A/N: Er... hello? Are you guys still there? I'mback and with me comes the long awaited (well kinda awaited) 12th Chapter of BMS. And boy has it been a thorn in my side! Uni work plus lack of inspiration equals well over a year since the last update and so I'm very sorry! I must have written a beginning to this chapter 10 times before settling on this one!

I hope it proves worth the wait and I apologise if it really isn't. But there's a bit of ShizNat progress in it... I promise and it's not going to be a dream either. I can also promise you that too :) Also any spelling mistakes are mine as I have no-one here to slap my wrist for spelling something wrong!

Disclaimer: Song title belongs to Paramore, characters belong to Sunrise... I asked Sunrise for their characters for Christmas but they didn't let me have them!


Chapter 12- None Of It Was Ever Worth The Risk, But You Were The Only Exception.

Sixteen Months Ago

She had no idea why she was there, in that room, standing in front of the hospital bed where the broken, empty shell of the woman she had come to know was her aunt, lay still and unmoving. The only noises that filled the room were of the machines keeping Shizuma alive and those of thoughts swimming ferociously in Shizuru's head- a mental argument took place as to whether she stayed or left.

But she just had to know the truth. She had to meet this woman whilst she still could and judging by what she had been told by her young cousin- which wasn't really all that much- Shizuma... Aunt Yuuki didn't have much time left at all. Shizuru took a deep breath and finally made up her mind as she walked around the bed and gently clasped her aunt's thin and pale hand in her own, gently stroking the soft skin as she noticed that their hands were eerily similar.

"Shizuru?" Shizuru's head shot up and looked towards the door, only to find no-one there calling her name, and so she turned to her right and smiled as crimson met the lime green eyes of Yuuki Shizuma.

"I had a feeling it was you."

"You know me?" Shizuru whispered, moving so she could properly see her aunt's face. She didn't know whether to stay glued to the seat or bolt for the door... then the hospital's car park, but she saw the older woman's lips slowly turn up at the corners into a week smile.

"I know you, my Nao; she talks about you when I'm sleeping sometimes. She's talked of nothing but you recently." Shizuma inwardly laughed at the small flash of disappointment on the young woman's face before she smiled again "You have your father's eyes, your mother's smile too... you do look a lot like Akemi did when she was your age." Shizuma watched with tired eyes as Shizuru seemed to sigh with relief before smiling again- yet there was something else there in those eyes.

"You know my mother too?" Shizuru watched with curiosity as Shizuma turned her head away to stare up at the ceiling, she had long since let go of the older woman's hand. She watched as Shizuma seemed to think through her words carefully, both were unsure about how much the either woman knew.

"She... Akemi was... is my sister. I have not seen her for a long time, a very long time actually. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't remember me, you were very young when I saw you last." Shizuma sighed sadly as she slowly lifted her left hand to her chest and out of the corner of her eye she could see Shizuru nodding.

"I know who you are to me, I know about Nao and I know that the world works in mysterious ways which is why I'm here... but what I don't know is what happened between you and my mother." Shizuma turned to face the young woman, their eyes met instantly and under the burning pressure of those crimson eyes that also belonged to the man that sent shivers down her spine, Shizuma turned away- yet she could feel the heat bearing down on her back.

"I want to know the truth. I want to know why I have a cousin that I've only just met... and why it is here, in this place that we happen to meet."

"It was... so very long ago. You, you were just a little girl, you didn't realise what was going on... you didn't realise how hateful your father was."

Shizuru frowned slightly- resisting the urge to scoff, fold her arms in a huff and say 'Yeah right!'- settling for silence instead as she waited patiently for her aunt to continue.

"I met a man, a friend of your fathers at some party he was hosting. He was a politician who your father hoped to do business with eventually. He was married at the time with several other children and he was quite a bit older than I was... but I foolishly allowed myself to fall in love with him. I thought he loved me, he said it enough times but... his actions spoke volumes above his words." A coughing fit interrupted Shizuma as Shizuru leapt from her seat and gently eased the older woman down into her pillow to rest.

"Perhaps I should come back tomorrow when you're better rested." Shizuru spoke softly as she sat back down beside her aunt, gently brushing away a few sweat-soaked strands of red hair off the older woman's head. Shizuma shook her head as she took in long breaths and tried to steady herself- the beeps from the machine monitoring the elder woman's heartbeat beeped in a wild frenzy.

"No, no I need you to hear this. For too long I've kept what happened a secret... from Nao, from everyone I've ever known. I need to tell someone before it's too late. I- I got pregnant. It was an accident and Daiki, Daiki wasn't happy when I told him the news. I told Akemi what happened and she... she knew who the father was and she promised me, she promised me that she would help me."

Shizuru watched intently as Shizuma slowly wiped her tired and weary eyes. She noticed the older woman's hand shake uncontrollably and felt a small pang of guilt... but she needed to hear it. Pandora's box was already open.

"But?" Shizuru prompted.

"But your father found out about the pregnancy, he had overheard us discussing it and was furious. He said that it would ruin the family's reputation because of the scandal it would cause and so he forced me to terminate the baby... but I couldn't go through with it. I left Kyoto when I was four months pregnant... I tried getting back in touch with Akemi once Nao was born but she refused to even speak to me. But when she did, Nao was only a few months old. She made me promise to never contact the family again. She said she couldn't help me anymore."

Shizuru felt a shiver run down her spine as she clenched her jaw in anger. She didn't like what she was hearing and it didn't make her feel any better for hearing it. She felt disgusted to have ever been born into such a family that willingly abandoned each other and continuously broke their word to those who so desperately relied upon them. Yet despite her anger, she felt awash with a new sense of relief as she thought back to her own situation and realised that what she had done by running away wasn't abandoning her family... all the family she needed she had met along the way in friends and now she was sitting beside the one woman she could relate to the most. And now she was going to do everything she could to help her.

"And now I need to ask you for something. I know I don't the right but-" Shizuma cleared her throat and turned towards her niece.

"You have every right. What is it?"

"Whatever journey you're on, wherever you go... please take Nao with you?"

And without a moment's hesitation, Shizuru promised to do so.


The stress of my disappearance... untimely separation... no, it's not untimely at all is it? My parents are divorcing? Could this really be happening?

"It's funny where life leads you isn't it?" Shizuru chuckled sadly as shook her head as she thought back to that day again, the day when Nao came crashing into her life. The tension in the air of the small sick-bay was becoming unbearable "Sometimes I still catch myself wondering about what would have happened if I never left Kyoto. I would never have moved in with Haruka, I would never have been at the hospital with her... Nao?" Shizuru stared worryingly at the young girl who was frozen in her seat and with her lime green eyes downcast- staring unblinking at the floor.

"Nao?"

"If you hadn't left I probably would have been thrown into care after my mother died. Who the Hell knows where I would have ended up? The streets? A ditch?" Shizuru listened intently for any sign or hint of emotion in her cousin's voice yet found none. "What if I…"

"I believe that no matter what happened, even if I didn't leave, we would have found each other eventually." Shizuru interrupted before she inwardly blew a sigh of relief as Nao nodded before asking "How could you honestly know... how could you believe that?"

"Because I believe that everything the both of us have done, has been done to get to this point, to where we are today."

"Where we are today..." Nao frowned in confusion as she thought about her cousin's words "What the hell happened earlier? Aoi told me you fainted or something."

"Mmm, now that's the million dollar question." Shizuru subconsciously rested a hand on her waist, where Natsuki had held her as she took Shizuru to the infirmary.

"Yeah… and the one we all want to know the answer to." Called out a familiar voice from behind the curtain before Alyssa poked her head round "Care for more company?" she asked as she entered the cubicle- pulling the curtains closed behind her.

"Alyssa? Why are you here?" Shizuru asked in surprise- with a hint of resentment. Alyssa was her friend by all accounts but she wasn't family unlike Nao. Shizuru looked to her cousin and found the young girl had shifted the chair further away from both her and Alyssa and that Nao's lips had curved slightly into a snarl.

"I'm guessing Nao-chan didn't tell you then? Bah, she called Haruka to come get you, Haruka was a bit busy with making up with Yukino, so I came to pick you up and now here I am." Shizuru nodded as she looked at her cousin- noting the way Nao had clenched her jaw tightly and not knowing why.

"So... why exactly are we here Shizuru? That million dollar question isn't going to answer itself you know!" Alyssa asked again as she tapped her foot impatiently on the floor.

"Perhaps we should talk about this when we get home. Shall we go then?" Shizuru asked as she got up to her feet and waited for the other two to start making a move.

"I suppose" Alyssa remarked as she noticed how Nao seemed determined to stand as close to Shizuru as possible, and as far away from Alyssa as she could "We'd better get going before Youko gets back... unless you want to put me in one of these beds too?"

Nao smirked as she thought about how much she would give to see the young doctor smash the blonde's pretty face into a pulp as she followed her cousin's lead out of the sick bay- Maybe I'll just let Kuga do it, especially as she doesn't know that Alyssa's still here.

The car journey was mostly done in silence apart from a couple of random and unrelated questions to the situation from Alyssa- however Shizuru's head was too full of theories and questions from herself to answer any of them.

What if the whole divorce thing was some sort of scam or a ploy? Her father was a cruel and calculating man and it certainly seemed something that he would or was indeed capable of doing; but he held the sanctity of marriage in very high regard and often criticised those who went against it. Her mother, a timid woman, was too loyal to her monster of a husband and would never agree to divorce him in the first place.

"They're getting desperate." Shizuru mumbled softly as she looked out of the passenger window- causing Alyssa to look at her. "What? Who?" the older woman asked as she had just caught wind of her friend's mumblings and was curious to know what was going through Shizuru's head seeing as she had been rather quiet so far.

"My parents" Shizuru spoke a bit louder with a hint of uncertainly as her thoughts were still coming together "My father would never ask for a divorce and my mother would never grant one even if he did… it's a ploy to get me out of my hiding place. It's just got to be. The newspaper even mentioned me in the damn article. I think they mean to pull my heartstrings, pull them so much that I come out into the open. Damn."

Alyssa snorted and her eyes widened in surprise at the curse from the young elegant woman. "That's pretty lame, even by Hideyoshi's standards. Though I expected he would probably stoop so low." Shizuru hummed in agreement before looking round her shoulder to look at her cousin who had her headphones in her ears and; satisfied that her cousin most likely couldn't hear what she was saying, Shizuru turned back around.

"Alyssa, do you think that they'll ever find me? Sometimes I wonder if this place is safe at all."

"What? No... You're not thinking leaving are you? Why would you do that?" Alyssa hissed.

Shizuru looked at her friend in curiosity as to why suddenly Alyssa was so violently and passionately against the idea of her leaving Fuuka- despite the fact Shizuru had no such intentions "Why shouldn't I just leave? Haruka and Yukino are going to be living here and I'm sure I can just ask them to look after Nao for me. Why should I stay?" Alyssa could see Shizuru staring at her and it made her feel uncomfortable.

Alyssa's grip on the steering wheel tightened and she bit her bottom lip as she tried to think up an answer "If it's a ploy, they'll be expecting to see some movement, so they'll be getting anyone they can to check for any- you can't and won't leave. Too many people have stuck their ass on the line for you to work and live here Shizuru… and too many people, young people, depend on you. You aren't as heartless as some others so don't try to fucking act like it.

Anyway you know you wouldn't be able to leave even if you wanted to."

"And why's that?" Shizuru asked in curiosity to which Alyssa bit her lip again and shook her head "Well I know for a fact that a certain someone would be very annoyed if you left- even if she wouldn't show it. And I'm pretty damn sure your conscious will stop you from leaving her." Alyssa smirked as she could see the confused frown on Shizuru's face and so, decided to answer the question that Shizuru hadn't even asked yet "Natsuki… she doesn't take too well to people leaving her. Well those she likes anyway. She couldn't give a shit if I left." Alyssa spoke more softly and sighed sadly. She loved her sister more than anything in the world despite the fact that Natsuki clearly didn't hold her in as high esteem.

Shizuru repressed the shock of Alyssa's words and smiled slightly to herself as she turned her head towards the window. "Well then I won't leave" she muttered quietly to herself as she stared once again out of the window, watching as the world flew by and completely oblivious to the fact that Nao- who had unknowingly heard the entire conversation- gritted her teeth in anger.

She was thinking of leaving… but stopped when Alyssa mentioned Kuga? What the fuck?

Eventually the car pulled up outside the house and the three exited the car "Shizuru can I talk to you for a sec?" Nao asked timidly as her lime green eyes watched as Alyssa opened the front door and entered the house- leaving the two outside.

