A/N: Hey again :) Hoping this is still enjoyable! As a warning, there is a little but of Shiznat nomming at the end. Will post another chapter soon!

Chapter 4

Though it wasn't as long as the initial ride to Windbloom, the trip to the beach house was still a bit of a drive. The nervousness Aishu felt upon arrival, along with the frustration from the affection, disappeared for the time being, her eyes too busy soaking in the passing sights. While she had seen her share of technology in Aries, it was nothing compared to what she was witnessing now. She almost didn't want to blink in fear of missing something.

After another half hour or so, they finally left the big city and entered a small town just outside of the beach. It was filled with houses of different shapes and colors, different shops, and different restaurants, and though the sun was just beginning to set, there were still quite a few people roaming about. Eventually, they were let out at a boardwalk and continued on foot from there, her eyes still glancing back at the many places nearby. Would she be able to see some of them during her stay?

As they continued on, she let out another small yawn. Though she slept on the train, she still felt very tired. That tiredness, however, waned momentarily when her eyes fell on another great sight.

"Wow…"

Near the end of the boardwalk stood what had to be one of the most beautiful houses Aishu had ever seen.

"This is where we're staying?"

"It is," Shizuru answered with a smile. It was cute seeing the girl in awe. "You like?"

"Yeah," she replied, almost inaudibly. Out of all the places she had stayed in the past, none had been as exquisite as this. It had a somewhat diamond-shaped structure to it with large glass windows on either side, and with the night now setting in, the darkness that began

surrounding them gave the house a comforting glow from the outside lights.

When they reached the entrance, Shizuru unlocked the door and the three of them stepped inside. Once again, Aishu was awestruck, for it was just as beautiful on the inside as it was on the outside.

"Let's give you a little tour," Shizuru told her, Natsuki not too far behind. "Right now, you're standing in the living room."

Aishu explored the well-groomed area, rubbing her hand gently over the cream-colored couch.

"It smells like Spring," she thought. "Kind of like flowers."

"Over here is the kitchen," Shizuru continued. "And over here…"

Aishu followed in silence as the tour continued, the trio exploring the two bathrooms, where the closets were, a little sun room with a piano in it, and one last room. A room placed at the top of the stairs, first door to the right, and right next to Natsuki and Shizuru's bedroom.

"This, my dear, is yours."

A funny little feeling travelled through her chest as Shizuru opened the door for the three to enter.

"We just had it repainted not long after we found out you were coming," Natsuki said. "I hope the color is ok."

The color was more than ok. Blue has always been a favorite of hers, and that was the theme of her room. From the baby blue curtains that hung on the window to the soft rug that felt good beneath her feet.

"Wow, I even have my own bed, oh, and a dresser! There's a book shelf, too with lots of books on it. I do love to read, and look at the view from my window. I can see the ocean!"

Though she hid it, she was incredibly excited.

"This is mine?"

Both women smiled.

"Yes," Natsuki answered. "You like it?"

Aishu nodded.

"Good," Shizuru said back, her hand reaching out and giving Aishu's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "We'll let you take this chance to settle in. We know it's been a long day for you, so get comfortable. I'll be starting dinner very soon if you're hungry."

Aishu nodded again, too sucked into her new surroundings to verbally reply.

"Just come down when you're ready," Shizuru said warmly before the two turned and finally exited the room.

Now alone, she placed her bag on a nearby chair and went to sit on her new bed, bouncing on it a bit to get a good feel. It was much better than the kind of mattress she used to sleep on and it didn't have little springs sticking up from it either. Here, she would probably be able to sleep a little more peacefully. She wouldn't have to worry about stolen blankets or hair pulls or thrown items.

"Don't get too comfy, though. It's not like I can keep it."

This was a common thought process for the ten-year-old. With all the moving around she had done in the past, she learned not to call anything "hers", or to get overly excited about things. She also knew that she was only going to be here for the summer, so figured there was no point in getting attached to anything.

