This chapter dedicated to: Riva van Dyk, for reviewing every chapter and being very helpful with her corrections (like when I misspelled the title). Your reviews always leave me with a smile, thank you.
Chapter 9: Calling in a favor
Two months later found Haruka fishing her keys from her pocket with one hand, the other balancing a bag of groceries, when she heard the muffled sound of her phone ringing inside her apartment. The blonde loosed a muttered curse as she tried to hurry to get the door unlocked. Just as she managed it the answering machine picked up and Thomas' voice filled the air.
"Hey there Tokyo Raider was that the lovely miss Kaioh's voice I just heard on your machine." Haruka gave up on answering and just set the bag down in the kitchen as her friend's voice talked. The blonde began to pull items from the bag and put them away. "So I wanted to get your opinion on something. Well, maybe more your permission than any opinion. Um, you see Raider, I mean. I've been going out with Jill for six months, bye." The last sentence was said in one breath before the phone line clicked.
Haruka stood frozen where she had been putting cat food in a cupboard and even Wind seemed to stare at the speaker box. Slowly Haruka shook her head and put the cat food away. Once she was done she walked to the answering machine and replayed the message, then played it again. She wiggled a finger against her ear, as if there was some air pressure stuck in it, and played the message one last time. The blonde nodded once before picking up the phone and dialing a familiar number.
"Six months?" Haruka asked with out any preamble. Tom seemed to yelp on the other end of the line when he heard her voice. The man replied in a shaky voice. "Are you afraid of what I am going to say, Tom?" Haruka said this as she quirked an eyebrow at the wall in front of her, expression unreadable. "No, I'm not Tom. You're both adults and I am not your parent or something. What about it? Tom, yes she is my ex-wife, but please take notice of the part that says 'ex' in that statement." The blonde rolled her eyes a bit as she sighed, leaning back against the wall. "So what made you suddenly decide to tell me? You're going to what! No, Tom, that's great if you're sure. Um, good luck."
"You want me to what?" Haruka looked utterly confused as Thomas explained what he wanted from the blonde. Haruka quirked an eyebrow at the wall again, her expression now skeptical, as she mentally envisioned the man who spoke to her. "I don't know if I should be involved in this, maybe a track guy." An evil smile lit the blonde's face and her teal eyes twinkled as she spoke. "Why don't you call that guy from the club? No, no I don't want to know. Okay, I'll make it happen but you owe me for this."
With the phone call done she dropped the cordless on the living room table and sat heavily on the couch. Haruka leaned forward and placed her elbows on her knees, rubbing her face with her hands and staring at the floor. Wind-Chaser jumped up on the table and gave an inquisitive sound toward her master. Haruka smiled and ruffled the cat's furry little head before she stood again. She grabbed her keys from the table and was almost to the door when she turned to look back at Wind.
"Hey, time for a drive Wind-chan." Haruka smiled as the cat raced over to her feet. It didn't take long before the two were out on the road in Haruka's convertible. The drive to Michiru's place was short and calming and as Haruka pulled up in front of the house the aqua haired woman appeared at the door. Haruka grinned as she got out of the car, Wind vaulting over the opposite door. "Are you becoming psychic?"
"No." Michiru smiled as Haruka came over to hug her. She placed her hands on the blonde's shoulders and looked up at the teal eyes. "I just happened to glance out the window as you reached the gate."
"Well beautiful I came over because I needed to ask you a favor." Haruka started as she leaned into speak into Michiru's ear. The shorter woman slapped her arm lightly for the trick and Haruka released her as she chuckled. "But you always say yes when I do that."
"Haruka Ten'ou, what is such a big favor that you are pulling out those tricks on me?" Michiru tried to glare at her but the smile that twitched at her lips broke that facade.
"Oh I could think of a few things I could use that trick for." Haruka grinned lopsidedly and waited until Michiru blushed before she pointed down toward Wind. The small ball of fur was happily purring as she circled Michiru's feet. "But today I just need someone to watch Wind-chan."
