Disclaimer: I don't own 'em.

Thanks for all the reviews! This is a little rushed because I know you all want another chapter, but I hope you like it. Oh...and there's a place in here where I refer to Haruka as 'him' because Seiya doesn't know her true gender. Don't get mad at me. :-)

Italics mean thoughts (or perhaps dreams ;-D ) of characters.

Echoes of the Past

Chapter 5

A 14 year old blonde tomboy stepped out of a car in Tokyo followed by a young man with brown hair. The man laughed at her, "Oh come on Haruka, you know you'll do fine. After all, entrance exams aren't that hard and you're smarter than me and I did fine on them." The girl smirked as they walked toward her house "I wouldn't say barely passing is doing fine" she said. The man just kept laughing. Then something occurred to him "So have your plans for you and Suniko's anniversary changed at all?"

"Nope, they're still on."
"Good, well I think she's going to love it. Y'know, it's funny, when you do sweet things like that it almost seems like you're the girl in the relationship." Haruka glared at her friend and then hit him playfully with her bag. "Ouch! Hey, it was just a joke." He smiled as she got out her keys and moved to unlock the door to her apartment. The noises they heard once the door was open were something that seemed all too familiar to Haruka. They could only see shadows, but they knew it was Suniko. Haruka's face froze. Judiko quickly took ahold of his friend's arm and pulled her out of the house. The two in the shadows didn't even seem to notice they were there. Once outside, he could see the pain and confusion on Haruka's face. "You're staying at my place tonight" She didn't reply.

"Judi...Judi" He felt strong hands on his shoulders and opened his eyes to see a blurry figure standing before him. "Wha?" He said, shielding his face from the light. "Geez, I leave you alone for five minutes and you fall asleep. Honestly, Judi, we have a race to win!" Judiko smiled at the blonde. That's Ruka, always thinking about the next race. Judiko got up and went over to get her car ready. He knew something had been going on with Haruka lately. She wasn't her normal self. But he also knew that nothing could possibly make her lose her focus in a race. Racing was what his friend lived for. He sighed and turned to the blonde "You're all set."

"Thanks" She flashed him a smile before jumping in the car and racing out onto the track to the roar of the crowd.

"Michiru! Over here!"

The aqua haired girl turned to find Nara sitting in the front row of the stands, patting a spot next to her that she had saved for Michiru.

"Thanks"

"No problem, although I must say I'm surprised you showed up...with what's been going on between you and Haruka and all."

"We're still friends Nara and besides, you know I've never missed one of her races. I don't plan on starting now." Nara just smiled at her friend. She knew it was difficult for Michiru to be here and she admired that she had the strength to come.

The flag was waved and the cars started out along the track. It was a short race, only four laps, but it was clear at the very beginning that there were only two who had a chance of winning. Haruka's blue and gold car sped out to the front of the line closely followed by Seiya's red car. Haruka looked in her mirror and was amused to see the red devil behind her. It appeared that he hadn't done anything to her car this time, so maybe he was thinking he could win fair and square. Haruka decided to let him think that and kept her speed steady for a lap as the red car passed her. She remained just barely behind him for the next lap.

The crowd was out of their seats. This was a strange occurrence, Haruka Tenoh was losing. Even though Seiya had almost beaten her before, she had always been the one in the front, but this time she was lagging. Nara stared wide eyed at the track "Michiru, how can you not be amazed at this, Haruka is losing! Maybe your fight had more of an impact than you thought."

Michiru just remained in her seat and smiled. She knew exactly what Haruka was doing and she was proved correct as just before the finish line Haruka's car pulled just barely in front of Seiya's. Nara frowned and turned to her friend "You knew that didn't you!" Michiru just smiled and got up, making her way towards the garage. Nara glared after her. "I will never understand the bond of those two." She said to herself as she gathered her things and began to head home. "I just don't get why they don't see it."

Seiya banged his fist on the steering wheel. Tenoh had played him. He hadn't really been behind, he was just putting on a show. He got out of the car and walked silently past the spectators who had now gathered around Haruka. He knew the blonde was watching him, smirking at his win. But suddenly a beautiful vision descended from the stands, distracting him from his anger. He ran to her side and offered his hand as she climbed down the steps. She smiled sweetly at him as she always did. "Thank you"

"My pleasure Michiru." He smiled and bowed. But instead of Michiru's normal act of politely excusing herself and going to Haruka's side, she stood there for a moment and appeared to consider him. He smiled at her, confused. She had always been nice to him, but it had been very clear that she had no desire to speak to him any more than she had to. But today appeared to be different. Perhaps this was the way he could get to Haruka. He opened his mouth, but before he could speak he was interrupted by the sweet voice of the aqua-haired girl. "Would you like to accompany me to my car?" He bowed again before offering his arm for her to take "It would be my pleasure Michiru."

They walked in silence for a moment while Seiya decided to try once again with her. "Michiru, would you like to join me for dinner tonight?" She frowned a bit, a look that didn't suit her in his eyes. "I'd love to, but unfortunately I have a concert."

"Ah, that's all right. Another night then." Maybe she was still avoiding him after all. But as they reached her car she stopped and turned to him. "But we could go out beforehand. And perhaps you'd like to attend. I could get you a ticket."

"I would love to." He bent down and kissed the young girl's hand. "I'll pick you up at six." He said and walked away, leaving Michiru alone with her thoughts.

She sighed as she watched him walk away and leaned against her car. Am I doing the right thing? But as she caught a glimpse of Haruka and Suniko walking away from the track hand in hand, her resolve was strengthened. Jealousy was Haruka's one weakness and Michiru knew that if she could tap into that she just might be able to win the blonde back. I just hope it doesn't backfire, she thought and climbed into her car to go home.