Disclaimer: I don't own anything. (Though I wish I do)
Summary:
Have you ever heard of Dark Magic? What do you know about them? Natsuki is a rising star in the Fuka Police Headquarter who solves her case based on logic & facts. However, her world is turned upside down when she meets Shizuru. Shizuru lives in a world that can never be defined by logic and facts. What happens when the two meet? ShizNat Rated T for now.
The smartphone rang.
"Hi Natsuki, where you are now? I am reaching soon."
"Hi, I'm afraid Natsuki might not be able to speak to you now. She is currenlty not feeling well. May I know who is this? I will get Natsuki return your call when she is feeling better?"
"Oh... I see. This is Viola Shizuru. We are supposed to meet each other for dinner in a few minutes time."
Shizuru and Natsuki were on a friendlier basis since that night in Fuuka University and Natsuki had invited Shizuru to dinner today in appreciation for her help.
"Shizuru? Viola Shizuru?"
"Hai..."
"Oh...Shizuru! This Tokiha Mai. Do you remember me?"
"Ara Mai-san. Of course I remember you. What's happening to Natsuki? Is she feeling fine?"
"Natsuki hasn't been feeling well since this morning. I brought her to see the doctor this morning. So she is resting at home now and sleeping away the pain." Mai replied as she peeked into Natsuki's bedroom. Worried evident in Mai's tone.
There was a moment of silence at the other end of the phone.
"Shizuru? You there?"
"Mai-san, would you mind giving me Natsuki's home address? I would like to visit her."
And Mai rattled off a street name, giving Shizuru Natsuki's home address.
As Mai sat there watching over Natsuki, she wondered when the two of them have gotten close so quickly.
She was definitely going to grill Natsuki once she gets better.
50 minutes later, the bell rang and Mai ushered Shizuru in to Natsuki's bedroom.
Shizuru stood next to the bed looking down at Natsuki.
Natsuki was all but curled up, her hands clutching her stomach even while sleeping.
"Mai-san, could I trouble you get me an empty pail?"
"Hai? A pail?"
"Hai. A pail. An empty pail please."
For some reason, an order Mai felt compelled to follow.
Even though Shizuru may be slightly younger than her but there was definitely an air of authority around her that made people compelled to follow her instructions.
Alone now, Shizuru stood next to the bed, her head slightly tilted to the left, staring at Natsuki. Her ruby coloured eyes darkened as she took in the whole situation.
A frown marred her perfect features.
"Natsuki...Natsuki wake up." Shizuru called out, gently patting her arm. "Natsuki, I need you to wake up."
Natsuki moaned as she fought to cling on to the sleep that was hard to come by. She didn't want to wake up. The medicine she took earlier had put her to sleep, forcing her to sleep through the pain. But as she slowly regained her conscious, the pain returned, making her groaned in pain. Every part of her body was aching, including her joints.
"Natsuki, you need to wake up."
The gentle pat on her arms turned into a violent shake as she felt someone grabbing her by the arms.
Through her hazy vision, she saw a worried Shizuru bending over her..
"Shizuru? Why are you here?"
"Ara, Natsuki, you are finally awake ne. We were supposed to meet today. Did you forget?"
"Oh…" Came Natsuki's groggy reply when she recalled their promises. "Sorry Shizuru, didn't mean to forget. Am feeling sick...will make up to you when...when I recover...soon" The words trailed off as Natsuki slowly drifted back into darkness.
"I will hold on to your promise ne Natsuki. But you need to recover first."
Shizuru rolled Natsuki to her right so that Natsuki had her back facing her and pulled up Natsuki's shirt to reveal her pale back.
"Wh..what?" The movement pulled Natsuki back from her dreamland.
"Hush Natsuki..." Shizuru said as she gave Natsuki a reassuring pat on the back.
With that Shizuru bit hard onto her fore and middle fingers, allowing blood to ooze out from the cut. And with it, Shizuru trailed her fingers on Natsuki's back, writing a series of ancient words.
