On to chapter 4... Yay!!
Can't wait to see how many flames come out of this chapter. XD
So far, it seems Shiznat fans are the only ones that frequently read this fic. If you're not one, just speak up, ;)
Shiznat demand: 7 (You only get one vote XD)
As for me… MUAHAHAHAHAHH!!!
Disclaimer: Be very, very quiet! Shizuru's after me!
Thanks goes to those that aren't wanting to kill me after this one.
'Great, have I been that obvious? Really now, Shizuru; you can do better.' The brunette mentally smacked herself.
"Ara, it seems the other way around if you ask me," smirked Shizuru, causing a very light flush on the man.
"Oh, and how can that be?" His face scowled. "Aren't you the one who's been showing up randomly at the places WE visit?"
'Well, this really isn't good. How can I say "I want a relationship like yours" or "You guys are like my own personal obsession" or even "I'll never be able to have what you two have; passion"? Stay nonchalant, Shizuru,' she told herself.
"You know, I live around here, so how can you justify that I'm stalking you, when in fact, I'm only going about my daily life?" A soft grin broke through her mask.
The man grunted. "Yeah, sure. Whatever." He took a sip of his drink, shifting his gaze forward, away from Shizuru.
'Jess, this guy is amazingly handsome. I have never been this close to him for this long. Yet, how come I'm just not noticing that his hair isn't quite black, but a very dark green? What a unique color. And his eyes; they're also green. Why do I feel myself weakening around him?'
"'ere ya go, Miss Viola. Enjoy." The bubbly bartender said, cutting off her internal monologue. She nodded. He shifted his gaze to the boyfriend, continuing. "Hey, wutz ya do'N 'ere. Rei ain't work'N tonight."
"That isn't any of your business," the boyfriend growled. "Give me another beer, will ya. I ain't got nowhere to be tonight. Let me relax."
Kaiji wasn't affected, to say the least. Instead he just nodded and tapped out another beer for the man. "'ere ya go then. Let me know if ya be hav'n' anything else." He walked further down the bar, leaving the two alone.
"Ara, so it seems we are both single for the night…" She was cut of by a sharp stare and a husky voice.
"And what makes you think that I'm single, woman? Bug off, will ya!" She was taken back for a brief moment before collecting herself.
"Alright, whatever you say." Shizuru pushed of her stool and glanced back at the green haired man. "I was only seeing if you wanted to hang out and chat. You seem uptight." She winked and walked to a side booth.
'Why do I even care?' She shook her head as she sat down.
--
She sat there for a few seconds when the green haired boyfriend came up. "You know what? I'd love to chat. It's been a while since I last talked with someone other than my girl."
Shizuru smiled broke through her facade waving a hand toward the opposite side. "Have seat…"
"Masashi; just Masashi. Friends call me Takeda, though." Sitting down, he sipped his beer.
"Nice to finally meet you, Takeda. I'm Shizuru Viola. Just call me Shizuru; friends don't call me anything else." A smile graced both's lips.
Casual conversation sparked between the two only went so far, neither really wanting to give more information than necessary. He knew of her work in the jewelry store, but he never mentioned his own occupation. He did, however, mention that he was interested in kendo and martial arts, saying it was a form of expression and an anger release method.
Takeda mentioned his girlfriend and how they met after she was being attacked by some local roughens. It was odd for the brunette when a political debate sparked over just an attack. They argued that the government only thought for itself and not the people; letting many innocent people get in the cross fire of the crime wars. Takeda wasn't swaying from his belief that the government was being bought out by the more powerful crime lords, while Shizuru tried to convince him that the government won't offer the innocent just because of a little cash.
The conversation shifted to government spending money on helpful and non-helpful economical gains. Takeda brought up the fact that the government had all this money and only spent it on bailing out bankrupt companies. He stood firmly on his belief, but Shizuru stood firmly on hers as well. She believed that the government spent their money wisely; investing in public transportation, city parks, public schools and only bailed companies out when the company had more than half a million workers.
"If the unemployment rate went up, poverty and government dependence would too. The economy couldn't handle that kind of blow," argued Shizuru.
"But you can't deny that they have done it. And where do you think that money is coming from?" spat the green haired man.
The conversation was friendly, yet heated. Shizuru was bent on saying the government got its money the honest way; taxes, public jobs, and international trade. He would still not budge on his anti-government views.
