Monster

by ShayP

Shiznat/AU Natsuki Kuga is running away from an abusive home. She finds herself at Garderobe Military Academy where she meets her teacher, Shizuru, her rival, Tomoe, and her friend, Nao. She can only pray her past doesn't come back to haunt her.

25. Glass Wall

Chapter 25: Glass Wall

So once again, I appreciate all the reviews. Thanks to all that PM'd me as well and I'm sorry that sometimes I take forever to respond (and also that I don't review reply nearly as often as I should).

Sooo here's chapter 25. Ten chapters ago we met General Jin and twenty chapters ago Natsuki was on a Survival Hike. This story has come a looong way. Monster's anniversary will be the 27th of this month. So can I just say holy shit I've been writing this for a year now? Geezus.

Note to self: Get a real hobby.

Lol kidding (sort of.)

Enjoy.

---

My Devilish Deeds Come to Light

---

"Wait, what?" Natsuki asked. She lifted her torso off the bed and held herself up with her forearms. Shizuru's eyes were still closed and she looked peaceful. "I know you didn't fall asleep that fast," Natsuki accused.

Finally, Shizuru opened her eyes. Natsuki wasn't surprised to find them swirling with amusement. "It is late, is it not?" Shizuru said through a fake yawn, her lips still quirked in a smile she could barely hide. "Why are you not sleeping, my Natsuki?"

Natsuki, trying to ignore the affects Shizuru's voice and possessive words had on her, tried to look annoyed. "Shizuru," she said when Shizuru merely stared at her as if she had no idea what was going on, "what did you just say? About meeting your parents?"

"Oh yes," Shizuru said, her eyes lighting up. "Natsuki agreed to meet them." Shizuru leaned up and kissed a stony-faced Natsuki on the cheek before settling back down again. "Good night."

Natsuki let out a frustrated growl and pushed Shizuru onto her back. Shizuru sighed and slowly opened her eyes to stare lazily up at the student straddling her hips. Natsuki leaned down, her lips an inch away from Shizuru's. Shizuru waited. And waited. And waited some more…

Letting out a frustrated whimper, Shizuru gave up waiting for Natsuki and lifted her head off her pillow to catch Natsuki's lips with her own. Well, that was the plan up until Natsuki moved her lips just out of reach.

Shizuru pouted up at Natsuki as her head dropped back onto the mattress. "Cruel child," she whispered up to her smirking student. "Why must you tease me so late? We need to get to sleep…"

Natsuki leaned down once more, her lips this time closer but still not touching Shizuru's. "Tell me what I want to know, Lieutenant," Natsuki ordered, her hot breath doing frustrating things to Shizuru.

"Oh the torture," Shizuru breathed. "What do you want to know, Private Kuga?" Shizuru asked with a defeated tone.

"What did you mean… meet your parents?" Natsuki asked, her brow furrowed only slightly as if she were confused.

"It is self-explanatory," Shizuru explained. "I want you to meet my parents."

"Well yeah, but why? When?" Natsuki asked.

"If I tell you, will you let me kiss you?" Shizuru challenged. She loved the small smile dancing on Natsuki's lips, loved how that meant Natsuki wanted to be kissed.

"Maybe," Natsuki replied, "will you just explain to me?"

"Can we not talk about this in the morning?" Shizuru asked. "We kiss now, we sleep, I explain everything tomorrow. You need to sleep before your training, Natsuki…"

Natsuki lowered her face once more and pressed her lips very briefly to Shizuru's. There was no actual kiss, just touch. She then lifted her face once more and examined Shizuru's flushed cheeks. "The longer you take to explain, the less sleep I'll get and when I get my ass kicked in training tomorrow I'll only have you to blame…"

Shizuru sighed and lifted a hand to gently caress Natsuki's cheek. "I want you to meet my parents. Whether you win or lose I want you to meet them…"

"I'll win," Natsuki declared.

A sigh. "Yes, yes, I know. After you win the final match we have an entire month… I know we'd have to train still, together, but I really would like for you to meet my parents." Shizuru's expression darkened. "And there's also the fact that it'd be my last chance to see them before the mission."

"Oh… but if I win—which I will—can we really risk going to your house for a weekend? I mean we'd be training to go on the mission and then there's the fact that… well… Jin…"

"It won't be weird for us to be together if you win the competition, it'd be only natural that I spend time with the student who has won the opportunity to go on a mission with me. I can train you at my parent's house… no one will be there to," Shizuru offered a weak smile, "catch us." And there's always time to convince you to not go along with me.

A thousand different emotions flickered across Natsuki's face, Shizuru could see them in the darkness. "You want me to meet your parents… and I'd stay at your house for an entire weekend?"

"Yes."

"With your parents?"

"Yes."

"Your mom and your da--?"

"Natsuki… I promise you it won't be like whatever you are imagining right now," Shizuru said as she lowered her hands to rest on Natsuki's hips. Her right hand then decided to one up the other and lowered to the student's thigh instead.

Natsuki nodded slowly. "I… alright I'll go…" she said. "But are you going to tell your parents that… we…?" Natsuki looked away and chewed cutely on her bottom lip.

Shizuru made an alarmed noise and lifted so that her back was resting against her headboard and Natsuki was now in her lap. "Do not chew on those, those are mine."

Her question forgotten, Natsuki leaned forward and touched the tip of her nose to Shizuru's. The teacher inhaled slowly, savoring the feeling of having Natsuki so close. The moment before a kiss… the moments that led up to it were always so much fun in a perverse sort of torturous way. It was agonizing waiting for their lips to touch but at the same time it was exciting.

Natsuki finally stopped teasing Shizuru and placed her lips over the full ones of her teacher. It was slow and tender, Natsuki letting Shizuru in nearly instantly. Natsuki idly wondered if it was because they were both exhausted. As she pulled Shizuru's bottom lip into her mouth and gently nibbled, Natsuki decided no, it wasn't because they were exhausted, it was because she was in love.

Shizuru let out a satisfied moan and her hands pulled Natsuki's face closer. Heat moved downwards in both women, and Shizuru wondered if maybe Natsuki was… ready.

No. Not until the competition is over at least. They both had too much to worry about and…

Natsuki whimpered into Shizuru's mouth and pressed Shizuru's head back against the headboard with her added force.

Shizuru broke the kiss and planted smaller kisses to Natsuki's lips, each one gentler than the last. She then pulled back completely and gave her student an apologetic smile. "Natsuki you really must get some sleep."

Natsuki agreed. She was exhausted and she had really only promised Shizuru one brief kiss, not a few that grew in intensity. Although, okay, I couldn't really help it. The student leaned forward quickly to plant one more kiss to Shizuru's lips before she slid off her teacher's body and turned on her side, her back facing Shizuru.

Shizuru pouted and slid under the covers once more. She turned on her side as well and wrapped her arms around Natsuki's waist so that they were spooning. "Why must you turn away from me?" Shizuru murmured, her hot breath turning Natsuki's ear red.

"I was just getting comfortable, geez," Natsuki grumbled. She turned around so that they were facing each other. "Get on your back."

Shizuru giggled but did as she was told and turned once more so that she was lying on her back. The pillow was soft under her head, the ceiling was so boring it could easily put her to sleep, and the covers left her the perfect temperature.

Natsuki, still on her side, wrapped her arms around Shizuru and rested her head on her teacher's soft chest. She let out a content sigh and allowed her eyelids to finally close. The slow rhythmic beat of Shizuru's heart put her in a hypnotic trance until she was fast asleep.

---

A few hours of the world's most comfortable sleep later, and the sun was high in the sky. Shizuru was already awake and was by her kitchenette. Alyssa had already shown up as well, and the two were cooking breakfast.

"How did you sleep?" Shizuru asked as she continued making quite possibly the most amazing eggs Alyssa was sure she would ever have.

"Fine. I snuck into Jin's room last night as you asked and I knocked her out with a few tranquilizer darts." Alyssa smirked when Shizuru sent her a grateful look. "Her bed was comfy," the blonde added. "Did you and Kuga sleep well last night?" The question was loaded. Did they sleep or did they do other things?

Shizuru's expression lost its energetic shine and for a second Shizuru looked like what most people do in the morning, tired and like they wished they were back asleep. She turned back to the stove. "We slept just fine," she replied, though a smile formed its way on her lips. "Thank you for, ah, incapacitating Jin."

"No worries. I needed a place to sleep anyways… was sort of fun waking up every hour to shoot her with a tranq again." Alyssa had left too late that morning, it would've been pointless for her to drive all the way back to Fuuka and then drive all the way back to train Natsuki. Shizuru had asked her to make sure Jin wasn't able to barge in on her and Natsuki, so Alyssa had happily taken out Jin and then stolen the woman's room for a few hours.

Natsuki woke up to the sound of giggles. Her mind was still fuzzy, so they sounded far away as if they were muffled by a pillow. Oh wait, Natsuki thought as she opened her eyes. Her head was under her pillow.

She sat up, the pillow falling off her head. Natsuki ran a hand through her hair in a weak attempt to tame it. She usually woke up with her hair in perfect condition… Shizuru tended to run her fingers through it during the night. Apparently she hadn't done that last night considering Natsuki woke up with her usual bed head.

After rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Natsuki set her gaze on the two women by the kitchenette. Shizuru was holding a spoonful of something up to Alyssa, who wrapped her lips around the offered spoon, eyes locked with Shizuru's, and then slowly slid backwards until the spoon was still in the air but now empty of whatever delicious thing it had been holding.

Shizuru smiled warmly and tilted her head as she watched for Alyssa's expression.

Alyssa looked towards the ceiling as she swished the contents of whatever had been on the spoon in her mouth. Finally, she swallowed with an overdramatic gulp and flashed Shizuru a grin. "Honestly, you should trade the gun in for a spatula or something."

Shizuru cringed. "I am not a fry chef…" She argued. "And couldn't you have used some other cooking utensil? Spatulas are so…" They made Shizuru think of a fast food cook flipping burgers.

"You're right. They don't fit you." Alyssa then placed her chin on her fist and tilted her head slightly as if she were examining Shizuru. "How about an old-fashioned wooden spoon?"

Shizuru frowned. "Perhaps a pizza cutter suits me more?"

Alyssa imagined the razor sharp cooking utensil in her mind before snapping out of it and giving Shizuru a sheepish grin. "On second thought, keep the gun."

Natsuki slipped out of the bed, stood up, and stretched. She let out a cute noise, her version of a yawn. The two teachers turned to watch the zombie student.

"Good morning, Natsuki," Shizuru said cheerfully as she leaned her hip against a countertop. She gestured to the plate of eggs and toast. "Would you like something to eat?"

Alyssa smiled when Natsuki looked like she was about to drool. "Someone's hungry," Alyssa said as she picked up her own plate and moved around the eggs with a fork. "It's good, Kuga," she reassured the student who was looking at her oddly. Alyssa paused briefly before tilting her head slightly. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"When did you get here?" Natsuki asked, and she mentally winced when she realized how accusatory that sounded. She prayed it hadn't sounded so obvious, but her hopes were dashed when Alyssa and Shizuru exchanged glances. "I mean, uh, I didn't hear you come in."

Alyssa shrugged. "I've only been here an hour. I was going to wake you up but Shizuru said I should let you sleep." Besides, I was next door playing sandman for Jin so the bitch wouldn't bother you two, she mentally added.

Natsuki sent a grateful smile over to Shizuru, who returned the smile and placed a fork on Natsuki's plate. She then picked it up and brought it over to Natsuki. Natsuki reached out for it but Shizuru pulled it away, grinned like a devil, and kissed Natsuki lightly on the forehead before letting her student take the plate.

Natsuki blushed and thanked Shizuru quietly before she walked back to the bed and sat on the edge of it to eat. Oh my gawd. Natsuki thought just as she was about to place a fork full of eggs into her mouth. Is Shizuru wearing an apron? Mental snap shot, check.

"Don't eat too much," Alyssa warned her, the blonde woman's wavy mane framing her sharp features and her blue eyes looking especially piercing for some reason. Alyssa was an amazing woman but Natsuki would be lying if she said her love's best friend didn't scare her only a little. She's seen Alyssa in action and the woman was a born badass. "After training with me you might throw up."

Shizuru frowned at Alyssa. "Only people that haven't worked out in a while throw up after a tough exercise," she said.

Alyssa shook her head. "No. You should never eat an hour before a workout, no matter how fit you are," she explained. She had thought Shizuru knew that.

Shizuru nodded slowly, feeling like she should have known that. "Ara… I used to know that at one point."

Alyssa chuckled and winked. "Losing your touch there, Shizuru?"

Red eyes lit with amusement. "Of course not," she defended. She has just been distracted lately, is all. Her eyes flitted briefly over to Natsuki.

Once again, Natsuki felt like she was intruding on a couple's light teasing. She shouldn't feel like the third wheel in this situation, Alyssa should.

"So you're training me today?" Natsuki asked for clarification as she took a bite out of toast. Yup. If Natsuki and Shizuru got married one day, Shizuru was the designated cook.

Alyssa's bright sapphires settled easily on Natsuki, suddenly making the student feel naked. The blonde's lips curved into a devilish smirk. "I don't train,I create."

Natsuki blinked. "What?"

"I'm going to mold you into the perfect warrior in one day. It'll be better than any training you've gotten here at Garderobe," Alyssa glanced at a displeased looking Shizuru and said, "even better than the beloved Lieutenant over here." Alyssa set her cocky grin on Natsuki. "When I'm done with you Kuga, you'll be bruised, beaten, and exhausted." She then sent the stunned student a roguish wink. "But you'll be one hell of a fighter."

Natsuki had to admit: Shizuru had good taste in women. Just listening to Alyssa talk and get excited about something like training got Natsuki just as excited and pumped. It might also have to do with Alyssa being one of the most predatory, determined women Natsuki had ever met. Power and confidence was incredibly sexy. No wonder they're friends… Natsuki thought as her gaze flickered between a tiger and a lion.

---

Alyssa, Shizuru (sans apron), and Natsuki all entered the training room. Natsuki followed Alyssa to the center of the room and Shizuru walked off to the side so that she could watch. Natsuki stretched by spreading out her legs and then twisting so that she could grab at her calf. She held that position, counted, and then turned and did the same to her other leg. When she stood up she glanced over at Shizuru, who looked like she was immensely enjoying this.

"What?" Natsuki growled.

The corner of Shizuru's lips tugged upwards in an amused smile. "Is something wrong, Natsuki?"

"You look all smug," Natsuki said as she placed her feet together, straightened, and then slowly bent down to touch her toes. "So that always means you're thinking something annoying."

"Well Natsuki is bending, twisting, and turning," Shizuru replied smoothly. Natsuki shot up and looked at her with a shocked expression that made Shizuru giggle. "Relax, Natsuki. Just focus on training."

"I don't want my training to be some kind of excuse for you to check me out!" Natsuki barked, only causing Shizuru to laugh harder. Alyssa was standing a few feet in front of Natsuki, her arms folded over her chest and her foot tapping impatiently.

"Ignore the woman over there, Kuga," Alyssa demanded as she gestured to Shizuru. Shizuru pretended to look offended but she then smiled and leaned her back against the wall, content to watch.

Colonel Alyssa Searrs pulled off her combat boots and threw them to the side. Next she unbuttoned her uniform top, revealing a black tank top underneath. Natsuki and Shizuru watched in silent awe as the blonde woman then gathered her beautiful golden mane and then used a tie to turn it into a messy pony-tail. Natsuki, who had thought that neat ponytails were attractive, found the messy ones even better. She suddenly felt guilty for checking Alyssa out, but when she looked over at Shizuru the feelings ceased. Shizuru was checking Alyssa out as well.

When Alyssa was finished, she didn't look much like the cool and calculated colonel she usually appeared to be. Sure, the sharp intelligence and look of steel were still in her electric blue eyes, but the rest of her appearance was much more relaxed and casual than her usual straight uniform.

A ghost of a smile graced Alyssa's lips. Or was there even a smile? Natsuki couldn't be sure it was so subtle. "Are you ready, Kuga?" Alyssa asked, her voice demanding obedience. It was not really a question. Your opponents will very rarely ask if you're ready on the mission. If they do, consider yourself lucky.

Natsuki swallowed. No I am definitely not ready, she thought as she looked Alyssa over once more. The woman was standing, back perfectly straight, eyes completely focused, and fists ready to go at her sides. Definitely not ready. "Ready," Natsuki answered as she spread her feet out and lifted her fists up, one to protect her core and one to fire the first shot.

"Good," the colonel said. "Today I'm going to show you how to fist fight. Why? Because I noticed you're messy. You only rely on your speed and hope to tire out your opponent but you're going to need to put more strength into your blows." Alyssa strode forward until she was only about five feet from Natsuki. Natsuki fought back a flinch. "Each punch must be thrown with as much thought and power going into it than the previous, got it? You can't slow down, can't get cocky. If you fear things, you hesitate, and if you hesitate, then your fears can be realized."

