Beginnings
by Kaoru
This fanfic was originally a lemon, but then my saner instincts took over. :) This is my first attempt at something hentai (sort of), and possibly my last (if I get caught). Haha *gulp* (looks over shoulder). This story happens... well, when you want it to, I guess!
Date of last revision: 27/9/97 (phew!)
Please send mail to namikata@oocities.com
I mean it too! Send mail! Tell me what you think of it! I'm terribly insecure... :)
The characters appearing herein are property of Takeuchi Naoko, Nakayoshi Toei Animation and Bandai. They are used without consent so please don't sue! I don't got no money, okay? I'm just a harmless crackpot fan. :)
This one's for the silent minority.
Haruka paced the living room impatiently. Michiru always took her time to prepare for things. She had been waiting for half an hour while Michiru bustled in the kitchen. Be early, she said, don't keep me waiting, she said. She shot a flat look at the door to the dining room, which was incidentally, closed.
Michiru had asked her to put on her favourite suit, which was a long blue jacket with gold livery. A carefully pleated scarf was tied around her collar. Long shirttails over a black cummerbund and light blue trousers completed the look. In that outfit, she looked vaguely Victorian, and Michiru loved it. Her mind occupied itself with what lay beyond the closed door.
Fifteen minutes later, the door opened. Haruka was almost dozing on the couch when Michiru shook her gently by the shoulder. She opened her eyes to see Michiru standing there, a slightly annoyed look on her face. However, this melted away when she saw the look of approval from Haruka.
Her long aqua green hair was pinned up to the sides of her head, framing her face perfectly. A gold locket hung from her neck, highlighting her delicate shoulders. She wore a baby blue cascade of lace that clung precariously to her shoulders down to her feet. The lace covered her slender arms, ending in trumpet sleeves while the front of her dress was buttoned up, playing wicked games with Haruka's mind. She looked as if she was wearing a waterfall. Haruka sighed happily. Michiru always took pains to look beautiful for her.
She was led to the dining room where a surprise awaited her. A table was set for two, illuminated warmly by the chandelier above. Michiru set her down in her chair, and put on a CD of piano and violin duets, one of their favourites.
Dinner began with a green salad and Italian dressing, followed by chicken. Haruka would have preferred oysters, but Michiru would not hear of it. They talked as they ate, joking and reminiscing about the first time they met. Haruka commented that she was a great cook, which brought a blush to Michiru's lovely cheeks, making her look even more breathtaking in the soft light. Her blue eyes twinkled as she laughed, and at times Haruka thought she saw something else aside from mirth in them, but she put it down to the effect of the wine.
Dessert was a selection of fine chocolates, which were consumed quickly. Haruka wondered if the potent combination of wine and chocolates was getting to her head when she got up from her chair and went to Michiru's side.
"May I have this dance, my lady?" she asked, extending her hand.
"Of course, sir," Michiru accepted the invitation with a half surprised look.
She led Michiru to the middle of the room, where they stood facing each other. Haruka bowed while Michiru curtseyed. Haruka took Michiru's left hand in hers, while her free arm curled around her waist, holding her close. She could smell Michiru's perfume as they glided across the floor. It was flowery, sweet, yet had a soft musky undertone which was warm and sensual.
Michiru lay her head on Haruka's broad chest, hearing her heartbeat quicken ever so slightly. The arm tightened around her waist as they circled the room, eventually leaving it. The music from the dining room grew softer as they swung into the bedroom.
The tall blonde noted with some suspicion the room they were in, yet not daring to hope. Michiru had obviously planned this all along. The room was filled with the same fragrance she had worn this evening, presumably coming from the burner beside the bed. The lighted candles around the room cast inviting shadows upon the satin sheets. Haruka was tense with anticipation yet hesitation. Could Michiru want to...?
Michiru smiled as her hands slid under her long blue jacket, slipping it off her shoulders and flinging it onto the floor. She moved down to her cummerbund, unclasping it from behind and throwing it aside. A wave of doubt hit Haruka at that moment and she froze, suddenly unsure of herself and painfully aware of the situation she was in. What they were about to do... this was wrong, wasn't it?
