Chapter 22: Just a Title
Kei was still pretty much knocked out when the doctor's gave the okay for the success of the operation so Shina and Shinji both insisted on Michiru and Haruka to go ahead and make their way to the teahouse to spend the night there.
As soon as the kids left, Shinji sighed loudly at the day's events and stepped foot in his father's room. Shina was still outside talking things out with the doctors, but he was tired of talking all of the sudden and wanted nothing more than to see his father's still breathing form.
Looking up from the tiled floor, his eyes narrowed tiredly at all the machines near Kei's bedside and stood there for a second to take it all in. If there was ever a time he'd seen his father's weak state…this was it. He never showed weakness…not even when his spot in the company was rightfully taken by his own child and his wife.
Breathing loudly to dispel his rampant thoughts he pulled a lone chair from one of the corners and dragged it to Kei's bedside, sitting himself down as soon as he was near enough to see the shallow breaths going up and down…slowly, but surely.
He wondered briefly what it was like to lose a parent…He couldn't say he ever knew because his mother was not…his mother. She died and he didn't care because people shouldn't care about a stranger's death. It's just another casualty…another statistic. His so-called mother was just another statistic. He chuckled bitterly at the thought and gripped his forehead with his digits.
Haruka knew how it felt like to lose a parent…That was one of the main reasons why he called her out for coffee tonight…Talking with someone who was like a stranger was better than talking with a family member—there wouldn't be unnecessary judgments made.
Sadly enough, he learned long ago that she was a nice enough person…even before he knew she was way more important than she was letting on in regards to his daughter. His overall first impression when she showed the condominiums to him without the usual ass kissing involved in their business was that…the gossip following her was amusing to him, but other than that…not much else useful. She was a tycoon…a business man. She demanded respect the first time she stepped into her own office, saw him sitting there, and waiting for her and since then…it hadn't changed much.
He was reminded that she was a child only because of the predicament of her and his daughter's past relationship, but other than that…she's been the same Tenoh Haruka she's shown to him since that day he decided he'd liked their business transaction enough to sever ties with the Lantern Corporation and back behind Tenoh Corp. instead. She was a character…that in itself was true. But she was also real…unlike the kind of crap people gave and showed him at a daily basis.
He realized it might've felt strange for her to have a talk with him today, but if he were to be completely honest with her, they had a lot in common—personality, history…their abundance of pride…And she was the closest person he could talk to who he could relate to with the situation.
She's…a good kid. A part of him wants to stop this charade now…His ex-wife had gotten used to her presence and although neither of them had completely accepted the relationship between the tomboy and their daughter…a little time spent would hopefully better their situation. But along with that thought came the topic at the end of their conversation.
"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 had a lot to talk to his father about…the most important probably being the deal in this entire wedding. The reasons why it couldn't come to succession…He just hoped he would understand…but he seriously doubted it.
"Anata…are you alright?"
He smiled. Shina had only started calling him as she used to before their falling out recently.
One more week…
Turning around from his sitting form, he gave a weak and tired smile and nodded. "What did the doctors say?"
She shrugged, pulled another chair, and set it near his. "Nothing we both don't already know."
He sighed and swept his hands over his hair. Leaning his head on her shoulder, he gave a forlorn look at his father's still form and rubbed his eyes tiredly.
"I was so afraid he would leave with everything left unspoken."
She took him gingerly in her arms and kissed his temple. "He didn't…that's all that's important."
Wrapped in this same thought, he was jittery as well as nervous when Kei would finally wake up…and find out everything he's been avoiding to tell him: the decisions for the company, the marriage, Jiro and Michiru…Michiru…
He gulped.
He could already tell a storm was brewing and it won't be good in his end. He could only wonder how his own daughter had the courage to talk about these kinds of matters to both him and Shina just a few days ago…and marveled at how well she stood up for herself.
He wouldn't be able to do that…
He chuckled in wonder at the thought of her. "You know…I was so surprised and awed at how strong Michiru-chan's gotten recently. I mean…she always has…we both know that. We've taught her to be that way with and without our presence…but…our talk a few days ago…"
Shina smiled. "I was expecting it a little considering she's spoken to me before about something like it, but…a friend with benefit…I never really realized she could do that!"
Shinji laughed and nodded in agreement. "It makes me a little proud and not at the same time…"
"Shinji!"
His laughter continued at his wife's chastising and delved deeper in her embrace.
"You excited?"
"About the wedding?"
He nodded.
"Of course I am," she answered, as if it was a stupid question in and of itself.
He sighed. "One more week…"
O-----O
The maid looked at them surprisingly and Haruka could only stifle a laugh. Looking over at the beautiful woman next to her, the laughter that was beginning to come up from her system rose even higher, and she didn't think she could stop it from coming out even if they were given one more second.
"Just…one room?"
A chuckle came out as sapphires rolled in exasperation.
"Yes…just…give us one room."
"Well…oh, alright," the maid stated, sounding and looking as if she suddenly had an epiphany. "There's a bedroom with two beds…that one's—
"Would be great," the blonde cut off saving another exasperated reply from the violinist.
It was nice to see her steaming, but they were both tired in all honesty and if this woman would not give them one room with only one bed tonight, by all means, she could give them the one with two beds…they just won't use the other one…
"As you wish," she stated with a bow, and began turning away. "Please follow me."
You mean, as you wish, Haruka thought with a roll of her own eyes and good naturedly swung an arm across the violinist's shoulder, the smaller woman giving her a tired and annoyed look. Pressing her closer to her side, she gave her a small kiss in the forehead as they walked on and followed the maid walking several feet before them.
A couple minutes into their trekking, they finally came across a normal door. The young CEO was kind of surprised that it wasn't a shoji door, but wouldn't complain. It meant they could and would lock the door for the night. She smirked as her thoughts gave way to more…adult ones.
"We have some nightclothes you could wear," the maid started once more as she opened the door and led them in the quite spacious room. "We understand you came here due to the emergencies that transpired a few hours back and I will head out and get those for you so you may change into something more comfortable."
She saw Michiru gave a fake thankful smile as the maid left and a small roll of her eyes once more when it closed.
Haruka laughed. "Now, now koi, don't be like that."
She sighed. "Do you realize we spent about ten minutes at the entrance telling her that yes, we'd like a room with just one bed that we're both more than willing to share?"
"But Michiru, you're their boss's granddaughter!" the blonde cried in fake exasperation. "They just wanted to be sure you weren't spending a night with another man that wasn't the same one you're scheduled to marry within a week, or God forbid if they actually know who I am, a woman!"
The aqua haired woman narrowed her eyes at her, embraced her from her waist, stood on her tip toes and kissed her on the lips. "Stop being cheeky, even though it's cute and endearing."
The tomboy laughed and hugged her back.
They stood in that silence for a moment and she reveled at how normal it felt, but at the same time how long she's waited to just do this simple action which meant more now than it did when they were supposed friends.
Inching her face closer to hers, she saw the small twinkle of happiness from those enthralling sapphires before she closed hers and they met for a kiss. Over and over, it reminded her that kissing Michiru wasn't like kissing another woman. She didn't know what it was…but the overall effect it had on her was, she figured, more of a therapeutic one than an action that merited the start of more actions. She didn't have to kiss the violinist with the intent of taking off her clothes, although she was more than willing to do that little bit of deed. She could kiss her with the intent of just showing her that she needed her. She's only done that to one other person before, and Keiko was the person most far back in her mind at the present moment.
As their tongues met softly in a gentle caress, the sound of the door opening barely registered in her mind, but she could tell it had with the smaller woman's. The tempo to her kiss changed, and her lithe, violinist's hands tightened around her waist somewhat, and as she smirked at how uncomfortable the maid probably was at seeing them so…intimate…Michiru ended the kiss with a triumphant smile of her own.
Turning around and flipping her hair oh-so beautifully, she looked up in mild, fake surprise and smiled at the maid who could only stand there silently, her gaze widened at the floor beneath her.
Haruka laughed inwardly and began the task of unbuttoning her dress shirt to get into the undershirt and shorts she decided to wear beneath her semi-formal clothes. She heard the aqua haired woman say a brief thank you to the still quiet maid and closed the door afterwards, the clicking of the locks pronounced in her ears.
