Disclaimer: Nothing in this story belongs to me.
Author's Note: To all the readers who have waited patiently all these years, thank you for your patience with this story. It has been a journey, and as all journey one usually reaches its conclusion given time. The next chapter will conclude the story, and I will add an epilogue hopefully to tie up any loose ends that I can recall.
Without further ado...Enjoy!
Her eyes fluttered open, and it dawned on her that she was looking at the ceiling. However, staring at the ceiling seemed like the only thing she could do at the moment, as there were too many questions running in her head. She got a moment of reprieve, when she heard the automatic door open. Turning her head she checked to see who it was. Lo and behold, the one person she didn't need to give her a hard time walked into the room.
Nao upon seeing the reaction from the raven hair elite solider smirked, "Simmer down, pup. I'm not here to cause trouble." The expression on Natuski's face did not alter from the remark, causing Nao to reiterate, "Relax, I'll try to keep it in check. Glad to see you're awake."
"Where's Shizuru?" Natsuki inquired in a serious tone, playing ignorant to the comments Nao made.
Grabbing a nearby chair, she pulled it up to the side of the bed before sitting down. Nao eyed, the stubborn pup momentarily, before exhaling a breath of defeat, "She's stable. It was a good thing we weren't too far away from the escape pod, let alone you two."
Natsuki went back to looking at the ceiling, confusion in her voice as she spoke, "She took a shot for me, Nao. She could've died. Why would she do something so stupid, when she wasn't train for that kind of thing? It doesn't make sense."
She wasn't expecting these questions to come from the pup, it was unlike the pup. Natsuki had a tendency to keep things to herself and deal with it by herself, so Nao was caught off guard by the remarks, and questions. Rummaging in her head, she tried finding the simplest and most rational reasoning she could find to explain to Natsuki, why the crimson eyed woman did what she did. Unfortunately, try as she might, she was unable to find any logical explanation, because love was something which made people irrational in their actions.
Scratching the right side of her neck, right below her ears, with her right hand hesitantly, Nao decided to respond to the question. The only way she would want someone to explain it to her. If she were ever in Natsuki's shoes, "She did it because she loved you."
The silence that came after Nao's answer felt heavy, as though the weight of the world just came crashing into the infirmary room all of a sudden. The seconds felt like hours, when Nao exhaled a breath in an attempt to smooth the revelation she just told the pup, "Love makes you…"
Natsuki interrupted her, "I know."
Pausing in her remark by the pup's interruption, Nao asked, "You know?" With curiosity lingering behind the question.
Moving into a sitting position, Natsuki stared directly ahead of her at the wall, "She protected me, because she loved me. I wasn't able to react and she got hurt because of me."
"Now hold on a second there pup. Don't be absurd, you're still healing from your near death experience. And on top of that it's been one incident after another." Nao stated trying to rationalize with Natsuki, who wouldn't have any of it.
"You don't get it Nao. Shizuru has very little training in combat, let alone protecting someone. Yet she nearly died for me because she loved me, and I couldn't do a thing." The green eyed girl exclaimed in irritation.
Nao was slightly perplexed, uncertain where this discussion was heading, when Natsuki turned around to face Nao, tears streaming down her face as she proclaimed, "I don't love her Nao. If I did, I would've reacted. It should've been me, not her. I was trained for that kind of situation, and because I lost my ability to act I placed her in danger. It was never about love, it was about my ego and pride as an elite. One I didn't want to acknowledge was gone. Even if I was so fucked up I couldn't walk, if I had loved her I would've been able to react, just like her."
Stunned was not the word Nao would use, because Natsuki's rationalization and logical thinking had been tossed out of the door. Nao wasn't sure where she would even start, in trying to untangle the misunderstanding that Natsuki had at the moment. Nao knew without a doubt that the pup loved Fujino, simply by observing their reactions and Natsuki's demeanor when Shizuru was around. Yet, the pup herself was in a fragile state of mind after seeing the one person she loves, take a hit for her, and being unable to do anything. That could play a number on one's mind and it did, with Natsuki automatically blaming herself causing her to come to her conclusion. Shaking her head, Nao stood up saying but a few words, "You are a dumbass, pup. Think about what you are saying."
