AN: For anyone who was waiting for this chapter, I am sincerely sorry about the long wait. I was on a crazy writers block and I had a hard time trying to make a chapter that didn't seem to OOC or just out of order compared to the other chapters. Much thanks again to my beta DarkFeenix for helping me get through this, he even sent me an e-mail somewhere in the middle of my hiatus, making sure that I wasn't dead or anything. And honestly, to the reviewers who submitted a review asking for the next chapter (you know who you guys are!) thanks for the review. They really helped me get myself in gear. Right then, moving on to the reason you guys are actually reading this! (And god I still wish would allow smiles. I've had the urge to insert a few smiles up there.)

The golden rays of sunshine beamed furiously down on the two bodies sprawled on the bed, the sheets scattered and crumpled from light tousling. The morning quiet that had settled so comfortably in the room, was immediately shattered with the sound of an elaborate cell phone ring.

Blinking groggily, Kuga Natsuki woke up, her thoughts muddled and scattered.

Heaving a sigh, she straightened from her slouched position on the bed and sat up on her chair. Green eyes hesitantly scanned the room, searching for the ringing cell phone, and she stood to pick it up when she spotted it atop the dresser. Flipping the top half, she pushed it against her ear and pressed down on the receive button.

"Hello, Kuga Natsuki here."

"Shizuru-san?"

…Shizuru?

Removing the phone from her ear, she stared in surprise at the unfamiliar gray sleek cover and bit from groaning aloud in exasperation, as she drew the conclusion. Contemplating her choices, Natsuki threw a quick glance to Shizuru, who was curled up on the bed, obviously asleep and drained from all her energy.

"I uh, this is Shizuru's…friend."

More like former friend.

"I don't mean to pry Kuga-san, but what might you be up to with Shizuru-san this early in the morning?"

Interrupted from her former thoughts about their friendship, Natsuki frowned in annoyance at the hidden tone of accusation in his voice, and fought the temptation to retort in a childish manner. Opting for a dry tone of voice, she placed her other arm on her hip and replied,

"Nothing that should matter to you, who are you?"

If he was trying to pry, who was he to try to stop her own prying?

The man seemed to sense her annoyance, as he hesitated before replying on his own. His tone of annoyance mirrored her own.

"…I am a friend of Shizuru's parents, will you please be kind enough to give the phone to Shizuru-san?"

Staring at Shizuru's body, Natsuki carefully dug through her mind for a reply that would not imply the night before and the events that followed afterwards.

"She's sleeping. I'll tell her to call you back later, your name is?"

"Sleeping? And you st-"

Biting down an impulse to scream, Natsuki clutched the phone tightly and interrupted the man before she would say something she'd most likely regret later on.

"Look, she's sleeping and I don't want to wake her up. Just give me your number or name and I'll tell her to call you back later."

The other line remained quiet for a bit, and Natsuki found herself wondering if he had hung up in a rage.

"…Please inform Shizuru-san to meet me at 2:30 today in the afternoon at the Japanese cafe, she will know where it is. It is of utter importance that you tell her this is an important meeting that would be unwise to miss. Have a good day Kuga-san."

The dull click of the other line greeted Natsuki's ear as she flipped the phone shut and stared at the screen in disgust and annoyance. Her annoyance was quickly crushed when her thoughts began to wander back to her friend. Who was that man and why did he demand on meeting Shizuru so badly?

Even better, why the hell is he such an asshole?

Muttering inaudible words, she put the phone back on its former place atop the dresser, and walked back to the chair, stretching her legs and working out the kinks in her arms.

What time was it? The man had told her to tell Shizuru to meet him at 2:30 and even if he was an asshole, Natsuki did not want Shizuru to get in trouble of any sort, let it be from the danger of this man or the importance of this meeting. She trusted that the man was somewhat safe, seeing as to how he had Shizuru's number in the first place. Natsuki knew that Shizuru was not one to give her number to random strangers, and only a selected few knew her cell-phone number.

Natsuki dug through her pants pocket, and picked her own cell-phone out, and flipped it open to stare at the time.

