Beaming at herself in the mirror, Shizuma rhythmically pulled the brush through her flowing silver locks, anticipation and excitement beginning to weave its way through every cell in her body.
Standing, she looked herself up and down before giving a satisfied nod and heading towards the door, her emerald dress shimmering in a similar fashion to her eyes as she attempted to suppress a giggle she felt beginning to form.
Failing, she let herself give way to what began as a slight chuckle yet rapidly turned into hearty laughs whilst she began her dissent towards her Uncles office.
Knocking briefly on the oaken door she quickly entered, all the while a smirk was beginning to play upon her lips.
"Shizuma… Congratulations are in order I'm sure, Happy 21st Birthday" Iwao Hanazono grumbled as his deceased elder-brothers daughter entered the room. "There's something I need to discuss with you."
"Yes, I'm sure there is Uncle but first I would like to discuss the transfer of the company over to myself. I'm of legal age now and have undergone training" She quipped barely able to keep the smug smirk from her face.
"Hmm, about that. Shizuma I don't believe you're ready to handle this yet, you are far too young to run a company let alone one that is so defined nationwide."
"What? But I've gone through training for this! You can't-"
"SHIZUMA!" Iwao jumped up slamming his fists against the desk as Shizuma backed into the door. "YOU WILL NOT DISOBEY ME CHILD, DO YOU HEAR ME? I RAISED YOU AS IF YOU WERE MY OWN AFTER YOUR STUPID FATH-"
Suddenly realising the situation Iwao took a deep breath and settled back into his chair. "Who was it that took you in after Katsuro- Your father- died?"
Grinning he watched as Shizuma's expression went from a triumphant smirk to that of a quivering child. 'You will not disobey me child I won't let you have this company.'
"Come back to me after another year of training and I shall maybe reconsider handing you the company"
"But-"
"But Nothing I am in charge here. Besides who else would watch Sophia for me at such short notice for absolutely nothing?" A demonic grin crept across his face as he ordered Shizuma to leave, enjoying every moment of his grip on power.
After she'd left he began to chuckle. "I'm never going to let you have this company Shizuma, you or that brat Sophia, you'll see. You'll both see."
Yawning Nagisa awoke to the sensation of something tickling her nose, trying to bat away the offending presence that was disrupting her slumber.
"Mmn" She grumbled before shoving her head underneath the pillow, attempting to reclaim sleep as she curled into a foetal position. Nothing happened.
Beginning to relax again she started to drift back off to sleep until she was once again pulled back into reality as something pressed against her back.
Grumbling she finally opened her eyes, curiosity getting the better of her as she pulled the pillow away from her head only to be caught up in another playful attack.
The phrase 'Curiosity killed the cat' suddenly swam to mind as the onslaught continued, whilst Nagisa attempted to bat away the fingers which probed her sides. Unable to supress the giggle lodged in her throat she turned towards the offending figure currently in her bed.
"Shizuma…" She whispered catching her breath as her eyes locked with the twinkling emerald orbs belonging to the other. She glanced at the mischievous grin Shizuma had donned, as realisation suddenly hit her. 'Or maybe curiosity didn't kill it' she mused.
Sitting up she began to edge her way out of bed, only to be pulled back down by lithe fingers and an iron grip.
She felt something nuzzle into the nape of her neck before softly growling; "Mine" pulling Nagisa closer.
"Shizuma, we have to get out of bed I'm not ready for this just…" Gasping momentarily, she felt the gentle tug of teeth grazing against her ear. "Shi- Shizuma!" A striking blush coloured her face as she stammered.
Shizuma who appeared (conveniently) not to have heard, began to trail soft kisses along her jaw line, her hands pushing under the red heads shirt as she began to trace patterns along her back.
"Mmn? Your body is telling me otherwise my little Nagisa" She purred before roughly pushing her lips against her lovers.
They suddenly began a battle for dominance as their tongues intertwined, Shizuma's hands roaming the younger woman's body as Nagisa's own hands intertwined with the silver locks flowing around her, pulling Shizuma ever closer.