Natsuki nodded. Alyssa smiled, this time it was noticeable, before pulling her right fist back and firing it towards Natsuki…

…who caught it and blinked in surprise at the fact that she had done so. She gave Alyssa a giddy look, as if to say, Look I caught your fist! Who is the badass now?!

Alyssa only smiled. "What do you do when nothing goes right?"

"Um. Try again?" Natsuki offered cutely, her good mood sinking fast as she realized Alyssa must've let her catch the punch.

"No," Alyssa said as she drew back her other fist, "you go left."

This time Alyssa's left fist fired and Natsuki was too slow in catching it.

"You can't favor one half of your body," Alyssa explained as she watched Natsuki scramble to stand up. "Both of your hands have to be able to catch a punch, both of your arms have to have the same amount of force in them… otherwise you're unbalanced."

Natsuki finally stood up and rubbed at her cheek. Ow, she grumbled in her head. She tried not to look like she was in any pain. In a weird way she felt like she was going to be fighting Alyssa for Shizuru's heart. They were the knights and Shizuru was the princess, her heart promised to the victor of the match. How old am I again? Natsuki wondered as she mentally glowered at her stupid fantasies.

Natsuki finally nodded and got in a fighting stance again, just like Shizuru taught her all those months ago when Natsuki had asked for private training. That was such a good idea, Natsuki mused. She glanced at Shizuru, who winced the second she did. Why was Shizuru wincing?

Alyssa kicked Natsuki in the stomach with no hesitation and no mercy. Natsuki flew backwards and landed with a thud. Oh. That was why Shizuru was wincing.

"Alyssa!" Natsuki heard Shizuru's alarmed cry. "That was—!"

"Necessary," Alyssa's powerful voice cut Shizuru off. Natsuki opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. She then sat up and groaned. Alyssa continued, "She has to be prepared for anything, Shizuru. She can't just ogle you when she's in a match… it can get her killed. I'm helping her." Alyssa sent Shizuru a look void of any emotion. She meant business. "Natsuki is capable of taking down anyone in the competition… it's you that's holding her back."

Shizuru, apparently subdued, looked unhappy but stayed silent as she sunk against the wall again and sat with her knees tucked under her chin. She offered Natsuki an apologetic look before wrapping her arms once more around her legs. What the hell does that mean? She wondered. Was she truly that distracting? Or did Alyssa mean something else? Shizuru knew she shouldn't be bitter towards her friend for that comment, yet it began to gnaw at her insides.

Natsuki slowly stood up and shook out the buzz in her head. Her stomach hurt but at least she hadn't gotten the wind knocked out of her. "Ow," she grumbled. She wasn't sure how she felt about Alyssa being able to so easily subdue Shizuru. It was… oddly frightening. She hadn't heard half of what Alyssa said to Shizuru, focused too much on her own pain.

"Suck it up, Kuga," Alyssa said playfully as she jumped back and forth between her feet like a nimble boxer. "You have to be ready for anything. I'm aware there are multiple TV screens surrounding you… but at all times you must be focused on your opponent. There should be nothing but your opponent."

Natsuki nodded. "Okay…"

Alyssa shook her head and wagged her finger, "That's 'yes, Colonel Searrs,' when I'm in teaching-mode, kid."

Natsuki frowned, giving Alyssa a 'you can't be serious' face.

Alyssa was unwavering, and Natsuki gave in with a grumble.

"Yes, Colonel Searrs."

Shizuru giggled.

Alyssa smirked. "Okay… fighting stance," she commanded, and Natsuki did as she was told. Alyssa walked around her, hands crossed behind her back as she circled like a vulture… or a hawk. "Your fighting stance is great," she admitted. "Near perfect."

Shizuru smiled from her spot against the wall, her eyes proud of her student.

Alyssa sent Shizuru a wink and a grin. "Nice job, Lieutenant."

"Thank you, Colonel," Shizuru replied smoothly, both her eyebrows lifting slightly.

Natsuki wondered if they were eye flirting. She cleared her throat. "So are we going to fight or what?"

Alyssa responded with a lunge.

---

Dark blue marks had already begun appearing on Natsuki's arms, cheeks, and chest by the time their fourth match was over. Alyssa remained remarkably unscathed. In fact she looked bored. Natsuki cried on the inside with deep frustration. She could've sworn she had gotten the upper hand at least a few times… could've sworn she'd have left at least one bruise or mark on Alyssa's flawless skin.

Natsuki was panting heavily and her hair was moistened with sweat. Alyssa was watching her from the opposite side of the matted area, her blue sapphires flashing dangerously, as if she were daring Natsuki to try again.

Natsuki, despite having not done it once the entire time of fighting with Alyssa, glanced at Shizuru. Shizuru looked shocked when Natsuki's eyes met hers, mostly because Natsuki had been so good at listening to Alyssa's earlier command of focusing on only the opponent.

"Are you tired, Natsuki?" Shizuru quickly asked, her tone begging Natsuki to say yes so she can rest and not take another beating. "Would you like to take a break? Have you had enough for today?"

Natsuki glanced at Alyssa, who looked amused, victorious… glorious. She was a winner, she was perfect, and she was everything Shizuru deserved.

"No I… I'm not ready to quit," Natsuki said after taking a deep breath. Alyssa's eyes widened to a barely noticeable measure. She looked impressed and then pleased.

"Are you sure?" Shizuru asked weakly from the side, her eyes willing Natsuki to just give up so they can relax. "I think you've done enough training for today."

"I'm sure," Natsuki declared, this time with more confidence. Her eyes narrowed when she turned them on the colonel, who nodded once at her and then got in her fighting stance. Natsuki mimicked the stance, her mind trying to focus not only on Alyssa but also on the exact amount of strength she was putting into each fist. She was more aware of her feet's placement, her fists intensity, and her breathing. Although she had been getting her ass handed to her, she felt she had never improved so quickly in such a short amount of time before.

Shizuru's training sessions had been every day so they had never been rushed, Natsuki always had time to learn and improve. Nabatame and Tanaka's training sessions had been rushed, like crash courses before a test, but they had been incredibly effective. Alyssa's training was more like Natsuki was out of time and having her lessons beat into her. It was also effective, if a bit more painful than the others' methods. She could learn from her mistakes, learn to criticize her own wrong moves instead of having Tanaka or Shizuru point out where her errors had been.

Figuring it out herself made the lessons stick more, Natsuki thought. If she noticed her punch wasn't where it could be, she improved it herself (after suffering the consequences of a wrong move, of course). If she doesn't pick up on a constant mistake, Alyssa teaches her by constantly exploiting it until she corrected it.

Natsuki froze her movements, sent Alyssa a warning with her eyes, and then charged full force and tackled the colonel to the matted ground. Alyssa's face moved just out of the way of Natsuki's powerful fist and then used her own to knock Natsuki in the side of the head. Natsuki rolled to the side and Alyssa pounced like the lion she was onto her prey.

Natsuki growled and slammed her knee up into Alyssa's stomach and then got the upper hand by wrapping both her hands around the older woman's throat. "Gotcha," Natsuki hissed as she squeezed with all her might. Alyssa, not wanting to gouge out Natsuki's eyes even though that was usually her way to get out of a chokehold, brought her hands up between Natsuki's and then spread them out so that Natsuki was forced to let go.

Alyssa then slammed her forehead into Natsuki's, which sent the student backwards, off of Alyssa, and onto her back with a groan.

White spots flashed in Natsuki's vision as a throbbing pain like a lightning bolt cracked and zigzagged its way through her skull. Alyssa stood up a few feet away and dusted her pants off. She didn't expect Natsuki to even try getting up, the last few matches Natsuki had given up once she had been thrown onto her back.

When Alyssa looked up, she was surprised to see Natsuki charging towards her. The blonde colonel rushed to get into an appropriate stance that would allow her to absorb the shock of Natsuki's attack. It didn't work.

The two women went flying backwards, Alyssa landing on her back and Natsuki on top of her. Blue eyes widened as a fist was pulled back, high into the air with perfect pose, until it came slamming down towards her jaw, much too fast for Alyssa to even think of blocking it.

Natsuki's fist hit with the exact right amount of force, with laser-like precision. Alyssa was sure the student would've broken her jaw if she hadn't held back some of her strength at the last second. The force of the blow caused Alyssa's head to snap to the side and her jaw to clamp down. Unfortunate, since Alyssa accidently bit her lower lip.

Natsuki was so stunned after getting a hit on Alyssa, one she could tell had hurt, that she stood staring down at the blonde colonel for a few seconds in awe. She was straddling the older woman's hips and was using one hand to hold Alyssa down by the shoulder. The other hand was raised in the air, ready to slam once more into Alyssa's face. Her pretty, pretty face. Natsuki would really like it if Alyssa weren't pretty anymore.

Alyssa slowly turned to stare up at Natsuki, and her eyes widened slightly when she saw the rage inside the girl. She quickly threw Natsuki off of her, not to teach Natsuki a lesson, but because she was afraid of what Natsuki would do to her if the girl somehow managed to get the upper hand.

Natsuki rolled to the side but was up and standing in a second. Her fists were balled at her sides and her chest was rising and falling as the girl panted, her eyes fixated on the surprised sapphires of the colonel.

Alyssa slowly stood up and wiped at her mouth with the back of her wrist. She pulled it away from her face to examine it. Scarlet blood burned brightly against the white of her skin.

Slowly, Alyssa's eyes lifted to meet those of the student before her.

"Welcome to the dark side, Kuga," Alyssa said, her lips curving into a dangerously sexy smile.

Natsuki, after relaxing, lifted a brow. "I was told there would be cookies."

"It's the dark side. We lie."

Natsuki sighed. "Touché."

Nabatame, who had been watching from the doorway clapped, causing Alyssa, Natsuki, and Shizuru to look at her. Shizuru and Natsuki smiled at the third year, who strode in looking as normal as ever. Shizuru found that odd, considering Tanaka had probably just left for her mission. Maybe the goodbye sex was extremely satisfactory that it prevented Tanaka's farewell to fully sink in. Shizuru winced at her thoughts.

"Hey Nabatame," Natsuki said as she and the third year high-fived.

The blue eyes of the private first class, a shade darker than Alyssa's, flickered back and forth between Natsuki and Alyssa. She had never seen Natsuki so passionate during a fight… especially in a training session. Did she have some kind of beef with the Colonel? "Hey, Kuga," Nabatame said. She then waved to Shizuru, who was still sitting against the wall. "Hey there, Lieutenant."

Shizuru nodded. "Hello Akemi," she said with a small smile. Nabatame blinked and then blushed at the use of her first name by the lieutenant. Damn it, she reminded her of Tanaka! What is it with girls and accents being able to say her name really sexy?

Natsuki lifted a brow at Nabatame. "You okay?"

Nabatame, already recovered, yawned and then gave Natsuki a look as if she were crazy for asking. "Yeah, duh. Why?"

Kuga shrugged then gestured to Alyssa. "Have you met Colonel Searrs?"

Alyssa's lips formed a dark smile and her head tilted forward in a curt nod. "I believe I have seen her before… that day I broke a Fuuka student out of your detention facilities."

Shizuru frowned at that. "I remember," she said. An image of Natsuki untying her from a chair flickered through her mind. She narrowed her eyes at the blonde colonel, who offered her an apologetic smile. "Oh, do I remember."

Nabatame seemed to blank on that for a second, her eyes going distant before snapping back. "Oh riiiight," she drawled as she winked at Natsuki and playfully elbowed her young friend. "We and Kuga kicked the ass out of your ATV riders. Right, right. Good times."

Alyssa's lips twitched slightly. "Yes," she said, her tone level though even Natsuki knew her well enough by now to know she was slightly annoyed. "You and Kuga did indeed cost Fuuka quite a bit of money. I do believe we're no longer allowed to use ATVs…"

Shizuru chuckled. "Serves you right for talking Sergeant Greer into using Fuuka's budget for silly toys."

Alyssa shot the Kyoto woman a glare. "It was fun," she said simply. "I like fun."

"I know you do," Shizuru said, her eyes lit with amusement.

Nabatame watched Natsuki's face as the two teachers exchanged some type of knowing glance. Natsuki's jaw muscles tensed, her brow furrowing slightly, and her fingers fidgeted at her side. Nabatame, now interested, cleared her throat, causing the two teachers to break eye contact and glance at Nabatame. Natsuki gave Nabatame a grateful look, whether she realized she was giving it or not.

"So how's the training going?" Nabatame asked. Her dark blue eyes settled on Alyssa's chin, which looked like it had a smudge of blood on it. "Going well, then?"

Natsuki nodded. "Yeah… it's cool to have a bunch of different perspectives on fighting… though I do miss your less painful methods," she explained as she then shot an amused Alyssa a glare.

Nabatame snickered. "You make it sound like I took it easy on you, Kuga." Natsuki smirked, since that was obviously not true. Nabatame and Tanaka had been a great training team.

"So Tanaka went on a mission?" Natsuki asked, though she wasn't sure if this would be a touchy subject or not.

An emotion flickered through Nabatame's eyes so fast that it was impossible to name. The third year gave a nonchalant shrug. "Yeah, I'm sure she'll be back to annoy me soon enough."

Natsuki laughed, finding Nabatame and Tanaka's relationship rather similar to her own with Shizuru's. What was it with chicks with accents that made them more likely to tease and annoy? Then again…

Natsuki and Nabatame sent each other knowing looks.

…they kinda liked it.

"Well," Nabatame said as she turned from Natsuki and gave Shizuru and Alyssa her attention. "I only came by to check out how Kuga's training was going." She sighed, and for a split second Natsuki could see her sadness. "There's nothing to do without Tanaka around."

Shizuru frowned slightly. She had asked Reito to send her Tanaka's mission details and had read them early that morning. Their missions were rather similar, though Tanaka was working with a whole team of people since her mission was not as 'hush-hush' as Shizuru's. Would Tanaka make it back? Shizuru thought so, but a part of her wished she hadn't been so… positive the other day. What if she had given Nabatame false hope? No. Tanaka was one of the academy's top specialists… if not the top specialist. She'd be fine. Right?

"Please stay, Akemi," Shizuru called as Nabatame turned to leave. "You can help train Natsuki with Alyssa and I." Although Shizuru knew neither she nor Nabatame would be doing much to help Alyssa, still, she didn't want Nabatame to be lonely and the girl has fought in more competitions than Alyssa.

"Yeah," Natsuki said, though she wasn't sure if she wanted another witness to her getting her ass kicked. "Stick around and we can hang out afterwards," she offered with a playful and ever-persuasive grin. It was a promise to cause mischief later.

Nabatame couldn't refuse such an offer. The dark-haired third year grinned as she met Natsuki's eyes. "Alright. I'll uh, help out a bit."

Alyssa, cocky as ever, didn't think she needed much help when it came to training Natsuki but nodded anyways. "Alright," she said, focusing her attention back on Natsuki. "Now I'm going to show you a special move, alright?"

Emerald eyes lit up with excitement. "Kiyohime?" She asked like a giddy schoolgirl, which, technically, she was.

Everyone in the room seemed to be surprised at that assumption. "I don't know how to perform Kiyohime," Alyssa said after a moment. She sent Shizuru a glance before settling her gaze back on Natsuki. "Otherwise… hell yeah I'd teach you that!" Alyssa looked just as excited at the prospect.

"That move is…" Nabatame glanced at Shizuru, who was silent, then met with Natsuki's eyes, "really dangerous. Even to teach."

Natsuki frowned slightly. "But Shizuru tried teaching it to me before," she glanced at Shizuru, who winced. "Remember?"

Both Alyssa and Nabatame's jaws dropped as they turned to stare at Shizuru, who suddenly looked very guilty. "You what?" Alyssa barked.

"Yeah, what she said," Nabatame said as she pointed to Alyssa.

Shizuru sighed and stood up slowly. "It was during the Survival Hike…"

"How long had you known her at that point?" Alyssa asked, her expression incredulous. "You refused to teach me for years… I had to beg you, yet you taught Kuga because you wanted to—" Alyssa caught herself and composed herself. "Never mind," she said quickly, after a nervous cough.

"Wanted to what?" Shizuru asked curiously.

Alyssa snickered. "Well, was gonna say screw her but that seems a bit crude."

Nabatame burst out laughing as Natsuki's cheeks lit on fire. "Ah…" Natsuki coughed and averted her eyes from all three other women. She coughed again and then wondered if Shizuru had really wanted to, uh, screw her since then? That had been a while ago… or, at least, it seemed as if it had been forever ago. Shizuru had gotten her to go into a small lake and—

Natsuki shot a glare at Shizuru, who was giggling along with everyone else. "You just wanted me to take off my clothes!" She accused. She hadn't even thought of that at the time. She just figured her teacher was a bit eccentric in her training methods. But nooo she had taken off her clothes so that Shizuru could give her some 'water training.'

Shizuru stopped laughing and peered at Natsuki curiously, before uttering, "Ara," and giggling some more. "No," she said through her light chuckles. "I really wanted to help prepare you for the—for the competition…" She said, fully recovered from her amusement. "Although yes, you being half-naked was an incentive for the water training."

