Disclaimer: The usual

A/N: Thanks for the reviews ^.^ Here is chapter 10 which is shorter than I hoped it'll be but my wrist hurts…sorry girls. I wanted to point out that all the music pieces (with the obvious exceptions of what is labeled as Haruka's original music) used in this fic are actual songs which I've heard in the adaptation for the instruments depicted in the story. Ok enough talking here's chapter 10!

A Lesson on Love

By Auraluna7

Chapter 10: Jealousy

Taking a small bite of the chocolate soufflé sitting in front of her Kasumi tried to give herself the time to process Haruka's words. Up until the end of the dinner she had thought things were going just perfect, she had finally found topics she shared with Haruka, they had spent a great evening together talking about cars and music and then out of the blue Haruka had just told her she couldn't see her anymore.

She was not good at dealing with defeat, especially this kind. All her life she had gone by achieving what her heart desired, she had smarts, beautiful looks and a glorious voice. There hadn't been one girl until now that had said no to her, even the occasional one that claimed not to be into girls, and contrary to how she should feel: offended and irate, that fact that Haruka was rejecting her only made the tomboy more and more desirable in her eyes.

Fixing her gray eyes on Haruka's face she spoke with calmed voice, her emotions were bursting inside her but she had trained her voice for too long and she could hid her feelings too well. "I don't understand, I thought you said you wanted to talk, and that is what we've been doing for way too long, now you just want to part ways? "

"Things are different Kasumi. I don't want to hurt your feelings." Or Michiru's, especially Michiru's "Giving you false hope will be wrong. I just don't feel the connection I thought we shared anymore."

The waiter filled Kasumi's glass of water and the blonde picked it up drinking slowly, it was easy to calm her voice but her expression could still betray her. She placed her glass down and touched Haruka's hand with the tips of her fingers. "Haruka, you said you thought our connection was physical the first time we went out but you wanted to talk and I played along, of course the connection isn't there anymore, you don't let me touch you. If you did, if you were to touch me, you will see the connection it's still here between us."

Haruka shook her head softly; she took Kasumi's manicured hand on her own softly. "Don't make me the bad guy, I am being honest with you, I always have been. We can still be friends."

Kasumi smiled at Haruka, begging was not her style and making a scene definitely not either. "I hope you are at least nice enough to finish this date with me, I don't feel like just going to sleep, it's not even 9 p.m."

"I told Akira I will drop her house keys for her, if you don't mind going with me, afterwards we can still catch a show."

Kasumi took another bite of her dessert and nodded softly. This race was not over until she decided it was, and this certainly was not the moment to call it quits, she had to find out what was going on here, Michiru hadn't say a word but something must be up, perhaps the aqua haired beauty was outsmarting her. "I will go anywhere with you tonight, or any night."

-0-

Hail helped Michiru walked the stairs to backstage, she held the violinist hand softly for maybe too long but let go without a word and Michiru thought it probably meant nothing; the girl held her violin case peaking behind the stage curtains to the crowd. "I don't know Hail, are you sure about this? I've only played that song twice and alone."

"I will set the pace for you and then if you go too fast I will follow you, have faith in your own talent." Hail pressed Michiru's cold hand gently, in the shadows of the backstage Michiru could not see her face but she could picture the cellist smiling at her. "Trust me."

Michiru sighed, her hands were numb, she was not fond of public performances, another reason why she was not sure she will ever be a professional violinist, she loved to play but was not fond of crowds. "I am still not sure."

"Nobody here expects perfect, this is an amateur artists' environment, sometimes it is great sometimes people don't seem as pleased as you wish but no one is going to judge you, your peers are out there, they have all have felt like you. Our lives as artists are harder than people think. We have to go out there with our music, our paintings, our stories and show them to the world. Our naked souls exposed for everyone to look at.

