Disclaimer: I don't own any Sailor Moon characters.

A/N: As always, I'm grateful to those of you who reviewed. And thank you for your patience. I'm happy to say I avoided getting kicked in the face from capoeira (that probably would've delayed an update further), but I did manage to put a lot of stress on my wrist from doing several handstands. It's a lot better now though. I won't be going on any further trips again till 4th of July weekend, so my updates should be getting back up to speed.

Reusch17 - Here's your bedtime story! lol

Chapter 7: It's Not Over

It might not be the right time

I might not be the right one

But there's something about us I want to say

Cause there's something between us anyway

I might not be the right one

It might not be the right time

But there's something about us I've got to do

Some kind of secret I will share with you

I need you more than anything in my life

I want you more than anything in my life

I'll miss you more than anyone in my life

I love you more than anyone in my life

–Daft Punk "Something About Us"

Michiru closed her eyes as she felt the warm embrace surrounding her from behind. Memories began to flood through her mind, particularly the ones from her last day with Haruka, the day she felt the same desperate embrace before they were separated for four long excruciating years. She was brought back to where she stood on the beach by the sensation of Haruka's breath on the right side of her neck. There, back in the arms of her love, she turned her head to her right and whispered back, "I want to be yours, Ruka."

In response, Haruka held Michiru tighter as if it was the last time she would ever hold her. "Those are the words I hear when we play together," she said in a cool tone, though inside she felt like she was on fire. Her burdened heart was racing and all the secrets she had kept inside now rushed out. "Michi, you were always my Michi, because I loved you from the moment I saw you," Haruka continued. "I missed you more than anything when you stopped coming to Ruriko-san's house, and I never stopped thinking of you. When I saw you again on the first day of school, there was that thing with Kyoko-chan, and I thought you didn't want anything to do with me," she poured out to Michiru.

Michiru turned around and grasped Haruka around her waist. She rested her head against the tall girl's chest, where she could feel Haruka's heart beating fast. "It's my fault. I was afraid of what I felt for you when Kyoko-chan made me realize what it meant," Michiru confessed to Haruka. "But I don't care what they say; I'm in love with you. That's why I kissed you when you asked me who I liked."

Haruka looked thoughtfully at Michiru and moved a strand of aqua hair that the breeze displaced on the girl's face. The night Michiru kissed her stood clearly in her mind. It hurt Haruka to think of the heartache she must have caused Michiru when she told her she had a girlfriend. "I only made you suffer by keeping you instead of letting you go," she said bitterly.

"No, I wanted to stay. I never wanted to be apart from you again, and as long as you were happy, I was happy," Michiru told her.

"I'm sorry, you must have not been very happy then," Haruka said regretfully. She unwrapped her arms from Michiru and turned away slightly towards the diamond strung water. Her profile was silhouetted against the moon as she crossed her arms and went into deep thought.

What are you doing? Don't start backing out now, Haruka's inner voice urged.

"Ruka, I know you're hurting, I can feel it. I can also see it in your eyes, even when you act like you're never hurt." Michiru lightly touched Haruka's arm. "I know it's because of her."

Haruka dropped her eyes and nodded slowly. It was no use denying it anymore. If this was it, if she was really going to tell Michiru everything, then it had to be all or nothing. At this point, the latter was no longer an option anymore. "The bruises, quitting track, this," she looked towards her upper right corner and raised the eyebrow that was partly covered by the band-aid, "my slipping grades ­– everything."

"Why do you let her do this to you?"

Haruka heaved a sigh. "All my life I've felt alone, despite everything I did, until I met you. Then you were gone, and everything went downhill from there, so I learned to stop caring so it wouldn't hurt anymore. She was the first to make me feel loved and cared for, so I wanted to do the same for her." She ran her hand through her hair. "Plus, I was trying to get over you. I kept telling myself we'd work it out."

There was a brief silence until a trembling voice said, "If only I told you how I felt sooner, but I was too late."

