*,**`**,**`**,*


                                   Pulses and Cars Racing
                                  An Eldrick Tobin Project


Disclaimer? Who needs it... I mean you KNOW That Haruka and Michiru and Hotaru
aren't MY characters. Heck you KNOW that Runo and Roshni aren't being used
without Permission. You know I didn't cause the big flood of '79... well let's
skip that part. ^.^;;; anyway... Astrala appears because she's one of my
characters from The Arc... and because she masterminded the operation for poor
Runo.

Anything else ya wanna know or can I start the fic. Oh yeah here *hands over
dictionaries and grammar books and a red pen* You'll need those... of course I
have red green color blindness online so I'll not see your corrections but it's
the effort that counts right grammar fans?


Anyway...

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Runo looked at the portal in front of him. Deep breath. Astrala stood beside him
trying to be patient. Runo would be making them late normally. Fortunately the
endpoint was fixed in time... part of why Astrala was getting impatient. It's
hard work keeping one of those open.

.o(I could just goose him through the portal, but he's going to be messed up
enough. I'll just push him.)o.

Runo stepped through. Astrala blinked and stepped through after him. .o(Wow)o.
was her thought as she saw the well tended shrubs and trees. The very house
OOZED elegance. She'd seen it once or twice before... but it was always breath
taking.

She grabbed Runo before he stepped back through. She also closed the portal.
.o(Bridge burned... check)o.

"Just relax. It's only... 'Ruka-chan," she grinned when he blushed and
squirmed,"Sorry I shouldn't tease you... but all the color had drained from your
face so..." She knocked.

A face framed in green and elegance smiled down at them,"Ah good. Come right in.
Who's your friend, Astrala-chan?" Of course Michiru knew... but was probably
seeing how polite Runo was and or gauge some other qualities.

"Kaioh Michiru-sama, I'd like you to meet my friend Tsukino Runo-kun."

Runo bowed a bit,"Greetings Kaioh-sama."

Hotaru came out from the kitchen, and Astrala waved cheerily,"Konniche wa
Astrala-san."

Astrala just smiled brightly. Runo and Hotaru greeted each other. And Michiru
lead everyone to a table where tea was already out.

Haruka then entered the seen a towel haphazardly on her head as she stopped 
viciously drying it to grab a glass and a chair. Astrala lightly nudged Runo so 
that he'd start breathing again. She then cleared her throat to distract heart 
eyes boy from staring. "Haruka-sama, this is my friend Tsukino Runo-kun that I 
mentioned on the phone."

Haruka looked over and blinked,"So you think you like racing? Well after the 
circuit we see tonight you'll either love it or hate it. And Astrala, remember 
where we are right now. You can lose the Japanese. I find I'm always reminding 
you of that."

Michiru sipped quietly,"I don't know it's rather endearing. So well mannered."

Haruka mock glared,"Yes... well," she heard a horn sound,"That must be your... 
cab. Honestly I could have driven you."

"I can take another ride tonight. Besides you might hear the artist warming up," 
Haruka shuddered,"By the way thank you for the ticket, Astrala. And for letting 
Haruka give me the news of it. I understand how hard it must be to become a fan 
of something that only the diehards really know abythign about and so of course 
it makes sense that you'd contrive freetime out of Haruka,"her gaze passed over 
Runo,"Try not to enjoy yourself too much. You might get yourself injured. No one 
would want that, neh?"

Runo bristled, then suddenly subsided as a wing knocked him across the back. It 
actually looked like he bowed in place to Michiru... not about to glare 
defiantly. Whether Michiru noticed or not is unknown.

Hotaru turned to Runo,"So Runo-san. What kind of music do you like?"

Haruka stopped drying her hair,"You do like Weird Al don't you Runo?"

Runo nodded. There was something anyone with sense could see in Haruka's eyes. 
Also the way Hotaru looked when her Favorite Artist's Name was mentioned. "'The 
Night Santa went Crazy' is kinda fun."

Hotaru smiled,"I just downloaded an Anime Music Video set to one of his songs. 
Wanna see?"

Haruka seemed scared,"Well I have to pick something suitable to wear to a
race."

"Haruka-san, I think you look fine as is," Runo blurted. Fortunately be didn't 
use his fanboyish nickname for her. 'Ruka-chan might not fly with Miss Ten'oh.