"Sure. What's the matter?"

Nao took a deep breath and folded her arms across her chest as she struggled to find the words "Do you think… do you think you could do me favour?" Shizuru nodded and watched her cousin fidget as the young girl seemed determined to look anywhere but at her. "Nao?" Shizuru asked as she tried to get the young girl's attention again.

"Hmm?"

"The favour? What is it?"

"Oh." Nao looked down at the dirt ground as she tried to form the words in her mind "Do you think you could and- please don't ask me why- but, please just be careful with Alyssa? I don't trust her and I think she knows too much for us to be safe here with her around… please?" Nao looked up at her cousin who was confused to say the least, however before Shizuru could speak, Alyssa called out to them as she walked towards the two cousins.

"I was just telling Haruka and Yukino about what you said about your 'rent's divorce being a hoax, they seem to agree but they want to talk to you before deciding on a plan of action. You guys coming in or what?" Alyssa stood facing the two who just seemed to stare at each other "Hellooo? Are you guys listening?"

Shizuru turned to her friend and smiled apologetically "Yes Alyssa we will be right there. Nao? We'll talk about this later alright?" Nao glared at her cousin and then at the smirking blonde to her left.

"Fine then. Later." The young redhead spoke through gritted teeth as she headed into the house- sparing another glance at the young lawyer who chuckled slightly as she watched Nao leave.

"You know what; I don't think she likes me very much." Alyssa said as she turned back to Shizuru who looked rather pensive as she replayed Nao's warning about the blonde woman standing next to her.

"Nao doesn't like many people Alyssa, I don't even think she likes me that much sometimes either."

"Oh I'm sure she loves you really Shizuru-chan… at least I'd hope so." Alyssa snidely remarked before heading back inside the house- with a very suspicious looking Shizuru following her.

I hope Nao… I hope that you are wrong about her.


"So I got hold of one of my contacts, he said that he can do us a pretty sweet deal on the fake snow machine… and if it snows like it's supposed to then we'll get most of our money back." Anh said as she turned her head to face her vice president who stood next to her- staring blankly at the mind-map on the board in front of them "Are you even listening to me?" Anh exclaimed before snapping her fingers just centimetres in front of Natsuki's face; drawing the dark haired girl back to reality.

"Knock it off." Natsuki growled as she grabbed hold of Anh's wrist, causing the older girl to chuckle in amusement "Whoa Kuga… who lit the fuse of your tampon? Is it Tomoe again? I swear one day she'll come here and try to kill you and I won't do anything about it. You two are as bad and as homicidal as each other." Anh rubbed her wrist where the younger girl had held onto her and heard Natsuki sigh as she shook her head.

"And yet, for once, it's not her is it?" Anh stopped rubbing her wrist and looked at her newest friend in surprise. Anh had imagined it would take Hell to freeze over before the two girls ever put aside their differences and become friends… or at the very least, stop pissing each other off all the time.

"Wow. Okay if it's not Tomoe then who?" Anh asked with her voice full of concern- which made Natsuki suspicious much to Anh's amusement.

"And why should I tell you? What's it to you?"

Anh raised her arms in mock surrender as she shrugged her shoulders "Hey, tell me, don't me, I don't care. I can't work on this unless I have my vice-president by my side with her head out of the clouds. Plus concentrating on your problems helps me not think about mine… so spill. You've been in this funk since the Shizuru-san incident and it's kinda creepy."

Natsuki's emerald green eyes widened in surprise as she turned to the smug looking President "Wha-?" she started before Anh held up a hand and interrupted her.

"Don't try and deny it. It's been nearly four days already and you've hardly said a word. Everyone knows about how you came to our beloved Shizuru-san's rescue… and how you've been acting all shifty about it since."

Natsuki scoffed as she turned her attention back to the chalkboard "You have it so wrong. This has nothing to do with Sh...Viola-sensei" the young girl turned suddenly to face Anh "If you know what's good for you, never bring it up again."

Anh felt a cold shiver down her spine and gulped before looking away from Natsuki's threatening glare.

"Ara, I thought I felt my ears burning." The two girls jumped at the sound of the familiar sweet Kyoto-Ben from behind them and Natsuki let out a soft groan as she mentally swore. In the past few days, Natsuki had successfully managed to get out of several lessons citing Council work as her excuse… unfortunately most of the lessons skipped had been with Shizuru and the young teacher was getting fed up with it.

"Eavesdropping Shizuru-san? I didn't think someone like you would stoop so low." Anh said with an expression of faux-annoyance, whilst Natsuki scowled and folded her arms across her chest… taking a few steps away from the teacher who walked towards the two students. How long was she standing behind us? How much of that did she hear?

"Eavesdropping- I would never! Actually I came to see how the plans are coming along for the Snow festival next week... Kuga-san?" Shizuru asked as she now stood in between the two girls with a subtle smug grin as she kept her crimson eyes on her blushing younger student who she had noticed was trying very hard not to look at her. Oh yes my dear Natsuki... you've just answered so many of my questions without even realising it.

Despite finding Shizuru's silent torture of her Vice-President incredibly fun to watch, Anh decided to step in to save the young girl by answering the question for her "It's gone well so far, the sponsors were rather generous, mostly everything is paid for already and we're still under budget. If we carry on this way then we'll have even more to spend on the Ball when it comes to it." Anh smiled wickedly as she wrapped an arm around Natsuki's shoulder and pulled the young girl close- much to her surprise "Although I couldn't really have done it without my Vice President by my side… working that adorable little ass off."

"Kaichou!" Natsuki exclaimed as she escaped Anh's death grip, her face burning with rage... and embarrassment. Little did she know that the teacher in the room was doing everything humanly possible to resist checking that Natsuki's 'adorable little ass' was still firmly in place.

She does have quite an adorable... Bad thoughts. Think teacher thoughts… teacher thoughts?

But that was not on- and not why she had come here.

Ahh yes, teacher thoughts "Well girls, I am impressed… very impressed. Kaichou-san I was wondering if you wouldn't mind giving Natsuki and I a moment to talk alone please?" Shizuru spoke sweetly as she turned her attention to the suspicious (and not to mention curious) Anh Lu who nodded as she left the room. Natsuki gulped and suppressed a yelp when she heard the door close, leaving just her and Shizuru on their own.

Awkward turtle moment! Natsuki thought.

An awkward silence filled the room for what seemed to be a very long time before Shizuru finally spoke "I wanted to thank you for what you did the other day when… when I…"

"Fell on your ass in front of everyone?" Natsuki offered with a hint of a smug grin on her face, which only grew when Shizuru frowned.

"Fainted. When I fainted." And there weren't that many people Shizuru mentally added "Anyway I came to say thank you for helping me." Shizuru said as she timidly took a step closer to her student, before taking another back again for fear of making Natsuki uncomfortable. However Natsuki had noticed and felt the small pang of guilt as she stepped closer to Shizuru- bridging the gap a bit better between the two of them. From that distance Natsuki could smell the intoxicating perfume the Shizuru always seemed to wear, mixed in with the subtle smell of the tea that she would have just drunk… and Natsuki loved it and didn't quite understand how she had missed that smell.

"It's fine." Natsuki shrugged with a smile and Shizuru smiled sadly before the crimson eyed teacher looked at the whiteboard in front of her.

"Is it though?" Shizuru spoke so softly- almost as if she were merely thinking out loud. It even took Natsuki a few seconds to realise what Shizuru had just said. "It's been nearly four days Natsuki, you don't come to any of my lessons, I try to talk to you about something important and then you pretty much run away… have I done something to upset you? Something to make you feel uncomfortable around me?" Shizuru asked as she looked at the chalkboard, for once scared of looking in her student's eyes in case she saw the truth in them and it wasn't what she had the strength to hear.

Shizuru's words cut through Natsuki like a knife- a dull knife with a lot of pressure pressing it further into her heart making the pain even worse- and so she sat down on the desk next to Shizuru.

"You didn't." Natsuki started, as for the first time in days she looked into Shizuru's beautiful crimson eyes "You didn't do anything wrong. I just..." Natsuki struggled to think of anything she could tell Shizuru to make her feel better, to reassure her that everything was fine, but everything she could think of was a lie "You did nothing wrong. I promise and I'm sorry for making you think otherwise."

Shizuru turned her head towards Natsuki and the two shared a smile- Shizuru knew that Natsuki could have lied, but she felt overjoyed that she had decided against it.

Shizuru sighed as she dropped the smile and put on her best 'teacher-face' as she remembered yet another reason she had for wanting to talk to the younger girl "You know as your teacher I'm obligated to tell you that for all the classes you have missed, you are expected to catch up... or else I'll have to punish you for skipping classes." Shizuru smirked as Natsuki's face dropped.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously, although if you really don't want to do the catch-up sessions, if they're really that unbearable then I promise... that there's always Summer School." Shizuru spoke very seriously, however when she saw the look of defeat on Natsuki's face, she did a mental victory arm pump.

"Now will you start coming to my classes again?"

"Fine, I'll go... you don't have to twist my arm about it though." Natsuki grumbled.

"Good! Well on Friday I'll be on a course so I was wondering if you wouldn't mind if we rescheduled our tutorial for another day soon? We have a lot of stuff to catch up on." Ara ara, I didn't think I twisted her arm about it at all actually.

Natsuki sighed as she nervously scratched the back of her neck "What day were you thinking? I'm here after school every day now until the festival."

Shizuru hummed in agreement before thinking of another conversation the two had once that was very similar to this one… and hadn't gone quite as well as Shizuru had hoped "Okay, well about Saturday then? I'm free and if you'd also like I can help you out with organising the last minute details for the festival?"

"Err… I thought that you weren't keen on doing it outside of school grounds… and hours?"

Shizuru shrugged her shoulders slightly "I changed my mind." She replied with a smile, which only grew when Natsuki rolled her eyes and yet Shizuru could see the ghost of a smile on her favourite student's lips.

"Un-fucking-believable." Natsuki muttered as she shook her head "Alright then, where and when?"

Shizuru leaned back so she was resting back against the desk as she thought of places before ruling each one out- hers was a definite no-no because of Alyssa.

"How about the Linden Baum?"


I can't believe this is happening to me Natsuki thought as she looked down at her textbook, sighed and then looked towards the table diagonally opposite to her- the table where her friends all stared intently at her and her rather amused looking teacher. Natsuki watched as Chie gave her a wink, Aoi and Mai waved, whilst Nao looked as per usual completely and utterly disinterested. I swear they said they were coming tomorrow… Natsuki thought as she glared at the girls who quickly turned back around in fear.

"Just for the record, I didn't know they were going to be here." Natsuki spoke quietly as she looked up at her teacher, who didn't look up for her own textbook and notepad. "I don't really care Natsuki- and neither should you." As Natsuki sighed, Shizuru looked up at her "Right, moving now onto the late 16th Century" Shizuru herself was feeling a little embarrassed, especially as her cousin was among those sitting behind them, however there was work to be done and she wasn't going to let them distract them from it.

"Wow what fun." Natsuki deadpanned as she turned the page causing Shizuru to chuckle slightly.

"Alright, close your book, quick fire round- don't worry I'll make it interesting. If you get every question right, I'll buy your lunch and if you don't, you have to buy me another drink. How about that?" Natsuki groaned and hit her head on the table- harder than she meant to and she shot up in pain whilst rubbing her forehead causing Shizuru to laugh.

"Oww." The younger girl whimpered with a small smile as she rubbed the throbbing spot on her forehead. Shizuru stopped laughing but smiled sweetly as she leaned over the desk- gently moving Natsuki's hand away. Shizuru gently rubbed the rather pink spot on the younger girl's forehead and had to quell a smirk as she saw the impending blush, but she felt her own face heat up as she realised that Natsuki had been staring straight at her the entire time.

"No bleeding… and there's no bump so I think you'll live." Shizuru said as she leaned back into her side of the booth. "Okay, first question… where was Toyotomi Hideyoshi born and in what year?"

"Mai-chan can you cut the squealing? I like my eardrums intact thank you... Jeez." Chie asked with a grimace as she tried to get the ringing in her ears to stop.

"I'm sorry Chie-kun but that was just too cute." Mai replied with a huge grin on her face as she rocked from side to side, clapping her hands.

"You did get a photo of it didn't you Chie-chan?" Aoi asked as she linked her arm with her girlfriend's. "Course I did." Chie replied as she rolled her eyes and passed the phone over to Aoi.

