Disclaimer: Author owns nothing. Mai-Hime belongs to Sunrise.
CHAPTER 30
NEW YORK CITY
Four days later.
The two women were snuggled on a sofa as they watched a thriller movie in Natsuki's room. Shizuru's crimson orbs were focused on the screen while Natsuki's emerald ones were glued to her face. Her mind was everywhere but the movie on the screen.
"Ara, Natsuki is staring." Shizuru said, hugging her knees closer as if embarrassed. The flashes of lights coming from the screen were hiding the tinge of pink that started to adorn her rosy cheeks.
"I am." Natsuki replied shortly before fully turning her head to the right where Shizuru was and inched her head closer to the woman. Her right arm was resting on the sofa as she cradled her head with her right hand.
"Ara, Natsuki. It is rude to stare at people." Shizuru said while bringing her left hand to Natsuki's face in attempt to turn the woman's attention back to the movie in front of them.
Natsuki held her hand in place instead before giving her palm a gentle kiss. She held Shizuru's hand and stroked it with her thumb without detaching it from her face. "Say, Shizuru. When will you be done taping your movie?" She said, looking at Shizuru seriously.
"Ara, we have come to an agreement with Director Zhang to finish the taping as early as possible. It should be done in three months time, Natsuki." Shizuru answered the question which seemed to come out of nowhere.
"Then, the premier night could be six months from now." Natsuki murmured.
"Ara, we have not discuss the matter yet, Natsuki. But that is probable." Shizuru answered, trying to remember what little she could, given that she really did not pay any mind to the project at all.
"Shizuru, Ms. Kikukawa will be here tomorrow to pick you up." Natsuki announced, looking at Shizuru who pulled her hand away from her face and turned her attention back to the movie. A few seconds passed by and Natsuki had not heard a word from Shizuru.
"Shizuru, listen to me." Natsuki said in a soft voice, holding Shizuru's neck and turning it towards her to get her attention. "You can't stay here forever. You have responsibilities in Japan. You have a movie to finish." She said to Shizuru who just looked down without a word. "Hey, look at me. I'm not saying I don't want you here, okay?" She tilted the woman's head and looked into her crimson orbs which were glistening with unshed tears. "I'm just saying that we have things that need to be taken care of. I need to recuperate completely and attend to some things here. Shizuru, it's not safe for you to be with me now."
"Is Natsuki saying that we should not -" Shizuru began but was immediately interrupted by Natsuki.
"No, Shizuru." Natsuki said, shaking her head. "That's not what I mean. I want you to go back to Japan for now and finish things. I promise to be at the premier night of your movie, okay? By then, I will be completely healed."
"Natsuki might just be saying that." Shizuru retorted.
"No, Shizuru. I'm serious. I'll be at the premier night. You just have to tell me the date. I swear to be there." Natsuki said, looking at Shizuru who seemed to be giving it a thought.
"And if Natsuki will not show-up?" Shizuru asked.
"I'll never do that to you, Shizuru." Natsuki said seriously. "I promise that I will be there."
"I will take Natsuki's words, then." Shizuru turned her attention back to the screen.
"But you have to promise me some things, Shizuru." Natsuki said which caused Shizuru to blinked at her a few times. "You have to stop contacting me. No phone calls, e-mails, sms, and surprise visits. No any kind of communication."
"Ara? What is Natsuki asking?" Shizuru asked, surprised by the request.
"I know you're wondering why there are a lot of uniformed men outside, Shizuru. I want you to trust my words so, I have to tell you the truth. I'm in a bad situation right now. My security is compromised but you don't have to worry about that. There are some people who are competent enough to take care of it. Six months is long enough for this situation to be better. Don't worry about me. Focus on your movie, okay?" Natsuki explained.
"But Natsuki-" Shizuru protested but Natsuki once again interrupted her.
