The warm sun on her skin beckoned her to the world as she fought the urge to open her eyes. Her eyelids felt heavy, but the bright light beckoned her, calling her to lay her eyes on the source. Instead, she rapidly blinked as she tried to regain her sight, the sunlight catching her by surprise. Struggling to get her fluting lids under control, her blue eyes moved around the room to determine where she was. The softness engulfing her proved she wasn't on the hard ground she remembered, and the faint shadow of a bedside table suggested someplace decorated for guests. A blanket pulled up to her chest, the dark navy color nearly blending with the raven colored head propped facedown on the edge of the bed.
A groan escaped her as she strained to look at more of the room, the raven haired man picking his head up at the noise.
"Haruka, you're awake," he smiled as he cautiously took her hand.
"What happened?" Her voice came out as a moan from a horror movie rather than its typical husky edge.
"Here," Seiya offered, bringing a straw to her lips and deliberately ignoring her question. "Some water will help. Just relax. Everything is alright." Tentatively taking a few sips as she saw no ground to refuse the offered water, she relished in the cool liquid as it softened the pain in her throat. Maybe the detective had the right idea.
She flopped her head back into the soft pillow and could hear Seiya adjusting himself, likely putting the water out of the way. She closed her eyes and struggled to recall her last memory before waking up in the room. She remembered the pain of the cuts caused by her duel with Seiya. Her brows narrowed, the aggression building at the detective as she shifted her arm to test if he had done anything else. When there was no injury, more memories flooded her mind. Seiya may have battled her, but he moved Usagi out of the way when Mamoru lunged at her. She groaned as she recalled the significant gash to her side, fingertips shifting to trace her side and again finding no mark on her skin.
A deep chuckle caused her to blink open one eye, the detective covering his face to hide his amusement.
"Would you like me to tell you what happened?" He teased.
"What makes you think I do not remember?" She mockingly answered.
"Fine, you can keep testing every wound you remember until you figure it out," the detective sighed as he leaned back in his chair. "It's not like you have anything else to do." She squinted her eye at him, not wanting to give in but realizing there was one thing she was in a hurry to remember.
"Is Usagi alright?" She groaned, Seiya sitting up straight at the question. She shifted in the blanket when he didn't answer immediately, fear welling up at what could've happened.
"She's fine, not a scratch on her," the detective reassured as he realized that the rogue would search for the princess if she didn't get the answer she wanted. Haruka relaxed slightly, satisfied with the response. Seiya took the rogue's relaxation as an opportunity to go on. "She's with Mamoru," he added. The blonde jerked, yearning for the name, attempting to lift herself. Seiya jumped up, resting his hands gently but firmly holding her in the bed. "It's not what you think. She will be coming by soon. I texted her that you were awake," he added to quell her killer instinct with the promise of seeing the blonde later.
Haruka laid back on the bed, coaxing Seiya to let go of her. The stare in her eyes let him know she wouldn't let the comment slide.
"After whatever it was you did to bring down the house, we pulled you from the rubble. Usagi was pretty upset. Luckily for us, she had notified Rei and Minako when she went to the mansion, and they showed up shortly after." Seiya paused, remembering something entertaining as he chuckled. "Minako was able to calm Usagi while Rei practically bit Mamoru's head off." Haruka released a soft chuckle as she imagined the fire priestess taking the tall, raven-haired man down a peg. A cough stopped the positive thought, a frown settling as it still didn't explain why they allowed Mamoru to leave there.
"Well, Mamoru tried to defend himself. Desperately explaining how he was protecting Usagi and Chibiusa from Wiseman while trying to get close enough to expose him."
"And stabbing me was all part of the plan?" She couldn't help it.
"We doubted his story at first, but Rei was able to use her power to do a reading on his aura. It convinced her that he meant well even though he sucks at staying neutral," he added with a chuckle. Haruka couldn't help but laugh along with him.
"But, it was enough to convince Usagi. So she has been talking with Mamoru to see what they want to do with their relationship. With supervision from Rei, of course," the detective added to disperse the glare.