"Aww-" Aoi started but was cut off by a look from her girlfriend before her voice got any higher "-sorry. It's so weird seeing them together but still it's so cute. It looks like they're kinda kissing in that one" Chie and Mai agreed as Aoi showed them the photo and continued to sneak a glance at the two who were by now starting to relax more in each other's company if the smiles were showing anything.

"Natsuki smiles a lot with her don't you think?" Chie asked the gang.

"Both seem to. I can't help but wonder sometimes if something is going on between them and that we've got everything wrong. I told you about what happened after that assembly didn't I? I reckon there's something we've missed." Mai spoke quietly as she leaned in.

Chie shook her head "I don't know, but Shizuru-san and Alyssa-sama are definitely an item. It would kinda make sense that Natsuki-kun would be pissed with Alyssa if she was crushing on Shizuru-san as well. Wouldn't that be really hot though? A student, a teacher and a lawyer/model in a love triangle… soooo hot."

Chie giggled however a short but loud crash caught their attention as Nao dropped her glass full of soda onto the table- causing the drink to spill all over the table. "Are you alright Nao-chan?" Chie asked with her voice laden with concern as everyone turned to face the young redhead who just glared in anger in her cousin's direction before glaring at the others. "I'm fine." Nao snapped before she got up out of her seat and left the diner- slamming the door behind her and leaving in her wake three very confused girls.

"Huh? What just happened?" Chie asked as she turned her attention back to the other two who just shrugged.

"Was it something we said?" Mai asked.

"I don't know Mai-kun."

"It's probably weird for Nao-chan. Shizuru-san is her cousin- it must be hard to hear stuff about her all the time- especially from her friends." Aoi said as she started mopping up the drink Nao had spilled without even noticing the look of shock on her friend and girlfriend's faces. When it suddenly dawned on her, Aoi closed her blue eyes and winced as she mentally swore "Whoops".

"Cousins? What Nao-chan and Shizuru-san?" Mai spoke in a quiet hushed tone as she briefly glanced at the young teacher who had her back turned away from the young redhead.

"How the hell do you know that? How come I don't know that?" Chie asked. Her pride as the person who knew everything about everyone was slightly dented and she was annoyed that Aoi had known such a massive eff-ing thing without telling her.

"It's not like I was allowed to tell. Shizuru-san got me out of class, asked me if Nao could move in after Kae-sempai left and made me promise not to tell anyone. If it makes you feel any better Chie… I feel quite bad about it." Aoi turned to her sulking girlfriend and decided to give the puppy-dog eyes a go.

"How bad?" Chie asked as she raised an eyebrow and eyed her girlfriend suspiciously.

"Err… REALLY bad… so bad that I've just thought up a new game that we can play that I think you may enjoy." Aoi suggested with a wide grin as she looked over again at her friend and her teacher. Chie looked over her shoulder to gaze at the two who seemed to getting along really well- Natsuki was actually doing most of the talking and working for once whilst Shizuru, Shizuru just continued to smile back and help Natsuki from time to time. Alright now I'm confused… why does she keep looking at those two?

Oooh I get what she means… hehe kinky! Aoi matched her girlfriend's grin as Chie finally clued in on what sort of 'game' Aoi had just clued up.

"On one condition though… I get to be the teacher- I have the sexy glasses." Chie winked seductively- causing Mai to groan and Aoi to blush before smiling brilliantly. As Aoi stared into her girlfriend's mischievous and sparkling grey eyes she spoke to Mai.

"Sorry Mai, we're going to have to cut this short... I've got detention." Aoi said with a smile as Chie quickly grabbed Aoi's hand and started to pull her along.

"Later Mai-kun!" Chie yelled out as Aoi waved and the two made their way out of the diner- laughing and giggling- and leaving Mai on her own! Mai huffed and bit her bottom lip as she looked at her best friend and her teacher. With everything that had happened to her friend over the years, Natsuki had always found it difficult to act around adults let alone trust them. Yet something was completely different. She had seen the way the two looked at each other, how differently Natsuki acted with Shizuru "She has mayo for brains if she thinks that 'nothing' is going on." Mai muttered under her breath as she shook her head and left her booth, heading for the door; however as she walked out of the diner, the young redhead couldn't help but look at the two through the window. Shizuru-san seems to make her happy. Please Natsuki be careful... Mai thought as she worried for her friend before sighing and turning back around to head for home.

They would make a very cute couple though...

Meanwhile, Natsuki was kicking ass, finding it relatively easy to ignore her friends and oblivious to their sudden disappearance; whilst Shizuru couldn't keep the smile off her face as every question she asked, Natsuki answered it correctly.

"You didn't think I could do it did you?" Natsuki asked; much to Shizuru's surprise.

"You really don't have a lot of faith in yourself and your abilities do you? After all this time, all these conversations we've had and you still don't?" Shizuru leaned back and watched the thought process take place- fortunately this was one of the times when it was clear what was on the raven-haired girl's mind. "Natsuki... you can do anything you set your mind to and I think that the burger that's heading our way is proof of that." Shizuru said with a small smile as she saw Natsuki's jade eyes move from her to the waitress coming over with Natsuki's well deserved treat, causing the younger girl to light up and smile.

"I know that... well now I do. Guess I never did- until I met you that is." Natsuki felt her face heat up and instead of looking at her teacher, decided to smother her burger with as much mayo as she could get her mitts on; causing Shizuru to look on in horror as the girl emptied packet after packet of the white substance as a pile of empty packets were laid out next to her. That's got to be... what... ten packets? And she is still searching for more? Oh I think I could be sick Shizuru thought as she fought against her gag reflex and tried to keep a small smile on her face.

"Damnit... can't find any more." Natsuki pouted before looking and laughing softly at her teacher's expression- her lips were curved into a smile but her eyes were widened in shock or horror as she looked at Natsuki's plate "What's the matter with you?" she asked "Want a bite?"

"Ara... regrettably I would have to decline. Ten packets of mayonnaise is perhaps a few too many for me. Thank you for offering." Shizuru repressed a shudder as Natsuki just looked at her weirdly, before shrugging as she tucked in and took a massive mouthful of the burger.

"So what's next?" Natsuki asked before taking another bite.

"I suppose we could go through the plans for the Snow Festival, it looks like you've gone through pretty much everything already though. I am impressed. Very impressed." Shizuru looked up from the plans and smiled at Natsuki who smiled back.

"It was mostly Anh's work actually; I just sat there and agreed with everything." Shizuru frowned momentarily before smirking and hummed in acknowledgement. Natsuki was clever, hardworking and fiercely loyal but she totally sucked at being modest. That's completely opposite to what Anh had to say about it...

"Well, it looks like I'm in for one hell of a birthday then." Shizuru smiled as she read over the plans for the festival, with most of the main events falling on her birthday.

"When's your birthday?" Natsuki asked as she placed the burger down on the plate.

"It's on the 19th." Shizuru replied with a smile.

"The 19th? Like, two days after tomorrow 19th?" Natsuki asked.

"Yes Natsuki. Is there a problem with that?" Shizuru leaned back as she folded her arms, gazing at the young girl who just shrugged. "No it's nothing just. I don't know, sometimes it's just weird remembering that teachers have lives outside of school. Families, birthdays... you know that sort of stuff!" Natsuki took another bite of her burger and then looked at the young teacher and immediately regretted what she had just said. The young woman's crimson eyes had lost their sparkle and were instead focused on one spot on the table.

"Shizuru? I'm sorry if I said anythi-"

"You didn't, I was just distracted for a second there. Shall we continue?" Shizuru interrupted as the mask fell back into place again and beamed a smile at a confused looking Natsuki.

"Oh, okay then. Actually I've been meaning to ask you- how come you're so... good at all this Council work stuff?"

Shizuru was a little surprised and taken aback by the girl's question "Well I was the President of the Student Union when I was at University. When I started work here and heard about the situation within the Student Council, I offered my services."

Natsuki nodded "Ok, well... thanks I guess." Suddenly a mental image of Shizuru in the uniform of the current President formed in her head and once again Natsuki was forced to look away to hide the blush from Shizuru; just as she started to imagine how the tight uniform accentuated Shizuru's hips, chest and how sexy she would have looked in that skirt. Stop thinking like Chie, please stop thinking like Chie... Hentai! HENTAI!

"Let's get started on this." Shizuru said with a smile as she looked up at Natsuki who smiled awkwardly- and thanked whatever God or divine spirit there was that she had been spared more merciless teasing at her teacher's hands!

After a couple of hours of mind-numbingly boring run-throughs of the finances and the bookings, Shizuru took a quick glance over Natsuki's shoulder where the clock was right behind her on the far side of the wall- it was five o'clock already? "Wow, we've been here for nearly four hours already?" Shizuru looked as Natsuki turned around to see the clock behind her and her jade eyes widened in surprise.

"Whoa, yeah, that's a long time." Natsuki couldn't believe the two had spent so much time together and how quickly the time had flown- usually after about an hour of hanging around someone, she would usually wish she was anywhere else. Yet, despite the fact that the two weren't necessarily there to talk about the weather, Natsuki had really enjoyed spending time with Shizuru... much to her surprise. How is it that we've spent four hours together... yet the thought of her leaving right now feels so strange?

"Yes and I think I had better go. I've taken up too much of your weekend as it is." Shizuru said with a nervous smile as she hastily packed up her belongings. She had just managed to spend four hours with Natsuki, four torturous, excruciatingly painful... yet wonderful, blissful hours with the student that she was still and forever more, in love with.

Ara, I think now would be a good time to leave... before I get tempted to stay for any longer than I really should... but I really don't want to go.

"Er... yeah I guess. Um..."

"Have a wonderful weekend Natsuki; I look forward to seeing you at the festival. Goodbye." Natsuki nodded, unable to form a word- any word- as she followed her teacher's retreating form as she left the diner in a rush.

Natsuki sighed, feeling deflated as she couldn't help but wonder why Shizuru had left so quickly- too quickly for her liking. However she couldn't help but think back to something that Shizuru had said earlier and with a small smile on her face, Natsuki gathered up her own belongings and left the diner for home... with a small detour on the way back.


So this was it, the day of reckoning for those on the Student Council and the day where everything had to go smoothly or it would end up with Natsuki's ass on the line if anything were to go wrong- it was the day of the festival and Natsuki was a bag of nerves. Fortunately though, things seemed to be in her favour, the weather man predicted a nice evening filled with snow (what was a Snow Festival without the stuff), the main attraction arrived a couple of nights ago and the guys with the fake snow machines were on call if needed.

The young Vice-President wiped her tired eyes and groaned when she looked over her shoulder at the alarm clock on the bedside table- she was not happy in the slightest to see 7:00 flashing over and over again. The Festival wasn't due to start for hours yet there was still so much to do before she and Anh were completely satisfied. Fortunately though, many students had 'volunteered' to help out with organising the stalls with a little 'persuasion' from Natsuki herself and so she would be able to catch a few more minutes of sleep in a quiet, dark corner during the day.

The roads of Fuuka were fairly clear for that time of morning and Natsuki made it to school in perfect time and she couldn't help but grin as she saw some of the stalls were set up already. She young girl parked up, took off her helmet and laughed as she saw a very tired Anh surrounded by a group of volunteers, each one chewing her ear off about something and she looked very close to mauling one of them very soon.

Better go and save her... or them Natsuki thought as she headed towards the crowd- the crowd that seemed to disperse when they caught sight of the scary Vice-President making her way over to them.

"Hey! Need a hand?" Natsuki asked as Anh merely nodded and wrapped an arm around the younger girl's shoulder "I swear, I'm this close to letting you kill one of those first years, if I wasn't too pretty for prison I'd do it myself."

"Are you saying I'm not pretty?" Natsuki frowned.

"Of course you're pretty... just not as pretty as me. Right... let's get working!"


"It's the Festival today right?" Alyssa called out from the living room as she watched Shizuru walk hurriedly from one room to another as she tried to get ready. "It is. Do I look alright? I'm not too overdressed am I?" Shizuru asked quickly as she stopped in front of the blonde who was sitting on the sofa- her laptop on her lap.

"You always look alright; why bother asking?" Alyssa asked as she typed on her laptop "So... you're a nervous wreck, why? It's not like you're going to be there for that long is it?"

Shizuru smiled nervously as she fixed up her hair in the mirror "I'm not nervous, I just would like today to go well. After all the work that the Student Council has done to organise it, I just hope that they get their due reward." She replied with a small smile as she took a small breath to calm her nerves.

"Well, let me know how it goes, I'm sure it'll be a great success." Shizuru frowned at the sarcasm; the blonde woman was as subtle as a gun in trying to hide any bitter feeling she had about not being able to go to today's festival (and Shizuru suspected that it was most likely the fact that for once it would be primarily Natsuki in the limelight- for a change).

