Stars in the Sky
Chapter Five: Shadows of Yesterday
By: Ree
Pairing: Kou Seiya/Ten'oh Haruka
Ages: Seiya: 20
Haruka: 19
Setting: Jyuban District, Tokyo, Japan
Rating: R (for future chapters and swearing)
Summary: Seiya is back on Earth, Usagi is married to Mamoru, and what's a love-stricken boy to do? Well, a few run-ins and mishaps with a certain blonde change his entire perspective.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon; I don't want to claim ownership to Takeuchi-sama's noble work. So don't sue me! I don't own anything, I am just a poor student, and you won't get anything!
I want to thank all of my loyal reviewers! Your reviews are always greatly appreciated and just for you, I shall continue to write! *Bows deeply* I am most honored and now, here's the chapter that may change Seiya and Haruka's relationship forever: the confrontation with Michiru. Sorry for not updating sooner, I haven't been feeling well and this one is pretty long….so brace yourselves.
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Haruka cracked one eye open slightly and the first thing that she noticed was that she was wrapped in a pair of strong arms and pressed against a hard chest. Her mind flared up in panic, anger, and confusion when she recalled the events of last night. Relaxing, she turned in Seiya's arms and faced him, admiring the way his black hair framed his face and seemed to be like a blanket and stroked the strands slowly. The man didn't move, just continued sleeping as if he was dead. Chuckling softly, Haruka rose, wearing her black bra and navy panties and stretched in the warm sunlight that shone through the window next to their bed. Last night was……amazing. Even though we didn't make love…it was still the best experience I've had in my life. Walking over to where their clothes had been scattered, she picked up her white shirt and buttoned it up and smiled when she realized that it covered just enough and sat on the edge of the bed, stroking Seiya's cheek gently, admiring the soft skin.
"I wonder, should I be really mean and wake him up?" she asked herself and grinned. "Yes."
And with that, she pounced on Seiya and straddled his stomach, making him grunt in protest and his eyes flew open to find out who was on top of him. Meeting the teal eyes of a smirking Haruka, Seiya groaned and tried to pull the covers back over his head.
"Leave me alone…I wanna go back to sleep. Preferably with you in the bed too," he mumbled from underneath the blanket.
"Seiya, you've got to get up. Otherwise we won't get anything done today. Now get up before I make you," she retorted.
He grumbled under his breath about what could she do to make him get out of his nice warm bed and she grinned before sauntering over to her side of the bed and shoving Seiya off, blankets and all, so he landed flat on his ass as she tugged the covers away. Yelping in surprise, Seiya rolled out of the covers, wearing nothing but his boxers and shivered, clutching his shoulders and glaring at the laughing Haruka. A smirk began to spread across his features as he got up from his position and began stalking towards the blonde. She stopped laughing and raised her eyebrow, tensing up and getting ready to counterattack. Crawling across the bed, Seiya grinning the entire time, he pounced and caught Haruka in his arms and kissed her deeply.
Haruka, taken by surprise at what he had planned, backed up and was lost in the warm heat that had enveloped her the night before. Closing her eyes, she reached out to wrap her arms around Seiya and found that her wrists were in his hands and she frowned. Jerking away from the kiss and pulling her hands out of his wrists, Haruka turned her back on Seiya, rubbing them protectively.
"Haruka, what's wrong? Did I do something to upset you?"
"Don't grab my wrists like that again."
It was a command and Seiya bristled slightly, he hated being ordered around, but when he walked over and was about to snap in Haruka's face, he noticed that she was still absently rubbing her wrists and her eyes seemed darker, their shine dulled by her memories. Looking concerned, Seiya stood in front of her and held her shoulders, wanting her to look him in the eye.
"Haruka, what is it?"
"It's nothing…nothing at all."
"You're lying; I hate it when you lie. Please, just tell me the truth. Does this have anything to do with the reason as to why Michiru-"
"No, it doesn't."
"Why are you lying to me?"
"I don't want to deal with this right now…onegai Seiya, just don't push it."
Her eyes looked away from him and he sighed, knowing that he wouldn't get anywhere if she was being stubborn. It looks like I was right, this has everything to do with Michiru, and she won't admit it. What happened to you, Haruka? Reaching down, Seiya took one of her hands in his and stroked her cheek with his fingers, a gentle smile on his face and leaned over.
"Don't worry, I won't ask anymore. But we will have to talk about it someday, because you can't avoid it forever you know."
"I know I just don't want to deal with it right now."
"That's all right. Now come on, let's go downstairs and get some breakfast."
She smiled and let him lead her downstairs. Chuckling, she noticed that he had forgotten he was only wearing his boxers and so they were greeted by laughter from Taiki and Yaten, who were already in the kitchen, making omelets, drinking juice, and eating toast.
"Ohayo," Seiya said and smiled, reaching over Taiki's shoulder and plucking a piece of toast from his stack. "Arigato for breakfast."