Nabatame and Alyssa hooted with laughter at the look on Natsuki's face. "You--!" Natsuki marched over and gave Shizuru a light slap on the teacher's shoulder. "YOU!" She growled again. "Bad!" Was all she could think of to say, as if she were scolding a dog. A perverted dog.

Shizuru laughed and hugged Natsuki to her before the girl could stomp away. "Relax," she cooed as Natsuki gave up on trying to get away, as if she had really wanted to anyways. "I was interested in teaching you Kiyohime to defend yourself against the more experienced students." She smiled sincerely. "The… lack of clothing was only a plus that I tortured myself over enjoying at the time, I swear."

"Oh come on, Kuga," Nabatame said from behind Natsuki's back. "Wouldn't you prefer that she was checking you out than not at all?"

Natsuki made the 'you've got a point there' face and then glowered a bit before pulling away from Shizuru and stalking back to the middle of the training room. "Yeah, yeah," she grumbled. "Now that we've cleared up the whole Shizuru-being-a-pervert-since-I-got-here thing, can we get back to training?"

Alyssa smiled. "Of course." She then gestured for Shizuru to join her. Shizuru looked surprised, but did as she was told and walked over to her friend. The colonel turned Shizuru around and then hugged Shizuru from behind. At least… it looked like a hug. Shizuru didn't seem perturbed, even when Alyssa whispered something in the chestnut-haired woman's ear. Shizuru simply nodded when Alyssa was finished, and then the colonel turned her attention to an uncomfortable looking Natsuki. "So this is a grab from behind, as you can tell," Alyssa said as she gave Shizuru a squeeze.

Shizuru glanced over at Natsuki and winked. "I am in a hold. Oh how will I get out?" Shizuru asked with a giggle.

Natsuki decided, with some shock, that Shizuru wasn't perfect at everything. At least, not acting. Then again, she had yet to see the woman actually try. "Okay, but I've already learned how to get out of those."

Alyssa nodded. "True, with the backwards elbow jab, the cheap 'step on their foot,' the 'tug them over your shoulder' move right?"

Natsuki nodded, that about summed it up. She tried to not focus on how close Alyssa's body was to Shizuru's.

"Okay so," Alyssa released Shizuru so that they were arms length apart. "A sneak attack from behind can catch you off guard." She extended her arm and placed it on Shizuru's shoulder. Natsuki's eyes fixated on Alyssa's hand. Nabatame noticed. "We can work on preventing a hold from behind."

"Hey," Nabatame said suddenly, effectively causing Alyssa's next words to die in her mouth. Alyssa looked up with a bored expression on her face, as if to say 'yes?' Nabatame smiled and stepped forward. "Why don't you use me as the dummy instead of the Lieutenant?" The third year offered, and Natsuki was grateful. "I'm closer to Natsuki's height than Shizuru is, so it makes more sense."

Natsuki sent Nabatame a thankful look, though Nabatame didn't seem to notice.

Alyssa shrugged. "Alright. The only reason I'm not using Natsuki herself is because she's earned herself a break," she pointed to her lip that had previously been bleeding and then smiled. Shizuru was replaced with Nabatame.

The blonde put her right hand on Nabatame's shoulder. "Do you know Wing Tsun?" Alyssa asked. Nabatame nodded. "Then use those techniques to stop me." Nabatame gave another nod, and so Alyssa tried to pull Nabatame by her shoulder.

The third year pivoted to the right, and slammed her free elbow into Alyssa's neck, moving so that Alyssa was bent down and twisted in what would have been painful if Alyssa weren't, well, Alyssa.

"Good job," Alyssa said as she countered the move and instead got Nabatame in a chokehold from behind. "How'd you learn that move?" She asked, her lips near Nabatame's ear.

Nabatame struggled a bit in the hold. "All third years get trained in several different martial arts… then we choose to concentrate in our most skilled three," Nabatame replied as she struggled to get out of Alyssa's hold once more.

Alyssa released the third year and let out a sigh. "Alright," she turned to Natsuki. "Wanna try?"

"No?" Came the quick reply. Alyssa frowned, Natsuki sighed. "Alright fine."

---

More training and sweating later, Natsuki and Nabatame were panting on the floor of the training room. Nabatame had wished she had never agreed to help train Natsuki, Alyssa wore her out and Nabatame was just being the 'dummy.' She couldn't imagine how Natsuki had been at this all morning.

Shizuru giggled as she watched the two groaning girls on the floor. "Alyssa, I think you've helped enough." Her eyes twinkled with amusement and some empathy for the poor girls. After all, Shizuru had been victim to some of Alyssa's tough training regimes before.

Alyssa rubbed the back of her neck and made a face at the amount of sweat she got on her fingers. Gross. She needed a shower. "I think I've helped enough too," she agreed. She glanced at Natsuki and Nabatame.

"Kuga!" Nabatame called dramatically. "Are you alive?!" Their eyes stared vacantly up to the ceiling of the training room.

Natsuki, who was lying down right next to Nabatame, replied with, "I—I think so…" they both continued staring upwards at the ceiling, their chests rising and falling with each pant.

"If she's sore tomorrow you might have cost her the match," Shizuru said quietly, so that Natsuki couldn't hear. She met Alyssa's eyes to convey the seriousness of her words.

"And if she loses… would you care?" Alyssa asked just as quietly, her eyebrows lifting slightly.

Shizuru, apparently picking up Natsuki's habit, pulled her bottom lip into her mouth and began to chew. Alyssa frowned and reached over to tug down on her chin and pull the lower lip from her mouth.

"Don't do that," Alyssa whispered. "Honestly, you're a nervous wreck Shizuru," the colonel grumbled at her friend.

Natsuki somehow managed to lift her head off the ground. Hearing whispering and being overcome with curiosity can do that to you. She saw Alyssa and Shizuru whispering, Alyssa holding Shizuru's chin. Nabatame sat up and looked over at Natsuki, who had gone silent, and then followed the first year's gaze to Alyssa and Shizuru. "Something wrong?" Nabatame asked quietly.

Natsuki shook her head and slowly stood up. Her body ached, but she felt like she had gotten a good work out. Nabatame followed her up and then stretched. "I'm going to go shower," Natsuki announced, her husky voice bringing a smile to Shizuru's face as she pulled away from Alyssa's hand and strode over.

"Alright," she said as she leaned forward for a kiss. Natsuki moved backwards quickly, almost too quickly. Shizuru pulled back and stared into Natsuki's eyes, not understanding.

"Sorry," Natsuki said quickly as she offered Shizuru an apologetic smile. "I'm kind of gross right now, you know?"

Shizuru pouted. "Natsuki is never gross."

Alyssa and Nabatame snickered as Natsuki coughed nervously. "Alright well, I'm gonna go then."

Nabatame ran to catch up with her. "I'll go with you," she said. Natsuki turned and nodded with a small smile on her face as they headed towards the door.

"I know that you are not required to come to class today but if you'd like to drop by after the shower…" Shizuru called after Natsuki, "I would like that."

Natsuki looked over her shoulder and smiled. "Sure thing… I'll be a bit late."

Shizuru, now looking excited to go to her morning class, nodded. "As long as you come it does not matter."

Natsuki paused just before the exit and watched Shizuru from the opposite side of the room. She titled her head slightly, as if examining Shizuru. The chestnut-haired teacher just stood beside Alyssa, waiting to see if Natsuki would say anything.

"Okay," Natsuki finally said as she turned and left to catch up with Nabatame, who was already down the hall.

Alyssa and Shizuru stood silently for a second before Alyssa said, "So while you're teaching you wanted me to do what?"

Shizuru grinned at her then stretched quickly before heading towards the exit as well. "Just make it look nice."

Alyssa frowned and jogged to catch up. "Fine. But I expect you to write Miyu a letter explaining how great of an idea the ATVs were…."

"Of course, of course…"

---

"So that was a nice save," Nabatame said, her blue eyes watching Natsuki's expression carefully. Natsuki continued looking forward, her eyes distant.

"Huh?" She asked after a moment. She turned her head. "What was a nice save?"

Nabatame rolled her eyes. "You know the whole, 'I'm gross that's why I moved out of the way of your kiss' thing." The third year lifted her eyebrows. "Who are you trying to fool, Kuga?"

Natsuki sighed and ran her hand through her hair. What was usually silky smooth was now matted and knotted. The first year whimpered as she entered the baths building. She headed straight for a shower, stripping off her clothes as she mulled over what Nabatame had just said. The third year herself was already in a shower, knowing that she had gotten into Natsuki's head and would hear all about it when they were both done getting what felt like being detoxified.

Natsuki inhaled deeply, loving how the steam felt in her lungs. Usually she disliked such a thing, it made her feel like she was suffocating on hot air. But today it was nice… it made her feel clean, as did the hot water that cascaded down her back.

When both the two girls were all dry and dressed they decided to head back to Natsuki's tent. The walk was awkward at first, mostly because Nabatame was waiting for Natsuki to address the whole Alyssa thing.

Finally, Natsuki stopped in her tracks and let out an exasperated sigh. Nabatame, who was a few steps ahead of Natsuki, looked over her shoulder at the first year. Natsuki was staring angrily at the snow beneath her boots. "Wanna talk about it now?" Nabatame questioned, a dark brow lifting in Natsuki's direction.

Natsuki looked up and gave Nabatame a smile. It was nice having a friend who, well, knew about her and Shizuru. "So Alyssa and Shizuru used to date," Natsuki said. Nabatame turned her body to face Natsuki's to show she was giving her her full attention. "As I'm sure you know."

Nabatame nodded. "Yup. Who doesn't?"

Natsuki kicked the ground with her feet a bit, moving the snow around with the tip of her boot. "Do you think they act…" Natsuki bit at her lip, "couply?"

Nabatame thought it over for a bit before shaking her head. "Nah. I mean. Sometimes. But they're best friends and ex-lovers… they're completely comfortable around each other. You're just not used to seeing Shizuru like that around other people."

Natsuki frowned. "What, like you are?"

Nabatame shrugged. "She's a lot like that when she's with you. Honestly, you guys are so goo-goo you make me and Tanaka look like we're just friends."

Natsuki chuckled lightly and then began trudging through the snow towards Shizuru's tent sector again. Nabatame followed and continued, "But I can see why you're paranoid. Er, I mean concerned."

Natsuki sighed. "I just feel like there still might be something there. And it disgusts me that someone else has been with Shizuru… been with her in ways I… haven't…" Natsuki growled as she fought to keep her face from giving away her inner emotions. She was always incredibly awful at this, however, so she made an absolutely heart-breaking pout anyways.

Nabatame thought this over for a few moments. "I don't think you should worry about it. It might end badly if you start to freak out over it…" Nabatame looked upwards as they continued walking. The cool breeze was blowing their dark hair back and the sky was a crisp blue. It was all rather refreshing. "Try ignoring it and see what happens."

Natsuki nodded. "I guess I can try that. I know nothing is going on, that would be… Shizuru wouldn't do that…" Natsuki saw her tent up ahead. "I know she wouldn't. She told me she wouldn't. I trust her."

"She loves you," Nabatame offered.

Natsuki's heart warmed and she gave Nabatame the most natural, uncontainable smile at the truth of those words. "I know she does."

"And do you--?"

"Yes," Natsuki replied quickly. "I do." Her tone was quiet, as if she were speaking a secret. She let out a frustrated growl. How could she not be able to say it? It was ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous! She had said it that night they kissed… right after Shizuru left to the bonfire she said I love my teacher… crap. Why can't she say that now? Shizuru wasn't even around to hear her, yet she felt like something was.

"Kuga?"

"Do you ever get that feeling that if you're too happy something upstairs wants to put you in your place by making something awful happen?" Natsuki asked Nabatame, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Nabatame nodded slowly. "I think we all do."

"Well I get that ten times worse. Any ounce of happiness I feel, I feel like I have to work hard for it or it'll all be taken away from me… I have to win my happiness, earn it. It never just… happens for me." Natsuki placed her hands on the back of her head and looked upwards towards the sky. A few crows flew by, their cawing causing goosebumps to appear on Natsuki's arms for some reason. "I'm afraid to be happy. Something bad always happens once I get happy. I just begin to get over my mother's death and then boom, I have to get over the loss of my father… because he disappeared in one night."

Nabatame stopped walking and placed both of her hands on Natsuki's shoulders, causing the girl to turn and stare at her. "You can't feel like that all the time. No one is gauging how happy you are… it's not like there's some demon hoping you get too happy so he can fuck with you."

Natsuki didn't look convinced.

"I guess it must feel like that sometimes, considering what you've been through." Nabatame let her hands slide off Natsuki's shoulders and to her own sides. The third year tilted her head slightly and frowned. "It's just not true. You should allow yourself to be happy. You shouldn't assume something will go wrong with Shizuru… especially because I'm sure she would rather die than be with anyone else. Your teacher is crazy in love with you like that."

Natsuki blushed slightly and had to look away from Nabatame's intense blue gaze. Shizuru did really love her. Natsuki had never felt such a passionate form of love. It was such a great feeling but Natsuki was afraid to get too used to it. There was so much that could go wrong. With Jin, the competition, the mission, Tomoe, and now Alyssa… as irrational as that last example may be.

"I just feel like she might disappear any second and I sometimes think…" Natsuki's eyes twitched slightly, and Nabatame was afraid the first year was about to start crying or something equally horrifying. The pained expression on Natsuki's face made it obvious what she was trying to say was difficult. "I think she may only be with me and not Alyssa because… because she's afraid I'm going to revert back to 'scared little girl' and kill myself or something."

Nabatame blinked. She stared. She opened her mouth to say something then closed it, then opened it again, then closed it. Finally, she barked, "What?!"

Natsuki shrugged. "She sometimes thinks I'm only with her because she saved me that day… but that's not true at all. Now that got me wondering if the only reason she stays with me is because she's afraid I'll, I don't know, get all depressed and off myself without my big strong protector around." Okay, well I'd definitely get depressed if Shizuru left me. "I know it's irrational but it's just… a whisper in the back of my head. What if she's so dedicated to making me happy—saving me—that she's afraid to leave me?"

"You're your own worst enemy, Kuga," Nabatame said as she shook her head. "You have to stop thinking such negative things. It'll ruin you. It'll ruin you and Shizuru."

"It's hard," Natsuki muttered as she turned towards her tent again and began walking. Nabatame followed. "I mean whenever I thought positive things I scolded myself because I had no hope for a while, so I guess I'm just still so used to that."

Nabatame sighed. "You'll get through it," she said simply. "But I suggest you get help."

Natsuki unzipped her tent and gestured for Nabatame to enter first. "What do you mean 'get help?'" Natsuki asked as she followed the third year in and headed straight for her wardrobe.

"I mean you should see the goddamn school psychiatrist, Kuga," Nabatame elaborated. The third year watched as Natsuki began unbuttoning her top, a nonchalant expression on her face as if she'd seen it a thousand times before. She then snickered when Natsuki paused and shot her a glare.

"Turn around." Came the command.

"Wow, you prude. We're both girls."

"Both girls that like other girls," Natsuki retorted as she wiggled her finger in the air and gave Nabatame a pointed look.

The third year rolled her eyes, crossed her arms, and turned around to face Nao's side of the room. The sounds of clothes dropping to the floor filled the silent tent. "Prude…" Nabatame muttered under her breath, her eyes finding the tent wall incredibly uninteresting.

"I heard that!" Kuga growled as she pulled a new, clean uniform top on. When the last button on her uniform top was buttoned, Natsuki gave Nabatame the 'OK you can turn around now' grunt.

The third year's eyes trailed up and down Natsuki slowly, before she frowned and said, "You are going to drop by your girlfriend's class looking like that?"

Natsuki looked down at the school uniform that everyone wore. In fact, Nabatame was wearing the third year version of it, which was basically the same except her patch on the right of her arm symbolized a higher ranking. "What do you mean?" Natsuki asked, brow furrowed slightly.

Nabatame strode forward and held up a finger. "Rule number one: If you've got it, flaunt it. At least for Shizuru's sake." She then unbuttoned the first three buttons on Natsuki's top. Finished with her handiwork, Nabatame put both her hands on her hips and gave a satisfied nod. "There we go."

"She's already distracted enough as it is," Natsuki murmured as she buttoned her top up again, though she did leave the top-most button undone. "I wouldn't want her to drool," Natsuki added with a playful grin.

"That's the spirit!" Nabatame said with a grin. Natsuki's confidence in her good looks was surely refreshing. "So you're going to head to class then?" Nabatame asked.

Natsuki nodded. "Yeah. It won't be long though since I'm already a half hour late," she explained as she tugged on Nabatame's sleeve and led them towards the tent exit.

---

Lieutenant Fujino stood by her desk, her hip leaning against the edge of it and her hand on her hip. Ruby red eyes scanned the faces of her dear students. Natsuki hadn't come yet and Alyssa was probably off doing the task Shizuru had assigned her. "Now will you all turn to scene four and find a sentence you particularly like," Shizuru said, "then share it with the class."

