Chapter 12: Fly Away

Natsuki opened her eyes and glanced around the carriage's compartment. She was stirred by the wobbly movements along the graveled road. Warmed, she was cuddled in a blanket Shizuru had prepared for her last night. Gradually, she looked up at the girl next to her.

Shizuru was already awake. With her hat off, her chestnut tresses draped down to her slim shoulders. She covered her mouth as she yawned. "Good morning, Natsuki."

"M—morning…" Natsuki sat up and pulled her collar closer, suddenly aware of how close they had been. Looking around, she reminded herself where she was, and what had transpired yesterday. In all honesty, she still couldn't believe that Shizuru not only didn't punish her for her feat, but also had allowed her to tag along. She wouldn't exactly know what to think of Shizuru's growing trust on her. A stranger's kindness had always been difficult for her to take.

"We will stop by Ihara farm. We could take a bath and have lunch there before we continue our trip."

"Is the farm yours?" Natsuki asked.

"No. Ihara Michiko is my aunt. She is the oldest of my mother's nine siblings."

Natsuki chuckled. "Your kind doesn't look like you could live in a farm."

Shizuru slightly looked down. "Against my grandfather's will, she married one of the guards, and because of that, she was cut off from the Fujiwara family. But my mother has kept in touch with her, and brought me to visit her from time to time."

"Ah, poor woman. No one should have to go through something like that. They should love whoever they want." Natsuki lifted the curtain up a little to see the vast plane of green, paddy fields along the path. Mountains stood in the backdrop, surrounding the fields like a great wall. The cool air was extremely refreshing, and Natsuki smiled to greet the new morning. She only stopped smiling when she turned to see Shizuru watching her. Involuntarily, she blushed at the unexpected attention.

"Such an idea of freedom is unheard of. I must admit that I am now deeply curious of what your world is like." Shizuru's gaze lowered a little as she said, "How wonderful it would be."

Natsuki watched Shizuru for a long moment, trying to decipher the meaning of the girl's contemplative gaze. "Not always. Everything comes with a price."

Shizuru looked up. "I suppose nowhere is perfect then."

"Perfection is fiction."

Shizuru laughed heartily at the statement. However, it was her turn to look elsewhere as though she didn't want to agree, but failed to disagree.


Ihara Michiko was everything Natsuki did not expect. A woman in her early fifties, Michiko was a head shorter than her niece. She was tanned and freckled, her shoulders thick. Dark gray hair adorned her sideburns. Her smile was wide and bright. It was the kind of smile that needed no permission, unlike the one Shizuru often wore. Her dark eyes were full of life and energy, and her thick brows curved nicely into smiley arcs. While Shizuru appeared every inch of the upper class species, Michiko was everything opposite to it.

Shizuru and Natsuki got off the carriage and approached the wooden house in the middle of the vast fields. The guards were closely behind them.

"My Shizuru!" Michiko ran along the path towards her niece with open arms and gave her a big hug. Breaking from the embrace, she rubbed her niece's back and studied her face. "You have grown so pretty, my little girl, and you grow taller every time you visit me." The woman then turned to Natsuki. "Is this one of your close friends? I cannot possibly catch up with your playful behavior anymore!"

Shizuru raised her brows. "She… She is just a friend."

"It is a pleasure to meet you—uh—Lady—umm—Ihara…" Natsuki stuttered.

"I am a farmer. Call me, 'Michiko'," Michiko said, smiling.

Glancing back and forth between Shizuru and her own clothes, Natsuki assumed that Michiko knew about Shizuru's masquerade. It suggested how close Shizuru was to her aunt, so there was nothing Natsuki should be worried about. But something else had caught her attention, and she turned to Shizuru. "You don't seem like a playful person to me… Are you?"

Shizuru bit her bottom lip and turned away. "I am hungry, Aunt Michiko. I miss your cooking."

"Of course! I have made some salty squids for you. The kitchen was very busy this morning."

Shizuru made a face. "Eh, but I prefer shrimps, or grilled fish."

"Anything you wish. We went fishing yesterday just for this. Come now!" Michiko quickly escorted her niece into the house, and the rest of them followed.

Natsuki chuckled at the sight. It was amusing to see Shizuru's childlike side in her Aunt's presence. Shizuru seemed to be able to surprise her at every turn, trying or not. Unlike no one else, there was just something about the girl that caught Natsuki's attention.


