Disclaimer Limerick:
To Sunrise these stories belong,
And I am just tagging along.
Now this is my cue,
To mention 'don't sue'!
To think that I own them is wrong.
Shizuru was ruthless when it came to the doctor's instructions.
Each hour on the hour, despite Natsuki's increasingly strident protests, Shizuru gently shook her young friend awake in order to examine her. A cup of cool water was pressed to Natsuki's lips, gentle fingers lifted heavy eyelids to check her pupils, and kind hands ran lightly over a still-tender wound. The elder woman appeared completely immune to the surly grumbles and mumbles elicited by this treatment; she endured them stoically until her careful study had confirmed no trace of permanent damage. Only then did Shizuru allow Natsuki to fall temporarily back to sleep.
The dreams that visited our young heroine in that pained and laboured rest were both confused and formless; spikes of colour that rained and flashed across fields of black and beige. When Shizuru awoke her, although she might have outwardly grumped, Natuski was always secretly relieved.
Shizuru's watchful supervision continued throughout the morning and long into the deepening gold of a cloudless afternoon. It was a heroic, exhausting vigil. With each hour that passed Shizuru's face grew greyer, her voice grew softer, and her touch grew even gentler. Even so, it was a long time before Shizuru allowed her patient to fall asleep and remain so undisturbed.
When next Natsuki stirred, it was to utter and complete silence, but for the muffled sounds of the parish cloak striking midnight.
Shizuru was lying next to her, asleep on the bare floor. Her face was relaxed, her breathing was light, and wisps of her hair lay carelessly across her smooth skin. Without those knowing red eyes lending gravity, Shizuru looked young – far too young to shoulder such heavy burdens. She was also trembling with cold. Slender fingers were curled slightly around the top of a single blanket, grasping it close, seeking further warmth but gaining none. The fire had died to mere embers on the hearth.
Natsuki scowled. From the experience of the past several days and the accumulation of various new aches, her body informed her that the hard floor made an extremely uncomfortable mattress. The barely detectable shivering, furthermore, reinforced her prior understanding that a single blanket was quite inadequate for the London winter. Her friend was plainly in discomfort, lying there on the cold floor, and this was utterly unacceptable – especially for her sake.
As Natsuki considered her options, the clatter of iron-shod wheels rattled past outside before fading back into silence. The faint, even glow of the fire grew dimmer. Finally, it was the shivering that prompted action. Natsuki sat up, pushing off her thick layer of blankets, gasping slightly at the sudden chill.
"Shizuru?" The whisper was as quiet as breathing. The younger girl hesitantly reached out with an uncertain hand, almost brushing a cheek, before letting it fall. "Shizuru?"
There was no response, not even a flicker. With a barely audible huff, Natsuki pulled herself off the soft pallet, scrambling to her feet. "Shizuru?" She hissed, slightly louder. "Are you awake?"
Shizuru's eyes flickered partially open, her expression groggy. "Natsuki?"
"You'll get stiff sleeping there on the floor." Natsuki murmured coaxingly. "You should really think about the potential long-term consequences to your back."
A bleary look was all the answer she received.
Natsuki bit her lip to prevent an unladylike snicker; in the entire length of their renewed acquaintance, the younger had never seen the elder look so mystified. With great restraint, however, Natsuki failed to press her advantage, instead turning to the matter at hand. With a surprising gentleness, the befuddled Shizuru was teased and cajoled onto the closer half of the mattress. Once there, and appearing utterly unaware of her new surroundings, the sluggish Shizuru promptly fell back asleep.
Natsuki was hardly any better. Her own eyes were growing heavy, and her steps shambolic. Tossing some fresh logs into the fire grate and lying down carefully on the opposite side of the mattress, one last firm tug brought the rest of the blankets up to cover them both.
Far warmer now, and surprisingly comfortable, Natsuki closed her eyes and slept.
The next morning, quite uncharacteristically, it was Natsuki that awoke first. Her head still ached abominably, and the idea of leaving the snug pallet for the outside world was extremely unappealing. She did so anyway, taking pains not to wake the other woman, and carefully tucking the blankets back to ensure the elder stayed snug.
