Author's Note: Inspired by the idea of a woman claiming that Haruka was the father of her child. The last part is inspired by "Bound".

Rated: PG/PG-13

Disclaimer: I do not own Haruka and Michiru. Bandai and other companies do. I make no profit from this.

It takes a real man to be a dad.

---

Welcome Mat by Lex 'Spork' Tenou

Michiru opened the door to the apartment she and Haruka shared. On the other side stood a rather pretty young girl who started nervously when she noticed that Michiru had opened the door.

"Oh! Umm...is this 1127?" She fidgeted with her worn but well cared for purse and furrowed her brow worriedly as she waited for Michiru to answer.

"Yes...won't you please come in?" Michiru waved toward the interior of the house and bowed toward the woman.

"OH! Thank you!" the woman said, bowing. "I'm sorry for putting you out like this."

Michiru smiled slightly.

"Do not concern yourself. Welcome to our home. Would you care for some tea?"

"Yes, thank you."

After Michiru had poured the tea and introduced herself, the girl responded with her own introduction.

"I am Hikaru Aya. I was a student a the university until last week."

"Oh? What happened then?"

"I found out that I'm pregnant with Tenoh Haruka's child."

Michiru nearly choked on her tea.

"Pardon?"

The girl paled slightly and set down her teacup with a clatter.

"I'm carrying Tenoh Haruka's child."

"Would you excuse me for a moment?" Michiru managed to choke out. She walked back down the hall towards the bedroom she shared with Haruka. Haruka lay on the bed, reading backissues of F1 Racer magazine. Michiru leaned onto the bed and over Haruka.

"Haruka...honey..." Michiru whispered into Haruka's ear. Haruka grinned and turned over onto her back. Her arms wrapped around Michiru's waist and her mouth latched onto Michiru's.

"Mmmph..." Michiru tried to speak around Haruka's insistent kiss. She broke herself away from Haruka, panting slightly. "Stop that! You have a guest."

Haruka ran her hands up Michiru's thigh and growled deep in her throat.

"Indeed I do, and she's about to find out what happens when she interrupts my reading of F1 magazine." Haruka's mouth kissed a path down towards Michiru's neck.

Michiru laughed a bit and pushed against Haruka's shoulders, knocking her off balance and onto her back.

"Haruka, I'm serious, there's a visitor for you." Michiru stood and brushed off her dress, smoothing out wrinkles only she noticed. "You might be interested in the information they have."

Haruka grumbled and rose from the bed.

---

"Good afternoon, ma'am. How may I help you?"

Aya started, the nervous wringing of her hands nearly tearing her purse. Her eyes went wide as she beheld the tall form of Haruka.

"G-good afternoon." Aya swallowed around the lump in her throat, trying to curb her growing excitement. "I'm sorry to inconvenience you." She stood and bowed.

Haruka bowed and made a dismissive gesture with her hand.

"It's no trouble. What may I do for you?"

"Well...I...I'm carrying your child." Aya's face flushed as she saw the shock in Haruka's eyes.

"Pardon?"

"I'm carrying your child." Aya stated no less strongly than before.

"Would you excuse us please?" Michiru smiled sweetly and tugged on Haruka's arm. Haruka nearly fell over her own feet as Michiru yanked her off balance, pulling steadily until they were safely ensconced in their room.

Haruka pulled her arm out of Michiru's grasp.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? There is no way I could possibly be the father of that child!" Haruka yanked her pants open and pulled her boxers away from her stomach. "See? Missing a few parts that are necessary for the furtherment of the human race! Where does she think I got the sperm from, Cape Boy? Stop laughing at me! What the he-"

Michiru stopped the flow of Haruka's words with a well placed hand. Her fingers pressed firmly over Haruka's mouth.

"Shhh. You'll blow your cover." Michiru smirked as she saw Haruka's brain connect point A to point B.

Michiru sat on the edge of the bed and demurely watched Haruka collapse onto the floor.

"You do realize, dear, that if you do not accept the responsibility for this child as your own, you will effectively have kicked yourself off of the racing circuit?"

Haruka hung her head.

"Damn."

"I know, dear."

"No, I mean, she's gonna want money or something."

Michiru raised an eyebrow.

"It's not like you're destitute, love."

Haruka sighed.

"I know, I know. But now I won't be able to take Hotaru on that ski trip she wanted to take."

Michiru closed her eyes and brought her hand up to her forehead.

"Haruka...honey..." Haruka raised her eyes to Michiru. "THAT'S THE LEAST OF YOUR PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW!"

Haruka recoiled backwards, falling onto her back. She lay on the floor, twitching from the force of Michiru's exasperation. Michiru flicked off an invisible particle of dirt from her skirt.

