--by Michiru

I Can't Do It!!

"Michi," Haruka murmured, slipping up behind the delicate looking green haired girl, and slipping her arms around her.
"Mmm. Hi, Haruka," Michiru smiled, laying her head back against Haruka's chest.
"Let's go."
"Where?" Michiru murmured, feeling just content to stay in Haruka's arms. She felt so warm and cozy.
"I'm going to teach you how to drive," Haruka said proudly. She should know, Haruka thought to herself. Even if she never uses it, it never hurt to be safe.
"But I don't know how to drive," Michiru said in a logical tone.
"I know that. That's why I'm going to teach you," Haruka responded. Michiru pulled away, and looked at her as if she were nuts. Her beautiful green hair shone damply in the sunlight filtering through the window. Her lovely blue eyes were narrowed.
"Ok, then. How about this. I don't want to know."
"But, Michi, it's a good thing. What if I'm hurt and can't drive?"
"911."
"No phone?"
"Neighbors," Michiru shrugged.
"What if we're out at a deserted beach and I get stung by a jellyfish?"
"You'll die. If we're that far out, nothing could get you there on time."
"Boy, you're cold."
"You're fine, Haruka."
"At the moment, but something might happen."
"Nothing will happen."
Why was she being so pig-headedly stubborn!?
"It might!"
"But you're the driver!!"
"You're still going to learn!"
Michiru pouted.

Michiru pouted.
"Now, let the clutch out slowly, and press the gas slightly."
Michiru did as she was told, her lower lip stuck out in a permanent pout. The car inched foreword jerkily.
"Good! Now, put the clutch in while letting out the gas, and shift into second."
Michiru did as she was told, and the car came to a screeching halt with bone jarring violence as the engine stalled.
"Whaddidido?!?!"
"You hit the brake instead of the clutch!"
"Well, it's not my fault! There are too many pedals down here! I dunno which is which, and I can't even see them even if I did know! And they're all so smaaaaaaalllll!"
"You'll get the hang of it," Haruka told her softly. "Ok. Clutch in, brake on." Michiru did it. "Turn the key." The car started. "Now as before."
Michiru glanced at her feet and put her feet on the two furthest to the right. She let out the brake and put the foot on the gas, letting go the clutch. They sped forward.
"Whoa! Put a touch of foot on the brake, and not so hard on the gas!"
"EEEkkkk!!" Michiru slammed both feet on the brake. They squealed to a stop, hard. "I CAN'T DO THIS!!!!!!"
"Yes, you can, honey," Haruka put a hand on her arm.
"Haruka, I'm talented at violin and painting, not driving."
"You don't need talent to drive."
"I don't want to learn."
"Yes you do. Now-"
"Haruka, don't make me do this. Don't make me resent you," Michiru whispered.
"This is a good thing to know, Michi."
"Not even half of Tokyo knows how to drive. Why do I?"
"I think it's safer to teach you."
"I don't like it."
"You never have to drive again. Just do this for me. Learn. It's better to be safe than sorry."
"All right then. I'll learn. For you. Because I love you."
"Good girl. I love you, too."

