Disclaimer : I don't own the characters.

Summary : Natsuki falls into a deep depression after Shizuru's death and is literally going insane. She starts seeing the kyoto woman wherever she goes. Will anyone help her to get through this before it's too late?

Pairing : NaoNatsuki

Warning : Rather dark, deals with OOCness.

A special thanks to everyone who reviewed. As for those who asked, I'm going to give a detailed story about how Shizuru exactly died in a later chapter. As you will find out in this chapter, not everyone is aware of the fact that Shizuru is dead yet. Also, this NaoNatsuki thing will just be a friendship relationship at first. Maybe later on it will turn into something more.

Anyway, let me know what you think of it so far!

Mind Games

chapter One

- Friends?-

Midori took a deep breath before turning around to face the two girls who had just entered her livingroom. ''Mai, Mikoto..'' She started. Somehow Mai couldn't help it but notice how tired Midori was. ''What can I do for you?''

''It's about Natsuki.'' The tallest of the two started causing Mikoto to look up at her friend. ''We haven't seen her in days. The same goes for Shizuru. I was wondering if something happened. Maybe you know where they are?''

The red haired girl shook her head and turned around again, looking out of the window. ''I have no idea.'' She lied. She was one of the few people who actually knew about Shizuru's death. ''I haven't seen them in a while either.''

''Maybe we should visit Natsuki.'' Mai suggested but once again Midori shook her head.

''I don't think that's a good idea. She probably isn't home.'' She quickly added when she almost betrayed that she indeed knew more of what was going on.

Mai eyed Midori suspiciously but then decided to shrugg it off. ''Alright then. But I'm going to pay her a visit if she hasn't shown up at school in two days.'' Without any other words to be spoken she turned around and walked out of the door, followed by Mikoto who wasn't sure whether she should say something or not.

Midori just stood there. Her eyes were now closed as she tried her best to keep her tears from falling. She didn't need to be genius to know what was really going on with Natsuki. The girl had lost the most important person to her. Everyone had seen how Akane ended up when she lost Kazuya. She simply broke down and it wouldn't be a surprise to her if Natsuki was on the edge of breaking down herself. That was, if, she hadn't done it already.

''Maybe someone should indeed pay her a visit.''

----

Natsuki sat on the couch, staring at the television in front of her. In her hand she held the remote control but still she hadn't bothered to turn on the television. Behind her she felt how two hands were massaging her back. She pretended to ignore it but it had gotten harder by the second. She wanted to believe that the appearance behind her really was Shizuru.

Was she losing her mind?

''Sweety,'' The brunette whispered in her ear. ''My favourite tv show just started. Would you mind...''

Natsuki closed her eyes for a minute before looking up at the clock that hung above her head. It was indeed 5pm which meant Shizuru's favourite show had started. Still, it was impossible that the person who stood behind her really was her lost love. With that she threw away the remote control, causing it to break into two pieces. ''Shut up. I'm not doing anything for you. If you're really the girl I used to love then get lost. You're dead!''

She could feel how the person behind her pulled away and for a moment she actually believed she had won. That was until Shizuru suddenly sat down next to her. Once again Natsuki pretended not to notice and just kept on staring at the black screen. It went pretty well for a couple of moments until she heard the person next to her cry. ''Please, don't go there.'' The blue haired girl begged. It sounded exactly like Shizuru.

The crying didn't stop and finally Natsuki bothered to look aside. Next to her sat Shizuru, tears falling down her cheeks as she looked at Natsuki with a pained expression on her face. ''Why are you being so cruel to me?''

''I'm not being cruel. You're just trying to play with me. I'm not stupid.''

Suddenly the brunette stopped crying and gazed up, laughing bitterly. ''Yes you are stupid. You can't even recognize your own girlfriend. All I wanted was for you to join me. So we could be together again.'' Shizuru eyed at the knife that lay on the table in front of them. ''I love you so much Natsuki. I can't be without you. Not even here. I feel like I am with you but at the same time I'm not. Why do you have to be so mean.''

''Why do you have to be so...'' Natsuki started. But before she could finish Shizuru had suddenly pressed their lips together. The blue haired girl ofcourse did not bother to pull away or to resist. Instead of that she put her arms around the girl's waist and pulled her closer. She could feel Shizuru smile into the kiss but just ignored it. All she could do was enjoy the feeling of being with Shizuru again.

It seemed that the moment their lips had met all her doubts had just disappeared.

