Family Affairs

-of-

The Lust Chronicles

Chapter Eleven: Promises and Decisions

Haruka closed the door to her room as she scoped out possible outfits for her to wear to movies. Some of the girls wanted to get together in an hour to watch some horror flick. She knew it was going to be cheesy but she also knew that the girls would watch it anyway and most likely be the only ones screaming throughout the show. Haruka dialed Minako's number on her cell phone as she quickly sifted through all of her dirty clothes.

" Hm… she's not picking up. That's sort of strange. " Haruka shrugged and threw the phone on her bed. " Now, what shall I wear? " The blonde finally found a black collared shirt and a pair of white jeans she wanted to wear. When she took off her shirt, her eyes went wide. She heard a door being opened and quickly jumped to the door to her room, desperately holding the knob. To her horror, the door to her room wasn't the one being opened, it was the bathroom door that had been opened.

" WOW. That's something I did not expect. "

When she realized who it was, she closed her eyes and let her head tilt backwards. " Seiya… " The blonde threw on the shirt she had been planning to wear and raced towards the dark haired boy standing at her bath room door.

" Wait! Don't hurt me! " He squealed. " I've got lots of money! "

Haruka tackled Seiya and landed on her bed. She fought to pin him down but eventually got her way. " What the hell were you doing in my bathroom? "

Seiya tried to calm the angry blonde down but it was to no avail. " I'm sorry, I had to use the bathroom really bad and Michiru was taking a shower in hers. "

" You're going to get it. After I get through with you, you won't be able to walk for a really long time. " Both Haruka and Seiya rolled their eyes when they found the other door to the room had been opened. " This is great! I'm sorry but we need some alone time -- " Haruka stopped herself from sounding any more like an idiot when she realized who was standing at the door, for the second time.

" I guess so. " Michiru replied as skeptically observed the scene before her. Seiya had one of his arms at Haruka's waist, while the blonde was mounted on top of Seiya, with a very determined expression.

" This is unreal. " Haruka groaned. " Wait, Michiru, this isn't what you think. "

Michiru nodded, not really believing a word out of Haruka's mouth. " I'm going to leave and hopefully not be scarred for the rest of my life. I can't believe my stepbrother and my best friend are … "

Seiya suddenly understood what Michiru was thinking and decided to exact his revenge on Haruka. " I told you to lock the door. I knew she would find out. I'm always careful about locking the door sweet heart. Why can't you be that considerate of my feelings? "

" What?! " Haruka pulled away out of sheer disbelief at Seiya's words. Both of them heard the door to her room shut extremely fast. " No, Michiru… " Haruka reached out for the girl who, chances were, was already making her way out of the house. " Seiya, you're done for! " The blonde jumped up to perform a wrestling move on the boy, who only yelped in pain. " You nosy little… eat my elbow! " Haruka continued to use Seiya as her new wrestling partner until he looked like he was going to pass out.

" Haruka, Haruka! " Seiya pushed the blonde off, breathing hard. " Is that any way to treat someone who knows your secret? " Seiya grinned but soon regretted his words when a Charlie horse found its way to his leg. " Okay! Okay. Get off you overgrown girl. " Seiya sat up, ruffling Haruka's hair and pinching her cheeks. " I can't believe you're a girl. You were so cute that I thought I liked boys but now, my instincts tell me, that I like girls. No wonder why I wasn't attracted to any of the other boys. Phew, glad that's out of the way. Talk about being confused by preference. " The dark haired boy smiled. " Tell me Haruka, when were you planning on telling the rest of us that you're a girl? "

" When you get a life. " She replied, very disgruntled about the situation. Haruka was not very happy that someone knew her secret, outside of her father of course. Seiya could potentially ruin everything that her family fortune was worth.

" Judging by the expression on your face, I'm thinking that you lying about being a boy was something that you've always done. "

Haruka sighed. If Seiya had to know the truth, then it was best to convince him not to repeat the truth, or else she was ruined. " It's not by choice, ya know. " She glanced at him with an honest look on her face, silently persuading Seiya to listen to her story. " Before my mother died, she had my father's first and only child. She of course, died after I was born due to some medical complications. "

" I'm sorry to hear that. " Seiya said as he waited for the rest of the story.

