DISCLAIMER: Here it is. The last chapter of NtVS:2. I hope it's enough to keep you all along for the ride when I start posting the new story in a couple/few weeks. Hope everyone had some nice fun celebrating being on our lovely big blue space ship for one more trip around our nearest star. -.o
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"Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that cannot be forsworn. And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten. And that one day we shall join you."
Thursday May 03, 2000; St. Peters HS
Natsuki bit the inside of her cheek, only barely managing to stop the yell of maddened boredom that was just itching to escape as her Japanese literature professor continued to discuss the various themes of some story about the lives of noblewomen in the Emperor's court that she had barely skimmed. Mai had attempted to explain to her that the book was actually some fascinating work about the lives of women in those times, but as far as she could tell it was basically just a slightly different version of one of those dramas from American daytime television, only with less cleavage. It wasn't like she wouldn't read the book if it was actually interesting. If only Midori was teaching this class, at least then they might be reading something with a bit more bloody violence.
It was always a bit disorienting, heading back to classes after a big fight like the one earlier this week as though nothing had even happened. Inevitably for the first week or so the normal amount of tedium always associated with a daily schedule was almost unbearable. She growled quietly as she drummed her mechanical pencil rhythmically against her desk, wondering idly if she could come up with a way to turn the flimsy plastic object into a weapon. There was a small plump sparrow perched on the windowsill next to her desk looking in with beady eyes, and Natsuki could almost hear the little feather duster mocking her for being stuck inside on such a nice spring day. At least so far her generally grumpy attitude had been enough to dissuade their professor from calling on her and showing just how little attention she was paying the lecture.
A soft kick at the back of her chair caused Natsuki to turn around slightly, smiling despite her boredom at the sight of Mai's exasperated expression. 'Can't you at least pretend to pay attention?' It accused. Natsuki smirked, leaning back in her chair and giving Mai a raised eyebrow and suggestive look that asked what Mai was willing to offer in return for Natsuki's compliance. The way the witch blushed and immediately looked away from her and back at their professor was enough to significantly improve Natsuki's mood and she stopped actively fidgeting.
She still didn't focus on the lecture though. Instead her mind drifted to Miyu and Alyssa, wondering how they were doing and where they had ended up travelling to. Natsuki hoped that Miyu would at least take into account the list of American towns and cities with Hellmouths that she'd gotten from Midori. So far Alyssa had shown every sign of having no more magickal ability than the average untrained witch now that she had been severed from the source of her increased power, making her more or less helpless against the various baddies that stalked the night. Certainly Natsuki trusted Miyu as much as she trusted anyone, but letting go and just trusting someone else had never been one of Natsuki's stronger suits.
Green eyes blinked startled at the sudden slight increase of talking students near her, and glanced around to notice with relief that literature was finally over. She smiled as she watched their math professor Murakami-sensei setting up for his lesson, the last class before lunch. Even if she liked math, Natsuki still felt a bit of dread as she recognized that he was drawing the unit circle on the board, knowing that this particular discussion was likely to be more than a bit boring. Nevertheless Natsuki began dutifully recording the definitions of the various trigonometric functions in her notebook, leaving plenty of room for any additional notes of explanation that their professor might give.
However just as she was writing down that cotangent was equal to x over y as long as no one tried to do something crazy like dividing by zero, she felt Duran's unmistakable touch in her mind, drawing her away from the lesson. Natsuki, my Chosen, the world has need of your strength. The wolf's deep voice sounded in her mind, as she wondered why he couldn't have interrupted her literature lesson instead. She heard Duran's huffing laugh, It wasn't time yet, and I am not one with power enough to alter such things. A worthy one has need of your help, her friends call on the spirits of all the Champions past and present so that they might defeat a powerful foe with the potential to completely unbalance this universe.
'Didn't I just do that earlier this week?' The Slayer thought, even as she tried to look like she was still paying attention to Murakami-sensei's slow monotone lecture. After all she liked their somewhat quirky math professor and didn't want to hurt his feelings too badly, though obviously if pressed she would have to tell him that he just wasn't as important as saving the world.
