Summary:
Kuga Natsuki thought this is what she really wanted. She had told Fujino Shizuru about her feelings but never about how Shizuru's love for her scared her beyond anything she could ever know. But Natsuki will soon find out that there are worst things in life than Shizuru's love... And that's loosing her love.
Disclaimer:
I do not own Mai Hime or the characters. They are owned by Sunrise and various Companies, Productions and Corporations. I am only a fan who is writing for leisure. So please get your lawyers out of my house before I sick my dogs at them.. I am simply an insomniac anime amateur writer who can't find any decent sleep.
This story is slightly AU and may contain some OOC. This is my first time writing a Mai Hime fic so please be kind.
This story is beta-ed by zelene2004 and renny-chan. Thank you very much once again.
I've only seen the Anime Subbed Mai HiME so my knowledge of Mai HiME is limited so please be kind with the criticisms.
Italics means thoughts
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It was a beautiful weekend morning.
The birds where singing, the flowers were in full bloom and a certain Kyoto woman couldn't wait until she reached her desired destination. It took a lot of teasing on her part to manipulate/convince two green-eyed beauties to accompany her to the amusement park.
To many, it may not mean a lot to go to an Amusement Park. To many people her age, a trip to such a place didn't mean much. It was full of mundane rides, overabundance of food and sly trickery in many of the game booths. Others would think that going to an Amusement Park wouldn't appeal to her as it would go against her graceful image, but it meant a lot to Fujino Shizuru.
As a child she had always adored amusement parks, but because of her stature, her interaction with the public was limited thus adding to her mysterious image. She was not allowed to socialize with kids her guardian thought were beneath her stature, leaving Shizuru lonely and isolated.
She smiled when she recalled that the only person that wanted to interact with her back then was Suzushiro Haruka. The person whom her guardian tried so hard to limit her contact with since the blonde heiress was too boisterous and far too uncivilized even though she came from a very noble and wealthy family like Shizuru herself. Eventually, her guardian did succeed and she had seen less of Haruka. Perhaps if she had tried harder in rebelling against her guardian, she and Haruka would have been best friends, or at least closer friends rather than mere acquaintances.
Thinking about her sad and slightly lonely upbringing made Shizuru even more determined to reach her destination. She was currently on her way to pick-up Yuuki Nao from her mother's apartment, a thought that made her smile.
She was glad that Nao was getting along with her mother so well, even though she was still feeling insecure and uncomfortable about the whole thing. Nao had confided in her that she felt slightly uncomfortable being with her mother since she had been alone for so long. She didn't really know how to start all over again, but she really didn't want to disappoint her mother.
Shizuru sighed. At least she was able to start all over again. In her case, she had to book an appointment or schedule for a meeting to be able to meet her parents who were far too busy with their own affairs and businesses to inquire about her wellbeing. The only reason why Shizuru had never acted out was because all of her academic achievements did make her parents dote some attention on her, especially when it came to showing her off to all their friends.
Every time she topped a class, her parents would take her to parties and boast about her intellect and her well upbringing. Not once did they tell their so-called friends that she was practically raised by her grandparents and caregivers.
Shizuru couldn't even brush off those times since it would be the only time she would see her parents' eyes shine in delight and display how openly proud they were of her. Those were the only times she was able to spend time with her parents. That was the reason why she would push herself so much to become the perfect maiden: graceful, angelic, intelligent, sophisticated and beautiful.
But despite having such limited time with her parents, she also hated them. She hated how she couldn't truly express herself to them. Worried that if she disappointed them in such a way, they will minimize what limited contact they already have.
Shizuru closed her eyes as she tried to push the rest of the negative thoughts from the back of her mind. She didn't really need them right now. She needed to enjoy herself and look forward to spending the rest of the day with two people who had become dear to her.
Before Shizuru realized it, she was already in front of Mrs. Yuuki's apartment.
Yuuki Kuriko heard a faint knock upon her apartment door and deduced it to be her daughter's friend Fujino Shizuru. She smiled to herself as she thought about her daughter's friend. Fujino Shizuru was such a great influence on her daughter, and it always seemed that being with her made her daughter more animated and happier.
She noticed her daughter's green eyes seemed to sparkle every time Shizuru was with her or talked about her day that had been spent with the Kyoto born woman. If she didn't know any better, she would have guessed her daughter had a little crush on the other woman, but it couldn't be could it? Her daughter really seems too popular with the guys to be having crushes on girls, especially on someone like Fujino Shizuru.
Kuriko shook her head to clear out the thoughts in her mind and opened the door to welcome her daughter's friend. As expected, behind the door was indeed Fujino Shizuru wearing dark blue jeans and a simple purple tank top with a matching cardigan.
