Author's Note: I have been waiting for around a month or so for this chapter but it seems Tee is too busy to beta it. So…this is unbetaed and well, enjoy it? Also it was suppose to come like two days ago too -grumbles- stupid FFnet and its stupid things -grumbles-

Jamie T. Harloawn: Well...I couldn't help it -shrug- I wanted to try that idea for a while hehe. Thanks for the review x3

Ms. Smiles: Thanks for reviewing x3, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own…coughcoughMaihimecough/coughotomecoughmangascough and neither do I own Loveless.


Chapter 5: Natsuki's resolution

Shizuru chuckled at the speechless figure of the raven haired. She knew by now that Natsuki was experiencing the 'compensation' because of her other self wish so she didn't worry, instead, waited patiently for the other woman to awake of her endless memorial journal. Meanwhile inside the Sacrifice's mind, forgotten memories of a life centuries ago began being recalled. Natsuki saw her latest reincarnation which was when she was a Hime and had fallen completely in love with a man. However her love was clearly unrequited since Yuichi Tate loved Mai Tokiha. Then her eyes widened when she saw a familiar light brunette figure.

"Shizuru!" she thought astonished at the exact resemble of her newfound love.

Immense joy took over her but it soon changed to an agonizing heart throbbing which caused her body to flinch and fall to her knees. 'Shizuru' took notice of it and sighed reluctantly once she saw the startled and confused eyes of the other woman.

"What was just that?" Natsuki demanded finally standing up just to fall back on her butt. "What the hell…"

"You shouldn't stress yourself in your mind," The chestnut haired scolded at the still confused Sacrifice.

It was then that the raven haired took became aware of her surrounding. A pitch black emptiness as well as endless place where she could only see her partner and herself, for a moment she was afraid but she could not take the idea of being dead.

"You are not," 'Shizuru' interrupted her companion's further inspection and thoughts. "We are in your mind, Natsuki."

"What, why, how?"

"So many questions and so little time to explain all of them," the chestnut haired tilted her head to a side, thinking of how to tell the Sacrifice about her past. "Where will you want me to begin?"

"What did you mean when you said compensation and are you Kiyohime?"

"Ah, I will take the easiest first," The Fighter's double commented with a wide grin spread on her face. "I'm technically a part of Shizuru, formerly know as Kiyohime, but since we are in your mind I am also part of you." Natsuki nodded and so she continued. "Compensation in this case means a side effect of a wish Shizuru Fujino did centuries ago."

"What do you mean?"

'Shizuru' sighed and shook her head in disapproval. "Don't interrupt, Natsuki," Then she continued when she was sure her companion wouldn't interrupt again. "I don't know how much you might be recalling but you should be familiar with the term 'Hime' right?" the raven haired nodded, "well you were one back long time ago and your Key was the blonde guy. Anyway, apparently you were crazy for him." The chestnut haired made a choke sound to show her distaste. "The point is, after a great battle, my other self was still sadden at the fact that you were pursuing a one-sided love instead of coming to her." Natsuki gulped nervously dreading how things were with her pre-incarnation. "Natsuki Kuga, your ancestor, was oblivious of Shizuru Fujino's feeling and as much as Shizuru wanted you she was too selfless for herself. Until, of course, Eris came." The figment of imagination grumbled as she used her hands to rub her temples before continuing. "She was a sort of guardian goddess thing, we never dwell much but the point is that this woman came to Shizuru. Eris had proposed my other self that she will grant any wish if she wanted so with the only condition that Shizuru will take her place as a Guardian when her last day came.

"Shizuru was no fool but when Eris became more persistent she took advantage of the wish, tricking the goddess and kept your ancestor safe in case that woman tried anything else." The chestnut haired blinked at the blank look of her partner and knew that Natsuki was having another flash of memories.

The Sacrifice gasped when a torrent of emotions took over her as she helplessly watched the events taking in front of her. Torn between anguish and rage, Natsuki stared at the crying figure of her former self who had a single goodbye letter from Shizuru. Behind her, she could see Mai and Yuichi trying to comfort their obvious distraught friend. The images kept changing forward, showing an older as well as more mature raven haired who by now had overcame her love for the blonde man and was now currently trying her best to continue living. However, there was still a remaining yearning in the Hime's eyes that only Natsuki could see.

'Shizuru' raised an eyebrow when the other woman gasped for a second time, her eyes barely focused. "I suppose it wasn't very pleasant?"

"That's an understatement," A now panting and tired Natsuki said as she then asked. "What did Kiyo-…Shizuru wished for?"

