Hello people! I don't know if anyone is still interested, but if you are I apologize for the ridiculously long hiatus. Can it even be called a hiatus at this point? I have had a really rough time, being laid off, going back to school, and a series of serious emotional drama with my family. It's been a lot. I just did not have the time or the ability or, honestly, the motivation to write more. I kept wanting to and trying to, but I just didn't have it. Sorry. I will try my best to write more, because it has really been paining me that this story was not complete. Added to that, the additional reviews that I have gotten since I have stopped has really inspired me to kinda get back to it (yes, that is a hint for you to review when you are done, lol, if you are still interested in reading more). Either way, last Friday I don't know what happened, but I just started writing. Yah! So, here's hoping the mojo stays with me.
Btw, I don't own Sailor Moon, but I do own the additional characters.
Haruka slowly descended the staircase; she couldn't hold onto the rail because her good arm was toward the wall, so she proceeded sideways, carefully balancing her good leg and her cane. It may have been an easier job if she had taken the crutches, but she refused. They had to fight to get her into the wheelchair to leave the hospital, and it was only Mamoru's threat that he wouldn't release her for another week that convinced her. Haruka couldn't tolerate the idea of the crutches. It was stupid and prideful; she knew that, but it reminded her too much of something that made her feel weak. It was a disturbing feeling for a woman accustomed to being in control. All she could think about was Tiny Tim.
She had bought it for over a year ago from the gift shop of the Tokyo Observatory. She was buying something for Hotaru to commemorate their trip. Then she saw it. A gaudy looking cane. It was so over the top, yet strangely appealing, with an oversized figure of a planet as the medallion. There were several, each with a different planet as its medallion, but her juvenile sense of humor could not resist the idea of people asking her what planet it was and having to answer "Uranus." As with most useless things she purchased, it remained in her office, forgotten. Since she had the opportunity, she convinced Michiru and Momaru she would use the cane instead. Now all she had to do was convince them that she could use it. Besides, there was something about that cane. She could totally pull it off.
"What do you think Michi?" Haruka posed, her triumph at making it down the stairs as proof of success with her new toy.
"Haruka, you look like a Yakuza pimp." Michiru just looked away laughing.
"Really," Haruka began, moving closer to properly leer at her. She whispered, "would that make you my-"
"Finish that sentence if you want the rest of your body in a cast."
"How about I sit down now?" Haruka began to use her cane to get a safe distance from Michiru.
"Mmm, how about you do that."
It was another balancing act for Haruka to lower herself into the sofa. The deep, cocoon-like feel was not so exactly her favorite feature at the present moment—but she did not need crutches. She struggled to sit, her body finally collapsing into the sofa, as she let out a soft groan of pain. Not only were her arm and leg broken, but her muscles were still sore from the brutal beating they experienced as well. Haruka expected to be in the hospital for a few weeks, due to her ribs and internal injuries, but after a few days she felt fine—and she wanted to get out of there. Momaru and Amy, however, kept assaulting her with a seemingly endless array of x-rays, MRIs, and tests. At one point, she was not sure she would have any blood left. But her ribs and internal organs were perfectly healthy; the excruciating pain she was in the first night had all but dissipated. Since the doctors had ruled out any cerebral injuries, there was no reason to keep her hospitalized for broken bones and cuts and bruises. In the end, even Momaru had to concede.
Michiru turned away, so Haruka couldn't see her smile. She couldn't let her finish that sentence, but she did look kind of cute with her cane. When Momaru said that Haruka's injuries no longer looked as extensive as previously thought, Michiru did not know how it was possible. Neither Momaru nor Amy seemed able to explain it either. Not in any way that made sense. They seemed to be talking around something. But, it didn't matter. Michiru didn't care how it was possible, because she knew what it meant. It meant that Haruka was fine, healthy. Safe.
She returned her thoughts to the papers before her. Where was she before Haruka came in? Returning to her work, she poured over the portfolio of advertisements for apartments, and available storage units, her lease there beside them with write-ups of other apartments in the building.