This was the mundane stuff, the stuff they were required by law to teach. If it were up to the higher-ups, they'd completely get rid of English… it just didn't seem as important.

A boy, Private Kawazu, snickered before slowly raising his hand into the air. Shizuru fought with herself over calling on him. It's never a good idea to choose a student who snickers before raising their hand, Nao had taught her that.

Shizuru overlooked him and prayed someone else would raise their hand. Nope, no one. She let out a sigh and gave Kawazu a curt nod. "Private Kawazu…"

He grinned, and Shizuru instantly regretted calling on him. He stood up and said, "The line I found the most interesting was, "'And he comes before me,' spoken by the lady of the house about her husband and his… needs."

Shizuru blinked. Where was the joke? Then she remembered there was the second part of the question. "Ah… and why did you find that line interesting?"

That was the golden question. Kawazu's smile couldn't get any bigger. "Because I think it's rude that she has to wait for him to come before she does. Ladies first, wouldn't you agree, Lieutenant?"

Shizuru stood straight, her eyes focused on Kawazu, who was laughing and giving high-fives to the surrounding boys. A bunch of girls rolled their eyes.

"Everyone knows girls fake it with guys anyway," Nao shot back before Shizuru could even think of what to say. The girls all giggled and Nao shrugged. The redhead looked out the window and muttered, "Well it's true. We girls know what we like, so it makes more sense that we'd be able to get each other off better than any guy."

Shizuru cleared her throat, not liking where this conversation was going, and pointed towards the classroom exit. "Private Kawazu, please leave my classroom," Shizuru demanded, her tone stern and her eyes dead serious. She saw Kawazu huff and the friend he had high-fived chuckle. Shizuru lifted a brow. "And take Private Oshiro with you," she added, feeling satisfied when the other boy stopped laughing and visibly paled.

The two boys glared at Shizuru as they left the room. Shizuru watched them go, her expression emotionless. "Rude," she said under her breath as she turned back to the class, who were all now wondering what she would say. "If anyone else wants to joke around I suggest leaving now."

Nao surprisingly didn't make a sound or even acknowledge Shizuru had spoken. She continued staring blankly out the window. God, Kuga, your girlfriend is scary as hell.

---

Nabatame stopped just outside the Academics building. Natsuki stopped in her tracks when she realized Nabatame was no longer following. She turned around, a quizzical expression on her face. "What's wrong?" she asked, sincerely confused.

The third year chuckled. "You really forgot I'm not a first year? I'm not in your class, Kuga." Blue eyes lit up with amusement at Natsuki's face.

"Oh right," Natsuki said after a quick cough, an embarrassed flush coming to her cheeks. "Well, I'll see you around? There's another training session tonight, if you want to come by."

Nabatame shook her head. "No, I might not see you until after you kick ass in the match tomorrow."

Shizuru hadn't told Nabatame who Natsuki was paired up to fight against in the match tomorrow, though she figured the woman had probably told Alyssa. They hadn't seemed to be practicing anything particular to any contestant. Maybe it's because there was nothing special about either Akane or Kazuya? Nabatame had actually never fought Akane, but she had fought Kazuya and he was rather good… though there were no gimmicks like drug-laced blades or 'Gun-Com.' Some people were just good. They didn't need gimmicks to win their matches. Kazuya was like that.

Natsuki frowned. She had really liked the company and Nabatame knew what was going on with Shizuru so Natsuki really had no one else to talk to. "I, uh, alright then… when I win Nao said something about throwing a party so you're definitely invited."

Nabatame winked. "Puh-leez, Kuga. You make it sound like I needed an invite," she grinned and added, "I would've crashed regardless."

The first year snickered. "Yeah, well, I'll see you sometime tomorrow then."

Nabatame gave a mock salute then looked thoughtful for a second before saying, "Go to the medical office after class and look for Dr. Nakada. She'll help you out, and if not, she's there to listen."

The first year blinked after the third year, who was already walking away, hands stuffed in her pockets. "Great. I need therapy," Natsuki grumbled as she turned and skipped up the steps to the entrance of the Academics building.

She blinked as she walked down the hall, confused as to why there were two of her classmates standing outside of Shizuru's classroom. Private Kawazu, the taller one with reddish-brown hair, was leaned against the wall next to the door to the classroom. He had a cocky way about him and Natsuki had never bothered talking to him. He obviously fancied himself a class clown, though his antics were never nearly as hilarious as Nao's or Chie's.

He was saying things to a slightly shorter boy with short black hair. Natsuki knew him as Private Oshiro, though she generally saw him as the kind of kid who was so lacking in any personality that he had to worship someone with a particularly strong one, like Kawazu.

Natsuki ignored them as she continued heading towards the classroom door. Whatever they had done clearly Shizuru didn't approve of since she rarely sent people outside. She, unfortunately, happened to overhear a bit of their conversation as she got closer.

"Man, Fujino totally wants me," Kawazu was saying, his hand running through his messy hair. "I mean did you see the way she looked at me?"

"I think that was anger, dude," Oshiro pointed out, though he too was grinning like a fool. "Besides, don't let Marguerite hear you. Bitch is nuts."

Kawazu pushed off the wall and merely cast a dismissive glance at Private Kuga, who was standing a few feet away and watching him, her fists clenched at her sides. His first mistake was taking his eyes off of her. He smiled at Oshiro and made his second mistake by declaring, "I don't care what the bitchy lesbian thinks. Fujino just has to try my cock—"

"Oh," Oshiro said as he noticed Natsuki approaching them, her gaze focused intently on Kawazu. "Hey, Kuga."

"Hey," Natsuki said just before she grabbed Kawazu by the shoulders and slammed her knee into his groin. He let out a high-pitched scream and fell backwards, hard, against the wall. Natsuki felt Oshiro's hand grab her shoulder and she pivoted on her heel and slammed her elbow down onto his extended arm, snapping it closed. He yelled too and staggered backwards, clutching his injured arm to his chest.

"W-Wait!" He yelled. Natsuki rolled her eyes and, realizing he hadn't been the one to talk crap about Shizuru, pointed down the hall.

"Run," she growled. "Or I will kick your ass too." And he turned and ran with his tail tucked between his legs. Natsuki then turned around again to see Kawazu cursing and recovering. She approached him and grabbed his collar. Sure he was taller than her, making it somewhat awkward that she was trying to hold him roughly by the collar, but it seemed to work. Being intimidating was possible at 5'2", who knew?

He glared at her. "What the hell, Kuga?" He snarled as she moved his body to the left in order to rip his collar free of Natsuki's grip. It only worked for a split second. Natsuki quickly got her grip on his collar once more and dragged him back. She slammed him against the wall and leaned in close.

"I swear to God, Kawazu, you talk shit about the Lieutenant again and I'll kick your ass so badly you're going to wish you never applied to Garderobe."

Kawazu, cocky as ever, lifted his chin and watched Natsuki down his nose. "I'd like to see you try, bitch," he said as he shoved Natsuki off of him. Third mistake. She allowed him to do this, mostly because knocking him out too quickly would be boring and she wasn't in the mood to be nice.

She happily landed the perfect kick to his abdomen. The bottom of her army boot was slammed perfectly into him, her leg fully straight and extended from her body. It sent Kawazu backwards into the wall again, though this time he recovered quickly and charged Natsuki. Natsuki, waiting patiently, easily stepped to the side and caught him just as he reached her. She used his own force to basically allow him to run full force straight into her knee. He gasped, pain erupting through his body, and then fell to the ground.

"That was easy," Natsuki mumbled. Man, all this extra training and competition stuff must've made her really good because that took practically no effort at all. Cool, she thought with a smug smile as she watched Kawazu writhe on the floor. "Asshole," she muttered.

The door to her left opened and Natsuki looked up to see Shizuru standing there, a surprised expression on her face as she eyed the downed boy. "P-Private Kuga," Shizuru stuttered, her tone slightly alarmed as her gaze flickered back and forth between her two students. "What happened?"

"Hey, Lieutenant," Natsuki replied nonchalantly. "Uh," she paused briefly as she examined her handiwork. "Well Kawazu and Oshiro were out here talking bullshit so I figured I'd—"

"Private Kuga," Shizuru said sternly, her eyes narrowing slightly as she gave Natsuki her best 'teacher' look. "I'll see you after class."

Natsuki blinked. "Does that mean detention?"

"No," Shizuru said as she turned around. "Just stay after class for a few minutes." She disappeared back into her classroom. Natsuki stepped over the whimpering Kawazu and followed after Shizuru, wondering if the woman was actually mad at her or not.

Shizuru sat at her desk and pulled out her walkie-talkie. "Youko," she said into the device.

"Yes, Shizuru?" Youko, sounding busy as usual, replied.

Shizuru's eyes followed as Natsuki walked across the classroom to her usual seat in front of Nao. She wondered what made Natsuki beat the crap out of Kawazu… and where the hell had Oshiro run off to? "Ah," Shizuru tore her eyes off her student and instead focused it on the rest of the class, "Will you please send a medical assistant to my classroom? There is an unconscious boy just outside my door."

There was silence until, "You're kidding."

"I assure you this is no joke."

"Who did it?"

Shizuru smiled. "I believe it was Private Kuga…"

The walkie-talkie went silent for a few seconds, and Shizuru watched as half the class turned to stare at Natsuki, who merely continued to stare out the window, bored expression perfected.

Youko's chuckle was barely heard through the small device, but Shizuru could tell the doctor was highly amused. "I suppose I'll be down in a second," Youko eventually said after her mirth had died down, "Don't worry about."

"Thank you," Shizuru said as she slipped the walkie-talkie back into her belt and flashed her class a smile. "So class, let's move on." She stood up, turned, and took the two steps that would place her directly in front of her white board. She uncapped a marker and began writing something on the board.

Natsuki shamelessly checked Shizuru out as the older woman lifted on her toes to redo the arch of the question mark. Shizuru had an incredibly nice ass. Note to self: Touch later.

When Shizuru was finished, she turned around and arched a slender brow at her students. "Would someone like to read what I've just written on the board?" Her eyes flickered across the room until she landed on Nao. "Private Yuuki?"

Nao glanced up with a frown on her face. She was clearly annoyed, clearly exhausted. Her eyes moved from left to right as she read, in a completely monotonous tone, "'Why do we need monsters?'"

Shizuru smiled and gave a small nod. She brushed some hair from her face and leaned her back against her white board, her ankles crossing. "And can someone answer this question?"

Natsuki's brow furrowed. It was so hard to concentrate on what your teacher was saying when you had seen her topless. Shizuru accidently misinterpreting Natsuki's confused stare as her wanting an attempt at the answer, gave Natsuki a nod in her direction.

Damn, Natsuki cursed as the class turned to hear her answer. "Ah, well I guess you're asking why we, as a society, create monsters? As in… myths and legends and stories?"

"Exactly, what is our fascination with these beings that do not exist? Why have stories of monsters existed for as long as we can remember?" Shizuru prompted as she nodded for Natsuki to continue. She wasn't sure if she was torturing the poor girl or not, but at the end of the day, Shizuru was still Natsuki's teacher.

Natsuki was squirming now, and Shizuru had to admit, she quite enjoyed it a bit. "Because we… need something to… embody our struggles and our… subconscious fears…as a society?" Natsuki tried. Shizuru tilted her head slightly, and Natsuki sunk lower in her seat. "Um… sorry, I'm not really… sure. Maybe because," Natsuki sighed and then shrugged, "we need something for our heroes to fight. Or maybe our heroes say more about our society as a whole than our monsters…" Natsuki realized she was rambling, which meant she had no idea what she was saying and was blurting everything that came into her mind. She quickly shut up and sank in her seat.

Shizuru, seeing that Natsuki had gotten embarrassed, quickly said, "No, no, that was actually quite… profound." She tapped her finger to her chin. "Thank you for sharing." She turned and called on Tomoe in the back. "And Private Marguerite, why do you think we need monsters?"

Tomoe straightened in her chair and smiled politely, her eyes fixated on her teacher. "I believe we need monsters because we as humans are innately monsters, and by pretending to be heroes we can fight off the darkness we all have within us," she said simply, as if she had had the answer recorded for months.

Shizuru paused, her eyelids lowering slightly as she eyed Tomoe in the back. Shizuru strode forward so that she was in front of her desk, and then sat backwards onto it. Her arms folded over her chest. "Interesting," she purred, "explain that." To be honest, she quite liked Natsuki's answer better. She found it incredibly fitting that Natsuki had added 'heroes' to the mix.

Tomoe shrugged. "Well look at Kuga's daddy issues," she said, "clearly we are all born with—"

"Tomoe!" Shizuru shouted in an attempt to stop Tomoe from saying anything more.

Tomoe continued, "CLEARLY we are all born with the ability to be monsters or heroes, and I'm only guessing but I'd bet money that the monster gene is hereditary, as Private Kuga proved when she killed my father."

Shizuru instantly regretted calling on Tomoe. She shot a glance at Natsuki, who was glaring at her desk so passionately that Shizuru feared the desk would break in half under the gaze. The class began murmuring, looking back and forth between Tomoe and Natsuki. Natsuki had killed Tomoe's father?

Natsuki, with adrenaline in her veins, panic in her chest, memories in her mind, slowly stood up. She turned around and then began calmly walking towards the back of the room, where Tomoe was standing up as well, fists clenched at her sides.

Shizuru quickly darted forward. "Don't," She growled as she moved through the middle aisle of the classroom to stop Natsuki.

Natsuki had already reached Tomoe, though she did not attack her. "I'm going to fucking kill you," she said instead, her tone and voice void of all emotion. "I swear to God I will kill you." It was a promise.

Tomoe realized Natsuki wasn't going to fight her, and released her fists. She slowly sunk back into her chair and smiled up at Natsuki. "Not before I kill you, bitch." She tilted her head. "And I mean it. You better win your next match because I want you all to myself in the final match, just like it was supposed to be."

Shizuru idly wondered how Tomoe knew that she and Natsuki weren't paired up to go against each other in the next match. Then again, it wouldn't make sense to have the two first years fight against each other since that'd mean the final match could be unfair. No it'd make more sense for the two first years to go against one of the third years, since that way the final match isn't guaranteed to have any first years in it. At least, that was the common thinking. Either that or JIN told Tomoe who she'd be going against…

"I can't wait to settle this," Natsuki said with a malicious grin and slightly psychotic shine in her eyes. "I really can't wait," she repeated, trying to look as intimidating as possible.

"Geez, Kuga," Tomoe said, her smoky grey eyes dipping down and then up once more, "You look just like you did when you first got here, beaten and bruised, is daddy visiting?"

"You goddamned--!" Natsuki moved forward to teach Tomoe the meaning of 'beaten and bruised.'

Shizuru grabbed Natsuki's shoulder and pulled her away from Tomoe's desk. The class was oooh'ing and aaaah'ing as Shizuru shoved Natsuki, gently, towards her desk. "Sit," she demanded in a whisper to Natsuki's ear as she pushed down on Natsuki's shoulders to force her into her seat. Satisfied that Natsuki wasn't going to get up again, Shizuru strode to the front of the class.

Shizuru sat her butt against the front of her desk once more and let out a long sigh. "Alright. I guess I've bored you all enough with class discussion. Who wants to go outside and run through some obstacle courses?" She folded her arms and smirked when the light lit up in their eyes. They saw training as recess time, didn't they? What was this, elementary school?

The class let out a happy cheer and began packing their things up.

"Tomoe," Shizuru called, her sexy Kyoto-ben causing about half the room to slow down their packing in order to stare at their teacher, "a word, please." She waited patiently, a fake smile on her lips as Tomoe sauntered over.

"Yes, Lieutenant?" Tomoe asked politely, her eyes big and wide, making her appear innocent. Shizuru knew better.

Eyes narrowed and smile faded. Shizuru straightened and stared down into Tomoe's eyes. "I will not tolerate you bringing up Private Kuga's family matters into my classroom. Not only is it none of your business, but it's not the class's either," she said sternly, trying to channel her intense dislike of the girl into her voice.

Tomoe's expression darkened. "What about my family matters?" Tomoe argued as she took a step closer to Shizuru, who didn't back down but stood tall, looking displeased at Tomoe's attempt to intimidate her.

"What happened was tragic and something you should not have gone through…"

"So why did you take Kuga away and leave me there in the rain to mourn by myself?" Tomoe growled as she took yet another step. Shizuru's eyes widened, she had never thought of that. "How is that fair? She still has her father," Tomoe sent Natsuki, who was the only one left in the classroom and still in her seat, a furious glare. "She stole mine from me."

"Natsu—Private Kuga was not the one that pulled the trigger."

"Sins of the father, Lieutenant," Tomoe growled as she stared Shizuru straight in the eyes. "Tell me, where did you take Natsuki that night? Where did you take her that you couldn't take me as well?"

Shizuru swallowed hard.

"Back off," Natsuki said as she decided Shizuru was losing her footing against Tomoe, something Natsuki had never witnessed before. She pushed off the windowsill and strode over to Shizuru and Tomoe. "I mean it," Natsuki growled as Tomoe stared at her as if she were nothing, "Back the hell off."

