Disclaimer: Plot and restaurant (Water's Edge) not mine.

The Misted Glass of an Angel

I loved him. It was really that simple. I don't know how it all came about. I just remember watching him as we fixed up the café, being delighted at his every move and smiling at his every word. I wasn't giddy, fussy or giggly in any way. I was just…happy.

After that, I remember how everything was beginning to just look…beautiful. It was gorgeous. The colors in my wardrobe were bright and exciting while my home life just dragged on. Whenever I went to go meet Seta, I felt happy. Whenever I was around him, I felt happy.

Kitsune, Mutsumi and her boyfriend, Jiro would often come with me to see Seta. We were one big happy family, especially when the rest of my young and happy family decided to join us. Mutsumi and Jiro were going strong, both being as ditzy and lost as the other one. It was good entertainment.

Keitaro and Naru were a couple now, being as they had a love-hate relationship anyways. She was the torturer and he was the torturee. At least I thought it was pretty funny. Everyone, the whole group, was pretty happy when outside the house.

But…

At home, it was different. I was a working-woman, trying to balance a job, love and family. It wasn't easy. My family was getting worse, with Brian and Motoko's relationship still holding strong. My grandmother hated it. She couldn't take it out on Motoko. Motoko had gotten good at sneaking out, even with my grandmother struggling to catch her and yell at her for her lack of decency in dating a non-Japanese boy.

Since she couldn't take it out on Motoko, she took it out on Shinobu. The poor thing was always the first one home, incurring the wrath of Grandma Hina. Keitaro would be home soon enough, calming Hina down. But since Keitaro was her favorite it didn't help Shinobu much. If Shinobu dared open her mouth and joke with Keitaro, the Banshee would swoop down upon her, slapping, yelling and screaming.

Keitaro would stop her while he could but then he would have to leave for his job. No good. But soon, my mother would appear, saving Shinobu most of the pain.

Besides that, I was happy. Kitsune had become one of my very best friends and along with Mutsumi, we would spend the better part of our days together. Of course, Kitsune would leave everyday for the hospital. Why, we still didn't know.

.~.

"You have to tell him…today."

"No I don't!" Kitsune looked at me skeptically.

"Yes you do. Otherwise I'll tell him for you."

"And I'll help her." Mutsumi was with us, bouncing along happily.

"You both won't say anything."

"We won't? Oh. I thought that we could talk."

"We can Mutsumi. But Haruka doesn't like us anymore." Mutsumi turned to me, tears shining in her eyes.

"You don't like us anymore?" Tears began to stream down. I felt guilty.

"No. I think you're awesome Mutsumi. You're a great friend."

"Oh. Okay." My cell phone began to ring.

"One moment." I muttered, picking it up and answering.

"Hello?"

"Hey Haruka! It's Seta!"

"Oh! Hi Seta!" Both Mutsumi and Kitsune stopped and looked at me. They were expecting an outburst of love from me.

"Um…Do you think I could meet you? You know, at the Water's Edge…at four?" I looked over at Kitsune and Mutsumi, both of whom were staring avidly at me.

"Sure. I'll see you then." I shut the phone, looking down at the ground to avoid two very piercing stares. "I'm going to meet him." I muttered.

"Really now? When? Where?" Kitsune questioned.

"Four o'clock at the Water's Edge." Mutsumi looked up, confused. "Why do you want to go to the edge of the water? Why not a restaurant?" I rubbed my forehead for a second.

"Good idea, Mutsumi." I managed. No more to be said.

The three of us walked around for a bit more, since I had two hours before my meeting with Seta. We walked towards Water's Edge slowly, by chance meeting up with Jiro. Mutsumi and Jiro soon left, leaving Kitsune and I alone.

I was nervous. What did he have to say? He sounded excited and…happy. Maybe he felt like I did? Just maybe?

"Feeling unsure?" Kitsune asked.

"Huh? Oh, yeah." I nodded. She watched me, with a look of certainty and hope.

"Well, you have to tell him. That's the only way you'll know how he feels. Come on, Haruka." I sighed and looked straight ahead. She didn't understand how I felt. I was afraid of one thing. And that one thing was what had kept me back this whole time.

Rejection.

It hurt. I'd seen it in everyone's eyes once before. It didn't matter when or where, but it was there. Shinobu when Grandma yelled at her. Keitaro when Naru refused him. Kanako when girls refused to be her friend. Motoko when dojos didn't acknowledge her talent. It was everywhere.

