Disclaimer: I don't own any Sailor Moon characters.
A/N: Due to a certain hobo's constant nagging, I ended up working on updates instead of doing real work at my day job, and it's caught up with me. No, I'm just kidding, it's not the hobo's fault, and I have managed to catch up at work, so it's all good. There have just been other crazy things going on in my personal life that have delayed this update (which got me a different kind of nagging from the same hobo), but I wasn't going to go on vacation over the weekend without an update, so here it is! I'm sorry the chapter is a little shorter than my other chapters, and I apologize for errors or if it seems a little choppy. I'm literally posting this as I'm walking out the door!
Chapter 9: Smoke and Mirrors
Footsteps tapped down the empty corridor. The hall monitor looked up curiously. He stood in the middle of the hall, waiting till the female student was close enough, and then he stopped her. Without looking at him, she flashed the green hall pass in front of his face before he could open his mouth to ask what she was doing outside of class. He nodded silently and allowed her to continue past. The student kept an eye on the descending locker numbers till she found the one she was looking for. She took a quick glance back at the hall monitor, who had disappeared down some other hall, and then reached into her bag. After a few moments of rummaging, she pulled out a folded sheet of paper. An evil grin spread across her face as she read over what was written on the paper, and then she slipped it inside the locker through one of the slits. She proceeded to the nearby bathroom and waited.
When the bell finally rang, she stepped out and watched as a tall blonde walked down the hall side by side with a shorter aqua-haired girl. Seeing the two so happy with love gushing out of their eyes made her sick. The blonde had never looked at her that way. The shorter girl opened the locker she had been standing in front only minutes ago and the paper fell out. The blonde picked it up, and so the spectacle began.
"Ruka, I don't know where that letter came from!"
"What's going on, Michiru?" Haruka's tone wasn't angry, but it carried an underlying fear. Her right hand unconsciously went to the center of her chest, as if the fragile organ inside would shatter at any moment. "That letter, it's not true, right?"
Michiru began tearing the letter over and over again till it was nothing but tatters that fell to the floor. She embraced Haruka and said, "It's not true, I swear! I love you, Haruka!" Michiru stared desperately into Haruka's eyes, beseeching her trust. "I'm yours, only yours."
Haruka looked away from the shredded paper that littered the hall. It just had to be too coincidental that a letter from Seiya should show up on the same day they bump into each other. Something was amiss, but there was just too much to think about and it was making her head ache. When she looked into Michiru's eyes, she couldn't allow herself to think that Michiru would do anything to hurt her. She told me she'd never hurt me. The pain in her chest slowly subsided and she breathed slowly. "I trust you, Michiru." Her arms wrapped themselves around the girl and she ignored the nagging feeling that they were being watched. She figured it was probably just a remnant from her panic attack. Just then the hall monitor walked by them and a thought occurred to Haruka. "Sumimasen," she said to get the hall monitor's attention.
He stopped and looked at the couple. "Hai."
"Did you see anyone walk by here earlier?"
The hall monitor began to laugh.
Haruka rolled her eyes. "Before the bell rang," she said to clarify her question. "Did you see a boy with black hair tied back in a long pony tail?"
He looked thoughtfully at the ceiling and said, "Hm, no, I can't say I did."
So where did it come from? Haruka thought. How did it get in Michiru's locker?
"But I did see a young lady come by earlier," the hall monitor added.
"What did she look like?" Michiru jumped in.
"She was short," he indicated the height with his hand, "and she had long pink hair. I believe I've seen her on the swim team, but I can't think of her name."
"Yotsukura Shigeko, perhaps?" said Michiru.
"Ah, yes, that's her name!" He took a closer look at Michiru and his pupils grew wide in recognition. "You're on the swim team too! Kaiou-san, right?"
"Hai," Michiru nodded.
The hall monitor felt somewhat proud of himself for recognizing Michiru. "I thought you looked familiar. And, anou, I think you're an excellent swimmer." He began to blush.
"Okay, well thank you for your help," Haruka cut in. "We'll be going to class now." She kept her arm around Michiru's waist and together they left.
"Ruka," Michiru said gently when they entered the science wing.
"I'm not jealous," the tomboy said nonchalantly.
Michiru stepped in front of Haruka and pressed her soft lips to hers.
"Okay, maybe I was getting a little jealous," Haruka admitted.
