Sapphire Blue Priestess: Michiru's also my fav character in the series too ;) She's awesomely perfect isn't she? Though in my fic, she despises perfection but anyhoo, I myself usually don't read yuri and I never imagined that I would actually write one too! It's quite surprising, but for me, Haruka and Michiru are just right. I don't feel any bit weird writing about them :) Thank you for your review!
Tigonookami: Yep! Making Haruka all hot and sexy is what I love to do. At least, what I hope to do. Yes, she would steal all the women, me included stares starry-eyed. Oh, and about the guy in the first chapter, thanks to you of course (since I actually forgot about dear Kazuki-kun), he'll be making an appearance later on. So don't forget him just yet! And yes, the "chain gang biker dudes" are definitely going to be back. I had them planned out for a while, in fact, they might be here next chapter. And no, I think I'm going to make this fic entirely AU as in no sailor senshi and no pure heart searching. We'll see. Oh my gosh, are you psychic? I was going to kill off Michiru in the end of my fic! Now I can't! Haha, only joking with you ;) Thanks so much for the awesome review!
Haruka-Michiru: Nooo! My story isn't more successful than yours! You only have seven chapters after all. And of course, I know that if you update (hint hint nudge nudge), you're going to get a whole waveful of reviews and you'll simply roll around in them :P Hehe, thank you for the constant support!
Haruka-Clone: lol! Yes, Haruka will go and pollute Michiru's life...though pollute doesn't seem to be the right word. Hehe, welpz, thank you for reading my fic!
MiSTrGosH: Hehe, thank you for taking the time to R&R :) Hope you enjoy the chapter!
freakyicefairy: Yes, the friend is definitely Haruka's lingerie wearing dad. How did you guess? Hehe. We'll see we'll see. Will we see Michiru's parents again? I don't know, we'll have to see won't we? I think I might make this fic very AU, as in, no Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus. But we'll see. I might get a hit of inspiration. And no, Haruka doesn't know that Michiru has attempted suicide. That's a very good question actually. Will she ever find out? Dun dun dun!
Syaoranfan1: Wow! You were the only one to guess correctly that the friend was Setsuna. lol! Congratz and a pat on the back. And will Hotaru come into the story? We'll have to see :) Thanks for the constant support!
shinn: Aww! That was such a sweet review! Thank you so much! And yes, I have so much more trouble planned for Michiru and Haruka that it's going to be a headache to write it. Eee, I'm sorry to hear about your father and you. I'm sure he loves you very much, but doesn't know how to appreciate you or show it in a visible way. Thank you so much for your support and I hope you enjoy reading the rest of this story.
Moonjava: Thank you! I hope you like this chapter too then
Haruka's Knight: Hehe, glad you enjoyed it. This chapter is a bit odd if you ask me, but I hope you like it anyway! Thank you for always taking the time to review.
Knight-Of-The-Wolf: Yeah, Michiru's mother is a huge bum and pain in the arse but I thought it would be more realistic to make her disapprove of the relationship since she wanted a "perfect" daughter, not...well, what Michiru ended up being (not that I think Michiru ended up being anything horrible). Thank you for always reviewing and your reviews always make me smile :)
Saun: Oooh my! I think I read some of your fics before! You're an awesome awesome author by the way and I'm flattered that you reviewed my silly fic. Eh, your comparisons to those various novels like Heathcliff thoroughly confused me since I'm not a hardcore reader ;) But your review made me smile anyway and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer : I do not own Bishoujo Sailor Moon or any of its characters except for Kazuki/Akira/strange people who I made up randomly on the spot. The original manga rightfully belongs to Takeuchi Naoko.
Chapter 10: My Fairytale Life
by Enchanted Ice Star
We had left in such haste that I had completely forgotten another reason in which I had returned to my home in the first place- to get my possessions and everyday things like clothing. Though we were reluctant, we had turned back only to find that a few suitcases were already packed for me and were already waiting on the steps, along with a familiar looking violin case. Haruka and I had glanced at each other questioningly, but picked up the suitcases nonetheless and left without another word.
