A/N - First off, I own nothing. Except a wicked pair of Nike Shox... Secondly, untold amounts of love go to Reusch17 for her awesome beta-reading (you really do deserve a medal for putting up with my lack of periods in my grammar!), and thirdly, don't forget to R&R because... well, it makes me happy
Enjoy!
Usagi began munching down on seven scoops of vanilla, three strawberry, four chocolate and one mint chocolate chip ice cream... all in the same dish. Seiya and his brothers were in the arcade with Mamoru, who decided to let the girls have some alone time. Aside from Usagi and Minako who had ice cream, everyone else had a soda float.
"Nothing you say can make Tenoh-san seem like a nice person or justified enough to speak to Seiya-kun like that!" Michiru tried to sound as calm as possible, but inside she was nearly exploding... that damn cocky ass thought she had no sex appeal? Was Haruka really a stereotypical stupid blonde? 'This is war Tenoh, no-one insults Michiru Kaioh!', Michiru found her inward threats to the blonde so amusing she had to suppress a particularly evil snicker, which got her an odd glance from everyone at the table. After a few seconds, Setsuna cleared her throat,
"Maybe Michiru-san but I also think you and Haruka-kun got off on the wrong foot." Michiru scoffed,
"I don't like him." Setsuna smiled gently and Makoto laughed,
"Haruka isn't that bad, Michiru." The blush crept across Michiru's face again and Ami cleared her throat,
"Michiru! Ahem... Michiru, Haruka is a little misunderstood I think. Wow, where do we start from, Setsuna?" Setsuna thought deeply before she leant forward slightly, gaining the attention of everyone, Michiru especially,
"Okay, Michiru what I'm about to tell you does not leave your lips ever again, understand?" Michiru nodded, the tension and implications of secrecy was kind of getting the better of her.
"What is it, Setsuna-sempai?" Setsuna smiled warmly as she seemed to be remembering something,
"Haruka has reasons for being so rude to Seiya."
The winter dance was happening tonight and there were dozens of students awaiting the main event… the dance competition between the five local high schools. Haruka was standing backstage with Setsuna and Taiki, and she looked down at her watch impatiently,
"Where the hell is Keiko? She knows we're up next, after this couple." Haruka ran his hand through his hair again, getting more impatient. Keiko and Haruka were in the same school, different years and Haruka had fought long and hard with best friend and rival Seiya Kou to get Keiko not only as a dance partner, but as a lover. Haruka was in love with Keiko, that much the blonde knew for sure, and after this competition, Haruka had a plan to take Keiko to the beach and spend a romantic evening and express their love in a way words could not comprehend. Haruka grinned dreamily at the idea, almost perfect... if only Keiko could show up on time! Frustrated the blonde headed to the backstage area where it was quiet and good for anyone who wanted solitude and privacy. The blonde sat down and sighed heavily, 'Keiko please don't late', then got a little worried, what if something had happened to Keiko? Oh God, don't think like that Haruka. Then a giggle could be heard… Keiko's sweet giggle.
Haruka turned to find her but was faced with Seiya, his arm linked through Keiko's, both in matching silver outfits for ballroom, and their lips met in a passionate lock. Haruka instantly ran to them as soon as the kiss had ended,
"Seiya, dude, what the hell is going on?" Seiya had a calm look on his face as Haruka pushed him back, as much force in her hands as she could muster, all the while Keiko looked like a kid who had just been caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
"Haruka! How can I help you?" Haruka threw a look of utter bemusement to Seiya before laughing bitterly,
"How can you help me?! How about helping me realise why the hell you turn up to the winter dance comp with my girlfriend... kissing her, you jerk what the hell is going on?" Haruka looked to Keiko who hid behind her new partner, "Keiko what's going on?"
"Haruka, I'm sorry that Keiko never told you, but we're lovers now." Haruka looked at Keiko in shock as Seiya spoke... this would explain why Keiko had been avoiding her lately. Keiko was in the year above Setsuna and Seiya while Haruka was the year below. Keiko had been fooling around with Seiya behind her back and only now did Haruka find out. The blonde fought back tears and closed her eyes, when the deep green eyes opened a few seconds later, Haruka looked at her hand and frowned,
"I see." The blonde wasn't sure how long the tears could be fought back at this point,
"Haruka, I'm sorry... I didn't know when to tell you –" Haruka held a rough hand hand up and kept it in Keiko's face,
"Don't bother. And as for you, Seiya I forgave you for every other time you let me down, but this... this is... unforgivable." The blond walked away throwing a dark golden jacket away and heading away from the school, walking past UsagiMinako and Rei who looked confused. Makoto saw Haruka and ran after the tall blond,
"Haruka! What's going on? Aren't you dancing?" Haruka turned to face the pretty brunette tomboy, tears in emerald eyes, not moving a muscle,
"No... I'm not." And with that, Haruka walked away.
"So you see, Michiru-san, Haruka has every reason to not be civil to Seiya-kun." Michiru shook her head,
"But Tenoh-kun asked to dance with you Setsuna-sempai, I saw him ask you!" Setsuna shook her head, laughing gently,
"Haruka does not compete anymore, but sh-he... he always does that... just to annoy me... and Taiki."
