Author's Note: This chapter is longer than the last. It took some time to see the light of day- well, life has been busy. D: Writing fanfiction allows me to destress, so fret not! Much thanks to Crosswood, my awesome beta. I've not had a beta before this chapter...

Enjoy reading!

'Hearken, Fates, who sit nearest of the gods

by the throne of Zeus,

and on shuttles of adamant weave

countless, inescapable devices

for counsels of every kind...'

- Stobaeus Ecl. I

-I-

The two lovers only shed the dust of sleep from their eyes in the hours after breakfast was served, waking in Natsuki's warm and toasty bed. Natsuki lay on her side, taking in the sight that she'd so missed. A small smile graced her pale features. "Hello, Shizuru."

Shizuru sat up slowly and ran her hands through slightly tangled tresses. With a twinkle in her eyes, she then leaned down on one arm and kissed Natsuki's ear. "Why, hello, Natsuki."

"You have bewitched me, my Goddess," Natsuki murmured as she pulled Shizuru back onto the bed and into her arms. They lay comfortably spooned together, in Natsuki's tangled sheets of black silk.

Shizuru's face fell, however, when she heard the word 'bewitched'. Her soft hair brushed against Natsuki's face as she shook her head in protest. She turned her body around, angling her face such that Natsuki could not see her eyes.

"Natsuki, you must believe me, I stopped trying to use my spells on you ages ago. And I'm sorry that in the beginning I even tried. Natsuki…" Shizuru sighed deeply. "… I would give anything to make you believe me."

Natsuki was mortified. She hugged her lover tightly, tilting Shizuru's head so that their eyes met. "I know. Look, I didn't mean it so literally. I really do believe you, Shizuru."

Shizuru still looked worried. Natsuki swallowed. She hadn't meant to make Shizuru uncomfortable. "Shizuru, you said you would give anything to make me believe you. I would give anything back, for you to believe me." She buried her face in the crook of Shizuru's neck. "So lose that expression, please."

Those crimson eyes slowly regained their familiar twinkle. Shizuru placed a happy kiss on Natsuki's lips, and threw back the covers to get up. Relieved, Natsuki rolled out of bed and carelessly threw a black robe across her pale, naked body.

Shizuru broke into a suggestive smile as her eyes roved up her lover's toned body. Natsuki carried herself in a way like no other. She thrummed with a dark energy, barely contained. Her movements were swift and her mind sharp. Shizuru let out a besotted sigh. She really couldn't help how she was drawn to Natsuki, nor would she change it for anything. Swinging her feet down onto the pale marble floor, she expected her feet to feel the sting of cold marble, but to her surprise it was instead pleasantly warm.

Natsuki waited for her as she put on a set of pale violet robes. She chose a golden clasp, one studded with rubies, to pin the ensemble together. A servant most probably had come in during the early hours, while they were yet asleep. Crystal clear water sloshed about in a bronze basin as she washed the last remnants of sleep from her face.

Natsuki was the first to speak as they left the chambers. "I could show you around my castle, if you want. After breakfast." She looked nervous. "We can do whatever you want."

Shizuru reached out for her lover's arm and wrapped it around her waist. She felt Natsuki reflexively pulling her closer and smiled. "Don't you have duties to attend to? When you left, you spoke about them, and I don't want to keep you from them. As long as you bring me along."

"I have my minions," Natuski grumbled back. "When I got back from Garderobe I gave them my orders. I dare say they will not slack off while they can still feel my presence in the Underworld."

"You're a big, bad minion lord, Natsuki? Ara… I am the big, bad minion lord's lover! Watch out, I bite!" Shizuru laughed softly as she bit Natsuki's reddening ear.

The lady of the underworld spluttered a little. "I just meant that there is some part of me performing the functions of Death, Shizuru! But for the most part, I am all yours." A faint blush and a small pout. Natsuki was truly adorable. Shizuru felt her heart do a little somersault.

"I look forward to knowing more about your domain, Natsuki."

Natsuki flushed deeper. "… let's go have some breakfast."

The narrow doors to the dining hall were flung wide open by a magical, invisible hand. Awaiting them on the round table was numerous varieties of ambrosia and a jug of golden nectar. The sweet smell of roasted meat wafted from an earthen pot placed in the centre of the table.

"Looks like my servants have outdone themselves in attempt to welcome you, Shizuru."