Kuriko was slightly taken aback at how casual and how good the younger girl looked, especially with her hair tied up and a few chestnut locks falling out of place, framing her already too perfect face. She looked almost normal, not the regal Fujino Shizuru she was used to, but this Shizuru still carried an air of elegance around her despite the casual clothes she wore.
Shizuru smiled at her as she bowed respectfully to Kuriko. "Good morning Yuuki-san, I'm sorry for the intrusion, but I am here to pick up Nao-san."
Kuriko bowed in return and was about to answer her when her own daughter yelled from her room.
"BE READY IN A MINUTE SHIZURU!"
Kuriko merely smiled. "As you see could see Shizuru-san, my daughter is still getting dressed, and it seems that she will be a while. Would you like to come in and have some tea first?"
Shizuru smiled at Kuriko. "I would love too."
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Meanwhile at Nao's room,
Nao threw the fifth article of clothing she had tried on in the morning, making an already messy pile of clothes on her bed grow even higher. She searched her wardrobe for something else to wear when she heard the knock on their apartment door. She knew immediately it was Shizuru, which made her even more determined to find the perfect outfit.
Nao groaned. She really should have gone shopping the day before. Until now, she couldn't decide what to wear. She knew she had to out dress Natsuki. She just had to!
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Somewhere in Fuuka,
Natsuki was also having a serious fashion emergency. She couldn't decide what outfit to wear for the day. She wanted to scream in frustration.
"Why the hell does this have to be so damn hard?!" Natsuki screamed out loud. Why should she bother choosing what outfit to wear today? She briefly considered calling Tokiha Mai for some fashion tips.
It was only when she glanced at the picture beside her bedside table did she see the reason why. She walked towards her bed, which already had piles of clothing on top of it and picked up the picture frame that contained the reason of her frustration.
In the picture stood her and Shizuru. Shizuru had her arms wrapped around her waist from behind and while she looked partially scandalized as Shizuru smiled animatedly in the photo.
Natsuki smiled as she remembered Harada Chie was the one who had taken the photo. How Shizuru managed to get the photo from the gossip queen was a mystery, but she was glad she did.
She touched the photo gingerly, particularly Shizuru's smiling face. She felt a smile draw from her own lips as she caressed the photo. She then hugged the photo tightly to her chest as she flopped on the bed, her back landing rather awkwardly on top of the pile of clothes as she lied there still hugging the photo.
Natsuki then drew the photograph away from herself in arms length, still admiring the photo eliciting a gentle and serene smile on her face. She had made a decision on what to wear.
It was silly really, why would she need to try and dress up when the woman in the photo adored her the way she was?
"Shizuru," Natsuki whispered to herself as she placed the photograph back to its rightful place.
She got back up from the bed and dressed in her dark blue jeans and a plain white t-shirt with a hood. She contemplated wearing her leathers but decided against it. It wasn't appropriate to wear it around while walking all day under the sun in the amusement park.
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Back at the Yuuki's apartment,
Nao finally emerged in her room wearing a white sundress and a matching small purse bag, looking nervous as she did so. She could hear faint voices of conversation coming from the kitchen and decided it was now or never.
As she entered the kitchen, her breath was slightly taken away by the sight of Shizuru looking casual yet so enticing all the same. She was currently sipping a cup of tea with her mother. Both were animatedly conversing when she entered the room.
"I-I'm ready," Nao informed them, cursing mentally at how awkward she sounded.
When Kuriko turned around she couldn't help but feel maternally proud at how beautiful her daughter had grown and wasn't shy at all to voice it out loud.
"Oh my Nao-chan! Look at you! You look so beautiful! Don't you think so Shizuru-san?" she asked her tea-sipping companion.
Shizuru smiled graciously, which made Nao blush a pretty shade of pink. "Ara? You took the words right out of my mouth, Yuuki-san."
Nao, trying to stop herself from flustering any further, decided it was time to leave before she further embarrassed herself. "Let's get going Shizuru," she then kissed her mother on the cheek and bid her farewell.
Kuriko walked her daughter and Shizuru at the door, as Nao made her way out ahead of Shizuru. Kuriko exchanged a meaningful glance at Shizuru. Shizuru, in turn, acknowledged her meaningful glance with a curt bow and an honest smile as she followed the younger redhead out of the apartment.
As Kuriko watched her daughter and Shizuru walked away, a strange feeling of content washed over her, knowing that someone like Fujino Shizuru was looking after her one and only precious daughter.
