Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, Sunrise does.
ch9: "The Old and the New"
The music was loud and it was the peak of the party now. In a table it seemed as two girls were having a quarrel.
"I-IDIOT! It's your fault, you should have called us!" a redhead officer frantically yelled.
"I-I told you! I didn't reach there on time..."
"Keep your voices down BAKAS!" Mai angrily interrupted from the white van. "I already informed Miss Maria about Chie and Aoi...they still have their tracking devises on, so we have already started looking for them. I will be the one giving you the orders from now on!" she added on a very bossy tone. She was very upset with these two about letting something like that happen to their friends.
"Ok there miss perfect. Go on!" Nao replied bothered. The other officer felt the sarcasm on the redhead's voice but choose to leave it like that.
"We're going with plan B now." Mai didn't like what she was telling them. The feisty girl was already upset, but Miss Maria's orders couldn't be disobeyed. Now they really had to make it work.
"S-Someone said will help me." the bluennete responded.
"WHAT? Don't tell me you've told that waitress about it too!" lime eyes screamed.
"Gosh NAO! I've told you she was in front of it when it happened...I had no other choice, she already knew!"
"Hey you two stop it NOW! It's not time for your usual fights!" the third girl interrupted again from the communication devises. "Natsuki, we can't involve her in this. Besides we don't even know her, let alone trust her!"
"Yes! Finally she's right wolfie! You don't even know her." Nao added and then her face got a blush from what she was about to say. "And you let her kiss you too!"
"Wh-What?! Did you see it?!"
"Of course I did you idiot! It is my job looking at your stupid ass tonight!" the redhead started swearing again, as her face was becoming even redder by each passing second.
"Is Nao jealous again?" Mikoto suddenly said from the communication chip to the officer. She was asleep for the last one hour, but woke up from Mai's loud voice and heard their conversation.
"I swear you won't leave Fuuka alive Neko!" the lime eyed girl replied and an imaginary scene of her choking the ice cream seller played in her head.
"Stop that you two! I'm going there now, but first I'll have to talk to her." Natsuki said as she pointed at the brunette waitress who was at the Dj console. The bluennete got up and looked at Nagi. She was scared, but for some reason talking to Shizuru before that gave her some courage.
0~0
"You really seem different Shizuru. Are you sure that Kuga didn't say any of her bullshit again?"
"I'm fine Haruka, really." The brunette answered on a half smile. Her crimson eyes seemed spaced out and her former classmate had noticed it.
"Speaking of, look who's coming here again…" the blonde said as her eyes stiffened at the sight of the girl approaching. "I swear, tonight I will reap her head off if she keeps on playing with us like before!" the Dj added before stopping when the bluennete was there.
Natsuki looked at the waitress and after some nods the two girls walked away like it was so natural. Haruka's eyes popped out of surprise and rage. She could never understand the reasons why the former Kaishou didn't kick that girl's arse immediately.
0~0
The bluennete and the waitress found a place where they could talk, away from that loud techno sound.
"I know." Shizuru stated blankly by folding her arms.
"Wh-What do you know?"
"Your friend...I saw you two arguing. I know she doesn't want me to be involved." she said and Natsuki was caught on a surprise. That girl in front of her was definitely smart.
"That's right...this is very important and I can't break the orders. We will have to talk again though…"
'T-Talk again?' the waitress thought to herself.
"…because as you know you're a witness and you may need to testify." the bluennete finally added. An observant eye could notice that a blush was hiding well in her face talking to Shizuru. She was still recalling the feeling of their kiss.
'Yes, of course that would be you idiot! H-How much of a fool could I make myself to in one night?' the brunette thought again, as she realized something she didn't like at all. Not only she pretended like everything was fine between them too, but she got her hopes up as well."I guess so. I will just be watching you from afar then." she finally answered. Her tone seemed very composed, but the situation inside her was as agitated as the rhythm of that loud party. The feelings were flowing wild through her veins. Fear about Natsuki and sadness after their encounter. She wore her best and most calm mask though, as she watched Natsuki heading to Nagi Homura.
