CHAPTER 2
The street was quiet as Shizuru Fujino made her way to her favorite local tea and coffee shop in Fuuka. It was customary for her to enter this establishment on a weekly basis. However this was a special occasion. These were the few hours Shizuru cherished most every month. Today was the day Shizuru would see Natsuki for their monthly "catch-up" talk.
As she walked in the brunette was greeted by members of the staff who knew her as a repeat client. She took her usual seat by the window and waited for her waiter to bring her customary tea order. Due to her frequenting of the establishment the employees had discovered that the brunette woman with the Kyoto accent always ordered their tea of the day. Tea would be important to the young woman today as she was experiencing a familiar yet unidentifiable discomfort.
Shizuru was restless. While she did not display any outward signs of discomfort or distress, if one had looked into their eyes they could have seen her worry. Something was telling her to be wary and on alert. This feeling had been bothering the Kyoto woman since late last night. Thus, it was essential that Shizuru come to this meeting and ascertain that her most important person was well before she delved deeper into understanding her uneasiness.
So she sat and she waited.
The Previous Day
"Shizuru!" shouted an energetic Tomoe Marguerite as she raced after the Kyoto woman. Tomoe had spotted Shizuru walking across the quad of Fuuka University's main campus. Upon seeing her classmate Tomoe felt the familiar and immediate need to be by her side.
"Tomoe?" Shizuru was surprised that the turquoise haired girl was on campus this early, but she wasn't all that shocked that the girl had found her. Tomoe had a habit of spotting Shizuru on campus almost every time she was at the school. Her knack for finding Shizuru was better than the flock of fan girls that used to follow the brunette back in her days at Fuuka Academy. "What brings you here at this time of the morning? I don't believe we have class for another hour." It was eight in the morning and most students with later classes were not expected to arrive on campus until twenty minutes before their classes started.
"I wanted to catch you Shizuru. We have that project coming up and I thought we should probably plan some study datesso we can prepare properly." Tomoe always made sure to emphasize the date aspect of their study sessions. Just thinking about their upcoming study date excited the girl and her hopeful and adoring eyes continued their unending gaze at the brunette.
It was no surprise to Shizuru that Tomoe Marguerite had a major crush on her. The turquoise haired girl practically worshipped Shizuru. She would take every opportunity to spend time with the brunette. Indeed, that was how they ended up on a class project together. Tomoe had approached Shizuru after class and asked if she would be her partner while simultaneously managing to give death glares to all the other students hoping to partner with the Kyoto woman on the assignment. Not wanting to be rude and knowing that Tomoe was one of the top students in the class, Shizuru had accepted.
"Ara. Tomoe is so excited to do her school work. No wonder she is one of the top students in our class." Shizuru responded as she tucked a stray strand of hair behind Tomoe's ear. Tomoe blushed profusely at the contact. As flattering as turquoise haired girls feelings for Shizuru were, the brunette would never be able to reciprocate them. Her heart was forever lost to a raven haired beauty. Yet, the brunette couldn't help by tease the poor girl.
"I'm not as good as you Shizuru." Tomoe shyly replied while shifting her gaze to the ground in embarrassment.
"Tomoe is so kind. In that case, why don't we figure out a time to meet and prepare for our project after class today? I have a few things I need to get done first and then I can coordinate our schedules."
Tomoe's eyes lit up at the prospect of finally having alone time outside of school with the Kyoto woman. She had adored her since the first instant she saw her sitting in their class. After that moment she had vowed to be with the charming and beautiful brunette. "Yes Shizuru! We can plan our date then."
With that Shizuru bid the girl goodbye and continued on her way.
"Bubuzuke! There you are…" Haruka bellowed to Shizuru across campus. She had spotted her talking to that Marguerite girl just a few moments ago. While Tomoe Marguerite was one of the top new students at the school, Haruka had a bad feeling about her. She just seemed like she could easily become a troublemaker and disrupt the discipline and order of the University. However, there were more pressing matters at hand, namely the presence of her new friend and rival Shizuru. Now was the perfect opportunity to see her again. "Come get your vacillation."
"I believe you mean vaccination Haruka."