"I'm a dumbass? It makes perfect sense to me." Natsuki shouted in retort.
Nao stood firmly, exclaiming, "Yes, a dumbass, pup. Cause you spew all this crap, yet you are crying a river."
With her right hand Natsuki placed it upon her face and it dawned on her then she was indeed crying, even though she did not seem to have registered she was crying. At a loss as to why she was crying she left her hand on her face.
"Look pup, you don't understand the damage done to your head during that near death experience. You can't just start spewing all this nonsense about not loving…" Nao said prior to being interrupted by Natsuki.
"Please leave." Natsuki sternly stated in a tone of agony. She was currently in a vulnerable state of mind and did not need the added stress of Nao's presence. Unfortunately, Nao still wanted to give Natsuki a piece of her mind, but relented when Natsuki slightly yelled, "Leave me alone Nao. Just go."
Throwing her hands up in defeat Nao, barged out of Natsuki's infirmary room, unable to understand the complexity of what was going on in that thick skull of the pup's.
xxxxxx
It had been a week since they had returned from Mars. Natsuki was finally allowed to go back to work. She was currently pacing back and forth outside the entrance of the Fujino's mansion, uncertain whether to go in or not. Her state of mind was still all mucked up from the conversation with Nao in the infirmary. A couple days ago Nao informed her Shizuru was doing well, and would be returning back to work, about the same time Natsuki was reporting back to duty.
Natsuki took a deep breath and calmed herself down, before jumping back on her bike and pushing the button allowing her to enter the premises of the Fujino Residence. There was only 4 weeks left before Shizuru turned 25. Natsuki had made up her mind, to let Shizuru go, and encourage her to marry Anh, someone whom she had a past with. Therefore, what Shizuru had with Anh would not nullify the agreement to the inheritance. Shizuru was marrying someone she cared about and would not put her in harm's way, like Natsuki did. The raven hair elite had made up her mind and decided where Shizuru and she both stood. Now all Natsuki had to do was avoid any serious conversation with Shizuru. The thought in itself was simple, yet the reality of the situation would not be so, given her duty was to stand beside Shizuru at all times when necessary.
Day 1 – 28 days left
Haruka heard a knock on her door and was surprised to see Natsuki walking into her office after granting entry. Knocking on the door was unlike Natsuki, usually she just barged in when she deemed it necessary.
"Yes?" Haruka inquired, suddenly intrigued by Natsuki's change in demeanor.
Natsuki stood at attention, exclaiming, "Natsuki Kuga, reporting back for duty until Miss Fujino's 25th birthday."
The hard headed, guts blonde was dumbfounded by the comment, causing her to inquire, "Kuga, you don't intend to stay after Shizuru turns 25. Is there a particular reason as to why?"
Clearing her throat Natsuki replied, "My job detail and obligation to gramps was only until Shizuru turned 25. The task will have been fulfilled, and I will be free to go if I so chose to."
Haruka did not know what happened on Mars, she only heard bits and pieces from Nao, who told her if she wanted to know what happened to ask either Natsuki or Shizuru. Haruka looked at Natsuki, and could immediately tell that her persona was more professional than their first meeting. It wasn't necessarily an indication of sorts, but when it came to Natsuki, these subtle actions usually implied changes or decisions all ready made up. Haruka could tell that Natsuki wasn't in the mood for conversing.
"Welcome back, Kuga. Shizuru has a meeting here shortly. So, I'll let you go, but I want a full detailed report about what happened on Mars A.S.A.P." Haruka casually stated.
Natsuki raised an eyebrow exclaiming, "What happened on Mars is outside of your jurisdiction. I don't have to report to you."
