Author's note: Heh, sorry for the long wait. I was, still am, a bit sick. Please enjoy. There were two songs that I really wanted to use. But, "Ten Black Roses" suited it better. However, I do suggest people to check out the "All the right moves" music video from OneRepublic to have a better image of what is going on Shizuru's dream. Thanks to Syler-aka-Heartsan for beta-ing the chapter!
joz: hey, big thanks for telling me that –glares at other readers, why didn't you tell me that hmm?-. I didn't notice it. Fixed it, thank you very much. Hope you enjoy chapter ^^ and thank you for taking the time to review.
Shezaie_neko: Well –shrug- she kind of deserved it…in my opinion, that is. You won't believe how things end now with that –grins- Thanks for reviewing, hope you enjoy this new chapter.
Ms. Smiles: Really? I am happy then! Thanks a lot! And don't worry, its done. I just have to give it some more last check ups and that is all. In my experience begging helps at the cost of my pride xD and I am was just desperate…a little since I did put a lot of effort on the last chapter. Thanks for taking the time to review Ms. Smiles! Enjoy this chapter!
Reference:
Italics: for thoughts and the dream.
Bold: for the songs.
Warning: Not so angsty but be warned.
Disclaimer: Ten black roses is owned by The Rasmus. And Mai Hime is supposed to be owned by Sunrise. Pfft, yeah right –roll eyes-.
Chapter 4: Ten Black Roses
Shizuru let out a quiet whimper, her brow furrowing as she turned her head to the right. Her chestnut locks spread all over the pillow, leaving a wet trail behind. Another whimper escaped the painter's mouth. Her neck and shirt now completely soaked.
"Natsuki…" she mumbled, a small smile suddenly spreading on her face.
"Where am I?" Shizuru mumbled absently.
After a few seconds, Shizuru realized that she was back at Garderobe, the night club. However, something was different this time. The chairs and tables were gone, leaving only the stage and dance floor. And the strangest thing was that people were dressed formally and were wearing mask on their faces.
"A masquerade ball? In here?"
Her question was confirmed when the lights dimmed and focused on the stage. Shizuru gasped and took a step back when she saw who the singer was.
"Natsuki…"
Unlike the crowd, the singer didn't have a mask on her. She just had a tuxedo on, her arms extended to form a 'T' and her trademark smirk plastered on her face.
The music began playing and soon the guests began dancing.
Life is like a boat in the bottle
Try to sail, you can't with no air
Day by day it only gets harder
Try to scream but nobody cares
Natsuki saw Shizuru and gave her a wink before jumping off the stage, rapidly approaching the nervous painter.
Through the glass you see the same faces
Hear the voices play like a drum
When your life's a boat in a bottle
You're surrounded, drifting alone
One of the dancers pushed Shizuru to the side, prompting the painter to slip. Thankfully, Natsuki was faster and was able to rescue her damsel in distress. The singer gave Shizuru a small, warm and gentle smile before she remembered that the next lines were to start.
Don't leave me now
Stay another day
With me
The singer smiled pleasantly at the brunette and held her hand out with a slight bow. "My dance, Shizuru?" she requested with her eyes and the painter couldn't help but nod as she took the offered hand.
Tentatively, Natsuki wrapped one of her arms around Shizuru's waist. She grinned, her eyes suddenly taking a lighter glint, when Shizuru slid her hands over her shoulder.
They began dancing as the music continued playing.
When you're sad, and no one knows it
I'll send you black roses
When your heart is dark and frozen
I'll send you black roses
"You are gorgeous tonight." Natsuki complimented with the same, charming smile. In return, the painter blushed, her face becoming a beautiful strawberry before stuttering out a thank you.
It was in that moment, Shizuru noticed that she was wearing an elegant crimson dress. One that looked like those from the Edwardian Period, much like everything about the club and its guest. With the exception of the band, that is.
Far away we wait for each other
I'm still on that road to nowhere
Kiss yourself for me in the mirror
Tie a black rose into your hair
Don't lose your faith
Share another night
With me
When you're sad and no-one knows it
I'll send you black roses
When your heart is dark and frozen
I'll send you black roses
Ten Black roses
Ten Black roses
"Natsuki…"
"You are a very good dancer, Shizuru." The singer said, knowing that she needed to take advantage of the instrumental part of the song.