"She wished to be an Immortal."

Natsuki frowned and tilted her head curiously at the statement. "Something tells me there's more to that."

"Not many humans know it but an Immortal is more than a mere human with the gift of immortality. This being can not be destroyed unless by decapitation. Also, normally an Immortal possesses enchanted and superior abilities than of a normal human being. These include the typical: super-strength, incredible senses, etc." suddenly the brunette frowned. "a random moment…if I am allowed. But this doesn't exactly explain how my other self actually achieved becoming a Fighter." 'Shizuru' blinked then frowned yet didn't say anything else.

"That silly…" Natsuki began trembling out of so many emotions she couldn't tell. "and she says I'm the dumb one."

"Don't take it at heart," her companion said. "Shizuru can be rather insecure when it comes to you, so please forgive her on my behalf."

"How could she think…!?"

The Fighter's double shrugged helplessly. "I am the residual's of Shizuru Fujino and my essence has already mixed with you during this centuries. All I can tell you is what Fujino though at that moment. She did it to protect you." The figment of imagination gave a small smile to the still furious partner. "You must understand, back at that time you always were the one to protect her. She just wanted a turn to being the one protecting you, Natsuki."

"It's still not fair!" the smaller woman shouted. "Thinking like that without my consent, not knowing how badly I will be hurt if she was gone too…if she…had just waited…"

"You can't be sure about your former self's feeling, so don't dwell much on them." 'Shizuru' started to walk until they were mere centimeters between them and patted the black locks of Natsuki. "You must look ahead, forgive her for her foolishness and stop the impeding doom."

"What?"

"Shizuru and your past have come back to haunt both of you. That's why I haven't let you go just yet."

"I don't understand."

The brunette took her companion into her arms and began whispering. "Discordia is another name for Eris. I am sure that Shizuru already knows this, that's why she finally told you here name and activated the compensation in return. Right now, definitely, your love is fighting by herself against the other teams."

"That's impossible!"

"I remind you that certain redhead woman said something about Auto."

"No…"

Then things began getting ugly as Natsuki gave a cried of pain while 'Shizuru' began fading away. Bewildered, the raven haired gasped at the disappearing double of her love.

"Wait, don't go!"

The other woman smiled apologetically and gave another weak shrug. "It was a thing of time, I'm sorry."

"Don't go! I have some many questions, please!"

"That's for your Shizuru to answer, not myself."

"No!"


"Natsuki!" Mai's voice echoed inside the Sacrifice's mind. "Natsuki wake up, damn it!"

The raven haired struggled once more, whimpering and tightening her hold on the bed sheets trying hard to remain unconscious as much as possible but failing miserable. At last her eyes snapped open only to find herself close to face to face with a busty redhead.

"Ah!" she cried out and pushed the anxious younger companion away. "What the hell are you doing here!?"

"Ouch…" the redhead muttered, rubbing her now aching back. "this is not what I expected. Can't you just thanks me for being looking after you instead of throwing off onto the floor like that?"

Natsuki narrowed her eyes as she complied reluctantly and with a frown on her face when she noticed a lack of presence around. "Where's Kiyo?"

"Ah…outside…" Mai answered rather nervously as she looked away and began rubbing the back of her neck. "You know…Natsuki…I don't know how to tell you this…"

However the Sacrifice was no longer hearing her since she was inspecting her room. It was not her cabinet and she didn't feel like they were in the sea. Abruptly she saw a window and went to look at it. Her eyes widened when the sight of the ocean was replace by a beautiful set of green nature.

"How…how long have I been unconscious Mai?" Natsuki demanded still in shock and her stare upon the forest ahead of her.

"A week…" the redhead whispered and gave a soft gasp when she felt her companion hands on her shirt, lifting her centimeters above the floor. "Na…tsuki?"

"Where's she?"

The younger Sacrifice gulped and began explaining the events that had happen during the other woman's absence. Natsuki didn't even stay for the end when she heard the words "auto", "Beloved" and "Kiyohime". She was dashing away, leaving a astonish redhead on the floor.


In the meantime at the edges of island, in the east beach, three figures stood. A clearly tired and injured Shizuru hardly looked in conditions to fight. Her opponents, the Beloved team, quietly stared at the lonely Fighter.

"Do you think, you can beat us like Kiyohime?" Chie asked out of concern for such great Fighter. "You have been fighting in auto for too long, shouldn't you take a break already?" she glanced at her Sacrifice, "A Fighter alone must not continue like this, go ahead and find your Sacrifice."

