A/N: Here's chapter 9! :D First, I just want to warn you guys that there is like no action in this chapter (but hey, compensation for the last one right?). It focuses mainly on pushing forward the Shiznat plot. Anyway, so in my opinion it had to be done lol. I really hope you guys like it anyway though. I tried my best to make it somewhat realistic.

Oh, and lol... there's this one scene in this chapter where Shizuru is talking to Haruka about her parents. I don't know if it's just me, but it seems really familiar, so I hope I didn't accidentally steal a line from a movie or something. :D If I did, I apologize in advance, although I'm not too sure.

Ooh, and guess what?! I found a list of superpowers... you guys should check them out, some of them are pretty awesome. My personal favorite however: Oatmealkinesis- the ability to manipulate oatmeal with one's mind! :D Anyway, if you just google 'the superpower list' it's the first one up there.

I really hope you like it!!! Please feel free to review!!! :D

Chapter #9: Introspection


"What was that about?" Aoi asked as her partner sat back down next to her.

Chie grinned. "I'm playing matchmaker for a bit."

Aoi turned to face her, her eyebrows raised. "Matchmaker?"

Chie nodded, laughing at the look on her partner's face. "Okay... I swore I wouldn't tell anyone, but you'll keep this a secret right?"

Aoi scowled. "You don't trust me?"

Chie sighed. "You know I trust you, but Natsuki would kill me if this got out..."

Aoi crossed her arms, glaring down at the younger girl. Chie turned away, a grin on her face. 3...2...1...

"Okay, fine. Tell me." Aoi sighed. Chie laughed, turning to face the brown haired girl. She quickly glanced back over to Natsuki, who was still glaring at her from a distance. The navy haired girl had finally sat back down again, though she did sit 10 feet away from everyone else.

Shizuru turned to Natsuki and smiled. Why is she sitting so far away? Is she upset about something? Ara, is she upset that we didn't come in first?

I'm going to kill that girl. Natsuki vowed silently, glaring at Chie. No... even better… I'll break her cellphone... Who does she think she is? Honestly?! Staring at Shizuru in the locker room!? What is she insane!? That was like...once or twice... and not in a creepy I like watching you get dressed way!

Natsuki blushed just thinking about it, an image of Shizuru in her dark red underwear and bra popping into her head. She glared at the floor in front of her, consciously ignoring how hard it was to breathe.

"Are you okay Natsuki?" Shizuru asked, getting up and walking over. She casually sat down beside the younger girl, studying the expression on the her face.

"Huh?" Natsuki snapped out of it, looking up quickly. "S..shizuru?" She stuttered, trying her best not to stare at the older girl's partially exposed legs.

"Are you alright?" Shizuru repeated, crossing her legs and supporting her weight with her arms behind her.

"Yeah." Natsuki nodded, looking up to meet her gaze. "I'm fine. Arigato."

Shizuru nodded, looking into her vibrant green eyes. She could tell something was definitely wrong, but she didn't want to push the younger girl. Natsuki is definitely not someone you can easily persuade to open up.

Natsuki turned away after a moment, looking over in Chie's direction. Chie was seeing things that weren't there. There was no way she could be attracted to any girl. And that included Shizuru.

"I don't know..." Chie started, grinning mischievously. "...maybe I shouldn't..."

"Chie!" Aoi yelled.

"Okay, fine." Chie laughed. "You've got to do your mind thing though. I don't want anyone hearing this."

What!? Chie heard Aoi's voice echo in her mind.

I'm never going to get used to that. Chie thought, grinning. Mind Whisperer.

Aoi blushed. Sure you will. We do it enough. Aoi paused, wanting to get right to the point. So? What is it!?

Well... Chie thought, looking up as two more groups ran into the room. ...What do you think about Natsuki and Shizuru?

Aoi glanced over at the two girls sitting ten feet away. They're nice people? She offered, hoping Chie was getting at something a little more substantial.

No. Chie grinned. I mean what do you think about Natsuki and Shizuru... together?

