Author's note: Erm..i got lazy, so italics are Natsuki's thoughts.

Disclaimer: ugh I don't own Mai-otome/ hime


Chapter 3: Vampire-chan!?

I don't think I have ever seen such beauty in a mortal, she resembles what any vampire wishes and yearns for every night. I think I love her eyes, thought Natsuki still amazed by the chestnut haired witch.

"I believe is rude to just stare at someone and not say something, Mistress Kruger." Shizuru said, smiling politely.

God…I think…I can't believe…I think…she has already got me.

"My apologies," Natsuki bowed, "but if I knew that Mashiro-san's Himes were so beautiful, I will have hosted the party even sooner."

"I hope you enjoy yourselves, Kruger-san" the vampire looked curiously at Mashiro's warning look, "and that you don't do anything I wouldn't." with that Fumi and Mashiro left.

"My name is Shizuru, Shizuru Viola the bewitching amethyst."

"Master Vampire Natsuki Kruger, at your service Viola-san."

Who knows how long did both of them gazed each other, but one thing was for sure: they didn't care. Once the musicians started their soft playing, Natsuki held her hand out.

"May I have this dance, Viola-san?" the raven-haired girl asked in a very gentlewoman form, with a slight bow.

"Of Course, Kruger-san…"

They danced gracefully as some guests stared in surprise, jealousy and respect. However any witch or vampire in the room could see and feel the aura emitting from those two, a pure one succumbing to the darkness. Haruka and Yukino danced next to them, like a blissfully couple. Soon, others accompany them, but for Natsuki and Shizuru, there was no one but themselves.

"I didn't know that the Himes were so beautiful, Viola-san." Natsuki complimented and trying to tease her companion.

"Well, we are really just 6 Himes," Shizuru noticed the meaning behind the Master vampire words. She leaned her head near Natsuki's right ear and whispered huskily, "And it's just Shizuru, Mistress Kruger." She blew in the vampire's ear slightly and smiled at Natsuki's faint blush.

Oh…sweet…merciful…god…I can't believe there is someone besides my Sire who is capable of such teasing tactics…really, Shizuru…I will be really delighted to have you.

"You are really impressive," Natsuki made Shizuru turn around then she embraced her from behind, one arm wrapped around the witch's waist while the other hold arm hold Shizuru's hands. Natsuki leaned on her companion and mimicked what she had just done to herself "Shizuru…" this time it was the chestnut haired who blushed.

After some flirts and more dancing, they walked out. Natsuki guided Shizuru to the highest tower of her castle. A small garden of red roses surrounded every inch of the terrace of it. There was a little fountain in front of them. Shizuru, mesmerized of such view, ignored her vampire companion movements.

"Quiet a view, huh?" asked Natsuki, who had sat on the floor looking lovely at the sky.

"Yes, very beautiful." Shizuru sat next to the vampire and then decided to tease her, "I most say that Kruger-san looks very stunning in such pose."

"I…I…thank you." Natsuki looked away, blushing again. Then she smiled lovely, "Call me Natsuki...its fine for me."

"Ok, Na-tsu-ki…"

The two of them gazed at the sky, a comfortable silence between them. After a half of hour of some teasing, flirting and blushes, they went back to the party. Soft whispers were heard around them once they came back. They ignored it but something caught Natsuki's curiosity as she walked over an light red haired.

"Hime-chan!?" the vampire asked astonish at the realization of who the young woman was.

"Vampire-chan!?"

A younger Mai ran through out the dense forest. Tears were falling from her face as she ran blindly and deeper into the forest. Finally tired, she sat under a willow tree, her quiet cries could be heard almost everywhere in the usual silent place. Unexpectedly, something wet licked her little hand. She looked up at the playful silver wolf that was licking her face.

"Hey, stop it" she tried, "you getting me all drool up." At some point it stopped and stared blankly at the girl, "I wish I could play with you, but I really don't have the time…" remembering her reason for blindly running, she cried again and didn't notice another figure walking over her.

A raven-haired girl, her pale face revealing what she truly was, walked quietly toward the crying girl, who ignored the fact that the wolf was no longer by her side. Petting the animal and ordering him to leave, she kneeled in front of Mai.

"Why do you cry, Hime-chan?" she asked, "Someone as cute as you, shouldn't cry…it doesn't suit you."

"I-I…" Mai tried without available as new fresh tears fell from her face.

Seeing this, the stranger embraced the girl tightly feeling sympathy for her. For a good time, they stayed like that, the vampire trying to calm the little girl while Mai cried her heart out.

"I'm sorry…I didn't meant to cry over a stranger." Mai whispered quietly.

"It's ok, I can understand…somehow," Finally letting the girl out of her embrace as both of them sat next to each other, "You must be in real pain, if you cry like that."

"I…I…yes."

"Crying is good sometimes, I won't ask you to tell me what happen," the vampire stood up and looked down at Mai, "but if you have a friend out there, let them help you…friends…they can help you a lot." She then walked away.

"Wait! I don't even know your name! You helped me at least let me thank you!" she pleaded, taking one of the stranger's arm.

"If I did so…you wouldn't want to see me again…" receiving a stubborn look, she continue, "I'm a creature of night, I don't die…I'm soulless…I'm a vampire."

"Thank you and goodbye, vampire-chan." Mai said with a bright smile as she watched Natsuki and Duran disappearing into the forest.