Michiru held Haruka's face in her hands and kissed her again. "You are the only one for me. Don't ever doubt it."
Haruka found comfort in Michiru's words and she felt herself relax. She hadn't realized that she had gotten so tense since they found Seiya's letter. Her forehead touched Michiru's and she said, "So when do I meet your parents?"
Instead of track practice, there was a track meet that day, but Haruka was unable to attend since her grades still had her on probation. She didn't mind so much though since it meant she could go watch Michiru at swim team practice. She sat on the side, watching her lover dive gracefully into the water. Others followed in her wake, but none could glide through the water so effortlessly the way she did. Her arms and legs flowed in one smooth motion. One could never guess the power hidden within those slender limbs. Occasionally she would lift her face out from the glassy water for a breath of air, but not as frequently as the others. Haruka thought she could watch Michiru swim for hours and not get tired of seeing the same fluid motions, but at the same time she preferred watching Michiru in a different setting, one that involved their bodies close together. The idea made Haruka make a quick pass at her nose with her hand. She was relieved when she glanced down at her fingertips and saw nothing.
The whistle blew and Haruka's attention was brought to the swimmer a few lanes over from Michiru. She was the only other swimmer that stood out from the rest besides Michiru and she was undergoing a different training exercise as instructed by the swim team coach. She was also the one last seen in the hall where Michiru's locker was.
I wonder what she was doing there. Did she have anything to do with the letter? How does Shigeko-chan fit in to this whole thing with Kou-san? thought Haruka. She mulled over all that had happened within the span of three days while she continued observing Michiru.
Later the whistle blew again and ended practice. All the swimmers got out of the pool and Haruka held out Michiru's towel for her. When Michiru had her hand on it she pulled the towel back, drawing Michiru to her. "It'll cost you a kiss," Haruka said.
Michiru gave Haruka a smooch and quickly grabbed the towel while she had Haruka distracted. "Maybe you could use a cold shower," she said and wrapped the towel around her body.
"Is that your way of inviting me into the shower with you?" she said in a low tone.
Michiru gasped. "Ruka!"
Neither girl noticed Shigeko passing by until she spoke up. "Oh come now, Michiru-chan. It won't be the first time you didn't shower alone. Did you ever find out his name? I think he goes to Juban High."
Before Haruka could stop herself, she thought of Seiya again. It made her shudder.
Michiru whirled around to face Shigeko. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Shigeko shrugged. "It was a long time ago, perhaps you don't remember."
'Ohayou! You don't remember me, do you.' Haruka shut her eyes and blocked out Seiya's voice. No, I won't doubt, I trust her.
"Go fuck yourself, Shigeko-chan."
Everything seemed to freeze at that moment. Whatever thoughts were going through Haruka's mind ceased. Haruka stared at Michiru in utter disbelief. She never thought she'd hear those words come out from Michiru's mouth. She suddenly wanted to ravish her right then and there.
Shigeko simply turned her chin up and walked away.
After a few moments, Haruka said, "Michi."
"Yes, Ruka." She was still watching Shigeko walk away.
"I'm so hot for you right now. I really need that cold shower."
The way Haruka's voice sounded, which was a bit nasal, brought Michiru's attention back to Haruka. She wasn't too surprised to find the tomboy leaning forward and pinching her nose. "Maa, let's go, Ruka."
Hours later, Haruka swept her hand across the mirror in an attempt to wipe the fog off, but there was still far too much steam in the bathroom. Michiru leaned over and flipped the switch for the exhaust fan on. The steam dispersed and the two stood thoughtfully in front of the bathroom mirror wearing nothing but a towel. They looked at each other and grinned sheepishly.
"Well, you have a very nice bathroom. Must be nice having your own bathroom in your bedroom," Haruka spoke first, then laughed at her lame attempt at small talk. "So much for a cold shower."
The girl beside her giggled. "Would you have preferred the cold shower? That can be arranged next time," Michiru countered.
"No, no, that's not what I meant. I very much enjoyed the alternative."
Michiru gave Haruka a sweet smile and said, "So did I. And now that we've gotten all that out of our systems, we really should get dressed before my parents come home."
