Family Affairs

Chapter Eight: Confusion.

School had been extremely stressful. With violin practice, honor classes to ace, and try outs for the swim team coming up, Michiru was not as ease with anything anymore. Well, maybe she was. Michiru sighed as she watched the blonde from afar. There was some how an flicker of hope in her life, so long as Haruka was near, and Michiru knew well enough to figure out how much the tall boy had changed her life. It also amazed her how well she didn't know Haruka. He'd come to her almost out of nowhere and yet, he literally reversed the high school experience she had been having since her first year at Junai. People began to talk to her more and more. Girls would ask her for advice, boys would shyly compliment her. None of them dared to disrespect her like Mamoru used to, and even then, Mamoru had severed ties with her completely since Haruka had enrolled. Minako, her old archrival, became more and more a part of her life than she initially wanted. But what's worse, Makoto was forcing her way in as well… yes, Makoto. Michiru shook the thoughts from her head as she continued to focus on the blonde who sat intently reading.

" You know, if you're going to stare, I would suggest that you don't get caught. " Haruka looked up, his face illuminated by the fireplace he had become quite cozy with.

Michiru was glad that the lights in the house were all out. If Haruka had seen her blush, it would've been even more embarrassing. " I'm only staring because you're on my favorite couch. "

Haruka glanced down at the comfortable but elegant couch. " I don't see your name on it. Are you going to make me move? Because I won't. "

An idea sprouted in Michiru's mind as she thought of a way to get him off her couch. She wanted to reprimand herself but decided not to; she thought of this as an excuse to get to know him better. Or so she thought.

" Fine, then I guess we'll have to share. " Michiru raised an eyebrow hoping to get a response but she failed to receive one. Haruka only continued to read his book. She walked over to the blonde and glared for moments on end but still, the blonde was not budging. He was certainly more stubborn than she initially accounted for. " I warned you. " Michiru plopped next to Haruka, pushing the blonde against the back side of the couch. There was barely enough room for the two to lie uncomfortably. Michiru was about to get up due to the lack of room she had been allotted but was struck with disbelief when the stubborn Haruka relented. He placed his arm in the air so that she could roll into him and have more room. With the free hand, he simply placed it over her head and continued to read as if she weren't there. Michiru tested him. She rolled into his chest, only to find that he smelled of brisk cologne. She couldn't stop smelling him so she placed her head on his free arm and turned the other way. They laid there for at least an hour before Michiru turned over. Haruka looked over to find Michiru's cheek just inches from his.

" Okay. I give. What's the deal? "

Michiru seemed almost happy at the result. It took her quite a long time to achieve what she wanted but she knew it would be worth it. " I want to know everything about you. "

The blonde questioned her intentions. " Why would you want to know that? "

" It seems like you know more than I care to admit, about me. I don't feel exposed that you might know my weaknesses. I'm honestly curious as to what makes the famous Haruka Tenoh tick. Why do you charm so many girls? Why do you choose to date certain ones? What was your father like? Your mother? "

Haruka paused and thought for a couple of moments. " I used to be a loser. I used to be the kid that everyone made fun of in grade school. I was chubby, I was disliked and I had absolutely no friends or allies. None of the girls liked me because they said I was repulsive. My father was never home. I saw him, if I was lucky, twice a year. Once on Christmas, once on my birthday. I had no one to talk to, except the maids in my house. The butler was nice but he didn't understand me. I felt completely and utterly alone. " The blonde gazed up at the ceiling while Michiru became fixated on his story. " Then one day I broke. I knew I was always going to be a disappointment. But I knew that if I was like my other peers, I still wouldn't be good enough. So I trained. It took me an entire summer to become fit in middle school. I lost tons of weight, gained tons of muscle and trained unbelievably hard for track. It paid off. I became the first place for all the events that I participated in. I was undefeated in all categories. Girls were attracted to just about everything I worked so hard for. After all of that, I realized my true worth. But the one thing that I set out to attain, the favor of my peers, was the one thing I grew to hate. I gave up on girls. Guys worshipped me because 'I was the man' and, needless to say, I gave up on them as well. I realized that I was better off alone. Without a father. Without family. Without friends. None of them have ever served me well. Now I stick to what I know best: Me. "

" I'm sorry. " Michiru averted her eyes away from Haruka, knowing that she would see the reflection of herself in him. She could feel his pain. She could feel his sorrow. There was nothing she could do for him. He was the one person that she became rather attached to and yet, knowing nothing about him put things into perspective for her. She assumed he was spoiled, that he always had it this way. She was wrong. He was just like her. They had more in common than knew they did and it was strange having this connection with someone. It was strange knowing that someone else felt the exact same way as you.

