Disclaimer: I don't own Mai-Hime/Otome…

Natsuki reigned in her curiosity as she matched the dark-haired doctor's pace down the hallways, occasionally uttering a polite reply whenever a greeting was given.

Youko smiled as she glanced over her shoulder at the young medical student, knowingly taking her silence to be that of contemplation.

"Natsuki," she called over her shoulder, garnering the bluenette's attention as they neared Room 119.

"Ah, hai?" Natsuki pulled herself out of her thoughts, lifting her gaze to focus her attention.

"Don't worry about the details too much, okay~?" [Gomakai koto, ammari kinishinaide, ne~?]

She smiled with a wink as she stopped right in front of the door.

"Ha…." Natsuki replied, still a bit perplexed as Youko knocked on the door twice and gently slid it open.

Shizuru was once again seated on the windowsill, her head turned towards the window. She heard two soft knocks on her door, and turned her head towards it as the door slid open and a familiar figure stepped into the room. Her ears twitched.

Hm? Make that two….people? Youko-sensei and…

Her heartbeat quickened in anticipation. Is that….possibly…

Shizuru turned to properly face her guests. "Konnichiwa, Youko-sensei. To what do I owe the pleasure of this surprise visit? I don't mind if it's Youko-sensei stopping by though~." She smiled softly as she adjusted her body on the windowsill.

The dark-haired doctor smiled in return, heels clacking on the floor as she stepped further into the room. "Konnichiwa, Fujino-san. How are you feeling?"

The brunette smiled as she hugged one knee to her chest, leaving the other one dangling off the ledge where she sat. "Other than having my privacy interrupted and my slippers unceremoniously discarded by a certain Kanzaki-kun, I'd have to say I haven't had a more eventful day in a long while, I suppose."

"Kanzaki-kun huh~ I'll have a chat with Minagi-sensei later about that."

"That would be greatly appreciated." [Sore wa tasukarimasu.]

Natsuki respectfully kept her silence until her mentor was ready to either introduce her, or allow her to introduce herself, glancing around. She frowned to herself seeing as hospital staff had yet to bring the brunette a new pair of slippers.

"Anyways, I know it's a bit early to change your bandages, but I wanted to introduce you to a medical student that will be assigned to and helping you starting today."

"A medical student….huh…?"

"Eeh. She's my intern, to be exact. My only one, actually." Youko chuckled softly.

Natsuki took that as a sign for her to introduce herself, stepping forward and bowing her head slightly, though, to the brunette's growing frustration, she found that she could not see.

"My name is Kuga. It is nice to formally make your acquaintance."

Shizuru's smile grew into a grin as she confirmed her suspicions that her second guest was indeed the woman that had piqued her interest earlier.

"Ara ara~ I must thank you again for carrying me back here earlier; Ookini, Kuga-kun~." She added the honorary with a playful lilt.

A blush appeared for the second time on the bluenette's face as she bit back yet another cough. Youko smiled knowingly as she watched the two interact. Thankfully, Natsuki was spared a stutter as Youko interrupted them.

"Well, looks like you two will get along just fine, ne? Fujino-san, Kuu-kun~?"

Natsuki's eyebrow twitched in slight annoyance and curiosity, mostly curiosity. Kuu…kun…? Did Midori-sensei give her that one?

"Kuu…kun?" Shizuru slowly repeated the nickname.

"Yep, you may refer to Kuga-kun as such if you wish; ah, but let me tell you that I allow only a few people to address her as such, okay~? Since you two will be spending a decent amount of time together afterall." The dark-haired doctor winked playfully.

"Well then, I will have to indulge myself fully, Sensei. Yoroshiku, Kuu-kun~"

Natsuki sighed softly in resignation.

"Kochira koso, yoroshiku onegai shimasu, Fujino-san."

[I'll be placing myself in your care/please treat me with your favor]

"Well, now that that's settled, it's about time to start changing your bandages, Fujino-san. Kuu-kun, could you go close the door? Ah, Fujino-san, if you wouldn't mind moving to your bed."

"Sure, but may I ask why?" [Kamauwanai kedo, demo doushite?]

Natsuki inquired softly, though she did as the doctor asked.

"Just trust me, okay~? Ah, also Kuu-kun, could you also close the blinds a little bit? Not all the way, but just so that we're not sitting in the dark."

Natsuki's curiosity pulled at her as she did said task, walking over to Youko and Shizuru as she completed her task.

"Alright, now Natsuki, please undo the bandages around Fujino-san's eyes please."

Shizuru simply sat there smiling, although she was also mildly, okay very curious as well.

"Please excuse the intrusion." [Shitsureshimasu]

Natsuki stated as she pulled the end of the bandage and slowly unwound the cotton from the brunette's head, letting it fall softly onto the brunette's lap.

The bluenette sighed softly as she withdrew from the brunette, looking over to Youko with a curious glance. Shizuru bantered with her thoughts as she sat unmoving, her eyelids closed.

…I'm quite curious myself…Sensei usually doesn't close the blinds to change my bandages unless…

"Okay. Now, Shizuru, please open your eyes."

Shizuru's eyes almost shot open in surprise. She wants me to open my eyes?!

"But that's…!" It was the first time Shizuru spoke nervously, her hands unconsciously gripping the soft material of her gown a little tighter.

"It'll be fine; just trust me, okay?" Youko talked in soothing tones as she reassured the slightly flustered brunette that it was alright.

Shizuru took a breath to steady herself. Alright…

She slowly lifted her eyelids, revealing deep crimson-wine eyes. She blinked slowly, turning to face the dark-haired doctor. She allowed herself a tentative glance around the room, blinking again when she saw only the doctor to her left, an empty space where she presumed the other woman to be.

Natsuki felt her breath catch in her throat as she saw the color of the woman's eyes as she glanced around the room.

What beautiful eyes…

"Kuga-kun, Would you please take off your glasses? Ah, don't worry, she's there." Youko smiled at the confused look on Shizuru's face.

"Ah, hai…" Natsuki, even more confused, did as she was told, slipping the dark mahogany frames off of her face.

Shizuru almost gaped as she saw a young woman materialize out of thin air in front of her, right where she expected her to be and right where she should be.

Natsuki sighed and closed her eyes as she folded the glasses and placed them into her breast pocket.

"Is this really alright, Youko-sensei?"

"You're perfectly normal, wouldn't you say, Fujino-san?"

"…Ara…." Shizuru could only utter as she took in the fuller details of the young medical student. She felt a blush and desire nipping at her as she saw the dark, midnight blue hair, the pale skin, pink lips, and…vivid emerald eyes…

The medical student had turned her gaze towards the floor, lost in a few of her thoughts as a few moments of silence ensued.

"…Kuu…kun?" Shizuru tried tentatively, watching closely for a response.

The medical student's head came up, emerald eyes gazing attentively into her own as she replied.

"Yes, Fujino-san?"

"I can see you."

A/N: Dun dun dun…another cliffy~ *bows deeply* Konbanwa, YH-deeeeessu….yeah…it's been a crazy amount of time since I've written/updated anything…just a crap-ton going on and hitting me -_- I wrote this as stress relief for an impending interview tomorrow…kinchiyo suru! [I'm REALLY nervous] but yess….here is another chapter after who knows how long…next update should be sooner! Thanks for stopping by or sticking around if you have!

Matta ne~

-YH.

Post A/N: this is unproofed/etc because I wanted to hurry and post this/get to bed! Yikes… oh yeah, I tried something different for the japanese (i.e. putting it after...) may or may not be something I'll do often..