"Do we really need to pick up Kuga?" Nao grumbled as she walked alongside the Kyoto woman towards Kuga Natsuki's apartment. She felt strangely uncomfortable going towards her rival's place because of the memories the place entailed the last time she was there.
Shizuru just gave her redheaded companion a gracious smile. "It's only fair that we go to the amusement park together."
"Can't she just meet us there?" Nao once again grumbled.
"Mou, we talked about this already; besides, it is not fair that Natsuki must travel alone towards the amusement park." Shizuru explained to the already annoyed redhead.
"Why not?" Nao once again complained.
Shizuru sighed. She really didn't know what Nao's problem with Natsuki was. It wasn't fair to Natsuki to make her way towards the amusement park alone. Since Natsuki's place wasn't all that far to the bus station, they can all easily hop on the bus to go to the amusement park together.
She decided the best way to distract the redhead was by teasing her a bit.
"Do I sense some jealousy in you, Nao-san?" Shizuru teased the already irritated redhead whom began to puff her cheeks unconsciously.
"Jealousy?" Nao scoffed, "As if! Why should I be jealous of Kuga?"
"I don't know, you tell me," Shizuru cunningly asked and was surprised that the redhead became quiet and all of her inane questions suddenly ceased. Shizuru heard her mumble something under her breath, but she didn't quite catch it because it was too faint.
"You should know," Nao mumbled rather gruffly, as her hands unconsciously clenched and unclenched.
To the redhead's surprise she felt the older girl wrap her arms around her. "Mou, don't frown like that Nao-san, you're too young to have wrinkles." Shizuru pointed out playfully.
Nao slightly colored as she tried to shake the other woman off of her. "Stop that! Let go!"
"I won't let go until I see a smile on Nao-san's beautiful face."
Nao flustered even more as her lips began to quirk into a smile; it was simply impossible to shrug Shizuru off or stay mad at her, especially when she was being this…this adorable.
Shizuru grinned triumphantly, "Ara? Is that a smile I see forming?"
"Yeah, yeah! All right already! You got me to smile, so do you mind letting go of me now?" Nao asked as she tried to wriggle free from Shizuru's hug.
"I don't know," Shizuru, replied back rather nonchalantly, still not relenting her grip on the younger woman.
"What do you mean you don't know?" Nao almost squeaked, they were making quite a scene. She swore she saw a couple of people stare at them.
"Now I want to see how red you can go," Shizuru said rather impishly.
"Shizuru!" Nao flustered, making Shizuru succeed in her scheme. Shizuru finally let go of her captive, giggling as she watched Nao walked rather briskly away from her, determined to get to Kuga Natsuki's place as soon as possible.
Natsuki wasn't exactly thrilled to see the redhead standing before her when she answered the door. She had imagined a mischievious chestnut-haired Kyoto beauty with a knowing grin to greet her and never expected to be greeted by her arch-nemesis and decided to let her displeasure be known. In fact, she glowered at the redheaded deviant.
"Nice to see you too, Are you ready yet?" Nao asked rather gruffly.
"Yeah, just let me lock up, and then we'll go." Natsuki replied back as she grabbed her keys from her pocket and locked the door.
It wasn't until she was done locking the door did she notice Nao's outfit. She couldn't help but snort in slight amusement.
"Something funny Kuga?" Nao glared at the azure haired biker.
"Are you trying to pass as an innocent maiden with that getup Nao?" Natsuki began to snicker. "Are you trying to trap more unsuspecting perverts and pedophiles?" The idea of Nao in a white sundress was slightly funny given by her rather scandalous reputation.
What's next? Nao joining the sisterhood?
"Are you being an insufferable bitch again Kuga?' Nao acidly spat back.
Natsuki growled and was about to pay her back for the insult when Shizuru called for their attention.
"Oh good, you're ready! We're all set then!" Shizuru clapped in delight.
The two green-eyed beauties glared daggers at each other but didn't exchange a word. As Shizuru began to walk ahead of them, their steely gaze remained on each other; somehow, they managed to communicate without any words. An unspoken challenge was made and whatever animosity they had for each other has been postponed, for now anyways.
Both Natsuki and Nao had never been so glad to see the synthetic looking white castle that the owner of the establishment probably thought would best impress kids' 12 years of age and over. Just by looking at their honey-haired companion's crimson eyes shine with delight, they knew she was easily amused. Shizuru's childish display of satisfaction made both green-eyed beauties sweat drop at her reaction.
The journey towards the amusement park was fraught with peril, especially when accompanied by the deviously mischievous Kyoto woman. Natsuki had never before known that Nao was capable of blushing in such intensity, matching her hair quite impressively. Natsuki herself, on the other hand, was sure she was doing a damn good imitation of a sun-ripe tomato.
