Chapter 8: Freedom

Later that day, both Haruka and Michiru were in the living room, with Michiru reading a book while Haruka just floated around aimlessly, obviously bored. Suddenly, Michirus head shot up, her eyes widening. "Haruka! I got an idea!" the aqua haired girl cried out. Haruka stopped floating and looked at her friend. "Which would be?" the magician then asked, not knowing what she should await. "I could try to use my last wish to free you!" Michiru spoke, her eyes shining with happiness. Harukas ghostly image whacked herself on the forehead. "Right! Why didn't I think of this…no." the blonde suddenly declined, shaking her head. "Why not?" Michiru asked, her voice filling with disappointment. "Because it's not right." Haruka replied softly, looking down on her feet. "You should use your last wish to make yourself happy, not to free me." "But it would make me happy to free you!" Michiru shot back, hoping that this would convince the blonde. "And what if you regret it later?" Haruka asked instead of simply fulfilling the wish. "What if I'm not the way you want me to be, and you regret it that you freed me?" Michiru shook her head. "No, Haruka. I'll never regret it." There was silence for a few minutes after Michiru had finished talking, then Haruka spoke up. "Okay. Do it then…set me free, Michiru." Michiru looked at Haruka's ghostly image smiling before she spoke the wish that should change Harukas and her life forever. "I wish that you are freed from the ring, Haruka."

Haruka stared unbelievingly down at herself, her eyes following the red and blue flashes of lightning that encircled her, running all over her body. Strangely enough, it didn't hurt; the only thing she felt was a tingling sensation running through her nerves. "It works!" Michiru cried out, her voice full of happiness. Her mood changed though when Haruka suddenly screamed, the tingling sensation she had felt before turning into terrible pain. The blonde fell to her knees, clutching her head with both hands, thick pearls of sweat forming on her brow. "Haruka!" Michiru cried out, her voice full of fear. "Haruka!" Finally, after a seemingly endless time, the coloured lightning stopped running over the wizard's body, and Haruka let out a small groan while she put her hands down, supporting herself with them. "Are you okay?" Michiru now asked, her voice full of worry. "Haruka, are you…oh my God!" the blonde looked up at Michirus last shocked cry, not knowing what upset her friend that much. "What…what is it?" she finally asked, while Michiru took one step back. "I…I can see you." The aqua haired girl now stammered, her hand coming up to cover her mouth. "I mean…see you completely. Not the ghostly image…you." Haruka looked down at herself, her mouth opening when she realized that Michiru was right. She was completely there…she was free.

"I can't believe it worked!" Haruka cried out, pulling the grinning Michiru into a bone crushing bear hug. "I'm free! I'm free! Yay!" The blonde danced around the room, not letting go of the aqua haired girl while she did. "Haruka!" Michiru laughed, trying to free herself. "Haruka, let go of me!" "Nope!" Haruka replied, grinning down at the smaller woman. Michiru grinned back up, and their eyes met. For a few seconds, there was silence while sparks flew through the air. Then, Haruka slowly bent down until her lips met Michirus, capturing them in a soft, innocent kiss. For one terrible moment, Michiru didn't respond to it, and Haruka already feared that maybe she had went too far; then, Michiru put both arms around Harukas neck, pulling her closer while the kiss deepened. Finally, after what seemed like eternity, the two women pulled apart, both a  little out of breath. "I've wanted this…for such a long time." Michiru whispered, looking up at the taller blonde with sparkling eyes. Haruka just smiled and pulled her closer, holding her tight. "Me too." The blonde then whispered, gently stroking Michirus back. "I love you." Michiru whispered into Harukas ear, earning a smile and an also whispered "I love you too" in reply. The two women kissed once more before they let go of each other again, both grinning from ear to ear. "Now…" Michiru then spoke after a few moments of silence, "after all that time of being locked up in a ring, you probably smell a little. What do you think about taking a bath…with me?" Haruka beamed and nodded. "Great idea. Let's go!" And with that, the two women headed over to the bathroom, grinning at each other from ear to ear all the time.