"You're just a guest. Don't forget that. You shouldn't be all happy and excited over this. Just because they seem very nice, and just because this is all so perfect…"

That word struck a chord in Aishu's heart, scaring her slightly. None of this could be right, for nothing was ever perfect for her. No matter how good things seemed in her previous homes, it always ended on a bad note. She knew this new place would be no different, and yet, even with that worry in mind, she couldn't help but notice that there was something about the two women that made her veer from her normally resilient ways. Something about them that made her feel different. They were two of the nicest people she had ever met, and both had given her a warm welcome she was not quite used to. From Natsuki trying to help out to Shizuru's sweetness, she found her heart warming up fast, and that wasn't normal. Not normal at all.

"Maybe I should just deal with it for now. I mean, I guess it's ok to like this room a little. Just don't be stupid. They will eventually end up like the rest of the adults I've been with and I'll lose everything."

Aishu let out a small sigh. She wasn't up to thinking about all these feelings. So instead, she dug through her bag and pulled out a set of sleep shorts and a t-shirt before changing. Once finished, she headed downstairs, the thought of exploring a little more pushing away the negative thoughts.

Upon entering the kitchen, Aishu found that Natsuki and Shizuru had changed as well, Shizuru sporting a beautiful light blue kimono-like robe while Natsuki dressed much like herself, the woman in a t-shirt and shorts. Choosing to not say anything, the girl headed to one of the sliding doors in the kitchen and let herself out, walking out onto the wooden deck and stopping once she hit the railing. At this point, the sun had set, leaving her welcomed by many twinkling eyes above her. Seeing the sky decorated with a million stars to this extent was yet another first for the female. She didn't get to see too much of that back in the city, but on the random nights she could see a good chunk, it always reminded her of one thing, and seeing the sight she saw now only increased that feeling.

"I'm so small. So insignificant."

"I love coming out here in the summer."

The girl jumped slightly when she heard the voice, and when she turned around to look, she found that Natsuki had followed her. Still not really in the mood to talk, Aishu went back to leaning on the railing and locked her eyes with the rhythmic ocean.

"It's always so peaceful," Natsuki told her. "And it serves as a nice chance to get away from people for a while."

Now this Aishu could relate to. In not really being a people person herself, she always wished there was a place she could run off to and escape, but being in an orphanage didn't give her many of those chances.

"I have to agree. This is a nice little get away spot."

Shizuru's voice came from behind. Aishu didn't bother turning for this one.

"Though I love my duties as an Otome," Shizuru continued. " I don't always like running around all the time or being surrounded by so many people in the city. I very much enjoy my time out here alone with Natsuki."

She giggled a bit before speaking again.

"Now we have you to enjoy this with, and we're so very glad we do. I think we're bound to have a lot of fun."

This comment made Aishu blush slightly. She prayed neither could see and did her best to ignore them, keeping her gaze on the sea. As she did, she got the urge to touch it, wanting to feel the waves against her skin. She had loved the water, always feeling the need to be outside every time it rained. It gave her a nice feeling and seemed to calm her on even the roughest of days.

Looking back up at the jewel covered sky, she found herself lost once more, and in being so lost in thought, she failed to realize that Shizuru was now behind her. Before she knew it, a pair of arms pulled her in close.

"H-hey!"

"Shhhhh…"

Aishu could feel body tense up, and when Shizuru pulled her in closer and nuzzled her head beside the girl's, she panicked a little more."

"S-seriously, you're-"

"Shhhh," Shizuru said again. "Just stop for a second."

This was when Natsuki came closer, too. While she didn't join Shizuru in an embrace, she did run her fingers through Aishu's dark locks. The child was not comfortable being in this position at all.

"I don't like it. I don't."

Then why did it feel so warm? Why did that warmth seem so inviting?

"It's too much. I really don't want this, so why are they…"

Aishu gulped as her grip around the railing tightened, her mind racing. Her head was telling her she hated it, but her heart was saying something else. Her heart spoke the words she refused to admit to herself and felt the needs she hid from the world. The need to be held. The need for closeness. The need for attachment. There wasn't anything she was attached to in her life. She thought she had buried those needs long ago, but right now, as Shizuru gave her that light little squeeze, she found them returning.

