Had she been in love with Natsuki? The mere definition of such a question caught Mai into a panic. How could she answer such a question to her deceased friend's lover? The concept-the logic was impossible for her to comprehend. Mai stared at Shizuru, her mouth slightly agape.
"Tell me!" The elder cried out, jolting towards her. With her back hitting the opposite wall of the room, Mai was stunned. She was slouched in this position, and Shizuru ventured ever closer. "Did you love Natsuki?! I must know!" At this point, the Archmeister was practically on top of her. Shizuru's hands twisted into the fabric of Mai's shoulders. "You did, didn't you…?" Her tone was quiet, and suddenly calmer.
Releasing her hold on the redhead, she too slouched. Straddling the younger Meister's legs, her gaze lowered to her own hands. Who was she kidding? Asking such questions from the past wasn't going to bring Her back.
Nothing ever would.
"I…" Mai trailed, her voice slanting into a lower pitch. She stared at the older woman sadly. With her arms limp either side of her, Mai remained like this. If she were to move, how would Shizuru respond? For every scenario she conjured, neither outcome was positive. Yet if she spoke or refused to answer, the consequences would be worse. At this point she had nothing to lose. Neither of them did.
"I wasn't." Mai softly murmured. All too quickly she saw the predatory glint within the Archmeister's eye before it vanished.
"You… you... did not?" Shizuru's hands clenched atop Mai's. She neared her face to the younger Otome's, staring her dead in the eye. "But how? Why?" Genuine confusion knitted into Shizuru's expression. This tightened, saddened, and humourless laugh escaping the redhead's mouth. "Why are you laughing?"
"It isn't always about you, Shizuru." Their gaze was bolted upon one another. The glance Mai presented was mixed in nature. Angry, bitter, and mournful, she made no attempt to remove the elder. Instead she simply watched; waiting for the Archmeister's reaction. "Everyone always forgets about the middle friend."
How could Shizuru treat her in such a way? Shizuru had been so transfixed within her own selfish mind that she hadn't even considered anyone else! Mai couldn't care less. Not when Shizuru straightened, and especially not when a hand harshly slapped her across the face. The hit burned her, but she quickly ignored the throbbing. Her head having been slung to the side, she readjusted her stare. "Is that it? Am I supposed to be impressed?" The redhead bit curtly. Their noses briefly brushed, and she didn't care. The elder was dangerously close to her, hands still pinning Mai's to the cold floor.
"Not yet, no." Crimson narrowed. A million thoughts protruded through Shizuru's mind. She was enraged with this woman; she had the urge to snap her in half! But here she was… stalling? What was she doing? Why was her body reacting in such a way, why!-The heel of Mai's hand struck out at her. With contact being made to her chin, she was sent backwards. She would've sat up if it wasn't for the royal's whole weight pinning her. Shizuru instantly stiffened upon the redhead's next move.
Mai's lips were millimetres from her ear, she could feel her hot breath-everything.
"Hiding in this god forsaken room isn't bringing Natsuki back. She's dead." There was a spike of emotion which flooded Mai for a brief moment. Staring down at the elder, her hands tightly barred Shizuru's to the floor. Above the Archmeister's head her arms were twisted. Mai blanked at the notion, her eyes if only subtly darkening. "You're a stupid idiot." Mai muttered, seemingly changing her mind from whatever was at play within her mind. There was nothing but confusion, and hopelessness illuminating from Shizuru now. It made Mai feel guilty; ashamed.
She would've eased from the elder Meister, that's if she had been given the chance.
"What are you saying-" Halting the royal's attempt to flee, Shizuru captured her shoulders. "No, stay, I-"
What was she doing? Why was she-Mai froze upon Shizuru's touch. Rough fingertips grazed across her cheeks smoothly, completely disarming her. Partially sat upwards, and half slouched, Mai jolted. "Sh-Shizuru, sto-"
Unable to avoid this, the Archmeister's hands lured her closer yet. Their bodies skimmed, and a boiling fire swarmed the Meister's gut. What was… this? Why was… "Shi...zuru…?" She delicately spoke. Their lips were inches apart; even the brushing of Shizuru's nose sent chills through her.
There was a desperate need flowing. Dark violet tore into bloody crimson, and within that moment something clicked.
A/N: Thanks for the help in structuring this chapter, Beth Cyra! At the rate it was going, I would've ended up slaughtering them, lol.