A/N: Okay, so I started this one-shot as an answer to a challenge. A friend of mine had sorta hinted that (1) it is impossible for me to write lemon, (2) I would only ever be good at writing angst and not humour, (3) perhaps I shouldn't write at all. Now, at this point in time, you might be asking, are you sure this person is still your friend? Well. It's a very good question that I need to consider next time I see that person again. However, I've always felt that your true friends would be the ones who only ever knocked you down so that you can get back up again, to tell you the harshest truth when nobody else would. That's what I would like to think anyway, that my friend is trying to tell me I don't have a career in writing :)
Anyways, back to the story. New to the ShizNat world, and I don't really remember what happened in the Mai Hime / Otome world since I watched it eons ago. Do forgive me if I'm going a little OOC. But that pairing is rather cute. So I force my mind into the gutters for this one (Stay!) and hopefully you'd enjoy!
Disclaimer: I seriously don't own anything from the Mai Hime / Otome verse. No, seriously.
The three inch heels of white Louboutins clacked loudly in the confines of the lobby as the impossibly long legs clad in them strode purposefully towards the private elevator meant for the top floor. Despite the precarious height of her shoes which accentuated all the toned muscles in her calves, the lithe woman practically glided her way across, oblivious to the attention she was getting.
Indeed, the only reason why the sound of her heels echoed in the lobby was because all other activities had paused dramatically with her entrance through the revolving doors. Conversations dovetailed into whispers, people dropped their coffee cups and spilled their contents onto the pristine marble floor, men walked slack-jawed into pillars, and women could hardly suppress their squeals of envy at the vision of their fashionable goddess crossing the lobby.
Such was the impact of one Shizuru Viola, young CEO of Fujino Empire Corporations. Not that she noticed as her nose was literally buried within sheaves of papers in her arms. She paused her military-like marching to adjust the thick framed glasses on her nose, sighing in irritation. An audible, collective sigh could be heard from various other parts of the lobby as her fans swooned at how the nerdy spectacles only managed to enhance her sex appeal, framing the curious violet shade of her eyes.
"Ara… I seemed to have forgotten my briefcase again." She muttered under her breath, combing her long fingers distractedly through her honey blonde curls. Her hair was haphazardly piled and twisted into a knot, wispy tendrils escaping and giving her an accidental bedraggled look. She looked about her crisp white suit jacket for her mobile.
"Viola-sama." A monotonous voice intoned as her cyan-haired secretary mysteriously materialized to her left, holding out a mobile phone.
"Ah, kannin na, Miyu-chan. I don't know why I'm so disorganized today. Must be missing my vital cup of green tea this morning." Shizuru smiled apologetically. Miyu stepped rigidly away after handing over the phone, hands clasped severely in front of her as she matched the pace of her boss.
"If I may suggest, Viola-sama…" Shizuru raised an eyebrow at this. "You are worried over the recent events of the retirement of Co-President Sakomizu."
Shizuru tapped her chin thoughtfully as she considered her secretary slyly out of the corner of her eye. Both of them stepped into the elevator, and Miyu's gloved hand pressed the button that would take them to the fiftieth floor of their towering skyscraper.
"Perhaps you are right, Miyu-chan. It is hard to find a replacement for a capable man such as Sakomizu-han. He has been an old friend of my father's. And don't let me stop you with your forthright comments. You know how I love your completely tactless honesty." Shizuru chuckled.
Her teasing, as expected, flew over the head of her efficient secretary, who stood expressionless in her dark pant-suit. Shizuru sighed inwardly. Sometimes she was convinced that she had hired a robotic bodyguard instead of someone who helped her tend to her daily busy schedules. She had tried unsuccessfully to engage her stoic secretary into playful banter for many months. All the more reason she would miss the sparring of words with her jovial Co-President.
"Have we narrowed down the candidates for his replacement?" Shizuru asked as she went back to leafing through the folder in her arms.
"…"
At this uncharacteristic hesitance from her secretary, Shizuru looked up curiously.
"There were… three. Now there's two." Came the succinct reply. The elevator came to a stop with a chime, and Miyu braced her gloved hand on the door to let her boss walk out first.
