DISCLAIMER: I don't own Mai-Hime but this story represents the views of voices in my head.
CHAPTER SIX: BREAKDOWN
Natsuki woke up from her deep slumber because of the annoying tingling in her shoulder. She opened her eyes to see the cause of uncomfortable sensation and grunted when she remembered her demise. She blinked slowly as she roamed her eyes around her surroundings.
Her eyes slowly followed the sun's stream of light above her and overwhelming melancholy surrounded her as she realized that it's afternoon already. She sighed heavily; she continued to ignore the pain shooting in her arms and hips as she tries to move. Groaning in pain, she noticed the sleeping figure beside her and her heart skipped a beat as her gaze traveled to the outline of Shizuru's porcelain face.
Natsuki can't help but become aware of Shizuru's warmth next to her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to steady her emotions. She hates how the older woman can make her expose without even trying. After making sure that she's steady, she opened her eyes and stared at Shizuru broodingly. Natsuki thought of all those years of caution and evasion guided by her will not to fall in love, not to let anyone in, pushing everyone away who got to close but fate has its own plan. Natsuki fell hard but she refused to give in to her heart. In the end, Natsuki decided to finally stop fighting her feelings and gave herself into what she felt about Shizuru. Having her mind made up to stop reminiscing their past relationship, she decided to rouse Shizuru.
When she was about to wake Shizuru, her phone vibrated. Seeing Nao's name on the screen she silently picked up her phone. "Hey Nao, finished already? That was kinda fast." Natsuki slowly pushed herself up to move away from the sleeping russet-haired woman.
"Shit Natsuki, you're not gonna be happy with what we found." A weary sigh escaped at the other line. "Sensei ordered me to do a background check on Shizuru and I found out in our intel that Shizuru was indicted for fraud, embezzlement and illegal solicitation through prostitution. The CIA believed that she was representing "international interests" in the area of white slavery. She was rumored to be in partnership with Kanzaki. If this is true, we are smacked dab in the middle of a freaking international prostitution ring! Damn it Natsuki, we are speaking international crime here. Once this case blows open someone's gonna pay big time."
Utter stillness slowly etched Natsuki's face. She unconsciously braced herself and her head swam with what she heard. She gripped whatever near her to save herself from completely losing her strength. "Bullshit…" Natsuki unconsciously whispered.
"I'm sorry Natsuki but this came directly from Spooks. There is no mistaking it. And there's more…"
Natsuki struggled to pay attention to Nao's report but her mind is too numb to grasp Nao's words. "I'm gonna call you back." Natsuki faintly replied.
"Get a grip mutt! This is no time to shut away reality. This is the truth, Kanzaki and Fujino needs to pay!" Nao shouted at the other line.
"I SAID I'M GONNA CALL YOU BACK!" Natsuki shouted back. The blunette forcefully hung her phone. She suddenly gripped her hair and her head felt like it's gonna blow itself from pain. This can't be. Shizuru is not a criminal. She can't be selling kids to those monsters.
Natsuki's heart began to race. She suddenly can't catch her breath and she felt lightheaded. She struggled to remain standing as she realized that she's experiencing panic attack. She grabbed her chest as she tried to breathe out slowly through her mouth and out of nowhere, Shizuru's face appeared. With great effort, Natsuki tried to fight off her anxiety and attempted to focus on Shizuru's worried face.
"Natsuki, what's happening to you?" Terror reigned upon Shizuru's heart as she shook the blunette's cold body. Before she fell asleep, Natsuki was sleeping peacefully while she watched her sleep. The next thing she knew, she woke up from a piercing voice and she saw Natsuki clutching her chest. "Come on, we need to get you into hospital." Shizuru grasped Natsuki's waist to guide her out of the room. When she was about to call for help, Natsuki squeezed her forearm.
"I'm okay." Natsuki croaked as she wiped her sweat soaked forehead. "Panic attack." Her chest heaved as she struggled for air. Natsuki staggered towards the sofa to lie down for a moment with the help of the older woman. The blunette still can't believe that Shizuru is capable of such thing. Her sweet Shizuru isn't capable of that. Natsuki's throat tightened and her emerald eyes watered as her heart beat painfully to her chest. Her whole soul protested at the thought. Natsuki felt like she was getting out of her mind.
