Disclaimer for my own sanity:
I wrote this story back in 1999. I don't think it's too bad, but I don't know what I was thinking way back then either so don't be too harsh on me :P
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Chapter four is not as long as previous chapters, but I couldn't make too much happen in one section. Many plot lines are ended or put on hold, but there is a major change of direction at the end. This part will clear up many mysteries, but also create a new, suspenseful plot, as Haruka and Michiru reveal their deepest secrets to each other… PG-13 this time.
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A Senshi's True Lies
- Chapter Four (revised) -
Michiru is put into a small, isolated room. There are bright lights, a mirror, and a stool in the middle of the room. She slowly inches her way over to the mirror and peers into it. There is obviously someone watching her from behind it. What she doesn't know is that someone is Haruka and Yaten.
"Sit down." Machines have been set up to amplify their voices so they're unrecognizable.
"Who do you work for?" Haruka asks.
"I'm Tenoh Michiru. A world known violinist."
"Sure, Tenoh-san. What were you doing with the international terrorist Kenji the Jackal?"
"Nothing having to do with terrorists. I just met Seiya, or whoever he is, just a couple weeks ago. I barely know him."
"That's not what it looked like when we found ya," Yaten cuts in.
"How did you meet him?"
"Well, he came by me one day in a tea shop and gave me a briefcase to keep watch over. He said it was a matter of national security and that he'd contact me."
"Why did you continue to see him?"
"He said he needed my help."
"Not because you were attracted to him?"
"No!"
"You mean you were not attracted to him at all?"
"No."
"Is cheating a common thing for you?" Yaten asks.
"No! Never!"
"So you mean this was your first time?"
"Calm down, Yaten," Haruka whispers. "Tell me about your wife, Tenoh-san."
"Haruka? What can I say about her? She's a world famous racer; the best in Japan."
"So sex with her isn't exactly waving your flag anymore?"
"YATEN!"
"That's none of your business!"
"I suggest you cooperate. If we want to know the most intimate details about your life, you better tell us."
"Haruka's never done anything wrong."
"But she's not exactly ringin' your bell these days, is she?"
"Yaten, let me handle this part. Do you mind?... Why did you go to Seiya's hideout?"
"He wanted me to go to America with him on a mission; to pose as his wife."
"And you agreed?"
Michiru nods her head.
"Why?"
"I don't know. I guess I just wanted to feel a sense of unpredictability. I wanted to be spontaneous and wild. Just not knowing what's going to happen…"
"This Seiya…did you sleep with him?"
"No."
"She's lying," Yaten accuses.
"You mean you did not have sexual relations with him?"
"Hey, if you're going to ask me every question twice this is going to take forever." One silent tear slides down her cheek. "Just let me out of here, please."
"Answer the question, Mrs. Tenoh."
"…"
"Answer the question!"
"No! I did not sleep with him!"
"Calm down. I've only one more question."
"Nani?"
"Do…you still love Haruka-san?"
Michiru looks up with tears in her eyes. "Yes… I love her… I have always loved her…and I will always love her."
"She loves ya, now what?"
"There is only one solution to your problem, Tenoh-san… You must work for us."
"What are you doing, Haruka-san?"
"Just giving her a little assignment. She wants to be spontaneous, so I'm gonna allow her to be… I'm offering you a choice. If you work for us, we will drop the charges. If not, you'll go to a federal prison."
"Of course I will."
-.-.-
Haruka and Yaten drop Michiru off at home, and take Seiya to a deserted area.
"Did you think you could fool us forever, Kenji?"
"Matte. You've got the wrong guy. My name's Seiya. There's no reason to kill me. I haven't seen your face."
They remove their masks and Seiya recognizes Haruka.
"Hey, it's you! Ya still interested in that 'vette at all?"
"Hey, Kenji," Yaten interrupts, "your career as a terrorist has been documented."
"No, no, I sell cars. That's all. C'mon guys. I'm not a terrorist. I'm actually a complete coward. If I ever saw a gun I'd-"
They each pull out a gun and point them at him.
"Oh, God! No, no, no, please don't, don't, don't kill me… I'm not a spy. I'm nothing… I have to lie to women to get laid. And I don't score much. Onegai. I'm not worth a bullet. Please."
"You're pathetic," Yaten sighs.
"Get out of here. Just beat it."
They leave him at the side of the road and drive away.
-.-.-
Later, Haruka, Michiru and Hotaru are at dinner. Michiru's been jumpy and shaky all evening.
"So, last night must have been pretty exciting for you?" Haruka asks.