When a rested, cheerful-looking Shizuru glided into the kitchen, her hair tied back in a tidy braid, it was to the homey aroma of toasting bread. The sweet tang of an open crock of honey mixed cheerfully with the yellow sunshine, which streamed in through the windows. Even as Natsuki watched, a shaft of light caught a stray piece of that chestnut hair, turning it momentarily into a strand of flame, before slender fingers tucked it back into place.
The kettle broke that timeless moment. It whistled piercingly, the shrill call drawing attention to the range and a plenitude of simple foods.
"Your tea, madam?" Natsuki teased, bowing exaggeratedly and gesturing with a rather battered-looking wooden spatula.
"Why thank you." Shizuru gracefully curtsied back, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "Natsuki is too kind."
With a stiff and proper dignity, Natsuki poured the water into the chipped teapot, as regal as any sovereign. Only the faintest hint of a smile on her lips, and the decidedly tattered nature of her borrowed apron, gave any indication that she wasn't serving the Queen herself.
"My – Natsuki has outdone herself!" Shizuru stated appreciatively, watching as the water flowed into the pot. "She must be feeling better after her misadventures of the past few days."
Natsuki (rather carefully) placed the kettle back down, before shifting her attention to Shizuru. Wandering across to the battered stool, Natsuki pulled it out with truly incongruous dignity, motioning Shizuru to sit. As elder deigned to do so, one of the chipped teacups was produced as if by magic, and the teapot moved within easy reach. With eyes that were both bright and breezy, Natsuki considered which slice of toast was the freshest and began to butter it efficiently. "Natsuki certainly is." A plate of food was arranged and then slid in front of the elder. "And you need to eat, before everything goes cold."
Shizuru smiled her brilliant smile, tinged with just a faint hint of mischief.
"Ah – if Natsuki insists then I must…"
A polite, but impatient, knock sounded from the front door, cutting off the conversation. Shizuru and Natsuki looked at one another with identical, philosophical expressions.
"I'm never going to be allowed to eat breakfast with you, am I?" Natsuki said plaintively, tossing aside the spatula and pulling the pan off the range. As she struggled with removing the apron, Shizuru glided to the door and paused.
"I would be grateful if Natsuki would accept my assistance in answering the door." Her tone was utterly bland.
Natsuki growled, fighting to undo the knots and stays. "Sure thing, Shizuru. Just let me…"
Damn thing won't come off… shouldn't have tried to pull it off over my he…
A brief, sharp tug came, instantly releasing her from the entrapping fabric. Natsuki glanced sheepishly at her host, who stood quietly. Shizuru still held the one long apron strap she had pulled.
"Shall we go then?" Natuski said weakly.
Suppressed amusement leaked through the mask Shizuru had assumed. "Yes, I think so."
Both women walked out into the corridor.
The knocking came again, the tapping sharp but not aggressive. Despite the tension in Shizuru's shoulders, Natsuki managed to reach the door first. She unlocked it very carefully, senses on full alert, fists balled and ready to swing. It was extremely off-putting, therefore, when she stood on the threshold, looked around, but saw no one. "Hello?" she said doubtfully.
"Down 'ere, miss!"
Natsuki let her eyes fall. Standing diffidently on the second step was a tiny, dirty errand-boy. He smiled brightly, revealing a slightly battered set of white teeth.
"Message miss!"
Shizuru stepped past Natsuki smoothly while the latter attempted to recover her balance. "For Shizuru Viola?" said the elder, red eyes calm.
The grimy messenger boy flashed his gap-toothed smile again. "Yes ma'am! I had it down by the Yard. The coppers down there said to see it to you sharpish."
He dove into his leather satchel, hunting around roughly for a second before yanking out a slightly crinkled envelope.
"Here it is miss!"
"Thank you." Shizuru said, taking it, but making no move to open it.
Natsuki was still scowling, but had by now recovered, and flicked the boy a ha'penny. This item was deftly snatched out of the air and made to disappear within an overlarge coat.
"Thank you miss!" he said politely, tipping his tattered cap; then quick as a wink, he dived back into the morning traffic that thronged the road.
