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TITLE: Intents and Purposes
SERIES: My Otome
AUTHOR: Dreiser
EMAIL: dreiser7@yahoo.com
YAHOO ID: dreiser7
MY WEBSITE: http://www.dreiser.org/
CONTENT: F/F romance. F/F sex. Haruka/Yukino.
SUMMARY: Haruka Armitage and Yukino Chrysant have done everything in their lives for a common purpose with a shared intent.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but my fun day at the Ren Faire.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sex scene and big time loss in battle.
Intents and Purposes
By: Dreiser
Eight
From the very start, Haruka found being apart from Yukino as the hardest part of being at Garderobe. The exams and the battles and the constant competition, they took their toll, but it was the fact she couldn't see Yukino every day that affected Haruka the most. After they confessed their feelings for one another it became that much harder because there was an entirely new element that Haruka missed when they were apart. She missed kissing Yukino, holding her close, touching her skin, and it seemed each time they were together they discovered something new and wonderful in their physical relationship and it was terribly addictive.
Haruka couldn't allow herself to become distracted though, not like she was at the end of the year battles. Her written exams had managed to propel her into the Trias and rank of No. 2 Pearl but she considered that more dumb luck than anything and she hated it. She hated the idea that she might have gotten where she was not from her own hard work and skill but from a matter of circumstance. While she might hate it she wasn't about to give her rank away, not when it guaranteed her graduation, and her future as Yukino's Otome. Instead she resolved to return to her previous path, the one Yukino encouraged, trying her best, working her hardest, proving she was worthy of being in the Trias and becoming an Otome.
That was what Haruka set her mind on doing although she knew her future depended on whatever position Yukino obtained after graduation. The brunette hinted at an opportunity with the Mayor of Caeles and some other jobs within the state government of Sol and Haruka was certain upon graduation Yukino would secure employment but whether it would merit Yukino's intelligence was yet to be seen. Thanks to Yukino she knew a little of how the political system operated and she realized the brunette would most likely have to work as an aide before she could run for any political office herself. They hadn't spoken much about it but Haruka was aware, even with the clout of the Chrysant name and what it meant in Aries, that Yukino would need to hold some elected office to have an Otome.
The success of Yukino's career in politics wasn't much of a worry for Haruka. She had supreme confidence in the older girl and her abilities, having seen all the work she did at Caeles Academy and Windbloom University. Yukino had a natural leadership quality and she managed to present her ideas, even to the opposition, in a way that almost everyone found merit in them and when they didn't, how she presented her argument tended to win over a good portion of those who made objections. All of these things and Yukino's innate goodness, how she truly wanted the best for Aries and all its people, caused Haruka to feel it would be impossible for her to not gain elected office.
Since her belief in Yukino was absolute, Haruka's main concern was her own success at Garderobe. She had to maintain her position as a member of the Trias, prove she was deserving of graduation and becoming Yukino's Otome. That was what she needed to do to fulfill her half of their promise and she wasn't about to let the older girl down, not when they were so close to achieving everything they dreamt of for so long. Extra training sessions with Miss Maria were maintained and she managed to convince her former roommate to spar with her as well, though more and more Haruka found her time with Shizuru cut short as the other girl indulged herself with her growing fanclub.
Watching Shizuru with the Corals who idolized her worried Haruka. In the brief discussions she had with Shizuru she knew that the brunette didn't believe their affection for her was real, that it had any value, and yet she devoted a great deal of time to them. Teasing and touching and doing all the things that Haruka had associated with Shizuru and it was harmless, yes, but that worry Haruka had for her friend just wouldn't go away. There was a sinking feeling she had that one day Shizuru would do this to the wrong Coral, take it too far, assume something she just shouldn't and then the results would be disastrous.
Haruka had tried to voice her concerns but Shizuru dismissed her with a charming smile, clinging to her arm and declaring her fondness for the blonde. When Haruka persisted in explaining her point of view, Shizuru went on to extol her immense sadness that as members of the Trias they had private rooms and could no longer be roommates, ending Haruka's train of thought by suggesting that if Yukino would allow it, perhaps they could still share a bed on an occasion. A remark which caused Haruka to shout louder than anyone had previously heard before as she chased Shizuru across the grounds.
For the next week, Haruka's grand pursuit of Shizuru across the Garderobe campus was a constant source of conversation. This was enough to convince the blonde to let the topic die and leave Shizuru to deal with her fanclub in whatever manner she saw appropriate. After all, it wasn't like the brunette went around telling her how to deal with people who had a habit of trailing after her wherever she went. Though she did suggest that Haruka try to control the volume and violence level of her threats when bothered by them.
Weeks passed and training consumed her as well as her developing romance with Yukino and Haruka let her mind drift from Shizuru until one day she was walking through the cafeteria and found her former roommate perplexed and sitting alone. Blinking at this, Haruka wondered where her constant swarm of admirers had gone but just as she thought this, a Coral hesitantly approached. Haruka recognized her as the No. 2 Coral, Natsuki Kruger, who had quickly risen through the ranks with her roommate Mai Tokiha who was the No. 1 Coral. A frown forming on her features, Haruka observed as Natsuki stammered and blushed her way through a conversation with the Pearl.
Shizuru remained sitting for a few moments before smoothly standing and offering that smile that always served to irritate Haruka, the one that was charm and artifice but Natsuki didn't seem to notice, her blush increasing in strength as Shizuru cupped her face in both hands. Then with surprise, Haruka watched Shizuru lean in for a kiss, observing as Natsuki's eyes went wide and her body grew stiff, Haruka winced at the sight and the sound of Natsuki's cry of protest and her slap to Shizuru's cheek. The brunette took a step back, appearing stunned, a reaction Haruka had never witnessed from the other girl before, and whatever she said to Natsuki next caused the Coral to form the most tortured expression that Haruka had ever seen as tears streamed down her face. Then she turned on her heel and ran out of the cafeteria leaving Shizuru in her wake. Haruka hadn't the slightest idea of what had just gone on but there was one thing she was certain about and that was the fact that Shizuru definitely needed her help.
Whether she liked it or not.
---
Yukino's dorm room had become their default location. Since admitting their feelings for one another they had numerous dates across all of Wind City but they always ended up in the place that had turned into their personal sanctuary. The one place they felt free to fully explore their developing feelings and where they always went after returning from a date. They were smiling and holding hands, carefully closing the door behind them to ensure complete privacy from the older girl's curious roommate, and Yukino gave a joyful and carefree laugh as Haruka flopped down on her bed, tugging Yukino's hand to encourage her to follow suit.
"I got permission to stay out late today," Haruka murmured, her voice husky, hand sliding up to touch the brunette's cheek. The tips of her fingers tangling in Yukino's short brown hair as her other hand pressed down on the small of the brunette's back, smiling as Yukino came to rest on top of her, their faces just a breath apart. "Bubuzuke helped me convince the Principal."
"That was nice of her," said Yukino in a whisper, shivering as Haruka's hand slipped under her shirt and lightly trailed across the bare skin of her back. Giving into her own rising desire, she leaned forward, kissing the blonde in a soft and sweet exploration, moaning as Haruka's tongue met her own, tasting deeply from the younger girl and blushing as she moved to caress Haruka's breasts. She felt Haruka smile and lean into her touch, encouraging Yukino who slid her hands underneath the younger girl's shirt, stopping to lie flat against her sculptured abdomen. They parted with a gasp and Yukino rested her forehead against Haruka's, taking in a shuddering breath, her eyes closed as she tried to calm herself. Once she felt a measure of control return, she opened them and looked at the blonde, her fingers contracting against Haruka's skin which was gloriously soft to the touch. "Haruka-chan," she asked. "Is this okay?"
"Did I say to stop?" Haruka responded breathlessly. When Yukino blushed and shook her head no, Haruka grinned and she rose up to capture the brunette in a kiss, murmuring against her lips, "Then it's okay." Burying her fingers in Yukino's hair, she stroked her scalp, and gently pulled the older girl closer, kissing her harder and deeper, tilting her head for better access and forming a satisfied smile when she felt Yukino shudder from their embrace. When they separated, Haruka's voice was rough as she said, "There's nothing you could do that I wouldn't like, Yukino." Holding the brunette's face in her hands, fingers moving across her skin in a light caress, Haruka kissed her with a passionate intent, pulling away as she said, "I don't want you to hold back anymore."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino sighed and she surrendered herself to the blonde. Her touch, her taste, the sound of her voice, the soft press of her kisses, until all she knew was Haruka, becoming utterly lost in the younger girl. She had been trying so very hard to do what Haruka had just requested, to not hold back, to stop hesitating, but it was hard after spending precisely four years doing just that. Breaking habits wasn't the easiest thing for Yukino and especially a habit of this sort which was a natural one considering her somewhat retiring and bashful nature in her personal life. She learned how to be aggressive and confident in her studies and her work but in her personal life Yukino still found herself struggling, only able to be pushed along by Haruka's open encouragement and clear desire for her to speak up and take action, to seize what she wanted for herself and right now what Yukino wanted was for the blonde's shirt to be gone. She wanted to feel skin on skin, to have that added level of intimacy, and that's why she pulled her lips from the younger girl's and whispered in her ear, "Take off your shirt."
Violet eyes widened momentarily then Haruka grinned and in a swift movement she reached down to remove her shirt, tossing it carelessly aside. The blonde remained sitting, clad in her bra and skirt and Yukino swallowed hard, taking in the sight before slowly moving forward, hands reaching out to touch Haruka's breasts as she moved in for another kiss. Her hands slipped down to explore the tanned skin, absorbing the incongruence, how it was silken and soft to the touch but she could feel the hard muscles underneath, proof of the blonde's years of hard physical training. When they parted from the kiss, Haruka's hands were at the edges of her own shirt, pulling it up and Yukino started to protest but stopped when she saw the earnest plea in the other girl's eyes.
"Please," Haruka murmured, voice low and thick with desire. "I want to see you."
A dark blush covering her features, Yukino gave a nod of assent and Haruka kissed her before tugging the shirt off and unlike her own, she conscientiously folded it and placed it on the nearby bedside dresser. Turning back to Yukino, she smiled sweetly and cupped her face in both hands. "You're beautiful," Haruka said in a whisper, hands moving gently on the brunette's body, sliding up her bare skin and settling on her breasts as she kissed her deeply. Thumbs moving in a circular caress, smiling when she felt the nipples harden from her touch and as they continued kissing, Haruka leaned back on the bed, lying down and taking Yukino with her. The older girl slipped her leg in between Haruka's as their kisses increased in strength and fervor, bringing their bodies into even closer contact.
