Family Affairs

Chapter Seven: " Strangely Comforting."

Haruka trudged through the hall. She was not enthralled by the idea of going to class. It had been three miserably long weeks since she started at Junai High School. She'd spent most of her time dodging girls that had crushes on her. Most of them, when she spent time with them, went on about her racing history, which to her, was something she was already fond of; she didn't need her past repeated to her. She looked forward to only a few things at school: Michiru, Minako and Seiya, yes, even him. They were her only source of sanity. Michiru was like her core; Seiya was her competition in just about everything; and, Minako was surely her love.

" Haruka! " Seiya waved the blonde down. " Hey. Where's Michiru? "

" I don't know. She's been acting real strange lately. "

Seiya bit the side of his lip, trying to figure out why. " Oh. " He replied when he thought of a good possibility. " Um, don't worry about her. She's just down and out sometimes. "

The blonde nodded in return. She had this immense feeling that Seiya was lying to her. ' I wonder what's wrong with her. She hasn't been herself lately. ' " Seiya, why do I have this feeling like I'm missing something? Is there something you're not telling me about Michiru? "

" Er. No. Not exactly. I'm trying to tell you the truth. Expect for her to be down and out. People don't like her as much as they love you. It may be that she's having a hard time adapting to school. " Seiya tried to sound reassuring but there was no assurance for Haruka.

" Maybe. " The blonde caught eye of a scene in the background. She continued to let Seiya ramble as if he were saying something important. She suddenly became engrossed by a situation that was unfolding. She noticed a blonde girl with bright blue eyes; she looked somewhat like Minako but her behavior was very different. Haruka watched as the girl tripped once, trying to chase down Mamoru, who looked as if he were angry enough to kill her. Haruka watched as Mamoru said something to her which must have been hurtful because she started crying. Then he turned to leave her crying, with her books on the floor, where she had accidentally dropped them.

" So anyways, that's what's wrong with her. She's just having a hard time with everyone here. "

Haruka brought her attention back to Seiya. " Yeah. Maybe. Listen, I'll catch you later Seiya. " The blonde brushed past the boy and headed straight for the girl that was crying. She couldn't stand to see girls cry and it made her feel guilty when she let them cry without any comfort. She quickly went to the younger girl's side and began to help her pick up her books. " Hey. " The other girl sniffled. She seemed to be confused with Haruka's actions. " There now. No need to cry. Really. These are yours. " Haruka handed all of the book's to the younger girl.

" Thanks. "

" My name is Haruka. I just came over here because of … well… because I saw you crying. "

" Thanks. No guy ever does that for me. And I trip and cry all the time. " The girl wiped her nose with a cloth. " Oh, my name is Usagi. "

" Nice to meet you, Usagi. I know you might not want to talk about anything. But if you ever need something, feel free to catch me in the hall. " Haruka smiled as the other girl nodded. " Great. You have a good day. "

Usagi watched the tall blonde walk away and was simply amazed. Instead of letting him leave, she caught up with him. " Aren't you Michiru's boyfriend? "

Haruka nearly choked. She was certainly surprised that she would give that impression to people. How could she like Michiru, let alone be Michiru's 'boyfriend?' She couldn't and yet this young girl thought they were together. " I don't know what you mean. "

" Well, I always see you two in the hall. And she's always hanging off your arm. I guess I just naturally assumed you two were together. You know, a couple. "

" We aren't intimate with each other. She's just my sis-- er, she's a very close friend of mine. " Haruka corrected herself before she got herself in trouble. " It's nothing like you say. She only uses my arm as sort of an escort type of thing. "

" Then why does she look at you like you're her boyfriend? "

Haruka was definitely caught off guard with all these questions. " She doesn't look at me like anything. We're simply friends and that's all. " The blonde thought for a few moments. ' What did Usagi mean by that? Michiru surely did not look at her any different than she would anyone else. Did she? '

" I think you're lying. That's okay. We all have secrets I guess. " Usagi paused. " But then again, you might be telling the truth. Especially after what happened to her last year. " Usagi seemed to be having a debate with herself out loud.

Haruka was curious as to what Usagi meant. " What happened last year? "

Usagi smiled brightly. " Nothing. I'll catch you later! I have to get to class. If I'm late, it's detention! " Usagi skipped down the hall with her books and bag, leaving a very speechless and curious Haruka. " Bye Haruka!"

" Bye. " Haruka whispered quietly as she too carried herself off to class.

" Hey you. "

Haruka nearly jumped when someone placed an arm through hers. She glanced wildly at Michiru who giggled in return. The blonde sighed. She had been looking for Michiru all morning, during lunch, and all afternoon; it was sort of ironic that when she stopped looking, Michiru showed up.

" Hi. " The blonde replied, a bit down.

Michiru looked away for a moment. " Are you okay? " She asked, hoping that Haruka would open up to her a bit.

