Chapter seven: Set me free


Note: sorry for the late update, I was being stubborn and despite my writer's block I wanted to update Symphonia at all costs, resulting in failure and lateness of updates in all my fics. (Ups) anyways here you have it! (Wanted to post this fast so you might find grammar errors, I'll fix them later :D)


Natsuki's fury displayed on her face making her look more feral than human. She almost crushed the report between her hands and her emerald eyes were ablaze settling on Shizuru was if it were her fault.

"What is this…?" she repeated in a low and dangerous tone.

"As Natsuki said… it's a police report." She explained calmly her crimson eyes focused on the cop

"I know that! Tell me how this can be possible!" she yelled not caring if anyone heard "This-! I was in here to prevent something like this-!" she growled her hands damaging the report even more.

"This is wrong!" she stated refusing to believe what she had just read though knowing deep down it wasn't a lie. "This is wrong!" she repeated as if she wanted to convince herself and the unmoving Shizuru "Mai would have—" her voice faded away "…told me…"

Mai… why didn't you tell me?

Her knees were shaking her legs felt like jelly, she let herself slowly collapse on the floor in front of Shizuru not caring what the prisoner could think of her seeing her like this.

"There must be an explanation…" Natsuki said trying to encourage herself to keep going and not to give up. I need to ask Mai why she didn't tell me about all this. There has to be a reason…

Natsuki knew how protective Mai could be; she was probably trying to protect the blunette from something that was obviously out of their hands.

"Natsuki…"

The cop snapped out of her thoughts and looked into a pair of concerned crimson eyes.

"You…" she called out her tone venomous almost hurting.

Shizuru avoided flinching when she saw the maddened expression on the younger woman's face.

"How long did you have this?" she asked her face darkening by seconds

"Not long. I just didn't have the proper chance to give it to you Natsuki."

"You should have told me as soon as you got this! Now-!" the cop closed her mouth, she did know it wasn't Shizuru's fault, but she needed someone to blame. And she was too infuriated to act coolly now she stood up as dignantly as possible as she gritted her teeth at Shizuru.

"And…" Natsuki's eyes opened in realization "How did you get this?" she waved the report in front of the prisoner.

"My lawyer got them for me." She said in a neutral tone. "Natsuki-" Shizuru took a hesitant step towards the younger woman. "This is the only thing I can offer you that is helpful to your investigation…" and the only thing that was keeping you in here. Now you can leave this place.

"This is it… everything I suffered… I endured in this rotten place was for this? I didn't fulfill my duty as a cop! I was here to prevent this!" The blunette muttered her fury reawakening at these thoughts. "Just leave me alone Shizuru…"

"Natsuki-"

"Leave before I do something stupid."

Shizuru opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted.

"If you dare—if you even- I'll—just leave." Natsuki insisted her hands clenching harder.

The prisoner hesitated as if she wanted to still say something but turned around and complied with what the blunette had asked of her.

Once alone, she smashed a fist into the wall of her cell the pain knocking some sense into her.

Her head was pounding and revolving in thoughts, she never had felt this lost. Where had all her confidence gone? It was almost like as if she had dug her own grave with her two bare hands.

Natsuki still felt nauseous but finally managed to put herself together. She steeled her emotions and now her mind was working at a break neck speed analyzing the situation she was in.

Her experience as a cop told her that for her to be able to do anything at all was to leave the prison as it was obvious that whatever she was supposed to avoid from happening was already on course.

But to get out she needed to call Haruka to arrange it. Though she wasn't sure how prisoners requested a phone call. Getting out of her cell she looked around in search of a guard or authority of some sorts. Spotting one patrolling the hallway to the lunch room.

The guard raised an eyebrow when she saw Natsuki walking over towards him.

"I need to make a phone call" Natsuki said her green eyes focused into the guard's

"For?" The guard asked in a slightly annoyed tone

Natsuki opened her mouth to let out a sarcastic comment but stopped herself. "I need to call-my attorney"

The guard smirked and leaned onto the wall and gave Natsuki one of his wicked smiles.

"And what do I get in return?"

The blunette smiled back as she approached him, her emerald fixed on his till they were only inches apart.

"THIS!"

As the word escaped her lips she punched the guard square in the face who tumbled back. Afterwards she managed to pin the guard and used her skills as a cop to restrain him with an arm behind his back.

"Tell me where I can find the phone." She ordered as the guard could only whimper in pain. She pulled back a little so the guard could get on his feet again "Don't try anything stupid." She suggested as he leaded her down her to the nearest telephone booth which was not far from the visitation area.

When there, she finally let go of his arm, and the guard began to run in fear as she gave him her famous 'death glare'.

She didn't care if the guard went running to ward. She was leaving this dump.

She stared at the booth realizing she needed money. Rummaging her pockets she managed to choke up some yens and put them in the slot, hastily she jabbed the number to Haruka's office.

