Here's the rest of the big day :)
Hope you enjoy!
As soon as we were out of sight, I launched at Shizuru, giving her a massive hug, trying to convey how grateful I was for the opportunity to ride.
I pulled her into a kiss, still trying to let her know how happy I was.
"Well I am very happy Natsuki enjoyed it as much I hoped she would. I have to say, you looked like you had ridden before like thy said. Are you sure you've never tried before".
I laughed as I confirmed this was definitely my first time riding any bike, motor or not.
That seemed to surprise Shizuru even more.
"You don't know how to ride a push bike, yet you took to a motorbike that quickly!?"
"Yup".
She just stared at me for a moment before laughing.
"I guess Natsuki never like to make sense does she?"
I shook my head as we started to walk off.
The sky was darkening and I noticed it was nearly six when I glanced at a shop's clock.
"How long was I out there?"
"You were with the bikers for about three hours".
I stopped dead.
"Three hours!?"
"Yes".
I couldn't believe that much time had passed. And Shizuru had stood watching the whole time.
"Jeez Shizuru, if I was taking that long you could have told me, you were just standing there".
"No, I was watching Natsuki learnt to ride a motorcycle. And it was amazing so don't you dare feel bad about having fun".
I bit my tongue as I nodded, still a bit guilty, but comforted by the truth I saw in her eyes.
We started off again, back towards the city center.
"I have to say I'm glad I considered it could be a while or we'd have missed dinner".
"What are we having?"
"Wait and see".
It looked like we were heading to the far side of the center, an area we hadn't been before together.
The lights started to come to life around us as we made our way through the streets.
It didn't take long for the day to catch up with me as we walked.
All the excitement had drained me a bit but Shizuru pulled me into a small sushi restaurant, which instantly perked me up.
I had always wanted to try sushi, it was always out of my price range whenever I had money to spend but it was something I was just curious to have.
The restaurant was small, a little pocket between two larger, fancier restaurants.
It was cozy, almost homey in its décor.
We were walked to a small circular two-man booth in the corner as we were handed menus.
Shizuru recommended a few different things having come here before and actually knowing her sushi.
The most I could do was try to describe things I'd seen and wanted to try, hoping Shizuru would be able to guess what I was on about.
We eventually managed to pick out a good assortment to share as I fumbled around with the chopsticks, struggling to get them to work.
Shizuru laughed at my poor attempts as she showed me how she did it.
I did my best to mimic her and eventually I was able to pick up my napkin from the table.
The food started to arrive shortly after I had mastered the chopsticks.
At least I thought I had.
Shizuru taught me all the different names for the different types of sushi.
I found I had a particular taste for the sashimi set that came along.
I was also amazed by how the food was displayed, most of what came along was edible but looked like it belonged in an art gallery rather than on our table.
I tried everything.
I found a few things didn't quite agree with me as I was nearly sick trying some sesame seed tofu and couldn't even swallow the squid nigiri because I found the texture was rather unpleasant.
But despite the few near misses, I was still eager to try every new piece that was put down.
We seemed to be receiving an endless supply of dishes, each with new combinations and shapes.
Eventually, just as I felt I'd reached my limit, the food stopped coming.
"How'd they know?"
Shizuru laughed at my question, which confused me.
"I've been here multiple times so I know what my mother and I can manage. All I did was add a few more dishes taking into consideration your monstrous appetite".
I smiled before the stab at my appetite hit.
"I don't eat that much!"
"Compared to anyone I've ever eaten with, you eat loads more Natsuki".
I didn't know how to respond to that.
"Besides, it's much nice eating with someone who actually enjoys eating the food instead of spending the whole time worrying about calorie intake or their figure in three years time".
I cringed as I was reminded that Shizuru had to spend most of her life surrounded by those types of people.
"You don't seem to have had much luck with the people you met then".
"No, they were usually family friends or work colleagues which was why they were all so obsessed with image. Mother wasn't like that though. She knew what she could eat but she never worried about weight or anything like that as she has a very fast metabolism. She did indulge herself every now and then as well which was always fun because father would always get mad at her. I believe she's the only person on this earth who can put him in his pace and not earn his eternal hatred".
"So I'm guessing I may have earned that when I spoke to him over the phone?"
"Unfortunately it's quite likely, but mother was there too so I don't actually know".
"Right, so if I ever meet your father, be prepared to run for the hills?"
"I think it might be safest".
I was always glad when Shizuru didn't get too upset when we spoke about her dad. I knew it was hard for her but when she laughed, I felt like I might be helping her to heal as much as she's helping me.
As we asked for the bill, we were brought half an orange each. The halves had been peeled and flipped so they sat atop their skin, each quartered and served with a slim, three pronged fork.
They tasted like they'd be picked just before being served. They were unbelievably fresh, juicy and sweet.
It was the perfect end to the evening and the day as we started to make our way home.
As we walked back, I kept thanking Shizuru for everything she'd done for me today.
I was glad when I saw that she could see how grateful I was for all the time and effort she'd put into today as I couldn't really express it fully.
We took our time on the walk back, weaving through the streets as they came to life around us.
The lull of activity in the evening had passed as the night brought new life to the city.
Cars took the streets once again as night vendors set up their stalls outside the bars and clubs.
We were too early to meet the nighttime club-goers, which I was grateful for as I didn't want my mood to be ruined by some drunks trying to pick either of us up.
It took almost an hour to get back to my flat.
