A/N #1: Wow. You people continue to amaze me. I love that you love the story, I really do. So I feel bad about the first part of the whole ShizNat deal not going as planned, but you'll get a better idea as to why, I think. Plus, what's a relationship without a little healthy competition...even if it IS from an unlikely source. '.

A/N #2: Also, Alyssa? Yeah, she's everyone else's age. She's not some squirt. :D Just picture her all grown up with a look akin to Natsuki. Also, she doesn't have her stupid super saiyan haircut from the series. It's just blond, tied back, and that's it. Simple.

Disclaimer: I don't own Mai HiME, only the idea of this story. I also don't own any of the quotes I use from movies/shows/various other anime. If you can point them out, awesome. If not...well, awesome.

--

She was insufferable.

No drive to do anything other then work, which did nothing to help her mood since it confused her any more. Live with this person? Not bloody likely!! She stalked down the hallway and to the desired meeting area with all her friends in the library in a very angry mood.

And a angry Shizuru Fujino was not a pleasant one.

Granted, she had common courtesy, so when she sat down and Nao punched her arm, she didn't quite bite her head off as much as she could have. When Nao recovered from her Shizuru Induced Seizure, the Kyoto Born was all too happy to relive her stress.

"All week!!" she screamed quietly, a feat which they wouldn't have thought possible had they just not witnessed it. "Not a word, not a...nothing!! She works, sleeps, eats...she cleans, make me dinner, the tea is perfect, she...she programmed my VCR so it actually taped my shows!!" Shizuru stops her rant, now noticing she was standing, her palms flat on the table as she overlooked her very bewildered companions.

"Well, as the risk of my health...is that such a bad thing?" Mai said softly. "She sounds like the perfect roommate."

"She's not there to service me, Mai!" Shizuru said, sitting back down, looking very worn out. "She there to be helped by me."

"Well..." Chie leaned in on the table, her chin in a cupped hand. "Seems to me that she could use some servicin', if you catch my drift." Everyone stared at Chie for a second, then back to Shizuru. Chie huffed. "Woulda been funnier if Aoi had smacked me..."

"I want to help, but she's a clam." Shizuru sounded exasperated. "I'd love to talk to her, but it's all one word answers and half assed explanations. I can't work with that."

"The ole Fujino Charm's not workin', huh?" Nao smiled. "Can't be the first time, can it?"

"No, it's not." Shizuru said while rolling her eyes. However, everyone knew that it was the first time someone had blown off her charms, and they also knew that it was eating at Shizuru from the inside. "Whatever. Point being, I need a way to get her to talk to me...like, really talk to me."

"Well, I got her naked, so I think I can point something out." Chie said, and this time everyone looked at her curiously. Usually saying something like that would make Chie smirk, but her usual cheery face was replaced with a serious one, a look that didn't fit her at all. "I told her I wanted to paint her, not sleep with her or any other such perverted thing. It was then that she decided she could trust me."

"Trust YOU?!" Nao barked a laugh. "What the hell was she smokin' and where can I get some?"

"See, that's the thing." Chie continued. "You guys know me better then anyone, excluding Aoi; I take my painting seriously." She gave a shrug. "I needed, and still need, to paint her. I can't get it out of my head."

"Her naked body?" Mai chuckled.

"No!" Chie said indignantly. "Well...yes. But that's beside the point. She trusted my words."

"Maybe she just trusted you because Aoi was there?" Nao suggested. "I mean, I wouldn't trust you alone in a room with me if I was just in a bathrobe."

"Ugh." Chie shook her head. "Look, all I'm saying is this; just try being honest. Maybe offer up a piece of yourself before you go barging in."

"Or just go barging in." Nao suggested. "I mean, it's just like you to beat around the bush...maybe she needs someone to be straight forward with her. Just grab her by the shoulders and say, 'Look here bitch. Tell me what I want or I'll'..." Nao looks around, realizing she's imitating her very suggestion. She rubs the back of her head, embarrassed. "Well, whatever, you what I'm saying."

"I do." Shizuru sighed. "And...Oh dear god!!"

All looked towards the door where Alyssa and Miyu were walking in. Alyssa looked livid, where as Miyu looked as stoic as always, but with her arm bandaged. Visible wrappings were seen under her shirt, and she walked with a noticeable limp. Everyone took in the view for a moment before rushing in.