"Natsuki? Are you sure that you're okay? What's the matter? Did something happen?" Shizuru's worried face hovered above her face.
The stress of the last days had left Natsuki emotions ragged and painful. Natsuki wanted to ask Shizuru directly, to let the older woman assure her that Shizuru is not capable of that madness. Without thinking, question poured out Natsuki. "Can I trust you Shizuru?"
Deep within Shizuru, she felt guarded walls begin to waver, and hastily shored them up again. Before Shizuru could answer, Natsuki kissed her. Trying not to show her the anxiety she felt, trying not to expose the twisted threads of hesitation and certainty, love and fear, belief and disbelief. And when her mouth warmed beneath Shizuru's mouth, responding instantly to her, she tried to forget everything but her, the touch of her, and the taste of her.
"Nat-su-ki." Shizuru sensually whispered her name. She could feel Natsuki's hands clasp her hair and pull her mouth against hers, the heat of her burning her even through her shirt. Burning. She could feel her desperation, and every instinct warned that Natsuki was almost out of control.
Shizuru wanted to abandon herself, but then she caught a flicker of movement from the corner of her eye; fearing the worst, her hand caught Natsuki's wrist and she felt like screaming in frustration. Damn.
Natsuki obeyed her; she can still feel the softness of Shizuru's lips. Her whole body responded to Shizuru's warmth as if her soul is drawn to Shizuru. Her lips still humming with desire, Natsuki spoke. "I'm…"
"We need to stop this Natsuki." Shizuru stood up to move away from her, from her waterloo to save the last piece intact inside her. Her heart broke when she saw Natsuki's vulnerable gaze, helpless she couldn't break away from it. "I'm in a relationship Natsuki. This is not right." Shizuru saw the raw pain when she said those words. She wanted to take it back; she wanted to trust again the woman who once broke her heart.
Shizuru swallowed back her sob. She needs to do this for Reito and for herself. Still quivering inside with the desire Natsuki evoked, Shizuru turned her back on Natsuki. "Reito needs me Natsuki. I can't do this again. I'm not going to do this again. I'm afraid for myself, you broke me once. I'm not going to give you an opportunity to shatter me again." Without waiting for an answer, Shizuru walked away.
Abruptly, compelled by her doubts and fears, Natsuki asked the older woman, "Can I really trust you Shizuru? Are you still the same girl that I met? That I fell in love with?"
Sensing the younger girl's desperation, Shizuru answered frigidly, "The girl you once met and fell in love with grew up Natsuki."
Natsuki stared at the door for long moments, still aware of the warmth of Shizuru's lips, still seeing the sudden gentleness of her eyes. She had taken that step; there was no going back. None of her painfully won defenses had been able to stand against Shizuru: she couldn't fight what she felt. And Natsuki wondered what—and whom-she might have sacrificed to love Shizuru.
Now what? Natsuki asked herself. Can she ignore the intel that they got from CIA? Her attention got caught by Nao's name flashing on her phone. For the first time, she's afraid of answering the call but the consistent vibrating of the device made her answer it.
"You shit head, remember what this is about Natsuki. This case is not about you. This is about the kids who vanished without a clue. This is for the family of those girls. We need to stop Kanzaki for those families!" Nao furiously said.
"I don't believe it." Natsuki suddenly felt certain, she clutched her phone tightly. "I know Shizuru, she's not capable of it. Nao, pull in the team. Pull every string you can find, call in every favor. I want every fact in that damned intel verified by a dozen sources, and then I want them verified. Don't take anyone's word for anything." Natsuki drew a deep breath. "This is a very personal matter to me—and I don't care who knows it."
"Damn you Natsuki! Why can't you—" Suddenly, Natsuki hissed at the other line.
"Bullshit Nao!" Gritting her teeth, Natsuki reasoned. "Don't you think this is too convenient? It's been rumored for years that Kanzaki is connected to the kidnapping of those victims, but nobody's been able to pin a thing on him. Now, within the last few months, Shizuru enters his life. A woman with a rock-solid criminal background and a CIA report that she represents international interests in that area. Now, if that background and that report are false, then there's only one good reason for it. I think some-body's setting Kanzaki up. It's the only thing that makes sense."