"I told you so," Michiru grumbled as they walked into their apartment.
"Don't remind me," Haruka grumbled back. "I'm glad I take autobody in shop. I can repair her."
"I really didn't see the light pole."
"That's because you were looking at your feet."
"I needed to see the pedals. At least I was going slow."
"Yeah, 2 miles an hour kept the damage to a couple dents."
"I'm sorry. I hurt your baby," Michiru sat on the sofa, looking low.
Haruka sat beside her, and put her arm around her. "You're worth more to me than that bucket of bolts. I love the car, but I love you more. I would have been more upset if you were hurt."
"I'm still sorry. And just as I was getting the hang of it," Michiru smiled to herself happily. Hitting that pole was the best idea she had ever had.
"Yeah, well. I guess you were right. You just weren't made to drive."
"Thank you, love."
"I'll go cook some supper, 'kay?"
"'Kay," Michiru grinned. When Haruka went into the kitchen, Michiru picked up the phone and called Setsuna.
"H'lo?"
"Hi, Zoisite. Setsuna there?"
"Jussasec," Zoisite said, sounding as if she was eating something. "Seeeeeeet!"
"Ow," Michiru said, rubbing her ear.
"Hiya!"
"Hi Set!"
"Michi! How's it going?"
"All right now that the driving lesson is over. Haruka decided to teach me to drive."
"So?"
"I really don't want to know. I know I can't do it. I don't even like it! Sorta scares me," Michiru confessed, chewing her lower lip.
"But you did it anyway."
"I started tooooo..."
"Uh oh."
"Well, what would you do? It's like having to go to the dentist. Torture. Driving never interested me. Set, I grew up in a house where I had my own limo and chauffeur. My DAD didn't know how to drive. I'm a soft little lady."
"Not that soft. You've been living well on your own, you know."
"Ha!" Michiru snorted. "I lived on my own two weeks. I've lived with Haruka a lot longer. She's my private chauffeur. She'll take me anywhere."
"What if she isn't there, Michi?"
"Set, you're starting to sound like Haruka. That's why there's public transport. There a bus route outside the apartment, and the subway's not far away. Cab service is good, too. I really DON'T want to know how to drive."
"Ok. How'd you get out of it."
"M mmmmm mmm mmm mmmm m mmmmmmmm."
"You what?"
"I drove her car into a lamppost."
"Omigod. Are you Ok?"
"Oh, yeah. I didn't want to hurt the car too much. Haruka..." Michi said as she looked up. Haruka was standing in the door frame, looking pale. She flushed with colour suddenly and started to walk over. "Setsuna, I'd better go, Michiru said hurriedly.
"Yes, Setsuna, she'd better go!" Haruka yelled.
"Haruka! No, Haruka!" Michiru yelled. Haruka's hand hit the phone receiver.
"How could you do this to me?"
"You... you wouldn't take no for an answer," Michiru whispered. "I really didn't want to learn to drive."
"You didn't realize that I really thought you SHOULD learn, did you? You didn't think! What if there was a power outage, and I sliced my hand open?! What if you NEEDED to use the car for an emergency?!?! It's for your own good!!"
"I'm tired of things being forced on me!!!!!! Especially FOR MY OWN GOOD!!!!! Is that the way I'm going to have to live my life? Doing things I HATE for MY OWN GOOD!?" Michiru shrieked. "Can't I do things I want to do? Enjoy my life instead of dreading every moment?"
"YOU LIED TO ME!!!!!!!!" Haruka screamed at the top of her lungs. "You did that on purpose! You could have been hurt! Do you understand that? There have been accidents with less force that have hurt people!!!!"
"I..."
"And you LIED to me!" Haruka continued screaming, tears flowing down her cheeks. "We promised that we'd never lie to each other," she whispered hoarsely. "Was that a lie? How about that you love me? How can I ever trust you again?"
"Haruka," Michiru whispered, her own tears wetting her face.
"You lied!" Haruka shouted one last time, and hurried out of the apartment.

