Disclaimer: I do not own My Hime/Otome. Sunrise did.
Warning: again, not undergone in a beta. So take your own risk. Lots of error in grammar and sentence structure.
About the story, please bear with me. I don't have any decent plot for this chapter. But I do hope this chapter is needed in the near future.
No fluff for this chapter. ALL BUSINESS and SERIOUSNESS.
By the way, thank you to those who read this story…
Chapter 8: Visitors
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Shizuru was getting ready for her sleep tonight when she was interrupted by knocking. And then soft knocking turned to banging.
Shizuru sighed. She was really annoyed today for thinking many things. She waited Natsuki but failed so she decided to go for sleep. She was momentarily dreaming when the interruption began. She groaned and slides out in her bed annoyingly.
She put her robe first before opening the floor. She was trying hard to put a best smile to greet the intruder but failed to do so. What appeared in her eyes give her heart jumped out from her ribcage and leaves her mouth hanging openly.
Natsuki looks unconscious and leaning to Arika. She can see clearly in the dim lit corridor that there is something amiss. Arika's expression told her so much. Arika's complexion was so pale and fear is visible in her face. When her gaze lowered, she saw the blood in front of Natsuki.
"Kaichou, help" Shizuru doesn't need to tell her that these two needs help. She immediately helped Arika to carry Natsuki inside the room and deposited the girl in her bed.
She frantically checked the status of Natsuki and carefully removed the jacket wrapped around Natsuki's body. She saw the tattered front shirt of the younger girl and saw the wound. Her hands shook while lifting the shirt to look more injury. She can't face this kind of wound but she needs to, in sake of Natsuki.
She went to the bathroom and get the first aid kit and some damp cloth for cleaning. While cleaning the wound, she asked Arika who is now currently sitting in the sofa and look still look like in shocked. "Arika-san, can you tell what happened?"
No reply. Shizuru sighed. It seems that she can't get any answered from the shocked girl. And it looks like Natsuki needs to look at by a professional. After cleaning and putting a dressing to the wound, she changed Natsuki's shirt.
She joined Arika and tried to pry what happened. "Arika-san, I will call a doctor to check out Natsuki's wound. But you need to tell me what happened because I'm sure the doctor will ask what the cause of this. Do you understand?" Shizuru said in a calm and soothing voice.
Arika nodded. "B-but I can't tell you what happened, kaichou-san. T-this is not the r-right time." Then she looked at Shizuru with pleading look. Shizuru nodded. She understands that the girl can't talk right now.
"Do you think we should also tell this to the police?" Shizuru asked concernedly.
Arika shook her head. "They can't help us."
"Why would you say that?"
Arika thought for a while before she spoke. Arika knows that she needs to tell the kaichou what occur earlier. But not entirely. "Kaichou, something attacked us that we can't explain for now. And I will leave it to Natsuki-san to explain, if s-she w-wake up." Arika said with her voice quivering.
Shizuru nodded. She can accept that bits of explanation. She got up and fetched her cellphone and dialed a number.
"Dr. Youko, this is Fujino Shizuru. I hope I'm not bothering you, but this is important. A student met an accident and needs to be seen." a pause before answering again. "Ok, thank you Dr. She is in my room. See you later."
Shizuru turned to Arika and somehow it deemed to her that this girl needs to rest too. "Arika-san, I think you need to rest to. Why don't you take the other bed and sleep for a while? I will not allow you to return to your room in that mess. And Dr. Youko will be here to tend Natsuki. It will be ok for now."
Arika nodded absent mindedly. Shizuru sighed. The younger girl really in a mess. She approached her and helped her to stand up and guide her to her bed. She helped her to make comfortable in her bed. It seems that the girl experienced a lot of surprised tonight for not arguing with her. She just complied with her.
But before Shizuru able to got up, "don't leave me, please." Arika whispered. The younger girl stared the ceiling without looking at the kaichou.
Shizuru's heart understands that Arika is in aftershock situation. She may not know what happened really but she have hunched that it is something big that makes this girl distressed and worried. She can feel that it is not about Natsuki but something more.
She touched the girl's arm and stroked it slowly after sitting in the edge of the bed. She might not have compassion to others but someone asking her in this kind of situatuin, she can always take exception. Before she can think words to soothe the girl better she was caught off guard.