"Girls," Shizuru scolded when Tomoe and Natsuki were facing each other once more, looking like they were ready to tear each other's heads off. "Will you please…" she sighed and rubbed at her temples. This was getting old, real fast. "Please just stop."

Natsuki glanced at Shizuru, mostly because Shizuru sounded exhausted and desperate. "Sorry, Lieutenant," she mumbled. She then looked to Tomoe. "Why are you still here, again?"

Tomoe bared her teeth like some type of rabid dog. "As I said. Don't fuck up this match, Kuga, otherwise I've been waiting this long for nothing." With that she spun on her heel and stomped out of the classroom.

Shizuru let out another exasperated sigh before moving to lock the door. Natsuki stopped her, however, and mumbled an, "I'll get it," before striding to the door and locking it and walking back.

Shizuru smiled at Natsuki and wrapped her arms around her student. She lowered her head to Natsuki's shoulder, closer her eyes, and let out a content sigh. "I'm moving you out of my class," she said, but chuckled to let Natsuki know she was just kidding, "it's too much torture having you so close without being able to touch you or talk to you like I want to."

Natsuki gripped Shizuru tighter, pulling their bodies closer. "Sorry," was her lame response as she nuzzled into the side of Shizuru's neck. "Although shouldn't you be used to it by now? You had to do it for half the year."

"That is before I knew what you were really like," Shizuru replied as she pulled back and looked Natsuki in the eyes. "And I could never get used to such a thing. It's a constant pain."

Natsuki grumbled and looked away. "Don't be ridiculous," she said, her eyes finding the linoleum floor of the classroom interesting. "You can't seriously say it physically hurts to not be able to touch me."

Shizuru looked surprised at Natsuki's denial of Shizuru's apparently lame attempt at sounding romantic. "I am sorry, is that not logical to you? It is not just not being able to touch you, it is not being able to talk to you… know what you are thinking." Shizuru turned Natsuki's chin and forced the girl to stare at her. "Is something wrong?"

"I… no," Natsuki smiled and lifted to kiss Shizuru lightly on the lips, "I promised Nabatame I'd go do something, so I'll catch you later."

Shizuru let out a whimper and grabbed Natsuki before she walked away. "Wait," her ruby eyes examined Natsuki's face closely, "let me make sure you're okay." Her hands were on Natsuki's cheeks and she turned her student's face this way and that.

Natsuki rolled her eyes and wrapped her fingers around Shizuru's wrists. "I'm fine."

"But earlier… Alyssa is a tough trainer and I know she can get a bit—"

"She was fine," Natsuki said as she gently pulled Shizuru's hands from her cheek. "And I'm fine. They're just scratches, and it's not like I haven't gotten a few bruises before." She winced once she said it. She hadn't meant the whole Akio thing she just meant that Garderobe was tough and it wasn't uncommon to be walking around with a black eye or bruises all over your body.

Shizuru inhaled deeply and then let it out slowly. "Natsuki, what Tomoe said…"

"No," Natsuki shook her head, "Forget it. I don't listen to her shit anymore anyways…" Natsuki gave Shizuru a weak smile and then, unable to contain herself any longer, practically squeezed Shizuru to death in a bear hug. God, don't leave me. Please don't. Forgive me for these irrational thoughts but I can't… can't bear you not being with me.

Shizuru was caught off guard at the intensity of the hug, but laughed happily and hugged Natsuki back just as fiercely. "I am glad," she said near Natsuki's ear, which promptly turned red. After a quick kiss, Natsuki gave a mock salute and headed towards the door.

"Wait, Natsuki," Shizuru called quietly. Natsuki paused just outside the door, her face looking over her shoulder with a quirked brow. "I don't know how long my class will be, but I will meet you in our, ah, secret room?"

Natsuki looked surprised by that. "Oh, sure, yeah, I'll meet you there when your class is over."

Shizuru smiled and nodded. "I look forward to it."

Natsuki stood for a few extra seconds in that doorway, her eyes roaming over Shizuru's relaxed form, how her beautiful teacher stared at her with those ever amused rubies she called eyes. God, it felt like home. Natsuki tried to burn the image into her memory, never wanting to forget how much happiness just the sight of this woman could bring her.

Natsuki turned and walked down the hall. And first couples never lasted forever. She had thought about that recently and Natsuki realized there was a small chance she and Shizuru would last her next few years of school, not to mention Shizuru, like all Council members, will probably leave and join some other branch of the military. That could happen as soon as next year (assuming they survived the mission). They'd slowly move apart, their relationship dwindling, until they either moved on or gotten so used to not being around the other person that they were numb to all else. Maybe they'd meet someone else… maybe Shizuru will realize she was still in love with Alyssa, maybe Natsuki will decide she was interested in Nao in ways she hadn't been before, at least not to the same degree as she was interested in Shizuru. So many things could go wrong, so many things will go wrong. It was inevitable, wasn't it?

Damn, I am being depressing today, Natsuki mentally grumbled as she headed towards the staircase the led upstairs. What did Nabatame say, again? Dr. Nakada in the medical office? That was on the second floor of the Academics building right?

Upon reaching the top of the stairs, Natsuki looked up and down. The second floor looked exactly like the first, except the color scheme was a little different, with more beige and white than any interior design should have. Natsuki quickly skimmed a sign on the wall in front of her and determined that she should make a right, so she did.

Eventually she came to a door labeled: Dr. Nakada, School Psychiatrist. Natsuki couldn't believe she actually was going to talk to this woman, but then again, she wasn't in the mood to get her ass handed to her in training again. At least not so soon.

Natsuki knocked three times.

"Come in," purred a voice from the inside.

Natsuki swallowed. She was way passed having second thoughts, she was now having third and fourth thoughts as she slowly turned the door knob and peeked into the room.

The room was rather plain, with a wooden desk, a wall lined with University diplomas and certificates, one long, comfy looking couch up against the wall nearest Natsuki and a big executive chair faced away from Natsuki so she couldn't see who sat in it. It was like one of those cheesy movies where the bad guy spins their chair around.

Except this 'bad guy' wasn't a bad guy at all.

The chair spun around, and amethyst eyes met with emeralds.

"Anh?" Natsuki asked, her eyes widening as she stepped in and shut the door behind her.

Anh looked equally surprised, though she recovered faster. A Cheshire cat grin spread across her face as she rolled her chair closer. "Private Sexy Pants," the Colonel greeted, her eyelids lowered to give her eyes a seductive look, "it's such a pleasure to see you."

Natsuki rolled her eyes, used to Anh's overly active libido dramatics by now. She strode over to the couch and sat down on it, leaning back and then crossing one leg over the other as she eyed the colonel. "What the hell are you doing here? Isn't this supposed to be Dr. Nakada's office?" She paused, and then added, "And don't call me that."

Anh laughed, the rich happy sound with the barely noticeable trace of deep sorrow that Natsuki knew so well. Natsuki frowned when Anh continued giggling, her short brown hair moving with her head as she did so.

"Anh."

'Yes, yes, I'm soooo sorry Private Sexy Pants," Anh said as she gave Natsuki a dismissive wave. "Relax, gosh you're so uptight." Anh smiled innocently. "Would you like a back massage? Loosen those knots?"

Natsuki's eyes narrowed. "Anh."

Anh snickered. "Alright, I'm finished. For now." She mimicked Natsuki and crossed her legs as well, her eyebrow lifting as she watched her friend's jailbait.

Natsuki became uncomfortable under the gaze and fidgeted for a bit before grumbling, "Anyways, answer my question."

Anh shrugged. "Well, this is Dr. Nakada's office. I am obviously not Dr. Nakada…"

Natsuki gave her a look that meant, 'yeah AND?'

Anh smiled. "Was totally planning on screwing Dr. Nakada. 'Cept she's late and here I am, with Private Sexy Pants instead."

Natsuki's cheeks flushed at the blatant honesty. "Oh… uh, well where is she? And where have you been?"

"I was investigating a little jail break, no big deal. I suspect the Renegades are recruiting an army or something ridiculous like that," she shrugged, "but that's just my guess. I'm a specialist in dealing with the Renegades… the rebel group that's been gaining power recently?"

Natsuki blinked and then nodded. "Yeah. I've heard of them on the news."

"They sent me because they think that's what Garderobe will be dealing with in the very near future…" Anh waved her hands around once more, "but enough of that, I'm sure you'll learn all about it in your sugar mama's class."

Natsuki's face visibly paled, eliciting more amused giggles from the Colonel. "Can't you be serious for a second?" Natsuki snapped. "I mean really, why is everything such a huge joke with you?" Natsuki didn't mean to sound so harsh, but she had some pent up frustration and Anh's carefree giggles were getting on her nerves.

Anh's face fell and she frowned, her cheek finding her palm as she tilted her head to the side and stared sorrowfully at Natsuki. "Aw. I'm sorry, Private Grumpy Pants." Anh leaned forward and a less-than-friendly smile broke across her face. "And happiness, no matter how fake, is the only thing I can feel unless I want to spiral downwards into self-pity, so give me a break." Brutal Honesty. Noooot expected, Natsuki thought as she winced at the response.

Natsuki blinked. "I—I'm sorry…" She looked away, suddenly feeling guilty. After a few seconds of awkward silence, Natsuki gained the courage to meet Anh's eyes once more. "What… happened to you?"

Anh threw her hands up as if she had just been asked the golden question. She lifted off her chair, skipped over to Natsuki, and tugged the girl upwards. "Well you see," Anh said, her tone jovial and carefree, "I was Lieutenant Lu before I was Colonel Lu," she slid her finger down Natsuki's cheek and chuckled, "and there was this student of mine. Her name was Kagami."

Natsuki listened quietly, though she moved her face from Anh's finger, feeling the gesture was rather intimate and it made her uncomfortable. She knew Anh was always teasing, always playing around, but that didn't mean she was okay with being played with.

"And you've met my good friend, Jin," Anh said as she lowered her hands down the sides of Natsuki's neck and rested them on the girl's shoulders. Anh's eyes were sparkling with the usual joy, though it was almost maniacal looking, sort of frightening. "She was Sergeant of the school at the time, given loads of power because she was the poster child for the military and Garderobe."

Natsuki had to look away from Anh's eyes. They were too intense for her.

"And one day, she caught me doing this," Anh palmed Natsuki's ass, giving it a nice squeeze, which elicited a yelp from the student and a jump away. Anh laughed darkly as Natsuki now stood a few feet away, her eyes wide and her cheeks flushed.

"D-Don't do that again!" Natsuki barked. She idly wondered if she should invest in a Shizuru Only tattoo somewhere on her body.

When Anh was finished laughing, she slowly moved backwards towards Dr. Nakada's executive chair once more and plopped down in it. "And she took Kagami away from me. I nearly lost my job and was only allowed back a few months later, after they determined that they didn't have enough evidence against me. Kagami told them it was all her fault, she was the one that had come onto me. She did it to protect me."

"And then Jin…?"

"Jin made me fight her, punish her, as if I had been wronged," Anh said, her eyes now deadly and her fingers digging into the arm rests of the chair. "A Garderobe punishment, like what your bastard of a father got except with different rules."

Natsuki had heard that about Anh, though she hadn't known that Kagami took all the blame for it. "So then what happened to her?" Since she was sure somewhere something had gone wrong and Kagami had been kicked out of Garderobe and out of Anh's life.

"She's blind," Anh said as she turned her head to look out the window. "Kagami, wherever she is, will never see again. I guess she's okay with that though, since she told me she never wanted to see me again right before we fought in the arena."

The pure fury that Anh felt at that moment had been like a poison slowly spreading through all her limbs. She had loved Kagami, fought Kagami, very nearly destroyed Kagami.

Anh, eyes now emotionless, smiled in a sinister way. "Does that answer your question, Natsuki?"

"Y-Yes, Colonel Lu," Natsuki murmured, eyes wide. She wasn't sure if the story was more shocking or the fact that Anh had finally called her by her actual name. Did that mean Anh had purposefully blinded Kagami? Or had it been an accident? Note to self: Ask sugar mam—SHIZURU later.

"Good," Anh's face instantly lightened up, her eyes sparkling again, her tone playful. "I tried to contact her many times since then, but I guess she's been busy." She gave a nonchalant shrug.

Natsuki had often wondered if Anh was insane, now she was sure. "Right… anyways…"

"Oh, yes," Anh put on her 'doctor' face, "how are you feeling, Private Sex—"

"Natsuki."

"How are you feeling Natsuki?"

"Uh… confused."

"And how do you feel about that?"

Natsuki paused, frowned, and said, "Confused."

Anh blinked. "You know, I'm no good at this psychiatrist stuff."

"Evidently. Where's Dr. Nakada?"

Anh sighed and pouted. "I have no idea. I even made an appointment and stuff for this time slot so we could have sex. I specifically told her I was a nymphomaniac and needed help."

Natsuki rolled her eyes and rested her forehead in her palms. "You're so frustrating."

Anh frowned as she put on her best 'serious' face. "Tell me what the problem is, I can help."

"There is no problem I just…" Natsuki sighed and looked up to stare Anh straight in the eyes, hoping she could convey how important this was to her. "Why did Alyssa and Shizuru break up?"

There it was, the question. Each time she said that question out loud she felt like a weight was being taken off her soul.

Anh's eyes widened and her mouth opened slightly, but only for a split second. She instantly reverted back to her default expression, which was mischievous. "Oh, I see. First year Private Sexy Pants feels inadequate next to the glorious strategist, Colonel Alyssa Goddamn Searrs, correct?"

Natsuki looked away. "I…" Damn it! That was exactly it. She hesitantly met Anh's eyes again, and the truth shimmered in those green depths so clearly that Anh was almost shocked speechless.

Almost.

"Awwww," she purred. "Don't worry. If Shizuru ever decides she loves Alyssa again, you have me."

Natsuki's eyes narrowed. "That's not funny. At all."

"Oh come on, you can't be serious," Anh said with a dazzling smile. "I've known both Shizuru and Alyssa since forever, they're not interested in each other anymore."

"But why did they break up?"

Anh shrugged. "I don't know. They always dodge the question whenever I ask about it so I gave up a while ago. Besides," Anh shifted a bit and stopped when she found a comfortable position, "Alyssa probably wants me."

Natsuki blinked.

The colonel rolled her eyes. "You really haven't heard this story? You know, Alyssa loves me, I reject her because we're both too good looking and we were like wolves, incredibly good-looking wolves, in a pack of sheep. What would we have accomplished by dating each other? That would be too perfect, you know?"

Natsuki blinked again. Anh continued.

"So then Shizuru comes along and we make a bet. If I sleep with Shizuru first then Alyssa cuts that lovely golden mane. If she sleeps with Shizuru first, I practice monogamy."

"And… so who won?"

Anh smirked and let one name roll off her tongue, "Kagami…"

Natsuki turned her face away from Anh's gaze so quickly it was almost like an invisible hand had slapped her face. She saw that coming. "S-So Alyssa won." Anh actually had cheated. Although Alyssa won by the end of their second year of Garderobe, Anh had continued plowing through girls practically every day, though she told each and everyone they were her exclusive girlfriend… and after she had her fun she'd dump them. Technically, she was monogamous but she had so many relationships it barely counted.

Anh nodded. "Yeah, but who can blame Shizuru? I mean Alyssa is…" Anh lifted up ten fingers, "A ten among tens. An eleven even."

Natsuki, feeling crestfallen, sunk into the cushion of the couch. She felt like ripping the stupid little throw pillows apart. She wanted to beat the hell out of Alyssa.

"Don't worry though," Anh said with a reassuring smile, "You're an eleven too, I promise." She winked.

"It's not that," Natsuki grumbled. "It's the fact that you two made a bet about who could sleep with Shizuru first… she was your friend and you treated her like a mission."

Anh looked surprised. "Oh? So it's not that Alyssa was Shizuru's first? And probably her most recent sexual encounter since I doubt you and her have done the horizontal hula just yet and Shizuru hasn't been in a relationship since Alyssa until you..." Anh's expression then became thoughtful and she looked upwards, as if she could see her thoughts on the ceiling. "I suppose that must be awkward for Shizuru… having her former lover and her current… almost-lover in the same room."

Natsuki stood up and headed for the door. "I'm leaving, I told Shizuru I'd meet her downstairs."

Anh sighed. "Wait, I didn't mean to upset you. I don't have a filter."

Natsuki turned around, half in and half out of the office. "What?"

Anh gave her a sheepish grin. "I can't stop myself from saying the first thing that comes into my head." She tapped her noggin. "No filter."

Natsuki's expression softened and she stepped in once more, allowing the door to shut behind her with a 'click.' "Anh," she said quietly, "I know nothing is going on but I can't help but wonder…" Pain streaked across Natsuki's face, and Anh walked over and enveloped Natsuki in a hug. Natsuki exhaled into the dark green uniform Anh was wearing. "What if Shizuru is better off with Alyssa, and I've been fighting for nothing? You should see Shizuru… so happy…"

Anh hugged Natsuki, though she imagined for a split second that it was Kagami she was holding tight. "I promise you. You are being silly. Alyssa and Shizuru, for whatever reason, broke up before you even got to Garderobe. Shizuru has never had her life so difficult as it is now," Anh sighed as she felt Natsuki tense against her, "but despite that… despite what's going on in her life, I've never seen her happier. And it's not because of Alyssa."

