Disclaimer: I don't own any Sailor Moon characters, nor am I promoting any registered commercial products mentioned in my story.

A/N: Italics are inner thoughts.

Chapter 3: Battle Stage

The sound of engines and tires screeching could be heard as Haruka and Elsa approached her cousin's garage. The roaring noise excited Haruka as she caught sight of a few cars racing down a track nearby. A tall boy with the same red hair as Elsa saw them and waved to them.

"Hey Elsa-chan!"

"Keiichi-senpai!" Elsa ran ahead and gave her older cousin a hug, then introduced him to Haruka.

"You didn't tell me you were bringing your boyfriend, Elsa-chan."

Elsa punched Keiichi's shoulder.

"What?" Keiichi whined, throwing his hands up in defense.

"First, I don't have a boyfriend," she paused, "yet, but I'm working on it. Second, Haruka-chan's a girl."

Keiichi's shocked expression made Haruka smile nervously. "I'm really sorry, Haruka-chan!"

"No, it's fine. It happens all the time, so I'm used to it," Haruka assured him.

"You should see the girls in school. Haruka-chan has her own fan club," Elsa said.

"Really? Well, I was afraid I was going to have to steal your boyfriend, but nevermind." Keiichi gave Elsa a playful push.

"Hey, watch it! You'll get grease on me!" Elsa looked down at her outfit, checking for grease stains. "Besides, you would never cheat on Kunimitsu-san, Senpai."

Haruka gave Elsa a questioning look.

"Kuni-ko, he's my boyfriend," Keiichi clarified, seeing Haruka's look. "That's him over there," he said, pointing towards a boy wearing black overalls who was examining another car's engine. "My parents didn't approve of our relationship, so I left and moved in with him."

"Aw, so sweet," Elsa mocked him. "Now come on, we have to hurry."

"Right, right, okay. Let me introduce you to my baby," Keiichi said, pulling the covers off his car.

Haruka's eyes widened. "A Nissan Skyline!" It was silver with a carbon hood and blue wispy lines stretching from the front of the car to the back. Attached to the back was an A-spec wing spoiler. Haruka gently ran her hands along the car. "May I look under the hood?"

"Sure, not a problem!"

Keiichi popped the hood for Haruka and she almost drooled. "It's so beautiful!"

Elsa smiled. "There's only one thing more beautiful, ne, Haruka-chan?"

"Hm?" Haruka looked up, still too enamored by the car to notice what Elsa was saying.

"Nothing, nevermind." She shook her head in disbelief. "You know, you not only look like a boy, but you tend to think like one too sometimes."

"Thanks, Elsa-chan. Is that a compliment?" Haruka said sarcastically.

"Nevermind her," Keiichi laughed. "You want to take her out for a spin on the track?"

Haruka stepped back in surprise. "What? Are you kidding?" She winced at the thought of crashing the majestic machine. "I can't drive! I don't even have a license!

Keiichi shrugged. "Neither do I, at least not a real one."

Haruka looked at Keiichi, lost in confusion.

Keiichi pouted. "Oh, come on, I don't look that much older than you, do I? I'm only 15, but I started driving at your age."

"But, how?"

"Two words: fake ID," Elsa explained. "Now look over here, Haruka-chan."

Haruka turned to face Elsa and saw her holding a camera before she was blinded by a flash of light. "What the–?"

"Relax, it's for your driver's license."

"So how about it?" Keiichi asked, tossing Haruka the keys to his car.

Within an hour, Haruka was zooming through the track as if she'd been driving her whole life. She had even beat the record time attack. The speed made her feel so free and it gave her a new sense of confidence, like she could leave everything behind and nothing could catch her. She wanted to leave it all behind. If she was destined to be alone, then this was how she'd escape.

"I hate to spoil your fun, Haruka-chan, but we better get going," Elsa's voice came in through the headset.

"I thought homecoming dance doesn't start till 8:00?"

"We have to make one more stop."

They drove into a neighborhood where every house had at least three floors, a swimming pool, and a long driveway. The lawns were green and hedges were perfectly trimmed. Can we say 'Stepford Wives?' thought Haruka.

