-Taiki-

Taiki was waiting patiently at his computer for Haruka's car to notify the security system of its approach to the Tenoh tower. As soon as the small red light lit up, he stood up and went down to the parking floor. Haruka pulled into the designated spot with ease, but stumbled out of the car as if she was drunk and he ran to her side to support her.

"Evening Taiki, I didn't think anyone would still be up." Haruka greeted him as she rested part of her weight on his shoulders.

"I promised Kakyuu-sensei to administer your booster shot and sleeping medication as soon as you would get back." Taiki explained himself.

"That sounds amazing right now." Haruka chuckled.

He noticed that her pants were slightly torn and that her shirt under her pristine jacket had several bullet holes, but he didn't want to bring those up yet.

They walked over to the elevator and rode up to the clinic.

Once there, Taiki had a closer look at Haruka's injuries and tended to them to the best of his abilities.

"Didn't Kakyuu-sensei say, no strain for you for at least a week?" Taiki commented as bandaged another graze on her forearm.

"Well, it was either that or greeting the daisies from six feet under." Haruka responded dryly.

Once all wounds were tended to, he administered her the booster shot.

"We better get you to bed before I give you the sleeping pills." Taiki suggested and Haruka nodded tiredly.

They took the elevator to Haruka's apartment just to face Haruka's bed being overcrowded by Setsuna spooning Kakyuu and Hotaru being cuddled by Michiru, all only wearing Haruka's T-shirts and shorts. The blanket barely covered them and leaving them fairly exposed.

"Why does my bed get more action when I am not around?" Haruka whispered to an unresponsive Taiki. "Taiki?...Taiki, memorise this image quickly because I am kicking you out."

Haruka straightened up and limped over to her couch while Taiki went to the kitchen to get her a glass of water for her pills.

"Take these before you lie down." He placed the glass of water and the pills on the coffee table before leaving Haruka's apartment, but not without looking back one more time longingly.


-Haruka-

Haruka didn't know how long she had been sleeping before she was woken by Hotaru.

"Haruka-papa, Haruka-papa." The little girl called.

"Ssshhhh, let's play a game." Haruka tried to quieten her without moving unnecessarily and keeping her eyes closed.

"What game?" Hotaru asked curiously.

"I will tell you when you come closer" Haruka lured her.

"Like this?" Hotaru asked with a whisper.

"Closer." Haruka baited her little monster.

"Like this?" Hotaru stepped closer.

"Closer" Haruka whispered.

"Like this?" the little girl stepped curiously closer.

Hotaru was practically standing right next to Haruka and Haruka reached for Hotaru and pulled her into a tight hug onto the couch.

"Got you!" Haruka smirked and Hotaru giggled. "The game is called Ssshhh." Haruka explained.

"How do you play Ssshhh?" Hotaru asked.

"You need to stay still and be quiet and the one who manages it the longest wins." Haruka explained sleepily.

"And what does the winner get?" Hotaru asked.

"The last pudding in the fridge." Haruka announced.

"When do we start Sssshhh?" Hotaru continued to ask

"Now." Haruka wrapped Hotaru into her blanket and resumed to sleep

Suddenly she heard Hotaru quietly shushing in her arms followed by someone clearing her throat.

Haruka frowned and slightly opened her eyes a tiny bit just to let them travel up familiar looking smooth legs. Smirking she decided that this was a good dream she was having as she closed her eyes again. Until someone else cleared her throat. She opened her eyes a tiny bit again and suddenly saw two pairs of sexy smooth legs. Oh, this dream was getting even better, Haruka thought to herself with a grin as closed her eyes again. Unexpectedly a third person cleared her voice and Haruka opened her eyes a bit again to see a pair of nice looking tanned legs having joined the group. 'Wait. Tanned?' Haruka thought frantically, there was something she must have forgotten.

"Haruka." Kakyuu's voice called her. "I thought we agreed, no danger for you for a while." Kakyuu stated unimpressed.

Haruka resumed pretending to be asleep. Whoever thought that the idea of a harem could be a good idea clearly never lived with a bunch of women at the same time, and judging from all that voice clearing, Haruka was obviously in trouble.

'Surround yourself with women, they said. You'll get pampered, they said.' Haruka thought ruefully.

"Haruka, I know you are awake." Kakyuu continued.

"You have no proof and I have a hostage" Haruka mumbled as slowly moved her head and looked up at three rather stern looking women as she held Hotaru tighter.

"I won Haruka-papa, I won. Do I get the pudding now?" Hotaru cheered.

"Well done. After breakfast Hime-chan right now you better stay here and protect me." Haruka mumbled.

"From what?" Hotaru asked.

"See those eyes. That look is called death stare." Haruka explained

"Oh." Hotaru started to understand.

Kakyuu was holding Haruka's bullet riddled shirt up while Setsuna was holding her busted pants.

"The tie is still in one piece." Haruka tried to justify herself.

Michiru suddenly leaned down with a smile and Haruka could clearly see into the t-shirt she was wearing that there was no particular underwear obstructing the view.

"Ne Hotaru, want me to get you that pudding you won?" She asked Hotaru,.

"Yes, please. I like you Michiru-nee" Hotaru said happily as she cheerfully wiggled out of Haruka's embrace, since Haruka was too mesmerised by the view and forgot to hold Hotaru tighter, and followed the vixen into the kitchen.

"Haruka, where were you last night so late?" Setsuna asked in a serious tone.

Haruka stretched herself and sat up.

"Dinner with Kakashi." She said slowly

"And care to explain this?" Setsuna waved the clothes she had carelessly scattered around the couch before collapsing on it.

"There was an unexpected complication, but the matter is resolved." Haruka said evenly. "Anyway, what was the deal with taking my whole bed? I gave you all have your own beds here, even complete apartments." Haruka tried to shift the focus.

"Michiru had to get Hotaru to sleep while we worked in the clinic." Kakyuu explained.

"And how does that relate to my bed?" Haruka asked.

"Well we were waiting for you to get back to run tests straight away." Setsuna continued the explanation.

"And my shirts?" Haruka continued to ask.

"Haruka-papa, you always say, no street clothes in bed. So I needed to give them fresh clothes." Hotaru explained as she returned with her reward.

"Right…." Haruka trailed off.

"Anyway, get up. It's time for your tests!" Kakyuu called.

"But I still have the sleeping medication in my system." Haruka tried to get away.

"You didn't take it. It's still here." Setsuna pointed to the coffee table.

"Come on, the sooner you get up the sooner I get my samples and the sooner you can have Breakfast with Hotaru-chan." Kakyuu hurried the blonde.

"Fine, I am coming." Haruka conceded.


-Michiru-

After they had changed Haruka went with Kakyuu down to the clinic while Hotaru, Setsuna and Michiru went down to the communal area for breakfast.

The smell of freshly baked bread filled the air and happy chatter came from the kitchen where the girls prepared breakfast.

"Where are the boys?" Setsuna asked the girls as she reached the kitchen.

"They are all hard at work in their offices." Minako told her.

"Have they had their breakfast yet?" Michiru asked.

"Well, if you consider black coffee a type of breakfast, then yes, but otherwise, no." Makoto told her with a finger pointing at the ever busy coffee machine.

"They must have been up for hours before we got here." Ami shared her observation.

"Well they do have other businesses to run at the same time while you are training." Setsuna commented.

