(A/N) I do not own Sailor Moon
(A/N) Nana- I hope Michiru's reaction comes to light, but then again I don't think straight when I am around Haruka either.
Kimi - Haruka se mete en situaciones interesantes, y es más interesante cómo sale. Entre broma y broma la verda se asoma.
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Bursting into the studio she ran past the love seat, landing herself face down on her bed. The tears had stopped before she made it through the door, but the empty feeling was still there. After walking, actually running away from Haruka, her feet instinctively took her towards the park. One look at the familiar bench brought memories of the blonde only hours before and the flood tears once again to her eyes. Choking back sobs, she managed to focused enough to make it to her apartment, where she found herself presently balled on her bed. Unraveling herself to lay on her back, staring at the ceiling in an attempt to put into words the storm of thoughts in her mind.
Her mind raced through the evening, the unmentionables she saw in the room, obviously meant to entice someone. She wasn't sure who was seducing whom, but knew she sensed someone else was the room when she entered. Her pulse at the realization that someone else was there for the racer. Tears started at the thought that the racer was never hers to claim. Sitting in disconsolate silence, her hands began to curl into fists with the feeling of betrayal starting to corse through her veins. How could I let him make a fool of me? As if I was important to him. Bleated tears began to form in her eyes, causing them to shine in the dim light. Then why did it feel so right to be near him, like I was essential to him...
The shrill sound of her phone pulled her from her turbulent mind. She was ready to ignore the call, assuming it to be the racer, until she happen to catch the name displayed. When she read Setsuna's name, she reluctantly answered.
"Michiru?"
"Hi Setsuna..."
"Well I was calling to see how the job went today... but you do not sound too good. I am at a loss at what could have happened to cause such a quiver in your voice..."
"I just... am not feeling well."
"Yeah, and I can control time." Michiru smiled through her sniffles at her friends attempt of humor. "I'm coming over..."
"Setsuna, there's no need. It's late and I'm fine."
"I'm already out of my apartment, resistance is futile. If you want to make this easier on yourself, you can start explaining what happened while I walk." Michiru made a sour face, she never considered how inconvenient a cell phone could be when trying to avoid someone. No matter what, she knew her green haired friend was not going to give up, especially now she's heard the despair in her voice. "Michiru... please talk to me."
"The job went fine, a success you could say. My problem started long before then," she released a deep sigh. "I will start some tea, and by the time you get here, I will be ready to tell you... everything." The woman on the other line growled in frustration at the artist's tactic, but knew that Michiru would only open up once she made it to the apartment.
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Accepting the tea that the artist offered after her arrival, she took a seat next to the her on the sofa. The concern grew in waves as they sat in silence, Michiru pensively focused on the tea in her cup. She had not seen the teal haired women this distraught since the night she suddenly decided to move out of her parents house. The stifled emotions and determination to keep her cold exterior resurfacing from that night. The olive skinned woman ruminated the turmoil that Michiru battled at that time, growing more concerned at what could be troubling her now. Releasing a sigh, Setsuna paced her cup on the table and turned to face her friend.
"You mentioned that this started a while ago... so how long have you been feeling this way?" Garnet eyes studying the deep frown that settled on the artist face. She waited for her to be ready to speak, not forcing the answer but not relenting on getting the artists recounting the events that lead to this evening.
"Not that long, actually," Michiru murmured. "You know Uranus in my story... well he's real." Setsuna gave a knowing smile, a brief moment of happiness that Michiru confirmed her suspicion. No matter how she denied it, there had to be someone. But what could have happened between the two in such a short time to leave her in this state. "We ran into each other less than a week ago. I never thought I'd see him again when I did those first sketches." She growled lowly, grabbing her hair in frustration. "But I kept running into him everywhere! It was like Haruka was the north to my compass, it always pointed to him!"
"That doesn't sound like a bad thing, Michiru. Slightly confusing for your...preference, but never doubt what you feel," an heavy though settled in her stomach as she reached for the artists hand. Gently wrapping both her hands around it, she looked solemnly into the ocean blue eyes. "What happened tonight? Did he try to hurt you?" Suddenly embroiled by the potential of this Haruka causing harm to her beloved friend, Setsuna tensed up.
"No... no, he didn't do anything. He gave me a kiss... once... and it filled me with so many emotions I have never felt before."
"Ara, you guessing at your sexuality all over again?"
"No...surprisingly that through had not crossed my mind. The emotions and questions that I had when I decided to leave my parents house weren't there. I can't explain it, but these were different." Rolling her eyes and laying languorously on the couch, kicking her legs up over her friends lap. "It doesn't matter... He has a girlfriend, or at least a lover." Giving a sideways glance at the artist at her assertion whom just threw her hands back over her face to avoid the discernment in the garnet eyes.
