DISCLAIMER: For the readers this applies to, this chapter is a bit of a holiday gift. I'm not sure exactly what kindof pie it is... but it's definitely pie. Um... you all can decide for yourselves what kind exactly. And for everyone else who isn't celebrating a holiday this weekend, does there really need to be a holiday for us to enjoy pie? I am always thankful for everyone who continues to read and review this crazy fic of mine. I appreciate each and every one of you, even all of my dear lurkers. I hope everyone has a fun time stuffing themselves to unhealthy levels. ^^ (Also I think this eeks by with a T rating... but feel free to let me know if you disagree and I'll be sure to bump it up to the M rating next chance I get.)
-MH-BtVS-MH-BtVS-MH-BtVS-MH-
St. Peter's HS; Tokyo, Japan: Monday April 30, 2000
Mai hummed quietly to herself as she finished tying her hair back in a short half-ponytail, blushing slightly as she studied her reflection in the bathroom mirror. It wasn't as though what she was wearing today was that much different from the school uniform she wore to classes every day, but the small customization she'd made to it was embarrassing even if she had decided on it herself. Instead of the regulation plain black necktie she had replaced it with one covered in large white wolf paw prints with the kanji 狼in blue. Only a few other people would get the significance, but she knew that she was wearing it to feel closer to Natsuki... though with how the Slayer had been showing her affection lately, wearing this felt more like a collar that said who she belonged to; a thought that made Mai shiver pleasantly even as she blushed harder. She didn't think that Natsuki would ever suggest she do something like this, but when she'd seen the wolf themed tie on her break the other afternoon, she just knew that the Slayer would love the idea.
Letting out a slight sigh, Mai headed back down the short hall and into the main room, intending to grab a jug of milk for breakfast. One of her friends in junior high always teased that her fondness for said beverage was what caused her breasts to have grown 'ridiculously huge'. At the time she'd been pretty embarrassed by them, since they got in the way of everything and seemed to make boys assume she would be easy. Getting her drink out of the small fridge she laughed softly as she gazed at the still sleeping Natsuki across the room, The joke is on me though, since it turns out I am easy, I just hadn't met the right person yet. For a moment Mai allowed herself to daydream about being a less responsible person, because if she was she certainly wouldn't be getting ready to head to class; she would be back in bed with that powerful and demanding creature that had the nerve to look like a beautiful and harmless teenage girl. Mai watched her sleeping soundly, enjoying the way the way the sun shone off of that long silky dark hair making it seem a liquid midnight blue. The colour reminded Mai of being back at home, in the summer she would take her long board out on the ocean at night and just float there staring up at the vast dark sky. The swell of the waves moving under her would always lull her dangerously close to sleep, the power of the ocean effortlessly holding her afloat and its calm lazy waves gently caressing her skin making her feel safe and cared for by the vast and immensely powerful force of nature. Being held by Natsuki made her feel just like that, the way her hands would gently touch using only a small amount of their strength; it was exciting and comforting, making her feel more alive than she'd ever felt.
Glancing over at the blinking green digital clock on the microwave, she smiled as she noticed she still had another fifteen minutes or so before she had to leave for class. Just enough time to wake Natsuki up for a few minutes and let her know the plan for today. Tossing the empty jug in the trash she walked across the small room to the sleeping Slayer, almost without thought using her magick to warm her hands so that her touch wouldn't be uncomfortable, having noticed by now how unexpectedly warm Natsuki's skin always was. She smirked as a bit of a wicked idea occurred to her. Sure, she could wake Natsuki up by gently touching her shoulder and saying her name, but the Slayer had been teasing Mai so much lately that the witch decided it was about time she got a bit of revenge. And besides, it's not like Natsuki wouldn't like it, she would just get a taste of what it was like to be left unspeakably frustrated when Mai had to leave to go to class. Of course Mai herself would probably end up frustrated as well, but Natsuki had been working her up so much lately that she was almost used to the feeling. It wasn't entirely unpleasant... even if it led to her spending a bit longer in the shower these days desperately trying to take the worst of the edge off.
Mai sat down carefully on the bed next to Natsuki who was curled up on her side facing away from her with her arms wrapped tightly around Mai's pillow; feeling warm inside because she knew that she was probably one of the few living creatures who could get this close to the sleeping girl without her startling awake. She could see the dark haired girl's small nostrils flare slightly and her lips curl up into a relaxed smile as though her subconscious brain had positively identified Mai's scent and incorporated her presence into more pleasant dreams. Mai reached out and rested her hand lightly on top of a bared thigh at the spot right at the end of Natsuki's short blue boxers, moaning slightly despite herself at the feel of the soft smooth skin so warm even with hers heated up magickally, and the hard powerful muscle that she could feel tensed just under the surface, even at rest ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.
She gently stroked her hand over the silky smooth skin, pushing up the cotton fabric so that she could touch higher, curling her hand around to the inside of Natsuki's thigh as much as her current position would allow. Mai felt her heart start beating faster and her face flush when Natsuki let out a quiet growl, turning toward Mai onto her back and spreading her legs wider apart to encourage more direct touching. Mai leaned in to murmur Natsuki's name into a flushed ear, even as she teased the beautiful girl and herself more, caressing up higher along Natsuki's inner thigh until she could feel the heat radiating off of her centre. She began to pull her hand away and sit up when she felt Natsuki starting to stir, but suddenly froze her movements when a strong hand reached up and grabbed a fist full of her hair and she saw completely coherent burning green eyes staring up at her. Mai felt her nipples harden painfully and her own centre becoming almost uncomfortably wet as she had a sudden vivid fantasy of Natsuki using her strength to force Mai's head down between her legs to make the witch pay for teasing her so mercilessly by demanding Mai pleasure her with her mouth for hours. Mai blushed, wondering what Natsuki would think of her if she knew the kinds of things Mai wanted the Slayer to do to her, even as her tongue flicked out involuntarily to moisten her lips at the thought. Natsuki's lips turned up in a knowing smile, and Mai blushed hotly when she realized that Natsuki could probably smell just how turned on she was from her own teasing.
Seemingly confident that she was now in charge of the situation, Natsuki slowly released Mai from her firm grip, allowing the witch to sit up completely instead of staying stuck in a fairly uncomfortable position. Natsuki however didn't bother sitting up, instead putting her arms behind her head to prop it up slightly, making the tops of her smaller but perfectly proportioned breasts more visible in her low cut tank top, and the strong muscles in her arms and the small amount of her stomach that was visible stand out. Mai tried to distract herself from the tempting sights by noticing with relief how the bruises that had been so prominent looking even just yesterday had faded so much overnight. "Good morning." She said shyly, blushing harder when Natsuki's grin widened as she finally returned her wandering eyes to the dark haired girl's face. "Um... I just wanted to let you know that I was getting ready to leave for class."