"Thank you. Again."
Natsuki chuckled, then spun the painter before saying, "My, my, aren't you acting very shy tonight?"
"Maybe its Natsuki's fault." Shizuru teased and pouted when she noticed the glance the singer gave toward the stage.
It was time to sing again.
Life is like a boat in the bottle
Try to sail, you can't with no air
Day by day it only gets harder
Try to scream but nobody cares
When you're sad, and no-one knows it
I'll send you black roses
When your heart is dark and frozen
I'll send you black Roses
"Maybe it is." Natsuki whispered hastily, "But, maybe it's yours too."
Ten black roses
Ten black roses
Then, just as the last note was play, the lights turned off and the singer let her dance partner move on her own.
"Natsuki?" Shizuru called, an incredible fear taking over her. "Natsuki!?"
The lights came back, and with it, the singer too.
"I am here."
"Natsuki!"
The singer chuckled and returned the fierce hug of the painter. "Were you afraid I had left you?" Shizuru only nodded, earning another chuckle from the other woman. "I see."
"Natsuki, are you alright?"
"How can I be?" Natsuki asked, even if it was a mere whisper. It made Shizuru shudder, the harsh tone the singer had just used. "You left me! You broke my heart and left me to pick up the pieces!"
Shizuru shook her head, trying to find a way to explain. To beg for forgiveness. But her mouth made no sound. Soon everything faded away.
"Natsuki!" Shizuru cried out, one hand reaching for the image of her beloved only to be met with nothing but air.
She cried. She sobbed. Her hands clenched when she noticed that everything had been a bitter dream. A reminder of what she lost and had caused.
"Natsuki…" she called, whimpering as she desperately tightened her hold onto the sheets. "Natsuki, please…come back to me."
-Earlier that night-
As soon as the song had ended, Shizuru walked away. She knew that a second confrontation might take place and she wasn't ready for it. The painter wasn't ready to say the final and official goodbye to the singer. Little did she know that Natsuki had anticipated her escape.
Shizuru muttered a quiet curse as two guards approached her. She then looked around; hoping to find another route to avoid what was coming. There was, however, no available exit.
"Please follow us, Miss Viola." One of the guards ordered as his companion took a stand next to the woman. "Miss Kruger wishes to speak with you."
Shizuru sighed and let a quiet curse again before giving the two men a forced smile. "Of course."
From behind the curtains, hiding in the shadows, Natsuki smirked.
Silly, silly girl. Did you really think I was letting you go so easily?
Natsuki glanced at her band mates and left to her dressing room after a quick goodbye. Nao and Mikoto exchanged frowns at the hasty retreat, unaware of what Natsuki was planning.
"I am surprise, never thought of you as the stalker type." The singer teased once she arrived and saw the painter sitting on a chair.
"Is that so? Then I am surprised at Natsuki's bold actions." Shizuru countered back, smirking when she saw the singer's right eye twitch in annoyance.
"It seems you haven't changed at all, Shizuru."
The painter hesitated with her next words, unsure of how to continue their conversation.
"I don't bite, you know." She teased again, deciding to play it safe. Then pointed at the chair next to her. "Why don't you sit down?"
Natsuki shrugged and continued leaning against the door, "I like it here."
Under normal circumstances, the silence that had enveloped them might have been awkward. However, both, unconsciously, were too desperate to stay near each other to allow such thing to ruin their meeting.
"I am sorry." Shizuru spoke, no longer satisfied with the silence.
"I am sorry too." Natsuki sighed and explained, "I shouldn't have done that. It was not professional from me."
"I see." The painter mumbled absently when she realized that the singer was referring to what had happened moments ago. "Natsuki…I…."
"Shizuru…"
The two of them chuckled at how awkward and nervous they were acting around each other.
"This is silly…isn't it?" Natsuki said and finally approached the painter. "We were lovers…how can it be so hard to have one simple conversation?" she asked, unconsciously lifting her right hand to caressing the other woman's cheek.
"Natsuki…" Shizuru gulped, hesitation and confusion written all over her face.
Shyly, she raised her own hand to put it on top of Natsuki's hand. Their eyes met and neither denied the mutual yearning they had for each other in that moment.
What are you doing to me?
"…Maybe…" the painter whispered, "…it is because we are lovers. That we are like this."
