Author's Note:
This story follows on the heels of Rebirth. While it may work standalone, it probably makes sense to read that story first. It continues on after that, keeping much of the same tone and telling how Shizuru and Natsuki get on with their life as a couple.

I really appreciate all of you reading Rebirth and especially your comments and reviews. I look forward to hearing what you think of this continuation of their story.

New Year, New Life: Chapter 1

Studies and Holidays


Natsuki sat at the table, pouring over her books, trying to make sure she had all the names and dates straight before her history final. Outside, the rain poured down, beating its insistent rhythm against the roof. She reached over, picked up her cup of tea and savored its aroma and warmth; she had learned to love it over the past year. She raised her eyes to Shizuru, seated across the table, her crimson eyes focused on her own book. Natsuki smiled. Had that been only a year ago? It didn't seem like it, but it was on a rainy evening just like this that she had shown up on Shizuru's doorstep after a long, exhausting ride on her new motorcycle. The next day had been the first of their study-sessions together at this table, and they still kept these up even now that Shizuru was in college. That day also had been the start of so much good: healing Shizuru's fears and Natsuki's blindness to her own feelings. They had each found healing in the other. As these thoughts ran through her head, Natsuki's smile grew to fill her entire face with joy.

``I love you, dearest.'' Her feelings for Shizuru came out easily now. ``Thank you.''

``I love you too, Natsuki,'' said Shizuru, looking up from her book. ``And I'll never tire of hearing you say that, but what are you thanking me for?''

``For being you. For helping me. For this past year... For everything.'' Natsuki's cheeks heated as her emotions poured out.

``You're welcome, love. But you have done just as much for me this past year. For me, it has been a dream come true.'' Shizuru got up and walked around the table. ``It's been almost a year since that night, hasn't it.'' She leaned over and enveloped Natsuki in a hug from behind, giving her a kiss on the cheek. ``Let me say `thank you' to you as well.''

Natsuki reached up to hold her hands and leaned back into her embrace. ``Of course, dear. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.''

They stayed like this for a bit, then let go and returned to their books.

Natsuki continued thinking about more than just her classwork. This year had been wonderful. Her new relationship with Shizuru even eclipsed settling the score on her mother, a task which had consumed most of her school life. Now was an idyllic time, too good to last. Where would things go from here? She herself would graduate this spring, and she did want to go to college. She needed to make some kind of plans for the future as the stipend from her dad would only last so long: specifically as long as she was in school and under 25. So, she'd need to find a job, or rather a career, to support herself by then. There was also the question of Shizuru. How would their relationship hold up? She really wanted it to. They were definitely a couple now, and most of their friends recognized that their relationship went far beyond simple friendship, even though the two had never really announced anything.

She shook her head. Now was not the time to let such questions distract her. She needed to do well on these exams. If she didn't, that would cause real problems with more than one future she hoped for, and more than that Shizuru would never forgive herself if she found that she had played any part in keeping Natsuki from studying properly enough to pass.

This last was enough to focus her again, and she returned to her review of dates, events and people.

Natsuki was once again visiting Shizuru. Since Natsuki has just finished her exams and Shizuru was taking a break before her last one, the two were just sitting together on the sofa, relaxing rather than studying.

``Shizuru,'' Natsuki asked, ``I don't know how the university does things, but do you have any plans for winter break?'' There was a hesitant sort of hope in her voice.

``I haven't finalized any yet. Do you have something in mind?'' Shizuru asked in return. ``Am I correct in assuming that Fuuka is again encouraging everyone to spend that time with their families?''

The school did this both to promote family solidarity in the student body and also to make life easier for those who had to oversee half-empty dorms. Last year's damage to the dorms during the HiME festival had proved successful encouragement so they were continuing to encourage the students to go home for the holidays. They had to find a different means of encouragement this time, as midway through this past year they had finally finished repairs to these dorms. These repairs let Natsuki finally move out of Mai and Mikoto's suite into a single of her own. She didn't mind that it was tiny with space for little more than a bed, a desk and a chair in the room. For her it was just a place to sleep.

``Yup, they're doing that again. So I was wondering if you would mind...''

Shizuru's initial smile at this turned thoughtful and concerned then vacillated through a whole realm of expressions she would never let anyone but Natsuki see.

``Shizuru, what's up? I don't want to cause you any trouble.''

``No, don't worry,'' said Shizuru, still trying to help Natsuki. ``If you want to stay here—''

Natsuki interrupted her. ``Your parents want you to come home for New Year's, don't they?''

