The water stung as I stood under the spray of Shizuru's shower. I looked down at my feet and I watched blood mixed water go down the drain. My blood was washed away like it was nothing. I knew those men. I knew the way they fought, the way they appeared. I know who sent them and once I got back to Mai there will be hell to pay. The blood would not stop flowing and I knew I was losing a lot but the doc was on the way. I turned off the water and then I wrapped a single towel tightly around my torso and then I took another and fastened it around my waist. I looked in the mirror and I noticed how pale I was, the cut was open yet again and I was starting to bruise around the corner of my chin and lip where it was swollen. I opened the door to the bed room and I saw my blood on her bed. I snorted as the thought hit me that it soaked through to the sheets. Blood soaked sheets, and memories, horrible memories came back to me. Nao, the spider bitch ambushed me in my own apartment. I never liked her, I always made that known but something flipped a trigger inside of her. She came after me with a psychotic lust. My eyes went to Shizuru's bed and it was like my busted and bloodied body was superimposed onto the covers. Nao did unforgivable things, things I never thought would happen to me, and it was then that Mai came through my door and found me cut up by Nao. Mai beat the hell out of her, threw her out of the apartment and then took me away, cleaned me up. We had our own spaces of darkness. I was always good with guns, and weapons, call it a tomboyish interest and then Mai asked me if I was able to kill. After that night I was able to do anything. All of this happened not long after Takumi was hit by a drunk driver. My thoughts went to Shizuru. She did not deserve all of this.
I went into the living room in nothing but the towels and then I saw her there at the bar to her kitchen. She was sitting on a stool nursing yet another cup of tea. I watched as her hands shake slightly. She kept rubbing them as she put the cup down like she was trying to get something off of them. I walked into the room, and I cleared my throat slightly so as not to scare my hostess. She still popped up off of the stool like a cat shocked from slumber. Her shoulders tensed when she turned around and then she saw me and then relaxed. She held her hands in her lap and just looked as if analyzing my injuries, then I saw her rub her hands again. I went up to her and took them, looked at them and then I understood.
"There is no blood, Shizuru. Everything is ok. I am ok." She found my eyes and a tear escaped her eyes and she pulled me to her, crushed me. I grunted and then she released me as quickly as she grabbed me. She pulled her hands away, afraid to touch me. I doubled down, the pain flew to my back but I did not want her to be afraid. Then she looked at her hand. In the palm it was red. I reached around and pulled my hand back, red. I stood there frozen.
"Shizuru, don't." But she would not listen as she hopped from the stool and washed her hands, scrubbed her hands. I was about to go to her when there was a knock on the door. I went to the door. I listened and I heard a pair of voices. Then I knocked back.
"I have ice cream, open the bloody door." Said a husky voice on the other side along with a giggle. I opened the door and let in the doc. I locked the door and walked behind the assistant and I smiled.
"It's about time you got here." I badgered. The tall black haired woman with thin glasses merely smiled. The other women with long brown hair made her way to the kitchen to Shizuru and asked if she could use her freezer. Shizuru only nodded and then the other woman emptied a sack in the freezer and brought the same sack full of ice.
"Chie, come on we don't have a lot of time." I said getting restless. Chie only nodded.
"Aoi, I hear that Miss Fujino was shot the other day. Will you check her dressings as I tend to our Biker Princess?"
"Sure," she turned to Shizuru, "Please sit on the stool and remove your shirt." Shizuru, finally with her wits back about her did exactly as she was told. I watched Shizuru do exactly as Aoi instructed and I turned my head as I saw the shirt go over her head, no bra. I turned to Chie who sat in a chair and unpacked the backpack she carried.
"How do you want me?" As soon as I asked that question I wish I had not for Chie looked up with that rakish smile on her face. I looked to Shizuru and I saw her look at me with mouth wide open over Aoi's shoulder and I saw Aoi's shoulders shake from her giggling.
"How would you want me to have you, Nat-su-ki?" I blushed crimson and Chie finally took pity on me and instructed me to lie down on the floor. As I was about to lay down Chie cleared her throat.
"Loose the towel, hot stuff, I can't do my work." I did not have to look at Shizuru to know she was watching. As I ditched the towel from my torso Chie cleared her throat again.
"No, Hallard, I am not losing the bottom one." I lay down on the other towel still wet from my own blood and let her get to work. I placed my arms to the side of body and then I winced as I felt needle hit skin. I winced as I felt the thread pass though my skin, pulling in, and then puncture, then pulls in again. I went to sleep on the floor from the pain and from the loss of blood, my world was black, but I swear I could feel everything.
