A/N – Sooo this idea just sort of leapt into my mind this morning, which got me and my co-workers on this really interesting conversation about musicals. /cough/ My beta, my dear ChupaChupa is a bit lacking in musical knowledge. (Yet she contributed to the Omake) It makes me rather sad. However, this, while having nothing to do with Annie overall, still may take a thing or two from it. I don't own this, or anything cool, except for a lot of books.

As with all of my stories that are longer than a one shot, I really have no idea where this will end up going, so all ideas are welcome.

Asking Too Much

By: Azfixiation

xxxxx

"They're going to punish us for this one day Natsuki," a soft voice whispers in the dark. Crimson eyes catch a flash of green in the moonlight, causing the girl's smile to broaden as she snuggled closer to her companion.

"You're all I have Shizuru. I'm not giving you up. I won't let them separate us," the green eyed girl whispered back. She didn't need to open her eyes to know that there were probably a dozen other people trying to listen in on their conversation.

By now it was no secret that Natsuki would sneak into Shizuru's bed at night. It wasn't abnormal in their situation and girls were often found sharing beds, holding hands, or comforting each other in any way they could. Shizuru and Natsuki had been at the orphanage the longest and therefore have developed the strongest bond. Though there had been a brief period of time in which they were almost separated. Natsuki had almost been adopted into a family six months prior, yet unwilling to be separated from Shizuru she misbehaved so badly the family dropped the adoption halfway through the court proceedings.

Many girls admired their bond, often looking up to one or both of them wishing they could feel so at peace with their current situation. Though, the rumors that there is more to Natsuki and Shizuru than friendship quickly started to spread after Natsuki's refusal to be adopted. The behavior caused her to be severely reprimanded, though due to the laws there wasn't much anyone could do as they couldn't legally kick her to the street until her eighteenth birthday. Some of the orphanage's wardens were more than eager to be rid of the foul-mouthed girl.

"It was your chance for a better life," Shizuru sighed as she stroked her fingers through Natsuki's hair. Though she too didn't want to be separated from her love, she knew that finding a good family was hard at their age as most people only cared to adopt younger children.

"I don't want it if you're not in it," Natsuki said earnestly, her cheeks warming against Shizuru's skin as she blushed in the dark.

"Ara, my little Natsuki is growing up to be so sweet," Shizuru teased.

"Shizuru! I'm not little. I'm fourteen now. And you're hardly older than me," the blunette defended.

"I'm almost sixteen you know. In two years they'll kick me out of this place. Isn't it funny? They won't allow homeless children but they'll allow homeless adults. I wonder what will become of me," Shizuru contemplated.

"Don't talk like that Shizuru. It scares me," Natsuki pleaded through a yawn.

Instead of apologizing Shizuru only pulled the smaller girl closer to her. She rubbed the blunette's back as she slowly drifted closer to slumber. Don't worry Natsuki, I'll find a way to make a life for us somehow, Shizuru thought as she too felt sleep claiming her. She wanted to fight it, to cherish every moment with her Natsuki as best as she could. It wasn't often when Natsuki was so emotional and Shizuru wanted to savor the sweet words of the younger girl. I love you so much. Sweet dreams my love.

--

The next morning came much too soon, and as with every day Shizuru hated having to wake Natsuki early to send her back to her own bed. None of the girls they shared the room with would snitch, as one glare from the green eyed girl was enough to freeze blood, yet their wardens didn't take kindly to the children getting too close. Especially Shizuru and Natsuki who often seem to have taken it beyond friendship or sisterly affections. If only, Shizuru thought with a wistful sigh as she watched Natsuki padding back her own bed.

It wasn't long before the warden came in to wake the girls, calling that breakfast would be served in twenty minutes. Many of the girls woke with a collective sigh and Shizuru went to get dressed and use the restroom before the flock could wake enough to crowd her. Her admirers were never far from her side during the day, which to her dismay usually meant that Natsuki was as scarce as possible. Shizuru often got frustrated with her role, but accepted the fact that as the oldest in their home, if one could call it that, she was the most likely mother figure for some of the younger girls.