Now, two days later, we were heading away from the bustling city of Tokyo and the towering skyscrapers that blocked the glowing sun from view. I closed my eyes calmly, feeling the wind whip through my aqua hair and the sound of the road beneath the car's wheels. The ride was smooth and I could feel Haruka's gentle warmth next to me, the atmosphere completely silent, but comforting, with only the gentle notes of another one of my violin CDs playing in the background.
Suddenly the soothing music stopped and was filled with upbeat squealing that sounded like silly high school schoolgirls on ecstasy or something. My brow furrowed in agitation as I cracked one eye open to look at Haruka who was looking straight ahead at the road as if in deep concentration. I knew her better. Haruka was never in deep concentration when she was driving. She simply drove like she ate, like she talked, like everything she did- absolutely smoothly. I opened my other eye as the song blared and went into a chorus that consisted of words like "lollipop" and "twinkly stars".
"I don't think this was on my CD," I began slowly.
"Course not," Haruka answered lightly as we speeded across the flat, wide road with endless green fields on either side of us. She was smiling, that smile of hers that made her eyes dance with some hidden beautiful light. I watched her all the while, already not minding the silly insane music playing in the background. In fact, I felt a sudden giddy urge to sing along as I rummaged through my purse for a pair of sunglasses. The sun was already high above the cloudless sky, beautiful weather for such a beautiful place.
"It's by some group called the...what was it," Haruka's brow wrinkled as she thought deeply, "The Sparkle Sparkle Three Girls or something."
I burst out into giggles and thankfully I had my seatbelt on or else I would have collapsed in front of me and into the windshield due to the laughter racking through my body. I looked at Haruka quizzically, my eyes tearing with mirth. "And why would the great racer Tenoh Haruka have a CD by The Sparkle Sparkle Three Girls?"
"I'm their biggest fan," Haruka replied grimly, eyes still set on the road ahead even though there were absolutely no cars by now except for the occasional truck that went by carrying piles of manure. Even the smell of natural cow dung seemed pleasant to my senses for I was in an absolutely wonderful mood. I felt like nothing could make me frown, except perhaps, for the constant repeat of high-pitched squealing blaring from the sound system of Haruka's Ferrari.
I scowled playfully at Haruka's reply. "Now I don't feel so flattered by the fact that you're a fan of my music," I pretended to look haughty and stuck my chin up ever so slightly. "If you believe me to be at their level of musical talent, I hope you'd reconsider yourself as one of my fans."
Haruka raised a thin blonde eyebrow and finally turned to look at me. "Oh, I think the great Kaioh Michiru is finally growing a bighead."
"Of course," I shot back airily but ended up smiling childishly again, shaking my head as my cheeks turned a light pink. "Oh really Haruka! Where did you get this...this thing from?" I jabbed a finger at the sound system awkwardly.
Haruka's false serious demeanor cracked and a lopsided grin found its way onto her dashing features. She swerved the car onto another road, this one smaller and leading into a small market-like area full of organic fruit selling shops. She gave me a sideways glance, her eyes still dancing with inward laughter. "Well actually, it was in one of your suitcases."
"What?" I blinked rapidly.
"That was my reaction precisely when I found it on top of some lovely lingerie," Haruka continued on with her explanation as if she were making a speech on the negative effects of global warming or something just as grim and proper. "Then, I proceeded to stare at the package in confusion, because it was still stamped and unopened and it looked rather suspicious--"
"You opened my mail?" I cut in abruptly.
Haruka blushed faintly and tried to look like a picture of innocence as she blew a strand of blonde hair away from her eyes. "I was trying to do you a favour! Honest! It looked like a package that contained, you know, a bomb or something just as dangerous. And look what it was! It did end up being dangerous," Haruka's voice lowered dramatically as something along the lines of "be my sunshine happy melon" echoed loudly from the speakers and I could not help but giggle again at Haruka's expression of utter horror. "Anyway, so I opened it and it ended up being this CD and supposedly this group is a big fan of your music and wanted to send you a copy of their first debut album for free so you'd support them in the near future. That's what it said on the slip of paper attached to the CD cover. You know, it was autographed and all too. Could be worth a fortune when these girls become something big."
