A/N: Just recently found this old piece on my removable drive…I hadn't toyed with the idea in so long I had forgotten it until recent download of my chapters to the drive…maybe I'll take it for a test drive…

This is Sunrise's sandbox and one of their better anime…I'm playing here, care to join me?

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If there was a day to sit and enjoy life today sure was the one. The sky was beautifully clear with fluffy white clouds and a soft breeze that carried the scents from the Headmistress' garden across the school grounds. In the evening, just after classes, people were stretching out blankets and enjoying an outdoor picnic. Most of the faces were happy considering the tumultuous events that had recently passed.

There was no sign of hard feelings or regret for any of the trespasses that had been committed whether in good faith or ill will. Natsuki was suited up and sitting astride her new motorcycle as though in wait of someone. All of the Hime were buzzing about how they all felt relieved that the star was gone and the Carnival. Although each of them regained the people they most cherished, the scars of battle amongst themselves wore heavily upon them.

"Are you just going to sit here watching life pass you by with all that we have just gone through?" Shizuru asked from behind Natsuki.

"Actually I was waiting for my date…"Natsuki said looking back over her shoulder.

"Well then I will wait here with you so I can meet this person," Shizuru said trying not to sound sarcastic.

"She might get jealous if she sees you standing here with me acting so nonchalantly," Natsuki said trying to gauge Shizuru's mood.

"Let's hope not. I recall a certain someone laying waste to everything in her path the last time," Shizuru answered with a wink.

"No more star…no more powers. I don't think we'll have to worry about that happening again," Natsuki replied as she held up a riding suit.

"I can still use a naginata pretty deftly even without powers you know," Shizuru said as she stripped to put on the suit.

"I'll have to check on that one. Hurry up with that suit I don't want to hit traffic," Natsuki replied watching Shizuru through her mirror.

Thankfully, there was no traffic on the drive to the hot springs. The former Hime had agreed to spend this vacation in relaxing surroundings. Natsuki was glad to have some alone time with Shizuru before the others arrived so they could speak about what happened between them. Shizuru spent the entire ride so close to Natsuki that even now she could still feel Shizuru's arms around her waist. They were roomed across from the main spring and had a beautiful view of the mountainside.

Shizuru peeled herself out of her suit and dressed in a kimono that she packed. Natsuki had to admit that if anything, Shizuru definitely looked good in traditional clothing. The kimono she had packed for Natsuki was brand new and Natsuki thought of asking Shizuru when she had it made. Shizuru stretched out on the futon to take a quick respite.

"Are you going to lie down after all that driving, Na-tsu-ki?" Shizuru asked before she lay down herself.

"I think I'll sit here the view is really breathtaking," Natsuki said looking at Shizuru's long and slender frame.

"Ara…Natsuki, I do believe the mountain is on the other side of the window," Shizuru replied with an innocent tone.

"That wasn't the view I meant and you know it. I want to talk about what you did," Natsuki said with a stern but light voice.

"What part of that are you asking about?" Shizuru asked now looking at the floor. The tears would fall whenever Natsuki would try to discuss any of this with her.

"How you touched me without my consent? I don't want you to cry again, Shizuru, but I need to know since you felt you couldn't ask me," Natsuki said trying to avoid the tears.

"I touched and kissed you but I couldn't control myself after that. I swear to you, Natsuki, that I couldn't control what I felt once I let you know I was a Hime. I may have been kidding and flirting with you all the time before but having you alone …," Shizuru looked at Natsuki through her peripheral vision to gauge her reaction.

"I was partially responsible for those feelings. I allowed you to play cat and mouse with me. You were the one I always went to for one thing or another," Natsuki stood up and turned to the window, "I went to the one place I could find peace whenever I felt everything closing in."

"I told you we were friends long ago and that is just a part of what friendship represents," Shizuru replied admiring Natsuki's form.

"I should have taken it for what it was Shizuru, I came to you for comfort, when I needed the computer or just wanted to talk. I did realize that I loved you in return but I could not understand how you could feel so deeply for me?" Natsuki turned from the window looking for her answer.

"You were always so lonely and sometimes so angry. All I ever wanted to do was make you smile and let you know that you didn't have to be alone. I always thought you were beautiful, Natsuki, so I just had to make that attempt to get to know you better," Shizuru said looking directly into Natsuki's eyes even from the floor.

