Ami and Usagi sit in Minako's hospital room, catching her up on all that's happened the day before with the monster and the carnival rides. Of course the main subject is Haruka's new girlfriend, their relationship and how it may effect everything but none of them can come up with an explanation to the sudden split between the destined romantic partners.
"Achoo... well the only thing that worries me is their powers work best together, what if they lose that completely because their apart?" Minako coughs hard and wheezes for a moment before catching her breath. "But you did say you saw Haruka save Michiru, so as an expert in love I think she still loves her." she weakly declares.
Usagi frowns with concern. "But Ami and I also saw Haruka kissing Hailey a bunch in the tunnel of love and she kept her close and she told me shes moving on before when I tried to ask but she don't like people asking about it."
Minako stares at Usagi for a moment in surprise. "You two were in the tunnel of love!?" She cant help bursting out in laughter. "Hahaha... cough cough... That must of been something. That's for couples in love, everyone knows that."
"Well I didn't know!" Usagi protests.
"I did try to tell her Minako but from the looks of it, they are in love, she was quite distracted" Ami blushes as she explains the situation.
"Hmm... If I were you, I'd try to get Haruka back with Michiru as soon as possible." Minako's interrupted by a huge sneeze taking a moment to blow her nose before continuing "We have to do something before things get serious."
"Well I don't think that is a good idea, she seems happy with Hailey already." Ami says with concern.
"Ami we need to try" Usagi insists. "Minako's right and I am sure we can have them back together in no time!"
Haruka has been in the bathroom since shes got back from her jog, I was surprised that she was up so early after yesterday. Thorn and the others are here now and have ordered pizza for lunch. We all agreed today would be a great day to just take it easy
"Hailey! How long has she long has she been in there for?"
"I'd say for at least a little over an hour Thorn."
"I will go check on her then, just in case." I knock on the door only to get no answer at all, this could be serious, I take my hair pin out and pick the lock and inside there on the bench was Haruka. Wearing just her black pants and grey sports bra, Haruka is fast asleep sitting up. I knew shes totally exhausted, I take a moment to pick up a pajama shirt and gently put it on her.
Hailey comes to the door behind me. "Shes alright, but we cant leave her sleeping here." I tell her.
I watch as Thorn lifts Haruka like you would a child and carries her out of the bathroom so carefully, I'm amazed she can lift her she must be very strong, she takes her in to the bedroom.
I lay Haruka down gently and cover her up she starts to move a bit and make noises "shh, it's ok" I rub her head. She's sweating and I hear her mumble the name of her Ex, Michiru, she must be having some dream but the way shes moving it seems more like a nightmare. "Easy does it." I keep rubbing her head as I see Rio enter the room.
"Pizza is here" she whispers "Is she alright?" I walk over and take a seat on the other side of the bed. "Is she having a bad nightmare?"
"I will eat in a few minutes, can you get me a damp cloth Rio please? She seems to be settling now, I am not sure what was going on but it was upsetting to her quite a bit" I fix the blanket and her pillows.
I hand Thorn the slightly damp cloth and watch as shes gently wipes Haruka's face and hands then tucks her in neatly, she turns off the light and we both leave quietly with Thorn closing the door behind us.
"She badly needs rest, we need to make sure she relaxes." Rio and I take a seat by Ava while Hailey passes us napkins and each a paper plate with slices of pizza, I pour some tea in to my mug. "You know a thought just occurred to me." I pull out my wallet and find the spa coupons inside. "A friend of mine gave me these for that spa in Lunar mall, we should all go there tomorrow that's a perfect way to relax. I will call and book it so there is no excuse not to go." I pull out my cellphone and dial the number.
"That's a great idea Thorn, I love a nice make over myself and the massage will be heaven. I can't wait!" I then hear my cellphone go off, taking a look at the screen it shows a weather warning of a horrible snowstorm that's on it's way here. Were in the red for the worst hit area and the system looks huge. Its due to hit some time late tomorrow it looks like on Christmas day. This is not a good thing. Once Thorn is off the phone I hand her my cell. "You might want to take a look at this."
One look at Rio's phone filled me with worries and adds a whole new knot to my stomach. "Well that sure changes things, well this means I can't take a chance. I will need to move in here tonight." I see Hailey stop eating and gives me a puzzled look.
"It's just a snowstorm and it may not even get here till near early Christmas morning Thorn, why would you need to come stay here? Everything will be fine, plus where would you sleep? There's no guest room."
"The reasons as to why right now, I'd rather keep to myself Hailey, but it is important that I am here for Haruka. As for sleeping arrangements I will be fine on old Suzy the couch, she's a challenge but I have my ways."
I follow Thorns look on to the old couch in the living room, I didn't know they had a name for it, that's strange but not as weird as her wanting to sleep here instead of with her girlfriend at their hotel room. Why would a simple snowstorm bring this on?
