Author notes:

Another chappie.

When Shizuru said that "My love is different from yours", what she meant is her love is possessive and..ehem..more libido. that because so far, only she make the move and initiate the kiss...like a master and puppy..so more to one side libido..I guess, you all don't agree with me?

But still, umm...enjoy reading.

Frau

Chapter 8 – Summer Quest

"Arghhhh!" another groan escape Natsuki lips as she thrown again toward the wall. The wall then crumble and together with her collapse to the cave floor.

The pollution needless to say, very strong to Natsuki disappointment. Neither her magic or attack give much impact on it. Much more, it also has an ice magic. It decreased the damage point. Natsuki wince. Blood trickle down her face. Rising to her feet, she tried to stabilize her stands by leaning on her sword. This..this can't be. I need to retreat for now. I can't fight it. Cough escape her and she spit her blood. Copper taste linger on her tongue. Under her gaze, she could see the torn on the armor she inflict from earlier attack. The black smoke emerge from holes. So, there's no body in the armor. It's an empty armor after all. Natsuki made her own conclusion.

The pollution leap again toward her, raising her sword she block the incoming attack. Sword clash with sword, the blazing spark lighten the darkness in the cave. It swings another attack but, on her energy drain state, she blocked the attack. Luck was not on her side when the sword graze her left waist and she again thrown to left wall from the impact.

"Woff!woff!" Duran bark. Maybe he worried about his master. "Duran..stay." Natsuki look at Duran reassuringly. "Wofff! Grrrr!"

Unable to stand up, Natsuki lean her back to the wall. The pollution walk toward her, sword raise above her. Natsuki grip tightly on her sword and raise it horizontally above her head and wait for the incoming impact. The incoming sword stop in the air as Duran leap onto its head. The dog knock it. "Duran!" Natsuki scream, shocked.

The armor figure back away , raising its arm, hand clutching the dog and throw it toward the wall. The dog yelp. "Duran!" Natsuki hastily running toward her dog leaving her sword on the ground. Reaching the dog, Natsuki embrace it and stroke its fur. The dog whimper in pain. "Duran…." Natsuki hold him close. Tear fall on its fur. Wet tongue wiping her tears and another quiet whimpering escaping from him. With his last whimper the dog went limp. "No! Duran..NO! DURAN! Don't die. Please…." Natsuki hold her dog closer again. "Heal!" but nothing happen. "Healllll!" still. Natsuki sob. "HEALLL!" her voice trembling. No light from her. Suddenly, the dog little by little envelope in bright blue light. Like a fireflies the dog's body disperse until all disappear flying toward the night moonlight.

The pollution again walk toward Natsuki and raise it sword above her. I don't care anymore. Duran. I'm sorry. I brought you here. I…

Again the sword came vertically from above her. Natsuki glare at the pollution. It then stop.

Wide eyes, Natsuki saw a blade makes its way, wrapping around the pollution's sword and stopping it in the air.

"The moon is out. You're quite a hunt, I see."

A smooth voice echo from the shadow. I know that voice somewhere.

Her mysterious rescuer finally step into the moonlight. Purple robe elegantly wrapping around a nice body. Brunette hair flow smoothly behind and blown by the wind. Fierce red eyes look attentively at her. Hand clutching pole like weapon with blade at one end stretching to the pollution's sword.

"Shi…"

"Ara. I'm happy to see you too, My Natsuki. Therefore…rest!" One hand extended toward Natsuki. "Hail! wind and water, peace the mind, close the eyes, sleep!"

As the purple light envelope her, Natsuki feel her eyelids heavy. Unable to stay awake, Natsuki given up all her will and sucumb to her sleepiness.

Tired body lump on the ground. Shizuru took the opportunity to reach Natsuki and carry her bridal style.

"Pollution-han. I'm not interested in fighting you. So, goodbye for now."

"Natsuki…." Shizuru eyed the sleeping form after she put him on the futon and tucking the sheet.

