Lost with you

by Doc CB

AU HarukaXMichiru On flight 5816 from Tokyo to New York something goes wrong... and now, they're all Lost.

7. I was looking for you

LOST WITH YOU

by Doc C_B

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.

Rating: M for language, violence, some gore and... to be on the safe side.

Setting: AU

Beta read by Calaeris (Thanks!)

CHAPTER 6

- I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU -

* * * * * * * *

Tokyo airport, 9.18

"Here's your outward ticket, flight 5186, gate 23, 10 AM." The clerk handed the ticket-envelope to the handsome customer.

"Thank you." The tall blond took the envelope while the young woman began typing on her computer keyboard again; after a moment she looked up with an awkward expression on her pretty face.

"I'm sorry, Tenoh-san, you've lost the return reservation as well." She said it a little unsurely and as she thought the tall blond was less than happy to hear that. She saw him cursing under his breath and hurried to try and fix the situation. She typed furiously for five more minutes, peeking furtively at the blond's reaction every now and then.

"This is ridiculous! That moron of a cab driver, he managed to ruin my day... twice!" The tall blonde was furious, the handsome face a mask of annoyance.

"I'm very sorry... But you'll be able to be in New York with just a couple of hours delay. I'm sure you'll find a ticket for you to come back before the end of next week..."

"Next week?!?! I have no intention of spending one damn night more than necessary there!" By now the blonde was yelling at the embarrassed clerk, the husky voice turning into a higher, more feminine pitch.

The girl behind the desk didn't notice it; rather, she stared at the furious customer, a little intimidated. And it was the fear in her eyes that made Haruka realize she had badly overreacted. She decided to calm her demeanor and try another strategy.

It wasn't easy to calm down. She felt exhausted and frustrated beyond her limits. After a moment she took a deep breath and smiled apologetically at the clerk.

"I'm really sorry for my behavior, it obviously isn't your fault Miss...?"

"Oh... Ikeda Eriko, Tenoh-sama."

"Ikeda-san," Haruka took off her sunglasses and looked at the poor girl intently, her teal eyes deep and charming. "It's unforgivable, treating a beautiful girl like you so rudely. Will you be so kind and forgive me?" Her captivating smile did the rest.

"Don't even mention it, Tenoh-sama. Let me look into it. Maybe I can find a seat..." The girl smiled back while her cheeks turned a cute shade of pink and typed on her keyboard quickly for a moment.

Haruka smirked, the spell had been cast and no one could resist.

"Here you go. New York-Los Angeles-Tokyo, first class, the day after tomorrow." To complete what she considered a masterpiece in the art of seduction, Haruka brushed the clerk's hand briefly as she took her ticket and observed her face turning a deep shade of red and her eyes lowering in embarrassment as she giggled.

"You saved me, Ikeda-san. From now on consider me your humble servant." She winked and turned as a dreamy look appeared in the clerk's eyes, and it would probably be there all day.

* * * * * * * * *

In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 69 hours later.

Dawn tinged the horizon with gold, an insistent breeze rippled the sea's surface and the waves broke on the shore relentlessly. Haruka was walking on the white sand after a long run. Everybody was still sleeping at the camp as the day had still to begin as the night was just about to end.

It had been a sleepless night, the third sleepless night in a row. She had tried to lie down – she felt so tired – and she had even fallen asleep for a few minutes, but soon the nightmares came and she woke up breathless and upset.

Eventually she had found herself running, like she always did when she was troubled. Now she was on a secluded little beach not far from the camp. She had calmed down a bit and was watching the ocean reflect the rising sun's red rays. She was looking forward to the hunting session they had planned for today, hoping it could keep her mind occupied.

The view was enchanting, even more than the one at the camp and she found herself wanting to share that view... but with whom? She had no one. In the last few days she had thought about it, about what was happening back home. She had imagined the press going crazy about a plane disappearing like that, and then going even crazier because at least five celebrities were missing. But that was it. She was famous and there were probably hundreds of strangers worried about her... strangers, people she had never met. People she didn't know, and who surely didn't know her. People who would probably have forgotten about her by the end of the week.

'Isn't this how you want it?' Her inner voice asked bitterly. 'No attachment, no responsibilities, no burden?'

She shook her head, dismissing those thoughts, and walked back to the camp, her running shoes in her hand and her bare feet touching the cool sand.

Approaching the camp she noticed someone else was awake and judging by his fidgety movements and bloodshot but sparkling eyes he had had a sleepless night too and he was very excited.

"Good morning Haruka-san." He beamed.

"Good morning Furuhata-kun." She greeted him. Noticing he was hardly able to control his excitement she smiled, amused. "It seems like a very good morning for you. What's happened?" But as she asked she realized what could have caused such effect on him.

'It must be good to be able to have such faith...' She thought. He must have seen the plane flying over the camp last night, like she had. The big difference was that she hadn't thought for longer than a second that could have led to their rescue.

"Yeah, it's going to be a very good morning, I can feel it!" He exclaimed.

"If you say so..." She smiled skeptically but amused at his childish enthusiasm. As she was about to leave he couldn't resist telling her what he thought to be amazing news.

"Haruka-san, you can't imagine what happened last night after the service! It's wonderful!"

Haruka raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

"I saw a plane last night, flying over us! They must have seen our fire. It was huge!" His face was almost glowing from happiness.

'Oh God, he really believe in it.' She thought cynically. She couldn't understand how someone could possibly let themselves have such high expectations, especially when it was up to others than themselves to save the situation.

'Have you ever heard the word 'trust'?' Her inner voice said sarcastically.

"I saw it too, actually," She said trying to ignore her thoughts, "but I don't th-..." He cut her off excited.

"Really? Oh, I can't wait to tell everyone..." This time it was Haruka who interrupted him.

"Wait! Wait Furuhata-kun. Do you really think this is a good idea?" He looked at her confused, "What if the plane hadn't noticed the fire? You don't want all those people to be disappointed now, do you?" The young man looked up at her thinking for a moment.

"But Haruka-san... Kami knows they do need some good news!" His expression darkened at the thought of the tears he had seen the previous night and the heavy silence that had followed.

"You're right, they're sad and scared, but think how they'll be if no one comes." She reasoned, her dark-circled eyes piercing through him. Furuhata kept eye-contact with her until he had to admit first to himself and then to her that she was right.

Seeing Furuhata's face literally change under her eyes Haruka felt guilty. She knew it was cruel to crush his hopes like that and although his attitude was so often opposite of hers she had a soft spot for that young man so full of faith. Something she was completely unable to have.

Her hand went to her neck. She touched the smooth surface of the gold cross and she remembered the conversation she had with Michiru the night before.

* * * * * * * *

"What is this?" Haruka demanded eying the small wooden box with suspicion.

"Open it, it doesn't bite." The gray-haired woman smiled and her wrinkled face lightened up. The serious looking, fifteen-years-old, blonde lifted the box's lid slowly. Inside there was a thin golden necklace with a smooth cross attached to it. She examined the item for a minute then lifted her head and looked at her grandmother questioningly.

"Did you really think you could come here and not say good-bye to your granny?" The old woman smiled knowingly to her surprised granddaughter.

"But Granny I-..." The teal-eyed woman cut her off.

"Oh, come on Haruka! I know what you're going to do, and I know it'll be a long time before I can see you again."

The blonde girl lowered her look guiltily; she had intended their encounter to be as casual as possible. She had decided not to tell her grandmother that she was about to leave to go live in Tokyo. She had thought her grandmother couldn't bear the thought of losing her only granddaughter right after having lost her daughter no more than a year before. And most of all Haruka hated moments of parting.

"Granny I..." Again she couldn't finish her sentence, her voice trailed off. The older woman stood up from her armchair and she circled Haruka's shoulders with her thin arm. The girl was already so tall and promised to become even taller than her own father.

"I'm not saying I won't miss you, sweetheart, but I know you have to do it." Those understanding words didn't quiet the stormy feelings swirling inside Haruka.

"You really do?" The unsure tone was so unusual for the confident girl that she suddenly looked like what she really was: a kid needing reassurance.

"Of course I do, Dashy." She smiled, "I still can't understand why you have to go that far... but I'm sure you have your reasons." The woman concluded squeezing her granddaughter's shoulders.

"Now, are you going to accept my little present or not?"

"Ehm... Granny, you know I... I don't... ehm... I don't believe..." Haruka mumbled in embarrassment. Her grandmother's faith had always made her feel weird. She had never been able to understand such things, but she loved her grandmother very much and had always indulged her. But in the last year things had changed a lot and Haruka was finding it harder and harder to come to terms with things like God and fairness.

"Haruka, honey, God had chosen a pretty rough path for you, and although I'm sure He has done so because He knows you can do it, I also know for sure that one day you will need some faith." As Haruka tried to protest the old woman put a finger on her lips and continued, "I know, I know... See, I don't care if it'll be God, Destiny or even another human being, you just have to rely on something." She smiled kindly at the girl, her teal eyes a little watery, "No-one can be self-sufficient forever. No one, not even you."

"I don't need anybody." Haruka declared stubbornly, looking her grandmother with the same teal eyes.

* * * * * * * *

Heavy panting could be heard as a she jumped up into a sitting position.

Turning to both sides Rei made sure her grandfather and Yuiichiro were still asleep. Relieved by the fact that she wouldn't have to give any explanations the young miko concentrated on her dream.

The suffocating sensation of cold bars against her chest was still vivid and she shivered.