Moments passed as Nagisa struggled to gain control and power over the elder woman, only pausing as she pulled away to breathe. Panting she stared at the silver-haired devil sat in front of her, contemplating her next action as she regained hold of her consciousness and previous thoughts, torn between lust and logic.
'It's far too soon, don't give in just yet.'
'She loves you and you love her, why not? You want it just as much as she does, so don't deny yourself'
Gently shaking her head she struggled to come to a conclusion; desperately trying to figure out what she wanted. In the few moments she'd been sat there Shizuma had remained still and silent all the while smirking at the younger woman.
Finally making a move, she curled a finger under the red heads chin, tilting her head upwards before gently brushing her lips against the others.
The smirk which seemed to be a constant feature on the elder woman's face never faltering as she lifted herself from the bed and stalked towards the bathroom, revelling in the disappointed look which momentarily flashed across Nagisa's face.
"Now, now my little Nagisa. Don't look too disappointed, ne?" With a final smirk she closed the bathroom door only to hear a soft thud against it seconds later, signifying a thrown pillow.
Undressing she surveyed herself in the mirror, hair dishevelled, the previous days clothes -now lying in a pile on the floor- were creased. Dark circles highlighted her eyes forcing the owner to acknowledge the lack of sleep she'd undergone recently.
"Not exactly what I was going for" she muttered darkly as she tugged at her silver locks in an attempt to make herself somewhat presentable, before turning to face the shower.
Feeling the warm droplets of water splash against her skin, she felt her mood somewhat lighten again.
Not one to pass up the opportunity to show off her singing voice -shower or not- she began to tap her foot before going straight into the chorus of a song that seemed oddly appropriate given the current circumstances with the love of her life.
"Love me, hate me, I'm not believing you that you want to get away…"
A gleeful smile crossed her face upon hearing another thud against the bathroom door.
'Oh this is going to be fun.'
*Bzzzzzz*
Groaning as she rolled out from under her covers, Tamao tentatively rubbed her eyes as she began the pursuit in search of her phone.
Finally grasping hold of the device she'd been searching for she quickly dived back under the covers to try and regain the warmth and comfort she'd previously been encompassed with.
Gradually turning her attention towards the phone.
"Oh a text from Nagisa!" She exclaimed before hurriedly reading through the message, repeating the action countless times as the words echoed through her mind and she processed the information given.
'Tamao-Chan! Good Morning, or Good afternoon should I say? ".
Thank you so much for yesterday, you really are the kindest friend a person could ever wish for.
I was wondering; would it be at all possible for us to meet up again today?
I'll bring cake! :3
Nagisa x'
After reading the message at least 30 times, searching for hidden meanings and analysing her use of language, Tamao began to quickly reply.
'Nagisa-Chan! What a surprise.
Tut Tut, is my Nagisa not taking good enough care of herself? You should get more sleep.
You're welcome my dearest friend, I love being able to speak with you once more.
I'd also love to meet up with you again today; just tell me the time and place.
Also, I think the cake is more for your own sakes Nagisa. ;)
Tamao x'
Aware of the obvious hypocrisy laced throughout the message, Tamao was glad for an instant that Nagisa hadn't taken her up on the offer to stay in the hotel.
'I'm glad she didn't get to see me like this, even when we shared a dorm I was always the first to wake.'
Nervously waiting for a reply she chewed her bottom lip, before jumping in alarm as the slight 'Bzzz' suddenly alerted the Blue haired girl to the response she'd been given.
'The park where we met yesterday in an hour, is that okay?
Hey! That's mean Tamao-Chan, I was going to buy a cake specially for you. T_T I wouldn't have eaten any of it, well maybe just one bite… but no more, I swear. :P x'
Giggling at her friends' obsession, Tamao quickly typed her confirmation before jumping from her bed in a hurried rush and darting towards the bathroom.
'An hour, how am I going to be ready in an hour?'