"Now that is bullshit Natsuki! Do you honestly think that Shizuru is an undercover agent? Have you forgotten that they are childhood friends? They could have easily established their business from their background relationship. Spooks confirmed her background. Why would they lie about Fujino's background? If she's an undercover agent why would she allow Kanzaki to hire a bodyguard? Do you think she's stupid enough to let someone take her collar?" Natsuki bit her tongue. Nao's got a point but believing her partner means that she's admitting that Shizuru is a criminal.
Natsuki gritted her teeth. Her hand tightened around her phone. Natsuki knew that anytime she's going to lose her remaining control. "I knew her Nao. I knew her since we were in college. She's not capable of such insanity. I knew in my gut that there's a reason behind this."
Nao thought of the keen intelligence in Shizuru's crimson eyes. She knew that Natsuki is nobody's fool but can she trust her partner's gut in this? "Fine dammit. I'll tell Sensei what you said but Natsuki, for god's sake. Don't trust anyone in there. I'll verify everything okay?"
Natsuki sighed in relief. "Thank you Nao."
"Don't thank me yet, I'm just giving her a benefit of a doubt. Now let's get down to business. I did a nationwide search for the owners of Jaguar XK-E and luckily, there were only few owners of this vintage car. I found three here in Fuuka, and we got the son of a bitch. Kanzaki Reito owns one. It collaborates with what you heard. About the copy of cctv cameras, there's nothing in there. It's just Reito going in and out of his office. Shizuru's there too and Himeno. Nothing caught my eye but Kanzaki Corporation financial accounts caught my interest. Aside from the fact that his corporation is VERY profitable, I noticed some large withdrawals from the corporation's bank account. Almost two hundred thousand buck every two weeks. I still have to check if he was withdrawing it personally but usually if someone from corporation is gonna withdraw this large amount of money they need authority, it had to be one of the board members or CEO himself." Nao mused at the thought.
"That doesn't make sense." Natsuki said. "He was supposed to be selling kids and making profits. Why does it look like he was the one buying it?" A thought crossed at Natsuki's mind.
"It's like someone's milking him."
Nao grunted at the other line. "That's not possible. If someone is really blackmailing him, do you think Kanzaki would let them live long enough? Maybe it's the other way around, maybe he's using money to tend the needs of the girls."
Thinking of that, Natsuki grew quiet. Is that really the reason? She recalled everything that they found out so far. Someone tried to kidnap Kanzaki but failed. They could easily kill the guy and be done with it. Why kidnapped? Hiring a bodyguard increased the chance to discover Kanzaki's sideline. Why hire her?
"Hey Natsuki! Do you mind sharing your thoughts?" Natsuki shook off her thoughts. She's still not sure if her speculation is accurate. Better save it until I'm sure.
"I'm still not sure though I've got a break. I overheard Kanzaki about some exchange of merchandise this coming Friday. Given the circumstances, most probably they were talking about the girls."
"Holy shit! This is bad, how can we infiltrate their transaction?" Natsuki stirred at the sound of an opening door.
"I'll text you okay? There is someone coming." She quickly ended the call.
The bluenette didn't move until she saw the person who opened the door. Seeing Kanzaki, Natsuki sighed. Frowning, Reito absentmindedly walked towards her without noticing her.
Natsuki noticed that the young man seems strained. Natsuki had seen men under stress of battle who looked like that, and she knew the dangers of it. Was it because he was near the day of the exchange of the merchandise?
"Hey." Natsuki casually greeted the Kaichou.
Taken aback, Reito seems stupefied. "Uh, Hello Natsuki. I didn't see you there." The man recovered. "So how are you feeling?" Reito moved towards the sofa to seat and a loud sigh escaped through him.
"I'm okay. Sore but okay." Natsuki looked away. A while ago, she was making out with Kaichou's girlfriend at where he's sitting. Swallowing hard, the emerald-eyed girl tried to erase the unwanted thoughts in her head. "You look beat. Here I thought I'm the one who was almost overrun by a car."
Her humor earned a chuckle from Kanzaki. "I don't want another re-run of what happened to you thank you." The man stared at her carefully. Natsuki was not sure if Kanzaki appeared apologetic or worried. He was supposed to kill me. What's with him?