"Besides, she might not even be pregnant."

Haruka raised her head and stared at Michiru.

"What?"

Michiru gazed steadily at Haruka.

"She might just be pretending in order to get money out of you, or to try and break us up." Michiru laughed shortly. "She obviously didn't think this through."

Haruka's eyes widened and a slow grin spread across her face. Michiru looked at her questioningly.

"How about we demand visitation or even guardianship? Since she hasn't thought it through..."

Michiru laughed.

"Love, that would cause even more problems." Michiru smiled. "But it's an amusing idea." Michiru stood and walked slowly around the room. "But if you pay child support and are a supportive 'father', then you can add to your...cover. Understand?"

Haruka grinned.

"I love you, Michiru."

Michiru smiled and extended a hand towards Haruka. Haruka allowed Michiru to help her up from the floor before wrapping her in a strong embrace.

Michiru smiled into Haruka's collar.

"I love you, Haruka."

---

Aya sat on the couch, twitching nervously. The door to the bedroom opened. Aya nearly fell off the couch.

Haruka strode out of the bedroom, looking calm and collected, followed closely by Michiru.

Aya stood abruptly.

"I-I'm sorry for coming here, I should go-"

"No, no, it's fine. Sit, stay." Haruka smiled charmingly at Aya. Aya sank back down on the couch, watching Haruka and Michiru carefully. Was this a trick?

"Is the tea to your liking?" Haruka was the embodiment of grace and manners, every move proper and every word carefully modulated.

"Y-yes! Yes, the tea is most pleasant." Aya took a nervous sip.

"What may I do for you, Miss..?"

"Hikaru Aya, dear."

Aya twisted her skirt in her hands. This was not at all going well.

"Ahh, Miss Aya. You don't mind if I call you by your first name, since we seem to know each other rather intimately, do you?" Haruka smiled at Aya, noting the nervous gestures and the stammering.

"N-not at all."

"Tell me, then, Aya, when exactly was this child conceived?"

Aya swallowed nervously.

"J-just after you raced at Suzuka."

Haruka looked pensive for a moment.

"Almost four months ago, then...When will you start to show?"

Aya looked down at her hands, clasped in her lap.

"Another month, at the most."

"What are your plans for the child?"

Aya's head snapped up and looked nervously at Haruka and Michiru.

"I...I was hoping to be able to keep her."

Haruka smiled.

"Ahh...a girl." Haruka grinned over at Michiru. "It's a girl, Michiru."

Michiru smiled.

Aya's heart thumped in her chest. What was going on? Haruka looked directly at Aya.

"Why are you lying, Hikaru Aya?"

Aya paled and nearly fainted.

"I-I'm not lying!"

Haruka smiled sadly.

"Immediately following my race at Suzaku it would have been impossible for me to have impregnated you. I was on a second honeymoon with Michiru. If anyone were to have been impregnated by me during that time, it would have been Michiru."

Aya's face fell and she seemed to collapse in on herself. Michiru came forward and rested a gentle hand on Aya's shoulder.

"Miss Hikaru...we would be more than happy to help you, if you tell us the truth."

Michiru's kindness broke down Aya's defenses and allowed her to give in to her tears. She sobbed in abject misery, her tears flowing freely.

With her tears came her story.

She had been until recently, the fiancee of one of the mechanics that was occassionally contracted to work on Haruka's cars. He had convinced her that he knew what he was doing, and he would marry her, regardless of what happened.

What had actually happened was that he had used his status as her fiancee to clean her out and leave her pregnant. As of last night, he had dissappeared just before the first of the bill collectors showed up on her doorstep. She had been able to convince them that she knew nothing and he would return with the money soon. Unfortunately, she had given him access to everything in her life, including all her money and credit.

In the space of a few months, he had effectively ruined her life in ways unimaginable.

Haruka listened as the story of Aya unfolded, her anger rising with each new word. To think that such a bastard had been allowed to do this to a young woman, much less get near her car.

"Excuse me, Miss Hikaru. What was the name he used?"

Aya told Haruka and she excused herself to make a quick phone call.

In the bedroom, Haruka spoke quietly into the phone. "Find him, Ichiro. I don't care what it takes, find him and make him pay. I want..." Haruka listened. "No, Ichiro. He left her *pregnant* and penniless." Haruka pulled the phone away from her ear. "Exactly. I expect to hear from you soon." Haruka hung up the phone and returned to the room where Michiru and Aya sat.

Aya was finishing with her sobs when Haruka re-entered the room.

"Is the spare bedroom made up, Michiru?"

