Author's Notes: Thank you to all of y'all who made time to read and review this story. I'm final over with this story! :) Now I can say it I DID IT! Anyway, I want to inform y'all that I am currently working on what would be my second fanfic work, of course it will be about our two favorite senshi: Haruka & Michiru. I am trying to get things to work between school, work and social life. It's kind of complicated but it has to work somehow so be patient ;) so this is not goodbye but an 'I will be back' hehe
Ch.16 Final Decisions
Next Day -Shakati Shopping District
Gucci, Armani, Carolina Herrera and so many other shopping bags were hastily carried by two strong arms. Derrick, Michiru and a beautiful brunette walked peacefully inside Shakati Mall.
"Marissa, Michiru can we go home now? I am tired. We've been walking for hours and you both ladies have bought more than enough" Derrick said as he raised the many bags in his arms to prove they had gotten enough.
"No, not yet Derrick. I still want to look at those stores" a tall, slim woman in her mid-twenties responded the blond man happily as she pointed to another set of stores.
"Ahh Marissa, I think you should give Derrick a break" Michiru unexpectedly took part in the conversation "I'm sorry Marissa but I'm also tired" the aqua haired woman sent her a sheepish smile as she looked at Derrick sympathetically. She really wasn't in a mood to go shopping, but her friends had insisted to bring her because they well knew about her current love life situation. She had spent the whole night crying over a special blonde.
Marissa Silvetti was Derrick's wife and Michiru's best friend. Michiru and Derrick had met in the U.S when Michiru auditioned to play in the American orchestra. It was Marissa who introduced Michiru to her then boyfriend and since that day the trio became very close. Michiru had told Marissa her story in her college years and then when Marissa married Derrick and Michiru got acquainted with him she confessed him everything about her dad and her love for a certain Japanese blonde woman. The couple accepted Michiru without judging her and they became Michiru's family. After her father died, Michiru went to live with them and they had been working together in the American orchestra.
"Ah party poopers! There are so many stores and stuff I want to buy" Marissa pouted and crossed her arms harshly.
Michiru and Derrick looked at each other. They knew Marissa could be total shopaholic sometimes, most of the stuff she had bought could be well find in the U.S for a much less price but Marissa had insisted in buying so many things that they just couldn't stop her "What if you go to the stores you want to go and Michiru and I wait for you here" Derrick smiled hoping his wife could take his offer.
"But then who's gonna carry my bags?"
Derrick and Michiru sweat dropped. Yeah Marissa could be a little too exaggerated when it came to shopping.
"I will, just call me when you're done. I will take a break here and then I am putting these bags in the car" Derrick said as he walked towards a near bench area.
"Ok" Marissa happily answered and walked closer to her husband placing a quick kiss on his lips "I'll be right back babe" and with that Marissa left poor Derrick rest while she went shopping for more stuff.
"Haha my lovely friend will never change" Michiru giggled as she remembered the days she had to carry Marissa's bags and hers after a long day of shopping when they were still studying "She's been like that since college."
Derrick chuckled "Probably even before that."
After the blond man took the bags to his car, he and Michiru decided to take a coffee inside the mall's café while they waited for Marissa. They were happily talking about work and their lives without noticing a pair of teal eyes looking at them attentively.
The day before had been a nightmare for Haruka Tenoh. Why was life so complicated? Why couldn't she be less complicated? It was getting hard to deceive Himeko by telling her she was fine, when in reality she was anything but fine. Seven long years had elapsed since Michiru had left her, and then when she decided to finally give up on the aqua haired goddess she finally appeared. Without anything to do or anyplace to go Haruka decided to clear up her mind and took Himeko to the movies, after that the blue haired woman wanted to visit a new store they were opening in the same shopping district.
