Their First Date

By DrummondType2

Note: This story takes place shortly after the final episode of Mai-HiME.

"Shizuru, are you free tomorrow night?" Natsuki asked her as they left Mai's karaoke party.

Shizuru looked thoughtful, "Well, my classes at Fuuka University don't start for another week. I should be free. Is my darling Natsuki trying to ask me out on a date?"

In the past, the question and tone of voice Shizuru was using would have elicited a sudden scarlet flush in Natsuki's face. This time, however, it prompted a small smile on Natsuki's face, and only a mild tinge in her cheeks.

"I guess I am," Natsuki flashed a confident smile at Shizuru.

Shizuru actually halted in her steps, her own cheeks turning red, "Ara, but that was sooner than expected."

Natsuki gave a snort, grinning, "Come on, you know me. Once I set my mind on something, I commit. I told you the other day, I think I really do feel the way you feel, and I want to give us a try. And that means dates and stuff, right?"

Shizuru found herself smiling broadly, "Well, I would be acting against my own interests if I were to say 'no'. But I thought I would have to be the one to…"

Natsuki crossed her arms and shook her head, "No way, Shizuru. Sure, there are times when you can ask me out, but I definitely wanted to be the one to ask you out this time. I mean….I need to show you that I'm serious about this, right? So I have to be the one to ask you out, at least for the first time."

"Then I shall be waiting with girlish glee," Shizuru beamed. Then her face became serious for a moment, "But Natsuki? I'm happy that you even asked. Whatever you decide to do, I'll be happy. So please, don't overdo it."

"I'll pick you up at five," Natsuki smiled,

"But let me see you home."

Shizuru chuckled, "Natsuki, we live in the same dorm building."

"Which means that it's all the easier to see you home," Natsuki pointed out reasonably, offering her arm. Shizuru intertwined her own arm, and the two continued walking together.

"I suppose I actually have to thank Yuuki-han for the devastation she wreaked on your former apartment."

"The apartment owners would like to know who to thank for that, too," Natsuki smirked, "But Mai made me swear I wouldn't divulge that information."

"Tokiha-han's adherence to noble ideals and fair play is admirable," Shizuru sighed, "In a frustrating sort of way."

Natsuki gave a chuckle, "Yeah, but she won the Festival, for all of us, so she got to set the terms. And I got to come back and try actually living my life, this time."

They entered the dorm building, "My floor is above yours, Natsuki. I can see you to your room, and then go to my own room safely."

Natsuki was about to protest that she'd already volunteered to take Shizuru home, when a deep yawn escaped her lips, "I guess I'm too tired to disagree. I'll see you tomorrow night, Shizu…"

The door opened, and Mai and Mikoto stared out at them, "Oh! Natsuki! Kaichou!"

"'Shizuru' is fine," the elder girl said with a smile, "'Fujino' if you insist. But I've graduated, and I am no longer the Kaichou. That title will likely belong to Kikuchi-han, next."

"Won't you come in?" Mai said, "I'm sure Natsuki wouldn't mind your company. Or…"

Mai blushed, pressing her forefingers together, "Were you heading up to your room, together?"

"Ara, ara," Shizuru smiled, "Am I really seen as so forward?"

A sudden silence fell in the hall, dark memories of a dark night flickering though Shizuru's mind, until Natsuki spoke, "I think Mai is just wondering, in her own way, how far we've come since we agreed to go out together."

Natsuki leaned over and kissed Shizuru's cheek, "I'll see you tomorrow, Shizuru. Sleep well."

"You, too, Natsuki. Or perhaps we shall see one another in our dreams."

After Shizuru left, Natsuki closed the door of the dorm room behind her.

"I'm sorry," Mai slumped, "I didn't mean to make her feel bad. I didn't realize…"

Natsuki shook her head, "Shizuru and I have been talking about that night. It…wasn't as bad as Kikukawa made it out to be, but…well, she still feels that it is. I'm working on it with her. But right now I need some sleep. It's going to be a busy day, tomorrow."

"A busy day?"

