Disclaimer: Not mine

A/N: I'm so sorry! I've had a horrid case of prolonged writer's block, and I can't apologise enough! I hate taking so long with all my updates, and I'll try to do better in the future. Hopefully this new chapter is at least part worth the wait. Sorry for the wait, and thank you for your patience x

Chapter 3

Haruka dragged a somewhat stunned Natsuki inside the restaurant – not quite holding hands, instead Haruka was gripping the sleeve of Natsuki's jacket and Natsuki was letting her.

The pup had an expression that was somewhere between blank and thoughtful. Silently, she was wondering what Haruka would do when – at the end of the meal – Natsuki revealed that she hadn't brought her wallet.

After all, the blonde had been the one who had invited the blunette to restaurant; and so Natsuki had made the reasonable assumption that Haruka would be paying…though as the pup turned her gaze to her companion, she got the distinct feeling that the loudmouth would not see it that way.

The biker bit her lip for a moment, contemplating confessing before deciding against it. Natsuki was no coward but she wanted to keep her hearing for as long as possible – and she could just imagine how Haruka would react: yelling and sending her to fetch the wallet, before then being grumpy and moody at having to wait.

Natsuki didn't want that to happen.

It wasn't that she expected to enjoy herself – it was Haruka she was with after all – she just wanted the night to pass as smoothly as possible, or at least have an atmosphere that wasn't hostile.

What happened at the end of the night didn't matter so much.

She had her motorbike for a reason.

She could almost imagine Haruka's face, the way the blonde would be shouting and fuming with anger as the biker girl made her escape. The thought of it released a small chuckle from the blunette's lips.

As luck would have it, Natsuki chuckled just as Haruka led them inside, into the eagle eyed view of Mai – who promptly dropped the all plates she was holding.

Ice Queen Kuga Natsuki, the school's resident biker rebel…laughing in the company of Fuuka's discipline mad Executive Director Suzushiro Haruka. What's more, both of them were without their respective best friends: Fujino Shizuru and Kikukawa Yukino.

The restaurant fell into near silence, the only sounds being breathing and a single unbroken cup settling on the ground…then more breathing.

It seemed as though all eyes were on the unlikely pair – watching to see what they would do – and Natsuki's hair stood up on the back of her neck from the sensation it caused. She was the lone wolf for a number of reasons...one being that she didn't like being the centre of attention. Her emerald eyes betrayed a look of pleadingly in Mai's direction, but the red head only stood wide-eyed like a deer in headlights.

The only person who seemed unaffected was Haruka – she seemed blissfully unaware of the attention she and Natsuki were attracting - she was more preoccupied that Mai had dropped the dishes and wasn't cleaning them up.

"How unprofessional," she muttered loudly to herself, and Mai flushed – thinking Haruka was referring to her staring.

To hide her embarrassment she ducked down to pick up the mess; and as she did Natsuki took the opportunity to all but drag Haruka to an empty corner booth. It was somewhat secluded, and after a few minutes the other patrons of the restaurant started talking again; except for a still interested Mai - if anything, the area Natsuki had chosen to seat herself and Haruka in had made the redhead even more curious.

Carefully taking the broken dishes to the bin, her eyes remained fixed to the unlikely couple.

Natsuki was by this point unaware that anyone was still watching them…she was too busy shrinking back in her seat under the intense glare of the Executive Director.

"What did you drag me for? Ruffian! And you say you're a decent person!"

Again with the insults - Natsuki felt her hackles rise defensively. It wasn't fair, just because Haruka was completely oblivious, it didn't mean everyone else was - under the circumstances Natsuki's actions were perfectly decent; something that was necessary to prove…

To get out of there of course…the sooner Natsuki proved she was decent the sooner she could leave - and the more chance she had of avoiding premature deafness.

"I am decent! People were staring and you weren't moving!" she hissed, leaning forwards, trying to keep her voice quiet while maintaining a suitable level of indignation.

The reasoning provided failed to strike a cord with the blonde, who also leaned in, staring furiously into Natsuki's eyes - the connection electric as they both refused to back down.

"Of course they were staring - that busty waitress dropped everything! Baka, you must be oblivious as well as disorderly!"

"You're the oblivious one! They were staring at us!"

"Why would they do that? Because it's so rare to see you? Or because you're so vain?!"

"Because you were dragging me first!"

With that, Natsuki had once again rendered the loudmouth mute. Haruka could do nothing more than glare angrily - no longer able to chastise Natsuki for something she had done herself mere moments ago. It was infuriating for the rule maker that a rule breaker could so effectively - and so often - render her completely without words.

What could she say? That it was different when she was dragging the biker, somehow more justified? Excusing her actions would validate the fact the actions had occurred - the same as her silence was doing.

It was, in a word, impossible.

As they glared intensely at each other, curious eyes were watching from behind the diner counter.

Hidden in a position Midori would've been proud of, Mai was watching intently - unable to hear a word of the conversation; only able to see the fact they had both leaned in and were 'gazing' into each other's eyes with a seemingly unbreakable intensity.

