Thoughts: Kiss or Kill
Disclaimer: If Mai-HiME was mine, there wouldn't have been a Tate or a Sergey.
To Kara-san: Thanks for teaching me 'maido'. I'll be sure to use it sometime in the future. It was after reading your fanfics that I decided to take a stab at writing. So! I thank you with this chapter.
To AquaInferno: You've inspired me from how I inspired you so thus I am re-inspired by your inspired fanfic caused by me. Did that make sense? I didn't think so. Well, you'll see what I mean.
And final thanks to those who have reviewed! I love reading everyone's comments!
Special Thanks to: Centauri2002/Caz-sama for beta-ing! Whee! I cheer up with her encouragement!
They were late, but they were there, and not a single soul was in sight.
Probably in class…
Parking the bike on the curb outside of the school gates, the pair got off. The elder girl gave her thanks as Natsuki offered to take her helmet.
Taking her hand to retrieve the school bag off the handle bars, Natsuki held her helmet in the other. Again, she sensed the irregular footsteps that only her trained ears could hear. The second revelation of the day struck her harder than an armored tank.
She's trembling… was she… no… she didn't force herself to… did she?
The younger girl felt guilt, another rare emotion. She called out; not wanting to sound desperate, her voice was low, "Shizuru…are you okay?" Shizuru ceased her pacing down the oak-tinged brick walkway. Fully turning her body, she replied sweetly, her visage absent of strain, "Yes, I am fine. Why does Nina suddenly ask such a question?"
Do you really need to ask that?
"Isn't this your first time riding a motorcycle?" Worry flashed across her eyes as she spoke. The figure before her wrapped a hand around her waist causing her school bag to swing due to inertia. Then, she placed a finger on her cheek, cocking her head slightly. Natsuki would soon come to realize this was the Kaichou's 'signature' pose.
"Well, indeed it was."
The navy-haired girl braved more questions, "Were you not scared? It was different from riding horses, wasn't it?"
"It certainly was."
Those short replies were annoying Natsuki to no end.
Picking up her stride, she caught up to the older girl. The two walked silently along the path, praying once they reached the Statue of Noir. Stealing a glance at her imouto out of the corner of her eye, Shizuru detected something.
The brunette shifted her whole body and exclaimed in amused, petite shock, "Ara, how careless of me." Brow raised in confusion, Natsuki turned.
Confusion was quickly replaced by panic as Shizuru's hands stretched out; burnt citrus orbs immediately hid behind her eyelids. She felt a trifle shudder traveling throughout her body as lithe fingers were placed on her collar. Natsuki felt a light tug and pat on the cloth. 'Ara…'Shizuru mused.
Eyes opened and saw a playful smile grace the older girl's face. "One should always have their collars neat and tidy, Nina." Mumbling thanks, orange globes averted their gaze towards the ground. For reasons unknown, the navy-haired girl felt the attention was still on her. The agent peered up, her heart quickening.
What's with the expression on her face?
Maroon eyes stared back as if diving into the depths of her soul; a string struck. It was simply entrancing.
"Does Nina not have her rosary yet?"
"Huh?" Spell broken, the girl was lost. "I-I mean no, I don't. They still have to embed my name into the emerald gem." Natsuki could swear she saw those scarlet irises sparkling with mischievous intentions. It was quickly forgotten with the next comment.
"Nina, we should hurry to the attendance office."
"Ah… Yes, you're right…"
x – x – x – x
Natsuki waited for Shizuru to come out of the attendance office. Setting her helmet and bag onto the floor, she leaned her back against one of the Ginkgo trees, smudging the front of her loafers into the pavement. The younger girl sighed. She had the choice of watching the swaying leaves or her foot creating a small crater into the earth. The agent chose the latter.
Shizuru exited the building; she saw hopeful eyes as she strode to the younger girl leaning against the tree. Clutching a folded piece of paper in her hand, she chortled inwardly, 'Now I know your schedule, Nina...'
No longer leaning on the tree, Natsuki straightened her posture to talk to the older girl.
"Here's your schedule, Nina."
"Thank you, Shizuru." The navy-haired teen softly spoke as she received the piece of paper. Picking up the items on the ground with one hand, she placed the letter inside her bag.
"Anytime," the melodic Kyoto-ben replied. Shizuru was entertained by the sudden change in her imouto's demeanor. Natsuki tried to keep her calm, but still displayed her lack of self-control by her slight squirming and eyes that darted to the ground and around the school. Feeling she was ready, the younger girl met those crimson orbs once more.