"You're not bitter are you?"

"Shizuru, please, I'm too hot to be bitter about anything." Alyssa flicked her blonde hair and smirked.

"I'll try to win you something." Shizuru replied as she opened the front door; however she halted when she heard Alyssa call her name.

"Shizuru?"

"Yes?"

Alyssa smiled as she kept her gaze on the laptop "Happy Birthday."

Shizuru smiled in thanks as she left the house and jumped in her car as she drove to the school grounds.

However by the time she got there, the place was virtually unrecognisable as stalls and fairground rides littered the grounds- Shizuru even spotted a massive roller-skating rink there! The place was nearly full of students, past and present, teachers, people from Fuuka and people from the neighbouring towns. Shizuru turned around when she heard a familiar voice call out her name from behind her and she saw Midori and Youko walking towards her.

"Hey Shi-chan, glad you could make it." Midori beamed as the two finally caught up to their co-worker and friend.

"Of course I would come; it's my first Festival here."

"And... what do you think?" Youko enquired.

"I think the Council's done a very good job, it looks like everyone's really enjoying themselves." Shizuru meant every word, yet she couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed as the trio walked around. In amongst the sea of faces, there was only one that Shizuru craved to see and yet the young Vice-President was nowhere to be seen.

"Should be better when it gets dark, isn't there supposed to be snow tonight?" Youko asked, however before anyone could answer her question, from behind them there were screams and a small path of destruction as a small figure burst through the crowds on all fours... promptly followed by a very angry looking Natsuki and Mai who chased after whoever it was causing the panic.

"Damn it, every damn year." Midori sighed as she rested her arm on Youko's shoulder.

"You'd think Mikoto-chan would learn at some point not to go near Kisuke's ramen stand." Youko responded as she shivered with the cold.

"I don't think our Vice-President was too happy about it." Shizuru remarked- having been able to just catch that murderous glint in Natsuki's eyes as she ran past the three teachers.

"Nope... I really fancy some ramen now, how about you guys?" Midori asked, looking at both Youko and Shizuru. Shizuru looked at her watch and sighed slightly, it was perhaps a bit too early to eat yet, not to mention that Haruka and Yukino were planning on taking her out for a birthday dinner.

"Do they do tea there?" Youko and Midori rolled their eyes and groaned.

"No but if they don't I'll find somewhere that does and get you one... you can consider it a birthday present." Midori joked as she linked Shizuru's arm with her own as she dragged Shizuru through the path of destruction... hoping that the stand was still standing by the time the three got there.


If you put a gun to Natsuki's head, and asked whether the day had been a great success, chances are she would have said it was... despite a few hiccups along the way. The stands that Mikoto had run over had taken only half an hour to correct, one of the rides accidentally got jammed but it was nothing a quick whack with a hammer couldn't sort out... and yet it hadn't snowed once the whole day.

Good for nothing weatherman... asshole! Natsuki thought as she wandered through the nearly empty school grounds. It was late in the evening, she was tired and there was still the job of tidying everything to do. However if she managed to hide and avoid everyone, then they wouldn't be able to ask her to do anything would they?

Which is exactly what Natsuki did... and fortunately the massive skating rink looked very deserted. Natsuki looked over her shoulder to check that no-one was around who could spot her going to the rink so that they could potentially bother her later, and smiling as she noticed that everyone was too busy cleaning, she was in the clear. The rink was illuminated by two streetlamps; the light reflecting off the bright white floor was stunning, like the floor was made of diamonds. Natsuki made a quick lap around the rink, trying to see if anyone had left skates lying around.

There weren't any... but at least the gentle run kept her a bit warmer.

The young girl hugged herself against the cold as she slowly and steadily walked across the floor towards the centre, where she sat cross-legged and pulled her legs close to her chest. The floor beneath her was at first rather uncomfortable with the coldness of it, but she soon got over it and lay flat over it, resting her hands behind her head as she looked at the stars up ahead. The noises of the clean-up crew were oddly peaceful and as Natsuki closed her eyes, she quickly drifted off... until she felt something cold and wet land on her face and her eyes shot open.

Damn Weatherman was right after all... Natsuki sat back up, palms open as the snowflakes rained down on her quickly and Natsuki smiled as she closed her eyes again and let the snowflakes land on her face. She remembered the last time it had snowed here when she had been young, really young and had been perched on her Dad's shoulders as the snow fell, her tongue poking out so she could catch them and feel them dissolve. She remembered her first snowball fight, she remembered how much her parents had laughed, how they looked at each other with such love that Natsuki was too young to understand back then. After her parents died, it never snowed again in Fuuka... well until now.

"Ara ara, I guess it snowed after all." Natsuki stood up quickly at the sound of a woman's voice coming from behind her and smiled slightly when she saw a familiar face. Shizuru's face. Shizuru smiled back at her as she too watched the snow fall- heavier this time- and coat the rink floor like frosting on a cake. The strange thing was, for once Natsuki really didn't mind her peaceful time being disturbed, it scared her a little but she didn't feel as angry or agitated as she watched Shizuru walk towards her.

"Do you mind if I join you? I'm sorry for disturbing you... you looked so peaceful out here."

Natsuki quickly shook her head "It's a free country. You weren't disturbing me or anything... I was just trying to catch a few minutes to myself. I thought you were Anh just about to chew my ass off for flaking out on the cleaning." Natsuki inwardly blew a sigh of relief when she saw Shizuru's smile grow. She loved seeing Shizuru smile, not the crappy fake one that she wore at school or when she pretended everything was fine, she loved seeing Shizuru smile when Natsuki had been the one who caused it. "You're not going to rat me out are you?" Natsuki half-joked and Shizuru shook her head.

"No, I'm in too good a mood to do that, don't worry. Anh's gone back to the dorms anyway so you're safe from her too." Natsuki raised an eyebrow. "I saw her heading over that way" Shizuru said, as if answering the unasked question.

"So why are you here? I don't think I saw you around today... well except for chasing Mikoto down the street" Natsuki frowned slightly at the memory. Perhaps the young girl really did need a leash... although she'd probably eat that too and it would end up in that bottomless pit of hers!

"I left my car here when a couple of friends and I went out for dinner and I told them I'd walk up and collect it. I saw someone here and decided to come over... and then I realised it was you." Shizuru lifted her head up and closed her eyes as she felt the snowflakes rest upon her eyelids.

"Wouldn't be a Snow Festival without the snow." Natsuki muttered softly to herself as an idea sprang to mind and she quietly bent down to the ground and scraped some snow together into a ball whilst the older woman still had her crimson eyes closed "Hey, Shizuru!"

Shizuru opened her eyes, but before Natsuki even had the chance to throw the snowball, she was greeted by one instead and as the young girl recovered, she opened her eyes to see Shizuru laughing. "You had that in your hand the entire time? Even before you came over?"

"Yes," Shizuru replied once the laughter died down "Admittedly I was planning on using it to get your attention."

Natsuki wiped the remaining snow off her jacket and sneezed- maybe the cold was starting to sink in "Yeah well I owe you one now... Sensei." How did that not melt in her hands? She's like a damn human radiator!

"What? You never thought to check my hands before?" Shizuru asked as she slowly started to back away- her crimson eyes not once leaving her student's form.

"No, I forgot to attend 'How to successfully avoid a snowball attack from your crazy-ass teacher' 101. I was washing my hair!" Natsuki said as she bent down again and made another snowball- however before her hands touched to cold snow beneath her, Shizuru attacked again. Damn that woman is fast... and sneaky, where was she hiding that one? Natsuki thought as she dusted herself off before launching her own attack, which grew into a full-blown war between the two.

"You are so dead Viola... so dead!" Natsuki called out as she chased after the young teacher, snowball in hand and ready to stuff down the back of the teacher's coat. However just as she caught up and placed one freezing cold hand on the back of Shizuru's jacket, she winced as she felt her ankle twist and land awkwardly on the ground, causing her to not only slip and fall on her butt, but bring down an unsuspecting Shizuru so the teacher landed on top of her with a less than graceful 'oof'.

As she opened her crimson eyes, she gazed up at the stars in a state of mild confusion, not exactly being completely aware of what had just happened. She remembered running away from Natsuki, being threatened by Natsuki, hearing Natsuki curse loudly and then finding herself on her back with her head resting on something that Shizuru didn't think was the ground. Please don't let it be Natsuki, please don't let it be Natsuki... ara... it is Natsuki. Shizuru's eyes widened as she realised that she had managed to land right in between Natsuki's legs and that she was currently using them as supports as she lifted herself up off the ground.

"Oww... what just happened?" Natsuki asked as she rubbed the back of her head and blinked a few times as she tried to make sense out of where she was and why Shizuru was crouching down in front of her.

"I think you slipped and fell... and then so did I." Shizuru replied with a nervous smile as she dusted the snow off her legs "Were you trying to re-create something?"

Natsuki furrowed her brow "Re-create? Re-create what?"

"The first day of school perhaps?" Shizuru's smirk grew even bigger as she sat and patiently waited for Natsuki to get what she was referring to and inwardly chuckled when she saw Natsuki's eyes widen and a gentle red hue adorn her pretty white skin. I think she's remembered.

Images from that first day of school came flooding into Natsuki's head, she remembered the way the Shizuru felt underneath her, she remembered the way their eyes met, how slow Natsuki was to get off her and how she managed to grab Shizuru's- "Oh yeah, I remember now. And that's why I don't run in corridors anymore." Natsuki replied with a cheeky grin as she sat upright and shifted to make herself comfortable... if that was possible considering the situation!

Shizuru slowly rose from her crouching position in front of Natsuki and held out a helping hand to her favourite student. Natsuki stared at the outstretched hand before lifting her gaze to the smile etched on Shizuru's face. Now that smile... that's her real smile... I could get used to seeing that one Natsuki thought as she smiled back softly as she allowed herself to be helped up off the ground and so the two stood no more than two feet from each other. Natsuki marvelled at how warm the teacher's hand was compared to her own and felt a sense of dread as she didn't feel quite ready to let go of it, she didn't feel ready to be away from Shizuru at all.

Crap Natsuki thought as she hung her head low as she looked at their conjoined hands as a small smile crept onto her face. Shizuru watched intently as she followed Natsuki's gaze to their conjoined hands and gently brushed the back of Natsuki's hand with her thumb. Why wasn't Natsuki pulling her hand away? Why wasn't she pulling her hand away either? Shizuru lifted her gaze from their hands as she slowly released her grip and let her arm fall back to her side. She saw the small flash of disappointment on Natsuki's face as she did this and instantly regretted it.

"You did a wonderful job today Natsuki. I'm so proud of you... I'm so proud to be your... teacher." Natsuki picked up on the slight quiver in Shizuru's usually calm sounding voice and she couldn't help but frown despite the compliment that Shizuru had just given her. Her teacher... was that really just what they were? The constant switching was making Natsuki feel rather fuzzy.

"Thank you. I'm glad that I... made you proud. I really wanted to make you proud of me." Natsuki felt her cheeks heat up from embarrassment, but for the first time, she didn't care at all. She meant every word. Shizuru took a deep breath as she smiled and took a small step forward, closing the gap as she rested her hand on Natsuki's warm cheek.

"Natsuki I... thank you for today. This has been one of the best birthdays I've ever had."

Natsuki felt her breath hitch when Shizuru moved closer, so close she could feel the heat radiating off the older woman and she couldn't help but meet Shizuru's piercing crimson gaze as her eyes drifted from Natsuki's eyes down to her beautiful pink and luscious lips. However, at the last minute, Natsuki felt Shizuru softly kiss her on the cheek and as she did so, she felt her whole body tense up and her breath hitch as she watched Shizuru slowly pull back. As she drew herself away from her student, Shizuru tried to keep her eyes locked on Natsuki's stunning, yet surprised eyes, however she felt them drift towards her student's lips.

She's... she's staring at my lips and now I'm doing the same Natsuki thought as she took a deep breath as she unknowingly closed the gap even more. She could feel her head move in closer towards Shizuru's lips and cover Shizuru's hand that was resting on her cheek with her own hand. Shizuru stared as she watched Natsuki move in closer and she felt the irresistible pull of the young girl in front of her. She knew what was going to happen but couldn't believe it, and felt her heart leap for joy at the thought that maybe Natsuki reciprocated her undeniable and incredibly dangerous feelings. Shizuru felt her head descending as she quickly licked her lips and moved to capture Natsuki's lips with her own.

