--by Michiru

"I'm late..."

Michiru counted. "21, 22, 23, 24, 25... uh- 32. Crap. What the hell is going on?"
"Michi, are you ever coming out of the bathroom? We're going to be late for school."
"In a min. 32. Michiru, you're late like crazy. A whole week late."
"What's going on? I need to peeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!"
"In a min."
"But Michiiiiiii...."
"I'm busy!" She snapped back at Haruka.
"Argh," Haruka growled, and looked around the living room. She went over to one of the plants, pulled down her pants, and sat over the pot. She let go with a relieved sigh. If the damn thing dies, serves her right, she thought to herself. Hmmph. How dare she keep the bathroom to herself for so long. I have needs, too. Hmmph.
Ten minuted later, Michiru came out of the bathroom. Haruka was gone, leaving a note saying that she couldn't be late.
"BITCH!" She swore aloud, and picked up her book bag. I can't believe her, not waiting for me. And I thought she needed to go to the bathroom.
"Michiru!" Yaten excliamed as she came out of the apartment.
"Mornin'," she said in a grumbly voice, locking the door.
"Bad mood?"
"Oh, yeah," she said. "She left. Haruka left. She left the apartment and went to school. She was afraid I'd make her late."
"If I were her, I'd be more afraid of making you mad," Seiya said as she left her apartment.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what I said. I wouldn't leave you behind in fear that I'd never hear the end of it."
"I'd have to agree with that," Yaten smiled. "But don't worry. You can get a ride from us."
"You're going to school?" michiru asked, surprised.
"Of course," Taiki said, locking up their apartment.
"Taiki wouldn't have it any other way. We have to go to school, just because he likes it so much."
"It's also a law."
"No'tsnot."
"Yaten, don't say that, it sounds so gross!" Seiya laughed.
"Well, tsnot a law. High school isn't compulsory in Japan."
"It is if you want to continue to be in the band. You know what our parents told us. Go to school, or no touring," Taiki said. "You're welcome to ride in our truck with us, Michiru. Just ignore the idiots, and you'll be fine."
"Righto. Ignore Seiya and Taiki, and everthing will be hunky dorey."
"Yaten," Seiya said dangerously. "Don't be an idiot."
"I'm no-ot!" Yaten cried. "It's just, I'm the only normal gal here."
"I'm a guy, so I don't count, and normal is a relitive term," Taiki said.
"Mr Lecture himself!" Yaten said as they reached their vehicle. Someone had drivin it to the front of the apartment building and was waiting for them.
"In you are, m'lady," Taiki opened the door for Michiru.
"Didn't know you cared," Seiya said, getting in. Yaten followed with a nod.
"Thank you," Michiru smiled at Taiki, looking amused.
"You're welcome. We won't be late, by the way. But we'll be there at the bell," he said, closing the car door behind him.
The driver took them to the school, Yaten and Seiya bickering, good naturedly for Michiru's attention the whole way. Taiki quietly talked to her about tour life in the meanwhile.
"Here we go. The bell's about to ring so you better hurry. We have to go register," Taiki told her.
"Alright. Thank you all," she said, and ran into the school.
She went into the classroom, not looking at Haruka. She sat down, wondering how much a pregnancy test cost. She'd have to take one. She was usually like clockwork, so a week late was 7 days later than she'd ever been. She suddenly wondered where Haruka had peed that morning.
"Michi?"
"I'm not talking to you," Michiru told her firmly.
"I didn't know when you'd get out of the bathroom."
"You didn't even stay to find out WHY I was in there so long."
"I thought you were putting on your makeup or something," Haruka said, whining slightly.
"I don't wear THAT much make up, Haruka," she said, annoyed.
"Then why?"
"I think I'm pregnant," Michiru murmured.
Haruka sat back in herseat, stunned. Pregnant. She is... is preg... she is... pregn... pregnant? She's pregnant? Uh oh. PREGNANT? A baby. A little crying bundle of shit. It'll stink and it'll cry and it'll make messes and keep up from sleeping and.. and everything.
A baby. A wrinkled, pink skinned baby. Smells like baby powder. Diapers. A little boy with gold hair and green eyes. A cute little boy to take on drives, and to play games with.
Michiru looked at Haruka, wondering what she was thinking. This is a disaster, she thoguht. I can't have a baby yet. I'm too young. My body isn't ready for this. It'll hurt like hell because my body isn't stretched like that. The most I've had in me is a couple fingers and a tongue. It'll hurt so bad. This is... I'm not even out of school! I need school. I WANT to go to school! I won't be able to with a baby on my arm. My figure will go. Haruka won't want me anymore. I'll have to get up at 3 am for feedings... I don't want a baby yet, she thought sensibly.
An abortion scares me to death. Of course, I might not be. Probably not. I'm only a week late.