"You have to give him a chance." She whispered. I stopped and turned to look at her. "Why?"

"He might love you too."

"Might."

"There's still a chance."

"Not really Kitsune. Not really." I sighed and brought up my hand, flicking my wrist to push my coat sleeve back. It was quarter to four. I had to leave.

"Kitsune?"

"Hm?"

"I have to go. It's quarter to four."

"Okay. Have fun and tell him." I laughed at her and turned and began walking towards the Water's Edge. I had to tell him. For myself.

.~.

I arrived at the Water's Edge with no time to spare. I had taken longer than usual because I had to think out what I wanted to say. It was odd. I was nervous around my best friend and the gray clouds overhead didn't help any.

I ran to the table and sat down across from him. Seta looked up and a wide smile broke open on his face.

"I thought you'd never come!" He looked at my outfit. A different dress. It was red, but different. "Nice dress." I looked at his outfit and noticed a red tie.

"Nice tie." We both smiled. An uncomfortable silence fell over us, during which we both began to fidget and look around. I had to say it first. I opened my mouth to begin but he beat me to it.

"Haruka, there's something I need to tell you." Really?

"I need to tell you something first. You first." He nodded and took a deep breath. I smiled. I was expecting the news to be joyous and wonderful.

"I love Kitsune."

…

…

What!?

My face froze. My mouth kept on smiling but my eyes didn't. I had to say something. He was expecting it.

"Seta! You love Kitsune! Th-that's great!" Liar. It was absolutely horrible.

"Well? What do you think? Should I tell her?"

"Yes! Just go! Now!" I was about to cry. No way was he going to see me weep my heart out. He reached out and held my quivering hands.

"Thanks Haruka. I knew I could count on you to know what to do. Thanks. I love you." Seta got up, grabbed his jacket and ran. I reached for my phone. I had to tell Kitsune.

"Hello?"

"Kitsune? It's Haruka."

.~.

I would hear all of this later, from Kitsune. She'd gone home after I had left her and was all cozy and sleepy when I called her. I filled her in and she hung up.

About half an hour later, Seta arrived at her place.

"Seta? Hi!"

"Hi Kitsune. Can I come in?"

"I don't know. Can you?"

"Yes."

"Well then, take a seat on the couch. You're soaking wet!"

"Yeah. I walked here and it began to pour. Horrible weather. Depressing."

"Hmm. Very. Do you want anything to eat or drink?"

"No. I…uh…yeah…"

"What?"

"Oh. Noth-nothing…Who's this in the picture?"

"Well. That girl right there is me."

"No really?  I couldn't tell."

"That's because you're stupid."

"Thanks. No, really. Who's this guy?"

"Well, his name his Hasegawa Koan."

"Really?"

"Yes. He's wonderful. He's the reason I'm here."

"Why?"

"To put it lightly, we had a fight. And I'm here for him."

"Again Kitsune, why?"

"Oh! He's my husband!"

.~.

I apologize so much you guys! I was bad and started another fic! Yes I know! I deserve to be maimed! But I was having trouble with some aspects of this fic and had to work them out. I mean, I want to go with the movie but not. But it's good only two of you knew and know what is going to happen. ^.^

Brian, Warrior of Time- No problem! The hooker part was one of my favorites. It was of my own brainchild. And be happy! You and Motoko are still going strong!

mr-winkie- Thank you! The nightclub scene is much better in the movie. But that is because the have a dance sequence to go with it. I don't. ^.^;

red52-Don't worry! I'm keeping it! I've rediscovered my muse!

Mozzarella- Thank you! I should be saying that!

Black Sarena- Thank you for putting me on your favorites list! Thanks so much! And I'm glad you liked it so much! This and Drown!

Digibaka- AH!!! It's another Indian!! I'm actually Guju so I was cracking up whenever Saif came on screen. I mean he personified us so well! And the parents! Don't get me started! And I'm American too! Okay, you obviously know what happens in here. But I need your help. You see, I don't want to do the whole Aman running thing towards the end of the movie. What should I replace it with?

LightSong-Wow! You watch Indian movies and you're not Indian! That's so cool! I love Kal Ho Naa Ho! It's probably because Shah Rukh Khan is my favorite. But hey, what can I say? I need your help too. At the end of the movie, Aman does this running thing. I don't want to do that. What should I do instead?

Thank you all so much!