"I never knew –" before Natsuki could finish her sentence Mai launched on her, giving a tightly hug.

"Baka! I tried to find you so many times and you were hiding in this stupid castle!?" Mai accused, "so many times…so many times I wanted to thank you for all you did for me and now I found out you are here, you are completely idito…"

"Ha, ha…princess-chan, I did visit you a few times, I was just hiding behind some trees."

"I still can't believe you are really a vampire…you haven't even age."

"Immortal now. Besides, I will never in my undead life realize that you were a witch."

"Uh huh. Number two Hime, Mai Tokiha reporting."

"This feels awkward…Master Vampire, Natsuki Kruger."

Even smiling, Shizuru watched jealously at how the two girls talked so casually. Feeling eyes on her, Natsuki noticed she had almost forgotten about her chestnut haired friend.

"Such a bad host, ain't I?" Natsuki bowed in apologize, "Forgive my rudeness Shizuru but I suppose you wish an explanation?"

"If you will?"

The three stood there, laughing and merely chatting till the busty redhead had to leave. Then Natsuki took Shizuru's hand and both of them walked out of the castle, past the lake and into a forest. Shizuru followed her vampire companion till they stood in front of ice-y doors with bats and wolves carved on it.

"This is my secret place, Shizuru." Natsuki whispered quietly as the doors opened itself for both of them.

Inside, everything was made of ice. Even the smallest detail of what seemed to be a casual inside of a living room. Shizuru walked around, staring speechless and carelessly touching the walls, chairs and desk. Once she stopped she felt a cold shiver, but it soon disappeared as Natsuki put her coat on Shizuru.

"I hope you aren't that cold, for I wish to ask you something." The raven haired vampire said as she sat on the cold couch, "it might look cold, but the couch it's kind of warm, so please sit down."

"Are you going to try seducing me now, Natsuki?" Shizuru teased once she sat next to her vampire companion.

"Even if I wish to, it will make it quite hard." she stated and gazed at the crimsons eyes.

Is now or never. BE BRAVE. COME ON! SAY SOMETHING ARGH.

"Is that so? Does Natsuki doesn't find me seductively?" the chestnuts haired girl faked a cry, making the vampire panic.

"No! absolutely not! You are so beautiful and stunning! I was even about to ask you to a date!" Natsuki blurted out, realizing her mistake, she looked away and blushed like a tomato.

"Oh my, that's so sweet of you."

Shit…really this woman…I knew something was off with her name ARGH. Why couldn't I be smarter or faster!? I was suppose to act all cool and ask her date so SHE WILL BLUSH. DAMN IT! She is worst than Sire. Grrr.

"So, where is my cute little vampire taking out to?"

"I-I well…I was thinking to take you…to…" think! You ask her to a date and you didn't even think about the details!? God I'm such a idiot!, "well I was thinking about a night walk after a pleasurable dinner in my castle?"

"Natsuki is such a romantic, of course I will go with you." Shizuru smiled in delight as Natsuki blushed even more.

I'm suppose to be dead…why can she make me blush even when I'm dead!? God…you will pay for this one little witch and I just know how.

By the time they were back at the castle, the party was almost over. Shizuru and the other witches along the respective werewolves said their goodbyes and left.

"It almost pains me for you to go, but I hope you will come as soon as dawn sets?" Natsuki asked hopefully.

"Of course I will," Shizuru leaned toward Natsuki and kissed her nose softly, "I will be thinking of it all day, till then. Vampire-chan."

"Shizuru!" the vampire was blushing furiously once again.

God…I think I'm in trouble…better yet I think I got to stop the damn blushing.

Shizuru smiled all the way back to her room unaware of what Natsuki had done for all the blushing she had provoked to the vampire. A small gasp was all the sound Shizuru made that night, watching in amazement as millions of flowers surrounded her room. Hydrangeas, Statice, orchids, tulips, and violets adorned her room. In front of all, on a small table lay a little bouquet of Iris. Shizuru walked over and notice the little letter.

I long and yearn for you every moment, Shizuru

Yours, vampire-chan


OMAKE:

Nao: hey Kruger, what did you give that little witch?

Natsuki: hmmm, flowers --holding a yellow camellia--

Yukino: 300 to be exact --staring at the bill--

Nao: ARE YOU NUTS?!

Natsuki: go to google and find out the meaning of the flowers, then ask me again.

Raine-chan: hmmm --stares at reply buttom-- --Natsuki smaks Raine-chan head-- OUCH!

Natsuki: BAKA! That's why almost no one reviewed you! Idiot! You didn't thank them personally for taking their time to review your story!

Raine-chan: BUT BUT I JUST NOTICE THAT DAMN BUTTOM –-cries--

Everyone: -sweatdrops- she got issues

Raine-chan: --sticks tongue-- meanies.


Hehe, I got something for flowers right now. Who knew there were so many meanings for it? O.O anyway I thx Volk, Azn-anime, and kuriri. Between, kuriri, I know it's short but I had to add some suspence, I hope this chp. is long enough for your likening. REVIEWS REVIEWS I LOVE YOUR REVIEWS o.O even story alerts are welcoming, since I know you like my story. PillowQueen, chelein, and wakamama ty very much even if it's a little late, your alerts help know ppl like my fic. SO PLZ REVIEWS REVIEWS YOU CAN always say if its bad or good , I just want to know what you think about my fic. feels dangers…wonder why? O.O