A/N – First off - I am really sorry for making so many people depressed/sad/upset for the Rei/Mina situation but for the sake of the plot (and my own sick min) it needed to happen!
So, this chapter is based on the parallel of the other chapter. So characters and events missing from the last chapter will be in this – so it has 'interweaved' with the timeline of chapter 12 for lack of a better phrase. Anyway, enough of this ranting! Send any love you have for this story to impersonal for her beta-reading skills are mad good. Anyway, I'm gonna go ahead and dedicate this piece of smexx to a member of SQ... Kaze No Tsurugi - foo, this one's for j00! –VR
CHAPTER 13 – THE OTHER SIDE
Tentative steps were made up the steps of the sought after apartment complex. Unsteady footsteps ply the steps once the odango-haired woman made her way to the tenth floor as she decided to forgo the elevator and take the stairs.
Inside her apartment, Makoto was just waking up after a late night at the restaurant and had just ambled her way from her bedroom. Dressed in just sweat pants and a black wife-beater, she went to the kitchen with the intention to make the strongest cup of coffee she could concoct. A knock on the door interrupted Makoto's coffee-making and Makoto looked over to LED display clock on her cooker.
1:45 p.m.
Sighing loudly the brunette swiftly made her way to the door, wiping some of the remaining remnants of sleep from her eyes and opened the door to her modern apartment with ease, revealing her long-time friend Usagi standing teary-eyed in her doorway.
Teary-eyed Usagi?
"Usagi? Are you okay?" Instantly awake, Makoto stepped back, opening the door to her apartment, allowing Usagi to make her way into the spacious and inviting living quarters that Makoto had acquired.
"Usa? Is everything okay?"
Makoto closed her apartment door and lead her usually bubbly friend to her couch. The brunette sat close to her friend and rubbed her back soothingly.
"I-it's Mamo-chan."
Mako stopped her ministrations and looked over at her friend, concern clouding her emerald eyes.
"Mamo? Is everything okay, Usa? Is he ill? Is he – "
"He's fine... He... I think h-he's having..." Usagi trailed off, she couldn't bring herself to say it.
To tell one of their closest friends what she thought her husband was doing in the evening, was hard. Her throat began to constrict and she choked on some air for a moment before releasing the stress on her larynx and allowing a slow, shuddering breath to be released from her throat.
"Mako-chan... you're the only one I can talk to."
Makoto looked quizzically at the blonde woman before her. "Usa, you can tell me anything. I'm your friend."
Usagi nodded at her friend's honest statement. "Hai..." She drew a breath and brought her bright blue eyes to look into earnest, soft green ones. "I think Mamoru is seeing another woman... Beryl."
Suddenly Makoto felt like she was dreaming; as if everything Usagi uttered out was a product of her own imagination. Makoto went into deep thought for awhile and then realized she wasn't breathing. To say it felt like the air had been sucked entirely from Makoto's lungs would have been an understatement.
Makoto felt like she was suffocating.
This wasn't a dream, this wasn't a nightmare, this wasn't a joke. It was real. She looked at Usagi and thought back to the night at her restaurant... she had seen Beryl and Seiya had told her of the awkwardness occurring between the odango-atama and her husband due to the mature woman's presence.
"Are you sure?" Makoto's voice came out meek and quiet yet breathless, even after that prolonged silence.
Usagi nodded and leaned forward, putting her elbows on her knees and using her hands to support her head. Her body began to shake and she fought the onslaught of tears that threatened to overwhelm her body. Makoto moved and kneeled in front of Usagi, and held her tightly – she let her embrace represent their friendship. She was letting Usagi know that she was here and she wasn't going anywhere... not as long as the blonde haired odango needed her.
"Usa?"
The blonde sobbed heavily into the brunette's shoulder and Makoto was silent. Minutes passed and the only sound that could be heard was the bawling, wheezing and coughing coming from Usagi. Makoto's shoulder felt light as Usagi withdrew her head from the safety of her friend's body. The blonde's bottom lip trembled and Makoto's eyes watered as her entire body was taken over by concern and desire to protect her friend.
"M-Mako... I... I have something to tell him."
Makoto stayed quiet and allowed Usagi to draw in a deep, shaky breath.
"I'm pregnant."
Makoto's eyes widened and she stood up, embraced Usagi and held her close. Her timing was perfect, for as soon as Usagi's head was in the crook of her neck, the tears began seeping from her eyes and wet the flesh of Makoto.
The brunette was overwhelmed for her friend.
Usagi was sure Mamoru was being unfaithful and Makoto knew that Usagi was not someone to make such an accusation lightly. She must have been completely sure... and now to top it off Usagi was with child. Makoto cleared her throat gently and waited for Usagi's crying to calm before she spoke.
"Usagi... when did you find out?"
The blonde sniffled and spoke quietly.
"Friday, Makoto."
The brunette sighed heavily.
Ten minutes of silence passed. Usagi's crying had stopped but she was still shaking lightly and Mako didn't dare let go of the blonde, the last thing Usagi needed was to feel was any form of abandonment – which could easily be conveyed if Makoto pulled back. Usagi slowly pulled back and sat back onto the couch, exhausted. Her eyes were red and puffy which contrasted with her sparkling sapphire eyes. Those eyes almost frightened Makoto with their intensity.
"I'm sorry for putting this on you, Mako-chan."
The brunette waved her hand, instantly dismissing the blonde's comments. "Nonsense, Usa... we're best friends, I'm here for you always."
The blonde gave a weak smile and Makoto could feel her heart lurch at her friend's pain.
"Mako... I am sorry though... I know you don't want to hear this... it – it's just that... I couldn't tell Haru-chan or Sei-kun... they would have gone on the rampage for him... I just needed to tell someone who would comfort me... and not overreact. I don't have any other friends aside from you three anyway."