Suddenly a loud and booming voice echoed through the woods that surrounded the skating-rink, completely shattering the moment and making the two jump about a metre apart in shock "Oi Bubuzuke... where are you?"

Shizuru felt her heart race as she turned away from Natsuki and faced the direction of her oncoming friends "Ara, I'm over here Haruka-chan. I'll be with you in a moment." Shizuru took a breath to steady her racing heart and turned around to apologise to Natsuki- apologise for what, she wasn't entirely sure. Suddenly 'I'm so sorry for almost kissing you without any thought to the consequences, but I hope things won't be awkward tomorrow at school, you know, where I teach you' didn't really sound so apologetic.

However by the time Shizuru had turned around, all she could see in the darkness and through the snowfall was the retreating figure of the young vice-President sprinting towards the edge of the rink and jumping over the barrier.

"Natsuki..." Shizuru whispered into thin air before turning her attention to Haruka and Yukino.

"Ara ara, and here's me thinking that I was going to meet you at the restaurant." Shizuru spoke in a sing-song voice as she walked towards the exit of the rink. She was careful not to let the mask slip, despite the fact that her nerves had been shot to hell and her heart was pounding so furiously she felt sure she was going to faint.

"Yeah well when someone tells you 'I won't be very long' and it turns into half an hour you're waiting in the freezing cold... you start to get a little suspicious." Haruka replied in a very unimpressed tone as she looked her friend up and down, noting the way there was still quite a lot of snow on Shizuru's clothes.

"I remembered that I didn't get to come here earlier and I wanted to get the chance to see it before they dismantled it tomorrow." Shizuru watched with trepidation as her blonde friend seemed to shrug and accept her answer, although she couldn't help but wonder if the couple had seen what was just about to happen... if it was really about to happen. No, if Haruka had seen it, she would have mentioned it straight away.

"Been lying in the snow Shi-chan?" Yukino asked with a wide grin.

"Yes... I was."

"Whatever... weirdo, let's just go before we freeze completely." Haruka rolled her eyes as she looped her arm through Yukino's and dragged her partner away. Shizuru took one last glance in the direction she had seen Natsuki run in and sighed sadly as she couldn't help but wonder... was she foolish to believe, to hope that Natsuki could ever love her?

But why hadn't Natsuki pulled back? None of that matters does it... she ran before I could explain or apologise. She couldn't wait to get away from me.

Thinking that she had done enough self –loathing for one birthday, Shizuru tried to shake off all thoughts of Natsuki and their near-kiss, and instead decided to enjoy the rest of her birthday with those she cared about. Without another glance at the rink, Shizuru spun on her heel and jogged to join her friends.


Did I just really see that? The tired and weary President wiped her eyes furiously as she stood, mouth agape as she watched the shadowy figure of her Vice-President run away from the skating rink. She remembered how on her way back to the dorms she had bumped into Shizuru, had been congratulated by the young teacher and then made her way to her room and the sleep that should have come soon after. However she had forgotten to tell the clean-up crew something and had made a mad dash out to the festival grounds, however she came skidding to a halt when she saw the figures playing in the snow.

I guess the rumours could be true... Ooooh this is juicy stuff Anh thought with a grin as she let out a small giggle at the thought as she came to a decision.

She and Natsuki were going to have a talk... a hopefully long and two-sided talk. Hehe... Shizuru-san and Natsuki sittin' in a tree...


The box that held the present felt like it weighed a ton in Natsuki's pocket as she paced up and down the corridor- debating with herself whether to carry on going down until she reached Shizuru's classroom or just completely give up and turn around.

She was already technically a day late seeing as it was the teacher's birthday yesterday.

Thinking back to the day before, Natsuki blushed as thoughts once again returned to what had happened, or what could've happened last night at the festival. She could still feel Shizuru's piercing crimson eyes as they travelled from her own eyes before settling on Natsuki's lips. She could remember feeling her head move on its own accord, as if it were unattached from her body and she could remember wanting nothing more than to feel what it would be like to kiss Shizuru. She had also wondered what would've happened if Shizuru's friends hadn't have turned up.

But she could only now continue to wonder what that felt like- if she ever allowed herself to. In her haste to get away before all self-control had left her body, she had left without giving Shizuru her birthday present and now she was starting to think that maybe she just shouldn't have bought the damn thing anyway.

After all, since when did students buy teachers birthday presents? Since when did she want to?

Since when was I such a coward? Natsuki stopped in her tracks and headed back in the direction of the classroom however something stopped her from sliding the door open- a very familiar voice. That's Nao's voice… what the hell is Nao doing here? Natsuki thought as she leaned in closer to hear what was being said and she could only just see through the gap between the door and the threshold.

She felt slightly guilty for eavesdropping as she squinted and could just about see Shizuru sitting on her desk, whilst Nao was sitting on the desk in front of her. It suddenly occurred to Natsuki that she had never seen the two interact at all, not in lessons or anything- as far as she knew Nao didn't even acknowledge Shizuru's existence!

"Don't you think that I know you well enough by now to be able to spot when something is bothering you? You can tell me… you can tell me anything." Shizuru asked quietly as she bent her head slightly to meet her cousin's gaze; however when the young girl turned away and looked out the window, Shizuru sighed.

"You do trust me don't you? Nao-chan?"

"Of course I do… it's just…" Nao replied as she turned back to her cousin and wished she hadn't as she saw the hurt expression on her cousin's face. "It's nothing to do with trusting you or not trusting you. I don't think I can even trust myself." Nao spoke softly and quietly- so quietly that Shizuru had to lean forward to be able to hear the young girl's words. She had no idea why it was today she'd chosen to talk to her cousin about what Chie and Mai had been talking about at the diner the other day. She had spent most of the days in between trying to get her thoughts organised and that wasn't particularly easy when all she could imagine was either Shizuru with Alyssa or Shizuru with Natsuki. The very idea sent her gag reflex off.

"Nao, no matter what it is, it's not exactly going to make me love you any less… I promise." Shizuru said with a small reassuring smile.

"You… you love me?" Nao croaked out as her lime green eyes widened in shock.

"Of course." Shizuru gave her cousin's shoulder a small squeeze.

"It's just... recently I've been hearing things and usually I can ignore them, but this time I can't." Nao gritted her teeth in anger as she crossed her arms across her chest and looked out the window "What the hell is going on with you and Kuga?"

To say she was slightly taken aback by her cousin's question was one hell of an understatement and Shizuru had trouble keeping her mask from slipping "What do you mean?"

"Don't pretend that you don't know Shizuru, I can't seem to go anywhere without hearing some fucking rumour about you two in this place."

Shizuru closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose as she thought about it all "Nao-chan there are always going to be these sorts of rumours, you just have to get used to them and ignore them." She took a deep breath before opening her eyes again.

"We agreed before we started here, that we weren't going to pay any attention to them Nao. A place like this is run on rumours Nao, we have no option but to ignore them."

"I know that" Nao huffed as she pushed herself off the table and stepped closer to the door "It's just... there are times where I can't help but wonder... what if it isn't bullshit after all?"

Shizuru thought about what had happened last night, she thought about the first day she and Natsuki met, when she had gone to Natsuki's apartment and helped her, when she kidnapped Natsuki for the afternoon and wished that she'd never have to leave... and how she felt as Natsuki would look at her, smile at her. However the fact remained that no matter how much Shizuru wished, how much she desired, she and Natsuki could never be together... and they most certainly weren't together even now.

"Nao-chan, I promise that there is and never will be anything between Kuga-san and I."

"You promise. You promise?" Nao stared in disbelief. Her cousin was a very convincing liar when the situation demanded it, but this time Nao felt torn apart. She wanted to believe Shizuru more than anything, but she couldn't shake those doubts from her head and it was driving her insane.

"Of course I do. What else do you want me to say Nao? How can I possibly admit to something that isn't true at all?"

"I'm not asking you to say anything Shizuru. I have fucking eyes you know. Did you honestly think that I can't see how you act around her, how she acts around you?" Shizuru took a deep breath as she took a couple of steps away from her cousin "its pathetic Shizuru." Nao hissed as she felt her eyebrow twitch.

"Nao, I'm only going to say this once and then I'm going to leave this classroom before either one of us says anything we'll regret. My relationship- if I can even call it that- with Kuga-san is completely platonic. I am her teacher and she is my student, that is it and that will never change." Shizuru watched with tired and weary eyes as Nao sighed and looked down at her shoes.

"What are we then?" Before the words had even left her mouth, Nao regretted saying them, especially when she lifted up her head and saw her cousin's eyes widen.

Meanwhile outside the classroom, Natsuki stumbled as she backed away and hit her back against the wall behind her- dropping the box in the process. Oh God I think I'm going to be sick Natsuki thought as she clutched her stomach and made her way, shakily, through the corridor, brushing past the few students that were still there.

"What was that?"Nao asked as both she and Shizuru heard a noise come from outside the door. "Oh shit" Nao sighed as she watched Shizuru open the door quickly and step through into the hall. She looked left and right and yet she couldn't see anything out of the ordinary- except for a couple of girls helping each other off the ground.

As her eyes scanned the corridor to once more check no-one was around, her eyes fell on the ground and settled on a dark blue velvet box that rested there on the ground in front of her. She slowly bent down and grasped the box in her hands. As she opened the box, she felt her heart skip a beat as she looked at the silver necklace with a blood coloured ruby and as she looked at the floor her eyes rested upon the little piece of card that had fallen from the box when it was opened.

"Shizuru,

Happy Birthday! Hope you like the present. Sorry if you don't.

Love From Natsuki."

Shizuru brushed her fingers over the scribbled out 'love' that Natsuki had tried and failed to hide. She had no idea that a very hurt and angry Nao was watching her and could see the note; and was watching her every move. Nothing going between you and Kuga, Shizuru? What a load of bullshit.

"Still nothing going on between you two huh?" Nao asked as she watched Shizuru stand up, her eyes still focused on the card "Why don't you go on ahead and say that there's nothing going on. I'll pretend to believe it if that helps you sleep at night Bullshitter."

"Nao-"

"Just stop it, stop insulting what intelligence I have left okay? How many 'students' give their teachers a necklace for their birthday huh?" Nao hissed as she spun on her heel and left her cousin standing dumbfounded in the middle of the corridor.


Natsuki wiped her mouth against the sleeve of her jacket and flushed the toilet after emptying what few contents of her stomach there were. Empty; she felt empty of everything and what felt worse was that it over something she never really had. Shizuru wasn't hers and she had never been; she wasn't ever allowed to but yet she loved... Nao? Natsuki shook her head as she tried to black out the images once again- there was nothing left in her stomach to throw up. I've got to get out of here... what do I do now? Natsuki asked herself as she mentally ran through her options. If I run out of here, then somebody is going to ask why, I know Mai would chew my ass off for it and Chie would never let me go without telling her something.

So what do I do now? Head back and pretend nothing happened?

Natsuki sighed as she leaned against the stall-door "Guess it's worth a shot... although if Nao's there... I'm out." The young biker said quietly to herself as she opened the door and headed back to the cafeteria to meet her friends, who much to her disdain, automatically noticed something was eating at their friend. Not only that but for some reason Anh had decided to join them.

"You look like hell kid; what's up with you?" Anh asked as she watched her vice-president take a seat and scowl at her.

"Nothing, mind your own damn business." Natsuki hissed as she sat down next to Mai.

Anh sighed softly- clearly Natsuki was in a bit of a grouchy mood and to be honest, Anh couldn't really blame her after what she saw last night. She would have been slightly freaked out if she was in Natsuki's position- slightly turned on too but mostly freaked out.

"Erm, okay I'll let you off on that one but next time I'll kick that cute little butt of yours for talking to me like that. So, since you were out getting your panties in a twist you didn't hear the plan."

Natsuki frowned at the 'panties' comment "What 'plan'?"

"Ze master-plan of awesomeness" Chie let out a small maniacal laugh but stopped abruptly as she felt a shiver down her spine "Yeah I just freaked myself out."

Aoi hummed "That's quite an achievement Chie-chan." Chie snorted in laughter as she turned her head to gently kiss Aoi's hand as it rested on her shoulder.

"Anyway..." Anh started as she had finished watching the couple sitting next to her- and also feeling slightly sorry for herself- "The plan is that we are going to have a party, tonight. Just a small... social gathering to celebrate the end of term." Anh finished with a smile.

Natsuki thought the idea over in her mind, it certainly seemed like a good idea and it seemed great to finally blow some steam... and hopefully take her mind off a certain crimson-eyed teacher.

