A/N:
Again, I can't thank everyone enough for reading and reviewing. This is my second chapter in one day, so please try and forgive any errors as I am a bit tired LOL
Disclaimer:
I still don't own Mai Hime/Otome or any ShizNatty goodness. ((Boo)) ((Hiss))
Chapter 4
Nina Wang tried hard to concentrate on the novel she was reading. Nina had recently come back to finish her schooling at Garderobe, after a year long hiatus. She had needed some time to sort out feelings, and figure out what it was that her heart wanted. Apparently you can't run away from destiny, as while on a mission with her former onee-sama Nao, she had discovered the Neptune Emerald. After Yuna had been defeated and things had settled down, she had decided to return to Garderobe, and was currently tied for the spot of number one Pearl, with her best friend and rival Arika Yumemiya.
Rounding out the Trias was her other good friend, Irina Woods. Irina was not as skilled in combat as Arika and Nina, but what she lacked in brawn, she made up with in sheer brainpower. Irina had the uncanny ability to detect an enemy's weak point in the matter of about ten seconds or so. Using this information, she was then able to disarm and defeat most adversaries that came her way.
Nina turned her attention back to the novel. She tried hard to read the words on the page, but her mind kept drifting to thoughts of Nao.
Wait...why am I think of Nao-san?? That's weird...but I can't stop...I feel a sense of worry?
Since returning, Nina and Nao had been on three more missions together. They had a mutual respect for one and other, and the partnership worked because neither one felt the need to pry into the other's personal life. In fact both girls were very much alike in the fact they usually preferred to be alone, and work alone. Since Arika's arrival and the passing of Nina's former roommate Erstin Ho, Nina had found herself valuing friendship a lot more then she previously had.
I don't want to lose anymore...friends? Is Nao my friend?
Nina had never thought of Nao as a friend before. In fact in her Coral years, she had disapproved of a lot of things Nao had done to her younger schoolmates, herself included.
Yes...Nao is Nao...not a friend...or an enemy...just Nao...and if I know my onee-sama, she will find a way out of this mess...
Nao found herself guessing she was at Shizuru's apartment complex. Reito had dropped her off in front of the large white building and now she was standing, unsure in front of the steps leading to the door. She knew she should be moving faster then she was, but once she was out of the car, she realized she had no idea what she was going to say to the woman.
Hurry up Nao...this is no time to hesitate...Shizuru needs you...no wait...did I just say that? I meant Shizuru needs Natsuki...yeah...Natsuki...that's what I meant...
After re-assuring herself, she quickly made her way up the steps and glanced at the names and apartment numbers as she ran by. Shizuru Fujino #23. Nao made her way up to the second floor and found Shizuru's apartment easily. She began to knock on the door, pounding her fist hard.
"Shizuru, OPEN UP." she yelled, in a panicked voice. What if something had happened to Shizuru and she was too late? How would that affect the future? How would that affect her life?? Nao became worked up, as all the various thoughts invaded her brain. She stared hard at Shizuru's door and then with all her might she kicked the doorknob as hard as she could. The knob fell to the ground, allowing the lock to be broken and Nao wasted no time barelling through the door.
"Shizuru? Where are you? She called out. "Are you ok?"
"Nat...su...ki?" came a faint voice from the bathroom.
Nao rushed towards the voice and was shocked to find Shizuru laying in the bathtub, blade in hand. Without even thinking, she surveyed the situation and realized exactly what was about to take place. She roughly grabbed Shizuru's arm knocking the blade out of her fingers in the process.
"Natsuki...Ikezu..." Shizuru whispered as her eyes closed and tears began to stream down her face.
Nao again moved without thinking and put her arms around the woman's body, studying her face. Shizuru looked to be about the same age as Nao. Shizuru Viola had graduated from Garderobe awhile before Nao had come to the school. Nao had guessed the Shizuru of the future was about 5 or 6 years older than her self.
Seeing Shizuru in this state was unbelievable. This woman was broken. Wrecked. At this very moment, she was nothing like the Shizuru Nao had come to know. Nao carefully pulled Shizuru up and out of the tub.
Well at least all those push ups I did in gym class weren't for nothing...