"What are you doing, Michi?" Haruka asked. She had been changing channels, trying to find something to watch on television that was not about her but, after a few minutes, noticed Michiru's silence. Whatever it was, Michiru was really concentrating on something, Haruka realized. And it wasn't her. Haruka watched her lovers furrowed brow and serious expression as she focused on the pile of papers before her.
"Sorry, my lease is about to end," Michiru began, contemplating whether to re-sign her lease. It seemed like such a waste, because she was hardly there. She was thinking of moving to a smaller less expensive apartment, but, then she'd still have to deal with moving for a place she'll hardly be, so it might make more sense to stay where she was and avoid the stress of moving all together. She couldn't decide. Unfortunately, she really wanted to get out of that apartment. It was filled with so many tainted memories of and connections to her past. She sighed, still confused.
They sat silently for a few minutes, Haruka staring at but not watching the television and Michiru still looking over her papers, the sound of the channels changing in the background.
"Hey Michi?" Haruka stopped changing channels.
"Un?" Michiru said a bit absently. She had finally found one with a rooftop pool like her current apartment did. That was promising.
"What about here?" Haruka asked.
"What about here?" Michiru asked, still reading. A few of the ones she looked at had pools, but they were all indoor with restricted access. She couldn't help the preference, but the idea of a midnight swim with nothing but the water and the wind, was magical. She couldn't give that up. It was great that Haruka had a pool. While it was indoor, so it could be used in the winter, the glass enclosure had a retractable roof to let in the air or summer sun. It was one of the things that kept Michiru sane while worrying about her lover's recovery.
"I mean, what about moving… in here?" Haruka asked slowly turning her body toward her lover, her neck still too sore to move on its own.
"What?" Stunned, Michiru turned to face her. She did not expect that. "Well, I…Ruka, I…I hadn't-"
"Because… you're right." Haruka continued, interrupting Michiru's disjointed thoughts. "You are hardly at your place."
"Well…hai" Michiru agreed, still taken aback.
"And that's because you're always here, right?" Haruka continued.
"Well…hai."
"And… well I guess…I guess I've gotten used to waking up and seeing you every morning. I guess I kinda don't mind it."
"Well, when you say it like that." Michiru said grinning. Haruka was not one for grand statements and declarations, was she?
"You know what I mean. I mean I like having you here. I mean, I want you to be here. With me. Always." She ended softly.
Michiru expected Haruka to make a clever comeback after her jab. What she didn't expect was Haruka to show her sincerity instead. She was so accustomed to the racer's playful demeanor and knew that Haruka would rather say most things under the guise of a joke than admit her feelings outright. So, to see the blonde racer's teal eyes looking directly at her as the spoke so earnestly left the musician speechless.
"Well?" Haruka said, frustrated by her partner's silence. She never did that whole heart on her sleeve thing. It was not a fashion she was accustomed to wearing.
"Hai." Michiru smiled, but stifled her laughter. Haruka was still Haruka, then.
Haruka sat back into the couch, feeling a bit more relaxed somehow now that Michiru was going to make her move permanent. She smiled, liking the idea of waking up to Michiru's ocean eyes every morning. It brought on an unexpected clam, which surprised her. She did not think anything would be able to make her smile, what with her injuries, the fallout from her accident, and the fact that her racing career was essentially over; yet, somehow everything felt right, as if things were how they were supposed to be. Her eyes surreptitiously glanced to Michiru, who remained, unmoved as she continued looking over her leasing documents. Haruka knew that Michiru was no longer really paying attention to the leasing papers, and could see the smile playing at her lips.
