Hello everybody! I am back with the new chapter.
Not many stuff happen in this chapter but I need to introduce new characters so it's a phase that I have to pass though. I did my best not to be late with my promise. I re-read the chapter so many times and indeed every time I wanted to change something more .
I do my best to improve my writing so any suggestions or advice would be gladly accepted. Please don't flame me for my English … I don't have a beta reader so it's possible to miss a few errors every now and then :P
Special thanks to DarkSaron and Sick Pimp for their help. ^^
Oh well, I won't keep you more. Btw, a few reviews would be appreciated
Thx for all! Have fun with the chapter!
How It All Began
Chapter 12
The day was shining brightly and the four girls were walking in the Fuuka Gakuen garden. The picture of the freshly bloomed colourful flowers was beautiful enough to decorate any postcard. Natsuki, Shizuru, Mikoto and Mai. All enjoying the beautiful view and the shiny warm morning.
"Mai!"
Mikoto pointed at the small cat that followed them all the way until the garden. Mai had left it in the room when they went outside but obviously it wasn't difficult for a cat to find Mikoto, who took it in her arms and petted its small head. The kitten was playing with Mikoto's black long braids and Mai couldn't help but notice how adorable and happy Mikoto seemed with her new friend. She knew that cats and her feral friend always shared a special relationship, that's why she decided to risk asking.
"Kaicho-san, do you think we can keep the cat in our room?"
Mikoto left the cat down which started rubbing its body on Mikoto's leg and purring, asking for more attention. Mikoto kneeled next to it and she picked it up again.
"I am sure there is something we can do about it."
"Thank you!"
Mikoto seemed so happy and Shizuru thought that the girl's smile was worth all the yelling she would hear from Haruka later. Nothing she couldn't handle anyway.
Natsuki was staring at Shizuru all this time. Her friend never stopped surprising her. She was willing to overlook one of the school's rules just to make Mikoto so happy? Shizuru's expression showed genuine satisfaction and pure intentions.
"Let's go. The headmistress will be waiting for us. I already informed her that we will visit her."
"Then I think we shouldn't make her wait anymore." Mai seemed so eager to meet the headmistress. In fact she was hyper about everything considering her new life.
"I don't think we will."
Natsuki nodded at Mai and the orange haired girl turned her head towards the nodded direction to see just a few meters away a woman and a girl on a wheelchair. Both of them seemed to be in their own little world. The older woman, dressed like a maid, watched the younger girl with a smile on her face her gaze caringly and tender. The girl though, despite her smile, couldn't hide a sort of melancholy that was mirrored in her eyes as she looked at the flower in her small hands. She smelled the flower for a moment before looking up behind herself and telling the older woman something which Mai and the others couldn't hear from their position.
Mai first thought that the melancholy in the girl's eyes could have been there because of her condition. The woman pushed the wheelchair around and they headed towards the girls.
"Good morning."
After the usual greetings, Mashiro spoke with a soft voice.
"I am Mashiro Kazahana, the headmistress of Fuuka Gakuen. Tokiha-san, Mikoto-san, welcome to our school."
"Thank you for accepting us here." Mai took a small bow in front of the young girl and her companion.
"Kanzaki-san already took care of all the paper work but I need to discuss also one other matter that was not in the papers concerning your special abilities. So if you would please follow me."
"I don't think there is a need for a private discussion." Mai looked at the other girls. "They are my friends. Besides I have nothing to hide from them."
"Then I am glad. After all we had the same conversation with the rest of the girls as well." Mashiro smiled at Shizuru and Natsuki and continued her speech. "Tokiha-san the real reason that we accepted you in this school is a little different from what you think. We know that both of you are a HiME. Dangerous creatures have appeared lately around this school, creatures that only HiME can defeat. If you and Minagi-san want to help us in protecting the students of this school, then your help will be mostly appreciated."
Mai was smiling.
"Headmistress-san, this is something we are doing for quite some time. These monsters have appeared where we used to live as well. We'll gladly help you with this."