"Oh," I stuttered at the sudden wave of information. "Oh," I repeated, as reality sank in. So I had fans that were like...that were like The Sparkle Sparkle Three Girls. Suddenly, I wondered if my music was any good at all if this was the kind of attention I attracted and this was the kind of music I inspired in aspiring musical artists. I leaned back heavily in my leather seat and stared ahead at the expanse of country land ahead of us. "Oh," I repeated again.
Haruka cracked a huge grin and she finally starting chuckling, all the while shaking her head in disbelief. "And you were one of the top students at Mugen Academy too. Kami-san! What to do."
I stopped staring wide-eyed at the road ahead and turned to her, suspicion already rising in my muddled mind. I narrowed my blue eyes at her and crossed my arms lightly over my chest. "What do you mean by that, Tenoh-san?"
She cringed at the formal address but replied rather smoothly nonetheless. "What I mean is that no, The Sparkle Sparkle Three Girls aren't one of your biggest fans, and that no, I did not open your mail without your consent, and that the reality of it all is that some cereal company simply included a copy of their first single in the cereal box as a special promotion offer," she finished this all while keeping a straight face, which I had to give her credit for.
I wanted to be slightly annoyed by Haruka and her ways of teasing me, but I found myself unable to be any bit annoyed- only relieved. Thank goodness my music wasn't influencing people to write songs about sparkling watermelons and sunshine daisies. I sighed again, out of relief, and attempted to look peeved as Haruka's eyes dance with suppressed mirth again.
"Thank you for the explanation Haruka," I began calmly and placed my hands daintily in my lap, smoothing out my sky blue skirt before I did so. Then, as I decided on what to do next, I let one hand turn off the intolerable music and silence fell around us. I quietly undid my seatbelt, tucking a strand of loose hair behind my ear before I glanced at Haruka who was now distracted from the road.
"What are you doing Michiru?" She asked, her tone slightly confused.
"I don't know," I whispered, leaning over the gear shift to whisper into her ear, my breath hot against her skin. "I just have a sudden urge to be near you, my sweet sunshine buttercup and twinkly star lover," I said slowly, resting one hand against the back of her seat for balance. "I think their music makes me kind of...strange," I continued just as softly as I ran my other hand through her hair, my knees being another form of balance as they were the only thing touching my seat now.
"Michiru," Haruka's voice seemed to want to hold a sense of warning, but her voice cracked slightly at my slow caresses on her collarbone. "You do realize we're in a car right now and I'm driving and you should be sitting down."
"Don't be so serious, buttercup," I nearly burst out giggling but somehow managed to retain it as I let my one hand wander aimlessly while the other gripped onto Haruka's headrest for support. My mouth was still hovering just a breathe away from her ear, and I decided to start singing gently the chorus of that wonderful, happy little tune of The Sparkle Sparkle Three Girls' first single. "You're my wings to the sky..." my hand skirted underneath her blouse, "my rainbow to the stars..."
I heard Haruka swallow rather thickly and a small smile formed on my light pink lips. My hand paused at a particularly sensitive spot and I began singing again, "You're gonna be my sunshine happy melon..."
"Michiru!" Haruka finally scowled and did a rather harsh turn around the road and I fell back into my seat, giggling as I did so.
"Don't tell me you didn't enjoy that," I managed to say through my wave of laughter, my eyes tearing as I shifted myself around and back into a comfortable position in my seat, clicking my seatbelt back into place as I did so.
Haruka's face was slightly pink, much to my delight, and her hair seemed even more disheveled as she ran a furtive hand through her blonde locks. She cleared her throat stiffly and nodded ahead of us towards the distance. "We're almost there," she stated in the most calm and composed voice she could muster.
