Family Affairs

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The Lust Chronicles

Chapter Sixteen: Striking

" Move over. " Haruka said, through spoonfuls of ice cream. The other girl on the couch sprawled out even more, taking up as much space as possible. The blonde looked at her skeptically and shrugged her shoulders. " Fine, have it your way. " Haruka plopped down on the girl's stomach as she started laughing.

" You weigh a ton, Haruka. " Michiru commented through fits of laughter.

" I'm sorry to hear that, here let me help you. " Haruka put her dead weight on Michiru, who finally relented and rolled off the couch. " Now that's better, isn't it? " Haruka held back a smile as she shoved another spoon full of mint ice cream in her mouth.

" No. " Michiru replied as she turned over on her back. " You should really lay off the sweets. I don't think it's doing a whole for your weight issue. " The aqua-haired girl grinned maliciously, knowing well enough that Haruka didn't have one.

" Yeah. I was thinking exactly that. I'll go on a diet tomorrow. Or maybe in a week. Or maybe… next year. Yes, next year sounds good. " Haruka shifted her legs so that she was sitting upright and looking down at Michiru, who was on the floor. " That looks comfortable. " The blonde said as she licked one of her spoons. " Here, let me help you get more comfortable. " Haruka rested her feet on Michiru's stomach. " There you go. That should do wonders. You're a great foot rest by the way. "

" I bet. " Michiru replied, as she placed one of her hands on Haruka's leg to make sure she didn't put any pressure on her stomach. " I thought we were supposed to be having movie night with the others. "

" Oh yeah. " Haruka almost dropped her jaw, then she slapped her forehead. " I forgot to invite them. "

" Nice, airhead. Guess it's just you and me then. " 'I like the sound of that.' Michiru mused as she placed a finger on her lips. " What movie should we watch? "

" The one where, you become my foot rest and my slave at the same time, and get me more ice cream because I am out of it. " Haruka had a cheesy smile on her face as she was pointing to her empty ice cream gallon.

" I don't like that movie. How about we do something other than stay inside the house? We've been in here all week. "

Haruka's face lit up when an idea sprouted in her mind. " Let's go to a casino! " She nearly jumped off the couch in excitement. " Please! "

Michiru rolled her eyes. " No, this plan doesn't involve hookers or gambling, sorry Haruka. We're going to keep this plan G rated. " Haruka's smiled turned into a frown as she began to pout. " Do you want to go running? Watch a movie? Go to the mall? Bowling? "

The blonde continued to pout until another idea hit her. " Swimming. I want to see you swim. " She arched her eyebrow, curious to see if Michiru would oblige.

" Why would you want me to swim? " Michiru asked, almost as curious as Haruka had looked.

" Seiya told me you were the best swimmer in the world. "

Michiru sighed. Seiya never had anything bad to say about her, even when she had stopped talking to him. " I suppose it wouldn't hurt to swim, but Seiya is lying to you. If I was the best swimmer in the world, wouldn't I have tried out for the swim team? "

" Not really. "

" I'll be right back, Michiru. I have to use the restroom. " Haruka said from across the swimming pool. The blonde pretended to enter the men's restroom but cut across into the women's when the coast was clear. " I can't believe the pool is open this late. " Haruka said to herself as she walked through the locker room.

" Haruka? "

The blonde spun around, shocked to find someone in the locker room this late at night. " Uh… " Haruka placed a hand on the nearest wall, trying to regain her composure. " Minako, hey. "

Minako had a sly smile on her face. " What are you doing at school so late? -- I mean, what are you doing in the girl's locker room? " She crossed her arms over her chest and waited for a response.

" Oh, um. Well, Michiru wanted to come swimming and she forgot her goggles in the locker room. And since no one was here, she sent me in for them. " Haruka complimented herself on the lie, she definitely saved herself in the nick of time. " What are you doing here? "

" I just finished swimming myself. "

" I see. " Haruka cleared her throat when an awkwardness began to form between the two. " Do you have a ride home? "

Minako nodded but stepped closer. " Yes, Makoto is going to take me. " Haruka cringed at the sound of Makoto's name but continued to falsely smile. The blonde lifted her chin when she felt Minako step close enough that their bodies were touching. " How was your day today? " Minako asked as she slid her index finger up and down the collar on Haruka's suit.

" Well. " Haruka replied, suddenly feeling a bit uncomfortable with Minako's behavior. They had been intimate before but she wondered if them being alone would lead to something more than kissing. Minako trailed her fingers from Haruka's jacket to Haruka's neck.