The red words slowly seeped into Natsuki's skin. But just as the words disappeared into Natsuki's back, blood red veins appeared, eerily pulsing against Natsuki's pale back, as if it has a life of its own, before fading off.
Natsuki could feel something cool and wet being written on her back. Natsuki couldn't quite describe the feeling but the movement of Shizuru's finger trailing back and forth on her back had her heart beating a tad too fast.
But just as Natsuki was feeling the coolness of Shizuru's finger on her back, she felt a sharp pain in her stomach before spreading through her entire body.
"Natsuki!" Mai entered at that moment with a pile to see Natsuki letting out a stifled cry. "What's happening Shizuru-san?" Mai turned to Shizuru who has been staying in the room with Natsuki until now.
"Hurry. Place the pail in front of her. She needs it."
The pain was unbearable. Her stomach in revoke, contracting within her body. Natsuki clutched onto the bedsheet in pain, her fingers paled from the force used.
Just then a sharp pungent taste appeared at the back of her throat, forcing Natsuki to quickly turn to the red pail, vomiting out all the content from her stomach.
The pain eased as soon as the vomiting started.
But the sight of the content in the red pail had Natsuki bending over the pill once again, trying to empty her stomach.
"What the hell was that?" Mai stifled a scream the same time she saw the content in the pail. She too felt queasy upon catching sight of the content.
Lying amid the semi-solid half digested food were white insect's pupae. The features of the insect could be clearly seen from the pupa and for some, the fully formed insects were ready to break free from the shell.
Natsuki can't fathom what would happen to her should the insect emerge from the pupae.
"Here. You are fine now. Gurgle it. It will make you feel much better." Shizuru handed Natsuki a glass of mouthwash.
Shizuru took out a talismen and with a swipe of her fingers, lighted the talismen and threw the yellow paper into the red pail.
Amazingly, the content in the pail caught fire. The pupae twitched and struggled, screeching as the fire engulfed them in flame.
"Shit! What the hell is that?" Natsuki cursed.
"Black magic."
The reply had both Natsuki and Mai turning to Shizuru, an incredulous look on her face. "Black magic?"
"Hai...Remember what I told Natsuki about Black magic? The act of placing a curse or bane or jinx on someone with the intention of causing harm." Shizuru turned to speak to Natsuki.
"So someone placed a bane on me?" A disbelieving look on Natsuki's face. "But why would someone do that?"
"There are various reasons why people turn to black magic. It could be for money, for love or for revenge."
"Is the bane completely lifted? Or…" Natsuki paled as she recalled the pain she felt earlier on and how she threw up a bucket of insect pupae from her stomach. She wondered what would happen to her if Shizuru never turned up today.
"What would happen to Natsuki if the bane was not lifted?" Mai asked echoing Natsuki's concern as she peered carefully into the bucket, seeing charred objects in the pile. It mind boggling to know that such things can indeed happened.
"Don't worry. You are perfectly safe now." Shizuru gave Natsuki a reassuring pat on the shoulder and with a paused turned to answer Mai's question. "She would most probably suffer for quite a while. And if she is lucky she might survive but with a frail body. It was a vicious and complex spell placed on her." Taking in the curious look from both Natsuki and Mai, Shizuru continued, " I won't be able to reveal much to you but Natsuki will most likely suffer a while before the pest that reside inside her emerge from the pupae and push through the stomach escaping from her body."
Natsuki's face turned into a paler shades of white. The image of insects residing in her body and pushing through the thin layer of her stomach nearly had her emptying her stomach, once again.
"Then why can't the doctor identify the insects when it was in her body? Or won't such black magic leave behind some traces of evidence for police to trace?" Mai spoke up, her police training automatically had her analysing Shizuru's statements.
"Not all things can be proven by science. And there would not be any traces of insects left for police to trace. The insects die once they met with light. So once the insects burst through the body and come into contact with daylight, it will melt and dissolve into water before evaporating."
In Fuuka University a teal coloured hair girl pushed past a group of concerned friends and rushed to the toilet, bending over the sink as she coughed out bloods onto her hand.
