Authors Note: Hello everyone. I wanted to thank you for all the kind words. Im going on a little vacation so if i dont update dont worry. Ill do so as soon as I can. Just giving you a heads up. thanks.
~Snow
The ride to the club was tense and very uncomfortable in the black limo. Shizuru was dressed in a pair of sleek black jeans, and black V-neck t-shirt tucked in her pants fastened by a black belt with a black coat that fit her frame just enough to make her slim figure all the more striking while concealing her guns. She simmer in the limo while attempting to have the air of nonchalance. Her sunglasses hid her blood red eyes and was thankful to have them shield the anger that she knew rested behind her gaze. Natsuki conversed with the other band members about the entrance to the stage and where they would be coming from. She listened intently to every detail of their plan while watching the streets pass them by, then she felt a tap on her thigh.
"SO you are the bodyguard?" asked Mai with sparking eyes, and a pretty smile. Shizuru found it hard to dislike such an approachable and motherly figure. But she kept her guard up.
"So you are the guitarist?" quipped Shizuru with a smile. Mai shook her head and laughed.
"Whoa there, you don't have to be defensive. Natsuki told us earlier about what happened at the house and I for one am very happy for your quick thinking," Mai chatted.
"It wasn't that quick," rebuked Natsuki pouting. Shizuru merely cocked her head to the side slightly at the attitude of her employer. "It is her job after all."
"To save you from bullets, and assault but bludgeoning, not manhandle snakes," corrected Mai from Natsuki's side.
"I didn't manhandle anything," Shizuru looked at Natsuki and with a chill to her voice, "I was evidently doing my job," retorted Shizuru. Then there was a laugh from the cute brunette next to her.
"That's not the way she told it," Laughed Chie, "Natsuki said you threw her down the hall after she jumped toward you after crawling on the bed after you said the snake was climbing up the bed post."
"Oh really? That's how she told it," Shizuru took her sunglasses off and folded them in to her breast pocket that lined the jacket. She regarded Natsuki and the slightly rosy tent that seemed to crawl up from her neck then splash her cheeks. Green met red, and Natsuki tore her eyes from Shizuru's.
"It was a fantastic lie I told her to jump. The snake was only on the floor near the head board. Doing absolutely nothing," Shizuru said watching Natsuki. Anger welled in Natsuki's eyes.
"You lied to me? "Growled Natsuki.
"But of course, how else would you have lunged into my arms to … Manhandle you." Shizuru and Natsuki stared one another down until silence was broken by Chie fanning herself.
"You can manhandle me anytime Shizuru, whew," Chie smiled and patted Shizuru's thigh playfully.
"Was the snake big?" asked an innocent voice to the side of Mai. A dark headed girl lounged in Mai's lap and Shizuru could swear she was purring from the stroking Mai did to her hair.
"No Mikoto, just very dangerous. I was not very fond of the situation today," Then looked at Natsuki, "Until I 'threw' my boss down the hall."
Natsuki looked at Shizuru seething waiting for anymore moment to get out of the car. IT was then Shizuru looked at each one of the band members and really noticed their outfits. Everyone except Chie wore plaid skirts of different colors and patterns, and Short cropped polo tops. Mikoto sported a spiky unkempt look that seemed to really suit her frantic thrashing when she banged on her drums. Mai had more of a school girl cute look to her that screamed wholesome, and Chie screamed sexy with her androgynous features that appealed to both men and women as she strummed her bass. Then there was Natsuki who wore a coat but Natsuki knew she was in a plaid skirt of some kind, and black hose that were held together by garter belts. She eyed each and every person in the car and the resumed her sights out the window as she slipped her sunglasses back over her eyes.
Shizuru opened the door and immediately scanned the crowd. There were too many people and she as she felt better about the situation her moved to reach in the car to help out the passenger. Her hand was warm in her palm and smiled as she was rewarded with a playful peck to her cheek. Chie then turned around and threw up her arms and greeted her fans. Then Natsuki held out her hand and Shizuru took the bag. In Shizuru's opinion it was safe enough for the star to get out of the car on her own. With a huff Natsuki flew out of the car and gave Shizuru a go to hell look then followed her bass player up the steps. Shizuru followed closely behind her then flicked her attention to the side as a beer bottle dropped from above the stars and landed right behind her.