Shizuru moved back inside, turning over the plain paper envelope to break the seal and unfold the letter. Natsuki followed slowly, less interested in the contents of the missive than in securely refastening the wooden front door. The bolts and chains somehow felt inadequate after watching miscreants effortlessly defeat them only days before.
When she turned back from contemplating their insufficiencies, however, Shizuru was gone.
Natsuki had lived with her friend long enough now to realise that the elder girl probably wanted privacy. Certainly, if this was the case then Natsuki was not going to intrude.
The kettle was placed back on the range, a half-hearted start was made on the dusting, a new fire was struck, and the used blankets were neatly refolded. Even so, it was not long before Shizuru walked back into the drawing room, carrying the open letter. Natsuki froze. Her friend's face was set and grim.
Natsuki stepped forward with a low cry, her face a picture of concern. "Shizuru! What's happened?"
The newly lit fire, smoking slightly, fizzed and spat. The spreading warmth clashed oddly with the sudden tension of the room's occupants. The taller woman's eyes looked deeply unhappy, but the only other outward concession she made to this emotion was to sigh quietly. "I am afraid the Metropolitan police may be about to attempt something rather rash."
Natsuki's brows drew together in confusion. "I don't… what do you mean 'rash'?"
The elder woman smiled grimly.
"Has Natsuki locked all the doors and windows?"
The younger girl's face became suddenly intent. "Trouble?"
"Potentially. The identity of the first of our two attacks has become clear, and the police are moving to arrest him."
Natsuki turned away to hide an involuntary snarl. "Your uncle?"
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Shizuru nod.
"Yes – the thuggish gentleman that Natsuki so soundly defeated has finally divulged the name of his employer. It was indeed Uncle Edward."
A slight flicker of pain crossed Shizuru's otherwise bland mask. Natsuki's anger dissolved, and she threw her friend a helpless, sympathetic look.
"I am sorry Shizuru… but... well." She ran her fingers through her dark hair, seeking words of comfort. "The only problem we need worry about now would be the ghost!"
There was a slight pause.
"Potentially."
That single word hung in the air between them, echoing into an increasing silence.
The younger was a woman of action, but she was far from stupid.
"You know who it is." Natsuki said slowly. "You know who the second person is."
A quiet settled over the drawing room. The ruddy firelight flickered, washing the space with heat, complimenting the sunlight pouring in through the windows. Its constant motion highlighted the very stillness of the two women it illuminated. The elder's mask had dropped back into place, perfect and unreadable.
Natsuki didn't move, or speak, or turn away.
Shizuru eventually broke that quiet.
"It's a flaw of my family," she said at last, softly, "in that we love completely without restraint."
Natsuki considered this silently.
"It consumes us." Shizuru continued, sadly. "It becomes the compass with which we steer our whole lives."
Natsuki was used to Shizuru now - she accepted her friend was a very private person, very careful with her emotions. This was why she was so difficult to read.
In this instance she simply sounded very tired.
AN: I thought this chapter was going to be easier than it was. **Facepalms** Life is crazy. And yes, before anyone thinks 'WTF was up with Natsuki's dream?' while in hospital heavily concussed (a few years ago now) that's what I saw. Moral of the story = don't get concussed.
So close to the end. So close. Only two or three more chapters to go. I can almost taste the epilogue.
BunnyJoker. You are made of epic win. I cannot thank you enough. Also to Black Mephistopheles, whom I have mentioned is a true gentleman.
OUTTAKE:
Natsuki: "Man, we do a lot of sleeping."
Crosswood: "You try writing at obscene hours of the morning and see what YOUR story focuses on."
Natsuki: ((frowns)) "Eight chapters in and this is the first time I've gotten to sleep on a damn mattress! My back is killing me!"
Shizuru: "Ah – I can help my Natsuki… "
Crosswood: ((shouts hysterically)) " NO! No back-rubs, make-out sessions, weird cos-play, unusual toys, or anything else not strictly K+!
Shizuru: ((Annoyed)) "Well. The author is no fun." ((Turns to Natsuki)) "Natsuki should follow me. I know some good 'M' rated works which she would find much more… interesting."
Crosswood: No wait! How can I write a story without the two main…? ((Crosswood realises she is talking to herself; the others, including the readers, have left with indecent haste. For the last time, she gives up on the Omake.))
