Chapter 12: Their Haven
"Why can't you answer my question first?" Jiro stood up from his sitting position and walked towards her, a heavy frown laced on his features as well. But she would not yield. Not when he walked towards her, nor when he was well within her comfort zone.
Michiru bit down the nervousness she felt at his too close proximity, but locked eyes with his onyx ones nonetheless, looking every bit the powerful woman he's grown to see within the last month that she hadn't shown prior to it.
"You are the one who trespassed in my condominium Jiro," she stated evenly and with a bit of warning in her voice. Her hands curled into balls of anger at the mere sight of him in her condominium…definitely uninvited and even more so, the fact that he had the gall to intrude. "So I'll ask again…what are you doing here?"
He didn't answer her at once, the air around them beginning to clot heavily.
"As far as I remember, I never gave you a key to my home," the violinist said steely, her eyes reflecting the anger her body language was in the brink of showing. "So why you're in here now interrogating me about where I've been all day is kind of…laughable."
"I've been calling all day," the red haired man seethed, the anger in his voice evident. "I called first thing in the morning to remind you that we had plans and you never called back!"
Confusion passed through Michiru's eyes for a moment before nonchalance with a touch of irritation settled over it once again. "I had other important things to handle…" she only stated off handedly and kept her defiant stance.
The tall man gave an obviously sarcastic laugh. "You had more important things you had to take care of today other than the meeting our parents had decided more than a week back?"
The violinist only smiled and nodded. "Yes, I did. It may not be something important to you, but to me—
"Care to tell me what it is?" he asked mockingly.
The young woman's smile slid off as their eyes met again. "I don't have to tell you anything Jiro." She noted the tightness of his clamped jaw, his stiff posture, and angry, black eyes, but seeing as she was being completely honest to herself, she found that she didn't care, nor was she worried much.
"Has it dawned on you yet that we'll be married in a matter of months?" he asked incredulously.
Her eyebrows stitched into an exasperated frown as a wry and sarcastic smile etched her features. "Which means what?"
"What do you want me to do so you can like me more Michiru?" he cried loudly. Sapphire eyes widened a bit at the sudden question. "I hate it…that I can't get to you. There's always this wall between us and you can't fault me for not trying hard within these last several weeks. I've been trying to make you like me or at least take interest in me and you…" Jiro laughed sardonically, scratching his head in frustration. "You…don't give a damn…"
"What do you like about me?"
She could tell the question took him aback…because it was a relatively easy question, but at the same time it wasn't…and she knew it. She locked eyes with him for a moment before walking passed him and sitting on the dining table, waiting for him to join her.
With his back still turned towards her, she asked again, "What do you like about me? Why are you trying so hard in this endeavor when it's already set in stone anyway?"
He sighed tiredly at her question and turned towards her, his onyx eyes showing his returning frustrations. "No," he stated silently. "The question should be why you're making it harder."
The angry look in Michiru's face had disappeared, and in its place was that of clear nonchalance. She merely shrugged and stated, "I'm not making it harder…I'm simply showing that I don't care…because I don't…care…about this marriage, about Kaioh-Miroku…about a lot of things that's tied with the Kaioh name."
Her simple statement made him wish he never asked.
"We've spoken about this before Jiro…" the aqua haired woman said and looked at him squarely in the eyes. "You may think that my feelings about the marriage may change…but I'm merely doing it for my family's sake…and if you keep pushing this, I may start believing that even my family isn't worth the troubles I'm going through."
She knew it sounded like a threat only because she meant to make it sound like one. The tall man looked at a loss for words and finally looked away from her serious, truth speaking eyes.
"I don't know what to do with you…" he said in an almost depressed manner and frowned heavily at the night sky that was apparent from her window. "You…you said you'd try…to make things work for the sake of your parents, and when I actually start thinking that we're making a breakthrough…you start pushing me away again…It…it makes me feel so inadequate…I don't know what to do…"
Michiru sighed inwardly at the face he sported and looked away from him just as he looked back at her. She definitely didn't want to start talking about this…not now…maybe not ever. She wished Jiro would stop caring as much if at all about this entire marriage and just do as her grandfather did…marry without much emotion attached to it so they could get on with their lives…Why couldn't it be that simple?
When she looked back at him, he had started walking towards her and when he got close enough, pulled a chair out of its place and sat in front of her very closely. They sat there silently, the violinist looking away from his searching onyx eyes.
It was uncomfortable, sitting this close to him without anyone else around. She could smell his aftershave and cologne, the combination of the two almost piercing her nostrils in a pervading way. She suddenly missed Haruka…even though they've only parted ways fifteen or so minutes back. Her presence was never overpowering…simply there. Never demanding, but calm…patient. The tomboy could be patient around her, regardless of the fact that she was most definitely an impatient person. She almost smiled at the mere thought of her before her mind reminded her of who was still in her condominium.
When she looked back up to Jiro's face with a still seemingly permanent frown etched in her features, an unfamiliar look was suddenly graced upon it. Her eyes widened momentarily as his hands reached towards the back of her chair and gripped the ends of it, keeping her in an almost imprisoned manner between his arms. Before she knew it, he had moved noticeably forward, his face just mere inches from hers.
"Jir—
And finally, his lips closed the remaining distance between them. Her heart hammered wildly in her chest in anxiousness, panic taking over her entire being. Her mouth automatically clamped up, her lips pursed tightly as his forcibly demanded entrance. As her eyes widened in shock at onyx eyes that just merely stared back, her hands had reflexively made their way to his chest and had begun the ardent task of pushing him away.
He's strong…She knew this already of course, but it didn't help that she felt too panicky to think properly. All that crossed her mind was how different this felt…how wrong it felt…how much she didn't want it. His arms had snaked their way around her shoulders now, gripping at her as if she were a lifeline, his entire figure towering over her too effectively.