Reaching her arm to touch the smooth face of the young boy, her thumb slowly trace the lips. The moist and full lips. Such a delicate boy. Something stirring in her again. Tracing the jaw line, her touch linger there before its go downward, opening the upper button of his uniform and the index finger touching the neck. Natsuki's cologne mixed with his sweat intoxicating her. Moan escapes her lips quietly. Standing up, she untied the sash of her yukata and slip it down. The fabrics slides down her porcelain skin and bundle on the floor. Now she standing there naked in her glory. Beads already glistening her forehead. Cradling the sleeping form she closed the distance between their lips, but then she stop. Snapped open her eyes. What am I doing? I am taking advantage on Natsuki in his unconscious state.

Biting her lips, regret creeping in her heard. "Natsuki….." she whispered and kissing the cheek before she raise. Picking up her yukata she glance again the sleeping form. It tempted her so much.

A whimper escape Natsuki's lips. Tears sliding down her cheek. He has a nightmare?

"Master…"

"Wha? Where am I?" bright light blinding her vision

"Master…"

Spun around, Natsuki tried to find the source of the voice.

"Master…"

"Where are you? Where am I?" Natsuki turn around in panic.

All she could see is nothing. Everything in white, no ground, no wall, no skies nor the ceiling. It just plainly all white and she was standing nowhere.

A figure emerge in front of her slowly. The white fur flow softly, a soft loyal eyes watching her. The big canine stand tall few feet above her.

"Wha…"

The canine then kneel in front of her. "Master..hear me.."

"D-Duran?" Natsuki narrowing her eyes. "Is that you, Duran?" Petting it head, the gigantic canine fur still as soft as she remember. Tears running down her cheek.

"Duran…. I'm sorry."

"Master…" The canine raise its head and look straight into Natsuki eyes. "I will always with you. Call me, and I will come." With his last word, the canine again disperse little by little.

"NO! Duran! Wait! DURAN!"

Natsuki raise, arm reaching forward. Panting heavily. Looking around, she spotted Shizuru sitting next to her. She could feel her cheek wet. Wiping her remaining tears she found that she in the old japanese style room. She had been crying.

"Natsuki….."

"Where am I?"
"In my house. Don't worry, this house is where I always take my time alone, so nobody is here."

"I see."

"You should rest a little bit. You have a slight fever"

"Shizuru.."

"I…" Shizuru look sadly at Natsuki as she began. "Even though I'm the sorcerer of the moon, my first priority is to save you. Hence, I'm sorry for putting you to sleep."

"ummm.."

"Rest more, love." Shizuru raise and proceed toward the door sliding it open.

"Thank you, Shizuru."

"No need. I do it because I love Natsuki."

"umm..I love you too." Natsuki look sideway but her gaze are distance. Again lost in her own thought.

Smiling, Shizuru exit the room and close the door behind her. "But, My Natsuki. My love is different from yours."

….

….

Still in her uniform, Natsuki sit at the balcony of the house. A small puppy then come to her feet and yelp. Petting the puppy's head, Natsuki smile inwardly. "Duran….." a sad smile grace her lips. The puppy then lick her hand and yelp again, maybe sensing the sadness from them. Another yelp in the distance could be heard. The puppy ears twitch. "Go now, your mother calling you." "Woof!" The puppy rub its head on the hand before it ran and disappear behind the small hole in the wall of the garden.

The evening wind blow peacefully. Leaning down, Natsuki could feel her eyes heavy.

"Natsuki. Would you like some…" Shizuru's words stuck at the display in front of her. There, Natsuki sleeping peacefully. His untied hair cascade down his face. His tired eyes hiding the amazing emerald behind it. The lips so smooth for a boy, look delicious. Gulping down, Shizuru kneel in front of him. Tucking his hair behind ears, Shizuru close the distance between their lips…

"WAAAHHHH! YOUUUUUU!"

Shocked, Shizuru stand abruptly and turn toward the intruders.

"Ara, Armitage-han. Shall we have a talk in the garden?" politely, Shizuru hand gesture toward the backyard garden.

…..

….

"BUBUZUKE! EXPLODE TO ME NOW!"

"It's 'Explain', Haruka-chan. Ojou-sama, please…" Yukino chimed in.