0~0
Dancers dressed on a little fabric were moving along the vibes of the night. Someone could say they looked like pigeons gathered around a piece of bread. All of them trying so hard to impress the star, because that meant extra tips of course. A short guy was dancing near his table, holding to his hand a glass of the expensive red wine he was drinking. During the playing beat his eyes caught the feminine figure of a long haired beautiful girl adding herself in the dancing crowd near him. A smirk was the response to the sight. 'A shy one...That seems like a fun challenge for tonight.' he thought before starting walking towards that bluennete.
"She's there." the redhead officer informed Mai and her boss who were both in the van now.
"Keep your eyes very close to her Nao. If you spot anything remotely dangerous signal us immediately. Homura is more smart that bringing any weapon with him when partying, but we still can't take any risk again." Miss Maria informed.
"Please, tell us what's going on right now!" Mai asked. Her plead of the information sounded more desperate than she would of liked. She didn't want to lose her temper in front of her co officers or show how much she was worried about her friend.
"H-He's approaching her...He actually seems excited?!" Nao stated on a very inquiring tone. Question marks were painted in her lime eyes. Natsuki was very red and fidgety but she could partially manage to hide it. All that anxiety was like precious honey for that short bee.
"He's dancing near her. Damn!" the redhead coursed as she knew what her friend had to do next.
"Now she has to respond." Mai finished the sentence.
Natsuki approached the guy more and she tried to give him her best moves. She couldn't manage it though and her body was becoming more frigid.
"Tsk, look at the Kuga. I can't believe she's dancing with that midget now!" a Dj from the music console marked, talking to the person next to her. Of course the waitress already knew, as she couldn't take her eyes off that unfolding situation.
"She's actually nervous." the girl replied. She could read behind that hiding mask and knew Natsuki was actually very troubled.
"What?! Why would I or you care about how she's feeling? Her true colors are still showing Shizuru! She's the man hunter she used to be before dumping you!" letting these words out, she gave the girl next to her a cold feeling by that last statement. Haruka was trying to help her stop giving attention to the bluennete, but it brought the opposite results. She meant no harm, but bringing all these memories back, was like a stab at Shizuru's chest.
"I'm going there too"
"A-Are you kidding me?!"
"A girl can have fun by playing along, right Haruka?" Shizuru stated. That response wasn't genuine though. It had nothing to do with her having fun or partying, but she knew well what to say to the Dj in order to make her stop the scolding.
0~0
"Hey there pretty." a husky voice pinched a navy head's ears. It chilled her body, as the touch of two hands surrounded the bluennete's waist. Nagi got straight to the point, he didn't like waiting and he knew how to be persuasive. "May I know your name?" he asked as his hands were now rubbing the upper part of her body. They felt wet and sloppy, something that was stimulating the disgust on Natsuki's senses. Their bodies were touching now and he was trying to clench on her even more. After some minutes of dancing together, Nagi was extremely absorbed by her but the bluennete couldn't bear it at all. He stroked her hair and was going for it. But Natsuki was very uncomfortable and didn't even want to look at him. Suddenly she felt an unexplainable panic. The room was very suffocating and she couldn't breathe. She turned around and gained her personal space again. The plan wasn't going to work for sure. She couldn't stand it, so she turned her back to that devious character and walked away.
"Ara…Where is Natsuki going?" the bluennete stopped after a waitress got on her way, leaving no space for her to escape. "It was just getting fun, especially when your partner is as charming as this." Shizuru added looking at Nagi. He smiled very confidently. Being complimented by Odisea's well known brunette waitress was surely a boost to his ego.
"Shizuru. You should be happy she's leaving because then I can be all yours." the green haired guy replied on a devilish wink. He used to try flirting with the waitress before, but to no avail. She seemed different that night though. More demanding and passionate than before. He took a few steps towards them, grabbed the bluennete by the hand, as he was going to feel her lips. The upset girl wanted to hit him like crazy, but couldn't do it. Before she met him though, a gentle hand touched her shoulder, dragging her away from that short guy before he managed to do it.
"Hm Shizuru, I never knew you would be jealous." Nagi said on a smirk, pretending like that this wasn't his intension from the beginning. To kiss that navy head to show he could have whoever he wanted.
"You know it's me you want Nagi-san." Shizuru said playing along to his game. She seemed so natural on flirting but her true intentions were much different. Nagi let go of the girl's hand and approached the waitress as she was teasing him with her eyes. The more the music was playing the more he was closer to her. First his hands touched her hips as they were dancing together. He got really close and the brunette could smell the wine near her face. His red eyes were burning from desire. He was finally kissing her.
