Fall is almost on the way :D Can't wait to get back into the jackets. Rated M for language, scenes not suited for immature readers, and religion bashing (no offense to anyone)
Hope you enjoy. R&R please. Thank you for reading
-Danzai13
Many of us crucify ourselves between two thieves - regret for the past and fear of the future
-Fulton Osler
Outside the Closet
"Mmm...this tea taste good. Either that or maybe your tea habits are finally rubbing off on me." Natsuki said after sipping her tea.
"Ara, I would hope I brew good tea. I have been making you tea for almost 33 years...or is it 32 years? It seems my memory is slipping from me again." I smiled.
"Either way, your still older than me." She smiled.
"Only by a year." I brushed off her comment.
"Yeah...are we really that old?" Natsuki asked.
"Afraid so my dear." I took a sip of my tea.
"Mmm...it...it feels a little strange."
"What does?"
"Well...sometimes I feel as if it was just yesterday I was just a kid. Then I took a nap and when I wake up I look up in the mirror and see this old woman staring back at me. Is that strange?"
"No...I feel that way sometimes as well." I sighed.
"Mmm...33 years...I think we might be getting old." Natsuki smiled.
"Maybe." I smiled back.
XXXX
"Wow, I think I see a train wreck coming soon in this story." Shizuka spoke.
"Indeed...not the best day either." Shizuru sighed.
"Why? Isn't that when you and mom started going out?" Shizuka asked.
"Kind of, that day kind of scared everyone. " Natsuki sighed.
"Huh? Why?" Shizuka raised an eyebrow.
"Your grandparents didn't know your mother's secret at the time." Natsuki responded.
"Oh, you were still in the closet? Even though you were dating that girl?" Shizuka asked.
"Yes I was still in the closet, at least with my parents," Shizuru smiled for a moment, "There were so many times I wanted to tell them, but I didn't have the courage yet."
"Mmm, so when did you tell them?" Shizuka asked.
"Isn't this why we're telling the story? We'll get to that part." Shizuru smiled.
"So how did you escape from you clingy girlfriend?" Shizuka asked.
"Come on Speedy, this is our story. We're getting there," Natsuki said, "By the way, when is your boyfriend coming over?"
"He's not my boyfriend." Shizuka blushed.
"Ara, not yet at least." Shizuru winked.
"Luna save me."
A meow came from a cat who jumped from under the table to Shizuka's lap. The cat made herself comfortable on the teenagers lap and began to purr loudly when a gently hand began to stroke her midnight fur.
"Luna I think your the only one who loves me."
"What do you call being inside me for nine months?" Natsuki raised an eyebrow.
Suddenly the front door was heard opening and closing. All eyes turned to a girl with long, wavy raven hair and crimson colored eyes. Stepping closer to the table, the girl smiled at her family.
"Hey everyone, did you miss me?"
"Not too much." Shizuka rolled her eyes.
"Well I missed you too onee-chan."
"How was school and your meeting Hana?" Shizuru asked.
"It was okay, not much to talk about," Hana poured herself a cup of tea, "Art meeting went okay, I'm working on a painting."
"Still working on it?" Shizuka asked.
"Yup, by the way a little birdie told me that we'll be having a guest here for dinner." Hana smiled at Shizuka.
"Wha-Who told you that?" Shizuka blushed.
"Ara, onee-chan, sometimes you forget I'm kind of popular at school."
"What do you mean 'kind of popular'? Practically every guy in our school would kill to take you out on a date." Shizuka raised an eyebrow.
"Alas, those poor boys are barking up the wrong tree." Hana sighed.
"Hey! Who told you?" Shizuru repeated the question.
"I told you, a birdie." Hana smiled.
"Hana." Shizuka growled.
"Okay, okay, I overheard you asking him over here for dinner Saturday."
"So the dinner date is Saturday? I think we can set up most of the traps by then. What do you think Hana?" Natsuki asked.
"Affirmative captain." Hana gave a thumbs up sign.
"Mmmm...please don't embarrass me." Shizuka groaned.