"THAT WHAT I SAID! BUBUZUKE, YOU HAVE SOME EXPLOSION TO MAKE! WHY ARE YOU KISSING THAT BOY!"

"Again, it's 'explanation', Haruka-chan."

"I believe it's my own problem for a matter, Armitage-han, Chrysant-han."

"IT'S NOT JUST YOUR PROBLEM! IT'S THE KINGDOM PROBLEM! YOU ARE THE PRINCESS OF THE KINGDOM, FOR GOD SAKE! AS THE ROYAL GUARD, I MUST STOP YOU FROM ANY OUTSIDE PILLATIONSHIP"

"Haruka, It's 'relationship'." Yukino corrected again.

"I-I…" Shizuru sadly downcast her eyes.

"Did he know your secret?" Yukino asked. Shizuru look to her side averting Yukino interrogation.

"KILL HIM!" Haruka voice rang. "WE MUST KILL HIM"

"No. Please….I…I love him" plead Shizuru

"Love!? He's an outsider." stated Yukino.

"I MUST RETORT THIS TO THE KING!"

"It's 'report', Haruka-chan"

"NO! You must not…I…" again, Shizuru eyes cast downward. Hope that she can find an excuse. Anything that can save Natsuki. What should I do. What I tell them?

"I can feel a mana trace on him. He also mana user, isn't he?" Yukino undoubtedly can trace mana when she near someone. Especially if someone has just after using their magic. She has that ability in her.

"We….don't kill him. We could find information regarding Schwartz from him." Shizuru tried to convince them. Hoping beyond hope that they will spare Natsuki, or giving her chance to save him. "I think…" she stopped at the sound of bushes from behind.

Unable to suppressed her anger anymore, Natsuki emerge from behind a tree. Jaws clenching and eyes glaring dangerously toward Shizuru. Anger, betrayed, furious…it's all showed in the green orb.

"Shizuru…" Natsuki snarl. Walked toward the three.

"Natsuki, let me explain…" reaching her hand to touch Natsuki's cheek, Natsuki suddenly slap the hand out of his face.

"There nothing to explain. One thing are clear to me, You are with the Kingdom. The one killing million of people in genocide. My mother, my family….!"

"Natsuki….." Shizuru clutching her chest. She could feel pain.

"Are you satisfied now? Toying with me? Hahah…I bet you're laughing behind me." Natsuki took a step back, and spun around. "I don't want to see you again in front of me. If I do, I make sure, I'LL KILL YOU MYSELF!" the threat from Natsuki's voice is unmistaken. Natsuki then run toward the garden exit leaving Shizuru behind. Shizuru drop to the ground on her knees. Tears flowing down her cheek, and her eyes lost its glint. "Na…."

Natsuki could feel the revenge inside of her boiling again.

"WHAT! YUKINO! STAY HERE WITH BUBUZUKE. I HAVE TO CATCH HIM."

"Hai, Haruka-chan."

"HUMFTT…" Haruka then raise her hand toward the sky "HAIL! I INVITE INTO THESE CIRCLE. OF THE FOUR ANCIENTS ELEMENTS, THE SOLID STRENGTH OF THE EARTH!" the green light shone under Haruka as she scream her spell with full force that it's deafening Yukino ears. Yukino close her ears with her hand.

"O GREAT ANCIENT ONE, I CALL UPON THY PRESENCE, BOISTERIOUS AND DEFINE, IN THIS SPACE AND TIME. MARERIALISE!"

"…"

"….."

"…..?" Haruka blinked, nothing happen. Haruka still clad in her school uniform.

Yukino sweat drop.

"Haruka… it's 'Mysterious' and 'Divine', and 'Materialize'"

"Urrrgggggghhhh" Haruka grumble. "O great ancient one, I call upon thy presence, Boi.."

"Mysterious" Yukino chimed in.

"My..Mysterious and Di-divine. In this space and time. Ma-Materialize?" even though the spell left Haruka lips not as loud as before and unsure, green light shine around Haruka, and as the light disperse, she already clad in green armor, chain mace in hand. With a satisfied smile, she leap forward running after the boy.

….

….

