I DO NOT OWN Strawberry Panic or any of the characters this is purely for fun. I DO NOT MAKE ANY MONEY NOR WANT ANY HEHEHE This is purely for my fantasy world of Strawberry Panic This story takes place seven years later after Shizuma leaves The Hill...
The Night Snow of Switzerland
Chapter One
The night air had a chill to it that was common in the mountains of Switzerland. The snow settled softly to the ground, drifting quickly in the strong breeze. The blizzard had passed two days ago and the mountains shone crisp and clean in the morning sun. Nagisa looked out the window of the cottage she and Shizuma had stayed in for the last week. The couple had decided to take a vacation in winter for some snow fun. Actually Nagisa had to drag Shizuma to this cold and frozen waste. Shizuma hated cold weather; nothing seemed to agitate her more. This vacation was far from over - or routine. That was two weeks ago, it had started normally enough: get ready, pack and stuff. Then the phone rang.
"Hello", Nagisa said as she raised the phone to her ear.
"Nagisa, is Shizuma there?" a voice on the other end said hastily.
"She is, Miyuki. Let me get her", Nagisa replied.
"Shiz, Miyuki is on the phone for you!" Nagisa yelled up to the second floor of their condo.
"Huh? What? I thought she was with Gregory?" Shizuma replied as she descended the stairs. Miyuki was on her fifth wedding anniversary vacation in France. What happened that she'd call now?
"Hello, Miyuki what is it?" Shizuma asked.
"Uhmmm, can I see you Shizuma? I have a problem", Miyuki replied.
Shizuma could tell at once from the sound of Miyuki's voice that something bad had happened.
"Sure where are you?"
"Right outside your front door".
"What? Did I hear you right?" Shizuma was surprised, "Wait let me get the door."
Shizuma tucked the cordless phone against her shoulder as she made her way to the door. Nagisa sat in the living room drinking tea and feeling a little bewildered. Shizuma opened the door to see Miyuki standing on the steps with a fairly large shoulder bag and suitcase. Tears started to slowly roll down Miyuki's face. Shizuma did not hesitate one second. She grabbed hold of Miyuki in a quick but tight hug. Nagisa watched as Shizuma brought Miyuki in from the porch, an arm around her shoulders. The atmosphere grew thick with grief and Nagisa too set down her cup and gave their friend a worried look. Slowly Miyuki's crying subsided and she raised her tear-streaked face to the two women who had been her friends for years.
"Nagisa, please would you make our guest some tea my dear?" Shizuma asked.
"Of course", Nagisa replied.
Nagisa left, while the two old friends talked for a minute in the living room.
"Miyuki what's happened?"
"Gregory left me", came the reply in a sharp sob.
"Why?"
"Another woman. He said he couldn't live a moment longer in an arranged marriage," a tearful Miyuki answered.
"After all you gave him He just left" Shizuma was stunned.
Miyuki was quiet for a moment. What she said next was not at all what the other woman expected.
"What I gave him, Shizuma was just a broken heart". She looked carefully at the girl whom she would always think of as her Etoile, "you know that better then anyone".
"What on earth do you mean my friend?" Shizuma responded.
"Shizuma", Miyuki whispered under her breath, "You're not that stupid, surely? You've known for a long time that I love you".
Nagisa returned from the kitchen carrying a tray with teapot and three dainty china cups. The younger woman stopped and wore the look of one lost in a strawberry field. Shizuma wore her customary expression of calm and peace but inside her world lurched. Outwardly quiet and composed, inside she was shocked by Miyuki's admission of love. The black-haired woman held her head down and continued to weep silently. Shizuma spoke.
"Nagisa, do you still want to go to Switzerland?"
"Why do ask that? Yes I still want to go skiing."
"Let's make it a big reunion holiday… well not big but at least comfy. Can you call Tamao to see if she would like to join us?" Shizuma asked her.
"Tamao? Are you sure you're feeling all right Shizuma? You know Tamao still has strong feelings for me", Nagisa was doubtful about her lover's suggestion.
Laughter suddenly burst from Miyuki.
"Really? Even today seven years after Shizuma and I left 'The Hill', Tamao is still chasing you? Hahahaha, what did you do to that girl?" Miyuki snickered
"It's not funny Miyuki, Tamao is a little bloodhound. She's always making up reasons for us to get together", Nagisa replied, sounding a little hurt.
"Ha-ha, ha-ha, ha-ha", Shizuma laughed hard at her friends discomfort, "Once when Tamao came to visit, she paid a friend to flatten her two front tires so she'd have to stay here for a night. It was funny because I caught them on the way home."
"That was a display of obsession at it finest", Nagisa observed, dryly.
"But why go now? It's winter in Switzerland. It's going to be freezing, Shizuma. I know you hate the cold", Nagisa said.
"I think perhaps we can turn this into a time to celebrate a new beginning for both of them. Didn't Tamao just finish college?" Shizuma responded, a small hint of a plan in her eye.
"Really, you think I can go on a vacation now? Feeling like this?" Miyuki retorted
"Who said you had a choice?" Shizuma snapped at her with uncharacteristic venom.
The night continued in the planning of the reunion, Shizuma on the computer making travel arrangements. Nagisa talking on the phone with Tamao and Miyuki looking at her friends in stunned disbelief as they bustled around the condo.