Hmmm.... here's chapter 3 then. Hope it is enjoyed, I'm afraid there isn't alot of romance here, little suggestions. But that is how I would see a relationship with Naoto starting. As if she would jump into anything, ha ha.
On a random note I'm considering starting another Naoto/Souji fic on the side, another long fic. Wondered what anyone thought of the idea below.
White Lies
What would happen if Naoto, driven to fury, rejects her shadow a few moments sooner? Now she is part of the investigation squad, and they believe the only insecurity she has is being considered a small child . . . How long can she keep her little white lie over her gender? Especially when Souji seems so determined to get to know "him" a little better?
Anyone think it sounds good? Then tell me, lol. Other than that I might consider taking the idea for a crackfic from my old fandom (which despite being a crackfic, earned over 250 reviews, where 20 was considered excellent). Effectively an introverted character, like Naoto, is affected by an illegal substance that makes her lust uncontrollably after the first person she makes eye contact with, (which in my other fic, was her partner in an assassin business). She still has all her faculties, of course, but the feelings grow stronger over time, and the two of them struggle to locate the cause, and cure, for the terrible situation. (In my other one the victim was kept in the dark over the drug's effect, so she had no idea how bad she was acting, probs do the same here, so Naoto thinks she is acting normal, even as Souji is completely stressing out over her rubbing up against him, and getting jealous over every little thing).
Chapter 3 - Ten of Swords Upright
The first few days passed fitfully, a blur of information that seemed confused and mismatched at best. At that time she had no idea why her body was so weak. . . not specifically. Clearly her stint in the strange television world had been a factor in her long convalescence, but she did not understand exactly why. Those who had entered to rescue her had presumably spent less time than her in those situations, but surely they were more active in exerting themselves? They showed no signs of discomfort however.
All she knew was that she had been in a terrible state for those days. Sometimes she would awaken warm and sweating, as if from a nightmare. Her sheets would seem suffocating and intrusive, she would climb to her feet. Take a few steps. Then collapse. Most times when she awoke she found herself back in her bed, occasionally there was some food and water nearby. Those she would ravenously eat before falling asleep again, her body satiated.
Time really had no meaning to her, day passed to night and back again with little warning, she would simply attempt to get up and move about, then presumably be put back to bed those times she failed to make the return journey. In hindsight she knew she should have hated those times, but she could not really blame herself. Naoto hated when she was weak, hated not being able to walk for very far, but she wasn't crazy. She would not punch a wall with a broken fist just to punish herself for it being broken in the first place.
She just wished she could recover a little faster. She really wanted to go outside and feel some fresh air on her face. It really was the little things you missed.
For the most part she didn't see many people during those days. Obviously she knew someone was letting themselves in and taking the time to check on her. Again she knew she would need it, there was simply no chance she would have been able to prepare her own food, and she was always thankful for the plain, but good, food that was left for her. Sometimes it was simple Junes bought food, the occasional salad or sandwiches. A few times she got to enjoy some wonderful sushi that seemed homemade, if the bento box was any indication. She wondered if without the aid, she might have starved and died. Or would hunger have given her strength?
She thought that once or twice she had heard voices speaking or footfalls in her small apartment, but each time she tried to call out, she found the effort too much.
There was one memory she had. She had woken up at one point, she thought it might have been day time from the light, but really couldn't tell. There had been something cool and soft on her face and she had made a small sound of appreciation as cool water trickled down her fevered brow.
"Naoto?" A male voice had asked gently, apparently worried to wake her. She had nodded against the hand on her head, earning what sounded like a relieved sigh. She felt so comfy in that position. She supposed it had reminded her of the rare occasions in her youth when she had been taken ill. Her grandfather had been very protective and always made sure to watch over her until she had recovered. He had always been so doting. . .
"I'm glad you're okay Naoto. The others . . . people, family, looked after them. I didn't know who might for you." The voice babbled on a little longer but she couldn't remember anymore. She must have fallen asleep again under her Senpai's gentle ministrations.
Now though. She felt she might be able to get out of bed. There was something a little different within herself, she felt cool and refreshed. It was a strangely wonderful feeling, and for a moment she wondered if this . . . illness . . . might pass as suddenly as a common cold.