"So not all have been forgiven?" Haruka clarified as the detective shook his head. "No one would stop me if I still punch him when I see him?" Seiya laughed as he shook his head again.
"I don't think anyone could stop you on their best day," he added with a smile. The curve on his lips dropped when he felt the light blue eyes piercing him now. His method of playing both sides came to his mind. He searched for the words to apologize to the blonde. Even though they had tactically agreed to try to handle their own suspicions when Seiya started to think Kakyuu was up to something. He could only guess that Haruka suspected the same of Akihiko, but there were things they both needed to sort out on their own.
"Haruka, listen, I'm sor—"
"Haruka! You're awake!" A piercing screech entered the room as the odango haired blonde danced across the room to the side of the bed. She jumped to the side, wrapping her hands around the rogue's exposed hand, hugging the limb with all the force she wanted to embrace the blonde.
Seiya shifted when Usagi took her hand, silently giving them the room as the young girl cooed over the rogue. He nodded to Rei as he stepped out of the room, pausing as he locked eyes with Mamoru. The taller man shifted his weight to the other foot, and Seiya's gaze leveled as Mamoru looked away. When the taller man tilted his head to the side as if he wanted to say something, the detective raised his palm.
"Save it. Whatever it is you have to say, you owe an explanation to Haruka first," he snarled.
Mamoru shyly nodded, and Seiya made the way to the garden. He had always enjoyed the landscaping in the family home, and with Kakyuu gone, he could enjoy them again. It was a tumultuous few days, desperately needing a place for the blonde to recover. However, the detective refused to leave her side. He didn't want to return to her home; without a home himself, options were limited.
After learning what had transpired, Taiki coaxed him into returning to his old room at the secondary residence after the first night at the temple. His brother reassured him that not only was Kakyuu finally arrested for art fraud. The remaining family members denounced her for bringing such disgrace to the name.
Taiki and Yaten helped him get the rogue into the room she now rested in without other members finding out, ensuring they had all the meals and essentials delivered to aid her recovery. It was dicey the first few days, but his heart stopped when he finally saw the blue eyes looking back at him today.
The panic he had when the building came down with the blonde still inside, the cry that died in his throat as the newly arrived girls tried to hold him back. He sighed at the memory. The rose he was mindlessly admiring slipped from his hand. He had accepted that he had feelings for the tall blonde not long after the first kiss. Getting his ass thrown to the floor shortly after wasn't what he expected, but the moments before showed how much alike they were. She was decisive in her actions, yet the moment she allowed her true inner monologue through, he saw the vulnerable side. Hurt and soft and proud all at once.
He released a heavy sigh. Indeed that little slip on her tight hold of emotions wasn't because she reciprocated his feelings. On the contrary, she didn't trust him. How could she if she never saw the other side, the side he kept hidden? If only he were strong enough to show her.
~*~*~
"Haruka! I am so glad you're alright!" The cheerful blonde exclaimed as she hugged her friend. After that, they were all sitting in the bedroom, Usagi placated from her initial excitement while Rei gave the older woman the details she saw on the news.
"Usagi, calm down. You told her that already," Rei chastised as she pulled the short blonde from the bed, pushing her back into a waiting armchair.
"I can't help it. I am just so excited!"
"Can't you use that energy more productively?" The younger blonde's eyes both lit up as an idea popped into their head.
"You're right! We should throw a party!"
"A what? NO—"
"It is a brilliant idea, really," Minako winked. "The last of Usagi's shows ended with an explosion or two. So this is a perfect way to show that we are back and make the public feel safe again." Rei turned her head as she heard a deep sigh from the older woman.
"That's not a horrible idea," Haruka shrugged. "Akihiko had terrorized much of the community and Kaze working under him. It would be a good idea to get the message out that it's all over."
"Yay!" Minako and Usagi jumped up in excitement, moving out of the room.
"You were just looking to get them out of the room. Of course, you don't think that, do you?" Rei glared expectantly at the rogue.
