Chapter 5: Preparing To Leave
22... 21... 20.
Finally the lift came to a halt.
As soon as the door slid open, Haruka stepped out feeling as if she were going to asphyxiate. She didn't like the tension she'd felt in the elevator... perhaps it was caused by Michiru's closeness - by the silence between them... or maybe, by the intense gazes of the other two girls on her back.
She felt as if they were scanning her body with their piercing eyes - something she usually enjoyed, but not when the young violinist was around, ready to read her mind (all the mischievous - yet innocent - misdeeds she was going to perform with those poor girls once they had fainted under her charm..) like an open book...
Michiru was just a few steps behind.. that knowing smile playing on her soft lips again... damn, was the violinist really able to read her thoughts?
The café they had chosen, 'Clover Café', was a small, intimate one. There they could find the quiet they needed to discuss their mission and also to relax, since there were no girls who desperatly looked for Haruka's attention and no boys who wanted to ask Michiru out.
They ordered something to eat and drink, then the tall blonde focused on her partner: "Well, then... what do you want to talk about?"
"You."
A simple statement that made Haruka's heart wince in her chest... what does -that- mean?
Seeing the confused look on her partner's face, Michiru suddenly realized the mistake she had made. She blushed deeply and tried to explain herself better: "I mean.. you.. as Sailor Uranus..."
"Aah." was Haruka's quick reply... one that made Michiru wonder if what she sensed in her partner's tone was disappointment...
She ignored those thoughts and continued to talk: "You haven't fought against a youma yet and since the enemies are getting tougher and tougher, I think you should train a bit... we both should."
The young car racer had a surprised (and funny, in Michiru's opinion) look on her face as she asked: "How?"
"Well, winter holidays are coming and I know a place where we can train ourselves without any interferences..." she had really thought it was a good idea, but now, looking at Haruka's uncertain expression, she started to wonder about it.. "It was just an idea... if you have other plans, we can train here afterwards..."
"No.. it's fine..." Haruka paused, while the waitress served them what they had previously ordered: hot tea and salad for Michiru, coffee with two sugars and sandwich for Haruka (not a real meal, but enough for them).
"Well... where is this place?"
Michiru's smile lit up, once again stunning the taller blonde: "Ojiwa is a small village on the mountain, renown for its hot springs. There are few people and a lot of woods where we could train. You'll like it."
With that the young violinist began to eat without noticing that her partner was still watching her with interest.
On holiday - ehm, training - with Michiru...
Haruka couldn't even imagine what was awaiting her... a light smile appeared on her lips as she joined the other girl in their meal.
The next two weeks passed uneventful, then came the holidays and the day of their departure...
Michiru looked around her room for the tenth time, afraid she had forgotten something that at the moment appeared useless but could be crucial once they arrived in Ojiwa.
It always happened when one was leaving... and she was leaving with Haruka... she couldn't quite believe it yet!
The aqua-haired girl gave the bedroom a last look around, then she finally closed her suitcase and left to get in the taxi that was already waiting.
They had decided to meet at the station, catch the train to the town closest to Ojiwa and then to take a bus to reach their destination.
The trip by train was a quiet one.
Michiru was sitting near the window, admiring the landscape passing by. From time to time it was a good thing to leave the metropolis behind and plunge oneself into nature.
Next to her, Haruka was reading the tourist guide to 'Ojiwa and surroundings' Michiru had given to her. It seemed to be one of those special places that only a few knew of and the blonde was glad to be going there with Michiru.
After the rather long trip by train, the bus one was much shorter.
When they finally arrived and located their bags, Haruka took a moment to look around. Ojiwa was an old, traditional village, with few children and many older people with lots of stories to tell about their past and the origins of their village.
"Come on, let's go." Michiru said, trying to carry both her heavy suitcase and her bag...
How many things had she brought with her? Well, probably too many things... like women always did, didn't they?
However, Haruka, with her single duffle bag held over the shoulder, couldn't just watch: "That's too heavy for you. I'll take it"
She lowered her hand and took the suitcase from Michiru's delicate one, slightly touching it, sending a chill through both their bodies.
Michiru tried to dismiss her embarrassment with a warm smile "Arigatou..."
The taller girl just mumbled "It's nothing", then the two of them went looking for their inn.
They found it some minutes later...
The 'Crouching Tiger' was an old building, like most of the houses in the village, but it was also perfectly kept: no broken windows or doors, not a sign of excess, a nice garden with a little stone path leading to the front door... a place that Haruka appreciated more than any expensive high-class hotels... and probably, Michiru did also.
"Nice place." commented the young car racer with a satisfied smile.
"And you haven't seen the hot springs yet..." replied her partner with soft laughter, moving forward, and tugging her friend along with her.