"That's what I said!" Haruka huffed. "Now, as a member of the University Governing Board I order you to come here and receive it." After entering Fuuka University this past year, Haruka Suzushiro had immediately sought out a leadership position at the school. Despite being a first year student she had managed to gain a seat on the schools University Governing Board. After all, Haruka was a smart and talented young woman once you got past all the blustering. With this new position of power under her belt Haruka had started a campaign to clean up the school and instill order and justice throughout.
"Ara, I wouldn't want to upset such a prominent person." Shizuru replied as she waved Haruka off and entered the tent of the makeshift clinic the school had set up.
Despite their differences during the carnival, Haruka and Shizuru had become fairly close friends. Once Haruka understood everything that had gone on during that time she had slowly come to understand and forgive Shizuru. It was odd to think that the Bubuzuke had committed such atrocious actions. Once she knew about the Obsidian Lord and his control over the Hime she had accepted the circumstances as just that, circumstances.
When Haruka heard that the Kyoto woman would be returning to Fuuka to study for a semester she made it a point to become better friends with her. After all, Shizuru was still Haruka's rival. If Haruka wished to finally defeat her rival she would have to make contact with her again. In order to maintain their silent truce about the events of the carnival Haruka never mentioned the raven haired hime that Shizuru had lost her mind over. To Haruka, there was no honor in bringing the subject up.
Haruka therefore waited outside her makeshift headquarters at the vaccination clinic. There was an upcoming election at the school that Haruka was going to enter and she wanted Shizuru to enter as well. In order to truly beat the bubuzuke I must defeat her fairly.
Meanwhile, Shizuru had received her vaccination and proceeded out of the tent. She had planned on heading to her next class but was somewhat unsurprisingly confronted by Haruka.
"One more thing Bubuzuke," the board member called out "I'm sure you're aware that there's an election next week for president of the University Affairs Board. I challenge you for the position!"
Shizuru presented a stunned yet blank look at the statement. "Haruka, you know I would gladly give you that position."
"That's not the point bubuzuke!" Haruka was clearly frustrated by Shizuru's blatant denials of their rivalry. After a few moments she decided on a new tactic. Maybe if I can just get her to the sign up room she will enter the race. "Alright. How about we meet tomorrow at lunch outside the administration building. As a member of the Board it is my duty to discuss with you your recent lack of interest in our school and its welfare. Your disregard for the good you can do for your school is shameful."
Shizuru giggled in response. "Very well Haruka. We will discuss this tomorrow." Truth be told, Shizuru had become quite fond of Haruka over the past year or so. Growing distant from Natsuki had placed a strain on the brunette's social circle. While Natsuki was never the most social person at her best moments, she had been the highlight of Shizuru's day. Now that they were apart, Shizuru had found comfort and what she thought was true friendship with Haruka Suzushiro. She knew she should support and humor her newfound friend and 'rival'.
Initially it had been difficult to see and truly befriend the former head of the executive committee at Fuuka. Unlike her fans, of which Tomoe was the most persistent, being around Haruka always reminded the Kyoto woman of Natsuki. And whenever thoughts of the raven haired girl entered Shizuru's mind she was simultaneous reminded of her actions during the carnival. Haruka had been kind enough to never mention those days, but the memories persisted. As such, Shizuru thought her newfound friendship was both a blessing and a curse.
In reality Shizuru knew she had avoided Natsuki since graduation and the end of the carnival. Shizuru had initially believed Natsuki when, in that old church building on the night they both died, she forgave her. After graduation Shizuru had spent time reflecting on her actions during the carnival. Even with a summer of thinking on the subject Shizuru still couldn't reconcile what she had done with Natsuki's supposedly immediate unconditional forgiveness. Indeed, Shizuru was still unable to forgive or trust herself. Thus, it was for Natsuki's sake Shizuru kept her distance.
The brunette had indeed kept her distance. Shizuru had been admitted into a prestigious school in Kyoto at which she readily enrolled. She had accepted and spent her first semester at the Kyoto school in an effort to avoid her past. Her actions during the carnival haunted her to this day and despite reassurance that none of her victims at first district remembered what had happened, she was still fearful of their retribution.