Aoi gasped out loud, blushing when the two girls looked their way. She quickly turned back to Chie, who smirked at her and nodded her head slowly.

Together? As in... Aoi's thoughts trailed off.

Exactly. Chie grinned.

Are you sure they're even gay? Aoi asked, not so sure. I've seen Fujino-san flirt with lots of guys.

Fujino flirts with everyone. That's not the point. Chie turned back to face the two girls. Have you seen the way she looks at Natsuki?! Chie asked.

N..not really. Aoi replied, glancing over in the same direction. Shizuru and Natsuki were talking quietly. She couldn't quite hear what about.

"Oh, that reminds me." Natsuki sighed. "I have to call my mom today."

Shizuru laughed. How adorable.

"You know, it's always the same thing to..." Natsuki crossed her arms. "Hi Natsuki? How's school? What are your grades? Did you meet any cute boys?"

Shizuru raised her eyebrows at the mention of cute boys. Her stomach clenched. Had she?

"A..ara." Shizuru faked a smiled. "And have you?" She asked, studying the younger girl's face very carefully.

"No." Natsuki scoffed. "Honestly Shizuru, have you seen the guys that go here?"

Shizuru's stomach clenched even tighter. She felt a pang of jealousy. "So you've been looking then?" She laughed.

Natsuki looked up, hearing her laugh. "B..baka! Of course not!" She yelled, blushing.

Shizuru didn't laugh. The best she could give was a forced smile. She looked away quickly, careful to keep her posture relaxed.

Natsuki scowled. "I'm not looking for anyone." She said defiantly.

"So... then you've found someone?" Shizuru asked, turning back to face Natsuki. She instantly regretted asking. She didn't think she could handle the answer.

Natsuki was drawn in by her gaze, surprised by what she saw. Is Shizuru okay? She looks so... tired.

Natsuki took her mind off of it, considering Shizuru's question. Had she found someone? Someone who she cared about more then anyone would ever know? Natsuki's eyes quickly fluttered to Shizuru's lips before she blushed and looked away.

"N..No! Of course not!" Natsuki half laughed half glared. "I don't need anybody like that." Shizuru is just my partner. Nothing more. Even if you did... it can't happen.

Shizuru smiled bitterly. I desperately wish I could follow your example.

Natsuki lay down on the mat, hands behind her head. "Well, what about you then?" She asked, glancing up at the brown haired girl. "Met any cute guys?" She grinned. Her grin faded a little as her heart beat quickened. Why did she suddenly feel so anxious?

Shizuru's heart skipped a beat, and she felt a sharp pang of regret. She'd lied many times about meeting people. Mostly to appease her parents or acquaintances. So... why did it hurt so much this time around? Shizuru looked down at the grin on Natsuki's face. I...I don't think I can do this... not with Natsuki.

"A..ara... I'm sorry Natsuki." She said, getting up quickly. Her mouth was dry making the words come out strangely. "I just remembered... a task that I have to attend to. I'm afraid I have to leave now."

"What?" Natsuki sat up, frowning. "Why?"

Shizuru forced a smile. "It's my responsibly." She said simply. With that she walked away, lying quickly to their teacher for permission to leave.

"Okay, see you Monday." Midori smiled, giving a little wave.

Shizuru smiled briefly before turning and walking towards the door.

"Wait...Shizuru!?" Natsuki called. Shizuru inhaled sharply, dangerously close to falling apart.

"Yes Natsuki?" She asked, turning around slowly.

"Do you need any help?" Natsuki asked, getting up.

Shizuru shook her head, not trusting herself to speak. She quickly walked out of the room and down the hallway. She slowed her breathing as she entered the bathroom, making sure no one was there. She couldn't go back to her room. Haruka might already be there and she, without a doubt, would know something was wrong.

She exhaled slowly when she realized no one was there. Shizuru took deep, slow breaths, not able to bring herself to look in the mirror. She didn't want to see the damage.