-II-

The midday fog (for there was no sun in the Underworld) found Shizuru and Natsuki in the stables of the Goddess of Blissful Death. They were there as Shizuru had previously expressed a wish to see Duran and feed him some apples.

Natsuki grinned as they walked towards the big horse. "You've always spoiled Duran, Shizuru. Remember when you used to feed him ambrosia when we were in Garderobe? He's become an absolutely spoiled horse."

"Apollo's worse with his horses, Natsuki. He feeds them ambrosia every single day. I only fed ambrosia to Duran once." Shizuru felt like sticking her tongue out at Natsuki, but propriety made her keep it in. There were servants about, after all.

Natsuki snorted. "I've met Apollo. He tried wooing Mai, once. Then Nao kicked him out of Mai's rooms because she didn't like his face- or at least that's what she said."

"He's not too bad. Really earnest." Truth to be told, Apollo was a blip on Shizuru's radar. She'd never found him interesting, and he'd never tried flirting with her.

Natsuki shook her head. "He has a really dodgy pseudo-relationship with his half-sister. Believe me, Reito is a better person."

"Ah, so Lady Mai has to choose between Apollo, the Sun God or Reito, the Dark God? What a choice! To whom shall I lend my charm?" Shizuru laughed.

"I believe Mai's already chosen, Shizuru. And I'm not surprised. Gods of the Underworld are the s-sexiest!" Natsuki tried to sound suave as she said the last phrase, but her blush and slight stumble foiled her attempt.

Shizuru found it cute and let out another small laugh. "Ara… Natsuki is the sexiest, I wholeheartedly agree."

Natsuki grunted to hide her confused mix of pleasure and embarrassment at Shizuru's words.

The horse ate a grand total of fifty-one apples that day. He was a very contented horse. The pair continued the tour of Natsuki's castle. They met more and more of Natsuki's servants- all cloaked in black, and hooded so no one could see their faces. Shizuru was introduced as the Goddess Shizuru. Natsuki didn't mention if Shizuru was her lover, her partner, or anything other than the Goddess Shizuru. Shizuru felt put out by that missing description, more so as the day went by. Yet for most part she could forget that niggling unease, and marvel at the many rooms of the castle, all serving distinct purposes of their own.

But that unease continued to bite at her heels. Wanting to clear the issue, she broached the subject hesitantly the next day, over breakfast.

"Natsuki… do you not want your servants to know that we're… lovers?"

Natsuki stopped dipping her bread in oil and looked up sharply. "What makes you think that?"

Shizuru shrugged. Her eyes looked away from the table, avoiding Natsuki's gaze. "Are you ashamed of me?"

"I don't understand why you might even consider that, Shizuru! I love you!" Agitation seeped into Natsuki's voice.

"Nevermind. Forget I mentioned it." Shizuru sipped her goblet of nectar, and tried to pretend that she didn't feel disappointed with Natsuki's response.

Natsuki bit her lip, and continued eating her bread. Seconds after swallowing that particularly large mouthful, her eyes widened and she grasped Shizuru's palm. Shizuru looked up, startled.

"Shizuru, I am so sorry! I didn't- I didn't think it was- I mean. You're important to me Shizuru. I just didn't think that it might be important to you that my servants know about us."

Shizuru hummed in agreement, but her lips remained shut. She waited for Natsuki to continue.

"I'll introduce you properly from now on, Shizuru. Promise." Emerald eyes shone in earnestness.

"If Natsuki promises, then I am happy."

And Shizuru felt the unease slip away, as though it had never been there.

-III-

Day after day they rode out into the surroundings lands. Natsuki showed her the lands of Hades, from end to end. More often than not, Shizuru turned her face away from the gruesome horrors and the manifold punishments she saw being carried out -but she'd asked to see Natsuki's homeland. She wasn't going to squirm now that Natsuki had agreed. It had taken some persuasion to get her dark-haired goddess to acquiesce.

She understood now why Natsuki was reluctant to show her the lands beyond the palace grounds. Here was pain. Here was grief. Here, they came face to face with the suffering. Sometimes it was difficult to breathe, as if the air had soaked up the regrets of all the Underworld spirits.

Among the numerous places they explored, Shizuru liked the Elysian Fields far more than any of the other places. Natsuki had taken note of that. It was a large expanse of land, slightly hilly and in possession of many small groves- the spirits resting there were happier and the air fresher.