Shizuru nodded in agreement. ``I—''

``Shizuru.'' Natsuki cut her off again. ``I don't want to come between you and your family. Last year you didn't go home just so you could be with me. I...'' she studied her hands on the table. ``That you gave that up just to be with me... really means a lot to me, but I also don't want to be greedy, keeping you to myself. I don't want to cause you any trouble. I can arrange to stay in the one wing they're keeping open over the break.''

``No, Natsuki, you don't need to do that. But you are right, mother did invite me home for New Year's.'' She paused thinking. Could she bring Natsuki home with her? What would her parents think of them. She knew they would be happy for her to bring a friend, but what would they think of Natsuki's relationship with her which went far beyond simple friendship. She knew keeping things like this hidden often ended up being more painful later, but she also didn't want to expose Natsuki to any adverse reactions. But, maybe... if, possibly, they could accept her...

``Natsuki,'' she continued, ``Would you like to come back and visit my folks with me?'' She looked up with a small hope in her eyes, both that Natsuki would choose to be with her, and that her parents would react well. ``I don't want to push you. If you don't want to come, you can always stay here.''

``Thank you. I...'' An interplay of conflicting thoughts showed on Natsuki's face as well. ``I don't want to cause any problems for your family, and I also don't want to keep you from them. So go ahead, if you want I will stay here, but...'' She looked down again and mumbled. ``But I would miss you.''

``Natsuki...'' Shizuru was touched that she would worry about her family and wanted things to go well. ``Please come back with me to see my parents.'' Her expression was happier, though not completely clear.

Natsuki looked back up at Shizuru and saw the remaining conflict written on her face. Her own embarrassment cleared, or rather a decision flowed into her head. ``Shizuru, please tell me the truth.'' This earned her a raised eyebrow, for Shizuru wasn't considering lying. ``What would you prefer? Not what do you think I'd want; not what do you think your parents would want; not what do you think would protect me; not what do you think would be better in some way. Just simply, what will make you happiest?''

``Natsuki.'' Shizuru's previous worry was washed away. She looked back at Natsuki and consciously let any last vestiges of the mask she showed the world fall away. ``What would make me happiest is to be with you. It would be nice to visit my folks again and show you their home, but what I really want is to be with you.''

Natsuki's face again colored, though this time the emotion was not embarrassment. ``In that case, Shizuru, I will be with you ...wherever that may be. If your folks will have me, I'd be happy to visit them with you. ...If that will make you happy. I don't want to cause you trouble.''

Shizuru just had to hug Natsuki for this; mere words were insufficient. ``I'm sure you'll be welcomed. But to make sure you know, I'll ask mother. I don't want you to worry.'' Shizuru thought that another New Year's with Natsuki would be good, and they could decide later what to tell her parents about their relationship. Let's just deal with one issue at a time.

``Thanks.'' Natsuki returned her hug.

Shizuru thought that her mother's reaction would depend on the relative values she placed on love and tradition. Her father would make up his own mind and would have his own reaction, but he would also base his on mother's. His interplay would be between his wish to protect her yet also be her own independent woman. One thing she knew was that they both loved her.

After a bit they relaxed. ``Here,'' said Shizuru, ``let's see if we can take care of your worries right now.'' She took out her cell phone and placed a call.

``Hello. Mother? ...Yes, I'm doing fine. ...Yes. ...Yes, how about Natsuki? ...Thank you, mother. ...Yes. ...let me put her on.''

Shizuru handed Natsuki the phone.

``Hello?'' Natsuki ventured, hesitantly.

``Hello, Natsuki-han.'' The polite Kyoto accent spoke a calming familiarity to Natsuki. ``This is Shizuru's mother. She said you might come join us this New Year. We would love to have you if you could possibly make it. Could you?''

``Th... Thank you, Fujino-san. Are... Are you sure I won't cause any problems?''

``Of course you won't. We'd love to have you come and be part of our little family this year.''

``You're sure it's no trouble? I don't want to...''

``Natsuki-han, please don't worry. It's no trouble at all, and we'd love to have you come. Please do.''

``Well... then, I'll come with Shizuru. Thank you again Fujino-san.''

``You're welcome. We're looking forward to having you visit.''

Natsuki handed the phone back to Shizuru.

``Thank you, mother. ...Yes, I'll tell her. ...Yes, I will. We'll see you then. ...I love you too, mother.''

Shizuru closed her phone and looked back at Natsuki. ``Well, it sounds like she convinced you. Did she?''