"I am happy!" Mashiro seemed satisfied. "I guess you'll discuss the rest of the matters with Fujino-san and Kanzaki-san. I hope you'll have a good time in our school."
Mashiro looked at the woman that was accompanying her.
"Fumi-san, I think we should return. I have a lot of matters that need to be taken care of."
The woman agreed with her and so Mashiro and Fumi left. When the girls were alone once again, Mai turned to Shizuru.
"I guess the only issue we have now is where we will sleep."
Shizuru smiled amused. She gave Natsuki a quick look before saying what she had in mind.
"Well I have bad news. There isn't any empty room in the school dorms. So why don't you stay with Natsuki? Her room is quite big."
Natsuki wasn't really paying attention to them all the time. The school issues weren't something she would pay attention to at that moment. In fact she had her hand in her pocket, touching her cellphone. She thought that she felt it vibrating and she was eager to check if she got the sms she was waiting for. At that moment she noticed Shizuru looking towards her and just then her mind registered what the two girls were talking about. She looked at her friend in panic! No! There was no way she would agree to this! Mai's stupid smile was getting on her nerves! What was Shizuru thinking?!
"Really? Can we stay there?" Mai had already started making plans! No, Natsuki wouldn't let that happen!
"NO, YOU CAN'T!!" The blue-haired girl was shooting angry glares at Shizuru.
"Ara ara! Natsuki can get really loud sometimes."
"No one asked me!"
"Then we ask you now." It wasn't hard for Shizuru to make her voice sound sweet. In fact she was amused knowing that she could easily persuade Natsuki. "Will you accept Tokiha-san and Mikoto-chan as your roommates?"
"NO!"
"Come on Natsuki! Please?"
Natsuki pretended that Shizuru's pleading voice had no effect on her. She needed to find a good excuse fast to help her keep her privacy. Shizuru meant it as it seemed… She really wanted her to accept these two girls in her room? But she hardly knew them! What does it matter if they are HiME? Sharing a room with them had nothing to do with special abilities or anything similar! Suddenly she had an idea and her whole face was lighted with satisfaction.
"But there are only two beds in my room!"
"We only need one. We sleep together."
'What?!' Natsuki suddenly felt dizzy! Mai's reply fell on her head like a huge rock, crushing her hopes and moreover the realisation sent cold chills down her spine. So it was true… They really were a pair! She would share her room with a pair like that?
"Natsuki?"
Again Shizuru's voice. Natsuki looked at her friend. She didn't know why Shizuru insisted so much but that pleading tone with the Kyoto accent and these eyes that seemed almost sad were making her feel all weak… Was Shizuru so good at acting? Natsuki wondered and examined the two newcomers who didn't look that scary. Maybe it would be OK to have someone live with her in her room. As long as they didn't touch her things and follow her rules everything would be fine.
"So there is really no room for them to stay?"
Natsuki thought of giving it a last try, although she already had made her mind. But if in any case these two didn't leave her in peace she would kick them out along with everything they have!
"Hmm", Shizuru brought her finger up and touched her cheek with a full of elegance gesture, pretending that she was thinking about it but the response came so fast that Natsuki was sure that her friend had set her up.
"No, there is no room. What a pity!"
"Oh well! You can stay with me!"
Natsuki gave up. Her tone didn't show excitement, not even a bit. She was forcing herself to it and deep inside she was praying not to regret it. Something was telling her that she would though, and really soon too.
"You're so nice offering your place for us to stay! Thank you!" Mai seemed satisfied. Now everything was set and she would have nothing else to worry about her new life in Fuuka Gakuen. Well there was one more thing but she preferred not to think about it yet. She would have time to decide how to handle it until that time.
"Tokiha-san, Natsuki told me earlier that she wanted to thank you for cleaning her room, right Natsuki?"
That woman! What was she saying? She never said that to Shizuru! She was going really far with it today.