"It's nice to talk without interruptions?" Haruka sheepishly smiled as Rei could only roll her eyes. "It's not a horrible idea to give relief to people. It will also allow the Kou brothers to show unity with Kakyuu's departure. If you talk to Seiya about it, he'll agree and keep the girls under control."
"When are you going to talk to Seiya?"
"About what?" The blonde shot back, and a questioning eyebrow went up.
"About this, about everything!" Rei growled. "You can't tell me that there isn't something going on between you two," Rei raised a challenging finger.
"I'm— I'm not sure what was going on between us."
"Then," Rei demanded as she flicked the blonde on the forehead. "it's the perfect time to figure it out!" She ordered as Haruka rubbed the spot. The miko flipped her hair off her shoulder as she hurried to catch the two blondes.
~*~*~
Haruka sat on the bench, one hand supporting her head, the other mindlessly rubbing her exposed arm. She studied the building carefully, her interest lost in the architectural details. Instead, she was more interested in what lay inside.
It had been a few days since she could get up and move about the house. Once Usagi visited the first time, she found herself with considerable improvement. The second time the young blonde saw, she was nearly back to her old self. She suspected it was Usagi's doing with the use of the Silver Crystal, secretly confirming to her that it was still safe with the young blonde. Although no one believed that she could recover that quickly, Yaten had made it known more than once that she was suffering from cabin fever. As she regained her strength, she convinced them to allow her to go on walks. To address the cabin fever or whatever justification she threw out to get them to let her leave.
She stuck to the neighborhood on the first walk, deciding to play nice. The second time she made it over to the edge of Prince Demand's former mansion, seeing the destruction for the first time. The back half of the building completely leveled, and she emerged from under the fallen walls, finally registering why so many people were surprised.
The third outing was the first time she visited the building she sat opposite today. She needed answers to questions that no one could likely give her save for one green haired police chief. Yet she couldn't find it in herself to stroll into the state police building like she once did. And that bothered her. She was not afraid that they suspected her of any crimes. But, even if she were, the Kou brothers wouldn't harbor her. It would be detrimental to their career and let her wander about the city. None of them could be that stupid, except for one raven haired detective. From what she had learned during her time with Taiki and Yaten, they would not go along with any plan of Seiya's to protect her.
She briefly smiled as she thought that the shortest brother would be excited to find a way to get her out of their house. Then, shaking her head as a soft chuckle escaped her, she accepted that wasn't why she was scared. As she rested on the bench, she knew she was not the same rogue who had walked into the building so many times. No, she was not the same, not anymore. Right?
"A yen for your thoughts?" The knowing voice softly questioned. Haruka glanced over her shoulder to meet the garnet eyes studying her form as she gestured to the seat beside her. The police chief wordlessly took the offered seat, her own knowing eyes looking at the state police headquarters across the road.
"Quite different from our usual meeting place," the blonde teased, unsure what else to say.
"It is. I thought you may be nervous about entering the police station as most of them believe you have perished in that accident." Blue eyes went wide as she glanced curiously at the chief.
"Why would they think that?"
"Other than the absolute demolition of the building?" Setsuna smiled, already guessing the blonde had seen the destruction she had left behind. "There may have been investigation files by Agent Kaioh that identified the explosion as some chemical used in counterfeit art mixing accidentally."
"They must have had a lot of art to make an explosion that big," Haruka rolled her eyes at the explanation.
"Hai. But it wiped out the illegal activities, and all parties were arrested or perished. However, she did note a confession by Kakyuu-sama that included details that Kaze had taken down the ring run by a gang code name Wiseman, but unfortunately perished as well."
"So Kaze it dead?"
"Unless you want to label Agent Kaioh a liar," Setsuna challenged. "Amongst the members of the police force, she released previously sealed files about how Kaze worked with the department to bring down the crime ring. As a result, we do not expect to see them again and have revoked their access to the building."
"Oh," the blonde muttered, secretly glad she didn't try to seek out the police chief on her own.
