A/N: Its been so long after my previous update. Few weeks ago, while busy with my life, I don't know if I ever had a time for writing again. But while gazing at the vast plane Gobi Desert of Manchuria, taking out my pen and journal book, I start to write. At first, few words of my journey today but then remembering about my girlfriend I left behind, it goes to this story. Maybe, its because I want to escape from my reality and drown into this peaceful feeling. Even for a short moment is enough. Love makes we happy, yet sometimes, it can make we feel the loneliness. I feel lonely right now. Grasping that loneliness feeling, I carve it unto the story I wrote. Right now, I wish you're here with me, looking at this orange color sunset shadowing over this beautiful desert. I wish you're here right now, so I can tell you no matter where I am, you are my home.
Chapter 8
Graceful footsteps treaded ever so lightly across the stoned path as the young woman in a scarlet dyed kimono walked along the Zen Garden path toward a traditional main house which was decorated in a mixture of Chinese and Japanese art. But what stood out most was the wooden door that stood high above the tallest person's head, which bore the crest of dragon on both sides that was painted in luminous colours. The dragon on the left side shone in a metallic silver while its counterpart on the right was painted in gold. The dragons' jaws were open wide as their eyes were fixated on a glass orb at the centre of the door.
Shizuru stood at the entrance to the hall that spread far and wide. The hall was mostly empty to the point that she could count the people in it. She glanced at her father standing at the end of her left side, while Nao was standing opposite of him. There were others she did not recognize which she could only assume they had some relation to Natsuki or Nao. Maybe they were the Zhang family members who her father had told about; judging by it they had come to witness for their wedding.
But what stood out most to Shizuru was that Natsuki also not present in the crowd.
As if he understood her awkward and discomfort, her father walk towards her, look at her face with a soft smile and took her hand.
"Shizuru, Natsuki is waiting for you behind that curtain. Don't worry." Shirai motioned for the left side of the hall which was concealed behind a bamboo curtain.
With a clap from the butler, the monk start reading the mantra and Shizuru walked slowly towards the front to be witnessed by the guests on both sides of the aisle.
The mantra stopped as the monk gestured toward Nao.
Smiling, Nao turned and raised the curtain revealing the person behind it. Shizuru's eyes widened at the person now kneeling, while looking downward, like an obedient housewife, waiting for a hand to help her rise from her position.
Such a beautiful wife, Natsuki in a blue kimono, her face now fancied in a simple make-up yet defined her petite nose, her cute pouty red lips and her viridian green eyes. A small butterfly hairpin adorned her braided hair; next to them, a silver earring that glittered at each ear.
Shizuru had only known Natsuki to be wearing masculine outfits, but at the sight of such a person who could turn into a very cute and beautiful woman was beyond her imagination. Gulping down her saliva, Shizuru knew her father could hear the sound from her as he snickered.
The monk continued to chant the mantra and Natsuki rose from her kneeling position and taking a step towards her. When both women were now standing side by side, the monk motioned them to sit and the wedding ceremony began by exchange their vows, ring, and tea. They then greeted all the guests and presented a tea to every one of them as Nao introduced them to Shizuru.
...
"Natsuki-nee, no matter what they said, you are and will always be my onee-chan." Nao held Natsuki's hand in a firm grip as she shook their hand.
Shizuru sighed as she glanced back at Natsuki, now out of her cute kimono and back with her signature suit.
"And.. you will always be my little puppy, Nao..." Natsuki chuckled when Nao pouted at the snicker.
"Natsuki-nee, I guess, it's time I take this back..." Nao pointed at Natsuki's necktie.
"Wha..." Natsuki's eyes widened with shock as she stared long as if asking a question toward Nao. After a long silent moment, Natsuki sighed and smile. Looking down at the item, Natsuki caressed the silver pin before undoing her tie, her fingers clasping the material before releasing it into Nao's hands.
"Now, you're free." Nao smiled as she stared deeply into the green orbs.
Letting go of Natsuki's hand, Nao turned to look straight at Shizuru, "Woman, you should take good care of my Natsuki-nee, hear me!"
"Nao..." Natsuki scolded gently, afraid that Shizuru would be feeling annoyed at Nao's rudeness.
"It's alright, Natsuki." Shizuru rested her hand against Natsuki's shoulder to calm her. "Yes, I will take good care of my wife, so Sister-in-law shouldn't have to worry of her onee-chan" Shizuru smiled sweetly, but the smile somewhat gave a chill to Nao before she quickly hid behind Natsuki and growled.