To save themselves from a bigger quarrel, they resorted to their favorite travels. They agreed in loving hot springs and the open mountain range. Takeda loved the cliffs along the sea, and even spent hours just staring at the sun set. Shizuru took note of the romantic description of the seaside breeze and glistening sunset. She mentioned that if she were to go anywhere, it would be to Europe or America where woman were free to choose their course of life, but never mentioned why.
They talked for hours, drinking, arguing in a friendly way, and laughing. They didn't even know that the bar had closed until Kaiji told them, walking them both out. All three smiled and said their goodbyes.
"Ara, it was great talking with you, Takeda." A grin was fixed on her facade.
"That it was." The green haired man stretched yawning. "Hey, look it's really late, let me give you a ride home." He pointed his thumb over his shoulder, towards his bike.
"That's very kind of you, but I must decline. You should be getting home to your girlfriend."
"Nah, it's the least I can do for the conversation. Not to mention, a pretty woman like you shouldn't be out this late alone."
"I do think you underestimate me. What about your girlfriend?"
"Don't worry about it. She's working a double tonight, and won't be home 'til late." His wrist twitched in dismissal.
'She works two jobs? That must be tough.'
"Alright, but don't drive too fast. I have never rode on one before." She smiled sweetly, tilting her head slightly to the side.
"I won't; here." He passed the brunette the spare helmet. "Put this on and hop on. Make sure you hold on to my waist tightly. Don't want you falling off." A hint of amusement tainted his voice, and a playful grin spread across his lips
"Ara, you really are a gentleman. So caring and sweet. Rei will have to be careful, I might just make you mine." She giggled, only joking.
"Who? Oh, yeah. Not gonna happen." A blush tinted his cheeks. "Just hurry up."
He cranked the engine while Shizuru followed his orders. The drive was a whole three minutes, but it felt like heaven as Shizuru felt the wind pass her body, freeing her heart.
'That felt amazing. I might just have to learn how to drive one of these.' She smiled and thanked Takeda for the ride. Though the rain had let up, it wasn't going to be long before the storm picked up again. Thunder rolled in the distance, reminding both of them it was time to take cover.
"Goodnight, Shizuru. Be safe," waved Takeda, as he road away along the soaked street.
'Wait, how did he know?...'
Her thoughts were cut off from the loud purr of the motorcycle echoing off the buildings as Shizuru watched the outline of the biker disappear into the dark. She shook her head, retreating to her apartment for a good night's rest.
Once in her lavender pajamas, Shizuru crawled into bed, listening to the light patter of rain falling outside. The storm was weakening, but it still wasn't letting up. Thunder rattled the apartment while the brunette closed her eyes.
'I can't believe that I almost let my mask slip around him.'
"He's such a sweet man," she whispered into the darkness.
'If only I could find someone as nice as him.'
"I can only wish." She murmured, finally letting sleep take hold of her.
Please no flames yet!!! Just wait until next chapter…
And no, I don't want them to be put together. This way it adds to the suspense.
Omake: (If anyone can figure out the small reference, they get a prize)
Ume: *on phone with Jquackers* . There is a worm crawling across my floor.
*through phone*
Jquackers: It has to be your imagination. Get some rest before your finals.
Ume: No, there really is a human size worm wiggling here.
*through phone*
Jquackers: Good gosh, you're over reacting. *sigh* I'll be over in a few.
--
Jquackers: That has to be the creepiest thing I ever seen.
*both stare at green, pissed off eyes looking through white wraps*
Ume: It doesn't look happy.
Jquackers: *walks over and pokes, growl is heard* Do you think…
*door slams open*
Nao: There you are!!! I thought I told you not to go anywhere! Now, come with me.
*picks squirming worm with green eyes and jumps out window*
Ume and Jquackers: *sweat drop* What was that?
*door slams open again*
Shizuru: *sniffs air* She was here *grabs Ume by collar* Where is she?
Ume: Huh? *3 big sweat drops*
Shizuru: *glares with blood shot eyes* MY Natsuki! She was here! Where are you hiding her?!?!
Jquackers: *clears throat and points toward window* She went that way.
Shizuru: *drops Ume runs toward window* Oh. *stops and bows* Thank you. *jumps out window*
Ume and Jquackers: *runs to window to find no trace of anyone*
Jquackers: *smacks Ume on the back of the head* This is what happens when you don't put Natsuki in a fic with Shizuru!
Ume: heh… Gomen
Jquackers: *pulls out laptop* Get to work… There is no way that I will let this happen again. *twitch*
Ume: *shakes head* NO! You saw it yourself! Nao owns her now!
Jquackers: *pulls out pistols and starts firing, twitching insanely the entire time*
*screams and bullets echo around the house*