A/N - Woo! Another two part story! Who knows how it'll go though, this sort of took on a life of it's own. So I've decided to give my muse a break, since she's sick and worked so hard at giving me such a sweet valentines day despite it. (Isn't she sweet!?) This story is actually inspired by a review message from AnimeJock. So I guess you can say this ones for you AJ. Hope it lives up to the Natsuki you had hoped to see more of.


Here You Me

By: Azfixiate

"But momma I miss her!" Little hands reach out, hitting at the chest of their intended target. Natsuki quickly scooped up the owner of the offending hands and cradled her in her arms. Tears quickly began to fall from tiny eyes, breaking Natsuki's heart in an instant. "I want mommy."

"Me too. Me too," Natsuki whispered as she gently stroked the hair of her young daughter. "Mommy is busy with work, but she'll be home soon," It was the same line she had always used, but this time the sadness in her daughters eyes was not fading.

"No she won't. You lie momma!" The small girl thrust her face into her mother's neck, clutching tightly to her shirt. "You lie and I hate you!"

Natsuki sighed inwardly, knowing that the girl was only being over emotional, but it didn't stop the pain in her heart upon hearing those words. Were her and Shizuru bad parents? Had they truly been ready for this?

"How about we make a deal Kiyori?" Emerald eyes peeked up in curiousity. "If you relax, I'll let you take a ride with me on my bike tomorrow. We'll even go see Aunt Mai and trick her into making us lunch again."

"Promise?" the small voice asked.

"I promise. Now get in bed," Natsuki replied as she pried her daughter from her. Kiyori didn't fight it, letting out a sleepy yawn as she crawled under her blankets. As Natsuki tucked her daughter in she briefly thought about calling Shizuru, who was probably just waking up, so that their daughter could have some comfort but decided against it after seeing her content face. Leaning down, Natsuki kissed her daughters forehead before shutting off the lamp beside the bed. "Good night Kiyo," she said before returning to her own room.

Shizuru, our bed is too big without you. You've been gone for two months almost. Please don't make us wait too long for you.

Natsuki found her resolve, not wanting to let herself fall apart when she had their daughter to think of. Just as she was about to doze off the phone rang, and without a second thought her hand shot out to answer it. "Shizuru?"

"Ara, it seems my wife misses me," Shizuru chuckled softly on the other end of the line.

"Of course. But not as much as your daughter does," Natsuki responded, wincing as she realized the bitterness that leaked from her voice.

"And I miss my family too," she sighed. "But Natsuki, you know how important this sell is to us. If I can get this new collection complete and make this sell we'll never have to want for anything again."

"I know…" Natsuki mumbled, ashamed of herself for wanting to put her immediate desires before what was best for their family in the long run.

But I want you, Shizuru.

"Besides, I know how much my Natsuki loves the, ah, sample pieces from the collection. Though I regret I can't be there to see you in that new teddy I sent you from it. I trust it fits you well?"

Natsuki blushed despite the fact that she had no reason to. It seemed to be a habit that would last for life, at least when it came to Shizuru. Sometimes she wondered if her wife went into fashion, more specifically lingerie, just to torture her. "I haven't tried it yet. I was waiting until you got home," Natsuki mumbled quietly, cursing herself for her inability to stand up to Shizuru's teasing even after so many years.

"Maybe I should just come home right now then?" Shizuru teased, but Natsuki could make out the faint traces of longing in her voice. It was comforting to know that Shizuru was just as torn up about this as she was. The thought relaxed Natsuki, and she couldn't stop the yawn that escaped. "Ara, it seems I should let my wife rest now. I do hate that I wake up as you are going to bed."

"Me too. I love you Shizuru."

"And I love you too my Natsuki. And tell Kiyori I love her too and that I'm sorry I didn't get to talk to her before she fell asleep."

"She's quite pissed about that," Natsuki chuckled into the phone, recalling her daughters earlier tantrum.

"I promise to make it up to both of you. Rest well, my Natsuki."

"And you have a good day, Shizuru."

The two spent a few more minutes saying goodbye, neither wanting to be the first to hang up. Eventually Natsuki found the strength, and with thoughts of her wife drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

----

The next morning Natsuki was awoken by the pressure of her five year old daughter jumping on her. "Momma can we go to see Aunt Mai now!?" Kiyori shouted excitedly, ready for her promised ride on her mother's Ducati. This was only the second time Natuski had told her she could ride it as it was just "too dangerous for children" and she could take more rides on it when she was older. Well Kiyori didn't like being told what she could and couldn't do. She was plenty big enough as it was.

