100 Days
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Mai-Otome/Mai-HiME characters as well as Sailormoon characters.
A/N: This is a Natsuki/Shizuru Fic. Don't burn me just yet.
Chapter One: Alexander Kruger
There was a loud roar that went across town that morning. It was the same roaring sound the breezed through the streets at exactly 6:00AM. Jaws would drop and eyes would open as the sound slipped by. It was another morning in Fuuka. This was certainly another business day for the one and only Alexander Kruger.
Graduated with honors in Tokyo University and he is currently the head of Kruger Industries. He was the first of two siblings for Christopher and Saeko Kruger. He used to be one of Japan's most eligible bachelors.
The blue Ducati 1068 burned the road till it reached its destination. Its rider wore a business suit no less. His leather shoes kicked off the bike stand. His dark blue hair swayed with the wind as he took his helmet off. He earned those strangled gasps from females around him. Yes, this was normal for his day. He did have fan girls fawning at him since the day his face got plastered on television.
He did not let them have the luxury of his smile or grin though.
After all, he was already married Shizuru Fujino.
Shizuru was top brass when it came to the business world. She was number one in class and the most sought after executive in the last five years. Her business savvy rivaled her beauty that put a lot of people in awe whenever she was in a room. She continued to handle Fujino Corporation and its subsidiaries after the marriage. Alex would be damned if he even thought of asking the woman to step down and be just a plain housewife.
It had been a year since they got married. The union was arranged but Alex learned to care as a husband for his wife. It wasn't difficult. She was his childhood friend, his best friend. Alex has Shizuru's trust and his hers. He has fond memories of how his best friend agreed to their marriage without much opposition. Shizuru and Alex neither dated anyone through their educational years. In light of the changes, it just became a matter of what was their priority. They both have the same wavelength when it came to business. With the Fujino Corporation and the Kruger Industries blowing off their respective competition, the only thing left was to expand. And expand they did. With the marriage, the two giant companies merged. It brought their families peace of mind. The next generation Fujino and Kruger heirs were obediently taking their place in the family business and were making it grow.
He smiled taking a step. Straightening his tie, he walked up to the highest building in Tokyo.
DING!
"Mr. Kruger, we have the proposals from the advertisers." Aoi Senoh-Harada, one of his assistants, handed the 10 folders to his right hand, Tate Yuuchi.
"You have a lunch meeting with your father and your father-in-law, and your wife is on line two."
"Ooops…" Alex dashed to his office carefully aware of his wife's sudden whims. He smiled loosening the buttons of his suit.
He left Tate fumbling on the folders with an annoyed Aoi shaking her head.
"Have you ever tried to reconsider your choice of transportation dear? It's rather… Dangerous to my taste."
"Ah… Shizuru, would a little hello kill you before you begin scolding me?"
"Ara, ara… My dear husband, you should know I'm only after the welfare of my unborn children. Just in case we did go through with the process. You do know they are already expecting us to have a tiny version of you running around by Christmas next year."
He smiled shaking his head. They were married, but they did not indulge themselves with this and that. As far as Alex was concerned, Shizuru was still his best friend. He loved Shizuru, but not in ways a lover would. Maybe he did but under the circumstances, he was tightlipped.
He was content on keeping it that way, although he couldn't say he didn't want more. It was just he wanted the person to be in love with him in case they did this and that.
So far, the union was business. He tried not to push things with it no matter how he found Shizuru to be irresistible at times.
Thus, they had the talk about artificial insemination.
The women in both their families urged Shizuru to have a child. Such talks went on from the day they got engaged up until the present time. It annoyed his wife. But he simply smiled.
If it's a child they want. It's a child they will get.
He could however, try it the natural way but was either too tired or too scared of the matter.
Well more of the latter.
He was thankful Shizuru would agree to whatever terms he would draw up for them. To simply put, his red-eyed best friend would chalk it up to being an understanding wife.
"Alex?"
