Wolf: 2:27 am. I have a habit of writing late in the…morning. Naughty naughty antics. Anyways! So…I'm gonna eat my ramen while I give all my reviewers and readers the REAL chapter they've been dying to see. Yes after thirsting for 3 chapters, the long awaited REAL ShizNat meeting. And so it is with my happiness that I present you this lovely chap while dreading the wrath of my 'lil mother in the next hours after catching me up so late. Eep! (runs)
Disclaimer: I don't own Mai HiME.
Play For Me
Chapter 4
No Second First Impressions
Caught.
That was how she felt, caught red-handed doing something naughty. In all actuality, she really was caught red-handed doing something naughty. A tiny nagging voice in the back of her mind was hissing to her that said naughty thing was entering someone's home without permission. However, another little voice was whispering back that it wasn't completely her fault. The door had been left wide open. Though the dark-haired youth wasn't listening to either voice. No, her attention was solely elsewhere.
Her attention was completely on the woman in front of her, who was moving at a suspiciously sedate pace. Her long legs swung one in front of the other in a grace that was full of power and poise. Her arms swung in a similar matter, strength flowing up to her shoulders as well as a line of slender muscles constricting in tension. A slender porcelain neck swallowed hard, veiled by flaxen tresses. A few more powerful strides and then she was in front of Natsuki, no more than a foot away.
The youth stared at nothing for a few moments; gaze directed nowhere specifically as she looked on dully. Gradually, her viridian eyes pulled upward along the woman's dark-clad form. She grazed those strong shoulders and that long neck, which she swore she saw an artery pulsing in rigidity, and peered upward toward the female's face. A sharp chin smoothed outward from the pale brunette's face; a sleek nose lightly flared. Hot breath almost reached Natsuki's face from a pair of rosy lips. Strangely, the woman's cheeks were brightly flushed, though whether from exertion or anger she wasn't sure. She hoped the former.
She continued on slowly studying that face, eyes flicking away from the high cheekbones and up the core of the pianist's face. Those scarlet eyes again, a shade of blood-red so deep that Natsuki thought it was almost endless, fading to black crimson along the rim of her pupils. Very faint flecks of amber and burgundy tinted the edges of the woman's irises. Though the paler shades were washed away and plunged into the scarlet depths. Natsuki sucked in her breath.
Those eyes weren't at all welcoming.
They scorched at Natsuki, effectively pinning her where she stood. A deep anger swirled and fogged the woman's gaze. She stared at Natsuki hotly and unclearly. For a reason she couldn't fathom, the guitarist thought that the brunette wasn't so much as looking her as she was judging her very soul. That dark gaze felt like it was so.
Then, just like a raging storm, the anger slowly diminished and the clouded look focused. The tension along her form melted as a sigh released from the musician. The fury in her scarlet eyes faded so smoothly and her face relaxed so easily, Natsuki wasn't aware that she was just gawking at her until the next shocking thing happened. The woman spoke.
"Ara…"
Her mind reeled and she tried desperately to steady herself at that. Astonishment gripped her legs and buckled her knees as her emerald eyes rounded at the woman. Her voice was soft and coated with a heavy accent, one she vaguely recalled as Kyoto-ben. Her head sluggishly swung from side to side, disbelieving. Why was she in disbelief? She didn't rightly know. All she knew was that the ambition she'd always felt when interviewing a promising pianist was shooting up from the tips of her toes and through her body so swiftly that speech was impossible for her. She could only gape at the Kyoto woman stupidly for several long moments, as if she'd never seen a creature like her.
However, the pianist was far from sharing Natsuki's speechless enthusiasm.
Her dim eyes were now growing wider fraction by fraction as confusion blanketed her mind. Her first question was as followed: who was this odd girl just staring slack-jawed at her on her doorstep? Why was she just gawking like that? The brunette eyed her up and down, staring at the jeans and pale green shirt with a blue vest that the girl was wearing. She looked harmless enough.
Her scarlet eyes trailed up and studied the girl's face quite seriously, caution at the edges of her face. Soft young cheeks, a smooth chin and jaw line, a tiny nose, porcelain neck, and a pair of the most vivid viridian green eyes she'd ever seen. Locks of midnight cobalt framed the girl's visage, sweeping along her back like a sleek waterfall. She was a cool beauty, an icy beauty. There wasn't a tint of any warm colors on her adolescent form. The Kyoto-ben native had the strangest idea that she was staring at a young icy queen rising from her long dead frosted burial. A grand site the little porcelain-skinned female was.
Though her demeanor was far from grand.
Having had about enough of the girl's gaping, the brunette tilted her head to the side. A calculating look entered her eyes as a smile thinly curled her lips. Natsuki finally did react at this. She twitched, arching a fine eyebrow at the brunette in wonder and question. The brunette's words were tinged with playfulness, yet underneath was a cautious tone, "Ara…thank you for breaking into my home and presenting me with your…exquisite image…but who are you?"