I stop and park in front of Haruka's apartment building. My head is pounding. I look in my car mirror, my aqua hair is a mess, it was a long night with no sleep, lots of yelling and many harsh words exchanged. I found a way to get out while my mother was asleep and Theo was distracted with his long date with the toilet but when I think about everything it was all worth it. I am glad that I ruined the dinner and I don't regret it. I look up and take a deep breath, here goes nothing. I get out and walk into the building and I bump in to a tall woman with tan skin and raven black hair in a ponytail wearing a pair of jeans and purple shirt that had a slight sparkle to it. We get on the elevator and we are both heading for the 8th floor.
Coming back from taking out the pizza boxes and trash we are all helping to clean Haruka's apartment up. I notice the young woman beside me looks awfully tense, her hair is a mess and her makeup is smeared. We both get off and I realize we are walking in the same direction towards Haruka's place. "hmm" I turn to her. "Hello I am Thorn, can I help you?"
"I am looking for Haruka although not sure why I bother to come here." The woman has a warm smile and tells me shes is fast asleep exhausted and asks me if I want her to tell Haruka anything at all. "No its alright thank you anyway." Suddenly the door opens and there stood Haruka her hair a mess wearing a navy blue pajama shirt with a puzzled look on her face and she sees me beside who I think is her date I suppose?
"Thought I heard voices out here" I felt my anger at first when I saw Michiru but it melted when I saw how she looked she started to turn and walk away. "Wait Michiru come inside."
"Its ok Haruka I shouldn't of come here I am sorry." But she walks to me and says its ok and leads me inside the smell of Lysol fills my nose along with the scent of coffee I see more girls in the kitchen did I break some sort of party?The four playing cards at the table I have no idea who they are and I just met Thorn not sure who she is to Haruka either its a little overwhelming they are looking at me as I am lead to the study she shuts the door picks up a blanket and puts it on my shoulders.
"Thorn that's her crazy Ex Michiru shes the one who locked me in a room with her and yelled at me about their break up what the hell is she doing here?" Hailey whispers harshly.
"Calm down Hailey everything is alright Haruka is not stupid she knows what shes doing" she whispers softly. I watch as Haruka comes out of the study goes to the kitchen grabbing two slices of pizza that were left over then pours a cup of coffee and carries them to the study closing the door.
"Here Michiru" I hand her the pizza and set the coffee on the desk next to her I sit in a chair across from her.
"Thank you but I know I was wrong to come here its just my mother yelled all night and I haven't slept yet and I got out so fast that I don't have my purse so no money to go sit anywhere else and buy something." I take big bites of the pizza remembering I'm starving and haven't eaten in hours.
"I get it don't worry about it if you want more to eat there's plenty." I watch Michiru gobbling the food not bothering to try and be neat at all it must have been awhile since shes ate. I do feel bad for her before I can say another word shes finished both slices. "Here let me get you more."
Haruka leaves and comes back not long after with two more hot slices and hands them to me. "Thank you so much." I take a few gulps of coffee before I start eating. I know its not lady like but right now it don't matter after finishing the first slice I stop and look at her sitting there silently taking a deep breath. "I know you hate me but Haruka could we possibly be friends." It hurt to say it I wanted more so much more I wanted to go in her arms and cry and scream kiss her lips and feel her embrace and this don't mean I give up but at least its a step to be near her.
"Would someone who hates a person give them food and shelter?" "I am over it hate is a waste of time and I have to much in my life going on to waste it on that so yes its possible. Here" I hand her a comb and cloth from my pocket. "Just in case you want to freshen up a bit I don't have that make up or other stuff you use its the best I can do." My heart pounds and my element craves her but I wont do it our paths are very different we are very different all we have is the sailor scouts and that's not enough for me.
"That's good to know but I felt better to ask out of respect." I begin to brush my hair' "I appreciate your help I wont stay to long I still have yet to finish a lot of work I wipe my face with the warm cloth. It feels so refreshing. "No make up is fine I don't need it all the time you know" I pick up the pizza slice finishing the last bites then swallow the last gulp of coffee.
"No need to thank me Michiru." She looks better now other then very tired I watch her stand up and fix up her dress as best she can "I wish you luck on the cruise." We shake hands as she thanks me again the tingling through just a simple touch from her goes right through me. I lead her to the front door. "Hold on you have no jacket you'll freeze here you can take this old one I have don't worry about it we have one sailor scout in hospital we don't need two"
"Thank you" I put it on and zip it up eyes are on me as her and I say our goodbyes I give her hand one last grip and open the door and leave shutting it behind me I walk fast not looking back the scent of her cologne fills my nose its still on the jacket tears threaten to fall once outside I am thankful that she gave me her Jacket its freezing out here I get in my car with a sigh I am not looking forward to going home at all the sun has set and its beginning to get dark.
I start up my car and begin my drive home if I can call it that to me its become more of a prison the roads are shining with pure ice with a thin layer of filthy slush a few cars are sliding with barely any control I arrive and park in the driveway and see the lights on all over the place which tells me everyone is awake.
