A/N- All the love goes to Haruka-Chan 212 again cause she's just so damn awesome for putting up with me and proof reading all my stuff. So last time you guys were lucky that I don't do what I'm suppose to… this time you're lucky that I can't seem to sleep without hurting myself. I screwed up my shoulder again by sleeping on it wrong, so for two days I couldn't really do anything so I wrote. I'm better now which means I should probably get to that packing… Anyways I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and sorry for the cliffhanger last time, but… well it's just fun to make you guys squirm.

Family Life Ch 3

The yellow convertible pulled up to the front entrance of the Tokyo general hospital. The aqua-haired passenger jumped out of the car and dashed through the automatic doors, while the driver went to find parking.

Michiru ran up the front desk to inquire of the receptionist there where she could find her father. She was given the room number and she rushed of to find it. Once outside the door labeled 314 Michiru knocked on it. The door opened to a woman who looked shockingly like Michiru, except older with gray streaks running through her aqua hair

"Oh Michiru, thank God you came!" The woman said as she pulled Michiru into her arms in a deceivingly bone crushing hug.

"Mother where's father?" Michiru managed to ask as she pulled away from the woman.

"I'm over here. Your mother is over reacting to what happened." A gruff voice called from the other end of the room. Michiru turned towards the voice and saw a man with salt and pepper hair and the same amazing cobalt eyes as Michiru.

"Father are you alright?" Michiru asked as she went to the side of the bed her father lay in.

"Of course I'm alright. Your mother just blows everything out of proportion."

"Hiro you had a heart attack for heavens sake. That is not something to be taken lightly." Michiru's mother lectured as she too made her way to her husband's bed side.

"Oh it would take more then a heart attack to get rid of me Yuuka."

"Well I don't want to put that to the test so from now on you are going to have to watch your health." This statement was met with grumbling.

"I'm so relieved that you're alright father, but what happened?" Michiru asked as soon as the banter between her mother and father had subsided.

"Your father and I were at a local charity event when he started to feel chest pains. He collapsed and we had to call an ambulance. The doctor told us he had a mild heart attack, but he should be fine now. He was lucky." The last part was said while sending a glare over to Hiro.

"Well once again I'm so happy you're alright. I was so worried when I got your call. All you told me was that father was in the hospital."

"Sorry about that dear, but I was in a bit of a panic. I still hadn't been told of your father's condition yet."

"It's alright mother." Michiru smiled at her parents.

It had been so long since she had last seen them… As a matter of fact it was odd that they were even in Tokyo considering they spent most of their time in London where Michiru's father's company had opened a particularly large branch that he had decided her would over see personally.

"Mother… why are you two even back in Japan? I thought you had decided long ago that you would rather live in London?"

"Well your father and I came back to attend that charity event we were at this evening. It was hosted by your father's company and it was held in Tokyo where the company had its beginnings. We only arrived here this morning."

"Yes." Michiru's father continued as he sat up in his bed. "We're going to be staying here for a little while as a matter of fact, in the old mansion. We were going to give you a call later and see what our little girl was up too. It's a shame our reunion had to be under such circumstances, but it's still good to see you Michiru."

"It really is dear, but I wish that you would make more of an effort to come and see us… or at least call us more."

"Oh I'm sure she has a busy life Yuuka… although it would be nice Michiru."

Michiru beamed at her father. She had missed them greatly. Ever since she started high school she had seen very little of them for that was when they had moved. That was also the reason Michiru had become Haruka's roommate, because she hadn't wanted to stay in that mansion all by herself. Since then she had only seen her parents once and spoken to them only on special occasions… birthdays, holidays and the likes.

"Michiru… what's this?" Hiro's voice broke the violinist out of her thoughts and she looked down to her hand which was in Hiro's. He was staring at the engagement ring on her hand. "Is this what I think it is?"

"Oh my God Michiru… is that an engagement ring?" Her mother asked as she walked over and grabbed her daughters hand out of her husbands.

"Ummm… yes it is." Michiru answered a little unsure. She was not prepared for what was to come.

