Author's Notes: Ok First I want to thank to those who have been reading my story, I appreciate it. Secondly, from this chap on everything is in the 'present' when I started the story (Ch.1 As I Lay Dying) – the beginning was a little bit of the present (Haruka's POV) and then it went to the past. So now we're back to the future/present. Dang! I almost forgot: I do not own or want to promote the Red Bull Team. I just kind of got tired of reading Haruka driving and owning a Ferrari, that's why I chose the Red Bull team and Lamborghini :P
Ch. 14 A New Beginning…Or An Old Ending?
****************************************Present***************************************
Two slender arms wrapped a slim waist from behind. A kiss was lovely placed on a milky white neck "Are you ready love?" a marvelous voice whispered to her lover.
"I am" a tall figure turned around to grab her lover by her waist to then spin around until a loud thud was heard in the soft salty sand.
Two bodies were now resting on the soft sand "We are now moving on to the future love, not more past. Just what you and I building our happy future" an angelic voice said contently.
"I know… thank you for everything. For loving, caring and waiting for me and for being here right now with me" The largest body form caressed the smaller one in the face.
"You don't have to thank me for nothing. I did it because I love you"
"Himeko, my Himeko" Haruka still couldn't bring herself to say those three words that her blue haired woman repeated to her so often" I-I couldn't ever pay you all you have done for me"
"You don't have to pay me silly. That's why we are a couple" Himeko lifted herself up from the warm sand.
Haruka and Himeko had visited the beach today. Today was a special day for the blonde racer, today she had said goodbye to her 'teenage lover'. She had brought the letters she had written to her aqua haired lover but could never send because she didn't know where to send them. The letters contained all her thoughts and feelings collected through the years, she kept them all that time but it was time to let them go and so she threw them into the restless sea. She was finally moving on after seven long years of waiting, she had finally made her final decision and resolved to give love another chance. Yes, Haruka Tenoh was given up her first love. She had waited enough and even though she had been living with Himeko for the last year, she still couldn't feel like she had before with her first love. Haruka had talked with Himeko and told her about her still feelings towards the young violinist; however Himeko agreed to date her and eventually moved in to live with her. Himeko was very patient and understanding towards her but Haruka knew that she had to do better; she had to completely delete the violinist from her mind and more importantly from her heart.
"Haruka, we have to go love. Today is your team's annual celebration ball and you are the main star. We can't be late" Himeko extended her hand to help stand the laying blonde.
"Hai, hai. I don't know why we have to go. I would rather spend the day here at the beach with you" Haruka smirked and leaned towards Himeko kissing her in the cheek.
"Haruka, you have been in the Red Bull team for years now honey and they do this every year. You must be used to it by now"
"I know… they do it every year but I still don't like to go!" Haruka childishly pout as she got up "I guess there is no other option"
"Nope!" Himeko teasingly replied as she clung to the blonde's right arm "besides I want to see the international orchestra. I think this year comes from the U.S, oh Haruka it will be a nice night"
"Ha-ha ok, ok. Now I know why you are so excited about going" Haruka started walking as she teased her girlfriend "You really like classical music ne?"
"Hey there is nothing wrong with classical music" Himeko embarrassingly blush "and if I am right you also like it! You play the piano"
Haruka laughed "Yeah you're right. We should get going then. We barely have time to get ready"
Tokyo International Airport-Narita
A delicate figure exited the crowed place, a suitcase in her left hand and a violin case in the other. The mysterious woman took a taxi and got lost in the busy streets of Tokyo.
The Red Bull racing company would host a ball dance every year to celebrate its success. This year's was made in honor of the blonde racer. A year and a half after her accident and after her rehabilitation from her addictions, Haruka went back to the racing world winning the Grand Prix of India and Brazil. Tonight's ball dance would be the event of the year. Haruka was ready by 8 o'clock. She was wearing a black Armani tuxedo, a white long sleeve dress shirt underneath and black tie. On the other hand Himeko wore a platinum silky dress; it had two fine straps in rhinestones adorning her creamy white neck. She looked very beautiful; the dress was simple but it accentuated her firm curves and breasts.
"Himeko you look gorgeous" Haruka said in her husky low voice "You're ready?"
"Thank you. You look very sexy yourself like always" Himeko winked at her and took her hand pulling her out their apartment "Yes I am, let's go"
The ride to the Red Bull team event was very short, they got there early. Himeko instantly found the other racer's wives or girlfriends and started conversations with them. Haruka made her way to her teammates and friends. The place was very elegant and huge; it was hold at a very expensive and recognized hotel. One of the best hotels in Tokyo, there was even a large stage set up in front of the room, it was filled with chairs and a music note stand was placed in the middle. Haruka reasoned it was for the orchestra that would play later on.