"What's with the look?" Natsuki carefully walked towards the opposite of the sofa to seat at the chair. Not taking her eyes off the Kanzaki.
"Hmm? What look?" Reito blinked slowly as if confused with Natsuki's words.
"You looked like a beaten puppy." Natsuki grinned. "Although I'm the one who managed to beat you by the way."
The man laughed out loud. Natsuki grinned, relieved that the Kanzaki was not taking her seriously.
"But I'm really sorry with what I did and happened. I was way out line there." The man paused. "I'm glad that you pounded the sense out of me." Reito smiled at her gratefully.
"You're an odd guy, thanking someone for beating the shit out of you." The girl huffed. Silence settled between them. Sensing something, Natsuki said nothing, but observed as Kanzaki rose and moved around the room absently. The bluenette was confident in her instinct and this time she knew her guts is telling her something. Something big.
"Natsuki." Kanzaki stopped in front of her, looking determined. The man took a deep breath. "Can I ask you a favor?"
Natsuki's heart raced with anticipation. Maybe this is the break they been waiting for. She could see the sheer determination behind Kaichou's hazel eyes. "I want you to come with us this coming Friday. I have an appointment with someone very important." Kanzaki frustratingly rubbed his jaw before continuing. "Shizuru and I need your discretion."
"Shizuru?" Natsuki mumbled incoherently. Shizuru's coming with them? Her mind is reeling with thousands of accusations.
"Yes, as the spearhead of this meeting her presence is needed there."
The bluenette swallowed painfully. She knew that the crimson-eyed woman was in the middle of this mess but she still can't accept the fact that the woman maybe playing a bigger part of this crime. Prostitution. White slavery. What have you done Shizuru?
"Natsuki? What's wrong?" Kanzaki asked the bothered woman. The emerald-eyed beauty didn't notice that she was painfully gripping her hands. She slowly loosened her grip to avoid unnecessary questions from the man. "Why discretion?" her voice sounded raspy to her own ears.
"You'll see when we get there." Kanzaki said strangely. "So can I count on you this Friday?"
She looked at the man intently. Natsuki wanted to strangle the man who soiled Shizuru's soul. Natsuki knew if she didn't walk away this moment, she's going to kill Kanzaki right now. It took every ounce of control to stop herself from reaching his neck and snap it off his head. "Yes." Her emerald eyes shone with fury and hatred. "I won't miss it, Kanzaki."
Kanzaki was taken back with the sudden ferocity behind the woman's emerald eyes. He knew what is the source of the sudden hatred but he had no choice. All of them didn't have any choice. He cleared his throat and excused himself from the rigid woman.
After Kanzaki left, Natsuki fought silently and fiercely for control, she knew if she made a move against Kanzaki today they're gonna lose everything they worked on. Natsuki drew a sharp breath. Maybe the woman she once fell in love with, grew up as a ruthless criminal. The hollow feeling inside her chest didn't fade away as she convinces herself with the thought.
Meanwhile…
"We're in a tight schedule Fujino." The man regarded her with an amused look. "You are a bit distracted I must say."
They were in a museum and Shizuru was studying the large painting in front of them. The huge room was deserted except them.
Shizuru sent him a thoughtful look. "No need to worry. Everything is proceeding as planned."
The man cleared his throat. "I'm not talking about our arrangement. It seems she was smitten to you. Charming."
Shizuru chuckled. "Don't give me that. I knew you ran her background." Both became quiet.
Worried, the man ran his fingers through his hair. "Where did you meet her?"
Shizuru paused for a while before giving an answer. She knew telling them her connection with Natsuki would complicate things. "She's my ex-girlfriend."
The man felt a faint surprise. "So she's the one who got away." He doesn't know the whole story but he heard back then that someone broke Fujino's heart enough to kill herself because of it.
"She could get hurt in this Fujino." Something flickered behind the woman's crimson eyes. "Or worse she could die. You should send her away."
He heard the sharp intake of breath from the woman but they both knew what's he's saying is the truth. "She's capable of taking care of herself."
"There will be questions."