Haruka wandered inside the mall. Hand in pockets and gaze down. The blonde usually preferred to stay home and only went to the mall when it was absolutely necessary. As a good girlfriend, the blonde had to accompany Himeko but instead of going inside the store with her she opted to walk around. Only her thoughts and feelings escorted her, actually they were with her all the time. The scent of the sea was present with her all the time, the scent and essence of the sea nymph haunted her everywhere. For some odd reason the scent was becoming stronger in the mall, after almost bumping into a group of eager shoppers Haruka looked up. She was there, her torment, nymph, dream, nightmare and love…Kaioh Michiru.
What am I doing? She made things very clear, but still I can't stand this agony. Haruka walked over to the café shop and stood right in front of the aqua-haired woman's table "Hello" an unsure yet audible greet came out of the blonde. She looked at the blond man angrily trying to ignoring him; it wasn't until she saw Michiru in the eyes that she suddenly felt like disappearing from that place, from Michiru's gaze.
Michiru's eyes doubled in size when she saw the blonde standing in front of her so casually. She wanted to stand up and throw herself into the blonde's arms but she knew better "Hello" came a surprised yet happy reply.
"Friends huh?" an unexpected and unnecessary accusing tone over took the blonde. Haruka tried to read Michiru's expression to her sudden appearance and flinched at the sight.
Disappointment. That was the only word that could describe Michiru Kaioh in that moment. Didn't the blonde knew her at all? How couldn't she trust her? She had already told her that the blond man was only her friend. Michiru decided to ignore the blonde and continued her talk with Derrick.
Haruka was getting really upset at each second it passed and the aqua haired woman didn't reply. Without knowing what to do, the blonde racer in a frustrated jealousy attack knock off the cups of coffee from their table, thus earning their attention.
Derrick was pissed off with the act of the blonde. He stood up and instead of obeying his brain who screamed at him to beat the blonde up he did what nobody expected "YES! We are FRIENDS! F-r-i-e-n-d-s? What's your fucking problem with that?"
Obviously the blonde was taken aback. She was ready to pay for the consequences of her childish act and was ready to fight Derrick, but when the blond man screamed at her the truth she already knew, she couldn't do anything but stare at him.
Michiru shook her head in disappointment, her sadden eyes told the blonde everything "Happy now?" Michiru tried to dry off the coffee from her clothes as she took her pursue ready to leave the place. Without any other word or even glancing back at the blonde for a last time she left. Little did Haruka knew that salty tears ran down Michiru's beautiful blue eyes.
It was clear that Derrick was annoyed with the blonde's attitude but he knew better. After all she cared about his aqua haired friend "You shouldn't have done that. You're hurting her with your actions"
Again Haruka found herself speechless. What did Derrick knew? What did he care anyway? "It's not your problem what I do or what I don't."
"You're wrong! It is my problem when my best friend's WIFE and my own FRIEND is being hurt by a jerk like YOU!" Derrick ran a hand through his long hair "You should think things over. If you really love her, then don't do things like that and get her back" without waiting for any reply Derrick left the café shop.
Gomen Michiru. I don't know what's wrong with me.
-A Week After-
It had been a week since the Red Bull racer and the U.S orchestra's violinist talked or rather after Haruka's jealousy and childish attack. Things at Haruka's home were not going well. Himeko who had bought the 'allergies' lie was not dumb and noticed that those said 'allergies' were more frequent each passing day. Haruka wasn't the same since that day; the blonde had been distant and thoughtful, even though they lived it the same house, Himeko suddenly felt like a stranger in Haruka's life and home. Yes, they used to share and talk all time, but now they barely spoke to each other, even on bed. They both shared the same bed, but now it seemed that the blonde was uncomfortable by sharing the same space, Haruka would either go to sleep earlier or faked a headache to not touch the blue haired woman.
Himeko was reaching her limit; she needed to confront the blonde racer. The blue haired woman couldn't stand the situation anymore, she needed some answers. After all, all she ever wanted was to see the blonde happy and content and she was failing to do so. She needed to know, to help her and fix things. She had an idea but couldn't say more until she spoke to the blonde.