"I'm in, where and when?" Natsuki smiled and looked round at her friends all seemed to stare at her in surprise and utter disbelief.

"Who are you and what have you done to Natsuki?" Mai asked as she rested her palm against Natsuki's forehead before being promptly swatted away by the dark haired girl.

"I can be agreeable every once in a while. Is it that really that hard to believe?" Natsuki sank lower into her chair as the whole table broke into a chorus of 'Yes'.

"Natsuki, two minutes ago you looked like someone had pissed in your Cheerios and now you're... showing emotions. Happy ones. It's a little..." Anh bit her lip and looked to ceiling as if looking for inspiration.

"Creepy, disconcerting... weird?" Chie offered, but Anh shook her head.

"Nah... it's just..." Everyone leaned in as Anh sighed before picking up her bag and pushing back her chair as she got ready to leave "So- I'll see you lot at Kuga's then." The young President asked as she stood up.

"Hey, who said anything about it being at my place?"

Anh shrugged "Erm... me? My bad. You weren't here Natsuki, so you just drew the short straw. Tough luck kiddo." Anh shrugged before waving goodbye to the younger students, who then turned their attention back to their fuming and brooding friend.

"Oh come on Natsuki-kun, it might be good, we need a party to celebrate the end of term and you know that we aren't allowed them in our dorms. Please?" Aoi pleaded with Natsuki, who sighed.

"I don't know, let me think about it." The dark haired girl growled as she leaned back and crossed her arms across her chest.

Mai grimaced before turning to her oldest friend and forced her to look at her "I can't believe I'm saying this but... if you let us have this party at yours... I... will pay off your tab at the Linden Baum." All three girls waited with baited breath as Natsuki stared at Mai, wide-eyed and quite pleasantly shocked.

"Mai-kun... are you sure about this?" Chie asked. She was pretty desperate to have at least one good party before the year was done... but she was so happy that she wasn't Mai right now.

"All of it? I haven't paid for a meal there in three months Mai, it's gonna be big."

"Three? Months? Big?" Mai looked at her friend- her violet eyes wide with surprise "How big?"

"Bigger than your boobs. Even bigger than Chie's sex drive."

Mai whimpered as she turned to face Chie who just solemnly nodded and Mai hung her head low and sighed "Yes, fine- all of it. Now please will you let us?" she pleaded.

"Sure but if anything gets broken..."

"Then it'll be replaced, yes I know. Oooh thank you Natsuki." Mai excitedly pulled the unsuspecting girl into a huge embrace and pulled her tightly into her large chest- not noticing or caring- that the older girl had gone completely stiff and uncomfortable as the air rushed out of her lungs.

"You're the most amazing-est person in the whole wide world. Thank you, thank you."

"Mai-chan, she's turning purple, get her out of there." Aoi exclaimed as Mai released her hold and Natsuki could finally breathe again.

"Please, never do that again." Natsuki whimpered as the gang laughed at the horrified- and slightly violated- expression on Natsuki's face as she suppressed a shudder and caught her breath.

"It can't have been that bad Natsuki... you have been where no man has been before... I think. You're like the Lewis and Clarke of boobs." Chie spoke through laughter.

Natsuki stopped glaring at her charcoal-haired friend as her scowl turned into a look of pure confusion "Who?"

"American explorers- we were learning about them today. Look there's Nao. Hey Nao-chan! Get over here." Chie beckoned Nao over as she made her way through the cafeteria almost without being noticed. Chie frowned slightly as she noticed that Nao seemed to hesitate as soon as she saw Natsuki sitting with them.

"What is it?" She asked in a bored expression as she folded her arms across her chest.

"Kuga's having a party tonight and you had better be there." Chie spoke timidly- the younger girl looked pissed and scary as hell. Nearly as scary as Natsuki if you caught her in the wrong mood!

"Why would I go to a party as lame as Kuga's?" Nao hissed with a smirk- causing Natsuki to clench her jaw and try to resist wiping the floor with that face.

"Because there's booze?" Chie offered. Nao sighed and rested her hand on her hip "I may make an appearance."

"Oh yay- wouldn't be a party without you." Natsuki deadpanned as she scowled at the younger girl.

"Whatever mutt. I'll see you later... if I have nothing better to do." Nao remarked with a snicker as she spun in her heel and left the cafeteria. Natsuki watched intently with a look to kill as the younger girl left the cafeteria and underneath the table, she balled her hands into fists and grinded her teeth. As hard as she tried she couldn't get a mental image of Nao and Shizuru kissing out of her head... and she couldn't help but feel as if a knife had just been plunged into her heart.

So, to conclude, the day had been pretty crap Nao thought as she stepped through the door into her dorm room. It had started off the same as it ever did with her running late, getting into trouble and then 'casually' bumping into Shizuru. For approximately three seconds today; Nao felt on top of the world. However after her three seconds were up she crashed back down to Earth with nothing to show for it but a sore butt as she crash landed back into reality and the realisation that nope, Shizuru didn't love her in the same way and the person Shizuru loved was none other than Kuga Natsuki.

It was easy to be pissed off with Natsuki, she hadn't necessarily done anything to hurt Nao personally, but knowing that the cousin she undeniably loved only had eyes for that mutt made Nao's blood boil.

To make things worse, tonight there was going to be a party and Natsuki was the one hosting it. She was definitely going to need something- an incentive- or at the very least, something to make being in the vicinity of Kuga tolerable.

Nao started to riffle through the cupboards in the small kitchen before checking the drawers in the desk- however she smiled as she came to the realisation as she knew where the thing she was looking for was. Nao sauntered over to her flatmates bed and crouched down beside it as she lifted up the heavy mattress. Gotcha! Nao smirked as she found the three-quarters full bottle of straight vodka- whatever made this evening more bearable Nao was willing to take and it wasn't exactly like the original owner was going to be coming back for it!

Thank you indeed Kaede-oneesama!


"You sure I can't tempt you with a little drink?" Natsuki rolled her eyes as she turned around to find Anh close the door shut with her butt as she held three drinks in her hands. "Not tonight Anh. Sorry. Aren't you supposed to 'setting an example' instead of promoting underage drinking?" Natsuki turned back around and continued to stare out at the Fuuka skyline before lifting her gaze to the stars above. She had come out onto the balcony in an attempt to get some peace seeing as there were more people in her apartment than she and any of her friends had expected- now that the drunken President had joined her on the balcony again that seemed unlikely!

Anh chortled as she swayed on her feet before steadying herself "Not tonight, I'm on a break. I promise though... one day... one day I'll get you so drunk you'll forget your damn name Natsuki-chan." Anh downed one of the drinks and placed the other two down on the table on the balcony. "Penny for your thoughts?" Anh asked as she stared at the young girl, noting how pensive she looked.

"Sorry, I'm not in the mood for sharing Anh."

Anh raised an eyebrow "Oh? Now that's a shame, I'm a pretty good listener." Come on Natsuki... please open up Anh thought, she so desperately wanted to talk about what she had seen last night, or what she had nearly seen for that matter... but clearly Natsuki wasn't going to share.

Natsuki shook her head "Thanks but no thanks." She felt kinda mean, she knew that maybe Anh was looking for a distraction and maybe the older girl genuinely cared but- this was Natsuki's problem and it wasn't one she wanted anyone to know about.

Suddenly the atmosphere became rather tense- too tense for the carefree President "So... that Nao girl passed out. Damn first years, such lightweights."

Natsuki turned to face the young president- her emerald green eyes widened in shock "Nao passed out?"

"Why do you think I came out here in the first place? Surely not for your charming conversation. You might want to get in there, the redhead with the huge boobs is about to burst a blood vessel all over your carpet." Natsuki rolled her eyes and growled in frustration as she slid the door open and entered the party again to find Mai, Chie and Aoi huddled around a passed out Nao- trying desperately to fan her... in case that helped! "What happened?" Natsuki asked Mai as she crouched down beside her oldest friend.

"She was dancing for a bit, and then she fell over the couch, sat up, giggled and then passed out." Mai said as she stroked some hair off Nao's face, before turning to face her blue haired friend.

"Giggled? Nao giggled?" Natsuki looked to Chie who shrugged "What was she drinking?" Natsuki asked and Aoi answered.

"She had a few cocktails like the rest of us, but my guess is that she was drinking before we came here. There was a half full bottle of vodka hidden underneath my bed and when I got back it was gone and so was Nao-chan."

"Hmm... so that's where Kae hid it." Anh mused to herself- she had wondered where her ex-girlfriend had hidden her stash.

Chie smiled proudly to herself as she stood up with her phone in her hand "Good news is I got a Nao panty-shot."

"And I'm going to have a dead girlfriend if she finds out about it." Aoi said as she glanced up at her girlfriend who smiled wickedly at her before placing the phone back in the pocket of her jeans "Oh please! What Nao doesn't know can't hurt me." Chie remarked as she bent down and placed a small soft kiss on Aoi's lips.

"So what are we going to do with 'Nao's-not-drunk-Nao's-just-tipsy'"? Mai asked.

"That's a really long nickname." Chie remarked, earning a swat on the arm from Anh "Oww... what was that for? Nao's the one that came up with it." Anh shrugged "Felt like it." Chie pouted as she rubbed the sore spot on her arm.

"I'll take her home." Natsuki responded as she started to lift Nao up to place her on the couch- albeit not as gently as she could have done.

"How? It's raining, Nao's dead to the world and you have a bike?" Mai asked with a frown.

Natsuki frowned "Well it's not like anyone else here can drive... or is in any condition to" the Vice-President remarked as she turned to Anh who hiccupped before giggling. Mai followed Natsuki's gaze and sighed in defeat "Fine, you're right about that but how the hell are you going to get her back?"

"You'll just have to tie her to me. I've not been drinking and I've driven in the rain plenty of times. Go find something to tie her to me with, I'll suit up and meet you downstairs."

Before Natsuki could start undressing, Chie slipped into her room after her "Chie, what are you doing?"

"I just wanted to know where you're taking Paris Hilton?" Chie asked with a hint of a smirk etching across her face.

Natsuki shook her head "What do you... 'where am I taking her'? I'm taking her home dumbass." Natsuki opened up her closet door and took out her biker suit "And Paris Hilton? Seriously?"

"Princess of the Panty shot. Never mind just... I just wondered." Chie winced at her little almost-slip of the tongue as she left Natsuki to get dressed- she still wasn't entirely sure if Natsuki even knew about Nao and Shizuru-san being related let alone the fact that the two lived together at some point. I must have confused her... I guess she still doesn't know then.

A few minutes later, the gang met up in the parking lot underneath the building, Chie and Aoi were on either side of the bike trying to support it and Nao who was fortunately still asleep, and whilst Mai waited to tie Nao's wrists with a black lacy bra she had found hanging up to dry. "Right Natsuki, you get on and I'll tie Nao's wrists together around your waist." Chie couldn't hold back a snigger as she looked at Mai standing impatiently with one of Natsuki's bras over her shoulder.

"Shut up Chie and just hold her steady please." Mai waited for Natsuki to get onto the bike before grabbing both of Nao's wrists and tying them together around Natsuki's slim waist.

"Mai! You seriously couldn't find anything else to tie her with? That was one of my favourites." Natsuki pouted as she saw one of her favourites from her collection being used to bind the two together.

"You have plenty of favourites Natsuki. I'm sure you won't miss this one that much." Mai huffed as she finished tying Nao's hands together "Yeah that should be nice and tight enough."

Chie snorted "You seem to be very experienced at this sort of thing Mai-chan. I didn't figure you for someone into S&M... although it's always the quietest ones."

"Aww... it looks like Nao's giving Natsuki a hug. So cute." Aoi chirped as she leaned her chin on her girlfriends shoulder for support.

"Be safe!" Mai called out as Natsuki started the engine.

"I always drive safely." Natsuki argued.

"I know that, I mean if Nao-chan wakes up along the way, Godspeed Natsuki-chan!" Mai laughed as she gave a mock salute before watching the two figures go out into the rain. "Do you think we made the right call?" Mai asked as she turned to Chie and Aoi "I doubt it Mai-chan, who knows." Chie remarked as she followed the redhead back to the party.

"Although if we didn't and Nao wakes up and kills them both, I call dibs on Natsuki's TV."

"What? That's not fair Mai, I helped her get it and get it upstairs, so I should get it." Chie frowned and pouted, whilst Mai shrugged "Sorry Chie-kun... all's fair in love and dibs."


