Hi everyone it's been awhile with this story so sorry about that, I've been focusing on my other story a new beginning and also work so with the help of my good friend and beta reader , they sent me over the next chapter, I've read all the comments that people have said and would like too say thankyou

guests: I know u all thinking of natsuki needing confidence boost and such but all I can say is you may have too be patient, things will happen in future chapters and who knows reito may also play a important part in this too so stick around because I'm not going too reveal all. , as for ichigohime…never watched that I might have a go watching it, natsuki character as we all know each person on different stories of fanfiction writes natsuki character differently but more or less still similar, but it's been awhile since I last watched natsuki no prelude so I will go and check it out, but at the end of it something different for shiznat fans too see and don't worry about her intelligence and such she will focus her talents and is gifted too in the future chapters but still hope u keep on reading.

: thankyou for the comment

Sammykhan: don't worry the story shall continue on but I do apologized though it may take a while for it too finish but most chapters are completed so thankyou for the comments also please give thanx to my beta reader too, without them it would be bad grammar lol

So thanx guys for supporting the story shall continue on so enjoy it.

Ice and dark

Chapter 2

The next morning…

Flowers are filling the air, the sky is clear blue and there, standing on a hill underneath a tree, is a woman. Natsuki know she has seen her somewhere before, but it's all blurry. She can't see who it is properly, but then the woman turned her head to see her. She began to speak, but there was no sound coming out from her.

"Who are you?" Natsuki asked.

Then suddenly the woman managed to speak.

"Have you truly forgotten the promise you made?"

"Promise?" Natsuki said.

There was a sudden silence. Natsuki weren't sure how long she was standing there staring at the person, but she felt like she couldn't stop it. She was drawn in and she had this feeling inside of her… like butterflies.

"I see… So it's not yet time for you then." The woman turned around and walked away.

"Wait, don't go! Please tell me what I have forgotten!" Natsuki said and tried running.

"Natsuki… Natsuki… NATSUKI! WAKE UP!"

Natsuki fell out of her bed with a loud thud. She sat up after her fall and rubbed her head.

"Ouch! Not again. Why does this keep on happening to me?" Natsuki said.

"NAT-CHAN, HURRY UP, YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE AGAIN!" Saeko shouted from downstairs.

"Aw no! Not again. Otherwise Midori-baka-sensei is going to kill me again." Natsuki said running down the stairs.

"It's not our fault that you can't get out of bed. Anyway, here, quickly eat this and be on your way. I have to get to work now. I shall see you later." Saeko said, as she placed a tray on the table which held a mayo on toast and glass of milk and then she headed off out the house. Natsuki quickly ate her breakfast and ran out the house.

Meanwhile whilst Natsuki was running late for homeroom class…

"So are we all agreeing on the voting process?" Chie the class president asked.

"I think it will be great. I so can't wait for the festival now, it's going to be the best!" Aoi said.

"Erm, I don't think Natsuki will agree on this though." Mai said.

"Oh yeah, she will put up one hell of a fight" Nao said.

"Ara, then we have to make sure that Natsuki will do it." Shizuru said.

"You're awfully cheery about this though. Are you sure about this Shizuru?" Mai asked.

"Ara, of course. It would be an honor to help the class." Shizuru replied.

"See now that's the attitude. Don't worry about Nat-chan. I shall deal with her." Midori sensei said.

"Oh dear, I've got a bad feeling about this." Mai said.

"Speaking of which… That mutt's running late again." Nao said.

"Yeah… Say, Shizuru, you guys live near each other, how come you don't go and wake her up?" Mai asked.

"Ara, I would love to, but unfortunately I have to get here early due to my duties as president. I have a lot of work that needs to be done before class." Shizuru said.

"I see. By the way, is everything alright with Natsuki? She looked a bit out of it yesterday." Mai asked.

"Yeah, she did seem to be in her own world or something." Nao added.

"Yes, I'm not sure though, I'm sorry, but I'm also worried about her." Shizuru answered.

