Seductive Smile
Part A: Coral Years
Chapter IV: A Disturbance

"NO!"

She isn't going to allow this... freak to kiss her!

Shoving the noble back harshly, Natsuki ragged a sharp breath of air as the taller student chuckled lowly. A hand quickly captured the Anazian's chin who struggled under the firm grasp; the breath which she had gained escaped her lips once more as Kazuki roughly took her by the collar, pressing their bodies together. "You WILL love me, Natsuki-sama. Mark my words!"

With that, Kazuki released the girl, running off into the distance as Natsuki's back slid against the bark of wood; a slightly traumatised expression sailing onto her soft features; dazed from what had struck her. 'Sh-she...' Had she been going to-

Not even the guys back at the Palace had done that! Of course they had teased, but nowhere near to... a borderline...

"I-..."

She needed Mai. Now.

~S~

"What?-!" Mai hissed, dressed in her dark orange PJs, their dome room's light switched on as they sat atop Natsuki's bed.

"I-I don't know!" Natsuki whispered, her eyes looking anywhere but the busty-redhead, her arms resting against her legs as she then focused her gaze intensely on the floorboards; body leaned forward slightly, "She barely did anything but..."

"But..."

"Mai," amethyst locked with jade seriously, "... I know her."

"Who is she, Natsuki?" Gently taking a hold of Natsuki's arms, they stayed like that for a long while as the Anazian closed her eyes briefly, exchanging thoughts for another slowly.

"Have you ever heard... of the Kaiser's?"

Frowning, the redhead stared blankly before something inside her mind clicked right at that moment. "... By Kami-sama."

The family are internationally famous and;"Reito's best friend."

Flashback: Two years ago

Before the time Alayas and Anazia were having major difficulties with each other, The Federation had been quite at peace. Even allowing national transportation and trading amongst the two halves of the country as they got on with everyday life.

"Reito, where are you going?" A 12 year old Natsuki moaned, determined to stop her elder sibling by barring the doorway with her own body, Alyssa Kruger, 7 years old watching in curiosity by a toy-box which she had been originally playing with.

"Now, now Natsuki!" Patting the girl's head gently, the raven-haired elder chuckled under his breath softly as his little sister shook her head, crossing her arms with a scowl. "I need to see Kazuki, she is visiting from Alayas!"

Huffing as Reito eventually succeeded in slipping past her, the Kruger blinked as she felt a tugging at the bottom of her clothes. Glancing down, emeralds came into contact with quizzical deep blue, their facial features both housing the Kruger structure as they shrugged to one another, Natsuki taking a hold of Alyssa's smaller hand. "Does Alyssa want to go to the kitchens and get some ice cream?"

"Yes!"

And so it had carried on for another year until the pair stopped meeting for unknown reasons. However, Natsuki had a belief, this sole belief that her fool of a Father had been involved, a stocky man who had betrayed their own country to run off with the Alayas Federation. For that, Natsuki would never forgive him.

End Flashback

"I knew she's from a famous noble family of Alayas, but I never would have imagined that she was..." Trailing off, Mai shook her head, "Natsuki, look at me."

The elder did so, murmuring faintly as she was brought into the busty-redhead's arms.

"We will tell Shizuru Oneesama tomorrow, Natsuki. She needs to know this."

"N-no."

"What?"

"I don't want... anyone to worry." She didn't want the fuss, nor the pity; especially allowing people to see her being weak! "There's a possibility it would be enough to bring my country into a civil war, I don't want to be responsible for that!" It hadn't exactly affected her all that much anyhow, it had just surprised her to the very least!

"I know, Natsuki. I know."

In the Federation, it is a known fact that nobles and royalty are constantly at each other's throats, if it was to come out that Natsuki and Kazuki did something…

"Shizuru Oneesama?"

"Ah, yes Tokiha?"

Taking note the other Coral wasn't in the Trias Base, she asked quietly, "Where is Natsuki? I need to tell you something."

