Authors Note: Here we go. The next installment of That Royal Blue Rivalry. Natsuki and Shizuru do a little talking, Tomoe makes an appearance, and things get a little steamy in the student councils office.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Enjoy!
It was the beginning; Natsuki knew. This, whatever it was; between her and Shizuru, was just the beginning. Whether it would be beautiful; or tragic; or drama filled; maybe it could be all rounded corners, and pillowed falls. But Natsuki had never been that lucky; she shouldn't even attempt to think love would be any different. Was this maybe just friendship? She pondered, before dismissing the idea entirely; preposterous. It was too intense. Friendship didn't make ones heart trip; their face blush; or their thoughts reel.
Friendship didn't make someone etch every detail; difference; flaw; hair; expression into their memory. Friendship didn't make someone get flashes of bleeding, crimson eyes. It didn't bring forth fantasies, or wants; needs.
This was something more then friendship; and that made it all the worse; and better. It made it worth it; the losing the family; the status; popularity. None of that compared to what Natsuki was feeling.
The next day Natsuki found herself back among the cherry blossom trees. It was early morning; earlier then when she usual woke. The sun was just rising; peaking its ray's over the horizon; shyly, hesitantly; bashfully almost. Like a scolded child; scuffing their sneakers in the dirt.
Within what seemed like moments, the sun; orb of gas, had finally risen above, and it's rays; beams were making Natsuki's hair glint; glow, she looked unearthly; inhumanly gorgeous; to anyone who walked by. That someone; surprise; turned out to be Shizuru.
Shizuru had dark; shadowed circled under her eyes, from lack of sleep the night before - although, it didn't hinder her appeal. She had been wide-awake; constantly reliving what happened yesterday afternoon; in this very garden. Under the beaming; shooting; hot ray's of sun; sepia colored skies. Shizuru; was dreadfully confused. Was this love she was feeling? This draw; pull; magnetism, towards Natsuki? It had to be; it was... wasn't it?
Natsuki, who was still staring at the sky; wasn't oblivious to Shizuru's presence. She had felt; detected, her as soon as she was within hearing; seeing; range. That, tingling; prickling; jolting feeling had caught her off guard at first. So unused to such a feeling overcoming her. But it was becoming familiar fast. Even when she had only known her love; Shizuru; for barely 24 hours.
She remembered reading a book once; a famous book. By one of the first men to make literature popular; William Shakespeare. The book had been heart wrenching; tear jerking; and touching. Those feelings; the hurt; the good; were all multiplied by Shizuru. Her mind; flashed into overdrive; as did her heart. She was sure what she was feeling was love; but the implications of that - their families; the consequences; weight like the planet on her shoulder's; making her bow to her fears; insecurities.
Natsuki closed her eyes; a few minutes later the sound of fabric rustling; brushing, swam into her ears. She felt Shizuru lying beside her; in the slightly damp; wet; frosty grass. The morning was a cold one. No words were spoken, but being in near proximity to one another was enough. To breath the air, the scent.
Yes; her doubts were gone. This was love; romantic; euphoric, exhilarating; love.
A hand, soft and smooth a silk; trailed its way across her cheek; flushed. Fingertips; sliding over closed, lavender eyelids. Along a left earlobe, sloping down the gentle curve of a nose; brushing against; pink, fuchsia lips.
"My Natsuki," Shizuru's whisper; caressed her ears; gentle, just like her fingertips, her demeanor. Calm, comforting. Composed; but intense. A breath, escaped Natsuki's lips; which were trembling now, from a mere touch of her love. Closed lids, blinked; slid, open, revealing emerald-fire; gems, orbs. That emerald gazed into bleeding; seething, soft, crimson. The colors, not usually mixed; melded together.
"What is this?" Natsuki breathed, the warm air gushing over Shizuru's fingertips; still pressed against her lips. A pressure against her earlobe, lips; Shizuru's lips; gently placed against the skin there.
"This is us," Shizuru's whispered back, Natsuki swallowed; a lump in her throat. Lips were then trailing from her ear, pressing; oh so gently, into the sensitive skin of her neck. A shiver, a gasp escaped Natsuki, and suddenly she was standing; away from her love. The only one she wanted to be close to.