They were closer than ever before but as always it wasn't close enough, Yukino wanted to feel more, to touch more of Haruka, and the blonde's words echoing in her mind, she slipped her hands underneath Haruka's back, unsnapping the younger girl's bra. Continuing to kiss Haruka, her hands moving in a slow and deliberate movement, she slid the bra down the blonde's shoulders, smiling when she felt Haruka arch up off the bed, allowing her better access to remove the material. When it was discarded on the floor, Yukino froze in place, hovering above the younger girl, taking in everything that was before her and unable to control her impulses, she moved forward, taking one of Haruka's nipples into her mouth, feeling an odd satisfaction at the gasp the younger girl released and the feel of her fingers moving into her hair, encouraging her onward and Yukino shifted her attention from one breast to the other, her hands not remaining still, caressing the tanned skin of Haruka's bare breasts for the first time, taking in the curve and the shape, lightly squeezing them in her grip. It was all so much, too much in a way, more than Yukino thought she could ever get from Haruka and Yukino was overwhelmed that she could do this, that she could touch Haruka in the way she always wanted, that she dreamed of, and she moved upwards, seizing her lips in a kiss.
As they kissed, she felt Haruka's hands moving behind her back, towards her own bra and she froze, her confidence faltering, certain that despite what Haruka said the blonde wouldn't like what she saw and they parted from their kiss, Haruka looking at her with concerned violet eyes, her hands stilling. "Yukino," she muttered and she reached up, touching the older girl's cheek. "What's the matter?"
She couldn't say the words, it was too embarrassing, and Yukino knew Haruka would deny them, that she would say she was wrong in her assumptions about Haruka's feelings towards her body and so Yukino didn't say anything at all. Instead, she turned from Haruka, a blush covering her features and a look of shame on her face, causing Haruka to frown.
"You don't want me to see you," Haruka stated flatly and her tone had a severity to it that made Yukino flinch. Nothing but the sound of silence and then Yukino felt Haruka shift underneath her and she looked to see the blonde reaching for her bra, about to put it back on and Yukino started to object but the blonde rose an eyebrow at this response. "What?" she asked gruffly, staring at Yukino expectantly. "You can see me but I can't see you? You can touch me but I can't touch you? Is that it?"
"Haruka-chan," Yukino protested. "That's not…" She trailed off, unable to explain herself, and Haruka's frown deepened.
"Yukino," Haruka said her name in somber tones. "Are you sure you want this? That you want me?"
Her eyes going wide, Yukino gasped and focused on the other girl, her eyes tearing at the idea of having what she suddenly gained with Haruka taken away. "Yes!" she said in a panic, scooting forward, holding Haruka's hands in her own. "This is what I've wanted for years. You're what I've wanted for years, Haruka-chan. Please don't ever doubt that."
"Then why won't you let me see you? Touch you?" asked Haruka, her frown remaining, but confusion and concern in her gaze.
Endless explanations and denials were at the tip of Yukino's tongue, things she could say to Haruka that wouldn't be the whole truth but instead only a glimpse of it and it would ease the blonde's mind as well as never give away her true concerns. She could have said any of them and she knew that Haruka would believe her because Haruka trusted her absolutely, without any reservations, and that's why Yukino couldn't say them. Even if the younger girl never realized what she did, she would and living with betraying that trust Haruka placed in her, it was such an awful thing to imagine, almost as awful as the reality of living her life without the blonde at her side. Difficult as it was, embarrassing as it was, she would have to tell the truth and hope that somehow things would turn out for the better because she simply couldn't lie. Not to Haruka.
"Your body is perfect," Yukino said eventually and her voice was just a whisper that Haruka had to strain to hear. Haruka's hands were gentle on the brunette's hips, carefully tugging her forward until they were wrapped up in a loose embrace. Hiding herself against Haruka's neck, she absorbed the smell of the other girl, spicy and sweet, something Yukino couldn't quite place but had always enjoyed. "You're beautiful, flawless, and I don't look that way, Haruka-chan. I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."
Silence then Yukino heard and felt Haruka sigh against her as the blonde's hold on her tightened imperceptibly. "Yukino is being stupid for once," Haruka said wryly. Though Yukino squirmed in her arms, Haruka managed to maintain her hold and look at the other girl who turned from her until she wasn't able, Haruka's hand on her jaw, moving her face firmly but gently until they were looking into each other's eyes. "I don't like it when people touch me. It makes me feel uncomfortable, ever since I was a kid. Hugs from my parents, that was pretty much all I could stand until I met you. When you touch me, it feels right, it feels good, and you're the only one who makes me feel that way. That's partly responsible for helping me figure out I was in love with you but if me touching you makes you nervous and afraid then--"
"No," interrupted Yukino quickly, shaking her head. "It feels good when you touch me, Haruka-chan."
"But you don't want me to look at you," finished Haruka, staring at Yukino solemnly. "Because you think you don't look as good as I do." When Yukino turned away from her again and gave a slight nod, Haruka released an exasperated puff of air and muttered, "I don't know how to help you feel better about that, Yukino. Except to tell you that you're the only person I ever wanted to look at that way."
"Really?" Yukino's voice was small, less than a whisper, but in the silence of her room it seemed as loud as a shout.
"Really," reaffirmed Haruka, holding Yukino's face in her hands and resting their foreheads together. "I want to see you because I love you but if you don't want me to then that's okay. I can wait until you're ready, when you won't be so afraid, but don't ever think I'd be disappointed, Yukino. You're the only thing in my life that I know for sure could never disappoint me just because you're you."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino said her name in a broken sob, clinging to the younger girl, burying her face in her neck. Haruka smiled sadly and held Yukino close and the brunette shivered as she felt the soft press of Haruka's lips on the top of her head heard a loving murmur. Hearing this from Haruka, feeling this, she wondered why she was so afraid, why she was certain Haruka would find some fault in her, and she knew it just came from her own insecurity, not any measure of proof or even a real belief that the blonde would react that way. All of this came from her, not the younger girl who had always been so very earnest and honest in her affection and desire that there wasn't any way she could doubt it, not when it came from Haruka. That's why Yukino swallowed hard, pushing down her fears and her needless anxiety, her voice wavering but growing more confident by the moment as she said, "I don't want to wait. I want you to see me now."
"Yukino," Haruka said her name worriedly, forming a frown. "You don't have to do that."
"I want to," said Yukino softly, responding to the blonde's concerned protest by placing her index finger over Haruka's lips. A blush covering her features, she ducked her head, finger falling away and her sudden confidence starting to abandon her. "Unless you rather not--"
Whatever she was going to say next was silenced by the hard press of Haruka's lips against her own, moving fast and eager, exploring her with a passion that left Yukino breathless and trembling in her wake. When they separated, Haruka looked down at her with eyes dark with desire, her voice rough as she said, "I want to see you. I'll always want to see Yukino."
Then she slowly moved her hands around Yukino's back, unsnapping her bra and the material immediately loosened. Keeping her touch steady and reassuring, Haruka's hands slid to rest on the brunette's midsection as violet eyes inspected Yukino's features. Her hand slipped up to touch Yukino's cheek, her thumb moving in a circular caress. Only when the brunette's breathing evened and green eyes looked into her own, giving Haruka silent permission, did she finally go about removing the bra, sliding it off of the older girl's body with ease.
Keeping her gaze steady with Yukino's, she carefully reached back to place it on the dresser. Moving in for another kiss, this one lazy and languid, expressing all of the love and desire she had for the other girl, Haruka placed one hand at the small of Yukino's back, urging the older girl closer to her as she held the weight of Yukino's breast in the other. It was so soft, wonderfully soft and full and Haruka found herself suddenly feeling altogether hot and anxious, and her hand seemed to move of it's own accord, brushing across the surface of the nipple, delighting in the way it hardened at her touch and Haruka wanted to be closer to Yukino, this wasn't nearly enough, and she reversed their positions, easing Yukino down onto the bed and cautiously lowering her weight on top of her.
Control wasn't something that Haruka ever bothered much with, she followed her instincts and let them tell her what was right and wrong but she tried to have some control when she was with Yukino, not wanting to push the other girl into anything but suddenly all of that was gone. It had left her the moment she took Yukino in, saw her naked chest for the first time, and experienced a wave of desire and lust that she never encountered before, one that left her body aching and needy, wanting to see more, feel more, of the older girl. Her kisses moved lower, down Yukino's neck and to her chest, sucking on one breast and then the other, her caresses curious and seeking, smiling at the moans and trembles her touch caused. She came to a stop at Yukino's midsection and her hands played at the top of the brunette's skirt, moving one hand upwards, cupping Yukino's cheek, she watched as the older girl took in several shaky breaths before opening her eyes and giving a jerky nod of permission, her reply coming in a whisper that it was all right, that she wanted this.
In a smooth movement, Haruka pulled the material down, pausing only a moment before following suit with Yukino's panties and like before, she treated the clothing with far more care than her own, folding it quickly and placing it on the bedside dresser. Haruka made quick work of the rest of her own clothes, tossing them aside and standing naked before the blushing brunette who looked at her with wide eyes. Taking in the slight steam forming on Yukino's glasses, Haruka chuckled and removed them, murmuring that the older girl wouldn't need glasses now, that they were close enough to see her without them and she placed the glasses on the dresser, kissing Yukino deeply, her hands wandering the length of her body, taking in her curves and valleys until that was all she knew.
Arriving at Yukino's thighs, aware of how her moans and trembles increased, and the heat of her skin grew that much stronger, Haruka slipped her hand in between the older girl's legs, shivering at the warmth she encountered. Wet, Yukino was so wet, and it was because of her, it was for her, this was almost more than Haruka could properly comprehend and she kissed the brunette harder, sucking on her tongue as her fingers slipped into Yukino's pussy, moving in slow and steady strokes, taking in the gasps and the eager thrusts of the older girl's hips. She lowered her thumb, brushing it over Yukino's clit teasingly, increasing the pressure on her clit to match the speed of her thrusts and when Yukino came, her body rising off the bed, a frozen portrait of pleasure, Haruka drank in her cries with a kiss, absorbing them for her own.
"Yukino," Haruka said in husky tones, sliding her fingers out of the older girl, taking in her shivers and sliding her hand behind Yukino's back to hold her closer. Burying her face in the crook of Yukino's neck, she murmured, "I love you."
"I love you too, Haruka-chan," said Yukino breathlessly, smiling tenderly and running her fingers through the blonde's hair. When Haruka looked up at her, she held her face in her hands and kissed her, murmuring against her lips, "And I want to make you feel good."