It felt awesome to be out, riding her bike in the rain, the aspect of danger made the ride all the more thrilling and Natsuki felt the adrenaline flowing through her veins and she had never felt so good. Unfortunately when she felt the urge to speed, she had to remind herself that she had a very drunk and very unconscious passenger tied to her waist and so she reluctantly slowed down.

Usually whenever it rained, Natsuki would go out on the bike and with the speed of the raindrops mixed with the speed of the bike, she often felt her worries wash away with the rain, only this time she wasn't quite so sure. She thought about dropping Nao off at the dorms, however before she knew it, her autopilot had kicked in and she was already en route to Shizuru's house.

Before she knew it... she was already there.

Shizuru had been having a rough day. Her day had started well, Haruka and Yukino had come round for a quick breakfast (and had thankfully not brought up last night's incident and so she assumed she was in the clear), she had opened the few cards and presents that she had been given from her co-workers she didn't see the day before and she even had a birthday cake made for her by the home-economics teacher. However as soon as she had blown out her candles, made her wish, there was a knock on the staff-room door, where Nao was waiting for her and asking to talk to her. She realised that Nao had been acting weirder than normal lately, but she never expected what had happened next.

And she certainly never expected to hear the soft hums of a bike engine cut off outside of her house at this time of night. Shizuru got up off her space on the floor next the unlit fireplace- not even Shizuru knew how long she had been sitting there in the darkness. Shizuru turned on the dimmed lights and smoothed out her clothes- a simple long sleeved white top with black tracksuit bottoms (she wasn't expecting any company that evening and so decided simplicity and comfort was what she needed)- and so when she opened the door, she felt all the blood rush to her head.

"Natsuki? What are you- what happened to Nao?" She asked as she raced outside into the pouring rain, an idea she soon regretted due to the freezing cold temperature of it. Natsuki rolled her eyes, of course Nao would have been Shizuru's first port of call. "Nao got drunk at the party and she passed out." Natsuki explained as she fought against the bra that held Nao's hands together and whilst she supported the younger girl with one hand, she tried to set both of them loose.

Ara ara, is that a bra she's got on her wrist?

"I see. And you drove all the way here in this?" Shizuru asked as she gave Natsuki a hand- however Natsuki just looked at Shizuru like she was mad. "No, Charlie the Unicorn gave us a lift... what do you think? I'll take her inside. Where am I going?" Natsuki asked as she scooped Nao into her arms and followed Shizuru into the house.

"You can her put in there." Shizuru spoke softly as she guided Natsuki to the empty room down to the end of the corridor and she watched with amazement as Natsuki gently put Nao down on the bed before pulling up the covers over the sleeping girl.

"Thank you." Shizuru whispered as Natsuki brushed past her.

"There's no need." Natsuki growled as she headed towards the door however her pathway was blocked as Shizuru swooped in to put herself between Natsuki and the door.

"Natsuki please let me explain. I know what you heard and I need to explain..."

"What's to explain? It's pretty fucking clear. What you and... Her say to each other is none of my business and I don't care. This conversation's over. Move out the way." Natsuki sneered as she blushed some of her wet hair out of her face and moved towards the door handle again- however before she could turn the handle, Shizuru's hand covered her own and Natsuki found herself pinned up against the door as Shizuru barred her only exit.

"No, this is most definitely not over. Do you honestly think that I'm going to let you slip through my fingers Natsuki- especially over something like this? I promised myself that I would never let you just walk away and no matter what it takes I'm going to keep that promise. Even if it means breaking every moral and written code by keeping you hostage... then that's what I'll do to get you to listen to me." Shizuru raised her hand to Natsuki's chin, turning it gently so Natsuki's eyes met her own.

"Please just let me go. I don't, please just let me go." Natsuki whispered. Her heart felt as if it had just leapt up into her throat as she once again succumbed to the power of Shizuru's entrancing eyes.

"Ten minutes, please? I just can't let you go without putting things right between us first. You mean too much to me Natsuki... and I couldn't live with myself if I didn't at least try to explain. Please?" Shizuru spoke quietly, almost as if she was whispering as she leaned closer to Natsuki, however a flashback of what happened between the two last night ran through Shizuru's mind and she pulled back so there was at least a foot between them.

Shizuru waited nervously with baited breath as Natsuki bit her lip and broke eye contact "Fine. Five minutes and then I'm gone." Shizuru sighed in relief and took a further few steps back as she let Natsuki walk further into the room- allowing herself for the first time in several hours to smile.

"I don't want to get your couch wet."

Shizuru turned around to face Natsuki again "Pardon?"

"I've been outside in the rain if you haven't noticed... I don't want to get the couch wet." Natsuki nervously shifted on her feet- silently cursing the fact that she was currently still at Shizuru's and that she was wearing the biker suit that probably had a lot of rainwater in it.

"I'll get you a towel... or two. I'll be right back." Shizuru quickly headed to her bathroom and rushed back in case Natsuki had taken the opportunity to bolt, however she smiled and sighed silently as she saw Natsuki still standing with her arms folded across her chest like she had been a few seconds earlier.

"Here." Shizuru handed the towels to Natsuki and wrapped one around her own shoulders as she had only really just noticed the fact that she was soaked through as well- it was rather fortunate that Natsuki hadn't appeared to have noticed... unlike the last time they had been in a similar situation all those months ago by the fountain.

"Thanks." Natsuki took the towels and wrapped herself in them and sat down on the sofa, watching like a hawk as Shizuru did the same but she sat on the sofa across from Natsuki "Are you going to be starting anytime soon?"

Shizuru took a deep breath, for once in her life words just completely failed her and now she had no idea how she was ever going to put things right- if they could be put right "Natsuki... what happened today was a big, big misunderstanding and a conversation that I wish with all my heart that never existed." Shizuru looked into Natsuki's eyes and felt disheartened when Natsuki scoffed and looked away.

"Nao was just worried about things that she had been hearing about me and she was afraid to voice her concerns-"

"I know, I heard that, I also heard you telling her that you love her and nothing would make you love her any less." Natsuki felt her leg start to twitch and she felt sick again after reminding herself of the words.

"Natsuki, did you know that Nao and I are related? That we're first cousins?" Despite the serious nature of the talk and the atmosphere, the look of bewilderment and surprise on Natsuki's face was rather amusing and it took a lot of strength for Shizuru to not laugh or tease the younger girl "I'm guessing that's a 'no' then?" Now that was interesting, I would have thought that most of the school knew about it.

"You're damn right it's a no!" Natsuki shouted as she stood up and threw the towels on the floor "Oh I think I might be sick." Natsuki said quietly as she closed her eyes and rested one hand on her forehead and the other on her hip.

Shizuru sighed sadly as she thought back to what had happened again "Do you love her?" Shizuru looked up in surprise at Natsuki's question.

"I do... but only as my cousin. Would you please... please sit down?" Natsuki turned towards Shizuru and reluctantly sat down as she was unsure that she wanted to hear what else her teacher had to say. "You see, we're all that we both have left. I have no parents, she never knew her father and her mother- her sole carer died only a couple of years ago which was when we first met. Before her mother died, she practically begged me to take care of Nao and I agreed instantly. For a while it was difficult, for both of us were strangers to each other still, but when I got the job here, Nao came too and it was only recently that we even became friends I suppose."

"Friends?" Feeling her anger levels start to rise again, she looked away and back at Shizuru who looked even guiltier then she had done earlier.

"I'm such a horrible, wicked person." Shizuru leaned forward and caught her face in her hands as she felt the tears start to form and roll down her cheeks. She felt so undeniably guilty, like a monster. She loved Nao- of course she did- but that love was completely different. Completely different to the love that she felt for Natsuki.

Across from her, Natsuki herself was starting to feel the pang of guilt as she watched Shizuru sob quietly and she quietly crossed over to the other sofa and sat beside Shizuru "No you're not. You're a good, kind person who... has only ever tried to do what's right for others. You've done nothing wrong." Natsuki spoke softly as she gently covered Shizuru's hands and pulled them away from her face as Shizuru reluctantly turned to face her. "You couldn't be a horrible person if you tried." Natsuki joked as she felt her heart soar as Shizuru gave her a small smile back. Damn it, why is it impossible to stay mad at you? After everything you've done. After how you've made me feel... why is it that I can't bear to be angry at you... Shizuru?

Shizuru sighed- how could she be a good person when she lusted and desired Natsuki knowing that the younger girl didn't feel the same way? It wouldn't have surprised her if that was the case after all those teases and suggestive comments. It was incredibly easy to get carried away and she had always been warned by her mother that someday her charm and her beauty would destroy someone beyond all repair. She prayed that her bond with Nao was strong enough to withstand this... whatever 'this' was.

Suddenly Shizuru became aware that neither of them had spoken for a minute or two and the atmosphere was starting to become a little awkward.

"When I was in that classroom, you must know that, that person in there, that was talking with Nao, you must have known that wasn't the real me? Do you know that? Am I wrong to believe that you know that?"

Natsuki sighed as she turned away from Shizuru and tugged her knees close to her chest "I don't know. Maybe you're right but, I just don't know Shizuru." She could see Shizuru's sorrowful expression from beside her and she hated it- she hated being unsure of her own feelings and thoughts. What Shizuru had said cut her and wounded her so deeply she was unsure of whether she'd ever be able to trust anyone ever again. Maybe even never be able to 'love' anyone again.

Shizuru stole a glance at the clock that was on the wall behind Natsuki and sighed, causing the younger girl to turn around and see what it was that Shizuru was looking at. Well it's definitely been more than ten minutes so... but I don't want to leave, I can't leave Shizuru like this.

"Hey Shizuru, I'm kinda thirsty, can I have a drink?" Natsuki grinned as she saw the surprise flash across Shizuru's face before the older woman just smiled- it was quite nice to be able to see Shizuru without the mask again.

"Of course, what would you like?" Shizuru's heart beat rapidly as Natsuki smiled at her even more brightly. Ever since seeing Natsuki smile at her and laugh so freely when they were together at the festival, Shizuru felt a longing and a need to see that smile and hear that laugh again. If she could, she would have bottled up Natsuki's laugh and listened to it, contently for the rest of her life.

Natsuki chewed on her bottom lip and stared up at the ceiling "Tea?"

Shizuru arched a brow quizzically "Tea?" Natsuki nodded and Shizuru went into the kitchen to prepare the hot drink, deciding that she wanted one as well. That was rather crafty, although I shouldn't complain... I really don't want her to go even though my head is telling me to just throw her out. It doesn't matter if it's stormy outside, she's my student... a student and she shouldn't be here. She really shouldn't be here and I shouldn't want her to stay here with me. I'll give her the tea and ask her to leave.

Shizuru sighed and rubbed her eyes- clearly this was going to take some strength and some asprin or something strong to get rid of the growing headache. Shizuru poured the tea into two cups and headed towards the living room where the sight of what was in front of her made her heart beat fast and made her stop dead in her tracks. Whilst she had been in the kitchen, engaged in a battle between heart and mind, Natsuki had moved from the sofa onto the rug in front of the fireplace and had unzipped the top of her biker suit to reveal a white tank top underneath and had managed to get a fire going. Shizuru couldn't tear her crimson eyes away as Natsuki sat, illuminated by the light off the flames, with her knees tucked into her chest as she watched the flames... completely unaware that Shizuru watched with such intensity, so much more powerful than the flames Natsuki seemed so entranced by.

"I don't believe I have ever actually lit that fire before. I suppose it was rather cold. Here's your tea." Shizuru placed the cup of the hot liquid down beside the younger girl who had jumped slightly at the sound of Shizuru's soft and velvety voice and so she smiled apologetically as she said her thanks.

"Natsuki must have been in a world of her own for a moment there." Natsuki hummed in agreement as she turned back to face the fire "Do you mind if I sit down next you?" Shizuru asked to which Natsuki chuckled.

"It's your house... you can do what you want."

Don't tempt me Natsuki, believe me if I could I'd do more than just sit next you if that was really the case Shizuru quietly cleared her throat as she kneeled down beside Natsuki, and then decided to mirror the way the Natsuki was sitting- deciding that it was far more comfortable. Shizuru watched Natsuki curiously as the girl's emerald eyes fixated on the fire, the fire made her eyes glow in the dim light of the room... it was beautiful. Natsuki was beautiful, however when she suddenly turned to face Shizuru, the older woman was caught unawares and red-handed- and her startled expression caused Natsuki great amusement.

"Caught you."

Shizuru coughed nervously "Ara, I don't know what Natsuki's talking about."

"I caught you staring. Why were you staring?" Natsuki asked as her eyes flickered from the flames to Shizuru's crimson orbs.

