Seductive Smile
Part A: Coral Years
Chapter V: Training

Ever since Shizuru had found Natsuki's pills, the Pearl and Mai have constantly reminded the stubborn girl to carry them at all times, however Shizuru has also taken it upon herself lately to also keep a supply in case the Anazian ever needed them. As for the Kaiser noble? No one was quite sure where she was at the moment, although apparently she was from the Moon Group, so it would be difficult to catch her.

"And why do I have to take part in this?" Haruka asked suspiciously as she stood with Yukino near the Academy pool. "This is Kruger's training for the Survival Hike, not Mai's!"

"Oh? Haruka is calling Tokiha, Mai now?" Shizuru murmured, a hand upon Natsuki's shoulder who was staring at the map before her oddly. "Natsuki and Tokiha are to be partners, so it would make sense for them to practise together."

"Viola is correct, Haruka." Yukino uttered quietly, blinking for a few moments as her eyes adjusted to her new glasses. The frames were... very interesting; she couldn't understand why but she liked the idea of them being upside down for some reason. Although the lenses were at risk from getting damaged since the top and sides weren't protected like others. "Tokiha needs help with her physical strength while Kruger requires training in combat moves."

"Precisely," Shizuru replied, glancing over to the Number Two Pearl who huffed in irritation. "Haruka is probably the best person to go to when needing advice, guidance and training for exercise," she murmured, her attention cutting back to Natsuki who mumbled vaguely to the map she was still holding, an azure eyebrow twitching awkwardly. 'Ara... she is hopeless with maps it seems.'

"Gah! I just can't get my head around this thing!" Natsuki hissed, "How old is this thing?-!" Was Lufesia even a country? And why the hell was it highlighted in black?-! Where is the information on this thing...

"My..." Peering over Natsuki's shoulder, Shizuru chuckled silently, "... Remember Natsuki, Zipang is to the east, Aries is to the west, while Windbloom is between, somewhere in the centre of the map."

"This is just stupid! Yukino, we're going!" Storming off into the direction of the Coral dome, Haruka took no notice as the mousy-girl instantly began to shout after her, her arms uncomfortable around her university books as she ran after her.

"Haruka! Wait!"

"So much for helping Tokiha," Shizuru uttered sadly, gaze blinking after the two figures which quickly disappeared from the garden behind one of the tall walls. "Natsuki."

"What?"

"Perhaps we should use a different technique," one that didn't involve the girl glaring at a piece of crinkled paper mercilessly... "I fear that paper shall shrivel up and die from the amount of torture it is receiving from Natsuki!" A Kruger indeed.

"Oneesama, I still don't understand how this has anything to do with my map-reading skills," fiddling with the rim of her red P.E jacket curiously, Natsuki glanced up to Shizuru, the elder wearing a similar jacket and shorts to her except the colour range was white and cream. "How did you even manage to persuade Miss Maria into allowing us to use this place anyway?" She asked, scanning the area in wonder. Wasn't this place supposed to be reversed for the Columns to train?

"Ara, the Trias are allowed, however I did have to ask Miss Maria; luckily none of the Columns are using the place today." At least she didn't think so, Elliot had gone to Wind Palace to meet the six year old Princess, while Mayha and Aletha, the Column's V and III were visiting Galleria. "We should start, yes? I thought it would be best to show Natsuki a few defensive tactics in incase she and Tokiha get into trouble during the Hike."

~S~

With a deep breath, which was exhaled slowly; Natsuki hesitatingly placed the palm of her hands against Shizuru's chest, her right atop her left as her jaw clenched painfully. "L-Like this...?" Uh... she could feel her heartbeat.

"No." Placing her own hands around Natsuki's, she pulled them down further, "The most damage inflicted will be where the ribs cannot protect; the area you must hit is here." Keeping one hand securely on top of the slightly smaller ones against her, she pointed with an idle finger to her stomach, "Right here is where the kidneys, stomach and liver are, if you are to correctly hit right below the joint of the rips, it can do mortal damage, winding the victim for quite a while." It was a move which could actually lower the life-bar on any Human Being; this was merely a basic training program for all Coral's if they were to ever get into trouble.