"You...you...snake...don't you try to rape my nee-chan, you hear me!" Nao hissed behind Natsuki's shoulder.
"Ara..whatever does Nao-chan mean? Fufu.." despite her usual façade smile, there was a strange darkness behind Shizuru's smile.
"Ermm...Shiz, you're kinda creeping me out..." Natsuki stated, feeling a large amount of sweat running from her neck.
"Ma..ma, anata...should we go now?" looking to her partner, Natsuki nodded in agreement as she took Shizuru's hand, accompanying her to the jet.
"Yeah... Nao, I'll see you again when you're back in Japan." Natsuki softly patted her sister's head. This action caused Nao to cross her arms with a smug smile on her face.
"Yeah, if I feel in the mood. Be careful, Natsuki-nee. Your wife might rip your pajama tonight, and eat you up, lick you down and rape you again...and aga..."
"Stop it, Nao!" now Natsuki's face by now was already turning deep red as her eyes flinch.
"Gyahahahaha...bye...see ya later, nee-chan!" Nao waved her goodbye.
XXXXXX
The white morning rays shined through the transparent windows, giving a serene view of a spacious yet simple office that belonged to a young manager, now currently staring blankly outside at the world around them. It was peaceful at times like this to be able to just sit and watch, idealizing the goings of life. The bustling sound of a busy street outside muffled by the thick windows that seemed so far away from the 60th level floor she reside.
Her trance was broken as she almost jumped from her seat at the phone on her desk ringing and she quickly pressed the receive button.
"Yes..." she simply answered.
"Sir, Fujino-san is here to meet you." a small voice from her secretary announced on the other line.
"Let her in." Natsuki commanded, releasing her finger away to close the communication.
The door opened wide as a gorgeous woman came in clad in formal grey office attire. The knee length skirt showed her beautiful long legs and the curve of her hip.
"Nat-chan..."
"Ehem..." Natsuki coughed unto her hand, trying to be formal.
"Fufu...you're cute."
"Don't call me that." came a muffled voice from behind a hand.
"Call you what?" putting her finger on her cheek in a thinking pose, Shizuru looked at Natsuki teasingly as she wait for a red tomato face to come.
"That...I mean, what you called me just now" Natsuki's brow flinched.
"Ara? What did I call you just now? I wonder...hmmm..." Shizuru's hand comes up as she form a thinking pose with her finger.
"Don't act like you forgot" now Natsuki point her finger toward the brunette accusingly.
"Ma..Nat-chaaannn... I..." Shizuru's grin widened at her wife's reaction.
"THAT!" with her brow furrow, Natsuki form a sarcastic smile showing her fang.. "I am not a child to be called by that"
"But you're my wife. I can call whatever I like for my wife." Shizuru still in her playful mood.
"Urghhhh... I am your wife, not a puppy. So call me Natsuki."
"Puppy? Ara..." a teasing smile came across Shizuru's face. "Speaking of puppy. You are as cu-"
"STOP! Just stop right there and no further than that!" Natsuki glared at Shizuru with a fire in her eyes.
"Fufu...okay, my wife Nat-su-ki" Shizuru chanted playfully. She was happy for having a cute wife in front of her, the teasing and small playful moments like they always do every day felt like nothing had changed after their marriage.
Ah.. Now reminding her of why she came here in the first place early in the morning; marriage matters.
"Natsuki." Shizuru was now taking a seat across from Natsuki as she quickly changed attire of attitude.
"Nani?" Natsuki simply replied in her gentle tone as she start opening the file on her desk and scan through the document.
The sound she always love about Natsuki. Behind those tough and indifferent images that Natsuki shows to the world, the truth is she is a very kind and gentle person. Even her father didn't know about it. Very few have met this gentle and kind Natsuki. The Natsuki that only belongs to her, the Natsuki her father met is the professional corporate woman with a strong resolve and a calculated strategist. The face Natsuki shows to public is an unapproachable, mysterious corporate leader with a few words and a serious face.
My my.. I wonder how many masks Natsuki has and which one is the real her? Is the Natsuki in front of me is the real one? Or is this another one of her masks?
"About what we talked yesterday, are you really okay with it?" Shizuru began.
"Yeah... I'm okay. Don't worry too much about me." Natsuki glanced briefly at Shizuru before she returned to the document in front of her and put her signature unto it.