I smiled gently and decided that I had teased her enough. "You know, you never did tell me much about this friend of yours."
"She's nice," Haruka answered vaguely.
I raised a thin eyebrow. "How nice?"
"Very nice."
I huffed slightly. "You're not being very descriptive."
"You know me," Haruka shrugged slightly. "I'm not big for words."
"But we're going to all live together," I mumbled, "and all I know about this woman is that she's...well, nice."
"You two will get along fine," the blonde racer reassured and started to slow down as we arrived in front of a spacious front lawn that was neatly kept, grass verdant and smelling like it had just been freshly cut. There were nice, round stepping stones leading to the double white doors surrounded by various bushes and plants that looked just as well kept as the lawn itself. The mansion, though smaller in size than my old home, was painted a beautiful snow white. All in all, the setting seemed strangely peaceful and calming, like a picture from a storybook.
"It's beautiful," I managed to say as we got out of the car, Haruka swiftly locking it with a resounding 'beep' issuing from the car. Haruka went around the back and opened the trunk, getting out our suitcases. I started towards her to help, but she nodded towards the front door with a small smile.
"You go ring the doorbell."
I looked at her slightly wide-eyed before nodding shortly, though I felt slightly out of place for ringing the door of someone I didn't know. Taking a small breath, I started towards the front door and tentatively pushed a finger on the doorbell, hearing a distant buzzing sound ringing from within. I clasped my hands in front of myself and wanted to laugh at how silly I was acting. Perhaps it was just the fact that this was everything I ever dreamed of. I was utterly and completely free from everything that had bound me before. It made me short of breath to simply think of it...
"You must be Michiru-san."
I had been so deep in thought that I hadn't realized the door swinging open to reveal a tall, beautiful woman with endless jade coloured hair and deep, ruby eyes that held such depth in them that I thought I was looking into an endless tunnel of another world. She was dressed in a smart looking lavender blazer and a matching skirt that reached her knees. I knew from Haruka's brief and general information that she was a few years older, but she didn't elaborate on how many years older.
Remembering my manners, I tilted my head slightly and offered a kind smile. "Hai, Kaioh Michiru," I stuck out my hand daintily for her to shake.
She did so with a small mysterious smile on her lips that were painted a sort of maroon colour. In fact, her whole demeanor seemed awfully poised and dignified and I knew I could respect this woman with no problem whatsoever. "I'm Meioh Setsuna, I'm sure Haruka has told you already."
"Actually, no," I looked over my shoulder with raised eyebrows to catch Haruka's gaze. She was currently lugging over two suitcases in both arms and stopped short beside me, giving Setsuna-san a smile.
"Setsuna," she acknowledged with a nod of her head.
"Haruka," Setsuna's smiled widened ever so slightly and she moved aside for Haruka and I to step into the spacious entrance. "You didn't tell me your friend was Kaioh Michiru," she turned to catch my gaze again. "In fact, I went to one of your art exhibitions three months ago. It was breathtaking."
"Thank you," I slipped out of my shoes and watched as Haruka rushed out of the house again. "Do you need any help?" I called out to her, but she merely turned briefly to shake her blonde head.
"We don't want you to ruin your beautiful violin fingers do we?" She responded and was obscured from view again by the trunk of the car. I couldn't help but smile at Haruka's considerate side and turned back to give Setsuna an amused look.
The older woman shook her head slightly. "I haven't seen Haruka for a year and I can already tell that she has changed...quite a lot," her eyes seemed distant for a moment as she looked at me with those eyes that seemed to hold so much wisdom.
"Haruka never did tell me much about you," I started tentatively. "I have no idea how you two met, or what...or what sort of past you two had." I wondered if my words seemed strange, but Setsuna's expression did not change.
"We met a few years ago," Setsuna explained in an almost wistful tone. "She was only thirteen and I was sixteen. By then, she was already trying to live alone and fight through all the troubles life had given her. I was alone then, too," she smiled slightly, though it did not reach her eyes. "I'm...always alone," I thought I heard her mumble under her breath before Haruka stepped through the threshold again with two more suitcases, ending our conversation.