Riiiinnnnggg Riiiinnnnngg

"Hello? This is the office of Chief of police Haruka Suzushiro, Yukino Kikukawa speaking."

"Yukino?"

"Is that… Kuga-san?"

"Yeah. Where's Haruka?"

"She is out yelling at the chief of the remedial squad… anyways Kuga-san I'm glad hear you're ok"

Natsuki suppressed a groan "Anyways I need you guys to get me the hell out of this place."

"ok Kuga-san… Don't worry we'll get you out first thing tomorrow."

"Thanks… I'll explain everything tomorrow I promise ..." there was a pause in which Natsuki added "How is Mai, Can I talk to her?"

"Tokiha-san? She just left home."

The blunette frowned at this

"I see… I'll go check up on her tomorrow… thanks again Yukino."

"No problem. Take care."

Natsuki hung up the phone.

Her mind was still buzzing. She took a few deeps breathes to get into focus while she mindlessly walked inside her cell.

"What am I supposed to do-?" she said out loud voicing her thoughts unknowingly.

"Supposed to do?" repeated a voice by the cell door.

"Go away Shi-!" Natsuki began but her eyes widened to see that the person who had spoken wasn't Shizuru. "Akane…" Natsuki said her eyes narrowing in disgust. "What do you want?"

"Do you think what I was saying was an empty threat? When I say I will get you back- I will."

"I believe it was to Shizuru who you have said that to" Natsuki replied coolly as her fists clenched to be ready to defend herself in case the woman decided to attack her.

"Oh yes, but I cannot deal with Shizuru… not when she is this powerful and influential…. But you on the other hand..." she chuckled in a crazed manner "Did you know… I was planning to take you down alone, and kill you slowly and painfully… when imagine my luck when I caught on to your little chit chat with Fujino to find out that Natsuki Kuga is an infiltrated cop!"

Natsuki bit her tongue hard drawing out blood, her eyes a blaze.

"So imagine my joy! This place doesn't take kindly to cops… so if I let the word go loose… "

"Like I would let that happen!" Natsuki growled lunging at the woman.

Akane had no time to react as she got hit by a fist straight on her face.

"AHHH YOU BITCH!" she yelled as blood dripped down from her nose


Shizuru walked by Natsuki's cell, trying very hard not to notice it's presence there, but every step was proving to be harder than the last; it took most of her will to keep her going.

Concerned indeed… Shizuru thought remembering Akane's words. A luxury I cannot afford…

Her gaze went into space thoughts haunting her mind. She was Shizuru Fujino— the succubus, a demon that played with people's feelings and emotions and Natsuki was simply another mere a toy she picked up to play with like she did with so many other women. At least that is what she tried to believe.

"AHHHH YOU BITCH!"

Shizuru's eyes widened. She knew that wretched voice. Akane's voice.


Natsuki felt the rush of adrenaline pumping through her veins, and started punching every bit of Akane she could spot.

She was hitting her like a possessed woman, her expression dazed as if in a trance so deep, she didn't notice the person behind her who had grabbed her fist, preventing it to lower down to hit Akane again.

Next thing she felt was a stinging pain on her cheek, that made her sense return to her. Someone had slapped her across the face.

"NATSUKI"

Green orbs moved slowly to the person who had slapped her.

"Shizuru…" she croaked weakly.

"Get away from her."

"But-" the word escaped the blunette's lips, but realized why she had to listen to the older woman. Here violence was punishable with more than just being locked up in the Hole.

Shizuru was about to say something else when Akane rose quickly from the floor, even if she was bloodied and beat, she was fast enough to pull out a melted toothbrush ready to stab it into the brunette.

"Watch out!" Natsuki called out seeing this happen behind Shizuru.

The older woman heard the cop's alert and instinctively reacted by moving to the side at the same time the blunette tried to get her out of harm's way.

Everything happened in a whirl of color and movement and next thing they knew blood was gushing everywhere and Akane was screaming in pain.

The melted weapon had somehow been used against her and was now lodged into her left eye, which was bleeding profusely.

The cries of pain called the attention of the guards who at first surprised at what was going on, pulled Shizuru and Natsuki out of the cell dragging them away with force while others tried getting medical assistance for the motionless woman on the cell floor.


Covered in blood. Natsuki felt tainted and bordering insanity. She and Shizuru were being escorted by two stern guards who were dragging them towards the warden's office.

Yes, this time they were in trouble.

As they entered a woman with short grey hair glared upon the two of them.

"There are two things I cannot stand happening around me" She began in a dark tone "One is that people forget who and where they are, forgetting that they are here to pay a debt the owe society and to amend the error of their ways. The other, is abusing of my idea of rehabilitating scum like yourselves, mistaking my treatment as kindness and permission to do what you please in this place." She got up and began pacing in front of them, taking in the blood covering them.