"Nice and complimentary but fat chance. This is not the right 'attire'. So you 
go watch the video. Don't obsess too much in there."

Hotaru smiled,"Hai, Haruka-poppa."

Runo had to be jumpstarted walking. Must have been thinking of the light playing 
off of Haruka as she reached into the closet for an outfit without a stitch on. 
People with crushes were like that. Always seeing those they're infatuated with 
naked on beds of flower petals and beckoning. Stuff like that.

A little while later, and after 2 different videos set to "Slime Creatures from 
outer space" Haruka came in and acquired Runo. Astrala was given command of the 
kitchen on the condition everything worked only as good as it did now when they 
got back -they had had to buy a new stove last time she cooked... there was a 
problem unrelated to her upgrades... and the repairman didn't know what he was 
staring at.

"So Hotaru-chan... what did you want for dinner?"

IN THE CAR ON THE WAY TO THE TRACK...

"So what experience do you have?"

"Huh?"

"With Racing."

"At the labs I've played the Grand Turismo games and Initial D on the 
Dreamcast. I mostly play with a friend's save file. His cars are totally souped 
up to the max."

"What's your favorite car?"

"I'm partial to his '92 GTO."

"Turbo?"

"No. Naturally Aspirated," Runo looked very pleased to have read the GT manual 
before this trip. He might sound like he knows something. For Haruka he'd become 
a racing fiend if he had to. .o(Wow... driving at 90 mph with Ruka-chan. Wait... 
90? Well she's the best driver there is... must have faith must have fait in 
Ruka-chan!)o.

"Good fast machine with the right parts. Do you prefer manual or automatic?"

"Well the game let's you use both. Sometimes I use automatic and just break alot 
for a little chance of danger and losing."

Haruka grinned,"Like a little excitement huh? I think we'll get along just 
fine," she shifted into 5th as another person on the way to the race signaled a 
challenge for the next 1/2 mile. Can't lose to a souped up Honda Civic.

AT THE TRACK

"Hey There... whoa you're a girl? Wow that's like cool! Can I buy you something 
anything?" The Civic owner asked catching up to the pair.

Runo glared at him. Haruka said,"I'm with him." Needless to say Runo sort of 
floated along behind Haruka after that.

With Seats acquired, petty cash from Astrala used to pay for food, and car talk 
aplenty, the race began! Runo warred with watching the race and watching Haruka 
smile and enjoy herself as she seldom was seated for more than 30 minutes at a 
stretch.

Soon it was getting clear that only 2 cars were even in contention to win. A 
fully modded GTO Twin Turbo circa 1995, and a Dodge stealth with a special 
engine.

"That idiot! He's redlining his engine to beat the GTO! Why doesn't his pit crew 
stop him?"

The GTO lost. Haruka wasn't upset in the least at the loss. It was an honorable 
loss. The GTO slowly slowed down to let the Dodge catch up and pass it. The 
driver obviously could sense that the other car wouldn't last much longer trying 
to beat the faster car, and didn't want the other vehicle damaged potentially 
beyond repair. Plus it was a great last 5 laps anyway. His second place wasn't 
even in contention.

The driver of the Dodge walked over to the GTO. The Announcer had no clue what 
was about the happen. A person with a mike ran over quickly.

Dodge said,"... you clearly won. I nearly destroyed my car. I obviously don't 
deserve such a fine loyal beast as I have created. I want you to have it. Surely 
you'll take better care of it."

Mitsubishi shook his head,"I can't accept. You gave a great race and just got 
caught up in the moment."

Dodge nodded and chuckled,"Can I buy you gas?"

"Sure!" And they shook hands like they'd been friends forever.

Haruka smiled,"Now that's great you don't see that everyday. Wanna hit the pits? 
Figured you might wanna see the cars up close and personal. That is unless you'd 
rather not..."

"Sounds great." He stopped himself just short of saying "Ruka-chan".

"Lead on."

Once Haruka gave her name they were let into the pit area. Haruka gave a sigh of 
happiness. This was one part of her world. And you could tell. Haruka sat in the 
GTO's seat and revved the engine a few times appreciatively.

They were both in their element... Haruka in cars... and Runo... near Haruka.