Arika threw herself to her lap and sobbed. What she heard was a heart wrenching sound. The cry was sending many messages rolled into Arika's tears. Shizuru picked all of it. It is like cries of questions and bewilderment. Then turned into fear and hesitation. She let the girl cried in her lap for long minutes. She patted the girl's back to comfort her. She doesn't know what words she would give but it seems this is the best thing she can offer.
After a while the sobbing ceased and an even breathing told Shizuru that Arika had fallen asleep. She adjusted Arika's position and tucked her in the bed. She moved to Natsuki's side and watched her. She can see the pain visible in the younger girl. She is in pain.
A knocked disturbed Shizuru in watching the girl's face. She hastily opened the door and greeted the visitor. She was slightly shocked that Dr Youko was accompanied by Midori Suguira, her teacher in History.
"Thank you for coming Dr Youko and my apologies for late notice." Shizuru greet.
Dr Youko in her casual attire just nodded. "Do you mind if Midori-sensei is with me?" Shizuru shook her head. "Then, let me see the patient." With that, Shizuru ushered the guest toward Natsuki.
Dr Youko checked the patient and does her works.
Midori looked at her student and asked. "Would you mind preparing tea for us?"
Shizuru nodded "I'm sorry. I forgot my manners sensei." Shizuru went to the small kitchen and prepared tea for her guest in the middle of the night.
Youko, without Shizuru's knowledge, injected a booster of Otome in Natsuki's body to help her heal faster.
After Youko received Shizuru's call, she went straight to Midori's apartment and asked the teacher if she knows something. But in her disbelief, Midori's doesn't know anything and called the secret base if there is mission sent to Natsuki why the girl is in injury. Blue Eyes told her that Natsuki connected to her Otome and materialize her weapon and that means the girl was in danger is she needed to use her Otome. All the Otome recipient was trained to protect themselves without being dependent in the Otome like Midori.
"She seems ok. Nothing to worry. But Fujino-san, I would like to know what the cause of this," Youko said after joining the two in the sofa.
Youko was offered tea when she sat down besides Midori. "Yes, Fujino-san, tell us what happened. Students of Academy is our concerned and responsibility too."
Shizuru just nodded and answered the question with what she knows. "I believed that I can't help you in this area, Dr youko and Suguira-sensei. You see, Arika-san and Natsuki went out-"
"You mean, Natsuki is with Arika when this incident happened?" Midori butt in.
Shizuru brows furrowed in what Midori's reaction. She did not know Midori is familiar with Natsuki and she can't figure it out why Midori is agitated when she said that Natsuki is with Arika.
"Yes, Natsuki told me earlier that she will go out with Arika-san today. And then Arika-san brought Natsuki here already injured. She did not inform me exactly what happened before she went asleep. She just told me that someone attack them. You see, she seems shocked and confused so I did not press this matter to her."
The two older nodded with what they heard. They accepted the little information for now and will interrogate the girl for another day,
"If it is ok, let this accident see by the student council." Shizuru suggested. She doesn't want this kind of situation get out and let the two girls be the topic again for rumors.
Youko and Midori nodded. They too, were thinking that they don't want this kind of accident leaked out especially involving Natsuki and Arika.
"Well, Fujino-san, thank you for informing us what happened tonight. And about Natsuki-san, changed the dressing tomorrow. If something happen again call me. We will go for now and you take rest too." With that, the two older girls bid their good byes and went out.
Shizuru was alone in the sofa and in the state of thinking. She can't figure it out what happened tonight. Arika bringing Natsuki injured and the reaction of Midori. She felt that Midori has connection to Natsuki but she can't point it out especially Natsuki came out from ocean away. And she knows Midori become teacher in Fuuka for years now. And another puzzling is her Arika's reaction tonight. If they met an accident, the first thing that Arika should do is go straight to the hospital but she did not. Or if they are a victim of a crime, she should call help from the police not to her. And that bothers her too much.
She is not complaining for Arika's decision. Somehow she is glad that she has the opportunity to help Natsuki but she knows Arika is keeping a secret to her and she is not complaining though. She has her own secrets.
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After an uncomfortable and few hours sleep in the couch, Shizuru woke up and start stretching to remove some stiffness in her muscles. She's already planning in her mind what to do for this day but interrupted when she saw Arika sitting in the dinning table. She saw the solemn look at the younger girl. She approached the girl with her best polite and encouraging smile.
"Don't worry Arika-san, Natsuki is ok. Dr Youko already checked her yesterday and she is fine."