Natsuki silently processed what Anh was telling her. She wanted it to make her feel better, and it did help, if only a bit. She let out a groan and gently pulled away from Anh. "How do you tell someone you love them?" Natsuki asked quietly, as if just asking the question was painful.

"Aw, that's nice of you, Kuga, but I don't think I feel the same wa—"

"Anh."

Anh giggled and patted Natsuki's head. "You just do it. I'm a little out of practice, so I'm not sure myself." Her eyes softened. "Shizuru loves you, you know."

"I know…" Natsuki murmured, her eyes dipping to look at the floor. "I feel the same."

"Then tell her."

"But I'm afraid…" Natsuki shook her head. "Forget it, I'll figure it out."

Anh grinned. "It's no wonder she loves you so much," she leaned forward and pinched Natsuki's cheek, "You're so gosh-darned cute!"

Natsuki slapped Anh's hand away and rubbed at her now sore cheek. "I'm not going to forgive you for grabbing my ass," she said after a moment. She then smiled. "But thanks… I think. I needed someone to talk to."

Anh nodded, her eyes still filled with delight. "Yeah well, you know where I hang out…" Natsuki gave her a blank look. "The teacher's lounge? Or teachers' offices if you listen to Reito. You used to jog by it practically every morning and I'd try and convince Shizuru to go outside and talk to you."

Natsuki lifted a brow. "You… what?" That sounded ridiculously adorable. She couldn't see Shizuru all flustered over talking to her… Shizuru rarely got flustered over anything.

Anh snickered, turned, and walked back to the fancy chair. She collapsed on it again and looked about ten years older in the dim light. "In the beginning of the year Shizuru and I would watch you run around the track… well, she stopped as the year went on." She smiled fondly at the memory Natsuki couldn't see. "She looked so guilty every time she snuck a peek at you. It was adorable and so sad. I've never seen anyone look so hopeless as Shizuru pre-ownership of Private Sexy Pants."

Natsuki chuckled and slowly shook her head at Anh. "Well I'm going to go see Shizuru post-ownership of Private Sexy—of me." She glanced at the clock on Dr. Nakada's wall. "What time is it? Do you think her class is over?"

The sound of the doorknob turning and then the door opening stopped Anh from answering. Natsuki turned around and for a second thought she saw Alyssa standing in the doorway.

Dr. Nakada almost looked like a non-badass version of Alyssa, with rounder features that made her look a lot less than a hawk as Alyssa did and a much softer look. Her hair was also full of blonde curls, instead of Alyssa's wavy with a few loose curls. This woman's skin was lighter, giving her cheeks a rosier appearance. Her eyes were also not the same deep shade of sapphire, though they were widened in surprise at Natsuki and Anh's appearance in her office. No, she was no Alyssa, but Natsuki did note that there were similarities. Perhaps it was Anh that secretly wanted Alyssa and not the other way around?

"Well," Dr. Nakada said as she slowly closed the door behind her. Her eyes flickered between Anh and Natsuki. "This is quite the surprise," she said with a small, slightly amused smile. The smile was very much like Alyssa's. It was almost uncanny.

Natsuki cleared her throat. "Ah… I was just going…"

Anh smiled at the doctor and patted her lap, as if asked the woman to sit there. "You're late," Anh said. "Do you need to be spanked?"

Dr. Nakada turned as red as Natsuki and stepped aside for the student who rushed out of the office faster than anyone had ever left before.

"Poor girl," Dr. Nakada said as she closed the door to her office and locked it. "What was Private Kuga doing in my office anyways? Was she here to see me or you?"

"Me… no wait, you," Anh answered as she lifted and strode over to Dr. Nakada. She looked almost bored as she began taking off the woman's coat. "But I handled it."

Nakada rolled her eyes. "That can't be good." She shrugged her jacket off when Anh had successfully unbuttoned the entire thing and then got to work on pulling off her shirt.

"Do you know her?" Anh asked, her fingers slipping behind to unhook the doctor's bra.

"Private Kuga? No. But I've seen her at the competition. Everyone basically knows who she is." She gasped and stared upwards when Anh's expert hands found her. "Who do you think counsels her," a moan, "o-obsessed fans?"

Anh snickered. "She's growing up so fast…" She trailed off as she honed in on her task at hand.

And that was the last thing words they spoke before fully committing to their appointment.

---

Natsuki nearly slipped down the stairs in her haste to get as far away from the looove doctor's office. Her face still burning red hot. God Anh was infuriating, hilarious, insane… there really was no one like Anh Lu. Natsuki wondered a bit about Dr. Nakada and her resemblance to Alyssa. Don't be stupid, she thought as she turned the corner, not all blonde people look alike.

But maybe there was something going on between Anh and Alyssa? Or had something been going on for years now? She had known Anh was Alyssa's first crush, before Shizuru, and she had known that they had become rather friendly rivals since then, rather than getting together themselves. Natsuki wondered what it would be like. Anh and Alyssa. Would that be like her and Nao? Nao was her best friend, they had a lot in common… maybe it would be like that.

And what would that be like?

Natsuki cut off her thought process when she stopped in front of the door wrongly labeled, 'Janitor's Closet.' Her eyes darted up and down the corridor. It was so empty, Natsuki wouldn't be surprised if a tumbleweed blew by. Actually, I would be… what would a tumbleweed be doing at Garderobe…?

Natsuki opened the door and quickly shut it behind her, when she turned around again, she blinked.

Her and Shizuru's hideout had been changed significantly. The dust was gone, the ancient books, magazines, wall hangings… they were all missing. In their places were more newish looking things. More modern looking pictures hung on the walls, the funky smelling couch looked brand new (in fact, it probably was), not to mention it had a pull-out bed, which Shizuru and Alyssa were currently sitting on.

"Natsuki," Shizuru practically squealed in delight as she lifted from the bed and crossed the distance between her and her student in four wide steps. She grabbed Natsuki's arm and tugged her towards the center of the room. "Isn't it great? I had Alyssa slave away at making this room more hospitable."

Natsuki wasn't sure whether to be annoyed that Shizuru had brought Alyssa into "their" place or to be depressed that all the cool old stuff was gone! A part of her was definitely digging the cleanliness though, not to mention the retro lava lamp on a nearby end table. And Natsuki didn't want to say anything, but shehad been nervous about the dust maybe upsetting her allergies. She wasn't sure if she had allergies, but her mother did so she figured it wouldn't be that surprising.

"It's…" she looked around some more. The bed looked comfy. Wait. "Was there a specific reason the couch you bought for this room has a built in bed? And… how on Earth did you get this in here without being seen?"

Alyssa shrugged, and then a thump was heard. All three women turned to stare at the door that led into what was the ancient principal's office. Natsuki wondered if the old desk and ancient telephone was still there. She doubted it. It was rather sad, since she and Shizuru had had some good times on that old desk. More like one good time… but still!

The thump they heard apparently was Private Nina Wang of Fuuka sneaking in through the window in the ancient principal's office, the one Natsuki had crawled through when she first found this place. She came in, her face a blank slate, holding a colorful vase. Ignoring Natsuki, Nina held up the vase to Alyssa, who, from the bed, tilted her head and examined it before shaking her head and waving her hand dismissively. Nina frowned, turned, and disappeared into the smaller room once more.

Natsuki blinked. "You have your students coming in with furniture to see if you want to keep it here or not?" She asked, her gaze turning to stare at a lazing Alyssa, who seemed rather comfortable on the pull-out bed.

"Ara," Shizuru uttered as her phone vibrated in her pocket. She slipped it out, flipped it open, and read the text message. "It's from Anh."

"Oh yeah," Natsuki said as she snapped her fingers. "Forgot to tell you she's back and upstairs in the medical office."

Alyssa lifted a brow. "What's she doing there? And why hasn't she told us she was back?"

Shizuru's eyes slowly lifted off the text message to arch a slender brow at Natsuki.

Natsuki swallowed. "What, uh, what does the text message say and why are you looking at me like that?"

Shizuru's lips twitched before she replied with, "Anh is commending me for having good taste, as she agrees that you have a nice ass."

Natsuki laughed nervously. "She uh, I mean I wasn't... uh…"

Alyssa burst into laughter and slapped Shizuru playfully on the back. "It's just Anh, Shizuru. She's always pulling crap like that. Besides," she glanced at Natsuki, who was bright red. "Natsuki is like Anh's perfect target."

Shizuru sighed and closed her phone before slipping it back into her pocket. She strode over to Natsuki and peered down at her rather seriously before sliding her hand down Natsuki's side and then around to her lower back and finally to Natsuki's ass. She gave it a squeeze, and Natsuki jumped.

"Anh's right," Shizuru concluded as she took a step back and giggled at Natsuki's annoyed face. "You have a very nice—"

"You've mentioned," she growled, eyes narrowed. Natsuki, unable to stay glaring at those joyous red eyes for long, groaned. "Will you people stop doing that?! Honestly…" She wouldn't admit that she was glad Shizuru had done it. Glad Shizuru showed no qualms about touching Natsuki like that in front of Alyssa.

Alyssa chuckled, which, instead of making Natsuki angry like it normally would have, made her happy. Alyssa didn't seem perturbed at all that Shizuru had just grabbed Natsuki's ass. Anh was right. Anh was incredibly right.

I'm just being paranoid, Natsuki thought as a smile made its way onto her face. She grabbed Shizuru's hand and led her towards the bed that Alyssa was still lounging on. All three women were now sitting on the bed.

"This is actually really comfy," Natsuki commented quietly as she basically pretended Shizuru was a doll and forced her teacher into the desired position. Shizuru was amused and allowed Natsuki to move her limbs this way and that until she was satisfied. Natsuki took a few more seconds with moving Shizuru around, and then climbed into the woman's lap. "Okay now it's really comfy."

Alyssa, who wasn't really paying attention to the ridiculously cute couple a few feet away, stared up at the ceiling. "Mm yeah we did a good job," she mumbled, as if she were thinking about something. Then again, Alyssa was always thinking about something. "Well I did a good job cleaning this place up while Shizuru was off playing teacher," she corrected herself. She peeked at them from the corner of her eye, the sight making her happy. If Shizuru was happy, she was happy. I remember finding you in the woods, Kuga, I remember wanting to bring you to Fuuka and God I'm glad I didn't. You're much more useful here. She also remembered telling Natsuki that if she didn't step up to the plate, she'd relieve her of her Shizuru-related duties.

Shizuru was giggling and wrapping her arms around Natsuki, who was pretending she couldn't breathe. "Kannin na, my Natsuki," Shizuru purred as she tightened her grip around Natsuki's waist, effectively pulling Natsuki's back against her front. "But I am afraid that if I hold you too loosely, you will fall."

Natsuki squirmed in Shizuru's tight grasp and was chuckling while also gasping for breath at the same time. Difficult. "Sh-Shizuru!" She scolded with a big grin on her face. She eventually stopped struggling and leaned back against her teacher, the back of her head resting underneath Shizuru's. I love you. What would I do without my best friend? I'd still be so lost…

Shizuru loosened her grip but still stayed holding Kuga close to her, her chin resting atop Natsuki's head. "Hmm," she hummed as she gently placed her lips against the back of Natsuki's head. "You smell very good," she commented as she then buried her nose into those dark locks.

Natsuki felt a tingle down the back of her neck and thanked any God that was listening for giving her this woman. "Thanks," she murmured, completely content and comfortable. She was silent for a few moments before saying, "Shizuru."

"Hm?" Shizuru said as she pulled her nose away and instead gave Natsuki a pull to make sure the girl wouldn't fall off her lap. "What is it?"

Natsuki blinked. "What is what?"

Shizuru paused for a second, her brow furrowing slightly. "Did you just not say my name?"

"She said your name," Alyssa confirmed, glad the lovey-dovey stuff seemed to be over, it was making her feel like the third wheel: Awkwaaaard.

Natsuki turned her head to peer at Shizuru over her shoulder. "I did?" She asked, her face completely clueless. "I didn't… mean to?"

Shizuru giggled and leaned forward to kiss Natsuki's cheek. Natsuki cast a glance at Alyssa, who seemed to be busy playing a video game on her cell phone. Shizuru was watching Natsuki's face carefully, interested in why Natsuki seemed to be fixated on Alyssa. "Is something wrong?" Those bright eyes instantly snapped back to Shizuru.

"N-No," Natsuki said quickly as she moved off of Shizuru and stretched her back. Shizuru eyed her student curiously.

"Are you sure?"

"Hm? Oh yeah, yeah everything's cool," Natsuki reassured her girlfriend. Shizuru was always so concerned about her. It was flattering, comforting, and sort of… well Natsuki felt bad. She offered a slightly pouting Shizuru a brilliant smile. "Everything is fine."

Shizuru returned the smile. She was happy if Natsuki was happy. "Okay," she said with a small nod, to let Natsuki know she believed her and would pursue the issue no further.

Alyssa ruined the mood when she suddenly cursed out loud and then sat up on the bed, her legs crossing under her. When she looked up, Natsuki and Shizuru were both staring at her. "Oh, sorry," she gave them a sheepish grin and pointed to the phone in her hands. "Lost at Tetris."

Natsuki laughed and then let her fingers move up and down her hip holster. Ever since she got Duran back from Tomoe she had begun touching it every few seconds, just to make sure it was still there. After all, it was technically the first gift she had received from Shizuru.

Shizuru saw Natsuki playing with her gun and tilted her head slightly. "Perhaps I should get you a new gun," she mused. "Surely a Desert Eagle hurts your wrists? They're also rather inaccurate…"

Natsuki blinked. "I never noticed any problem with Duran."

Shizuru looked surprised by a second, who was Duran? Oh right. She smiled fondly as she remembered Natsuki's eyes the first time she held Duran. So childlike, so excited… as if she had received a cool new toy and was forever grateful. God it had been so cute. In fact that day was the day she had gotten close to Natsuki, remembering how the girl would back up into her when they had snuck into the Fuuka-controlled shooting range building.

"Shizuruuuu," Alyssa waved her hands in front of Shizuru's face. She had moved so that she was sitting behind Shizuru. Shizuru turned around and lifted a brow.

"Yes?"

"You were spacing out," Alyssa explained, her eyes finding Natsuki's, "And we were concerned because Kuga wasn't even stretching or doing anything remotely sexy for you to be so distracted."

Natsuki's cheeks flushed pink. God she had been doing that a lot today. What was with everyone teasing her today? First Anh, then Shizuru, now Alyssa. She sighed and flicked her hair over her shoulder. "So," she cut in before Shizuru could come back with some I beg to differ comment. "What's the plan for today?" She asked, her mind trying to not pay attention to how close Alyssa was to Shizuru. This is ridiculous, Natsuki mentally grumbled. I had no problem with Alyssa before and now I do? I told Shizuru I wouldn't get jealous anymore… we both agreed.

"Mm," Shizuru stood up off the bed and tapped a slender finger to her chin as she looked Natsuki up and down, "I suppose I will train you and then I have a meeting with Haruka…"

Alyssa blinked and she too slid off the bed. "What do you mean you're going to train her?" She asked, her hands on her hips. "I thought that was my job?"

Shizuru merely sent Alyssa a dismissive glance. "You had your chance this morning. Natsuki is all bruised because of you and I don't like it."

Alyssa frowned. "It was training. I don't pussyfoot around these things. If she's going to beat Tomoe she's going to need to improve and improve fast." Natsuki watched with a perverse type of amusement as Shizuru and Alyssa faced each other head on, their eyes telling the other to shut the hell up. Oh yes, Natsuki liked it.

Shizuru finally broke her eye contact to look over at Natsuki, a somewhat sinister look in those dark depths. "I'm going to teach Natsuki a secret weapon," Shizuru said, more to herself than anyone else.

"Like hell you are," Alyssa argued as she spun Shizuru by the shoulder to face her again. "Shizuru you can't. That move is deadly and—"

"Natsuki can handle it," came the simple response. Alyssa's hands were now wrapped around Shizuru's upper arm. Shizuru continued looking into Alyssa's eyes. "She needs to learn this."

Alyssa shook her head. "I won't let you. Besides, you need permission from Haruka to teach a student such a thing." Funny, since Alyssa herself never listened to a word Haruka said.

"We teach our students how to kill everyday yet I want to teach her a simple immobilizing move that could very well save her life one day and you want me to get permission?" Shizuru shook her head and then gently moved out of Alyssa's grasp. "I'm teaching her Kiyohime."

Alyssa's lips pursed into a thin line and those burning sapphires turned to glance at a confused looking Natsuki for only a second before returning to crimson. "You're willing to risk killing her?"