"Ara, onee-chan. We're not being mean to you." Hana smiled.
"Mmm-hmm, we're just playfully teasing you." Shizuru smiled.
"Ikezu." Shizuka groaned.
"Huh, this kind of feels like some Kyoto tea party. Kind of feel left out." Natsuki noted her Kyoto-ben speaking girls.
"Ikezu." Shizuru winked.
"Ara, mom. Are we annoying you?" Hana smiled.
"Kanin na that you feel left out mom." Shizuka smiled.
"Where's my son when I need him to help me feel not left out?" Natsuki sighed.
"Haru's still at baseball practice." Hana reported.
"Ara, he's never around as much." Shizuru sighed.
"Well he does live in a house full of women. He needs a break now and then," Natsuki said, "We should have tried for another boy to kind of even the score."
"We can still try." Shizuru smiled.
"Yeah I don't like that idea, we probably would have ended up with another Kyoto speaking girl." Natsuki rolled her eyes.
"Aww, I was looking forward to having a cute little brother." Hana sighed.
"Trust me, its not all that great having a little brother," Shizuka smiled, "Especially when you also have a little sister."
"Ara, are you still mad because my boobs are bigger than yours?" Hana smirked.
"No, I like my small boobs." Shizuka argued.
"But didn't I see you drinking three glasses of milk this morning?" Hana giggled.
"So that's where all the milk is going. I was wondering who was drinking it so fast. My side of the genes again, sorry kiddo." Natsuki sighed.
"Mmm...so mother about that story, could you continue?" Shizuka changed the subject.
"Ara, now where was I?" Shizuru began to think.
"Huh, what story?" Hana asked.
"The story of how mom and mother became a couple." Shizuka responded.
"Ooh! This sounds exciting, continue please." Hana smiled.
"Hmm...where was I?" Shizuru asked.
"I think you and mom were about to meet again." Shizuka said.
"...Oh! Yes, it was that day..."
XXXX
"Shizuru good luck. I wish I could stay. I really do." Yukino looked worried.
"I know, okini," I smiled, "You better hurry or you'll be late for your test."
Yukino looked guilty as she waved goodbye and left me to face my problems on my own. I took a deep breath as I took my phone out and began to dial a number. Putting the speaker close to my ear, I felt my heart beat race with each dial sound ringing in my ear. I gulped as I heard the other phone pick up.
"Hey babe! What's up? You never call me at this hour."
"Um...well I figured we could get lunch real quick...and theressomethingIneedtotellyo u." I mumbled the last part of my sentence.
"Awww, your so sweet," I felt guilty pangs strike, "Okay, where are you?"
"I'm near the University, close to the psychology department."
"Okay I'm close by, I'll meet you there. Love you."
"Nnn-hhhh..." I muttered through my teeth before hanging up.
Oh this is not going to be easy. Maybe I should take her somewhere where there's not too many people. Well less people, there aren't many people here...still...
I sighed and sat on a bench as I began to plan how to break up with her. Mmmm...this isn't working? I'm seeing other people? Well technically no...stalking someone else...? I'm straight now? Damn...I have to do this but...
"Shizuru!"
I looked up and felt my soul quickly drain out of my soul. No...dear God NO!
I stood up and felt my mask fill up my face. Two arms wrapped themselves tightly around my back so much I could hardly breath.
"Zuru! I missed you so much."
"You look well Shizuru."
"Mother, father, what are you doing here?" I smiled.
"Ara, you don't remember? Your father and I were taking a trip, and here we are." My mother let me go.
"Oh...I didn't think you would get here so soon."
"Well your rother here was begging me to take her here so I had to obliged." My father smiled.
"Me begging? My dear I believe it was you who wanted to get here so quickly." My mother slightly glared at my father.
"Well since your here, why don't we go get lunch?" I asked.
"Excellent idea, I'm getting hungry." My father led me away from my mother.
"Hey come back here," My mother chased after us, "Zuru are you all right? You seem a little pale?"
"I'm fine mother, don't worry about me." I lied with a painted smile on my face.