"Natsuki doesn't need to be here," The brunette stated stubbornly. "Area expand! Declare battle! I will be on auto!"

"Area expand! Respond!" Chie shook her head in displeasure. "I tried my best, Aoi."

"It's ok, just don't try hurting her too much Chie."

The Fighter chuckled and glanced at her beloved partner, "It will be hard if she hurts your pretty face." then she looked at Shizuru. "If you don't have your Sacrifice, you're stacking strength will also be reduced by half. You still want to fight us with this kind of condition?"

"Please be gentle, then," Kiyohime gave them a taunting grin which prompted a pair of chains cuffs around her hands. The Fighter scolded at her foolishness. "Resolve!"

"Solidify!"

"No wonder…very fast though…" Shizuru thought and commanded. "Release! Release from this restriction!"

"Solidify! Harden inwards!"

The Immortal chuckled darkly and the Beloved Team gave a soft gasp at the glowing scarlet eyes on Kiyohime. "I will not lose." she stated, "I'm capable of doing anything, there is nothing I can't do."

"Stop being over confident! Just accept your defeat or this will get worst for you!" Aoi finally shouted not wanting to see further damage on the other Fighter.

"It's useless, Aoi. Let her be," Her Fighter stated. "Repel! Countless tiny bombs, explode the skin just like red flowers!" as the attack stated, red petals flew toward the brunette. "have you enough?"

Shizuru's hand began slowly caressing the now bleeding cut on her cheek but refrained from saying anything. Nevertheless, the attacks continued striking her. Soon she was covered in tiny cuts around herself.

"Kiyohime!" Natsuki called loudly for her Fighter, her eyes widening in fear at the damage her companion had taken for her. "No…"

"How unpleasant for Natsuki to look at me like this…" The Immortal said as she fell on her knees, hissing in pain when various cuts on her legs touched the sandy floor.

"Damn it, Shizuru stop this nonsense!" the Sacrifice shouted furiously while Kiyohime gave a her a look of pure disbelief. "Let me help already! Fighting alone all along! Didn't I tell you, I wanted to protect you too?"

"Natsuki…"

"You are impossible!" the raven haired fist trembled in anger as her eyes glared at her Fighter. "Why can't you understand!? Even in the past you tried your best to protect me…damn it Shizuru! I want to do something too!" taking a deep breath, she kneeled in front of her companion as her eyes softened and started caressing the bleeding cut on Shizuru's face. "Hey, let it be me, at least this time alright?" she then held out her other hand to the brunette. "It's my turn to protect you." The Immortal nodded tearfully and took the offered hand. Together, they raise and looked at the silent Beloved team. "Let's show them, Shizuru."

"Their power has increased considerable…" Chie informed clearly surprised at the change of events.

"Be careful," Her Sacrifice replied, trying to not tremble in fear at the waves of power emanating from the Loveless Team.

Shizuru took a deep breath and finally started her counter attack. "It's cold, like needles of ice piercing in to me." Steadily, the wind breeze intensified as it surrounded the Beloved Team. "Freezing wind," Natsuki chuckled at the shivering opponents and wasn't worry about herself since she herself was the one to teach her Fighter this spell. "Needles of ice, drops of ice below zero degrees. Turn into ice snow rage!" The gray haired Fighter fell on her knees just like the Immortal but for different reason. "Freezing wind!" strong breezes became a frosty haze as pieces of ice slashed Chie's body. "Wind at absolute zero degrees, take away all warmth!"

"If you don't retreat, your Fighter might end up dead Senoh." Natsuki's impassive voice snapped the brunette's aftershock. "This battle belongs to us."

"Chie!" Aoi called and rushed to her companion who was shivering and barely conscious.

"Release!" The Immortal commanded and her restrains finally fade, then she stated. "The victory is mine."

The raven haired sighed in relief when she felt her Fighter's warm body embracing her affectionately. "That's a true Ice Princess heh?" she joked and leaned more into the other woman's body.

"Yes, Natsuki."

Nonetheless, they hardly enjoyed their intimidate moment since unexpectedly they found themselves surrounded by a white bright light.


Omake:

Chie: -shudders- That wasn't nice…

Aoi: and we are suppose to win! Why didn't we win?

Nao: Ha! Way to show how much of a Ice princess you are Kruger!

-crickets sounds-

Trio: where are they?

-more crickets sounds-


Ah..I don't know what to say about this chapter…it somehow looks strange after re-reading it now. Oh well, please review x3 I Hope you liked it. Next chapter is the last one.

Preview: Natsuki and Shizuru make her wish.