Quick Dedication: I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Marah Mitchell, who left three reviews for Truly Madly Deeply on the same day. No I didn't find that crazy, it actually got me to smile when recently I haven't been. Thank you also for pointing out the mistake about "hansom" and "handsome", I'll change it as soon as I remember durning my down time. grins Sad to say I think I have been scatter-brained as of late. I'd love to email but for the fact that due to computer problems I have no access to my email at the moment. Thank you though, and I hope to hear more from you.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Anything in normal quotes "" is meant to be in English as it reads. If you see something in between these marks though it is meant to be in Japanese. This is partly because my Japanese knowledge is non-existent, and also so that it will still be understandable to anyone who does not speak Japanese.
Chapter 7: Japan After Dark
Saying goodbye to DeMarco, Reed and Tanner was harder then Haruka had expected. DeMarco's family didn't make it to see her graduate, neither did Haruka's grandparents. During family day and graduation day the two were "adopted" by Reed and Tanner's families. So they traveled about the base, and later around a little of the surrounding area, in a large group laughing and sharing stories.
On their last morning, all of the families already on their ways home, the new soldiers quickly packed the last of their gear and brought it outside. They waited in long lines for buses that would take them to new posts or to the air port depending. Haruka found she received a number of hugs, a hand shake and well wishes from one of the Drill Sergeants, and even a few tears out of DeMarco as the odd private grinned at her.
"Take care of yourself Ten'ou." Reed said and jabbed her battle buddy lightly in the ribs. The only response from the other soldier was a denial of the tears and a quick good luck toward Haruka. Reed grinned. "Too bad you aren't a mechanic like us; I'll probably have DeMarco here for another few months."
"Don't cause too much trouble you two, and take care of your feet DeMarco." Haruka said, and then waved as they walked off toward their own line. It wasn't long before Haruka and a few others were packed into an old school bus and driven off toward the air port.
One year later:
"Come on Ten'ou, you're Japanese." The young private was practically on her knees before Haruka's bunk as she pressed her hands together and begged her roommate. "You can't spend all your time either at the piano or with that precious car you bought."
"You're Japanese too. Aino, the only reason you want me to go is because your Japanese is horrible and you want me to translate what you're saying for some guy." Haruka commented, not even looking at her blue eyed roommate as she turned another page of the car magazine she was reading. "You should practice some more you know."
"Oh come on cut me some slack." Minako pled, this time actually going onto her knees before her roommate. Haruka ignored it for the most part and just remained in her position lounging on her bunk. "You know I lived in England almost from birth, then America, of course I don't get Japanese. If it'll make you help me we can speak nothing but Japanese in the barracks for a week!"
"You like him that much?" Haruka asked, teal eyes finally looking toward the eighteen year old who was on the polished floor now bowing. Minako's head shot up and she nodded enthusiastically. Haruka sighed and sat up, shaking her head and wishing she wasn't about to do this. "Alright, but make it two weeks."
"Yes!" Minako jumped to her feet and started dancing about the room in happy circles which only caused Haruka to grin. The young woman had been assigned as her new roommate only a month ago and ever since Haruka had never truly seen her down. She stood as Minako seemed ready to start jumping on her own bed or something and stopped the young woman. Blue eyes gave a puzzled look. "What?"
"Planning on going to the club in uniform, or are you going to change soon?" Haruka replied and waved a hand at the combat uniform the girl still wore. Blue eyes went wide and the younger blonde raced for the latrine in record time. Again Haruka shook her head as she unlocked her wall locker and pulled out a set of rarely used civilian clothes. This should be interesting.
Haruka found a parking spot and pulled in confidently when they'd reached the club. The taller blonde turned off the engine and emerged from her black ford mustang and looked across the roof as Minako got out of the other side. The two were opposite as could be at the moment and again "Specialist Ten'ou" began to wonder why she'd agreed to this. Minako straightened a fairly short black skirt, brushed a hand across her black tank top and checked her unbuttoned white shirt for lint as she stepped around the car to Haruka's side. By comparison the taller blonde wore her same short hair style, tan slacks and a black collared button up shirt that was un-tucked. Haruka placed a set of sun glasses over her teal eyes regardless of the fact that it was sunset.