"Elsa-chan, are you sure about this?" Keiichi whispered.

"Shh!" Elsa checked the mirror to look at Haruka in the backseat, making sure she didn't hear anything. Haruka was too busy taking in the scenery.

Finally they turned into a driveway and drove up to the front of the house. The front door opened slowly and Haruka's mouth dropped. A slender girl wearing a blue dress that matched her eyes stepped out. Her aqua hair swung freely as she turned to close the door behind her. Oh no, this can't be happening. She's going to be sitting back here with me! the thought raced through Haruka's mind.

"Elsa-chan…" Keiichi started, noticing the terrified look on Haruka's face in the mirror, but stopped once he received a hard pinch on his side. "Kuni-ko's not going to like you bruising his property," he mumbled.

"Just go open the door for her, will you?" Elsa commanded.

As Keiichi got out of the car to open the door for Michiru, Haruka hastily scooted over to the driver's side and kept her eyes forward.

"Hey Michiru-chan! You remember my cousin, right?" said Elsa.

Michiru offered a smile to the tall red-haired boy. "Hai, konbanwa Keiichi-san."

"Konbanwa, Michiru-chan," Keiichi said, opening the door for Michiru.

Michiru carefully stepped into the backseat. "Are you racing to…night?" Michiru trailed off when she saw the blonde sitting on the opposite side.

"Hai, I am," Keiichi replied proudly, knowing his answer was insignificant at the moment. He went back around his car and got into the driver's seat. The tension in the air was quickly growing. He shot Elsa a look that said, Do something!

"And you know our local celebrity, Haruka-chan, the number one track star," Elsa said in her most cheerful voice.

"You overdid it," Keiichi mumbled and drove on.

Haruka gave Elsa an odd look, then turned her eyes to Michiru and offered a smile. "Konbanwa," she simply said.

There they are again, those eyes, as shy as ever. There's something else though… "Konbanwa," Michiru returned the smile.

Haruka could feel her heart pounding through her chest. She should've known. Michiru was still Elsa's best friend, after all. That was one reason why she was afraid to trust Elsa at first, but Elsa had proved to be a good friend, if not her only friend. Haruka turned to face the window. She was delighted when she could see Michiru's reflection. It was a sneaky way to watch her, but Haruka couldn't help it. Her eyes started at the silky wavy hair and followed it down to Michiru's shoulders. Her fingers itched, longing to feel the smoothness she once felt when her hands graced the elegant body long ago. She noticed the feminine curves that had become with their age and started to blush. Dismissing those thoughts from her mind, she thought of her own curves and was relieved that her bust was still concealable, and as long as she wore loose clothing, nobody would notice her slim waist. Her eyes came to a rest at Michiru's legs as that was where the reflection stopped. She began to feel a heat rising inside her and she looked away, turning her attention to the front of the car, or the back of Keiichi's head was more like it. Shame on me, she scolded herself, but smiled inwardly.

They arrived at Mugen Gakuen and walked into the large room that had been converted into a dancehall. The music was playing, bass pounding steadily, and colored lights were flashing all around. Students were scattered in their groups, talking, dancing, and having refreshments. Most of the male students were sitting at tables, watching the girls and debating if they'd ask one to dance or not.

"Wow, so this is what it's like to be in secondary school," Keiichi observed.

"Eh, you're not missing out on much," Haruka stated. She was surprised to hear a giggle she knew all too well, but hadn't heard in the longest time.

"Come on, Michiru-chan, I need to touch up on my make-up," Elsa said, grabbing Michiru. "We'll be right back!" she told Haruka and Keiichi.

In the bathroom, Elsa put her purse down on the counter and searched through it for her make-up. Michiru stood next to her and checked herself in the mirror.

"So," Michiru tried to sound casual, "How's track going?" What she really wanted to know was how Haruka was doing.

