Family Affairs

Chapter Three: " Trust "

" Why? "

Haruka stopped for a couple minutes as she was taking off one of her over shirts. She paused knowing what she heard probably wasn't any of her business but, she listened intently from inside of her room.

" I've already explained to you, we're leaving tomorrow and that's simply that. I don't want to hear another word about this Michiru. We've got tons of business to attend to, I was lucky to take such a break. "

" So you take one week off of work and that makes it okay to leave for the next year? "

There was an awkward silence, Haruka could tell. She crept closer to the door, becoming absorbed in the soon to be heated argument. " They're leaving? " Haruka mouthed to herself sort of surprised herself.

" That was unnecessary. " Michiru's mother replied harshly.

" … I'm sorry. "

" Haruka is going to be staying with you for this next school year. You can come move in with me as soon as you graduate but I have not paid Junai good money just for you to drop out of school. "

" Yes mother. "

Haruka's eyes got wide at what she had heard. They were going to be leaving her and Michiru alone, in this HUGE house, for the next year? She knew for sure she'd be the best party hostess in the world. That of course meant plenty of girl friends and tons of time to enjoy each and every one of them. Haruka laughed inwardly as she scolded herself for such thoughts. Oh the joys of life.

" I want you to take Haruka with you to registration. We'll most likely be gone in the morning when you wake up but I want to make sure that before I leave, you take ABSOLUTE care of Haruka. He's Soto's one and only son, of course, he's also the only heir to Soto's multi-billion dollar company. That means you need to take care of him. "

" What's that supposed to mean? Who cares if he's the heir to the fortune? "

" One day, you might inherit a sum of that. Wouldn't that be nice? You've always wanted to do nothing with your life. Money will give you the chance to do so. "

" Nothing! " Michiru replied incredulously. " I play for charities and raise money for those in need. You call that nothing? "

" It's not worth your talent. You could've signed to a wonderful label by now but instead you waste your time with charities that only want the money that only you can generate. "

" I do as I please. And it pleases me to play for charities. "

" Fine, do as you please, you spoiled brat. But don't ruin my inheritance and don't you dare share what we've talked about tonight. "

" Don't worry. I've got much more important things to do with my life than worry about your money. "

Haruka gulped, pulling away from the door as she heard the footsteps of someone walking off. That was one intense conversation and she would've much preferred if she hadn't done her eaves dropping. She placed her forehead against the door as she heard Michiru's mother heading downstairs. She could picture Michiru's expression. She was probably holding everything back… the tears, the quivering of the lip, the innocent look of sadness plastered all over that wonderfully beautiful face. How could her mother be so… cold? Perhaps Haruka had underestimated the situation which, of course, only made her feel guilty for mentioning that her life was just as bad.

Haruka turned towards her bed, flopping on it with plenty of force due to the frustration of her situation. What should she do? She knew for sure she needed to talk to her father but she didn't feel as if she should intrude on his leave. After all, it wasn't unusual for him to leave without any notice. He'd done it all the time since she was a child. Michiru however, was probably someone she should talk to. She couldn't help but feel this overbearing sensation of guilt as it washed over her thoroughly. All week she had been giving Michiru a hard time, giving her mother the benefit of the doubt. Now what Michiru had been trying to tell her all week seemed to have been confirmed by what her mother had just said. Haruka felt responsible for adding to the pain she was sure Michiru was having a hard time enduring.

" Michiru… " Haruka looked down at a rock in her hand as she rubbed it ferociously, hoping it would calm the series of thoughts running through her mind. She sighed inwardly as she decided to sleep on it. Hopefully the night would do better to soother her overbearing thoughts of guilt.

Haruka tossed and turned. Then she tossed and turned again. She almost threw a fit that she couldn't go to sleep. It was almost as if she were punishing herself for something she honestly didn't mean to do. She glanced over at the clock and rolled her eyes. 2 AM. It took her a moment to realize that she could hear a faint sound coming from outside of her room… it sounded … beautiful. She stood up and went to her balcony.

The moon light was absolutely stunning as she stepped out into the night. She probably wasn't prepared for what she was about to see but instead of shying away from sight, she seemed to be encompassed by it. The blonde stole a look at the girl towards her left as she became captivated by the sheer illumination of the figure before her. She examined the white, silky gown Michiru had been wearing as it clung to her body and hung off her slight as the wind gently graced her body.

She tried to hide her presence for as long as possible but it was futile; Michiru eventually removed the bow from the strings on her violin and allowed for the silence of the night resume. " Haruka. What have I told you about staring? " She tried hard to conceal her emotions but Haruka could see right through her.

" You never told me you could play like that. "

" I don't, normally. I usually just play whatever my manager wants me to play. " She glanced over at Haruka with a hint of sadness in her eyes.

" Your song, it was very… slow… slow but mostly heartbreaking. "

" Yes, well it's easy to sound that way when you have sources of inspiration for those kinds of things. "

" Michiru… " Haruka stopped herself. She wanted to apologize for all the times she might have hurt the other girl's feelings. She was sure it was by mistake but still, she felt this overwhelming guilt from the conversation she had overheard. Without thinking it through, the blonde leaped over to her sister's balcony and relieved a heavy sigh. " I'm sorry. I know I've been somewhat rude lately. I've only been trying to get to know you. You seem like you're trying so hard to push me away. And yet, I've been trying so hard just to keep you within my range. I know my life probably isn't as bad as yours might have been… but I just want a chance to have someone in my life worth knowing. "

Michiru almost lost her breath on the last sentence. She felt her heartbeat speed up for some reason. No one had ever said anything like that to her before. She wanted to shy away from the blonde as she felt his piercing green eyes pry into her soul. She knew he could see more than he initially let off but could she trust him? Could she let him into her life with such an honest request?

Author's Notes: Sry about not posting earlier. Bit busier than expected. As for one of the questions to my reviewers - Haruka is a girl in her perspective, when it switched to Michiru, she is a boy. Don't worry, things will change:P The only good Haruka is a girl, after all.