Disclaimer: I do not own Mai Hime.
Whoot! Ten pages on Word! This actually could have been broken up into two chapters, but I was feeling generous, seeing as how this is the last day I have before school starts again so I won't be posting as often. I'm also working on a Crackfic to help keep my spirits up, although, I probably won't post it up. I screwed the characters up to a fault. ; I don't know what that had to do with this fanfic, but I just felt the need to say it. Also, you might notice that the ending is a bit rushed in this chapter. It could have a been a long-drawn out scene, but by two in the morning, you really just wanna finish the damned chapter, know what I'm saying?
kikyo4ever: Well, I hope that this satisfies your need for answers.
anonymous: (anon.) Maybe. ;) Well, you'll just have to read for the answer, won't you?
yurianimeotaku: Somebody cares! -beaming- (Natsuki: That's a first. / Demon: -- ...)
Ayou: You'll just have to read to find out!
Wolf from the Hidden Flames: Glad to have you back aboard! You'll see her shop in due time. Trust me, it's on the list. Heh, you might want her as a dentist, but I think I'll go to my regular one. oO;;
ssjx7squall: Well, you'll have to read to find out.
ManiazAnz: But sometimes slow is good, nah? (oO; 'Nah'? -- Crap, I'm gaining Shizuru's mannerisms from writing this story. I wouldn't be suprised if I started saying 'Ara' out loud in conversation.)
Anonymous: (anon. 2) Then you would have had a lollipop stuck in your mouth. That's not too bad, right? ;D
Hoppy-chan aka Naolin: Holy Crap, it's Naolin! o-o Er... Sorry. -coughs- It's just I see you a lot on the reviews I read for other stories to see if I want to read them or not. It kinda feels like an honor being reviewed by you. ; I'm also a fan of your 'For Whom the Wind Blows' fanfic. -ahem- Anyway. Yeah, I wanted to give them jobs they would probably never do, and work with it here. I saw Shizuru with a lot of business jobs like being a lawyer and such, so I wanted to make her laid back a bit in this one so she's not so up-tight. Thank you for enjoying the story. I just hope I can live up to everyone's expectations with this. - Oh, and about the angst, in the beginning, it's a bit more 'drama' then 'angst', but there is a little bit of angst in the background of a character (I won't say who) so there will be a bit in this story.
cj12kal93: Lol, find, blame the keyboard for everything! It's like like it has feelings are anything. -sniff- oO Ah, yes, my benefit thanks you. And thank you for reading! Enjoy!
Swarm012: Who knows? ;D
0xnaomix0 aka naomi: No, no. It's fine. My spellings always a little off so it's appreciated. At least you weren't obnoxious about it and told me to correct the way I write, or something. ; -joys in glee- Yay! I have a friend on here!
"Ara…" Shizuru trailed off as she scratched the side of her head, an apologetic air about her as she stared at Natsuki with ruby eyes, almost giving a puppy pout, "An explanation is in order, yes?"
"Nah," Natsuki waved it off, stepping side from the doorway, a small smile on her face.
"Really?!" Shizuru's face brightened like a new light bulb shinning for the first time. She started forward.
"Of course not!" Natsuki frowned, slamming her palm against the doorframe of her apartment, cutting the candy storeowner off.
Shizuru jumped back a bit and trailed the arm to the owner, inwardly flinching at the expecting stare, "Er…" She started, uncomfortably. She gave a helpless grin to the dentist, "Where to begin, nah?" She chuckled awkwardly.
"How about the beginning." Natsuki raised an eyebrow, her foot tapping impatiently.
"Mm," Shizuru nodded her head, a blush creeping up onto her face, from embarrassment, as she began.
--flashback--
"Hm, hm, hmm—mm!" Shizuru smiled brightly as she hummed away at a tuneless song. She moved the stir-fry around the large, flat pan as it sizzled in the vegetable oil. She lifted the pot away from the burning, as redundant as this is, stovetop burner. She moved her head slightly to the beat stuck in her head as she continued to hum away. The small TV was on in her bedroom/living area in her small, three-room apartment.
Just then, the phone started to ring. It was almost drowned out with all the noise going on in the rooms, but Shizuru was able to hear it.