Haruka turned towards the voice. The blue eyes staring up at her were now glistening with tears. "No, Michi, it's not too late." She took out her scarf and wiped the tears from the precious face. "It obviously didn't work out because..." She took the violinist's hands and drew her into her arms again. Michiru's reflection shone in the gaze of two sparkling green eyes. "I'm still in love with you," she said amorously. "I want to be with you, Michi."

Michiru clutched Haruka and began weeping softly then, but her tears had turned to joy and pure elation. "That's what I hear when I watch you play the piano," she said as she wiped the tears that spilled from her eyes with Haruka's scarf, "but I've been waiting to hear you say it yourself."

Haruka smiled bashfully. "You couldn't just ask truth or dare?" she poked playfully and received a giggle from the girl in her arms. "That's better. No more crying," she said as the girl's sniffles trailed off. Her attention was caught by the sound of the waves breaking on the shore, the very sound that had accompanied Michiru's fateful words. "The whispers, it's a little strange, ne?" she said with a puzzled look.

"A bit," Michiru nodded in agreement. "My father once told me that the piano and the violin are a perfect match. I guess since we were too afraid to tell each other how we felt, our music did the talking for us."

"Hmm, sou ka," Haruka said in wonder.

As Michiru looked up at Haruka, she noticed a part of Haruka's bangs sticking out oddly. The blonde's wild hair was just impossible. Her hand reached up to smooth it down when Haruka suddenly drew back.

"Sorry," Haruka said after seeing the startled expression on Michiru's face. "Reflex." She let her face touch Michiru's hand.

"Because of her," Michiru stated indignantly. She brushed Haruka's blonde bangs to the side, revealing the band-aid near her eye. "I would never hurt you, Ruka," she swore as she caressed the face of the tomboy.

"And I would never hurt you," Haruka replied. She felt an invisible pull drawing her towards the other girl's face, and she didn't resist. No guilty conscious would stop her now. Her conscious was clear and her heart was ready to be with its rightful soulmate.

Michiru's heart began quickening its pace as the gap between their faces narrowed. "There's only one thing that makes all boo-boos go away," Michiru barely whispered.

Haruka smirked. "That's my line."

"I know. I'm stealing it."

"You don't have to steal anything anymore. It's yours, along with this." Haruka lifted Michiru's hands behind her neck and leaned down. "I told you, it was meant for you," she whispered right before letting their lips touch.

"Kami-sama, I'm so happy for you and Haruka-chan!" Elsa squealed on the other end of the phone later that night. "Ah, so romantic! I wish Hiro-kun and I had our own secret place."

"You do, it's called the school library," Michiru teased. She was lying on her bed and holding a purple cloth close to her heart. Haruka had decided to dub her scarf a mini furoshiki and used it to wrap Michiru's birthday CD, saying it was another souvenir she could have to remember the night with.

"Hush you!" Elsa cried out and they laughed together over the phone. "Anyway, so after she kissed you…?"

"After we kissed, we—"

"Hime-chan?" Takeshi's voice interjected. "Ara, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were on the phone."

Michiru sat up straight and gasped. "Hai, you need the phone Otou-san?"

"Oh, no, it's not important, it can wait till tomorrow." There was a pause. "Don't stay up too late girls, it's still a school night."

"Hai, Otou-san."

"Oyasumi nasai, Kaiou-san!" Elsa said cheerfully.

"Oyasumi, Elsa-chan." There was a click as Michiru's father hung up.

"Kuso!"

"Heh?" Elsa cried out in shock. "Michiru-chan, did you just curse? Haruka-chan's mouth must really be rubbing off on you, in more ways than one!" she laughed at her own insinuating comment.

"Nevermind that! Elsa-chan, do you think he heard anything about me and Haruka kissing?" Panic was rising in her voice.

The tone in Elsa's voice turned serious. "I don't know, but he didn't say anything, so maybe not."