"After the photo shoot, we had planned on... hanging out. He asked me to meet in the dressing room, and when I got there I caught a naked woman in there. I ran out of there as fast as I could. I heard him trying to explain something, but I didn't want to deal with his lies. I didn't want to be confused any further." Groaning and sitting up once again in her slumped position, she turned her head to the green hair woman. Blue eyes aching to have her impart some wisdom to make sense of all the things going through her head.
"Just so I understand... in a handful of days, you met someone who brought joy into your life, and then crushed that joy because you caught them sleeping with someone. Had you ever had a date with him?" Michiru flinched. Damn Setsuna and her infallible logic she smiled as she could practically hear the familiar chant of the artist in her head. The same line the artist yelled countless times as she accepted that what she wanted and what her parents wanted was not the same. She yelled it when she became steadfast that her happiness was not a priority to her parents. She cried it while they planned together the move leave her parents control to be happy for herself.
"Well, we went on a date once...I mean, Haruka called it a date. But we just talked about the position of the art director for the campaign."
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"So you weren't dating Haruka. But your mad that he was getting busy with someone else, even though he might not have a reason to believe that there was a problem with that?" Setsuna attempted to recap once again.
"We'll I never actually...saw...him doing anything...with anyone. I just found an underdressed woman in his dressing room." Michiru could feel the dejection lifting from her system, replaced with a different sorrow, just as heavy, as she slowly realized the mistake she made. It still hurt that the racer may have another, but he may not be in the wrong completely. Maybe she just needed to set some ground rules for their friendship. Ensuring that her heart wouldn't ache at what she can't have. That was better than nothing, right?
"I know how much you value you privacy so I won't bother with matters of the heart," Setsuna said as she mimicked waving the thoughts from her head. "But as a representative of your business interests, I suggest to talk to Haruka. Make it clear where the two of you stand in terms of each other. Besides, it would be horrible to throw away a great job opportunity and a budding friendship on a misunderstanding."
"Your grasp of the obvious amazes me sometimes, Setsuna." Michiru chuckled at the succinct suggestion the green haired woman provided, which perfectly mirrored her intrinsic thoughts. "I am sorry for worrying you so much."
Bidding goodnight to the green haired woman after promising to talk to Haruka in the morning, as well as a promise to call her friend, she was able to retire back to her room. She still did not know exactly what it was that caused her to feel so strongly towards the blonde, but her reaction this evening confirmed the racer's importance in her life.
Pulled from her musings by the chime of her phone. Glancing down, she saw a message from the racer. Curiously getting the better of her for what the racer may have said, she opened the message.
/Just making sure you made it home safe/
/.../
She paused typing her response. I need to apologize... but where to start? Glancing down at her half written response, and guessing it was driving the racer crazy to know she was typing for so long. Deciding to put the racer out of his misery, she sent one word back.
/yes/
/ I know you're mad. But I was so worried/
/Would you like to meet for breakfast tomorrow?/
/Are you asking me just to yell at me in person? Then I accept/
/goodnight/
She smiled as she placed her phone back on the nightstand, relaxing into the blankets. A small sense of relief come over her that the blonde agreed to meet her for breakfast. He must still want to be friends with her even if he was dating someone. Smiling to herself as she rested her head on the pillow, preparing for sleep to finally take her. Yes, tomorrow she will present the racer with his beloved pastry, and apologize for running out. An image of the blondes jovial face danced in her head as she drifted off to sleep.
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The chime over the door sounds as she enters the cafe. Pausing for a moment, she lifts her head to see the teal haired artist already occupying her normal table. Her feet begrudgingly started to move towards the back booth.
She had been dreading this moment since Michiru left her sight last night. Seeing that the artist took off into the late evening, she hated herself more and more for not having the courage to go after her. At the minimum she should have made sure that she made it home safely, no matter if she screamed at her the whole way. The guilt built up more and more the later it got in the evening, and she was about to go look for her. Realizing that she didn't know where the artist lived, she wasn't even sure what direction she would be heading from the stage. In a brief moment of clarity, she had the idea to try texting her. Even if she ignored the message, she would at least know if the message was read.
Swallowing her pride and letting her distress for the smaller woman well up inside her, she typed the words she needed to ask. Are you home safe? I am searching for you, I was so worried I would never see you again. I love you. Before she hit send, her pride resurfaced, so she had to tweak it slightly. Even if she didn't get everything she really wanted to say in that text, the significance for her was still there. She was elated when she received the invite to the cafe. As she entered door, the questions stared running through her head. What did Michiru see, is she disgusted that she kissed her? Does she just want to meet to decline working together? The questions continued, all Haruka wanted was to run from them, fast.