" Well, when she died, my father was devastated. He renounced his love for women because he thought that she took his love with her into death. Thus, he's never been able to conceive any child outside of me. In his desperation, more or less, he told the press, friends and even family, that I was a boy. "

" Why did he do that? "

" To save our family fortune. As it was, our fortune can only be inherited by men in the family. If I was potentially his only child and he had no sons, then the fortune would be handed over to a distant cousin of his, whom which he hates. So basically, I lived my whole life being a boy for some multi million dollar fortune that I will inherit on my 21st birthday. "

Seiya nodded his head. " I would too, if I were you. That's a lot of money. How much exactly is it? " The dark haired boy was curious, why would a father hide his daughter's gender? Or the better question was, for what price is his daughter's gender sold at?

Haruka laughed. " 900 million. Not including our family operated business. That's raw cash in the bank. If you counted the business that I would inherit, I'd be worth billions of dollars. "

" Are you serious? " Seiya almost choked in surprise. He knew what rich was but that was excessively rich. All of the parents of the kids at Junai put together, still would not make enough money to equal the worth of Haruka on her 21st birthday.

" Yep. And that's why you can't tell anyone about it. " Haruka smiled. " … or I'll have to kill you. You're certainly not worth 900 million. Believe me on that one. "

Seiya smiled in response. " You would trust me with your secret? " He felt a great burden with this secret, but for the first time in his life, he actually felt like someone could entrust him with something so valuable: A secret worth billions of dollars.

" I don't have a choice at this point. It's either I trust you or I lose my fortune. " Haruka half hoped that Seiya would just accept this secret, if he didn't, then she was really screwed. If he did though, life wouldn't be so bad, as long as she never got on his bad side. But then she could always kill him. Haruka smiled as she amused herself with thoughts that would never come to be.

Seiya pursed his lips in thought. " I will keep your secret locked up, IF and only IF you do two things for me. "

Haruka wanted to roll her eyes. She wanted to express how much she wanted to ring him around the neck. But, chances are, he wouldn't keep her secret if she did try to harm him. " Like I said, I don't have a choice. So what are your terms? "

" First, promise me that you'll help me score the love of my life. " Seiya anticipated her to decline the agreement but came to be very much surprised at the actual answer she supplied.

" Eh, who's this love of yours? "

" Usagi Tsukino. "

'That Usagi girl again. I wonder what makes guys attracted to her. She is pretty but she sure comes off real ditzy.' Haruka placed a hand behind her neck. This one was going to be tough. Usagi was definitely a good match for Seiya, as they both came off as airheads, but, there was part of Haruka that convinced her it would be hard for Usagi to even give Seiya the time of day. Finally she relented with not much of any other choice. " Fine. "

" Second, promise to answer my question. " Seiya rubbed his hands together maniacally, causing Haruka to hesitate for a moment.

" I promise. "

" Very good. Do you like Michiru? " He moved in closer as if he were a child, eager to learn something new. " Come on, answer the question. " Seiya tapped his foot incessantly. " Oh come on, Haruka. You act like I can't see it in your eyes. Do you like or love Michiru? "

" I think at this point, I would rather kill you than answer any of your stupid questions. " Haruka folded her arms across her chest. " You know, I'm supposed to be getting ready for the movies. I wanted to go on a date with Minako and have a really good time. Instead, I'm stuck here, hoping that some idiot won't tell my secret to the world because if he does, then I would have to kill him and be ruined at the same time. "

" Answer the question, you promised. " Seiya pleaded.

Haruka gave in. This was pointless. If she continued to argue with him about this, she would risk him actually being mad and possibly revealing her secret. After all, the secret didn't only ruin her fortune, it also ruined her relationship with Michiru. Michiru would freak if she found out that she was a girl. Their trust would be destroyed in a second and then Michiru would probably hate her. " I'm giving up an awful lot to you Seiya. You better be trustworthy. " Haruka straightened her shirt out and stood up. " I might like her. But not more than I like Minako. So don't run around confused about what's going on. " Haruka was lying through her teeth. But if she could tell the partial truth, then lying at this point, didn't matter.

