Chapter 21: Digging up the Past
Haruka had forcibly carried her upstairs with a look of hunger in her emerald eyes she hadn't seen for a while…not that she was complaining. The bedroom door shut close as soon as it banged open and sooner than she thought it was possible, her back was to the cool sheets of the familiarly large bed and the blonde was over her still form, the weights of her palms against the sides of the bed near her ears dipped low and pronounce.
"Haruka…"
"Shh, no talk," she grunted and neared her face to hers. "I'm tired of talking."
If it wasn't the first time in a hell of a long time she's felt the familiar ravaging and burning of her body bursting out in repetitive waves, she would've though the whole thing comical. They had both lasted this long in maintaining their distance and desires in a somewhat platonic borderline lovers kind of way and now that the truths were laid out before them, waiting seemed too…hard…
But then the okayu was brought to her mind again and she saw how the tomboy had noticed the brief opening of her mouth to say something which she dispelled by coming down and kissing her…hard. The okayu was once again shoved at the back.
Automatically, her hands rose to the air and embraced the blonde's neck, her lithe fingers brushing through wild locks in need and forcing their already hunger filled kiss to steadily grow with more force and desperation. She missed this. As much if not more than Haruka. And as their kiss grew in length as well as hunger, her hands had made their way down to the taller woman's dress shirt and had begun the arduous task of pulling it out of its tucked form.
She felt her way up to the dress shirt's buttons, smirked amidst the tomboy's kiss as she purposely felt her up and making the taller woman shudder, open her lust filled eyes, and glare at her as she merely pecked her and ended the kiss.
The blonde chose this time to scoop her from her waist and pull her back so she was sitting on her lap and as she looked down, her smile widened to a grin at the troubled look Haruka was giving her sundress and took the opportunity to get finished with unbuttoning her dress shirt.
"Michiru…"
"You figure it out," she teased earning another glare from the tomboy. "Don't rip it like you did with my first dress though okay?"
"If it gets you naked, I'm going to rip it to shreds…"
She laughed, touching their foreheads together and giving a soft and endearing look at the woman she's held herself back from for so long.
"I miss you…" she whispered and she didn't care if she sounded desperate or pained. A sad frown flittered on her face as she realized how much time they lost and how divided they once were, but knowing it was for the better it had happened because both of their feelings were tested and strengthened in the process. Everything that she went through was worth it if only for this little point in time where she was embraced wholeheartedly by Haruka and not in a way that meant little or nothing to each of them.
The blonde merely gave her a soft, understanding smile and leaned up to her for another kiss. Dipping down and touching those soft lips again, she marveled at how good she felt…how content her body was from just kissing while at the same time burning with a desire that she could only dispel for just a couple more minutes.
There was no fight for dominance, nor was it like the fiery ones they had just shared continuously since their confessions were made. It was soft and loving and filled with promises that they knew they'd never break even if it meant running away from everything they had just worked for and getting disowned by everyone in the process.
As long as you're with me.
Their kiss ended, leaving them both feeling breathless and leaning on one another's foreheads, the look of hunger and desire imminent in both of their eyes once more.
And as soon as Haruka had pulled her dress shirt off and tossed it carelessly on the ground along with her undershirt, the violinist had reached the back of her dress shirt and unzipped it, sliding it out from under her and noting the look of lust once again glazed in those endearing emeralds. The blonde leaned into her for a hug, her kisses trailing from her neck to the valley of her breasts and she couldn't for the life of her stop that familiar feeling in the bottom of her stomach to rise and get even more pronounced as the taller woman's ministrations continued. Her bra had come undone and she hadn't even noticed it until Haruka was cupping one of her breasts, her thumb pressing and rubbing one of her mounds and her head dipping lower and finally capturing the unoccupied one.
She ceased thinking, grabbed a fist full of wild, sandy blonde hair and moaned loudly as the blonde pushed her back on the bed, the hotness her body was reverberating in harsh contrast with the cool blankets behind her. Her hips were buckling and unbuckling automatically and she couldn't help, but feel the smile on Haruka's lips as her ministrations continued.
Michiru moaned her name out loud causing her tongue to flick wilder and faster. Her hands balled into fists, pulling at Haruka's hair continuously and sliding to her back where she couldn't help, but scratch bareness of her back. Occupying herself and her rampant mind from going even more off the edge, she fiddled with the taller woman's bra in the hopes of taking it off.
"No!"
"Haruka!"
The blonde gave her one more glare before taking both of her hands with hers and locking them in place over her head.
"I need cuffs for you," she grunted and smirked at her.
"You're not being very fair right now…"
"I want you…You can have me later."
"Why can't I have you now and you can have me later?"
Haruka vehemently shook her head. "And we can't do it simultaneously since multitasking in this sense sucks for me."
Michiru laughed as the blonde's grip eased on her wrist. Pulling her arms back, she reached up to stroke her soft cheeks and smiled at her endearingly. Dipping lower towards her, the tomboy returned the smile and kissed her on the cheek.
"I love you Michiru."
Her breath hitched at her soft declaration and the heaviness in her heart was all she could take. Embracing Haruka wholeheartedly, she closed her eyes as they shared a hug, an action that shook her far more than any kisses or anything more physically taxing.
"Back when we were in a casual relationship," the taller woman stated in a whisper. "I found out I liked you much more than my intentions when I saw how much you were hurting from your family's situation…after the dinner."
She remained quiet as the blonde's hands rubbed her tummy affectionately.
"When you came home that night…I really wanted you to open up to me in regards to that situation…but because of our relationship and how shallow it was…there was no way I knew you would…because I was…well…your 'screw buddy' and screw buddies aren't supposed to talk about something like that. And I knew…I would gladly give up having sex with you just to talk to you about the things that were more important to you than relieving your mind and your body for only a couple of hours."
Emeralds and sapphires locked and her heart hurt at seeing the pain there, and how much she had inflicted as an end result of their decision.
"It kind of hurt…that you didn't want to talk about it…but at the same time, I completely understood why and I could only blame myself because I was the one who proposed the idea of a casual relationship in the first place…"
"Haruka…"
The blonde smiled up at her…that same handsome and kind smile she's seen throughout their relationship, friends or otherwise, and her heart broke at the amount of pain there was. They had both gone through so much…for the sake of one another…and she just hoped that they would be able to talk about everything in the small amount of time this life had given them permission for.
"To tell you the truth…I didn't want to have sex with you afterwards…knowing fully it would feel different because it was just sex…and nothing more. I wanted to know how it would feel if we were two people making love instead of having casual sex and…I just…really wanted to know the difference…And now that I can…I don't know…I'm just really happy I guess…"
"Haruka, you're so cute."
The tomboy laughed and propped herself up on her elbows, hanging above her once more as a loving and soft smile stayed glued on her features.
