Through your eyes

„Natsuki, do you have a second? Midori wants to speak to you."

"Sure, I'll just finish this car."

A raven haired girl pushed herself up from under the black sports car and rubbed some dirt from her hands in a towel. She wore baggy black pants and a large white shirt, which was covered with oil marks.

Natsuki pushed her long hair back and proceeded to the office in the back of the garage, where she was working to speak with her boss.

She opened the office door and got an unpleasant feeling the instant she looked at Midori's worried face.

"You wanted to speak with me?"

Midori sighed and rested her head on her propped up arm, rubbing her temples with her free hand as if she had a headache.

"Natsuki, you are one of my best mechanics and provided very good services during the years you've worked for me."

"Uhm, thank you. Is this all you wanted to say me? I still need some time to work on the sports car and I have to finish it till tomorrow."

Midori sighed again and looked at Natsuki, who shifted her weight nervously from one foot to the other, obviously confused by her words.

"You know that our garage had financial problems before, but we managed every time to overcome them. Until today. Our sale figures have sunken and we haven't made any real earnings for the last few weeks. I can't afford the garage anymore. I didn't tell you guys before, because I hoped that the situation would change again, but it seems that it was effortless."

"You mean that we have to lock this place up?"

"…Yeah."

"Wait…that means that we loose our work too! Isn't there anything that we can do?"

"I talked to the renter and he said that he couldn't help us either. He needs the money for his family. He helped us out several times before, but this time he can't. He needs the rent."

Natsuki's shoulders slumped down and she clenched her teeth in frustration. Midori just smiled sadly at her and rearranged some papers on her desk.

"But I'm already planning to open another garage somewhere else, where we'll hopefully have more customers. So until I have enough money gathered you'll have to work somewhere else. I'm sorry, I should've reacted sooner, then this wouldn't have happened in the first place."

"Don't blame yourself, it's too late anyways. I guess I'll just finish the car now and then take my leave."

"Yeah, please do that. I hope you're willing to work for me again, when the time has come?"

"Sure, boss."

A smile spread on Midori's face and she stood up to shake hands with Natsuki, before she left her office. Natsuki went back to work trying to forget the fact that this was indeed her last job.

"What? You're unemployed again? What happened?"

"Isn't it obvious Mai? She overslept too many times."

"Nao, stop joking, this is serious! So Natsuki, what happened?"

Natsuki was sitting on her dining table, her head buried in her arms every now and then sighing. As soon as she had finished repairing the car, she had driven home on her beloved Ducati and after arriving home she had called her friends Mai and Nao, who were living next door to her apartment in a flat share.

Mai was full of concern for her raven haired friend, because she knew that Natsuki loved her job as a mechanic and by the way she needed the money to pay off her rent. Nao also was worried, but of course she hid her emotions behind her usual provoking nature.

"So pup, out with it! My free time ends in two hours and I want to relax before going to work."

"The garage had to close down, because we lacked money. Too few costumers. But she's trying to open up another one in a better place…"

"But Natsuki, that could take her forever! What will you do until then?"

"I really don't know Mai…maybe I'll just search a job in another garage."

Nao in the meanwhile pretended to not pay attention anymore and was flipping through today's newspaper faking a bored expression on her face. Suddenly her green eyes sprinkled in mischief, when her eyes fell on a particular spot on one page.

"Hey Natsuki, why don't get a more social job? I found something interesting here."

Natsuki turned her head towards Nao, who was sitting on the sofa, a smirk spread on her face. She rose and walked over to her friend, curious to see what Nao meant. She leant down to get a better view of the newspaper and Nao pointed at something. Natsuki's eyes grew wide at what she read and Nao couldn't control herself anymore and bursted out in loud laughter, holding onto Mai for support, who had accompanied the two girls by now.

"Haha that's priceless, I wish I would've had my camera with me!"

"Natsuki? What's wrong with the job? It seems okay with me."

"And here, it says that it's a well paid job."

"…Pup?"

Nao wagged her hand in front of Natsuki's still shocked face, but was ignored. Suddenly she had an idea. Smirking, she leaned over to her friend and whispered in her ear.

"Natsuki? Somebody has stolen your mayo!"

