The nervous woman hovered by the door momentarily, trying to regain her composure to hide the ever hastening nerves.
She briefly wondered if she was doing the right thing by trying to rekindle the relationship with the woman whose heart she'd broken all those years ago, especially with her current condition.
She shook her head trying to physically remove the drifting thoughts as she took a deep breath.
"It's now or never."
Reaching out her hand, she rapped her knuckles against the cold, hard door before bracing herself for the upcoming reunion.
It seemed like an eternity before the door finally began to crack open and the familiar chocolate brown eyes landed upon her.
Fear turned to realisation, which then turned to shock so rapidly that Shizuma couldn't contain the smirk which had crept along her face.
"I see you haven't forgotten who I am, it's been awhile my little Nagisa."
A week had passed since Nagisa had woken after the accident, a full week of impatiently waiting to be released. In this time she'd been reprimanded more times than she could recall by both Shizuma and Nurses alike for her impatience.
"Can I leave yet?"
"Nagisa if I have to tell you once more, then I am going to go to the doctor and request they keep you here for another month, okay?"
The red head huffed in annoyance but remained silent all the same, sending glares at the other woman when she thought she wasn't paying attention.
"You can glare all you like, but I won't change my mind Nagisa."
'Damn, she saw.'
She puffed her lips into a pout, crossing her arms as she attempted to sulk with the silver haired woman, earning herself an amused smirk.
"Still not going to work." Shizuma cooed in a sing-song voice as she reached over and kissed the pout away.
Nagisa wrapped her arms around the elder woman's neck and pulled her back onto the bed attempting to deepen the kiss, only to be denied.
"Tsk Tsk, what have I told you Nagisa? You're not well." With that she pulled away smirking as she bounded across the room and flittered around a vase of flowers; leaving behind an annoyed and flustered red head.
"YAYA-CHAN!"
The dark haired girl groaned before muttering aloud; "What have I done this time?"
It was meant to be rhetorical but a smirking Kaname sidled up beside her just in time to hear the question.
"Well…" She smirked "Seems like someone won't be getting any tonight… again"
With that she disappeared as quickly as she appeared, cackling all the way.
"I hate you."
"I heard that."
Yaya flushed, about to retort when Tsubomi stormed up to her. "Tsubomi-Chan?"
"Don't you 'Tsubomi-Chan' me!"
"What have I done this time?"
"We've been preparing for this event for weeks! If I don't get it right Shizuma will kill me. Oh goodness Shizuma… I need to update her!"
With that the pinkette disappeared leaving behind an extremely bewildered brunette.
Yaya sighed in resignation; "Just a couple more days then Nagisa will be home, this evening can happen, and the whole event will be over with – it can't come quick enough."
Then as if on cue to further ensure the brunettes mirth, Kaname stalked past her not so subtly whispering; "wimp" before beginning to cackle all over again.
Tamao stood in the corner of the hall, observing her friends past and present rushing around to bring together an event that had been in preparation for weeks. An event she'd only learned of recently after the accident had forced her to be in proximity with the silver haired devil that plagued her existence.
She scowled bitterly at the thought as a bitter taste seeped into her mouth. 'She's probably with Nagisa right now…'
She tried to hold back the tears which now stung her eye lids, closing her eyes in an attempt to escape only to be plagued with the image of Nagisa's prone form, un-moving and seemingly lifeless.
Upon receiving a call from the hospital she'd desperately rushed to her friend's side but upon seeing her condition the overwhelming need to throw up had possessed her every need. Rushing away she had been unable to force herself back to the red head, fear and guilt griping at her, so with a heavy heart she rang the first person she could think of.
Somehow between then and now she'd been lassoed into assisting the preparations to aid the silver haired woman woo her best friend and crush. The bittersweet irony wasn't lost to her as she silently began to despise her actions more than she thought possible. She hoped that the preparations would be pointless and that Nagisa would finally reject the elder woman, but knew deep down that her hopes were in vain.
"Are you okay?" A velvety voice floated through her ears, not quite registering as she continued to sit there, eyes closed in silent contemplation and detest.
It wasn't until a gentle hand cupped her shoulder that her eyes snapped open, revealing the pain hidden behind. Tears began to well at the corner of her eyes before spilling down her face.
Arms were suddenly around her shaking form, offering some reassurance and comfort to the onslaught of pain which was now assaulting her senses. Their owner didn't voice her concerns or opinions, just held the bluenette as she sobbed.
They sat there for a while as people rushed backwards and forwards casting curious glances at the bluenette only to be silenced and egged on their way by a firm gaze, belonging to the person who was currently cradling Tamao.
Rubbing soothing circles into the girls' back she ignored the wet patch currently located on her collarbone as she listened to the bluenettes breathing gradually begin to slow and steady out. The sobs slowly subsided and a sense of finality seemed to settle over the pair.
"Feeling any better now?" The woman cooed softly, keeping a gentle and tentative tone to help the younger woman open up slightly.