"It's great. I had to get used to being second because of Haruka-chan, but it just gave me more motivation to work harder. She's not making it easy though." Out of the corner of her eye, Elsa caught Michiru smiling. She pretended not to notice and continued, "Haruka-chan's quiet most of the time, but don't let that fool you. She's really cool once you take the time to get to know her. Very mysterious though, there's more to her than meets the eye."

"As if she's never hurt, as if she's never down," Michiru thought out loud quietly, finally realizing what she saw in Haruka's eyes.

Elsa looked at her curiously, but was pleased that she was finally getting someone to start opening up. She saw the way Michiru looked at Haruka in school. "Yeah exactly." She put her make-up away and took one last look at herself. "Well, shall we?"

They walked back into the dancehall and searched for Haruka and Keiichi. There was a crowd that had gathered around a point of interest near the front where the DJ was spinning the music. Elsa took Michiru and they pushed their way through to the center. Once there, they found Haruka and Keiichi battling with two other male students.

"Kami-sama, I never saw this coming!" Elsa said to Michiru.

Keiichi had just done a K-kick, sending the crowd in cheers. "That's K for Keiichi!" he said to his defeated opponent.

He tagged Haruka, who stepped in and let her opponent make the first move. The opposing boy received glowsticks from his partner and began tracing his body and making intricate streaks with the afterglow. Once he was done, the crowd's noise level rose. He tossed the glowsticks to Haruka, challenging her to beat his performance.

Michiru held her breath, eager to see the blonde tomboy move her body.

Haruka began tracing her body as well and integrated some liquid moves, which recieved a roar from the crowd. Finally, using her quickness, she created her own web of streaks in the darkness and the crowd went wild. She and Keiichi had won the battle.

Elsa was the first to rush to them while Michiru just stood back and admired the dashing blonde.

"That was awesome, you guys! What possessed you to do that?" Elsa said. They had come back to where Michiru was standing.

"Well, Haruka-chan here had caught the attention of yonder gentleman's girlfriend," he nodded to the boy Haruka had just defeated, who was now pouting by his girlfriend, "and he got jealous, so we were challenged, but Haruka-chan made it clear that she wasn't interested in any 'prize' girlfriend," he took a deep breath, "which kind of offended the girlfriend and made the gentleman angrier."

"Doesn't sound like much of a gentleman after all," Michiru commented. She caught Haruka's glance and the blonde immediately averted her eyes. Just like old times, she thought.

"Well, Haruka-chan? Care to explain how you learned to dance like that?" Elsa inquired.

Haruka shrugged. "Dance Dance Revolution?"

"Uh-huh, don't give me that quiet, unsuspecting act."

"What are you talking about? I'm always quiet." Haruka tried to hold back a knowing smile and received a light punch for it from her friend.

Michiru smiled as she watched the playful tomboy she once knew emerge out of her shell. She was happy for Haruka, and found she desired her more than ever.

"Got anymore smooth moves I don't know about?" Elsa said.

"Hmm, let's see," Haruka said, and she grabbed Elsa and twirled her around. Elsa cried out in glee as Haruka lead her into a waltz, which was completely out of context considering the music playing, but Elsa was amused all the same. "I got that from all the boring balls I've had to play the piano for."

"Uh-huh, who are you trying to impress?"

Haruka shrugged, but her eyes betrayed her. They looked towards Michiru as if responding to the question, but she again quickly averted them elsewhere.

I saw that, Michiru affirmed.

Elsa glanced at Keiichi. He winked. Both of them saw it too. For once, Haruka wasn't quick enough.

"So you still play the piano?" Michiru asked Haruka, who took a moment to get over the fact that Michiru had said something to her.

"I do," said Haruka. She was caught in Michiru's blue eyes and words were beyond her reach. She cleared her throat and said, "Anou, you still play the violin?"

Michiru nodded. She looked deeply into the tall girl's green eyes and wondered if Haruka remembered the duet they played when they were younger. It was too dark to really see her face, but Michiru thought she saw a look of nostalgia.

"Well, I'd say I had enough of this party," Elsa spoke up.

"Yoshi! Let's go!" Keiichi said excitedly.