"Hmm." Natsuki acknowledged in a rough voice, not looking too panicked by the thought of missing class, correctly assuming that her injuries meant she wouldn't be going. "And you decided to try and tempt me into forcing you to spend your time here doing... other things... so that you wouldn't have to go?"
Mai felt her blush that had almost faded return in full force as Natsuki hinted aloud at fulfilling one of her fantasies, "...you tease me all the time, it's only fair I should be able to get back at you." She defended her actions, looking down shyly. Her heartbeat pounded louder in her ears when Natsuki reached up to gently run her fingers over the silky fabric of her necktie.
"Of course I do. Aren't you mine? To tease however much I want?" Natsuki asked, the tone of her voice not quite joking.
Mai looked up hesitantly from her study of her hands, Natsuki's still faintly burning green eyes watching her patiently, clearly expecting an answer to her demanding questions. "Yes." She acknowledged simply, a bit embarrassed by just how true that was, but not ashamed to let Natsuki know. It seemed like Natsuki needed frequent reassurances that she wouldn't be abandoned, and Mai wondered why it was that the Slayer was so willing to let Shizuru mostly go do her own thing this year. "You can touch me whenever you want..." She sighed sadly as she glanced back at the clock, "Well except right now, since I have to go to class." Mai giggled when Natsuki pouted slightly, "Oh! I called Midori right when I woke up to let her know that you were here, but she told me she already knew you would be. Anyway, she said that you should just stay here today and if you're feeling better you can go to classes again tomorrow. There's some leftover chicken and noodles from dinner last night in the fridge... you can have that for lunch if you want."
"Hmm. Sounds good, thanks Mai." Natsuki replied, her voice trailing off as her eyes drifted shut, her still healing body urging her to sleep again.
"Get plenty of rest." Mai murmured softly, kissing Natsuki's cheek, "Love you." She stayed for a few more moments, gently running her hand through Natsuki's long hair. When it could no longer be avoided she reluctantly stood, walking to her dresser to get a fresh pair of panties to change into before heading to class.
-MH-BtVS-MH-BtVS-MH-BtVS-MH-
It was late morning by the time Natsuki finally woke again, stretching lazily as she rolled over so that she could gaze out the large window, smiling with satisfaction at the sight that greeted her. Somehow watching of all of her fellow students rushing across campus to try and get to the lunch line before the good stuff ran out made her feel even more rested. She blinked in surprise when she realized that her intense stretching hadn't caused her any pain at all. Lifting up her shirt hesitantly she didn't know whether to feel relieved or apprehensive at the sight of her bruises almost completely healed, when even last night they had been causing her intense pain with only moderate activity. Still yawning despite feeling extremely well rested, Natsuki walked down the hall to the bathroom to start her morning rituals... though by now it was nearly afternoon. She also grabbed the first aid kit scissors so that she could remove the stitches still threaded through the gashes in her sides, after all there was no need to bother Yohko about them when she had plenty of experience doing this herself.
However once Natsuki finally got a good look at the worst of the gashes across her stomach, four of them just under her old scars on her ribs that were also stitched apparently having been reopened, she felt her blood running a few degrees colder. They were healed alright, but they were scarred just like the old wounds she'd gotten at the First District when they turned her into a Slayer. The scar tissue itself was an angry black, its texture rough and raised up. Her hands trembled as she used the small surgical scissors to cut the neatly tied stitches, nicking herself a few times in the process with her nauseatingly unsteady hands. Why should this cause her so much fear? Ever since she was five she had known that her body wasn't completely her own, it was just a weapon wielded buy forces she could never hope to understand. The Slayer took comfort in how powerful she was, but just under the surface there was always the vague notion that she didn't have any real power at all. Her fists tightened reflexively, and she wasn't surprised when she looked down to see that the surgical scissors had been reduced to an unrecognizable lump of bent metal.
After skilfully removing the rest of her stitches with the sharp blade of a small throwing knife, Natsuki found herself sitting on the kitchen counter while her lunch heated in the microwave. She tried to force her breathing to be slow and even, trying to dispel the tenseness in her muscles brought on by her body flooding her system with adrenaline in a futile attempt to fight something that she had no ability to even see. To calm the discomfort caused by the new unasked for changes to her body, she instead focused her contemplation on the mundane question of what she should do with her time today. Reluctantly she decided to at least pretend to get some school work done and check to see if any of her professors had posted any quizzes or assignments on the school's web database.
When the microwave announced with a beep that it had finished coaxing her food warmer with radiation, Natsuki eagerly removed the plate of food, scarfing it down so quickly that she hardly had time to appreciate Mai's always delicious cooking. At first she was surprised at how hungry she was... until she realized she didn't remember the last time she'd eaten real food. Looking mournfully at the empty plate for a moment, she jumped down from the counter and washed her dishes before grabbing a bottle of soda from the fridge and a bag of chips and reluctantly heading over to turn on her computer. When the operating system booted up, she opened her web browser and navigated it to the secure site the school used for graded assignments with a sigh, resisting the temptation to goof off playing Daggerfall instead.
Her wistful musings about her high hopes for Daggerfall's sequel were interrupted by the soft pinging of her instant messaging program that had automatically logged her in on startup. She blinked in surprise when she saw RedWiccan's distinctive avatar of Velma from Scooby-Doo. She glanced again at the clock, wondering if she had woken up later than she thought... usually RedWiccan wasn't on this time of day.
RedWiccan: Hiya wolfie.
OokamiDuran: Hey... you're on pretty early for you?
RedWiccan: Yeah... I had kindof a rough weekend...
Despite her own troubles Natsuki found herself worried for her online friend. She apparently lives somewhere pretty dangerous too...
OokamiDuran: Are you okay? Nothing Hellmouthy? :-\ *worried*
RedWiccan: Aaw, you're sweet. No... nothing serious like that. ...Though we certainly have some problems brewing. It's just a personal thing that probably shouldn't even be bothering me as much as it is.
OokamiDuran: Well, if it's bothering you it's probably important. ...Did you want to talk about it? I might not be able to give you much advice with your "grownup" problems, but sometimes just talking it out can help.
RedWiccan: Tch. That's me alright, all growed up. And I guess it is a bit of a "grownup" problem as you call it, but your advice did really help me last time.