Her hands reached up and gripped Michiru's wrists with a firmness that shocked the both of them. She tried to speak, but no words would come. She looked warily into Michiru's eyes and found an expression of unspeakable hurt on her face. "I... I... I...", was all she could stammer... before releasing Michiru and running out of the room.
This was wrong... They couldn't... *she* couldn't. Haruka stopped at the dinner table. Michiru had prepared all this for her. For *her* alone. God, she felt like such a heel. The compact disc had stopped playing, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She did not dare confront the feelings she had for this girl, yet she was filled with such an all-consuming need, a need that no man could ever satisfy. A need For Michiru. Not just for her body, but for her heart, mind and soul.
Yet... this was not right... she could not go through with it. Michiru was her pillar of strength, her confidante, her closest and dearest friend. But her lover? She pounded the table with her fist, making the tableware rattle. Millions of arguments flung themselves across her mind, some for, some against. She felt her will begin to weaken as the debate was stilled by the overwhelming imperative from her heart.
"You coward!" she shouted at herself. All this time they had been together, the battles they had fought, the villains they had defeated. The countless times they had saved each other's lives. She had been in so many races, racing to evade her own emotions, as if by crossing the finishing line she would leave them behind in the dust. Had she really been running away from Michiru after all? Ever since they met, she had denied to herself that she wanted Michiru. But tonight, at this moment, she felt so alone. Oh God how she wanted her. Regret, something she had vowed never to experience, crept upon her. This unfamiliar feeling made her eyes water and her chest tight. Only one thing would end this pain. She turned around and walked back to the bedroom, her head bowed.
Michiru had crumpled to the floor where she had stood, her hands in her lap. Haruka stopped at the doorway, and Michiru, hearing the shuffle of her feet, looked up. In the faint candlelight Haruka could just make out the two streams of tears that had run down her cheeks from her eyes. Guilt, sorrow and remorse were tearing her apart. What had she done..? Michiru did not deserve this. Tears had no right to ruin her beautiful face. In an instant, she was on her knees in front of Michiru, clasping those trembling hands in hers, trying wordlessly to stop those damned tears from falling.
She pulled Michiru towards her in a tight embrace. She shut her eyes, tears streaming forth, trying to will away the pain she had caused her friend. For what seemed an eternity, she silently begged for Michiru's forgiveness, until she felt her arms upon her back, closing on her, accepting the apology. She pulled away, head still bowed. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... I... ", she started, but was stopped in mid-sentence by a slender finger on her lips. There was no need for words tonight. She looked up, and was met by Michiru's soft, sweet lips. She didn't resist this time...
* * *
She awoke, as she always did, in a bit of a daze. She yawned absentmindedly, stretching out over the sheets. The events of last night drifted back into her still bleary head. Oh Michiru... She smiled and turned over to reach for her, but grasped nothing. She sat up with a start. Aside from her, the bed was empty. She started to panic as she looked around. Michiru was gone. So were most of the candles that had provided light the night before, save for a few that sat on the bedside table. She began to worry. What if something had happened to her? She quickly got out of bed and searched for her clothes, but finding them gone as well, she gratefully put on Michiru's bathrobe, left on the dresser, presumably for her. It was a bit small for her, but it had to do for the moment.
A clinking sound and the rush of water came from the kitchen as Haruka peeked inside. She was there, back towards her, doing some washing up. Immense relief swept over her. She had never been in Michiru's kitchen before, and it surprised her that everything was so neat. Not a single plate or appliance was out of place. Every item, from the tea towels to the finish of the stove, was coordinated down to the colour. It seemed so graceful, the way Michiru placed each utensil on the drying rack as she finished washing them, positioning them so that each piece would not touch the other. Even her apron was tied just so that the bow was the right size, and the strings were balanced. Mundane though these things were, Haruka would never have noticed them at all before. So this is what love feels like, she thought.
She crept up noiselessly to Michiru and wrapped her arms around her, causing her to drop the fork she was holding. Soapy hands came up and held on to her, returning a morning kiss. The warm sun filtered through the window as they stood by the sink, watching the dawn. A beautiful start to a beautiful day.
Well, hope you enjoyed the ride! I sure did!
Just for the record, Uranus and Neptune are my favourite Senshi... Like you couldn't guess! Cheerio!
The source code of this page and text of this fic are copyright Namikata Kaoru 1997. No unauthorized reproductions please!