Family Affairs

Chapter Two: First Reaction ...

Haruka had spent most of her week to herself. Occasionally her father would attempt to get involved in a family event, however, it usually ended on a bitter note with Michiru dampening everyone's mood. She couldn't quite place it; for some reason the girl was just simply stubborn. She absolutely resisted the idea of having a family… not that Haruka was trying to provide that for her, but she did want to be, in the very least, friends. The blonde didn't move a muscle when she noticed a presence in the room, instead she kept on reading the book she pretended she was interested in.

Every now and then she would peek up, catching a glimpse of Michiru feeding the fish in the living room tank. It wasn't long before the girl was finished and glanced over at the blonde. Haruka grinned madly when she was caught staring at the aqua-haired girl.

" Nice try. "

Haruka looked down at her book with a smile so large she had to use the book to shield her from Michiru's glare.

" Why are you blushing? Is it only when you're caught that you realize you were staring? Because if that's the case, you've been staring all week. "

" Have not! " Haruka stood up, wildly defending herself.

" Deny it all you want. I know the truth. "

Haruka began to laugh and placed her hands on her hips to brace herself. " You wouldn't know the truth if it knocked you upside the head. "

" Oh, and you would? "

" As a matter of fact, I would! I happen to be all knowing and -- " Haruka got a mouth full of one of the pillows on the couch. She laughed as she dodged a few more pillows.

" I'm sorry. I thought you were all knowing; guess you didn't know I would do that. " Michiru squinted her eyes and held back the urge to stick out her tongue. She felt like a really big child, something she never did, even when she was a child.

Haruka folded her arms across her chest as she watched Michiru turn around. Then within a heartbeat, she sprinted across the room and picked the girl up. With one heave, she tossed the frail girl, screaming on the couch. Then blonde couldn't stop laughing as she tried to get away. She felt Michiru's arms grab the back of her shoulders and she lost her balance. She knew it was happening when she fell but there wasn't much she could do to avoid it. Haruka placed a hand on the couch before she completely fell on Michiru.

" What's going on here! " Soto ran in, worried. His eyes were large at first, then he became embarrassed. Haruka was motionless as she felt her father's eyes upon them. " Um, well… "

" Everything is fine. " Michiru said, as she was inches from the blonde's face.

" Right… well, I'll be in the other room if I'm needed, or not needed. " Soto turned around quickly to save him any more embarrassment and left the two to their own doings.

" Yeah, everything is fine, huh. " Haruka turned her face towards Michiru so that her mildly short hairs were barely touching the Michiru's face. " I'm all knowing Michiru, I know everything is not fine. "

Michiru knew what Haruka was talking about. She'd been avoiding the subject all week. Yet even given the situation in which they were, Michiru wasn't angry that the subject had been brought up at all. Sure it was personal but somehow she felt different with Haruka. It was as if she could let her guard down and not worry about it.

" What would you know of my life? "

" I've only ever lived it for the entire length of my life. You're not alone. " Haruka heard the doorbell ring and quickly jumped up. " Remember, I'm all knowing. " The blonde winked as she turned away to find out who their visitor was.

When Haruka opened the door, she do so casually. She looked at the guy skeptically and almost as if he were stupid. The other guy took a step back to check the house number. Then he did a double take on her as well. It took him a few moments to regain composure before he continued on with what he was doing here.

" Is Michiru here? "

" Nope. " Haruka replied smoothly.

" Is this her house? "

" Nope. "

The man adjusted his suit jacket as he felt the heat from Haruka. " I'm sure this is her house. "

" Nope. "

Finally, another girl appeared from behind Haruka and nearly jumped up in joy. " Seiya! "

The boy named Seiya was startled as he started at the blonde questioningly. " Oh! " Haruka pretended as if he found Michiru all of the sudden. " There you are! Phew, I thought you left for … Africa last week… you know, to do the study on … toilets in southern … Canada. "

Michiru fixated herself on the blonde. " What are you talking about? Canada is not in Africa. And I'm not going to Africa. "

" Oh. I see. My mistake. " Haruka threw a dirty look at Seiya for absolutely no reason and went back to the living room.

