Sorry for the late chapter. My family and I had a last minute trip to go to. I wasn't allowed to bring my laptop so I couldn't update until I got back. But anyways, I hope everyone had a good Christmas. The holidays are never stress free but, I hope you all had fun with your relatives and friends.
To my guest reviewers: Thanks for reviewing! And to those who favorite: thank you!
While we're talking about the subject of reviews, I would just like to say thank you. We finally passed the review count of my old story: A Strange Relationship. I think that this story is going to be a whole lot better than my first. I wrote ASR a while back, when I was still trying to absorb and force my mind to come up with a story. That wasn't such a good idea. A story can't be forced to form. You have to wait for it to come to you. Well anyways, not my best work, but I won't give up on it. I'm planning on rebuilding it. The story's going to maintain its original plot line, but I'll replace some things and correct some errors. I hope you all would enjoy it when I'm done with its reconstruction.
So without further ado, I present chapter six of When You Least Expect It.
Disclaimer: I do not own Mai HiME. And I never will.
The emotional roller coaster that Natsuki and Shizuru had taken a ride on finally stopped late into the day. The aftermath of it all was calm, nothing like what you'd expect. After all the crying and hugging, the duo just didn't have the energy to do anything. So the two just settled themselves on the couch with Shizuru leaning against the arm rest and a weary Natsuki on her lap.
"Shiz.." purred Natsuki as she stared up into the crimson eyes looking down at her. The brunette's fingers were currently running themselves softly through dark tresses causing the younger woman to feel relaxed. "Can we get something to eat?"
"Of course, Natsuki. I believe it is time for dinner anyways." replied Shizuru, giving one last stroke of her companions soft locks. Sitting the dark haired woman up, the twenty year old proceeded to stand. She walked towards the kitchen with a hungry Natsuki in tow.
The two settled for a small dinner. Natsuki couldn't stomach much at the moment and Shizuru just didn't feel hungry. It was quiet. But this time, it wasn't Yoshi-oji's fault. It was Natsuki's unpleasant past. For each other's sake, their emotional episode on the couch was never to be spoken about again.
"What time is Natsuki leaving?" Shizuru asked her companion as crimson eyes stared across the table. She knew she had to bring it up sooner or later. The younger woman couldn't afford to miss any more classes and it was selfish of her to hold Natsuki back.
Natsuki looked up from her dinner with a confused look, noodles hanging from her mouth. Even if she didn't want to eat, she needed the energy in order to keep herself functioning. "Mmmhhmpp?" she mumbled spraying bits of noodles onto the table.
Shizuru giggled before placing a smile onto her beautiful face. Even after all of the drama that occured that day, Natsuki was still Natsuki. Shizuru wouldn't have it any other way. "Natsuki shouldn't talk with her mouth full. It is considered to be very rude."
The younger woman responded by rolling her eyes in aggrevation. Swallowing, Natsuki gave her reply. "I said, 'could you repeat your question?' I didn't hear you the first time."
"What time is Natsuki leaving?" Shizuru repeated as she set down her utensils to give the other woman her full attention.
Natsuki turned her head to the side in a cute manner. She still had no idea what the older woman was talking about. "Leaving for what?"
"For your university. Or did Natsuki change her mind and decided to stay and live here with me?" Teased Shizuru taking a drink out of her tea. Inhaling its addicting scent, the brunette couldn't help but let a content sigh escape her lips. A sigh made possible by warming up to the idea of being left alone. Now Shizuru knew that no one was going to be with her physically. But she also knew that Natsuki would be there for her if she was needed.
"Oh yea.. I forgot all about that." replied Natsuki blushing as she finishing the rest of her food. Truth be told, Natsuki didn't want to go. I mean, who ever heard of someone actually enjoying going to school? It's absolutely ridiculous. Plus, she was still hesitant on leaving her emotionally unstable friend by herself. Setting her chopsticks down, the younger woman took a long drink of the water that Shizuru had set for her earlier. There had to be a way to benefit both situations.. Maybe.. Natsuki's mind began to go into overdrive to find a way that would help their problem.
Crimson eyes looked at the other woman with mirth. She didn't seem to notice her friend's thoughtful mood. "Natsuki forgot about her education? Tsk tsk. That's no good."
The younger woman snapped from her thoughts and glared at the person seated across the table. "Hey, nobody should look forward to going to school."
Shizuru gave a laugh before standing up. Grabbing their empty plates, the older woman gracefully moved towards the kitchen sink. Running the bits of food left on the plates, Shizuru grabbed a sponge and began to wash the plates accordingly.
Natsuki followed Shizuru's example. She stood from her chair and moved towards the sink. But instead of washing the plates, she grabbed the wet dishes and proceed to dry them. Afterwards, she set them towards the side for Shizuru to put them where they rightfully belonged.
The two did their tasks quietly. Only the sound of dishware being set onto the counter filled the room. Such a domestic sight would cause a ruckus with Natsuki's group of friends if they ever found out. Because, after all, Natsuki was not the type to was or dry the dishes. So the sight itself was absolutely shocking to anyone who's ever interacted with the dark haired beauty.
Shizuru dried her hands with the hand towel that the younger woman handed. Handing it back with a smile, Shizuru moved past Natsuki and towards the sparkling dishes that she had washed. Moving around the kitchen, the crimson eyed woman began to place the plates and the other dishware where they needed to be. Natsuki watched her friend finish before opening her mouth.