There was not an escape route and Shizuru hated it. True she was a spy, sometimes an assassin, and sometimes bodyguard but she knew a boxed in position when she saw it and if anything happened all hell would break loose. She felt more and more anxious. She put on her ear phone and mic and contacted Takumi and told him to be on standby. The stage simply jet into the crowd. There was no barrier to the musicians and their fans and Shizuru grit her teeth as she could easily see the problem in getting to Natsuki if it was necessary. She looked around and watched at the group hit the stage but Natsuki lingered.
"Don't look like you are going to shoot everyone Shizuru. It's bad for the group's image," Natsuki taunted with a dark smile. She knew this drove Shizuru insane and she knew Shizuru was in super bodyguard mode but she teased the woman none the less. Shizuru watched the crowed as the band warmed up and they crept closer to the stage. Shizuru, on high alert, didn't notice when Natsuki took her coat off. The outfit was just like everyone else's, cropped polo, plaid skirt, but something in Natsuki's eyes bore into Shizuru's. She was gorgeous, and Shizuru fought the urge to reach out to Natsuki and tell her softly, her whisper on her ear meant to drive the woman insane to tell her she was divine. Shizuru closed off her featured and feigned boredom until Natsuki leapt out on stage.
The group was pumping, the music pounding. The crowed room snuck closer to the stage if that was possible, and every time Natsuki reached out her fingers to the crowd she tensed. Natsuki even turned a flirted and sang to Shizuru taunting, advertising her win that she was master of her own life. Then she felt it. The stage shifted, and as if in slow motion her charge got to close to a grabby fan and off she went into the crowd. Natsuki screamed and tried to fight of the hands of the crowd but they were everywhere, clawing, scratching, and grabbing trying to get a piece of her. Part of her shirt was torn and lost to the floor, another person won the head set microphone, and another fought for one of her shoes. Shizuru flashed out from the wings of the stage and dove to the floor where Natsuki was being carried away like a piece of meat hoisted above the shoulders of a famished village.
Hands, and nails raked her skin and she realized for the first time in a very long time she didn't have control. She didn't have the ground beneath her feet and she hated it. Pain lanced throughout her body and people tried to pull her apart attempting to be a person that got a handful of Willow's front singer. The star prayed it would end and tears began to slip from the corners and she desperately fought for control, fought for her freedom. Suddenly soft, yet muscular arms pulled her to a firm body and then with a grunt her savior lifted her off her feet as they kicked and plowed people down in their path. Natsuki only buried her face in their neck thankful. The door flew open as she saw Mikoto run ahead and push the doors open ushering … Shizuru. Natsuki looked into her face and saw fear, and intense concentration spread over her brow. Shizuru shoved Natsuki's body into the car and all she heard was her shout to Takumi to drive.
She was gentle in her ministrations as she pulled off her jacket and wrapped Natsuki in the warmth of the black coat but she couldn't stop shaking. She was cold, and her hands trembled. Then she felt warm arms around her and pull her to a soft yet firm chest. Natsuki shut her eyes and simply fell into those gentle arms and let Shizuru stroke her hair and calm her as if she were a child frightened by the most petrifying nightmare.
Takumi watched both women in his rearview mirror from time to time. He watched the way Natsuki melted into Shizuru and he watched as Shizuru, unknown to anyone but him brushed one lone fear from her eyes then kissed the woman's head soothing her. Soothing her like a lover would for the one they cherished most in the world.
