Thank Lostinhersong for badgering me to put this up...I was going to later, but she started crying :P

Acceptance

Chapter 3

Tears may be dried up, but the heart - never.
-Marguerite de Valois

My hands were shaking as I struck the last note of the first song. I was fighting sleep. It was a battle that I knew if I didn't keep busy I wouldn't be able to win.

"Are you alright Ms. Kaiou...Ms. Kaiou?"

I slowly looked up at the blonde sitting at the piano near me. I softly nodded to her. "Would you like to take a short break? I want to get some coffee…" I set my violin down inside my case when she nodded. Thank you so much for nodding Haruka. I stood up and left the room without another word.

As I hit the end of the hallway I nearly fell into the wall. My blinking was becoming slower as I reached the door to the break room. I always knew that that was the first sign of being exhausted, when you couldn't even keep your eyes open as you walked.

"Shouldn't you be practicing Michiru?" I frowned at the sound of the voice.

"Leave me alone Hiroshi."

"Do you want to fail at your premier with your new dyke friend? You need to practice to make sure you've both got the music down properly."

"Leave me alone Hiroshi."

"You're not even listening to me are you?" He was right, it had gotten to the point where I simply ignored everything he ever said to me. "You know, you wouldn't have any of this if it weren't for me."

I walked past him to sit on one of the leather loungers that were against the wall. He was right though. I wouldn't have any of this if it weren't for him. I wouldn't have any of the torment, the suffering, or the pain that I have now if it weren't for him. I wanted nothing more than to buy a sandwich from the vending machine, but not with him watching me. He'd never leave me alone about it. I sipped my coffee and closed my eyes.

"Ms. Kaiou…Ms. Kaiou…" I stirred slightly when I felt a light nudge against my shoulder. I must have fallen asleep in the chair.

"Hmm?" I turned my head toward the voice, but didn't open my eyes.

"You might want to wake up Ms. Kaiou; you've been asleep for an hour now."

My eyes quickly shot open. How could I have fallen asleep for so long. "I'm so sorry Ms. Tenou…"

"Alright that's starting to get old, please just call me Haruka."

"Only if you'll call me Michiru." I smiled up at her and ran my fingers through my slightly matted hair. I groaned softly when I tried moving my stiff neck. I'll have to remember not to fall asleep on the chairs anymore.

"Don't worry about falling asleep." She smiled down at me; I blushed as my eyes examined her face. It was full of laugh lines, but still beautiful nonetheless. "You looked like you were falling asleep from the time you walked into the office two hours ago. Why don't you go home and get some sleep? We can meet up here tomorrow morning to practice."

I opened my mouth to accept but quickly closed it as my stomach growled. I rested my hand on my empty stomach and stood up. "Would you like to get something to eat? My treat." I looked at her, again wanting to accept, but then thought about what Hiroshi kept telling me.

"No, I'm not hungry…"

"That's telling me otherwise." She pointed to my stomach. "Let me buy you a salad then, I know you are probably 'watching your weight.' All you stars do that don't you?" She chuckled and I forced a smile and nodded.

"Fine, I'll let you take me out to eat. But you're buying Haruka. I'll meet you at the entrance to the parking deck in 10 minutes? I have to get something from Hiroshi before I leave."

She nodded and headed down the hallway toward the elevator. I knew I shouldn't be eating, but I wanted nothing more than to eat until I vomited. But then Hiroshi wouldn't let me forget about it.

"Where are you going? I told you that you had to practice." He frowned at me when I entered the room to grab my jacket.

"Haruka's going to buy me lunch."

His frown turned into more of a scowl. "Nothing more than a salad. No dressing, no bacon bits, no croutons. Do you hear me?"

"I'm a big girl, capable of eating what I want Hiroshi. My mother died 7 years ago, and I never appointed you as her replacement."

"Don't you talk to me like that Michiru. Do you want to stay at the top? Of course you do, the only way to stay at the top is to monitor your weight. And since you're incapable of doing it yourself, you do need a self-appointed mother to watch over you."

"So you'd rather me starve myself just to keep YOUR fans."

When he didn't respond I grabbed my jacket and left the room, tears sliding down my cheeks. He would rather me starve myself and please him, then feel good about myself and be happy.