"But it was nothing for me. I like doing housekeeping besides it was a way to thank you-" Mai didn't finish her sentence because Natsuki cut her with a playfull tone.
"It's OK! Now that you will be living with me you can clean the place as much as you want, if you enjoy that so much."
Natsuki was ready to laugh with her joke when she noticed that Shizuru was staring at her. To her surprise Mai found it funny and giggled before replying to Natsuki.
"Kuga-san cleaning and cooking was something I always enjoyed and I will be happy to do it. Think of it as a way to pay you back for your generous offer to accept us in your room."
Natsuki stared at Mai with disbelief. Was she really so nice? Unless she was such a good actor, but that would be stupid of her. Time will show what kind of person she was. For now Natsuki decided to be careful with her and not open up too much.
"Then Natsuki is so lucky to find roommates like you."
Deep inside Shizuru was relieved that Natsuki wouldn't live alone anymore. Judging of the way that Mai was taking care of Mikoto, she knew that Natsuki would be in good hands. For as long as Shizuru wasn't with her adorable Natsuki of course.
"Thank you kaicho-san."
Mai checked the time before speaking again. She didn't really feel like attending any class at that moment. For the time being she only needed some tea and a relaxing place. The last days and the whole moving out had tired her out somehow. Or was it the fact that she couldn't get any sleep dreaming about life with electricity? She let out a small sigh and then spoke with her sweet voice.
"School officially starts tomorrow for us. I don't think there is anything else to do right now so, since we are going back, would you like to have some tea with us?"
A scowl appeared on Natsuki's face. They just got into her room and they were acting as if the room was theirs already!
"That's a very good idea."
Shizuru was the first one to agree as expected. Natsuki wouldn't be surprised if she would see Shizuru's eyes replaced with small red hearts. Whenever the word tea was mentioned in the conversation Shizuru was all in for it. Even though she didn't want to admit this, a cup of tea would be nice at that moment, Natsuki thought. Then she remembered about her phone and she gave it a small look. There was no sms from him, so there was no hurry for her to be somewhere else yet. Scanning the place around her, she noticed that Mikoto was nowhere to be seen. Maybe she already started heading back…
The girls started walking towards the school dorms when suddenly Mikoto jumped out of a small bush in synchronization with her cat, both trying to catch a small bird that was standing in front of the bush, pecking a spore on the ground. Luckily, it was fast enough to fly away; Natsuki wasn't sure what was worse: Mikoto's hands or the cat's claws.
"Mikoto come on! We are going back."
As soon as Mikoto heard Mai calling her she picked the cat and ran behind them.
"This thing is not coming in my room!"
Natsuki's voice sounded determined but not enough as it seemed. A pair of beautiful golden eyes stared up at Natsuki and instantly they were followed by another pair of green cat eyes. Natsuki didn't know what to do. She was looking one time at Mikoto and the other at the cat. This tiny cat with these small paws and so tiny ears. It was cute for a cat, Natsuki admitted inside her.
"Please?" Mikoto didn't speak much but her look showed more than any words she could have said.
"Come on Natsuki! What harm can such a tiny cat do? Look how cute it is!", her friend said.
Since when did Shizuru like cats that much? Well it was indeed small, besides her room was always a mess.
"Fine whatever."
"Thank you!" Mikoto hugged Natsuki without leaving the cat which lead to a surprised look on Natsuki's face and giggling from both the other two girls.
"Mikoto-chan have you thought of a name for your pet?"
Shizuru spoke looking ahead, walking slowly side by side with Mai.
"Ranmaru."
So many changes in only one day. When the girls got inside the room, Mai went to the kitchen place to prepare tea.
"Tea will be ready in no time."
Shizuru looked at the area around her. She has seen the room only once when Natsuki was living alone and what she was looking at now resembled nothing the chaos that Natsuki was living in. She was glad. At least now Natsuki would live in a clean place.