"Yes. I know what I'll say, don't worry." He nodded, then pushed a flat envelope towards her. She casually studied the contents. After a few minutes, she looked up at the man, expressionless. "Is this the merchandise?"
The man nodded silently. She returned the photographs to the folder and pushed it back to him. "You got the pictures?" He asked.
Shizuru tapped her head lightly with a finger. "Right here."
"If he sticks to his schedule, the merchandise will leave the country by the end of the month. This is our last shot."
"And hopefully, this would be the end of it." Shizuru said and bid farewell to the man.
Kanzaki's hazel eyes flicked a glance at the unmoving bluenette near the window. It's been two hours since the last time the woman utter a word. He was ready for the anger but this complete coolness from the woman unnerved him even more.
He cleared his throat to gain her attention, "Natsuki." His heart lurched when he saw her bleak emerald eyes. "We'll go home in a few minutes." The woman nodded silently and resumed staring outside.
Kanzaki begun to clear his desk. He too, was in deep thought. A knock sounded. After few seconds, the door opened. Himeno peeked, "Kaichou, I'll be going now. Do you need anything?"
Kanzaki shook his head and thanked her secretary. "Miss Kuga, I'll be going now. See you tomorrow and take your medicine okay?" Natsuki only grunted. Silence continued after Himeno left them. Kanzaki took some of his folder to take home and walked towards the sofa to sit.
They remained silent for a few minutes while watching the sunset together. When Kanzaki was about to break the silence, someone knocked. Natsuki suddenly became rigid as she watched the door. Kanzaki noticed how the emerald-eyed beauty drew a ragged breath as Shizuru smiled towards them.
"Hello, I apologize if I'm a bit late sweety." Shizuru said.
"No need to apologize. Let's go?" Kanzaki asked her. The brunette agreed and turned to Natsuki. "Shall we?"
Natsuki straightened and walk ahead of them wordlessly. The sudden change from Natsuki startled Shizuru. She wasn't expecting the frosty attitude towards her by Natsuki. She was the one who supposed to be mad. Was Natsuki expecting her to just jump back to her arms after what she did to her? Shizuru trembled. With a tremendous effort, Shizuru wrestled back her fury and hurt.
Even though Shizuru's hurt, she can't help but be attracted at the woman in front. Shizuru's gaze traveled slowly to the woman ahead them. Natsuki was wearing a black hoodie and faded jeans. She's still wearing her green converse sneaker. Shizuru could still see how hurt Natsuki is as the woman walk unevenly.
Leading the couple to the parking lot, Natsuki scrutinized the surroundings. She made sure that the parking lot was safe for the couple. Satisfied, the agent inspected their car if it was not tampered before letting the couple get in. She opened the driver's seat and started their car. Natsuki didn't even spare a glance to the couple behind her which annoyed Shizuru.
After thirty minutes, they arrived at the Kanzaki's house. Pausing, Natsuki let Kanzaki opened his garage using a remote control. After turning off the engine, Natsuki signaled them to stay put to ensure if the house is safe.
Without making a sound, the bluenette move around from one room to another to check if there was any disturbance. Pleased with the result, Natsuki returned to the couple. She tapped the mirror of the car and gestured them to come out.
Natsuki silently followed the couple inside the house. Sensing that it's safe enough to relax, the bluenette walk towards the stairs to sit. Clearly, the woman was not in the mood to have a chit chat so the couple ignored her.
Kanzaki ascended towards their room while the tawny-haired woman stopped to look at their grumpy bodyguard. "Will you stay here for a while? There's something I need to discuss with Reito."
The bluenette simply nodded without looking at her which pissed Shizuru more. With a silent huff, the tawny-haired woman left Natsuki to her own thoughts.
Left alone, Natsuki cracked. She shut her eyes tightly to stop herself from crying out loud. Was she wrong about her ex-girlfriend? Is it too late to save her? Her mind revolted at the thought. Natsuki knew that justice needs to be served but what if the woman she loves needs to be punished for violating the law? Did she hold onto something that never really mattered? Unconsciously, hot tears ran down her cheeks. Natsuki sobbed. Her heart is throbbing painfully. Everything she believed in was being desecrated by Shizuru's hands. Everything she fought for. Everything she tried to forget. The monster that defiled her, the very essence why she's still fighting, Shizuru represents them all. The bluenette didn't know how long she cried. She didn't even budge when she heard footsteps behind her.