"I believe she is in the grounds with Haruka," Shizuru murmured, placing the book down on the table which she had been reading barely a few seconds ago. "What is wrong, Tokiha?"

"... It's about Natsuki."

The Pearl stood, vaguely furrowing a brow as she headed over towards the redhead. "Natsuki?"

"Hai."

"So you're attempting to explain, her enemy is here and is harassing her?" She muttered, sighing a breath as she peered out of the window once everything was finally said. "And she doesn't want anyone knowing because it could un-stabilize her already delicate nation's allegiance?"

"Yes, Shizuru Oneesama."

The chestnut placed an idle finger across her lips, her thumb supporting the bottom of her chin as she pondered. "You say her name is Kazuki Kaiser, yes?"

Mai nodded broadly.

"... I see."

The Kaiser family was well known throughout Windbloom for their interactions with Schwartz. They specialised in re-inventing the lost technology of the Otome and Miko, so obviously they were quite famous in this area since there are actually a few of their creations which are used in Garderobe Academy.

"This is quite serious," she said, "In rank she isn't anywhere near as powerful as Natsuki, but in status..."

"I know she won't be happy about this Oneesama," the redhead uttered as she stood beside the older student, "But I don't want her to struggle alone, she is already expected to do so much already..." —'It's painful enough for her that she needs to constantly take her medication.'

Grumbling in annoyance, Natsuki scowled as she shifted the papers around on the desk, seeking out the notes which she had made during class earlier for one precise reason —to pass the damn history test for next week. 'Urh... where is that damn thing?' Cursing under her breath for a few minutes, the Princess rejoiced when she succeeded in discovering the creased paper finally.

"You know, you could just go and ask Shizuru Oneesama for help, Natsuki." Mai muttered from her own desk, writing down notes with ease from her own studying, "I still can't understand why you decided to choose Windbloom history over Zipang and Calcas." She rolled her eyes; the history consisted of the three nations about noble and royal families, but for some reason her stubborn room-mate was determined to research on the most difficult subject first. "She does know a lot about Windbloom, Natsuki." Well obviously, she is from the nation after all.

"But I don't want to be in the way!"

"You wouldn't, silly."

Natsuki glared, which went unaffected as the redhead merely chuckled, patting her on the shoulder. "Get going to her room, Natsuki."

~S~

First a minor beating which she should have easily avoided, now this! "S-Shizuru Oneesama?" Knocking on the door hesitatingly, Kruger cringed as she was instantly answered by the Pearl.

"Ara? Is that Natsuki?"

"Y-yes..."

"My..." Opening the door to her room, molten-ruby and forest-jade acknowledged one another for a short while. "What is it Natsuki requires?" She asked softly, taking note that the girl was carrying a dis-even looking folder. "...Ah, she is having difficulty with her work?"

"I told Mai I didn't want to trouble you... but she kicked me out," she mumbled, glancing away. 'Damn that woman for doing this to me!' Didn't the Zipang-born constantly remind her Otome were supposed to have grace and maturity? And yet she was thrown out of her own room!

"You should come in," Shizuru said kindly, "Before my fan-group horde together and find us here!"

"A-aa..."

Entering the room for the second time that week, the Anazian couldn't help but feel slightly dirty from the disgusting cleanliness of the Pearl's domain. Everything was still in its rightful place as the chestnut shifted, moving to the desk and opening the drawer. "What does Natsuki require help with then?"

"... The history of noble and royal families in Calcas, Zipang and Windbloom..."

"Is that so?"

~S~

"So there are up to three famous noble families in Windbloom..." Peering over Shizuru's shoulder intrigued, an eyebrow twitched as her sight caught hold of the Pearl's writing. 'How the hell am I meant to read that?-!' It is so... complex! It's like a merge between italic and curly text. "Err... Shizuru Oneesama?"

"What is it?"

Natsuki shook her head, a hand grasping the back of Shizuru's chair so she could lean over further to look at the diagram on the textbook which showed the world map. "Where are the Viola's... from?"