"Ara… Don't keep me in suspense Miyu-chan. What happened to the third one?" Shizuru stepped into her office and shrugged off her suit jacket, throwing it carelessly on the leather couch. Her elegant, semi-translucent lilac blouse fitted her form perfectly, in addition to hinting at the black lingerie underneath. She turned around and watched her secretary, crossing her arms as she did so. Miyu followed close behind, picking up the jacket, and hanging it up meticulously on the coat hanger.
"I left their profiles on your table for your perusal." Miyu went to the corner of her office and started to prepare her boss' favourite sencha, just the way she liked it.
Shizuru glanced at her secretary amusedly, and sat down at her well organized desk. Three folders were spread out in front of her. She crossed her legs and smoothed down her short white skirt before picking up the first one.
A four by six profile shot of an orange-haired girl came into view. Shizuru gave a non-committal "Heeh…" while she nodded through the other personal information.
"Mai Tokiha, age 25. Vital statistics – eighty-seven, fifty-six, eighty-three." Miyu rattled off with her back facing Shizuru, knowing the details by heart. Shizuru raised a delicate eyebrow again and sniggered.
"Ara, Miyu-chan, I don't think bust size is a criteria for making a good Vice President."
Miyu turned and placed a cup of steaming green tea in front of her boss. Without missing a beat, she droned on. "Joined the company in two thousand oh five, is well liked by her peers and known to be talented and hardworking. Code name, Fiery Phoenix."
Shizuru spluttered her tea back into her cup at Miyu's last words as she gazed incredulously up at her secretary. Miyu merely extended a handkerchief out for her boss to wipe her face with, as she looked on placidly.
"Thank you, Miyu-chan." She murmured as she dabbed delicately at the corner of her lips. "Since when did this organization come up with code names for individuals. Sounds like I'm running a secret spy agency instead."
"Code names are given to high profile individuals by the ground level people who have nothing better to do on their hands." Miyu replied factually. "Most of the time, they are rather spot-on in summarizing the person's characteristics."
"So I see." Shizuru said dryly. "I didn't know I paid people to do nothing in this company. I don't suppose you keep a small black notebook of such personnel for future retrenchment exercises?" She joked.
"Indeed I do, Viola-sama. All eight-oh point five of them." Miyu said matter-of-factly.
Shizuru smirked. "Why am I not surprised. And what's with the 'point five' statistics? Oh, never mind, I don't think I really want to know your mysterious ways. Carry on."
Miyu nodded. "Tokiha-san is code named Fiery Phoenix because of her intense personality, sunny disposition, and tendency to be 'in-your-face' to get things done. Phoenix also because she is legendary at diving into projects on red alert, and reviving them from the dead before any further damage is done to this company."
"Sou ka… A girl with an undying passion towards her work. Sounds like a real potential." Shizuru clapped her hands in delight.
"She is also one of the three candidates who dropped out of the competition, Viola-sama."
Shizuru's jaw dropped. In as graceful a way as possible.
"Then why are you still showing me her profile, Miyu-chan? And what happened there?"
Miyu fidgeted in her position, something that was a most curious thing to happen. For as long as she knew her secretary, Miyu Greer was never put into an uncomfortable situation before.
"She voluntarily put her backing behind another candidate instead. Said she has other priorities in life, and if the company forces her, she would rather quit and open a ramen shop."
Shizuru hummed a "Hmmm…", before closing the folder and putting it aside.
"However, Viola-sama, I just thought you should keep her in mind after you had a look at the other candidates."
Shizuru took a sip of her green tea, basking in its fragrance and taste. The steam fogged up her glasses, so she removed them and placed them on the table. Fixing her secretary with her unnatural violet eyes and a slight frown, she asked, "Why, are they so bad that I have to put Tokiha-han on reserve?"
Miyu took the liberty to open the second folder and hand it over to Shizuru. "I'm sure they are capable individuals in their own rights, Viola-sama. Just a tad dubious."
Shizuru glanced at the profile picture of a haughty looking young woman, her face tilted upwards to the side so that she looked like she was sneering down at the photographer. Shoulder length striking red hair and lime green eyes exuded an air of confidence.
"Juliet Nao Zhang. Age 24. One of the youngest Vice Presidents in the company." Shizuru giggled, noting Miyu's lack of report on the subject's vital statistics.
"Code name?" she teased.
