Usagi sighed in relief and slouched against the back of the closet. It was so close that she had almost had a heart attack. If Haruka had looked down only one centimeter, she would have seen terrified Usagi. She could still hear Haruka inside the room, still humming and now spraying on that lovely cologne that she often wore. Usagi was beginning to become very uncomfortable on the hard wooden floorboard of the dark closet, and was steadily growing more bored by the second. After squinting her eyes to look for a bag of chips lurking in the corner, Usagi curled up in a ball and fell asleep almost instantly. Sleep was always good for passing the time. She never thought that her monster snoring would catch Haruka's attention, but luckily, the closet walls were thick and combined with Haruka's humming, they were nearly drowned out.
When Usagi awoke, she didn't hear any humming. She didn't hear any footsteps, either. Usagi pressed her ear against the door, listened for any movement, and decided that Haruka must have left the room. She would tell Haruka that she had gotten lost, and there would be no problem. Usagi slowly opened the door and peeked out. No Haruka in sight. She stood up, stretched her arms and legs, pushed the door open, and stepped outside. Usagi walked carefully toward the bedroom door, just in case Haruka was just outside the door. She never knew that she actually could manage such sensible tactics.
She was almost at the door when she heard the voice that at the moment, she feared the most.
"Koneko? What are you doing in here?" Haruka asked. Apparently, she had been looking in the mirror to the side of the closet door.
Usagi froze where she stood, wide-eyed in terror. Haruka could be very violent, and invasion of her privacy would be just the right think to tick her off.
"I didn't hear you come in," she said, combing her now shining hair, and still gazing into the mirror.
Usagi gathered up the courage, and turned toward Haruka. She looked utterly beautiful, not handsome, but actually beautiful Haruka was wearing a classic black tuxedo, Usagi had seen her dressed formally on many occasions, but she never seen her look better. She even thought that she saw a little lipstick on her lips. It made her wondered if Haruka ever wore woman's wear for Michiru.
Usagi shook away the thought and considered Haruka's words: I didn't hear you come in. Had Haruka even seen her come out of her closet? Haruka's reaction gave Usagi a clear answer "no".
"I uhh-uh-uhm, I thought I heard Michiru's car in the driveway?"
That sure sparked Haruka. In only a matter of moments she was out the door and down the stairs. Usagi almost felt bad for lying, but at least Haruka wouldn't ask her any more questions about her presence it her bedroom. But, Michiru would be arriving any time now, so she could have been there anyway. According to the clock on Michiru's dresser, it was already almost three P.M.
Usagi walked over to the window on Michiru's side of the bed and opened the blue silk curtains. She could see Haruka in the main driveway, looking franticly around for a while and then giving up, and trudging back inside, obviously disappointed. Now she felt worse. She could see the hurt on Haruka's face even from two stories up. Usagi walked out of the room and down the stairs, nearly tripping on a few steps. Haruka had just come through the door.
"I uh-I thought it was her…I'm really sorry about that," she tried.
"It's okay. I'm sure that she will be here in a few minutes," Haruka looked as if she were deep in thought. "She loves the sunset on the beach. If she doesn't get here soon, she'll miss it. We usually go there on our…our anniversary." She just wished that she could give that word a new meaning for her and Michiru. She would ask Michiru one of these days, give her a beautiful ring. It would not be official here, but even holding that slip of paper in her hand…it would be bliss.
Usagi guessed that she actually wouldn't get to practice with Michiru toady. She would just have to stay the night in one of the many guest rooms. Haruka still looked like she was in a bit of a daze.
"Hey Haruka? Are you wearing make-up?"
Haruka smiled. "Could you tell? It's just that I had pimple. That's all." Haruka's speech was fluid, but Usagi knew that a pimple wouldn't dare appear on Haruka's body.
"Of course. Well…you look really nice." Usagi was so glad that got that out of her system. "You smell good too."
"Thank you."
Please tell me if you see any mistakes. I will finish this chapter today or the next.