"So, how was it? Are we charged with truancy? What kind of punishm—" Shizuru poked the area between Natsuki's brows and proceeded to smoothening the creases.
"Ara, if Nina worries at such a young age, she'll age quickly." It took everything Natsuki had to push away the urge to turn into a sizzling red when the finger was lifted. Argh!
"No, I won't." Natsuki childishly slapped the hand away. Subconsciously she let out her puppy pout instead of a glare. This time it was Shizuru who had to use her willpower to suppress her impulse to swoon at the cute sight. 'Ah, so cute!'The elder girl exclaimed happily in her head.
"So?" Ignoring the previous comment, an eyebrow was quirked.
"We are not in trouble. I simply lied saying I was showing Nina around the campus."
"And they accepted that excuse?" She lies? The eldest daughter of Sergey Viola lies?! The agent learned something new about her 'sister'.
"Ara, I am the Kaichou of student council," crimson orbs sparkled with mirth.
She's plainly using her position… The younger 'sibling' coughed and checked her watch. "Well, I guess I'll head to class now, seeing that I'm already late." Natsuki was just about to leave until Shizuru grabbed her hand.
It was soft.
"W-what are you doing?" She felt powerless to tug out of her grasp.
"Ara, to the Suisho no Yakata, of course. Surely Nina does not think she can carry her helmet around the whole day. Plus, lunch is about to begin; we might as well eat there without any distractions."
Natsuki wondered what kind of possible distractions they could have during a lunch break. Their hands never parted as Shizuru pulled the younger girl to the entrance of the Crystal Manor. The azure-haired teen felt small against the two-storied building.
"Are you sure?"
Shizuru let out a playful smile, "Am I sure about what, Nina?"
"Isn't this place for the student council only? I'm not allowed to be in here…"
"That is just a rule made by some girls in this school, though I am not complaining. Peace is always loved by the Suishoyurikai." The Kaichou proclaimed and let go of her imouto's hand to open the door, gesturing her inside.
They went up the steps to the second floor. The pair continued walking down a short hallway, stopping before a mahogany door. Shizuru lightly knocked onto the wooden surface. Finding no answer, she turned the doorknob and padded inside. Natsuki quickly detected a couple of things within the room: a kitchenette and some simple paintings. What stuck out the most was the large, round, rectangular, varnished oaken table with paperwork on it. A simple vase of white lilies decorated the table as the center piece.
Why did I agree to go with her? I've never seen myself waver as much as this. Is it perhaps the time from earlier? I'm probably thinking too much… I mean this is how 'Nina' would act, right?
Shizuru set her bag onto the table and headed to the kitchenette to pull out some cups from the cupboard. Looking over her shoulder she found Natsuki was still standing by the doorway, unsure of what to do; her brows knitted up in minor frustration. The older girl chuckled quietly to herself.
"Please sit down; I'll make us some tea. Does Nina want black tea or green tea?" She offered to the confused girl who had yet to take the action to move an inch from her spot. Natsuki dumbly nodded, still standing at the same place for a few seconds before replying, "A-ah, green tea, please."
Shizuru chuckled, "Ara, wait a minute then. Why don't you look at your schedule, while I make this, hm?" Red eyes watched carefully this time, making sure her imouto seated herself. Thankfully, she moved.
Why do I feel so nervous?
The agent pushed her question away. She was just not used to sudden invitations and unplanned actions. This was just one of those moments. She placed both items onto the table and seated herself. Unclipping the bag, she pulled out her schedule and skimmed over it. As expected, most of the classes seemed useless to her.
Finding nothing else to do she glanced out the second-story window. Green hidden under earth blinked. Light invaded the spacious room from the large, arched windows with maroon curtains made of cotton. Though the room was simple; it had a feeling of grace about it. Natsuki heard the clanking of glass and looked at the source.
"Thank you, Shizuru," she took the cup as Shizuru took the seat beside her. The agent sipped the green liquid and found it extremely pleasing to her taste buds; they were jumping in joy. Wow, this is good…
"Is it to your liking?" The elder girl took up her own cup and took a sip as well.
"Y-yea…" She found herself blushing. The longer those maroon orbs peered into her, the more she felt embarrassed. Natsuki's vision was downcast to her cup. Glancing up again, she found those alluring eyes were still on her, studying her features. She studied her 'sister' as well, taking in every feature of her visage.