It had become habitual for me to start checking for any tails as we neared the flat so I knew we were clear tonight.
Entering the flat, I was both happy and surprised when Shizuru blocked me against the wall for a kiss.
She stood slightly taller than me, even without heels on tonight as I wrapped my arms around her neck, pulling her closer.
The kiss started to deepen, started to heat up, and for once I didn't want to stop it.
Shizuru seemed to sense this as she guided me to the sofa, still kissing me as her hands started to roam down my sides.
It didn't take long for me to find myself on my back, Shizuru straddling me as she leant down for another kiss.
I felt her hand at the hem of my vest and relaxed into her touch, fighting back the darkness in my mind.
But as her hands started to move up, the memory flashed through my mind again.
I felt my body jerk, pulling me from the memory as Shizuru quickly sat back.
"Are you alright Natsuki?"
I didn't answer her, I was still lying down, palms pressed against my eyes as I tried to rub the images from my mind.
It was so frustrating.
That he could still have this hold over me.
It was so long ago.
It wasn't like this.
Yet I couldn't forget it.
"I'm sorry Shizuru. Something bad happened to me a long time ago and it's very hard for me to forget it. I will be strong enough to fight it one day but I'm not ready yet".
I let out a frustrated sigh as Shizuru pulled me up for a hug.
It was getting a bit repetitive and I wanted to find the strength to fight through this one day, for both of us.
Shizuru thought for a moment before moving.
"Wait here".
Shizuru then stood up and made her way to the bedroom as I sat up.
She came back holding up the bag I'd seen her with yesterday.
"Natsuki's birthday present. I wanted to give it to you this morning but you wouldn't wake up in time".
"So you sat on my chest?"
"I'd tried a lot of other things but none of those had worked".
She had on her 'I'm an angel but not really' face, which instantly made me suspicious.
"What did you try?"
"Oh this and that. Come on and open your present".
I sighed, curiosity getting the better of my suspicion.
I looked down at the bag, searching for the gift among the nest of tissue paper.
I finally located two boxes, one was shallow and almost the size of a sheet of paper while the other was about the size of an earring box.
I asked if there was one she wanted me to open first and she pointed to the larger of the two.
As the lid came off, I was stunned by the small canvas that lay in the box.
It depicted some space theme, imagined by the artist, but made entirely with spray paints, creating some amazing texture and shapes in the piece that made it seem almost alive.
"I saw the guy doing these at the funfair on the pier".
"So that's where you went when you abandoned me in the queue".
"You didn't seem too bored though, you had those guys to keep you company".
I shuddered at the memory as Shizuru giggled, remembering the blow I'd dealt to the guy.
I set the painting on the table as I turned to the smaller box.
Gently undoing the small bow, I opened the lid only to find myself speechless once again at the pendant that was resting in the black velvet.
It was polished sliver and showed a wolf howling to a small, perfectly circular sapphire moon as a snake coiling around its body.
It was small yet not so delicate as to make me worried I might damage it.
As I lifted it, a silver chain followed.
"Shizuru, it's beautiful".
To top it all off, it matched the earring Shizuru had given me signifying our friendship beautifully.
"I noticed you have a thing for dogs and your wild, independent nature made me think of you as a wolf and I thought putting a snake in would be a nice way to bring us together in it".
I knew Shizuru's favourite animals were snakes. If the giant hydra in her sand garden wasn't enough of a hint, the giant stuffed snake from the fair and small collection of reptile magazine subscriptions would be hard to miss.
I couldn't actually find any words for her as I held it out.
She took it as I turned, lifting my hair out of the way so she could put it on.
It rested perfectly in the hollow of my neck, just above where my collarbones came together.
I tuned to give Shizuru a hug and I think she was getting used to the fact that I wasn't used to being treated so well and so couldn't really find a way to fully express my gratitude.
"Thank you".
It was simple but it was all I could come up with through the swirl of emotions I was dealing with.
"I'm so happy you like it".
I thought for a moment, picking up the painting as I ran into the bedroom, seeing the perfect spot to hang it.
I took down the odd needlepoint thing that had been hanging on the wall at the just across from the foot of the bed and replaced it with the painting, just as Shizuru followed me in.
"That's the perfect place for it so we can see it every time we're here".
"Natsuki can be quite cute sometimes, especially when she's really happy".
"Well I'm with you, I couldn't possibly be anything but happy. I love you".
Silence followed as we both realised what I'd just said.
"I think that's the first time you've ever said that to me".
I blushed harder than ever before as Shizuru walked up to me.
Resting her hands on either side of my head, she forced me to look her in the eye.
"It's a good thing that I love Natsuki too then".
My blush didn't go away at Shizuru's confession but I did let out the biggest smile when I heard that.
"Can you say that one more time?"
"I love you Natsuki".
We both smiled as I responded with a kiss.
"I love you too. Forever".
I should probably mention now in case any of you have issues with this, Natsuki's past does involve abuse when she was a child (as already hinted). This is no way based off anything I have seen or experienced or heard about and I wanted to let you know that it is part of the story only.
It won't be pleasant as it will work parts of the story together and it will entail things that I am completely against in every way. I do believe even the hardest of beginnings can be overcome and can make you stronger which will play more into Natsuki's character.
I'm sorry if this might upset any of you which is why I'm telling you this now as it's going to start becoming a bigger part of the story in a bit. Hopefully it won't be too much for you guys but the rating will go up when I start writing it in more and I'll let you know before the chapter so none of you get offended or upset by it.