The sensations; they were too much, too quickly. It was so fast; faster then her blur of a motorcycle. She'd never loved before; she didn't know how. All she would do was hurt. Doubts; insecurities; fears all consumed her. Had Shizuru loved before? She seemed comfortable, moving so naturally. She had to have loved before.
The thought sent a spike of ice through Natsuki's heart. Why did the mere thought; imagining, of Shizuru loving; wanting, another hurt her so much? How; how could this even be possible. Yesterday, within hours; she went from feeling disdain and caution towards this crimson-eyed beauty. Now she was all that was on her mind; every waking second, and sleeping one. Her dreams; visited even then.
She knew Shizuru wouldn't follow her; she knew the other girl understood that she needed her time; alone. To process, to understand what was going on with her. Opening the door to her dorm, she stumbled; tripped, inside. No one was awake yet; at 7.12am. She flickered her emerald eye's; orbs; irises, towards where her roommates were sleeping, completely dead to the world around them. Light snores were emitted from the small form of Mikoto, and Mai merely breathed deeply.
Feeling the deep seeded need for a shower; Natsuki got a fresh uniform and did. Rejuvenated and less troubled, she started preparing a small breakfast for herself. She would be gone by the time the other two girls were out of bed. She needed a little more time alone before she dealt with them; explained.
She couldn't explain yet; because she herself didn't fully understand.
Hours later; after thinking; spacing - throughout her classes. Natsuki came to a conclusion. She was going to speak with Shizuru; words speak; instead of eye speak. She would lay her feelings out on the table; exposing herself to the other girl like she never had to anyone before. Raw; naked; unguarded.
She would speak; talk, of her confusion. Her doubts; their family; public media; all the troubles that came with these new; unexpected; abrupt, emotions. A smile, tugged at her lips; and she felt lighter as she walked towards the cafeteria. When she arrived, she saw Mai; and the girls she had sat with the day previous, chatting and laughing blissfully, carefree.
Emerald then moved across the room; meeting; fixing on; bleeding crimson. A pretty, enthralling color, that was constantly ingrained into her minds-eye; memories. Throwing an apologetic, I'll explain later; look to Mai. Natsuki made her way towards her new found love; who was curiously sitting alone; without any fans; admirers, or friends with her.
"Come for a walk," she asked, softly spoken; so unusual for her. She was loud; demanding; bossy. A leader; a princess. But not with Shizuru. She didn't need to demand with her, she merely needed to ask; to communicate. To care.
Shizuru nodded; instantly. Standing in a smooth, fluid motion. So graceful, like a ballerina, or a gymnast. It almost made Natsuki, who moved clumsily; roughly, feel envy. But instead it transferred into awe; a fondness. A walk, smooth; silk, a palm rested on her exposed upper arm for a moment; and their gazes met, for what felt like the millionth; billionth time since they had met.
Silently; they agreed to walk to their cherry blossom garden. A word wasn't uttered as they walked. Glances; shy, bashful smiles were exchanged, along with eye-speak. But the silence wasn't deafening. It could have been broken; it wouldn't have been awkward. But they didn't want to. They felt comfortable how they were.
Soon they were seated; or in Shizuru's case, lying where they had met earlier that morning. Natsuki basked, in the now; scorching, heated ray's of the noon sun. Shizuru, lounged; relaxed. Perfectly at ease and content.
"I think I love you," Shizuru spoke; clearly, normally. A hint of a grin twitching; tugging, unmercifully at her lips. Natsuki felt the air rush out of her lungs in a long exhale at the words; before the air returned again.
"I think..." Natsuki felt like her tongue had swelled, and she couldn't talk for a moment, "No... I'm sure. I love you." A smile was on her lips; while her eyebrows furrowed and her eyes went unfocused. "How; I don't know. At first; first I was shocked at you're appearance... so beautiful," her voice rasped, losing volume, before picking up again. "And then, my heart began to pound, and my thoughts became muddled; bewildered." she laughed; a light entrancing sound that soothed Shizuru.
"My mask," Natsuki felt; heard; saw the hesitation, "My facade; fell, and crumpled when I met your eyes." Shizuru said, tears gathering in her bleeding crimson orbs. "Love; I knew it. It was love; at first sight. And then," she laughed, "You pulled me out of the class room, and demand I call you Kuliino..." Shizuru's head turned, her eyes looking up at Natsuki's own. "Ara, and you threatened me and everything; but still, I felt that warmth. My heart drumming furiously as I stared at you."