"But..." Shizuru still have her doubt.
"Shiz, really...I'm okay with it. Furthermore, I think it makes sense for doing so. We live as we were until we make our marriage officially public. It's also not a good time to suddenly just announce that we were married. I can't imagine how hectic the media will be, especially the tabloid magazines."
"I don't mind about it, as long as you are happy, Natsuki." Shizuru smile lovingly toward her wife. Her hand comes up to caress Natsuki's cheek.
Knowing the worries in Shizuru, Natsuki avert her attention from the sheet she read and look straight into the red orbs "I am happy, and think about your father. Think about the company's reputation. We were always a rival and arch-enemy. That's how we rose above the Japan's market, the rivalry. What would happen if the enemy suddenly announce that they are not enemies anymore? What's more, the company will form a mutual tie by marriage. I can imagine what the Otome Magazine headline will be like."
"Natsuki...our relationship is not a secret anymore. The magazine has had our picture on their front page before, if you do remember." Shizuru eyes show sadness.
"Yeah... but that's different from marriage... and I want to honour your father's wish. I am married to her daughter, and I'm grateful that he takes me into the Fujino family. But until we announce our marriage officially, it's best if we live separately for now." Natsuki's hand comes up to join on Shizurus'.
"But...I'm going to miss you. We haven't even had our honeymoon. Not even our first night together. Its sucks" now her brunette wife pouting.
Natsuki chuckled at Shizuru's strange choice of word. "Haha.. patience my love, it will come. You are worrying too much about this. Let just focus on moving forward from now on. Give it time; we both need some cooling time. Too much of anything is not good."
Shizuru sigh. There goes my first fiery, hot, lusty night. I wish I can hug her, kiss her, make love to her...lick her slowly, hearing her sigh, moaning and saying my name over and over again from those small sweet tasty lips as I...
"Shizuru? You there?"
Shizuru blinked her eyes at the hand waving in front of her.
"You okay? Your face looks red; maybe you should have a rest. I know it can be tiresome for having to work immediately after a long flight from China" Natsuki's green pupils show worries.
"A...ara" touching her cheek she could feel the heat arising from her face high above from normal.
"What were you saying just now? Sorry, I was thinking about something else" Shizuru blinks twice and averting her gaze.
Natsuki was now looking at her attentively "Are you okay. I think you might've caught a cold or a fever. Your face is red and..." she leaned across the table as she rested her hand against the older woman's forehead. "Your forehead is burning up"
"I...I'm fine. Don't worry...and what were you said before?"Shizur can sense her smile crooked.
After a short pause, Natsuki sighed "I was saying, I'll be coming to your house tonight for dinner. Your father had said that maybe we should start discussing about the company's merging process. So... err... um... be patient, okay?"
'It's hard to not fall in love with this cute girl' Crimson orbs now looking at the girl across her. Green veridian eyes stared down at the desk as a pink hue colouring her white porcelain cheek as she said her last word faintly, yet, Shizuru can hear her clearly. The pounding in her chest is no doubt that she was already falling crazily in love with this woman. There's no way she can decline those requests, can she?
"Yes, my dear. Whatever you want; I will be patience, not just today or tomorrow. Even if it takes me an eternity, for you I will." Shizuru lick her lips for she feel it dried.
Hearing Shizuru say those cheesy lines, her wife become more flustered and decided to turn towards the window hiding her blushing face from Shizuru's prying eyes.
A knock on the door disturbed their private moment as it caught the attention from both women.
It's unusual for her secretary to knock on her door unless it's a very urgent and important matter.
"Yes?" Natsuki's husky voice answer loudly.
The door opened not by her secretary but by two women dressed in police uniform as they entered her office.
"Hello...I presume, you are Natsuki Kruger Zhang-san?" an officer in a brown uniform approached her and extend her hand for a shake.
Taking the hand, Natsuki acknowledged the name tag on the officer in uniform "Yes. I am. How may I help you, officer... Haruka?"
"Urm...before that, can we take a seat first? This might take some time." the other officer with the name tag Yukino had answered her instead of Haruka.
"Ah.. pardon for my rudeness. Please.." Natsuki motioned for a sofa area in her office. Shizuru silently followed behind Natsuki; worrying about what could it be for the police to come to Natsuki.
"Would you like a coffee or tea? I hope you don't mind if.." Natsuki turned her head towards Shizuru and smiled softly to comfort her "..if Fujino-san here joined us too?"
