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? This story takes place after episode 26 of Mai HiME. Although this is a fact it won't be following the exact story line.

Pairing : NaoNatsuki

Warning : Rather dark, deals with OOCness.

A special thanks to everyone who reviewed. In this chapter you will get to see more of Nao and find out how Shizuru died. Also, this NaoNatsuki thing will just be a friendship relationship at first, later it will turn into more.

Mind Games

Chapter Two

- The Accident -

Nao hesitated for a moment before pulling a newspaper article out of her pocket and held it up for Midori to see. ''This is what brings me here.'' She replied, staring right into the other girl's eyes with a determined look on her face. ''Care to explain?'' Midori just sighed and gestured her to come in. At first she wanted to just stay outside until she got her answer but the look on Midori's face told her it wasn't that easy as she thought it would be.

Slowly she stepped into the hall as Midori closed the front door behind her. ''Don't mention the mess.'' The teacher said before making her way to the livingroom, followed by the other red haired girl. ''Why don't you take a seat and make yourself comfortable. I'll get some tea.''

It was already dark outside which was no surprise since it was already past midnight. Midori couldn't help it but wonder why Nao had chosen such a time as this to pay a visit. ''No thanks,'' Nao replied in a somewhat polite way. Something Midori hadn't heard before from the younger girl. ''I just want my answer. I didn't come here for small talk. This article, is it true?''

Midori sighed as she watched how Nao threw some books off the couch before sitting down. ''It's true. This is the reason why...''

The other cut her off. ''Why Kuga hasn't showed up at school. I figured as much. What I'd like to know is why you're hiding it. I knew you were aware of this so called accident they're talking about in this article. How a teenager died a painful dead after...''

''Nao.'' Midori cut the other off. ''I don't need to hear such things. I'm very well aware that Shizuru died in a horrible way. Don't remind me.''

''They didn't mention what exactly happened though,'' Nao went on. ''That's why I am here. Something tells me this accident had more to it.''

Midori shrugged before leaning against the wall with a tired look on her face. ''You're telling me. Shizuru had gone out for groceries. She was just about to cross the street when suddenly a car drove into her direction at full speed. She died in the hospital. She said it didn't hurt but the docters told me she was suffering. I was the first they called since they couldn't reach Natsuki or her family.''

''Why didn't you tell anyone at school?'' Nao wanted to know.

''I tried.'' Midori whispered. ''But I couldn't tell them. They would all try to cheer Natsuki up and that's the last thing she wants right now. She hates pity. I figured it was best to leave her alone but now I'm starting to doubt it. It's like she's completely lost it.''

''Completely lost it...'' Nao echoed.

Midori nodded. ''She just attacked me when I paid her a visit. Yelling at me to leave her alone. No, she said I had to leave 'them' alone.''

The younger girl who had been listening carefully dropped the article she was holding and looked up at the other with a questioning look on her face. ''Them?'' She asked. ''Who else was there with her?''

''No one. And that's the problem.''

Nao gazed down at the floor for a moment before smiling bitterly. ''I knew it. That ultra lesbian tea woman has gotten to her brain. She's losing it just like that Fujino woman lost it when she almost...''

Midori cut her off. ''Nao!'' She hissed, pushing herself away from the wall. ''I know you disliked both Natsuki as Shizuru but at least show some respect. After all, I don't need to remind you that they're the reason you're here. Isn't that so?''

''Honestly, I don't know why I came here. I guess I just needed someone to confirm this story.'' With that said she bend down a little to pick up the article. She glared at it for a couple of seconds before focussing on the teacher in front of her again. ''As for Kuga. Just leave her alone. Let her destroy herself. Eventually she will wake up and realize that mourning and crying, being depressed and yell won't bring that tea woman back.''

''Shizuru.'' Midori corrected the other who just closed her eyes and shrugged as if she didn't care. Coming here however had already comfirmed that Natsuki or Shizuru had indeed some effect on her. She just wasn't willing to admit it yet. Who knew, maybe she had started to secretly like Natsuki. They had a lot in common after all. ''And don't say such things. I've seen Natsuki today. I saw it in her eyes. All the pain and confusion. She's suffering Nao.''

