Always There

I.

It's no secret, Haruka's love for our Princess. Every time Ruka sees Usagi, her whole face practically lights up. She gives Usagi smiles, winks that I only want her to save for me. Yes, I know, I'm selfish, but I don't give a damn. You're allowed to be jealous of the one you care for.

And yet sometimes I wonder if I'm holding her back, if Haruka wants our Princess to be hers.

"Ja ne, Koneko-chan!" Haruka waves to the pigtailed blonde and smiles before turning to head to her car. The sight of a graceful aqua-haired girl leaning next to the yellow convertible only causes her grin to widen. Michiru makes even a good day infinitely better. "Hey, Michi, did you finish your art project?"

But Michiru doesn't meet her gaze, instead looking past her to the group of girls happily tripping down the sidewalk. "They're cute, aren't they?"

"Yeah…" Slightly put off by her girlfriend's response, Haruka opens the car door. She keeps an eye on Michiru, sliding the key into the ignition and starting the engine. What's going on?

They are driving along the coast when Michiru suddenly turns to her: "Pull over, Haruka, please. I want to talk to you."

The racer obeys, steering her car to the side of the road and putting it in park. Almost before it stops, Michiru opens the door and practically runs to the edge of the bluff, standing as close as she can without falling. Wind rolls in from the sea, carrying the scent of salt. It whips her hair around her face, turns the normally elegant violinist into something wild.

Haruka loves it and watches for a long moment before she too steps from the car. She stands at Michiru's side, placing her long-fingered hands on the smaller girl's shoulders and gently kneading her muscles. "What's wrong?"

Michiru shrugs Haruka's hands away as her own clench on her dress. She looks away, out across the ocean. "Haruka, you want to protect Usagi, don't you?"

"Yes, of course I do." Where is this leading?

"And you would do anything for her—whatever it took."

"Yes…Michiru, what—"

"Haruka." Michiru faces her, and the racer is beyond shocked to see that she is crying. "Do you love Usagi?"

"…y-yes, but—"

"Don't let me hold you back, Haruka." The tears come faster, but her voice remains as strong as ever. "If this is what you want, then go. I don't—I won't stop you. I want you to be happy, even if…" Now Michiru loses confidence; her voice shakes. "If it isn't with me." She turns her back again, trying—and failing—to control herself.

Haruka can only gape at her, dumbfounded. What—she thinks….Koneko-chan….? "Michiru, no!"

Startled by Haruka's outburst, the violinist started to face her only to find herself crushed against Haruka's body, strong, warm arms holding her tight. "No. Usagi….is….our Princess, and yes, I love her dearly, but not more than you. Never more than you. I would go through hell for her, but I would sell my soul to Satan himself for you. You hold my heart in your hands, and I want to be with you until the day I die." She kisses Michiru's neck, moving the fingers of her left hand through her hair. "Get it?"

Michiru doesn't reply, simply burying her face into Haruka's shoulder. "I'm sorry, I feel—"

"No, no, don't apologize. It's nice to know I can make the great Kaioh Michiru jealous." Haruka smirks and kisses her again.

She strikes the racer lightly on the chest. "Shut up."