Natsuki was behind them and she could see those hands touching the waitress. They were filthy and repulsing. 'Why would she do something like that? Just so I won't have to do it?' She was definitely disturbed by that and all of these thoughts didn't make any sense to her. On the other hand, she really had to move fast by then. As the attention of that short guy was still occupied, the biker took the mini chip quickly and, in the darkness of that place, she put it on his shirt.
"Officer Nao here. Plan B has succeeded. Now we have to wait until the party ends so we finish this with the final part." The redhead informed as she kept on watching.
After the heated event crimson eyes broke the contact. His red ones protested, but Shizuru spoke.
"Uh-Uh. That's enough for a night Nagi. You can't eat too much sweet on only one night" she said on a fake smile that could fool everyone.
"I will take this as an invitation for more in the future."
"Good things come to those who wait Nagi-san."
After that, the short guy tried to object but stopped when he saw the figure of a waitress looking at them. That girl was smiling very politely, but she was hiding things noone could notice.
"Shizuru, we need to go back to work now. Mr Kaiji says the party is going to be over soon. "Tomoe told her co worker and soon both of them got away. Natsuki who was still stunned and shocked woke up by Shizuru when she nodded her to move away as well. The party was going to be over in less than half an hour.
A green haired guy got out of Odisea. That's what the officers from the van were now spotting.
"It's time" Miss Maria told Mai and Mikoto. The final part of the plan was very important.
As Nagi was heading to his black car two fighting girls were approaching him.
"Look at what you did! My best skirt is now useless baka!" the orange haired girl was yelling to her short friend.
"It's not my fault! I told you I'm sorry!" Mikoto was screaming at the girl getting closer to the short guy. His eyes were giving her a death glare but she wouldn't notice…
"I-I'm so sorry sir…"
"Don't touch me stupid girl!" Nagi said to Mikoto when she bumped to him. He pushed her away like something dirty that he didn't want to touch for too long and he got into his car. Soon his bodyguards followed and he had finally left.
"Mission accomplished!" Mai said on a relief to her friend and her boss, as the two girls headed back to the van.
0~0
Inside Odisea was now quiet the Dj gone. Only the staff and a bluennete were still in.
"Th-Thank you very much for tonight. You honestly saved me and my friends." Natsuki said on a tired and shy tone.
Shizuru looked at the girl on a blank face and responded
"I only did it to protect these people and myself."
"Y-Yes I know. But thanks for getting me out of that situation with Nagi as well. I was going to give up because his touch made me shiver. "
Shizuru's mask broke on that last statement. "I can't believe you dislike the touch of a man Natsuki. She said folding her arms on a defensive position. Natsuki was very surprised by the intensity those crimson eyes were looking at her.
"Wh-What do you mean? Or how do you even know my na…"
"It's time to leave now Shizuru." A waitress interrupted, preventing the question to come out of Natsuki's mouth.
"Of course Tomoe. It was getting unpleasant here." she replied while still holding her crimson gaze to the emerald one.
Natsuki felt that frustration again, but before she could express it they had already gone. The two waitresses got into Tomoe's car. She was going to drive Shizuru home that night.
After a 15 minute drive, the green car ascended the "S" like road of the Hills, and parked outside the house of the brunette.
Tomoe didn't leave, but got out of the car with the brunette instead. Shizuru noticed it, but was too tired to start a conversation with her . After all, that younger girl used to accompany her outside her door, every time she gave her a ride. They headed up the stairs and the brunette was going to say goodnight, but after opening the door Tomoe thought otherwise.
"What are you going to do, Shizuru? You can't stay alone like this for ever. She's done and you know it!" the green head said on a pleading tone, as she was putting her hands around Shizuru's neck.
"I-I know...I just...I just can't tonight! Understand that!"
"Even If you can't accept my feelings, or anyone else's, you know you have to get over this!" she said while grabbing the other girl's hands.
"I'm asking you to leave now, Tomoe." Shizuru requested as she abruptly removed her hands from the girl's grip.
"Ν-No...I can't leave you like this, especially after what happened tonight! Tell me, Shizuru, do you still love her? Do you?!" the greenhead was now clinging closer to the brunette, and her face was a few inches away from her. Her true needy character was unfolding once again in front of the waitress. Shizuru tried to step back, but the other girl grabbed her shoulder and tried to put her lips on hers. Before she even managed to touch them though, the brunette pushed her away.
