Hey,
Not much has changed since last chapter so here you go...
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I sat there in shock, struggling to take in what they had just said.
I turned slightly to Shizuru and saw she was desperately trying to wrap her head round the news.
The younger officer then took a deep breath before speaking.
"Your mother has been trying to reach you since the incident but was worried when she couldn't get through to you. She called us to come by and inform you as well as make sure you were alright".
I felt Shizuru tense up beside me when they mentioned her mother as I gently put my hand on hers.
She took my hand, lacing her fingers through mine as she took a deep, shaky breath, steadying herself before she finally spoke.
"Thank you both for coming to tell me, my phone's battery is probably empty so I'm sorry for the trouble".
They nodded, saying it was no trouble as they wished us well.
I stood to let them out, nodding farewell to them as they walked back to their car.
I hurried back in the moment I shut the door, wanting to be there for Shizuru.
I saw the pain in her eyes as she was clearly trying to hold a brave face.
"You okay?"
I sat down next to her as her mask crumbled, tears flowing freely as I pulled her into a hug.
I felt terrible when I felt the way she clung to me, the way she shook as sobs broke from her.
"Natsuki… W-what if he…? I never… I… haven't told him I still.. still care for him for so long…"
"Shh shh, I'm sure he knows. You still talk to him so he must know".
She was still sobbing into my shoulder as I held her firmly, rubbing her back in an effort to comfort her.
"We should go see him".
She sat back, looking surprised for a moment.
"Don't you dare even consider that staying here until the end of summer is more important than going to see your father".
I knew her far too well, guilt flashed through her eyes as she looked away.
"I'll go pack, we can probably catch the evening train back today".
She nodded, rising to follow me into the bedroom.
I offered to pack for her but she said she wanted something to do to keep her mind off the 'what ifs' that were swirling through her mind.
It only took us 20 minutes to pack everything as I still managed to fit everything I had into my backpack including all my new clothes while Shizuru opted to leave a few of the bulkier outfits she'd brought behind when we struggled to close her bag.
We drove to the station, surprising the guy who'd met us.
I quickly explained we had an emergency we had to go back for and he was instantly walking us straight through the station to help us get some new tickets to Shizuru's hometown.
We were on the train a few minutes before it was due to leave as I led Shizuru to one of the paired seats before heading back to put her bag into the rack.
Then all we could do was wait as the train started to pull out the station.
At least her stop was the one before ours so it would be a bit shorter than the ride out.
I wrapped my arm around Shizuru, pulling her into me as I had done by the pool once I lifted the armrest between us out of the way.
She nestled against me, commenting how she hated when bad gut feelings turned out to be correct.
I nodded, not knowing what to say.
I hated how what was just a feeling that had passed had become something that could tear Shizuru's life up.
Sure she'd live but I knew she'd never forgive herself if something happened to her father before she could talk to him again and loosing a parent was definitely not easy.
I could feel her tremble as silent tears started to soak into my t-shirt.
I held her tighter and gently rubbed her shoulder, doing the best I could to comfort her while sitting beside her.
Just then, the train conductor decided to do his rounds.
I pulled out our tickets and tried to hint that she was very upset and not up for talking when I saw him about to check on her.
Fortunately he took the hint and quickly checked our tickets before moving on.
We didn't talk at all during the train ride as Shizuru kept trying to calm herself down only to think of something that upset her again.
When the train finally pulled into the station, I asked if Shizuru wanted to go to her house or straight to the hospital, if she knew which one he was at.
She asked to go home, giving me the address for a taxi as I hailed one.
On our way, I quickly deflected all the driver's questions for Shizuru as we made our way through a city I was lost in.
We pulled up in front of a mansion and, despite the situation I was in awe. I'd never seen a building this big that wasn't a bank or some other big public building.
Shizuru walked straight up to the door as I paid the driver, thanking him for not asking too many questions.
She was already in when I came up with her bag, which was promptly taken from me by who I could only guess was a butler of sorts.
Shizuru led me into a large, extravagant looking living room with silk covered sofas, fancy looking carpets and a large mahogany desk at the far end.
A woman was sitting on one of the sofas, sipping at a cup of tea.
I instantly figured her for Shizuru's mother, they looked almost identical save for her mother had her hair cut into a short, perfectly curled bob without a fringe and her eyes were a deep brown.
She stood as soon as we walked in, enveloping Shizuru in a tight hug.
"How is he?"
"He's not good honey. They say he should make it but it's still not certain. They're keeping him asleep until they more sure about his condition".
I noticed Shizuru's mask had returned as she bit back the tears I knew wanted to break free.
The woman then turned to me.
"You must be Natsuki".
"Yes, I'm sorry we had to meet on such a bad occasion".
The woman shook her head as she gave me a quick once over.
"I can tell you have been taking good care of my daughter. I am very pleased to finally meet you and hope we can find time after all this drama to get to know each other a better".
I nodded as I took the hand she offered me.
"I hope you guys are okay for me to stay around, I know this is a very personal time".
"If you leave I will personally chase you down and drag you back. My daughter needs you".
I nodded, slightly shocked by what had just come from Shizuru's mother.
Even Shizuru couldn't hold back a small laugh at my expression as I walked over and pulled her into another hug.
"I know and I'll be here as long as she wants me. I just didn't want to barge into something like this if you didn't want me here".