Coincidentally the school had an exchange program with a local University in Fuuka that allowed her to take classes there for a term and receive credit at her school in Kyoto. After her first semester in Kyoto she had decided to exercise her option of classes in Fuuka. Shizuru couldn't quite place exactly why she decided to study in Fuuka. She knew she missed Natsuki desperately. However, it was another, unknown pull back to the city where she had previously died that solidified the decision to return.
Natsuki entered the dingy dive bar at 5:00 a.m. and glanced around looking for her contact. She hadn't been to this bar since the last carnival and wasn't extremely excited to be returning. However, if her ability to materialize her weapons was a sign of what is to come, she would definitely need the help of her contact. Spotting him sitting at the far end of the bar, she quickly approached and slipped into the barstool next to him.
"I was surprised to hear from you. I thought you were enjoying a healthy, normal life nowadays" her contact blandly stated. He didn't even turn to look at the girl.
"I need you to look into something. First District, Searrs, all of them. I need to know if they have reactivated."
"Why would you want to look into those organizations again?" Yamada responded.
"That's my business. I just need to know what their status is."
"Very well. I'll let you know what I find. This will cost you more than the usual price seeing as you're asking for double."
"That's fine. Just let me know what you find out." With that Natsuki rose and left the bar. She made it to her ducati parked outside and drove off. She needed to clear her head and figure out what had happened. Ever since the carnival ended none of the other Hime's had been able to materialize their weapons or call forth their children. What was so unique about last night that Natsuki could suddenly do so again? She needed to check with the others and see if they could as well.
Twenty minutes later Natsuki found herself sitting on her motorcycle outside of Mai Tokiha's apartment. Despite the slight mist of rain coming down and having sped through traffic to reach her destination, she was hesitant to get off her bike and enter. The thought that the carnival had restarted and that the quiet she had enjoyed this past year was over was understandably upsetting. While she had spent this last year feeling restless and like something was missing, she was now fairly sure that it wasn't being a Hime that she was troubled over. That definitely couldn't have been the reason for her subconscious agitation this past year.
The rain started pouring down on Natsuki, pushing her to actually go through with her reason for this trip. She would talk to Mai. It was approximately 6:00 a.m. now and Natsuki knew that Mai would be up making Mikoto breakfast and getting ready for another school day.
"Mai! Open up!" Natsuki shouted as she banged on Mai's door. After a few more moments of pounding a sleepy eyed Mikoto opened the door in her long nightshirt.
"Natsuki," Mikoto mumbled as she rubbed her tired eyes, "What are you doing here this morning? Mai says we are supposed to pick you up for school." Suddenly Mikoto's eyes lit up as she came to a realization. "Natsuki is picking us up this morning! Do I get to drive the ducati?"
"NO!" Was the raven haired girls immediate reply. She was never letting that middle school girl ride her bike again. Never, ever again. Natsuki didn't even consent to the ride the first time around, Mikoto just took off on her ducati and slammed it into a brick wall. Miraculously the Mikoto came out unscathed. The same couldn't be said for Natsuki's ducati.
"Natsuki?" Mai questioned from somewhere inside the apartment. "What's wrong? You're never awake this early."
"I am too!" Natsuki quickly rebuffed. Just as she was about to argue further with the orange haired girl she found her mouth was suddenly stuffed. Looking down she noticed Mai appeared and had placed a mayo bun in her mouth. That's when it dawned on Natsuki how hungry she was. She hadn't eaten since lunch yesterday. The raven haired thus quickly gobbled down the makeshift breakfast and proceeded to get down to business.
"Mai, we need to talk."
"That sentence never means anything good." Mai then saw the glare the biker gave in response to her joke. She decided to play along. "Okay. What would you like to talk about Natsuki?"
"Mai… have you, um," attempting to get information about Mai's status as a hime was a little more difficult for Natsuki to verbalize. After a minute she figured out a strategy. "Have you had any unusual dreams lately?"
"What kind of dreams Natsuki?"
"You know… dreams where… you have your hime powers again?" Natsuki was barely able to stumble through the beginning of that sentence but she did manage to simultaneously mumble and speed through the last part.