"Still... It doesn't make sense... why would that happen? I mean, why would Seiya take Keiko?" Makoto sighed loudly,
"Before Haruka and Keiko became an item, Haruka and Seiya were friends, but decided to court Keiko... and Haruka became Keiko's partner... they were very close, but it seems that Seiya thought that he would make a better partner for Keiko... in every sense of the word, everyone knew he had the hots for her, but we never thought he'd take it that far, he was best friends with Haruka! And Haruka didn't know till the last minute... poor Haru-chan." Usagi nodded, she spoke barely above a whisper,
"Hmm-mm, poor Haruka, I remember she was so heartbroken." Michiru's eyes widened,
"She?" Minako instantly gasped and grabbed Usagi's mouth, but before any of them could say anything, a husky voice spoke above their booth,
"I don't ever remember saying I was a he, Kaioh-san." Michiru looked up and saw the tall blonde standing there, but not looking at the group, instead keeping their deep teal eyes locked onto Seiya in the arcade. Hotaru stood next to Haruka and took the empty seat next to Michiru. Michiru spoke up, no, not spoke, she screamed,
"You're a girl?!" Haruka looked at her and nodded calmly but there was a playful smirk on her lips,
"Yup." Haruka walked around to the booth and took the seat next to Makoto and stole a nearby spoon and scooped the top of Makoto's ice cream float and put it into her mouth,
"No! No, no, no! You are not a girl! You're the most annoying boy I've ever met!" Michiru was still in shock, Haruka smirked, almost seductively, keeping her eyes locked with the aqua-haired girl,
"Sorry to disappoint, girly, but I am in fact, female... want proof?" Michiru still looked in shock,
"What? How can you prove it to me? You – oh... Oh! No! Oh, you're unbelievable!" Michiru sat down, her head in her hands, still trying to come to terms with the fact that Haruka Tenoh was no longer the most annoying boy in the world... but the most annoying girl. Haruka shrugged and sat back a little, an arrogant glint in her eyes,
"Not the first time I've been told that... Don't mind me, kitten. You carry on speaking about whatever it was you were talking about." There was a deadly silence. Hotaru coughed to gain Haruka's attention and Haruka laughed gently,
"I know, hime-chan, regardless of where I am... women cannot resist talking about me. Do carry on, you know I love the attention." Haruka winked at Usagi who giggled and Makoto nudged Haruka playfully in the ribs,
"You're something else, Tenoh." Makoto stuck her tongue out at Haruka who returned the gesture while sitting back in her seat. Once again another silence fell over the group. Haruka looked around at Setsuna who had a guilty look. Haruka sighed.
"I take it you were talking about something that I don't like to be talked about...hmm... Seiya perhaps?... Then maybe... Keiko-chan." Haruka whispered the last name which caused Michiru to look up finally and she couldn't help but note the sadness in the blonde's eyes, which were soon covered up with a fake smile,
"Carry on, I don't mind at all... where were you all last?" Setsuna cleared her throat,
"I just told Michiru about the last winter dance," Haruka clenched her jaw but no-one except Michiru, Setsuna and Hotaru really noticed, "I was about to talk about the Grand Finals." Haruka waved her hand, as though to give permission to carry on. Michiru couldn't keep her eyes off of the tomboy. Now that she knew Haruka was a woman, it seemed to make matters completely different.
"Go for it, I don't care... hey, hime-chan, you want a milkshake?" Hotaru nodded, "I'll be right back."
Setsuna watched Haruka get up and head for the queue to get the milkshake for Hotaru. Michiru kept her eyes on Haruka's form. Michiru couldn't believe she ever thought Haruka was a boy, the way she was walking was totally feminine, her body, even though covered up by her clothes, you could make the outline of curves when a draught kept her clothes close to her form,
"Haruka hasn't competed since that winter formal, but she helps the club... she gets credit for teaching with me and the sensei in the club, which is all she needs to make up for her off season for the track and racing." Setsuna took a sip of her cola, "But she had to accompany all the competitors to the Grand Finals. Keiko and Seiya were due to compete in tango and the quickstep. But... things didn't go according to plan."
"Where is he? Where is he? Has anyone seen him?" Keiko was rushing about backstage looking for her dark-haired partner, she was dressed in a tight fitting dress, black all over and the most intricate pair of high hells you've ever seen in your life.
"No-one has seen him, Keiko-chan." Setsuna answered calmly but she too was concerned. What was Seiya up to?