Haruka smiled, already knowing what Natsuki was going to say, simply responding with victory in her voice, "That is correct Natsuki. Unfortunately, for you, you had a certain Shizuru Fujino under your protection, therefore all detail accounts of what happened while she was in your care, is reported to me as well. It is for safety reasons as you, an elite, should be well aware of such protocols."
Without responding Natsuki nodded in understanding and left Haruka's office. Exhaling a breath, she mentally told herself, "Some things never change."
She spent the rest of the day beside Shizuru, but kept her distance. Her responses to Shizuru's inquiries where short and professional, Natsuki was focused on her job. She could feel the sadness seeping from Shizuru, but brushed it aside, telling her-self she had made up her mind. It was for the best. What they had could not be and what they currently were was just a protector and her charge. There would be nothing more than protecting and serving.
Day 2 – 27days left
Shizuru didn't understand what was going on. Natsuki wasn't telling her anything, it was as though something bad had happened between the two of them, creating a rift that was irreversible. Yet, she didn't know what had caused this rift between them, because the person who knew would not speak to her. The short Yes and No responses were starting to unnerve Shizuru. So much so that, she felt what they had was no longer there. Somewhere somehow along the way it all just vanished into thin air and she didn't know where to start to even try to understand what went wrong.
She rolled onto the side of the bed and curled up, crying herself to sleep that night, uncertain of what tomorrow would bring. She had so much to think about pertaining to her inheritance, the company, yet all she could think about was why Natsuki had shut Shizuru completely out of her life.
Day 3 – 26 days left
Shizuru cracked her bedroom door slightly opened and peered into the corridor of the hallway. There was no Natsuki to be seen. Sighing in sadness she closed the door again, leaning her back against it. She had not gotten much sleep last night and her chest seemed agitated. Ever so often Shizuru felt a sharp pain, as if someone was piercing her heart with a needle ever so often. Inhaling a deep breath she decided to brave the new day, and opened the door again. This time to her surprise Natsuki was walking towards her with a cup of coffee in her hand. Shizuru, slightly confused, did not seem to know the Natsuki that was approaching her, because Natsuki hated coffee and tea.
Closing the door behind her she looked up at Natsuki, greeting her, "Good Morning Natsuki," and then attempted a small tease, "I wasn't aware Natsuki had picked up the habit of drinking coffee. And here I thought she was brining me my morning tea."
The professional Natsuki handed the cup to Shizuru, calmly answering, "I brought you, your morning tea, as I realized you appeared to be running late."
Shizuru didn't know whether to be happy or sad by this gesture. Her only response was a subtle, "Thank you Natsuki, that was very thoughtful of you."
Taking the cup of tea from Natsuki as she handed it to her, Shizuru was about to say something, when Natsuki stated, "I will be waiting for you outside with the car. You have a meeting in half an hour. I wish to leave as soon as you are ready, in case there is traffic."
There was so much she wanted to inquire, yet she held back uncertain of how the raven hair would react to her bombardment of questions. Nodding in understanding she managed one of her typical smile of façade, quick to part from Natsuki's presence before anything could be said by the green-eyed elite.
Natsuki clenched her fist, trying her best to calm the beating of her heart down, which was aching with the need to wrap her arms around Shizuru, kiss her silly and tell her she was sorry. Yet, she stayed her ground watching Shizuru until she disappeared around the corner. Closing her eyelids slightly whether in agony or sadness she inhaled a breath of irritation before turning around to head in the other direction, her mind saying but one phrase, That smile was a façade.
Day 4 – 25 days left
The new day brought some reprieve for Natsuki or so she had thought when she woke up that morning. What she had not realized was that her heart would not obey what her head had decided. Anh had made an appointment to spend the morning with Shizuru to discuss matters of utmost important. Natsuki was well aware of those matters of importance. The day would start out rather well, because her presence was not needed. So Natsuki would take the time to find some reprieve by wandering the forest behind the estate reminiscing about her stay at the Fujino Residences.
