Author's Note: What's this? A chapter out so fast the internet probably got whiplash? Tell me it isn't so!

What can I say? This was by far the easiest chapter I've ever written. I'm not going to complain,and I guess you won't either.

-----

It is a commonly held belief that dreams are in black and white. But if that was true... why were all of her dreams painted a murky, blood crimson?

Nao struggled forward through the room, fighting against the very air itself. The atmosphere was a cloying, choking substance; scalding her skin, searing her throat and lungs as she sucked down huge gulps of the vile, acrid substance, desperately seeking the oxygen she needed to keep going. Her vision was dimming, the peripheral receding into a tunnel vision. Her chest heaved, and her muscles burned. She was drowning... drowning in her own sin.

Willing her way towards the far wall, she finally could make out her destination through the sanguine mist. A tall figure hung bound from the wall, a torrent of raven hair spilling over her shoulders against the black and red bodysuit. With a final burst of energy from screaming muscles, she threw herself over to Natsuki, crushing their lips together. Precious, life-giving air flooded into her chest, drawn hungrily from between the older girl's lips. The room imploded, swirling debris and shattered glass from the destroyed apartment forming a vortex around them, drawing inwards. Nao pressed her eyes shut, steeling herself as the tumbling wreckage closed in on them, slamming into their bodies and flensing skin from bone. The agony was short lived, as Nao's awareness faded to the single point where she was kissing Natsuki, as the rest of the world melted away.

-----

Her mind slowly stirred to consciousness. What the hell did that mean? Wisps of the dream resisted her attempts to put together something coherent, and it quickly began to fade. And she forgot about the dream completely as realization of where she had fallen asleep came to her.

Whether it was the low creaking of the door that preceded the raven haired girl's exit from her apartment that awoke Nao, or just the natural terminus of her dream, Nao didn't know. But when she opened her eyes, she saw a haggard looking Natsuki standing next to her in the hall, still zipping up the bodysuit she had recently changed into. The older girl stopped short when she saw Nao waking from sleeping in the hallway, but she looked pleasantly surprised. "Oh good... you're still here. I need your help."

Nao rubbed the sand out of her eyes. "My... help? What time is it?"

"Nearly seven... its been four hours since you and Shizuru left." Natsuki extended a hand to help Nao up.

Nao accepted the gesture, rising, but halfway through her attempt to stand, she shuddered. "Augh. My back..."

"That... didn't really look like the most comfortable sleeping position." Natsuki scooped an arm around Nao, supporting her as they rose a second time.

"Th... thanks." Nao said. She stretched from side to side, trying to work the pain out of her body. Sagging against Natsuki's supporting arm for longer than was strictly necessary to recover, finally she stood on her own feet and regarded Natsuki solemnly. "So... what's wrong?"

"Shizuru's car is still outside in the parking lot, but she isn't answering her cellphone. I'm worried about her."

"So? She can take care of herself, can't she?"

Natsuki shook her head. "I doubt she's in a very good state of mind, after what happened, and... its my fault" She exhaled through pursed lips in frustration. "I'm worried that she's going to hurt herself."

Nao frowned. "What am I? Chopped liver? How did you know I wasn't all in a suicidal rage somewhere? Were you going to go looking for me too?"

Natsuki pulled her keys out of her pocket, locking her apartment shut. "Honestly? I trust you a lot more than Shizuru when it comes to mental stability."

Nao raised an eyebrow at that, but a small smirk from Natsuki confirmed that she fully understood the irony of her statement. "Well... thanks, I guess. Not much competition, I suppose."

"So will you help me?"

Nao gazed into those forest-green eyes, only a shade different than her own. To intentionally try and track down the she-demon, and subject myself to spending time with her, all to satisfy your worries. The things I'll do for you, Natsuki... She nodded slowly. "I guess."

Natsuki offered her a warm smile as she turned away to walk down the hall towards the exit of the building. "Thank you."

Nao watched her retreating back for a moment before blurting out her concerns. "So wait. Does this mean you forgive me for what happened last night?"

