All SM characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi, but the OC's and the story belongs to me. Do not steal!
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35
The moment the car made it to the complex, Michiru's jaw hit the floor; big blue eyes wide and rounded as she took in the surroundings.
At a first, simple sight, the place resembled an exclusive, secluded, five stared hotel. The main building, right across from them, was a three story mansion that almost looked like an oversized cabin, with twenty six windows in the front side alone, and a huge, double glassed door, with well kept, pruned bushes at each side of it. But when the car didn't stop, turning to the left and starting to make the way around the building, noticing the other cars taking different directions, she frowned, turning to look at the blonde behind the steering wheel with a questioning look upon her face.
"We're staying over there," Haruka provided, pointing forward with her head, making her blue eyes turn to that direction as the car finally made it around the grand mansion, bordering a beautifully manicured garden, passing by several, smaller cabins in the way, somewhat hidden by the tall trees and the bushes all around.
And there, behind the trees, as the blonde directed the car, entering a single road, a smaller, though by no means any less beautiful cabin stood proud, surrounded by nothing but nature.
With a small set of stairs in the middle, the porch was actually a deck, with two resting chairs with white cushions and a small table to one side, allowing a perfect view of the woods around from the inside of the cabin. The front was almost completely of glass, with large wooden joists joining the panels, two of which seemed to be sliding doors that led into what Michiru guessed was a lounge room, with a set of couches, a TV set and bookshelves to one side, and a fireplace to the other, where a wooden door probably led the way to the rest, and surely more private, part of the cabin.
A curious, excited smile made it to her lips as the blonde parked the car, killing the engine and getting off, going all the way around it and helping her out as well. She accepted her hand, barely looking into shining green eyes as her own blue ones were practically glued to the magnificent cabin.
They walked up the set of stairs and into the deck, and Michiru ran her fingertips through the banister, admiring the modest, yet beautiful settings. Taking a small set of keys out of her pocket, Haruka inserted it in a small lock on the sliding doors, opening it up and then gesturing for her to step in. Excitedly, she smiled again, stepping in and again, admiring the warm, simple decoration and furniture. The room was shaped in L, with the larger side being the front which led to the deck. The bookshelves occupied practically the entire wall of the base of the L, and to the back, separated by a wooden column, there was a small counter, with a sink, a window, a single double cabinet on top, and a mini fridge. A translucent glass wall came next, and then a wooden wall that separated the lounge room from the rest of the cabin.
Past a double door, the suit, with a four post king sized bed right under a wide window with soft white curtains framing it. A small walk in closet, and then the bathroom with a large window that led to the woods, the glass wall that faced up the kitchen on the other side, a glass shower enclosure and a wide, white cast iron bathtub that made the aquamarine girl squeal in delight.
"I take it you like it," Haruka said, resting a shoulder against the bathroom door frame and looking at her.
"Like it? Are you kidding me?" she asked, turning around and smiling to her, before walking right past her, stepping into the room again and throwing herself on the bed, landing on her back and with her arms spread out. A big, satisfied smile coming to her lips when the soft mattress jumped at her movement, as if welcoming her. "This is amazing!"
"Yeah, it looks pretty nice," the blonde agreed, nodding her head, taking a look around herself.
"It looks like a really nice hotel."
"Officially, it's more of a colony," Haruka provided. "A community of old fashioned hermits, living all alone up here with no phones, no cable, and no internet," she said, making her way up to the bed and laying down next to her. "Or so people think," she added, winking at her.
"Which keeps strangers away, right?" she guessed.
"Yup," the blonde said, nodding again. "No one wants to come up here and be isolated like that now a days, so…" she trailed off, shaking a shoulder. "And, of course, it's private property, so wandering around is considered trespassing."
She nodded her head, frowning curiously again. "Why the separated cabins?" she asked.
"Originally, there was only the main house," she said. "But when the ones from the city started coming up here for refugee and security, it became too small and it was just not enough," she explained. "So they came with the idea of building smaller, separated cabins. No one really lives in the main house anymore, and the bedrooms there are more of guest rooms than anything," she offered. "This is a single, small one, 'cause, you know… it was just me… up until yesterday," she said, smiling softly as she reached out a hand, playing with a curl of aquamarine hair in her hand. "But there are bigger ones, built for the families that live here permanently. Like the one Mamoru is…"
A happy, insisting bark coming from the outside interrupted the blonde, and a smile came to her lips. Rising from the bed, she smiled down to her, offering her hand.