Haruka groaned at this, losing herself to Yukino's kisses, allowing the brunette to shift her onto her back, gasping when Yukino began a path of kisses down her body, from her neck to her collarbone, breasts and stomach, stopping at her thighs, pushing them apart with gentle force and lowering her head to taste from the younger girl for the first time. Flattening her tongue, she explored in long and slow licks, smiling when she felt Haruka's finger lace themselves into her hair, encouraging her onward and she sucked on the blonde's clit as she continued her explorations, thrusting her tongue further into Haruka's pussy, wanting to taste more, to feel more, increasing her pace until she felt Haruka shake and heard her release a hoarse cry, fingers contracting in her hair. Allowing herself to be tugged upwards by the younger girl, Yukino smiled as she rested the length of her body against Haruka's, enjoying the sensation of skin on skin, feeling completely content, she breathed in her scent and smiled as she felt the blonde's arms wrap around her, holding her close.
They woke early in the evening, just in time for dinner, and after taking a quick shower they walked hand in hand through Wind City until they arrived at a small café near Windbloom University's campus. Placing orders with their waitress, they sat in a happy daze, caught up in one another's presence and oblivious to the outside world. They would have remained that way if not for the interruption of their food arriving and as they ate, the manners Yukino was raised with took hold and she asked about the progress of Haruka's studies at Garderobe.
"They're going good for me," Haruka said, taking a large bite of her sandwich. The blonde paused to swallow and continued, "But bubuzuke hasn't been acting like herself ever since the incident with Kruger. I could've taken the number one spot from her if I wanted but it wouldn't be fair when she's like this. Trouble is, no matter what I do she won't talk to me about it. She's just being stubborn and stupid," Haruka grumbled.
"Kruger-san slapped her, isn't that right?" questioned Yukino, recalling what Haruka told her about that day.
"Yeah," said Haruka, spearing a vegetable with her fork and chewing on it thoughtfully. "I got some of the Corals who are always following me around to tell me about it since bubuzuke won't say anything. Apparently Kruger asked Shizuru if she could be her heya-gakkari."
"A room attendant?" Yukino asked, looking a bit uncertain if what she said was correct.
Giving a nod of assent, Haruka continued, "I guess bubuzuke responded with her usual flirty routine and Kruger didn't take well to it. Seems to me like Kruger maybe had real feelings for Shizuru or who she thought was Shizuru since all those little Corals were rambling about her being disillusioned or something after having bubuzuke come onto her." Haruka snorted in disdain and muttered, "If you ask me both of them are acting like idiots. Kruger for assuming things about Shizuru just like everybody else then getting pissy when everything she assumed turns out not to be true and the bubuzuke for thinking everybody really wants her to act like she thinks they do." Her face screwing up in a look of confusion, Haruka scratched the back of her head and blinked. "Did that even make sense?"
"It makes perfect sense, Haruka-chan," said Yukino kindly though she gave a soft laugh at the adorable look that the blonde was wearing. Reaching out to hold the younger girl's hand, she squeezed it gently. "You want to help Shizuru-san, don't you?"
In response, Haruka automatically blustered and tried to play off her own concern with denials until she looked into Yukino's green eyes that were warm and accepting and she groaned, then relented in a mumble, "I want to help the bubuzuke. I owe her."
"Why is that?" asked Yukino curiously.
At first she thought Haruka was simply concerned for a friend but in a way, it made more sense if the blonde felt somewhat obligated as Haruka simply wasn't the type to go interfering in other peoples personal lives. If she was totally honest, she often experienced a twinge of jealousy towards Shizuru because of all the time she was granted with Haruka and the fact that she got to see a side of Haruka that Yukino didn't. There was also the fact that Shizuru Viola painted an almost uncanny image of perfection and it was hard not to feel inadequate in comparison. Although the hours they had spent in bed together today, exploring every last inch of each other's bodies and hearing the love and the lust in Haruka's voice as she said her name, well, that reassured Yukino immensely.
"If it wasn't for Shizuru I wouldn't have realized how I feel for you," Haruka revealed in serious tones, though a reddish tinge covered her cheeks, exposing her embarrassment on letting Yukino know about this. "The least I can do is give her a hand with Kruger."
There were countless things that Yukino was positive weren't acknowledged about Haruka and the chief amongst them was how sweet she was. How she had a level of concern and care a great deal of other people didn't possess and her worry for Shizuru in this instance was yet another example of this and it made the brunette love her that much more. "Then we'll find a way to help her," said Yukino resolutely.
"We?" Haruka questioned, lifting an eyebrow.
"If Haruka-chan wants to help Shizuru-san then so do I," said Yukino in matter of fact tones. "And it doesn't seem like you've had much luck on your own."
"Bubuzuke won't listen to what I have to say," groused Haruka, forming a scowl as she thought about it.
"How do you think Shizuru-san feels about Kruger-san?" asked Yukino gently.
"She likes her," said Haruka plainly, leaning back in her chair and lifting the top legs off the ground. "Only she doesn't know what to do about it. Bubuzuke never had anyone reject her advances like that. I mean, not even I go that far, I push her off and I yell but slap her? I never did that because as annoying as her being all clingy with me is there's not any real harm in it as far I as I can see. It's just her way but Kruger… she didn't like it." Haruka paused, frowning deeply and resting her chin on her hand that was balled up in a fist. "I think she wanted something more from Shizuru. Something genuine, something real, instead of the act she's always putting on and bubuzuke knows that and I figure the reason she's been hiding herself away is she's finally found out she wants the same thing. Problem is, she won't do anything about it. She avoids Kruger at all costs, feels ashamed for what she did in the cafeteria, trying to kiss her and putting on all her usual moves."
"What about Kruger-san?" Yukino pursued.
"Same thing," grunted Haruka, letting the chair fall forward onto all four legs. "She avoids Shizuru and won't talk to anybody. The way they're both acting it's easy to see they're suited to each other, acting stupid and stubborn in all the same ways."
Smiling at this, recognizing the concern in the midst of Haruka's complaints, Yukino murmured, "If they won't listen to any advice then perhaps it would be best to show them what you mean." When Haruka blinked at this and looked at her in confusion, her smile widened and Yukino continued, "You just need to arrange a situation where Shizuru-san and Kruger-san are confronted by how they feel for one another, that's all." Haruka frowned and demanded how she could do that and Yukino tilted her head, wearing a contemplative expression before an idea sprang to mind. "The enrollment battles are starting soon, aren't they?"
"Two weeks," said Haruka, her frown remaining. "I got you a ticket, remember?"
The smile on her face becoming that much larger, Yukino felt the beginnings of a plan form, and leaning across the table, she explained it to Haruka whose violet eyes went wide and as she heard the details a matching smile soon formed on her features. Yukino's solution was something that Haruka never would have come up with on her own and to the blonde it was evidence of why they belonged together, how any situation, no matter how difficult and confounding, could always be solved when she worked with Yukino.
Even when the problem was as frustrating as her former roommate.
---
An hour every day the members of the Trias had to be in their official council room. When they were in the room and if they were in it together was entirely up to them but an hour every day was the rule. This was so they could be approached by other students with their concerns and questions and it was an unspoken tradition for Haruka and Shizuru to spend their hour together. Usually it was a lively affair filled with talk and protesting from Haruka as Shizuru clung onto her but lately it was silent and awkward and Haruka loathed it.
That's why she decided to put Yukino's plan into action by launching into a tirade about what's required of an Otome, hoping to get some response from Shizuru who continued to stare out the window, a melancholy expression on her features. Haruka frowned severely at this. It was far worse than she feared. Clearing her throat, she loudly declared her intention to be the No. 1 Pearl and waited for a reaction. Again, nothing, just Shizuru staring out the window, her expression depressed and utterly unlike herself. Gritting her teeth in irritation, Haruka quickly lost her patience and demanded to know if the brunette was even listening to her.
At long last, she was given a response when Shizuru turned to face her and replied, "Yes." She considered the blonde carefully, tilting her head. "Is that what you want to do?" A pale imitation of her usual teasing smile tugged at her lips and Haruka found it almost painful to look upon, it was so unlike the other girl, as Shizuru drawled, "But I'm always ready to give Haruka-san the title of number one without doing this."
"You," Haruka growled the word, unable to hold her feelings back anymore. "Get a grip!" Shizuru blinked at this, her rust colored eyes reflecting a real surprise at Haruka's outburst. Though Haruka was hardly done, she was on a roll, all of her opinions about the situation came spilling out as she looked at this sad and pathetic version of her former roommate which thoroughly annoyed her. "Ever since that Coral gave you the cold shoulder, you've become such a coward! Get a grip and realize your true feelings!"
"My true feelings?" said Shizuru in a whisper.
"That's right!" said Haruka, staring Shizuru down and wondering if maybe they wouldn't need to put Yukino's plan into action. For the first time in weeks it seemed like she might be getting through to Shizuru. "You're always giggling as if you don't care but your true nature is nothing like that."
For a moment, Haruka saw a glimmer of something there. Hope, fear, realization, something, but it quickly disappeared as the polite mask was put back into place and Shizuru offered her a cup of tea. Suddenly thirsty from all her yelling, Haruka asked for a second cup, grumbling as she observed the weary smile the brunette formed at her request. She wasn't entirely dense, she knew that Shizuru wanted to get rid of her, just like she knew she wouldn't be able to get her to understand anything with words. It seemed the plan would have to be used.
Grabbing Shizuru's hand in her own, Haruka began a determined walk through Garderobe, absently noting this was the first time she had done such a thing. Usually she was the one pulled all over the place by Shizuru, protesting heartily along the way, but in comparison Shizuru was quiet, allowing Haruka to drag her along until she recognized they were heading into the Coral dorm and she started to question Haruka about it only to find herself silenced as they stopped at the door to Natsuki Kruger and Mai Tokiha's room.
"Oi!" Haruka knocked on the door loudly, noticing with a grimace they had attracted a crowd of Coral students. Much as she disliked all the invasive attention Shizuru tended to attract it did serve her purpose on this occasion and so she put up with the squeals of her and Shizuru's names. "Natsuki Kruger!" Haruka called out, deciding to open the door as she grew sick of waiting. "You in here?"
They stepped into the room amidst more squeals of their names from the gathering Corals and Natsuki, ever the obedient and proper student, jumped to her feet upon seeing the figures of her two sempai. "Yes!" she stammered in response, looking at them with wide eyes.
"Huh," muttered Haruka, scratching her cheek and suddenly giving pause. Although she worked all this out with Yukino and she was sure it would succeed because it was Yukino's plan and Yukino was never wrong about things of this nature she never considered asking anyone this question before and found herself at a loss despite it being an act. "It's a bit late but I've decided I want you to be my heya-gakkari."