Calm down. She instructed herself firmly. You have no right to feel this way.

Using sheer force of will, she walked over to the sink and looked up at her reflection. She smiled, as if testing her composure. Slowly she walked over and grabbed a paper towel from the dispenser. She soaked half of it with cold water, washing her face quickly. School was almost over, and someone was bound to find her.

The door burst open, starling Shizuru.

"Sh..shizuru-sama." A grade nine girl stuttered, blushing. "Hi."

Shizuru smiled quickly, throwing out her paper towel. She really wasn't in the mood for encounters like this.

"Hello." She replied, widening her fake smile. "Have a nice day." She quickly added, walking out of the room before the girl could say another word.

She was halfway down the hallway when the bell rang. The school day was over. Shizuru quickened her pace to avoid crowds. Where am I going? She asked herself, walking aimlessly. Not back to my room. I want... I need to be alone.

Shizuru walked through the forum, towards the nearest exit. She closed her eyes briefly when she got outside, breathing in the fresh air. Her eyes drifted over to her left, settling on the pond some distance away.

Suddenly with purpose Shizuru walked quickly towards it. She stopped a few meters away, smiling softly as sat down. It was unusual for anyone to come over here. And to Shizuru, the pond was one of the more peaceful places she had ever seen.

Shizuru watched the water ripple with the breeze, oddly hypnotized by the movement. She sighed, lying down as Natsuki had done. Hands behind her head. She didn't bother trying to copy the defiant smile.

No one smiles like Natsuki does.


"I'm not even kidding." Chie laughed. "Two seconds before the bell." She held the classroom door open for her friends, and together they started walking down the hallway.

Mai grinned. "Hey, technically it counts."

"What took you so long?" Natsuki asked, laughing.

Mai sighed. "Let's just say Reito and I got a little... distracted." She rubbed her head sheepishly, blushing.

Nao snorted. "I really didn't need to know that." Natsuki and Chie nodded in complete agreement.

"Hey." Mai said defensively. "At least we finished the job." She raised her eyebrows at Nao.

"Oh, don't even go there Tokiha." Nao replied, clearly upset. "If Shiho hadn't started doing her freaky hair thing that kid wouldn't have panicked and used the remote blow everyone up button." She smirked to herself. "Not that I blame him. I would have blown us up too if I'd seen her hair flinging at me in all directions."

Natsuki snickered. That was something she had to see.

"So what happened to Shizuru?" Chie asked, turning to Natsuki.

Natsuki blushed. She quickly shot Chie a not so discreet warning look. Chie paled a little, walking a little farther over.

"I was just wondering why she left." Chie quickly added.

"She had some council thing to do." Natsuki shrugged, then glared even more "How should I know?"

Chie grinned. Well aren't we defensive? Definitely a good sign. I'll have to tell Aoi.

Mai looked between the two of them, picking up on some serious vibes. Chie was feeling pretty pleased with herself, and Natsuki was pretty mad about something. Actually Natsuki was pretty much a mess. She couldn't even pick out all the emotions she was feeling.

Mai walked a little closer to Chie and away from Natsuki. Empaths could always do with a little vicarious self-satisfaction.

"So, anyone have plans for the weekend?" Mai asked. "I'm so glad it's Friday."

Chie grinned. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking Mai?"

Mai shrieked quietly. "Karaoke Night!"

Natsuki and Nao froze in quiet terror. They turned to face each other, each smirking at the look on the other's face.

"What's wrong Nao?" Natsuki asked smirking. "Scared of a little Karaoke?"

Nao snickered. "Hell yes."

Natsuki grinned. "Can't blame you there."

Mai looked at them with shock, almost walking right into the forum doors. "What?!" She exclaimed thankfully noticing the door before causing a scene. "But...you guys will come right?!" She asked, looking panicked.

"Sorry Mai." Natsuki laughed. "You couldn't pay me to sing... not even in mayonnaise." She added quickly.

Mai pouted, storming off back to the dorm. Natsuki and Nao grinned, running after her.