"I love you and I want to show you…and although there probably won't be a difference in regards to what I do tonight, everything that I'm doing is with the intent that I'm here to show you that there isn't anyone in this world I'd rather be with than with you. I can't have anyone else, but you…and I hope you feel the same way."
She gulped at the heaviness she felt and reached up to her once again, all words leaving her. Dipping down, they shared another kiss and she marveled at how sweet and careful Haruka was…as if doing one wrong move would dispel the wonder that they were both in, in that one single moment.
O-----O
"Open it."
They were both naked and the blonde was too occupied at feeling the warmth of the smaller woman's back against her stomach. Reaching one hand to the lamp table while embracing Michiru with the other, she grabbed a hold of the well wrapped package and set it on the violinist's lap where a blanket covered her more intimate parts she just reacquainted herself with for the better part of the last hour. She smirked.
Putting her attention back on the package, she gave the aqua haired woman a questioning look as she placed her chin on her shoulder.
"What is it?"
Sapphire eyes rolled. "Open it…"
She laughed and playfully pinched an exposed nipple, earning an elicited sharp intake of a breath and a slap on her side.
"Uncalled for."
Her laugh deepened as her hands picked at the wrapping paper, tearing it carefully even though all parts of her told her to just rip it in half already. Her smile dropped as the familiar feel and look of a black rectangular box came to her view, the picture of a diamond engraved on the velvety top portion of the box telling her everything she already knew.
She gave a look of surprise at expectant sapphires as her heart drummed in anticipation. Opening it, her breath hitched and she found the most elaborate and beautiful ring hanging on a white gold chain. She picked it up, eyed the repetition of yellow and aquamarine which reminded her of the ring she picked up for the same woman who had just given her one, and smiled.
"You like it?"
What a dumb question…
"That's a dumb question," she stated, reiterating what her mind just said.
She earned another playful slap, one that she just laughed off and embraced Michiru tightly, initiating a kiss as she leaned further towards her lush lips.
Picking up the box, the violinist turned to her and sat on her lap, earning her a very nice view and a small roll of sapphire eyes.
"Nothing you've seen before love."
"Nothing I'll ever be tired of seeing…love."
She gave a cheeky smile as the smaller woman merely smiled back in exasperation, her hands holding on to the chain. Leaning towards her, she kissed her deeply while her hands slid to the back of her neck and the cool metallic feel of the chain and the ring landed on her warm body. As their kiss ended and the familiar soft feeling of the other's soft lips lingered on hers, she looked down at the valley of her breasts and smiled at the shining ring that lay there proudly.
"I love you too," Michiru's soft voice said, and she looked up at sapphires that locked seriously with hers. "Always wear it near your heart until I can proudly place it in your ring finger."
Her hands brushed softly on her cheeks again and she could only gulp at how overwhelming her feelings had just gotten. And just as she leaned forward once again to kiss those lips she's already missed, the violinist sat straight up alertly, her sapphires narrowing in confusion.
"What?"
Michiru's eyes widened as she got off of her lap, flung the door to the closet open, grabbed a robe, and began making her way downstairs, as she put it on.
"Michiru!" she called in confusion, grabbed some shorts and undershirt as well and started making her way down, the smell and the smoke finally letting her understand what had happened.
The okayu…
She sighed and ran the rest of the way downstairs to find Michiru pushing the smoking pot out of the hot stove, turning the knob off, and turning the blower on. Haruka busied herself with the windows, cracking them open all the way and inviting the salty smell that invaded the household roughly. Turning to the smaller woman who stood amidst the smoke and coughing a little, she walked towards her, grabbed a hold of her hand, and led her outside, the cold wind embracing them right as they stepped outside.
The violinist gave her an even look.
"What? You can't blame this on me!" she cried exasperatedly.
The aqua haired woman sighed. "I was trying to tell you about it when we were upstairs, but you were too horny to care!"
"Pfft! And you weren't?"
"It was definitely in the forefront of my mind until you started…doing your…thing."
She laughed brashly and held Michiru by the waist, looking down at her lovingly. "Doing what thing?"
"You know what I'm talking about…" the smaller woman stated with an exasperated smile and leaned into her for a hug. She shivered slightly. "It's cold."
"Let's head upstairs, close the door, and act like this never happened," Haruka proposed, embracing her with both arms and pulling her closer.
Sapphires looked up and gave her an even stare. "You'd like that…But weren't you hungry?"
"Oh yeah…I'm…definitely…hungry."
The violinist rolled her eyes at the playful look of lust in her emeralds and she led the way back inside, waving the smoke away that greeted them and making her way upstairs, Haruka following and looking at their locked hands with a smile in the process.
"Let's grab a bite to eat?"
The tomboy nodded. "Sounds good…after a bath?"
Michiru laughed and sidled up beside her, giving her a dangerous look that made her wish (or not) that she hadn't said that.
"A bath sounds wonderful Haruka. Is this time my supposed turn?"
"Not if I can get in you first."
The aqua haired woman gave her a challenging look that all the more ravaged her already burning insides.
"I dare you," she whispered dangerously, gave her a quick peck on the lips and sauntered her way to the bathroom, her hips swaying deliciously in the process.
As she went out of view, Haruka could only breathe deeply and turned around, her hands clawing the cabinets for a towel that they're both going to share afterwards. Her ears perked to the sounds of the heavy water falling into the tub and she smiled at how everything was finally turning right for the two of them.
It's been a long time…and she marveled at how excited Michiru could still make her feel regardless of the fact that they've been together before. She figured that was normal…she's been waiting this long to be where she was now with the biggest dread that there wouldn't be a relationship with her after this whole ordeal was taken care of, but…it really wasn't taken care of. And she wondered briefly how it's going to end. Would Michiru have to pick her between her parents? She didn't want to ever see it like that…but…she was beginning to think that, that would be the case.
"Haruka?"
She looked back at her and couldn't erase the worried look on her features on time. She mentally kicked herself.
"Is something wrong?"
She shook her head and raised the towel up with a smile. "Found it."
The worried look that had graced the violinist's beautiful face didn't go away and she wished she could've just taken her expression back. She wanted this to be the night that neither of them would think about tomorrow…or next week…when decisions needed to be made for the sake of everyone's future.
Michiru walked up to her and reached up to her cheeks, stroking them softly.
"Don't feel as if you need to hide anything from me," she said with a pained expression. "I want you to always feel as if you can come to me…with any problem. It's what I'm here for…You don't ever have to feel alone. I'm here with you…every step of the way."
Haruka sighed…in overwhelming sadness. "What's going to happen? I can't…I don't want to…share you—
"You're not going to share me. You never have."
She shook her head, the thoughts of Kaioh-Miroku, Michiru's parents, and most importantly…Jiro…plaguing her mind. "I can't help, but feel like…nothing is going to go right. We'll be fine…but at the expense of your parents' company going down, your relationship with them…and Jiro-kun…" The tomboy looked away conflicted. "We both know he's been the best guy in the world…given the circumstances that he's going through. And I hate to think he's going to be punished for being that same great guy."
