OK. Considering today is Shizuru's Birthday (She's 21 w00t!), and that the last thing I wrote was a particularly cruel oneshot...I figured I'd write the next chapeter, so I blew off my homework and did this. ;). I do hope you like it.

What do I say to her? What should I do? Oh, God!

Natsuki's mind kept asking questions, but she could find no answer. She tried switching to a new topic.

How did I never notice? How did I never notice that she loved me, and that I loved her? God, I really am an idiot!

Now that she had accepted how she felt, Natsuki couldn't understand how she'd been so blind.

What do I do?

And then it clicked. She knew what to do; now she just had to wait for Shizuru to return.

Shizuru was standing by the rail of the bridge. After carefully wiped her blade clean, she threw the cloth down into the water below. Looking out at the smooth surface, the calm waters below, her mind was racing.

She saw it. She knows.

A tear slid down her cheek.

How can I face her now? She's just going to reject me again; maybe she'll just leave, never to see me again. Maybe that's a good thing, maybe if she leaves, maybe I'll get on with my life. No. Without her, I would have no real life. Maybe…I should just jump…

The icy water below suddenly looked inviting, and Shizuru almost allowed herself to submit, and fall into the cool darkness.

"I wouldn't do that." A voice cut through the air.

Shizuru's eyes snapped open and she readied her blade. Nagi was standing on the rail, just a few feet away.

"Nagi, what a pleasant surprise." Shizuru said coolly.

"Heh, sure it is." He winked, "But, let's cut to the chase shall we? I've got a proposition for you."

"Oh?"

"What if I told you, that as of," He checked his watch, "6 minutes ago, you became the number 1 assassin in all of Japan?"

"Oh, really? What of it?"

"We'd like you to come and work for us," He smiled.

"I do freelance only." Shizuru told him. Who is his employer?

"Ah, that's too bad; I'll have to tell the boys to take care of her."

Shizuru swung her blade up to his throat so fast he nearly lost his balance avoiding it. "I will not be working for you, and you will not be harming a single hair on her head." She said it, still in her cool voice, but there was rage underneath, and her eyes were burning.

"Ah, it was worth a try, fine." Nagi leapt away and vanished.

What was that about?

Once more, she glanced at the water below, before turning away.

For now, I must protect her.

"You were right Nagi." The man in the car told him as the boy got in. They watched as Shizuru walked away from the rail.

"Yes, it's all going according to plan." Nagi's grin widened. "I never thought I'd be working on your side, Smith."

Shizuru slipped in the window, hung her Naginata, and changed her clothes. Then, tentatively, she walked to Natsuki's room.
A soft knock on the door told Natsuki that Shizuru was back.

Here we go.

"Come in!" she called and watched as Shizuru's slender form entered.

Shizuru stood across the room, looking anywhere but at Natsuki's face.

Does she hate me, for loving her?

Does she hate me, for hurting her?

Natsuki was unable to get up. "Shizuru, could you come here? Please." She quietly asked.

After a moments pause, Shizuru stepped forward. She stopped about two feet away.

"All the way here, please." Natsuki's voice was even quieter, and she almost lost her nerve.

"Yes?"Is she going to hit me?

Shizuru was right next to Natsuki now, her sweet scent filling Shizuru's nostrils.

She smells so good. I just want to…but I cannot…

It's now or never.

Natsuki leaned forward toward Shizuru, who was standing unnaturally stiffly.

"Shizuru," Natsuki's voice now only a faint whisper. They were now face to face, and finally she caught the red eyes with her green ones. She leaned up, her eyes still holding Shizuru's, and kissed her.

Shizuru's eyes were wide open in shock. Shizuru watched as Natsuki's eyes slowly closed. Soon hers did too. It was like the one true kiss they'd had before, but longer, and more perfect. Finally, Natsuki pulled away. Shizuru's eyes opened, and there were those beautiful green orbs.

"Shizuru, I love you." Natsuki's whisper was what Shizuru had waited years to hear.

She loves me.

Tears now slid down Shizuru's cheeks, and she didn't bother controlling them.

"I love you too, Natsuki, with all of my heart." She replied. She leaned toward her love and kissed her. Slowly, they fell onto the bed, wrapped in each others arms. The happiest people in the world.