Unfortunately these days your world seems to be regularly under assault by more than one thing of evil. It seems as though the presence of additional Champions only gives them strength. Duran said wistfully, This one though is of particular concern, as it was created with the consent of a sovereign government with one of your world's most powerful militaries. With the backing of so many powerful humans, this could easily throw the balance of good and evil into an uncontrolled spiral.
The Slayer let out a soft growl. Of course the US government would be up to something like this! She watched the X-files weekly, she should have known better. Why hadn't she insisted that Miyu take Alyssa to New Zealand instead? 'How can you get me there in time though if you can't alter things like that?'
Easily. They are only calling on your spirit and as the rules have it, pure information is allowed to travel at the speed of light. Since they aren't very far away, that poses no relevant limits on us. Natsuki nodded absently, receiving a pleased smile from Murakami-sensei as he thought that one of his favourite students seemed to understand his lecture. In reality she was starting to feel the familiar nerves of diving into the unknown as she wondered where this unusual call would take her.
'Is this situation the important event that kept you from contacting me these last months? I needed your help earlier Duran.' Natsuki's mental tone was soft and weak, even to her own mind she sounded like a lonely child pleading with an absent parent. Although she supposed with some amusement despite her sadness, that Duran was indeed the closest thing to a father that she had aside from Shizuru's dad. And the notion of sharing a dad with Shizuru was much more disturbing than being part canine.
I am sorry Natsuki. Duran did sound apologetic, and Natsuki blushed faintly despite being in view of all of her classmates at hearing him use her name. I wanted to come to you, but this and... other things have been drains on my remaining power and I needed time to recharge. It has seemed like ages to you, but I have to operate on a different timescale, as much as I wish that weren't necessary. His tone softened further, Spending time with you is one of the few things that I look forward to.
'I'm sorry... I know I shouldn't be so impatient.'
Duran seemed to scoff slightly, Nonsense, for all that you have grown so, you are still a pup. Impatience is in your nature. He paused for a moment, and she could feel the odd sensation of him accessing various memories of hers, some of which she had not even been able to access herself and even now could not view. You certainly have done lots of growing in this short time. He repeated wistfully, I am always amazed by how quickly you seem to be growing up.
'When do I need to go?' She asked, quickly changing the subject before anyone else noticed her embarrassment.
As soon as possible, it is starting.
Natsuki swallowed slightly against the sudden and unexpected rise of tension, going so quickly from boredom to hyper alertness was unsettling even for a seasoned fighter like her. 'Send me.' She replied, her mental voice containing only her complete trust of her wolf guardian.
Thank you my Champion. Your witch and myself will be certain to guard your body until your return. He said casually, making Natsuki realize with a start the one bit of information she hadn't considered with this plan. As the world around her began to rapidly fade in a way that was becoming annoyingly familiar, she hoped that Mai wouldn't be too upset with her for adding more unplanned excitement to her day.
Mai gasped aloud as she felt a sudden infusion of powerful magicks coming from Natsuki, though the pleasure she always felt from such contact was immediately stifled by worry. If these last couple of weeks and the few brief tutorials with Midori had taught her anything, it was that sudden and unexpected magicks were seldom a good thing. Hesitantly she placed a concerned hand on Natsuki's shoulder, her brows furrowing as she felt the intense heat coming off of the Slayer's body even through the layers of her uniform shirt and vest. As subtly as she could she gently turned Natsuki towards her slightly, while leaning around so that she could try and catch a glimpse of her friend's face, her breath catching at the sight of green eyes darkened to near amber and burning brightly. She blushed hotly as half remembered bits of a dream returned to her, even as she murmured softly to Natsuki, "Hey, are you alright? ...I thought I felt something."
Mai jumped slightly as Natsuki began to speak, "My Chosen's witch, I need you to watch over her. Keep her safe." The Slayer's voice was subtly deeper and more resonant than normal when she spoke, and Mai glanced around nervously before noticing that no one else seemed to have heard her speak.
