"Michiru-san! What a surprise!" The aqua-haired artist chuckled as she and the tall man embraced briefly. "Ken'nin-kun. It has been a while. How are you?" "You know, the usual. Running Tohoku has never been an easy job, though my cousin, Kazeko, made it look so very easy. Oh well." He bowed as he invited the four women into Tohoku Castle, watching the tall blonde as she walked past him. Curious, he stepped in front of her and bowed. "Hello. I'm Aomori Ken'nin, Regent Duke of Tohoku region." Haruka straightened up, her bearing more regal than she would ever admit. "I am Ten'ou Haruka, orphan, former fighter at Kurai's Tokyo Fighting Palace." "Ten'ou Haruka," Ken'nin whispered. "You—you can't be her." "You mean Ten'ou Koshu and Ten'ou Kazeko's daughter?" Ken'nin nodded, Michiru watching the exchange with some interest. "I am she, though I barely remember anything of my life from before that car crash." Ken'nin looked at Michiru wildly, desperate for her to deny Haruka's words. "She is Kazeko's only daughter." "Then she . . ." "Yes." Ken'nin fell to one knee, head bowed, at Haruka's feet. "Then you are our Duchess, Haruka-san. You are the ruler of Tohoku Region." Haruka, a little shocked, stared at the man at her feet, looking up at Michiru for prompting. She didn't know what to so or even how to act like a ruler of any kind. Michiru gestured that she should have Ken'nin rise. "Please stand up." Ken'nin rose, and Haruka let herself smile. "I didn't come to take away your throne, Aomori-san. I just wanted to meet my family." Ken'nin placed his hands on Haruka's shoulders. "Then, Haruka-san, since we are family, there is no need to be so formal. I do not out rank you; I am not even your equal, so please call me Ken'nin, not Aomori. And you don't have to want the throne; it reverts to you instantly now that you are back in Tohoku. It's yours." Haruka reluctantly followed Ken'nin into the throne room, never noticing that Makoto and Michiru both watched her leave. Makoto clenched her fists and turned away, while Michiru kept staring, wondering why she felt an urge to follow Haruka. What had they been in their past lives that she was so desperate to be with Haruka? Haruka looked at the golden throne, eyes on her cousin. "Ken'nin-kun, I do not want that throne. I do not want to be duchess." "I understand how you feel, cousin. I never wanted to be Regent Duke; I was never trained for this eventuality. But it happened, and Tohoku has prospered under my rule." Aomori Ken'nin stopped before reaching the throne, recognizing Haruka's unwillingness to go any farther. "How long has it been since Michiru-san rescued you and Kino-san from that fighting palace?" "A few days. I'm still getting used to eating on a regular basis and bathing every day and not being punished for sitting and thinking for a few moments. I don't know if I would be doing this region a favor by taking over. You know more about this place then I do, and I think it would be better for me to finish learning how to be a normal person before I have to be a duchess. I hope you understand." "You want me to remain regent a while longer." Ken'nin smiled, and Haruka felt herself relax. "Of course I understand. But now that you're here, you must appoint me regent in a public announcement." "You mean, if I say it, that you're regent, they will accept that?" "Of course. That's what power means. And besides, they will also understand. Any thing you say in Tohoku from this day forward is law, unless it contradicts the Queen's laws. Do you see?" "I think I do. I'm used to being powerless; this is a lot to handle." "You'll get used to it," Ken'nin assured his cousin. "Now, on to business. I have prepared a midday feast to celebrate the arrival of Duchesses Hino and Kaiou; that is a fine place to introduce you. All of the Lords and Ladies of import will be there and the media, despite our best attempts, always manages to attend every important function. All of Tohoku will know. There you can announce that, because of your past, you would prefer to continue your tour of Japan with Duchess Kaiou than instantly begin your duties as Kazeko's daughter. Simply tell them that once you are satisfied that you are fit, you will return to begin your training to be our Duchess. We must find you a dress." "A dress? Ken'nin-kun, I do not want to wear a dress." Ken'nin nodded and led his cousin out to the other visitors. Michiru and Makoto looked up, but Makoto looked away and walked to Rei's side. "All of you, I give you access to our clothes, our servants, and our baths so that you may prepare for the formal evening meal I have ordered to commemorate your visit. Michiru-san, please see if you can convince my cousin to don a dress for the meal. I will send the servants to escort you to your temporary rooms." He bowed and left. *~*~*~*~*~*~* Haruka glared at the servant woman who measured her for the dress, glancing up at Michiru with pleading eyes. 'Help me,' her gaze begged. 