It was here when she began to feel the convulsions overtake her body…how her mind had conceded that she may have encountered something beyond her control. And it only served to make her mind go blank. His lips were rough…tongue slimy…and it was taking all her energy and endurance not to open her mouth lest she taste him and hate him, her parents, and herself for putting her in this situation forever.
Finally, some semblance of the control she's managed to live by in her entire life snapped back as she felt his hands start pushing the strap of her sundress off…and immediately and without fail, her right hand balled into a fist and connected with his cheek.
The kiss finally broke, her breathing heavy and labored from her heart's constant hammering and the echo of the slap and punch combination permeating the entire room. His entire body kind of veered back…obviously not from pain due to the smaller woman's action, but moreover surprise.
Michiru felt her eyes water in absolute anger as she stared at him in disgust, her entire body still shaking from what had just occurred. Her jaw unclenched momentarily as she gave a passing glance at his red cheeks before locking back with his widened onyx eyes.
"Get out…" she stated in restrained fury.
"Michiru, I—
"Get out Jiro."
Her tone was dangerous, her entire figure stiff and her hands curling back into fists. She wanted him to leave…she wanted nothing more than for him to leave and for Haruka to come back. She gulped the disgusted lump down her throat and felt the pricks her lips were still making from his sudden intrusion. Fully knowing he was looking, she raised the top part of her sundress and wiped her lips roughly with it to dispel the feeling that was still there to no avail.
"I…"
The red haired man's broken voice sounded apologetic and scared…but Michiru couldn't stand the sight of him anymore either.
"Leave…do not make me say it again…"
They stayed that way momentarily, his face one that was remorseful before he got up and bowed. "S-sorry."
She looked away from his retreating figure and could only breathe in relief again when she heard her door close. In all honesty's sake, she was readying herself for the worst case scenario when he kissed her…the feeling of his strong arms barring any exits away heightening her nervousness and his forceful lips roughly pervading hers. Without thinking she grabbed her cell phone that he left on the kitchen table, took little note of the many missed calls from her parents as well as Jiro's number and went down the call list to a name she hadn't pressed in a long time.
She felt unsafe here…in her own condominium. Her fiancé's barging in had given her a taste of insecurity and she wanted nothing more than to feel…safe.
"Michiru?"
Her heart warmed immediately at the sound of the tomboy's asking voice in the other line. She was speechless for a moment…not really knowing what to say because she didn't want the other woman to worry about her, but knowing nonetheless that she had to say something else she'd start anyway.
"W-what time…do you have to go to work tomorrow?"
"Eight…but—
"Never mind then—
"Michiru…are you okay?"
She wanted to say yes, but her heart felt heavy all of the sudden and her mouth refused to say anything.
She heard an audible sigh in the other line before, "I'm coming to pick you up—
"No! I—
"You can't expect me to just sit here and think you're okay when you're definitely not. I'll be there in fifteen—
"No, Haruka…" She didn't know what to do…A part of her was relieved to know this was definitely what she expected the blonde's reaction to be, but at the same time…she knew that maybe, just maybe she shouldn't have called…Her situation had nothing to do with the taller woman.
"You know," the young CEO stated in the other line. "I won't be able to sleep tonight knowing you're like this…so I will see you…whether you like it or not…"
She stayed silent at Haruka's words before nodding to herself, knowing full well she wanted to see the other woman as well. "I'll call up Satoshi-san…can we meet up at the beach house?"
"I'll see you there," the tomboy said softly. "Tell the old man to drive there quickly okay?"
A smile danced across her face at Haruka's blunt words. "Alright."
O--O--O--O--O
She wondered briefly what had happened in such a small amount of time that caused Michiru to call her with the most anxious tone she's ever heard her speak. Her eyebrows stitched into a worried frown. It took all her self-restraint to not call her up again and instead focused on the bathtub, filling it with hot water while mixing some nice smelling concoction inside it, a nice, flowery smell pervading the bathroom as she finished.
She turned the knob off to stop the constant flow of hot water and stood up from her kneeling position. Going out of the bathroom, she walked out of her room and headed downstairs, feeling that Michiru would arrive soon and wanting to be there right as she passed through the door.
She leaned on the back of the sofa and merely waited, her heart beating faster as time slowly dwindled pass. Finally, after a few more minutes of an agonizing wait, headlights beamed through the closed blinds of her window and she strode to the door quickly and opened it.
She noted the dark clouds imminent in the night sky as the waves crashed into the shore roughly, sending cold winds to assault her body. The door to the passenger's side opened and finally Michiru stepped out, looking every bit as normal as she left her, but with a slight sad stance that spoke the heavy difference to Haruka.
The tomboy walked out of the beach house towards her, feeling small raindrops beginning to pitter patter all around them. She bowed to Satoshi who smiled and bowed back to her from the driver's side and took Michiru's hand, her sapphire eyes warming just from her little touch.
"Let's go inside. It's beginning to rain," the tomboy stated quietly and she merely smiled softly and nodded. Haruka refused to let how worried she was show and looked again at the smaller woman's driver. "Thanks again Satoshi-san. Have a good evening."
"You too Tenoh-sama," the old man stated with a smile and bowed from his seat again.
She closed the door to the limo and led Michiru inside by her waist, protecting her from the suddenly pouring rain by shielding her with her blazer. When they finally got inside, she closed the wooden door behind them and took off her coat, placing it on the coat hanger while looking at the smaller woman's cold figure. Something bad must've happened…the violinist hadn't even bothered to put on a coat when she left her condominium and goose bumps could be seen prickling out of her skin noticeably.
Haruka sighed and walked towards her, wanting nothing more than to show that she was here when she was ready to talk…if she wanted to. She walked behind her and slid her arms across the smaller woman's waist, loving the familiar smell of her and feeling comfort when Michiru leaned back into her support.
"You seemed tense on the phone, so I got a bubble bath ready for you," the tomboy said softly, and smiled when she saw appreciation flitter across the aqua haired woman's face.