Michiru stood before her silently, their looks of worry mirroring one another's. Then as emeralds and sapphires looked up and locked evenly, a ring tone broke the silent air. Their attentions flittered to the violinist's discarded bag where her phone rang continuously on. She didn't look like she wanted to pick it up, but Haruka walked out of their semi-embrace and picked the bag up, went through it, and gave the vibrating and shrilling phone to the smaller woman.
Taking it from her open hand, Michiru pressed the call button and answered it, her head falling softly on Haruka's shoulder as the blonde could only hug her by the waist.
"Hello?"
Haruka could hear the person on the other line. It sounded like the smaller woman's father…and from the little amounts that she could hear…he sounded kind of…frantic. She looked at the violinist to gauge a reaction and her curiosity only piqued as sapphires widened in shock.
"Ojii-san? Why? What happened?"
Sapphire eyes flickered every which way in confusion as she could only nod, her appearance getting even more conflicted as the seconds passed.
"Nh, I'll be there shortly."
She hung up the phone and gave a pronounced and worried look at the blonde, Haruka's confusion and concern growing.
"Ojii-san had a heart attack," she said softly and gulped as emeralds widened. "They took him to a hospital near his tea house, but no one's there and my parents are only leaving now because they were just told now. Can we—
"Let's go," the tomboy stated resolutely, with no room for dispute or disagreement. "Go ahead and freshen up, I'll turn off the bathtub, start the car and get into something. It'll be fine…don't worry."
She gave her a chaste kiss, with a serious, but comforting look, went to the bathroom to turn off the tub and came back out to find the violinist going through the closet for clothes. She reached into her old trousers for the keys to her car and ran downstairs, her worry emanating and her thoughts running rampant. She didn't know what these turn of events meant, but she knew…it could only be bad. Her senses screamed it at her.
Unlocking the door and shivering slightly as the cold rain and harsh winds blew at her direction, she twisted the ignition key and started the car, turning the heater and defogger on in the process before making her way back out and running back inside the house. Making her way upstairs, she noted the creased frown on Michiru's beautiful features and swept her with a quick comforting hug and a kiss to her forehead, eliciting the small smile she wanted before pinching her chin silently and turning around to wear anything suitable in her closet.
As she buttoned a light blue dress shirt on, she looked behind her at the violinist who was also putting a sundress on and finished by shrugging her long, familiar white leather coat atop it. Haruka finished her ensemble with tan slacks and a tan blazer as well, grabbed her cell phone, keys and wallet, put on some socks and tied on a pair of shiningly polished loafers.
"Ready?"
She looked up to Michiru who just got done putting on some shoes as well and was in the process of putting her cell phone back in the purse she now held in her hands. She nodded, raised her hand towards her and gave a reassuring smile. The violinist took her hand in hers as well and smiled back, although the worry emanating from her features never ceased.
She sighed inwardly, hoping against hope that she would be able to do something in this situation even though everything was out of her reach. She led them back downstairs, gave a quick and saddened note at their burnt dinner, and opened the front door. Hugging the smaller woman to her as rough winds and harsh rain greeted the two of them, she shielded Michiru with her blazer as they simultaneously made their way to the car, Haruka opening it for her and her going inside shortly thereafter.
As soon as the blonde had gotten inside and both of their seatbelts were securely fastened, the blonde gave the violinist another reassuring smile before gunning out of the beach house, their hands holding tightly during the entire trip.
O-----O
They had arrived at Shinso Hospital after thirty minutes. Haruka had driven like a maniac, but her mind had been too occupied to chide or even notice.
"I'll look for parking. Go ahead and find your parents inside," the blonde said encouragingly and she could only smile at how wonderful she was.
She leaned in for a kiss, one neither deepened because of the situation as she gave her one last look of desperation. "Come in as soon as you can."
"I know."
Sharing one last smile, the violinist opened the car door, made her way out, and shut it, walking to the direction of the front door as she did so. The place wasn't so busy, the two stories making up the whole of the hospital. She wasn't surprised…It was a predominantly small populated town and the building only stood here at times as a pretense that things would be fine in case of emergencies. Walking up to the receptionist, the woman behind the counter gave a look of surprise and understanding at her presence even before she spoke.
"Kaioh-san is in the emergency room. Your parents are in the waiting room at the moment. I'll lead the way. Please follow me."
Michiru nodded, expecting something like this to happen. "My…someone…is here with me as well. A Tenoh Haruka…can you direct her to me when she arrives?"
The receptionist bowed in understanding. "Of course ma'am. As you wish."
She followed her through the white washed hallways and an involuntary shudder rose through her even though the building was quite warm. She was never comfortable inside hospitals. It screamed of death and despair…She could only wish that this time around…this wasn't the case.
The receptionist opened the door to an almost empty room. Her mother who was rubbing her father's back looked up at her expectantly and smiled, the worried look in her features not wavering the least bit.
Sharing a hug with each of them, her heart grew heavier at the sight of Shinji. He looked so tired and depressed that she couldn't help, but just stay hugging him until he gave her a reassuring, albeit fake smile that hid none of the torrent of depression he felt inside.
"It'll be alright Otou-san," Michiru said softly and he could only nod silently.
She sat beside him to his left as her mother resumed her position to his right.
"What happened?" she asked, not really knowing what they should talk about because of what just transpired between them as a family.
"The maids at the tea house told us that he's been having all kinds of pain the entire week," Shina stated with a sigh. "It varied…from pains in the arms or his neck and a lot of them just thought that maybe he's been overexerting himself as he usually does. But…he was having cases of angina and his heart hasn't been getting enough oxygen as of late. Couple that with the stress he usually gives himself when working at the tea house as well as the cold weather we've been having recently and…"
She trailed off with a sense of foreboding and the violinist could only nod in understanding.
Michiru didn't really know how to feel about the situation. Although she and her grandfather knew one another…she never really could say they were in a close relationship. Everything between them always seemed, more or less, forced…and the last time she visited…well…her opinion of him lessened even more, to say the least. Nevertheless it pained her to see her father's worried expression and she knew of all people, he was close to him…far more-so than he was to his late mother.
The door opened and all of them looked up to Haruka's neutral form. She bowed to each of them in greeting as they could only look at her in mild surprise.
"I was with Haruka when you called," Michiru said to her father. "She drove me here."
Shinji nodded and looked up to the blonde gratefully. "Thank you, Tenoh-san."
But the tall woman merely shook her head. "It's no problem. How's Kaioh-san doing?"
"He's in the OR," Shina answered with the same worried look upon her tired face. "We're not really sure what's going on, but…I'm pretty sure they're doing all that they can."
The young CEO nodded and took a seat in front of all of them across the room. Michiru inwardly pouted at the distance between them and she motioned her to sit next to her, the action not missed by her parents. Haruka sheepishly got up and sat next to her as the door flew open once more.