Mai's smile quickly turned into a frown. The former fire hime definitely did not like being reminded of those days. The carnival was one of the worst times of her life. A time in which she lost everything that meant anything to her. Having everyone in her life come back was a blessing that she was thankful for every day. Reminders of her loss were not pleasant to say the least. However Natsuki seemed legitimately curious and Mai had caught an undertone of concern in her voice regarding the subject. Mai owed Natsuki an honest answer.
"No." Mai responded. "I don't like to think about what happened during the carnival. I'm just happy it's all over with now. Why?"
"Oh… just wondering. No reason." Natsuki hadn't missed the frown on Mai's face at the mention of the subject. Furthermore she felt isolated thinking that she was the only one whose powers had returned. There was no reason to bring it up just yet if she was the only one who had regained her powers. It would probably be better to bring the subject up again once she had more information from Yamada. With that decision made, Natsuki decided to continue her morning with Mai and Mikoto and deal with the issue of her powers return later.
After classes had ended for the day Natsuki found herself dragged onto the school lawn to enjoy a picnic with her friends. Mai seemed intent on distracting Natsuki from whatever it was that was bothering the raven haired girl. Chie, Aoi, Yukino, Mikoto and Tate joined them. No one had seen Nao in class that day and so she didn't join them.
"That was delicious Mai!" Chie exclaimed as she finished the last bit of food Mai had provided for the picnic. The rest of the group readily concurred with Chie's statement. Chie then turned her attention to Natsuki. "Now, on to business. As the collector of information on all that goes on in this school, I need to know everything that you discovered yesterday about first year Nina Wang."
"What?" The raven haired girl was offended and annoyed all at once.
"I heard you shared a room with her in the school infirmary after you fainted."
"I did not faint!" Natsuki was confused. How was the whole school was already aware of her accident yesterday? Luckily Chie answered her question.
"Stay focused Natsuki. We've moved on from your incident. That was on yesterdays school gossip update. Nao is a frequent contributor to our website." Chie then pulled up the new school gossip web page, smiling with pride at her new publication. She then displayed Nao's column on Natsuki's fear of needles and fainting spell yesterday. The red head ran into Chie yesterday and had offered to write the story. The school gossip gatherer then proceeded with the business at hand. "Now then, this Nina Wang, give me details."
Natsuki was at a loss as to how to respond to this blatant request for gossip on the new star first years at Fuuka. Luckily, Mai saved her from having to answer.
"They're really nice. Nina is a little quiet, but her friend Erstin is the sweetest girl."
"Hmm… Erstin." Chie promptly started scrolling through her phone for information on the girl. "Erstin Ho. First year. A top student in her class, second only to Nina Wang." She quickly began typing in information regarding her friendship with Nina. Always best to be up to date Chie thought. The conversation continued for a while with Mai and Mikoto filling everyone in on their interaction with the two first years yesterday in the school infirmary.
As Aoi and Chie next began to fill everyone in on the most recent school gossip, Natsuki found her thoughts returning to her dream last night. More like nightmare. Despite the shock of recent events Natsuki really hadn't thought about what this dream meant for Shizuru. Immediately upon discovering that she had regained her Hime powers Natsuki had gone straight into action mode. After all she was well practiced at making decisive moves and obtaining information. Thus, after the nightmare she went with her normal reaction and took steps to start solving the problem rather than dwell on what happened.
Now that she had done as much as she felt she possibly could until she heard back from Yamada, Natsuki was only left with the terror she felt. Indeed, Natsuki had panicked in her dream when Shizuru had collapsed on the ground. Then when Shizuru disappeared all she felt was utter devastation. Natsuki wasn't sure why Shizuru had disappeared alongside the scorpion. Given what she knew about a Hime's child and its connection to their masters most important person, it seemed like someone else was connected to Shizuru. What does this mean? Has Shizuru found a new most important person? Have I? Does having new friends mean that Shizuru is no longer my most important person? Natsuki wasn't sure. All she knew was that she felt destroyed when the Kyoto woman had vanished in her dream. She needed to see Shizuru and determine where they stood.
That's when Natsuki started to listen in again to her friends conversation. "…it's almost four, how about we go to the Linden Baum to see Akane and Kazuya." Natsuki hadn't quite caught who said it, as her mind was more focused on the timing aspect of her friends comment.
