Title: The Challenge (Part VI)
Author: ficeler37
Note: Don't own Mai-Hime. I'll let Sunrise take the credit.
Rating: R
Word count: 1018
Summary: If even the writer thinks that it's hot, what do you think it means?
A/N: I actually went to play pool at a pool hall with my coworkers to get some inspiration tonight. I'm quite satisfied with my new chapter. Guess that was a pretty good idea afterall.
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Takeda can only stare at the girls with eyes wide open as the scene unfolds in front of his eyes. Is Kaichou doing this on purpose? Why isn't Kuga pushing her away? Takeda understands that it is not polite to stare, but he just can't seem to tear his eyes away. Not even the fact that the girl of his dreams is being fondled by someone else can suppress his natural sexual instinct.
Reito uses his peripheral vision to steal a glance at the blushing Kendo captain. It doesn't take a genius to figure out who has the upper hand in this love triangle. Takeda-kun is a hundred years too young to go up against someone as cunning as Shizuru-san. I almost feel bad for the pool guy…well, I take that back. Who can blame me for being a ladies' man? Hopefully you'll be able to forget about Natsuki-chan right away, Takeda.
"Natsuki, remember your current feet placement. Next, we need to work on your aiming. Ara, your hair is in the way, let me help you." Again, with her free hand, Shizuru reaches forward to take a hold of Natsuki's silky smooth tresses, gently pulls them back, but not forgetting to 'accidentally' brush her lips against Natsuki's sensitive neck. I can't believe I'm so close to my dear Natsuki that I can feel every tiny tremble of her body. It makes Shizuru even happier that she is the one having this effect on Natsuki.
As Natsuki's breath quickens due to Shizuru's dexterous fingers, the ice (or shall we say fired up! ) princess finds it more and more difficult to focus her eyes on the cue ball. Damnit, Natsuki. Focus! Shizuru is doing her best to help you win, and you can't even put in your best effort to cooperate. She's getting out of her way to help you, and this is how your repay her? Sadly for Natsuki (and probably luckily for Shizuru), her eagerness to win is temporarily preventing her from remembering Shizuru's true nature.
"Natsuki, bring the cue stick in closer to your body so that you won't waver as much as you make the shot." Returning the favor when the shy blue haired girl reached out for her earlier, this time it is Shizuru who wraps her long fingers tightly around Natsuki's right hand as she settles the cue stick next to Natsuki's slim waist. When Shizuru does not detect any struggles on Natsuki's part, she chuckles at the thought of experiencing a love-related cliché. Warm and fuzzy feeling, huh?
"Now visualize the spot on the target ball where your cue ball will make contact. C'mon, you need to bend down lower so that you can make sure your cue stick is lining up to that imaginary spot." With no more free hand, Shizuru uses her body weight to get her point across. "Natsuki, if you extend your left hand forward more, your body should be able to get closer to the table. Oh, and try changing the way you support the cue stick, like this…" After Shizuru shows Natsuki the correct hand gesture, she wonders why Natsuki is not following her advice. "Natsuki? Are you still listening to me?"
What Shizuru did not know was that Natsuki basically lost her ability to think and respond as soon as Natsuki felt the pressure on her back. That distinctive sensation on the two spots on my back…oh…my…god…As soon as the realization of what exactly were touching her back hits Natsuki, an image of a topless Shizuru flows into her mind against her will. Only Shizuru's call of her name manages to take Natsuki back to reality. Natsuki, get your mind out of the gutter! This is your best friend you're thinking about. This is so wrong… "Yea, yea, I'm listening." Natsuki quickly responds to cover up her embarrassment, hoping that Shizuru will not notice the burning blush on her face.
"Ne, Natsuki, it is your turn to hit, right?"
"Yea, why?"
"Do you trust me?"
"Always."
Shizuru smiles at the unwavering reply. "Then let me be your eyes and your right arm. Give me control of your body, and I'll make the shot for you."
"But I thought Takeda said that I need to be the one making the shot?" Natsuki asks with a puzzled look on her face.
With a coy smile, Shizuru answers back, "Well, you're the one holding the cue stick, aren't you?"
An amalgamation of respect and thankfulness fills Natsuki's heart. You can always count on Shizuru to be the cunning one. How many times has this woman saved my ass since I met her? Thinking back to all the times that Shizuru had covered for her when she needed to leave school early to investigate about the First District, Natsuki once again feels lucky that the Kyoto beauty never gave up on her. Well, until recently anyways…
Sensing a sudden shift in Natsuki's mood, Shizuru whispers reassuringly, "For Natsuki, I will do anything. I'll always be here for you. I don't want Natsuki to worry about anything. Just leave everything to me."
As if those words have magical powers, Natsuki's feeling of abandonment instantly faded away. Shizuru always knows what to say to make me feel good. What did I do in my past life to deserve such a great friend? With a blush on her face, Natsuki murmurs softly, "Shizuru, thank you."
Three simple words. Simple, yet perfect for the moment. Shizuru's smile widens as she feels Natsuki's body relaxing against her own. She pulls the cue stick back steadily, and fixes her gaze on the target. With a smooth movement, Shizuru guides Natsuki's hand to make a beautiful draw. (that is when the cue ball rolls back towards you after the shot, not something that a beginner can achieve) To Natsuki's surprise, the target ball ends up lingering next to the pocket, but does not actually go in. As she turns her body around with desperate eyes, she forgets that Shizuru is literally lying on top of her, and the distance between their lips reduces to nothingness.
TBC.