Thanks for the reviews! I know you're all probably surprised (and happy, I hope) to see that I updated so quickly. I blame the blizzard in the Northeast; I've been snowed in at my house for a few days with nothing to do. Watching snow fall is very pretty, though…

Disclaimer: I have very few possessions; Mai-Hime is not one of them.

Natsuki picked up her cell phone and debated whether or not to call Shizuru. She glanced at the clock; the girl would probably be awake by now, right?

Natsuki listened to the line ring for twenty seconds. Okay, maybe Shizuru wouldn't be up at one in the afternoon, considering how drunk the girl seemed last night—or was it considered this morning? Natsuki was about to hang up when there was a small click and a groggy "Hello?"

A small smile flickered across Natsuki's face. "Morning, sunshine. How's your head?"

She chuckled when Shizuru grumbled, "Shhh, don't talk so loudly. Little men are using my eardrums as percussion instruments."

"Really." Natsuki fought to keep the grin off her face. "They're probably friends of the alcohol you drank last night."

Natsuki heard Shizuru hesitate. "Thank you for that. It was pretty irresponsible of me to get so drunk that I lost my car, wasn't it?"

"Just a tad bit."

"Did I do anything to embarrass myself?"

"Not more than the average intoxicated teenager."

A sigh of relief was heard. "Good—"

"Although, you did mention that you purposely lied about forgetting where you parked because you wanted to see me."

Natsuki heard Shizuru groan in embarrassment. "I actually told you? God, I'm never drinking again."

"I don't know, I think I might actually prefer Drunk Shizuru."

"As much as I like Natsuki, I will not turn into an alcoholic just for her."

"That's too bad. Well, at least now I won't have to turn you in for underage drinking."

"They'd never take me alive."

Natsuki laughed. "Quite the little rebel, aren't you? I think the student body would be horrified to discover that their beloved student council president is actually a delinquent."

"I blame Natsuki. She's a bad influence, with her motorcycle and her leather jacket and her cute scowl."

"What? How can a scowl be cute?"

"Natsuki's scowling would be far more intimidating if she didn't have dimples. And stop frowning, you'll get wrinkles."

Natsuki stopped herself mid-frown and settled for raising an eyebrow. "Okay, did you install cameras in my apartment or something?"

She couldn't help smiling at hearing Shizuru's tinkling laughter. "Ara, is Natsuki accusing me of voyeurism? Or maybe she's hoping I installed cameras?"

"None of the above," Natsuki shot back.

"Natsuki always scowls when she's embarrassed or flustered. I think it's adorable."

"I don't do adorable. I'm a freaking badass," Natsuki grumbled. She decided to change topic. "How are your friends?"

"Haruka is convinced she has brain damage and Yukino is incapable of speaking, but other than that they're just peachy. I convinced them that your presence last night was a drunken hallucination and that we actually took a cab to my house. And you may be a badass, but you're still cute. That's why I like you so much."

Natsuki felt stupid for smiling so hard, but no one was around so who gave a damn? Show off your pearly whites, kid.

Natsuki cleared her throat. "Whatever. I'm not even going to argue with you."

"Because I'm right and you know it." Shizuru sounded smug.

"Yes, your majesty."

Shizuru laughed. "I want to thank your friend for picking us up last night."

"You can tell her in person. She's my plus one to your cocktail party tonight."

There was a short silence before a bemused voice answered, "I invited you to my parents' cocktail party? Ara, I must've been drunker than I thought."

"Why? Do you not want us to come? It's no problem if you don't—"

"No, it's fine," Shizuru assured. "It's just that my parents are rather…unconventional, and it shows in their parties. I'm just warning Natsuki that Fujino cocktail parties get rather exuberant as the night goes on."

"I'll be able to handle it if you don't leave me to fend for myself. Nao will make you her new best friend, though."

"Well, I'm currently not accepting applications for the position, but I'll contact her if there's an opening."

Natsuki snickered. "I'll pass along the message. See you tonight."

"Bye, Natsuki."

Natsuki furrowed her brow and looked in the mirror. Her outfit was fine, but there was one thing missing…"Mai! Which color tie matches this shirt?"

She scowled when the wrong redhead barreled into her room. "Who let you in?"

Nao plopped on Natsuki's bed. "Mai did. I've been waiting forever. Pick a color or I'll torch all your skinny ties."

Natsuki sighed in relief when Mai poked her head in. "Purple or white?"

Mai scrutinized Natsuki carefully. "White. It makes your eyes pop."

"You know what else makes your eyes pop? Asphyxiation…which will happen to you if you don't hurry up."

