Hooray for speedy updates. I'm sucking all of the creativity out of myself before it disappears and then I don't write anything for another month.

Also, inspiration for this chapter - "Find a Way" by Safetysuit. Such a fitting song.

Don't own shit.

Uneasy Hearts Weight the Most

Chapter 3 - Find a Way

Hold on, what's the rush, what's the rush,

we're not done are we?

Cause I don't need to change this atmosphere we've made,

If you can stay one more hour, can you stay one more hour?

"To be honest, I think I'd rather not be seen around you for a little while. Or ever." Mai protested loudly as she called over the volume of the music beating through the house. Her wrist was again being tugged by a familiarly enthusiastic Natsuki Kuga, passing through each clump of people and seeming to ignore any and all who either tried to get her attention or draw it to them.

"Hey now, I need to repay you for the trouble I've caused, so I won't have any excuses. We're gonna have a great night, you'll see." Natsuki had determination in her voice, her eyes locked forward with that strong smile. Mai however, could only gaze from side to side in skepticism. She didn't exactly like the idea of being tugged off by someone she had only just met. Surely they had gone through plenty in a matter of 12 hours or so, and she had some inclination to believe that Natsuki wouldn't think of doing anything, well, scandalous.

But can I really trust this girl? I'd have a mind to think she's being so calm and polite to try at getting in my pants later…and hah, I don't care HOW wasted I get, there's no way I'm sleeping with another girl, popular musician or not. Mai's eyes focused on the back of said musician's head, inwardly nodding to herself. Using her free hand as she was being guided all around the place - of which she really wasn't sure which part of the house she was in at this point - she pulled her phone from her pocket in case anyone had tried getting a hold of her. Several unmarked messages popped up, and her eyes widened. "Oh crap," she mumbled to herself, opening each message.

'where r u? gettin it on with kuga? ;D - Aoi'

Mai almost rolled her eyes so hard it hurt. Next message.

'Mai, you alright? Aoi told me you were busy becoming a groupie, hope that means you're having fun! -Akane'

Fucking really, Aoi?! Now gritting her teeth, she sighed loudly, opening the final message.

'Slut. - Nao'

"UUUUUGH." Mai exasperated as she stuffed her phone back into her jacket pocket, now stomping behind Natsuki. The raven-haired woman blinked and turned her head to the side to look back at the redhead. "Somethin' wrong?"

"Oh nothing," Mai began to answer casually, "My friends just think I'm sleeping around with band members, no big deal."

Natsuki blinked a few more times, before she exhibited a cheeky smile. "Hey now, you should only be so lucky. Plus, they should know by now a well-mannered, good little girl like you wouldn't dare lose their virginity before marriage?"

"Whoever said I was a virgin?!" Mai roared, shaking her arm violently and trying to take her wrist from Natsuki's grasp, who naturally, refused to comply. Then she thought for a moment, and her face wrinkled angrily. "And where the hell do you get off calling me a good girl?! You don't know me!"

"Let's just say I can tell these kinds of things…" Natsuki answered slowly, attempting to hide her grin as she faced forward and ignored Mai's struggling against her movement. They approached one of the large, carpeted staircases, the singer hoisting Mai with her as they ascended. There were several people scattered over the steps, either hitting their drinks or various paraphernalia, making out, or just plain passed out.

Mai had eventually calmed down with a wrinkled brow and a frown, and suddenly she felt even more uneasy as they took to the stairs. She didn't like the idea of being away from the main area of the party, not to mention she had no idea where the hell any of her friends were. So, this could either be another predicament, or she was just over-analyzing the situation and should just try to have a good time. She let her shoulders relax again.

Natsuki felt less resistance from the redhead behind her, and turned her head to the side a bit with a grin. They made it to the top of the stairs, and towards the left, going down the hall until Natsuki stopped at a door just slightly cracked open, with a few boisterous, feminine voices coming from inside. And once Natsuki stepped back, brought up her foot, and kicked the door wide open, Mai's eyes widened in surprise. What the hell? Not like this is her house, she can't just do crap like that!

"Hey, assholes!" Natsuki finally released Mai's wrist, throwing her arms up as she walked in the room with one of her wide, toothy smiles.