Green eyes rounded in surprise as a faint tint of pink colored Natsuki's cheek. She continued to gawk at the woman for another few more minutes as she processed the words. Is this lady teasing me? No shit Natsuki of course she is. She just mocked you on your lack of…style for entering her home…without her permission...oh shit! Struggling to gain back her dignity and pushing down her panic, she coughed and stammered, "Uhh…uhh the door was open…and I heard music and I…I…" she trailed off dumbly, still staring.
Amusement darkened the scarlet eyes gazing back at her as the woman smirked and stepped a few paces back into her home, "I see. So you came like a moth to a flame at hearing my music? Am I right in assuming you've a passion for music as well?" she asked as she sat down on her soft brown sofa.
Natsuki stood there, eying the woman as her dark eyes continued to glimmer in amusement. With her arm on the edge of her sofa and the other one on her lap, she looked friendly enough. Her eyebrows knitted for a moment before she continued smiling and beckoned the biker forward with a simple flick of her wrist. Strange thing #2. Strange thing #1, woman doesn't close her door and practically invites all trespassers as she merrily…ok not so merrily plays her piano. She ignores everything else. Now she's…asking me to sit with her? Yeah…strange thing #2.
Despite the urgent voices that hissed in her head that she shouldn't be doing such a thing with a stranger, Natsuki dipped her head in a single nod and padded to the couch. She sunk down onto the soft cushions and draped her arms across her legs, hands fiddling between her slightly parted knees. Out of the corner of her eye, she observed the brunette sitting next to her. Calm, poised, and perfectly peaceful were all good adjectives to describe her. There was not a hair misplaced. A very different image than the one Natsuki had first been introduced with.
The vision she'd be presented with as she'd watched the woman rise from her piano and stalk toward her had been powerful, angry. Her eyes were dark and accusing and her jaw had been tight. Had Natsuki been stupid, she'd have thought the female was about to punch her. However, the angry visage had melted away so quickly, so easily that Natsuki could have only gawked at it.
Strange thing #3…woman is possibly bipolar.
Rapidly shaking her head at the rude and blunt comment in her head, Natsuki felt as an embarrassed flush tinged her cheeks. Her host looked at her curiously, one eyebrow arched as she contemplated what was wrong with her guest. The girl was strange and becoming stranger still. She seemed to be having an internal war, shaking her head as if she was appalled by something. The brunette's lips twitched when she saw a splash of cherry red stain the youth's cheeks. Adorable…who is she?
"So who sent you?"
The question startled her, brought her out of her jumbled thoughts and she turned to the pianist, eyebrows folding into a frown. Who sent her? What kind of question was that? Natsuki mulled over this for a moment until she mumbled, "Sent me? No one sent me…I came on my own."
"Ara, is that so? So I guess Reito finally quit his old tricks and has finally given up on trying to bait me out of my placid life," she remarked, shooting the biker a calculated look.
At once, as if she'd been dumped with icy water, Natsuki realized why the woman kept shooting sharp, accusatory glances at her. This brunette, this pianist thought that she'd been sent by someone else for lord knows what. Bristling oddly, Natsuki pulled back her lips and snapped, "I'm not here by his standards, I'm here by my own."
"And to what do I owe the pleasure of having such a cool beauty breaking into my home?" the brunette quipped back, rising from the couch and making her way to the kitchen.
A vein pulsating angrily on her temple, Natsuki snarled and followed after her with a snappish bark, "You make me sound like a criminal! You were the one who left your door open! And I came here because…because…well…Kanzaki-san recommended you and…" she trailed off, unsure of how to approach her request to what was obviously not a friendly woman.
"So he did send you, indirectly speaking. Out of all the prestigious pianists that he could have given you a list of thousands, he sent you to me," the female murmured softly, though a biting tone laced underneath. She was at the counter of her kitchen now, hands reaching for a mug as she grasped a tea kettle and began to heat some water.
"Uhh…" Natsuki had no retort to that, seeing that the black-clad woman had a point. She may have come for her own reasons, but it was Reito initially who led her into this direction. What was wrong with the woman? Why was she so…bitter? She sounds like an old angry widowed crone…Natsuki let out a soft snicker at this thought, not able to contain herself.
Her host didn't let this go unnoticed, eying her just as curiously and suspiciously. Natsuki sucked in her breath and watched as the woman went about preparing what she now realized was tea. Ok Natsuki take this slow. Obviously this woman's been bugged before by…other people…have to ask Reito what's up about that…You don't want her kicking you out or anything…or calling the police as she blatantly thinks I'm some delinquent criminal. Nice and slow…just casually note your requests. Straightening her posture and determination burning in her emerald depths, Natsuki spoke, "Let me start off by introducing myself. My name is Kuga Natsuki. I'm an adept guitarist, pianist, and vocalist. I was originally taught by my mother with the piano, but brushed up my music skills at the Garderobe Musical Academy. I've also graduated from Tokyo University."
A fair brow was upraised at Natsuki's formal tone and a smirk curled the brunette's lips. Amusement twinkled in her dim eyes as she stared at the stiff guitarist. So she's not as ill-mannered as I thought she was…quite the credentials she has. Garderobe Musical Academy. She must have quite a passion and ambition if she 'brushed up her skills' there. Scarlet eyes glittered at the musician as she stirred a steaming mug of green tea. Bringing it upward, she paused before her lips touched the rim and replied, "Impressive. So you're more than just one who likes to break into people's houses. You're a certified musician."