They didn't know how the Kyoto woman managed to convince them of just walking towards the amusement park. It was a twenty-minute walk after all, and if they took the bus it would have been just 2-5 minutes tops! But no, they had opted to walking their way there. Natsuki and Nao couldn't distinctly remember agreeing with Shizuru, only that when they left Natsuki's apartment, she walked right passed the bus stop and continued on her merry way.
"It's a great day to take a stroll don't you think?" Nao and Natsuki could distinctly remember Shizuru utter in her ever so sweet and husky Kyoto-ben.
The green-eyed beauties had no choice but to follow, especially when she had that bright spark in her eyes that could probably melt the coldest of hearts. It was the biggest mistake they ever made.
It was the most exhausting 20 minutes of their lives. It wasn't only the teasing they both received from the older girl, no, they proved they could survive extreme flushes without fainting or spontaneously combust from the amount of pressure of blood rushing on their faces. No. It was from the attention that they gathered as they made their way towards the park that really got to them.
More than a dozen eyes, both male and female seemed to follow and check out not only themselves but Shizuru as well, only that the oldest of the three seemed to gather a lot more attention. Some were quite content on merely looking at her, but there were some that were stupid enough to start making catcalls and even had the gall to try and talk to Shizuru as if she would give them a time and day.
Nao and Natsuki found themselves deflecting the many idiots that tried to put the moves on Shizuru and themselves. Both green-eyed delinquents could have sworn that Shizuru enjoyed the attention that she received when they noticed a glint of amusement in her eyes as she watched them dispose of her admirers.
"Well at least it's over now," both green-eyed beauties sighed mentally. To think that if they didn't accompany the Kyoto woman to the amusement park, something drastic might have happened such as Shizuru actually being roped into a date!
All three lovely beauties lined up to buy tickets. Nao and Natsuki still glared daggers at some of the other people that dared to check out or even gave out a slightest hint of going to try and talk to their chestnut-haired companion. It was only when Nao and Natsuki realized and caught each other being over protective of Shizuru did they get distracted.
When they both accidentally made eye contact, they bristled against each other. A large amount of tension seemed to loom over the two as they now turned their glaring powers at each other.
"What do you think you're doing?" Natsuki hissed under her breath so that she does not upset Shizuru.
"Just protecting my interest, I could ask you the same question," Nao replied in the same tone.
"Your interest?" Natsuki's eyebrows raised in challenge.
"You heard me," Nao replied back with a smirk.
It was only when they heard a definite male voice and a certain Kyoto-ben exchange pleasantries did they cease their ever growing dispute.
"Fancy meeting you here, Shizuru-san," they heard the familiar smooth masculine voice drift not far away from them.
"Ara? I could ask you the same thing Reito-san," Shizuru smiled at her council subordinate, her smile growing when she noticed his young companion. "It's nice to see you too Mikoto."
Almost immediately, Mikoto latched herself towards Shizuru. "Ru-chan!" giving the Kyoto woman a very enthusiastic hug as she snuggled against the older woman's chest.
"Please forgive my sister, Shizuru-san, she can be too friendly at times," Reito apologized sheepishly, but he made no attempt to remove his sister from Shizuru.
"It is quite alright, Reito-san, I enjoy Mikoto's hugs." She replied back with a smile as she too returned Mikoto's affectionate hug.
Almost in an instant, Nao and Natsuki materialized by Shizuru's side.
"What's up Kanzaki?" Nao greeted, while Natsuki merely gave Reito a nod of acknowledgement.
"Greetings to you Yuuki-san, Kuga-san. I didn't know you two would also be here," Reito greeted. "Mikoto-chan and I are just here to spend some time together as brother and sister."
"Family bonding?" Natsuki supplied, but was distracted by Mikoto still clinging on to Shizuru. She tried her hardest to fight the growing jeaolousy and possesiveness that seemed to overwhelm her as she witnessed Mikoto innocently rubbed and nuzzled her face on Shizuru's ample bosom.
"Yes Kuga-san, my little sister had expressed her desire to spend some quality time with me while Mai-san is off to work," Reito answered.
"In other words, Mai conned you into babysitting Mikoto, right?" Natsuki replied good-humouredly as she tore her eyes away from the brunette and Shizuru, and once again turned her attention to Reito She already knew that her best friend had probably either guilt-tripped or sweet talked Reito into looking after Mikoto when Natsuki had refused Mai into watching over Mikoto in favor of Shizuru's plans.