"Yeah, and he didn't sound upset. But he said 'girls,' so he had to have at least heard your voice and knew I was talking to you."

"But you're always talking to me on the phone, so whether he really heard or not, I don't see why he wouldn't assume 'girls.' Does he expect you to be talking to a boy if not some other girl?"

"Hold on." Michiru quietly opened her door and looked out into the hall. The door to her parents' bedroom was closed. The light coming from the tiny slit under the door disappeared.

"Michiru-chan?" Elsa whispered over the phone.

"Just hold on a moment." Michiru crept up to the door and pressed her ear against it. Nothing but silence, but it didn't make her feel any better. What if he heard and he tries to pick up the phone again? He may not say anything tonight, but what if he says something tomorrow? She went back to her room and closed her door. "Elsa-chan?"

"Hai! Everything okay?"

"I think my parents are asleep now, but we better continue this tomorrow."

"Alright, just one more thing."

"Hm?"

"What about Shigeko-chan?"

The following morning, Haruka approached her locker with a broad smile on her face. Her sunny disposition was greeted by a girl standing with her arms crossed and a spiteful look on her face. The girl asked scornfully, "Haruka-chan, why didn't you call me last night?"

The tomboy ignored the angry voice and began whistling her favorite tune while she opened her locker. Images of elegant fingers flowing along the strings of a violin entered her mind and her smile grew wider.

"What the hell, Haruka-chan!" the girl shoved her shoulder, but she still didn't get a response. The pink-haired girl wound her hand back.

In a flash, Haruka caught her forearm, stopping Shigeko's hand right before it could make contact with her face. "What's this? You were going to hit me again, weren't you?" She thrust the girl's arm back at her. "So much for your promises."

"Maybe if you weren't ignoring me, I wouldn't have to hit you to get your attention."

Haruka shook her head and scoffed at the girl's absurd reasoning. "You can't hurt me anymore. It's over, Shigeko-chan."

"Excuse me?" she cried incredulously. "What did you just say?"

"It's over," Haruka calmly annunciated each syllable clearly. The two words rolled off her tongue so easily and it felt so liberating for her, that she had to repeat it. "It's over."

Shigeko stood speechless for a moment. "It's that little Kaiou bitch, isn't it?" Shigeko growled.

Haruka slammed her locker shut. The banging sound resonated through the hall and the few students in the area quickly left. "Don't you fucking calling her a bitch! How dare you insult my Michiru?" she suddenly erupted. "It's over, Shigeko-chan!" she said directly to her face.

"You're that familiar with her, huh? You must have been cheating on me this whole time! You're no better than him! I hate you!"

"I know you do! Why don't you tell me something I don't know?" she shot back. Haruka positioned her school bag over her shoulder. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to see the coach about letting me back on the team before homeroom starts." Haruka began walking away.

"No, wait! Haruka-chan, don't leave me!" Shigeko went after Haruka and grabbed her hand. "I'm sorry. Look, can we jus talk about this?"

Haruka turned around. "Why? What's there to talk about?"

"I love you, Haruka-chan," she said and tried to pull Haruka closer, but the blonde resisted and snatched her hand back.

"Pft, didn't you just say you hate me not a moment ago?"

"I didn't mean it, I was angry." She reached for Haruka's hand again. "Please, I need you."

"What for? All I do is fuck everything up, right? Maybe you need anger management, but you don't need me." Haruka pulled her hand out of Shigeko's reach and continued walking.

"Fuck you!" Shigeko screamed at her.

"Case in point."

"I hate you so fucking much!"

Haruka stopped and took one last look at Shigeko. "You too."

Shigeko continued shouting after Haruka about how it wasn't over, but the blonde wasn't paying attention. She pitied her ex-girlfriend, and she pitied the soul who was unfortunate enough to be her next victim. Pursing her lips, she picked up on her whistle where she left off and turned at the corner to exit out to the courtyard. Outside, the morning sun shone brightly and the sky was clear of clouds. Some students looked up when Haruka came through the door, briefly wondering what all the shouting coming from inside was about, then continued on about their business. Two girls sitting on a bench on the other end of the courtyard waved to her. The one with aqua hair stood up and was greeted by the tomboy with a steamy kiss.