Cautiously shifting her weight to the edge of the futon she flung the covers from herself. She was dressed in baggy pyjama bottoms and a loose pyjama top. Luckily they were her own and were purposely baggy to keep her looking androgynous, should someone catch her like that. Her bandages were removed, she hoped it had been the Amagi girl who had done that. . . Shaking her head she slowly lowered her feet to the floor and applied a little weight to them to see if her legs would buckle beneath her. They seemed to hold, so she allowed herself to trust her body to them.
Ah . . . this is better. She mused as she balanced on her own. She did notice a crusty bread loaf beside her bed along with some butter, but she felt with her new found strength that she might see if she could find something a little more substantial. . . meaty. . .
Her bare feet padded silently down her carpeted stairs as she headed to her kitchen. By now she knew that anything she had would be far past its sell by date. She could only hope Senpai, or maybe Hanamura, may have stocked for her. If they had she would lower herself to thank them.
Thank them? I owe them more than that. Those thoughts made her pause for a moment. She was relieved that she had not been forced to face them so far. In this way they were far different from the police, or even herself. How patiently had they waited for her to recover? Hoping beyond hope that she might have some information they could use. Others may well have demanded information on the spot.
She must have looked so pathetically weak to them. Both in ...that world, and in her own home. Would they forever hold her by this standard now? The Amagi girl had taken her home, and she knew from that one waking memory that Seta had checked in on her. As he promised he would. But she wondered how many others had been there to see them. She could only hope they hadn't. Even if they already all knew the truth of her gender and her fears, it wasn't quite the same as seeing and experiencing another's weakness.
Stepping into the kitchen her feet feeling the cool linoleum floor, she paused. She could hear breathing. Deep. Rhythmic. She quickly dismissed thoughts of an intruder from her mind, knowing it must be one of her benefactors who, she realised suddenly, had obviously helped themselves to her apartment keys. A frown marred her soft features at that errant thought.
She decided to investigate whom it was, perhaps they would have some food. Which they would soon be giving to her. Such thoughts were quickly lost however when she entered the main room, the medium sized television with a single dark blue couch opposite it. A body was sprawled out on that couch, apparently asleep. It wasn't hard to figure out who it was. His long thin frame, still dressed in his dark school's uniform, was curled into a small ball, but his light grey hair was clearly visible at the top. His toned chest was rising with each breath he took, before his frame would shudder as he exhaled.
He must have been tired. . . did he wear himself out looking after me? Naoto was surprised to feel a small amount of warmth spreading through her at that thought. How many hours had he spent watching over her? No. Don't be foolish. He would share the responsibility with the others. He may have come here after his work. Of course she knew where he worked. How long he worked. A background check was one of the first things she had performed on the grey haired youth. Top class student, best in the year in fact. As well as this he was juggling a simply staggering amount of responsibilities. He had two jobs, one at a hospital, one as a tutor! He presumably had to study extensively to get his high grades. She realised he must also spend time looking for information on the killer, similar to herself. He would not have time to take care of her as well, not without burning the candle at both ends.
Still. She thought, as she lowered herself down to look at his face. Though his face was covered in shadows she could clearly see the dark rings around his eyes, he had a small frown on his face. He looked so utterly finished.
It would be best if I didn't wake him. I don't mind him sleeping on my couch. Had it been anyone else she felt she might have shook them awake. She guessed he was her leader now though. All the others had turned to him to lead them; no doubt she would be expected to do the same. Could she really do that?
"Ugh… Naoto?" He murmured indistinctly, she let out a quick sigh as she lowered herself back down to his level. His eyes were small cracks as he regarded her.
"Sorry Senpai. I did not intend to wake you." He ignored her words as he quickly pushed himself to his feet, surprising her a little at the speed of his awakening. He didn't even rub at his eyes as he stood smiling down on her. Huh?? Was he attempting to hide his fatigue from her? Or did he not trust her being near him in a vulnerable state? She could relate to that with her line of work.
"I'm glad to see you're okay Naoto. You… are okay, right?" She nodded to his concern, turning her eyes away from his in slight embarrassment. Why was he so interested in her wellbeing anyway? For what information she might hold. Of course. He moved past her towards the kitchen, reaching into her fridge without asking her and drawing something out. "I made some sushi for the two of us, would you like some?" Despite her reservations about his presence she nodded with a slightly hungry expression on her face. He made the sushi for her by hand? She did recognise the bento from before and her mouth was watering at the thought of the treats within. She had assumed the Amagi girl would have prepared the good food, after all, she was to run an inn. It was strange to imagine him cooking, though further thoughts were lost as he placed it down on the table for her.