When she lifted her from the car bundled in her jacket she felt her arms circle her neck. She felt delicate like glass about to shatter. Shizuru went straight to her pool house. She knew the area better and she could watch her easier. Natsuki was in the realm of semi-consciousness, and Shizuru fought to squeeze her harder to wake her from this daze. Shizuru walked to the bathroom and told her what she was doing as she did it so the woman wouldn't snap form her daze and attack her. She told her softly and gently when she took off her shoe, when she slid the trashed stockings down her legs. She guided Natsuki in all her ministrations and Natsuki didn't flinch as Shizuru adverted her eyes when she slid the torn shirt over Natsuki's head, and then she talked to her. She told her she was nervous unclasping her bra, while looking her in her unseeing eyes, then up a towel around her to cover up her body. Shizuru asked Natsuki many times to wake up so she can soak in the bath. When it came to undressing the rest of her Shizuru could not do it. She got the bath water ready and began filling the tub. Then head out of the bathroom dialing a number along the way.
"Where is she?" shrieked Midori over the phone panicking.
"She is here in my bathroom at the pool house. I need your help undressing her. She has cuts, and bruises all over and we need to clean them." Shizuru blinked and looked at the phone as she heard the phone cut and a dial tone. No more than three minutes later Midori was coming in as Shizuru turned off the water to the bath.
"I got half way undress," Shizuru blushed and turned to look elsewhere, "I didn't feel comfortable undressing her the rest of the way without permission or help from someone she trusts." Midori nodded and walked to in of Shizuru's towels Midori did as she had done and told her everything they were doing but Natsuki shied away from Midori's hands. Each time they went to touch her to help her get into the bath Natsuki flinched and shied away. Midori looked at Shizuru who stood leaning in the doorway with her arms crossed over her chest, and on ankle over the other.
"Come over her I have an idea," instructed Midori. "I'll stand back and be here if you need any help."
Shizuru nodded and inhaled. She was not ready for this. Every dream was about to be shattered, and reality was about to make its self-known with a hard smack. Shizuru knelt down in front of Natsuki and placed her hands on her shoulders telling her that she needed Natsuki to stand. When she complied Shizuru told her everything she was doing as she pealed the remaining articles of clothing off of her charge. Natsuki let the towel drop as Shizuru guided her to the bath. Shizuru stood to retrieve a wash cloth but Natsuki's hand shot out.
"Don't leave me," whispered Natsuki. Shizuru knelt back down and made Natsuki look at her. She gently tilted her chin up. Shizuru did not put on a mask to hide her feelings. She showed them to Natsuki hoping that Natsuki would understand she would not lie to her.
"I won't leave honey. I need to get a wash cloth to clean your cuts," Shizuru motioned to her arms and legs and Natsuki saw for the first time the damage her fans had wrecked up on her. Shizuru swept a stray lock of hair behind Natsuki's ear. "You got the hell beat out of you Natsuki-chan."
"You haven't called me that in years," Natsuki said with wet eyes. Shizuru made sure Natsuki watched her as she got the cloth. Midori watched their interaction.
"I'll tell Nina you are staying with a friend tonight. With you be alright Natsuki?" Midori excused herself as Natsuki nodded.
Left alone Shizuru tried to concentrate on Natsuki. Natsuki reached for the cloth to clean her cuts but winced then looked at Shizuru then back to her own hands. Shizuru wet the cloth, then rubbed soap in the rag. Then Shizuru gently washed the grime from Natsuki's arms and dried blood in some areas along her biceps. Natsuki hissed as it burned at moments and every time Shizuru heard her his or see her flinch she apologized. Natsuki was washed from head to foot by the time she stood to dry off. Shizuru drained the tub and told Natsuki to take anything she needed from the top drawer. Shizuru silently thanked Midori for sending someone with clean undergarments and pajamas but she offered just in case. When Shizuru came to the bedroom she saw Natsuki sitting on the bed wrapped in a towel.
"What's wrong?"
"I can't really move very well. I'm still and banged up. And the cuts stretch," Natsuki swallowed, "I need your help." Shizuru nodded and knelt in front of Natsuki.
Natsuki was beyond embarrassed but she felt safe in Shizuru's care. She heard everything Shizuru told her when she stripped her for the bath. She heard her tell her she was nervous and uncomfortable with the situation but she couldn't focus. When Midori came to help she couldn't stand her touch. It felt wrong somehow. Shizuru's touch was comforting, gentle, and loving. She didn't want anything else that moment.