Makoto brought her thumb to Usagi's cheek and wiped away the blonde's tears from the satin-soft cheek. "Ah, I'm sorry you were stuck with me, Usa."
The blonde laughed and snorted at Makoto before shaking her head but she didn't need to say anything. Because just like with Haruka, Seiya and Mamoru – Makoto knew what her friends really meant and what all the silences said without the need for words.
"Mako-chan, thank you for... well, for being here for me."
The brunette smiled warmly. "It's okay, Usagi... not that you're not cute, but you might want to go and clean up. You know where the bathroom is... and hey, I'll rustle up something for lunch, how does that – "
"For sure, Mako!"
Makoto was left in mid-sentence as Usagi rushed into the bathroom to freshen herself up. Makoto chuckled to herself and made her way to the kitchen, opening up her fridge and taking out some eggs, ham and peppers. Remembering Usagi's love for omelettes – well, food in general, Makoto began laughing. She soon found her thoughts concentrated on Usagi and Mamoru... surely he wouldn't be cheating would he? She would soon find out.
No-one seemed to be happy lately... Haruka was never happy but that was nothing new, maybe Haruka had gotten too sensitive after Makoto's remarks on Michiru all those days ago. Seiya was pining after Haruka's boss who seemed to be showing zero interest... and as for Usa and Mamo? Well... they seemed to be going downhill. And as for Makoto?
The brunette grinned to herself.
Thoughts of blue flashing before her eyes caused her smile to widen; thoughts of soft lips against hers, and timid hands tracing her forearms. Conservative clothing that Makoto and only Makoto could hope to remove. A heat began to rush through the brunette's body and she shook her head and looked towards her bathroom – Usagi was still in there. Thank the Gods.
Swiftly moving, Makoto made her way to the coffee table in the living room where her cell-phone was charging. She grabbed the device and searched through her contacts to her most recent addition – Mizuno, Ami.
But before Makoto could press the call button, the house phone situated next to her cell began to ring and an unknown number began flashing across the caller ID screen. Furrowing her eyebrows, the brunette pressed the green accept button of the house phone and brought the phone to her ear. Before the brunette could utter out a 'moshi moshi', a familiar and unwelcome voice spoke to her.
"Mako-chan, I hope this isn't a bad time."
Makoto's jaw dropped to the floor for a second before she gathered her senses and raised her voice. "What?! How the hell did you get my number, Maya?!"
There was a giggle. "Oh, Mako, the phone book darling, you are so cute! God... since Friday, I just can't get you out of my mind."
Makoto shook her head in disbelief, Maya sure had nerve! "Maya, I'm only going to say this once more. Leave me alone!"
"Mako, come on... I know you don't really want that. That kid, and yes, I know you want her... she's a fun toy I'm sure, but you need someone who can satisfy as well as be satisfied. You need a woman, Mako – "
"Fuck off, Maya."
Makoto hung up the phone and took in several deep breaths; she hated how she always let Maya get to her, she should have hung up after telling Maya to leave her alone but something inside the brunette kept her listening on. As much as Makoto didn't want to let Maya's words get to her, Makoto took in the words spoken to her... satisfy and be satisfied... oh God, Makoto's insecurities came flooding back into her mind. Makoto was pretty sure that after Sunday, when they had kissed that her and Ami were more than just friends.
After finishing the work for the day that very day, Makoto took Ami to her apartment, neither of them mentioning the kiss – Makoto for fear of having Ami change the subject and pretend it never happened. Makoto was sure that they were... dating? No, a couple now... Ami made it clear that she would like a second chance... so, here they were in that strange limbo – right in between friends and lovers, the awkward time of getting to know someone, seeing their comfort zones, setting the pace for a relationship.
Thinking of all this, Makoto was lead to the more intimate thoughts of their relationships... Would she be able to satisfy Ami? Completely and utterly? And would Ami even want to satisfy her? Ami seemed reluctant in the relationship and Makoto was now, thanks to Maya, scared shitless that maybe she would not be able to fulfil Ami.
'Ah, fuck you very much Maya.'
Hearing that the faucets were still running in the bathroom, Makoto placed the house phone back onto its cradle and picked up her cell phone. Ami's name was still displayed. Taking in a deep breath, Makoto pressed the 'Call' button and put the phone to her ear... patiently, she waited for a response. After a few tense moments, the ringing stopped and Makoto took the initiative in the silence,
"Ami-san?"
"Hey, Mako...to-chan."
Makoto smiled warmly to herself in hearing Ami's slip-up. "Are you busy, Ami?"
There was a brief silence and Makoto was pretty sure that the angelic bluenette would be blushing madly.
"Um, no I'm just finishing up now actually."
Makoto's hopes were raised at Ami's admission... if she were free, then maybe Makoto could make some plans... maybe... "Ah, very good, because I was thinking maybe we could have dinner later…?"
"Huh, dinner? I have to study Mako...to-chan."
Makoto's small smile fell from her face. At least Ami sounded somewhat sad at having to study... and she didn't downright reject Makoto's offer of dinner – yeah, they were kind of a couple. Makoto's grin returned as a simple thought came to her.
"Ah... I see... never mind then, oh unless... I could come to yours and cook Ami, I – "
"Hmm? Come to mine? N-n-no, y-you don't h-h-have to do that! I... I -"
Makoto held the phone away from her for a brief second. She was taken back at Ami's sudden insistence that Makoto not come to hers. Maybe Maya was right... or maybe... just maybe...
"I understand Ami... don't worry... maybe tomorrow night would be better then."
Makoto swore she could hear the sigh of relief coming from Ami's mouth from her end of the phone. "Yes, tomorrow would be much better for me... Okay, bye, Mako."
Makoto rolled her eyes and sighed. "Yeah."
Makoto hung up and made her way back into the kitchen. The faucets had stopped running and any moment now Usagi was due to come bounding out of the bathroom and to devour any plate of food in front of her. Makoto set to work on making an omelette for Usagi, but all the while her thoughts were on Ami; she didn't want Makoto come to her apartment. Maybe she was having second thoughts.