"Ahh Michiru, she's probably thinking what kind of a scarlet woman you are now," the blonde joked as she folded her blue dress shirt and placed it on the cabinet between both beds.
"She can think whatever she wants," the violinist stated and began undressing before her as well, the clothes the maid had come in with placed at the bottom of the bed.
Laughing outwardly at the situation, the tomboy took the rest of her clothes off until she was only left with her plain white undershirt and gray shorts she adorned after their last…session. Flipping the white fluffy blankets out of their neat form, she went on the bed and sat down at the top, her back leaning against the headboard, her eyes trained on the still undressing woman in front of her.
"Like what you see?" she asked with a teasing note in her voice, her sapphires showing the glint of mischief that made her smirk.
"Always," was her quick and witty answer.
She chuckled at the look of distaste Michiru gave at the light blue pajamas given to her and sighed.
"You could just…wear nothing?" the blonde suggested.
Narrowing her eyes playfully at her, the violinist replied, "You would like that…" and took off her bra.
Smirking up at the look of hunger probably imminent in her emerald eyes, Haruka crawled to her and snatched the top of the pajama out of her hands.
"Haruka!" she chastised.
She possessively took her by the waist and looked up, her peripherals catching the other woman's perking nipples and smiled rather arrogantly. Going eye level with one of the nipping mounds, she nibbled the tip with her lips and grinned at the way the smaller body in her arms writhed at her small action. Rolling it around, she gave a small flick of her tongue that produced the shudder she wanted.
"Haruka…"
Oh, God she loved the way Michiru moaned her name. It was always a fantasy come true hearing it. Focusing her attention on the softness in her mouth, she began her ministrations, her hands going down and into the silky underwear. Cupping the smooth, round cheeks in her hands, her tongue gradually sped and her arms pulled the smaller woman to her lap, the warmth in her midsection rising in temperature.
As her ministrations ended, she looked up in hunger at orbs that shone down at her with the same voracity.
"Done?" the violinist asked with a bated breath and she shook her head mischievously in answer. "But I thought the second one was my turn?"
"It doesn't have to be…" the tomboy stated cheekily and grinned.
Chuckling, the aqua haired woman grabbed the top of the pajama strewn beside them and shrugged it on, Haruka's pouting obvious as she successfully buttoned it in place.
"I missed you too you know," she said softly, caressing her cheeks with her warm hands and bending down to kiss her. "It feels great to be dominated by you, but I'm sure you miss me more than you're letting on as well."
The truth in the violinist's words made her smile widely. Nodding in affirmation, she let her get off her lap and crawled back to the head of the bed, Michiru following her shortly and sitting back down on her as soon as her back was to the headboard of the bed once more.
Looking up at sparkling sapphires that waited in anticipation, she grabbed the bottom of her undershirt and pulled it up, feeling the cold air seep into her body and her goose bumps rising out in effect as it came successfully off and tossed aimlessly at the floor.
Locking eyes with hungry sapphires that looked down at her in appreciation, she leaned forward for the contraption around her body to be released and not a moment later, her bra followed her undershirt as well.
They both took a second to look at the glimmering ring in the soft glow of the lighting across her bare body, the violinist running her index finger across the chain all the way to the ring itself. She locked eyes with her again, a soft smile across her beautiful features.
Slowly Haruka slid herself lower into the bed, Michiru getting up a bit to allow her the movement she needed, and a few seconds and the cool blanket over their heating forms later, she looked up expectantly at a silent violinist who eyed her every move diligently.
She knew she looked so submissive at the moment, but she couldn't help it. In every sexual encounter she's ever had, she had always wanted the upper hand, being in the bottom or not…but the violinist had the effect on her that being taken care of wasn't a bad thing. It didn't mean she was weak, or that she was bad at what she did. It simply meant that she was loved…and with Michiru, she knew she was loved. There was never a need to say the declaration out loud. Many say it and it becomes this broken mantra.
To say it once was enough…Let your entire being show it after.
And time and time again, the smaller woman showed her.
It started with a kiss. It should always start with a kiss…because something so near and dear to her heart should never start with anything, but. She's had sex before that did not entail any kissing…it was the emptiest she's ever felt in her life after the deed was done.
Again she was enthralled at how wonderful the aqua haired woman's kiss was like to her. Raising her arms to brush her hands through those soft curls, her breath hitched at the violinist hands that had began paying attention to her breasts. Shuddering at the welcoming feeling she hadn't experienced in well over two months and knowing this time around was going to be different even though the actions were going to be more or less the same, she smiled into the kiss, hoping that the aqua haired woman could feel it and know she appreciated being with her more than anything.
Michiru's soft lips trailed off, the smaller woman beginning to trail down to her neck and bosom. She loved the little suckling motions made through her neck and felt herself grow hotter and wetter as the little spots, so familiar to the violinist was kissed and paid careful attention to. She didn't know who occupied the nearest bedrooms to the teahouse near theirs. She didn't want to care…But it was the only thing stopping her from moaning any louder than she could, and when those soft lips trailed to a perking bud, it was all she could do not to elicit a cry and shove her fist into her mouth instead, biting down hard.
She looked down into amused, twinkling sapphires that looked up at her and groaned at the visible flicking of her pink tongue. She shut her eyes and just concentrated on that warm feeling in the base of her stomach that gradually grew larger and larger.
Amidst the ministrations to her upper body, lithe hands had begun pulling her shorts off as well. Raising her hip higher, she allowed the pulling of her shorts and underwear too apparently and took little note of it as it joined her discarded bra and shirt, those same hands trailing down towards the center of her core.
Distracted at the slowness the deliberate hands were making, she could only notice Michiru had stopped paying attention to her breasts and had begun making her way down, kissing pass her toned midsection and gradually going lower and lower.
Locking with hungry sapphires once more, she bit her lip and looked up at the ceiling, her eyes shutting close and hips buckling automatically as the pure need in her system was satiated only a couple seconds later.
O------O
She felt content at seeing the fluttering of emeralds and smiled at the thought that it was her doing…her fault that the other was tired.
"Haruka? Sleeping already?" she asked and brushed through blonde hairs as she was now accustomed to doing.
Emeralds opened a little as a smile flittered on her handsome face.
"Nh, it's your fault."
She laughed and hugged her closer, feeling the warmness of her naked body and loved the feeling the smoothness of her legs made against her own.
Strong hands enveloped her waist as Haruka looked up at her, the soft smile in her face unmissed.
"You make me so happy," the blonde said quietly, and it was all she could take to not have her way with her again.
Brushing her fingers through wild locks, she smiled at her endearingly and kissed her forehead. "I'm glad I make you feel the same way you make me feel, Haruka."
The tomboy smiled and leaned up to her for a kiss. Meeting her halfway, just as she wanted to do with everything in regards to their relationship, she locked lips with her once more, this one not so forced and hunger filled from either lover.
As they settled into the bed, the blanket strewn over their shoulders, sapphires looked down at emeralds questioningly, the blonde glancing up at her in askance as well.
"How was your coffee break with my father?"
Haruka smirked. "It was good," she answered. "We…spoke about a lot of stuff."
"What kind of stuff?" she asked curiously.
She had been wondering what had transpired between them because the tomboy hadn't looked forlorn or stressed when they got back, emotions that she would not be able to just stand and let go.
"He's worried about your grandfather first of all," the young CEO started, looking up at the ceiling above them thoughtfully. "I think…he really just wants to talk to him about some things…and this scare made him come to the conclusion that he had done enough waiting."
Michiru nodded in understanding. "Talking as a family is not a very Kaioh-like trait."
The taller woman smiled sadly. "Do you know what his relationship with his father was like?"
She shook her head. "He doesn't like to talk about it…which only means it's probably worse than my relationship with him."
"His upbringing wasn't the best…I mean…in my opinion it's a typical upbringing of a rich kid. Parents are too busy with the family business…the main priority is money, money, money, and well…you know how it is. There are just too many people thinking the future for their family is more viable than the present…which I think is as sad as it is untrue."
She nodded as she realized what they had spoken about…and was kind of envious to hear that her lover had heard about her father's relationship with his father first than her.