"So where's a young, hip place you college kids like to hang out at?" My father asked.
"Well-"
"Ara Shin, we might embarrass Shizruru with our old appearance." My mother wrapped her arm around my father's arm.
"I don't know what your talking about. I'm not old." My father grinned.
"Husband, you are three years older than I."
I smiled at my parent's small teasing at each other. They've always been like that. I think that's what makes them the perfect couple. I want something like that...
"Shizuru!"
I felt my heart drop at the sound of my name.
XXXX
"Where you taking me Love-Stalker?" I swear I've been following this girl for 30 minutes now.
"Just a little bit farther. Why? Are you that anxious to see Fujino," Chie smiled at me, "And who are you calling Love-Stalker? What is it that your doing?"
"Shut it, I just want to tell the girl off." I reminded the girl.
"Yeah, yeah. Well if you want Fujino's heart, your gonna have to steal her."
"Huh?"
"Well she's in a relationship right now, but not a happy one for her. Her current girlfriend right now is pretty clingy."
"Mmm...she wants out?"
"Yup, she plans on breaking up with her today. Let's hope that goes well."
"Doubt it."
"Ah, here we are."
I looked around and saw we where near the psychology area. I didn't figure her a psychology major. You never know though.
"So...where is she?"
"Oh...well this is a surprising turn of events." Chie sighed.
"What? Where is she?"
"Over there with the parents." Chie pointed out to where Fujino was.
I looked for the area Chie was pointing in and finally saw her. There she is...long chestnut colored hair...I can barely see her crimson colored eyes from here. Along with her is a woman the same height as her and a man with black hair a few inches taller than her. I guess those are her parents.
"Seem like a happy family, huh?" Chie asked with a smile.
"Yeah...family..." I felt my hands tremble.
"Hey...you okay Kuga?"
"...I'm fine." I brushed her off.
"Yeah,yeah...oh shit."
"What?"
"Oh man, this is bad." Chie slightly bit her thumb.
"Why? What's wrong?"
"Remember I told you she was going to break up with her girlfriend?"
"Yeah."
"Well problem B is coming down the road over there." Chie pointed in another direction.
Seeing which way she pointed, I saw a girl with short green hair walking her way towards the psychology area. I raised an eyebrow at Chie's worrying.
"What about it? It's not like she's going to break up with her in front of her parents."
"Yeah that's not what she's worried about right now," Chie explained, "She's more worried about keeping that lock on her closet."
"...You mean her parent's don't know?" The light bulb in my head flashed on.
"Yup, and her girlfriend like to talk. A LOT."
XXXX
There's no way out...I felt those two arms wrap themselves around my waist, that head laying across my chest. I looked up for a moment to see a confused look on my parents face. For a moment, I just froze.
"Shizuru! I'm so happy to see you." She smiled up at me.
"Uh...yeah..."
"Um...Shizuru, who's your friend?" My mother asked.
"Um...she's-" I began.
"Friend?" She looked confused.
Oh no.
"Um, please to meet you. I'm Fujino Asuka, Shizuru's mother." My mother slightly bowed.
"Oh...Oh! You wanted me to meet your parents," My girlfriend smiled at me, "Shizuru you don't know what this means to me."
Before my parents could as anymore questions, she bowed down slightly towards them.
"It's so good to finally meet you. My name is Marguerite Tomoe."
"Um...well nice to meet you too." My father slightly smiled.
"Uh Tomoe-" I began.
"I can't tell you how much I've wanted to meet the two of you." Tomoe continued to smile.
"Well...uh...I can't say we've heard of you from Shizuru." Mother gave a small smile.
"Really? Well I guess Shizuru wanted to keep it a surprise."
"Tomoe!" I grabbed her arm, making her look at me.
"What? They don't-"
"No they don't." I gave her a stern look.
"Shizuru what's going on?" Mother gave me a stern look.
"Why...Why haven't you told them about us?" Tomoe looked hurt.
"I..." I can't...not yet...
"Tell us what Shizuru?" My father looked concerned.