"Oh, thank god…" Shinji breathed loudly and got up at the sight of new faces. "Rui-san, Greg-san, thank you for coming at such short notice."
"Flew as soon as you called, Kaioh-san," one of them bowed.
"Our presence is being known to the doctors in the OR. We're going to prep up and see the damage. I'm pretty sure your father's going to be alright though," the other stated.
The elder male Kaioh nodded. "Good…I'm glad to hear."
They bowed to one another once more before the two took their leave.
"Doctors?" Haruka asked.
"The best heart surgeons in Japan…probably," the violinist answered as her father came back and sat down on his original seat.
"Yes…yes they are," he sighed and gripped his temples. "I have faith in them though…They're not the best just because they need a title…"
Looking up at her and then at Haruka, he gave a small smile amidst the heavy frown in his face and got up again.
"I feel jittery," he grunted, and paced the floor before all of them. "Tenoh-san…care to get coffee with me?"
She was instantly worried. Looking up at Haruka, she saw the small amount of hesitation there before the blonde nodded.
"Sure, Kaioh-san."
"Michiru-chan…just stay here with your mother and…wait for them. They might need to talk to someone about something and I'd hate for someone to be alone here taking the full brunt of the information."
She looked up at the tomboy who only gave her a reassuring smile. Feeling a little at a loss and hoping that her father wouldn't do anything more than the situation called for, she nodded, albeit slowly and hesitantly.
She watched them leave and sighed loudly, giving her mother a look of concern.
"Should I be worried?"
But Shina only smiled through her worried frown as well, and shook her head. "I think…your father just wants to talk to someone he can relate to right now."
"And…he can relate with Haruka…how?"
"She lost her father. I'm pretty sure they both know how each other feels."
O-----O
Haruka wasn't really sure what Shinji wanted from her…but she doubted he came for a fight. Nevertheless, she was thinking he brought her out of that waiting room to talk to her privately about her decision of staying away from her daughter that…she just completely blew within the last several hours.
"Can you believe that there's a twenty-four hour coffee shop a mile from here?" he asked conversationally, and the blonde wished he didn't need to think he'd have to try so hard at a conversation, but she shook her head nonetheless.
"In such a small town…I doubt there's much of anything open twenty four hours," she answered easily.
Shinji shook his head. "A lot of things are actually," he stated. "It's a rich people's town…and the people working here's only aim is to always be available to these rich people."
She nodded understandingly. "It's funny," she started. "As a person coming from a pretty rich background, I've come to terms with my own selfishness and…don't really care for minute details like what you just said…But when money isn't the solver to a problem…you feel kind of human…just like everyone else…"
She looked up at tired sapphire eyes and grew even more worried. Shinji only nodded and smiled sadly.
"It's the sad truth," he said with a shrug. "You always feel invincible…until you realize there's nothing you can really do…even if you have all the money in the world. All you have is waiting…It's not up to you how long you have to wait…but you have to wait nevertheless…and for someone as impatient as us…a minute could take forever."
Haruka smirked at how truthful the older man's words were and nodded in understanding and agreement.
She pushed the door open for him and as soon as they made their way to the coldness outside, directed him to her parked car. They got in silently and drove off, the tomboy following his directions to the coffee shop he mentioned earlier.
A couple minutes into the silent and dark roads, they came across a small plaza that seemed a little out of the motif of the small town, but at the same time made sense because this was probably the only place everyone could shop for groceries and buy all the necessary items in their houses if only to continue living a kind of small town life everyone was used to.
The blonde also took note of the one story coffeehouse that looked a lot like a cabin, with brown hickory wood lining up every which way of the establishment and large clear windows that showed the dimly lit aura of the inside. She parked the car in the nearest available spot and got out along with the other tycoon, making their way inside as a cute barista greeted them from behind the counter.
"Black…largest size you have," Shinji stated roughly as she nodded in assent.
He looked up at her as she looked up at the menu at the top.
She shrugged. "Same…black. Two cubes of sugar."
The barista nodded and rang up their items, the elder male Kaioh insisting on taking the bill and Haruka nodding in agreement shortly. They loitered silently at the pick up line and the blonde noticed that even though the time was pretty late at night, the coffeehouse still seemed relatively lively. Jazz music floated above them merrily and there was an amount of customers still present in the small establishment.
As soon as their drinks were ready, the elder male Kaioh picked up her drink, handed it to her and got his as well. Surprising her a little, he walked to a small table and motioned for her to join him.
"Operation won't be finished for a little while longer and being inside hospitals is uncomfortable for me," he grunted the unspoken question, and she could only nod in understanding.
Not wanting to beat around the bush any longer, she sipped the piping hot coffee and cleared her throat at the bitterness of it.
"Any reason why you called me out tonight, Kaioh-san?" she asked, her emeralds locking with tired sapphires. "I mean, I don't want to give the impression that I don't think you called me out for coffee just for that reason, but…"
She trailed off as he gave a flicker of a smile.
"Are you close to any of your parents?"
She wasn't expecting that…Taking herself out of her unguarded position, she gave a little thought to it and nodded. "I'm pretty close to them."
He nodded. "Who are you closer to?"
"My mother…definitely."
"Hmm…exact opposite of me," he said softly, gave a small sad smile, and drank some of his coffee as well. Putting his coffee down, he gave her a questioning look and asked, "Why weren't you close to your father?"
She wasn't really sure if she wanted to talk to him about this, but she figured with what he was going through, it was worth it to spend a little bit of time in digging up the past.
"He was the father I always liked," she started and stared at the tip of her coffee cup. "He was very lenient when I was a kid and…he was the 'cool dad', I suppose. I think I would've been very close to him if he just wasn't so busy all the time…"
"I remember you saying something about…throwing shoes and running away…one day?"
She laughed and shook her head at herself. Biting the bottom of her lip in the midst of her reminiscing, she looked up at amused sapphires and chuckled some more.
"I was a huge problem child growing up."
Shinji laughed as well at her deliberate and brash statement.
She could only shrug. "I don't know…what I was thinking…but I remember loving my father to bits and pieces and…when he was there, he was just the coolest dad ever. He was always letting me get away with everything and my mother would be the one to have to pick up the pieces and when she chastised him for being so easygoing, I always marveled at how easily he could just wave her concern away and then wink at me afterwards…like it was no big deal at all."
Sapphires twinkled in amusement as her reminiscing continued.
"But that was when he was there…and he was rarely there…" Haruka sighed, her smile coming down pronouncedly. "When I was a kid, there was little I could understand. I knew he was busy with work, but…what's a weekend cost to spend time with his kid? I never really thought it was a big deal if he could just stay for a whole month and just…hang out with me…So I requested it and he kept planning things only to destroy those plans because an important meeting would come up or…another project would arise…and as a kid, I couldn't understand why he needed to work. I had the clothes I wanted…the toys…the house. As a family, we had everything…so why did they need to keep working?