"Let's see how she is today." Mai said.

"…If she ever gets here." Nao said.

Shizuru giggled at this when all of a sudden a scream echoed in the hallway as soon as the bell went for homeroom and the sound of fast footsteps were approaching, followed by a sudden sound from a very familiar girl.

"I'm sorry I'm late again!" Natsuki said as soon as she entered the room.

"Surprise! Congratulations natsuki!" the whole class shouted.

"What the…? What the hell is going on?" Natsuki asked.

"Congratulations Natsuki, you came just in time. We've just finished up the voting." Chie came up beside her, putting her arm around her.

"The voting? What the hell for?" Natsuki said.

Chie then went behind her and pushed her towards the blackboard.

"Right this way." She then turned her to have a closer look at the board.

"Huh? …Huh!?" She had a closer look.

"Well, we chose not to wait for you when we were doing it, but what's decided is decided." Chie said with a grin.

"But what is this for?" Natsuki asked.

"You don't know about Ice and Snow?" Chie asked.

"All the girls in class won the votes and decided to want to have this play for the festival." Tate explained.

"Because it's so romantic, right?" Aoi said with Akane and Mai agreeing to her.

"But isn't Kruger the…?" Natsuki began.

"Yes, you're one of the main characters for our play. Our beloved hero and daughter of the feudal lord." Chie confirmed.

"I knew it! No way in hell!… I don't want to do it!" Natsuki said.

"Hey now, don't go complaining. You were unanimously voted to play this part." Chie said.

"Unanimously, huh?" Natsuki said and glared at her friends, who were giggling at her reaction. Then she turned over to look at Shizuru, who was smiling at her.

"Sorry… Natsuki I voted for you too" Shizuru thought.

"aw man, even Shizuru too…"

Natsuki sighed at the situation she was in, when a thought hit her.

"Huh, but wait, why am I the hero when there are lads in the room?"

"Because Natsuki… Kruger is a woman and we wanted to stand out of the crowd and shake it up by doing the most popular romantic story in Fuuka and what better way to do it by having our very own ice princess do it."

"Natsuki, we're going to make such a cool costume for you. You'll be like our very own prince." Akane said.

"What!" Natsuki said.

"By the way, your beloved girlfriend, the village girl that had captured your heart, goes to none other than Shizuru Fujino." Chie said.

Natsuki looked shocked about it and looked straight into Shizuru, who seemed happy. She gave Natsuki a smile, but then Natsuki thought how it wouldn't be right because of Reito and she looked away breaking the eye contact.

"Can't someone else do this please? I'm not good with acting and I certainly don't want to do it." Natsuki asked.

"Sorry Nat-chan. No can do." Midori sensei popped up behind Natsuki, putting her hands on her shoulder.

"Don't call me Nat-chan and why not?" Natsuki asked.

"Because after looking into your records of your late attendances including todays, I'll have to say, if you don't do this play then I'm afraid you may get detention's for a while." Midori said grinning.

"What!? Are you blackmailing me? That's so unfair!" Natsuki said.

"Look, we have the two most popular girls in the school. We have the gorgeous president Shizuru Fujino and then the lone wolf ice princess Natsuki Kuga. Having the duo in this class only is like torture, it needs to be brought out and it's good that you two are friends. That'll make it easier for you." Midori said.

Natsuki's eyes went wide when Midori mentioned the word. So far she did really well in not thinking about what had happened yesterday, but with the thanks of that baka sensei it was all brought back.

"Friends? That's it huh… I guess there's no other choice then."

Natsuki sighed.

"Fine, I will do it." Natsuki said.

"Yay, let's make this the best play ever!" Chie shouted and everyone cheered. All except for one person who turned her head away from the class.

"I can't believe this is happening…"

After the whole arrangement, everyone was busy talking about the play and gathering ideas. No one noticed when Natsuki went out the room, except one person. She saw her escaping so she decided to follow Natsuki and as she went outside the classroom, she saw Natsuki standing near the window.