Haruka was now seated in her house's living room. If one word could describe her right now was nervous. She had her cellphone at hand, tapping it with her slender fingers and then moving it from her right to her left hand, again and again. It seemed as the blonde was waiting for a call or a sign to take action, but she did nothing aside from constantly looking at her cellphone's screen to look at the time. She in fact was nervous because Kaori, who had been in close contact with the aqua haired violinist had called and told her that said woman was leaving for the U.S today in the 7 o'clock p.m. flight to New York.
"Haruka we need to talk" Himeko voiced evenly to her girlfriend.
Haruka stayed frozen for a second as Himeko approached her. She knew she hadn't pay attention or better said ignored her girlfriend the last week. She knew this was her time to be honest "Yes, Himeko we do" she said as she got up from her seat forgetting about her cellphone and facing the standing woman in front her.
"What is going on? And I want the truth" Himeko firmly asked. "I am not dumb Haruka and I know you are up to something. You haven't been the same since that night at the hotel. Who was that woman? Was she your lost love?" the blue haired woman wanted nothing more but to know the truth.
Haruka looked down at the floor then looked up to see Himeko in her face "Yes, that woman you saw at the hotel was Michiru Kaioh, my ex-girlfriend"
Himeko soon realized what was going on but nevertheless dared to ask "You still love her don't you?" She looked at Haruka attentively, a knot was formed on her throat as she risked crossing the light bridge that would either connect or separate her from the blonde tomboy.
The sandy blonde looked at teary sapphires. Oh God, please forgive me. "I am sorry Himeko; I tried to love you… I really wish I could have loved you" Haruka felt like the worse person on Earth, but couldn't deny the truth any longer. "Himeko, please pardon me for the bad time, for shattering briefly your dreams in love" Honesty, Haruka had to be honest "I never wanted to hurt you. It was never my intention, but if I don't express myself it will make the situation worse" Haruka only waited for Himeko's response.
Himeko felt a cold bucket of water falling on her. The woman she loved was confessing her that she didn't love her, but then what was what they had? Weren't they just fine weeks ago? "But Haruka we are really good on bed and all! We can give more time to our relationship; I can wait for you if that's what you need."
"Himeko, this is not only about anatomy. We should not give it time to something that won't work." Haruka took a pause to deeply take air before she continued "I love someone else, that's life, and the world and you knew it. I am very convinced; you would be the best match. But no one chooses whom to love." Haruka let out the air that she was holding.
"You just said it Haruka, no one chooses whom to love and I love you" Himeko was now trying very hard to repress the tears that threatened to appear in her eyes.
"I know so, that's why it hurts me. I would want to love you like you deserve, but I can't although I want to, it doesn't come me from my heart." Haruka thought she was being harsh but she had to continue "And the cowardice to not hurt you, kept me in silence. Today I confess it's been years pretending. How do I invent feelings that have not been born in my soul? And what do I say to my heart?" Haruka was pouring out all her hidden feelings, hoping that the blue haired woman would understand her.
Salty tears were now rolling down Himeko's face. She feel hurt, but deep down she knew what the racer was telling her was truth. She had accepted to start a relationship fully knowing that the blonde still loved Michiru. "So this is how you have been feeling?"
"Yes, I'm sorry but in truth those tears you saw were not of allergies; it was depression. I know well that you have given me paradise, but she...In her hell, in my hell, in our hell fell in love again" Haruka was being honest for the first time with Himeko and believed she shouldn't keep anything.
Even though Himeko was in a horrible situation, she felt glad Haruka had opened up with her and confessed her truth feelings "I see."
"I ask you not to hate me and I accept your reproaches, in the end I knew this day would come" Haruka was now terrified that she would lose such an important and special person. Haruka could have not been in love with the blue haired woman, but she still appreciated her enough to want to cherish her as a friend.