The vein on Natsuki's temple seemed to pump harder and her teeth clenched as she growled, "Would you cut that out? I didn't mean to break into your house! You left the door open for goodness sake! What kind of person leaves their door open like that?!"
This time it was the pianist's turn to look upset as a minimal glare creased her fair brow. She lowered her mug slightly as she spoke in a poised voice, "What kind of person intrudes on one's home and just stares at the owner for several long moments and then proceeds to question them?"
"The kind who wonders at said home owner's abilities to take care of themselves!" Natsuki quipped as her vein continued to pump angrily, giving her the image of an upset puppy. She turned to the kitchen table and pointed accusingly at the brown bags still left there untouched, "Look you haven't even put your groceries away! Food spoils and doesn't grow on trees...ok well it does but…money doesn't grow on trees!" she snarled.
"I can take care of myself just fine," the brunette commented dryly.
"Sure you can. Do you usually just waltz into your home, dump everything you were doing and then march to your piano and begin to play up a storm? What do the neighbors think?!" Natsuki mocked, trying to refrain from snickering and failing.
Another twitch in the woman's calm mask.
"Do you usually waltz into someone's home without permission? Committing a crime?" the woman quipped back cheekily with a grin.
"It's not a crime if the person invites me in afterward!" Natsuki roared, viridian eyes blazing with her rage.
"Oh so you agree that you do barge in on people's homes?" the woman countered, sipping her tea delicately.
"Argh! No I don't! And I didn't mean to barge in on you I just…I…" the biker trailed off again, her speech stuttering as she felt her cheeks grow hot from the woman's obvious amusement. She fidgeted before her, twiddling her thumbs as she tried to clarify her words.
The woman lowered her cup once more and stared at the dark-haired youth with inquisitive dark eyes. Ara…she's adorable when she pouts…but she's still rude. Her eyebrow twitched at this and she smirked once more, voice coming out in a low drawl, "You just what?"
"Well I heard your playing…and Kanzaki-san recommended you and he was right when he said you were good," she paused at the challenging look in the woman's scarlet eyes, "Ok he said you were the most passionate pianist he's ever seen," she added and the pianist's face cleared as she smiled. Natsuki continued, "And I…well I'm looking for a pianist…and…you…" she left her words hanging, a hopeful look entering her eyes.
And now she's turned into a cute little puppy begging her master to give her what she wants, the pianist observed, her smirk growing wider. Too bad I won't give her what she wants. Her scarlet eyes glimmered mischievously as she sipped her tea once more, eyes fluttering shut, "And so you decided that I'd be your pianist?"
"Ahuh," Natsuki responded, eagerly and anxiously watching the Kyoto-born. Her eyes started to sparkle even more as she expectantly asked, "Will you?"
This is great! If she accepts I can start phase 2 of my career! Start a band…need to ask Nao if she'll join. She's the only person I like who plays drums. Even though she's one of the most annoying little insects I know. By now Natsuki had taken on a giddy, excited look as her hopeful grinned widened.
"No."
Her happy thoughts came crashing into a brick wall. Natsuki could have sworn she heard a distant slamming, crashing, shattering noise in her head. Viridian eyes rounded in utter disbelief as her jaw dropped. Her gaze fixated hazily on the brunette as the woman kept on calmly sipping her tea. She stammered, trying to get a hold of her shocked self, "W-What?"
"I said no."
"You…you refuse?" Natsuki squeaked weakly, staring with a still slackened jaw at the oak-haired female.
Scarlet eyes lifted to Natsuki again and the woman tilted her head to the side, "Ara, did I stutter? I don't believe I did. Yes I do refuse."
"Why?!" the blue-haired guitarist almost wailed, staring at her in wide-eyed shock as her hopes crashed around her like multiple bombs.
"Because I've no interest to become your pianist. You've good credentials, but I've seen better and better have come to see me and they've all received the same response. No," the dark-eyed woman responded, her voice beginning to lace with discontent.
Natsuki's face erupted in dark shades of red and steam could almost be seen puffing out of her ears as her short temper was completely ignited. Being refused was one thing. Being refused and then insulted in a mocking manner was another thing. With an increasingly reddening face, at which the brunette was sure Natsuki's head would explode from all the blood, she lashed out, "You…you…YOU BITCH! No one insults me and gets away with it! I may not be one of the most highly credentialed but at least I'm not some hermit woman leaving all isolated by herself and refusing any company at all and then proceeding to insult them! You superior bitch!"
"Ara…and I'm not a cocky delinquent who thinks people will throw themselves at her feet and plead to become her music partner," the pianist shot back, brow creasing angrily.
Natsuki's face turned a darker red and she snarled, "Shut up!"
"Kuga-san is becoming too rowdy. I'm afraid I'll have to ask her to leave," the Kyoto-native rasped, glare turning icy. With that said, she grabbed Natsuki's arm and proceeded to pull her toward the door.
Natsuki stumbled slightly on her feet as she was dragged by the other woman and shrilly cried, "You're kicking me out?! That's rude!"
