Discalimer: I don't own Mai-Hime (it would be nice though)
So Far Away
Walking along streets the streets of Fuuka, Natsuki Kuga exhaled a breath, watching it raise into the night. She pulled her jean jacket closer to her body as she continued walking towards her destination.
"It's been eight years since I've last been here," whispered Natsuki, gazing up at the moon.
"Heh, I bet everyone has forgot old Natsuki Kuga…well except for Mai and Mikoto," She thought. "Damn Mai calls me every chance she gets, but at least she cares."
Natsuki walked up to a western style two-story house, pulled out her keys and opened the door. The house was pretty simple, black leather couches, a blue throw rug, and an oak coffee table on top of the rug. An oak entertainment stand sat against the wall in front of the couches. Inside it was a 32 inch plasma screen T.V., blue-ray DVD player, stereo with surround sound, and a play station 3.
Natsuki took off her Emerica Francis Lo Suski black, grey and blue shoes and walked into the kitchen. Takumi Tokiha and Akira Okuzaki were at the kitchen table eating Kare Raisu and talking. They both looked up when Natsuki walked into the kitchen.
"Sup guys," said Natsuki with a wave.
"Hey onee-san, how did your interview go?" asked Takumi
"I got the job if that's what you're asking," replied Natsuki, grabbing a plate of curry rice.
"It's kind of a switch, being back here in Fuuka isn't it," Akira rested her chin on her hand.
"Yeah it is…hey are you guys up for seeing Mai tomorrow?" asked Natsuki looking out the window.
"Really!? I haven't seem Mai for so long," came Takumi's enthusiastic reply.
"Heh, I'll take that as a yes. How 'bout you Akira?" Natsuki glanced over at the teen.
"Yeah I'm up for it," replied Akira with a small smile.
"Alright, well I guess I'll give her a call…you guys go to bed tomorrow will be a long day, well for me anyway," sighed Natsuki.
"Yes mom," Akira answered sarcastically causing Takumi to laugh all the way up the stairs.
Natsuki walked into the living room and picked up the phone. She dialed Mai's number and waited. While she waited she gazed at the white ceiling.
"Hello, Mai Tokiha speaking," came Mai's voice.
"Hey Mai, it's Natsuki" replied Natsuki calmly.
"NATSUKI! It's good to hear your voice, what's up?" shouted Mai.
Natsuki fell onto the floor at the loud noise and jerked the phone away from her ear. She stuck her finger in her ear and wiggled it, but the ringing wouldn't stop. She just groaned as she sat up and rubbed her sore butt.
"NATSUKI, ARE YOU OKAY!?" Mai started to panic.
"Yeah, yeah, just don't yell Mai you're gonna make me deaf," said Natsuki.
"Okay sorry," replied Mai.
"Heh, no worries anyway I was just calling to see if you'd mind me and the brats coming over tomorrow," said Natsuki pulling the phone away from her ear.
"OMG YES, I DON"T MIND!" yelled Mai. "We can all go out for KARAOKE!"
"You know I can just imagine the idiotic grin on your face," Natsuki grinned slightly and chuckled.
"That's mean, but I'm too happy to care I'll invite everyone," said Mai.
"Mai…are you sure getting everyone together will be a good thing?" asked Natsuki, hesitantly.
"You have to face them sooner or later Natsuki, just tell them the truth," Mai said using her motherly tone.
"Alright Mai…I guess I'll see you tomorrow, good night," said Natsuki.
"Will you be alright?"
"I'll manage,"
"Okay well good night Na-Chan," Mai waited for a response.
"Whatever," huffed Natsuki when she heard her nickname and hung up the phone.
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"Looks like some things never change," Mai giggled while walking to the phone.
Mai dialed Nao's number and waited.
"Sup Mai."
"Hey Nao." Mai sat down on a chair and started twirling the phone cord.
"What do you want, Mai?" came Nao's annoyed voice.
"Well I'm having a karaoke party and I want everyone to meet a friend of mine."
"Mai I hate kar…wait who is this friend of your's?" Nao's curiosity got the better of her.
"Hook." Mai thought "Well I'm just going to say that she is an old friend."
"Is she hot?" Nao was falling even deeper into her curiosity.
"Line." "Very." Mai thought back to the incident where Natsuki was in a two-piece hitch-hiking on the side of the road. Mai blushed at the thought. "Mikoto would be sexier though…bad thoughts."
"Well I'm in."
"Sinker." Great…oh and Nao can you call up some of the himes if you do I'll introduce you guys." "Natsuki and Nao…OMG that is so funny." Mai thought
"Alright see you tomorrow." With that Nao hung up.
"Tomorrow is going to be interesting."
"GRRRRGLE! Mmmmaaaaaaaiiiiii I'm hungry." Mikoto whined.
"I'll make you up some ramen okay?" Mai walked into the kitchen knowing Mikoto would follow.
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The Next morning, Natsuki's house
'BEEP, BEEEEP, BEEEEEPP, BE…crash' A fist slammed into the poor alarm clock crushing it.
"Shit! Now I need to get a new one." Natsuki pulled off her blue comforter and stepped out of bed. When her feet touched the freezing cold floor she welcomed it she was the ice hime after all.
