Chapter 11: In the Moonlight.
" Michiru...Can we talk?" Asked Haruka as she saw the aqua haired girl stood up.
Ayashi and Sasuke had just left them, their classes started earlier than the other two. The four of them had eaten together just like yesterday, however the lunch was a little bit more lively this time.
"Hm...sure Haruka, but I have class in two hours. What about you ?" Replied Michiru smiling. 'I do smile a lot these few days' She thought sadly to herself. It was always a fake smile but it was better than to show her weakness, especially in public and in front of Haruka.
" In two hours too, but Marketing is so boring, don't you think?...Well anyway , do you mind if we go outside?" Enquired the blonde. She wanted to talk to Michiru without everyone staring at them and gossiping about them.
Her relationship with Michiru didn't go unnoticed by the press, but because they had acted casual in public and because of her father's help, the press never got the opportunity to make a big headline. However in the university courtyard, students had the detestable tendency to talk a lot and thus to spread rumours.
"Not at all..." Responded Michiru trying to sound nonchalant, but failed. She sounded more agitated and frighten. It was already difficult to deal with the never lasting questioning and rumours about her relationship with Haruka and the identity of Ayashi, that to deal with Haruka now was a bit too much. She wanted to talk to the blonde too, but not now. She feared she wouldn't be able to hold on any longer.
.: x :.
" Ne, Sasuke? …Why did they break up ?" Questioned Ayashi as they walked silently out of the cafeteria building.
"Who ?… Oh Haruka and Michiru. I don't really know…you should ask Haruka himself. I'm sure he will open up to you." Replied Sasuke. He did know a little but as he wasn't really sure about it, he preferred to stay silent.
After an instant, he stopped walking and then looked up to the bright sky covering Tokyo. "At least I hope… you know Haruka is still a total mystery to me. Even though we had known each other for almost two years… I find it difficult to understand him sometimes."
"Hm…I know what you mean…I was feeling the same way whenever I watched him from afar, back in High school. He has this aura…that drawn you and attract you without him doing anything… He is a mystery in himself. And even spending months with him wasn't enough to me to figure out what he is really like…" Said Ayashi lost in her thoughts. After a moment she turned toward Sasuke and smiled happily. "Let's get going…or we'll be late!"
"What he is really like… Huh?" Whispered Sasuke to himself. He then walked to Ayashi and smiled back. "You're right."
However as they made their way together, Sasuke couldn't help but to think about it. "I wonder…"
.: x :.
"Why did you change your mind?" Questioned Haruka as they both sat on a bench isolated on the courtyard, there were bushes all around which gave them a peaceful atmosphere. It was a place few knew about, but a place well known by the three friends.
Michiru was caught off guard, she had a few ideas about what they had to talk, but it never occurred to her that Haruka would ask her this question. "Well...I-I don't know...It's just that since you left, I felt empty...it was as if a part of me had just disappeared. That's how I figured out that...without you, I wasn't whole..." Replied Michiru regretful.
"When?" Asked Haruka not looking at the aqua haired girl sitting beside her.
"When?..." Repeated Michiru, she didn't know what Haruka was talking about.
"When did you figure it out?" Said Haruka.
"Oh...I'm not sure, it was maybe a month later..." Whispered Michiru not really following Haruka.
"..." Hearing the quiet answer, the blonde stayed silent. Her eyes looking forward into the distance.
"Haruka?" Enquired Michiru. She was perplexed, Haruka seemed to be pondering over something according to her response and somehow she knew it was now or never.
"Hn...?" Haruka turned her head to see Michiru sitting silently with her head down. She watched the young aqua haired girl a moment and saw that she was trembling slightly.
"I still love you...just like before." Michiru said softly after an instant. Michiru knew Haruka was probably going to rekindle with Ayashi and that's why she wanted to speak with her, but she had to try her best to win Haruka's heart back. "I know, I should have at least let you explain things but... I was too shock to think correctly. I'm sorry Haruka..."
"Don't apologize Michiru, it was also my fault." Said Haruka.
"No, I'm really sorry Haruka...I...I shouldn't have..." Michiru then broke up. She knew it would be difficult to face Haruka but she had never imagined that she would broken up so easily.
"Michiru..." Haruka came closer to the aqua haired girl and embraced her gently. She wanted to reassured her that everything was alright but she knew that it wasn't that easy so she just hold her tightly until she calmed herself down.
After a few minutes, Michiru was calmed but remained in Haruka's embrace. She felt warm and safe, just like she used to feel whenever Haruka was near her. "I feel safe with you..." Whispered Michiru as she gripped more firmly into Haruka's shirt. "Let me be a part of your life...again...Ruka."
Haruka's heart tighten, she wanted to give them another chance but her mind said otherwise. She was torn between her heart desire and her mind advice. "Michiru..."
"Please, Ruka...give us another chance." Pleaded Michiru.
"..." Haruka stayed silent. She didn't know what to replied or to say, she was at a loss of words.
"It's Ayashi, right?" Questioned Michiru as she disengaged herself from Haruka's hold. "Do you still love her?" She then enquired.
