Sorry it took so long for me to update, I had to help my organization sell and deliver roses for valentines.. (yes, I do deliver them like cupid would! And its not an easy job I tell you!!!)
Disclaimer: I do not own Mai-HiME/Mai-Otome
Chapter 11
"Why? Because I already did fall for her!" Natsuki answered smugly.
Everyone went silent in the room. All she can hear was Mikoto's munching and cicada chirping. Natsuki wasn't expecting this kind of reaction, she was staring at blank expressions save for Mai who was actually smiling at her. Shizuru wasn't fairing well at all. She looked like she was about to pass out any minute if wasn't for Aoi's shoulder she was leaning on. Panic started to creep on Natsuki. Should I take it back?! No! I finally got to say it and I'm not taking it back! She looked straight at Shizuru searching for answers; however, Shizuru was now staring at the floor shivering. The younger woman swore she heard the brunette whimper or maybe it could just be her imagination.
Just when all things was about to come to an end, for Natsuki at least. Haruka finally broke the unbearable silence.
"WAHAHA FUNNY ONE KUGA! YOU GOT US THERE FOR A MINUTE!"
"I wasn't-" Natsuki tried to explain but was cut off by Nina.
"yeah you really had us going there Natsuki-nee, I thought you were really serious!"
"but I-" but before she could even finish her sentence, Shizuru broke down and cried. Apparently those agonizing minutes has finally taken its toll on the brunette causing her to let it out.
She didn't care if there were people around her to see her in this state. She cannot keep it to herself anymore. Even though Aoi has no idea what had made Shizuru sob like this, she comforted the older girl. The latter seemed to need the support she could get now.Natsuki.
Natsuki stared at Shizuru sadly, her mind and heart was in pain seeing Shizuru like that. "the last thing I wanted to do right now is joke about something" she said softly, her eyes suddenly found the floor interesting. Shit! This is not the confession I had in mind and what have I done with Shizuru!. Her eyes stings, tears started to form on her eyes. She leaned close to Mai's shoulder and buried her face on it, wiping her tears with Mai's clothes. Mai knew what was going on, she knew Natsuki wasn't joking and she also know that Shizuru wasn't the only one crying right now.
After what seemed to be ages of awkward silence, Shizuru who apparently recovered from her breakdown spoke. "Yeah, Natsuki was just joking, right?" her mask once again back on. Her expression was eerily calm as if she hadn't cried at all.
"Funny, I didn't hear Natsuki said it was a joke, did she?" Mikoto asked. Mai was surprised at how Mikoto manage to ask the right question yet make it appear that she was asking it innocently. Mikoto turned to her and winked.
"Y.yeah, I didn't, and I was listening to the whole thing unless I missed it?" Mai answered, taking the cue from Mikoto.
Natsuki extracted herself from Mai and looked at her friend. Mai was smiling at her as if telling her that they are there to support her. She then shifted her gaze back to Shizuru who still had her mask on. I hate it when you put that mask of yours; I wanted to break it and see the real you Shizuru. And when that happens, I'll be the one that's gonna be by your side.. Wait a minute, where have I heard that before? Her eyes widened as realization hit her like a ton of brick.
Natsuki's memory went back from the time she played in the park with her mother. The time when she played with the person whom she treasured the most. I don't want to run ahead or behind you. I just want to run together with you..by your sideHer eyes once again focused on Shizuru. That girl! She has the same eyes like Shizuru, same hair, same everything! She was just there, in front of me and I was too blind to see it!
Shizuru had a sudden urge to squirm on her seat. The intense gaze that Natsuki was giving her was slowly breaking through her mask. "Ara, is there something on my face Natsuki?"
"Nothing, I was just looking for the person ive been searching all my life"
"Some truth or dare" Haruka muttered to herself, which earned her a warning look from Yukino.
"Maybe the person you are looking for is not in this room" the brunette answered back. She wasn't sure where Natsuki was heading with the conversation but decided to ride along anyway.
"Oh, really? But I have a feeling that "that" person is here with us, im just not sure if "that" person is still the same like when we were kids" Natsuki had a smile on her face. She was happy that the person she had loved before turns out to be the person she fell in love right now.
Its Shizuru's turn now to be confused along with the other occupants of the room. Why is she smiling? Could it be? " well then, goodluck in finding him or her"
"it depends though"
"depends on what Natsuki"
"depends on If "you" want to be found or not"
"What?!!" Haruka decided to join in the conversation. Apparently, everyone in the room was confused at what the two were talking about. Chie has her brows furrowed while scratching her face, Aoi has her mouth open and Yukino, yes even Yukino who was best at knowing whats going around her, just stared at them. Lets just leave Arika and Nina, coz the two are busy snogging each other to even care.
But the interception was yet again ignored by Shizuru and Natsuki who was busy staring at each other. Oblivious to what was happening around them.
"W..What do you mean Natsuki" Shizuru stammered.
