			Resistance is Futile. 
 
       Coming out of the shops it has entered my mind that, 
Haruka does not pay me mind. Frustrated as I am, shopping 
always alleviates annoyance. Whenever I talk to her it seems 
she is not paying an sort of attention, vague answers looking for some exit. 
Perhaps it is just wishful thinking on my part that she'd want for anything 
to do with me. 
 
     Sighing, I made my way into yet another boutique...Hmm, 
I always fancy new cosmetics. Upon reaching the counter I set down my 
numerous bags. I had quite a run at shopping 
today. Dazedly I selected some odds and ends that looked 
complimentary. Haruka is still on my mind, while the saleswoman rang my 
charges, I put my hand up to my forehead. 
Groaning inwardly. 
 
     I thanked the saleswoman, and struggled to gather my parcels. I have 
become way too pre-occupied with Haruka, 
I know that I love her, but, why would she return that? 
She always seems disinterested....but sometimes I see a 
certain look to her eyes that gives me hope. For a moment 
I had to laugh, seems as though I have all the suitors any 
girl could want to desire...yet I only love one, and that one veritabley 
ignores me. 
 
     Concentrating on carrying my heavy load while still looking like a lady 
is quite a chore! I kept walking at a 
fairly noteworthy pace, I collided with someone, dropping  
all my parcels, I wasn't looking to be sure! I felt my cheeks burning right 
crimson! I don't even want to look 
up, I slowly lifted my head "Gomen Nasa----" I stopped dead. 
 
     "Michiru." Haruka greeted surprised. 
"Ara, I'm..I wasn't looking where I was going." Still blushing. "Well how 
could you, carrying all that lot!" 
she smiled crookedly. "Mmm" I murmurred, truly embarassed 
I crouched to gather up my things, Haruka kneeled down as 
well helping me. Dutifully we both put the various items into the bags, on 
completion I reached for one of the bags, 
Haruka did the same her hand on top of mine. She coughed. 
 
     "Why..Don't you let me help you with this?" Haruka 
offered. Smiling, I reached for a bag. "Arigato" She  
shrugged, I think at this point I am feeling a mix of giddy 
and foolish. "Why don't I grab these?" She chuckled, taking 
the bag  from me, and slinging them around her shoulder. 
 
      "So I see you did pretty good?" She motioned 
indicating my purchases. "Hai....a little too much so." 
I answered quietly. Haruka was following me, to take 
the parcels to the car I know....it is hard keeping up with 
her pace, after all she is quite tall. Any moment now I 
fear I'll blush again! 
 
     "Any occasion?" Sighing I answered wisftully. 
"Oh just trying to cheer my self up is all." She coughed. 
"What's up?" Oi. Haruka is very succinct..."Nothing  
really." I picked up the pace a little bit straining my 
shorter legs to go faster than she. 
 
     "What? Not enough admirers for you?" Haruka 
chided. I bit down on my lip, debating saying something. 
Spinning around on my heel I looked into her eyes,  
then shut mine...they burned with tears I refuse 
to release. "Not the one I want."  
 
     Petulantly I turned around, my car insight, I  
reached into my purse to retrieve my keys and 
punch the trunk release. Waiting for her to finish 
laying my things out my hand stroked the fine 
finish of the paint, it was soft, almost like a cloth... 
Amazing the detail you can see in things when  
distracted. Grout would probably even prove a 
mecca of interest to me at this moment! 
 
     "Thank you for carrying my things for me.... 
They were a bit much." I added,smiling shyly. 
Haruka seemed not to be paying attention to 
me, she was staring intently at my car. She looked 
at me and blinked at the sunlight, sheilding her 
eyes with her hand. "How are you going to 
manage with those at home?"  
 
     Easing my hair behind my ears, I considered 
it...numerous trips would get them in. Baka! 
Baka! I gave my sweetest smile. "What will 
you do without me?" Her voice dripped with 
sarcasm, making me feel utterly uncomfortable. 
Haruka crossed her arms, giving her the appearance 
of being taller and wider....basically more imposing. 
 
     "I think I'll manage." I laughed, idly playing with 
the thin necklace around my neck. Haruka turned 
away from me and shut the trunk, then decided to 
lean against it. "You could ask me to help." Hearing 
this, I had to smile, that reason was reaching...But I 
amn't silly enough to question. 
 
     "Hmm, if you'd like." She arched a brow. Unlocking 
the driver's side I felt her hand on mine, pulling the key 
out of the lock and into her palm. I bit my lip and cocked 
my head to the side the wind whipping my hair. "Ah. 
Allow me." My car, she ignores me, then decides 
to talk to me....then she insists on driving *my* 
car. 
 