In her dream she was – all of them were – locked in a wide cage. While everyone cried in terror behind her, she had managed to reach the railings and was pulling and pushing in a desperate but futile attempt to break through and escape. Behind her, a dreadful roar was getting closer as cries of pain and horror mixed with disturbing noises of ripping and tearing.

Since she was a teenager Rei had learnt those dreams were much more than mere nightmares; the spirits sent her messages. She had been chosen to preserve Good against Evil. She was blessed with a Gift.

Right now, though, her 'gift' had made it impossible for her to have a good night's sleep, ever since the week before. And now they were more vivid and intense. There was something terrible on that island and its evil nature was becoming harder and harder to ignore.

She had heard the account about what happened at the cockpit and she couldn't deny it had upset her greatly as so many details reminded her of her visions.

Somberly she got up, careful not to wake her two companions. She really needed to regain her calmness so she looked for a secluded space to meditate before the rest of the camp rose.

On her way there she surprisingly met someone. It was Furuhata, whose usually cheerful greeting was somehow discouraged. He had stopped for a moment like he wanted to say something to her, but then he had lowered his eyes and murmured a brief 'good morning' before he quickly walked off.

And just when she was going to dismiss the odd encounter she saw someone else in the distance. At first she couldn't figure who it was; she just saw as he or she ran into the water and swam frantically through the waves.

Rei hurried to the shore; the breeze was getting stronger and the waves slightly bigger but it was the current she was worried about, it was strong and unpredictable, and they had seen debris pulled off the coast in just a couple of minutes.

Once she reached the shore, Rei started calling for whoever was that swam between the white-crested waves. Suddenly the person stopped and turned around then dived to reemerge after a moment, only to dive again and again. It was clear they were looking for something... or someone.

After a moment Rei was joined by Furuhata, who had been drawn by her cries. He explained to Rei that it had to be Haruka out there, because he had just talked to her. Before she could say anything he took off his shoes and jumped among the waves.

Rei watched him reach the frantically searching Haruka and join her in her search after a little exchange. Several minutes passed during which she saw them dive again and again until they stopped and after what seemed an animated discussion they headed back to the shore.

Once they were back Rei helped them out of the water. Haruka seemed exhausted and was very agitated. She kept telling them she had seen someone drowning, someone looking like Serena, the pigtailed American girl, but Furuhata hadn't seen anyone, not from the shore nor when in the water, but he also said that the current was too strong to even think about going out again.

At that point Rei was confused, she had passed by Serena a few minutes ago and she seemed to be soundly asleep in her handsome boyfriend's arms.

But Haruka insisted she had seen the pigtailed girl floating, and she even struggled to get back into the sea. Rei looked at her and noticed her feverish eyes and she shivered as a familiar sensation of fear ran through her, remembering her dreams.

For several minutes they kept scanning the waves to be sure no one was there. Haruka couldn't wipe the image of the pigtailed girl floating helplessly in the water off her mind. When she had ran into the sea she had been so sure of what she had seen, but now, panting to regain her breath, drenched and dizzy, it all seemed blurred in her mind. She shook her head and massaged her hurting shoulder – what was happening to her?

"Haruka-san, are you alright?" Rei asked, watching the older woman intently as she seemed to come out of a dazed state.

"Yes... yes, of course." But the miko wasn't at convinced. The blonde was pale, like a ghost, her eyes were blood-shot, and she had started to shiver badly.

"Come on, Haruka-san, you need to take those wet clothes off... you too, Furuhata-san." She gestured for them to get up and follow her to the camp.

They walked in silence at first on the beach then through a little group of trees and bushes. Haruka was cold, her wet T-shirt stuck against her thin frame, her arms tightened around her torso to defend herself from the chilly breeze. When they reemerged from the small wood at the West end of the camp Haruka blinked at the sun, now high on the horizon. In that moment she caught a glimpse of a dark clothed figure at the edge of the forest; at first she didn't pay any attention to it, then she realized she couldn't recognize him, but when she looked again no one was there.

She stopped abruptly, trying to browse along the tree line with her eyes, with the result that Furuhata bumped into her.

"Haruka-san, is something wrong?" But she didn't answer.

* * * * * * * *

"Haruka!" Her name yelled like that was bad news especially because her father wasn't supposed to be home yet. Usually he hung out at the Country Club after work until seven when he came home for dinner. Since her mother died almost a year before he seemed to stay at home less and less. But today he was home at five o' clock in the afternoon.

"Haruka, damn it, come down!" She was upstairs in her room doing her homework after track training but she heard him loud and clear. She was wondering what could have made him so angry at her when a timid knock on the door caught her attention.

"Miss Tenoh, your father wants to see you downstairs." The thin voice from behind her room's door was the housemaid's and judging by the tremble in it her father had to be really pissed.

"I'm coming Miss Grossman, thank you." She closed her algebra book and got up.

'What have I done now?' Sure, she had never been what they call 'an angelic child', but in the last month she hadn't been in any trouble in class nor at the track, and her grades were good as always - with the exception of English, maybe - so she couldn't understand what was with her father.

But then, as she descended the big marble main stairs she saw the disgusted look in her father's dark eyes and a hint of what happened... and she gulped in fear.

'No... please no!' There was only one thing that could bring such an expression on his face. She had seen it many times, whenever some 'fag' or 'dyke' was implied... 'Please...' Her inner prayer became feebler and feebler as she descended the elegant steps.

Her father's eyes were burning in barely restrained fury. He stood in the big foyer with his tailored dark suit and his briefcase at his feet.

He looked menacing – he was taller than the average Japanese man and fairly well-built, but what made him even scarier was the expression on his face and the icy cold tone of his baritone voice.

"Henry Ryan came to my office today." His gaze was piercing a hole straight through her.

'No...' The worst had happened. The one thing she had so scrupulously tried to hide from him had been disclosed and now she couldn't even imagine what could happen.

He didn't wait for her reaction; he wasn't expecting one anyway. "He told me you've done something to his daughter-..." At his words Haruka couldn't hold herself back. She had done plenty of things she was sure her father wouldn't be happy about, but she had never – ever - done anything bad to Isabel Ryan. She couldn't have, no sir... she loved Isabel.

"Father, I di-..."

"Don't you dare interrupt me, girl!" He snapped.

Haruka knew better than disobey so she descended the last two steps silently and stood in front of him with her hands buried in her pockets and her head bowed down. When he spoke again his voice was low but his tone was even scarier.

"He said that you seduced her and took advantage of her." He paused and his eyes pierced through her more intensely. "Is that true?"

The answer was simple, 'Of course not!' She hadn't taken advantage of Isabel. Yes, she had seduced her and she had also been seduced by her. But neither one took advantage of the other.

Of course that wasn't the kind of answer her father expected or wanted to hear.

"I asked you a question." He wasn't renowned for his patience – in that they were so similar, her mother used to tell her that all the time – and now it seemed about to fade some time very soon.

"I..." She couldn't answer... couldn't. Her mother had taught her always to be true to herself, but she had also told her there were some things her father wasn't able to understand. Things it'd be better if he didn't know...

She was still thinking about the right answer to give him when the slap came. Unexpected, painful, shocking. She stumbled and fell back at the foot of the stairs.

"I want you out of this house in one week." He hissed, "Tomorrow you'll choose a boarding-school. I don't care which one or where. I don't want people to say my daughter doesn't have an education. But you'll be out of here." The cold rage in his voice felt like a blade cutting through her; it hurt more than her throbbing face. He had never hit her before. "Till then you're not allowed to see that girl again."

She was petrified, not by fear but because of the implications of what he had just said. When she realized he wasn't going to say anything else she stood. Her head was spinning and crimson blood dripped from her nose to stain her shirt. As she got on her feet he remained there staring at her.

"You're disgusting!" He spat. But she didn't bow her head in shame at his words, no... she held his gaze proudly, her eyes as cold as his, maybe even colder. She didn't say anything, for once she held back her temper, but inwardly she swore from then on he would be as dead to her.

* * * * * * * *

'Subject A has to be put in the cage for five days before putting in the baits to see if it feeds on the local fauna or if it starves. The cage has to contain means of sustenance for the baits as well, in order to offer a fair competition for life. They have to be capable of representing a challenge to test the subject's strength and abilities...'

'Why had he highlighted this passage? And why these numbers?' Setsuna thought as she re-read the page in Dr. Tomoe's notes for the umpteenth time. She had managed to decipher a good portion of those notes. She wasn't a geneticist nor a biologist but she was a scientist nonetheless and the main part was somewhat intelligible to her, although those numbers...

'04... 16... and 04... 21... what's their meaning? And there's even an exclamation point near the 21...' She gave a moan of frustration, immediately looking around to see if Hotaru was still asleep.

'Maybe it's a code and there's no way to decipher it... or maybe it's just some kind of numerical cataloging.' She reasoned.

The sun was rising and soon the daily life of the little community would begin. She stared for a moment at Haruka's empty pallet and wondered how long the blonde could go without any sleep before falling apart. Right then she heard soft noises and turned around to see a dripping wet Haruka approaching slowly. She could see the blonde shivering because of the cold breeze.

"What's hap-...?"

"Nothing!" The trembling car-racer cut off the inquiry rudely.

"Ok..." Setsuna stood in silence, picked up a pair of jeans and a shirt from a pile of clothes and handed them to the trembling blonde who mumbled a 'thank you'.

Haruka wore the dry clothes and sat down without a single word. Setsuna realized immediately that wasn't one of Haruka usual bad moods, it sounded... and looked different. Worse.