"I don't hate you Haruka. I could never hate you, and even if I wanted I don't think I could" Himeko wiped off her tears and approached the silent racer, with shaking arms she hugged the blonde "I don't know if you remember but I once told you that all I wanted was to make you happy" Himeko looked up to meet two teal orbs still tangled in the blonde's arms "If she is your happiness then go and find her" Himeko smiled warmly at Haruka as she broke apart from her.
"Himeko, thank you. I…I don't know what to say."
"Don't say anything, and go before she leaves again." She looked at the blonde warningly "if you mess up this time I will really hate you Haruka" Himeko tried to tease as she plopped down on a near sofa.
It was gonna take Himeko time and tears to recuperate from the break-up of her relationship with the blonde, but she well knew that it was better to let go of the blonde tomboy instead of keep living in a lie. She only hoped that Haruka could catch the fortunate violinist before it was too late.
A slender and graceful silhouette stood in line filled with anxious people who wanted nothing else but to board their plane. This person carried on her left hand a violin case and on her right a heart shape pendant with silver chain hanging freely.
"Hello passengers of the flight to New York City, we will leave momentarily please make sure you have everything you need so we can start our flight thank you and have a nice day" A lady's voice announced over the airport's speakers.
The screeching sound of tires suddenly startled and made jump pedestrians and tourists that made their way outside the busy airport. A 2011 white Lamborghini Gallardo was parked in front of the Narita airport and a handsome blonde climbed out of her vehicle, frantically making her way inside the place.
Michi please don't leave. Don't leave me here alone again; I don't think I will survive this time. Please stay, wait for me, I am coming love. Haruka desperately looked around the crowed airport, accidently pushing people aside, taking her hands to her head in an absurd attempt to concentrate and locate the person of her dreams among hundreds of people.
"Flight 107 to New York City has already taken off. Our next flight to Morocco will shortly board, please enjoy your day" The same voice from the lady before announced once more over the speakers.
"No" Haruka said under her breath. All her efforts to stop the violinist were futile. Outside in the sunny and clear sky an enormous and magnificent airplane could be seen moving away Narita airport and up to the clouds.
The aquamarine haired woman and love of her life had disappeared and left a devastated Haruka. "Michi, where are you as I lay dying?" Haruka asked to no one, driving in her car without any set destination on mind.
Haruka, I don't know if what I have done is right or not. I don't know if this was the best decision, but I just couldn't stand it anymore. I had to do something; I just hope you will understand. Michiru looked through a window as she traveled to her destination.
Without realization, the sandy blonde racer had stopped her Gallardo at a familiar place yet she hadn't been there for years. It had been years since Haruka last stepped on the Jubiard district. The last time she had been there was when she visited the park, with a special young girl. A smile adorned her handsome face as she remembered they day she spent with the Kaioh heir.
Kicking little pebbles on the dusty ground, the heartbroken tomboy made her way to the magical park. The last time she was there, Haruka had said that she would have like to bring her girlfriend with her the next time, but now that was absolutely impossible. She had destroyed Himeko's heart in an attempt to fulfill for her happiness but Michiru was now out of her reach and far from her. An unexpectedly soft melody distracted the young racer from her intense pain and worries. The music that filled the dreamlike park sounded vaguely familiar; suddenly a warm feeling filled the void sensation that occupied her heart. Haruka looked around trying to localize the place from the music came from. She caught sight of the little kiosk on front of the lake.
A dark silhouette could be seen from where the blonde stood, the person pace peacefully inside the kiosk creating beautiful melodies. What is that? Is that a violin? Haruka slowly got close to the small kiosk trying to get a better sight of the person playing that beautiful music. She quietly climbed the few steps onto the kiosk, the person in front of her was facing the lake, opposite of where the blonde stood but kept playing the sadden melody without noticing her.
Love, wherever you are, I hope the wind sends my message to you. This I am doing right now is for you. A violin was brought to an abrupt stop, silencing any sound emanating from the magical instrument. The expensive instrument was putting down by its owner when suddenly this one felt the presence of someone else in the same place and slowly turned around.