"I think you won't see her that much again anyway." She said when she finally decided to call it off for the night. The brunette was doubt founded after the greenhead's last statement. What could that mean she had no idea. The tired waitress brushed it off though, because she knew that girl certainly did say incomprehensible things from time to time. After their encounter, the sound of a closing door made Shizuru exhale in relief.
'I really need time alone right now.' she thought, as she took of her shoes. The brunette opened the door of the balcony. A cool and pleasant breeze stroked her warm face. The light from the moon was enough already, so she didn't need to turn on the lights. Plus, it added a romantic touch to that night. She headed through the dark room to the fridge, opened it and took out the cold tea she had made the other day. She poured the drink in a glass and added two ice cubes inside. Tea was her alcohol. After that, the brunette headed out to the balcony and she seated on a white chair.
Just one encounter with Natsuki, and she was already finding ways to remind her of the girl. The view from her house up the Hills was breathtaking at that time, but the pleasant scent of the nature wasn't the reason she was on that balcony now. It was there, before a few days, that the brunette first saw the biker on her Ducati. She wanted to recall that peace again, especially after that hectic night. Remember the hope she felt for just those few seconds. That hidden joy after all of that time. Meeting her again.
A sound of keys on her door woke her up from that daydream. She was startled for a moment, but then felt relief as she saw the figure of her brown haired cousin.
"Sh-Shizuru?" the ant like waitress called when she got in and didn't see anyone in the dark house.
"I'm here Arika"
"Wh-where?" the girl answered still not knowing where her cousin's voice was coming from.
"Outside, take a glass and come to drink here with me."
"Oh! OK, I see you!" she said after heading to the balcony. She seated next to the older girl and poured the strawberry flavored tea in her glass.
"I came to check on you. Actually I lost my own keys as well, so I can't sleep in my house tonight." the brown plated girl said, letting out a big sigh. It was the second time during that month that she lost her keys. Shizuru knew her cousin could be reckless sometimes, and she wasn't surprised at all. The crimson eyed girl was glad actually.
"I'm happy you're here Arika. I gave you the keys of my house and you know you can come whenever you want. After all you've helped me so much these years."
"I...I know. By the way, I think I saw that weirdo Tomoe leaving when I came here. D-don't tell me you did with her again..." the younger girl asked not wanting to hear a positive answer.
"No. You know how I've made it clear to her, but she keeps on persisting." she paused as another thought that was on her mind all the night was on the surface again. She then decided to proceed on letting her cousin know.
"Arika, you know how you're the person that I can trust the most." The younger girl nodded on agreement as she took a sip of her cold tea. "I just need someone to talk about this now."
"You know I'm here Shizuru." the blue eyed girl knew something was up just by looking her cousin gazing down the road.
"It's...It's about something that you know is bothering me for a long." She paused with a sigh before proceeding. "Remember that dog key chain I used to carry around with me?"
"I do. It was a gift from that prick right?"
"Yes. I was just thinking…she used to tell me that gifts are like giving someone a part of your soul, even if it was just something plain or simple…"
"…And you did very well on throwing it away after! It was like you were putting her where she truly belonged! I mean cheating on you with that ugly Kazuya guy and then fleeing away of Fuuka! "
Shizuru's face was still looking down the road. Night was slowly getting away and soon, it would be daylight.
0~0
Birds were singing in the streets. Someone could say that another day was starting just by their melodies. A dark blue car had just arrived in the city. After parking, a black haired guy got out.
He made a call and after not receiving an answer, he left a voice massage.
"Natsuki, it's me Takeda. When you see this, please call me."
'Fuuka… It's been a long since I was here.' He thought as he started walking away from his car.
0-0
Hey! That was ch9. I had exams all of this week and the brain has stopped functioning properly to update faster.
Thanks to RTV, BubbleDuckie, Guest(s), lhadievixen, Sammhkhan and abc for your reviews! It's very helpful knowing what you think about the fic so far, or any other questions! :)
To Guest: Natsuki wanted to ask Shizuru about how she knew her name, but didn't manage to do so because they have being interrupted all the time, or something else happens.
