A/N-Alright it is now 5:40am and I did it. I wrote the next chapter. Miako Honey this one is for you. I told you I would do it, but holy crap I am my own worst enemy. Honest to god I found every distraction I could, but finally managed to focus long enough to get this out. You better enjoy it or… I'll… oh whatever I'm going to bed.
Family Life Ch 9
"Are you sure you're ready? You feel comfortable confident?"
"Yes Sanada-san… honestly I'm fine. I'm ready for this. This is what I was born to do." Haruka tried to calm her manager as she adjusted her fire suit.
"Jeez Sanada-san way to exude confidence… are you trying to psych her out?" Soichiro laughed as he wrapped an arm around Haruka's shoulders. "Haru-chan's going to do us proud like always, right Haru-chan?"
"Right."
"Haruka-papa!" Haruka turned to the excited voice, calling to her from behind. She barely had time to react when she caught Hotaru in her arms.
"Whoa careful there my little firefly, you're going to hurt yourself one of these days."
"She's as reckless as you." Haruka smirked and looked over towards Michiru who was walking towards her.
"Wait till I teach her to drive." Michiru smacked Haruka on the arm. "Ow."
"You better teach her to drive safely Haruka Tenoh."
"Hai, I will. You know I wouldn't risk my little firefly." As she said this Haruka smiled down to the child in her arms.
"Yo Tenoh! Time to get in gear."
"Alright be right there." Haruka yelled back to her teammate. "Alright down you go Hime-Chan. I'll see you after the race." Haruka leaned over and kissed Michiru before running off towards her car.
"Come on Hotaru. Auntie Arian and Auntie Riska are waiting for us." With that Michiru took Hotaru's hand and walked off towards the stands.
"And the big news of today's race ladies and gentleman is star racer Haruka Tenoh!" The announcer's voice boomed over the speakers at the race track. "Just last week there was a huge upset about the fact that Japan's number one racer is in fact a woman. Startling news to be sure especially with the realization of a rule that disallowed women to race. However a plethora of die hard fans and a petition convinced the racing board to overturn the rule and now here we sit waiting for her… I guess comeback race? Not sure what to call it. There was really only a week of uncertainty about her career, which I'm sure felt like an eternity to her, but Haruka Tenoh is still the top racer here in Japan and we'll see today if she will continue to hold this title."
Haruka sat inside her car gripping the steering wheel tight. Normally she wasn't nervous, but today was somewhat of a big day. She felt that she really needed to prove her right to be there, to race. She eyed the red light waiting for it to turn green… willing it to so she could get this over with. As if answering her prayers the light flashed green and all the cars peeled from their starting places.
Haruka easily took the lead and held it for the better part of the race. The second to last lap two racers caught up and we're really putting the pressure on Haruka. The last lap Haruka was in second place. The lead car wasn't giving any opportunity to pass. He was constantly cutting her off, effectively keeping her from pulling ahead. On the last turn Haruka managed to pull off a daring pass that had the entire crowd gasping as one. She passed the finish line first and maintained her title as Japan's number one.
As soon as Haruka exited her car she was pounced upon by her crew, who hoisted her upon their shoulders. Champagne rained down and showered everyone as flashes went off.
Out of the corner of her eye Haruka could make out a mass of aqua heading towards her. She got the guys to put her down and as soon as she could she pulled Michiru into her arms and kissed her.
"Congratulations." Michiru whispered, their lips still a breath away from each others. "You're still number one."
"Was there ever any doubt about that?"
"Hmm… never." Haruka smirked and captured Michiru's lips again. She was suddenly thrown off balance by some extra weight crashing down on her back.
"Oof… what the hell?"
"Congratulations Haru-Chan!"
"Arian get off of me!" Arian sighed and released her grip on Haruka. When the blonde turned around she was caught in a bone crushing hug by the raven haired woman. "Gah what are you trying to do, kill me?"
"Arian let the poor woman breath." Pouting Arian once again let go of the blond. Haruka turned to her saviour.
"Thanks Riska. God how do you put up with that?"
"Well I don't get pounced upon like that… well… not for the same reasons." Riska said winking at Arian.
"And I did not need to hear that." Haruka turned away, back towards Michiru who was giggling behind her hand. "I gotta go shower. I'll be back." She kissed Michiru on the cheek and ruffled Hotaru's hair as she walked by in the direction of the locker rooms.
