Author's Notes:
I'm oh so very pleased of how this story is playing in my head.
I do promise my readers that if this story exceeds 5 chapters, I will give it its own story instead of being a part of a collaboration of some. (In case no one got the hint previously, this is a collection of one shots and stories that may become more)
For this chapter, I decided to explore my Shakespearean side more, so the writing is very different than the previous chapter. More descriptions and an older way of speaking. I hope that you will enjoy it, thank you.
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And she asks her in that voice, oh! That voice that the blunette had grown so accustomed, had grown to adore, no worship in oh so little time! And with those words, words like the smoothest of silks found only in the smallest of shops, words like a mother would speak when telling their child to "Be safe", she spoke to her beloved. The statements that escaped her seemed to reach out into her very essence. They seemed to just wound themselves around her being and hold her even after they died out. So captivated was she by these sayings that her eyes had never left those rosy lips of hers, watching every motion they portrayed, as though they were scenes in a skit, memorizing every flick of her tongue. And yes, she was, and would she forever be, smitten. "I love you."
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"Oh Natsuki," She began, her cherry eyes never leaving grassy greens for an instant, not even for a fraction in time. "I would dance with you in this very room if I could."
To utter that our heroine of sorts was taken aback by such a declaration, would indeed be an understatement. She seemed for that moment, to have misplaced all coherent thoughts, and was left with a mind as blank as a ghost town. One would believe that if they were to press their ear against her noggin, they would hear the sound of the tumbleweeds rolling by.
For you see, even the mere thought of two women, one of a low standard, and one who holds a very high place and role in society even touching each other more than a hug or a kiss on the cheek was considered to be a sin. In fact, even two women of equal status doing such would be considered undesirable, witches even, forever casting their spells to enchant more youth and drag them off into their world of corruption.
Naturally, Natsuki guessed that perhaps she had heard the woman wrong. Who would dare publically disgrace themselves in such a fashion? Certainly not this noblewoman, no, not someone like her. Why would she stoop so low as to become that kind of woman?
"Come again?" Her voice was laced with enough confusion to portray her thoughts perfectly. Shizuru hadn't the need to dwell on them, for she understood in almost a moment's time.
"Nothing Natsuki needs to concern herself with."
Since the blunette had only known the brunette for possibly more or less than five minutes, she did not have the knowledge that the Fujino heir was one to get what she desires. Nor was she equipped with the awareness that she was her latest desire. The noblewoman was the character who knew what she wanted almost instantly. She was very in tune with her feelings, and in most cases could decide on whether or not she enjoyed one's company after only a minute of indulging in conversation with them.
Ever the dense one, Natsuki nodded, understanding that whatever she had previously said was of little to no importance.
"How would Natsuki feel about sharing her afternoon here with me tomorrow?" The question suddenly arrived and hung about in the air for a while, allowing the person it was aimed at to ponder their decision.
'By myself? Why? Is there something she wants to talk to me about? I guess I should accept…After all, it is better than lazing about the house.' "I don't see why not." She replied after a short amount of time, quite confident in her answer. Shizuru physically brightened; a wide smile on her face about the acceptance. It had taken the young Kuga by surprise, for she had not expected the noblewoman to be so happy about such a small thing.
"I shall see you at two o clock then." And with that, she bowed her head in an informal goodbye and retreated back into the mass of people to greet them and thank them for arriving. The blunette curiously watched the woman walk away, wondering what it was about the woman that kept her eyes so well focused on her form. It certainly was not physical attraction, for although yes, Natsuki could agree that the woman was stunning when it came to outward appearance, but she was a woman, as was she, and she was not to think in such a manner.
Therefore, there must be something about her personality. But from what she had gathered so far, they seemed to be quite opposites. And opposites, in Natsuki's mental book, do not attract. Before she could think further on the unsettling manner, her eldest brother had approached her with his "party face" on.
"How unfair, Natsuki. You were the first to speak to Miss Fujino."
Judging from the way his lips would sag down and his eyebrows would furrow, he was truly upset by the matter. His sister was well aware that he had wished to acquaint himself with her for future marriage plans. That which made her believe that it would be a most wise choice not to mention her invitation to the home later tomorrow. That she would bring up while departing.
"It is not like I planned to." She freely admitted with a grumble and the crossing of her arms. "She just approached me."
"Did you do anything in particular to gain her interest?"
"…I do not think so." Natsuki responded, quite bewildered so to speak about her brother's behavior. Was he truly already infatuated with Shizuru? The thought made her feel resentment, for reasons unbeknownst to her.
"Ara, who is this young fellow, Natsuki?" And there she was yet again. Why she had made herself known once more, Natsuki hadn't the slightest clue.
'Come now, Natsuki. Did you really think that I would allow a fellow that I knew not of to converse with you alone?'
"This is-"
"Reito Kuga, Natsuki's elder brother." The young man gave her quite the dazzling smile, and in return the brunette gave a small one back. If it was a sibling of Natsuki's, then everything was alright.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Kuga-san. I am Shizuru Fujino."