Haruka walked into the soda shop, looking mournful. She sat down to a black haired boy, sipping a soda.
So, what would you like?" The counter guy asked.
"Scotch, straight up. Make it a double."
"One root beer float coming up," he said cheerfully.
"You sound like a gal who has problems."
Haruka looked at the boy sitting next to her. "Don't bug me."
"You definitely need help. What happened? Dog die?"
"Girl problems." Haruka sipped her root beer float. Hmmph. Chocolate ice cream. Michiru adores chocolate ice cream with root beer.
"With that lovely gal of yours? Kaiou Michiru?"
"How did you know?"
"I go to the same school as you," the boy grinned at Haruka's stunned expression. "You're the one who saved me from that mob of guys."
"I don't remember you," Haruka shook her head.
The boy picked up a glass of water and dumped it over his head. "Remember me now?" A redheaded girl asked.
"Sheeeit!" Haruka stared.
"My name's Ranma. It's a curse," she shrugged cutely. Her eyes were huge and blue. Not as pretty as Michiru's, but--
"Michi," Haruka moaned, putting her head on the counter.
"You had a fight," Ranma stated.
"She lied to me."
"Yikes. Why?"
"Because she didn't want to learn to drive, and I thought she should learn."
"What did she say?"
"Nothing. She hit a pole on purpose to get out of the lesson. Scared me to death. She might have gotten hurt. And then she said she was sorry and she didn't mean to. I guess she did say something. And then she calls up her friend Setsuna and boasts to her about it."
"And what did you do wrong?"
"Nothing!"
"No? Didn't you force her, unwilling, into the lesson?"
"Well, yeah, but..."
"Would you force her into having sex with you?"
"NO!"
"Why is this different?"
"Because sex wasn't involved."
"Forcing someone to do something was. If you have to force them, then is it worth it? You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. Horrible cliche. You can lead Ranma to water, but the only way to get him into the cursed pool is to throw him in."
"I didn't rape her. I was doing it for her own good."
"Are you sure? Why would she need to drive?"
"Because it would be good for her!"
"Says you. How do you know it'd be good for her? It's obviously good for you, but she isn't you. Unless you want her to be just like you."
"No. I love her the way she is."
"Less than a quarter of Tokyo can drive. Why does she have to be one? Because you can drive?"
"Because it's safer. If I get hurt..."
"The ambulance service here is the best in the world. The public transport is fabulous. Do you want her to get hurt?"
"No!" Haruka looked up, and agonized look on her face.
"She obviously feels uncomfortable driving. Someone who feels like that will never be able to drive safely. She'll get hurt, and maybe hurt other people in the process. Would you like it if she tried to make you learn to paint and draw?"
"I can't anyway."
She might not take that as an answer," Ranma said softly. "You didn't."
"I can't do it," Haruka moaned. "I can't leave her. It would be like tearing out my soul. You're right. There's no reason for her to drive. Especially if it scares her so much. I wish she had told me."
"I'd bet she did."
"Yeah. Thanks, Ran-chan." She slapped five dollars on the counter, and left.
"No prob," Ranma said, reaching over and grabbing the half full root beer float. "Noooo problemo at allll."

Michiru sobbed, laying on her back on the floor, until she heard the front door open. She then turned over, and cried more. The wracking sobs hurt her body, but she didn't care.
"Michiru!?" Setsuna cried, running over to her. "Oh honey!"
Michiru found herself picked up, and looked over. Michiru let her head hang, tears unabated.
"What did that bitch do to you?!"
"N-n-n-n-nothhhhhinggggg," Michiru moaned.
"I was scared that she was going to hurt you."
"Nnnnnoooo," Michiru hiccuped. Setsuna pulled her against her shoulder and comforted her. "She's not coming back," she managed to get out between sobs and hiccups.
"Sure she is."
"She left meeeeeeeee!!!!!!!" Michiru wailed, and burst into fresh tears.
"No, honey. She loves you, she'll be back."
"I lied to her. That's all that mattered. That I wouldn't lie to her."
"You matter to her, sweetling. She'll be back. She won't be able to stay away. You'll see. She loves you way too much. You're her world."
Michiru shook her head, and cried awhile longer. The world was black and horrible. Nothing left for her, she felt.
After what seemed like years, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Michiru," a husky, pain filled voice whispered.
Michiru looked up to see Haruka squatting beside her and Setsuna. Her beautiful green eyes were full of sorrow and apology. "I'm so sorry love. I was a beast. I love you so very much. You tried to tell me that it frightened you, but I wouldn't listen. I hope that someday you'll forgive-"
"Haruka!" Michiru cried out, and tumbled into her arms. They both fell to the floor, holding each other tightly. Michiru had stopped crying, and Haruka started.
"I love you," Michiru whispered. She kissed Haruka hard. "Never leave me."
"Never, ever," Haruka whispered. Neither noticed Setsuna leaving, or the sweet, knowing smile she gave them as she close the door behind her.