"But still, how does this relate to reading maps?" The Anazian said suspiciously, never tearing her eyes away from Shizuru's as the elder curled a brow playfully.

"Natsuki asks so many questions, however I believe that this order will do better for her. She does after all; seem to be a more hands on person, ne?"

"E-"

"Hush." Removing the hands, Shizuru brought her own to Natsuki's stomach. "I am not going to do anything, I simply want to show Natsuki with just a simple touch how frighteningly powerful the move is."

"I beg to differ..."

With a mere finger, Shizuru placed it near to Natsuki's ribs, just below the breasts as she uttered a calming soothing to her Coral, "It will not hurt, but you will feel an odd disturbance." Pushing down suddenly, she glanced back up into slightly surprised emeralds. 'So she felt it?'

"... What was that?" Natsuki asked, an eyebrow furrowed gently as she eyed Shizuru's fingers with an intrigued expression as the Pearl brought them back to her side. 'It felt...' Like her heart missed a beat... while vaguely losing her breath at the same time; it was definitely an odd sensation to take in.

"I cannot teach Natsuki such a move because only an experienced teacher such as Miss Maria would be able to," and she wouldn't risk it either. "But she will eventually learn it!"

"Err... right." What was the point in showing that then? "And how will that exactly help me...?"

"If Natsuki knows the weaknesses in the body, I'm sure she'd be able to have a better chance against her opponents, yes?" Lifting a brow, Shizuru clasped her hands together before her; "During the Hike, students aren't allowed to use their Robes, it would be cheating and far too easy otherwise." What would the fun in that be anyway? 'Oh... My and Haruka's Hike...' Heh, amusing.

"And just WHY do I have to carry both of the bags?-!" Haruka fumed, a vein popping against her forehead as she clambered up the rocky path, staggering slightly. Just wait until she tells Miss Maria about this! "Bubuzuke!"

"Ara, but Haruka, you're better with the physical work, while I'm suited to the more logical side of the situation!" Shizuru murmured, mirth impacting full-force as she grinned down to the map she was holding; taking her time as she followed the boisterous Coral before her. 'Ara... I wonder what Father would think now? It takes one quite a bit of willpower and intelligence to persuade such a person as Haruka to do their bidding!' Or plain stupid.

"But she shouldn't fret! Because the Trias usually check up during the night!"

"E-en..." Shaking her head, Natsuki groaned. "But how do you know you'll be checking on me and Mai?" It wasn't like they'd be able to choose! ...Was it?

"I'm sure I'll find a way through," the elder said confidently. "But anyhow, come Natsuki; I want to see just how well you can read a map. We'll start with something easy." That being the Academy map.

~S~

Scowling, Natsuki wasn't sure what to make of the situation as she peered around the grounds with caution; how had she been so oblivious?-! This was absolutely ridiculous! 'Use the hints on the maps as clues on where to find me, Natsuki.' Err… right; one problem. WHERE were the clues?

She awkwardly brought her attention back to the board before her. So there were five sections to the Academy…

The Headmistresses and Fumi's area, the Admissionary Building, Coral and Pearl domes… the P.E section which consisted of the pool, running course etc and of course there was the Otome Arena.

"So the Survival Hike is next week..." Mai murmured quietly, folding her uniform up as she side-glanced Natsuki who was by the window, arms resting against the sill lazily as she stared at the moon. "Don't tell me you're going to try and seek out again?"

"I am not!" Natsuki snapped, "Can't I look at anything without someone teasing?"

"Um..." Placing a finger against her lip, Mai pondered inwardly, resisting the urge to grin as the Anazian glared angrily. Heh, 'Anymore and she'll pop a vein.' —"Shizuru Oneesama, perhaps?"

"What?-!"

...

...

...

"Tokiha, I swear; when the Survival Hike arrives I'll leave you in a ditch!"

"Oh, so?"