It was quiet in the backseat of the Skyline. Michiru faced forward, but kept Haruka within her peripheral vision. Haruka was leaning her head against the window and the window reflected every expression that went across Haruka's face. Michiru wondered if the tomboy was aware her face was such a traitor, but at the same time she thought it was a bit entertaining watching the inner battle surface on Haruka's face. One minute Haruka's brow would be furrowed, then it would be replaced with a raised eyebrow, then her face would go blank and she would see Haruka's shoulders heave an inaudible sigh. What could be tormenting your mind so? the blue-eyed girl wondered. Haruka's hand lay limply beside her and Michiru felt the sudden urge to reach over for it, but decided against it. Suddenly Haruka's eyes widened and she leaned forward. Michiru followed Haruka's stare. They had gone through a gate and entered a large area filled with guys standing by their custom painted cars and scantily clad girls.

As they drew closer, a young man waved to them and Keiichi honked his horn in reply. He parked next to the young man's car and the four young people stepped out. Keiichi introduced everyone to his friend, whose name was Kameda.

"There's no better mechanic in all of Japan than Kameda-san!" Keiichi praised.

"Well, I wouldn't say that," Kameda said humbly. "I'm still working on it," he said and grinned.

Meanwhile Haruka was looking inside the propped hood of Kameda's car, which was a Nissan Silvia S15. Her eyes glazed over at all the custom parts. She saw a spot of oil that must've dripped from the oil dipstick, so she grabbed a nearby rag and began wiping it off when she heard a voice beside her.

"Nice ride," said the voice.

Haruka looked up. The voice belonged to a brunette with hair that was tied in pigtails. She wore a jean jacket over a white tube top that stopped above her belly, which had a dolphin barbell piercing in it. Her plaid skirt definitely would've gotten her sent home from school. She was also a little too close for Haruka's comfort. "Oh, it's not mine," Haruka said and she turned her attention back to the oil spot. "I was just—" Haruka jumped back as the girl pressed her body against her's.

The girl was amused at Haruka's reaction. "You're cute. Why haven't I seen you around here before?"

"It's my first time," Haruka said, trying to smile politely.

Michiru glanced over at Haruka and saw the tomboy with the pigtailed girl. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she saw the girl laugh and Haruka flash one of her charming smiles. Her heart filled with jealousy. She wanted to walk over there, slap the girl's face, and kiss Haruka for all to see so that they would know Haruka was off limits. But Haruka was not her's.

"Hmm, your girlfriend doesn't look too happy," said the pigtailed girl, nodding in the direction behind Haruka.

Haruka turned and followed the pigtailed girl's line of sight to Michiru. "Oh, she's not my girlfriend." Although I wish she was, Haruka added mentally. Wait, is Michiru jealous?

"Oh really? Then good." The girl stepped closer to Haruka and put one hand on the side of Haruka's face.

"Look, I'm sorry," Haruka said, taking the girl's hand away from her face and stepping back.

"What the hell, Nao?!" an angry voice rose nearby.

Aw man, not again, Haruka thought.

"Hey look, nothing happened, we were just talking, Toru," said the girl, wrapping her arms around the boy and kissing him on the cheek.

"Do you know who you're talking to, bishounen?" Toru asked Haruka, ignoring the other girl.

Haruka's eyes narrowed. "I'll have to say no, she never got around to telling me her name," she said, crossing her arms in front of her. She was starting to get tired of these jealous boyfriends. It wasn't her fault their girlfriends were flirty.

"Hey, Toru-chan," Keiichi said, coming up to stand by Haruka. "I see you've met our newest recruit. Haruka-chan here is the new holder of the time attack record."

"Is that so?" Toru said, eyeing the blonde carefully. "Well how about we give the rookie a proper initiation then?"

"Pink slips?"

"Pink slips."

Toru smirked at Haruka and walked back to his car.

"Excited about your first race, Haruka-chan?"

"What?" Haruka stared at Keiichi in shock.