What happened to the curse she placed on that bitch?
One day later…
"Welcome back Kuga!"
"Thanks!"
"How ya doin' kuga? Boss is looking for you man."
"Recovering! Right. Ok, I will look for him then. Thanks." Natsuki replied looking longingly at her mayonnaise donut breakfast before making a U-turn to Sakomizu Kaiji's office.
"Captain! Lieutenant Kuga reporting Sir!" Natsuki entered the room and gave a sharp salute.
Mai was already seated in the room, across from Sakomizu.
"Kuga, glad to know that you have recovered! Come on in. There is something I would like the both of you to do."
Sakomizu Kaiji pushed two files towards Mai and Natsuki and cleared his throat as he prepared to speak. "In the first half of this year we noticed recurring incidents in Fuuka University."
The mention of Fuuka University had Natsuki raising her eyebrows. Fuuka University again?
"Twelfth students were found dead in different parts of the university. So far the police were unable to find a common link between the victims except the circumstances which they were killed and all of them studied in Fuuka University. But as the death toll keeps rising, it is inevitable that it gains the attention of the public. Especially when the circumstances surrounding the victims' deaths caught the imagination of the public. All the victims died from blood loss and rumor is going round the internet of supernatural beings."
"And the supernatural stuff being blood sucking vampires huh?" Mai interrupted.
"Yes. And the higher-ups aren't too happy about all these supernatural stuff going round especially when the election period is near. As of now, we suspect the killer to be among the staff and students of Fuuka University. And which is why we need both of you to go in as students of Fuuka University to investigate this incident."
"Students?" The question coming from both Mai and Natsuki.
"At our age? We are 26 now." Natsuki looked at Mai before asking the question that was on their mind. "Aren't we a bit too old for university?"
"Yes and no...You are going to Fuuka university as students but pursuing postgraduate degree. Both of you will be go as undercover to investigate this matter and will report to us as soon as you have any leads. The higher-ups and the Board of Governor of Fuuka University are keeping their eyes on this case. You would need to solve this asap."
"Seriously...remind me again why a postgraduate student has to stay in the hostel?" Natsuki muttered beneath her breath as she swinged her duffle bag onto her shoulder and climbed up the stairs to her allocated room. "And Mai and I are staying in different rooms. How do we go about doing our jobs?"
Natsuki sighed as she reached her dormitory. "And I sound like some whiny tennagers..."
"Ara...who sounds like a whiny teenager ne?"
A Kyoto accent coming from Natsuki's left.
Natsuki yelped and turned immediately, clenching her left ear. "Who...oh...Shi...Shizuru! What...what are you doing here? And why are you sneaking up from behind me?"
Shizuru chuckled. "Ara...I stay here so why can't I be here ne?"Shizuru gestured to the door behind Natsuki. "I should be the one asking you since you were behaving suspiciously outside my dormitory."
"Your...your dormitory?"
"Hai." Shizuru leaned against the wall, watching Natsuki rubbed her already red ear. All the while her face blushing a furious red.
She had been expecting Natsuki.
Ouji-sama had asked for a her help in assisting Fuuka Police in solving the series of crime that plagued the university for the past few months and knowing that Natsuki was in-charge of this, she had readily agreed, even offering to share the dormitory with her.
She had just finished her morning lessons when she saw Natsuki swinging off her Ducati and muttering to herself as she climbed up the stairs to the highest level in the hostel - the Kaichou Room.
Kaichou or the President of Student Councillor were often given the privilege of having the whole dormitory to herself. The Kaichou Room in Fuuka University includes a living room, a bedroom with a double decker bed, a kitchen and shower room, definitely something of a luxury compared to other dormitory in the University.
Shizuru did enjoy having the whole dormitory for herself especially given the odd hours which she came back after the councillor meeting. She didn't have to worry about disturbing her hostel mates or having to account for someone her whereabout.
But if it was Natsuki, she will make an exception.