But about what?
Makoto's eyes widened and she inwardly slapped her forehead with the palm of her hand.
'Mako, you baka! She's clearly having doubts about being with a woman... great going Kino, you've snagged yourself a bi-curious straight girl... Idiot.'
"Ah! It all looks so great! Thank you so much, Mako-chan...for everything." Usagi beamed a quick grin as she ran from the bathroom to her freshly made omelette that Makoto barely scraped onto the plate before the blonde girl began devouring the simple meal.
Makoto stood to the side, watching her friend eat, the brunette's hands were on her hips.
'No, Usa, it doesn't all look so great.'
Seiya and Michiru were seated in a comfortable booth in a niche little cafe Seiya had heard about from Yaten a few days previous. The chairs were a deep chocolate colour and contrasted nicely with the tan coloured walls. Michiru took in a deep breath and her senses were invaded with the rich aroma of her hazelnut mocha latte. A small smile engrossed her features.
Sitting opposite her, Seiya took great delight in seeing Michiru this way – the way she was, she had no pretences to keep up, not like how she had to at work. Lifting his own cup, Seiya brought the cup to his mouth, paused and inhaled deeply, savouring the fragrance of his Irish cream caramel latte.
He took a sip and appreciatively quietly let out a sigh of contentment into his cup before looking up and seeing Michiru looking at him with a cocked eyebrow an amused smirk.
"Ah, gomen, Michiru-chan... I er... I simply enjoy the simple pleasures in life."
Michiru nodded her head gently and raised her cup to her mouth. "Ah, pleasures... Then I completely understand your sigh, Seiya-kun." Michiru giggled gently before taking a small sip of her hot beverage.
Seiya chuckled lightly before he sat back into his chair, shuffling his dress shirt a little, keeping his eyes trained on Michiru.
"So Michiru-chan... you never told me the extent of your musical skills."
Michiru furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Seiya quizzically.
He cleared his throat. "One of my co-producers went to Tokyo Fine Arts and Music school about a decade ago, Michiru-chan. He mentioned a violin prodigy who was supposedly like no other the world ad seen... but then she just disappeared." Seiya looked into blue eyes that were suddenly void of emotions, "But I've found her... or at least I think I have."
Suddenly, Michiru felt hot despite the lightness of the cloth of the white dress she was wearing.
Michiru clenched her jaw and hissed out at a relatively low level; "How the hell did you find out about me? H-How dare you dig my background! How dare you throw this in my face! I – "
"Michiru! No! Look, it's not like that!"
Seiya looked around, checking to see if they had an audience or not. He sighed, relieved they had garnered no attention. "Look, Michiru, it's not like that, at all."
Michiru crossed her arms and leaned back into her chair, Seiya kept his eyes on her. Her own blue eyes were cold, empty and lifeless. Despite the relatively childish reaction, there was the elegant demeanour around her. Seiya had to admit; she really belonged to stardom.
"What are you trying to prove Kou-san? That you found a failed child prodigy? What are you trying to uncover Kou-san? The great unveiling of a fallen talent?"
Seiya shook his head fervently. "No, no, no... you've got me all wrong, Michiru-chan, " Seiya ignored Michiru's frown at Seiya's informality "I'm not here to unveil you as a failed anything, in fact I'm here to beg."
Michiru's eyebrows shot up.
Seiya smirked, "I'm here to beg you to come to my studio," Michiru shook her head and opened her mouth, ready to protest but Seiya continued, "Just for one day. I swear, if you hate it then you never have to return, ever. But please... from what I've heard, you could be what the music industry needs... what I need."
Seiya's pleading eyes and solemn look caused Michiru to look away. She stared out of the window and took note of the bustling metropolis outside. As much as she wanted this there was too much risk. What if she did go through with this? All it took was one client who recognised her to say something and all hell would break loose – classical violinist Kaioh Michiru was a call girl? And that would be the nice way of saying it. Her dress was white…but her body is a tainted black.
She shook her head and brought her eyes to look into those of Kou Seiya.
She shook her head again.
"Seiya-kun, I'm sorry, but no... I can't."
Seiya sighed and shook his head, throwing the napkin from his lap onto the table. Michiru said nothing but watched as Seiya leaned forward and his eyes shone with a fire Michiru had never known, it was not anger but it was passion.
"Dammit, Michiru-chan, I didn't have you pegged as a coward!"
Michiru's eyes flew open in shock but Seiya continued to talk. "I mean, I thought you were someone of character. When I spoke to you on Friday, all the things you spoke of regarding music, regarding life! I- I expected more of you than an 'I can't'."
Seiya scoffed and sat back into his chair.
Michiru looked at Seiya in disbelief. "Who do you think you are Kou-san, to tell me that I am a coward when you have no idea what I've been through!"
Seiya looked fiercely into Michiru's eyes.
"Do you want to be a violinist? Honestly? Did you ever even want to be one?"
Michiru's lip trembled as she heard Seiya's tone of voice. How dare he question her? He had no idea the life she had lived, the sacrifices she had made to keep her and her mother alive. She had to give up her dream.
He didn't have a clue.
"You have no idea how much I wanted to be one," Seiya was taken aback by the quiet intensity Michiru's voice contained, "My entire childhood, I only ever dreamed of becoming a professional violinist... I only ever dreamed of playing with the greatest orchestras. Music was my life... it still is."
There was a silence, the coffee shop was buzzing with sound but to Seiya and Michiru they had tuned out everything but the other person in front of them.
"Kou-san... that's all it was. A dream; and I came so close to achieving it. But it was stripped from me. I'm no longer the naive 16 year-old I used to be. And now, here you are, throwing an opportunity in my face... of course I want to reach out and grab it but... but I don't know if I have the talent I once possessed. It could have crumbled after all these years of neglect. You and your friend would both laugh at me if my music is pathetic... so please forgive me Kou-san, if I seem apprehensive in accepting your offer."