"I'll let you in a little secret, I had sand in my panties while we were playing tag in the park" Natsuki said. She then beamed at Shizuru who was too shocked to even tease her back.
Omg! She remembers! Natsuki remembers! Is this true or was I hallucinating again
Hearing no reply from Shizuru and seeing her reaction, Natsuki continued. She wanted to let the older woman know that she did remember everything. "And you were quite a hard headed girl when you were young, I told you not to cross the street but noooo, you just had to! That damn driver didn't even see you! Was he arrested or something, coz if he's wasnt, then I'll go hunt him and I show him a piece of my mind!"
Shizuru slowly recovered from the shock, said the most intelligible word she could think of. "Natsuki"
Natsuki stopped her rambling when she heard her name being called. "Yeah?"
"The sand, I also had them in my panties" Shizuru whispered.
Natsuki smiled. "I know, you ran slow because of it, why do you think I asked for a break, do I even look tired to you"
Shizuru also smiled in return. Her genuine smile reserved only for Natsuki.
"I never knew Shizuru could have a smile just like that" Mikoto said out of nowhere. "She should do that more often"
"yeah, it suits her better" Mai said as she stroke Mikoto's hair who was now laying on her lap.
"So? Do I get to spin the bottle?" Natsuki asked. Blank faces staring back at her suddenly came back to life.
"I think I had enough truth or dare for a year, nope make that a lifetime!" Chie said as she slowly got up from her seat, pulling Aoi up after.
"Yeah me too" Arika and Nina said in unison.
"Really? I thought the two of you were too busy eating each other up to even care" Chie smirked after what she had said.
Nina immediately blushed and was too shy to answer back leaving Arika to defend for both of them. "At least I do get to kiss Nina, how about you Chie? Someone is gonna have a cold night tonight"
The people around Natsuki and Shizuru was busy arguing with each other to notice that the two had already slipped away and was on the way out the door.
Natsuki closed the door after holding them open for Shizuru. The two started walking outside once again with no particular place in mind. They just wanted to get out of apartment to have peace and quiet. Natsuki, who had some unfinished business when they left the apartment, started a conversation.
"Shizuru"
"Hmm?"
"About what I said inside"
Shizuru glanced sideways to look at Natsuki, who was blushing but has a serious look on her face. "it's okay Natsuki, I understand, it was just a game"
Natsuki stopped walking. The older girl also stopped as soon as Natsuki did. The younger girl was somehow frustrated over something but Shizuru didn't know what or why. " no you don't, this is getting frustrating"
"Frustrating? I don't see why you should get frustrated over a silly game Natsuki?"
"Who said I was frustrated over the game?"
"You are not? Then why?"
"Im frustrated over the situation I am in" Natsuki raised her head and looked straight at Shizuru. She inched closer to the older girl until they're faces were just inches apart. "Im frustrated because you don't seem to grasp what I wanted to tell"
Shizuru could feel Natsuki's breath on her face, their close proximity suddenly made her heart beat fast and she could feel her cheeks warm up. Natsuki's smell was intoxicating, if it wasn't for the younger girl talking, she could have lost herself in it.
Natsuki, who seem bold enough to get closer to the older girl, could feel her knees weaken. Shizuru seem to have this effect on her that could make her weak the instant she gets close to her. But for the sake of getting her feelings across, she should be strong and be a man, or in her case, a really tough woman. In a very brave effort, she tentatively raised her hands and placed it on Shizuru's shoulder, she would have gone for the cheeks but wasn't brave enough for that.. yet.
The brunette stared at Natsuki for what seems to be an eternity, searching for something, searching for answers. "I don't understand" was all that she could say.
"I know, what im trying to say is that.. err" the ever confident Natsuki was now fidgeting helplessly. The confidence she had a while ago vanished in thin, leaving her nervous and hopeless.
"Yes Natsuki?, you were trying to say is?" Shizuru asked. She was patiently waiting for her beloved to say whatever she wanted to say. She was used in waiting; waiting for a couple minutes for Natsuki to speak up isn't really that hard.
"You really want me to say it do you?"
"Say what Natsuki?"
"Say "IT""
"What is "IT"? I have no idea at all"
Natsuki was getting a little irritated at herself. Why cant I just say it! Its just three words for crying out loud! I LOVE YOU Shizuru! Her eyes found the pavement, while having internal battle with her mind.
"Natsuki?" Shizuru called out. She peeked at Natsuki's face who's attention was still stuck on the street.
Suddenly, Natsuki lifted her head, almost hitting Shizuru on the process if it wasn't for the older girl's quick reflexes. "What im trying to say is"
Shizuru was slightly taken aback by Natsuki's sudden movement. People around them started to look their way since they had decided to stop at the middle of the sidewalk and they were blocking most of the way.
"yes natsuki?"
"What im trying to say is.." JUST SAY IT! GOD!
"Hmm?"
"What im trying to sayisiloveyoushizuru! There I said it!"