"Ara?" She blinked, looking over in the direction of the noise as she stopped her humming. She looked over at the clock, "Someone is calling at six?" She placed the spatula down that she was using to stir the, excuse the redundancy again, stir-fry. She tensely looked from the phone, back to the stove burners that were still on, and back to the phone. "You're not suppose to leave stoves on if you're not watching it… But I can't just ignore the phone; I've been waiting for the phone call from the receptionist…" She debated with herself before coming to a conclusion.
"I won't be on the phone that long," She hastily thought out loud before turning towards the wall phone. In that instant, the vegetable oil's contents spilt onto the counter, "Shit!" The normally composed Shizuru blurted out as she quickly scrambled to pick up the container and then place it standing on the counter, before scrambling to the phone and picking it up, "Hello?"
While Shizuru talked, the vegetable oil slowly made its way to the small-flaming burner. Uh-oh.
"Took you long enough to answ--I mean," Shizuru heard a cough on the other side of the phone, "Fujino residence?"
"Ah, I was doing something," Shizuru apologized, deciding not to dwell on the rude answering in the beginning. "Yes, this is Fujino Shizuru."
"This is Miss Yuuki, receptionist of the Gentle Dental, calling about your payment for your filling."
Calling at six at night? "Yes?" Shizuru urged the younger woman to continue.
"The total will be two hundred and fifty five dollars and forty-six cents, including tax." Nao said with the tone of someone who has done this enough times to probably call from home and give the correct information. (Which was probably what she was doing.)
Shizuru nodded her head out of habit, even though she was talking on the phone and the other couldn't see her gesture. "Okay, I'll come in and pay you the two-hundred and fif-WAHHHHHHHHH!"
Shizuru stared in horror as she turned around to see her whole kitchen was on fire! She quickly hung up on Nao and dialed the emergency phone number. She tapped her foot impatiently, frowning at the blaze that she was just starting to feel.
"Hello, you've reached the emergency line. State your probl--"
"MY HOUSE IS ON FIRE!" Shizuru cut the woman off while screaming into the phone's receiver.
--flashback ends—
"—Is how it went…" Shizuru said, her voice trailing off as she finished explaining.
"AIRHEAD!!!" Natsuki yelled, panting afterward, watching Shizuru recover from her flinch. She had a 'are-you-really-that-stupid?!' expression on her face as she looked at the brunette.
"So…" Shizuru's eyes darted around to everything but Natsuki, "I need a place to stay."
"What about your friends?! Ask them!" Natsuki scowled at Shizuru.
"Erm, my friends are my co-workers and my co-workers are a tad…" Shizuru's eyebrows furrowed as she tried to come up with something that didn't sound too insulting.
"I get your point."
Shizuru's face relaxed, happy she didn't had to find the right adjective.
"But seriously."
"Two of them is are guys, and you can understand how uncomfortable that would be. Not to mention one of them has a girlfriend."
Natsuki shrugged her shoulders lightly, nodding. She could understand the logic behind that.
"The other two are indeed girls but they both live together as roommates and one of them can be a little on the boisterous side." Shizuru, once again, chose her word warily.
"I see," Natsuki nodded her head, "That would be a bit intruding, wouldn't it?"
Shizuru nodded her head eagerly, happy to see Natsuki got what she was trying to say.
"But… Your dentist?"
"First person I could think of… I was sort of pushed into thinking of someone to rely on." Shizuru stuck out her tongue while rubbing the back of her said, giving a pouting-apologetic look.
Natsuki then frowned, "Actually, how did you find my address?"
Fujino look down to Natsuki with a knowing smirk on her face, "Never doubt the abilities of a, straight-A, former Student Council President." She winked, sending a chill down Natsuki's spine. And not a good one, mind you. "I've worked with computers and used several of its front and back doors to get around and get information that was needed, I think I can find an address or two."
"Y-Yeah…" Natsuki didn't think she wanted to know any more. She looked up to Shizuru, "But how am I suppose to know if your story is really real?"
Shizuru have a lopsided grin, "I bet if you check the News, they'll have something covering it by now."
Natsuki nodded, "Stay here." She said before going into her living room and turning on the TV.