With a deep breath Shizuru placed on her mask, smiling serenely as she left the restroom to greet her makeshift family. One of the youngest girls quickly jumped into Shizuru's arms, letting the brunette ruffle her hair. "You need to go brush your teeth little one," Shizuru said after giving the girl a hug and placing her back on the ground.

Shizuru walked by Natsuki's bed, leaning down and pecking her friend on the cheek in one fluid movement. She didn't need to turn around to know that Natsuki was blushing. They'd known each other far too long and Shizuru knew Natsuki as well as she knew herself.

Natsuki cursed the brunette under her breath, though she didn't have the heart to be angry at her friend's affections. Shizuru had been the only person to stay more than a few months in her life. The wardens often didn't last long, not wanting to be around the children much and the other kids were usually younger and quickly adopted. Shizuru was her only friend, her only family, and sometimes she wondered if maybe she was also a little something more. With that thought the blunette's blush deepened as she scurried to the bathroom to brush her own teeth before heading to breakfast.

Their days were much like that of a normal child, breakfast, school work, and then they shared the cooking and cleaning duties. Due to the difference in age, Shizuru was in a higher class than Natsuki, so the two often didn't see each other again until their nightly chores. Even then, Natsuki rarely got to share hers with Shizuru as there were always others who wanted Shizuru's attention too.

And so night-time became their time. They would lay in bed wrapped around each other talking about their day, dreaming of the future, and praying with everything they had, that no matter what happened, they would never be separated. It was normally their happiest time, yet this night brought bad news as their biggest fear was brought to life.

"You won't let them take you will you?" Natsuki begged, on the verge of tears.

"They only wish to speak to me. I'm sure nothing will come of it," Shizuru reassured the trembling girl. "You know that no one truly wants to adopt a child that will leave them in a mere two years. There must be a mistake, I'm sure of it," Shizuru lied in an attempt to comfort her friend.

From what Miss Akemi had said to her, the young couple was most interested in Shizuru after learning that she had lost her parents and had been at the orphanage for almost three years. They had recently come into some money, and the woman, Kumiko had been an orphan herself, and wanted to return the kindness someone had once shown to her. If only Shizuru could find a way to explain she didn't want the kindness.

Natsuki took a deep breath to calm herself, wanting to believe in Shizuru's words. Shizuru had become her new family after her parents died, and the only one to understand her pain and loss. She had vowed she would never let anything, or anyone, take Shizuru away from her. She trusted no one else, and would fight to keep Shizuru at her side.

As with every night, Shizuru held the fragile girl close, this time wiping away her silent tears. "Don't cry my Natsuki," Shizuru whispered.

And when Natsuki looked up at her with tears staining her pale cheeks and with those sad, lovable, puppy dog eyes, Shizuru couldn't hold herself back any longer. In the space where words seemed to not be enough, she found herself pressing her lips to Natsuki's. It was meant to be quick, a peck of comfort and reassurance, and she hadn't expected the blunette to respond by pressing more firmly against her. She hadn't expected the younger girl to throw herself into the kiss, as if she were trying to connect herself permanently to the brunette.

After a few moments Shizuru pulled away and Natsuki, now blissfully calm, laid her head back onto Shizuru's chest. Her fingers quickly found Natsuki's familiar hair and began playing with the dark, silky strands. Shizuru didn't want to ruin the moment with words, letting Natsuki drift to sleep peacefully while she worried over the future, and what, if anything, that kiss had meant for their relationship.

--

Omake:

Shizuru washing dishes, singing: It's the hard-knock life for us. No one cares for you smidge, when your in an orphanage.

Natsuki walks in to find several small children singing and dancing around Shizuru: WTF Shizuru?

Shizuru: Ara, compulsive singing. I just can't stop myself!

Shizuru rejoins the singing and dancing, while Natsuki slowly backs into the corner, eyebrows twitching.

In walks Midori, drunk as usual and suddenly everybody stops: "We love you Miss Hannigan!"

Natsuki: "Please God, somebody adopt me already!"

(Midori would make such an awesome Miss Hannigan, wouldn't she?)