"I don't know if it's love, but I care a lot about her." Answered slowly and honestly Haruka.
"Does she know that you are a woman?" Questioned Michiru.
"Yes...she knew... from the start be-" Haruka didn't get the opportunity to finish her sentence as Michiru slapped her across the face. The blonde stayed silent, she knew Michiru had all the right to be angered. Her cheek started to swollen, it didn't hurt but the hurtful expression on the aqua haired girl did hurt.
"..." Michiru wanted to insult the blonde sitting in front of her but she couldn't form any words, she was too angered at the blonde.
Her body was trembling slightly in frustration but also because she was holding back her tears.
Haruka seeing the state in which was Michiru, didn't know what to do. She just sat there with her head down.
"Michiru...Gomen." She then whispered.
After a moment of silence, Haruka decided to look up. Her aqua haired friend was crying silently. The sight in front of her made her heart ache, she knew she still loved Michiru but she also knew that it would never be the same.
Cautiously, Haruka tried to approach the aqua haired girl, but before she could move closer, Michiru flung herself to Haruka and cried. "It's not...fair...It's not...fair." Stuttered Michiru between her sobs.
Haruka didn't say anything, she just embrace Michiru tightly and cursed herself for being such a jerk.
.:x:.
"Ne Sasuke, the teacher is already here...do you think they will come?" Asked Ayashi, as she sat next to Sasuke.
"I don't know, I was sure that we all have the same class this afternoon..." Replied Sasuke, he put his bag on his laps and looked for Haruka and Michiru's schedule. "I went to the student office to ask for their schedules...there're must be here...oh, got it."
"So..." Enquired the blonde.
Sasuke looked through the two sheets and pointed with his forefinger. "See, I told you."
"Then, where are they doing?" Asked Ayashi a little worried.
"Don't worry Ayashi, it's not an important class. They will be able to catch up easily." Reassured Sasuke, but as he looked closely he could tell that Ayashi wasn't really worried about that. "We will look for them after the class if you want?" He then proposed.
"Hai..." Replied absent-mindedly Ayashi.
.:x:.
"Tenou's residence, how may I help you?"
"Inoue-san? It's me." She was in Michiru's apartment and since she had skipped the afternoon classes, she wanted to make sure that Ayashi would have someone to accompany her safely back home.
"Haruka-sama?" Asked the Tenou family's Major d'homme as he heard Haruka's voice in the handset receiver.
"Hai, I have a favour to ask you. If you are not too busy Inoue-san, could you please go to the university and pick Ayashi up for me ?" Demanded Haruka.
"It will be my pleasure Haruka-sama, what time ?" Replied Inoue-san.
"If I'm not mistaken, in about three hours." Said the blonde.
"I understand, and what about you, Haruka-sama? "
"Don't wait for me, I have some business to take care of ...first."
"As you pleased."
"Arigatou Inoue-san"
"You're welcome, Haruka-sama."
As Haruka hang up the phone, she sighed softly. She had brought Michiru back home, because the aqua haired girl was too tired and didn't want to attend classes in this state.
They had took a cab and on the short ride, Michiru had felt quickly asleep. Haruka had then carried her to the apartment and into her bedroom, where she had laid her in her bed. And after a moment of contemplating Michiru's sleeping face, the blonde had decided to give Inoue-san a phone call.
Now, Haruka didn't know what to do. She didn't want to leave Michiru's side until she was awake but she wanted to go back to university too, just to make sure that Ayashi was fine. However as Sasuke's face popped up in her mind, Haruka was a little more relieved. "Sasuke is with her and Inoue-san will drive her home...I think she will be okay." Said Haruka to herself.
As she decided to wait for Michiru to wake up, Haruka silently strode to the kitchen and made some tea.
Minutes later, Haruka sat next to Michiru's bed looking at the sleeping face. The sun's rays that was piercing through the curtains gave the aqua haired girl an image of an angel.
The blonde couldn't resist, she slowly stroke Michiru's smooth hair and bent over to inhale the soft scent. "You smell like the ocean..." Whispered softly Haruka, she then closed her eyes and rested her head near Michiru's. "I hope you have a nice dream..." Said the blonde.
"I have..." Answered gently Michiru.
Surprised by the sudden voice, Haruka raised her head abruptly and looked ahead. "Did I wake you up?" Asked hesitantly Haruka.
"Not really...I was only half asleep." Replied Michiru smiling.
"Oh...you were only half asleep..." Said the blonde a little embarrassed. "I...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
Michiru didn't let the blonde finished, she gently laid a soft kiss on Haruka's lips. "Arigatou..." Michiru whispered as they parted.
"Michiru ?..." The blonde softly cupped the aqua haired girl's face and wiped the tears that were streaming down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, please don't cry..."
Michiru didn't realize that she was crying until Haruka cupped her face and wiped the tears that seemed to run down her face ceaselessly. Her heart ached for the blonde and to have her so near was just too painful.
"Please don't cry...It hurts me too see you like this..." Whispered tenderly Haruka.
Still sitting on the floor, Haruka went to sit on the bed next to Michiru to comfort the aqua haired girl.
