Shatter- Chapter 12

Setsuna immediately texted back a reply, wondering what had prompted Konoka to think that.

"What's wrong?" Asuna sat up, supporting herself with one arm as her long, unbound hair fell over her shoulders. She placed her other hand on Setsuna's lap and looked up at her, eyes wide.

Setsuna glanced at her, then showed her the text she got from Konoka.

"I just got this from one of the girls I work with." She said quietly.

Asuna's eyes narrowed as she read the few words, then they widened in surprise.

"Wow, I wonder what's wrong?" She said softly.

"I dunno, but I'm gonna call her, she isn't texting back."

She quickly keyed in the number, then brought the phone up to her ear as she pressed the call button.

It rang long enough that Setsuna figured she wouldn't pick up, and as she was about to end the call, she heard a click, then a shuffling sound. She brought the phone back up to her ear.

"Hello?" Konoka asked, sniffling.

"Konoka, it's Setsuna. What's wrong?"

"I-I dunno, just...I think Asakura thinks I'm worthless." She began crying, and Setsuna could easily hear the sobs that she was failing to hide.

"Is that what she said to you?" Setsuna asked. Asuna tilted her head to the side and gave Setsuna a questioning look. Setsuna put the phone on speaker, and set it in her lap.

"Not exactly, but it seemed like it." Konoka said, her voice shaky.

"Son of a bitch..." Setsuna mumbled. Then she raised her voice so Konoka could hear.

"Can you tell me exactly what she said?"

"I can't remember it word for word right now...but...i-if you call me tomorrow once I've calmed down I might be able to."

"Konoka, wai-"

"I need to go Setsuna. I'll call you tomorrow or something, bye."

There was a click, and Asuna stared at the phone for a moment.

"Wow." She said, looking up at Setsuna. "That was weird."

"You noticed that too?" Setsuna asked.

"Yeah, she was fine, then she started crying, then she was just mildly upset, then when she hung up it sounded like she was about to start bawling again."

Setsuna rubbed her face, sighing. "I don't know what to do." She said, leaning back.

Asuna slowly moved to lay beside her, propping her head up with one arm as she stared down at Setsuna's face.

"You need to go see her tomorrow." Asuna said.

Setsuna sighed. "I know. What time should I go, do you think? First thing, or no? Give her time, or try to help immediately?"

Asuna shrugged. "Probably not too early tomorrow, but I wouldn't wait much longer than that."

"Yeah, I'll head over at eleven, and see if she's calmed down any."

"Did you wanna take me home tonight, or, tomorrow morning, or...tomorrow night?"

"Which one do you want? Up to you." Setsuna said.

"Take a wild guess, 'Suna." She said sarcastically.

Setsuna sat up, reaching for her wallet on the bedside table. "I'll grab the keys." She said.

"Nooo, I meant tomorrow night!" Asuna exclaimed, reaching up and grabbing Setsuna's arm.

Setsuna rolled her eyes and allowed herself to be pulled back down. Asuna happily pressed her body against Setsuna's, and sighed quietly in contentment.

There was silence for a moment, then Setsuna spoke up.

"Would you ever date that Kaede chick, if you were given the chance?" She asked quietly.

Asuna nuzzled her nose against Setsuna's throat, then shook her head.

"No, why do you ask?"

"Just wondering..."

"Okay."

Another moment of silence, then...

"Why?" Setsuna asked.

"Why wouldn't I date her?" Asuna asked, puzzled.

"Yeah, why?"

Asuna shrugged. "She's just not my type."

"I don't believe that." Setsuna said flatly.

"Why not?" Asuna sounded offended.

"The way you were talking about her earlier made it seem..."

"Made it seem?" Asuna prompted.

"Nevermind..." Setsuna said. She was starting to regret saying anything at all.

Asuna smirked, pressing her lips against Setsuna's throat.

"Come on now, Setsuna, if I wanted her, do you really think I would be here with you?"

Setsuna shrugged gently. "I don't know..."

"That's because you're duuuuuumb!" Asuna teased, in a sing-song voice.

"Don't make me get the keys. I'll take your ass home RIGHT now."

Asuna bit her lip, and raised her eyebrow suggestively at Setsuna, but she ignored it.

Pouting, Asuna removed any last bit of space between them as she scooted closer, throwing her leg over Setsuna's waist. Pulling a blanket over top of them both, she closed her eyes and laid her head on Setsuna's chest.