Citrus irises were glazed momentarily with adoration. Light was reflected onto the creamy-colored skin of Shizuru's cheeks, tinting it with a soft yellow. Silky chestnut bangs were vivid to every strand, showing no signs of splitting. Then, eyes lingered down to her pointy, petite nose… finally landing on the lips—vibrant with color akin to peaches that without a doubt were tender and luscious if ever touched.
Still, those scarlet globes were the most mesmerizing as they shone the resplendency of her being. Yet, it was strange. At first what seemed like an embodiment of elegance and perfection was actually… Natsuki could not find an answer. There was a wall—a barrier locking away the answer in a rigid container known as Shizuru's soul.
The younger girl found that Shizuru was staring at her the same way. Natsuki stiffened, turning her head away quickly and moved her gaze to the white walls, then to her helmet. It was the second time, but it was accompanied with something else: fear. Fear and guilt lurched and tossed in her stomach. The agent was scared—because she felt that those same alluring eyes were able to… look into her and find someone called Kuga Natsuki and not Nina Wang.
The guilt knotted the beating muscle known as her heart. Unbeknownst to her, Natsuki discovered the pain of lying to someone, not yet dear to her but just barely there.
"Ara, Nina's so cute when she blushes…"
I'm blushing? The blue-haired girl brushed her hand across her cheek and found it hot to touch. She willed it to go away by snapping her eyes shut. Opening them, the heat was still there.
Load of good that did… that was just plain stupid… Ears perked up to the sound of a mute slap of a hand and the clanking of metal on the varnished table. Eyes widened as Shizuru tilted closer to her.
And closer.
"W-wha-?!" The proximity between the two closed in… more. Natsuki could smell the faint scent of tea emitting not from the cups but from Shizuru's body. Her mind went numb.
"Sh…" Shizuru whispered, moving towards her. They were so close. Close. She stopped when their faces were just centimeters away. If Natsuki were to inch forward, they would be met in a kiss, yet she froze. She felt herself shudder involuntarily as Shizuru moved her head past Natsuki's ear and breathed.
The older girl's other arm clasped onto her shoulder. If Shizuru were to trip, they would be met in an embrace. She didn't. Then there it was—the metal clanking. Orange orbs darted to the source as her way to escape what was happening. Formerly on the table, a hand clutching a silver necklace was brought close to her.
"Nina… close your eyes for a second," the Kaichou whispered; the hot breath tickled Natsuki's ears. Natsuki was not blushing, still too stunned from what was happening. Orange eyes hid behind their eyelids once again.
Click.
The sound of a click echoed across the room, bouncing from wall to wall. Only when the younger girl's body suddenly felt cold did she open her eyes. Shizuru was sitting back in her seat, smiling at her with that ever mischievous sparkle in those maroon orbs.
Natsuki cocked her head in confusion like a newborn infant, much to Shizuru's amusement. A lithe finger pointed at her chest. Vision was downcast to the object now dangling on her neck. A curious hand gingerly picked up the said object. It sparkled in a beautiful silver blue. Natsuki trailed an index finger along frame in which the small circular gem was incased in. It was pointy and cold to touch, shaped like a wing made of platinum.
This is…!
Then, Shizuru pulled out a similar necklace from her neck. The object which was previously hidden inside her uniform glowed in a brilliant purple. The Kaichou cocked her head in the same fashion, though in curiosity.
"Do you like it?" The sweet Kyoto-ben flowed out of her smiling lips.
"I-I-I… uhh… umm… I-I-I…" Words were caught in her throat. Natsuki merely managed a nod.
"Ara, that makes me happy." The grin grew wider; eyes still sparkling playfully.
"…W-w-why?" Those were the only words she managed to mutter.
"I want Nina to be my petite souer and vice president of Garderobe," she answered matter-of-factly.
"S-still… something so sudden. I-I haven't even a-attended to any classes yet…" Her voice trailed off to something barely audible, but Shizuru caught it.
"Did you know? What you have in your hands is known as the Ice Silver Crystal," she changed the subject with her soft melodic tone. It was a spell.
"N-no…" Again, something so sudden threw her off. She ordered her mind to make an intellectual statement; it didn't work.
"And mine…," Shizuru lifted her necklace, "is called the Bewitching Smile Amethyst... Really, now I wonder why they call it that. Graceful Amethyst would be so much better; don't you think so, Nina?"
