Authoress note: Finally, an update! It's been a while, but if there is anyone still interested in this, please enjoy. Thank you!
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Chapter 8 – Free and wild as the wind
"What's wrong? Are you alright?" The man's face was white and drenched in perspiration, his eyes wide with pain and terror. Haruka reached out to touch him, but just then he gave a piercing scream; Haruka sprang to her feet and watched in terror as he transformed into a hideous creature.
The creature fixed its chilling eyes on Haruka and she grabbed the handle of a crowbar and raised it defensively over her head. "You… monster!" But even as she said those words, she could see the boy that had stood before her only seconds ago.
The creature attacked, but Haruka could not bring herself to strike back; she was thrown backwards and the impact jarred her teeth. This is a nightmare…this is a nightmare… But the pain from the impact was all too real and the creature bellowing savagely in front of her was ready to strike again.
As Haruka braced herself for the next blow, a blinding light erupted before her eyes, making her blink in confusion. "What the-" A blue and yellow object beckoned to her from the glowing orb, and Haruka found herself reaching for it, dazzled.
"Don't do it!"
The spell was broken and the object fell to the ground with a clatter; Haruka looked over her shoulder, momentarily forgetting that she was under attack.
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The air was filled with the smell of burnt rubber and oil, but its pungency did not bother Michiru; she had come to associate that smell with Haruka. She had watched the blonde girl from the stands, and when the practice was over, followed her from a distance as she made her way into a garage.
A smile of anticipation graced Michiru's features and her heartbeat picked up as she drew closer to her destination. If Haruka had tried to find her, it could only mean she was finally ready to take her place as a soldier.
But then her face fell as she realized Haruka would have to go through the same things she had experienced: the flood of memories from a previous life, the dizzying surge of power coursing through her body, and the fear…the fear of what consequences their mission would have.
Michiru's mind seemed to spin as she envisioned Haruka's carefree smile; she did not want to see that smile disappear. And even though she wanted nothing else but to be selfish, and even though she was afraid of fighting alone, Michiru knew what the right thing to do was. There had been no choice for her, but Haruka would get a chance to make hers.
As this certainty grew inside of her, a strangled cry came from the garage. "No…"
Michiru darted forward, hand tightly wrapped around her transformation pen. Am I too late?
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"Don't do it!"
Haruka looked over her shoulder and found Michiru leaning on the doorway, panting. In her hand was an object that resembled the one that now lay at Haruka's feet.
Michiru bowed her head and spoke in a forlorn voice: "Don't grab that. Once you grab a hold of it…" She seemed to hesitate then continued: "You will never again return to mundane life."
Haruka watched in awe as Michiru raised the blue object and altered her appearance; her fingers trembled with an emotion she had never felt before.
The creature, that had stood frozen in confusion, reacted as Michiru unleashed her fury upon it; her attack was so fierce that the creature fell, writhing in agony.
"Stop!" Haruka yelled, the fear and shock melding into outrage as she blocked Michiru's path. "He was human until just a few minutes ago! Are you alright doing this? This is murder!"
Michiru could see the anger and disappointment written all over Haruka's face, but her voice only cracked once as she replied: "The silence is approaching… If I don't do this, there will be even more victims."
Haruka glared at her in disbelief. "Are you saying that's why you don't care how you accomplish it?"
"That's right! I don't care what means I use!" It pained her to say those words, but Michiru knew it was the only way to keep Haruka from following in her footsteps.
"Are you really-" Haruka's words were interrupted as the monster silently rose and lunged at her from behind.
"Look out!" Michiru tried to push Haruka out of the way, but the monster collided with them and sent them both flying. Blood poured down Michiru's arm and along her side, but she still found the strength to face the creature one last time and yell: "DEEP SUBMERGE!" Then she collapsed.
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"Look out!" Michiru rushed forward to protect Haruka as the creature lashed out and received most of the impact from the blow, but they were still tossed back.
Haruka groaned when her back connected with the cement floor and her breath was knocked out of her when Michiru landed on top of her.
Quick as lightning, Michiru rose and turned to face the monster. "DEEP SUBMERGE!" An avalanche of weariness overcame her and she lost consciousness.