Natsuki stopped, and half turned her head to glance at Nao. "I... I'm not sure. I didn't mean to snap at you. But I don't really have time to think about anything at this point. I need to make sure Shizuru isn't in any danger, then I need to concentrate on passing my finals. After that, you and I will both be on break, and we can talk." Nao nodded, and a moment passed between them. "I... want us to be friends, Nao."

Well, that's something at least. Nao wasn't sure what to say in response; she had never been very good at mushy things like this. "... yeah. I'd like that too." she managed at last.

Natsuki hesitantly approached her, and drew her in for a quick, uncertain hug. "Thank you. I know you don't like Shizuru very much, and I appreciate the help. I just don't know what I'd do if she..."

"Yeah... no problem." Nao agreed, sort of understanding the dilemma.

They walked down the stairs to the parking lot side by side in silence. "I'm going to take the motorcycle. I guess I'll leave the areas closer by to you... parks, shops, that sort of thing."

"Sure thing."

Natsuki gave her a final nod of appreciation, then roared off down the street on the bike.

Nao watched her drive away, then looked around, rubbing her hands. "All right. If I was a crazy psycho-bitch... where would I be?"

She began to search.

-----

Considering the size and population of Fuuka city, and the chances of two lone searchers randomly stumbling upon a single person in that teaming mass of humanity, this plan had a extremely low chance of success, Nao knew. Which was why she was so surprised when from her spot on the path she spotted a figure in a crème colored outfit and a yellow flower pinned to the lapel, leaning against a tree. She slowed from the jog she had been at, and veered off the path to head over. She approached at a trot, confirming that it was indeed Shizuru, and then walked up. She was tempted to simply deliver a terse message and leave, but the sight of the older girl's unseeing eyes not even registering her existence, made her decide otherwise. There was another tree, a few feet away from the one that Shizuru leaned against, and Nao took up a position against that one in silence. They leaned, side by side, in silence for a while. Nao thought of and discarded a multitude of conversation starters... none seemed right.

"This the part when I'm supposed to say 'I'll never turn her over to you, Kishamaru.', right?"

Shizuru's voice startled her out of thought. The statement made no sense to her, until she managed to place the quote. That was a famous line from an old movie, one of the first examples of original Japanese cinema, and a famous classic samurai romantic tragedy. She struggled to remember the appropriate response. "Then I'm supposed to say 'She was never yours to give in the first place, Miyouto.', right?"

Shizuru turned to her and nodded approval, a small smile on her face. "Just so."

Nao snorted, remembering the roles of the original speakers of that quote. "Since when did I become the hero of our sad little story?"

"The moment Natsuki began to regard me as the enemy." Shizuru answered succinctly.

Nao swallowed uncertainly. Hearing Shizuru say something that disheartened made her stomach do flip-flops. In a fight over Natsuki with Shizuru, victory had never even really seemed possible before. At best, she had hoped that if it came down to it, she could claw Shizuru down into the depths of hell along with her. But now, Shizuru seemed almost resigned to losing. Nao's life would certainly be easier if Shizuru thought Natsuki hated her, but... doubt and guilt gnawed at her. The eyes so similar to her own begged her, and she relented, clearing her throat before speaking. "I... uh... don't think she hates you."

Shizuru gazed into her eyes. Her expression was impassive, but those eyes might as well have been spears that were pinning her against the tree. "You don't?"

"N... no." Nao managed, shaking her head and looking away. "For one thing, she's been calling you frantically for a while, trying to make sure you're okay."

Shizuru inclined her head. "I turned off my cellphone. I think Natsuki has seen enough of me for one day, no?"

"Just... call her and let her know you're okay." Nao requested, grinding her foot back and forth in the dirt. "So she isn't worried." she elaborated.

Shizuru nodded slowly. "I will. And... thank you for affording me that courtesy."

"... what?"

"Telling me that Natsuki was worried."

"Oh." Nao shrugged. "Its just the truth."

There was a long silence, and Nao tried to sort out her feelings for the tawny haired woman before her. Her hatred for people like Shizuru had stemmed from long before Natsuki even came into the picture, but if only for Natsuki's sake, she could see herself learning to tolerate the woman's eccentricities. She glanced up to see Shizuru staring at her. "... what?"