"One night…I felt extra mischievous apparently…and I always remembered seeing my dad go off to work with a tie and his dress shoes all nice and tidy and I was thinking, 'If he doesn't have ties or shoes…he can't go to work…which means he's going to stay home…which means more time with me.'"
Shinji chuckled in amusement as she shrugged at how primitive and immature her own self was back then.
"Did you do it?" he asked in amused curiosity.
She looked at him exasperatedly. "I was ten! Of course I did it!"
He threw his head back in laughter as she shook her head at herself and smiled widely as well.
"What did he do?"
"He was sooooo pissed."
"Oh I would assume so…"
She nodded vigorously. "I was sent to bed without dinner after my spankings and I just remembered hating him afterwards…and I was thinking, what would be the best revenge? Running away! So…like the little fool I was…I ran away…to my godparents house and they caught up to me halfway through there. I never realized how far away they lived…until I tried walking it from ten in the evening til two in the morning."
"I think I would've definitely punished you some more if I found out you did that…"
Haruka nodded. "I would do it too if my kid did that…but my parents…I think they were just completely worried…After I was born they didn't try to make another child. I'm not really sure if there were complications or whatever, but I didn't realize how much they based their life around me…until that night…and I seriously thought that they would punish me more than anything, but they didn't. My mother apologized for not giving me dinner…my father apologized for spanking me and in the end…I felt like everything was my fault for causing them so much heartache…so I never told either of them why I did what I did. I just let it go until they forgot and everything went back to normal."
The elder male Kaioh nodded in understanding, the same sad look flittering in his sapphire eyes. Sighing, he looked down at his coffee and leaned back into his chair, his gaze flickering to the dark world outside.
"I completely hated my childhood."
Emeralds widened at his declaration as his eyes stayed glued to the window.
"My mother…all I know about her was her name…technically. Aiko Chiyo. She reverted back to her last name after their marriage of a couple years and birth to me and completely resigned herself to her family's estate even though nothing of their 'divorce' was ever made official on paper.
"My father…just like yours…worked and probably lived in Kaioh Tea Company much more than at the Kaioh Estate and I knew the maids that took care of me more than I ever knew him."
Haruka remained silent at the angry and sad words that came out of the man before her. She could somewhat relate to his feelings…because she had a lot of anger issues when she dealt with her own father and his absence…but she knew it wasn't even close to how Shinji felt for his.
"I learned early on that I loved to prove people wrong," he continued, and gave a little smirk at how rebellious his words were. "My father didn't care much about me, but I showed as if I didn't care. Instead, I wanted to show him that I would be the one to take his company out of his hands…so during high school, tea ceremonies, tea cups, tea leaves, everything that's even remotely close to the word 'tea' was learned by me. I wanted to snatch it all out of his hands…and make him feel afterwards as if…he should've tried harder.
"Word got to him that I was interested in the business and…my after school program became a kind of…joined activity with him. He invited me to the tea company after all my classes were done and he showed me everything there was in there. He showed me proper techniques when dealing with the right people, the paperwork and after high school he just kind of asked if…I wanted it…
"I got very close to him during this time and he became that father I never thought was there. We never ever spoke about my childhood and no one ever apologized for the time lost or how we spent it, but I always felt…it was so worth it to spend those couple of years with him and just train under him…as an employer…an apprentice…and probably lastly…his child.
"He wanted me to marry Shina at twenty. It felt like a kind of slap in the face because Miroku Tea Company was our rival and Shina…well…she was damn good at what she did…and it felt as if he didn't trust me with his own company if not for another presence there. But then my childhood mentality came along again…and I wanted to prove to him that an arranged marriage didn't have to mean a failed one…so I married her and…we were good…for a while."
Sapphires connected with interested emeralds and he just smiled it off.
"With my kind of childhood, I don't know why I care right now. I don't know why it's even striking me this badly—
"He's your father…" Haruka said easily and seriously. "And you're human…it's only right to feel the way you do."
Shinji sighed and shook his head, but the blonde wouldn't give him a word edge-wise.
"My father died of lung cancer…but not before he literally forced me to take his place in the company," she stated, lowly and somewhat angrily. Her frown deepened. "He claimed…he'd been lenient and that I owed it to him…At that point in time, I didn't think I owed him anything. I was his child and if anything, he owed me something…But when it came down to it…I did what I was told. I completely let go of any aspirations I had regarding my dreams and just…did as I was told."
Her eyes watered somewhat at the thought of her father in his death bed and her gaze flickered to the darkness outside as well. "I hated him for a while…He was rarely there as a father and now he wanted me to just go ahead and take his spot as if I owed it to him…but in the end, I think I resented myself more…because I couldn't say a damn thing to him about it. And knowing who he was as a person, he would've understood why I'd wanted to forsake his wishes."
Her hands gripped at the sides of her coffee cup as she could only look helplessly on.
"I hate knowing that I have so many missed opportunities with him. I could've spoken to him about so many things, but I just let it go…and now? I could go up to his gravestone and have a conversation with him, but everything's so one-sided…and it always leaves me feeling as if I failed in communicating with him.
"And that's the main reason why I wanted you and Kaioh-san to talk to Michiru. I'd never want her to go through her life thinking of missed opportunities. There have been just so many mistakes floating around regarding everything and…it continues on and on…miscommunication being…the most and probably important out of all them.
"But it's so easy being closed…and so hard being open…Because when you're open, you can't help, but feel blunt about the situation and if you're closed well…everything's passive…and no one will really know if there's anything wrong. Because of your daughter…I've learned to be a bit more open. I'm normally a really reserved person…I speak my mind, but not in the ways that I have with you and your wife…At one side I'm regretting the way I've been with the two of you…at another, I wouldn't change a thing. So…before it all goes down the drain and you think me weak…or a traitor…or a coward for saying so…I…I can't stay away from your daughter like I said I would. She means…so much to me…and I've tried…I really, really have tried…and it's hurt her and it's hurt me and I don't want to do it anymore.
"I'm sorry. I can't forget her like I thought I could. Think of me speaking out of my ass that night…because that's what I was probably doing. These last weeks taught me that I can't live life properly without her…and I could only imagine that this ordeal will change a lot of things, but…if this wedding goes through…and she'll be Jiro-kun's wife…I'd just like you to know now that, that will only be a title…because she's mine…and no one else's."
The pronounced and heaviness of her heart lifted somewhat as sapphires widened at her bold words. But she's said everything she wanted to say to him…and probably more…and she wouldn't take it back. She sighed inwardly at how personal their whole conversation had just gotten and wanted nothing more than to be sitting back beside Michiru and just be in her overall presence. She missed her already…and it hadn't been a half an hour.
Looking passively at her watch, she muttered, "It's getting pretty late…I'm sure Michiru and your wife will get worried if we stay a little longer…But…in regards to your father…It's never too late to talk to him. It's never too late to talk to anyone…so…"
He gulped and nodded at her words and got up as soon as she did, grabbing his coffee cup and leaving the coffeehouse with her.