"Yes I believe I am kicking you out. And it's not as rude as calling one's host a…bitch," the pianist replied with a look bordering mischief and offense.
A gasp left the youth's lips as she was lightly pushed out of the still-open door. She turned; rage heating her evergreen gaze as she snapped, "You can't do this!"
"I believe I just did. Good day Kuga-san!" the woman quipped brightly with a toothy smile as she moved to close the door.
"W-Wait!" Natsuki gasped as she caught the brunette's arm before she closed the door. Her viridian eyes flickered anxiously as she rasped in a much softer voice, "Can I at least know your name?"
Scarlet eyes flickered with an odd emotion, as if she was disbelieving that the blue-haired musician would want something as simple as her name. Despite the oddity of the request, the brunette replied just as softly, "Fujino Shizuru."
"Fujino-san…" Natsuki murmured, testing it on her tongue and feeling it slide from her lips in a strange fashion. A smirk lit her face as she turned back to the door.
Only to have it slam in her face with a last, "Farewell Kuga-san!"
Natsuki stared. Or more like gawked as she stood in front of the door, as if doing so would reopen it. Her jaw slackened and her eyes practically bugged out. She'd just been mocked, insulted, refused, and kicked out all in one day. She was possibly teased too. Her eye twitched angrily and she growled, punching the door with a sharp, "DAMNIT!"
Immediately, the door opened and dark furious scarlet eyes faced Natsuki again as Shizuru lifted a phone and smirked smugly as if to say 'If you won't leave and stop making such a ruckus I'll call the cops'.
Natsuki backed off with her hands up in the air in a defensive motion and huffed, "Ok ok I get it. I'm gone now."
That said, the musician whipped around on her heel and walked along the floor, growling in frustration as she disappeared in the elevator. Shizuru gazed after her with slightly suspicious eyes, making sure the youth was completely out of sight before she ducked back into her apartment.
The Kyoto-born tapped her chin thoughtfully as she mulled over the events that had just occurred. She was annoyed, at the guitarist and at Reito for once again meddling into her reserved life. That man just always had to send someone crawling to her home looking for some kind of partnership. Often though those meetings were frustrating and lead to the requesters being kicked out of her apartment. All of them wanted her for one thing and one thing only. Her skills, sometimes even her beauty. Though I'll admit I've never had a woman wanting to be my musical partner. She was interesting…if somewhat egotistical. Scarlet eyes twinkled as Shizuru recalled the adorable sight of Natsuki's blushing face and she snickered. Though…she needs to work on her manners. Honestly, bitch? What a cute, short-tempered puppy. Smirk still in place, she glided to her phone and picked it up. As she dialed a number, her eyes turned from amused to angry and she hissed into the phone when someone picked up.
"Hello?" a masculine voice asked curiously into the line.
Shizuru's smirk turned callous and cold as she whispered back, "Hello Reito. I believe we have some business to discuss."
- - -
"She was a pompous bitch!"
The first thing Natsuki had done the moment she arrived home, frustrated and tired, was call Mai and Nao. It hadn't taken long for her two friends to scurry to her apartment, sensing Natsuki's irritated mood. Now both redheads were watching the biker pace back and forth in her living room with her face scrunched in anger. Natsuki kept mumbling to herself, often spouting curses and insults about what Mai and Nao presumed was the pianist she'd met. Obviously, the meeting didn't go so well.
Mai watched and bit her lip, anxiety coating her violet eyes as she scratched her head. Nao was listening to Natsuki's rambles, snickering at the insults. The lime-eyed female leaned back on the couch and casually asked, "Wow she must have been one if you're all worked up over her. Geez calm down Kuga. No need to get so upset."
"I'm not upset! And even if I was I'd have a good reason to be!" Natsuki snapped as she continued her pacing, shoving her arms into her jean pockets and scowling.
Mai scratched her head and cautiously spoke, "Uhh Natsuki did you offend her….in anyway? Because maybe it was something you said that got you kicked out…"
Natsuki paused. Her steps halted and she looked at Mai sheepishly as her viridian eyes glittered with embarrassment and shame. She was positive it wasn't just one thing she'd said to Fujino Shizuru, but a number of things. So she entered her home without permission, big deal. So she'd basically called her a stuck-up snob, big deal. So she'd commented that the woman was something like a hermit, big deal. So she'd said that the woman didn't know how to take care of herself, big deal. So she'd yelled at her, big deal. So she'd called her a bitch…ok big deal. With every listing of the faulty behavior she'd shown, Natsuki's face became redder and redder with abashment. Pride fogged her head so thickly though and she wouldn't allow herself to admit it. She snapped her head up and stuttered with a bright pink face, "I-It's not like she was any better herself! She mocked, insulted, and teased me! She called me a delinquent and a criminal!" the biker wailed, flapping her arms.
"Damn that does suck. I'm on Kuga's side, this woman sounds like a bitch," Nao said. Her lime eyes glittered mischievously and she snickered, "Let's get her back by tagging her car or sending her hate mail or something."