"My mayo?! Who was it! I'm gonna kill him!"

Natsuki jumped up and looked around furiously, trying to detect the dirty thief, who had dared to touch her precious mayo. Mai sighed and tapped Natsuki on her shoulder and turned her around.

"So, what do you think? Just give it a try, okay? I mean it won't hurt and if you really can't do it then just stop."

"…Nao what do you think?"

"I agree with Mai. Just give it a try. Besides I'd love to see you doing THIS kind of job, haha!"

Natsuki grumbled and frowned at her friend, rolling her eyes.

"Well, thank you Nao for giving me such good advice. Okay guys, although I still don't like the idea of doing this kind of work I guess you're right. 'sigh' And I really do need the money. Uhm, could you lend me some, if I have problems?"

Mai smiled and nodded in affirmation.

"Sure, no problem. So, when will you go to apply for the job?"

"Better get going now. I hate doing nothing."

"Kay…but you know that the office will close in half an hour, right Nat?"

"Damn it, you're right Nao! Okay, see you later!"

Natsuki grabbed her jacket and helmet and sped off towards her apartment's door. Almost through the door, she stopped and turned back once again.

"And Nao. If you ever call me Nat again I'll be sure to pay you back!"

Nao gulped, because the last time she had ignored Natsuki's warning, she had ended up in a very unpleasant situation with the biker.

"Sure, master Natsuki. Forgive me."

But Natsuki didn't hear Nao's provoking reply for she was already seated on her Ducati and hurried to the address where she would get further instruction on her job. Better for Nao.

"Crap, only ten more minutes!"

Natsuki cursed and parked her motorcycle in the next free parking lot, turned around and hurried to the large building in front of her. She pulled out the extract of the newspaper with the address on it, to check if she was at the right place, not reducing her pace.

She jumped on the sidewalk, still not paying attention to her surroundings, when she suddenly hit something rather hard. She lost her balance and stumbled a few steps forward, until her way was blocked and she hit the wall of the office, face front.

"Ooouch, my face! Damn it!"

Natsuki rubbed her hurting nose and realized that she had a small nosebleed. Cursing loud, she wiped every drop away with the back of her sleeve. This action brought her watch on eye level und she let out a lout gasp.

'Only five more minutes!! Waaah!!'

Natsuki jumped to her feet and not even turning back to see what had collapsed with her she stormed through the entrance, right to the receptionist and showed her the extract of the newspaper.

"Hi, I'm here because of this advertisement! Can I still apply for it?"

The receptionist, a green haired girl only mustered her with an alienated expression, staring at the blurred blood that still was on Natsuki's face and her damaged appearance.

"Please, it's urgent!"

"Ehm…it's quite late, I don't know if the boss is still available. Just come back tomorrow. We open at nine o'clock and – "

"No! I mean, please, it's really important for me that I get this job as soon as possible."

The woman sighed and picked up the phone on her desk, her eyes never leaving Natsuki.

"Erstin? Somebody has come, because of the advertisement. Do you want to see her or shall I send her away? What? … Okay, I understand."

She hung up and turned her attention away from the raven haired girl to the computer in front of her.

"The boss is ready to see you. You may proceed."

"Thanks!"

Natsuki let out a sigh of relief and started off towards the direction the receptionist had pointed at. She walked down a short corridor and soon stood before a door, that only could be 'Erstin's' office.

She knocked and too impatient to wait for the answer, she entered. In the middle of a big room, a woman around her twenties with blonde hair was sitting behind her rather impressive wooden desk, looking over some papers that where spread all over it.

When Natsuki entered, she lifted her head and then stood up to shake hands with her, while examining her.

"I'm here to apply for the job. My name is Natsuki Kruger."

During my holiday in Italy I was thinking about writing other stories beside 'Secret of a forest' and while watching television I got the idea to write this story. I hope you like it, it'll be something new. I won't tell you yet what Natsuki's job will be, you'll have to wait till chapter two. But it will surprise you for sure hehe. Please review :)

Rated M, because I've planned some more violent scences.

Sorry for those who already read this chapter! I confused the name of Midori with Erstin's. Thanks for the hint!