"Thank you for your concern but it is unnecessary".
I nodded again as she turned to speak to Shizuru.
"I'm going to visit him after breakfast tomorrow if you'd like to join me?"
Shizuru nodded as she stepped out of the hug but I kept my arm wrapped around her as she led me to the dining room for some food before we turned in for the night.
It was nearly eleven but I knew Shizuru needed to eat something seeing as we hadn't eaten since the night before.
Her mother sat at the head of the table, watching me as we ate.
I could see a storm of questions flowing behind her eyes though she didn't voice any of them.
I held back even though I was ravenous, not wanting to seem rude by taking too much food as Shizuru clearly didn't have a huge appetite.
By the end of the meal, Shizuru had managed to eat a decent amount much to my relief and was soon leading me up to her room.
Her mother followed us up to the landing before heading to the left where we went right.
"You two are already sharing a bed?"
Both Shizuru and I froze, flushing brilliant reds at what the question was obviously hinting at with the sly smirk that had graced her features.
"Nothing like that mother!"
She only laughed at our blushing faces.
"I'm sorry for being so blunt, I'm just curious how far a few months can stand for a relationship these days".
I sighed, remembering my past was holding us back.
"Unfortunately some things from my past have made it harder for us than normal so I wouldn't say we're a good couple to base anything off".
"Oh, what sort of things?"
She was watching my face intently and quickly backed off when she saw the memories of fear and pain flash through my expression.
"Sorry, I don't want to push you if you're not ready".
She looked thoughtfully at me for a moment before smiling.
"I see you have the earring I gave Shizuru".
I automatically reached up to touch it and smiled, glad she had changed the topic.
"Yes, but she gave it to me before we were a couple. I wasn't even aware she felt anything for me and it was more to mark our friendship to begin".
I saw she clearly wanted to ask more but I quickly spoke out.
"I'm really sorry but it's been a long day and Shizuru was up way before I was so we should probably get some sleep if we're going in the morning".
"Ah yes, sorry Shizuru. I'll leave you two to settle down, nothing's changed for you by the way".
Shizuru nodded her thanks as she went to hug her mother goodnight.
I also bid her goodnight as Shizuru led me down a corridor I would have expected to find in a palace to a room on the left.
"This is my room though it's been a few years since I stayed here".
I smiled, curious to see where she used to live.
She walked in and I followed, gasping as I saw the room was almost bigger than my flat and that wasn't even including the ensuite bathroom.
Shizuru was walking round slowly, looking at all the small ornaments decorating the mantle of the small fireplace before walking over to inspect the single bookshelf by a simple white desk.
I could see she remembered everything, looking almost sad as she gently ran her finger across the spines of the books.
I followed her, inspecting the small collection of ornate little music boxes on the mantle, most of which had a small figure or animal on a small moving part.
I was sad to see a lot of the figures were in cages or had chains as I remembered Shizuru used to be rather controlled by her father.
I stood by her as I read the titles of the books, most of which were fairytales or romantic novels though I was surprised to see a few spy novels on one shelf.
I glanced down at the desk and was amazed by some sketches that were littering the desktop.
I carefully picked one up, it was a beautiful colour sketch of a robin sitting on a length of barbed wire.
"I used to love to sketch. That robin would always perch on the barbed wire on the fence just there".
She was pointing to a small gap in the trees that showed the security of the house.
I didn't even try to close my mouth as I stared at the rest of her drawings.
"Shizuru these are amazing! Where'd you learnt to draw like this?"
"I guess I kind of taught myself".
That surprised me even more. The work looked like it belonged in a gallery but then, Shizuru was certainly one who noticed details so it kinda made sense that she'd be able to draw so well.
"You should probably get some rest. It's been a really long day".
She nodded and moved to the bathroom to clean up while I quickly pulled out some pyjamas from my backpack that hadn't ever actually left my side.
Changed and ready, I waited for Shizuru until I heard her crying.
Knocking on the door, I asked if she was okay.
When I got no answer I carefully opened the door, ready to look away if Shizuru wasn't dressed.
She was perched on the edge of an ornate bathtub, tears flowing freely as she held a small necklace.
I went straight to her and knelt before her, looking at the dainty gold chain with her name molded into the gold along with a small snake curling its way under the letters.
It didn't take a genius to figure he must have given it to her.
I gently pulled her to her feet as I stood, leading her through to bed, knowing she needed rest.
She walked ahead as I turned off the bathroom lights, gently placing the necklace on the bedside table.
Climbing in, she sat up waiting for me to turn off the main lights from the switch by the door.
I quickly climbed in beside her as she turned off the lamp, letting only the faint glow of the garden lights fill the room.
Shizuru instantly nestled down, burying her face in my shoulder as she quietly cried herself to sleep.
I held her tightly, not wanting to sleep until I was sure she wouldn't wake up.
This summer was not going too well.
It really seemed as though the world was out to get us.
But we were getting through it all together.
I felt her grip on me tighten as her dreams clearly took a darker turn as I gently stroked her hair, thinking how unfortunate this role reversal was.
I decided I wouldn't sleep so if she ever woke up I could be there for her.
I was glad I did as she woke a few time calling for her father only to realise where she was and what had happened.
I was always there to comfort her as she fell back into a restless but much needed sleep.