This time; it was Natsuki's hand making contact, gently cupping Shizuru's warm, smooth cheek. "I'm supposed to hate you; loathe you," Natsuki frowned, "And I'm sure you're meant to do the same. But I can't. I won't..." her voice broke, and collapsed on top of Shizuru's supine form; she made sure not to crush her love though.
Dexterous; slender, digits smoothed their way through her silken; midnight, blue; raven; black, hair. Scraping against her scalp slightly, and pushing the strands behind her left ear. Almost inaudible humming came from Shizuru's voice box. It almost succeeded in lulling the shorter; dark haired girl into slumber.
"Don't worry, my Natsuki." she heard distantly, as lips pressed against the top of her head, "I'll protect you, always."
"And I, you." Natsuki breathed; the hot air hitting her companion's collarbone, resulting in goosebumps rising. Opening her eyes, Natsuki blinked the grogginess from her eyes and moved back; so she could look into those, haunting, bleeding crimson eyes. She felt Shizuru's fingertips brush her cheek once again, for maybe a few seconds before she pulled them back. Natsuki couldn't help but find herself aching for the touch.
"This is so confusing," Natsuki's frowned; looking pained, she closed her eyes. A gentle hand, cupping her chin made them slide open; and the crimson-emerald gazes met. Conveying things they were unable to say out loud.
"I know." Shizuru sighed, a thumb brushing against Natsuki's lips briefly, "Ara, I do not enjoy Natsuki looking so agonized. I wish to see a smile on that pretty face..."
Involuntarily, a smile bloomed on her face; because Natsuki would do whatever her love wished. Shizuru's face lit up at the sight, "So kawaii!" she gasped, a giggle bursting forth from her lips. A hand came to hide her coy; teasing smile. Natsuki blushed furiously.
"Shizuru!" she whined, trying to hid her rapidly reddening face. What was it about this girl that made her react this way?
"Ara, did I embarrass Natsuki?" Shizuru teased; pretending to be innocent, moving around so she was looking into Natsuki's eyes, a playful glint in her usually vacant orbs. "Aw, Natsuki is blushing..."
"I-you... Shut up," Natsuki's blush deepened, and she looked down at her lap; knowing Shizuru was most likely grinning like a fool now. Suddenly the bell rang, making them both jump slightly in surprise. Composing herself, Natsuki stood up; then held out a hand to help Shizuru to her feet.
Once they were both standing, Natsuki felt another flush rise to her cheeks when Shizuru just smiled at her silently. Whirling around so her back was facing her counterpart, Natsuki tried to get her blood to leave her face. Her plan failed, as the blood came back full force as she felt Shizuru's arms wrap securely around her waist; her chin resting on Natsuki's shoulder.
"I could hold Natsuki forever," Shizuru whispered, breath ghosting over Natsuki's ear. A spike of arousal hit Natsuki, it ran down her spine; making her shiver, before coming to halt at the apex between her legs. She swallowed thickly, miraculously keeping her blush at bay.
"I could be held by you forever." Natsuki replied, leaning back into the embrace before she realized the bell had rang and they needed to get to class; or risk being late. She didn't think coming to class late on the second day of school would look good for either of them.
"I would, but I think it best if we head to class now..." Shizuru spoke their shared thoughts, though tightening her hold on Natsuki in contradiction to her words. A few seconds passed in silence in both reveled in each others presence before Shizuru gave a heavy sigh and stepped back.
Natsuki turned to face her with a nervous expression, ringing her hands together. "Can I meet you somewhere?" she asked, "After school." she added, as an afterthought.
"Ara, but of course. Anything for Natsuki. Right here, yes?" Shizuru answered without hesitation, eyes shining eagerly. Leaning forward swiftly, she placed a lingering kiss on Natsuki's forehead, and before the princess could say anything, Shizuru disappeared.
Natsuki's hand raised itself to touch the place that Shizuru's lips had touched, brushing softly over the now tingling skin. A smile, wide and genuine tugged as her lips, and her burning emerald eyes glinting contentedly. She was snapped out of her Shizuru daze, when the warning bell rang.
With hastened footsteps, Natsuki rushed to class. Ignoring the curious stares she apologized to the teacher, and made her way to a seat in the back of the classroom. The smile still firm on her face, she found herself drifting to thoughts of Shizuru all throughout the hour.