Just in that moment Seiya walked absent minded into the kitchen, mechanically refilled his mug and left again without a word.

"Seems to be serious." Rei noticed.

They finished breakfast preparations together and set the table.

Moments later Kakyuu joined them.

"All of this looks amazing Makoto." She complemented.

"Her sandwiches are truly the best." Ami added, causing Makoto to blush.

"Oh, they are not that special." Makoto said humbly.

"To me they are." Ami protested.

"Where is Haruka?" Minako asked.

"She is with the boys. Business that you girls are probably better off not knowing." Kakyuu informed them as she reached for one of the many sandwiches on the table.

Setsuna sighed. "Anything I should be worried about?"

"Haruka only said, 'the less you know, the better you sleep'" Kakyuu before biting into her sandwich.

"Is that why Haruka-papa sleeps so bad? Does she know too much?" Hotaru asked from her seat next to Michiru.

"Oh no. Your papa is just a trouble maker, that is why she sleeps so bad" Kakyuu teased.

"I better stop her from making trouble." Hotaru said thoughtfully and Setsuna laughed.

"You do that Hotaru-chan." Setsuna encouraged the little girl.

"What is Hime-chan supposed to do?" Haruka asked as she entered the room with the guys.

"Stopping you from causing trouble Haruka-papa." Hotaru explained.

"When do I ever cause trouble?" Haruka pretended to be offended, making the whole room burst out in laughter.

They joined in for breakfast and Haruka announced that there had been a change of plans for today's training. That tonight would be a nocturnal infiltration prevention training with all of them taking turns, with some being the intruders and some of them being the defender.

"We start after dinner, so until then you all have time off. You are welcome to hit the gym if you want more physical training. Yaten has set up some extra computers in the control room if you want to practice running some simulations. That might be especially an interesting option for you, Ami, to use your time on. If you need help with anything, do not hesitate to seek out one of us. Oh and Minako, before I forget, the firing range has been opened to all of you now, but please see Seiya for the weapons and ammunition which you may use. Any questions?" Haruka asked.

"Haruka-papa, does that mean we can play Mario cart after breakfast?" Hotaru asked.

"Yes we can do that, after we have done your reading exercises together." Haruka responded. "Anyone else? No? Great. Will you be staying for lunch Setsuna-nee?" Haruka asked the tall women next to her.

"No, I can't. I am running late as it is. Kakashi has texted me this morning that there had been a security breach in the agency that I need to investigate." Setsuna replied.

"Oh, do you need any help?" Ami asked her.

"You have your mission to concentrate on. If you get back before it is resolved, I will get back to you on your offer." Setsu na told Ami as she finished her breakfast.

Suddenly Haruka's phone rang and she excused herself to her office.

Not long after, Setsuna left to go to the agency, the boys returned to their chores and the girls left for some individual training because Michiru offered to clean up on her own since she hadn't helped making the breakfast.

"Michiru-nee, what will you do today?" Hotaru asked as she helped Michiru by carrying her plate into the empty kitchen.

"I will do some reading and then I will go swimming." Michiru told the little girl.

"That's great, why don't you join me and Haruka-papa with reading. Haruka-papa reads really well." Hotaru told her as Haruka entered the kitchen.

"I don't know Hotaru-chan, we might not be reading the same things. The things I read are really difficult." Michiru tried to explain to Hotaru.

"Haruka-papa, you can read anything right?" Hotaru asked Haruka.

"Hmm? I guess so Hime-chan. Why?" Haruka asked in return as she got herself another cup of coffee.

"Because Michiru-nee is going to read, too, and I want us to read together." Hotaru explained.

Haruka looked at Hotaru for a moment thoughtfully.

"Sure. We can do that if that's what you want." Haruka said as she picked up the little girl and placed her on the kitchen counter. "But I have bad news. I have to do some work this afternoon so no playing Mario cart until tomorrow Hime-chan, ok?" Haruka asked Hotaru serious.

"I understand." Hotaru, looked slightly sad.

"I'm sorry Hime-chan." Haruka tried to console her by picking Hotaru up and Hotaru rested her head on Haruka's shoulder, while Haruka caressed her back.

"I understand. Haruka-papa, don't worry." Hotaru reassured Haruka.

"So what do you want to read Hime-chan?" Haruka asked.

"What Michiru-nee wants to read." Hotaru decided.

"Ok." Haruka turned around to Michiru "So, what does Michiru-nee want to read?" Haruka asked her.

"I guess we can settle for 'the little prince.'" Michiru replied.

"I love 'the little prince'" Hotaru smiled wide.

"Why don't you go and get it from the viewing room and we start reading it after I finish my coffee." Haruka put Hotaru back down.

"Ok" Hotaru said cheerfully before she went to the viewing room that had slowly morphed to the toddler's playing room outside of Haruka's apartment.

"I am sorry that she is being a bit more attached than usual." Haruka apologised to Michiru.

"That's ok." Michiru said understandingly. "You are very accommodating towards the girls as well after all." Michiru smiled.

"Thank you for your understanding. I will make her nap in the clinic with Kakyuu later, so you have time to do what you want to do." Haruka told Michiru before she started to drink her coffee.

"That's ok, I don't mind watching her while she is having her nap. I can catch up on reviewing the mission plans during that time." Michiru offered.

"Ok, suit yourself." Haruka said easily after she finished her coffee.

"Should you really be drinking this much coffee?" Michiru asked slightly concerned.

"Well I got to be awake to read, don't I?" Haruka smirked.


-Haruka-

Haruka was driving smartly dressed to the Myamoto-clan's estate.

After she had received the phone call from Yumi during breakfast that her grandfather wanted to speak with her in person Haruka knew that this would be a highly sensitive situation.

Groaning she surrendered to the situation at hand with apprehension and didn't dare to think of how much trouble she gotten Yumi into because of her.

What would she give to be back to the midmorning she had spent with Hotaru and Michiru, just reading and being read to. It was so easy, carefree and comfortable. She thought even further back to the image of Michiru in her white shirt and shorts… and those legs…

Too soon, the Myamoto-clan's estate appeared in her view.

Driving through the big gate of the Myamoto's estate, she was instructed by an attending, to park in one of the parking bays designated for visitors and to wait for someone to come and take her to the head of the house.

Yumi came out only moments later, delicately dressed in a simple, yet elegant looking Kimono. Her hair was pinned up revealing her delicate neck.

"Good afternoon Tenoh-san, thank you for coming." Yumi greeted her with a respectful bow.

"Good afternoon Myamoto-san." Haruka greeted her in return.

"Please follow me. My grandfather is waiting for us in the visitors' room." Yumi explained and went ahead.

Haruka followed her silently.

During the day the estate looked even more impressive than during the night. The greens were kept in immaculate conditions and the servants all stayed out of sight, but Haruka knew that they were around every corner, listening to every word spoken and observing every deed done, ready to serve and protect their masters at every moment without ever letting a secret escape the walls they were revealed in.

Haruka was led into the main building and servants were standing ready with slippers for her. She exchanged her shoes as it was customary and entered the century old building that had been tastefully rejuvenated with modern architecture and comfort.

They took off their slippers before they entered the room in which a very strict and stern looking man with white hair was awaiting their arrival.

"Good afternoon Myamoto-san." She greeted him with a respectful bow.

"Good afternoon Tenoh-san" He greeted her back. "Yumi, you may leave." He said with a tone that was commanding and left no room for refusal.