Sometimes people don't even see deep enough to understand how hard it is, easy critiques are thrown at us and they don't realize how deeply they hurt us, but now and then there is someone out in the world that sees the light in your work. That special someone who can read between notes and see your soul, and it is for that people Michiru that we are here, for that special people we bare our souls. Don't be afraid, I'll be holding you."

Michiru nodded, taking her violin of the case and tuning it with shaking hands, Hail stood in front of her and smiled.

"You're shaky, breathe deeply. The music is in you, I see it in the flawless waves of the ocean in your eyes. Relax."

Michiru thanked there was just a little light behind stage, Hail's words made her blush, unlike Haruka, Hail did not overcome her with her presence psychically, the redhead didn't even tried touching her, but her voice just as her cello was sweet and mellow and it was easy to felt swayed away by it. "Ok. Let's do the naked soul thing then."

Hail smiled. "I knew I will see you naked sooner or later." Michiru laughed and shook her head, she thanked Hail wasn't speaking to her like just a moment before it was easy to shun her away when she was being shallow it was harder when she was reaching out for her soul.

-0-

Kasumi looked around to the crowd, she never expected to be here after all, well it was maybe a good thing. Hopefully Michiru will slip of her good girl horse and be caught on an indiscretion with Hail or Rain, of course that was wishful thinking but it could happen, she kept looking around but could not find Michiru, perhaps the girls wasn't even here anymore.

The couple walked to Akira's table where the woman sat next to a brunette with pouty lips dressed in a green cocktail dress even Kasumi thought was too short.

"Hey, here are your keys." Haruka talked to Akira and the woman turned around to look at her and Kasumi.

"Thanks, do you girls want to stay for a while? Kuyako seems terribly bored."

Kasumi shrugged and sat next to the brunette brushing her gray eyes on the deep cleavage of her tiny green dress. "I'm Kasumi." The brunette smiled at her but didn't say much, she took another sip of her drink and sighed, Kuyako was not fond of classical music and she was bored to death.

Since Kasumi sat down Haruka did the same, Akira smiled at her, she was so glad they had shown up, her little peacock was great for clubbing, amazing in bed but apparently arts and music were both things she didn't cared at all for. Perhaps it was time to find someone else…again.

"So, who's in the program this week?" Kuyako looked at Haruka when the blonde spoke; she seemed suddenly interested in her.

Akira ignored the obvious stares of her peacock to Haruka and talked back at the blonde. "It is open night, anything goes. But I believe Hail Tenki might perform again. She's a wonderful cellist."

Kasumi smiled and leaned gently towards Haruka marking her territory with the brunette, like she needed more competition or feel more jealousy. "I've heard she is 'very' talented, in many ways" The blonde student licked her lips after the last words and Akira fixed her eyes on the red lips feeling a chill down her spine. "Of course I don't know it first hand; I just say what I've been told"

Akira lifted an eyebrow, she did noticed Michiru sitting at the table with Rain Tenki but she thought nothing of it until now.

"Is it?" The brunette asked, Akira moved her eyes away from the blonde's lips. Kasumi looked at the brunette again as well, thinking she had an off key voice, almost too high pitched. "How about you Haruka do you have hidden talents too?"

Certainly Kasumi didn't like the brunette the slightest bit. "She is a pianist, we are all artists here, well not all…I assume you're not. Otherwise you wouldn't be bored."

Akira tried not to smile, Kasumi was looking for a cat fight, Kuyako just ignored her. "I guess your little girlfriend does the talking for you Haruka…"

Haruka wondered if she was expected to say anything, she preferred not to. Akira knew the look on Haruka's face, she had that look every time she found herself in girl troubles, she decided to clear the air a bit. "Looks like someone is going to start playing again."

The lights went out again, Haruka saw Hail walking on stage and she noticed right away the figure walking behind her, Michiru. She looked pale, but very beautiful, dressed in a simple black little dress she seemed to be matching the cellist outfit. Hail walked to the microphone, a bright smile on her lips. "Hello again, tonight everything goes so I've asked a friend to perform with me, Michiru Kaioh and I will be improvising the next song. We'll be playing Secrets from One Republic."