"Hey, bitch!" She was met with acknowledgement from another woman, taller with ashy colored hair and glasses. Mai recognized her, blinking in realization. Oh, the guitarist. The one Aoi is pretty much retarded over. Mai rolled her eyes slightly with a subtle grin.

The said guitarist met Natsuki's raised hands with her own, meeting in a double high-five. Smiling to each other, Natsuki stood up straight. "Oh yeah! Hey guys, I'd like ya to meet Mai. I've been showin' her around tonight." The singer stepped to the side, showing the redhead to the rest of the room. Inside were the rest of the band members that were on the stage earlier.

"Mai, this is Chie." Natsuki explained, and the tall girl sauntered closer with an alluring grin. She bent down, gently took Mai's hand in her own, and placed a kiss on the top of it. She looked up, grey eyes shimmering as she winked. "Pleasure's mine, miss Mai. Chie Harada, at your service."

As she stood up, Mai couldn't hold back the grin and blush that etched its way on her face. She rubbed the back of her neck. "Nice to meet you, Chie." Well, definitely better manners than this one at least.

As Chie grinned again, Natsuki rolled her eyes and waved her off. "Alright alright, I got other people to introduce. Over there," Natsuki pointed, "that's Midori, our bassist…who's already wasted it seems."

"Sccchhhhwasted, to you, sirmaam!" Midori, the vermillion beauty, waved a pointed finger every which way, a flask of southern comfort taking up the other hand. She just laid back against the large bed she sat on, back against the frame. She then turned her sluggish attention to Mai, raising her bottle. "Oy, pretty lady." she winked to the redhead as well.

"Eheh, hey." Mai waved slightly, laughing nervously. What the hell, are they all womanizers?

"And this one over here is Mikoto." Natsuki addressed the final member of the room, who had been nonchalantly stuffing her face with a bag of cookies on the other side of the bed. Looking up and blinking her intense golden eyes, which seemed a bit hazy, she exhibited a wide grin and waved, crumbs aligning her lips. "Hiya there, Mai!"

Watching what looked like the youngest girl of the bunch, Mai again felt a warmness in her cheeks as she smiled genuinely. "Hello, Mikoto."

The girl in turn laughed lightly, smiling even more. When suddenly, the bag in her hands disappeared, and she gasped in surprise, looking in her empty hands as if a murder just took place.

"Mikoto I swear to god, every time you get the munchies it's like feeding a fucking landfill." Chie scoffed as she held the almost empty bag at bay, shaking it to realize the danger of its low contents. Her eyes widened. "What the hell, they're almost gone already!"

"Eheeeh…" Mikoto rubbed her cheek sympathetically, until she was being tackled into the bed by the bespectacled guitarist who proceeded to beat her with a half empty bag of cookies.

"These! Were! Mine! You damn! Glutton!" Chie bantered as she continued her assault on the smaller girl, who was laughing uncontrollably at this point as she made an attempt to fend off each attack.

"Right, weeeellll…" With a lighthearted chuckle, Natsuki rubbed her neck and then turned to Mai, who had been intent on watching the playful display until Natsuki's voice broke her out of the daze she was in. Straightening up, her violet eyes fell on the singer, feeling her face slightly warm up in embarrassment." That drummer. Mikoto. She looks a bit younger than the others…

"So yeah, these are my bandmates, and my best friends. Welcome to the club!" With a smile, milky-skinned beauty sauntered over to the others, plopping herself down on the edge of the bed with the rest of her friends. This gave Mai the opportunity to actually look around the room. While the décor itself was nice, with a large bed, a couple lounge chairs, and a wall-mounted television, there were already cups piling up on the dresser and nightstand, some on the floor, and out in plain view was a bong about 2 feet in height beside the bed.

I kinda had a feeling it smelled funny in here. Mai eyed the impressive glassware a bit warily. Well, it was beautiful looking, despite the purpose it was used for. It had bright aquamarine splotches mixed in with blue and purple swirls circulating all through the glass. And from the looks of the lethargic Mikoto grinning endlessly on the bed as Chie continued chastising her, she figured she had put two and two together.