Arika jumped out in her sitting position when she heard Shizuru's voice. She did not notice that kaichou was already awake. Shizuru stopped in front of her and touched her arm. She looked at her and saw only a smile and succumb to the calmness emitting by the kaichou.
"Kaichou-san, I – I am sorry for taking your bed." Arika said while looking at the floor. She seems afraid and the same time showing shyness.
Shizuru want to laugh at that moment but stopped herself. She found Arika's cute in that state. She smiled more in what she is thinking.
"It's ok Arika-san, you were in the state of shocked so I don't mind at all. Do you want to have breakfast?" Shizuru suggested.
Arika shook head vigorously. "Kaichou-san don't bother. I-I will go to my room. I think Erstin will be worried for me. I did not explain to her at all. A-and about last night, I just want to say that I think it is not my position to explain everything. Maybe Natsuki-san will explain it to you, Kaichou-san because I do not also hold an answer to what happened yesterday."
Shizuru nodded. At early this morning, she was in a playful mood. She can't resist but not to tease the younger girl. She smiled and closed the distance between them. She cupped Arika's chin and lift it up. She heard Arika's gasp when her eyes looked at her. Their distance was only inches away. Shizuru choose to shorten the distance and leaning closer to the younger girl. She stopped and watched the face of her victim. She saw hesitation and curious in Arika's face and then turned into admiration. She leaned closer and whisper to her ear. "Do not worry about it. I will see to this incident and disclose this to the three of us." The younger girl shivered from Shizuru's action.
Arika felt weaken because of the close contact especially if it is Fujino Shizuru. She can't control her emotions now. She secretly harbored admiration to the kaichou and being in this closeness, she feels like falling. And she fall indeed. Shizuru caught her before she hit the floor. Arika felt the warm body enveloping her. She felt like she was in heaven at that moment. She snuggled closer seeking the warmth offering to her.
"Hmm, Arika-san, Natsuki might not like to see us in this situation if she awakens right now," Shizuru said in a light tone, She felt the girl in her arm tensed and then struggled to get away. She let her get away and wait her to compose herself.
"I-I did..I am not—I was.." Arika said trying to explain but failed to do so. Blushed creep in her cheeks.
"It's alright Arika-san." Shizuru just can't help herself to tease the younger girl.
After a while of embarrassment, Arika excuse herself and explain to Shizuru that she needs to go to her room and that she will not back today and will visit Natsuki tomorrow or some other days.
That leaves Shizuru puzzled towards Arika's comment before she leave.
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Shizuru prepared food just in case Natsuki is hungry and wants to eat when she wakes up. She already cleaned their room and finished her homework just to kill the time and wait Natsuki back to the world.
It was almost noon and watching TV when she heard movement from Natsuki. She immediately went to Natsuki's side.
Natsuki groaned and slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she noticed was her familiar ceiling and then the red eyes watching her.
"Shi-zuru." Natsuki said hoarsely.
"Natsuki, what are you feeling right now?" Shizuru asked concernedly.
"It hurts. My right leg is hurting. And my-" Natsuki stopped and traced the dressing in her abdomen. Yes, she was in pain and the wound is stinging right now.
"And that's remind me, Natsuki. We need to change the dressing of your wound." Shizuru said.
Natsuki nodded. She is still tired to argue with Shizuru.
Shizuru carefully cleaned and changed the wound's dressing and she knows how Natsuki trying to stifle her cry of pain.
She looked the blue haired girl and saw her wincing. She doesn't know why, but she doesn't want to see this girl to experience this kind of thing.
After cleaning and put new dressing, she held Natsuki's hand and looked at the girl. Natsuki was startled with the touched and looked also to Shizuru. She was taken aback what she saw in the older girl eyes. She can't determine what emotions playing in those deep red eyes. It was full of life and hurt?
Shizuru, do you feel my pain? Do you? Don't worry about me, your warmth, your warmth, Natsuki's thought trailed when she laced their hands and intertwined it. It's like normal thing to do. It's gives comfort. She watched their hands holding each other and warmth shoot out to Natsuki's heart. It's like someone is welcoming her home.
Natsuki looked back at Shizuru when she felt the slight grip on her hands. The red eyes shooting her questions and trying to understand the situation. She shook her head. "Shizuru, I- I"
Shizuru silenced her by putting her finger on her lips. "Shh. I am worried what happened. You don't need to explain today, take rest and I will wait."
