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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 MST3k movie marathon.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Senate elections and a year of separation.
Intents and Purposes
By: Dreiser
Ten
The graduation ceremony at Windbloom University was an impressive event that took months to arrange. As Student Body President, a good deal of that planning landed on Yukino's shoulders along with the request to make a speech before the students at graduation. Doing all of that on top of finishing the last of her classes and preparing for an election campaign in Aries placed the brunette in a frazzled state of mind. In an attempt to provide the students with time to decompress and truly enjoy their graduation, they were given a week after their final class of the semester to begin the process of packing and leaving the dorms before the actual graduation ceremony took place.
Due to her family's status and wealth and the very pressing need for Yukino to return to Aries as soon as possible, the day after she completed her last class at Windbloom University all of her things were packed and relocated to a small townhouse in the heart of Caeles that her grandmother left to Yukino in her will. The importance of her living independently and separate from her parents had been enforced quite strongly by one of her election advisors and the brunette actually found herself excited at the prospect of having her own space. Especially if it was a space she would soon share solely with Haruka. She liked the idea of living with Haruka, sharing her life with her in all ways, both work and personal, and she began to picture how the house would look with the blonde's things put here and there, her clothes folded in the drawers and her exercise equipment in the large basement which she was certain Haruka would claim in that capacity.
It was the image of that future which helped calm Yukino and keep her focused during this hectic time and she knew it was the thought of Haruka and the dream they shared that would help her through the tough election process. And when she was giving her speech, looking out into a crowd of thousands of her fellow students at graduation it was seeing Haruka in the audience, sitting next to her parents, a proud smile on her face and her gaze loving, that helped to settle her nerves.
When the ceremony was over, Yukino found herself swarmed by friends, family, university faculty, and fellow students but through all the chaos, Haruka found her and stayed by her side, holding her hand and smiling in reassurance whenever Yukino looked her way. Just having her there made Yukino feel complete and it soothed whatever anxiety she felt because as she said that speech her mind didn't stay on the words she was saying or on the memories of her time at Windbloom University but instead on her immediate future. On the upcoming election and the pressure, the absolute need to win, so she could secure her future with Haruka, and the stress of this formed a pit in her stomach that stayed with her until she was in Haruka's presence then suddenly it lessened until the point where it almost disappeared.
What was it about Haruka, she wondered, that gave her confidence, that settled her nerves? Yukino didn't know what it was exactly, she didn't think she ever would but she knew it was evidence of the love she felt for the younger girl, that she was the only person who just by walking into a room could make her feel at ease, as if no matter how difficult the problem she could fix it as long as she had Haruka with her. That was what maintained her belief that they could fulfill their dream, that despite how cutthroat the campaign would get, the horrible things that the Referendums were sure to say about her and her family and their beliefs, she could take it because Haruka would be with her, if not physically but in spirit and in their shared dream to better their country.
Attending the graduation celebration wasn't really something Yukino could avoid thanks to her status as the former Student Body President and in a way, she saw it as preparation of sorts for the campaign she was soon going to start. She grew up attending parties and events as a child when she rather be at home reading a book or playing with her toys and she knew how to find something good, something enjoyable, out of the most tedious situation and even if she couldn't do that, at least how to politely grin and bear it. The campaign she was going to run would be exhaustive, she planned on talking to every elected official from the state and those in the federal government of importance in her party so they could know her as a separate entity from her father because despite her great love and respect for him they did diverge in their opinions and solutions for the various problems that plagued Sol and Aries as a whole.
On top of that, she wanted to travel every last inch of the state she would represent, meeting her constituents, speaking with them, learning what they would want from her as an elected official and explaining her plans, her dreams, for both Sol and Aries. Her advisors had already begun to make calls, to arrange meetings and campaign stops, and she knew her schedule was going to be grueling and there would be constant times when she just wanted to be alone but she couldn't, she'd have to attend things, she'd have to speak and meet and listen. Just like now at this party, when she was weary and exhausted and nervous about the future that was all too close, looming around the corner, but she had to stay and smile and be gracious.
But having Haruka with her helped, Haruka always helped, and whenever she felt irritated with a conversation she would glance over at the blonde who would inevitably share this feeling but would hide it far worse, a barely suppressed scowl on her face and her toe tapping as she looked off to one side and Yukino would somehow feel better. She could smile and she could listen to that once irritating conversation with an added focus that hadn't been there previously all while squeezing Haruka's hand, her smile widening when she sensed the younger girl relax at her gesture. Hours passed and the party dragged on and by the time they left, Yukino felt thoroughly exhausted, mentally and physically.
They walked into the hotel, separating from Yukino's parents once they stepped out of the elevator, and Yukino leaned gratefully against Haruka, resting her head on her shoulder and sighing as the blonde unlocked the door to the older girl's hotel room. After flipping on the lights, Haruka turned to Yukino and in an effortless and smooth movement, she gathered Yukino into her arms, carrying her like a groom did their bride over the threshold, walking through the room and gently depositing the brunette onto the bed.
"Haruka-chan," Yukino murmured, not really protesting, but a blush covering her features.
Giving a low hushing sound, Haruka removed Yukino's shoes, her hand sliding up to follow suit with the stockings, meeting their eyes, her expression determined but loving at the same time as she said, "Let me take care of you."
Just nod, that was all Yukino could do in response, just nod because she was overwhelmed by her emotions. She was embarrassed still, somehow shy, but so very happy to have Haruka treating her this way. Maybe it was her intelligence or the fact she was often in a leadership role but Yukino was never really babied by anyone, spoiled, or treated delicately and special but Haruka… she did that for her and as much as it did make her feel self-conscious, she enjoyed it so much. It made her feel wonderfully feminine and attractive to have Haruka give her this kind of attention and what made it even better was how she could tell the blonde did it without any real thought. This was instinct with Haruka and that just solidified Yukino's confidence in Haruka's feelings for her because it was all so romantic, so loving, and it could constantly be seen in all these little gestures. Happening enough that Yukino didn't really ever need the younger girl to say the words I love you but she always said them and she would do this with such conviction that Yukino could never doubt Haruka's feelings for her.
"Those advisors," Haruka remarked as she carefully unbuttoned Yukino's shirt and slid it off her shoulders. "They follow you everywhere, don't they?" Her expression was veiled but the brunette could see the annoyance beneath the surface that was bubbling up.
Pushing a loose lock of hair behind Haruka's ear and smiling when violet eyes lifted to look at her, Yukino replied, "It's their job."
"I don't like it," grumbled Haruka and there was a peevish tone to her voice that Yukino never heard before and something about it made her smile wider because it was so very charming to her ears. Meticulously folding the older girl's shirt and placing it on the nearby dresser, Haruka returned to her former place in front of Yukino and began to gently remove her skirt as well, the brunette lifting her bottom off the bed to help and watching Haruka as she said, "They act like they're the ones running for office, not you. I don't like that. They're your advisors, that means they work for you but it doesn't seem like they understand that. Yukino shouldn't have anyone bossing her around."
"They're just trying to help," said Yukino, her tone soft and soothing as she watched Haruka fold her skirt and place it on the dresser. "In the end, all of us want the same thing, Haruka-chan. For me to win the election and become the next Jr. Senator for the state of Sol."
Haruka turned to face her and her gaze was lidded, there was a solemnity there and a concern, it tugged at her lips, pulling them into a frown and the blonde walked over to Yukino, removing her glasses and putting their faces close enough for a kiss. "It bugs me," she confessed in a mutter, folding the glasses in one hand and touching Yukino's cheek with the other. "I hate it when people underestimate Yukino."
"I'm only nineteen, Haruka-chan," breathed Yukino and her gaze remained fixed on the younger girl as she put her glasses on top of the dresser then came back to her, standing in front of Yukino, looking at her with hooded eyes. "That has a lot to do with it and I also don't have the political experience that they do. I should take advantage of all the advice much more knowledgeable people are giving me."
"I still don't like it," Haruka stated with a frown and Yukino smiled at this, giving a chuckle that was drowned out as the blonde surged forward, capturing her lips in a heated kiss, pressing her onto the bed. When they parted, Haruka's kisses moved down, sucking on her neck and she mumbled, "And I don't like being away from you for a year. Not being able to see you, touch you, I don't like it." Haruka rose up, looking at Yukino with an intense gaze, holding her face in her hands. "I hate it, Yukino. I really hate it."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino said her name brokenly, her eyes filling with tears. "I hate it too."
"It's only a year though," said Haruka and they way she sounded, it seemed to Yukino that the younger girl was trying to convince herself as much as Yukino. But the brunette couldn't find it in her to reply, not when Haruka's hands were warm and eager and knowing on her skin, undoing her bra and putting it with the rest of her clothes. Cupping one breast in her hand and kissing the other, Yukino shivered at Haruka's insistent touch that was more fervent than it ever had been before, keening as Haruka sucked on her nipples and kneaded the soft flesh in her hands. All while she said, her voice low and thick with passion, "It's only a year and then you'll come back to me. Then we'll be together, right?"
"Yes," gasped Yukino, arching into Haruka's touch as the blonde pulled her panties off in a smooth movement. Showing less care for them than the rest of Yukino's clothes, tossing the panties onto the floor while she continued her path of kisses down Yukino's flat stomach. Haruka's hands easily slipped under the older girl's hips, lifting her up and sliding her down to the edge of the bed where she knelt, her grip firm but gentle, spreading Yukino's legs open and Yukino trembled at the sensation of Haruka's breath on her skin, fingers instinctively tangling in her thick blonde hair. "I promise that we'll be together, Haruka-chan."
The moment Yukino said this was the moment that Haruka's lips descended, taking Yukino's clit into her mouth and sucking on it, nudging the brunette's legs further apart and flattening her tongue for long and slow strokes. How much time passed, Yukino had no idea, it seemed endless and just when she was about to climax, the blonde would pull back, teasing her only to return, her kisses stronger, deeper, shaking Yukino to her core and her fingers contracted in Haruka's hair, pressing her closer, trying to reach that edge and it was then that Haruka slipped her fingers inside of Yukino, moving in steady thrusts as she sucked on her clit once again. The orgasm arrived swift and sudden and Yukino was trembling and exhausted, feeling totally spent, when she felt Haruka moving up her body, the weight of the younger girl pressing lightly down on her and she gave a shaky smile, threading her hands around Haruka's neck to pull her in for a kiss that was luxurious and slow and sweet, wanting to taste and explore, feeling the need to make the most of their time together.