Haruka followed Michiru out of the bathroom and into her bedroom. Their clothes, which were strewn about on the floor, were just about the only thing that was out of order in the tidy room. Haruka surveyed the room, taking in the view she hadn't noticed earlier from being too caught up with Michiru's body. The walls were of a sea green color and there were light blue curtains swaying softly in the breeze coming in through the window. A music stand stood by the window, and next to the stand was Michiru's desk. Haruka saw a familiar object sitting on the desk and it brought a smile to her face. It was the red pencil case, and beside it was her origami flower. She loves me, Haruka affirmed to herself and began putting her clothes back on.
Minutes later, Michiru was standing at her dresser brushing her hair when she felt Haruka's arms slip around her waist. "All set, Ruka?"
"I'm nervous. You may want to make sure the front door is unlocked."
A confused look appeared on Michriru's face. "The front door? Why? Are you going to try to run away?"
My dad tried to kill me with a pair of scissors. "Let's just say that if things don't go very well, I want to make sure we get out alive."
Michiru laughed. "What are you talking about, Ruka? Don't worry, everything's going to be fine. You'll see."
They both turned their heads when they heard the front door open and Takeshi's voice sounded. "Tadaima!"
"Okairi nasai, Otou-san!" Michiru called back. "Come on, Ruka." She grabbed Haruka's hand and led her downstairs. When they reached the bottom, Haruka lingered back a little while Michiru ran up to her father for a hug.
"How was school?" Takeshi asked.
"School was fine."
"That's good. Oh, we have a visitor," he said when he noticed Haruka standing at the foot of the stairs.
Haruka could feel sweat breaking out from her brow, but she did her best to keep her voice steady. "Konbanwa, Kaiou-san," Haruka said and bowed deeply.
"Konbanwa, Haruka-chan! I see you're all grown up," Takeshi said and smiled warmly at Haruka. "It's nice that you two go to Mugen together."
Takeshi's warm welcome came as a surprise to Haruka. She expected a scrutinizing look from him, or even a cynical tone in his voice, but there was none. She figured his attitude would have probably been different if he had come home sooner and was welcomed not by the cheerful voice of his daughter, but by the excited cries of intense pleasure coming from his daughter's bathroom. Haruka blinked away the shower scene that still stood fresh in her mind before her face could betray her again. She returned the smile and said, "It was nice seeing a familiar face in a strange new school."
"I can imagine so. You two seemed to have formed such a close bond in the short time you were together before, so it must've been great meeting each other again."
Michiru walked over to Haruka and pulled her away from the stairs so they stood in front her father. A lump caught in Haruka's throat and she thought, Kami-sama, she's really going to tell him!
"Speaking of close bonds, Otou-san," Michiru began calmly to Haruka's bewilderment, "you know how you told me that you'd always love and support me even if I committed the worst crime in the world?"
"Maa, has Michiru-chan made you her partner in crime, Haruka-chan?" Takeshi said and winked at Haruka.
Haruka tried to gulp the lump down, but all she could do was smile nervously. Her sweaty palms gripped Michiru's hand tighter. In her mind she was already planning out their esacpe route.
"That's one way of putting it," Michiru said, her voice still surprisingly calm. She looked at Haruka and couldn't resist smiling at the adorable bundle of nerves she had become. She looked back at Takeshi, who was still waiting patiently to hear what his daughter had to say, and said, "Otou-san?"
"Hime-chan?"
"Haruka and I," she paused to see if her father would react to just those three words alone, but when he didn't, she started again, "Haruka and I are koibito."
Haruka braced herself as Takeshi took a step towards them. He's going to take Michi away from me, her mind projected, but then she saw his smile grow wider. It was the exact opposite of her father's reaction. What was even more startling was when Takeshi hugged them both. Her perplexed expression was met by his low delightful chuckle. She turned to Michiru and saw that she was beaming with joy as well.
"I know, Hime-chan," Takeshi said.
"You overheard me and Elsa-chan talking?" Michiru asked.
"Hai, I did, but I knew how you felt about Haruka-chan long before then."
"Heh? How?"
"Your mother had showed me your sketches of what she believed was a boy you liked, but right away I recognized Haruka-chan. Of course your mother hadn't had the pleasure of meeting Haruka-chan, so she didn't know any better, and I must say I didn't approve of her snooping around your things, Hime-chan. I also have to admit I was a little shocked at first," he paused and looked at the two lovers, "but you are still my daughter and I want you to be happy."