So she led them upstairs, her arms still comfortably slung around Michiru's waist as the smaller woman's hands made their way atop hers. She felt the violinist rub their hands together, unlocking her linked hands at the base of her stomach and locking it with her own. Resting her chin on the younger woman's shoulders, she pushed the door open to her bedroom and led the way to the bathroom. Once they entered, she retracted her arms back, feeling the woman before her squeeze her hands before she completely let go of her and smiled.
"Go ahead and start. I'll get you some night clothes and a towel," she said softly and waited for a response from the still quiet violinist. They looked at one another silently for a moment before Michiru merely gave a thankful smile.
Haruka nodded in understanding and left the room, closing the door behind her.
She sighed silently to herself. What in the world happened? A mixture of a confused and angry frown flittered upon her features as she glanced back at the closed bathroom door.
What the hell happened?
But she knew she had to wait for Michiru to say what was bothering her. She was happy when they had separated for the day…so what the hell happened to change it all?
Biting her bottom lip roughly, she shook her head from dispelling any randomly evil thoughts and walked to her drawer, taking out a towel, shorts, and a t-shirt simultaneously. She walked back to the bathroom and knocked on it.
"Are you decent? I'm coming in," she stated loudly.
"Go ahead," came the soft reply from the other end and she opened it to the view of an already bathing Michiru, the bubbles effectively hiding her otherwise nude form.
Haruka felt herself go hot as she deposited the clothes on the counter. "I'll just put these here…" she said while giving the deposited clothes more attention than they deserved. "I'll…go get the guest room ready for you…"
She trailed off as a small sound came out of her company. Tearing her eyes away from the clothes she came in with, she looked at Michiru questioningly who had turned away just in time, the same troubled look back in her face. A confused frown came over Haruka's as well as she debated on what to do. Getting to the conclusion that maybe Michiru was more comfortable in the master bedroom since that was the room they had shared the majority of their time together when they were friends with benefits, she stated instead, "Alright…you can stay in this bedroom…I don't mind."
Michiru looked up at her with a somewhat surprised and hopeful look as she scratched the back of her head.
"Do you mind if I take one of the pillows though? I think the guest bedroom's missing one…I can't sleep with just one pillow…kind of hurts my neck."
The violinist looked down as she finished her sentence, her face marred by a depressed frown…and Haruka couldn't help, but feel as if she was stuck in a crossroad.
"Alright," the smaller woman answered quietly and reached towards a pouf resting on the side, her expression never changing.
What did she want her to do??
The blonde sighed loudly as she closed the bathroom door behind her again, looking at her empty bedroom with the same troubled face. She gulped her worried feelings down and walked over to the edge of the bed helplessly, sitting on it with her back bent and her hands linked before her.
She hated feeling this way…especially when it came to the younger woman. This helplessness irked her and she wished…wished that she could do something about her situation.
Maybe her parents had decided to go back to being hostile with each other? Maybe her album sales aren't going to be as good as she'd hoped…She frowned at her latest thought and decided to cross it out. Whether or not her albums would sell is definitely not a factor for making Michiru act like this…she wasn't vain. Then what was it?
She didn't know…and all the thinking had earned her a well deserved headache. All she knew was that she would make it all better…Even if she had to watch another scary movie…she would do so…just to see the other woman smile…or at least feel finally at ease. She glanced at the clock in her wall that read just after ten in the evening.
But it was late…She wondered briefly if maybe Michiru just needed rest. They both still have a long day tomorrow…it being the start of a work week and all…but maybe she could take another day off…All she had to do was tell her mother about her situation and she was sure the elder female Tenoh would let her have what she wanted. Hell, she deserved it after her hellish month! But then, the violinist might not be so lucky…and she didn't really want to spend the entire day tomorrow with absolutely nothing to do if the other woman wouldn't stay here with her…
She sighed loudly once more as she heard the pipes draining the water in the bathroom and the sound of the showerhead turning on. Michiru would be done soon…
With the thought of what was bothering the aqua haired woman still itching the back of her mind, she got up from her sitting position and pulled the blanket off the big bed, folding it so that when the violinist finally decided to sleep that she could go in without much trouble.
She smiled sadly at the king sized bed…and her rampant thoughts reminded her just then of their shared memories in it…some more passionate and physical than others, but all ones she was missing horribly. She would never get to feel the smaller woman's soft kisses again…feel as if she belonged to her and only her in this world for at least, several hours into the night. This whole beach house reminded her of what they had…and even though they're together now…it's not the same.
It would never be the same.
She frowned at the morbid thoughts dancing in her head. This would be one of the first times she had let Michiru shower alone…definitely the first time she'd sleep alone…the very first time they'd be alone. Neither ever had the need to use the guest bedroom; their casual relationship wouldn't make sense if that were the case. She already knew that she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight…knowing full well that the woman she'd been wanting in a much more physical level was sleeping fitfully in the next room…but if she really wanted that day off tomorrow, she would get it.
It was just her heart…that was slowly dying. After the marvelous time that they had shared today, it was blatantly obvious to her that she could do it forever…be her best-friend…but the end result would be a person she would never want to be. She would be that person for Michiru of course…the violinist was worth more than that sacrifice…but…
The future never looked so dim…and bright at the same time. They're together…Michiru will be by her side for as long as she needs her…but she would never be able to touch her like she wanted…like she had done before, and the mere thought that she had taken those times for granted made her hate herself now. Why couldn't the kisses mean something earlier? Why couldn't she mean something earlier?
But even then, it wouldn't have mattered…
It wouldn't have mattered if she felt more for Michiru earlier than her mind and heart pronounced…because the smaller woman never thought of her outside the realm of being a friend…with benefits or not, didn't matter. She will always and forever be a friend…never a lover, never a girlfriend…never more than a mere friend…
"Thank you for the bath Haruka…I appreciate it."