     Confusing as it is, no protest from me. My head 
is pounding..None of this happening....and especially 
not from odd coincidence. I walked around to the  
passenger side, waiting for her to hit the automatic 
locks...I was surprised to see her rounding the car 
and unlocking the door for me. "Arigato." 
 
     It felt odd to be in the passenger seat, matter of 
fact, I don't think I've sat in it before.....Not even 
when my father gave it to me. Haruka got in and 
adjusted the seat back, checked the mirrors...It 
is hard for me not to just outright stare at her 
in this close proximity. 
 
     Sheer brilliance came to me. "Do you know 
where I live?" I hadn't thought to ask that. 
"Yeah...I pass by it everyday.........-I live just 
out past your place a bit." Haruka shrugged 
throwing a glance at me quickly. "This  
thing handles nice." My stomach was now 
resting around my throat....having just noticed 
our rate of speed. 
 
 
     Folding my hands in my lap, I looked  
outside my window, odd emotions racing 
through me. With her so close I noticed 
my surroundings acutely, she smelled 
rather nice. Oi. Blushing again! 
 
     "Did I interrupt you from shopping?" The 
fact just occured to me, that Haruka had just 
been entering the store....Surely she drove? 
How is she going to get home? Turning to 
her I opened my mouth to speak. 
 
    "Not really....I was just bored, You know 
buy crap I don't need for the hell of it." 
I giggled. "Ara, sort of what I had done. 
Shame you didn't arrive sooner." I tacked 
on nervously. Haruka shrugged, one 
of her hands splayed out on the gear  
shift. 
 
     If I could have bitten off my tongue, I'd do it. 
Instanly I wished I hadn't spoken...The surroundings 
getting more familiar, we were nearing my home. 
Better judgement should have warned me, but I 
spoke anyways. "How are you going to get home... 
Your car?" 
 
     I watched her profile, quite smitten with her,Haruka's 
hand tightened around the gear shift, and we sped 
along even more quickly. "I didn't drive." Spoken 
without tone, I sighed inwardly and turned again towards 
the window, to refrain my self from staring wistfully at 
her like some love sick animal. 
 
     "This car is gorgeous, was it a gift?" Her voice 
was velvet and deep. "Hai-my father gave it to me, 
for my birthday last." I cast another look at her profile.    
Haruka's hair was a lovely golden colour almost shiny 
like honey, her jawline was sharp, on longer inspection 
I saw that her lashes were long and much the same 
colour as her hair. She was handsome, yet pretty this 
close, almost an androgenous beauty. 
 
     "He has good taste then." she nodded. "Ahh. 
Here's the homefront." That broke me out of my 
reverie to be sure!  "Again, thank you for the 
trouble." A wave of her hand dismissed me as she 
pulled in the drive. 
 
     Wistfully I watched as she stretched her long 
legs out of the car. Many times have I imagined 
this sight, but, somehow......shutting my eyes, I 
lifted the lock up and pulled at the handle. Haruka 
pulled the door open,smiling crookedly. Pleasently 
suprised how chivalrous she was! I blushed and 
she took my hand to help me out. "M'lady" she 
chuckled. 
 
     In mere seconds Haruka was at the trunk gathering 
up my things in her arms. "Here." she stated dropping 
the keys into my open palm, I looked down and just 
stared at them like they were alien a few seconds 
before walking towards my door. 
 
     Shaking my head I wondered what she was about, 
how she can be so warm to me then so cold the next. 
Unlocking the door I felt her directly behind me, it 
was disconcerting...hope I don't trip at all. "Where 
do you want these?" Well, my bedroom of course... 
Ara, I am mortified to ask. "Your room right?" 
Haruka asked shifting her weight. "Hai." 
 
     "This way." I murmurred climbing the stairs, 
again she was directly behind me, which made 
me self concious. Opening the door to my room, 
I stepped in and directly went for the window, 
expecting her to lay out the parcels on the bed. 
"My god." Haruka laughed deeply.  
 
     Slowly I turned, biting my lip. Shimatta! 
I shook my head at my self. Haruka hung  
the dress bags in my heavily stocked closet. 
Again I flushed. "Arigato....You didn't have to put 
them away." If it had been anyone else I would 
be angry they went into my closet. "Why not, 
I mean...I'm here right.." Shrugging she put her 
hands into pockets. 
 