It was mid-afternoon, both of them having slept a bit deeper then normal from the night before. She figured Shizuru would wake up with a terrible headache, considering all the alcohol she had consumed the night before. Frowning she leaned back heavily on the wooden chair, and warily gave the sleeping girl a glance before pondering on whether she should wake her up now, or deal with the overdue hangover a bit later.

In the end, Natsuki ended up shaking Shizuru's shoulder, the touch light and cautious.

"Hey Shizuru, get up."

Shaking a little bit more diligently, Natsuki muttered a few words of annoyance, her bright green eyes glaring down in frustration.

Clutching the sheets tightly around her fists, the girl began to murmur inaudible words, all of which were most likely telling Natsuki to leave her alone.

Rolling her eyes and fueled with a new vigor, she shook her more furiously.

"Dammit, Shizuru I'm serious!"

Holding back the need to inquire Shizuru about the man before, Natsuki decided it would be smarter (and much easier for herself), if she was to get rid of Shizuru's likely hangover.

As if on cue, Shizuru raised an arm and began to massage her temple, quietly grunting as she did so. Licking her chap lips, she stared up at Natsuki and groggily asked for the time.

Natsuki hesitated, seeing the sight of Shizuru so disheveled and unfocused being so rare; to say she was taken aback would be an understatement.

"…Ah it's um, probably 12:30 or something."

Withdrawing her hand from Shizuru's shoulder, she sat back down on the chair and waited for Shizuru to gather her bearings.

"Maybe some medicine would help the hangover?"

Shizuru, who was still massaging her temples, glanced up at Natsuki in surprise, before protesting weakly with a meek smile.

"I'm afraid I cleaned up my medicine closet a week ago, I had a lot to do so I guess it slipped my mind."

Natsuki nodded and stared at her hands.

"Hn, someone called asking for you a few moments ago, they told me to inform you to meet up with him at 2:30 at a Japanese restaurant…he said you'd know which one."

Silence seeped in to the room as Shizuru blinked in response, her usual vibrant eyes a bit more glazed over.

"…He sounds like a jackass."

The surprise and shock that briefly flashed over Shizuru's face almost made Natsuki regret the harsh words she had just uttered momentarily.

...Almost.

"Did he leave you his name?"

Staring back up at the blue haired girl, she shifted on the bed, the springs squeaking in protest.

"No, the guy didn't answer my questions. He called your cell phone."

Natsuki paused, searching for the right words.

"I picked up thinking it was mine."

Hn, so much for the right words.

Shizuru analyzed the wall behind Natsuki, and shrugged. Standing up, she began to attempt to straighten the wrinkles on her clothes, her disheveled appearance striking Natsuki as an odd and somewhat refreshing change from her common act of perfection.

"So, are you going?"

Playing with the hem of her shirt, Natsuki glanced at Shizuru, her green eyes curious and wavering.

Walking out of the room, Shizuru turned still walking ahead spoke, her voice soft and dampened from hours of sleep.

"I'll…consider it."

Natsuki stood alone in the room, contemplating the events that had just occurred. Shizuru was not one to usually decline offers and if she was to do so, she'd do it with utmost formality or pleasantry. So that one moment of hesitation that Shizuru displayed before her answer spoke volumes to someone that had known her for long enough, someone like Natsuki.

Huffing in light annoyance, she left the room after Shizuru as the room darkened, the light rays of sunshine smothered from the shadow of the clouds.

Sighing, Shizuru stirred her cup and took a sip of the warm green tea. Shifting on her seat, she leaned back against her chair and almost immediately did the troubled thoughts begin their assault on her fuzzy brain.

Dully replaying the conversation she had just had with Natsuki, one of the few that were not dipped in a pool of their own uncertainty and doubt, she began to drift away in her thoughts. Admittedly, the conversation had still maintained that heavy awkwardness, where both of them over analyzed each other too closely for anyone's comfort. But Shizuru understood that compared to their previous conversations, this was very much to be considered a break.

Leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed, Natsuki watched Shizuru, who was deeply engrossed in her thoughts. She would probably never admit it, but she was honestly curious about what sort of thoughts her friend was thinking about, because it could be nothing less then something important if Shizuru had neglected to notice her presence.

Gazing down at the murky green liquid, Shizuru sunk deeper in to her thoughts, and with it lacked the awareness that Natsuki was leaning against the doorframe, watching her with a look of curiosity and a twinge of worry.

"…Aren't you going to get ready?"

Violently shaken away from her reverie, Shizuru shook in surprise, successfully spilling the now lukewarm tea on to the table and her shirt. Both girls stared at the dark stain on Shizuru's shirt, before Shizuru stood up and began to wash a small towel and dab at the stain.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to…"

"It's fine."

The sound of running water and the useless scrubbing against her shirt were the only sounds in the kitchen, and Natsuki continued to lean against the doorframe, still weary and confused as to what sort of action she could do now without worsening the situation.

"Hey, I think I'll go back to my apartment. It's been a while and I think I need to-"

Get away from you

"-check up on it."

Natsuki felt the tinge of her lie and almost turned away in shame as Shizuru curiously stared at her, with an expression of confusion and doubt that made Natsuki want to reconsider her words.

"…I see, would you like me to lead you out?"

Already turning away and making her way to the porch, Natsuki shrugged in response.

"No I think I'll be fine. Thanks anyways, bye Shizuru."

Shizuru's farewell was muffled by the sound of the door shutting close, and Natsuki immediately loosened up her tense shoulders and slumped against the door.

What the fuck was that about?

Breathing heavily, she steadied herself and began to walk towards her bike, parked against the sidewalk in front of the house.

That was irrational; she had no decent reason to go back to her apartment. It was empty save for her few pieces of furniture and there would be no one to greet her back home anyways.

So why did I leave?

She found herself repeatedly asking that same question as she sped down the streets and maneuvered through the traffic back home.

Sighing, Natsuki plopped down on her black sofa and threw her helmet carelessly to her right. Glaring at the small TV she had bought months ago; she crossed her arms and leaned back against her sofa. She sat there for a few moments before standing up abruptly and walking towards her fridge.

Cracking open a can of soda, Natsuki took a large gulp and inwardly hummed at the tingle in her spine as she swallowed the cold pop.

Walking over to her sofa again, she lay sprawled, her cobalt hair blending in swirls of blue with the sofa, and restlessly dug her face in to the cold black leather, the honking of cars and people outside eventually lulling Natsuki in to a restless sleep.

Locking and closing the door behind her, Shizuru walked down her front porch and began to walk up the block. Lifting her jacket sleeve, she gazed down at the time and began to walk faster, her movement more brisk and rushed. Alarmed by the ringing in her pocket, she paused for a moment before digging through and lifting the phone up to her ear.

"Hello, this is Fujino Shizuru speaking."

"Ah Fujino-san, you're a bit late, are you almost here?"

"I'm on my way, Takeshi-san, I apologize for my tardiness."

""It's fine Shizuru-san, take your time. I'll speak to you soon."

"Good bye, Takeshi-san."

Picking up her pace, Shizuru crossed the street and pocketed her phone again before her thoughts began to drift back to the blue haired girl who had so abruptly and randomly left her house a few hours ago. It had been awkward yes, but Shizuru had not stopped to think about whether it would be awkward enough (or just simply that bad) to make Natsuki want to run away from her.

Turning the corner, she spotted the familiar café and its big brown sign a block away and hurriedly attempted to banish all distracting thoughts.

Natsuki was awake for the past five minutes, but her body seemed to refuse to cooperate with the rest of her mind as she lay listlessly against the sofa. The soda pop had long gone warm and the thought of drinking it made her stomach clench. Rubbing her eyes, she sighed, aggravated at the previous situation, and even more irritated at herself for dwelling on it.

Snarling quietly to herself, she stood up (her legs seemingly having to choose that particular moment to remember how to move) and stalked over to her window sill.