"Done," she stated, dropping them at her feet and shutting the door behind her.
I instinctively went to her and took one of her hands, gently rubbing them with my fingers as if to relieve them of any stress. She looked down at me, a small smile playing on her lips while I simply stared back at her. "Better?" I whispered softly.
She nodded in response before Setsuna made a strange sort of noise and we parted abruptly.
The older woman stared at us, her eyes dancing with a knowing glow in them that made me blush. "Haruka," Setsuna addressed the tall blonde slowly. "I think you were being even less informative than I thought. Not only did you not tell me Michiru was Michiru, but I think you misused the term friend."
Haruka smirked slightly and plastered an innocent look on her face. "Well, if I told you everything there was to know then you wouldn't be surprised."
"I'm not surprised," Setsuna answered swiftly. "I'm never surprised," she added as an afterthought before laughing softly. "But really, I'm not all that surprised that Tenoh Haruka did get herself quite a lovely friend. And might I add that I haven't seen you in only a year. You sure keep yourself busy, Haruka."
"I have my ways," Haruka answered casually and drew an arm around my waist. "So, aren't you going to settle us in and we can all catch up afterwards?"
"Of course," Setsuna waved a hand towards the stairs, picking up one of our suitcases as we did so. I felt compelled to do some work and bent down to take one of my own suitcases but Haruka took my arm gently in hers and chuckled lightly into my ear.
"Didn't I tell you already? I'll take care of everything," her breath tickled my ear and sent a shiver down my spine as she bent down and took both her and my suitcase in her hands and followed after Setsuna who was already halfway up the stairs. I bit my lip slightly and followed them up nonetheless, feeling somewhat unhelpful. Haruka, strangely enough, seemed to sense this and shifted around the objects she was carrying so that one suitcase was clutched underneath her arm while the other was in her hand.
"If you really feel like holding something, then take this."
I stared at her outstretched empty hand. "Take what?"
She blinked and waved her empty hand again. "Are you teasing me Michiru?"
I finally understood her and immediately took her hand in mine, still staring at her somewhat quizzically. "I don't think I'm helping you though," I confessed. "Actually, I think I'm making it more difficult for you to carry everything."
Setsuna, who was already at the top of the stairs, rolled her eyes once at the sight of us making our way up the stairs hand in hand, suitcases tucked under armpits and straining to maintain our balance. She tucked a strand of her long, flowing hair behind her ear and laughed in amusement. "I guess you two would rather stay in the same room I presume?"
My mouth opened to say something, but nothing came out. Thankfully, Haruka seemed awfully composed and simply grinned cheekily. "Of course Setsuna, you weren't thinking of separating us were you?"
"No, I don't think that's possible," the older woman responded dryly and pointed down the hall. "The room at the very end of the hallway has a queen-sized bed and a walk-in closet. I'm pretty sure that's enough room to accommodate you both."
I opened my mouth again and wondered how everyone could be acting so calmly about everything. But once again, nothing came out and Haruka was already pulling me along with her towards the end of the hall. I looked over my shoulder at Setsuna's amused expression and could only manage a quick 'thank you'. Turning back to look up at Haruka's neutral facial expression, I frowned ever so slightly. "It's almost as if everything is suppose to be this way."
"It is suppose to be this way," Haruka declared heavily.
I looked at her dubiously. "Demo...Setsuna-san doesn't seem the least bit surprised that well, you're, well, with me, and that I'm with you and that we're completely together--"
She had silenced me by placing the tip of her nose against mine, teal eyes staring back at me with dancing mischievous light. "Sometimes you can be so cute Michiru and I feel so happy that I'm one of the few that can ever see Kaioh Michiru stutter and look absolutely confused."
"Haruka!" I pulled back and tried to look disapproving, but my eyes betrayed me for they were also shining with suppressed laughter.
