Thanks goes to Jenn for helping me get past the troublesome dress description later on in this chapter.

Acceptance

Chapter 6

The gods too are fond of a joke.

-Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC)

I yawned deeply as I tugged my luggage down my front walkway toward the waiting car. Why did Hiroshi always make these flights so early? Just once I would like to have an afternoon trip.

"Good morning Michiru, nice and rested I hope?"

I glared at him as the driver reached for my bag to place it in the trunk. "Are we stopping for breakfast?" I remembered Haruka's words as I covered my mouth to yawn again.

"Is food all you think about? We have to go and pick up Haruka and then we're going right to the airport."

"Hiroshi, I haven't eaten since last night."

My stomach grumbled and turned, warning me of its emptiness. Haruka's words continued to play in my head. You have to take it slow. I do, I know I can't just dive into a full place of food.

"That's not my fault you didn't get up early enough to eat something."

The car finally pulled away from the curb in front of my house. "How many shows in Sydney?" I questioned as I watched out the window. The car was merging onto the highway at that point.

"We arrive today. There's two shows and they we're off to Melbourne for one show."

I nodded. Honestly, I didn't care. All I wanted was something to eat and some more sleep.

"How long before we get to Haruka's." I glanced at him as he spoke with the driver.

"There's nobody on the highway this morning, about ten minutes sir." He responded.

I cringed at the thought of someone willingly being polite to Hiroshi, he surely didn't deserve it. I shook the thought from my head as I smiled softly. It will be nice to see her again. I've yet to figure out what it is about her that draws me close. I closed my eyes, thinking it would just be for a moment. It wasn't though. Next time I opened them we were in the driveway of a large house. Off in the distance I saw an open garage with several expensive, probably custom cars. As she emerged through the open doors I took a deep breath, smelling nothing but sea air. She lived along the ocean.

"Good morning." She spoke as she slid into the car, sitting across from me. "I brought you something to eat."

It wasn't much. Just a banana and cereal bar. But at least it was something to put in my stomach.

"Didn't bring me anything?"

She glared at him as she peeled her own banana. "I figured you had already eaten. And I figured she didn't. She needs the food more then you anyway."

I started to peel my banana as I watched her. "Thank you Haruka." I took a small bite.

"You're very welcome Michiru."

Hiroshi only grumbled at me. It was proving to me that it was going to be a long flight. A long trip in general even. He would watch every one of my movements, as he always did during trips. Everything I ate I had to get approved through him...

"Have you ever been to Sydney before?" I looked at her as she sat beside me on the plane. We had just been instructed to fasten our seat belts for landing.

"Just once, but it was when I was a kid."

"It's beautiful. Hopefully you know some English, or else it will be a long trip for you."

"I'm fluent." I smiled as she spoke in English. Then the idea came to my head. Hiroshi knew none of the language. Yamamoto was always the one to make negotiations in this language.

"Good, because he doesn't know English." I spoke in the foreign tongue, causing her to laugh.

Hiroshi frowned at us. It was evident he strained to try to understand us. "He hates it when he can't listen in on the conversation...much like now." Again I smiled, it was a real smile. "How about you and I go out to dinner this evening."

"Dinner...I understand that word. You two need to practice once we land." He nearly yelled at us. It was frightening, he never yelled at me before. "Your first show is tomorrow evening and it must be perfect."

It was then that the pilots voice echoed overhead. He welcomed all of the passengers to Sydney. I was thankful for being able to get away from him. Even if it meant spending the rest of the night in my hotel room.

"Don't like landings?" I smirked at her as she clenched her eyes shut and had a death grip on the arm rests.

"No..."

She jumped when I rested my hand atop hers. I hated all aspects of flight. I hated being treated like royalty in the first class seats. I was no better than those on the rest of the plane. There was no reason why I should be the first one on or first one off.

"See...not so bad." I spoke as we got off the plane.

I took a deep breath as I sat in front of my mirror finishing my makeup. "Are you almost ready in there?" There was a pounding at the door.

I stood and examined myself once more in the mirror to make sure everything was perfect. I smiled softly at the dress I was wearing. It was a long flowing black dress with cap sleeves, a red ribbon tied around my waist. It had a modest neckline, showing a little cleavage but not too much, and the hem reached to below my knees. To finish it off I wore a matching pair of red high heels. I felt good. For the first time in a long time I felt comfortable in the dress that I wore.

"It's about...time..." He turned his nose up when I opened the door and he looked at me. "That dress is hideous...but there's no time to change it. Haruka's already up on stage. Hurry up."

The dress wasn't as nice as I thought it was. Probably too simple for such an elaborate gathering. I thought it would be perfect since it was in the summer, most of the patrons would be wearing similar attire. I kept my eyes on the floor as I followed Hiroshi to the stage. My breath caught in my throat as I spotted Haruka standing near the curtain. She wore a simple black tuxedo, nothing special, her hair was slicked back. Nothing was out of place. She looked perfect.

"Wow..." She spoke softly, just to me as I stepped beside her.

"I know...the dress is horrible." I looked up at her, my eyes instantly closed as the world spun slightly.

I shivered as I felt her hand on my shoulder. "You look amazing." There was that smile again. The same one that sent a shiver down my spine. "Shall we?" She offered her arm to me to make our way onto the stage. I nodded and looped my arm in hers. She led me onto the stage, I knelt to pull my violin from its case and stood in front of the microphone. I never said anything into the mic, I wasn't required to. I turned to look at her just as she nodded. I placed my instrument safely under my chin and started into the first song.

It was one that I had written myself. One that I was amazed that Haruka caught onto so quickly. It had several fast parts which was nearly impossible for most pianists to play. Yet she played it effortlessly. She was such a natural at the piano. I wonder why she didn't follow this profession first. Maybe I would have met her sooner. I glanced over my shoulder at her, she was focused on the sheet music in front of her. Her fingers were so strong, rough...worn. She had obviously used her hands in her work before. I remember her telling me she was a former racer. Such a fast paced career. I began to worry if she'd have problems adjusting to this. Sure we traveled worldwide, but the job itself was very relaxing. I live for my music.

I smiled as we moved right into our second song. It was softer, with a bit of a romantic feel to it. I turned my attention back toward the crowd. I couldn't see any of them anyway, not with the hot lights above our heads. They were all silent, I'm sure most of them had their eyes closed, listening to every aspect of the song. I felt all their eyes on me. It never affected me before.

"Michiru...?" She stopped playing the piano and stood from the bench. I barely noticed as the violin and bow fell from my hands, landing on the wooden stage at my feet. Then it all went black.