AN: Welcome to the next installment of this little tale, however since FF has been getting strict on their publishings and ratings, I fear I may not be able to post the next chapter here. This story may wind up on adultFF since it does get a little juicier in the next chapter, which may or may not be the final chapter to this story. I haven't quite decided yet, as it depends entirely upon my muses which aren't very active anymore. Gomen. Anywho, thank you to the followers and tres bien reviews, bon appetit~.
Truthfully, the shower did nothing to quell her thoughts if anything it just strained her mind enough to where she was left feeling drained. She ceased rubbing the towel against her wet hair and threw it into the laundry on her way out of the bathroom and back to her bedroom. Natsuki paused at the end of her bed, eyes falling on the lit screen of her phone. Her heart began to race, a missed call and a voicemail- Shizuru? She paused in her thoughts. No, it probably wasn't her... She hasn't returned any of my messages before, so what would make this time any different? It's probably just Mai. Emerald hues stared at the light on her phone, inwardly deciding whether or not to check the message and risk the disappointment. Head shook, causing the damp raven strands to tickle the exposed skin around her tank top. The phone was just left abandoned. Natsuki choosing to flop ungraciously upon her bed, arms curling around the pillow a few minutes before she drifted into unconsciousness.
"Na-tsu-ki~." Everything was a bit hazy, but there was definitely a hand upon her shoulder and something being whispered into her ear. It sounded like Shizuru, but it couldn't be real. The Kyoto woman hadn't answered any of her messages. A dream, that's it! She had to be dreaming, and even her subconscious was beginning to torture her with Shizuru now. Her mind, so cruel of a thing to torture her even during sleep. If it were a dream, she may as well follow through and see what tricks her mind decided to play.
Emerald eyes turned to face where the source of the voice was, lids opening more to take in the sight of a caramel-haired woman sitting on her knees just to her side. Brows furrowed. "Shizuru...?" A hand reached out to caress the skirted thigh, there certainly was a realistic solidity to this dream. Natsuki sat up and moved her hand to cup Shizuru's cheek.
The other woman smiled and nuzzled into the palm against her cheek. Natsuki trailed her thumb across Shizuru's cheekbone, then leaned in to press her lips against the other's lightly before deepening the kiss. The brunette pulled away, a smile upon her lips. "Ara, Natsuki must have really missed me..." Instead of responding, Natsuki buried her head in the crook of Shizuru's neck and nuzzled, reveling in feel and scent of this woman. Shizuru wrapped her arms around the other girl and held her close, even stealing moments to stroke her fingers through the blue tresses.
The blunette trailed her tongue in circles on one spot of Shizuru's neck, even this dream tasted real. "This dream feels so real..." She whispered this against the other woman's skin, her face still buried into it as to not miss a single ounce of her fragrance.
The crimson-eyed female blinked, amusement taking over her features. Shizuru pulled Natsuki away from her body to look into those deep Emerald hues. "Natsuki, do you really think this is a dream?" One of her own hands reaching up to hold Natsuki's chin, to keep her gaze on her own so she could watch all of the emotions war on the raven-haired girl's face.
It stunned Natsuki for a moment, this wasn't a dream? Shizuru was actually here? The lack of assuredness shown in her eyes before it finally came to a realization that this was truly reality. Natsuki's eyes clouded over with the threatening mist of tears, as she went against Shizuru's hand and buried her head against the crook of her neck. "Where were you, Shizuru?"
"Kannin na, Natsuki. I attempted to call earlier, but I only managed your voice mail. There wasn't any service where I went, so I couldn't receive or send any messages or calls." Kyoto woman stroked the blunette tresses soothingly, her cheek resting atop Natsuki's head. "You did not do anything to upset me, do not worry."
Natsuki pulled herself away and looked at Shizuru, an arm wiping away the light mist forming in her eyes. It did bother her that Shizuru left unannounced, and without giving a reason like she normally did when she had to go somewhere. Mainly, it worried her that she had said or did something to upset the other woman without realizing. She had that habit of saying things without realizing it at that time, then constantly thinking it over if things were off-canter. "Then why did you leave without telling me?"
A soft smile adorned Shizuru's lips. "It is now the early morning of Natsuki's birthday, is it not?" It had taken her a little while to arrive at Natsuki's apartment, and was half-passed eleven when she snuck onto the bed. Natsuki's alarm clock announced it was a few minutes after midnight now.
She watched Natsuki look over her own shoulder at the clock to verify it was technically after midnight. "I guess it is, but what's your point, Shizuru?"
Shizuru's lips pursed in a faux frown. "You don't know why I left? Ikezu... I went to find Natsuki a memorable birthday gift since this is a new point in Natsuki's life." She laughed at the horrid shock of possibly verbally hurting Shizuru on Natsuki's face. That girl was easy to lure into a tease.
"Baka..." Natsuki crossed her arms over her chest and looked away from Shizuru. "You know it isn't necessary to get me anything. A birthday is just another day, and it's fine if we just spend it with each other- nothing fancy."