"Aw come on Mai..." Natsuki began. "We're sorry."

"We are?" Nao asked smirking. She saw Natsuki's glare. "I mean... we are." She grinned, shrugging her shoulders.

Mai sighed. "We'll, at least Chie's coming...right?" She asked, turning to Chie.

Chie froze, thinking about her plans. If she was right about Natsuki it wouldn't be long now. She just had to make sure she was there when the exasperation set in.

"Actually Mai..." Chie winced. She had been the one to bring it up after all. She suddenly came up with a plan to avoid hurting her friend's feelings. "...I bet I could get more people to come next weekend." She grinned. Aoi would come, she'd was sure of it. And with the dirt she'd gotten on Akane and Kazu they'd naturally have to come too.

"Really?" Mai asked, looking hopefully. "That's settled then. We'll just have to wait."


"What are you doing over here?"

Shizuru opened her eyes, startled. She glanced up at the blond girl towering over her.

"Ara...Haruka san..." She started, thinking Haruka was almost the last person she wanted to talk to right now. "...simply enjoying a beautiful day."

"Typical bubuzuke." Haruka scoffed, sitting down beside her.

"Perhaps you should develop a love of beauty." Shizuru smiled, thinking maybe Haruka's company wasn't such a bad idea after all. "It might help you relax."

Haruka's eyes widened as she glared. "Relax!? Bubuzuke do you know how much discipline the students at Fukka Academy need? And where's the president of the student council?" She asked, crossing her arms. "She's out relaxing by a giant puddle!"

Shizuru had to laugh. "Ara, I believe I simply needed some air." She said, gazing back out at the pond.

"Is something wrong?" Haruka asked, already knowing the answer Shizuru would give her.

"What ever gave you that idea?" Shizuru asked, wincing internally.

"Your fake smile is a little off today." Haruka raised her eyebrows. "So, seriously what is it?"

Shizuru sighed. "It's simply one of those days."

"Yeah." Haruka nodded. "One of those days when something absolutely horrible happens. Now spill it before I have to beat it out of you."

"Ara, I do hope you remember how our last sparring match went Haruka-san." Shizuru grinned, enjoying the look on the blond girl's face.

Haruka's eye twitched slightly, but eventually she just sighed. "Seriously Shizuru. Just tell me. It's not like I care enough to tell anyone." She said, then reconsidered. "...Or at all." She added quickly.

Shizuru smiled to herself. Haruka's concern was quite touching. And her attitude certainly brought with it a refreshing change of pace.

Shizuru hesitated. Am I really about to tell her? She bit her bottom lip slightly. "Well... then tell me, Haruka-san..." She started, feeling a pang of nervousness. It was rare that she opened up to someone, and never about something like this. "...what would you do..." She took a small breath. "...What would you do if you fell for someone... someone who could never fall for you back?" She looked up nervously, though she would never show it.

Haruka paused, surprised but grateful the brown haired girl was opening up to her. She'd never seen Shizuru so serious about someone. She flirted with everyone, that was just her way. "As in... never?" Haruka asked.

Shizuru took a deep breath, what she was about to say directed to herself as much as Haruka. "...Never." She said finally, feeling the word cut sharply into her.

"Uh...this may sound weird..." Haruka started. "But... why?"

Shizuru laughed. "I'm afraid I can't disclose that information."

Haruka raised her eyebrows. "How am I supposed to help if you don't fill me in."

"You're not." Shizuru said, then grinned. "I don't think I could handle receiving help from you."

"Hey!" Haruka yelled, thankfully not loud enough to cause a shock wave. "That was so uncalled for!"

Shizuru laughed. Even Haruka smiled a little. "So, back to the main topic here... why would this person never love you back?"

"Do you remember when you got your powers?" Shizuru asked, glancing up at her room mate. "Back in grade eight?"

"Of course." Haruka replied, not seeing the point. A grin formed on her face. "I still remember the look on your face when I walked up and used my sonic boom on you the first time. Completely priceless." She laughed to herself. That memory in particular would never get old.

