Letters: Part X
Natsuki threw her phone violently against the wall, the small device holding surprisingly well. A low issued growl resounded through the small space. Damn thing should have broke!
Shizuru was far from home, with her parents no less. Natsuki shouldn't be upset. After all, if she had had parents she would have probably have visited them too. So what upset her? What was causing the tears to brim in her already blood shot eyes? Maybe it was the fact that… Shizuru wasn't coming home and Natsuki knew – she was the only one to blame.
Dinner was nice; quiet. As expected her father had taken them to the wonderful tofu restaurant just past the shopping district. Outside, the bustle of the market streets started to die along with the fading sun. Inside idle chatter filtered through; in one ear out the other. Shizuru sat across from her parents, all struggling to maintain conversation. Nothing had truly been spoken about the airport incident… and no one held any discernible desire to start it. However, with that being said, the other conversation Shizuru had been dreading was instead brought to light.
"So Shizuru who was that phone call from earlier?" The middle aged woman, also known as Shizuru's mother, asked – drawing a raised brow from the man beside her. "I would like to meet this masked hero who managed to make my little girl blush."
Before Shizuru could even manage a reply her father was leaning halfway across the table, both hands resting upon it (very un-business like) "Who did what?!" He bellowed, catching everyone off guard and sending the entire restaurant into a state of utter silence. All of the sudden stares brought the usually un-phased (courtesy of Natsuki) woman to a nervous panic.
In a hush voice, Shizuru motioned urgently for her father to seat himself normally again. When that failed, Shizuru followed a different tactic. "Ara, Father, your jaw is resting upon the table, as well as your elbows. Where are your manners?" Manners and edicate: two essential qualities of a Fujino.
"My…. Mouth?" As if staring down to the open appendage would reveal some grand mystery her father could only blink, "Eh?" How very un-Fujino like. Enough so to send Shizuru and her mother into a fit of laugher. Around them conversations had resumed, no longer were they the center of attention - much to Shizuru's relief.
It took the powerful businessman a few more moments to compose himself (mainly to close his gaping mouth and remove his elbows from the table). "Honey, my apologies but what about this blush? I haven't seen my little girl blush since she was… well I don't think I don't think I ever have!" It was an emotional revoluation as the supposed "man" of Kyoto" began to water at the eyes; tears close to release. "It isn't fair!" Now he was being just childish and both Shizuru and her mother watched in amazement.
"Papa… I…" Was all she got out before being silenced by a wave from her father.
"No Shi-chan, it's okay, don't tell your Papa. He's old and of course doesn't need to know." He was so over dramatic… Actually he was the perfect actor and all those times Shizuru had mercilessly played at Natsuki… now she was getting a taste of her own medicine.
"Papa will you listen to me?"
A few more sniffles and well placed tears before the man agreed, "Yes dear, anything you wish." All the while Shizuru's mother sat silently smirking at the exchange.
"It was Natsuki."
"Natsuki?" Came the puzzled response by both parents, her mother choosing now to enter the conversation, "Natsuki the girl you went to school with and live with? That Natsuki?"
Eyes rolling, Shizuru combated sarcastically, "No Mother, the Natsuki from the grocery store who packs bags… yes of course the Natsuki I live with!"
"What is your Natsuki saying to make you blush?" It was now her father who spoke again.
"N-n-nothing… she was just being cute."
"Cute? Over the phone?" Both of her parents were now well beyond confused.
To avoid further questions Shizuru quickly brought up a question of her own, "Okaa-san, Ota-san, where is Lilith? I haven't seen her anywhere at home?"
"Y-y-your snake? Honey… I'm sure… it's fine?" Both parents gulped simultaneously, giving each other nervous glances all the while avoiding eye contact with their daughter.
It wasn't a hard decision to make. When you finally realize you're about to lose the one person in life who means more to you then life itself – the gears just kind of start to click, you know?
Flashback
"Oi! Natsuki! Come back here! Where are you going? Why are you stealing all my sandwiches I made for lunch?!" A flustered Mai was stalking Natsuki about the small space as the latter stormed about 'hording and gathering' many items into her black backpack. "Hey! That's my cell phone charger!"
Finally, I recognized the fact that my friend was there yelling at me. I spun about fast on my feet waving the charger at her frantically, "I'm borrowing it! So deal!"
