AN: Sorry for the persons who wanted the duel scene, but it won't be described here... But you'll see a duel scene later in the story I promise, this one wasn't important enough...

Chapter 5

Wedding day

That afternoon when Haruka helped Michiru to get in the carosse, she didn't even look at him. She had had her shoulders covered; she was not in the mood for seduction anymore. Knowing about Haruka sleeping with Lady Longley had irritated her very much… After an hour or two spent watching at them, she had understood that she was madly jealous. But Haruka was peaceful, she even smiled at Michiru. Talking with Melinda always made her feel better.

« No argument, not a single criticism… Does Miss Kaioh would be pissed? »

« I'm not pissed. »

« Pissed and jealous because I walked with another Lady, I'm sure this is it. »

« Let's clarify the situation… I felt love for you at the beginning… but not anymore, you're a bad person, I'll spend my life with the most awful jerk of Paris and I can only blame myself for this. I'm not jealous. You can sleep with this woman as much as you want, I don't care. But let me tell you that her husband wants to have me in his bed as soon as we will be married. »

Haruka's playful tone and smile melted as snow under the sun. The idea that she could kill the man during the duel crossed her mind.

« What? And… you accepted…? Well… I think it's none of my business… »

« And what if I actually accepted? »

« It's your life; I don't intend to be faithful so you don't have to. But the old Longley… if you really want to have fun don't go with him. »

Haruka had recovered her playful tone, but Michiru was still angry.

« I should go with you, then? »

« Yeah, that would be grea… I mean I'm worthier than any of the men you'll find in Paris, but sorry we'll soon be married but I don't think we will be in this kind of relation. »

« I guess you know how to have children, and that this step is compulsory when you get married, it's part of the wedding night, not that I'm really enthusiast… I hoped I would marry someone I truly love. »

« I guess you'll be more disappointed than that… I'm not only a jerk… there is something else about me that won't fit your expectations… »

« What is it? »

« I won't tell it to you right now… You would freak and tell everyone… When we're married I'll have the power of making you close your mouth about it. A wife keeps her husbands secrets. »

« What? You've got a wooden leg? » asked Michiru teasingly.

« No. »

« I'll know it one day or another, this secret of yours, but I think it won't really matter… All that concerns you doesn't interest me. »

Michiru had sincerely no idea of what was Haruka's secret… It interested her very much, but never would she have admitted it…

The duel took place at night, in a street of Paris, Michiru was stressed… She didn't sleep that night. Haruka won, there were two reasons to her victory: one, she was the greatest swordsman of Paris, two, she had her honour to defend, and last but not least… This man wanted Michiru in his bed. So she easily won the duel but let the injured man alive, Melinda asked her to, and there were sometimes troubles when you kill someone… So Lord Longley came back home alive and ashamed, beaten by a twenty-one year old man…

The wedding day finally arrived… Michiru was driven to the altar by her father; Haruka opened her eyes wide when she saw her coming. She was so perfect in her wedding dress… Haruka had to admit that her only desire was to put it off. More, at this moment she felt in peace, but this she didn't really realised at the moment… She felt inside her that she was at the right place, and that Michiru was exactly the woman she wanted… Michiru was feeling very happy, and at the same time, very sad, she loved Haruka, this she knew… But she knew too that a difficult life awaited her, with fights all the time; the blonde was as stubborn as she was… and she knew Haruka would never love her, that she hated her.

The bishop made his sermon. Michiru was staring at Haruka, hoping desperately to see this particular light in his eyes… And suddenly she saw it… It was there, and Haruka was smiling a bit… weird… Michiru let a smile on her face… But suddenly Haruka's face hardened… the bishop had just said 'you may kiss the bride'

Passing the ring to Michiru's finger had been easy, answering yes and saying the vows too, but Haruka had feared this particular moment, though she knew it would come at the end… She was not afraid by kisses… But she was afraid by kissing Michiru… She still remembered this mixture of feelings that made her heart beat faster; even jump in her chest when she had kissed her before, and that reappeared every time she was too near… If she had known what love was, she would have understood… But Haruka Tenoh was afraid of love among all things, because the only person she had truly loved was dead.

She put off the veil and tried to avoid Michiru's glare, but her eyes bewitched her, she couldn't help but look into them deeply… their lips met before she had the time to think. Haruka felt immediately overwhelmed by the passion conveyed by the kiss as she had feared she would. Her arms were around her bride's waist and she deepened the kiss. Michiru was in the same state of mind… But she felt she would loose control if the kiss didn't ended soon… and loosing control in front of a crowd of Paris aristocracy and the King, in the cathedral Notre Dame wasn't a good plan. Haruka seemed to notice this too and she ended the kiss. Fortunately for them, the passion they had felt had passed unnoticed from the crowd, only the bishop wasn't very at ease. Then a feast took place in the biggest room of the Tenoh's Manor in Paris. Haruka didn't say a word to Michiru. And she felt relived when people began to talk to them, keeping them busy. But another worry came after dinner… the dances… It was up to them to open the ball… Haruka was a good dancer, so was Michiru, but the problem was that she knew the girl would take advantage of the moment to talk to her, she had tried many times to catch her intention in the day but it had been unsuccessful, Haruka had ignored her as much as she could do for a newly wed couple.