"Act sick." The witch said finally, hoping that Natsuki was coherent enough to follow such a simple instruction despite how strangely she was acting. With one hand still gently squeezing the Slayer's shoulder in a comforting manner, Mai raised her other hand and only needed to wait moments before she drew their professor's attention. "Umm... Murakami-sensei? My friend is feeling really sick. Would it be alright if I helped take her to see the nurse?" Mai asked shyly, well aware that the two of them were still in a bit of trouble for skipping classes earlier in the week, despite Midori's careful diplomacy saving them from any official punishment. She gestured to Natsuki helpfully, her face displaying her very real concerned at how sick the girl looked now. The Slayer's normally tanned skin had become very pale and sweaty, her damp hair falling forward into her face as she leaned over, seemingly too weak to sit upright.
Luckily for them, most of the faculty considered Murakami to be a bit of a soft touch with students and Natsuki in particular was one of his favourites. The professor nodded, his thick bushy grey eyebrows drawn together in concern. "Of course, Kuga-san does look like she needs to see the nurse. I'm surprised she came to class at all feeling like that. You tell her when she's a bit more lucid that I hope she feels better alright Tokiha-san?"
"Thank you so much Murakami-sensei." Mai said bowing slightly to the kind older man, even as he waved off her formality. Getting out of her seat she knelt next to Natsuki, putting one of the Slayer's arms around her shoulders, speaking softly in her ear so that only she would hear, "You feel free to lean on me a little while we get out of here. Did you really want to go to the nurse, or just back to our room?" She asked nervously as she helped the worryingly weakened Slayer to her feet, feeling her heart clench painfully as Natsuki seemed to have a difficult time just balancing on her own two feet. Even when the Slayer had been badly wounded during their spirit battle she hadn't seemed this weak.
Mai carefully helped the weakened Natsuki to the door, sparing an annoyed glare for a leering boy in their class who seemed to think he was some hotshot just because he was on their school's baseball team, one of many students hopelessly in lust with Natsuki though the Slayer herself remained unaware of their attention. Seeing such unexpected anger in normally gentle blue eyes seemed to startle the boy and he turned back to the lesson, allowing Mai to give her full attention to helping Natsuki now that some idiot wasn't showing her Slayer such disrespect. They had made it out into the hall before Natsuki responded verbally to her queries, shaking her head weakly, "No. Just our room please?"
Mai glanced at Natsuki out of the corner of her eye again, wondering at how even her normally husky voice now had an undeniably male character to it. She felt her emotions churning more unpleasantly as she realized that there was an unfamiliar distance in her Slayer's eyes that had never been there before, even when they first met. The distance was also present in the way Natsuki seemed to lean on her only the minimum amount required for support. No unnecessary caresses or closeness... "Natsuki...? Are you alright?" Mai asked hesitantly, and then wanted to smack herself for asking dumb questions. "I mean, obviously you're not because you seem really sick... but you're just acting really um... different." She trailed off lamely.
When they stepped out of the school building and into the warm late morning sunshine Natsuki became steadier on her feet and stopped leaning against Mai altogether. Mai felt herself becoming more nervous until a warm hand gently patted her arm, confusing the witch as the touch reminded her more of her late grandpa than her normally almost lecherous young friend. "Natsuki... I really wish I knew what was going on with you." She pleaded softly, wanting to reach out and take Natsuki's hand in hers, but feeling for the first time as though her touch would be unwelcome.
My Chosen was needed elsewhere. She will be safe, you need not worry. She won't be gone long, but she will be gone longer than she thinks, time will be stretched for her. Mai suddenly noticed that her friend's lips weren't even moving when she spoke, the words were simply forming themselves directly in Mai's mind. And not in Natsuki's voice at all now that she wasn't expecting it, but rather a deep, definitely masculine voice that Mai didn't recognize.
Now Mai did take Natsuki's hand in her own, gripping more tightly than she normally would have as she reached out to her Slayer with her magicks, trying to determine the nature of what seemed to the frightened witch a kind of possession. Peace, fiery young witch. I mean your Natsuki no harm. The being's voice was soft and kind as it lowered its magickal defences, allowing the witch's inquisitive touch. Mai gasped as she realized that she recognized this being. It was always with Natsuki, although before she had only noticed its presence faintly, like shaded lamplight shining out from under a doorway.