Seiya nodded gently and reached his hand over the table and placed it on top of Michiru's, which had snaked its way onto the table in the midst of her rant, and he gave a reassuringly squeeze to Michiru.
"Don't you see Michiru-chan... fear is holding you back and you do not have any real reason to be scared of what is on the table here; I'm offering you a chance here, please take it, you have nothing to lose, Michiru-chan."
Michiru looked into Seiya's eyes. She was heavily contemplating all of the black-haired man's words.
The dinging of the coffee shop alerted them to the arrival of more customers, there were the clear sounds of giggling and the sound of many people entering the cafe. Yet, neither of the two adults at this table moved.
Michiru took in a deep breath, letting the oxygen that had melded with the coffee shops natural aroma, burn her lungs slightly. She slowly exhaled and broke her gaze from Seiya.
"I... I'll think about it... Kou-san."
Seiya smiled widely and he stayed still. His body was overjoyed with the thought of getting Michiru in the studio and playing.
"Er... Kou-san?"
Seiya raised an eyebrow quizzically. "Hmm?"
"Could I have my hand back?"
Seiya looked down and saw that his hand was still resting on top of Michiru's. He withdrew it quickly and grinned nervously.
"Gomen, Michiru-chan."
Michiru smiled softly. "Don't fret too much, Seiya-kun... it's not like it's the first time I've had a man's hands on me."
Seiya frowned after Michiru spoke so candidly. "How do you do it, Michiru-chan? I mean, what are you? Bi? Gay? And you do all that with men?"
Michiru didn't move but she looked out of the window, her entire body unreadable. "I don't have labels, Seiya-kun. I'm just me, and this is just what I do. I can't explain it to anyone else, because even I don't really know why I chose do this."
Michiru turned back to Seiya and found the black-haired man looking at her with great concern in his eyes. "Well, Michiru-chan... hopefully... if all goes well, you won't be doing this for long." Seiya stood from his seat and brushed down his trousers and straightened out his jacket. He placed some money on the table and owed to Michiru, "I'm sorry to cut this short, Michiru-chan, but I really must head back... and I'm sure you're busy today."
Michiru nodded her head, not taking her eyes off of Seiya.
He reached into his pocket and fished out a small eggshell white business card and placed it in front of Michiru, then placed it onto the table beside her coffee. "I hope to hear from you soon, Michiru... once you're finished 'thinking'."
Both Michiru and Seiya smirked.
"You can bring who you like for support Michiru, don't ever think you're alone... that feeling? Because in this world... It could be enough to kill. Take care Michiru-chan."
Seiya smiled warmly before he made his way out of the cafe. Michiru looked around the cafe and saw the latest influx of customers into the cafe were all high school students... her thoughts were briefly taken to the high-schooler she had recently become acquainted with - Hotaru.
Hotaru, who seemed to look up to her, or at least was in awed of the aqua-haired woman.
Michiru looked back to the business card and grinned. If a girl as pure and darling as Hotaru looked up to her knowing full well what she did now... then what would happen when she took up Seiya's offer-
Michiru almost choked on her coffee as she reflected over her last thought.
Did she way would and when? She meant could and if... what could happen if she took up Seiya's offer. Michiru sighed, who was she kidding?
Would and when.
"AARRRGH! I can't stand this! It's so hard!" Chibiusa pouted and banged her head against the coffee table in Haruka's apartment and whined softly.
Helios and Hotaru shared a look and tried to stifle their laughter.
Helios cleared his throat, "Chibi, don't worry too much... We can help you; Hotaru is excellent at this... maybe we should take a small break and go at this again?"
Chibiusa lifted her head, cute pout still in place, and Hotaru had to bite her lip to keep her from saying anything. The pinkette groaned loudly.
"Why couldn't we have gone to the cafe and study? Everyone else goes there!"
Hotaru giggled gently and Chibiusa looked up at her. Hotaru could feel her breath catch in her eyes and she looked into the ruby eyes of the girl opposite her. After a moment, Hotaru turned her head and cleared her throat, trying to hide her growing blush from Chibiusa.
"If we went to the cafe where everyone else is... you two would get distracted and start talking to everyone and no studying would get done." Chibiusa and Helios were silent, Hotaru sighed, "Look, why don't we do what Helios said... TV break? Anyone wants a drink?"
Chibiusa grinned and gave a loud 'hai' as she launched towards the TV remote on the table all their books were currently residing.
Helios chuckled and nodded to Hotaru.
Hotaru swiftly made her way into the kitchen, and as soon as she was sure she was safely in the kitchen, her smile swiftly fell from her mouth and she walked towards the kitchen drawer and took out some aspirin and grabbed a glass from the draining board and filled it with water. She downed the pills with the water and began rubbing her temples. She heard the sound of Chibiusa's giggling and Hotaru's head instantly turned to the pink-haired source of laughter.
Helios and Chibiusa were barely inches apart, laughing and giggling at something that had just happened on the TV.
Hotaru cringed and leaned against the wall, out of sight.
Her thoughts went back to the lunch break... where she heard some news that caused her much grief.
"Yo Chibi!"
Hotaru looked up at Helios and frowned. As the pink-haired bundle of energy approached their table, Hotaru's attention was diverted from the awfully familiar terms that Helios seemed to be on with Chibiusa, and instead to the four looming figures behind the pink-haired girl. Their hair was in striking colours… just like their clothes. Helios growled lightly – he really couldn't stand these four girls.
"Hey Helios-kun!"
The white haired boy smiled politely before genuinely beaming to Chibiusa. "Take a seat, Chibi."