``Yes. She convinced me. I'll come.'' Natsuki laughed. ``I'm still not sure that I won't cause problems, but she did convince me I'll be welcome and that she wants me to come.'' A smile grew on her face. ``Thank you. ...I'm actually looking forward to this, even though I'm still nervous.''

``Don't worry about it,'' Shizuru ordered her, then laughed. ``But then again, I don't think that just telling you not to worry will work.'' Her face grew more serious. ``Will you promise to let me know if there's anything I can do to ease your worries?''

``Yes, dear,'' Natsuki answered with a nod and a smile. She thought to herself that she really couldn't tell Shizuru that her worry now wasn't so much about causing her parents trouble, but rather what kind of impression she would make on them. She'd met them once, briefly, at Shizuru's graduation. She really wanted them to like her, and to accept her and Shizuru as a couple, not merely as friends.

Mai had her Christmas Party again this year, right after the last day of school. Shizuru and Natsuki attended and again left before the night grew too old. Back at Shizuru's apartment, the two shared a more quiet celebration together.

Shizuru looked at the two wrapped boxes on the table and commented, ``This seems now to be our traditional gift exchange time—that is if one year can establish a tradition—but it looks like we swapped package sizes from last year.''

``True.'' Natsuki laughed. ``But I told you that you didn't need to get me anything more. I mean you already bought the train tickets for both of us before I could.''

``I know.'' Shizuru barely looked guilty for her transgression. She handed a tiny wrapped box to Natsuki. ``Don't worry. I spent very little on this, and I thought it would be convenient too.''

``Thank you.'' Natsuki took it and looked at it for a moment, her curiosity piqued by Shizuru's words. ``May I?'' she asked.

``Please.''

Natsuki undid the simple ribbon and opened the box. Inside lay a key-chain with a little black dog—a terribly cute little black dog—for the fob. Attached to the other end of the key-chain was a single key. She picked up the key-chain and looked from it to Shizuru.

``You already have the key to my heart,'' she explained. ``I thought it only fitting that you have one to my apartment too. ...and the little pup made me think of the one you loved so much as a child.''

``Shizuru.'' Natsuki's cheeks heated; she was surprised the tears now streaming down them didn't turn to steam. ``Thank you Shizuru.'' She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, then opened it to take another look at the dog and key resting in her palm. ``Thank you.''

``You're welcome, Natsuki,'' said Shizuru, joyful that Natsuki seemed to like it so much. ``Merry Christmas.''

.

Natsuki took a bit to recover, then pushed her larger box across to Shizuru. ``I certainly can't top your present. I'm glad this isn't a contest.'' Her expression changed from playful to serious. ``I hope you like it. Go ahead,'' she said gesturing to the box.

Shizuru took the box. ``Since it's from you, what do you think?'' she teased and began to carefully undo the wrapping and open the box.

``A helmet, for me.'' She took it out of the box and looked at it carefully, her smile growing all the while. ``And a purple one, even.''

``I thought you should have one of your very own. The one you've been using was just an old one I picked up. This one offers better protection, and I want to make sure you're as safe as possible.''

Shizuru's eyes twinkled. ``Are you planning an having an accident, Natsuki?''

``No! Never.'' Natsuki then realized she was being teased, but continued with her serious answer, looking Shizuru straight in the eye. ``You're too precious for me to want to take any chance with your safety. And if something like this can...'' She trailed off, noticing that Shizuru was now the one blushing.

``Natsuki.'' That one word was filled with how much this caring meant to her.

Natsuki then turned the helmet over and pointed inside. ``And it's also got an intercom. I had one put into mine too.'' She gestured over to hers sitting on its shelf by the door. ``This way when we're out riding, I can tell you how much I love you holding me like you always do.'' She blushed. ``I guess we could use it to talk about other things too.''

``Oh, Natsuki.'' Shizuru's blush had returned to match Natsuki's. ``Thank you.'' She put the helmet on and lifted the visor to look at Natsuki. ``And it fits perfectly.'' Though her mouth was mostly hidden, her eyes fully conveyed her smile to Natsuki. ``Let me go take a look in the mirror.''

``I can make the tea then, if you'll trust me.''

``Of course, love. You've really learned how to do that well.''

``That's because I had such a good teacher,'' Natsuki said to her retreating back.

Shizuru returned cradling her helmet to find Natsuki sitting at the table, now set with a pair of cups, a steeping pot of tea and a small plate of cakes. Natsuki was staring at the key-chain she continued to hold in her hand. Her expression of joy and gratitude matched Shizuru's.

This Christmas, they both decided, was also a very good one.