Title: Long distance

Chapter: 3

Author's note: Sorry about the absence for the past month, but here's the third chapter! Have fun reading.

Disclaimer: I do not own Mai-Hime or the characters.

Warnings: FUTA!NATSUKI! Sex, alcohol, long distance, etc.

(Fuuka Academy)

Natsuki sighed once she set foot off of the coach at Fuuka Academy. Just knowing that Shizuru was so far away after impacting her life like she had made her heart feel heavy and she could not stop missing the teasing girl.

She heard the school bell ring, signalling the end of the day and she said goodbye to Mai with a wave, rushing off with her suitcase to her car and waiting for Eiji to come to the car so she can go home.

Bouncing on the balls of her feet, she pulled out her phone and text Shizuru. 'Back in Fuuka, all safe.' She types and then pressed send.

Putting her phone back in her pocket and sighing, she leaned against her car and kept an eye out for her younger brother from the students emerging from the school entrance.

5 minutes later, she finally spotted him walking out of the school with the same girl attached to his arm. The girl looked like she was chatting on, but Eiji looked bored out of his mind.

Eiji quickly spotted her, finding his excuse to get away from her and quickly said his byes and rushed over to the car. He raised an eyebrow at Natsuki. "You not too tired to drive?" He asked.

Natsuki rolled her eyes and grabbed her car keys from his hand. "Just get in." She said, walking to the boot and shoving her things in there before getting into the driver's seat.

Eiji sat himself in the passenger seat while Natsuki started the car and jumped in surprise when something hit the side of his face. He looked down and saw a packet of cigarettes, then looked at Natsuki.

Natsuki looked at him from the corner of her eyes, sparking up her own cig. "Figured you wouldn't want a souvenir."

Eiji nodded and used his own lighter to light his, pressing the button to roll his window down while they smoked. "How was the trip anyway?" He asked.

"Life changing." Natsuki said and Eiji spotted the smallest of smiles on his sister's face.

"Good or bad?" He asked.

"Both." Natsuki sighed.

They both remained in silence while Natsuki drove them to their father's house.

(Kuga Apartment)

Natsuki parked her car in the underground parking underneath her apartment complex next to her motorbike and quickly shut off the car, got out and grabbed her stuff, and then locked her car while rushing up to her apartment. She carelessly threw her things into the apartment and then rushed down the hall to the neighboring apartment and knocked on the door.

The door opened to reveal her neighbour, a middle aged woman with a love for dogs, and handed Duran over talking about how he was and what he did before Natsuki rushed back to her apartment with Duran licking her face and yipping.

"Hey boy! You miss me?" Natsuki said, cooing at him while he jumped around and yipped in excitement in her arms.

She quickly stroked behind his ears and scratched his belly. They played like that for almost an hour until Duran knackered himself out and fell asleep on the couch.

Deciding while he was out cold that she would unPack, that's just what she did. She unpacked all of her things and organised them and then checked her phone for the 100th time in the past 5 minutes.

"Urgh..." She groaned, shoving her phone back into her pocket and grabbing a black Adidas hoodie from her wardrobe. She quickly pulled it on and rolled up the sleeves.

After cleaning around her apartment and continuously checking her phone like no tomorrow, she noted that night had fallen and that Shizuru would have finished school over an hour ago.

Palms slightly sweaty, she gulped and unlocked her phone, opening up Shizuru's contact and facetiming the girl. It rung 5 times, but figuring Shizuru might be busy Natsuki was just about to press the end call when Shizuru picked up and her face popped up on the screen.

"H-Hey!" Natsuki said, taken by surprise. She looked at Shizuru and saw her hair wet and she was wearing just a towel. "Hey..." She said again, trailing off.

Shizuru's face has a big smile on it. "Ara," She said and it helped soothe Natsuki's nerves. "I was hoping you'd call, I just got out of a shower."

Natsuki snapped out of her daze and her cheeks lit up red. "I can call back another time-?" She started to say.

"No, it's fine, honestly." Shizuru said, waving Natsuki's worries away.

"Okay." Natsuki replied, nodding. She tried to avert her eyes, she really did, but Shizuru's cleavage slightly showing was far too much skin for her to handle.

At that moment, Duran woke up and yipped, startling Shizuru who's eyes widened.

"That is Natsuki's dog?" She asked.

Natsuki let out a sheepish smile, leaning down to pick up Duran pawing at her leg with her left arm and placed him in front of her phone for Shizuru to see. "Yeah, this is my puppy Duran."

Shizuru coo'd at the screen. "Such a handsome puppy you are!" She said, speaking to Duran who barked and tried to lick the phone screen. "Just as pretty as your mother, hm." She said, winking at Natsuki that blushed.

"Shizuru!" Natsuki barked, cheeks a deep red. She put Duran on the floor who ran off to play with his toys.

"I merely state the truth Natsuki." Shizuru smiled and backed away from the screen. "Give me just a moment."

Natsuki nodded, watching Shizuru head back into her dorm room out of view. "Yeah, that's cool."

Although Shizuru wasn't in the screens view, Natsuki could hear some shuffling around while she waited.

