Title: The Challenge (Part IV)
Author: ficeler37
Note: Don't own Mai-Hime. I'll let Sunrise take the credit.
Rating: PG
Word count: 1301

Summary: Natsuki and Takeda settle the score on the pool table. Shizuru and Reito arrive at the pool hall. Shiznat interaction!

A/N: Wow, this chapter took me longer than expected. I kept getting distracted by Chinese Shiznat fanfics tonight. Anyhow, Natsuki and Shizuru finally met up! I hope you'll get as excited as I was while writing the story. The scandalous moments will probably show up in the next chapter. Bwa ha ha ha ...

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Alright, this is the moment of truth. Let's see how those two hours of intense (?) training paid off. "Is an 8 ball game cool with you, Takeda?" Natsuki asks, trying to act nonchalantly while her heart beats like a wild horse. Please say yes, this is the only type of pool I know how to play.

"Yea, sure. How about I start with the break?" Judging from what he saw outside the pool hall, Takeda is sure that Natsuki will not be able to make a nice clean break. It will be easier for him to clear the table if he can make the balls scatter evenly around the table on the first break. Soon, Natsuki-chan. Soon, you'll be mine.

Something smells fishy to Natsuki as she notices the uncontrollable grin on Takeda's face. "Haven't you heard of 'ladies first'?" Natsuki roughly pushes Takeda aside, and positions herself at one end of the table. Now, imagine the cue ball is Takeda's head. Natsuki pulls back her cue stick, takes a deep breath, and shoves the stick forward as hard as she can.

Because Natsuki is so focused on the power of the shot, her body loses balance and the cue stick ends up lightly grazing the cue ball, which travels across the table steadily, making a soft contact with the first ball on the tip of the triangle, then proceeds to stop right next to the side rail. Natsuki stares at her masterpiece disappointedly, and a slow blush creeps onto her face. Oh, that was just beautiful, Natsuki. Grrrr…

The game pretty much goes downhill for Natsuki after that first break. After a couple of turns, Takeda only has the 8 ball left to hit, while all 7 of Natsuki's solid balls are still hanging around the pool table. But perhaps Natsuki really has some beginner's luck after all; her balls are actually preventing Takeda from hitting the 8 ball into any of the pockets due to their positions on the table.

Natsuki looks at the situation on the pool table with a grim face. Dear God of Pool, if you were going to give me any miracles at all, now would be a good time. As if on cue, Natsuki and Takeda are startled by a loud bang near the entrance of the pool hall.

"Ara, are you alright, sir?" The heavenly voice that has been lingering on the back of Natsuki's head instantly blows Natsuki's mind away. Oh…my…god…She is standing right there…A million emotions speed through Natsuki's heart. Shock, excitement, relief, longing, sorrow… Wait, shit, I'm here with Takeda. What is she going to think? Please, Shizuru. This is not what it looks like!

Apparently, the loud noise was made by a man who walked into a pool table because he was staring at the glorious sight of Shizuru entering the pool hall in a tight-fitted white top and a black mini-skirt. As Shizuru reaches out her right hand to help the almost bald man stand on his feet, Natsuki wishes that a laser beam can come out of her eyes so that the filthy male hand will be cut off immediately. Shizuru's hand! Argh, he doesn't deserve her touch! Wait, what the hell am I thinking? Shizuru is not mine, she can touch whoever she wants. But, but, but… The more Natsuki reasons with herself, the dizzier she gets. Ahhh, is she walking towards me? #)$#($ Finally, Natsuki's brain overloads and her body starts to tip over.

Let's turn back time a little and take a look at the annoying Kendo boy. After the loud bang, Takeda was actually paying more attention to the man standing behind Shizuru. Kanzaki-senpai? Takeda has always admired Reito for being the most powerful man (only men!) in Fuka High School. To be honest, Takeda felt lucky to run into his favorite senpai on the same day that he was going to get a girlfriend. I'm just the luckiest man on Earth today. Little did he know that the tides have just turned …

Shizuru had actually first spotted Natsuki inside the pool hall while she was still across the street from the building. Never taking her eyes off of the object of her devotion, Shizuru did not realize that she arrived at the entrance with her most attractive smile to date. How long has it been since I last saw you, my beautiful Natsuki? Indeed, the Polaroid picture on my night stand can never compare to the real deal. Natsuki bending down on the pool table…KAWAII! Years ago, I fell in love with that same determined and defiant look at the flower garden. So many memories…

An observant man like Reito undoubtedly witnessed the transformation. When he saw the balding man collapsed, he could not help but think that Shizuru should have worn a "Danger – High Voltage" sign dangling from her neck to keep commoners from swooning over her. Even though he only harbors platonic feelings for his chestnut haired friend, he has to admit that she is one extremely attractive woman.

After helping the poor man up, Shizuru started advancing towards her original destination. Natsuki, that look on your face…I can't tell what's going on in your mind. You seem…confused. Am I making your life complicated again? Did I make the wrong decision to come here? All of a sudden, Shizuru noticed something strange in Natsuki's posture. Why does my Natsuki look so stiff? Is she alr…WOAH! Seeing Natsuki's body slumping forward, Shizuru instinctively runs towards Natsuki, and catches the soft body just in time to prevent any unnecessary injuries.

Where am I? This familiar faint green tea scent? (sigh) So…warm …so… comfortable…

"Natsuki? Natsuki?" A worried Shizuru hugs Natsuki's body tightly and chants her name repeatedly next to her ear. I should probably step back and shake her a little. But why are my arms not listening to my command? I can't … let go. It's like she just molds into my body. God, why are you tempting me like this?

Takeda and Reito look at the pair and remain silent. Takeda cannot describe what he is feeling. There is just something emanating from those two embracing figures that prevents a third person from intervening. Reito, on the other hand, knows better than disturbing this peaceful reunion. Who knows what Shizuru-san may do to me if I meddle in her business?

A minute passes by, and the realization that she is in Shizuru's arms finally hits Natsuki, whose face turns from pale to bright red in a few nano-seconds. This is too much for me to handle right now…Natsuki quickly pushes Shizuru's arms away, leaving Shizuru with a hurt look on her face. However, as soon as Natsuki wants to take a good look at her best friend, the mask of perfection has already made its way to the Kyoto woman.

"Ara, Natsuki is as shy as ever." The Kyoto-ban flows naturally out of the chestnut haired beauty's lips. The smile on Shizuru's face is the exact opposite of the tears that are drowning her heart. As expected, Natsuki is still afraid of my touch. What was I hoping for anyways? That she would magically return my love after I avoided her for the past few months? Get real, Shizuru.

"Shizuru…" It was merely a soft whisper. Are you suppressing your feelings again? Your smile can deceive any one of your fangirls, but not me. Because I can see past your tricks now. After everything that we have been through, do you think I will stay blind forever? Natsuki slowly extends her right hand and takes a hold of Shizuru's left hand, reassuring the Kyoto woman that she is not afraid of her touch. "Where have you been for the past few months, and what are you doing here?"

TBC.