"What the fuck?!" was all Nao could say as she looked Miyu up and down. "I thought...what? What did this? A mack truck?"

"No." Alyssa hissed through clenched teeth. "It was that bitch Natsuki Kuga!!"

Everyone was silent for a moment before Shizuru shook her head. "She wouldn't do this unless she was provoked. That's just not how she is."

"Don't defend her!!" Alyssa screeched, arms akimbo. "She almost broke Miyu!!"

"How?!" Chie waved her arms in the air, baffled. "I mean...she's a android Alyssa. Twice the human, remember? Faster, stronger...more then meets the eye and all that funky jazz!!" Chie crosses her arms. "How do you expect me to believe tat Natsuki did this to her?"

"Because she is very skilled." Miyu droned, looking to Chie. "And...very capable."

"Miyu wants a rematch." Alyssa growled. "But I won't let her have one."

"Why not?" Mai asked, closely inspecting Miyu to see if anything was out of place. "I mean, I understand; you built Miyu and you're overprotective of her, but..."

"Excuse me." they all looked behind Miyu and saw the blue haired woman standing there. Somehow with Alyssa and Miyu's interruption, they had all blocked the way from the entryway of the library to the rest of the actual room. Silently they all stood aside and Natsuki walked through, only to pause at seeing Miyu. "Greer-san. I apologize for earlier. I wanted to compliment you on your fighting, but you left before I could say anything."

"That's because you busted her arm you idiot!!" Alyssa nearly yelled.

"It's fine." Miyu said, though she wasn't looking to Alyssa but to Natsuki. "I must compliment you as well. Never have I been up against an opponent with such skill." The cyan haired android looked Natsuki up and down. "And while I see you've popped your arm back into place, I suggest a trip to the nurses office would be wise."

"Nurse?" Alyssa raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"From my scans, Natsuki Kuga has three broken ribs and very severe bruising all over her body." Miyu monotoned, looking over to Natsuki. "I hope you didn't mind the scan."

"Not at all." Natsuki gave a slow nod. "If you wish to spar, let me know, however. I don't wish to get rusty in the art, and a woman like you is hard to come by. If you'll excuse me..." Natsuki gave a bow and walked into the library. Everyone else looked to Miyu and their jaws dropped as Alyssa grabbed Miyu's chin and made the android look her in the eye.

"Miyu..." she started off softly. "Are...You...BLUSHING?!"

--

"You must sit still for this, Natsuki-han." Shizuru sighed as she put another wrap around Natsuki's ribs. After a (forced) trip to the nurse, Yohko had told them that while broken, there was nothing more she could do then prescribe painkillers and wrap the ribs up neatly, a job Shizuru had taken on herself. "I don't wish to prolong your pain."

Granted, she had other reasons for doing this. She wanted to see Natsuki's body. Already she saw the impressive tattoo and scars. The nipple piercings nearly gave her a nosebleed, but she saw them none-the-less and, oddly enough, was quite indifferent to them. But what she noticed more, though she didn't know why, was Natsuki's scent. It was the smell of fresh linen, a wholly unremarkable scent but for some reason seemed to fit Natsuki's rather bland personality and eccentric look quite well.

"I apologize." Natsuki said. "I was just trying to read my book..."

"Yes, yes." Shizuru sighed. "Always with your book. Why don't you ever talk about yourself?"

Natsuki blinked as Shizuru finished with the bandages. "Should I?"

"Yes." Shizuru nodded. "You should. And before you ask why," she cut Natsuki off as her mouth was opening. "It's because I wish to help you."

"I don't need help." Natsuki shrugged. "I think you need more help then I do."

"Me?" Shizuru frowned. "What do you mean?"

"With your problems. You know." Natsuki cocked her head at Shizuru's confused look. "Your overachieving personality, probably derived from mental abuse from a father, mother or some other such authority figure that wished you to be the perfect little girl at a young age."

"What...what are you saying?" Shizuru's eyes widened. "How could you know that?"

"It's in your actions." Natsuki said, looking off to the side. "In how you do your everyday activities. Also, I can tell by your voice, your words."

"Words?"