It was towards the end of the second week that Shizuru received a treasured gift. They had spent most of the day reading to each other in a grove of trees, on which the apples hung dry and brown- unfit for eating. Towards evening, Natuski cajoled and wheedled Shizuru into riding up to the far eastern corner of the Elysian Fields, where a smithy stood. The smith that greeted them was a centaur, with a stout build and impressive hind legs- he rejoiced in the name 'Sakomizu'.

Natsuki whispered, "You're done fashioning the ring I commissioned, Old Smith?"

Shizuru, with her sharp ears, heard this, but pretended that she hadn't. Nevertheless, her heart beat a little faster when she heard Natsuki mention the word 'ring'.

"Of course. Come in, I will show it to your Ladyship." He looked at them both curiously, eyes glazing over slightly as he took in the breathtaking beauty that was Shizuru Peitho. "And this must be-"

"This is Lady Shizuru. My partner." Natsuki's voice brooked no questions. The smith disappeared at once into the back of the smithy, and returned quickly holding a silver box in his hands. Natsuki received it with ill-concealed excitement.

"Ah. Shizuru, what do you think?" Her pale fingers opened the box deftly, revealing two golden rings that, each held a narrow inlay of dark blue metal. Small blood red gems and emerald gems completed the picture.

"They're lovely, Natsuki. Simple, but elegant. Who are they for?" Shizuru hoped, of course, but she dared not assume. Her eyes admired the detail in the rings, at how carefully the emerald and blood red gems were inlaid. With such colours, no doubt these rings are meant for-

"For us." Natsuki gently took Shizuru's hand. "I did promise you to replace the cracked ring, and Sakomizu here has done so according to my exact wishes." There was, a question being asked in dark eyes. "It's not just a gift this time, Shizuru. If… I mean, you're more than just my lover. For as long as you will have me, this is my commitment to you."

Shizuru felt herself burst out in joy. She threw her arms around Natsuki, hugging her tightly, kissing her deeply. The sudden force made Natsuki stumble backwards before she could regain her balance. Natsuki was smiling too, delighted in her lover's joy.

At a short distance from them, Sakomizu awkwardly tried not to watch the two lovers. He felt like a voyeur, but well… Natsuki hadn't told him that he could leave. He waited patiently as the pair embraced. Shizuru was whispering something into His Ladyship's ears that was making her pale cheeks really rosy. He shut his ears. He shut his eyes. Hades would surely banish him if the Dark God found out Sakomizu was watching this!

Finally he heard his Lady say, "You may leave, Sakomizu. Thank you for your hard work." Natsuki nodded in his direction, quirking her lips as she thanked him.

Sakomizu fled into his smithy.

Now left to themselves, Shizuru and Natsuki got back up on the horse, the silver box holding those precious rings in Shizuru's safe care. "I thought we could wait til we got back to our castle, Shizuru, before we put on the rings. Um, because-"

"Natsuki wants to have great celebratory sex and then exchange rings? Why, I have the exact same sentiments too!" Shizuru laughed. The way Natsuki had said 'our castle'- so naturally, so fondly, produced a small ball of warmth inside her.

And who knew but them alone how Natsuki urged Duran to get to their castle in record speed? They rode swiftly through the Elysian Fields, where the joyous spirits sang and danced. More warlike shades tended to nearly translucent horses, and polished still-sharp swords that glimmered silver in the misty land. Their pallid hands hailed their Dark Lady Natsuki and her companion as they rode past.

Late that night, just before they fell into comfortable slumber, Natsuki and Shizuru exchanged their rings. No pomp, no grandeur, but only an earnest promise made between them.

"I place this ring on your fourth finger. It rests on the vein that leads to your heart. May my heart always be beating to the same song as yours does…"

-IV-

Despite the joy of that day, the reality of the Underworld soon began to sink in. A full month passed, and it was nearly winter in the world above. The Underworld was untouched by the seasons above- cold, eternal and unchanging. Persephone was always around now, and Shizuru got to know Natsuki's mother better.

Persephone had a sadness in her eyes Shizuru had not noticed before. The Queen of Hades, the lady of Earth, trapped in the Underworld for all of winter. Shizuru did not probe, but on a subconscious level, she empathised with Persephone.

Shizuru was losing the golden tan she had possessed all her life in the world above. Sometimes she wondered if she'd imagined the bright light and warmth of the sun- or whether the Sun had ever even existed. The shadowy realms of the Underworld seemed to be all there was.

