First off thanks to all who reviewed. I didn't expect to get that many, but I hope I get a lot more in the future. Also no need to worry about Macey becoming like Tomoe because she won't. If she does ya'll are welcome to threaten me with death threats. -_- ChieH that same thought has crossed my mind as well. Finally this story is definitely Shiznat; Macey's just a nice little plot twist. Things about their connection will be revealed in the future. SpiderLilies2007 thank you for letting me use your idea.
Disclaimer: I don't own Mai-Hime. Wish I did, but so far it hasn't happened. -_-;
Shizuru's New Friend
Chapter Three: Back in Fuuka
I don't care that she didn't call me yet. Natsuki Kuga tried to convince herself. She was sitting in her dorm room glaring at the phone that just wouldn't ring. The cobalt young woman had been staring at it for the past fifteen minutes. She opened her mouth to curse the damnable device when it finally started ringing. Natsuki dived for it with great athletic skill, landing stretched out over the coffee table.
"Shizuru?" the emerald eyed young woman asked hopefully.
"No, it's Mai." her hopeful smile fell into a slight frown. "Where are you? If you don't hurry you're going to be late for class." the ex-fire Hime scolded.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming." and without a goodbye she hung up on her friend. The though of having to double up on classes again to make up for her attendance record had her moving off of the table with excellent speed. She let out a sigh as she glanced at the clock. Stuffing her phone into her pocket she hastily grabbed her keys on her way out the door.
Still, why hadn't she called? Maybe something happened to her. Wait. Natsuki stopped to bring her mechanical monster to life and put on her helmet. She didn't care, right? It's not like the rumors were true. It's not like she was Shizuru's 'wolf pup', 'cuddle puppy', or any other thing people insisted on caller her, not to her face of course.
She did miss the older girl, and the more she thought about it she realized she did care. She cared a lot. She was her best friend after all, but Shizuru wanted to be more than 'just friends'. Then again part of Natsuki wanted to be more than just friends too, but the other part of her was too scared to let that happen. There were so many what if's she had to think about. What if they become a couple and things go down hill? What if they get into fights once they move in with each other? The roaring engine quieted down as she switched off the key.
Taking off her helmet, she shook her head frustratedly. Think about the good what if's. She told herself. Walking to her class quickly she continued to think about Shizuru. Maybe she should just tell the Kyoto beauty that she loves her. That would make things a lot easier. So why didn't she? Simple because she was afraid. Why was she scared? Part of her didn't even know why. The other part of her couldn't forget that night and what Shizuru had done for her; to her.
Her eyes softened at the memory. Things were finally back to the way they were before the whole Hime thing and now maybe she could give Shizuru what she's been wanting for so long; what they both wanted.
"Hey, Natsuki." Mai greeted her friend with a wave. Mikoto was standing next to her wearing an outfit much like Mai's. The younger girl had also started to mature body wise, being more filled out and taller.
"Hey, Mai, Mikoto." she greeted back with a slightly forced small smile. Mai, of course, noticed this, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Natsuki nodded as they walked towards the building.
"Are you sure? Ever since Shizuru-san lef-" Mai stopped walking abruptly as if just realizing something. Her smile turned sly as she sped up to catch the other two, "Is Natsuki-chan missing her mistress?" she cooed.
"She's not my mistress!" the blunette barked. Her speed quickened in an effort to keep Mai from seeing the blush forming on her cheeks. The orange haired teen was going to tease her more, but Mikoto spoke up first, "Mai, what's a mistress?"
"Um, well..." Mai laughed nervously at the question. She glanced over at the retreating young woman thinking, This isn't over, Natsuki. Natsuki heard the youngest girl and couldn't hold back her smirk, or maybe she could but just didn't want to. Her smirk turned into a snicker as she listened to the fading voice of Mai trying to explain what a mistress is to Mikoto.
In class Natsuki had trouble focusing on the subject at hand. Instead her mind kept slipping to Shizuru. What was she doing in America, anyway? Going to a business meeting for the company. That's what she said, but Natsuki wondered if it was more than just that. Perhaps she was part of the reason she'd be gone for a week; she had already been gone for two days including today. Yeah, I'm probably part of the reason. A big part.