Nao's hands were now snaked around Shizuru's body and the girl was gently crying into the front of her shirt. It was only then that Nao noticed Shizuru was completely naked. She began to blush at this sudden realization, as she looked for a towel or sheet to cover the girl up with. She carried Shizuru to the bedroom and lay her down on the bed.
I never realized what a nice body she has...HOLY SHIT...did I just think that?? no way...avert your eyes...this woman has problems...big problems...
Nao was beginning to feel extremely awkward and tried to pull away from Shizuru. Shizuru gripped Nao tighter and looked up into her eyes.
"Natsuki...why?" she sobbed.
No words were coming to Nao's head once again. She had never had a real relationship herself so she wasn't exactly sure how to comfort Shizuru.
I'm better at causing the shit instead of fixing it...OK! What would Kuga do? Waitaminute...that's why I'm in this predicament in the first place...because of what Kuga did to begin with...ARGHHH my head...
Nao had been so busy with her mental battle that she had not noticed as Shizuru had begun to speak. The woman was babbling about love and forgiveness and why Natsuki had come back and blah blah blah.
God why won't she just shut up...her voice is grating every nerve in my body...quit whining and get over it lady...and while your at it ...put some clothes on damnit!
Shizuru continued apologizing, crying and holding Nao for what seemed to be an eternity to the poor Meister Otome. Finally Nao couldn't handle it anymore and found herself doing something rather unexpected.
"Shut up Shizuru." an irritated Nao growled.
Shizuru looked as if she had been slapped.
Uh oh damage control...Quick think of something...anything...hurry...
Then Nao did the unthinkable. She leaned forward and forced her lips quickly onto a stunned Shizuru. Then she braced herself to be completely grossed out.
What am I doing? Wait...this doesn't feel too bad...kinda soft...not how I expected...? wait...what am I saying...Kruger would kill me...wait...who cares about Kruger...I'M KISSING SHIZURU...ackkk!
Nao's thoughts were abruptly interrupted as Shizuru pressed her naked body against Nao and put her hands around Nao's neck holding her close. Nao was trying to break the kiss, but Shizuru had other ideas as she waited for Nao's mouth to open and slipped her tongue inside.
A little piece of Nao died as her eyes went wide from the shock.
I have now officially disgraced myself...
And yet she found herself returning the kiss.
Disengage...Disengage...
Nao was finally able to pull away from Shizuru, as she backed up on the bed. Shizuru looked surprised as well. An awkward silence filled the room.
Ok Nao this is your chance. Confess your love...tell her how important she is...that you made a mistake...you were only scared...pushing her away...yadda yadda...and then she falls in love with you and you fall in love with her and POOF! I'll be back home in about 5 minutes...
"Shizuru" Nao said, taking hold of Shizuru's hand to achieve her desired affect. "I'm sorry I hurt you. Nao means nothing to me." she said in her most solemn voice. Nao was thinking of all the cheesy cliché lines her favorite actors and actresses used in the movies.
I love you with every fiber of my being? Too dramatic. You complete me? Too overdone. Nobody puts baby in a corner? Irrelevant.
Before she had a chance to come up with the perfect line, she was interrupted by Shizuru.
"Will Natsuki stay with me tonight?" she asked, reaching out to gently stroke the side of Nao's face. Nao jumped back, not wanting to make any more unnecessary contact than she already had. Once again Shizuru looked hurt.
"Sorry Shizuru." Nao quickly apologized. "You just took me by surprise. After all I have caused you so much pain." Nao reminded her.
Score! Nice recovery Nao...
"Please Natsuki, I need you." Shizuru began to cry again, covering her face with her hands.
Please don't start crying again...I hate it when girls cry...please...ok stay with her...promise her the world...do whatever it takes...besides the real Natsuki should be taking her rightful place soon anyways...
Nao couldn't help feeling sorry for Shizuru. She once again found herself embracing the girl and rocking her back and forth, holding her to her chest. Shizuru was warm, and the warmth from her body seemed to seep into Nao as well.
"Shizuru" she whispered in the girl's ear. "Please put some clothes on." she said seriously. Her expression made Shizuru laugh. Shizuru knew Natsuki was easily embarrassed by so many things. She realized her current state of undress was probably making the love of her life rather uncomfortable.
