((Wow…two months and a nine-paged chapter later…!

Being kicked off the family computer isn't fun, but I suppose that when I got back on, all my ideas just sort of…burst out, and I got this: my longest chapter yet.

Story by the one and only Michie.

Haruka and Michiru aren't mine. I want them, though. The sexyfulness…

You'll notice in this that I've finally planned out their whole stay, and thus, the rest of the story. There will be surprises, though, many of which I don't even know about yet.

Saun: Oooh, thank you for all of the kind words. I love all of your stories and have much respect for; you are one of my favorite authors and your website(s) are quite nice as well!

Pork: You are brutally honest without really stating the point, aren't you? Not to worry! Michie loves constructive criticism. I know where you live…

Haruka-Clone: Ah yes, watch out for Haruka's father…he'll come into play more in the next few chapters. Right now, he's just "working". Right.

Everyone else who left an anonymous review: Thank you! Your kind words mean a lot to me! They keep me writing fan fiction

Read it, review it, and keep bothering me to write more!))

Curling up into herself and gathering the bedcovers around her, Michiru shivered. Though the room wasn't too big, the house was old and the heating system had to be at least slightly outdated. Of course, there was that extra factor of not having Haruka to keep her warm either. She smiled to herself. Though her lover was a late sleeper, somewhat restless, and shoved all of the covers onto her in summertime, Michiru couldn't help but love Haruka. She generally gave Michiru her space when she needed it, which was wonderful in itself.

Sitting up, she turned on the pink lamp next to the bed and pulled her watch out of the drawer. Glancing at it, she sighed. It was close to two in the morning. Softly, faintly, through the lacy curtains, she could see the moon reflecting off the calm snow. Flicking off the lamp, she crawled back into bed, trying to find the warm silhouette she had left behind.

Blinking open her eyes to the morning, Haruka stared at the ceiling above her. This wasn't her room. Nor was it the guest bedroom, where she occasionally spent the night. Memories of the previous evening fell onto her memory like a heavy weight, and suddenly, the day seemed significantly less promising. Groaning, she stumbled out of bed, where she was assaulted by the immediate cold.

Shrugging on the navy robe that had been brutally yanked from her suitcase, Haruka wandered her way out of the darkened room. Down the hall, she noticed that her companion's door was slightly ajar. Peering inside, the racer saw no sign of Michiru, though the bed was neatly made. Smiling to herself, Haruka wandered her way back to her room to put on her slippers.

At the sight of her messy bed, she flopped back onto the welcoming comforter. There was that ceiling again, white with slight lines where wet paint had once been. Not the soft blue of her own room, the private sanctuary for the lovers, not the dark lavender of her child's, where she would spend evenings reading stories of adventures and glory, or telling myths and legends about Greek goddesses and Egyptian pharaohs. And this was not even the pale yellow of the guest room, where she spend the night every once in a while, having been exiled from the comfort of her own bed by a moody and upset Michiru.

No, this was a new ceiling, a new place. This was no refuge, but an asylum that would drive her to insanity.

Light danced on the paint-streaks above her head. Morning. But how early? If Michiru was already awake, she should probably get up too. Nearly falling over as she stood up from the sudden rush of blood, Haruka stumbled down the winding staircase, gently pulling at her bathrobe to make sure it securely hid her pajama-clad figure.

It was just as she remembered from her childhood. The house was quiet, except for the soft clinking of dishes from the kitchen somewhere to her right. Her father was most likely at work, finishing up some business before his wife dragged him home for the holiday. Yoko was probably doing some quick dusting or finishing up dishes from the previous night, and Kouichi would be driving over soon. The butler spent December and June with his sister and her family, who lived about an hour away in the suburbs.

As for Haruka's mother, the racer could remember several morning events, any one of which could be happening on this winter day. Some days Shioko would be eating an early breakfast by herself, or with an occasional guest. Other days, the woman couldn't be found; Haruka guessed that she was taking a walk, had gotten a ride into town from the butler to do some early shopping (to "avoid the horrendous crowds"), or she had gone with her husband on one of his days off to a breakfast at some small café somewhere.

And sometimes, though rarely, Shioko slept in.

Wandering into the kitchen, Haruka searched around for some breakfast food. Yoko stood over the sink, scrubbing a pan vigorously, her face contorted in an unreadable expression. Flinging open cupboards, the young woman sought out a box of cereal, a packet of pancake mix, or perhaps even a loaf of bread and a toaster. Nothing.

"Yoko-san, what have you done with the breakfast food?"

"If you want, Haruka-san, I can make you something. An egg, perhaps, or some bacon?"