Like a big family, Michiko invited everyone to join the large, low table for lunch, but Shizuru's guards hesitated at the kindness. The Fujiwara family was one of the most powerful people in Japan, and being a former member of it was rather intimidating. It was only until Shizuru insisted that they accepted her aunt's invitation, or they would be punished, that they finally gave in.

Michiko and her husband, Ihara Taro, each were seated at each end of the table. Natsuki sat down next to Shizuru as the others began to take their seats. Kiyoshi took the spot opposite to Shizuru, while the girl kept her attention at the food on the table at all times.

After a warm bath, Natsuki and Shizuru had changed into light-colored kimonos. Sitting next to Shizuru, Natsuki couldn't help but notice how the girl ate and laughed more than she had been in the mansion. It seemed that Shizuru could relax and be herself a little more here.

Michiko turned to Natsuki. "You ought to eat more, Natsuki-chan. You keep staring at my little girl. You are going to pierce a hole into her face."

Shizuru looked up, and their gazes fleetingly met. Looking away, Natsuki coughed at the fish in her throat, pounding her chest a bit. Shizuru moved the teacup on the table to Natsuki's hand.

"T—th—thank… you…" Natsuki gulped down some tea.

Michiko picked a piece of grilled fish for Shizuru and continued, "How long have you known Shizuru? She has quite a few friends, but none like you."

Natsuki put the teacup down. "None like me? I hope that is a compliment."

Shizuru still kept a calm face as the conversation began to involve her 'friends'. "She is a… a distant friend. My friend's friend—"

Michiko nodded as she continued. "You do have strange complexion. Such beautiful eyes! Where are you from?"

"I came from the future." Her answer earned her laughs from around the table, and Natsuki bowed in response as if it were really just a joke. She then smirked at Shizuru, causing the girl to direct her gaze elsewhere.

"A mysterious girl. You will not reveal yourself so easily! I see why Shizuru has taken special interest in you enough to bring you here," Michiko said, grinning.

"I did not—" Shizuru started.

"My dear, but you have such a lovely friend. I am glad that you brought her here," Michiko said.

Natsuki slightly blushed, failing to explain how she got to join the trip without looking crazy. She wouldn't know what to make of Kiyoshi's stare from across the table, or why she should care either.

"She liked to appear uninvited and would not leave even if you asked her so. More like a nuisance than mystery, I would say," Shizuru corrected with a straight face.

Natsuki snapped, glaring to the noble girl. "You haven't seen it all. Not yet."

Shizuru put up a smile. "I cannot wait."

Taro laughed aloud. "I like your friend, Shizuru-chan. She has a sense of humor! I do not know where she is from, but 'The future' must be bright."

Smiling back at Taro, Natsuki bowed to the old man. When everyone else started to eat and talk to one another, she turned to Shizuru and huskily whispered, "I bet your other friends are a bore."

Chewing, Shizuru still refused to look at Natsuki. "You cannot compare to them."

"Oh, tell me more about them. I'd love to know."

Shizuru stopped for a second before chuckling. "What is troubling you? That I called you a 'nuisance'?"

Natsuki perked her chin up. "No. I'm just curious if they're the same people who've given your boyfriend trouble."

At Natsuki's mocking wink, Shizuru stared straight at the raven-haired woman. "Are you threatening me with my secret?"

"I didn't know it's considered a secret. Your aunt gave me the impression that you weren't exactly being secretive about your love life."

Shizuru shook her head. "You are unbelievable."

Natsuki sharply looked away and gobbled some more food. She couldn't exactly pinpoint what was bothering her, and she decided that she should stop talking before things got out of hand.


It was well into the afternoon, and Natsuki still found herself at the Ihara farm. The plan to leave after lunch had been postponed. Shizuru had given in to her aunt's plea to spend a night here. They had prepared her a small, clean room in the east section of the house. It was very quiet and private, so much so that she wondered where the others had been.