"Yes, it's an unfortunate end to my arrangement with them. But, unfortunately, I never got the chance to thank them for all their help," Setsuna sighed before glancing apologetically at the blonde. "If only there were something I could do for them."
"I'm sure they knew," Haruka smiled before tilting her head to the side. "Demo, if I were to think of something to make you even, it would be to answer why.
"Why?" Setsuna hummed as the blonde nodded. The green haired woman shifted her gaze skyward. "I don't think anyone can answer why, especially not me. But, I hope they know I did my best." Without any additional words, the chief rose from the bench, gifting a slight bow to the blonde before making her way toward the building.
Haruka blinked a few times at the retreating figure, more questions filling her mind. Then, finally, it hit her that the chief had let her know her problem, or the prominent one was solved. They finally found a way to free her from her alter ego. Free with no more investigations or lingering questions. She smiled at the idea before a deep growl grew in her throat. As happy as she was to have a clean slate, the never answered question would always linger with her. She dropped her head, the disappointment flooding her senses. That's when she saw the dark briefcase that sat at her feet. She picked it up, carefully setting it in her lap as she glanced around. She was confident it wasn't there when she sat on the bench. Looking back at the case, she noticed a small alpha-coded lock was securing the package. She shrugged as she saw the first letter was set to the letter S. Shrugging as there was no hurt in trying, she placed the second to M. The case clicked open, and she was sure it had to be left by the chief.
She picked the note on top of the file and struggled to read it. It is a simple paper, the writer explaining that the actions of Wiseman tied their and many others' hands. As a result, the police could not do their job effectively, including investigating her parents' death. When Mamoru Chiba started to take over his father's business, he realized how indebted the family was to Wiseman. So he turned to the state police for help only to find that Wiseman had pocketed them already.
The letter continued, noting the files in this are the collaboration of the items Wiseman had destroyed. There can be pain found in the pages, and everything within is considered closed. Yet if the rogue deemed that she needed to know, here is one last offering of information exchange. However, the note concluded with a plea to discard it and take the chance to start a new one, not allowing the sins of the past to weigh her down from flying free.
Haruka snapped the case closed, the note still in her hand as she studied the plea again. The wind picked up, the letter slipping from her hand before drifting off in the gust. She didn't chase it, simply holding her breath as she watched the wise words of her friend dance on the breeze until it was out of sight. She sighed heavily as she searched for how she could comply.
~*~*~
"Did you enjoy your walk?" The question caught the blonde by surprise as she entered the house. Taiki stood near the table with a warm smile as he awaited the blonde's answer.
"Hai, it has helped stretch my muscles." She agreed. "Perhaps soon I will be able to go running," she pushed as the tall brunette grew a frown.
"Perhaps," he agreed, disputing his displeased look. "Seiya is still sleeping. Do you mind waking him?" Haruka furrowed her brows but nodded as she moved towards the guest room.
"Ugh… what is that noise?" Seiya grumbled, burying his head more profoundly under the pillow. Suddenly the pad was snatched away, making him hiss dramatically at the bright light.
"It's called birds chirping in the morning," Haruka grumbled. "Now get up!" Blue eyes opened at the sound of her voice, sitting up and pulling the covers over his exposed chest. The blonde just smiled as she turned her back to him.
"I'll let you get dressed in private, so you don't get embarrassed. I think Taiki is looking for you," she continued. She had raised her chin as if she wasn't facing the wall. "Oh, and I found some files that Wiseman tried to destroy. So, you know, do whatever you want." She shrugged before making her way out of the room. Seiya shook his head at her actions, quickly getting dressed before heading towards Haruka's room.
"That was fast," Blue eyes blinked up at him as he appeared in the doorway. She averted her gaze as the detective kneeled on the floor before her. She slides the briefcase along the bottom, with navy blue eyes looking at her questionably as she sets it between them.
"This is all the police records that link back to Wiseman, I mean Akihiko, that he had prevented from seeing the light of day," she sighed as her gaze finally met his.