Forcing her feet to continue away from the door, she took a look at the artist committing to memory her features while they are not laced with anger, or worse, tears. The ocean blue eyes connecting with hers for a moment, her mind was bombarded with memories of the time spent with the teal haired artist. The warmth began to well up inside of her until a new question popped in her head. What if she want to tell me she loves me too? Shaking her head at how quickly she went from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs, she disregarded that possibility. The warmth was probably just from her body getting ready to do what it does best, run.
But that question was what brought her the strength to come to the cafe. What if? She couldn't throw away the feelings she had for the smaller woman and the pull she feels from her anytime she's near. So she came to find out what if.
Hesitantly reaching the table after making the overly extensive walk across the cafe, she paused, waiting for Michiru to say anything. She needed to know where the artist's head was at, for her to say something. Whether it was to yell at her, or even just to express her annoyance of sharing a table. She could deal with anything but the silence.
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She watched the racer make his way across the room, stopping just short of the table. She was braced for the witty comment or usual joke from the blonde, but was instead met with slumped shoulders. Instantly realizing that she was the one who ran away, effectively ending any talk that could have happened last night. She needs to be the one to start this time.
Taking the plate sitting next to her, she slid it along the table until it was in his limited field of vision. She chuckled slightly as the blonde head jerked up, a question evident in his eyes.
"A peace offering," she smiled as the blonde looked down at the offered pastry. "Haruka, I am sorry for the way I acted. Would you please sit down?" Haruka didn't say anything, only arching an eyebrow in question as he took the requested seat.
"Michiru's there is no need for you to apologize..." Haruka began, but Michiru wouldn't have it. She was going to control this conversation.
"There are so many things I have taken for granite, Haruka. You have been nothing but welcoming and kind to me, even giving me an important job," she paused, thinking carefully of how she wanted to phrase the next part. She looked up to the still silent racer. He was waiting, still anxious on what she will say about the dressing room. Taking a deep breath, she couldn't delay this topic any further. "I had no right to enter your dressing room without your permission. I am sorry for interrupting... anything. I guess what I am trying to say... is ... what you do with your life is your business... I should have never behaved so badly. I can only hope that clearing this will help prevent any impact on our friendship." Reaching her hand across the table and taking the racers hand, she softly stroke her thumb across the top. Making the racer look at her, to know there was no anger in her heart.
"Well, when you present such a delicious looking offering, how could I refuse such an apology?" The racer jested but the glee didn't reach his voice. He tightened the grip on the artist's hand, pulling her so that they were both standing. Looking up at the tall blonde with a gleam in her eye, he released his hold, hesitated for a moment before loosely putting his hand on her shoulder, bringing into a cautious hug. "Gomenasai..." he started, but paused when Michiru returned the embrace. Her loose hold on his arms releasing some of the tension she could feel in the strong muscles under the sleeves.
"Haruka Tenoh!" Bellowed through the cafe before the blonde could say anything further. His eyes went wide with panic for a brief moment before the reassured smile and mischievous gleam in his eyes returned. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he leaned her in so he could whisper into her ear.
"It's an angry Makoto! Run! She can't catch us both! I'll see you at our spot in a few minutes!" He flashed a wicked grin as Michiru as he stepped back and swift move snatched the apology pastry from the plate. Almost as if in slow motion, she watched the most graceful display of rebellion she had seen in her life. He spun on his heels away from her, stuck his tongue out at Makoto, placed nearly half the pastry in his mouth, taking off out the door.
Makoto frowned angrily at the blondes antics, turning to Michiru, whom had her hand gently over her mouth to conceal her giggles. The brunette chef focused her narrowed eye gaze on Michiru and she froze. "Did she ask you?" She demanded. Michiru just looked at her puzzled, no idea what she was talking about. Makoto sighed and tried again. "Did she ask you to sneak her the pastry?"
"No... I... I bought it for her before she got here." Michiru stuttered, wondering if she did something wrong. Makoto just released a deep groan.
"Gomen, Michiru. You didn't do anything wrong. Just a stupid stubborn blonde acting childish again. Since you'll see her before I do, tell her we're doing extra laps at the gym. For every minute she's late, I'm getting a handicap," Makoto chuckled. "If she's late enough then maybe I'll beat her time."
Michiru nodded, her brows pushed together in confusion at Makoto's words. Noticing the worried expression, "Don't worry Michiru. There is a race on Saturday, and Haruka knows she can't eat that stuff. Hell! It's her own rule!" The chef threw her hands up in frustration as she walked back into the kitchen without another word to the artist, but still mumbling something under her breath, likely about the racer.
Remembering that she was suppose to meet in the park, she started heading in that direction. As thoughts permeate in her head, her feet mindlessly carried her, happily knowing the way on their own. So much was starting to fall into place from the other night... and all the days before. She as if felt she knew all along, but needed to hear it from the blonde first.
