Another Chance

Chapter 1

AN: I do not own Mai-Hime or any of the characters. I enjoy the dynamic between Shizuru and Natsuki and so choose to write about them. I haven't written many stories so please don't judge too harshly. This is all for fun. Some slight OOC and AU.

Introduction: Hi, my name is Natsuki Kuga and I fell in love with my best friend, Shizuru Fujino, but I was too afraid to tell her. Instead of confessing I run, hoping to forget. Years later the fates reunite us under the most surprising circumstances.


My story starts with, unfortunately. Yes, I had the unfortunate situation of falling in love with my best friend. Why is it unfortunate; because it is an unrequited love. Do you want to know why it's even more unfortunate? Because we are both females. I know that in this modern age, there is a higher acceptance of these relationships, but will she be the half of the population that still frowns upon this idea? Knowing her, I don't believe so, but it's very different between accepting the idea and actually having to deal with the idea.

My name is Natsuki Kuga and, yes, I fell in love with my best friend Shizuru Fujino. I never told her and for years I kept this a secret. I just wanted to enjoy her presence, whatever she may give me. After so many years, my love never wavered, which was the difficult part. One can only keep such a love inside for so long. Instead of facing her, proclaiming my love, I decided to run. I thought it would be less painful to try to bury my feelings rather than deal with rejection.

It wouldn't be until years later that I would understand that this was the wrong choice. Rejection or not, it's not good to keep such things inside. Love is meant to be shared with others and if she didn't accept it, then that was her loss, not mine. If only I wasn't so stupid, young and naïve. Oh well, let's continue with this story.

We had met in college and had become the best of friends. Shizuru was two years younger than me, but we still connected just as easily. It was nice because sometimes it felt like I had a little sister to take care of. I fell in love with her the instant I met her. She was so adorable when we first met and her looks were almost goddess-like. Not to say I'm that shallow, but honestly, with any person there has to be some sort of physical attraction first. The more I got to know her, the more I fell in love with her kind soul. Though she did have an evil streak, at times she would tease me mercilessly. Apparently she enjoyed seeing me blush and embarrassing the heck out of me. I guess I secretly enjoyed it because I knew this was her true self because she only acted this way with those closest to her. It was how she showed she cared, well kinda.

College was one of the best times of my life because of her, but once we graduated things changed. Of course they would, but they didn't change for the better. My love was still burning strong and I was still too afraid to confess. We had to get on with our lives. We each become busier as I started working, while she eventually started working towards getting into law school. It's not that I didn't understand her busyness, but I started feeling neglected. It felt like she would make time for everyone else, except me. I didn't want to be irrational about it so I kept this to myself. I probably was over thinking it all, but I still couldn't help feeling hurt.

This pain kept growing and instead of asking her for more time, I ran. For the longest time I've had plans of starting my own company, but there was something holding me back: Shizuru. However, when all the pain accumulated and opportunity came knocking I decided to leave the country to start my business. I quietly left. I didn't really leave word with her. I thought that if I didn't see her this love would just die. This had just become too painful for me and I thought that she didn't care. That was the problem, she never showed me enough that she did care about me. I know she wasn't the sentimental/emotional type, and yet this was the part that I didn't like about her because it made me doubt myself all the time. It isn't until much later that I learn that it's not that she didn't care, she just didn't feel that it was a need to show it all the time. Maybe if I had talked to her about it, she would've at least made an effort for me. Right?

Anyways, I needed a change. I needed to be away from her, or so I thought. I hope I had made the right decision.