"I asked Shizuru out," Natsuki said, before realizing exactly what she'd said, and who she'd said it to. There was a squeal behind her like a tea kettle reaching a boil.

"Natsuki! You're going on a date?!"

"I'm actually going to bed," Natsuki groaned.

"Yeah, I bet you are," Mai smirked.

Natsuki's face flushed a deep scarlet. Shizuru would have been sad to miss it, if she'd known, "Not like that!"

Natsuki threw herself into her bed with a huff, drawing a blanket over herself.

~~

Morning dawned, and the first rays of the morning sun insisted in stabbing into Natsuki's eyes. She tried to roll over and ignore it, but found Mikoto crouched on the floor in the space between the beds, staring at her with quiet intensity.

"That's not what I wanted to see, first thing in the morning," Natsuki muttered.

She forced herself to sit up, blinking until her vision cleared.

"Breakfast is ready," Mai called cheerfully. Natsuki trudged to the table and knelt down.

"Thanks for the food," She muttered.

"Y'know, if you're going to be dating Shizuru, you might want to learn how to cook better," Mai pointed out to her, as she also sat at the table, "Unless your plan is to win her over with instant ramen and take out burgers."

"I'd rather have Mai's ramen," Mikoto opined.

"Mai, I know you're trying to help, but please don't."

"Huh?"

"You're going to tell me that I've never been on a date with anyone, before, that Shizuru and I are very different people and I have to take her interests into account when I plan the date. You're going to remind me that I have to put my best foot forward and…"

Mai smiled and shook her head, "I'm going to disagree with you on that last one."

"Oh?"

"You were right on everything until that last point. Listen, Natsuki, when people go out on dates, usually they DO want to put their best foot forward. But Shizuru's already seen you at your worst. And more importantly, you've seen her at hers. You don't have to put your best foot forward, 'cause you've both seen how bad it can get, and you're still willing to go out with each other. So, I think you can take a lot of pressure off and, to sound a bit cliched, just be yourselves. Yeah?"

Natsuki stared at Mai, wide-eyed, for a moment, then beamed, "Yeah, I guess you're right. Okay, I guess there are a few things you can still teach me, Mai."

"I'm well versed in matters of the heart," Mai gave off an aura of supreme confidence.

"Except when it comes to settling on boyfriends?" Natsuki couldn't resist ribbing her friend.

"Hey, I've clearly chosen Yuuichi, and other people will just have to get over that fact."

"Other people meaning Shiho? Or Reito?" Natsuki grinned, and then went in for the kill, "Or do you mean Takumi?"

"If you're going to play mean, I'm going to let Mikoto eat your share," Mai cautioned.

"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I've got to head out and set up some stuff. Here," she produced a ¥5,000 note, "you and Mikoto can have some fun at the arcade. On me."

"Natsuki, isn't that…"

"It's fine. I'm still getting money from my dad, and since I'm not spending it on informants and my apartment anymore, I'm flush. Think of it as me paying for my share of the food. Anyway, I'm heading out. Don't know when I'll be back."

Natsuki made her way to her motorcycle. She'd had to get special permission to park it on campus. Leaving it in the woods was one thing when it was just during classes. But now that she was sharing a dorm with Mai, she had to work it out to have a safe place to keep it. Naturally, Haruka was opposed to the idea, but Fumi had overruled her.

Natsuki's current problem was planning an ideal date. Shizuru had said she'd be happy with anything, and Natsuki was sure Shizuru had said that to take the pressure off of her, but in some ways it only made Natsuki feel all the more determined to make sure the date was extraordinary.

And she'd never been on a date before.

Her drive stopped at a particular sea cliff.

"So…Mom," she spoke into the air, staring out at the sea, "It turns out that when you spend the bulk of your formative years investigating and opposing sinister organizations…you don't tend to develop your social skills very well. I'm nearly eighteen, and I've never been on a date before. And I've had a grand total of three kisses in my life, and I was only awake for one of them. It's…well, it's kinda messed up. But, we're working it out.