Natsuki walked across to Shizuru's side and kneeled next to her, "My mother was my whole world. My father was never such a big part of my life except maybe with his money. When I finally came back to school, I was not ready to share myself with anyone. You were so persistent that you slipped in without me even realizing it."

Shizuru reached up and caressed her cheek making Natsuki feel warm and… yes… comforted. Natsuki leaned into that touch and then leaned in for a kiss. Once again, caught off guard Shizuru recovered much easier then last time. Natsuki pushed Shizuru back on to the futon and lay on her feeling the closeness of their bodies as her head started to swim. Natsuki did not want to stop but Shizuru made her back away citing that she would not be able to control herself if they continued.

"I love you, Natsuki, but right now we are supposed to be clearing our issues," Shizuru said as she balled her fists.

"I'm sorry but I just couldn't help myself," Natsuki said as she sat next to Shizuru on the futon.

"Ask your next question before I loose my nerve to be able to answer you." Shizuru replied as she reached for Natsuki's zipper.

Natsuki did not resist or speak as Shizuru opened her suit and dropped it off her shoulders. Both girls took sharp breaths as the emotion rolled across their nerves. Shizuru couldn't believe just how unbelievable this scenario was only a few short months ago. Natsuki felt completely overwhelmed as Shizuru traced the shape of her breasts. As Natsuki's nipples reacted to Shizuru's touch, Shizuru stopped and withdrew from Natsuki.

"We need to leave this room. I am sorry, but in good faith, I cannot go any further until we finish talking. I will wait for you outside while you change," Shizuru stiffened up as she walked out of the room leaving Natsuki wanting.

Outside Shizuru sat waiting with her head in her hands trying to catch her breath. Natsuki was so willing to be pleased that Shizuru felt guilty all over again. This girl was her best friend and soon become more. The thought of the battles brought chills to Shizuru as she remembered what she had done in the name of love. It was a heavy burden that she would willingly bear for Natsuki's love.

Kiyohime lived up to her name when she had trapped Natsuki under the church bell… an upper hand Shizuru had thought at the time. When Natsuki kissed her and professed her love, Shizuru had no clue what would come next until she and Natsuki faded into nothingness in one another's arms. To find out in the death that Natsuki loved her made the end seem befitting. Yukino had no clue how hard Shizuru had fought her emotions up until she rescued Natsuki from Nao's revenge.

Ah yes…Yukino Kikukawa…her most important person has always strived to be my rival and yet…Yukino was the Hime…the protector. I hope this works for the others coming here as well.

Natsuki stood just inside the doorway watching Shizuru compose herself realizing that Shizuru was right. In a few short months, Shizuru would be going to university to start her further education. Natsuki just wanted to be alone to explore the feelings she was now allowing herself to give reign. Shizuru had no problem either way Natsuki wanted it to go. Natsuki slowly edged out of the door and sat next to Shizuru.

"Well it is about time you decided to stop standing there staring at me," Shizuru said admiring Natsuki in the new kimono.

"This is still way too new for me Shizuru and you are more prepared to handle emotions than I am," Natsuki replied causing Shizuru to laugh.

"District 1 might disagree with you as would Haruka. I am barely one year older than you," Shizuru stood and offered her hand to Natsuki.

"Why didn't you come forward to me once Nagi pit all of us against each other?" Natsuki asked.

"I never wanted to have to fight against you. To fight for someone you love is much better," Shizuru said as she and Natsuki headed up the long path into the mountain.

"Once I realized the truth I knew what it was everyone else had been feeling. I am sorry if I took you off guard, but you, you…Shizuru…you were the first person to embrace me. It was the only way I could think of to finish off the insanity," Natsuki said as she took Shizuru's hand.

"Ah...such a befitting ends ne? I never allowed myself to believe that you would ever return my feelings in any way. Dreams can be nice but that is all they are…dreams," Shizuru replied thinking of Natsuki's new approach to life.

"With my previous attitude, your feelings were something I couldn't return. I cannot say the same holds true even though I may not show the same outward connection you do," Natsuki answered as she moved from Shizuru's hand to wrapping their arms.

"We are not those girls anymore…no more hiding, no more fear," Shizuru replied as she leaned closer and lay her head to Natsuki's. A sudden chill ran through both girls as they stay this way heading up the mountain path. There was still time before the others arrived and this was how Natsuki wanted to spend her time…getting to know her most important person, learning to live and love anew.