Title: Riding the Roller Coaster (Part XXIII)
Author: ficeler37
Note: Don't own Mai-Hime. I'll let Sunrise take the credit.
Rating: PG
Word count: 1188
Summary: Have you ever wondered how a conversation would go between a drunk Shizuru and Natsuki?
A/N: I know that this chapter is shorter than usual, but that doesn't mean that I didn't put a lot of thought into writing it. For those who were expecting outrageous things to happen inside the gondola, you may be disappointed. On second thought, there's always the omake, hehe. The next chapter is going to be the last one by the way! (runs away sobbing)
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"Grab onto my arm." Natsuki leads Shizuru to sit down on the opposite side of the gondola. "What has gotten into you?" Back at her previous seat, Natsuki eyes the older girl wearily. This is not the symptom of a heat stroke, right? Damnit, Natsuki. Why weren't you paying attention in your health education class?
With a lazy smile on her face, Shizuru rests her head on the silver bar on the side of the gondola. "Frowns don't suit you, Natsuki. Will you smile for me, my princess?"
"We're not himes anymore. You don't have to call me a princess." Natsuki stares intently at the gum stuck on the floor. Don't blush, Natsuki. You can do it.
Shizuru takes a sip of her drink and runs her tongue across her lips seductively. "Ara, is my Natsuki too shy for a mere term of endearment?" Her gaze travels up and down the other girl's body in a predatory manner. "Natsuki is the only princess in my heart, you know."
Watching the other girl out of the corner of her eye, a blush spreads across Natsuki's face against her will. If this was the first time I met with Shizuru, I would have sworn that she had x-ray vision. She's practically undressing me with her eyes! How could those words come out of her mouth so effortlessly? "Don't be silly. You're acting really weird, Shizuru. Are you sure you are okay?"
"Never felt better. For once, I'm speaking my mind." With a glazed look, Shizuru stares far away at the setting sun. "When I was little, someone told me a Greek myth about a man with wings made of wax. This man ended up falling to his death after flying too close to the sun, which melted his wings." After stealing a glance at the younger girl to make sure that she is still paying attention, Shizuru continues with her story.
"I have always thought that the guy was an idiot. I mean, wouldn't hot dripping wax on his arms be a good enough signal that perhaps it was a bad idea to keep flying higher and higher into the sky?" A deep throated chuckle. She wasn't sure if she was laughing at the idiotic action of the poor hero, or something that hits much closer to home. "But now I understand. Sometimes people just do what they do, even if they know that it is going to hurt them in the end." Like how I can't help but be attracted to you, Natsuki …even if it kills me a little on the inside each day.
"Shizuru, why are we talking about this?" Is this one of her cryptic messages again? Why can't she just come flat out and tell me what's in that head of hers?
"I don't know what I am talking about anymore. Must be something in my drink." Shizuru gives Natsuki a teasing wink and lifts her cup towards her lips once more.
"Let me have a sip of that." After spending years collecting information in shady bars, Natsuki had acquired an excellent sense of taste for hard liquor. What the hell? Someone definitely spiked this drink. "Listen to me, Shizuru. Don't drink out of this cup anymore. You're drunk."
"Then can I have a sip of Natsuki's drink?" Shizuru rises up from her seat and holds out her hand in the air to reach for the drink on the other side of the gondola. Unfortunately, her double vision causes her to misjudge the distance. She stumbles forward and lands herself right in the lap of the other girl. So close, yet so far away.
Ahhhh! Her head is so close to my … "C'mon, get up." With her upper body strength alone, Natsuki guides the fallen figure to the space next to her. "Woah!" Putting an arm around Shizuru's shoulders in the nick of time, Natsuki was barely able to prevent a head on collision between Shizuru's head and the silver bar on the window. Shizuru is not going to be happy if she finds an angry red bump on her forehead when she is back to her old self. Bet she won't be laughing at that 'walking into a bar' joke.
"I had … a lot of fun today … Natsuki." Shizuru shakes her head, wanting to get rid of the urge to sleep raiding her mind. So heavy … my head. "Thank you … and … I lov …" A quiet thump on the younger girl's shoulder stifles the end of her sentence.
"Shizuru? Are you alright?" Feeling the warmth of deep steady breaths on her neck, Natsuki wants to give it one last try before concluding that her best friend just fell asleep on her shoulder. "Your precious tea leaves are on fire, hairy butt." Silence. No objections to both accounts? Guess she really passed out. Hmmm …wonder what she was trying to say before?
Soft chestnut-colored curls tickle Natsuki's face with no mercy. She pulls back a little and observes the sleepy face on her shoulder. So harmless and innocent looking. (scoff) What am I talking about? This is the woman who will grope me every five minutes.
"Wake up, sleepy head. Look outside. The sunset is beautiful." The gentle request results in a moan of displeasure. Unwilling to raise her voice any higher than the failed whisper, Natsuki decides to give the older girl a break. Guess it's just me and you, pretty colors in the sky. Wait, did she just say something? As she bends down and tries to decipher Shizuru's mumble, the older girl instinctively snuggles closer to the crook of her neck.
"Natsuki … please … don't go …" A tiny bead of sapphire blue slides down the side of Shizuru's flushed face and makes contact with Natsuki's sensitive skin.
"I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Not without you." With a tender kiss on the resting Kyoto beauty's temple, she seals in a solemn promise. You have my word, Shizuru. I will always be here for you.
Golden rays fill the enclosed space inside the gondola. Basking in the warmth of nature's gift, Natsuki closes her eyes. I still don't know if this is the feeling that you hoped for, Shizuru. But one thing is for sure …after how we spent the day together, I don't think I can go through another day without you in my life. With a firm tug of the arm, Natsuki pulls the older girl closer to her body. What can I do to keep you by my side, Shizuru?
TBC.
----Omake begins----
Shizuru is still dreaming in her la la land.
Inside the lingerie shop in la la land …
Natsuki: Shizuru, I feel like my boobs got bigger over spring break. Can you remeasure my bust size?
Shizuru: Ho ho, just leave everything to me. (gets behind Natsuki and starts massaging those perky breasts)
Back in the gondola in reality …
Natsuki opens her eyes in horror.
Natsuki: Wake up, Shizuru! Stop it! (moans)
Shizuru's subconscious chooses to ignore Natsuki's not-so-convincing plea.
Natsuki spots a brat in another gondola making kissing faces at her.
Natsuki: This is a nightmare. Tell me I'm dreaming.
Natsuki gives up and takes a sip of Shizuru's abandoned drink.
----Omake ends----