"Oh please, get a room!" the second girl groaned. "You're making me sick."

"You be quiet, Elsa-chan! Don't think that I don't know what you and Hiro-chan do in the library."

"Yeah? Well don't think I don't know what goes on inside your car!"

"Michi!"

"What?" Michiru asked innocently. "I didn't tell her anything."

The couple's faces suddenly turned bright red.

"Anou, I was only joking, but I guess not after all!" Elsa keeled over in laughter.

"Shut up already and let's go talk to the coach." Haruka started walking ahead.

"Geez, your girlfriend can be so testy sometimes," Elsa said to Michiru.

She smiled and shrugged. "That's my Ruka."

The track coach was more than happy to have Haruka back on the team, but he had to remind Haruka that she needed to get her grades back up to get off probation in order to participate in the track meets. Haruka promised to do her best and thanked the coach before leaving his office.

"Well?" Elsa asked when the blonde stepped out.

"I'm in! I just need to get my grades back up before I can compete, so enjoy first place while you can," Haruka said as she enveloped Michiru with her arms.

Elsa cocked an eyebrow. "You just can't keep your hands off her, ne?"

"What can I say? There's a lot of time to make up for," she said and leaned down to kiss Michiru.

"Alright, alright, that's it. I'm going ahead. I'll see you two later!" Elsa said and headed quickly down the hall.

"Yeah, yeah, it's about that time you meet Hiro-chan in the library before homeroom starts!" Haruka called after her.

"Kiss my ass, Haruka-chan!" Elsa called back.

Michiru turned the tomboy's attention to her. "You two are crazy," she said. She tugged on Haruka's tie to bring her down to her level so she could kiss her.

"Mm, and you're beautiful," was Haruka's reply as she tasted Michiru's sweet lips. The newfound lovers embraced each other and took a moment to indulge in the kiss while they were alone in the hallway.

Nearby, however, a pair of malicious blue eyes watched them. "How sweet. The number one track star and the number one swimmer," a cold voice intruded. "Shouldn't you be going to homeroom now?"

When Haruka looked up, her eyes narrowed at the girl that had stepped out in front of them. She pulled Michiru behind her protectively.

"Oh, you really don't think I'd do anything to harm our best swimmer now, do you?" she said menacingly and continued past them.

Hauka's eyes bore down on Shigeko's back.

"Come on, Ruka, let's go," Michiru gently urged.

"Maybe I shouldn't get back on the track team. That way I can watch over you at your swim practices and make sure she doesn't try to hurt you."

The smaller girl looked Haruka in the eyes. "Or maybe I should quit swim team then."

"What? No! You love swimming!"

"And you love track."

Haruka sighed in frustration.

"Don't worry, Ruka. I'll be fine. I'm not going to make you choose between me and track."

"Michi, if anything happens to you­­ –" Her sentence was cut off by Michiru's kiss.

"I know you won't let anything happen to me."

Haruka nodded, but she still couldn't help but worry. She knew what Shigeko was capable of. She gave Michiru a smile though and took her hand as they continued to homeroom.

At the end of practice, Haruka immediately dashed to the indoor pool where swim practice was held. Elsa followed close behind her. Haruka remembered to walk once she entered the pool area. When they got there Michiru had just stepped out of the locker room, fully dressed and drying her hair with her towel. There was no sign of Shigeko.

"She just didn't come to practice today," Michiru informed them.

"Good," Haruka said and she took the girl into her arms.

"Well, I'm starving. Let's go to that new kaiten-zushi that just opened up," Elsa suggested.

"Yoshi!" Haruka cheered happily.

"How do you two eat so much and not gain a pound?" Michiru asked in awe.

