AN: Hello there here's another chapter for you guys. Well, I can't say much,butI will try to write 3000 words this time around I almost had 3000 words on the last chapter, but I'm rambling on with the story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Mai Hime or any characters
Warning: Mild and heavy themes of profanity.
The black long stretch limo zoomed down the highway Natsuki bit the inside of her cheek trying to fight back the nervousness that she felt. Soon the sable-haired woman ran up the stairs to her unrequited loves door Natsuki knocked in panic her fist stung in pain as she felt her knuckles hit the hard wood door.
"Shizuru are you there? Please answer!"
"Ara what is all the knocking about Natsuki you couldn't wait to see your daughter ne?"
"N-No it's just that ugh… I thought that you were in d-danger I-I just had a feeling I'm glad I'm wrong," stuttered Natsuki. Shizuru looked on and laughed at her friends antics.
"Nothing's wrong Natsuki you should stop over thinking," said Shizuru with a distant smile. Before Natsuki could question the distant look on Shizuru's face she spotted Ruka running up to her.
"Natsuki you're here!"
"Hey Ruka how are you," asked Natsuki while kneeling down to Ruka's level to engulf her daughter in a bear hug. Swinging her daughter up and rubbing her cheek against Ruka's cubby one Natsuki giggled along with the red-eyed girl.
"So, what shall we do today Ruka how about we go to the park today?"
"Can we go to the park today mommy?"
"Ara, but we have to go to your school and enroll you in today Ruka. I don't know if we can go," said Shizuru with an uncertain voice.
"Please mommy Natsuki can come with us?"
Wow is this my daughter? She's very smart for a three-year old I didn't think of that plan.
"I don't know dear Natsuki might have a lot of work to get to."
"Come on zuru it can be fun like an adventure," stated Natsuki delivering the same puppy dog look as her daughter was giving.
"How can I refuse such a cute request," expressed the crimson-eyed woman.
"Yay mommy said that the school in going to is the same school you and her went to," said Ruka wrapping her arms around the younger woman.
"Oh so you're sending her to wind bloom elementary?"
"Yes I heard that it's still a good school from what I'm told and it would be good for Ruka. You know we graduated from there, but I also choose to send her there because it was close to the house."
"Well, in that case let's go what time is her appointment?"
"Her appointment is at one, but we can be there early the park is across the street I believe."
"Ara yes there is I forgot about that," said Shizuru with a heartwarming smile. Natsuki's heart raced at the view of her lifetime crush the emerald-eyed woman felt her heart swell up with pride as she looked into Shizuru's crimson-irises. But, still even as she was looking into Shizuru's eyes she could see and feel as though something was wrong immediately. Looking at the older woman's structured jaw Natsuki noticed something that she had never came to the realization of before.
Is Shizuru wearing make up? She never wears make up. Also, her left eye looks a little puffy maybe I should ask her what happened.
Stepping into the long stretch limo Natsuki, Shizuru and Ruka talked and enjoyed each other's peaceful company. Moments later the family of three arrived in front of wind bloom elementary. Letting Shizuru first out of the limo the family went to the front desk and waited patiently for a call from the principal.
"Ladies principal Himeno is here to see you, "said the secretary with a smile.
The two women looked up to see a young woman in her late twenties with a light purple business suit and a white blouse that complimented her short light purple skirt. Bending down the young principal smiled at the younger girl who was placed in the chair between both Natsuki and Shizuru. Hiding behind Natsuki's arm Ruka looked with a slight fear in her eyes the emerald-eyed woman noticed this and made a mental note to ask Shizuru about it later.
"Well, hello there your name is Ruka I heard so much about you from your mother. I'm Fumi Himeno, but you can call me Fumi or Himeno sensei which ever you prefer," said Fumi with a smile.
"H-Hello H-Himeno-sensei," said Ruka before once again hiding behind Natsuki's arm.
The young principal smiled before once again turning her attention to Shizuru and Natsuki who were now looking up to Fumi.
"So, I'm assuming that you're Shizuru Fujino," said Fumi looking over to Natsuki's direction.
"Ummm…no I'm Natsuki Kuga that's Shizuru Fujino," said Natsuki with a chuckle pointing to the tawny-haired woman.
"Oh pardon my rudeness."
"Ara it is alright Himeno-sensei," said Shizuru.