* * * * * * * *

An hour later Setsuna went to take out something to eat and some of their scant water rations. As she passed by the still silent Haruka she stopped to think for a moment.

"Haruka, can you come with me... please?"

Haruka didn't answer, she just turned and her eyes went to Hotaru's sleeping form before she looked back at Setsuna. The tanned woman smiled softly.

"She'll be okay."

As they were approaching the doctor's tent, Setsuna had to make up an excuse to justify her request. Truth was, she was awfully concerned for the blonde ever since she had seen her come back at dawn drenched, trembling and stubbornly silent.

"I checked Dr. Tomoe's notes." She stated and saw Haruka's bloodshot eyes lighten with curiosity. "It looks like he was a geneticist and he was working on a project about some animal DNA manipulation..." Haruka looked at her confused, "But... there were some notes about some previously reserved plane tickets for him and Hotaru... I know you don't think it's important but I have a feeling something's wrong. For instance, why haven't they come to rescue us yet?" She said calmly.

To Setsuna's surprise, her words elicited a reaction. Haruka stopped wide eyed in her tracks for a moment, then resumed her walk.

"What's your point?" The blonde asked with a tinge of defensiveness in her husky voice.

Haruka realized Setsuna was trying to make some sort of sense of their desperate situation, but she knew it was just an elaborate delusion of a rational, sharp mind. She couldn't know they were just lost. There was no mystery, just an unfortunate coincidence. The pilot had told her with his own last breath.

'But do you want to believe she's right. Admit it!' Her annoying conscience was back and she couldn't restrain a grunt of frustration that made Setsuna raise her brows. 'Oh, you want to believe so much. You want to be like Furuhata... You need it. You need a purpose. You need hope.'

"Well... I don't have much to do all day. I can enjoy reading about convoluted plane reservations and bears' DNA." Setsuna smiled. "You didn't answer my question by the way – what do you think is keeping them from rescuing us?"

"I... I don't know... maybe they're going to come." She mumbled, lacking confidence in her own reply.

Setsuna smiled mysteriously, "Haruka-san, I didn't think you were one to have such faith."

Haruka looked at her intently, in the vain attempt to discover what the woman actually knew. Her garnet eyes didn't reveal anything; rather, they almost seemed to mock Haruka's attempt at something she could never accomplish. Eventually they reached their destination and Haruka had to lower her gaze, somehow defeated.

Dr. Mizuno greeted them kindly as ever, smiling as she sorted out the useful stuff recovered from the plane.

"Good morning Meioh-san, Haruka-san..." She bowed, glancing sideways at Haruka, who was paler than ever and looked sick.

"Please help yourself." She said theatrically as she escorted them to the back of the tent, opening the thermal-box. She knew why they had come.

"So that's it then..." Setsuna laconically commented. The blue-haired doctor nodded, sighing in resignation as she took one bottle and handed it to the tanned woman. They were running out of water, quickly.

As the little exchange went on Haruka was staring at the tree line behind the tent. Something seemed to have caught her attention. Setsuna and the doctor followed her gaze curiously but they didn't see anything, so they went back to their conversation only to realize Haruka was walking away without a word.

They kept watching her surprised as her steps turned into a slight run. Just then they were joined by Ami who had just passed by Haruka, who hadn't even acknowledged her presence.

Mother and daughter exchanged a concerned look then the doctor turned to Setsuna worried.

"Did she get any sleep?" She asked the tanned woman.

Setsuna shook her head as they watched Haruka disappear through the first rows of trees.

* * * * * * * *

When Haruka caught a glimpse of the dark-clothed figure standing in the distance she locked her eyes on it so as not to let it disappear like it had earlier. The others were talking about the water supply but she wasn't listening anymore. The figure staring at her from the tree line seemed to be a man and he didn't look like any of the survivors. Was there was someone else on the island? Were Setsuna's suspicions about something mysterious true?

She decided it was time to clear things up, so she left her companions and walked over to the mysterious figure. When he turned to enter into the woods she broke into a run. In mere seconds she stood where he had been, at the edge of the forest. She turned around anxiously; he seemed to have disappeared until she caught a glimpse of his dark suit in the distance. Haruka ran, going deeper into the forest, trying to catch him.

"Wait!" She yelled but he didn't stop and he didn't turn around either.

Haruka ran and ran and although the mysterious man was just walking he seemed always to be out of reach.

"Wait!" She yelled again and doubled her efforts in order to catch him.

She was panting already, her lungs hurting, but she wasn't any closer. Her body was protesting vigorously but she had no intention of giving up.

"Wait, damn it!" She kept yelling, not even paying attention to where she was heading, and soon she lost track of her whereabouts.

Truth was she didn't care. Right now the only thing that mattered was reaching that man who was stubbornly eluding her.

It didn't matter how fast she ran, or how loud she yelled, he was always ahead...

Suddenly she had to stop. It was so abrupt that she stumbled. Struggling to catch her breath she steadied herself against a trunk shaking her head.

"I'm going crazy..." She murmured between heavy pants, her eyes wide in shock because there, a dozen feet away, stood her father.

* * * * * * * *

Another hunting trip had to take place that morning, although this time Rei's grandfather – Grandpa, as everyone now called him – had suggested placing traps rather than chasing animals into the dangerous forest.

Some had volunteered to go place them with the old man, and they had opted for a small group consisting of Yuiichiro, Seiya and Haruka. Seiya had particularly insisted on going. He didn't want people to think he was afraid after his little misadventure, especially Haruka. Also - Michiru thought - he wanted to keep himself occupied, rather than moping about what had happened with his brothers only yesterday.

At first, the violinist had protested but he had insisted and she had to give up eventually. Although they had spent most of the night talking about very serious matters he was now his usual confident self. He was more than happy Michiru hadn't rejected him after his painful confession. Instead she had reassured him about her support and now he felt like they were closer than ever.

He greeted everyone with his charming smile as he approached the others with Michiru's arm under his. He even winked at Mina who seemed to appreciate the attention. On the contrary to that, meeting his brothers had been awkward and tense. And although Seiya didn't appear to be bothered by it, Michiru thought it was just an act.

Taiki's countenance showed embarrassment and regret but he didn't attempt to talk with his black-haired brother. Yaten, on the other hand, was clearly angry and hostile, not only toward Seiya but even towards Michiru.

She was sorry about that but she couldn't completely blame him. He had been betrayed by his beloved brother and they need time to rebuild trust among themselves.

In a few minutes they were ready to go, except for Haruka who was nowhere to be seen.

Michiru was slightly worried; that wasn't like Haruka. She was simply too proud to neglect a commitment, especially one of that kind. As they waited Michiru caught an odd exchange of looks between Rei and Furuhata. She frowned even more as she saw the miko avoid direct eye contact with her.

After a moment the raven haired girl stepped forward and announced Haruka wasn't going to be there. As murmurs spread around the group Furuhata intervened explaining he had given her a special task in helping him with radio devices. He had thought Haruka would appreciate his covering up and the thankful look he received from Rei told him she was thinking the same.

He and Rei had exchanged brief opinions about the early morning happenings and they both thought Haruka had looked a little out of it.

Everyone seemed to buy Furuhata's explanation except Michiru, who was approaching Rei with a grave expression on her face. She stopped as she heard her name called and felt her arm grabbed from behind.

"You're not saying good-bye and good-luck?" Seiya smiling face took her by surprise and she hesitated for a moment trying to refocus on him for the moment.

"I was actually." She smiled back teasingly, "I was going give a good-luck kiss to Grandpa."

"That hurt!" He said, bringing his hands at his heart in fake pain, and then he laughed.

He stopped laughing as she touched his shoulder gently, "Take care."

She gasped in surprise as he embraced her tightly, but after a moment she got accustomed to his touch and hugged him back.

A moment before letting her go he whispered a 'thank you' in her ear, and she knew it wasn't for the good-luck, but for being his friend, no matter what.

* * * * * * * *

"Moshi moshi?"

"Hello, I'm looking for Haruka Tenoh?" Asked a female voice, in English.

"This is Tenoh Haruka speaking, who are you?" It took a moment for Haruka to register the correct language and answer accordingly. It was 3.30 AM and she had been sleeping soundly after a hard day of practice at the race track.

"Haruka..." The voice at the other end hesitated for a moment. "Haruka, it's Isabel. Isabel Ryan."

Now it was Haruka's turn to remain silent. Isabel? What did she want after all those years?

"Haruka? Are you there?"

"Yes, I'm here." Haruka regained her composure and cleared her throat.

"I... ehm... it's been a while, uh?" Isabel's voice was so unsure and awkward that Haruka could envision her pacing nervously around the room.

"Twelve years." The race-car driver answered automatically.

"Yeah..." She paused again, "I watch your races all the time..." Isabel's voice changed from anxious to soft. For a brief moment Haruka enjoyed that but then she got suspicious. What did she want? There was something going on.

"Cut the crap, Izzy. What do you want?" Haruka was now fully awake.

"Haruka..." Again Isabel's voice trailed off.

"Come on, Isabel, I'm sure you didn't call me in the middle of the night just to catch up after twelve years." This started to get annoying.

"I...I'm sorry."

"It's a bit late for that." Haruka answered bitterly.

"I know..." She paused but before Haruka could protest she gathered her courage and continued. "I know, but I have something to tell you."

Haruka sit up in bed at the serious tone. "I'm listening."

"I think of you all the time, you know? I... didn't want a lawyer to do it and since your grandmother died, I... I thought I had to tell you."

