A/N - An early update, I know! Ah well, I hope you all enjoy this, and once again much love to Reusch17 for her awesome help on my grammar. Thanks to RukaMichi92 for letting me borrow something from her (you rock)! And oh yeah, R&R cos nothing quite feeds my ego like it :D Enjoy! (disclaimers on the first chapter remember)
CHAPTER 4 – I REALLY DON'T CARE
It had been exactly one week since the incident at the Plaza and Michiru was finding the week unbearable, she had decided to go back to the dance class after seeing that it did indeed offer more credits for the course than any others at school, and for Michiru's appearance, credits and great grades were an absolute. But, in lessons, Haruka pretended Michiru didn't exist, and in dance class, Haruka took the half of the class that Michiru wasn't in to teach. Michiru was finding it all very difficult to concentrate, and she didn't know why. It's not like she had any obligation to the blonde, nor did she have any relationship with her. But since she found out Haruka was a girl, she found herself staring at her more, taking in her features, her every line and curve... she wanted Haruka's attention and at first didn't know why... but soon she realised that she didn't just want to be friends, her feelings told her that… the feelings that she had for that blonde were beyond any feelings Michiru should have for any friend. Haruka was such a temptation, near forbidden fruit, she was everything Michiru wanted and more. Yes, these feelings were more than a want for friendship, they were lust, definite lust. Seeing the blond move in the classroom, her muscles, her demeanour, the way she behaved, it was all Michiru could think about and all she wanted. Michiru definitely wanted the blond, to be held by Haruka, to taste her tempting lips, to have Haruka look her in the eyes, to be in Haruka's bed... whoa. Okay, she had to stop herself. Haruka was standing five feet away in tight jeans and a black shirt, with a scowl that to be honest, right now, was only making her look sexier to Michiru.
"Are you even listening, Kaioh-san?" Michiru was broken out of her daze by Setsuna, who sighed and shook her head, "I'll repeat myself then... Today is the deadline for the winter competition. It's two months from now. You have to sign up with a partner and also with the three dances you will be doing. Not only is there a cash prize but there is also credits that can go toward your total year grade. This is a 30 credit. Double credits than any other course in school." There was an instant hubbub from everyone and Haruka continued to scowl,
"I will be taking the competitors choosing samba, rumba, foxtrot and the waltz." Setsuna finished while Haruka cleared her throat,
"I'll be taking tango, Vienesse Waltz, Paso Doble and quickstep. And Mido-sensei told us to tell you not to bother picking jive or any dances we're not overseeing as the other competitors will more than likely be taking those steps. Sign up is over there." Haruka stated then walked away while everyone pondered over dance partners. Taiki approached Setsuna and smiled gently as he took her hand,
"Setsuna, can you do me the pleasure of being my partner this year?" Setsuna smiled and she bowed to him,
"I would love to, Taiki." She grinned as he kissed her on the cheek gently. Yaten grinned as he approached Minako,
"Hey, Mina-chan, I know you dance with Haruka in class but can you do me the honour of – " Minako squealed,
"I'd love to Yaten-kun!" Ami smiled gently at Makoto, but Makoto shook her head,
"You know girls can't dance together, Ami." This was a bit of a shock to Michiru, she had guessed that Makoto was gay, but Ami? This school was definitely something new to Michiru.
"But didn't Haruka dance with girls in competitions?" Ami nodded,
"Hai... but we all kept her gender secret... Haruka is a great dancer, but imagining her in a ball-gown is something beyond our abilities!"
"And to think I've had the pleasure to see it. I feel honoured." Seiya had gotten behind Michiru without anyone noticing. He was most certainly a slippery thing. Michiru raised an eyebrow,
"Haruka? In a ballgown?" Seiya nodded, holding back a laugh,
"That's how we met, when we were kids... we used to be dance partners at our old dance school... she always did hate dresses... although they did look good with her hair, when it was longer of course..." Michiru nearly fainted at the thought of Haruka in a tight ball-gown, with longer hair, Seiya continued to speak, "Speaking of partners... do you have a partner yet Michiru-san?" Instinctively, Michiru shook her head, but found herself glancing at Haruka who sat at the sign up table, bored as hell.
