with my offer, or do you want me to take you in." He laughed. "Where I can still get my favor."
"I think it's time for us to go. Sense there isn't a report on her that I'm aware of, and there's no reason for us to have been stopped in the first place, I don't believe you can stop us from leaving. Have a nice day." Haruka said, smugness in her features as she ushered her family into the car. The cop gawked at them as they pulled away.
"Well, damn. How'd he know I was bluffing?" He murmured to himself, blinking as the car quickly faded from view.
The rest of the car ride to the mall was in silence, no one daring to break it. Half in fear of the karma it could produce, half in fear of saying the wrong thing. When they reached the mall Makoto blinked in surprise, people where seemingly ever where, and all in groups. Ami gently nudged Makoto, smiling up at her when Makoto turned her wide eyes from the groups of people and to Ami. "You okay?" Makoto nodded and smiled. "Good. Come on, the other two are already on their way in. Don't worry, besides your clothes no one will know who you are. You don't have to worry about anything." Ami said, grabbing Makoto's hand and pulling her gently toward the mall. Makoto looked around and gulped just a bit, nodding. She followed the others' into the mall, looking around in wonder.
"Where should we start?" Michiru asked, tapping her finger to her lips as she looked around. Turning she scrutinized Makoto before turning back around. "Come on, hurry up." Haruka groaned and patted Makoto's shoulder.
"We could be here for a while, just make sure Michiru doesn't get too out there for you." Haruka laughed as she caught up with Michiru. Makoto looked down at Ami as though to ask her what had just happened. Ami smiled and rolled her eyes.
"We can't choose family. Come on, before you end up with things that don't fit and get passed to Michiru." Ami teased as she followed her cousin.
Hours later they returned to the house, all four of them loaded with bags that where heavy with clothes. They all fell, some with less grace than others, into the couch. Slowly Ami and Michiru left to go to their rooms, Ami saying she'd stay for a while longer before she headed back home. "You wanna watch a movie?" Haruka asked, groaning as she leaned to grab the remote. Makoto nodded tired, eyes half closed. "Okay." Haruka flipped through the channels, stopping on an old war movie. Two hours later Haruka jerked awake from the daze she'd been in, looking around in surprise as she felt Makoto's head in her lap. "Hey, Mako, wake up. Get off of me, I wanna go to bed." Haruka mumbled, words a slurred mess. Makoto gave a whispery noise from between her lips and slowly sat up. "Hey, good night Mako." Haruka said, pulling her into a loose hug. Makoto nodded, squeezed Haruka's shoulders, then fell back onto the couch, stretching as she fell asleep.