Author's Notes: This was sort of a leftover from the other night when I typed up the first one. More of a drabble than a oneshot even, so don't get too excited or anything. There is no timeline to this… so… it doesn't necessarily take place before or after the other one. More Shiznat. Shizuru might tease Natsuki a bit (translation: a lot), but she still adores her. Who knows when or if there will be another one… or who it will cover. Just depends on my whims (though I'll take character focus suggestions into consideration).
Disclaimer: I certainly don't own Mai-Hime.
Shizuru liked to make Natsuki flail.
It was probably one of her favorite things to do. Not only was it entertaining to watch, it required very little effort. Natuski's reactions often bordered theatrical and were generally accompanied with the rapid suffusion of red coloring her cheeks. Shizuru also enjoyed making Natsuki blush. It was almost if not just as enjoyable as making Natsuki flail.
Flailing could be triggered by a variety of things. When Natsuki felt socially compromised, that is to say, when Natsuki very much wanted to remain her (adorable) gruff self but felt it necessary to attempt to be courteous, Shizuru had observed a sort of angry panic arise in Natsuki's eyes that went together with slightly jerkier movements that made it clear any degree of civility was indeed forced. Once out of the awkward situation, Natsuki would then heatedly explain that she was annoyed and state her case as to exactly why, sometimes using unnecessary expletives and often waving her arms around in a way that was both wasteful of energy and amusing to behold. She would then realize how worked up she had gotten, clamp her mouth shut and remain sullen for some time following. Her Natsuki wasn't very adept at being polite, but her glower could have easily held its own among both blushing and flailing as far as Shizuru's favorite things were concerned (it was rather cute).
There was also the flailing caused by any sort of suggestive activities or phrases. This was possibly Shizuru's favorite type of flailing, especially if she herself caused it. Having shamelessly monopolized Natsuki's time as of late, she had had plenty of delightful opportunities to exploit the more dramatic tendencies of her companion.
They were currently on their way to what could have been labeled as a HiME get together, but that topic tended to bring up bad blood between certain individuals and there were other miscellaneous attendees who were only vaguely connected to that whole affair.
Shizuru had had her fun on the way over causing the second kind of flailing to occur as Natsuki laid down the ground rules as, after all, it was to be their first large social gathering where they would be attending as an official couple.
There was rule one: No groping in public.
"Ara, does that mean if I happen to find Natsuki alone, it would be alright?"
Rule number two: No groping to, from or at the party. Even if it seemed like they were alone. She knew too many people who often had recording devices on their person whether it was a camera, cell phone, tape recorder, or some other electronic or battery-run apparatus. In private, caresses were welcome, in front of individuals such as Nao or Chie Harada, however, soft touches would suddenly become photos of her being felt up by Shizuru's grabby hands.
'And liking it?' Shizuru had wanted to ask, but instead she decided to nudge Natsuki in a different direction by way of guilt trip.
"Mou, Natsuki is cruel. She does not want me to be close to her." Pouting also tended to cause a third type of flailing where Natsuki would backpedal furiously in an attempt to appease Shizuru. This was also very agreeable.
Addendum to rule numbers one and two: Still no groping, but hugs and possibly a kiss or two on the cheek were acceptable. She'd have to think about it.
Shizuru also had begun to enjoy compromise as well. She liked and was used to getting her way, but there was no harm in allowing Natsuki to offer her own concessions especially seeing as how at times they were much more than Shizuru hoped for. Her Natsuki surprised her sometimes.
Rule number three: No inappropriate gestures or expressions. Falling under this category was embarrassing endearments, the steamy "come hither" look, suggestive pronunciations of her name--
"Na-tsu-ki?"
and… and blowing her kisses while saying her name like that was also out of the question!
Blushing, flailing… and was that a slight glower that she saw?
Rule number four: No looking for loopholes in the other rules. Please? Just this once? She'd never live it down...
Shizuru sighed a bit at rule number four. Though she was much more proficient at playing the game than Natsuki was, it was rather difficult considering her greatest weakness was her "opponent". In the end, it was near impossible to deny Natsuki's request for very long.
"If it is what my Natsuki wishes," she conceded, smiling graciously.
Natsuki's face broke out into a relieved grin.
"Thanks, Shizuru. I-I'll make it up to you later somehow! I just… y'know… with some of them... They're kind of crazy," the girl bashfully explained, a few of her friends and acquaintances immediately coming to mind.
Shizuru nodded in understanding.
Make it up to me later, hmm?
She supposed she could behave. More or less.
After all, the consolation prize would be more than worth it, she would make sure of it, and Natsuki had been highly entertaining (and endearing) with her little set of rules that she had made on their way to the party.
All in all, it appears to be a win-win situation…