"Not yet." Seiya raised his eyebrows in interest, he followed her gaze,
"Ne, Michiru... Haruka-san may act like a man, but I believe you know she's not, right?" Michiru looked at Seiya confused...of course she knew Haruka wasn't a man, they had just spoken about that! That's also the reason Michiru wanted to dance with her... Seiya continued, oblivious to Michiru's confusion, "I would like it if you would be my partner, would you do me the honour, Michiru-san?" Seiya must have said it louder than Michiru realised because the room went dead quiet. Haruka looked up from her seat and looked at Michiru. Michiru looked around the room, and saw Haruka looking at her. Usagi spoke up,
"Michiru? Are you and Seiya going to be partners?" Seiya looked at Michiru and she found herself slowly nodding. There were no other boys in the class and she really wanted to take part. Hotaru brought over the sign-up sheet,
"Here, Michiru-san, put your names down and the dances you want to do." Michiru smiled politely and took it. Seiya spoke up,
"I think we should do the rumba... we did it so well the other week... ne?" Michiru absentmindedly nodded, "And foxtrot is always fun." Michiru shook her head,
"No, I'd much rather do the waltz, Seiya." Seiya nodded,
"Sure, it seems we're going to be spending a lot of time in Setsuna's group, ne?" Michiru shook her head once again,
"No, Seiya, Viennese Waltz, it's the more refined dance and I think we should do the Paso Doble too." This time Seiya disagreed,
"The Paso is too popular, we should do tango, not many can pull it off." Then a husky voice intervened,
"Neither can you." Michiru looked up straight into deep emerald orbs and she smiled at Haruka. Instead of smiling back, Haruka walked over to the open window at the other end of the hot classroom. Michiru scribbled tango and Viennese Waltz down onto the sheet and gave it back to Hotaru before heading over to Haruka.
"Tenoh-san?" There was no response from Haruka. Michiru sighed.
"Haruka. My name is Haruka." Haruka sounded angry, not her usual angry but hurt angry.
"I'm sorry, Tenoh-san, I – " Haruka growled in frustration,
"No! Haruka. Ha-Ru-Ka... can you manage that? You manage to call everyone else by their first name but not me. Now you can, because I'm telling you that you can. Haruka! Okay?" Michiru couldn't help but to giggle at the blonde's outburst,
"Ara, are you jealous that I don't call you by your given name?" The blond gulped,
"N-no, of course not, it's just... um, er... disrespectful! We hang out with the same friends and you call everyone but me by their given name." Haruka pouted and looked away. Michiru giggled again,
"Aw, don't pout, you look much cuter when you smile... Haruka-san." Haruka raised her eyebrows and that grin appeared again. The one Michiru hated... until she found out Haruka was a girl, now it caused Michiru's knees to turn to jelly and gave her butterflies in her stomach.
"Cuter, huh? You think I look cute now, but cuter when I smile?" Michiru went a slight tinge of pink before she looked down at her feet to regain her cool,
"I just wanted you to stop acting like a baby, Haruka-san." Haruka grinned,
"You'll be with me four times a week, you know." Michiru went bright red at that statement and Haruka laughed,
"For the dance. Twice a week for each dance."
"Oh." Michiru regained her composure, before she could say anything, Hotaru jumped over,
"Haruka-papa, did you ask her? Did you?" Haruka laughed at Hotaru,
"Not yet, Hotaru... patience." Michiru looked at Hotaru who was locking her gaze with Haruka,
"Hotaru, why do you call Haruka... papa?" Hotaru went bright red and looked at Haruka,
"Oh, I didn't say it out loud, did I?" Haruka nodded seeming very amused,
"You said it last week at the Plaza too." Hotaru groaned and went red, but Haruka laughed. Hotaru looked at Michiru and spoke,
"Well, I've lived with Haruka since my parents passed away when I was younger... and Haruka's parents took us in... but they travelled a lot when we were younger, so while they were gone, Haruka and her Uncle Hachi looked after me a lot... it took a long while before she told me she wasn't a boy," as Hotaru said 'boy' she sent a playful glare to the blonde who was nearly crying from laughing so hard," and until I was old enough to know the difference... but it was my nickname for her back in those days... she looks a lot like my dad... from what I remember of him and photos, anyway. Old habits die hard, I guess." She laughed nervously and Michiru giggled too,
"That's so sweet, who knew you could have such a sweet side, Haruka?" Haruka smiled and whispered into Michiru's ear,
"I have a sweet centre too." Michiru went bright red at this and Haruka laughed out loud, causing everyone to turn their attention to her. Michiru grabbed Haruka by the arm and took her out of the room, and into the empty hallway,
"What the hell was that about?" Haruka kept her gaze cool and calm,
"I've been watching you closely this week... in lessons and out... you don't have an interest solely in men, do you?" Michiru sighed, could she tell her the truth? No. Not yet.
"I don't know what you mean." Haruka smiled,
"Oh, so you haven't been throwing lovey-dovey eyes at - ?" Haruka laughed as she saw Michiru go bright red again,
"Don't you dare finish that sentence, Tenoh." Haruka stopped laughing and studied Michiru's face.