Michiru embraced her father and said, "Arigatou, Otou-san. Your support means so much to me."
Haruka released the breath she had unconcsiouly been holding and finally relaxed. The lump in her throat abated and she allowed herself to smile at ease while watching the father and daughter bond. She was happy that Michiru would not have to experience the feeling of abandonment that she felt with her parents. "Anou, sumimasen, Kaiou-san."
"What is it, Haruka-chan?"
"I just want to say I'm very grateful for your approval as well." She lowered her head. "My parents, on the other hand, they… anou… they disowned—"
"They didn't take it very well, and Haruka is staying with Elsa-chan," Michiru finished for Haruka and took her hand.
Haruka nodded and added, "Until I can find my own place."
"I'm truly sorry to hear that," Takeshi said with a tone of sympathy in his voice, "but rest assured that you are welcome here."
"Domo arigatou gozaimasu, Kaiou-san," Haruka said and made another deep bow.
"And Hime-chan, loving someone is not a crime," Takeshi said to his daughter. "You'll have to do better than that to be a fugitive of the law," he added with a wink.
"I suppose so," she giggled. "But how do you think Okaa-san will react when I tell her?" Michiru asked.
"Honestly? I gave her a little tip when you left with Haruka-chan on the night of your birthday, so you don't have to worry about her so much."
"Really? What did she say?"
"She was also a little stunned, but her exact words were, 'Well, I always wanted two daughters.' Because you see," he paused thoughtfully, then said, "Here let's sit down first." He motioned the two girls to follow him into the living room. Haruka and Michiru sat down together and Takeshi sat opposite of them. "Hime-chan, you are a miracle. After several tries, the doctors had told your mother and me that we could never have children, but here you are. You cannot imagine how precious you are to us, so no matter what, we are never going to stop loving you."
At that moment, the front door opened and Mieko stepped inside. She was greeted by three pair of eyes, and then her own eyes settled on the green ones that belonged to the tall blonde. Haruka couldn't help but tense again as the piercing ocean blue eyes stared at her. She could see where Michiru got her looks, but the woman still somewhat intimidated her.
"So, who might our honorable guest be?" Mieko inquired.
"Okaa-san," Michiru stood up and approached her mother, pulling Haruka right behind her, "I'd like you to meet Haruka-chan."
Haruka bowed and said, "Douzo yoroshiku."
Mieko returned the gesture and smiled. She had to admit to herself that Haruka made a very handsome gentleman for a tomboy. "I've heard so much about you, Haruka-chan. It's nice to finally meet you."
"Well, about that Okaa-san. I have to tell you something, even though you may already know what it is."
Mieko studied her daughter carefully, then her gaze went to Haruka, then back to Michiru. She continued alternating looks between the two girls for a few moments and slowly it began to dawn on her where Michiru was headed, especially when Takeshi cleared his throat and caught her attention. Mieko looked at him inquisitively, but she understood when she received a reassuring smile. "Haruka-chan is more than your best friend, is she not?"
Michiru nodded. "Haruka and I are koibito, Okaa-san," she informed her mother and wrapped her arms around Haruka's waist. "And both of you must know that she makes me happy and I love her so very much."
Mieko smiled and clasped her hands together in front of her. "I'm very happy for you, Michiru-chan. I have not seen you so high-spirited since the very first time you mentioned Haruka-chan. I know your father and I have raised you well, so I do not perceive this as anything else but you being happy."
Takeshi stood up and joined his wife at her side. Looking at the two teenagers before them, he said, "We want nothing more than to continue giving you our support, Michiru-chan. The same goes for you, Haruka-chan."
Suddenly Haruka felt a huge weight had been lifted off her chest. Michiru must have felt the same because her typical reserved demeanor seemed to have been cast aside when she squealed and jumped into Haruka's arms. Haruka found herself being showered with kisses and became a little conscious of their display of affection in front of Takeshi and Mieko. "M-Michi, your… parents…" she managed to say in between the kisses. She glanced anxiously at Michiru's parents and saw they were also slightly taken aback by their daughter's unexpected behavior, but amused at the same time.
"Anou, I think I'll start preparing dinner now," Mieko said abruptly and began walking towards the kitchen.
"Ah, wait for me, I'll help," Takeshi followed.