If not for the warmth of Natsuki's devotion, Shizuru would have quit that dismal realm at once. The castle was warm and welcoming, but everything surrounding it held true to the Underworld's reputation of being thoroughly depressing. Sometimes Shizuru wondered if being with Natsuki was worth the shadowy grief that seemed to coil around her heart whenever she ventured out of the castle without Natsuki by her side.

Natsuki had warned her, and back then she didn't understand- not really. Now she tasted reality and it was bittersweet. She hated the darkness. Did she hate not being with Natsuki more? Shizuru believed so.

Questions arose in her mind, unbidden and unwanted. If Natsuki were made to choose, would she choose the Underworld or Shizuru? A sharp pain pierced her heart as she blinked back tears. Could she even ask that of Natsuki? Seeing her Dark Lady interacting with the denizens of the Underworld, she finally realised, on a more heartfelt level, that Natsuki could never be free. She would never even see a need to be thus. If Shizuru wanted Natsuki, Shizuru had to accept being part of the darkness as well. Heartbreakingly, Shizuru didn't know if she could bear with the gloom for eternity. Was love enough?

"I love you," Natsuki murmured each night before they slept. The plea, "Stay with me." was left unspoken, dangling in the air. Natsuki wasn't blind. She noticed how Shizuru was less cheerful than when she first arrived. How her love smiled less, ate less. Natsuki felt the pangs of grief in her private moments alone, but dared not talk to Shizuru about it. The Goddess of Death kept her silence, hoping against hope that Shizuru would get used to the Underworld.

Shizuru wanted Natsuki to be the first to speak. She entertained daydreams that Natsuki would offer to leave these dismal lands for the world above. Did not Natsuki say she would give anything? Was this a selfish wish? Shizuru didn't want to think too much about it. Try as she might to fight it, however, the weight of the darkness bore down on her. Only when she was in Natsuki's presence did the darkness change into a protective cloak that swirled around them both. Shizuru winced internally when she realised how dependent she was on Natsuki in this solemn Underworld.

She got to know Reito better as well. He would come to their castle once a week or so, to speak with Natsuki about official duties. Shizuru noticed how Reito often opened a portal into the world above after the meeting, leaving in a twinkling of an eye.

Being quick-witted as she was, Shizuru soon put two and two together. We can leave the Underworld in a flash. Anytime we like. And return just as quickly.

Of course Natsuki wouldn't be able to leave the Underworld for all eternity, but Shizuru had a compromise. They could come home to the Underworld- to Natsuki's castle every night, but by Aphrodite, Shizuru was not planning to permanently spend her days in the Underworld as well. She understood that Natsuki couldn't always be with her in the world above. "But some distance during the day would be healthy," whispered Shizuru to herself.

They were walking in a forest glade when Shizuru decided to broach the subject. She leaned against Natsuki's black-clad shoulder as they walked, enjoying the scent of her partner. "Natsuki, I want to visit the world above soon. I should see Aphrodite, to tell her that your castle is now my home."

"Of course, Shizuru." The answer came back in a determinedly neutral tone. "You're free to leave the Underworld whenever you wish."

"Is that a frown I see?" Shizuru nuzzled into the shoulder. "I'll always return to spend my nights in the castle."

"I'm not worried."

"I didn't say you were."

"I'm not."

"So, you're not." Shizuru leaned back, trying not to sound too eager. "How do I open a portal to the world above?" "It's simple enough. You form a thought in your mind- visualise the place you wish to appear in, and focus some energy into where you wish the portal to appear. Then it appears and you step right through." Natsuki illustrated the steps as she spoke. A portal appeared and sunlight poured through the opening. Natsuki snapped her fingers and the gateway closed as quickly as it had appeared.

"If it was that easy then why do people make such a fuss about leaving and entering the Underworld? Come Natsuki, surely there is more to this."

Natsuki's eyes darkened. "Ah. Father will need to mark you as one of the denizens of the Underworld."

Her emerald eyes bore into Shizuru's. "And once marked, you will have to return to the Underworld when beckoned by Hades. He probably wouldn't summon you, but he could. It is…. a commitment for eternity."

Shizuru frowned. "Your friends- Nao and Mai seem to get in and out pretty easily."

"They send me word that they are visiting, and I open the portals for them."