" I should be. " Haruka said as she stopped at her locker to grab a book. " Are you okay? "

" Yeah, my day has been great. " Michiru had this look about her that made Haruka wonder what was so great. She had practically disappeared for the entire day without so much as a word to anyone else. Even Seiya was clueless to her whereabouts. It sort of made Haruka a bit angry but as with everything else she had been feeling lately, she didn't know why.

" That's good. " Haruka closed her locker door to find Minako staring at her from the other side. Michiru got quiet very quick.

" Hey Haruka. " Minako smiled. " Did you still want to have tutoring today? We can do it at my house. "

Michiru wanted to growl but she knew she was much more lady like than that. ' What are you doing, exactly? ' This Minako was slowly but surely getting on her nerves. The more she saw Minako, the more she disliked her. It didn't help that they did not have a very good past together. In fact, they were more like archrivals or bitter enemies, than Haruka's crush and Haruka's sister.

" I'd like that very much. "

Haruka replied politely but his tone was different. He replied with disinterest. There was something most certainly wrong with the tall blonde but Michiru couldn't quite place it. She watched as Minako passed Haruka a note, which only served to infuriate her more, and then she proceeded to leave, swinging her hips. Fortunately for Michiru, Haruka paid no mind and was soon back to focusing on her. She was about to say something to him when she found a certain pain in his beautifully, deep green eyes.

" Haruka. Don't lie to me. Why are you hurt? "

The blonde was almost surprised at the question. Had she portrayed her feelings through her eyes? How come Minako didn't catch it? Why did Michiru catch it? She sighed inwardly. " I don't know. I just know how I started feeling this way but I don't know why. "

Michiru wanted to press the subject but felt like she shouldn't. " Okay, sorry. Didn't mean to be pushy. Would you mind escorting me to my orchestra practice. We're working on pieces for the upcoming competition in winter. You should come cheer me on. "

" Sure. " Haruka should've smacked herself on the head. She was supposed to meet Minako for tutoring. She shrugged. Minako would just have to wait. She was sure it would mean a lot if she went to Michiru's practice.

Throughout the whole session, Haruka was amazed. Most of the musicians were very talented which came as a pleasant surprise to her. Of course, at is was, Michiru happened to be the best performance of the afternoon. Haruka gladly cheered after she performed her piece, causing the few in the audience to be a bit estranged by her behavior.

Michiru smiled down at Haruka. She remembered all the times her mother said she couldn't make it to her performances. Or how she couldn't attend one of her competitions or even something small like her practices. Her mother was always much too busy. It was a severe disappointment. But… but when she stood on the stage, as she made her bow, she felt as if Haruka's presence made up for all of the disappointments that her mother had caused. She could hear the loud cheering and excitement. No one else had that kind of support. It made her feel special. Haruka never failed in doing his newly acquired job, in fact, he seemed to have mastered the art of making her smile. It almost provoked her to giggle but she knew the laughter would have to be saved until after she came off stage. She motioned for him to wait and headed to the back.

" Michiru, wonderful performance. " A brunette clapped behind her. " Your fans were inspiring, weren't they? Or I should say, your biggest fan was inspiring. "

Michiru sighed. She was alone and in a room with a girl that she knew hated her for everything she was worth. This would not turn out as she had planned. " Makoto, I don't want any trouble right now. I'm busy. "

" Are you going to see your new boyfriend? "

" He's not my boyfriend. " Michiru replied calmly, though she wondered where Makoto had come up with that.

" Yeah, sure. Then why are you avoiding me? "

" Me avoiding you!? You're incredible, you know that. " Michiru closed the case to her violin and walked out of the back room. She was hoping to find some sort of help. Anyone that would alleviate the tension. Makoto began to follow her.

" Avoiding me, you see? "

" Makoto, leave me alone. " Michiru felt an arm on her shoulder that firmly held her from going any further. " I'm serious. " She tried to push away. She tried to fight the brunette but it was to no avail.

" Me too. " The brunette whispered as she stepped behind her. " I don't understand you. Not one bit. Tell me why you're avoiding me. "

Michiru wanted to push her off but she couldn't find the strength to do so. A part of her didn't want to. A part of her was making her very unsure about her situation. ' Someone help. Please. '

" Michiru? " Makoto quickly jumped back at the sound of another voice. She watched as a tall blonde entered the room. Michiru quickly ran to the blonde and hugged him. Haruka laughed in surprise. " What's that all about? "

" Nothing. " Michiru replied as she felt the arms around her tighten. She too was surprised at how well Haruka acted to her hug. She cuddled into his chest holding on to him as if the world were to end. He made no attempts to stop her and she was pleasantly shocked at how well he comforted her.

" That was awesome. I've seen you play but you really knocked all the competition away. " Haruka smiled broadly, noticing Makoto in the background. She squinted slightly as her mind began to wander. What was Makoto doing back here with Michiru. " Come on, let's grab some ice cream. It's the least I can do for the best musician in the world! "

Michiru silently thanked Haruka. But she only knew the worst had yet to come.