Haruka was confused, "Isabel...?"

"It's about your father." Isabel hurried to explain.

"I don't wanna hear it." Haruka's tone turned icy in a split second.

"Haruka... please."

"I'm serious. I don't care, whatever it is, I don't give a damn." Haruka was resolved to put an end to that conversation. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to work tomorrow."

"He's dead, Haruka."

There was a pause, no one spoke.

"I see. Well, thank you for calling. Bye." Haruka's voice was emotionless, and that made run a shiver down Isabel's spine.

"Haruka... please..."

"Please what?" Anger was mounting in her and it was starting to show in her voice.

"He... he was your father..." Isabel felt her heart clench. She knew Haruka. She knew she wasn't a cold person. They had been the best of friends and then, well, lovers. She had seen Haruka lose so many things, so many people. First her mother, then her father who pulled away from her, then she herself had rejected and abandoned Haruka to her destiny, in a moment of weakness. Eventually her friend had even lost her beloved grandmother.

She knew how it worked, and apparently it hadn't changed all those years. The more Haruka hurt, the colder she behaved.

"I know you two had..."

"I told you, I don't care. Now, thank you again." The blonde said, but she didn't hang up, like Isabel had expected so she continued.

"It was a heart attack, this morning..."

"I told you I don't care!" Haruka yelled, eventually unable to restrain her anger and frustration.

"The funeral is-..."

"I'm not going to his funeral!" The blonde hissed.

"..is the day after tomorrow, you could be here in time-..."

"I said I'm not going!"

"...if you'd take a flight tomorrow morning." Isabel concluded ignoring Haruka's stubborn protests.

"I won't come to his damn funeral! He can rot in Hell for what I care." She said again but now her voice was reduced to a whisper.

"Don't do this to yourself, Haruka..." Isabel was almost pleading, "...you don't deserve it. Please, come to his funeral or it will never end..." Haruka didn't say anything. She didn't protest, she didn't yelled, but Isabel could hear heavy breathing at the other end of the phone.

"I'm sorry, Haruka." Isabel concluded not knowing what else to say, then she hung up realizing there was nothing else to be said.

Haruka sat on her bed, clenching the telephone so hard that her knuckles turned white. Finally she stood and threw the phone against the wall on the other side of the room.

"I'm not going to his damn funeral!" She murmured into the silence, "I'm not going!" Her voice increasing in volume, "Do you hear me?! I WON'T COME TO YOUR FUCKING FUNERAL!!!" She shouted to the dark room.

For several minutes she stood in silence, her eyes, becoming accustomed to the dark, could make out her own image in the mirror. Tousled hair, burning eyes, tense expression. She had to avert her eyes from herself, she hated the effect he still had on her after so many years.

'Why, you son of a bitch?' Her bare feet moved slowly on the warm, wooden floor. Two steps, three, four then she bent to pick up the white receiver and she brought it to her ear. It was surprisingly still working.

She dialed and after a couple of rings a polite, young male voice answered.

"Hello, I need to book a ticket to New York... Yes, early in the morning, as soon as possible... First class, thank you... Tenoh Haruka... yes... that too, yeah, as soon as possible. The day after tomorrow? Perfect. Yes, yes, on the 18th is perfect. Thank you."

x

* * * * * * * *

She was panting heavily and her head was spinning from the run. The light filtering through the thick foliage was scarce, and fooling.

"It can't be..." Shaking her head only worsened the spinning, but the dark figure before her eyes didn't disappear. She blinked, in a childish attempt to break the spell and let reality assert itself again. Nothing changed. The man was still there, out of reach but close enough to make out his features. Cold dark eyes fixed on hers, receding pitch black hair neatly combed and a handsome clean-shaved face that seemed to be carved out of marble.

Haruka gave up and slumped against a tree, staring at her father as her head throbbed painfully.

"What are you doing here?" She murmured in defeat. He didn't answer and then, after a moment he turned and walked away again.

"Wait!" The blonde yelled, but was ignored. With a tired grunt of frustration she stood and resumed her chase.

She couldn't tell if it was he who had sped up or she who was slowing down; anyway he seemed further and further away until she lost his tracks in the thick vegetation. She panicked, turning around in a frenzy trying to catch a glimpse of him, but she couldn't.

Her head ached fiercely and she had to close her eyes for a moment, but then she was assaulted by anxiety. She had to find him!

Haruka started to run randomly, and unable to think straight she delved into the depths of the forest, not caring for the danger.

After half an hour of running through thorny bushes and jutting roots she was exhausted. Her lungs hurt, her shirt was ripped and stained, her legs trembling from exertion and her head throbbed in dull pain. She collapsed against a tree and slumped down on the ground... and that was where Grandpa found her a little later.

The old man approached and squatted down even though it wasn't necessary considering how short he was.

"Good morning Haruka-san." He greeted her cheerfully.

Such a cheerful tone could have sounded mocking considering the state she was in but she didn't realize it. Instead she turned to him slowly, starting to think her mind was playing tricks on her. She stared at him for a moment, not sure what she was supposed to do.

It was bad enough to have delusions, but to actually talk to them...?

As he held her look his smile never faltered and no matter how many times she blinked, he didn't disappear. Eventually she thought he had to be real and greeted him.

"Good morning, Grandpa."

When she talked his smile broadened and he fumbled with his rucksack until he took out two bananas and offered her one along with a small bottle of water.

As they ate the fruit they stayed in complete silence and when she finished she had calmed down enough to remember about the hunt they had planned the day before.

"I was supposed to be with you, wasn't I?" She asked. He chuckled softly.

"Oh no, Tenoh-san, I'm sure you're right where you should be."

The blonde looked at him frowning, not sure if it was a joke.

"Actually I don't exactly know where I am..." She said tiredly.

"That doesn't matter... yet." His answers were enigmatic and confusing. They made her feel frustrated and she started to think he was as annoying as Setsuna.

"Did you hear that?" He exclaimed whispering.

"No, I didn't hear anything..." She answered honestly, "What was it?" She was curious.

"Wait..." He signaled her to stay silent and turned, looking around, but after a moment he made a dismissive gesture and turned to her smiling knowingly.

"Boars?" She asked worried, as she stood, but the old man shook his head and smiled amused.

"Ghosts." He whispered.

Haruka's eyes opened wide, how could he know? She looked at him questioningly but he just kept smiling to her frustration.

"Their voices, can you hear them?" He asked, suddenly serious, "...or maybe you can see them."

Haruka couldn't answer. It seemed all too crazy. She knew she had seen her dead father but she wasn't ready to admit it to a stranger, she wasn't ready to admit she had gone completely nuts.

"Everyone has their own ghosts who haunt them. Wouldn't it be great to be the chaser for once, and not the one running away?" The old man said, standing up and tossing the rucksack onto his shoulder.

"Where are we going?" Haruka asked, a little shaken by his words.

He looked up at her and smiled again, "I'm going to place these traps," he said, "You might want to keep on searching for what you were looking for." He walked away waving his hand, leaving Haruka even more confused as she considered she didn't know where she was or where to go.

* * * * * * * *

"Isn't it supposed to rain a lot on these islands?" Yaten complained, sitting under a palm tree to take shelter from the hot sun.

The water rationing was starting to get to the survivors; almost everyone was trying to reduce their intake of water to a minimum.

"Actually it's supposed to rain only during the rainy season." Umino said gaining a nod of approval from Ami. "It should start any moment, fortunately."

"Well, I hope so..." said Mina, "... I think I'm starting to dry off." She touched her now tanned skin, sighing.

As everyone talked Lita was looking in the distance, where Jade lay – as always – under the tent he had built with debris and some towels. He was reading next to his infamous suitcase. The one full of things stolen from the wreckage and that he – it was clear – had no intention to share. He and Lita were openly at war. They eyed each other menacingly every time their eyes met and the tension between them was palpable.

Something was bothering Lita for hours now. Jade never helped, never shared, but most importantly never... complained.

He had tried to steal some food only yesterday, but he had never tried for the water, and that was strange. She decided to think about a way to find out if he had stashed some water as she continued to try and open some coconuts they had harvested, hoping they could drink the water inside.

Not far from there Hotaru was scribbling something on a crumpled exercise book, and Ami was peeking over the girl's shoulder every now and then patting her back in approval. A bored Serena looked at Hotaru's book with curiosity.

"What are you doing, little one?" She asked, leaning down and obscuring the light of the sun. Hotaru lifted her head and stared at the pigtailed girl with a questioning look. Serena smiled, waiting for an answer, and when it didn't come she frowned mumbling something about the notorious Japanese politeness.

As she frowned she heard a giggle and saw Ami trying to stifle a laugh.

"What's so funny?" The pigtailed girl asked irritated by the two Asian girls' behavior.

"Oh, I'm sorry Serena-san... it's just that I don't think she speaks any English yet..." She said, giggling again.

Hotaru continued to stare with a puzzled look on her young face which matched Serena's. The pigtailed girl sweatdropped and blushed obviously embarrassed.

"Oh... sorry... I forgot." Still laughing a little Ami translated Serena's question into Japanese and Hotaru's face lit up as she answered... incomprehensibly.

"She said she's doing homework." Ami translated again.

"What?! I can't believe someone does homework on a deserted island, it's pure masochism!" She exclaimed loudly. Hotaru looked at her, puzzled and suspicious at the horrified tone of the American girl and because of the fact Ami was giggling even louder.

