A/N: Sorry for the long delay. Would you beleive I worte this part back in February and ended up shipping the notebook I wrote it in to Japan before I could type it up? That's what happened...I swear! _ How did I get it back, you ask? Well...I'm in Japan right now...
I must also appologize for the shortness of this segment. But do not worry, the next chapter will be up within a week.
Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of any Mai Hime related products. I might not even own the notebook I'm writing this story in at this point...
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"Shizuru...stay by my side from now on."
~A dream? What could be more wonderful than hearing those words coming from my dear Natsuki? ...but...impossible...~ Shizuru contemplated these things fuzzily as the world slowly came back into focus.
"Oh!" Reality snapped back into place, causing Shizuru to realize that she was no longer out in the flower garden with Natsuki and various gross and slimy Orphan remains. She was currently lying on one of the moderately uncomfortable beds (chosen for the purpose of discouraging long visits, seeing as any students with actual problems would be too out of it to notice) in the academy infirmary, unsure of how she got there or if what she had just experienced had actually taken place.
There was no one about to ask and questioning Natsuki about it later would no doubt cause no small amount of awkwardness in their already terribly casual realtionship, should it have all proved to be just a dream after all.
Taking stock of her physical condition, Shizuru determined that she had sustained no serious injuries and thought it best to be getting home, since it seemed to already be quite late (and no Natsuki in sight).
"Just a dream..." Shizuru told herself sadly as she gracefully hopped down from the bed and made her way to the infirmary door.
"Just a dream..."