Natsuki managed to laugh and regained her composure. Shizuru quirked an eyebrow at the change. "No, it fits you perfectly."
Bewitching is right…
"Still, why me… Shizuru?" A thumb idly traced the curves on the silver blue necklace.
"Do I need a reason? I simply wish for Nina to be part of the Suishoyurikai."
The younger girl decided to accept the reason and gazed at her necklace again. It was magnificent. No words could describe how she'd suddenly come to love the object in her hand in such a short time frame. Citrus globes widened a bit when examining the gem. She noticed there was no name etched inside the stone.
"Why isn't there a name inside the gem?" Shizuru sipped more of her tea and to her dismay it'd gotten colder. She placed the cup back down onto the table and gave her attention to her imouto.
"Ara, the material used to make the pair of necklaces is very rare—not even something money can buy. Wonderful isn't it? The items have been passed down for at least a century…"
Natsuki was stunned that something so shiny and smooth to touch was made over a hundred years ago. It was not rusty at all, let alone scratched or dented in any way.
"B-but…how would I exchange this with my own petite souer if… if I were to have one in the future…? My name… it cannot be embedded inside, right?"
Why am I wondering about the future? I'll be gone… by then…
Shizuru stood up and walked back to the kitchenette to bring the tea kettle. Pouring hot tea into both of their cups she answered, "Nina simply won't have a petite souer. Doesn't Nina know? Only one souer contract can be formed at a time, silly."
She certainly was learning a lot today. The agent scoffed, which only caused the older girl to chuckle again. Argh, it's not my fault I'm new to this school…
Then, loud bells were sounded. It was officially time for lunch. Orange eyes peered over to Shizuru, her voice offered coolly, "Let's eat?" The older girl nodded to the vice president of the Suishoyurikai.
The girls pulled out their lunchboxes from their bags. Untying the cloth wrapped around it, she lifted the cover. Okay, I'm a bit happy, but not too happy. Natsuki jabbed and squeezed her salmon sushi roll with her chopsticks, hoping some mayo would squeeze out. None of it did, but she saw a superbly thin layer of mayo around the piece of salmon.
Popping it into her mouth, the addict felt her dose slowly sated. 'Nina' let out a sigh of glee. Shizuru looked at her, amused that her imouto was happy eating sushi. She did not notice the super thin layer of mayonnaise.
"Ara, Nina sounds so happy." Chewing on her second piece, Natsuki made a sound of affirmation.
"Can I try one, too?" The navy-haired girl froze. She considered, hesitated, and then finally gave in with a nod. The older girl gave another cheerful smile, her chopsticks gracefully plucking a piece of sushi out of the box. Studying it with her acute red eyes, she found something was wrong. Even so, she decided to try it. Perhaps, the chef made it especially more delicious for 'Nina'. Who knows?
Natsuki watched as Shizuru's calm demeanor went from content, to surprise, and finally revolt. The older girl coughed. The agent quickly went to the kitchenette and grabbed a couple of tissues, handing it to the girl, who desperately and thankfully accepted.
Politely purging the disgusting contents onto the napkin, while facing away from 'Nina', Shizuru softly uttered, "Ookini…and kannin na Nina…"
The younger girl rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly, "No, it's fine. I know not everyone can accept that stuff."
"Ara, it's not that." Orange globes watched as Shizuru stood up and walked over to the mini refrigerator. Eyes bugged out of their sockets. She gawked.
Oh. My. God.
Retrieving the plastic bottle from the fridge, Shizuru shook it in her hand, waving it at the younger girl teasingly.
"Nina, Miracle Whip is not mayo. 'This' is real mayo." Shizuru shook the jug again and then read the contents aloud, "Safflower oil, egg yolks, and various seasonings."
Eyes glued to the bottle containing the white condiment as it was brought over to the table. Shizuru graciously squirted the contents onto her lunchbox before handing it to Natsuki who did just the same.
The pair popped in a piece of sushi –so overly drenched in mayo that it was dripping back onto the box- and simultaneously sighed in pure bliss as they cutely put a hand on their cheek.
"Ahh…." They sighed again; mayo was heavenly. The younger girl found herself amused by the expression on her 'sister's' face. It was akin to a child, especially when you stuff them with their beloved ice cream and lollipops. The thought brought in the image of a baby Shizuru riding in a baby-stroller, sucking on a pink pacifier, while holding a jar of mayonnaise. The girl with midnight tresses could hardly constrain her urge to bawl out in laughter. Shizuru raised an eyebrow at 'Nina', who was shaking in her seat.