The scene attracted the attention of the others and Darien peeped at Hotaru's page and saw she was practicing her calligraphy.

"You should seize the opportunity to learn Japanese a little..." He said to his fiancée, but when he saw her shocked face and her eyes watering he knew she had not appreciated the suggestion.

"What!?!?! Are you crazy? Studying in a situation like this?!?! I could never do that!"

"You couldn't study if chained to a desk, Serena!" Mina said eliciting a general laugh as Serena whined loudly.

They were all still laughing when a scream silenced them; it came from the shore and it was a woman's voice. They jumped up and ran, Umino ahead of everybody having recognized Molly's voice immediately after spending the last few days constantly in her company.

Only Lita remained behind, as she was sure no one could hear or see her. She picked one of her knives and headed up to Jade's tent. The older man lay comfortable, reading, and apparently oblivious of what had just happened. With the blade secured in her belt behind her back the brunette stopped, standing in the entrance, and was greeted by a rough voice.

"What do you want?" He said not even looking at her.

"The water." She answered curtly.

"What water?" He asked, this time glancing at her above the rim of the page.

"You know perfectly well what water!" She exclaimed, already losing her patience.

"You're raving, girl!" He replied and returned to his book.

Lita was determined to find out where he kept the water, because she was absolutely sure he had some somewhere.

"Oh really? If I'm raving, you wouldn't mind me looking around, would you?" She said stepping in and heading to some big suitcases neatly stashed behind him, but as she was about to open the first one he stood abruptly and grabbed her hand, twisting it painfully.

"What the Hell do you think you're doing, girl?" He hissed, his eyes narrowing menacingly.

"Just taking a look," She said gritting her teeth. When she tried to free her hand, he tightened his grip and twisted it more, cruelly. She yelped, this time unable to hide her pain. He looked her straight in her watering eyes and she saw a flash of pleasure in seeing her agony. Instinctively she reached for the knife in her belt and brought it to his face – he was taken by surprise and immediately let go of her hand.

"Bitch!" He hissed, "Don't provoke me, it isn't wise." After the initial moment of surprise he looked her straight in the eye and he was so confident you'd think he was the one wielding the knife. Their faces were mere inches away and beads of sweat were forming on Lita's brow.

"Lita-san, are you OK?" The voice coming from behind broke the spell and she turned, lowering the knife.

Michiru and Setsuna stood right in front of the tent, with worried looks on their faces.

"She's OK, only being annoying." Jade said. Lita glared at him, her green eyes turning into slits.

"He stashed water somewhere." She accused him bluntly. Michiru and Setsuna exchanged a look then Michiru tried to reason with the brunette still holding the knife.

"Lita-san, doctor Mizuno would have told us if there was water missing." She said eying the blade worriedly.

"He could have stolen it before, from the wreck." The taller girl continued stubbornly.

"We can't be sure of that..." Michiru wasn't trying to protect Jade, she didn't like him, but most of all, he scared her. And because of that she didn't want him to be angry or near any sort of weapon, even though it was in someone else's hand.

"Come on Lita-san, it's not worth it." Setsuna said calmly. Her garnet eyes pierced through Lita and worked better than any reasonable words. The brunette put the knife in her belt and glared at Jade for the last time then followed the other two women back to the others.

"Next time you want something from me, little girl, you can offer me a deal. I'm a businessman." He said laughing as they walked away.

* * * * * * * *

In the meantime the group had joined Molly at the shore. She stood with her feet in the water, covering her mouth with her hand as tears ran down her cheeks. In front of her lay a blonde figure, or perhaps better said... half of it.

Umino was trying to pull the pregnant woman off it but she was petrified. One by one the others arrived running and stopped in horror as they saw the corpse. Serena burst into tears and buried her face into Darien's chest, Mina and Rei looked away in disgust just as Yaten did.

In the general confusion Dr. Mizuno's voice brought back them all to reality.

"Ami-chan, please help me." She said, "We have to move it-... her... away." She looked around and called Taiki, Darien and Umino, instructing them to take the corpse to her tent.

The last one to arrive on the scene was Furuhata. He stopped next to the corpse and gasped, but after the initial shock his expression turned confused. He looked around at the others until his eyes stopped on Serena, his look kept shifting from Serena to the corpse and back until he turned and exchanged a meaningful look with Rei. He saw realization dawn into the miko's dark eyes.

In fact the poor dead girl was blonde and had two pigtails, only a little shorter than Serena's. He realized how easily would be to mistake her for the American girl, especially if floating in the distance. While the other transported the corpse to the doctor's tent Furuhata stayed behind hoping to confer with Rei. As they talked he confessed to her that he had thought Haruka was seeing things that morning – after all she seemed pretty out of it. Rei remained silent but inside she knew she had thought just the same.

To everyone's shock the doctor had insisted on examine the body, or what remained of it. With Ami's help she checked the wounds and tried to establish the cause of death. The others couldn't understand such interest as it was clear she had been devoured by a shark, but the doctor wasn't used to making suppositions and just be satisfied with those; usually she would search for proof and so that was what she did.

With the scanty set of instruments she managed to establish the poor girl wasn't dead when her body was slaughtered and that there wasn't any water in her lungs, so she concluded the girl didn't drown. The most reasonable explanation was that she had died from the injuries to her lower extremities and only after she had ended up in water. That would rule the shark theory out.

Ami came in to help, examining closely the stumps of the body's legs. Neither of them were coroners but they were good enough doctors to perform a decent examination.

"Look at these wounds, Mom." She pointed to some circular wounds, approximately the diameter of a finger and quite deep. Her mother examined them and turned to Ami with a questioning expression. The short haired girl explained, "They're round and deep and – as expected – distributed in a semi-circle row." She pointed to the arc of wounds, "But... sharks, you know, have teeth with a razor shape and should give wounds more like a knife's, not a icebreaker or a screwdriver. Besides they have several rows of teeth."

"OK, that confirms it wasn't a shark... What was it then?" She asked trusting deeply in her daughter's competence and intuition.

"Well, something which bit with great strength, so I think it was a big animal, but more like a feline or a... bear." The younger woman stated. "It's plausible considering she didn't die in the water."

"Ami-chan, you're telling me some animal on this very island did that to the poor girl?!?" The blue-haired woman exclaimed, scared.

"Think about it, mom, think about what they told us about the cockpit..." Unfortunately Kimiko Mizuno already knew that Ami's speculation was not just reasonable, but very likely. Her daughter was a genius, she was rarely wrong... A shiver ran down Kimiko's spine.

"Wait!" Ami exclaimed, her face lightening up with intuition. She examined the body's hands, taking particular attention at the nails.

"Of course! Look! There's sand under her nails, it's deep embedded into the flesh!"

"Like she'd been digging in the sand..." Her mother was starting to follow her reasoning, "Like she was trying to drag herself without the support of her legs..." She lightened up with realization and, along with that, horror. "Like clinging to the sand while being pulled by her legs..."

"Until the legs..." Ami's eyes watered at the thought. "...came off."

"Kami-sama Ami, it's horrible!" The doctor murmured, horrified.

After a moment they finally stepped out of the tent for a bit of fresh air. As they exited they found a very anguished Rei and Furuhata waiting.

"Rei-san, Furuhata-san, what are you doing here? Is something wrong?" The doctor asked, worried about the expression on their faces.

Furuhata fidgeted, unable to speak and after a moment Rei intervened.

"Doctor, we would like to know if the girl died drowning." She asked firmly.

The doctor's questioning look prompted her to explain to her their reasons, "See... this morning we think we saw her in the water." She didn't explain the fact that she and Furuhata had prevented Haruka from saving the poor girl, though.

The doctor's expression turned dark at the thought of the girl's presumable death, and Rei misunderstood, thinking the worst. She gasped in guilt, but the doctor realized the misunderstanding and reassured them.

"Rei-san, Furuhata-san, you couldn't have done anything. She was already dead by the time she ended up in the water." Rei and Furuhata exchanged a relieved look, and they immediately thought Haruka deserved to know too.

* * * * * * * *

Her head started to throb again, and again all seemed to turn dim, she had walked in circles for about two hours and was starting to lose hope of ever finding her way back to the camp. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye she had a glimpse of a familiar dark figure. This time when she turned her father was there, eluding her no more. She looked at him for a moment, uncertain about whether to follow him or concentrate on getting back to the beach. But when he turned to face her he had such a challenging look in his dark - almost black - eyes that all the rage her battered body was still capable of surfaced and she dashed at him. And again he was one step ahead.

She ran and ran; several times she lost track of him and stopped, looking around feverishly with such momentum that her head span so bad that she lost her balance more than once. Often she tripped and fell on the ground, scratching her hands. Soon she had forgotten about the camp, the plane, about Hotaru and Michiru, even about herself. The only thing she could see, feel, even remember was her anger and the dark suited figure mocking her.

After what had felt a lifetime to her she realized she was getting nearer and nearer until she could almost graze his shoulder.

"Stop, damn it!" She yelled, "Stop, you coward!"

Then it was just instinct to guide her... she jumped on him and fell headlong on the ground losing consciousness.

* * * * * * * *

CLICK!

CLICK!

CLICK!

The fourth pebble wasn't necessary, the first floor window lit and after a few seconds the dormer slid up.

"Hey..." Haruka whispered from down in the backyard. She had snuck out of her house in the middle of the night, and had 'borrowed' her father's Jaguar and drove to the big colonial house, leaving the car where no one could see it. Now she was in the dark Ryans' house's backyard.