"Ah, so I am right?" Michiru shook her head,
"Listen, you tell anyone Tenoh and you will see a side of me you will not like." Haruka noted Michiru's intense glare,
"There's the passion you've been lacking, Michiru-san!" She laughed and Michiru smacked her shoulder playfully,
"Listen, Tenoh, my preferences are of no concern to you." The blond pouted,
"Aw, but I really wanted to know!" Michiru laughed,
"Haruka, you are unlike any other person I have met that's for sure." Michiru could feel her cheeks turn red but she turned her head away, avoiding Haruka's gaze. When she looked back, she could see that Haruka now had a serious expression on her face.
"So is it- Who... who is it?" Haruka seemed desperate to know almost like she had to know. Michiru was glad she hadn't figured out who she had her eyes on all week, it could have made this conversation much more embarrassing,
"It's... someone we both know... I can't tell you." Michiru could only think of what a coward she was. Haruka nodded her head, looking pretty sad,
"I know who it is, it's pretty obvious." Michiru was about to retort when Hotaru jumped out into the hallway,
"Hey, you two! Get back in here, we still have time for one more dance!" Setsuna had clearly resumed her role as grumpy mother figure again. Haruka sighed and she was about to enter the room again, Michiru grabbed her forearm,
"Haruka, are you okay?" The blonde looked down at the younger girl and nodded gently, smiling at her with a warmth Michiru had yet to know, but her eyes were filled with sadness... similar to the sadness she had seen when Haruka had mentioned Keiko. Wordlessly the blonde got out of Michiru's grasp and headed back into the classroom. Michiru slowly and silently followed.
"Okay, we're going to do a basic foxtrot. Pick your partners." Haruka instantly took her gaze upon her brunette tomboy friend, Makoto. Ami was about to grab Makoto's hand for the practice when Haruka grabbed her instead, out of nowhere, flashing that brilliant smile to Ami,
"Ne, Ami, do you mind if I steal her for this one dance?" Ami hesitated but then shook her head, smiling softly to Mako, who just seemed plain confused. Haruka took her stance and held her arms at shoulders' height and gracefully Makoto followed, still confused at Haruka's actions.
"Haruka-chan, what's up with you? You've not danced with me since for nearly two years." Makoto spoke in between forced smiles and steep toe leads,
"I wanted to talk to you. Quickly of course." Makoto frowned in confusion,
"Concentrate, Kino-san!" Setsuna spoke above the music and instantly Makoto's heels stepped back into place, Haruka kept her gaze over Makoto's shoulder while speaking gently,
"Did you know Michiru-san likes you?" Haruka continued, the statement in itself almost caused Makoto to fall over,
"Wh-what?" Haruka kept her arm rigid at Makoto's back, while moving her into a slow step,
"You heard me... did you know?" Makoto kept quiet for a moment as Haruka and Makoto were inches away from Michiru and Seiya. As soon as they stepped away, Makoto spoke lowly,
"Hai... Well, Ami thought she liked me... but – "
"Okay, Mako-chan. I just had to make sure that if you knew then you know you now have to tell her about you and Ami-chan, okay?" Makoto silently nodded,
"Haruka... why did you come to dance with me to ask me that? You could have asked me after."
"Everyone would have questioned why I wanted to talk to you in private. Especially if they found out it was to tell you that Michiru likes you." The dance came to a slow and Haruka and Makoto finished their dance in an elegant pose, with a sway step and a turn. Makoto looked at Haruka and before anyone else could speak to them, Makoto whispered,
"I think you are wrong Haruka... Michiru liked me. Past tense. She seems to-" Haruka's intrigue was brutally cut in half by Setsuna,
"Haruka! I realise you have the most experience, but please allow Kino-san to listen to my advice. Kino-san less toe leads, more ball-flats. You're too tall on your toes... ah, look at the time... here tomorrow at half past three, okay?" Setsuna scowled at Haruka who waved her off playfully. Haruka walked over to her bag and she began to pile her clothes and belongings into it when she heard a melodic giggle come from behind. 'Her', Haruka thought.
"Haruka-chan... you don't even have to listen in class, lucky you, ne?" Haruka stood up and faced Michiru, a weak smile on the tomboy's face,
"Yeah, lucky me, huh?" Haruka stepped past Michiru but was instantly blocked by an energetic and eager Hotaru,
"Have you asked her yet, Haru-chan?" Haruka scowled,
"No. Let's get going, hime." This time Michiru was determined on not letting Haruka get away, the blonde was acting exactly how she had a week ago at the Plaza, no Haruka Tenoh was not getting away with acting that way again! Michiru gathered her belongings before she followed the blonde, Hotaru and Setsuna out to Haruka's car. Michiru waited until Haruka had opened her car doors before taking a deep breath and yelling as she ran over to the yellow convertible.