"Haruka-san!" Shizuru exclaimed and Haruka grinned on getting an actual emotion from the brunette. "That's--"
"So what?" Haruka blustered, puffing her cheeks out and folding her arms across her chest, enjoying the cries of Shizuru's Coral fanclub for once. "You're too late. Ah," Haruka paused to consider, forming what she hoped was a thoughtful expression though she had no idea if she was fooling anybody. It seemed like Shizuru and Natsuki didn't know what she was up to but the busty redhead, Mai, she might be another story. "How about a challenge at the enrollment battles then? Whoever wins will make this girl their heya-gakkari."
Three years they spent together at Garderobe and never had Haruka seen Shizuru's eyes flash like they did now, sparking with a dangerous and real intent, a grim smile playing on her lips as she agreed to Haruka's challenge. Shaking hands on it, they exited the Coral dorm and Haruka immediately set about training because she knew what that look meant, that Shizuru would be fighting with her whole heart perhaps for the very first time and that was a very daunting prospect indeed but it was also an exciting one. She would finally get to see what Shizuru was like in battle when she fought with her heart as well as her head and to win against that Haruka would need more than guts.
---
Five seconds.
Watching battles, especially Haruka's battles, wasn't something Yukino did often. She was well aware of the blonde's fighting style or some would argue, lack thereof, and she knew how the younger girl was fearless in her encounters. How she fought with everything she had and possessed little regard for her own safety if it meant winning the task at hand and there wasn't anything Yukino hated more than seeing Haruka hurt.
That being the case, Yukino didn't watch a great many of Haruka's battles but the ones she did watch, they never ended like this. They never ended in five seconds with a frightening ferocity that caused Yukino to blanch and cry out in genuine horror, rushing through the coliseum and demanding to be taken to the infirmary, all the while the image of Haruka's broken form filling her minds eye and she wondered why she felt so compelled to help other Otome trainee in the first place. Not when she did such a thing to Haruka. It was beyond her comprehension how Shizuru could be Haruka's friend and do that to her. She knew they fought regularly in Garderobe, that friends became enemies in battle, and Haruka wouldn't want the other girl to hold back in a fight but it was all so very awful to Yukino, how Haruka looked after this battle.
After much debating and arguing and finally some conceding, Yukino was allowed into the Garderobe infirmary where Haruka lay prone on strange cot, her face covered in bandages and her arm in a cast. The doctor reassured her that with the nanomachines in her system her broken arm would heal in a week and the cuts on her face and body would be fine in just a day. Despite this, Yukino couldn't ease her mind, the worry and the fear eating at her and she wondered if she could really do this. If she could be Haruka's Master and send her, as an Otome, out in the world to fight battles far worse than this one. Battles which could hurt her badly, possibly even end her life.
Though as Master and Otome if Haruka died then Yukino would die with her and bleak as this prospect was, Yukino was almost glad for it because she didn't know if she could go on living if she gave the command which led to Haruka's death. Sending Haruka into battle wouldn't be easy for her, she knew this with utmost certainty, and she knew she wouldn't want to do it out of fear of losing her and she wondered if this would be a good quality to have as a President. Doubtless it would make her more pragmatic and less apt to act heedlessly on her emotions in the instances when Aries was attacked by the terrorists which often plagued their small homeland.
Stealth and trickery, that was how Shizuru won the battle. Haruka fought like she lived, she was open and honest about her intent, charging at Shizuru with a strength that was overwhelming but Shizuru sidestepped and gained the advantage and in five seconds it was over and half the coliseum was destroyed and Haruka… Haruka was lying crumpled in the rubble and Yukino was horrified at the result. It shocked Yukino at times, how Haruka could be that strong because of how gentle the blonde always treated her. Brushing her fingers softly against Haruka's forehead, pushing back loose strands of hair, she smiled softly and murmured the younger girl's name. Gasping when violet eyes opened just moments later and Haruka offered a sleepy smile by way of greeting, one that Yukino returned with a tearful smile of her own.
With permission from the doctor, they left the infirmary, and while it was the first time Yukino was truly allowed on the Garderobe grounds, her focus was entirely on Haruka, not their surroundings. Though she did note with a frown the attention that the blonde gained from the Corals as they made their way to her dorm room. Helping Haruka down on her bed, Yukino inspected the small room. She often imagined what the blonde's room looked like, mostly because Haruka wasn't adept at describing things and she blushed as she saw a framed photograph of herself on the desk and blinked in confusion on seeing her old pair of glasses that went missing some time ago. Lifting the glasses up, she turned to Haruka and looked at her with a questioning expression, smiling when the younger girl blushed and ducked her head.
"It's stupid," Haruka muttered, keeping her gaze away from Yukino as she spoke. "When I first got here I really wanted to have something of yours with me and I thought since you couldn't wear them anymore it'd be okay if I took your old glasses."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino said her name affectionately, putting the glasses down and walking over to the blonde. Holding Haruka's face in her hands and lifting her chin until their eyes met, she smiled sweetly and kissed Haruka tenderly, stretching her fingers across her cheek in a light caress. "It's not stupid at all."
"Having them helps me remember what I'm working so hard for," admitted Haruka quietly, wrapping her good arm around Yukino's waist and pulling the brunette closer. Resting her head against Yukino's chest, she continued, "Somehow they keep me focused."
Incredibly sweet and caring and heartbreakingly endearing, Haruka was all those things in this moment, and Yukino felt such love for her it was as if her heart would burst from the emotion. Leaning down to kiss the top of Haruka's head, Yukino sighed and wanted this moment to last forever, this moment where Haruka was safe, though she hated the fact that the other girl was injured, forming a dark expression when she thought about the battle and Shizuru's treatment of Haruka. She subtly held Haruka that much firmer in her grip, a strange fear seizing her, not wanting anymore harm to come to the blonde. They remained in silence until Haruka shifted in her arms to peer up at her.
"Yukino," said Haruka seriously, studying her with a gaze that told the other girl quite clearly that she wouldn't accept any excuses or attempts to avoid answering whatever question she was about to voice. "How long did the battle with bubuzuke last?"
If she could, Yukino wouldn't reply but she knew that wasn't an option from the stubborn set of Haruka's jaw and she averted her eyes, her hands contracting into fists as she thought about that awful battle and the sight of Haruka crumpled under the weight of that wall and Shizuru looking elegant and perfect and agonizingly regal as she bowed to the cheering coliseum. Yukino despised having to remember that. She despised it and she would do anything to remove the memory. "Five seconds," she said stiffly.
Silence reigned and Yukino wondered if Haruka was in shock. Even her defeat from Abigail Amsden didn't occur in such a short period of time and in such a devastating manner. Then a loud snort filled the air, contemptuous and holding a bizarre sort of humor, and Yukino turned to observe Haruka who wore a wry smile on her features. "Bubuzuke's been holding back," Haruka remarked. Her gaze fell to her arm wrapped up in a cast and lifted it slightly. "This is plenty enough proof of that." Moving more carefully than she would have under normal circumstances, she lay down on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. "I'm betting this is the only time she's gone all out. Which means those other times when she beat me she did it without even trying." Giving a low chuckle, Haruka muttered, "Real nice joke on me, bubuzuke."
Fair play was something inherently important to Haruka, it had been hammered into her by her parents. They taught her that whenever possible you should meet your opponent on a field of battle that was level, where both parties had an equal chance for victory. Of course, she knew in the real world there wasn't always room for that, especially when you were fighting wars, but they raised her to believe battles were best fought in such a manner. For Haruka to feel that way, to live that way, having that as her core belief as a fighter, and then to find out the person she considered her rival for all this time at Garderobe hadn't been trying in her previous battles against her? Just the idea of it would be crushing but to have it played out in a glaringly evident way that Haruka couldn't deny was so much worse. It made Yukino hate Shizuru Viola and wonder if the other girl was ever really a friend to the blonde or if she was just someone who enjoyed toying with Haruka.
Those feelings had to be pushed aside though because right now they didn't matter. What mattered was Haruka and helping her, removing that awful expression from her face that told Yukino that the younger girl didn't think herself good enough. "Shizuru-san was fighting for Kruger-san in the battle though," Yukino gently reminded, sitting down on the bed and smiling softly when Haruka looked to her. "Perhaps she fought so much harder because of that. Wouldn't Haruka-chan fight harder if I was the prize in a battle?"
"Of course!" exclaimed Haruka, looking offended that Yukino would think differently. Yukino smiled wider at this and pushed a lock of hair from Haruka's eyes, caressing her cheek as the blonde grumbled, "That's not it though. I suspected she was holding back but I figured it was little stuff, like on the written exams, maybe not using her full speed but this…" Haruka trailed off and her face grew dark and brooding. "She's been letting me win. There's no way she hasn't. Not if she's really as good as she was today."
"Haruka-chan," said Yukino helplessly, lost as to how she could help, and feeling her resentment towards Shizuru rising.
"Stupid bubuzuke," Haruka muttered this as if it were a curse, causing Yukino to smile because she found it strangely cute. Thrusting her arm that was in a cast into the air, she declared, "I'm going to give you a good spanking for tricking me all this time! And after that I'll make sure you fight me with your whole strength from now on! Otherwise my victories don't count for anything." Yukino laughed at this and Haruka looked to the brunette. "What?" she demanded, her brow furrowing at the older girl's reaction. "I can't be depressed forever. How am I going to beat her that way? I've lost all of this training time because of her playing games with me, acting weaker than she really is, do you know how much stronger I could've gotten fighting against bubuzuke at her full power? It's been a waste of my training and I'll punish her for that. You'll see."
More than anything Yukino hated seeing Haruka hurt in battle but she knew Haruka loved fighting just like she knew Haruka loved anything physical. It was in the blonde's nature, she was an active person and active people got injured, but it was in times like these that Yukino loved her the most. When Haruka faced a hardship that would crush and utterly destroy others, and instead picked herself right back up and returned with an even fiercer determination. Shizuru might be faster and smarter, but Haruka never gave up and Yukino thought that was a trait you could only be born with while the things Shizuru excelled at, to some degree, could be learned.
And if she knew her Haruka, they would be learned well.
To be continued...
SERIES: My Otome
AUTHOR: Dreiser
EMAIL: dreiser7@yahoo.com
YAHOO ID: dreiser7
MY WEBSITE: http://www.dreiser.org/
CONTENT: F/F romance. F/F sex. Haruka/Yukino.
SUMMARY: Haruka Armitage and Yukino Chrysant have done everything in their lives for a common purpose with a shared intent.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but my fun day at the Ren Faire.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sex scene and big time loss in battle.