"Hai… Shizuru… Gomen… I spaced out…" He smiled again, hearing his wife sigh at the other end.
"I'll see you at dinner. Will you be picking me up?"
"Would you like to ride a motorbike wearing that purple dress of yours? With its thin fabric, I doubt it would withstand the night wind. I might have to fend off your ex-so-called lover all night…"
"Ikezu… Did you find a need to remind me dear husband? And please refrain from calling him my ex-so-called lover. He was never and in fact never will be my lover."
"I apologize, dear wife." His green eyes sparkled mischievously.
"It is his party Shizuru… You do know the man…" He added hearing another sigh from his wife.
"You know… You never did tell me why you didn't give him a chance back in college since…" His question was cut off when a knock came.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Ojii-san?" Nina Wang peeked through his door unsure of his presence.
He smiled motioning her to come in.
"We'll talk later, Shizuru. Nina's here. Take care." With that he ended his phone call.
CLICK!
She turned to her mobile with a sad smile. She knew he cared but not as much as she would want to. Alexander Kruger could be as dense as whatever is the most clueless thing ever to hit on earth.
Still in her bathrobe she sat and stared herself at her vanity mirror.
She was Shizuru Fujino.
The sole heiress of the Fujino clan, married to Alexander Kruger who is the head of the money making monsters Kruger Industries and Fujino Corporation.
Her beauty is known to rival those of Aphrodite's.
She smiled sadly at her own reflection.
She was everything any man could dream of. But was everything short of making her own husband fall in love with her.
"How could I date anyone, if my heart belonged to you? I love you dear husband. Take care…" She whispered to no one.
TICK! TOCK! TICK! TOCK!
He rolled his eyes as he ate his food. No wonder he tried to get Shizuru to come with such meetings. His wife was better at fending off their parents. He wished he ordered sushi instead of the steak. The men in front of him were making his stomach churn violently.
"I think when you do that position you'll conceive a boy. But you have to consider the moon cycle though." His father, Christopher, tapped his chin.
"Really?" His father-in-law, Hajime replied curiously.
He breathed out heavily. You do not talk about positions on the lunch table. You actually eat for good manners. The elders have been pushy lately. Why were they so adamant that they make a baby? He and Shizuru have been married for only a year. They were just 26 years old. They could spare two more years to say the least.
"Oi, are you listening?"
Interrupting his reverie, he found himself being stared at by annoyed old men. He merely shrugged going back to the task of consuming his lunch.
"Alex…" His father's voice turned to a tone unfamiliar to his ears.
He looked up to see his own father and father-in-law with sad smiled on their faces.
"We're not getting any younger. And you and Shizuru are our first-borns. Well Shizuru is an only child…" His father began, earning his smile.
"We just want your kids to feel us you know, while we're still strong."
"I would really like to hold Shizuru's child in my arms, Alex." Hajime added taking a sip of his wine, the sad smile never leaving his face.
So that was what it brought about. They felt they were getting old too fast they might not see the lights of day when it comes to their children. Alyssa was still in the university to it would take a while before she settles down. Well that is if she actually separates herself from Miyu Greer. Shizuru was an only child so that poses the problem as well.
They were relying on their marriage heavily.
He sighed.
Alexander Kruger nodded and gave a short reply.
"Shizuru and I would work on it, if that makes you feel any better."
Wide grins were the only replies the old geezers could muster.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Shizuru-sama… The driver has arrived."
"I'll be right down." Shizuru replied as she added the last pin in her hair.
She stared at herself.
Sometimes she wondered if her husband was a man.
She let out a giggle. Of course he was.
He just doesn't see her the way she wished he does.
TICK! TOCK! TICK! TOCK!
The grandfather clock behind him was making sounds that made him sleepy. He was bored actually. Rubbing elbows with high society was not his cup of tea. He would rather, rub elbows with Tate and Aoi any day in the office, with sweat in tow in exchange for the miserable party. Things he did for his best friend who is now his wife.
"Shizuru sure is taking a while." He grumbled slowly pinching his nose.