Shizuru had quickly left the table after lunch and had gone around the farm with Michiko. Natsuki wouldn't be surprised at all if she woke up tomorrow to find that she had been left behind. But what worried her even more was the sight of Shizuru's few suitcases arranged into the corner of the room. Michiko's house wasn't half as big as the Fujino mansion, and thus the room must be shared. She contemplated several times if she should start searching for the mysterious box hidden inside a suitcase somewhere, but finally decided against it. She didn't want to be caught in the act.

She might kick me out, kill me, cook me, or—err… Urgh, whatever…

Natsuki brushed the thoughts away. Eventually, she couldn't stand the quietness around her anymore. She walked out of her room, put on her geta and trekked along the narrow road along the paddy fields. The long path led to the woods near the mountains.

She looked around and, from a distance, spotted Shizuru and Michiko riding on their horses. They seemed to have a good time together as the others were working around the farm. Natsuki smiled at the sight, and continued the walk further, enjoying the quiet time by herself.

Further away from the farm, she found herself drawn to the thick forest ahead. The air in her lungs was cold, and she had never felt as light in her own world. As she trekked deeper into the beauty of nature, the thought of her father came across her mind. Although she had tried to adapt herself to the new surroundings, it was still hard to believe that she would never ever see her father and friends again. She wouldn't have to go to the classes she used to complain about a thousand times over, but now longed to hear the bell ringing at the end of the class. As she felt the soft soil underneath her geta each step she took, she sorely missed the sound of engine the moment her favorite Ducati roared into life. It broke her heart to remind herself that she would never get to kiss her father goodnight again.

Her feet kept moving, taking her away from all that she could feel, touch and taste in this world. She wanted to leave. She wanted to run away, but she didn't know where to. Eventually, a sigh escaped her lips, and she brushed the tears away from her eyes.

"Ah—shit—!"

Her mind preoccupied, Natsuki had slipped and fallen into a deep swamp. She quickly kicked up and resurfaced, her geta lost to the cold water below. Her head popped up above the water.

"Ahhh…!"

Man, stupid! I should have watched the way!

She swam towards the bank, and tried to push herself up. But the slippery duckweed gave her a hard time, and she kept slipping back into the water. She tried to calm down and stilled her breathing as the cold water rapidly numbed her limbs.

"What are you doing?"

Natsuki's head shot up, and she saw Kiyoshi standing by the bank. He was staring down at her with suspicion.

"Swimming, maybe?" Natsuki sneered.

He crossed his arms across his wide chest, his face grimaced. "I cannot understand why Shizuru trusted you enough to let you out of the island. Who are you? What do you want?"

Natsuki had to admit that she disliked how possessive Kiyoshi sounded every time he called Shizuru by her first name. Perhaps, it was the fact that anyone with a rational mind knew that their love was impossible, everyone but him.

"I never meant anyone harm," she said. She tried her best to give the most amiable answer. "I was lost in the woods and found the Fujino mansion. Seriously, I didn't know anything about the Fujino family. I want to go home, but I just don't know how."

A moment of silence passed, and he let out a sigh. "I have no reason to believe you, but if Shizuru allowed you to come along, then so be it. But you should know that I will be watching you. If you ever hurt her in any way, you will pay for it. I have no rules or gods to believe in. You will suffer, understood?"

Natsuki briefly shut her eyes. She absolutely despised threats, but she just slightly nodded in response as she couldn't feel her legs anymore. She took his hand the moment he reached out, pulling her out of the water.

Her body shaken, Natsuki slowly stood up, hugging herself. "Thanks…" she muttered, her lips quivering.

"It was for her. You are her friend. For now."

Natsuki squinted up at Kiyoshi, but they both halted when they heard the sound of galloping approaching.

Michiko, on her white horse, rode towards the swamp, her face filled with worry. "Are you all right, Natsuki-chan?"

"I—I'm fine. It's just—I—I slipped."

On the black horse, Shizuru eventually caught up with her aunt. She frowned at the duckweed all over Natsuki's head and body.

"You must be freezing! Now, go back to the house and take a warm bath before you catch a cold," Michiko said.

Natsuki shakily nodded, but stopped when Shizuru swiftly rode away without a word. Inwardly grumbling, she wished that she could throw a rock at the girl for turning a cold shoulder at her. She had done nothing wrong, and it was all Michiko's fault for keep mentioning about Shizuru's friends at lunch.