Intents and Purposes
By: Dreiser
Eight
From the very start, Haruka found being apart from Yukino as the hardest part of being at Garderobe. The exams and the battles and the constant competition, they took their toll, but it was the fact she couldn't see Yukino every day that affected Haruka the most. After they confessed their feelings for one another it became that much harder because there was an entirely new element that Haruka missed when they were apart. She missed kissing Yukino, holding her close, touching her skin, and it seemed each time they were together they discovered something new and wonderful in their physical relationship and it was terribly addictive.
Haruka couldn't allow herself to become distracted though, not like she was at the end of the year battles. Her written exams had managed to propel her into the Trias and rank of No. 2 Pearl but she considered that more dumb luck than anything and she hated it. She hated the idea that she might have gotten where she was not from her own hard work and skill but from a matter of circumstance. While she might hate it she wasn't about to give her rank away, not when it guaranteed her graduation, and her future as Yukino's Otome. Instead she resolved to return to her previous path, the one Yukino encouraged, trying her best, working her hardest, proving she was worthy of being in the Trias and becoming an Otome.
That was what Haruka set her mind on doing although she knew her future depended on whatever position Yukino obtained after graduation. The brunette hinted at an opportunity with the Mayor of Caeles and some other jobs within the state government of Sol and Haruka was certain upon graduation Yukino would secure employment but whether it would merit Yukino's intelligence was yet to be seen. Thanks to Yukino she knew a little of how the political system operated and she realized the brunette would most likely have to work as an aide before she could run for any political office herself. They hadn't spoken much about it but Haruka was aware, even with the clout of the Chrysant name and what it meant in Aries, that Yukino would need to hold some elected office to have an Otome.
The success of Yukino's career in politics wasn't much of a worry for Haruka. She had supreme confidence in the older girl and her abilities, having seen all the work she did at Caeles Academy and Windbloom University. Yukino had a natural leadership quality and she managed to present her ideas, even to the opposition, in a way that almost everyone found merit in them and when they didn't, how she presented her argument tended to win over a good portion of those who made objections. All of these things and Yukino's innate goodness, how she truly wanted the best for Aries and all its people, caused Haruka to feel it would be impossible for her to not gain elected office.
Since her belief in Yukino was absolute, Haruka's main concern was her own success at Garderobe. She had to maintain her position as a member of the Trias, prove she was deserving of graduation and becoming Yukino's Otome. That was what she needed to do to fulfill her half of their promise and she wasn't about to let the older girl down, not when they were so close to achieving everything they dreamt of for so long. Extra training sessions with Miss Maria were maintained and she managed to convince her former roommate to spar with her as well, though more and more Haruka found her time with Shizuru cut short as the other girl indulged herself with her growing fanclub.
Watching Shizuru with the Corals who idolized her worried Haruka. In the brief discussions she had with Shizuru she knew that the brunette didn't believe their affection for her was real, that it had any value, and yet she devoted a great deal of time to them. Teasing and touching and doing all the things that Haruka had associated with Shizuru and it was harmless, yes, but that worry Haruka had for her friend just wouldn't go away. There was a sinking feeling she had that one day Shizuru would do this to the wrong Coral, take it too far, assume something she just shouldn't and then the results would be disastrous.
Haruka had tried to voice her concerns but Shizuru dismissed her with a charming smile, clinging to her arm and declaring her fondness for the blonde. When Haruka persisted in explaining her point of view, Shizuru went on to extol her immense sadness that as members of the Trias they had private rooms and could no longer be roommates, ending Haruka's train of thought by suggesting that if Yukino would allow it, perhaps they could still share a bed on an occasion. A remark which caused Haruka to shout louder than anyone had previously heard before as she chased Shizuru across the grounds.
For the next week, Haruka's grand pursuit of Shizuru across the Garderobe campus was a constant source of conversation. This was enough to convince the blonde to let the topic die and leave Shizuru to deal with her fanclub in whatever manner she saw appropriate. After all, it wasn't like the brunette went around telling her how to deal with people who had a habit of trailing after her wherever she went. Though she did suggest that Haruka try to control the volume and violence level of her threats when bothered by them.
Weeks passed and training consumed her as well as her developing romance with Yukino and Haruka let her mind drift from Shizuru until one day she was walking through the cafeteria and found her former roommate perplexed and sitting alone. Blinking at this, Haruka wondered where her constant swarm of admirers had gone but just as she thought this, a Coral hesitantly approached. Haruka recognized her as the No. 2 Coral, Natsuki Kruger, who had quickly risen through the ranks with her roommate Mai Tokiha who was the No. 1 Coral. A frown forming on her features, Haruka observed as Natsuki stammered and blushed her way through a conversation with the Pearl.
Shizuru remained sitting for a few moments before smoothly standing and offering that smile that always served to irritate Haruka, the one that was charm and artifice but Natsuki didn't seem to notice, her blush increasing in strength as Shizuru cupped her face in both hands. Then with surprise, Haruka watched Shizuru lean in for a kiss, observing as Natsuki's eyes went wide and her body grew stiff, Haruka winced at the sight and the sound of Natsuki's cry of protest and her slap to Shizuru's cheek. The brunette took a step back, appearing stunned, a reaction Haruka had never witnessed from the other girl before, and whatever she said to Natsuki next caused the Coral to form the most tortured expression that Haruka had ever seen as tears streamed down her face. Then she turned on her heel and ran out of the cafeteria leaving Shizuru in her wake. Haruka hadn't the slightest idea of what had just gone on but there was one thing she was certain about and that was the fact that Shizuru definitely needed her help.
Whether she liked it or not.
---
Yukino's dorm room had become their default location. Since admitting their feelings for one another they had numerous dates across all of Wind City but they always ended up in the place that had turned into their personal sanctuary. The one place they felt free to fully explore their developing feelings and where they always went after returning from a date. They were smiling and holding hands, carefully closing the door behind them to ensure complete privacy from the older girl's curious roommate, and Yukino gave a joyful and carefree laugh as Haruka flopped down on her bed, tugging Yukino's hand to encourage her to follow suit.
"I got permission to stay out late today," Haruka murmured, her voice husky, hand sliding up to touch the brunette's cheek. The tips of her fingers tangling in Yukino's short brown hair as her other hand pressed down on the small of the brunette's back, smiling as Yukino came to rest on top of her, their faces just a breath apart. "Bubuzuke helped me convince the Principal."
"That was nice of her," said Yukino in a whisper, shivering as Haruka's hand slipped under her shirt and lightly trailed across the bare skin of her back. Giving into her own rising desire, she leaned forward, kissing the blonde in a soft and sweet exploration, moaning as Haruka's tongue met her own, tasting deeply from the younger girl and blushing as she moved to caress Haruka's breasts. She felt Haruka smile and lean into her touch, encouraging Yukino who slid her hands underneath the younger girl's shirt, stopping to lie flat against her sculptured abdomen. They parted with a gasp and Yukino rested her forehead against Haruka's, taking in a shuddering breath, her eyes closed as she tried to calm herself. Once she felt a measure of control return, she opened them and looked at the blonde, her fingers contracting against Haruka's skin which was gloriously soft to the touch. "Haruka-chan," she asked. "Is this okay?"
"Did I say to stop?" Haruka responded breathlessly. When Yukino blushed and shook her head no, Haruka grinned and she rose up to capture the brunette in a kiss, murmuring against her lips, "Then it's okay." Burying her fingers in Yukino's hair, she stroked her scalp, and gently pulled the older girl closer, kissing her harder and deeper, tilting her head for better access and forming a satisfied smile when she felt Yukino shudder from their embrace. When they separated, Haruka's voice was rough as she said, "There's nothing you could do that I wouldn't like, Yukino." Holding the brunette's face in her hands, fingers moving across her skin in a light caress, Haruka kissed her with a passionate intent, pulling away as she said, "I don't want you to hold back anymore."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino sighed and she surrendered herself to the blonde. Her touch, her taste, the sound of her voice, the soft press of her kisses, until all she knew was Haruka, becoming utterly lost in the younger girl. She had been trying so very hard to do what Haruka had just requested, to not hold back, to stop hesitating, but it was hard after spending precisely four years doing just that. Breaking habits wasn't the easiest thing for Yukino and especially a habit of this sort which was a natural one considering her somewhat retiring and bashful nature in her personal life. She learned how to be aggressive and confident in her studies and her work but in her personal life Yukino still found herself struggling, only able to be pushed along by Haruka's open encouragement and clear desire for her to speak up and take action, to seize what she wanted for herself and right now what Yukino wanted was for the blonde's shirt to be gone. She wanted to feel skin on skin, to have that added level of intimacy, and that's why she pulled her lips from the younger girl's and whispered in her ear, "Take off your shirt."
Violet eyes widened momentarily then Haruka grinned and in a swift movement she reached down to remove her shirt, tossing it carelessly aside. The blonde remained sitting, clad in her bra and skirt and Yukino swallowed hard, taking in the sight before slowly moving forward, hands reaching out to touch Haruka's breasts as she moved in for another kiss. Her hands slipped down to explore the tanned skin, absorbing the incongruence, how it was silken and soft to the touch but she could feel the hard muscles underneath, proof of the blonde's years of hard physical training. When they parted from the kiss, Haruka's hands were at the edges of her own shirt, pulling it up and Yukino started to protest but stopped when she saw the earnest plea in the other girl's eyes.
"Please," Haruka murmured, voice low and thick with desire. "I want to see you."
A dark blush covering her features, Yukino gave a nod of assent and Haruka kissed her before tugging the shirt off and unlike her own, she conscientiously folded it and placed it on the nearby bedside dresser. Turning back to Yukino, she smiled sweetly and cupped her face in both hands. "You're beautiful," Haruka said in a whisper, hands moving gently on the brunette's body, sliding up her bare skin and settling on her breasts as she kissed her deeply. Thumbs moving in a circular caress, smiling when she felt the nipples harden from her touch and as they continued kissing, Haruka leaned back on the bed, lying down and taking Yukino with her. The older girl slipped her leg in between Haruka's as their kisses increased in strength and fervor, bringing their bodies into even closer contact.
