Title: New Tenant

Author: Umi Kane

E-mail: ecchimichiru@yahoo.com

Rating: Pg-13

--Chapter Nine--

"Night night, mama. Night night, Haruka-san."

Michiru smiled softly as she tucked her little girl into bed. She placed a gentle kiss on Hotaru's forehead before standing. Haruka knelt down and held out her hand. Hotaru, without thinking, slapped it, giving Haruka five. Haruka smirked and gave the little runt a kiss on the cheek. Michiru walked over and turned the night light on. The two walked to the doorway. As Haruka walked out, Michiru turned to smile at her new daughter.

"Sweet dreams, my little Hotaru."

With that she closed the door, letting Hotaru sleep. She led Haruka back into the living room. The two sat on the sofa. Haruka put her arm over the back of the sofa, as was her usual. Michiru sat beside her, a few inches from her. Haruka let her arm fall down and around Michiru's shoulders. Michiru laughed softly and smiled up at her. The two had become close since Haruka moved in. Haruka pulled Michiru closer. Michiru, without even thinking, rested her head on Haruka's shoulder. Haruka tilted her head to look down at Michiru, smiling softly.

"Michiru-san, you got yourself one of the best little girls."

"I know. Hotaru is an amazing little girl. She was always so lonely at the orphanage. Because of my sexual preference, baring my own children is pretty much impossible. I always wanted a little girl. The choice of adoption was an obvious one. I got to know her over the two years she was in the orphanage. It was last week that I knew she was the little girl for me. I applied and waited. I cannot even begin to describe what this means to me and what she means to me."

Haruka rested her cheek against Michiru's head. She smiled softly, hearing how much Michiru loved her little girl. Unconsciously, Haruka gently rubbed Michiru's shoulder with her thumb. This brought an even softer smile to Michiru's lips. After a few moments, Haruka's gentle touch began to put Michiru to sleep. Haruka felt Michiru's body go slightly limp. She lifted her head from Michiru's cheek and looked down. Sure enough, Michiru had fallen asleep. Haruka chuckled softly, knowing Michiru had had an exciting day. Haruka watched the young woman beside her for a short while as she slept. Something about her looking so peaceful caused Haruka's heart to beat quicker. She didn't have the heart to wake her. She never did.

Haruka turned slightly and slipped her other arm under Michiru's knees. She then stood, lifting Michiru into her arms. She carried Michiru into her room. Haruka wanted to change Michiru into her sleeping clothes. However, she did not feel entirely right undressing Michiru while she's asleep. Instead she managed to pull the covers down while still holding Michiru. She set the young woman on the bed and slipped the covers over her. She smiled softly at the sleeping Michiru, then gently kissed her cheek.

"Sweet dreams, dearest Michiru."

With that Haruka turned and walked out of the bedroom. She checked on Hotaru, making sure she was alright. Then she left the apartment and went next door, to her own. She walked into her bedroom and sat at the foot of her bed. Her thoughts turned to Michiru once more. Over the past few months, Haruka had started developing strong feelings for Michiru. She wanted to ask Michiru on a date, but she could never get the words out. Instead, they went out to lunch on almost a daily basis. Michiru was always there, in the front row at all of Haruka's races. Haruka wondered if Michiru would be at tomorrow's race. Haruka shook her head. She wasn't going to mention it. Michiru had Hotaru now. She couldn't expect Michiru to always be with her, as much as she wanted it. Haruka sighed softly, undressed and went to bed.