OokamiDuran: Ooh... with your new girlfriend yah? Is she alright?
RedWiccan: Yeah... she's okay. Goddess, I'm so glad I have her right now. Though that's part of the problem... but it's not her fault at all! It's just that my friends, who I always thought I could count on... well they're apparently not taking my being gay as well as I thought they would.
OokamiDuran: Oh... that sucks. I really don't know what to say about that... I've been really lucky and no one has really said anything hurtful or anything at all to me about it.
RedWiccan: Wait... you're gay too?
OokamiDuran: Um. Yeah. Aren't I always talking about girls I like?
RedWiccan: ... ... You're a girl? How did I not know this?
OokamiDuran: LOL! You thought I was a guy? X-D
RedWiccan: Um... yeah... cause you're all "I'm really young" and always talking about girls all the time... I guess I just figured you were a young guy.
OokamiDuran: *checks inside shirt* Nope. I'm definitely a girl. You don't need a picture of them for proof? ;-)
RedWiccan: eep! Argh... Heh. My girlfriend is reading over my shoulder and laughing at how red I just turned at that. _No_ that won't be necessary. Lol... oi, can you imagine my laptop being confiscated because I have inappropriate pictures of underage girls on it? I can just see my friends' reactions to that. Lmao... haha... though picturing the look on my best friend's face when she comes to get me out of jail for that is really funny. Thanks girlie-wolfie.
OokamiDuran: Heh... no problem. And the trouble you'd be in would likely pale in comparison to the trouble I'd be in if either of the girls I like found out that I was doing that sort of thing with some hottie I met on the internet anyways.
RedWiccan: Girls... as in more than one? Tsk tsk... you are very naughty wolfie. *Blush* My girlfriend wants to know how you knew that I was hot?
OokamiDuran: Well, you're a witch aren't you? ^^ My recent experience has taught me that witches are hot.
RedWiccan: hehe... well my statistically insignificant sample size of two agrees with your findings.
Natsuki shook her head when she found her mind wandering, pondering the possibilities of three really hot witches... Oh my God... what is wrong with me lately? It was bad enough that she was in love with two girls; she didn't need to be adding to her problems by having lusty fantasies about complete strangers. ...Even if college girls were undeniably hot.
OokamiDuran: ...I'm just going to put that information in my memory files to think about later, when I am alone. ^^ *Quickly changes the subject* What did your friends do exactly? Did they say mean things to you? If that's the case they'd better watch their asses because I'm going to take a quick trip over to the states to kick them for you. *grrr*
RedWiccan: hehe! Gosh... you're making me laugh about stuff that shouldn't even be funny. And you shouldn't be overconfident like that... my friend might be tiny, but she's a lot stronger than she looks.
OokamiDuran: Well so am I. :-P
RedWiccan: Hmm... alright then. How about you turn eighteen, and then I'll set up a mud wrestling contest with the two of you so we can test that?
OokamiDuran: Is she hot?
RedWiccan: ...I don't know if I should answer that with my girlfriend sitting right here. Eep, owwie... she just smacked me. : - ( ...But she says that Buffy is hot.
OokamiDuran: ...Buffy? Is that her porn star name?
RedWiccan: Lol! Nooo... omg. You are so bad wolfie. No, that's her name. Though I shouldn't have told you I guess.
OokamiDuran: *shrugs* America is a big place. I'm sure there are lots of Buffys who live there. ...even if most of them are dogs owned by little old ladies. So come on, tell me what they did so I can offer you the appropriate amount of pity.
RedWiccan: Aaw. Well... I don't know. I mean at first I thought she was wigging out a little, but then she seemed so cool with it. But I don't know... maybe after she thought about it more it grossed her out? I don't know... I just heard that she was talking about it behind my back.
OokamiDuran: Who did you hear that from? ...It's just you two always sounded so close whenever you've talked about her. Like sisters. I figured even if she had an issue with you being gay that it wouldn't change that. ...I mean I don't know the girl, but whenever you talk about her I feel like she and I have a lot in common. Aside from her liking men anyways. -.o
RedWiccan: Well... It was from an old... um... mutual acquaintance of ours. Just that they thought it was a phase... he said that she was defending me though. But I don't know. She did seem pretty wigged when I first told her.
Natsuki sighed to herself as she tried to think of what advice she could give when she thankfully had no experience with anyone freaking out about her being gay. She wasn't totally naive about the issue; she knew that she was beyond blessed to have an understanding guardian like Midori who wanted nothing more than Natsuki's happiness, and plenty of friends who were either incredibly open-minded or gay themselves. Mai could probably offer Red better insight, since she had more experience with people assuming that she liked boys... and what would their friends think if they knew that Mai was suddenly head over heels for Natsuki when until recently she had shown a great deal of interest in Tate? Would they think that Natsuki, a girl known for her aggression and impulsiveness, was somehow coercing Mai into being with her? Or would they God forbid, think that Mai was a slut? Natsuki felt a feral growl rising in her throat at the thought of anyone thinking such things about her witch. Sure Mai hadn't been at all shy about receiving affection from Natsuki or offering her own in return from the moment that Natsuki let her know that there could be something between the two of them, but Natsuki loved that about Mai.
But how would Shizuru react to Natsuki's feelings for Mai? She had all but admitted how desperate she was to keep the witch close to her at the hospital with Shizuru sitting right there. Shizuru hadn't said anything that made her certain that her oldest friend knew, but she had dropped plenty of subtle hints that Natsuki, who was used to Shizuru's endless teasing was quick to zero in on and then contemplate the potential significance of each word at length. But what if Shizuru had freaked out about it? How would Natsuki feel if faced with something even remotely resembling disapproval from her oldest friend?
OokamiDuran: That sounds difficult. -.-' Some people might not think it would be a big deal... but if my closest friend thought that my girl's feelings for me were a phase, I would be hurt. (No one would think that me being gay was a phase, since my guardian actually thought the idea of me liking boys was a pretty remote possibility when we talked about the subject... lol.) Still though... I think you have to take it in context. I mean, this person has been there for you through a lot hasn't she? And your other friends too? You all just sounded so close whenever you talk about them. I really think you should talk to her. Let her know how much her friendship means to you.
RedWiccan: ...That's what my girlfriend said I should do too. And you're right. All of us have been through so much together. It's just that this year we've just been drifting apart...
OokamiDuran: Your girlfriend sounds like she knows what she's talking about there Red; you should always listen to her. -.o And you just started university this year right? One of my oldest friends and I have hardly had time to talk much this year and we're only in senior high school, I can barely imagine how much more work you guys have.
