Love You Today, Tomorrow, & Always
9
The silence of the room engulfed the trio as they entered their room which had two queen sized beds. Haruka walked over to the small fridge and swung the door open, frowning upon finding only a couple of water bottles.
Shizuru followed Natsuki as she walked over to the bed closest to the sliding glass door that led to the balcony. "I'm so tired," Natsuki said as she took a seat on the bed, "and hungry." Shizuru smiled and nodded, "Haruka and I will go grab us some dinner."
Natsuki nodded, "Ano, Shizuru..." Shizuru looked at her girlfriend questioningly, "Yes, Natsuki?" Natsuki glanced at Haruka who stood by the door and lowered her voice to a whisper, "Do you think we could get some clothes?" Shizuru's eyes ran down Natsuki, realizing the t-shirt her girlfriend was wearing was damped from the hours on the boat. Natsuki's grandmother had sent the three girls a change of clothes with the captain so that they wouldn't arrive at Windbloom in their formal attire which would draw unwanted attention to them.
"I'll see what I can do." Shizuru replied as she gave her a quick kiss before exiting the hotel room. Shizuru and Haruka walked silently down the hall to the reception desk before exiting the building. The sun was just coming up on the horizon as the two walked away from the small hotel. They had arrived at a small coastal town and had quickly found lodging before the sun rose.
Haruka broke the silence, "How much cash do we have left?" Knowing that their bank accounts would certainly be traced, they couldn't risk making any withdrawals. Shizuru dug into her pocket to count the money, "We have enough," She said as she placed it back, "With the cash we had with us plus the money Aika-san gave us we should be good for at least a week in the hotel plus any expenses we have."
"I hope we don't stay here that long." Haruka commented as they made their way into a small diner whose morning clientele was just beginning to arrive. Shizuru did not reply as she ordered food for Natsuki and herself before Haruka put in her own order. They took a seat on the farthest boot available as they waited for their food.
"We need to figure out what to do." Shizuru said as she looked out the window, "With our situation now and what's going to happen in four months."
"Well, in four months you are going to be a mother, but for now we need to figure out how to keep Saeko from taking Natsuki from you." Haruka said, unsure of how they would accomplish their goal. She felt bad for her friend, having no idea how the brunette must feel with her newly acquired responsibilities.
Shizuru turned to Haruka, "I don't know how." Her crimson eyes became glazed with tears, "I can't figure out how to keep Natsuki safe, much less how I will be able to care for both her and our child."
Haruka stared silently as Shizuru's tears stained her cheeks, "I love Natsuki, I do. But this is all very sudden. I don't know what I'm going to do."
Reaching across the table, Haruka took Shizuru's shaky hand in her own, "Shizuru, whatever happens, you will get through it with Natsuki." Shizuru looked into Haruka's eyes, willing herself to believe her friend's words as she continued, "And you have me and Yukino and your other less significant friends and of course your parents and grandparents and we will help you each step of the way." Haruka smiled softly, "We won't let you down. I certainly can't wait to meet your little one. I bet she will be just as much of a trouble maker as Natsuki."
Shizuru couldn't help but smile, "Thank you Haruka-chan. I can't wait either."
The pair received their food and on their way back to the hotel, stopped by a small clothing store and bought a few simple changes of clothes for each of them. Shizuru was not too comfortable wearing t-shirts but it was basically the only thing they could afford with their budget.
It had been almost an hour since Shizuru and Haruka had left, and Natsuki grew restless and decided to surf the web on a complimentary tablet that the hotel provided for all its guests. In their world, the internet was a major part of their technological culture and was available for everyone to use, Windbloom being one of the most advanced by ensuring tablets were available virtually everywhere at no charge for its citizens.
She swiped page after page of boring news until something caught her attention. She clicked on it and felt her heart drop as she realized it was news from Kruger Island and quickly played the video feed.
"The heiress to the throne, Saeko Kruger, has made a charge against Windbloom citizen, Shizuru Viola and has accused her of kidnapping her daughter, Natsuki Kruger, and keeping her hostage in Windbloom. The government of Windbloom has started its own investigation but refuses to allow Kruger authorities in the country to aid in their investigation. So far, the news have been kept quiet in the country of Windbloom thanks to the weight that the suspect kidnapper's family name carries in that country. We will keep you updated and may the princess be found safely!
Shizuru and Haruka entered the room just as the video finished. Natsuki looked up as they placed the food on a small table and the bag with clothes upon the bed.
"My mother is accusing you of kidnapping."
Haruka's fist landed on the table in anger, "Dammit. Now what are we supposed to do?"
Shizuru figured Saeko would do something like that once she found out of their escape, so she wasn't too surprised. Walking over to where Natsuki had laid the tablet on the table, Shizuru grabbed it and began to look for the train schedule, "Now we stop losing time."
Blue locks swayed lightly in the salty breeze as a boat approached the dock. Tapping her foot impatiently, she watched as a woman and a man made their way towards her. The couple were around her own age, the woman with dark chestnut tresses that went past her shoulders while the man had short black hair and was of the same muscular built as her own husband.
