Pain can be a GOOD thing By: a lost cause 1-07-02 This story takes place during the S season. The talismans haven't been found yet and (at first) Haruka and Michiru are no more than close friends and partners. This changes though, as you will soon see. Standard disclaimers apply. Enjoy the fic! -----Pain can be a GOOD thing----- "OH_MY_GOD!" Michiru visibly winced from the near-scream that came from her partner's bedroom. It wasn't a shout of fear or contempt, this much she already knew. However, the actual reason for the outburst would elude her until its' creator made her appearance. She had a feeling that this might happen and thus made it a point to get up well ahead of her blonde companion and occupy herself with preparing breakfast. Though now, there was a long period of silence that followed causing Michiru to worry slightly. However, the sight of a very-pained Haruka forcing herself down the stairs reassured her. To Haruka, Michiru simply gave her a strange look and then went back to cooking breakfast in the kitchen. In reality, Michiru had to quickly turn her back to Haruka and pretend to be engrossed in her cooking while she struggled to control her giggles. The sky senshi looked like a wreck and was walking as though her legs were made of wires. In other words, she was wobbling about from leg to leg with a stricken look on her face. Somehow, she made it to the table and promptly slammed her forehead against the glass. Michiru let a giggle slip that was just loud enough for her companion to hear, making her look up for a moment, only to slam her head back down. Caught in the act, Michiru shrugged, turned off the heat on the stove and sat herself across the table from the downed senshi. "Good morning." She beamed, receiving something of a groan from Haruka. She could only shake her head and chuckle. "What's the matter?" Haruka lifted her head, her face contorted in an odd way. "My body—no, my legs! Eugh. They hurt SO MUCH!" As if to emphasize her point, she vigorously massaged her upper thighs and made slight hissing noises whenever she'd cause herself pain. Michiru stared at her for a long time, looking as if she were carefully choosing her next words. A wise look crossed her face as she leaned on one elbow some four inches from Haruka's nose. "Well then, I guess that's what you get... for playing around with your little boyfriends." For the first second and a half, Haruka wasn't quite sure if she'd heard the aqua-haired teen correctly. Then it registered. She looked up to meet Michiru's coy grin with a glare that clearly read "what are you thinking?!". She couldn't believe that her partner had just referred to her group of friends, that she called 'the guys', as her 'little boyfriends'. Her glare must have worked because Michiru quickly giggled and explained. "Come on Haruka. I know you better than that." "Didn't seem like it there for a second." She mumbled before resuming her massaging. Michiru sighed and walked the distance between them. She laid her hands on Haruka's shoulders and gently began to work the tense muscles. For the first time she could remember since finding the F1 racer, Haruka actually relaxed at her touch. She smiled to herself at the thought. Though the smile slowly faded when she realized she'd been massaging her partner's shoulders for nearly five minutes and they seemed as tense as they were to begin with. "Just what were you 'guys' doing to yourselves last night?" She finally asked, putting the emphasis on the word "guys" with a hint of humor. Haruka had forgotten her legs and was simply enjoying Michiru's attempt to soothe her sore muscles. When she abruptly broke the silence with a question, she could only groan in response. "Grappling. We had a tournament that lasted a long time, maybe three hours." "Jeez. No wonder you're all bent out of shape." "Perfect phrase for this. Ahhhh, it huuuuurts!" Haruka was whining; she couldn't believe it. In the months that she'd known the taller girl, whining was something that was certainly a non-Haruka characteristic. Today seemed to be the exception. Though, Haruka had the right to do so, 3 hours of random grappling would make anyone hurt. "Didn't you stretch out beforehand?" She rolled her eyes at Michiru's question. "Of course I did. But it's not like we were doing this in an arena or something. Patori-kun had pushed three mattresses together and we surrounded them with the couches from the living room. And THAT is what we fought on last night." She paused to use both hands to rub the point where the skull meets the neck. "In that last three-way battle, I must have gotten slammed into the wall a good five or six times." This caused Michiru to (involuntarily?) gasp, which provoked a curiosity-filled glance from Haruka. The sea senshi quickly recovered herself by shrugging and wandering off towards the bathroom. "Well, it's like I said. You're just reaping what you sowed." "Maybe. But, wow was it worth it! It's such a stress reliever from our mission..." she trailed off, hearing water running in the bathroom, even though the door was still wide open. As if reading her mind, Michiru walked backed out and faced a semi-bewildered Haruka. "I'm running a bath for you." She answered simply. "You need to soak in some warm water before your muscles will relax at all." "Is that so?" In response, Michiru smiled mysteriously and returned to the food she'd prepared on the stove. Haruka leaned back in her chair as best she could and tried to relax, awaiting the soothing embrace of the warm water running in the bathtub. She thought with a regretful sigh. The clang of metal brought her back to reality. Michiru'd put some pan in the sink and was now happily munching on her breakfast. She looked quite adorable to Haruka, though she'd never fully admit it. She was about to remark about breakfast or something when she felt it. It had been absent from her being