Shizuru studied the emerald-eyed woman. The woman looks sullen. She didn't dare to ask why because she knew the reason. Instead she walked past the bluenette, "You want something to eat Natsuki?"
Natsuki could hardly bear to look at the woman. Through her mind swam the madness of what Nao reported to her. It took all the will Natsuki could command not to lash out to the cool crimson eyes in front of her. She cleared her throat before she could answer, "No, I'm not hungry."
Shizuru nodded to her and walk towards the kitchen to prepare sandwich for them. The tawny-haired woman busied herself with the task to avoid thinking of Natsuki. Shizuru could feel her emotions slipping out of control. She was supposed to be prepared for this. Fuming, she opened the refrigerator to take out ingredients for sandwich. Methodically, she sliced tomatoes, onions and pickles. She took some boiled chicken from its container and some wheat bread to assemble it in a plate. Satisfied, she took the two sandwiches in the microwave oven to heat. After heating it, she took out the sandwiches to bring it to Reito.
Shizuru's stomach sank as she saw Natsuki's empty emerald eyes. Knowing the rugged woman, she could easily decipher the devastating sorrow and despair swirling around those emerald eyes. Slowly, with every inch of stabbing agony. Shizuru left the bluenette with her own thoughts. Without making a sound, the tawny-haired woman opened the door. Sensing her presence, Reito look up. "Thanks Shizuru."
The woman smiled softly to the tired looking Kaichou. "Where's Kuga? Is she eating?" Kanzaki took the plate from Shizuru as the woman sat beside him. Shizuru shook her head. "She said she's not hungry." The man sighed as he took one of the sandwiches to eat.
"This has gone too long." He swallowed bitterly.
Shizuru nodded to the man, "Yes. Everything is all set. All we need to do is to deliver the girls for the exchange." She paused. "Did you manage to convince him to stay put?"
Chewing slowly, the man nodded. He swallowed before answering. "Yes, but he's not happy with it. He wants us to do something about it."
"He's getting sloppy." Shizuru mused. "I'll call him later to talk about the delivery." Shizuru reached out for his shoulder to rub him. "Don't worry Reito, Everything will be okay." She watched as the man swallowed heavily. She could see his hazel eyes brimmed with tears.
"Arigato Shizuru." Reito said softly. Shizuru smiled to the man and took the other sandwich from the plate to eat. They eat silently deep in their own thoughts. Even both of them were not hungry, they managed to finish the food. She took the plate from the man and stood up. When she was about to open the door, Reito called her. "Please tell Natsuki to eat. She needs energy for the upcoming days." Shizuru smiled gratefully to the man.
She slowly closed the door and walk silently towards the kitchen. The bluenette was nowhere in sight as she continued to walk to the kitchen. After washing the plate, she decided to find Natsuki. She had to admit, she's worried. After drying her hands, she made her way to the living room. No trace of Natsuki. Shizuru sighed. Deciding to find the younger woman later, she walked towards the door to go outside.
Cool breeze softly caressed her face. The sun has already set and a few stars appeared in the cloudless sky. Sensing no one, she took out her phone and dialed a number she knew so well.
After a few rings, the other line answered. "It's about time you call me. I was worried that you're just going to keep the girls to yourself."
Shizuru raised her eyebrows. "Ara, Hello to you too." She sarcastically said.
"No need for the sarcastic remark. We both know why you called." The man from the other line goaded.
"My clients are becoming impatient and I need my commission." Shizuru said coldly.
"You spoke to them?"
"Yes. They gave me a deadline." Shizuru said.
"You know what they want? Their taste?" The man asked.
"I know what they want."
The man chuckled. "Excellent. I'll make the arrangements."
"No blind sales." Shizuru said coldly. "I'll examine the merchandise personally."
"Of course. I'll call you when it's time." And the line went out. Sighing, Shizuru placed her phone inside her pocket.
A shadow caught her attention. Frozen in her spot, Natsuki emerged. Shizuru shivered at the furious emerald eyes.
"Commission huh? You badly needed money?" Shizuru visibly flinched but her mask held. Her chin came up swiftly.