Walking out of her last class, Natsuki was soon shoulder barged harshly by a girl with long teal-colored hair and delicate features, marred by the disdainful sneer she was sporting. She was shorter then herself, and rather petite, but her eyes glowed brightly with undeserved loathing.
"Watch were you going, why don't you?" the teal-haired girl spat, tuning around and glaring a Natsuki. The princess was shocked momentarily before her own icy glare slid into place, putting the younger girls to shame with how intimidating it was.
"I was, until you ran into me. Obviously purposefully." Natsuki grinned internally at the shiver the teal-haired girl gave at the tone of her cold, dangerous voice. "Be careful what you say, girl. You never want to piss off the wrong person." Natsuki stepped forward, standing taller then the girl by a few inches with her eyes looking down at her arrogantly.
The girl gave a startled step back, and other students moseying about turned their attention to the conflict taking place. Natsuki glared at anyone, daring them to say anything. When she turned back to look at the girl that had ran into her, she was hurrying down the corridor, looking vengeful, but afraid.
The cobalt-haired princess gave a scoff of disbelief and shook her head before pushing between the crowd gathered and making her way towards the cherry blossom garden, to find Shizuru. People, younger and older, whispered as she strode through the school. Some giving her scared looks, others looking admiring, and a few looking like they could careless.
"Kuliino-san!" someone shouted to her sprinting in her direction. She ignored it, not accustomed to be called by that name yet.
"Wait up, Kuliino-san!" Natsuki stopped in her tracks, sighed impatiently and turned around. Coming to face a dark haired boy, at least a foot taller then she was. He had refined features and a charming smile. Natsuki was not impressed in the least.
"What?" she snapped irritated with the fact everyone was shortening the time she would be spending with Shizuru. The boy looked taken aback for a second, before his smile was back full force, perfect straight white teeth reflecting light.
"Kaichou-san wanted me to give this to you," he handed her a piece of paper he had been holding. Natsuki opened the letter eagerly, a small smile curling as her lips as she read, making those around her loose their breath at the transformation from looking cold and unapproachable, to looking... almost approachable.
My Natsuki
I regretfully wish to inform you I will not be able to make it to our garden this afternoon. It saddens me to say that I have many new duties as student council president that I can't ignore. I promise I will make it up to you in the future.
Yours faithfully,
Shizuru.
P.S. The student council room gets terribly lonesome. I would not mind some company.
Folding the letter, Natsuki gave the boy curt nod and changed her course from the cherry blossom garden to the student council room. Arriving, she watched in amusement at a loud blonde haired girl ranted to a dark-haired, demure looking girl wearing glasses while they walked out, making various grammar mistakes, only for the smaller, soft spoken girl to correct with a smile.
"YOU!" the blonde-haired girl turned her attention to Natsuki, pointing a finger accusingly, "What are you doing banging around the student councils office!"
"It's hanging, Haruka-chan..." the bespectacled girl corrected her, trying to hide her fond smile.
Haruka turned to her disgruntled, "That's what I said! And don't call me -chan!" she argued, quickly forgetting about Natsuki, who was biting her lip to keep from breaking out in laughter. While the two were distracted, she quickly slipped inside the room, leaning against the closed door and locking it. Looking over at the desk in the middle of the room, she couldn't suppress to grin as she gazed at Shizuru engrossed in the laptop, oblivious to her presence.
Sneaking up behind her stealthily, Natsuki chuckled when Shizuru gave a gasp of surprise as her arms wrapped around her neck. Turning around, she gave Natsuki a large, happy smile, her eyes soft. Kissing her lingeringly on the cheek.
"You can sit on the desk if you want," she told her, gesturing to the large oak desk. The princess nodded at her, and sat on top of it, blushing when she saw Shizuru's eyes roaming the exposed skin of her thighs. Natsuki adjusted her skirt quickly, trying to avoid the almost hungry look Shizuru was sending her.
The rest of their time was spent in silence, occasionally they would speak, mainly it was Shizuru making teasing remarks to Natsuki just to cause her to blush and then exclaim 'Natsuki is too kawaii!' and giggle coyly behind her hand, thus making Natsuki's blush deepen.