Everything was perfect. Now she had to tell Hotaru. Hmm, how was that going to work? She would have to sit her down—no they should all three sit down together, you know get Hotaru more acquainted with the idea of them being a trio rather than Haruka being the linchpin hinging two duos. Basically she will, they will tell her that Michiru will be moving in and living with them from now on. That they were going to be a family. Maybe Hotaru will like the idea. It would be nice. Maybe Hotaru could have a mama after all, she thought, her eyes still upon the aquamarine siren. Haruka smiled; she could have a Michiru-mama. She almost laughed out loud at the thought: Michru-mama. But, the more she said it in her head the more she liked how it sounded. Michiru-mama. She smiled, again. Of course, even though Hotaru and Michiru had been much better since their week together and Haruka's return from the Hospital, and maybe mama was pushing it. She still didn't know how Hotaru would react, or what she would think or—
Ding Dong!
Lost in her own thoughts about Hotaru's acceptance of this new permanent addition to the household, Michiru jumped at the sound of the doorbell. She looked over to Haruka and could see that by her expression, she was not expecting anyone either. Putting the papers away, she quickly sprang to her feet and headed for the door. The impatient visitor rang three more times in succession after the door was not immediately opened. When Michiru opened the door, all she saw was the wavy mass of hair and the back of the woman it belonged to, as she waved at the silver Rolls Royce that began pulling out of the driveway.
"Excuse me?" Michiru said. "May I help you?"
"Well, it's about time" she said turning around, arms heavy leaden with shopping bags. The bags, Michiru did not notice, it was the beauty of her face. She was stunning. Sharp cheekbones, angular jaw, pert lips, and sparkling teal eyes, all capped with waves that undulated like sand dunes past her shoulders. She smiled, eyes surveying Michiru head to foot, as well. "You must be the woman."
Michiru had seen her picture before, but a photograph certainly did not do her justice. Seeing her in person, and the features of her lover in this more feminine frame, made Michiru appreciate Haruka's beauty even more.
"Kaioh, Michiru," she introduced herself, with a bow. "Come in. Let me help you with the bags"
"If I let go of anything, I will lose it all," she said with a laugh, and then stepping inside began to sing. "Haru-chan! Haru-chan!"
"Oh no," came the groan from the family room.
"Oh, there you are." She said running into the room. Dropping her bags onto the floor, she sprang to the sofa. "Aww, how is my imotou!"
"Oi! Hiroko…onee-san…yamatte!" Haruka complained, as Hiroko, throwing her arms around Haruka's shoulders, began frantically kissing her cheeks. .
"How can you say that Haru-chan? You could have died," Hiroko reminded her with a pout.
"Stop calling me Haru-chan!" Haruka complained, using her good arm to wipe off the lipstick that she knew was on her cheek.
"Aww, Haru-chan," Hiroko said with a smile, nuzzling her face closer to that of her disgruntled younger sister.
Michiru looked on with a combination of confusion and amusement. She had heard about Haruka's sister, but watching their interaction was priceless. Practically identical in physical features, in appearance and action, they were nothing alike. They looked like opposite sides of the same coin. Haruka looked so annoyed and uncomfortable, even though deep down Michiru was sure she was happy to see her onee-san. Still, it was funny to see the racer put off her game.
"Hiroko san, would you like me to get you some tea?" Michiru offered, as she began picking up the shopping bags Hiroko had strewn about the living room floor. She was certainly like Haruka with her inability to clean up. "I see you have done a lot of shopping."
"It's what she does best," Haruka grumbled.
"At least my pastime does not cause a scandal," she scolded her sister.
"So, Hiroko did you just return to Japan?" Michiru quickly asked, not giving her lover the opportunity to respond. "Haruka said that you were living in Hawaii."
"Did she?" Hiroko turned to face Michiru. "Well, I am glad that she talked about me, considering she was completely useless in filling anyone in about you. Not even me! I have had to get all my information from mother."
Michiru wanted to respond to that, but considering her interactions with Haruka's mother so far, she was not eager to know what exactly Hiroko would think of her.
"Don't worry, I know mother is dramatic." She said with a laugh. " So, I hear you are an artist."
"Yes, I am." Michiru was silent again. She didn't know what to say. She did not expect that she would be this nervous but every time she was around a Tenoh she felt as if she was on trial. Perhaps it's because she was not at all prepared to meet Haruka's sister. Then again, she was not prepared to meet Haruka's parents either. But, the disaster of that meeting only made her more uncomfortable.