"He was curious about my dad too…so I entertained him if only to take his mind out of the current situation…which makes me remember…I never told you why I ran away that one time."
The violinist perked up at their sudden conversation and was all ears, her attention only focused on the talking tomboy in her arms. It had taken them well into the night…not just the conversation dealing with her story, but simple talks about their parents and life as children. It wasn't something that they both already didn't know about one another, but she found it was fun to reminisce nonetheless. She had the somewhat perfect childhood, but she envied Haruka's more…and she found that Yoshiko and Minoru had been the best parents they hoped they could be, their personalities, leniencies, and overall job as parents making the most sense to Haruka's current personality.
She wished she could meet her father now…and thank him, for having such a wonderful child. But Yoshiko was still here…and if anyone deserved thanks, it was her.
"I'm glad your parents brought you up to be such a wonderful person."
The young CEO smirked up at her and gave her a kiss.
"I only hope your parents can see the same things you see in me."
Rubbing her smooth arms, she gave a thoughtful look before smiling. "I think…they've grown to like you…much more than they're willing to say…It can't be helped I guess…You have such an endearing personality."
Chuckling, Haruka came up to kiss her once more, and their night continued on with reminisces and talks about anything and everything their mind summed up.
O-----O
Violinist fingers gripped the doorway as her ears perked at the palpable yelling through the closed door. Gulping, she looked around for a sign of her mother who was obviously not in the room across the door or Haruka who had once again dropped her off and was in the process of getting coffee for the entire family.
"Are you kidding me?!"
"Father, let's just talk about this for a second!"
"No…NO!"
"Your heart—
"If you cared at all about my wellbeing, you would not be spouting this crap at me now!"
"Then would you rather have everything swept under the rug?!"
"I would rather have her marry some man she has no feelings for than entertain the fact that she has feelings for another woman!"
Michiru gulped as her insides shook roughly. Her stare could only lock at the doorknob gripped tightly by her cold, shaking fingers.
"You know damn well that an arranged marriage never made anyone in this family happy…"
"She will be happy. She will be happy with a man. If it kills me…she will marry Sugiura and—
"Where was all that talk regarding not using your teahouse for the marriage ceremony because that was what you didn't want then? Was that all talk at your end?!"
"You never mentioned Tenoh Haruka being in the picture! I should've…" Kei growled loudly as his forced words subsided and a creak of a bed echoed to the smaller woman's ears.
Turning the knob, she pushed the door weakly grabbing the attention of her two family members present inside. Looking up at her father before locking eyes with olden sapphires, she closed the door behind her, a dull thud echoing across the room at her appearance.
Kei's discontented frown immediately became apparent. "Is the crap your father's feeding me true? You've turned into some kind of lesbian?" His words were quiet…dangerous…as if he dared her to say otherwise.
Looking away from his serious face, she looked at the floor beneath them instead and stood there quietly, her silence an ample enough answer for the old man.
"That is despicable—
"I don't see how it could be—
"Don't you dare talk back to me you insolent child!" Turning to Shinji, he breathed loudly and muttered, "This is the kind of crap you've grown. This is the byproduct of your careless parenting!"
"Are you kidding me right now?" her father growled, looking like he wanted to laugh in sarcasm. "You really want to talk about bad parenting Otou-sama?"
"Stop it…father…ojii-san—
"No!" Kei yelled, turning to her this time. "Refrain yourself from calling me anything in regards to a family member until you check yourself in to a mental hospital or break ties with anyone with the Tenoh name!"
She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Years!" he seethed. "It took years upon years to bring this family up and only one little fool to bring it down! Do you realize what kind of crap we're going to have to go through as a family because of your rash decision?! Did you even think about anyone else—
"I have thought it!"
Kei stood up from his bedside and walked towards her, angry fists balled to his sides. Standing her ground, the violinist looked at him defiantly in the same sapphires that narrowed even more only a few seconds later. Before she knew it, he had a hand raised in the air. Before she could even react, it had started to make its way to her face. She closed her eyes roughly, expecting to be hit by hands that never touched her this way before…only to open them seconds later when no sound or action came out.
Looking to her grandfather's side, her father was there, holding his arm back by the wrist, a stern and disbelieving look on his young face.
"Don't you dare lay a hand on my child," he growled dangerously, locking eyes with Kei who was at his eye level.
They stayed in that electrically charged position, young hands still gripping olden wrists.
A few moments later, Kei snapped his wrist out of his son's grip, his lips pursing and eyes narrowing some more as they stood defiantly in front of one another.
"You have two choices. Only two," he started, his voice a mere whisper, but his ugly intent visible through each word. "The first, is to break this notion in your daughter's head regarding who she thinks she is, disciplining her, and teaching her, her grounds as a woman by marrying her to the next available man. I do not care if it's Sugiura or some homeless man out of the street—she will marry a man. If this isn't taken care of, you know what I'm still capable of doing regarding the company…and you do not want to push me into disowning all of you and ending it after my life is over."
He breathed loudly, hands flying to his chest to grip it somewhat before turning away.
"Leave. Make sure the wedding happens as you've told me it would. I will make my presence known in the ceremony if only to guarantee its happening."
Michiru felt sick inside. Just when she thought everything was starting to bear fruit…that everything was going to be alright…she was solely reminded of the real world…and what reputation meant for everyone.
Looking up she could only keep her jaw tightly shut as her grandfather breathed deeply and loudly from his bed, the angry frown in his face marred by the pain there as he kept a tight grip on the gown over his heart. Her father had a similar expression completed with his scowl and although she knew she wasn't the one he was angry at, she was definitely the root cause of it.
She wanted to get out; away from this room and back into the comforting arms of the blonde who would be by her side now matter what.
Gulping the words she definitely wanted to lash back with, she turned around quickly, her heart getting heavier with each second she stayed in that room. Making her way to the door, she twisted the cold knob, opened it, made her way out, and closed it before finally looking up at a hallway that was no longer empty.
She could tell both her mother and Haruka had overheard everything that went down in the room—their morose faces gave the only hint or indication she needed.
She looked up at emeralds that gave her a few mixed expressions. The tomboy was angry first and foremost…this was obvious enough. But amidst that was also confusion and most importantly sadness. Why was it so hard for everyone to just accept her? Why should reputation be more important than another person's feelings?
She looked down at the chair next to the blonde and saw four coffee cups there.
Why couldn't they just like her?
She felt her heart twinge as she stepped closer to the young CEO and as soon as she was near enough, warm, strong hands enveloped her shoulders and held her in.
She didn't care that her mother was behind her and was looking at their menial public display of affection. All she could do was revert back to the comfort within the confines of Haruka's hug and lose herself. She wrapped her arms around the blonde's slim waist and feel her hug grow tighter as she placed her head softly on her shoulder, the suit blazer rough against her cheek.
The door opened and her father stepped out, looking as haggard and angry as he did inside Kei's hospital room.
"Anata…"
Hearing his wife's voice seemed to relieve and anger him more at the same time. He could only shake his head in disappointment and grab his temples roughly with his fingers, slamming the door shut behind him, but not before olden, disgusted eyes bore through Michiru's sapphires.
She turned her head away and placed her other cheek on Haruka's shoulder, her eyes closing tightly and the fleeting image of the look of contempt so easily shown by similar sapphires not leaving sooner than she hoped it would.
"Let's…grab a bite to eat," Shinji grunted and looked over his shoulder at the closed door, his eyes narrowing expressively. "I don't want to be here any more than he wants me to be."
The tomboy nodded as the aqua hared woman made her way out of that too comforting embrace. Emeralds looked down at her warmly before wordlessly ushering her out of the hallway by her waist, her parents following shortly behind them. The coffee cups stayed on the chair as they left, all, but forgotten amidst the torrent of problems surging too rapidly at a too early time in the morning.
O-----O
"I can't believe him!" Shinji growled and kicked the table's leg again, shaking the entire table's contents roughly.
"Anata…"
"Otou-san…"
Haruka smirked at how automatic chastises came with the family.
"He's impossible!" the elder male Kaioh bellowed. "He…He…"
He scratched his head in annoyance and kicked the table again.
The blonde couldn't help the small chuckle from coming out making Shinji remember her presence in their table forgotten amidst his tirade. He sighed, clutching his temples as he did so.
