Chapter 6:Emotions Flare:Personal Lives Explored 
   *Note,in this chapter,the following Japanese idioms
 are used:Strong-hearted-to have nerve or 
gall,impervious to sublesties/Not saying is the flower
-some things are better left unsaid or silence is 
golden./Blossoms bring storms-Life often brings 
misfiurtune at the time of great happiness.*I hope 
you all are enjoying the story,it's almost over,but 
since I've gotten so many positve responses and have 
been badgered with e-mail(I read every message),I am
 working on a book 2 now to continue the story,let me 
know what you'd like to see,and I'll see about making 
it happen.^_^ 

   Three weeks have passed since Haruka was admitted 
into the hospital,finally,she is able to go home. 
All has been quiet,no Ryoku,no yoma, no nothing. As a 
homecomming present,Michiru,Haruka,Ki(Nakushita),
Setsuna,and even Hotaru go out to one of Haruka's 
favorite restraunts.They all have fun,making pleasant
conversation,enjoying thier meal,and the company of 
each other.
    Haruka interrupts the mood,"Ahem, hate to spoil 
the fun,but there are some things I'd like to talk 
about."Look sis,can't this wait until we get back to
 the house? Let's just enjoy the moment,it's not often
that we can all get together,kick back,and relax.",
says Ki. Haruka shakes her head in agreement. 
   At Michiru's house: 
   "Okay,this is only my suggestion,but I was thinking
it would be wise to move to America for awhile.",
Haruka says. Everyone but Ki gasps in shock.Michiru and
Setsuna both look at Haruka questionably,"Why Haruka-
papa?",questions Hotaru.
   "Before she begins,I'm stating my opinion now.I 
don't want to leave,it won't change anything!"Ki then
runs to her room in the east wing. The others look at
Haruka with questionable glances.
   "Look,all of you,I don't want to lose my sister and-" "You believe going
to America for awhile will change all that."Michiru 
finishes." "Yes,Michiru,I do." "What about Nakushita?
She doesn't look to be happy about it."It's only a 
suggestion,Michiru."
     "Something other than what appears on the surface
is bothering her.You two should go and talk to her.
Hotaru and I will wait down here.",Setsuna suggests. 
The couple makes their way up the stairs and upon
arriving at Ki's room,Michiru knocks on the door,
     "Nakushita? May Haruka and I come in?" "Do what 
you want,it's your house.",Ki replies sarcastically.
Michiru opens the door and they make their way in.
Michiru holds Haruka back gently and whispers,"Let me
 talk to her."Haruka acknowledges Michiru with a nod 
and takes a seat on the foot of the bed as Michiru 
sits down beside Ki. "Nakushita,what's wrong? Please,
talk to us.",Michiru says gently.
   "Land of the free?To me America is the land of h*ll,
I don't ever want to go back.It may seem cowardly,but I 
left America and I never want to go back!",Ki replies 
emotionally.Michiru gets confused and looks at Haruka 
for help.
  "You love America,Nakushita,you just don't want to 
confront your life that you left back there.Now that 
we're here,I can finally ask some things I've been
wanting to ask.Who touched you Nakushita?!",Haruka 
questions angrily.Michiru was shocked by what was
being said,but managed to control herself. Ki says 
nothing as she holds back her tears.She would not let
anyone else see her cry,not again. "Nakushita,please!",
Haruka cries.
  "Which time?",Ki replies with no emotion at all. 
"Hugh?! How many times have there been?!" "Five.",
again she replies to her sister with no emotion. 
  "Five?! What the-God Nakushita,and you didn'tell 
anyone?! What-" 
  "Stop Haruka,you're getting out of control.",Michiru
says calmly. "Yeah,but-"Haruka stops herself,and does
the only thing she can do,she goes over and hugs her 
sister tightly and wheeps.
  "Look,I don't know what's going on here,but 
Nakushita,if you ever need a friend,I'm here.",
Michiru says softly.
    "I know,look,if you want to know,I'll show you.",
Ki replies. "What are you talking about?!",Haruka
 questions. 
   Ki reaches for Michiru's hand,upon grabbing it,
Michiru envisions the same memories that Haruka saw. 
She saw a young,innocent Nakushita raped by strangers
and those she trusted,she saw Nakushita getting abused by the one she called "father"and Nakushita, her "brother" and "mother" struggling to 
survive,sometimes sleeping in the car. She saw the 
street fights Nakushita got into to defend her friends 
and herself, and the drug dealers making their sales 
infront of her apartment window and door.. She saw 
Nakushita see innocent people and friends murdered,
other friends dying by all sorts of accidents or by 
taking their own lives.But what really struck a nerve 
was what she saw last,the memory of Nakushita 
being told that her love,her ownly true love,was dead,
ran over by a drunk driver on Christmas Eve. 
  Michiru wheeped as Nakushita let go."You,you hardly 
told anyone.You were afraid you'd be taken away from 
your family. And those you did tell,they didn't really
beleive you. You were so afraid that you'd push them 
away." 
    "Nakushita,you mean you can do that to whoever 
you want?!",Haruka cries. 
    "No,Haruka. You and I are bonded,we can know each
 other's memories,etc. with a mere thought. I can let 
Michiru see because she gets her power from a natural
element linked to the earth.That is the only way. She
and you can do the same. Why do you think your bond is
so strong? (This draws a blush from both of the
lovers). I can't go back,not there. For once,here,my
life feels whole,I feel more at peace. I am not afraid
to die,death is the beginning of a new life.If you 
spend your whole life afraid of death,then you miss 
out on life. Besides,I chose to fight,if you fight but
fear death,then you shouldn't fight at all. I know 
my fate,I won't embrace it,I will fight it,but I won't
fear it either.Haruka,I am lucky to have a sister like 
you,I would chose to die a million deaths before 
choosing a life with out you." 
    "If you are a fighter,then d*mn it,why do you run
from your past?!You can't move on until you face it! 
Quit running! You know it'll eventually catch up to 
you!" "Well,aren't we strong hearted, Haruka?! I think 
you need to take your own advice! You eventually 
accepted your fate,but you are just like me! You have
yet to face your past! Not saying is the flower,Haruka,
you need to apply what you say to yourself before you 
can apply it to anyone else!",cries Nakushita as she 
runs out of the room and makes her way out of the house.
  !SLAM! She doesn't care about the door,she hops on
 her bike and leaves. 
   Back in the house: 
"I'm going after her!" "Haruka,let her go,she keeps 
being hurled from one situation right into another 
and-""Blossoms bring storms.",Setsuna says,interrupting
Michiru as she enters the room with Hotaru. 
   "Haruka-papa?",questions Hotaru,still calling the
people who raised her "mama" and "papa" eventhough her
awakening and rapid growth were long ago completed.
These people where only about 3 years older than her,
but the titles just stuck. "Yes,Hotaru?" "Why is aunt 
Nakushita so upset?" "She is being faced with her past
and her fate for the future at the same time,Hotaru. 
She's scared,just like any person would be.", Michiru 
answered for her. 
   "Get the Tenoh-maru ready,the wind is changing...."
     NEXT:CHAPTER 7:FINAL BATTLE?!:HARUKA'S TEARS