"Are you any good?"
"Hiroko!"
"What?!"
"Yes, I am," Michiru answered, with a smile. Bluntness was a family trait then. "And what do you do, Hiroko?"
"Shop," Haruka answered.
"Yamatte!" Hiroko, forgetting about Haruka's injuries, slapped her sister on the arm. After apologizing and laughing and apologizing for laughing, she continued. "I do a lot of public relations for the company."
"Oh, right, I forgot. Shop and go to parties." Haruka continued with a grin.
"Oh, speaking of shopping," Hiroko remembered, going to retrieve her bags.
"Yes, you have been very busy," Michiru noted, grinning as well.
"Oh, this isn't for me," she said, with a wave. "Hotaaaruuu-chaaan!"
It took about a minute, but soon the sound of Hotaru's footsteps could be heard above them, as she bounded down the stairs. She froze at the threshold of the room, looking at Hiroko in surprise.
"Hiroko-obasan!" Her surprise turning to delight, she ran into her aunt's open arms.
"Aww, there's my girl," Hiroko cooed, hugging her close. She leaned back to get a better look at her. "Now, how is my favorite niece?"
"Only niece," Haruka added.
"Oh, be quiet!"
Once again, Michiru held back her laughter as the pair's banter. She never had any siblings; it was funny to see this side of Haruka.
"Now, let us go upstairs and see all the things I brought you. Then we can decide what we are going to wear for dinner with ojiisan and obaasan tonight."
"Tonight?" Haruka asked. "There's no way I am going over there tonight onee-san. I… I'm still recovering." She added that last part for good measure. The idea of a dinner at her parents' house, with Hiroko and the rest of the family was the last thing she wanted right now. Besides, she wanted to have a nice dinner with Michiru and Hotaru. If things went well again then tonight, after dinner, perhaps with some ice cream to sweeten the news, they could tell Hotaru about Michiru moving in with them. Hotaru may have a lot of questions. They needed this time tonight as just the three of them.
"Don't be silly, Haru-chan," Hiroko began. "No one expects you to go to the other side of town. And the slew of reporters I had to get through to get in here was ridiculous. Mother and daddy are bringing dinner here."
"What?" Both Haruka and Michiru choked in surprise.
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Dinner was an uneventful affair, with the Tenohs, including Hiroko's husband, Matsuda Katashi, the company's Vice President of Operations, who had been meeting with his father-in-law all day. Hotaru was in glee that the entire family was together and spent the evening relishing in the attention of her grandparents and catching up being doted on by her aunt and uncle. Haruka was subject to Hiroko's alternate fawning and teasing, such as when she observed Michiru cutting up Haruka's food. Since Haruka had only one working hand, it meant that she could not hold both a knife and fork. Whose idea was it to have steak again? But, they had dinner catered from Haruka's favorite restaurant and the fillet was like butter melting her mouth. Haruka's father and brother-in-law, in the meanwhile, had largely kept up their meeting. Since the Matsuda's had been in Hawaii for almost a year—Katashi setting up the new office in Honolulu—everyone was so distracted by actually being together that the dinner went off much better than Haruka had expected. It was in when they relaxed to have drinks in the family room that things went awry.
"So Haruka, now that you can't race anymore, when are you going to start?"
"Katashi!" Hiroko scolded. She stood in the corner with Hotaru, both donning grass skirts, as she tried to teach her niece the hula.
"Start what?" Haruka asked, looking around at her family. Hiroko would not make eye contact, her father's jaw tightened, and her mother seemed overtly interested in Hotaru's hula lesson.
"Hmm, so what is this lovely family gathering really for?" Haruka asked. Her parents coming over right after she had been in an accident should not have been a cause for alarm, but this ambush dinner from her favorite restaurant had her suspicious from the beginning.
"You didn't tell her?" Katashi asked his wife.
"I was working my way up to it," Hiroko answered.