Kanzaki parties were always one for the ages. Or so he read. Right now, yeah, it was one for the ages, right, the dark ages. He could feel Tomoe Margaruite's glare from where he was standing. Considering that Shizuru had a battalion of fan girls in college. Yes, fan girls. That particular fan girl was hard to live up to though. Apparently no one was good enough for Shizuru-oneesama in the young woman's eyes. Alex drew to the conclusion that Tomoe Margaruite shared Reito Kanzaki's sentiments.
"I see the better half has not arrived yet. I actually assumed you would be arriving together." He forced a smile through his sleepy state.
"Kanzaki, good to see you... Nice party. Shizuru had a doctor's appointment. You know how it is." Alexander Kruger replied with hidden venom in his words.
They were rivals since heaven knows when. For most parts Reito neither liked the attention Alex got nor the recognition. He was always number two. Sometimes three, thanks to Shizuru Fujino who was top of their class. Of course, the rivalry intensified when he married Shizuru. Reito has this big crush or obsession about the Fujino heir. Alex would have set himself aside if his best friend loved the man. But Shizuru never mentioned the word let alone a man that would accompany the feelings with the word. He even wondered if his best friend was gay. Not that his respect and care would diminish with such. Best friends till the end, as kids would put it.
"Do I sense a below par performance Kruger? It's only natural for your wife to have such high expectations. After all, she is a Fujino." Reito turned his head slightly to the side with a devious smirk on his face.
Why you?
If he had not thought of Shizuru's opinions on the matter, he was sure to perform above expectations with regards to this and that. Who wouldn't want Shizuru?
She had the perfect body, the perfect sway, and the alluring voice that could hypnotize anyone within hearing distance.
Not to mention she was intelligent and intuitive. He cleared his throat realizing one word that popped into his head.
Hot.
His hands balled into a fist as his thoughts dragged back to the man in front of him. His temper was rising to maximum.
How dare he?
He was about reply when his words were held down by a hand slipping with his and soft lips touching his cheek.
"I hope my husband has been playing nice with Kanzaki-kun while I was away."
His anger melted turning to the owner of the voice.
"I promise you I was… You're late…" He smiled now bending to place a tender kiss on his wife's lips.
It was unusual to actually give his wife a chaste kiss on the lips in public. Cheeks were their threshold with public display of intimacy. But with the way Reito was acting, he didn't hold back.
Take that Kanzaki!
Though it seemed within their limits, Reito's reaction was priceless.
Alex grinned.
"Your driver was late. Alexander should have personally fetched his wife. He looks more dashing with me in his arms."
"Ah… But you are not arm candy dear wife. You are meant to be the center of attention." He teased linking his fingers with Shizuru's.
"Shizuru-san…" Reito began but was cut off when Shizuru made a bow.
"Ookini, for inviting me and my husband…"
"My pleasure, Shizuru-san…" Reito letting out a overconfident smile that earned Alexander's glare.
"But I do wish Kanzaki-kun would refrain from giving remarks regarding my married life." Shizuru began making her husband turn to her.
"He should not worry about Alex's performance. He performs above my standards. If that was what it brought about."
"Shizuru-san… I…" Reito stammered realizing he had stepped on dangerous territory.
Although, he hated the guy, Shizuru was not one to mess with when you hear that tone. Even he was scared of Shizuru when she spoke in such a low voice.
Alex decided to intervene.
"Shizuru, Haruka proposed to Yukino yesterday. I think we should greet them."
Shizuru didn't put up a hard front with that proposition. Alexander was her waterloo after all.
"Lead the way MY dear husband..." Shizuru's smile appeared as her red eyes met those green eyes.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
No answer.
He tried again.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Still, there was no answer.
He slowly opened the door, careful not to wake up his wife. Alex observed the room and found the windows open, curtains flying violently with the wind.
He closed the windows, sighing as peace was restored. Alex turned and stared at Shizuru who was sleeping quietly in bed. The night must have exhausted her, considering they had to deal with Reito and Tomoe at the same time.