Outside the weather seemed to reflect their heart, storm clouds moved quickly in the sky and soon recovered the sun. A couple of seconds later, raindrops could be heard against the shutters. Soon the calm weather leaved it's place to a rough weather.
Haruka then leant her forehead against Michiru's one and whispered with sorrow. "Gomen, I...I'm only good to make you cry..." She tried to hold her tears but for a reason unknown to her, she couldn't hold them so she closed her eyes.
Slowly Michiru raised her hands and covered Haruka's owns that was still on her cheeks. She then bent forward and kissed away the blonde's tears. "Ruka, If I cry... it's only because I love you...you did nothing." Murmured Michiru lovingly as she pulled away to look at Haruka's face.
Hearing Michiru's confession, Haruka opened her eyes and met beautiful deep blue eyes that shone with unconditional love and affection.
As their eyes came to rest on each other, time seemed to stop. The desire that was suppressed deep inside them came back to the surface and brought with it the longing of their body.
Instantly, Michiru gently pulled Haruka's face to hers and closed her eyes as their lips met again in a passionate kiss.
Haruka gently leant forward and deepen the kiss as a reply. Her hands then reached Michiru soft aqua hair and caressed them gently.
Michiru bewitched by the soft caress wrapped her arms around Haruka's neck and pulled the blonde with her to lay down on the soft bed.
.:x:.
"Ayashi ! Wait please..." Called Sasuke. The class was ending and before the ebony haired boy could gather all his things, Ayashi was already out the lecture hall.
"Where are you going?" Asked Sasuke out of breath. He had to run in order to catch up with the blonde girl who was already walking downstairs towards the building entrance.
"I don't know...I'm looking for Ruka..." She replied lost in her thought. She was almost like in a trance state.
"Ayashi, It's raining outside...I'm sure- Ayashi!" Shouted suddenly Sasuke as he saw Ayashi running outside. He then took out his umbrella and ran after the blonde.
The strong wind that blown against him didn't help him to catch up with Ayashi, who obviously didn't care about her state as she ran out of the courtyard under the violent rain.
"Ayashi ! Wait...It's dangerous !" Shouted Sasuke but the thunderstorm covered his call. Seeing the actual state in which was the blonde, Sasuke threw his umbrella away and started to sprint to stop the blonde, who was unaware of the danger by running like this in this weather.
In the other side of the road, a limousine was parked and inside, two men was waiting.
"I think it's almost time now." Said Inoue-san as he took out his umbrella. "I will go greet Ojou-sama."
"Don't miss her, I don't want her to walk under this rain...especially in her state." Said Kenji Tenou. He care a lot about the young blonde. She was the daughter her late wife had wished to have and the girl who opened up his eyes. If she hadn't came into his life, Haruka would have never forgive him and he would have never try to rekindle with her.
"I understand. Goshujin-sama." Said Inoue-san.
.:x:.
Haruka suddenly woke up, she didn't know at first where she was but she knew it wasn't her bedroom. She tried to get up but she felt something warm clinging to her naked body, as she turned around she saw through the moon light Michiru's angelic face and then she remembered.
For a moment, Haruka just laid awake contemplating Michiru's feature. Somehow she felt content and at ease, it was like a dream and she wanted to stay like that forever if it's meant being happy.
Slowly she stroke Michiru's soft hair and caressed her cheeks, she wanted to wake up the aqua haired girl and to take a shower with her, but in a second thought she didn't want to disturb Michiru's peaceful sleep. So she gently disengaged herself from Michiru's embrace and slipped on a housecoat she found in Michiru's wardrobe.
She then took her clothes and went into her former bedroom to take a shower. She didn't want to wake up Michiru so she decided to shower in the other bathroom that was in the opposite side of the large apartment.
Minutes later, Haruka, refreshed, went to the living room where she had left her bag and her key. She wanted to call home to tell them that she would not come home tonight.
She went to the coffee table took her bag and looked for her cellphone. As she found her cellphone, she was surprised to see so many missed calls. She quickly strolled through the menu to see who had tried to call her thirty seven times.
"Father and...Sasuke ?" Surprised, Haruka hastily looked if they have left her a message. She was starting to get nervous, she had a bad feeling about it.
As she listen to the first message, her eyes started to water and she found her own body trembling. She let her arm dropped and the cellphone hit the floor. Guilt washed over her.
"No...Aya..."
Once the full impact of what happened hit her, she gathered all her belongings promptly and ran out of the apartment.
"Aya..." She repeated sadly while she drove as fast as she could towards the hospital. She was angered at herself for what happened, she should have been with Ayashi.
As she drove, she couldn't help but to think about the situation in which she were and what she should do about it.
Once she arrived in front of the Hospital, she looked up into the night sky and stared at the moon.
"I've decided..." She then closed her eyes and tears slowly ran down her cheeks.
To be continued.
An : Thank you everyone for reading and reminding me that I have to update! I did forget...I hope you liked this chapter and that it was worth the wait.
Haruka already made her choice! Duty or love ? I'll tell you in the Next chapter. By the way, special thanks to Shinn, Bigbaka85 and Hina for answering my question, You won't be disappointed.