One by one, Yukino removed Haruka's clothing until they were in a pile on the floor, tugging the blonde to her, smiling when Haruka landed in her lap, reaching up to seize the blonde's lips in a kiss, smiling at the groan Haruka released. That was what Yukino enjoyed the most about being with Haruka sexually. How she could tell with the sounds Haruka made and the way she responded to her touch how much the other girl loved what she was doing to her. Haruka wasn't a shy person by any definition of the word and she never held back and this stayed true whenever they made love and Yukino knew how her every kiss, lick, nip, tug, and touch affected the blonde because Haruka never failed to tell her and something about that empowered Yukino, it made her feel so very special and loved.
Pressing her tongue against Haruka's lips, deepening their kiss, Yukino smiled as she felt the veil of the blonde's hair falling around them and Haruka shifting in her lap, the proof of her desire damp against her thigh. Sighing as Haruka's tongue tangled with her own, Yukino slipped her hand down, playing out the edge of Haruka's pussy, delighting in the evidence of her desire, fingers lightly toying with the blonde's clit and she smiled again as Haruka muttered against her lips, a confession of love and a plea for a harder touch, something of substance, and Yukino complied, increasing the pressure on Haruka's clit as she thrust three fingers into the other girl, knuckles deep, moving in a fast and frenetic pace, all while they continued to kiss, mouths locked in a passionate embrace, Yukino straining up into Haruka as Haruka moved down, her hips matching Yukino's thrusts. When Haruka came, she pulled her mouth from Yukino's, her blonde hair covering them, her mouth against the brunette's ear, telling Yukino how much she loved her and removing her fingers reluctantly from the warmth of the younger girl, Yukino wrapped Haruka up in her arms, holding her close, smiling contentedly at the feel of Haruka pressing a kiss onto her shoulder.
Their sleep was brief that night and when they separated the next day, Yukino sitting next to her parents in the private car as they began their journey back to Aries, she thought about Haruka, eyes filled with love and desire for her, asking for that promise. Haruka rarely allowed herself to be vulnerable like that and when she did it was of the utmost importance and Yukino could see that, she could feel it, that the blonde needed to have that reassurance from her that they would be together and Yukino gave her promise and now it was up to her to make sure she kept it by winning the upcoming Senate election. For her sake and Haruka's and for their future together.
---
After Yukino had been in Aries a week, her father announced his plans to retire. At this same press conference, Yukino declared her own candidacy for his seat representing the Egalitarian party. This caused a great stir and suddenly the entire country of Aries was focused on the only daughter of Makoto Chrysant who, before this, had merely been a small mention in newspaper columns here and there over the years. Though she knew the attention would be coming, the cameras, the interviews, the constant stream of people who followed her everywhere and found interest in every little thing she did, Yukino was still shaken by it because she never considered herself worthy of this kind of intense scrutiny but she apparently was to every news network and paper in Aries.
Just two weeks after her own candidacy announcement and start of her campaign, the Referendums produced her opponent in the figure of former Egalitarian Senator Tomas Obrecht who once represented Sol twelve years ago. Obrecht's focus was his own popularity from his time in the Senate and harping on Yukino's inexperience and her family connections, saying things like that were reminders of the monarchy system from which Aries had escaped and a daughter shouldn't simply be allowed to inherit her father's position due to him being loved by the people. Quickly their campaign became one of the most vicious anyone had seen in several years, accusations were thrown back and forth, and Yukino forced herself to remain calm and focused after they said countless false things about herself and her family.
Speaking of her father's past business deals as if they were shady and throwing suspicion on her mother's charity, saying she was funneling money from it into secret accounts that weren't taxable and Yukino refuted each and every accusation they threw at her with evidence that it was lies. That was her goal, to remain focused on the truth, and to show the people of Sol and Aries who she really was and what she represented, making sure that didn't get lost in the picture the Referendums were trying to paint of her. Slowly this tactic began to work and it was supported by Yukino's travels throughout Sol, meeting with college students, the elderly, local business people, the police, and city officials. She wanted to become a real figure, an individual in the minds of the people who would vote for her, to be seen not just as the daughter of Makoto Chrysant but for herself as a person and eventually she felt she was making that impression. Five months into her campaign, Yukino noted her father was no longer mentioned whenever the news did a report or the paper printed an article. It was just Yukino and this small triumph reenergized her.
Throughout this time, it was thoughts of Haruka that kept Yukino strong, thoughts and memories of their time together. The last night they spent in each others arms, the hours of lovemaking, she would dwell on them, replaying them in her mind late at night as she touched herself and tried to imagine it was Haruka's hands on her, Haruka's fingers inside her, and somehow this helped her stay sane. What bothered Yukino the most about all of this, about the campaign, was the separation they had to endure. Her advisors insisted she keep her communication with Haruka down to a minimum, afraid letters would be intercepted by the Referendums and that her relationship with Haruka could be used against her.
Aries was the most liberal of countries, the most liberal in all of Earl, in fact, and it wasn't that they were both girls that her advisors worried would cause a scandal, it was that Haruka was seventeen, still underage by their laws, and a student at Garderobe. Once the blonde was eighteen and graduated, became her Otome, they assured her they could stop hiding as much. They shouldn't flaunt their romance, certainly, but they could stop pretending it didn't exist and Yukino couldn't wait for this day to come. She had spent four years repressing her love for Haruka and she hated having to do it again even if was for the sake of their future together. Still, she understood her advisors perspective and she did what they said, causing her time with Haruka to be reduced to sparse phone calls here and there, staring at the photos she took of the younger girl before she left, and posing the figurine she purchased from Backstage on her bedside dresser.
Closer and closer the election became, the more frantic their campaigning, and sometimes Yukino felt like she was simply saying the same things over and over. Towards the end she stopped giving speeches and she began questioning her audience, asking them about their lives, their problems, what they wanted from her as a Senator, answering all their questions with thoughtful replies and Obrecht tried to imitate this strategy but failed miserably. His attempts were seen as false and bitter, he couldn't form a real rapport with the people, not like Yukino who soon had her audience in the palm of her hand, smiling and cheering and laughing with her. These events caused something of a problem for her bodyguards because the brunette had taken to walking among the constituents during these talks, shaking their hands, accepting their hugs, and they complained it was nearly impossible to protect her when she did such things but Yukino refused to stop, not when in those moments she felt she was finally connecting with the people she wanted to represent.
Senatorial debates were never televised, not like the Presidential ones, because they weren't seen as having any real interest and the debates between Yukino Chrysant and Tomas Obrecht were no different. However, they were heavily attended and they were written about and commented on in nightly newscasts with small clips being shown. Obrecht was a master debater and Yukino had some difficulty trying to hold her own against him but there was a huge advantage in the fact that the current President, Kenzo Xavier, was a Referendum who was quickly losing his popularity due to a staunch military approach that hadn't existed during his election. Xavier was seen by a large amount of the population as a war monger due to needless conflicts he had started with not only Artai but Lutesia Remus as well.
There was also the fact that Obrecht switching alliances from the Egalitarian party to the Referendums during a time such as this wasn't a sign of good faith to many of the people. It exhibited a definite lack of loyalty and Yukino hammered this fact and Xavier's war like actions with their neighboring countries over and over and Obrecht struggled to explain them in a way that sounded palatable and was anything but feeble excuses. The debates were close affairs but Yukino felt she gained victory in at least two out of the four they had and this left her feeling proud, especially when it was against the likes of Obrecht who was a seasoned politician who had over thirty years of experience.
The day before the election was spent campaigning in the capital city of Caeles, which had the largest population in all of Sol and when Yukino was finally alone in her house, if you discounted the bodyguards downstairs, she sat down on her bed, utterly exhausted. It was then that the phone rang and she stared at it with weary eyes. Part of her wanted to ignore it but she couldn't afford that, not with how close they were to the election and the fact that it could very well be one of her advisors with last minute news. Which is why Yukino answered the phone, trying her best to keep the fatigue out of her voice as she said, "Yukino Chrysant."
"Yukino," Haruka murmured her name and the love Yukino heard in the blonde's tone almost had her sobbing in relief. It had been so very long since she last spoke to Haruka. Two months and twenty one days to be exact and it killed her, the distance this election was creating in them. It was practically more than she could bear but then she thought of the future they would share together and she remembered the faces of all the people she met, the ones who looked at her with hopeful eyes, faith in their faces, they believed in her to make a difference as their Senator and she had to give her very best for them. "How are you? You sound tired."
"I was, until you called," said Yukino and her eyes were tearing up though she wasn't sure if it was from happiness or sheer exhaustion. Lying down on her bed, she closed her eyes and smiled at the mumbling response Haruka gave to her remark. "I miss you, Haruka-chan."
"I know, I feel the same," Haruka said solemnly. She paused and then she said, concern lacing her words, "I also know you got a lot you need to do before the election tomorrow. Last minute campaigning, get out the vote, all that but… try and rest some, okay? Sometimes I'm able to see you on the news here and you don't look like you're taking good enough care of yourself. I know how you get caught up in your work but you're not doing anybody any favors if you're not healthy."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino sighed, blinking back her tears and lying on her side, staring at the framed photograph she had of the younger girl by her bedside. "I promise I'll take better care of myself. I'll go straight to bed after we're done talking."
"Good," said Haruka firmly, sounding pleased. "You know we have a new doctor at Garderobe? Youko Helene's her name and she's got a private television in her lab. Bubuzuke conned her into letting us watch the election results tomorrow so when you got those damn cameras following you around tomorrow just remember I'll be watching, all right? It's not the same as me being with you but--"
"Haruka-chan," interrupted Yukino, the gratitude evident in her voice along with the deep affection. "I love you."