Michiru watched the stick with trepidation. Haruka watched it with concealed joy.
"I think something is happening," Michiru said flatly.
"I think you're right," Haruka said, sounding happier.
Michiru picked up the stick. Her heart sank as she saw the big plus mark. Her fingers went limp and it fell to the floor.
Haruka picked it up and looked at it.
"A baby!" She cried.
"Not so loud," Michiru hissed.
Haruka looked at Michiru in surprise. Her eyes widened at the look on her face. "Aren't you happy? We're going to have a baby!"
"I know. Why should I be happy, Haruka? An abortion is going to cost a lot of money. And it'll hurt, and I could die."
"Abortion? Why would we have an abortion?"
"Why would I have an abortion?" michiru repeated, emphasizing the fact that she's be going into the little white room, about to have a baby cut out of her body. "Think, Haruka."
"But to... but..."
"I'm only 16. My body is not stretched to deliver comfrtably. I'm 16! My body is not even finished growing. It could be dangerous.
"Let's ignore... no, let's not. I'm still in school. I WANT to finish school, Haruka. I like school. Another point. We're ging to school. We're poor! I have hardly any money. My funds are almost gone. I'm going to have to get a job soon. Just to keep the apartment. I like the apartment too much to give it up. I have some jewelry to cash in, but I'd rather keep as much as possible. My father isn't giving me any money."
"But my parents will help..."
"I don't want to be indebted to your parents, Haruka! I'd rather not be indebted to ANYONE!!"
"They won't mind, Michiru."
"How about this. I don't WANT a baby! Not yet! We haven't been together a year yet. I want to spend more time with you! I don't want to share you like that. Not yet. I do want children some day, Haruka, just- not yet. When we graduate. After we make our way in the world a bit."
"When will that be?"
"I think 25 is a good age."
"25? Michiru, that's 9 years away!"
"I know. I'm good in math. We can have opur children between 25 and 30 with no problem. It means we'll have plenty of time to know each other. It'll make raising children so much easier." And if, heaven forbid, we find we aren't right for each other, there'll be no children to ruin the lives of if we divorce.
"But, Michiru, this is a life, a miricle, that we made together. This is our love in your belly. We can raise this child correctly."
"How? I'm not quitting school, Haruka, and neither are you. We'll need a babysitter. They cost money. And I refuse to borrow money from anyone, Ten'ou. Babies cost money. Diapers, cradles, formula, food, toys, clothes, powder, cloth- and there's so much more! We can't afford a baby."
"You just want to sleep with Yaten," Haruka grumbled.
"Haruka!" Michiru exclaimed. "That is completely uncalled for! Yeaten is not part of this conversation! My being forced to carry a baby that I DO NOT WANT is!!"
"You don't want my child?"
"It's my child too! And no, I don't want a baby now! We can't afford it, and it'll ruin my life!" Michiru began to sob. "I don't want this right now. This is a disaster."
"I don't know how you can say this," Haruka said softly. Her tone was of someone who was listening to a mad-person.
"Because you're not the one who'll have to carry this baby. You don't have to worry about being sick, and carrying a child that you don't want. I'm going to a doctor."
"Why? To have an abortion?! I refuse to allow you to do this, Michiru! That's my baby, too."
Michiru stared at her. She got up and went into the bedroom.
"Michiru, did you hear me?" She walked into their bedroom, to see Michiru pulling out a suitcase. "Michi?"
Michiru looked up, and then pulled off her engagement ring. She crossed the room, and put it into Haruka's hand. She closed Haruka's hand around it.
"I want this back some day. After you grow up. I love you. But right now, I can't keep it. I'm going home. I'll re-establish my old life. I'll go to school, no matter what my father thinks. I'm tougher than I was. I can face him, now."
"I don't understand."
"You don't trust me. I say I'm going to the doctor, and you automatically thnk I'm going to have an abortion. I'm going to find out if I'm pregnant for sure, Haruka. Those things are fallible. A doctor is better. If I'm not, wonderful, but if I am, I'm going to have an abortion. I can't have a baby right now. It's not just the money. I'm still a child. I need to grow up, too. How can a child bring up a baby? When you tell me that you've grown up enough, I'll come back to you."
"Michi," Haruka said, a look of absolute pain and horror on her face. "Please, don't do this to me, Michiru."
Michiru pulled her clothes out of the closet and put them into the suitcase. she didn't answer Haruka's plea. Ten minutes later, she left.
Haruka sat in the middle of the living room, tears running down her face, as she sobbed. "MIIIIIIICHIIIIIIRUUUUUUUU!!!!" She howled, amidst her tears. "Oh, Michiru."