They meal took place in near silence, only the clicking of their chopsticks and occasional swishing of their drinks would break it. Naoto was a quiet person in most situations but she certainly didn't know what to say here. For one; he was someone whom she owed a great deal, possibly her life and sanity. He also had looked after her whilst she was recuperating. How incredibly dependant on him she had become . . .
"Someone struck me from behind." She spoke suddenly, drawing his eyes up to her own. "I was then drugged with some substance, that's all I remember." Now he had the information he could leave her alone. There wasn't any need to keep taunting her like this. Having someone living and breathing in her apartment like this made it seem more alive and refreshing, but that would only make it all the worse when he left. Best to end it now.
"It's okay Naoto. You should focus on recovering for now." He then continued eating, leaving her looking down at her own sushi. The finely wrapped morsels looking up at her didn't offer any answers to her silent questions. Just recover? Despite herself she felt her hands clutch the fabric of her pyjama trousers, inadvertantly drawing them up as her hands balled. She inspeced the patterns the creases made for what seemed a long time.
"Why?" He looked at her again, the confused expression on his face annoyed her. "I failed. The killer wasn't captured, in fact you had to rescue me. I was useless and ineffective. In fact my shadow attacked you." It would be just like it always was, he would want her, just as long as she could offer him something. Then she would be let loose. Back to the playpen with you.
"You're as much a victim as.-" He began, but she interrupted him as she shot to her feet, swiping her arm across her as if she were clearing a table.
"I'm not a victim!" Her breath came out in short gasps as she leant on the table for support. She wasn't as recovered as she had hoped. "The situation turned sour, but I was there on purpose. I wasn't a helpless victim."
"You're right Naoto, I apologise. You knew the risks and took them regardless, it was very brave, though reckless." He had climbed to his feet as he said this, walking around the table to stand next to her. He didn't try to touch her, he must have known she wouldn't accept that. She knew she had failed . . . but having failed, and being a victim, were so different. She just wanted him to see that, to respect her choice. Kanji had shouted at her for being reckless, she remembered. She had known every risk, had taken them willingly, in order to give them some small advantage.
"We're finished now though, right?" She pressed. He would send her away now that her mind had been used. Just like the police force.
"What?" He sounded unsure, maybe it was that which gave her the confidence to look at him. He was stood so rigidly. His shoulders looked so tense and his expression was bothered and worried. "If you want to leave then I will not stop you, I can understand you might not want to waste your time with us. I -.. we would like you to stay though. . . if you want to. . ."
Stay? He wanted her to stay with them? Why? Those words as well, she might not want to waste her time with them? They had saved her life.
"Senpai. . . I . . don't really understand. What is it you would want of me? What use would I be to you?" What use at all? She knew she would be completely useless. After all, she was just a weak little girl who desperately wanted to be an adult. I wanna be a big boy right now…
"Is that what you really believe Naoto?" He asked, his voice suddenly slightly angry . . . what!? "You think you're weak just because you're a girl." Her eyes widened at those words, she had not realised she had voiced her thoughts aloud! This time he took her hand, surprising her, she instinctively tried to jerk it away. Instead he kept a tight hold and forced her to sit across from him at the table. Her hand still trapped in his.
"Senpai- what-" He shushed her quickly with a shake of his head.
"No Naoto, listen. You know that we are investigating the murders in Inaba. We have tried as best we can and we found a way to rescue those who are thrown into the televisions. Much like we did for you. We have tried so hard to find the killer, to preempt him. But it's been no use. Everyone calls me the leader, but I don't know what to do anymore." She felt her eyes widened as he said this to her. He was confiding something in her? When the others were so clearly dependant on him and trusted him implicitly. "I'm losing control of the case, I'm unsure how to handle things and I'm worried I might mess up and cost us a life. You got captured Naoto, and we managed to save you, for that I'm glad." She looked away from him, keeping her eyes glued on the wall over his shoulder. He was glad? He made it sound so personal that she couldn't quite understand him. What were his words doing to her?