Haruka got her arm about her Michiru's waist as her legs faltered and cradled her head against her chest; she examined the wounds on her pale arm and was relieved to see they were not too deep. Before a minute had passed, Michiru stirred and opened her eyes. "Where is the monster?"
Haruka looked at the crumpled, moaning figure of the young man, and smiled reassuringly at Michiru. "He turned back into a human. He is alright."
Michiru nodded. "I might have killed him. No… next time I'm sure I will kill." Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. "It's not that I am fine with it. But I am a soldier… because I chose to do this."
Haruka squeezed her tighter and asked: "Then why did you cover for me just now?" She picked up Michiru's delicate arm, where the blood was still flowing. "If you hurt your hand, you won't be able to become a violinist."
Michiru's heart leapt into her throat as she gazed into Haruka's blue eyes; now that they were standing so close, she could see how warm they were. And even though she never shared her innermost thoughts with anyone, she found herself saying everything she had been trying so desperately to keep to herself. "I… I didn't investigate you because you were the other soldier. It goes back much further than when I realized you were the one."
Haruka wasn't expecting that and her expression softened completely.
Michiru pulled herself straighter, leaning closer to Haruka. "I was watching you in your first race from close by. I wanted to cruise along the beach in your car… just once…"
Michiru was leaning so close to her that Haruka could feel her breath on her cheek.
"You don't rely on anyone at all. And you are always honest to your feelings."
Haruka smiled bitterly as she replied: "I'm not honest at all… I keep running away."
Michiru shook her head in disagreement. "I know about you more than you do… because I have been watching you for so long. You are the one person I don't want to see walking the same path that I did. But…" Michiru drew a deep breath. "When I realized that you were the one… I was happy…" The tears were falling freely now; she didn't know what else to say, and she hoped she didn't sound hopelessly pathetic. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to tell you all this… I'm sorry."
Haruka's eyes flickered to the blue object she had failed to grab before, and then back to Michiru's hopeful face. Haruka grabbed her hand, squeezing her palm so tight it hurt, but Michiru didn't let go. "I'll fight with you", she whispered.
Michiru's throat grew so tight that she could barely speak. "Are – are you sure? If you chose this, there will be no going back…"
"I am sure."
"Thank you", Michiru said, putting all her sincerity and relief behind those two words. "Thank you."
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Haruka leaned back in a chair, feeling fatigue course through her body. She twirled the transformation pen – that was what Michiru had called it – in her hands with a thoughtful frown, as she waited for Michiru to be cleared by the nurse. The green haired girl had protested against riding in an ambulance, but Haruka had taken no chances.
The young man had been rushed to the same hospital, and although his condition was serious, he would recover completely. He had no memory of what had occurred, so even though their story about a wild animal attack had raised a few eyebrows, Haruka and Michiru were fairly certain that their secret was safe.
There was much that they still had to talk about, and Haruka had yet to experience her full transformation into a soldier, but she knew she was past the point of no return; Michiru had risked her life to protect her, and that had sparked a fierce desire to protect her in return.
As if on cue, the curtain behind which Michiru had been observed was pushed aside, and Haruka sprang to her feet, tucking the pen away in the waistband of her jeans.
Michiru looked slightly dazed, but her wounds were now encased with white bandage; Haruka stepped forward and placed a hand on her waist to steady her. "Oh thank you, but I can walk on my own."
"You got hurt because of me; the least I can do is help you and take you home. Looks like you will finally get the chance to cruise along in my car", Haruka said with a mischievous curve of her mouth.
Michiru suddenly felt the blood rise in her face and her step faltered almost imperceptibly, but Haruka made no mention of it and Michiru relaxed. Together they strode down the hallway and into the lift that would take them to the underground garage.
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The sky was a flawless blue, the air crisp as the sun dipped low in the horizon, but the chill didn't bother Michiru. Her face was flushed and her whole body was awake with excitement as the car sped through the highway.
With her eyes firmly closed, Michiru tossed her hands in the air and giggled as the wind tried to push them back. It felt good to let go and enjoy the moment for what it was, even if only for a while.