"Lady Michiru!" The butler cried as she walked into the main hall. The house hadn't changed. The fountain still trickled water from the bucket the pretty lady, that looked like her mother, held. There were still several pretty maple trees with lacy leaves spaced evenly around the floor. The floor was made of marble stones of different colour, placed strategically to make a mosaic pattern. The staircase was huge, and curved around the walls, making a balcony all the way around the room. The paintings were tasteful, half painted by her.
She was happy to see her paintings were still on the wall.
"Good afternoon," she said, her old cool tone coming back. "Please, take my bag to my room. Is my father in?"
"Kaiou-sama is in his study," the butler said, bowing, as he took her bag.
"Very good," she said, going to the study.
She knocked on the door, and waited for him to call.
"Yes?"
She walked into the study, head held high. "Father."
"Michiru!" He cried, getting up. He went over and hugged her. "You came back?!"
"For now. However, this doesn't mean I'm going to that finishing school. The same arguments apply. I'm as finished as I'm going to get. And I want to go to school. I'm doing well in grade ten, and I'm quite happy there. Plus the year is too far along to just leave."
"Michiru," her father said, a warning tone in his voice.
"Dad, I've been on my own for a little while now. I'm ready to stand up to you."
"Then why did you come back?"
Michiru looked away, not wanting him to see the pain in her eyes. "I needed some time. That's all I'm going to say."
"Wonderful! I can now arrange that wedding."
"What wedding," Michiru said slowly.
"I had been getting a wedding ready for you. He's a good boy. He's going to be a big business man some day."
"Dad, I'm already engaged."
"You are? I don't remember..."
"You didn't. This was my choice. I left her so I could let her think about some things without me there. But I'm going back sometime soon."
"Michiru-"
"No, father. I'm not a baby anymore. I'm growing up. I make my own choices now. I'm not going to be scared of you anymore. If you just don't betrothe me, everything will be fine. I'm not a pure woman anymore."
"What does that mean?"
"Daddy, I think I'm pregnant," Michiru said, tears coming to her eyes.
"Oh no. How are we going to hide this?"
"Haruka should have come here!" Michiru cried. "Can you imagine! Everyone is a child. My girlfriend wants the baby, and can't understand the reasons that I can't, and you just want to hide it so you can marry me to some guy. I don't want the baby, and I refuse to be married off like some piece of property! I need a little support here. You told me you loved me once, dad. Prove it. Don't marry me off to some jerk, and help me a bit!"
"Michi..." Her father seemed to deflate. "You're mother's right. She's always right. You're so independant. How did this happen?"
"I had sex."
"Michiru!"
"Well, I did. I found a beautiful girl and fell in love. i'm on birth control, but I got pregnant anyway."
"Are you sure?"
"No," Michiru felt tears begin to leak from the corners of her eyes.
"Well, we have to take you to the doctor, then. We'll find out for sure. So, what's this girlfriend like?"
"Haruka? She's gorgeous, gentle, caring... she loves me. It's so hard to explain. She's a tom-boy. Short blonde hair, beautiful green eyes... she seems so carefree. She's fast. She runs fast and drives fast. She tries to support me in everything. except this. She doesn't understand that if I have this baby, I'll have to quit school. And the only reason we met was because I wanted to go to school. I'd rather spend a few years alone with her, than have children to mess it up right away."
"Let's find out if you're pregant first. Michiru, I really missed you."
"I missed you, too," Michiru said, hugging her father. She stood in his arms, feeling protected. "I hate fighting with you. But I was so scared you'd take me away from Haruka."
"Do you really love her?"
"Mmmhmm. A lot. I want to grow old with her. We're so different, but so right for each other. But I need my family, too. Ever since I met Haruka's family, it hit me that I missed you guys a lot. But I was scared."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, daddy. Haruka is my soulmate. It won't take her long to realize how I feel."
"She make you happy?"
"Yes, daddy."
"Then how can I make you unhappy. I won't stop you from seeing her."
"I'm going to be going back soon. I didn't even take half my stuff. I can't stay away from her."
"Honey, if-"
"I'm sorry, daddy, it's just the way it is with Haruka and me. I love her. But at the moment I have to make her realize what I'm going through."
"And you think that leaving her will do that?"
Michiru sighed, and looked around the office. It was funished in her father's style; dark and somber. Coming into the room had made her feel sad as a child. It seemed to have the same effect now.
"I don't know. I feel bad. I love her like crazy, and I thought we were always going to talk things over. She just decided we were going to have the child!"
"And you decided to talk things out with her? That is her child as well Michiru. Shouldn't she have a say in it?"
"I-"
"Not too fair for her, hmmm?"
"But it's my body!"
"It's her child."
"I- oh boy. Her family has a lot of children. She loves kids. This was probably a great thing to her. They have them young in her family."
"I think you owe Haruka an apology, and you two should sit down and talk this out. You could always get a nanny. You did well with yours."
"I just didn't want to drag my sorry a- self home for money. Excuse me while I wash my mouth out with soap. Haruka grew up with a lot of boys. Her language can get quite colourful. She's a lot like a boy."
"I imagine it can, then. Let's see if we can get you tested."
"Thank you, daddy. For not demanding I stay home and do what you want."
"I had to do some growing up. I realized that you had grown up. A bit."
"Ha ha. Let's go."