The brunette just stared at her confused. "Natsuki could you slow down a bit, I cant make out what you were saying"
Natsuki slapped her own forehead. "I SAID I LOVE YOU SHIZURU! SO IS IT A YES OR SHOULD I TAKE A HIKE AND DROWN MYSELF IN A RIVER?!! She shouted, earning her curious glances and cheers from passersby and bystanders.
Shizuru was at lost for words. Even the famous Shizuru Fujino was no match for those three words that had escaped Natsuki's mouth. She was rooted in her place, afraid that if this was a dream, she might wake up if she even moves a muscle. OMG! Is this a dream? Did she really say it? Did she just said she loves me? Wait.. she loves me?!!
Natsuki wasn't fairing well also, as soon as those words were said, she was too afraid to even speak up again. She was afraid but she was also feeling a little relieved to have those pent-up feelings out. She clenched her fists and stared hard at the ground, getting ready for rejection that may come any minute from now, but non came. Instead, her hands were grabbed by Shizuru who's tears were now flowing freely down her cheeks. "D..did I hear you r.right? Y..you said you l.love me?" she stammered, while lifting Natsuki's face to look at her.
"Yeah, and I wasn't joking!" the younger one answered back, surprised that somehow she found her voice to speak again. "I perfectly understand if-" Natsuki didn't get to finish her sentence when she was cut off by Shizuru's lips. Natsuki was surprised by the kiss but almost instantly returned it. Ahh… her lips are so soft and tastes like tea. Her hands found its way to Shizuru's waist and held her closer. Even it was cold outside, the heat coming from the older girl's body was enough to keep her warm and fuzzy inside.
Shizuru's hands were wrapped around Natsuki's neck. She couldn't contain her happiness, tears stopped falling and she smiled into the kiss. This is everything she wanted, to hug Natsuki like this, to kiss her and smell her. To be close to her and to touch her, knowing that her feelings are being returned is what she waited for so long. I knew the wait was worth it. Both lost in each other, oblivious to what was happening around them. A small crowd of people gathered around them, couples looked at each other, falling in love once again because of the sight the "two" was giving.
After some minutes of lip locking, normally humans need air to breathe and that's exactly what the two did. They stopped for air only to kiss yet again.
Both finally stopped when they felt they had kissed enough (for the day.. but I doubt it would be enough for Shizuru). Natsuki leaned her forehead against Shizuru's with her eyes still closed and still hugging Shizuru. "I love you Shizuru" she whispered.
"I've loved you all my life Natsuki" Shizuru answered back as she tightened her embrace around Natsuki's neck. The two decided to stay like this for sometime. The people were still staring at them, but the two couldn't care less, who would anyway, if the person you cared the most is right there in your arms?
From up the tree near the place where the two confessed their feelings, Nao was sitting on a branch holding up her phone.
"You guys got it all?" she asked.
"Awww that was soo romantic" Mai answered from the phone.
"That wasn't so bad, but I whats with the stuttering! Duh!!" this time it was Haruka who spoke from the other line.
"Mai, the food for a month that you promised.. don't forget.." Nao reminded the orange haired girl from the other line. Mai bribed Nao with a month supply of bento for her if she follows Natsuki and Shizuru and "cover" the whole thing, meaning, live video broadcast via cell phone.
Directly under the tree Nao was sitting.
Ayou: Ohh a big bird! (gets a slingshot ready to shoot the bird with pebble bullets)
Omake:
Swarm012: OMG! Is Ayou going to shoot Nao off that tree???
-enter Ayou-
Ayou: huh? Nao-san? Why am I going to shoot her? I was aiming for a really big bird sitting on the branch.
-Nao jumps off the tree and walks towards Ayou and Swarm012
Ayou: -freezes- OMG! I didn't know I was really aiming for Nao-san!!!
Nao: -smiles and fidgets- I d…didn't know you were a.aiming for me Ayou, so you like me then?
-Swarm012 and Ayou sweat drops-
Swarm012: Ayou was talking about a different "AIMING" not the "AIMING" you had in mind.
-boy pushing a tray with tea passes by-
Swarm012: -follows the tray with his eyes- excuse me for a minute… -faces the boy and shouts- HALT! YOU! BOY PUSHING TRAY!! OH I MEAN TRAY PUSHING BOY! LEAVE THE TEA BEHIND OR ELSE!
Boy: but this is for Fujino-sama
Swarm012: Fujino busy, Me not busy, therefore tray with tea, mine!!! –runs after the tray pushing boy-
-Nao and Ayou sweat drops-
Ayou: there goes the future of Mai-Hime fanfiction..
Nao: yep, I can see lots of pain for Sawrm012 in the future..from a certain brunette who wouldn't be happy after hearing her tea was TEANAPPED.
Ayou: yeahh..
Nao: enough about tea addicts, wanna go out?
Ayou: Okay..
do you want me to continue or just stop here?