%%%
Oh my god! I did not know she as so badly injured. She had been cut from her shoulder blade back down across to her right side. The blood still flowed when Dr. Hallard sewed up Natsuki's back. She then injected Natsuki with a serum. I squirmed a little when I saw this and Aoi, stayed my actions.
"It's just an anti-biotic. We are rather used to this from our Natsuki. One saving grace for that one is that she heals remarkably fast," Aoi paused, eyed my gunshot wound as she dressed it up, "And so do you."
My eyes passed to Natsuki as Dr. Hallard rose from the floor. And then beckoned Aoi over. Aoi and Chie whispered and then Chie flipped Natsuki over and then sat her up. Chie supported her as they wrapped the bandages around Natsuki's body, inch by inch the long cut was covered, and the only thing you could see were bruises. Many, many bruises riddled Natsuki's body. Chie took the bag of ice and placed a few cubes in smaller bags as she laid Natsuki back down. She placed one bag over her chin and lip, another over the cut on her cheek she sewed up, and other over the left side of her neck and then another over her ribs. After all it was all done they covered her with a blanket. And settled down.
"Thank you Dr. Hallard for coming to her aid." I said this and got a very suspicious look from the Doctor. The pair exchanged a glance and it made me a little unsettled.
"Please, call me Chie. We have to admit that this is a little different for Natsuki." I cocked my head to the side.
"How so?"
"You see, usually she is alone. She never protects. Do you understand my meaning?" It was then that I got a small glimpse of Natsuki.
"She told me she never saved some one before, is that true?"
"Yes," Chie said smoothly. I looked over to Natsuki and I am finding harder and harder every day to see her as a cold-blooded killer. I saw her move and I went down to the floor. Her eyes opened, and I then I said her name. She tried to sit up but I pushed her back to the ground. She looked at me, pleading to just let her stand. I shook my head.
"We need to get out of here." She said this as if to justify her moving. I didn't want her to move, but I know she was right. I looked up to Chie, and she nodded in confirmation. I turned my head away but it was brought back by Natsuki's hand on my thigh. My hands took hers and I noticed how cold they had gotten. She needs to get warm, she needs to get off of the floor and into some clothes, and she needs food.
"Chie, I think we need to get her into some clothes, can you help me?" Chie and Aoi were watching out exchange with interesting looks on their faces.
"Absolutely. Natsuki its going to hurt, you alright with that." Natsuki nodded and then she pulled herself up into a sitting position as she seemed to climb up my body. I got into a squatting position as Chie came to us and I hooked my arms under hers. We lifted her up to her feet with Chie constantly telling us to take it easy don't pull the stitches. Once Natsuki stood I looked at her. Her brow was covered in a cold sweat and her features were ashen. Natsuki swayed slightly and then fell into my arms. I put my arms up under Natsuki's arms, afraid to completely wrap my arms around her.
"I am sorry Shizuru," Natsuki whispered in my ear. It made chills run down my spine but I looked to Chie who was doing nothing but smiling. Then I looked to Aoi and then followed her eyesight. Now I knew why Chi was smiling. The towel fell from Natsuki's waist and I held a naked Natsuki in my arms aside from the bandages. I was fuming at Natsuki's acquaintances as I spun under Natsuki and put Natsuki's arm over my shoulder. I walked the tired Natsuki to the bedroom where her clothes were and then shut the door. I was slightly annoyed that the doctor would be ogling Natsuki as if she was a piece of prized meat. It made me feel…feel…I could not pin it and then I sat Natsuki down on the bed. I went to work putting Natsuki's underwear on, and jeans. The shirt, bra, and coat were ruined. I looked down at myself and came to the conclusion that Natsuki will have to go without a bra, but I came back from the closet with a Tokyo U. Sweatshirt, and then put it over Natsuki's head. I was weary of her back and then I came around to look at the woman. Natsuki's eyes were closed. I was kneeling in front of her. I pushed Natsuki's hair off of her sweaty brow and then caressed her cheek.
"Open your eyes," I spoke. I needed to see those eyes. I needed to know that they would open and see me. For some unknown reason I needed to see those green eyes looking at me. As Natsuki opened her eyes I saw how tired she really was. Natsuki bent forward and pressed her forehead to mine. The action startled me. It was the same position she had me in before we left her loft, before she… I did not want to think about it. She said my name. There was a tiny slur, as if she was not fully there, not fully coherent. I opened my eyes and I saw those eyes. I wasn't breathing again, how does she do that to me? Why does this seem to happen? This time I did not want to run, this time I wanted to do …something. I said her name and a slight smile hit her lips. Then she put her arms around my shoulders as she fell slightly forward. I gingerly pulled her in an embrace. After a moment she said thank you again. As I stood up I chastely laid my lips to her forehead and then helped her stand.