They all, well…remind me of my friends. Mai thought to herself, taking in the scene as Natsuki was now trying to pry the alcohol from Midori's hand, who was completely refusing as she held it away from the whining singer. At some point Chie had left Mikoto alone, just long enough to appear beside Mai, a sly grin on her face.

"So uh, Mai." She asked coolly.

The redhead whipped her head around. "Y-yes?" She answered nervously. The guitarist's tone was a little…dubious.

"Where's that friend of yours? Y'know, the one you were givin' the crowd a show with earlier." She grinned once she saw that Mai's face heated up in an adorable way.

"Sh-she's here, somewhere at least. Why are you asking exactly?" Mai turned her head slowly back to Natsuki, watching the continuous antics.

"Oh, no reason." Chie gazed up innocently, causing Mai to roll her eyes.

"As if. Look," and then the busty woman turned on her heel to face Chie, who looked down in slightly surprise at the sudden movement. She was looking into very serious violet eyes. "I don't need you trying to sweep my best friend off her feet, so that you can break her heart the next day. You touch my friend, you're answering to me." She then prodded a finger into Chie's chest, who at this point was actually rendered speechless.

Natsuki turned her head when she heard Mai's sudden outburst, disregarding the alcohol and flailing Midori for a moment to admire Mai. Slowly, a wide grin plastered on her face, as her emerald eyes sparkled. It's so weird. One minute she's so conservative, so shy and unsure…and the next, she'll slap you across the face, or she'll start poking you in the chest and threatening you. Natsuki couldn't keep herself from smiling so much that her teeth showed against her lips. What is it about this girl that feels so familiar…

Chie, still being held up by the now interrogating Mai, raised her arms in defense with a bewildered grin. "Hey, come on now, what would give you that idea?"

"Oh please." Mai rolled her eyes. "You expect me to believe you're part of such a well-known band that you don't have girls crawling all over you guys?"

With a sheepish smile, Chie scratched her cheek. "Uh, well, I mean, yeah. We do. But, we don't take advantage of any of em', promise!"

"Uh, yeah, we don't." Midori sluggishly chimed in, waving the bottle again as she hiccup/burped. "But you're like a wild animal during mating season. Like, all four seasons."

"Wh-what the hell, Midori! You're on my side!" Chie exasperated as she turned to glare at Midori, who only grinned wide and eventually began to cackle, rolling on her side in laughter.

Mai couldn't help but giggle madly. She sighed afterward and looked up. "I'll introduce you to her later. But remember. No funny business." She pointed an accusing finger at the guitarist, who nodded her head and grinned sheepishly.

"Right right, zero business of the humorous persuasion, Your Highness."

And Mai just couldn't help but laugh again, which in turn made the others in the room laugh with her. Chie then turned to look at Natsuki with a wide grin. "Hey, quite the catch you've got here. I like her spunk."

Realizing Chie had meant her, Mai instantly blushed softly, standing up straight but averting her eyes to the ground. The bluenette raised a brow, that casually lazy smile returning to her face as she leaned up off the bed and walked towards her.

"Well, she can be a pain sometimes." Natsuki brushed her fingers swiftly over her healing cheek. "But when you warm to her, she's not all that bad." And she laughed heartily when she received a punch in the bicep, grunting as she rubbed her arm. "What was that for?" She feigned a look of hurt.

"For being…you." Mai simply smirked, the color still alive in her face as she looked the other woman in the eyes. When Natsuki looked back, her expression changed into a deeper one, matching those amethyst orbs with equal admiration.

It's like every time she looks at me with that smile…Mai took in the subtle glimmer of light in Natsuki's eyes. She could feel her pulse suddenly bump up in pace. It's like she's seeing right through me.

They remained that way, just gazing at each other, until Chie's loud cough caused them both to jump slightly and turn to look in her direction.

Chie looked between both Mai and Natsuki a second, before raising her hands in the air. "…Party?"

"…PARTY!" Natsuki leaped in the air, hands held high as she leaped around the room in excitement, shoving both Midori and Mikoto off of the bed and toward the door. Midori nearly stumbled onto her face, while Mikoto just blinked a few times, before grinning and casually motioning towards the door with a lazy fist in the air. "Wooooo."