They were closer than ever before but as always it wasn't close enough, Yukino wanted to feel more, to touch more of Haruka, and the blonde's words echoing in her mind, she slipped her hands underneath Haruka's back, unsnapping the younger girl's bra. Continuing to kiss Haruka, her hands moving in a slow and deliberate movement, she slid the bra down the blonde's shoulders, smiling when she felt Haruka arch up off the bed, allowing her better access to remove the material. When it was discarded on the floor, Yukino froze in place, hovering above the younger girl, taking in everything that was before her and unable to control her impulses, she moved forward, taking one of Haruka's nipples into her mouth, feeling an odd satisfaction at the gasp the younger girl released and the feel of her fingers moving into her hair, encouraging her onward and Yukino shifted her attention from one breast to the other, her hands not remaining still, caressing the tanned skin of Haruka's bare breasts for the first time, taking in the curve and the shape, lightly squeezing them in her grip. It was all so much, too much in a way, more than Yukino thought she could ever get from Haruka and Yukino was overwhelmed that she could do this, that she could touch Haruka in the way she always wanted, that she dreamed of, and she moved upwards, seizing her lips in a kiss.
As they kissed, she felt Haruka's hands moving behind her back, towards her own bra and she froze, her confidence faltering, certain that despite what Haruka said the blonde wouldn't like what she saw and they parted from their kiss, Haruka looking at her with concerned violet eyes, her hands stilling. "Yukino," she muttered and she reached up, touching the older girl's cheek. "What's the matter?"
She couldn't say the words, it was too embarrassing, and Yukino knew Haruka would deny them, that she would say she was wrong in her assumptions about Haruka's feelings towards her body and so Yukino didn't say anything at all. Instead, she turned from Haruka, a blush covering her features and a look of shame on her face, causing Haruka to frown.
"You don't want me to see you," Haruka stated flatly and her tone had a severity to it that made Yukino flinch. Nothing but the sound of silence and then Yukino felt Haruka shift underneath her and she looked to see the blonde reaching for her bra, about to put it back on and Yukino started to object but the blonde rose an eyebrow at this response. "What?" she asked gruffly, staring at Yukino expectantly. "You can see me but I can't see you? You can touch me but I can't touch you? Is that it?"
"Haruka-chan," Yukino protested. "That's not…" She trailed off, unable to explain herself, and Haruka's frown deepened.
"Yukino," Haruka said her name in somber tones. "Are you sure you want this? That you want me?"
Her eyes going wide, Yukino gasped and focused on the other girl, her eyes tearing at the idea of having what she suddenly gained with Haruka taken away. "Yes!" she said in a panic, scooting forward, holding Haruka's hands in her own. "This is what I've wanted for years. You're what I've wanted for years, Haruka-chan. Please don't ever doubt that."
"Then why won't you let me see you? Touch you?" asked Haruka, her frown remaining, but confusion and concern in her gaze.
Endless explanations and denials were at the tip of Yukino's tongue, things she could say to Haruka that wouldn't be the whole truth but instead only a glimpse of it and it would ease the blonde's mind as well as never give away her true concerns. She could have said any of them and she knew that Haruka would believe her because Haruka trusted her absolutely, without any reservations, and that's why Yukino couldn't say them. Even if the younger girl never realized what she did, she would and living with betraying that trust Haruka placed in her, it was such an awful thing to imagine, almost as awful as the reality of living her life without the blonde at her side. Difficult as it was, embarrassing as it was, she would have to tell the truth and hope that somehow things would turn out for the better because she simply couldn't lie. Not to Haruka.
"Your body is perfect," Yukino said eventually and her voice was just a whisper that Haruka had to strain to hear. Haruka's hands were gentle on the brunette's hips, carefully tugging her forward until they were wrapped up in a loose embrace. Hiding herself against Haruka's neck, she absorbed the smell of the other girl, spicy and sweet, something Yukino couldn't quite place but had always enjoyed. "You're beautiful, flawless, and I don't look that way, Haruka-chan. I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."
Silence then Yukino heard and felt Haruka sigh against her as the blonde's hold on her tightened imperceptibly. "Yukino is being stupid for once," Haruka said wryly. Though Yukino squirmed in her arms, Haruka managed to maintain her hold and look at the other girl who turned from her until she wasn't able, Haruka's hand on her jaw, moving her face firmly but gently until they were looking into each other's eyes. "I don't like it when people touch me. It makes me feel uncomfortable, ever since I was a kid. Hugs from my parents, that was pretty much all I could stand until I met you. When you touch me, it feels right, it feels good, and you're the only one who makes me feel that way. That's partly responsible for helping me figure out I was in love with you but if me touching you makes you nervous and afraid then--"
"No," interrupted Yukino quickly, shaking her head. "It feels good when you touch me, Haruka-chan."
"But you don't want me to look at you," finished Haruka, staring at Yukino solemnly. "Because you think you don't look as good as I do." When Yukino turned away from her again and gave a slight nod, Haruka released an exasperated puff of air and muttered, "I don't know how to help you feel better about that, Yukino. Except to tell you that you're the only person I ever wanted to look at that way."
"Really?" Yukino's voice was small, less than a whisper, but in the silence of her room it seemed as loud as a shout.
"Really," reaffirmed Haruka, holding Yukino's face in her hands and resting their foreheads together. "I want to see you because I love you but if you don't want me to then that's okay. I can wait until you're ready, when you won't be so afraid, but don't ever think I'd be disappointed, Yukino. You're the only thing in my life that I know for sure could never disappoint me just because you're you."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino said her name in a broken sob, clinging to the younger girl, burying her face in her neck. Haruka smiled sadly and held Yukino close and the brunette shivered as she felt the soft press of Haruka's lips on the top of her head heard a loving murmur. Hearing this from Haruka, feeling this, she wondered why she was so afraid, why she was certain Haruka would find some fault in her, and she knew it just came from her own insecurity, not any measure of proof or even a real belief that the blonde would react that way. All of this came from her, not the younger girl who had always been so very earnest and honest in her affection and desire that there wasn't any way she could doubt it, not when it came from Haruka. That's why Yukino swallowed hard, pushing down her fears and her needless anxiety, her voice wavering but growing more confident by the moment as she said, "I don't want to wait. I want you to see me now."
"Yukino," Haruka said her name worriedly, forming a frown. "You don't have to do that."
"I want to," said Yukino softly, responding to the blonde's concerned protest by placing her index finger over Haruka's lips. A blush covering her features, she ducked her head, finger falling away and her sudden confidence starting to abandon her. "Unless you rather not--"
Whatever she was going to say next was silenced by the hard press of Haruka's lips against her own, moving fast and eager, exploring her with a passion that left Yukino breathless and trembling in her wake. When they separated, Haruka looked down at her with eyes dark with desire, her voice rough as she said, "I want to see you. I'll always want to see Yukino."
Then she slowly moved her hands around Yukino's back, unsnapping her bra and the material immediately loosened. Keeping her touch steady and reassuring, Haruka's hands slid to rest on the brunette's midsection as violet eyes inspected Yukino's features. Her hand slipped up to touch Yukino's cheek, her thumb moving in a circular caress. Only when the brunette's breathing evened and green eyes looked into her own, giving Haruka silent permission, did she finally go about removing the bra, sliding it off of the older girl's body with ease.
Keeping her gaze steady with Yukino's, she carefully reached back to place it on the dresser. Moving in for another kiss, this one lazy and languid, expressing all of the love and desire she had for the other girl, Haruka placed one hand at the small of Yukino's back, urging the older girl closer to her as she held the weight of Yukino's breast in the other. It was so soft, wonderfully soft and full and Haruka found herself suddenly feeling altogether hot and anxious, and her hand seemed to move of it's own accord, brushing across the surface of the nipple, delighting in the way it hardened at her touch and Haruka wanted to be closer to Yukino, this wasn't nearly enough, and she reversed their positions, easing Yukino down onto the bed and cautiously lowering her weight on top of her.
Control wasn't something that Haruka ever bothered much with, she followed her instincts and let them tell her what was right and wrong but she tried to have some control when she was with Yukino, not wanting to push the other girl into anything but suddenly all of that was gone. It had left her the moment she took Yukino in, saw her naked chest for the first time, and experienced a wave of desire and lust that she never encountered before, one that left her body aching and needy, wanting to see more, feel more, of the older girl. Her kisses moved lower, down Yukino's neck and to her chest, sucking on one breast and then the other, her caresses curious and seeking, smiling at the moans and trembles her touch caused. She came to a stop at Yukino's midsection and her hands played at the top of the brunette's skirt, moving one hand upwards, cupping Yukino's cheek, she watched as the older girl took in several shaky breaths before opening her eyes and giving a jerky nod of permission, her reply coming in a whisper that it was all right, that she wanted this.
In a smooth movement, Haruka pulled the material down, pausing only a moment before following suit with Yukino's panties and like before, she treated the clothing with far more care than her own, folding it quickly and placing it on the bedside dresser. Haruka made quick work of the rest of her own clothes, tossing them aside and standing naked before the blushing brunette who looked at her with wide eyes. Taking in the slight steam forming on Yukino's glasses, Haruka chuckled and removed them, murmuring that the older girl wouldn't need glasses now, that they were close enough to see her without them and she placed the glasses on the dresser, kissing Yukino deeply, her hands wandering the length of her body, taking in her curves and valleys until that was all she knew.
Arriving at Yukino's thighs, aware of how her moans and trembles increased, and the heat of her skin grew that much stronger, Haruka slipped her hand in between the older girl's legs, shivering at the warmth she encountered. Wet, Yukino was so wet, and it was because of her, it was for her, this was almost more than Haruka could properly comprehend and she kissed the brunette harder, sucking on her tongue as her fingers slipped into Yukino's pussy, moving in slow and steady strokes, taking in the gasps and the eager thrusts of the older girl's hips. She lowered her thumb, brushing it over Yukino's clit teasingly, increasing the pressure on her clit to match the speed of her thrusts and when Yukino came, her body rising off the bed, a frozen portrait of pleasure, Haruka drank in her cries with a kiss, absorbing them for her own.
"Yukino," Haruka said in husky tones, sliding her fingers out of the older girl, taking in her shivers and sliding her hand behind Yukino's back to hold her closer. Burying her face in the crook of Yukino's neck, she murmured, "I love you."
"I love you too, Haruka-chan," said Yukino breathlessly, smiling tenderly and running her fingers through the blonde's hair. When Haruka looked up at her, she held her face in her hands and kissed her, murmuring against her lips, "And I want to make you feel good."
Haruka groaned at this, losing herself to Yukino's kisses, allowing the brunette to shift her onto her back, gasping when Yukino began a path of kisses down her body, from her neck to her collarbone, breasts and stomach, stopping at her thighs, pushing them apart with gentle force and lowering her head to taste from the younger girl for the first time. Flattening her tongue, she explored in long and slow licks, smiling when she felt Haruka's finger lace themselves into her hair, encouraging her onward and she sucked on the blonde's clit as she continued her explorations, thrusting her tongue further into Haruka's pussy, wanting to taste more, to feel more, increasing her pace until she felt Haruka shake and heard her release a hoarse cry, fingers contracting in her hair. Allowing herself to be tugged upwards by the younger girl, Yukino smiled as she rested the length of her body against Haruka's, enjoying the sensation of skin on skin, feeling completely content, she breathed in her scent and smiled as she felt the blonde's arms wrap around her, holding her close.