"We did talk…if you wanted to know."
She looked up at him confusedly as she opened the doors for the two of them.
Opening his and going into the car, he sipped a bit of his lukewarm drink and stated, "Michiru-chan…she spoke to us a couple days ago."
Emeralds widened somewhat at news she wasn't clearly expecting and turned the car on. Driving out of the vicinity, she started making her way back to the hospital, but kept her attention clearly on the older man next to her.
"She also gave us the letter…I'm pretty sure you know which one…"
"Yui-san's?" she guessed and he nodded. Shaking her head, she stated, "She told me about it, but never showed it to me or read any of the contents. But I'm glad you both know now…It's a pretty big deal to keep it to herself, but I'm sure Michiru's reason was valid."
"It usually is," Shinji said lowly. He sighed and leaned further into the bucket seats. "Can the two of you hold out for just one more week? That's all Shina and I are asking. Just one more week…"
Haruka gave him a small, troubled look before gazing back at the dark road before her. "Regardless of the outcome…I want to validate the fact that I do love Michiru…and I may get in the way…in future scenarios."
"I know," the elder male Kaioh stated and nodded as well. "But…I implore you to trust me…Even though everything's telling you not to…Just…trust me. One more week."
The blonde's jaw clenched at the thought of the events following what next week entailed and sighed.
"I do like you, Tenoh-san."
The small declaration was enough to make her turn head so quickly to the direction of the aqua haired man that the car kind of swiveled as well and if it wasn't such a small town and there was more than just them in the road, they would've gotten into an accident. Taking the car back into the main road, the blonde apologized a bit and noted the look of amusement in the elder male Kaioh's face.
"Is it that surprising?"
"Yes," she answered quickly and looked at her rearview mirror if only to occupy herself.
"Well, I do. I like your feisty and protective nature, and even though my old self would've told me to hate you because of your love for my daughter and that you're both women, it's that same thought that's making me gravitate to you," he said simply giving her a small smile she wasn't quite expecting. "You can take care of her…I can see that. She genuinely loves you as well…I hope you can see that and…I know it's been a trying ordeal…and Shina and I…even though we don't seem like we're doing something…we are. So…I ask you…just stay with us for one more week…and if you don't like the end result of it…you can whisk my daughter away where I can never find her and be hers forever."
"That's great and all Kaioh-san," Haruka stated. "But…Michiru loves you two…and whisking her away from you seems more like a punishment for her than anything."
"Who do you think she'll choose? Us or you?"
"Michiru will choose you and your wife—
"Bzzt."
Emeralds narrowed slightly at the sound effect made as Shinji gave a small chuckle.
"Nevertheless, she shouldn't choose."
"And I completely agree. Because I want to see her afterwards…and when she chooses you…I would never see my baby girl again…"
The blonde looked at him in awe as she guided her car into the parking lot of the hospital.
"She puts you at such a high pedestal…And I completely understand why. One more week. It's all we ask for."
All things were telling her no…because one more week meant a definite change in Michiru's single status as well as her last name. But she nodded in agreement nonetheless, knowing she and Shinji got a little bit closer after their talk that provided no bickering or shouting at anyone's end…and that little bit of comfort made all the difference to her.
The elder male Kaioh patted her shoulder with an assuring smile before going out of the car and making his way back into the hospital.
O-----O
She was getting more and more worried as the time passed and neither her father nor Haruka had gotten back. She sighed once more and looked up at the waiting room door.
"I'm sure neither one is biting the other's head off Michiru-chan," her mother stated beside her, earning her a small smile.
"Well…with the way Otou-san's been with her, biting heads doesn't even seem plausible…"
"A little more extreme than that?"
Michiru nodded and chuckled a little.
"I have a feeling that your father likes Tenoh-san a little more than he's letting on, so just let them be," she stated casually. "Even more of a problem…how is she and you getting along? You seemed more distant to one another recently."
"We have been…"
"Your father and I are to blame."
It wasn't a question or a statement, and Michiru could only look at her mother silently.
"I thank you for coming to me and your father to talk…the last time we met up. All that you said were…correct. About Tenoh-san and you…and lastly about our family."
"I'm sorry I kept the letter for so long…"
Shina shook her head and sighed. "We understand why you did it. Maybe it was for the better that you did…because you're right. It is up to Shinji and me to correct the wrongs we've made. It's time to begin accepting things and…move on. You don't have to worry about us giving Tenoh-san a hard time. I think we owe it to her to at least be civil…you being around or not. We see the woman you've been trying to show us and…we understand why you're so taken to her.
"But…the wedding with Jiro-kun cannot change. I think…as a whole we will be more than willing to compromise Tenoh-san as a lover, but…" Her mother gulped and looked away conflicted.
"We've gotten too far into this to stop it now…" Michiru ended and nodded in agreement, even though her insides felt hollow.
She saw the reasoning behind the statement and sighed loudly, the sadness in her form reverberating out in waves. Smiling she leaned into her chair and gave an amused chuckle.
"Haruka…was so worried about Jiro."
Her mother looked at her questioningly as her thoughts went back to the beach house.
"If I were to say no in this wedding…Haruka was worried about the effects it would have on Jiro…and then my relationship with the two of you…and lastly…the company."
Shina's gray eyes widened at her words as she only gave her a smile.
"She doesn't want my relationship with you and Otou-san strained, but at the same time, I don't want to let her go…and picking and choosing was something she doesn't want me to do. In the other side of the spectrum, Jiro is either going to be the future of a company he loves…or…be a sideliner his entire life…and she thinks he doesn't deserve that after all this either…but she doesn't want to share me with him and without this marriage…his promotion won't happen."
"Wait…"
Grays and sapphires locked as her mother gave her a questioning look.
"Are you two…back together?"
Michiru blushed as her gaze flittered away, her eyes widening in shock at the realization that she had just said what she did.
After a whole minute of silence, she nodded and answered, "Nh, we are."
"Since when?"
She couldn't lock eyes with her mother's curious ones and the drumming of her heart only continued to beat faster. "Several hours back…"
She saw Shina look at her in surprise from her peripherals and the discomfort she had begun feeling would not go away.
"And even after getting everything she wanted, she still wants you to marry Jiro-kun hmm?"
"She wants what's best for everyone, but her…and me in the process, I suppose," she said softly. "I know it doesn't seem like she does, but she cares a lot about what happens to the company if I were to decline. She cares about what it could mean to our family in general and Jiro as well. She's not selfish and goes gallivanting around to destroy relationships…she's so much more selfless than that…even though at times, she acts like she could care less…"
They both looked up as the door opened and appeared her father and Haruka, who smiled at the two of them. She gave a worried look at the blonde who only gave her a reassuring smile before going up to her and sitting beside her once more.
"Everything alright?" she asked and the tomboy only nodded.