"I'm only speaking the truth," Haruka said in defense and opened the door to our new room, which was just as spacious as Setsuna had described. There were glass doors leading to a balcony that overlooked an outdoor pool in the backyard, already adding to my budding excitement of staying here. The carpet was a calming blue and the walls were painted a simple white. True to Setsuna's words, there was but one queen-sized bed off to the right side of the room while opposite it stood a door that most probably lead to the closet. A vanity desk was nearby, as was a television, and a lengthy skylight stretched across the left side of the ceiling.
"It's lovely," I noted and stepped further into the room, automatically heading towards the glass doors to press one hand against it. "I think...I think everything couldn't be any better." I gazed at the sparkling water below, looking so welcoming and absolutely placid. I felt an urge to break its smooth surface and feel the cool liquid embrace me, but I decided that swimming could wait until later. After all, we were going to be staying here for a very long time.
I turned around to look at Haruka who was watching me with affectionate eyes. I smiled. "Are you sure Setsuna-san won't mind us staying with her?"
"Of course I don't mind, Michiru-san," Setsuna herself appeared at our door, currently wrapping half of her hair into a quick bun at the top of her head. She stuck a chopstick into it to hold it in place before speaking again. "This mansion is empty, quiet, and lonely. I couldn't be happier that Haruka and you are here now."
I couldn't help but smile again. I decided that I had never smiled so much in my lifetime before and couldn't help but feel absolutely lighthearted and cheerful. Tucking a stray strand of aqua hair behind my ear, I turned to look at Setsuna again. "Just call me Michiru."
"If only you'll call me Setsuna."
I nodded ever so slightly and turned back to gaze into the large backyard, pass the swimming pool to the small Japanese styled garden in the far corner. I took it all in, ready to embrace everything that was so fresh and new around me, away from all the city noise and people that made my life so difficult. It was strange, but I felt quite like a little girl then, excited to see anything new for the first time. I knew Haruka and Setsuna couldn't see my face at the moment, for my back was currently turned towards them, but if they could, they would see me smiling so widely that my cheeks hurt and my eyes dancing and sparkling quite like the pool water below us.
I couldn't help it though, because this was my fairytale life and it had come true.
Out here in the countryside, the air seemed cooler and cleaner, chilling to my lungs when I took a deep breath but so utterly calming that I felt nothing could ever faze me again. I was floating almost lazily on my back, in the backyard pool, the sky a deep royal blue speckled with a million stars that were impossible to see back in the centre of Tokyo. I tentatively raised one arm towards those shining jewels, tracing a constellation with one finger. I felt like I could almost touch them. What would stars feel like in my hands?
I had gotten all I could ever dream for...and suddenly, reaching for stars and grabbing a handful didn't seem so farfetched anymore. I let my hand drop back into the water, letting my body drift and drift...I shut my eyes, listening to the beautiful sounds around me. Crickets, birds, a television blaring out the daily news added to the soft noises of nature.
"Are you leaving me alone again?"
My eyes slowly opened. I was not startled, for I had felt Haruka's presence nearby seconds before she spoke. It was strange. I felt like I was a part of her sometimes. She was leaning on one of the ladders to the pool, elbow balanced on the silver handle. She was dressed in a navy loose blouse that she hadn't tucked in, hanging almost to her knees that were hidden by a pair of black slacks. I smiled at her serenely, still floating on my back and enjoying the mere atmosphere of a calm night.
"What makes you say that, Haruka?" I asked softly.
She smiled that dashing smile of hers and a ran a hand through her messy hair. "Every time you're in the water, and when you close your eyes, I feel as if you're elsewhere. Far away, places I'd never be able to go to."
"You can join me if you want," I offered, looking up at the sky again.
I heard her laugh. "Being in the pool wasn't what I meant."
"Then what do you mean?" I questioned with budding curiousity. "I'm in the pool, aren't I? I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."
"I guess not," Haruka finally replied somewhat sheepishly. "I'm just being silly."