"You can do the same for me. Then I won't have to be bound to the Underworld." Shizuru looked at Natsuki, confident that she would agree.

"… Yes, I could." Natsuki closed her eyes, fighting the plummeting feeling in her heart. So Shizuru does not see us being together for eternity. Well, I can bear with that. I can. And I…. shouldn't expect more than what she's prepared to give.

Green eyes met with Shizuru's darkened red. "I mean it. Sounds like a good plan, Shizuru."

The mood lightened up at once. Shizuru smiled, her eyes crinkling as she did so. "Shall we go to Thrace, first? Reito mentioned that a battle is raging in those lands. He said many gods and goddesses are watching the 'most fascinating bloodshed'." Shizuru imitated Reito's lazy drawl to near perfection. "Lots of people dying, lots of work for Death."

Natsuki narrowed her eyes. "You want to see me at work? It's not very pleasant, Shizuru."

Shizuru kissed Natsuki's jawline gently, her eyes alight with curiosity. "Of course I want to see my Natsuki being all deathly and deadly."

"It's not that interesting, Shizuru." Natsuki groaned in pleasure as Shizuru's fingers played a sensuous dance across her back. "I'm just w-w-walking around the battlefield."

"Does Natsuki have a secret mistress I don't know about in the battlefields of Thrace?" Shizuru gasped theatrically and withdrew her fingers. "Is this why she does not want us to visit it?"

Natsuki sighed wistfully at the loss of contact. "Obviously not, Shizuru. Come on, I want to show you this place…"

She tugged Shizuru's hand. 'This place' turned out to be up well-trodden path, and consisted of a small clearing, ringed by small trees. Natsuki stopped, her face alight with eagarness. "So this where I sometimes come to rest. It's really ni…what are these trees doing here? They're almost crowding out this clearing! Where's my little patch of green grass?" Natsuki stifled a yelp. "Nina!"

A cloaked girl appeared in a burst of shimmering coal specks. "My Lady."

"What happened here?" Natsuki's voice was fierce.

"My Lady, these…" Nina looked at Shizuru, unsure whether to speak in front of her Dark Lady's companion.

"You may speak in front of Shizuru."

"My Lady, these olive trees sprang up within a week and a day of you burying Lady Mai's basket of olives in this soil. You said not to speak of it, because 'Mai would kill me if she found out I got rid of her gifts this way'. "

"… say no more." Natsuki ran a hand through her head, looking resigned. "I didn't know Mai's olives were so… potent."

"You shed your tears over the soil after you buried the olives, My Lady. The tears of Death bring Life to barren ground." Nina said this all in a deadpan voice. Shizuru couldn't tell if the cloaked girl was joking or not. She looked utterly serious.

Nina raised her eyebrow. "If there is nothing else, may I return to the battlefield in Thrace now, my Lady? It is a rather busy time."

Natsuki waved her hand lazily, dismissing Nina. "You may go. I will follow shortly."

Once Nina was gone, Shizuru turned towards Natsuki, a gleeful glint in her eyes. "Ah, so Natsuki has agreed to allow me to see her at work?"

"It's called performing my function, Shizuru."

Shizuru clapped her hands cheerfully. "I want to see Natsuki at work!"

Natsuki pecked Shizuru quickly on her cheek, looking rueful. "Follow me, then, through the portal I'm going to create."

-V-

The portal flashed into existence in Thrace. Sounds of a fierce battle raged around it, the smell of blood and gore immediately assaulting all the senses.

Out of the portal stepped Natsuki.

In full Death Goddess mode, her cold eyes surveyed the battlefield, and spotted Nao and Mai standing by a tent in the distance. She raised her hand in greeting, and started to move towards them before she realised something was wrong.

Shizuru was supposed to be right behind her by now. But the portal had closed on its own volition, without a Shizuru in sight. Natsuki swivelled around, a frown marring her face.

She stood silent for a moment, before the calls of Nao and Mai shook her out of her contemplation.

"Natsuki! There you are! Where's Shizuru?" Mai chirped happily. She had a glow to her face that seemed rather suspicious. And what was that around her neck? A black, onyx necklace? Natsuki raised her eyebrows.

Before stopping that train of thought in favour of the previous one. Shizuru was missing. The portal had closed before she instructed it to. Something was really wrong.

"Sorry, I've got to go. Something's- something's gone wrong." Her voice cracked.