Yumi bowed and left the room.

"Tenoh-san, please have a seat." Hiroto Myamoto said decisively.

Haruka obliged, sat down at the tea table and was served a cup of tea by the old man.

"Tenoh-san, did you know that the tea ceremony had been created to eliminate class difference in the olden days, so that the attending could relax and speak the truth to one another?" Hiroto asked her.

"I did." Haruka replied steadfast.

"Yesterday, you came here onto my property and destroyed some of my family's assets. May I know why you did that?" His eyes never left Haruka who had not made any attempts to touch the tea.

"Because I had to. Your grandson was betraying your granddaughter's and with that your family's reputation for secret keeping and everlasting neutrality, by aiding someone who is disrespectful of your values and targeting the Council." Haruka said evenly.

"And what do you gain from helping my granddaughter to avoid this scandal?" His voice was low, with a hint of distrust.

"Your granddaughter has my utmost trust because she is the epitome of your family's believes. She keeps peace by providing a neutral space in which no attending party has an unfair advantage. She has never and will never intervene nor reveal any secrets that have been entrusted to her or been discussed within the grounds of her tea houses, and it is that trust which puts my clients and associates, of whom many belong to the Council, at ease when I conduct my businesses in her tea house. While my misconduct doesn't reflect bad on her nor your image, a misconduct on your side reflects bad on mine. Since it would show a lack of judgement on my behalf of you if that would happen. I've known for a while that your grandson is a bit challenging and I know that raising him as well as all of your children and grandchildren is your business, but the moment his conduct encroached onto my matters it became my business to shut him down." Haruka said without flinching. "I know your sternness is for their benefit, so that they may grow strong along your example to hold up the family pride. I myself grew up without parents and know that my uncle didn't have it easy with me. Though I carry his name, my grandfather has never acknowledged me and I still continue my duties as a Tenoh, because I do it to honour my father's memory. But you did acknowledge your grandchildren despite your children's choices and demise. Having to raise both of your grandchildren couldn't have been easy and having to bury two of your children is something no father should need to have to do. By taking care of this matter on my own last night, I hoped to keep this issue in house for you to handle as you deem fit. I, for my part, have done what is necessary for my house. " Haruka returned his piercing stare with an even gaze.

Haruka watched the old man attentively as he let her words sink in and contemplated them.

"Has Yumi told you all of that?" The old man asked her, not breaking his gaze.

"No. She hasn't. She only speaks of you in the highest esteem and she doesn't even know what her parents have done nor does she care. She has been raised by you, you are her true parent and that is all that matters to her. She trusts your judgement, therefore I feel confident to rely om it." Haruka stated evenly.

Haruka finally lifted the cup and drank from it.

"If you would have been born sooner and as a man, you would have been someone I would have been proud to call my grandson in law." The old man said evenly. "I have been looking for a male successor for a while, but I am worried that I won't find one anytime soon." Hiroto admitted.

"You have a female successor who would be a sure bet. I am just saying that as food for thought. Please send me the bill for the repairs. In retrospect, I apologise for my youthful brashness and disrespect towards you by infringing on your property rights and using your granddaughter to bypass your security. She didn't have any knowledge of my intentions and only obliged the request of one of her loyal clients." Haruka explained.

"There is no need for that. Rin will have to make up for his shortcomings to learn his lesson." Hiroto stated calmly.

They drank more tea in silence before Haruka spoke up again.

"I apologise for my frankness, but if that would be all, then I would like to excuse myself and take my leave." Haruka asked for permission to leave.

"Of course, you must be busy with the Council meeting preparations." Hiroto nodded understandingly. "I take it you are taking one of my brother's onsens as venue?" The old man asked conversationally.

"We are still considering, but we will contact you in time, Myamoto-san to notify you of the final decision." Haruka informed the old man.

"Well then, I wish you a good day, Tenoh-san." Hiroto dismissed her.

"A good day to you as well Myamoto-san." Haruka bowed before she left the room.

Once outside she was faced with the patiently waiting Yumi who had been standing there the whole time.

"Would you like a ride to your tea house Myamoto-san?" Haruka offered.

"That would be very kind of you, Tenoh-san" Yumi accepted.

When they were sitting together in the car, Haruka let out a huge sigh of relief.

"Your grandfather is scary." Haruka commented.

"I know" Yumi chuckled.

"So… you were just waiting for me to get chewed up so you could collect my remains and mail them home to my guys?" Haruka asked wryly.

"I knew your smooth tongue would get you out of anything that you got yourself into. It is one of your best assets after all." Yumi snickered.

"Is that so?" Haruka smirked

"I can only speak of my own experience." Yumi replied.

"Want to expand on those?" Haruka winked suggestively.

"I have already contacted Sasaki-san to prepare us the usual tea room." Yumi stated evenly.

"Of course you have." Haruka chuckled as she sped up in direction of the tea house.


-Michiru-

Michiru finally sat down on Haruka's couch.

Hotaru had just fallen asleep in Haruka's bed and Michiru started to understand why Haruka tended to look so tired at the end of the day.

The little girl could be a real bundle of boundless energy when she wanted to be.

The pillow and the blanket that Haruka had used last night were still scattered on the couch and Michiru pulled the blanket towards herself to fold it. It smelled distinctively of Haruka as Michiru took sniff of it, making her recall the day they had spent in Haruka's beach house, mainly on the couch as well.

She finished folding it and put it on the backrest of the couch before she leaned back, relaxing and thinking back to the way the body of the blonde felt against her own. The way she was caressed and touched by the blonde. The way she made Michiru realise how she could feel about another person that Michiru had never experienced before.

She looked over to the pillow and noticed a single blonde hair on it. Thinking back on how nice it felt to run her fingers through that blonde mane, she remembered how tempted she was to do that this morning as well when the blonde was still asleep. She remembered how Haruka looked like this morning, cramped on this couch like a small child, covered in bruises and bandages, wearing nothing more than her t-shirt and shorts, while hugging Hotaru who was wrapped up securely in her blanket.

She picked up the pillow and hugged it tight.

She had known now for some time now that she felt something for the blonde and it hurt her to be so close and yet so distant to her. They haven't had a real conversation between themselves since their fight and unless it involved mission planning, they didn't talk at all.

Though Haruka didn't behave any different when others were around and still had her playful façade well in place, when they were alone, it was all business and no fun. She missed Haruka's mischievous smirks, comments and innuendos that were just meant for her. She felt envious of how easy Kakyuu and Minako could joke around with Haruka, how easy Haruka would tease Makoto and Rei. Even Ami wasn't spared an insinuation here and there. Just with Michiru she had stopped cold. Michiru thought back to Paris, how much less complicated things were between them back then and how much she missed being close to Haruka.


-Haruka-

Haruka just got back from Yumi's tea house and entered her apartment.

She noticed that Hotaru was still all cuddled up in her bed, but Michiru was nowhere close by.

She walked over to the couch and noticed that Michiru had fallen asleep on it. Her peaceful complexion resting on the pillow she was hugging. Haruka opened the blanket and covered Michiru's body with it. She couldn't resist to move a couple of strands of hair out of the beautiful face and to caress that smooth cheek.

Hotaru must have really pulled all registers to still be sleeping now and it must have taken its toll on Michiru.

Haruka sighed quietly. It had been long and frustrating days in which they had been working together lately.