Natsuki held in a snort of laughter at Nao's childish attempts at seeking revenge on Shizuru. Though she had to admit that it appealed slightly to her. Mai rolled her eyes and threw one of the couch pillows at the redhead, who promptly squeaked and ducked. The ginger-haired girl ignored Nao who stuck her tongue out and turned back to Natsuki, "C'mon Natsuki what did you do?"
Sulking and knowing she wouldn't be able to wriggle out when Mai pulled that soft coaxing voice, the biker crossed her arms and pouted, "I…sorta entered her house without permission…"
"You broke into her home?! Damn Kuga! Didn't know you were a felon! Why didn't you invite me for some of the fun?! And here I was thinking you didn't like taking risks!" Nao howled, rolling back on the couch and laughing.
"I didn't break into her home! She left the door open ok?! And after I did…enter without permission…the woman all but cheerily invited me inside after like…looking at me as if she was gonna unleash her guard dog or something," Natsuki grumbled.
"She sounds bipolar," Nao blurted out, eyebrows arched.
Mai once again threw another pillow at the young drummer, this time successfully hitting Nao's face. She turned her attention back to Natsuki and sighed at the sullen look the girl wore. Natsuki really did sometimes wear her heart on her sleeve, at least with people she was close to. The biker resembled a puppy that'd done something bad and was now being scolded by its owner. With a downcast face and large emerald eyes coupled with a pout, Natsuki really did look like a puppy. Shaking her head, Mai answered softly, "It looks like you two just made some bad first impressions on each other."
Natsuki nodded glumly and moved to sit by her friend. The busty woman patted the girl's shoulder as she tried her best at comforting the rejected and kicked puppy. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, Mai tried consoling her, "Well…there are other pianists out there still Natsuki. Why don't we give Reito a call and ask for other recommendations? I'm sure he's got a few more up his sleeve. Much nicer ones…"
The guitarist shook her head and continued to sulk, dully mumbling, "They probably wouldn't be as good. Kanzaki-san said she was the most passionate pianist he'd ever seen. And he was right! I've never seen anyone play so…" she paused and searched for a word.
"Earth shaking? Soul shattering? Heart breaking?" Nao filled in for her as the redhead put the pillows back on the couch.
"Smoldering," Natsuki finally decided. It was difficult to describe what she had felt when she'd heard Shizuru play. A combination of anger, sorrow, and bitterness had been weaved in so tightly, so forcefully that her heart had been left trembling in its torrential wake. Her soul had been writhed and stretched apart at the symphony of the keys Shizuru had touched. A mass of emotions had racked her core and seeped into her skin so brutally that Natsuki could still feel the song prickling the fine hairs on her nape. She sighed and rubbed her face on her hand, "You guys should have been there. It was…it was like a downpour of emotions all rolled into one song. It sounded so miserable, so angry. Argh! I can't explain it. You'd have to have been there."
"You sound like you're in love with her music. Marry it," Nao smirked, shoulders lightly bouncing with inaudible chuckles. Once again, a pillow was quickly thrown at the redhead, but this time it was by Natsuki instead of Mai.
"What am I going to do? I lost the chance of the only pianist I actually liked and now…" Natsuki's pout intensified and her evergreen eyes sparkled with moisture. Instead of the puppy that'd done something wrong image, she resembled more of a small puppy kicked out in the rain. Mai's violet eyes softened and she patted the girl's shoulder as she tried to think of what to do. Aww the poor thing. She's just like a cute little puppy. Not my puppy though hehe.
"Easy Kuga!" Nao suddenly interjected with a wide grin, "I know what you need to do!"
A pair of green eyes and a pair of violet pools looked inquiringly at Nao. Natsuki and Mai both tilted their heads in a similar fashion as they questioned the redhead, "What?"
"Well…all you gotta do is…" Nao said slowly, as if she was explaining something hard to a pair of five year-olds.
"Yeaaaah?" Natsuki and Mai asked, leaning in closer and peering at the redhead with large curious eyes.
Nao's smirk grew wider and a devilish gleam entered her lime eyes, "All you gotta do is…drop down and beg, grovel, groan, and moan on your hands and knees to the woman!"
The two girls reared their heads back, each taking on a look of surprise as their jaws dropped. Nao stared back at them with the utmost dead serious expression she could give, though the corner of her lips jerked and her lime eyes glittered with mirth. Natsuki's face distorted slowly, lips parting and twitching madly with widening eyes as if Nao's statement had crazed her. Mai's own violet pools rounded and she continued to gawk for a few moments until her stare became quizzical, wondering at Nao's choice of words. Nao continued to sport a calm look until she suddenly dropped her chin to her chest and snorted in laughter at the astonished faces she'd gotten. Her two companions observed her and then, with a furious roar, Natsuki lunged at the girl and tackled her down. Mai was still staring at nothing, tossing words in her head.
"Idiot! Why would I go and do that?! Do you want me to lose all my dignity?!" Natsuki snarled in anger as she scuffled with the redhead who was trying to scurry away from her friend's rough hands.
"Ahh! Ahh! Ouch ouch ouch Kuga! Let go!" Nao yelped as she tried to fend off Natsuki's hands that grabbed at her shoulders and pulled her into a headlock. One calloused hand buried itself into Nao's short red hair and proceeded to grind the knuckles against her scalp, effectively giving her a nuggie.