Natsuki's usual frown left her face as she was observing Mai preparing tea. Unexpectidly, she was feeling nice sitting here with Shizuru and the other two girls. It felt as if they were all good friends, which surprised her. She never got to feel like that about people she had met the previous day.
Mikoto got up and followed the small cat. The animal walked across the room and as it was playing around it tried to climb the basket that contained Natsuki's clothes. Mikoto kneeled right next to Ranmaru and watched her cat get something blue in its mouth.
"Bra!" Mikoto said and took the underwear in her hand, getting ready to search through the rest of the clothes, without noticing that someone from across the room was watching.
"What are you doing there?!"
Natsuki stood up in an instance and darted towards Mikoto, snatching away the underwear from the girl's hand and throwing it back into the basket. Her face was red again.
"That's mine! Don't you ever get your hands on my things again!"
"Natsuki you don't have to be so embarrassed about that. It's just underwear."
Shizuru's amusing tone made Natsuki turn around. Not only her tone, Shizuru's whole face was revealing that she was having fun, which was irritating her even more.
"It's not as if we saw you wearing it."
Mai's laugh made Natsuki more irritated than Shizuru's last words!
"Tokiha will this tea take long?!"
"It's ready and please just call me Mai we are roommates now."
Natsuki took some time before answering. Now they were roommates, how true. She sat down back to her place, checking every now and then where that wild girl was, just to make sure that she wont see her underwear becoming toy of the cat and its master.
Mai brought the tea and at that sight Mikoto sat next to her and started drinking. Natsuki took a sip of the cup that was placed in front of her. Mai's tea was good. Not as good as Shizuru's but still better than average tea. Shizuru was the tea master after all, nobody could compare to her.
"Well Natsuki I saw you have a lot of underwear."
Natsuki chocked! She coughed before yelling at Mai.
"Hey! Just because we are roommates doesn't mean you have my permission to search my things!"
"I couldn't help it you know! Your underwear was all over the place."
"Natsuki has a lingerie collection. I didn't know that either, until a few days ago."
What was Shizuru talking about? This was one of her biggest secrets that she was trying so hard to hide all this time. Now Shizuru was telling Mai and who knows tomorrow maybe all the school would know about it and laugh behind her back!
"Don't worry Natsuki. Tokiha-san won't reveal your secret, right?"
"I won't say a word. Sealed like a grave."
Natsuki stared at Mai. Her tone wasn't really serious but she felt like she could trust her.
"So Tokiha-san how was your trip back to the school?"
"It was all right. We stopped for a minute because a monster attacked us."
"Orphans again."
Shizuru's face became serious instantly.
"Kaicho-san, don't worry so much! It was pretty easy to defeat. In fact I didn't even fight at all. Mikoto did everything by herself."
Mai looked proudly at Mikoto, touching lovingly the small girl's cheek and Mikoto smiled back at her.
"Mikoto you are definitely very strong." Shizuru's gentle voice made Mikoto's smile even wider. "This is good considering that you are so small and this might give the wrong impression to the enemy."
Mikoto nodded in agreement.
'Exactly what happened with me.' Natsuki thought, remembering how much she laughed when she thought that Mikoto would be an easy to beat opponent and how she would have lost to her if Shizuru wasn't there.
"Mikoto is really smart and strong. We have fought each other for so many times but I haven't managed to beat her once yet!"
They all laughed except Natsuki who felt humiliated. She had to improve her fighting skills so nothing like that would happen again. Shizuru won't be there all the time to save her…
"You know I was surprised to see these monsters here too. There were a few where we used to live, but I wasn't worried because it was easy for both of us to take them down. Here though, everything is different. There are lots of students around that might get hurt if something like that attacked them."
"You are right. There is a rumour already spreading in the school that a girl was attacked. I wonder how Suzushiro missed something like that." Shizuru said with a worried tone. The school wasn't a safe place for the students anymore.
"Well it's just a rumour, we don't know if it really happened. Besides if something like that reaches Haruka's ears you'll be the first to know about it. She'll definitely call a council meeting for that."
