Haruka's hands ached, her back ached and her head, ached. Minako's voice rasped when she spoke, Seiya and Taiki had blisters on their fingers from the guitar strings, Yaten's arms were stiff. Michiru it seemed was unaffected by the long hours of rehearsing. They'd been at it for nearly two months straight. Haruka was reaching her end, with her obligations to the track and the few endorsements she had agreed to support while doing the tour she was burning the candle at both ends. Soon they would be touring in promo of the event, the rehearsal time would be cut in half and Haruka was almost excited at the prospect. The first event was a cruise around the river, a five night experience that required the artists to mingle but not play or entertain. Haruka adjusted the bag she had slung over her shoulder, Usagi pulled the suitcase following behind as they boarded the ship. Haruka was the last to board, Usagi had written the times down wrong and the ship was readying to leave when they finally arrived in Haruka's room. 'Really, so sorry.' Usagi stammered again.

'Its fine Usagi, we made it.' Haruka laughed. 'Go find your room, I'm god here.' Usagi made her way out of the room, Haruka sighed and she rested on the edge of the bed rubbing her temples her eyes closed. There was a soft knock on her door, without opening her eyes she answered. 'Yea, come in.'

'You sound tired.' Michiru said stepping into the cabin. Her attitude hadn't warmed any.

'I'll never know how you're not.'

'We're required in the dining room in an hour.'

'Thanks.'

'I wasn't sure that moron of an assistant had your schedule right, I wanted you to know.'

'Again, thanks.' Haruka rubbed her temples harder. Michiru wore her down, her constant bad attitude was nearly more than Haruka could handle, but the blond was sure there was more to the violinist than her attitude suggested. Michiru turned and closed the door behind her. Haruka sighed heavy. How can someone so hot be so cold? She thought. Haruka shut her eyes setting the alarm on her phone for twenty minutes. When it went off she stepped into the shower, quickly freshened herself up and dressed in a pair of cream pants and a powder blue long blazer with a white collared shirt. She slipped into a pair of loafers and made her way into the dining room. Minako and Yaten we signing autographs, Seiya and Taiki were chatting to photographers and Michiru was seated at a table speaking to a reporter. The fans, photographers and reporters paused as Haruka made her way into the room, it became very quiet for a moment before she was bombarded with people. Bulbs flashes, fans held notepads begging for her signature and reporters held recording devices near her mouth. 'HARUKA! What made you join the tour?'

'Is this the end of your racing career?'

Haruka held her hands up. 'One at a time.' She said. 'No this isn't the end of my racing career, are you mad? I was just moved by the music that Michiru Kaioh has beautifully written, I had to join this tour.' Michiru, across the room blushed. 'Now there are plenty of days ahead of us, the boat has left the docks, lets relax and I promise to get to each of you before the end of our trip.' Michiru watched as Haruka expertly handled each photographer, she posed with purpose for each picture. No request was denied. The fans waited patiently forming a line, Haruka signed anything they asked for, posed for selfies and hugged or shook hands with each fan. The reporters were sent to Usagi who scheduled them into Haruka's planner spread out over the next four days. 'She gets a day to rest.' Usagi explained skipping the middle day of the planner. Meals were being brought into the dining room as the final fan took her picture with Haruka. Everyone made their way to their seats, Haruka taking the space next to Michiru.

'You're really good at that.' Michiru commented putting her napkin on her lap.

'My fans are really important to me.' Haruka explained. 'It's not easy being the only woman in a sport designed for men. My fans kept me going, kept me positive and demanded my acceptance into the league.'

'Impressive.'

'Not really, it's just about being decent.' Haruak's words bit Michiru inadvertently. Michiru frowned. 'Sorry, that wasn't meant to be an insult.'

'It's fine.' Michiru said. 'I know how I come across.'

'Then why don't you fix it?'

'Why bother?'

Michiru took a deep breath, the cool night air spilled into the lungs relaxing her. She was alone, just as she liked it. She walked along the balcony of the ship tracing her fingers across the polished wood railings. Softly she began to hum staring at the reflection of stars in the water.

'You have a lovely voice.' Startled Michiru jumped. She had been sure she was alone, the sound of Haruka's voice scared her. 'Sorry.' Haruka pulled herself up from the lounge chair she'd been resting on.

'It's fine, you just startled me.'

'I know, that's why I was apologizing.' Michiru rolled her eyes. Haruka sighed. 'You can relax.'

'I don't know what you mean.'

'Before you saw me here you were relaxed, humming, enjoying the night. Now you're tense.' Haruka stood, she made her way to Michiru gently she put her hand on the violinist shoulder. Michiru couldn't help but relax under Haruka's touch. It took Michiru aback, she wasn't used to people touching her.

'I'm not tense.' Michiru protested lightly.

'Scared I might see the real you?'

'What makes you think you haven't met the real me?'

'Call it intuition.' Haruka couldn't help herself, she lean closer to Michiru studying her face, the peak of the violinist's nose, the sea foam colour of her hair, the sadness set in her blue eyes. It was Michiru who closed the gap between them, Michiru's lips that touched Harukas, briefly. It was Michiru who blushed. Haruka smiled pulling Michiru closer to her.

'No.' Michiru said. Haruka stopped. Michiru turned and followed the railing back to the dining room, she made her way back to her room and slammed the door, her heart still racing.

Haruka touched her fingertips to her lips and smiled. 'Maybe I don't know you at all.' She muttered to herself. Haruka moved back to the lounge chair and lay down staring at the clear sky.

'You're a failure.' Michirus voice rang through the halls, the cruise ship had dedicated a small room for the group to rehearse but it wasn't sound proof and sound carried. Michiru balanced her bow clenched in her hand, rested on her hip. She was angry. 'A total complete waste of my time.'

'That's enough.' Haruka said, her voice stern and unwavering. Minako was on the verge of tears at the latest berating from Michiru.

'Is it? You're her knight are you?'

'If I have to be.'

'Teach her to sing then, because she's been missing the notes since we started.' Michiru pointed her bow at Minako. 'You're not a singer, you're a liar.' Haruka slammed the piano's key guard down causing a loud crashing sound. Minako disappeared into a fit of tears, running from the room followed by Yaten and Taiki.

'You're horrible.' Seiya said following his group behind Minako.

'We're done' Haruka said plainly.

'Done?' Michiru challenged. 'You're on contract.'

'Easily broken.' Haruka shrugged. 'I would think you would be more worried about yourself.' Michiru said nothing. She carried her violin to its case and put it away. 'Maybe I was wrong about you.' Haruka continued. 'Maybe I wanted you to be more, better, nicer.' 'Maybe because I'm attracted to you I wanted you to be worthy of me. You're not.' Michiru opened her mouth to speak but closed it. 'Shall we announce the cancellation at dinner tonight?'

'I'll take care of it.' Michiru said.

'You do that.' Haruka held her head low as she made her way to Minako's room.