While Natsuki continued assaulting Nao's head, Mai was still seated cross-legged on the couch. Her brow folded delicately into a frown as a thoughtful expression entered her eyes. She tapped her finger against her chin and pondered for a bit. Then, as if a light bulb had suddenly lit above her head, she grinned and clapped her hands together with a squeal, "I got it!"
Both raucous adolescents turned to Mai, blinking two sets of green eyes. They both bore the same expression of 'Huh? Got what?' on their faces. Completely stilled of their actions, the two musicians watched as Mai leaped off the couch and padded excitedly to Natsuki's kitchen with a wide grin, "I know just how to make things right! Muffins! I'll make some muffins and Natsuki can give them to Fujino-san! Everyone likes muffins!" Mai quipped excitedly in the kitchen.
Nao and Natsuki stared after her, the only motion in their bodies being the turning of their heads and gazes. They listened to the sound of Mai humming and bustling around in the kitchen, mumbling something about muffins. Both women felt their eyes twitch and they bent down slightly, snickering together. Nao wriggled in Natsuki's headlock and smirked, "Muffins ey? Why didn't you think of that Kuga?"
Natsuki instantly stopped her laughter and then continued on with her punishment, "Shut up Nao! I didn't hear anything about muffins from you!"
"Ow! Watch it! That hurts Kuga! Let go, I have a soft head!" Nao wailed.
"You have an empty head!" Natsuki retorted as she continued her attack on Nao's head.
While both girls fought in the living room, Mai was bouncing around Natsuki's kitchen, occasionally trying not to trip over any stray empty bottles of mayonnaise. She scratched her head at the wonder of her friend's addiction while mixing some batter. Muffins can make anyone happy. All Natsuki needs to do is give these to Fujino-san, apologize, and then persuade her to become her pianist! And then happy ending! All thanks to me! The ginger-haired female took on a shimmering violet-eyed expression, as if she was imagining something grand. Natsuki will be so happy! And I'll be the hero! Mai giggled and continued on making her batch of muffins.
It was a while after when Nao and Natsuki finally poked their heads in, noses twitching as they followed the scent of freshly baked muffins. Drool pooled at the corners of their mouths as their bright green eyes fixated on the fluffy golden-brown batch of treats sitting on the counter. Completely unaware of the danger they were about to brace, both girls tiptoed into the kitchen and skulked like hungry mischievous puppies to the muffins. Natsuki loomed over the batch with feral, hungry eyes as an evil grin curled her mouth. Drool trickled down Nao's chin at the sight of the food and her stomach gave a hungry growl. Both reached forward, hands outstretched and moving in agonizingly slow moments. They were so close, able to feel the heat radiating off the muffins in a cloud of invisible steam. So close, just a few more inches, and they'd have the muffins in their grasps. Just a few more centimeters; both were already imagining stuffing the delicious pastries in their mouths, savoring the succulent fresh taste. They almost had them now, faces peering closer and drool dropping on the ground. And just before they could snatch the tasty morsels…
SMACK!
Two symmetrical cries of pain echoed in the kitchen and Natsuki and Nao shied backward, both delicately cradling each of their right hands. Tears welled in the girls' eyes as they whimpered at the throbbing of their appendages, watching as the back of their palms quickly began to burn a bright shade of red. Meekly, both of them trailed their eyes from their hands, across the floor, up a pair of legs, along a pink apron, and stared at Mai's slightly reproachful face. The violet-eyed girl tapped her foot in irritation, arms crossed and holding a spatula as she said, "No touching the muffins you guys. Those are for Fujino-san and Natsuki's apology."
"I can't even have one?!" Nao and Natsuki whined sadly, eyes big and teary.
Mai shook her head and grabbed the muffins, tenderly placing them in a plastic container. Putting away the spatula, she picked up the container and placed it in Natsuki's hands just as tenderly, as if she was giving away a precious valuable treasure. With serious, solemn eyes she said, "Well here you go Natsuki. Take these to Fujino-san and get ready to apologize….and don't eat any!" she added sharply.
Viridian eyes glared at Mai as Natsuki turned and headed to the door. Grabbing her keys, she grumbled at the fact that she would have to swallow down her pride and apologize. It was even worse when she couldn't even have a muffin. The cobalt-haired biker went out of the apartment, sullen and pouting once more. Nao's own lime eyes followed her just as sullenly as the guitarist disappeared. When she was gone, she turned to Mai and her shoulders drooped as she whined, "I couldn't even have one muffin? Not even one?"
A sigh came from the ginger-haired youth. Nao looked at her hopefully and expectantly. Her lime eyes brightened considerably when Mai peeked out a muffin from behind her back and held it out to the girl. The redhead grinned triumphantly and snatched it, beginning to devour it. Her thoughts were smug as she ate. Ha! I get a muffin while Kuga doesn't and has to apologize to some uptight hermit lady! Hehehe.
