(A/N I do not own Sailor Moon)
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Glancing around the modest building lobby, attempting every single subtle activity to evade the critical stare of the overprotective doorman. Examining the synthetic plants that flanked the sofa once again, she willed herself to appear calm for when the mermaid would surly emerge from the elevator. She had attempted to negotiate with the artist to allow her to pick her up, her real goal to be able to escort her from her door... almost like a date. Michiru seemed hesitant to oblige, maybe unwilling to disclose where she lived, giving excuse after excuse that there were canvases all over her apartment. Haruka keep deflecting the excuses, finally she agreed to let her pick her up at the building. When she arrived at the address Michiru had given, the high end building was not where she envisioned the artist living. I really haven't given much thought to where the artist spends most of her time. She sighed with one more thing she desired to know of the mermaid.
The building lobby was spacious, plenty of seating in the guest waiting area where she currently stood, looking out the large picture window to the garden courtyard just outside the building. The doorman took her name and presumably rang Michiru apartment, all while eyeing her like he was Michiru's bodyguard or something the whole time. The elevator caught her attention as it indicated that someone was arriving to the lobby. She noticed that it seemed to come from one of the top floors, but that thought was thrown out of her head quickly at the sight of the mermaid stepping through the elevator doors.
"Does this look ok?" She asked as she stepped closer to the her.
Teal eyes looked up undefinably up at her. "It's perfect," she said as she swallowed hard. You look beautiful. Taking a moment to get her emotions back in check, she offered an arm to the artist and they headed towards the door. Michiru turned and bid the doorman a good evening and a gentle thanks. Maybe he's more like an over protective uncle, she reassessed her thoughts on the doorman as she opened the passenger door to the Porsche making sure the artist was comfortable before she ran to the driver side.
"Is this car more for the heart of the racer or the business woman?" She questioned as she secured the lap buckle. "I want to know whom I'm riding with tonight," the smile clear on her visage as she settled herself in the seat.
"Can't it be both?" The teasing smile clear as she glanced over to the woman beside her. "There is no need to distinguish between the two, or any other personalities I may or may not have. To you, I will always be just Haruka." Pleased side smirk graced her features in response to the gleaming smile she received from the artist. She swallowed hard, gripping the shifter tighter as they made their way through the streets. "Most of the board does not care for my racing... particularly the chairman," the blonde offered as they paused at a red light. She could see the curious look from the artist before her eyes returned to the road and the car continued along the journey. "Most see it as no more than a publicity stunt, or just a bored rich kid. I know most of them would be pleased if I was done with it after this season. There are a few ally's in the board that think it's good for the campaign launch. I'll make sure you meet them first," she offered with a wink as the pulled up to the mansion.
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Haruka helped her out of the car mumbling something about never finding the valet's body if he scratches the car as he jumped in the driver seat. She looked up at the entry, having a dejá vu moment of nervousness. A heaviness in the bottom of her stomach appeared at the same looming display of wealth from when she was about to enter the victory party last weekend. This time at least without the paparazzi around. Seemingly sensing her nervousness, the blonde reassuringly squeezed the hand she still gripped.
"Don't worry your pretty little face. I warned you once about causing yourself undue stress. This will be a much smaller gathering compared to last time, and I will be by your side every chance I get." They took a few steps towards the door as a dark figure was quickly walking out towards them. As he got closer, Michiru could easily recognized the ponytail training behind him. Haruka's husky chuckle got her attention again. "If I get pulled away, you can always use Seiya as a decoy and escape as well," winking to her. As he closed the remaining gap, Haruka reluctantly released her hand, turning her focus to the raven haired man. "What kind of mood are we walking in to?"
"Standard, the chairman is patiently waiting for you," sarcasm evident in his voice, as he turned his attention to Michiru. "Although somehow he heard your were brining her, and he's seems excited for that," he shrugged. Haruka offered her arm again to Michiru as they continued up the stairs to the door as Seiya led the way. "Don't worry, Michiru. The chairman is nice to everyone except Haruka," he offered over his shoulder with a cheesy smile that didn't calm the artist at all.