Mai remained silent for a while as she led the two of them toward their room, wary of continuing their conversation out in the open where someone might overhear them. She already noticed in her short time at this school that although Natsuki seemed to have only a handful of close friends, most of the students here were extremely interested in learning more about the aloof and beautiful first year. It wasn't as though Mai didn't want to allow anyone truly willing to get to know her a chance, but it seemed that most of them were the kind who might attempt to take advantage of Natsuki's kind nature, unlike Shizuru, and Chie and her group who were truly interested in being Natsuki's friends.
As they finally entered their room, Mai shoved Natsuki lightly against the closed door, studying once familiar eyes more closely. "So who are you?" She'd meant the question to come out sounding a bit more confrontational, but the way it reacted to her interrogation so very similarly to the Natsuki she knew made that difficult. Despite having the superior strength the being simply allowed the slightly undignified rough handling, though Mai noted with a smirk that it didn't seem to quite enjoy it as much as Natsuki did.
"No one special." The creature replied, familiar full lips quirking into a self-depreciating smile, "Just a dying god offering the last of his power to give your world a great Slayer." Darkened eyes lowered, filled with a strange parental sort of affection, "I could not have asked for a more amazing gift than this."
"You're dying?" Mai asked her voice soft and worried despite only just meeting this creature. She knew how much being a Slayer meant to Natsuki, she would be devastated if that was suddenly taken from her.
The being simply laughed, strange because the laugh was in Natsuki's voice but it was distinctly not the Slayer's laugh, reserved in a way that she never way. "You need not worry for her kind child, even if your Slayer was to live for a million years, she would not need to worry." Again he gave her a reassuring pat on the arm, "The death of a god is a very slow process, and it is slowed even further by your Natsuki's devotion. Perhaps supplying power to a new line of Slayers has even been my cure as you mortals say."
Mai finally nodded subtly, slowly releasing the being who was not Natsuki from her grasp, wishing for nothing more than her friend to return and let her know that everything was alright. She backed away, feeling awkward around someone who knew her better than anyone else in the world. "...So do you know when she will be back?" She asked plaintively, a bit annoyed with how desperate she sounded.
The being simply shook its dark head sadly, "No, I am not allowed insight into such things. I am sorry." He replied sadly, walking over and sitting Natsuki's body down in her computer chair with a weariness never displayed by the Slayer. "My pup really is a lucky girl to have someone so concerned for her wellbeing. I told her it was important that she find a good pack to care for, and it would seem she has taken my advice to heart."
"Hmm. So you're the reason she can't seem to settle for just one girl?" Mai asked, though her tone was amused rather than accusatory, still finding herself unable to be truly upset with Natsuki over her indecisiveness. After all she liked Natsuki for who she was, even the parts that some might consider bad.
The old god chuckled at the question, "No... I'm afraid that all comes from her." He shrugged helplessly, "Though I'll admit I can see how she would feel in a quandary. She's young and healthy, and surrounded by attractive females. It's no wonder that she's finding herself a bit spoilt for choice." He studied her carefully, Natsuki's darkened eyes taking on the weight of an ageless god, "You at least seem to understand her dilemma a bit, but don't be too quick to let my pup get away with just anything. Make sure she knows how invested you are in your relationship to her." He smiled sadly, "Your feelings are important too. Regardless of how young and indecisive my pup is, she's a kind girl. She won't intentionally hurt you as long as you let her know exactly how you feel." When she looked about to protest he shook his head, "No. I can see that you're the type who would sooner sacrifice her feelings rather than fight for them, although I can tell that even I would be in danger if you thought I was a threat to your Natsuki." He studied her curiously, "Why is it that you give so much care to her feelings but so little to your own?"
Mai watched him defiantly, even as she blushed slightly at hearing the strange tone of fatherly reproach coming from her friend. "I just have this habit of wanting to take care of others..."