"Saeko Kruger?" The man asked as they approached her and before she could answer, Saeko felt the stinging pain of a slap on her cheek, her hand flying to cover her face instantly, "How dare you!"
Katashi quickly grabbed hold of his wife, "Sumika! Calm down!"
"What have you done with my Shizuru?" Sumika asked through gritted teeth, holding back only because of Katashi. Saeko glared at the woman who had dared laid a hand on her, "The question is what your daughter has done with Natsuki."
Aika made her way to the scene where she saw her daughter arguing with whom she guessed were Shizuru's parents.
Sumika and Katashi turned as an older woman approached them. Her hair was gray with age but her emerald eyes were identical to Saeko's and Natsuki's.
"Mother, what are you doing here?" Saeko asked once the woman had reached them. Aika ignored Saeko, turning her attention fully to the couple, "You must be Shizuru-san's parents."
Sumika observed the woman carefully, and nodded. Aika understood their hostility, "Please follow me. I will tell you everything you need to know."
Saeko watched in shock as the trio walked off towards Aika's limousine that waited for them. Saeko quickly followed them, "Mother, what do you think you are doing?" Aika ignored Saeko until the couple entered the limousine. She turned towards her daughter, "You have done enough damage, Saeko. Do not interfere."
Seething with anger, Saeko stood silently as the limousine sped away towards the castle.
As the limousine drove away, Aika began to explain to Sumika and Katashi what had happened the night before.
"You mean that your daughter had imprisoned Shizuru?" Sumika asked, "How could she do that?" Katashi grabbed Sumika's hand softly, "Let her speak, love. There must be an explanation."
Aika nodded, "Shizuru-san entered the country illegally since Saeko had banned her and found Natsuki. Unfortunately, Saeko also found them. By Kruger's laws, she could keep Shizuru overnight imprisoned but upon the next day, she had to have the council's permission to keep doing so and the council would have never allowed it."
She went on to explain to them the way she had helped the girls escape.
"Why haven't they reached us then?" Sumika asked, unable to hold back the tears.
"By now they probably know about the kidnapping investigation. They won't want to risk getting caught if that's the case, and any form of communication would be a risk." Katashi said after realizing that Shizuru would not risk their discovery if it could mean losing Natsuki.
Sumika turned her attention to Aika, "Not that I am not grateful, but why are you helping them so much?"
"Well," Aika glanced out the window and saw they were almost at the castle, "There is something else you must know.
Katashi and Sumika waited for her to continue.
"My granddaughter Natsuki is pregnant, and it is Shizuru's child."
The limousine stopped in front of the castle as they arrived.
Haruka exited the train as she arrived at the Fuuka station.
She made her way to a taxi and shortly after found herself walking up to her dormitory building and making her way to Yukino's dorm.
She reached her girlfriend's room and knocked softly. A few seconds passed before the door opened and Yukino's eyes widened in surprise, "Haruka-chan?!"
Haruka pulled Yukino into her and kissed her deeply, not realizing until now how much she had missed her after everything that had transpired.
After a few seconds, Haruka released Yukino, "I missed you so much."
"I missed you too, Haruka-chan." Yukino replied and quickly ushered Haruka inside. Haruka was glad that Yukino did not have a roommate as she sat on the sofa. Yukino brought over a cup of tea for her girlfriend before the blonde even had to ask. Haruka thanked her before sipping the warm liquid.
"What happened Haruka-chan? Miss Maria spoke to me this afternoon about the accusation against Shizuru-san, and asked me if I knew anything." Yukino asked as she rubbed Haruka's leg absentmindedly.
Haruka turned to her in shock, "How many people know about this?"
"Not many, she said that she wanted me to be discrete about it." Yukino explained, "They are trying to keep it quiet, not wanting to tarnish the Viola's name. I was worried because I knew you were with Shizuru-san but you were not mentioned in any of the reports I found."
"Natsuki's mother never found out about me, that's why." Haruka said as she placed her tea cup on Yukino's small table, "Shizuru and Natsuki are still in hiding, and since I'm not being investigated they send me to get help. They can't make any calls, but I have to find Shizuru's parents and tell them what is going on. They are our best bet for help."
Yukino nodded, "I see. But why are they running away from Natsuki-san's mother?"
Haruka grabbed Yukino's hand, "Shizuru got Natsuki pregnant and Natsuki's mother is not happy about it. She tried to get Natsuki to marry some random guy just so that she wouldn't be with Shizuru."
"Pre-Pregnant?!" Yukino could not believe what she was hearing, "Like...As in, they are having a baby?"
With a laugh, Haruka walked over to Yukino's bed, "Yes, the bubuzuke is having a baby with that criminal. Isn't that weird?"
Yukino helped Haruka take off her shoes and change, "I will go look for her parents tomorrow. I cannot call them, so I will have to seek them out personally." Haruka explained, " But I am so worn out. I need a good rest before I can do any more. I am sure they will understand right?"
Turning the lights off, Yukino settled in beside Haruka, "They will, Haruka-chan. They are resting as well right now, I'm sure. Tomorrow I will help you as well."
Haruka quickly fell asleep with Yukino at her side who whispered softly, "Tomorrow will be a new day."