"Anyway, thing is, I have no idea what to do to be romantic. And I can't ask Mai…" Natsuki glowered, "She'd be so smug about it.

"And I hate to say it, Mom, but since the relationship between you and Dad fizzled, I can't really use you two as examples.

"So…what do I do, Mom?"

"Geez, you really are hopeless, Pup," A familiar voice spoke behind her.

"Nao?" Natsuki spun around to see the redhead looking at her with a mix of bewilderment and actual, honest to goodness pity, "Wh-what are you doing here?"

"Relax, Kuga. I didn't come to spy on you or interrupt your…say, what are you doing?"

Natsuki sighed, mentally preparing herself for the ribbing she was about to unleash upon herself, "I…was talking to Mom."

There was a flicker across Nao's face, and her expression actually seemed to soften and relax, and there was a surprising sincerity to her voice as she said, "Forgive me for interrupting. I heard from Mikoto that you and Fujino were going out on a date, and it brought back memories of that night, so I came here to sort out how I felt about it. I didn't expect to bump into you."

"We all agreed to forgive each other for that time," Natsuki returned her gaze to the ocean, "But I know it's not always quite that simple."

Nao shrugged, "My feelings about Fujino aren't your issue. They're mine. And believe it or not, I have forgiven her. Not like I can claim to be a saint during that time."

Natsuki scoffed, "Nope. Not me, either. I'm sorry, by the way, about what happened to your eye."

Nao smirked, "Well, you weren't exactly a saint, but out of all of us, you were one of the few who didn't turn into a monster. I can hardly blame you for taking the word of a nun.

"Anyway, anything I can help with?"

Natsuki shrugged, "I dunno. I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do for my first real date with Shizuru, and I've got ideas, but I'm not sure about any of them."

"You open to suggestions?"

"I was just asking my Mom for advice, so that's a 'yes'."

Nao looked thoughtful, ,"So the first question is, do you want this date to end with a goodnight kiss at the door, or a good-bye kiss in the morning after breakfast."

Natsuki turned positively crimson and started sputtering. Nao laughed.

"Nevermind, Pup. How can someone who acts so tough be such a prude? Honestly. I mean, Fujino is obviously warm for your form, right?"

"Look, I've got a bit to go before I'm ready for that, okay."

Nao shrugged, then sighed, "Look, I'll be honest, for awhile I didn't quite get you and Fujino. I mean, I've heard that opposites attract, but you two are so different. But I've seen you two interacting, and I sorta get it now. She looks out for you when you don't look out for yourself."

"That sort of makes it sound like I'm all take and no give," Natsuki looked at her feet.

"Nah. 'Cause what you do is you keep Fujino grounded. That girl has her head all messed up, and you kinda straighten her out a bit.

"Anyway, Kuga, my suggestion to you is that you stop worrying. Look, if you go in with the expectation that you can make it a perfect date, it's gonna fall apart real quick. Nothing is perfect. And you'll be looking for the flaws, so that's all you're going to see.

"Instead of worrying about making it perfect, just think about Fujino's smile. Not that fake-ass smile she does when she's in her role as Miss-Perfect-Priss. The smile she has when she's fawning over you. That one. Just focus on that, and it's going to be fine."

Natsuki blinked, then smiled, "Thanks, Nao. Owe you one."

Nao shook her head, "Call it even for all the crap I pulled during the Festival. Oh, and just so you know, the walls in the dorms are really thin, so if the date does wind up going into overtime, her place, not yours."

Natsuki was still a bit flushed, but managed to riposte, "I wasn't exactly planning on putting on a show for my roommates."

"Well, at least you know that much," Nao grinned, "You two have a good time."

"Need a lift back?" Natsuki climbed on her Ducati.

Nao shook her head, "Got it covered. Your kid sister is picking me up, later."

"I'm still having to get used to that," Natsuki shook her head with a chuckle, "Later, Nao."

~~

Shizuru had finished packing her belongings. This would be the last night she would spend in this dormitory. The movers would come in the morning, and her belongings would be taken to the dorms at Fuuka University.

"Refracting on the last six years?" someone asked her.