"Yes, how you enunciate everything clearly, as if to make sure everyone hears you correctly." Natsuki looked into Shizuru's deep crimson orbs. "Probably from a conquered speech impediment..."

The thought was finished by Shizuru's hand, witch had flung itself, on it's own accord, into Natsuki's cheek. It was then, when the Kyoto Born's senses begin to return to her, that Shizuru realized she had slapped Natsuki. Hard. Hard enough to leave three scratch marks that were welling up with blood on Natsuki's cheek. And what was more; she didn't regret her action at all.

"You mindless beast." she heard herself saying. "You leave here and NEVER RETURN!!" Shizuru stood up to her full height, towering over Natsuki, who only looked on impassively. "You are an animal with no feelings, no remorse, no regrets...you are an empty shell of a human being!! And what's worse...YOU made yourself this way because YOU couldn't deal with your problems!!" She grabbed Natsuki's shirt and lifted up the bluenette, and a rational part in Shizuru's mind noticed how light she was, but that was drowned out by her overwhelming anger. She threw Natsuki towards the door with all her might, sending the girl crashing to the floor.

"You ran from everything you knew to be somewhere completely different, no matter what the cost of those that cared for you." Shizuru continued, only now realizing she was screaming. "You coast through life pouring over your books and studies, acquiring knowledge that might help the world but probably won't and even if it did you wouldn't care enough to share your thoughts and findings!! You, Natsuki Kuga, are dead!! Dead to the world, dead to those you love, and DEAD TO YOURSELF!!!

Natsuki stood up and brushed herself off. Looking to Shizuru, she only offered a shrug. "Yes. I'm sorry."

"What could have possibly created such a monster?" Shizuru now knew she was whispering, but the venom, the...hatred? Yes, the hatred were still in her words.

"You'd think..." Natsuki looked away while crossing her arms. "That'd it'd a gathered pile of actions, am I right? Like, it was all kinds of things all piled up until one day I am the way I am. That's usually the case, or how I read about it anyways. But sometimes, all it takes is one, singular event to make your life a literal living hell." Natsuki turned to Shizuru. "This is you, isn't it? The real you? This is you being honest."

No answer.

"I was kidnapped by five boys." Natsuki droned on. "And they locked me in a room for five days and raped me the whole time."

So the word came crashing down on Shizuru Fujino.

It wasn't the actual news; not at first. It was the look. It was as if she felt nothing, nothing about what she had just said. Usually if someone holds something inside that huge for that long, they feel as if some sort of weight was lifted off of them, as if their shoulders were no longer burdened. But Natsuki only blinked, and then looked to Shizuru, her deep green eyes boring into her. She sagged, as if defeated. So she got what she wanted; answers. But what to do with them. Natsuki wasn't a normal person, after all.

"You're right though. I'm a monster." Natsuki swept past Shizuru and plopped down on the couch. "I don't...feel, I guess, like you do. In fact, I don't feel anything." She picked up a pen from the coffee table in front of her and began to twirl it with expert fingers. "Familial dysautonomia is a rare genetic disorder that makes the person under it's influence not feel pain...if not at all, then only in certain areas of the body. I don't have the disease, however, I can feel. It's almost like...I don't want to."

"Then, the memories..."

"Have lost their power over me." Natsuki shrugged. "I've been told I'm too afraid to open up, too afraid to let it all out, but in the end, I'm content. I'll go through life as I am and not think about it. At all, ever."

"Then why..." Shizuru held out a hand and placed it on Natsuki's shoulder as she sat down on the couch. "Why did you tell me?"

"Because it seemed important to you." Natsuki blinked. "Because you were honest with me."

"I'm sorry..." Shizuru bowed her head. "I didn't mean to..."

"No, that's fine." Natsuki deadpanned. "Just remember to clean yourself up before your date with your boyfriend."

"Huh?" Shizuru glanced at the clock and shot to her feet. "Oh god!! I'm going to be late!!"

"Yes." Natsuki nodded. "You are. Hurry."

Without another word Shizuru was off like The Flash to clean herself up and go to her date, leaving Natsuki sitting on the couch. She even left without a word. Natsuki stared long and hard at the closed door Shizuru had just went through, then looked back down at the coffee table and the pen in her hand.

"Monster..."

--

"You've been off tonight."