Alexander and Shizuru did not share the same room even though they were married. They were adjacent though just in case his wife or he himself needed something. It was his idea, opting to protect Shizuru for most parts. He was still a man after all. And though by right he could have Shizuru, Alexander would never force himself to her. They neither proclaimed their love to each other. Nor did they acknowledge they meant more than what they were, friends. As far as Alexander was concerned, they were heirs to big corporations who chose the best business solution.
It wasn't hard to like Shizuru, though.
But even Alexander was afraid to deal with feelings head on.
He has never found himself in a romantic relationship. Therefore, he didn't know how it felt like to actually be in one. They have been friends for a long time. That alone gave him reservations on how to act around the gorgeous woman.
His attention was brought to his wife's desk and found papers scattered. Apparently Shizuru was working on something and forgot to put paperweights when she opened her windows. His wife was fond of the night wind. It was odd but he didn't ask. You just nod to Shizuru Fujino concerning Shizuru Fujino herself. Shaking his head, he picked them up and stacked them neatly back on the desk.
"Alex…"
It was tired but he knew he had woken up his wife. He turned around with a soft smile on his face. Shizuru's sleepy state was adorable, he could feel his fingers aching to pinch her cheeks right about now.
"Alex…" His name was called out again.
His wife motioned him to come to her, which he happily obliged.
He smiled but grew confused when his wife cupped his cheeks as he sat on the bed. Shizuru had pushed herself up, her eyes not leaving his face.
Alcohol still reeked from both of their mouths. Alexander took a mental note never to go out drinking with Haruka Suzushiro when she's happy. Apparently drinks flow forever. Mental note number two: avoid handing drinks to Shizuru. She tends to get drunk a faster than usual.
Just then, Shizuru did something he was not ready for. Her lips crashed into his, devouring him with ferocity he has never seen before. Her nails began to rake the side of his neck as his lungs began their warnings. He pulled away as he gasped painfully for air. His hands were now resting on his wife's waist, his eyes looking back at her with confusion and surprise.
"Shizuru, you're drunk." His eyes were now worriedly staring at his wife.
"I'm not…" Shizuru replied and gave him another kiss on the lips.
Little by little, buttons were opened and clothes were removed. He now wondered how much Shizuru has power over him. He couldn't resist her advances anymore. Has she had such effect on him all this time? He just obliged to anything his best friend, his wife was doing. His mind was racing to find a way to stop the inevitable but his body was saying otherwise.
"I don't want to hurt you Shizuru…" He mumbled his head still in a haze with all the kissing they have been doing.
"You are not going to hurt me by giving me what I want, Alex…" Shizuru whispered in his ear as he tried to struggle beneath her.
His heart was racing and his hands were wandering on Shizuru's back. It was as if they had a mind of their own. His fingertips touched the smooth skin and surprising himself when they worked on Shizuru's bra clasps. He tried to fight it but Shizuru was not making it easy for him. Her kisses grew hotter and her caresses were making everything in him tingle. His stomach was making knots making his breathing more labored. Shizuru bit his shoulders, his neck, and his ears marking his body for good measure. Alexander didn't know what was going on anymore. What was worse was his junior was getting excited and becoming harder by the second.
"What do you want, exactly?" He asked, unsure if he wanted to know.
Shizuru was now straddling him wearing nothing less than her lacy underwear.
He was on the verge of losing his self control.
"You…"
That one word and he let all his pent up feelings go. Feelings he himself was not aware of.
And for the first time since the day they met, Alexander Kruger and Shizuru Fujino made love.
DZZT! DZZT!
He slowly opened his eyes and stared at his alarm. 5:00 AM it read. Turning to his side, he eyed on their wedding picture. It has been a month since that night. But neither of them had the talk. Alexander was afraid of what would Shizuru say.
He stared at the ceiling with a sad face.