They woke early in the evening, just in time for dinner, and after taking a quick shower they walked hand in hand through Wind City until they arrived at a small café near Windbloom University's campus. Placing orders with their waitress, they sat in a happy daze, caught up in one another's presence and oblivious to the outside world. They would have remained that way if not for the interruption of their food arriving and as they ate, the manners Yukino was raised with took hold and she asked about the progress of Haruka's studies at Garderobe.
"They're going good for me," Haruka said, taking a large bite of her sandwich. The blonde paused to swallow and continued, "But bubuzuke hasn't been acting like herself ever since the incident with Kruger. I could've taken the number one spot from her if I wanted but it wouldn't be fair when she's like this. Trouble is, no matter what I do she won't talk to me about it. She's just being stubborn and stupid," Haruka grumbled.
"Kruger-san slapped her, isn't that right?" questioned Yukino, recalling what Haruka told her about that day.
"Yeah," said Haruka, spearing a vegetable with her fork and chewing on it thoughtfully. "I got some of the Corals who are always following me around to tell me about it since bubuzuke won't say anything. Apparently Kruger asked Shizuru if she could be her heya-gakkari."
"A room attendant?" Yukino asked, looking a bit uncertain if what she said was correct.
Giving a nod of assent, Haruka continued, "I guess bubuzuke responded with her usual flirty routine and Kruger didn't take well to it. Seems to me like Kruger maybe had real feelings for Shizuru or who she thought was Shizuru since all those little Corals were rambling about her being disillusioned or something after having bubuzuke come onto her." Haruka snorted in disdain and muttered, "If you ask me both of them are acting like idiots. Kruger for assuming things about Shizuru just like everybody else then getting pissy when everything she assumed turns out not to be true and the bubuzuke for thinking everybody really wants her to act like she thinks they do." Her face screwing up in a look of confusion, Haruka scratched the back of her head and blinked. "Did that even make sense?"
"It makes perfect sense, Haruka-chan," said Yukino kindly though she gave a soft laugh at the adorable look that the blonde was wearing. Reaching out to hold the younger girl's hand, she squeezed it gently. "You want to help Shizuru-san, don't you?"
In response, Haruka automatically blustered and tried to play off her own concern with denials until she looked into Yukino's green eyes that were warm and accepting and she groaned, then relented in a mumble, "I want to help the bubuzuke. I owe her."
"Why is that?" asked Yukino curiously.
At first she thought Haruka was simply concerned for a friend but in a way, it made more sense if the blonde felt somewhat obligated as Haruka simply wasn't the type to go interfering in other peoples personal lives. If she was totally honest, she often experienced a twinge of jealousy towards Shizuru because of all the time she was granted with Haruka and the fact that she got to see a side of Haruka that Yukino didn't. There was also the fact that Shizuru Viola painted an almost uncanny image of perfection and it was hard not to feel inadequate in comparison. Although the hours they had spent in bed together today, exploring every last inch of each other's bodies and hearing the love and the lust in Haruka's voice as she said her name, well, that reassured Yukino immensely.
"If it wasn't for Shizuru I wouldn't have realized how I feel for you," Haruka revealed in serious tones, though a reddish tinge covered her cheeks, exposing her embarrassment on letting Yukino know about this. "The least I can do is give her a hand with Kruger."
There were countless things that Yukino was positive weren't acknowledged about Haruka and the chief amongst them was how sweet she was. How she had a level of concern and care a great deal of other people didn't possess and her worry for Shizuru in this instance was yet another example of this and it made the brunette love her that much more. "Then we'll find a way to help her," said Yukino resolutely.
"We?" Haruka questioned, lifting an eyebrow.
"If Haruka-chan wants to help Shizuru-san then so do I," said Yukino in matter of fact tones. "And it doesn't seem like you've had much luck on your own."
"Bubuzuke won't listen to what I have to say," groused Haruka, forming a scowl as she thought about it.
"How do you think Shizuru-san feels about Kruger-san?" asked Yukino gently.
"She likes her," said Haruka plainly, leaning back in her chair and lifting the top legs off the ground. "Only she doesn't know what to do about it. Bubuzuke never had anyone reject her advances like that. I mean, not even I go that far, I push her off and I yell but slap her? I never did that because as annoying as her being all clingy with me is there's not any real harm in it as far I as I can see. It's just her way but Kruger… she didn't like it." Haruka paused, frowning deeply and resting her chin on her hand that was balled up in a fist. "I think she wanted something more from Shizuru. Something genuine, something real, instead of the act she's always putting on and bubuzuke knows that and I figure the reason she's been hiding herself away is she's finally found out she wants the same thing. Problem is, she won't do anything about it. She avoids Kruger at all costs, feels ashamed for what she did in the cafeteria, trying to kiss her and putting on all her usual moves."
"What about Kruger-san?" Yukino pursued.
"Same thing," grunted Haruka, letting the chair fall forward onto all four legs. "She avoids Shizuru and won't talk to anybody. The way they're both acting it's easy to see they're suited to each other, acting stupid and stubborn in all the same ways."
Smiling at this, recognizing the concern in the midst of Haruka's complaints, Yukino murmured, "If they won't listen to any advice then perhaps it would be best to show them what you mean." When Haruka blinked at this and looked at her in confusion, her smile widened and Yukino continued, "You just need to arrange a situation where Shizuru-san and Kruger-san are confronted by how they feel for one another, that's all." Haruka frowned and demanded how she could do that and Yukino tilted her head, wearing a contemplative expression before an idea sprang to mind. "The enrollment battles are starting soon, aren't they?"
"Two weeks," said Haruka, her frown remaining. "I got you a ticket, remember?"
The smile on her face becoming that much larger, Yukino felt the beginnings of a plan form, and leaning across the table, she explained it to Haruka whose violet eyes went wide and as she heard the details a matching smile soon formed on her features. Yukino's solution was something that Haruka never would have come up with on her own and to the blonde it was evidence of why they belonged together, how any situation, no matter how difficult and confounding, could always be solved when she worked with Yukino.
Even when the problem was as frustrating as her former roommate.
---
An hour every day the members of the Trias had to be in their official council room. When they were in the room and if they were in it together was entirely up to them but an hour every day was the rule. This was so they could be approached by other students with their concerns and questions and it was an unspoken tradition for Haruka and Shizuru to spend their hour together. Usually it was a lively affair filled with talk and protesting from Haruka as Shizuru clung onto her but lately it was silent and awkward and Haruka loathed it.
That's why she decided to put Yukino's plan into action by launching into a tirade about what's required of an Otome, hoping to get some response from Shizuru who continued to stare out the window, a melancholy expression on her features. Haruka frowned severely at this. It was far worse than she feared. Clearing her throat, she loudly declared her intention to be the No. 1 Pearl and waited for a reaction. Again, nothing, just Shizuru staring out the window, her expression depressed and utterly unlike herself. Gritting her teeth in irritation, Haruka quickly lost her patience and demanded to know if the brunette was even listening to her.
At long last, she was given a response when Shizuru turned to face her and replied, "Yes." She considered the blonde carefully, tilting her head. "Is that what you want to do?" A pale imitation of her usual teasing smile tugged at her lips and Haruka found it almost painful to look upon, it was so unlike the other girl, as Shizuru drawled, "But I'm always ready to give Haruka-san the title of number one without doing this."
"You," Haruka growled the word, unable to hold her feelings back anymore. "Get a grip!" Shizuru blinked at this, her rust colored eyes reflecting a real surprise at Haruka's outburst. Though Haruka was hardly done, she was on a roll, all of her opinions about the situation came spilling out as she looked at this sad and pathetic version of her former roommate which thoroughly annoyed her. "Ever since that Coral gave you the cold shoulder, you've become such a coward! Get a grip and realize your true feelings!"
"My true feelings?" said Shizuru in a whisper.
"That's right!" said Haruka, staring Shizuru down and wondering if maybe they wouldn't need to put Yukino's plan into action. For the first time in weeks it seemed like she might be getting through to Shizuru. "You're always giggling as if you don't care but your true nature is nothing like that."
For a moment, Haruka saw a glimmer of something there. Hope, fear, realization, something, but it quickly disappeared as the polite mask was put back into place and Shizuru offered her a cup of tea. Suddenly thirsty from all her yelling, Haruka asked for a second cup, grumbling as she observed the weary smile the brunette formed at her request. She wasn't entirely dense, she knew that Shizuru wanted to get rid of her, just like she knew she wouldn't be able to get her to understand anything with words. It seemed the plan would have to be used.
Grabbing Shizuru's hand in her own, Haruka began a determined walk through Garderobe, absently noting this was the first time she had done such a thing. Usually she was the one pulled all over the place by Shizuru, protesting heartily along the way, but in comparison Shizuru was quiet, allowing Haruka to drag her along until she recognized they were heading into the Coral dorm and she started to question Haruka about it only to find herself silenced as they stopped at the door to Natsuki Kruger and Mai Tokiha's room.
"Oi!" Haruka knocked on the door loudly, noticing with a grimace they had attracted a crowd of Coral students. Much as she disliked all the invasive attention Shizuru tended to attract it did serve her purpose on this occasion and so she put up with the squeals of her and Shizuru's names. "Natsuki Kruger!" Haruka called out, deciding to open the door as she grew sick of waiting. "You in here?"
They stepped into the room amidst more squeals of their names from the gathering Corals and Natsuki, ever the obedient and proper student, jumped to her feet upon seeing the figures of her two sempai. "Yes!" she stammered in response, looking at them with wide eyes.
"Huh," muttered Haruka, scratching her cheek and suddenly giving pause. Although she worked all this out with Yukino and she was sure it would succeed because it was Yukino's plan and Yukino was never wrong about things of this nature she never considered asking anyone this question before and found herself at a loss despite it being an act. "It's a bit late but I've decided I want you to be my heya-gakkari."
"Haruka-san!" Shizuru exclaimed and Haruka grinned on getting an actual emotion from the brunette. "That's--"
"So what?" Haruka blustered, puffing her cheeks out and folding her arms across her chest, enjoying the cries of Shizuru's Coral fanclub for once. "You're too late. Ah," Haruka paused to consider, forming what she hoped was a thoughtful expression though she had no idea if she was fooling anybody. It seemed like Shizuru and Natsuki didn't know what she was up to but the busty redhead, Mai, she might be another story. "How about a challenge at the enrollment battles then? Whoever wins will make this girl their heya-gakkari."