Shizuru nodded and clutched her jacket tighter around herself as a breeze went by, "Winter's coming sooner this year, huh?" She thought out load as she shivered in the cold. She then looked inside, blinking in astonishment, "She can live in this pig sty?" She looked at everything, almost in awe at how trashed the place was. She saw the several food containers, "Mayo and ramen?" She raised an eyebrow and thought for a moment, before bringing her hands to her mouth, "Pfft! Who's ever heard of a dentist who eats unhealthy?!" She cracked up.
Natsuki sighed in defeat as she came back, "Your story checks out."
"Ara," Shizuru smiled, "I'm famous!"
"That's nothing to be proud of in this case," Natsuki grumbled.
"So, can I come in?"
Natsuki frowned, looking at the slightly pouting face of the woman who was standing outside in the cold. Well… she did loose her house and—Wait! What am I thinking?! I barely know her! Natsuki frowned, "No." She said, 'laying down the law'.
Shizuru's face then became grave as she looked down at Natsuki, "Kuga-han… I didn't want to resort to this, but you leave me no choice…" Her voice trailed off in the wind that suddenly blew by.
Natsuki's eyes widened slightly as she gulped, looking at the crimson-eyed store owner. Her legs didn't listen to her as she willed them to start moving.
All was dead still for a moment until…
"PLEASE!! Pleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease…" Shizuru kneeled down and clamped onto Natsuki's lower half, shaking the woman violently, almost making Natsuki loose her balance. She continued to whine her mantra as she shook. This went on for a minute or two.
"Okay, okay! But you have to do something for me!" Natsuki yelled, thankful that the woman finally stopped. She sighed, heaving because of all the energy just drained out of her. She looked down to see the expression of an excited puppy on the other's face. Oi…
"Like what?" The said 'puppy' asked happily. You could almost image the tail wagging back and forth excitedly as she loosely gripped Natsuki's mid section.
"I dunno. But it better by something good!" Natsuki nodded her head and folded her arms under her chest.
The said puppy gained an inquisitive look, cocking her head to the side as she placed a finger under her chin. Again, you could almost see the dog-ears perk up and her tail wagging as she thought of an idea, "Mayo flavored candy!" Ew.
Natsuki's expression changed form burdened to intrigued in an instant, "I'm listening." She urged the kneeling woman on.
As much as I hate to do this… "How about I try to make a line of mayo flavored candy, a batch, just for you?" Shizuru explained. She inwardly shivered.
Natsuki thought long and hard before sighed, "Fine, fine… But just until you can get your own apartment," She said. She then looked down, "Could you let go now?"
"Oh, oops," Shizuru have an apologetic grin as she let go of Natsuki's mid section and stood up. She grabbed her three suitcases and walked inside. Natsuki closed the door behind her. Shizuru turned around, "Kuga-han, O—"
"Natsuki."
"Huh?"
"If you're going to be staying in my home, it's going to be annoying if I hear 'Kuga-han' the whole time. Just call me Natsuki."
"Natsuki…" Shizuru tasted it on her tongue, then frowned. "Something's missing."
Natsuki frowned, irked. "I'm sorry my names doesn't suit your tastes."
"No, no. Not that." Shizuru frowned, "Like, it's missing an honorific."
Natsuki smirked narcissistically, "Well, I guess this is my house and all so I guess an honorific is obligated."
Shizuru frowned at Natsuki's cheeky expression, "Natsuki-sama."
"Heh!" Natsuki just got an ego boost.
"Natsuki-dono."
Natsuki opened her eyes from her gloating and gave Shizuru a questioning look, "Isn't that a bit too—"
"Kami-Natsuki!" Shizuru announced loudly as she raised her hands to the Gods. She looked back down to Natsuki and clapped her hands twice in her direction. She then got down and kneeled on the floor. She lowered her head to the floor and placed her hands on either side of her, "I'm not worthy!"
"Now that's just being obnoxious!" Natsuki glared at the older woman, her fist balled and her teeth bared.
Shizuru smirked, "Then don't get egotistical." She got up and brushed herself off. "But something's still missing…"
"Oh please," Natsuki rolled her eyes, the sarcasm almost literally flowing from her mouth like water from a faucet, "Enlighten me."
"Natsuki…" Shizuru trailed off, then smiled brightly, "Natsuki-chan!"
