A/N- Thanks for all the great reviews for this so far! ChupaChupa rocks even though she yells at me all the time. D:

Asking Too Much

By: Azfixiation

xxxxx

The next morning when Shizuru woke Natsuki to direct the younger girl back to her own bed, Natsuki stubbornly refused to leave. "You're going to talk to those people today…" Natsuki mumbled as she clung to her best friend.

"Yes. And it will be okay. I already told you that didn't I? Or does my Natsuki wish for another kiss of reassurance?" Shizuru teased, causing the blunette to blush furiously and tense in her arms.

"Shizuru! I – that – we just, ugh!" Natsuki exclaimed as she struggled for words.

"Ara, does Natsuki-chan not like my kisses?" Shizuru fake sobbed, causing the younger girl to panic.

"I did! Just umm, I have to go back to my bed now," Natsuki changed the subject quickly, hoping she could escape the brunette's clutches before she found herself digging herself deeper. She scurried away from Shizuru, hopping into her own bed just in the nick of time.

Miss Akemi poked her head into the room, acting as their morning alarm clock. This time however she made sure to stop by Shizuru's bed, letting the brunette know that she will be meeting with the Dazai's promptly after breakfast. Shizuru nodded, making sure to take her time in getting ready for the day. She was unsure of how to feel about the meeting, halfway hoping that she disliked the couple so the decision would be easy. She also knew that if she wanted to truly take care of Natsuki, seizing the opportunity for the future would be the wise choice.

But would you forgive me Natsuki? Would you understand why I need to leave you?

Shizuru let out a long sigh, gazing at Natsuki as she got ready for the day before making her rounds with the younger girls to greet them good morning. Hanako was quick to jump into her arms as usual, while the others simply called out a good morning to her. Aside from worrying over leaving Natsuki, Shizuru also hated to think of leaving the others.

Breakfast was sullen, Natsuki's mood setting the tone for the others. Though no one knew why the blunette seemed to be in such a mood, they all knew better than to question it. Shizuru tried to distract them, engaging the girls in conversation over their lessons which seemed to work for the younger girls, at least.

Once the awkward meal was thankfully over, Miss Akemi came to escort Shizuru to her office. Natsuki had shot Shizuru one last pleading look before she left, successfully breaking the brunette's heart with just a glance. Miss Akemi stopped to gaze over Shizuru's attire, her chocolate eyes shining in pleasure as she noticed how well Shizuru always kept herself. "Now don't be nervous, okay? They just want to introduce themselves and see how things go."

"I'm ready," Shizuru said at length, taking a deep breath. Once she entered the office she was quickly introduced to Osamu and Kumiko Dazai, her potential foster parents. The first thing Shizuru noticed was just how young they were – surely no older than their mid to late twenties.

"It's nice to meet you, Fujino-san," Osamu said politely as Shizuru took a seat across from them.

"You as well," Shizuru responded shyly, yet doing her best to keep her grace in tact.

Kumiko looked as if she were absolutely glowing, but was quiet and let her husband do the talking. "I suppose you would want to know somewhat about us, and why we chose you, right?" Osamu asked as he sipped his tea.

Shizuru only nodded, waiting for the man to continue.

"As you can see, Kumiko and I are still a bit young to start a family of our own. However, having been in your situation, Kumiko was very eager to repay the favor once given to her of a good home and an education. I know this may be awkward for you Fujino-san, but we only wish to repay the debt to Kumiko's own foster parents by helping others out." Osamu placed his tea down and took his wife's hand in his own.

Shizuru considered the man's words carefully. Basically he was offering her what any girl in the home would dream of, yet she knew Natsuki would never forgive her if she left. Especially not after having given up her own opportunity at such things. "That is most kind, Dazai-san," she replied at length. "This is so unexpected; I hardly know how to respond."

"Please think of it Fujino-san," Kumiko spoke finally. Shizuru noticed the softness of her voice, and while a part of her longed to scream, Yes! Yes! Please give me a chance at this; she knew she had to talk to Natsuki before committing to anything. She longed to ask them if Natsuki could come too, or even if she could offer the blunette in her place but she knew even if she could, Natsuki wouldn't be willing to go without her.