"So he did have the police in his pocket."
"They could not move against him, even when Mamoru asked for help taking him down." The detective blinked at her placid comment, the blonde simply nodding in affirmation.
"So he wasn't completely evil," Seiya ventured as the blonde gave the slightest nod.
"Appears that way, same with Kakyuu. Their hands were a force to an extent." A silence fell between them, both just looking at the binder.
"Have you read it?" Seiya whispered. Haruka barely shook her head, the detective quickly sensing she was worried about what she would find. "Perhaps it's time to leave the shadows behind." Blue eyes raised to meet his through hooded lids. "It has never been easy for either of us to escape them, and now we have. We shouldn't let them pull us back in, ne?" She didn't react, her eyes only closing tightly as he slid the case away. He reached his hand towards her, wanting to comfort her, but paused before falling to rest on the binder.
"All I'm asking is to think about what you want your path to be before the past pulls you back in," he sighed before rising to his feet. Then, bending down for his lips to meet the top of her head, he picked up the case and slowly backed out of the room.
His feet carry him down the stairs, the smell of coffee bringing him into the kitchen. A smiling Taiki greeted him as a second cup was poured and handed to the detective. Seiya accepted the glass, taking a sip as Taiki glanced up the stairs.
"I thought Haruka would be down with you," the brunette sighed as he pushed the third mug toward the back of the counter.
"She's sorting through things," Seiya muttered.
"And you're letting her do it alone?"
"Isn't it better this way?" Seiya snorted as purple eyes stared at him. The unspoken question lingered between them. "She can't miss what she never held dear."
"What do you know of what she did or did not hold dear?" Taiki questioned as his brother averted his gaze. "How do you know how dear or how not dear she holds you?"
"She never said anything."
"And I assume neither did you," the taller man shrugged as he left his brother with his thoughts.
~*~*~
Haruka glanced cautiously around the room as she stood in the doorway. Usagi and Minako convinced her to attend their carefully planned party in gratitude for all she had done. When the older woman wavered, particularly at the outfit they had picked out for her, they reminded her that Mamoru would be Usagi's escort and perhaps it would be helpful to make sure he behaved himself. Her protective nature flared at the moment, and she snatched the garment bag from the troublesome girls. She continued grumbling as she put on the tightly tailored dress, the two blondes ignoring her complaints. They sing-songed that it was a chance for those to finally know about Haruka Tenoh; no more hiding in the shadows. They descended on her, brushing her wild lock, pinning her bangs to the side to keep them from falling into her eyes.
"Haruka!" Usagi cheered as she approached the blonde, tentatively hugging the older woman. Then, releasing her hold, she gripped her hand as she examined the result of her and Minako's efforts. "I'm so happy you made it!" She squealed as she jumped up and down.
"I'm happy as well, Koneko," the taller woman greeted, a shy smile gracing her lips at the other's excitement. "You remember my finance, Mamoru," she calmly introduced the tall, raven-haired man who bowed his head to the blonde.
"Hai," Haruka nodded, studying the tall man carefully. She wasn't sure where she stood in Usagi's eyes, but as she watched the royal blue eyes, she noticed a spark in his eyes that had not been there in years.
"Haruka!" Minako cooed as she looped her arms with the older woman. "They'll be fine," she added when the woman tried to jerk her arm away as the bubbly manager began to lead her to the side of the room. "Mamoru has done so much to make it up to Usagi. She's never been happier," the shorter girl explained. "Now you, on the other hand. I haven't seen you smile in weeks."
"I can't say I have had much to smile for," the blonde sighed, wondering where this was leading. The manager pulled her deeper away from the noise of the ballroom until they reached a small study. "What's this?'
"Something to cheer you up," Minako smiled while Haruka looked at the dark room questionably.
"Well, as long as there is something in there I can punch, it may help my mood," she smiled. Minako nodded as she pushed the blonde in the center of her back to urge her into the room. She took a few steps, the noise from the party fading further as she scanned the room. Then, a light touch on her shoulder caused her to jump.
