Hello there. My first fanfiction for Mai Hime so please go easy on me. Feel free to pm me about anything. Second point of view will be from Natsuki's perspective this chapter. Italics is thoughts. Please stick around for the author notes afterwards. Without further ado, please enjoy.
You could always sense someone staring intently at you. You resented the attention you got from everybody. You thought that giving off a cold stare and bad attitude would scare them all away, but you underestimated her. The weak-willed were easily frightened by you and ran off, but she wasn't so afraid. No matter what you did to run away from everybody she always seemed to find you. Her eyes followed you everywhere. You should have been irritated, angry even, but for some reason you just ignored her thinking that she would stop looking eventually. Oh how wrong you were. They kept staring eyes full of curiosity and interest would always find their way back to you, for this person had already decided long ago that she would never leave your side.
Although they may seem like complete strangers to everybody else Natsuki Kuga and Shizuru Fujino knew each other all too well. No they weren't best friends, teammates, or even classmates for that matter, but they did share several spontaneous rendezvouses with each other. Though these encounters were short, they left long lasting impressions on both parties and through them they discovered small but important details and tendencies about the other that define who they are. An example of such a meeting occurred like this:
It was just another cool and windy day in October the light gust of wind foreshadowing the impending cold of winter. The lone wolf of Fuuka Academy leaned against the railing gazing down at the trees colored brightly and beautifully by their dying leaves. She huffed irritably as she attempted to fix her hair after having the wind come by and smack her in the face causing a few strands to fly out of place. Losing her patience she grunted then shouted, "Stupid wind!"
"Ara, but is it really fair to get mad at mother nature?" She jumped at the sudden sound of an unknown intruder's voice. She turned around to meet the uninvited guest. For the very first time, emerald green connected with a sea of dark red rubies.
"It isn't the wind's fault that you stood in the way of it's path. Perhaps if someone had gone to class like she was supposed to then this situation could have been avoided. Don't you agree?" The uninvited guest tilted her head slightly and gazed at the lone wolf inquiringly. A small playful grin gracing her features.
The blue-haired girl didn't respond. Instead she examined the other girl's appearance. Light brown hair flowed past shoulders toned by several hours of tennis; her build was certainly one that could make any girl envious and those deep dark crimson eyes. Her smile was convincing to most people. Though small, it gave off a friendly vibe and a sense of comfort. The lone wolf wasn't always perceptive, but something about this girl seemed fake to her mostly her smile. That stone smile that never came off her face for some reason it gave the delinquent an uneasy feeling.
"What is it to you?" She grunted. The smile never came off the other girl's face much to the wolf's chagrin. She was hoping that her rough tone would scare her off, but this one was not one to be easily frightened. The other girl merely ignored her rough manner of speaking and continued smiling.
"Well as part of the student council and disciplinary committee," as she said the last two words she caught the other girl rolling her eyes, "it is my responsibility to apprehend and punish trouble makers and that includes truant students like you who ditch class on purpose." An elegant hand reached up to point at her sleeve.
Emerald green eyes reexamined the brunette and finally noticed the armband she wore. She mentally slapped herself. How could she have possibly missed the word 'Disciplinary' spelled out right in front of her in big bold red font? So much for being perceptive. She sighed and turned her attention back to the unchanging scenery behind her. She leaned against the railing once more and placed her cheek in her palm. Lazily she looked at the sky and sighed, a frown now plastered on her face.
"Detention with Sugiura?"
The school idol's eyes widened at the girl's nonchalant approach to her punishment. Could she have been used to detention? She sure didn't act like all the other delinquents who would beg on their knees for mercy.
"Well?" A husky voice brought her out of her mental reflection and she returned to reality. The voice carried a small hint of impatience.
"Ara, not even going to try to plead innocent?" She asked curiously. She was surely different from the rest of the troublemakers she had to deal with. The blue-haired girl only shrugged.
"There would be no point. I've been caught in the act. Besides, I'd rather you than that blonde mega phone take me to detention." A melodic giggle slipped through her lips. She just couldn't help but laugh at the comparison. Sure her best friend and one-sided rival was known for being loud and rambunctious, but actually having someone be brave enough to insult her like that was quite a rarity. The intimidating and commanding blonde had scared most of the student body witless with her obnoxious personality and her ruthless treatment of trouble makers. This girl was slowly turning out to be a diamond in the rough.
"I take it that you aren't very fond of vice-president Armitage?"
"Oh you've clearly misunderstood. I'm absolutely and hopelessly in love with her." She did little to hide the overwhelming amount of sarcasm in her words. Another giggle came out and was met with an unamused glance. She recomposed herself, but took on a more relaxed attitude.