"No, that's all right. I just need to know where everything is, having not been here for as long as I have."

"I got rid of the cereal when you left; you were the only one who liked it. Your mother isn't fond of pancakes, but I do have some mix, if you'd like. There's plenty of bacon-"

"My father and his bacon," snorted Haruka.

"-and we have eggs, ham, sausage, plenty of bread…" The maid stopped her washing and looked up. "What will it be?"

"Ah…has Michiru had breakfast yet?"

Yoko smiled. "You two are more than just friends, aren't you?"

Taken aback by the sudden comment, Haruka didn't know how to respond. "Well…we…ah, I suppose you could…err, perhaps. Yes, actually, yes. Is it that obvious?"

Shaking her head and obviously amused, the maid answered. "I don't have a problem with it, my nephew is, well, like that too. You and Michiru-san do a rather well job of hiding it, but I suppose it's just with your parents being as strange as they are. The way you look at her, though, and the way she talks about you…I had my ideas. Seeing you upstairs last night confirmed it for me."

Haruka looked at the ground, grinning. "The way Michiru talks, I'm surprised my mother hasn't figured it out by now. Or my father, for that matter, with him being so…well-versed in the ways of women."

Yoko glanced up, sharply. "Ten'ou-san is a good man. He has his weaknesses, but doesn't everyone?" She wandered over to the refrigerator and took out a couple of eggs.

"Didn't you see him, staring at Michiru? And the allegations with that woman, years ago, and do you honestly believe he's working twelve hours on a Saturday? What about my mother?"

"What about your mother?"

"Doesn't she see it? Doesn't she care?"

Yoko took a moment before answering. "Shioko-san sees what she wants to see. Perhaps it's the way her lifestyle has made her, but in her mind's eye, your father is a devoted businessman and a loving husband, though sometimes he works more that necessary, and you're her sweet little girl who needs a bit of work, but will someday marry a rich, handsome fellow and make her proud. So, you see, I don't feel sorry for her. She's living in a fantasy she's created herself."

"I suppose that's one way of putting it," Haruka mused, "but how obvious must I make it, without telling her, that I'm not going to be that little girl?"

"Even telling her wouldn't do it, it'll just be one of those "phases". She'll never give up on making you how she wants you to be. Eggs are done."

"Yoko-san, I told you I would make them! You didn't have to do that."

Scooping the white blobs onto a plate, the shorter lady sprinkled a bit of pepper on them, and handed them to Haruka. "Haruka-san, you've always been my favorite member of this family. I've known you since you were a little girl, and making a few more eggs for you isn't too much to ask." She reached up and gave the powerful woman in front of her a hug, which Haruka returned with her free arm.

"Ah…I suppose that's a good thing," the racer laughed quietly. "I can honestly say that it's been a pleasure talking to you. Now, to eat these without having to talk to my mother…" She strode out of the kitchen door.

Yoko called out from behind her. "Oh, Michiru-san did have breakfast already; I made her some eggs and toast. She loves talking about you, you know."

"What did you two talk about?" Haruka stopped and turned.

"I just wanted to know how you were doing, without me, you know," Yoko chuckled. As Haruka started out once more, she called to her again. "This Setsuna seems like a woman after my own heart."

Haruka got a good laugh out of that. It was true.

---

Just as she finished her eggs, Shioko found her.

"Haruka-chan! I was hoping you would be awake." She glanced down at her daughter's ruffled appearance. "And dressed…but ah well, that can come later. I have to give you the tour of the house!"

"Mother, I lived here for fifteen years. I know my childhood home."

"Oh, but I've changed things!"

Quickly changing the subject, Haruka asked, "Where's Michiru right now?"

"That girl…" The elder Ten'ou woman beamed. "I showed her a bit of the gardens, but only what you can see from the inside of the house. It's much too cold to go outside. Then we had muffins and coffee, and she told me just a bit about your lifestyle. She seemed a bit reluctant to discuss some things…but, oh, I had no idea she was so successful!

"She had already eaten, she said, so after I gave her the tour of the house, I left her in the sunroom. Last I checked, she was reading some book with an odd title."

Leave it to Michiru to omit the details, though Haruka. "All right, what's the plan for today then? I suppose you have the whole week figured out, like you did when we took vacations?"

Not sensing her daughter's heavy sarcasm, the older woman started in on the agenda for the whole week. "Haruka-chan, you know your mother too well! But, five days isn't very much to plan. Today, we won't be doing much. I'll have my gardening club over for dinner, and I expect you and your lovely friend to join us."

"Mother, you don't garden." Haruka was clearly puzzled, but Shioko shushed her and continued with the explanation.