" You have soft skin. "

" Thanks. " Haruka knew what was coming but could she avoid it? Probably not. If she couldn't avoid it, then she could at least attempt to control the situation, because at this point, Minako was definitely the one controlling her. " Minako…how soft is your skin? " Haruka shifted all of her weight and pushed the other girl against the wall. Haruka smiled as she leaned in for a kiss. They stood for a couple of moments, kissing, until Minako's phone began to ring. Haruka pulled away when she felt Minako reach for the phone. She rolled her eyes when Minako mentioned it was Makoto.

" Hey, what's up? " Minako answered, hushing a very irritated Haruka. " Of course, I'll be out there in a minute or two. I'm just … um… " Minako looked at Haruka for a good excuse but Haruka only grinned. " I'm having trouble … getting dressed. Just give me a couple more minutes, okay? " Minako hung up the phone before she get a response. " Troublemaker. "

" Yeah, so? " Haruka placed a kiss on Minako's cheek and began to walk away. " I'll pick you up tomorrow, for dinner, okay? " Minako nodded as she picked up her bags and ran past Haruka.

" Good night, Haruka! " Minako said as she rounded the corner and left the locker room.

" Good night. " Haruka whispered to herself, feeling a wave of guiltiness wash over her. Why did she try to avoid Minako? Normally she had no problems kissing her but tonight was different. No it wasn't just different, it was awkward. " I have got to get a grip on myself. " Haruka simply shook her head in disappointment and headed out of the locker room.

' I really have to stop -- ' Haruka's whole body stopped and she suddenly jumped behind the corner she had just passed. Her eyes peeked around the corner as she watched Michiru get out of the pool, soaked from head to toe. She had her bathing suit on, of course, but the girl was entirely wet. Haruka's eyes trailed all the way from her feet to her head and for some reason, a spark of desire began to build inside of Haruka. 'She's beautiful.'Haruka had noticed this before but somehow this was different. Michiru's hair was drenched with water as it hung in her eyes. 'What is she doing?' Haruka watched the other girl from her hiding spot as Michiru walked her way towards a diving board. 'oh.' Michiru climbed up the diving board but every movement she made, Haruka's eyes seemed to catch. Her legs were flawless, her curves were unbelievable, and her skin looked sleek with water dripping from it. Haruka turned her back on the wall. ' Get it together, Haruka.' She took a deep breath, deciding to ignore the image of Michiru's body in her mind. 'Come on Haruka, get it together.' Try as she might she simply could not get Michiru out of her head. It wasn't just that the girl was somewhat naked, but it was also the fact that they were alone, in an indoor swimming pool and she was somewhat naked. 'I can do this.' The blonde spun around the corner but only after she heard Michiru dive into the water. Perhaps she would have more courage if she realized no one would catch her staring.

Michiru had gone quite a few laps, not noticing Haruka's presence at all. Haruka admired the fact that the girl moved through the water like she was one with the water. It was strange to see her swim so fast but so smoothly. The blonde finally decided to cool her feet off in the water and removed her shoes. Haruka sat above Michiru's lane and put her legs in the water. " This is cold. " The blonde said to herself as she almost pulled her feet from the water. " How does she do that? I could not swim in water this cold. I would be an ice cube as soon as I jumped in. " Haruka heaved a sigh and rested her hands on the edge of the wall. Watching Michiru swim brought peace to Haruka.

--- ---

Water was her element. Or that's what she liked to think. Michiru continued to move through the water like a knife cutting through butter. She tried to take as few breaths as possible because breathing too much cut down on her lap time. Michiru continued as hard as she could until she could make out the wall just barely but the chlorine was doing wonders to her eyes. When she reached out for the ledge, she felt something soft… nothing like the wall she had expected. Michiru surfaced quietly to find out what she was holding on to.

" Hey. " Haruka said smoothly as she looked down upon Michiru.

Michiru blushed when she realized that, not only was she holding on to blonde's leg, but she was in between Haruka's legs. " Hey. " She replied, a bit tired from pushing herself too hard from the last lap. She placed both of her arms on Haruka's legs and rested her head on her arms, not minding so much that she was in a very intimate position with Haruka.

" I'm gone for five minutes and you're ready to get out? " Haruka beamed down at Michiru who only rolled her eyes in response. There was silence between them as Michiru basked in Haruka's presence.

It was so unbelievably comfortable to hang off Haruka's legs. She was bit surprised that the blonde didn't mind the fact that she was getting very wet by Michiru resting on her. Michiru smiled but didn't allow Haruka to see her happiness. It was quiet, peaceful but most of all, she was closer to Haruka than she had been in a long time. Michiru wouldn't have given these moments up for the world. She had only wished that there were more moments like these.

" It's cold. " Haruka said, leaning back to look at the ceiling.