Natsuki's speech was interrupted by curious Mai.
"Who is this Haruka you are talking about?"
"She's Suzushiro Haruka, executive board director." Shizuru said sipping some more of her tea.
"She's nuts!" Natsuki added. "She yells all the time about ethics and stuff like that and she has a girl that follows her everywhere and obeys her, Kikukawa Yukino."
"Well Suzushiro is a little loud but I like her. She's always so straight and honest. Kikukawa seems a good girl too. She's obeying Suzushiro just because she cares so much about her."
"So these two are a pair?"
Natsuki almost jumped on her seat. She didn't expect Mai to ask something like that. She blushed as she stared at Shizuru waiting for her answer. Shizuru smiled as if this was the most common question.
"I don't believe that there is something like that between them. I believe Suzushiro has absolutely no clue about Kikukawa's feelings."
Natsuki looked at Shizuru puzzled, never expecting her to speak so freely about things like that. Mikoto listened to the conversation with interest although she didn't say anything all this time. The cat was sleeping on Mikoto's lap and she was caressing her pet's fur.
The next moment Shizuru was standing beside the girls, checking the hour on her mobile phone.
"Please excuse me but I have something to take care of. I'm already late."
"I hoped you would stay for lunch." Mai said with a disappointed expression. Having a company of 3 girls was uncommon for her, since she always lived alone with Mikoto till now, but also pleasant.
"I promise I'll join you some other time. Forgive me. Thank you for the delicious tea." Shizuru bowed with grace in front of the new students.
"It's OK kaicho-san. You have a lot of duties after all. It was a pleasure to have you here." Mai smiled.
Mikoto ran to hug Shizuru just before the kaicho passed the door. Natsuki followed her friend outside.
"So you're leaving?"
"Yes I have to discuss something about the school with the headmistress."
Well the truth was that this served two purposes. It was a way to leave Natsuki alone with the two girls as well. They would live with her from now on and she knew pretty well that Natsuki wasn't that good with relationships.
"I guess we'll see each other tomorrow again, Natsuki..."
Shizuru's tone was soft; her long pause made Natsuki wonder what Shizuru was going to say next. She looked into her friend's crimson eyes.
"Natsuki I wanted to say that I had a great time the last few days that we spent together. And that I'm grateful to you for taking care of me when I was hurt."
"Don't mention it."
This was the exact moment that Natsuki realized that she would spend the rest of the day without Shizuru. She was kind of used to her. She glanced anxiously at the door. Now she had to go back there, alone with the girls. What was so important that made Shizuru leave so soon?
"Shizuru, do you have to leave now?"
"I'm sorry Natsuki. Don't worry, we'll talk again tomorrow."
"OK, goodbye."
"Goodbye" Shizuru made a few steps and turned around. "Be gentle with your new roommates!"
"Yeah right…"
Shizuru giggled as she was walking away from Natsuki. The blue haired girl stared at her friend's back, not really wanting to go back inside. Although she couldn't stay outside her room forever. She opened the door and entered the room. Mai was sitting exactly where she had left her, Mikoto next to her. She thought that the best thing to do was to sit next to them and it was exactly what she did. Natsuki who was so talkative a few minutes ago was silent now, looking awkwardly at her two companions.
"Natsuki?"
"What?"
"How long do you know the kaicho?"
"Shizuru oishi!"
Mikoto seemed excited when the talk turned to be about Shizuru. What the hell was Shizuru doing to all the younger girls to like her like that? She felt a little irritated. First she didn't like Mikoto calling Shizuru oishi, although deep inside her the question was burning her: did Shizuru really taste like tea? Second she didn't like to answer all these questions, because she already knew that if she answered this one question then another and another would come.
An answer like "It's none of your business" would fit perfectly here; it was Natsuki's first thought but she knew it would complicate things more. Besides she felt that things between her and her roommates could become really convenient for her so she should at last try not to be rude. Just like Shizuru asked.