-chan?! What the fuck?! What am I, eight?! "No!" Natsuki protested.
"So, where am I going to sleep?" Shizuru completely ignored Natsuki as she turned and started to explore the different rooms.
She's ignoring me! Natsuki gaped before snapping out of it, quickly following and running in front, "On the couch of course!"
"Ikezu, Natsuki-chan!" Shizuru pouted, "How can you offer your guest the couch?"
"Easy, I just did." Natsuki said, not budging.
Shizuru then frowned, "Fine. If it's going to be like that." She bent down slightly, as if she was going to dodge. She tried to the left, then to the right. Kuga quickly followed, blocking Shizuru's way. Shizuru then frowned as she backed up a bit, making Natsuki smirk. Shizuru then charged forward and Natsuki got ready for Shizuru's turn.
Wait a second…
Natsuki's eyes dilated. She's not turn—
Natsuki was tackled onto the bed by Shizuru. "Ha!" The candy storeowner smirked down at the stunned dentist.
Natsuki frowned, regaining her composure and pushing the older woman off, "Fine! I don't care anymore!" She said in a grumpy-tired kind of way.
Shizuru pouted, "And your bed is a queen size. It's not like two people won't fit."
Natsuki's frown furrowed, shuffling under the covers, "Whatever," She grumbled, turning away from Shizuru.
Shizuru went under the covers on the left side, not bothering to change out of the clothes she had on besides taking off her jacket, of the bed while Natsuki occupied the right. She smiled warmly as she got under the covers. A moment of silence before: "Ookini, Natsuki-chan."
"S-shut up!" And embarrassed blush found it's way onto her cheeks. Natsuki turned off the light and stuffed her face into the pillow, trying to get some sleep.
Saeko bent down to a young four-year-old Natsuki with a piece of candy in her hand, "Here you go, Natsuki-chan." Her mom's voice was filled with happiness as she held out the small, cylinder shaped wrapper out to emerald eyes filled with childish glee.
Natsuki greedily snatched the candy from her mom and gave a wide grin up to the contently smiling mother.
"You were such a good girl today," Her mom complimented. Saeko then pondered for a moment to herself before looking back down at Natsuki from behind her glasses, "Do you want two pieces of candy?"
Natsuki looked up at her mom, her mouth gaping at the thought of having yet another piece of candy. Once she snapped out of it, she nodded her head enthusiastically, "Yeah!" Her cheeks pinked up with her excitement.
"Okay," Saeko placed her hand onto her child's head as she explained, "All you have to do is wait until after dinner to eat the first one, then you can both at once."
Natsuki stared as she soaked all this in, "Dinner?" She asked, bright green eyes looking thoughtfully at her mom.
"Yes," Saeko nodded, "Dinner will be ready in a few hours. Until then, why not go to the park a couple houses away and play until then."
Natsuki nodded her head before stuffing her new piece of candy into her pocket and rushing towards the door. She reached up to turn the knob, then raced toward the playground down the street.
"Candy! Candy! Candy! Candy! Candy!" A very hyper and young Natsuki sang as she ran towards the jungle gym as fast as her five year old legs could take her. She suddenly stopped though, once she heard crying. Curious eyes turned toward the sound to find a girl on the bench at the edge of the park, the girl's hands whipped away the tears from her face.
She slowly started to walk towards the girl.
--------------
Natsuki slowly opened her eyes to the white ceiling above. She shifted her left arm onto her forehead as she scowled at the panels. That dream again… She sighed and tried to get up, only to fall back down because of a weight on her torso. "Huh?"
She looked down. Her eyes widened.
Holymotherfuckingdinosaurwithapopcilestickinacondo!!!
Shizuru nuzzled her head against Natsuki's chest in her sleep, a blissful look on her face. Her soft snoring was steady and relaxed.
"W-W-W-WHAT THE HELL?!" Natsuki yelled, now fully awake because of this unforeseen circumstance.
"Mm?" Shizuru opened her eyes slowly, sleepily, and groggily lifted her head from Natsuki's torso.
"Don't 'Mm' me!" Natsuki had to refrain from yelling as she looked down at the brunette, "Why are you hugging my chest?!"