He nodded sagely, "Are you certain it isn't because you're afraid that being too demanding or possessive could scare her away?" Stormy blue eyes could no longer hold his as the witch moved to sit on the floor next to her bed. "It's fine if you truly don't mind sharing her affections with another, some of your kind seem to be content with such arrangements. But don't settle for something that would make you unhappy just because you think it would be selfish to stand up for yourself." He sighed quietly, "I know that my pup wouldn't want to hurt you, but unless you tell her how you feel, even she won't be able to avoid it. And if you still have a difficult time of it, just think how it would make her feel if she knew that her actions had hurt you."
Mai finally nodded slightly, "Thank you... I guess I knew I'd have to really examine my own feelings more closely soon. Things have just been happening so quickly the last few weeks. Sometimes I'm surprised that I even recognize myself in the mirror."
He laughed slightly, "I suppose that is what it means to be young. Well I think it would be wise for you to meditate for these next hours to try and figure out exactly how you feel about your new circumstances." He stood stiffly, walking slowly over to Natsuki's bed, "I think that I will use this opportunity to give my pup an enforced nap. Honestly I don't know how this youngster keeps going when her body is so tired."
Mai giggled softly at hearing her Natsuki grouching like a grumpy old man, especially since that tone wasn't completely out of character for her. "Sure, you rest and I'll just sit here and try and get my thoughts in order. Don't worry if Midori or anyone comes by, I'll deal with them for you so that they won't be suspicious." She offered, somehow knowing that no one knew about Natsuki's strange benefactor.
"Thank you dear, you are most kind." He replied with a yawn as he laid down on the Slayer's bed. Within minutes his breathing slowed and evened out, snoring softly as he napped. For long minutes Mai watched the stranger in her love's body, wondering at how different he made her look. With effort she drew her attention away from the familiar yet different form, letting her own eyes drift closed as she began to slowly sift through the many strange new feelings and experiences of the last month. Mai was under no illusions that this one session of thinking over her complicated friendship with Natsuki would yield all of the answers she needed, but she knew that Natsuki's spirit guide was right. Mai needed to completely understand the nature of her feelings if she didn't want both of them to get hurt.
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It was as if she became the magicks that constantly surged within. Either without sight or in total darkness, she couldn't tell from the weightless feeling in her middle whether she was flying or falling. Had she muscles they would be tensing involuntarily, bracing themselves uselessly against the dreaded final impact. There was no time here, and in the darkness ruled by a complete and total silence it was impossible to know how long she had travelled for when finally there was a voice shining out a beautiful bronzed light in the blackness.
The voice spoke in American English, but she knew that even if it spoke in a language she didn't know, the meaning of each word would be clear. The voice was soft and female, and radiated a sense of such authority and power that she knew it could command her to do anything and she would obey without question. As she heard the words spoken she drew closer, unable to resist the power behind the call.
"The power of the Slayer, and all who wield it. Last to ancient First, we invoke thee. Grant us thy domain and primal strength. Accept us and the powers we possess. Make us mind and heart and spirit joined, let the hand encompass us. Do thy will.
"Spiritus, Spirit." Slowly the Slayer's adrift spirit began to coalesce near the powerful caster, though she was not yet able to see or hear normally without a body to inhabit.
"Animus, Heart." Spoken in the voice of a kind young male, the sound of his voice felt safe, like the older brother she never had.
"Sophos, Mind." An older male, his voice carried a gentle sort of authority, a wise mentor who you would always try your hardest to avoid disappointing. Something about the way he spoke English words made her think of Midori, and she smiled inwardly at the thought.
"And Manus, the Hand. We enjoin that we inhabit the vessel, the Hand. Daughter of Sineya, First of the Ones. We implore thee, admit us. Bring us to the vessel. Take us now." This command again came from the powerful female. Even in the formless darkness, she knew that she must be the Hand that was spoken of and her own power surged within, full of eagerness to help the ones who called for her strength.
Her eyes opened once more, and there was light. Not warm light from the sun or a fire, but the cold sterile white light of fluorescent bulbs. Before whenever she left her body like this she had always woken in another world, but still in her own body. Now she became aware that this was certainly not her body, the hand she saw in front of her was smaller and more tanned than her own. She grinned though as she felt the incredible power surging through them, no matter who this body normally belonged to, they were both Slayers.