When Shizuru washed the blood and dirt from her skin she felt so very comfortable with her, she felt very right sitting there with Shizuru's gentle touch all over her body. She knew this was all her fault she didn't want to think about it anymore, she didn't even want to imagine the moment when Shizuru would tell her I told you so. So she stayed where she was and then she limped to her bedroom. She twisted her ankle, and it felt like she went 12 rounds with Mohamad Ali with how much her back and kidneys hurt. She knew she was going to be black and blue with bruises and strains, then cuts. When she asked for Shizuru she was expecting her to deny her telling her it would be in their best interest to have her get dressed on her own. When Shizuru knelt down in front of her she saw something in her red eyes she never had before. Affection, or something deeper. Then Shizuru looked away and helped her get dressed. She took out some anti-biotic ointment and began smearing the medicine over her cuts. She was so gentle with her. No one had ever been that gentle with her. No one had ever took care of her in this manner before, as if she were breakable glass. She prided herself on being as tough as iron but with this woman she torn down every illusion and cut to the core of her. All lies and pretenses of being tough and independent washed away. She didn't want anyone to see this other than Shizuru.
When Shizuru finished she helped Natsuki slide up the bed and in between the sheets. Shizuru looked at her with such fondness that Natsuki couldn't help but look back. She wondered if her gaze reflected her gratitude, and her need to be held and not be left alone.
"I need to take a shower, Natsuki. Give me five minutes," Shizuru softly spoke and Natsuki reluctantly let go of her hand.
She saw the blond woman stand there for a moment before going to the bathroom. Natsuki watched as Shizuru slipped from sight then reappeared wearing purple robe and her hair up in a bun on top of her head. Natsuki's eyes never left her as Shizuru placed a town on the rack right next to the shower. Then with a look over her shoulder she let the robe fall to the floor. Natsuki's lungs failed to work as she glimpsed the body of pure perfection. Shizuru's strong back, feminine curves, and the flash of the side of her breast caught Natsuki off guard.
She heard the shower turn off but her eyes wouldn't open. She finally cracked one eye open and saw the clock. Exactly five minutes and Shizuru stepped from the bathroom in a pair a sweat pants and a t-shirt. Natsuki watched as Shizuru went to the kitchen and brought back a bottle of water, pain killers, a glass, and a bottle of wine, a Merlot is Natsuki was correct. Shizuru placed the glass and bottle next to the chair, and came toward her with the water and pain killers. Shizuru sat on the bed, emptied two pills into her palm and gave Natsuki the bottle.
"What is it?" sked Natsuki as she nodded to the bottle.
"Vicodin," responded Shizuru. Natsuki shook her head.
"I don't want that please just Aspirin, Ibuprofen, or Tylenol. Never something like that again," Natsuki refused. Shizuru went back to the bathroom and brought the Tylenol. And emptied the pills into her hand. Then gave them to Natsuki.
"I would never have anything harder that over the counter pain relievers unless I'm strapped to a chair or bed ever again," Natsuki said as she gulped water and pills in one swallow. She saw the question in Shizuru's eyes but she was grateful she didn't ask.
"When we first made it big we went to party after party. Smoke weird things, ate mind altering mushrooms, dropped drab of acid and in time played with heroin. In that entire time smaller narcotics made it across the table just like pain pills, uppers and downers, the list seemed endless. There was a week of my life I can't get back all because of those drugs." Natsuki watched Shizuru nod with no judgment.
"It was in that time I got pregnant with Nina," Natsuki whispered. Shizuru slipped into the bed and held her friend close to her.
"She is a beautiful child Natsuki," Shizuru said and felt Natsuki nod her head into her chest.
"I swore off eating funky things, and smoking, and pill popping. Aside from the occasional drink the band went drug free after finding out about Nina, Natsuki yawned and felt her eyes get heavy. She felt Shizuru shift her from her chest but Natsuki held her there.
"Please don't leave me alone tonight," pleaded a half passed out Natsuki. All Natsuki could remember was Shizuru curling into her cuddling behind her, protecting her. When sleep completely took Natsuki her dreams were of gentle kisses, and loving warm arms.