Dedication for this chapter: Okay, in keeping with my newest habit this chapter is dedicated to Moon-Daisuke and Moonjava, whom along with Riva van Dyk are two of my most recurring reviewers. B-) Hope you like this chapter.
Chapter 11: Flower Shops and Protective Animals
Haruka opened the hotel room door after Thomas pounded on it a few times. The blonde glared at Thomas before grabbing her coat and following him out. Silently the two walked out of the hotel and into the morning sun. Or silent until Haruka made an odd hissing sound as the light reached her eyes.
"You're acting the same as the first time you got drunk." Thomas commented and the teal eyes glared at him again. The man laughed a bit and raised his hands. "Okay, okay, it is kind of early yet."
Thomas stood around somewhat impatiently, not long later, as his tall blonde friend regarded the sunglasses on the sales rack. It had been decided that Haruka needed a pair to help ward off the headache from lack of sleep. A young sales girl watched the two, seemingly trying to decide who was more attractive as Haruka picked up a pair with reflective, gold lens. After trying them on she looked at Thomas who grinned and gave her a thumbs up with a cheesy smile. The blonde furrowed her brow at him but paid for the glasses and started out of the store.
"Remember Tom, to you it's lunch but it feels like five in the morning to me." Haruka commented, now in a much better mood with the glasses blocking the sun's rays from her eyes.
"Sure Raider, here this will wake you up a little." Thomas said as he tried to brainstorm ideas. He tossed Haruka the keys to his Viper and the two got in. As Haruka was pulling the car out of its spot Thomas got an excited look and slapped one hand down on his thigh. "Okay, I've got it!"
"Lets it hear it then." Haruka encouraged, a gold light reflecting from her glasses and onto the car's ceiling in the bright Vegas sun.
"Okay, we rent a plane and I invite Jill to go skydiving then we, wait what's with the look?" Thomas paused at Haruka's knowing expression.
"Nothing, but think before you go renting the plane. Remember where Jill always was when we went on our dives?" Haruka asked, hoping to jog the man's memory. For a moment Thomas kept his clueless look, than it dawned on him and he slumped a bit in his seat.
"Okay, fear of heights does kind of rule of a sky diving proposal." He conceded and received a nod from Haruka. After a moment Thomas just pointed out the passenger window and said excitedly, though very over dramatically: "To the flower shop Raider!"
"You might be Robin, but I'm no Batman." Haruka replied, remembering the nearest flower place was behind them. She grinned as she sped up on the nearly empty road, and then once she hit the right speed hit the brakes hard and spun to face the other direction. Thomas gave off a whoop of enjoyment as he held onto to the aptly name 'Oh shit! bar' next to his seat. "I'm a better driver."
"Sure you are." Was his only response before they drove off toward the shop.
It didn't take long to get there, and Thomas ran in hoping it would inspire an idea. Haruka followed behind more slowly, tipping her new glasses down just a bit to regard the flowers and stuffed animals around her. Thomas was wandering the shop, being followed by a helpful old woman who pointed out the different kinds of flowers and their prices. Haruka just found a wall and leaned against it, trying to think up a way to get Thomas more "inspired" about the whole thing. This was looking to be a long day.
"Hey Haruka, maybe I could just send some roses with a note that says 'Marry me?'" Thomas suggested, but even the older woman shook her head. He looked toward the lady next to him with a comically hurt expression on his face. "What's wrong with that plan?"
"You want her to say yes, don't you?" The lady asked in a kind voice, Haruka was fighting hard against laughter even as Thomas nodded dumbly. The lady smiled and patted Thomas' head, which required her standing on a near by box, before saying her piece. "Than you need to do something that will impress her. My granddaughter's young man asked her over the phone. He said: 'My buddy is getting married, why don't we?'"
"What did she say?" Thomas asked with interest and Haruka shook her head at him, knowing the answer wasn't what he was hoping.
"She refuses to answer until he 'Asks her properly'." With that the woman wandered off to look after the flowers. Thomas stared at the vacated space for a moment before shooting Haruka a worried look.
"How'd you do it?" He said in what seemed like a weirdly awe struck voice. "How'd you ask?"
"Oh, no. We aren't getting into that." Haruka walked over and slung an arm around his shoulders. Thomas didn't resist as he was led back toward the car. Haruka smiled and tried her best to be encouraging. "She may not know I'm here, but if she even thinks you nicked an idea off how I asked she wont just say no."
Thomas gulped and nodded his agreement. He didn't want to know how Jill would react if he accidentally mirrored Haruka's proposal, she'd probably think it was all a set up. Thomas climbed in the car, glancing at Haruka as she smoothly pulled away from the curb. For the first time in a few days it came back into his mind that he was dealing with two women who'd already had broken hearts. Though, yes one had broken her own heart. Thomas silently promised himself to put as much thought as possible into this, and stay far away from bringing up old memories.