Shizuru looked up from the drink she was staring at and into the chocolate brown eyes of Hiro Kanzaki, cousin to Reito. Hiro was a handsome man, a Senior at Fuka High, a man with all his goals laid out before him; graduate, attend college, succeed in chosen department, marry Shizuru Fujino. Or course, his parents had much to do with this, and as such he had very little to actually worry about but to woo the girl in front of him. And woo he did, week after week. They had a very open relationship, as their marriage wasn't going to take place for another ten years or so, but Hiro still tried hard to keep Shizuru on a tight leash. He knew that if she chose to marry another, his free ride in adulthood would be over.

"Hm?" Shizuru smiled, her mask now back on perfectly after her one sided screaming match with Natsuki. "I'm sorry..."

"Is this about that Natsuki girl?" Hiro chuckled. "She certainly has you running in circles."

"Nothing like that." Shizuru picked up the glass in front of her and sighed. "She's different. She's...I don't know. She doesn't seem human."

"Really now?" Hiro raised an eyebrow as he leaned forward. "Do tell."

"She's had a difficult past. She told me something...something horrible, but even I could tell that it doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of her. Not even the tip of the tip of the iceberg, if you know what I mean." another sigh. "And...she defeated Miyu in combat."

"She what?!" Eyes turned to them from all around, and Hiro only coughed slightly before turning back to Shizuru, eyes wide. "The android Alyssa Searrs built? But...but how? Isn't she suppose to be...you know, more?"

"Oh, Miyu is." Shizuru set the glass down and swallowed hard. "But Natsuki...well, I don't know the details, so I couldn't tell you. But..." Shizuru gave a familiar grin. "Natsuki also made Miyu blush."

"Blush?!" Hiro snorted. "How's that even possible. Miyu can't blush..." he paused. "Can she?"

"Apparently so." Shizuru giggled. "Alyssa was furious...but only because her perfect creation was beat." she made an off hand gesture. "We all knows she cares for Miyu, and her blush for another must have been hard for her."

"Still." Hiro mused. "Defeated in combat...if Miyu had pride, I'm sure it'd be taking quite a blow right about now."

"Indeed."

--

The rest of the night passed in boring conversation that Shizuru had grown used to over the past year or so with the man. It wasn't riveting, but it was comfortable, and Shizuru had no qualms with it. Sometimes she wished for something more, but when she tried to think of what she couldn't come up with any answers, so she just let the thought process go. She knew when she arrived him she would find Natsuki asleep already, and sure enough she was. She stopped by the couch where Natsuki insisted on sleeping and gave a small bow.

"I'm sorry, Natsuki." she whispered, and went to get ready for bed herself.

--

"So I'm standing there at a urinal, right? Two guys walk in, popped collars and everything, each standing next to each other. One of them looks to the other and says 'So, what's up?' The guy he's talking to turns to him and says 'Nothin', just pissin', ya know?' The first guy then nods, saying 'Ugh, I know right?' And then they walk out of the bathroom as if that was the most normal conversation in the world." Reito finished his rant, giving a sigh as Chie laughed till she clutched her stomach, Mai right along with her. They were sitting in the lunchroom again, having gathered there as per their usual daily schedule.

"You could have killed them, you know." Nao said in her matter-of-fact tone. "No jury in the world would have convicted you."

"I'd rather not take the chance." Reito laughed. He looks over to Shizuru, giving her a nudge. "What's the happs Shizuru? You look down."

"I think she's got Natsuki problems." Nao gave a chuckle as Shizuru laughed.

"Nao." Reito rolled his eyes. "You know she's RIGHT THERE, right?"

Natsuki only looked up at them with a blink, then went back to her book.

"Wow, yeah. I can see why I should watch what I'm saying." Nao smirked, sarcasm dripping off of every word. "Lord only knows what she might do to me...oh!! I know. She'll blink me to death."

"You're a bloody poet, Nao." Mai rolled her eyes.

"A real Wordsmith." Chie chuckled.

"Hey!! My verbal dominion over you all knows no bounds!!" Nao declared, rising to her feet.

"Yes." Natsuki said without looking up from her book. "Like a crippled rabbit, your dominion is boundless."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked to Natsuki, who only blinked once again at them all before going back to reading.