As they reached the door, Seiya continued inside but Haruka paused, taking Michiru by the hands, turning her to face the blonde. As the artist gaze met that of deep teal eyes, she relaxed slightly. Feeling some of the stiffness in her partner, the blonde just smiled, "you ready?" A simple nod was all she got in return as they entered the door.
True to her word, the room held maybe 15 people, most didn't even bother looking upon the new arrivals. The remaining anxiety from the previous party melting away from her as the causally walked across the room. Nearly a complete change from the previous event, this time with her new favorite blonde beside her and she didn't miss the lack of anyone clambering to dance with her. Smiling to herself, imagining how she would be happier if there was just one person who desired a dance with her. Taking her into her strong arms, wrapping them around her waist, feeling nothing but the music between them as she gets lost into teal eyes.
The same teal eyes she was daydreaming about blinked at her curiously, likely noticing that she was caught in her own thoughts as she was brought back to the reality of her current situation. She smiled in thanks to the blonde as she finally accepted the glass she was offered. Sighing inwardly as the remaining warmth of her daydream left her, actualizing how she wish it to be true as Haruka moved a few steps away to make an introduction. This was not the place for her reverie and she knew it. Committing at that moment to make the most of the night both in business and in enjoying her company, she focused on the conversation that was in front of them. Even if it was mindless business formalities as Haruka had put it earlier. This wasn't the time to be longing for something that she hasn't requested. Something I am not even sure I am entitled to want. Never confessing to Haruka, afraid of the answer I would receive. Groaning secretly at her internal doubts. Great, now I sound like Setsuna in my own mind .
Putting on her game face, she smiled sweetly at the board members that engaged with her and provided praise for the campaign images she cultured. She graciously accepted the compliments, passing some of the credit along to Haruka. After all, it was her who fueled the jealously of Minako having her hands on her. It was Haruka that was dancing along the waves with Neptune. It was always Haruka. Her thoughts causing the heat to rise slightly within her, she wished Haruka could be so much more than her secret muse.
"There is no need to be so modest Kaioh-san," chuckled one of the board members. "The composition is brilliant. There is nothing like it on the market, so it is perfect as a product launch."
"Yes, SkyKing will be crafting a new, undefined market." A booming voice rose behind the short stature board member she was speaking with as he shuffled aside, allowing the chairman to stand alongside her. She glanced at the man next to her, standing an inch or two taller than Haruka, with a slightly dirtier shade of blonde hair. "There will be a great capture of new customers that will be introduced via the different markets. Kaioh-san has pleased the board with her ability to carry their attention through this campaign, and I can see that we would be able to rely on a good share of the new market." He lowered his nose to the artist, a modest sign of gratitude. Bowing in return for the opportunity she had been given, she was greeted with a husky chuckle. Glancing to look at Haruka as the likely source, she found instead the blonde giving a curious look to the chairman. "Now," raising his sake into the air, "kanpai!" Those in attendance followed the gesture, leaving Michiru slightly distracted from the observation she was on the verge of making.
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Slinking along the edge of the group, she quietly made her way towards the door. Her eyes never leaving the chairman as she moved around the room. She knew that he was up to something, but she didn't know what. That old man has not chuckled like that in years, and she was sure that Michiru was somehow the reason behind it. Her lean figure leaning against the door frame as she appear to be observing those in attendance. From the outside, she was focused on the important discussions circling around the room. Deep inside, the thoughts were swarming within her, what could possibly be ahead and what she can do to protect herself. Suddenly the winds within her soul softened as they were pierced with ocean blue eyes. One thought rose to her lips as the artist made her way over. "Michiru..."
The artist simply smiled, and before she could speak, Haruka gently took the glass still within her hand. Setting it on the banister adjacent to the doorframe in which she previously resided, she motioned for the artist to follow her.
"Haruka, where are we going? Won't the chairman be troubled that your roaming his house unescorted?" The artist complained, but the racer just turned to face her. Keeping the steps and expertly navigating the hallways in reverse as she watched the artist's curiosity grow. Her goofy smile growing as the smaller woman's protests ended and the artist was clearly willing to follow with interest to discover where the racer was leading her.