" Good enough for me. I know you like her but I just had to confirm that." Seiya smiled. " Now get dressed. I will go explain to Michiru what happened. Or try to anyways. She's been more accustomed to talking to you about things lately, but I'll give it a try anyways. "

" Hey Minako. " Haruka realized she sounded a bit too excited about hearing Minako's voice over the phone. " I'm doing great. What are you doing tonight? " Seiya dragged Haruka out of the door as Michiru waited in the car. The blonde threw Seiya the keys to her brand new, 2006 Saleen, and hopped in the front seat. She felt Michiru's quietness seep into her ears; she knew something was wrong with her, but she had to focus on Minako for now. That was the whole point of moving on: to not focus on Michiru. " That's very sweet of you. I know, I know. You're a very kindhearted person. " Haruka watched as Seiya's eyes lit up when he started the car and she smiled at him broadly. " Well, if you happen to get off babysitting early, let me know if you want to hang out with us. The girls and I are going to the movies with Seiya… so call me if you want to meet up. " Haruka watched as all the houses in Michiru's neighborhood passed by and suddenly felt as if her mind was drifting back to where it shouldn't be: Michiru. " Of course. Sounds good. Bye. " Haruka hung up her cell phone and Seiya nearly shrieked with joy.

" Haruka this is the best car I've ever been in! " Seiya turned his attention to the blonde who seemed uneasy in the passenger seat. " How much was it, like 100,000? "

" More like, 395,000. " Haruka laughed at Seiya's response. " It was a gift, from an ex-girlfriend. "

" You must be really good if you can get a girl to give you something like this. "

" Seiya, shut up. " Haruka replied, realizing that Michiru heard that. A part of her knew it was very inappropriate for Michiru to hear those words so she nudged Seiya to emphasize her point. " How about you keep your mind on the road and make sure we get there on time. "

" Does that mean I can speed? "

" Sure, as long as you tell the cops that you took me and Michiru hostage when you get pulled over. " Haruka grinned and winked at Seiya as he put the medal to the pedal.

" What did you tell him? " Makoto asked, when he saw Minako hang up the phone. " Did you at least tell him you couldn't hang out tonight? "

Minako nodded, not responding very well to Makoto's presence. She took a seat in front of her text book and began to read the contents of a chapter when she felt Makoto's hand on her shoulder. A part of regretted her actions on the phone. She hated lying to Haruka. He was such a nice guy. But most of all, he treated her like she was worth more than she ever knew. " I should've told him that I could go. I should've at least told him where I was at. Why must I lie? "

Makoto gritted her teeth. Haruka was becoming more troublesome than she wanted. She didn't want Haruka to know that she was with Minako when Michiru wasn't around. " If you don't lie, he'll know about us. "

" We're just hanging out. "

" Is that what you call it? " Makoto whispered in Minako's ear and gently kissed her cheek. " We can call it that if you want. " The brunette placed another kiss on Minako's ear, then traced her lips down the blonde's neck. This is what Makoto desired. She absolutely loved the smell of Minako's skin. She could feel her own body turn to fire; she was burning for Minako's kiss. " I need you Minako. "

Minako closed her eyes. She hated how she felt inside. It was if a part of her was torn between Haruka and Makoto. A part of her wanted Haruka but a part of her couldn't be without Makoto. How could she be so conflicted? Did she really want both of them? And why did it seem as if Makoto was always up to something? Minako almost lost control of the situation when the brunette drew her in to a passionate kiss. " No. Not now. I can't, I've already told you that. " Minako picked up her phone and ran out of the house, with tears in her eyes. " I can't do this Makoto, I can't do it anymore. " The blonde whispered to herself as she got in her car and drove away. There was just too much pain to deal with when she looked at Makoto. " I can't. " Minako sobbed. " … I have to find Haruka. He'll make me feel better. "

Haruka knew she was somehow missing something. No, more than one thing actually. Michiru had been gone for quite some time now, more than it took to use the restroom. She began to get worried when she realized her stomach was growling. " Seiya, stay here, will you? I'm going to grab some popcorn. " Seiya nodded in agreement as Haruka left the theater. " I hate the movies. I always get lost. " She whispered to herself.

" Aren't you the lost puppy? " Michiru stood a few feet in front of Haruka, weakly smiling.

" Always was. " Haruka had this urge to move forward and shorten the distance between them, but she suppressed it with much effort. She had to have a sense of control over herself. If she continued to act this way, she would surely ruin their relationship. " Michiru, I… " The blonde knew there was something wrong with the shorter girl but she didn't have enough courage to ask what was going on with her. " I hope you didn't take what you saw seriously… "

" I didn't. Seiya explained that he scared you in the bedroom and you got mad and started beating him up. Which, now that I think of it, makes much more sense than the two of you hooking up. " Michiru sighed when she noticed the silence between them. " Are you going to watch the movie? "

" Yeah, well, sort of. First I'm trying to find the popcorn. Then I'll get around to the movie but the popcorn makes the movie great; there's no other way to watch a show without it. "

" Why do you sound nervous? " Michiru asked, her expression still not changing from what it was before.