The younger red head took a deep breath as if considering what kind of comment she would make on that. Much to Midori's surprise all Nao did was get up and slowly walk towards the door that led to the hall. ''Thanks for the answer. Sorry about the time though.'' She said when she realized that it was indeed pretty late by looking at the clock which hung on the wall.

Midori just nodded. She had ofcourse noticed the strange way of how Nao was dealing with everything. Usually she was mean and couldn't care less about others but this time seemed different. She was almost acting as if she cared. And maybe she did care. Who knew? ''Goodnight.''

Nao turned her head and opened her mouth to say something but then closed it again. She didn't feel like saying anything or doing something to annoy Midori. Instead she just turned her head back and walked out of the room. Leaving Midori behind.

------

Shizuru stared at Natsuki. Or rather, at the paper Natsuki was holding. "Natsuki, I am not going to pretend to be talking to you while you're holding the newspaper in front of your face. I really don't feel like talking to an article about the rain forest.'' She paused for a moment. ''Put that down.'' Natsuki simply ignored her and continued to hold the paper up, not wanting to face Shizuru's eyes just yet. The decision however was taken from her as Shizuru yanked the paper out of her hands.

In annoyance the blue haired girl fell down on the couch she had been sitting on and turned around to face the ceiling above her.

''Are you still ignoring me?'' Shizuru wondered out loud as she walked circles around the couch Natsuki was lying on. The blue haired girl didn't reply anything. Instead of that she just kept staring at the ceiling, blocking out all the sounds the brunette was making. ''My dearest Natsuki,'' The other went on. ''I know you're confused. I know you're hurt but I can assure you. I love you and I just want what's best for you.''

Natsuki smiled bitterly but didn't reply to anything. Instead she just listened as Shizuru continued. If she really loved her she would be asking Natsuki to move on, to be happy. Not to kill herself to be with Shizuru again. That wasn't like the brunette. Besides, this couldn't be the woman she once knew, the woman she once loved. This had to be some sort of trick. 'If Nagi is behind this I'll kill him.'

''Don't be silly.'' Shizuru stated. ''Nagi isn't behind my appearance. He disappeared after the festival along with Mashiro, remember?'' She paused for a moment. By the tone in her voice you could hear that she was losing her patience. She had been trying to get Natsuki to talk for over an hour now and so far nothing had, had any effect. ''I am here because I wanted to. I didn't want to be without you. It was a living hell even if heaven. I want you with me Natsuki.''

'No you don't. I will never be with you. I'll be with Shizuru. You're not her.' Natsuki thought, knowing that the ghost or whatever she was could hear her thoughts.

''Why won't you believe me, love? You said you loved me before. Why can't you just trust me?'' The brunette asked. With that said she crawled on top of the blue haired girl. It remained silent until she could hear Natsuki's heart beat in her chest. She just sat there, staring down into her lover's eyes. ''Look at me Natsuki. Do I look like I'm dangerous? You can do to me whatever you want. I'm all yours.''

'Go away.' Natsuki hissed in her thoughts. So far for the whole 'ignoring' plan.

''I can't. That'll be the same as letting you down. Letting us down.'' Shizuru replied. Natsuki's eyes just fell on the newspaper she had been reading earlier. It was now lying on the table. That thing was her only way out of this. She could use it like a shield just like she had done before. If she would face Shizuru any longer she knew she would end up giving in.

''Just hand me that newspaper. I was reading it.''

''Do I get a kiss?'' The brunette chirped, her eyes never leaving the other girl's.

''You can get a...'' Natsuki started but didn't finish. Somehow she was very well aware that she might be hurting the other girl. 'What if she is the real thing? What if she really is Shizuru? I can't push her away then. Maybe being dead is making her sound so scary and cruel. What if...' She couldn't even think anymore when her lips suddenly met Shizuru's for a kiss.

At first she didn't react but once again she couldn't help it but give in to the temptation. Whoever this was, she felt just like the real Shizuru. This couldn't be the real one, could it? Finally she found herself pulling the brunette closed by putting her arms around the girl's waist. She could even feel Shizuru moan into the kiss. 'What if she is Shizuru?' A voice in her head kept asking.

Wasn't this what she wanted? To be with Shizuru forever? To be reunited again with her beloved girlfriend?