Turning to Ruka Shizuru smiled looking with soft loving eyes before focusing on Natsuki. "Natsuki, can you watch Ruka as I discuss something's with Himeno-sensei."
"Yea I can do that," said the emerald-eyed woman with a smile.
"Pardon me if I interrupt, but you can take Ruka to the playground if you want. Even though, school is out early for today you are free to take a look around the playground," said Fumi with a smile.
"Sure do you want to take a look at the playground pup?"
Ruka looked up to the woman before her and nodded her head vigorously to answer the sable-haired woman's question. The two made their way out side to the playground Shizuru watched from the tan opened blinds as Natsuki pushed Ruka on the swings warmth brought itself to the scarlet-eyed woman's heart. Shizuru watched as Fumi walked over to the chair behind the big oak wood desk. A small memory crept its way into Shizuru's heart as she remembered the wooden piece of furniture and seeing the small cobalt-haired girl with emerald-eyes around in front of the desk.
Hahaha Natsuki had such a defiant look in her eyes when she was younger now that I think of it.
"Well, I'm sorry for the mix up back there I thought Kuga-san was you Fujino-san. They looked so alike if you don't mind me saying."
"Ara there is nothing to apologize for I tend to get that a lot when seen with those two."
"I see well I have read over Ruka's file and she checks out she is a very smart girl. We specialize in cases like hers with her condition we can easily guide her until she does fine on her own. Also, if traces of her condition move on to middle school I can always recommend a good teacher."
"Kannin na Himeno-sensei you don't know how much this means to me. So, when can I expect her to start I'm assuming Monday next week?"
"Hai she can start bright and early like the other students she will be taught by Yuuki sensei, "Shizuru widened her eyes when she heard the mention of the name that her daughter's teacher.
Yuuki that please don't tell me that Nao Natsuki's eccentric cousin is going to be Ruka's teacher. I have to make sure that I'm hearing correctly!
"Is there something the matter," asked Fumi breaking Shizuru out of her transparent trace.
"Well, I just wanted to know the first name of Yuuki-sensei."
"Oh her name is Nao Yuuki she has great references she graduated top of her class at Tokyo U and she majored in child psychology and has a teaching degree. She helped a lot of young students with the same condition as Ruka develop into promising young students."
"Oh I see well I'm sure that she will help my daughter get along fine," said Shizuru with a smile.
"I'm sure she will now before we end this meeting I have to give you the standard emergency cards," said Fumi before handing the cards towards Shizuru.
Shizuru and Fumi went to the front desk the red-eyed woman bowed her respects as well as Fumi herself bowed in respect. "After your done filling out the emergency card you can hand it back to my secretary."
"I will it was nice talking to you Himeno-sensei. Can I ask when will we get a tour of the campus?"
"Oh yes well a tour will be given on Ruka's first day I hope that's not a problem for you?"
"No it isn't if not do you mind if I take a look around," asked Shizuru with her trade mark smile.
"Well, I don't see a problem with that. It was a pleasure talking to you today also Fujino-sama," stated Fumi with shooting a trademark smile of her own.
"It was a pleasure talking to you also Himeno-sensei and please call me Shizuru there's no need for such formalities.
Shizuru watched as the younger woman headed into her office after watching the door close Shizuru walked to her former seat. Sitting down and taking out a pen from her brown colored purse Shizuru filled out the yellow emergency card. The red-eyed woman's pen stopped moving mid-way when she got to the next question that was purposed to her on the yellow piece of paper.
Why is this card asking me if I'm married or not? Should I leave it blank I'm not engaged anymore…Natsuki I really need you for this.
Meanwhile,at the playground
"Higher Natsuki swing higher!"
"Alright Ruka I'll swing higher," said Natsuki before giving Ruka one big push causing the girl to go higher. The two did not notice Shizuru walk up behind them until the crimson-eyed woman said something.
"Ara it seems like Ruka is having fun without me," said Shizuru with a mock pout.
"Mommy can swing too this school has everything!"
"Yeah mommy this school has everything," said Natsuki sneaking up behind Shizuru and wrapping her arms around her the petite woman's waist. The cobalt-haired woman was rewarded with an impassive face and unsettling angry look from none other than Shizuru this in turn shocked Natsuki who backed away slowly.