"It doesn't matter," her father said, making himself a drink.
"Yes, it does," Katashi said. "We need to represent a united front if the company is going to survive this."
"Survive?" Haruka was still confused. "A united front? What are you talking about?"
Katashi rose, the fury evident in his voice. "What am I talking about? I am a talking about the fact that your—" he looked over to Hotaru and changed his tone. "Your revelation during the accident has had far greater implications than your racing career. Do you know what this controversy has done to Tenoh stock prices?"
Haruka could feel her fist clench at Katashi's tone and, almost immediately, the slight pressure of Michiru's hand. Katashi and Haruka's relationship was difficult at best and had been since they were teenagers. Katashi had been with Hiroko since they were all in high school together—that is since before Haruka was expelled from their exclusive private school for refusing to wear the female school uniform. It was such an embarrassment, he said, to see Hiroko's sister dressed like a boy. Especially, since she could be such a pretty girl if she tried. That's when she punched him. While his broken nose healed, their relationship never did. Now, that he was her brother-in-law, the VP of Tenoh Corp, and the presumed successor to her father, he was even more disapproving.
"Look, this is a family business, but ever since Tenoh went public, the company does not have the autonomy that it did before. The board is very nervous about what is being said and how it is affecting the company's performance in the market."
"And what do you expect me to do Katashi?" Haruka asked. "Turn back time and avoid the accident?"
"Maybe, if you had—"
"Katashi," Haruka's father silenced him in a word before turning to his daughter. "Haruka, Katashi is right."
"Of course he is," Haruka grumbled.
"We are a family, and we need to present a united front," Her father continued. "We need to show our support—"
Haruka snorted at the word. Support? When have they ever supported her? They did not support her career. They certainly did not support her 'lifestyle,' as they dubbed it. Now they wanted her to what? Be a good soldier and fall in line?
"Look, you've had your fun with your cars, and you nearly got killed for it. Now, you need to behave like a Tenoh," her father said with icy fury. "We need you to take your seat on the board. We need your vote, your shares to ensure we have the majority. You may not care about what you do in the world, but you should care about what your ancestors did. What they built. You are a Tenoh. It is your responsibility to behave like one. It is your duty," Her father ended, taking his seat across from her.
"What do you expect me to do?" Haruka asked. "I don't know anything about Tenoh Corp. How would my being there make any difference? You two are acting as if the company is in trouble."
Both men were suddenly silent and Haruka's eyes bounced from each.
"I wouldn't even know what to do if I was there," Haruka began, though neither father nor brother-in-law had replied. "Besides, I can't spend all my time in an office like you two. I need to be home for Hotaru."
"It's okay Haruka-papa," Hotaru chimed in, from the corner where she sat playing with her grandmother and aunt. Though understanding little of what was going on, like any child, she knew how to listen when adults were speaking. She continued. "When Michiru-mama moves in with us, she can stay with me."
"What?" The question echoed from everyone's lips, and everyone turned to Hotaru with a different cause for surprise.
"Moves in?" Hiroko asked looking from Haruka to Michiru then back to Hotaru.
"Hai," Hotaru said, beaming. "When Michiru-mama comes to live with me and Haruka-papa, we will be a family."
"How did you know that?" Haruka asked.
Hotaru looked at Haruka confused at the question. "You told me."
"You did?" Michiru asked. She had been thinking of what and how they would tell Hotaru the news, but Hiroko arrived, and they never had a chance to discuss it. She knew that Hotaru was Haruka's daughter, but she had hoped that Haruka would include her in the conversation.
"No, I didn't," Haruka answered.
"Yes, you did," Hotaru continued. "Don't you remember?"
"Hotaru, I did no such thing. You know better than to tell fibs" she scolded. "Were you listening my conversation with Michiru?"
"I'm not fibbing," Hotaru said with a pout.
"Is this true?"