"Any news with Otou-sama?" her father asked and sat down at his original spot as well, getting a hug and a kiss from his ex-wife after a small shake of the head.
He sighed in nervousness and drank some more of his coffee.
Michiru leaned into the young CEO tiredly and gave a small, stealthy kiss to her neck. She smelled good and gave her the overall effect of feeling warm and comforted without ever needing to do anything, but just being there beside her. She felt Haruka envelop her shoulders with her unoccupied arm and hug her closer.
There, the two couples waited in silence until a doctor came around with a relieved smile on his face.
AN: /Sigh…I know this chapter was short…in comparison to some and probably not as fluffy as I promised…And I think the reply page is giving the chapter itself a run for its money O.O but writing smut is haaard…and you know…with the amount I gave last week, a short chappy is okay…right? Right? Right! XD Nevertheless I hope you guys liked the attempt I made at another semi-smut scene at the top (remember no nc-17 stuff!) and even though not a lot happened in this chapter…I'm gearing it up to set things in motion for later chapters. Speaking of later chapters…I won't be updating for a while. Wrath of the Lich King (WoW's new expansion) is coming up next week and…I promise I won't write…haha. I can't to tell you the truth…my head's probably going to be occupied w/ only one thing. So I'm sorry if this disappoints some of you, but to be honest I need a little break from writing this as well. My head's been hurting at the prospect of updating, but I promise it won't be left in the dust. My next update will most likely be at the end of the month…so yeah. I'm sorry…I really am. But I didn't want to update this week w/o telling you guys what I'm planning for the next couple of weeks. Didn't want to leave you guys hanging. In a more lighthearted note though…I hope to write enough so that by the time I come back it'll be worth the wait…so…hopefully you guys'll still be w/ me til then.
LaCazadora: Yes they are most definitely back together.
Black Caballiere: Yoshiko can and have beaten the sense into Haruka. Your many days of waiting will turn to many weeks…I'm saddened to say.
petiyaka: Yup…I adore Yoshiko too. She's the cool, but strict mother I've always wanted…Suicide or depression? Ngeh…as long as I'm not pinned for accessory to murder I think that's fine…but suicide won't let you finish the story and depression…well…let's hope someone nearby can alleviate it for you.
waiting4FWBupdate: Haha…people were so geared for the "fluff" in this chapter and I'm sorry if I didn't provide. It was pretty short…so yeah…I completely agree though…they would be the coolest parents ever.
Mantaray: Haha a migraine after reading? Awesome…and sorry…at the same time. Yeah…I definitely wanted them together on my bday…which kind of made that scene what I wanted and not at the same time. Oh well. Bday came and went…and I didn't really wish for much…now that I think about it haha.
wolvesorrow: Haha only the majority of the story…pfft. You readers complain too much. 12 chapters isn't that long…Thanks for the compliment on my writing by the way. Appreciate it.
My Veggie Burger: Mmm…burger sounds good…sorry…hungry…Haha brought tears to your eyes? Nice…just cuz the two best couples in anime history finally got together. I think…finally…is the most capped word from all my readers this chappy…that's hilarious. XD yeah…torturous for the readers, extreme pain for the ones partaking in the story.
Garfield: Pfft you softy! Don't cry just cuz they're getting back together…haha every part of me wants it to end so I can stop stressing about my constant updates :P
Pyunji: Well I'm glad I made your Saturday night worth it.
Galinda Thropp: Heh…yeah it does feel rushed. Sorry…and sorry for the sucky last couple of weeks too. Nah this chapter isn't that bad…I'm planning on Kei's heart attack scare to be something they're both going to regret, but that's for you to worry about for the next update. Happiness is permanent soon? Maybe…haha.
shin: Yay no killing meee!! And a slap to the back of the head for stopping there? Yeah…Yeah I agree. XD Well thanks for not killing me…and thank you for knowing that killing me won't bear fruit to future chapters…so don't kill me on my planned hiatus yes? Haha you sound like a masochist w/ your little saying at the end there…
RaginFireDesire: Yes, yes they are back together. And thank you for the greeting.
Kilohe: Yoshiko kicked major ass last chapter. Well angst is not over since the situation hasn't cleared…but we'll see what I do w/ it. I'm prepared for you to come egg my house at my decision to not write for a while because of wow though :P
Haruka-Michiru: Yeah…I've been old enough to drink. I feel old -.- Haha yeah I figured since no one expected them to go together it was a good time to do it…and it was my bday so yeah…haha. Nope it definitely is not over. Haha, you know me being right cuz I'm the author isn't very valid. If you don't think her confession to her parents seem right, you probably have a point as well. One ring to rule them all…wait…wrong story. Yes…well Haruka will most likely show Michiru her ring next chappy. I personally loved what Michiru says to her when she put her necklace on though. That was cute…
MisatoCarey24: Yeah…it's took me pretty long to write…which probably meant it took long to read. Waiting for the sequel of HP? Yeah…I have a plot bunny for it…definitely. I dunno when it'll come to be, but I'll probably rest after this is done and over with before starting up on it. As for a sequel on FwB…never thought about it. Maybe an epilogue…but I doubt I'd make a sequel. We'll see I suppose. Thanks for the comments nonetheless and I hope you had a good Halloween too.
.pwned: you would like that wouldn't u? well…there really wasn't any…so I'm sorry if it semi-disappointed XD I still can't write smut damn it…It was sooo hard just writing that first part…/sigh…haha and yes…surprised you remember it, but /sigh…I am 23…thanks for the reminder after a week of forgetting…
Swinging Cloud: Haha…/sigh. I dunno if I should be sorry or glad that you're speechless.
t.: yes…Yes!! Take everything you said back!! -.- wait what? Well I'm glad you like how it played out and zero errors equals win.
picturesofsuccess: Haha I didn't realize I could kill for while. Killing seemed more like…stab or shoot and then leave…but I guess repetitive stabbing would be considered killing for a while. As for how it'll pan out…I'm quite excited to take it out of my head and write it actually…can't wait how you guys gauge it too…
WindChaser0001: Haha yeah…blame the author for their stupidness-ness.
YinYangTwin1: haha I'm glad the kissing was refrained. I'm also against kissing people you don't really know. Appreciate it. Haha I completely know what you mean about watching people fighting. I'm just glad people liked the way she shot her down…I wanted a definite parental feel to it and that's what I felt I got. Haha, well Haruka did say Michiru's welcome in there whenever, but as a senshi your right…leaping 2 stories shouldn't be that big of a deal…XD Ahh…I will fail in updating this week…I'm sorry. I promise to definitely finish it upon return though.
