Been a while since I updated...sorry about the delay. I hope you enjoy.

Acceptance

Chapter 8

Hiroshi grumbled from the seat behind me as Haruka offered me a bite of her airline meal. I smiled and accepted it. "How can you people eat that trash?" I grit my teeth when his voice echoed in my ears.

"Ignore him." I smiled at her when she whispered to me. "Here, try this." She held her fork toward me, on the end of it was a piece of her pork chop covered in mashed potatoes.

"Thank you." I felt her jump when I rested my hand on hers to hold the fork steady while I ate the food from it. "I should have gotten that to eat."

"I can't believe you're listening to those hospital quacks, you're not underweight Michiru."

I frowned and looked down at my food. I really shouldn't eat, I'm not hungry. "Hiroshi, why don't you jump off this plane...without a parachute."

"I just can't wait to get back in my own bed when we get home."

"You've got to practice Michiru."

He was going right back to his old habits.

I looked up at the doctor in front of me as he spoke. "You're to have no practice or performances until your own personal doctor gives you a clean bill of health."

"I translated what the doctor said to you Hiroshi. She can't perform until her weight is back up to a healthy range."

I stood up and made my way to the tiny bathroom near the front of the cabin. I didn't want to hear them arguing. I closed my eyes and leaned against the door once inside. Haruka and I barely knew each other and she's standing up for me. Almost...no...I shook my head. I doubt she cares about me like a lover would. We haven't known one another long enough to have and feelings yet. Why did this all have to be so hard. I just want everything to go back to the way it was when I first started playing.

The first two years of my career, Hiroshi was a perfect gentleman to me. Then it suddenly dawned on me. I know why he changed.

"Wonderful performance Michi." He smiled down at me as I walked off the stage.

"Thank you Hiroshi." We walked side by side to my dressing room. I disappeared behind the screen to change out of my dress.

"Hey Michi...Why don't we go and get something to eat, maybe a little dancing. My treat..."

I frowned as I peeked around the screen. "Are you asking me on a date?"

"I...I guess I am." He smiled but didn't look at me.

"I don't think that would be a good idea Hiroshi. What would Yamamoto say? And what if it didn't work out between us?"

"You're staying with me Michiru. Just to make sure you're still eating."

"Are you sure?" I looked up at her. I wanted to fight her but knew it wouldn't be a good idea to be alone right now. She nodded to me and reached for my bag before I could.

"We'll just take a taxi back to my place. We'll contact you when her doctor releases her."

I loved the attitude she had toward Hiroshi. Every time she opened her mouth she risked having her contract shredded. I loved it about her. I was starting to love a lot about her. I think I'm starting to love her.

"Lost in thought?" I shivered at her smile. "You know you're cute when you daydream?"

I was taken aback. Did she really just call me cute? I couldn't help the blush that rose to my cheeks. "What?" Stupid, Stupid...she flirts with me and all I can do is question her. Her smile never left her face though as we both climbed into the cab.

Two Weeks Later

"Ruka, pizza's here." I smiled at her as I entered the music room. Being here with her has helped me overcome a lot of my past torments. Many of the first nights here she crawled into bed with me because I was suffering nightmares.

She stopped in the middle of her song to look at me. She pulled her glasses from her face. "Let's go eat then." She rose to her feet and walked toward me.

I followed her out into the kitchen. Over the past two weeks I've fallen in love with her. But I couldn't tell her that. She makes me feel like a school girl whenever I'm near her.

"Two slices right?" I jumped, the thoughts clearing from my head when she spoke.

"Yea, I may come out for more." I reached into the fridge for two bottles of water.

"There's been something on my mind lately." I glanced at her as we sat at the table. "Why does Hiroshi treat you like he does?"

I sighed. "I turned him down for a date." I took a bite of my slice of pizza.

"He's still irritated because you didn't want to go on a date with him? That's a little childish don't you think?" She laughed.

I couldn't help but to smile at her. If only she knew. I reached out for my bottle of water to open it. When I put it back on the table I saw her looking at me. "What?"

"Nothing..." she quickly looked away.

"No, don't tell me nothing. I know there's something on your mind."

"I...I forgot something in the kitchen." She stood up and quickly made her way from the room.

"Ruka are you alright?" I wiped my mouth before following her. This was unlike her to just get up and walk out like that.

"No...I'm not alright. Ever since I met you, you've been driving me crazy."

I frowned and took a step back. "I should probably go home then."

"No...That's not what I meant Michi."

My eyes locked on hers as she grabbed my wrist and stepped closer. My heart started racing as I caught the scent of her cologne. I swallowed the lump in my throat just moments before she leaned down to kiss me.