"Oh Shit!" Natsuki suddenly absorbed the time. If she hurried she would indeed be able to see the brunette. It was almost 4 o'clock and today was the day that the raven haired girl met with Shizuru for their monthly catch-up.
"Natsuki?" Mai said as the entire gang gave her a questioning look.
"Huh? Oh, sorry Mai. I just remembered…" Natsuki then saw that Yukino was with them "I… have somewhere I have to be." Natsuki never mentioned Shizuru by name when Yukino or Nao were around. Although she was aware that Haruka and Shizuru had become friends in recent months, she wasn't sure if the friendship and forgiveness Haruka had extended to Shizuru came from Yukino as well.
"Oh okay. Well have a great time Natsuki. We'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning!" With that Mai waved goodbye to the biker and the group split off in two directions. Natsuki headed to her bike to make her way to her meeting and the rest of her friends headed to the Linden Baum to see Akane and Kazuya.
Natsuki was making her way over to the tea shop where she met Shizuru for their monthly visit. Her thoughts slowly drifted to the person she would be seeing shortly. The Kyoto girl had been her first friend after her mother's death. She had persistently tried to be a part of the raven haired girls life until Natsuki eventually accepted her friendship. After some time had passed, Natsuki slowly began to subconsciously rely on Shizuru's continuing presence and friendship.
After Shizuru's true feelings were revealed during the carnival Natsuki had been shocked. Her rejection of Shizuru thereafter had been a result of her surprise and fear. When she had lost her mother she felt like she had lost the ability to love. She couldn't even bring herself to be close to anyone, let alone have feelings stronger than friendship. The day before she had died, she had realized that she could love people.
Natsuki didn't initially want to get close to Shizuru, but when the carnival was ending she realized that she had loved and valued the brunette all along, or at least as much as she was able to at the time. Shizuru was the first person to accept her and be her friend. The brunette had offered Natsuki unconditional acceptance and love.
The stubborn biker had many friends whom she could rely upon, but first and foremost among them was Shizuru. While she didn't have the same feelings for Shizuru, she realized that Shizuru was truly her most important person. With that knowledge, Natsuki had been able to call forth Duran again. She had been able to stop Shizuru and allow Mai to finish the carnival. It had cost them their lives but had been worth it in the end. Natsuki was at least able to die with her best friend.
Natsuki's reverie was broken as she spotted a slight shifting of light out of the corner of her eye. Looking to her right to get a better view, Natsuki only saw the passing signs and buildings as she sped to her meeting point. She shook off the earlier distraction in her vision as a fluke. I must be getting jumpy from my powers re-emerging. The raven haired girl continued on her way.
As Natsuki was driving through downtown she again saw a small movement to her right. This time it appeared to be a greenish tint. Twice in one drive is too much of a coincidence. With that in mind, Natsuki took a longer look to her side to determine what was obstructing her vision. This time, to her surprise, she actually saw a small, slightly transparent green blob like creature. It was seemingly following the raven haired girl. It took a moment, but Natsuki recognized the culprit.
"IT'S YOU!" The little green blob gave her a questioning look in response. "YOU DESTROYED MY LINGERIE COLLECTION!" Natsuki angrily clarified to the orphan seemingly traveling next to her. She was oblivious to the passerbys that overheard her revelation of her fetish for collection sexy lingerie. "IT TOOK SIX MONTHS TO GET BACK TO A DECENT SIZED WARDROBE!" With that the young biker became enraged. She veered to her right in the direction of the slightly transparent green blob, intending to knock it into oblivion. It seemed that the more serious fact that an orphan had reappeared went unnoticed to the girl. Her sole thought was on getting revenge against the lingerie offender.
Aware of the peril now in front of it, the small green orphan quickly veered out of the bikers way. It swerved ahead as the raven haired girl chased after it. She was gaining speed with every moment. "Come back here! We're not finished!"
As the clock in the tea shop chimed to indicate that it was a quarter past four Shizuru quietly sat at her table. She was on her second cup of tea at the establishment and was somewhat perturbed given Natsuki's lateness. Though I'll probably just forgive her on sight. Natsuki is just so cute that I can't stay mad at her. It was true that the Kyoto woman harbored a soft spot for the stubborn biker. For some reason that had been the case from the moment she met the girl. Despite several attempts to stop it, Shizuru had quickly fallen in love with her.