"It's none of you business Natsuki. If you'll excuse me." She said coldly.
"What kind of business Shizuru?" Natsuki asked harshly.
"As I said before, it's none of your concern."
"A pimp now Shizuru. I didn't even imagine that you would stoop this low." Natsuki watched Shizuru's face drain of its remaining color, fighting the instincts urging her to go to Shizuru, gather her in her arms.
"Think what you like." Her voice was very soft, toneless. The laughing crimson eyes were dark and still, and her face was expressionless. "If I were you, you would not want to dip into this business deal."
Natsuki reached for the older woman's shoulder to shake her. "I don't want to believe it Shizuru but I heard you!" she said thickly.
"Don't get involve." Shizuru warned the woman.
"It's too late Shizuru." The tawny-haired woman didn't understand what Natsuki meant. Her mind stopped working when suddenly; Natsuki pulled her body against her. Natsuki's lips crashed onto her.
Shizuru tried to fight, struggling in her arms pushing her away. The remaining barrier inside her heart broke. She responded with an equal hunger and desperation. Shizuru encircled the younger woman's neck to press her lips harder to her own. She could feel Natsuki's hand cupped her head to deepen the kiss.
Every breath rasping harshly in her, Natsuki held her, kissed her, touched her compulsively. But even though she responded to every touch, she could feel, at first dimly, that Shizuru was holding back. Her tongue caught the salt of tears on Shizuru's cheeks, mute testimony that she was right, and it shook her badly. "Don't! I'm sorry I hurt you."
Hurt. It gave Shizuru the strength to pull away from Natsuki. Crying ... why was she crying? She didn't realize. She turned away, rubbing her wet cheeks with the backs of her hands. "Get away from me," she whispered.
"I can't Shizuru. It's too late. Please let me help you. It's not too late to change. I can help you. I'm not gonna leave you alone like this." Desperate, Natsuki begged to the woman.
"Leave?" Piercing crimson eyes stare at her. "You Natsuki? You left me with a note saying you're breaking up with me and now you're back saying you're not going to leave me anymore. What kind of bullshit is it this time Natsuki!" Shizuru shouted.
"Shizuru.." Natsuki trembled.
"I fought for us Natsuki. I fought with everything I had to be with you. I fought my parents, I sacrificed everything. I even fought with myself; because everyone, including my better judgment, was telling me that I was going to get my heart broken. But I took a chance to be with you, I put my heart and my pride on the line but you broke it. Not just my heart, but my life too Natsuki." Shizuru angrily wiped her tears.
"Now you waltzed back into my life, bringing nothing but promises." Her voice no longer steady. "Get out of my life Natsuki."
"No." Natsuki said hoarsely. "You need to understand why I left. I had no choice!" Natsuki said harshly.
"You had a choice Natsuki. You chose not to tell me back then. You just left me without any explanation! God! I even looked for you! I tried to find you! You were my life Natsuki." Shizuru sobbed.
"I'm sorry." Natsuki tried to gather the trembling woman in front of her but Shizuru shrugged away from it. "Your father. He was blackmailing me."
"I don't give a damn! I have my own life now—"
"Life with Kanzaki? Life selling girls! White slavery? Is this the life you are proud of?!" Blinded with rage, Shizuru slapped Natsuki.
Stinging with pain, Natsuki rubbed her cheeks. Is she too late? Natsuki thought to herself. Losing hope, she rubbed her chest trying to ease the throbbing pain in her heart.
"After you're so called business deal. I'm out of this." Natsuki said numbly. She could feel the cold emptiness spreading through her body. Her heart tells her not to give up Shizuru but the facts were telling her to just give up. Before Shizuru could formulate an answer, Natsuki walked away and disappeared in the darkness.
Tears welled up in Shizuru's crimson eyes. It's too late to back out now, she told herself. Too late to take back hurtful words and too late to listen to Natsuki's explanation. Shizuru silently weep as she watched the retreating back of the woman she loves.
To be continued….
Sorry for the late update guys! I'm really busy with work. Ugh! This is not edited by my beta. I posted this update to stop you guys from killing me for not updating soon *sweat drop* I'll edit this chapter once my beta returned my Chapter six 'kay?
Sorry for the grammar! Ciao!