"M-michiru?" an astonished Haruka whispered.
A loud thud was heard and then a broken violin laid in two pieces on the cold floor of the kiosk. Michiru took her hands up covering her mouth to quickly take them away. "Haruka, what are you doing here?"
Haruka was shocked to say the less. She couldn't believe what was in front of her but regain promptly "Michiru, I thought you…what are you doing here?"
"I…I" Michiru was thinking of a lame excuse to explain her presence in Tokyo and couldn't think of anything but the simply but resounding truth "I…I just couldn't leave."
Haruka didn't give more time for the violinist to say anything else. She stepped closer to her, now inches apart from her face and lips "Michiru …" Haruka pressed her forehead to Michiru's "you are here…" she nuzzled her face on the smaller woman's left temple and whispered "You stayed and that's all it matters."
The sole action of the blonde sent shivers down the spine of the violinist but Michiru knew better that things weren't that easy "Haruka…" the violinist step back from the blonde "we can't do this" the thought of Haruka's new love hurt the aquamarine goddess, but to betray that woman would cause her much more pain.
"Michiru, why do you say that?" Haruka tried to approached Michiru again only to be rejected "Michiru, I love you and I thought you love me" the blonde racer said in a disappointed tone.
"Haruka, don't ever doubt my love. I love you more than anything, but I… you're not free. You have someone else waiting for you and I shouldn't be here" Michiru pushed away the hands of the insisting blonde that tried to hold her in place as she attempted to escape the kiosk.
"I broke up with Himeko!" Haruka blurt out.
Michiru stopped dead on her tracks and turned around to face a preoccupied Haruka "You did what?"
Haruka watched the violinist made her way back just in front of her again "I couldn't lie to her anymore, and more importantly to myself" Haruka paused and breath in "I was being unfair to her because I never loved her" Haruka now locked gazes with Michiru, deep sea blue eyes seal with beautiful teal eyes "I could have never loved no one else, but you Michiru."
No more words were said as the famous violinist thrown herself in her lover's arms. They kissed deeply while Michiru's hands stroked her partner's shoulder blades and traced the slight indentation of her spine. The aquamarine woman was delighted when her lover shivered at the sensation.
"I love you and I need you Ruka. I won't ever leave you again."
"Uh huh, I am gonna make sure you don't do so." Haruka teasingly as she nuzzled her face on Michiru's creamy white neck.
"Do you remember the first time we came here?" Michiru looked up to meet the blonde on her face.
"Of course, I accomplished what I told you that day" Haruka grinned widely.
"Hmm what was that? I think I forgot" the violist teased as she recalled the exact words of the racer.
"I told you I wanted to come here, to this same please with a girlfriend, and I think I have succeed" Haruka happily said as she took an aquamarine lock in her hand.
"Oh my and when did you ask me to be your girlfriend that I wasn't aware" Michiru playfully comment.
Haruka got down on the floor on one knee before Michiru, taking the latter's hands on hers "Michiru, I obviously didn't come prepare since I didn't know I was gonna find you here, but…" Haruka looked through Michiru's eyes and before she could drown on them continued "Kaioh Michiru, would you marry me? I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
Michiru was speechless, she wasn't expecting a marriage proposal, but "Of course, yes, I do! I do."
Haruka felt relieved when she heard the aqua haired woman say that she would marry her. She promptly got up from the floor and embraced her now fiancée.
"We're gonna be very happy Michi, this time nobody or anything will separate us." Haruka placed a kiss on the violinist's forehead.
"Yes, we are. We are going to stay together, always my love."
Two figures could be seen embraced in a small kiosk of Jubiard Park. A warm breeze caressed the now engaged couple. This time things were gonna be different, the two souls that had been through much hardness and obstacles were finally together and nothing could torn them apart now. This was fate, the fate of a destined couple because the wheels of destiny had already turned on their favor. Tenoh Haruka and Kaioh Michiru were finally one.
THE END