…: Isn't it gay?? Zomg…the new layout sucks balls…-.- sorry…I haven't reviewed or read anything for a while so I wouldn't know about the review window, but yeah…/sigh. Glad you're still reading. Reviewing is definitely not forced haha. Your review got cut…ffn sucks ass…haha. Wow…okay no more "sucks (fill in the blank)" statements for me tonight…I personally like talking to my readers…it gives me a sense of…I dunno xD the one sided convos are one more things to look forward to at updates. And yes…ffn hates that shift button and what it could do…I can't make my favorite emoticons whenever I reply…makes me sad…Haha…well thank you for the three replies in one chappy as well as the greeting.
Thepillows93: Yay another advocate for the let's ban ffn's new layout club…I just made it up right now…sorry… Haha…me a jerk?? Never!! Michiru marrying Jiro while having Haruka as side lover?? Sounds like a plausible happy ending to tell you the truth. Angry Asian on my tail. I've never had that. I've seen angry Asians (really hot, angry, girl Asians -.-) and you know…maybe it won't be so bad…XD j/k.
Anime123: Finally! A good chapter! All I wanted to hear.
Akira-kun: Hmm…you said it the day of, no belated bdays xD haha idiot of a child. Yoshiko rocks. Marriage license? Hmm…I'll explain it after the marriage just so people know the ifs, whens, and buts of it, but yeah. I'll explain the deal with that after the marriage.
Love is simply Eternal: Haha…I've done that before…gotten so overly excited about an update and scared or surprised the people around me within a twenty foot radius…haha. Good times. /Sigh…Harry Potter…my failure DX haha. I cringe at the thought of writing that especially after DH…horrible epilogue. HORRIBLE!! -.- sorry…if you're the other kind of shipper and completely disagree w/ me I completely understand. Well, in my defense I guess I could say I wrote it ages ago when I still couldn't write well (not to say I do now or anything) and yeah…it's not very well written…As for HP…I am sooo going to update that to something that I can read on my spare time w/o cringing every two seconds. Yay they're back together XD. Yeah…the parents and kids confrontation is all I wanted to happen in that chappy aside from getting them together. Glad you don't like Rai because…you're not supposed to haha. I'll be sad as well as happy when this is over. In terms of writing, it's probably been my shortest "relationship" since HP took me over 2 years to finish and this has been a project for only several months. But in terms of next story…we'll see when it gets there. The ending for this isn't scheduled for a few more chapters…at least that's what my head's thinking. I hope there's more fluff…or something…so it'll be worth it to some readers…haha.
AlterEgoErin: Never broke up?? They had to!! They were stuck in that monotony of sex and good times…and more sex…but no real love…haha. I like making H&M cry apparently, but yeah…I delivered the confession hella off handedly…maybe for a reason…I'm not completely sure anymore. But yes…they are together. And I hope the menial amount of text in which they semi did something was a good read. I could just feel the discontent rolling in waves now…
Volchise: Make a lil love and get down tonight…it sounds like you're going to be one of those people disappointed at how crappy my smut writing has become after not writing them get down for a couple months…XD
jadedlilgirl: two months of abstinence SUCKS!! Hahahaha. I completely agree…Writing and patience comes hand in hand I suppose…but I don't really think of doing it and only do it when I feel like it so I guess it's okay.
Tigon ookami: Michiru?? Suicide?? NEVAH!! Haha cavities…yes…and smack to Haruka's face? Double yes…XD you know…I was contemplating on her hearing Michiru out…and then I realized…I wanted her to get pwned by her mother more…so I didn't haha. XD the turn overs in personality…I hope they weren't that OOC, but yes…love is a valid reason for OOCness…Haruka's mother will take her back, I hope Michiru's parents seemed to ease off a little in this chappy at least from your perspective, and Hanako…XD love the little scene you just played in my head. Shoot! Shoot! Bang! Bang!
Vanessa Riverton: Yes…it only took forever…pfft…that's not too long. You guys are impatient…haha well I'm glad living another day is optional…I like life…
obsessively-yours: Thank you for the greeting :) Dang…I think you're the second to admitting suicidal tendencies…maybe I should just stop writing…XD But…that whole just friends excuse is the base of angst!! Haha…well there was fluff…and I guess I couldn't let them stay in that beach house all night…even though they could've and was more than willing to (that bath scene…/sigh…maybe next time)…Oh and thanks about the whole Yoshiko Yuriko thing…I think HP got in my head for a second there…
Nekomi Kaze: Yes…and according to Shina…loving one another is not enough to stop it because it's too late to do so :P I like being the evil author…XD As of now…it's not really clear what the two of them will do because they're both pretty close to the people involved. To be selfish…or not be selfish? Haha. Yoshiko disowning Haruka was painted in my mind as soon as she got back from her trip and realizes what her daughter's been up to. As for Maou…o m g…I HATED how they licensed it at the very middle of the drama when me and gf was sooo into it and ALL the sites stopped showing it -.- I got to finish it, but it still irked me…
Haruka Akira: I think…you were the one to propose that whole chain necklace ring thing right? So I gotta give you the props for the idea. Thank you :D It's a fabulous one and I'll probably use it again for Michiru's ring…haha. Well you're welcome for bringing them back…haha. Thanks for the greeting (it's the thought that counts even if it's not the right day :)) Haha yeah…Michiru wanting a sick day from her wedding planning…I think that cracked me up a bit…I thought that whole let's make babies thing was hilarious. It was easy to write and I dunno…I just kind of went along w/ it. Smut? Sorry if it didn't deliver as well as I thought it would. Grats on your certificate and a wedding? Nope…not yet buddy. They're not out of the clearing yet.
Chumba Wumba: I'm glad someone feels that way…cuz I COMPLETELY feel that way about stories…I think that's the main reason why I drag it on for so long…I just…don't want it to end just yet. But yeah…I know how you feel. What's next? Getting over that wedding I suppose, cuz it's not resolved yet. Haha…yeah that talk…I wanted their talk to be completely and utterly honest I suppose…so I know what you mean entailing things you're not supposed to talk w/ your parents about, but breaking point has its limits and she was nearing hers. As for Haruka being all talk…she spoke about it w/ Shinji this chapter and…we'll see how that goes as well. Yeah no…it's not a special age at all -.- Just one of those in betweens where you're like…w/e I'm just older…:D yes…yes Michiru did give her present damn it…oh? That was this chapter? Yeah…that's right XD
shounenshoujocadet: I have never been good w/ short stories or one shots so an overview would be…here I'll try. H&M meet, they become friends w/ benefits, they break up, they meet up after a month, they become friends, they plan a wedding that involves one, but not the two of them, and now they're together. Hope that was spark notes-ish enough for you haha.
krugern: You know…I should just tell shounenshoujocadet…the person atop you in the one sided convo line, to read your reviews…because what you say is definitely the overview in each chapter he or she's looking for XD. I'm glad you like the chapter. I love reading your reply if only to see what you thought was good and what stood out to you the most. Yeah…the beginning of the chapter wasn't very bright…Like everything was all morose and yucky and everyone was feeling ghetto…but it got better. Laughed at your predicament on your trip XD I'm glad I didn't update in time? haha