Reluctantly Natsuki got up from bed, promising her daughter she would get ready as fast as she could. "Sometimes I wonder who's really in charge here," she muttered to herself as she pulled on her biker leathers.

"Momma you look so cool! I want clothes like that!" Kiyori cheered once Natsuki came outside to meet her. Natsuki blushed at her daughter's admiration and let out a small laugh.

"You are definitely Shizuru's daughter." Her smile grew as she watched her daughter's chin rise in pride at the comment.

Natsuki grabbed the helmet she had custom made for her daughter and kneeled down as she handed it to her. "Now remember, you have to hold on very very tight ok? Don't let go for anything."

"I won't," Kiyori promised before slipping into her helmet. Natsuki picked her up and placed her on the back of the bike before climbing on herself. Once she felt the tiny arms holding on tightly she started the bike and very very slowly pulled out from the driveway. Natsuki had never been more thankful that Mai lived only a few blocks away, not liking the risk of her daughter on the bike.

Luckily for all involved, the trip was safe and they quickly arrived at Mai's apartment. Unfazed by the unannounced arrival of what Mai had come to view as her extended family, she let them in without a second thought. "I suppose I need to make two mayo ramen?"

Two sets of emerald eyes lit up at the words, and rather childishly, at least on Natsuki's part, she high fived her daughter. Natsuki mussed Kiyori's hair before the younger girl ran off to play with Mikoto. Natsuki let out a sigh of relief as she watched her daughter go, happy for the alone time with her long time friend.

"Rough night?" Mai asked even though she already knew the answer. It was the only time Natsuki ever came over like this.

"Yeah. As much as I hate Shizuru being gone, it's something that I've always had to deal with. Not usually for this long but you know… It's really killing Kiyo."

"So take a trip to Chicago and see her," Mai responded flippantly. "It's not like your shop can't run without you for a few days. You've got a good staff."

"What about Kiyo's school?"

"She's in kindergarten. I'm sure she'll manage a few days without learning to count to ten. Have you forgotten how sharp Shizuru is? I'm sure she's ahead of the class anyways," Mai stated.

"Oh she is," Natsuki laughed. "But she doesn't quite have the finesse of it yet. It seems she somehow finds a way to piss people off with her smarts more than make them follow her."

"Which she gets from you no doubt," Mai laughed too while she shook her head at Natsuki.

"Hey, I never claimed to be smart."

"But you sure do know how to piss people off," Mai said, laughing harder when Natsuki stuck her tongue out at her. "So you gonna go?"

"You make it sound so easy. But why the hell not? Not like we can't afford it. I wanna surprise her though," Natuski pondered as Mai set the ramen down in front of her. Mai called for Mikoto and Kiyori to join them, but Natsuki was still perplexed as to how she would pull this off.

"Just pretend you're her at the desk. You forgot your key in the room and need a replacement. It's not like you don't know all her personal information to fool them with anyways."

"What do you say munchkin? Wanna go see Mommy tomorrow?" Natsuki asked. It only took seconds for small arms to wrap tightly around her neck, her daughters joy so overwhelming she couldn't even speak. "I guess that's a yes. Thanks Mai."

They finished lunch with small talk, but Mai could tell Natsuki was too excited at her new idea to stay long. She couldn't complain though, it was always hard to get a genuine smile out of the girl when her wife was away. "You know… You look awfully funny coming over for ramen in full leathers," Mai giggled as Natsuki made her way to the doorway to leave.

"Shut up. Kiyo thinks I'm cool when I wear them and I wanted to make her smile," Natsuki grumbled as she watched her daughter run back to the Ducati, overjoyed at the new promise to see her mommy again.

"I've always wanted to ask this but… why Kiyo? I mean, her name. I know it's Kiyori but you know what we all think of…" Mai trailed, hoping her question wouldn't be too personal for her friend to answer.

Instead, Natsuki gave Mai her most honest smile. "So Shizuru and I never forget that something so beautiful could come from all that pain. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a lot of planning to do and a wife who needs to be swept off her feet."


Ahhhh I'm so mushy it makes even me sick sometimes. Stay tuned for part two and Natsuki's adventures with B&E!