"Alright guys, here's the mission." Natsuki returned back beside Chie, pulling her forward as they all huddled, Midori and Mikoto following suit. Mai blinked curiously, slightly anxious for whatever Natsuki was trying to pull.

"So, tonight, we're gonna show this pretty girl how to have a good time, right?"

"Right!" The rest of the group chanted in unison. With that they all stood, rose their hands, and brought them all together in the center before separating, bursting out into laughter. Natsuki then threw her arm around Mai's shoulders, who squeaked in turn, and the musician pointed towards the door.

"Onward, soldiers!"

With that, the crew of Orchestra of Wolves busted through the door, cheering and hollering, Mai being dragged along in Natsuki's arm. She felt a nervousness in her body, a pulling feeling of uncertainty and regret. Then suddenly as they were running down the hallway, Natsuki stopped them, turning sharply around to force Mai to face her. The redhead froze, eyes locked onto the bright emeralds that she just couldn't make herself look away from.

"I'll protect you, okay?"

Mai audibly gasped. She felt her chest bounce hard, like her heart had skipped a beat.

She kept looking at Natsuki, feeling the heat once again rush to her face. The raven-haired woman's expectant gaze made Mai feel something strange. Something she'd never felt before.

Coming back to reality, the redhead looked down to see that Natsuki had taken both her hands in her own. She looked back up, not even bothered by the color she felt in her face.

"…Mai?" Natsuki spoke softly, confused as she watched the redhead shoot up to look at her, as if she were snapped out of a trance.

She couldn't understand why, but she trusted the hands that were holding hers. "..O..okay."

At that, Natsuki's lips pulled a magnificent, toothy smile. And Mai couldn't help but smile back, feeling a wide grin that almost matched the singer's. As Natsuki took Mai's hand, the redhead laughed as she was pulled again, running through the hallway. Then she remembered something she recalled Natsuki telling her earlier that night.

And if it weren't for that single encounter, we wouldn't be here right now.

Mai could be sure, that if she hadn't had her first kiss stolen, and slapped this girl in the face, she really wouldn't be here right now. And something that she felt inside told her that this is what she wanted. To be there, right now, with this strange girl, Natsuki Kuga.

So they ran into the night, and Mai really had no idea what she had waiting ahead of her.

I trust her…I don't know why. But I do.

The orange glow of the rising sun seeped into a quiet purple sky, and the trees rustled softly in the breeze that greeted the morning. Descending to the ground below, yards of houses lining the street were covered in people, face down in the grass, cups and beer cans and trash askew all over the place. On the hill at the end of the road, the sunshine peered into the cracked window blinds. Beams of sunlight reigned down warmly over the deadly quiet house. Well, save for the low humming of a stereo still playing music somewhere inside.

A warm ray of light glared down on Mai's face, causing her expression to twist as she groaned, turning onto her side in order to avoid the sun. She nestled herself against the warm, thing, that she was nestled comfortably against. Whatever she was cuddling against smelled nice, which made her further nuzzle up against it and wrap her arms around it. Naturally she thought it was a long body pillow she managed to acquire last night. But once the sunlight managed to fall over her face again, she sighed and grunted again, her eyes blinking open with difficulty.

Wow, my head hurts… She complained inwardly as she realized the dull throbbing in her head. With another sigh, she groaned and began to slowly sit up. Her limbs felt like they each weighed a hundred pounds, and her vision was a little blurry as she tried to cover her face from the light and take in her surroundings.

When she was able to better make out her vision, she blinked. Oh yeah. As she remembered that she had spent the night at the after party. All over the place were people, still passed out or just waking up, and trash just about everywhere. She rubbed one of her temples with her fingers, when she realized that something felt funny. Taking her hand away to look at it, she blinked in shock as a crusty, blue color was now on her fingers.

"…Paint?" She questioned quietly to herself. Then her stomach suddenly sank.

She could not remember absolutely anything from last night.