- - -
She was standing just in front of the door, hands gripping the plastic container of muffins with an icy hold of determination and reluctance. On the one hand, she still wanted to have Fujino Shizuru become her musical partner. On the other hand, she didn't want to swallow her pride and apologize as well. She sighed, staring down at her shoes sulkily. Why couldn't Kanzaki-san recommend me someone else? Why this hermit pushy woman? Grr…Ugh well here it goes Natsuki. Brace yourself to swallow your pride and grovel.
Taking a rough swallow, the youth raised her fist and knocked on the door a few times. In the moments she waited, she steeled herself for the upcoming not-so-welcomed looks she was bound to receive. Her heart began to ram uneasily in her ribcage as she waited, hands tightening on the muffins. The muffled sound of footsteps echoed past the wooden door and her blood began to pound in her ears as she watched the door slowly creak open. Dark scarlet eyes with a tint of rusted amber peered at her from the other side of the door, framed by those familiar pale oak locks. A frown instantly creased the woman's face and she moved to shut the door.
"Wait!" Natsuki shrieked as she took a step forward and placed her foot in between the doorway. A hiss of pain sizzled up her throat and she clenched her teeth and eyes shut at the feel of the door slamming against her foot. Cursing inwardly, she managed to gasp out, "I-I…come f-for a peace offering…"
Dark eyes glanced at Natsuki's face and then down at the foot that was jammed in the doorway. Wonder and a flicker of guilt entered those eyes as Shizuru stared at Natsuki's sore foot, "Ara…Kuga-san's foot…peace offering?"
The brunette glanced up, this time with confusion. At Natsuki's nod, her gaze narrowed in suspicion as if she thought the younger girl was pulling a trick. After a few more moments at staring at the brutally honest and pleading face, which was intensified by the pain in Natsuki's foot, Shizuru sighed and opened the door wider. She gestured to let the girl in and closed the door once the youth did so. Shizuru then stalked further into her home as Natsuki got the chance to survey it a little better than the strange occurrence when she was here last time.
It wasn't a very large looking apartment. The living room was the biggest with earthen painted walls spreading across. A brown sofa sat in the middle, facing a small television and a small table sported the sofa on one side. Across the room was a little drawer on the farthest side. Then, right next to that cherry oak drawer was the dark ebony piano, looking the most clean and polished in the entire room. In the narrow hallway she stood in, Natsuki could see the entrance to the kitchen downwards and even farther were two open doors, which she presumed were the bedroom and bathroom. The one thing that she stuffed into her mind were the dark warm colors, mostly all in some shade of brown. This lady likes her brown.
Icy viridian eyes shot over when she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Natsuki watched as Shizuru sat on her couch, tea in hand. The brunette sipped her mug, one slender leg moving to cross itself gracefully over the other. Allowing herself to observe the pianist, Natsuki noted that the long black cloak was off her shoulders. Underneath it was a simple beige button-up and a pair of dark tan slacks. Despite the casual clothing, the brunette still seemed to retain a distant and business-like manner that had been magnified by her ebony coat she'd adorned earlier. Slender fingers raised her cup once more and then one scarlet eye crept open. A tiny smile curled her lips as she gazed at Natsuki, "Kuga-san may sit down if she wishes to do so."
Startled, the musician jerked her posture straight and stiffly padded around to the couch and sat on it. Her back was rigid and straight and for a moment the only thing that sounded in the living room was Shizuru's small sipping. Then porcelain hands lifted the container of muffins and placed it on the coffee table before the couch. Natsuki slowly slid it across the table to where it ended up in front of Shizuru, her fingers twitching nervously as she replied with something of a stony tone, "Uhh…here's the peace offering. My friend, who's a chef, baked you some muffins…"
"Muffins for a stranger? Ara, how kind she must be," Shizuru quipped as she set down her tea. She didn't reach for the muffins though, only stared at it with hard dark eyes that fixed on the pale fingers and then trailed up Natsuki's long, firm arm. Scarlet eyes gazed at the girl beneath honey tresses, glinting with that same speck of suspicion.
She's still suspicious? Ugh this is gonna be harder than I thought. Giving a sigh, the blue-haired maiden removed her hand and placed it atop her nape. She rubbed at the back of her neck as she forced out the words in a clumsy, shy fashion, "Look I'm not good at saying sorry or nothing…it's not my department…but uhh…I just came here to tell you I'm sorry. You don't have to accept the muffins or anything. Just know that…I apologize for earlier…calling you a bitch and hermit…yeah…"
Silence. Utter silence was her answer. The small clock on the drawer nearby seemed to tick much louder with the same halting pace as her heart. Natsuki's fist curled and then opened to scratch nervously at one of her pants' legs. She kept her emerald gaze on the ground, not wanting to look at the brunette directly in the face and lose even more of her pride. More minutes stretched by and the biker was now wondering if Shizuru had heard her at all. She was about to lift her head and ask when the Kyoto-born's voice stopped her.
"Why do you want a pianist?"
