A/N #1: Jesus, I just can't put into words how much you guys impress me. I'm sorry if I can't reply to your individual reviews, but I'm trying to update as fast as I can while working nights and sleeping days. Granted my schedule isn't as busy as it once was, but it's still pretty swamped. I'm glad you guys like the story; here's hoping I can continue to make you guys happy.
A/N #2: Except in Natsuki/Miyu's case, I decided to drop honorifics unless it's Chie trying to act cute or something. I dunno, I guess it just makes more sense to me, as Natsuki's almost always polite, and Miyu's a robot, therefore programmed for it...right? Heh.
A/N #3: I SOOO don't have a beta. I don't even know how they work. If someone wants to, throw me a line. I try and edit my own work, but I miss things, a lot, sooo...yeah.
A/N #4: Sorry for not having a Random Movie Omake in my last Chapter...I forgot. Heh. Hope you guys can guess this one. It's one of my favorite movies of all time.
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.
--
Two weeks.
For two weeks they had watched the two talk intently, as if speaking about events that would change the world for the greater good and they wanted no one to hear about it. Granted, the reunion of Miyu Greer and Natsuki Kuga was a surprise, but then again it wasn't. Both were robotic in a sense; Miyu quite literally and Natsuki had no personality to speak of. Those that had seen the two would only shrug at how they seemed to click, and they went about their day, happy to know that the dubbed Ice Princess had found someone to share her icy demeanor with.
However, two people weren't happy with the reunion.
Shizuru had barley seen her new 'roommate' in the last two weeks. If Natsuki wasn't studying for a class she was out discussing 'things' with her new friend. He kept telling herself that her unhappiness stemmed from the fact that she was suppose to be the one helping Natsuki break out of her shell or at least come up with something that would help her cope, and there she was, doing nothing. But the more and more she thought about it, the more and more she came to the realization that she wanted Natsuki as a friend. SHE wanted to break that barrier, SHE wanted to...what? Fix her? She didn't know. And not knowing frustrated her to no end.
Alyssa was mad because she had lost her only friend. Never before had she been able to make friends outside of Miyu, mainly because she had no desire. Miyu was always there for her. But in her childish frustration she had granted Miyu the permission to 'hang out' with that bitch Natsuki Kuga.
So when the two didn't come home one night, Shizuru and Alyssa were both visibly upset the next morning when the two waltzed into the lunchroom...and sat away from the group, deep in discussion as per they usual routine these past few weeks.
"You gotta wonder what they're talking about." Chie mused as she sat down next to Aoi. Shizuru and Alyssa shot her glares that almost sent her into seizures, but Aoi steadied her with one hand while fixing the two offending girls with a scowl of her own.
"Now don't go blaming Chie for your fuck ups." Aoi lectured, arms akimbo. "It's your guys' fault that you cant voice how you really feel."
"I don't know what you mean, Aoi." Alyssa sniffed as she looked back at Natsuki and Miyu. "She can do whatever she wants."
"Technically, couldn't you...you know, change that?" Nao suggested as she took a bite from her noodle sub. "I mean, you built her, right?"
"Miyu isn't some thing I can just change at my own whim!!" Alyssa cried while waving her arms. "Besides, I built her to be her own person. If she thinks she has a friend in Natsuki, then she can do whatever she wants with her."
"I bet she has since they didn't come home last night." Chie winked suggestively and laughed right before getting smacked on the back of the head by Aoi. "Seriously though," Chie grinned, rubbing the back of her head. "Why are you two so worked up? Alyssa, if you created her this way, isn't she, you know...working as intended? And Shizuru...she's making new friends; actual friends, ones that don't try and extort her money." at this Nao had the decency to look ashamed. "And friend that don't send her into seizures." Chie looked glum, and it almost broke everyone's heart as the usual cheery girl actually looked extremely sad.
"UGH!" Nao slapped the table with a palm. "She's just some stupid girl; why does she make ME feel bad? ME?! YUUKI NAO!! I don't have feelings!!"
"Oh, yes you do." Mai said as she sat down next to the smaller redhead. "In fact, I know you do. Remember--?"
"Shut it!!" Nao roared as she took a shot at Mai's shoulder, only to be blocked by the surprisingly strong hand of Mikoto. The feral girl only grinned.