Haruka had tried to find an opportunity to apologise properly for her rudeness during their fight but just couldn't find the right moment. In any case it would be pointless now. The matter had passed too long by now.

As she kneeled next to Michiru, she wondered if the woman knew in how much danger she was truly in. Haruka had spent all her free time to hunt down the people that were after her and was still nowhere close to finding the puppet master that was causing her this much trouble.

Right now she could only keep Michiru in this gilded cage under the pretence of needing to train her and other the girls more before they could commence their mission.

Michiru didn't need any training though. She was second to no one with her performance. Haruka always enjoyed watching her in action, may it be incapacitating her adversaries or overcoming challenges. She was always elegant and decisive in her conduct. A true goddess on the battlefield and anywhere else for that matter.

Haruka looked at her watch. Dinner was going to be ready soon and she needed to shower.


-Michiru-

She woke up to muffled curses coming from the bathroom.

She rushed to check on what was going on there just to face a semi naked Haruka, only wrapped in a towel, pulling off a bloody bandage from her leg.

She blushed furiously as she caught herself letting her eyes wander over the wet and naked body of the blonde.

"It's nothing you haven't seen before or don't have yourself." Haruka smirked.

"Indeed, you being injured is just such a common sight to me by now. Though I have never have been that clumsy myself." Michiru retorted as she walked into the bathroom and took the first aid kit with her. "Come out and I fix you up." Michiru told the blonde.

Haruka limped out after Michiru to the couch after she had put on her bathrobe.

"I feel like this is becoming a bad habit of yours." Michiru pointed out as she readied the bandages.

"What has? Me letting you walk in on me naked? I distinctly remember putting a 'do not disturb' sign at the Sento that time." Haruka deflected.

"Yea, that is what I meant" Michiru replied sarcastically before she applied alcohol to Haruka's leg wound.

"By the way, I am sorry." Michiru suddenly said quietly next to Haruka.

"For?" the blonde asked surprised.

"Slapping you." Michiru clarified.

"Oh, that. I have already forgotten about it. Life is too short to hold grudges." Haruka said dismissively.

"Ok. Can we start over again?" Michiru asked.

"Do you want to redo the whole plan or just parts of it?" Haruka asked indifferently.

"I meant us. I want us to work together properly." Michiru was growing frustrated.

"Has something not been done properly?" Haruka continued to ignore her implications.

"You are injured and you haven't told me why." Michiru stated annoyed.

"Because it has nothing to do with the mission we are preparing for. You are forgetting I am a law-bending ex agent, who crosses the line regularly for personal gain and to earn money. That I get injured in the process is as natural to me as is breathing is to others." Haruka said dryly. "Knowing everything I do will do no good for the image you have of me and will make working together only harder on the long run. The differences between the 'Alex' you liked and the me you see are as many as the differences between the moon and the sun." Haruka stated with a frown.

"I still want to know." Michiru insisted.

"And I still won't tell you." Haruka persisted.

"That won't stop me from asking. Your work might jeopardise my mission." Michiru contended.

"Ask all you want. I won't answer it, because it doesn't affect the mission" Haruka continued.

"Fine." Michiru applied the bandage with more force than it was necessary.

"What are you fighting about?" Hotaru suddenly jumped into the discussion.

"Oh sorry princess, did we wake you?" Haruka asked the little girl concerned, who had stumbled over to them.

"Does that hurt Haruka-papa" Hotaru asked pointing at the bandages on Haruka's arms that had managed to bleed through.

"No, not at all. Those are just scratches. I will get dressed and go to Kakyuu now and she will fix me right up like she always does, ok Hime-chan?" Haruka told the little girl who looked concerned. "How about you get changed for dinner as well?" Haruka suggested.

"Ok, Haruka-papa." Hotaru agreed. "Will you help me Michiru-nee?" Hotaru turned to Michiru.


-Hotaru-

Dinner was a quieter matter than it usually was. Hotaru had been sitting between Haruka and Michiru during dinner and both were awfully quiet, no matter how much Hotaru tried to strike up a conversation between them.

"Ne, Haruka-papa." Hotaru called Haruka as she was getting her pyjamas.

"What is it?" Haruka asked in return as she walked into the closet after Hotaru.

"When can I can I stay up late like you?" Hotaru asked as she pulled off her shirt.

"When you grow up." Haruka stated absent minded

"I can't wait to grow up, then I can stay up with you and play Mario cart all night like Yaten-ji." Hotaru said excitedly.

"Yea." Haruka just nodded as she picked up Hotaru's clothes to put them into the laundry.

"Haruka-papa" Hotaru pulled on Haruka's pant leg as the blonde was about to leave the closet.

"Hmmm?" Haruka turned back around.

"Are you upset with Michiru-nee?" Hotaru asked concerned.

"No." Haruka started to help Hotaru to pull on her shirt properly.

"Is Michiru-nee upset with you?" Hotaru continued to ask.

"Probably" Haruka replied pensive.

"What did you do to make her upset?" Hotaru persisted.

"Nothing." Haruka answered calmly as she adjusted Hotaru's pants.

"But why would she be upset about nothing." Hotaru asked puzzled.

"You will understand when you grow up to be an adult." Haruka promised.

"Why do I need to be an adult to understand it?" Hotaru wasn't about to let this go.

"Adults get upset about 'nothing' all the time." Haruka explained.

"Why? Is 'nothing' so bad?" Hotary wondered.

"Well, imagine you made a mess and you did 'nothing' to clean it up. Do you think that would make me upset?" Haruka asked in return.

"Yes." Hotaru nodded.

"There you go. That is one of the many 'nothings' adults need to deal with." Haruka summarised.

"So you did 'nothing' to clean up your mess?" Hotaru asked as they walked out of the closet.

"Well, I am doing something….it just takes time." Haruka tried to explain.

"So you did do 'nothing' that Michiru-nee knows of that is 'something'." Hotaru concluded.

"Kind of." Haruka agreed.

"So 'nothing' is 'something'" Hotaru deducted.

"Sometimes." Haruka confirmed.

"Being an adult seems hard." Hotaru noted.

"Yes." Haruka nodded.

"I don't want to grow up anymore." Hotaru sighed.

"Good choice." Haruka chuckled.

"Haruka-papa, can I come with you?" She asked Haruka as they reached the bed.

"Hime-chan, we will work all night tonight and you need your sleep." Haruka explained as she got ready to go down to the training hall.

"So, you are leaving me here, all alone, by myself and may I remind you, I am four. I might turn on the stove because I can't sleep." Hotaru proposed as she climbed into bed.

"Hime, you won't, you are smarter than that." Haruka said confidently.

"Ok and what if I turn on the TV or the computer and watch the stuff with the naked people in it?" Hotaru suggested.

She could see Haruka suddenly stopping in motion as she went through the paperwork that Michiru had left on the coffee table.

"What exactly are we talking about?" Haruka asked her suspiciously as the blonde turned around to face Hotaru.

"You know… the stuff adults watch at night." Hotaru hinted.

"And that is?" Haruka continued to ask.

"Where a man and a woman do stuff when they are naked." Hotaru explained.

"How do you even know about that?" Haruka asked persistent.

"Daisuke-kun told me he saw his dad watching naked adults doing weird stuff naked on the computer at night when he went to the toilet and his dad gave him a huge chocolate bar so that he won't tell his mum about it. It's their secret now. So it must be something really awesome right?" Hotaru told her as she pulled the blanket over herself.