"Well come on… spit it out. Who are you marrying?" Her mother prodded.

"Yes, what lucky man has stolen our little girl's heart?" Hiro broke in.

Michiru was now in full panic mode. She had never told her parents about Haruka. She had no idea how they would react when they found out that she was in love with and marrying a woman. She knew her parents were very conservative people and that image meant a lot to them.

"Ummm… Haruka Tenoh." She finally said after realizing she had been silent for far too long.

"The star racer Haruka Tenoh?" Her father voiced happily. "That's quite a catch Michiru. He'll be able to provide or you."

If Michiru had ever been happy about Haruka's male identity to the rest of the world… it was now. However she knew that she would have to correct them… but she couldn't bring herself to do it just yet. She needed to do it delicately… and definitely not right after her father had had a heart attack.

"Well I don't need someone to provide for me father. I make a very good living with my music."

"Even so it's nice to be sure." Her mother broke in while giving her a big hug. "So when can we meet your fiancé?"

"How about tomorrow? I have to stay overnight, but we're leaving in the morning." Hiro offered joyfully.

"Ummm…."

"That's an excellent idea Hiro. Michiru what's your address?"

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When Michiru left the room she was lost in thought. She made it to the waiting area where Haruka was pacing the floor. She stopped however when she saw Michiru walking towards her. She quickly closed the gap between them and placed her hands on her shoulders.

"Michi?" Haruka asked as she lifted Michiru's chin up so their eyes would meet. "Are you alright? Is your father alright?"

"Yes… he's fine." She replied in a distant voice.

"Well that's good… but what about you? You seem upset?"

"I… I need to go home."

Haruka stared at Michiru for a moment and then nodded, leading her out of the hospital.

The car ride was silent and Haruka spent most of it looking over at Michiru who was staring out the window pensively.

When they got home Michiru went immediately upstairs to their room, not even bothering to greet Arian or Riska. Haruka watched as she went upstairs and frowned as Michiru disappeared around the corner.

"What was that all about?" Haruka turned around and saw Arian standing behind her.

"I'm not really sure. It might have something to do with her father." Haruka replied as she hung up hers and Michiru's coat. "As we were leaving her mother called and told her that her father was in the hospital."

"Is he alight?"

"Michiru said he was… but since leaving his room she's been like that." Haruka gestured to the stairs where they had last seen Michiru.

"Well then perhaps we should leave you to go find out what's wrong." Arian said as she felt Riska come up behind her.

"I guess. Thank you both very much for taking care of Hotaru. I hope she wasn't too much trouble."

"She never is and you're more then welcome Haru-Chan. Take care of Michiru alright?" Haruka nodded and showed Arian and Riska to the door. After wishing both of them a good night and telling Arian that she should feel free to bring Riska over more often, she went upstairs.

She found Michiru standing on the balcony.

"Michi its cold… you're going to get sick." She said as she wrapped her arms around Michiru's waist. "Come inside."

Silently Michiru let Haruka lead her back into the warmth of their room. After closing the balcony doors Haruka sat beside Michiru on the bed.

"Michi… what's wrong. You said your father's alright so what's bothering you?"

"They saw my ring." She replied quietly. Haruka looked at her not really understanding why this was a problem.

"And?"

"And I never told them I was getting married."

"Well they know now."

"Yes… but what they don't know is that it's to a woman." Michiru said as she finally looked up at Haruka.

Haruka finally understood why Michiru was so distraught. Of course her parents had no idea that she was a lesbian. The last time they saw her she was probably dating some rich guy.

"I told them that I was marrying Haruka Tenoh and they of course think that you're male."

"Well you're going to have to tell them that I'm indeed female."

"They're coming to the house tomorrow." Michiru said not really taking in what Haruka had said.

"Well you can tell them then. Get this whole thing cleared up."

"Ruka… I can't."

"What do you mean you can't? Michi they have to know. What do you want me to do pretend I'm a guy?" Michiru stared at Haruka without saying anything. "Oh you have got to be joking." Haruka said as she stood from the bed and ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. Michiru stood up as well,

"Just for tomorrow… until I figure out a way to tell them."