The two runners shrugged at the same time.

They walked towards the parking lot, talking about the entrees they looked forward to eating. Haruka hoped the seaweed salad would be good, Michiru listed all the sashimi she wanted to get, and Elsa drooled at the thought of the ebi tempura and unagi rolls circling its way around the conveyor belt. As they approached Haruka's car, the tomboy suddenly ran ahead, leaving a trail of curses behind her. Elsa and Michiru quickly hurried after her. The first thing they saw was that the Miata's windshield and windows were all bashed in. All the air in the tires had escaped through long gashes across the treads. There were dents all over the car's body and the lights had been broken as well. Scratches marred the blue paint.

"Oh shit!" Elsa uttered.

"Fuck! I can't believe that fucking bitch!" Haruka kicked the glass shards scattered on the pavement.

"It's official: that bitch is psycho," Elsa commented.

Michiru rushed to Haruka and tried to calm her down. "You should report this. It's vandalism."

"I can't. I'm not supposed to be driving, let alone owning a car."

"I'll go call my cousin so he can get one of his guys to tow your car back to the garage." Elsa left to find the nearest pay phone.

"I guess that explains why she wasn't at practice today," Michiru noted. "I'm sorry about your car."

Haruka held Michiru close to her. "It's okay. It can be replaced. I can always win another car, but I can't replace you."

Looking at the car wreck, Michiru could only imagine the damage Shigeko could have done to Haruka if they continued their former relationship. As scary as the thought was though, she wasn't afraid of Shigeko. The pink-haired girl didn't intimidate her. She could make as many threats as she wanted, but Michiru would not back down. She leaned against Haruka as they sat on the curb waiting for Elsa to return. "I love you, Ruka."

"I love you more, Michi."

About half an hour later, Keiichi arrived in his Skyline with a tow truck following him. He tilted his baseball cap back and stared at the Miata in shock as he stepped out of his car. "Man, that really sucks," he said. His partner got out of the tow truck to connect the tow cable to the wrecked car while the three girls came up to Keiichi and greeted him. That was when Keiichi noticed the two hands that were being held together. He stared at Haruka and Michiru wide-eyed. "So it is true!"

Elsa rolled her eyes. "I told you! See, you wouldn't believe me. That's why Haruka-chan's car is like this! The ex is psycho!" she informed him.

"Oh yeah, the one that gave Haruka-chan those bruises."

Haruka shifted her feet uncomfortably.

"I mean, anou, forgive me, Haruka-chan."

"No, it's alright. I should thank you, actually," Haruka said. "If Michiru and Elsa-chan didn't investigate my bruises, I'd probably end up looking like my car sooner or later." She felt Michiru grip her hand tighter.

"Well I'm glad you're in better hands now," he said and winked at Michiru. "Alright, since we're all here, can I give you a lift somewhere? I heard you guys were going to check out the new kaiten-zushi."

After feasting at the kaiten-zushi, Keiichi took each of the girls home. The two girls who once sat on opposite sides in the backseat of the Skyline were now cuddled together in the middle. By the time they reached Michiru's house first, Haruka had slipped into a food coma and was snoozing peacefully on Michiru's lap. Michiru hated to disturb her sleeping lover, but it had to be done. She bent down and kissed Haruka on the nose, gently telling her to wake up. Green eyes slowly opened and blinked a couple times. "Sleep well?" she cooed to the blonde.

Haruka smiled up at the blue eyes. "Very." She sat up and yawned and then got out of the car with Michiru. Keiichi had knowingly parked out of view from Michiru's house so that the lovers could say their affectionate goodbyes.

"I'll see you tomorrow, my love," Haruka said after Michiru released her from a kiss. "And I'll call you when I get home." She got back into the backseat of the car and leaned out the window, reaching for Michiru's hand.

Michiru held Haruka's hand. "I love you, Ruka."

Haruka kissed Michiru's hand. "I love you, Michi."