"Ok, you are coming with me, but you are putting on headphones, you will be sleeping on the couch and I will wrap you in a blanket so I won't have to change your clothes when I carry you to bed." Haruka told her.

"I have a better idea." With that Hotaru got out of bed again and disappeared in Haruka's closet again just to come out moments later in one of Haruka's favourite hoodies. "See? Now I am all covered and you only have to take it off before you put me to bed." She grinned broadly. "And it even comes with a pillow!" Hotaru put on the hood.

"Ok, fine." Haruka sighed.

The hoody was so big that the little girl was nearly swimming in it and Hotaru enjoyed flailing her arms around with the sleeves that were clearly too long for her.

Haruka got up and picked up the little girl "Ready?" Haruka asked the little girl with a gentle smile.

"Ready!" Hotaru grinned.


-Haruka-

They just finished their first exercise successfully and regrouped in the safe zone to pick up their next mission, when Haruka removed Taiki from the training to help in the control room.

"Something wrong Haruka?" Taiki asked her as he entered the control room.

"I need to go to see Kakashi for bit." Haruka explained as she slowly put a sleeping Hotaru down on the couch.

"Need backup?" Taiki asked with slight concern.

"No." Haruka answered calmly.

"How long will you take?" Taiki continued to ask.

"Not long, it's only an interrogation." Haruka explained.

"Where?" Taiki enquired.

"E4, keep an eye on Hotaru for me? She should be sleeping through it, but just in case." Haruka instructed the tall brunette.

"Of course. Stay safe." Taiki reminded her.

"Of course." Haruka nodded.

Haruka left the room and took the elevator down to an unmarked floor.

When the elevator doors opened, they revealed several tunnel entrances and Haruka took the one on the very left of her. Walking silently along the dim lit path she slowly started to hear water gurgling nearby. At the end of the tunnel she opened a door that revealed a rather unusually dishevelled looking Kakashi. She could see the anger in his eyes and the fury he felt towards a man he had tied up on a chair in the adjacent room that he was staring at through the windowpane.

"Thank you for coming." Kakashi said through gritted teeth.

"No worries. You are in no state to ask anyone any questions and we both need the information anyway." Haruka replied calmly.

"Here, this is him." Kakashi passed her a tablet with all the information on the man he had just captured in front of Setsuna's apartment before he called her.

Haruka let her eyes run across the information before returning the tablet and entering the interrogation room.

Unlike E17, this one was small and rudimentary. There were only two chairs, a couple of hooks on the ceilings in case something or someone needed to be 'elevated off the ground' by ropes and in the corner was a small trap door.

Nothing else besides light strips along the edges of the ceiling adorned this room.

Haruka took a seat across the restrained man and sat down. They watched each other carefully, seizing each other up.

Haruka noticed Kakashi must have lost some control in the capturing process as her opposite was bearing a busted lip and budding bruises all over.

"So, I've heard your name is Kin Zhao… my name is Haruka Tenoh, you might or might not have heard of me." Haruka started to speak.

Besides a small twitch in his eye, the man did not react.

"You and I both know, you will not leave here alive, but you probably knew that when you took on your task of attempting to kidnap Meioh-san." Haruka stated calmly.

There was still no reaction.

"This gurgling you hear are the sewage pipes of Tokyo. It's a huge system. If you were to drop in there, it might take months if not years to find the little that will remain of you." She continued to explain.

Haruka looked calmly into his defiant eyes.

"You are not scared of death, because you know you are dying either way. What is it, cancer?" Haruka asked calmly.

A slight twitch.

"Lung? Pancreas? Stomach? Liver?" Haruka slowly listed the most common types to see when he would react.

Another twitch.

"So liver cancer. That is hard." Haruka continued sympathetically.

Another twitch.

"Tried all the treatment options yet? Or were you surprised by it?" Haruka asked empathetically.

A frown.

"Stage three? Stage four?" Haruka continued to ask.

Another twitch.

"That's not much time left…You know, I have been diagnosed with an incurable disease about three years ago. It's so rare, I have been the only case so far and it doesn't even have a name yet. Maybe they will even name it after me in the end." Haruka sighed. "You know, it makes no difference knowing about it early when it doesn't kill you yet and having no cure for it or getting to know about it too late so that you won't have a chance to cure it." She pulled out her wallet and looked at her picture with Hotaru.

"You do you have kids, right?" Haruka asked.

The look of remorse flashed across his face.

"Do they know?" Haruka continued.

Kin shook his head.

"You don't show them your pain so they remember you as the strong father that you are. I understand that. When you know you are dying; all you want to do is spend time with the people you love or make sure that they are taken care of when you are gone. I don't have much time left myself anymore, that is why I have gotten everything in order, so that my only child will never know the pain of hunger or homelessness. So that she will never lack anything and can do everything she wants to. You want that for your family, too, don't you? Otherwise you wouldn't be here. You wouldn't have risked the precious little time you have left, to sit here and talk with me." Haruka stated calmly.

"How much time do you have left?" Kin suddenly asked.

"Six months, maybe two years, depends how much longer my body can take the pain of the treatments. Sometimes I don't even know if it's the disease or the cure that is killing me. And you?" Haruka asked sympathetically.

"Three months, I have tried all possible treatments in the past couple of months, nothing has worked." Kin admitted.

"It's not just the pain and but the disappointment, isn't it? You go through so much pain, just to be told that it didn't work again, that it made no difference and yet you lost precious time being in treatment rather than at home with your family." Haruka stated understandingly.

Kin nodded defeated.

"I know you have two beautiful girls. The world can be cruel to them if they don't have a strong father to protect them. People can take advantage of them and their mother when you won't be around anymore. I can help you to at least take care of them financially and move them to a safer environment." Haruka suggested.

"I was approached by a broker, he offered me three million in gold to kidnap Meioh-san and to deliver her to the port. The name of the ship is Northern Star." Kin said quietly.

"Give me the name and address of your family and I will call my friends in Shanghai. They will give your family a new home in a good part of the city and a fair monthly allowance to live on. Nothing too big to become a target. Nothing too small to lack anything they could want." Haruka offered,

"The broker's name was Hideyoshi. I don't know his surname" Kin continued to provide information.

"I think funerals are more for the living than the dead. It is their chance to say goodbye, because you can't anymore." Haruka explained.

"I have an appointment to meet up with him tomorrow night in a small bar in Kabukicho if I don't get Meioh-san tonight, so that he can give me more fire power to get the job done." Kin gave up all the information that he held.

"Do you prefer accidental death or heroic death?" Haruka asked earnestly.

"Don't we all want to be heroes?" Kin asked her back.

"Understood." Haruka nodded.


-Michiru-

It was the third night on which they did their night exercises and all returned to the control room for a debrief just to find Haruka asleep with Hotaru curled up in her hoody in her arms. Lately Haruka was gone at even more odd hours so Hotaru had resourced to being even more attached to the tall blonde at every chance she got.

Taiki cleared his throat and Haruka started to speak without opening her eyes.

"Everyone, well done. Especially Ami, your exercises on the shooting range are paying off. Makoto, your performance was also very good, especially your calm during the hostage situation. Rei, good stamina improvement but watch your left side more, Minako cannot always be around to watch your back and Minako, please stay more on point." Haruka commented on their performance.

"And what about us?" Seiya called her out.

"Oh right. Kakyuu and Michiru, wonderful overall performance. And you guys don't need praise; you know you are good. You can pride yourself that you survived the black program." Haruka smirked.

