Fragrant Oleanders

Fragrant Oleanders

--CHAPTER FOUR--

Disclaimer: No, I actually don't own any senshi... As it says, this is a fanfiction; I'm a fan and fictioning...

Author's Note: Story is highly influenced by: Oniisama E and Maria-sama ga Miteru. I wanted to do more drama and angst, but nothing too heart breaking or overly dramatic, forcing limits of logic.

--

Behave properly, stand straight, look proud, and move graciously to achieve your dreams…

This is St. Marianne Education Institute, only for the ladies of future Japan. We grow delicate flowers that'll shape the future, every graduate we have had is a unique diamond. It's being unique on your own, shining with a unique light of your own, is what we teach young ladies.

Every girl is a flower, and we want to give the world and Japan new flowers, more unique and rare than ever before. Welcome to St. Marianne, this is where you learn how to shine brilliantly…

--

It was just another day at St. Marianne, an elite institute for young ladies of the future. Of course, every lady has to come over lots of obstacles in order to achieve their greatest goals and bright future. Some though, had to endure more than the others…

"How can I thank you Michiru-chan?!" Usagi was smiling gratefully. "It was such a great drawing and you made me look like a princess." she continued as they walked to school building.

"Ara? But you are Usagi-chan." Michiru smiled back genuinely.

Usagi shook her head, still image of the drawing Michiru drew yesterday lingering in her mind. She was so moved that she had been thanking Michiru since yesterday's art class. And even after her talented friend told her that she'll gift it after Takeda-sensei returns it, she couldn't just express her happiness enough.

"I'm not, Michiru-san. That's why I'm so happy, I always dreamt of as I was princess of a far away country. My mother used to love me calling Moon Princess, because of my name I guess." She giggled. "But I never felt this… aggh!! I can't even explain it!!" Girl burst into laughter.

"Calm down Usagi-chan…" Makoto petted blonde's head. "Once drawing is in your hands you can continue thanking ceremony, but for now leave it at it, ok?"

Blonde nodded with a joyful smile. Michiru was moved with Usagi's honest feelings, girl was so innocent and pure that she felt guilty near her without any real reason. It was hard to not being infected with joy Usagi radiated. They got to lockers, where all students wear their indoor shoes and leave shoes they wear outside. They were wearing shoes at dormitories but at school they had to wear slippers, which was a strict rule every student to obey. Usagi was still hyper about the drawing and still blabbing about some fairytales her mother told her when she was little, starring her as a princess of course. Makoto laughed at Usagi's reaction as she asked who was her prince in those tales; then looked at Michiru, who looked frozen with a troubled frown on her face.

"Michiru-san, are you ok?"

Michiru managed to form a smile with her lips, but continued frowning.

"Umm... Y-yeah… Go ahead, I'll be coming soon."

Brunette frowned suspiciously, she looked inside Michiru's locker but nothing was there. She glanced quickly at Michiru, where she had one foot worn her slippers. But something wasn't right, she wasn't moving and looked more than troubled. There weren't many students around, and nobody seemed to notice awkward situation either. Before Usagi could say anything Makoto grabbed Michiru's ankle and forced her to sit on bench in front of lockers. Girl gave a light cry as she sat down, closing her eyes tight with pain.

"Ah?! Mako-chan??"

"Something is in your shoe, right?" brunette looked up briefly to Michiru then held girl's slipper.

"Makoto-san!"

"Keep quiet!" girl snarled at sitting one.

After a little gentle effort and a few protesting silent whimpers from wavy haired girl, Makoto took off slipper. But she was terrified with the sight, something dark fell on ground leaving a faint metallic sound. Usagi gasped as she recognized it was blood that object was covered, even more terrified as she realized it was a razor covered with blood. And adding to their horror, Michiru's foot was bleeding so much. Makoto seemed to be calmer than Usagi, who was too frozen to move, but she was panicking too. She quickly opened her bag and took out her bento box wrapped with a green handkerchief. She untied cloth and wrapped it around Michiru's foot, trying to stop her trembling hands while doing so. She quickly rose on her feet and placed one arm under Michiru's knees and the other on her back.

"Wh-what are you doing?!"