What is Shizuru hiding? She's never been so defensive when been touched well at least by me… but a lot has changed since I have last seen her.
The two found their selves sitting on a small bench while watching Ruka play in the sand by the jungle gym bars. Much to Shizuru's surprise she was shocked to see that Natsuki wasn't in the least bit tired. Shizuru looked at the cobalt-haired woman's attire the crimson-eyed woman noticed that Natsuki was wearing a light cream suit with a red blouse. Noticing the quietness Natsuki decided to speak first before the silence engulfed the two parents.
"I filled out Ruka's emergency card while I was in the office."
"What did you put?"
"Well, I put my information as well as mother and fathers information down." Natsuki looked down in shame as she felt herself go limp with disappointment.
"I also put you on the emergency card too you know," said Shizuru with an even tone. Shizuru watched as Natsuki sprung up to life when she heard those words come from the crimson-eyed woman. The sable-haired woman felt as though she died and gone to heaven when she heard those eleven words, but soon the cobalt-haired woman swelled up with anger.
"You know you could have told me that in the beginning you know. Something like that shouldn't be left in the dark I am Ruka's mother too!"
Feeling her anger swell up once again at the words of her friend Shizuru proceeded to speak.
"Oh really you can't even remember how you got me pregnant in the first place Natsuki! So, who are you to come into my life and boss me around I put you on the emergency card I thought you would be happy! I don't remember you being so verbal when we were younger!"
"Well, things change Shizuru and people change including you!"
"What do you mean by that!"
"I mean that you don't respond to me at all as a friend unless it's about Ruka. The only time I have seen you act friendly is in the presence of Ruka," said Natsuki balancing the tone of her voice so Ruka would not hear.
"Oh you want to talk about friendship! You didn't even stay to continue our friendship you left before I could tell you anything before I found out Ruka was yours. I wanted you to be Ruka's aunt, but you left so suddenly now tell me what kind of friend does that," said Shizuru with tears in her eyes.
"S-Shizuru g-gomen I-I didn't know," said Natsuki with tears in her eyes.
Natsuki… I made Natsuki cry how could I do that to her?
"I'm sorry I didn't know anything at all! I was such as scared little kid back t-then... e-even now I'm s-still s-scared that's why I can't tell Ruka I'm h-her m-mother! That's why I can't do a-anything now, but be a friend to my daughter that's why I made my decision I don't care what you say to discourage me I'm taking care of Ruka and you."
H-Have I r-really discouraged Natsuki? What have I done I have been so selfish.
"Kannin Na Natsuki I didn't know I'm sorry that I have put you through this. It was my pride that held me back and for years I was angry at you for leaving me. I was convinced that I wasn't good enough for you as a friend, so when I saw you again I couldn't do anything, but fill my heart with joy at seeing your face again. But, I didn't know how to deal with my happiness and it scared me so I pushed you away."
Shizuru felt a warm hand on her cheek this time this hand did not reach out to her to cause pain, but love and forgiveness. For so long the tawny-haired woman forgot the gentle touch of another's hand and at last she felt at home.
"Shizuru…I-I don't know what it was that you went through, but I will always be there for you," said Natsuki with a smile while wiping the rest of her tears away.
Is Natsuki saying this to me is she really saying this to me! I can't let this happen I can't let Ahn hurt Natsuki!
"Thank you Natsuki, but I'm fine kannin na for the way I have been acting I will try my hardest to treat you with respect," said Shizuru with a sad smile before walking away towards where Ruka was playing.
Something's not right I know it! Something's wrong with Shizuru and I'm going to find out! I won't give up I will find out how Shizuru feels about me even if I'm destroyed in the process!
AN: Well, I think that's a good place to end the story don't you think? Well, I couldn't get 3000 words down, but thank you for the reviews I have some bad news I will be gone this weekend so there will be no weekend update. Sorry that is why I\'m posting up two chapters in a week hopefully that should hold you over until I get back. Good news I have my internet back on again so that means weekend updates I wanted you readers to see the closeness of Natsuki and Shizuru because there will be some big surprises going on next chapter.So,please read and review for me that will help a lot, but I might try to squeeze in an update this weekend no promises until I see some reviews in my box.
Preview: "I swear on my life and from the blood that flows through my veins that I will mend your heart."
Zero