%%%
I felt her lips on my forehead. It felt nice, but I know I am not in any state to feel anything at this moment. Because of the drugs I know I am not myself. But I cannot deny the fact that I feel warm in her embrace and my stomach twitched as her lips hit my forehead. She helped me stand and I was grateful. As we made I back into the living room Chie already packed up and Aoi was cleaning up.
"Thanks, Chie." I said and she knew that meant we were about to go.
"Not a problem, remember I brought ice cream. It's in the freezer." With that they left. I was able to walk on my own so went slowly to the freezer and I got the ice cream tubs. In side of some wrapping foam to keep the metal from freezing where magazine clips for my glock. Shizuru shook her head and smiled.
"What?" I asked as I threw away the cartons.
"I should have known there was not ice cream in those things." I simply put the clips in my pockets and I looked around. We need to leave but I can't go far.
"Do you have a car?" I asked and Shizuru nodded. I sighed, and thanked the gods. "Good we are going back to the loft and you are driving." Shizuru nodded. As we got her keys, she told me to stay put. She went back into the bedroom and came back with the linens. She gave them to me as she locked up.
"We need to destroy these, right?" I smiled and nodded my head. She was learning. We went into the elevator, down to the garage and then we found her Black MG Midget. I smiled at the selection. We got in and she sped off. What took us about three hours to cover earlier, only took up to 15 minutes. As we rounded the corner I pulled out my keys and hit a button on a small key pad. The door opened and she drove in. I hit the button again and the door closed.
As we got back into the loft I sighed, I was home. She helped me into the bed. I was tired, oh so tired. Shizuru took off my boots, took off my jacket and then helped me cover up. How did she end up helping me was beyond my sphere of comprehension at the moment but it felt…good. She pulled the covers up to my chin and as she left to light a fire I pulled her back. My hand held hers. My fingers entwined with hers intimately.
"I..." I started to say something, wanted to say something but sleep over took my world and I was dead to the world.
%%
It was late and after I burned the linens I stoked the fire as much as I could. I was freezing in this loft. Natsuki's fingers from earlier were like icicles but the touch fueled a fire with my heart. I know it was insane to be interested in this woman but damn me I was. I feel things on a level I have never felt before and it scared the hell out of me. As I stand here watching this dark angel sleep I wonder about her life, her past. She kills people for a living. How can this wonderus woman do that? I can't see her as a murderer, like me. I killed that boy, and for the life of me I can't remember it. I get snaps, like photographs single pictures but I never remembered the rest of that night. All I recall is an unbelievable amount of pain. Waking up in that car and Reito right next to me. I shook my head of thoughts and looked out the windows of the loft. It was not high up but the cityscape was beautiful in the midnight hours of winter. I guess you could say that Tokyo is very similar to New York City, it never sleeps. It is always lit, and bright. I sigh as I watch the snow fall yet again and blanket everything in white. I was so lost in my thoughts that I never heard her move from the bed, I never heard her come up behind me, and put her hand on my shoulder. I felt completely safe here, and I knew it was her hand. That's why I didn't jump like I did at my apartment. I looked at her. She looked tired but rested. She gave me a plain look, and I was a little surprised to see that she was not wearing a mask this time. She was letting me see just who she was. The moonlight bathed her face and the blue hues made her look gorgeous. Her hand went from my shoulder to my neck. And I felt her begin to massage the back of my neck with her fingertips. I relaxed instantly. Then she pulled me toward her and her eyes said something that I have never experienced before from Natsuki. I gently wrapped my arms around her waist as she held on to me. We swayed back and forth as she heard my breathing catch as my tears began to fall.
It was after a long while; I don't even know how long we stood there when she guided me to the bed. Natsuki said nothing as she put me in the bed and I lay on my side facing the other side of the bed, her side. As she sat down she gingerly moved to see me and she lay next to me. We looked at each other. It was like nothing I have experienced before. It was as if there was total understanding, total trust between us.
"Natsuki," I whispered.
"Yes, "she said softly. I wanted to put words to what felt but I could not. I placed my hand to her face. Natsuki closed her eyes at the contact and exhaled. I was not thinking, I was not even in control of what I was doing. I leaned over and I pressed my lips to her forehead. I moved down and kissed her eyelids, her temple, and cheek. I leaned back to see green eyes open. Then she let a tear fall and hit the pillow.