'Please.' "You'll like the dress, Haruka-san." The servant bowed and left the two duchesses alone in the room. Michiru smiled at Haruka in the shift the servant had managed to get onto the blonde. "You'll look very pretty in a dress." "I hate dresses. You don't understand, but a dress makes you vulnerable and I don't want to be vulnerable." "You can't let anyone past your shell. You're afraid that if people see the real you they won't like you and they won't accept you. If they think that you're a man, for instance, they will treat you differently than they would treat a woman." Haruka nodded, confused. "Yes." "So you pretend. You pretend to be a man, to be strong, to be a painter, a violinist, a normal person, happy. You pretend to flirt with men when all you can see is the beauty of the women all around you that you cannot have because it is not right for the First Duchess to be a lesbian. And the more you pretend, the more you tell others that you are a certain person, the more you begin to believe it until you no longer even know who you are." Haruka realized somewhere very early in that passionate speech that her aqua-haired partner was talking about herself, and she moved forward to wipe the tear off Michiru's cheek. The shorter duchess let out a choked sob and let Haruka wrap her arms around her, tears flowing freely. "Haruka, I'm so alone." "Shh, Michiru. Please, calm down. I don't care that you're a lesbian, and none of the things I've seen through your shell frighten me. You don't have to pretend with me, Michiru." The aqua-haired woman nodded and wiped her tears, looking up from Haruka's breast. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to dump my problems on you." "I'm here for you when you need me. Why do you paint, Michiru?" "To forget those dreams. I don't want to fight and kill and die. I just want to be a normal duchess, be the duchess that my mother has become. I want to be attracted to men, I want to marry a man, but I know that I'm not normal." "There is nothing wrong with being attracted to women. Do you think there is something wrong with me?" "No, of course not!" "Yet I'm a lesbian. My people don't have to understand or accept because this is not an elected position. Neither is yours. The people of Kanto can be upset at you, but they cannot disown you. And certainly none of your fellow future duchesses will be upset at you. I mean, it's fairly obvious that Rei-san is gay, Minako-san is at least a bisexual, and Setsuna-san is accepting of both of them." "What about Makoto-san?" Haruka backed away from Michiru, arms crossed defensively across her chest. "I don't know about Mako-chan. We aren't speaking at the moment. She wants me to decide how I feel about her." "And?" "All I know is that I love her, but I think I would love my little sister the same way. She wants me to love her live Rei-san loves Minako-san, and I don't think I do." "Haruka, you two may not be destined for each other, but everyone is destined for someone. Just give I time and let true love find you. And Makoto-san, whether she is your soul mate or not, will be there for you when you've figured it out." "What about you?" "What?" Haruka shook her head, looking away from her friend. "I'm sorry; I really wasn't thinking. Anyway, you'd better go to the room Ken'nin-kun gave you to get ready for the party." "Why? I can just as easily get dressed here. Unless you feel uncomfortable with me in here?" Haruka swallowed and shook her head. "No, that's fine." In the depths of her mind, where no one would hear, Haruka groaned. 'Is she trying to drive me crazy? Because it's working!' 'Yeah, well, maybe she knows that,' Haruka's inner voice laughed. 'Look at her; she's gorgeous. I think she wants you to notice her.' Haruka passed a hand over her face as she realized that she might no survive in Michiru's company much longer. Gaining control of her emotions, the tall blonde sat down on the huge bed and tried her best to ignore the gorgeous woman sitting beside her. Her inner voice just laughed at her feeble efforts. *~*~*~*~*~*~* "And now it is my greatest pleasure to introduce the newest arrivals to Tohoku, the reason we are having this feast in the first place." Ken'nin, dressed in finest suit of white and gold, smiled at the gathered nobles, deciding that he had delayed the very important introduction long enough. Smiling, he gestured for the guests to enter one at a time. Hino Rei was first, as always a stunning powerful sight. She wore a long crimson dress edged in gold and shimmering in the light. Her dark raven hair shone, sparkling with strings of tiny black and red stones, and she smiled at the stares she received. "I present Hino Rei, young duchess of Kinki Region." She sat as the next of Ken'nin's guests entered the room. Michiru, as always elegant and graceful, nearly floated into the room, long aqua hair flowing down her back in waves reminiscent of the stormy ocean. Her dress was predominantly white, aquamarines forming waves around her neck and the skirt deepest sapphire hemmed in the same stones. She knew the men were staring at her, but after her talk with Haruka, she didn't care in the least. She also no longer cared what her mother thought about her love life, so she merely sat down and glanced at the women around her. She decided that none of them were as beautiful as Haruka, so she looked up and waited. "You all, of course, know a favorite return guest of Tohoku, the stunning future duchess of Kanto Region, Kaiou Michiru. Please feel free to welcome her as you always have." Ken'nin cleared his throat as the next woman entered, dressed in an emerald gown and looking distinctly uncomfortable being the center of attention. "This beautiful brunette is Kino Makoto, daughter of Kino