Disclaimer: I do not own Mai Hime and Mai Otome. All copyrights are reserved to the respective personnel and companies.

Title: Let's go out already.

Glossary:

Iya desu – saying no in a cute manner

Ikezu – meanie

Kanin na – I'm sorry in Kyoto dialect

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11.55pm

Shizuru looks so gullible when she's asleep… it makes it hard for me to believe that she had a 'vile' side if I hadn't been a victim of it. God knows how many times she'd tricked me into doing something ridiculous already.

Emerald eyes glanced again at the numbers flashing neon red on the clock, giving an inward sigh when she realized that only ten minutes had passed. Shifting slightly on the bed as she tried not to disturb Shizuru's rest, she tried willing herself to sleep. Even though her body commanded her to sleep more as it was a busy day ahead, her mind overruled the order, preferring to remain in its current state of wakefulness. With nothing else to do, the dark-haired lady let her mind wander off as she thought about Shizuru.

I hope she likes her present later on… Youko pulled off such a mean bargain for that, especially when she knew that it's for her… I had to exchange my favourite and latest video game console from my father for that single fragile thing… will she like it? Or would she think it as too plain instead? I'm sure she receives better presents from those in her fanclub. Ahhhhhh!!! I'm such a failure in this arena of gift-giving… and to think I'd given her presents for almost ten years already.

Staring blatantly at the sleeping woman curled up beside her, Natsuki ran through the schedule for the day mentally, searching for any possible problems that may occur during the date later on. At least I could afford to make her day special, even if the present isn't that grand or anything. Upon finding no great flaws in her plans, she lay comfortably on her side and contented herself with the breathtaking view of Shizuru's slumber. With the heavy breathing, the simple rise and fall of her chest, and arms that enveloped her in a loose embrace, the younger woman couldn't imagine waking up to anything but this in the morning – or in fact, anytime at all.

We need to disguise ourselves; I don't want to have a group of rabid fangirls screaming after Shizuru and me during the date…

Flipping over to face the ceiling, the conscious Gakuenchou continued her brooding, this time directing it to the antique fan that whirled slowly on the blank surface. Green eyes blinked rapidly for a moment as the Principal suddenly felt strong arms squeezing her waist before a warm weight rested comfortably on her chest. Looking down at her attacker, Natsuki saw droopy maple eyes crack open a fraction of an inch as a sleep-intoned voice spoke to her.

"Natsuki… You should get back to sleep… You still have much work to do later in the day. It would be embarrassing if you fell asleep during meetings…"

You silly… I took half the day off tomorrow for our date, remember? I'm not going to be a Gakuenchou after 2pm tomorrow.

Stroking the pale brown tresses gently, she whispered back a reply, "Go back to sleep Shizuru… you need the rest more than me. It had been a trying day today for you."

"Mmprghh…" was the only answer she got as the older woman drifted off again.

12.02am

Noting the neon numbers on the clock again, Natsuki bent forward, pressing a soft kiss on Shizuru's forehead.

"Happy birthday, Shizuru," she murmured to the sleeping beauty.

With that, the Principal dozed off, her mind finally at rest and dreaming about the happy times she shared with Shizuru.

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Natsuki stood back up, her back aching slightly from the exertion. Forest green eyes glanced around to make sure that everything was perfect; Natsuki gave a bright smile at the thought of how Shizuru would react when she brought her here tonight. Taking out the fragile birthday gift for Shizuru, she carefully wrapped it in her warm cloak and placed it in the hollow of the trunk, knowing that it would be perfectly safe in there.

When her task here was settled, she headed back to Garderobe on her rented bike to warm up and get ready for the date.

Natsuki had never looked quite as charming and adorable as she did right now.

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Donning on her favourite jacket for this winter, Natsuki peered into the mirror and stared at her own reflection. Dressed in a pair of navy blue woolen pants, a simple white-collared cotton shirt and a striped scarf to keep her neck and ears warm, the Principal wondered if this outfit suited the date well enough without being seemingly too ostentatious. Glancing to the door that connected Shizuru's room to hers, she turned back to her own reflection, contemplating about changing into something grander to blend in with Shizuru. She must be wearing something that fits more to a ball than a date… I haven't seen her wear anything resembling shirts and jeans before…

Ambling to the aforementioned door, the Gakuenchou knocked on the wooden surface, politely seeking entry to the room beyond even when she knew that it was not locked. When a soft voice answered her, she pressed her ear to the door as she strained to hear what was being spoken. The lure to enter the room uninvited increased as she heard more mumbles through the door. Finally, after a loud noise of something crashing to the floor and some loud winces later, the temptation increased tenfold as Natsuki threw open the door and rushed into the room at Godspeed, only to find a barely dressed woman seated on the bed in a tantalizing manner and inspecting her stubbed toe calmly.

"Ara…?" Maple eyes blinked in surprise at the sudden appearance of the cobalt-haired Principal, "Kanin na, Natsuki. I didn't know you were so eager to see me." Eyeing the door that suffered a few splinters from the sheer force of Natsuki, she stepped up close to Natsuki – whose face was steadily getting redder and redder – and brought a hand up to stroke the flushing cheek of the Gakuenchou. The tanned-haired woman leant in dangerously closer to the other woman, flashing her with more of the creamy white skin as she whispered into her ear. "If I'd known Natsuki wanted me so urgently to slam the door that hard, I wouldn't have kept my clothes on."

Eh?!?!

"Ba-Baka!!" she cried out, pulling herself away from the predatory woman and fearing for her sanity if she stayed too close. As she blushed to the extent that she was in danger of popping a few major vessels in her head, she tried countless futile attempts to still her racing heart while keeping her face turned away from Shizuru. With a sudden barrage of vivid images running through her head and the sound of cloth slithering down to the floor, the blood that congregated on her face was far from reversing its path back to her body.