RedWiccan: I don't know, my teachers have always tried to scare us with stories of how ridiculously difficult school in Japan is ;-). And yeah, you're right. I guess a lot of people lose touch with their friends from high school after they graduate...
OokamiDuran: Well, make sure that doesn't happen! The only way you can do that is to talk to them. Like plan some sort of regular get together thing or something... That's what me and my best friend from primary school have been trying, and it's seemed to work well enough. I still miss her though...
RedWiccan: Alright. Yeah that sounds like a good idea. ...If I can get them to talk to me I'll try and bring it up. -.- It's just so difficult when Buffy gets into her "I'm the only one, no one can really help me" mode, it's hard to reach her.
OokamiDuran: "Only one" ? ...that sounds so scarily familiar to me that it's starting to freak me out.
RedWiccan: ...I'm pretty sure there's only one Buffy. Well... there were a couple who've tried to be imitations, but I don't think anyone else could pull off her "I'm better than you" vibe that she gets sometimes.
Natsuki felt her heart beating faster when she read those words. There was something there... This "Buffy"... the way she was acting seemed so much like how Natsuki herself acted when her friends or Midori tried too hard to offer help with something slaying related. What were the chances that Red was friends with the real Slayer? Red did say that she lived on an active Hellmouth... There was every possibility that Buffy was just pushing her friends away to try and protect them from her life. But was it Natsuki's place to try and second guess the decisions of a Slayer she didn't know? ...What would Mai say? She would probably want Natsuki to hear that she was just acting like a Slayer and that no matter how tough Natsuki acted she needed her friends.
OokamiDuran: Okay. You're going to wonder how I know your friend that I've never met so well... but I can't really explain that to you. All I can say is that her actions sound really familiar to me. Is she by chance the person who is usually leading your fights against the evil undead and demon-types?
RedWiccan: ...She is. How did you-?
OokamiDuran: Like I said, I can't tell you that. But listen. Girls like us... we worry about our friends who we don't think are as strong as us physically. I know; it sounds horribly presumptuous for us to just try and keep you out of the way where you won't get hurt... but trust me Red, she needs you. I know my witch would be so shocked to hear me say that, but I mean it. She can't do this completely alone. Don't let her get away with it.
RedWiccan: Wait... how did you know that she's superstrong?
OokamiDuran: *rolls eyes* Because you told me? You said that I shouldn't be confident that I could kick her ass, but you know that I'm a werewolf. We're not wimps.
RedWiccan: ...Yeah near the full moon I guess...
OokamiDuran: You know I'm not that kind of werewolf. But basically you told me just then that your friend isn't exactly a normal human... but Red, both me and your friend, we might not be human the same way you are, but we still make mistakes. We say things we don't mean or keep our friends at a distance to protect ourselves from getting hurt... We act tough, but we need people who care about us more than anyone. Don't let her get away with it. She needs you, and everyone else needs for her to be at her best don't they?
RedWiccan: ...You're right wolfie. Thank you. I'll let her cool off a bit, but I'll make sure I talk to her. My girlfriend says thank you too, she was getting sick of me being all mopey. ...Is there anything I can help you with? You've been so great.
OokamiDuran: Yeah actually... I needed to track down a certain Minoan spiritwalker trial.
Natsuki felt her palms start to sweat as she typed those words. She must be truly crazy to be considering this, and after she just gave someone such objective insight into Slayer-psychology too. Yep, it was impossible for a Slayer to go it completely alone, but here she was trying to get information on how to go into a very dangerous situation completely alone.
RedWiccan: Um... I don't know about that, but my girlfriend says she knows the trial you're talking about... so I'm going to give her the keyboard for a bit alright?
OokamiDuran: Hehe, sure if you don't mind me trying to charm her away from you.
RedWiccan: Pfft. You wish little wolfie. :-P But she's mine. Alright, talk to you in a bit!
RedWiccan: ...Hey. I'm not too good with computers, so bear with me alright?
OokamiDuran: No problem. I'm impressed that you would know about such an obscure spell.
RedWiccan: My mother... she left me her Book of Shadows. It has the spiritwalker trial in it. I remember because when we were learning magicks together she told me that it is a very dangerous spell.
OokamiDuran: I know. Trust me; I wouldn't try something this crazy without a good reason. I just found out this week that I have a sister, and the spiritwalker trial might be the only way to save her.
RedWiccan: Oh Goddess. Is she okay?
OokamiDuran: I don't know. :'(
RedWiccan: Well I just told 'Red' to go get my Book of Shadows. I'll give you the ritual, but promise me that you'll be as careful as you can be. Do you have someone who can anchor you?
OokamiDuran: Yes. ...Well I haven't talked her into it yet, but she'll do it.
RedWiccan: This will be dangerous for her too. If you failed she could get pulled between dimensions with you.
OokamiDuran: I... I don't want to think about failing. I don't want to put her in danger. But I can't just let my little sister die, and I can't think of anything else that we could do.
RedWiccan: Ssh sweetie, it's okay. I just wanted to make sure you knew all the risks. You're very brave to want to help your little sister. I know I would help 'Red' if she asked me to do this for her best friend too. Oh! Red also told me that she needs to give you that updated file. She managed to change the um... algorithm I think?
OokamiDuran: ! Tell Red that she's a goddess for me. I needed that file.
RedWiccan: Hmm... sure thing sweetie. I'll give Red a reward for you when I log off. ;-)
OokamiDuran: ...*drools* um... thanks. Wow, I wish I could be there for that.
RedWiccan: haha, I'm sure you do. I know I'm glad I'll get to be here.
Natsuki blushed hotly. Oh my God, why is it that every girl I know is a freaking tease these days? She grinned with satisfaction as she clicked accept on the file transfer, plugging in Miyu's chip into her USB-port. I hope this works. The file transferred quickly, and within moments she was attempting to load it into Miyu's chip, clicking that yes she did want to replace the file of the same name already on it. To her great surprise the chip didn't have any encryption preventing her from replacing the file on it, and her computer notified her that the overwrite was taking place and for her not to do something stupid like removing the chip from the USB-port mid-transfer or it would be angry.
OokamiDuran: W00T! Let Red know that it is overwriting the old one now. ^^ She is a wiz.
RedWiccan: *Laughs* She says she knows she's a wiz. She needed the confidence boost too because now she has an even more difficult computer-type thing that she needs to crack for her friend. Between you and me I don't know the first thing about that 'code' stuff.
OokamiDuran: Heck, me either. I like math and most of that stuff gives me a headache. . ...mostly because my attention span doesn't allow me to be really accurate unless it's required for an in-class test or something.