A few minutes later Natsuki pulled back again, completely out of breath. Shizuru didn't seem to have this problem herself though. ''I love you.'' She repeated while playing with the buttons of Natsuki's jacket. ''Let me show you how much I really love you,''

Natsuki didn't even get the chance to reply. Before she could she suddenly found herself lying in her bed. Her clothes were gone as well as Shizuru's. It seemed so magical but felt so terribly wrong at the same time. Shizuru lay on top of her. She smiled before she started to place kisses on the girl's neck and slowly started to move down. ''I love you.'' She whispered between each kiss she placed on the other's exposed skin.

----

''Natsuki...'' A voice whispered. At first Natsuki thought it was Shizuru but when she listened closely she recognized the voice as Midori's. Slowly she opened her eyes. It took her some time to adjust to the light but when her eyes did her suspicion was confirmed. In front of her stood Midori. She was looking down at her with a worried look in her eyes.

The blue haired girl ignored it and looked aside. Shizuru was gone as well as all the evidence that she had ever been there. And although this was true she found that she was still naked. Luckily for her the blanket were covering her. ''Are you...''

''I'm fine.'' Natsuki hissed causing the other to jump. Never before had she ever sounded this bitter and angry.

''You don't seem fine to me...''

''How did you get in?'' Once again Natsuki cut the other off.

''The front door was still open. You should be careful with...''

''Shut up.'' Natsuki shot. Immidiately Midori shut her mouth. ''I don't know what gave you the right to just barge into my room but whatever it is, I don't like it. Just get lost and don't you dare to come back.''

Midori closed her eyes for a moment. She wanted to yell back but decided that it wouldn't be the best approach possible. With that she opened her eyes again. ''You're not doing well. It has been five days since Shizuru...''

Without any warning Natsuki jumped up from the bed and pushed Midori against the wall. It didn't seem that she cared about the fact she was naked. Slowly the grip around Midori's neck tightened. ''Don't.ever.mention.her.name.again.'' She hissed.

''N-natsuki..'' Midori whimpered. Quickly she tried to push Natsuki away but the girl seemed to be much stronger than her. ''Y-you're hurting me. Look what you're doing. T-this is...so...unlike...'' She now started to cough. Natsuki had totally lost it and if she would continue to do this it would only be a matter of time before Midori would reach unconsciousness.

Finally Natsuki released Midori. ''Don't ever come back here or I'll kill you. Leave us alone! It's your fault she's gone!''

''Us?'' Midori repeated. She didn't quite understand what this meant but she knew for a fact that it couldn't mean anything good.

''Leave!'' Natsuki yelled hysterically.

Midori raised her hands in the air. ''Calm down. Don't shoot. I'll leave.'' And with that she slowly stepped out of the room. Her eyes never left those of Natsuki.

When Natsuki heard the front door close after a couple of seconds she slowly sat down against the wall, her head put in her hands. ''What's happening to me?''

''Is she gone?'' Shizuru's voice came causing Natsuki to look up again at her dead lover.

''Where were you?'' The blue haired HiME managed to ask. Right now she wasn't sure what to believe anymore.

''I was afraid. She wanted to take me away from you again.'' Shizuru whispered. With that said she bend down and sat next to Natsuki, putting her arm around the girl. ''Don't be sad, love. I'm still here. I won't ever leave you again. I'll be here with you until you decide...''

''I won't join you.'' Natsuki stated.

''Not yet.'' Shizuru corrected the other who suddenly had lost all the will power to disagree. ''Not yet,'' She repeated before resting her head against Natsuki shoulder. ''I love you.''

For the first time today Natsuki replied to her words. ''I love you too,''

Upon hearing this a small smile appeared on the brunette's lips. ''I know you do.'' Ofcourse Natsuki managed to miss the evil glint in her eyes.

-----

''She has completely lost it!'' Midori yelled against no one in particular. ''It's like she's living in her own world and we're the bad guys. I was just trying to freaking help her!'' She took a deep breath. ''I should calm down. This isn't helping anyone.'' She paused. ''Maybe I should tell the others.'' Then again, maybe she shouldn't. She had seen the state Natsuki was in. Who knew who she would attack the next time. She had been lucky that Natsuki released her just in time.

A loud knock on the door was enough for her to snap out of her thoughts. She took another deep breath before walking towards the front door. At first she wasn't sure whether to answer it or not because of the strange feeling she had but then finally she opened the door. ''Yes?''

She went wide eyed when she saw Nao standing in front of her. She still hadn't changed much since the last time she had seen her. ''Nao...'' She whispered in shock. Why would the girl even bother to visit her?

A smirk appeared on the other girl's lips. ''Midori.'' She said, trying to copy the exact same tone in her voice as the other had just used.

''What brings you here?''

Nao shrugged before she started to dig in her pocket and pulled out a small newspaper article. ''This is what brought me here.''

To Be Continued...

Let me know what you think!