To the tomboy it almost seemed hypocritical. Maybe it was…Only a couple weeks back, the same man that now sat civilly in front of her had pointedly called her a "thing". She didn't really know whether amusement or hopelessness merited the right emotion for the situation. The only thing that kept her attention was that whatever the Kaiohs had planned was going to backfire and one more week seemed too short to fix all the problems that had risen, including the new one regarding Grandfather Kaioh. She slid her hands to the cold ones to her left and gripped them. She felt Michiru momentarily tighten around her hold before they settled on simply touching one other underneath the table.
They had boarded the Kaioh limo as soon as they left the hospital building, Shinji ordering the driver in a gruff manner to drive them to the nearest, bigger, and busier town as far away without being too far away from Kei's mainstay. He took them to a small family restaurant in the next town where the owner, an apparent fan of Michiru's music, closed the entire establishment down without any necessary requests given.
Sitting now in front of plates full of food, it was unfortunate that no one had the correct appetite to just dig in.
"I can't believe him!" the elder male Kaioh grunted again and leaned into his chair angrily, looking at his daughter sitting directly in front of him. His face softened a bit as he gave another helpless sigh. "Are you alright Michiru-chan?"
Haruka's grip tightened on hers, as the aqua haired woman nodded, the crease on her forehead evident of the amount of conflict raging through her mind.
"I…want to emancipate myself from the family."
"What?!"
"Michiru…"
Her small, soft words had caused Shinji to stand up and yell the question, her mother to echo the same word in disbelief, and for emeralds to widen at her in surprise.
"I just don't see why it's all a big deal," Michiru stated evenly, evading all of their glances and staring at the empty plate before her. "I've been doing my best to make the situation better…to cover the loopholes and make everyone happy, but myself. Haruka and I both have…And I don't think it's the fact that we can't…I think we've proven ourselves time and time again that we can…But it has to end somewhere.
"Why does it matter that she's a girl? Why does reputation have to be such a big deal? Because we're rich. Because I'm tied to the Kaioh name. Because having the same last name, apparently means I'm related to people with really big egos…and if that's the case…maybe I—
"Michiru, that's enough."
All the Kaiohs looked up at Haruka as she and Michiru met eyes, angry sapphires and disappointed emeralds clashing at one another.
"There isn't anything here for me Haruka."
"There's everything here for you," the blonde stated, gripping her hand tightly from under the table. "You have a mother that cares. You have a father that cares. And even though it may not seem like it, your grandfather cares too. They look out for you…as much as my own mother and the Chen's look after me. They just have a different way to go about it. This entire time, I've been holding myself back so that you wouldn't have to choose between me and your family…You shouldn't have to. You should never be able to say that you're more than able to ditch one to go to the other. Your parents need you as much as you need them, and I know the communication with this family is kind of stagnant…but…the fact of the matter is, everyone's doing this for the sake of the other.
"They're doing this because they love you. They've been antagonizing me for the better part of the planning because they love you. They want you to marry a nice enough man because they care for your future and I'm not saying that they're right. Most of the time…love isn't right. Because you're thinking with your heart…and not with your brain…But when push comes to shove…don't make love an excuse for your actions."
Sapphires looked up at her sadly and it was all she could do to not kiss her in front of her parents.
"I know what you're going through. I'm going through it with you. But how you're going about it is wrong…and you know that. Don't make me be your voice of reason. Me…your voice of reason…"
Michiru cracked a smile and laughed at how exasperated she sounded.
"I shouldn't be your voice of reason…That's too backwards…"
The violinist continued her chuckle as she placed her head softly on her shoulders, their hands rubbing one another affectionately.
She looked up at the quiet Kaiohs and smirked inwardly at their awed expressions.
Breathing loudly, she gave them a fixed look and asked, "So where do we go from here?"
The question seemed to compose them.
Scratching his head again, probably due to habit more than anything, Shinji straightened himself from his chair and looked at her evenly. "Did you, by chance, hear my father's threat?"
Haruka nodded. "Nh. I'm guessing he still has a lot of power regarding the company even though he's kind of out of the loop."
"He's holding a huge part of the shareholders stock," the elder male Kaioh explained. "It's all money in the end, but for Kaioh-Miroku, it's a fallback as well. A just-in-case-something-happens-and-I-have-to-do-something-about-it kind of deal. It was made…a hell of a long time ago…The eldest and thereby most experienced will hold the majority of the company stocks. This power also allows him to change any decisions set by the current CEO or CEOs that could ruin the company, image or otherwise."
"Just like Okaa-san…"
"Tenoh Corp. does this as well?" he asked, after she added her little comment.
The tomboy nodded. "Yeah, it's for security reasons. I was current CEO sometime back, but because of her seniority my mother was the company's major shareholder so regardless of my decisions she could overturn them anytime."
"Yep…that's the deal with Kaioh-Miroku as well. And…because of the divorce he currently holds Shina's as well…at least…until…" he sighed loudly and gripped his temples.
"What was the main deal regarding your marriage…if you don't mind me asking?"
Shinji shook his head and looked over at his wife.
"My father," she started, "was the one who asked for the mergence. In reality, Miroku back then was in trouble and he wanted to do everything in his power to keep it afloat…including siding with his "enemy". One of the many deals was the name…which is the main reason why Kaioh is in front of Miroku."
Haruka snickered at the obvious show of power and slung her arms over Michiru's shoulders, the quiet woman looking at her mother as her head remained leaning on her shoulder.
"Next was a divided share of the majority shareholders…forty-thirty, twenty percent to the CEO and board of directors and the remaining ten the profiteers outside the company."
"Forty percent went to the Kaioh side?"
Shina nodded. "The marriage allowed for this shareholding to happen. At any point either Shinji and I would give it up…both members had to split their share. I am Miroku's seniority shareholder because my father died…but because of the divorce I only own fifteen percent. The rest went back to Kei Otou-sama and a part of Shinji's CEO percentage was cut as well."
"So…basically what he was saying was not just a threat?"
"He can bring it down if he wants to," Shinji sighed. "He has monopoly over the company. He owns…roughly fifty-five percent of it. I mean…it was the divorce…that stupid divorce…why did we divorce?"
He turned to his ex-wife who only pinched his cheek in exasperation at his rhetorical question.
"How's your relationship with the board?" Haruka asked and smirked at the small display of affection.
"They're behind us all the way. They wouldn't let something so small be the end of an empire…but even then…we can't…" the elder male Kaioh trailed off as he gave a helpless look at the blonde.
"What will you get if I marry Jiro?"
They all looked at Michiru who uttered the question as she delved deeper into the half hug the tomboy was giving her.
"The fifteen percent promised to Miroku's side will come back and it'll go to the next seniority shareholder which is Sugiura Toshio-san."
"Jiro-kun's father?" Haruka asked.
Shina nodded. "It's one of the newer deals concerning the joining of the company as one. For Fuji, Sugiura, and Kaioh to be under the same umbrella."
"So…you'll basically have the grasp of your company back…when Jiro-kun and Michiru marry next week…"
"We shall have enough percentage to sway the decision to our side and for Otou-sama's decisions to be vetoed…but…it won't matter then…"
"'Cuz Michiru already married a man anyway and Kaioh-san won't have to make that decision…"
"Yes."
The young CEO sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Well…this kind of sucks…"
They sat in relative silence, everyone stuck in their own thoughts.
"But…it's just a title right?" Haruka asked, breaking the silence. "Michiru…she won't have to do anything more than marry him…like…promise you a grandchild or something?"
"That would be nice—
"Shinji!"
"Otou-san…"
"But no! No, of course not…"
Haruka smirked. "You can have a grandchild…just not from him." Three pairs of sapphires widened at such a boldly said statement as the blonde laughed. "Anyway…Michiru and I have to talk about it first…of course. I know she's thinking a lot about what Kaioh-san said back at the hospital and all of this coming in at once will only trigger a 'no' answer. So…give us a few days to let it sink in and…we'll see then."
Shina and Shinji nodded as the violinist merely gave a small sigh from within her half hug.
O-----O
"You alright?"
Michiru gave an evident sigh and kept her eyes remained on the road before them.