"My- my flat tire? Actually, it was a little scary because…um, the toe truck took such a long time."
Hotaru is wondering what's going on when the phone rings.
"I'll get it… Moshi moshi?"
A muffled voice answers. "Michiru?"
"Uh, hai."
"Listen carefully. In exactly one hour go to the Marquis Hotel. Pick up an envelope at the front desk; and dress sexy."
"Nani! Hello?"
-.-.-
Later, Haruka calls Yaten.
"You've reached an all-time low on this one, I'm tellin' ya," Yaten complains. "I can't believe you're crazy enough to use the suite at the Marquis."
"You think I can afford a suite like that on my salary? Now is everything set up?"
"It's all ready."
-.-.-
Meanwhile, Michiru arrives at the hotel wearing a short, red, form-fitting dress. She picks up the envelope and inside is a small communicator of some sort and a phone number. She calls it and Yaten's distorted voice answers.
"Listen. You are a prostitute named Keiko. Go to the room. There will be a man there. He is a suspected arms dealer."
"No. Wait a minute. Wait… You don't expect me to…you know."
"No. He has particular tastes. He likes to watch. Tell him his regular girl, Ana, is sick. If he likes you he will tell you what to do."
"Shimatta."
"You must plant the bug near the telephone by the bed before you leave. If you do not complete your mission, the deal is off."
Michiru slowly walks to the room and opens the door. She stops, removes her wedding ring, and places it on the opposite hand. She walks into the darkened room and hears quiet, calming music. There is a fireplace to her left, which illuminates the room softly. In front of her is a large window behind a small table holding glasses and champagne. It's raining outside, and the running water calms Michiru's racing pulse.
"Hello," a voice greets her. Michiru peers to her right, and sees a man sitting within the shadows in the adjacent room. She doesn't suspect for a second that it's only Haruka disguising her voice.
"Have some champagne."
Michiru picks up the glass and drinks it's contents.
"Come in here."
She hesitantly walks into the room and puts her hands behind her back. "My name is Keiko. Ana thought you'd like me."
"Enough talking. You may start by unzipping your dress."
Michiru takes a deep breath, turns around, and slowly unzips her dress. She turns back around, and allows it to fall to the floor.
"Good. Now…dance for me."
Michiru, seeing no other choice, reluctantly follows her orders. As the sensuous music picks up tempo, and Michiru gets more and more into her role, Haruka finds it difficult to even stay in her seat. Soon, she can take it no longer, as she watches the love of her life become more seductive than she's ever seen her before.
"Now…lie on the bed and close your eyes."
Michiru doesn't know what to do, as she can't disobey this stranger, yet she can't take the risk of betraying Haruka. "I…I thought you only liked to watch."
"You heard me."
She nods her head and gradually lays back onto the bed. Haruka silently picks up a rose, and walks over to the side of the bed. She looks down at her beautiful angel and smiles.
'I'm sorry I ever made you do this,' she tells Michiru in her thoughts, as she notices her trembling slightly. Haruka puts the rose to Michiru's forehead and gently traces it along her nose and lips and down her neck to her upper chest, where she stops to examine the golden, heart-shaped necklace she had given to her on their honeymoon. Michiru had worn it every day since, never removing the precious symbol of their love. All of Haruka's feelings for this elegant goddess surfaces at once, sending a comfortable chill down her spine. She closes her eyes and leans down to kiss Michiru gently but passionately on the lips. She runs her fingers through her aqua hair as she deepens the kiss further, begging for more from Michiru. However, she has forgotten that her partner is unaware of her presence. Being very frightened and wanting desperately to know this intruder's identity, Michiru gradually opens her eyes. Haruka, still kissing her, detects a change in Michiru's mood. She opens her eyes and is confronted with familiar blue ones. A gasp escapes from both of them; Michiru's being from shock of seeing Haruka; Haruka's caused by the fact that Michiru has actually found out. Sadness and anger tearing trough her at once, Michiru stares wide-eyed at her lover.
"… Haruka?"
"… Hai… It's me… I know it looks bad, but I can explain."
Just then, the door to the room is broken open, and a gang of men barge in, bearing guns and other weapons. Michiru screams, not knowing what to think of the situation; Haruka can't understand how these terrorists managed to find them. They push Haruka onto the bed and handcuff her while Michiru is held at gun point.
"Michi, just do what they say."
"No! She has nothing to do with this."
"That's not true. C'mon guys, let her go. She's not important."
Unfortunately, they are only told to be quiet while being led out to a van where they are driven away to some unknown destination.