She swallowed the painful feeling in her heart down and cleared her, as troubled, face. Turning around, she smiled easily at the white shirt and small shorts the violinist donned as the smaller woman continued to dry her still wet hair with the towel.
"It's no problem," she stated. "But it's getting late too…Did you…want to sleep? Talk? Something?" A flash of anxiousness passed through Michiru's eyes making the blonde frown in worry. Before she could answer, the young CEO easily continued, "Tell me when you're ready…until then I'm here. I'm always here."
Their eyes locked with one another seriously, sapphire ones telling the tomboy something she couldn't decipher…not without the words that would've made everything so much clearer. After a while, Michiru only looked away with the same troubled look, but nodded nonetheless. "Thank you again."
Haruka smiled amidst her frown and stepped towards the younger woman, enveloping her shoulders in and smelling her shampoo in her hair. "Gah, you make me so worried about you," she grunted playfully and hugged her tighter, locking her arms in as well.
A small chuckle rose out of the violinist making her smile wider. "Sorry Haruka…"
"I get nothing, but 'thank you's' and 'sorry's'…for all my hospitality—
"I'm sorry!"
The blonde laughed loudly at how muffled she sounded since her face was buried tightly within the nook of her neck. These small moments with her…were worth all the pain and trouble her entire being felt when acting was the only safety net she could grab a hold on to. Retracting her arms, she found a small smile atop Michiru's face that somewhat quelled the concern looping in her mind ever since the phone call from her came.
"Got a lot to do tomorrow?"
The violinist nodded. "I'll be busy promoting my album all day. I have a lot of radio stations to visit."
Haruka nodded understandingly. "You'll be gone before breakfast then?"
Michiru gave a small smile and shook her head. "Make me something…so my day can start right."
The tomboy smirked. "Alright. It's late, so go to sleep soon okay? I'll be in the guest room if you need me."
"Are you sure you don't want to—
"It doesn't matter where I sleep…if you feel more comfortable here, sleep here," the taller woman shrugged and stretched across the bed to grab a pillow. "Night."
The violinist gave a sad smile, but nodded nonetheless. "Good night."
With one last smile to the still standing Michiru, Haruka turned away and exited the room, closing the door behind her.
O--O
"Oh my God…"
She hoped her muttering wouldn't wake the other woman in the other room because she was so irritated and flustered that her mind would not for the life of her shut up and let her sleep. She tossed fitfully in her bed, accidentally kicking the blanket to the floor again.
"This room…needs a bigger bed…"
Haruka sighed loudly, sat up, and reached for the tossed blanket blindly in the dark. As she grabbed a hold of it, she tugged it up in aggravation and placed it around her again as she laid back down, only to roll over it, tangling her body in a mess of cloth and limbs.
"This…sucks…"
Her entire body decided to lunge back at the blanket then and pushed it away from her constricted form, kicking it again to the bottom of the bed and to the side where, lo and behold…it fell…again.
"Arrrrgh…"
Her mind needed to shut…the hell…up…
"Haruka?"
Emerald eyes widened at the soft calling of her name and sat up, glancing at the closed door warily. She waited for a while…cuz maybe her mind had decided to finally poke fun at her and made her hear the voice of a woman who was supposedly sound asleep.
Several seconds passed some more until, "Haruka? Are you awake?"
Okay, good, she wasn't hearing things…and then felt uneasy at the thought that her random kicking and moving on the bed probably spurred the woman to wake up from her sleep and see if she was okay…
"Y-yeah…sorry if I woke you up…"
The door opened slightly, the hallway light shining dimly on Michiru's form. "You didn't…I couldn't sleep…"
The tomboy pulled the lamp switch to better see the young woman and just kind of blinked at her before replying, "Want to come in? I can't sleep either…"
The aqua haired woman gave a smile then and without another word, entered the semi lit room. She gave a questioning smile at the discarded blanket as Haruka sweat dropped.
"The bed's too small…" she muttered and received only a laugh from the violinist.
She stood at the side of the bed for a moment and both shared an awkwardness that they knew they needed to destroy…lest this whole night would turn awkward. So…doing as she does best, Haruka smirked widely and fluffed a pillow next to her. "Sit down."
And that little action was all it took to dispel the discomforting air. The blonde saw her look around a bit at the room that was too small and dwarfed in comparison to the master bedroom.
"Do people come here often?"
Not entirely a question she was expecting, but it was okay. Shaking her head, she gave the room a once over with her company and replied, "Nope…This is my haven too you know…I don't like to share it unless I really have to."
Michiru laughed. "You really had to the night you took me here?"
"You were hysterical…so yes…I really had to then. And see where it takes me? Now you're calling it your haven!"
Her incessant laughter didn't cease and it took all of Haruka's will to not bend and succumb to it. She vowed to find something wrong with the woman sitting beside her…if only to force herself to dislike her just a little and suppress the overwhelming feeling of depression that passed over whenever she felt she was falling head over heels in love too much at an unrequited one that would never come to pass.
"I can't help it," the violinist stated in the midst of her laughter. "I've really come to like it here…"
Haruka nodded as if she were agreeing only because she had to. "Fine…but don't bring other people here…" she warned playfully.
"This is our haven," Michiru said simply and leaned her head on the blonde's shoulder. "No one should be able to trespass…unless you wanted them to…"
Her voice ended in a soft trail, causing the young CEO to know exactly what she was insinuating. "What makes you think that?"
Sapphires glanced at emeralds before the smaller woman looked away again and resumed her spot on the tomboy's shoulder. "It's a nice place to bed someone…" she said easily, her voice sounding hollow. Haruka frowned. "You can hear the waves crashing on the shore and…at times like this…I heard the sound of rain is also a good aphrodisiac…"
The pitter patter of rain dancing on the roof above them gave a distinct noise as thunder rumbled in the distance.
"Storms too?" The blonde couldn't help, but joke. Talking about aphrodisiacs with the woman she wanted to keep her hands off of is definitely not a good idea.