"The direction of our future seems bleak…"
"Don't say that."
"I'll be married to Jiro and it'll look as if I have a mistress from day one. And for what? Just for reputation. And it's not even just Jiro's future I'm playing with now…It's also Otou-san's and Okaa-san's and…I…I can't handle it…"
Haruka pulled the car to the side of the road and parked it quickly. Pulling her seatbelt off, she took the violinist's seatbelt off as well and gathered her in her arms. They were both doing their best…this was evident enough, but she knew the other woman's breaking point was near and she wouldn't be able to do anything, but be there.
Leaning her head on that familiar nook of her neck, Michiru gripped her collar and delved deep inside her embrace.
"I'm so tired…"
"I know."
Sparkling sapphires shut as she held her tighter, kissing her forehead before combing her free hand through cascading aqua curls. But regardless of what they may have to go through, how she felt at this moment, with this confident, yet fragile woman in her arms made the future that could only seem bleak look that much brighter. And she would not trade it. Not for anything in the world.
"I love you."
Sapphires opened as her conflicted emeralds looked away, towards the bleak gray sky cast over them.
"I know nothing's going as we want them to go, but by the end of the day, I'll always be here, and I'll always love you."
Haruka looked back down at the quiet violinist who could only lock eyes with her.
"We both know what at stake here. We both know the full circumstance of things. We both know that…it's only a title. It'll always be a title. I…if it means being able to be with you forever…I'll be able to live with it. There won't be any regrets or suspicions on my part because…it'll be just a title. You know it, I know it, Jiro-kun will know it, and your parents will know it. That's enough for me.
"And I know it may not be for you…because you'll be the one playing a part in it. You'll be his wife. But…if we don't take the necessary steps…we'll be destroying an entire company…Jiro-kun…your parents. Being selfish this time around will cost more than just relationships—it'll cost futures. Countless futures. We can't turn the other cheek and keep going as if nothing's happening. I know that's what you want to do now, but deep inside, I know that's the exact opposite of the desired effect you want. Your grandfather can choose to be selfish. We shouldn't."
Michiru was quiet for a moment, the torrent of conflicts raging through her eyes imminently.
"But if you want to do that…we can," the tomboy said softly. "If you really want to just keep going as if our decision won't change a thing, I can act as if it won't either. Regardless of the decision you make, I'm behind you, every step of the way. If you marry Jiro, I'll be your mistress." She gave an amused smirk at her own words. "If you say, 'To hell with it all' and just be with me exclusively…I'll be behind you on that decision as well.
"And don't think as if I'm okay with being a part of what looks like a god awful love triangle…"
"I know…"
The young CEO smiled at her peeped words. "You're mine."
Michiru smiled at such a brash statement and hugged her tighter.
"The people who need to know it, already know it. So I'm not worried about playing the part of a mistress. I'll do it if only to remain by your side…because as much as you're mine, I'm yours too. And I'll always be here…regardless of the matter."
"Haruka…"
She smiled at the cute way the smaller woman said her name and bent down to kiss her, loving the feeling of soft hands automatically coming up to her cheeks to cup them.
This felt right. Regardless of any circumstance, being with Michiru always felt right. There weren't any second questions or reiterated thoughts. Everything felt…normal. Her heart felt a bit lighter from talking about the matter at hand and she could tell the violinist in her arms felt better too. Even then, she wondered if a week from now she'll still be singing the same tune. Recently, it's been so much easier for her to imagine Michiru in that altar, saying "I do" to a shadowed figure of a man. That man being Jiro or not hardly seemed to matter; it wasn't her. It won't ever be her…but that thought easily sidled with what she said to the smaller woman just a minute ago.
She would not fall into the arms of insecurity. Michiru needed her and if only for that reason would she not back down from such a life changing decision.
"What're your job responsibilities as his wife?" she asked even before the whole question registered in her mind.
Michiru kind of smiled at the sudden question and she could tell that the smaller woman could see that she spoke before she thought, earning her an endearing look and pinch of the cheeks.
"Would you like to ask?" the violinist asked, fishing for her cell from her bag.
"I'm kind of curious…I mean…what does being your wife entail? Definitely not living under the same house…That's already a no, no. I don't want to live with him…"
The aqua haired woman laughed and dialed Jiro's number, pressing the speaker button as it began to ring.
"Hello?" he answered, after the second ring.
"Jiro?"
"Michiru, hi. How's your grandfather?"
"He's good…Seemed as if a heart attack was no big deal at all…"
"Really? You Kaiohs are resilient…"
"I kind of wish he was still bed ridden actually…knocked out from all that morphine…" the blonde stated brashly, riding in on the conversation.
"Haruka!"
She gave her a small slap in the arm before leaning into her again, deep chuckles coming easily from the tomboy as well the man in the other line.
"Haruka-san, how're you?"
"Pretty bad actually. You got time right now? We want to talk."
"About?"
"The wedding. Mainly what's going to happen after it."
"I…don't think you need to worry…"
"I think we should."
"Haruka-san—
"Kaioh Kei-san literally threatened the downfall of Kaioh Miroku if Michiru didn't go ahead with the wedding…so…yes, I think if anything you should worry."
"What?!"
"Can you fit us in your oh-so-busy schedule now?"
Jiro gave an exasperated sigh as Michiru gave her another chastising slap.
"Fine…yes…Come to my office. There's a meeting I have to partake in, in a few hours and I'm behind on my paperwork."
"Be there in an hour."
"Hour? Where are you guys?"
"Just came back from ojii-san's hospital," the violinist answered this time.
"Oh…alright. Yeah, just come in then. I'm sure everyone here knows you Michiru. Haruka-san can just tagalong—
"Screw you!"
"See you guys in a bit!"
Michiru gave an amused smile as Haruka gave a death stare at her phone that went blank as soon as Jiro hung up.
"You two have become such good friends," she quipped, making the death stare fall on her.
She chuckled and gave the tall woman a peck in the lips before getting out of that inviting embrace and settling herself back on the car seat.
"You alright now?" the tomboy asked and she replied with a beautiful smile.
"I think I'll be fine…as long you're here as my voice of reason."
"Soooo backwards…" Haruka exclaimed and turned the car on with a laugh.
"Although that baby statement made in front of my parents was a pretty bold move…"
"Yeah…I said that without thinking again…"
Michiru laughed. "I figured just as much…but I'm glad you said it. I think they were still skeptical about how serious you and I were…up until you said that."
The young CEO could only smirk as she merged back into the empty road, small violinist hands placed over her right hand naturally.
O-----O
For a second it felt as if she was in a Yakuza mainstay. Everywhere she turned, people's bodies and heads were bent down in a low bow. She almost wanted to scream out loud for all of them to stop…but that was very unlike a figure of the Kaioh name…as well as out of character for her to even think about doing it so she swallowed the growing uneasy feeling in her throat and wished the person guiding them to Jiro's office would walk a little quicker to the elevator. Haruka's growing smirk beside her wasn't making the experience any better either.
She kind of breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the elevator and the metallic doors closed, the last thing she saw being a balding man in a business suit, bowing so low that the toupee he had on fell to the sparkling, black marble floors beneath them.
Haruka laughed loudly as soon as the elevator began riding up, Michiru slapping her arm, but not before a small bit of laughter came out of her too.
"Did you see his hair?"
"Haruka…uncalled for," she warned, but she couldn't take the smile and amusement off her face at the same time.
"It fell!"
"I know it did, but be nice!"
"He bowed so low it fell…That so made my day…"
She sighed in exasperation as the person taking them to Jiro's office gave a small laugh.
"You agree with me right?" the blonde asked the woman, who could only smile widely and nod once.
"It's customary for employees to know the bigwigs of the company as well as their relatives for the sole reason that you both just witnessed."
"No wonder Jiro-kun always acts like he's on a high horse…" Haruka stated easily.
The woman laughed again as Michiru gave another exasperated sigh. Looking at the young woman next to her, she figured they were all pretty much the same age. "Are you Jiro's…?"
"Secretary, yes."
"Maybe I should fire Yuki and get me a younger one like he did…"
"Haruka…no more verbal quips today."
"Fine…"
The young woman laughed again as she held the taller woman's hand, looking up at her and giving her a wide smile before leaning into her arm.