Natsuki nodded. She was relief that Shizuru did not bombard her questions.
"I'll get your food. You need to regain your strength, you seem wasted" Shizuru got up and brought the tray of food and placed it on Natsuki's bed.
"Shizuru, where is Arika?" Natsuki asked while she was eating. She can't remember how she got back in her room. And she doesn't know what happened to the younger girl.
"Arika-san is fine. She slept here yesterday and went back to her room earlier this morning. She said that she will try to check on you some other days. She seems shocked. "
Natsuki nodded. She knows that Arika is in shocked especially when learning that she have powers that no one explained to her.
"So, you're date with Arika-san is so intense. I did not know that you are so aggressive, Natsuki." Shizuru teased the girl.
Natsuki choked to Shizuru's teased. "It's not a date." She said frantically.
"Oh? So how do you call it?"
"It's not a DATE!" Natsuki blurted out.
Shizuru giggled. She witnessed again how Natsuki cutely blushed.
They were interrupted by a knocked on their door.
"I wonder who that might be." Shizuru said and proceed to answer the caller.
She opened the door and found Haruka standing there with Mai and Nao.
"Haruka-san, what can I do for you today? As far as I know, I did not ask a meeting on Sunday." Shizuru said. A little surprised to her guest but did not show it.
"I'm not here for any meetings. I bumped to Midori sensei and told me about Kuga's accident so I just dropped by here to visit here. Apparently, Mai and Nao here saw me and tag along with me. Is it ok with you?" Haruka said hurriedly.
Shizuru nodded and opened the door wide. She saw that Mai looked worried and Nao seems don't care at all.
"Please come in. Natsuki is almost finished eating now. But I advise that you should not stress her for now."
The three nodded silently and headed towards the patient. Every one in the room can point out that there is tension building and growing inside. No one dared to speak first. The three visitors stared incredulously to Natsuki. They seem can not believe what they are seeing. But to all this weird reaction from three, Shizuru keep quite about it.
"I'll prepare tea for you guys and Nao-san, why don't you pull out those chair so that you three can sit?" Shizuru suggested. She was trying to ease the tension and she doesn't know why she should do it.
After a while of silence, Mai broke in. "Natsuki, I did not know you will let someone beat you." And end with a nervous laugh.
"You are so lame, Kuga for ending like that." Nao smirked.
"I did not!" Natsuki yelled.
"Ara ara. Natsuki you should not yell like that. Your wound might bleed again." Shizuru interrupted with her teasing tone.
Natsuki blushed.
"Wow. Kuga, I did not know you become a pet." Nao said while laughing.
Natsuki give more death glare to Nao who just ignored her and make Natsuki more flustered.
"Ara, Nao-san, don't let Natsuki worked too much."
The three laughed but not the patient who supposed to be taken care of found herself teased mercilessly.
They were interrupted by a soft knocked after a while of comfortable conversation and still not bringing the topic why Natsuki is in the bed nursing an injury.
It turned out Reito and Mikoto suddenly dropped by in Shizuru's room because according to him it is a fine Sunday to visit some friends.
"I did not know that Kuga-san was injured. I hope we are not disturbing her. And I did not know that Nao-san, Mai-san and Haruka-san will be here too." Reito said while seeing another guest gathered around to the injured woman.
"I think Natsuki won't mind another visitor. And by the way, can I ask you and Haruka to have a short meeting?" Shizuru said.
Reito and Haruka agreed with the abrupt call of meeting and they proceed to the sofa.
"I asked Midori-sensei to let the student council deal this incident with Natsuki. And I hope you understand with this kind of implication to the security of the campus, right?" Shizuru started after settling themselves in the sofa.
Reito and Haruka nodded.
"Shizuru-san, forgive my rudeness, but what's the cause of this incident? I know we need to hide these to the students but we also need to know what happened. So that we can secure ourselves and the students." Reito pointed out to Shizuru.
Shizuru silently agreed to Reito's predicament. "But, I also don't know what happened to Natsuki yesterday. Arika don't like to talk about it. She has the rights to remain silence. And I can't force her to talk especially when she is in shocked."
"Maybe we should ask Natsuki-san what happened yesterday. What do you think Haruka-san?" Reito said while turning to Haruka who seems so quite at that moment.