The pinkette grinned and took a seat opposite Helios and Hotaru. Her four friends plopped down around her and Hotaru narrowed her eyes at the four girls sitting like a pack of hyenas; two on each side of Chibiusa. An awkward silence took over the table and eight eyes bore into Hotaru, she kept her head down, her eyes on her bento box.
"Hotaru-chan, are you okay?" Chibiusa's sweet voice forced Hotaru to bring her eyes up and look to Chibiusa.
Hotaru could see from the corner of her eyes that Pallas staring at her, nothing but hate dissipating from her very being.
"Doesn't it freak you out when she stares too long? Like she's undressing you with her eyes." Ceres' cold voice rung in Hotaru's head and she brought her eyes away from Chibiusa in shame.
Helios sighed deeply before bringing his voice to a deathly low level. "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all."
Ceres seemingly ignored her idol and looked to Chibiusa, "Doesn't it weirds you out?"
Chibiusa shook her head and smiled warmly to Hotaru. "Not at all. Hotaru isn't weird at all."
Hotaru returned a weak smile to her new friend, only to hear a gasp take all the attention away from Chibiusa once more. "Ohmigod! Unless... yo-yo-you're like her! Ew, and to think we were going to be friends with you!"
Chibiusa's cheeks took a bright red turn and Helios nearly choked on the mouthful of soda he had. There was an instant hubbub as the four girls clamoured over to Helios, shouting about how they'd give him CPR and how choking would be a horrible way to lose a boy so pretty.
Helios pushed the four girls away from him and scowled at them all. "Look, girls, either go away or be nice."
The four pouted before sitting back down at the table, glaring at Hotaru and shifting from Chibiusa.
"Dykes."
Pallas's comment was whispered but spat with enough venom to poison a person or two. Hotaru shifted in her seat and looked away from them. Helios laughed at their obvious display of ignorance and shook his head. Four heads looked at Helios confused and one dark-haired head looked at him quizzically. Pinked hair head turned away.
"I think you four really should go now... and don't come back. You're clearly bothering Hotaru... and my girlfriend."
Five sets of jaws hit the floor.
At the time Hotaru played off her emotions and told Helios and Chibiusa that she was just shocked and a little hurt they hadn't told her. Chibiusa had protested and said that it happened this morning, just after Hotaru went to her locker and Helios asked her to be his official girlfriend. But now, having them both in her apartment it was weird. Hotaru felt upset and betrayed. When they were studying it was different, Helios was into his studies and paid them undivided attention... but as soon as the studying was over, they were nauseatingly cute.
Nauseating yet cute.
So nauseating it was giving Hotaru a headache now, and it churned her stomach and twisted her heart with pain. She looked down at the aspirin packet she left on the side – she sighed as she realised she had to wait four hours till her next lot of pills could be taken.
Hotaru went to Haruka's fridge and took out two cans of soda and brought them into the living room, completely forgetting to plaster the fake smile back onto her face, and instantly bringing attention to her from a certain pink-haired girl in the room.
"Hota-chan, are you okay?"
Purple eyes looked up into red and a small smile flickered over Hotaru's face. Hotaru placed the two cans of drink down on the table; Helios grabbed his and downed the entire can in what seemed one go. Wiping his mouth, he smiled at Hotaru appreciatively. "Ah! Thanks for the drink, Hota-chan! Your cousins' place is nice... very cool."
Helios nodded and grinned as he gave his approval of the apartment. Chibiusa grinned and looked around the apartment too. "Hai! Haruka-san has great taste!"
Hotaru smiled politely and stayed standing for a moment. Her insides churned momentarily as she saw the lingering glance shared between Helios and Chibiusa. Her hand flew to her head, unable to deal with the onslaught of pain that accompanied the migraine she could feel slowly approaching.
Confused crimson eyes looked to violet eyes.
"I – I have a headache." Hotaru quickly reeled the words off of her mouth, keeping her eyes away from everyone's line of vision.
Helios stood up and smiled understandingly at Hotaru. "Ah... headaches and studying do not go. Maybe we should head off? Take care, Hotaru-chan, see you in the morning."
Helios smiled and grabbed his bag and began making his way over to the door. Chibiusa stayed still.
"Helios, you go ahead... I want to talk to Hotaru. Girls' stuff."
The last two words seemed to be a justifiable reason as Helios's eyes widened and he began spluttering goodbyes as he left. As the door closed, silence resonated throughout the apartment. Chibiusa slowly stood up and approached Hotaru.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
Chibiusa gave a disbelieving look at Hotaru.
The dark-haired girl avoided eye contact and began clearing up her books.
Chibiusa sighed – she could tell that Hotaru was trying to evade her, but for what reason she did not know. All day long, Hotaru had been acting weird. "Have I made you mad in some way? If I have... I'm sorry."
Hotaru stayed dead still and sighed heavily. She felt so shitty. She never meant for Chibiusa to feel that way... ever.
"No... no, you haven't." Hotaru's voice was soft and gentle.
The dark-haired girl put a hand to her head and her other hand went to her hip. Hotaru tried to speak again, but her head felt hot and her breath seemed stifled. She tried to focus but her head became light-headed and little white spots began to fill her vision.
Her eyes fluttered and she frowned heavily.
The pain was excruciating now.
"Are you okay, Hota?" The pink-haired's girl was filled with such concern that the emotions Hotaru got from it momentarily gave her relief from her ailment and her vision was clear and she felt fine.
She almost felt love.
Almost.
Then the crushing reality that Helios and Chibiusa were a couple sent her crashing back to Earth and once more the pain caved in on her. Restraining a pained whimper, Hotaru just nodded.
"Hai... I'm just tired... I think I should go sleep."
Chibiusa's eyes widened at the blatant hint for her to leave but she smiled nervously and nodded before picking up her things and making her way to the door.
Hotaru opened the door and fidgeted slightly as she waited for Chibiusa to leave. The pink-haired girl paused at the door and looked at Hotaru with small tears brimming in her eyes.