It was shocking - more than that it was scandalous. Was this the reformation of a notorious troublemaker? Or the conversion of the Director from rules to riot? Mai simply had to find out.

Grabbing her pen and pad from the side she bustled over to the loudmouth and the loner, making sure she was smiling as widely as she ever had.

"Ready to order?"

Her words broken the pair out of their staring contest, their eyes simultaneously looking from Mai to the menu and back again, and then speaking together; "No"

While neither had noticed their mirror movements, they both heard the vocal match - locking eyes as they realised and then looking everywhere except at each other. It was a awkward moment; Haruka looking annoyed and Natsuki looking the same but with a blush.

Mai looked between them, becoming more and more interested the longer she watched them, "How about drinks?"

"Soda"

"Beer"

Difference answers at the same time, and once again the pair locked eyes - though much to the relief of Haruka, it wasn't another moment for awkward silence. Oh no, this time she had sometime to say, and by golly she was going to say it before she was left speechless again.

"You can't drink beer Kuga-baka - I want you to stay sober for this!"

"It'll take more than one beer to get me drunk Suzushiro-san"

"I refuse to risk it - and anyway, aren't you trying to prove you're decent?"

"I am decent!"

"Prove it!"

The exchange was becoming rapidly louder, and even more rapidly misinterpreted.

"How! How do you want me to prove it? What do I have to do to prove I'm a decent person!?"

"Start by not drinking beer on our first time out!"

Silence again, as everyone who knew anything about either one of the girls began to make assumptions. Mai stood uncomfortably looking at them staring at each other again, a sweat drop forming on her head as she waited for one of them to back down, or to at least break the uncomfortable atmosphere.

One minute passed, then two, and then…

"Fine…I'll have soda too."

Score one for Haruka - still far behind her underclassman, but making a start at least.

All at once murmuring voices started to gossip quietly, many of them drawing the conclusion that the blonde was indeed going to tame the blunette - and while they were right that she was trying, they got the reason completely wrong…at least, that's what the mismatched pair would've thought if they'd been paying attention to the people around them.

As luck would have it, when Mai left to get the drinks, neither was paying attention to the interest in them. Haruka was far too busy looking elated at Natsuki's apparent defeat - apparent but not definite…

"Next time, I'm picking the place - I'll show you a person can be decent, and have a good time."

The quiet gossip turned into a roar of excited voices, making such a hubbub that everyone completely missed the rest of the conversation.

"Next time?"

"You said this is Phase One, I was assuming there'd be a Phase Two…or are you telling me the almighty Director hadn't thought that far ahead?"

Once again, Haruka was left in the dust - it was another point for Kuga as the blonde spluttered and struggled to come up with a response.

"Of course…I mean, that is, well…"

Haruka was furious with herself. Not only was she frequently at loss for words around the delinquent, she was being incoherent when she did speak! It was unacceptable.

"I was…I was waiting to see how tonight went," she managed, trying to sound convincing. Even to her own ears it sounded weak, and she was beside herself. This wasn't how it was supposed to be going! She was supposed to be in control - she was supposed to be reforming a vagabond; she needed to be strong!

She needed to think, and quickly, or else she was afraid her mind would attempt to go on strike the way it had before, and that was something she definitely didn't want to happen again.

Not at the Lindem Baum where people could see her - her reputation would be ruined!

She had to somehow salvage the situation, somehow get Kuga on the back foot so to speak. Swiftly the loudmouth tried to think of anytime she'd seen the biker look flustered - apart from when they'd kissed…it was obvious she couldn't use that tactic in front of other people.

Anytime other than that, something, someone that could make the blunette flustered…

The bubuzuke!

The rebel seemed to be permanently red around then President…now if Haruka could just figure out why…

Maybe her mannerisms? Her accent? What was it exactly…perhaps, maybe it was the attitude?

Haruka knew for a fact that Fujino Shizuru flirted with everyone and anyone who would respond - she was always so bold about it, using the attractions people felt to get her own way - it was something she could pull off with nearly anyone, and it was something that annoyed Haruka no end….such inappropriate behaviour was a disgrace…though if it worked…

The discipline mad committee member ran her eyes quickly over the biker's body, glancing up to see Natsuki still looking at her expectantly - already with the light of victory in her eyes, and a smirk forming on her lips.

No!

Suzushiro Haruka would never let a troublemaker triumph! Never!

It was time to play dirty…

~Omake~

Shizuru: Ara~ So you do pay attention to me Suzushiro-san, I'm flattered

Haruka: Bubuzuke!

Natsuki: *creeps up behind Haruka* You only insult when you can't say anything else. Ne, Haruka-chan, you pay more attention to Shizuru than me?

Shizuru/Haruka: Chan?!

Natsuki: *backing away* I was joking….joking!

*chase ensues*

jle1993: *watching* Yes! It's not me for once!