Chapter 9: Back to Reality

When Haruka opened her eyes, she saw a soft light coming into the room through the curtains... she threw an arm over her eyes, still feeling tired... it was very early in the morning, a Sunday morning...
They had arrived home just the night before and separated at the station.
Michiru, as they agreed, took home the glass statue with the promise that Haruka could go and see it any time she wanted to... of course, it was just an excuse to see her wonderful partner, but.. who cares?
She had a whole day to relax and prepare for the oncoming return to school... so she decided to go for a walk in the park.

At that time of the morning there weren't many people around and the tall blonde was glad of it.
She sat on a bench and looked around... the park wasn't very big, but it was like a little oasis in the chaos of the city and Haruka loved it.
There were fountains and many trees, wonderful when they blossomed in spring...
She stayed there for almost a hour, then she spotted someone she knew...
"Kisagi-san..?" she asked unsure.
The girl in question slowed her pace (she was running) and then completely stopped when she saw the blonde: "Haruka-kun!"
"I didn't know you liked jogging..." commented the taller girl flashing one of her most charming smiles.
"Well.. I'm on the basketball team, so I have to train a lot."
Haruka took a better look over the girl (a good-looking girl)... she wasn't very tall (she was shorter than Michiru), but Haruka knew that height wasn't everything in basketball (or any sport for that matter), especially when you can rely on speed and agility...
"I see... sorry that I interrupted you..."
"Oh, no no! I'm glad you did..." Kisagi Nami blushed a bit, before continuing: "At school you always seem so distant and unreachable that it's rather hard to get to know you... I wouldn't want to waste this occasion..."
Haruka smiled again at the girl's sincerity: "Let me offer you something to drink, then... what would you like? Coffee, tea, an orange juice perhaps..?"
"An orange juice, please!"
"Fine."
They moved to a nearby machine. Haruka took some coins from her pocket and put them in... she handed Nami her orange juice and took a coffee for herself, before they went back to the bench.
They talked about different subjects: school, sport, holidays... then Nami wanted to know if Haruka had a girlfriend and when the girl denied it, the red-haired girl almost jumped for joy, making Haruka laugh at her spontaneity...
Then Nami stood up: "Well, my parents should be worried enough by now. It's time to go. Arigatou for everything... I really enjoyed your company, Haruka-kun!"
"I should be the one to thank you, Kisagi-san."
"Please, call me by my first name!"
"All right, Nami-chan."
The red-haired girl blushed with pleasure: "See you tomorrow!"
"Bye."
Haruka observed Nami running away, unaware of the presence of someone behind her... "So, you do like her..."
Instantly recognizing the soft, melodic voice, Haruka winced and then, she slowly turned around to face "M-michiru..."
"Good morning, Haruka-kun..."
That suffix after her name wasn't a good sign... how long had she been there?
"Good morning... it's a nice day, isn't it?" the taller girl desperatly tried to sound relaxed while looking at her partner, who slowly moved to the front of the bench and took a seat next to her.
"Hai..." Michiru slowly replied not paying attention to the blonde.
"Ehm, well.." Haruka coughed, feeling ill at ease: "You know.. between me and that girl... there's nothing.. really..."
"It sounds like you're apologizing to me..." Michiru was definitely enjoying the situation.. "But there's no reason for you to do that... ne?"
"Uhm, you're right... I just wanted you to know... that's all..."
"Fine.. now I know then..."
Haruka was gradually beginning to realize that her incredible partner was making fun of her (as usual)... but before she could do or say anything more, she felt something... a chill she hadn't experienced for a long time...
"The wind.. is rustling..."
The next moment they were both on their feet... every silly thought forgotten...
"It's near..." declared Michiru, holding her henshin stick in her right hand.
"I know..." Haruka replied, grasping her henshin stick as well.
The second later they disappeared from sight...