"What was the look for when we got out of the car?" Minako asked as they walked over to the line waiting to be let in. Haruka grinned before answering and Minako poked her in the side. "What are you thinking Ten'ou?"
"Ever seen that Britney Spears video? I think the song was called One More Time or something like that." Haruka responded and fought an even bigger grin as her roommate thought that over.
"What does that have to do with…?" Blue eyes went wide before Minako smacked Haruka's arm and the taller blonde started laughing. Minako glared at her before another thought struck her. "Hey, what are you doing watching Britney Spears videos anyway?"
Welcome to Subspace, right wrist please. A bouncer interrupted them as they reached the door. Each held out their right wrist in turn and a sort of yellowish band was placed around it, as they entered the club the band glowed bright blue under the effects of black lights spread through out. Haruka rook her time to look around the room, taking in the dance floor and its multicolored flashing lights, a DJ booth above which seemed to control the lighting along with the music, a full bar lining the front wall and a few doors which led to other rooms. Minako tugged on her arm and led her over to the bar where she pointed to a young man who was quickly mixing drinks.
"You have a thing for the bar tender?" Haruka asked, eyeing the guy with his nearly black hair and dark blue eyes. He was about the same height, maybe taller than the older blonde. The lighting made it a miracle that Haruka could tell what his eye color was.
"He's cute." Came the simple response, causing Haruka to turn and eye her roommate. The shorter blonde blushed under the scrutiny and explained further. "From what little I could understand he's working here to help get through college. He's about twenty or something."
"Okay then, what exactly do you want me to do?" Haruka asked, not really caring much for how her friend chose crushes.
"Just translate, here he comes." Minako pointed and Haruka turned back to find the guy only a few steps away.
Hey Minako-san, I see you're back. He smiled cheerfully at her and looked toward Haruka with a friendly air. This your boyfriend?
Translator would be a better title. Haruka said and nodded to the man before them, he grinned. I'm Ten'ou Haruka, Aino-san's roommate.
My name is Chiba Mamoru, nice to meet you. Are you American too? Haruka nodded and he grinned. Well your Japanese is great; you should give Minako-san a few lessons.
Oh, Ten'ou-san already promised to help me for the next few weeks. Minako managed, just barely and Haruka smirked. The shorter blonde turned to her and smiled as she went back to English. "Okay, now here's the question I've been trying to ask for weeks but I can never figure out how to say. Does he have a girlfriend?"
"You mean you never asked that?" Haruka saw a shake of Minako's head and sighed as she turned back to the bar tender. Aino-san wanted me to ask if you have a girlfriend.
Actually, yes. She was supposed to come by tonight but I think she's running late like she always does. Minako's head bowed even as she caught most of the answer and Haruka patted her lightly on the shoulder. The shorter blonde sighed heavily before she looked up and spotted something through the crowd and smiled.
"Aw well, more fish in the can right?" Minako said before she saluted Haruka and seemed to just disappear into the crowd. Haruka shook her head but turned back again when she heard a bit of a laugh. Mamoru was laughing with a bright smile on his face; he leaned against the counter as Haruka raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry, it's just that she got over that really quickly." He rubbed his head with one hand. "Should I take that as an insult?"
"No, but when did you start speaking English, Chiba-san?" Haruka questioned, a smirk growing on her own face.
"Well, you see, I always did I was just kind of hoping if I didn't Minako-san wouldn't find a way to ask me out or anything. I didn't really look forward to turning her down since she seems so nice."
"Coward." Haruka replied and the man just grinned and shrugged.