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With her back against the bench seat and her face looking to the sky, she lifted an arm so that it draped over her eyes to block the sun. Smiling as she felt the wind caress her cheeks as it danced across the grass. Hello old friend she thought as she lifted her hand to allow the breeze run through her fingers. Soon she thought she could smell the sweet scent of the ocean on the breeze. Realizing she was quite a ways from the ocean, there was only one thing it could be. Sitting up on the bench, grinning childishly at the artist making her way down the path. "I was getting worried that she took you hostage and I would need to do a rescue mission. I was just about to get the tactical gear out for the assault." She joked, as she mockingly motioned to the lack of anything in the vicinity of the bench.
"Makoto doesn't do hostages, you know that. She sent me as bait through," her ears perked up and she looked curiously at the artist. "She sends a message. She will get her revenge, and exploit your weaknesses," the artist chucked as she failed the maintain her stone cold visage. "And if you keep eating that junk, she doubling your lap time on anything she writes down."
"She wouldn't dare!" The blonde growled, jumping up from her seat.
"I'm just the messenger, so I'm clueless," she took Haruka's wrist preventing the racer from taking off running. Haruka turns to her, her visage relaxing some when she remembers why she wanted to meet at the park in the first place. Switching the grip in her hand so that the artist's hand was encompassed in hers.
"Come, I still have something important to tell you," smiling at the artist as she lead her away from the bench. They traveled for a few moments on an infrequently used path, judging from how much the grass grew over the faint trail. Few knew any other paths other than the popular path that circumnavigated the lake, but she knew them well. In her teens she jogged constantly on these paths and would need to escape her angsty teenage troubles from time to time.
"Where are we going?" The artists forehead crinkling with worry as they approached a gate. She pressed her finger to the forehead creases.
"Just to an oasis of mine, mermaid. I'm tired of people interrupting me when I want to spend time with you." She turned to the lock on the gate, smiling to the artist showing the lock wasn't even real. "Just deterring the casual hiker," pushing the gate open and leading the artist inside. They continued down a slight incline, rounding a large bush, she stepped aside to let the artist get the full view. Watching the ocean colored eyes widen as they followed the length of the waterfall down to the small pool that formed as the bottom, the mist getting caught in the breeze coming to greet the two.
"There is a good flat spot to sit in a few feet," leading her carefully to the flat rock where she would usually sit and dwell on her thoughts. She took her seat, motioning for Michiru to sit alongside her. Seeing how enthralled she was with the small waterfall, a true mermaid, she knew there would be no better time.
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She couldn't believe that she had no idea that there was this waterfall oasis no more than 50 yards from the bench she always sought solace. Breaking her trance with the water, she turned to the blonde, curiosity growing in waves at why the blonde would bring her here.
The blonde paused, turning to the her. "I have something to tell you... You may be shocked at what I'm about to say..." Michiru soon was chewing on her lips nervously. There is another... I knew this was too perfect... Deciding then and there to simply enjoy the moment before the bad new was dropped. Leaning into the blonde as if she belonged this close to her.
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They sat along the side of the waterfall, Michiru's back resting against her chest, her head gently resting on her shoulder. "I figured if I wanted to say something important, then this would be a perfect place to tell a mermaid. This is always been my sanctuary since I was a teen," the racer started, looking out at the water. "I wanted to share it with you, as a peace offering as you put it. I don't want you to feel there are any secrets between us." Pausing to gather her nervous energy. "I have something I need to tell you," she whispered into Michiru's ear. The smaller woman nodded, and Haruka lightened grip on her shoulders kept her in the current position. Haruka was not sure sure why she was nervous. She took a deep breath and continued, "if we're going to continue to...see each other...for work, I need to make sure that you know that I'm a woman." Haruka paused as the words came out, as she felt the smaller girl shift in her embrace. Typically she did not care what other people thought of her, and there were plenty times she was mistaken for a man. Others opinions of her did not matter, but it mattered what the mermaid thought of her.
Michiru turned to face her. "I know," she said with a smile. "I'm an artist, remember? That is what you supposedly hired me for the campaign, isn't it?"
"You're not concerned?"
"Is there a reason I should be," the smaller woman asked incredulously to ensure there was not something she was missing. Haruka merely shook her head, and Michiru turned and settled back into her resting position against Haruka's chest. "Then I don't see a reason I should be concerned. I care for you the same regardless," Haruka heard the simply reply and the giggle from the smaller girl as she simply closed her eyes and relaxed her head further into the smaller girls shoulder, lulled to a dreamlike state by the sounds of the waterfall and the warmth of the girl in front of her