She paused at an intersection and was slightly perplexed, for she was certain there was no intersection upon the path she had taken so many times before. So where did this intersection come from. She stood there pondering and felt lost. Why was it that there were two paths before her, yet she was uncertain of where either of them led. Taking a deep breath she chose the one to the left, simply because if she stood their contemplating it further, she'd end up turning around. Walking down the path she had chosen her mind wandered, when she heard someone cry out. Running as quickly as her feet could take her she jumped off the path, making her way through the thicket of wood, before finding herself in a clearing. Before she had time to figure out what was happening, she heard another shriek causing her to scan her surrounding in search of the cry. She ran as quickly as her feet could take her, making sure to glass both sides of her surrounding, when she tripped. Throwing her hands in front of her to catch her fall she, rolled to the side to get up when she realized her hands were covered in blood. She panicked her thoughts pondering to why her hands were covered in blood. Then she heard a chilling voice raspy and in agony, "Natsuki, why?"
Natsuki turned around to see Shizuru covered in blood, and try as she might to get to Shizuru, she couldn't get near her. Natsuki cried out in terror and frustration, "Shizuru…what…what happened?"
"You abandoned me and look what happened…Natsuki… I'm, dieing…" Shizuru softly uttered blood profusely leaking from the wound in her chest.
"No…" Natsuki yelled sitting up in bed, her body covered in sweat, her heart beating fast, and her mind wheeling from the dream she just had. Covering her face with her hands she cried, for she did not know whether her decision was right anymore.
xxxx
Natsuki stood off to the side her mind still disturbed by the dream she had. The image of a bloody Shizuru made her more rigid and uptight. The possibility of her dream was almost reality on their trip back to Earth from Mars. Until Shizuru's twenty-fifth birthday, Natsuki knew her dream was still a possibility. Had Natsuki gone paranoid from her dream or was there some other underlying factor behind the dream which was driving her current demeanor. Regardless of what it was, the only thought on her mind was to make sure Shizuru did not die on her watch. Lost in her thoughts she did not register that Anh had met up with Shizuru until the two approached her.
Shizuru studied Natsuki and she knew something was troubling the raven-haired girl, but she kept the knowledge to herself, no matter how much it pained her to see it. Slightly clearing her throat Shizuru addressed the green-eyed elite, "Natsuki can you bring the car around. Anh is here and I don't want to be late for our lunch."
Turning around still slightly lost in her thought she was about to respond when she saw the ache of pain upon Shizuru's face, before it was quickly covered up by the crimson-eyed woman. Exhaling a breath she didn't realize she had been holding, Natsuki nodded, before turning to leave, not paying any attention to Anh who appeared to have wanted to say something yet refrained from speaking altogether.
Day 5 – 24 days left
Shizuru didn't want to get out of bed. Her mind was reeling with everything that was happening. It was mentally frustrating to think Natsuki had given up on them. She sat up in bed, and decided she would get an answer out of Natsuki if it was the only thing she did today.
Natsuki was starting to doubt her decision and the rationality behind her concept of love was faltering. The pain in her chest was becoming unbearable, and the nightmare of Shizuru dying was now plaguing her, even while she was awake. She felt like she was losing her mind. She couldn't fathom how her simple decision to walk away from Shizuru would become so complex. Then again, didn't Nao tell her love was complex…or was it just her mind playing tricks on her? Groaning she made her way out of the kitchen. Shizuru was late again this morning. It would appear both of them were greatly affected by Natsuki's decision.
xxxxx
Natsuki stood in front of Shizuru's door; a tray with a cup of tea and some toast with scrambled eggs were in her right hand. Exhaling she knocked on the door with her free left hand. She waited and there was no response. Breathe, she mentally told herself. Why was it she was finding it hard to stand outside Shizuru's bedroom as the seconds slowly ticked by? And when did it become so painfully hard to breathe? She was about to knock again, uncertain how long she had stood there when Shizuru exclaimed with weariness in her voice, "Natsuki, you can only come in if you stay and talk to me."