Especially having seen Natsuki muttered to herself all the way up the stairs and finally admitting that she was whining like a teenager.
She was...kind of cute.
The thought prompted Shizuru to tease Natsuki by sneaking up behind her, whispering into her ear.
And the result was rather unexpected. She ended up seeing a red-faced Natsuki, rubbing her already red ear.
If she continued rubbing,her ear might just bleed. Shizuru thought stifling the urged to reach out and stop Natsuki. Ara… I never thought Natsuki to be so sensitive ne…
Taking the lead, Shizuru grabbed Natsuki's hand and pulled still red faced Natsuki into the dormitory.
Shizuru chuckled. "'I'm sorry for startling you. I was supposed to meet you outside the dormitory to welcome you. But I never expect you to be here earlier."
"You were expecting me?" A frown immediately appeared on Natsuki's face. She thought her infiltration into the university was supposed to be confidential.
"Ara... Didn't Natsuki read the instructions carefully? I will act as your guide in this university so that you can familiarise yourself with the surrounding and the people here as soon as possible. This will facilitate your identification of the suspect."
The question had Natsuki recalling how she fell asleep yesterday night, halfway through reading the document. Well, it really wasn't her fault for missing out the details. Sakomizu had handed her a stack of document on Fuuka University for her to read to prepare her for the infiltration. But the document was so thick and the information so dry that she fell asleep on the document itself. She had planned to read it this morning after she settled down in the dormitory!
Judging from Natsuki's facial expression, it's clear that she hadn't read the document yet.
"Ara... Don't worry Natsuki. I will fill you in on some details. Natsuki is supposed to be my distant cousin who is going to enroll in Fuuka University. And you will be staying with me in this dormitory."
"I...I see..." Well this is embarrassing to be caught unprepared for the job.
"How is it that you ended up being the guide for Fuuka Police?"
"Natsuki hasn't been reading up on Fuuka university ne. The Fujino family is one of the Board of Governor for Fuuka Academy and hence Fuuka University. And Ouji-sama is very concern about this incident and so he asked me to assist the police with their investigation."
"Does it mean this case has to do with paranormal activities again?"
"Natsuki make it sound as if paranormal activities are common occurance." Shizuru smile. "But I don't have the answer to your question. There hasn't been any evidence to show it is."
But just as the smile appeared, it faded replaced by seriousness on Shizuru's face. "But I have to caution you this Natsuki. This school is not just any university. Fuuka University is the gathering ground for many exorcists and magicians from all over Asian. So try to stay away from unnecessary trouble."
The serious tone in which Shizuru said it had chills running up her spin. The memory of herself suffering from the curse and the image of pupae living within her body was still fresh in her mind.
"Ahaha..." A forced laugh from Natsuki. "Why would I do that. My job is to investigate the recent murder case."
"Ara ne...That is very responsible of Natsuki ne. Let's just get ourselves settled down and I will treat Natsuki to lunch at our famous Fuuka University canteen."
Natsuki held on to her application form as she made her way to the student councillor office alone after lunch. Shizuru had to return to her afternoon classes but had pointed Natsuki in the direction of the student councillor office.
It really wasn't that hard to find actually. It was located at the highest level in Administrative Building.
Fuuka Academy consisted of a Fuuka Elementary school, Middle school, High school and finally University. It was a through-train system whereby students in the Fuuka Elementary school student can be directly admitted into Fuuka Middle school if the student passed the examination in the final year of Elementary School. And the same applies for the other levels. And the school was student centric run mainly by the student councillors.
And this was the reason why Natsuki had to find the Student Councillor Office to submit her application form to stay in the hostel.
Natsuki entered through the glass door and stood in front of the counter and rang the bell.
"Hi, excuse me. I am here to submit my application form to stay in the hostel."
A young man with a head full of spiky brown hair looked up from his working table not far from the counter.
Natsuki recognised him. He was the man she saw at the Cafe when she was with Shizuru.
Shizuru mentioned that he was the Vice-President of Student Councillor. But...she couldn't quite remember his name.