"Truth is, we need you Naoto." Need? Her eyes snapped up to meet his silvery gaze, she could see him pleading with her in those orbs. Need?? "We need you, Naoto Shirogane. Man or woman. We need the ace detective who can be trusted to see through the case to the end. You know how to analyse and to plan things out. All these things, we have no idea what to do." She felt like her eyes were locked on his now, myriad thoughts were flashing through her mind. In some distant corner she reflected that this was what she had always dreamed of. A client who came to her wanting her services, needing them. . . and specifically hers. Even knowing who, or what, she really was. "I'm not going to coddle you, when I first saw you, yeah, I thought you were a man. But at the same time it was your intelligence that frightened me, that shrewd gaze and clever eyes that seemed to know too much." He let out a short laugh here. Had he really been afraid of her? He had always looked so calm, and in control, she had felt it more than necessary to guard her own expressions around him. "I don't think those talents change with your gender. Do you, detective?"
Despite herself, she couldn't help the small smile that came to her lips. Just a short upturning at the corners of her mouth as she looked down at the table and away from his expressive eyes. This boy . . . man. He certainly had a way with words. Part of her wondered if this wasn't how he recruited and kept all his people so loyal to him, by being so simply kind and comforting. A subtle seduction. She reflected. Little by little she was feeling like he was more important than simply a benefactor to her. Perhaps someone who would treat her as an equal. Regardless, she felt her confidence seep back into her body, how childish she had been.
"You are completely correct Souji-kun." She tasted the affix on his name and found that she liked it. It didn't hint at either of them being more superior to the other, more like partners. "I have allowed myself to wallow in my insecurities a little too long now. Perhaps that was what my shadow was really trying to tell me." There's no denying first principles after all. I am what I am, I just need to make the most of it. And the victory will be all the sweeter for it. When those pompous fools realise they were bested by that which they accused of weakness.
"If you're feeling better, we are meeting at Junes tomorrow to think over the evidence. After school. I'm really sorry but I have to leave, I'm helping Nannako study tonight." She didn't try to stop him as he climbed to his feet. He was going to help Nannako as well? Surely he needed sleep right now, she could still see the rings around his eyes, and his body seemed so tense. "If it helps Naoto, I'm glad you're a girl." He gave her a quick smirk that had her shooting to her feet startled, her hands pressed against her chest.
"What!? What does that-" She rambled off, unsure. Why the hell would he say that?
"After all. At least this means I can stop questioning my sexuality over what we did in Port Island." What they di-. Oh. . . Oh. She refused to meet his eyes as her face went a dark red and her lips pursed together. He just had to bring that up? As if her emotions weren't already a mess. Now she had been reminded of one of the main reasons she had been avoiding him in the first place. He took a step towards her but she matched it with two short steps back. Long-legged baboon. She groused to herself. He seemed to catch her instinctiver message though, and gave a simple smile, refraining from pressing her further. "Tomorrow then, perhaps." He nodded respectfully to her before slipping out of her apartment door, letting it shut with a soft click behind him.
What was he about to do? She realised she would never know, and part of her was cursing herself for being so skittish. Still, she realised, she had no time for these kind of things. They had a case to crack, a murderer to catch. . . As she sat down to finish the remainder of her meal she began to let her mind ponder over the latest evidence in the case. Before a thought drifted across her mind, making her pause.
He hadn't returned her apartment keys to her.
. . .That . . .insufferable. . . bastard . . .
Hope you like, if so, please review! And if you have any views or comments, on the propsed 2 fictions above then please feel free to say anything!
Ten of Swords (Minor Arcana)
Ruled by Jupiter and the Major Arcana : Wheel of Fortune
Key words : Changes and Cycles
Upright Attributes : The swords refer to physical and mental problems in a deck. In the upright position the ten of swords hints at a possible end to mental problems and stress. Someone will come to help draw the weight from your shoulders (represented by image of ten swords pinning a man to the floor).There is a need to meditate on yourself and your inner feelings with a view to change. Look forward to new activity and energy and an end to the painful cycle you have been experiencing.
Reversed Attributes : Too much focus on weights pressing you down, not enough on finding an escape. There is no change in your troubles right now, but no indication of further problems approaching. This is as bad as the situation will become and you need to have the courage to climb to your feet right now. Stagnation, and procrastination, could be the end of you. Mental problems and insecurities are rife.