"For how long?" Michiru asked as her blue eyes showed curiosity. She took in Haruka's shrug and raised an eyebrow. "What are you up to Haruka?"
"Nothing really, Thomas just needs some help and begged me to visit for a short time." Haruka began to look toward the sky but a light hand on her arm brought her eyes back to Michiru's. Haruka smiled a bit before deciding to tell Michiru what she knew. "Tom has been dating Jill for six months and now he said he needs my help. Apparently he has something up his sleeve and he wants me to help him pull it off."
"Isn't it a little odd to get the ex-wife's help?" Michiru asked her voice was tinted with genuine curiosity. Haruka shrugged, seeming to be thinking along similar lines. Michiru took the blonde's hand and pulled her toward the house with a smile. "Well if you're sure you're okay with helping him out then I'll be happy to watch Wind-chan."
"Thank you, Michiru." Haruka smiled as Wind ran through the open door of the house.
Haruka groaned as sunlight hit her face the next morning. She creaked one teal eye open and glanced around, finding she'd fallen asleep on the couch. Sitting up the blonde tried to stretch the stiffness from her back muscles and began to wonder why Wind hadn't woken her from hunger. She threw her jacket on the couch as she stood and ventured into the kitchen only to find Wind lying on the table purring. Haruka was confused for a moment before she noticed the now empty bowl, which sat next to the cat.
"Well, I guess you're too full of ice-cream for me to feed you." Haruka commented with a grin, realizing the cat had devoured the ice cream she abandoned last night. Wind perked up a bit and looked at her. Haruka had to laugh just a bit as she started to clean the cat disk and get Wind some real food. Once she'd done that Haruka leaned against the counter and began to think over the events of the past few days. After a few moments she shook her head and wandered off to a much-needed shower.
Michiru smiled softly at her completed painting but jumped a bit when she heard the doorbell ring. With a bit of causation she went to answer it and her smile returned full force to find the blonde who stood on the front step, blue-gray cat draped across her shoulders. Haruka smiled in return and held out a white rose as Michiru let her in. The artist blushed a bit and accepted the rose before she spoke.
"What are you doing here so early, Ruka?" Michiru asked as Haruka took Wind-Chaser from her shoulder and placed the cat on the floor. The small furry creature darted immediately out the back door and the two heard a surprised bark from Triton with in seconds.
"I was hoping I could tempt my enchanting girl friend into spending the day with me, since I have to leave tomorrow morning." Haruka nodded toward the door and her car, which sat outside with a cooler in the back seat. "Care to join me for a trip to the beach?"
Michiru smiled and nodded to the blonde before walking up the staircase to go change. Haruka grinned as she went back outside to retrieve the small duffle full of cat toys, food and other cat supplies. When she came back in she set it down in the kitchen and waited again near the door. Michiru reappeared not long later and Haruka could swear her heart stopped for a second. She'd seen Michiru dressed many different ways over the time they had known each other but this was honestly the first time the blonde had seen her in a swimsuit. Michiru tied a blue wrap around her waist as she came down the stairs and walked over to the still stunned Haruka.
"Are you okay, Ruka?" Michiru held back a giggle as the blonde snapped out of her daze just enough to nod. Haruka opened the door, offered the shorter woman her arm and with a smile the two walked out the door arm in arm.
Hours later Haruka stood by the waters' edge, letting the waves lap at her feet, as Michiru treaded water off shore. Michiru had tried to convince the blonde to join her in the deeper water but Haruka shook her head lightly. She stood on the beach in her gold board shorts and a dark blue and somewhat oversized t-shirt, her sunglasses glinting rays of light as she watched the waves lap at her feet. She was surprised when Michiru appeared in front of her, shocked a bit at how fast the woman moved through water, but smiled none-the-less as the shorter woman hugged her arm.
"You haven't swum all day, Haruka." Michiru commented as they walked back over to the beach towels they'd abandoned an hour or more ago. "Do you really come to the beach just to stand on the shore?"