"We have to take you to infirmary!" tall girl lifted up the injured one, it didn't seem so but this shorter girl was a little heavier than she thought.

"N-no… You don't have to…"

"Would you rather walk?! Be reasonable!!" She looked at Usagi who was watching them with wide open eyes. "Take our belongings to class."

Blonde objected her classmate's idea though; seemed to get over the shock of previous scene.

"…I-…I want to come with you!!"

"Then take them with you!"

Michiru felt guilty, if she was careful enough and looked in her shoes before wearing, this wouldn't have happen. And more, she was now carried to infirmary in middle of high school and secondary school buildings. What a great way to gather more attention!! But, a razor in her slippers..! Who could've put it there, unless they know the code? It shouldn't be hard to learn code or open any locker as long as you have enough determination. But how did she end up like this? Michiru had never experienced such a violent act before, if they were carrying this out enough to injure her, maybe she should've taken that first letter more seriously. But come to think of it, they shouldn't be smarter than she is. So if she could stay calm and be cautious she wouldn't fall into same trap again and even expose them next time. Now, she needed to convince her friends on not letting anyone know of this.

"Makoto-san, Usagi-chan… I want you two to keep it a secret."

"What?!"

"How can you blab something like this now?!" brunette sounded angry, due to effort she had been putting or the incident.

"I'll explain to teachers, just… please don't tell anyone about the razor in my slippers."

"Michiru-chan…" Usagi looked in a worried way at her friend, almost burst into tears.

"Please, for me…" Michiru repeated, expecting an answer from brunette as well.

But instead, Makoto panted and ordered Usagi to open door leading to infirmary. As blonde ran to open door leading the smaller building, door opened by a shadow. Makoto stopped as she came to door. Michiru looked at where Makoto was staring at, confused. There was a tall girl, looking equally confused as she examined all three. Finally her green eyes returned back to Michiru, carried by Makoto's tired arms.

"Please let us pass Tenoh-senpai." Makoto said finally, after catching her breath.

Haruka didn't hesitate a moment, she stepped out of infirmary but reached for Michiru in brunette's arms rather then evacuating the doorway. Before Michiru could adjust the action, Makoto could protest and Usagi could finish not believing what her eyes are witnessing; tall blonde had already took injured girl from Makoto's arms.

"Huh?!" Brunette girl frowned, grateful of the leaving weight but not pleased about who took it.

"It's not necessary…" Michiru murmured, feeling more secure compared to almost slipping feeling she had in Makoto's arms.

"You two can go back to your classrooms, I'll take Kaioh-san inside."

'She knows her name…' Usagi thought; but of course, Haruka knew almost every girl's name in campus.

"No, we want to stay with Michiru-san." Makoto opposed.

"Who's your homeroom teacher?"

"Nagashiwa-sensei…"

Haruka thought for a second, but then opposed the idea.

"Nagashiwa-sensei is a strict teacher. If you don't go his lesson and have a proper excuse -like an injury or sickness-, he won't mind, but if you're late to his class he'll not let go of it 'till end of the year. No matter what your excuse is, even if you have headmistress on your side. He's an old goat…" She looked at disappointed looks in both girls' eyes. "Believe me when I say, I was stuck to him for two years, it was a hell…"

"Don't worry Makoto-san, Usagi-chan. After getting treatment I'll attend next period. Just tell Nagashiwa-sensei I'm in infirmary, I'll explain him later."

Usagi looked at Makoto, who looked as desperate and defeated as herself. Brunette had a skeptical glare in her eyes; she was more worried of the flirty nature of this upperclassman rather than being late to class. But it was true; history teacher Nagashiwa Yosei was an old fashioned, stubborn goat. Makoto sighed as she hung her head obediently.

"Alright, but if you're not back by next period, we'll come to see you."

Michiru nodded with an assuring smile. As her friends started walking to school building, Haruka smiled looking behind them for a moment.

"You have wonderful friends, Kaioh-san. That's something good."