     "Well, my work here is done." Another off 
sided grin." Haruka turned around and started 
to head out the door. I practically ran after her. 
"Would you care for a tea or cappucino?" 
I ventured, after all that is just good manners, 
not being desperate. Oh. Shut up! 
 
     Haruka was halfway down the stairs, turning 
slightly she didn't answer, her eyes darted around, 
seeming to mull it over. I hope my face was not  
betraying my emotions. "Hai." Haruka then continued 
going downstairs. Pulling at my hair nervously, I 
followed. 
 
     "You can sit in the living room if you wish, or you 
may wait in the kitchen." Hoping she's pick the former 
over the latter, I wanted time to gather my self. "Might 
as well wait in the kitchen,eh." My insides were pure 
jell-o at this point, her voice was so deep, I could listen 
to it for hours...even if she was saying just these simple 
things. 
 
     In the kitchen I set about filling the kettle with water. "Did you want 
for cappucino or tea...coffee..?" 
Silly, you hadn't even asked. "Whatever you have 
is good." Putting the kettle on to boil I sat on one 
of the stools opposite her, just a cooking surface 
between us. 
 
     Haruka ran her hand through her hair and seemed 
to glance at everything but me, I feel very foolish, 
like a silly young girl. Which in essence, I am. There 
was silence for a few moments, the only sound was 
the kettle heating on the stove. I sighed. 
 
     "Do you still have that sketchbook?" Haruka murmurred 
quietly, it was a low tone, not unlike a purr. "Hai...it's in my room...I-" 
"After tea, can I take a look at it?" Her 
words seemed more like a statement than an actual question. 
Feeling my cheeks flush, I nodded. Blushing is something 
I have never had charge of. 
 
      The kettle whistled and I poured the water in the cups 
putting the infusers in each cup. "It needs but a few minutes to steep is 
all." Baka, everyone knows that. Haruka 
looked up at me and grunted at the obvious statement. "Why 
don't we look at your pictures now then?" I scooted my self 
off the stool and nodded, "I'll just go and get it then." 
 
     Starting off I felt Haruka's grip on my elbow. "If they are upstairs why 
bring them down? Just as easy to check 
them out there....Unless you don't want me upstairs? She 
released my elbow, and ran her hand through her long 
bangs. "That would be simpler, hai." I murmurred. 
 
     Using my most graceful wak, I climbed the stairs, 
I am just playing my self to think that she would love 
me, is there any reason why she'd even have an attraction 
to me? Shutting my eyes the rest of the way I walked to my 
room by sheer memory, each step ingrained in my mind. 
 
     The only place to sit would be the bed or my landing, 
I chose the landing so I could look to the sea, it makes me 
happy, picking up my favourite book of sketches I sat 
on the landing, Haruka sat close next to me, I could smell 
the woodsy smell of her perfume, rather cologne. 
 
     Together we flipped through my pictures, nearing 
the middle was a drawing I had forgotten, it was of Haruka 
she was running, the detail of the wind rushing through her 
hair and the muscles of her long legs made me blush. Resting 
my head down my hair came to my rescue and shielded me. 
My god what she must be thinking of me now? How could I 
of forgotten this picture....Only my hope that she doesn't 
continue on, numerous drawings of her...Oi. 
 
     Haruka didn't say anything at all, or make any attempt 
to flip the page, instead she reached over and smoothed 
my wavy aqua hair behind my ear. "Good likeness." 
Managing to look up, I gave a half-hearted attempt at 
a smile. "I'm not as pretty as you make me out." 
She murmurred her index finger tapping the drawing. 
 
     I turned to watch my confidante out the window, it 
was a cloudly day and the sea just rolled peacefully, 
indicating beautiful weather ahead. Haruka was watching 
me I could tell, all I wanted was to be with the water now. 
"You look like what I'd picture the sea to be...Hmm, like 
what, oh Neptune's daughter or something." she shrugged 
her shoulders and shut my sketch book, laying it on the floor. 
 
     Haruka really couldn't of said that, I felt completely 
sparkly inside. "Arigato" I murmurred surprising my 
self I had the capacity to answer. Haruka lunged, caging 
me against the sill her arms at either side of me, a serious 
look on her face. "You are so quiet now, Michiru." I 
quivered at her saying my name. I couldn't meet her eyes. 
I refused. her green ones narrowed and found mine. 
 
     What was going on? I wasn't scared, or nervous, 
as much as I am confused, my heart rate dropping 
instead of accelerating. "You are a pretty lady,Michiru. 
Don't think I haven't noticed." I brought my hands 
to my chest reaching to play with my necklace nervously. 
Haruka withdrew her arms and sat back against the sill 
watching me. 
 