"Well, we have to get you a car," he said and winked. "Don't worry, Toru-chan underestimates you the way he underestimated me. I won that Skyline from him and his teammate. It's because we're 'bishounen'." He laughed, then lowered his voice a bit. "Plus, you'll be doing Nao-chan a favor. She wants Toru-chan to stop racing."

"Keiichi-senpai, what are you doing?" Elsa yelled. "You can't let Haruka-chan race!"

"Why not? She'll beat Toru-chan easily."

"I can do this!" Haruka said. "I've always wanted to do this." She stepped inside Keiichi's Skyline and buckled her seat belt.

Keiichi leaned down and told Haruka, "There are five turns. The last one is a hairpin. We'll see you at the finish line." He clapped Haruka on the shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile before stepping back.

"Haruka-chan," a sweet voice called to her. Haruka looked up and saw Michiru step forward. "Ganbatte kudasai!"

Haruka nodded. She put the car in first gear and drove to the starting line before Michiru could see the growing blush accompanying her smile. I can't believe this is actually happening! And Michiru is here to see it!

The silver Skyline pulled up beside the blue Mazda MX-5 Miata. Toru looked across his seat at Haruka and revved his engine. Haruka gave him a sideways glance then revved the Skyline's engine in response. Nao stepped up between the two cars and looked at Haruka first. The blonde simply nodded. The brunette turned to Toru, who also nodded. She raised both her hands in the air and both cars revved their engines, anticipating the drop.

Cue the music, just like in Midnight Club, Haruka thought as Nao's hands seemed to drop in slow motion. Her left foot let off the clutch and her right foot laid on the gas. The race began with a straight. Keeping her right hand steady on the wheel, she used her left hand to shift to second, then third, fourth, fifth, and finally sixth. She and Toru flew down the road, neck to neck. She downshifted as she saw the first turn coming up and did a powerslide, gaining herself some advantage over Toru, who fell behind her. She glanced at her rearview mirror and saw Toru fuming in his car. After a short distance was another turn. Haruka pulled the handbrake, turned the wheel to the left then countersteered, but she drifted a little too wide. It was enough for Toru to come in through the inside and pass her. Haruka cursed to herself and hurried to get her place back. Toru blocked her from passing and Haruka grew frustrated. She was not going to let this jerk win and go home with Keiichi's car. Another turn came up and she was forced on the outside, still unable to move in front of Toru. Fine, be like that, Haruka thought, planning her next move carefully. They entered another straight and Haruka stuck close behind the Miata.

What is he doing? Toru thought as he saw Haruka follow close behind him in the rearview mirror.

They reached the end of the straightway and Haruka went on the outside of the turn. She used the momentum she built from slipstreaming to do a slingshot pass. You car is mine now.

Toru watched in dismay as the Skyline moved in front of him coming out of the turn. "Son of a bitch!" he cried angrily.

Back in first place, Haruka accelerated quickly towards the last hairpin turn. She hit the apex and quickly shifted from fourth to third and did a compression slide through the tight corner. She maintained her high speed upon exiting the corner and quickly left Toru behind. The finish line was up ahead and Haruka could see the girl of her dreams.

She was wringing her hands nervously, but as soon as she saw the headlights and caught sight of the silver Skyline, Michiru couldn't contain her excitement. She shook Elsa and pointed. "Look, it's Haruka-chan!"

"I told you she'd win," Keiichi beamed.

Haruka crossed the finish line and made a few donuts before coming to a halt. The smell of burnt rubber overwhelmed the scene. Toru pulled in a few seconds later, infuriated. Keiichi rushed over to help Haruka out the car and then handed her a key.

"You can store your new car at my garage, Haruka-chan," he said. "I have a feeling it'd be hard explaining to your parents how you got the car and why you're driving in the first place."

"Arigatou," the blonde replied before being pounced on by a screaming Elsa.

"You did it, Haruka-chan!" Michiru cheered.

Before she realized what she was doing, Haruka took a bow. Déjà vu, Haruka thought nostalgically. Now this is the part where I catch her from falling.

