21.

Dance With Me

"Three years married," Shizuru smiled serenely, "And to think, I once believed we wouldn't even have a single day together."

"Well," Natsuki rested her head on Shizuru's lap, her feet dangling off the bed, looking up into those beautiful crimson eyes, "I was too caught up in myself to notice what, in retrospect, were very glaring hints that you were into me."

"They're only glaringly obvious in hindsight," Shizuru replied, "I carefully crafted my barbs so that it would simply seem like I was joking with you. Although, the adorably blushing face I got in response was a treat unto itself. But for example, remember the time you and Akane were delivering some supplies to the Student Council Room, and I made a remark about you not bringing your dates there for trysts?"

Natsuki smiled, "Yeah. Let's see, that was my last year of middle school, wasn't it? So that means I'm…seven years too late to tell you that retribution will be swift."

"But in a way, I see now that your delightfully crimson face should have told me what is now blatantly obvious," Shizuru sighed to herself, smiling down and peering into those gemstone eyes of Natsuki's.

"Oh?"

"Well, you certainly weren't the only girl I teased back then, though I will confess that you were my favorite target. Nor were you the only one to blush. However, you were the most consistent one to blush. Most of the other girls, like Akane, for example, would laugh off my jokes. Now, what, in the last seven years, have we established as the difference between you and Akane?"

"I'm a sharper dresser?" Natsuki offered, and Shizuru laughed.

"Your ability to riposte has improved, Dearest," Shizuru's smile was ear to ear, "Should I be concerned? But you know what I'm referring to."

"Yeah. Akane was head over heels for Kurauchi, and so she could just laugh off your little joke. But…I couldn't. I was embarrassed."

"As I said, other girls would blush, too, so I didn't see it at the time for what it was."

"Mutual attraction," Natsuki concluded, "Well, to be fair, I didn't recognize it as such, back then, either. Chalk another one up to my bloody single-mindedness. What would have happened, I wonder, if you'd been more comfortable with who you were back then, and I hadn't been so oblivious to how I actually felt?"

"Ara, I fear a graver tragedy than the one we almost were a part of," Shizuru said, "Imagine knowing that we were one another's most important person just as Nagi informed us that only one HiME could be left standing. The cruelty we might have inflicted on our friends to find some way to defeat that fate. I know firsthand, because I was aware of what you were to me at the time. But if we had been together as a couple? And surly forces in the background would have been targeting us, just as Ishigami tried to eliminate two HiME at once with one death. I think things have worked out so well for us because you did have to come to the realization of your own love gradually. Though, I will concede that maybe things would have turned out for the better if I hadn't been so filled with self-loathing and shame in those days."

"You had a mean old granny actively encouraging those things," Natsuki pointed out, "I hold her responsible, not you."

Shizuru hummed, "Alas, we're going to have to get up shortly. Saiyuri is going to want her breakfast, after all, and today is a big day."

They left their bedroom, to be greeted by the scent of hotcakes, and the sight of Reito Kanzaki in their kitchen.

"Reito knows how to cook?" Natsuki blinked.

"I'm an evolved and enlightened man, Kuga-san," He grinned, "Cooking is not merely wifely duty. It's a skill that everyone should know to be self-reliant when one must. Nao will be along shortly. I wanted to surprise you both for your anniversary by cooking you breakfast in bed, as well as tending to Saiyuri's needs."

"How are you liking the guest house, Reito?" Shizuru asked.

"It's definitely comfortable. By the way, Mai and Mikoto have agreed to watch Saiyuri tonight for your anniversary dinner. They humbly request that you have a good time."

"Well," Natsuki grinned, "Mikoto may well be the one person on the planet who has the energy it takes to keep up with a two year old little girl who seems to run on nuclear power."

"Ara, is Natsuki certain that it's not merely the sweets she overindulges our daughter with when she thinks I'm not looking?" Shizuru's smile was enigmatic again.