The redhead sat on the chair in the middle of the stage again, Michiru stepped closer, standing at her side, she had loosen her long hair and it fell on her back and shoulders in delicate waves. Hail looked at her and Michiru nodded, placing the violin on her shoulder and taking a deep breath.

Hail Tenki kept her eyes on Michiru; she didn't care to dissimulate how much she liked the violinist. She was not allowed to touch her but she felt free to look at her as much as she wished after all, dreaming was free. Placing the cello securely between her knees Hail started playing the introduction of the engaging and melodic song. Michiru closed her eyes letting the music wrap her up like a soft warm blanket and then she found her beat, she knew exactly when to start playing along with Hail, her bow started swaying and the music dripped like sweet honey from the pot.

The music became a secret conversation between them, where Michiru bright violin will respond to the love whispers of the cello, she couldn't believe how easily her rhythm had melted along with Hail's, perhaps it was the experienced cellist that kept going at her pace but whatever the case it seemed like they were playing as one, and she felt again the sensation of peaking into a deep side of Hail she could not completely disengage of.

From across the room Haruka fixed her eyes on Michiru, she saw the violinist there standing with her eyes closed, the music flowing around her like thousand colorful butterflies and the tomboy thought she never looked more beautiful. Yet she had a look at Hail and she felt the piercing jealousy again, there was no other way to describe the way she looked at Michiru but love. Their music together was so perfect it made Haruka wondered how long have they've been playing together, made her think of the other things they could have done together to make their music so alluring, so painfully intimate. Secrets they played. How many secrets did they share?

Michiru finished the song noticing she had played the last part all by herself while Hail looked at her with verdant flames on her beautiful eyes. She smiled blushed, feeling like she was truly naked in front of all these people but realizing she was not afraid anymore, she was her music and her music spoke of true feelings she was proud of. She could hear the people clapping and Hail standing next to her holding her hand softly as she bowed. It had been so great, she wished so badly she could find the rhythm just like this when she played with Haruka, maybe Hail could help her with that. The cellist excited hugged her tight and Michiru felt truly happy of performing for these people, she felt more confident than before and she had worked really hard on her feet alignment and her hands, Haruka would have been so proud of her. They reached the table where Rain was sitting the artist jumped off her seat to give Michiru a tight hug as well. "That was amazing!"

"I know!" Michiru smiled brightly and she sat down at the table with the two redheads who could not get over praising her, they were making her blush.

"Oh My god Michiru, I wished I had brought a camera or something to put this on the web it was just freaking amazing." Michiru smiled so much her face hurt, she could not wait to tell Haruka all about it.

-0-

Kasumi Tani kept her eyes on Haruka during the entire performance; she could see the tomboy's eyes filled with joy at the sight of Michiru and then the shadows on them when she looked at Hail. She felt a sudden burst of anger mixed with guilt, Michiru was her best friend and she wished she could feel happy for her, but she just couldn't, not when she wanted Haruka so bad there was no other thought in her mind. If there was anything between Michiru and Hail Tenki she was going to make sure it went out in the open and bloomed.

"Wasn't it beautiful? So much talent from those two, it is easy for them of course, so much chemistry between them must make it fairly simple."

Akira looked at Kasumi's impassible face; she looked like a porcelain doll. But past her calmed expression Akira could see the intent behind her words, especially when Haruka inadvertently clenched her hand against a wine glass. "Anyone can improvise, isn't it? I don't think they were that good."

The gray eyes fell on Akira, the blonde didn't seem too happy. "I still think it is because Michiru and Hail have a very severe attraction to each other."

"I don't know about that."