"I don't know what I did to make you so upset, Hotaru, but I'm real sorry... I thought we could be real good friends."
Chibiusa leaned forward and gently kissed Hotaru on the cheek, "I hope you feel better tomorrow."
Hotaru didn't even look at Chibiusa after the small peck of affection was laid on her cheek.
Chibiusa, downcast, said nothing more and walked out.
Hotaru slowly closed the door and she quickly stumbled over to the sofa and allowed her body to go dead and the full force of her frame to collide painfully with the soft couch's exterior, her back meeting with the plush sofa first. Before she knew it her eyes were closed and there was a thundering in her eyes from the overwhelming pain she felt.
It took a few minutes before Hotaru realised that the pain wasn't solely from her headache but also from her newly shattered heart.
She knew her and Chibiusa would never happen but did she and Helios have to parade around in front of her? Every glance shared between them, it sent a jolt of pain through her system. Hotaru blinked and felt a wetness roll down her eyes, and Hotaru scoffed at herself – she was crying?
Over something as trivial as this?
She raised a hand to her cheek and closed her eyes tightly, eradicating the small white spots from her vision.
This was stupid... she had to get over this, this was not the first girl that Hotaru had pined for that ignored her existence and found a boy to be with, but for some reason this one hurt more.
"A girl I've barely known a week!" Hotaru laughed at her own pathetic state. She sat up, the rush of blood to her head almost making her woozy but she ignored it. That was it.
That was the key to getting over this horrible phase.
She had to ignore Chibiusa. But how? She needed a legitimate excuse.
She sighed heavily, and her head was pounding. She sighed, thinking would have to wait a day, what she needed right now was a bed.
"Tired, Mamo?"
Blue eyes looked up into red and Mamoru sighed heavily. "I just want to get this done and leave Beryl... it's late."
Beryl smirked and moved aside the paperwork from the table as she playfully tapped her index and middle finger on the table, travelling them from her to Mamoru's hand a few inches away. Mamoru snatched his hand away from Beryl and turned his face away from Mamoru. Beryl looked at the dark-haired man with an incredulous look.
"What the hell?"
Mamoru shook his head, keeping his eyes on the paper in front of him. "Look, I just want to get this done and go home."
Beryl raised one meticulously groomed eyebrow and scoffed. "Home? You mean back to that blonde baka?"
"Don't call her that!" Mamoru clenched his jaw and he looked at Beryl with a quiet strength hidden in his eyes.
Beryl seemingly ignored his outburst and leaned towards him, showing an ample amount of cleavage from her low-cut top. Mamoru, in a moment of weakness, let his eyes linger onto before looking away. He kept his jaw clenched as he felt her warm breath on his neck, her lips inches away from his jaw.
"Oh, now you suddenly care about her Mamo? Oh, come on... what's really eating at you? Besides me, of course."
Mamoru kept his eyes fixed on the paper in front of him, his heartbeat pounding at a thousand palpitations a minute. "I...I've called Jadeite in to help us."
Beryl moved away from Mamoru and her features turned from beautiful to ugly as she scowled. "You did what?!"
Mamoru finally looked up, staring defiantly into Beryl's eyes. He cleared his throat and fought the overwhelming urge to give into the hypnotic figure that was Beryl – her very aura commanded obedience. "I called Jadeite. The legalities are too much for my brain right now. He should be here any minute; I called him thirty minutes ago."
Beryl glared at Mamoru. "What has gotten into you, Mamoru? A month ago you would not have been acting this way."
Mamoru slammed the papers onto the table before regaining his composure. He gritted his teeth as he spoke. "I'm married, Beryl."
The older woman scoffed and waved a hand dismissively. "Pfft! You were married a month ago... and it didn't stop you..." Mamoru nervously gulped as he noticed Beryl deliberately slowed her words, "... did it, Mamo? It didn't stop you from taking me right there," She pointed to the formal mahogany desk by the window, "On your own desk. Where your wife comes and visits you, I bet... you didn't care a month ago so why now?"
"Shut up."
Mamoru closed his eyes, the guilt threatening to overwhelm him for the first time in five months. Beryl laughed gently. "Is it because of Friday? Jeez, I was just having fun; I didn't think she'd see anything in my comments. She is pretty dumb."
Mamoru had had enough.
His eyes snapped open and he glared at Beryl, his face becoming flushed as his anger took over. "I said shut up, Beryl!"
There was a silence for a few moments. A few seconds later a knock on the door took the attention away from the two. A head peeked into the room a second later revealing a very annoyed looking Jadeite enter the room. "Come in, Jadeite-kun, thank you for coming... sorry, I couldn't get a hold of Kunzite-kun or else I would have him here instead of you."
Jadeite's jaw nearly dropped to the floor at hearing the information but he managed a very insincere smile. "Yeah... he's occupied at the moment."
Jadeite looked over to Beryl and saw she was staring at Mamoru with the same hungry look as always. It wasn't the best kept secret that she wanted Mamoru; in fact even the cleaners and security guards at this PR office knew that. But, Jadeite was in the few who knew that Beryl and Mamoru had actually been sleeping together, thanks to Beryl's need to divulge to those she trusted. Jadeite, like Kunzite, was under her complete spell – they were as loyal as one could get. At first Jadeite was shocked. He had known Mamoru as a happily married man with his high school sweetheart... but he didn't really care, it was all good gossip and scandal as far as he was concerned.
Mamoru cleared his throat and look over at Jadeite, "Jadeite, can you take this over for me? I have a headache... I think it is best that I go for the night."
Beryl said nothing but watched as Mamoru silently packed his documents into his briefcase and left the office without saying goodnight to either of the two figures in the office. As the door clicked shut, Beryl sat back in her chair, a Cheshire cat-like grin enveloping her features. Jadeite quirked an eyebrow and Beryl chuckled to herself.
"He is such a fun toy."