Natsuki managed the same smile, "And that's different from the ones you slip her on the sly, how?"

"Well," Nao said, coming into the room, "I give her treats right out in the open, so don't blame me."

Natsuki set a foot stool in front of a chair so that Nao could prop up her feet as she sat at the table.

"So, Kuga, twenty-three today," Nao grinned, "Do you think you'll have enough air in your lungs to blow out all the candles?"

"Well," Natsuki grinned, looking at Shizuru, "Only if I do it before Shizuru gets to me. She tends to leave me breathless."

"I shall try to restrain myself until after the festivities…Although carousing with my Natsuki tends to be my idea of festivities."

Nao stood up.

"Where are you going?" Reito asked.

"Back to bed. It's way too early to listen to them talk about their hanky panky."

"I promise, we're done for now," Natsuki smiled, "Besides, Reito has made you a lovely western-styled breakfast."

Reito set a platter filled with hotcakes on the table in the center.

"Well, that's got me covered, but what are Natsuki and Shizuru doing for breakfast?" Nao quipped.

888888

"Is the dance hall ready, Miyu?" Alyssa asked.

"Yes. I have a wide selection of romantic songs that are suitable for dancing set up. And I have programmed a light show to accompany the music."

"Excellent, Miyu. Shall we make a discreet exit? There's an ice cream parlor down the street that has a fudge brownie parfait, and I'm eager to try it out."

The pair exited the room quietly. A few minutes later, Natsuki and Shizuru entered, each wearing a lovely ball gown.

Soft guitar started playing over the speakers , and soft light filled the room.

Natsuki held out her hand, facing Shizuru, and Shizuru reached out as well, touching her fingertips to Natsuki's, and the two of them started to move in a circle as the song began in earnest.

Dance with meI want to be your partnerCan't you see?The music is just startingNight is calling, and I am fallingDance with me

Natsuki pulled Shizuru into her arms, half turning her.

Fantasy could never be so killingI feel free, I hope that you are willingPick the beat up, and kick your feet upDance with me

They pulled apart, until only their hands were touching.

Let it lift you off the groundStarry eyes, and love is all around usI can take you where you want to goOh, oh

Natsuki twirled into Shizuru's arms, leaning back against her. Crimson eyes and Emerald gazed into each other fondly

Dance with meI want to be your partnerCan't you see?The music is just startingNight is calling, and I am fallingDance with me

Shizuru leaned forward, kissing Natsuki gently on the lips, the feel of her, the scent of her, the sounds of her breath filling her head.

The song came to an end, and the next one started. Before the night was out, they'd danced to The Beautiful Blue Danube, Unchained Melody, Can You Feel The Love Tonight, Kiss From a Rose, and then, Shizuru surprised Natsuki by kicking off her shoes, and encouraging Natsuki to do the same.

"My feet are a little sore, but I think I have one more dance in me if we ditch the heels," Shizuru said, "It took some doing, but Alyssa found a song that reminded me of you."

There was a tone of a singing violin, and then a guitar chord, followed by the same phrasing on the violin, but played more intensely.

Natsuki recognized it. It was a song that was popular the same year of the HiME Festival. A Flower by the Pond.

They danced rapidly, the lyrics resonating with Natsuki's very soul.

The music ended, and the two of them collected their shoes, and then headed out.

"Ara, I rather enjoy dancing."

"I don't mind," Natsuki smiled, "If I have the right partner."

They kissed.

"Happy anniversary," They said in unison.

A/N: The lyrics to Dance With Me have always struck me as lighthearted and romantic, as performed by the band Orleans. Flowers by the Pond is Natsuki's character song, and while I have located an english translation of the lyrics, they are a direct translation, rather than crafted to fit the melody, so I chose not to incorporate them. The song, though, is actually rather beautiful, and worth a listen if you happen to look it up. Perhaps some time later I'll find an excuse for Shizuru's character song, Katakoi Enka. But no promises.