"In an hour."
Shizuru hummed in question as she faced the woman leaning against the table.
Natsuki sighed as she pushed heself from the table. Trekking towards the taller woman, emerald eyes stared up slightly to crimson. "I've got to leave in an hour."
The older woman nodded, still saddened about her friend's departure. Even if she was getting used to the idea of being by herself, it did not mean that she had to like it. "I see. Did Natsuki already pack for her trip back home?"
The younger woman shook her head causing crimson eyes to look at her in confusion. Natsuki answered her friend's silent question. "Nope. You can't get rid of me that easily, Shizuru."
Shizuru blinked once again wondering what was going on in her love's mind. "Ara?"
Natsuki smirked and revealed an answer to solve both their situations." I'm not packing cause I'm not really leaving. I mean, I am, but not for long. I'm thinking about coming back every two weeks to check up on you."
The older woman smiled at the dark haired woman's consideration for her. And although Natsuki coming back to check on her sounded like a dream come true, Shizuru did not want to be a burden to the younger woman. "That is very sweet of Natsuki, but I assure you that I am perfectly fine." Shizuru hated lying through her teeth, but that was the only way for Natsuki to leave her be.
Shizuru watched her companion shake her head again. Natsuki's nuetral face turned serious. "No you're not. Shizuru, I know that I haven't exactly been here for you for the past couple years, but even I know that you're not okay. You smile and say that you're fine, but I can see it. There's a loneliness in your eyes that doesn't fit you." Natsuki stopped to think before speaking again. "You're not a burden, Shizuru.. I like spending time with you.."
As those last words slipped through the dark haired woman's lips, Shizuru couldn't help but choke back a sob. Natsuki didn't see her as a burden? Even after all the emotional crap that the two had gone through with each other? And the other woman wanted to spend time with her? So she had a chance! Their somber situation gave a 360 degree turn at what Natsuki proposed. Shizuru could not be any happier!
Natsuki smiled as she watched as the other woman's face morphed from a kicked puppy to a puppy that was handed the most delicious treat. Their perdicament wasn't easy to solve, but she knew she made the right conclusion. She would go to her classes every week and still get to see her companion every two weeks. This was the perfect solution to fix her education problem.
Shizuru shook her frozen friend back into reality as Natsuki seemed dazed. "Natsuki, are you alright? Is something wrong?" She hadn't noticed it at first, considering she was also in her own little world, but when she asked the younger woman a question and receiving no answer in response, the brunette grew worried.
Natsuki smiled and scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "I'm fine. Just thinking of something.."
Crimson continued to stare worriedly before turning mischievous. "Is Natsuki thinking back to when I was getting dressed? Fufufu Natsuki's ecchi!"
Natsuki groaned before blushing. She should've seen that coming. "Mou, Shizuru, stop with the teasing!"
"Ara, not possible my Natsuki. Your red face is what I live for." replied Shizuru before she could stop her face. My Natsuki? Ara.. that feels right..
Natsuki blinked. Her Natsuki? When did I become her Natsuki?... And why does it sound so good coming out of her mouth?
Natsuki chose to ignore the form of possession for another time. Right now, she had things to finish preparing for. "Ne, Shizuru. I didn't officially ask, but can I stay at your place every two weeks?" The blunette gave her best puppy face to the crimson eyed beauty.
Shizuru never planned on denying the younger woman, but even if she did, it was impossible. Natsuki's puppy dog face couldn't be denied. "Of course. I'll fix up the guest room for Natsuki to stay in."
The nineteen year shook her head. "It's fine. It'll take some money to fix the AC in there. Money that you should be saving up for you. I'll sleep on the couch."
The brunette laughed. "It's alright, Natsuki. My father owned a large company. I have the money to fix it."
"Save it. I'll be sleeping on the couch and that's final." Natsuki's serious voice gave no room for argument and Shizuru dropped it. There was no going up against her stubborn friend. Natsuki smirked in triupmh.
The two finished their business in the kitchen and left. They broke off in the living room with Natsuki heading up to the guest room where her riding leather was. Grabbing her helmet on the way out, the blunette couldn't help but smile at the room she would be occupying in two weeks.
Running down the stairs, Natsuki was greeted by a smiling Shizuru.
"Are you prepared, Natsuki? Do you have everything you need?" asked Shizuru opening the front door.
Natsuki nodded. "Yup, I've got everything I need." Except you..
"That is good to here." Shizuru followed the blunette to her bike. Standing off to the side, crimson eyes watched as her companion's dark mane was covered by Natsuki's helmet. Expecting the younger woman to get on her bike, Shizuru was unprepared for the hug that Natsuki delivered.
"I'll see in two weeks, Shizuru!" Natsuki yelled through her tinted helmet. "And I'll make sure to wear formal clothes to your father's will reading!" And before Shizuru could reply, Natsuki slid on her bike, started it, and drove out of the driveway.
Shizuru laughed at her friend's actions. Waving to the retreating figure, the older woman knew that everything has changed.
I know this is short, but I hope you all enjoyed it. I did. It's a lot more fun writing a light chapter, than a depressing one.
I don't have much to say so I'll make this short. Natsuki's finally feeling the effects of falling in love. Just not to a extent. Shizuru already loves Natsuki. She fell in love with the young Natsuki, but she's learning to accept the older Natsuki too. It's just a matter of time before they get together! Yay!
Have a good day and a New Year!