"Ara, I thought you would be trying to escape." Shizuru said.

Natsuki snapped out of her trance and stared at Shizuru, shocked that she was there.

"Shizuru… Sorry, I just didn't want to be in there… You know me better than anyone and that I really don't want to do this play." Natsuki said.

"Ara, but if Natsuki were with me, I'm sure she could do anything. Why were you so against doing this?" Shizuru asked.

"Why should I do it? Come on Shiz, there's going to be a love scene in there. I know it if it's Chie who's directing it. Do you really think it would be right for me to be there when it should be Reito?" Natsuki said.

"Natsuki, there's no one else better to do that play with than you." Shizuru said or more precisely, stated.

This brought Natsuki shocked to the core.

"Why though?" Natsuki asked.

"Natsuki, for some strange reason, I feel like you are right to play the part as Kruger… No, not right, you're the only one who can do it."

Shizuru sighed before she added.

"Have you heard about the story of Ice and Snow?" Shizuru asked.

"Erm… no, not really. Why?" Natsuki asked.

"Natsuki, I think it's important for you to find out about this story first. If you don't know about the true Ice and Snow, then how will you ever face this?" Shizuru said.

"What do you mean?" Natsuki said.

"Like I said before, you're the only one who can do it with me. No one else can. Somehow I think it's destiny that you and I are playing in this." Then Shizuru turned round and walked back into the classroom, leaving Natsuki in thought about the whole conversation itself.

Around lunch time, Natsuki and Mai were sitting underneath a large oak tree. All of Natsuki's friends had joined them for lunch, but today, Shizuru wouldn't be attending, due to a lunch meeting with the directors of the school and Nao hadn't arrived yet.

"Geez Natsuki, don't you actually pay attention to anything in class or do you always skip it?" Mai said as she whacked Natsuki on the head.

"Ouch Mai! What did you do that for, that hurt you know?" Natsuki said grumbling whilst holding her head.

"Well good! Hopefully that will teach you a lesson then." Mai said.

"But seriously, I need help Mai, otherwise I'm doomed. It's not my fault I came in late when everyone told me about the play and even told me that I ended up being the stupid main character." Natsuki said.

"How could you not know about this story? It's famous. This story has survived through out generations ever since Fuuka had the war." Mai said.

"Geez! Even I know that story." Nao came out with her mobile in her hand, texting and then went over to sit next to her best friends.

"Ok, now this is even worse, because that stupid spider knows it! Please Mai." Natsuki pleaded.

Mai gave up to Natsuki's request.

"Well, you see…"

It's the story of Kruger, a nobleman's daughter, and the village girl, Viola. They fell in love. They were happy together. However that soon changed, the two were separated. Not because of their families or the people around them, but because of a war. Kruger promised to come back and Viola, being the loyal lover she was, believed in her. She prayed at the church for her lover's safety for days and nights.

Her prayers were in vain and Kruger was shot with an arrow in the back. She was defending their last stand to protect the village of the one she loved. When she heard the news, Viola rushed to the village's church. She prayed for her last time to be transferred to her and it was answered. Kruger was raised from the dead and when she woke up, she was surrounded not by blood, but by the lilac petals of Viola's favorite flower. By the time she returned, she learnt of Viola's sacrifice too late.

She cried, asking to exchange her stopped time with her own time. God took pity on them having seen their care and love for each other and, in exchange for their time, promised eternity upon their village. The God was transformed into what seemed to be an angel, where even now, it still continues watching over them.

"Isn't it such a romantic story?" Mai said and then she clasped her hands together.

After the story, Natsuki felt her heart pumped loudly, like it was trying to tell something. She also felt really weird, like in a dream-like state.

"What is this feeling? Pain… sorrow… heartache, but why?"

"Natsuki, are you alright?" Mai asked.

"Yeah, you look kinda pale mutt." Nao added.

"Don't call me mutt!" Natsuki said.