As for Tamao, she just felt numb. The crying had helped some, but the finality of her situation was beginning to set in, followed quickly by the shock and embarrassment of crying in public.
"I'm sorry… you shouldn't have had to deal with me like that."
"Nonsense, as long as you're okay Tamao-Chan." The other woman beamed down in response, her gentle gaze breaking through Tamao's hastily concocted barriers and walls, almost as if she was peering into her soul.
"Chikaru…"
"Chikaru there you are I've been looking for yo-" another voice entered the equation before drifting off slightly, taking in the scene before her.
Chikaru turned to gaze at the blonde haired ex-spican, offering a slight smile as she regarded the stiff posture and the barely hidden curiosity burning off her in waves.
Shion stalked closer, resting a hand on the dark-haired girls shoulder as she peered over at the head tucked under the woman's chin.
"Tamao-Chan, are you okay?" the blonde stood stock still, her voice slightly brusque as she voiced in a somewhat brash way, the question others –apart from Chikaru- had been too afraid to ask.
She noted the way the bluenette fervently nodded her head and debated the consequences of calling her out on her bluff.
Ultimately deciding against it she began to speak, a slight hint of barely concealed jealousy sparking her words. "Well, if that's the case then can you please release Chikaru; her presence has been requested by Tsubomi."
She refused to acknowledge the questioning and almost incredulous gaze she knew would be set intently upon her, settling for watching the flurry of motion caused by Tamao as she jumped from Chikaru's lap in a hurried and desperate motion.
"Besides, I think someone wants to speak to you…" the blonde drawled, alerting the others to another nearby blonde's presence, who'd watched the interactions with a hint of curiosity, nervously hovering at a distance so as not to distract anyone.
With that the ex-spican briskly walked away highly attuned to the gentle tap of shoes behind her and the floral scent which alerted her to the company which was now following her.
"You didn't have to do that you know…"
"Do what? I was merely relaying a message and pointing out my observations" the blonde huffed indignantly. She preferred that people acknowledged her icy exterior which demanded respect and a slight sense of fear rather than the underlying insecurities and weaknesses of her personality.
"I know exactly what you did… and what you described wasn't it." The velvety voice purred out, slicing through her barriers in a way only Chikaru could. "Your actions may have been spurred by jealousy, but like a true hero you set the wheels in motion for a happier ending."
Shion rolled her eyes before raising an eye brow at the dark haired girl. 'Trust Chikaru to dramatize the situation and deem me a hero for my jealousy.'
Before she knew it her eyes were fluttering shut as a heart shaped pair of lips gently descended upon her neck, lightly peppering kisses along any exposed skin they could reach.
"Ch-Chikaru…" The blonde mentally cursed at the stutter, trying to brace herself and build up her icy demeanour only to melt at the slightest touch from the other woman.
"Shh-" the dark haired girl continued to purr, "- I'm merely rewarding my hero…" she drifted off as she finally touched her lips to the blondes, gently applying pressure until she responded in kind and melted completely.
"Now, shall we carry on with the preparations, I don't want to keep Tsubomi waiting and incur her wrath." Chikaru stated softly as she began to walk in the direction she knew the pinkette would be waiting and panicking.
Shion could only nod in acceptance watching as the other woman walked further away yet remaining in a trance; a goofy grin plastered across her face.
However upon hearing a sniggered "whipped" being shot at her, accompanied by cackles from a distinctly familiar sounding voice, she snapped out of it. Running, she caught up with her girlfriend, draping an arm over her shoulder as she sent a cold glare at the retreating form of Kaname in the distance.
"Why are you here?"
Sophia winced at the icy tone being shot at her by the bluenette and braced herself for what she knew had the potential to turn nasty.
"I just wanted to apologise…"
"…"
"Look, I'm really sorry. I made some decisions against my better judgment and made mistakes, but I never meant to hurt anyone – well, I did… but not Nagisa."
The bluenette scoffed and made to walk away quickly, only to be grabbed by her wrist. She whirled around instantly, a furious glare marring her features and making the blonde flinch.
"Get off me."
"Tamao-Chan! Please…"
"No! Just get off me!"
Tamao yanked her wrist from the blondes grasp and began to run for the nearest exit, desperate to escape momentarily and compose herself. A numb void began to expand in her chest as she eventually came to rest outside, slumping against a wall and breathing heavily.
"This isn't going to end well…"
Note:
Hey Hey! :P
This chapter isn't as long as I wanted it to be – sorry. But… I have to go get ready and I wanted to post this tonight. My last chapter as an 18 year old, boo! Haha.
Sorry if there's any mistakes; haven't been able to check this chapter the same as the others since I'm in a bit of a rush, I'll try go over it again soon though.
I plan on posting another chapter before Christmas (I say plan, but it may not work out like that, however I felt I should tell you all my intentions.)
So yes, thank you to everyone who has ever reviewed, story alerted, added to favourites or even just read 'Looking Towards Tomorrow' you're all awesome and have made this past year great. (:
Until next time; Becky. xx
Ps. I do not own Strawberry panic. :P