"Well I've known Shizuru for more than three years. She's been my friend all this time."
"I thought so." Mai lowered her gaze on the girl next to her. "Mikoto and I know each other a long time too."
Mikoto nodded in agreement. Her hand reached for Mai's and her eyes looked into Mai's violet ones when she spoke.
"I love Mai."
Natsuki watched the small girl drawing Mai's hand towards her so that Mai would get closer. She watched her face getting closer to Mai's; Mikoto stopped for a second and then she approached Mai more, their faces only a few centimetres away from each other.
'Is she going to kiss her here? In front of me?!'
Mai was smiling, which was only natural being the receiver of all this love.
"I love you too Mikoto."
'Hey! I'm here too!'
Natsuki felt like invisible. Her face took an expression of panic. Blood was gathered fast behind her cheeks and this red colour was spread all over her face when Mikoto's lips touched softly Mai's for a second. Just then Natsuki realized that she was staring and she turned her face to the other side. Oh god she was so glad that Shizuru wasn't a witness to this! Who knows what would happen if she was here, how much teasing this could cause.
Not hearing any sound coming from the girls she decided to look again. What she saw left her speechless. Now Mai was kissing Mikoto back! Her face turned purple! This room felt too hot for a moment. This has gone too far! She had to stop them at once! A small cough was her first attempt to remind them of her presence. It didn't seem to stop them though which made her more irritated!
"Hey! Get a grip! I'm here too!"
Mai laughed just by looking at Natsuki's red angry face.
"Natsuki you shouldn't be embarrassed by something like this!"
"But you were kissing! And you're both... girls!" The blue haired girl's voice was too loud, as if she was out of control.
"A kiss is the simplest way of expressing love. Moreover, what's wrong about two girls kissing? There's no right or wrong about love!"
Natsuki didn't know if she should say anything else. Simple expression of love she said. She could object about that but she was afraid that they might want to show her more complicated methods and she was sure that she couldn't take any more of this.
"So, are you just friends with the kaicho? She seems to care a lot about you." Mai said, being able to see more than what Natsuki would have realised all this time about Shizuru.
"Yeah I know."
Natsuki hurried to reply before realizing what exactly Mai said!
"What?! NO! Of course not! We're just friends!"
"Natsuki there's no need to be offended. I just asked a question."
"You ask too many questions!!"
Natsuki was looking irritated at Mai, her voice still loud, while in her mind all she could think was that she would gladly beat that girl up for getting her nose in other people's business. Suddenly her vision was blocked by something. Mikoto was standing between the two girls and she didn't look that friendly. Natsuki has seen her expression before. It was the same expression she had just before they started fighting.
"Mikoto calm down. It's alright."
Mikoto obviously thought that Natsuki would hurt Mai when she saw her shouting like that. Instinctively Mikoto ran to protect Mai but when Mai assured her that everything was OK she went back to sit next to her. Although she didn't stop there. She hugged Mai and placed her face on Mai's chest, making her laugh. Natsuki frowned, wondering how could it be for that girl to change moods so fast, but still didn't say anything.
In fact her mind was somewhere else to be bothered to argue with the girls. In a few days she would have to sneak in that laboratory, but without the building plans she wouldn't know what she would do. The place was full of guards and she wouldn't want to get into fights with them. Silence and secrecy would be ideal for that mission and without his help she would never succeed. She had to find him and talk to him. A small check on the time on her cellphone convinced her that it was the better time for her to go search for him.
"I have something to take care of." With the words she got up and fixed her vest. "I guess I see you later."
Natsuki closed the door without waiting to hear any response from the girls' side. She didn't have much time to waste. Her pace was fast, she was almost running when a gentle and slightly amused voice reached her ears.
"Where is Natsuki going in such a hurry?"
She stopped instantly as if she had bumped into an invisible wall.
"Shizuru."
What should she tell Shizuru now? Well maybe she should tell her the truth but then again the least she knew the better. Shizuru was a HiME but what Natsuki was planning was dangerous even for the most daring ones.