RedWiccan: Okay... she has the book. I'm going to find it for her and then she's going to use the scanner thing that she has to upload the pages. She says that the quality might not be that great because the pages are old, but she's going to use a program to up the contrast so it should be easy enough to read. ...It will probably take a few minutes.
OokamiDuran: No problem. I'm actually online in the first place because I was going to try and catch up on my school work.
RedWiccan: Oh I see. Were you sick sweetie?
OokamiDuran: ...Sortof... um... I got kindof magickally beat up by something last week and ended up in the hospital. I'm all better now though.
RedWiccan: *Grabs keyboard back* The hospital? Frilly heck, you really are like Buffy. You need to be more careful!
OokamiDuran: Trust me, if I could afford to be more careful I would be. But the bad guys don't rest you know? So I can't either.
RedWiccan: ...*sighs* Yeah I know. Anyway you go ahead and get to work on your homework! I won't be responsible for bad grades, no sir. :-P I'll send you the file with the spell on it as soon as I've finished uploading it.
OokamiDuran: Thank you so much Red. I'll be sure to log on as soon as I can after I do the spell to let you know that I'm okay too.
RedWiccan: No problem girlie-wolfie. I'm glad to help someone who can appreciate how much of a wiz I am with the computers.
Natsuki sighed as she forced herself to concentrate on checking for graded assignments, deciding to start with a quiz in Midori's class. It was so jarring sometimes, going from worrying about life or death situations to worrying about the internal economic and political problems in Japan hundreds of years ago or indeed even her favourite subjects like microbiology or chemistry. But even with things as varied and important to draw Natsuki's attention as her plan to risk her life to save a girl she barely knew, or her general dislike of getting bad grades; neither could completely distract her thoughts from wondering whether RedWiccan's friend was the real Slayer. Duran had finally dissuaded her from worrying that she wasn't as strong as the Slayers from the original line, but she still thought there must be something special about a girl who was truly Chosen by the Powers That Be, whereas Natsuki herself was more just 'allowed'. She wondered if Midori still had any contacts in the Council who could confirm whether or not the Slayer's name was 'Buffy', after all that seemed like a distinctive enough name to make a coincidence pretty unlikely. Natsuki snorted with amusement, if Buffy was anything like her it would probably be best if they didn't meet, after all if Buffy reacted like she did to outsiders in her territory it might prove impossible for them to even be civil let alone friends. But even if they never met, Natsuki thought it would be a comfort to know the identity of possibly the one other person in the whole world who could know what she was going through.
-MH-BtVS-MH-BtVS-MH-BtVS-MH-
Mai was trudging across campus to the bus stop after a long day of classes, feeling even more exhausted as she thought about working at the diner for a couple of hours this afternoon. At least her classes seemed to go by faster today, since she was concentrating extra hard on the lessons so she could take really good notes to give to Natsuki; but she wasn't also worrying about the girl being unconscious, and when she would be able to finally go see her in the hospital. Today was the first day that she was going back to her part-time job since Wednesday, but luckily her boss had been really understanding when she'd called him in a panic on Thursday saying there was just no way she could go while her roommate was still in a coma. She suspected that part of his willingness to let her get away with it had to do with how good she looked in the skimpy uniforms the waitresses who worked at his diner were required to wear, but for once she just allowed herself to be grateful that for whatever reason she was able to spend more time watching over Natsuki.
She was walking down the cement path towards two of the largest trees on campus; the huge old trees that grew in front of the building where the Student Council and several of the other clubs focused on humanities subjects met gave the fairly new campus a sense of history that it hadn't really earned. Mai's steps faltered when she felt a faint strange but familiar disruption in her magickal senses. She had been working hard on getting more in tune with them this past week, her experience at the monastery and then later this week with Natsuki's mysterious injuries impressing on her the importance of learning to understand this extra sense that she had to observe the world around her. She felt her heart speeding up as she looked around to find the source of the strange feeling, all the while trying not to be obvious about it, but was distracted away from her search when she noticed Shizuru heading down an intersecting path in her direction on her way to the Student Council building, while at the same time the sensation of strange magick faded away.
Mai found herself smiling and a nervous anticipation take hold as she observed the gorgeous brunette, slowing her own pace so that she would reach the intersection at around the same time as Shizuru, a vague notion forming in her mind. Mai didn't know what exactly to make of the strange new friendship of sorts that she was forming with Shizuru. In junior high school she had lost her closest friend when a boy that the other girl had liked confessed his feelings for Mai instead. Mai had on principle refused to consider dating him since she didn't want to hurt her friend's feelings, but her friend felt betrayed anyway. But she and Shizuru had been essentially strangers, apparently in competition for the same girl, and yet they were still managing to form a friendship that was oddly enough based on their mutual affection for Natsuki.
She had surprised herself last Wednesday, when in the height of in her panic after she had called the ambulance to take the badly injured Natsuki to the hospital and then Midori to let her know what had happened, the first thing she thought of was that she needed to call Shizuru. Until that evening she'd barely even spoken to Shizuru, but Mai still knew enough about the aloof and mysterious girl to know that she cared about Natsuki more than anything. They had ridden to the hospital together in a huge car driven by someone who worked for Shizuru's dad and then she'd sat in the hospital waiting room next to the other girl for hours; Midori was in the back in the break room waiting for Yohko to get out of surgery. That night they hardly spoke a word as they waited tensely for someone to come tell them that Natsuki was going to be okay, but once Natsuki's condition was stabilized over the next few days they slowly got to know each other better.
At first Mai found it difficult to get Shizuru to open up to her, she would ask about school or Student Council or any other basic thing she could think of to get to know this person who was so important to Natsuki a little better, but Shizuru would always rebuff her efforts with an overly polite response. Mai though wasn't one to give up easily, especially since she knew that there was more to Shizuru than the aloof girl would show her; Mai could see the barely contained intense emotions that would swirl in her uncanny red eyes as she studied the sleeping Natsuki. Then it finally occurred to her what she needed to do, she asked Shizuru how she met Natsuki. Suddenly the carefully maintained mask fell away, and Mai found herself breathless at the sight of a nostalgic smile that reached Shizuru's eyes, making them shine with warmth and affection; she knew without a doubt that Shizuru loved Natsuki. She didn't know what to think when Shizuru constantly referring to Natsuki as 'hers' didn't make Mai horribly jealous... it just seemed so natural that Natsuki would hold that place in Shizuru's life. Mai had been apprehensive about telling Shizuru about her and Natsuki's slowly developing relationship, since she thought that it should be Natsuki's decision to decide how to tell her best friend if indeed she wanted to at all; but after Mai finally got her to open up, Shizuru kept making teasing comments that made her certain that the gorgeous young woman knew something.