Silence except for a cough and Yukino could imagine the blush tingeing Haruka's cheeks as the blonde muttered, "I love you too." More silence and then Haruka's voice returned, stronger than ever, full of confidence and vigor, "You're going to win tomorrow, Yukino. There's no way you won't. I don't care what commentators and polls say, I've seen on those news shows how the people react to you and they believe in you just like they believed in your father but it's different. You can see it in the younger ones, the people that are our age, it's like you represent what they want Aries to turn into and you'll win because of that, because you're the future and Obrecht, he's the past."
Between the two of them, Yukino was definitely superior with words but Haruka had her moments, during hard times like these, where she said things so terribly profound and sweet that it moved Yukino more than she could ever properly explain. Haruka was such a very honest person who didn't possess the ability to deceive and guile her way into anything and that was why Yukino trusted her opinion above all others because she knew Haruka would never lie to her, even if it was to comfort her in some way. For the first time since this campaign began, Yukino felt a real and true confidence that the results would come out in her favor and it was all thanks to Haruka.
"I have to go," Haruka said regretfully and Yukino could hear Shizuru's voice and a brighter, cheerier, one in the background, calling out for Haruka-oneesama to hurry before the Principal caught them. "I'll call you again tomorrow though, to congratulate you on your victory."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino said her name and her natural poise returned as she said the younger girl's name. "I will win. Not just for myself but for you, for the both of us, and for all those people you said look at me that way. I swear it."
"I know," said Haruka and though she said this earnestly there was a smile in her voice somehow. "I love you, Yukino."
Then the line died and Yukino was listening to the sound of a dial tone. Staring at the phone in her hand as she ended the call, Yukino sighed and a smile tugged at her lips. Hearing from Haruka was such a rare joy these days and just the sound of her voice revitalized her for tomorrow but with Haruka's words of concern and her own exhaustion nipping at the edges of her mind, she placed the phone back in the receiver and changed into her bed clothes which consisted of her panties and one of the blonde's shirts she had borrowed during a trip to the Armitage house earlier in the year. Wearing it to bed made her feel closer to the Haruka and it took away some of the loneliness she felt without her.
All of that would change tomorrow though because when she won, when she became the Jr. Senator for Sol, she could request Haruka as her Otome and then the blonde would be with her as soon as she graduated from Garderobe which was three months away. That wasn't so long, not after a year of separation, just three months and then she could be with Haruka every day, they would be together forever. She just had to win the election and everything else would fall into place, Yukino was convinced of this. She wouldn't allow herself to believe otherwise.
---
Placing the phone into the receiver, Haruka allowed Sara to take her by the hand, pulling her out of the administrative office that Shizuru had somehow acquired keys to. The blonde had been anxious to speak to Yukino for weeks and gaining access to a phone at Garderobe wasn't the easiest thing for a student to accomplish, even if they were a member of the Trias, and despite the risk of sneaking through the halls past curfew with a Coral student and the No. 1 Pearl, Haruka was grateful for the opportunity to hear Yukino's voice again.
"Hurry, Haruka-oneesama," Sara insisted, still pulling Haruka along, snapping the older blonde out of her musings. Haruka couldn't help but smile at the tenacious look the Coral wore on her features. Seeing the doting expression on Haruka's face and clearly thinking that she wasn't listening to her, Sara rolled her eyes, and complained good naturedly, dragging Haruka after her as she said, "Mou! We'll get caught at this rate and then your and Shizuru-oneesama's reputations will be tarnished right before graduation."
Snorting at this, Haruka ducked around the corner and remarked, "The bubuzuke's already done that to herself thanks to the kid."
"Haruka-san is cruel to harp upon my terrible misdeed with Natsuki," Shizuru pouted and they were in the main entrance lobby which separated the Coral and Pearl dorms from one another. "Especially when she knows very well I'm trying hard to make up for it."
"Shizuru," said Haruka with a sigh and while she knew her former roommate was teasing her, she did have a point and it caused a twinge of guilt. Which is why she muttered an apology, blushing when Shizuru declared her love and clung to her arm. Grumbling at this, Haruka turned to Sara who was observing them with wide eyes. "Sara Gallagher," Haruka said her with name an emphatic fondness. "Head back to your room. The bubuzuke and I will be fine on our own from here on out." Sara started to protest and Haruka smiled, pushing up the glasses which slipped down the bridge of Sara's nose, stepping closer to the younger girl as she did so. "Thank you for your help."
"Haruka-oneesama," said Sara quietly, her cheeks dusted a light red, her head ducked. She lifted it after a moment, her expression mischievous but resolved and she hugged Haruka quickly, holding her tight for several moments before saying a rushed goodbye and disappearing into the Coral dormitory, leaving Haruka and Shizuru alone in the lobby.
Another moment passed as Haruka stared after Sara then she turned to Shizuru with a wry expression. "Come on, bubuzuke," she muttered, holding Shizuru by her elbow and walking towards the Pearl dormitory. "We better get to our rooms too."
Except when they reached their destination, Shizuru didn't walk over to her private room, but instead followed Haruka into hers, closing the door behind her. When Haruka looked at her with a questioning gaze, Shizuru murmured, "I don't think Haruka-san should be by herself right now. She puts on a brave face but I know her well enough that I can tell when something is the matter."
"Bubuzuke," Haruka muttered her name, an appreciative look in her violet eyes as she sat down on her bed, peering up at Shizuru who stood before her. Shaking her head, she said, "It's nothing, really. I’m just worried about Yukino. I know she's been running all over Sol campaigning for this election and the Referendums… they've been spreading lies about her and her family and she's had to deal with that plus all the stuff Obrecht has been saying about her being too young and inexperienced to hold a Senate seat. I wish I was there with her, that's all."
"I must admit, I don’t entirely understand your political system," said Shizuru, sitting next to Haruka on the bed.
"Aries is made up of seven states and each state has two Senators that the people who live in the state get to choose," said Haruka simply. "Yukino is trying to become a Senator for the state of Sol which the biggest state and is home to our country's capital city, Caeles. In Aries we don't have sponsors, the government pays our way into Garderobe and all Otome candidates are in the military. Just politicians, Senators, Governors, the President, and Generals in the military have Otome. If Yukino's not elected…" Haruka trailed off, not wanting to say the words aloud for some absurd fear of them coming true.
"I'm sure your Yukino will be elected," said Shizuru kindly. "Haruka-san has said many times she is a good leader, is she not?"
"She's the best," Haruka asserted, her eyes shining. "Yukino would make the best Senator but sometimes being the best isn't enough, bubuzuke. I've seen it enough, good people who run for office but lose because the lies that are told and the issues get lost along the way and Yukino deserves to win, she's the perfect person for the job, but sometimes that's not enough."
"Haruka-san," Shizuru said her name cautiously. "What will you do if she loses?"
Grimacing and clenching her hands into fists, Haruka's face darkened and she replied, "Scream about it then hope they assign me to the military and not one of the politicians that way I can request a transfer more easily once Yukino does take office." Turning to her friend, she said, her voice rough, "That's the hardest thing about this, bubuzuke. I came here wanting to be Yukino's Otome. It's been that way for years, how I imagined my future, it's always been serving her and I don't want it to be anybody else. With Yukino I know she'll be trying to do the right thing for Aries but someone else… what if they're corrupt? Or a bad leader? And it's my job to protect them? I'd do it because that's our duty, what Otome are trained to do, obey and protect our Masters, but I'd hate it and I'd hate myself for serving somebody like that. Plus there's the fact I'd be distracted, wanting to be with Yukino but how could I do that serving another person? I'd need to be with them all the time, serving them, protecting them, and I'd never be able to be with Yukino, not the way we both want anyway."
"My father sponsored me for entrance into Garderobe," murmured Shizuru. "I've never had such worries."
"You're lucky," said Haruka with droll humor, lying down on her bed and staring up at Shizuru who watched her with a soft look on her features. "Bubuzuke," she said this with a quiet affection. "What about you and the kid? What will you do when you graduate?"
"I don't know," Shizuru said in a whisper and she had a lost look on her face that Haruka had never seen before. The blonde didn't like the way it settled on the brunette's features, it looked unnatural there and she wanted to wipe away its very existence. "Natsuki is from a small country, just past the furthest borders of Artai, and her family is nobility there. If she returns to them and I stay in Windbloom I'm uncertain how we can remain together and really, at this point, that is all I want." Shizuru looked to Haruka who smiled at her and returning the smile, she lay down next to her friend on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. "Have you heard the rumor about Meister Zarganote?"
"That she wants to retire? Yeah," Haruka said easily and several moments passed before Shizuru's words processed for the blonde and she turned to the brunette with a look of surprise on her features. "You want to be the 3rd Column?"
"If the rumor is true and she plans to retire and if I was lucky enough to have Fumi-sama choose me as her replacement, I could remain with my Natsuki," said Shizuru simply and while her voice was calm there was a sort of desperation in her rust colored gaze that Haruka couldn't ignore. She could see how much the idea of being separated from Natsuki was eating at Shizuru.
"Meister Zarganote's been crotchety for awhile," Haruka noted and she nodded her head to emphasize this point. "I'm betting she's wanting to get out of here and if anybody has the scores to inspire Fumi-sama to choose them as a Column it'd be you, bubuzuke." Facing the other girl who looked at her with a gaze that for once wasn't hidden, wasn't subterfuge, it was plain and honest emotion and seeing it tugged at Haruka's heart. Heaving a sigh, Haruka lightly rapped her knuckles on Shizuru's forehead and muttered, "Don't get all teary on me about the kid, all right? Things are going to work out for you two just like they'll work out for me and Yukino. We have to believe in that."
"Haruka-san," Shizuru murmured, a genuine smile pulling at her lips, reaching out to capture Haruka's hand in her own and squeezing it gently. "I'm going to miss you terribly once we graduate."