The brunette looked to Miss Akemi for help, finding the warden fixing a tight stare on her. "Please, call me Shizuru," she said with a slight bow, which caused the older woman to nod in praise.

They continued to exchange simple conversation; Osamu explaining his job as a broker while Kumiko told Shizuru about her teaching job. Shizuru found that she had taken a liking to them quickly, even letting Kumiko give her a quick hug as they made their exit a short time later. "Well Shizuru, what did you think?" Miss Akemi asked excitedly.

It was her who had pushed for them to consider Shizuru, always having been fond of the brunette. While she frowned upon the girls friendship with Natsuki she couldn't deny that regardless, Shizuru had always managed to keep her cool composure with a sort of dignity she seemed to have been born with. She knew that Shizuru could go far, given the chance and she wanted to help get the brunette there as best as she could.

"They were very lovely," Shizuru responded, flashing the warden her fake smile. "May I have some time alone to think on this?"

"Of course dear, but please do keep in mind that though they are being kind to give you the choice due to your age, it would be very rude to refuse such an offer. Should they choose to adopt you regardless, you would have no say in such matters if the courts approve. And you better not even think of behaving the way your friend did," she added as she began to walk away.

Once alone Shizuru let out a long sigh as she stared out the windows as she walked down the corridor to her bedroom. She knew, logically that she couldn't refuse their offer. She knew that explaining it to Natsuki would be the real challenge. Little did she know the near shouting match it would turn into in just a few hours.

"Shizuru, you promised!" Natsuki yelled angrily at the crimson eyed girl who was sitting Indian-style on her bed.

"Natsuki, please calm down and hear me out. You're getting everyone upset," Shizuru tried to calm her friend, putting a hand on her shoulder as she spoke.

"Everyone's upset because you're abandoning us!" Natsuki cried, tears flowing from her emerald eyes once more. Shizuru quickly took Natsuki's hand into her own and pulled the younger girl from the bed and into the bathroom before shutting the door behind them. "I'll never see you again if you leave," Natsuki pleaded quietly, wrapping her arms around Shizuru's body and nuzzling into her neck.

Shizuru could feel the younger girl shaking in her arms, making it nearly impossible to hold her resolve. "Lets make a promise Natsuki," Shizuru offered, hoping to calm the blunette. "If we don't find each other before then, lets meet at the park across the street on your eighteenth birthday. Then no matter where we end up, we'll know we will have that day to look forward to. And then we will never have to be apart again."

"That's almost four years," Natsuki complained despite being more relaxed at Shizuru's words. "What if you forget me?"

"Should we seal it with a kiss?" Shizuru asked playfully.

"Shi-zu-ru!" Natsuki shouted, turning red at the suggestion, her tears temporarily forgotten.

"Ara, a pity," Shizuru sniffled as she turned around to make her way from the bathroom. Just as her hand reached for the door, she felt a gentle tugging on her sleeve. When she turned around Natsuki was looking at the ground, red as can be. Shizuru held back a laugh at the girl's shy behavior but was willing to guess at what her companion wanted.

Cupping Natsuki's cheeks in her hands, Shizuru leaned in to press her lips firmly to the blunettes. Natsuki hardly responded to the kiss, aside from pulling Shizuru into a fierce hug afterwards. "That means it's a promise, right?" Natsuki asked innocently as she tried to control her blush.

"Yes. I promise you Natsuki," Shizuru responded as she held her love close, determined to make the most of this opportunity so that when they would reunite in the future, she would be able to give the innocent blunette the life she deserved.

--

Dun dun dun! Will they be seperated for four years? Will they find each other? Will Natsuki even let Shizuru go? Even I have no idea yet, so all ideas and sugggestions are welcome. Theres so many scenarios that could happen, I have a hard time choosing which one I want to write. Too bad I can't make this like a choose your own adventure fic… lol