Haruka slowly got up and carefully shifted the sleeping Hotaru in her arms. "You all better catch some sleep. You have worked hard the past couple of days. We will resume daytime training tomorrow. All except Kakyuu are dismissed." Haruka said with a wide grin.

Everyone, except Kakyuu, slowly left the control room and Michiru looked back one more time just to see how Haruka passed Hotaru over to Kakyuu.

'Where are you off to now?' Michiru thought to herself. She rode the elevator with the others to their floor and excused herself that she forgot something on the training floor to stay in the elevator, but instead of going to the training floor she took the elevator to the parking floor.

For the last couple of days, she had been trying to follow wherever Haruka was going but somehow Haruka had always managed to evade Michiru shadowing her when she left the building. This time though the blonde was wearing the tracker, that Michiru had been trying to place on the blonde, voluntarily thanks to Hotaru, who made with her a bracelet that Haruka was proudly wearing to make the little girl happy. All she had to do now was to figure out which car Haruka was going to use and hide in it. She decided to try her luck with the silver Audi that Haruka hadn't used the past couple of days and as luck would have it, Haruka did choose it.

Haruka drove for a while in silence before she started to talk.

"You know, I appreciate your trust in my driving skills but I would really prefer you to be sitting in a seat properly and using a seat-belt." Haruka smirked.

"How did you know I was here?" Michiru asked gingerly as she came out of her hiding spot.

"I have a sensitive nose and I have never driven you in this car before, yet I still smelled you. Don't feel bad, it's not because you haven't showered, you just have a unique smell to me. No one has ever managed to follow me this far anywhere, so this was a pretty good achievement." Haruka chuckled.

"Where are we going?" Michiru asked as she buckled up.

"Usually I would drive you back to the tower, but I am late as it is. Just sit tight. I am sure you will figure it out." Haruka said while glancing in the rear view mirror.

She sped up and Michiru could feel the thrill of the speed Haruka was driving at.

It didn't take long for them to arrive at the big port and Haruka exited the car.

"Are you coming or are you happy to look after my car?" She asked Michiru mockingly as she looked onto the back seat.

Michiru got out and followed Haruka to one of the older looking harbour buildings. Haruka opened the door with a small key and they entered the big storage building filled with many containers. Haruka seemed to know exactly which nondescript container she needed to go to and opened the doors of it. She signed for them both to enter and they stepped into it before Haruka closed the door behind them again. A light switched on and Haruka opened a panel of one the wooden crates, that were stored behind them, to reveal an iris scanner inside of it.

"This is one of the few agency assets solely used by the security department." Haruka explained as she scanned her left eye.

"Welcome back agent Tenoh Haruto." A mechanical voice spoke clearly before the panel beneath them descended and was replaced by another one above their heads.

'So this is why Haruto is still alive in their system' Michiru thought to herself.

Once they were underground, Haruka led the way pass many thick numbered steel doors before they entered number six.

Kakashi was standing inside, overlooking some papers sternly.

"Kaioh-san?" He seemed surprised as he looked up.

"She wanted to come along for a late night ride." Haruka shrugged.

"I see." Kakashi nodded

"I am sorry if I am intruding Takahashi-sensei." Michiru said apologetically.

"That's fine. I only asked Tenoh-san to come to confirm with her that the security issue in the agency has been resolved and I wanted to confirm with her that the council meeting will be proceeding next week." Kakashi stated evenly.

"Are all eliminated?" Haruka asked in the same dispassionate tone.

"According to all intelligence that could be confirmed, yes." Kakashi replied evenly. "Meioh-san is overseeing further investigations, but as far as I am informed, things are in the clear. I will be expecting smooth proceedings of the meetings next week, Kaioh-san." Kakashi turned to Michiru.

"Understood" Michiru replied.

"Well if that was it. I'm going home to sleep." Haruka said casually.

"Do that." Kakashi dismissed them.

They said their goodbyes and walked out. Outside they were greeted by a fresh sea breeze and Haruka stretched herself enjoying the first light of the sunrise.

"So next week we will finally commence the mission." Michiru noted.

"Hmm. Well, just some more minor adjustments, but I think we are as ready as we can be." Haruka agreed.

"Yea I am so glad that won't take long, then three days with the security people from Council and then the meetings will start…." Michiru started.

"…and my job here will be done and you won't need to see me again." Haruka finished her sentence with a chuckle.

She had nearly forgotten about that. After the mission there was no more reason to meet the blonde, leave alone stay in her tower and as busy as Haruka was with all her side businesses, Michiru doubted their paths would cross that easily or that often again. Would Haruka even notice her absence? Would she miss the blonde? She knew the answer to later question at least but didn't dare to think about the reverse of it. Haruka had made it often very clear during her stay that she was not looking for any relationships, that intercourse was merely something to kill time with and that love was overrated in her eyes.

Michiru thought back to the little banter Haruka had with Minako just the night before.

"If you have a such a bad headache but want to stay off the pain meds then just go and get physical to get some relief." The tall blonde has teased Minako.

"Not everything can be solved with sex Haruka." Minako retorted.

"While that is a very tempting proposal to disprove, sex really does relief headaches, right Ami?" Haruka roped Ami into the discussion.

"Well, that is true but..." Ami started

"But you cannot just have sex with random people." Makoto interjected.

"Of course not. In the least the other person should be attractive to you and if he or she is 'fascinating' then it's a bonus, right Rei" Haruka smirked and Minako groaned.

"But that is not enough for a relationship." Minako sighed.

"And having a relationship doesn't just revolve around sex." Taiki added.

"I am merely talking about headache relief. Having a relationship is a luxury not all of us can afford. Or are you willing to risk to leave your loved ones behind when you could die on the next job?" Haruka looked sceptically into the group. "In our profession and the missions we embark on, we risk our life for others, so that others may live carefree and joyful lives. If we do not at least enjoy what you can have right now, no matter how fleeting it may seem, then we might forget what we are fighting for to start off with." Haruka explained while shrugging.

Haruka's words had made their mark on Michiru's mind that day and she wondered if she had ever enjoyed anything besides her music before she had met the handsome blonde, who just did what she wanted, however she wanted, when she wanted it. Who found happiness in eating pudding with Hotaru and teasing Minako. Who enjoyed challenging Makoto to new heights and encouraging Ami to come out of her shell. Who found joy in showing Rei new perspectives and who kept her colleagues busy at most hours of the day.

They drove back in silence and Michiru just enjoyed sitting next to Haruka in peace with no interruptions. Just being here right now felt good and she didn't dare to think of what would come next.


-Haruka-

Haruka was dropping off Hotaru at the Tomoe's estate.

"Got Hugo?" she asked Hotaru.

"Check" Hotaru raised her teddy bear with a wide grin.

"Good." Haruka nodded approvingly.

"Will you be gone long?" Hotaru asked her.

"I try not to be." Haruka reassured Hotaru.

"Will we do fireworks again when you get back?" Hotaru continued to ask.

"Sure." Haruka smiled.

"Haruka-papa?" Hotaru was about to say something but then stopped.

"Hmm?" Haruka looked at the little girl encouragingly.

"I love you." Hotaru told her as she gave Haruka a tight goodbye hug.

"I love you, too, Hime-chan." Haruka held Hotaru tighter and caressed her back.