"Unscrupulous Spider," Miyu stated. "Brought in at a young age by none other than Sakomizu-san himself. Known to have her ways of getting things done, even if the methods are… questionably unorthodox. She has a web of influence and a network of associates to steer her forwards. Despite the rumours, she hasn't brought any legal trouble to the company, if that's what you're asking."
"Ara? Sakomizu-han's protégé? That's quite a powerful backing by itself. And an impressive track record." Shizuru commented while flipping through the portfolio. "Miyu-chan, I'm beginning to suspect that you work for some secret spy agency after all. Look at all this information you dug up on Nao-chan. Rumoured addiction to S&M? I don't think they publish such information to our Human Resources."
Shizuru looked up to see a suspicious pink tinge on her secretary's cheeks. However, the cyan hair girl blithely removed the folder from her grasp and replaced it with the last one. Shizuru smiled deviously and kept her gaze on the younger woman as she absent-mindedly opened the last folder – only to shut it with a decisive flick of her wrist and a loud gasp.
"Miyu-chan!"
"Yes, Viola-sama?" Miyu tilted her head questioningly to the side.
"Now we hire Yakuzas into the company?"
A hint of a smile could be seen on the young secretary's face as she reached over to open the folder again. There on the front page was an exotic beauty with startling green emerald eyes and dark, midnight-blue long hair. Her porcelain features would have been considered delicate, if not for the fact that she was glaring and scowling fearsomely into the camera. Shizuru unconsciously held her breath as she peered at the photograph, as if the girl in the picture had given her an imaginary punch in her solar plexus, taking out the air in her lungs.
"Natsuki Kruger, age 25. Ex-delinquent." Miyu articulated.
"That's her job title?" Shizuru asked, shaking her head and looking confused.
Miyu trained her facial muscles to suppress the oncoming smile. All that was left was an almost imperceptible twitch to her brows.
"Far from being a Yakuza, Viola-sama. Although if left to her own devices, I have no doubt she would make a perfect crime lord. The story goes that Kruger-san had hacked into your father's computer systems three years ago to steal commercial secrets. It took Tokiha-san an entire army of computer specialists and three whole months to track down the perpetrator. Your father was very impressed and decided to hire her."
Shizuru pinched the bridge of her nose. "Just like my Oton to do such a reckless thing like that. Hiring people who committed misdemeanors? Kama hen. So what does Natsuki-chan do for the company now?"
Miyu snorted. "Apart from assisting Tokiha-san in all of her projects, Kruger-san is somewhat like a Minister without Portfolio. Apparently, her talents know no bounds and she can be counted on to take on whatever miscellaneous jobs, shady or otherwise, in the company. Your father has specific instructions that Kruger-san cannot be tied to a desk job, otherwise her 'warped mind and trigger-happy fingers would get her into trouble again'. His words not mine."
Shizuru almost laughed at the incongruous image of her secretary, doing the mid-air quotation with her fingers like a teenager. She looked at Natsuki's profile with renewed interest.
"So Natsuki-chan is like a renegade in the company?"
"Runs neck-to-neck with Zhang-san in the department for shady business, you could say that." Miyu clarified. She cleared her throat and continued. "In fact, Tokiha-san is stepping out to back Kruger-san for this promotion. Viola-sama, considering that she blazed a trail up the corporate ladder, Kruger-san does have a good business sense."
Shizuru traced the tip of her finger across one eyebrow of Natsuki's in the photo, attempting to smooth out the frown marring her beautiful face. "Quite an interesting competition, wouldn't you say? Sakomizu-han's candidate against Mai-chan's choice. Does she have a code name?"
"Doesn't all of them?" Miyu muttered under her breath. Catching her boss' eye, she apologized. "Shitzurei Viola-sama. Kruger-san's list of nicknames grows longer than her list of misdeeds. Anything from Ice Princess to Alpha Lone Wolf. You get the picture. She's not exactly sociable and could be quite ruthless if she wanted to be. In fact, she constantly tells her peers off if they couldn't perform, saying things like 'Just do it, else you better make a run for it now'. Fires people way too easily, if not tempered by Tokiha-san. People have started coining her favourite line as 'Do-Run', as in, don't let Natsuki give you her 'Do-Run' line, otherwise you're in trouble."
