Chapter One

Hikaru looked around the campus, as Chibiusa kept telling her where everything was. "And that is where the offices are," Chibiusa pointed to a small building that was connected to the bigger building. "Any questions?"

Hikaru looked down at her schedule with a raised brow. "Before this I was home-schooled, I went to kindergarten at a public school, but why do I have so many different classes?"

"Oh that's normal," Chibiusa began to explain. "You see, that normally starts in middle school. The classes only last about 45-50 minutes each. We have 4 classes, following a 45-minute lunch period and then we have 20 minutes to clean up. Then you finish the day with one or two classes, depending on which ones you signed up for." Her pink hair seemed to bounce and it matched her personality. Hikaru liked her. "I almost forgot to tell you," Chibiusa stopped and looked at her. "For the first day, I will stay with you. I need to make sure you know how it works. We get 5 minutes between classes to make it to the next." She glanced at Hikaru's schedule and smiled more. "You are lucky, all your classes are one door down from each other."

Hikaru had to laugh, "I guess that will make it easier for me. I'm not used to it, but perhaps the school did it on purpose," Chibiusa nodded to confirm that was what happened. "I wanted to ask you something, and I'm not trying to be mean," Chibiusa glanced at her with curiosity. "Do people treat you differently...when they find out who you're related to?"

Chibiusa nodded softly," At times, why do you ask?"

"I don't have many friends because of who my father is," she revealed. "His name is Yuy Heero, as in the most powerful man in all of Tokyo."

"And the richest," Chibiusa finished. "Everyone knows who he is, I'm sorry, Hikaru. Is your dad stern or mean at all?"

"He isn't mean at all," Hikaru whispered, "He treats me and my mother with a lot of respect. Uncle Duo can irate my father, but other than that, he isn't mean or anything like that. He has the moments he is stern, but aren't all parents normally?" Chibiusa nodded in agreeance, as they walked into Hikaru's class.

A tall blond woman stood in the front with a teal-haired woman beside her. They both smiled at Chibiusa, who waved. "Oh yeah, I forgot Mrs. Tenoh and Mrs. Kaioh were both teaching this class. Would you like to meet them? They are personal friends of my mom, I've known them since I was born."

"Sure," Hikaru caught them both looking at her with mild curiosity.

She followed Chibiusa, who embraced them both in a hug. "I forgot you both took over the class last year at the end of the school year."

"It's alright, Princess," Michiru smiled at kissed her forehead. Haruka was staring at Hikaru, knowing she had to be Makoto's daughter, The resemblance was uncanny.

Hikaru looked at her and whispered," Do I have something on my face?" Even her voice was similar to Makoto's, as Haruka shook her head.

"No I'm sorry for staring," she said in a soft tone. "My name is Tenoh Haruka, what's your name?"

"Yuy Hikaru," she smiled at them. Haruka felt her breathing stop. Then she realized exactly what Shinozaki did. He changed his name and remained in Tokyo. She put two and two together, and then Chibiusa spoke up.

"She is one of my new friends and her father is one of the most powerful in Tokyo," Chibiusa replied. "But I don't care, she is so amazing." Hikaru gave a small smile and Chibiusa gave her one back. Haruka looked at Michiru and then the two of them realized this young girl was their Princess, meaning their King was in hiding. He didn't want to be found, however, Haruka was going to find him.

It was mid-morning when Heero walked into his office. He smiled at his secretary, who returned it and handed him a note. "Mrs. Tenoh Haruka called." He froze upon hearing the name and cleared his throat, looking at her. "She asked for you to return her call, sir." All he did was nod before he closed his door. He took a deep breath looking at the note in his hand. It was her number and her name. He hadn't anticipated that she would want anything to do with him unless...she met his daughter. Heero sat down and grabbed his phone. He dialed the number and listened to it ring. Suddenly a click was heard, "Hello?" It was her, Haruka. He couldn't say anything. "Hello, it is you, Shinozaki?"

"That's a name I haven't heard in 15 years," he whispered. Haruka took a deep breath. She didn't want him to hide anymore and she also didn't want to upset him. She knew he could disappear again and he was raising a teenager, which probably wasn't easy. "What can I do for you, Haruka?" His voice was soft and calm, like the Shinozaki she knew. She had to be careful with what she said and what she asked.

Haruka closed her eyes briefly before she reopened them, "Merely to talk to you in person."

"Do I detect a punch in the future?" He asked in a soft tone.

"To be quite honest, I can't lay a finger on you," Haruka replied. "You are my King, Shinozaki."

