Pregnant 3

Michiru took a tampon from one of the several boxes she kept in the bathroom. She unwrapped the object, pushed the applicator all the way, and let the cotton wad fall into the toilet. Michiru flushed it and placed the empty barrel and the wrapper in the waste bin in a way that Haruka could see them when she emptied the trash.

 Michiru knew that Haruka would not touch her there if she thought that she was on her period and it was about time that she would normally be having one. 

 Haruka would be gone for a few more hours, so Michiru thought that she would go shopping to look for a birthday gift for Haruka. Her birthday was only in two weeks. Michiru always made love to her partner on that day, and she would make it even more special since it might be their last time, but she simply wanted to buy her something more meaningful than a new pair of boxers this year.

The woman took the purse that best fit her white overcoat and slipped on a pair of matching heels. She put an apple into her bag on the way to her car in case she felt too lightheaded to drive. Michiru decided that she was not quite dizzy enough to be a danger on the road and headed toward one of the city's large shopping centers. 

Michiru was deep in thought about what to buy and her hands slipped from the wheel as she momentarily let her mind wander. Her attention came back as several cars blared their horns at her. Michiru shot back to attention and barely missed slamming into one of the parking lot ramp supports. 

Michiru took the first parking space she saw even though it was much further from the mall's entrance than she would have liked. She pulled the apple from her purse and bit hastily into it so that she wouldn't cause any more disturbances. If she had an accident and had to go to the hospital, Haruka would be told of her pregnancy. Michiru waited in the car for five minutes to let the food settle a bit before she dared to enter the mall. She still felt sick, but she knew that she would be able to handle herself better.


Michiru didn't see anything that she thought Haruka would like until she came to one of the fine jewelry stores. There was a gold band embedded with an amber stone in the center on display. As much as Michiru wanted to get the ring, she decided against it. Haruka was likely to take it as a token of deeper commitment, and Michiru knew that she would see it as a cruel joke if she left the day after giving her such a gift. 

Michiru passed the store and continued through the mall to find something more discreet. Michiru didn't find a thing after going through the entirety of the huge complex. She was even more drawn to the ring on the way back. She wasn't sure why, but Michiru went into the store, paid the full cost in cash, and left with the ring box in her pocket.

Michiru was about to get back into her car when a gentle hand was placed on her shoulder. The man drew her back toward him and pulled her into an embrace.

"Michiru, it's time to go," the soft, feminine voice whispered into her ear.

Michiru straightened in the grasp. "Please, two more weeks, Haruka-"

"No, I can't let you do that," the voice continued.

"Haruka will be so wor--"

The man pulled her closer and let go of her shoulder to stroke her slightly raised abdomen.

"I though we had an agreement. Do I need to show you more?"

"Please, please just two more-"

"You wouldn't have any reason to stay if she was no longer in this world. I could take care of that problem in only a moment, but since you were so obedient, I though I would give you the privilege to say your farewells and let the one that you feel so much for to continue to exist in this world."

"Her birthday-"

The world around Michiru suddenly changed from the environment of the mall's parking to her own bedroom. She could see Haruka on the bed looking at the latest issue of her F1 racing magazine. 

 Michiru saw her lover drop the magazine and start to clutch at her throat as her blue-green eyes bulged in terror. Michiru closed her own eyes, but she still could see Haruka's face turning blue as she suffocated. Michiru found that all she could do was see the vision and she could not do anything to stop what was happening. Haruka let one more desperate gurgling sound before she fell down on the bed with her glazy, terrified eyes focused on Michiru.

 The man holding Michiru chuckled lightly and brought Michiru back from the third of Haruka's possible deaths that he had shown to get her to comply. The man led her toward the portal that had appeared at the front of the car and the woman who carried his child stepped through without another word.