"What's there to figure out? Just tell them that your gay and marrying a woman. End of story." Haruka said getting agitated.

"Ruka my parents are very conservative people. They've always been so proud of their 'perfect little girl' that I don't know how well they're going to take this news. I can't just blurt it out."

"So instead you want me to pretend to be something I'm not?"

"Why not? Practically the entire world thinks that you're a guy." Michiru was now getting just as angry as Haruka.

"That's different. I don't choose that. I could lose my job if people found out that I'm a woman."

"Well I could lose my parents. You have no idea what that feels like… to feel that I'm letting my parents down and losing their love!"

At this Haruka stopped and stared at Michiru.

"You're right Michiru… I wouldn't would I?" With that Haruka stormed out of the room.

Michiru could hear the front door slam and then the car peel out of the driveway. She stood there fuming for a few minutes… until she realized what she had just done.

"Oh no… Ruka."

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It was 3:30 am now… 4 hours after Haruka had stormed out of the house. Michiru was sitting on the bed worried sick. Her cheeks shimmered in the moonlight from the tears that had made their way down them. She had called Haruka's cell countless times and each time she didn't answer.

Michiru looked at the phone in her hand wondering if her next move was a good one. She didn't want to disturb her, but she had to try and find out where Haruka was… and Arian was one of the few people who knew Haruka well.

Michiru dialed the number and listened as the phone rang. Eventually the line picked up and she heard some mumbling on the other end.

"Arian?" She asked, wondering if she had dialed the right number.

"Michiru?" Came the sleepy response that belonged to the raven haired girl. "Is that you?"

"Hai it's me."

"Its 3:30… what's going on?"

"I'm sorry to call you so late, but… well I did something really stupid."

At this point Arian was sitting up in her bed listening intently.

"What happened?"

"It's Ruka… we got into a fight earlier and… I said something really heartless and she left."

"What do you mean she left? Michiru what the hell happened?"

"Well my parents are coming here tomorrow… they want to meet the person I'm marrying."

"So? What's wrong with that?"

"They don't know I'm gay and I don't think that the news is going to go over so well."

"I see… Well what happened between you and Haruka?"

"I asked something of her I should never have. I asked her to pretend that she was a man until I figured out a way to tell my parents."

"You didn't."

"I know it was a horrible thing to suggest… but what's more is that's not the worst thing I said to her…" Upon hearing no reply from Arian, Michiru continued talking. "In my anger I told her that… she wouldn't know what it's like to have to worry about losing her parents or letting them down." Michiru held her breath as she waited for Arian to say something. After almost five minutes of waiting Michiru spoke again. "Arian?"

"That was a horrible thing to say." Michiru could hear the anger that Arian was trying to keep out of her voice… and it made Michiru feel worse.

"I know." Michiru choked out as she started crying again. "I know it was. I didn't mean to hurt her like that it just slipped out."

"Ok, ok Michiru… stop crying." Arian waited till Michiru had gained some composure before continuing. "I know it was a mistake and I know you're sorry, but that's the last thing Haruka needed now… Did she ever end up telling you what happened with her sponsors?"

"No… What happened?"

"Well I found out from Riska tonight, because she's working with another sponsor, that the reason they dropped out was because they found out that Haruka was a woman. We don't know how, but they did and what's more is they know about you and her and they had some fairly harsh things to say when they terminated the contract."

Michiru was silent for a moment as she contemplated all this. She could only imagine how furious Haruka must have been listening to those ignorant fools insult her. No wonder she had been so tense lately.

"Why wouldn't she have told me?" She finely asked.

"You know Haruka… I'm sure she didn't want you to worry about it."

"She should have told me."

"Yes she should of… and you shouldn't have said those things to her earlier." The line went silent at this declaration. "Michiru you both did something wrong here and you're going to have to try and fix it. Now Haruka is probably out somewhere brooding cause that's what she does… but you know that she loves you and even though I'm sure she's hurt now… she will come home."