"Oh dear, a secret declaration of love? How bold and romantic. But how tragic, alas it seems that I have missed my chance to court you and win your heart." The brunette looked to the side forlornly and clutched her chest dramatically. The not-so-perceptive wolf didn't notice that this display in front of her was just an act however.
"W-what?" She began to blush as realization started to hit her. She flailed her arms wildly in front of her. "I was being sarcastic, you can't possibly believe that I love her! Me and Armitage? Ugh, you've got to be kidding me." She pretended to vomit as the student council president looked on intrigued by her actions.
"But in all seriousness," the brunette cleared her throat. "Since this is my first time catching you I will let you off with a warning. Head back to class and please refrain from being truant again." Long brunette locks were casually flipped over her shoulder by an elegant hand and she proceeded to turn around and head for the door.
"That's it?" The lone wolf raised an eyebrow doubtfully. Her tone filled with skepticism expecting this to be just another tease. "No detention, cleaning the classrooms after school, doing errands for the student council? Nothing at all?"
"Ara, does the little delinquent want to be punished by me that badly? I think I could come up with a few interesting ways to do so." Catching the brunette's coy glance and suggestive tone, the pale girl soon turned bright red.
"What? No! That's not what I meant." She frantically waved her hands in front of her. "I just expected to be dragged by the ear to detention no matter what. That's what the obnoxious beast does." Haruka, always the enforcer aren't you? she thought amusingly to herself.
"Well fortunately for you I am not said obnoxious beast and this is my first time catching you in the act. Therefore, I am letting you go with a warning. Besides I don't think you'd be very fond of having detention with Haruka today." She winked and watched the other girl girl shudder at the mention of Haruka's name. "However, don't think that I'll go easy on you if I catch you again. For now I suggest that you go to class like a good student." She gestured toward the door. The lone wolf didn't move. Instead she stood frozen in her spot trying to understand the girl standing before her.
She's just like everybody else...she thought to herself distastefully before a soft voice drove her out of her reverie. (1)
"Is something wrong?" She placed a hand against her cheek. "Could there be something on my face? Oh perhaps you've ditched your classes so many times that you don't know where they are. Would you like me to escort you personally?" She flashed the dark haired girl a smile, the same smile she would use when talking to her fans.
A scoff, "Don't worry I'm not a little kid. You don't need to hold my hand while I cross the street." She walked past the student council president and opened the door, but just before she left she spoke again.
"As for your first question Fujino-san," She turned her head and emerald green eyes locked with crimson red ones, "The only thing that isn't okay is that fake smile on your face. It's very annoying."
A pair of red eyes widened in shock as the lone-wolf left quickly neither of them bothering to turn back to look at the other. When she heard the door shut Shizuru let out a breath that she didn't realize she was holding in. How did she...Oh my have I become transparent? She tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear and looked up at the sky. Grandmother...Have I forgotten what you taught me?
This was the first incident in which the ever-so-popular student council president and the always joyful lone wolf of Fuuka Academy saw eye to eye, literally. And while our blue haired wolf hadn't quite captured the attention of our charming school idol just yet, or vice versa, she had made quite the first impression. So as if nothing ever happened between them Shizuru Fujino and Natsuki Kuga carried on with their lives as usual. However, once in a while when Shizuru gazed aimlessly out the window she would sometimes find a shade of blue in the crowd of students though she didn't pay it much mind. Thus from that day on in addition to the gazes from her not-so-secret admirers Natsuki also felt the presence of another set of eyes on her. Infrequent and inquiring those eyes would linger for a moment and disappear the next. That's how the keen wolf knew that this stranger was different from her admirers who would stare at her for what seemed like an eternity. What she didn't know however was that these crimson eyes belonged to a very bored and tired president simply searching for something to distract her from reality. While both teenagers thought that the incident on the rooftop would be their first and last encounter, fate had other plans for them and decided to have the meet once more. But fate is a strange thing and science is even stranger. Two opposite magnets attract each other seemingly inseparable, but when one of them changes they suddenly begin to repel. (2)
(1) = When Natsuki says She's just like everybody else... she doesn't mean the other students. You'll find out later on who she's actually talking about.
(2) = Oh my what could this mean? Haha don't worry this it's not as bad as you think.
For those of you here for majorly fluffy and cute Shiznat you have come to the wrong place. I don't intend on having them fall in love right away. There will be a slow, but realistic progression with relationships. Will there be a happy ending? Well that's up for your interpretation when the time comes. Anyway please leave me a review I love to hear from the readers especially since its my first Shiznat fic. Review, follow and favorite this story please I'll love you to death if you do.
Well until next time which will hopefully be soon,
Zai Jian!