But Michiru only nodded and made a cute affirmative sound. "It's really nice…and comforting," she said softly and quietness befell them only for the sole reason that both of them wanted to listen to the waves mixed together with the sound of the heavy rain.
The blonde leaned back into the headboard, feeling the smaller woman go with her and smelling her clean scent, albeit the shampoo she normally used was distinct in her cascading hair instead of her normal one…which kind of excited her more than anything now that she thought about it…
Oh, god…
She shut her eyes roughly to silence the warmth suddenly positioning itself in the bottom of her stomach.
Damn it…
It's been too damn long…
And all of the sudden, she could no longer hear the sound of the rain…or the waves…or hear anything if she wanted to be completely honest. She could only feel Michiru's head on her shoulder…her body leaning into hers in a comforting way. She could smell her and see her and touch her and all of it…all her senses were telling that little ball of warmth in the pit of her stomach to dance even wilder…get bigger.
Crap…
She frowned and shook her head to dispel the thoughts surrounding her entire being and started fighting the feelings raging her insides. She swallowed hard and remembered the smaller woman's soft question, deciding to answer it instead to help satiate the growing tyranny her, apparently…horny body…was invading her mind with.
"No…you're the first and only woman I've bedded here."
Michiru's head retracted from its comfortable position on her shoulder as she merely looked at her, Haruka looking back just as seriously. They were threading on dangerous territories…and both knew it. But Haruka only frowned. Maybe this night…when she felt the tension was its fullest and the waves were crashing amidst the beach and the rain was pitter pattering heavily against the sides and top of the beach house, they could just talk about what their relationship had been.
"Do you miss it?"
Okay…maybe she started it off waaaayyy too bluntly because the violinist's sapphire eyes could only widen in shock as she asked it, but she couldn't very well take it back now even if she wanted to…
She felt Michiru audibly swallow before a challenging smirk flittered atop her dimly lit face. "I'll tell you if you tell me?"
"Heh," Haruka sounded, leaning across the side of the bed and grabbing the blanket that she had thrown over in her fit of frustration. "Last time we played, I wasn't the best opponent."
"Nh, I'm hoping you'd be better this time around."
They shared a challenging, wide smile, the rain above them getting heavier and louder, setting the tone and mood to a relaxing one.
Haruka nodded. "Okay, I'll be nicer."
The smaller woman joined her in leaning on the headboard as the blonde spread the blanket onto their laps. Looking at one another from the side and with still smirking smiles atop their features, Michiru started, "What made you want to bed me?"
The young CEO snickered as if in deep disbelief that she had to answer such an easy question. "You're pretty…"
"That's it?"
"Shh my turn," the tomboy teased, earning a chuckle from the other woman. "Why'd you come to me?"
"I didn't know who else to go to," the violinist shrugged easily. "And…I can't say I wasn't at least interested in you from our last two meetings." She stopped momentarily to let the blonde's gloating look come out before exasperatedly asking, "But…that's it? I'm pretty?"
Haruka sighed. "You know…bedding a woman is completely different from falling in love with them…" The smile kind of slid off the smaller woman's face, but the taller woman continued on even upon seeing this. Looking away and moreover towards the dark ceiling, she stated, "Whenever I wanted to bed someone, the fact that they're pretty usually made the decision for me already…but…that would definitely be a one night stand…" She looked back at the aqua haired woman who was still looking at her very intently. "So no…it's not just 'cuz you were pretty…Was I good the first time?"
Sapphire eyes widened at the suddenly placed question before looking away, a blush clearly ridden on her cheeks.
"Ehh?? That looks says…hell yes…"
Michiru's blush in the darkness got even more pronounced as she slid into the bed, pulling the blanket over her figure. Turning over to her side so Haruka could see her expression, she swallowed roughly before nodding. "Nh."
"Nh?? That's it??" the blonde cried in disbelief.
"What do you want me to say?"
"What did you like about it?"
"Haruka…"
"'Cuz well, okay let's say with you. I liked it when you wanted to be the dominant one for example…I like seeing women who have confidence…it's a turn on…so there."
The violinist burrowed deeper into the blanket causing Haruka to dip low and join her as well, pulling the blanket over her shoulders and turning to her side to face Michiru's unsure one. They hadn't touched yet…the full size bed making it possible to keep to their respected sides, but both were close enough now to see the mischief or worry emanating from the other's darkened face.
"I…" the smaller woman stopped for a moment and broke the intense gaze the taller woman's emerald eyes made. Looking back up, she stated softly, "You're…the first and only one to ask me if I was sure…"
The young CEO's eyes widened, remembering the first night they shared together. "I just wanted to make sure if the prim and proper lady knew exactly what she wanted and was getting herself into…"
Sapphire eyes twinkled in sadness, the contrast of her small smile making her look that much sadder. Haruka briefly wondered if she should ask what happened to her earlier now, but stopped herself from doing so. Instead she reached out and played with the smaller woman's smooth, cascading, long hair, loving the feel of the silky strands amidst her hand.
"I'm…happy to know that we got to be friends because of it," she stated huskily, not being able to meet with the violinist's asking eyes. Gulping, she continued, "I…really didn't know how much I missed you…until I saw you again at the concert."
Michiru's sapphire eyes glazed, and it only took a moment more for her to close the remaining distance between them and bury herself in that comfortable nook in Haruka's neck. The blonde laid back on her back with ease, wrapping her left hand around the smaller woman's small shoulders and loving the feel of her arms and legs wrapped comfortably around her figure.
And the feeling of content washed over her so quickly that she couldn't help, but sigh in relief as well.
"I miss you Michiru," she stated in an almost needy fashion and turned back to her side to hug the violinist tightly, feeling the other's arms come around to hug her as well.
"I miss you too Haruka."
They stayed that way in quiet comfort, loving the feel of one another's bodies pressed tightly together in what both of them hoped looked like a platonic hug outside their points of view, but feeling their hearts stir at the thought that they had been so much more before and wanting that feeling back.