"Okay my Natsuki, I promise to put on some clothes, but you must promise to stay here and hold me all night long." Shizuru grinned as she said the last part.
Nao didn't even wait to hear the end before agreeing. She had no idea what she had just agreed to. All she had heard was Shizuru and clothes and that was good enough for her. Poor Nao was in for a long night.
Nao awoke to find herself buried under Shizuru. She tried to push Shizuru away from her, using her legs but to no avail. Shizuru's body was pressed right up against Nao, her arms possessively around Nao's waist.
No wonder Kuga wanted out...can anyone say SUFFOCATION???
Nao had never slept in the same bed as anyone in all of her life. It wasn't a habit she planned to start, as she enjoyed sprawling. She had successfully warded off any advances Shizuru had made in regards to do anything more than sleeping, and therefore she guessed things were working out.
But if things are working out...then how come I'm still here? Shizuru is ok...Natsuki is ok...they love each other right? Why am I not home??
At that moment a bright light appeared against the wall. Nao shielded her eyes before hearing Yoko's voice in her ear.
"Nao are you there?" Yoko called
Nao didn't want to wake the sleeping Shizuru, as this would all be a little hard to explain, and so she whispered back. "Shhhhh I don't want to wake Shizuru.".
As the words left her mouth she realized her mistake too late.
"WAKE SHIZURU??" an angry Natsuki Kruger yelled into her ear.
"Wait wait it's not what you think Kruger." Nao backtracked.
"You better not be defiling MY Shizuru you delinquent!" Kruger whispered.
"More like she's trying to defile me." Nao thought out loud and then mentally kicked herself.
"NANI??" cried the principal.
"Stop it you two, this is not the time or place." Yoko scolded. "Nao it seems as though you have figured out and diverted the problem right?" she asked.
"I thought I had Yoko, but if that's the case then how come I wasn't transported back?" Nao questioned.
"Shizuru doesn't believe you" stated Natsuki "She's not dumb, she won't believe that all of sudden I had a change of heart. She knows me too well. You can't pull off being me Nao" Natsuki sighed.
"Natsuki is right Nao. You have to convince her that your love for her is true." Yoko replied.
"WHAT? How am I supposed to do that" Nao furiously hissed. "I don't love her! I'm not Natsuki and I just want to get the hell out of here." Nao continued "Beam me up Scotty!"
Yoko and Natsuki exchanged bewildered glances. Who knew Nao was such a science fiction nerd.
"You are going to have to woo her." Natsuki said seriously.
"Woo her?" Nao's voice flat lined. "You mean like flowers, chocolates and promises I don't intend to keep?" Nao joked, half-serious.
"No I mean like taking her on dates and spending time with her." Natsuki said frustrated. Natsuki was still reeling over the fact that Nao was in the past spending time with Shizuru. It was a hard pill to swallow, but she had no choice but to trust in the sneaky Otome.
"Dates? Spending time together?" Nao felt sick to her stomach. "Kruger if I can pull this off you owe me BIG TIME." she ranted.
Before anything else could be said, the time frame Fumi had specified had been exceeded, and the light vanished. Nao let her eyes adjust to the once again dark room as she sighed unhappily. Why did these things always happen to her? Nao looked at the sleeping Shizuru beside her who hadn't moved a muscle during her conversation with Yoko and Natsuki. The woman looked absolutely peaceful.
Well at least one of us seems to be having a good time...
Nao closed her eyes, and tried to find a comfortable position for her head. Tomorrow she was apparently going to start her "Wooing" of the future Graceful Amethyst, and she knew she would need all of her strength for that daunting task.
End Chapter 4
Nao's Superfab Omake 2
Nao: As I lay me down to sleep...I pray the lord my soul to keep...and If I should die before I wake, that's one less Shizuru I'll have to DATE. ((prays hard for this to come true))
Author: ((claps))
End Omake
It's DATE TIME!!! ((ominous music))
Where will Nao take Shizuru on their date? Can Nao stop Shizuru's wandering hands? What does Uma Thurman have to do with any of this? Find out in the next chapter.
p.s. I'm not sure if it's Nina Wong or Nina Wang, as the subbed version of Otome I watched switched back and forth between the two, so I used Wang because that's what wikipedia had listed. :)