"Shizuru-san!" She called out as they approached closer, greeting her with a wave and a friendly smile.
"Hello Mai-san, how are you this afternoon?" Shizuru greeted politely, still somewhat reserved around Mai at first.
"Um... well I was just heading to my part-time. I know you're probably really busy, but could you do me a huge favour and drop Natsuki's school work off for her? She's out of the hospital and back on campus, but Midori still wanted her to stay in the dorm and rest today instead of going to classes right away." Mai explained, finding herself genuinely hopeful that Shizuru would agree.
"Mai-san wishes for me to take this to Natsuki... because she cannot be there herself?" Shizuru questioned her smooth tones both confused and slightly suspicious.
Mai shrugged hopelessly, blushing slightly since she wasn't sure how to explain herself, "I just... I think that she misses you."
"I see..." Shizuru replied studying Mai thoughtfully, smirking faintly when Mai blushed harder under her intense gaze, "Mai-san is a very obedient pet for my Natsuki, that she would be so willing to do anything to make her happier."
"...I'm not..." Mai stuttered, trying for a moment to object to that characterization. But if you're really not, why are you so willing to let her spend time alone with someone you suspect that she loves more than she loves you? Her mind taunted her. She growled softly, meeting those teasing red eyes with her own and speaking without shame, even if she continued to blush slightly, "Alright. Maybe that is all I am to her... but like you said; I still want her to be happy. Wouldn't you do anything to make her happier too?" She challenged. After all, why would Shizuru be spending so much time away from Natsuki? Didn't Natsuki mean everything to her?
The witch was surprised when Shizuru dropped her eyes to study the ground sadly, their colour fading to a rusty brown as she replied cryptically, "Yes. ...Even if it's the most difficult thing for me. I suppose I am in the same boat as Mai-san after all."
"Shizuru-san..." Mai said softly, hesitantly moving closer the clearly distraught older girl, the part of her that always wanted to comfort others effortlessly drawn to the intensely repressed but potent emotions, "Look, I know you're keeping your distance for a reason..." She spoke in a soothing voice, freezing with her hand resting softly on Shizuru's arm when red eyes suddenly rose studying her with a ruthlessness she hadn't expected. Her heart beat faster and she could feel some strange force none to gently probing her magickal defences. Oh gods... it's her?
"What do you know?" Shizuru asked harshly, gripping Mai's wrist to prevent her from backing away.
"I... nothing Shizuru-san, I swear." Mai pleaded, feeling the skin on her arm already bruising under Shizuru's hard touch, "It's just... I couldn't imagine you staying away from Natsuki if there wasn't a reason. That's all."
Shizuru immediately released her punishing grip, rubbing her hand in a soothing motion over that spot, her touch almost affectionate in a way that made Mai's already confused mind spin further, "I am sorry Mai-san... there are just things that no one can know."
"Can I help you?" Mai asked automatically, ignoring the few students staring at them curiously as they walked past them, since Shizuru was well-known enough that her intense attention to this first year was intriguing to most of them.
Shizuru shrugged, seeming to contemplate what exactly she could say in reply, "I... it is not that I require help Mai-san. There are... things that I need to do." She sighed, her frustration with being unable to explain better clear to the witch, "Believe me when I say that there is nothing more important to me than my Natsuki, but there are things that I must do, whether I wish to or not."
"I didn't mean to pry Shizuru-san." Mai said by way of apology, but still looked up at her shyly an entreating look in her blue eyes. "But... could you still take this to Natsuki?" She pleaded again, holding out her backpack.
Shizuru smiled faintly, her fingers brushing over Mai's as she took the pack from her hand. "Very well, but only since Mai-san is so desperate for me to do so; and I find myself quite unable to resist her heartfelt request."
Mai found herself backing off slightly and actually offering Shizuru a small formal bow in thanks. "Thank you so much Shizuru-san." She then glanced hesitantly at her watch, her eyes widening as she saw how much time had passed, "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry but I really have to hurry if I'm not going to be late for work. Thanks again though, I know Natsuki will be so happy to see you." She said with a blush, before turning and jogging off down the path to the bus stop; all the while wondering just what exactly she had been trying to accomplish just then and shivering slightly at the intense burning stare she could feel on her back, wondering exactly what made the mysterious girl so powerful.
-MH-BtVS-MH-BtVS-MH-BtVS-MH-
It was late afternoon by the time Natsuki was finally printing out the text of the spiritwalker trial that Red had sent her, impressed with the quality of the images Red managed to get out of the scanned pages. She knew from experience that it would take a great deal of editing skill to get the contrast so crisp, especially when the original document was old and faded. She paused in grabbing the papers from the printer tray when she heard a soft knock at the door, wondering if it was one of the girls from down the hall wanting to ask Mai for something. It was strange but no one ever came by to ask Natsuki for anything, she wasn't sure if it was because something about her seemed unapproachable, or if Mai's friendly vibes just worked on everyone else as well as they'd worked on Natsuki.
When she opened the door it was as if time stopped for long moments as she gazed at Shizuru standing casually in the hallway holding Mai's backpack in her hands, a small smile playing over her full pale lips as she watched Natsuki's dumbfounded reaction with some amusement. "S-Shizuru! Uh... why are you... I mean um..." Natsuki finally clamped her mouth shut to halt the flow of nonsensical words caused by her utter surprise at seeing Shizuru here. This was the first time since school had started that her best friend had visited her dorm room. Finally Natsuki stepped aside gesturing that Shizuru could come in, long habit preventing her from offering even the girl who was her first love a verbal invitation into her room.
Shizuru's smile took on that hint of sadness that she often got, her eyes watching Natsuki with a wistful longing that made the Slayer feel that Shizuru was somehow untouchably far away even though she was standing right in front of her. As though sensing Natsuki's unrest Shizuru slowly reached out her hand to Natsuki, crossing the threshold of the room with deliberate grace and taking Natsuki's hand in hers, effortlessly pulling the still shell-shocked Slayer into a tender hug. "Natsuki."
As soon as Shizuru's arms wrapped around her Natsuki raised her own to return the hug with what must have been an uncomfortable amount of force. She lifted a now giggling Shizuru off of the ground and kissing her cheek, nuzzling her nose against the soft skin of Shizuru's neck to breath in the familiar scent of vanilla and a unique almost cinnamon quality that if she could taste it would burn pleasantly just like Shizuru's teasing. "I can't believe you're really here." She murmured, gently placing Shizuru back on her feet and taking a hesitant step away so that she could look into Shizuru's smiling rusty eyes, never letting go of Shizuru's hand in hers.