Haruka groaned inwardly at how good she felt…all these hugs were going to be the end of her. And as she touched and felt and saw nothing, but cascading hairs of aquamarine and the small petite body against hers, she figured it was a nice time to talk about what had happened to the younger woman, if only to dissipate the growing want her body was on the verge of exploding out of.
"What happened tonight Michiru?"
Her voice was low, concern laced around it and she could already feel the violinist tighten at such a question. Immediately she retracted herself from the hug, feeling Michiru grip at her t-shirt momentarily as if giving a sign to not let go, but feeling that she should. She gently pushed the smaller woman to her back and made her way on top of her, her body almost exploding in need as she saw the familiar glazed look the violinist usually gave her before they started having sex. She sighed and breathed loudly, if only to control herself, and while propping herself on her elbows, began massaging the aqua haired woman's forehead and temples, their faces close enough to hear the silent breathing shared among them as the rain continued its relentless assault outside.
She felt her relax, her eyes warming even more at her ministration. Sliding her fingers across the smaller woman's forehead and rubbing deeply at the pressure point at her temples, she gave a small smirk at the completely unguarded look Michiru was giving her…and how badly she wanted to just…take her then.
"Promise me…"
The violinist's soft voice took her out of her sexually induced stupor, giving her, her full and undivided attention while still massaging her temples.
"Nh."
"Promise me…you won't do anything…rash."
She immediately frowned. Okay…something bad really did happen…Stopping her ministrations she propped herself on her elbows higher and looked down at the worried look Michiru was giving her.
"What happened?" Her voice was tougher this time, her tone steely.
"Haruka…promise me." But Michiru would not yield either, her soft hands coming up to caress her cheeks.
"Tell me what happened first and I'll promise right after—
"You can't do that. You won't be able to…"
"Michiru…"
The blonde sighed loudly, her frown deepening.
"J…Jiro forced himself on me…"
And all of the sudden, all she could see was red. Dark…scarlet…red. She briefly saw sapphire eyes widening as her hands formed into balls, her body sliding off the smaller swiftly until she was almost out of the bed.
Sugiura Jiro…was going to die. She was going to make sure of it.
"Ha-Haruka!"
He dared touch her…
Turning swiftly around, she looked at Michiru's panicking figure who had by now also stood up, only on top of the bed, the hardwood floors underneath her feet cold in contrast to the burning fury raging in her system.
"What did he do to you?!"
She felt the violinist's arms embrace her shoulders, making their way up to her blonde locks as Michiru bent down to her until their foreheads touched.
"It was a kiss…it was just a kiss."
She could feel the warmth radiating from the smaller woman, feel her anger slowly, but surely dissipating as their eyes continued to lock and warm soft hands continued rubbing her scalp and playing with her hair.
It wasn't what she had feared…but he still touched her in a way she didn't want…
"I'm going to kill him," she stated dangerously, but the panicked look upon the aqua haired woman's face finally left and she only gave a chastising smile.
"Don't kill him…I don't want anything happening to you."
"You don't think I can handle him?"
"You can! I don't want anything happening to you afterwards…like lawsuits…or jail time…"
Haruka couldn't help, but laugh. "Will you visit me?"
"Everyday…now come back to bed…"
The blonde smirked at her pleading expression and nodded, receiving a small kiss on her forehead that helped quell the remaining bit of frustration in her body…for now. She wrapped her arms around the smaller woman's waist and buried herself between the concave of her breast, not feeling the little bit of action any sexually, but just comforting.
"If he does it again—
"He won't."
The violinist's lithe hands had begun playing with her hair again…and she somehow knew the aqua haired woman knew as well that, that little bit of action eased her anger and frustration away kind of easily.
"I'm going to punch him the next time I see him…"
"Haruka—
"I'm serious. He should know better than to do something like that."
"Nh."
"Was he rough? Are you okay?"
But Michiru only smiled as she looked up at her in concern, the anger in her eyes still there, but somewhat suppressed.
"I'm fine now…thank you for letting me come here."
Haruka sighed and moved back onto the bed, the smaller woman following her as she slid back under the covers.
"Sleep here tonight." She knew it sounded like a command and a question at the same time…but she didn't want the violinist sleeping alone and she knew she wouldn't get any sleep either if the other were to go to the other bedroom.
But Michiru never questioned it, opting instead to give her a small smile and laying back down beside her. They again laid on their sides, looking at one another in the dimmed room.
"I never want anything bad to happen to you," the blonde said softly and with a small troubled look upon her face. She reached out and touched the violinist's lips with her finger, sighing inwardly in satisfaction at how soft it felt and how badly she wanted to choke Sugiura for touching them in ways she wanted to as well.
She felt the lips turn into a smile and looked up at shining sapphire eyes, the smaller woman's hands coming upon hers and holding it.
"Let's sleep. We still have work tomorrow and," Michiru stopped herself for a moment to look at a hanging clock in the wall, "it's nearing two."
The tomboy nodded, letting her hand rest in the distance their two bodies didn't meet and smiling softly at the smaller woman's hands who joined her there. She was tired anyway…wanting to pummel Jiro earned her a small headache and her body's random and repetitive mood swings from feeling hot and bothered to angry and furious left her mind in a somewhat drained position.
"Night Michiru," she managed to say before her eyes finally started giving way to her lids.
She smiled at the small one the violinist gave her before feeling those soft lips kiss her hand. "Good night Haruka."
And sleep finally took her.
O--O
Michiru was willing herself to stay up, if only for a few more minutes. She missed this…watching Haruka sleep peacefully. She smiled at her adorable sleeping face and sat up just to have a better look.
She responded the way she knew she would when the topic of what Jiro did finally came into conversation. It was one of the reasons why she didn't want to tell her in the first place, but it felt good as well…the feeling of being protected…knowing someone would always be in her corner regardless of what happens.