Shizuru's eyes widened. "What? I would never—"

"If the Kiyohime is performed poorly, the brain can shut down, and she'll be a vegetable for the rest of her life. You want to risk that?" Alyssa asked quite seriously, the harshness in her eyes dimming as she realized she was getting through to Shizuru.

Natsuki, realizing Shizuru was having second thoughts, stepped forward and said, "No, I want to learn. She already performed it on me once and it worked. She paused briefly before adding, "Shizuru doesn't make mistakes." She said that as if it were some type of law of the universe.

Alyssa looked amused for a second and she fought off a smile, for this was a serious matter. "While I find it incredibly cute that you're under the impression Shizuru is perfect, allow me to mention that I've known her longer than you. Shizuru has never failed a Kiyohime, but if she does… and if she fails on you… or if she somehow manages to teach you and you fail on someone else…" Alyssa shook her head. "Bad idea."

Shizuru stayed rather calm, her body relaxed and her face emotionless as she thought this over. Alyssa had many good points. Shizuru would never mess up a Kiyohime, but what if Natsuki did? She would also have to learn how to undo an awry Kiyohime. "Fine," Shizuru said after some more thought. She turned and met with Alyssa's relieved eyes. "I will not teach Natsuki. It is much too dangerous, Alyssa, you are correct."

Alyssa smirked. "That's what I thought," she said as she glanced over at a pouty looking Natsuki. "Sorry, kid, but no one wants that kind of power in their arsenal, especially if they're…" Alyssa looked Natsuki up and down, "twitchy."

Natsuki quirked a brow. "What's that supposed to mean?" She asked, her hip cocked and her arms folding under her chest.

Alyssa shrugged. "You're young, you've been through a lot, you're not…" Alyssa seemed to think of the word.

"Mature?" Natsuki offered, her emeralds blazing but her face relatively calm. "Like you?"

Alyssa blinked. "Wait I don't mean to sound…" she struggled for the words once more. This was annoying. Colonel Alyssa Goddamn Searrs never has trouble thinking of words. She never stutters, never needs to think because everything she should do is meticulously perfect. She was smooth, smooth like ice. A sigh. "I didn't mean to sound like a condescending bitch," Alyssa finally said as she offered Natsuki an apologetic smile. "I just really don't think Kiyohime should be taken lightly… even I couldn't master it, and I nearly killed Shizuru when she let me practice it on her." Alyssa didn't like things she couldn't master, couldn't perfect.

Natsuki's eyes widened and she looked between Alyssa and Shizuru. Shizuru gave her a small, barely noticeable smile, confirming Alyssa's words. "You almost killed her?" Natsuki barked as she suddenly felt the urge to stand by Shizuru's side, so she did.

Shizuru giggled and wrapped her arm around Natsuki's waist. "It was a long time ago. We know better now. Practice on dummies first," she grinned and leaned forward to kiss Natsuki right between the eyebrows. Natsuki grumbled, still not pleased at all by the images of a terrified Alyssa standing over a dying Shizuru that were running through her head.

Alyssa sighed and bent down to tie her hair up back into its usual ponytail. "I'm going to head back to Fuuka for my night class," she explained. When she was satisfied that no hair was out of place, she swung her body straight again, her hands still on the back of her head. "Miyu is going to fucking fire me one of these days…" she grumbled as she began pushing the pull-out bed back into the couch. Which is exactly why I sleep with her… Alyssa mentally added.

Natsuki moved to help her, and Shizuru watched with a feeling of unease as her former lover and her current one worked side-by-side to turn the bed back into a couch. After a satisfying click was heard, meaning that the bed would stay tucked into the couch, Natsuki began handing Alyssa the couch cushions and Alyssa would place them back onto the couch.

"Shizuru," Alyssa said as she turned around. Natsuki plopped down onto the couch and watched Shizuru, who looked up when addressed. Alyssa continued, "I'll be around for the competition tomorrow… tell Anh…" she frowned and for the third time that day had trouble thinking of the words, "Tell Anh I say 'hi,'" she finished lamely. She had to admit, she was incredibly irked that Anh was playing 'house' with Dr. Nakada. Honestly, it was just rude not to come down and say 'hello' to your friends first.

Shizuru, with a knowing smile on her lips, nodded once. "I will let her know."

Natsuki didn't understand what was going on, but she was too impressed with all the new stuff Alyssa had gotten in this room that she didn't much care. "You should probably crawl out the window in the ancient principal's office," Natsuki commented as she pointed towards the only other door, besides the one that led back into the hallway, in the room. "Leaving out the door labeled 'Janitor's closet' might look suspicious."

Alyssa nodded at Natsuki, turned, and began walking towards the door Nina had disappeared through a few minutes ago. "Time to go back home," she grumbled, "Good luck tomorrow, Kuga. I'll be watching."

Natsuki gave a wave, though Alyssa had already disappeared through the door. "Thanks for the training earlier today," she mumbled. She turned to Shizuru, who looked like she was in deep thought. "So Alyssa has a night class to teach?"

Shizuru nodded. "Yes, she's been spending way too much time here."

Agreed, Natsuki thought as she stood up off the couch. "This new couch is a hell of a lot comfier than the old one… doesn't smell nearly as bad either."

"I'm glad you think so." Shizuru sounded distant, like she wasn't sure about something. Her eyes also looked unfocused and her chin was resting on top of a fist, her elbow propped upon her other arm wrapped around her own waist.

"Shizuru," Natsuki said as she approached. "What's wrong?" She pulled Shizuru's hand away from her chin and replaced it with her own. She grinned when Shizuru peered down at her. Shizuru's skin was smooth, soft. Natsuki pulled Shizuru by her chin and kissed her lightly on the lips before releasing the older woman.

"Now, nothing is wrong," Shizuru said with a warm smile. "Why were you at the medical offices? I meant to ask you earlier…"

Natsuki shrugged. "Nabatame told me to go meet Dr. Nakada or something."

"The head psychiatrist?" Shizuru questioned, her brow furrowed as she stared into Natsuki's eyes. Natsuki nodded. "But why?" If something were wrong, wouldn't Natsuki come to her first?

The first year shrugged. "Dunno," she lied. "Was curious, I guess… had nothing to do until you were done with your class anyways," Natsuki explained, her tone nonchalant.

"You should've come," Shizuru said. She then shook her head. "Actually that would have made you too tired for the second part of your training."

"You're going to train me?" Natsuki asked, her eyes wide with surprise but also excited.

Shizuru gave her a weak smile, and her hands lifted to gently rest on Natsuki's shoulders. She then slowly slid them to Natsuki's neck, and then placed her fingers upon the arteries in Natsuki's neck. Natsuki's emeralds met with crimson curiously. "Kiyohime," Shizuru whispered quietly, and the word sent tremors through Natsuki's body. "I'm going to teach it to you… I want you to have it in your arsenal."

"B-But… Alyssa said—"

"Alyssa is… right… and yet…" Shizuru pressed her forehead against Natsuki's. "I need you to know this," she whispered, her eyes fluttering closed.

Natsuki felt Shizuru's fingers press into her neck and she swallowed hard. "Okay," she said quietly, her fear being shoved deep within her so that she could appear unfazed. "Teach me."

---

Shizuru refused to perform it on Natsuki. She had never failed a Kiyohime, since she had invented it she knew exactly how it worked. She started by explaining how the body worked to Natsuki, why the Kiyohime was so successful, why it was considered deadly. She then placed Natsuki in front of the mirror, newly added thanks to Alyssa, and pointed out where her targets were. Natsuki then placed her own fingers on Shizuru's neck, feeling the throbbing of the powerful arteries hidden under the flesh.

"And you apply the same amount of pressure, for the same amount of time, at the exact same moment, to both areas, and release. Your opponent will be immobilized for 30 seconds, in which they cannot move, cannot talk… they are virtually reduced to little more than jellyfish."

"I remember," Natsuki said with a sigh. She met Shizuru's amused reflection in the mirror. "You did this to me during the Survival Hike and then Reito and Nao walked in and it looked like we were…" she snickered. "You know it's kind of ironic…"

"Isn't it?" Shizuru agreed as she wrapped her arms around Natsuki from behind and rested her head on Natsuki's shoulder. Their eyes were still met in the reflection. "I'm not going to let you practice this today," she whispered into Natsuki's ear. There was something incredibly sexy about seeing Shizuru and her own reflection in the mirror while Shizuru held her eye contact and whispered in her ear. "Today was more of an introductory lesson… you are not to even attempt to perform this on someone."

Natsuki opened her mouth to protest but was prevented with a pointed look. Instead she pouted and broke eye contact with Shizuru, who frowned. "That's unfair. You went through all the trouble of explaining to me everything about it and you're not even going to teach it to me?"

Shizuru's arms gently released Natsuki's waist. "I would," she admitted as she turned and grabbed her bag, containing boring teacher stuff. "But I have an appointment with Haruka now… I believe Jin complained about last night." She sighed and turned around. Natsuki was now leaning with her back against the mirror, her arms folded over her chest as she eyed her teacher from across the room.

"So is this faux-Janitor's closet our new hangout spot?" Natsuki asked. "Will you teach me Kiyohime in here?"

Shizuru nodded. "It's safer than a normal training room since Jin doesn't even know it exists, not to mention I do not need much space to teach Kiyohime and this room is of adequate size." Shizuru paused, and Natsuki could see a few different emotions flicker across her face. Finally, Shizuru said, "and my room is now officially off-limits. I mean it this time," she sighed, looking just as depressed about it as Natsuki felt, "what we did last night was stupid, even if Alyssa was there to tranquilize Jin, I still don't think we should risk it again… not to mention she will be on her guard now."

Natsuki looked around what used to be the waiting room to get into the smaller room in the back. "Okay… I guess… well this place has a bed so if we ever feel the need for a sleepover.." Natsuki grinned when Shizuru's eyes widened and red appeared on her cheeks. "W-o-o-o-w…" Natsuki chuckled and strode forward, wrapping her arms around Shizuru's waist. She nuzzled her head under Shizuru's chin. "I'll see you tomorrow… before the match, as usual."

Shizuru nodded and gave Natsuki a squeeze. "Yes. Please avoid Tomoe… it will do neither of you good to injure each other when you both haven't even made it to the final match yet."

Natsuki, gently moving away from Shizuru's warmth, gave a huff. "Whatever," she grumbled, her tone indignant. She'll fight with Tomoe if she wants to fight with Tomoe, damn it!

"I mean it," Shizuru warned as she took one last look at Natsuki before heading towards the exit. She paused just in front of the door and listened for any movement out in the hall. When she heard no footsteps and no voices, she opened the door and left.

Natsuki chuckled. "Yeah, yeah," she said as she turned and moved towards the ancient principal's office. It, unlike the waiting area, had been emptied completely. Maybe Alyssa had no idea what to fit in such a space.

Natsuki decided not to think about the cool ancient globe or the cool telephone (or the old desk she had been about to ravish Shizuru on top of)… especially not the fact that Alyssa had been the one to remove them from her and Shizuru's space. She crawled out the window and headed towards her tent to pick up her training bag. She wanted to work on her punches some more before tomorrow.

---

A light tapping at her office door startled Haruka more than she would like to admit. She cleared her throat, mentally scolded herself for being so jumpy, and put on her best 'I'm the boss' face.

"Come in," Haruka called as she dropped her pen and leaned back in her leather chair.

The door slowly opened, revealing Shizuru standing in the doorway. "Hello, Haruka," Shizuru said with a small smile as she stepped in and gently closed the door behind her with a click.

"Oh you're finally here," Haruka grumbled, her amethyst eyes following her lieutenant as the woman strode over and lowered herself in the chair on the other side of Haruka's fancy desk.

"I apologize for being late," Shizuru said with a small tilt of her head, "how are you doing?" She only briefly looked around Haruka's office, which she had been in several times. She silently noted that the pile of papers on Haruka's desk had gotten much bigger, not to mention there were open envelopes everywhere. Poor woman, she doesn't deal well with stress.

"Fine as usual," Haruka answered easily, "but let's just make this fast, right? I've got more stuff to prepare for tomorrow's competition…" she ran her hand through her blonde hair, "hell I won't finish this stuff until sometime tomorrow…"

"Would you like some help?" Shizuru asked a she leaned forward in the chair to peer over Haruka's papers. There were a pile of used and abused pens, emptied of ink, next to the one Haruka promptly picked up and waved in front of Shizuru's face.

"No, no, everything is under control." Shizuru didn't look too sure, but she nodded and sat back in her chair. She smiled, letting Haruka know she would back off. Haruka eyed Shizuru suspiciously, as usual, then huffed and stopped pointing at Shizuru with her pen. "Jin complained to me today about last night."

"Ara, ara, what happened last night?" Shizuru asked, her eyes clueless and innocent.

Haruka knew better. "Don't bullshit me, Bubuzuke. Jin said she was sleeping and when she woke up she found, not only that she had been shoved onto the floor, but that there were empty tranquilizers all around her, as if she'd been shot multiple times throughout the night."

Shizuru couldn't help the smile that broke onto her face. "Perhaps Jin fell out of bed?" She offered, both brows lifting as if it were a mere suggestion.

Haruka's eyes narrowed. "I thought you were going to be more careful."

Shizuru dropped the smile and sighed, her eyes closing. She looked rather serene, and Haruka almost felt bad for clearing her throat when Shizuru didn't immediately say anything. Shizuru opened her eyes a bit to peer at Haruka. "It was unexpected, and Alyssa was there to make sure she wouldn't bother us so…"

Haruka groaned. "No more," she said sternly. "Not only is Alyssa Searrs not allowed on the premises as of 12 o' clock this morning, the time her visitor's pass expired, but she's not going to be here every time you want to fool around with your student."

Shizuru frowned. "There was no fooling around being done," she argued, "Natsuki was—"

"I don't care. God, Shizuru. You're one of the smartest woman I know so why are you acting like a moron?"

To say Shizuru was shocked would be an understatement. She sat, speechless, eyes slightly widened as she stared blankly at Haruka.

Haruka continued, "Jin is confident. She's confident. That's bad. But I realized something interesting…" Shizuru stayed silent, a sleek brow lifting. Haruka smiled. "General Mazuka and I believe General Homura might be dropping by to watch the final match. Now I'm not saying Natsuki will make it to that match, but if you bring Alyssa along with you…"

Shizuru's brow furrowed. "I do not understand…"

Haruka rolled her eyes. "Pretend that you're dating Alyssa again," Haruka commanded. "General Homura and Mazuka both love Alyssa, I found out from Miyu that Alyssa's file has been requested by Nagi, just like yours."

Shizuru shook her head. "I do not think that is a good idea," she said seriously. Shizuru had an odd hunch that Alyssa was going to try and get into Anh's pants, something she had failed to do years ago. The blonde woman had been acting slightly odd lately, and Shizuru was a bit worried. Natsuki also probably wouldn't like the idea.

"It'll give you a backup… if you're dating Alyssa again, people will really not believe that you and Kuga are together, because well… you'd be dating Alyssa." Who needs Kuga when you're dating Alyssa Goddamn Searrs?

Shizuru's eyes narrowed. "Haruka…"

"Natsuki already gave her statement during Kato's investigation that she is dating Nao Yuuki," Haruka pointed out. "Look, I'm not asking you to make out with Alyssa, I'm asking that you act a bit couply when you're out in public and that you bring her to the final match… so that Mazuka can see how close you and Alyssa are. It'll blow Jin's accusations right out of the water."

Shizuru was silent. It all actually seemed like a rather good idea. In fact, she wondered why she hadn't thought of it before. Natsuki already was technically dating Nao… at least, that's what the police probably had on file. Nao also agreed to it, so that was settled. Shizuru could act couply with Alyssa out in PUBLIC. If the two generals were going to be observing the final match of the competition, it actually might be a good idea.

"I'll think about it," Shizuru finally said. "I have to talk to Natsuki and Alyssa about it first…" She stood up out of the chair, assuming that was all Haruka wanted to talk to her about.

The blonde master sergeant nodded as she watched Shizuru begin to walk towards the door. "Alright, understandable… I'm just looking out for you and Kuga's best interests… it'd be a shame to lose either of you."

Those words halted Shizuru in her tracks. She turned her head slightly, so that she could peer at Haruka over her shoulder. "Thank you, Haruka…"

Haruka huffed and got back to work. "Mhm."

Shizuru smiled weakly at the busy blonde and then turned and left. She couldn't wait to get back to her apartment.

---

It was almost dark now, and Natsuki was busy in the gym. She had wrapped her hands this time, just how Nabatame and Tanaka told her too, and let the punching bag have it. Her sneakers squeaked as she moved back and forth between her two feet, like a boxer.

Her brow was sweaty and she was panting slightly. Another hit, a jab, an uppercut. Spread your feet out more, turn your body a bit more sideways, make sure you protect the core…

Natsuki slammed her fist into the punching bag, causing it to swing rather violently. In fact…

"Ah!" Natsuki dodged the angry punching bag as it swung back full force to whack her with equal force. Natsuki, victorious smile on her face, stuck her tongue out of the slowing down punching bag. Don't mess with Kuga.