"Now, now Nao." she chirped, giggling as Nao fumed. "I have the device in play, Chie!! e can listen whenever we want!!"
"Errr..." Chie swallowed hard as all sets of eyes fell upon her. "Mikoto..." she face palmed. "You were suppose to tell me when we were alone..."
"Nope!" the girl sat down next to Mai. "Mai said no secrets, so I told her I'd tell everyone today." She picked up a radio looking device out of her backpack and handed it to Chie. "Even Miyu didn't notice me, so you better be happy."
"Chie." came the dangerously low whisper of said girls girlfriend. "Did you...low jack Miyu?!"
"Not technically." Chie gave a nervous laugh. "Low jacking means I would put a tracking device on them..."
"Now why didn't I think of that?!" Alyssa snapped her fingers.
"Ummm..." Chie shrugged sheepishly. "I kinda...bugged them?"
They all stared before Nao pounded the table with a clenched fist. "Well...turn it the fuck on!!"
At everyone's approval, Chie gave a sigh and turned the device on.
Silence. Static, then voices.
"...I think you're thinking on a global scale." came Natsuki's voice. "Sure, he has tons of money. He even owns his own kingdom. He comes to America, he had Diplomatic Immunity. But on even ground, hand to hand? No contest."
"Both have nigh infinite resources." came Miyu's voice. "They have the ability to replenish said resources, but in the end, mines better trained. That is, if we leave out their inventive ability. If that is the case, mines still smarter."
"Impossible." Natsuki deadpanned. "Mines recognized as the second smartest person in the world. Yours would have no real chance against him in the intelligence category, since yours is mostly cunning. Also, yours is also hell bent on revenge, while mine is mostly obsessed with a impossible crusade. Of the two, I'd say mine has the better ability to set his aside for such a fight, while yours would let it distract him."
"Accepted." came Miyu's voice. "Feelings on their lifelong battles would indeed come into play. Combative abilities, however? Both were still trained to push such things aside. And while such a thing would be harder for mine, yours would undoubtedly make a mistake before mine would."
"If we are speaking of discipline, I'd like to think that you'd give that one to mine." Natsuki said, and Shizuru could almost feel her shrug. "Out of the two, yours has, time and time again, let himself be controlled by his own desires and weaknesses. Mine has given up most of happiness for his crusade. Let's face it, Miyu-san...Batman trumps Dr. Doom every time."
There was a moment of silence before all chairs were nearly thrown back as they all looked in the direction of Natsuki and Miyu.
"COMIC BOOKS?!" They all very nearly screamed. "They were discussing COMIC BOOKS?!
"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" Alyssa screeched, stalking over to the pair. "You were discussing COMIC BOOKS?!"
"Yes." both said at the same time as they watched the group, minus Mikoto and Mai, walk up to them, glaring daggers.
"Don't say stuff in unison!!" Chie growled. "Seriously, you two have been holed up in each others presence for so long...did you forget about us?!
"DR. DOOM?!" Shizuru was next to Alyssa her arms crossed, staring intently at Miyu. "Dr. Doom SOOO wouldn't beat Batman!!
A deep silence reigned over the cafeteria as everyone stopped to stare at Shizuru, who's eyes widened for a second before she let out a slight cough. Crossing her arms in self defense, she only looked off to the side as she let the others recover. Chie was the first.
"Ehhh, anyways..." Chie looked from Shizuru to Natsuki and Miyu. "What could be so important that you guys forgot your friends, hm?" Chie looked to Miyu. "YOU seemed to forget about Alyssa. And YOU..." she pointed a finger at Natsuki. "Seemed to forget you have Shizuru as well."
Natsuki and Miyu only blinked in unison, and this time everyone could feel themselves sweat drop at the reaction. Natsuki looked at her watch and nodded.
"Miyu-san, it's time for Literature." she monotoned, getting up and shouldering her bag. "Shall we go?"
Miyu didn't say anything as she got up and watched Natsuki go for a second before turning to Alyssa. She wordlessly took something out of her bag and handed it to her creator and walked off in the direction Natsuki went in. Alyssa read the over and face palmed. Chie looked over her shoulder and read the title on the front page.