After a while they parted again. Natsuki seemed to be the only one who was actually out of breath. When she finally realized what she had been doing she dropped her arms by her side and looked away, focussing on the table and the newspaper. "Look at me Natsuki," Shizuru demanded with a harsh tone in her voice. Natsuki continued to stare at the table though. "Look at me, please?" Shizuru's voice had softened. It didn't sound like a demand any longer but more like a plead this time.

After a few seconds Natsuki gave in once more, staring right into her lover's eyes. ''Do you believe that I'm Shizuru, my love?''

Natsuki swallowed hard. Did she really believe that or was she just confused. Was she sure about it or wasn't she? Right now she didn't know the answer to any of her questions. ''Natsuki?'' The brunette's voice echoed at the back of her mind.

''I do,'' The blue haired girl finally sighed, losing all her will power and doubts. She couldn't do this any longer. Shizuru or not, she needed and missed the girl too much to keep this up. ''I do.'' She repeated before pulling Shizuru down to kiss her once more. This time a lot more passionate than before.

------

Nao slowly closed the front door behind her before stepping into the hall, hoping that she hadn't woken her mother up. Much to her dismay it seemed like her mother had been waiting for her because the moment she stepped into the livingroom the lights were switched on. ''And where were you?''

A nervous giggle escaped the red haired girl's lips. ''Out?'' She asked as if she needed her mother to confirm her own words first.

Her mother however just rolled her eyes. She clearly didn't believe her daughter. ''Right. Now honestly, where were you. You've been acting weird ever since this morning. You're not pregnant are you?''

''What does that have to do with me sneaking out of the house?'' Nao raised an eyebrow. ''And ofcourse I'm not pregnant.''

''I know that.'' Her mother laughed, suddenly she sounded less serious than before. More amused this time. ''I was just worried about you. That's all. I'm glad you're home.''

The red haired girl shivered. She still had to get used to the idea of having someone who actually cared. She still was planning on telling her mother about the whole HiME happening from the past. She just hadn't found the right time yet. After all, how would her mother react to such a revelation? ''I'm fine. You can go to bed now.'' She finally said.

''Not until you tell me what you have been doing. You know you don't need to go out in secret if you want to see your boyfriend.''

''Mother...'' Nao started but was cut off by the older woman.

''I'm just messing with ya.'' Her mother said with a bright smile on her lips. ''The docter was right. I feel a lot better.''

Nao sweatdropped. ''Honestly woman,'' She sighed. ''You're starting to scare me now.''

''At least you know where you got your attitude from now, don't you?'' Her mother stated with a wink. ''So I'm guessing it's a girlfriend then. I have to admit that I am a bit amused by the whole idea of you dating a girl. After all...''

This time she was the one being interrupted. ''Mom!'' Nao yelped. ''I'm not a lesbian for crying out loud. Just because I am interested in the whole Fujino accident doesn't mean I'm using her as my idol. Men all the way.''

''Right,'' Nao's mother rolled her eyes. ''Ofcourse. How could I think such a thing.'' The last part was accompanied by a sarcastic tone of voice. ''Anyway, the Fujino accident?''

''Yeah.'' Nao nodded, taking off her coat as she went on. ''Some chick from my school died in a car crash. Some guy got it into his thick little head to drive while being drunk enough to run naked through a field of lions with meat on his neck.''

''What?''

''Never mind. He didn't really do that but in his state he would've been able to,'' She paused for a moment. ''Why the hell am I even explaining myself here?''

''I don't know.'' Her mother said. ''So this girl who died, you were a friend of hers?''

''No.'' Nao shook her head. ''I can't stand that tea woman after she killed Ju...'' Quickly she covered her mouth. She had to think fo an excuse to get out of the conversation quick.

''I won't ask. For now.'' Her mother said, not willing to wait for her daughter to start excusing herself. ''But if you hate her that much then why are you interested in all of this? Why would you care?'' She asked. She knew for a fact that her daughter had grown to be the type of person who stayed away from everything she disliked. She just wanted to understand and get the whole picture.

''Because,'' Nao suddenly shut her mouth again. It hadn't been until now that she realized she hadn't been lying before while talking to Midori. She really had no idea why she cared. ''Because...''

''I see.'' Her mother said with a smile before getting up. ''Goodnight, Nao.''

''Goodnight.'' Nao whispered as her mother switched the lights off again and walked out of the room, leaving her confused daughter behind.

To Be Continued

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