" Want to see a trick I learned? "

Haruka shrugged. " Sure, why not? "

" Okay, stay here. " Michiru went underneath the water but was under for a couple moments. Haruka leaned in to get a closer look at what she was doing. For some reason she couldn't entirely make out what Michiru was doing so she leaned in a bit further. That's when she realized she shouldn't have done that. And that's when Michiru decided to make her move. The girl almost seemed to have leaped out of the water and wrapped her arms around Haruka's shoulders.

" Aw man. " Haruka tried to pull away but it was too late. Michiru had taken hold of her torso and with an immense amount of dead weight, Haruka was in the water in no time. Haruka opened her eyes under water and was alarmed by how much the chlorine stung her eyes. She didn't dare surface, not now. She had to find Michiru and she did when she spun around under water. Michiru waved with a smile on her face. Haruka only shook her head as she made her way towards the bottom of the pool. Michiru looked up at the surface as if she needed air but decided to follow Haruka instead. The blonde finally reached the bottom of the pool and with much effort, laid as much of her body on it as possible. Michiru swam above her, curious as to what the blonde was doing. Haruka watched her with open eyes and eventually stretched out her arm to Michiru.

Michiru glanced at the arm but made no hesitation in taking Haruka's hand. With more force than she expected, Haruka drew her in, closer to her body. The two stared at each other for a couple moments, unflinchingly. Haruka wanted so bad to act upon her instinct. She wanted so bad to kiss Michiru, but what would Michiru think of the kiss? Haruka noticed Michiru was still holding on to her hand but what was interesting is that Michiru reached out for the other one as well. Michiru pulled herself in, using the help of Haruka's hands, until their faces were just inches apart. There was an expression on the smaller girl's face that intrigued Haruka a great deal. Michiru seemed to be as deep in thought as Haruka was, but what was she thinking of? Michiru blinked as if she had realized something and began to resurface. Haruka stayed at the bottom of the pool until she saw Michiru take a breath of air and she followed suit.

Michiru was treading water when Haruka had surfaced. The blonde felt her hair cover her eyes and did her best to get them out of her face. She wasn't doing such a good job at it as she kept resurfacing. Michiru finally grabbed hold of her and urged her to stop. " If you keep coming up, the hair will keep falling in your face. " Michiru placed a hand on Haruka's cheek and began to push the hairs out of the blonde's face. When Michiru had finished the job, she was taken aback by how striking Haruka's eyes were. " Your eyes are… "

" Yeah. " Haruka replied, already knowing what she was going to say. " When they get irritated, they get pretty intense. " Michiru began to put her mouth under water in thought, as she continued to examine the sharp green eyes that were focused upon her. " Thanks for the uh… trick… " Michiru didn't say anything as she continued to study Haruka's eyes. " What? " Haruka asked, a bit defensively.

" You're eyes… they aren't intense… they're beautiful. " Michiru finally concluded as she ceased focusing on Haruka's eyes. The girl smiled playfully and splashed some water on a very shocked Haruka. " Can't you take a compliment? "

" Not really. " Haruka admitted as she dodged Michiru's splashing. " But I can definitely win a water war. " Haruka smiled as she went under water, pulling Michiru with her.

" Okay, okay! " Michiru laughed as she surfaced once again. " You win. " Haruka surface as well, but still having trouble with her hair. " You are hopeless. Water isn't your element, now is it? " Michiru pushed Haruka's hair out of her face again and admired the sly smile that came across the blonde's face. They treaded water in silence as the two started to relax. " Haruka…? "

" Yeah? " Haruka replied, trying to float upon her back.

" What were you doing under water, the first time? "

" I think it's called swimming. " Haruka answered sarcastically.

" No seriously. " Michiru asked as she too tried to float on her back. When she realized she didn't receive an answer she stopped floating and looked around for Haruka.

" Seriously? " Haruka whispered, as she surfaced behind Michiru. Michiru didn't turn around, she only nodded in response. " I was swimming. " Haruka affirmed, this time with more determination than before. The blonde quietly got out of the pool. She wasn't going to admit what she was thinking but she had a good idea that Michiru might be catching on to her. Haruka grabbed her shoes and turned back. " Are you ready? "

Michiru observed Haruka from the water. She didn't want to leave but she had a feeling that her question had spoiled the mood. 'I wonder why the question bothered her so much?' Michiru finally relented to Haruka's wishes and emerged from the pool. " Yes, I'm ready. "

Haruka nodded in response, watching the girl begin to shiver when the cold air touched her skin. " Here. " The blonde approached Michiru and placed a towel around her. " I'm feeling a bit hungry for… ice cream. " The blonde arched her eyebrow and smiled to assure Michiru that everything was fine. Michiru could only smile in response, knowing the blonde was hiding something, but she would leave that secret to be found out another time.