"Haruka?!" A surprised, sleepy voice asked from inside the window. "What are you doing here?" Isabel whispered.

"I needed to see you." Was Haruka's simple answer. She was fidgeting in the cold night breeze as it started to rain, some drops already staining her coat.

"Haruka, if my father sees you, he's gonna kill you!" Her whisper was anxious.

"Then toss me the rope before he sees me!" The blonde whispered back. Up in her room Isabel was uncertain as to whether to let Haruka up or not. She was already in big trouble, her father was furious and she had been grounded for at least a month, but she hadn't seen Haruka in four days now, not even at school... and no matter how much she tried to deny it even to herself, she missed her, very much.

"Come on Isabel, I'm freezing!" By now it was raining, almost pouring, and the blonde was already soaked but refused to move. Isabel disappeared in her room for a moment then a thick rope fell from the window until it dangled two feet up the ground. Haruka grabbed it firmly and climbed up to the balcony expertly.

The brunette girl leant out the windowsill but when Haruka was in front of her she didn't move aside to let her in. She stood there looking her tall girlfriend intently, the blond wet hair plastered on her forehead, a confused look in her teal eyes with dark shadows under them and, the tired expression on that handsome face.

"Look at you..." She murmured and with a trembling hand she caressed Haruka's cheek where a bruise was turning from red to blue. The blonde was puzzled by her lover's behavior, she stood there, her cheek still cupped by the warm hand, then a shiver shook her and the spell was broken.

"Hey, how about letting me in? It's not like I'm not enjoying the rain but..." Haruka said smiling, until she noticed Isabel's face didn't match hers.

"I'm sorry... I can't..." Isabel's hand wouldn't stop caressing her cheek, but her eyes couldn't meet the blonde's.

"What...!? Isabel, come on, it's cold." Haruka protested, "I need to talk to you, you managed to elude me in school all these days..." She was starting to realize something was wrong. Something more as she was already in trouble up to her ears.

"I can't let you in, Haruka... not anymore." The resolve Isabel was counting on failed her the moment she looked at Haruka, all soaked with that pleading expression in her eyes.

"I know. My father 'filled me in'." The blonde said shrugging.

"He hit you, didn't he?" Isabel said, tracing the bruise with her fingers, very gently. "Are you OK?" She asked, worried.

"I will be, no need to worry... but..." And now her expression turned even more serious, "he's having me transferred to a boarding school." What Haruka saw passing through Isabel's brown eyes wasn't what she expected. It wasn't sadness or concern, it had rather looked like... relief?!? No... it couldn't be. "But... I'm going to chose one that's close and I'll manage to sneak out to see you, trust me." She said with the usual confidence and a wink that reminded Isabel why she had been helpless to the other girl's charm since she had winked and smiled at her the first time they had met, over a year before. The brunette remained silent for a moment, her heart clenching painfully.

"He's kicking you out, isn't he?" She asked.

"No... he just-..."

"Haruka." Isabel scolded softly.

"He's very pissed." Haruka admitted. "He doesn't want to have anything to do with me, but he promised my mother he would take care of my education, so..." Haruka explained with a final shrug.

"I'm sorry, Haruka. I'm sorry for that... and... a-and I'm sorry because I won't see you again... No!" She stopped the blonde's protest before it could reach her lips. "Haruka, listen to me. I won't see you, I won't call you and you... you won't call me."

"Isabel you can't-..."

"Of course I can, Haruka, and I will." The brunette faltered for a moment, "Please, don't make it harder..." She pleaded, tears running down her cheeks.

"No! It's your father talking, not you. You don't want this, I... I... love you!" Suddenly Haruka forgot to whisper and her words pierced Isabel's ear like a shrill.

She lifted both her hands and cupped Haruka's cheeks again, then leaned forward and kissed her. Haruka's lips were cold while Isabel's were warm and salty from the tears. When she withdrew she saw Haruka's eyes watering too and that made her almost lose it. It took her a moment to gain the courage to speak again.

"I love you Haruka, you know that, but this is what I want. Maybe you're ready to leave your family behind." She chuckled bitterly, "Your father isn't much of a family anyway, but I can't. He made me choose... and I chose them. I'm sorry." She watched as mixed emotions passed through Haruka's teal eyes in silence. The blonde didn't protest this time, she stared back at Isabel, like a lost child. "I love you, but I have to let you go. I... I don't think I'll ever forget you..." Those last words seemed to have an effect, Haruka's eyes turned icy cold.

"You will, don't worry." The hoarse tone was sharp and bitter as Haruka turned, climbed down the wall swiftly and walked away in the darkness, indifferent to the rain.

* * * * * * * *

CLICK!

CLICK!

CLICK!

Haruka blinked a couple of times. She didn't know where she was, or how she had ended up on the ground, but she knew it was raining.

'No, wait... If it's raining... why only on my forehead?' She asked herself as she got up as her head protested painfully. She checked her body and it was dry except for her forehead, and yet she could hear the noise... it was water pouring down. She looked around confused and finally saw it. A small waterfall and a little pool. The race-car driver passed a hand on her forehead and brought it to her mouth. It wasn't salty.

'Fresh water!' She beamed. "Fresh water!" She exclaimed out loud though she was alone.

Then she took her time to look around. It was a small glade that ended against a rocky formation. The water spurted out of it and fell from a short height, gathering in a pool in the hollow stone. In front of the spring was a wide cave. Haruka walked into the cave, and there was enough light to see several yards inside because the entrance was tall and wide. An idea sneaked into her mind – that could be a very comfortable place to settle a camp, with fresh water and shelter from the sun and the wind.

She was thrilled. She walked to the spring, dipped her hands into the cool water and drunk eagerly.

* * * * * * * *

"Michiru-chan? Michiru-chan!..." Seiya called for the second time but she didn't answer, so he sat down beside her on the big trunk and gently touched her shoulder. The aqua-haired woman started, suddenly ripped out of her pensive state.

"Hey, are you alright?" He asked, a little concerned.

"What?" She replied confused before then realized she had spaced out and smiled reassuringly. "Oh, gomen Seiya-kun, I'm fine... I'm fine."

"Mmm..." He was totally unconvinced.

They had had their lunch just right as the hunting party came back to the camp. Seiya had insisted that they consume their meal together but right after lunch the young violinist had wanted to spend some time with Hotaru. He decided to join her, after all he had no one to be with since things were still too awkward with his brothers, and besides, he thought, spending as much time as possible with Michiru could help with bringing them closer together. He wanted to be Michiru's main company again; he had already allowed Tenoh Haruka to spend way too much time with his Michiru-chan.

So he had joined Michiru and spent a whole hour with Hotaru. To his initial perplexity the little girl proved to be a smart, adorable kid, not the spoiled brat he had thought. She had greeted and accepted him quickly in her games and it had been very enjoyable watching her interacting with Michiru. It was funny watching the always composed and detached – sometimes even cold – violinist look so informal and unconstrained. It had happened only a few times before, in those rare moments when she was feeling playful.

The only flaw had been that the little girl kept referring to the aqua-haired woman as 'Michiru-mama'. He had found it awfully annoying, especially when she had started to ask about 'Haruka-papa'. In a moment of solitude Michiru had explained to him, with a slight pink shade on her cheeks, about the nicknames and it would have been reasonable not to give it too much meaning, after all it was the compensating fantasy of a traumatized child... but he wasn't able dismiss his irritation.

He had tried to tell himself it wasn't jealousy, that it would have been foolish to even think there could be any kind of competition between Haruka and him over Michiru... but no matter how much he tried to rationalize it, he continued to feel something boiling deep inside him whenever the blonde race-car driver was involved.

Dismissing those thoughts he realized Michiru had spaced out again. He fought the urge to get her attention, and instead he watched her intently. Though she was clearly tense she was as beautiful as ever, and looked like a goddess to him.

'Such perfection!' He thought and remembered thinking exactly the same thing the first time he had seen her. She was the woman he had always pictured himself with, in all his dreams. A real lady, beautiful and talented, and a perfect match for him. He had daydreamed so many times about the two of them being publicly admired, even envied... as 'the perfect couple'. He liked her company, she was always controlled and always had things under control, all of the time. 'She compensate me for those times I go too far...'

"Michiru-chan... where are you?" He asked trying to tear her out of her thoughts.

"Uh?" She asked confused by his question. Seiya chuckled softly and encircled her shoulders.

"Where are you? You seem thousands miles away..." Michiru's blue eyes lingered for a moment on the woods.

"I'm sorry Seiya, I'm being rude." She admitted with a smile that never reached her eyes.

"What's bothering you?" He asked.

Michiru looked in his eyes for a long minute. He seemed honestly concerned and she would like nothing more than being able to confide her worries to her friend, but she knew there was a particular subject he didn't like and it was exactly the one troubling her at the moment.

It didn't take a genius to realize there was some sort of rivalry between Seiya and Haruka and she couldn't honestly consider herself completely out of it. She didn't know why Seiya was so upset about her spending time with the blonde, she had even thought he was jealous but... why exactly? OK, Seiya liked her in more than a friendly or professional way, she had realized that some time ago, but she barely knew Haruka and... and... she was... a woman. On the other hand Michiru couldn't deny – at least to herself – that Haruka exerted a strange fascination upon her.

"It's..." She hesitated for a moment then, seeing his clear eyes she decided to be honest, "It's Haruka-san, she's been in the woods for hours and she's not well. The fact is I'm very worried." She looked at him intently, obviously checking his reaction so he tried to keep his cool, although he was inwardly blaming the blonde for making Michiru worry, and for being so damn attention-seeking.