Shizuru gave an apologetic smile. "I'm afraid I wandered without much regard of how to get back. Do you know a scenic route out?"

"Uh... sure. I should be getting home anyway. Follow me."

They walked together back to the path, then headed towards an exit to the park. Nao happened to know the area fairly well, since after the sun set, all sorts of unsavory individuals began to use it as a haven for their illicit activities.

"So... how are you getting home?" Shizuru asked.

"I figured I'd just take the subway. I've got..." She felt around in the pocket of her skirt, then sighed. "Crap. My subway pass must have fallen out of my pocket while I slept." She absently kicked a rock in frustration. "Well, I guess I can wait until Natsuki gets home, she'll let me in, then..."

"I can drive you home." Shizuru offered graciously, tilting her head.

Nao bit her lip. "Well, it wouldn't be that long of a wait, so..."

"I don't mind driving you at all." Shizuru smiled.

"Uh..." Nao stalled, considering her options. "Okay then."

-----

Nao drummed the fingers on the hand she was hanging out of the car against the outside of the door. It was a silver convertible Lexus, and considerably nicer than anything she had driven in before. Shizuru had spent the ride in silence, which Nao didn't mind, preferring to enjoy the feeling of the wind through her hair with her eyes closed. It took Shizuru considerably longer to make the journey to Nao's house, due to her actually following the speed limit, but the journey was still more enjoyable than the subway.

When they finally reached Nao's house, Shizuru got out too, coming around the vehicle to face Nao. The redhead glanced upwards uncertainly. "Thanks... for the ride."

Shizuru wrapped her arms around Nao, clasping her tightly. Nao got the distinct impression that she was more of a convenient object to hold on to in the middle of emotional turbulence rather than getting any real warmth from Shizuru, but Nao accepted the gesture regardless. She even returned the hug a little, though it felt like the earth itself might crack open, emitting streams of flying pigs, such was the unlikeliness of this situation.

After a long moment, approaching the point when the younger girl would have trouble breathing, Shizuru let go. She sniffed away a small tear, and nodded to Nao. "I might see you around soon."

Nao rubbed the back of her neck. "Right."

The journey to her steps was a long one. Even just thinking about everything that had happened over the last two days made her dizzy. It would be good to be home. She opened her front door, calling inside. "I'm home."

Kaori was sitting on the couch in their living room, reading a book, but quickly rose. "Nao-chan! Welcome back!"

She sniffed. "What smells so good?"

Her mother disappeared to the kitchen for a moment returning to Nao bearing a tray of brownies. "I've been cooking a tray of 'Do Your Best' brownies. You've got finals tomorrow, right?"

"Right." Nao monotoned back. She didn't really want to think about the tests. Biting into the treat, her eyes widened. "This is... really good."

Her mother smirked. "Of course it is. You don't think your mother is a lousy cook, do you?"

Nao rolled her eyes playfully. "This is why I never give you compliments, Mama. I give you an inch, and you'll take a mile."

Kaori's attention was drawn to Shizuru, who was leaning against the side of her car, apparently finally making good on her promise to call Natsuki. "So... who's the girl who brought you home?"

"A..." Wait, what is Shizuru to me? Certainly not a friend, but... I suppose not an enemy either. "An acquaintance."

"Acquaintance, huh." Her mother echoed, her eyes still scrutinizing Shizuru's figure. "She's cute. We should invite her over for dinner."

Nao's eyes widened in panic. "No! She's crazy."

"Aren't we all?"

"No, like... really crazy. Psychotic."

Kaori smirked. "Is that why you were hugging her?"

Nao blanched. "You were watching that?"

Kaori only grinned wider.

"No... that was... well... kind of complicated." Nao fumbled for words. "Just trust me, she's bad news."

The older redhead sighed dramatically. "Fine. Just promise me you're not cheating on Natsuki." she said lightheartedly.

"... wh... what?" Nao stuttered, feeling a blush coming to her cheeks. She scowled, turning away. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Kaori smirked triumphantly. "So you're not? Good."

"Mama!"