A/N: Look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's plane – No! It's Shizuru, people! Kind of. Hey guys if you've read my profile then you'll see I changed my pen name because I felt it was too similar to other pen names on . Don't worry, it's the same girl writing for all your HiME needs. Sit back, relax and enjoy :)

*Canon Universe!

~Our Random Days~

Via TwiddledSpire

Chapter 7: A Gift From Me To You

Frowning, the brunette opened the box and jumped when the box yelped.

"Natsuki? What's wrong?"

It was Mai with Mikoto on her back as always. Natsuki shuffled carefully over to the box and slowly lifted the flaps open and then stared open mouthed at the thing at the bottom.

"A puppy!"

And so it was. It looked like a Siberian Husky with bright blue eyes and it sat up looking adorably bemused at the three pairs of eyes staring. There was a ribbon with a small note tied around its neck and Natsuki reached for it – only to be intercepted by a small wet nose sniffing excitedly at her outstretched fingers, liking the smell on them it gave a friendly lick by way of greeting. Natsuki inwardly cooed. She then proceeded to lift the puppy from the box and cradled it with a hand and arm, before she could read the note Mai took it and her eyebrows went up.

"Looks like it's a gift from Shizuru-san. Here ya go."

Mai and Mikoto reached out and petted the dog while Natsuki had to deal with its tail hitting her face as she was reading.

'To my dearest Natsuki,

I hope you are well and are not in any trouble, and I expect that Mai-san is monitoring your mayonnaise intake? I can't stand the thought of letting those cute hips of yours go to waste. I hadn't thought of it until Haruka-chan mentioned it – one day she called me out on the Childs we had and what had happened to them and then I realised that you had lost a precious someone after all – Duran. Natsuki…It is painful to remember those times, sometimes I wonder if it were all a dream…But in any case I know it was my fault that your friend is missing and so – while I know it can never replace him – I hope you can accept and take care of your puppy the same way you loved and took care of Duran.

Keep safe and write soon

Love,

Shizuru

"Shizuru…"

"He's so cute, and so smart! Ne, Natsuki – what're you going to call him?"

What indeed? She had already had two dogs named Duran – not counting the stuffed toy she had as a child. Maybe it was time to move on, but the thought of Duran did make her sad – the both of them had died in tragic ways and she missed the companionship the metal dog had given her while chasing Orphans and the memories of riding her bike with him running alongside. He was a good boy…

"Natsuki?"

She felt a warm hand on her face and her mind came back to focus in the real world. Her emeralds met violets and they held the gaze. Natsuki watched as Mai seemed to connect the dots together and looked sadly at Natsuki in sympathy, she had lost her dragon – Kagutsuchi after the Carnival despite being the winner.

"At least you got a new dog; I don't know where anyone could find me a new dragon."

They shared a smile and Natsuki was momentarily surprised when a thumb brushed under her eyes to wipe away the small tears that glistened in them, she hadn't realised she had been crying.

A/N: Did anyone think how the HiME felt after the Carnival? The loss of having such a powerful companion would've really hurt the characters; they did all form a bond with their Children after all. Farewell Duran!