"As I said, not much to do. The next day, your father will have his card club over in the evening, while I start to plan out the party. You can play with them if you wish, but I do tend to avoid them; they get quite rough when they've been drinking, and can be quite rude. Not the best place for a young woman like yourself.

"The third day, I'll be finishing up the main planning for the party. If you'd like, you can help me with the catering company, the musicians, figuring out all of the little details and such. Otherwise, Kouichi has agreed to show Michiru around the gardens that day, and you're welcome to join them

"I've made your father get the next day off of work. He was upset, the poor man, said he planned to have his holiday vacation start Christmas Eve, but you know how he is, can't resist me." She sighed lovingly. "The three of us will go wherever you want. We want to get reacquainted with our little girl, you know!"

"Three? But, what about Michiru?"

"Ah, yes! Yes, I'd forgotten about her when I made the restaurant reservations. But, I'm sure she won't mind, being the sweet girl that she is. Perhaps I can leave her to hire the musicians…she certainly knows enough."

"I can't believe this. You're going to make her work on your party while we leave her to go have 'fun'?" Haruka exclaimed. "Why can't we change the reservations? We'll probably end up being at a table for four anyways."

Shioko's eye's flashed dangerously. "Haruka-chan, don't forget your mother always knows what she's doing. We haven't had a day alone with you for years, and it will turn out well. If you have to, I can talk to Michiru-san myself. Unlike you, she's a very well mannered young lady. Perhaps you could learn something from her.

"Now, to continue with our schedule. Where was I…ah! Of course, Christmas Eve will be the night of the party…during the day, though, I expect you to get all rested up. You can spend time with your friend then."

Haruka sighed, rather loudly. No one could ever explain anything to her mother when she had made up her mind.

"Oh, Haruka-chan, it should be so magical! I have to make sure to get the best of everything; it's been a while since you've been home and I want to make sure I make you feel welcome!"

"Mother, I don't think that hosting a huge celebration is the best way to do that…"

"So sweet, to be concerned about me! But don't worry, everything should go well. I've invited Nakamura-san, and his family, and Tanaka-san; he has a son just a little older than you. And of course, Shiroki-san, and little old Karina-chan!"

"Mother, the woman is over sixty! Must you refer to her like that?"

"Oh, I'm polite to her, of course. Your father has also invited most of his office, and several of his friends. All in all, perhaps over a hundred people. Perhaps more, if they bring their families…"

---

An hour later and after dressing herself, Haruka decided that she could wait no longer to go find Michiru, so she started off in the direction of the sunroom. Upon reaching the sunny, open space, she was greeted with the roar of Yoko's vacuum, but no Michiru.

Where had she gone? The racer checked both bedrooms, nothing. A quick glance into the kitchen yielded no one, and the ballroom was empty, echoing in its own misery. Finally, wandering around aimlessly, Haruka simply assumed that Michiru had gone for a walk on her own. She wasn't worried about her…well, perhaps just a little, she allowed herself to think. The violinist wasn't ignorant, just as she wasn't defenseless. A Sailor Soldier could take care of herself.

And by chance, Haruka passed by the open door of a nearby room, spotted a familiar slender form, and stopped.

The library! Haruka had forgotten about the library.

Michiru glanced up as her partner entered the dimly lit room. "Your family has quite a selection. The Odyssey, translated sonnets of Shakespeare, Pride and Prejudice. And this little volume right here." She held up a worn green-covered volume, English lettering fading on the front.

"Ah-! That's…"

"Romeo and Juliet. Perhaps the only volume in this collection that's been well read, and several times by the looks of it. I didn't know you liked romantic tragedies by English playwrights."

"I was learning English, and it looked better than Gone With the Wind. Not to mention that there's a Japanese translation somewhere in there too, which made it easier for me."

Michiru laughed, a melodious, graceful sound that brought a smile to Haruka's face. "Say what you want, Ten'ou Haruka. I know you too well."

"Too true." More laughter was cut short by a "personal" invitation to lunch by Haruka's mother, who had heard the noise and decided to investigate.

---

The rest of the day was uneventful. Michiru settled herself down into the library once again, this time with a volume of Robert Frost's poetry, while Haruka sat on the edge of her bed (now made neatly), pondering a fateful question.

What does one wear to a meeting of a gardening club with a membership of rich women who don't actually garden?

Pulling out her options and setting them on her bed, she took several factors into mind. What would her mother like her to wear? Of course, Haruka had no plans to wear a dress or even a skirt, but her suit should probably be saved for the party. She finally decided on a warm sweater and some nice khakis, an androgynous but tasteful outfit that would hopefully satisfy her mother but would keep herself happy as well.