Toru pushed his way to Haruka. "Bishounen!" In his hand he held the pink slip and the keys to his car. His face was tight and he glared at Haruka.

Haruka relieved him of the items, becoming the new owner of the blue Miata. Toru turned to walk away when Haruka called him. He stopped.

"By the way, Toru-san, I don't recall ever saying I was a boy."

Toru's eyes bulged out and he clenched his fists. "Come on, Nao," he growled and grabbed his girlfriend. In the distance the sound of sirens was making its way towards them.

"Kuso! Police!" Keiichi shouted to Haruka. "We have to leave now!"

Everyone dispersed and scrambled to their cars. In the sudden confusion, Haruka was separated from Keiichi, Elsa, and Michiru. She stuffed the pink slip into her pocket and grasped her keys, making a run for the Miata. She got in the car and started the engine. She made her way through the street, being careful not to hit anybody. A car beeped at her and Keiichi's Skyline pulled up beside her. She only saw Keiichi and Elsa inside though.

"Where's Michiru-chan?" Haruka shouted.

"We thought she was with you!" Elsa shouted back.

There was no time to think. The sirens were closer and Haruka could see the flashing blue and red lights. "Go ahead, I'll find her!"

Elsa nodded and Keiichi drove them away. Haruka stepped out of her car and scanned the turmoil until she spotted the aqua-haired girl on the sidewalk. She was caught in a running mass of people. Haruka ducked back inside the Miata and drove towards Michiru. When she got close enough she beeped her horn.

"Michiru-chan!" Haruka called to her.

Michiru's eyes followed the sound and saw Haruka. She forced her way to the car, but found it difficult as people kept pushing. She didn't see the curb where the sidewalk ended and dropped down to the street. Her foot slipped and she instinctively shut her eyes, bracing herself for the impact of the hard concrete, but she felt two strong arms around her instead.

"I got you, Michi," a voice said.

She opened her eyes and looked up to meet Haruka's face. Did she just call me 'Michi'?"

"Come on, get in," Haruka said urgently, guiding Michiru to her car. As soon as Michiru got in and closed the door, Haruka saw the police cars in her rearview mirror blocking off some of the other people trying to escape.

"Kuso," Haruka cursed. "Hold on, it's gonna be a bumpy ride." She floored the gas and the car lunged forward. A police car suddenly appeared behind her and Haruka made a hard left into a narrow alley. She saw the police car chasing them attempt to make the same turn, but it ended up crashing into the corner. They exited the alley and Haruka made a sharp right, barely missing an oncoming police car. Up ahead she could see policemen closing the gate they entered earlier.

"Can we make it?" Michiru barely whispered.

Haruka gripped the steering wheel and clutched the shift knob. The police cars had stopped chasing her. She could feel the adrenaline rushing through her body as the closing gate threatened them. Come on, come on. Her speedometer rose, nearing 180 mph, and the Miata zoomed past the gate.

Both girls cried out joyously at their narrow escape and Haruka drove them onto the highway.

"That was so awesome!" Michiru said, letting out a huge sigh of relief.

"Tell me about it!" Haruka said shaking her head. "I can't believe that just happened!" She looked at Michiru and grinned.

Michiru gave Haruka a gentle smile. "I haven't seen you smile like that since…" she trailed off, leaving her sentence incomplete.

Haruka's grin disappeared and she turned her attention back on the road. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I'll take you home now," Haruka said and signaled to exit the highway. "I know where you live. I mean, I only know where you live 'cuz I remember the way from earlier when we picked you up. I'm not stalking you or anything." Haruka exhaled. "Sorry, I'm rambling," she said quietly.

"Haruka-chan." Michiru reached for the hand that held the shift knob. She felt it stiffen at her touch, then relax as she placed her hand over Haruka's hand. "I don't want to go home yet."

"As you wish," Haruka said and drove on.

The young teens rode the car in silence. Michiru had both of her hands in her lap. She had taken her hand off as Haruka shifted, feeling awkward if she kept it there. For once Haruka wished she wasn't driving a manual transmission car so that she could use her other hand to hold Michiru's hand. Now the moment was lost.