"That should be 'reflecting', Haruka," Shizuru gave her a gentle smile. She'd found that ever since she'd been outed to Natsuki, and then found Natsuki reciprocating her feelings, she'd been less prone to her placid mask, and was instead more willing to show genuine feeling, "And yes. Three years of middle school and three years of high school, all in this dorm room. You are packed as well, I trust?"

"In fact, I've already moved my stuff to the University dorm," Haruka beamed, her hands on her hips, "But don't worry, I made sure to take only the space I needed for my things, and there are plenty of good spaces left for you to put your things."

Of that, Shizuru had no doubt. Say what you would of Haruka's bombastic nature, she still had a sense of righteousness and fair play. Shizuru almost found it serendipitous that they'd been assigned the same dorm room at the university. It probably would have been entirely serendipitous if Shizuru hadn't arranged it behind the scenes with a financial contribution to the University that most certainly wasn't a bribe.

"Well, then," Shizuru smiled, "I'll be along in the morning. But I have plans for tonight."

"Plans?"

Shizuru found herself actually plastering the serene smile on her face as she answered, "Well, Natsuki and I are going out on a date, tonight."

Haruka sighed, "You don't have to do that, Fujino."

"She did ask me out, Haruka, and its what I've desired for..."

"That's not what I mean," Haruka held up a hand in a "stop" gesture, "I mean, you don't have to put on that face for me. I had my suspicions for a long time, and I found out for sure that night. And, for the record, I'm sorry about what I said that night. I was furious with you for how you were treating Yukino, and so I was trying to hurt you."

Shizuru's smile was more genuine now, "In the interests of fairness, I was all too eager to hurt you and Kikukawa. I have to say, there were a couple of things you were right about, that night. The first is that I had no right to criticize Kikukawa. And the other is that my magic could not keep you down."

Haruka grinned, "And don't think I'll ever let you forget it."

She sighed, "Look, I'm still not a fan of romantic relationships between women…but I'll keep my mouth shut on the subject and I'll even be civil to Kuga when she's around…if you'll make me one promise."

"And that would be?"

"You keep any…ahem…" Haruka paused, then squeaked out the words, "sexual activity…out of our shared room."

Shizuru giggled, "I'm almost positive that Natsuki's roommates will make the same request of her. Mou, where shall Natsuki and I have our illicit rendezvous, then?"

"They have things called Love Hotels, Fujino," Haruka groused, crossing her arms.

"Fufufu, and just what does Haruka know of such places?" Shizuru grinned.

"You're awful."

"True, but no one can accuse me of being dishonest to myself. Not anymore, at any rate."

Just then there was a knock at the door. Natsuki was at the door, wearing an outfit Shizuru had never seen before. She had on a cream colored peasant blouse and a pair of denim capris.

"Natsuki, you look lovely," Shizuru smiled.

"Well, I couldn't very well take you to the Lotus Tea Room in my riding leathers," Natsuki grinned, offering her arm, "Oh, Suzushiro. You're here, too?"

"I was just heading out. I wanted Fujino to know that I got our dorm room at the University set up. You two have a good time. See you tomorrow, Fujino."

After she left, Natsuki smirked, "You have Suzushiro as a roommate? That's gonna be interesting."

"Her desire to surpass me will keep me from getting too complacent in my studies," Shizuru smiled broadly, "Though, I have to say, I'm surprised by your choice of venue, Natsuki. I didn't think you cared much for tea."

Natsuki shrugged, "About tea, I'm indifferent. But it's something that you like, and I can always just order a café ole. Besides, it won't be our only stop."

Shizuru raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Natsuki has more in store for us?"

"Sure. I mean, most dates are things like dinner and a movie, right? So doing a couple of places is fine."

"Then, I will let Natsuki lead the way."

~~

Shizuru rather enjoyed the Lotus Tea Room. As she'd said, Natsuki ordered a Café Ole, and the two chatted about nothing in particular.

The second venue Natsuki had chosen was a short walk away.

"Ara, ara, a bowling alley?" Shizuru blinked.