A horrible creature that seemed to have come out from nowhere, was now wandering toward the park, destroying everything that could actually be destroyed, just because there were no humans around...
"Here it is." Uranus announced, jumping down from a tree some meters away from the youma's back. Neptune was right next to her: "Ready?"
Uranus smirked a bit: "How couldn't I be after so many lessons?"
Neptune smiled right back: "Well, then.. show me what you've learned."
Uranus moved first... "You've done enough damage already!" she yelled to recall the monster's attention, as she raised her hand... "World Shaking!"
Showing an incredible speed, the creature spun around and moved away just before the blow could hit it.
"Shimatta!" Uranus bit on her lower lip.
Now it was the monster's turn and it decided to charge Neptune. The girl elegantly dodged its attack and tried to reply with her Deep Submerge, but again, the youma avoided it.
"It's fast.." commented Neptune.
"How can we defeat it?"
Before Neptune could reply, she saw the creature charging her partner: "Uranus!"
The senshi of the wind struggled to free herself from that deadly grip,
in vain... then something struck her... the eyes of the youma... they were oddly familiar... suddenly she understood.
Neptune chose just that moment to attack the terrible creature from behind... and she succeeded.
The monster moaned and let go of Uranus, jumping away.
Neptune was ready for the last blow, but her partner stopped her: "Don't! That's Nami-chan!"
Neptune was startled for a moment, then her duty took over: "Even though it's really her, we can't just watch... we must stop her... you know that!"
Their discussion, however, was cut short by the youma's attack... and this time it succeded in hitting Neptune, she fell backwards...
Uranus was shocked... "Neptune!"
The creature was now moving closer and closer to the dazed girl on the ground... it was going to hurt Neptune... her Michiru... no way she could allow that!
With an incredible speed, she arrived at the youma's back and grabbed it: "Now, Neptune!"
The confused girl stood up again and saw what her partner was doing... what the girl wanted -her- to do: "You'll be hit too..!"
"Do it!"
Neptune bit on her lower lip but obliged.. she had to: "Deep Submerge!"
The youma desperately fought to get rid of Uranus, but the senshi of the wind was stronger... the powerful energy ball came straight towards them... then, at the very last moment, Uranus leaped aside leaving the monster alone in the attack's route... it fully hit the target.
The youma cried in pain and fainted, returning to its human form: Nami's.
The girl seemed to be all right... she was already recovering her consciousness, but when she opened her eyes, there was no one there...

"How many times do I have to say it? I'm fine."
"Are you sure? That was a bad strike... let me see it..."
Haruka looked really preoccupied about her (she also insisted to accompany her home), but Michiru couldn't help feeling embarrassed at the thought of taking off her shirt to show her back to Haruka...
"Believe me, please. It's just a scratch."
"All right... but if you need me, at any time - day or night, just call me, ok?"
"I promise." Michiru smiled with a slight blush.
After a brief moment of silence, the tall blonde sighed: "In the end, it seems like we're back to reality..."
"Our holiday couldn't last forever... even though I wished so... Ojiwa was such a peaceful village..."
"And the hot springs were so warm..."
"Oh, yes... wonderfully warm..."
"And you looked so funny with that pink wing..."
"Ehi! You promised not to say anything about that! I can't believe I really put that thing on... it was so silly..."
"Why? It was nice of you to have done that for me... I appreciated it."
said Michiru with a big smile for her blonde partner.
Satisfied with that, the young car racer looked around the living-room for the first time since she had entered Michiru's apartment.. "This is the first time I've come to your home..."
"Do you like it?"
Haruka replied with a nod, while her gaze traveled around.. "It's very much like you..."
Michiru looked at her with curiosity: "Like me?"
"Elegant.. graceful.. refined... but at the same time simple and comfortable..."
"So I am... comfortable?"
Haruka's eyebrow twitched at her partner's remark.. "Ehm, no.. I mean..."
"I've been called many things, but this is the first time that someone has said that I'm 'comfortable'... so, tell me... am I as comfortable as a couch or an arm chair?"
"I didn't mean -that-..."
"Then, tell me what you wanted to say..."
"I was talking about how I feel when I'm with you..."
Michiru kept silent and Haruka was encouraged to go on, even though she felt a bit embarrassed: "I feel relaxed, at ease... comfortable..."
Michiru seemed to think over that for a moment, then she stood up: "It's lunch time..."
She lowered her gaze to the blonde with a smile: "Want to stay for dinner?"
Finally, Haruka's tensed body relaxed as she replied with a bright smile: "Of course!"


Author's Note: Again, thanks for all your reviews, guys (I want moreof them, keep on reviewing:)
For hunter007: Chapter 7 was short, but also intense... right? Well.. at least, I hope so.
For Leena9: Where is the grammar mistake? By the way, have a wonderful day you too ;)