Reito merely sighed in confirmation. "You know Mai-san so well," which made every one laugh in merriment.
Mikoto let go of Shizuru in order to hug both Nao and Natsuki. "Nao and Natsuki are here too!" Mikoto exclaimed as she jumped up and down in excitement. "This means we can all go together at the park!" she added happily as she glomped the two green-eyed beauties.
Nao and Natsuki looked at each other in disbelief before turning their attention to the demure looking Shizuru, who had covered her mouth with her hand to cover her amusement.
Mikoto nodded happily as she made a happy grunting sound, making her eyes light up brightly with delight, which was enough for both green-eyed girls to relent.
"We're going to have so much fun!" Mikoto once again quipped as she continued to hug both Nao and Natsuki while the two girls sighed in dismay.
From the corner of her eyes, Natsuki couldn't help but notice Reito standing suspiciously closer to Shizuru than a few moments ago, but it couldn't be could it? She looked at her redheaded rival only to notice that she too was watching Reito in suspicion.
"Well I guess it cannot be helped?" Shizuru replied back happily, making her two companions groan in dismay.
"The more the merrier," Reito agreed as he took a step closer to Shizuru.
"The more the merrier indeed," Nao replied back sarcastically while she was half-dragged by the energetic brunette.
Natsuki didn't add anything else as she too was dragged by Mikoto towards the entrance as Reito volunteered to pay for their tickets while Shizuru accompanied him.
Reito was suspiciously standing way too close to Shizuru and was acting way more freely than she was used to. Was it just her, or was it just her imagination? Was she seeing things when she saw a certain spark in those dark eyes of his when he talked to Shizuru?
"This is going to be fun!" Mikoto once again exclaimed. Unaware that Nao and Natsuki's attention was behind them, as they watched Shizuru and Reito walking too close for their liking.
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Author's Notes:
Hope you liked my latest update. I apologise for the massive delay, as you could probably tell already this story is starting to have a heavy dose of writer's block just by judging the contents of the story but never fear because I believe this is only due to the rapidly approaching end of semester exams that I will have in the next couple of weeks.
You may have also noticed that I had taken the liberty of naming Nao's mom as Kuriko. Why? because I don't really know if they ever revealed Nao's mother's name in anime. If they did, please feel free to correct me so I may edit her name.
Now for a couple of replies over the recent reviews of the last chapter:
Pretend2besome1 & Hoppy-Chan : About the Idea of KFC (Kanzaki-Fujino Club) it wasn't actually intentional, merely a coincidence that I was typing the particular chapter up when my bro had entered my room and offered me KFC and then something clicked in my food deprived state and KFC was born! (I know, I know, I thought it was sort of lame too LOL!)
kikyo4ever : What can I say but wow! I really enjoy your reviews and it always leaves me thinking (not a very constant event mind you ;p). I am glad that I always evoke you to write your thoughts in the review.
To everyone else that reviewed : I apologise for not providing individual replies to all of you but please know that I am trully grateful for your continuous support you provide. So as a little reward I will leave you readers a short teaser omake for the next chapter which is currently being written in progress:
"Why Natsuki?" Reito asked her when the silenced seemed to have become unbearable.
"Why Mai?" Shizuru couldn't help but ask defensively.
"Why not me?" Mz Kitty asked breaking Shizuru and Reito's moment.
"How did you get here?" Reito exclaimed.
"That's not important, the important thing is I'm here now!" Mz Kitty stated passionately.
"Ara? Aren't you suppose to be studying rather than promoting the next chapter?" Shizuru pointed out the to the author.
"You're so cruel Shizuru-sama!" Mz Kitty then opens the door and runs off only to fall towards the ground below but not before yelling out "But I still love you!"
Nao and Natsuki watched Mz Kitty's form fall towards the ground.
"Shizuru's fan girls gets weirder and weirder everytime." Nao stated rather boredly.
Natsuki pointedly looks at Nao. "You're telling me,"
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Lol, how did you like them apples? Well I have to go now. Thanks again to my betas who had worked really hard to correct my many many horrible grammar and tense mistakes. As for me I'm off to study and hopefully create a wonderfully twisted next chapter but since I like to procrastinate from time to time I guess I better make use of my spare time!
Mz Kitty takes the net AshwolfX had given her from the last chapter review and the chocolate cookie. Mz Kitty then places the Chocolate cookie on the ground and hides behind the nearby shrubbery with the net, waiting for any plot bunnies to spring on the cookie.
Thank you once again and as always please review, your reviews to me are like what mayonnaise are for Natsuki and your little suggestions actually makes it easier for me to overcome any writing blocks that I have.
Ja Ne