"I- I'll go back to my room and wait for you, Shizuru. Call me when you're done." Before the younger woman could escape, warm arms slinked sneakily around her body and she was soon helplessly trapped in Shizuru's hold. "What's wrong, Gakuenchou? This isn't the first time you've seen me in my birthday suit. Don't you want to play?" Burgundy eyes glinted as a playful tongue sought its way to a ear, licking it suggestively before nibbling it a little. The resistance of Natsuki today was, however, as steadfast as a mountain as she blatantly refused to do anything to encourage the predator. We would be late if I succumbed to her… Cool down Natsuki, relax… Sensing that the Principal was serious about not being late for the date, the Kyoto lady let her arms droop down to her sides again and pulled on her clothing as the chilly wind was getting stronger.

She didn't try to… C'mon Natsuki, it's her birthday today! What's a birthday without a little pampering?

The Principal remained in the room, frozen at that same spot while Shizuru continued her activities and taking little notice of her surroundings as she was lost in her thoughts. "Natsuki's no fun today," commented the wheat-haired woman, brushing her hair in front of the mirror, "and I really wanted to snuggle up with her for a while…"

She's disappointed in me… Shizuru… Bah! Screw the date schedule! Shizuru being happy is far more important than that!!

Whirling around quickly to face the older woman who was currently putting on some perfume with a sad face, Natsuki strode over and pulled Shizuru into her arms in one forceful motion. Hoho… Natsuki fell for it. Her serious expression is sooo cute!! Feigning surprise at the action, Shizuru brought a hand to her chin even as her waist was held captive by the Gakuenchou. "Ara… does Natsuki want some perfume as well? You could've just told me. Here, I'll spray it on for you." Ignoring the emeralds that darkened with interest as she pressed closer to the warm body in front of her, she nonchalantly sprayed the sweet-smelling substance onto the other girl, taking the opportunity to blow little puffs of air at Natsuki.

Narrowing the slight gap between them, the dark-haired woman reached out for the plastic bottle and tossed it over her shoulder before ravishing the succulent lips of Shizuru.

"Natsuki did want to play… why didn't you tell me that earlier?" the older woman murmured against the Principal's lips, feeling jolts of electricity running through her spine at the intensity of the kiss. Pulling away from the static shock for a breath of air, the cobalt-haired girl avoided the maple eyes with a guilty look. "I'm sorry, Shizuru. I shouldn't have done that. Please forgive me?" She released the older girl from her embrace and just stood there, waiting for her verdict to fall.

Burgundy eyes blinked at her words. A moment of silence reigned as Shizuru registered the unexpected apology in her mind.

Moving forward to plant a loving kiss on Natsuki's midnight tresses, Shizuru's hands framed the younger woman's head as she gently guided troubled green eyes to face her crimson ones. "There's nothing to blame yourself with, Natsuki, and there is nothing for me to forgive." Smooth words rolled in that enchanting Kyoto accent, comforting the perturbed girl.

If eyes were windows to the soul, at that moment, Natsuki felt like she was peering into the complicated depths of Shizuru. Intrigued by the blood red orbs that showed nothing but love, she saw those cloudy eyes clear – and suddenly, nothing seemed to exist between them. This was the real Shizuru Viola, not the serious Charming Amethyst of Garderobe, not the constantly teasing woman who adored embarrassing people, not the clever and cunning lady who uses her wits to win in any situation. No. This Shizuru Viola was just a common woman betting everything she had in a game called love.

"Shizuru…"

…And she had no intention of losing.

A mischievous glint sparkled in her red eyes. "Ara… Natsuki, I don't look anything like mayonnaise, do I?"

The magic of the moment abruptly broken, Natsuki remained overwhelmed by what she saw. She blinked densely at the off-topic question. "Why would you?"

With a faint pink tinge on her cheeks, Shizuru hid her face behind her hands. "Ikezu."

"Huh?"

"Natsuki looked like she wanted to eat me."

"Sh-Shizuru!!!!"

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Omake 2:

Rest well. Shizuru?

Natsuki: Shizuru looks so gullible and innocent when she's asleep… It's so unlike the usual Shizuru I face everyday who has something to tease me with…

Shizuru (dreaming): Natsuki… you should… … bed… sleep…

Natsuki: Go back to sleep, Shizuru. You need the rest more than me… Yup, it's the best. I think I prefer her asleep anytime. She looks so cute…

Shizuru (murmurs): Mmmm… Natsuki… Iya desu… so mean… don't do that…

Natsuki (inches nearer to Shizuru): Shizuru? Did you say something? Uh-uh… I shouldn't have asked… who knows what she's doing to me in her dreams…

Shizuru (licking her lips and still murmuring to herself): So delicious…… love it so much… Natsuki… more… Give it to me…… don't be so bad… I want it…

Natsuki (blushing): Okaaaay… I really should be getting to sleep now. I take back my comments on her being innocent when she's sleeping…

Shizuru (sits straight up suddenly): NATSUKI!!!! DON'T RUN AWAY WITH MY TEA!!!!!!!!! (drops back onto the bed)

Natsuki: ……… uh? (speechless) Shizuru?

Shizuru: (snores)

Natsuki: ………… wow. That was priceless.

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A/N: Looks like this is turning out longer than what I'd expected… But no fear!! I'll finish this fic by 19 Dec! I have hmm… a week left perhaps? Yup, once again, please point out the errors and ways I could improve and tell me if you find them OoC. Cheers! Oh, and thanks for all the encouragement and pointers from my reviewers!! Arigatou ne!

- munches happily at the reviews while writing –

- looks at the decreasing pile -

I want more food!! – gets knocked down by a truck transporting chocolates and cookies for reviewers –

o.O