"Isn't she exploring the neighborhood for Furuhata-kun?" He tried to reason.

Michiru chuckled bitterly to his surprise. "Ara, no... that was just an excuse Furuhata made up, I can tell..." As she said that Michiru realized it might have been a mistake.

"I knew it! I knew it was just an excuse!" Seiya exclaimed triumphantly.

"Seiya!" She scolded but the smug smile didn't leave his lips. "I'm serious, it's not safe out there, and you know it!" Michiru seemed very upset and Seiya decided not to jeopardize his chance to get even closer to her.

"I know... I didn't see her in the forest, but maybe Yuiichiro-san or Grandpa-san did-..."

"Rei's grandfather told me he met her and had his lunch with her. He also told me not to worry, that she'll be back soon but..."

"Good then!" He smiled at her reassuringly, "You can trust the old man, he knows what's what... and as unbelievable as it sounds, he's some kind of Rambo, I can tell you!" Then he squeezed her shoulders affectionately.

She wasn't reassured enough to relax but decided to concentrate on him for a while. Worrying about Haruka was too tiring. She smiled at him to give him the impression she was calmer.

Satisfied with her smile, he straightened up, shifted anxiously in his seat and took a deep breath.

"Michiru-chan, I have to tell you something..." He said softly but firmly.

Michiru looked at him questioningly; he seemed very serious, and a bit nervous. "I'm listening..." She said, smiling reassuringly.

"How long have we known each other?" He asked gravely.

"Almost three years, why?" She said, puzzled by the rhetorical question.

"And during all these years I've been able to get to know you. How talented, intelligent and graceful you are..."

"Oh, Seiya, you're-..." She tried to stop him, but he cut her off.

"Please Michiru-chan, don't interrupt me or I'll never be able to say it." He pleaded with her, a little embarrassed. Then he continued, "... ehm... I was saying... I was fortunate enough to play with you and see how you can enchant people with your music, and then even luckier because I got to spend time in your company." He took her hand in his and squeezed it lightly, "I wanted to tell you that you are... just perfect." As he said that she stiffened but he didn't seem to notice. "Michiru, you're the most important person in the world to me. I wanted you to know, that's all." As he finished he exhaled in relief. He had been very nervous about it.

Michiru was dumbfounded, she had always known he held an infatuation for her but she had never thought he could confess his feeling so... easily and in such a situation. On the other hand the last day's events had been quite intense, with the crash, the deaths and then the fight with his brothers. Seiya was very vulnerable right now and needed reassurance, but...

"I don't know what to say..." She answered honestly.

"You don't have to say anything, I just wanted you to know because it's what I've been feeling for a while." He held her hand tightly for another moment then let it go.

"Your words were beautiful..." She leaned forward. Seiya's heart skipped a bit watching her face getting closer and closer to his, but then he was a bit disappointed when she shifted and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. "...Thank you." She whispered in his ear sending a shiver down his spine.

* * * * * * * *

Something inside her was scorching her, no matter how much water she drank. Eventually she stopped, panting. When the rippled surface was still again she looked into the pool and saw her reflection trembling slightly.

She observed her own image intently and honestly. Her face was so tense that her skin was stretched over her high cheekbones, her lips reduced to a thin line and her jaw was stiff. The sun over the past few days had tanned her usually fair skin but underneath there was an unhealthy pallor. That same sun had revealed the handful of freckles spread on her nose, her blonde mother's legacy. And her usually sand-blond hair was much paler. In all that, what caught her attention were her eyes.

She knew she was handsome, she knew that was a big part of her charm, but she also knew her eyes had always been her best weapon. More than once she'd been told her look was magnetic and she was self-confident enough to believe it. Now her eyes were bloodshot and had dark circles around them. They were no longer like a shield, behind which conceal her real self, instead they had become an open window to her tormented soul. Every feeling, every fear... every single emotion pulsing inside... it was there, for everyone to see... and it was petrifying.

'And yet there was a time when you weren't scared of feeling...' Her inner voice said.

'I'm not afraid of feeling!' She replied vehemently, her grip on the stony edge of the pool tightening.

'You're right, you're not afraid of feeling, you're just scared of people knowing you do.' That was right, she had tried it, she had tried to stop, just stop feeling... but she had found it impossible. So she tried another way. She had started to act like she didn't care, like people didn't interest her and, incredibly enough, everyone around her had bought it.

She would play with them; it was fun, but empty. She would work, compete, argue, even fight but she'd never get close... she couldn't afford that. Letting them close made her feel bare, weak... it was dangerous.

Haruka had loved her mother profoundly and she had died prematurely, abandoning her. She had also loved her grandmother and she too died before she could say good-bye. Isabel was her first love, she had sacrificed everything for her, her family, her comfy teenage life and she had been betrayed. And she had loved her father, she had admired him and when she had needed him the most, he had rejected her, and then she had ended up hating him as much as he hated her, like that matching hatred was the only way they had to still be bound together... to still be a family.

She looked intently in her reflection's teal eyes, they were so strange: neither green nor blue, always shifting, restless. She liked them; they were her grandmother's and her mother's too. Haruka had always felt proud whenever she was told she had her mother's eyes. It made her feel closer to her, especially since her mother had died.

Looking into the water, now, she saw a smirk growing on her face. The more she examined her own image the more she smirked. Looking at her unmistakably western features, she observed - with satisfaction – she didn't resemble her father except faintly. It seemed her body had rejected his features just like he had rejected her as a daughter.

"I hope you were waiting for me..." She murmured, still looking into the water. "Do you hear me?! I hope you wished with all your dead heart to see me there!" She stood. "I hope you've pictured me crying for you, because – you know what? - I've never shed a tear for you, YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" She yelled to the empty air. "I hope it hurt..." This time it was just a whisper.

Oblivious of the big gray clouds and the first raindrops, the blonde stretched out her arms in an inviting gesture.

"Come on, where are you now?" She turned around slowly, a feverishly look in her eyes, "What happened? You decided I'm not even worth being haunted by your damned ghost anymore?" Her sarcasm was followed by a bitter laugh. "Come on!"

But nothing happened, no ghosts, no voices, just the rapid dripping of the heavy drops on the foliage, although the louder noise in her ears was the roaring of her own blood rushing in her veins and her rapid heartbeat.

"I'm glad I'm here." She turned around again, still looking for him, "Yeah, I'm glad that damn plane crashed! Because it prevented me from coming to your fucking funeral!" She yelled, then fell on her knees, breathless. Her head throbbed painfully, and she closed her eyes for several minutes, trying to regain her breath.

When she lifted her head and looked up at the sky, through the thick foliage, she realized it was raining for the first time. And it was right then that she saw it.

Stuck up high in the trees there was another little section of the plane, it seemed like just part of the roof. She got closer and noticed lots of things scattered on the ground while others were hanging from the lower branches.

She didn't examine them because something had already caught her attention. It was a black case. It was inside a metal security-case that had been crashed open by the impact. She opened it to check the contents, then took off her shirt and wrapped the case in it to protect it from the rain. Then she tried to remember the sun's position the last time she had seen it and decided to head eastward – or what she presumed to be east – to where the camp was supposed to be. At least she could reach the shore and walk along it to the camp.

After a little while she noticed something red tied around a branch. It was a strip of fabric placed hopefully by Rei's grandfather to mark the traps. She looked around and she saw a rope hidden under fallen leaves. She walked carefully around it and searched for another red strip, and there it was, and then another, and another.

'Thank you Grandpa.' She smiled, following the marked path.

* * * * * * * *

As quickly as the storm had come it went away and a crimson sun returned to shine on the camp with its last rays before setting behind the forest. The mood of the scanty group of survivors was dim, the downpour had made them hope they could save some water, but by the time they found some containers the storm had ended with the sole outcome of a couple of soaked volunteers and not enough water to fill a bottle.

"Is that right, Michiru-mama?" The little girl asked, offering the creased little notebook with her childish, unsure handwriting on it.

"Michiru-mama?" She called again to the oblivious violinist who was lost deep in her thoughts.

Eventually the black-haired girl turned to Setsuna who had already raised her gaze from Tomoe's notes, noticing Michiru's impassivity.

The aqua-haired woman had been in such a state for a while, now. She kept looking at the sea, lost in her own thoughts.

"Michiru-mama isn't giving you much attention, is she?"

Hotaru shook her head firmly, "I think she's sad." The girl whispered conspiratorially.

"Really?" Setsuna mocked Hotaru's serious tone.

"I think it's that Seiya..." Hotaru admitted eliciting a smile from the tanned woman.

'Oh Seiya, why did you have to stress such an issue right now?' Michiru thought, 'You'd be just perfect... but...' Michiru shook her head sadly. She had known something like that would have happened, in fact she could not say she was at all surprised, but...

'...but you're not in love with him...' Her inner voice stated.

'...but it isn't the right time.' She corrected. 'We're lost, our lives are in danger, it's not the right time...' It seemed like she was trying to convince herself.

'Or maybe it isn't the right... person.' A shiver ran down her spine.

'Nonsense!' Her inner argument was annoying her but she didn't seem able to stop it, so she stood, hoping a walk could help her clear her head.

She hadn't gone far when she heard someone approaching from behind. She didn't want to turn, afraid it was Seiya, so she decided to ignore him, hoping he would take the hint and go away.