Nao threw her arms wide open. "But Natsuki! I wanted you to meet this girl! I think she's the One…" Her lime-green eyes looked so hopeful that Natsuki couldn't help but nod for her to continue.

Her friend grinned. "Her name's Nina. She has lovely dark-hair and a pretty scary aura, kind of like you. But she's different, somehow. Softer. And she's really cool, striding up and down the battlefield in her black, billowing robes."

There was excitement in Nao's voice as she described her newfound love interest.

There was incredulity in Natsuki's expression.

"Nina. As in, Nina Keres, my assistant?"

Silence fell among the trio. Nao turned to Natsuki, eyes wide. "What? Young Nina? I haven't seen her for years! You're telling me that beautiful lady out there is Young Nina? That sexy, fierce woman currently reaping all the spirits of the slain?"

Natsuki rubbed her brows. "Yes. You might have met her a few times when you visited my Realm. Anyway, good luck with the courting. Her last suitor had a bloody gash inflicted on him."

"I wonder which marvellous goddess was it that she learnt such an attitude from," came Nao's sarcastic remark. Beside her, Mai laughed in agreement.

Natsuki smirked, slightly weakly. "Have fun, ladies."

She turned around, opening up another portal. Her face was paler than usual, and her hands were shaking in worry.

The portal closed behind her as she stepped out into the dimness of the Underworld. She was back to where she'd left Shizuru. But Shizuru was not there, and her horse Duran was missing as well.

Natsuki breathed in deeply. Now was certainly not the time to panic. Stretching out her right hand, she caught onto the back of an invisible current that flowed through the air. She preferred riding, but if Duran was missing too, this would have to do. Guiding the swift current towards her castle, Natsuki arrived in a matter of moments, and breathed an audible sigh of relief when she saw Shizuru waiting for her at the gates. Beside Shizuru was Hades, looking grim. But her Father always looked grim, so Natsuki paid no heed.

She strode towards Shizuru, pulling her into a hug. "What happened?"

"I…. Natsuki…" Shizuru tried to speak, but it was hard to even begin to explain.

Hades answered his daughter's question instead. He looked a little sad now. "Shizuru cannot leave. Remember when she wore your first ring- your signet ring? When she used up the last of its powers in her fight against Reito, the ring cracked. When I saw that, I knew, Natsuki."

Her voice trembled with anger, her face in a deep scowl. "What did you know?"

Shizuru had her arms crossed, her face void of expression. Natsuki's heart plummeted as she read Shizuru's body language. Something was truly wrong.

Hades placed his hand on Natsuki's shoulder in comfort. "By using the ring's power until it cracked, not being a god of the Underworld, she became bound to this place. A slave to the Realm itself. It is beyond my powers, Natsuki, or yours, to free her. There is a price to everything."

Natsuki's voice rose, uncontrollable. "What do you mean 'nothing'? You're the Lord of the Underworld! Surely… surely you can free her!" She reached out towards Shizuru, who stepped back.

Hades could not bear to see his beloved daughter come to terms with this new knowledge. "I cannot. But Natsuki, remember, your choices are your own. So are the consequences thereof. Do not do anything foolish." With that last words, Hades walked away.

Shizuru entered the castle wordlessly. Natsuki followed after her, and they strode into the privacy of their chambers.

"What happened?"

Shizuru looked at Natsuki, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Despite her fury at her own helplessness, Shizuru tried to smile. "I tried following you through the portal. It closed shut, and threw me onto the ground. I thought that perhaps there was a mistake, but when you didn't return immediately I simply got on Duran and returned to the castle."

"And how did my Father know to come?" Natsuki rubbed her eyes tiredly. Shizuru moved away, looking at everything else except her lover.

"He's still the Lord of this Realm. When something wrong happens, he feels it. I think he knew that perhaps it was this."

Shizuru looked down at her hands, not knowing what else to say. The enormity of the situation seemed to crush her soul. To never see the world above again. Such a thought filled her with dread. She felt Natsuki moved closer to her.

"I don't know what to say, Shizuru. But we'll get through this." Her lover looked truly lost. Shizuru felt a well of anger and resentment rising up within her.

Forgive me, but words pour forth from my lips that I do not wish to utter.

"Isn't this precisely what you want? For me to be in the Underworld? I am your possession forever. I cannot leave this Realm." Such bitter words, said in the moment of anger and helplessness.