"And you are…his…"
"Fiancé…yes."
She gave them a small look that was enough to ask all the questions in her hazel eyes before looking away.
"Long story…" Haruka grunted.
She gave an uneasy smile as the door opened to the receptionist's floor. They followed her to a closed door to the right as she gave a small knock before opening.
"Yeah?" Jiro's voice asked, filtering through the crack of the door.
"Sugiura-san, Kaioh-sama and her…friend…are here."
"Oh, let them in. Get us some tea too."
She gave a small bow before motioning them to enter and leaving, but not before closing the door. Michiru smiled inwardly in amusement at the actions and words of the secretary before coming inside and smiling at Jiro who looked up from his table and gave them a handsome smile as well.
"Sit down," he greeted and pushed the packet of papers before him to the side, keeping the pen in his hand and twirling it about with his fingers.
She sat to the left, Haruka claiming the executive chair to the right, before she looked back up at Jiro and smiled wider.
"You won the bet…by the way."
He looked confused for a moment before enlightenment dawned on him at which time he jumped from his seat and raised his hands in the air, looking like the clear victor to a match.
"Yes!" he screamed proudly, and made little fist pumps as soon as his hands went back down.
"What bet?" Haruka asked, making both of them look at her endearingly cute expression.
Michiru merely pinched her cheeks.
"So you're together then?" the red haired man asked, even though he already knew the answer. "I feel like…a ton of weights just lifted off my shoulders. You two don't even know how good it feels—
"Not as great as I felt last night that's for sure—
"Haruka!"
"Alright, no more quips, no more quips!"
Onyx eyes widened at her statement before he laughed, the violinist feeling the comfort settle within the room.
"Well I'm glad you two finally stopped acting like a bunch of douches and saw exactly what everyone's been seeing this entire time," he stated. "Especially you."
He and the blonde gave each other an even stare before Michiru's exasperated sigh forced both of their attentions back to her.
"So what's this about Kaioh-san?"
Seriousness fell over the table as Michiru sat a bit straighter.
"The heart attack scare must've forced Otou-san to talk with him about a lot of the things concerning the wedding…" the violinist started.
"I think…he was going to cancel it if anything," Haruka added. "He and Michiru's mother found out about us last night, technically speaking, and…I think he wanted to cancel it for the sake of Michiru's wellbeing."
"But ojii-san wouldn't have any of it," the aqua haired woman said with a sigh. "He's…threatening to take the company down when he dies if we don't get married…"
A dark look came over Jiro's features as his fist slammed down on the table before him. Standing up, he pushed the executive chair he sat on away inadvertently as he began pacing the floor behind his desk.
"It's no empty threat," the blonde stated, clearly saying what he already knew.
He nodded. "He owns fifty-five percent of the shareholders stock right now. He could…he could change the CEO right now if he doesn't see Shinji oji-san or Shina oba-san fit for the role. He could do…a hell of a lot…The divorce allowed him to."
"Yeah," the tomboy nodded. "So…Michiru and I have been thinking…and talking…and neither of us wants to see this company's downfall. Not when the sole reason and main decision lies on us."
Jiro stopped pacing and looked over at Haruka before the violinist gave him a helpless look.
"So…as his wife…I want to know what the job description entails. What will Michiru be…liable to do. What's her responsibility as your wife?"
"Are you kidding?"
"If Kaioh-Miroku's future is a joke for you, I'm laughing with you all the way."
The seriousness in her emerald eyes were clear to the young man and all Michiru could do was rub her back warmly.
"We care a lot about what's going to happen here," the violinist stated softly. "Especially in regards to you and my parents. It's so simple to just walk away from it all and with everything that's been happening I know you of all people would understand why…"
Jiro nodded at her words and sat back down.
"But…neither of us wants that easy way out. It's unfair to you who's been behind us and understanding us every step of the way and to Otou-san and Okaa-san who have been keeping this company alive for as long as I've known them. It's like…it's probably like tearing me away from Haruka. And you've had that decision to take the easy way out. You could've easily swayed everything to go your way. For the wedding to go unhitched and for Haruka and me to be miserable for the sake of the company…but you did the exact opposite. You and Haruka annoyed each other to no end…you befriended each other and…here we are now."
Haruka smirked beside her as the red haired man gave a small nostalgic smile as well.
"After all that…there's no way we can just turn away and leave…even though everything in me wants to."
Jiro gave a long, loud sigh and leaned tiredly into his seat. A knocking sound came from the door and soon after it opened, the young man's secretary came in with some tea and cups.
"Alright…" he stated rather dejectedly and bounced his seat back and forth with his back, eyeing his secretary's movements with the teacups automatically as he did so. "If…damn it!"
Michiru could literally hear him speak, but she couldn't blame him. She knew he didn't want it to be like this. No one in the room wanted it to end like this…but their options were down to just two polar opposite actions…and she and Haruka would never be able to live with themselves if they chose the one unfair to everyone, but them.
"Let's get someone who looks exactly like you, and I'll marry her, while you two run away to…Bermuda…or something…and never return."
"That idea sucks," Haruka stated easily.
Everyone in the room laughed as Jiro sighed again and massaged his temples with his hands.
"Yeah…Michiru's like a gem…Where are we gonna find someone who looks exactly like her, play the violin, and paint…all in the same person?" the onyx eyed man asked exasperatedly.
"Maybe we can get one person to look like her, another person to play the violin like her, and one more person who can paint like her," Haruka added.
"I swim as well…by the way," Michiru quipped.
More laughter pealed out from the small group. It was the only way any of them could get something out of such a bad situation.
"But…seriously speaking," the blonde stated. "I know you were serious Jiro-kun, but I doubt someone as good looking as Michiru that's not Michiru would marry you anyway—
"Haruka…"
"But seriously speaking," she continued, grinning at the death glare Jiro pronouncedly gave her. "I think…all of us know what we need to do. Michiru and I are resigned to the idea of her marrying you…I just…kind of want to know what she has to do after the ceremony."
"I wouldn't want her to do anything," the red haired man said simply, adding a shrug for good measure. "Marrying me should be more than enough. If anyone else asks for more, I'll gladly punch their face in."
The tomboy smirked and gave a thankful bow at the tea placed before her.
"Aiko, there's some paperwork at the side over there. It's messy and not in order. Get it in order before my meeting so I can take care of it after," Jiro instructed his secretary, getting a small bow of understanding from her.
As soon as she was finished with serving their tea, she collected the paperwork at another side table and left the quiet room.
"But is she expected to, let's say, go with you to company parties and…all that crap?" Haruka asked, getting back into the loop as soon as the door closed.
The red haired man made an irritated sound. "She'll probably have to…for…I don't know…company image or whatever."
"What happens if you two divorce?"
"Same thing. My stocks get depleted and my father's is stripped and returned to the seniority shareholder…and if Kaioh-san's still alive then, it'll definitely go to him. It'll start us back in square one…or…in the worst case scenario, end Kaioh-Miroku. As far as what Michiru would have to do though…I guess it's safe to say she'll have to play the part of a wife in any kind of events hosted by Kaioh-Miroku. Anytime I'm there as more than a businessman, she'll have to be with me as well. Other than public shows though, I don't see anymore reason why she has to act."
Michiru felt a little relieved at hearing this even though a part of her already knew what she would have to do.
"And living arrangements?"
"It's an arranged marriage," Jiro shrugged. "The media won't make a big deal about it if we don't live together…No one with the amount of power and money we have live together when deals like this are done. That's why Shina oba-san and Shinji oji-san's case is rare. So yeah…you should live—
"If I plan to live with Haruka?"
He laughed and gave an uneasy look. "I don't have a problem with it. It'll look weird if the media's involved, but…tch I could care less what they say. And once we marry, it won't matter what your grandfather says too…so you can go ahead and do as you like. Actually, you know what, screw company parties too. It's bad enough that you have to go ahead with the marriage…You really shouldn't have to do more Michiru. I insist that you don't…"
Michiru's heart warmed at his words, earning him a soft smile. This whole thing had definitely matured him and looking at Haruka, she could tell she was thinking along the same lines as well.
