The Past and Future
Chapter 7
No Longer Here?
Natsuki's body ran at top speed, which was very fast considering the fact that she was a HIME and that she just had nano machines inserted into her body.
It somehow ended up in a forest near Garderobe Academy and stopped. It spoke seemingly to no one.
"Who are you? Come out and face me!"
"Nat-chan! After so long and that's the first thing you tell me? I'm so sad!" A voice replied to Natsuki's body's words.
The body's head whipped toward the direction where the voice originated from.
Many trees were in the Natsuki's body's view, hidden in the shadows, but from it all a figure, oh so very familiar, surfaced out of the thicket of tree.
"Bearer of the Child Gakutenou huh? State you business here." Words frozen and emotionless came from Natsuki's body to the defender of justice.
A frown was evident on the face of the one spoken to. "Come on Nat-chan, I'm just here to see you!"
"If that is all then you have accomplished your mission, leave bearer of the Child Gakutenou." The body replied in the same tone as before.
Now, all playfulness or silliness completely disappeared from the bearer of Gakutenou, leaving behind something that was almost never present on her face. It wasn't a frown or anything like that. It was neutral, so neutral that it was scary.
She didn't show any emotions what so ever.
"You're not Natsuki are you? No, never mind I take that back, your physical body is Natsuki but you're in control aren't you?"
Natsuki was confused. She knew that she wasn't in control of her body but nothing else was clear.
Whoa! Is that really her?! I've never seen her like this before!
Wait, there were a few times she was like this…
During the…
And when…
Those were the only times she didn't have a stupid smile on… What does she mean I'm not in control? Who the hell is she talking to?! Why can't I do anything?!
"Yes, I am. But even if you are a HIME, it doesn't mean that if you stand in my way I won't hesitate to eliminate you." The body of Natsuki's threatened.
The defender of justice sighed. "Natsuki, are you just going to sit there and let yourself be controlled like this?"
Huh? She's talking to me? Doesn't she know I can't answer her? And what?! Controlled? She's got to be kidding! Who's controlling me?
"Are you going to let Duran run wild and do whatever?"
Duran?! Duran is controlling me?! That doesn't even make sense!
"You're probably confused aren't you, Natsuki?" The figure looked somewhat amused.
Ughh… YEAH! I don't even have a clue about what you're talking about!
"Well, you see, Duran is on control of your body because of the nano machines in your body. You know how a HIME and their Child are connected? So, what happened was that when something foreign invaded your body Duran took control to prevent anything bad from happening, meanwhile, fulfilling your subconscious desires or thoughts." The red head explained in a overly serious voice.
THE HELL!! I'm not a pervert that would go around touching people! But Duran? I knew I should have paid attention to the nano machine things!
"Ha! I'm just joking! I don't know what you did but you took back control of your body of a second and… HA HA HA!" A stupid grin found its way back on to the defender of justice's face.
I'm going to kill her when I get my body back!
"Ok, well it isn't a complete lie either. Duran is trying to help you accomplish your goal but the thing is that it uses ways you wouldn't. Simply, it's like a alternate personality but at the same time not. Oh, by the way you can regain control by-"
The figure was cut off by Duran launching Natsuki's foot in her midsection.
Fortunately, the figure dodged not a second too soon, avoiding damage.
"I have said this before but Bearer of the Child of Duran, if you stand in my way I will annihilate you."
Duran, using Natsuk's body, continued attacking the defender of justice nonstop. The figure wasn't overpowering Duran but was a match for it.
The both of them continued their exchange of attacks and blocks or dodges while jumping from place to place around the forest. In the process of all this it's amazing how the forest was still a forest rather than otherwise for trees were getting broken and falling as the fight continued.
In between punches the figure managed to get out a few words.
"Natsuki-"
"Think of-"
"Your most important-"
"Person! Then, OUCH!"
"Command Duran to-"
"Give you back control!"
Think of HER? Think of Shizuru? How would that help? It wouldn't hurt to try…
Shizuru…
Images of her most important person flashed though her mind.
DURAN! GIVE ME BACK CONTROL!
Instantly when she thought that her body became hers again. The defender didn't know that so she continued her spin kick, effectively landing on Natsuki's face.
Natsuki fell from the tree tops, with gravity playing into everything; she dropped flat on her back on the clod hard ground.
"MI-DO-RI! I'm GOING TO KILL YOU!" Almost incoherently words came from the ground, but anger was clear.
"Uh oh!" Midori said. "So… Nat-chan, you're back!" Scratching her head Midori laughed nervously.
Natsuki got off from the ground and gave Midori a Kuga/Kruger Death Glare that was perfected and improved during the years.
Midori, before wasn't immune to it, was frozen and started thinking of a escape plan in order to get away in one piece. Seeing that it was Natsuki who was in control, rather than Duran, Midori resigned herself, knowing that there was no way out, and prepared for pain.
It never came as Natsuki sighed. "Never mind, if you didn't come who knows what would have happened to that girl."
Midori's jaws dropped. She stared incredulously at Natsuki. "Are you sure you're still not Duran?!"
"Do you want me to kick your ass that much?!"
"Sorry, it's just you've changed so much in the pass hundred years. In the past… Who knows what you would've done!" Midori smiled but soon started whimpering.
"My little Nat-chan has grown up into such a fine young woman!" She bawled.
Natsuki slammed her hands on her head but her face turned to a warm smile.
"And you never change. But young? I don't think being about hundreds of years old is young." Natsuki chuckled.
Midori stopped crying and smirked. "Yeah I guess. But you really have changed, Natsuki. That girl? Don't tell me you were going to…"
"WHAT?! NO!! Voila just looked so much like Shizuru that I wanted to confirm it!" Natsuki turned tomato red.
"Voila huh? I know what you mean! At first I thought so too! She even acts almost the exact same way! But, I'm sorry to say she's not Shizuru, Nat-chan."
"I know."
"Then why are you looking for her?" Midori asked in a whisper.
"I search because I want to be with her again. She's waiting for me."
"Fujino-san is dead. You out of all people should know that."
"HUH? What do you mean?"
The other woman's face darkened. "Natsuki, you, yourself told us that Fujino-san died. Don't you remember?"
"There's no way she's dead! I don't remember telling you or anyone anything! And if she's dead why aren't you?!" Natsuki challenged.
"Natsuki, don't you remember what happened during THAT time?" Midori was now worried.
"Midori, you're talking nonsense!"
"Natsuki, what happened when you left? Why did you forget something like this?! Shizuru died! She died protecting you!" Midori pleaded for Natsuki to understand.
"NO! YOU'RE LYING!" Natsuki screamed out as like as possible, as if she was convincing herself.
Her vision became blurred. Slowly darkness was creeping up on her. Natsuki staggered back a forth before she lost consciousness. Midori saw this and rushed to her side in time to catch her moments in advance.
"Natsuki, what happened?" Midori questioned her student who was in her arms.