"No...I think you're just frightened," I said gently, diving into the water and disappearing for a few minutes before reappearing right in front of her by the ladder. I held onto one railing, the one Haruka's elbow was resting on, and looked up at her with steady eyes. "I'm not ever going to leave you alone, Haruka."
"That's...comforting," she confessed, bending down to be closer, though there was still distance for I was still half submerged in water while Haruka was standing on the cool concrete surrounding the pool. Her gaze suddenly went soft, somewhat sad and wistful as she reached out with one hand to tilt my chin upwards towards her face. I stared at her in question, but her face remained somewhat sad. I looked at her worriedly.
She finally cracked a smile, though it did not look very happy. "Are you sure Michiru?"
"...About what?"
"Being with me," she said with a sigh, letting her hand slip away but I was quicker and took her retreating hand into my own wet one. I held onto it tightly and shook my head vehemently.
"What are you saying, Haruka? Don't be silly."
She smirked, "It's just that...will you regret this Michiru? Do you regret this? Will you ever hate me for taking you out of your perfect life? Your perfect world? Your world full of endless fame and fortune? Your path to being a world known violinist? Your future of an artist? Will you...will you one day look back and realize what a huge mistake you made? For leaving all that behind for me?"
I couldn't believe the words leaving her mouth. How could she not know how grateful I was that she had taken me away? I thought she understood the pain I had felt back in Tokyo. Back in my supposedly perfect life. My grip tightened painfully on her hand and I could not stop shaking my head. "Haruka, you really are silly," I managed to say with a strained voice. "You're my perfect life. My perfect world. You provide me with endless happiness, with smiles I could never have before." I leaned in closer to the ladder, placing one foot on one of the steps for balance. "I will never regret this."
Haruka was silent for a few minutes, staring off into the distance as we stayed like that, basking in the words we had just exchanged. Finally, she returned the pressure and gave my hand a gently squeeze, helping me lift myself out of the pool. I sat myself on the edge and tilted my head at her, offering a gentle smile as I did so.
"I just...I guess...I feel a little guilty," Haruka confessed awkwardly. "Every time someone comments on something you once accomplished, I feel this weird pang in my chest. I feel like I've taken the future away from you."
"Haruka," I reached for her and held onto her firmly, not caring if I was getting her all wet with pool water. A droplet of water trailed from my hair and landed on my hand, trickling down my elbow and finally landing with a gentle splash on the ground. "You gave me my future. I could never imagine myself so happy...I thought...I thought I would always be back in that mansion, crying, crying...always crying for someone to help me, to let me out of my cage...I thought I would suffocate there, be left there to waste away...but you came. You pulled me out. I don't know why you think I'll ever regret any of this, because I know I won't."
"Michiru," I felt Haruka finally give in and lean her weight against mine. She ran a hand through my hair, playing with my aqua strands with her long fingers before pausing to look at me.
I gazed back at her, feeling that overwhelming wave of affection again. I wanted to tell her. I wanted to tell her that I loved her. But I was scared. Why was I always scared? I finally let out a breath that I had held in and whispered, "Will it always be like this?"
"Like what?"
"This," I heaved a sigh. "Just us, together, under the stars...making all the little crickets and mosquitoes envious."
"Of course," Haruka responded mischievously, "and even Setsuna jealous."
"Setsuna?" I blinked up at her in question.
She nodded towards the mansion and I peeked a look, noticing that Setsuna had made her way towards the kitchen window on the second floor that overlooked the pool. She was watching us with amusement, though I knew she had caught me looking back at her for she had turned away again with a bowl in one of her hands. I giggled into my hand.
The night air was suddenly chillier, and I had an urge to sneeze. Haruka seemed to sense this and picked me up swiftly with both arms, walking the both of us back into the warm air of the indoors. I felt that fear washing away then, disappearing into nothingness as I felt Haruka's strong arms around me. She would always be here to carry me, to hold me, to walk miles with me and even more. Why was I scared? Nothing was going to happen.
"Haruka," I began hesitantly.