"I need to find you a mistress then…" the blonde said off handedly, making him laugh at her sudden words. "I know this hot girl…really into red heads. I think she'd totally dig you—
"Haruka…"
"Don't worry koi, I was the one who turned her down."
She gave Haruka another exasperated look as Jiro could only laugh at them.
"Although I think your secretary could give her a run for her money."
"She has a boyfriend," the red haired man stated, giving a wounded look.
"She's not married…"
Silence passed over the small group at Haruka's choice of words before laughter came out of them again.
"Alright, alright, I realized that was the wrong thing to say after alright?"
"Your tendency to run your mouth without your mind is fascinating," Jiro said with a smirk.
"The blonde hair excuses me…most of the time."
Michiru ruffled her hair endearingly as the onyx eyed man gave a bark of laughter again.
O-----O
"He's too nice…I think I really should hook him up with a girl…"
"He's married to his job Haruka, leave him alone."
She laughed and twisted the key to her penthouse door.
"But you wanted to show me something?"
Haruka nodded, feeling a bit excited as they entered the warm penthouse.
"You've already seen it," she stated cryptically. "So more than showing it, I'll give it to you."
Michiru gave her a confused look, but she merely smiled back, taking her hands into hers and guiding her to her bedroom.
"Your body?" the violinist asked after she realized where they were headed.
The blonde laughed boisterously. "Michiru!" she chastised playfully. "You're so ecchi!"
Sapphire eyes rolled at her as she bent down to give her cheek a little peck.
"I know I'm sexy and all, but you have to contain yourself alright? At least for five minutes…then we can go all out."
The small woman laughed and pinched her cheeks endearingly.
Haruka wondered if she would like it. She definitely liked the ring given to her…
Her hand went up to the small bump under her shirt absentmindedly as her thoughts took her further in her contemplation. She pulled the chain out of its hiding and looked down at the sparkly ring, smiling at how much such a small piece of jewelry could mean to her. She looked over to Michiru who only gave her a smile.
"Hope it means as much to you as yours means to me."
The aqua haired woman gave her a skeptical look as they finally arrived at the small lamp desk situated near her bed, where the familiar white bag from the undisclosed jewelry store sat exactly where the blonde left it. Understanding dawned on Michiru's porcelain features as Haruka took out the velvety box, opening it to reveal the ring that she purchased only a few weeks back.
"Haruka…" she breathed in awe as the tomboy gave an endearingly soft smile.
The sun in the background had only begun to set, casting their surroundings in hues of orange and yellow and Haruka could only think that everything, from where they were to the soft, happy smile in Michiru's countenance and eyes, to the way her ring and the one the smaller girl had given her sparkled in unison with the lighting was, to say the least, perfect.
Everything was perfect.
There were no problems concerning family. No problems concerning companies. There was just them, in that one small moment in time. And it couldn't have been more perfect.
"It's for you," Haruka said softly, her voice turning husky without her meaning for it to. She stared deep into sapphire eyes as she took the ring from its box. "It's always been for you. I remember you saying…how I should give it to a girl I like…and I said how it won't look right on any girl…But…I'll take your word for it now and give it to a girl…I really, really more than like."
Michiru laughed as pianist hands held hers and slid the ring deftly, perfectly, into her ring finger. The smile fell from her face, replaced by awe. She placed her hand on the blonde's chest, inadvertently placing it near the one she bought for her. She smiled at the sight of the two rings, so alike and so different all at the same time. Words had left her a long time ago… and she could only smile.
"This whole wedding…doesn't mean anything to me," the blonde stated seriously, earning her attention once more. "Regardless of the outcome and what it could produce monetarily, it's only a title. You're not Sugiura Michiru. You're Kaioh Michiru. You are now…you always will be…until we can give you the better name change to Tenoh…"
She smiled and raised her arms over the tomboy's neck, no longer feeling the coldness of the ring on her finger a moment back, but already feeling as if it's an extension of her. She played with it with her fingers before going back to brush blonde hairs as she was so used to doing already.
Haruka smiled back at her, emeralds twinkling in the dim lighting. "You don't belong to anyone, but to me and yourself. And I will never belong to anyone else, but you. Some wedding for the sake of a company doesn't change that. I'll be here for as long as you need me…and if that's forever, I'll gladly stay here right beside you forever."
Sapphire eyes glazed at the heaviness and overwhelming feeling her heart was making. Gripping her by the waist, the tomboy held her in tightly before they met for a kiss.
Slowly, but surely, it would be alright. The blonde was sure of it. Nothing that felt so right should be wrong…and she would do everything she could to make it so.
AN: Hellow xD Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving. So it's the end of the month and I'm updating :P Hope the wait was semi-worth it. Alright, first and foremost, I want to talk about Kei's heart condition. His recovery time seemed too quick…even for me, but I needed to get the story going so I made it faster. Sorry! xD Another thing that may bother readers (certainly got a question from my gf) was Haruka's reaction to the wedding. At this point in the story, I felt she's matured enough to go from the "She's mine" personality to the "She's mine, but I won't be selfish enough to ruin everyone's life" personality which was the end result of her decision regarding how she acted about the entire thing. Even then, I felt her relationship with everyone excluding Michiru, mostly Jiro and the Kaiohs had gone at least a couple levels higher than her initial thought of them and kicking a person while he's down is not very Haruka-like. Either way, tell me what you think 'cuz I wouldn't want her decision to be OOC in regards to what she's been as a character. Other than that…I think…yeah I think I'm good. Glad to have one sided talks again. Ohh, WotLK is AWESOME!! Haha…got my main to eighty yay! :P ok I'm done.
t.: Nooo don't shoot wow!! xD Actually…I kind of have beef with Blizzard reps at the moment so…yeah…go shoot them. But yes, I liked what Michiru said to Haruka in regards to the necklace and the burning food part was definitely alike the pancake they burnt before they became FwB. XD
Black Caballiere: Glad you liked the talk between Haruka and Shinji. Sorry you had to wait a couple weeks. Priorities, priorities. /sigh…
petiyaka: Eww adult scenes make me queasy. Yeah…there's that one on top too…haha. Can't believe I'm the author sometimes…Being understanding after being asses came from the root that after a while, they were being asses on purpose and acting some if not most of their feelings outwardly so I guess that could be my excuse for a possible OOC on their part. It's been sometime that they've known Haruka and have been second guessing themselves in regards to her. Shinji was being an ass as a part of an act. I felt it was justified that given his father's not in a very good condition, he could drop it, if only for a second.
WindChaser0001: Haha I doubt you still feel sorry for him after the scene up top. I didn't make him very forgiving…nor weak after such a big event. The layout…sucks. I completely understand. Anonymous reviews are nice…I don't mind them. But if u can review with your account name, that's more than alright w/ me too. Soon, wasn't soon enough this time around apparently.
My Veggie Burger: XD I'm sorry for the withdrawals you must've faced these last couple weeks then. Maybe you should start that anonymous group and be the leader? It might bear fruit haha. What Michiru's parents are planning is still up in the air…Granpa Kaioh just kind of shut it down to a do or die situation. Thanks for the comments. /Blush I'm sure you can do something to take your mind off of it. Sweating and shaking in a corner? XD hahaha. Amusing to imagine, but at least the wait is over?
shin: haha…sweet get back together? I like writing stories where they have an opportunity to get together…that's why I tear 'em apart. My head hurts from the smacking…maybe some temporal permanent brain damage. Oh noes! I'm losing all memory! Can't write…anymore…must retrieve all the lost data again. Could take a few more months. Til then, I'll play more WoW…cuz I didn't forget that part at all XD Shinji's "one more week" statement comes back here. I wonder what that means? XD haha. Well I hope it was worth the wait and don't watch too much drama. Reality and fiction gets distorted once you get out of the loop.
LaCazadora: Really didn't hope ojii-san got better now, right?
Iatheia: Awww…dang!! That was such a guilt trip right there! That was a huuuge guilt trip!! DX Hahaha read the whole thing again?? If…if that…yeah…sure! Ten more chapters?? Oh my god…I don't think I can. Maybe…two or three more…and it'll probably be done. I'm sad about it as well, but I feel a long break is needed in the near future for me.