Pushing opened a heavy wooden door with her hip, she took the artist's hand softly as she helped her with the step down into the atrium. She watched as the artists eyes grew larger in amazement, trying to take in the totality of the beauty around her. The atrium was not modest at all, with the ceiling backlit to look like the night sky one could only see from the rural countryside. There were several trees and bushes that flanked the bark covered path that they walked along. A few secret garden patches could be seen just off of the path and the walls of the home seem to fade into the background. As they approached the center, there was a large rock wall that was home to a trickling waterfall flowing into a pond below.
Taking a seat on the bench at the side of the pond, they relaxed for a moment in the silence of the room with only the soft water feature in the background. A lopsided smile came to her face as the artist's smile seemed to grow with every moment she was able to take in a new discovery of the hidden oasis. Smiling inwardly herself at the memories she spent in this room as a child. Glancing over to a flower bed where the Camellias were starting to bloom, she softly hummed a familiar tune as she saw a memory before her. Kneeling by her obasan's side as she planted the flower, telling the small blonde of the beauty of the flower and how delicious the tea it created. "My darling spring rose, you need to take the time to enjoy the beauty in life. Not everything is getting where you're going as fast as you can. Cultivate your oasis and it will always reward you," the words carried on the breeze to her. She never understood why she would detect a breeze in the indoor atrium, but it brought nothing but comfort to her so she long stopped questioning it's source.
"Do I want to know how you knew this was here?" A curious teal eyebrow raising as the artist stared at the blonde. Slowly coming out of her daydream, she met the ocean blue eyes in front of her.
"I spent a lot of my childhood here," she sighed, taking in the questions she could see building in the artist's eyes. "My Obasan installed many of the plants here," gesturing to the small garden oasis that could be seen from their position, the smile growing on the smaller woman's face.
"So I take it you have known the chairman for a long time..." trailing off on the thought, dancing around the question she really wanted to ask. The blonde simply nodded, nothing more needed to be added for Michiru to understand the complexity behind the simple response. "What is it that you want to do?" Teal eyes going wide with surprise at the perceptive question. How is it that the artist can read her so well. Cultivate your oasis the wind whispered again. The feeling she gets when she is with Michiru has quickly become her oasis. Secret simplicity.
"I have always loved to go fast," her deep sigh interrupted by the artist cheerful giggles. "I may have mentioned that once or twice," she conceded following with her own chuckles. "It has always been expected that I would work at SkyKing, and I enjoy being a part of it. But when the opportunity came to drive at the track, it felt as if I had been preparing for that moment all my life. Everything comes alive when I am behind the wheel." She sighed again, looking at the pond before her. "I don't think I can do both forever." She knew deep down for it to be true, that she couldn't do both, that she needed to make a choice on many things. The time will come soon when she will have to give up on her dream or disappoint her family. She hoped she could find a way to do neither, and avoid accomplishing both.
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The sadness in Haruka's eyes was clear, there was a battle behind those teals that she didn't understand. How I wish I did! I would take that sadness and replace it with the joy in the smile I have come to love and adore in such a short time. Instead she swallowed those words, letting her heart burn slightly with all the what ifs.
"I promise I will support this business endeavor with you, and when you succeed then you will be happy." She proudly proclaimed as she rested her head on the shoulder next to her. I will do what it takes to make you happy. My happiness is secured as long as I am by your side. The smile coming to her lips as the blonde gave her a smirk.
"You are the key to my success, mermaid," with a husky chuckle that she could feel the vibrations through the shoulder she was resting on. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't crossed my path." Michiru glanced at the blonde, as it didn't seem they were talking about the campaign anymore. "You've quickly become by best friend, Michiru," the blonde clarified, noticing the change in the artists demeanor. "You have this way to inspire the best in me and keep me calm at the same time. I'm not joking when I say it would be troublesome to do this without you."
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She studied the smaller woman's reaction to her half-assed confession. There was so much more she wanted to say, that she needed to say. There is much truth in her words, the artist has become her best friend, her rock, and maybe at some point even more. She had to accept the friendship the artist offered, cherish it and cultivate the oasis within. Where ever the artist was, there was no place else she rather be.