The officers look at each other for a moment until the bespectacled; Yukino nodded "If you didn't mind Fujino-san knowing about your private matter, then it's alright...and we would like a coffee, please."
After calling for her secretary on the intercom for the order, Natsuki took her seat next to Shizuru before she began "Now. Is there anything I can help you with, officer?"
Yukino, tilted her glasses up on her nose bridge before she inhaled deeply. "Zhang-san. We believe you are in danger."
As the words reached Shizuru ears, her heart stopped a moment, that she wanted to clutch it in her hand.
"What do you mean she's in danger?" it was Shizuru who asked. Haruka now shift her eyes to look directly at Shizuru but didn't make any attempt to answer her.
"Can you please explain, officer Yukino-san?" now it was Natsuki's turn of asking them.
"We were investigating a homicide case involving a triad's assassin, and from our investigation, we found that the assassin is now targeting you."
"How do you know they are targeting me? Why?" Natsuki voice clearly show her worries.
"We don't know their motives. Up until now, we don't have any clues for their motives, but this assassin has been killing off various corporate figures, politicians, bureaucrats, even figure heads from overseas" Yukino explained.
Natsuki grip her fist as it suddenly start to tremble "If I'm not mistaken, and I do hope I'm mistaking, are you referring to the Shang?"
"The Shang?" now Haruka turned her questioning eyes toward Natsuki.
Now that Haruka had open her mouth again, Natsuki look at Haruka and swallow hard "I don't know what your people call them, but the Shang is the most silent and vicious assassin. They're pretty famous in China. I heard they had many Interpol cases involving those peoples"
"Yes, we also called them the Shang" the reply did not coming from Haruka, neither Yukino. They were unaware there was another person now standing in front of the closed door until she answered the question for them.
"I am Leutenant Ahn Lu of the Interpol Police Department." Ahn introduced herself as she took her seat in front of Shizuru. "The Shang, the twin dragons; Musashi, Skolde...they have many names. But all have the same signature, the cards they left behind. Zhang-san, do you know Mr Kei Kosuke?"
"Yes, he's my accountant. But he's not here today. He's been absent for a week." Natsuki turn toward the new incomer.
"Well, that's because he's already dead" Ahn stated indifferently.
Shizuru gasped loudly while Natsuki was just staring wide eyes, shocked at the news "Ka...kami-sama..."
"Ah...No, he was killed...and a card was left behind. A dragon with blue orb. Zhang-san, do you by any chance have any contact with any Triad group?" Ahn blue eyes turn into a slit.
"No. My family has always avoided any relationship, be it bad or good with the triad. We come clean into the industries. I cannot deny at first we have had many problems related to that, but we already settled the matter by giving them few shares of the companies for their protection, so it's kind of troublesome if they tried to harm the company's people because it can also effecting their income. Also, we're not taking any side of the Triad. And to us, I mean..errmm..to the Chinese, dragon are a symbols of the heaven's protection. My family also hold the symbol of a dragon, that is the gold and silver orb. But, a blue orb? I've never heard any family with the blue orb." now the coffee table in front of her seems more interesting to Natsuki.
"A gold and silver dragon orbs, desu ka..." Ahn click her tongue "hmm...so, how about recently? Did your family had any conflict with the Triad?"
"Recently?" trying to recall recent event, Natsuki furrow her brow, hand come up in a thinking pose "I don't recall any problems regarding any Triad. The last time I met them was during my father's funeral and they seemed fine with me."
"How about your accountant, Mr Kosuke?" now Ahn taking her pen and notebook out and write something on them.
"I don't know anything about his personal life outside the office. He seems like a good and honest employee. I don't believe he's making a problem with a Triad, cause, you know, he's a secluded type of person buried in his work all the time" Natsuki explain picturing her accountant face.
"Zhang-san. Do you have any enemies?" Haruka interrupted.
"Enemies?" Natsuki chuckled. "In this industry, I have lots of enemies. One of them is here" Natsuki pointed at the woman next to her, now looking at her incredulously.
Three sets of eyes were now looking at Shizuru.
"Fujino-san?" Haruka look incredulously as if she didn't believe the answer.
"Ara..yes?" Shizuru blushes as she now became an attention.
"Do you have any intention of harming Zhang-san here?" Ahn ask with suspicious in her voices.
"NO! Never! Why would I want to harm my wife!?" it was too late for Natsuki to close Shizuru's mouth with her hand.
