Marksman
A war has left a nation torn and its remaining heirs escaping with their lives. Little did the Admiral know that by taking them in, it would alter the life of his daughter drastically, especially when her curiosity draws her closer to the budding marksman. One night, after receiving news of her abduction, the ranger departed on an arduous journey, vowing to bring her home safely.
Previously:
Shizuru hums, tracing patterns on Natsuki's hand, "Who is to say that? I would be accompanied by anyone I choose. Also, Mother would not let me see other people when I have already have had someone in mind for five years."
Natsuki's brow creases and there is silence between the both of them. Shizuru bites her lips, wondering if she had just ruined the best thing in her life. For the first time in her eighteen years, Shizuru Viola felt anxious.
A/N: Hi all, sorry for the delay in update, I've been pretty caught up in work recently. In any case, happy 4th of July to all readers and many thanks for all your reviews! :)
Chapter 7
Italics – Thoughts
It was the annual Seafarers' festival in Vitilus. Atop the dancing couples in the ballroom, two young women were contemplating a possible future together. The beginning of a new, stronger relationship; or the end of a trusted, long time bond. Shizuru pursed her lips. If there was one thing she learnt over the years, it was how to read Natsuki's body language. And right now, the Kagen Ranger wasn't sending out positive vibes.
Her head was bowed, her gaze focused on the ground. Shizuru couldn't help but study the girl intently. Natsuki was donned in her typical outfit, a loose, buttoned white cloth shirt and her favorite tanned leathers on top. A black leather sash was tied across her chest, but her signature quiver and bow were not equipped today. Shizuru's gaze lingered on Natsuki's gloved hands; they were tapping against her knee. Shizuru inhaled, she didn't want to make this hard for them, so she opened her mouth to speak, "Natsuki, I'm sorry if.."
Natsuki immediately cleared her throat, interjecting, "Shi.. Shizuru. What you're saying, I don't know if I can.. I.."
"Ara," Shizuru nodded, masking the dejection on her voice, "I understand, my Natsuki." She shakes her head, "Though, I must remember not to call you that anymore."
Natsuki looks at her despondency and gulps, guilty. She hadn't seen Shizuru so sad before. This day, because of a silly prank, Natsuki knew that she would never want to be the one who causes her brunette such distress. Natsuki wraps an arm around Shizuru's waist, pulling her companion's slim frame closer and whispers into her ear.
Shizuru pulls away at once, confusion displayed prominently on her face. She turns to the wide-eyed girl, who was playing with her thumbs, her head hung low. Shizuru suddenly understands and coos sweetly, "Ara. So my Natsuki thinks it's funny to pull my leg when I took such effort to express myself?"
Natsuki swallows – it was the first time on the receiving end of one of Shizuru's piercing gaze – she scratches her face uneasily, "But Shizuru… you didn't let me complete my sentence!"
Shizuru regards Natsuki, tapping a finger against her chin. "Ara, but I must say, Natsuki pulled it off very well. She knew I was reading her body language and could even use that to fool me. I have to say that I'm impressed."
Green eyes peeked up, hopeful, "So, you're not angry with me?"
"Well, after that charming little speech you made to me, how could I be still angry?" the taller woman smiles coyly, "However, I think it would take a lot from Natsuki to make me forget this incident."
Natsuki ran a hand through her locks; knowing she'd won the battle but lost the war. "Oh come on, Shizuru. You've been teasing me for years! This is just one single time!"
"Ara, but Natsuki picked the wrong time to tease. It seems I've a lot more to teach her," Shizuru nods with mock seriousness.
Natsuki grumbles, "Okay, okay. I'd never survive this one. So tell me, what do I have to do? I guess it'd probably be something to do with Nao."
"Nao? Why would you bring her up, Natsuki?" Shizuru's rubies glint dangerously.
"W-What?" Natsuki stammers, but then added firmly, "Shizuru, it's pretty obvious that you have something against Nao. This would be the perfect time.."
"No I do not."
Natsuki sighed, "I think.. the stuff between you two.. it's just a misunderstanding, Shizuru."
"She tried to kill you, even after you saved her life, Natsuki."
"That was just one time.. I think she was disorientated and.."
Shizuru stands up, moving toward the edge of the parapet. She looks toward the horizon and undoes the bun in her hair. The cool breeze picks it up immediately, tossing the brown locks. She closes her eyes after a minute of quiet contemplation.
Shizuru didn't exactly have a problem with Nao. It was just that one day, back in Chryzan…
Flashback
Shizuru shot out of bed when she heard the soft clatter of metal. She turned to her side, only to find that Natsuki was not in bed. Throwing the covers off, she sat up in bed, her ears tuned. There was a loud thump which sounded like it came from the room next to theirs. Her immediate reaction was to search for the missing girl – and she knew just where to look. She strode out into the hallway and toward the room where Natsuki had moved the unconscious redhead to.
When she swung the door open, the brunette found Natsuki being pressed against the wall with a dagger by the very naked girl. She frowned – angry – but complied with the gaze that Natsuki was sending her and stepped into the room, closing the door.
"Look, Nao, was it? Could you just put the dagger down and we can talk?" Natsuki asked calmly when Shizuru leaned against the door, sending her a disapproving gaze.
"Shut up! What were you trying to do?"
"Uhm, I brought you water, but you decided to leap out of bed and steal my weapon?" Natsuki cocked her head in mock confusion, eyeing the overturned basin beside the bed. "Come on, I bet it hurts just to get up, so maybe you could just put my dagger down and we can talk?"
Nao sneered, "Right and then your girlfriend over there would probably rip my throat out. Nope, you're going to be my shield to escape this damn place."