Natsuki sprang back. It was as though those words had whipped her across her face. "I love you! Why would I want such a curse on you? Why would I want your freedom taken away?"

Shizuru said nothing, and continued looking down at her palms.

Natsuki muttered quietly, "That is not love, Shizuru. To rob someone of their freedom- that is not love. I would never do that do you. I would rather leave you than have you suffer."

"Leave me?" Shizuru uttered in a low voice. "What do you mean, Natsuki?" Her hands stroked the golden ring on her fourth-finger sadly.

"I wouldn't love a slave, because a slave has no free-will. I would never really know if a slave truly wanted my attentions, or would merely be obeying my wishes. A love that is not out of free-will is not love. For you to think I want this… would you have done this to me? Bind me to you with powers I cannot resist?"

Shizuru stopped playing with the ring on her fingers. She paused to think. A long silence later, she finally spoke. "Once, I would have done so. Before I met you my understanding of love was selfish. I would have used all my powers to bind you to me. But I've changed. Ironically, Natsuki, I am now bound to your Realm. And then you say you cannot love a slave. How do you think that makes me feel?"

Natsuki seized Shizuru roughly by her shoulders, forcing Shizuru to look at her in the eyes. "Don't twist my words! I still love you. What are you trying to make me say?"

Shizuru raised her eyebrow. "I don't know," she uttered coldly, "What do you want to say?"

Natsuki growled. "Is this a trick? Perhaps you knowingly bound yourself to the Underworld. I will never be free of you. Is that what you wanted? You say that now you're bound to my Realm, but in the same way, I am bound to you, through my Realm." Natsuki's mind was in chaos and her heart was beating painfully fast. Her hands were still on Shizuru's shoulders.

Shizuru leaned into Natsuki, placing her forehead on Natsuki's own. Murmuring softly in a broken voice, Shizuru breathed in Natsuki's familiar scent. "I want you, Natsuki. I want you to be mine. I won't lie about that. But it was you who gave me the ring. Don't blame me for the situation we're in. You shouldn't have given me the ring."

Cold hands released Shizuru from their hold. Natsuki buried her face in Shizuru's silky hair. "I didn't know, Shizuru. I didn't know the ring's power."

Shizuru bit her lip before the tide of emotions slammed through her again. She glowered at Natsuki, who was looking at her pleadingly, her eyes full of regret.

"Well, it's too late now." Shizuru kissed Natsuki's lips gently, before getting up to leave the room. "I need some time alone, Natsuki."

Natsuki rose up to follow her, but Shizuru glared fiercely at her. There were tears in Shizuru's reddened eyes, a trembling in her lips. Natsuki took a tentative step towards her, but Shizuru spoke once more. "Some time alone, Natsuki. After all, we have all eternity together in this dismal place now."

Natsuki sighed, and turned to walk another way. Her feet took her out of her castle, and into the darkness surrounding it. Her feet took her to the banks of the River Lethe, the River of Forgetfulness. Heaving a heavy sigh, she sat down on the slightly moist ground, her fingers digging into the black earth. She eyed the running water contemplatively.

She could not bear seeing Shizuru so distraught. She did not want to see Shizuru suffer, bound for eternity to a place she hated. Natsuki knew that Shizuru was in this mess because she'd used every means to find Natsuki again. The ring would not have cracked if Shizuru had not used up all its power. Shizuru would not have used up all its power if she was not desperate to find Natsuki again.

Because Shizuru loved her, Shizuru had lost the world above.

Natsuki did not doubt Shizuru's love. There existed a bright, unquenchable flame in the depths of her crimson eyes. She could feel the tenderness of Shizuru's love in her gaze and in her touch. She could taste the fiery passion of Shizuru's heart as they made love in the stillness of the night.

Natsuki knew all that, and because of it she made up her mind. Because she loved Shizuru just as desperately, just as strongly, as Shizuru loved her, Natsuki came to a decision.

Love makes fools of mortals and immortals alike.

But it is never foolishness to those in love. When you place the wellbeing of the one you love above your own, it changes things. Biting her lip, Natsuki drew her sword and cut open her right palm. As her golden fluid, the blessed ichor dripped to the black earth below, Natsuki called out a name.

"Moirai, hear my call."

A/N: How did you like this chapter? Knowing my dear readers reaction to the progression makes me happy. Leave a review, if you wish!