"Dear god…" She let out a loud, drawn-out sigh, not even bothering to look at her phone to check the time. She was too busy being startled when there was sudden shifting and grumbling beside her. Looking down, Mai just froze completely, as the one grumbling slowly blinked their weary eyes open. Tired, hazy emerald met equally tired but surprised violet. Natsuki grinned sleepily up at the redhead.

"Mm..mornin'." Came out the hoarse greeting. That low, raspy tone Made Mai heat up quickly, for what reason she had no idea. Seeing the girl's reaction, Natsuki chuckled sluggishly, letting herself begin to sit up when she suddenly had to put a hand to her head with a groan, "Oi, there it is.." She managed to smile a little, pain still obvious in her expression. "Wasn't expecting anything less."

Watching Natsuki, Mai couldn't help but feel sympathetic as she saw the tiredness in her eyes. Though she supposed if she looked in a mirror she would probably look the same. Then when she suddenly heard stifled giggling, she looked up at Natsuki, furrowing her brow. "And what's so funny?" She demanded lowly.

"Y…your face." Natsuki chuckled a little more, smiling at Mai as she pointed to one of her cheeks. Eyes widening, the redhead suddenly began scanning all around her for a reflective surface. She saw someone's blush case had been thrown on the ground, and she quickly picked it up to open the mirror. After a moment of staring, her expression was one of terror.

All over her face were silly drawings, done in light blue, green and yellow paint. There was a heart, someone made an eyeball on her forehead, and then "Natsuki was here!" on the side of her cheek.

She instantly snapped the mirror shut and shot a death glare down at the bluenette, who at this point, was on her side laughing so much that she was running out of breath. She didn't even stop as she fended off Mai who had been beating her relentlessly.

"It's not funny!"

"N-no! Merciless war maiden! Have mercy!" She managed to breathe between laughter as she held up her hands, until Mai just huffed softly. But when Natsuki composed herself and looked up, she saw that the redhead was just looking down at her, a tired grin on her face. The raven-haired beauty couldn't help but smile back.

"Let's get cleaned up, huh?" Mai then sat up, slowly getting used to gravity. She had the feeling it wasn't going to be her best of friends today. She leaned forward a bit, holding her hand out.

Natsuki blinked softly, before she grinned wide, taking the offered hand, and lifting herself. She got to her feet, looking at Mai a moment, taking the opportunity to realize just how soft the redhead's hand felt against her own; It wasn't sweaty at all.

Mai looked into those sleepy green eyes, a little too long, and at realizing this she took her hand away, looking down and feeling her face warm up. She heard Natsuki laugh, which caused her to discretely smile. Mai looked down, and saw they had been sleeping on a bunch of couch cushions piled on the floor. But she noticed there were no pillows.

No body pillows.

In slow realization, her violet eyes dilated, once again feeling her face flush. So, I was…

"By the way, was I comfy?" When Mai's head shot up like a deer in headlights, Natsuki couldn't help but wink.

"…I…IDIOT!" A loud smack resonated in the room followed by Natsuki's yelp of pain as Mai stormed off toward the bathroom.

"Ggggooood, woman, I already have a throbbing hangover!" Natsuki groaned, rubbing the throbbing part of her skull. Though watching Mai stomp off from her, the singer smiled slowly.

She's cute when she's flustered.

"Mai!"

Spinning her head around, she now faced Aoi who had yelled for her, leaning against the side of their car. Akane, Nao, and Kazuya, respectively, all looked just as spent as she had when she first woke up. Akane was leaning on a wary Kazuya, trying to stay awake, and Nao had her face in her arms over the side of the car. Aoi was leaning against the window, weakly smiling.

Smiling, Mai slowly walked over to the group, surprised at how she was beginning to feel better little by little. The cool morning air was probably a factor, since yesterday's rain took the heat with it. Other people, just as sluggish and zombie-like, were already pulling out and leaving the scene.

"Hey!" She walked up to her friends, taking in their sorry states, and couldn't help but smile wider. She looked back at Aoi. "So, did everyone have a good night?"

"Heeeell yeah!" Aoi raised her arm, immediately startled by the loud groan from behind her.

"For the love of christ stop yelling…I feel like I got run over by a bus filled with overweight diabetics." Nao grumbled as she turned her head to the side, a single eye lazily leering at the two girls.