"SPOT RIGHT THERE, BOY!"

Natsuki has reaching the forest behind the school ground when a big ball of mace suddenly crush the ground in front of her. The fierce force manage to stop her in track. Looking upward, Natsuki could see Haruka standing on one of the tree branch hold one end of the mace.

"YOU WILL NOT GO ANY BARTER."

"Huh?" Natsuki glare at Haruka form. "The kingdom…" Natsuki sneer.

Leaping from tree, Natsuki now could see clearly Haruka form.

Haruka, clad in green armor, had a golden helmet covering half her face. The Kingdom Royal Crest embed on her left chest with yellow cloak flutter behind. As she land on the ground, smirking, the force from her landing leaving the ground crush under her feet.

"Tsk…" Natsuki clench her hand. "So you want to die badly…"

"WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT, BOY!"

"…" standing straight, Natsuki look directly at Haruka with a challenge in her eyes. "Materialize.." at Natsuki simple word, Haruka eyes widen.

"OHOOO…WELL THEN, DON'T DISAPPEAR ME."

"You mean 'Disappointed', do you?" Natsuki mocked.

"Yes, that.." Haruka lung forward and commence her attack."..what I mean!"

As time goes by, clash of two weapons still rung in the forest. Two figures leap from tree to tree, and sometime one figure would flown back and again, both metal clash again.

"Hah!Hah!Hah!.." Natsuki panting heavily.

"I MUST COMMIT, BOY. YOU'RE QUIET GOOD."

"Shut up!"

"FULL OF HATRED I SEE…" Haruka again smirk that it sickening Natsuki in her stomach.

"EEEYYAAAARRRGGHHH!" Natsuki thrust her sword with fierce force but Haruka manage to evade the attack. Natsuki's attack are unorganized, the swing are full or rage. Leaping backward her left foot touching her ground, immediately, Haruka kick and lung toward Natsuki again. Striking her mace again. Suddenly a fire boomerang knock her mace out of its momentum. Looking at her intruder, Haruka retreat her mace and grimace.

"Well, well, welll..if it's not the mysterious Earth Royal Knight." At those word, Mai come into view. A red mafla covering her face.

"MAI!" Natsuki yell.

"Ack!..You..!" Mai point her index finger toward Natsuki, eyes widen. "You shouldn't reveal my identity in front of her!" at the word 'her' Mai point it at the Royal Guard.

"What? Why?" Natsuki question.

"Look..she's with the Kingdom, I'm the Schwartz, idiot. If she know who I am, it easier to catch me."

"Mai, she is Haruka."

"Suzushiro Haruka? As in Haruka the monkey?" Mai asked and Natsuki nodded confirming.

At the mention of Haruka name, Haruka lift her helmet and reveal her smirking face.

"So, the Fire Knight is Mai…Tokiha Mai…Let me introduce myself properly this time. I am Brigadier General Haruka Armitage, The Royal Guard of the Windbloom Kingdom. I hereby attest you for commit rebellion toward the Kingdom."

"Hah! Catch me if you can, monkey" Mai leap and stand beside Natsuki, boomerang in her hand. The mafla thrown to the ground. Both Natsuki and Mai commence a fighting stance.

"pstt..Natsuki..we need to escape from here."

"What!?" Natsuki bewildered

"We can't fight her head on. She's too strong for us. And, I don't have time for this." Mai whisper from behind her hand.

"Umm…"

"Fire! Soaring from the west, break the east. WALL!" as Mai yell the spell the tall wall of fire erupt from the ground on Haruka's feet. Haruka stomp on her ground and the ground crumble. As the fire wall disappear, both Natsuki and Mai nowhere to be seen.

"Tsk..they expect!" Haruka grumble before retreat.

"Natsuki…" Mai said after she saw Haruka had gone.

"Mai, I have something to tell you." Natsuki turning to her side facing Mai with seriousness in her voice.

Meanwhile, Yukino had finish cast a spell of bound on Shizuru. "Even if my spell cannot lock your mana but at least for now, it will cut half your mana power. Please refrain yourself until we return to Windbloom."

Shizuru silently surrender to the order.