Blushing on hearing this, Haruka grumbled and looked away from Shizuru, before muttering in reply, "I'll miss you too, Shizuru." She groaned when she felt Shizuru embrace her from behind, holding her close in a hug but endured it because she knew for once it probably wasn't coming from a place of amusement or teasing but instead from real emotion. Patting Shizuru's hands that were wound around her waist, Haruka looked back at the brunette and added sardonically, "But I won't miss you teasing me all the time."
"I tease because I love," said Shizuru playfully and Haruka snorted at this causing Shizuru to chuckle. "Haruka-san doesn’t believe I love her? But I do! In the friendliest of ways, of course, as I would never try to steal her away from her Yukino although I wonder if a certain Coral has the same sense of propriety about such matters because of the way she watches Haruka-san with a longing gaze."
"What are you rambling about, bubuzuke?" accused Haruka, twisting around to face the brunette who loosened her hold on Haruka.
Shizuru's expression was utterly serious as she met Haruka's gaze and said, "Sara Gallagher wants more than to be your heya-gakkari for a brief period of time, Haruka-san. She wants you to look at her as I look at my Natsuki. I'm certain of this."
"Sara?" Haruka repeated, her eyes going wide. "She's just a kid--"
"She is nearly the same age you were when you discovered your love for Yukino with my assistance," reminded Shizuru and there was a sort of reproach in her tone that caused Haruka to frown when she heard this. "I'm not trying to be unkind, Haruka-san. I merely think that you should be aware of such things. Especially if you're going to continue to spend time with her while we remain at Garderobe."
Mulling over what Shizuru said, well aware that the brunette was far more clever and observant about these types of things than she was, Haruka's frown deepened and she muttered, "I thought it was just her looking up to a sempai."
"It's partly that," revealed Shizuru with a sad smile. "And it's partly an honest affection for Haruka-san that could lead to more if you're not careful to make sure it stays right where it is." Haruka looked alarmed at this and despite her fearless nature, her habit of confronting things head on, she despised the idea of going to Sara and outright telling her she had no chance whatsoever because of her feelings for Yukino. It would be the truth, certainly, but the idea of it seemed hurtful and mean and Haruka didn't want to do that to Sara because she was quite fond of the younger blonde. "Haruka-san shouldn't worry. Sara-san is a clever girl, I'm sure from what she witnessed tonight she's aware of how much Haruka-san loves her Yukino. I think you should consider your actions a bit more while in her presence. Some acts of kindness might hurt her more in the end as she realizes precisely what she cannot have because it already belongs to Yukino."
"I like her," Haruka admitted in a mumble. "I don't want to hurt her but I love Yukino. Always have, always will."
"I suspect she knows this," said Shizuru gently. "Haruka-san shouldn't worry. Just continue to treat her as you have just with an added caution, for her sake as well as your own. These things needn't be said aloud, they can be shown through actions."
"Shizuru," said Haruka softly and she looked at the brunette with a lidded and earnest gaze. "I really am going to miss you. Maybe you poke at me and make fun of me but you help a lot too, you know? When it counts you're always there."
Pushing a lock of blonde hair out of Haruka's eyes, a smile curling on her lips, Shizuru murmured, "I feel the same way about Haruka-san."
"Good," Haruka said and she looked pleased to hear this then her face screwed up in a frown when she considered her words. "Wait a minute," she groused, her brow furrowing as she spoke. "When did I ever poke at you and tease you, bubuzuke? That's all your doing!"
"Haruka-san teased me terribly when we were roommates by removing her clothes in front of me, having no respect at all for my growing libido," said Shizuru and she formed a very good version of a scandalous expression which would've been believable on anyone but her.
"Bubuzuke," Haruka growled and she reached for the brunette, to do what, one couldn't quite know since her motion was halted by Shizuru slipping off the bed and fleeing from the room, declaring her love for Haruka as she went.
Left alone in her room, Haruka shook her head in exasperation at her former roommate then flopped back down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling and contemplating the events of the evening. She couldn't stop worrying about the election, her future with Yukino depended on its results, and more than that, she didn't really want to think what Obrecht would do as a Referendum Senator for the state of Sol, not with how crazy President Xavier had been acting ever since he took office two years ago. If Obrecht won it could tip the power in the Senate completely to the Referendums and Haruka didn't think that would lead to anything good. She really couldn't wait for the Presidential elections to arrive that would toss President Xavier out of office because more and more he was becoming a ruthless figure bent on the conquest of power and furthering his own agenda, ignoring what the people of Aries wanted in the process.
Sleep didn't come easy for Haruka that night, too many possibilities kept running through her mind, happy ones, sad ones, horrible and wonderful visions of the future and they kept her mind busy enough she just couldn't relax and go to sleep. By the time the morning bells rang, announcing the start of a new school day, Haruka hadn't gotten an ounce of sleep but strangely, she wasn't tired. Nerves didn't allow exhaustion is what she imagined and from the morning until the last class of the day she couldn't focus on anything but the election.
Dimly aware of Shizuru, Natsuki, and Sara following after her, Haruka made her way to Youko Helene's office where she greeted the doctor in a rush, thanking her profusely for the use of her television before switching on the election coverage in Aries and settling down in a chair to watch it progress for several hours. Watching them talk about the polls and interview the voters, it gave Haruka the same anxious and determined feeling she had before a battle but this one wasn't hers to win, it was Yukino's and she could only pray for victory.
---
Fifty nine percent of the vote wasn't a landslide but it was a decisive win, one that was more than Yukino could have hoped for. Honestly, the realistic, cynical side of her was expecting it to be close enough to merit a recount, but she won by a safe margin, one that the Referendums couldn't dispute and all the worries, all the pressures, of the past year disappeared in the instant that they announced she would become the next Senator for the state of Sol. The campaign headquarters was crowded with people, staff, volunteers, and supporters, all of which swarmed her with cheers and congratulations and it was like being swept up in a happy sea of humanity and it was more than Yukino could properly absorb, that all of these people believed in her, had chosen her to lead them, and she knew she would give it her all to make them proud.
She was soon led to the stage by her advisors, met with more cheers, and somehow Yukino composed herself enough to complete her speech, thanking everyone for their support and their votes, congratulating Tomas Obrecht on a well run race, and promising a bright future for Sol and for Aries as their new Senator. Speaking of her family history and her father, telling them that while she was her own person, she admired their history and was going to do everything she could to live up to it, to become a leader that earned all of Aries respect.
When the speech was over and she returned to the party, her father was at her side, his voice warm and caring in her ear, telling her how proud he was, how happy he was for her, and saying she had a phone call. Yukino's eyes lit up and she wound her way through the crowd, her way slow going as she stopped to shake hands and thank her staff and supporters, but after a ten minute journey she was inside her private office, picking up the phone, a smile already on her face from the voice she knew she would soon hear.
"Yukino," Haruka said her name with enough emotions that Yukino couldn't properly make them all out. There was gratitude, happiness, pride, relief, and too many others for her to identify in that moment. "You did it. I knew you would."
"It won't be much longer, Haruka-chan," Yukino promised, her eyes tearing up, sitting down on the edge of the desk and gripping it with her free hand. "You'll graduate in three months and I'll request you for my Otome and we'll be together again."
"I know," said Haruka and there was a strength, a conviction, that wasn't there before and Yukino knew with it the last of Haruka's doubts were receding and that made the brunette happier than she could ever say. "Your speech was good."
"You liked it?" asked Yukino shyly. "I was afraid to prepare one ahead of time so I made it up on the spot."
"It was good," Haruka reinforced warmly. "Everyone here thought so too, including the bubuzuke."
"I'm glad," said Yukino with a smile that faded when she saw an advisor at her door gesturing to party. Sighing and nodding her head, Yukino said reluctantly, "I have to go, Haruka-chan. There's a lot of people here I need to thank and--"
"It's all right," Haruka interrupted and there was an encouragement that was more than Haruka just being kind and she heard the sound of the blonde moving, perhaps to have added privacy. "We're going to be together now. There's nothing that'll stop it from happening, Yukino. I'm going to work my hardest these last three months and bubuzuke's agreed to help me more with training. I can't beat her but I'm going to keep my position as the No. 2 Pearl and a member of the Trias and I'll earn the right to be your Otome. You'll see."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino breathed, tears pricking at the corner of her eyes. "I love you."
"I love you too," said Haruka in heartfelt tones, "and I'll see you soon."
Once again, the sound of a dial tone and Yukino stared at the phone in her hand, ignoring her advisor who was in the room telling her all the things she needed to do tonight, the reporters she had to speak to and the politicians she needed to call. The only thing that registered was the fact that she had done it, she had won this election and with it the right to request Haruka as her Otome. Their future together was only a step away, they just had to wait a little more and then they would finally be together again and all of this would be worth it because together they could live out their dream of working for Aries, helping to create a brighter tomorrow for their country and its people.
---
Two weeks later, Yukino walked into her office in The Hexagon, and the first thing that caught her eye was a small white, green, and gold vase that contained a large sunflower residing on her desk. Walking over to her desk, Yukino touched the large yellow petals, smiling at the velvety sensation, holding them gently in between her thumb and finger. She vaguely heard her advisor telling her about the day's itinerary but the only thing on her mind was Haruka's gift to her, wondering how she managed to arrange such a thing. Looking at her advisor, Yukino murmured, "I want to see the Senate Otome committee before the end of this week, Johan."
"Ma'am?" questioned Johan, blinking.
"The Senate Otome committee," Yukino repeated and her tone was polite but adamant. "I want to see them before the week is over."
"Yes," said Johan quickly, nodding his head and flipping a page in his small book and writing a note. "I'll make sure that happens."
"Good," said Yukino, sounding pleased and moving around the desk to sit in the chair that had once belonged to her father and feeling strangely at home as she turned to stare at the skyline of Caeles in the distance. "What's first on our agenda for today?"
Listening to Johan outline her day, the meetings with this politician and that committee and this constituent group, Yukino felt a slow smile form on face because this was what she wanted, what she dreamed of, since she was a small child and it was finally hers. There was just one last piece of the puzzle and that was Haruka at her side as her Otome and soon that would happen and everything would be perfect.
She was sure of it.