Natsuki fumbled with her tie. "Shut it, Nao. Mai, you sure you don't want to come?"

Mai shrugged. "Duty calls. I have the night shift again at the restaurant."

Nao placed a hand on Mai's shoulder and gave her a sympathetic look. "I'll bring home a runway model for you."

Mai snorted. "If you can get one yourself." She looked over the pair before laughing. "It hurts me to say this, but you both clean up rather nicely. Have fun; don't call me if you're drunk because I will not pick you up."

Nao looked at Natsuki. "Her loyalty is astounding. Are we going to take my car?"

Natsuki grabbed her keys from the hook by the door. "Nah, let's take my bike."

"I want to drive!" Nao scrambled after Natsuki.

"Sure, if you can manage to pry the keys from my cold, dead hands."

"And once I do, I'm taking your wallet, too."

"But until then…"

"Yeah, yeah. Keep going, we want to be fashionably late, not shit-we-missed-the-party late."

-000-000-

Nao gaped at her surroundings while Natsuki fruitlessly searched the crowd for Shizuru. The Fujino residence magically transformed from the empty place last night to a gathering of the rich and famous. Waiters ducked in and out of the crowd, holding glasses of champagne.

Nao nudged the distracted Natsuki in the ribs. "Are you sure you're a cradle-snatcher and not a gold digger?"

Natsuki ignored her friend and surveyed the people in distaste. "I hate crowds. I wonder where Shizuru is? No one looks under the age of 20 here."

"That girl looks younger than 20. Wow, she's gorgeous." Nao pointed to the entrance of the kitchen. A girl was leaning against the wall with her head turned disinterestedly to the side.

Natsuki looked before giving Nao a quizzical glance. "Nao, that's Shizuru."

Nao's jaw dropped. "That's Baby Fujino? Holy crap, she's smoking hot."

"Don't I know it," Natsuki murmured to herself. Her brow creased in confusion. "Wait, how are you realizing this now? You saw her last night!"

Nao gave her a sheepish grin. "It was 2:00 in the morning, it was dark, she was in the backseat, and my eyes were closed half the time."

"You were driving with your eyes closed?"

There was a momentary lull in conversation at Natsuki's outburst. Curious eyes glanced at the duo before returning to the party. Shizuru, however, looked up at the sound of Natsuki's voice. She smiled at Natsuki and began to goddamn-literally strut towards the stunned pair.

Natsuki felt an acute pain in her chest and frowned. She always thought that the phrase 'so beautiful that it hurts' was a figure of speech, and yet here Shizuru was, proving her wrong again.

Nao whispered, "Natsuki, break up with her now."

Natsuki was thrown by Nao's grim look. "What? Why?"

"So I can date her." Nao kept her eyes on Shizuru's approach.

Natsuki smacked Nao's head. "Watch it, she's mine."

"Ooh, possessive much?"

Shizuru came up to Natsuki and greeted her with a kiss. "Hi. I'm glad you came."

"Hey." Natsuki tried not to blush; that would give Nao ammunition for weeks to come. "This idiot is Nao. She came with me to pick you up last night."

Shizuru slid her arm around Natsuki's waist and pressed into her side before turning to face Nao. She gave Nao a soft smile and offered her hand. "Shizuru Fujino. I probably didn't make the best first impression last night, but thank you for picking us up."

Nao shook her hand and gave the honey-brunette a cocky grin. "Anytime. In fact, you can call me for a ride whenever Natsuki's not around—"

Natsuki glared at Nao. "Look, there are platters of hors-d'oeurve over there. Go enjoy the chips and dip or the caviar or whatever."

"I'm not hungry. So, Shizuru…" Nao crossed her arms and smirked at an irate Natsuki. "Just what do you see in our mutual acquaintance here? Can't be personality, because Natsuki's as touchy as a pit bull with rabies." Nao ignored Natsuki's growl. "Seriously, the only thing shorter than her temper is the line of women willing to put up with her."

Natsuki felt her scowl smooth away when Shizuru intertwined their fingers and pressed a kiss to Natsuki's cheek. "She's sweet, smart, and charming. What's not to like?"

Nao gave Shizuru a look that screamed out 'are we talking about the same girl?'

"And she makes for good arm candy." Shizuru winked at Nao.

Natsuki's scowl returned.

Nao laughed. "This is why I don't get into relationships. They turn you into mush; isn't that right, Romeo?" She elbowed Natsuki. "Stupid kid wouldn't stop smiling after last night."

"And now you've officially become the third wheel. Good bye." Natsuki directed Nao towards the crowd and pushed her forwards.

Shizuru laughed. "Ara, the girls would love you."

