Chapter 15:
When she made it downstairs, Michiru found Setsuna and Hotaru sitting quietly in the living room. She couldn't feel a somber feeling fill the air as she joined them.
"Did Haruka tell you where we really went and why?"
Setsuna asked, her voice calm but laced with a hint of sadness.
"She did. Although she didn't tell me exactly what she had written on herself."
Setsuna reached over to the coffee table and grabbed the folder that lay on top of it.
"Inside is a list of the words she had written on herself."
Setsuna said as she handed the folder to Michiru.
Michiru then took the folder from Setsuna's outstretched hand, and opened it. When she gazed upon the words her love had written about herself, she felt her heart sink and her stomach twist into knots. Each word felt like a stab in the heart as she read it.
"Michiru-mama, are you okay? You're crying."
Hotaru said, gently wiping a few tears from Michiru's face.
Michiru set the paper down and pulled her adopted daughter into her arms.
"I'm alright, Hime-chan. I'm just sad for your Haruka-papa."
"Speaking of Haruka, why is she by herself?"
Setsuna asked, concern clear in her voice.
"She asked for some time alone."
"Are you sure that was a good idea?"
Michiru shook her head.
"Honestly, my gut was telling me not to leave her alone."
"So then why did you?"
"The last thing Haruka wants right now is to have everyone fuss over her. I told her to keep the door open as well, so I'm sure she'll be okay for a few minutes by herself."
"Anything could happen during those few minutes she's left to her own devices."
Michiru sighed.
"I understand you're worried, I am too, but I know Haruka. She promised me she wouldn't do anything to herself. We're just gonna have to trust her."
"But, Michiru-mama, Haruka-papa hasn't exactly been the best lately at keeping promises."
"Hotaru does have a point."
Michiru groaned in frustration and rubbed her face with her hands.
"I'm telling you, she's fine."
Setsuna and Hotaru gave her a look as if they were asking her if she was really sure.
"Alright, alright, I'll go check on her."
Michiru then left the room to go check on Haruka.
When she made it back to their shared space, she found that Haruka was still sitting in the same spot she had left her in.
"Are you doing alright here?"
Michiru asked, taking a seat next to Haruka.
"Mmhm."
Haruka then turned her head to look at Michiru.
"What brings you here?"
"Setsuna and Hotaru seem to think that you should be by yourself."
"Why? I promise I'm not gonna do anything."
"That's the thing. Hotaru brought up that you haven't exactly been the best lately at keeping promises. So I'm here checking on you, to ease their worries."
"I see."
Haruka then flopped herself backwards onto the bed, and Michiru laid next to her.
"What's on your mind?"
Michiru asked, running her fingers through Haruka's hair and untangling a couple of knots she had found.
"Stuff. And before you ask, no I don't want to talk about it."
"Well then can we talk about Friday?"
"What's happening Friday?"
Michiru rolled her eyes and sat up, then hit Haruka in the face with a pillow.
"Hey now, what was that for?"
Haruka asked, sitting up and glaring at Michiru.
"Did you forget about our date already?"
Haruka let out a slight cough and rubbed the back of her neck.
"Ahem, uh, maybe."
Michiru shook her head and lightly smacked Haruka with the pillow again.
"That was for forgetting. Now, where would you like to go on our date?"
"Can we go out to dinner; then afterwards go to the beach and watch the sunset?"
Michiru gave Haruka a puzzled look, which confused the tall blonde.
"What? What did I say?"
"Did you just ask to go to dinner?"
"Yeah, why?"
"You know that usually involves eating, right?"
Haruka rolled her eyes.
"Gee, I thought it involved discussing who would win in a fight between the Hulk and Mary Poppins."
Michiru couldn't help but giggle at Haruka's response.
"Oh, Mary Poppins would win hands down. Have you seen that bag of hers? There's no telling what she'd pull out of it. Anyway, I guess I'm a bit surprised you asked to go to dinner. I figured something that involves food would be the last thing you'd pick."
"What can I say, I'm full of surprises."
"You got that right. So, where would you like to go for dinner?"
"I haven't thought that far."
"Alright, well any idea what you might have a taste for?"
Haruka gave Michiru a roguish grin, then whispered something into her ear.
"Haruka Tenou!"
Michiru admonished, smacking Haruka in the arm.
"I swear you're worse than some of the guys at school."
"Oh come on, Michi, I'm not that bad."
"Oh sure, says the one that wants to, well I'm not repeating it."
"Don't act like my suggestion didn't turn you on."