"Oh God, he knows how important this is to me. My scholarship to that dance school is dependent on winning this... he wouldn't let me down...right?" Keiko turned to Haruka for comfort but only found her cold eyes glaring at her,
"I told you not to speak to me, Byakuya-sama." Keiko still couldn't get over the shock of being so formally addressed to by her ex-lover. Haruka walked away from her and was confronted by Makoto in the hallway,
"What's up, Haruka?" Haruka looked at Makoto and smiled gently,
"I knew this would happen... no-one listened to me... Seiya can't handle pressure, I know from first-hand experience. Sure, he acts like he could, but even if he does show up I'm more than convinced that he would buckle under all this." Haruka folded her arms and leaned against the wall. Makoto smiled and stood next to her, in her green shimmering dress, she leant against the wall too,
"Have you told her you still love her, Haruka?" Haruka shook her head,
"No, I don't love her, Mako... But I still care for her... where could that asshole be?!"At that instant, Haruka's phone rang. Seiya's name lit up her caller ID and she flipped open her phone,
"Where the hell are you, Kou-san?" There was silence, and Seiya sighed audibly,
"I'm not going to be there, Haruka... tell Keiko, I'm sorry." Haruka clenched her phone in her hand as Seiya hung up. Haruka looked at Makoto who seemed confused,
"He's not coming, I fucking knew it Aw, shit... Now, I gotta tell Keiko that her scholarship is down the fucking drain. Damn you, Seiya!"
"That's what happened right, Mako-chan?" Makoto nodded, Michiru thought deeply about what it meant... Haruka knew first-hand? Knew what it was like to have that happen... or for Seiya to do that? She was taken from her thoughts when Makoto spoke,
"That's what happened that night. And then -" Makoto stopped speaking as Haruka returned to the booth and smiled as she handed Hotaru her milkshake,
"Carry on Makoto...or would you like me to continue?" Haruka smirked at Makoto who threw her an unimpressed glare,
"Eavesdropping is not a good habit, you know!" Haruka poked her tongue out again and Michiru couldn't help but to stare at the blonde again... now Michiru knew Haruka was a girl, her feelings had changed a little... Haruka wasn't just a handsome, flirtatious boy, but rather Haruka was a handsome woman, very open with herself and she had herself open to the world, but Michiru couldn't help but feel the tomboy hid a lot of herself from everyone, even her close friends. Now Michiru couldn't stop staring at Haruka, she looked closer she could see that Haruka's defined collarbone and then her gaze fell to her breasts, well hidden from the way she dressed however, Michiru blushed a little at the overwhelming sight. Haruka could see Michiru staring at her,
"Neither is ogling, Mako-chan but it appears no-one told Kaioh-san that." Michiru instantly went red across her face and glared at Haruka. Haruka was about to laugh but was met with glares from Setsuna and Hotaru,
"Gomen, Michiru-san." Haruka sounded sincere. Michiru looked at the blonde then looked away,
"Are we done story-telling to Michiru? I have to get Hotaru home before my parents call to make sure I haven't burnt the house down and killed Sets and Taru or something." Michiru laughed at the nicknames Haruka gave to Setsuna and Hotaru.
"Why would they worry about Hotaru and Setsuna?" Michiru sounded more amused than curious and Haruka looked at her, one eyebrow cocked,
"They didn't get around to telling you that did they, Michiru-san?" Michiru shook her head slowly, "Ah, well... Hotaru and Setsuna live with me." Michiru raised her eyebrows in surprise,
"Why do they live with you?" Haruka smirked and put up that grin which Michiru now found a little tempting,
"Well, Hotaru's legal guardians are my parents and we rent out a room to Sets." Haruka chuckled at the word rent which made Setsuna go red,
"Hey, I pay but they just keep giving me my money back." Haruka laughed a little more before reaching over and pulling on Setsuna's cheek,
"Hai, true... but it's just fun to tease you about it." Haruka stood up, signalling she was ready to leave and the group stood to let Setsuna out. She stood next to Haruka and Hotaru hesitated,
"What is it, hime-chan?" Haruka sounded concerned as Hotaru had a little frown across her face,
"Ne, Haruka-papa... can we give Michiru a ride? She has her violin and bags to carry... and it's surely going to rain... it's not nice weather to walk." Haruka looked over to Michiru and smiled warmly,
"Want a ride home?" Michiru was shocked to find that Haruka hadn't said this sentence herself, but it was a different voice, and now Haruka had a deep scowl etched across her features. Michiru turned around to find the owner of the voice and saw Seiya standing there, his car keys in his hand and a grin across his face.
"Thank you Seiya, but – "
"Great, I'll meet you out front." Michiru looked at him as he walked away. She turned around and could see a sad Hotaru, an angry Haruka but an empathetic Setsuna who was about to speak when Haruka walked away from the group, speaking to Hotaru,
"Come, hime-chan, let's get home. We don't have time to waste." Hotaru nodded gently and smiled to Michiru. Setsuna sighed deeply,
"Sorry, Michiru... we'll see you tomorrow okay? Please come back to the class." Michiru nodded absentmindedly while Usagi smiled innocently,
"That was nice of Seiya to give Michiru a lift, though, right?" Minako sighed as Rei hit Usagi upside her head,
"Usagi! You baka!"
A/N 2 - Sorry if this wasn't what you expected, but anyone who's read my other stories should know... there will be flashbacks! Just to add again - my undying love and devotion to Reusch17 for being so amazingly awesome for me Squee!