"Ara?" Shizuru blinked, looking down. Sure enough, Natsuki's chest was right there. The only thing separating her cheek from Kuga's skin was a grey tank-top. "I thought my pillows were a bit more squishy than usual."
Natsuki gapped. "Explain yourself!"
Shizuru looked up to Natsuki with a groggy, half-asleep, apologetic smile, "I have a tendency to cling to things in my sleep. That's why I usually have about five pillows lying around my bed… Until they were engulfed by flames." She ended, remembering last night.
Natsuki stared down at Shizuru in disbelief, "'Cling'…?"
"Hai."
"Oh God, I picked up a weirdo." Natsuki sighed exasperatedly as her gaze moved back up to the ceiling panels. She felt a weight once again on her torso. She looked down to see Shizuru laying her head on her chest once more. She blushed furiously as she looked down, "Fujino!"
"Nah?" Shizuru was lying on her stomach, her arms around the bluenette's waist, and her head resting on Natsuki's chest once more. They formed a sideways 'T' with Shizuru lying horizontal across the bed.
"Why are you laying back down?!"
"But it's so comfy," Shizuru smiled as she nuzzled again, still half-asleep. Shizuru paused for a bit, a thoughtful look crossing her features, "Granted, my pillows are a bit small, but—"
"I'm SO sorry your 'pillows' are small!" Natsuki yelled, infuriated, as she immediately leaned up, causing Shizuru to roll down to her lap. She glared down at the older woman.
Shizuru just giggled as she looked at Natsuki's intense frown. She smiled warmly as she reached up and poked Natsuki's furrow right above the bridge of her nose, "Natsuki-chan will gain wrinkles if she keeps scowling like that."
"Argh!" Natsuki pushed the older woman off her lap and got up. She looked down at her tank top, "You even drooled!" She exclaimed.
A softer giggle came from behind her, "Kannin na."
Kuga just frowned, looking over her shoulder, "You can take your shower first." She said, before walking towards the living room area and turning on the TV.
The door opened from the shower and out came a Shizuru still drying herself. She started to walk toward her suitcases, which were still contained in the walkway/dinning/kitchen area of the apartment.
Natsuki perked up and walked into the hallway, seeing Shizuru right there. She gasped, "What're you doing?!"
"Hm?" Shizuru looked up from her suitcases, "Getting clothes to put on."
"But you're n-n-n… And your towel isn't… And you're right…" Natsuki couldn't finish her sentences as she blushed, looking at Shizuru's backside.
Shizuru raised an eyebrow questionably, "But we're two girls, so it's okay, nah? Kinda like being in gym class in high school."
"Y-Yeah…" Natsuki looked away, hiding her face as she rubbed it. Why the hell am I so flustered? "Just put close on quickly!" She said before she herself went to grab some of her clothes to put on for when she herself got out of the shower.
"Oh, and Natsuki-chan? Make sure you put on clothes to go out. We're going to go out once you finish your shower."
Now she's making plans? "What makes you think I'm going out?" Natsuki called back down the hall.
A fully clothed Shizuru immerged at the doorway, frowning. Her arms were crossed under her chest, "Natsuki-chan, mayo and ramen do not count as a proper meal. We're going to the super market to buy food."
Natsuki opened her mouth to protest, but Shizuru beat her to it, "Which also brings up the issue of garbage everywhere." Shizuru kicked an empty soda bottle, "But we'll get to cleaning this place up tomorrow. Food is more important."
Natsuki could feel herself being swept around by the wave dubbed 'Fujino Shizuru', not able to protest or fight back. She sighed in defeat, her head hanging, "Fine…" She grumbled. She shuffled toward the bathroom and closed to door to shower.
"Neh, Fujino," Natsuki started, trying to get Shizuru's attention, boredly looking around the dairy section of the supermarket. Her arms were resting on the handle of the rolling cart she was leaning against.
"Shizuru."
"Hm?" Natsuki looked up, confused.
"Just call me Shizuru," The Kyoto born said as she looked at the expiration date of the milk before putting it into the cart.
"Okay… Shizuru."
"Yes?" Shizuru looked up to Natsuki after kneeling to place the carton down.
"I've been wondering: A straight-A student that is Student Council President grows up to be a candy store owner?"
Shizuru flinched, and noticeably forced a smile toward Natsuki, "It's… A bit more complicated then that… I'd rather not talk about it right now."