"Ara..." Glancing to the hand which was placed onto the desk, the Pearl couldn't help but sense the younger student get nearer to her own body as she quietly uttered, "To the south of Earl, The Lowerlands of Calcas; I am surprised you are actually learning about it in class."

"Calcas..."

"It is a nation of a complicated dialect, we borrow a few words from different languages; I suspect you think I am from Zipang at times, ne?"

"Aa..." —'The Lowerlands of Calcas...?' To the south?

"It is east from Aries, but west from Zipang."

Oh! "So that's why..."

"Yes," Shizuru murmured, a soft sigh escaping from her lips as she pointed to a certain area of the ageing textbook.

The Lowerlands of Calcas... it is a country that has suffered centuries of civil wars and conflicts between its own people; eventually during the Dragon Lord War it had gotten so corrupt in fact that the government of Zipang sent soldiers into the nation to place it under intensive care.

Soldiers married, offspring were born; and a new accent was created. However it took a turn for the worse a few decades after the war as Aries took a visit, demanding that they'd learn the international language in order for Calcas to join the United Nations of Earl.

"But everyone says you're from Windbloom!" Natsuki pointed out, confusion reigning as the pair looked at each other. "Uh, you're so confusing."

"Oh my," tapping her chin in amusement, the Calcas-born leaned her head to the side, so she could contently watch the Coral back away slightly, a tinge on the girl's features as she then scratched her cheek in embarrassment.

"Sorry Onee-sa-"

"No," lifting out of the chair, Shizuru smiled, shaking her head in mirth as she placed an elbow to her fist securely. An idle finger reached to her bottom lip as the Anazian moved away further, awkwardly. "Natsuki shouldn't be afraid to say her thoughts out-loud, without that ability she'll bottle her feelings away." —'To eventually explode in frustration.'

How did... 'Bottle my feelings up...?'

"If she ever needs help, she can come to me any day, hour. Be it morning or night," Shizuru pressed on, nearing the girl she placed a hand atop her shoulder, "I'm Natsuki's Oneesama, it is my duty to look after her." Protect her even.

"A-alright, Oneesama..." Natsuki suspected something; it was almost as if Shizuru knew... 'Does she know about Kaiser?' That couldn't be possible could it?

~S~

Having finally finished taking all the notes she needed for the test for next week, Natsuki smiled in thanks over the reading Pearl who was sitting on her bed. Stretching, she yawned tiredly as she rose from the chair, collecting the stray bits and pieces of paper which surrounded the whole of the desk. Placing them into the deep blue folder she then brought her attention back to Shizuru, who was now closing the small book, putting it aside.

"... Thank you, Oneesama," she said seriously, "I honestly didn't know where I was going with this before you helped me."

"It is nothing," the Pearl replied, lifting herself off the bed, "I couldn't resist but help my Coral, who has such a cute face..."

"O-Oneesama!"

"Ara..."

Sliding the chair back under the desk once Natsuki left shortly after, the Pearl went about the place ready for when Haruka would return. The boisterous woman usually spent most of her time in the library; amazingly enough she actually did a lot of studying and researching, although it was mostly about military, combat styles and various different weapons. Shizuru feared that people saw the blonde as a dumb person... when in reality she wasn't; her immense knowledge on governmental and military politics would surprise even the highest of nobles.

Shizuru highly suspected the main topic Haruka was seeking this night however was her Fujino style. It wouldn't surprise her if it was the case.

Scanning over the room however, crimsons locked onto a small case near to the desk, on the floor. 'Ah? ... What is this?' Picking the box up, her unique orbs narrowed, a slender finger idly fiddling with the lightning bolt key-chain which was hanging from one of its edges. 'Is this Natsuki's?' No, there is no denying it, the lightning bolt was enough evidence it was a Kruger possession! Everyone recognized the famous symbol of Anazia.

Unconsciously holding a breath, Shizuru opened the small container, gaze soon widening as she was greeted with an assortment of capsules with days on, each with a various selection of coloured pellets inside. '... Pills?' Natsuki is on medication?