Natsuki walked into the bathroom, stripped off her clothes and slipped into the shower. Hot water ran down Natsuki's blue tresses and glided effortlessly down her sculpted but feminine body. After enjoying the feel of the hot water Natsuki turn the faucet to cold. She grabbed a bottle of rainforest scented shampoo and lathered it into her hair she then rinsed and began to run a washcloth with soap suds across her body. When she was finished washing and rinsing she shut off the water and wrapped a white towel around her body. Natsuki grabbed another towel to dry her hair and walked out of the bathroom and into her room.
As soon as Natsuki finished towel drying her hair her door was flung open and Akira stormed in, but froze when she saw Natsuki. Akira's face turned red in embarrassment, but it turned into a slight blush when she saw the starting of tattooed wings on Natsuki's shoulders. she couldn't help, but admire the tattoo.
"Natsuki…when did you that tattoo?" Akira continued to admire the detail in the tattoo.
"I got it the day I decided to become a doctor." Natsuki turned her head to look over her shoulder at Akira.
"It's really cool."
"Thanks, but do you mind if you leave so I can get dressed or did you have something really important to tell me."
"I was just going to wake you , but I'm glade I didn't." Akira looked at the crushed alarm clock with a wary look before leaving the room.
Natsuki walked toward her closet and opened it. She walked in and grabbed her limited edition black lace bra and underwear and long sheaved shirt that came just above her bellybutton , showing off her bellybutton wolf piercing. The shirt and the phrase 'Bite Me' on it. She then grabbed a pair of tight jeans. Natsuki then brushed her hair, grabbed a pair of Anon Atlas black gloss sunglasses and walked downstairs and into the kitchen.
"So want me to make breakfast or do you want to do it Takumi?" Natsuki placed the glasses on her head as she waited for his answer.
"I'll cook dinner if you make breakfast."
"Deal, you know it's a good thing that Ahn taught me how to cook even though I almost burnt down our apartment in America." Natsuki grabbed eggs, hash browns, fruits, orange juice and sausages before she began to cook.
Breakfast consisted of omelets, sausages, hash browns, fruit, and orange juice. Everyone sat down and ate the meal before heading out to the car, but Natsuki grabbed a coat and locked the door before leaving.
Natsuki pulled on her dark grey denim jacket the came to her bellybutton and slipped into the driver's seat of her midnight blue Infiniti Inferno G35 Coup with silver stripes. Before she started the engine, she pulled her hair into a ponytail with a piece of hair in her face. After that Natsuki started the engine and took off to Mai's place for karaoke.
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At Mai's house
'Bbbrrrriiiinnnnggg' Mai walked over to the door and opened it. Nao, Shiho, Tate, Akane, Shizuru, Raito, and Takada were standing at the door.
"Come on in guys." Mai stepped aside to let them all in.
After everyone was in and Mai shut the door, a loud banging came from the door. Mai cautiously walked over to the door, unlocked it and side-stepped Midori who ran into the room leaving Youko to walk calmly into the room.
"Now the party can start cause I brought booze!" Midori pulled out bottles of sake, beer, vodka, and apple Smirnoff out of nowhere.
"Looks like Midori isn't going to be sober for long." Nao laughed before grabbing a bottle of Smirnoff.
"Hey let's go outside since it's a beautiful day." Raito smiled his charming smile before walking towards the backyard.
"Good idea." Mai followed him out.
As soon as everyone was outside and about to start the party a load roaring engine was heard. They all turned their heads toward the drive way on the side of the house just as a Midnight blue Infiniti pulled in and stopped. Eyes were glued to the car as two doors opened up.
Tears leaked down Mai's face when Takumi slid out the back seat she was about to run to him, but stopped when he opened the passenger side door revealing Akira who got out. They both turned to Mai and the rest and walked toward them. Mai met them halfway and caught them both in a bear hug.
"Takumi! Akira! I've missed you guys so much." Mai's grip tightened before she let go, beaming up at them.
"It's good to see you too Mai." Takumi smile down at his sister since he was taller than her now.
"It is nice to see you…all of you." Came Akira's reply with a small smile.
"Hey wait where is…" Mai was cut off when the driver side door opened up and the figure came out.
Everyone stopped breathing when a beautiful woman stepped out of the car, shut the door, and walked over to Mai. The woman smiled and removed her glassed and put them on top of her head.
"Hey Mai, it's been a while huh?" Everyone's mouth dropped open when they heard the slightly familiar husky voice.
"NA-CHAN!" Mai jumped at Natsuki and held her tight.
"Heh, you haven't changed much Mai." Natsuki hugged Mai back which shocked her, but she was too happy to care.
Mai let go and smiled a big goofy gin and turned back to the others.
"Well everyone these are my guests." Everyone except for Nao, Shizuru, and Mikoto said hello.
Natsuki turned her head toward everyone and they all gasped. Some had looks of happiness (Takada, Mikoto), some had looks of confusion (Tate, Shiho, Akane) and others had looks of hate and anger ( Raito: you can see hints of anger), Nao: really pissed off, and Shizuru: angry, upset, hurt, but used her mask to cover it up.)
"KUGA!" Yelled Nao running up to hr and grabbing the collar of her jacket.