"It's okay. I'll tell them." Tomoe smiled.
I began to panic and Tomoe turned to my parents.
"You see, Shizuru and I are-"
XXXX
I walked inside and was welcomed by the some kind of weird smell. I think is incense...or it could be all these damn lite up candles. Kind of cold in here too.
I looked around and saw rows and rows of wooden benches all facing the front of the church. Never been in one of these things but it's kind of creeping me out. I notice some people in the aisles on their knees praying. Even when I walked by they didn't turn from their closed hands. Okay...creepy scenario. What's really scaring me is this guy hanging in the center of everything. Weird...
"Can I help you child?"
I looked over to see a nun smiling, holding some beads on a sting in her hands. She wasn't old, but she looked older than that nun who took my cigarettes. Guess she can help my track down my stolen pack.
"Yeah I'm looking for a nun."
"We have many nuns here child," She chuckled, "Your going to have to be more specific."
"Um...well she has blue eyes..." That's all I really know. Didn't get to see what kind of hair cut she had.
"Hmm...come with me child. I sure you'll find her in the courtyard."
"You have a courtyard?"
"A small one, but yes we do." She smiled.
As I followed her to the back of the church, I couldn't help but feel freaked out with all of the paintings. All staring at me...feel like I'm being judged or something. Really creeping me out. When we got to the courtyard I swear I though the yard was filled with large penguins.
"Take your time. If you need help, ask any of the sisters here. God bless you."
"Whatever." I'm just here to get my cigarettes back.
As I walked by I noticed some of the nuns staring at me. No effect though, been stared at for a long time. Hmm...damn, you can hardly tell one nun from another with those dresses on. This is worse than those 'Where's Waldo' books.
"And what are you doing here child?" I heard a deep voice boom behind me.
I turned around and faced a tall, old woman with a mean look in her eyes. I felt a chill go down my spine for a moment, but I kept my cool. Taking a quick note, I noticed she was wearing something different than the other nuns. A big wooden cross was hanging around her neck.
"Just looking for someone."
"And who is this someone?"
"I don't know her name, but she has blue eyes."
"Why are you looking for one of our sisters?"
"Cause I'm here to get back my pack of cigarettes she took from me."
"Ah, she was scouting. When was this?"
"A couple of days ago."
"Hmm...come with me."
Now all the nuns were staring. Guess this old biddy calls the shots around here. Ha, the alpha penguin of them all. We left the courtyard and entered a long hallway with a bunch of door to the left of me. Stopping at a certain door, the woman opened the door and we entered inside. A nun was siting at a desk, writing and reading from a book. There's only one nun here...I found you!
"Sister Yukariko."
The nun turned away from her work and looked at us. Really short brown hair, pretty much a boy cut hair style. It suits her though, not too bad looking either. She smiled when she saw me. The other lady seemed to frown upon her smile.
"Fancy seeing you again." She continued to smile.
"Sister have you been smoking again?" The old lady asked.
"Well being a nun I can't lie. I might have had a few in the last couple of day." She chuckled.
"Sister! That is not the-"
"I know, I know. Please let me guide this child to the light, Mother Superior." She stood up and placed her hand on my shoulder.
"What?" I raised my eyebrow at her.
The old lady sighed but she nodded her head.
"Don't let me catch you getting into your old ways again."
"You and I both know that's not possible, Sister Maria." She seemed to be making fun of the old lady.
The old lady-well, Sister Maria rolled her eyes and walked out of the room. Sister Yukariko let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Wow, her head has really gotten big since she became Mother Superior."
"Hey." I began.
"Hey yourself. I'm almost surprised you came to find me." She smiled at me.
"Don't pull that crap. You know I would show up. Now give me back my cigarettes." I held out my hand.
"Oh yeah. Sorry about that, but I smoked them all." She chuckled and rubbed the back of her neck.
"What?"
"By the way, you smoke really cheap ass cigarettes," She smiled as she put her hand inside her dress "Save up and get some real cigarettes for me to steal."