Jadeite smirked but inwardly scoffed as he looked down at the documents in front of him. Not that he didn't enjoy watching the drama unfold from the sidelines – but he had a hotel room in the Hyatt he'd much rather be at.
Damn work.
Seiya had been asleep for less than hour in his apartment when he heard a loud knocking. Rolling over, he looked over at his alarm clock and groaned. He had left the studio at eight and it was half past nine now, all he wanted was to sleep for Gods' sakes!
Reluctantly, he stepped out of his bed, throwing a t-shirt on and pulling a pair of pyjama pants over his boxers as he sleepily walked through his apartment. After bumping into the coffee table and restraining a yelp at the pain in his toe, Seiya cursed as he reached the door.
"Whoever this is... it better be good..."
Seiya opened the door to reveal his oldest friend, dishevelled hair and a slumped posture. Tears gently fell from blue eyes.
"Mamo? What the hell happened?"
Mamoru looked up at Seiya, his face seemingly expressionless aside from the tears cascading from his eyes over his cheeks.
"Sei... I've done something really fucking stupid."
Seiya cocked his head and stepped aside, allowing Mamoru to walk into his apartment. Mamoru slumped onto the sofa, burying his face into a pillow and Seiya watched in concern – he had never seen Mamoru like this before and he had no idea what to do.
"Mamoru... what's happened?"
Mamoru lifted his face from the pillow and closed his eyes tightly, willing the tears to stop already. He took in a shaky breath and prepared himself to say the words out loud. He knew as soon as he said it any reaction Seiya would give would be warranted. Seiya always felt a need to protect both Mamoru and Usagi but if the truth be told in their youth, Mamoru knew Seiya was bitter for Usagi choosing him over Seiya.
"I... I slept with Beryl."
"So... Lara... what exactly is it you do for a living?"
Lara chewed her piece of shrimp slowly as Haruka asked the question. She grabbed her wine glass and took a small sip from it. "Well... I do a whole bunch of things to be honest Haruka-san."
Haruka raised an eyebrow; she was awfully intrigued by that answer. "So you're in between jobs? Or freelance? A jack of all trades? Come on, give me something."
Lara winked at the blonde and giggled gently. "A jack of all trades, Haruka... though I deal mainly in people."
Haruka scrunched her face up in confusion but gave up, Lara was being far too enigmatic for Haruka to actually try and read anymore into her answers.
"And yourself, Haruka?"
Haruka cleared her throat and looked at Lara... she looked like the sort of person who wouldn't be bothered by her answer. Haruka took in a deep breath and readied herself. "I'm the manager of an escort agency."
There was a silence. Lara looked at Haruka with slightly widened eyes before she smirked gently. "How interesting... do you enjoy it, Haruka?"
The tomboy nodded. "There's never a boring moment."
Lara thought for a moment before tapping her chin with her index finger. "Michiru... from Friday... she's an escort, ne?"
Haruka looked curiously at Lara... how did she know that?
Lara giggled, and as if she was a mind reader, explained herself. "Now, you've said that, and I know that Michiru was your friend... it kind of just clicked. You can always tell."
Haruka nodded absentmindedly... could you really tell?
"Shame... she really is beautiful."
Haruka nodded again, this time aware she was, however her mouth seemed to be working without her knowledge. "Yeah, she really is."
Lara cocked an eyebrow and looked at Haruka with amusement dancing in her eyes. "Yes she is... ever dated her?"
Lara knew the answer after her talk on Friday, but it didn't hurt to see where your prospects really lay, right? Haruka shook her head emphatically and Lara looked shocked at the energy put into Haruka's answer.
"No? Any reason for it? Other than it would interfere with work?" Lara giggled and looked up, only to find Haruka not laughing, it seemed like she was somewhere else entirely.
"I don't date escorts. Surely, my reasons shouldn't need explaining. It's obvious the consequences that come along with that."
Lara gently placed her fork onto her plate and stared at Haruka. "You make her sound riddled."
Haruka's eyes widened. "N-no! I don't mean to make her sound that way. But surely you agree with me Lara; women in that line of work are more... susceptible to trouble."
Lara gave a ghost of a smile as she stared at her wine glass and began to gently run the tip of her index finger along the rim of the glass. "You make out like she's nothing but a high-end call girl."
Haruka thought for a moment and shrugged. "I guess that's all she is, in reality."
Lara opened her mouth to retort to Haruka but instead opted for grabbing her fork and taking another mouthful of the cracked black pepper shrimp she had ordered. She moaned gently. "Enough talk about work, right Haruka? Taste this! It is so good!"
Lara raised her fork across the table and Haruka chuckled gently before leaning forward gently and gently biting into the shrimp in front of her. The tomboy moaned too after tasting it.
"Mmm, you're right... it is good."
An hour later, Haruka lead Lara from the restaurant and outside to where the valet was bringing her car around. "So... Lara... where can I drop you off?"
Lara smirked and turned to face the tomboy.
"What kind of girl do you think I am, Haruka?"
Lara winked at Haruka, but in that moment all Haruka could think of was Michiru. She said the exact same thing to Haruka every time she asked that. A small smile played across the blonde's lips and Lara took that as an invite to gently press her own lips to Haruka's.
The tomboy stood in shock for the second that Lara put her lips to her own. It was a chaste kiss and it felt nice... but it lacked spark. It didn't melt Haruka at the knees. Lara stared at Haruka's face for a second before laughing at the cute pouting face she did.
"Haruka? You can take me home... you could join me if you like."
Lara gave a very seductive smile that was soon followed by a coy lip-bite. Haruka gulped and opened her mouth to answer – the answer she wanted to give was 'Are you kidding me? We only just met!'
"I... er, I–"
Haruka was saved by her incredibly embarrassing ringtone blaring from her inside pocket. Haruka smiled nervously before fumbling around in her pockets and taking out her cell-phone. She looked down at the display and Lara saw the concern in Haruka's features.