Meisha and Meika, Duke and Duchess of Chubu Region, orphaned at a very young age, only recently returned to the truth of her upbringing. Please extend your support and love to our new friend and let her see that no matter what she endured these past fifteen years, we are here for her." Cheers joined the shocked gasps, and Makoto groaned inwardly as she realized what trouble this was going to cause when they reached Chubu. She sat in the chair across from the duchess of Kanto, leaving the seat at the head of the table beside Michiru free for the duchess of Tohoku. Aomori Ken'nin bowed deeply to the crowd, glancing at his family sitting beside Makoto and across from Rei. He pointed at the throne-like chair between Michiru and Makoto that had been empty since Kazeko and Koshu died so many years before. "And now I take my seat. I announce here and now that I will relinquish my title of Regent and take back my less powerful throne of Lord Aomori. I would like for you to meet my successor, a woman I know you will all recognize." Haruka walked into the room, grace she had only just learned blending with the nobility she had been born with. Her sparkling golden dress showed off every curve of her body, making her look incredibly feminine despite her short hair. Her emerald eyes searched the room warily, calming when they came to rest on Michiru. On her brow sat the crown even Ken'nin had never dared to don, the gem-studded Crown of Tohoku. The golden band marked the tall woman as a daughter of the Ten'ou Line, but none of the guests noticed that. They took in the dark gold hair, the vibrant eyes, the bearing, and they all hit one knee. They knew this woman as the daughter of their former Duchess. "My name is Ten'ou Haruka, sole daughter and heir of Ten'ou Koshu and Ten'ou Kazeko. I am the born Duchess of Tohoku Region." "Haruka-sama!" "Oh, don't do that. I've been an orphan in Kanto my whole life and I'm not ready for this. I just wanted to say that I'm honored and all, but I'm not ready to take my place as Duchess." A sound of despair passed through the room, and Haruka raised her hand. "Your support is encouraging. I will return one day, but for now I wish to ask Aomori Ken'nin to resume his position as Regent, a position he has done justice to. My cousin, will you accept?" The people of Tohoku already knew that the arrangements had been made for the transfer of power, but they waited for Aomori's ceremonial response. The tall man stood, his noble bearing silencing the mumbles in the room. "My second cousin on my mother's side, daughter of Kazeko, a friend though she was family, daughter of my best friend Koshu, I know why you ask this and I respect the position you are in. I, as your second cousin and Lord of Aomori Prefecture, will be glad to hold your throne for you until you are ready to become our Duchess. For tonight, my beloved cousin, please do us the honor of sitting enthroned with us. After the feast, we will return your crown to its place of honor, waiting eagerly for your return." Haruka bowed her head and took her seat at the head of the table between Makoto and Michiru. The crowd cheered as the servants brought the first course. Haruka immediately turned to Michiru, her tension evident to the aqua-haired woman. "That was hard. I've never spoken in public before." "Never, Haruka-san?" The blonde shook her head. "You don't speak in the Tokyo Fighting Arena. You don't speak to Kurai if you value your dinner." "But you do if you value your friends." Haruka raised her eyebrow, and Michiru smiled. "Makoto-san told me why she was tied to that post so many days ago. You stood up for her, and I imagine I could never have exhibited such courage. I admire you for that." Haruka blushed as she bent to her soup. "Thank you." "You're welcome." *~*~*~*~*~*~* Haruka knocked on the door, praying for an answer. A short servant girl, long burnt orange hair tied back, glanced at the visitor and bowed her head. "Highness. Would you like to come in?" "If Mako-chan will have me." "Let her in, Kae, and please leave until tomorrow morning." Kae bowed and left as Haruka entered Makoto's room. Makoto, still wearing her magnificent emerald dress, was standing at the huge window, staring at the star-sparkled sky. "I didn't think you'd come." "Mako-chan, I need to talk to you. Being here, being back home, has convinced me that I have a long way to go before I really know who I am. I know that I love you and that you are the only person who truly understands me, but even I know that there are many different kinds of love. I think you're the sister I never had." Makoto smiled as she turned around. "I know, Haru-chan. I've known for a while, I think. Back in the arena, you protected me, but we never considered a future, and love requires a future. When Setsuna-san touched me, I realized a great many things, and I was forced to reevaluate my feelings for you and the way I responded to your confusion. I think there is someone else here for you, and I hope that there is someone here for me, too. I want my sister back, Haru-chan." Haruka cheered inside as she crossed the room and pulled Makoto back into her arms where she belonged. "Thank you for taking me back. No matter what I say, I don't think I can live without you." "You'll never have to. Haru-chan, Can you hold me while I fall asleep? Last night was horrible, and I