"Oi, that wasn't for you," Taiki snapped, glaring at the grinning man with the piece of toast sticking out of his mouth. "Baka…"
"No one can call Seiya a baka except for me," Haruka said good-naturedly and walked over to where Yaten was poking omelets.
"I'll never understand why these people enjoy these kinds of foods…" Yaten muttered under his breath and then smirked sneakily. "Here, Haruka, I made one for you."
"Arigato," she said, missing his smirk and took the plate to the counter and sat down on a stool before taking a bite. "HOT!"
She yelped and snatched the fork out of her mouth before looking around for milk or bread and Seiya smirked, holding out a piece of bread to her. She reached out to take it, but he pulled it back and shook his finger in front of her face. Taiki and Yaten pretended to be busy messing with the stove to notice that Haruka was practically begging Seiya for some relief from her on-fire mouth.
"Come on, what's the magic word?" he teased.
Rolling her eyes, she made a snatch for the bread, but he shook his head and reached over to part her lips and open her mouth with his fingers. The blonde gave him a look that said "you'd better not be planning on kissing me" and he laughed, breaking off a piece of the bread and placing it in her open mouth. Raising an eyebrow, Haruka chewed gratefully, feeling the heat diminish.
"I can feed myself you know," she mumbled but smiled. "Although, that was awfully thoughtful of you for offering me the bread."
"What can I say, I'm a nice guy."
She laughed and took the rest of the bread from him and ate it, cooling her burning throat. Looking thoughtful, Haruka noticed the stack of mail that was lying a few feet away. Mostly fan mail, but…A letter from Michiru??? She pounced on it right away and tore the envelope apart, careful to keep the letter from being ripped. Seiya snorted, anger beginning to rise in his veins. Haruka quickly read the letter, studying it intently.
Dear Haruka,
I can only start by saying how sorry I am that I left you like I did. Gomen nesai koibito, I can't live without you any longer. Please come to my performance tonight on the cruiser that's leaving Jyuban port tonight at 10 o'clock and I swear I'll tell you everything. Aishiteru, koi.
Sincerely,
Michiru
Haruka seemed stunned by the letter that she had received and it fluttered from her hand and landed on the counter in front of her. Seiya picked up the letter and skimmed through it, his brow furrowing. How dare she presume to love Haruka after all she put her through? Reaching over and placing his left arm around her shoulders, his right hand tilted her chin to look at him.
"Are you going?"
"Yes, I have to go. I want to know once and for all why she left me."
"You don't know?"
"No, I don't."
"Then I'm coming with you."
"I can't let you."
"Haruka, I'm coming with you and that's all there is to it. You're not going to face this bitch alone, especially after what-"
Seiya had struck a nerve with Haruka and he was unprepared for when she rose from her seat and folded her arms over her chest. Taiki and Yaten turned around and gazed at the two, wondering what was going to happen now that a nerve had been struck.
"I don't want you calling Michiru a bitch, Seiya," she told him, her voice cold.
"Fine, I won't call her a bitch anymore. But what she did to you, I can't forgive."
He heard a faint chuckle and Haruka turned to him with amused eyes. "You sound like kenoko-chan when you say that."
"Kenoko-chan?"
"Hai, or in your words, Odango."
Seiya looked down; she had struck a nerve when she had mentioned Usagi and Haruka smiled softly and went over to Seiya, placing her right hand on his shoulder, looking up at him, since he now surpassed her in height. The distraught idol looked back at Haruka, and she kissed him gently.
"Daijoubu, everything will be all right. I'm sure kenoko will be there, we can face them both together," she whispered in his ear.
"How can you be so confident we'll be able to face them?"
All she did was smile mysteriously and looked over at Taiki and Yaten. Taiki was trying to busy himself with the stove and Yaten was smirking openly. Haruka shook her head and walked over to Yaten, poking her finger in his chest, making him stumble back.
"Nani, Haruka?" he asked.
"I know that it was you who put wasabi in my food. That was a dirty trick, Yaten, but arigato."
He looked baffled and Seiya chuckled under his breath at the look on Yaten's face. Glaring at the other man, Yaten huffed over to Seiya and shoved him.
"What are you laughing at?"
"You, and that expression on your face, it was priceless!"
Yaten's mouth opened and closed for a few minutes before he grumbled under his breath and sat down with a cup of coffee and took a sip. Seiya shook his head and went upstairs to get dressed. Haruka relaxed on one of the stools, but made sure to examine everything offered to her to make sure Yaten hadn't slipped something else in her drink or food. Taiki turned away from the stove to gaze at Haruka, his purple eyes boring into hers as though he was trying to read her very soul, but they revealed nothing.
"Haruka, what are your feelings for Seiya?"
"What brought this on?" she asked.
"I want to know…do you plan on hurting him?"
"Taiki, I would never hurt Seiya, not even if he asked me to. I care deeply about him but after having my heart broken once before, I don't know if I'm ready to call something love again. There's just something about attempting to fall in love again that makes me uneasy."