Three years they spent together at Garderobe and never had Haruka seen Shizuru's eyes flash like they did now, sparking with a dangerous and real intent, a grim smile playing on her lips as she agreed to Haruka's challenge. Shaking hands on it, they exited the Coral dorm and Haruka immediately set about training because she knew what that look meant, that Shizuru would be fighting with her whole heart perhaps for the very first time and that was a very daunting prospect indeed but it was also an exciting one. She would finally get to see what Shizuru was like in battle when she fought with her heart as well as her head and to win against that Haruka would need more than guts.
---
Five seconds.
Watching battles, especially Haruka's battles, wasn't something Yukino did often. She was well aware of the blonde's fighting style or some would argue, lack thereof, and she knew how the younger girl was fearless in her encounters. How she fought with everything she had and possessed little regard for her own safety if it meant winning the task at hand and there wasn't anything Yukino hated more than seeing Haruka hurt.
That being the case, Yukino didn't watch a great many of Haruka's battles but the ones she did watch, they never ended like this. They never ended in five seconds with a frightening ferocity that caused Yukino to blanch and cry out in genuine horror, rushing through the coliseum and demanding to be taken to the infirmary, all the while the image of Haruka's broken form filling her minds eye and she wondered why she felt so compelled to help other Otome trainee in the first place. Not when she did such a thing to Haruka. It was beyond her comprehension how Shizuru could be Haruka's friend and do that to her. She knew they fought regularly in Garderobe, that friends became enemies in battle, and Haruka wouldn't want the other girl to hold back in a fight but it was all so very awful to Yukino, how Haruka looked after this battle.
After much debating and arguing and finally some conceding, Yukino was allowed into the Garderobe infirmary where Haruka lay prone on strange cot, her face covered in bandages and her arm in a cast. The doctor reassured her that with the nanomachines in her system her broken arm would heal in a week and the cuts on her face and body would be fine in just a day. Despite this, Yukino couldn't ease her mind, the worry and the fear eating at her and she wondered if she could really do this. If she could be Haruka's Master and send her, as an Otome, out in the world to fight battles far worse than this one. Battles which could hurt her badly, possibly even end her life.
Though as Master and Otome if Haruka died then Yukino would die with her and bleak as this prospect was, Yukino was almost glad for it because she didn't know if she could go on living if she gave the command which led to Haruka's death. Sending Haruka into battle wouldn't be easy for her, she knew this with utmost certainty, and she knew she wouldn't want to do it out of fear of losing her and she wondered if this would be a good quality to have as a President. Doubtless it would make her more pragmatic and less apt to act heedlessly on her emotions in the instances when Aries was attacked by the terrorists which often plagued their small homeland.
Stealth and trickery, that was how Shizuru won the battle. Haruka fought like she lived, she was open and honest about her intent, charging at Shizuru with a strength that was overwhelming but Shizuru sidestepped and gained the advantage and in five seconds it was over and half the coliseum was destroyed and Haruka… Haruka was lying crumpled in the rubble and Yukino was horrified at the result. It shocked Yukino at times, how Haruka could be that strong because of how gentle the blonde always treated her. Brushing her fingers softly against Haruka's forehead, pushing back loose strands of hair, she smiled softly and murmured the younger girl's name. Gasping when violet eyes opened just moments later and Haruka offered a sleepy smile by way of greeting, one that Yukino returned with a tearful smile of her own.
With permission from the doctor, they left the infirmary, and while it was the first time Yukino was truly allowed on the Garderobe grounds, her focus was entirely on Haruka, not their surroundings. Though she did note with a frown the attention that the blonde gained from the Corals as they made their way to her dorm room. Helping Haruka down on her bed, Yukino inspected the small room. She often imagined what the blonde's room looked like, mostly because Haruka wasn't adept at describing things and she blushed as she saw a framed photograph of herself on the desk and blinked in confusion on seeing her old pair of glasses that went missing some time ago. Lifting the glasses up, she turned to Haruka and looked at her with a questioning expression, smiling when the younger girl blushed and ducked her head.
"It's stupid," Haruka muttered, keeping her gaze away from Yukino as she spoke. "When I first got here I really wanted to have something of yours with me and I thought since you couldn't wear them anymore it'd be okay if I took your old glasses."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino said her name affectionately, putting the glasses down and walking over to the blonde. Holding Haruka's face in her hands and lifting her chin until their eyes met, she smiled sweetly and kissed Haruka tenderly, stretching her fingers across her cheek in a light caress. "It's not stupid at all."
"Having them helps me remember what I'm working so hard for," admitted Haruka quietly, wrapping her good arm around Yukino's waist and pulling the brunette closer. Resting her head against Yukino's chest, she continued, "Somehow they keep me focused."
Incredibly sweet and caring and heartbreakingly endearing, Haruka was all those things in this moment, and Yukino felt such love for her it was as if her heart would burst from the emotion. Leaning down to kiss the top of Haruka's head, Yukino sighed and wanted this moment to last forever, this moment where Haruka was safe, though she hated the fact that the other girl was injured, forming a dark expression when she thought about the battle and Shizuru's treatment of Haruka. She subtly held Haruka that much firmer in her grip, a strange fear seizing her, not wanting anymore harm to come to the blonde. They remained in silence until Haruka shifted in her arms to peer up at her.
"Yukino," said Haruka seriously, studying her with a gaze that told the other girl quite clearly that she wouldn't accept any excuses or attempts to avoid answering whatever question she was about to voice. "How long did the battle with bubuzuke last?"
If she could, Yukino wouldn't reply but she knew that wasn't an option from the stubborn set of Haruka's jaw and she averted her eyes, her hands contracting into fists as she thought about that awful battle and the sight of Haruka crumpled under the weight of that wall and Shizuru looking elegant and perfect and agonizingly regal as she bowed to the cheering coliseum. Yukino despised having to remember that. She despised it and she would do anything to remove the memory. "Five seconds," she said stiffly.
Silence reigned and Yukino wondered if Haruka was in shock. Even her defeat from Abigail Amsden didn't occur in such a short period of time and in such a devastating manner. Then a loud snort filled the air, contemptuous and holding a bizarre sort of humor, and Yukino turned to observe Haruka who wore a wry smile on her features. "Bubuzuke's been holding back," Haruka remarked. Her gaze fell to her arm wrapped up in a cast and lifted it slightly. "This is plenty enough proof of that." Moving more carefully than she would have under normal circumstances, she lay down on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. "I'm betting this is the only time she's gone all out. Which means those other times when she beat me she did it without even trying." Giving a low chuckle, Haruka muttered, "Real nice joke on me, bubuzuke."
Fair play was something inherently important to Haruka, it had been hammered into her by her parents. They taught her that whenever possible you should meet your opponent on a field of battle that was level, where both parties had an equal chance for victory. Of course, she knew in the real world there wasn't always room for that, especially when you were fighting wars, but they raised her to believe battles were best fought in such a manner. For Haruka to feel that way, to live that way, having that as her core belief as a fighter, and then to find out the person she considered her rival for all this time at Garderobe hadn't been trying in her previous battles against her? Just the idea of it would be crushing but to have it played out in a glaringly evident way that Haruka couldn't deny was so much worse. It made Yukino hate Shizuru Viola and wonder if the other girl was ever really a friend to the blonde or if she was just someone who enjoyed toying with Haruka.
Those feelings had to be pushed aside though because right now they didn't matter. What mattered was Haruka and helping her, removing that awful expression from her face that told Yukino that the younger girl didn't think herself good enough. "Shizuru-san was fighting for Kruger-san in the battle though," Yukino gently reminded, sitting down on the bed and smiling softly when Haruka looked to her. "Perhaps she fought so much harder because of that. Wouldn't Haruka-chan fight harder if I was the prize in a battle?"
"Of course!" exclaimed Haruka, looking offended that Yukino would think differently. Yukino smiled wider at this and pushed a lock of hair from Haruka's eyes, caressing her cheek as the blonde grumbled, "That's not it though. I suspected she was holding back but I figured it was little stuff, like on the written exams, maybe not using her full speed but this…" Haruka trailed off and her face grew dark and brooding. "She's been letting me win. There's no way she hasn't. Not if she's really as good as she was today."
"Haruka-chan," said Yukino helplessly, lost as to how she could help, and feeling her resentment towards Shizuru rising.
"Stupid bubuzuke," Haruka muttered this as if it were a curse, causing Yukino to smile because she found it strangely cute. Thrusting her arm that was in a cast into the air, she declared, "I'm going to give you a good spanking for tricking me all this time! And after that I'll make sure you fight me with your whole strength from now on! Otherwise my victories don't count for anything." Yukino laughed at this and Haruka looked to the brunette. "What?" she demanded, her brow furrowing at the older girl's reaction. "I can't be depressed forever. How am I going to beat her that way? I've lost all of this training time because of her playing games with me, acting weaker than she really is, do you know how much stronger I could've gotten fighting against bubuzuke at her full power? It's been a waste of my training and I'll punish her for that. You'll see."
More than anything Yukino hated seeing Haruka hurt in battle but she knew Haruka loved fighting just like she knew Haruka loved anything physical. It was in the blonde's nature, she was an active person and active people got injured, but it was in times like these that Yukino loved her the most. When Haruka faced a hardship that would crush and utterly destroy others, and instead picked herself right back up and returned with an even fiercer determination. Shizuru might be faster and smarter, but Haruka never gave up and Yukino thought that was a trait you could only be born with while the things Shizuru excelled at, to some degree, could be learned.
And if she knew her Haruka, they would be learned well.
To be continued...
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Oh, that was GOOD!
:)
I love how Yukino and Haruka tricked Shizuru, it so fit them. And Shizuru beating her in five seconds? Remind me not to piss her off!
And I second the icon love.
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*lol*
Seiously, I had no problem with 'pussy' and have no idea what the reader had a issue with.
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Although I'm not sure why I'm debating when I already posted saying I was leaving it in. I guess I'm girlish that way. I dunno.
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Anyways! Wonderful chapter! :D
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There's a reason I love Shizuru, but sometimes she disturbs the hell out of me. I mean, on some level she had to realize what Haruka was trying to accomplish, that she didn't actually WANT Natuski as her attendant. But when she issued her challenge, that little machine in the corner of Shizuru's brain no longer identified Haruka as "friend/roomie/colleague". Suddenly she came up on the radar as "THREAT". And then it became "no holds barred", "go for the throat", "next time I'll kill you".
Really great. I love seeing Haruka the unstoppable force and immovable object all rolled into one.
Sincerely, Allaine
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