"Michiru?"
"Yes?" Michiru looked up from her salad.
"I want to ask you something important. If you need time to think of your answer, please take it. This is very serious."
"Yes, Haruka? Go ahead."
Haruka got down on her knees and crawled over to Michiru. She put her head in Michiru's lap, looking content for a moment. She then opened her clenched fist, holding up her grandmother's ring. She looked up at the dumfounded Michiru, adoration in her eyes.
"Someday, Michiru. My Michi. My love, my life, my soul. I hope that you would do me the greatest honour that may ever happen to me, and tell the priest 'I do'. Kaiou Michiru, would you please, someday, become my wife? This ring is just a small token of the love I feel for you. I would like you to wear it proudly."
"So would I," Michiru whispered. "Yes, Haruka. I don't need to think at all about this. My answer is yes. This is something I can do. And will do. So very happily."
"Michi!" Haruka cried, wrapping her arms around Michiru's waist. "You've made me the happiest person in existence. I didn't live until I met you. Thank you."
"Thank you for asking me, my Haruka."
Haruka took her beautiful hand in hers, and carefully slid the antique diamond ring onto her finger with pride and love. "My grandmother gave this to me to give to you. She had the utmost faith that we belonged together. It's been in the Ten'ou family for generations."
"Michiru Ten'ou sounds really good, doesn't it?" Michiru smiled.
"Oh yeah. Sounds great. I love you."
"I love you, too. I can't believe this has happened to me."
"What?"
"You. I want to get married as soon as possible," Michiru said firmly, setting her chin stubbornly.
"Michi, honey-"
"No. I want it, Haruka. I want to marry you. I love you."
"I know, but, like, can't we wait until we're finished scho-mmmmm," Haruka broke off as Michiru's lips found hers.
Michiru kissed Haruka with all the feeling she had. She knew it was breaking down Haruka's 'circuits'. She was becoming a complacent blob under Michiru's soft, passionate lips.
"Mmm. Ok. As soon as possible," Haruka murmured, beginning to pull off Michiru's blouse.
Michiru paid only half attention to their lovemaking, her mind more on marrying Haruka. She knew she had to do it soon. Otherwise her father might decide it was ripe time for her to come home, and become his little girl again. Michiru loved her freedom too much to do that, and knew that marrying Haruka would just make that freedom blossom. Haruka would never tie her down the way her father tried to do to her.

"Michiru, are you Ok?" Setsuna cried as she answered the telephone.
"I'm fine," Michiru said warmly. "Everything's ducky."
"What happened last night?"
"Haruka came, we talked. You know that part."
"But is everything Ok with you two?"
"More than Ok. She asked me to marry her."
"Oh, Michi," Setsuna whispered.
"I want you to be my maid of honour."
"Oh, Michiru, I'd love to!"
"I also hope you'll make my dress? We're going for a more relaxed western style of wedding ceremony. I want a pale blue dress, though. Haruka's wearing a white suit. Nothing fancy. We can't afford splendour, anyway."
"I'll do it, no prob. I guess I'll be your matron of honour. Zoi and I finally set a date. We'll marry in six months. I want you to be my maid of honour."
"I'd love to! But, Haruka and I are getting married in three months. It's the best time to do it."
"Aren't you going to finish school first?"
"Bah. We want to do it now."
"This smacks of Michiru getting her way."
"Set, I'd rather get married now and have her forever than have my father decide to bring me home and me lose her forever."
"Odds are against that."
"Odds are that he'll give me five months at the most. He's probably wondering where the hell I am at the moment. Another two months until he begins to look. A month until he finds me. Two before he gathers me up. I intend to get married just before he finds me."
"You have this planned, hmm? What if your father wasn't part of this?"
"Then it would be a double wedding," Michiru said merrily. "Make no mistake. I want to- need to- marry Haruka with a desperation from my soul. If she hadn't asked me soon, I would have shanghaied her and flew her to Las Vegas for a quick ceremony. I'm not using her to get away from dad. I can't use her. She's just too important to me," Michiru said softly.
"I envy you."
"Why?"
"You have every assurance that this is going to work for you. I love Zoi but I'm scared, still. Scared it won't work out in the end."
"Sure it will. I can tell."
"How?"
"By the way you two look at each other. It's forever."
"I guess you know what that feels like."
"I guess I do."

--by Michiru