Natsuki took a step back, she could turn and leave and then she wouldn't have to talk to Shizuru. The crimson-eyed girl had given her a choice. She could leave right now and that was it, but was it fair to Shizuru, to just leave without an explanation. Her mind was in a state of turmoil, when she was interrupted by Shizuru asking, "Natsuki where do we stand now?"
How was she supposed to answer that, Natsuki didn't even know where they stood prior to the trip to Mars. She had left to go to Mars because she didn't want to see Shizuru place in danger. Or did she go to protect herself from getting hurt. There were too many questions rummaging through her head, she couldn't make sense of them. Perhaps…she reasoned with herself, maybe talking to Shizuru might clarify some things, and lift the ache in her chest. Finding the right solution in her mind she cleared her throat and placed her hand on the doorknob turning it while stating, "I'm coming in Shizuru."
Natsuki exhaled when she realized the curtains were still close and Shizuru was curled up in bed. How had things become so bad between them…Natsuki could only reason it was her fault, for distancing herself from Shizuru. But was it the wrong choice…Natsuki shook her head, rationally telling herself, her decision would protect Shizuru. Yet, who was it that she was trying to protect? Natsuki groaned her head was not being cooperative.
She walked towards Shizuru and placed the tray of food on the end table, before worriedly stating, "You should eat something. You didn't eat anything for breakfast the past couple of days, skipped dinner and yesterday during lunch with Anh, you just picked at your food."
Shizuru perked up realization hitting her. Natsuki had been observing and noting her welfare and here she had assumed Natsuki no longer wanted anything to do with her. Shizuru sat up allowing the blanket to fall to her waist, before turning to look at Natsuki hesitantly inquiring, "Did I do something wrong?"
The question addressed by Shizuru was not one she was expecting. Steadying her beating heart, she shook her head ever so slowly, prior to answering, "You didn't do anything wrong Shizuru. Neither of us did anything wrong." Did she even know what she was saying anymore, was the thought currently running through Natsuki's head.
Shizuru sat up in bed patting an empty area beside her bed, gesturing for Natsuki to sit down. She noticed the hesitation in the raven-haired girl, but she wouldn't relent. It was a test of stubbornness and the crimson eyed knew well enough, Natsuki was too discipline to hold out and would relent. Sure enough a few minutes later Natsuki sat down on the side of the bed.
"Can Natsuki tell me why she won't talk to me?" Shizuru inquired bluntly.
Ouch…, was what she had thought, then quickly told herself she deserved it before simply answering with a question of her own, "We are talking now are we not Shizuru?"
Shizuru inwardly smiled, when she heard Natuski state her name. It had been how many days since the raven haired elite had called her by her name. Therefore she was going to allow this moment to linger, by remaining quiet, in hopes that Natsuki would say her name again. Her hopes were not in vain, for the way Natsuki said her name the second time around made her cringe. It was said with such sadness, that her heart ached. "Shizuru…I don't …," hearing the remark and where it was leading she interrupted by asking, trying her best to keep the tone in her voice even, "Do you not love me Natsuki?"
There was a silence that hung heavily between them…, whatever was spoken next would cut through the thicket of the heaviness that had blanketed them, or consumed them both into a world of utter chaos.
Natsuki stood up her hand clinched in a fist, causing Shizuru to react, grabbing the green eyed woman's fist without first thinking about her course of action. The gesture did not go unnoticed by Natsuki, who turned around, turmoil evident upon her face.
Quickly trying to find some semblance of balance before all hell broke loose, Shizuru apologized, "I'm sorry Natsuki…that was uncalled for."
Natsuki shook her head placing her other hand on top of Shizuru's hand answering with some restraint in her voice, "I don't know what love is Shizuru. Those who know it seem to swear by its power, yet the concept of love seems to elude everyone. Is it not just a chemical imbalance in the head that makes one feel the way they do? Joy, happiness, pain, and sadness..., all of that comes and goes on a daily basis."