Hurrying away from her apartment Nagisa glanced briefly at her watch picking up her pace in a vain attempt to be somewhat on time for her meeting with Tamao. Sighing as she realised nothing short of a miracle would help her, she continued to hurry towards the park.
She'd left Shizuma behind at the apartment, wanting to approach the subject of their relationship to Tamao subtly, something she knew wouldn't occur if Shizuma was there to highlight the situation with one of her signature smirks and all too mischievous hands.
She'd insisted on coming at first, but after she'd changed into a tight fitting black cocktail dress and smirked at the blush which had stained the red head's cheeks, Nagisa had all but run out of the door.
"Baka" She muttered as the park entrance came into sight, bracing herself for the berating Tamao was likely to give for her lateness.
Scanning the park she searched for her friend until finally her eyes fell upon the tell-tale blue hair which belonged to her dearest friend.
"Tamao-Chan! Tamao-Chan!" she yelled, rushing forwards only to pause next to her, sensing that something was off before she even saw Tamao's face.
Her fears were confirmed the second they locked eyes, the look of confusion surrounding the bluenettes very presence.
"Tamao-Chan? What's wrong?" she queried, only to be answered by a pointing finger. Letting her gaze follow the indication, she jumped in shock at the sight she saw.
A dishevelled girl crawled out from the bushes in the corner of the park, her blonde hair ruffled and littered with leaves and twigs, barely supressing a yawn.
Blood shot eyes suddenly narrowed as she visibly tensed, her gaze flickering between the two women fiercely.
Nagisa's eyes widened with fear as she caught sight of the deep gash in the girl's neck, eyeing the blood which slowly dripped onto the foliage bellow.
"Z-Z-Z-ZOMBIE!"
Pacing around the apartment Shizuma was unable to just sit still and wait for Nagisa to return.
"Maybe I went over the top with the dress?" She muttered, re-hashing the memory as the image of her lovers red stained cheeks floated to mind.
'I wasn't being too unreasonable wanting to go as well, was I? I mean, she's my little Nagisa. Anything could happen to her and Tamao isn't as innocent as she pretends to be.'
Scowling to herself as she approached the window she continued to silently loathe the bluenettes relationship with Nagisa.
'Oh this won't do, I might as well have followed her if I was going to be this nervous, no. I need to trust her, she'll be fine.'
Heading back towards the sofa she began to feel a bit of her tension ease as her trust for the red head began to set in.
Smirking to herself she continued to ponder.
'Since when did I become so… possessive? She really does bring out sides of me others can't, huh? It seems I can also bring out a side of her others can't as well.'
With a satisfied nod she laid down on the sofa allowing her eyes to flutter shut and her consciousness to be claimed by sleep.
'Might as well, she probably won't be back for a while.'
Note:
I wonder if anyone actually reads these. .
Okay, so chapter 5 is finally finished. I wanted to write a bit more but since I haven't updated in a while I figured I should stop. At least it's not as short as some of my other chapters though? Got to look for the positives. xD
Anyway, I'm kind of embarrassed about putting this chapter up; All the others have been read by one of my closest friend's beforehand and she usually gives me her opinion.
Not this time though unfortunately. :/ She won't be back for a while yet so it was either put the story up now, or wait awhile longer.
The song Shizuma sings in this chapter is; 'Love Me, Hate Me' by 'The Relay Company'.
The quote I used in the last chapter is from the play; 'Othello' by 'Shakespeare'.
Oh! About the name's I've used for other characters; I used specific names because of the definitions for them I found (I apologise if I've got them wrong. x_x)
IWAO (巌): Japanese name meaning "stone man."
KATSURO (勝郎): Japanese name meaning "victorious son."
As for Sophia; apparently it represents wisdom, or something along those lines which I found weirdly ironic considering how Sophia acts; the exact opposite.
Anyway this note is going on for far too long, thank you for everyone who's read or/and reviewed the chapters so far. It really does mean a lot to me. (: Plus reviews make my day. :) So Thank you.
I don't own Strawberry Panic.
Becky. xx