%%
I could not begin to tell her how I felt, but my insides were boiling. The injection Chie gave me earlier always knocked me out for a few hours, and had other adverse effects on my body, but this was not drugs. I was fully awake, completely conscious of what was happening and I let it. When her lips pulled away I swear I almost whimpered. I felt the tear escape my eye for I have never felt any one be so gentle with me. It was like Shizuru was the only person to break into a locked door and find my warmth.
I saw her retreat and it was then that I could not take it not any more. I reached out to her, kept her close, and I took her by the hand and linked our fingers like before. I kissed each finger then her palm. Then I looked up to her red eyes and found something I never thought I had before…it was tomorrow. I inched slowly toward her, so slowly it was as if I was torturing myself. She kept moving away only to lie on her back and I was positioned to the side but above her. I looked into the most beautiful face I had ever seen, and I smiled as my other hand came up and cupped her cheek. I ran my thumb across her lips and she swallowed. I ran the tips of my fingers over her eye brows, her cheek bones her nose. I wanted to keep this memory. I wanted to remember every detail of her face. I finally slowly dipped my head. It was feather light at first, just a little taste and then I pressed a little harder and I felt her lips meet mine. I was lost. We untangled our hands and I used mine to cup her face and she ran her hands through my hair and brought me closer to her. It was when her mouth opened and let me it that I realized she broke my resolve, she ruined me, and I was forever lost to Shizuru.
%%
Natsuki's tongue against mine left me lightheaded and I could not think. Her body settled on top of mine and I felt at home. I felt whole as if I have never felt before. It was as if half of my world was returned to me. I felt Natsuki rise up to her knees and I opened my legs to let her cover me completely. Her weight was like a warm blanket, but I was not satisfied with that. I ran my hands down her waist and I lifted her shirt up over her head. She winced and my eyes flew open but once her mouth found mine I no longer worried about her back. She straddled my hips and pulled my shirt over my head. We only looked openly at the other and touched the other eliciting sounds from the other even though I could only touch her through bandages. I pulled her down to me and I felt a grand sense of elation as I felt her warmth on mine. Her mouth traveled down my body only stopping to tease me in the most delicious way. I looked down. She stopped, she stopped moving, stopped advancing, she stopped caressing and kissing. I only saw green eyes, pain filled green eyes. I pulled her up to me and held Natsuki close to me wrapping her in my arms. I stroked her hair, and felt silent tears spill onto my neck.
"What's wrong, Natsuki?" I could not help but feel an over whelming sense of dread settle in the middle of my guts. I was almost nauseous with the possibilities as to why she stopped. She shook her head and tears were replaced with lips. Her lips kissed and sucked about my neck and as her lips covered my pulse I moaned. But I wanted to know. I pulled back.
"What is wrong sweetheart?" She let a few more tears fall and then she sat up straddling my hips. She brought a hand to her face and wiped away her tears, I realized she was ashamed and I reached up and took her hands from her face.
"Talk to me, please." She took a deep breath and then calmed herself. She looked down at me with the most sorrow filled look I have ever seen and my heart broke for her.
"I… I never felt like this." It was then that I understood she had never felt strongly toward another person before. I sat up and took her neck in my mouth, raked my teeth over her pulse, and then I looked into her eyes as she looked down.
"Neither have I." That night we mapped out paths on each other's bodies, trails of kisses that lead to passionate climaxes and a forging of a bond no one would be able to break. I worshiped this woman as if I never knew what religion was and I found it her. I felt alive when she brought me from peek to peek to peek and then I would scream her name like it was my salvation.
%%%
Shizuru never realized that as soon as she kissed me back that I became her slave. I only wanted to please her, make her happy, and in those pre-dawn hours I showed her with my actions how deeply I felt for her. I could never describe my feelings but I showed her as I made her scream my name over and over again. But when she made love to me, she was gentle, agonizingly so, as if I was something sacred and fragile. I have never felt special. I have never felt sacred in my entire life. Every time I would reach a point I thought I could go no further she took me higher, she made the impossible possible both physically and emotionally. I felt every wall I have thrown up in the past crumble to dust and then float away on the wind every time I would collapse onto her. But I would reach for her, silently ask for more. It went on for hours, and in that time we became one, we became a whole spirit. When we finally fell exhausted I felt her arms wrap around me. Hold me, and comfort me. I felt safe. I never let anyone hold me like that and I felt oddly content having Shizuru protect me. Then it occurred to me. She wanted to protect me, just as I wanted to protect her. I felt her breathing become heavy and I sighed because I knew without a doubt, for the first time in my life what love could feel like.