"Natsuki certainly is feeling much better today." Shizuru replied happily, apparently taking no notice of Natsuki's amazement just to see her, though the brunette did blush slightly when she glanced down to study her hand still being held in Natsuki's their fingers intertwined. "Yesterday she could barely hold her eyes open, but today she is holding me in her arms like I weigh nothing at all." She teased lightly.
"Shizuru, it's not like you weigh anything anyways." Natsuki scoffed at the notion that being able to lift Shizuru was any indication of her return to full strength but still shrugged, unsure if she should worry her friend with what really happened with her wounds or not. "...I guess I just felt a lot better after spending the night in my own bed."
Now Shizuru smirked openly at Natsuki, who watched her with a bit of confusion until her eyes came to rest on Mai's backpack that Shizuru was holding out for her. She reached out to take the denim backpack with whimsical black and white kittens stitched on it from Shizuru's hand, noting the way the clear nail polish on her short but elegantly shaped nails made them shine. "I'm sure that my Natsuki found her own bed much more... comfortable than the one at the hospital." Shizuru moved closer, raising her hand to caress Natsuki's cheek as she often did, smiling as bright green eyes drifted closed contentedly, leaning in to speak quietly in a lightly flushed ear, "And my Natsuki is very naughty to make her pet wear a collar in public like she did today. Though her pet is very thoughtful; I found myself quite unable to resist her heartfelt request that I visit her owner to bring her missed schoolwork."
Natsuki blushed hotly at Shizuru's implications, but she opened her eyes to study her best friend seriously, leaning into the pleasant touch even as she eyed Shizuru defiantly, "Mai isn't a pet."
Shizuru trailed her long fingers down the lightly tanned skin of Natsuki's neck, her touch lingering on the hot point where the Slayer's blood was pumping powerfully under her skin. "Is that so? Although if Mai-san did not truly view herself as Natsuki's pet; I could not imagine her wearing something in public that all but has 'property of Natsuki' stamped on it."
Natsuki lifted her chin to allow Shizuru to more easily caress the sensitive flesh of her pulse point, a place on her body that in her line of work was jealously guarded from the touch of others. She loved it when Mai touched her there too, but when Shizuru did it she often found herself fantasizing about the red eyed beauty's canine's growing longer, a beastly but still beautiful demonic visage transforming her face as Natsuki allowed Shizuru to drink in her powerful Slayer blood. She could just imagine Shizuru shaking with pleasure at the intensity of it. It was a horrible thought because she would never want that for Shizuru, but it still haunted her darkest fantasies. Natsuki didn't allow the pleasant touch or the now almost hungry look in blood red eyes to distract her too much though, "Mai might think of herself as belonging to me, but I would never think of her as my pet." She reaffirmed, "You always call me yours, but you think of me as more than that."
Natsuki felt slightly hurt when her defence of Mai seemed to cause Shizuru to stop her touches and take a sudden and deliberate step back from Natsuki, walking over to the large window to gaze out at the campus now lit with the harsher light of the slowly setting sun, painting her body with a golden hue that made her seem to Natsuki like a statue of an ancient goddess out of one of Midori's ancient Mediterranean history books. "Does it bother you?" She questioned hesitantly, "That I care for her?"
The tawny brunette seemed to square her shoulders, turning slowly to face Natsuki. Her face was shrouded in shadow, backlit as it was by the bright late afternoon sunset, though the warmth of her eyes still shone brightly enough for Natsuki to see them and wonder if she was imagining the turmoil swirling in their depths. "It should not bother me, since I have requested that Natsuki allow me some distance from her. I cannot at once expect Natsuki to let me go and yet hold me closer than any other at the same time."
"Shizuru... no matter what, you know that you mean so much to me, don't you?" Natsuki asked, hesitantly approaching her best friend whose posture seemed defensive, almost fearful. "I didn't go looking for these feelings I have for Mai, but I won't deny them now that they're here. The stability and strength she gives me... Shizuru I need them in my life." She explained slowly, careful to not apologize for her feelings for Mai even as she was trying to offer Shizuru some comfort or hope, reaching out to carefully touch the back of Shizuru's hand where it lay gripping the windowsill tightly. "But I need you in my life too. I've missed you so much." She gently coaxed long fingers out of their tight grip, holding Shizuru's hand loosely in her own, "No matter what Mai is to me, she can never be you."
Shizuru sighed faintly looking to the side guiltily, even as she seemed to enjoy Natsuki's attention. "I apologize for saying such unfair things to Natsuki. Especially when I am certain that I cannot offer her too much more of my time for the foreseeable future."
"I don't understand." Natsuki admitted. The last time they'd spoken about this, Shizuru had been asking for time to settle her emotions over losing her mother and make some new friends. Now it seemed like there was something more to the story.
Shizuru shook her head sadly, "I wish I could tell Natsuki, but it is never clear enough to make sense of when I am awake. The answers only come clearly in my dreams."
Natsuki gasped, "Y-you... you're a seer. Like your mother was."
Shizuru again shook her head, "No, not like my mother. She always remembered her dreams of the future clearly upon waking; I am left with nothing but vague notions and strong impulsions which I fear I must follow."
"I never knew." Natsuki replied, her voice full of guilt and wonder that there could be something so essential about her best friend that she was completely unaware of.
Shizuru just smiled apologetically, bringing up her free hand to run her fingers along the strong but still petite line of Natsuki's jaw, "Natsuki never wondered why I was so content to let her keep secrets of her own for all those years?"
"...I-"
"Ssh." Shizuru soothed, placing her fingers over Natsuki's lips to forestall the forthcoming clumsy and in her opinion, unnecessary apology, "If my Natsuki suspected nothing, it is because I wished it that way. I had no inclination to burden you with my dark dreams."
Natsuki reached up to grasp Shizuru's hand, kissing the fingers resting on her lips gently before drawing them away, "But Shizuru, it caused your mother so much pain. You know I would have wanted to help you..."
Shizuru smiled, "Natsuki should know that I am not my mother." Shizuru's eyes darkened as she continued, "My mother... she trusted nothing but her dreams of the future. She believed her dreams to be the unchangeable and literal path that her life and the lives of others would take..."
"And you?"