Michiru glanced at Haruka questioningly.

"Yes it is, dear." Haruka could see the question in Michiru's eyes.

"Miss Hikaru, do you have a job?" Aya shook her head no.

"All I had was an inheritance from my grandfather, and he...he took it all."

Haruka nodded.

"Seeing as you have no other accomodations, and your own apartment is far too dangerous for you to be in presently, I would like to offer my guest bedroom for your use." Michiru smiled. Haruka had anticipated her wishes once more.

"Yes, Miss Hikaru, do stay with us a while. I'm sure Haruka will do... his best to help you." Michiru's pause was slight, but noticable to Haruka. Haruka tried to hide her grin.

Aya's gratitude knew no bounds. Tenou Haruka and his girlfriend were the nicest people in existence!

Within hours, Ichiro and Haruka's team had tracked down the reluctant father. Within that time, Aya had learned much more about the famous racer Haruka and his girlfriend, Michiru. They were an interesting couple. In their time together, Aya had discovered that not all men need be as her ex-fiancee had been. Haruka was courteous and kind, mindful of Michiru's needs and desires. Michiru merely had to mention that she would like some tea for Haruka to get up and make some. Seeing these two together made Aya realize that there were truly great people out there, not at all like her fiancee.

Aya was surprised when after a few hours, there was a knock on the door. Haruka smirked and rose to get the door. A few muffled sentences and then he appeared once more, with her ex-fiancee and a small group of men in tow.

"Wh-what in the...?"

Her ex-fiancee was pushed from behind, setting him off balance. He sprawled onto the floor before Aya's feet. He scrambled to his feet, twitching and straightening his clothes.

"Darling!"

SLAP!

The sound reverberated through the still room. Aya cradled her stinging hand.

"Don't you dare speak to me!"

The shock was clearly registered in his eyes as he held his cheek. Never in his life had he been struck by a woman. His eyes hardened and his hand began to raise to strike a blow and regain his manhood -

When Haruka's hand shot out and stopped him.

"I think you'll find that I allow no violence against women." The soft statement was followed by a chorus of assent from Haruka's crew.

Seeing the crowd of strong, able men aligned against him, his bravado deflated before it could finish developing. He looked like nothing so much as a whipped dog.

"Miss Hikaru." Aya turned to face Haruka. "The choice is yours. You are free to be with this..." Haruka's handsome features showed her distaste for the lacking specimen standing before them, "man, or you may choose to reclaim what you have lost from him and begin your life anew."

Aya stared at Haruka, a dim light of hope shining in her tear stained eyes. The sight of Haruka's kind eyes glaring at her ex-fiancee reinforced her resolve.

"I want what is mine." His face drained of color. "I want him to pay for this." She looked him dead in the eye. "And as far as I'm concerned, this is my child."

He slumped and started muttering to himself. Haruka was able to catch the words "Yakuza" and "debt". She grabbed his collar and hauled him up to glare into his face.

"You slimy little bastard. I've got more than half a mind to beat you within a breath of your life. You used her to pay your gambling debts?!"

His face drained even further of color. His lips began to cover with spittle as he gibbered, trying to cover his deceit.

"Shut your mouth." Haruka growled. "Michiru, hand me the phone, would you?"

Michiru gazed at Haruka. There were times when Haruka truly astounded her. Going so far for a wronged woman she had just met...

Michiru handed the phone to Haruka. Beginning to dial with one hand a number that she memorized for protection, Haruka continued to hold the man by the scruff of his neck. His toes barely scraped the floor.

"Ichiro, Michiru, please take Miss Hikaru into the other room. I don't think she should see this." Michiru nodded, glad to be able to protect Aya. She motioned for the youngest of the mechanics to follow as well.

After they dissapeared into a back room, Haruka finished dialing. The line connected.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Honta. I have information regarding a recent loss to one of your companies. If you could arrange for a pick up at my current residence? ...Excellent. Thank you very much, sir. It's been a pleasure talking to you. I'll be expecting you."

Haruka hung up the line and glared at the scum she still held in her hand.

"You will pay for your actions, bakayaro."

He began to struggle in her grip, cursing at her. Haruka nodded at two of her mechanics. They grabbed his shoulders and pushed him to the ground.

Haruka dusted her hands off, her expression one of distaste.

"You will pay for your crimes against Miss Hikaru. If there's one thing that I do not take lightly, it is the wanton destruction of a young woman's life." Haruka gripped his chin and yanked it upwards. "You will return what you took from her. All of it."

He spat in her face. Haruka nodded and he was promptly smacked on the back of the head.