for the past few days, making her feel hallow. But it was finally back. "The kaze." She breathed with wide eyes, earning an inquisitive look from Michiru. Haruka pushed herself up and stumbled over to their patio door. Various "Ow!"s and other grunts of pain accompanied her. Michiru followed close behind, curious to Haruka's motive. She'd noticed the past few days that Haruka had seemed unusually distant and cold, and had suspected it had something to do with the absence of her element. Her suspicions were confirmed as Haruka somehow stood on a chair outside, arms outstretched, with a euphoric grin on her face as the wind surrounded her. Michiru was no stranger to this herself. After all, her element was harder to 'bond' with on a day-to-day basis. Instead, she could feel it in other things, even the wind. However, whenever she visited the sea, it was one of the most amazing things she could remember feeling. She caught herself thinking as she watched her entranced friend. She mournfully smiled, thinking of what might never be. Haruka was overjoyed. She felt almost complete being surrounded by her 'absent friend'. As the wind whipped through her hair, she broadly smiled. "This is intense..." She whispered, slowly opening her eyes. The breeze died down as quickly as it'd risen, but never disappeared completely. The pain she'd forgotten while in nirvana returned without mercy, forcing Haruka to her knees. Her mouth opened wide in a silent scream as her left hand flew to her shoulder and her right to her thigh. Michiru was at her side in a flash. "You... don't have to..." she managed to say in between gasps. She had no idea that a night of tumbling around could hurt so much the next day. She was Sailoruranus! Similar things happened a lot, nightly sometimes, and even THOSE nights didn't leave her with a hurt this bad. "Actually yes, I do have to." Michiru cut in with a tender smile making the girl in her arms blush very lightly. Somehow, the two women made it into a standing position, Haruka literally hanging off of her counterpart. After a brief struggle with the sliding glass door, Michiru managed to half-drag the deadweight in her arms to the bathroom where an almost full tub of hot water resided. She said something that Haruka couldn't quite make out and then left, giving her the privacy she deserved. she violently shook her head, cutting of her current train of thought. Thinking like that would only get her into trouble, she figured. She disrobed and carefully slid her aching body into the steaming water. She breathed an audible sigh as relief crept over her strained muscles. Her eyes rapidly grew heavy and she slowly sank as deep into the water as she could go, given the length of the bathtub. The water tickled her chin, but she didn't care because it was working magic on her tired body. She blushed at the thought of walking in on a sleeping Haruka, neck-deep in the tub. Michiru brushed the thought aside and prepared to brave the bathroom. Sleeping or not, Haruka had been in there too long, and she couldn't let her heart's desires cloud her judgment. A large steam cloud greeted her when she noiselessly opened the door. She closed the door behind her and made as little noise as possible. Her hand shakily grabbed the shower curtain, which Haruka had evidently closed, and she peeled it back...to give herself a clear view of a sleeping, and very-naked Haruka. Blood rushed to her cheeks and she gasped lightly. Immediately, she let go of the curtain and stepped back. She prayed Haruka hadn't heard her. After waiting a few seconds, and there was no response, she bowed her head in relief. Michiru held her breath and reached behind the curtain at the other end of the bathtub. she reasoned. However, she wouldn't get that far. She was dreaming of Michiru again. They were together, both dressed casually and sitting at the shore of some lake, playing with their feet in the chilled water. They weren't talking, simply enjoying each other's company. Such a pleasant dream was a welcome contrast to visions of The Silence. Though, her physical body sensed something and started to try to bring her back into consciousness. her mind complained. However, a nearly silent gasp brought her crashing back to reality. Her eyes snapped open, certain she heard something. She didn't dare move, and her silence paid off: she could hear faint breathing from the other side of the shower curtain. Haruka waited patiently for her "enemy" to make the first move. Her eyes widened when a slender hand moved past the curtain at the other end of the tub and started to dip into the water. She wasn't sure, and had to be certain. As the hand emerged from the water, holding the drain plug, she lunged and grabbed it by the wrist. A surprised yelp was the only response. In one swift movement, Haruka pulled both her "attacker" and the shower curtain into the tub with her. Michiru untangled herself from the waterproof curtain and came face to face with Haruka who wore a look of slight confusion and... A faint blush crept across Haruka's cheeks again. She looked away, cleared her throat and then made eye contact with the ocean goddess. "I'm so sorry Michiru. I wasn't sure... and now you're soaked—" she paused, realizing that Michiru was furiously trying not to stare at her. Haruka quickly covered herself and moved out of the tub while Michiru adverted her gaze. She wrapped a towel around herself and offered a hand to her drenched partner. Michiru gratefully accepted. "I'm really sorry—" she began again. "Don't worry about it." Michiru interrupted. "It's not like I've never been sodden before." Haruka didn't look satisfied, but instead angry. Her mind raced. Her soul hoped not, and she could feel the fear of sudden rejection sinking in. "Michiru... I'm... sorry." It was all she could say. She abruptly left Michiru standing there, dripping on the linoleum, and went