She looked down at me in question, her teal eyes soft. I had never seen her look at anyone with such a gaze and it made me feel so loved. I gazed back at her and smiled, raising my head up to plant a featherlike kiss on her nose. "I love you, Haruka," I whispered softly, gently, but so surely. I looked into her eyes, searching for her answer, wondering if I had said the wrong thing. Silence.
I shook gently with anticipation. Perhaps I had said things too soon. Perhaps I had scared her. I quickly looked away but I felt Haruka's hand turn my chin towards her again. She was smiling, a small but beautiful smile that made her eyes dance brighter than any of the stars hanging in the night sky. She laughed, lightly, and leaned closer to plant a strong, firm kiss on my lips. She pulled back and smiled again.
"...Me too, Michiru."
I felt my lips spreading into a smile, but something in my mind yearned to hear those three distinct words from Haruka's mouth. Yet...I knew simply acknowledging love was difficult for Haruka, and for her to make any form of accepting it was enough for me. Then again, I knew I didn't really have to hear it from her anyways. I could see it in her eyes. I knew it was a silly way to think of it, but I felt like I could. Love wasn't something tangible, but for me, I felt like it was the most tangible thing on earth. It was Haruka for me. Love was Haruka. Love is Haruka. Love was anything to do with Haruka. Her smell, her face, her eyes, her nose, her hands. Everything.
"Maybe having you two here wasn't such a good idea after all."
We both looked up simultaneously to catch Setsuna watching us with dancing garnet eyes. She laughed lightly and turned to head up the stairs. "I'll pretend I didn't see or hear anything."
"Setsuna," Haruka scowled, though she was smiling too.
"I'm glad," Setsuna said slowly, pausing at the base of the stairs. "I'm glad..." she repeated, and caught Haruka's gaze, "that you found happiness in life."
Haruka nodded, "Thank you."
Setsuna nodded back and headed up the stairs, long hair swishing behind her like a jaded curtain. I glanced back up at Haruka and made an odd expression on my face. "Sometimes I feel like Setsuna knows everything."
"She does," Haruka answered jokingly.
I raised an eyebrow. "Nani?"
She laughed, "I know what you mean...but, she's sort of like us," Haruka said, looking up the stairs to where Setsuna had disappeared to. "We've all been through things where we needed someone to pull us out. She had to pull herself out. She's a survivor. We're all survivors."
"You make it sound so morbid," I teased and got back onto my own two feet. "And I feel anything but."
"How do you feel then, Michiru?"
"You know how feel," I laughed. I started up the stairs but felt two arms encircle my waist and pull me back. I frowned slightly. "Haruka, I'm still in my bathing suit you know."
"I know," Haruka whispered into my ear. "That's better though. Less to take off."
"Haruka," I pouted.
"What?" She muttered innocently and carried me up the stairs.
"Sometimes I think you think that I can't walk."
"I just don't want you to be too tired."
"You're spoiling me."
"You deserve it."
I smiled softly, drowning into her affectionate teal eyes. I didn't know then that I should have held onto each and every moment to heart. I did though, but I still should have held harder. Held onto each smile she gave me, each sweet word and each sweet action. I should have paused life then and there, frozen us in place like a large painting. We would be preserved forever, in the pages of my fairytale life. Happiness would be the only feeling we felt and nothing would ever break it.
But reality was different. Reality was always different than what I wanted.
I should have held on harder.
AN: A bit of foreshadowing there. That's all. Hope you guys liked the chapter. It is, sadly, the last truly "all-happy-no-problem" chapter if you get what I mean. Uh, and just to address the total randomness of "The Sparkle Sparkle Three Girls", I basically was inspired by Japanese (or Asian in general) stationay. You kow you know? Like those little pretty sheets of paper that always have fancy little clouds and cartoon characters and something like "My long lost love, happy autumn leaves, dance"? Lol...if you have no idea what I mean, well, just think of me as crazy then ;) The next chapter is going to be a time jump, as in, I'm going to speed up time a little. Hehe, well, reviews are appreciated and loved as usual! Once again, until next time all you lovely people )