"I take it Natsuki got home safe, yes?" Shizuru asked and Natsuki smiled.

"Yeah, it was a long way back, but I guess it's good now I know all my stuff is still safe and everything. How was school?" Natsuki asked, opening up her kitchen draw and looking at some takeout menus.

"Ah, my teacher was not very pleased about Natsuki's appearance in class this morning, but other than that it was a normal day, I'm glad I have the weekend free tomorrow." Shizuru said, her voice further away from the phone.

Natsuki looked over the menus before deciding on just ordering a pizza. "Atleast you have the weekend free, I'm back at work and I have to make my lost hours up."

"Don't work yourself too hard Natsuki or you'll tire yourself out." Shizuru said.

Putting the app on pause for a second, Natsuki ordered her food online. "Nah its cool, I work night shifts and full days on the weekend. My dad's love for me living on my own only goes so far so I need to cough up money for everything else." She said.

"Natsuki has her own apartment? She never mentioned that." Shizuru said, finally coming back into the screens view.

Although her hair was still wet and tied up in a high messy bun, Shizuru looked gorgeous and Natsuki couldn't help but stare. A few out of place locks framed Shizuru's face, she was wearing some black glasses, she was also wearing baggy white t-shirt and some booty shorts. She looked so natural it just took Natsuki's breath away.

"Wow..." Natsuki mumbled staring at her phone screen. She quickly coughed and blushed realising what she did.

Shizuru smiled and it lit up her whole face. "Thank you."

Natsuki just nodded her head.

The two spoke for the rest of the night, even when Natsuki's pizza arrived and Duran bugged Natsuki for attention. Eventually, they both fell asleep on facetime together after hours of talking about anything and everything.

(1 month later)

An entire month passed by and Natsuki was shocked at just how fast the past month had gone. The majority of the time she was either at school or working, but every night without fail Natsuki and Shizuru would speak on the phone and fall asleep together. Natsuki even stayed up 3 hours later than usual until Shizuru went to bed because of the time difference between them.

Natsuki heard the school bell ring signalling the end of the day and she sighed in relief; today was turning out to be a bad day.

Firstly, she had woken up late and ended up being late to school, then she had a lunch detention to make up for it and the teachers seemed to just be trying to piss her off on purpose so she was trying really hard not to kick off.

She had forgotten to put her phone on charge the night before so it was dead which meant she hadn't been able to text Shizuru throughout the day like usual and she was really missing the girl.

Not to mention her workload with school was piling up and it had to be done before the term ended and they broke up for half term which was at the end of the week and it was only Wednesday.

Groaning, Natsuki packed up her notes and stood from her desk, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

"Natsuki!" Mai said, bouncing up to her desk and smiling.

"Hey Mai." Natsuki said.

"Have you made any plans for the half term yet?" Mai said, watching students leaving the classroom.

Natsuki blinked. "Not really, haven't had much time to think about what I'll do, why?"

Mai grinned. "Me and a few others have bought tickets for a beach party, you know down at Fuuka beach? It's all day and all night, we have some spare tickets we got at a discount if you wanna come?"

Natsuki thought about it. "I'll have to let you know about it, don't know if I'll be free."

Mai nodded her head. "Well look, the offer still stands even if you make your mind up that day, just let me know. Anyway, I have a date with Tate so see you tomorrow!" She said, leaving the classroom.

Rolling her eyes, Natsuki adjusted her bag and stuck her hands in her slack pockets while she walked out of the classroom, down the corridors and stairs and then out of school. She walked to the parking lot and saw Eiji leaning against her car.

"Hey." He said, running a hand through his hair. "Can I stay at yours tonight."

Natsuki unlocked her car. "If you must, but why aren't you staying at dads?" She said, throwing her bag into the back seats before getting in the driver's seat.

Eiji got in the passenger seat, sighing himself. "You know dad he's too busy doting on Aiko and Rei, he barely notices when I'm there and I just wanna chill."

Natsuki just clicked her tongue. Their parents divorce was no surprise having watched them argue and drift growing up, but when their dad admitted to an affair and another woman was pregnant was what really blew up the family. Their parents divorced and their dad started a new life, pushing Natsuki into her own place and bearing with Eiji since Saeko was always working. Aiko was 7 now, the age where their dad gave her all of his attention.

"Well I've got some school work to do, so don't bug me or anything." Natsuki mumbled.

Eiji nodded. "I won't."

Natsuki didn't reply and instead started the car, then drove them to her apartment.

As soon as she was home she fed and played with Duran after putting her phone on charge while Eiji went into the room he stayed over in. After an hour she went to check her phone and noticed she had a lot of texts from Shizuru wondering about her and worrying.

She texted the girl back telling her she was all fine and that they would talk when she was done with school. While she had the free time she cracked on with her school work and got it all done in record time, printing out her assignments and putting them in plastic wallets to be kept safe.

Now she wouldn't have to worry about school work over the holidays.

