a/n:thank you to my beta, blackfang.
before you start bashing about kawaii Natsuki,understand the story and read it till the end, or you can just stop here and click alt+f4.
Chapter 5
Mukashi-mukashi, somewhere in the land of wealth and greenery, where horses and cows freely walked around eating grass, the stream of pure clear water is the only source of drink for the civilisation, there was a small village where the population just around a dozen of families. When the season changes from summer to spring, then comes the winter. Drops of crystal white snow were pouring slowly from the evening sky joining the other snow on the ground, colouring the whole terrain with a white blank sheet. The temperature had dropped for another degree when all folks hurried back home to their secure home for they knew what dangers might emerge together with the dark night. The fire from the woods in the fireplace giving off light and warmness as the children gathered around to hear the tales from their grandfather. The tales that were repeatedly told from generation to generation.
In the cold climate, two children still stubbornly play in the park not far from their small home. The girl no more than 8 years lay on the white ground, moving her arms and legs to forming a wing-like pattern on the snowy ground.
The boy stood next to her only looking, unmoving. "Ne..Greta, let's go back home. My mom's going to scold me if she finds out"
Looking up at the boy, Greta frown "Cain, don't be such a scaredy cat. Your mom didn't even know you were sneaking out of home. Could it be you're scared of the Snow Queen?"
"Shhh...Greta! Don't speak of the name." Cain hugged himself to warm his body.
"The Snow Queen doesn't even exist, Cain. It just a Fairy tale. Who would believe it?" Greta smirk.
"But it is true, isn't it. Last year, I heard there was a boy from other village who had been kidnapped by the Snow Queen. Whatever, I'm not going to stay here. If you want to play, just play by yourself. I feel cold" true to his words, the boy left Greta all by herself to play alone.
As Greta sat there alone in the cold white snow, she hummed the lullaby her mother always sing for her before her bedtime. Closing her eyes, she could feel few drop of snow touching her face.
"Hello"
Greta stopped in her song and again tried to focus her hearing. Either she mistaken it for a child's voice or it is just the wind blowing past her.
"What are you doing here?"
This time, Greta immediately jumped up and rose to her feet. Looking around for the source of the voice, she was met with another girl a few years older than her, maybe already in her teen years. The girl's hair was white just like the snow around them and her blue eyes now looking attentively toward Greta. Immediately the girl captivated Greta.
"Excuse me?" Greta braved herself to face the stranger.
"I mean... what are you doing here, in this park? Isn't it cold? Aren't you afraid?" the tiny voice continued asking her.
"I'm playing the snow and..." Greta patted her knees and jacket to clear it off the snow as she standing. "Why would I be afraid? There isn't anything to be afraid of"
The girl giggled at the answer. The simple and small giggle was like the sound of bell chime.
"What are you doing here?" Greta asked the girl.
"I'm looking for a friend. Do you want to be my friend?" the girl approach Greta and anxiously waited for the answer.
"Sure!" Greta beaming a toothy smile. "Let's be friends!"
"Then, do you want to come to my house? We can play together." the girl asked as she extend her hand in invitation.
"Is it far?" Greta asked
"No. It just in Lapland. Do you want to come to my house?" she asked again.
"Urmm...okay" as Greta took hold of the extended hand she could feel a stinging cold invading her skin and with that she felt her knees trembling before she drop unto the ground.
Somewhere in Odaiba District
Natsuki looked at her watch for the tenth time this afternoon as she closed the book she had been reading. The coffee cup in front of her was already empty yet the person she's been waiting hadn't arrived. What's taking her so long? Natsuki sighed.
A loud yawn escaped from her lips, her mind was getting tired of waiting before signalling the rest of her body look up. Her emerald eyes caught the sight of her visitor walking towards in the distance, dressed in her afternoon dress with an unbutton beige overcoat. High knee length boot adorn her two sculpture leg as she walk elegantly.
