Noise filled the room as Yohko quickly opened the door. Quickly turning on the light, she hesitated for a moment when she saw the sleeping forms of the two young women on the bed.

"Shizuru! Quick! UP UP UP!" She yelled as she ran over to the bed and yanked on the younger researcher's arm.

"Yohko!"- In a daze.

"Quick! Take the prisoner to her older holding cell and make sure she's tied up...rip her clothes or something and make it look like she's been there the whole time!"

Shizuru helped Natsuki up as they fumbled about the room.

"Yohko?" Questioningly she looked at the older of the two with a confused expression.

"I'll explain later!"- Running out the door and over to where all the data for her research was stored, she left no room for reply.

Making their way down the hall, the pair stopped in front of the door that led to the cell that had held the younger woman.

Looking up, the researcher grabbed her hand and opened the door slowly. The slow entrance caused Natsuki to shiver, which didn't go unnoticed by the researcher.

"I'm so sorry Natsuki...I promised I would never do this to you again. Yohko isn't one to mess around though...so I have to."

Natsuki looked up to meet her gaze and a soft, resigned look spread across her face.

"It's ok Shizuru...but..."

"You'll come back won't you?"

Emerald eyes betrayed sadness as the younger of the two tried to control herself from shaking.

Looking at her, the crimson eyed woman grabbed her arms, one by one, and suspended her in the restraints once more. Her eyes, her mask...and every wall and obstruction was torn down in an instant. She stared deeply into pools of green and leaned in softly.

Barely noticeable.. a slight brush..

...Shizuru kissed the young girl slightly, neither betraying or denying any attraction. Soft and delicate, and most certainly desperate, crimson eyes could not force themselves to meet the prisoner's.

"Natsuki.."

And without saying another word, she turned to leave..stopping as she reached the door.

"I will come back for you my Natsuki...if I am alive I will...if not...forgive me...I wanted something nice before I left this world." closing her eyes, she pulled the handle.

"I didn't mean to." 'forgive me Natsuki.'

Natsuki was stunned as the door shut in front of her, for a few moments she could barely breath against the darkness.

'Shizuru...'