"And do you remember when I got mine?" Shizuru asked quietly, knowing the answer already.

"Yeah." Haruka's grin faded. "You hardly talked to anyone that week."

Shizuru smiled faded a little as she remembered. Her parents, not having powers themselves didn't understand what it was like. Shizuru bit her bottom lip harder, trying to get control of herself.

They wouldn't look her in the eyes for months. Everything... the way they would suddenly give her everything she wanted, as if to appease her into not using her power on them... it was so different. The way her class treated her...everything had changed.

"And do you remember when we arrived at Fuuka academy?" Shizuru continued, refusing to take her eyes off the lake.

"Yes... why?" Haruka asked, almost convinced Shizuru was doing this to get out talking.

"Do you remember the look in my parents' eyes as they waved to me from the steps?" Shizuru asked, closing her eyes softly as a cool breeze hit her.

"Y..yeah." Haruka said, knowing where this was going. "They were happy for you." She answered.

"No." Shizuru laughed bitterly. "They were relieved."

Haruka looked down at her friend, feeling her chest tighten with sadness. "That's not true." She said stubbornly. "Your parents love you."

"Perhaps." Shizuru smiled. "But that..." She paused. "...that is why I can never truly have what I desire most."

Haruka stared down at her friend for a very long moment. For the first time in a very long while she was truly speechless.

"Baka." She whispered finally. "That isn't true."

Shizuru smiled softly, seeing the hurt look on her friend's face. "I'm sorry Haruka-san. I didn't mean to burden you." She got up slowly, brushing off her skirt. "I believe it's my turn to cook dinner, is it not? I think I'll get started on that."

Shizuru turned around, feeling somehow lighter. She gave Haruka a genuine smile before walking off towards the dorms. The blond haired girl had helped her more then she would ever know.

Sometimes even she needed someone to talk to.


"I'm starving Mai." Chie sighed. "Please hurry up?"

"Okay people..." Mai said, exasperated to the extreme. "...the chicken has to thaw. It's not my fault!"

"Hm?" Natsuki said, glancing up from her motorcycle magazine. She'd already picked out the model she wanted to buy. Not that the monthly living allowance her parents gave her would cover even enough to make a down payment.

"You know? Thaw?" Mai said, sighing.

"Oh." Natsuki said, glancing at the tray of chicken in Mai's hands. Before Mai could register what she was doing a thin line of steam rose up from the chicken.

Chie sighed in relief. "Thank God."

Mai looked down at the now nicely thawed chicken. "Don't you think you could have done that a bit sooner?" She asked, grinning.

Natsuki shrugged. "Theoretically."

Nao snickered from across the room, and Natsuki went back to flipping through pages.

"Hey Natsuki?" Chie asked, walking over to her bed.

"Yes Chie?" Natsuki asked, the look on her face molded to terrify.

Chie simply smiled, having developed at least a partial immunity to the glare by this point. "Well, you know that thing we were talking about earlier?" Chie asked, watching as the glare took on a whole new level of scary.

"I know what you were talking about earlier." Natsuki replied, closing her magazine very slowly.

"Well, I just wanted to say.. try not to think about it so much." Chie said, trying to look considerate. "Just completely don't worry about it. I'm sorry to have been so pushy."

Natsuki raised her eyebrows as Chie turned and walked back to her bed.

Chie grinned to herself. You gotta love reverse psychology.

Natsuki opened her magazine, her mind going back to what Chie had been saying. Her eyes glided over the page, but she didn't read a word.

Was...was I really staring at her? Natsuki asked herself, her stomach clenching in worry. She already knew the answer, she just couldn't bring herself to admit it.

So? She finally asked herself. So what if she was staring at her? That didn't mean anything, did it? Chie stared at tons of girls, but she was never serious with them.

Natsuki breathed deeply. She'd never stared at anyone before. At least not the way she stared at Shizuru. Shizuru had changed her somehow. She changed everything.

Natsuki brushed her hair back nervously. Nothing about any of this made sense to her. Why now? Why were these things just happening now? And to her of all people. She'd never acted like this before. Not to guys or girls.

But... feeling this way... does that really make me g...

"Dinner!" Mai yelled. Natsuki jumped, looking around as if to make sure no one had heard her thoughts.

Chie grinned from the other side of the room. Stage two was well in process. With a satisfied sigh she got up, whacked Nao on the head with her magazine, dodged Nao's claws, and sat down at the table.


"I believe dinner is ready." Shizuru called from the kitchen. She set three plates out, waiting patiently for her roommates to arrive.

Haruka walked in first, meeting her eyes. Shizuru smiled, trying to relay that she was doing a lot better. Of course, Haruka didn't pick up the subtlety.

"So are you going to tell me?" Haruka asked, sitting down at the table.

"What is it you wish to know?" Shizuru asked as if she really had no clue.

"Who it is." Haruka sighed.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Shizuru quickly replied, seeing Yukino sluggishly walk into the room.

"What's wrong Haruka-chan?" Yukino asked, seeing the angry look on the blond girl's face.

"Can I?" Haruka asked Shizuru, glancing over at Yukino.

Shizuru shook her head softly. She really didn't want anyone else to know.

Yukino watched the exchange, feeling a little left out. "W..what is it? Fujino-san, is everything okay?" She asked, adjusting her glasses.

Haruka glared at Shizuru. Shizuru sighed. "If you must." She said, sitting down. It didn't matter if Haruka told the whole school. Ultimately, it wouldn't change anything.

"Bubuzuke is in love." Haruka pointed at Shizuru, almost accusingly.

Love? Shizuru asked herself. Was she in love? She considered it for a moment. What else would it be?

Yukino blushed. "Really?" She asked, suddenly very curious. "With who?"

"She won't say." Haruka turned back to Shizuru. "Unless somehow she's changed her mind and decided not to be annoyingly impossible for once."

Shizuru gave Haruka an amused look. "Unfortunately I am feeling quite, how did you put it? … Annoyingly impossible at the moment."

Haruka groaned. "Shizuru!" A small shock wave blew Shizuru's hair back.

"Please." Shizuru said firmly. "I have already told you both too much. I hope you two realize that this matter is extremely private."

Haruka and Yukino exchanged glances. Something about the way Shizuru spoke told them to stop. Haruka spooned out some rice onto her plate with a sigh. Why was Shizuru always so hard on herself?

Shizuru could be such a baka sometimes.


Natsuki remained quiet all through dinner, much to Chie's amazement. The girl was giving things some serious thought. She really must have been oblivious to start with.

"That was good Mai." Natsuki smiled. "Thanks." She walked over and put her plate in the sink. Grabbing the mayo off of the table, she walked over and put it back in the fridge.

Natsuki walked into the bedroom, lying down on her bed. I wish Shizuru was here. She couldn't help but always made sense when Shizuru explained them to her. Of course, this was the one thing Natsuki could never ask her.

"Are you okay Natsuki?" Chie asked, walking over to her bed. "You look very pensive."

"I do think about things occasionally." Natsuki growled. Chie had been the one to start all of this up again.

"Well, if you need to talk..." Chie said for what seemed like the hundredth time. "You know I'm here for you."

Natsuki hesitated. Chie would know about things like this...right? And she did offer after all.

Are you really going to ask Chie about this? Natsuki asked herself, horrified at the thought.

She glanced over at Chie who was smiling reassuringly from across the room. Natsuki gulped. It depended. How badly did she want answers?

She rolled over, facing the wall. She thought back to the ice incident. Blushing she remembered the way she had felt when she fell on top of Shizuru. The way the ice had melted against her will. The way she couldn't stop staring at Shizuru's lips. None of that was normal.

Natsuki gulped, making up her mind.

Tomorrow she would go to Chie for advice.


Thanks for reading!!! Please review! :D