Nao immediately perked up. "Really? Which girls? We should make sure."

Shizuru pointed to the hors-d'oeurve table, where a group of beautiful women were congregating. "Those are the latest models Mama has worked with. They like meeting new people; I'm sure you fit in that category, no?"

Nao grinned at Shizuru. "Oh, I like you. Please don't dump Natsuki."

Shizuru smiled and looked at Natsuki. "Not yet."

Nao straightened her tie. "See you later, Kuga. I'm going to help myself to some chicks and dip."

Natsuki raised an eyebrow. "You mean chips?"

"Isn't that what I said?" Nao didn't even bother looking back.

Natsuki rolled her eyes and groaned. Shizuru laughed. "I like Natsuki's friend. She's amusing, and she obviously cares about Natsuki's wellbeing."

"Wow, is that what all the insults mean? Nao likes you, though, I can tell."

"How so?"

"Nao absolutely refused to talk to my last girlfriend. She claimed it would kill off her brain cells."

"Ara, Natsuki feels it necessary to mention the last girl she dated? Now I feel inferior."

Natsuki pressed her forehead against Shizuru's. "Don't. You're beautiful."

She counted it a victory when Shizuru blushed. "I should've added 'smooth' to Natsuki's list of qualities."

"You forgot 'honest,' too, since it's true." Natsuki kissed her. She squashed the little Natsuki in her head screaming, Honest? Please! I can smell your pants burning from here!

"That was utterly sappy to the point of cavity-inducing, and very cute. Who's your latest beau, 'Zuru? She's very attractive."

Natsuki's head snapped to the left. Her eyes widened at seeing a shorter, older version of Shizuru, with blue eyes and blonde hair. Mama Fujino had arrived.

Shizuru groaned and turned her body towards her mother. "Mama, are you drinking a martini? Don't you remember what happened last time?"

Shizuru's mother dismissed the question with a wave of her perfectly manicured hand, the other hand holding a martini glass. "Don't worry about it, 'Zuru, I've got it all under control."

Natsuki shifted uncomfortably when Shizuru's mother looked her up and down. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Fujino—" She stopped when the woman held up a hand.

"If you work for me, you call me Ms. Fujino. If you don't, you call me Crystal." Crystal Fujino beamed at Natsuki before her smile dropped. "Unless you want to work for me? You're hot; I can use you. Perhaps for the Milan show—"

"Mama, Natsuki is not a model. She has a job and is going to medical school," Shizuru interrupted.

"Oh, your father will be delighted to hear that. Natsuki, is it? You'd look great in my Winter Collection—"

"Papa was looking for you before. Maybe you should go find him." Shizuru turned her mother around and gave her a gentle push.

Crystal smiled wistfully. "I swear, that man would be helpless without me, chief of Tokyo General Hospital or no. I'll see you around, Natsuki." She winked at the flustered Natsuki and disappeared.

Shizuru turned to Natsuki with a fondly irritated sigh. "I told you my mother would like you."

Natsuki blinked. "That's a relief. Crystal Fujino, the name sounds familiar."

"She's a designer. She owns the Crystal F. clothing line."

"Ah, even I've heard of that one."

"Mmm. My father is around here somewhere, schmoozing with the rich and famous. He finds a lot of clients at these parties, you know."

"What does he do?"

"He's a plastic surgeon. My mother came storming into his office when one of her models' nose job came out badly; it was love at first sight, apparently." Shizuru looked bored, like she was repeating something she had heard countless times. "He'll probably insist that you call him Kenjiro."

Natsuki yelped when a giant of a man came out of nowhere and hugged her and Shizuru.

"Hello, Papa."

"'Zuru! I feel like I haven't seen you in ages!"

"You haven't."

Shizuru's father didn't hear the last comment and turned to Natsuki. "And you must be Natsuki. I heard you're planning to join the medical field?" He winked. "Call me Kenjiro."

Natsuki caught Shizuru's amused look and couldn't help smiling back.

-000-000-

Nao smirked to herself as she left Hot Girl #7. Man, she was on a roll tonight! She had successfully hooked up with four different women and two men and gotten all their numbers. Normally that would be impressive in and of itself, but the icing on top of the cake was that they weren't just ordinary people...they were freaking professional models, among the most beautiful men and women in Tokyo. Nao decided this must be what heaven felt like.

The redhead spotted Natsuki and Shizuru from across the room, acting all couple-y and whatnot. Nao let out a whistle; Natsuki was a better actress than she thought. For god's sakes, the mutt just looked at an oblivious Shizuru with the most love-struck expression Nao had ever seen in her admittedly short life. As far as Nao knew, though, Natsuki was still going on with her plan.

