I saw her bike there; instantly hatred filled my mind. That wench she loved so much, I was nothing compared to her. Nothing and that hurt me somehow. I bit my thumbnail in a thought. My eyes strained at a rock next to where I sat. I didn't see the rock at all. I saw snakes, giant violent demonic snakes. I knew it, I felt it. I lost my mother that day. I know she's better now, but I knew it. I felt my eyes water and dashed the thought.
I sighed as my thoughts escaped me. My concentration failed and I saw that the bike was still there. I had forgotten why I even sat down here.
No, I knew, she protected me then.
--
I had lost track of time.
"Nao-san?" Natsuki noticed me. I gritted my teeth; I felt like running. Why? I blew a breath through my nose and looked away from her.
"What do you want?" she asked. Seems she was now concerned. Maybe she should have been.
"Nothing." I answered. It was the truth I hoped.
She crossed her arms and waited. I regarded her out of the corner of my eye. That skin tight biker suit she always wore. Great.
"Nao." She alerted me.
"Fine, I wanted to talk with you."
"About?" she tapped her foot. I wondered if she was bored, frustrated, or impatient. It didn't matter.
"That…" my voice dropped. "time on the rooftop…"
"Rooftop?" she thought back. "The battle?"
"Yeah…" I sighed. I couldn't hide it anymore.
"What about it?" she actually walked over and sat beside me. I glanced at where she sat and chastised myself for even bothering to do this. What was there to gain? Really.
"Don't you have something better to do?" I puffed and turned away again.
Natsuki lowered her eye lids, I could imagine she popped a vein. "Excuse me?"
"…" I bit my lip. "Why did you… why did you protect me?" I looked to her without another thought. Her expression changed and softened. I guess she actually could think.
She turned to her bike and frowned, then she laid back on the grass with her hands still across her chest. I watched her and found myself watching her. I turned away and wondered why I did that.
She spoke, "Nao, you were obnoxious, thoughtless, selfish, but..."
I just stared at her.
"We all were, really. That's why we forgave each other."
"I still hate that wench."
"You don't have to like her, but I don't think you two are all that different."
I grabbed her by the collar, "What the hell you mean by that!?"
"Nao." I held her. "Nao, let go." I dropped her.
"Talk!"
"You're both passionate. I envy it sometimes."
I had no words.
She laughed. "Nao, blushing?"
"Hey!"
We sat there in silence. Why would she sit here with me like this? She's changed.
"Natsuki, what changed?"
"Hmm?"
"Since we…everyone came back."
"Nothing."
I turned to her.
"We're just a bit older now."
Minutes passed, I didn't count them. "Is there anything else?" Natsuki looked at me, her eyes seemed genuine.
"No, I…" I got up and cursed under my breath. I mumbled into the wind as I went to walk away.
"You're welcome." She friggen heard me. Damn that woman.