"Applied Theory: Battle of Wills." she read. "What's this?"
"A book report." Alyssa deadpanned. "For her Literature class."
--
"I can't believe we got so worked up over that." Chie said as she kicked a rock on the sidewalk. "I mean, they're so alike...what are we so jealous of?"
"I don't know." admitted Aoi, who walked next to her, holding the gray haired girls hand. "I mean...I guess we all want to crack the mystery that is Natsuki Kuga, right?"
"Yeah." Chie said. "Not to mention you wanna get her in the sack." Aoi pulled Chie in to sock her one, but Chie grabbed the offending arm and pulled her into a hug. "Don't get mad, Aoi. You know it's true. It's one of the reasons I love you so much; you're such a freak in bed it's not even funny."
"You don't have to advertise it." Aoi hissed as she pushed away and instead of punishing Chie with her usual Gigaton Punch to the face, she settled with a slug on the shoulder. "And I know that's not gonna happen. She's hot and all, but I think the closest we're gonna get it painting her naked."
"Maybe." Chie sighed and clasped her hands on the back of her head. "I doubt she'll ever let that happen again."
"Oh, I don't know." Aoi said. "I think if I approach her I could convince her." She giggled as Chie looked at her from the corner of her eye, her look dubious. "Well, if yo don't have the reputation of a player, you tend to get a better reaction, you know. You DID try to kiss her on her first day here."
"Guilty!" Chie grinned. "Hey, wanna catch someone having sex underneath the bleachers?"
"Sure!" Aoi laughed as they rushed off towards the track field, glad her girlfriend had finally worked herself out of the slump she's been in ever since Natsuki's incident. She hadn't been as cheery or as playful, but seeing Natsuki with a new friend seemed to help and hurt at the same time. But slow ministrations from Aoi's 'Special Playbook' had helped, and while it still kinda hurt the gray haired player, she had gotten over it. Upon arriving, they kept a lookout for horny students, but saw nothing; only a lone person running around the track.
"Who's that?" Chie wondered out loud, jogging forward. "Look, they High Jump is set up...is she gonna do it?"
Aoi and Chie ran up to the fence and watched as the girl ran, quite fast from what they could tell, around the track and came to the stretch there the High Jump was set up. They watched in awe as the girl ran and jumped, almost seeming to float as she soared over the pole and onto the mat on the other side.
"Sweet Fancy Moses..." Aoi whispered. "That was..."
"Amazing?" Chie finished as she jumped the fence. "Come on, let's go meet this girl.
They both jogged down to the track and came across none other then Natsuki, who got up from the pad and brushed herself off. Looking up she noticed the duo staring at her, and she looked around for a second before locking her gaze back on them.
"Can I help you?" Natsuki asked as she gave a stretch. "I'm about finished, so if you want tot have a go you can."
"No, no...are you on the tack team Natsuki?" Chie asked, cocking an eyebrow. "Cause with those moves and those legs of yours, you could be a star."
"Easily." Aoi nodded.
"No, I'm not." Natsuki gave a shrug. "I just do this because I like the exercise."
"You should!!" Aoi squealed. "You and Mikoto would be incredible!!"
"I have to agree." Chie said. "Your speed could even beat hers."
Natsuki froze for a moment before walking away. "No. I don't do club events." she monotoned.
"Why not?" Chie argued, walking after her. "I mean, sure, people love you because you're cold and mysterious, but wouldn't you like it if they loved you for another reason?"
"Not really."
"Not even a little?" Aoi smiled. "I mean, I'd love it if I was known for something other then being Chie' love monkey." All three stopped for a moment as Natsuki and Chie stared at Aoi, who blushed just at tiny bit. "It's true, you know. I heard some of the other girls talk about it."
Chie opened her mouth, her eyebrows furrowed in anger when Natsuki sighed. "Please, stop bothering me about it." Looking off in the distance, she looked back to them and continued. "I feel nervous in front of crowds. I don't like bing on display."
Chie and Aoi were silent for a moment, and Chie gave a small huff. "Well, I guess that's a reason. I'm glad you decided to share something about yourself."
"Well..." Natsuki looked away, and Chie was shocked to see a slight pink tinge on the bluenette's face. "We're friends, right? Besides, you've seen me naked. It's the least I can share."
