A/N: So I've decided to post this story back up since my friend wants to be able to read it. I'm going to completely re-write and change some things just cuz I can, and mainly because I wasn't really happy with how the original story was progressing. I was getting completely bored with it, hence the reason for no future updates. But I'm back and here is the first chap.
CHAPTER 1
I walked out of the extremely crowded building and into the black night, welcoming the cool breeze that soothingly caressed my skin. My friends had recently shoved me into the club hoping I would for once enjoy myself and possibly find someone to my liking. Really, clubs weren't my thing but I didn't want to disappoint, so I unwillingly went along with it.
It was a Friday night and I had nothing better planned that evening, so in the end my red haired friend dragged me into the club and bought me a couple of rounds while we chatted for a bit. Eventually, I began to feel somewhat bored with my surroundings as I watched everyone on the dance floor pair up with some random partner and begin to swing their bodies carelessly. Deciding to take my leave, I signaled my friends of my departure as I stood up from my seat. They all returned my wave and smiled before returning back to their erotic display of a dance. I could see that they were a little disappointed.
Once outside, I walked around to the side of the building where I found my bike I had parked earlier. It was a magnificent piece of equipment if you ask me. A Ducati. I was pleased to see no scratches or dents were on the painted navy blue metal as I neared the tamed beast. Pocketing for my keys, I unlocked the seat and lifted it up, retrieving my matching blue helmet in the process. I placed the round object on my head and inserted the key into the ignition, revving the engine to life. Feeling the loud roar vibrate underneath me, a smile curved onto my lips. God, I love this bike!
I began to pull the motorcycle backwards, out of its confined parking space and out near the exit. People began to make glances towards me as I revved the engine once more to straighten the bike out and leave the lot, all the while mentally giggling at myself for scaring the old woman on the sidewalk as she jumped and hastily turned around to look at said noise.
Safely maneuvering my way across downtown, a small orange light began to blink, grabbing my attention as I looked down to see what the problem was. 'Empty' read the little line that pointed to the letter 'E'. I grumbled in annoyance and decided to find a gas station nearby so I could quickly make it home and go straight to bed without any further interruptions. It had been a hectic day and I was beginning to feel my energy drain from my body as the night continued.
After a while, a bright sign with the words 'Race Track' caught my eye and I pulled my Ducati next to one of the open gas pumps. Swinging my leg over the blue vehicle, I switched the powerful engine off and began to fill the bike with gas. It didn't take long for the pump to jolt back into my hands, signaling me that the tank was full. I placed the pump back into its slot and walked briskly over towards the quickie mart. Once inside, I headed over into the candy aisle and searched for something sweet to satisfy my craving.
I had just currently run out of stock of Mayonnaise and was in desperate need of a substitute. Candy seemed to help me co-op with my mayo withdrawals, and not that hard sugary crap that people tend to savor on. I was more of a choc- Ah, there it is - my eyes spotted the silver medium sized bag. I was more of a chocolate kind of girl and I could feel the small smile forming on my cheeks as I reached out to grab the bag of dark Hershey kisses. That is, until my hand clashed with another attempting to grab the same silvery product.
I turned to look at the perpetrator that dared to take, not only the last bag of dark chocolate, but my bag of dark chocolate. My gaze lifted to find wine-red eyes staring back into mine. I don't know what came over me as I continued to stare back into those crimson orbs speechless. I have never seen anything like them before. They were amazingly beautiful and entrancing at the same time, as if they were pulling me into the dark depths of their pools. Like rubies, they sparkled in the light as I continued to stare in awe. I felt my heart race suddenly.
My thoughts were quickly interrupted as I heard the girl make a sound deep within her throat trying to grab my attention back from where ever it had wondered off to. I stepped back in response hoping I didn't seem rude to the taller woman and lowered my gaze back onto the bag of chocolates that still hung from the hook.
"Ara, I apologize. You may take the bag if you wish." Smiled the woman.
I looked back at her and watched the smile form onto her lips as she insisted I take it. "N-no, it's fine. Go ahead. I-I don't mind." I felt blood rushing into my cheeks as I blurted the words out quickly, hoping she didn't take notice to the sudden reaction. I really don't know what came over me.
She continued to smile and nodded politely while reaching out for the silver bag, taking it in between her slender fingers.
"Thank you." She finally answered.