"I love you more than pudding." Hotaru whispered into Haruka's ear.

"Aaaww and I love you more than ice cream." Haruka replied.

"That's a lot." Hotaru said with big eyes as she loosened her hug to look into Haruka's face.

"I know." Haruka chuckled and gave Hotaru a kiss on her forehead before she sent her off to play with her cousins and her aunt.

"She looks so much like Sayuri and so much happier than when I sent her off to you." Ichiro noted.

"The magic of dessert after every meal." Haruka chuckled.

"I have tripled security as you asked me to." The older man told her sternly.

"Thank you, Ichiro. It is just a precautionary measure. With the Council complete and in town, I just don't want you to get caught up in the possible storm." Haruka sighed.

"I know. This time it seems to be rather turbulent compared to the last two times." Ichiro noted with slight concern.

"Yea…anyway, I got to get back to the guys. You take care of yourself and no venturing anywhere without a protection detail." Haruka reminded the older man.

"Yea, Sachiko would not let me even leave the house to go to the garden without a guard." Ichiro sighed.

"She is still pretty worried about you. You are the one she loves after all." Haruka said cheerfully as they walked to the main entrance.

"Haruka, be careful out there." Ichiro reminded her. "If for no one else then at least for Hotaru."

Haruka just nodded and casually waved goodbye before getting into her car.


-Michiru-

Michiru walked into control room to find Ami brooding over some numbers and charts.

"What are you doing Ami?" Michiru asked her as she stepped closer.

"I am looking at our training charts to see if there is anything we can optimise in the next days before we start." Ami explained to her.

"This chart doesn't look familiar though." Michiru noted as she looked at the ever decreasing line.

"It's Haruka's" Ami noted. "I have been wondering why she isn't taking part in the mission while she is clearly better than most of us." Ami explained.

Michiru noted that while she still maintained a very high level, Haruka's scores used to be a lot higher three years ago and have steadily declined since.

"Takahashi-sensei had only asked her to consult on the matter, so that is what she is doing." Michiru explained evenly.

"True. Anyway, is there anything you needed?" Ami asked her.

"Oh, no. I was just wanted to check on where everyone was before heading for the pool." Michiru told her.

"That sounds like a good idea, I think I will join. Who knows when we will have time for ourselves in the next couple of days." Ami said smiling.

"Oh you are not joining Kakyuu in the clinic today?" Michiru asked Amy surprised.

"No, she told me they are closing the clinic for maintenance for the next two days." Ami informed her.


-Haruka-

Haruka was patiently sitting on the treatment bed letting Kakyuu poke and prod her like she always did.

"Your blood count did not improve." Kakyuu said as she connected Haruka the machine for dialysis.

"Hmm. Thought so." Haruka said evenly.

"I have a new compound for you to try but we will do that after the mission, then I have more time to observe you in peace, without everyone running around." Kakyuu explained.

"I know I am your favourite lab rat" Haruka chuckled.

"Yes, you are house trained, but that is about the only difference between my mice and you." Kakyuu laughed.

Slowly Haruka could feel that her body was getting heavier and that every breath was getting harder to make.

Kakyuu pulled the oxygen mask over Haruka's face and caressed her hair as she slowly slipped away to sleep.


-Michiru-

It has been two days since Michiru had seen neither Hotaru nor Haruka. They had continued individual training for the past two days and if it weren't for the communal meals, it might not have been so painfully obvious that Haruka was nowhere to be found and that the place was so much quitter without the small bundle of joy that usually turned up as soon as there was even a hint of quiet.

Michiru had been looking everywhere for the blonde, but all her cars and motorcycles were present and except for the clinic that was being maintained by cleaning robots, as Kakyuu had explained, and Haruka's apartment, to which she wasn't authorised, Michiru had been trying to casually pass all the other places, like Haruka's office, to see if the blonde was around. She didn't think that the lack of that arrogant smirk would affect her so deeply and decided to go up to the roof for a change to the pool where she would usually try to forget the blonde.

Most likely Haruka was busy with one of her shady operations and it was only a matter of time before she would stumble back with injuries all over her.

The rainy season had made it impossible to go up here for the past days and today was one of the rare clear days on which she might enjoy the view over Tokyo.

As she exited the elevator, she had to think back to the slap she had dealt Haruka up here and felt slight guilt creeping up. She shook it off as soon as possible, Haruka herself said that life was too short to hold grudges, and walked towards the west side of the building to watch the sunset. Michiru overlooked Tokyo slowly being blanketed with the red of the sunset and sighed.

"The sun will be back tomorrow. No need to be sad." Haruka's voice mocked her from behind, causing her to turn around just to spot Haruka sitting atop the storage room.

"I am quite aware of that." Michiru retorted. "Where have you been the last two days?" Michiru asked with a hint of irritation.

"Places." Haruka smirked.

"I thought you were supposed to consult me." Michiru frowned.

"You looked like you had everything under control." Haruka shrugged.

"I do." Michiru replied defiantly.

"So, where is the problem?" Haruka asked easily.

Michiru had wanted to say so much but couldn't find the words to express her frustration with the blonde.

"Relax Michiru." Haruka continued with her relaxed tone as she jumped down from her spot. "You have my full confidence. If you can't lead this team, then I doubt anyone can." The blonde said smoothly as she patted off the dust from her pants.

"Glad to know that." Michiru responded dryly as she turned back to face the sunset.

Haruka stepped closer from behind her.

"So tomorrow we will leave nice and early for the Onsen." Haruka stated calmly.

"Yes." Michiru confirmed.

"Truly beautiful view isn't it?" Haruka asked huskily.

"Yes, the sunset is truly magnificent from here." Michiru confirmed again in a much softer tone.

"Oh yea, that, too." Haruka smirked. "I let you enjoy it then." Haruka said easily as she turned around to leave Michiru behind.

"Haruka." Michiru called after the blonde.

"Hmm?" Haruka turned around with an unreadable expression.

"Where are you going?" Michiru asked.

"To grab some food?" Haruka shrugged.

"Stay here with me for a bit." Michiru requested, though slightly fearing the rejection she was most likely going to receive.

"Why?" Haruka asked evenly.

"Just because." Michiru didn't know what else to say.

"Ok." Haruka agreed as she stepped up next to her and watched the sun set.


-Haruka-

Michiru had followed her to her kitchen after they had watched the sunset together and was now sitting where Hotaru usually sat, on the other side of the kitchen counter, drinking a glass of red wine while Haruka made food.

"I didn't think you could cook." Michiru commented as Haruka beat some eggs and seasoning before she added thinly sliced potatoes, diced mushrooms, chopped peppers and a generous amount of ham.

"Why? Because I tend to order out more?" Haruka smirked.

"I just thought you might be too lazy to clean up after yourself." Michiru chuckled.

"I wouldn't call this cooking in per se, but I do like food and I don't like going hungry." Haruka snickered. "My skills are enough to feed Hotaru and myself."

She poured the mixture into the waiting hot pan that was coated with molten butter and watched it slowly cook through before flipping it with trained flick of her wrist.

"Why did you miss dinner with us?" Michiru asked her as Haruka turned off her stove to let the food rest for a bit.

"Why?" Haruka asked in return.

"Then you wouldn't have to cook for yourself now." Michiru told her.

"I just happened to be busy at that time." Haruka shrugged as she took the pan off the stove and placed it on the kitchen counter before she grabbed a fork.