"Let's go use Denny's as a headquarters until you get a new idea." Haruka suggested as the Viper continued down the road.
"Okay, sounds good."
Deep blue eyes watched as the small bluish-gray cat snuck up on the German shepherd from behind. Wind-Chaser showed an amazing talent for stealth as she eased around the poolside until she was behind Triton. Ever so quietly the small Persian Blue cat crouched down, preparing to pounce. Just as Wind was ready to strike the doorbell rang, Triton looked up from his nap, and Michiru glanced away and toward the interior of the house. When she looked back Triton was racing toward the house, a small toy mouse still between his teeth with Wind-Chaser not far behind.
Michiru, still in her bathing suit from an earlier swim, followed the two energetic creatures toward the front door. She pulled a robe from a place near the door and wrapped it around her before peering through the peephole. Her face clearly showed surprise as she found Ryu stood at her door, peering around as if someone were watching him. Michiru shoed Wind and Triton back a bit before she unlocked and opened the door.
"Hello, Michiru-chan." Ryu said, as he looked up toward the door again only to have his voice die in his throat. His eyes darted up and down Michiru's figure, taking in her robe and damp hair, before he averted them toward the ceiling and continued. "Did I catch you at a bad time?"
"No, I was just out by the pool." Michiru responded. She weighed in her mind the reasons why Ryu might be here, but decided there was only one way to find out. Stepping away from the door she waved Ryu in. "Would you like to come in, Ryu-san?"
"Yes, thank you." The green-eyed man gave a short bow before he entered. Hearing a sort of weird type of growling he looked up and spotted Wind-Chaser now perched on the banister with her back lightly arched. The small cat was growling deep in her throat at the unknown man before her and Triton was watching him with careful eyes. "Oh, I didn't know you had pets. They weren't here last time were they?"
"No, they weren't. Actually only Triton is mine." She pointed at the loyal Shepard that followed her as the man sat down on the couch. Michiru walked back into the hall long enough to lift Wind from the banister and place her gently in a plush chair. She stroked the little cat's fuzzy head a few times to calm her, managing to quiet the growling. "Wind-Chaser belongs to Haruka."
"Oh, nice kitty." Ryu said and received only a cold glare from the cat. He was afraid to try to touch Triton who seemed to be measuring him with his brown eyes. "Actually I came here to speak to you about Ten'ou-san."
"Please, say your piece." Michiru said, her tone welcoming but her words holding a mild warning as she sat on the opposite end of the couch.
"I've been turning it over and over in my head for the last two months and I just can't understand it." Ryu said. He turned his attention from watching the cautious dog to looking directly into Michiru's eyes. "You could have any man you want, why would you chose a woman? I mean she is good at confusing people but it isn't the same."
"Ryu, I don't care if Haruka is a woman, a man or a little green alien from Uranus." Michiru said before placing a hand to one of her temples, feeling that this conversation would lead to a headache. "And to be honest I haven't wanted a male as a partner for a long time, if truly ever."
"But, it's just." Ryu paused to search for words. He shrugged, unable to word it in any other manner. "Unnatural. God made men and women to be together, anything else is against god."
"Then show me the place in the Christian bible where it says 'Men and women must be together, nothing else is right', but remember Ryu not everyone is Christian." Michiru looked up and gazed at the man in a way similar to how someone in a class debate would view his or her opponent. "As for unnatural, what is more natural then to fall in love?"
"Are you sure it's love?" Ryu asked. Michiru stood and turned toward a window and Ryu stood as well. He searched his mind for anything with which to convince the woman. "Think about it, don't some psychology texts say it is natural to lust after someone of the same gender?"
"Natsumoto-san." Michiru turned to regard him again, using his surname for the first time in many years. Her blue eyes held an angry glint in their deep blue depths. "Please do not presume to tell me the difference between love and lust. You were, after all, the one who said that most men think of only one thing."
"Michiru." Ryu started to step toward her but Triton was between the two in an instant. The intimidating dog dropped the small toy and growled in a deep tone at the man before him, causing Ryu to take a step back. He raised his hands in surrender even as he heard Wind begin to growl again as well. "Nice puppy, good kitty."
"I think it is time you leave Natsumoto-san." Michiru spoke calmly, not bothering to quiet the two animals growling. "Now."
"Of course, Kaioh-san." Ryu bowed, then slowly walked backward until he reached the door. He opened it and met those deep blue eyes again. "But as your old friend, I have to say this. You are making a mistake and I hope it wont cost you everything."
"Don't feel obligated to be my friend if my choices offend you so much, Natsumoto-san." Michiru's voice for once held no warmth to it at all. She glared lightly as the door closed behind the man.