After her shower Haruka was still smiling like a fool. Winning was great, but today it seemed all that much sweeter. A huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders and there were no more 'secrets' hanging in the air. After packing up her bag Haruka headed out the door.
As soon as Haruka had walked across the threshold a strong pair of hands grabbed her jacket collar and threw her back against the wall. She winced in pain as her head hit the brick wall behind her. She opened her eyes and looked into hate filled ones. Glancing around she saw three other pairs as well, glaring at her with animosity.
"Who the hell do you think you are Tenoh? You don't belong here!" Spat Yoshi Takado, the second place winner from the race.
"Well hate to be the one to inform you, but if you could read you would have seen that I do belong here… still number one." Yoshi growled in anger as he brought his fist back. Just before he was able to make contact with Haruka's face she had broken his one handed grip and ducked away. He howled in pain as he hit the bricks. "Get her!"
Immediately the two other men were upon her. One took a punch from Haruka, but this was enough time for the other one to grab her from behind, holding her arms back. She struggled, but soon felt a fist connect with her face.
"Woman don't fucking belong in racing Tenoh!" Yoshi said as he rubbed his swollen hand before once again punching Haruka this time in the stomach.
"You always did hate losing to me… bet it's worse now you know I'm a woman." Haruka managed to cough out from her bent over position. Yoshi's face went red with rage. He started punching Haruka repeatedly in the gut.
"RUKA!" The scream brought Takado out of his fury. He looked up and saw four people, two of whom were running towards him. He nodded to his companion and quickly they ran away, letting Haruka drop to the ground.
Riska and Soichiro ran past Haruka after the fleeing men. Meanwhile Michiru, carrying Hotaru, and Arian came to Haruka's side. Haruka was on her hands and knees, wiping away the blood at the corner of her mouth.
"Ruka are you alright?" Michiru asked as she knelt next to the blond trying to steady her. Haruka nodded as she turned so she was now sitting down, leaning back on one hand.
"Yeah… I'll be fine."
"What the hell was that?" Arian asked.
"Takado wasn't too pleased about losing to a woman it seems." Haruka answered before turning her head and spitting blood. "Help me up."
"Ruka are you sure? Maybe you should just sit here for a bit." Haruka looked at Michiru and the aqua haired woman sighed nodding at Arian who stood up too and helped lift the blonde to her feet. Haruka leaned heavily on Michiru who was holding her tightly.
"We lost them." Riska huffed as she came up beside them.
"Did you see who they were?" Soichiro asked.
"Yoshi Takado and I think two of his crew."
"Well that's going to be a pleasure to report." Soichiro scoffed. "That guy is such an ass. You alright?" Haruka nodded.
"Just going to be little sore tonight, that's all."
"Well come on… we have to go report this and then you can go home." Haruka nodded and followed.
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"Ruka are you alright?" Michiru asked as she came up behind her lover in the bathroom. It was now night and Hotaru had been put to bed by Michiru while Haruka went to go change. She was now standing in front of the mirror gingerly touching her now swollen black eye.
"Yeah I'm fine." She sighed.
"That looks pretty bad."
"Looks worse then it feels." Haruka turned around and looked at Michiru who was staring at her with concern and worry. Haruka smiled and wrapped her arms around the woman in front of her bringing them close together. "Honestly babe the thing that was hurt the most was my pride."
"What's going to happen to Takado?"
"Well he's expelled from racing and I pressed assault charges, but I don't really know. Probably just a slap on the wrist." Michiru sighed as she clung to Haruka. "Come on… let's go to bed."
"Alright." Michiru followed Haruka from the bathroom and then went to change her own clothes while Haruka crawled into their bed. Michiru soon followed, cuddling up close to the blond.
"Well I don't know about you, but I think I've had more excitement these past few weeks to last me a lifetime."
"Mmm well you still have something to deal with Ruka."
"Hmm… what's that babe?"
"Our wedding." Haruka smirked in the dark.
"That my dear will be a pleasure, and I can't wait." Michiru smiled and kissed Haruka.
"Good night Ruka. I love you."
"I love you too Michi. Night."
A/N-Alright well I'm thinking one chapter left in this one. Don't think I could possibly drag it out any longer. Well I hope you guys have enjoyed it so far and if so how about leaving me a little review? I do so like those.