"Thank you Arian… I'm sorry that I woke you."

"It's alright Michiru. You know that you can call me anytime. Now try and get some sleep. I'm sure Haruka's fine… just out for a drive to clear her head."

"You're probably right. Thank you Arian… Good night."

"Good night Michiru."

Michiru hung up and sighed as she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. She knew that Arian was probably right, but all the same she couldn't stop worrying.

Why? Why had she said those things? She knew that Haruka's parents had died when she was a small child and that she had grown up being shuffled around foster homes where she was often abused both emotionally and physically. Haruka knew what it was like to lose parents… and she certainly knew what it was like to not be loved and feel like you've done nothing, but disappoint.

Michiru's heart ached a little more as she thought about this and made her way down to the living room.

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It was 6am when Haruka finally pulled back into the driveway of the mansion. She shut off the engine and got out of the car, stretching as she did so.

She looked up at the mansion and sighed as she walked to the front door. Upon opening the front door she could hear soft voices coming from the living room. Confused she closed the door and walked towards the sound.

Turning the corner into the living room Haruka saw that the TV was on. She stepped into the room and looked over towards the couch. There, curled up, was Michiru. She was fast asleep and in the glow of the TV Haruka could tell that she had cried herself to sleep.

All the anger that Haruka had been holding in seem to fade away as she gazed upon the woman she loved. She sat down next to Michiru and brushed the hair away from her face. Michiru stirred at the touch and slowly opened her eyes.

As soon as her vision had focused and she saw Haruka, Michiru sat up and desperately clung to Haruka.

"Ruka I am so, so sorry. I didn't mean what I said." Michiru sobbed into Haruka's shoulder. Haruka circled her arms around Michiru's shuddering shoulders and held her close.

"It's alright Michi. It's alright."

"No it's not alright. I shouldn't have said what I did when you've been through so much. I'm the one who doesn't know what it's like to go through what you have. And I don't want you to pretend to be what you're not. I love you the way you are. " Michiru's tears had now fully soaked through Haruka's shirt.

"Shh… Michi I know you didn't mean it. I know that you're worried about telling your parents… It's not an easy thing to do and I can understand that you're scared." Haruka said trying to soothe her lover.

"I'm sorry Ruka… I really am."

"I know you are… and it's ok… I forgive you." At this Michiru looked up into Haruka's teal eyes.

"What did I ever do to deserve you?" She sniffed.

"You were just you." Haruka said as she wiped the tears from Michiru's eyes. "Now come on, stop crying." Haruka smiled at Michiru, who managed to return a small one despite the fact that she still felt awful for what she had done. She sighed and placed her head on Haruka's chest, hugging her tightly.

"Ruka?"

"Hmmm?"

"Why didn't you tell me about your sponsors?" Michiru sat up and looked at Haruka. Haruka stared right back at her and then sighed.

"How'd you find out?"

"Apparently Riska works for another sponsor and she heard about what had happened and told Arian… So why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you to worry. It's not worth it."

"It is if it worries you." Michiru said as she turned Haruka's head to face her. "Ruka I want you to be able to confide in me. Don't hold all this in… it's not good for you and just by doing that you worry me." Haruka sighed again before pulling Michiru close to her again.

"I'm sorry Michi… I promise I won't do anything like that anymore."

"Thank you… So what's going to happen about that sponsor? They're not going to go public are they?"

"As far as I can tell no… but I can't say for sure. I'm just going to have to wait it out and see what happens." Haruka gently stroked Michiru's back as she held her. "So what time are your parents coming?"

"They said they would be here in the afternoon."

"So what are you planning on doing then?" At this Michiru looked Haruka in the eyes.

"I plan on telling them that I'm marrying the most wonderful woman in the world." Haruka smirked before pulling Michiru closer for a kiss.

"I love you Michi."

"I love you too Ruka."

"Come on… let's try and get some rest before then…you know before Hotaru wakes us up in the next hour or so."

A/N- And there it is. What will next chapter hold when Michi's parents arrive? Review to find out! ;)