Aoi laughed as quietly as possible and patted the girl lightly on the shoulder. "Now now…Nao." Mai giggled, Aoi smirked, and Nao intensified her single-eyed leering. "We'll take an easy trip home, stop for breakfast, get home and sleep the hangovers away, got it?"

"Yeah yeah…" The other redhead sighed as she dragged herself off of the car and pulled the door open, slumping inside the passenger seat. Aoi shook her head, before smiling back at Mai. "So, ready to go?"

Mai was just about to open her mouth, when she stopped suddenly. She then began to look around almost frantically, feeling a strange sense of anxiety when the person she was looking for was nowhere to be seen.

"Looking for someone?" Aoi quirked a brow. Then suddenly, she broke out into a cheeky grin. "Oh yeah, how was last night with Kuuugaa- Ouch." She rubbed at the side of her head Mai had swiftly whacked. "Cmon, I already have a hangover, AND I have to drive."

The redhead did blush a bit, but was still determined in trying to spot a head of cobalt hair. Or even one of the other band members she recognized. But none of them were to be found. She wanted to turn around and give up, but something was planting her there, almost forcing her to keep looking, to keep waiting.

Why isn't she here? Where did she go? …And why do I care? She shook her head, turning around to face Aoi. She just wanted a girl to flirt with for the night. I was that girl, no big deal. It's not like she'll care if she ever sees me again.

She made a vague nod to Aoi, motioning near the car as the brunette sauntered around toward the driver's side of the car. Mai turned her head slightly, looking back with a final, hopeful glance.

Though…it would be nice to atleast say goodbye…

"Mai!"

Mai's head shot up completely, jerking into the direction she heard her name. Violet locked onto emerald, as Natsuki came running over, panting as she leaned over, trying to catch her breath in front of the girl.

"Th-there you are…" She grinned and stood up, a little winded. "I couldn't find you after I helped Midori onto the tour bus."

Mai was still frozen there, looking at Natsuki with such a weird feeling in her stomach. After she noticed the bluenette's confused expression, she shook her head, laughing sheepishly. "Sorry…I was trying to find this bunch over here." She thumbed to the car, the occupants inside giving little waves.

Natsuki grinned at them softly, causing a series of swoons, to which Mai rolled her eyes at. The singer then looked up at Mai, a sudden seriousness in her face. The redhead noticed, suddenly feeling nervous.

"So…" Natsuki began, more quietly than usual, with a seemingly forced smile. "You're outta here, huh?"

The way Natsuki sounded, almost seemed…let down. And for some outrageous reason, Mai just wanted to blurt out 'no'. But she realized how ridiculous she was sounding. I mean, she knew I had to leave at some point, right? It's not like we could be…friends or anything. She's a popular musician who travels all over the place, and has girls all over her, and I'm just …me.

"Well…yeah. We don't live around here. It's a two hour trip." Mai smiled sympathetically. She watched as Natsuki gazed at her a moment in uncertainty. Mai couldn't help but think of puppy being abandoned by their owner in the middle of a field. This weird stir of emotions she was feeling, almost feeling like Natsuki's sudden melancholy was…her fault.

She felt how sweaty her palms were, how nervous and angry she was. What is going on with me…? I mean, I get this girl thinks I'm a good kisser and everything, but…

"…I mean, I could subscribe to your band's website…and send you emails and stuff…" Mai began to speak, trying desperately to find some sort of medium in this confliction. She could practically feel how intently her friends were watching from inside the car. Aoi in particular with her face scrunched into the windshield.

This is all so…surreal. Is she…really that torn about me leaving her?

But when Natsuki suddenly lifted her head up, a smile drawn brilliantly on her face, no one could have been prepared for just what the singing beauty was about to propose. Hopeful emerald caught violet in such a vice that Mai had to stand in silence, just to take in the shine in those eyes.

"…Natsuki? What are y-"

"Take me with you."

Hold on, I'll be here when it's all done you know.

Cause what's the point in chasing if I can't enjoy your face?

And we can't be wrong tonight.

Can we be wrong tonight?