"You are right…" the singer agreed and leaned closer to Shizuru's face. "…maybe it is because of that."
"Natsuki, I…"
It was such a simple kiss. Not too long but neither too short. It was just…perfect. A kiss between former lovers, secretly promising something more if one gave up.
"This wasn't supposed to happen."
Shizuru looked away, "Do you regret it?"
"Maybe…" Natsuki sighed and struggled with her words, "You left me, Shizuru. I told you how I was at that time and you left me."
"So the best you can come up with is this!?" the painter snapped, obviously angry at her former lover's words. "A relationship takes two people to work and fail! Not one!"
"And yet you gave me no chance to work it out." Natsuki pointed out gently. "You left before I could do anything."
"I…"
Natsuki wiped the tear off and gave the painter a small smile, "Don't cry, please? I can't handle girls crying, especially you. A smile suits you better, you know."
I do.
"I…am very sorry." Shizuru apologized, her arms soon wrapping themselves around Natsuki's torso. "I didn't want to leave you! Please believe me! Please! I love you, Natsuki! I really love you!"
Then why did you leave me?
The singer bit her bottom lip, afraid to say anything else that might cause more pain to the woman she once swore to love and protect.
"Its okay, Shizuru. Its okay, let it out. Let it all go."
Natsuki kept comforting the other woman for another half an hour, letting her cry as she soothed her with gentle words. And desperately wishing she could stay with Shizuru like this a little bit longer.
"Shi-chin…"
The singer turned her head, glaring at the unexpected guest. But her eyes soon took a softer gaze when she noticed the bruise on the older woman's cheek.
"Mum." Shizuru called, sniffing and wiping the remaining tears. But she didn't let go of Natsuki just yet.
"We have to leave, dear." Lynette informed with an apologetic smile, hating herself more than before for ruining the moment between the two women.
The painter nodded reluctantly and stood up, already missing the warm of the singer's body when she had let go.
"Mrs. Viola." Natsuki called with her back on the two other women. "I…am sorry about your cheek."
"Don't worry about it, I kind of deserved it." Lynette said, shaking her head when her daughter her gave her that curious look.
Natsuki nodded but didn't look at the retreating women. Shizuru sighed and stared at the singer one last time.
"Natsuki."
"I…am not saying goodbye." The singer said quietly, "…because, I don't plan on letting you go just yet. But, you also have to understand." Natsuki turned around and stared at those beautiful scarlet eyes. "You left me and broke my heart."
I know you are sorry. But, sorry is not enough. Not right now.
"I know." The painter said in return, but she wasn't giving up so easily either. "But…I love you, Natsuki. And, if you give me the chance, I promise to not leave you this time. I will repair that heart of yours and help you with those broken pieces." Shizuru then gave the other woman the sweetest and brightest smile she had ever seen. "And, you know." Shizuru pointed at her heart, "This is still yours, Natsuki. Always."
The door then closed, leaving the singer on her own. For a few minutes, Natsuki just stood there. However, it didn't take much longer for her to react as Shizuru's words finally sank in.
"Damn it!" she growled taking the nearest chair and throwing it at the door. Natsuki's eyes then took a darker glint as her eyes shined with rage. "Damn it!"
She growled again and took the next chair, this time throwing it to the mirror at her left. The coffee table was next. And so the destruction continued, until Mikoto and Nao stopped her.
Damn you, Shizuru Viola!
Author's note: I hope no one thinks that Natsuki is a bit too calm at the start with Shizuru. After re-watching the final episode of Mai Hime, I believe that Natsuki can be quite reasonable and calm about things with Shizuru. I mean…Shizuru went psycho but Natsuki didn't after her little and brief break…right? Also, in the end I gave Natsuki her breaking point. Vital for what happens to get shiznat together. And remember, Natsuki was a little bit more prepared for Shizuru after her encounter with Mrs. Viola and the singing scene.
Shezaie_neko is hosting a fan art contest! –is that the even the right word?- anyway, checkout her site: http:// www . /u / 834195 / shezaei-neko for more details! There are prizes people! Prizes!
See that big greenish bottom? Click it! You know you want to xD Pretty please?
P.S. I will prefer if instead of re-replying my replies, a new review will be more welcome XD just for the sake of the numbers.
P.S.S. Last chapter will be out friday morning or night.