Michiru murmured a soft thank you as tall blonde casually carried her to one of the beds in empty infirmary room. She put her on bed then walked to a closet where most of medicine and medical treatment supplies kept. Michiru looked around; it was a white room, colored with a few red here and there, and plants that were put in windows and any available free space that doesn't prevent movement in room. When Michiru realized Haruka was taking out some medical materials, she also realized that they were alone. Not that she was afraid of this older girl, but she was hoping to see a nurse or doctor instead of a quite dangerous flirt.

"Isn't there someone in charge of here?"

"Nah, Seiko-san doesn't come before 8am. And there is still a good half hour for her highness' arrival." Haruka turned around with a small tray in her hand, stuffed with cotton, bandages and some medicine Michiru wasn't familiar with. "And if you don't mind I'd like to treat your wound."

"I… guess I should wait for the nurse."

"Don't worry; I'm good at treating wounds." Haruka grinned slightly, kneeling before Michiru. "Besides we have to disinfect your wound, from blood stains on the cloth it seems like a nasty one."

Michiru looked down, she was surprised to see cloth had sucked a great amount of blood and a few drops had dripped on floor. She never wanted to admit but she might've a more serious injury than a small cut. She bit her lower lip as senior untied Makoto's handkerchief, Haruka frowned at the sight. Lightly with fingertips she was holding girl's foot, trying to not bring any discomfort since it seemed hurtful enough. Actually girl was surprised, Tenoh Haruka kneeling before her was nothing alike the flirt she had seen on before. And ironically this situation seemed somehow poetic; Michiru remembered her aunt's stories, old times when men drank wine with the shoe of woman they liked. She didn't think blonde would do such a ridiculous thing, thinking how unhygienic it is she wondered how a woman could kiss that man ever again. But then again, maybe she was quite young to understand awkward fantasies of mature people, or lost too much blood that her brain cells were actually making her think about ridiculous subjects…

"Good lord…" Haruka murmured as she examined cut seen behind hole on stocking, she looked up to Michiru. "Will you take off your stocking? … or…"

"Or what?" Michiru raised an eyebrow, ready to erase this gentle portrait blonde showed from her mind any second.

"I'll tear it up. I have to treat wound and for that I need a naked foot. Why do you wear stockings in this weather anyway? It's almost June…"

"Why don't you wear skirt in this weather anyway?" Michiru repeated Haruka's remark in her fashion. "You may cut it; I have dozens of them anyway."

"Smart… Careful not to strip before anyone, huh?" Haruka threw a flirty smile, but getting back to business next minute her expression became the same serious, worried one as before.

Michiru looked at clock on wall, it was 7:37; lessons had started already. Hopefully Makoto and Usagi did make it without any delays.

"Have you been bullied?"

"… Excuse me?"

"This is a blade cut, not a daily injury." Haruka took a piece of cotton, pouring a liquid smelled like alcohol. "And this is a rather violent one. So judging by appearance, could you possibly be bullied since your first day? Of course if you didn't take on anyone's hatred in last few days."

Alright, Michiru was impressed. And for the records, she was hard to impress in such a short amount of time.

"Well… I might've stepped onto a knife or something entirely different. How come you choose the option of being bullied out of all? Do I look like a type easy to bully to you?"

Haruka smiled amusedly, this girl was more fun than she thought. She gently lifted Michiru's foot to her eyes level.

"Please don't insult my intelligence Kaioh-san. This will hurt." After wound cleaning torture ended, Haruka started speaking again. "No, you don't look like a girl who can be easily bullied, yet you look like a perfect candidate. Again, judging from cut, blade must be placed especially to create a greater pain." She threw Michiru a serious green glance. "Kaioh-san, should I remind you that your foot has been sliced?!"

Michiru didn't reply, actually she had a lot to think of. So while tall senior bandaged her foot in silence, she could find time to think. Situation was a bit tough; she was 'bullied', that was sure. And she had been hated, assuming half of middle school wouldn't be an exaggeration, everyone could be the culprit. And since no one actually stood out, hinting they did it; it was only logical to expect bigger things to happen in future.

"Done." Haruka stood up, waking smaller girl from her reverie. "Get well soon." She took half empty tray and walked over to closet putting back sterile ones.

"Thank you for everything Tenoh-san."