"Look, you don't need me to be your shield. You could just tap dance your way out of here. I wouldn't care either way," Natsuki shrugs.
"I've heard that one before."
"About tap dancing? That's rare.." Natsuki raises a brow.
Nao hisses angrily and raises her hand, ready to strike the smart mouth.
"Shizuru!" Natsuki exclaims, as Nao collapsed headfirst into her, unconscious and she quickly catches the girl. "Ah!" She releases her grip when she realizes one of her hands was groping Nao's breast. "Shizuru! Could you help me please?"
Shizuru directs a cold gaze at the flailing ranger and sets her makeshift weapon – a brass candle holder – down back on the drawer which she grabbed it from and instead, smiles at her in return.
The dark haired girl shoots her a strange look, knowing she wouldn't be receiving any help anytime soon. A grunt escaped her throat as she heaves the dead weight off herself before flopping it on the bed. She turns back to the taller girl, "Shizuru! What was that for!"
"Ara, I figured Natsuki needed the extra help to escape, since she allowed herself to be disarmed and held hostage so easily."
"It's dumb to go around holding people hostage in her condition; you know she really didn't mean it, Shizuru." She sighs when Shizuru maintains the smile on her face – that was enough warning to her. "Alright, it's late. I think we should get back to bed." She turns around and throws the covers over Nao before they left the room.
End Flashback
Shizuru runs her fingers along the sandstone walls, opening her eyes. Despite the fact that the feisty girl decided to follow them back to Vitilus, she didn't exactly show her gratitude in orthodox ways. Somehow, both Natsuki and Nao had bonded over sarcastic and stinging remarks to each other and they soon learnt that Nao had been a captive of the Arixian Army.
Nao had been living with a group of renegade thieves and robbers before their camp was raided. She had finally managed to escape by using her pickpocketing skills to steal the keys off an unsuspecting guard before disguising herself with his armor to sneak off; but succumbed to the heat of the Chyrzan plains after getting lost before Natsuki had chanced upon her. Natsuki didn't wish to delve into the details but from the way Nao bristled whenever she told her story, Natsuki figured that the awful scars had come from her time spent in the Arixian camp.
Though there was perpetually an exchange of rude name-calling and random shoves, Nao did prove herself to be a loyal friend to her rescuer. She did, however, show her contempt for being smacked in the head by a heavy candleholder. She had tried all means and ways to annoy Shizuru and finally settled on one that involved someone. Shizuru frowns slightly at the memory of Nao sidling up and brushing against Natsuki, bowling over Natsuki, sending seductive suggestions at Natsuki…
"Shizuru," Natsuki coughs, clearing her throat. "You know, back then I was just like Nao. I didn't trust anyone after what they did to my family. It wasn't easy watching my mother die with my own eyes. But, I had the fortune of meeting you, Shizuru. It was just hard for her to trust someone after going through all that."
Natsuki continues, walking up to pick up Shizuru's hand, "But right now, this shouldn't be about Nao, but about us. I.. I'm really glad that I had someone like you around me all this while. I must have been stupid not to realize that it was the love you had for me that didn't make me remain bitter. I'm sorry I took so long to notice it and you had to spell it out so explicitly for me."
Shizuru cups her cheek, surprised at the very candid and touching admittance, "I couldn't be happier today, Natsuki. You know, I've always had an eye for you since the first time I met you. You always tend to keep to yourself, but when you speak up or do something, you seem to blow me away every time. "
"Well, Shizuru. To tell you the truth, I really had a ton of stuff going through my head back there. But everything that came to mind was just how you have constantly been here for me." She scratches her forehead, "You always seem so calm though, my heart was beating as fast as Duran could fly!"
Shizuru chuckles, "Just so Natsuki knows, I had never felt so anxious in my life."
"Really? My ever calm and charming Shizuru?" Natsuki laughs, pressing her forehead against Shizuru's, "Never thought I'd see the day when you actually get nervous!"
"Ara, is Natsuki starting to try to tease again? Like I said, she still needs improvement," Shizuru replies easily as their noses brush lightly.
"Ara, is that your way of saying I love you, my dearest Shizuru?" Natsuki turns aside to mimic her companion, tapping her chin with a finger.
"Ara ara. Like I said, Natsuki still needs improvement. But I love her anyway," Shizuru replies.
The younger girl flashed a lopsided smirk, reciprocating with a most unexpected action.
Shizuru's POV
I widened my eyes as I was gently drawn into her arms. Our noses brushed and I instinctively tilted my head for better access. My hand rested on her chest and I could feel the rapid beating of her heart. This was a bold step for her but her willingness to drop her guarded walls made me feel that much more cherished.
I couldn't help but fall into her familiar woody scent, one that I knew I would remember forever. I gently ran my hair through her obsidian mane, relishing in her tenderness and the lingering taste of blueberries – she always had a small pouch of them present – it seemed like today was no exception. I unconsciously licked her upper lips and she parted her mouth slightly.
The chime of the bell tower echoed and she pulled away. I could feel my heart beating as fast as hers, but I couldn't help but wonder or if she was feeling anything akin to the burning desire that was at the bottom of my abdomen. I inhaled to calm my emotions but quickly noticed the deep flush on her cheeks, despite her trying to bow her head to hide it. As cute as always, I thought, reminiscing about that absurdly adorable "biological factor" that I absolutely adored.
Natsuki… I had never expected a move like that from her. I had always been the one to tease, to initiate a touch.. to love her from the sidelines. This.. this was so much more than I could have ever asked for. Her love.