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 MST3k movie marathon.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Senate elections and a year of separation.
Intents and Purposes
By: Dreiser
Ten
The graduation ceremony at Windbloom University was an impressive event that took months to arrange. As Student Body President, a good deal of that planning landed on Yukino's shoulders along with the request to make a speech before the students at graduation. Doing all of that on top of finishing the last of her classes and preparing for an election campaign in Aries placed the brunette in a frazzled state of mind. In an attempt to provide the students with time to decompress and truly enjoy their graduation, they were given a week after their final class of the semester to begin the process of packing and leaving the dorms before the actual graduation ceremony took place.
Due to her family's status and wealth and the very pressing need for Yukino to return to Aries as soon as possible, the day after she completed her last class at Windbloom University all of her things were packed and relocated to a small townhouse in the heart of Caeles that her grandmother left to Yukino in her will. The importance of her living independently and separate from her parents had been enforced quite strongly by one of her election advisors and the brunette actually found herself excited at the prospect of having her own space. Especially if it was a space she would soon share solely with Haruka. She liked the idea of living with Haruka, sharing her life with her in all ways, both work and personal, and she began to picture how the house would look with the blonde's things put here and there, her clothes folded in the drawers and her exercise equipment in the large basement which she was certain Haruka would claim in that capacity.
It was the image of that future which helped calm Yukino and keep her focused during this hectic time and she knew it was the thought of Haruka and the dream they shared that would help her through the tough election process. And when she was giving her speech, looking out into a crowd of thousands of her fellow students at graduation it was seeing Haruka in the audience, sitting next to her parents, a proud smile on her face and her gaze loving, that helped to settle her nerves.
When the ceremony was over, Yukino found herself swarmed by friends, family, university faculty, and fellow students but through all the chaos, Haruka found her and stayed by her side, holding her hand and smiling in reassurance whenever Yukino looked her way. Just having her there made Yukino feel complete and it soothed whatever anxiety she felt because as she said that speech her mind didn't stay on the words she was saying or on the memories of her time at Windbloom University but instead on her immediate future. On the upcoming election and the pressure, the absolute need to win, so she could secure her future with Haruka, and the stress of this formed a pit in her stomach that stayed with her until she was in Haruka's presence then suddenly it lessened until the point where it almost disappeared.
What was it about Haruka, she wondered, that gave her confidence, that settled her nerves? Yukino didn't know what it was exactly, she didn't think she ever would but she knew it was evidence of the love she felt for the younger girl, that she was the only person who just by walking into a room could make her feel at ease, as if no matter how difficult the problem she could fix it as long as she had Haruka with her. That was what maintained her belief that they could fulfill their dream, that despite how cutthroat the campaign would get, the horrible things that the Referendums were sure to say about her and her family and their beliefs, she could take it because Haruka would be with her, if not physically but in spirit and in their shared dream to better their country.
Attending the graduation celebration wasn't really something Yukino could avoid thanks to her status as the former Student Body President and in a way, she saw it as preparation of sorts for the campaign she was soon going to start. She grew up attending parties and events as a child when she rather be at home reading a book or playing with her toys and she knew how to find something good, something enjoyable, out of the most tedious situation and even if she couldn't do that, at least how to politely grin and bear it. The campaign she was going to run would be exhaustive, she planned on talking to every elected official from the state and those in the federal government of importance in her party so they could know her as a separate entity from her father because despite her great love and respect for him they did diverge in their opinions and solutions for the various problems that plagued Sol and Aries as a whole.
On top of that, she wanted to travel every last inch of the state she would represent, meeting her constituents, speaking with them, learning what they would want from her as an elected official and explaining her plans, her dreams, for both Sol and Aries. Her advisors had already begun to make calls, to arrange meetings and campaign stops, and she knew her schedule was going to be grueling and there would be constant times when she just wanted to be alone but she couldn't, she'd have to attend things, she'd have to speak and meet and listen. Just like now at this party, when she was weary and exhausted and nervous about the future that was all too close, looming around the corner, but she had to stay and smile and be gracious.
But having Haruka with her helped, Haruka always helped, and whenever she felt irritated with a conversation she would glance over at the blonde who would inevitably share this feeling but would hide it far worse, a barely suppressed scowl on her face and her toe tapping as she looked off to one side and Yukino would somehow feel better. She could smile and she could listen to that once irritating conversation with an added focus that hadn't been there previously all while squeezing Haruka's hand, her smile widening when she sensed the younger girl relax at her gesture. Hours passed and the party dragged on and by the time they left, Yukino felt thoroughly exhausted, mentally and physically.
They walked into the hotel, separating from Yukino's parents once they stepped out of the elevator, and Yukino leaned gratefully against Haruka, resting her head on her shoulder and sighing as the blonde unlocked the door to the older girl's hotel room. After flipping on the lights, Haruka turned to Yukino and in an effortless and smooth movement, she gathered Yukino into her arms, carrying her like a groom did their bride over the threshold, walking through the room and gently depositing the brunette onto the bed.
"Haruka-chan," Yukino murmured, not really protesting, but a blush covering her features.
Giving a low hushing sound, Haruka removed Yukino's shoes, her hand sliding up to follow suit with the stockings, meeting their eyes, her expression determined but loving at the same time as she said, "Let me take care of you."
Just nod, that was all Yukino could do in response, just nod because she was overwhelmed by her emotions. She was embarrassed still, somehow shy, but so very happy to have Haruka treating her this way. Maybe it was her intelligence or the fact she was often in a leadership role but Yukino was never really babied by anyone, spoiled, or treated delicately and special but Haruka… she did that for her and as much as it did make her feel self-conscious, she enjoyed it so much. It made her feel wonderfully feminine and attractive to have Haruka give her this kind of attention and what made it even better was how she could tell the blonde did it without any real thought. This was instinct with Haruka and that just solidified Yukino's confidence in Haruka's feelings for her because it was all so romantic, so loving, and it could constantly be seen in all these little gestures. Happening enough that Yukino didn't really ever need the younger girl to say the words I love you but she always said them and she would do this with such conviction that Yukino could never doubt Haruka's feelings for her.
"Those advisors," Haruka remarked as she carefully unbuttoned Yukino's shirt and slid it off her shoulders. "They follow you everywhere, don't they?" Her expression was veiled but the brunette could see the annoyance beneath the surface that was bubbling up.
Pushing a loose lock of hair behind Haruka's ear and smiling when violet eyes lifted to look at her, Yukino replied, "It's their job."
"I don't like it," grumbled Haruka and there was a peevish tone to her voice that Yukino never heard before and something about it made her smile wider because it was so very charming to her ears. Meticulously folding the older girl's shirt and placing it on the nearby dresser, Haruka returned to her former place in front of Yukino and began to gently remove her skirt as well, the brunette lifting her bottom off the bed to help and watching Haruka as she said, "They act like they're the ones running for office, not you. I don't like that. They're your advisors, that means they work for you but it doesn't seem like they understand that. Yukino shouldn't have anyone bossing her around."
"They're just trying to help," said Yukino, her tone soft and soothing as she watched Haruka fold her skirt and place it on the dresser. "In the end, all of us want the same thing, Haruka-chan. For me to win the election and become the next Jr. Senator for the state of Sol."
Haruka turned to face her and her gaze was lidded, there was a solemnity there and a concern, it tugged at her lips, pulling them into a frown and the blonde walked over to Yukino, removing her glasses and putting their faces close enough for a kiss. "It bugs me," she confessed in a mutter, folding the glasses in one hand and touching Yukino's cheek with the other. "I hate it when people underestimate Yukino."
"I'm only nineteen, Haruka-chan," breathed Yukino and her gaze remained fixed on the younger girl as she put her glasses on top of the dresser then came back to her, standing in front of Yukino, looking at her with hooded eyes. "That has a lot to do with it and I also don't have the political experience that they do. I should take advantage of all the advice much more knowledgeable people are giving me."
"I still don't like it," Haruka stated with a frown and Yukino smiled at this, giving a chuckle that was drowned out as the blonde surged forward, capturing her lips in a heated kiss, pressing her onto the bed. When they parted, Haruka's kisses moved down, sucking on her neck and she mumbled, "And I don't like being away from you for a year. Not being able to see you, touch you, I don't like it." Haruka rose up, looking at Yukino with an intense gaze, holding her face in her hands. "I hate it, Yukino. I really hate it."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino said her name brokenly, her eyes filling with tears. "I hate it too."
"It's only a year though," said Haruka and they way she sounded, it seemed to Yukino that the younger girl was trying to convince herself as much as Yukino. But the brunette couldn't find it in her to reply, not when Haruka's hands were warm and eager and knowing on her skin, undoing her bra and putting it with the rest of her clothes. Cupping one breast in her hand and kissing the other, Yukino shivered at Haruka's insistent touch that was more fervent than it ever had been before, keening as Haruka sucked on her nipples and kneaded the soft flesh in her hands. All while she said, her voice low and thick with passion, "It's only a year and then you'll come back to me. Then we'll be together, right?"
"Yes," gasped Yukino, arching into Haruka's touch as the blonde pulled her panties off in a smooth movement. Showing less care for them than the rest of Yukino's clothes, tossing the panties onto the floor while she continued her path of kisses down Yukino's flat stomach. Haruka's hands easily slipped under the older girl's hips, lifting her up and sliding her down to the edge of the bed where she knelt, her grip firm but gentle, spreading Yukino's legs open and Yukino trembled at the sensation of Haruka's breath on her skin, fingers instinctively tangling in her thick blonde hair. "I promise that we'll be together, Haruka-chan."
The moment Yukino said this was the moment that Haruka's lips descended, taking Yukino's clit into her mouth and sucking on it, nudging the brunette's legs further apart and flattening her tongue for long and slow strokes. How much time passed, Yukino had no idea, it seemed endless and just when she was about to climax, the blonde would pull back, teasing her only to return, her kisses stronger, deeper, shaking Yukino to her core and her fingers contracted in Haruka's hair, pressing her closer, trying to reach that edge and it was then that Haruka slipped her fingers inside of Yukino, moving in steady thrusts as she sucked on her clit once again. The orgasm arrived swift and sudden and Yukino was trembling and exhausted, feeling totally spent, when she felt Haruka moving up her body, the weight of the younger girl pressing lightly down on her and she gave a shaky smile, threading her hands around Haruka's neck to pull her in for a kiss that was luxurious and slow and sweet, wanting to taste and explore, feeling the need to make the most of their time together.