Michiru slipped over bed and landed on her unhurt foot. Sound of hustling fabric alarmed Haruka though, when she saw her patient on one foot she quickly tucked tray in the closet and walked back to her.

"Oi!! Oi!! May I ask; what the hell are you doing miss?" She asked with a gentle but sarcastic tone.

"I'm going back to my class."

"And how will that be? Hopping on one foot?"

"I have to attend today's lessons or the culprits will think I'm a weakling and quitting."

"If you attend to today's lessons you'll limp and become joke of the whole school. May I remind that you actually came here carried on arms, not on foot…" Haruka made a walking gesture with her fingers, as Michiru hung her head with a deep sigh. "Look," she held girl's arms and leaned down a little to be on her eye level. "I'll take you to dormitories; you'll take a day off and rest so your foot can heal a bit. Next morning if you still want to attend classes and can step a little over your foot, then you can go without really limping all over the place. Deal?"

The look in young girl's eyes were priceless; big and defeated like a pleading pair of puppy eyes, making her look like a lost, troubled small kid. Tall blonde must've taken that as a yes so she lifted girl on her arms again easily. They got out of infirmary building and headed to dormitories on other side of gardens.

"Tenoh-san, you seem to be pretty used to carrying people?" she asked, more like making a statement.

"I won't lie, girls can't stand against my charms." She glanced at Michiru with a playful look.

"Oh, really?" she said, faking an impressed tone with a look in her eyes, that's testifying her inner thoughts; making Haruka laugh.

"Oh dear, I hit a hard rock this time?"

Michiru paused a little, then decided to not give a direct answer and play along with the upper classman.

"Do you know cliffs on seaside, Tenoh-san? They're usually dramatic ones with a dangerous look from far. One would wonder how a stone can be shaped like that and still stand up there?" Michiru paused; knowing it'll attract more of blonde's interest. "But most people ignore, even hardest rocks which end up seaside are shaped by sea. Even if it takes a millennium…"

Haruka raised an eyebrow, with a smile showing interest.

"And you're implying I'm the sea that should shape you or you're trying to sound interesting?"

"Definitely not related to any human being, a matter of facts, simple science." Michiru said looking away, then looked at upperclassman. "Didn't you know Tenoh-san? I'm the new kid, miss perfect and a nerd."

"Oh, could've never guessed." Haruka smiled.

It was sure that she left a nice impression on blonde. Now, she had to make sure that she isn't interested in flirting with her so blonde won't start chasing after. No sir, she definitely wasn't flirting with Tenoh Haruka, though she had to admit, it was a conversation style she got from her mother. Dormitory guard wished Michiru to get better soon and even helped them opening her room door for them. After all, Michiru was one of the students this old man have grown a fandom and Haruka was one whom he respected.

Haruka dropped girl gently as possible on soft, silky sheet then walked to door before saying a thing. Which alarmed other girl, it was impolite to leave without saying a word. She didn't have to though; after all, she treated Michiru's injured foot even it wasn't her responsibility. But, still she had to say something before leaving a stranger's room.

"Where are you going?"

Haruka smiled, holding doorknob with one hand.

"To get your belongings." Then showed Michiru's room keys to her, jingling in the air. "I'll take this for now." She winked as she closed door behind.

--

Makoto was lost in thoughts, 2nd World War wasn't interesting her even a little. What if Germany declared war? So USA helped entente countries, yeah? Michiru was injured, and intentionally injured! How long she had been bullied? And to put a blade in her slippers… She remembered art lesson the day before; Michiru's all pencils were broken. So, that was work of the same person who put the razor. She looked at Usagi with corner of her eye; blonde girl was lost in worries as well. But at least she was buried in her book, so it looked like something terrible was happening in history and Usagi was worried about fate of the world ten years after WW2.

Then a knock was heard on door and it was wide opened by a charming tall blonde. To Makoto's fear, Haruka was smiling like nothing unfortunate happened in morning. If it could be possible, she could suspect that Michiru accepted being Haruka's playmate… Ignoring sighs coming from girls, Haruka bowed to Nagashiwa-sensei.

"I'm terribly sorry to interrupt your lesson Nagashiwa-sensei, but I'm here to get Kaioh-san's belongings. I'm afraid she'll have be excused from today's activities." She handed a slip to strict looking old man, waiting for approval.