It didn't happen. She could tell because suddenly the cold of the evening breeze subsided; someone was shielding her. She stopped and turned around and found herself face to face with a battered-looking - but smiling - Haruka.

"Hey..." She greeted her.

Michiru was speechless, the image vision in front of her eyes was a poor one - to say the least. The blonde was in her undershirt, soaking wet, her hair plastered on her forehead, her eyes feverish and she was sickly pale. Her clothes were torn and dirty and she was trembling in the cold wind.

"Ara Haruka, look at you..." Finally Michiru whispered, caressing the blonde's cheek. Haruka frowned and Michiru thought she had seen a flash of fear pass through the blonde's eyes. "Come, you have to change your clothes." She took the taller woman's arm, but she didn't move.

"Wait." Michiru looked at her questioningly. "I... I have something for you." Only then did she notice the dirty bundle Haruka had in her hands. The blonde handed it to her, smiling. "Come on... it's for you."

Michiru frowned. The blonde's eyes were full of anticipation as she gave her the wrapped bundle with trembling hands. The musician took it uncertain, and carefully unfolded it realizing the dirty cloth was Haruka's shirt, but suddenly every other thought disappeared from her mind when she recognized what lay in her hands.

"Oh my God, Haruka..." Michiru was incredulous. She kept looking back and forth from the black case in her hands to Haruka's smiling face.

"Open it." The blonde urged gently. Michiru didn't need to be asked twice; she clicked the little lock open and slowly lifted the lid. Inside, encased in smooth blue velvet was her precious, neatly polished violin.

When the aqua-haired woman smiled Haruka's exertion and throbbing headache faded magically away. She felt like she had lived her entire life just to be there, at that exact moment, to see those ocean-blue eyes lighting up with joy. She didn't think about her fears or weaknesses, she just enjoyed the feeling of bringing happiness to another human being's heart.

Before she could figure out what was happening Haruka felt a refreshing warmness against her freezing body and two warm arms encircling her gently. When she realized Michiru was embracing her she startled and her heart started beating so hard and fast she feared the aqua-haired woman could hear it.

And Michiru did hear Haruka's heart beating at a breakneck pace when she rested her head on the tall blonde's chest. She had hugged her instinctively and she would have let go immediately if she hadn't felt the trembling subside at her touch, and the emotion shown in that fast heart-beat. Michiru felt like there wasn't a better thing to do at that moment... or a better place to be.

After a long moment the violinist reluctantly let Haruka go and, lifting on her tiptoes, she kissed the dumbfounded blonde's cheek and – for the second time that day - she found herself whispering a 'thank you' in someone's ear... even though it felt completely different.

In the distance several eyes were prying: some curious, some burning with jealousy, some smiling.

"See? Michiru-mama is a lot nicer when she's with Haruka-papa." Hotaru whispered, making Setsuna laugh softly as she caressed the smart girl's head.

* * * * * * * *

"So... no more planes flying over?" The question had no trace of sarcasm. Furuhata knew who had asked it and didn't need to turn around to answer.

"Nope..."

The camp was silent in the darkness, and the sea was so calm it almost seemed unmoving. Furuhata was contemplating the stars shining as the moon hung low on the horizon. Haruka lay beside him on the cool sand and they remained in silence for a while.

"You were right." The young technician said.

"Uh?" Haruka was confused.

"This morning, you were right, there was someone in the sea..." He explained.

"Oh, that... I know, Doctor Mizuno told me." Haruka replied somberly.

"I see..." Furuhata seemed at a loss for words and more minutes passed in silence. Then he spoke again.

"Haruka-san, I finished assembling the aerial and the boosters... we can place it tomorrow." He said without his usual enthusiasm. Haruka raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"What's the point? I thought we will be rescued anytime now?" She turned to him realizing too late the sarcasm in her words.

Furuhata looked at her sadly, "What's the point in running away on an island? ...In the end you will always end up right where you started." Haruka was surprised, he had always been docile and she wasn't expecting such a retort, especially one so wise and insightful.

"Touché..." She admitted calmly. She was too exhausted and in too good of a mood to argue.

"Have you ever felt completely abandoned? Like you were alone in the world, with nothing to live for?"

"..." The blonde didn't answered, petrified by the heavy question.

"I think..." Furuhata continued like he had never expected an answer in the first place, "...that no one should ever feel completely alone. I think it's the worst feeling, loneliness... that and hopelessness." He stated. Haruka started to feel the weight of their conversation... and of that entire day. "That's why I'll never stop hoping and I'll never stop trying... because I don't want to feel like I have nothing to hope for and nothing to lose." His voice was deeper than usual, it made him sound less naïve. "Everyone deserves some faith." He concluded, looking up at the dark sky.

Haruka remembered her grandmother's words the last time she saw her. Her heart clenched; she missed her. And she missed her mother... so much that she had had to force herself to banish every thought about her, it hurt too much. And then she had become so accustomed to it that she had just stopped thinking about her mother, as though she never had one. And then she realized she had done that with her grandmother too, and even with Isabel. The only one person she had never – never - stopped thinking about was her father.

She was growing anxious, she didn't want to stay and let an oblivious Furuhata remind her of her lonely, empty life. A life many used to envy, and yet she was sure at this right moment only some strange fans and greedy sponsors, worried about losing money, were missing her.

And then eventually she did what she was renowned all over the world for doing best: she ran away as fast as she could. Not literally maybe, but she ran away nonetheless, as she stood and wished Furuhata good-night.

When she got to her place for the night, she found Setsuna and Hotaru sleeping. She sat next to the little girl and caressed her head gently.

She listened to the steady, deep breathing of that innocent creature. Haruka didn't know why she was so fond of her; it was unusual, getting attached to someone like that. She always tried to keep a distance and this time she realized she was failing miserably... twice.

'Oh no Haruka, a pass for the little girl, but with her... you're gonna get hurt bad, really bad.' She thought to herself.

'Too late...' Her annoying conscience stated gloating. 'Think about how happy she-...'

"That's enough!" She hissed out loud.

Immediately she checked if she had woken Hotaru (fortunately she hadn't) then she lay down ready for the umpteenth sleepless night, oblivious of the pair of worried garnet eyes watching her.

* * * * * * * *

The sad notes filled the air of the luxury hotel's closed bar. She had had to resort to her charms to convince the pretty hotel staff member to let her stay so late.

It was the night of her championship celebration party, but it was long finished. She was the first woman to win the Formula 1 world championship, she was a millionaire, and yet she was in an empty bar, playing joylessly, with an empty glass in front of her on the black grand piano.

When she concluded the sonata a single clap resounded in the room, surprised she turned to see Johnny Cox sat at the counter.

"Wow girl, you sure are full of surprises." He knew she didn't like to be called 'girl' and he used to tease her that way, anytime he got the chance. But this time his words lacked the usual sarcasm. "What was that? Some movie soundtrack?"

"It was Schubert, baka!" She said knowing he couldn't understand that last Japanese word, although his smirk and reply let out he had at least realized it wasn't a compliment.

"Hey smart-ass! You're lucky I'm in a good mood, Tenoh..." He said winking and she smiled.

They weren't close but he had always had a soft spot for the young racer, so fiery and talented. Haruka on her part had always appreciated his frankness and the fact that he treated her just like every other racer, regardless of her gender.

"Why the good mood? Are you happy to quit, Cox?!" She asked incredulous. He had just announced his retirement, that very same day, he was almost forty and his hair was starting to turn gray.

"Why are you so surprised?" He smiled at her skepticism. "It has to happen sooner or later... to everyone." He stressed the last word meaningfully. "Enough talking about this old man... What about the young world champion moping around all alone in an empty bar the night of her triumph?" She didn't answer, "People would wonder... You're young, rich, famous, attractive, you have lots of girls willing to keep you company and yet, you're here... with me. It seems weird!" She was about to protest when he stopped with a gesture of his hand, "Don't worry Tenoh, I was there years ago... I know how it feels."

Haruka looked at him intently, challenging him to explain.

"Do you know why you won today and I did not?" He asked. She was perplexed but answered anyway.

"Because I was faster ." She stated the obvious. He nodded.

"Yeah... and why's that?" He asked again.

"Because I had more guts than you." She smirked provocatively, as he shook his head sighing in disapproval. "What then?" She asked exasperated.

"Well... It was because you think you have nothing to lose, while I know exactly that I have everything to lose." She glanced at him confused. "I know well those like you – I was like that myself - Always running away as fast as the wind. Someone made you that way..." He paused emphatically, "and only someone can stop you."

Haruka stood angrily, she couldn't tolerate people trying to psychoanalyze her.

"I know you're pissed, but I'm old enough not to care." He remained seated and calm as she walked towards him menacingly. "I like you Tenoh, you're a smart girl and a good racer – a little too arrogant, maybe - but good, and I do hope, one day, you'll find someone worth slowing down for... I did." He winked, then stood and walked to the door. When he was there he turned and added, "You do not look like the kind of person who plays piano, but you're good at it, girl."

She remained alone, shoulders slumped, her white shirt unbuttoned at her neck, looking blankly at the door, 'Such person doesn't exist, do they?'

End of chapter 6.

Author's note: Here you go, this too is finished. I have to tell you this chapter was the funnest to write, so far. Among my friends I'm known as the cynic one, the one that laugh at romantic scene in movies, that never likes happy endings, etc etc... but clearly it's not true, deep – very deep – down, I am a romantic ;)

Let me know what you think of this story what you like and what you don't like.

Bye!

Doc C_B