"Sorry for making you wait so long. I had to finish up some errands in the office." Shizuru approach Natsuki who was now sitting in her chair with crossed arms. Her eyes caught a glimpse at the book in Natsuki's hand. The Snow Queen? Upon looking at Natsuki, she noted the same outfit again. That will be change in a few minutes… fufu...
When there was no reply from Natsuki, Shizuru knew she was sulking. "Don't be mad at me, please... look, why don't next time, I fetch you at your office or you can come to mine" Shizuru smiled apologetically.
Still, Natsuki didn't move an inch from her posture.
"Okay, how about I cook you dinner with a nice full mayonnaise topping?" Shizuru held Natsuki's shoulder and kissed her cheek that manage to make the younger woman blush.
"Promise?" the short answer from Natsuki.
"Yes, I'll cook your dinner tomorrow if you don't mind if I come to your house and use your kitchen" Shizuru replied, her eyes never leaving Natsuki s she took her seat.
"Okay, but...urm... well... I don't have anything in my fridge except for instant ramen and mayo" Natsuki turn her face not daring to look at Shizuru.
"A-ara?" Shizuru failed to hide the surprise in her tone at the blunette's predicament. Inhaling deeply, she didn't want to tease about it, but she will talk about it later. Now was not the time to tease, she has more important things to do. "Don't worry. We can buy the ingredients together today."
"Now, where do you want to go first, Shiz?" rising to her feet, Natsuki look ahead waiting for Shizuru's answer as she contemplates.
"Hm..." Shizuru placed a hand on her cheek in a thinking pose "How about Venus Fort?"
Venus Port, the 18th century South European style shopping mall located in the centre of the futuristic district of Odaiba. It houses over hundreds of shops; fashion boutiques, cafes and restaurants on three floors including a few outlets on the upper floor. To commemorate the spring season of Japan, the pianist and violinist play live Beethoven Violin Sonata No.5 Opus 24 Spring at the centre stage of the lobby. People enjoying the colourful sounds they produce and some stop in their tracks shortly for taking their break. While others sitting in the cafes wooden chairs while sipping tea and coffee.
In the midst of the soft slow and calm spring, here, Natsuki with her hands full of shopping bags was following Shizuru from one outlet to another one. Her legs already sore and sweat drenching her forehead.
"Ne, Shizuru... can we stop a little while? I need a break, please love." Natsuki pleaded, her hands on the brink of removing themselves form her and running away.
"Ara, just one more store then we can take a break." Shizuru smile and again shifted her attention towards her destination.
"Grrr... I hate shopping..." Natsuki grumbled. Looking at the shopping bags in her hands, she noted that most of the dresses that Shizuru bought are quiet unusual.
Not the type of dress that Shizuru would wear. Most of it are suits, button up shirts, long sleeves, turtle necks, t-shirts, trousers and neck ties. Neck ties? For her father?. Natsuki mused.
And the colours she chose are all different, but most of them are light colours like beige, light blue, white, light green for the shirts and trousers. For ties, she bought white, blue, purple and...pink. Pink color tie for her father? Shirai-san has such peculiar? Different? No..unique taste in tie's color.
Now where are we? Natsuki thought while scanning the surroundings around her. Unlike the stores before, this area sold yukata and kimonos.
"Natsuki, maybe you should put down all those bags and follow me" Shizuru instructed.
"Yare..yare.." Natsuki exhaled as the burden in her hands was finally gone and she could stretch her arms, too which a cracking sound could be heard.
"Come here" this time, Shizuru tugged her hand and pushed her inside the changing room.
"What..?" clueless, Natsuki tried to comprehend the situation.
"Here, put this on" shoving the clothes towards Natsuki, Shizuru left the change room and closed the curtain.
Still not knowing what's in her hands, Natsuki held the piece of clothes in front of her. Her eyes widen at what she saw. A yukata. A white Yukata with a yellow obi.