"Boy there must really like cars. He isn't yours is he?" One pitboss asked.

"Runo? He's my date for the evening."

"Lucky guy," he looked at Runo,"Did you wanna see the engine of the Stealth? The 
drivers are off being patted on the back so I think I can get you a peek at it."

They wandered over to where the Dodge was. "Hey Sam can we get a look at the 
beast while you take 5?"

The Dodge Pitboss looked the group over,"Eh sure. No trade secrets or an'thin'."

Haruka looked in and named off parts to an enthusiastic Runo. The Pitboss who 
lead them over, Ryan by name, revved the engine a few times for the pair and 
wrote down his own opinions on what was amiss with the engine for Sam to read 
over. Sam left him a note on the wheel. Sam KNEW Ryan would be over at some 
point. Sam was probably leaving tips in the GTO even now.

Haruka looked over at Runo,"Time to kill some time driving. It's no where near 
time to be back yet." They waved to Sam who tried to suddenly look like he 
wasn't looking over the GTO. After a goodbye to Ryan, they were in the lot, in 
the car, and down the road before the real flood of spectators left the raceway.

Cool air, a smooth fast car and only the stars as witness they sped the hours 
away.

AT THE HOUSE

Michiru entered the house and announced she was back. Astrala and Hotaru popped 
out of the kitchen. Astrala was in her,"Build a better kitchen for a better 
chef", apron. "I assume the disposal doesn't have 3 settings now or anything?"

"Nope I brought appliances with me used them and put them back at the house. 
Dinner's ready. I decided to make your favorite dish. Hotaru told me what it 
was."

Michiru smiled and went and sat at the table,"Oh... they aren't back yet?"

"Uh no... is that a problem?"

"Not really," Michiru made even eating look elegant. It was uncanny,"So what did 
you two have?"

"Astrala made sure it was healthy," Hotaru answered.

Astrala smiled,"Fortunately an astounding shopper had stocked the refridgerator 
well."

SOMETIME LATER

Astrala was in the garage fixing one of Hotaru's lamps, with Hotaru watching as 
Haruka pulled up. Both came in full of vigor and energy. Food was placed before 
them and they descended on it like locusts.

Michiru finished what she was playing and thanked Runo for bringing Haruka back 
as early as he did. She always wanted to drive till morning after races -unless 
she was in them. Astrala dragged Runo out with her and they left via a portal.

Hotaru took her lamp back to her room as Michiru turned to Haruka,"So how was 
your date?"

"We saw the best display of sportsmanship I think I've ever seen!"

"I mean did he keep his hands to himself."

"After I tied him up at Lover's Lookout yeah," she got a cool stare,"I'm teasing 
Michiru."

"Good hate to think you are too tired to make up for the fact you weren't at a 
certain concert."

"Could never be too tired for that."

Suddenly as they moved closer to each other Weird Al's "Alternative Polka" cut 
through the room with,"Here I come I come... I wanna get next to you..."

"Ara... that is distracting."

"True," and they wandered off and closed the door to their room,"Weren't her 
speakers quieter before? If Astrala tweaked them I'll spank her."

"Didn't know you liked them young Haruka."

AT TAU CETI LABS

"So did you have fun?" Astrala asked Runo.

"Oh yeah."

"Details?"

"What details? She drove me everywhere."

"Ah 'drove you' huh?"

Runo glared,"Not that kind."

"Oh. Anything memorable?"

"Her beautiful smiling face..." Runo went shoujo-mode. Hearts and birds and 
special lighting came on from outta nowhere.

"I know what you mean," Astrala sighed. They sat there on the couch thinking of 
people they were besotted with until persons came to claim them before something 
loose in the labs could.

----------


There... what you think? The haruka and michiru in this fic were borrowed. No I 
didn't ask. I hope Author-sama doesn't hunt me down or anything. I don't want 
funny patterns all over my face.

If you want to see more of Runo... Roshni appears in alt.fan.sailor-moon often 
enough.

If you wanna see more of Astrala-chan -you deves ^.~ - you can head to The Arc's 
archive at http://amikintaro.horypages.com/story1.html and check out Ami 
Tales 7, and beyond. The story is of course not for the faint of heart. This 
story is... The Arc... isn't.