"Don't you want to grab a plate?" Michiru asked her before she could start to pull over a chair to sit down opposite to Michiru.

"Why? As you have analysed correctly, I am lazy and a plate would mean more dishes to clean." Haruka replied.

"I knew you were lazy, but I didn't think you would be rude." Michiru noted before Haruka could start eating.

"Rude? Why am I rude? Eating out of the pan is economical." Haruka pointed out.

"Shouldn't you be at least offering me some of the food you made, even if it's just a gesture?" Michiru remarked.

"This is protein mixed with carbs, a good load of salts and it has even been fried in saturated fat, so pretty much everything that someone who wants to maintain your figure would avoid this late at night. I just wanted to save you the effort to refuse my offer." Haruka shrugged.

"And if I apparently would not go for this dietary choice, why are you? Considering you need to keep yourself fit as well." Michiru countered.

"I believe in the ultimate diet." Haruka said evenly.

"And that is?" Michiru raised an eyebrow sceptically.

"All food in moderation is good for you and only starving is a bad diet choice." Haruka smirked as she picked up some of the hot steaming food with her fork.

"At least let me have a try of what I am missing out." Michiru said with a hint of exasperation.

"Ok, hold on…." But before Haruka could grab another fork from the drawer next to her, Michiru had already leaned in and eaten what Haruka had on hers.

"It's pretty good." Michiru commented after she had a taste.

"I am glad it is to your liking." Haruka smirked before having some herself.

"So where is my fork?" Michiru asked her.

"I thought you just wanted a taste." Haruka smirked.

"Never said that." Michiru pointed out.

Haruka passed Michiru a clean fork and they ate in a comfortable silence before Michiru started to speak again "So, what are your plans for after the mission?" Michiru asked casually.

"Why? Want some of that as well?" Haruka snickered.

"Maybe…Since I am here, I did not have to worry about one single meal, cleaning or the laundry. That is a pretty good service you offer." Michiru shrugged noncommittally.

"Uh huh...I was thinking about taking Hotaru north to Hokkaido to show her the lavender hills since she likes purple so much or maybe somewhere south for the Oban festival maybe, followed by some hiking for Taiki and Yaten, finishing off with a visit to a big city for Seiya and either a nice hot spring or the beach for Kakyuu." Haruka mused before she drank of her own wine glass.

"Do you always go on trips with the whole group?" Michiru asked curiously.

"Well, except for Kakyuu, we are all orphans, so it kind of became customary. Also, it is safer that way. As much as you want to relax during a holiday, you can't really do that when you don't have someone who watches your back." Haruka said evenly between bites.

"Understandable." Michiru nodded.

"So, what are your plans?" Haruka asked in return.

"I haven't made any yet." Michiru admitted.

"Ok." Suddenly Haruka's phone rang and she looked fleetingly at it before she dismissed the call.

"Shouldn't you pick that up?" Michiru asked her curiously.

"Nuh, it was just a one-night-stand." Haruka told her indifferent as she refilled each glass with more wine.

"How do you know that? You barely looked at it." Michiru pointed out.

"The name had a shooting star next to it." Haruka replied dispassionately.

"You categorise them with icons?" Michiru asked surprised.

"Sure. I can't walk around with 'XYZ bad one night stand' in my contacts. That's too long and at the same time if I meet them again, I would want to remember their proper name and not repeat my mistakes." Haruka explained.

"Getting many of those?" Michiru smirked.

"I don't keep count." Haruka shrugged.

"What's next to my name." Michiru asked curiously.

"Why do you want to know?" Haruka asked in return.

"I am curious." Michiru admitted.

"Didn't take you as one the insecure type." Haruka smirked.

"I am not insecure, just curious." Michiru replied defensively making Haruka chuckle.

"Let me have a look." Haruka picked up her phone again and looked for Michiru's number before she showed her the phone.

"Just 'Michiru Kaioh'?" Michiru was slightly disappointed.

"Well that is your name, isn't it? Or do you prefer 'Michelle'?" Haruka snickered.

"No shooting star?" Michiru smirked.

"I do remember that you were rather good, especially when your breath hitches just before you reach your peak, sounds particularly nice, not too loud, not forced nor fake." Haruka chuckled. "Or do you want me to put a shooting star next to your name?" Haruka asked teasingly.

"No." Michiru answered promptly and Haruka had to chuckle.

They had finished the food and Haruka proceeded to wash up the pan and the two forks.

"So, what do you put next to the names of people who you have more than a one night stand with?" Michiru asked.

"Depends." Haruka answered truthfully.

"On?" Michiru continued to ask.

"What I liked about them." Haruka explained.

"So, you liked nothing about me and that is why I don't get an icon next to my name?" Michiru sounded offended.

"Au contraire" Haruka chuckled.

"So, what am I to you?" Michiru asked Haruka while she washed the pan.

"Michiru Kaioh." Haruka answered evenly.

"And that means?" Michiru persisted.

"That you are Michiru Kaioh, with all your vices and virtues and that is that." Haruka explained evenly.

"What vices do I have?" Michiru focused on Haruka, her wine glass next to her totally forgotten.

"You are awfully persistent, though that is a virtue, too, depending on the circumstances." Haruka pointed out.

Haruka put the pan onto the drying rack and returned to her glass of wine.

"Why so curious about my love life suddenly?" Haruka asked in return.

"Just curious." Michiru slowly reached for her glass of wine.

"So, what about you?" Haruka continued to ask.

"What about me?" Michiru feinted ignorance.

"Do you sleep with all your consultants?" Haruka smirked.

"No! You were my first….." Michiru said defiantly and Haruka grinned.

"…consultant." Michiru added victoriously.

"Uh huh." Haruka smirked. "Want to go over to the couch and finish the wine there?" Haruka suggested and Michiru nodded in agreement.

Haruka grabbed the bottle of wine and her glass before she led the way to the couch.

"The view from here is amazing." Michiru remarked as she looked out of the window.

"I agree." Haruka chuckled as she looked at the violinist.

"So, your turn to spill the beans on your love life." Haruka resumed the topic of their conversation.

"There is not much to tell, I am hardly as adventurous as you are." Michiru smirked.

"Well that has its own perks." Haruka snickered before taking another sip.

They continued drinking their wine while enjoying the comfortable silence between them and Haruka divided the rest of the wine between them.

"Haruka, are you ever scared?" Michiru suddenly asked her.

"Of?" Haruka asked back surprised.

"The missions you go on." Michiru clarified.

"All the time, but that is why I train, so if anything happens, I do not need to think and I can just do. Being scared is something good. You stay alert and vigilant." Haruka said calmly.

"How do you do it?" Michiru continued to ask.

"Do what?" Haruka asked in return.

"Carry the responsibility for so many lives of the people you care for." Michiru explained.

"I just do it. I don't think about it. I concentrate on the mission objective and that is that. I can only train them as hard as I can outside of missions so they can help themselves in time of need, but once we have commenced the mission and they are in there on their own. I can only trust that all the training will pay off, should we need to face the worst case scenario." Haruka elaborated.

Michiru leaned her head on Haruka's shoulder.

"I think I am scared." Michiru admitted quietly.

"Don't think." Haruka advised her.

"I don't know how to stop." Michiru said quietly.

"Want me to show you how?" Haruka asked as she put her glass on the coffee table.

"Yes." Michiru said as she turned to face her and Haruka claimed Michiru's lips with her own.