"Wait," a deep voice she quickly recognized stopped her from throwing him to the ground. Ever so tender hands softly placed a cloth over her eyes, gently tying it to the back of her head.
"Here, wear this. I want you to know what things would be like if we stopped caring for the desires of others and submitted to our own." She stood at the whim of her captor, pondering just what the words truly meant. Music filled the room, and he took her in his arms, slowly dancing to the rhythm of the music. She submits to the feeling, letting the past and future worries flee her mind. She clung to his shirt as she felt the song end.
"Don't have much time left. I want you to be sure of how I think. "She wondered what he meant by those words, what he was dying to tell her. "If you ever find you're self confused, look into the windows of my soul. They always show the truth. "
She lingered on those words as the touch left her skin. She searched the room for noise to tell her that her dance partner was still near. Hearing nothing, she pulled the blindfold from her eyes, scanning the room, only finding she was alone. She stared at the cloth in her hands as she thought of the words whispered in the dark. Did he really mean it?
~*~*~
Seiya sat on the terrace, his eyes glancing toward the stars. His mind studies the patterns in the sky, looking for answers. He grunted, shifting his eyes from the sky, disappointed it would not give him the answers. But, no, only one person could answer the questions in his mind.
"Hey!" A sharp shove pulled him from his thoughts as he fought to regain his balance. His feet steady under him, he looked up at the light blue eyes, something burning in them. "What the hell?"
"What the hell was that?" Haruka grunted. "Whispering those nice words in the dark, making me think you care, and then running away like a scared little boy?" She demanded.
"What do you expect from me? You are so closed off when you are around me, never open enough to see me! You only see me as a means to an end, and now that you're at the end, you don't know what to do." Seiya could help but defend himself.
"Why do you think it's only in the dark? You're just angry. I don't melt at your pretty words," she snorted. "You're the only stupid enough to argue with me," she taunted.
"You refer to it as arguing. Where I refer to is a discussion where you're wrong," Seiya smiled as he took her hand. "You want to protect everyone, and I see that. But you want to protect yourself most of all. I had hoped with the blindfold, in a state you couldn't protect yourself, you would see that I am there to help when you need it."
Haruka considered his words, looking deep into the navy blue eyes. The same ones she had come to rely on so many times in the past months. Ones she trusted when she needed to keep a secret when she was unsure of her footing—all those times never faulting against her.
"Perhaps you are a knight," she smiled as the detective blinked, confused. "Nobility is not being better than others. It is better than one's former self. You're the only one who seemed to care to know me, almost knowing what I need without saying it." She stopped for a moment, blinking at the detective.
"What is it?" Seiya asked, concerned at her sudden change.
"I have a feeling Minako planned this from the start," the blonde cutely frowned as she recalled how she came to be working with Seiya.
"She is a lot cleaver, then we give her credit," Seiya agreed. "But I'm afraid she may have got it wrong," he added in a faked pensive manner.
"How so?" Haruka smiled, catching his teasing tone.
"Well, fire and water don't mix," he pondered as his finger came to his chin.
"You mean how I am temperamental, and you're a wet blanket?" She mocked as she pulled his hand from his face. "I disagree," she added, Seiya raising a questioning eyebrow at her low tone. "With fire and water, things get steamy," she smiled as he lifted her mouth to his. Caressing her lips, whispering all the things, he struggled to stay aloud.
Finally releasing the soft lips, he kissed her forehead as blue eyes looked into hers, finally seeing the spark return to her eyes. She leaned onto his should, a content smile growing on her lips.
"So does this mean you're ready to come work at my agency? I could use someone like you to switch sides," he couldn't help but tease as he felt her laugh against his skin.
"You wish," she snorted as she snuggled deeper into his hold.
~*~*~*~
(A/N yay! This story is done. The ending was so hard to do as a way to leave their relationship in a good, but not perfect spot. I'm thinking of doing some snippets or one shots of how their new life works out, leave a comment if that would be interesting!)