Haruka swallowed hard. If there was something she hated about Michiru, it was the fact that she was always right on the dot. She was never wrong about her. It made Haruka feel like she weak somehow, knowing that someone else knew just about everything about her. " I guess… " She paused, realizing that Michiru was entirely absorbed into her response. " I guess that's because I am. "

" Why? "

She could lie. She could tell Michiru a lie. But then, it would break their trust if Michiru somehow saw through it. And knowing how things were going, lying was a looking like a terrible option. ' Today is becoming more and more like a Catch-22. There is nothing left to tell, other than the truth.' Haruka finally continued on, taking a deep breath first. " Because I know something's wrong with you and yet…" The blonde had a hard time putting how she felt into words. " … yet… I don't have enough courage to ask you what's wrong. I don't have enough courage to lend my support if you need it. I'm simply afraid to ask you about what you're feeling because I feel like I would be somehow intruding on your private life. And… well… seeing as how you and Makoto are close… well… I didn't think it would be proper for me to intrude on your private life. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, I want to be there for you when you need it but I simply don't have enough courage knowing that someone else could probably do my job better. " Haruka glanced away, feeling extremely troubled by the situation. She didn't want Michiru to know how she felt but instead, she gushed out every confusing emotion that she had.

" Haruka. " Michiru knew this would happen. She knew that once Haruka knew about Makoto, he would somehow shy away from her. He would simply disappear, feeling somehow inferior to Makoto. " Nothing has changed. That's what's wrong. I feel like, what happened between me and Makoto caused this distance between us. And the truth is, I don't like this new found distance you've been putting between you and I. Nothing has changed with us. It might have changed for Makoto and I, but nothing has changed with us. " Michiru waited for a response, but when she received none, she wanted to cry. " You don't understand. You were the first person in my life, to bring meaning to things that never had meaning. You were like a best friend and a brother put together. You made me laugh when I wanted to cry; you made me smile, when all I had was a frown; you made me see the light when there was nothing but darkness. Now, now you're just pushing me away. This has to be the worst feeling in the world. You went from talking to me every day, to avoiding me every day. You don't sit next to me in class anymore, you either find Minako or Seiya to sit with. When we walk in the hall, you practically run away from me, but if you have to walk with me, you try to stay the farthest from me. I don't get it. Just last weekend we were at the beach, dunking each other in the water, and now, you're missing in action. At first I knew it was some sort of defense mechanism. But now, I'm not too sure if you're actually just avoiding me. I mean, you say you want to be there for me, but then you're nowhere to be found. So which is it? "

" Michiru of course I want to be there for you. I just thought that -- "

" Haruka! " A distressed voice called out to the tall blonde.

Neither Haruka nor Michiru glanced at the one calling the blonde's name. They continued to stare at each other as if their conversation was somehow still going, despite the interruption. Finally Haruka, having to pry her eyes away from Michiru, looked over to have Minako jump in her arms. Her instinctive reaction was to hold the girl, whose trembling was something that caused Haruka to worry. Haruka glanced up at Michiru who smiled weakly in return. At that point she lost everything.

There was so much she wanted to say to the aqua-haired girl. So much she wish she could do. But Michiru seemed so far from her; even if she wanted to reach out and help her, it wouldn't do Michiru any good, especially if Minako was in her arms. What did that say to Michiru? That she didn't want to be there for Michiru, that Minako was more important than Michiru? Haruka knew the implications of Minako's hug were far greater than she could imagine. She knew that by ignoring her responsibility in helping Minako, she would lose Michiru some how. She didn't want to lose Michiru, that was the last thing she desired but did she have a choice?

' I do. I have a choice. ' The tall blonde continued to cradle Minako in her arms as she watched Michiru close her eyes and turn away. Watching her leave hurt so much; the tall blonde had to close her eyes and use Minako's hug as a form of release. There was no stopping the aqua-haired beauty now, not when she held another girl in her arms. There was nothing Haruka could do. She knew her place in Michiru's world; she knew that she would never have the chance to tell her how she felt and that's why she held Minako in her arms, not Michiru.

Yep and that's the end of this chapter... I wonder what will be in the next chapter? Anyone know? Me either. Hehehe. Catch you guys later.