"Haruka!" The blond turned around, seemingly annoyed at being called out. But her weak smile returned almost immediately,
"What is it, Michiru-san?" Michiru was breathless as she ran to reach the trio.
"What's wrong? I thought we were friends!" Michiru searched the blonde's face for any clue in her change of behaviour. The last time she spoke to the stubborn sexy fool was their conversation over who Haruka thought she liked... oh, no. Haruka must have thought she liked someone else in that class... to Michiru, the thought of liking or being with anyone other than the tomboy before her made her stomach turn into knots. Haruka was about to turn around when Michiru gathered her courage to shout out.
"I don't think you know who it is, so please don't make assumptions, Haruka-san!" Haruka's scowl returned,
"I don't think your personal preferences are any of my concern, remember, Michiru-san? ... And to be honest, I-I... I don't really care." Michiru took in the blonde's features, her words, her voice, it was all cold, but Michiru took one look into her eyes and saw a different story. She saw the eyes of someone who was torn. In some torment... and Haruka turned her face away. Hotaru looked at Haruka as she opened up her car, she whispered quietly,
"That was mean, Haruka-san." Haruka turned to Hotaru and saw her face tinged with sadness, her purple eyes filled with disappointment and the blond sighed, and she turned to Michiru,
"Gomen, Michiru... I'm just not feeling myself today." Haruka bowed respectfully to Michiru, but Michiru didn't return the bow because she knew Haruka was only apologising because Hotaru made her feel guilty, not because she wanted to and Michiru didn't want Haruka to apologise for any other reason than for her to be genuine for feeling sorry. Michiru turned away and began to walk away from the blond that was causing her so much trouble. How could she have such feelings for that contemptible woman when all Haruka seemed to do was run hot and cold?
"You didn't ask her did you, Haruka-papa?" Haruka shook her head slowly, almost sadly at Hotaru's question and Setsuna sighed loudly before running to Michiru and grabbing her wrist. Michiru whipped her head around, hoping to see Haruka but was instead greeted with Setsuna's face, worry etched over her elegant features. She released Michiru as soon as she turned around,
"Michiru... we know that your parents are away this week... would you like to join us for dinner tonight?"
Setsuna. Now there was someone Michiru could tell was genuine. She appreciated Setsuna wholly. She was right; her parents were away this week, in Osaka in a big meeting and Michiru was left in their new home, alone with the staff who didn't want to socialise... she had no other friends and the offer did sound tempting... but right now she got the feeling that Haruka didn't want to be near her. The blond clearly wanted to be away from her and was standing against her car impatiently, not even looking at Michiru. Michiru found herself shaking her head at Setsuna,
"No, Setsuna-san... Well, I would like to join you but I do not want to be near Tenoh-san when she so clearly doesn't want me near her." Setsuna smiled gently,
"It was Haruka's idea to invite you." Michiru's eyes widened and she looked at the blond for some response but was met with Haruka leaning against her car, looking down at the floor, her short blond hair covering her face.
"It was?" Even though Setsuna had just told her so, Michiru found it hard to believe, but Hotaru energetically nodded,
"Hai... she felt bad last week at the Plaza, and how she had been treating you and – "
"Hime-chan!" Haruka bellowed at Hotaru who giggled at Haruka. At first Michiru couldn't tell why, but then she saw Haruka was very clearly blushing. Michiru giggled in turn, while Haruka rubbed the back of her neck before speaking,
"I just felt bad for being so mean to you all week... figured you could use some company to make up for it... that's all." Haruka kicked a pebble on the floor like a kid and pouted a little, Michiru smiled at the sight. God, she was gorgeous, Michiru couldn't help but smile at her, even when she acted as immature as a five year-old, Michiru still desired her.
"If you really want me to be there, I'll be glad to come to your home for dinner." Haruka looked at Michiru and seemed confused, she looked away and Michiru sighed. She was about to speak again when a familiar husky voice whispered gently,
"I really want you to be there." Before anyone could say anymore, Haruka got into her car and sulked,
"Come on, you three, I don't have all day!" Michiru smiled and Hotaru giggled and looked at Setsuna,
"Haruka is blushing an awful lot lately, don't you think Setsuna?" Setsuna nodded,
"Yes, hime-chan, it seems as though someone has gotten to Haruka Tenoh." Setsuna glanced at Michiru as the three got into the car. Michiru smiled secretly to herself. She, Michiru Kaioh, had gotten to Haruka Tenoh... that thought in itself made her body tingle again with intense lust for the tomboy.