One by one, Yukino removed Haruka's clothing until they were in a pile on the floor, tugging the blonde to her, smiling when Haruka landed in her lap, reaching up to seize the blonde's lips in a kiss, smiling at the groan Haruka released. That was what Yukino enjoyed the most about being with Haruka sexually. How she could tell with the sounds Haruka made and the way she responded to her touch how much the other girl loved what she was doing to her. Haruka wasn't a shy person by any definition of the word and she never held back and this stayed true whenever they made love and Yukino knew how her every kiss, lick, nip, tug, and touch affected the blonde because Haruka never failed to tell her and something about that empowered Yukino, it made her feel so very special and loved.
Pressing her tongue against Haruka's lips, deepening their kiss, Yukino smiled as she felt the veil of the blonde's hair falling around them and Haruka shifting in her lap, the proof of her desire damp against her thigh. Sighing as Haruka's tongue tangled with her own, Yukino slipped her hand down, playing out the edge of Haruka's pussy, delighting in the evidence of her desire, fingers lightly toying with the blonde's clit and she smiled again as Haruka muttered against her lips, a confession of love and a plea for a harder touch, something of substance, and Yukino complied, increasing the pressure on Haruka's clit as she thrust three fingers into the other girl, knuckles deep, moving in a fast and frenetic pace, all while they continued to kiss, mouths locked in a passionate embrace, Yukino straining up into Haruka as Haruka moved down, her hips matching Yukino's thrusts. When Haruka came, she pulled her mouth from Yukino's, her blonde hair covering them, her mouth against the brunette's ear, telling Yukino how much she loved her and removing her fingers reluctantly from the warmth of the younger girl, Yukino wrapped Haruka up in her arms, holding her close, smiling contentedly at the feel of Haruka pressing a kiss onto her shoulder.
Their sleep was brief that night and when they separated the next day, Yukino sitting next to her parents in the private car as they began their journey back to Aries, she thought about Haruka, eyes filled with love and desire for her, asking for that promise. Haruka rarely allowed herself to be vulnerable like that and when she did it was of the utmost importance and Yukino could see that, she could feel it, that the blonde needed to have that reassurance from her that they would be together and Yukino gave her promise and now it was up to her to make sure she kept it by winning the upcoming Senate election. For her sake and Haruka's and for their future together.
---
After Yukino had been in Aries a week, her father announced his plans to retire. At this same press conference, Yukino declared her own candidacy for his seat representing the Egalitarian party. This caused a great stir and suddenly the entire country of Aries was focused on the only daughter of Makoto Chrysant who, before this, had merely been a small mention in newspaper columns here and there over the years. Though she knew the attention would be coming, the cameras, the interviews, the constant stream of people who followed her everywhere and found interest in every little thing she did, Yukino was still shaken by it because she never considered herself worthy of this kind of intense scrutiny but she apparently was to every news network and paper in Aries.
Just two weeks after her own candidacy announcement and start of her campaign, the Referendums produced her opponent in the figure of former Egalitarian Senator Tomas Obrecht who once represented Sol twelve years ago. Obrecht's focus was his own popularity from his time in the Senate and harping on Yukino's inexperience and her family connections, saying things like that were reminders of the monarchy system from which Aries had escaped and a daughter shouldn't simply be allowed to inherit her father's position due to him being loved by the people. Quickly their campaign became one of the most vicious anyone had seen in several years, accusations were thrown back and forth, and Yukino forced herself to remain calm and focused after they said countless false things about herself and her family.
Speaking of her father's past business deals as if they were shady and throwing suspicion on her mother's charity, saying she was funneling money from it into secret accounts that weren't taxable and Yukino refuted each and every accusation they threw at her with evidence that it was lies. That was her goal, to remain focused on the truth, and to show the people of Sol and Aries who she really was and what she represented, making sure that didn't get lost in the picture the Referendums were trying to paint of her. Slowly this tactic began to work and it was supported by Yukino's travels throughout Sol, meeting with college students, the elderly, local business people, the police, and city officials. She wanted to become a real figure, an individual in the minds of the people who would vote for her, to be seen not just as the daughter of Makoto Chrysant but for herself as a person and eventually she felt she was making that impression. Five months into her campaign, Yukino noted her father was no longer mentioned whenever the news did a report or the paper printed an article. It was just Yukino and this small triumph reenergized her.
Throughout this time, it was thoughts of Haruka that kept Yukino strong, thoughts and memories of their time together. The last night they spent in each others arms, the hours of lovemaking, she would dwell on them, replaying them in her mind late at night as she touched herself and tried to imagine it was Haruka's hands on her, Haruka's fingers inside her, and somehow this helped her stay sane. What bothered Yukino the most about all of this, about the campaign, was the separation they had to endure. Her advisors insisted she keep her communication with Haruka down to a minimum, afraid letters would be intercepted by the Referendums and that her relationship with Haruka could be used against her.
Aries was the most liberal of countries, the most liberal in all of Earl, in fact, and it wasn't that they were both girls that her advisors worried would cause a scandal, it was that Haruka was seventeen, still underage by their laws, and a student at Garderobe. Once the blonde was eighteen and graduated, became her Otome, they assured her they could stop hiding as much. They shouldn't flaunt their romance, certainly, but they could stop pretending it didn't exist and Yukino couldn't wait for this day to come. She had spent four years repressing her love for Haruka and she hated having to do it again even if was for the sake of their future together. Still, she understood her advisors perspective and she did what they said, causing her time with Haruka to be reduced to sparse phone calls here and there, staring at the photos she took of the younger girl before she left, and posing the figurine she purchased from Backstage on her bedside dresser.
Closer and closer the election became, the more frantic their campaigning, and sometimes Yukino felt like she was simply saying the same things over and over. Towards the end she stopped giving speeches and she began questioning her audience, asking them about their lives, their problems, what they wanted from her as a Senator, answering all their questions with thoughtful replies and Obrecht tried to imitate this strategy but failed miserably. His attempts were seen as false and bitter, he couldn't form a real rapport with the people, not like Yukino who soon had her audience in the palm of her hand, smiling and cheering and laughing with her. These events caused something of a problem for her bodyguards because the brunette had taken to walking among the constituents during these talks, shaking their hands, accepting their hugs, and they complained it was nearly impossible to protect her when she did such things but Yukino refused to stop, not when in those moments she felt she was finally connecting with the people she wanted to represent.
Senatorial debates were never televised, not like the Presidential ones, because they weren't seen as having any real interest and the debates between Yukino Chrysant and Tomas Obrecht were no different. However, they were heavily attended and they were written about and commented on in nightly newscasts with small clips being shown. Obrecht was a master debater and Yukino had some difficulty trying to hold her own against him but there was a huge advantage in the fact that the current President, Kenzo Xavier, was a Referendum who was quickly losing his popularity due to a staunch military approach that hadn't existed during his election. Xavier was seen by a large amount of the population as a war monger due to needless conflicts he had started with not only Artai but Lutesia Remus as well.
There was also the fact that Obrecht switching alliances from the Egalitarian party to the Referendums during a time such as this wasn't a sign of good faith to many of the people. It exhibited a definite lack of loyalty and Yukino hammered this fact and Xavier's war like actions with their neighboring countries over and over and Obrecht struggled to explain them in a way that sounded palatable and was anything but feeble excuses. The debates were close affairs but Yukino felt she gained victory in at least two out of the four they had and this left her feeling proud, especially when it was against the likes of Obrecht who was a seasoned politician who had over thirty years of experience.
The day before the election was spent campaigning in the capital city of Caeles, which had the largest population in all of Sol and when Yukino was finally alone in her house, if you discounted the bodyguards downstairs, she sat down on her bed, utterly exhausted. It was then that the phone rang and she stared at it with weary eyes. Part of her wanted to ignore it but she couldn't afford that, not with how close they were to the election and the fact that it could very well be one of her advisors with last minute news. Which is why Yukino answered the phone, trying her best to keep the fatigue out of her voice as she said, "Yukino Chrysant."
"Yukino," Haruka murmured her name and the love Yukino heard in the blonde's tone almost had her sobbing in relief. It had been so very long since she last spoke to Haruka. Two months and twenty one days to be exact and it killed her, the distance this election was creating in them. It was practically more than she could bear but then she thought of the future they would share together and she remembered the faces of all the people she met, the ones who looked at her with hopeful eyes, faith in their faces, they believed in her to make a difference as their Senator and she had to give her very best for them. "How are you? You sound tired."
"I was, until you called," said Yukino and her eyes were tearing up though she wasn't sure if it was from happiness or sheer exhaustion. Lying down on her bed, she closed her eyes and smiled at the mumbling response Haruka gave to her remark. "I miss you, Haruka-chan."
"I know, I feel the same," Haruka said solemnly. She paused and then she said, concern lacing her words, "I also know you got a lot you need to do before the election tomorrow. Last minute campaigning, get out the vote, all that but… try and rest some, okay? Sometimes I'm able to see you on the news here and you don't look like you're taking good enough care of yourself. I know how you get caught up in your work but you're not doing anybody any favors if you're not healthy."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino sighed, blinking back her tears and lying on her side, staring at the framed photograph she had of the younger girl by her bedside. "I promise I'll take better care of myself. I'll go straight to bed after we're done talking."
"Good," said Haruka firmly, sounding pleased. "You know we have a new doctor at Garderobe? Youko Helene's her name and she's got a private television in her lab. Bubuzuke conned her into letting us watch the election results tomorrow so when you got those damn cameras following you around tomorrow just remember I'll be watching, all right? It's not the same as me being with you but--"
"Haruka-chan," interrupted Yukino, the gratitude evident in her voice along with the deep affection. "I love you."