I smiled and returned to set my gaze onto the shelves of candy, hoping I could find something else now. I wasn't sure if she was still staring back at me as I tried to ignore her. It made me somewhat a little uncomfortable, but luckily I heard her footsteps begin to walk away and head towards the other direction. After a few minutes had passed, I decided to give up on trying to find something sweet and instead, walked over to the cashier. I paid the short round man the exact amount I owed for the gas then walked out.
Everything just didn't seem to go my way that night and I let out a small sigh, recalling all that had happened earlier. Work sucked from the very start. My first client was a pain in the ass. I hated rude people. They were only good for one thing, complaining. Apparently, 'said customer' wasn't satisfied with me, complaining that the numbers must be wrong on his report, which in turn, led to a crazy argument between me, 'said customer' and then some seconds later, my boss. I of course lost that battle as I was threatened with losing my job if I didn't silence myself immediately. I honestly don't know why I'm an accountant. I never did like working with people, let alone math, but it was a job and I needed the money.
Then being dragged into a local club that I had no intention of going to, only to watch my friends dance and sit lonesome behind the table in boredom. And lastly, having run out of mayo! And not only that, the bag of candy I wanted, I gave kindly to a stranger, which in my perspective was kind of weird if you ask me. Usually, I would have given my famous 'death glare' to scare the other person away and proceed on taking the bag of candy for myself. But for some odd and strange reason, I willingly allowed the other woman to take it.
That must have been the highlight of my day as I remembered the crimson-eyed woman and the event that took place just moments before.
I'm growing soft, I thought.
My brows creased down in frustration as I reached out for my helmet resting on my bike. I wasn't aware of a presence behind me until I heard that same soft Kyoto-ben voice from inside the store.
"Such a beautiful face should not frown so much. It will give you wrinkles early in life."
Surprised, I turned around only to see the same taller woman grinning widely at me. "E-excuse me?" I stammered.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. I was just teasing." A smile still placed high onto her cheeks.
"Is there something I can help you with Miss...?" I could begin to feel my left eye twitch out of annoyance. Luckily, I was already hidden behind my helmet so I was sure the woman could not see my distressed face.
"Shizuru Fujino." She said.
"… Miss Fujino." I watched the brunette beam brightly as she heard me say her name and I lifted my visor to get a better look at her face.
"Actually, I just came over to hand you this as a 'thank you' gift." She held out her hand and opened it, allowing me to see the tiny contents that sat in the center of her palm.
"Chocolate Kisses?"
"Well, I saw you leave the store empty handed and felt bad that I took the last bag. So I thought I could return the favor and give you some at least." She smiled, showing her pearly white teeth.
Such a pretty smile…
"O-oh." Was all I could stutter out.
Wow, Natsuki. What an intelligent answer… So much for being a smooth talker.
My head was mocking me as I stared down at the tiny contents and I could feel a headache coming on. "You know, I was told to never take candies from strangers." She giggled.
How's that for smooth talker.
"Ara, well its good thing I already introduced myself then, neh Ms…?"
"Natsuki Kuga." I said, grinning behind my helmet.
I reached out my hand and grabbed the tiny contents and placed them in my jacket pocket while thanking the brunette.
"You're very welcome. And it was very nice to meet you Ms. Kuga. Enjoy the treats."
"Just Natsuki. Ms. Kuga makes me feel a lot older than I really am."
A small tinge of pink graced her cheeks, "Natsuki then… Have a good night."
I seriously couldn't keep the grin off my face as I said good night as well, watching as something like mirth passed through her gaze before she made to move away.
With that said, she turned around and began to walk towards the intersection. My gaze never left the brunette as she waited for the light to signal her to walk across. Shizuru was a strange woman I thought, but something about her just kept pulling me in. I thanked God that throughout the second encounter with the woman my face was not fully visible. Heaven knows what I could have looked like. My cheeks must have been as red as Rudolph's nose. I quickly shook my head trying to dismiss the stupid thought as I climbed onto my bike.
I wanted to laugh at the whole situation, finding it somewhat funny that this so called Shizuru-woman was able to make my night, and mood for that fact, a whole lot better.
Still smiling, I moved to start my bike until a honking noise from the other direction broke my train of thought. I quickly turned to see what the cause was.
A red car was carelessly speeding and swerving dangerously down the road. Great, an idiot who thinks he owns the road or he's just stupidly drunk.
What the hell?
It didn't look like the crazy driver was in any attempt to slow down as it neared the busy intersection. Realizing this, I quickly returned my focus back onto the brunette as I watched her wait for the blinking light across the street. She seemed to still have not noticed the commotion off into the distance, probably too focused on her thoughts or the street-light itself. And if the timing couldn't have been any better, the light flashed, signaling her to finally cross.