Okay...O...kay... Natsuki gulped a lump in her throat. She wants me to put this on...O..kay, Natsuki, calm down.
"Ermm...a..anoo, Shi..Shizuru." Natsuki called over the curtain. "How do I put this on?"
"Do you want me to help you?" Shizuru's tiny voice could be heard on the other side.
"Well..." Natsuki stared again at the clothes in front of her. "Do I need to strip off my clothes?"
At hearing the uncertain question, Shizuru chuckled lightly. "Ikezu Natsuki, of course you have to strip before you can put that on. Do you need my help?"
That confirmed her suspicions. She had to strip off and put this thing on, whatever this thing is. A moment of silence with the occasional sigh and growl, the sound of rustling could be heard from the other side of the changing room.
On the other side, Shizuru's cheeks were blushing deeply as wild images of Natsuki invaded her mind. She could hear her breath labouring, coughing into her hand as she tried to inhale deeply.
"Natsuki, are you sure you can handle that yourself?" her voice sounded deeper than she intended to be. Ara, I sound like a perverted old man.
"NO! It's okay, I can do this!" the reply came hastily.
After a few rustlings, growls and curses, the curtain opened and revealed Natsuki dressed in a white yukata. Not really a yukata for the matter as Natsuki wrapped the obi like a Karate belt and wearing the yukata like a bathroom robe.
"A..ara...ppffftttttt" Shizuru shielded her mouth with her hand to stop the incoming laughter.
"Okay, you can laugh, I understand" Natsuki looked away as her cheeks were blushing deeply like a tomato.
And laugh Shizuru did until she dropped to her knees. Wiping her remaining tears of joy, she stared lovingly at her girlfriend "Natsuki, you should let me help you with that."
"I know. I thought I remembered how to wear this. The last time I wore a yukata, mom did it for me." Natsuki stared down at her feet, feeling sadness creeping inside her heart when she pictured her mother's lovely face and remembering how soft her mother's voice that afternoon. The afternoon when she and her sister were going to Matsuri. The afternoon when her life changed forever.
Knowing the sad look like a beaten puppy on Natsuki's face, Shizuru approached her and embraced her in a tight hug. "Natsuki, I'm here for you. Come on, let's get something to drink"
"urmm...Shizuru..I need to get out of this cloth first..ehe" Natsuki smile sheepishly.
Shizuru lead the way to their exit and there she found the nearest cafe with a nice view of the stage.
"Natsuki, let's go to that cafe, shall we?" Shizuru pointed at the store. "There's an empty se..." turning her head Shizuru didn't find her company. "Ara...?" she was dumbfounded when she realized she had been talking to no one. Looking around, Shizuru's brows creased when she spotted someone's back that suspiciously looks like Natsuki. The all black suit. "But..." Shizuru glanced at the store's signboard as she was deep in thought. "It couldn't be Natsuki, ne?" Shizuru chuckled. But...that back, that height, that hair...
"Or...could it be...?" looking again at the store's entrance, Shizuru was debating with herself whether she should follow the unknown person who wore the same suit as Natsuki, looking suspiciously exactly like Natsuki.
Well, it can't be help. Better I look for Natsuki than standing alone here. It would be awkward.
Shizuru walked into the store as she began searching for the person, hoping she will find Natsuki nearby. But thinking about what this store sells, it is impossible.
"Hmmmm..." again, Shizuru found the identical person to Natsuki currently holding some item in front of her. Slowly, Shizuru approached the stranger as she was still unaware of the incoming stalker. Looking at the back of the stranger, Shizuru contemplated on whether she should continue stalking.
Ara, now I'm stalking a stranger who looks like Natsuki holding... "Ehemmm..." blushing, Shizuru coughed in her hand, feeling guilty.
As the person turned to the left to reach another item, Shizuru now could see the side of the person face clearly. Shizuru eyes widen and her mouth gaped.
It...It couldn't be...
Shizuru still not believe what she just saw.
But...