She heard him inhale a sharp breath, "How much does Hikaru know?"

"Nothing," she whispered. "I can't tell her anything. You are our King, and we need to see you. We must see you."

Heero looked down at his watch. "Crowns."

"Will she be there with you?" Haruka asked.

"No," he whispered. "Haruka, she doesn't know she is a Princess. She doesn't know anything about Jupiter. She doesn't even know Makoto is her mother."

Haruka looked a bit confused, "Then who does she think is her mother?"

"The Princess of Io," he revealed and she was shocked. She wasn't aware she was around either. "She has raised Hikaru with me ever since she was a baby. Haruka, I'm begging you, don't tell her anything. She is a fragile 14-year-old. Even though she looks like Makoto, she isn't like her." He closed his eyes and Haruka could tell he was holding back a sob, "I'm sorry, Haruka. I know I shouldn't have stayed away from all of you, but it reminds me of Makoto..."

"No, it's okay to grieve for her," Haruka's voice was unusually soft. He knew that Haruka loved Makoto like she was a little sister.

"Actually, could you meet me at Crowns?" He whispered.

"Now? I can be there in 10 minutes," she responded.

"Okay, I'll see you then." He hung up and closed his eyes. He didn't realize talking to her would have the impact it did. But he trusted Hauka and he had to see her. He told his secretary he would be gone for the day before he left his office. Crowns Cafe was a 5-minute walk for him, so he took his time, knowing Haruka was coming from either her home or the school.

The minute he walked in, his eyes locked with Motoki. "Shinozaki!?" The older man froze and stared at the man before him. He knew those icy blue eyes anywhere and despite the fact that he was wearing a suit and his brown hair was brushed, he recognized him.

"Motoki..." he whispered. A punch left him breathless, as he stared back at Motoki, who was sharing he was so angry.

"You are an asshole," Motoki whispered. "15 years and nothing."

"Motoki, stop," Haruka appeared out of nowhere, standing between the two. "I don't think beating him up is the right thing."

Motoki shook with rage, "How are you so calm with him? You forgot what happened to Makoto..."

"Stop," Heero shouted, causing both blonds to look at him. The tears were evident in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Motoki! I was a scared 23-year-old newly widowed father! I wasn't expecting Makoto to die! How do you think I felt not even knowing she was dying? She never told me!"

"Koto never told you?" Haruka was shocked. She was aware of her Princess' condition, but she assumed he knew about it as well. That wasn't the case. He shook his head and lowered his head. "I'm so sorry, I really thought you knew." She embraced him in a hug, which wasn't normal or typical of her. He put his own arms around her. He rested his forehead against her shoulder, She realized he didn't really have anyone who understood Makoto the way that she did. He was alone and doing it on his own. "Let us put the past behind us and help you. Your daughter will be safer that way." Motoki raised a brow realizing Makoto's daughter did survive. He only nodded, not really wanting to trust his voice or do anything. She leads him to a booth, "Come on, let's sit down." She looked at Motoki, " Bring us both some water, please." He nodded, as he did as she asked.

Heero sat down with a sigh, as Haruka sat down across from him. Her eyes were watching him and he looked like he aged before her very eyes. He then raised his eyes and their eyes connected. "I don't really know what to say," he whispered. There was so much to say, yet neither one of them knew how to start the conversation.

After a few minutes, Haruka looked away, "Why did you go into hiding? And why did you lie about your daughter?"

Heero drew in a sharp breath, knowing that this was not going to be pleasant. However, he wasn't going to keep hiding from them, especially Haruka. "Despite what I stated earlier, I am not sure. I think the scared part of me wasn't ready to be a father and my wife just died. I got remarried when Hikaru was a few months old, although, at the time, Raven and I only got married for her sake. Over the years, I grew to love Raven and we wanted to protect Hikaru, and keep her hidden, we even went as far as homeschooling her. But work picked up for us both and we no longer have someone who can."He looked at his hands, "To be honest, I think I only love Raven because she loves Hikaru. I just feel like no one can replace Makoto."

Haruka took a sip of her water, letting all the information he was telling her sink in. "Do I call you Shinozaki, or do you prefer Heero?"

"We know my birth name isn't safe," he whispered. "For now, please stick to Heero." She merely nodded. She knew that the police were looking for Shinozaki, but not sure what he looked like. The old woman who last saw him didn't give a good description. For 15 years, he was hiding, so they wouldn't find him. He even stopped traveling and seeing friends from his hometown, so he wouldn't be found.

XYukiNoHanaX
11|11|2022
02:50 pm