Disclaimer: I don't own Mai Hime or Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.
You might notice the severe lack of Midori in this chapter. I'll just warn you that it's going to be like this for at least one or two more chapters. Please forgive me. -bows-
A second year high schooler, that carries around a hidden whip, wants to meet me in the school's parking lot around ten at night. Yeah, 'cause that just screams safe.
Youko was walking down the school building's hallway toward her classroom. There were still about twenty minutes left in lunchtime, but she didn't have anything else to do at the moment. Besides, walking was a good way to sort out one's thoughts. Because Heaven knows I really need to sort out the recent events in my life.
Her arms crossed under her chest as she continued to walk, staring straight ahead as she continued to think, All these strange events started when I met Midori. Kikukawa-sempai turns out to be an alien and Suzushiro-sempai is a cyborg. They wanted to tell me something, but they didn't get any chance to today. She closed her eyes in contemplation while frowning, What could they possibly want to say? And why me of all people? What could I do?
The dark-haired brunette let out a deep sigh, all her emotions coming out in one, long, heavy breath, "It took forever to calm Midori down," she said, moving one of her hand up to massage a dull-throbbing temple. "She was growling out something about getting back at Yuuki-sempai for kissing me," Sagisawa rolled her eyes, "Shouldn't I be the one that's angry?"
"Speaking of being hit on," a tall figure wrapped their arms around Youko's waist, pulling the future doctor into the newcomer's body.
Youko's fists balled at her side as she bared her teeth in frustration. The flirters just came in droves, didn't they! "Hands OFF!" she yelled, turning around and swinging her fist at the person's face. Only when the person fell backwards, onto the ground unconscious, did Sagisawa find out who grabbed her, "…" She blinked a few times to make sure she wasn't seeing things, "Fujino?"
The tallest first year was lying on the ground, blood coming from her nose where Youko's fist connected. Fujino Shizuru was down and out for the count!
The future doctor felt guilt wash over her body, One hit KO? She walked over to her best friend's side and bent down, trying to shake her friend awake, "Shizuru-san?" I probably should have recognized her from the accent, but why did she hug me in the first place? When she realized her friend wasn't waking up any time soon, Youko's gaze lifted down the hall, I should probably bring her to the nurse's office. She turned back to her friend and attempted to lift her up.
"Holy-!" Fujino, being taller than most second years while still only a first year, was a tad heavier than Youko (who was one of the shorter first years), thus making it harder to lift the other up. Finally, after much effort, Youko was able to pick up her friend up and keep her balance.
She started down the hallway, giving the snake owner a piggyback ride toward the nurse's office, "You owe me for this, Shizuru-san," she said when she noticed people were starting to stare. (Well, who wouldn't when some girl was carrying an unconscious Fujino around on their back?) She walked down the busy main hallway of the school, trying to ignore the whispers and stares as she carried the well-off girl to their destination.
What did she mean by 'speaking of being hit on'? Dark blue eyes narrowed ahead, Was she hitting on me? She shook her head, No, she has Kuga, who I know she is very much in love with. A small smile appeared on the first year's face when she remembered how happy her friend was when she finally made contact with Kuga. She chuckled slightly, She must have had the brightest smile on her face when she came back to class that one day.
Youko blinked, her smile fading as she started at the floor, … Will I ever find anyone that will make me happy like that? I wonder what they would look like. How would they act?
"Mm," the sleeping body Sagisawa was carrying smiled tenderly, snuggling closer to the person she was on, "Na-tsu-ki," the Kyoto-born teased in her dreams.
Azure eyes rolled, "Always teasing aren't you, Fujino?" She tried to shift the clinging body away from her so she at least had breathing space, A tad too close for my liking. She finally reached the nurse's office and turned the knob to opened the door, "Sensei, could you—" the brunette's words caught in her throat.
Fierce green eyes were the first things Youko's gaze locked on with. There stood Kuga Natsuki, star member of Fuuka's archery team, staring at Sagisawa from over her shoulder; her arms were crossed and she looked deeply pensive, if not completely unapproachable. Intense… Youko felt a shiver go down her spine. "Kuga-sempai…" she started, waiting for a response. All Natsuki did was blink and continue to stare, so the future doctor opened the door fully and let herself in.
The conscious brunette turned her body to close the door; twisting back to face the nurse's office, Youko jumped when she found Natsuki standing right there, looking down at her with that grave gaze. I didn't hear her move! That's when Sagisawa also noticed another stare fixated on her- this one being red. A purple snake with deep red eyes was wrapped around Natsuki's neck and shoulders, looking perfectly at peace with its resting spot.
