If Only the Fairytale: Chapter Eight


"Hey," Natsuki walked up and placed a smile onto Shizuru's lips. "How're you?" She gently slipped her hand into the older girl's.

"How's my Natsuki doing this morning?"

"Better now that you're here."

The brunette laughed. "Is Natsuki resorting to silly pick up lines now?" The younger girl stared at her, a look of confusion on her face.

Shizuru started walking on ahead. Natsuki quickly ran up to her and gently slid her hand into the older girl's. "Don't leave."

"I wasn't leaving, though we do need to head to class soon." Shizuru paused, carefully observing the dark-haired girl. "Is Natsuki feeling alright?"

For a moment, Shizuru thought she saw anger flash through Natsuki's eyes. It was gone before she could be sure she'd really seen it. "I'm fine."

Shizuru frowned. "Are you sure? You look a little pale. Maybe you're getting a cold." Natsuki shrugged and scratched at her side.

----

Mai sighed. Tate was…She really needed to break up with him. They had worked great as friends, but once they'd taken the extra step….

The redhead glanced up from her book and caught a glimpse of Mikoto staring at her. She smiled at the little eating machine causing the younger girl to flush and quickly go back to devouring her ramen.

Smiling, the fire HiME walked up to the dark-haired girl and teasingly patted her on the head. "We need to go shopping."

Mikoto stared at her blankly.

"I think tomorrow afternoon's good. You want to?"

"Why?"

Mai laughed. "Mikoto….you kind of only have your school uniform, a

nightgown, and the rest you borrow. You're wearing Akira's boxers and shirt now." Mikoto glanced down at what was indeed Akira's clothing. Mai took advantage of the girl's distraction and quickly poked her exposed HiME mark, causing Mikoto to jump.

Mikoto scowled at the redhead, making Mai laugh more than she had been. After a moment, she calmed down and continued. "Don't you think it's time you actually owned something?"

The younger HiME was quiet for a moment. "Will Mai buy Mikoto lunch?"

Laughing, Mai answered, "Of course."

----

Mikoto grinned. She had a date with Mai! Mai was taking her shopping and buying her lunch.

If only she could convince Mai that it was a date. She would! She'd definitely convince Mai that it was a date! All she needed to do was make herself look older and learn how to be grown-up by tomorrow. Shizuru could help her! Shizuru was all adulty and she understood how Mikoto felt, surely she'd help her.

Mai would definitely believe it was a date.

----

She couldn't focus. Her head was buzzing. She wanted to sleep. Her mind wouldn't stay still. Everything was so loud. Her head hurt. She saw a bug. She felt really warm. She couldn't pay attention. It hurt. She was so tired. Her heart felt like it was beating so fast. The buzzing in her head kept getting louder. There had to be a hole in there. Her heart kept pounding. She needed to sleep. She couldn't think. The buzzing was getting louder…