"No, it's not. I mean yes it is. I mean—hold on okaa-san." Haruka had enough on her mind right now to deal breaking this news to her family as well. Her father and Katashi had already pissed her off regally. This was just something else for them to disapprove of. The last thing she needed was Hotaru to start acting out as a result. Was this the beginning of what she feared? Was Hotaru acting out to get attention? Was Hotaru afraid that Michiru would take her place, Haruka wondered? Either way, none of that justified telling lies. She had not experienced any behavior problems with Hotaru before. She was not sure how to handle it. The best way she could think to handle this was with some immediate bud-nippery. Get it done with now, so it never happens again.
"Hotaru, I want you to tell me the truth." Haruka ordered, her fury from the previous conversation making her voice harsher than normal.
"I am telling the truth!" Hotaru argued.
"Haruka, it's not that important if she overheard you talking." Her father said, coming to Hotaru's rescue. In response she went to him, as he pulled her onto his lap.
"But, it is important if she is telling fibs otou-sama."
"You should've heard some of the doozies you told when you were her age," he continued with a grin.
"Well, we all know you don't want her to turn out like me do you?" Haruka snapped at her father, ignoring the sting she saw flash across his face at her words.
Turning her attention back to her daughter, Haruka began again, forcing her tone become softer. "Now Hotaru, I want you to tell me the truth. Michiru and I only decided that today, so how could I have told you?"
"In my dream," Hotaru answered.
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Her arm and leg protected in plastic sleeves and propped up against the tub, Haruka sat in the shallow water, ruminating on the day's events. The day was nothing if not eventful. If anyone had told her this morning that today would have descended into a damn circus, she would have stayed in bed. Her brother-in-law, her sister, her mother, her father, each stressing her out in their own special way. Even Hotaru had contributed with her outburst. Now, that she did not expect. In the end, they all resolved to let it go. Hotaru was taking a nap when she and Michiru were talking earlier. She probably overheard them talking when she was half-asleep and incorporated it into her dream. That happens. She was young. And dreams run into each other. And they can be confusing when you are a child, making it hard to know what and when something happened, what's real and what's not. Hotaru was just confused. It was funny really. Amusing. And everyone laughed it off. Still, one thing still bothered Haruka. Michiru-mama. It was cute, and Haruka liked the way it sounded. It sounded even better coming from Hotaru than Haruka had imagined it. But, that is what was bothering her. She had only imagined it. She had never said it out loud. If Hotaru had overheard them, she still would not have overheard that. So where did that come from? Maybe it was just a coincidence.
Then there was her father and Katashi to contend with. Work at the company? She wouldn't know where to start. What the hell was she supposed to do at Tenoh Corp? Yet, there was something about their demeanor that was disturbing.
"You ready to let me in there?" Michiru asked, her silent lover. Sitting on the ledge of the tub the sponge in her hands, she gently squeezed the warm soapy water over Haruka's body.
"What the hell am I supposed to do in the company all day?"
"I don't know," Michiru sighed. "But, your father certainly seems to want you there."
"He just wants the ability to tell me what to do all day. To rule my actions finally."
"Perhaps, it's more than that."
"I doubt it," Haruka said closing her eyes, allowing the warm water to relax her muscles.
"Do you think the company is in trouble?"
"I don't know." But, that possibility was the only thing making Haruka consider this idea. Well, she hadn't gotten as far as consideration. But, it was the only reason she hadn't yet rejected the idea. Even though she wanted little to nothing to do with the corporate world especially working for her father, there was a sense of duty. She was a Tenoh. Her great-grandfather started that company. Every generation since has made it more successful. Could it really be in trouble because of her actions? "But, even if it is, what the hell can I do? What the hell do I know about business?"
"Perhaps, Katashi is right," Michiru tried. "Maybe just being in the company, just being there will help raise confidence or something." Michiru wasn't entirely sure how it worked or why, but she knew Haruka would regret it if she didn't try. Besides, there was enough tension in the family. Perhaps, this would be a way to attempt at resolving that.