Silence filled the room as she calmed to the two animals down, giving each a treat for being so loyal. With a sigh she walked back outside, onto the wooden deck, and took a seat next to the round, glass patio table. Triton came to lay in the sun by her feet and Wind-Chaser hopped up onto the table itself, sitting quietly next to the cordless phone. Michiru absently stroked Wind-chan's fur, watching Triton fall asleep at her feet, until the sound of the phone interrupted the moment of peace. With out looking at the caller ID Michiru picked up the phone and answered, afraid it might be Ryu trying to save her soul.
"Yes." Michiru answered, not angrily but instead in a very flat tone. She heard a loud thud from the other end of the line and paused to glance at the ID. 'Ten'ou, Haruka' was displayed in small black letters. "Oh, Haruka, are you okay?"
"Ow, just hit my head on a bed post." Haruka's voice came back sounding mildly pained. "I should ask you if you're okay though, you never answer the phone like that. Did I say or do something wrong?"
"No." Michiru smiled just a bit, her voice taking on more of her usual tone. She looked up at the blue sky and thought for a moment before speaking. "I just had a visitor."
"Anything to worry about?" Haruka asked and Michiru caught a sort of protective menace in the taller woman's tone.
"No, just Natsumoto-san trying to save me from my own mistakes." Michiru heard Haruka make a sleepy and confused sound so she explained with one word. "Ryu."
"Oh." Haruka's voice sounded like she'd just comprehended the meaning of life and the violinist had to giggle. She smiled as Haruka spoke again. "And here I thought you were mad at me for hanging up last night."
"Oh I am mad at you for that, very mad." Michiru said in as serious a tone as she could manage. Wind curled up on the table and listened to one half of the conversation. In her mind Michiru could see the pianist/racer cringe on the phone and with a smile she continued. "And do you know why I am mad about that, Ten'ou Haruka?"
"Um, not truly." Haruka's confused voice came through again. "But if you tell me I wont do it again."
"Well." Michiru paused, successfully holding in a giggle. After she had calmed her voice and could speak in a very serious tone she continued. "When you said those three words you didn't even wait for any sort of response."
"Is that all?" The blonde sighed a little in relief at those words. "Gomen, Michiru. To be honest I was afraid of what you'd say."
"There's only one way to get over that, do you care to try it again, Haruka? This time with out the sudden dial tone." Michiru smiled as she heard the blonde take a deep breath again.
"Okay, here goes." Haruka started, Michiru felt a little bad as she could picture the blonde shifting nervously. "I love you." She managed to say it with out stuttering and at a more understandable speed than the previous night. "And I am sorry for hanging up."
"I love you too." Michiru spoke quietly, her earlier stress completely forgotten as she rested her chin lightly in one hand. She heard another relieved sigh from the phone and her smile grew. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"
"Easy for you to say." Haruka joked and her laugh carried over the phone. Michiru felt warm just listening to the blonde laugh. After a moment Haruka broke the content silence again. "Did Ryu do anything too serious, love?"
"No, and T-kun and Wind-chan were more than happy to ward him off he tried." Again she heard the blonde chuckled over the line. Michiru wished she could actually see Haruka's face at the moment. "How did things go today?"
"Okay." Haruka's voice held barely contained laughter. "Tom tried to come up with a plan on his own, until he remembered that Jill doesn't sky dive."
"He sky dives?" Michiru asked, surprised.
"Oh yes, we had a few fun dives before he started working for that sponsor." Haruka informed. "Really, you should try it sometime. The rush during free fall is one of the greatest feelings I've ever experienced."
"Not the greatest, oh 'Distant Sky King'?" Michiru played on the meaning of Haruka's name.
"Oh no, though I admit while back it may have been considered competition." Haruka's voice grew husky and Michiru turned red. She shook her head at how easily the woman could turn things and make her blush.
"Oh, so what is the greatest one?" Michiru prodded.
"Hm, well I think most of my male friends would say it was something you can only accomplish with two people." Haruka commented, sounding almost logical if not for the husky under tone. "But I'd have to say it was racing."
"Haruka!" Michiru cried out as the blonde laughed over the phone. She pouted toward no one and spoke in a very serious voice. "This time I am going to hang up on you."
"Oh no, please don't do that Michi." Haruka's voice was still full of suppressed laughter. "I'll tell you my real answer, I swear."
"Alright, but if you say water skiing I really am hanging up my dear race car driver." Michiru warned.
"Oh no, never even tried that." Haruka said, finally managing to bring her laughs under control again. "I'd have to say it is falling in love."
"Wow." Michiru said after a moment's silence and smiled at the sky. "Tell me again why you think I'm more romantic?"