"And watch pretty girls, especially those swimming." The blonde teased lightly making Michiru smile. The violin player released her arm and sat down on one towel as she glanced around for the sunscreen. Haruka grabbed it from the sand and took a seat behind her. "I've got it."
"Do you have to get anything from your apartment?" Michiru asked suddenly after the blonde had worked in silence for long moments. Haruka's hands slowed a bit and she started to blush a bit at her own comment but continued anyway. "I mean before you leave for the airport."
"Not really." Haruka commented, finishing with the sunscreen and wrapping her arms around Michiru to pull her closer. She leaned her head on Michiru's shoulder and spoke near the aqua haired woman's ear. "Luggage is in the trunk, and my ticket is in the glove compartment of my car. Why do you ask, my sea angel?"
"Sea angel?" Michiru quirked an eyebrow and smiled lightly at the choice of nickname. Her smile grew a bit nervous and she leaned more fully into Haruka, taking a deep breath before she continued with what she wanted to ask. "I was wondering, if you'd like to spend the night?"
Haruka was surprised by the request but she smiled and squeezed Michiru's waist gently. The blonde moved her head so that her lips almost touched the artist's ear before she answered her in a voice just above a whisper.
"I'd love to." Haruka spoke in a husky tone that sent a shiver down her girl friend's spine. The blonde lightly kissed her ear before focusing her sunglass-covered eyes back toward the horizon and merely holding her companion with a smile on her face. Silence fell over the two as they observed the other occupants of the beach running around under the sun.
It was late when the two returned to Michiru's larger home, this time pulling Haruka's convertible into the garage before entering the house. Happy but hungry pets greeted both as they entered and the couple set to feeding the poor furry pair. Haruka set down Wind's dinner a little before Michiru finished with Triton's and grinned as Wind attacked it. If there was anything Wind-chan seemed to love it was her food, though only a very specific brand or ice cream seemed to please the cat. Slender arms snaked around her waist and she felt Michiru leaning against her back.
"I wish I could take you with me." Haruka commented quietly, catching Michiru by surprise. The tall blonde placed her hands over Michiru's and lightly broke the embrace so she could turn to face her. She wrapped both her arms around the violinist's waist and leaned in to kiss her cheek. In a very husky whisper Haruka spoke the closest thing to a confession she had made since meeting the young woman. "I missed you very, very much the last time we parted. I think, if possible, I may miss you more this time."
Michiru wasn't sure what to say, so instead she hugged Haruka tightly. The artist had far from expected that comment but she was greatly touched, maybe more so because it was so unexpected. With a grin she pulled back and looked up into Haruka's teal eyes before taking her hand and leading her away.
Haruka woke to an unfamiliar alarm and silenced the object quickly. With blurry teal eyes she read the blue digital numbers that were displayed. It was still half an hour until sunrise, and to be honest the blonde hadn't slept long but she knew she needed to get up. She glanced down a bit and noticed Michiru was draped across her chest and fast asleep. Slowly she moved, managed to get up with out waking the artist, and grabbed the change of clothes she'd brought up the night before. With a grin the blonde quickly dressed and ran a hand through her hair to give some slight appearance of having been combed. She walked quietly over to the bed and looked down at Michiru only to find one sleepy blue eye had been watching her.
"Its already five am?" Michiru questioned, yawning as she rolled onto her back and regarded Haruka through half open eyes. The blonde smiled widely at her and sat on the edge of the bed, leaning down to give her a quick kiss.
"Afraid so, dear." Haruka gave an over dramatic sigh and hung her head comically. "And now I must drive off to the evil air port where the plane will take me back to Thomas, though I'd much rather have your company."
"Do you want me to go with you?" Michiru asked even as she fought off another yawn. She shut her eyes as Haruka kissed her forehead.