Taking out a pack from her dress, she tossed them to me. Not sure where they were stored at, but these were the good kind of cigarettes.
"Hey...you knew I was coming here." I glared at her.
"How can you tell?" She asked.
"This pack hasn't even been opened. You tricked me here."
"You didn't have to come here."
"I had to get my cigarettes back."
"You could have forgot about them and gotten a new pack."
"That's not the point."
"Well then what's the point?"
"Ah..." Actually...I don't know. Why am I still here? I got what I came here for. I can leave.
"Aw well, allow me to reintroduce myself," She slightly bowed to me, "Name's Sanada Yukariko, or Sister Yukariko, or Sister or just plain Yukariko. Whichever you prefer to call me by."
"Yeah...uh, I'm a leave now."
"Okay, have fun." She turned to go back to her desk.
"Wha-...that's it?"
"Yup, unless you want to help me with this paper work."
"No, have fun by yourself." I smirked.
"Oh by the way I'd stay away from the streets you were at a couple of days ago."
I stopped in my track and turned my attention to her again. I wonder if she knows what I do for a living?
"And why should I?"
"That all-female gang that reigns that area is watching you."
"Gang? What gang?"
She chuckled as she flipped a page in her book. Okay now she's pissing me off.
"What's so funny?"
"You act tough, but definitely not street material."
"What? I've been robbing the streets for a long time. I know-"
"No you don't," She interrupted me, "If you were street smart, you'd know that your being watched."
"...Who's watching me?"
"The Night Iron gang reigns the streets in that area. Terrifying bunch of bitches, but not a very frightening name," She sighed, "Now a name like the Blood Monarchs sounds cooler."
"Night Iron gang...never heard of them. You're making this up." I rolled my eyes.
"Well they were checking you out after you stole that one guys money. My advice, get a job and stay away from that area."
"So you know what I do?"
"It's not that hard to tell. Especially since you still have that same look in your eyes."
I had a flash back moment to when I first met this Sister Yukariko. She did say something about my eyes...
I glared at her and her smile. What the hell does she know? She's just a goody-two shoe smoking nun. Nothing more, nothing less. I turned my back and began to walk out of the door.
"Leaving so soon?" She asked.
"I don't need you to tell me what to do."
"I wasn't telling you what to do. I was just giving you some advice. You don't have to take it."
"And I don't plan on it." I slammed to door behind me.
Stupid nun.
XXXX
"Hey Marguerite."
All eyes turned towards me. I tried to keep my breathing down. Practically sprinted down here and I barely made it. I took a quick glance at Fujino, she seemed relieved to see me interrupt the show. Guess I made it in time.
"Yeah?" Marguerite looked at me, almost in a glaring sort of way.
Oh great, now I got to make something up. Let's see...
"I need you to come with me."
"Why?"
Okay now which department does this girl belong to...what did that Love-Stalker tell me? Shit, can't remember.
"Well if you don't mind we have to-" Tomoe began.
"Dr. Ishida needs to speak with you about your upcoming project. Says its really urgent."
"...I'm sorry, but I have to go. It was nice meeting you." Tomoe turned to Fujino's parents and bowed to them.
"It was nice meeting you as well."
Great, she took the bait. I took a quick look at Fujino and saw color come back into her cheeks. Guess she's happy to avoid a dramatic scene. Tomoe walked towards me and I began to walk along side her. I've heard rumors about this nut-case. Really stubborn, selfish, and have heard stories of her infamous back-stabbing. Actually I don't think nut-case begins to describe her. How Fujino ended up with this bitch is beyond me. Must of been drunk at the time.
"Okay, so what do you want?" Tomoe asked.
"I told you. Dr.-"
"Actually her name is Mrs. Mori, not an official doctor yet," she interrupted me, "You're also in the wrong department. I'm in the math department, no the history one."
"...Okay so you got me. Then why did you leave."
"I wanted to know why your so interested in my girlfriend." She glared at me.
"Not interested, just...need to tell her something."
"And what would that be?"
"...Is it any of your business?"
"Well she is my girlfriend, so yeah it is my business."