Haruka finally got up when she couldn't see any longer. The apartment was as black and empty as her heart. Michiru's golder-green presence was gone. Her heart was gone.
She couldn't hear anything in the soundproof apartment except for her own hitched breathing. No sweet sound of Michiru laughing... nothing. She walked toward the bedroom, and cracked her toe on a table beside the door. "Oh shit!!!!" She exclaimed, her foot feeling like a big blob of pain. Tears came to her eyes and she sat down on the floor. "Owie owie owie!!"
A deep river of depression washed over her, and she began to sob again, her voice hoarse. She cradled her throbbing foot gently. Michiru would have come running at her first cry. She would have tenderly looked her over. She would have pronounced her fit for walking, and told her she was being a baby. She would wrap her beautiful arms around her, and nibble her earlobe, and make her forget her pain. Her sweet scent, her wonderful taste... but she wouldn't do that anymore. The depression began to drown her, and her sobs became wails of grief and pain.
"Michi, I'm sorry! Please come back to me! I'm so sorry! I need you! Please come back!!"

Michiru felt concered when Haruka wasn't in school that day. She decided to skip swim practice and go over early.
When she let herself in, she noticed srtraightaway that the apartment was dark and extremely quiet. The shades were still drawn from the night before. The silence was oppresive.
She walked in, and turned on a light. Turning toward the bedroom, she saw Haruka curled up on the floor, unmoving.
"Haruka?" Michiru rushed over, and dropped beside her. Haruka was shaking, her hand curled around her foot. Michiru pulled off Haruka's sock, and saw the foot was swollen and blue. "Haruka," Michiru said softly, gently shaking her, feeling horrible. She should have left school as soon as she noticed Haruka wasn't going to show up. She felt her forehead, but there was no fever.
Haruka's eyes blinked open. They seemed unfocused for a moment, then sharpered. "Michiru?" She asked hoarsly. Her voice was almost gone. Tears began to flow over her already tearstained, bnlotchy face. "Michi, you came back to me?"
"No, I came to see why you weren't at school today," Michiru said sarcasically. She saw all animation leave Haruka, her eyes dim and a look of utter hoplessness come over her.
"Go away. I don't want your pity," Haruka said in a whisper, the tears falling freely. If you don't love me any more, I don't want to see you. If you loved me, you wouldn't have left me for so long."
"You're being a baby," Michiru smiled, her own tears flowing. She took Haruka's foot in her hands, being very gentle. "Oh, Haruka, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. It was a sarcastic reply. Yes, honey, I'm home. I'm just sorry I didn't come back earlier. I love you like crazy. But you weren't treating me like you loved me. You wouldn't listen to me. You didn't care how I felt."
"I- ow! do so!"
"Why didn't I want the baby, then?"
"Because... cause... I dunno," Haruka said in a tiny voice.
"I didn't think we could handle a baby. No money. No time. I really want to go to school. I fought hard to get it. But I wasn't listening to you, either. We were both being children. Neither of us listened to the other."
"I love kids, Michiru. And I -ow! don't believe in abortion. I want to have a child with you do much, Michi. It's a physical expression of our love. Me and you merged into a new life. It would be solid proof of our love."
"I'm not solid?"
"It's not the same. You ARE the love. The object of it. It's so hard to explain."
"Oh, I understand. I want babies, Haruka. I want as many as you can give me," Michiru leaned forward, looking intense. I love you, and I love children. I want to give you a son. And I'll have a hundred daughters to get that boy. And I'll love and cherish every girl that we have, because she has your blood, and mine, running in her veins."
"Michi, I don't care if we have a boy. You don't have to have a hundred kids."
"What if I told you I wanted a hundred babies? I want a lot of kids Haruka. I hope you're ready and willing to give them to me."
"Always," Haruka managed to leer.
"Now, let's get up and go to the hospital. I think your foot's broken."
"How will e get there," Haruka asked as they went down the stairs.
"You'll see."
"You went home," she said. The limo was waiting outside the front door.
"Yes. But it's alright. It was time. Dad understands now. We can get support from him and your parents now. Haruka, I saw a doctor last night," Michiru added as she got Haruka settled in.
"Oh?"
"I'm not pregnant. I started my period this morning."
"Oh."
"I'm sorry. For what it's worth, I had decided not to abort. I would have had the baby."
"Really?" Haruka's eyes shone.
"Yes, lover. I couldn't hurt anything that comes from you. Do you forgive me for everything?"
"Completely. Do you forgive me?"
"There's nothing to forgive," Michiru hugged her close. "I love you."

--by Michiru