Strawberry Panic-Episode 14:
-Two Weeks Later-
Knock.
Knock.
Damn it, she'd better answer this door or I'm kicking it down!
Tanya stood at Shizuma's front door, her hands on her hips. She knew that it had been foolish to try to see Shizuma but she needed that woman's help if they were going to find the redhead. The russet-skinned woman sighed and knocked on the door for the third time, the door cracking open mid-knock.
The woman gasped at the person behind it, "Shizuma…"
Standing in the doorway was Shizuma, her pale skin looking almost transparent and her body thinner. Dark circles were forming under her eyes and those golden orbs seemed devoid of life.
Oh my god…what have I done?
The silver-haired woman moved some of her disheveled hair aside, her eyes turning to ice as she looked at the raven-haired woman.
"What do you want?"
Tanya felt as if those cold eyes were shooting icy daggers into her heart and she backed up. "Shizuma…" Her eyes were downcast as she tried to ignore the hole that those orbs were burning through her. "Look…you can hate me all you want later, but we have to find Nagisa!"
Shizuma turned away, "maybe she doesn't want to be found…ever thought of that?"
"Stop talking like that damn it!"
Shizuma blinked, surprised that the woman was using such profane language.
"She doesn't know her way around here…" the raven-haired woman clenched her fists as she spoke. "She could be in danger and you're just sitting around! Look at you! You're might as well be killing yourself!" She motioned to her friend's appearance. "If any thing bad happens to either of you…then…I don't know what I'll do. This is all happening because of me, because I was being selfish…"
The silver-haired woman's eyes softened at Tanya's words, but they were still cold. She folded her arms across her chest and sighed. She opened the door completely and stepped aside. "Come in…"
Tanya walked in slowly and sat down on the sofa, twiddling her thumbs unconsciously. Her eyes flickered from the floor to the silver-haired woman. They locked eyes for a second, Tanya breaking contact when the ex-Etoile sent her an icy glare.
"Let me put on my shoes and we'll get going," Shizuma muttered as she when up the stairs.
Tanya nodded and then went back to staring at the floor, which was becoming the focus of her interest.
I hope Nagisa is okay…
Nagisa opened her eyes and started at the alarm clock.
Is it one already? God, I didn't even go to sleep late!
She slid out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. She stared at herself for a long time, examining that dark circles that were making an appearance under her eyelids.
Ugh…I look like a zombie…
The redhead shook her head and reached over to turn on the shower. She was so out of it that she almost stepped in while she was still dressed. She slapped her palm up against her forehead and sighed.
Wake up Nagisa!
Nagisa undressed and got into the shower, the hot water cascading down her skin. Her senses awoke as the water touched her nerves. A shaking breath left her as she leaned up against the shower wall. Suddenly she fell to her knees as chocking sobs began to leave her. Her heart ached as she tried to recompose herself.
Why does it hurt so much? Why does it heart every time I wake up in the morning?
Shizuma…
The image of the silver-haired woman wormed itself into her vision, causing the pain in her chest to worsen. Instinctively she wrapped her arms around her self as if to keep from falling to pieces. Her sobs worsened as the pitiful sound gained volume.
It had been like this for the last two weeks, a painful and unending cycle. Every morning she would wake up and feel as if she was dying slowly on the inside. The redhead had always though she was stronger than this and that she was prepared for anything in their relationship. Then again, she always thought that nothing horrible would have happened between her and Shizuma.
Get a hold of yourself!
Nagisa mustered up enough strength to stand up and exit the shower. Her legs trembled as she walked across the small bathroom.
You just need to take a walk…that's all…
She ran a quivering hand through her wet hair as she turned off the shower and left the bathroom. Once she was in the bedroom she dressed, not really caring about what she had on. She was going for a walk and a trip to a fast food joint, jeans and a shirt weren't really taboo. The redhead sighed as she grabbed her wallet and headed out the door.
Just a walk…
Nagisa was well aware of the fact that she didn't know her way around California, but she had traveled around with Shizuma to know her way around the immediate area. To her, that was good enough.
Enough for me to get away from her...
She looked up at the nearly cloudless sky, her mood a dark contrast from the beautiful afternoon. She stuffed her hands in her pockets, turning her gaze downward.
"Hey guys, look." Nagisa heard pairs of footsteps and her head shot up. She was looking in the faces of three teenage girls who were all wearing black with matching skull bandanas. She stepped back, feeling a little startled. The smiles on their faces, combined with their appearance spelled trouble.
"What's wrong? You scared?" A blonde asked, stepping forward. The other two, a brunette and another with hair green, chuckled. The trio approached and as they stepped forward, Nagisa stepped backwards.
The red-haired girl up her hands up in the air, a frown on her face. "Hey, I'm not looking for trouble guys."
The green-haired girl licked her lips and winked seductively. "Hey babe, we're not gonna give you any. We just want a good time, that's all."
"Oh really," asked a voice from behind the trio. The three teens froze and turned around slowly, facing the tall woman. Nagisa's eyes also drifted over to the woman. She blinked at her appearance; she had never seen anyone with white hair and such piercing red eyes. She had to admit the woman before her looked very intimidating. She was dressed in jeans and black shirt that had a skull similar to the one the others wore. Nagisa looked at the woman's features, assuming that the woman was in her mid twenties.
"Ashley," The one with green hair muttered, her voice shaking. "We were-"
"Shut up Nixia," Ashley said, cutting her off. "Why can't you idiots stay put? You're always messing with someone."
The blonde piped up," but Ash, we were just kidding around. You know it was just innocent fun!"
"Innocent my ass," Ashley said as she rolled her eyes. She then glanced over at Nagisa and smiled apologetically. "Please excuse these morons." She glared at the trio and they all shrugged and turned towards the redhead.
"We're sorry."
"Okay, let's go," Ashley said shoving the younger girls in the other direction. "You guys act like stupid kids, you know that? I swear…one of these days you jackasses will learn your lesson."
Nagisa watched as the four of them went down the street before continuing on her walk. She felt an uneasy feeling in her stomach, like the eyes of the teens were burning holes through her back.
"She should be in the area." Tanya said, not looking Shizuma in the eye. "We can search around the city; she might be in one of those shabby motels." The brunette frowned, "we should fine her quick…there are some bad things that hang around this town."
"Yeah, we'll spit up and look around. You can call me if you find anything and I'll do the same." The silver-haired woman scooped up her keys, not waiting for the russet-skinned woman to follow her out.
Shizuma stopped at a red light, her eyes glancing up at the setting sun. A sigh escaped her as she waited at the light.
Great…it's getting dark. Ugh damn it! We've been out here all day…and still no sign of her. The hotels and motels won't tell us if she got a room there. Of course they keep the identity of their customers hidden…they have to protect them.
Shizuma felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and she pulled out, answering it.
It was Tanya. "Hey, where are you?"
"Near the house, why?"
"You know where the Monroe Motel is?"
"Yeah, it's by all the fast foot restaurants right?"
"Then get over here, I've found Nagisa...and-HEY! Leave her alone!"
"What? Tanya!"
The line disconnected and the silver-haired woman stared blankly at her phone. A horn from behind snapped her out of her shock and without hesitation she made a u-turn, speeding towards her destination. Her heart was beating like a pounding drum as she raced towards the motel area.
What the hell is going on?
Haha! A cliff-hanger~! Don't you guys love em? XD So looks like Tani found Nagisa huh? What happened and what is the brunette going to do? Stay tuned for the next chapter and find out! Oh and drop me a line, I love my reviewers, you guys make me so happy^^
-NEKO