"Oh no, you're not going to start another fire Kaiou Takeshi," Mieko's distant voice said from further inside the house. "Go make yourself useful somewhere else."
A look of concern spread across Haruka's face.
"Yeah, he started a fire in the kitchen once," Michiru answered before Haruka could ask.
"Your parents are so awesome!" said Haruka.
"I told you everything was going to be fine." Michiru proceeded to kiss her lover again.
"Hold that thought." Haruka sniffed the air. "Do you smell that?"
"It smells like smoke."
"Takeshi!" Mieko yelled.
"What? You said be useful! I was trying to iron clothes!" Takeshi yelled back from the other side if the house.
"So awesome," Haruka repeated.
Haruka left Michiru's house shortly after dinner. Outside it was dusk and the setting sun cast long shadows ahead of Haruka as she made her way to Elsa's house. It was a very pleasant evening, not just weather wise, but event wise as well. Michiru's parents had spent the whole time getting to know Haruka. The questions were so relentless that Michiru had to ask them to give Haruka at least five minutes to put some food in her mouth. Haruka didn't mind the questions so much though. She just hoped that none of her answers were displeasing to Michiru's parents.
When Haruka arrived at Elsa's house, it was dark and nobody seemed to be home. She had no idea where Elsa's parents might be, but she figured Elsa just hadn't come back from the track meet. Maybe the team was celebrating, or maybe she was with Hiro. Haruka wouldn't allow her thoughts to go further into the latter possibility and took out the spare key Elsa gave her to let herself inside the house. She dropped her things inside Elsa's room and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. When she turned on the light, she caught a slight movement in the shower curtain from the reflection in the mirror. It was probably just air movement from her entering the bathroom and she proceeded to the sink till she heard a noise. She looked cautiously at the shower curtain again and was startled to see it move again. Haruka grabbed the toilet plunger and held it up ready to swing. She realized it probably wasn't the best defense, but it was better than nothing. Her hand reached out slowly for the shower curtain. There was a blur of red and a scream as she swiftly pulled it aside.
"Kami-sama! Elsa-chan! You could've said something!" Haruka shut her eyes and looked away. "Something, anything! So I didn't have to see you and Hiro-chan…" she gagged and couldn't finish her sentence. "No offense, Hiro-chan."
"None taken," the young man found with Elsa behind the shower curtain mumbled in embarrassment.
"Kuso, I was ready to beat you with the freakin' plunger!"
"Well I wasn't expecting you to come into the bathroom!" Elsa cried out flustered. "I figured you'd just go straight to my room and then I could slip Hiro-kun out unnoticed."
"Slip him out unnoticed? The way he is now?" Haruka was about to turn to face Elsa then quickly remembered not to look.
"I was going to get his clothes, but at least you wouldn't have to see him," Elsa said as she closed the shower curtain back around her and Hiro.
Haruka started to laugh. "Elsa-chan, you have to figure out a better way to sexile me so I don't have to walk in on you guys again. Wait, what if it was your parents that came home and not me?"
Elsa poked her head out from behind the curtain. "They're out of town, remember? They left today and they'll be back Saturday."
Haruka gave her a blank stare.
"I swear I told you last night."
"Oh yeah, last night, like I was thinking clearly enough to remember your parents were going out of town. The only thing I remember from last night is my car being vandalized and getting kicked out of my house."
"Oh yeah, I'm sorry to hear about that, Haruka-chan," Hiro called from behind the curtain. "Yotsukura-san's a bitch."
"Thanks for your condolences, Hiro-chan," Haruka replied.
"Hmm, actually maybe I forgot to mention it to you, now that I think about it," Elsa pondered. "Maybe I only told Hiro-kun."
"Figures," Haruka muttered.
"Sorry about that, Haruka-chan," Elsa apologized.
Haruka just smiled. "Don't worry about it, Elsa-chan. You just had me rattled for a second. You and Hiro-chan."
"I'm sorry, too!" said Hiro.
"It's fine. I'll just leave you guys to carry on about your business."
"Heh? Where are you going, Haruka-chan?"
Haruka shrugged and turned to leave, but not before Elsa caught the dirty smirk appearing on Haruka's face.
"You're going back to Michiru-chan's house," Elsa stated more than asked. "That reminds me, I take it her parents took it well?"
"They took it very well, and let's just say you're not the only one having fun tonight."