"They can't make me feel this though. I don't want to feel this way. This is happening too fast."

Aishu couldn't understand why the two women were already acting this way. It wasn't possible for an adult to care for a child as quickly and easily as they did.

"This isn't good. Move, Aishu, move."

She was rooted to the spot, however, her grip still tight. It wasn't until a little breeze passed her by, sending the smell of roses in her direction, did she loosen it slightly. It came from Shizuru, the shampoo scent filling Aishu with a bit of comfort.

"Well, I guess this isn't so bad, right?"

Aishu's heart was starting to overpower her mind, her body becoming less tense. The warmth began feeling good, the closeness slowly silencing her inner turmoil. Even Natsuki playing with her hair felt nice. Who was she kidding? She could deny needing little things like this all she wanted, but deep in her heart, in a place no one could touch, the yearning thrived.

"Should I just give in?"

She felt Shizuru's face nuzzle in a little more, the soft voice that spoke pulling her from her thoughts.

"See, I knew you'd like it if you stopped moving long enough. I was wondering where that Aishu was. Now I can see you."

As soon as those words left her mouth, the fear reawakened inside of Aishu, causing her to tense right back up. She broke through her frozen stage and quickly pushed back and away from them both.

"Aishu-"

"Shut up," the girl spat, cutting Natsuki right off while staring at them with an angry glare. "Just shut up. You see nothing. Neither of you do, so don't go trying to play nice. You just met me. I know an act when I see one."

"It's not an act," Shizuru told her. They both really wanted to faun over Aishu and give her the kindness she deserved. They wanted her to feel welcomed and safe with them.

"Liar," Aishu said back. She wasn't going to fall for it, and before they could say anymore, she turned and took off. Jetting through the house, she flew up the stairs and into her room. After slamming the door behind her, she fell back against it, her hands balled in fists as she cursed at what had happened. She had weakened for a moment, letting her guard down from the "tough act" she had been using all day.

"They see nothing," she said to herself, finally making her way to her bed. Not bothering with the blankets, she curled up in a ball on top and closed her eyes. "They don't, and they know nothing, too. Who do they think they are? I only met them today, so why are they being that nice? Nobody wants to love on a kid that much, no one. Not this early on."

It didn't make any sense, not to the girl who had given up on comfort and love a long time ago. She could remember yearning for it being so strong when she was younger, but as time passed, and as her heart kept breaking, she closed it up. She told herself there was no point in relying on others for love or comfort or anything. She told herself she wasn't allowed to.

Biting back a few tears, she curled up a little tighter, a wave or tiredness from the day kicking in as she did. Trying hard to push the thoughts from her mind, she finally fell into a deep sleep.

"Well, day one has barely just ended, and we already failed at the job."

Natsuki and Shizuru had just finished dinner and were now relaxing in bed, the two propped up against some pillows. Natsuki had her arms crossed over her chest while Shizuru lay her head upon the others shoulder.

"It seemed like we were doing everything right," Natsuki continued. "I mean, nothing was that terrible. It doesn't seem like she approves of us at all."

"She's just scared, " Shizuru told her. "I was hoping that if we showed her we cared from the beginning, then she would be less afraid, but her fear of families is strong. It's like she wants to have that comfort of being safe and loved by someone, but she's too scared to face it."

"Well, look at where she grew up," Natsuki said back. "Yukino did a run on her history and it's not exactly a pretty one. She's been in and out of foster homes all her life, some of them not the greatest, and if not in a home, then she was back at the orphanage. Who knows how she was treated there."

Shizuru lingered on this thought for a moment, her heart breaking a little. After being in and out of different homes, Aishu probably felt very unwanted, and if she was mostly treated badly, she probably didn't trust others very well at all.

"What are we supposed to do?" Natsuki asked, breaking the momentary silence.