It was a simple question, and yet not so simple. Her answer could have been just as simple, yet it was far from it. Her tongue suddenly seemed sluggish and awkward in her mouth as her chin rose, viridian eyes meeting those inquisitive rusted eyes. Natsuki gulped at the prying look in those eyes and felt her blood rate increase just slightly. How could she answer that? The answer was too close to her heart, too important to just give out to a stranger so suddenly. She squirmed on the brown sofa and flicked her eyes everywhere, but not at the woman. Shizuru seemed to be waiting patiently for her response; her even breathing told her this. Natsuki finally let loose another sigh, this one tinted with dejection and just the smallest bit of grief as she raised her gaze back to Shizuru. Her evergreen pools were clouded, lost in memories as she replied in a husky, reminiscent voice, "Someone…someone very close to me was a pianist. I wish to…I wish to keep the memory of that person alive."
Shizuru pulled back somewhat, eyebrows arching though not in a mocking way as she asked softly, "Then…do you not know how to play yourself? You're a musician. You've ambition, credentials, and determination. I'm sure you'd make a good pianist."
"It's not the same," Natsuki rasped as she shook her head, cobalt strands silkily caressing her face. Her hand came up and rested against her forehead as she sighed once more, "I know how to play. I've known how to play for years. But I can't…it's just not the same. Every time I play, it hurts. It all just hurts."
Rusted eyes peered at Natsuki as the girl hunched over, lost in herself. The dark orbs gazed at the melancholic look entering the pair of vivid evergreen orbs, overflowing. Natsuki's lips were pursed together and a thin line of tension creased her face from her temple, to her jaw, and following the main artery of her neck. Shizuru watched that hardening look steel Natsuki's face and her own scarlet eyes hazed. This person you speak of must have been very special for you to be so torn. Something verging between bitterness and understanding glowed in the dark bloody pools as the Kyoto-native lifted her mug once more. Her lips brushed the rim of it and then, in an almost unheard whisper, she answered.
"I accept."
Viridian irises widened, bewilderment collecting in the bright eyes before Natsuki turned to her with arched eyebrows, "What?"
"I said I accept. I accept Kuga-san's request for a partnership," Shizuru answered coolly as she sipped her tea.
Natsuki twitched, not knowing whether to cheer or gape at the woman before her. Her mouth opened and closed for moments, trying to form words yet no coherent syllables escaped her. Then a shaky, rolling sighed emitted from her mouth and the misery in her emerald pools cleared, bashful joy glimmering, "You accept? You really do? O-Oh…"
Shizuru watched analytically as dozens of emotions flew by in those vivid eyes, first confusion and then shock, then utter happiness which was quickly replaced with a lost look, as if Natsuki wondered why Shizuru had accepted so suddenly. Exhaling, she allowed her gaze to peer out the single window in the living room, murmuring softly, "I understand the wish to play for something important. For someone important."
A crack in the mask and Natsuki saw a hint of what could've been grief before it was tucked away by the brunette's façade. Shizuru sipped at her tea with a guarded air, unnerving the dark-haired girl beside her. Then Natsuki coughed and Shizuru felt something poke her. She glanced down and saw the plastic container poking at her arm. A questioning look was aimed at the guitarist who coughed and stuttered, "The uhh…the muffins are going to get cold."
"Ah…" Shizuru took the offered pastries and opened the plastic box. Her nose tingled at the scent of the golden-brown treats and her stomach grumbled lightly. They smelled delicious. Gently picking one up, Shizuru examined it before placing it hesitantly against her lips. She took a small bite. The Kyoto-native could feel Natsuki watching heatedly as she chewed and then swallowed. Scarlet eyes met expectant emerald, "Ara…wonderful."
Natsuki grinned widely and the tension left her shoulders as she released the breath she'd been holding. She leaned back more in relaxation against the couch and complacently watched Shizuru eat her muffin. Though her content position was foiled when her own stomach began to whimper for a taste of the sweet bread. Gulping, a little drool leaked out of her mouth as green eyes gazed longingly at the muffins. By now Shizuru had sensed Natsuki's hunger. Her dim eyes rose from the food to Natsuki, then followed her gaze back to the muffins, then back to Natsuki again. A small smile stretched her lips and she muttered, "Would Kuga-san like to have one?"
"Huh? What? Eh?" Natsuki jerked out of her hungry reverie and looked at the brunette. Her face tinged pink at the fact that she'd been caught staring.
Shizuru's smile grew wider and she let a miniscule chuckle escape her, "Would Kuga-san like to have one? A muffin?"
"Ah…y-yes please," the biker mumbled, the pink from her face fading as she took the offered treat. She gnashed her teeth into it and closed her eyes, savoring the sweet taste. The only sounds that followed after were contented murmurs of appreciation for the muffins and gentle sighs. Natsuki's grin widened across her face as she reached for another offered muffin. Viridian pools glowed smugly and happily as a smirk crossed her face, teeth biting into her bread treat.
This could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
"Ara…by the way…red looks good on Kuga-san's face…"
Or not.
Wolf: Damn that was longer than expected…O.o…but well I'm pretty pleased with this chapter! It was the most fun to write what with Shizuru and Natsuki's whole fight at first sight thing…and then more of Nao's general sarcastic humor. And then some tiny crack from Mai. And then another ShizNat scene in which they finally begin to warm up to each other. I might consider turning the genre to comedy but the drama doesn't come up 'til later. XD Hope you guys all enjoyed this chapter!
:3 Ehh…um…review and I shall give you one of Mai's aforementioned muffins!