Sigh here goes I walk in the door shutting it quietly maybe if I am quick enough I can get to my room shower and just go to bed but no such luck Mary greets me with a loud enough hello miss we all been worried. That I can hear the fast pace click of shoes coming my way and part of me wanted to yell at Mary that she should of shut up but I don't there comes my mother around the corner from the hall to the dining room and she embraces me?
"Michiru! We have all been so worried we couldn't even reach you so glad your alright oh my god your a sight you get to your room and shower and rest for now. I never want us to argue like that again after all we have to much to get you ready for with our concert coming up you and I must practice more once your done that work of yours now go on not a word is needed I know your sorry"
I didn't get one word out at all as usual I head up the steps to my room well this is better then a complete lecture closing my door I am to tired to care anymore at this point. I carefully put the jacket Haruka gave me in my closet and right now all that really is on my mind is sleep I need sleep...
With Haruka's crazy Ex gone I cant help but wonder why she was here? It Also don't help that my mind is full of questions about why Thorns staying here too? All Haruka did was tell us she was not hungry that everything was fine and then went back to bed without a word about a thing.
"I look at Rio do you mind going out to get my things from the hotel?"
"Sure Thorn no problem anything else while I am at it?"
"Yes now that you ask when I think of old Suzy over there could you get me a thick foam mattress some blankets and pillows too while your at it?"
"Sure Thorn" I text the list in to my phone and slip on my jacket and boots."
I shouldn't be to long hope this idea for old Suzy works." I cant help but laugh a bit at the memory I have of sleeping on that thing my back was out for almost a week no matter how I tried old Suzy won against me and anyone else who dare try. Shutting the door I walk out into the cold night.
Rio can laugh but I will win the battle against Suzy her and I will have an understanding I see Hailey staring at me like were all acting crazy." Go ahead and tell her Ava."
"Hailey its time you know about this couch it is an antique dad got from an auction it came with another one like it a table and a few odds and ends now the first of the pair you can sleep or sit on it its fine. But not this one its a bitch it fools you for one thing it never warms up no matter how long you sit on it and if you fall asleep no matter what position you pay and pay dearly your back and anything else it will hurt we eventually named it old Suzy because dad said that's what the dead owner that had it before name was Suzy her son said she died right on one of the couches he just wasn't sure which one."
"Nice story you guys but Haruka and I sat on the couches before and nothing came of it and I never noticed one being colder then the other what id like is an answer as to whats going on like why is Thorn staying? Is it because of the monster she fought? Or is it the Nightmare you thought she had,"
"Now back up Hailey you only made out with Haruka back then on it yes I know about it you never really have tried it at all like we all have so here is what I will do." With a wink to Ava. "I turn to Hailey you sleep on Old Suzy for the night with none of what Rio is bringing me and if you can wake up in no pain I will tell you all you want to know but if you don't then you will stay out of my business and stop asking questions got it."
"Fine with me Thorn you have a bet," We shake hands I start by checking out the couch it has no issues its perfectly fine and in good shape for its age not one broken part or bad spring on it at all I hear Ava laughing with Thorn.
"Trust us Hailey we didn't do anything to it and dad did have it repaired awhile back and its been fine since but that didn't change a thing and you'll see our point. Ava come with me a moment we walk in to the bathroom and I shut the door I lock it and talk in a low voice. "Its the best way I could think of for her to leave things alone"
"I whisper back I understand you are dealing with enough right now and you know Rio and I have your back this isn't a good time to play twenty questions with whats going on and if something does happen soon you will be close to Haruka at least"
"This is pure hell wish I didn't have this responsibility at all part of me wishes I said no all those years ago but at the time and with all he said I couldn't." Ava gives me a hug and we hear the front door open I unlock the bathroom door and we walk to go greet Rio she has my bags along with the thick foam mattress and blankets "thank you very much I will put these away."
"No problem Thorn isn't she using those Ava?"
"Not anymore Hailey decided she wanted to test Old Suzy temper" Ava says with a smirk trying not to laugh. "So I guess Thorn will be sleeping with Haruka."
Rio laughs to himself this will be good I watch as Hailey put a single sheet and a pillow on the couch shes already in her pajamas and putting a comforter on the end when Thorn comes out shes in her nightgown.
"No need to get up Hailey I will walk Jade Ava Rio and Mei out" I walk over and give Jade a deep kiss and give her the van keys. "I will see you in the morning" I open the door and wish the others goodnight and close it behind them locking it for the evening, I turn to Hailey "I hope you have a pleasant sleep tonight as well here I will turn off the lights in the kitchen for you."
"I am not worried about a thing Thorn I get under the comforter and lay down I am still tired from the other day an early rest tonight is just what I need"
I walk in to the bedroom quietly I don't want to wake up Haruka I slip in bed as gentle as possible but I then feel movement from Haruka she turns over and wraps her arms around me I guess old habits never left her I used to hold her through her nightmares till she was alright all this stress tires me out that I cant stay awake it don't take long for me to fall in to a deep sleep...