Shizuru licked her lips. An aggressive, young woman huh. Just the type of fire she looked for in her subordinates. She tossed the folder onto the table, after taking one last lingering look at her big bad wolf.
"Ookini, Miyu-chan. May the best woman win then."
XXX XXX
Many hours later into her work, Shizuru got up and stretched. She glanced at the clock, noting that it was well past lunch hours. Pressing the intercom button, she called for her secretary.
"Yes, Viola-sama." Miyu appeared at the doorway. Shizuru inwardly marveled at how her secretary always managed to move stealthily around. She rounded her desk and walked with Miyu to the elevators.
"I'm going for my usual spa session, Miyu-chan. Hold the afternoon schedules for me, will you?" She smiled sweetly.
"As you wish, Viola-sama." Miyu gave a slight bow, once again holding the lift doors in deference.
Shizuru paused at the doors and turned around, giving an enigmatic smile. "By the way, Miyu-chan, do I have a code name?"
Miyu blanched and coughed awkwardly.
"Nothing you should be concerned about, Viola-sama."
Shizuru merely kept up her smile and tapped her foot, piercing her secretary with a Don't-keep-me-waiting-or-you'll-find-yourself-on-the-next-train-to-Siberia look that only the great Shizuru Viola can pull off.
After many rounds of throat-clearing, Miyu muttered, "Bewitching-amethyst, purple-dragon-lady, bloodsucking-maneater-whom-I-don't-mind-biting-my-ass, sexy-viper-you-can-squeeze-my…"
At her boss' raised hand to halt her tirade, Miyu abruptly held still. Shizuru's eyebrow had risen higher and higher, and was now twitching at a dangerous level.
"Miyu-chan." She said quietly.
"Y-Yes, Viola-sama." Miyu gave an uncharacteristic stutter.
"I want your little black notebook with the eight-oh point five names on my table by the time I get back." Shizuru said pleasantly with a charming smile on her face.
"Oh, and if any of the candidates' names are inside, all the better to cut down on the competition."
Miyu nodded numbly.
"Ara, and say hi for me to your cute sister Alyssa-chan." Shizuru gave an airy wave as the lift doors closed.
Miyu beamed. When Shizuru was out of sight, Miyu depressed a button on her portable microphone.
"Phoenix, target is on the move. Over."
"Roger that, Cyborg."
"Will you stop calling me that. Over."
"Will you two cut it out? I'm on her. Over."
"Ooohh… make sure you do, Blue Wolf. Over and out."
Random cursing could be heard across the static.
As Shizuru crossed the marble lobby for the second time that day, causing more collateral damage than before due to her translucent lilac blouse, she noticed a certain dark haired girl in full biker gear walking rapidly in front of her. The girl tilted her head and pinned her with a brilliant green glare, before flipping her silky smooth tresses haughtily and sauntering away, all the while muttering curses under her breath.
Ara? Is that the infamous Natsuki Kruger? And what's with the very enticing red blush on her cheeks?
XXX XXX
Shizuru stepped out of the steaming sauna, clad in nothing but a white bath towel secured across her chest. She hummed to herself as she padded down the wooden corridors to the massage room for her weekly pampering. Water droplets condensed on her pale collar bone and made rivulets down the valley of her breasts. Her blonde curls, made darker in colour by the moisture, hung limply across one side of her shoulders.
As she entered the room, her usual attendant handed her an extra towel to dry her hair.
"Ookini, Senoh-han."
The brunette giggled into her hands. "You're always so polite, Viola-sama. Do call me Aoi." She busied herself preparing the massage bed for Shizuru.
"By the way, Viola-sama, Yukino is not available at the moment. Haruka sent her out on an errand in the morning." The girl spoke conversationally as she helped Shizuru to lay face-down on the bed. Shizuru stretched contentedly like a cat.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Aoi. So will you be attending to me today?" Aoi giggled again, while padding the bed with more soft linens to make Shizuru comfortable.
"Nah, there's this new initiate that Haruka assigned to you. First day on the job already, and many have said that she's… umm, very talented with her fingers."
Shizuru opened one eye to peer at the girl lazily, noting the soft blush on her cheeks. Strange…
Aoi giggled again to cover the awkwardness.
"Are you cold, Viola-sama? Comfortable?"