"Dear lord." Reito breathed. "That was...witty. And funny. And...I'd be laughing right now, especially at Nao's face, but I'm too...surprised."

"I concur." Chie nodded. "Very well done."

"Oh, it wasn't that special." Nao muttered, sitting back down. "Tch. Whatever."

"Ara, it seems to me that Nao is jealous of Natsuki's wit." Shizuru giggled into a hand. "Perhaps she would like lessons?"

"You shut up!!" Nao roared. "This is boring; I'm off." Nao grabbed her bag and left the table, leaving a giggling Shizuru and chuckling Chie behind.

"That Nao's jealous." Chie said. "If it wasn't for her nice ass, I don't know how- OW!!"

Of course, Aoi's sneak attack cut off any further words from the gray haired player as Aoi slammed her head into the table.

"Hello darling." Aoi's words dripped with venom. "How are you?"

"Oh, good." Even with her face smashed into the table, all those around her could hear the good humor in her voice. "How was practice?"

"Ugh." Aoi sat down. "That stupid Kenta-sensei has us trying to perfect our song before the show." She sat down wearily next to her girlfriend. "And since I got the solo, it's been all about me, and I hate it."

"I see." Chie nodded solemnly. "I could talk to her, you know. Kenta likes me."

"No, she lusts for you." Aoi said as her knuckles turned white from balling them up so hard. "And if you do, I'll murder you, mmmkay?"

"Mmmkay!!" Chie repeated, swallowing hard at the violent words delivered in such a sweet way. Only Aoi could do something like that and get away with it. "Scaaary.."

"You damn right." Aoi huffed and went to unwrapping her sandwich from it's plastic prison. "So, what's going on with the rest of you guys? Anything interesting happen?"

"Oh, of course." Reito said as he stood up. "But I gotta go, meeting with a new...prospect in a few." he gave a laugh. "He's handsome, I'll give him that." He walked over to bend over to see what Natsuki was reading. "What's that?"

"Atlas Shrugged." was the monotone response.

A few moments of silence later, Reito coughed. "Well...that's a conversation killer." He smiled as everyone laughed (minus Natsuki). He turned, only to find himself face to face with another boy. He was about Reito's height with long shoulder length blond hair and startling blue eyes. His face was boyish, almost feminine, and he looked at Reito with almost worshiping eyes.

"Reito..." he breathed, as if it was going to be his last. "Why haven't you called?"

"Oh no..." Mai whispered. "Not again..."

"Kenji, I told you." Reito sighed. "We broke up, remember? I told you; there was no room for arguments."

"But I love you." he said fiercely, and crossed his arms. "You can't deny that...you fucked me four times that night!! You've been inside me!! I swallowed your cum!! That means something!!"

"I don't really need to hear this..." Natsuki deadpanned as she stood up to leave before stopping and looking to Kenji with interest.

"Kenji..."

"NO!!" the other screamed. At the point everyone that was left in the cafeteria was looking at them, and Reito only looked around with a slightly embarrassed look on his face. Luckily, not many people were there. "No...if I can't have you, NO ONE CAN!!"

With a flash of metal Kenji took out the knife he was concealing and lunged. Reito could only take a surprise step back but was caught even more off guard when he got body checked to the side by what appeared to be a flash of blue hair. The sickening sound of knife tearing into flesh was heard followed by another of cracking bone and the body of Kenji dropped to the floor, unconscious. All looked up to see Natsuki standing where Reito was, holding her left hand up at eye level.

"Well...that's inconvenient." Natsuki sighed, staring at the knife that was completely thrust through the palm of her hand to the hilt, the tip of the blade coming out of the top almost shiny with her blood.

"Natsuki..." Shizuru found herself on her feet, staring at Natsuki's hand. "Natsuki...why...doesn't that hurt?"

"No." Natsuki whispered. "It doesn't. I don't feel a damn thing." And then she walked away.

Shizuru looked up from the blood she was staring at on the floor just in time to see Miyu burst through the doors and rush to where Natsuki was standing. The cyan haired girl took Natsuki's hand in her own and without a second thought picked her up bridal style and was off in an instant, using her enhanced speed to get Natsuki the helped she needed. Alyssa burst in a few seconds later, looking around.

"Miyu?! Damn it, where'd you go?"

And Shizuru felt a tug on her heart, and she didn't know why.