"No buts, Shizuru. I'm begging you to please do as I say. This will keep both of us safe. Can you do that, Shizuru? Just until the premier night." Natsuki pleaded at the hesitant woman. "For me, please?"
"If that is what Natsuki wants. I will wait for Natsuki." Shizuru agreed with obvious hesitance.
"Come here." Natsuki opened her arms, urging the woman to come closer. "Thank you, Shizuru." She engulfed her in a warm hug. Comfortable silence followed before Natsuki broke it. "Shizuru."
"Hmnn?" Shizuru hummed in Natsuki's shoulder.
"I love you." Natsuki uttered which caused the woman in her arms to stiffened. "I love you, Shizuru. Since when? I don't know. All I know is that I love you. I'll make better of our situation. So, please endure these things for a while." She could feel Shizuru's fists tightened on her clothes. Her right shoulder felt warm and wet. Soon, enough she heard silent sobs. She caressed the woman's back in an attempt to comfort her. "I love you, Shizuru. Please wait for me."
"Can I kiss Natsuki?" Shizuru said with her head still buried on Natsuki's shoulder. Her tears kept falling on their own.
"You don't have to ask for permission." Natsuki said before gently pulling the woman in a soft and passionate kiss. She could taste Shizuru's tears in the kiss.
"Aishiteru." Shizuru responded after the kiss. "Hontoni daisukidayo." She said, looking deeply at Natsuki's eyes. "Watashi wa anata o machimasu."
"Thank you, Shizuru." Natsuki wiped the tears on Shizuru's cheeks.
SIX MONTHS LATER
NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, TOKYO, JAPAN
Natsuki was walking towards the exit of the arrival area. Her heart was racing in anticipation because finally she will be able to fulfill her promise to the woman who owns her heart. "It's still 2:58PM. I still have time." She said, looking at her iPhone. "Now, what will I get for her?" She mused when suddenly her phone rang.
"Mai." Natsuki answered shortly.
"Natsuki, did you arrive already?" Mai asked over the phone.
"Yeah. The flight was delayed a little bit but I'm already in Japan." Natsuki explained as she started walking outside to halt a cab.
"You should have just taken the private plane, Natsuki." Mai said with a bit of worry.
"It's fine, Mai. I'm here, anyway." Natsuki said to dismiss the woman's worry.
"Be careful, Natsuki. We still don't know who the person behind your threats is." Mai said worriedly. "Call me when you're in the hotel already."
Natsuki was about to answer when a black SUV suddenly stopped in front of her. Soon masked men in black rushed out.
"What the fuck? What do you think you're doing? Let me-" She muttered before the men grabbed her and knocked her out of consciousness. Her phone was left on the ground.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mai heard the rustles over the phone and started to panic. "Natsuki? Is everything alright? Natsuki?" She called but she heard nothing after the phone dropped.
"Natsuki! What's going on!? Natsuki!" She looked at her phone and it showed that the call was ended. She tried dialing again but no one answered. She tried for the fourth time and still got nothing.
"Kami-sama. Natsuki, please be safe." She said in a trembling voice as she dialed a different number. Knowing that it was the best course of action to take. The person answered on the third ring.
"Hello, Ms. SK. I'm sorry to disturb you but I think that Natsuki is in great danger. We were in the middle of a conversation when the call suddenly ended."
"Mai-san, isn't Natsuki at home?" Saeko asked calmly.
"No, Ms. SK. She went to Japan." Mai answered immediately.
"Ah, yes. It is today." Saeko said, obviously busy with something on the other line.
"Ms. SK, I think Natsuki was kidnapped!" Mai said in a panic-stricken voice.
"Pardon?" Saeko asked, confused.
"I called her a few minutes ago and she said that she was already in Narita airport but then, I heard a sound of screeching tires and commotion. The call ended. I tried calling her again for several times but no one answered." Mai said urgently.
"Jesus Christ!" Saeko blurted out in shock. "My daughter. What in God's name is going on? Who would do this?"