It was a damn shame; Shizuru was one of most gorgeous girls Nao had ever seen, and she seemed genuinely nice. Nao shrugged. Whatever. She considered sticking around to pick up the pieces when Natsuki broke the girl's heart, but Shizuru would probably hate her then, too. Guilty by association, and all that jazz.

Nao grabbed another drink from a side table, not caring whose it was. Seriously, from the amount of alcohol that was being served at this party, she wouldn't be surprised if the Fujinos had vodka coming out of their sink faucets and a pool filled with gin and tonic in their backyard.

Nao spotted a gorgeous blonde enter the front door and look around in disdain. Hello, Hot Girl #8.

The redhead walked over to the blonde and flashed her a grin. "You don't look like you're having fun."

The blonde looked up with an unimpressed look. Ooh, Nao mused, crimson eyes were both intimidating and a turn-on.

"You're quite observant, aren't you?" The woman drawled. "You must be a detective."

"Lawyer, actually." Nao frowned. Her sixth sense was tingling—the sense that told her whether someone was interested in her or not. The blonde was obviously planning to string Nao along before cutting her down. Jeez, that was coldhearted; even Nao herself wouldn't do that. She at least had the decency to tell people that she was way out of their league from the second they started hitting on her. You do not hit on Nao Yuuki, Nao Yuuki hits on you!

Besides, Nao had an annoying feeling that she had seen this woman before. "Have we met somewhere? You look familiar."

The blonde scoffed. "That's your pickup line? I was expecting something a little more original and a little less desperate."

Wow, okay, this blonde was smoking hot but a Grade-A bitch. Forget her, Nao told herself. "Actually, I was just trying to make polite conversation."

"You don't know who I am?" The blonde flipped her hair.

"Nope. Did the escort service send you?"

The blonde looked pissed. Nao gave herself a mental pat on the back. "No. I'm here with my boyfriend," the blonde sneered. "What the hell were my parents thinking, inviting people like you to their party?"

Nao choked on her drink. "You're Shiori Fujino?"

Shiori smirked. "Oh, so you have heard of me."

Nao bolted, frantically searching the crowd for Natsuki. This was bad.

-000-000-

Natsuki was caving into Shizuru's wheedling and opening her mouth to taste some caviar that Shizuru insisted she try (ugh, fish eggs. Who would want to eat salty sturgeon sperm?) when someone dragged her away by the tie.

Natsuki choked and struggled until the person finally let go. She coughed for air and spun around with a menacing glare on her face. "What the hell, Nao!"

Nao ignored her indignation and hissed, "Bitchy Fujino is here!"

"Who?"

"Shiori, you idiot!"

Natsuki paled. "Shizuru said Shiori doesn't come to these parties—"

"Hey, she matched the criteria," Nao snapped back. "She's blonde, looks similar to Baby Fujino, and acts like a humongous bitch!"

"Shit. We have to leave before she recognizes me." Natsuki looked around frantically.

"Natsuki?" Shizuru suddenly appeared, looking confused. "What's the matter?"

"We have to leave. Sorry, kid." Nao gave Shizuru a tight smile. "My, uh—"

"Nao's cat died. She's devastated." Natsuki said. She shrugged when Nao mouthed "What the fuck?"

Shizuru gave Nao a sympathetic glance. "Ara, I'm sorry to hear that."

"No, no, it's fine," Nao assured. "I barely even remember what it was like to own a cat." Probably because I never did, Nao mused.

"I'll call you tomorrow, Shizuru." Natsuki motioned Nao to start towards the door. She glanced around in anxiety, but Shizuru turned Natsuki's attention towards her.

"Nao gave me a very good idea," Shizuru said slyly.

"What's that?" Natsuki smirked. This was a bad idea, she should be moving—

Shizuru grabbed Natsuki's tie and pulled her in for a kiss. Natsuki knew she had been in the middle of something important, but it was hard to remember what it was when Shizuru was moving her tongue that way—

"Ara, ara, it seems our Zuru is all grown up." Natsuki stiffened on hearing the voice that was still familiar, despite the years. "Who's the hottie draped all over you, and how much did you pay her?"

Natsuki held her breath and glanced to the side, nearly cursing at what she saw. Oh yeah, now she remembered. She was supposed to be avoiding the devil incarnate, otherwise known as Shiori Fujino, who was currently standing before her with that familiar sneer. Oh, joy.

Heh. I hope you didn't mind an itty-bitty cliff hanger, since I updated earlier than usual.

Review please! And to those stuck in bad weather conditions, stay safe. Mother Nature ain't someone to be fooled around with.