Silence except for a cough and Yukino could imagine the blush tingeing Haruka's cheeks as the blonde muttered, "I love you too." More silence and then Haruka's voice returned, stronger than ever, full of confidence and vigor, "You're going to win tomorrow, Yukino. There's no way you won't. I don't care what commentators and polls say, I've seen on those news shows how the people react to you and they believe in you just like they believed in your father but it's different. You can see it in the younger ones, the people that are our age, it's like you represent what they want Aries to turn into and you'll win because of that, because you're the future and Obrecht, he's the past."
Between the two of them, Yukino was definitely superior with words but Haruka had her moments, during hard times like these, where she said things so terribly profound and sweet that it moved Yukino more than she could ever properly explain. Haruka was such a very honest person who didn't possess the ability to deceive and guile her way into anything and that was why Yukino trusted her opinion above all others because she knew Haruka would never lie to her, even if it was to comfort her in some way. For the first time since this campaign began, Yukino felt a real and true confidence that the results would come out in her favor and it was all thanks to Haruka.
"I have to go," Haruka said regretfully and Yukino could hear Shizuru's voice and a brighter, cheerier, one in the background, calling out for Haruka-oneesama to hurry before the Principal caught them. "I'll call you again tomorrow though, to congratulate you on your victory."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino said her name and her natural poise returned as she said the younger girl's name. "I will win. Not just for myself but for you, for the both of us, and for all those people you said look at me that way. I swear it."
"I know," said Haruka and though she said this earnestly there was a smile in her voice somehow. "I love you, Yukino."
Then the line died and Yukino was listening to the sound of a dial tone. Staring at the phone in her hand as she ended the call, Yukino sighed and a smile tugged at her lips. Hearing from Haruka was such a rare joy these days and just the sound of her voice revitalized her for tomorrow but with Haruka's words of concern and her own exhaustion nipping at the edges of her mind, she placed the phone back in the receiver and changed into her bed clothes which consisted of her panties and one of the blonde's shirts she had borrowed during a trip to the Armitage house earlier in the year. Wearing it to bed made her feel closer to the Haruka and it took away some of the loneliness she felt without her.
All of that would change tomorrow though because when she won, when she became the Jr. Senator for Sol, she could request Haruka as her Otome and then the blonde would be with her as soon as she graduated from Garderobe which was three months away. That wasn't so long, not after a year of separation, just three months and then she could be with Haruka every day, they would be together forever. She just had to win the election and everything else would fall into place, Yukino was convinced of this. She wouldn't allow herself to believe otherwise.
---
Placing the phone into the receiver, Haruka allowed Sara to take her by the hand, pulling her out of the administrative office that Shizuru had somehow acquired keys to. The blonde had been anxious to speak to Yukino for weeks and gaining access to a phone at Garderobe wasn't the easiest thing for a student to accomplish, even if they were a member of the Trias, and despite the risk of sneaking through the halls past curfew with a Coral student and the No. 1 Pearl, Haruka was grateful for the opportunity to hear Yukino's voice again.
"Hurry, Haruka-oneesama," Sara insisted, still pulling Haruka along, snapping the older blonde out of her musings. Haruka couldn't help but smile at the tenacious look the Coral wore on her features. Seeing the doting expression on Haruka's face and clearly thinking that she wasn't listening to her, Sara rolled her eyes, and complained good naturedly, dragging Haruka after her as she said, "Mou! We'll get caught at this rate and then your and Shizuru-oneesama's reputations will be tarnished right before graduation."
Snorting at this, Haruka ducked around the corner and remarked, "The bubuzuke's already done that to herself thanks to the kid."
"Haruka-san is cruel to harp upon my terrible misdeed with Natsuki," Shizuru pouted and they were in the main entrance lobby which separated the Coral and Pearl dorms from one another. "Especially when she knows very well I'm trying hard to make up for it."
"Shizuru," said Haruka with a sigh and while she knew her former roommate was teasing her, she did have a point and it caused a twinge of guilt. Which is why she muttered an apology, blushing when Shizuru declared her love and clung to her arm. Grumbling at this, Haruka turned to Sara who was observing them with wide eyes. "Sara Gallagher," Haruka said her with name an emphatic fondness. "Head back to your room. The bubuzuke and I will be fine on our own from here on out." Sara started to protest and Haruka smiled, pushing up the glasses which slipped down the bridge of Sara's nose, stepping closer to the younger girl as she did so. "Thank you for your help."
"Haruka-oneesama," said Sara quietly, her cheeks dusted a light red, her head ducked. She lifted it after a moment, her expression mischievous but resolved and she hugged Haruka quickly, holding her tight for several moments before saying a rushed goodbye and disappearing into the Coral dormitory, leaving Haruka and Shizuru alone in the lobby.
Another moment passed as Haruka stared after Sara then she turned to Shizuru with a wry expression. "Come on, bubuzuke," she muttered, holding Shizuru by her elbow and walking towards the Pearl dormitory. "We better get to our rooms too."
Except when they reached their destination, Shizuru didn't walk over to her private room, but instead followed Haruka into hers, closing the door behind her. When Haruka looked at her with a questioning gaze, Shizuru murmured, "I don't think Haruka-san should be by herself right now. She puts on a brave face but I know her well enough that I can tell when something is the matter."
"Bubuzuke," Haruka muttered her name, an appreciative look in her violet eyes as she sat down on her bed, peering up at Shizuru who stood before her. Shaking her head, she said, "It's nothing, really. I’m just worried about Yukino. I know she's been running all over Sol campaigning for this election and the Referendums… they've been spreading lies about her and her family and she's had to deal with that plus all the stuff Obrecht has been saying about her being too young and inexperienced to hold a Senate seat. I wish I was there with her, that's all."
"I must admit, I don’t entirely understand your political system," said Shizuru, sitting next to Haruka on the bed.
"Aries is made up of seven states and each state has two Senators that the people who live in the state get to choose," said Haruka simply. "Yukino is trying to become a Senator for the state of Sol which the biggest state and is home to our country's capital city, Caeles. In Aries we don't have sponsors, the government pays our way into Garderobe and all Otome candidates are in the military. Just politicians, Senators, Governors, the President, and Generals in the military have Otome. If Yukino's not elected…" Haruka trailed off, not wanting to say the words aloud for some absurd fear of them coming true.
"I'm sure your Yukino will be elected," said Shizuru kindly. "Haruka-san has said many times she is a good leader, is she not?"
"She's the best," Haruka asserted, her eyes shining. "Yukino would make the best Senator but sometimes being the best isn't enough, bubuzuke. I've seen it enough, good people who run for office but lose because the lies that are told and the issues get lost along the way and Yukino deserves to win, she's the perfect person for the job, but sometimes that's not enough."
"Haruka-san," Shizuru said her name cautiously. "What will you do if she loses?"
Grimacing and clenching her hands into fists, Haruka's face darkened and she replied, "Scream about it then hope they assign me to the military and not one of the politicians that way I can request a transfer more easily once Yukino does take office." Turning to her friend, she said, her voice rough, "That's the hardest thing about this, bubuzuke. I came here wanting to be Yukino's Otome. It's been that way for years, how I imagined my future, it's always been serving her and I don't want it to be anybody else. With Yukino I know she'll be trying to do the right thing for Aries but someone else… what if they're corrupt? Or a bad leader? And it's my job to protect them? I'd do it because that's our duty, what Otome are trained to do, obey and protect our Masters, but I'd hate it and I'd hate myself for serving somebody like that. Plus there's the fact I'd be distracted, wanting to be with Yukino but how could I do that serving another person? I'd need to be with them all the time, serving them, protecting them, and I'd never be able to be with Yukino, not the way we both want anyway."
"My father sponsored me for entrance into Garderobe," murmured Shizuru. "I've never had such worries."
"You're lucky," said Haruka with droll humor, lying down on her bed and staring up at Shizuru who watched her with a soft look on her features. "Bubuzuke," she said this with a quiet affection. "What about you and the kid? What will you do when you graduate?"
"I don't know," Shizuru said in a whisper and she had a lost look on her face that Haruka had never seen before. The blonde didn't like the way it settled on the brunette's features, it looked unnatural there and she wanted to wipe away its very existence. "Natsuki is from a small country, just past the furthest borders of Artai, and her family is nobility there. If she returns to them and I stay in Windbloom I'm uncertain how we can remain together and really, at this point, that is all I want." Shizuru looked to Haruka who smiled at her and returning the smile, she lay down next to her friend on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. "Have you heard the rumor about Meister Zarganote?"
"That she wants to retire? Yeah," Haruka said easily and several moments passed before Shizuru's words processed for the blonde and she turned to the brunette with a look of surprise on her features. "You want to be the 3rd Column?"
"If the rumor is true and she plans to retire and if I was lucky enough to have Fumi-sama choose me as her replacement, I could remain with my Natsuki," said Shizuru simply and while her voice was calm there was a sort of desperation in her rust colored gaze that Haruka couldn't ignore. She could see how much the idea of being separated from Natsuki was eating at Shizuru.
"Meister Zarganote's been crotchety for awhile," Haruka noted and she nodded her head to emphasize this point. "I'm betting she's wanting to get out of here and if anybody has the scores to inspire Fumi-sama to choose them as a Column it'd be you, bubuzuke." Facing the other girl who looked at her with a gaze that for once wasn't hidden, wasn't subterfuge, it was plain and honest emotion and seeing it tugged at Haruka's heart. Heaving a sigh, Haruka lightly rapped her knuckles on Shizuru's forehead and muttered, "Don't get all teary on me about the kid, all right? Things are going to work out for you two just like they'll work out for me and Yukino. We have to believe in that."
"Haruka-san," Shizuru murmured, a genuine smile pulling at her lips, reaching out to capture Haruka's hand in her own and squeezing it gently. "I'm going to miss you terribly once we graduate."