"You saw in the schedule that I will be preparing tomorrow for the race, no?" Bringing back to topic of business with a heavy groan. She did not want to leave the artist, not now. She also suspected at this point the artist would not let her give up on her dream either.
"Yeah, I saw that subtly added in there. I was wondering if you'd actually tell me yourself before you took off," nudging the racer, the mirth clear in her voice.
"Oi oi, dry your tears, mermaid. I was worried you would be too devastated if I told you up front!" Earning another playful nudge from the artist. "What? I was worried!" Both women laughing at this point.
Haruka silenced her laughter quickly as the breeze alerted her to someone else entering the atrium. "Tenoh-sama, the chairman has requested you to join him in his study before retiring for the evening," the usher said with a bow about 2 yards away from the women, obviously knowing better than to try to sneak up on the racer. Haruka nodded in acceptance and the usher scurried away.
"You're welcome to wait for me here. I imagine that this is more pleasing that returning to the party, and surely no one would bother you here." The artist nodded in acceptance and Haurka stood to depart. "I imagine he only wants to wish me well before I leave for the track, so this should not take long," bowing respectfully to the teal haired woman as she giggled at the gesture, the blonde soon took her leave. Exiting the side door to the atrium, she saw the familiar outline of Seiya loitering in the side corridor. Giving the raven haired man a simple nod, knowing he would understand as she continued on to the study. From the corner of her eye she saw him heading towards the atrium. Taking a deep breath, she prepared for what waited for her in the study.
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He entered the atrium and quickly found the teal haired woman sitting on the bench, seemingly deep in thought. "Yen for your thoughts?" He voiced aloud before he could get to close to scare her.
"Well for one, I was told no one would disturb me here, but yet here you are," she answered with a frown as she studies the raven haired man. Still unsure what exactly her opinion of him was and his relationship with the racer. It appears that Haruka trusts him, and that carries weight with her as well. However, his closeness to the racer causes disquietude to her psyche. Are they close enough to be lovers? More importantly does she love him? Shaking that thought, she focused on the idea that he may hold some of the answers she desires about the racer. If she is in his favor while Haruka is traveling, then he likely would be able to persuade the racer to give her a chance, to open up to her. Smiling as she shifted her focus back to the raven haired man still standing a cautious distance away. "Gomen, Seiya. I guess Haruka's taste in humor has rubbed off on me. Please have a seat," gesturing to the bench.
He raises an eyebrow at her, curiosity unmistakable at the change in demeanor, but took the offered seat anyway.
"I always wondered what Haruka saw in this place," he quietly commented as he glanced around the atrium. Michiru gave a questioning look, but withheld her comment. Maybe they're not close enough for her to share the importance of this place... or close enough for him to understand. Smiling to herself, she took one more look around the atrium, feeling the calm come over her once again.
"Is there something specific you came looking for, Seiya? I mean if you don't enjoy the view, the only other reason to be here is if you're hiding from someone."
"I am here to see you, actually." Giving a loop sided smile as he turned to face the artist. "Haruka provided me a copy of your schedule and asked me to accompany you while she's unavailable."
"So she asked you to baby sit me?" She snarled back, sounding slightly more irritated than she intended as the midnight blue eyes blinked in surprise.
"Not like that," he chuckled nervously at the woman's antics. "Mostly give you a ride when needed, help if you have any questions... oh! And make sure that you make it home safely." Snapping her head towards him at the last comment.
"Ara, and what interest does Haruka have in how I spend my evening?" She purred, inwardly laughing at Seiya's shocked face. She shifted closer to him as he squirmed slightly at her sudden movements. "More importantly, what guarantee do I have that you can be trusted to come anywhere near my home?" His eyes widened slightly with the challenge evident in her voice.
"Oi, believe me, Haruka would murder me without question if there was a single hair damaged on your head." Waving his hands in a no bueno gesture to emphasize that he was simply there to help.
"Very well, I will give up my nightly cage dancing for the time being." The teasing tone evident as he looked at her with one cocked eyebrow, likely not sure what to make of her comment.
Happy that she broke the ice somewhat with the racer's friend, she decided to see if she could get some clarity on what his relationship is with Haruka. "How long have you been working for her?"
