When the World Ends
By Kitara Lira
"I love you Shizuru. I can finally say it! I love you!" In triumph, the blue haired girl leapt from her seat – summer was always nice. The lush grass, flowers in full bloom, the gentle breeze, it was all wonderful – perfect for a confession.
Or… maybe not…
From her own position Natsuki watched Shizuru rise, a glimmer of hope holding in her heart. 'I did it Shizuru. You don't have to wait anymore…' The woman before her looked so beautiful. The way the summer light hit her honey tresses… the way the wind played at them… perfection.
Without a word Shizuru turned, walking away from Natsuki – the woman having just confessed her love. It should have been everything to the honey haired woman – she had waited years to hear those words. She should have been jumping into Natsuki's arms right now! Showering her with kisses even! But all Natsuki heard was the faint, "That's nice," before Shizuru was gone.
Orbs of emerald remained open for several moments at an impossibly wide stance – only giving way finally to the desire for reprieve of the no longer welcoming air. A thin layer formed at the base of her eyes, offering a new comfort to the dry state as well as a stinging pain… within the hollow of her chest. "S..s…shizuru…" Her voice was hoarse, crackling with uncertainty. The windows to her soul no longer able to constrain the foul liquid, they spewed forth, cascading down the young girl's pale cheeks.
Out stretching her hands, Natsuki reached – for something… anything… But all that remained about her was darkness. Everything she had loved in life was gone. Her Mother. Duran. And now Shizuru had followed them. For the second time in her life, Natsuki was completely alone.
"Shizuru!" She called again, this time growing with strength in her voice. Numbly, limbs moved their owner unaware. She was running. Running into the eternal darkness in a hope that maybe, just maybe, if she ran fast enough, Shizuru would be there.
It seemed to work. A soft light filtered through the darkness – there she stood amidst the flower garden where they had first met. Though something was different: the roles were reversed.
Hand clasped tightly about the flower, Shizuru wore an expression Natsuki had only seen once. Once during the Carnival. And that once was enough. "Shizuru! Yamete! Yamete!" Crimson orbs met emerald – void… they were void.
"What does Natsuki want?" The tone cut, it hurt. It was as if someone had taken a knife to her chest leaving her bleeding and broken upon the floor.
But that wouldn't stop her. She had to try. "Shizuru…" Stepping forth – arms spread wide, "I love you. I'm so sorry. I was stupid I know! But please… we can be together now…"
Again Shizuru turned – almost disgusted. "Natsuki only loves me for her own selfish reasons. What Natsuki loves is not me. What she loves is being loved – no longer being alone."
Stepping back, Natsuki tripped, her fall broken by the hard uncaring ground, "N…n…no… Shizuru… it's not true…. That's not true! I love you!" The last part was screamed as if in a desperation.
"No Natsuki," Shizuru said in such a cold tone that Natsuki really did feel like the ice princess – frozen. Frozen by the one she had loved. "You do not love me," reiterated Shizuru, "You hate to be alone. So much that you would be blind to say that you love when in reality you do not love. I have waited for you Natsuki, but I cannot wait any longer. Goodbye."
Goodbye? Goodbye?! "No! Shizuru! Don't go! Don't leave me! I love you!" Screamed the rebel biker lunging forth in a hope to catch hold of her fleeting love before she vanished. But just like everything that had ever meant anything to her before… it slipped through. Gone.
Natsuki was alone again.
And this time… she wasn't so sure she could make it.
There was no Shizuru to warm her cold heart…
No…
She had chased even that away.
Tears streaming down harder then before, the woman sobbed, "Why?! Why was I so stupid!? I love you Shizuru! I'm so sorry! So… sorry…"