"The only thing we can," Shizuru replied. "We have to give her nothing but love and to make her feel as wanted as possible. She needs to be shown that she'll be ok here and that she doesn't need to be afraid."

"How are we supposed to that that when one, she won't listen to us, and two, freaks out over a simple hug?"

"By simply doing what we did today," Shizuru answered back. "Keep hugging her, keep being affectionate. Don't ever stop. No matter how hard-headed or tough she may act, in the end, she's just a child, and all children, no matter who or how they are, all yearn for safety and love. I know she wants it. Before she pulled away, I could feel the tension leaving."

Natsuki couldn't help but smile at this.

"See, I told you that you'd be good at this."

Shizuru gave the woman's arm a gentle squeeze.

"You are, too. She'll warm up to us both in no time."

Natsuki was hoping for this. Although she was terribly nervous and had no idea how to be a parental figure, she really did want the best for Aishu. She wanted the girl to feel at home.

"You know," the blunette said, a small smile creeping on her face. "You were right. She is like me, isn't she? Little Miss Tough."

"That she is," Shizuru replied with a smirk. "Yukino and Haruka were pretty smart in bringing her to us. What better way to help a child than to place her with someone who had a hard time in life as well, someone she can relate to."

"I did have a hard time," Natsuki told her. "I always felt so alone. So out of place. It was you who helped changed that. No matter what, you were always by my side."

Shizuru nuzzled into Natsuki's arm warmly.

"I always will be, and we'll both be by her side and show her she doesn't have to be afraid. You'll be able to relate to her and I will help by doing exactly what I did to you."

This sudden thought made the brunette giggle a bit.

"Well, maybe not exactly what I did to you."

"Shizuru," Natsuki mumbled with a blush.

"You remember, don't you?" Shizuru asked, feeling playful now.

"I-I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Oh really?" the older woman whispered seductively while bringing her mouth closer to Natsuki's ear. "Well, maybe this will remind you."

With that, she gently blew into the blunette's ear, giving the woman immediate chills throughout her body.

"Must you?" Natsuki asked with a half-smile.

In reply, Shizuru pulled away and leaned back against the headboard.

"You really don't want to have some fun?" she asked with a fake sound of sadness.

Natsuki looked over at her lovers' body. Before climbing into bed, Shizuru had changed from her blue kimono robe to a thin, black lingerie nightgown that came just above her thighs. She knew Shizuru had done this on purpose for it was a favorite of Natsuki's. She loved the way it fit her lovers' body, exposing every single curve the headmistress desired.

Shizuru saw the way Natsuki was looking and, just to be a tease, she laid down and pulled the blankets up over her entire body.

Natsuki couldn't help but giggle a bit at the sight. Without any hesitation, she pulled off the covers and went after her. Reaching out, she pulled Shizuru's body close to her own, the natural warmth feeling good against her skin. Leaning in, she placed a soft kiss upon Shizuru's lips before fluttering them over the soft, pale crook of her neck, tiny Shizuru like mewls filling the air. Her hand also found its way to her wife's' chest, a moan of satisfaction her reward.

"Ara, if my Natsuki wanted some fun, she should have said so sooner."

At these words, Shizuru's hand slithered beneath Natsuki's shirt and began softly stroking her stomach and side. Natsuki gasped at her touch. The blunette went to speak, but Shizuru muffled those words with a deep, passionate kiss. Shizuru eventually reached for her lover's shorts, tugging them off while Natsuki bucked in satisfaction.

After a few minutes, the brunette rolled Natsuki over and placed herself on top, the two of them staring at each other with love and lust in their gaze. Now that the shorts were out of the way, things would be oh so much easier. Reaching underneath Natsuki's shirt again, she let her hand stroke across her chest, Natsuki in turn reaching up and pulling down the straps of Shizuru's gown. They wanted to be as close to each other as possible, no amount of clothing in the way, and after another exchange of passionate kisses, the two disappeared beneath the covers and danced into the night.