Natsuki walked over to where her duffle bag was and reached in for her water bottle.

"Hey there."

Natsuki, startled, jumped with a yelp and spun around, her water bottle pointed threateningly out in front of her. When she saw an equally startled looking boy in a Garderobe uniform standing there, she gave him a weak smile and then wiped the sweat from her brow with her forearm. She lowered her water bottle. It wouldn't have made a very good weapon anyways. "Hey," she said back. She brought her water bottle to her lips and tilted her head back. Oh yes. Cool water calming down her burning body.

Kazuya, making a conscious effort to not look Natsuki's body up and down, offered her a smile and a quick salute. "My name is Kazuya, Kazuya Krau," he said.

Natsuki's eyes turned suspicious. Kazuya. Wasn't he one of the competitors left? Yeah… it was Akane Higurashi and Kazuya Krau and Tomoe.

"Listen," Natsuki said as she calmly screwed the cap back onto her water bottle and flung it back into her duffle back. She met his eyes and gave him the most serious look ever. "If you're here to, you know," she waved her hand around, "kill me, get rid of the competition yadda, yadda, I'll let you know right now I'm going to kick your ass and make you wish you had waited until at least tomorrow."

Kazuya's eyes widened and then took a step backwards. He gave Natsuki a polite smile. "That's not what I wanted at all," he assured her. "Will you hear me out? I'd like to make a deal with you."

The first year was still suspicious, but she tilted her head and tried to read his body language. He was tense, but not because he was about to kill her, but because he was worried she'd attack him. She finally nodded. "What do you want?"

A relieved smile formed on Kazuya's lips and Natsuki idly noted that he was rather handsome. With hair the same color of Shizuru's, eyes the color of Alyssa's, and a body build of someone in great shape, yes, Kazuya Krau was good looking.

"I'm your opponent tomorrow," he said, his eyes roaming over Natsuki's face for any sign that she might be afraid of the news. There was only a hint of surprise, but beyond that, Natsuki Kuga didn't seem disturbed by the news. Kazuya continued, "Officer Rauschenberg informed me of this, in case you were wondering."

"I was," Natsuki said. She then nodded for him to continue. Get to the deal part, buddy.

"She only told me because she… well that means that Tomoe is going against Akane."

"Yup."

"And that means that if Akane goes against Tomoe, then Akane will lose."

Natsuki laughed. "You're awfully confident about Tomoe defeating Akane." No longer finding it that funny, Natsuki's expression became serious once more. "Really, have you no faith in Akane?" Whoever she is. "You're sure Tomoe will defeat her?"

"She will," Kazuya said with a sad sigh. "And I can't…" he evaded Natsuki's eyes, because he liked to think he was brave yet Natsuki's stares made him feel like a coward. "Not only do I refuse to face Akane in the finals… but I would rather throw in the towel then go against Tomoe. That bitch is crazy and… I'm afraid she'd kill just to win." Nearly everyone knew the lengths Tomoe would go just to be with Lieutenant Fujino. No, Kazuya wasn't crazy, he knew Tomoe would rip his throat out with her teeth if he stood between her and the Lieutenant. I'm really not in the mood to die anytime soon, Kazuya thought.

Holy shit. Natsuki thought. He's going to lose to me… on purpose. He wants to lose because he's afraid of Tomoe. "So… you're willing to throw the match and let me win?" Natsuki asked for clarification. She paused then added, "And you're right, Tomoe would kill just to win."

Kazuya nervously rubbed the back of his neck. He still refused to meet Natsuki's eyes. "Yes…" he finally said, his tone that of someone already defeated. He forced himself to look at Natsuki, who no longer looked like she was judging him. He straightened and gave Natsuki a nod. "I'm going to let you win tomorrow… but I don't want to go out without a bang."

"You want to… put on a show?" Natsuki asked. She leaned her back against the wall of the gym, folded her arms across her chest, and crossed her ankles. "We can put on a nice show, that way you look like you're trying." Because God knows Haruka will be on his ass for throwing in the towel. "And you leave me an open spot and I get you out."

Kazuya nodded. "Yeah. I… don't want to look like I just gave up, you know? Not to mention Sergeant Suzushiro will have my balls cut off if I make it obvious."

Natsuki wondered though… could she beat Kazuya if he wasn't throwing the match for her? He was a third year and had made it to the semi-finals… surely he was an amazing fighter. Too bad he doesn't have the heart of one, Natsuki thought with some pity. What's the point of having all that talent if you're just going to puss out before you really make it?

Oh well, Natsuki wasn't going to complain if it meant she got a free ticket to the final match. "And how do I know you're not just saying this so my guard is lowered in the match?" Natsuki asked, the thought striking her. If she went in the match not worried and with lowered guard, Kazuya could easily not leave her a spot open and just take her out, deal be damned.

He shook his head, his hair falling in front of his blue eyes. "I swear to you, Natsuki Kuga, that I will not betray you at tomorrow's match," he said, his right hand up in the air. "Scout's honor."

Natsuki quirked a brow. "Were you even in the boy scouts?"

"Ah, no…" He chuckled, and Natsuki found she rather liked his easygoing attitude. The goofy part of him sort of reminded her of Kato, though she was glad that moron was long gone. "But I promise to lose to you tomorrow. If you're truly Tomoe's rival then I know you won't pass up this chance."

Natsuki nodded once. "I'll be gentle tomorrow," she grinned, "and we can make it look like you lasted kind of long… if you want."

The third year rather liked how well this had gone. "Yes please," he gave a dramatic sigh, "I'm already going to be teased for losing to a first year as it is, but at least if it looks like I lasted pretty long it won't be as bad."

"I see your logic… but… are you truly that afraid of Tomoe?" Natsuki asked. Hell, Tomoe told Natsuki on a daily basis that she'd be her end yet Natsuki wasn't that freaked out.

An emotion Natsuki knew well flickered across Kazuya's face. "Not only that but Akane, my love, is refusing to drop out of her match with Tomoe. Tomoe is going to nearly kill her, and I want to be around to take care of her."

Oooh. So that's what this was about. Not only was Kazuya scared shitless of facing Tomoe in the final match, but he was afraid for Akane as well, who would be going against Tomoe tomorrow. "Got it," Natsuki said, and she did believe him. "I'll see you tomorrow then," she smiled and offered him her hand, "was nice meeting you."

Kazuya shook Natsuki's hand, a grateful look in his eyes, "Yes thank you so much, Private Kuga." He then saluted her and strode out of the room.

Natsuki watched him go. So if one of the school's top third years is afraid of Tomoe, what should I be? She wondered. She felt like she knew Tomoe on a more personal level. Her issues with Tomoe were much deeper than anyone else's issues. Not only had Tomoe caused her ridiculous amounts of grief when she first arrived at Garderobe (she beat me up on my fucking first day of class), Natsuki was being blamed for getting Tomoe's father killed. Natsuki also had Shizuru, who Tomoe wanted more than anything else in the world.

Natsuki began gathering her things.

She soon realized that… hell… she was going to the fucking finals! She had been halfway to her tent when she realized she should tell Shizuru the good news. After all, Shizuru was always worrying about her, maybe the good news would put Shizuru at ease, at least for a night. Then again... Shizuru had told her that her room was strictly off-limits. Natsuki wondered if Shizuru would be mad…

But when did Natsuki ever follow the rules? It wasn't like Jin was going to catch her if she just told Shizuru and left within five minutes! Besides, maybe Natsuki could work up the courage to finally tell Shizuru she loved her before she left. Maybe sort of. Kind of. It's possible I can gain some courage in the five minute walk from here to Shizuru's apartment…

It wasn't long before Natsuki could see the Teacher's Residence Hall in the distance. It was actually sort of late, so Shizuru might already be asleep. If that was the case Natsuki would just tell her in the morning before the match. She didn't want to wake her girlfriend up if she was finally getting some sleep.

As Natsuki approached the window, she heard some voices. She instantly thought Jin was bothering Shizuru again… which probably meant she should leave. She turned to leave but then…

"You waiting for Kuga to come by?" That was Alyssa's voice. Natsuki blinked. Hadn't Alyssa left for Fuuka a few hours ago?

Natsuki, now curious, turned around once more and crept to the window. She planted her back firmly against the side of the building, and then peeked over into the room. The window was open just a bit, explaining why Natsuki could hear what Alyssa had said.

Shizuru was sitting on her bed beside Alyssa. She was wearing the really sexy crimson nightgown Natsuki liked so much. Why the hell did they always have to sit so close?

Shizuru spoke this time, "No, I was hot. Natsuki won't be coming by… I told her that my room is off-limits before we said goodbye today…" Shizuru's expression became similar to the one she gave when she was trying to distract Natsuki by being sexy. Natsuki's heart started beating faster when Shizuru placed her hand over Alyssa's. "So what were you saying, Alyssa?"

What the hell is going on? Natsuki wondered. And why am I spying on Shizuru?

"Be serious," Alyssa pleaded.

"Kannin na. Please, continue."

Natsuki watched as Shizuru and Alyssa stared deeply into each other's eyes, Shizuru's hand still over Alyssa's. Natsuki suddenly had the urge to burst through the window and demand Shizuru stop touching Alyssa. But damn it, it was just a hand. A reassuring hand… a supportive hand… right? It wasn't… romantic, was it?

Alyssa took a deep breath, and Natsuki watched the enemy colonel's face. She looked like she was about to say something very difficult.

"I've always loved you… and I know you know that, which is why you're always teasing me…" Alyssa paused briefly, and Shizuru fucking nodded at her to continue, "and I… know that we've both loved other people in our lives… like you and your… student and me and our… mutual friend."

Shizuru smiled. She didn't tell Alyssa she was taken, didn't remove her hands from Alyssa's in disgust, she didn't do anything on the list of many things she could've done that Natsuki would've found an appropriate response. No. Shizuru smiled.

Natsuki's jaw dropped. She felt like someone had just taken a fully loaded gun and shot her through the heart. Alyssa loved Shizuru still? And… what the hell? "You and your… student"?! What the hell does that mean! The mutual friend… did that mean Alyssa's crush on Anh? Natsuki was too dumbstruck to move. Forget her ideas of bashing through the window… that had only been if Shizuru… if Shizuru had seemed unhappy about it. She looked fine to Natsuki, completely undisturbed by Alyssa's confession.

"But it pisses me off when I see you sulking about her. I can see she makes you unhappy. She's been making you unhappy for a while now. You worry, you obsessively think about her, you're hurting yourself this way." Natsuki swallowed hard. Her throat felt very dry and her chest constricted. So her suspicions had been right? Shizuru was too afraid to tell Natsuki to take a hike because… because she was afraid Natsuki would turn back into the girl she was when they first met.

But she… but she loves me because she said—Natsuki's brow furrowed and she tried to stop her fingers from digging into the palms in her hands. No this can't be right… something is wrong… because I know Shizuru loves me.

Do I make you unhappy…?

"So I think you should stop fucking thinking about her, and give me a chance," Alyssa growled, her hands gripping Shizuru's.

Natsuki mentally growled. Traitor. What happened to trusting Natsuki with Shizuru? What happened to 'God you guys are cute together?' This couldn't be happening. No. Natsuki almost let out a hysterical laugh, this had to be a really, really unfunny nightmare.

Okay. Natsuki had faith. Her teacher was gonna tell Alyssa where she could shove it!

"Oh, Alyssa, that was… really heart-felt," Shizuru said, her tone full of sincere emotion. She sounded so… happy, proud? "So…" Shizuru's smirk was the kind of smile she gives Natsuki before she pounces. "Can I assume you will be… sleeping over?" Her voice was so goddamned seductive.

Alyssa cleared her throat, as if she were flustered. "Of course…but what if SHE catches us?"

Too late, Natsuki thought bitterly. How could Shizuru just sit there and take Alyssa talking about her like that? Saying 'she' as if Natsuki were just a mere nuisance. Am I?

Natsuki could see Shizuru shake her head. "She won't, she'll be busy preparing for the competition tomorrow… there's nothing to worry about," Shizuru said reassuringly. "Now…" Shizuru lifted slowly from the bed, "Are you ready?" Natsuki could see the mischief sparkling in Shizuru's eyes as she said that.

Natsuki grit her teeth, her eyes stinging with what felt like tears begging to be let out. There it was. Her wall. The glass wall. Shizuru had built it. She had blown the glass and made it strong with her burning hot fire. It had been perfect, her trust, her love… perfect. And then a small tiny crack of doubt, a little bit of insecurity on Natsuki's part, had formed on it. Natsuki had repaired it countless times, though it kept coming back… especially since Alyssa started hanging around.

And now? And now that crack was spreading in different directions, stretching out across the glass and threatening to shatter the entire thing.

Natsuki couldn't believe this was happening. This was all so surreal, like she was watching herself peer into Shizuru's window, detached from her body. Shizuru loved her, she knew that, but did she love Alyssa more? Alyssa had said it earlier. She's known Shizuru longer. Maybe Shizuru was just tired of…

Me.

And how did Natsuki feel about that? She deserves better than me, Natsuki thought with a surge of self-pity. I don't blame her. Natsuki analyzed her thoughts and realized that Shizuru had been right. Without Shizuru, Natsuki was nothing. Natsuki was just going to revert back to her old self.

No, she thought. I won't be reduced to that… Shizuru is wrong. I won't fall apart without her. She doesn't have to lie to me…. I wish she could just be honest with me. A stabbing pain ripped through Natsuki's chest. Oh god it felt familiar, why did it feel so familiar?

"Yes ma'am." Alyssa said with a grin and Natsuki watched on, though this was like torture, as Shizuru moved to the side of her bed and began pulling the covers back. Natsuki wasn't going to watch that. No, that would surely cause her to lose it… more than she already was right now.

"Shizuru…."

"Yes?" Shizuru asked as she spun around to face Alyssa. Natsuki saw the slit up the side of Shizuru's nightgown. She had really liked that nightgown. It was what Shizuru was wearing the night after they had kissed for the first time. Natsuki silently wished they had never kissed… then this wouldn't be so bad. But then… I wouldn't know certain things… like utter happiness, like the realization that you have loved someone… and that they loved you in turn.

Alyssa gave Shizuru an uneasy look, and Natsuki wondered what that meant.

"Don't tell me you're afraid... I told you, you have nothing to worry about."

Yeah, you have nothing to worry about, Natsuki snarled viciously in her mind. I'll never know.

Alyssa eliminated the space between her and Shizuru in two quick strides. She wrapped her arms around Shizuru (who held Alyssa just as tightly) and whispered, "I love you, Shizuru," into the Kyoto-woman's ear. "I always will."

She could say it. Alyssa could tell Shizuru she loved her. Natsuki waited… she had to… she had to believe that at some point Shizuru would burst out laughing, turn to Natsuki, and say it was all a cruel joke.

"I love you too, Alyssa." Shizuru's soft voice was almost unheard by Natsuki… but she had heard it. Those words were so heavy. They crushed her. "You know I've always been here for you, and I always will be. Now…" Shizuru's face grew mischievous again. And Natsuki was thinking she had heard just about enough.

"Okay. Lights off?" Alyssa asked as she walked towards the… door? Oh, no, just the light switch.

Shizuru smirked. "Yes, please." They kept smiling at each other, like they were sharing a deep dark secret. Or… at least they thought they were. Natsuki recognized that look… they had exchanged it quite a few times in her presence. For the love of God how long has this been going on? Why did they break up if they were still in love? Natsuki whimpered quietly as her very soul felt like it was shrinking within her.

"As you wish, Lieutenant," Alyssa said with a smirk as she flicked the light switch. A blanket of darkness fell upon the room, and Natsuki could see nothing. Footsteps were heard, probably Alyssa walking towards the bed.

Natsuki didn't stay long enough to find out. She was already walking away, her hands in her pockets and the freezing cold wind whipping her tear-stained cheeks.

---

To be continued soon-ish…

Also, before you kill me, I think it's important to remember I can't fix things I've broken unless I'm alive ;)

Chapter's quote from the song "Another Day in my life" by The Pitcher feat. Nikkita (Andrea picked it)

Once again I would like to thank my beta, Andrea. Awesome woman she is. Seriously.

Also my profile now has a 'homepage' which will take you to my new devart account. That's just there for me to collect the fanart done for my fics, so feel free to check it out if you're having problems with the links in my profile.

Chapter Song:

Greener by Tally Hall

Wherever you go
Is breaking me slowly
Don't leave it alone
Don't leave it alone
You sound so much further on the phone
You fit just right
Right next to me
But there's always a reason why it can't be

Telephones make you seem miles away from home
All alone I get a little meaner
I leave a message at your tone
And miles away from home
You get a little cleaner of me
And I find a little greener shade of envy

Tissues get used
Getting rid of you
Don't you see what you do to me
And you just let it be

I wish you'd get used
And then come running back
To the shoulder that's become me
To the shoulder that's me

Wherever you are
Is breaking my heart
Don't leave it alone
Don't leave it alone

You fit just right
Right next to me

-ShayP