Title: Riding the Roller Coaster (Part VI)
Author: ficeler37
Note: Don't own Mai-Hime. I'll let Sunrise take the credit.
Rating: PG
Word count: 1359

Summary: The log ride.

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It does not take long for the girls to arrive at the log ride line. Natsuki eyes the log that they are about to get on suspiciously. Why is the log so small? You can barely squeeze two people into the ride … Then Natsuki notices how the majority of the people standing in line are either holding hands or linking arms. What is going on?

"Ara, what a popular ride." Shizuru chuckles to herself as she observes Natsuki's confused facial features. The Lovers' Amusement Park Guide was right. The ride seems to be made for couples. Last night, when Shizuru was trying to calm herself down for the upcoming 'date', she googled 'xxx Amusement Park lovers' to get an idea about what lovers do here. Now she is glad she did the research.

Eventually it is the pair's turn to get on. Other than the long cushion that rises up at the center for riders to sit on, there is essentially nothing for people to hold onto. The designer of the ride made the log this way so that the couple can hold onto each other as the log rushes down the steep slope of rushing water. As a side note, this ride is voted the number one thing a couple must try on the survey 'Bet You Didn't Know We Can Do That On A Date'.

Natsuki is the first one to sit down inside the log. She backs up as much as she can until there is no space between her stiff back and the end of the log. "C'mon, Shizuru. Give me your hand."

Shizuru takes Natsuki's offer and settles herself comfortably in front of the blue haired girl, in between her legs. Hehe, Natsuki is probably blushing behind me, wondering where to put her hands at this point.

And Shizuru is right. At first, Natsuki puts her hands at the back of her head, not wanting to make any awkward contact with her Kyoto friend. But as the log starts floating forward, Natsuki finds it difficult to keep her balance with her hands on her head, so she moves her hands down to her thighs instead. A sudden jerk of the log signals its commencement to climb to the top.

Naturally, the power of gravity pushes Shizuru's body down towards Natsuki's. With her back completely leaning on Natsuki's chest, Shizuru sighs happily inwardly. Just as I have always imagined. Natsuki's breasts are so soft. Crimson eyes start to lose focus as the mind travels to dangerous places.

After they have reached the top, Shizuru remains leaning on Natsuki to the blue haired girl's surprise. Ho ho, now is the time. Shizuru starts shaking her shoulders intermittently, which catches Natsuki's attention.

"Ne, Shizuru. Are you alright?" Concern is evident in Natsuki's voice.

A quivering voice replies from the front. "I don't want Natsuki to think that I'm a chicken. But I guess I am one after all. I just don't want Natsuki to feel like she can't go on rides because of me." That's not a complete lie. I am afraid. A bit of exaggeration won't hurt much.

"Shizuru …" You're pushing yourself to the limit for me again? Why am I always the cause of your pain?

"Natsuki, will you hold me?" C'mon. Take the bait.

Sensing a pair of hands snaking up to her waist timidly, Shizuru releases her tense shoulders, covers the younger girl's hands with her own, and puts her entire body weight on the figure behind her. (sigh) Mission accomplished. I can die happy now.

It turns out Natsuki's Drop Zone tip wasn't a complete lie. As the log takes the big drop, Shizuru's mind remains in la la land, and the chestnut haired woman actually does not notice the fall. A camera flash catches her attention in the middle of the fall and she snaps out of her trance and realizes that she forgot to scream.

Just as she opens her mouth to let out a belated scream, water starts rushing at Shizuru from all directions. Shizuru coughs her lungs out as she chokes on some of the intruding water drops. Way to ruin the perfect moment, Shizuru. By the time Shizuru is able to control her coughs, she is already completely red from head to toe.

Natsuki's close proximity to Shizuru permits her to feel every contraction of Shizuru's muscles as she coughs up the water. Is this the first time Shizuru going on a water ride? It's the golden rule not to open your mouth when the ride hits rock bottom. Damnit, Natsuki. You should have known. Why didn't you warn her? Seeing her friend in pain is driving Natsuki crazy with guilt. She pats Shizuru on the back tenderly in hopes of alleviating her pain.

Finally, the girls get out of the log with Shizuru's cheeks still a bit flushed due to the coughing. All of a sudden, something catches Natsuki out of the corner of her eye. "Hey, that's a photo of us in the log rushing down the slope on the computer screen." A salesperson senses a hint of interest in Natsuki and begins bombarding her with price information about photos and magnets, which earns an death glare from the infamous ice princess.

"Uhm, Shizuru. Why are you smiling like that in the photo? I thought you were scared." Natsuki crosses her arms and looks over at Shizuru doubtfully.

"Ara, it must be the power of Natsuki's protective arms on my waist." Shizuru tilts her head a little and leans closer to Natsuki. Hehe, like I am going to tell you about my little vendetta.

With Shizuru's face only a couple inches away, Natsuki turns her head to the side out of embarrassment. Does this woman know the definition of personal space? What the blue haired girl does not realize is how much her personal space has shrunk over the years spent around the Kyoto woman. A couple years ago, she would have put a bullet in Shizuru instead of simply a twist of the head.

As Natsuki's eyes scan their surroundings, she notices an unusual amount of attention being paid to her chestnut haired friend from the male population in the park. What the …AHHHH! Just then, Natsuki finally sees what the others have noticed since the moment Shizuru stepped out of the log.

Since Shizuru was sitting in front, she had also absorbed most of the water being splashed at the duo. Her light purple one piece summer dress is now hugging every curve of her body intimately. Because Natsuki is standing so close to Shizuru, she can also see the outlines of the black bra and panties that the Kyoto woman is wearing underneath her now see-through dress.

Wow, I never knew that Shizuru can look so sexy. Wait, did I say sexy? NO! I mean, uhm …ARGH! The heated gaze from the guys around them is driving Natsuki insane. If I think of Shizuru that way, then I'm just like one of those perverts staring at her. The staring needs to stop NOW. Natsuki's eyes searches desperately for a way to get them away from the view of the crowd.

THERE! Natsuki spots an entrance to a building nearby and rushes towards the opening while pulling Shizuru along. After they get inside, Natsuki notices that the inside of the building is abnormally dark and someone seems to be blasting the air conditioning in this confined space. Uhm, where are we?

A distant scream sets off an alarm in Natsuki's mind. Wait, don't tell me.

"I never knew that Natsuki likes this kind of place. Well, it's your turn to choose what we do next anyways. C'mon. I think the entrance is at the far corner." This time it is Shizuru's turn to pull Natsuki's suddenly stiff body.

Normally, Natsuki considers herself a brave person. She was never afraid to go up against orphans as a hime. The shifty men at the shady bar never fazed her. But as she passes a gigantic neon sign, she can feel sweat sliding down her forehead. The sign reads, 'Welcome to the Haunted House'.

TBC.