"...I believe that my dreams are true... but I know there is more in this world than my dreams allow me to see." Shizuru gently tugged on Natsuki's hand in hers, drawing the dark haired Slayer closer so that she could feel her comforting warmth on her suddenly cold skin. "I might fear the dark as she did, but I know that Natsuki would never give up on me. And I trust Natsuki more than I trust the inevitability of my future."
Natsuki wrapped her arms gently around Shizuru's shoulders, her friend suddenly feeling so small and fragile in her embrace despite being slightly taller and curvier than Natsuki herself. Her blood seemed to run both warm and cold at Shizuru's declaration of trust in her, Shizuru's belief making her feel stronger but the lingering doubt over whether the spiritwalker trial was the right thing to do hanging heavily over her. "Shizuru..." Natsuki murmured into soft, burnished gold hair, "You know I would never give up on you. No matter what happens, I'd find a way to save you." She promised, even as her heart twisted with guilt over the things she wasn't telling Shizuru about.
Shizuru returned the hug weakly, as though her admission had cost most of her energy, "My Natsuki's willingness to do anything for those she loves has always been something that I admire about her. I would never hold that against her." Shizuru reassured her addressing even the thoughts that Natsuki left unspoken, causing Natsuki to stop suddenly in her caresses of Shizuru's back.
"How did you-?"
"I suppose my usual reply that I simply know my Natsuki so well would be less convincing at this point?" Shizuru asked with forced innocence, laughing softly when Natsuki simply growled in reply. "I wish I could explain Natsuki... but I do not completely understand it myself. It is just... sometimes Natsuki speaks to me even when she is not saying the words aloud."
"Only me?" Natsuki asked.
"...I thought it was only Natsuki." Shizuru replied with confusion, "But I heard some things from Mai-san today as well... it was most unexpected."
"From Mai? ...um... what did you hear?" Natsuki asked hesitantly, not wanting to sound too interested when Shizuru had seemed to take their tentative relationship badly earlier, but to Natsuki's surprise Shizuru actually giggled slightly.
"Nothing much really, but she seemed to just be reinforcing how much she wanted me to come see you... and also that she thinks I'm 'gorgeous'." Shizuru giggled again as she said the word.
"Well, she's not wrong." Natsuki smiled, "I have been missing you... and anyone would agree that you're gorgeous." Natsuki leaned her forehead against Shizuru's, sighing happily now that she was almost breathing the same air as her friend and speaking softly and wistfully, "I wish that we could be closer now."
"Me too Natsuki..." Shizuru apologized, blushing slightly as she studied Natsuki's intense green eyes at such close range, the sunlight on them making them seem darker somehow. "But just like Natsuki must sometimes risk everything to save someone she doesn't know... there are things that I feel I must do as well. Even though I do not understand them..." Her voice softened further as she ran her thumb over Natsuki's bottom lip, leaning in closer, "Even when this pursuit of a dream keeps me from the one I love the most."
"Shizuru..." Natsuki rasped out, in awe of how beautiful her friend was, how right this felt. "What do you mean...?"
"Ssh." Shizuru again quieted Natsuki's questions, "Natsuki will understand when I do... but for now... she should simply know..." Her melodious tones trailed off as she drifted ever closer, until she was gently caressing Natsuki's lightly quivering lips with her own, her eyes closing as Natsuki's arms tightening around her and the hesitantly and shyly returned kiss made her certain that this wasn't just another dream.
Natsuki felt all of her thoughts stop as Shizuru's silky smooth lips moved against hers, gentle and careful, as though Shizuru was afraid that Natsuki could disappear if she moved to deepen their kiss. For a moment Natsuki allowed herself to enjoy the innocent, almost chaste touch of their lips sliding over each other, her eyes closed at the intense new feelings. She revelled in the way Shizuru's position perched on the windowsill caused her to have to tilt her head up slightly to meet Natsuki's lips, and the feeling of Shizuru's soft but yet still toned body in her arms. When Shizuru's warm slightly rough tongue hesitantly caressed Nastuki's bottom lip, the younger girl couldn't contain her whimper of pleasure, parting her lips to allow Shizuru to deepen the kiss, wanting to feel Shizuru possessing her even if only for these few moments.
Shizuru's tongue slid smoothly into Natsuki's willing mouth, softly stroking over a sharp canine, and Natsuki moaned as she tasted the sharp tang of Shizuru's blood on her tongue as the older girl caressed it possessively with own. Shizuru's hand trailed up to tangle in Natsuki's hair, holding her closer as they continued to kiss passionately, their years of affection for each other being poured into the caressing and tasting of each other so intimately for the first time. Natsuki felt like only moments had passed when she finally pulled back slightly, her face flushed and gasping for air, but she blinked in surprise when she noticed that the sun had set and it was full dark outside. How long had they been here, with Shizuru leaning against the huge window, kissing passionately like their lives depended on it. Shizuru was also breathing heavily and blushing, but her own eyes were darkened with not only passion, but guilt. "I... I should not have done that."
"Shizuru! Don't say that..." Natsuki pleaded, "Please don't apologize..."
"...But I can't stay." She said mournfully, even as she leaned in to once more gently brush her lips over Natsuki's, smiling despite herself when Natsuki moved to try and deepen the kiss almost before she could pull back. "Ssh... I'm so sorry."
"It...It's fine...Shizuru. If you can't stay I mean, or if it's not the right time. But don't apologize." Natsuki said roughly, "...I can wait, but if you need me, I'm here for you."
"My Natsuki is so good to me." Red eyes were misty with tears, not wanting to give in to what she needed to do. "I wish things could be different."
"Me too... I wish you could tell me what was going on with you." Natsuki replied, her voice equally soft, "I want to be able to help you."
Shizuru just shook her head, "Natsuki has too many things to worry about already... and I will be careful. I know that my Natsuki will be able to help me when it is time, I believe in her." She gazed out sadly at the night sky, "...I should return to my dorm. There are things I must do... and Natsuki's pet should be home shortly. Natsuki will need all the time she can get to convince that one to allow her to risk herself so carelessly." Shizuru smiled slightly as she spoke the last words, almost as if she thought that the notion of Natsuki meeting anything she couldn't defeat was ridiculous. The Slayer found her confidence that had been flagging since she noticed her magickally healed wounds this morning returning in force. Even as she walked Shizuru to the door, blushing fiercely as they kissed each other goodnight, Natsuki felt herself becoming almost restless in her eagerness to hurry up and jump into her reckless plan head first. After all, Shizuru believed in her and she could think of no demon on Earth or in the many hells with the strength to stand against such a force.
You make me real.
Strong as I feel.
You make me real.