Unfortunately, the sound of Katashi's name was enough to make Haruka furious again. Of course, this was all her fault. It was obvious he thought so. Katashi was absolutely perfect wasn't he? The son her father never had. And more often than not, for Haruka, the brother she never wanted. To her, Katashi was just another person who did not approve of her 'lifestyle.' Maybe that's why they got along so well. He was just like her father, including his unsolicited opinions about her life. Everything with them was black and white. There was no grey. There was no way she could work with them every day.
"Maybe…maybe we should go away for the weekend," Haruka suggested.
"Away? Where?" Michiru asked, surprised.
"I don't know. Karuizawa maybe," Haruka continued. "I just want to get out of Tokyo. I need to clear my head for a bit."
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Hotaru was having the time of her life, dragging Michiru back and forth to show her the items in the store windows. Michru was not sure if this was Hiroko's influence, but Hotaru wanted everything. Still, there was something about the fact that Hotaru was turning to her to share her pleasure that Michiru could not deny. The ice had officially thawed and though she was startled to hear Hotaru call her Michiru-mama, she found that nothing sounded better.
Haruka had been taken from her plans, which mainly consisted of doing nothing, to go shopping with the girls. The new family strolled the street in Ginza, Hotaru running back and forth, oohing and aahing at every sight. The busy summer season was over; so, even though it was the weekend, the streets were not as crowded and unnavigable. It was very fortunate as Haruka's cane—on which she had greatly improved—was not effective for maneuvering through crowds.
"Okay, Hotaru this is the last store," Michiru advised, looking over at Haruka. She knew she was uncomfortable and sore from walking too much today, just as she knew her lover was too proud and stubborn to admit it. There was also the fact that Michiru could see Haruka's mind wander off every now and then. Michiru knew exactly where it kept wandering to. As much as this trip was to clear Haruka's head, it was really so she could have a chance to think. Taking charge of Hotaru would give Haruka that chance she needed, and, right now, the opportunity to sit and rest for a few minutes.
It was like pulling teeth without novocaine to get Hotaru out of that last store, and Michiru was certain she would not have been able to manage it without the promise of ice cream. When they finally emerged from the store she saw Haruka taking to an older couple. The man's face looked hard, cold, as if he did not want to be there, but his ruby eyes looked had a pensive, faraway look. The woman by contrast looked abashed and her shoulder length bob glinted like a deep emerald in the sunlight.
"Haruka-papa," Hotaru called running to her, before noticing the couple. Shyly, she whispered, "Michiru-mama said I could get ice cream. Do you want any?"
"Sure hime-chan," Haruka answered with a smile. "Now, you go on ahead. Quick now. Go with Michiru." She ordered before turning her attention to the couple.
"Come on Hotaru chan." Michiru looked on confused at the resentful expression on Haruka's face and her abrupt tone. She sounded like she could not get Hotaru out of there fast enough. She turned around again to get a quick look at her only to see the older woman staring at Hotaru, eyes glazed
"Is that her?" she asked softly. "Is that Hotaru?"
"It's sad that you have to ask isn't it?" Haruka answered, not regretting the woman's pained expression, or the man's indignant one. Bristled, he departed with his wife.
Silently, Haruka returned to the group as if nothing was amiss. Michiru, however, could tell that something was bothering her. Her silence was different, and her eyes were trained on the couple as they departed down the street. She was not thinking of her father or the business now. Michiru wanted to ask her about it, but they were next in line for ice cream. Being Michiru-mama was much more demanding than she had anticipated, and she was too enamored of the new title to disregard Hotaru. Finally, after procuring the frosty treat, she sat Hotaru down on a nearby bench.
Haruka was, so intently, watching the couple as they departed that she did not even hear the footsteps behind her.
"That was them wasn't it?" Michiru whispered a few moments later, looking in the same direction. "Hotaru's grandparents?"
"They were Setsuna's parents once," Haruka replied, eyes still trained on them. "But, they were never Hotaru's grandparents."
Thanks guys. Once again, sorry for the long wait. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please review and let me know what you think and if you guys are still interested ;)
Noc