"Michiru?"
Lara's voice sounded irritated and Haruka ignored it. She accepted the call and pressed the phone to her ear.
"Rei? Are you okay? What? Okay, look, calm down, calm down!" The valet pulled up beside Haruka, he got out and held the keys out for her to take which she swiftly did. Haruka still had her ear glued to the phone. "Look, I'll be there as soon as I can... at the shrine? Okay," Haruka looked down at her watch, "I'll be there in twenty minutes. Stay there, okay? Okay, bye."
Haruka hung up her phone and looked apologetically at Lara. The blonde was about to open her mouth when Lara smiled gently before giggling. "It's okay, Haruka, I understand..." Haruka cocked an eyebrow and looked at Lara in confusion, Lara continued talking as she began to hail a cab, "Women in that line of work are more susceptible to trouble... right?"
Haruka felt ashamed... this was Rei who needed her help, she wasn't one of the descriptions she had given Lara... neither was Mina... or Michiru, now she came to think of it.
Lara smiled as a cab pulled up to her.
"It's fine, Haruka. Go and help her... this only means you owe me one. Ja ne."
Lara stepped into the cab and left Haruka standing there dumbfounded on the side of the street. The sound of a car horn honking behind her car alerted Haruka to the fact she needed to move her car and now.
She had to get to Hikawa Shrine as soon as she could.
Tonight had been a shambles.
Rei had never felt dirtier in her life. She had rushed to her apartment and turned her shower onto the hottest setting and stepped in, scrubbing her skin madly with her body scrub, doing anything she could to get rid of this feeling she had. Even after her skin was red raw, Rei felt as filthy as ever and she couldn't get the image of Mina out of her mind; Minako's blonde hair splayed out across Rei's stomach.
Rei shook her head of this imagery.
Everything was so wrong.
So wrong.
She couldn't be around Minako now, just being in the same building as the blonde brought out overwhelming emotions out in Rei. Rei couldn't deal with them, and not when Minako seemed to have any problems with what happened between them tonight. Though, at one point Rei thought she saw empathy but it turns out it was just sympathy. It was just Minako saying sorry... for staying behind.
With him.
Rei's skin crawled at the thought of Minako with Kunzite. It had never bothered her that much before... but that was before Rei had given in to everything. She had this feeling about everything – much like she used to have in her youth. But that was when she lived at the shrine and lived to be a miko... oh, how times changed. But alas, here she was; at the bottom steps of the shrine, waiting for Haruka after Yuuichiro had already taken her suitcase and belongings upstairs, to her old room, and now Rei was waiting for Haruka to arrive.
Less than two minutes after musing on the whereabouts of her blonde superior, a familiar Audi pulled up outside the shrine and tousled blonde hair poked out followed by familiar green eyes.
"Rei? What's wrong? What happened?"
Rei brought her knees up to her chest and took in a deep breath of the cool night air. "I just needed to tell you Haruka-san, face-to-face... I'm quitting. I – I'm needed here. I won't be going to After Dark again and the least you deserved was being told in person."
Haruka sighed and took a seat beside Rei on the steps of the shrine. "What happened Rei?"
Rei's throat became dry and it seemed like she had no saliva in her throat anymore. Rei looked up at the sky and took in the sight of the thousand twinkling stars.
"My oji-san... he's ill, Haruka-san. Not deathly but at his age, who knows? I wanted to rush his waiting time – time is a killer, you know... it cost nine million yen total. I needed three by this week, this job, plus the rest of my earnings meant I can afford that now."
Haruka looked confused at Rei – not that the blonde tomboy didn't care, but why was Rei telling her this? Rei was renowned for her mystery. No-one knew a thing about her, not really.
"Tonight, I did something... that I am ashamed of, Haruka-san. And I can't bear to see her again."
Haruka's eyes widened as she realized who this 'her' was.
Rei took in a sharp breath and spoke shakily, "I needed to ask of you something. If Minako asks, you don't know where I am. You haven't seen me... I've just left. Oh, here." Rei handed over her personal alarm and her After Dark cell-phone. "Take care, Haruka-san. You were very good to me."
Rei began walking up the steps shakily, her legs barely able to hold her. Haruka stood from the steps and faced up to the shrine, to Rei's retreating figure.
"Rei!"
The dark-haired girl turned around and faced Haruka, "What are you going to do? What about your oji-san? You need six million more."
Rei sent Haruka a sad smile, seeing the blonde's concern was heart-warming.
"I have my ways Haruka-san. I'm sorry for interrupting your night... I guess I just needed to see someone. Gomen."
Haruka waved her comment off. "Rei... even if you're not with AD anymore... you've got my number, if you ever need anything, give me a call. Okay?"
Rei nodded and made her way back up the steep stone steps to the shrine. Haruka made her way back to her car. As she sat in the driver's seat and started the engine, she could only feel sympathy for Rei and Minako. Trouble? They are not trouble…they just have troubles that make them troubled.
Fate makes reality cruel.
Inside the shrine, Rei made her way over to the only piece of modern technology – the telephone. She picked it up and dialled a number she knew well yet barely used. She had hoped that for the remainder of her life, she would never have to go running back to this man, and yet here she was, about to get six million yen from him – maybe more. And Rei knew she would, he would do anything to buy her silence and keep his appearance looking nothing less than immaculate. Never in a million years would she have thought of doing this, but lately her pride had been ripped to shreds, it was no longer a matter of doing things with dignity but just getting things done.
Fifteen rings later, a groggy sounding voice answered the phone.
"Moshi moshi, Hino-sama's residence."
Rei took in a deep breath and prepared herself for the worst conversation of her life.
"I need to talk to my father."
AN 2 - Drama right? Pfft, what's going on with everyone?! MWAHAHAHA R&R if you've made it this far :D Til next time - VR