" Don't be sorry. I know you're life hasn't been any different than mine. That's why we are who we are. You're a famous musician with more talent than any girl I've ever seen. The only reason you are so different is because you are stronger. You had to go through things that others did not have to experience. That makes you Michiru. That's the part of you I like best. " Haruka leaned against his other arm, tossing his book to the floor. He sighed heavily and Michiru rested her head on his chest.

She felt strange laying on him. She was never this attached to a boy in her life. But, being that he was like an older brother, she felt more assured that what she was doing, was okay to do. Michiru relieved a heavy sigh, much like that of Haruka's. She didn't care. Brother or not. Haruka was Haruka. She had no desire to move her head, to leave his side, or to stop listening to his heartbeat. She enjoyed his presence. It made her feel unbelievably warm inside. She felt secure. She felt like for once in her life, she wasn't alone. There was nothing that would keep her from sleeping to the sound of his breathing and the sound of his heart beating.

Michiru awoke feeling as best rested as possible. When she had awoken and gathered her surroundings, she was sure she had been dreaming about the night before. She cared not so much that she had been dreaming but she did have to admit the dream was peaceful.

" Morning. " Haruka came around the corner of the house as sharp as ever. She could smell his cologne half way across the room, which wasn't a bad thing; in fact, the smell was so intoxicating that she wanted to smell more of it.

" Morning, Ruka. " The blonde stopped in his tracks and looked at her questioningly. Michiru hadn't realized what she had said until she had been thrown that strange expression. " My apologies. It must've slipped. "

" No. " Haruka placed a finger on his lip. " No, that sounds pretty good. I like it. "

Michiru nodded, glad that she hadn't offended him. " I had this strange dream. "

" Yeah? Well, if it has anything to do with you drooling on my shirt when you fell asleep, then you can count on that being real. " Haruka mentioned as he ran around the house to gather a few more materials for class.

The aqua-haired girl stood dumbfounded. Did he really just say that she fell asleep on him? So the dream was true? Michiru wasn't sure if that was a good thing or bad thing. Haruka didn't seem to mind at all. If anything, he was more comfortable with it than she would imagine. Had that been any other guy, they would've tried something. She knew Mamoru would. Even Seiya might. Haruka didn't. It all came back to her like a wave of memories. She was practically on top of him, holding him as if she couldn't let go. And yet, even then, he was not persuaded to kiss her. Granted, he was her stepbrother, but he was still a guy. Michiru paused. Did that mean he didn't have interest in her? Why didn't he? Wait, what am I saying? Why would I care? Michiru snapped out of it when Haruka placed a jacket on her shoulders.

" Don't worry, the drool wasn't that bad. Now, what were you saying about the dream? "

" How did I get in my room? "

Haruka smiled. " I carried you. You looked really uncomfortable so I just put you in your bed. " He opened the front door for her.

" I see. " Michiru bit her lip. Not only did he not try to kiss her, he didn't want her near him. If that wasn't an awkward situation, then she didn't know what was. Haruka helped her in his car and then proceeded to get in the driver's seat. " Sorry about last night. "

The blonde started the engine. " For what? " He seemed much more preoccupied today than he normally did. Michiru knew it was probably because she made him uncomfortable.

" Never mind. Let's just head to school. We don't want to be late. "

Haruka nodded but was a bit concerned with Michiru's words.

" I've never felt more awkward in my life. " Michiru whispered to Seiya after explaining what happened the night before. " I think he's trying to avoid me. I should probably just stay out of his way. I don't know what came over me. "

Seiya examined the situation carefully and finally came to a conclusion. " I don't think he's worried about it. I don't even think he's actually thought twice about it. You two have this strange relationship. You can hate each other, avoid each other, whatever. But when it comes down to it, you guys are never seen apart. That has to count for something. Plus, he reminds me of an air head. "

" Seiya!"

" Just kidding. Sort of. "

Michiru rolled her eyes at his humor. Perhaps she was simply in denial. She felt this overwhelming sensation of guilt overpower her. 'Last night was a total mistake. I shouldn't have even tried to get to know him. I know this is going to tear us apart, if it hasn't already. He hasn't even seen me all morning.' " What would you do if you were me? "

" Nothing. I honestly don't think that Haruka even cares. " Seiya placed a gentle hand on her face. " Michiru, please. We know Haruka is a rational person. He would never think less of you for anything that he consented. Now, go to class. We'll talk after school. " Seiya hugged her and headed off to class.

" Okay, not a problem. " Michiru bit her lip. This next class was her math class. Last class of the day. That meant Haruka was there. She hesitated. " No maybe not. I'll go get a drink. Yes, that should cool me off. " Michiru headed to the nearest fountain. She would pull herself together and pretend nothing had happened. Seiya knew most about guys and if what he said was true, then she was worrying about something frivolous. " Okay, I'm -- " Michiru felt a strong hand push her up against a wall.