"Ah, eh, I agree." Haruka stuttered with Shizuru and Reito disbelief.
"Are you ok Haruka-san?" Shizuru said concernedly.
Haruka cleared her throat before answering. "Yes. I totally agree with Reito. Might as well tell Mai and Nao that they should not tell this incident to anyone. Even to Yumemiya-san."
They nodded. They agree that they should interrogate Natsuki but in a subtle manner suggested by Shizuru.
"Natsuki, as the student representative of the academy, you are also our responsibility especially you are under my care. And we want to hear what happened to you or you don't want to tell us, we would like you to guarantee us what ever happened yesterday will not involve any students or I might say the reputation of the academy. We want to know if we need to alert any security for this matter." Every one in the room knows Shizuru is avoiding direct words indicating that they are not forcing Natsuki to tell exactly what happened and somehow she grasped that it is ok to tell them a brief explanation is enough for them. But Reito seems not like it. He wants to hear every detail about the incident.
Natsuki nodded. "No one is involved but I don't know who attacked us. And the incident was not in the academy premises so no worries I believed. It's just a random guy we ran to."
"Can you recognize him?" Reito asked.
Natsuki shook her head. "No. It's dark there."
"And what do you think the cause of your wound?" continued by Reito in his interrogation.
"I tripped myself and a sharp pointed object in the ground cause my wound." Natsuki said grimly.
"Wow, Kuga, I did not know you are so lame." Nao exclaimed.
Natsuki just glared at her. She did not know that Nao's exclamation caused the tension and curiosity eased away.
The three officers accepted these even though questions lingering in their minds. But for now it is enough for them that student is nothing to do with this incident.
"Ani-ue, I am hungry." Mikoto interrupted.
"What? He is your brother?" Ask Nao to Mikoto.
Reito smiled sheepishly to her. "Yes, Nao-san. Does it bother you?"
Nao shook her head. Even Mai was shocked to the revelations unfolded to them.
"I think I'll prepare some snacks for us." Shizuru said.
"Kaichou-san, let me do it. You rest for a while. I can see that you are tired too." Mai interrupted.
Shizuru awkwardly accepted Mai's help and replaced the vacant seat of Mai. Mikoto tag along to Mai in excitement.
"Really Reito, you should try teaching Mikoto about diet." Haruka said.
"Now, now, Haruka-san. You know Mikoto have her own hardship in life. I just want to give her what she wants." Reito said with full of love while looking at her sister.
"Uhm, Reito-san, what is Mikoto-san relationship with you?" Mai said louder while preparing snacks for them.
"She is my sister." Said Reito with firmed.
"Yup, yup." Mikoto agreed.
The others laughed with the declaration of their status. Mai just smiled at the younger girl with the childish attitude. Mai have not received any report about Mikoto's life have been but she knows that there is something more in this girl.
"How about you Natsuki, do you need something?" Shizuru asked the cobalt girl in a lower voice so that she will not bother the conversation going on.
Natsuki just shook her head slowly. She was enjoying herself quietly with the company of these people. She always not like people around her but these people make her welcome in their own little world.
After preparing the snacks, the visitors eat their food in the dining table without Shizuru. They resumed their heated argument with Haruka's booming voice cowering them. Mikoto just happy munching her delicious food according to her.
While on the other side of the room, the two girls were quietly enjoying the comfortable silence between the two. Without words spoken, they mutually understand that explanation will be heard later and trust is slowly putting in their heart without their own knowledge about it. Silently, they welcome the company of these people who will become their comrades and friends.
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Ok. I was wandering why there is no category for El Cazador de la Bruja. Heck, I found it so good. Even the story was good and the animation. I might say there is a little character development of some characters but I like it. So much. The development of the relationship between Ellis and Nadie is like sister/friends and subtle girl/girl relationship. So cute. Ellis is so cute with her childlike attitude. Yes Sir…
Ok ok.. just leave your comment. I know, I feel that this chapter is nothing to do with the story but im trying to imply something here..
And for the next chapter….
Chapter 9: Confrontation
Natsuki will explain everything to Arika about their identity and clear everything about their relationship. And the conclusion is, Natsuki dumped by Arika and rumor is Natsuki is brokenhearted. Girls start asking Natsuki for a date. And find out about Shizuru's comment for this sudden turn of event.
Hehehe… I still don't have any ideas how will I write this one.. but that would be the picture of the next chapter.
See you soon.