Wow, it's been a minute. I can only say I'm sorry. I have no excuse for this chapter taking multiple years to write. Alas, it did take that long. But, I'm back for however long my muse will allow.
I hope you all will enjoy this chapter.
Shizuru saw Natsuki fly across the clearing. The thud of her body hitting the tree echoed through her ears. Magic welled inside. The power had not been felt like this for many decades and she was angry. No one can hurt Natsuki, how dare she!
Shizuru spun away from the slumped form on the ground, her dark purple magic building and swirling around her. Distractedly she saw Haruka and Yukino staring at the teal-haired woman. But her main focus was on the necromancer in front of her. Lips pulled back to reveal her fangs, a feral growl slipped from her lips. Why was Tomoe here, why was she ruining her life, she just found her mate, couldn't she be happy for once in her long damn life.
"Ah, I see your magic is still here. I hadn't sensed your magical presence in a long time. I'm glad to see you haven't lost your power." A dark smile followed her words. Tomoe stepped closer, her eyes narrowing on the other woman. Black magic creates a mist around her feet and spreads along the ground. It seeped closer to the Haruka and Yukino, the two women had stood up in a panic. Haruka hefting her ax Yukino held a book tightly to her chest, eyes wide.
"Don't let the mist touch you!" Shizuru yelled. Her eyes never strayed from Tomoe.
The dark-robed figure let out a laugh. "Shizuru, you haven't forgotten me" Her hands clasped in front of her. The inky black cloak swirling around her ankles. "Unfortunately, Shizuru I won't be facing you tonight. I wanted to see you again once I sensed you in my territory. Please remember what I promised you. It is still possible. Remember the power, the control. We can still have it. We can still be-"
Her words were cut off by a bolt of lightning cracking out of the sky. Tomoe leaped out of the way, her cloak was smoking. Her eyes turned to anger. She opened her mouth to speak when a second bolt came out of the sky.
"I will never join you!" Shizuru spoke with malice.
Both women were too focused on each other to see the half-orc charging. With a loud cry, the blond brought her ax crashing down. Tomoe shifted, but not enough. The ax catching her on the right shoulder. A snarl came out of her mouth. Her hand reached up to grab Haruka. Light green energy pierced through the dark hitting Tomoe's hand knocking it away from the blonde. Shizuru grabbed her Naginata, lowering her body to the ground she pushed off charging at Tomoe. Bright white light hit Tomoe from behind, lighting the teal-haired woman up, giving Shizuru the advantage. Her blade drew across the front of the woman using the glowing magic to help guide her.
The tides were turning in their favour. She saw a flash of black hair and a thud as Natsuki's mace crashed down on the woman's back. Tomoe smiled through the pain. Words spilled from her mouth and the mist suddenly sprang up sending a shock wave toward the women. Shizuru stood her ground, but the other three flew backward. "Tomoe, you need to stop. What will you gain from this? What are you doing here?" Her words left her mouth before she had a chance to reign them in. Her control was slipping and the darkness around her magic was seeping in. She called down another bolt of lightning. Tome dodged out of the way, enraging the tiefling. A voice echoed through her head. 'Come on Shizuru, let me out! If only for a bit of time. Let me save them!' Shizuru shook her head. "Stop it!"
Tomoe tilted her head slightly. "The voices are still talking to you I see. You remember how the voices give you power. They aren't all bad." Dark-robed figure flung her hands out, sending the other three women who had stood up tumbling back a few more feet. "I always liked your other side" Her voice dropped, into a husky growl "they were always so...exciting"
With a spin Shizuru brought her blade flashing down, using her weapon as a distraction. A blast of dark energy flew at Tomoe from Shizuru's other hand. The purple was so dark it looked black. When it hit, the dark tendrils slithered around grasping hold of the other woman. Shizuru spun and set her hand to grasp Tomoe's neck bringing them face to face. Up this close Shizuru could see the dark veins running up the woman's neck and across her face. "You've fallen so far. I will not follow." The Energy was being pulled from Tomoe, rushing into Shizuru. Her eyes glowed a bright red as the power filled her.
Tomoe smiled. "We will meet again my dear Shizuru." With a loud clap, Tomoe disappeared from Shizuru's grasp. The breath from her lungs rushed out as she fell to her knees, eyes clenched shut.
'Yes, it feels so good to be released again. You and I Shizuru, we can kill that Tomoe and anyone who gets in our way.'
"No!" Her voice carried across the clearing, she held her head in her hands letting her head thump against the grass. "No! You won't have control! I'm in control."
"You are in control." A soft voice spoke. A warm hand gently rubbing her back. "You are in control, Shizuru, everything is going to be alright."
Shizuru felt the voice fade, the loud sound of her magic swirling in her head began to diminish. She let her body slump to the side, resting on the other woman's lap. Everything will be alright. She told herself. As long as Natsuki is by my side.
Shizuru had stayed with her head in Natsuki's lap, her horns pressing into the other woman. Her arms curled around Natsuki's torso. Face pulled tightly to Natsuki's stomach. Natsuki kept running her fingers through long tawny locks. She'd healed Shizuru as best she could, but there was brokenness, something in her mind that was resisting her magic. She felt it push back when she'd first cast her spell, after a few tries she realized Shizuru would flinch whenever she tried and mutter under her breath.