"Come on," she said. "Time to meet the little ones."
She frowned curiously, though smiling nonetheless, and accepting Haruka's hand, she got off the bed as well. The happy barking getting stronger as they approached the door, and upon stepping outside, Michiru saw a small, beautiful black wolf making happy jumps and waging its tale from side to side, barking louder, more excitedly.
When it saw the tall blonde, the small wolf jumped up to her and Haruka caught it right on, gently nesting it in her arms, and laughing when a small, wet nose tickled her as the wolf licked her cheek.
*You're back!* a little girl's happy, high pitch voice reached their minds, as the small wolf stopped licking the blonde to look at her; bright red eyes shining with the sunlight, and tongue hanging out. *I have a new bark!* it exclaimed, wagging her tail from side to side all the while. *Wanna hear it?*
The blonde smiled, putting the wolf back on the ground and putting up on a serious, frowning face, hands on her hips. "Ok, big girl," she said, "give me your best one."
The wolf nodded its head once, before putting on a menacing glare, looking straight ahead. Head low, limbs slightly bent on a warning stand and teeth bare, it growled lowly, before taking a deep breath and barking out. And although Michiru was sure the small wolf was obviously trying to look and sound menacing and dangerous, the barking was too high pitched, making it look like the small, and utterly cute, little puppy she was.
And once the demonstration was over, it sat down on its hinds, with its tail wagging happily and her small, pink tongue hanging out, only adding to that effect.
"Nice!" Haruka said, nodding her head in approval. "But you may wanna avoid the tail wagging and the tongue right afterwards," she pointed out, chuckling.
Bright red eyes blinked, as if considering the advice for a moment, before the wolf nodded its head. *Right!* she exclaimed, standing up again. *Got it!*
She giggled softly at the enthusiastic, excited answer and at just how cute the little wolf was. And that was when it noticed her presence at all, even though she was standing right next to the tall blonde, as the wolf had been obviously concentrated in her demonstration.
Blinking up to her, it took the few steps separating them hesitantly, as if doubting for a moment, before making up her mind and finally stepping closer. Its wet nose came in contact with Michiru's ankles, making her giggle again, finding it ticklish, just as the small wolf looked up at her; fury tail wagging happily again.
*Hi! I'm Chibi Usa!* she introduced herself. *What's your name?*
Both Haruka and her knelt down on the grass, next to the small wolf, and she reached out a hand, gently petting her head and smiling. "Hi, Chibi Usa, pleasure to meet you," she said. "I'm Michiru."
*Oh, what a pretty name! And you're so pretty, too!* the little girl's voice reached them both, and she blushed, smiling all the same, as Haruka chuckled, nodding her agreement. *You smell familiar…*
The blonde chuckled again at that, reaching out a hand and gently tapping Chibi Usa's head, making red eyes look up at her. "Michiru here is Daichi's daughter."
*Really?* the girl asked, sounding somewhere in between surprised, and just happy, for whatever reason.
"Yup," Haruka said, nodding. "And she's also very special to me, so I want you to be extra nice to her, alright?" she warned in a playful tone.
Chibi Usa made a little jump then; eyes going wide and mouth hanging opened in surprise. *Is she your mate?*
Again, the blonde nodded her head, and that was all the answer the little wolf needed. She jumped up again, tail waggling happily as she went to sniff Michiru once more. *You smell really nice,* she said, looking up into her blue eyes before turning to the blonde. *She smells really nice! I like her!* she stated, happily and excitedly.
Michiru blushed at the cute, happy compliment. Her blush deepening even more as the blonde beside her laughed, loud and huskily, nodding her head in agreement.
"I like you too, Chibi Usa," she said, smiling to the wolf and ignoring the blonde.
*Thanks!* she exclaimed. *Wait 'till you meet my mommy! And my daddy, too!*
"Michi, this is Usagi Chiba," Haruka put in, chuckling lightly, with mirth still dancing in her emerald orbs. "Mamoru's daughter. But we all call her Chibi Usa"
*Chibi Usa! Wait for me!* came another girl's voice Michiru thought she recognized from somewhere, as a black, beautiful baby bear appeared from behind the trees, running up to them.
But upon seeing them, the bear stopped dead on its tracks. Landing on its backside on the grass, it bellowed in surprise, looking up at the blonde woman first, and then at her in what looked like a questioning manner. And Michiru frowned curiously as she gazed into startled, somewhat familiar purple eyes.