The noise of shifting fabric brought Youko's attention back to Kuga and she found the second year holding out her hands, palms upward, giving her an expectant stare.
It was Youko's turn to blink. What does she—oh! Youko turned around and she suddenly felt the weight being taken off her shoulders. She wanted to bring Shizuru to the bed. The future doctor turned back just in time to see the archer place her best friend on the small cot and sit down on the adjacent bed. Not one for words is she? Sagisawa mused, Is this really the person Shizuru wants to marry? Seems kind of miss-matched to me…
"The nurse isn't here. I can look after Shizuru until she wakes up," a husky voice came from the previously silent figure in the room.
So she can speak. "Alright then," Youko started awkwardly, "I guess I can just go back to class then—"
"Wait," Natsuki looked over her shoulder a second time, "I've been meaning to talk to you, and now's a good a time as any." Kuga faced the sleeping brunette once more and patted a spot on the cot beside her, "Come, sit," she said, leaving no room for argument.
Woof… Sagisawa deadpanned before walking over, only to quickly freeze up when she saw Fujino's snake looking at her, Didn't Shizuru-san say that thing was poisonous?
Natsuki cocked an eyebrow at her action, before following Youko's gaze. She let out a small smile, amusement shining through, "Don't worry, Viola won't hurt you," the archer lifted her hand and started to pet the said snake's head.
Sagisawa frowned in suspicion, "How do you know?"
"Because she knows you're Shizuru's friend."
Still wary, the first year cautiously sat down next to Kuga, her blue eyes trained on the purple snake. She tensed up when Viola slithered towards her and flicked out her tongue. Youko lifted a quivering hand toward the snake's head, "Nice snake, pretty snake…" she shakily cooed before making contact. The brunette held her breath as she waited for something to happen; when nothing did, she let out a sigh of relief, relaxing as she regarded the curious red eyes.
"See?" Natsuki chimed in.
"Yeah," Sagisawa answered before giggling a little. The snake was nuzzling her hand, bring a small smile to Youko's face, "Now I can see why Shizuru adores you so much; you're kind of cute." The snake responded with a tongue flick.
There was a comfortable silence as Youko moved her attention from the snake, to her sleeping friend. The athlete next to her glanced down at the brunette, keeping her gaze on Fujino's form even as she addressed Sagisawa, "Thank you," the black-haired second year started.
"For?"
"Bringing Shizuru here," Natsuki lifted one of her arms and waved her hand to indicate the nurse's office.
"Mm."
"And also…" Natsuki paused hesitantly, "and also… for being Shizuru's friend."
"Of course," the future doctor answered.
"No, I really mean it." Natsuki tilted her head to the side so she could look at the brunette with sharp emeralds, "Shizuru's never had a real friend besides me before. They've always been after her money or fame, but I can tell that you truly want to be her friend. And she can too." Kuga turned her gaze back to the sleeping figure, a small smile breaking through that tough visage, "She's much happier these days."
Youko watched Natsuki as the scene unfolded, her own soft smile forming, "You're… a really nice person, aren't you?"
Natsuki's gaze snapped to Youko, her eyes wide. She then turned away, trying to hide the tint of pink forming on her face, "… I don't know what you're talking about."
Youko inwardly giggled at the cute scene, "Sure you don't." I take back what I said earlier; they make a good match. She got up and stretched, "I should be heading back to class now."
"Wait, there was something I wanted to ask you too." Sagisawa turned to see Natsuki's body twisted towards her, "You're part of that 'Justice Sentai' with Sugiura, right?" Kuga asked.
Youko inwardly cringed, Ah, I'm being directly associated with that now, am I? I don't think I'm particularly proud of this. "I am."
"Nao's in that team too, correct?"
Yuuki-sempai? The short first year nodded.
The Natsuki's eyes narrowed slightly, "Did Nao tell you anything?"
Yoko scoffed, "Besides the fact that she's horny? No."
The harshness left Kuga's eyes at these words; lightly rolled them, "Figures."
Youko frowned as she remembered something, "She did say to meet her at the parking lot at ten PM."
Natsuki raised an eyebrow, "Parking lot at ten?" The archer turned her gaze away as she went deep into thought. After a minute or so, all she said was, "Alright. I'll see you two there," and turned back to the sleeping figure, acting as though Sagisawa had left already.
Youko lifted a brown brow, 'See you there'? She turned and walked out the door, closing it behind her. She then frown curiously as something dawned on her, "How did Kuga-sempai know Shizuru would arrive at the nurse's office?" After a couple moments of contemplation, Youko simply shrugged it off to coincidence and walked back to class.
So, you finally got your Natsuki; are you all happy now? Now that she's here, wanna guess what she is? I love hearing what you guys think. =)