" Hey. " Makoto squinted her eyes at Michiru as if she were being examined, then she stepped closer. " I thought you might have needed some help with that drink. "

" No thanks. " Michiru pulled away. " Don't touch me Makoto. "

The brunette gazed into her eyes. Michiru tried to avert her attention to something else but it was to no avail. " Quit avoiding me. That's all I'm asking. One more chance to be a good person. "

Michiru was about to decline when she realized that it was entirely too harsh. Makoto was trying to be forgiven by Michiru. But even that sort of forgiveness was not worthy of the deeds she had done. The aqua-haired girl sighed. If she forgave Makoto, then what? If she didn't forgive Makoto then she could be facing some problems later on. " Fine. You want a second chance, you earn it. Don't talk to me until you display those manners of yours that you had when I first knew you. "

Makoto's eye twitched a bit. " Deal. "

" Good. " Michiru replied as Makoto leaned in to whisper something in her ear.

Haruka stretched in the middle of the hallway. It definitely came off strange that a bunch of girls giggled in delight at her stretching. Sometimes she wished that she wasn't who she was. Or maybe if she was actually a guy, she might like all the attention that she gets. Unfortunately for her, she was still a girl, and she still only had interest in very few girls; her main focus at this point was Minako. Speaking of which, she had been meaning to call Minako for the past week. For some reason she always managed to space it out or blow her off. 'Poor Minako.'

" Hey punk. " A firm hand pulled Haruka back, spinning him around. " Where's my girl friend? "

" Mamoru. Nice to see you too. " The blonde glanced at the hand still on her shoulder and then back at Mamoru. " I believe you've left something that I don't want. " Haruka picked up his hand as if it were a disease and dropped it from her shoulder. " Now then, what are you rambling about? "

" Where's Michiru? "

" No, I believe you said something about some girl friend. " Haruka spit back, emphasizing the boundaries between his territory and her territory.

Mamoru stepped closer to Haruka. His movement had caused everyone surrounding them to stop and watch in on the argument. " Listen punk. I don't know who you think you are but I run this school. I have for the past three years and it won't change my senior year. You'll do as I say because you don't want to get hurt. "

Haruka laughed. " Hurt? Mamoru, get real. These girls, the ones that USED to be all over YOU are now all over ME. So let's get something clear. You ran this school for the past three years but I run this school now. "

" I'm not here to argue with you. I know who's better and so does everyone else. Now tell me, where's Michiru, MY GIRLFRIEND. "

" I thought Usagi was your girl friend. "

" No, I just tell her what to do and I get what I want. That's exactly how it will be with Michiru. " Mamoru had the biggest grin on his face.

Haruka clenched her fist. She wanted so bad to hit him in his face but she decided not to when she realized that's what he wanted. " First and only warning: Leave Michiru alone. If I catch you so much as talking to her in the wrong way, you'll regret that you even met her. I promise you that. " Haruka shifted the bag on her shoulder and walked away. She was satisfied when she noticed he wasn't objecting to her warning; he simply walked away angry.

" Finally. " Haruka sighed as she made her way to her last class, Math. She got happy that she'd see Michiru in this one. Michiru always had a way of making her feel more comfortable and making her laugh. It was just in her nature to do so. Laughing was just what she needed to cool off her temper. " Oh. " Haruka spotted her stepsister. " Michi-- " She stopped herself from going any further when her eyes fell across the girl next to her. Was that Makoto? Makoto, again? Haruka's temper returned to her almost tenfold. What's with Makoto? She was getting extremely irritated that the brunette kept showing up. What was she doing with Michiru? Annoying her, that's for sure. Haruka was about to intervene when she saw Makoto lean in to Michiru and whisper. The blonde's temper continued to increase but it was seemingly diminished when Michiru smiled after Makoto pulled away. The blonde took a deep breath. Did she just smile? " I am definitely confused. "

" About what? " Seiya questioned as he attempted to locate the source of Haruka's attention.

There was a huge disappointment festering inside of Haruka. She wasn't sure why she felt the way she did. She felt the same kind of anger when Mamoru had confronted her, only this time it was worse. Seeing Makoto standing next to Michiru made her cringe but what's worse was having to see Michiru smile and laugh in return. She was utterly clueless as to why she had the feeling that they hated each other. Every time she saw Michiru with Makoto, Michiru would become quiet and sad. And now? Haruka shook the thoughts from her head, they were only making her day worse.

" Haruka… what are you confused about? "

" Nothing. " The blonde walked away quietly, somewhat coldly, leaving a rather speechless Seiya behind.