They held on even as Keiichi began driving away, but then let go once he began picking up speed. Michiru waved one last time to the distancing car before she made her way up to her house. Once she stood before the front of the door, a bit of dread stole inside her as she recalled her father picking up the phone the previous night, but she decided to act like nothing happened. "Tadaima!" she called casually as she entered her house and removed her shoes.

"Okaeri!" her parents called from within.

Nothing sounded out of the ordinary so far. Michiru walked into the kitchen to get a drink to take up to her room. She opened the refrigerator and scanned the contents till she found a bottle of Ramune.

"Is that the last one?"

The voice startled Michiru and she jumped.

The man standing behind the refrigerator door began to laugh.

"You scared me, Otou-san!"

"Forgive me, Hime-can. I didn't mean to." His laughter died down to little twitters. "It's just funny ­how you act just like the time I caught you drinking Ramune when you were younger and you weren't supposed to be drinking soda on a school night."

Michiru closed the refrigerator and smiled. "I remember that. You had such a stern look on your face that I was afraid I had committed the worst crime in the world and that you didn't love me anymore." She popped the marble in the bottle down and offered the first sip to her father.

Takeshi held his hand up and declined. "It's okay, you can have it."

"Are you sure?"

"Hai. Besides, your mother may have a fit if she finds out I've been drinking all that sugar." He poured himself a glass of water instead. "Enjoy your young healthy body while you can, Hime-chan," he added as an afterthought and lifted his tumbler to Michiru's bottle. "Kanpai!"

"Kanpai!" Michiru cheered with him and they guzzled their drinks. She watched her father closely for any indication that might suggest he was on to her. She liked to think she knew her father very well and she felt they had a very close bond, probably more so than she did with her mother, but this wasn't enough to give her assurance for a positive reaction if her father had indeed overheard her saying she and Haruka kissed.

Takeshi finished downing his water and quickly rinsed his glass. He yawned and stretched. "Well, I'm off to bed now," he proclaimed.

Michiru nodded in acknowledgement. "Oyasumi nasai, Otou-san."

"Oyasumi," Takeshi said and turned to leave the kitchen. Just when Michiru believed she was off the hook, he paused at the doorway and said, "Michiru-chan."

She held her breath. "Hai?"

Takeshi turned to face his daughter. He thought carefully about what he wanted to say, then said, "No matter how old you are, you will always be my Hime-chan."

The aqua-haired girl gave her father a smile that feigned annoyance, but she could see the compassion on his face.

"And even if you committed the worst crime in the world, I will always love and support you." He continued out the kitchen and Michiru heard him go up the stairs to the bedroom.

Alone in the kitchen, Michiru pondered over her father's words. For as long as she could remember, her father was never one to force things out of her. Instead, he always had a way of coaxing things out of her, as if he already knew, but would rather Michiru say so herself. It all made sense now. He did that just to prove to Michiru that there really was nothing she should be afraid to tell him and that truly, no matter what it was, he would not stop loving her. She made up her mind that she would formally introduce Haruka to him, and she was actually looking forward to it. Speaking of the tomboy, she should've been home by now.

"Tadaima!" Haruka locked the door behind her and slipped off her shoes. Silence returned her greeting. She looked around the dark house curiously. Hearing sounds coming from the TV, she assumed her parents were watching a movie and probably didn't hear her. Before ascending the stairs, she noticed the mail strewn about on the side table. There was one letter in particular that caught her attention. The envelope bore no stamp and it was addressed to her parents. The color suddenly left Haruka's face as she recognized Shigeko's handwriting. She snatched the envelope up and nearly fainted when she found it was already opened and empty. Her trembling hand dropped the envelope and her heart began pounding in fear. She sifted through the mail, trying to find the letter, but it wasn't there. Breathe Haruka, breathe. Whatever she may have wrote, there's no proof. Act like you don't know anything about it. Haruka tried her best to walk casually into the living room. She poked her head in and saw both her parents. "Tadaima," she said to them.