Natsuki was hoping for some response from the Vice President. But apparently he was contented with staring at Natsuki.
"Erm...excuse me. I am here to submit my application form." Natsuki repeated, this time louder.
It had the intended and unintended consequences - she managed to get Takeda out of his stupor but had unfortunately caught the attention of others who were in the Student Councillor Office too.
"Erm… Hi! I am Masashi Takeda! Vice President of Fuuka University. I am currently a Year 3 students and a History Major. It is my pleasure to meet you and my pleasure to serve you!" Takeda rumbled on his introduction of himself.
Natsuki was obviously taken aback by his long and out of place introduction.
There was an awkward silence. Until someone snickered and it grew louder and all the students in the office burst into laughter.
All the while Takeda stood there, completely embarrassed by what he had just said.
He had just embarrassed himself in front of the girl he liked.
"I can help to process your form." A bespectacled short brown hair girl came up and took the form from Natsuki. But the moment she glance through the form, she turned to look at Natsuki. Shock evident on her face. "You are staying with Fujino-san?"
And once again Natsuki was the center of attention. She didn't like it at all.
Fujio Kaicho always stayed in the dormitory alone.
But it was not from the lack of invitation.
Far from it.
Many had approached Fujino Shizuru, hoping they could share the same room as her. But apparently, she had politely declined.
Nobody shares the room with her and she has never invited anyone to share it with her.
Everyone knew that. Expect for Natsuki.
Which was why Natsuki was the center of attention now.
Many were wondering about her relationship with Fujino Shizuru.
"Erm... Hai... Is there a problem?"
"Yaa... Nothing. Welcome to Fuuka University. My name is Kikukawa Yukino, the Secretary of Fuuka Student Council."
"Thank you! I am Kuga Natsuki." Natsuki gave Yukino a polite nod before turning to step out of the office, leaving Takeda still staring at Natsuki.
The days past by quickly as Natsuki and Mai familiarised themselves with the huge campus and the various crime scenes.
She was always alone in the room and Shizuru was hardly back during the day. Except late into the night, when Natsuki was getting ready for bed.
Natsuki didn't know what Shizuru was busy with but she always came back looking all tired.
Just like today.
Shizuru entered the room, fatigue evident on her face. But a gentle smile on her face when she saw Natsuki.
"Ara. Natsuki is still awake ne. Are you waiting for me? You should sleep early ne."
"I am getting ready for bed. You should try to sleep early too."
"Thank you ne Natsuki. I will. But I have to finish my work first." Shizuru replied softly and turned to sit on her chair facing her laptop, leaving Natsuki to stare at her back.
Seeing that, Natsuki left Shizuru to finish her work and turn to enter the bathroom to get ready for bed.
But when she came out, she saw Shizuru lying on top of her laptop, sound asleep.
The expression on Natsuki's face softened.
She must really be tired.
Natsuki bended towards her and put her arm around Shizuru's shoulder and under her knee and lifted her up.
Natsuki's brows furrowed.
She is too light. She needs to eat more.
Natsuki thought as she laid Shizuru gently on her bed, making sure that the pillow was under her head.
But just as she was about to pull her hands from under Shizuru, Shizuru moaned and rolled into Natsuki's arms. With the weight in her arms, Natsuki was pulled onto the bed, cradling Shizuru in between her arms.
As if by instinct, Shizuru moved closer towards Natsuki, rubbing a face against Natsuki's chest.
"..."
Was she molested by Shizuru? Should she wake Shizuru up?
Natsuki mulled over the idea of waking Shizuru up.
But when she saw the bruises under her eyes, Natsuki reached out and pulled the blanket over both of them with Shizuru cradled carefully in between her arms.
She will talk to Shizuru in the morning. Natsuki thought as she too slowly drifted off to sleep.
Shizuru woke up to the smell and warmth of the sunlight.
Sunlight? Why would there be smell and warmth of sunlight when she was constantly shrouded by shadows and coldness.