" Who's that? " Seiya asked as he hugged Michiru with excitement.

" I'll tell you later. " Michiru took Seiya's hand and led him to his car. Another day of shopping was definitely a good distraction from her week of craziness.

(((( The Shiny Cafe ))))

It had been a long afternoon shopping, she thought, as she sat at the table with Seiya. He was going on about something but she seemed to have forgotten what it was. She never ignored Seiya but today was different. She wanted a distraction and yet, all she could think about was what had happened an hour before. Haruka made her think. And in fact, she wasn't sure what to think.

First of all, she didn't know why she reacted as a child would. She would never throw pillows, never wrestle, and surely never let someone lie on top of her as they attempted to tell her she wasn't alone. If she didn't know any better, she was sure something was going on, but what that something was, she couldn't tell. Haruka was breaking down her walls. Slowly, but surely. Being someone that never held anyone close, she wasn't going to let that happen.

" Michiru? "

She looked up, knowing what she had done before she actually respond. " I'm sorry… I've been a bit distant lately, haven't I? "

" Yes, I believe so. Why's that? "

Michiru pressed her lips against her tea cup, wondering if she should tell Seiya. She let out a heavy sigh and continued to sit in silence.

" Michiru, what's wrong? "

" I think I might be mad. "

Seiya had to chuckle. Michiru was never mad. Occasionally she might be irritated but never mad. " Aw, Michiru why are you mad? "

" Haruka. "

" Ah, the blonde boy. What's going on with him? I have to admit, seeing him there in your house with nothing but blue sweats and a gray t-shirt, well, it made me think he made himself a bit too comfortable in your presence. "

" No, that's not it. Well, I mean, he's free to dress as he wants. Haruka's my new stepbrother. "

" A product of your mom's experimenting, eh? "

" Seiya! " Michiru tossed her napkin at the dark haired boy as he smiled widely.

" So what's wrong with him? He annoying? Come to think of it, he is really annoying. "

" No, that's not it either. I think, I think I like him. "

Seiya almost choked on his coffee. " You what! "

" I think I like him. "

" When did you start liking boys? "

" Not like that, genius. I mean, I think I might like him as a brother. "

Seiya was becoming a bit weirded out. " If you like boys I'm always available… "

" Seiya, nothing has changed. "

He sighed as if exasperated and then smiled. " Well if you don't like him… he was kind of cute. "

" Knock it off. I don't want to hear that now. " Michiru couldn't help but smile in return. Seiya was good for a lot of things but the best thing he was good at was being her best friend.

" Ok, okay! So what makes you so mad at him? "

" He has this ability to throw me off guard. And when I'm angry or want to argue, he always somehow turns it back around on me. I'm trying to push him away and yet, I think the more I push, the more he brings me closer to him. He's been doing it all week. Like, for example, he made dinner for me when our parents were out. Well, I told him I was vegetarian and wasn't going to eat meat, which was a complete lie… so he ran out and got a vegetarian burger and cooked it up for me. And today, I tried to start an argument with him and he ended up on top of me with her father walking in as if we were about to … "

" He was on top of you? " Seiya rubbed his hands. " Tell me the details! "

Michiru rolled her eyes. " Yes he was, but not like that. " She waved towards the waiter. " Let's not talk about it. I just want to have a good time. "

" Aw, okay. But you know what? "

" What? "

" I'm just the guy to have a good time with! Let's go check out some guys. "

" Seiya… " Michiru laughed.

" Oh, I mean, let's check out some girls. " He lifted his eyebrows and helped her out of her seat. She knew from here on out, she would forget her problems at home and have a good time.

Author's Note: Sorry... been really busy this last week. I promise to put one up either every day or every other day. Dunno really. Have a good one!