Sooner than she expected, Jiro and all the troubles concerning him flew out of her mind and she could only see Haruka…and all the wonderful things following her. After tonight's fiasco, she just couldn't see how it would feel like to be with the red haired man, least of all marry him…but she could picture a long and happy life with the blonde…
Staying in this beach house forever with her didn't even seem long enough.
The blonde moved on her back, the slight movement grabbing the smaller woman's attention. She smiled at her endearing, unguarded form, feeling the familiar warmth inside her toss around. Her eyes flickered to the tomboy's parted lips and without even thinking about it, tucked a few curls behind her left ear and bent down.
Her eyes warily moved towards lidded emeralds, knowing full well that she couldn't make an excuse for herself if the blonde were to wake up and see her in that position. The rain outside seemed to double in frequency and noise, her arms prickling at the cold that had suddenly pervaded the room. But her lips were close and there were only a couple more inches to go until she would be able to feel the lips she had been dreaming and thinking about for well over a month now.
She smirked at how many times she'd have to do this…steal little midnight kisses…The thought didn't seem like a bad idea at all and her insides churned almost painfully at her to do it already, at which she conceded.
Glancing one last time to still closed eyes, she closed her own and closed in on the remaining couple inches, feeling the warm air coming out of the blonde's nose as their soft lips finally met. She couldn't remember them being this soft…and only groaned inwardly at the thought of how intoxicating it would be to be kissed like this again…with the blonde awake at the receiving end and giving her just as much, if not more.
Of course it wasn't a deep kiss at all, merely small repeated pecks, and as her insides lurched on and her body began feeling hot and bothered, she drew back, licking her lips as she did so and glancing with glazed eyes to still closed emeralds.
She could no longer feel Jiro's lips on her, her mind only reminding itself of the soft ones she just reacquainted herself with. Sighing softly, she laid back down and positioned herself so that her head rested comfortably on Haruka's broad shoulders, her arm coming around to snake itself around the taller woman's waist.
Here was where she belonged…no where and to no one else.
The blonde's comforting scent enveloped her, reminding her of what she had to do to feel the tomboy's presence the last time she spent the night here. Wearing dress shirts dwarfed in comparison to feeling the real thing, she conceded and hoped she would never be in such a situation with the blonde again to merit them not being able to hug this way.
She wondered briefly if she would be able to sleep with her like this again…or every single time she decided to spend the night here. Even worse than sleeping in that huge master bedroom alone with the scent of Haruka lingering on everything was the fact that the taller woman was in the other room…It almost seemed like the faiths were having a great time mocking her.
Sighing softly, more in content than anything, she closed her eyes and relished at the feeling of content rushing through her entire system. She felt balanced, complete. Haruka could be the only one in this world that would make her feel this…happy.
Looking up at the blonde's still sleeping figure, she gave a small smile and hugged her tighter.
"I'm glad I met you Haruka."
And with her whisper still echoing in her eardrums, she closed her eyes as well and welcomed sleep.
O--O
They had both woken before seven, Haruka's angry stomach lurching its protest making them both laugh in amusement. The storm outside hadn't ceased, the howling winds and violently crashing waves still imminent from the comfort of the warm beach house even with the combination of the roughly pouring rain.
As they were both rinsing their mouths of the toothpaste in the bathroom sink they were sharing, the blonde washed her face roughly and stated, "You should take some clothes here so you don't have to go back to your place to change."
Sapphire eyes looked at her hesitantly. "It won't be a problem?"
The tomboy merely shrugged. "It's troublesome for you more than for me…" she stated with a trail off. "I mean, not your entire closet, but some underwear and things you would want to wear to work…just so you don't have to keep going back and forth."
Michiru smiled at the thought of their underwear sharing a cabinet space together.
"I'll make some room tonight when I get back from work and whenever you have the time, just go ahead and take some things here from your place. The key's where you left it…and if you leave it there again, you can't call this place your haven anymore…"
Haruka smirked teasingly, the violinist's small pout making her pinch her cheeks endearingly.
"Didn't think it would be right to stay here…although I'm surprised you didn't throw away my toothbrush," the smaller woman stated softly, with a little hint of melancholy in her voice.
The tomboy merely smiled at her saddened form and rested her hands on her small waist. "This is our place…Regardless of what happens between us, I want you to always feel welcome here…Like some kind of a neutral zone. Never feel as if you don't belong here, 'cuz this place just isn't the same without you anyway."
They looked at one another softly for a moment before Michiru smiled warmly. Wrapping her arms around the blonde's neck, she whispered just loud enough for them to hear, "Thank you."
The smaller woman decided to shower first, Haruka going downstairs to ready their breakfast. She decided on a western meal, seeing as they both had a long day ahead of them and fixing it wouldn't be as time consuming. She began the task of cooking it and took out some eggs, bacon, and bread and pulled a non-stick pan out of the cupboard. She turned the stove on and placed the pan on the stove top, waving her hand to test the heat that hadn't made its way through the surface yet and rushed upstairs to her bedroom. She smiled momentarily at the little noises the shower was making with the occupant inside and went through her closet, pulling a black power suit to wear for the day as well as a towel and the underwear that would accompany it; she would be taking a bath after the violinist as well.
She gulped at the thought of just going in there before inwardly smacking herself and remembering the pan she left out to heat up.
When she got back downstairs, the pan was more than hot enough to start cooking in so she immediately pulled several pieces of bacon from inside the package and nestled them in the pan, the meat sizzling as it touched the searing surface and minutes later, its succulent smell successfully wafted the entirety of the kitchen. As it continued cooking, Haruka quickly washed her hands and grabbed a spatula, turning the cooking pieces around expertly when she felt they were cooked well enough. She worked in quiet, but quick ease, grabbing a plate from another cupboard to hoard the cooked bacon in and cracking the eggs with one hand into the still hot pan, using the oil from the bacon to cook in instead of olive oil.