She didn't have work tonight so she decided to curl up on her living room couch after ordering takeout to be delivered and switched on her PS4 and opening Netflix. She choose a film at random and settled against the couch pillows, Duran jumping up and curling up in a ball next to her.

Eiji emerged from the room he had been in, clad in his boxers and a t-shirt and sat on the couch too.

Sometimes when they were both just planning on relaxing, they would sit on the couch and watch films until they fell asleep. They didn't really talk much and it was usually a once in a blue moon type of thing.

Throughout the film, Eiji kept looking at Natsuki and opening his mouth to say something before thinking better of it, he even did it when they were eating their takeout. Eventually, Natsuki grew tired of it.

"If you wanna talk about something, then say it Eiji." Natsuki said, her eyes meeting his when he once again opened his mouth and closed it.

Eiji gulped at having been caught. "It's nothing."

Natsuki sucked in a deep breath, standing from the couch and grabbing her cigarettes off of the table, throwing one at Eiji and sparking her own before throwing her lighter at him.

"I'm your sister, I grew up with you Eiji so I know when you wanna talk about something." Natsuki said.

"It's just..." He started, his grey eyes turning vulnerable. "I don't know it's stupid." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

Natsuki looked at her brother seriously, taking him in. Eiji never had trouble speaking his mind before and even if they didn't have serious talks about their lives a lot, they knew if they needed to talk then they could.

"I'm not gonna judge you or anything, I'll listen if you need me to." Natsuki replied, sitting back down on the couch.

"There's this girl," Eiji blurted, avoiding meeting Natsuki's eyes. "A mutual friend introduced us and she's amazing, but she's so out of my league and she has this boyfriend who's some top notch guy or whatever, but I just really like her and it sucks because I can't tell her how I feel or anything you know but she just makes me want to be this better person or some shit I dunno and when we hang out we just click with each other and we can laugh or talk about anything and just feel so comfortable around each other and stuff but it's just stupid."

Natsuki blinked in surprise. Her brother had never taken relationships seriously after their parents divorce, claiming that they were just stupid and would eventually end anyway, so this was a real surprise to Natsuki.

"Like she's really smart and pretty, but she goes to a different school and her boyfriend is a total douchebag that treats her like shit and it pisses me off that he treats her that way when she deserves so much better, but I can't do anything it just feels like I'm stuck and I don't even know if she likes me or anything but I just really really like this girl." He ranted.

Natsuki stood in silence. "So?"

Eiji gave her wide eyes. "What do you mean 'so'?"

"You're an idiot," Natsuki said, shaking her head. "You're rough around the edges, but if you quit the drinking and shit and spent more time with her she'd notice you more and that way you can tell if she likes you like that or not. Stop being an idiot and fucking up your life with stupid shit and show her that you can do so much better than the boyfriend. Find out if she likes you and then go from there."

"It's not that simple!"

"Yes, it is. You're just making it harder for yourself by overthinking everything. Find out if she likes you and if she does show her you're better. You're stressing over this and overthinking it all, just relax and do what you can."

Eiji sat and thought about it while they both smoked before he nodded his head. "Yeah, I guess that's true."

"Exactly." Natsuki said.

Rolling his eyes, Eiji looked at Natsuki. "Considering you've been talking to that girl and not realised your feelings for her I'm surprised at how much of an idiot you are."

Scowling, Natsuki glared at her brother. "What's that mean?"

"Exactly what I said. You came back from Garderobe and you were different, like a bit happier and it's because of her. She makes you smile, you always want to talk to her, hell you two fall asleep on the phone together. That screams feelings to me so how you haven't figured that out baffles me."

Natsuki knew he was right. She wasn't stupid, she knew she had caught feelings for Shizuru, she just didn't want to admit it because once she did then that means she was in love with a girl that lives far away.

She couldn't randomly call Shizuru when she wanted or randomly show up to see her, she couldn't hold her hand or kiss her like she wants to. She wouldn't be able to just invite Shizuru over to spend the night and go out places or anything like that. The distance made things complicated.

"I know I have feelings for her Eiji, I know she has them too, but we're just too far away from each other." Natsuki sighed.

"Pfft, and you call me an idiot. Distance doesnt mean shit when you love someone Natsuki. That girl is probably feeling the same right now and she's just waiting for you to tell her how you feel. Don't ruin a good thing just because of distance, if you have feelings strong enough for each other then yeah it'll be hard, but you can make it work." He shrugged.

Natsuki played with her phone, having been texting Shizuru all night.

"You're scared, I get it, but at least tell her and try it out. She makes you happy Natsuki, which is an impossible thing to do so tell her how you feel and see how things go. If they work out then great, but if they don't then you atleast tried."

"Alright alright, stop talking like you're some love expert okay I'll tell her." Natsuki grumbled, standing from the couch and heading to her bedroom, Duran trotting right behind her.

"You're welcome!" Eiji shouted just as she slammed her door.

After pacing around her room for an hour and working up her nerves, she unlocked her phone and quickly pressed call for Shizuru's contact.

Shizuru immediately picked up.

"Hey," Natsuki said, her palms sweaty and her heart beating out of her chest. "Can we talk? I really need to tell you something."