"Did anything happen?"
"Not really. I have to do something but can wait."
"So how did it go after I left?"
"These girls are shameless! Just a while ago they kissed in front of as if I was invisible!"
Shizuru checked if somebody could hear their conversation. A nothing but innocent smile appeared on her face, the same one she always had when teasing would follow.
"Ara Natsuki, It was just a kiss. Besides it's so sweet that they love each other so much."
"No it's not! I can't live with them if they continue acting like that. The get involved everywhere. Mai even dared to ask me if-"
Natsuki bit her tongue. 'Stupid Natsuki! STUPID!' She would gladly slap herself for having such a big mouth.
"What did she ask?" Shizuru was all eager to find out what Mai asked, although she could guess already what it was.
"Heh? Nothing." Natsuki would rather pretend that she had made a mistake but Shizuru wasn't convinced that easily.
"Come on, you can tell me."
"She asked me…" the words denied to come out, while her look was anywhere else than on Shizuru's face."… if we are more than friends."
Natsuki's whisper reached Shizuru's ears and she did her best to keep her expression serious. Good job Mai!
"Well didn't you explain to her that we are best friends?"
"No, I... I didn't think that's what she meant."
The floor under Natsuki's feet had suddenly become really interesting because her eyes were didn't leave it, not even for one moment.
"I think she meant more than friends just like they are.", Natsuki dared to explain, wishing that the floor that she was staring at would open up and swallow her.
"Oh that. And what did Natsuki answer?" Shizuru's hand was covering the most amused expression on her face.
"Shizuru!! This isn't funny!"
Shizuru laughed really satisfied with the whole situation. Having Mai and Mikoto living with her, Natsuki might change her opinion about girls being together. Maybe there was hope after all. These girls were a gift from heaven!
"I think we should leave the girls alone for a while. Would you like to join me in the cafeteria?"
For Shizuru having Natsuki's company was the best way to pass her afternoon. She noticed that Natsuki checked her cellphone again; maybe she was waiting for something? She knew about Natsuki's meetings and plans on things considering the HiMEs; it was enough to steal away Shizuru's night sleep many times. Her most wanted wish was always for Natsuki to be alright and knowing that she was always getting herself into danger was worrying her a lot.
"Unless you have something else to do."
"No, I am free for now." Natsuki gave up on him. She asked for info days ago and he said he would have it by today, but as it seemed he either didn't find what he was looking for or he had other problems that weren't letting him time to meet her.
Shizuru's crimson gaze interrupted Natsuki's thoughts. Natsuki felt her friend's eyes studying her that's why she turned to see a Shizuru having an expression that not many times she had seen before on that beautiful face. She seemed worried and – was it Natsuki's impression? – these eyes showed weakness. She did her best to suppress the urge to hug her friend, wondering if something was going on. Shizuru always managed to hide her feelings so well and for her to seem like that now it could have been something serious. She wasn't sure if it would have been wise to ask, but she promised herself not to leave her friend's side until she notices a change.
A warm feeling was spreading inside her as she was staring back into dark crimson. Her friend was smiling, probably noticing that her mask was dropped for just a short moment. Shizuru who was a HiME, standing by her side. Natsuki would never be alone again; she had someone she trusted, someone who she could always turn to. Even more now that she knew that Shizuru was a HiME and that she could speak freely with her about this.
Natsuki didn't know why she did it. In fact she didn't think there was any need for it, but just like sometimes people do things out of instinct, she reached for Shizuru's hand. Offering her best genuine smile she spoke with a voice that sounded a lot gentler than it usually was.
"Let's go."
Shizuru's hand was wrapped around Natsuki's, feeling her heart race fast. She didn't speak, scared that what she felt wasn't true. She didn't ask; why should she? She knew that she could follow Natsuki anywhere and that's exactly what she did. With steady steps she followed her friend, letting her lead the way, wishing that the moment would last for ever.