"I'm fine, Aoi. Thank you." Shizuru closed her eyes again and relaxed to the soft classical music playing in the background. She snuggled more into the pillow and breathed in the lavender scent, letting her arms hang over the sides of the bed.
Aoi quietly exited the room. Shizuru was left to entertain herself with her own thoughts, most of it inexorably went back to the three candidates for Sakomizu's replacement. In particular, a striking maiden with eyes that reminded her of the evergreen forests in the sunlight outside the Violas' summer cabins. In spring, when the trees are full of vitality and shimmering in the sunshine, that ineffable beauty of that colour brought true happiness to Shizuru's heart. Those emerald gems had the same effect on her, bringing warmth to her soul while everything else about the girl exuded a decidedly frosty aura.
A while later, the door clicked open again and soft footsteps drew nearer to the bed. She felt gentle fingers touch the nape of her neck, while a gruff, husky voice spoke to her.
"Good afternoon, Shizuru. I hope you enjoy your treatment here."
Shizuru was brought out of her musings of a certain cobalt haired girl by the lack of honorifics in her masseuse's greetings. Usually, the people of this establishment treated her with utmost respect and adoration, it was quite rare to be called by her first name. Once again, she popped her eyes open to see who she was dealing with, only to have her vision blocked out by something silky. Something silky and soft, and long that was tied at a knot behind her head. All she caught sight of, was a young girl with a dark ponytail wearing a surgical mask, green eyes twinkling with - excitement?
"Ara? I hadn't realized that they replaced eye masks with kinky silk ties." She commented idly.
"For you Shizuru, anything's possible." The voice whispered huskily next to her ear, sending her body erupting with uncontrollable shivers and goosebumps. Shizuru was about to push herself up when she realized her hands were being tied by the same material to the legs of the massage bed.
Alarm bells started ringing in her head.
"Who are you?" She demanded, in her best CEO commanding voice.
"Wouldn't you like to know." The husky voice continued as fingers trailed across her exposed shoulders. Shizuru twisted her head around, following the voice.
"If you don't let me up this instant, I'm going to scream for Haruka." She warned.
"I'd very much rather you scream my name instead. Which of course, you would be. In a while." The stranger continued to taunt, while climbing on top of the bed, astride Shizuru.
Blushing furiously, Shizuru bucked her hips to throw the stranger off. Anger fueled her voice, as she thought about how she was going to make sure Haruka's spa establishment closed down after this… this… incredibly insulting incident.
"I don't know what you want, but you're not getting away with such behavior. HAR - ahhh!" Her voice ended off at an abruptly high pitch as the stranger kneaded her fingers into a sensitive spot between her shoulder blades.
"Relax, Miss CEO-san. I'm gonna take good care of you. And moving your hips seductively like that is definitely to your disadvantage. As for what I want – well, just remember the name. NA- TSU- KI…"
Na tsu ki? As in Kruger? Shizuru's head lolled about in pleasure as the stranger went about pushing her happy buttons on her shoulders and back.
"Is t-this - about the p-promotion?" She managed to gasp out as Natsuki dug her knee into the small of her back, sending ticklish and euphoric sensations to fire off every nerve endings of her body. Her fists were clenched tight and straining against the silken bonds that held her.
"You're a very smart lady, Shizuru. I'm sure we can work out an agreement."
"You know that Nao-chan has a better shot at it than you do? With her proper qualifications and such." Shizuru decided to play bluff, in between getting her breath back, just to see how this Natsuki would react.
"That's right, that lousy spider. Hence, I was hoping that there's... room for negotiation."
"Oooh… we're in a room alright." Shizuru laughed. If she could see, she would have been treated to a sight of glorious red, blossoming across Natsuki's face and neck.
"Mai and her stupid ideas." Grumbled the girl on her back. "Time to up the stakes."
With a sudden pull, she tore off the bath towel, exposing the whole of Shizuru's creamy back. Shizuru couldn't hold the excited shiver that ran down her spine.
Natsuki had to pause in her actions, distracted by the beautiful, flawless skin and trim waistline. She swallowed audibly, before resuming to smear lavender scented oil onto her hands. Leaning forwards, she spread the oil across Shizuru's shoulder blades while whispering, "Consider this blackmail or trading of favours, Shizuru. That position is mine!"