"How you doing Haruka? Where is Himeko?" Kenta and Kaori approached the blonde racer.
"Hello, Haruka" Kaori saluted her ex classmate and 'youth' crush. Kaori who once had a crush on the blonde discovered after some years that she had only been confused and that she really didn't have a problems with guys.
"Hello, Kaori" Haruka smiled and greeted Kaori before addressing Kenta "Umm I think your sister is over there with some friends" Haruka pointed to a near table filled with some elegant women.
"Ah ok. Tonight seems very nice; they brought an orchestra from the U.S. People says they have an excellent violinist, she is supposedly very talented, a prodigy in music" Kenta enthusiastically explained.
"Well, she must be very famous or mysterious because they haven't even said her name" Kaori continued on the conversation.
"Ha, I don't really care who she is, I just hope her music is as good as they say it is. That will make this event worth it" Haruka loose up her tie.
After an hour of chatting with friends Haruka sat on a table joined by Kenta and Kaori. Music started to fill in the magnificent place. Many music instruments were brought together creating an enjoyable environment. Suddenly an annoying beeping interrupted the friends from the wonderful sound. "I am sorry, it's my cell phone" Haruka reached out for her device.
"Just when it's about to start Haruka" Kenta scolded his friend.
"Sorry man, I think it's important I have to get it, I guess I will have to wait for next year's ball to hear that violinist" Haruka looked at the little screen in her cellphone as she headed outside to a balcony.
"Ha-ha I will tell you how it was, now go! You're disturbing my ears with that noise" Kenta pointed to her cellphone and the blonde hurried to a silent place making her way between the crowds.
The same delicate and graceful figure from the airport wandered around the spacious and crowed hotel room. She was terrible tired from her long flight from the U.S to Japan but was content to be in her mother land. She kept on walking when she suddenly spotted a blonde blur disappearing between the crowds.
"Could it be..." the beautiful woman whispered to herself.
"Miss. Kaioh, the orchestra director is looking for you. We are about to start" a young man in a black tuxedo approached the aqua haired woman.
Michiru only stared to the place where she saw the blonde mass of hair passed, but then nicely turned around to face the man in front her "Ok I am ready".
Kaioh Michiru was back to Japan after seven long years. She was the main violinist of an American orchestra from the U.S where she had been living all that time. She had been invited to play at a special event from which she didn't know any details. Michiru made her way to the large stage and took her special place between the other musicians. A nice, soft melody started to float around the hotel room, hypnotizing everyone who heard the magical sound of her violin. The act lasted at least half an hour, after her participation Michiru went out to the dance floor again looking around as if trying to find something or someone. Kenta and Kaori apparently didn't recognize her and Himeko didn't even know who that talented violinist was.
"Michiru, I finally found you! I've been looking for you for minutes now" a tall and handsome man approached the table the aqua haired woman sat.
"I'm sorry Derrick. I was just trying to …"
"I know" Derrick looked at Michiru sympathetically.
Derrick Silvetti. Music assistant of the international U.S orchestra. Derrick was 26 years old, gray eyes and blond hair. Handsome and tall, the man was really something.
"Why were you looking for me so urgently?" Michiru suddenly changed the topic remembering Derrick had been looking for her just minutes before.
"Marissa called. Are you staying with me tonight?" Derrick slyly smiled at her.
"Not tonight! I think you have had enough of me. Don't you get tired of me?" Michiru teasingly asked as she looked at the man in front her.
The blond shook his head "Never! Anyway I'm going to be around for another hour or so, if you change your mind just call me"
Michiru laughed at Derrick's words "I already told you I'm staying at my hotel"
The tall man smiled as he stood up from the table "Ok as you wish"
After some time wandering around and rejecting dozens of invitations to dance, Michiru found a calm and silent place when she made her way to one of the balconies of the hotel.
"Finally some peace" Michiru murmured to herself. It was large balcony that welcomed the night and breeze of the air. Michiru let herself in, resting her both forearms against the concrete structure, leaning her body and lifting her gaze to the immense starry sky. I am back Haruka, I complied my promise. Now where are you?
Haruka had to answer an important call that had taken forever to finish. She wished she could have heard the prodigious violinist people were all talking about. Sighting and putting her cellphone back to her pants' pocket; Haruka gave the sky a last sight before shifting her gaze to her other side. Time seemed to stop to the blonde racer and her breathing became heavy and elaborated. Right in front of her was no other than her…the woman with whom she learn to love and suffer. She was absolutely stunning, she wore a white evening gown that was topless, just one silver strap hung diagonally around her neck and the dress had a nice cut in front that revealed a well-toned right leg. Her aquamarine haired was accommodated in an elegant bun adorned with a diadem. Michiru Kaioh was all a princess, no, a queen, she was breathtaking.