"Well, I got a bit of advice from my friends, and while they didn't suggest this, exactly, I was told to just be myself. I wanted to make sure we could both do things we enjoyed. If it's not something you'd like…"

Shizuru shook her head, "No, I don't mind. It makes me happy in a way. I thought you'd torture yourself trying to please me. I've never bowled before, so I ask you to go easy on me."

Natsuki smiled, "We'll see."

As it turned out, Natsuki was a natural at bowling. It was hardly surprising, Shizuru reflected, seeing as how aim and patience were two of the primary factors in successful bowling, and Natsuki had, by far, been the marksman of the HiME. She was certainly better with her aim that Sister Yukariko with her bow, who had accidentally shot Aoi Sennou on one of her earliest outings.

"Natsuki is clearly the superior bowler," Shizuru remarked, stepping up to the line and letter her ball go. It went wide, ending up in the gutter.

"Here," Natsuki walked over, and, standing behind Shizuru, took hold of her hands, "You need to grip the ball lightly. Yeah, like that. Look where you want the ball to go, and aim. Pull back, and let the ball slide from your fingers easily."

Shizuru barely heard what Natsuki was saying, reveling in the sensation of the other girl's body pressed up against her, of Natsuki's hands on hers. Of her breath on her ear and neck.

"Oh," Natsuki whispered gently into Shizuru's ear, "And just one more thing."

"Yes, Natsuki?" Shizuru exhaled dreamily.

"I know you're faking your bad aim so I can hold you like this," the grin in Natsuki's voice was audible, "Reito told us all stories about the Student Council bowling trip, where you made Haruka look like a total noob."

There was a slight kiss along her neck, and Shizuru released the ball wildly, causing it to slam down on the floor loudly, and reaching the pins only to cause a seven-ten split.

"Natsuki! Ikezu!"

Natsuki chuckled, "You wouldn't be so far behind if you hadn't tried to scheme for a way to have me right next to you, y'know. It's your own fault."

Shizuru grinned, "Is Natsuki saying she wants me to go all out on the rematch?"

"Is Shizuru saying that she's been hustling her innocent high school girlfriend?"

Natsuki crossed her arms across her chest, grinning.

"Hustling would imply a wager," Shizuru pointed out, "What would Natsuki propose?"

"Well, let's make this interesting," Natsuki uncrossed her arms, and then unleashed a strike, "When we start our next set, for every strike I get, you owe me a jar of the highest quality mayonnaise on the market."

Shizuru raised an eyebrow, "And for every strike I achieve, Natsuki will owe me a kiss on the lips."

Natsuki blushed a bit, but replied, "W-what makes you think I wouldn't play to lose, in that case?"

Now it was Shizuru's turn to blush, but she managed her own reply, "Natsuki's stubborn pride will keep her honest."

"Darn straight. Let's get started."

By the end of the night, after bowling two more sets, Shizuru owed Natsuki seventeen bottles of high end mayonnaise, and Natsuki owed Shizuru twenty kisses.

She was administering one of those kisses as she returned Shizuru home at the end of the night.

"Natsuki? I had fun tonight. Honestly, I did."

Natsuki smiled softly, "Yeah, me too. Need help moving, tomorrow, Shizuru?"

Shizuru shook her head, "No, but…I have one selfish request to make. Would you…spend the night?"

Natsuki blinked, clearly surprised.

"Not for anything untoward," Shizuru quickly amended, "It's just…tonight will be my last night here, and I…I would like to spend it with you, if that's okay. After all, with classes and all, we're only going to be able to see each other on the weekends."

"Well, yeah," Natsuki said, "For another month or so. But then my apartment will be fixed, and we can see what's what, then. I…wouldn't mind having you to come home to, after all. But…if it means that much to you, yeah, I'll spend the night. Just give me a moment to get my pajamas."

She returned a moment later, and she and

Shizuru climbed into bed together. They talked for awhile, until their eyelids felt too heavy. Natsuki reached out her hand, and Shizuru took it in her own. They drifted off to sleep in that position, facing one another, holding one another's hands.