Title: The Challenge (Part V)
Author: ficeler37
Note: Don't own Mai-Hime. I'll let Sunrise take the credit.
Rating: R
Word count: 1250

Summary: One word. Scandalous.

A/N: This chapter actually came out fairly easily. Some of the scenes were what pushed me to write this fanfic in the first place. Anyways, hope everyone will enjoy the story. Please leave me a line if you like it!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Never in a million years did Shizuru expect the uniform-clad Natsuki to reach out for her on her own. In her memory, she had always been the one initiating physical contacts with the other girl, hiding behind the double-edged sword called 'friendship'. Sure she hugged me towards the end of the hime festival, but she only did it to help me regain my sanity…Gradually Shizuru's 'reserved-for-fangirl' smile evolves into a smile that betrays her contentment. Oh my, how my Natsuki has grown since I last saw her. Tokiha-san must have done a wonderful job softening Natsuki's heart.

Fujino Shizuru may be the most confident person in the world, but when it comes to anything that has to do with one Kuga Natsuki, her confidence tends to evaporate into thin air. The idea that Natsuki only shows her tender side around her never even crosses the mind of the Kyoto princess. Almost forgetting the objective of her mission today since Natsuki collapsed in her arms, Shizuru finally regains her composure.

"I have been in Fuka of course. I'm not like a certain someone who doesn't care about skipping school at all." Answering Natsuki's question with a teasing grin, needless to say, Shizuru witnesses the color change on Natsuki's face once again. "And what do you think people want to do when they come to a pool hall? Play basketball?" I don't think I'll ever get tired of teasing my adorable Natsuki…if only I can do it for the rest of my life…

"SHIZURU!" Natsuki's pride suffers a serious blow from Shizuru's teasing remarks. She quickly crosses her arms in front of her chest, and turns her head away from Shizuru with furrowed brows. Why did I even bother caring for this wicked woman? If I get a penny every time she teases me, I can probably afford to buy a race car team by now. At the same time, Natsuki realizes that empty feeling in her heart ever since Shizuru graduated has magically subsided. In the end, I still miss her…all the good things and bad things about her…

Instinctively, Takeda knows that the longer he leaves the two girls alone in their little world, the further Natsuki drifts away from him. "Fujino-san, if you don't mind, I would like to finish the game with Kuga-san first." This has to do with my future love life. I can't let anyone alter my perfect plan. Not even the ex-student council president. This is not the time to play nice. Takeda looks Shizuru in the eyes as if challenging her to say no to his request.

"Ara, you are Takeda-kun, right? I didn't notice you till you talked to me." Even though the corners of her lips are pointing up, Shizuru is shooting daggers out of her eyes at the rude boy in front of her. You must be the 'trouble' mentioned in the text message. Now that I'm here, don't you think you can take advantage of MY Natsuki. Shizuru takes a look at the ball positions on the table. Tokiha-san's text message pretty much implied that Natsuki is not good at this game. How can I turn the game around? Hmm…tricky, but not impossible. "Of course you two should finish the game. It doesn't look like it's going to take long at all."

"Shizuru…" Shizuru's statement just reminded Natsuki about the impending doom of dating Takeda. Natsuki looks at Shizuru with puppy eyes, hoping the chestnut haired woman will take pity on her and help her get out of finishing the game. If you are indeed the miracle sent by the powers above, then DO SOMETHING!

Shizuru would have died for Natsuki even if Natsuki is growling at her. Naturally, the puppy eye attack only serves to make her even more determined to make Natsuki win. "Takeda-kun, since you only have one ball left to hit, would you mind if I give Natsuki a few pointers so that she can at least hit one of her balls into the pocket?" Tell me that you don't mind, Kendo bastard, and I will show you what total humiliation feels like.

Even though Takeda does not know how skillful Shizuru is at pool, he is still worried that Shizuru is going to play for Natsuki. As a precaution, I can't let her play. "After all, this is a game between me and Kuga-san. As long as she is the one making the shot with the cue stick, you can give her as many pointers as you like." It doesn't matter how good Fujino's advices are, as a beginner, Natsuki still cannot control the power of her shots properly. I don't have anything to worry about.

"Thank you, Takeda-kun." Shizuru flashes Takeda a bright smile as invisible devil horns grow out of her head. She walks towards a far pocket of the pool table and motions Natsuki to follow her. "Natsuki, show me how you make a regular shot."

After listening to stupid Kendo boy's remark earlier, Natsuki has pretty much given up hope on the game. At first, she thought she could ask Shizuru or Reito to play for her. But now, she has no self confidence in winning the game. Nevertheless, Natsuki bends down on the pool table, not wanting to disobey Shizuru.

"Natsuki, your current posture will make you lose balance very easily. Let me show you how you should position yourself on the table."

Just as Natsuki tries to get up from the table, thinking that she will observe Shizuru's pose on the table while she stands on the side, she feels a hand on the small of her back firmly pushing her back down on the table. "Shi...Shizu…ru?" What is she trying to do? And where is she putting her hand? That soft feeling on my back…could it be…

Natsuki's guess is correct. Shizuru had positioned herself directly behind Natsuki and lowered her body so that her breasts are now pressing onto Natsuki's back. She supports her body weight with her left hand, which is placed right next to Natsuki's own. "Natsuki, relax. If you want to win, you have to listen to me and do exactly as I say." Shizuru whispers sensuously into Natsuki's ears after she is sure that she has minimized the distance between their two warm bodies.

Normally, Natsuki would have been too embarrassed to have such close physical contact that she would struggle to get out of her current position. But as soon as she heard the phrase "if you want to win", the hope that she may not have to go out on a date with Takeda had dissolved her wish to break away. Shizuru, I believe in you. If you think that I can win, then I will win for sure.

If Natsuki can see the evil smirk on Shizuru's face right now, she will probably have second thoughts about trusting the Kyoto beauty so completely. "Natsuki, you need to spread your legs apart more." As those words slip out of Shizuru's lips, her free hand follows the voluptuous curve of Natsuki's body from her slim waist, lingering momentarily on her firm behind, and finally resting on the shorter girl's inner right thigh. Lightly pressing her fingers on the smooth flesh, Shizuru is not surprised when a quick gasp escapes from the person underneath her.

Ara, Natsuki's heart is beating so fast. But if I make fun of her right now, she probably won't let me continue what I want to do next…

TBC.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N 2: The scandal shall continue to the next chapter. Bwa ha ha ha...