With a sarcastic smile, Mai rose her hands and shoulders in a shrug, "Oh, borrowing it? So does this mean you're just 'borrowing' our lunch as well?" A sigh echoed through the now silent space. "Natsuki, what's going on?"
I could lie – but where would that get me? Honestly it was just better to tell the truth. After all I was taking Mikoto's lunch – which would make the small Neko girl rather upset when she found out. "I'm going to Kyoto." I said flatly, gaze unable to meet (I'm sure) the shocked orbs of my friend. Now, with my voice barely above a whisper, feet shuffling nervously, I continued, "I'm… I'm (A/N: refer to omake) going to bring Shizuru back."
A small smile crept upon her features. With a reassuring pat (or more like smack) on the back, Mai chimed, "It's about time!"
'About time? What the hell was she talking about?' My brow twitched as I fought the internal debate: To yell or not to yell, yes that was the question.
End Flashback
Of course it did take me a lot of time, poking (or hitting) from friends before I was ever able to come remotely to understanding how I feel now. But I think what truly made it all stick… was Shizuru.
Out of no where a truck began to turn, cutting the my small motorcycle off, and "God damn it!" I swerved away, avoiding calamity by mere millimeters. Speeding up until I was level with the truck's window I laid on my horn, blaring it while shouting profanities (which he could not hear) and offering him a few not so polite gestures (I'm sure you can guess which one in particular). The man had almost caused my bike to crash and at current speed… it would have been lethal. But being lethal was far from my thoughts. All I could focus on was a certain chestnut haired woman that rested a few hours away in a city that I didn't know. Kyoto. Population: 1,464,990.
Oh, did I mention… I don't know even remotely where she lives?
Omake:
Natsuki: -Sigh- Mai I'm... I'm... I'm straight
Mai: -Faints-
Shizuru: Natsuki!!
Natsuki: -Blinks, puzzled- Shizuru?
Mikoto: Mikoto!!
Everyone: -Sweat drop-
Shizuru: -Sighs and hands Natsuki the script- Natsuki did you even read your lines?
Natsuki: Of course I read my lines!! -Quickly re-reads- O-o;; Oh...
Shizuru: -Nods- Oh is right
Natsuki: -Rubs back of neck nervously- Gomen, I misread the line. See I must have mixed your name up with the word straight. Therefore came the statement: I am straight.
Mikoto: -Nods madly- (But in reality has no idea what is going on)
Kitara: -Pokes Mikoto and whispers- She stole your lunch
Mikoto: -Demon rage-
Natsuki: -Oblivious to oncoming doom-
Shizuru: I forgive you this time Natsuki, but only if you say it.
Natsuki: What?! Why do I have to say it!?
Shizuru: -Sniffles- Does my Natsuki no longer think it to be true? Is that why she will not say it?
Natsuki: -Enter panic mode- T-t-t-that is not true!!
(Background) Kitara: -Snickers-
Natsuki: What are you laughing at!? This is a serious moment!!
Kitara: -Points at the pull like Mikoto preparing to charge- Payback
Natsuki: AHH!! Payback for what?! I did not do anything to you!!
Kitara: Er... true... no wait! You read my script wrong and made Shizuru cry!
Natsuki: That... no... wait.. I did not mean to! Honest!
Kitara: This will teach you and all others who dare to make the same mistake -Strikes a pose where one hand is upon her hip while the other hand is pointed high in the air- Learn your lines... or die!!
(Mikoto charges)
(Natsuki runs for life)
Shizuru: Ara, Author, was that really necessary?
Kitara: Eh? Of course it was!
Shizuru: -Raises eyebrow-
Kitara: -Gulps- Okay... maybe not ... that much... but she did not say it!
Shizuru: -Ponders- Author does make a very good point...
Kitara: (Kitara 1: Natsuki 0) Tea! I suggest we go make tea!
Shizuru: Tea? -Brows raise in a good way- Lead the way!
Kitara: -Does a victory dance- (Kitara 2: Natsuki... 0)
Author Note: Okay! No idea where that omake was going... but anyways... I am winning!!
Anyways, sorry for the delayed update; still working my buns off and not really getting all that much time to write. School is starting up soon so expect little writing from me. Sadly, my first year at University... I want to pass!! Ehhemm -cough cough- I mean I want to achieve a 3.0 GPA grade within my program. -Pulls out note pad and pen-