"On paper, a few years," letting out a heavy sigh. "But I guess I have been giving Haruka a hand in one way or another for quite sometime, so it's hard to say." He shrugged at the artist signaling the inability to get a definitive answer.
"So you've been friends for some time now, then?"
"What is this, twenty questions?" The annoyed tone in his voice clear as he dodged the question.
"Well, you couldn't really answer the first one, so it didn't count," the sly smile clear.
"I'll make you a deal," he said as he raised his hand, fingers spread. "I will give you five answers, and only five." Wiggling his fingers. "You have all the time you need to ask them, but choose wisely, hime."
The challenge grew in her eyes, as she thought of the opportunity presented to her by the raven haired man. She knew the question she really wanted the answers to likely couldn't be provided by him. But maybe she can find a way to dance around the question... and show him she doesn't back down from what she wants. "Fine, I have my first question then." He turned to face her, a firm stare set on his face expecting a serious question, but the look on his face betrayed him as the words left the artists mouth. "Are you Haruka's type?"
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"He's not my type," a low husky voice came from behind them. Seiya never blinking away the panicked look in his eyes. Michiru turned to the source, confirming the racer had returned. "He's more of the 'I'd kill him in a half hour' type. And I like him alive so I can annoy him." Both women chuckled as Michiru walked over to the blonde. Seiya remained silent on the bench. "Oi, Michiru. I leave him with you for such a short period and you already broke him," making her voice as low as it could go in an attempt to sound serious, but the smile betraying her.
"Ara, if he will be my substitute for the next few days, I had to make sure he was up to the challenge. Are you sure this is the best you have?" Haruka wrapped an arm loosely around the artist, glancing over to her still silent friend. He was obviously biting back a colorful comment at this point.
"He always takes care of what is important, and I never doubt him in this," she smiled. "How about we take our leave? The introductions have been made and everything is set for tomorrow." As the two headed for the door, Haruka turned to glance at her friend whom just looked up with a goofy smile.
"Will I get the chance to see you tomorrow before you have to leave for the race?" Michiru asked as she set herself in the passenger seat. The racer only sent a questioning glance as she took her position behind the steering wheel. Haruka unexpectedly yawned, causing the smaller woman to giggle. "Gomen if I have kept you awake too long."
"Nonsense, you have made this evening slightly more bearable. I will have to leave early in the morning, so hopefully it is ok if I return you to your building and bid you goodnight," the blonde chanced a look at the artist. She was surprised to see a disappointed look cross her features before she brushed a strand of teal hair off her shoulder, seemingly wiping the look from her features as well.
They arrived in front of Michiru's building a little to quick for her liking. She opened the door and again they both entered the lobby of the building.
"Promise you will call me when you arrive?" The artist whispered to the blonde as they stood awkwardly in the lobby, neither really facing each other.
"Are you concerned for me, mermaid?" She teased.
"I can be concerned for my best friend, ne?" Haruka was warmed and disappointed at the same time. Important enough to to be her best friend... but only her best friend.
"I will make sure you let you know I arrived safely," smiling as she took Michiru into a loose hug. "If you promise to make sure to wish me luck before the race."
"Deal," the smaller girl smiled. They hugged each other good night, the arms loose around each other, but the blondes grip on her back nearly giving away her true feelings. How easy it would be to tighten the embrace, to express what she couldn't say with words. She released a soft sigh as the teal haired mermaid slowly turned away, only half way out of the embrace to summon the elevator. Standing there as the elevator lowered with one arm wrapped loosely around each other's waist, neither daring to part sooner than required. As the doors opened, the artist took a few tentative steps into the elevator, her grip on the blondes shirt the last thing to leave the warmth of the blonde. All she could do was give a goofy smile to the artist as the doors closed, hearing the artist's giggles echo in the small elevator after the door closed. Taking a deep breath, she made her way out of the lobby, feeling the eyes of the doorman on her as she crossed the room, not bothering to raise her head to meet them.
She arrived at her condo a few minutes later, entering the door, placing her keys on the table. "Have you even started packing?" She heard Seiya call from the kitchen as he walked out with a bottle of water in hand. She sneered for a moment at both his fatherly nagging and that he gave her water but had a beer for himself.