The large trees surrounding them began swaying in the breeze, leaves rustling as the sky started to lighten with the early morning sun. Haruka and Yukino sat a bit off, having tended to their wounds. Yukino carried a few healing potions and had given one to the gruff blonde. They were both doing much better, preparing rations for breakfast.
Green eyes turned back down toward the woman in her lap. "Shizuru, we should have some breakfast. Neither of us had a full night's sleep and we should at least eat something." Natsuki felt the nod more than heard the muffled response. Natsuki worriedly looked at the other woman, Shizuru was always so put together, well-spoken, and teasing Natsuki endlessly, and yet the woman hadn't mentioned anything regarding their current position.
Natsuki cleared her throat, wanting to the tiefling up. "Shizuru, come on...sit up. I know you enjoy rubbing your face all over me, but you could at least let me see your smile before we continue" Natsuki said, with a small quirk of her lips.
Shizuru stiffened, and loosened her grip, and looked up at the other woman. Red eyes gazed into the green eyes before her. "Is Natsuki teasing me?" Shizuru began to sit up, keeping her arms around the dark-haired woman's body, bringing their faces even. A smile graced the tieflings lips, although it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Now Nat-su-ki...now that I've smiled, may we continue with...what did you call it? Rubbing my face all over you?" Her smile turned sly as she winked.
Heat raced up her neck into her cheeks, at the same time she felt a pull in her lower belly when those red eyes were so focused on her. The smile, the eyes, the smooth voice. Natsuki felt confused and unsure how to respond. After all, she was the one who had started it.
Shizuru's eyes were so focused on her, she couldn't turn away. In a moment of panic, Natsuki pulled back standing quickly, trying to hide her burning cheeks. "Ah, Shizuru, I didn't mean...well I mean...I was just trying to-" She looked back down at the other woman, Shizuru now resting on her knees. "Let's just go eat something." And she moved quickly over to Haruka and Yukino.
Shizuru eyed the cleric as her movements seemed rushed. Shizuru had seen the blush on Natsuki's cheeks and usually, she would revel in eliciting that response. However, her mind was still occupied with Tomoe. How had that woman found her, were they actually in her territory?
"Shizuru, stop pouting over there like a possum!" Haruka yelled.
"Possum's don't pout Haruka, they play dead." Yukino's softer voice could be heard.
Haruka flicked her hair over her shoulder "same same!" She said before handing Natsuki a ration pack.
The red-skinned woman stood slowly, her legs had gone numb from her awkward position and she felt herself stumble slightly, before regaining her footing. Shizuru saw Natsuki turn away quickly, Shizuru saw her eyes watching her move. Her attentiveness brought warmth to Shizuru's chest. Natsuki was too sweet to her.
She lowered herself beside the cleric, knees bumped into each other in their crossed position. Haruka handed Shizuru her own ration pack.
Surprisingly the person who broke the silence was Yukino. "Shizuru...was that your partner? There are some writings about her, but we thought it was fabricated."
Shizuru felt Natsuki straighten beside her, she really wasn't subtle. Shizuru sighed deeply, there was no escaping the questions. Yukino may have an idea of who she was, and it was enough to cast doubt for the other two. Really, all Shizuru cared about at this point was that Natsuki wouldn't run away.
"Yes...that was her. We have not seen each other in quite a long time. I had hoped to never see her again actually." Shizuru kept her eyes focused on the food in front of her. She didn't want to do this here, she didn't want to do this now. She wanted to continue to live in her and Natsuki's little bubble of peace. Well, as much peace as you could find when they were on a quest.
Yukino cocked her head. "Is she going to attack us again?"
"No, she won't. Tomoe likes to show she has control. It was her way of telling me that she is coming. She won't attack us again till she's had more time to heal." Shizuru's usual teasing tone was replaced by exhaustion.
A pale hand came up and rested against her back, surprising the tiefling. Natsuki was now looking at her, deep emerald eyes looking at her with sympathy. The hand-rubbed slightly, before dropping back to her rations. Shizuru smiled at that. The first real genuine smile since the whole encounter had occurred. They all finished their meals silently and began to pack up their things.
Natsuki came over to the other woman standing beside Shizuru's crouched form beside her bag. "Hey Shizuru, are you okay to keep looking for Yukariko? I don't want to rush you." The soft tones caused Shizuru to turn and look up at the other woman. Her breath catching in her throat as the early morning rays danced along, bluish-black hair, green eyes seeming brighter than usual. An angel has fallen and graced me with her presence, Shizuru thought.
"Ara, Natsuki, thank you for being worried. But, I'm alright, thanks to your help." She smiled again, trying to hide the moment of deep attraction to her.
It was shocking when Natsuki knelt down beside her. Hand resting on her shoulder. "Shizuru, you don't have to lie if you aren't well. I can help you, you know. I am a healer."
