This is a translation attempt of a Chinese Shiznat fanfic. For details of the original work and author, refer to FOREWORD. Thanks.
Summary: AU ShizNat. An investigation report on Kruger & Viola by a history student in Windbloom University. This is a history assignment which aims to bring a fresh perspective yet true to history recollections of the two.
Note: I've taken the liberty to include remarks to clarify certain scenes for those who are confused or would like details. (Please ignore if your imagination managed to fill in the gap because these remarks are just my own deductions and might not reflect the author's original intent) [These sections are marked with (-#-); refer to the bottom of the chapter for details.
An Investigation Report on Kruger & Viola
Chapter 8
Authored by tlice
Translated by glowie
"Shizuru."
Her name, uttered with strong clarity by a calm and charming voice carrying its owner's imposing presence, resounded in the alley.
Lifting her head, she noticed the somewhat darken sky, as if to complete a once familiar scene, it began to snow. Beneath the snowing sky, clear green orbs, raven-black hair and dark blue uniform found themselves illuminated by the comforting glow of the street lamps.
Everything was just as it is, as what she saw long ago; just as it is, as what she dreamt of not long ago.
"Shizuru." the distinctly calm and compose figure slowly approached. Shizuru couldn't help but noticed the ice crystals that had settled themselves unto her long raven-black mane.
Reddish glow adorned that person's hand for maybe the same reasons it had hers; due to being exposed to the biting cold. Barely visible under the amassed snowflakes upon her shoulders lies a golden insignia representing her rank.
How long have you been standing there... Natsuki?
"Shizuru." the voice was calm, sure and controlled akin to the uniform and army boots worn upon a weathered soldier unfazed by the trails of war and suffering; every movement swift, sure and steady.
Weathered but never stained. Clean, pure, ever righteous and upright. Not even a hint of gun smoke nor the foul stench of the numerous bloodied battlefields could leave their mark.
This person... ever so clean and pure. Be if among commoners or in the army, no matter where she was placed...
She felt as if they had been apart for a very long time yet at the same time it seemed they haven't been apart at all. The reality of the situation escapes Shizuru and like a willing victim, she shrugs off any desire to analyze the situation before her; not caring if its a dream come true or another one of her habitual hallucinations.
And like she always do, what she did so long ago when they met, what she never fail to do whenever she dreamt of this scene; she lightly tucked her hair behind her ear, retract her feelings behind her ever faithful mask, adorning her calm and lazy smile, "Long time no see, Natsuki."
Before the last of her words were engulfed by the silent cold winter night, she was captured into a strong and warm embrace.
"Let's get married, Shizuru."
"I refuse, Natsuki."
"I love you, Shizuru."
"But... my love... is now different from yours, Natsuki." (-1-)
"I know." strong hands tighten their hold with a burning determination. Shizuru couldn't help herself but to return the gesture in kind. "Therefore, please stay with me until the time when you feel you can love me once again."
"Nat..."
"This is an order." the person adamant but her voice was surprisingly gentle. Slowly losing rein of her emotions, her voice started to crack, "I never want to part from you ever again, Shizuru". Beside her ear the voice choked... Are you crying, Natsuki?
Across the street, standing beside another army truck, the Army's 1st Advisor pulls out her pouch, counted some gold coins and gave it to the informant.
"Yes, as per agreed, as long as the person has an Artaian slang, no matter if it's the one we're looking for or not, the army will give out 30 gold coins as reward for the information. Here, take it."
Due to being placed in charge of the security for the area, the captain who received the "someone is being pestered by a beggar" complaint continued to question. "Tokiha-sama, is this the person Lord Kruger is looking for? Does this means..." (-2-)
"Hrmph! Natsuki is almost broke from all these years of searching. As her subordinate you should know better!"
Knowing her outburst was uncalled for Mai tried to comfort the captain, "Don't worry, this is a first class merit, I will make sure you receive a raise for this. Take it as a long term reward option."
"No... That's not what I meant," the young officer tried to explain, his face flushed red with embarrassment. "What I meant to say was, does this mean we will finally see Commander Kruger smile now?"
"Huh? Err.. yes... yes..." taken aback by the unexpected reply the orange-haired woman look towards the now inseparable pair for once, relieved, she closed her eyes.
Releasing a sigh she smiled "Seriously... causing everyone so much worry... because of that..."
Please, be happy...
However, what transpired after was vastly different from what most of them have envisioned.
"Let's get married, Shizuru."