"Ara? And which position might that be, my Natsukiii –"
The infuriating, teasing woman had managed to invoke yet another violent blush to creep up Natsuki's skin, and she retaliated by trailing her thumbs down the notches of her spine, while fanning out her fingers to skim as much sensitive flesh of the woman as possible. Her efforts were not in vain, as the young CEO arched her back in pleasure.
Looking down with satisfaction at her handiwork, Natsuki noted the fine sheen of sweat that had beaded Shizuru's skin, while her face and neck was covered by a most becoming blush. Her pink lips were slightly opened and panting lightly. Natsuki frowned. For a moment there, she was almost tempted to taste that succulent-looking pair of fine lips, and sip at the sweet nectar that she was sure to find there. Almost.
Applying pressure points to other areas, she listened keenly for the sounds of moaning coming from the other woman, to indicate her different levels of pleasure. So engrossed was she in her task, that she hadn't notice her right knee was riding up between the legs of the other woman. Until of course, she heard a curious, different kind of groan coming from the woman's lips.
"Ahh—, Miyu-chan wasn't kidding about Natsuki being multi-talented." The blonde underneath her squirmed and giggled between moans.
"What? What did she say?" Natsuki demanded, leaning closer to the woman's lips to hear. That action caused a most desirable massage to other delicate areas of the CEO's body, and she let out an arousing whimper. Natsuki's eyes widened. What had she done?
It was when the woman's thighs clamped down on her right knee that she knew what had happened. Moisture was seeping out onto her knee and she quickly scrambled back.
"Gaahh! I-I'm so s-sorry!" Natsuki instinctively apologized.
The blindfolded blonde tilted her head towards the sound, her lips curling upwards on one side.
"Ara? Natsuki didn't apologize for manhandling your way into the room, getting me all tied up and extorting a promotion, but she would apologize for getting me all hot and bothered? How curious."
Natsuki ripped the satin blindfold off the woman's eyes and glared at her.
"You're making this negotiation situation very difficult, Shizuru!"
Crimson eyes bore into her, twinkling with devilish amusement. Natsuki only just realized the usual violet shade of her CEO's eyes were a result of tinted contact lenses.
"As unusual as these circumstances are, I'm quite agreeable to see how Natsuki performs. If she is willing, of course."
Natsuki's mind reeled. On the one hand, she was finally within grasp of that coveted promotion, and one-upping her dreaded spider of a nemesis. On the other, the very desirable, gorgeous and powerful CEO of her company was offering a chance at bedding her? How surreal is that? And just how far would she go for that promotion?
She had been observing the blonde woman for a long time, and damn if she wasn't attracted to her. She practically knew all the nitty-gritty nuances of the woman, thanks to her constant spying and Miyu supplying her with the information. She would be lying to herself if she didn't feel some kind of emotional attachment her CEO. But Shizuru… Shizuru hardly knew her. So wouldn't it feel like they really had some dirty sexual transaction on the side? At this inopportune moment, Natsuki suddenly grew a conscience.
While she silently debated with herself, Shizuru watched the open emotions flicker across Natsuki's face. This lone wolf is actually quite easy to read, she mused. Her interest was piqued.
"Ara, Natsuki looks so adorable when she is thinking too hard." Shizuru smirked. "I was only joking. And I really meant to scold Natsuki for getting me in such a state."
Natsuki gaped down at her, her mouth opening and closing like a guppy. This woman is impossible!
Shizuru laid back down on the pillows. "Nevertheless, I will seriously consider Natsuki's offer, since she has proven to want that promotion very much. However, I would much prefer Natsuki and I go on a few dates, before trying something so… liberal, yes?"
If Natsuki's emerald eyes could shoot fire, Shizuru would have turned into a crisp by now. As it was, she growled and jumped on Shizuru's back again.
"I'm sorry, Viola-sama." She huskily whispered into her ears. "I'm afraid you have no room for negotiation. It's on my terms now."
Upon hearing such provocative words, Shizuru felt the touch of those talented fingers on her sides, skimming the curves of her full breasts. Her crimson eyes rolled to the back of her head as she let out an involuntary moan, inadvertently exposing her neck for the wolf behind her to attack with equally talented lips. She felt warm thighs ride up her legs, moving aside the towel to pinch her behind.