Haruka was silent, but Michiru didn't have to see her to know she wore a smile; she could feel the weight of her stare on her. When she opened her eyes to glance at her, Haruka was seemingly lost in thought, but the curve of her mouth told a different story.
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Haruka looked around with interest as Michiru closed the door behind the; the apartment was beautifully decorated. The walls were a light shade of blue and the windows were large to allow the sunlight to stream in. the decoration itself was simple but elegant, just like Michiru. "You have a beautiful home", Haruka said with a nod of approval.
"Thank you. Would you like something to drink or eat?" Michiru asked as she removed her shoes and replaced them for a pair of comfortable slippers. She offered another pair to Haruka, and the blonde accepted them with a smile.
"You need to rest", Haruka replied after putting on the slippers. "Show me the kitchen and I'll prepare something for us to eat."
"I – " Michiru bit her lower lip, uncertain; she felt tired, but she was not used to having people taking care of her, especially in her own house. "I can –"
"Please", Haruka interrupted her, but not without kindness, "allow me to do this for you."
After a moment's hesitation, Michiru nodded and motioned to Haruka to follow her into the kitchen. After showing her where to find things, Michiru excused herself and wandered to her room to take a quick shower. Haruka busied herself with the preparation of two sandwiches; she was not a great cook, but her sandwiches never disappointed.
Ten minutes later Haruka heard Michiru's footsteps and looked up to find her standing by the door, watching her. She was clutching a notepad to her chest, almost protectively, but then she held it out to Haruka.
Haruka strolled towards Michiru and took the notepad from her, twisting it around so it was now facing her; her eyebrows lifted in surprise. It was a drawing, the most vivid and breathtaking drawing Haruka had ever seen; it showed the figure of a young woman, her eyes closed with an expression of total bliss as she seemingly soared toward the blue sky.
"That is how I see you, Haruka… free and wild as the wind", Michiru said under her breath, so softly that Haruka had to strain to hear her.
"Free and wild as the wind…" Haruka repeated doubtfully as she ran her fingertips over the portrait.
Michiru smiled uncertainly, but with a spark of hope.
"Well, I don't think I'm quite there yet, but maybe one day I will be", Haruka said at last. "May I keep this? As a reminder…"
"Of course", Michiru said, her smile lighting up her whole face.
"Thank you", Haruka managed in a husky voice. They were silent a moment, each lost in their own thoughts, but then Haruka cleared her throat and announced dinner was ready. As they ate, her eyes fell occasionally on the drawing, and each time they did, warmth spread through her body.
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Michiru sank deeper into the pillows, trying to find a better position; when she settled, she looked at Haruka, who was sitting on a chair beside her bed. "Are you sure you are comfortable?"
Haruka nodded. "We don't have to do this tonight; you can tell me everything tomorrow."
"I know, but it's like I have this weight on my chest and it makes it so hard to breathe… I feel that if I don't talk about it, it will only get worse until I can no longer draw breath…"
Haruka took her hand and snaked her fingers through hers. "I'm listening."
Drawing a stabilizing breath, Michiru started to speak; she talked about the nightmares that had haunted her sleep, how she had remembered their previous lives as soldiers and the way she had fought her first monster.
Haruka listened carefully, her expression steady, her eyes never leaving Michiru's.
"When I saw him collapse after my attack, I was so scared… I thought he was dead…" Michiru's voice faltered as she recalled the events from the park.
"I should have been there", Haruka said, hanging her head apologetically. "You needed me and I wasn't there."
"I – I was mad at first, then disappointed, but then I realized that it was selfish of me to think that way."
"Selfish of you?" Haruka snorted. "I was the selfish one… and a coward. And even today-"
Michiru pressed a finger to Haruka's lips. "You are not a coward, and you are not selfish. You were only scared you would lose control of your life… just like me. Even now, with you here beside me, I am scared."
Haruka leaned forward and kissed her gently on the forehead. "Then perhaps we can learn to be brave together", she said softly, "but for now you should rest. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I do know I will be right here, by your side."
Michiru let out a sight of contentment as she sunk back against the pillows. She thought she wouldn't be able to fall asleep with Haruka watching her, but she hadn't realized how tired she really was.
With Michiru's hand still in hers, Haruka listened to her breathing change as she found sleep.
To be continued…