Old history teacher examined and read slip written by headmistress, and then looked at innocently smiling blonde tomboy. He looked over his glasses for a few moments, but nodded as he waved his hand towards the class before returned to his desk.

"Be quick, please."

Haruka walked to worried Usagi, still ignoring the unbelieving, questioning curious gaze rest of the class throwing her way. She leaned at blonde girl and talked slowly, almost afraid to interrupt class any longer.

"Where is Kaioh-san's desk?"

Usagi pointed desk before her, where she had put Michiru's bag. Haruka smiled politely and took bag placed on seat, before leaving she leaned back to worried girl and whispered lightly.

"She's fine, resting at dorms."

She winked at the relieved girl before turning around and bowing to teacher to excuse herself out. Now, she had declared her knowledge of Michiru and shown enough affection to take care of her. That girl didn't fit the role of a bullied victim; this probably won't stop bully but will make them take a second thought before acting again. After Tenoh Haruka's presence entered frame, things would calm down for a while for sure.

--

Michiru was worried though, what would Tenoh tell to homeroom teacher and her classmates? She hoped blonde was careful enough to not let much to slip others, even if her intelligence was leaving no doubts over it, girl was still feeling uneasy about the situaion. Not only uneasy, she was upset and worried too. She had to think over everything carefully if she wanted to catch this culprit. She was alone here now and last thing she wanted was to have her father worry about her well being, this could force him to change his mind and take Michiru with him to America. Lost in thoughts, maiden was distracted by the jingling key sound at her door. Haruka opened door with a pleasant smile, she closed door behind her and put Michiru's belongings carefully on floor next to her dressing table.

"How is my favorite patient feeling?"

"How did I become your favorite patient, Tenoh-san?" Michiru raised an eyebrow.

"Simple, I treated your wound, you're pretty, quick witted and I don't have any pretty girl to treat to at the moment!" blonde shrugged with a playful smile.

"So Mr.Wolf, what are you implying mentioning the situation here?"

Haruka looked at young girl, measuring as she could finally get chance to examine this beauty from close. Michiru was a rare and beautiful gem truthfully, one of the kinds which would shine even if she was covered with dirt. The soft features signaled a late adolescence; her childish innocence was still there, while the feminine nature was forcing herself up on the surface. Compared to Haruka's taste and age, Michiru was still a child. A mature child at age of 14, but not enough mature to be called as a player in games of love. Michiru was far from flirting, the remarks she made, words she choosed suggested many possibilities if one knew how to understand them. Sadly, young girl wasn't aware any of it. Though Haruka was more experienced, or just wicked minded than the other, she could see other meanings that could be hidden skillfully behind those words. No, Michiru was far from a seductive woman which would take Haruka's interest. She was a young girl that should be handled carefully, too young in fact. Maybe she'd grow up in a few years into a subject that'd take her attention, but not anytime soon it seemed. Haruka smiled mysteriously at younger girl, she knew rules of the game better than this apprentice obviously. But she choosed to ignore any possible suggestions one could get.

"Fear not little lamb," she said sitting on edge of her bed. "-the wolfie is stuffed enough and yourself here are too sweet and small to be wasted as a snack." Blonde sighed deeply, faking a disappointed expression, making obvious that she's joking about the subject. "Guess I have to wait until you get enough meat on your bones, little lamb. Oh, cruel fate…"

Michiru frowned but smiled, then she decided that she had enough courage to kick Haruka with the uninjured foot she had, as a warning to any possible future attack. Blonde laughed dodging kick clumsily, it was official now, the ice wall between two girls has started melting.

--

NOTE: Thanks for reading :) Proud to say I've plotted like 5 chapters more and have written rough scripts of 3 more chapters. So I'm working on it!! Before anyone asks, no Michiru isn't falling for Haruka and neither Haruka is, yet… She just started getting fond of Michiru, that's it.

And what I said above is actually true, one can get very nasty meanings if it's read correctly. Let's say Michiru is too young to know what sexual desires do to humans and how nasty adults' minds can be :P Take care 'till next update!