It was the most intimate action they have ever done. And it was ALWAYS on his mind. But his wife never mentioned that night. Moreover, the day after they did the deed was a total blank for the woman.
Maybe I should have stayed till she woke up?
He grumbled putting a pillow in his face.
Reaching out for his phone he searched for a certain number and dialed it with uncertainty.
"Onii-san?"
"Hai, Alyssa. How have you been?"
"Well. But I suppose you're not. You do not call on a work day, onii-san. Did something wrong happen?"
"I think Shizuru is rubbing off on you. Why do you expect something is wrong when I'm the one making the call?"
"But it's true. How is she by the way? Made her fall in love with you yet?"
"What? No. I mean. I don't know." He sighed in defeat.
"What's wrong?"
"We uh…"
"We uh… What?"
"We did this and that…"
"EEEEHHH? Tell me! Tell me! Details! I thought you were in a platonic relationship with your best friend?"
"Wife… She was drunk. I gave in…"
"Did you talk about it…?"
"No…"
"Why?"
"I don't think she even remembers…"
"She's your wife, your best friend. I'm sure you can talk about it."
"It's different you know. She might think I took advantage of the situation."
"I'm sure there's something that urged you on… I know you. You have a self control of a turtle. Remember your honeymoon that turned out to be a family vacation for both clans? Remember how you did a vice grip on the can of soda and it burst?"
"Wait a turtle doesn't…"
"Enough… Why did you do it anyway? Why did you give in?"
"She said, out of her drunkenness, she wanted me…"
"Ahh… Now I know what you'll do."
"What?" He sat up suddenly interested.
"Woo her."
"Woo her?"
"Hai. There are help sites online on how to court a girl properly. Now she's your wife but pretend you're not even in a relationship yet. Call me if you spell disaster again."
"Arigatou…"
"Hai… Onii-chan. What will you do without me?"
He smiled.
"Nothing good apparently…" He muttered earning a giggle on the other line.
DING! DONG! DING! PAGING THE DRIVER OF THE BLACK BMW WITH PLATE NUMBER EUG-484 PLEASE PROCEED TO THE PARKING AREA.
She woke up to the sound. She had been a little drowsy lately. Upset stomachs in the morning, loss of appetite, it alarmed her thus getting herself checked.
Hospitals were not her cup of tea but in case she came down with the flu, Alex would never let her hear the end of it.
"Take care of yourself. I wouldn't want to worry about you. If something bad happens, they'll all kill me, Shizuru."
She smiled.
"Ah Shizuru-san… Eh… Are you ill? Come in…" The doctor came out of her office apparently noticing her state.
"Thank you, Sagisawa-sensei…" Shizuru bowed.
"You look awful… Pardon the language… But you do…"
The doctor helped her take a seat.
"So… What have you been feeling?" The doctor asked taking a seat herself.
"My stomach has been really bothering me lately, and I noticed I lack appetite. I feel nauseated at times and have vomited a number of times as well. I cannot recall having a bad lunch or drinking much as of late."
"Eh? Hmm…" Yokho tapped her chin then stood up.
"When was the last time you had your period?"
Shizuru looked up to her frowning.
"Um… Last month, I'm actually a few weeks delayed."
"I see. When was the last time you have been intimate with Alex-kun?" The doctor asked writing down a few notes.
She didn't see the blush that had formed on Shizuru's cheeks.
"Kanzaki's party… Last month… I think…"
Oh, it might come out as if she doesn't know. But Shizuru knows, in full detail.
She was just… embarrassed.
"I see…"
"Is there a problem?" Shizuru asked worriedly.
"Would you take these tests first please? You can use the toilet room behind you. I'm going to ask the nurse to come in and take blood samples as well. No need to go to the laboratory. I'll just give the requests. Try not to move too much, alright?"
"Alright…"
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Mr. Kruger, your father is on line one."
"Thank you, Aoi-san. Oh and could you please ask Tate to come up. I need him to do something for me."
"Hai…" Aoi replied turning around.
"Father?"