'Ara. I will always love my Natsuki.' That's what she said before getting on the plane. Natsuki just turned her head and blushed. Why didn't she say she loved her back? Especially after she saw the hurt in Shizuru's eyes that was gone in seconds; covered up by that perfected mask with a pleasant smile. The green eyed young woman felt like banging her head against something for being so dumb. For someone so smart she sure could be stupid at times.
Maybe I should call her tonight. She pondered to herself. She nodded to the idea a moment later, though this action caught the attention of her teacher.
"Is there something you would like to share with the rest of us, Kuga-san?" he asked in a stern voice.
"Not really." she answered curtly, receiving a glare from him. She just returned it until he returned to his lesson. When the bell rang she was the first one out the door, not even stopping at the sound of her teacher calling her name. At lunch she made sure to avoid Mai at all times. This task proved to be easier said than done, seeing as how Mai was looking for Natsuki. She was doing pretty good until she stopped behind a tree to check her phone for any new messages. None.
"Is the wolf pup feeling lonely?" an annoyingly familiar voice teased from above. Natsuki looked up to see Nao smirking down at her. The redhead was also wearing a high school uniform.
"Don't you have some man in some dark alley somewhere to con?" Natsuki retorted.
"I'm sure he appreciates the extra time you're allowed him." she rolled her eyes. Natsuki started tapping her foot impatiently, "What do you want?"
"Nothing really." Nao shrugged, then yelled, "Hey, Tokiha, she's over here!"
Natsuki blanched, "Traitor."
"Please." Nao rolled her eyes before jumping from the tree to go to a place Natsuki was sure she didn't want to know about.
"Natsuki!" Mai's voice made her body stiffen. In the next moment Natsuki started running, "Stop following me!"
"Never!" Mai called back, "Not until you admit you miss Shizuru-san!"
"I'll never admit anything to you!" the blunette cried. Suddenly Mikoto came out of nowhere, trying to tackle her to the ground. Natsuki expertly ducked under her, causing Mikoto to land on Mai, sending the two to the ground.
"I'll get you yet, Natsuki!" Mai exclaimed in defeat.
"Good luck to you, Mai!" Natsuki laughed at her small victory. The rest of the day Natsuki was walking on air, stealthily avoiding detection from her busty friend until she go back to her dorm room. Once inside the protective walls of her living area she locked the door. Throwing her bag full of books on the sofa; she stalked over to the fridge.
She took out a bottle of mayo, followed by a spoon from the drawer. She started consuming her snack greedily. One up side about Shizuru being away was that she wasn't scolding Natsuki for eating that 'terrible white substance' as the crimson eyed woman so bluntly put it. She checked her phone once more before placing it on the table. Reluctantly, she started working on her homework. Ever so often, every other minute actually, she would glance at it as if her stares were willing it to ring.
Once finished with her work she ate mayo sandwiches and took a shower. The hot water didn't do much to relax her, but it was always nice to feel refreshed. Finally after pondering over whether to call or just go to America herself she picked up the phone. After all she couldn't just skip school; Shizuru would definitely have a fit. She dialed the number by memory. It rang a couple of times before an unfamiliar voice answered on the other end.
"Shizuru?" maybe it was the phone connection. Natsuki cursed as she heard movement then the unknown girl came back on the phone, "Sumimasen, onamae wa nan desu ka?"
"Natsuki." she replied reluctantly. After a couple of moments, "Oi, Natsuki."
"Don't 'Oi, Natsuki' me. Who are you with?" she nearly growled into the phone. After the reply she got her face turned a bright red, and she was certain she heard the older girl laughing in her head.
"NO! I was just wondering. Well you didn't call and I got worried." was the hurried response.
"O-okay." she stammered, "I know."
She hung up only to start berating herself, Stupid, why didn't you tell her then? She wasn't sure of the answer, or if she wanted it now. Maybe Shizuru was moving on with someone else. Natsuki shook her head; she wouldn't do that. She promised to love her forever. She let out a heavy sigh. She's have to call her again tomorrow after school.
Omake:
Shizuru: Ara, ara. Natsuki is so cute when she misses me so. (hugging Natsuki close to her)
Natsuki: (pushing herself from Shizuru) Why am I so needy in this chapter?
Author: It was Shizuru's idea.
Natsuki: Why would you listen to her!
Author: She can kill me in two seconds if she wanted to.
Sorry if it isn't as good as you guys hoped it would be, and Natsuki will be back in a couple of more chapters. Chapter 3 revised