"Yes, dad," she mockingly responded as she took a sip from her water.
"She's almost as hot and cold as you are," he murmured as he took his seat on the couch. "Com'on, it'll be fine while you are gone. You go off and be the race star that you are, I'll find out more about her, and then you swoop in and sweep her off her feet." Attempting to reassure the racer. "The way she looks at you, I really don't know why your not certain about her, Wings..." Seiya trailed off as the concerned look of the blonde.
"She calls me her best friend," giving a forced smile.
"That's a good start. Just don't get friend zoned, Wings. Otherwise you'll just be kissing her ass for the rest of your days." He paused to take a sip from the bottle, noticing the confused look from the blonde. "Haven't you seen someone stuck in the friend zone before? With no hope of hooking up with her... although I don't know if girls can get stuck in the friend..."
"Don't let your mind wander to far down that path," she growled. "It's far to little to be on it's own," adding as she finished her water.
"Listen, all I'm saying is that you need to keep a little distance from her so she will desire your company more. You can't be glued to her side all the time. That is what makes this race the perfect timing!"
"You're right... hey, I am just going to head to bed. I have an early morning, the car will be here before dawn." Heading down the hall to her room, knowing her friend was likely just nodding in understanding. That he was there to make sure that she was alright after the talk with her uncle.
As she flopped on her bed, her mind running through the days events and landing on the chairman's words. She groaned at the remembrance of his ice cold tone.
~flashback~
"Haruka-chan, I am quite pleased with the way the campaign is sitting currently," pausing to pour two glasses of amber liquid from his private stock. Taking one glass in his hand, he slid the second to the seated blonde. "You know I am still not too keen on the whole racing thing, but you convinced the board so well I couldn't refute. However, that added level of visibility is aligning well to the launch."
Haruka just smiled as she looked down at the glass in her hand. "Here I thought that it was all Obasan's strong opinion that persuaded you," chuckling as she took a sip of the strong liquid.
"I could never talk her out of an idea and you were too good at talking her into them." He paused again, this time solemnly looking at the glass in his hand. Haruka placed her glass on the table, carefully watching his grey blue eyes, preparing for what may come. If Ojisan is struggling with his words then it could not be good. "Haruka-chan, how did you talk the young artist into designing this campaign?" His tone was cold as his icy stare. "I would hate to think that you are pursuing her..."
"Oi, what is brining this on?" She quickly cut him off.
"Well, when you proposed the racing sponsorship, you built it up for months to the board. Now you bring in this art director without a word. You can understand if this old man could be worried about a bad deal for us." He's always worried about making himself look bad. Even with the racing, Obasan cheered me on and he only showed up when I won the junior championship.
"If it's a bad deal, then I am the only one on the losing end," casually trying to diffuse the chairman's concern. "I have arrangements to privately back an art show featuring her work. There's no tie to the company unless it all works out for the best and we want her name tethered to the brand on a more... extended basis." A smile at her lips for how well she crafted the deal. The chairman certainly sees the image she painted, no risk to him. And that is the truth, she planned to use her own funds for Michiru. Not to protect the company, because she deserves it. Nothing would make her happier than the mermaids happiness. He wouldn't understand and she really didn't want to elaborate.
"Yoku yatta Haruka-chan. You are truly your mother's daughter and drive a very hard bargain."
~end flashback~
She grunted as she was riled from her thoughts as she heard her front door close, signaling that Seiya has taken his leave. She rose from her spot on the bed and began to change into her night clothes. She knew she had to tread lightly around the chairman. He had never been a perceptive man and his way was the only way in his mind.
Glancing at the frames on her armoire, she smiled in remembrance at the faces that looked back at her. Her parents left her when she was young, so her memories were few but always happy. She moved into the mansion not to long after that to live with her aunt and uncle. She helped her aunt plant the memorial garden in the atrium that first year. She always said it was a place for them both to go to visit with her parents. A place where she could still hear her mother's tender voice in the breeze. That thought always brought her comfort and she smiled again that she was able to share it with Michiru. Forgive me for my weakness. Maybe someday I will able to explain how special it really is to me, how special you truly are, mermaid. Her silent promise as sleep finally took her