My stomach practically dropped as I saw her take a step forward and begin to walk across. I jumped off my bike and ran after the taller woman yelling for her to stop. I somehow managed to grab her attention, but she looked at me as if I was an alien, flailing my arms helplessly. My helmet didn't help the fact that it muffled my voice, preventing Shizuru from hearing my words clearly. The car neared even closer as I tried to reach her. I pointed at the car while running, hoping it would direct the woman's attention towards it. She complied with my motions and turned her crimson gaze onto the rushing vehicle. Her eyes widened in fear as the headlights of the car now engulfed her entire body, leaving her motionless and in shock. I could see her face turn pale as she understood the amount of danger she was in.
It was too late. The car was already too close for her to just simply move out of the way unharmed. Sprinting as fast as my legs would carry me, I tried to tackle Shizuru out of the way hoping we both could dodge the oncoming object, but unfortunately, all I could attempt to do was push her to the side while my body, in mid-air, was struck by the racing vehicle. It was as if time had slowed that exact moment. Everything around me growing increasingly silent, the only thing heard was my heavy breathing and then... Time sped up, resuming its current place within the present.
I felt it.
Pain. Extreme pain.
My body slammed hard against the windshield creating a loud crunching noise underneath me as I made contact. I watched shards of glass fly past my body before shutting my emerald eyes tight. Sharp pain raced throughout my entire body from the sudden impact and I could feel my head become heavy with dizziness as it smacked hard against the window. I tried to breathe but found it difficult, for all the air in my lungs was forcefully knocked out of my chest.
Seconds later, a loud screeching sound was made as rubber tires forced themselves to stop, allowing me to tumble off onto the hood and then onto the ground. I must have rolled a few yards away from the scene, because I felt my body painfully twist uncontrollably once I landed on the paved road.
Fear ran through me as I was able to slowly process what had just happened. My body laid limp and still, daring not to move a single muscle. I wasn't sure if it was the shock that prevented me from trying to do so or if it was the immense pain that now coursed throughout my whole entire being. Whatever the cause was, it couldn't have been good. Yelling was heard off to the side and a rushing of footsteps from all over gathered around me. Still, I laid there unable to move, eyes sealed shut.
"Oh my god, call an ambulance!" Someone shouted.
For some reason my head shifted slowly to the left and I felt warm soft fingers lightly touch and push onto the side of my neck. Finally, two fingers rested onto my jugular vein and I heard the person speak.
"She's alive, I have a pulse."
The voice was slightly familiar. It had to be the Kyoto-ben woman I had hopefully saved. What was her name again? She continued to say something but I couldn't make out the words clear enough to know what.
I felt my helmet sliding slowly and carefully off of my head as I groaned in pain, another sharp wave shooting straight through my back then down to my legs. Opening my eyes, I saw my helmet lying next to me. It was severely cracked all the way down to the back and I hoped my head wasn't in the same condition. I briefly scanned the crowd of people as they rushed over to see the result of the accident before looking at the person kneeling next to me. Worried crimson orbs stared back into mine as I noticed the pained expression that now lingered on the brunette's face. It didn't suite her, I preferred the smile she gave me earlier.
"Natsuki, can you hear me? Everything is going to be alright. Just keep breathing." She said, keeping close contact with my eyes.
I wanted to say something, anything really, but I couldn't find myself to even open my mouth as I stared back at her with dizziness and pain.
As time slowly lingered by, blackness started to faze in and out as I tried to keep my eyes open and stay conscious. It was becoming increasingly hard to keep my focus on those saddened orbs and the pain was, by each passing second, becoming too much for me to bear. Eyes were beginning to fall heavier with sleep and my breathing coming out as shorter and quick breaths. I only hoped that if I did fall asleep... I would awake later.
"Natsuki, stay with me. You have to stay awake. Help is coming, I promise."
She must have sensed my own discomfort and leaned in closer to my face lightly caressing my cheek, hoping it would somehow lessen my pain. I trusted her words with all my heart as if she were my own guardian angel and continued to keep my hazy eyes on hers as best as I could. She lightly grasped my hand and squeezed it in reassurance while forcing a smile onto her lips. Sirens could be heard softly out into the distance as they came nearer. Still focused on her face, I saw her lips moving but was unable to make out the words she spoke this time. It was getting harder to breath for some reason and there was a slight ringing in my ears.
With a quick breath, I saw crimson-orbs widen suddenly before being clouded by my own darkness.