"Well if you care so much about your girlfriend, then why the hell were you going to tell her parents that you two were going out?"
"Because we are and her parents should know that."
"Did you not see that scared look on her face," this girl is pissing me off, "Her parents don't know she's gay."
"Well so. Better to tell them know than later.'
"You don't what her parents could of done. You don't know whether they'll embrace her or kick her out in the streets."
"If they'd of kicked her out, I would be there to help pick her up."
"That's not the point Marguerite! The point is that's her secret and her secret only. She has to tell her parent, not some selfish brat who thinks of only herself."
She continued to glare at me, but I noticed she took a few steps back. Guess my voice volume and icy stare are doing the trick. I took a couple of deep breathes before letting down my icy stare. What the hell I'm I getting worked up for? It's not like she's my girlfriend...but she they only one who should tell her parents her secret. I looked at Tomoe, still glaring at me. I hardly know you Fujino but you deserve better than this waste of life.
Well if you want Fujino's heart, your gonna have to steal her.
I'm great at putting happy couples together. Believe me, you and that girl are a perfect pair
Great, that Love-Stalker is in my head. Still...
"Now piss off, I got things to take care of," I turned my back to her, "And if I see you around Fujino again, you're going to wish you never met her in the first place."
"Who the hell do you think you are to tell me I can't see Shizuru." Tomoe yelled at me.
Shizuru...so that's your first name...it suits you...
"You wanna know who I am?" I glared back at Tomoe.
She didn't answer, she backed away from my icy stare. I smirked at her, coward.
"My names Kuga Natsuki, and I'm stealing Fujino Shizuru away from you."
XXXX
"Okay so well practice some more tomorrow."
Damn, today was a work out. Guess I should start running more. Maybe mom will want to help me with some more catches. As I put my backpack on I felt a heavy weight come down on my shoulders.
"Kuga! Me and the guys are gonna go out, wanna come?" My best friend Gorou asked with that funny grin on his face.
"No I better get home. Don't want my parents to worry." I shrugged him off.
"Oh yeah, you mom's are gonna be so worried." He mocked me.
"Hey watch it man." I gave him a slight glare.
"Just kidding Haru. You sure though? I think Akemi is coming along."
"Really?"
"Yeah, come on this might be your chance to finally hook up with her," Gorou smiled, "I know you've had you eyes on her."
"Oh like with Michi." I grinned, know that was the girl he liked.
"Well fine, suit yourself. Go home Mama's Boy." He punched my shoulder.
"Whatever you fat ass." I grinned at him.
Wiping some sweat off my brow, I walk to the front of the school to look for my bike. I've had this bike since junior high. My mom and I worked on it, always makes me smile when I see her paint signature next to mine. Unlocking the chair around my bike, I pushed on the pedal and began my ride home. Before I can leave the gates I turned around and saw a girl walking away from the school by herself. I apply the brakes to my bike and stop right at the entrance. Getting off my bike she looks up at me and I try to smile.
"Um...you need a ride?"
"...No thanks."
"Well you want me to walk you home? It's getting kind of late."
"I live at the school dorms, I just need some stuff at the store."
"Well I can walk you to the store and to your dorm."
"...Are you trying to hit on me?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No, but my mother and grandfather told me if I ever saw a girl walking by herself, I should ask if she wants me to walk with her. You know, to be safe and gentlemen like."
"And it works?"
"Well that's how my grandfather met my grandmother."
She gave me a small smile. She is kind of cute, but I don't recognize her. Must be a transfer student.
"I...I guess you can walk with me."
"Great, by the way names Kuga Haru."
"Nice to meet you Sir Kuga." She grinned.
I smiled and tried to mimic something like a gentleman. She laughed, guess I do have grandpa's charm. At least that's what mother says.
"And what might be your name, my lady?"
"Kanzaki Takara."
I know Yukariko's character is different from her original in Mai-Hime/Otome but I thought it would be fun to mess with her character a bit :D
I own nothing except story line. Disclaimer of Mai-Hime/Otome