Hey all,

Well I'm getting somewhere finally with these filler bits (got some big scenes written up that I can't wait to get to)

I hope you enjoy this chapter :


I reacted before I even had time to think.

Dodging sideways, I swung round and caught hold of Nao's waist, pulling her off balance before quickly moving to grab her wrists.

I pinned her neatly to the ground, still trying to figure out what was going on.

I noticed then that she was laughing.

"What the hell is wrong with you!?"

She shrugged, still giggling to herself.

"Sorry, I just really wanted to see if you were a runner. I've ended up punching most people who claim to be runners when I tried that, you're the first who actually fought back".

I relaxed my hold on her when I realised I didn't feel threatened by her at all.

She pulled her hands back and stood up, brushing herself off as she faced me.

"You could have just asked me that! Besides, most runners don't go around announcing things like that"

"I could have, but this was much more fun. Also, if you hadn't reacted, I would have been able to land that hit for besting my time record on the course".

I rolled my eyes.

"If you're going to make it a competition-"

"I know, it's silly and I shouldn't go getting competitive with people for no reason but I'm just kinda no good with the whole talking to people and making friends so I-".

I held up my hand to stop her.

"Hey, you're not alone there. I'm not great with people, but I'm learning. I was going to say that if you want to make it a competition, bring it. Just give me a heads up so I can go easy on you".

I couldn't help but laugh at her expression.

"You think you're gonna have that luxury?"

I nodded, fitting my favourite cocky smirk in place to try and wind her up.

It worked.

"Oh it is so on now".

"Good, just let me know if you want me to slow down for you at any point".

"You're assuming I'm gonna be behind you".

We both laughed as Nao extended her hand to me.

"I never properly introduced myself. Name's Nao Zhang".

I took it and gave it a firm shake.

"Natsuki Kruger".

"Nice to meet you then. And sorry if you were offended when I brushed you off earlier".

I shrugged.

"No problem, I kinda figured you had your reasons".

She seemed curious about what I meant but I realised Shizuru and Mai were waiting before she could voice her questions.

"Look, I have to get to dinner but if you want, you could join us".

"I'll pass, thanks. Though, I'd love to see you on the roof tops sometime if you'd be interested in running together"

"Sounds great. I don't know many good places to run around here so having some local knowhow would be appreciated".

We exchanged numbers, promising to figure out a time to run together soon.

I hurried off to meet Shizuru and Mai as I felt my phone go off.

'Finally found the restaurant. Second floor half way down, red'.

It took them that long to find it!?

I ran in, dodging neatly around the crowds as I made my way up to the restaurant.

I understood why Shizuru had been so simple in her instructions.

You couldn't miss it, now I really wondered how they took so long to find it.

Everything was red.

The front, the doors, even the windows were all tinted red.

Stepping in, I was glad the interior was a bit less… overpowering.

Only the bar and tables were red, everything else was a dark stained wood, polished to a shine.

I spotted Shizuru and Mai sitting in a booth and walked over.

"How could it take you guys so long to find this place? It's kinda hard to miss"

"We bumped into Tate on our way up".

That made a lot of sense.

"He's going to meet me tomorrow to show me to classes in the law building. That place is a labyrinth. I've been lost more times than I know where I'm going in there".

I shared a look with Shizuru and knew she was thinking the same as me.

Mai could get lost anywhere that wasn't a kitchen so it was hard to tell how complex the law building really was.

But that aside, she seemed really excited to have a chance to spend time with Tate so we said nothing.

"What did that girl want by the way?"

"Hmmm?"

Shizuru looked a bit annoyed that I was more focused on the menu than anything else at this point.

"What did that girl want earlier?"

"Oh, Nao just wanted to chat about the course I did to day. Turns out she's rather competitive and didn't much like me beating her record on the first day".

"She's not going to cause you trouble is she?"

I knew she meant 'will she be another person we need to worry about'.

"Nah, she's not giving me any sense that we need to be careful so don't go worrying".

Shizuru trusted my instincts and complete inability to lie to her and comfortably left the topic aside as we focused on picking out our food.

The restaurant was a burger bar with a fairly limited menu but the reviews on it made us think it was definitely worth a try.

As we placed our orders, the topic turned back to how the first day went.

Shizuru talked about the medicine course, gong on about how it was the best mix of practical and theory based learning she'd heard about.

She also said the professors were some of the best in the field so she was really looking forward to learning under them.

I was fun seeing Shizuru talk so excitedly about something.

She didn't often let her emotions take over so I knew she was really looking forward to it.

The next day would be slower, there was no training but it would be a lot busier as I had 2 hour session back to back through the day.

I already knew I'd be following the police training course as I realised I wasn't willing to sit around all day in the other courses.

I needed to keep active and keep moving and I knew the course and the eventual job would both allow me to do that.