Kilohe: Zomg…this is how I can make you cry??? Holy hell…-.- hahaha whining is never pointless! You get to vent…and well…sorry…sorry for the hiatus…But you're the second person to want to reread it during my absence…IT'S ONLY TWO WEEKS CALM DOWN!! Or…was it three? XD
wolvesorrow: I am soooo a nerd. I actually went to Wal-Mart (cuz they were the only ones selling the limited edition of wow on a first come, first serve no preorders basis) and me, my bro, my gf, and my cousin…all got the first four and some lucky ones who sat near us got the last two. We waited in line for six hours…neeeerd. Haha talking during sex defeated the purpose so I didn't let anyone talk a lot for this scene. :P And yeah…I suppose Haruka's back as bridesmaid…haha.
Haruka-Michiru: XDD fine, fine I don't feel old. I don't go out drinking a lot…mainly in family weddings, but when I do daaamn…I get wasted xD ooo I wanna get a tattoo that has a variation of the Uranus planetary symbol, but w/ a little more additions to it. I think that's cool that you have that! Hehe, the vacation is over…at least for now. But I have missed writing haha. I didn't get to write as much as I hoped I would, but at least I still have this chappy to show for.
Swinging Cloud: hahaha zomg…no crying…no sad faces! How it plays out? Hmm…they'll get married and Haruka'll remain a mistress forever. :P The End. XD WoW was enjoyable to a fault. Semi-smut (was about to write slut for some reason) scenes are enjoyable to cut just when it's just getting good.
AlterEgoErin: Yes! Forever sounds like a good timeframe for H&M.
skyking131: Yep, I have plans to write a sequel for HP. Plot bunny for it is already engraved in my head. When I'll do it, I guess, is the main question. I've started it, but I haven't picked it up since I've started this and well…that was a long time ago. Haha getting a work published would be awesome. Free distribution (tips are appreciated) is doable as well xD Gotta thank your roots after all. Sleep on Saturday mornings are nice. Hope you enjoyed the sleep you managed on your Saturdays I've been gone as well.
Galinda Thropp: The new layout sucks…-.- yeah last chappy was a kind of Achilles Heel for me. I wanted to get something out, but my mind was in a state where it didn't want to write. Glad I wrote it though cuz it advanced the plot like crazy fast, so…that's good haha. I'll probably go over the entire story and re-edit it after the ending's all posted and done with so there's one more thing I can look forward to at the end of this journey. Sad corner?? Another reviewer up there has a withdrawal corner. Name's veggie burger and I think he/she may start an FwB anonymous group. Maybe you should join?
Ryoko05: I personally like reading stories from all night and be all wide eyed the next morning. Glad the read was enjoyable and you're welcome with the all nighter XD
Love is simply Eternal: :D Thank you for being understanding. It warms my heart that a lot of the readers didn't go AWOL at my decision because it was rather rushed and out of nowhere. The whole idea of the "one-sided convos" was for the reason that I wanted to thank people for the reviews. I highly enjoy them…I think EVERY author likes reviews and reading them makes it all the more enjoyable. Having feedback kind of stems that feeling that, yeah…your review was appreciated and definitely not looked over casually…at least not by me. As for the chapter, I'm glad you liked it. I had kind of mixed expressions regarding it, because it was another chappy that just kind of had to be put up for the sake of a better chapter next time and I hope I delivered that this time, at least. Granpa Kaioh…haha. You missed the mark…I see him as a very old…very first generation kind of family member. You know, that generation that doesn't understand and won't want to understand because he's gone through so much and knows all things. I'm not done w/ him…not by a long shot. So…you know…let's see if someone can sway his decision. In the end…the fact that Haruka's a woman set his entire thinking back to the stone age…so yes, he does want that trend to end…but not under the circumstances that Michiru wants it to be.
Vanessa Riverton: Yay, I can live! Haha, Jiro running off with some wealthy heiress wouldn't be such a bad thing, but he still does love his job…maybe even to a fault. Although for H&M's sake, maybe he should do just that.
Tigon ookami: Whaaat?? What promise on no smut? Semi-smut!! Although I completely agree with you…which is why I don't like to write sex scenes to begin w/. I'd like to think I have some sort of taste…and I have read REALLY BAD stories that have zero plot advancement (or they try to have plot advancement but phail) and completely abhor the story XD So well…I hope my story doesn't turn out like that…because I just want to show small glimpses where you know their relationship transcends words…and that's where "semi-smut scenes" come from…at least in my world. And smutty reviews are kinda gross…it's like…-.- alright…thanks? But hopefully…again…I don't come off as that kind of an author…-.- As for the week?? You'll have to tune in my friend…haha. Nope…Haruka's not gonna revert back. She and Michiru are together…through thick and thin regardless of the wedding. Michiru did tell Jiro she lost the bet. I did NOT write the story in wow form (the only word I used even close to wow lingo is "resilient"…oh! Words…I used "stagnant" as well…) Shinji…will not turn into the Lich King…Arthas does that job too painfully well already XD Stalking and punishment are not needed!! I updated!! Everyone SHOULD celebrate getting fat for the winter. All that's left after is hibernation…and the occasional getting up to open presents :P
harucino: well thank you. I think your review is great too :D
Volchise: Yes, their male bonding experiences have captured a piece of Haruka's heart, whether she wants to voice it out loud or not.
Nekomi Kaze: Hehe, well now you know how Michiru reacted on the ring. Pretty speechless I suppose. Yeah…they've been licensing dramas in the middle of showing them recently and it's kind of irked me. Glad I got to finish it though…although I haven't checked out Nino's new drama yet…Just my luck it's probably already licensed -.-
thepillows93: that was not a cliffhanger! Lies! Kei? There's nothing wrong w/ him except a lot of bigotry, hate, and probably homophobia as well.
krugern: I'm sorry you're sad. D: I think it's cool that you take the time to reread it though, so thank you. You're so perceptive…I didn't realize I wrote the whole "cool dad" thing until you said it…so…haha kudos! But yeah…she probably wants to be a lot like her dad…only more active when it comes to her own children (if that ever comes to pass). The next week…should be pretty fun to write. I'm not really sure if I wanna skip Monday to Thursday and just go straight to the dinner rehearsal on Friday and the wedding on Sat. haha.
Chumba Wumba: heh, I'm glad you liked it…or semi-liked it? XD wow was very enjoyable…and the ending is imminent isn't it? Hope I'll make it worth everyone's while.
ChrisGranger: I'm sorry…you're missing it. Umm…they will try their best at being together with Michiru all wedded and all that…so wish them luck. A lot of luck!
Haruka-Akira: (Restick Haruka Michiru stamp because I'm too cheap to put in one of my forever stamps I bought the other day) Dear Rapid (rapid?? hahaahaha -.- I think you meant rabid…cuz that's exactly what you are)-FWB-fangirl, My writing break has been outstanding. I got to lvl eighty w/ my mage and am working on upping her enchanting now that I have more free time. Please don't eggnog my house…the crows do a good enough job at trashing the place w/ the carelessly left out plastic bags in the backyard. If you plan on kidnapping me, please let me keep my labby so I can play wow where you plan on letting me stay. Sincerely, Evil Author. XD yes…these letter format reviews are definitely the best types. They crack me up XD Was the return deserving? I dunno…you tell me. Haha…would you like H&M to go away for a week? I can…it'll be their last singles week ever. But but…that line!! Noooo my line!! My line…I completely made up for the sake of that scene…-.- I like that line xD
Akira-kun: Hehe late reviews are alright w/ me. Real life should trump fics XD although sometimes they suck more…-.- haha the one more week line is so intriguing…XD But we'll see. My break was very well worth it. Glad to be back.
Mantaray: DX I'm sorry for the short chappy. My brain really didn't want to write one, but I couldn't leave without posting something up first haha. Of course the okayu's on the stove…come on! I'll ALWAYS leave the scene short, so if they look like they're about to do something or are in the process of…it will definitely get cut before anymore rated x words pop in. How you feel about that scene is wholly justified. Something about the entire chapter irked me as well, but well, I guess I'll look into it a little later. I think it's the fact that nothing and something happens at the same time too so…well I'm not trying to make an excuse haha. Hope this chapter was a bit more impressive though! xD