"No, at least one of us should get some sleep. Besides I don't want you getting in an accident on the way back." Haruka stayed leaning over, her head bent near Michiru and their eyes locked as the aqua haired women opened hers again. The two sat there, noses almost touching.
"You're just afraid I'd hurt your convertible." Michiru joked, reaching up one hand to ruffle Haruka's now unruly hair.
"Oh no, the convertible can be replaced." Haruka said very seriously as she leaned a bit further toward the shorter woman, now their lips brushed as she spoke again, just before kissing her deeply. "You, my dear, can not be replaced."
"Much as I hate it." Haruka spoke as she pulled away from the kiss, still leaning over and with Michiru's arms now dangling over her shoulders. "I really do need to get on the road if I want to catch my plane."
"Call me when you get to Nevada, love." Michiru said as she kissed Haruka a last time then let go and pulled the blankets over her shoulders. Haruka nodded and stood up, casting Michiru a last look before she walked out the bedroom door. She wasn't very surprised to find Triton and Wind-Chaser both a sleep at the top of the stairs and stopped to pat each on the head. She stopped in the kitchen, grabing her car keys from where they had been left the night before and walked into the garage.
"Tom really owes me one." Haruka muttered jokingly as she glanced back at the window of Michiru's room from the driveway. "Sleep tight, love."
AN:
You know something, for having work I don't think I am doing badly at updating this. Next chapter will be back in the good old US and we'll get to see how Thomas and Jill have changed in the past year and a half or so. Oh, and you can fill in with your minds what you believe happened in the bedroom, because I am not saying anything. I am going to leave that to each person's imagination, wont even tell you what I'd think. First chapter of the "Coward's Way Out" spin off is all but done, but likely won't be posted until this story is complete.
Review responses:
Moonjava: First, thank you for the review of "Coward's Way Out", I did intend it to be a one shot but when I wrote that poem I sort of felt the need to continue just a bit. And again, the spin off story is going to be more humor than death. In fact Kura I put our heads together over the phone and the result was too funny to be omitted, but so odd I may just get flamed over it. B-) But hey, I thought I was going to get "You killed Haruka!" flames and I was wrong. Star Wars fans got onto me once for killing off a main character. Glad you like last chapter and hope you enjoyed this. The new story will be up after I finish this one out.
Bahamut's King: I will find a way to fit in what the note said, possibly in the next chapter. B-) Sorry about leaving it unsaid in these, though right now even I only know the jest of what is in it. As for support on your story, you're more than welcome. I like the plot thus far and look forward to seeing more. Take care.
Athyna: Thank you for the review, and here is the next update. B-) Glad you like it so far.
Riva van Dyk: Well this chapter is dedicated to you, as you have still reviewed every chapter so far. B-) (Holds out a white rose.) And no need to worry about not catching last chapter before the update, I think I actually am posting faster. Have no clue why I got faster, since I am sleep deprived, but it seems to work. You're more than welcome for the flowers (even if they don't truly exist) and thank you for pointing out that spelling error. Knew that word looked wrong somehow, but was too sleepy to think why at the time. I hope your friend had a happy birthday. Take care until next chapter.
Ka-san: Glad you like it. B-) I'd kind of forgotten there was a Ryu in Street Fighter; I've just always liked the name.
Animeprincess056 AKA Mesa-chan: I am honored. B-) And yes, I really like Haruka because in a lot of ways I feel like I can relate to her. Although I don't play piano, I play trumpet. (Grins and looks back at trumpet case.) I've been doing my bet to keep them all pretty realistic, and I am glad to hear its been working. Hope you like this chapter.
MoonDaisuke: I'm glad you enjoyed Michiru's view of things; I was a bit afraid I would bore people with the recap. As for Ryu, he has at least one more appearance, unless I change my mind, but that's all I'll say about him. I'll do my best to keep it up, thank you for the great reviews. B-)
That's it for tonight. Thank you for reading, and to those who have reviewed through out this story. Your reviews always put a smile on my face and keep me encouraged to write more. B-)