Michiru felt someone staring at her; it was no strange for her, she was used to men staring at her because of her grand beauty and artistic talents but somehow this felt different. Lowering her gaze from the starry night she turned her head to her side and couldn't believe what her eyes were seeing, 20 feet away from her stood the person she much longed to see, the person each night she dreamt with, the person she still loved. Michiru met beautiful teal eyes and submerged in them.
Back at the main room Kenta and Kaori gracefully danced around with many other couples. When the music stopped, they went to sit at their table only to find a bored Himeko. Himeko had finished talking to her friends and when she couldn't find her lover she went to sit at her table.
"Kenta, have you seen Haruka? I can't find her" Himeko asked her older brother.
"Umm I think she had to answer a phone call, but she surely has taken long. That was before the orchestra played" Kenta explained his sister.
"Ah I wanted to dance with her. Can you help me look for her? She must be somewhere around" Himeko stood up from her seat and took her brother's arm before this one could take a seat.
"Aghh Himeko, you can go by yourself" Kenta whined as he set free his arm.
"I will go with you Himeko" Kaori volunteered herself to look for the blonde.
"Ah thank you Kaori, you are really nice, not like some other people I happen to know" Himeko looked at her brother at her last words before leaving the room with Kaori.
In the balcony area, under the starry night and warm breeze Haruka fought her inner memories and heart. "No, this can't be" Haruka whispered to herself wishing she had been only delirious.
"Haruka…" Michiru articulated making her way to the tall, handsome blonde. Haruka was shocked and couldn't move any of her muscles. Michiru finally reached Haruka and fiercely embraced her as if the racer could disappear any second. "Haruka, love, I am back" Michiru calmly said.
Still no answer from the blonde. Haruka couldn't believe that the woman she had waited for the last seven years and decided to stop waiting today was in front of her. Michiru pulled herself out the blonde's body "Haruka, I-I…"
"Love?"Michiru was abruptly cut off by the blonde "I am sorry Miss, but you might be confused. I am not your love" Haruka coldly replied as she turned around ready to leave.
"Haruka wait! We need to talk" Michiru grabbed Haruka by her right hand.
Haruka calmly took the hand of the violinist away from hers "Talk? I don't think so. There is nothing to talk about. May be if you had come or call, damn! Even wrote a letter seven years ago we could have talk, but not now, not anymore"
"Haruka, you don't know anything about what kept me from reaching you, please don't be like that and hear me out!" Michiru exploded, tears already framing her eyes.
"I am sorry Kaioh-san, but after so much suffering and many nights of crying, the pain has gone" Haruka half lied, she had indeed suffered and cried many nights, but the pain was still there. "Where were you as I lay dying? When I needed you the most?"
"I also spent many nights and even days crying for you. I could never accept our destiny and my pain has not been gone it deepens with your words" Michiru poured out her feelings to her ex-lover.
"I'm sorry Michiru it's too late now" Haruka fought the tears treating to fall down her eyes.
"What do you mean is too late Haruka? You are here, I am here, and I think we can talk this over. There is much I need to explain to you…"
"There is someone else" Haruka caught the violinist off "She taught me to forget and forgive without grudge. She is a sunbeam that has retuned the color to my life" Haruka could not do other thing but to think of her savior, of all the happiness Himeko had given her, even though she didn't love her. She could not hurt Himeko like that.
"A-a new l-love?" Michiru stuttered. She couldn't believe what her ears hear. Haruka had found someone else; the love of her life was in love with another woman.
"She never cared that I talked so much about you and her determination and love won me over" Haruka finished her speech, locking gazes with the beauty in front of her.
Michiru felt her heart break into too many pieces, but still found enough courage to ask "Do you love her?" she asked in a low tone, still audible for the blonde racer. Michiru knew that staring in to her eyes Haruka couldn't lie to her and patiently waited for her answer.
Haruka had been taken aback; she hadn't expected that question from all possible ones. Before she could answer two figures suddenly approached the blonde. And now the balcony welcomed two more people. The blonde broke the intense gaze with the woman before her and looked to her side, only to meet two sapphire's orbs looking confusingly at her. Himeko stood right in front of her, she darted her eyes between her girlfriend and a beautiful woman in front of Haruka, tears rolled down from the mysterious woman. Kaori gasped and lifted her right hand to cover her mouth.
Himeko didn't understand the scene before her and decided asked "Haruka? Is everything alright?"
TO BE CONTINUED…
Another completed chap, oh man this is coming to an end :( but there are still some ties that need to be fixed. Ah cliffhanger jeje Is everything alright Haruka? Will Haruka stay with Himeko or Michiru? And what about Derrick? What happened to Michiru all this time? So many questions and no answers, well that's until next chap ;)