Coming from the same direction the baby bear had came, a tall, dark green haired woman approached them. Her long hair dancing gently behind her and her magenta eyes shining in amusement as a small, knowing smile danced on her lips. And Michiru just blinked, standing up and off the grass and staring at the woman, surprised out of her mind.
Haruka, on the other hand, chuckled, smiling to the baby bear and reaching out a hand, tenderly caressing the top of its head.
"It's ok, Baby bear," the blonde said, softly, reassuringly. "She knows now," she added, turning to look up at her from her kneeling position.
That sided, charming smile of hers dancing in her lips as she stood up, shoving her hands into her pockets as the tall, olive skinned woman finally approached them. "I believe you've already met Setsuna," she said, pointing at the olive skinned woman with her head. "Also known as Mamma Bear," she added, chuckling when Michiru just blinked. "And this is Baby Bear."
*That's not my name!* the bear complained, hitting the blonde's leg with both her front legs and woofing.
"But you may know her as Hotaru," Haruka then added, obviously highly amused.
Her eyes went even wider at that, if that was possible, and she just stared at both the tall olive skinned woman and the small black bear. Her mouth opened and closed a few times, unsure of what to say, and Setsuna smiled, slightly bowing her head in greeting, and looking just as amused as the tall blonde woman.
"It's so nice to see you again, Michiru," she said, extending her hand. "Welcome."
"Tha-thanks…" she mumbled, blinking, accepting the offered hand and shaking it. "You… how…"
Setsuna's smile widened a little. "I believe thanks are in order," she began. "So thank you for taking such good care of our little kitten here," she said, eying Haruka. "Although I'm not so sure she deserved it…"
"Hey!" the blonde complained, offended now. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I-I don't understand…" Michiru trailed off, stunned.
"It was really such a nice coincidence you brought her to me instead of some vet," Setsuna said, vaguely waving her hand around, obviously amused. "Don't you think?"
*You know her?* came Chibi Usa's curious voice, as she looked up at the three of them.
"Chibi Usa?" came another female voice, making them all turn to the same direction all three of them had came from just in time to see a petite woman stumbling out, having a bit of a disagreement with a few branches before composing herself, straightening up and shaking herself.
She had blonde hair tied up in two buns at each side of her head, with two long pigtails cascading down her back and all the way down to her ankles in the most unusual hairstyle. Big, rounded light blue eyes blinking at them before a wide smile came to her soft features, illuminating her face.
Michiru recognized her from the photographs Rei had shown her the day before, back at the house, but she couldn't quite recall her name, and she frowned, trying to remember.
Taking the small wolf in her hands, Haruka walked up to the petite blonde, meeting her half ways and smiling down to her. "I believe this is yours," she said, handing her the puppy.
"Yes, I believe you're right," the petite woman said, smiling up to her, before glaring down on the small black fur now resting in between her arms. "What did I tell you about wandering off like that?"
*You said not to run off alone. But I'm not alone!* Chibi Usa defended herself. *I came to say hi to Haruka. And Hotaru and Mamma Bear were with me, and…*
"It's not nice to intrude in others like that," the blonde scolded her, interrupting the little girl's explanation, yet still somehow managing to keep a sweet, loving tone to her voice.
"It's ok, Odango," Haruka put in. "She just wanted to show us her new bark."
"Uh?" the petite woman said, frowning. "Us?" she asked, blinking, before realization hit her. "Oh, right!" she exclaimed, smiling brightly again. "You must be Michiru! I've heard so much about you!" she said, happily. But then her smile was gone, and she turned to look at the tall blonde, narrowing her light blue eyes and arching a questioning eyebrow her way. "But not enough, apparently," she added, accusingly.
Both Haruka and Michiru has the decency to blush at the remark. And she just stood there, blinking her embarrassment away as the tall woman just shoved her hands into her pockets again, smiling sheepishly.
*Mom! Michiru is Haruka's mate!* Chibi Usa informed, wagging her tail happily around as she alternated from looking up at her mother, and at the aquamarine haired girl.
*Really?* Hotaru asked, surprised. *That's so cool!*
"Yes, I see," the petite woman said, smiling softly and nuzzling her nose against her daughter's. "I'm gonna have to teach your father how to gossip properly."
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A.N.:About the barking scene. Think Bolt when he shows Mittens his sonic bark and it doesn't work (sooo cute!). And I know Chibiusa is Tsukino and not Chiba, but bear with me on that one, kay?
Sorry for the delay. Things are kinda crazy lately and I suck at multitasking .