"I was wondering what you were thinking. Sometimes I like to think that I know, I like to think that I have you figured out, but this time... I so desperately want to know what's in that head of yours and it's driving me mad not knowing."

Natsuki turned away and rested her head on her arms as she pulled her knees closer to her chest "I wish I knew myself." She muttered quietly and sadly as she turned to look the other direction. The two sat in silence, apart from the odd audible sips of tea and the time spent doing nothing but thinking was soon becoming too hard to bear for Natsuki. In her head, all she could do was think back over the last four or so months from when they first met, to when she got beaten up and Shizuru had cared for her, the crappy moments spent with Alyssa when Shizuru's presence was the only thing that made the days bearable, how Shizuru had stuck her neck on the line for her to stay at the school and how Shizuru had looked at her that night at the festival. She had never been looked at like that before- well apart from Takeda- but with him it never felt so good or she never craved it like she did with Shizuru. How many times, how long was she going to go on trying to convince herself that she wasn't in love with Shizuru when she knew from the beginning that she was?

How long was she going to have to deal with not knowing, whether she really was just a student and therefore next to nothing to Shizuru? Or, like Shizuru had become to Natsuki, was she so much more than that?

"What am I to you?" Natsuki had spoken so quietly that Shizuru was sure that she was just hearing things and so she slowly edged closer to Natsuki.

"What am I to you Shizuru?" Natsuki frowned slightly as she faced Shizuru who took a very long time to come up with an answer.

"I heard what you said to Nao, but I want you to tell me face-to-face. What am I to you?"

"Natsuki... I..." Shizuru mentally cursed- how could she tell Natsuki that she was deeply, madly and passionately in love with her? How could she tell her that she never realised how empty she was before she had met Natsuki?

I can't, I can't burden her with my feelings like this. "You're a student, a friend of Nao's, I am your teacher. Maybe even... maybe even a friend sometimes." Shizuru couldn't bear to look at the furious and incredulous expression on the younger girl's face.

"I guess this was a complete waste of time then." The younger girl hissed as she zipped up her biker suit and picked up her helmet. Shizuru took a deep breath, stood up from her place on the rug, turned to go to her bedroom... yet something held her back and she knew that she couldn't leave it at that. There was no way she was going to let Natsuki leave. For so long she had lived in fear of her true hearts desires and at one point all those years ago, she thought she had finally got what she wanted, the life she had always wanted. But at a cost. For as long as she lived she would be living in fear of being found and being returned to her monster of a father. Shizuru all of a sudden felt very sick and tired of being afraid, afraid of her father, afraid of being happy and most of all, being afraid of being in love with Natsuki. She no longer wanted to run and hide from her fear. Rather she longed to embrace it and that's exactly what she was going to do- starting with Natsuki.

Shizuru ran across the room and out of the door where she could see Natsuki start up the engine "Natsuki!" she called out to her love, yet got no answer and so ran out into the pouring rain in front of the bike just as Natsuki began to rev the engine and put her helmet on.

"Natsuki Stop!" Shizuru cried as she stood breathless, her hands covering Natsuki's gloved hands "Please turn off the engine, and I'll give you my real answer."

Natsuki sighed and closed her eyes. She suddenly felt very drained, having spent the last minute or two suddenly deciding to take Shizuru's answer as it was and to walk away completely. If Natsuki was nothing more than a mere student with Shizuru just being a teacher, then that was how it was going to be from now on. Yet she hated herself for feeling a sense of hope as she heard Shizuru call her name- a hope that only grew as Shizuru told her that she'd tell Natsuki her 'real answer'.

Natsuki pulled her hands out from underneath Shizuru's and sat up straight- whether she turned her engine off was entirely dependent on Shizuru's answer. At least that's what she thought.

"Well?" Natsuki watched intently as Shizuru stepped forward, so the two were about a foot apart.

"I lied, I lied Natsuki. You are so much more than just 'a student' to me... and I am so sorry, but I just can't tell you exactly what you are to me." Shizuru struggled to find the right words and she shivered as the cold, bitter sting of the rain ran down her back and she felt Natsuki's cold glare upon her face "Maybe I can't tell you, but maybe I can show you... if you'll let me?" Shizuru asked as she gently edged closer to the girl on the bike who did little more than nervously nod her head.

She can't tell me but she can show me? Natsuki's heart raced, thumping so loudly it felt as if at any moment it could burst out of her chest. She watched as Shizuru bit her lip nervously as she slowly raised her hand to grip the helmet, "Can I?" Shizuru asked quietly. Natsuki nodded her head, completely unable to move the rest of her body. Shizuru gripped the helmet and gently eased it off Natsuki's head before placing it on the ground beside Shizuru's feet.

Shizuru lifted her hand to softly brush away a few strands of loose, rain-soaked hair and rest her soft, warm palm on Natsuki's cheek.

Natsuki watched as, slowly, Shizuru's head began descending as she placed a small, soft kiss on Natsuki's quivering rosebud lips before Natsuki's green orbs fluttered until they closed. The kiss was short and sweet, and ended all too quickly for the both of them as- no matter how hesitant- Shizuru pulled away, yet she still kept her hand on Natsuki's burning hot cheek as she watched intensely as Natsuki's eyes slowly opened.

As their eyes met, images of what had just happened flooded through their minds and soon the gravity of their situation began to sink in.

Holy shit, we just kissed, Shizuru actually kissed me.

I just kissed Natsuki... I just kissed my student! What have I just done? Shizuru quickly took a few steps back as she clutched her hand to her chest "Kannin na Natsuki I... oh what did I do?" Shizuru whimpered quietly to herself as she turned away from Natsuki. Even though she was still reeling herself from the kiss, Natsuki shook her head and seeing Shizuru so distraught made her feel overcome with guilt.

She had wanted it, she had wanted Shizuru to kiss her more than anything and especially now that she knew what Shizuru tasted like, she knew she couldn't just leave it at a five second kiss. Natsuki switched and got off the bike and timidly rested her hand on Shizuru's shoulder, gently turning Shizuru towards her.

"Natsuki I am so sorry. Kannin na." Shizuru spoke through the gentle sobs as tears freely fell down her face, she couldn't bring herself to look at the young woman in front of her. "It's alright Shizuru... you haven't done anything to apologise for." Natsuki spoke softly as she lifted her hand to gently wipe away the tears from Shizuru's cheeks, but moved her hand away when Shizuru shook her head.

"Perhaps we should, go inside?" Natsuki asked timidly as she rested her hand on Shizuru's shoulder and smiled as Shizuru nodded and the two made their way back inside to the warmth of the house.

The two sat in silence on the rug beside the fire for what seemed like an eternity, but it wasn't uncomfortable as both were left with their thoughts- images on the kiss they now had finally shared were the only images that occupied their minds.

Shizuru saw from the corner of her eye as Natsuki shivered and then she realised, the girl was still wearing her very wet and cold biker suit. Shizuru herself was still struggling to keep warm under just a towel.

"Natsuki?"

"Huh?"

Shizuru smiled softly "Would you like some dry clothes?"

Natsuki sneezed.

In the bathroom, Natsuki pulled down the top that Shizuru had given her. It was a little loose around the chest region, but then again Shizuru was a lot more gifted in that department than Natsuki was. Natsuki chuckled quietly as she thought back to her situation. Twenty minutes ago she had planned on staying for five minutes before walking out of the house and hopefully never speaking to Shizuru again. Now? Now she was changing into Shizuru's clothes, in Shizuru's house just minutes since the two had shared their kiss. She was still a little confused... okay she was very confused about the kiss

Ok so we've established, well kinda established that she... well she kissed me although I wanted her to so what does that mean? Natsuki shook her head as she unlocked the bathroom door and turned the light off as she walked out. In the corner of her eye she could see movement to her left; she could just make out a glimpse of light coming from the room further along the corridor. There was a little voice in the girl's head that told her that she knew who was on the other side of that door and that if she didn't want to get caught- and in the process called a pervert- then she should turn away now and go back to the living room. But maybe I don't want to turn away... wow I really am a perv. Natsuki's breath hitched when suddenly the light from the door dimmed and a half-naked Shizuru came into view wearing a dark red lace bra and light grey sweatpants. Natsuki watched as Shizuru pulled down her shirt and couldn't help but notice the luscious curves of the older woman's body and felt an overwhelming desire to touch the soft, smooth beautiful skin. However as Shizuru smoothed down her clothes, a clap of thunder roared and a bolt of lightning followed closely behind and soon the house was filled with complete and utter darkness.

"Shit" Natsuki whispered.

"Natsuki? Why are you outside my door?"

"Shit." Busted.


4 weeks later...

"Ok please take your seats everybody, the lesson's about to begin." Shizuru smiled at her students as they immediately took their seats and all eyes were on the beautiful young teacher. However the smile soon wavered as she gazed at the empty chair to her right by the window, where the young vice-President would usually sit if she ever turned up.

"Has anyone seen Kuga-san around school today?" Shizuru asked a sea of blank faces and sighed when she got no response except a shake of the head from Mai and an apologetic half-smile from the violet-eyed redhead. That makes it the entire first week back at school missed and now the second.

"Very well then. Let's get started then. Please open your textbooks to page 231 and we'll continue with the exercises from last time."

Shizuru looked down at her own copy of the school textbook, however the sound of the door sliding open quickly drew her attention and soon the whole classroom erupted in whispers and gasps. Shizuru with her mask back in place, smiled at the figure standing in the doorway and felt her heart leap for joy at seeing the sight of that dark uniform, the midnight blue hair and most importantly, those entrancing emerald eyes.

"Ah Kuga-san, we were just talking about you. I'm afraid you're rather late."

Natsuki scowled and scoffed as she walked past the teacher's desk "Yeah well there are better things to do than listen to you talk for an hour."

Shizuru fought back the urge to cross over to Natsuki's desk, grab the girl by the shoulders and shake some sense into her, however she took the insult and brushed it off with an even more pleasant smile "Well, despite the manner of your return, it's lovely to have you back Kuga-san. Can you please open up your textbook to page 231." Shizuru asked as she turned her attention back to the work in front of her.

"I don't have it with me." Natsuki snarled as she continued to stare out of the window.

"Well then I suppose I can let you borrow a spare" Shizuru remarked as she opened a drawer of her desk and pulled out a handbook and handed out to Natsuki, who with an over-exaggerated sigh, violently pushed back her chair and made her way to the front of the class. Natsuki grabbed a hold of the textbook, desperately trying to avoid looking into those deep red pools, however Shizuru continued to hold on to the book, watching intently with a small smirk as a small tug-of-war took place in the front of the classroom.

"Can you just give me the damn book? You're making a scene." Natsuki growled quietly so only Shizuru could hear as she finally allowed herself to look into Shizuru's eyes.

"Ara ara, Natsuki is so rude. First you turn up after a week of absence without an apology and then you don't say please?" Shizuru said in her best teacher-voice as she refused to give up the book without at least some struggle.

"Fine, I'm sorry, please and thank you." Natsuki whispered through gritted teeth as suddenly Shizuru let go of the book, sending Natsuki a little off balance even though she recovered quickly.

"Ooops." Shizuru deadpanned as she smiled innocently and watched as the vice-President stormed off back to her seat.

From the back of the class, violet eyes watched Natsuki as she opened the textbook and continued to stare out of the window. Mai sighed sadly. In some ways she was very happy to see that Natsuki was back in school, but she could tell there was something eating away at her friend and that it had been like that for the last few weeks, and not knowing what it was that was making her best friend act like this cut her deeply. She also had a feeling that the woman standing at the front of the classroom might have had something to do with Natsuki's incredibly bad mood. Four, three weeks ago the two were laughing and smiling at each other. Natsuki was happy and seemed finally able to trust another adult and Shizuru-san, Shizuru-san quickly rose up to be one of Mai's favourite people for all she had done for Natsuki. So there was only one thing that plagued Mai's mind now as she watched as Shizuru would glance over at Natsuki pretty much every five seconds.

What the hell happened between those two?


A/N: It's done? I mean it's actually finished? The biggest pain in my keister has finally finished?

Apparently so.

So, what exactly did happen between those two? Don't worry I definitely won't leave it at that, that would be pretty unsatisfying and that just isn't right! Truth be told, I thought I'd leave the more explosive bits to the next chapter because it was annoying me not having updated for so long and I wanted to give you a bit of a snippet- obviously it wasn't quite plain sailing!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and continue to enjoy the story, many thanks for the wonderful reviews and please feel free to drop a review or a PM if you have any questions.

Until next time, much love.

Tiny xxx