A loud explosion echoed in their ears, and she realized calmly that they were under attack. The one who lived in this body seemed unconcerned by this, that familiar cockiness of a Slayer who knew that the battle was already won; she just would have the pleasure of fighting it. As one they felt the rising thrill of the coming fight, the energy of ten thousand generations' Champions given form in this singular point in space and time. They were infinite and invincible, and as one they followed the will of the vessel, the Hand.
They stood, turning slowly to face their opponent as though it was a mere annoyance, unworthy of the effort required to hurry. Their opponent was a strange creature. He seemed at first glance through the thick white smoke of the recent explosion to be nothing more than a powerfully built and heavily scarred human male. Her experience with Miyu however allowed her to quickly notice the parts of him that were machine, and the parts that were demon. But she could tell from the cold look in his mismatched eyes that this creature lacked the compassion of her new sister, possibly because the government that created him thought that a soldier was weakened by such feminine things. She remembered how powerful Miyu was from the one time they'd faced off but she felt no fear now, knowing that the power of so many Slayers combined could do nothing but defeat this or any foe.
Their foe's face bore the confident grin of a fool with no clue of the infinite power that stood before him. He was already within their range, by the time he knew he was beaten there would be no escape. "You can't last much longer." His voice was deep and assured as he smirked at them, foolishly thinking that just because they were small that they were weak. A few of them were surprised when he didn't have an Austrian accent.
"We can. We are forever." They spoke as one, the voices of countless Champions, most of whom had been dead for longer than men knew of farming or writing. But even if most had been slain by demons, all were eager to prove themselves one last time. Many among them were great mages and they began casting a powerful spell of protection in a language seldom spoken, while the demonic soldier watched them, his confusion written clearly on his patchwork face.
"Interesting..." His tone was hesitant now but his gun arm was steady as he raised it. Then there was the rhythmic, deafening sound of his gun firing and the clinking of the brass shells bouncing off the cement floor. They made no move to avoid his fire and the bullets vanished into the air before them, their matter dispersed into energy that was pushed into the dimensions between. The air in front of them rippled slightly as it filled the space created by their passing.
"...Very interesting." They noted dispassionately that his mismatched eyes now betrayed his fear, that they were something more than he could understand. Some of them surged eagerly, wanting to go on the attack, but the vessel held them firm, her will greater than all of theirs combined. There was the sound of shifting metal, and the whistling hiss of a rocket launcher being fired. But even at such close range, when the Hand was raised the deadly rocket shell was changed into a trio of harmless white doves, symbols of peace that scattered as they fled from the war torn room.
Again the Hand reached out. They felt the workings of the demon's weapon arm without ever touching it, and with another wave of their hand it collapsed. Their expression betrayed nothing as it was again a mere monstrous demonic appendage. They walked casually toward the demon as he charged them, flowing around his clumsily thrown punches like water. Finally they allowed one to land, catching his huge hand in their small fist, throwing a few punches at his armoured shoulder and head like a lioness playing with her wounded catch. This Slayer's fighting style was different than her own, but Natsuki simply let go and focused her strength with the vessel's. She used more acrobatic dodging and kicking, and when Natsuki tried to summon their claws on the first punch she realized that this Slayer didn't have them.
Elation flowed through them as a powerful kick sent their bulky opponent flying back into one of the heavy security boards, sparks shooting everywhere as his dense body destroyed the various electrical bits within. Relentless, they continued their approach, effortlessly blocking his feeble attempts to strike them and bringing their small hand up to grip mercilessly at his thick throat. "How can you...?" He groaned out, still not truly understanding how very beaten he was.
"You could never hope to grasp the source of our power." They replied contemptuously, throwing his massive body to the ground as though it were made of feathers. They pushed him back, leaping into the air so that they could rain powerful kicks down on his chest as they backed him into the flimsy drywall, his mismatched eyes still wide with fear and confusion. Natsuki knew the vessel's next move as though it was her own, and even without claws their powerful punch easily penetrated through the demon machine's thick skin and muscles. Their small hand shoved aside the soft internal organs until they were gripping the hard bones of his spine in their clinched fist. They stared defiantly into their foe's shocked eyes, his Chosen executioner carrying out justice as they pulled with all their strength against something meant to withstand the force of a small nuclear explosion. But they didn't relent. And with a sickening cracking, his reinforced spinal column gave way.