"Sheesh! I was only trying to snap you out of your trance. You looked like a zombie." Nao said while being too lazy to make eye contact with Natsuki and remained focused on her phone.

"Why you!" Natsuki said, but before she was about to do something, Mai held her hand forward, stopping Natsuki.

Mai then whacked both Natsuki and Nao on the heads.

"Will you both behave!" Mai demanded.

"Ouch Mai! What the hell did I do!? It was that stupid mutt's fault." Nao complained.

"How was it my fault!? It probably would be yours, you stupid spider!" Natsuki retorted back.

"Natsuki, if you carry on, I will cut down on the mayonnaise on your sandwiches." Mai threatened.

Natsuki looked shocked at what Mai had said. Then she pouted like a puppy that had just got told off from its master and if it didn't behave it wouldn't get a treat.

"Ara, that's just too cute to see." Shizuru came up behind them just in time to see Natsuki in that state.

Natsuki folded her arms and looked the other way in a sulk.

"She didn't have to go that far. What has the mayo ever done to you?" Natsuki said.

"What was that, Natsuki?" Mai said, almost daring her to continue.

"Nothing! Nothing at all… heh." Natsuki said.

Shizuru giggled at her reaction and went over to sit with them.

"Sorry I'm late; I had to stop by the student council because of Haruka." Shizuru apologized.

"Must be hard, facing a lion all day." Nao said.

"Ara, Haruka's not that bad?" Shizuru said.

"I feel sorry for you Shiz." Natsuki said.

"Oh yeah, Nao, don't think you will be getting away with what you did either." Mai said, suddenly remembering what went on before Shizuru's arrival.

"Dammit! I thought you would have forgotten if I kept quiet." Nao said.

"What! Oh just you wait; now we'll be canceling tonight's plans." Mai said and turned the other way.

Nao started to panic a bit, since she knew what Mai was like. She then went over and put her arms around her and leaned her head on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that, plus, I don't ever want you to cancel our date tonight. I've been looking forward to it." Nao said.

"Aww, of course I would never cancel our date, because I've also been looking forward to it. Apology accepted." Mai said and kissed her cheek.

Natsuki and Shizuru didn't expect to see what had happened. It even stopped Shizuru from sipping her tea. It just paused in mid air.

"Ara…" was all Shizuru could say.

"What the hell!? Mai, what's going on here?" Natsuki asked.

Mai looked sheepishly at them and scratched her cheek.

"Well erm… You see, lately Nao and I have kinda had feelings for each other, so when Nao confessed to me, I knew I would say yes, so now we've been dating. Only for a bit, it hasn't gone on long, I'm sorry we didn't tell the two of you about this. We were going to tell you, but only until we were ready. I guess I kinda got carried away." Mai said.

"Yeah, you sure did Mai, but look, what Mai said was true though. I like her and I hope you guys will accept this, because you guys are our best friends." Nao said.

Natsuki did the unexpected, she smiled at them. It was not only a smile, but it was one of her gentle smiles, which is hardly ever shown, except only to Shizuru.

"I'm really happy for you guys. Guess I don't have to worry about who you guys will be dating, since you'll be dating each other, so I know you guys will look after each other. Nao, don't be a baka and mess this up." Natsuki said.

Shizuru could not be more proud than in this moment. Natsuki seemed different, almost as if she'd matured. Even Mai and Nao were shocked about the answer. They thought she would be angry with them for not telling her.

"Ara, I agree with Natsuki. All we want is for you two to be happy and I know you will be, so congratulations." Shizuru said.

"Wow thanks you guys! We really appreciate it and mutt, I won't let her down." Nao said.

"You better not, Nao." Natsuki said.

Mai was in tears. She was so happy with this moment. She leaned her head on Nao.

"Thank you Natsuki… Shizuru." Mai said.

"Hello ladies. I'm sorry to be dropping by, especially in this important time." A voice said behind them.

They turned around and noticed Reito standing in all his charms, looking handsome. He even had the dashing smile too.