"I-I never knew you were one to like mayo. Isn't this bad for your health?" Natsuki stuttered, trying to change the subject.
Considering how you fainted during that time…
The older girl's demeanor brought the image of a baby Shizuru in her head again. She popped in another piece to calm down. Orange puppy eyes twinkled like young stars shining brightly in the midst of night. Shizuru found the sight too adorable to bear; she also popped in another piece of sushi and sighed. Life was real good with real mayonnaise.
Regaining her composure, the older girl answered, "ara, but I do. However, I know how Father is… what do they call them?" Shizuru assumed her sitting signature pose, pressed her lips, and pondered. She nodded and continued, "a health freak," her words came out humorously.
"Ah! True true!" Both of them laughed. They never knew they shared the tastes. It surprised Natsuki to no end when it came to matters concerning the girl in front of her.
I'm sure… I'll get to know much more about you, Shizuru…
'I don't want Nina to worry about my health. So young and full of worry…this girl should really enjoy her life more,'Shizuru thought.
x – x – x – x
The girls washed their lunchboxes and utensils in the kitchen sink. They felt content in each other's presence. It was mystifying. Not a month had passed, yet they found themselves so similar. Unbeknownst to them, they were similar in more ways than one.
"Nina, what class do you have next," Shizuru knew but asked anyway and handed a wet cup to her. 'Nina' rinsed the cup and dried it, placing it on the small rack to air out. "I have athletics next. What do you have?"
"Human Anatomy."
"Ah… good luck."
"Ookini, it's actually…quite entertaining." It is…? She saw a quick flash of an awkward shimmer in those crimson globes; Natsuki dismissed it.
The older girl shook her thoughts away; it was something she could do with ease. "Ara, and if I am right, I believe Yukino has Athletics with Nina." Squeezing some soap out of the dispenser, they both washed their hands.
"Hmm, is that so? I'll look forward to it then."
The bell sounded once again, signaling passing time. Natsuki grabbed her bag and made her way to the door until Shizuru stopped her.
"Is there something wrong?" A hand came towards her again. This time she didn't flinch. Natsuki watched as Shizuru dropped the Ice Silver Crystal necklace under her uniform and straightened her bow again. "There. All good."
"Hmm?"
"It's no fun if students suddenly come up to Nina and ask about this necklace on her first day, no?" 'Nina' nodded; Shizuru was right. The last thing she needed were nosy school girls poking into her business, and it's not like she could take it off; it'd be horribly disrespectful. "Thanks."
"Anytime for Nina," Shizuru smiled. Natsuki decided to wait for the other girl to grab her school bag, so they could walk to class together. Both of them stood in silence, waiting.
"Shizuru?" The younger girl wondered why Shizuru never attempted to get her school bag. She waited, but the older girl did not move.
"Come on now, Nina, go on ahead. Nina has athletics with Yukino next, right? The changing room can be a bit crowded. You should hurry on." Natsuki felt rushed as she was ushered out the door.
"W-what about you?"
"Ara, I have something to take care of," Shizuru pointed to the pile of paperwork and to the helmet sitting atop the table.
"Is that so? Very well. I'll see you later then, Shizuru." The nonchalant tone hid her slight disappointment; the younger girl went out the door and down the stairs to her next class. Shizuru watched until her imouto had exited the building. Sighing, she had pressing matters to attend to. First things first, she had to put away the helmet.
Athletics, huh? Isn't this going to be interesting…
'Now what excuse should I come up with…,'Shizuru looked out the arched windows, crimson orbs lingered as Natsuki slowly blended into the crowd of incoming students.
x – x – x – x
Omake:
Shizuru's peering down from the mighty Crystal Manor.
Shizuru: fu, fu… now if we had more chest revealing uniforms… -target locked onto a certain raven-haired girl with orange eyes-
'Nina' (Natsuki): -shivers- God, why do I feel so violated all of the sudden? –continues walking to her next class, while eyes dart around suspiciously-
A/N: Somewhere in my weird little mind, I decided to squirt Miracle Whip on some of the walnut chocolate fudge I've made. I popped it into my mouth. Oh my god, let's just say I'm so glad I didn't die.
Shizuru's cooking time! She likes mayo doesn't mean she doesn't like tofu! Now serving: Agedashi tofu for reviewers! This is deep fried tofu topped with finely chopped spring onions and white radishes served with a hot broth/sauce.