A/N - Hmm this chapter is kind of boring. But it had to be done. And I bet all you greedy readers want more after this huh!? Gosh. Thanks for such amazing feedback to this. I have to admit, I'm pretty fond of Kiyori too. And for those of you who asked, Kiyori is a play off Kiyohime (does this count for that ShizNat drinking game!?) thus the nickname "Kiyo". I heart you all.
Here You Me
By: Azfixiate
Natsuki wasted no time putting her plans into motion once she got home. She sent Kiyori off to play in her room as she pulled out the laptop Shizuru had gotten her for christmas many years ago. After a few minutes of frustrated searching on the web, she finally gave in and called the airline itself. She managed to score two tickets out of Haneda to New York where she would have to catch a quick connecting flight to Chicago. At the brilliant suggestion of the airline attendant she got the tickets for that evening, realizing that with a child it is best to take long flights at night, so that they sleep through most of it.
"Kiyori," Natsuki shouted from the bottom of the stairs to get her daughters attention. The small Kuga obeyed and ran to the top of the stairs and looked down at her mother. "I need you to pick out five of your favorite outfits ok? We have to leave in three hours so we can go see mommy."
"Ok momma!" the small girl cheered before rushing back to her room.
Natsuki could only smile, feeling the same excitement as her daughter at the thought of what was happening. Unfortunately for her, she still had business to take care of before she could pack. "Yo," she said into the phone upon hearing her co-worker answer.
"What do you want?" Nao answered without hesitation, sounding bored as usual.
"I'm not gonna be able to make it to the shop this week. Kiyori and I have some ah, sudden plans."
"Running off to your master?" Nao smirked. "Good dog!"
"Ugh," Natsuki groaned in response. Sometimes she really hated how perceptive her shops co-owner could be. "Whatever. We're leaving tonight and we'll be back next weekend."
"Wow, wasted no time, huh?" Nao giggled, imagining the frustrated blush on Natsuki's cheeks. Oh how she loved to torture her best friend.
"I'm only going tonight so Kiyori will sleep on the flight and not drive everyone nuts," Natsuki defended.
"They make NyQuil for that you know," the redhead countered.
"I am not drugging my child just to get her to sleep!" Natsuki practically threw her hands up in frustration before finally getting Nao's consent on taking off and hanging up the phone.
The next few hours went painfully slowly for Natsuki as she tried her best to drag out packing for her and Kiyori. As the time counted down, both Kugas were too restless to sit around so they decided to go to the airport early to eat dinner while they waited. After dinner they made their way through security, and eventually at about a quarter to nine they boarded their flight. Natsuki was grateful to see that despite her excitement Kiyori was yawning and clinging to her momma.
"I love you Kiyo," Natsuki whispered as she kissed her daughters forehead.
"I love you too momma," Kiyori replied shortly before dozing off to sleep, using Natsuki's arm as her pillow. Natsuki was thankful her daughter slept so easily on the flight, but almost regretted she didn't bring NyQuil for herself. The excitement of seeing her wife soon made her overjoyed. Eventually she managed to wear herself out anyways, joining her daughter in slumber for the rest of the flight.
Natsuki woke up as their plane was descending in New York, smiling as she saw her daughter staring out the window in amazement. "I wanna be a pilot momma!" Kiyori announced once she noticed her mother was awake. It was only a short time later they landed and had to make their way to their connecting flight to Chicago. Natsuki stopped only long enough to use the restroom and get herself and Kiyori to brush their teeth. Natsuki checked her phone while she had the chance, noticing several missed calls and messages from Shizuru. She hated not calling her back, but didn't want the sounds of the airport to give her away.
The second flight was much less painful and by now both Kugas were too excited to rest. Kiyori kept herself entertained watching the clouds outside the window while Natsuki began to brainstorm ideas of how to surprise Shizuru. She didn't want to go to the front counter to get a key to Shizuru's room, especially not after just checking in herself. After all she needed somewhere to store her luggage in the meantime. However, she was not quite confident in her abilities to break into a hotel room. If only they used normal locks...
Natsuki spent the remainder of her travel time, including the taxi ride to the hotel, debating if she should just call Shizuru, or really try to surprise her. Calling her of course made sense. But Natsuki wanted to see Shizuru's surprised face. Eventually she decided if all else failed, she would call Reito and see if he could help her somehow.
Eventually they arrived at The Drake, Natsuki's mouth dropping slightly in amazement.I know we're not low on money but has Shizuru really spent two months at this place? As they walked into the lavish lobby Natsuki suddenly felt underdressed and out of place.
"What's wrong momma?" Kiyori asked, looking up at Natsuki when she stopped walking.
"Ah, momma just feels weird in fancy places like this. That's all," Natsuki smiled down at her daughter before going to the front counter. They quickly got their room, for one night only. Natsuki knew better than to get it for longer than that, as Shizuru would surely have them staying in her room. As soon as they were shown to their room and dropped their luggage the two looked each other with determination. "Ok kiddo, lunch or breaking and entering?"
"Mommy!" Kiyo cheered, jumping up on her mom to show her enthusiasim.
Natsuki set her daughter down before rumaging through one of her bags. A few seconds later she pulled out a black beanie hat and pulled it down on Kiyori's head. "Don't you dare tell your Mommy I'm teaching you thins," Natsuki gave her famous death glare to her daughter to show her she was serious.
"I promise," Kiyori giggled as her mom pulled out a matching hat. "Momma why are we wearing hats?"
"'Cuz it makes us look cool," Natsuki grinned at her daughter who nodded her agreement.
Natsuki and Kiyori made their way to the fourth floor where Shizuru's room was. At least Natsuki had known that much information before getting into this. It only took a few minutes for her to locate the room but much to her dismay as soon as she kneeled down to examine the lock she heard someone approaching behind her.
"Ara, who are these two suspicious figures crouching outside my door?" a familiar voice asked, causing Natsuki's heart to stop beating for a moment. Kiyori however wasted no time at blowing their cover, quickly turning around and running to the source of the voice.
"Mommy!" she yelled as she jumped up into Shizuru's arms.
"So much for that surprise," Natsuki grumbled though her smile gave her away. What did she care as long as she got to see her wife?
Shizuru's eyes locked briefly with Natsuki's, giving the blue haired girl a chance to see her overwhelming joy before she turned to look at their young daughter. "And just what is your momma teaching you with this black hat on?" Shizuru inquired as she continued to hold her daughter in her arms.
Natsuki laughed nervously before walking over to Shizuru and giving her a quick kiss on the lips. "I'm only teaching her we'll do whatever it takes to make you happy?" she nerviously answered.
"Uh huh. Momma is getting punished later," Shizuru grinned as she set Kiyori down and made her way into Natsuki's waiting arms. Kiyori let out a cheer at seeing her parents together, happy to finally see her momma relaxed and smiling again. After all, she was Shizuru's daughter and had her same sense of perception. She knew her momma was just as lonely as she had been.
"Are my girls hungry?" Shizuru asked as she finally pulled herself away from Natsuki's embrace. Green eyes lit up at the prospect of food and Shizuru smiled in return. "There's a Cheesecake Factory just next to here. How does that sound? Though I doubt they have mayo cheesecake," Shizuru teased as she made her way into her room, grabbing the wallet on the night stand.
A few minutes later the three walked out into the windy city, Shizuru with both Natsuki and Kiyori posessively claiming a hold of her hands. "I love you Shizuru," Natsuki whispered in the brunette's ear as they started their walk. A few tears fell from Shizuru's eyes as she looked at her wife's loving expression but the words failed her. Natsuki only continued to smile, knowing she made the right decision for once.