"Fujino-san I expect more of you. I'm afraid you cannot go unpunished this time. I hope you understand that you will be spending one whole month in the hole in the same conditions like the rest. No contact. No light. No field time. And only one meal per day."

"Yes Miss Maria" Shizuru nodded submissively knowing that even if she was being punished she was still getting special treatment. As for offenses like these people could be punished during the rest of their lifetime in the hole.

"You are dismissed." She said lightly the guards escorting Shizuru away.

"As for you." She said her expression turning darker. "You owe me an explanation."

Natsuki looked at her confused.

"You do not recognize me do you?" the warden asked noticing Natsuki's expression.

"No… I do not…" she admitted sheepishly

"I was your principal back when you were training in Garderobe academy."

Green orbs widened at this new piece of information.

"I only found out recently why you decided to become a criminal investigation cop instead of being part of the elites. I always thought it would be a waste of your talents to go to such a place." Her expression softened.

"When you came in here, I knew immediately that you were sent in here for a reason. Probably an infiltration mission." She continued not waiting for an answer from the stunned blunette. "That is the reason for which I tried to assist you in the smallest way possible, such as leaving my office unlocked for you to sneak in… but with your abilities and skills, you should have had no problem to go unnoticed… but you brought so much attention to yourself and risking not only your cover but, also my position as a warden."

"I… had no idea…" was all the cop could say, everything Maria was telling her was too overwhelming for her to process.

"You attacked another prisoner, and I just received information that you also beat one of my guards to get to a telephone booth."

"It was to contact my superior…"

"Yes I spoke with her on the phone, unlike you, she did recognize me. You will be leaving this facility tomorrow morning."

"I see…"

"But there is a problem to that."

"Problem?"

"You cannot leave just like that, not especially when the whole facility is aware of what has taken place today."

"So what are you trying to tell me?"

"Well, I need to show them that I am keeping my authority in check, so I'm afraid that I will have to send you to the hole tonight."

Natsuki frowned. "Does this mean I cannot leave tomorrow?"

"No, you can, but we need to pretend that you are being punished in the hole for an indefinite time that way we don't arouse any suspicions and keep possible riots to a minimum."

"So what you are saying is that, I'm going to be smuggled outside while people believe I'm in the hole being punished."

"That is what I mean."

"I understand… I'm sorry I never meant to cause this much trouble…" Natsuki apologized honestly.

Maria shook her head. "Just don't cause me anymore trouble."

The cop nodded. "Thank you"


"Natsuki Kuga? They are here for you." Natsuki tugged on her hood, revealing her face out to the world. Just as planned Miss Maria had arranged everything to smuggle her out of the prison unnoticed.

The guard opened the fence door for her so she could head to the next area.

And later walked past the prison gates for the first time in months and finally got to see the world that had been taken away from her during this time.

The feeling of being outside was exhilarating. She saw the blue sky in its entirety without being framed by the prison's infrastructures, never was she appreciative of the sky as she was now.

A horn was heard which called her attention. A police car was waiting for her on the other side of the street, and she saw a nervous Haruka honking at her telling her to get in the car already, while Yukino sat in the passenger's front seat trying to get her boss to stop pressing the horn.

Natsuki took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she approached the car.

She waited for her boss to unlock the door so she could get in the back.

"Welcome back Natsuki." Yukino said with a smile as Natsuki gave her a faint nod in return.

"You Natsuki… Have a lot of explaining to do." Haruka stated angry glaring at her through the car mirror.

"Yeah, I know."

"Ok then… let's start with what you discovered in the prison."

There was a silence.

"What do you mean what I discovered in the prison? Didn't Mai tell you anything?"

"Mai? What are you talking about?"


Note: I re-wrote this chapter like five times, every single one of them having different events happening in them, I finally decided to pick my third draft, I didn't intend to reach to this part of the plot just yet but, I think it came out just in the right moment, besides, any longer and I would be giving too many clues about what could happen in the future and my intention with this fic is to keep you guys on an edge and wondering about what's gonna happen. (I know I'm being cruel… I'm sorry… I love you guys… *gives readers a cookie and medal for bearing with me*) I'm already on the next chapter so it won't take me ages to get the next update up!

Also I set up a new poll in my profile you might want to check that out since right now Jaded eyes, Trapped and Candidate to goddess are tied D: and I kept getting requests to put up an epilogue on my little knight Natsuki, which I will soon too.

Now off to college and will work on my other fics next!

Don't forget to drop in a little review!


OMAKE: (Based on a true story)

Asuka:ssssssssssssssss

Natsuki: What the hell—Asuka what are you doing?

Asuka: *cries* I spilled ramen on my keyboard and I'm trying to clean it!

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

xxxxxxxxxx

Shizuru: Ara, did Asuka must have very dirty 's' 'e' 'x' keys

*silence*

(This happened to me on skype while I was chatting with a friend… it was totally unintentional though I swear! And lucky my keyboard survived my ramen!)