"It was very kind of you to invite us, we are enjoying ourselves, are we not, Natsuki?" The raven haired bishounen inclined his head towards his younger sister, expecting her to answer in the positive.
"I suppose." Was her blunt and well thought out reply.
Shizuru let out a chuckle at her words, for she admired the way the blunette spoke what happened to be on her mind. She was free from worry on how her peers would think.
"Natsuki, manners!" He scolded, despite his noticed at the brunette's amusement on the matter. With a polite 'ahem' directed at the noblewoman, he spoke what he had truly visited for: "Fujino-san, would you care to partake in dinner with me tomorrow afternoon?"
The woman frowned at his question, for unfortunately, she had plans. "I am afraid not, Kuga-san. I am to have Natsuki over at that time."
Reito stared at his sibling, mouth a gape. How dare she betray him in such a manner!
Natsuki merely shrugged, her shoulders moving upwards in a nonchalant manner. "Sorry Reito."
X X X X X X X X X X X X X
That very next day, to Reito's extreme disapproval, Natsuki was, to her disapproval, wearing a gown for her visit with her new neighbor.
She departed five minutes before two o clock, for the hike through Shizuru's yard would take quite some time.
When she arrived, there was a thick layer of mud thrown about her dress shoes, and leaves had scattered and placed themselves amongst her form. Shizuru's initial reaction was to wonder what exactly had transpired during Natsuki's voyage. She then, due to her teasing personality, found it quite humorous and let the woman bathe and borrow a pair of clothing.
Once the blunette was dry and well seated, conversation erupted.
"What does Natsuki fancy her time doing when alone?" The owner of the establishment spoke first, crossing one perfect leg over the other, causing the fabric to shift from underneath. The purple cloth had caught Natsuki's attention for longer than she had hoped was obvious.
"An odd question that is…" The younger of the two finally found her words. "But I suppose I can tell you… I participate in activities only men can partake in. Such as the hunt and repairing vehicles of transportation." Her cheeks took on a pleasant pinkish hue, that which delighted the woman before her.
"Ara! Quite the unusual one you are! I must say, I am eager to hear more." To show her interest, she leaned forward in her seat and placed the cup of tea she was so merrily sipping at previously onto the marble table.
"Since you seem to enjoy prying into my personal affairs, I ought to as well, correct? What is your profession, Shizuru? Why are you in this house by your lonesome?" Those lips of hers pointed downwards into a frown, and knowing the blunette, she was most likely unaware of such a development.
"Ara…I do not have a profession. I am one of many who squander on their family's fortune. I would very much like to engage in politics, but as I am sure you know, we women are not allowed those privileges. As to why I reside here without company…I believe there is a time when every person should break free from their family. My time, in my own opinion, happens to be now. Does Natsuki enjoy living with her family?"
"I wouldn't say that I enjoy their company…To be most honest, I firmly dislike their presence. I would much rather be in your current position."
"So you say, Natsuki…So you say…"
X X X X X X X X X X X X X
"Oh, my brother wants your hand in marriage." She had spoken such words almost without a care, or perhaps even with child-like innocence, as if she had not known what such words would imply.
"He does? As I recall, we only spoke for a few minutes…"
"That is all it takes. In truth Shizuru, you cannot blame him. You possess wealth beyond what we are accustomed, and your looks alone could capture any man's attention. You are truly worthy for the position of one's wife." 'And I think you would make a fine addition to our family…'
"And how does Natsuki feel about this?" Truly, she was flattered by her words. She would swoon even, if Natsuki had meant them in a way unlike she presently did.
"I…I know not. How am I to feel? As a friend, I suppose I am delighted for you."
"Natsuki considers us to be friends?"
'Am I wrong?' "I-I did not say that!"
"I believe you did. Natsuki finds my character to her liking!" She rejoiced, giggling like she was much younger than she was.
"The only thing I find likable about you is your absence!" Her barking of sorts reminded both of them of the hunt, one more delighted than the other.
"…I see…I did not know Natsuki could be so cruel…My feelings are crushed…" The woman removed a handkerchief from her blouse and brought it up to her ruby eyes. A sniffle was heard from her, and she shook lightly from her own disappointment.
"S-Shizuru…I am..sorry…I did not mean what I had said…Do not cry…alright?" She lowered her head in sadness at her new friend's grief, yet she also swam in her guilt for causing it.
Sensing that Natsuki had taken her far too seriously, she decided to make things well again. "Natsuki is so kind! What shall she do for me if I were to forgive her, I wonder?"
"I have to do something?"
"But of course! That is only fair, is it not?"
"I suppose…"
"Ara, I know! I want Natsuki to visit me every day, unless her parent's forbid her from doing so, of course."
"Please tell me this is for laughs…" The blunette groaned, running her hand through her still wet tresses in aggravation.
"I am sure it will lead to that later, my Natsuki~"
'What was that?'
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Author's Notes:
Ahh, that took longer to write than I had planned. I hope you enjoyed it though. Thanks for reading!