"Okay, point taken." Haruka chuckled before a yawn escaped her. She gave a sigh and Michiru could hear her flop backward onto the bed. "I guess that's my cue to get some sleep."
"Good night then, Ruka." Michiru said as she again took to petting Wind.
"Good night, Michi. I'll call again tomorrow." Haruka's voice was warm even through the sleepiness. "Same time probably."
After the conversation was ended Michiru sighed and stood. She removed the robe, leaving it on her chair, and walked to the pool's edge. She dove into the water at the deep end and swam to the bottom, turning to look up at the sky through the water's rippling surface. After a few moments Michiru surfaced again and floated lazily on her back with a content smile lighting her face.
In a Vegas hotel room Haruka lay across the bed, teal eyes locked on the ceiling. The blonde grinned a bit and again decided she owed Triton and Wind-Chaser treats. Her teal eye floated shut and she let her mind wander over her favorite memories. Not surprisingly many were in cars, but she noted that more and more also included a certain aqua haired woman with deep blue eyes. The image of Michiru standing on a beach and playing a glass violin in the moonlight was the last she remembered before she fell asleep.
AN:
I was very tired last chapter and I think I reversed something on the time zones. Either way, I did the math for it being 10PM or so for Haruka when she calls this time, and it seemed to land Michiru in the afternoon.
I actually misspelled the first "robe" in this originally and had Michiru welcome Ryu in a bathing suit with a rope. (Laughing but trying not to) I think that would scare me personally. I'd be thinking, "Okay, what requires a bathing suit and a rope? And more importantly am I about to be involved?" That sent me on a bit of a laughing fit. B-)
Okay, I admit I made Ryu into a bit of a bad guy, and even threw religion into it. I am far from having or sharing his views however. I had to do something to counter balance Thomas' acceptance if I wanted it realistic. Some of the things Ryu says are things I have heard my grandma express more and more recently. Sadly, since there is no changing her mind, all I can do is bite my tongue and walk away.
Michiru's "little green alien form Uranus" is one of my favorite phrases, most people have heard of the "little green men for Mars"; I thought Uranus was more appropriate here. B-)
The information about Haruka's name came from a web site for which I have forgotten the address. I think the same site said Michiru's name was meant to mean, "Mature sea king" but can't remember for certain. If this interests anyone, I ran across a site listing the names of the planets from countries around the world. In Japan "Ten'ousai" "Kaiohsai" and "Meiousai" are the names for Uranus, Neptune and Pluto respectively. If you want the site address leave me an email or messenger addy and I will send it to you.
I seem to have horrible luck with head injuries lately. Last chapter I had smacked my head on one of the shelves and this time it was a car door. Nothing broken, though it hurts to blink or make facial expressions. I wish I could tell some interesting story about someone trying to jump me or something sounding remotely as if it weren't an idiotic mistake, however I can't. I nearly popped my own eye out on the corner of a car door Tuesday afternoon, and all because I was looking at another car as it passed us. To pay for my mistake I have a small puncture wound under my eye, my whole right side of my face is a bruise (though barely visible, just painful), a headache and a worried older brother. I did get a laugh out of when I had ice on it; it was wrapped in a patriotic bandana. Anyway, enough about my odd mistakes, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you for reading.
Review responses:
Moonjava: I hope this chapter was worth the wait. Sorry. I'd have had it up by Saturday but I just felt like it needed one more run through and work my time since. B-)
Riva van Dyk: First, thank you for correcting my spelling of Boeing. I couldn't remember it exactly so I was just hoping people would understand what I meant with "Bowing". I don't think I did a great job of explaining how close of friend's Tom and Haruka were supposed to be through their actions in the story. I didn't want Haruka to just go "Well he's my best friend" though, somehow it seems like the term is getting thrown around too much where I live. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Bahamut's king: It was no trouble to answer your question, to be honest I think I'd have wondered to. Hope you like this chapter.
Moon-Daisuke: B-) For some reason I keep obsessing over the time zones. I never bothered with them for the Haruka and Tom conversations but I like using them for Michiru and Haruka's conversations.
Haruka's confession came about because I was wondering how'd she do it. I was sitting up one night thinking and trying to think how it feels to try to say that to someone. (I am so bad about that kind of stuff that my mom never heard me speak the word love in her life) The only answer I kept coming to was "It feels scary to say it." After that it just came to mind that a lot of the time people don't plan to say that the first time, it just comes out. I can picture Haruka getting a "fight or flight" rush from trying to say it so this is how it came out. I couldn't help Michiru's response, meaning her sort of teasing Haruka a bit it just seemed to fit.
Okay, that's the responces this chapter. Hope everyone out there is doing okay and thank you again for all the reviews. Take care.