Blushing on hearing this, Haruka grumbled and looked away from Shizuru, before muttering in reply, "I'll miss you too, Shizuru." She groaned when she felt Shizuru embrace her from behind, holding her close in a hug but endured it because she knew for once it probably wasn't coming from a place of amusement or teasing but instead from real emotion. Patting Shizuru's hands that were wound around her waist, Haruka looked back at the brunette and added sardonically, "But I won't miss you teasing me all the time."
"I tease because I love," said Shizuru playfully and Haruka snorted at this causing Shizuru to chuckle. "Haruka-san doesn’t believe I love her? But I do! In the friendliest of ways, of course, as I would never try to steal her away from her Yukino although I wonder if a certain Coral has the same sense of propriety about such matters because of the way she watches Haruka-san with a longing gaze."
"What are you rambling about, bubuzuke?" accused Haruka, twisting around to face the brunette who loosened her hold on Haruka.
Shizuru's expression was utterly serious as she met Haruka's gaze and said, "Sara Gallagher wants more than to be your heya-gakkari for a brief period of time, Haruka-san. She wants you to look at her as I look at my Natsuki. I'm certain of this."
"Sara?" Haruka repeated, her eyes going wide. "She's just a kid--"
"She is nearly the same age you were when you discovered your love for Yukino with my assistance," reminded Shizuru and there was a sort of reproach in her tone that caused Haruka to frown when she heard this. "I'm not trying to be unkind, Haruka-san. I merely think that you should be aware of such things. Especially if you're going to continue to spend time with her while we remain at Garderobe."
Mulling over what Shizuru said, well aware that the brunette was far more clever and observant about these types of things than she was, Haruka's frown deepened and she muttered, "I thought it was just her looking up to a sempai."
"It's partly that," revealed Shizuru with a sad smile. "And it's partly an honest affection for Haruka-san that could lead to more if you're not careful to make sure it stays right where it is." Haruka looked alarmed at this and despite her fearless nature, her habit of confronting things head on, she despised the idea of going to Sara and outright telling her she had no chance whatsoever because of her feelings for Yukino. It would be the truth, certainly, but the idea of it seemed hurtful and mean and Haruka didn't want to do that to Sara because she was quite fond of the younger blonde. "Haruka-san shouldn't worry. Sara-san is a clever girl, I'm sure from what she witnessed tonight she's aware of how much Haruka-san loves her Yukino. I think you should consider your actions a bit more while in her presence. Some acts of kindness might hurt her more in the end as she realizes precisely what she cannot have because it already belongs to Yukino."
"I like her," Haruka admitted in a mumble. "I don't want to hurt her but I love Yukino. Always have, always will."
"I suspect she knows this," said Shizuru gently. "Haruka-san shouldn't worry. Just continue to treat her as you have just with an added caution, for her sake as well as your own. These things needn't be said aloud, they can be shown through actions."
"Shizuru," said Haruka softly and she looked at the brunette with a lidded and earnest gaze. "I really am going to miss you. Maybe you poke at me and make fun of me but you help a lot too, you know? When it counts you're always there."
Pushing a lock of blonde hair out of Haruka's eyes, a smile curling on her lips, Shizuru murmured, "I feel the same way about Haruka-san."
"Good," Haruka said and she looked pleased to hear this then her face screwed up in a frown when she considered her words. "Wait a minute," she groused, her brow furrowing as she spoke. "When did I ever poke at you and tease you, bubuzuke? That's all your doing!"
"Haruka-san teased me terribly when we were roommates by removing her clothes in front of me, having no respect at all for my growing libido," said Shizuru and she formed a very good version of a scandalous expression which would've been believable on anyone but her.
"Bubuzuke," Haruka growled and she reached for the brunette, to do what, one couldn't quite know since her motion was halted by Shizuru slipping off the bed and fleeing from the room, declaring her love for Haruka as she went.
Left alone in her room, Haruka shook her head in exasperation at her former roommate then flopped back down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling and contemplating the events of the evening. She couldn't stop worrying about the election, her future with Yukino depended on its results, and more than that, she didn't really want to think what Obrecht would do as a Referendum Senator for the state of Sol, not with how crazy President Xavier had been acting ever since he took office two years ago. If Obrecht won it could tip the power in the Senate completely to the Referendums and Haruka didn't think that would lead to anything good. She really couldn't wait for the Presidential elections to arrive that would toss President Xavier out of office because more and more he was becoming a ruthless figure bent on the conquest of power and furthering his own agenda, ignoring what the people of Aries wanted in the process.
Sleep didn't come easy for Haruka that night, too many possibilities kept running through her mind, happy ones, sad ones, horrible and wonderful visions of the future and they kept her mind busy enough she just couldn't relax and go to sleep. By the time the morning bells rang, announcing the start of a new school day, Haruka hadn't gotten an ounce of sleep but strangely, she wasn't tired. Nerves didn't allow exhaustion is what she imagined and from the morning until the last class of the day she couldn't focus on anything but the election.
Dimly aware of Shizuru, Natsuki, and Sara following after her, Haruka made her way to Youko Helene's office where she greeted the doctor in a rush, thanking her profusely for the use of her television before switching on the election coverage in Aries and settling down in a chair to watch it progress for several hours. Watching them talk about the polls and interview the voters, it gave Haruka the same anxious and determined feeling she had before a battle but this one wasn't hers to win, it was Yukino's and she could only pray for victory.
---
Fifty nine percent of the vote wasn't a landslide but it was a decisive win, one that was more than Yukino could have hoped for. Honestly, the realistic, cynical side of her was expecting it to be close enough to merit a recount, but she won by a safe margin, one that the Referendums couldn't dispute and all the worries, all the pressures, of the past year disappeared in the instant that they announced she would become the next Senator for the state of Sol. The campaign headquarters was crowded with people, staff, volunteers, and supporters, all of which swarmed her with cheers and congratulations and it was like being swept up in a happy sea of humanity and it was more than Yukino could properly absorb, that all of these people believed in her, had chosen her to lead them, and she knew she would give it her all to make them proud.
She was soon led to the stage by her advisors, met with more cheers, and somehow Yukino composed herself enough to complete her speech, thanking everyone for their support and their votes, congratulating Tomas Obrecht on a well run race, and promising a bright future for Sol and for Aries as their new Senator. Speaking of her family history and her father, telling them that while she was her own person, she admired their history and was going to do everything she could to live up to it, to become a leader that earned all of Aries respect.
When the speech was over and she returned to the party, her father was at her side, his voice warm and caring in her ear, telling her how proud he was, how happy he was for her, and saying she had a phone call. Yukino's eyes lit up and she wound her way through the crowd, her way slow going as she stopped to shake hands and thank her staff and supporters, but after a ten minute journey she was inside her private office, picking up the phone, a smile already on her face from the voice she knew she would soon hear.
"Yukino," Haruka said her name with enough emotions that Yukino couldn't properly make them all out. There was gratitude, happiness, pride, relief, and too many others for her to identify in that moment. "You did it. I knew you would."
"It won't be much longer, Haruka-chan," Yukino promised, her eyes tearing up, sitting down on the edge of the desk and gripping it with her free hand. "You'll graduate in three months and I'll request you for my Otome and we'll be together again."
"I know," said Haruka and there was a strength, a conviction, that wasn't there before and Yukino knew with it the last of Haruka's doubts were receding and that made the brunette happier than she could ever say. "Your speech was good."
"You liked it?" asked Yukino shyly. "I was afraid to prepare one ahead of time so I made it up on the spot."
"It was good," Haruka reinforced warmly. "Everyone here thought so too, including the bubuzuke."
"I'm glad," said Yukino with a smile that faded when she saw an advisor at her door gesturing to party. Sighing and nodding her head, Yukino said reluctantly, "I have to go, Haruka-chan. There's a lot of people here I need to thank and--"
"It's all right," Haruka interrupted and there was an encouragement that was more than Haruka just being kind and she heard the sound of the blonde moving, perhaps to have added privacy. "We're going to be together now. There's nothing that'll stop it from happening, Yukino. I'm going to work my hardest these last three months and bubuzuke's agreed to help me more with training. I can't beat her but I'm going to keep my position as the No. 2 Pearl and a member of the Trias and I'll earn the right to be your Otome. You'll see."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino breathed, tears pricking at the corner of her eyes. "I love you."
"I love you too," said Haruka in heartfelt tones, "and I'll see you soon."
Once again, the sound of a dial tone and Yukino stared at the phone in her hand, ignoring her advisor who was in the room telling her all the things she needed to do tonight, the reporters she had to speak to and the politicians she needed to call. The only thing that registered was the fact that she had done it, she had won this election and with it the right to request Haruka as her Otome. Their future together was only a step away, they just had to wait a little more and then they would finally be together again and all of this would be worth it because together they could live out their dream of working for Aries, helping to create a brighter tomorrow for their country and its people.
---
Two weeks later, Yukino walked into her office in The Hexagon, and the first thing that caught her eye was a small white, green, and gold vase that contained a large sunflower residing on her desk. Walking over to her desk, Yukino touched the large yellow petals, smiling at the velvety sensation, holding them gently in between her thumb and finger. She vaguely heard her advisor telling her about the day's itinerary but the only thing on her mind was Haruka's gift to her, wondering how she managed to arrange such a thing. Looking at her advisor, Yukino murmured, "I want to see the Senate Otome committee before the end of this week, Johan."
"Ma'am?" questioned Johan, blinking.
"The Senate Otome committee," Yukino repeated and her tone was polite but adamant. "I want to see them before the week is over."
"Yes," said Johan quickly, nodding his head and flipping a page in his small book and writing a note. "I'll make sure that happens."
"Good," said Yukino, sounding pleased and moving around the desk to sit in the chair that had once belonged to her father and feeling strangely at home as she turned to stare at the skyline of Caeles in the distance. "What's first on our agenda for today?"
Listening to Johan outline her day, the meetings with this politician and that committee and this constituent group, Yukino felt a slow smile form on face because this was what she wanted, what she dreamed of, since she was a small child and it was finally hers. There was just one last piece of the puzzle and that was Haruka at her side as her Otome and soon that would happen and everything would be perfect.
She was sure of it.
To be continued...
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