I'd still go to the rest of the sessions for the other courses this week but I specify early as would Mai seeing as she was no longer able to continue the police course anyway.

Shizuru I think was going to follow the medicine course but with her, it could change as she had a few other options she liked the sound of.

As the meal arrived, we marvelled at the towers of food set before us.

Each burger was a beast and yet, they didn't look like they'd be hard to eat.

I carefully experimented compressing the burger down so I could actually take a bite and everything just fit into place.

And it was amazing.

I'd gone for a bacon and avocado burger, Shizuru and Mai both went for the pulled pork burger.

There was silence as we worked through the meals, surprised that, at no loss of flavour, the food wasn't too rich.

Mai looked like she was going to ask for the recipes and true enough, went after a waitress when we'd finished to see fi she was allowed them.

She came back less happy than I expected but not sad enough to have been turned down.

"She said I can't have the recipes but I can talk to the cook later and see if he'll teach me how to make them".

"How'd you manage that? Most places wouldn't let you near the kitchen if you didn't work there".

"Oh, the cook's an old friend of mine. I saw him through the door and he came out to say he'd teach me".

"Nice".

As we paid and made our way out, I got a funny feeling.

It wasn't bad, just odd.

And I had no idea why.

The urge to look up hit hard as we stepped outside and I noticed a red star that I hadn't seen before hidden among the stars I was used to seeing.

It seemed to blink out almost as soon as I focused on it so I figured I was imagining things.

Shizuru sent me a look but I was fine and she saw that.

Mai was walking a bit ahead and so Shizuru and I automatically moved next to each other, hands held as we walked along.

Mai squealed when she noticed and commented on how cute we were together.

Of course that got me blushing as Shizuru laughed.

As we made our way back, Mai got a call from Tate and excused herself shortly after to go meet him and some friends for drinks.

We waved her off as she all but ran back to the SU.

"She really likes him doesn't she?"

"Yes, and I think they're a very good match for each other".

I nodded, though I hadn't seen much of the two together, every time I had they were basically inseparable and seemed to enjoy being each other's company.

Shizuru and I continued to wander home as I wrapped my arm round her waist.

We were in no hurry and were perfectly happy to wander slowly home in the dying light of the evening.

The slight chill on the breeze reminded us of the approaching winter as I felt Shizuru shiver slightly beside me.

I gently held her closer, trying to share as much warmth as I could with her.

She moved closer to me as I felt a familiar, yet unfamiliar sensation shift between us.

As we entered the house, I felt Shizuru wrap her hand round my wrist tugging me back to her.

I was surprised but didn't fight the kiss she gave me.

It became heated quite quickly and I felt a shift in the air around us.

Again, not fighting it, I allowed Shizuru to lead me to the bedroom.

I felt her tug at the hem of my shirt and quickly moved to let her remove it.

Hers soon followed as we moved towards the bed.

She quickly twisted us round so I ended up falling back as my legs connected with the bed frame.

I couldn't help but return the grin she gave me as she leaned in for another kiss.

I was prepared for where this was going and returned the kiss, aiding the increased intensity.

Shizuru sensed my willingness as we both shifted further up the bed.

I let her take the lead again, still unsure as to what exactly I should do.

She was happy to guide me, showing me where to touch her, what she liked.

We gradually removed clothing until we were both in just our underwear.

Shizuru knew I was okay being topless having done it before but she clearly didn't want to push me any further until I was definitely ready.

As we continued, I eventually felt her hand trace my inner thigh and tensed.

I had to take a breath to steady and remind myself that this wasn't like then.

I wasn't back there.

Shizuru took her time, gently working the sensitive skin around my core before she moved in.

Her touch was gentle, not like him.

She stroked once, then moved back to massaging the area around.

Alternating the two, she didn't concentrate to heavily on my core, allowing me to get used to her being there.

And it was working, I was relaxing, moving into her touch instead of shying away.

She also noticed this and smiled into the kiss.

As she worked a bit more around, she eventually started to focus more on my core, gently switching motions that caused bolts of pleasure to course through me.

As she moved slowly to move under the waistband, my body jerked away.

I growled in frustration, apologising again for my reaction.

She assured me it was fine but I still felt guilty.

Why was it that he was able to do it so often when I didn't want it then, but now that I wanted it, I couldn't do it?

She pulled me in to her as I sighed, hoping that one day I'd be free of his hold for good. That maybe I might one day be able to live without the fear he had instilled in me all that time ago.

Still, we were closer this time.

I was much more comfortable and only freaked out at the end.

I curled into Shizuru, enjoying the feeling of her bare skin against mine as we tangled ourselves together.

I felt sleep starting to claim me and gently pressed a kiss to the hollow of Shizuru's throat, feeling her chuckle at the gesture.

Smiling, I allowed sleep to take over, enjoying the comfort I felt in this moment.