At last, dinnertime was greeted by the ringing of a doorbell. Haruka awoke from her nap with a start, scrambling to put on the outfit in front of her, while Shioko frantically called up the stairs to her. "Haruka-chan! I want you to get the door! Haruka! Where are you?"

"Mother, I can't get it!" She pulled the pants onto her muscular legs, kicking her other ones into some distant corner of the room, then started on pulling off her shirt as quickly as possible.

"I can't possibly get it myself, what would they think? Where's Yoko-san?"

Yoko was nowhere to be found. The doorbell sounded again, almost with annoyance, but was ended with the sound of the heavy door creaking open, and pleasant exchanges of voices from the level below. Haruka took her time in putting on her navy sweater.

She took a deep breath before going down the stairs, and did so slowly and deliberately. Assuming she'd find her mother chatting with some of her friends at the bottom, she expected the worst. Instead, she found Michiru making small talk with two elderly women in fancy clothing, all while taking their coats and draping them over the wide banister. At Haruka's entrance, the three stopped and looked up at her.

"Who might this be?"

"Such a good looking young fellow! You must be the friend of Haruka-chan's that Shioko-chan was talking about!"

"I wonder how Kenji-san feels with such competition!"

Making her overly dramatic entrance, just as she had with the arrival of her daughter, Shioko warmly embraced her two visitors just as a few more came up the long walk and into the warm house.

"Shioko-chan, we were remarking about how much Haruka-chan has grown up. We couldn't even recognize her!"

Shioko smiled with false warmth. "She is certainly older."

"And look at this young man! Haruka-chan, you are a very lucky girl!"

Blinking, the elderly mother was suddenly confused. As the realization of the misunderstanding dawned on her, she shook her head rapidly. "No, no, no…I'm afraid you're mistaken…"

Michiru, sensing the problem as well, tried to introduce herself. "It seems I was rude and didn't make everything clear. I'm Kaioh Michiru, Haruka's…companion."

"Then where is Haruka-chan?"

Michiru gestured to the tall figure behind her. The five guests looked at each other in amazement, and then embarrassment. What would be the polite thing for them to say?

Finally, one spoke up. "Well, Haruka-chan, you certainly have grown up."

Trying to seem warm and cheerful, Haruka gave a generic thanks, and the group of women wandered into the dining room.

Dinner was an odd assortment of foods accommodating the special diets of several of the houseguests. Unlike the previous night, the meal was filled with sounds of conversation to go along with the clinking of dishes and glassware.

A few of the women had known Haruka as a girl, and prodded her with questions that all had variations on the same answer. No, she wasn't married. Of course she didn't have children (a lie, but for Hotaru's own good). She had finished high school, but wasn't currently in college. Eventually, the conversation turned to the upcoming party, and away from Haruka.

After some time, Yoko appeared in the doorway. Glancing up to her, Shioko gave a thin smile. "It appears that we're all done eating here, so if you wouldn't mind, Yoko-san, could you clear the table?" It wasn't a question so much as it was an order.

Giving a curt nod, the maid began stacking the plates and silverware into a pile. With so many people, this stack became quite large, and heavy at that. Managing it with practiced ease, she lifted the first section of plates with a worn hand, and took a few more in the other.

"Ah, Yoko-san, let me help you with those." Michiru reached out, and carefully gripping the fine dishes, she followed the older woman into the kitchen.

"Haruka-chan, what is she doing?" A horrified Shioko stared at her daughter, and several of the other women looked shocked.

"You mean Michiru? Helping with the dishes, exactly how it looks."

"But…such a fine young woman, and my guest, shouldn't be doing dishes! Yoko can do them herself just fine!"

"It's not a problem for Michiru, I'm sure. She does the dishes at our house every night, so she knows what she's doing."

"You mean you don't have a maid? And she made it sound like you two were well off!" Shaking her head slowly, she continued. "I won't allow her to do this to herself." Standing up, she peered into the kitchen. "Michiru-san, dear, you really don't have to do that. Why don't you come sit back out here with the rest of us?"

The violinist glanced at Yoko. "I hope I didn't offend you. The job just looked like it would go faster if someone helped, and I wasn't doing anything."

"Ah, Michiru-san, you're a wonderful girl, and I appreciate the help. But, you'd better get out there, so the guests don't become even more offended." She put on a small smile. "Take good care of Haruka-san this week; make sure she doesn't kill her mother."

Michiru laughed. "Oh, I'll try, but you know Haruka…"

((tbc))