Natsuki didn't know what exactly told her body to stand by the windowsill, but she didn't seem to care as she spotted familiar brown tresses and startlingly bright burgundy eyes.

Walking below her was Shizuru, dawned in her familiar brown jacket, and Natsuki could not help but stare in surprise. And before she spewed questions about why Shizuru was outside in front of her house, she promptly remembered the meeting between her and that-

-Jackass

-man on the phone

Her thoughts were jumbled as she ran over and picked up her cell phone, in which she left on the sofa armrest, and left the house with her sweater. As she ran down the stairs to the lobby, a dull voice in her head questioned her actions.

She was doing this because she was worried about Shizuru's sake.

Right?

Her actions concerning that phone call were weird this morning, and I don't trust him.

Of course.

Natsuki was careful to slow down considerably when she was a few feet away from Shizuru, and she quitted her footsteps as she watched her enter the café.

Watching with careful green eyes, she entered the café afterwards, careful to avoid Shizuru's eyesight. Choosing a seat three tables with her back away from the two, she hunched her shoulders and attempted to listen to the bits of their conversation.

Straining her ears, she tried to point out the familiar Kyoto accent and futilely attempted to drown the constant rambling voice in her head that repeatedly asked what the hell she thought she was doing.

"Ah Shizuru-san, so how have you been doing?"

Biting back the instinct to turn around and see for herself the man who had addressed Shizuru, Natsuki began to run her tongue over her top row of teeth and inwardly groaned in frustration as she missed Shizuru's speech over a boy who was currently complaining to his friend about a game of some sort.

Laughter burst a table away from Natsuki, and the girl began to contemplate if furiously throwing a cup of hot coffee at the offenders head would land her a spot in jail anytime soon.

"You'll have to excuse her, I'm sure she'd give you her most sincere apologies."

Immediately recognizing Shizuru's tone, she frowned as she drew the conclusion that the man had probably prodded Shizuru about her behavior.

"I said did you want any thing to order?"

Now who the hell was that?

"Hello? Madam?"

Blinking up, she dully noted the dressed up waitress in front of her table, tapping her foot impatiently and frowning, her face wrinkling as she did so.

"Oh um I'm sorry…one decaf coffee please?"

What the hell, since when did I order coffee, and decaf none the less?

The waitress (who looked like she was in her mid 20's) stared suspiciously at her before nodding and walking away. With her previous company gone, Natsuki immediately gave her undivided attention back in to capturing the bits of Shizuru's conversation with the man. They seemed to have toned down a bit, because Natsuki found it much harder before to catch Shizuru's Kyoto accent or the stranger's gruff alto voice.

Tapping her nails in annoyance against the smooth wooden table, Natsuki huffed a bit as she leaned the chair all the way back, her weight supported by the last two wooden legs of the seat.

"Shizuru-san, I'm sure you'll have a very large variety to…choose from. You are a beautiful woman and I'm sure you would make a wonde—"

"-Miss?"

Snapping back to reality and in near panic to hear the full sentence, she flew forward, her legs pounding harshly against the floor and her elbows banging clumsily against the rim of the table, which lurched forward and straight in to the waitress.

Until that moment, Natsuki had never really known how loud a cup shattering against the floor sounded like. It was almost as loud as the shrill yelp of the avidly frustrated waitress as she began to rub furiously against the dark brown stain of decaf coffee on her white blouse.

As Natsuki continued to stare blankly at the waitress and her stained shirt, she blandly realized how quiet the café had grown.

Yeah, great, everyone chooses now to shut the hell up.

Various pairs of eyes watched the scene in amusement and curiosity, including a pair of surprised burgundy ones Natsuki dearly wished to not see.

Oh…

"..Natsuki?"

Shit.

AN: Phew, I'm so glad I finally managed to get this chapter out. Hope you guys enjoyed, and please do tell me if something feels out of place or the characters seem OOC. I had a bit of a struggle on this chapter and if anyone notices something, please feel free to e-mail me. Thanks again for all the awesome reviews, seriously, you guys make writing this fanfiction so much more fun that I thought it would be.