"Haruka-chan, where are we going?"

"I wanna show you something. It's not much farther. You'll see."

Haruka drove off the road and after a few more minutes, the beach spread out before them. A full moon was out and it lit the beach well enough. The tide was in and the waves were calm. Haruka lowered the top and a cool, refreshing breeze entered the car.

"Suteki da ne," Michiru whispered softly.

Haruka nodded. "I come here all the time."

Michiru closed her eyes and let the wind play with her hair. Haruka looked at Michiru and felt her heart yearning for her like never before. Once Michiru opened her eyes back up, Haruka turned her eyes upward to the starlit sky. She was certain she had made wishes on every one of those stars.

"How did you find this place?" Michiru asked.

"I don't know. This might sound silly, but I think it called me here." Haruka laughed uneasily. "Actually, it was the day I told Kyoko-chan…" she paused, "I thought I could trust Kyoko-chan. I ran out the school and just found myself here."

Michiru watched Haruka's green eyes go distant as the blonde recalled memories from the past. She decided not to say anything and let Haruka have her moment. She wasn't even sure herself what to say. She wanted to pour her heart out to Haruka and tell her everything. She couldn't fight it any longer.

A sound brought Michiru out of her thoughts. She turned to Haruka and realized the tomboy was humming. Michiru immediately recognized the tune. She only played it on her violin every morning when she woke up and every night before going to bed. She began humming her part and Haruka looked at her thoughtfully and smiled. She continued to hum and held her hands up in the air as if the Miata's dashboard had become a keyboard. Michiru followed suit and acted as if she was holding her violin. At the end of their mock performance, they found themselves lost in each other's eyes.

"You remember," Haruka said, leaning her head back. She looked back up to the sky and assumed her defensive stance by crossing her arms in front of her.

"Of course I remember," Michiru stated. "You know, I still have that flower you gave me."

Haruka gave her a surprised look.

"You know, the one you gave me after I dared you to jump off the swing."

Haruka laughed quietly. "I know what you're talking about. I just didn't think…" she stopped.

"Think what?" Michiru asked, fearing she knew where this was heading, but at the same time she hoped it would head there.

Haruka shrugged and shook her head. "Nothing, nevermind."

Michiru frowned. "Truth or dare?"

"Oh no, you're not pulling that again."

"Come on, truth or dare?" she insisted.

"If I remember right, we left off on me thinking of a dare for you," Haruka declared in an attempt to evade the game.

"Fine. You've had a while to think about it, what do you dare me to do?" Michiru asked smuggly.

Haruka thought back and remembered why Michiru had picked dare instead of truth. "It's simple. I dare you," she paused for dramatic effect, "to tell me who you like."

Michiru could feel the temperature rising in her face. She turned away from Haruka to hide her blush. To Haruka, however, it looked like Michiru was offended.

"Michiru-chan, I'm sorry. It's none of my business," Haruka quickly apologized. She turned the other way and banged her head against the steering wheel. Baka, that was really smooth. Did I really think there was a chance it'd be me? Just because she kept my flower and remembered the duet doesn't mean anything. I shouldn't even care anymore who she likes. I shouldn't even— Haruka's thoughts were cut short when two soft hands held her face and she felt her lips pressed against the lips of an angel. Her eyes closed and she lost herself in the moment she only knew in her dreams.

Michiru sighed into Haruka's lips as she felt the pianist's hands grasping her waist. She ran her hands over her blonde hair and placed her arms around the tomboy's neck. Michiru pulled her closer, making the kiss deeper, and let her emotions wash over her. Lesbian, straight, or bi, she cared not. All she knew was she was in love with Haruka and being with her felt so right.

Their lips parted and Haruka softly whispered, "I'm sorry, Michiru-chan." She removed her hands from Michiru's waist and unlinked the hands behind her neck.

"Haruka-chan," Michiru uttered her love's name. "I—"

"I have a girlfriend."

A/N: P. S. - I also don't own any Initial D characters.