Natsuki's chest tightened slightly at the vainly hidden sad expression and nodded her head. She watched Shizuru relax, then looked down at her list to the next thing to find.
Shizuru started to walk towards the fruits section and Natsuki, obeying, followed, pushing the cart after her. Shizuru then suddenly halted to a stop causing Natsuki to be pushed out of her reverie, "What?" She questioned before following Shizuru's gaze. She frowned.
"You don't need any candy! You make the stuff for Pete's sake!"
"I know but," Shizuru turned to Natsuki with pleading eyes, "But… but it's candy!"
"No!" Natsuki frowned, "If you want some, go to your store and take it." She looked back to Fujino, "Guh-?!" She was taken aback by the sight.
Shizuru had a puppy pout on her face, whining slightly. You could almost imagine the puppy ears folded back as she begged.
Natsuki's eye twitched. Can't… resist… face… "Fine! But only one bag!"
"Yay!" Shizuru sped off into the section and Natsuki sighed, watching as the hyperactive older girl zoomed up and down the walkway, finding the one she wanted. She's like a little kid…
Shizuru came back with a bag and placed it into the cart, the puppy expression still on her face, "Onward to the fruits!" She announced, walking off.
Natsuki sighed, shaking her head as she followed. Natsuki started to think to herself once more as Shizuru examined the fruits. "Natsuki-chan."
"Hm—WAH!" Natsuki blushed as she stumbled backward, but managed to catch herself.
Shizuru blinked, curiously, tilted her head to the side. All the while holding two melons in front of her, "Natsuki-chan?"
"N-nothing!" Natsuki frantically waved it off.
"You have to squeeze the top to see if they're good enough to eat."
"I-I-I don't want to!" By this point, Natsuki was a red as a tomato and her arms were waving rapidly.
Shizuru raised an eyebrow, but decided it would probably be best to not ask. She placed the two melons into the cart and walked away, Natsuki following. She read off the rest of the items on the list: "Chocolate, honey, and whipped cream."
Natsuki flinched all at the mention of all three items. The blush that had went away, coming back at fast pace.
Shizuru raised a brow once more, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" Natsuki's voice cracked slightly, the blush still on her cheeks as she looked away.
Shizuru looked at the blush. Then the list of items. Then to Natsuki. Then to the melons. Then to Natsuki again.
Fujino peered at Natsuki, who was looking back through the side of her eye, "Ecchi Natsuki-chan."
"NO!!" Natsuki yelled in her protest, only to blush darker.
"Uh-huh…" Shizuru gained a dull voice, walking over and taking the cart before walking off to the items.
Natsuki ran to her side, "Really! It's not what you think!"
"Sure…"
"Shizuru! You gotta believe me!" Natsuki continued to try defending herself.
"Right…"
Natsuki suddenly stopped, "Alright, alright. I admit it. I was staring at your chest." She deadpanned.
"Congratulations." Shizuru's voice didn't come out of its dull tone as she continued to walk.
Kuga raised an eyebrow, "Hm?"
"You've been promoted from 'closet-pervert' to 'full-blown pervert'."
"I'm not either!" Natsuki exclaimed.
This continued on for a few minutes as Shizuru got the last few items and went to the counter and paid for them. By this time, Natsuki gave up trying to defend herself, grumbling by the bags. She grabbed them once Shizuru paid and started for the door. Shizuru followed, placing her wallet back into her purse.
Shizuru looked at the store next door and got an idea. She walked over to Natsuki and gave her the car keys, how they got to the supermarket in the first place. "Here, take the bags to the car. I'll be right back." She smiled brightly and she was off.
Natsuki sighed, taking what seemed like twenty bags to the car and putting them in Shizuru's car's trunk. She closed the trunk and sighed, leaning her back against the car.
"Natsuki?" A familiar voice called over.
Natsuki turned to the source, "Mai?"
"Thought that was you," Mai smiled brightly, "What brings you here?" The busty woman asked.
"Shopping for groceries, you?" Natsuki answered her co-worker.
"Same here. Mikoto here is helping me carry the bags." Mai gestured to the teenager walking closely next to Tokiha.
The dentist assistant, also known as Mikoto, beamed as she proudly lifted the bags she was carrying, "Yup, yup!"