Shizuru slowly pulled her hand from Natsuki's grasp, looking at her with weariness as she inquired, "Natsuki are you saying, this entire time, what you felt for me is not love, but a sense of duty?"
"That is correct," Natsuki answered without hesitation. Yet her eyes never met Shizuru.
Before Natsuki realized what had happened, she felt the soft, moist, slightly chapped lips of none other than Shizuru pressed, ever so hesitantly, quivering, and filled with overwhelming emotions upon her own. Even though there was uncertainty in the gesture, there was welcoming warmth of hope and love that completely enveloped the green-eyed girl, causing her to respond in kind. In that brief moment the answer of where they stood was as clear as a blue sunny day with not a cloud in sight. However, like clear sunny days, clouds usually roll in un-expectantly and without warning.
Pulling away slightly Natsuki stated hesitantly, her resolve wavering, "We cannot Shizuru."
She reached out for the raven haired elite, but Natsuki pulled away, causing her to crumble upon the bed stating in pain, "I know you love me Natsuki. So why, why do you draw away from my love. Is my love not enough for you, is it not good for one such as you Natsuki?"
The heaviness of the phrase hung like a noose, just waiting to drag both of them into the depths of darkness. Natsuki shook her head, not having anticipated how emotional the conversation was going to be. Steadying her breathing she knelt down in front of Shizuru emotionlessly stating, "I cannot be with you Shizuru, for if I remain with you, your life may continue to be placed in harm's way. I fear I will lose you and therefore as my love for you goes, I will let you go. In doing so I know, you will not be placed in danger and free to live a peaceful life. In time you will forget about me."
What happened next, neither of them would have known. There was a loud slap, as Shizuru's right hand made contact upon Natsuki's left cheek. Natsuki was slightly startled, but remained semi-composed when she saw the tear stained cheeks of Shizuru, as the crimson eyed girl stared at her. Shizuru's voice was laced with agony and sorrow when she spoke, "What of my love for you Natsuki? You speak of your love, but what of mine? What am I suppose to do with it? I cannot just will it away? It is unfair of you to make a choice for the both of us. It is unfair for you to take away my choice. It is unfair of you to speak about loss, when every day I fear I will lose you, because of me. Yet you are letting me go because you love me. Why, why won't you fight for our love, Natsuki?"
"I'm trying to protect you, Shizuru." Natsuki stated in a tone of irritation. Why couldn't Shizuru see, this was the logical choice?
"I don't need you to protect me, Natsuki." Shizuru yelled back in anger, before inquiring, "How is losing me and walking away from our love any different Natsuki? Will you be happy knowing I will share my life with someone else and not you?"
Placing her left hand gently on Shizuru's cheek Natsuki answered solemnly, "Yes, if it means you get to experience a life without the worries of being a target."
"I will always be a target, Natsuki. I'm the heir to the Fujino Company and all of its assets are my responsibility. I will never have a peaceful life. You are condemning me to marry someone I do not love, knowing full well I could be assassinated at any moment. How is that protecting me, Natsuki? Please tell me, who exactly are you trying to protect, me or you?" Shizuru stated with angst and anger.
Natsuki pulled away. Taking a couple of steps back she looked a Shizuru, who was in pain. She turned around her mind reeling from the questions the red-eyed girl had thrown at her. Ones she had been contemplating herself for so long. Who was it exactly, she was trying to protecting? Was her decision made out of fear or was it rationally thought out? Why was it so hard to see clearly what course of action to take? Why was being in love so complex?
Lost within her own mind she did not register Shizuru calling her name. She was startled out of her thoughts when she felt a pair of arms wrap themselves around her waist pulling her in an embrace. For the first time in a long time, Natsuki lost her composure completely. She crumbled as she cried in anguish, "I cannot watch you die because I couldn't protect you, Shizuru."
