Three pairs of feet scrambled down a slope to find shelter. Rain was pouring hard, with dreadful streaks of lightning flashing through the obsidian sky, and deafening roars of thunder disturbing the peace of the night.

"Which way?"

"Turn right."

"It's a dead end!"

"Go back to that large maple tree!"

"I'll lead the way—Aaah!"

"Michiru-san!" Two figures rushed to where their companion landed with worry evident in their faces. They found her lying face down, her foot twisted at an odd angle.

"Oh my god. Are you alright?" Yuki asked.

Kaioh rolled her eyes in irritation. "Of course, I'm not. Can't you see? Why don't you try rolling down at a hill, and then I'll ask you if you feel alright. Geez."

"It doesn't look too bad. I'll try to mend it back. This will hurt a bit, so I advise you to stop talking for a moment." Haruka was kneeling in front of Michiru, the injured foot held between her hands. "Ready?" At the green-haired's nod, the blonde snapped the limb into its original place.

"Ouch!"

"Come on. Let's go before the rain gets any worse. I'll let you ride on my back." Tenoh impulsively tossed her bag on the ground to give way to the other girl. "Yuki-chan, take my compass and my umbrella. Head to the small camp at the bottom of this mountain. Tell them we have an emergency. We'll try to find some sort of cover for the meantime."

The red-haired nodded and hastily traced back their trail. She still wasn't far from the pair when Haruka suddenly stood up, taking careful steps forward.

"But what about your bag?"

The blonde smiled at Michiru, "They're just unimportant stuff. Leave them," and turned her head towards their destination, not noticing the way Kaioh's eyes seem to soften with hidden surprise.

----

After fifteen heavy steps…

"Haruka!"

Tenoh dropped down on her knees, exhaustion slowly creeping up into her body.

Kuso…I'm tired…

She tried once again to stand…but failed.

"Leave me, you baka…we'll both die with cold. Save yourself."

I can't…

"I won't."

"But why? You don't even know me. Why are you willing to risk yourself for an insensitive bitch?" Michiru smirked sarcastically.

"I won't leave you alone."

I must do this. Kami-sama, give me strength…

And with one final grunt, they were up again and walking.

----

Five words. Five simple words had struck deep within her soul.

'I won't leave you alone.'

She was held speechless, baffled.

But why? Why would someone want to save me?

Since she was a child, no one had ever wanted to stay with her. To them, she was a weird, stuck-up, rich girl who knew nothing but music. She never had friends, her only companion through the years was her precious violin. Even her mother left for another family. She was alone, with a father who was not even present on her birthdays.

She built layers upon layers of walls around her heart. And they were effective. She grew up to be aloof, antisocial, withdrawn, but strong and independent. She didn't like people, except maybe for her cousin, Ami.

Yet now, those walls that took her years to create, were crumbling down to pieces with five simple words from a stranger that she met the night before.

'I won't leave you alone.'

And she cried, hard. Her eyes sparkled with tears that were easily wiped down by the falling rain.

----

"You know, I used to do this a few years ago with my mother when was still working at a local fish market. I was giving her piggyback rides to our home in--"

Haruka stopped short when she heard the muffled cry.

"Uh…Michiru-san…why are you crying?"

Have I said something wrong?

"Anou…nothing. I just miss my obaa-san."

"Okay."

"Please continue your story."

A contented sigh.

A head leans on a shoulder.

A shared smile.

----

"Here we go." Haruka kicked the wooden door dramatically. Amidst the huge trees and dark path, they found a small cabin where they could seek refuge from the pouring rain.

"Finally, we can rest." Kaioh thanked the blonde after she was settled in a small reclining chair.

"Yeah, you're kinda heavy for someone so thin." A white pillow flew in the air, followed by loud laughter from the two occupants of the hut.

A few minutes and three rooms explored later, Haruka held two thick blankets in her hands. She debated on whether or not she'd split it between her and Michiru, but decided that the other would be better off with them, due to the sprained ankle and the girl's obvious red nose.

"Hey, Rudolf. Here you go. Arf, arf! Catch!"

Two eyebrows crossed, matched with a low growl. "Why you…if only my foot isn't swelling…wait till I get my hands on you Tenoh."

"And what will you do to me then? I knew it. You have a thing for me, ne?"

"Can't you please stop being an annoying little prick? Or do you just want me to kiss you again?"

Haruka's eyes went wide in panic.

"Sleep! Now!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Good girl…"

And they were off to dreamland.

--­­--

A race for honor.
A medal won.
Flashes of cameras.
Million dollar smiles.

Drive to home.
A drunk driver.
A swerving truck.
A collision.
Screams.

Hospital.
Emergency.
Blood everywhere.

Death.

No…father…No!

----

Michiru's peaceful sleep was disturbed when she heard silent sobs coming from her companion. Haruka was tossing back and forth, caused by what seemed to be a horrible nightmare.

"No…father…"

She needs my help. I better wake her up.

Using only one foot, she managed to hop around and maneuver herself in front of the blonde.

"Haruka…wake up…" She tried to shake the trembling girl awake, but to no avail. "Haruka!" This time, she slapped her hard across the cheek.

"Father!" Tenoh bolted upright and clung to the green-haired girl like there was no tomorrow. Her whole body was bathed in sweat, her face wet with tears.

"Hush now…" Michiru whispered tender words to the terrified teenager's ear to calm her down.

Once she got hold of herself, Haruka looked around, finding a pair of blue eyes filled with concern. "Michiru…?" But then, for reasons unknown to Kaioh, her gaze dropped down, her face turning into an interesting shade of red, her ears and cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"What's the matter…" The green-haired girl dared to ask, but when she too, lowered her eyes, she found out the reason for the blonde's discomfort. It seemed that in the process of waking her up, Michiru had accidentally knocked off Haruka's jacket, leaving nothing but a wet white shirt. And it was only then that Kaioh realized how close they were to each other.

Oh…

But it felt good, so good, to have someone in her arms. To feel warm breath upon her neck. It was one of her fantasies actually, to spend a cold holiday in a cabin with the one she loves, so it was no wonder how disturbing images concerning whip cream and a naked Haruka had sprung into her mind like mushrooms.

And really, one should never ask why her face suddenly started to gravitate towards Tenoh's, because the green-haired teenager too, was at a loss for words.

----

"…"

Michiru's face was getting closer, and poor Haruka was struck dumb upon seeing the beautiful visage of the green-haired beauty.

"Michiru…"

"Stop. Don't speak."

And just when they were about to share their second kiss for the day, the door unexpectedly jerked open, revealing the triumphant grin of Miyamoto Yuki, saying, "Hey guys, the rescue team's here!"

Two irritated glares.

One dumbstruck expression.

Two hearts beating wildly.

But with only one thought in theirowners' minds…

----

Author's Note:

Two words: UBER BUSY. T.T

Disclaimer:

Haruka, Michiru, and the rest of the BSSM gang belong to Naoko Takeuchi. I'm just borrowing them for a little while.
And SBS owns the Korean TV series Green Rose.