Hey Peeps. Well, I was supposed to be working on stuff for my CH-verse, but I got distracted with this. I was looking back on my CH days, back when a few select people flipped out on me for being 'too dark'. The thought struck me that CH wasn't really all that dark, and besides, dark isn't really all that bad. Then I figured that I could really piss some people off, and so here I think I shall. I've done a few oneshots that begin in a similar way ot this one, so if you know where this is going and don't like it, discontinue reading it. That's the warning I'm going to give.

Disclaimer: Self-defense pepper spray may irritate eyes.

It was early, Shizuru wasn't sure of the exact time, and she could not bring herself too look over at the clock. It was too comfortable, curled up under the warm blankets, her love snuggling close to her. She sighed contentedly, shifting to watch each breath the sleeping beauty took. Slow, even, peaceful, with only the occasional snore to mar the perfection as she slumbered on. Shizuru felt the corners of her lips tug upward in a small smile; she lightly brushed the dark hair away from the eyes that she loved to stare into so much. They were closed now, of course, but the lids fluttered lightly.

After a few moments, Shizuru flicked her gaze back up at the ceiling. Today was a big day, her birthday. But not just any old birthday, 30. She was turning 30. It was hard for her even to imagine.

How had she slipped through her 20s so quickly? Time flew, she supposed, when one was content, and she was indeed content. She shifted slightly, and a particularly loud snore rent the air. She smiled again, she did that a lot now, far more than she used to.

Her mind flicked back to the dream that had awakened her. It hadn't been a bad dream exactly, just strange; familiar yet almost alien. It reminded her of that which she had not thought of in years, the Carnival. How young she had been back then, how foolish. The line of thought this led her down made her cringe, and she even whimpered, suppressing unpleasant memories. The moan, though quiet, was still enough to awaken the woman who held her so tightly.

"Shizuru?" The quiet mumble asked, "You okay?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." Shizuru whispered back. "Go back to sleep." She gazed at the sleepy eyes, and felt calm. This was her present, this was what mattered.

"What time is it?"

"I don't know." Shizuru finally looked over at the clock, "6ish."

"Ish?" The playful smart-ass tone was not lost through the yawn that accompanied it.

"Yeah ish." Shizuru kissed her lightly. "Sorry to have woken you."

"Ah well, I'm awake now, aren't I?" A mischievous spark lit up her soft blue eyes. "Can't just go back to sleep now can I, Shiz?"

"Mm, no I don't think so, Tori." Shizuru grinned.

"Well, it is your fault," She grinned back, "What do you suggest we do about this?"

"Hm…I just don't know."

"Really?" Tori kissed her softly, "No idea whatsoever what we should do now that we're awake?"

"No, I can't think of a single thing to do." This kiss deepened.

"Well, I suppose we'll just have to come up with something then, won't we?"

"Mm…"

It was nearly 10:30 when Shizuru awoke again. She looked at the clock and giggled quietly. Tori was on her stomach, now snoring loudly. Shizuru quietly slipped from the bed, and stuck feet into soft fuzzy slippers so she would not have to touch the cool hardwood floors. She pulled on a pair of sweats and an over sized tee shirt, and glided out of the room.

She entered the bathroom and eyed herself in the mirror, warily. She didn't look any older than she had the day before, at least, not in her opinion. She didn't really feel older. It's like, she thought, when you're a little kid, and you see the older kids and imagine what you'll be like when you're their age, when you're as big as them, and suddenly you are, but you don't feel any bigger than you used to. You just kind of grow into it.

She contemplated her hair; she didn't really feel like taking the thick, tangled frizzy mess and making it into the usual perfect, soft look, she showed the public. She usually spent hours washing combing, straightening and styling to achieve that look. She smiled to herself. It was after all, her birthday, and she wasn't going anywhere, at least not until later, so she might as well treat herself to a break this morning. So she simply grabbed a scrunchie and put it up in a loose ponytail.

Shizuru wandered into the kitchen, and was in the midst of trying to decide what kind of tea to make, when Tori sauntered blearily into the room.

"Oh damn." Tori hadn't bothered to get dressed, just a bra and a pair of boxers were enough for her. She brushed her shoulder length dark purple hair from her face. Shizuru was so envious of it, soft and wavy, all it took was a light brushing in the morning and Tori was good to go. "Why is it you always wake up first?"

"Haven't we had this conversation before?" Shizuru raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I suppose so." Tori giggled, "Well, damn Shizuru, I was really trying to wake up first today."

Shizuru was slightly puzzled, "Why?"