"I don't have any idea, Ms. SK. I'm sorry." Mai said, fidgeting.
"Donna, please cancel all my meetings and appointments. I have an emergency. I don't know when I will be back." Saeko ordered her secretary who answered with a yes.
"Mai-san, thank you for advising me. I will inform her grandfather regarding this. I know you are worried but I will take care of this. Finish your business meetings and come back as soon as you're done."
"I will, Ms. SK. I hope nothing bad happens to Natsuki."Mai said worriedly.
"Nothing bad will happen to my daughter." Saeko said, more to herself than to the person whom she was talking to. She hang up the phone afterwards.
"Natsuki, what have you gotten yourself into this time? Kami-sama, please keep her safe." Mai said, looking at the window where the Eiffel Tower can be seen.
Crimson Assassin's Premier Night
"Viola, we need to go. Don't make them wait for you." Suzushiro said, tapping her foot on the floor with impatience as she hovered behind Shizuru who was still facing the mirror and who obviously did not have any intention of leaving soon.
"Shizuru-san, perhaps we should head there already. It's almost time." Kikukawa added, passing at Suzushiro and giving the latter a gentle squeeze to calm her down. The woman was behaving just fine for the past months and she did not know why she was acting strange on that night.
"She promised to be here." Shizuru stared at the mirror blankly. She was wearing a long velvet gown which hide almost nothing of her body. Crystals were all over the dress that it will surely shine when hit by the light. Her make-up and hair were long done by her stylists. Surely, she was dressed the way how a star of the night should be. No one can outshine her and that was an absolute truth.
A few knocks were heard from the door before Suzushiro answered it.
"I said we'll be out in a moment. Huh?" Suzushiro halted when a man in suit came instead of the event organizer. He was part of the hotel's staffs.
"Good evening, Ma'am. Delivery for Viola-sama from Director Kruger." The man showed a bouquet of red roses.
Shizuru abruptly stood up and went for the door.
"Ookini." She said in a giddy voice before retrieving the bouquet and plucking its card.
"You're welcome, Viola-sama. I am happy to be of service." The man bowed before going his way.
Her smile turned to a frown when she read what were written on the card.
"Shizuru,
I'm sorry I can't come tonight. Congratulations to all of you and to Ms. Margueritte. Don't wait for me.
-Natsuki"
Another series of knocks were heard and this time it was Kikukawa who answered the door.
"Good evening, Director Zhang. What brings you here? We were just about to proceed to the theatre." Kikukawa greeted the young director who seemed to be stiffed than usual.
"I came to speak with Viola, Kikukawa-san. I hope you don't mind." Nao said before letting herself in.
"Ara, what is it that Director Zhang wants to talk about?" Shizuru asked, setting aside the flowers like it was an abomination.
"Kruger can't come tonight." Nao said straighforwardly.
"Ara, I believe that is the case. She was considerate enough to send me flowers, though." Shizuru said mockingly.
"She did what?" Nao asked, surprised.
"Ara, is there something wrong with Director Zhang's hearing?" Shizuru said before handing the card to Nao.
Nao looked at the card closely and noticed something on it. "What a bitch." She said glaring at a word on it. "She'll pay for this."
"Ara, I do not understand why Director Zhang is reacting the way she does right now." Shizuru started to retrieve the card but stopped when Nao took a picture of it.
"Just getting some receipt, Viola." Nao said before handing back the card. "Shall we get going?" She said, calmly.
"Ara, perhaps we should. After all, there is no one worth waiting for." Shizuru said before walking towards the door, leaving Haruka and Yukino puzzled.
Nao typed a short message with the attached photo and sent it before following the women out.
"Don't let her leave your sight."
Author's Note:
A few more chapters and we'll be done here. Here's a Valentine's gift to everyone. This wasn't proofread so, expect some grammatical and spelling errors. Let me know your thoughts.