Her father took one expressionless glance at her then looked back at the TV. Her mother, on the other hand, looked at her gravely.

"What movie are you watching?" Haruka asked, pretending not to notice anything unusual.

Her father mumbled the title of the movie without looking at her.

"Oh, okay," Haruka said. "Well I'm going to do my homework now."

There was no response from her father and she didn't dare look back at her mother. As soon as she got in her room she closed and locked her door. The phone was in her hand and she dialed Michiru's number. The sound of the girl's voice was heaven to Haruka's ears.

"Moshimoshi."

"Michi, it's me."

"Ruka! I'm glad you made it home safely. I was beginning to wonder where you were."

"I'm home, yes, but I'm not sure I'm safe," Haruka spoke lowly.

"Why? What's wrong Ruka?" Haruka could hear the deep concern in Michiru's voice.

"Shigeko left a letter in my mail for my parents. I don't know what she wrote, I can't find the letter, but my dad is practically ignoring me and my mom has this look on her face—"

"Haruka-chan." It was Sakura's voice coming through the door.

"Hold on, Michi." Haruka kept the phone on her ear and she cracked her door slightly open.

Sakura's grave expression had grown more solemn. "We need to talk, Haruka-chan."

"Hai, I'll only be a moment. I'm just giving Elsa-chan the homework assignment." Haruka closed her door and went to the opposite end of her room. "Michi?"

"I'm here."

"I'll call you back, okay?"

"Ruka, are you going to be okay?"

"Everything's going to be okay, Michi, I promise. I love you."

"I love you more, Ruka. Call me as soon as you can."

"I promise I will. Jaa." Haruka hung up the phone. She went back to face the woman standing on the other side of her door.

Sakura had one thing in her hand, which she held up to Haruka. It was a Polaroid photograph, a shot taken at school sometime that day without her knowing. It showed Haruka and Michiru in each other's embrace sharing a kiss. Under the photo, their names were written, "Tenou Haruka & Kaiou Michiru."

It wasn't a letter, Haruka realized to her horror. It's indisputable evidence. Shigeko was making Kyoko look like a saint right about now.

"Kaiou Michiru," Sakura read off the photograph. "Is this the Michiru? The same Michiru you thought you were in love with?"

The words her mother used outraged Haruka and she quickly forgot her fears. "I don't think I'm in love with her, I know I am!" she exclaimed boldly.

"This is wrong, Haruka!"

"How can loving someone be wrong?"

"You are a young lady! You need to grow up and stop trying to act like a boy! You are not supposed to have relationships with other girls!" Sakura cried. "I can't believe you went as far as posing as a boy to be with her!"

"She knows I'm a girl, and she loves me just as much as I love her!"

"No Haruka, you have to end this," Sakura pleaded.

"You don't understand, Okaa-san!"

"There's nothing to understand! This cannot be!" Haruka's father boomed from behind her mother.

Haruka glared at Takeo. "Since when have you taken an interest in my life?"

"How dare you talk to me with such disrespect!" Takeo reprimanded.

Haruka only looked defiantly back at him in silence.

Takeo grabbed the photograph from Sakura and tore it in half. "I have no daughter," he said and walked away. "You are not welcome in this home. Leave now."

"Fine."

Sakura left as well. Haruka heard her go into the bedroom and lock the door before bursting into cries of anguish. She closed her own door and leaned against it, slipping down to the floor where she sat and processed everything that had just happened. She knew this day would come. It was inevitable. She had just hoped it didn't come so soon, and especially not in this manner. Ideally, she'd rather have her parents die never knowing she was lesbian. She had no say in the matter now. Haruka stood up and pulled out her suitcase from her closet. One by one, she began emptying her drawers into her suitcase. The phone was on her shoulder, and finally a voice answered the phone.

"Elsa-chan, I'm sorry to bother you, but I need a place to stay."