"..." there was silence in the room. Shizuru could feel a cold temperature from beside her. Is it from Natsuki?
Haruka was clearing her ears with her pinky finger before she continued. "I thought I heard Fujino saying that Zhang-san is her wife. Did you hear that too Yukino?"
"Haru-chan, you are not mistaken. I heard it too"
"Me too~" Ahn said in singsong.
"So...are you saying that you two are already married?" Haruka asked calmly.
Shizuru turned to look at Natsuki, who was now crossing her hand on her chest and frowning.
"Yes" slowly Shizuru replied.
"Bullshit! Since when were you two married? Don't tell me lies, woman! This is a serious investigation" Haruka was now standing while pointing an accusing finger at Shizuru as her temper was already at her limits.
"It's true, officer Haruka. We are married" Natsuki joining Haruka standing up and motion for Haruka to calm down.
"There's no word about it. What? Are you married cowboy style? A shotgun marriage? Ohhh..oh.. and you're already pregnant...yeah right!" Haruka stare fiercely at the manager who then turn her head away and blush deeply at the accusation.
"Talk to me, Zhang-san. You're not going to lie too like this woman here.. this... this..." Haruka hissed as Shizuru took a cup in front of her and drank the green tea calmly after announcing such ridiculous news. "...Thissssss bubuzuke!" pressing more the last word to show her irritation.
Yukino imagined a huge tear drop slided down the back of her head as she stared at Haruka with worrying eyes. Haru-chan always has a new nickname for whoever she gets annoyed with. Poor Fujino...
"Ara?" Shizuru was surprised at the nickname Haruka had choosen for her.
Now that's the infamous Captain Haruka I've heard about. So the rumors are true. Interesting…
"Ehem...Officer...Please calm down and take a seat." Ahn said calmly while she take the cup in front of Haruka and drank it.
"Hummffff" Haruka cross her arms and sit silently with an annoyed face.
Relieving at the change of the situation, Natsuki too taking her seat and takes her wife's hand into hers "I'm sorry this is sudden, but we... me and Shizuru were married yesterday. We decided to make it a secret from public until the right moment comes."
"That makes you Bubuzuke's pu-"
"Haruka" Yukino hushed her superior before any more rude words or spontaneous nicknames came out. Natsuki's brow rose at the sudden interruption from Yukino that manage to stop Haruka.
"Pardon for my captain's rudeness. That makes our investigation more complicated because we need to include Fujino into the calculation too. This will take a while. My advice for now, Zhang-san..err...Fujino-san...err...Fujino Zhang..." Yukino sweat drop at the end of her sentence.
Understanding the troubled Yukino, Natsuki decided to pointing her preference "Natsuki, just called me Natsuki. I haven't changed my family name yet."
"Ahh so..." Yukino smile "So it's Natsuki who entered the family. Natsuki, my advice for you is to take a few officers for your guard until we see it is safe. We cannot provide an officer for you without your consent. That also goes for Fujino-san here."
"Can't we hire a bodyguard?" Shizuru suggested.
After contemplating, Yukino turn toward Shizuru "I doubt about it. We still don't have any clue as to who the assassin is and there might be a possibility that the assassin can be pretending to be your bodyguard. Therefore, we will introduce you to our officers and they will guard you 24/7. Haruka and I will also sometimes join in. Do not worry; we will not make it obvious because we will only follow your behind in stealth."
"Well, officer Yukino, Officer Haruka, I will accept your offer. It's for my own safety, right?" Natsuki agreed knowing she didn't really have any other options at this point for this matter.
"Very well. We take our leave for now, and we will see you again this afternoon with the officers." Yukino first rise to her feet and bow "Thank you." Haruka follow suit without any care. Still not satisfied being lose to the two corporate woman in argument.
Before they left, Haruka stopped in her tracks as she turned her stare at Shizuru. "Hey, Bubuzuke... how's your relationship with the maniac Marguerite?"
Shizuru brow raise at the mention of the name "Ara.. now that you mention about it. I think we have a little problem...since..."
Shizuru glanced briefly at Natsuki before she continued. "... I rejected their daughter when she came to me"
"I see... and you, Natsuki-san?" the stare now turn toward the bluenette.
"They are my enemies too, but recently they've been quiet and their strategies have become less aggressive. I bet they're struggling with any new ideas to offer"
"Thank you for your cooperation." Haruka wave her hand lazily as she left the office closing the door behind her.