The comment was said with all seriousness, but Aoi couldn't help but chuckle. "What about me and you, Natsuki? Are we friends?"
Natsuki regarded Aoi for a moment before nodding. "Yes. As long as you don't try and get me into bed with you and Chie, we'll be okay." Aoi's jaw dropped as Chie immediately fell on the floor, clutching her sides in laughter. Aoi begin sputtering, to which Natsuki only gave a shrug. "It's in your body language. You're a sex-a-holic, Aoi. I suggest getting some help for that."
"Hey!!" Chie got up, wagging a finger in Natsuki's direction. "Don't suggest such things!! I like Aoi the way she is!!"
Natsuki blinked. "People who are obsessed with sex usually have emotional problems of their own." Natsuki said. "And unless I miss my guess...it's you that made her that way."
"Me?!" Chie yelled, pointing her finger at herself. "You call us friends and then you some shit like that?! What the fuck's the matter with you?!"
"Well, if you look at it logically..." Natsuki continued, completely unperturbed by Chie's outburst. "You have a certain...status, shall we say, at this school. I think maybe Aoi feels the need to compensate for that by having endless amounts of sex with you."
"That's ridiculous!!" Chie cried. "I love Aoi no matter what she does!! She means EVERYTHING to me!! I--"
She was suddenly cut off by a pair of arms around her from behind. Chie stood stock still as she heard Aoi's sob. She blinked a few times before she looked up to Natsuki, who wore the slightest of grins. Brushing her hair off to her side, she gave Chie a slight wave before walking off, quite literally, into the sunset, a cliché Chie found very befitting at the moment. She gray haired girl held up a hand and clasped them around Aoi's own. After a moment, Chie pushed the hands away and turned around, looking at Aoi's tear stained face.
"Is...is it true?" Chie asked, surprised on how choked up she sounded. "You do all those things...because you think I'll leave you if you don't?''
"I...I'm so scared, Chie." she clutched the other girl's shirt, burying her face into her chest. "All the time, you look at the other girls...you flirt and I...I don't know why. Most are so much prettier than I am...so much richer, better off...I come from a family of maids, Chie. I...I just don't know why you would go out with someone like me..."
"Hey." Aoi felt her chin cupped as she looked up into Chie's chocolate brown eyes. "Never again question how I feel. There is no one in this world that would make me as happy as you do."
"Chie..."
"Shhh." the older girl silenced the younger with a finger on her lips. "Never feel inadequate with me. You're my girlfriend, and if there's anything I've ever been sure about in life, it's two things; One, I'm a lesbian, through and through. And two...there has never been a more perfect moment in my life when I finally realized how much I love you."
Aoi gasped slightly as those words hit her, and after a they washed over her it was like a weight was lifted off her chest. She flung herself into Chie's arms, who hugged her tightly as the brown haired girl cried some more.
"Oh god, Chie...I love you...I love you so much..."
"Shhh." Chie smiled, kissing the top of her girlfriend's head. "I know...I love you too babe."
Natsuki looked on from a distance, and for a second clutched her own chest before walking off.
--
"How was your day?" Shizuru asked, almost on instinct as Natsuki came into the apartment.
"Fine." was the reply, but Natsuki stood still for a moment, looking at Shizuru.
The chestnut haired girl was splayed out on the couch, reading a magazine. While in public she was very much the prim and proper lady, behind closed doors Natsuki saw the real Shizuru. She was sloppy but not overwhelmingly so. She cared little for her appearance, often just taking a shower and putting her hair up in a ponytail before putting on some sweatpants and a wife beater before relaxing for the evening. Although she took great pains to be the goddess in public, Natsuki saw just how normal she really was, and for some reason, it tickled her pink.
"I'm taking a shower." she said, getting a grunt in response.
Why let me know? Though Shizuru as she mentally sighed. She didn't know why she was so upset, to be honest. So Natsuki spent a lot of time with Miyu...so what? She was her own girl, with her own feelings...well, as the theory goes, anyways. Everyone knew that Natsuki was the Ice Princess...nothing got through that shell. But Shizuru wanted to know people, inside and out, which is why she got into Psychology in the first place. And what bothered her the most was that she didn't know how she felt, and how could she help someone if she couldn't help herself? Shaking the redundant thoughts away she looked up as Natsuki stepped out of the door and nearly dropped her magazine in the process.