"Alex, I need you on a plane to Vancouver tonight. There are some business matters that need tending to over there. Apparently, the Kanzaki's are trying to buy out some of our stocks over there. I need you to oversee the IPO and maintain majority stock control."
"Hai… Will do my best father… Um… I need to talk to Shizuru first."
"Eh? Since when did you have to talk business with your wife? She's very understanding and…"
"That's just it father. She tends to let me get away with everything. Please just, let me do it properly."
"Hai. Whatever you say…"
CLICK!
"Mr. Kruger?" Tate peeked and entered his office as Alex ended his call.
"Um… Could you buy a bouquet of roses for me? And oh, please call Nanami-san to prepare our travel luggage. We have a trip to get to tonight."
"Mr. Kruger?"
"Yes?"
"It's my wife's birthday tonight. Do we really need to leave to tonight?"
Alex looked up to his right hand with an apologetic smile.
"Hai…"
He saw how Tate's facial expressions changed knowing he was going to break another promise.
"You know what? I'll go on my own. You can stay with your wife tonight."
"But Mr. Kruger!" Tate almost screamed but held himself back.
"It's fine, Tate. Just get me the flowers. One of us still has to apologize to their wife." He smiled motioning his right hand to be on his way.
"Arigatou, Mr. Kruger. You don't know how this would mean to Shiho. Arigatou." He bowed endlessly till he was out of Alex's office.
RING! RING!
She turned to the phone that was already picked up by their maid. Her eyes wondered to her task at hand, staring at a romantically set dinner table.
I'm pregnant…
She smiled remembering her reaction when every single test just said positive.
"Are you sure Sagisawa-sensei? I'm pregnant?"
"Hai… You are. Why are you surprised?"
"It's just… It's been the first time… Um… In a long time since we did it…"
"I guess Alex-kun just has a good aim ne?"
"Shizuru-sama…"
"Hai… Nanami-san?"
She turned to the maid who had the extension phone on her hand.
"Alexander-sama asked for his traveling luggage. He has a trip to Vancouver tonight."
"Tonight?" Shizuru's eyes became sad.
Now how could she make things special if her husband was leaving in a few hours?
"Will he be coming home?"
"I don't think so, Shizuru-sama."
"I see." Shizuru took a seat letting out a breath.
"But he has sent the driver for you Shizuru-sama."
"Am I going with him?"
"He did not ask to prepare your luggage, Shizuru-sama."
"I see. I'll be preparing then. Arigatou, Nanami-san."
WHIZ! WHIZ! WHIZ!
The wind blew extra cold that night.
"It's not even winter. It's supposed to be summer." Alexander grumbled as he stood beside their private jet.
He wasn't going to leave without giving the flowers personally.
Nor was he leaving without personally letting his wife know how his feelings have changed.
He smiled when Shizuru's car pulled up.
"Dear husband, I hope you know what you have done tonight. It's rather too cold." Shizuru came out and he approached her and greeted her with a kiss on the lips.
Shizuru's eyes grew wide then grew softer as he let the kiss drag on.
"Now that is a greeting I don't get every day." She teased but Alex kissed her cheeks in reply.
"Alex you've been extra…" He cut her off with another kiss on her lips.
Now she could only put her arms around his neck and pull him in.
"I love you…" He mumbled kissing her lips once more.
"I love you too…" Shizuru replied a tear starting to form at the corner of her eyes.
"Oh… And these are for you…" He turned but his right hand not leaving her waist.
"Flowers? Has Alexander done something bad?"
"Iie… I just think I need change."
"We need to talk, Alex." Shizuru became serious.
They were jumping from best friends to lovers now. With another in tow, they really had to talk. There was definitely a lot to talk about.
"I know… I know… But let's wait till I get back. I won't be long. I just had to let you know…"
"I know…" Shizuru smiled placing a chaste kiss on her husband's lips.
"Have a safe trip."
"See you soon…" He smiled.
And that was the last thing they ever shared.