Shizuru struggled to wake up but the warmth was making it difficult.
As Shizuru slowly woke up and gained full awareness of her limbs, she found herself locked down in someone else's arms.
"Ara... This is interesting ne..." The last thing she recalled was her using the computer last night and now she was locked in Natsuki's arms, with Natsuki sprawling over her.
One of Natsuki's hand was resting on Shizuru's chest while one of her legs was entangled with Shizuru's.
Shizuru looked at Natsuki's face thoughtfully. She didn't dislike the feeling of sharing a bed with Natsuki.
Especially when she can see the childlike sweetness on Natsuki's face. Something that can only be seen when Natsuki was asleep. Less of a distance and polite feeling Shizuru got from Natsuki in the daytime.
A few seconds later, Natsuki stirred and in the process tightened her hold on Shizuru.
Something flashed across Shizuru's eyes.
Seconds later Shizuru laid her head close to Natsuki and close her eyes.
Natsuki woke up to see an unfamiliar surrounding. She wasn't a morning person and it took her a while before she came to the realization that she was sleeping on Shizuru's bed instead of her own.
Natsuki turned to Shizuru and saw her stirring.
Shizuru's eyelids fluttered once and twice before opening to revealed her ruby-coloured eyes.
Natsuki always found Shizuru's eyes to be her best feature.
As Shizuru's eyes gained focus, she turned focusing her attention elsewhere.
Following Shizuru's direction, Natsuki saw her own hand resting rather comfortably on Shizuru's chest.
For some reasons her left hand had found its own way to Shizuru's chest during the night.
As if having a mind of its own, the fingers closed themselves, groping Shizuru's breast in the process.
A startled pair of ruby eyes met a pair of emerald green eyes.
Immediately, Shizuru's eyes teared up.
"Hentai!" Shizuru sobbed as she sat up quickly, putting distance between her and Natsuki.
However, the sudden motion had Natsuki's hand slipping. Not before feeling every inch, all the way, from Shizuru's chest to stomach.
"Hentai! Ecchii!" Shizuru added as she scrambled all the way to the other end of the double decker bed and pulling the blanket with her, covering herself up to the chest.
A stunned Natsuki stuttered as she struggled for an explanation. Shooking her head violently in denial.
"Natsuki is hentai!" And with that statement, Shizuru placed her face on her palms and started weeping.
"Shi...Shizuru… this is not what you see! I didn't intend to touch your chest. It was an accident! Let...let me explain it..."
The words only made Shizuru sobbed louder, her shoulders shaking badly.
"We are both girls and… and... " Natsuki stuttered once again, trying to find a suitable explanation. She reached out gently to pull Shizuru's hand, wanting to look at Shizuru's eyes when she explained herself.
But when Shizuru's hands were pulled away, Natsuki saw a slightly flushed but dry face. And Shizuru's eyes were obviously twinkling.
Knowing her act has been discovered, Shizuru threw up her hands in resignation and burst into laughter.
"Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiizuuuuuuuuruuuuuuuuu…." Knowing that she has been conned, Natsuki took her pillows and begin hitting the giggling girl.
Feathers flew around, making a huge mess out of the once tidy room.
But the pillow fight/attack ended abruptly when their alarm clock rang, signalling the start of lessons soon.
Ruby eyes met emerald green once again before both sprang into action, preparing themselves for the day.
A smile pulled at Shizuru's lip as she stepped out of her dormitory.
This wasn't a bad way to start the morning. Shizuru thought, recalling her morning with Natsuki.
But just as the thought occurred, a suspicious red hue appeared on her cheeks and Shizuru tightened her hand on her chest as if recalling something…
A/N:
Alight...Finally get to put this up! Hahah...just to answer some of your queries:
Yup! Tomoe knows the art of casting magic. People who study there are no small flies!
Natsuki is about 26 and Shizuru about 21
And some of this black magic stories are stories I heard from my older cousins when I was younger. They would used to tell me ghost stories and stories about black magic when I was younger (to scare me I guess...hahaha).