"Guess the term fits." He stood straight and smiled again. "If I give you free drinks tonight can we keep this between us?"
"Fine with me, I think Aino-san is over it anyway." Haruka shook hands with him, and then ordered a coke. Considering she was the driver and still under age as far as the military cared it wasn't a good idea if she had anything alcoholic.
Haruka found a table near the bar and would have been more than happy to spend the remainder of her time just letting the music pound around her, if not for the attention she seemed to attract from some of the young women in the club. For the first time in her life, Haruka almost cursed the fact that so many people mistook her for a male in street clothes.
You're a new face. Haruka looked up and almost jumped backward to find a young blonde woman standing over her with a happy smile on her face. The girl didn't seem to notice and bowed toward her. I'm Tuskino Usagi, what's your name?
I think you might have scared him, Usa-chan. Said a tall brunet from behind the blonde. Green eyes looked over the blonde's shoulder and smiled regretfully. Please don't mind my friend, she's just really friendly. I'm Kino Makoto.
She didn't scare me, just caught me off guard. Haruka smiled to them both and stood to bow. I'm Ten'ou Haruka.
Mind if we join you? Usagi asked hopefully and Makoto looked ready to slap her own forehead. Haruka just grinned and held out a chair for the blonde. Makoto took a seat while Usagi was rambling off to Haruka. So are you new in the area? I haven't seen you around, not even at the club and come here every week at least. My boyfriend works at the bar.
You mean Chiba-san? Haruka asked and received an enthusiastic nod. Haruka grinned at the random occurrences. I'm not really new, but I guess I don't get out all that much really.
What brought you out tonight? Makoto asked in a conversational tone.
My roommate wanted company… Haruka trailed off as she caught sight of Minako arguing with a guy on the dance floor. She stood and bowed a last time to the two young women. Actually, I think I better go check on her. Excuse me.
Haruka made her way onto the dance floor, cutting as close to straight toward her friend as she could. She didn't catch onto to the figure following her because she was a bit too focused on what was going on in front of her.
"Ah, what's the Japanese for hands off?" Minako shouted, almost drowned out by the music as she struggled against a man who was trying to pull her toward a back exit. She slapped at his hands a few times before giving in and just stepping on the man's toes as hard as she could. He cried out but his grip only tightened and Minako minced before she muttered. "That always works in the movies."
"This isn't the movies, Aino." Minako looked up and found Haruka blocking the man's path with a very dangerous look. Minako would swear if looks could kill the man holding her would be burned to ash. "You okay?"
"Yeah, but this guy wont let go and none of that grappling from Basic seems like it's going to work in this skirt." Minako tried to grin at her taller friend and watched Haruka raise one eyebrow.
I don't think she likes you very much. Haruka said to the tall dark haired man before her. He glared but didn't speak, so Haruka took one more step forward. Let go now, and we have no problem.
I don't want to. He replied with a smirk even as Minako's eyes went wide.
"Ten'ou, behind you!" She yelled and Haruka ducked just as someone swung a bottle toward her head. Minako shook her head and muttered again, this time to her self. "And in the movies wouldn't a Japanese club be using martial arts or something?"
Haruka turned to her side, not wanting to take her eyes off the man holding onto Minako and noticed that those on the dance floor seemed to have started pulling back. Inside a ring of people not wanting to be involved stood Haruka, Minako, the man holding her and about four more guys. The first thought in Haruka's mind was that the lighting had probably kept the bouncers from noticing yet; the second was that it didn't really matter as two guys were charging her.
AN: First, if I misspelled any names please let me know. I am not as familiar with the spelling of the Japanese names as I'd like to be. This chapter took a while for me to write because I had to write it around six times. I had to major ideas for how two characters were going to meet, and I didn't like how either worked out so I changed it. I actually wasn't going to even use most of the characters but I thought it might be interesting to see if I could include more than I normally do. Suggestions, spelling corrections feed back or even just a "hey I read this" are more than welcome.