"As I said, you will repay Miss Hikaru." Haruka's eyes narrowed. "And I shall ensure that you pay for her child's future. In some way."

Within a few minutes, there was a knock at the door. Haruka stood and straightened her clothing and hair. She opened the door to her great uncle, Shinji Honta and his bodyguards, Kou and Li. A smile broke out on her face as she saw her favorite uncle.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Honta. Please, enter." Haruka bowed to her uncle and allowed him and his bodyguards to enter. Stifling a smile, she offered them tea, which they accepted. After bringing the tea, Haruka gestured to the man being sat on by two of her machanics.

"That is the loss I spoke of, Mr. Honta."

"Oi, kid, I've known you too long. You know you can call me Uncle." Haruka grinned.

"Well, Uncle, this is the loss. He drained not only your pockets, but those of a young woman named Hikaru Aya."

"Hmm...sounds familiar. I believe she is the granddaughter of a fine woman I once knew." Shinji studied the man on the floor and raised an eyebrow. "I've never known you to use quite so much...force in detaining a loss before."

The man on the floor began to whimper as it was beginning to become apparent to him that he would not live out the day. Shinji and Haruka ignored him.

Crossing her arms before her, Haruka's expression was grim.

"That would be because there is a new development in this case." Shinji raised an eyebrow in question. "He also left Miss Hikaru pregnant."

Shinji's face immediately darkened. He began to mutter unintelligibly under his breath. The lump on the floor whimpered.

"I can see you understand." Shinji nodded once. "He has hidden the money he stole from Miss Hikaru. I do not have the required resources to discover where he squirreled them away."

Shinji smiled grimly.

"I do." Haruka nodded her head once.

Shinji sat back contemplating for a moment.

"I am to understand that Miss Hikaru has no wish to see this...vile thing again, correct?"

"As I understand it, correct."

Shinji smiled evilly enough to set the man on the floor to crying.

"In fact, I believe she would have no problems with handing him over to you to settle the debt with the company."

Shinji grinned.

"Excellent."

Shinji extracted a cell phone from his inner coat pocket. He dialed quickly and spoke but a few sentences. When finished, he tucked his phone back into his pocket and nodded at Haruka.

"It is done."

Haruka grinned.

"Excellent."

---

A scant hour later, Haruka, Michiru and Aya saw Shinji Honta and his bodyguards off. Soon after the phone call, a few men had stopped by to pick the man up. They had dragged him off, crying and blubbering.

Haruka, Michiru and Aya had sat and talked with Shinji for a while. Shinji had assured them all that there was no debt remaining. By the time Shinji left, someone had already stopped by to drop off the money.

Aya remained sitting on the couch after Shinji and his men had left. Her hands were held together tightly in her lap. Her head was bowed, her eyes focused on her hands.

"I...I do not know how to thank you for all you have done for me this day." Michiru and Haruka shot glances at each other. "You have helped me more than anyone has in my entire life."

Michiru smiled gently.

"It is nothing, Miss Hikaru. It was our pleasure to be able to help you and your child."

Haruka smiled and slid her hand into Michiru's, giving it a quick squeeze.

"Yes, Miss Hikaru. It was, indeed, nothing. We are pleased to be able to help you."

A splash fell on Aya's hand, darkening the skin slightly.

"You and your girlfriend have helped me so much, sir. I just...I can't possibly imagine how I could ever repay the dent I have incurred."

Michiru sat down next to Aya.

"Miss Hikaru, I believe you should probably know something. I realize it may be a bit odd to you, to have so much happen in so short of a time...but I feel that you should know."

Aya raised her head and looked at Haruka and Michiru.

"What?"

"I never said I was a man."

Aya looked at Haruka, then Michiru, then back at Haruka.

"You're...not a man?"

Haruka smiled and shrugged, spreading her hands in an expansive gesture.

"I never said I was. Everyone assumes."

Aya looked back and forth between Haruka and Michiru.

"And you're really together? You're...a couple?"

Haruka nodded.

"Yes."

Aya smiled.

"How wonderful for you. My cousin is a lesbian." Aya sniffled and wiped at her nose. "I...I just can't believe how amazing it has been today...to meet you...have you help me so much." Aya smiled tearfully at them. "Thank you so much...for helping me not be a door mat any longer."

~~~

The End

~~~ Author's Notes:

Thanks to Jeni for inspiring bits of it.

Thanks to Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly for doing such a beautiful job in "Bound".

Thanks to Advil Migriane for getting rid of my headaches.

Thanks to "Queer as Folk" for being so diverting.

I don't care how accurate it is, it's just a piece of shit. I don't like it, I just wrote it.


Back | Main Page

Site design and layout by Taka Tenou.