Title: Riding the Roller Coaster (Part XXII)
Author: ficeler37
Note: Don't own Mai-Hime. I'll let Sunrise take the credit.
Rating: PG
Word count: 1204

Summary: The truth about Natsuki's wallet. Shizuru's miscalculation.

A/N: Someone gave me some nice pointers for my writing in a review for the last chapter, and hopefully the improvement will show a little in this chapter. Do pardon my vocabulary since that is not something that I can improve overnight. Will try to stop being lazy and pay more attention to my writings in the future. Enjoy! (wink)

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After the girls' second indirect kiss of the day, Natsuki managed to fill up her stomach with some more food by placing her lips right against the rim of the rice bowl and shoveling the soft tofu directly into her mouth with her chopsticks. The atmosphere of the remaining meal time was relatively relaxing and peaceful, apart from a playful comment of the Kyoto woman pointing out how butchy and sexy the other girl's eating manner was, which elicits yet another blush and subsequent fits of giggles. Shizuru paid for dinner matter-of-factly, citing that it was her idea to go to the vegetarian restaurant. By the time the girls walk out of Tofu Palace, it was already close to seven in the evening.

Strolling side by side with the girl of her dreams in a comfortable silence, Shizuru cannot help but make a silent wish to whatever deity listening to her that the sun will never set today. However, as soon as she realizes what she has done, she can only scoff at her foolishness. Women in love are indeed more superstitious. Just months ago, you swore to kill any gods or demons that stood in your way to protect Natsuki. Now you expect them to bless your one-sided love? Shizuru stares deep into the horizon, at the dark blue that seems to be mocking her unrealistic plea. Since the day is going to end soon, I might as well make the most out of the imminent sunset. "Would Natsuki mind going on the ferris wheel with me?"

Natsuki takes off her black baseball cap and lets her pony tail loose. "Sure, why not?" Much better. No more pony tail, no more annoying headache. She runs her fingers through her silky blue hair casually and gets rid of some unwelcome knots. "Let's go get in line." With her baseball cap back on, Natsuki starts walking towards the attraction.

It takes Shizuru a few seconds to notice that the other girl had said yes to her suggestion. Quickened footsteps strive to catch up. Does this girl know how gorgeous she is? I can't get my heart to stop beating like a high speed metronome. A healthy blush makes it ways to the silky smooth skin as a result of the mental and physical stimulation.

To the girls' unpleasant surprise, many people are already in line when they get close to the ferris wheel. The girl in the summer dress presses on the skin that peeks out from between the black shirt and the tight low rise jeans. "Hurry, Natsuki! Let's get to the back of the line before it gets any longer. I don't want to miss watching the sunset on a gondola."

"Ah! Shizuru! Are you doing this on purpose?" Natsuki twists her head and glares at the elegant-looking aggressor behind her.

Glistening crimson eyes gaze back at the fuming girl. "Natsuki thinks that I want the line for the ferris wheel to be so long?" She sniffles softly as a drop of tear struggles to keep from sliding down her face.

It's a trick. It's a trick. It's a … I can't stand her looking so sad! "That was not what I was talking about. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." Natsuki reaches out for the shaky hands. Her hands are so warm.

"Ara, since your apology is so sincere, I guess I will forgive you if you buy me a drink at the juice stand. I'll save a spot for you at the line." That lone tear drop hanging at the corner of her eye mysteriously disappeared, and a smug smile replaces the previously innocent and hurtful look. Natsuki barely touched her tea over dinner. She must be pretty thirsty by now.

Damn, this woman. Always taking advantage of me! "Fine. Wait for me." Natsuki releases her grip on the delicate hands and marches towards the juice stand nearby. About half way to the stand, the errand girl makes an abrupt turn towards where Shizuru is standing in line.

"What's the matter, Natsuki?" The other girl's name rolled out of her lips smoothly like red wine being twirled around in a tall glass. Dangerously alluring. A devil's sweet murmur.

You knew this was going to happen. You knew! The burning temperature of her face betrays Natsuki's inner shame. "I don't have any cash on me. Can I borrow some from you to buy you that drink?" She whispered just loud enough for Shizuru to comprehend her words.

So the truth finally came out, ho ho. Alright, I should stop teasing you. "I think the sign at the juice stand reads 'buy one and get one free'. Here's five hundred yen. Why don't you get us two cups of orange juice?" She playfully slaps the flushed girl on her bottom and nods her head at the direction of the juice stand.

With a pout and a harsh glare, Natsuki orders her drinks with the two young boys working behind the stand. While one boy works diligently to prepare the drinks, the other boy looks disinterested while listening to his music with his headphones. As Natsuki walks away from the juice stand with drinks in hand, it was then that the laid back boy notices that something is missing. "Dude, where did you put the drink that I just spiked with Everclear? That was mine. That shit was expensive, you know? Being 95 alcohol and all. "

A sheepish grin appears on the other boy's face. "Oops, I thought it was one of the pre-made drinks and handed it to the girl that was just here. But it should be okay, right? I mean, normal people should be able to tell whether a drink is alcoholic or not. She can just come back for a replacement."

"Good luck with that theory. That Everclear shit is almost tasteless on its own. Damn, I need my boost now. Why do I have to be clear-headed for the rest of my shift?" The boy shrugs his shoulders and retreats back to his music world.

Back at the ferris wheel line, Shizuru and Natsuki are sipping on the drinks in their hands, oblivious to the hidden trap in one of their drinks. The line moves rather quickly as the sun is still in the sky when the girls hit the front of the line. With her drink in hand, Natsuki easily climbs into the gondola, settles herself on the left bench and waits for the other girl to come in. That orange juice wasn't such a bad idea. I was actually pretty thirsty back there. Lucky me.

A sudden vibration on the gondola makes Natsuki jump out of her seat a little. "Are you okay, Shizuru? Did you miss a step? It's unlike you to be so clumsy." She spots the older girl leaning on the gondola entrance with her hands balanced on either side of the half open gate.

"Natsuki …" A breathy moan with a heavy undertone of sexual energy. Shizuru focuses her gaze at the love of her life with warm pink cheeks. "Ara, I feel kind of weird. Can Natsuki give me a hand?" It's so hot in here. What's wrong with me?

TBC.