Shizuru worried her lower lip, Natsuki knew, she must know what was going on. Why else would she imply that Shizuru wasn't well? She'd already healed her physical injuries. "I'm alr-"
A hand came up to stop her. "No, don't lie. You can be honest with me." A sigh "and if you aren't ready, you don't have to tell me. But, please don't keep lying to me."
Shizuru felt shame, she'd hurt Natsuki, she hadn't intended to, she wanted to make this right. To show that Natsuki could trust her. "I-" the words caught in her throat. "I won't lie to you. When I'm ready I will come to you. Please just...please just give me time?" Shizuru felt the anxiety build in her chest. She hadn't opened herself up to something in a very long time. She hated to admit it, but Tomoe was the last person she had trusted.
A beautiful smile graced the cleric's lips. "Yes, I will give you time Shizuru" Natsuki fell forward, arms wrapping around the older woman pulling her in tightly. The hug didn't last as long as Shizuru wanted, but it was a step. Natsuki had shifted, she wasn't as skittish, in fact, she seemed more comfortable around Shizuru. "Now, let's get going and find Yukariko and fast. I really don't want to stay in this forest longer than we need to."
Shizuru felt lighter, her chest released the anxiety. The tiefling stood, hefting her pack before setting out behind the cleric. Haruka and Yukino walking together, talking about something. Haruka's voice occasionally getting overly loud and with a calm voice, Yukino would quiet her. Shizuru couldn't take her eyes off the black hair of the woman who was her soul mate. Many people would never meet their mates, or even live in the same time period as them, and Shizuru had always thought they would never meet. And yet, here she was in the flesh. The one person who was perfect for her, the one person who could make her whole. "I will follow you wherever your heart desires, Natsuki" she vows quietly.
City streets were strewn with debris from crumbling buildings, they walked carefully through the streets. Eyes looking around. Haruka had luckily fallen silent. She felt Yukino's presence behind her. The taller blonde had insisted on going first, she was hardier than her three companions. Even the Cleric couldn't take a hit as well as her.
Haruka glanced over her shoulder when she heard a rock bounce across the ground. Natsuki was not the quietest. In fact, most of the sounds coming from their group were coming from her. They were all exhausted, but Natsuki seemed worse off. She'd used a lot of her magic and it had taken its toll. If her girlfriend took better care of her this wouldn't be happening Haruka thought, eyes rolling in annoyance. If she was that lucky to have her person to protect she'd do a damn better job than that Shizuru woman. At her train of thought, she glanced down, watching as the small elf walked behind her. Her eyes downcast watching where she walked. Haruka felt warmth spread through her chest. She'd prove to that bubuzuke of a woman that she was as skilled, probably even better.
A shadow loomed over them. Haruka focused back on the streets in front of them. They'd been walking uphill for quite some time. The midday sun was blocked by heavy misting clouds. She could already tell her hair was frizzing. The castle loomed upwards, tall towers, and massive stained glass windows greeting her. Some of the buildings had collapsed, but the main entrance seemed intact.
They moved from the city streets through a large gate, the heavy wooden doors had fallen off what must have been decades earlier. The only sign of life being the trees and brush growing over and into the courtyard. Haruka pulled to a stop when she heard Natsuki speak from behind her.
"Something isn't right. Let me cast my spell to see the undead. There might be creatures nearby."
Haruka watched as the young Cleric spoke softly, an unknown language falling from her lips. Then those eyes focused on the world around her. Dark brows pulled together. "There, behind the main door...2 creatures." She closed her eyes, hands lifting as if trying to push her magic further. "They don't seem too dangerous, but we should move with caution."
Lavender's eyes watched as Shizuru positioned herself between Natsuki and the doors. Haruka came across as a loud dumb half-orc, and for the most part, she lived up to most expectations. Loud, and brash was her go-to. But, she was perceptive and she watched the changes that Shizuru would make in the presence of Natsuki. The genuine smiles she gave the other woman. Hopefully, they could figure out whatever has been stressing them out. They needed to focus on the task. Find their friend person and return her to safety!
The crumbling remains of dispatched zombies lay around the 4 adventurers. It had been simple enough, a few well-placed attacks and some surprisingly accurate magic from Yukino had ended the fight quickly. Natsuki was taking in the surroundings. The entrance led them into a large room, the castle was huge. Yukariko could be anywhere.
Steps echoed around her as she moved to the right. The stairs had collapsed and the other doors were hidden behind rubble. The only way further in was through the right door, where the creature was.
Natsuki hissed at the group. "There's might be something this way"
The knob turned easily in her grasp and she delicately pulled the door open. Eyes straining in the shadows of the room inside. A gasp, eyes widening. Inside the room were statues. From what she could see there were at least 10. All standing in different positions. Some looked like they had been fighting, while others had fallen to the ground. Darkness extended past the statues, leading into an even larger space than the entrance. Parts looked like they'd caved in creating the space. Natsuki, stepped inside the room, eyes looking at the level of detail of the statues. It was impressive, they looked so life-like…
Crash!
The Sound echoed through the room as she saw a large glowing eye appear high up in the air, a spherical shape appearing in the darkness. Natsuki tried to cry out but felt her brain short circuit. It was like she was being turned to stone.