Indeed, Shizuru was unaccustomed to having to accommodate others. Since she had entered school at Fuuka she was instantly surrounded by a fan club. Yet the only person who Shizuru had wanted was the one she couldn't have. The one person at that school who didn't want to befriend anyone. The person who seemingly hated everyone. That was the person the brunette worshipped. And now I have to sit here waiting for her to arrive. Guess I will have to tease her as punishment for her tardiness. Shizuru smiled at the thought and spent the next few minutes conjuring up various different teases she would inflict upon the raven haired girl.
Her reverie was disturbed by the sound of a motorcycle speeding past the shop and the sight of said bike that was visible out of the corner of her eye. Natsuki? Shizuru next noticed a small object slightly in front of the bike. To the normal eye it appeared somewhat transparent and unnoticeable. For Shizuru, well she could recognize an orphan the moment she saw one. After all, she had been fighting them daily behind the scenes during the previous carnival. Natsuki!
With that the Kyoto girl jumped out of her seat, ran out of the tea shop, and chased after her most important person. Stepping onto the outside payment Shizuru ascertained that Natsuki was headed down a street that would inevitably curve back around. If she headed down the corner street she would hopefully be able to intercept the two. With that, the brunette raced down a neighborhood street to, with any luck, run into the biker and orphan.
Shizuru ran down the street. When she arrived at what she believed would be the inevitable intersection, the Kyoto girl impatiently waited. I shouldn't be standing around like this when Natsuki is in danger! But I don't have another choice. There's no way I'd be able to catch up without a car or motorcycle. The brunettes fears were assuaged when she caught the distant sight of a motorcycle coming her way. While the orphan was likely too small to see, Shizuru didn't doubt that it was in the vicinity. As Shizuru waited for them to get closer, she mentally prepared herself for the confrontation.
After a few moments the two figures drew closer to the Kyoto girl, with the small orphan slightly ahead of the biker. Just when they were going to be within distance, the small green orphan suddenly halted its apparent escape. It turned on its pursuer and was gaining in size with every minute. That's when Shizuru noticed the dozens of other small green blob like orphans swarming and merging into the one that had been chasing Natsuki. Most of the passerbys had not noticed the orphan due to its slight transparency, but it was readily visible to the former hime.
Natsuki realized that the little green orphan was no longer little a few seconds too late. She was quickly heading straight towards the suddenly large creature with no route of escape in sight. Realizing her dire situation, Natsuki closed her eyes and prepared for impact with the orphan.
"Natsuki!" Everything thereafter all happened in an instant. Shizuru saw the child about to crash into Natsuki's motorcycle and went into a panic. Suddenly her bardiche materialized in her hands and she was acting on pure instinct. Shizuru swung the bardiche, allowing it to segment into its long chain-like form. She then flew it towards the orphan and the chain looped around, snaring the orphan into its vice like grip. The brunette then pulled the bardiche back toward her, bringing the orphan with it.
The green orphan was clearly enraged at having its plan to trap the raven haired hime interfered with. However, it quickly focused its attention on the brunette and broke free of the bardiche chains ensnaring it. The orphans ability to break her elements chain lock shocked Shizuru. The brunette still hadn't quite absorbed the fact that she had materialized her weapon again. She was in reaction mode. As such, she quickly dodged as the now giant green orphan swung its fist at her. However, the brunette wasn't quick enough in her dive for safety and the orphans fist made contact. The brunette was knocked towards a nearly wall.
"DURAN!" Natsuki suddenly shouted, calling forth her child. She had been able to stop her ducati in time to see Shizuru pull the orphan out of her path. Unfortunately she also had to witness the child's attack on an unprepared Shizuru. But Shizuru's always prepared. Upon seeing Shizuru being thrown towards a wall across the street Natsuki too was acting on instinct. Her subconscious called forth Duran, with her voice inadvertently following.
Suddenly the wolf appeared out of nowhere and caught Shizuru before she made contact with the hard wall. Natsuki let out a sigh of relief at seeing the brunette was out of immediate harms way. Due to the circumstance, it went unnoticed by the two girls that the wolf was only half of his former enormous size. Acting on autopilot Duran's master next called to Duran, who was gently placing a half conscious Shizuru on the ground.