"I refuse, Natsuki."
Exchanges such as these took place frequently between the two throughout the years, neither party willing to give up or compromise, until...
Lingering in the sickbed the woman's weak but determined voice filled with a soldier's unique straightforwardness "Let's get married, Shizuru."
Elegant as usual the woman smiled gently, her voice calm "I accept."
The moment both sets of lips met, the person who had been waiting for this very moment, heard the other party added a the timeframe for their union, "For the rest of this life and the next."
Moments later in quiet contentment, clear green orbs were laid to rest.
To date, there were no accurate or confirmed historical records regarding Natsuki Kruger and Shizuru Viola's relationship before the year 7700. Although after the appearance of Shizuru Viola she would be found constantly beside Natsuki Kruger, their relationship of utmost intimacy.
The two when pressed, on various occasions, would only vaguely mention about their reunion in the year 7700. Such actions only serve to pipe the interest of the general public regarding their relationship before this time which still largely remains a mystery. (-3-)
However, we can definitely summarize the relationship of Natsuki Kruger and Shizuru Viola during and after the year 7700 using the words of Professor Jesper, author of "The biography of Natsuki Kruger".
"From a certain perspective, Natsuki Kruger was both an ideologist and a perfectionist. She had once remarked thus of her own life, 'I have two great regrets; In my work, I am unable to bring real democracy to the people; In my personal life, I am unable to bring real happiness to my love.' Being an unbiased 3rd party, I can only say 'She used half of her lifetime to end the harsh dictatorship plaguing the people for hundreds of years, reestablished long lost fairness and righteousness into the land and at the same time, she used her whole life to comfort that gentle yet stubborn elegant woman who bore undisclosed hurts and wounds. Even upon her last moments, she allowed us to witness the miracle, history's shortest marriage, because in less than 2 minutes, the other party was released from her sacred vow, and the longest because both parties agreed to extend their union unto the next life.'"
To this day, upon the public cemetery of Fuuka, lies the simple yet forthright declaration of their love.
"With God as our witness, Natsuki Kruger and Shizuru Viola will never ever be apart."
Truly, after the year 7700 from the numerous history records, we can clearly see that true to their promise, they have never been apart.
Reporter:
Windblood University History Faculty
Tlice.Lincuo of Form 76 Class 95 (-4-)
FIN.
Notes:
Sorry for the delay guys. I had trouble finding the right words. My lack of vocab is rearing its ugly head more and more. -sigh-
I am debating whether there is still the need of an Afterword since the added remarks should clear up most of the questions you might have. The only reason for an Afterword would be views of readers whom I personally agree wholeheartedly with and maybe some background info.
(oh my... I can't seemed to express myself correctly now... eyes blurring from too much fanfics.. hehehe... Gah! I cant seemed to get an Angsty piece out of my mind!!! I kept reminising the scenes.)
Before you ppl go and angst all over the place... THEY DID FIND HAPPINESS ok? -grins-
Basically after 7700, although they were NOT officially married... they are a couple true and true (author's words). Part of the reason why Shizuru kept refusing but in the end accepted is because... she wants you to read the Afterword. (just kidding... sorry... I really cannot correctly express myself right now... need break... a reader's exchange with the author BEAUTIFULLY explained this part... but its long... Afterword plz?)
Lastly, thank you all for the reviews and feedback. Yes, even your threats scoobz87. Although butter knife??!!
(Special thanks to kono-chan, samysquirrel, renny-chan and Joanna for either offering corrections or helpful info)
As for chatterbox, shiznats, Cogent, syntheticSkye, kono-chan and Chuckabutt who openly express their hurts (not you Atlantislux .. bcos you obviously enjoy the angst), I hope you all feel better at the ending.
-hopeful-
Remarks:
1. Shizuru always see herself as unworthty and unclean. Luckily Natsuki never saw her that way.
2. Your excellency should be used to address Mai but I was worried by using that I can't link her name in it directly... I want to avoid the need to guess who this Advisor was. Btw, Lord is ranked higher than Your excellency? Sorry... I have 0 knowledge on these things.
3. On second thought... I am leaving this for Afterword.
4. I am not sure how to translate the classroom system. Eg. Form 5 Class 3 something like that. The reason for the outlandish numbers is because 76 is the number representing Shizuru and 95 Natsuki in the chinese community. The usage of those numbers are intentional. Indicating the author is a ShizNat fan. (Tlice is also the author's nick)