Oh dear Kami-sama, I have become the Little Red Riding Hood who gets eaten up by the Big Bad Wolf.
XXX XXX
"I trust that our newly hired girl really worked out those kinks of yours, eh?" Haruka proudly declared as Shizuru leaned across the counter to sign the receipts. Her eye twitched.
"Amongst other kinky things, yes." She replied evenly. Yukino, who was now back manning the counter fidgeted nervously.
"I knew it!" The loud woman boomed. "All my customers were very satisfied! When I walked past your room just now, I could just hear your very vocal appreciation of our Nazi Cougar!"
"It's Natsuki Kruger, Haruka-san." Yukino interjected meekly.
"That's what I said!" Haruka exclaimed, oblivious to her most valued customer's red face and trembling hands.
"What else did you hear?" Shizuru asked calmly.
Haruka pondered. "Well, besides all the moans and groans you were on about, there was the occasional screaming of Ikezu and Natsuki. I mean, I can hear you from here you know, all of two occasions where you sounded like you were screaming bloody murder – oomph!" Yukino had slapped her hand across Haruka's mouth to muffle her.
"Don't worry, Viola-sama. This entire floor was booked by you for the afternoon." Yukino said smoothly.
"Ara? Is that so? I'm glad then." Shizuru smiled at Yukino and glided out the exits on wobbly legs.
Yukino let go of Haruka's mouth.
"What was that for, Yukino? !" Haruka fumed.
Yukino sighed. "Haruka, sometimes I just wish you would learn some tact."
"What for?" Haruka huffed indignantly. "I am already quite good at some stuff."
"Don't tell me you're thinking of the word knack, Haruka."
"But that's what you said!"
XXX XXX
One month later…
Nao was sitting on the metal stool at the VIP lounge.
"Wow, I can't believe a mere executives pantry can be so fanciful!"
A very grumpy looking Natsuki sat across from her. "Yea—well, don't get too used to it."
Nao smirked. "What's the matter, mutt? 'Fraid of a little competition?"
Natsuki twirled her tumbler of bourbon on the rocks and knocking it back with one gulp. "I'm just saying, be careful what you wish for."
Nao examined her long nails. "Watcha complainin' about? You got the promotion, didn't you? Can't say I was very keen on it in the first place. I'd rather like my freedom now."
Upon Natsuki's sulky silence, Nao looked up speculatively. A gleam crossed her eyes as she leaned across conspiratorially. "Don't tell me the lovely Shizuru has put a leash on you, eh?" Natsuki glowered, causing Nao to chortle heartily. "I knew it! The great Natsuki Kruger has been pussy-whipped! Or should I say, muzzled?"
Natsuki snarled and made a lunge for the red haired woman across the counter. Nao side-stepped backwards gracefully.
"Now, now… Sit, pup!"
Before Natsuki could make a flying leap for her throat, Miyu rapped her knuckles loudly on the glass doors.
"Natsuki, Viola-sama requests your… services."
Natsuki groaned. "Miyu, can't you tell her that you can't find me or something?"
"NA. TSU. KI…" The crimson eyed woman stepped out next to Miyu. "How can you tell Miyu-chan to say such a blatant lie? Besides, I'm only asking you to go out with me for lunch."
Natsuki snapped to attention. "Y-Yes, Shizuru. Of course. Anything for you."
"Ara, Natsuki is being adorable today. She is forgiven." Shizuru giggled as she pulled Natsuki out. Miyu and Nao watched the pair of them go.
"You know that mutt grumbles all the time, but she's really in love with our CEO?"
Miyu nodded mechanically. "The feeling is mutual."
Nao gawked at the secretary. "I didn't know you're in love with Shizuru too! How awful, Miyu-chan! !"
Miyu rolled her eyes at Nao. "I meant the CEO, idiot. Although they started out with all the wrong intentions, Viola-sama does care for our Natsuki."
"Yeah, they deserved each other alright." Nao remarked sourly. "If I knew all it would take to get that promotion is to get into our CEO's pants, I would have tied her up to the bedpost and did it myself."
Miyu smirked as she turned to leave. "I'm afraid Natsuki has already beaten you to that, Nao-san."