Kuyako sipped her drink and placed it down, she was between the girls and in the middle of the ongoing conversation. "I think…" When she spoke it was as if Akira and Kasumi had suddenly realized she was still there and they were not alone. "…that Kasumi is right, the redhead could not get her eyes off the violinist, my guess is that they are probably lovers."

Kasumi nodded, and Akira just smiled, she was outnumbered and quite honestly she did believed there was something between the two performers she was just trying not to see Haruka burst into flames because she knew this was definitely not the place for a lovers' quarrel, the place was filled with students.

"Haruka are you ok?" Kasumi asked with innocent tone, Haruka nodded, she had nothing to say to Kasumi. The person she needed to speak to was Michiru and right now she was trying really hard not to look across the room to where she was laughing and hugging her girlfriends. "I think I want a drink, Haruka will you get it for me please?"

-0-

Michiru left the twins at the table for a moment, she walked through the sea of tables to the back looking for the restroom, she entered the small bathroom and run the water tab, after sprinkling some water over her blushed face Michiru fixed her long hair in front of the mirror, the rush of her performance still making her feel exhilarated.

The violinist closed her eyes for a moment thinking of Haruka, she wondered how her date with Kasumi had gone and she wished instead of being out with her friend Haruka had been here with her tonight. She opened her eyes when the bathroom door opened and through the mirror she came across with the familiar teal eyes she longed so much to see. "Haruka." The tomboy didn't seem particularly happy and Michiru turned around feeling her own smile die slowly. "What's wrong? How come you're here?"

Haruka couldn't resist the urge to follow Michiru to the bathroom while waiting for drinks at the bar, she saw the girl leave the table with the twins and she just had to follow her. "Coincidence I guess, I saw you perform tonight."

"You did?" Michiru smiled again, she walked closer to Haruka. "Did you like it?" Haruka refused to meet her eyes and Michiru frowned confused.

"You certainly seemed to be having a lot of fun. Almost makes me regret being here and spoil your date."

"Date? What date? And speaking of that where's Kasumi?" Michiru placed her hand on Haruka's chest; the blonde stayed still but continued to avoid her blue eyes. "Are you going to tell me what the hell is going on? Will you look at me already?"

Haruka looked down to meet the intense blue eyes. "I can't believe you wanted me to cancel my date with Kasumi, yet you are here having a date with your girlfriends." Michiru's eyes flashed with amusement, she laughed softly. "What is so damn funny?"

"You mean Hail and Rain?"

"What? Do you have more girlfriends hidden somewhere?" Michiru looked at Haruka unable to hide her smile, the green eyes seemed full of fury but for Michiru this whole conversation was too funny.

"You think I am dating the twins? " Haruka nodded her jaw tight with anger. "Like at the same time? Oh my god, that will be just too amusing wouldn't it?"

"Is this funny for you?"

Michiru nodded. "Who dates twins? I mean outside a fantastic porn dream. What gave you that impression? Did I say it? Did you care to ask me first?"

"I saw the way Hail looks at you."

Michiru shrugged. "So? I've seen the way Kasumi looks at you." Haruka pulled her close, the soft lips of Michiru so close to her own.

"Are you and Hail? …damn it."

"Are you jealous?" Michiru looked into the green eyes which seemed deeply troubled.

Haruka looked at her with incredulity. "Well of course I am!"

The aqua muse laughed again and she pressed herself against Haruka making the blonde's back rest against the bathroom door. "I am not dating the twins, silly. I don't have hidden girlfriends in a drawer either. Stop being a fool and kiss me."

Haruka kissed Michiru hard on the lips, she switch their positions and pinned the smaller girl against the bathroom door holding the soft violinist hands at her sides. She broke apart from the sweet plump lips just to trace a path of kisses down the girl's neckline; letting go of Michiru's hands only to slide a hand along the girl's thigh, hiking up her dress from behind.