"Get some sleep, 'Suna. Tomorrow we need to go fix your broken friend."

"I have a feeling sleep won't come easy tonight." Setsuna said softly.

"Mmmn, why is that?" She asked.

Setsuna squirmed a bit. "Too many clothes on." She admitted quietly. Asuna laughed, and her fingers teased Setsuna's waist.

"Oh, I could very easily remedy that, you know."

"Be good tonight." Setsuna said softly.

Asuna wrapped her arms around Setsuna, and squeezed tight. "Anything for you." She whispered.

888

Setsuna slipped her shades on, hiding her eyes as the bright sun hung suspended in the warm air. She gathered up her hair into a messy ponytail, securing it with the strap around her wrist. The silver chain around her neck glinted in the bright mid-morning light, and she smoothed out her dark red v-neck shirt over her tight blue jeans. They ended in a boot cut, resting on top of a pair of purple Supra's.

Unlocking the passenger side door, she opened it for Asuna. Thanking her, Asuna slid in, letting her eyes travel down Setsuna's tightly clad body as she did so. Setsuna caught her obvious stare, and rolled her eyes, although the gesture was unseen. Shutting the door, she walked around to the driver's side.

Slipping in, she popped the emergency brake as she pushed in the clutch. Her car began rolling backward down the driveway, and she slipped the key into the ignition, cranking the engine as she rolled down her window.

The engine caught as she reached the bottom of the driveway, and she slipped her car into reverse, knowing the momentum alone from rolling down the driveway wouldn't be enough to get her over the crown in the road.

Asuna watched Setsuna out of the corner of her eye, fascinated by how effortlessly she managed to do everything. She had only driven a few times, and was terrified of it.

Suddenly, she laughed, and Setsuna turned her head slightly to look in her direction.

"Hmm? Something funny, Asuna?"

"The way you use your feet. You look like a duck!"

Confused, Setsuna looked down at her feet for a moment. Her right foot was turned slightly to the right, heel on the floor mat as she pressed gently on the accelerator. Her left foot was pointed toward the clutch, heel also resting on the floor mat.

"The way your heels are touching, while your feet point in different directions. Looks funny as hell."

"Shut up, it's the way I drive." Setsuna said defensively, upshifting.

"No, it's cute!" Asuna said, giggling.

Setsuna mumbled something, and Asuna smiled at her. "You know what I like best about it?" She asked.

"What?"

"The way it keeps your legs spread apart." She said, putting her hand on Setsuna's thigh.

"Perv."

"Oh, I'm much more than that, Setsuna, you know that."

"Give it up, be good."

Asuna pouted. "Am I not good enough for you anymore? Is there someone else, Setsuna?"

"I will not answer those questions. They are ridiculous."

"But I want you to answer them! I want to know!"

"Asuna?"

"Yes, m'dear?"

"Shut up."

Asuna sighed, and turned to look out the window. "Meanie." She mumbled.

Setsuna ignored her, and continued driving. There were a few minutes of silence, before the red-head spoke up.

"Setsuna, what do you want for your birthday?"

"My birthday isn't for another month. And I don't want anything."

"Well you must want or need something."

"Nope."

"Okay then! I know what to get you!"

Silence. Asuna tapped her foot.

"Well?" She asked.

"Well what?" Setsuna replied.

"Don't you want to know what I'm getting you?"

"Not particularly."

"Good. I'm getting you me!"

Setsuna glanced over at her.

"The hell does that mean?" She asked.

Asuna grinned. "I'm getting you me for your birthday."

"Wow, spent a lot of money on me there, cheap-ass." Setsuna said, sarcastically.

"You say that now, but just wait til your birthday!"

"Are you gonna be wrapped up? Cuz I just might not unwrap the present that's wiggling around."

"No, I won't be wrapped up." She said. "Trust me, it's gonna be great."

"Great for who?" Setsuna mumbled.

Asuna hummed happily, pretending not to hear her.

Setsuna was surprised that Asuna managed to stay silent for the rest of the drive, and when she pulled up to Konoka's house, Asuna was still quiet.

"Ready?" Setsuna asked, shutting off the engine. Asuna unclasped her seat belt. Looking at Setsuna, she grinned.

"A better question is, are you?"

A/N: Please review! Small chapter this time, not much to say about it. Hope you're enjoying so far! Much thanks to the people who have been following this, and other of my stories, always giving a polite review, you're the best! =3