A/N- Well here is chapter 3. I can't thank you guys enough for all the reviews I've received. It really means a lot to me and it really encourages me to write more. So that having been said keep reviewing and I will keep writing.

Life Ch. 3

"Sorry! Excuse me! Pardon me!" Haruka said as she edged past the people already sitting in the auditorium as she tried to make her way to her seat. She had barely made it on time having gotten stuck in traffic and it was now only five minutes until the concert was to start. Finally she got to her seat, which was the only empty one in the row and sat down, exhaling as she did.

"Tenoh-san… I almost didn't think you were going to make it." Haruka winced as she head the voice next to her, knowing full well who it belonged to. She turned to her right and saw Takashi sitting there.

"Himoto-san… Nice to see you again." 'Almost as nice as a shot to the head'. "Yeah I was running late at the track and then got caught in traffic."

"Well at least you made it on time. I know Michiru would have been sad if you had not made it." Haruka wince again at the lack of honorifics when he addresses Michiru. She wanted to be the only one with that privilege.

"Well I try my best not to disappoint." She said as the lights dimmed and a then they both stopped talking and turned their attention to the stage. The darkness was sliced open by a spotlight and into it stepped Michiru. Haruka's breath caught in her chest as she stared at the aqua haired beauty. She looked ravishing in a midnight blue evening gown which fell to the floor. It was sleeveless and had a low cut v neck which showed a fair portion of Michiru's cleavage. In short Michiru looked amazing. After the audience had finished its clapping Michiru placed the bow to the violin and out came a beautiful melody. Michiru closed her eyes and her body swayed in time with the music making her seem even more beautiful… if that was even possible. After hours of playing Michiru drew her bow across the strings one last time. The audience again erupted in applause and was on their feet as Michiru bowed and left the stage. Slowly everyone made their way out of the auditorium and some left while others proceeded onto the ball room where the reception was being held. Haruka and Takashi made there way over to the refreshment tables and Haruka picked up two glasses of wine, handing one to Takashi. Sure she didn't really like the guy, but she was at the very least going to civil for Michiru's sake.

"Thank you." Takashi said as he accepted the glass.

"You're welcome." Haruka said as she took a sip from her own glass. The two of them stood in relative silence as they waited for Michiru to join them. Not more then five minutes later they heard clapping from the other side of the room and turned to see Michiru walking towards them as she smiled and waved to the fans that were applauding her. Finally she made her way over to Haruka and to Takashi whom she placed a quick kiss on the lips on.

"You were wonderful." Takashi said as soon as the kiss ended.

"Thank you." She said before turning to Haruka. "And what did you think Haruka?"

"Same thing I think every time I hear you play… I think that you can't possibly get better, but then you always do." She said as a smirk appeared on her lips. Michiru blushed a little at the comment and then hugged Haruka.

"You flatter me too much Haruka." Michiru said as she broke away from the embrace, much to Haruka's chagrin. Michiru sidled back over to Takashi's side and he placed his arm around her waist. Haruka looked away pretending to be interested in a spot on the wall until Takashi's voice brought her back to the current situation.

"Are you alright Tenoh-san? You seem distracted."

"Hmmm? Oh I was just thinking about… about…" 'Thinking about how much I want to punch you in the face and take Michiru away with me.' "About the car I've been working on at the track."

"I swear to God Haruka all you ever think of is racing your cars." Michiru said playfully.

"That's not true." 'I think about you more than I think about anything else and if I don't stop it I'm going to go mad.' "I think about running as well." Haruka said in a defensive tone.

"That doesn't count… it's still racing." Haruka shrugged and took another sip from her drink. The silence between the three of them was broken by Takashi.

"Michiru, dear, would you care to dance?" He said as he offered his hand.