She looked at the clock momentarily and felt the need to hasten even more. Michiru still needed to go back home to change for her radio interviews and it sounded as if she would be having a pretty hectic day in general.
As the eggs sizzled to life, she grabbed two pieces of bread and pushed them in the small toaster oven, just in time to turn around to see an amused violinist standing next to the dining table.
"You look like you're in a rush," she said with mirth and Haruka could only smile.
"You still need to go home to change and I didn't want you to be late," she stated easily and grabbed the four eggs cooking on the pan and transferred them beside the bacon in the same plate, eyeing the way Michiru's hair shined with the light.
Taking the plate filled with their breakfast, she turned off the stove and deposited it on the table.
"Your toast is in the oven. Go ahead and eat without me. If I'm not done with my shower and you have to go, just go. Have a good day."
She held her casually in the waist with one arm and kissed her in the temple softly before making her way upstairs and disappearing altogether. Sapphire eyes widened at her small show of endearment and smiled at the lingering feeling of the tomboy's soft lips on the side of her head. Looking at the still hot breakfast, she sighed a little as the sound of the toaster popped the bread out. She made her way in to the kitchen and took two more plates out, one she kept empty and the other she placed the toasted bread in. She inserted two more already sliced pieces of bread into the waiting toaster before walking back into the dining table, placing the plate with the toast on her side and the empty one where Haruka would be sitting.
The silly girl thought she needed to eat breakfast without her just to get to work sooner? She chuckled at the thought…and waited patiently at her seat, reminiscing the night they had shared together.
When Haruka got back downstairs she was surprised to see the violinist still there…and even more-so not eating and waiting oh so patiently for her.
"Michiru…aren't you going to be late?" she asked as she slung the unmade, black silk tie around her white collared dress shirt and popped the collars up.
But the smaller woman merely smiled at her still hurrying form, got up from her seat and walked towards her. She stood in front of her and pulled the two ends of the tie with her hands, twisting it around and tying it for her. The tomboy smirked and held her head higher, her hands going up to rest comfortably on the other's waist.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Michiru asked in an almost chastising manner and she could only laugh deeply.
"I thought you would be…" she stated and moved her head around to accommodate the violinist's soft hands that were pulling her collar down. She looked down at her tie and suddenly felt warm, the knowledge that it was Michiru who fixed it for her making her so much happier and content than she thought it would. It was…a domesticated thought…the little things that brought her more happiness than the big things ever could.
"I always have time to join you in eating Haruka…especially if you were the one to take your time to make it."
The tomboy smiled at her words and both of them finally made their way to the dining table, two pieces of toast resting on her plate.
"It's a little warm now, but it probably tastes just as good as you intended it to anyway," Michiru teased.
So they ate their breakfast with relative ease, comfort and content washing over their features as they relayed to each other what their busy day would entail: Haruka would be in board meetings all day discussing a new construction plan and Michiru visiting a lot of radio stations to promote her album. It felt and looked as if they were a family. If there was a child even in the midst of them…a brother, sister, or nephew…it would definitely look like a normal, happy family and imagining it as looking so made both parties feel all the more…complete.
At seven thirty, they ended breakfast and stacked the dishes in the sink full of water, Haruka insisting she would take care of it later. Putting her blazer around the smaller woman, she took the spare key from the top of the desk and placed it in Michiru's open palm, their eyes locking seriously if only for a moment. The violinist closed her hands on it tightly and embraced the tall woman, already knowing that she would miss her presence during the day that would feel too long after the great one they spent together yesterday.
The tomboy opened the front door of the beach house soon after, the standing figure of Michiru's aging driver standing on the side of it with an umbrella already opened and waiting.
"Good morning Satoshi-san," she greeted with a friendly smile, and the old man could only smile sweetly back.
"Good morning Tenoh-sama, ojou-sama," he greeted back and placed the umbrella over all of them. "I trust you both had a wonderful night?"
Michiru smiled and nodded. "Thank you for taking me here last night by the way…"
"Ojou-sama…it is my job almost as it is my pleasure," Satoshi stated and waved her worried look away.
Putting her arms casually on the smaller woman's shoulders to make sure her blazer stayed in its place, Haruka replied, "I hope my mother wasn't much trouble?"
The driver laughed deeply. "She…definitely is your mother."
The blonde smirked at the statement she decided sounded more like a comment than anything else and all of them made their way to the waiting limo, Satoshi opening the door for Michiru when they got closer. The violinist took the warm blazer off and helped the tomboy into it this time, smiling as she did so at the wide smile her peripherals caught her driver sporting.
"Have a good day at work. I'll…probably see you tonight," she said softly and leaned into her for one last hug.
Haruka merely smiled and hugged her back, tucking some of her strands of hair behind her ears as the wind picked it up and danced with it. "You too. I'll be here. Try to come sooner so I don't have to do all the cooking."
The violinist gave a carefree smile and nodded before going in and remained looking at her as Satoshi closed the door.
"I'll take you to your car Tenoh-sama," he offered and the blonde could only smile and nod, the umbrella shielding them from the pouring rain properly. As they neared her car and she turned the alarm off to open the door, the old man extended his free hand to her for a shake, one that she took immediately even though she didn't quite get why he had requested a silent shake to begin with. "Thank you for taking care of ojou-sama last night. I'm not entirely sure what happened, but…my opinion of you has reached an all new height. Not to say I didn't like you before Tenoh-sama, but I definitely like you more now. Please continue to take care of Michiru-chan…she deserves someone who'll love her unconditionally."
Emerald eyes looked at him seriously as she could only give a nod. "Thanks for taking her here."
She smiled handsomely and bowed gratefully as she entered the car, rain free from the driver's thoughtfulness. She turned it on and waited for it to heat up, looking longingly at the limo that made its way out of her property and sensing the smaller woman's eyes on her even though the tinted glass hid any notion of it away.