     Consider me shell-schocked at this point I can't think 
of anything to say a simple thank you? Oh Michiru what 
is happening-get a hold on your self. Haruka shut her 
eyes, her arms folded against her chest. More than anything 
I just wanted to reach out and stroke her cheek. 
 
     "Remember-on the cruise ship-Your painting.....I have 
been thinking about what you had been saying about our 
destinies....Shimatta." Haruka groaned, her eyes still shut. 
"I've come to the decision that if it is that you will give up your dream of 
violinist to do this, than I am strong enough to give up racing." She bit her 
lip hard, I could 
almost feel it. 
 
     Haruka's words heartened me, I felt a sudden surge of 
emotion and somehow I felt sad for her....Deep down I know 
how damnable it was for her to arrive at this decision. I watched as she rose 
off the landing and walked to my door. 
"Jaysus." she muttered and sat on my bed, burying her head 
into her palms. 
 
     Should I approach her?  I don't want to push her away from me? Slowly I 
rose, very concious of my movements, 
I approached her, much in a fashion of sneaking up to 
a bunny or a bird to get a closer look without scaring them 
away.  Sitting carefully, I perched next to her rather closely. 
 
     Haruka lifted her head and looked right into my eyes, 
my eyes locked with her's unflinching. "Michiru?" 
"Hai?" I whispered. "I find you very attractive-Does 
that bother you?" flushing, I reached a hand towards 
her, Haruka's hand stopped mine and held it firm. "I 
have to know before I make an ass of my self." 
 
     Haruka's green eyes were piercing mine. Judgement 
should have stopped me, but my body betrayed me, 
quickly I leaned closer to her, craning my neck, my mouth 
quivered. Suddenly I felt Haruka's fingers covering my 
lips, gliding over them, leaving my mouth closed. 
 
     "Don't play with me Michiru." Haruka warned. 
Her voice was not mean or scolding, but choked 
with emotion. Tears rimmed my eyes, not now! 
Not now, I can't not in front of her....not now, 
I'm pleading with you Michiru stop it! 
 
     Leaning my head down, I was able to stifle 
the sound of my weeping, but the tears I could 
not hold in any longer, they burned and choked 
me. Haruka....she was right next to me, what I have 
dreamed of for so long now...She's all but told 
me to go to hell. 
 
     Warm hands I felt on my back, then tangling 
through my hair, too self absorbed to look up 
and face her. Haruka turned me to her, gently 
pushing my head to her chest. "Don't cry." 
 
     Looking up at her, I managed to stop crying. 
Haruka looked down at me smiling crookedly. 
"God, you are beautiful aren't you" she whispered 
in that low voice of her's...I don't think she was 
actually speaking to me but to herself. 
 
    Leaning up I saught to try and kiss her again 
this time she did not stop me, I kissed her very 
softly testing, her arms encircled me, kissing 
me more deeply. I slid my hands behind her neck, 
cradling one at the base of her skull. Our kiss 
lasted forever. 
 
    Haruka broke the kiss and scooted to the foot 
of the bed. "Michiru." She got off and stood 
right in front of me. "Haruka. I love you." 
I told her evenly, looking directly into her eyes. 
"The tea's probably steeped" she uttered, 
headed towards the door...I followed closely 
behind crestfallen. 
 
    In the kitchen I watched her drink the lukewarm 
tea halfheartedly. I sat opposite of her, wringing 
my hair, staring into the cup of tea. Dutifully she 
finished it, and looked to her watch. "Well... 
Time for me to go-thanks for the tea." 
 
    This is like a horrid bad dream, this surely can 
not be happening. Haruka reached for the door 
handle, I could not take this any further. "Haruka- 
I said I loved you." I called out painfully. "Does 
that not mean anything to you at all?" 
 
     Sighing she turned around to face me. "Of 
course it does...It's all I can fucking do to not 
take you into my arms and run you away with me 
right now...Kaiou Michiru." Haruka barked. I 
was taken aback from her words, I mouthed 
her name, my voice escaping me. 
 
     Walking towards her slowly. "We don't have 
to face our destiny alone. Haruka, we can  
accept it together, please." I spoke softly. Haruka 
slowly lumbered her way to meet me, holding me 
close to her. Whispering throatily in my ear, I heard 
the words I dreamt of. "I love you Michiru." 
Stroking my hair, she whispered to me again. "I 
don't care what destiny brings us, so long as  
am with you." 
 
 
      


