"First Kiss: Haruka and Michiru" by Desslok

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[Author's Note: This may or may not be the first in a

series....]

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Haruka waited until Michiru went into the bathroom and then

stepped out onto the balcony. Though they always stayed in the

finest hotels, all the penthouse suites blurred together now. So

much time on the road, hunting, searching, even as they steadily

made their way closer and closer to Tokyo. There was no doubt in

Haruka's mind now that that was the epicenter of whatever was

happening. This was probably the only thing on her mind about

which she felt no doubt.

As the tall blonde leaned out over the balcony, watching the

lights glittering below, a cool breeze brushed against her pale

skin. Normally, she adored the wind, but this night she shivered

and pulled her arms in close to her sides. Talking had never

been her strong suit. She liked to think of herself as a woman

of action, not words. Words confused things. Words could

deceive or distract. Action simply was.

Again, the breeze blew, more insistent this time. Again, Haruka

drew herself in, struggling to avoid the chill in the air.

Running, racing, it was all the same, attempts to seize the wind,

to be the wind. Ever since she was small...

"To run like the wind..." she whispered to the empty night.

"But are you running towards something, or away," a quiet voice

responded. Haruka became suddenly aware of the presence at her

side. She must have been distracted indeed to fail to notice the

sounds of Michiru's approach or her scent on the air.

Haruka continued to stare out into the night. The breeze came

again, stinging her eyes and bringing tears to them. Towards or

away? Nothing she had ever considered. Michiru waited

patiently.

"There is nothing at the end of the road that we travel," Haruka

finally said quietly. "We fight the inevitable doom and likely

can only prevent it with our own lives. You taught me that."

She folded her arms under her chest and hunched down over the

railing.

Michiru sighed sadly, regret flickering unseen in her eyes. "Our

duty is stern and unforgiving, but that does not mean that there

can't be hope. There must always be hope for the future, or else

we have lost before we have truly begun."

Slowly, Haruka turned to face Michiru. She stood in casual

clothes, yet still exuded a refined dignity that Haruka

continually marveled over. Michiru returned her gaze with an

open, expectant look and a soft, wan smile. Though they had not

been fighting together very long, it seemed as though they had

never been anywhere else but side by side. Haruka felt something

twisting inside as she gazed into those placid eyes. No, not

placid. Haruka now discerned a spark there that she had never

let herself see. Her stomach churned once again.

"What do you hope for, Michiru-san?" Haruka asked finally.

Reaching forward carefully, Michiru ran her fingers into Haruka's

short blonde hair. Her eyes captured Haruka's and would not

release them. The spark flared into a bonfire that made Haruka

break out in a sweat.

Michiru took a step closer and whispered, "Toward, not away.

Never again away."

Words ceased. Michiru gently, tugged Haruka's head down. Her

lips felt warm on cool skin, even as Haruka lifted her arms and

wrapped them around Michiru's waist.

Once again, the breeze came, bringing a gentle tingle to exposed

skin, before going on its way...toward Tokyo and the future.