"I would love to." She replied as she took his hand smiling at him. He returned the smile and they started to head of to the middle of the room where a few couples were dancing to the music played by a small string quartet. On his way past Takashi held his glass out to Haruka, who reluctantly took it allowing him to dance unburdened. Haruka frowned as she looked down at the two glasses she now held. A waiter walked by holding a tray of empty glasses. Haruka swiftly placed her two glasses on the tray. She glanced out to the dance floor and saw Michiru and Takashi dancing and talking to one another happily. Haruka turned around on her heel not wishing to watch them anymore. Looking ahead of her she saw a set of doors leading out to a balcony. She glanced back at the couple and figured they wouldn't miss her, they were too busy with each other to notice if she was there or not, so she strolled of in the direction of the balcony. Once outside she closed the doors behind her, she didn't really feel like being disturbed. She leaned on the railing and wondered why the hell she was putting herself through this self torture by being here.

'You're here cause you would never not go to one of Michiru's concerts.' She thought as the wind blew through her hair. It calmed her down a great deal, but still she was uneasy. While the idea of Michiru being with Takashi bothered her enough, having to be the third wheel was excruciating. Haruka had no idea how long she had been standing and didn't hear the door open behind her.

"Haruka?" Haruka jumped when a hand touched her shoulder and she heard her name. She turned around to Michiru there.

"Michi?"

"Ruka what are you doing out here? It's freezing."

"I just needed some time to think is all. Where's Takashi?" She asked when she noticed that Michiru has come outside alone.

"He had to leave. He has to be up early in the morning for work."

"What? He didn't offer to take you home?" Haruka said as the anger built up in her at the thought of him leaving Michiru stranded.

"No, he did offer, but I told him that you wouldn't mind driving me since we do live in the same apartment." Michiru said a little shocked by the anger she heard in Haruka's voice. "It's not a problem is it, because I can take a cab home?" 'Why is she so mad?'

"No it's not a problem at all." Haruka said as she calmed down a bit. "Sorry I just don't like the idea of him leaving you without a ride home. It's not that safe out there."

"Haruka I can take care of myself you know." Michiru said as she rubbed her arms due to the cool wind that was blowing on her and her lack of sleeves.

"I know you can, but still." Haruka said as she took her jacket off and placed it over Michiru's shoulders. She gladly accepted the jacket and pulled it closer around her thin body. "Well then shall we go home?" Michiru nodded her head and they headed back into the ball room. Michiru went to gather her things and Haruka waited for her on the front steps. Michiru walked out and joined Haruka as they waited for the valet to bring Haruka's convertible around. Eventually he pulled up and got out handing Haruka the keys. They got into the car and started driving off towards their apartment. After driving in silence for about ten minutes Michiru started to speak.

"Ruka?"

"Hmmm?" Haruka said not taking her eyes of the road.

"What's wrong?"

"What?"

"I know you well enough to know there's something bothering you. Why were you out on the balcony all alone?"

"As I said I just needed time to think." Said Haruka in a tone that said she clearly did not want to talk about it. Michiru however ignored this and pressed further.

"Thinking about what?"

"Nothing that concerns you." Haruka said in a rather harsh tone. 'You liar, it's all about her. Just tell her how you feel.

"Ruka I just want to help you." Michiru said getting a little irritated by how Haruka was acting towards her.

"Yeah well you can't help me alright. So just leave me alone."

"Fine." The rest of the drive was in a bitter silence. After Haruka had parked in the underground parking of their building they both got out. As Haruka walked around the car she stopped as something hit her face. It was her jacket that Michiru had been wearing. Haruka frowned as she watched Michiru walk through the garage door. She followed and when she walked through the door she was just in time to see the elevator doors closing. Frowning once again Haruka walked past the elevator to the stairs and started her climb. She reached the fourth floor and pulled out her keys to open the apartment door. After a few failed attempts Haruka finally got the door opened and entered the apartment. She closed and locked the door behind her and then looked down the hall and saw that Michiru's door was closed. She walked to her own room and closed the door after she entered.

The next morning Haruka woke up early. She really didn't want to have to talk to Michiru yet so she got dressed and left as quickly and quietly as she could. Once outside she mounted her bike and took off. She didn't know where she was heading and eventually found herself at the beach. She got off the motorcycle and headed down to the shore. She sat down and stared out over the ocean. She sighed to herself as she thought of what a jackass she had been the night before.

