Hey, I'm glad to get so many wonderful reviews from you gals and guys, it makes things a lot easier and it makes me update sooner so keep those reviews coming. Also, I'm sorry if the story sounds like an angst one at first,but I can assure you that it's not going to be that way for long.

Disclaimer: I don't own Mai-hime.

"Thinking"

Warning: Mild and heavy themes of profanity.

Last time: "I don't care; give me something that's going to fuck me up."

I could feel the bitter, hot liquid intrude and burn through my throat. Tears peered through my eyes as I fought back the urge to cry away my sorrows instead of drinking them away.

"Whoa, my little cousin can really pull'em back," Nao watched with a smile while looking back at Mai.

Natsuki soon felt the burn of the bitter liquid lessen its intrusion into her body. Shortly, Natsuki found herself in a pit full of bodies laced with sweat and sex. "Isn't this fun Natsuki?" shouted Mai over the blasting music. All Natsuki could do was nod her head approval and let the music sway her already intoxicated form as she danced with her unknown dance partner.

Soon the cobalt-haired woman felt herself once again craving the bitter liquid that her cousin supplied her outside the club. Excusing herself from the dance floor along with her partner who was dancing with her, Natsuki took her usual seat at the bar.

"So, where did you pick up those moves girlie?" catching her breath, the red-haired woman took a seat beside Natsuki, gesturing the barman for two beers.

Natsuki's eyes wondered over at the woman next to her, she almost called out her cousin's name due the confusion but held it back knowing the influence of the alcohol running through her veins could be deluding her. "That's for me to know and you to find out," slurred the emerald-eyed woman as she took a large gulp from her drink. Natsuki watched as the mysterious woman smirked and watched as her eyes filled with mirth before finally speaking.

"Well, sadly my dear I can't find out as my lover won't permit it. My names Midori by the way"

Natsuki stared down at the hand that was held out to her and took the warm palm in her own. "My name is Natsuki Kuga. So, what brings you here? If you're not picking up girls, what are you here for?"

"That's a good question young Kuga, but I must ask you this. What are we all here for?"

For the first time I felt myself pause at this woman's question, and it left myself pondering it over in my head. What am I here for? All these questions sprouted out from my head but I couldn't answer them, but my soul had an answer straight and true.

"Natsuki are you alright? Sorry if the question bothered you, Yohko says that I ask too many questions instead of answering them," Midori asked with a sheepish smile, noticing the cobalt haired woman regaining life.

"No, it didn't bother me. I was just thinking of the question is all" Natsuki weakly smiled, as she took the bottle into her hand as she held it before Midori.

"Well, let's think on it together while we drink" with a 'clink' of their bottles, the pair downed the bitter liquid with ease.

Later that night…

"S-See, you need to tell her you love her because love is good, yeah?" slurred Midori, her arm slumped over Natsuki shoulder whilst her free hand held an empty beer bottle.

"Y-Yeah love is good and I don't see why that pencil pusher Ahn should have my Shizuru," slurred Natsuki back with anger, although Midori didn't look the least bit scared.

"I know, if anything you should be the papa of Shizuru's child. I mean, I know Shizuru is beautiful, but I don't think that child is going to be as good looking if she merges her genes with Ahn," Nao slurred as she sat on the other side of Natsuki, her arm was hanging off over Midori's as she comforted her cousin.

You know what, they are right. Shizuru should give me a chance, girlfriend or not! I should go see her now!

Standing up quickly as she broke out from Midori and Nao's 'embrace', Natsuki hurried out of the club earning a look from on lookers and her peers she passed. "Where are you going Natsuki?" Mai hurried over in a worried tone, catching the cobalt haired woman before she walked out the door.

"I'm going home. Don't worry I'll catch a cab, I'll call you when I get home," Natsuki eased the other woman's fears with a smile, well a half smile at least considering how tipsy she was feeling.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yeah I'm fine Mai. If anything, those two need more help than me," slurred the cobalt-haired woman pointing over at Nao and Midori who were crying over a broken bottle on the ground. "Don't worry Mai, I'll be okay"

"Yeah, you're probably right. Take care Natsuki, let's get together again sometime" Mai said as she bowed her head at her friend before running over to the troublesome pair who were trying to do CPR on another empty bottle.

"Yeah, let's do this again," Natsuki mumbled under her alcohol wreaking breath. Heading outside into the cold midnight air, Natsuki wondered down the pavement before signaling for a nearby cab to pick her up.

I remember as I sat back in the cold leathery seat of the cab, I watched as the street lights passed me by, one after the other. I could feel my eyes trying to keep up with the pace of lights as they passed, only to find that it wasn't the lights my eyes were focused on but rather something else. So, this is how it's going to be from now on...

Meanwhile…

The joining of two wine glasses coming together in a sign of joy rang throughout the high scale restaurant. "To us," Ahn toasted with a smile.

"Yes, to us" Shizuru toasted back with a smile as she took a sip from her glass.

"It amazes me how quick your results came out," Ahn couldn't hold back the smiles tonight as she was so excited about all this.

"I know, I bet Natsuki's going to be happy being an aunt," Shizuru with a smiled warmly at the thought of Natsuki playing.

"Yeah I bet she is going to be happy, even with her background that she has," Ahn took another sip of her wine; oblivious to the unusual look Shizuru was giving her.

"Background? What is it that you're implying Ahn?" Shizuru could feel the tension beginning to boil inside her as Ahn finally caught on to Shizuru's behavior.

Ahn knew that she had to tread lightly when it came to her lover and her friend. Clearing her throat to recompose herself Ahn took a deep breath before speaking. "I'm not saying anything negative. It's just that I think that with the baby plans that we are making, you won't have much time to see Natsuki," Ahn tried to calm her girlfriend down only to find it wasn't working.

Not wanting to start an argument, Shizuru sighed before speaking once again. "I'm sorry Ahn; it's just that I'm so protective of Natsuki when it comes to certain things. I know that she doesn't have the best track record, but I still want to be there for her," Shizuru said with an honest smile.

"I know, I'm sorry for bringing her up in that way. Well, I do have some lovely women at my work that I could introduce her to, maybe she would like that?"

"Yes, maybe she would…" Shizuru felt an uneasy tang in her voice in replying to Ahn's suggestion.

"Is something the matter Shizuru?" asked Ahn with a worried look.

"No, nothing's wrong. Let's order," dropping the topic, the crimson-eyed beauty reached for her menu as she began to order.

An: So glad to have been able to update this chapter before I head off to work. I hope you reviewers are enjoying the story so far, I'm starting to get my footing on this site so thanks for your reviews. I'm going to see if I can squeeze a preview in by next chapter.

Zero