So...yea...last chapter huh...
anyways it was fun writing it so i hoped yall enjoyed it. and look forward to more shiznat goodness from me.
There was a shot followed by several more until silence filled the grounds of Fuka. Mai picked up her pace, jumping over roots and avoiding branches. Midori close behind. The first shot had started them running towards the garden. It wasn't until some seconds later when several shots were fired at once, did they began to sprint.
When they finally reached the garden the scene in front left them speechless.
A few feet outside of the gazebo Shizuru was seated cradling Natsuki's body and a few feet from them was Takeda's body. Dead.
Mai walked over him and made her way to were Shizuru was seated and stopped when she was facing her. Her face was tilted down and her eyes were obscure by her bangs. Mai called out to her.
"Shizuru..."
She lifted her head and looked at Mai.
Mai remembered a time not to long ago when those eyes where full of life. A time when they shined with a mischievous glint and were filled with glee. A time, not too long ago. But know they were lifeless and cold, devoid of any emotion...dead.
- - - -
Shizuru woke up to the sounds of rhythm beeping from the machines. It had been a week since that horrible night when the nightmare ended. It all seemed too surreal. Even know that it was all over she still couldn't believe it. In a way the whole ordeal appeared to her as, well...typical. But was it really that typical or had it been something else. Either way she didn't care, she was just glad it was all over and that her Natsuki was alright. Though there were some casualties, mainly Takeda, life did go back to normal...or, at least as normal as their life could get. Because what would life be like if there wasn't something or someone out there to stir things up a bit every now and again.
Then life would truly become typical.
Though on this instance they could have done without. But like they say, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.
And yes. There love did grow stronger.
She brushed away a stray strand of raven hair from Natsuki's face letting her hand linger a bit on her cheek before bringing it back. After she had shot Takeda and Natsuki had return to her human form again, Shizuru had held Natsuki's wounded body close to her own. She had never cried so hard as she held on to Natsuki while she slowly died in her arms. The words Natsuki spoke as she breathe her last breath were edge in her memory. Like a scar on the body. Never leaving. Forever there. Never forgetting but always remembering.
'...because of you, I was able to love again...thank you...Shizuru...'
Tears formed in Shizuru's eyes. Even though it was over know and everything had turned out ok, she couldn't stop the tears from forming. The emotions still plagued her.
"Shizuru."
She looked up to see Natsuki looking at her. Somehow she had sat up in her bed without her noticing it.
"Why are you crying?"
Natsuki asked as she wiped away the tears. Shizuru held her hand against her cheek.
"I'm just so happy my Natsuki is ok."
Natsuki brought Shizuru up and hugged her.
"Of course I'm ok...it's because of your constant support that i was able to make it...thank you, Shizuru."
They held onto each other enjoying each others presence before pulling apart. When they did, Shizuru had a mischievous grin on her. Even before Shizuru had done anything Natsuki's cheeks began to blush.
"W-what?"
Shizuru subtly slid a finger down Natsuki's face as she whispered suggestively into her ear.
"You know...the doctor said you'll be able to go home tomorrow...and, well..."
Natsuki blushed like there was no tomorrow.
"Shi-Shizuru!"
Shizuru pulled back and put her hand over her mouth trying to stop the laughter from coming.
--Its barely been a week and she wants to do that...stuff...she could at least wait until i gain back my strength.-- Natsuki thought, as she tried to fight the blush away.
"Ara, I was just thinking we could go out to dinner. What did my Natsuki thought I wanted to do?"
Natsuki fiddled with the sheets as her blush increased.
"Nothing! I...just...well..."
Shizuru pushed her down onto the bed and climb on top of her, getting really close to her, there lips almost touched.
"I'll wait until my Natsuki regains all her strength before that. I wouldn't want Natsuki collapsing before the fun even begins. And you'll want to be up when it does."
"...eh?"
Shizuru had to hold herself back from laughing out loud again. The look Natsuki had on accompanied with the blushed was priceless. A small laugh escaped her lips and Natsuki's face returned to normal, and surprisingly she wasn't mad or annoyed. She had a look of adoration on her, it made Shizuru blush. Before she knew it, Natsuki brought her down into loving arms.
"You never change."
Shizuru did not respond, it wasn't necessary, she just enjoyed the moment. It was one of those rare occasions when Natsuki managed to make her blush. And she let her have her victory.
They hadn't realized how good it felt being in each others arms like this. After all that had happened and then Natsuki's recovery they weren't able to be this close without something coming up and breaking there happiness. It felt good.
Suddenly remembering something she had been meaning to ask Natsuki ever since this whole experience happened Shizuru asked.
"Ne, Natsuki, what did you want to meet me for that night?"
"Huh?"
"That night when you asked me to meet you in the garden."
"Oh...that...I...don't worry about it...it was nothing."
--It wouldn't do to tell her know that I lost the ring...--
Natsuki was too deep in her brooding she didn't notice when Shizuru moved to get something from her purse. It wasn't until she felt something being placed in her hands that she noticed her, or more like noticed the box in her hand.
--Its...--
Natsuki looked from the box to Shizuru's smiling face.
--Does she...--
"I found it...next to your clothes that night in the garden...I didn't open it...I couldn't...I-"
Shizuru was cut short as Natsuki pressed her lips on her own. Natsuki pulled apart and took Shizuru's hand in hers.
Shizuru had never seen Natsuki this excited; she assumed it had to be because of the box. Though she didn't know exactly what was inside the box, by the way Natsuki was acting and what she was doing, she could guess what it might be, and the thought made her anxious.
Natsuki put the box in Shizuru's hand and looked into her eyes.
"Do you want to know what's inside?"
Natsuki didn't need to hear a respond, she could see it in her eyes, and slowly she opened the small box and revealed a gold ring with a small diamond on it.
Shizuru's breath caught in her throat, and she was left speechless.
Natsuki removed the ring from the box and got out of the bed, with some diffulties, and kneeled in front of Shizuru taking her hand in her own with a small blush on her face.
"Fujino Shizuru, will you marry me...and be mine."
Shizuru still unable to speak did the only thing she could think of. She pounced on the kneeling Natsuki and pressed their lips together into a passionate kiss that lasted for a good couple of minutes.
"...I'll take that as a yes." Natsuki said breathlessly as they pulled apart.
"Of course."