Stupid. Stupid. Stooopid…


The warm bath turned into a long, hot bath. Natsuki felt so much better after almost an hour in the steamy bathtub. After the bath, she put on a jade-colored kimono. Her wet, raven hair hanging loose to her back, she sat along the wooden passageway in front of her room. The view offered the sun setting fast below the vast, green fields.

Taking a deep breath in, she hung her slender legs down, swinging them lightly to feel the cool air. Her mind was at ease as she watched the sky turning into dark blue. The stars began to appear, and the glittering sight mesmerized her. She was sure that she couldn't find a heavenly sight like this in her own world. Sometimes she was still convinced that she was in a dream of a dream, in which she would never wake up.

"The night is cold. You should be careful, or you might catch a fever again."

Natsuki turned at the voice and found Shizuru approaching her. She could only sit still as Shizuru knelt down and put a navy-colored kimono over her shoulders. "Thank… Thank you…" They had not talked since lunchtime, and Shizuru had been avoiding her until now. It did question her if she had gone too far by mentioning Kiyoshi's past relationship with the girl.

Natsuki glanced at the girl. "Do you mind?"

"Pardon?"

Natsuki gestured at the suitcases inside the room. "They put me here, but I could sleep somewhere else."

Shizuru briefly glanced at the suitcases, but said nothing. Natsuki didn't know what Shizuru's silence meant, but she didn't dare to move as not to stir another misunderstanding. After what happened today, she could only hope for a little moment of peace between them now. She averted her gaze from the girl, looking down at her feet. She had never cared what anyone thought or felt, and this had become something totally new to her.

Shizuru then sat down and looked out at the fields. For a long moment, they both just embraced the peacefulness around them. The light air and the smell of grass seemed to envelop them, separating them from the rest of the world.

"It's nice to see how close you're to your aunt. You seem… different here," Natsuki mumbled. She wanted to make it a positive statement, but she wasn't sure how Shizuru would interpret it. To her relief, Shizuru giggled.

"I suppose that it was why my mother often took me here. She knew what it is like to be a Fujiwara, and it is a little more complicated to be both a Fujiwara and a Fujino. I am thankful that she tried to lead me here."

Natsuki studied the calm, easy smile on Shizuru's lips. "When will your father free you from this charade?"

"As soon as Eiji agrees to marry one of the girls he found for him. It will be the time I could fly away."

"I guess you're just like your aunt. She's brave. A really brave one, I mean it."

Shizuru slightly nodded. "She has done extraordinary things. She is just a farmer, but everyone in the province knows her. She is very generous and hard working."

"And because she decided to love the one she truly wanted?"

Shizuru laughed. "For her, yes. But love does not mean much, at least not for the people of my class. We have too many responsibilities to maintain."

Natsuki sighed. "Responsibilities. Right."

"You never had one?" Shizuru smiled.

"I live for myself. I mean, I love my dad, but ultimately, we all have to live for ourselves. Just like your aunt. She did the right thing, and she's happy, isn't she?"

Shizuru's smile faded as she watched the stars above. "You both make it seem easy… so easy…"

"Life is a lot less complicated if you make it so." Natsuki mildly shrugged.

Shizuru chuckled. "I suppose I will have to learn from you sometimes."

The first real smile graced Natsuki's lips. She couldn't recall the last time she smiled so widely that her cheeks hurt. "Well, everything will go back to normal after Eiji marries."

Shizuru leaned a little closer to Natsuki. "Of course, Fujino Shizuru is so eager to leave her sick bed."

Natsuki had to look away at Shizuru's earnest smile. She only glanced back at Shizuru again when the girl took out a flute from under the layers of her kimonos.

Shizuru offered the flute to Natsuki. "Can you play something? Anything?"

Natsuki hesitated for a moment before she took the flute and pretended a frown. "Do you always court your friends with art? It's a very old trick."

Shizuru sat back, resting back on her elbows against the cool floor. Once again, she looked up at the dark sky. "Amuse me, Natsuki."

Clutching the flute, Natsuki raised the flute to her lips, but stopped. She didn't know what to play, yet her heart had always longed for a song to be sung. Briefly closing her eyes, she then played something Shizuru had never heard of. She played something she had never thought of herself before. As the music began to accompany the cold night, they could only dream of the day they could fly away to the place they longed for.


A/N: Thank you all for dropping by :)