Along blue hair, almost black due to the wetness of the shower, cascaded down her shoulders and back. Her angel wings tattoo was thrown into brighter, sharper contrast, and her scars, while visible, were brought out more due to the paleness of her creamy, white skin. Natsuki never took pains to hid herself in front of Shizuru, as they were both girls, so she had no qualms with being absolutely naked in front of her. Shizuru then noticed how skinny Natsuki actually was, and how her hips seemed to move with a life of their own. She saw how perfectly shaped her ass was, how perfectly round her breasts were, how her lips were the slightest of pinks and how her nose was...what? As cute as a button? And her eyes...those deep sea green orbs stared at her with such intensity, such confusion...
Confusion? Eyes? Wait...
"HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!" she screamed out lout, causing Natsuki to actually jump in surprise. It wasn't her proudest moment, but Natsuki only cocked her head to the side before going to Shizuru's room to change into something more comfortable. When she came out, she was in a long men's shirt and black, expensive looking panties. Looking in Shizuru's direction, she cocked an eyebrow as the Kyoto Born stared.
"You okay Shizuru?" Natsuki asked. "What's wrong?"
I'm a lesbian.
"Nothing." Shizuru said as she put the magazine in front of her so she wouldn't have to look at the sight of Natsuki's barley clothes body. "Nothing at all."
Fuck.
--
"You don't have to hide from me." the voice said, her voice as soothing as summer rain. "Deep down, you love my attention, so don't hide, okay?"
"But I have to hide." Natsuki said. "I can't feel. It'll hurt."
"That's the way it's suppose to be." the voice soothed, and this time she felt the voice right up next to her ear. The breath sent shivers down her spine, and she arched her back in desire but quickly suppressed it."
"No."
she said, backing away from the voice. "You...you'll hurt me, like
those boys did. Everyone will hurt me." She clutched her hand.
"Look at what love can do. That boy loved Reito, and he tried to
kill him. Reito did nothing wrong, and he was almost stabbed!!"
"Love can be funny like that." giggled the voice. "But it can also soothe, comfort...you just have to open up you soul, your feelings...your body."
"I don't know if I can." whimpered Natsuki as she felt the strong arms around her. "I don't want to hurt any more. I don't want to feel...I just want to live my life, knowing that I won't be hurt for what I can do...please...I can't be hurt anymore...I'll die if I do..."
Strong hands grabbed her shoulders and gently turned her around before they cupped her cheek. She felt her eyes rise, eventually falling on a crimson eyed goddess. I'd never hurt you, my Nat-su-ki..." she whispered.
The kiss that followed shattered her heart.
"SHIZURU!!"
The scream had the chestnut haired girl bolting up and into the living room before her mind even knew what was going on. When she got there she saw Natsuki sitting up, wide eyed. She got up off the couch and stumbled towards Shizuru, falling to hew knees in front of the crimson eyed girl, clutching her as if she were the only thing keeping her anchored to this reality. Shizuru keeled down next to her as Natsuki clutched her chest and began sobbing, her cries long and drawn out as if she were being tortured. Shizuru felt tears well up in her own eyes at the display as she hugged Natsuki close.
"Shhh, Natsuki, Natsuki..." she repeated the bluenette's name over and over like a mantra. "It's okay, Natsuki, I'm here...it's okay...it's okay..."
But Natsuki only balled up more, crying harder. "Hurts...it hurts..." she cried between sobs. "Oh...no more, no more pain...please no more...please...I can't hurt...please don't hurt me Shizuru...please don't hurt me..."
And through the night, Shizuru held her, rocking her back and fourth, hoping the shorter girl would somehow be okay in the morning, knowing she'd stay up all night if she had to, just to protect her dreams.
--
Guess That Random Movie Omake #4:
Natsuki: Fuck me, hold tight. What's that?
Nao: It's me belt, Natsuki.
Natsuki: No, Nao. There's a gun in your trousers. What's a gun doing in your trousers?
Nao: It's for protection.
Natsuki: Protection from what? "Zee Germans"?