Natsuki stared out the window, eyes glazed and dreamy like as she thought about Shizuru. About how unusual, but no less beautiful her crimson eyes were, or how pretty her hair looked as it fluttered in the breeze when they had been standing amongst the cherry blossoms, her soft accented voice. So lost in her thoughts, the princess failed to notice Shizuru had finished her work and was now staring at her intensely, eyes soft as she took in the way the afternoon sunlight hit her dark cobalt hair.
"So beautiful..." Shizuru whispered, before clamping her mouth shut quickly. Looking as thought she hadn't mean to let the words leave her mouth. Natsuki broke her stare out of the window and turned her head to look at the Kaichou, blushing.
"Stop it..." she whispered weakly, feeling slightly lightheaded because of the amount of blood that had rushed to her head throughout the day. She was sure turning pink every five minutes wasn't healthy.
"Ara, what is it Natsuki wants me to stop?" Shizuru asked teasingly from where she was now standing up beside the desk, her head tilted and an innocent smile on her face.
"You-I-urgh! You know what!"
"Ara, but I do not know of what you speak..."
Natsuki clenched her jaw and succumbed to the pout that had been threatening to take over her features. Shizuru couldn't help but giggle at the puppy like look on the younger girls face. Soon enough, all laughter was lost from them as they stood behind the large desk, emerald vs crimson.
Desire smoldered in both their eyes and soon Natsuki felt herself being pushed against the blackboard; Shizuru's body melding itself against her own. Neither of them broke their stare as the older girls hand came to rest on the back of Natsuki's thigh; touching the soft, smooth skin there and curling the slender leg around her own.
Natsuki's hand shook as she slowly; cautiously brought her fingers up to tangle in Shizuru's beautiful hair. Their noses were brushing now; their lips millimeters apart. Chests were crushed against one another; skirts hitching and exposing more skin as their hips pressed against each other deliciously.
"Na-tsu-ki..." Shizuru whispered; in her seductive Kyoto-ben. Eyes never leaving Natsuki's even as she felt the temptation to let her gaze linger on the younger girls lips.
A gasp fled Natsuki as she felt Shizuru push herself even harder against the blackboard; she could feel the other girls hot breathing, ghosting over her mouth. A loud swallow sounded from her throat before she spoke. "Shiz-zu..," she paused, eyes fluttering shut and breaking their long stare, "...ru.."
Lips touched gently; clumsily at first. Both their eyelids slid shut; veiling their intense, lust filled gazes. Shizuru's slick tongue parted Natsuki's moistened lips; the velvet muscle moving to explore every inch of her mouth. Whimpers escaped her throat.
Teeth knocked; tongues fought; saliva drooled. The kiss was messy and passionate. Natsuki felt Shizuru kiss from her lips to the corner of her mouth; down her chin and to the column of her neck. Nipping slightly as her lips made a path up to Natsuki's ear. The lobe was taken between Shizuru's playful teeth and caressed with her velvet tongue before warm air blew from pouted; swollen lips onto the flesh. A violent; aroused shiver shot down Natsuki's spine at the action.
Hips bucked; the friction diluted by the clothes they were wearing. Natsuki let out a growl as one of Shizuru's hands squeezed her side. She threw her head back; exposing her neck further to Shizuru as the other girl sucked and bit with her mouth, while her other hand slide along the underside of Natsuki's thigh.
Natsuki's eyes rolled behind closed lavender lids in ecstasy. Her slender fingers twisted further within Shizuru's locks as moans slid unbidden from her mouth. Porcelain cheeks were flushed a deep pink as the other girl continued to make her more aroused with her fiery kisses.
A few more moments of softer; slowed kisses proceeded before they broke away from each other. Natsuki panted for a few moments, slumped against the blackboard as Shizuru leaned against the large oak desk; almost as flushed as Natsuki was herself.
Natsuki, shaking her head to clear her lingering lust filled thoughts, turned to look out the classrooms windows, feeling slightly awkward now the kiss had ended. She didn't jump when she felt Shizuru's body warmth against her back, or when the other girls arms wrapped securely around her midsection.
"That was my first kiss." Shizuru whispered, leaning her chin on Natsuki's shoulder and looking out of the windows into the gorgeous flower gardens outside. Natsuki sighed happily and leaned her head back against Shizuru's shoulder; her eyes sliding closed, she enjoyed the perfect moment. The feeling of awkwardness dissipating.
"Mine too." she breathed.
End Note: Chapter 3. Hmm... was the kiss too descriptive, or not enough?
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