"I don't know what you're talking about." Natsuki snapped sharply, arms folding as she glared over to the curly-redhead; "You're accusing me of my nation's difficulties for what happened between you and Reito."

"Oh? So Natsuki-sama does remember me?" Kazuki smiled devilishly, standing before the fellow Coral who was leaning against the wall of the domes. "You've always intrigued me, that mysterious form of yours when I visited your Ice Palace."

"And how exactly am I 'mysterious'?" Natsuki inquired; expression blank as she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "I hated you, and I still do."

"Oh, Natsuki-sama! I think you tore my heart asunder!" She mocked, hand upon her chest as she took a step closer, leaning her face towards the shorter student's who turned her head to the side instantly, avoiding her. "Take heed though, your Highness; because I am going to make you fall for me one way or another!"

"I will never love you! Not in a thousand years, not ever!"

Slightly shocked, the Alayas-native stepped aside as Natsuki brushed past, fuming as she pointed accusingly over to Kazuki. "Do you honestly think I am like my Father?" She seethed, "I know that it's going through that little head of yours!"

"Katsuo Kruger? The fool who started the whole mess between our countries?" The taller student muttered, almost in monotone as she peered over to the fingertip directed to her, "Ah!" Tilting her head suddenly, she smirked gleefully, "Now I understand, Natsuki-sama! You're attempting to make me feel guilty because my dear Brother helped him!"

"..."

"So am I correct?"

Emeralds closed sternly, much to the confusion of the fellow Coral who continued to trail her own orbs of blue down the Princesses figure shamelessly. 'She is going to explode,' any moment now as well.

"Away, get away from here —NOW!"

"Aaa? Is that so?" Snickering lightly the redhead tapped the girl on the cheek, only for it to be slapped away harshly as she then chuckled. Arms lifting in a mocking submission until she began to finally walk away, laughing under her breath happily, "Oh! I feel so pained! To think Natsuki-sama is probably getting swept off her feet by her new Oneesama!"

"Tokiha? Have you seen Natsuki?" Shizuru asked, thankfully able to catch Mai by the door of the redhead and Anazian's room; "She forgot her... medication."

"Medi..." Mouth hanging loosely, the Zipang Princess quickly closed it, "I don't know, damn..." That stupid girl! "I told her time after time, that she needs to keep a better eye on her pills!"

"We shall find her," Shizuru said firmly, "Where does... she usually stay?" She hated to admit it, but she knew hardly anything about her Coral at the moment, 'That will change soon; I will make sure of that.'

"Either beside the gardens or near to the forest." The redhead replied as they strode towards the stairs of the domes. "If she isn't there she is probably by the pool," since the girl had a ridiculous attraction to water. That much had been proven during their first swimming lesson; Natsuki is possibly one of the best swimmers in the Coral year, perhaps even the whole school!

"We should go to her favourite area then," Shizuru suggested.

~S~

"Jeez!" Strutting over to the Coral's side, Haruka placed a hand against her shoulder, 'What is up with this Kruger?' —"You sure like to be quiet don't you Kruger?" She asked plainly, watching as Natsuki idly waved her bare foot through the water of the pool. "And it is curfew!" She folded her arms in expectation, "Up with you!"

She was lucky Haruka had found her here, the Pearl had been on her way back from the library, and here was the girl; acting depressed!

"..." Natsuki inwardly groaned, her hands supporting her face lightly as her elbows leaned against her legs. She had been thinking of where she could have lost her pills for the last five minutes; she was dreading that Kaiser girl had managed to get a hold of them, but she also had a feeling she could have dropped them during...

'Oh... no.'

Maybe Shizuru had found them?

"I-I need to go." Standing abruptly, and gathering her stocking and shoe up, Natsuki didn't take notice as the blonde screeched at her in protest as she began running into the direction of the Pearl's dome.

"Kruger!"

But... 'Swept off my feet... by Shizuru Oneesama?' She couldn't could she? She respected the Pearl! ... But was it possible to...