know that I have to learn to sleep easily without you, but I can't yet. Do you mind?" "Never. Let's go to bed, Mako-chan." Shifting her grip slightly, Haruka pulled Makoto to the large bed and stretched out, holding her adopted sister as she found a comfortable position and relaxed. Arms wrapped securely around Makoto, Haruka found herself losing consciousness. The exhausted duchesses fell asleep at the same time. Michiru entered some time later, searching for both duchesses, not at all surprised to learn from Kae that Haruka had gone to visit Makoto. What she saw, though, did shock her. Haruka and Makoto were lying in the single bed, curled up in each other's arms, utterly content to stay there forever. The look of belonging on Haruka's face cut Michiru to the core, and she backed out of the room as quickly as she could. She fled to her own suite, closing the door and falling onto the bed, sobbing silently. She never thought that Haruka choosing Makoto would upset her, but she had never felt so betrayed in all of her life. She didn't know if what she felt for the former fighter was love, admiration, or just lust, but it was more than friendship and she wanted more than that from the tall blonde. "I thought we understood each other," she whispered to herself and to the uncaring walls of her room. "I thought you said that she was like a sister to you. Then how could you choose her over me? Do I mean nothing to you?" For the first time in her life, Michiru cried herself to sleep. *~*~*~*~*~*~* Haruka groaned as she woke, her first thought of the Fighting Palace. When she opened her eyes to find herself in a huge palatial suite, she remembered that she was in Tohoku, the Region her family had ruled since the gods laid down the family lines of Japan so long ago. Smiling, she shook Makoto gently. "Mako-chan?" "Haru-chan? I thought you left." "I was going to, but I think I fell asleep before you." Haruka slipped out of bed and grimaced at the golden dress she still wore. "I should have changed out of this for sure. I'll return to my room and find something to wear." "No, Haru-chan; I know you'll pick pants. Let me call Kae and get her to bring an appropriate dress." "Please, no, Mako-chan! I hate dresses." "I know." Haruka sighed as she sat down on the edge of the bed. "Fine." *~*~*~*~*~*~* Michiru avoided Haruka as they boarded the ship again. The blonde found her friend standing on the upper deck, staring into the sea, tears in her beautiful sapphire eyes. "Michiru-san?" Michiru jumped at the sound, turning away once she had identified the intruder. "Go away, Haruka-san. Go be with Makoto-san." "You're in pain, and I don't know why. Tell me what's wrong. At the farewell you even refused to stand by my side where you should have been as a guest of the court." "There, you see? One taste of power, and you know all of the rules. I knew you were a duchess all along. Wasn't it nice to be home again?" Haruka nodded, worry in her emerald eyes. "But this freedom is nice, too. It's nice being able to do what you want when you want." "I can't do what I want, Haruka-san. I'm the future duchess, and my life is very important to my people and the queen. Every instant of my life has been planned and mapped out, including the man I'm supposed to marry." "Marry?" Haruka straightened up from the balcony, turning to look at the aqua-haired beauty. "You're engaged? You never told me." Michiru's voice was choked with tears as she answered. "Because I'm not engaged. But I was promised to the Lord of Ibaraki-ken's son the day I was born female. The thrones may pass to the daughter, but it is her husband who will rule, and my parents wanted Kenjo. So we are engaged, and I have to marry him after my Seijinshiki." "And you don't want to." "Never," Michiru hissed. "I don't like his brazenness, his pomposity, his inflated ego, his assumption that he is the center of the Universe . . . and I . . ." "What?" "I don't even like men," Michiru whispered in the tiniest voice she could manage. "I'm a lesbian, Haruka, but that isn't acceptable at our level. We have to marry men to have the heirs to continue our kingdom, and I don't think I can ever let him touch me. My parents would be so ashamed if they found out." "Not if they love you," Haruka whispered soothingly. "There is nothing wrong with being attracted to women. I think women are very beautiful, and I'm a duchess. As I told you before, Rei and Minako are lovers, and Setsuna doesn't seem to care one way or the other. As the Duchess of Tohoku, I will oppose your marriage to the son of the Lord of Ibaraki." Michiru smiled as she looked up into Haruka's emerald eyes, forgetting her former animosity toward the tall blonde. "Thank you. I think a better idea would be for me to marry somebody else first." "Another woman? Is that possible? Is that legal?" "It is, though it is highly discouraged in the upper classes. I would rather marry somebody I love than somebody my mother chose to seal alliances. I wish I were more like you." "Me? Why?" "Because you're not afraid of anything. You are so free, and you defy anyone to change you. I'm not that strong." Haruka rested her arm on Michiru's shoulder as both turned to watch the sea speed past. "You have your own kind of strength, Michiru-san, and I respect you for that." "Thank you."
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