In that moment of Natsuki's vulnerability, Shizuru understood the strain of what Natsuki had been shouldering since their return from Mars. She held the raven-haired girl close to her, soothing her the only way she knew how to at the moment. Yet her mind wandered as to what would truly become of them. The conversation in which they had did not solve the situation which was pertaining to where they stood. However, it was evident now that whatever happened next was something they both had to accept. Perhaps, Natsuki was right. What they have could never be, given the strain it would be for both of them. The thought of being unable to protect the one you love, and watching them die before your eyes, is something she would not wish upon even her worst enemy.
Sitting on the floor with her arms wrapped around Natsuki, as though if she loosened the grip ever so lightly, she'd lose the raven haired girl, Shizuru leaned her head upon Natsuki's shoulder apologizing, "I'm sorry Natsuki. I should've been more understanding. Come what may, I just want Natsuki to know, I love you."
Natsuki responded by placing her hand gently upon Shizuru's hands which were wrapped around her waist. She slowly nodded before stating softly, "Whatever becomes of us, I want you to know Shizuru my love for you will forever be a part of me."
Regardless of whether they would have a future together or not, both of them knew at that moment, where they stood in terms of what they felt for one another. And that was what truly mattered. It was something both of them needed to know for each other's own sanity. Perhaps knowing what they now knew of each other's feelings, there was hope of a future where they could be more than just a protector and her charge, but as lovers also.
Day 6 & 7– 23 & 22 days left
Nao walked into Shizuru's office rudely inquiring, "So where's the pup?"
Continuing on her task at hand Shizuru did not look up from her desk, while answering, "She requested a couple of days off and I didn't see a problem with it. Which was why I asked Haruka to call you? To fill in while she was away."
Shrugging Nao plopped down on the couch, crossing her legs she casually stated, "It's nice you two are talking again. Did the pup get the jitters from the possibility of getting hitch to you?"
"On the contrary Nao, you are mistaken. I do not intend to marry Natsuki." Shizuru stated in a tone of finality.
The remark caused Nao to stand up blurting rather offensively, "Who, the fuck are you marring then Fujino?"
Shizuru looked up from her desk due to Nao's sudden outburst, slightly bewildered, but calmly composed herself, prior to answering, "I've already discussed it with Anh, and she has agreed to the wedding. I do not see a problem with this arrangement."
"I'm surrounded by freaking idiots. You and the pup are either very stupid or…ah… I don't care anymore. If you two are too cowardly to love one another than fine, be cowards. All this drama and stupidity is giving me a headache." Nao exclaimed with disdain and frustration.
Shizuru wasn't going to let the remark unnerve her as she playfully responded, "Ah, yes Nao the love expert knows best I suppose."
Nao walked straight up towards Shizuru, slamming her hands upon the desk stating with disappointment, "It's a shame really Fujino. When you see two people who are meant to be together, end up apart because the norms of society dictates otherwise or the emotional status of being with one another is too demanding they are unable to bear the responsibility of how great their love truly is. It's a damn shame Fujino to see that kind of love get swept away by fears of the unknown. I had thought you two would be stronger. And here you both proved me wrong."
Shizuru looked at Nao exclaiming with slight irritation, "You can't begin to understand the…"
Nao in frustration pushed the pile of paper Shizuru was looking at off the table scattering it all over the floor as she stated with disdain, "Oh I may not understand, but you two threw away any chance at allowing what could've been to blossom into something truly astounding. Why do I even give a shit? You know my cell. Call me when you need me? I'm going to go stealth mode now."
Shizuru didn't say anything further, as Nao disappeared out the door…yet she was left feeling like, Nao was right. They gave up on something that could've been truly beautiful.
To be concluded in the next chapter...
Where do we stand...or what becomes of us...is a question many couples ask. The only ones who can answer that question are the two people in the relationship and time. Hopefully, you as the reader enjoyed this chapter. As the author, I believe Nao is the only sane one through out this story. My intent was never to involve her so in depth, but we all have that one friend that just won't bud out of our lives, simply because they care enough to give a shit about our welfare. And Nao is that companion. :)
I combined day 6 and 7 together...simply because I could. :P