Haruka then gave Michiru a look, causing the aquanette to shift uncomfortably.
"M-maybe a little."
Michiru admitted, a slight blush gracing her cheeks.
"Mmhm, that's what I thought."
Haruka then gave Michiru a smug look, before crossing her arms behind her head and leaning back on the bed.
Michiru gave Haruka a deadpanned look, then sat on top of her.
"You're pretty proud of yourself, aren't you?"
"Yes, I am."
"Of course you are."
Silence then befell the two women.
As they sat in silence, Haruka's mind began to wander once more. This did not go unnoticed by Michiru.
"Where'd you go, Ruka?"
Michiru asked, cupping Haruka's cheek.
Haruka remained silent for a few minutes, before answering. When she did though, her voice sounded a bit distant.
"My mind just went to a dark place all of a sudden."
Michiru was unsure if she should feel relieved that Haruka gave an honest answer, or concerned due to the nature of the answer.
"Should I let Setsuna know?"
Haruka shook her head.
"Are you sure? I mean you were fine just a second ago and now all of a sudden you're not. I just want you to be okay."
Michiru said, gently stroking Haruka's cheek with her thumb.
"I know."
"Will you at least tell me what you thought about when your mind went to a dark place?"
Haruka shifted her gaze so that she was looking anywhere but at Michiru.
"Just about what would happen if I were to try something while everyone else is asleep."
"Look at me."
Michiru's tone alone was enough to make Haruka snap her eyes towards her.
"Tell me the truth. Do you plan on making an attempt tonight while everyone else is asleep?"
Haruka shifted her gaze, unable to look Michiru in the eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Haruka whispered, her voice sounding broken.
"Wait right here."
Michiru then got up and went out into the hall, then called for Setsuna and Hotaru to come upstairs.
"Is everything alright?"
Setsuna asked as she arrived upstairs with Hotaru in tow.
"Hotaru I need you to go keep your Haruka-papa company, while your Setsuna-mama and I gather up any sharp objects, medication, and anything else that could pose a potential safety risk."
"Michiru, what happened?"
"I'll explain later. Right now we've got things to do."
Michiru then instructed Hotaru once again to keep Haruka company, while she took Setsuna around the house to gather up anything that could pose a threat.
Once she was satisfied that everything that was a danger was safely locked away, Michiru decided to answer Setsuna's previous question.
"I'm not sure what happened. She was doing alright, then all of a sudden it's like someone flipped a switch and she said her mind wandered to a dark place. She then confessed that she wondered what would happen if she were to make an attempt tonight, while the rest of us are asleep. I asked her if she was planning to make an attempt tonight, and she pretty much said yes."
"My god, no wonder you had me help you safety proof the house."
"It might not be enough though. When Haruka sets her mind to something, almost nothing can stop her from following through with it."
"True. So what are we gonna do?"
"We might have to sleep in shifts."
Setsuna nodded her head in agreement.
"I'm gonna give Dr. Furuya a call later, to see if there's anything else he'd recommend."
"What if he recommends that Haruka stay in the hospital for a bit?"
"Then we'll follow his recommendation."
Michiru's face fell at the possibility of Haruka spending time away in a hospital.
"Believe me, the last thing I would want is for her to have to spend time away from us. But if Dr. Furuya thinks she'd be better off under the care of a hospital, then that's something we have to be prepared for."
Setsuna said as she placed a comforting hand onto Michiru's shoulder.
"I know. It's just, I'd much rather a hospital stay be the absolute last resort."
"I understand you think she'd be better off at home, but you might have to accept the fact that Haruka's problems may be greater than any of us can handle. I mean for heaven's sake, Michiru, she's contemplating suicide. Also we don't even know if this is the first time she's ever had these thoughts or not."
Michiru let out a defeated sigh and Setsuna gave her a sympathetic look. She then pulled the aqua-haired girl into a hug.
"I know you want to be the one that primarily helps Haruka. It's no secret just how much you love her. However, you can't help her all by yourself. At least not with something this serious. There are other people willing to help Haruka, but you're going to have to let them. I know you both have a hard time trusting people, Haruka especially, but if you truly love Haruka as much as I know you do, then you're gonna have to be willing to do whatever it takes to help her."
Michiru gave a nod of understanding.
"I'm gonna go check on Haruka and Hotaru."
"Okay. I'm gonna go get started on lunch. Let me know if you need anything."
"I will."
Michiru then headed upstairs to check on Haruka and Hotaru, and Setsuna headed towards the kitchen to prepare lunch.
End of chapter 15: