Chapter ten.. Wow we're into the double digits now, huh? ;) Well I hope you guys are enjoying the ride because it's only going to continue through more twists and turns from here. I'm not quite done torturing all of you yet -evil grin- Oh come on! I know you secretly like it. ^_^ Anyway this chapter deals with the events of the carnival. You'll finally get to see how it -really- unfolded for our two girls. Ready,... Action!

--

Not Easily Washed Away

How could I have been foolish enough to believe that someone as fucked up as me came from a loving family?

Still...

I didn't want to believe what that man from the SEARRS Foundation had said. Something inside of me knew he wasn't lying. He was getting too much pleasure from telling me to be lying.

My mother had attempted to sell me to them. She'd already received compensation, then District One killed her when they found out about her plans. Thus 'killing' me in the process.

I guess now it's very plain to see...

Memories aren't worth the regrets...

Gears shifted carrying the motorcycle to faster speeds. Water made the drive treacherous; each curve caused the bike to sway dangerously and tires to nearly skid out. Natsuki leaned further against the bike, flattening her form against the gas tank. Emerald eyes flashed as her mind went into overdrive. Emotions she'd thought were long buried were resurfacing and caused her focus on the road to dissipate.

How could she have been so blind?

Her teeth ground together as she kicked up another gear and sped around the quickly approaching curve. She hadn't even seen the almost translucent wire glistening in the heavy rain. The front tire snapped the wire and immediately sent the bike into a high speed wobble. Her eyes widened as the bike slid to the side, crashing into the asphalt below. Chunks of fiberglass and steel exploded into tiny pieces under the impact. She was thrown from the bike and landed hard on the road, rolling quite a ways before coming to a stop on her back.

Fragments of her biker helmets shield cut into her cheeks, her leathers stuck painfully to her body, parts which were burnt into her flesh from the skid across the asphalt. Every inch of her ached. What the hell happened? Slowly those eyes opened and peered upward, a slow breath being pushed from her lungs. Vision blurred just as the visage of Nao appeared before her. Was that... A smirk?

Shit.

--

The bindings were tight, too tight to easily get out of. A struggle would be necessary but how could she manage that with Nao watching her so closely? The wind blew gently from the ocean side, in fact the water was so close random spray kept dampening Natsuki's face. It was dark; the only source of light was from the moon shining so brilliantly above. She recognized where they were immediately... This oh so familiar place. Without bringing attention to herself she tensed her arms to test the true strength of her bindings. Yep. Not so much as a budge. Damn. Mentally she scolded herself for being caught off guard so easily.

Stupid Nao.

Internally she sighed. That damn girl got in her way more often than not. It seemed they had a mutual hatred though, even before the incident with Nao's eye. She shouldn't have attacked Natsuki to begin with, then that never would have happened and currently they both could have been doing much more important things. Instead here they were playing bondage on a cliff side. "Come on, smile." Nao held up her cell phone and began taking pictures. A tied up Natsuki...Those would serve as good bragging material later, she was positive. "Ugh.. This is boring, why aren't you fighting back?"

"Don't ignore me." Nao said bitterly, a smirk tugging her lips as she stepped forward. "Ugh seriously torturing you while you're acting dead isn't going to make my eye feel better in the least..." She closed the small space between them and wrapped her clawed hand around Natsuki's face, squeezing slightly with a sadistic glint in her lime green eyes.

Natsuki didn't even react, she couldn't take her mind off of what had happened with John Smith from SEARRS. So her mother had tried to sell her? She sighed, brows furrowed deeply. Why did it surprise her? Seriously, she had to be worth a lot considering her powers but for her own mother to try and sell her... That was just too much to bear. Now she had to deal with Nao as well and her strength for such trivial matters had faded long ago.

Maybe this was it. Perhaps this was how it was meant to go down in the end. She'd never have her revenge on District One and all because of this... Girl. She peered down to Nao and instantly felt sick to her stomach. This bitch couldn't destroy all of her hard work, her countless years of research trying to find her enemies so she could finally defeat them. Then again were they her real enemies? Confusion washed over Natsuki's body.

Her mother had tried to sell her, District One killed her, so who was her real enemy? Heat rose from her skin, prickling the little hairs and causing them to stand at attention. It didn't matter, things couldn't end this way. 'Duran!' She yelled out in her mind. A few seconds passed but nothing happened. 'Duran!!' She yelled again but to her dismay the same thing.. He didn't respond to her. What the hell? This was a little unsettling to say the very least. But then.. There was that sweet Kyoto-ben.

"That's enough."

Nao blinked and turned, quickly taking a defensive stance. Her eyes widened when she saw the Student Council President striding calmly up to them. Immediately she smirked and dropped the stance, opting instead to put a hand on her hip to appear nonchalant. Natsuki's head lifted slightly and to her surprise she saw crimson staring back at her. She couldn't believe her eyes, why was Shizuru here? Had she come to...? To save her again? Immediately her heart began thudding behind her chest. The feelings coursing through her were the same as before.. What did they mean?

"Shizuru..." Natsuki whispered hoarsely. Well this was a sudden yet very welcome surprise. A smirk wanted badly to spread across Natsuki's mouth but she kept it from happening by biting the inside corner of her mouth. Shizuru and Nao were talking but Natsuki hadn't really been paying attention to the conversation. She caught the tail end of it, something about Shizuru wanting to protect her? Her brows furrowed.. "Sh..zuru?" She questioned more to herself than the other girl. However now Natsuki's eyes were wide... Shizuru had just summoned her element, a massive steel naginata.

'Impressive.' Natsuki thought, a glint of awe shining in those beautiful emerald eyes. Nao laughed of course and brought out her own element, those damned spider webs like strings... She bound Shizuru's weapon in an instant. Well damn... That hadn't gone very well. There was something mischievous in those crimson eyes though, something on Natsuki picked up on.

"Kiyohime." Shizuru calmly said, a smile curving her lips. Nao blinked and stepped back just as the ground beneath her began to quake. Lime green eyes widened in horror as a massive beast smashed upward through the earth, taking her child with it as it rose into the sky. It was something of a cross between a Kraken monster and dragon.

Without a doubt it was one of the most deadly looking Child's Nao had encountered yet. She screamed and tried to run but she too was caught up in the debris. When the dust settled she was lying battered on the ground, reaching desperately for her cell phone. Shizuru stepped on it as she stared down upon Nao, those deadly eyes glowing fiercely in the darkness, behind her Kyohime stood in all of his glory. Nao was helpless... Her Child had been discarded off the side of the cliff leaving her vulnerable. Natsuki was safely removed from her bindings and rested atop one of the heads of Kyohime, watching in awe at what was happening below.

Without warning Shizuru slung her element forward. The end detached into something resembling a whip and sliced cleanly through the cliff in front of her. Nao's eyes widen and she cried out as the side she was lying on began to detach and fall into pieces toward the awaiting ocean below. As the dust and dirt rose back up from the ocean shore Shizuru smirked and turned, allowing Kyohime to hoist her upward as they departed from the remaining cliff side.

Natsuki weakly watched from her slouched over position as Nao fell to the awaiting water below. She was a little disappointed that Shizuru hadn't just outright killed that bitch, destroyed her child and her special person all at the same time. Perhaps the girl had her reasons... Though Natsuki wasn't sure what they might be. Her body ached from the crash she'd endured earlier, not to mention the other random abuse she'd suffered at the hands of Nao. Slowly her eyes began to close and darkness eventually took her away.

--

Why do I... Smell... Tea...?

Slowly Natsuki's eyes opened and she tilted her head to one side. "Where am I?" She asked. Seemed she tended to wake up a lot in places she didn't recognize as of late.

To her side Shizuru sat in seiza, her ever present smile seeming to light up the dimly lit room. "This house belongs to one of the students I teach Tea Ceremonies to. Don't worry, no one knows of this place. We're the only ones here..." Those crimson eyes seemed to flash at that last statement.

Natsuki shivered slightly, licking her lips slowly. So she was here alone with Shizuru? At the moment considering now both of them knew one another were Hime Natsuki wasn't sure how safe that was. But... This was after all Shizuru, right? She had nothing to worry about... Right?

"I held myself back a lot, you know..." Shizuru began after adjusting the covers over Natsuki's shoulders, their faces dangerously close. Natsuki's breath hitched and her eyes focused on those lips... To her dismay Shizuru moved back into seiza. "If you had figured out I was a Hime, then you would have been too considerate towards me." She smiled. "I was happy how you kept yourself a secret for my sake..." Her gaze shifted toward the floor. "But I couldn't overlook it this time. Even if it meant discarding my work as president..."

Natsuki swallowed. For some reason hearing all of this coming from Shizuru made her stomach twist into knots. 'Shizuru... I knew all along. Considerate toward you? No... Rather I have been using you for some time now.' Her inner voice was going on a rampage. She sighed and turned her head to the side, trying to keep her eyes from welling up. "I didn't care about what would happen to me." She said in barely more than a whisper. It was true. After finding out about her mother she wanted to die. Nao just happened to be there with a trap ready.

Warm tears finally found their way down her cheeks but Shizuru was right there to gently wipe them away. Natsuki furrowed her brows and allowed her eyes to close. Why was Shizuru being so kind to her? She didn't deserve it but then again... Shizuru didn't know that. The now familiar feeling inside of her heart made another appearance causing the organ to thud painfully in her chest. It seemed this feeling only came around when the brunette was near.

Eventually daylight spilled into the room surrounding them. Natsuki had drifted in and out of consciousness during the time between but Shizuru had never left her side. Now that it was morning the brunette stood and adjusted her Kimono. "I Love You, Natsuki. So whatever happens, I'll protect you." She turned to leave.

Emerald eyes widened slightly. Natsuki's heart constricted at the words Shizuru had just said with such ease. She... Loved her? For a brief moment her mind blanked completely. Those words... They touched her deep inside for some reason. Her heart was beating rapidly again, it almost hurt. Closing her eyes momentarily she spoke without thinking. "Me too." Shizuru turned, those crimson eyes focusing on viridian ones that were wide open now. "I Love You, Shizuru." Even as the words left her mouth she couldn't believe she was saying them. Her inner voice yelled again, trying to shake her out of her lapse in judgment. How could she have said that!? More so she'd said it without thinking; it was almost as if it were natural. That fact alone scared her beyond belief.

Without any more words exchanged Shizuru left the room and sighed, closing the door behind her. "But my love and your love are quite different..." Her eyes closed half way and she swallowed down the pain that threatened to break her. Why had she bothered telling Natsuki of her feelings? Down inside she knew it probably meant nothing to the biker.

Natsuki stared up at the ceiling for a long time after Shizuru left. Her mind was full, so full in fact it was beginning to hurt. Shizuru had said she loved her. Even more disturbing Natsuki had told Shizuru she loved her as well. How had that even been allowed to happen? She sighed and furrowed her brows. "Shizuru... If you only knew what kind of person I really was you would see how loving someone like me is only dangerous to you..."

She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Besides... You don't love me." Her tone was defeated, why did she suddenly feel bad about that? "It's all just part of my brilliant scheme to use you.." Sarcasm was clearly evident as she slammed her hand down against the covers. Her eyes closed slowly, why was she feeling bad about this now? Could it be.. She was developing feelings for Shizuru after all this time?

With a growl she shook the thoughts from her head. "Impossible!" She said under her breath. The mere idea of falling in love with Shizuru was just... She blinked and then swallowed as her heart began thumping hard again. No.. It couldn't be, there's just no.. Way...

Over the next few days Natsuki's body began to heal. Her mind however was in the same wrecked state as before. During the long hours of the day she would sit outside with the help of Shizuru and stare off into the distance thinking. Confusion seemed to be the only real emotion she could feel at the moment. For years she'd worked to get Shizuru to the point where she was now. Though it seemed all pleasure derived had dried up.

Was she truly regretting her actions?

Her concentration was broken when something wet touched her foot. She looked down and furrowed her brows as a small pup looked up to her, wagging its tail. It looked like her stuffed puppy from before. A slow smile spread across her lips and she scooped the little dog up. "Hey that tickles.." She said with a soft chuckle. Just then Shizuru appeared from behind her, setting something down on the porch. She had been distant lately and wore a more than forlorn expression most of the time.

"To be honest, during that time with Nao... I cried out for Duran many times in my mind, but... Duran didn't answer me." Natsuki bit her lower lip and sniffled, a couple of tears falling from her closed eyes. Her resolve was beginning to crack. The little dog leaned up and licked her cheek causing a ghost of a smile to appear. At least being here like this... She could indulge in Shizuru's company in secret.

Dusk had washed over the land. The sun dipped behind the horizon casting a beautiful bronze hue over everything it touched, including Natsuki who was in the same place as before but now had her back against the door, dozing. Shizuru approached from inside the house and knelt down with a smile. "Natsuki... The sun has set, so it'll get cold soon." Her crimson eyes widened slightly when she saw the rays of dying light framing Natsuki's beautiful face in gold. Her chest constricted and the breath she'd taken caught in her throat.

It wasn't fair for Natsuki to be so striking...

Shizuru sighed softly and closed her eyes, brows creased in frustration. "Natsuki..." She said softly with a hint of a blush covering her cheeks. Gingerly she reached out and ran the backside of her hand across Natsuki's cheek, touching that flesh so tenderly. The tips of her fingers brushed over soft lips and then cupped her chin, turning so her face was toward Shizuru's. 'I shouldn't be doing this...' Her inner voice whispered but the urge to touch Natsuki's lips with her own was overwhelming. Internally she shivered, swallowing quietly as she leaned in. Her heart thudded in anticipation and then... Their lips touched in a soft exchange. It felt like butterflies erupted in Shizuru's stomach at the feel of those lips on her own. She moaned softly into them, savoring the taste.

Delicious.

Divine.

Forbidden...

In a brief flash her long sought after moment was crushed by the shrill scream of a girl hiding in the yard. Shizuru instantly stood, her heart caught in her throat as she turned those crimson eyes toward... Haruka? She'd been seen. Her jaw clenched and she narrowed her eyes, gesturing toward another part of the garden. "Shall we talk over there?" She asked in that calm, sweet voice.

---

Dreams...

For Natsuki dreams always consisted of horrible memories pertaining to her mother's death. This time however she was greeted to a different kind of dream. A gentle weight settled atop her body and a warm stream of cool air brushed against her lips, a precursor to the lips that met her own. The kiss was unlike anything she'd ever felt before. Of course she'd never really been... Kissed before. But this, this was...

Crimson eyes flashed in her dream and her name was spoken in that seductive Kyoto-ben.

Suddenly her eyes snapped open and she jerked backward, hitting the door behind her. Her chest heaved and she blinked rapidly trying to clear the dream from her eyes. Quickly she scanned her surroundings. Shizuru was no where to be found. She blushed lightly and shook her head. "H-How foolish... Shizuru would never kiss me..." She sighed. Was that a disappointing realization? Her brows furrowed slightly as her ears perked to the sound of raised voices. Not being one to deny her curious side she slowly got up and snuck toward the source.

Hiding herself behind a cluster of trees and bushes she peered out through the darkness. Just barely she could make out three figures. One was Shizuru; the other two were Haruka and Yukino of the Student Council. Haruka seemed more than upset and the mild mannered Yukino seemed at the moment to share her feelings. Why were they mad at Shizuru? Natsuki leaned a bit further around the tree, straining her ears to hear what was being said.

Yukino stepped toward Shizuru daringly. "If you don't come back... I'll..." She paused and set her jaw. "I've seen it, just like you kissed her a moment ago while she slept. I've seen what you did to Kuga-san!" From the hidden spot behind the trees Natsuki blinked and let out a slow breath. Yukino took another step forward and continued with her accusations. "You masqueraded around as a friend of hers but.. What you've done is..."

Natsuki's brows twitched as the words Yukino was saying filtered through her head. Vague images of Shizuru's lips against her own as well as being in the same bed with her surfaced causing her to shiver. She clenched her jaw and wrapped her arms protectively around herself. She hadn't given Shizuru enough credit for her bold actions...

"Look who's talking, Kikukawa-san." Shizuru said her voice dark and challenging. "Aren't you in the same situation?"

Yukino took a step back as Haruka eyed her curiously. She blushed and adverted her gaze back to Shizuru, glowering slightly. "No, I'm not. I'm..."

Shizuru cut her off coldly. "Then is peeping just your favorite pastime? What a wonderful hobby you have." A smirk touched upon her lips at the shock reflected in Yukino's eyes. She hadn't even noticed Haruka advancing toward her until her head jerked to the side from the slap she'd received. Her lip split painfully but she made no indication she'd registered the pain at all. Rather she calmly turned her head back, focusing those blood red eyes upon Haruka.

"You make me sick." Haruka spat through clenched teeth. "What's up with that determined attitude of yours? In the end you think about nothing but yourself. Such a person has no right to say anything to Yukino!" She was seething. Her eyes were wide like an animal but she wasn't done just yet. "To indulge in such action between females.. How disgusting! Both you and Natsuki Kuga are-!"

The remaining words never left Haruka's mouth as a harsh slap from Shizuru promptly shut her up. The blonde's head snapped to the side and she growled softly, refocusing her gaze back on Shizuru. The brunette was as composed as ever. "That... Was something I did on my own. I won't forgive you for insulting Natsuki." A long moment passed between the three, around them the wind began to pick up ferocity. "If it's for my dearest one, I will do anything. Do you think like that?" Her eyes fell on Yukino once more, challenging her. She got nothing but a cold stare for a response. A slow smile spread across her lips and she gave a single nod. "Yes.. My thoughts exactly."

There was a bright flash of light as Shizuru summoned her element. Both Yukino as well as Haruka stepped back, eyes going wide. What the hell was that? They both stared at the steel weapon now wrapped in Shizuru's right hand. Yukino covered her mouth as a gasp escaped her.

From the trees Natsuki watched, her eyes wide. "Shizuru!" She mumbled behind numb lips. This wasn't supposed to involve the other Hime. Not like this... Nao was only an exception because she'd brought herself into the situation. Yukino and Haruka were innocent, they didn't deserve to die... 'Look what you've done Kuga!' She yelled at herself, ready to bolt from her hiding spot.

"Fujino?" Haruka questioned, looking at her rival in confusion.

"Fujino-san... You too?" Yukino whispered loud enough to get a strange look from Haruka.

The blonde looked back and forth between Yukino and Shizuru, not sure what the hell was going on. When she turned back toward Shizuru her rival lifted that massive naginata in her direction and smirked, a deadly gleam in her eye. She was preparing to attack.

"Stop it, Shizuru!" Natsuki yelled from behind as she ran toward the trio, breathing heavily. She realized quickly when Shizuru raised that blade that she was serious about ending the two girl's lives. There was no mistaking that look in her eye.

Shizuru spun around, dread overtaking her features. "Natsuki?" She said questioningly. Her eyes shown with the fear that gripped her heart. "Did you.. Hear us just now?" She asked slowly, her chest tightening.

Natsuki grimaced and looked away, emeralds focusing on the ground. Shizuru slowly stepped forward, reaching out to cup Natsuki's cheek. "Natsu... ki..." Just as her hand touched upon that tender flesh Natsuki jerked away from her, crying out her rejection. At that second Shizuru's heart shattered like glass. It was all just... Too much to bear. "I didn't want you to know. I knew you would reject such inappropriate love. Still..." The tears began to fall down her cheeks before she could even think to stop them.

Emerald eyes softened at the heartbreak evident on her friend's face. It broke her heart to hear these things from Shizuru, knowing that she was the cause of all of it. These feelings Shizuru had for her were all planted by Natsuki to begin with. Now look where it had led them! Internally she wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around Shizuru and pull her close. To admit to her how this wasn't her fault, she had no reason to be ashamed. Her body refused to move though. Shizuru took a breath and swallowed back her emotions, turning coldly back toward Haruka and Yukino who were watching intently.

"Kikukawa-san, the deadline is close is it not? We need to settle this..." She lifted her naginata back toward both of them, smirking.

To everyone's surprise Haruka grabbed firmly hold of the end and shook it. "What's the big idea with this?" She asked, putting a hand on her hip in defiance to Shizuru's obvious threat. Yukino's eyes widened and she stepped forward, trying to pull her friend back. "For crying out loud, I never thought you'd stoop this low." Haruka snickered as she dropped the end of the naginata and advanced toward Shizuru. "Because she saw your weakness, you're going to threaten her with this knife?"

Shizuru blinked, caught off guard by the brash actions of her rival. She hadn't anticipated this type of response. Natsuki stood behind the three looking on tensely. This was getting worse by the second but what could she do?

"What a great president of the Student Council you are. Just try it!" Haruka stood toe to toe with Shizuru, challenging her without waver.

Yukino rushed from behind and grabbed onto Haruka's shoulders, trying to pull her friend back. "Don't taunt her, Haruka-chan!"

Haruka shrugged her off. "Be quiet." She said calmly to Yukino before turning her attention back to Shizuru. "What's wrong, you're not going to do it? Then be gone before you commit any more unsightly acts! I won't let you lay one finger on Yukino!"

Shizuru closed her eyes momentarily, chuckling under her breath. The defiance of Haruka was quite astounding. She couldn't help but feel slightly jealous of Yukino. She had someone who truly loved her,.. Enough to stand up to a weapon as menacing as the naginata. "Step back. This is not something for you to get involved in." She said coldly, not bothering to look at Haruka any longer. Her voice dropped a couple octaves; she was done playing this game. It was time to end this dispute once and for all. "Kiyohime."

From behind her in a rupture of light the massive monster made its presence known, erupting from the ground. Its vicious heads loomed above the four of them, hissing in unison as they awaited eagerly the signal to devour their enemies. Natsuki turned and instantly her blood ran cold. Emerald eyes widened as they took in the devastatingly evil visage of Shizuru's Child just behind her.

At that moment she wanted to cling to Shizuru and beg her to cease this but she knew it was futile. Without another choice she grabbed hold of Shizuru by the shoulders. "Shizuru, stop this!" Her friend didn't respond so she shook harder. "Shizuru, please!" Still Shizuru didn't budge, her mind was made up. Natsuki turned and ground her teeth before screaming into the night air. "Duran! Duran!" Nothing. She tried again. "Please come out Duran!" Still nothing, frustration began to set in. "Duran!" She squeaked pitifully, why would he not answer her!?

"Haruka-chan please you have to run!" Yukino begged, trying to pull her friend from Shizuru's line of attack. Haruka wasn't budging either, damn her stubbornness!

"Natsuki..." Shizuru said seriously. "I'll protect you." She sounded a bit off... Like she wasn't particularly there at the moment. Her attention turned back to Yukino and Haruka and she spoke the grave words that would lead her Child onward into battle. "Kiyohime."

The beast prepared to lunge but before it could Yukino leapt in front of Haruka and yelled. "Diana!" Immediately her child surfaced and shot upward toward Kiyohime in a sudden surprise attack. With expertise Shizuru swung her element into action, defending Kiyohime from the sudden attack by slicing cleanly through those tentacles with the sharp blade of her naginata. Yukino gasped in shock, holding her hands to her mouth. What had just happened? In the blink of an eye pieces of her Child were raining around them. High above Diana was being torn to shreds by the many mouths of Kiyohime.

The demonic smirk etched onto Shizuru's face never once faltered, even as Haruka fell to the ground. She clutched her chest, wincing from the sharp pain radiating through her body. "Haruka-chan!" Yukino cried, reaching for her friend.

Haruka looked at her in confusion. "Wh.. What is this?" Her eyes focused on Shizuru once more and with sheer determination she forced herself to stand. "I see..." She snickered.

Yukino reached outward but Haruka was already stepping forward toward Shizuru. "Haruka-chan..." She said softly.

"Stay where you are." Haruka said to Yukino, her voice determined as ever as she staggered closer to her rival. "Fujino, you might think you've won but unfortunately for you I'm Haruka Suzushiro. I won't lose." She ground her teeth in silent agony; each step was pure torture... From around her body tiny green sparks of light began flittering upward toward the moonlight. She was becoming slight more transparent with each step she fought to take. "I'm right. A human's worth can't be quantified by this..." Haruka stumbled but righted herself after biting back a scream of pain. Her eyes watered slightly as she stared upward at Shizuru, her gaze hard and unwavering. "Stupid magic!" She yelled while jerking her self forward and effectively head butting Shizuru.

Crimson eyes widened in utter surprise. Yukino stared in awe at her friend's determined attitude until the very end. From behind Shizuru, Natsuki looked on in completely disbelief at what was happening.

"Yukino!" Haruka cried out as she turned, locking eyes with her best friend, her companion... Her other half. From her arm she yanked the Fuka Student Council band and threw it to Yukino who caught it, eyes wide.

"Haruka-chan!" The dark haired brunette screamed while before her very eyes her one and only friend vanished. Tears filled the corners of her eyes and slowly streamed down her cheeks. Natsuki softened her gaze upon Yukino, regret filling her entire being. This was her fault.. She had caused this and now Haruka's death was on her hands.

There was a bitter laugh that caused both Yukino as well as Natsuki to look up. Shizuru shook her head just slightly. "How amusing..." She said flatly. "Isn't she miserable? You think she was saved by that?" She chuckled dryly once more. "There's no need to keep it a secret, Natsuki." She turned toward Natsuki, those enchanting red eyes hidden behind her eyelids. Slowly they opened to meet surprised emeralds and she spoke the words she'd wanted to say all along. "I Love You."

Natsuki took one step back and blinked, feeling as if someone had just hit her in the stomach. "Shizu...ru..." She said softly.

Shizuru licked her lips, her brow twitching. "That's right; I'll defeat all the other Himes and everything else you don't like." Her voice was chilling and dark. It was a twisted form of her normal collected and sweet accented charm... The change was quite disturbing. "So.. Hand in there for me." With that she gave a wicked smile and turned, walking away from both girls her naginata still in hand.

Natsuki reached for Shizuru but it was too late, she grasped only air. "Shizuru!" she cried out. "Please wait!" But the brunette continued onward without as much as a glance back.

---

Dreams. They're often fleeting... However there are those that are so vivid you feel more alive sleeping than awake.

Such dreams caused Natsuki to toss, turn and whimper until she finally shot up in the bed, crying out as sweat beaded up on her forehead. She gasped, sucking in a much needed breath as the dream faded from her mind. With brows furrowed she looked around taking note she was in a hospital room. But why, what had happened? Everything seemed so very blurry.

"Yo..." A voice called to her from the side of the bed, causing her brows to furrow even deeper. Emeralds focused on.. Tate? "I heard you collapsed in the middle of the street. You were carried here in an ambulance."

Natsuki gave a sigh and clenched her hands around the sheets covering her body. "I would've preferred to be left there." She replied coldly. It would have been more fitting; she deserved death for what she'd caused.

"Something's wrong with you, too." Tate said with a sigh. "You're a Hime too, right?" He asked, his eyes burning into those striking emeralds. "What happened? It's the same with Tokiha!"

Natsuki blinked in confusion. "With Mai?" She repeated, eyes widening slightly. What had happened with Mai? She listening intently for a brief moment and then sat back, folding her hands in her lap. "I see, so she's... The Hime's destiny is tearing everything apart." Suddenly she turned to Tate, staring him down. "Do you like Mai?"

Tate seemed to immediately grow uncomfortable; he began to fidget and looked away almost instantly. "I don't know.. But that... What the hell?" It was actually somewhat cute to see him so flustered all of a sudden.

Natsuki smiled softly and glanced down to her hands. "The life of the person dearest to a Hime is at stake when she battles." She began to explain. "When a Hime is defeated, the person dearest to her dies." Her eyes glazed over thinking about Yukino, as well as what had happened with Takumi even before that. Mai's brother had gotten involved in this mess as well and Arika ended up being defeated after trying to save him. What a mess.

"Then Takumi is..." Tate asked eyes wide.

Natsuki cut him off with a shake of her head. "Takumi disappeared as the person dearest to another Hime. Right. by then, Mai's dearest might have been someone else."

Tate's brows furrowed and he slammed a hand down into his thigh. "Don't tell me she's..." He stood upright, crying out in utter frustration.

Natsuki blinked. "Tate?"

"Damn it!" He yelled, turning and making for the exit. Natsuki watched as he ran into the hallway and listening until the beating of his shoes against the tiles could no longer be heard. She sighed, smiling softly down at her hands. He was so in love with Mai... And she loved him, too bad they were both too blind to see it. Her heart leapt into her throat and she touched her chest tenderly, wincing. Her mind went to thoughts of Shizuru and what had happened between them not that long ago. A hand ran through her shimmering hair and she sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. She'd really created a monster.

Biting into her bottom lip she rewound her actions to the beginning when she had first noticed Shizuru might be developing feelings for her. Of course it made everything easier, didn't it? With Shizuru in her pocket and being a Hime... Well she would have no trouble taking care of her enemies. Now though... Now things had gotten complicated. It seemed she had feelings for Shizuru as well. Frustration began creeping up on her again. She flung the covers from her body, stood and exited the room quickly. She needed to think and this wasn't the best place to do so. What were these feelings she was developing? It was all so very confusing. She'd never felt like this toward anyone before...

Why Shizuru, why now?

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A/N

Hey guys I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know it can be strange reading things you already watched but hopefully I was able to throw in the perspective from both girls. I wanted to write in all the scenes from the anime I felt were important to the story of Natsuki & Shizuru and give them the twist of Natsuki having those ulterior motives to use Shizuru for her dirty deeds. I hope everything came across okay. Shoot me a PM or leave a comment/review if you wanna. Thanks as always for reading!