As requested by masterofseito~

Mai-HiME

Episode 23

Shizuru Fujino, Haruka Suzushiro, Natsuki Kuga, Yukino Kikukawa.

To say that Haruka was completely and utterly outraged would be an understatement. In fact, she was also extremely disgusted. What she had just witnessed sent her into a flurry of emotions, some that she didn't know she was capable of possessing.

"This time you have completely disappointed me!" The blonde tried her best to hide the hurt in her voice and keep it stern. "There's big trouble at the school…and you abandon your duties…and on top of everything, what was that?! There's no place for you on the Student Council! That's what I've come to tell you!" She lied with her hand securely at her hip, staring down at the purple clad woman from a short distance. No, that was not why she showed up. Sure, she was angry at her for neglecting her duties, but she couldn't resist checking on her when she had discovered her location.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?!"

Face calm as usual, Shizuru spoke as though circumstances were different, as though she were sitting in her desk, telling her friend of sorts that she should do the day's work instead. "I'll count on you to do your best, Suzushiro-san."

"Wha…What did you say?" She stuttered for the first time in ages, her voice broke for a mere second before she struggled to gain her confidence once more. "Just like that?!"

"Haruka-chan…" Yukino moved an inch, as though to support her dear friend if things were to escalade to more dangerous levels.

"And you do your best to help Suzushiro-san, okay Kikukawa-san?"

At this, the short haired brunette looked down with slight anger as her shoulders lifted. "How could you be so cold?" Finding the courage to speak, she looked up with determination, no longer afraid to shout at the Kaichou. "Always!"

Shizuru merely tilted her head to the side and kept her smile in place. This action caused the usual mousy and quiet girl to step forward to Haruka's level. "I can't do it! Haruka-chan's always looked up to you! She may not be a match for you…but she's always wanted to be acknowledged as your rival!"

This outburst caused purple eyes to widen in surprise and a faint blush to spread across her cheeks. "Yukino! What are you saying?!"

"That's why she's worked so hard up until now!" She continued, for once ignoring the blonde. "But you don't even take the slightest notice of her!"

Haruka was slowly becoming unable to handle such embarrassment; she lurched forward, her blush never once leaving, and shouted for her friend to stop. "Yukino! "

"Come back to the school! I'm begging you!"

Shizuru's smile switched to one of mild amusement as she looked on.

"If you don't come back, then I'll… I saw what you did! Like how you kissed her back there… I saw what you did to Natsuki while she slept."

Natsuki, who was currently eavesdropping behind a nearby tree, was shocked by such news, trying to fathom her best friend doing such a thing.

"How could you do that to someone who trusts you as a friend?"

Now remembering the glimpse of Shizuru's lips descending upon her, the blunette gasped in surprise. Not registering the act, she reached up to hug herself, fighting back intense shivers.

"That's quite the accusation, Kikukawa-san. But isn't this a case of the pot calling the kettle black?" The Kaichou's voice was even, along with her posture, as a few leaves danced in the breeze, sensing the oncoming conflict.

"No! I…"

"You prefer watching other people? That's quite a hobby." Face emotionless, Shizuru stared Yukino down, knowing full well of her secret.

Before any of them knew it, Haruka marched up to the person she had always looked up to with her usual fiery determination. And with one foul swipe, slapped the woman across the face.

Blood trickled down the left side of her lips as she slowly opened her eyes.

"I've never been this disappointed by anyone in my entire life! How can you be so shameless?! In the end the only person you care about is yourself! You have no right to tell Yukino off about anything! Two women behaving like that with each other! How filthy! Both you and Natsuki Kuga!"

"..."

Haruka sneered with her fists and teeth clenched, waiting for a reaction.

"…" A sharp intake of breath was heard from the taller of the two before she bit down on her already bleeding lip. Fine brows pulled down and the woman pouted before droplets of water began to form on the edges of her ruby eyes.

This caused the blonde to take a step back in shock, not in the least bit expecting such a harsh response.

"A-all I wanted to do…" She spoke with a broken voice as tears gently cascaded down her bruised cheek. "Was kill you for Natsuki!" She sniffed while bringing up her purple kimono sleeve to dry her tears. "A-and you won't even let me do that… W-what kind of friend are you?"

"Wha-what…What's going on here?!"

"Damn it, Suzushiro!" Natsuki emerged from the foliage with a scowl before taking the brunette into her arms. "I told you this was a terrible idea! You know she's still emotional from yesterday's shoot!"

"It was just a bell! You were only in there for 10 minutes max!" The blonde stomped her foot before looking away, jealousy burning in her amethysts.

"There, there." Natsuki comforted with unbelievable effort. "Would you like some tea?"

The brunette in her embrace nodded with another sniffle. "Ara, that would be lovely…"

Author's Notes:

I had mixed feelings about this one. I felt as though it was slightly out of character. And as a HaruZuke fan, I didn't like the idea of Haruka making Shizuru cry. But here it is. Hope you enjoyed it.