"Ara, Reito. What brings you here?" Shizuru asked.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you Shizuru. I thought it would be a good idea to have lunch together, but it seems you are busy, so maybe next time?" Reito said.

"She can do it. I'm going to be heading out anyway. I gotta go and meet Sakomizu sensei about my artwork… later." Natsuki said.

She didn't even bother with eye contact with any of them. She just got up and walked away, leaving Shizuru stunned of her actions along with Mai, whilst Nao chased after her.

Mai and Shizuru looked at each other worriedly and confused about why Natsuki was acting like that with Reito being oblivious to it all.

Natsuki was walking away from the scene in a fast pace, not noticing that her fists were held very tightly. She wanted to get away from seeing Reito and Shizuru together.

"Oh mutt, wait up! What the hell is the matter with you?" Nao said as she came running over and grabbed her shoulder, stopping Natsuki in her tracks. Natsuki was facing forward so Nao didn't see her face.

"Nothing's up. Leave me alone Nao." Natsuki warned her.

"No way in hell I'm leaving you… Look, lately we've all been worried about you because you've been acting so strangely. Are you mad at me and Mai for not telling you?" Nao asked.

"N,o don't be stupid Nao, it isn't anything like that." Natsuki said.

"Then what is it? Come on, the least you can do is look at me and actually talk to me dammit." She grabbed Natsuki's other shoulder and turned her round, but she didn't expect to see what she saw.

Natsuki was in tears. In all the years she had known the bluenette, she had never once shown any tears in front of them and to see her so upset, completely changed her thoughts about the ice princess.

"What's wrong, why are you crying?" Nao asked concerned.

"I told you Nao… don't get in my way." Natsuki said.

Nao thought about what could be the one thing that would get Natsuki in this state. She thought it could be her dog. Natsuki had loved Duran ever since he was a pup and taken him in when they saw him abandoned. It's definitely not her mayonnaise because she had it today, but then something clicked in her mind and of course, how come she hadn't thought of this before.

"It's Shizuru, isn't it?" Nao asked.

Natsuki was struck. She couldn't move or anything. She just stood there.

"Did you two have a fight or something? Usually the only thing besides mayo, that upsets you, is Shizuru." Nao said

"It's not fair." Natsuki said.

"Huh? What's not fair?" Nao asked.

"Why did that stupid toothpaste model come in, telling Shiz his feelings to her." Natsuki said.

"He did what? Woah! Didn't expect Shizuru and him. So those rumors are coming true."

"It's not fair Nao." Natsuki said.

"But why are you acting like this then?" Nao asked.

"God dammit Nao! It's unfair because Shizuru shouldn't be with anyone like him, she shouldn't be with anyone but me… Urghh! I love her!" Natsuki shouted.

"Dammit mutt, why haven't you told her these feelings then?" Nao said.

"Come on Nao, do you really think someone like Shizuru would fall for someone like me? We're best friends. She doesn't see me in that way." Natsuki said.

"Have you asked her then?" Nao asked.

"Erm… no, not really." Natsuki said.

"Then there you go… How can you know if you don't tell her? Look, I didn't think Mai would return my feelings. I thought she would have ended up with that idiot Tate, but I decided that I had to tell her, otherwise I might never had gotten a chance to and so I did." Nao said.

"I'm really happy for you two, but Shizuru and I are different." Natsuki said.

"It's not. If you love her, then tell her, otherwise you're going to regret it." Nao said.

"I can't, nao." Natsuki said. She turned around and walked away from Nao.

Natsuki then thought about what Nao had said.

"Hmm… Do you really think it's easier said than done. I've never been the expressive type and it's so screwed because I have to do that stupid play. Wait, that's it! Shizuru wanted me to find out about the true Ice and Snow, but I did listen to the story from Mai didn't I? Maybe I should ask my dad about this when I get home. After all he does work as a historian of Fuuka, so he's got to know about Ice and Snow."

She shook her head determined to do it and carried on walking away. What she didn't see was the sad look Shizuru was giving her.