Michiru held a moan at the touch of Haruka's hand; she felt it traveling upwards along her thigh, tracing the soft lace of her underwear with trembling fingers. She reached the lapels of Haruka's shirt and pulled her closer feeling Haruka's leg resting between her thighs. "We should stop…"

She felt the tomboy nodding but her hand kept traveling along her backside, her leg pushing against her softly. Michiru closed her eyes the lust filling every inch of her body, ignoring her own words she started the battle against Haruka's shirt buttons feeling Haruka all around her, her free hand unbuttoning the front of her dress. Their lips met again and as they kissed fiercely Michiru rocked her hips against the tomboy.

"I want you so much Michiru." Haruka made her turn around, Michiru pressed her hands against the wall and Haruka cupped her breasts, the tomboy's hips firmly pressed against the violinist. The blonde's right hand went down along the slim abdomen until it found the sweet warm spot between the girl's legs and Michiru could not repress a long moan but she placed her hand on top of Haruka's shaking her head. "Haruka please, not here…"

Sighing with frustration Haruka made her turn around again. "Are you going to deny yourself to me again? There is so much I can take Michiru… I can't stop myself around you I need you so much." Michiru kissed her lover again, kissing her face and entwining her fingers with the blonde's hand.

"I want to give myself to you, but not in a bathroom…let's go somewhere else." Haruka nodded and kissed her again, both unable to stop kissing long enough to go anywhere.

When Haruka decided it was too much again and she was about to rip Michiru's dress off…bathroom or not, they heard a knock on the door. Michiru made her stop and pressed a finger to her lips, the couple went quiet but the person outside the door knocked again.

"Michiru are you there? Is everything ok?" Rain. Michiru bit her lower lip; she must have left the table too long ago.

"Open the door. Let her see." Haruka whispered on Michiru's ear, her jealousy talking. Michiru looked at her as if she was insane.

"Are you crazy?" She whispered back. "They attend the academy; do you want everyone to know we were making out in a bathroom?"

Haruka had to admit that didn't sounded too good, she was frustrated. Rain knocked again. "I am going to go look for the manager to open this door. I'm worried."

Michiru buttoned up her dress and shoved Haruka where she would be behind the door and opened the bathroom door partially. "Hey Rain. Sorry I don't feel too well."

Rain looked at her with worried expression. "We should take you back to the dorm then; you look too blushed maybe you have a fever."

"Um yeah, maybe. Give me a minute and I'll be out." The redhead nodded and Michiru closed the door again. Haruka looked very annoyed.

"Now what?" She whispered to her again, Michiru wished she had the answer to that.

"Meet me at the dorms and we'll go somewhere, wait for me on the parking lot or Kasumi will know."

"Shit…Kasumi. She's here."

"She is? You're kidding me." Haruka shook her head and Michiru sighed. "Well I guess then we'll have to wait until tomorrow…" Haruka sighed; things were always so darn complicated.

Rain diligently stood outside the bathroom wondering if Michiru was too sick to come out again, when she felt someone tapping on her shoulder, she turned around to find a glorious pair of red lips smiling at her. "Hi Rain."

"Kasumi." Rain smiled back. "Haven't seen you in a long time."

"I've been busy, I am looking for someone actually, do you know who's in there?"

"Michiru. She's not feeling well. Who are you looking for?"

Kasumi weighted her words. "A friend. Is Michiru sick you say? You didn't give her one of your magic pills did you?"

Deeply blushed Rain shook her head. "No, of course not. I think it was stage fright or something."

"Hmmm, let me see if she needs help." Kasumi knocked on the door softly. "Michi, it's me, Kasumi, let me in. Are you ok?" Michiru placed a hand over her mouth when she heard Kasumi's voice; she looked at Haruka who just finished buttoning up her shirt. "Open the door Kaioh, come on…"

Michiru looked about to faint and tomboy wondered if she should just laugh and open the door right now because she definitely had no better ideas at the moment…

(So? Will this blow out in the open? What do you think? I think maybe, it depends in which side of the bed I wake up tomorrow …lol review!)