'She was only trying to help and all you did was yell at her. God I'm an idiot. It's not her fault you fell in love with her and can't seem to tell her. She has every right to be mad at you now. Why do you always let your anger get the better of you? Argh!' She mentally cursed herself as he continued to stare out over the water that reminded her so much of Michiru.

Back in the apartment Michiru had been up for a couple hours now. She wanted to know where Haruka was and try to talk things out with her. She thought about calling and got as far as dialing the number on her cell phone before shutting it again. 'No. I should give her time to think. Clearly something is bothering her and she wants to be left alone. I shouldn't have butted in like that, but I hate seeing her so sad.' Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. She went to answer it thinking that it might be Haruka having trouble with her keys again, but when she opened the door she found Takashi there. Her smile faltered and turned into a frown.

"Well it's nice to see you to." He said as her noticed her face.

"Sorry Takashi it's just that I thought you might be Haruka."

"Oh?" He said as he walked in and Michiru closed the door behind him.

"We had a fight last night." Michiru explained as she sat down next to Takashi on the couch.

"About what?"

"That's the think. I don't even really know. She refuses to tell me what's wrong."

"I'm sure whatever it is she'll work it out."

"I hope so… What are you doing here anyway? I thought you had to work."

"I did. I went in and did what I had to and then I decided I would come to see you." He finished his sentence and leaned in to kiss Michiru, but she pulled back.

"I'm sorry Takashi I'm not in the mood right now. I'm worried about Haruka."

"Don't worry she'll be fine." He said and tried to kiss her again, but Michiru quickly stood up. Takashi followed suit standing up and putting his arms around her stopping her from backing away.

"Takashi please stop!" Michiru pleaded as she tried to push him away from her, but his grip was too strong.

"I'm tired of being second to that dyke. You're my girlfriend you should only care about pleasing me." He said as he pressed his lips to hers forcefully. Michiru struggled and eventually managed to break free from his grasp and ran to the front door. She opened the door, but Takashi was there in an instant shutting the door and locking it. He pinned Michiru against the door. "You know in all the time we've dated you've never once let me get further then a kiss… I think you owe me."

"Dream on." Michiru said as she kneed him in the stomach causing him to double over in pain. She ran past him and grabbed her phone which was on the couch. When she turned around she saw Takashi had recovered from the hit and was heading towards her. She ran down the hall trying to make it to her room as she pressed 'talk' on the phone making it call the last number she had dialed…Haruka's. She got in and started to close the door when it was pushed open violently knocking her to the floor. The phone slipped out of her hand and slid across the floor. Takashi walked in and stared down at Michiru who was trying to crawl her way to the phone. She managed to grab it, but Takashi was on her in an instant trying to take it away.

(Outside the apartment building)

Haruka turned off her bike and took off her helmet with one hand while the other fished for something in her pocket. She took out her cell phone and saw Michiru's number on the call display. She flipped it open.

"Moshi Moshi." She said into it. She got no reply and instead heard a lot of grunting like someone fighting. "Michiru?"

"Haruka!" Came Michiru's panicked voice from the other end.

"Michiru what's wrong?" Haruka asked as she strained to try and hear what was going on. That's when he heard another voice. A voice she that she knew belonged to Takashi.

"Hang up the damn phone bitch."

"Michiru where are you?" Haruka asked trying to get some information from Michiru so she could help. She heard Michiru say something and it sounded like apartment and then she heard a loud scratching noise and then nothing. Haruka pulled the phone from her ear and looked at it. It was still connected. She jumped off her bike letting it fall to the ground as she sprinted into the building putting the phone back to her ear as she screamed Michiru's name into it. She got into the building and saw that the light for the elevator indicated it was on the top floor. She didn't have time to wait for it. She could hear muffled screams coming from the phone. She ran to the end of the hall and threw open the door leading to the stairs.

A/N- So that's the end of chapter 3. Nothing like a good ol' fashioned cliffhanger. And to Shiro Kishi… you called it right from the beginning. Anyways even though it's so damn predictable I hope you enjoy this enough to review. More reviews mean faster update as always.