Closing her mouth to form a devilish smile, Shizuru walked slowly and silently towards her victim.
"Ara-ara, I never knew Nat-chan hassuch a fancy hobby..." Shizuru whispered softly and seductively to her victim's ear. The act caused her victim to jump immediately.
"Iiiaa!...Shi...shi...shi..." Natsuki stuttered.
"Fufu..." Shizuru eyed Natsuki suspiciously.
"This...this is not what its looks like...I mean...well..." deep blushes formed on Natsuki's face and a hand quickly hid the items behind her back.
"I didn't know Natsuki fancied such a...cute and fluffy bra" Shizuru approach Natsuki. The blush on her lover's face deepened with every step as if she might faint anytime soon.
"Errr...well... I... I..." Natsuki gulped down and averted her eyes, looking everywhere except Shizuru.
Bingo! Weakness number 3 - Bras and underwear enthusiast... or maybe... collector? so, which one, Natsuki...fufu.. Shizuru mused.
"You want to buy them for me, do you?" Shizuru ask.
At that question, there was no reply from Natsuki.
"Or.. You were going to buy them for yourself?" at the next question, Natsuki's eyes flinched.
Hmm...for herself.. I see.
"You're a collector?" Shizuru asked slowly with her seductive voice nearing her lips to Natsuki's ear.
The deep blush returned to her victim's face.
"Ma... Kawaiii... Don't worry Nat-chan. I'll keep your hobby a secret from the public. I won't tell anyone. It's just our little secret, ne?" Shizuru whispered.
Natsuki nodded slowly, her blush finally disappeared.
"So, how about I help you with the fitting?" smiling, Shizuru pick out one of the nearby bras to show to Natsuki.
"I.. In your dream!" Natsuki answered in a shriek as the blush returned.
-0-0-
Another week passed by as they shared their life as a couple. A recent article came out in the Otome Magazine again with their latest pictures around Odaiba Shopping District but this time, the pictures tell a thousand stories of love and joy between them. The wide smiles on the couple with each intimate interaction showed how much they were happy being with each other. Just as promise, the next day after shopping, Shizuru arrived at Natsuki's home which was located at the hills just to prepare some special dishes for her girlfriend. Her father didn't ask her to leave Natsuki, which meant a good sign that he also accepted Natsuki which made Shizuru glad. On occasions, Shizuru likes to spend more time with Natsuki, getting to know her better because it seemed there was more about this mysterious stranger than what she showed about herself to the public. Searching around the bookshelf in the Dragon Mansion, Shizuru hoped she can find any photo albums of Natsuki when the phone started ringing. After a few rings, a husky voice from the other room speaking in a foreign language; Chinese.
After putting another batches of new clothes they bought in Natsuki wardrobe, Shizuru remind Natsuki to make sure she wear them as Natsuki's cheek blushing when she raise the fluffy pink camisole in front of her. Sitting on the sofa with a book in her hand, Shizuru wait for Natsuki. They planned for another dinner at Lindem Baum again tonight.
"Shizuru..." came a husky voice from Natsuki. She sounded serious which didn't go unnoticed by Shizuru.
"What's wrong, Natsuki?" Shizuru put aside her novel and gestured Natsuki to sit beside her.
"Can I meet your father after tonight's dinner? It's something important" Natsuki sounded concern.
"May I know why?" Shizuru placed her hand on Natsuki to show her care.
"My father's illness has worsened. So, I'm thinking about going back home tomorrow instead of next week. I will inform Mai and Mikoto too tonight. That's why I need to discuss this with your father in case he wants to join the group. We will depart early morning with the family's private jet" Natsuki explained the situation, her voice trying hard to stay calm.
"I'm sorry to hear about your father. Let me call him to tell him we'll coming after dinner" Shizuru look at Natsuki's face to find any traces of sadness, but all she could see was serious and a frown. As she expected, a blank emotionless feel was written in her eyes.
Shizuru's heart clenched tightly. This person...