to change in her bedroom not once uttering a word about her (former?) soreness. Meanwhile, Michiru stood frozen in place, not certain what move to make next. A minute passed, then two. She sighed the deepest sigh she ever had, and ran after Haruka. She burst in on the half-dressed girl, shocking her enough to yelp. "Wha—" Her sentence would die there as Michiru de-robed in front of her. She knew she was being terribly rude, but she couldn't tear her eyes off of the slim body before her. Michiru noticed and smiled. An almost silent giggle escaped her lips, gaining Haruka's attention who immediately used her eyes to trace the contours of the floor. "It's only fair." Michiru answered the unfinished question. "...yeah..." Haruka mumbled, completely baffled as to what to say next. For a long time, both women stood there in silence: Michiru naked, and Haruka bearing an unbuttoned shirt and nothing else. When the silence started to become uncomfortable, Michiru tried not to let her sadness show but failed. She quickly bundled up her sopping-wet clothed and exited, leaving Haruka standing in the morning sun, mystified. The command rolled through her mind like a mantra, but it wasn't doing much good. She couldn't deny her heart. Though, just down the hall... Her left cheek felt a stray tear oll down it and into her wet hair. She ignored it and stared somberly out her window. She was dressed in a simple robe now, her drenched clothes forgotten on the floor. A creak in the floorboards forced her to turn around to see Haruka that looked like a little kid that had just been caught in the act of... something. Michiru had a very confused, though inquisitive, look on her face. Haruka smiled gently and bowed her chin to her chest. "I have something to say." She began, looking up and into Michiru's eyes. The sea senshi nodded slowly while her heartbeat increased in anticipation. Haruka cleared her throat and continued. "What you did back there. That was so fearless... and honest." Michiru blushed and adverted her gaze. "So much that I feel I should be bluntly honest with you." her mind and heart gasped, fearing the inevitable. "Michiru... I--." She paused, searching for the words. "I think you make me feel... complete." She stood there then, watching Michiru for any sort of response. When the girl stood there for a long time, not answering, Haruka nodded soberly and turned to leave while her mind planned out what to do next. She thought coldly when a soft voice stopped everything. "I hope you're certain about that." Michiru prayed silently to anything that would listen. Haruka looked at her, clearly confused. "What do y—" "...Because I feel the same way about you." Again, both stood frozen in place, uncertain of the next move. Haruka slowly stepped up to Michiru, her hands shaking in disbelief. Could Michiru be saying what her heart dreamed? "Are you saying... what I pray to the gods you're saying?" Michiru cocked her head. "I tried to be close, but you wouldn't let me near. Have you finally come around, oh 'Distant Sky Ruler'?" She responded, losing the distance between them again, this time wrapping her arms around the neck of the taller blonde. Haruka laughed at the English meaning of her name and pressed her forehead against Michiru's. The tension between them disappeared and a peaceful calm washed over them. "How's this for close?" Michiru's now-familiar sly grin made another appearance. "I think I'd like it closer." She whispered before pressing her lips to Haruka's. She accepted the kiss and returned it with as much favor given. Michiru's arms slowly moved their way down Haruka's back and she pressed themselves closer together. Haruka's eyes bulged and she broke the kiss. "DAAAAAH! MY BAAAAACK!" Michiru's eyes widened in shock, uncertain of what was going on. Haruka sat down, pressed both hands to her lower back and began to massage the muscles as best and quickly as she could. Understanding swept through Michiru as she knelt next to Haruka. "Maybe you need another bath, ne?" Haruka eyed her mock-cautiously in-between alternating hands on her spine. "I don't know. I might get attacked again." "Hmmm, do you need my protection?" She practically purred. "Yes. Yes I do." She said very simply. Michiru started giggling that was soon joined by Haruka's deep laugh. "Well then, shall we?" Haruka grinned wildly. "Yes, off to the bathroom!" She cried, stumbling her way to the bathtub, Michiru a few steps behind her. Once they got there, Haruka was rubbing her arms and legs, mock-whimpering in pain. Michiru rolled her eyes good-naturedly and grabbed Haruka's hands. "Want some help?" Haruka mutely nodded. Michiru laughed. "My my, the mighty Haruka needing both my protection and my help." She proclaimed, earning a light elbow-jab from Haruka. She began to rub the still-tense shoulders with a twinkle in her eyes. "You should play with 'the guys' more often Ruka. I rather enjoy taking care of you." "They're just as injured as me! It's not like I lost or anything." Haruka huffed. Michiru sighed contently as she kneaded the taunt flesh. "Besides," Haruka continued, apparently unsatisfied with her former answer's ending. "Pain can be a good thing." Michiru cocked an eyebrow. "How does that work?' Now it was Haruka's turn to smile slyly. "Brought us closer, didn't it?" Michiru groaned making Haruka chuckle. "Whatever works." Ending notes--- Why do I even have this here? I don't know, I've been up for over 30 hours so I don't really care. Okay, if you want to send me feedback (which, for those of you who don't know, is an author's main source of protein) I'll list some of my addresses here in case the link at ASMR doesn't work. Here we go: vampireofancoli@prodigy.net saturnkihaku@prodigy.net and kazeno_rei@hotmail.com Blessed be and ja na! a lost cause P.S. Creators and publishers of ASMR: you guys rock! Keep up the better-than-necessary work!