"Duran! Load Silver Cartridge!" The large silver wolf responded by preparing itself for its attack against the giant green orphan. It quickly loaded its weapon and fired at the green orphan before it could dodge. On impact the green orphan exploded into several small bits. Luckily this time Duran's power was greater and able to destroy the orphan entirely. While the small particles of what remained of the orphan disintegrated, Natsuki was racing towards her fallen friend.
"Shizuru! Are you okay?" When Natsuki reached Shizuru she held her fallen form in her arms and lifted the brunettes head, examining the girl. Natsuki initially didn't receive a reaction. This only managed to increase her worry. "Can you hear me Shizuru?"
"Natsuki?" Shizuru quietly responded. The brunette slowly began to open her eyes and gaze at concerned green ones. She felt exhausted and a little lightheaded from the fight.
"Shizuru! Thank god you're okay." Natsuki said. That's when she noticed that the brunette was taking a little too long to pull herself together. So the biker naturally began to question whether the brunette really was okay. She did take quite a hit from that orphan. Real fear took hold of the girl. "You're okay, aren't you Shizuru?"
It took the brunette a moment to respond, but she managed to pull herself together enough to bring out a proper response. "How sweet that Natsuki is so concerned with my health." A slow smile made its way to Shizuru's face as she lightly giggled and looked up at the raven haired girl. It wasn't the normal giggle that Shizuru used when teasing Natsuki, but to hear it reassured Natsuki that her friend would be okay. With that Natsuki gently released Shizuru and allowed the girl to sit up on her own.
That's when the reality of what had just occurred began to sink in. "Oh my god…that was an orphan!" Natsuki mentally relived her experience on her ducati prior to jumping off it. She then began verbalizing her thought process. "And you Shizuru… you… you stopped it from hitting me. Wait… you were able to materialize your weapon… I was able to bring back Duran."
"Ara, Natsuki is so quick to remember what happened just a few moments ago." Despite the seriousness of their situation, Shizuru couldn't help but tease the young girl. The brunette herself still hadn't absorbed everything that had happened. Did I get my powers back? Did Natsuki? It certainly looked like it. Then Shizuru remembered being carried by Duran and placed in her current spot on the ground.
Meanwhile Natsuki was still working through what had just occurred. "So now there's orphans popping up out of nowhere and chasing me." Pause. "I have my powers back." Pause. "Duran is back." Pause. "Apparently Shizuru has her powers back."
"It's not polite to talk about people as if they're not here." Shizuru interjected. However there was a smile on her face as she said the words. The brunette didn't want Natsuki to think she was actually offended.
"What? Oh, Shizuru." Natsuki smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I just… it doesn't make sense. Why are these things happening all of sudden? We defeated the obsidian lord. The carnival is over… isn't it?"
"We did." Shizuru nodded, agreeing with the girls synopsis.
"Then why do I have my powers back? Why are yours back? Why is Duran back?" The raven haired girl was understandably confused by the situation.
"I don't know Natsuki."
The young biker agreed. There really was only one question that Shizuru would be able to answer. "How long have you had your powers back?"
"I'm not sure. Everything happened in a flash Natsuki. I reacted and my element appeared." Shizuru then thought more on the subject so that her companion could have a full answer. "I haven't tried to summon my element or Kiyohime since the past carnival." At her own mention of the carnival Shizuru averted her gaze from the raven haired girl. She didn't want to see the hatred and scorn she feared would be in green eyes.
"Same with me." That's when Natsuki's mode to act and move forward kicked in. She hadn't noticed her friends gaze falter. The biker already consumed with making a plan. She wanted to figure out what was going on and try to resolve it. We can't risk more incidents like this afternoon. Then the stubborn girl, who previously never would have acknowledged such things, voiced a thought her former self never would have dared to verbalize. "We need help."
AN:
Just for time frame purposes, this story takes place one year after the carnival. Shizuru is in her second semester of college/university. Natsuki is in her second semester as a second year at Fuuka. Also, unless otherwise noted, time is in the present.