Taiki nodded, he could understand what she was saying. Yaten looked suspicious, but said nothing as he took another sip of coffee. Haruka absently stirred her tea, wondering what the implications of what she had said were. The kitchen was silent as the three were lost in their thoughts. When Seiya came back down, adjusting the loose white shirt and buttoning the cuffs, he smiled uneasily.
"Oi, what's gone on here? You look as though someone died."
"Seiya, you worry too much," Haruka said and then walked past him, swatting his ass in the process and laughing as she dashed out.
"Itai…" Seiya whined, pouting and rubbing his backside.
Yaten and Taiki sniggered. Seiya gave them a look that said "quit laughing" and glared at the two, which only made them snigger harder.
"Nani?"
"You really are a cute couple," Yaten said as he tried to hold a serious expression on his face, but ended up bursting into laughter.
"Laugh it up, go ahead," Seiya snorted and walked back upstairs. "Haruka?"
Tapping on the door to her room slightly, Seiya walked inside and found her sitting near the window, her back to him and he smiled softly before going over and placing his right hand on her shoulder. Looking up at him in surprise, Haruka sighed and leaned her head against his strong thigh. Seiya ran his fingers through her hair as her hands fisted into the fabric of his pant legs.
"Nani?"
"I don't want to face Michiru. There are so many memories that are still fresh in my mind…and now that you and me…I'm not sure if I can handle seeing her again and not fall for her ploys. She promised me that no matter what, she wouldn't abandon me, but one day out of the blue…she left."
Looking surprised, his heart went out to the cringing Haruka, who looked as though she would burst into tears, even though her expression was one of pure rage. Kneeling down next to her, Seiya looked into her teal eyes and saw that they were darker and becoming clouded, even though no tears came. She's so strong……she doesn't even cry at a time like this. Holding out his arms to her, Seiya didn't have to wait long before she threw her arms around his shoulders and held him tightly.
"Tonight we'll face our pasts head on so we can move on with our futures."
The hours passed and neither felt compelled to leave the room. Finally, it was nine o'clock, and the two of them were dressed and ready to head out for the docks. They boarded the ship and they sought out Usagi and Michiru. It didn't take long for Seiya and Haruka to track down the two women who had made their lives miserable. The two women were waiting for the two of them in the ballroom, both looking lovely and they smiled when they saw Haruka and Seiya enter the room and rose.
"Haruka-san, Seiya, it's so good to see you," Usagi said and smiled.
"Yamero Usagi," Seiya snapped, his eyes hardening. "I want to talk to you."
"And I want to talk to you now, Michiru," Haruka added.
"We can talk here," Michiru offered, a soft smile playing on her features.
"We'll talk separately," Seiya retorted and dragged Usagi out by grabbing her upper arm and taking her to another room.
Haruka looked at Michiru, her eyes hard and unforgiving and Michiru continued to smile almost gently at her. Shaking her head, the teal-eyed woman walked in front of Michiru and opened her mouth to speak when Michiru leaned up and kissed her.
"Yamero, Michiru!" Haruka ordered, shoving Michiru away from her.
"Haruka, what are you doing? I thought you loved me…"
"Not anymore. You left me without just cause and you broke my heart! Thanks to you, I may never love again! Why did you do it?"
"I can explain, Haruka. When I was walking down the block near Tenth Street, I saw you kissing another girl underneath a tree. I would have forgiven you, but then you began to put your hand up her shirt. After I left, I found out that girl I saw with the other girl wasn't you, it was an American couple. I came back as soon as I could and tried to work up the nerve to-"
"You mean to tell me that you left me because of a misunderstanding like that? If you were so eager to turn on me then, how do I know you won't do it again? Yes, I realize that I often flirted with other women, but they meant nothing to me! Even after I accepted the fact that you had boyfriends before me, I never dreamed that-"
"Michiru-koi," a voice called and Haruka whirled around.
Her eyes widened when she saw someone walking in. He had short black hair and teal blue eyes, bedecked in a black tuxedo and wearing a soft smile on his features. She waited as he walked over and wrapped his arms around Michiru's waist and smiled.
"Kenji, what are you doing here?"
"I came to support you tonight. Why wouldn't I come to support my koibito?"
"Koibito…" Haruka trailed off, her voice strained.
"Who's this?" he asked, smiling.
"I'm no one important," Haruka said stiffly. "I was just here to see the performance tonight. Don't let me interrupt you. Sayonara Michiru."
She walked out of the room and was met by a trembling Seiya, and when she looked up, she saw that he was shaking in rage. Guiding him off of the ship, she got him into the car, and drove towards the park where she and Seiya could talk privately. Once they parked, Seiya looked over at Haruka with tears in his eyes. She let him wrap his arms around her waist and buried his head in her chest.
"Doshte?"
"How what?"
"How do you cope?"
"Because I've found my star in the sky."
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Awwwwwww, wasn't that long and kawaii? Don't worry, this isn't the end! There's a lot more to come! Please R/R and thank you!
~Ree