Author's Note: I couldn't really find a way to use strawpanic's idea right now, every way I wrote it, it just didn't come out right. Also, I'm going to start wrapping it up pretty soon, I might start a Clannad story, I've pretty much run out of ideas in terms of Strawberry Panic. In fact this might actually be a good ending chapter, it all depends on whether or not I can find any good inspiration. Review please and as always any ideas are appreciated and encouraged!!
Life had continued on as normal after the entire Miyuki/ Tamao ordeal, although much smoother. Nagisa was able to sleep in her own room now, since Tamao had kept the door locked for the past three days, admittedly she did miss waking up with her beautiful lover.
As she neared the room she shared with Tamao, she noticed something odd. Two distinct voices could be heard from behind the door. It sounded like somebody was moaning, very loudly.
I really can't suppress the urge to see if they actually are... Slowly and quietly opening the door, she was truly surprised by what she saw.
Tamao and Miyuki were sprawled out on the carpet, a Dungeons and Dragons set between the two of them.
...Maybe a couple of nights away from Shizuma wouldn't really be a bad thing.
As night fell, Nagisa found herself wide awake and unable to force herself asleep. She decided to see how Shizuma was faring. She tapped softly on the door, it opened and before Nagisa could think, Shizuma pulled her into an embrace.
"I miss having you around all the time." Gently stroking the smaller girl's hair she added "We should go somewhere." Lost in the bliss of the moment, Nagisa unknowingly agreed.
Taking Nagisa's hand, Shizuma lead her off campus, to the spot where, among other things, they had first met.
The lake could be seen through the loose canvas of trees, moonlight casting a scintillating glow along the foliage. The couple took their seats against the familiar tree. Nagisa's head gently lay on Shizuma's shoulder, the late hour taking it's toll on the young girl. She soon fell asleep to the soft sound of small waves as they ebbed up the small shoal. Shizuma found herself in the same situation as the long day finally caught up with her.
"Nagisa... Nagisa? Are you awake?" It was not Shizuma's voice coming from under her sheets. Tamao popped her head out from under the covers, more importantly she was stark naked! "Tamao! Why are you in my bed?" As soon as Nagisa asked this, Tamao got up and began leaving. Even stranger still, Tamao was fully clothed when she got up. "Goodbye Nagisa, forever" Tamao opened the door and left. What did she mean by forever? They lived in the same room after all. Nagisa got up to ask her, but when she opened the door, their was nothing but an empty field. Ambient lights dotted the landscape like fireflies, nothing in sight for miles. Not Tamao, not anyone.
Nagisa walked back into the room to find it had been replaced by a small table and two chairs.
Why would I need two chairs? Their is no one else... Anywhere, she realized as the prospect dawned on her. Why am I alone?
The thought stuck with her for some reason. It replayed over and over. Tears came and she dropped to her knees.
Alone.
The Moon's placid glow still shone beautifully off the lake's surface, it was still hours away from the morning's sanguinity.
"Nagisa?" This time, it was Shizuma's melodic voice awaking Nagisa from her sleep. Shizuma had a concerned look plastered on her face. "Nagisa, why are you crying?" Her arms wrapped around the smaller girl.
"It was nothing..." Nagisa tried to ignore it, she felt as though she'd never forget it . That feeling was almost as bleak and desolate as the dream itself.
Alone.
She wasn't able to stop the tears that came, no matter how hard she wanted to ignore them. Shizuma's arms tightened around her. Why am I crying? Shizuma would never let me feel lonely. This didn't help her at all.
Shizuma noticed that Nagisa kept whispering 'alone', almost like clockwork.
"Nagisa, I'd never let you feel alone. You know that, I love you too much to let that happen."
Any other dream would have faded by now, but this one stuck. Why? She'll never know.
Alone.
"Please don't leave me," Nagisa's voice was muffled by the other girl's shirt.
"I would never leave you."
"But what if I change?"
"Then I'll be whoever you need me to be."