The orchestra began to play. Haruka passed an arm around Michiru's thin waist and took her hand. Michiru put a hand on her forearm and they began to dance… It was marvellous, Michiru was so light, and her moves were so graceful. Haruka could inhale her perfume and it was bewitching as usual. Michiru was truly glad this time… she was feeling that everything was getting better… The shine in Haruka's eyes hadn't left, even if he had tried to avoid her… And the kiss… So passionate and full of love, she could still feel Haruka's hand on her back. And now the dance… Haruka was a perfect dancer, he led her perfectly. They really were a matching couple… They just had a bad beginning, now they were married and in love, Haruka's past was not important. Michiru was ready to speak… But suddenly she felt there was no use for words… After the dance, she felt a tender kiss leaning on her lips; she hadn't noticed Haruka approaching her face. But it added to her current happiness…

But then, other dances took place, the king insisted to dance with the bride… As well as Lord Longley… But Haruka was watching closely to the men around… and intervened before anyone would have time to invite her, which make Michiru feel even better. However she still had to dance with the King.

« So here we are Miss Kaioh, or I should say Lady Tenoh. Congratulations. Now tell me, will you attend the court more often now you're married to one of my Lords? »

« The court… I don't know. If my husband wants me to go I will. »

Michiru had the greatest difficult to hide the fact that she didn't want to go… She wasn't mundane, she preferred to stay alone with her violin and pencils, they were enough to make her happy. But her main reason was that she had seen the glance the King constantly sent her, and she didn't like it all… She knew what would imply the fact of attending the court she wasn't stupid. The dance ended.

« Thanks Lady Tenoh; you're a very good dancer. »

« Thanks your highness, but you're much better. »

Michiru made a reverence then she felt Haruka's hand grabbing hers for the next dance.

Later in the night, while she was sitting at the table, Setsuna came to her to lead her to the room. Michiru had obtained that she stayed as her personal maid even now that she was married.

Setsuna helped her undressing then putting a night dress, then she brushed her long curly turquoise-hair.

« Setsuna… I'm so nervous… And Haruka… Did you see him? He acts with so much kindness with me today… It seems that I met someone else… He is a real Charming Prince… Even when I met him I hadn't this impression… That's wonderful… I think my husband is in love with me! »

« It's great, Miss… I mean Lady Tenoh. I'm really glad he changed. I watched a little, he had eyes only for you. »

« I knew he was special… I knew it was him… I am so glad. But still really nervous… »

« Don't worry, everything will be okay, every woman lives this moment when she marries. And Lord Tenoh is handsome, you're lucky you didn't marry someone like Lord Longley. »

Michiru laughed.

Haruka was in the corridor, she was even more nervous than Michiru… She didn't imagine it would be this way… She had thought of this moment as a good one. Another of her game, her final revenge for this marriage she hadn't wanted. She had wanted Michiru to suffer; she had wanted her to be shocked and hurt by the discovery of her true gender… But now… She didn't know why, but she wouldn't bear it if Michiru freaked, she would be hurt herself… But why? She didn't feel anything for Michiru? Her opinion about her wasn't important… Even if they had seemed to get along better on this particular day…

When she heard Setsuna come out of the room, she nearly jumped in surprise, then she tried to look confident and emotionless. She took a deep breath then opened the door.

Michiru was already in the bed. She didn't dare to look at Haruka, who was trying to figure out a solution to make what she had to say less choking, but nothing came to her mind. The blonde approached the bed, then leaned herself near Michiru. The minute she had done that, she knew it wasn't a good idea… She felt the desire to kiss her bride passionately and didn't resist it. For a minute she forgot totally about the situation she was in… Her hands were wandering on Michiru's body, the kiss deepened… Michiru was completely abandoned, why had she felt so nervous? It was so simple after all… She just had to let herself fill with desire and let Haruka do the rest… But suddenly, Haruka pulled apart, he sat on the bed and took his head in his hand…

« What's wrong Lord Tenoh. »

« We're married… So please call me Haruka. »

« Haruka… »

« I… I told you before that I have a secret. »

« Yes… So you're finally going to tell me… »

« You won't like that… I'm sorry; I should have told it to you earlier. We can't consume the marriage. »

« What? Why couldn't we… »

« Well… We could but I don't think you would like it. »

« Haruka… Tell me what it is. I'm your wife; I'll understand and keep your secret whatever it is… Besides, I love you. »

« You love me? Don't say such a thing… You do not really know me. »

« I think I do more than you think. »

« Let me prove you wrong. »

Haruka face Michiru.

« Please don't scream, I don't want a scandal. And if you keep one secret in your life, I want it to be this one. »

Haruka began to unbutton her shirt. Michiru saw the bandages appear.

« Are you hurt? Is it this? You got hurt and you don't want to… »

But her words stayed in her throat as Haruka unwrapped the bandages that let appear her breasts.