"I wanted to do something special for you, like breakfast in bed or something." Tori shrugged. "Didn't really think it through that much."

"Do you ever?"

"Nope." Tori wrapped her arms around Shizuru's waist, "But in all seriousness, Shizuru," she leaned in real close, "Happy Birthday."

Their lips were just about to meet when the doorbell rang. They froze.

"How cliché." Shizuru muttered.

"You know," Tori pulled away, resigned, "You think clichés only happen in fiction, but then one will just punch you in the face." She glanced down, "I hate to ask you to get the door on your birthday, but I'm not really dressed for it." She was right of course.

"Ara, no matter." Shizuru pecked her quickly, "Go get dressed while I answer the door."

"Aw, do I have to Mom?" Tori rolled her eyes dramatically, but then smiled.

"Yes, yes you do. You are not hiding from company again."

"Or maybe I will just get the door!" Tori triumphantly walked toward the entrance, but Shizuru caught her arm and lightly spun her back. "Oh alright, it is your birthday." With a wink Tori disappeared into the hallway.

Shizuru shook her head lightly, still smiling at Tori's antics. Of course this sort of thing was the usual occurrence; but it wasn't like Shizuru minded it or anything. With a small sigh she strode to the door, and opened it absentmindedly.

"Hel-" She stopped mid-word, her eyes widening.

Oh...

Natsuki stood on her porch step. Shizuru's mind was trying to process this.

Dressed in Converse, faded blue jeans, a tee and a plain leather jacket, Natsuki's shoulders were slumped, and her cobalt hair was quite a bit longer than Shizuru remembered. In one arm, she carried a gleaming blue helmet, and a package wrapped in brown paper rested in the other. She shifted nervously from foot too foot, not meeting Shizuru's eyes.

"H-hey, Shizuru," She spoke quietly.

"Hey, Natsuki," Shizuru replied in a whisper.

Shizuru's mind was churning; she was drawing a blank on what to do. She had not laid eyes on Natsuki in over 11 years, and she just did not know how to feel. It occurred to her that her dream had been a hint, an ominous reminder that was ignored.

There were another few long moments of silence, broken by Tori, who skidded down the hall, in a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt.

"Sorry 'bout that, Shiz." She turned to their guest, "Hi, wha-" Her sentence died in her throat as she recalled Shizuru's descriptions and recognized Natsuki from them. She glanced at Shizuru's slack jaw, wide eyes, and decided to take initiative. "Hi. I'm Tori." She held out her hand to Natsuki, but shrugged, embarrassed as she saw her arms were full.

Natsuki cleared her throat nervously, "I'm Natsuki, it's nice to meet you."

"Ditto." Tori kissed Shizuru lightly on the cheek, "Cat got your tongue?"

At the feel of Tori's lips brushing her cheek, Shizuru felt the pit of her stomach relax, she had not realized the pressure that had been slowly building up, as if stones were being dropped one by one into it, until it was released. She felt her whole body relax, as the warmth of the kiss spread. She realized her mouth was hanging open, and she snapped out of her daze.

"Natsuki, it's been…a long time." Shizuru was horrified to find herself smiling. It wasn't one of the real smiles she was so prone too these days, but one of the false smiles she had once used to hide her feelings from the world. She felt sick, doing it, but hid her disgust; neither Natsuki nor Tori had seen the phony expression.

"Ye-yeah, it has." Natsuki paused a moment, her face set, eyebrows tugging together slightly as she drew up some courage. Shizuru had forgotten how ridiculously easy it was to read her. Finally, releasing a puff of air, she looked up at Shizuru's face. "Happy Birthday, Shizuru." She fumbled with the package, holding it out to Shizuru, who took it, careful not to touch Natsuki's hands.

"Thank you, Natsuki." Shizuru looked to Tori, a silent communication passing between them.

"Would you like to come in for tea, Natsuki-san?" Tori asked her kindly.

"Uhm, no, no thank you, I've really," Natsuki began edging way slowly, "Got to be…"

"Please come in, Natsuki." Shizuru said quietly, even as Natsuki turned to scramble away.

"I…" Natsuki returned her gaze to Shizuru, "I suppose a few minutes won't…" She mumbled something, and slowly followed Shizuru and Tori into their house.

A/N: Bwahahahahaha! Oh what have I done? What am I doing? I'm such a terrible person!!! xD I have a feeling some psycho ShizNatter might just try to assasinate me (maybe even myself), but I don't care, this is going to be damn fun! Wahahahaha!