Mai then chuckled slightly, causing Natsuki to scowl, "What's so funny?"
"Well, to see you here to by groceries and not mayo and ramen is... well, a miracle, to say the least."
"No, it's my weird roommate." Natsuki frowned, crossing her arms under her chest.
Purple eyes widened, "You? Roommate?"
"Yeah. Her name's Fujino Shizuru, a patient of mine."
"You mean the one from the fire last night on the News, 'Fujino Shizuru'?"
"Yeah, that one. She needed a place to stay."
"That was nice of you," Mai gave a warm smile.
"Not it's not!" Natsuki blurted out, causing Mai to jump back slightly. Natsuki continued, "She shows up out of nowhere and claims I'm the first person she thought of to go to. She says she can't go to her friends and that she found my address using 'recourses'. She barges in and started calling my name with the '-chan' suffix, and claims half my bed to sleep in. She clings to stuff in her sleep and doesn't understand the definition of 'personal space'. She is open about almost everything and is too childish when she's older then I am! No, it's not nice, it's annoying!" Natsuki panted as she ended venting out her anger on her co-worker and friend.
Just then, something made a thumping sound, as if something was dropped.
Natsuki turned around to see Shizuru's face reddened, tears streaming down her cheeks, her face holding a miserable expression before she turned around and bolted across the parking lot.
"Shizuru!" Natsuki's eyes widened as she turned and started to run toward the brunette, only to loose her from sight in the sea of cars. "Shizuru…" Natsuki looked down to her feet to see the item that was dropped. It was a large basket filled with several items: a stuffed-animal wolf plushie; a bag of candy; a bottle of good wine and a card.
Natsuki bent down and picked up the card. She read the envelope, "'To Natsuki-chan'…" She opened it up and took out the card that had 'Thank You' in big bold letters on the front. She opened the card to find Shizuru's hand-written message in it:
'Dear Natsuki-chan,
Sorry that I'm being a burden! Just wanted to get that out there. My co-workers say that I'm a bit of an airhead and that I'm slightly hyper and hard to deal with at times. I know that was probably the case for you, but you haven't committed suicide yet so I must be doing something right, nah? –laugh- Anyway, I wanted to say thank you for letting me stay at your apartment until mine is fixed. You don't know how thankful I am that you accepted. I hope we can at least become friends out of this, and I'll try to do my share of chores so I'm not just moving in and freeloading. Again, I can't thank you enough! Oh, and about the mayo candy, it might take a while to actually make it, so hang in there for me, okay? Ookini!
Signed, Shizuru.'
Natsuki finished the letter and her hand clinched slightly before she looked back in the direction Shizuru left in, "Damnit…"
Okay, so it's more of 'Drama' then 'Angst' right there at the end. But Angst sounds so much cooler and it's fun to say, so I labeled it as Angst. So there. oO; Shuck-darn! A sad ending to a fluffy chapter, what'll happen next?
Omake:
Demon: Shizuru, sit.
Shizuru: -had pointed dog ears and a wagging tail- -squats down and places her hands onto the ground, panting slightly, with a puppy expression on her face- :3
Demon: Good Shizuru. Now, paw. -holds out her hand while kneeling down-
Shizuru: Woof:3 -places her slightly curled hand into Demon's-
Demon: Good girl! Now lay down. -drops Shizuru's 'paw'-
Shizuru: -lays down flat on her stomach- :3
Demon: Roll over! -makes a rolling motion with her index finger-
Shizuru: -rolls over and pants as she finishes- Woof:3
Demon: Good Shizuru! Good girl! -gives Shizuru a piece of candy- Now, bring me a toy.
Shizuru: Woof! Woof:3 -runs off on all fours, her tail wagging-
Demon: o-o; -blinks as she looks over at the pile of chew tows, and then back to the direction Shizuru ran off in- Uh...
Shizuru: -comes back, growling determinedly as she pulls on Natsuki's sleeve with her mouth- :3 -continues to pull Natsuki towards Demon, her ears back and her tail wagging-Woof! -stops as she sits to Natsuki's side and looks up expectantly-
Natsuki: --;
Demon: ;; Well... She... brought a toy...
Shizuru: Woof:3