They grinned as they held the green and glowing mass of unstable uranium, bone and gore in their fist in front of the demon, hardly looking at him as he fell to the ground, defeated. "But yours is right here." As one they beheld their power to destroy their enemies, basking for a brief moment in their victory.
A strange young man was standing near them, but for now they ignored his presence. "Buffy?" He inquired, and Natsuki zeroed in on the name. Most of her attention was held by the vessel though; they needed to disperse this dangerous object that they held. Again the spellcasters within knew the solution, and they spoke the words of their spell as the spoils of their victory slowly levitated above them, disappearing harmlessly into the lands between.
Their task was done. Most of the old Champions summoned instantly dispersed, but Natsuki held on desperately as she felt the one she was joined to overcome with an almost crushing sensation of responsibility and loneliness. Buffy. Your friends. They're everything. No matter what, don't let them go. They'll be there for you, just let them. She thought loudly, trying to comfort the Slayer of the old line with everything she had. The young man was calling Buffy's name again, and they turned studying him with some confusion as though neither Slayer could quite figure out why he was here. Natsuki felt the familiar sensation of darkness approaching but fought it off for a moment. Please Buffy, don't let them go. Every Slayer needs a pack. And then they both collapsed into the blonde man's strong arms as Natsuki's spirit was torn away, and Buffy was again alone in her own body.
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Natsuki gasped as she startled awake in her own bed, for once the entire memory of a foray out of her body was clear in her mind. The room was dark, the curtains were drawn and it was already early evening outside. She was sweating heavily and shivering, but she only had to wait moments before she felt a soft blanket draped over her shoulders and then the warmth of her witch's arms wrapped tightly around her as Mai crawled under the blanket next to her. "Mai, I love you." She spoke quietly, her voice rough as though she hadn't spoken all day. She needed to say the words, the weight of her destiny was nothing compared to this chance to love and be loved by someone like Mai.
Her witch's reply of "I love you too" was slightly muffled by her face being buried into Natsuki's neck, and she felt her heart clenching at the feeling of Mai's tears falling on her skin. "You stupid Slayer, I was so worried." And Natsuki could tell that Mai meant it, even if the way she clung to her so desperately diminished the credibility of any real anger.
Natsuki simply held her witch close, running her fingers soothingly through soft orange hair. "I'm so sorry. I know I always make you worry." She shivered again despite being surrounded by warmth as she remembered the lonely feeling of being the other Slayer. "I'm sorry I couldn't take you with me. I know I don't deserve you, but please Mai. Don't leave me." She pleaded softly, now clinging to her witch with just as much desperation.
She almost giggled despite herself at the faint sensation of Mai punching her in the stomach as her witch pulled back slightly to look at her. "You're such a dummy sometimes. How many times do I have to tell you? You're not getting rid of me, even if you try and chase me away."
Natsuki smiled at the sight of stormy grey eyes glaring down at her, unable to resist placing a soft kiss on Mai's pouting lips. "Thanks. Sorry that I'm fishing for pity when I made you worry all day."
Mai shrugged, letting out a slight sigh as she settled back into Natsuki's embrace. "It's okay. I shouldn't have been upset with you for making me worry. That's only your job after all." She replied grumpily as Natsuki giggled. "Laugh it up Slayer. I'm still going to get Shizuru-san to spank you."
"But I thought you said I didn't do anything wrong!" Natsuki complained theatrically through her laughter even as she nuzzled against Mai's ear, purring slightly as she breathed in the familiar scent of her witch.
Mai giggled too now, both from the ticklish feeling of Natsuki's hot breath in her ear and her protests, as though the Slayer really feared either of her girls forcing her into something she didn't want. "You didn't have to do anything wrong, I just thought it would be hot." She said in her best sultry voice between giggles.
"Mhmm." Natsuki grinned, this particular line of teasing no longer reducing her to a blushing speechless mess. "Are you sure you want to see her spank me? Or did you want her to do it to you?" She questioned her voice low in Mai's ear as she grabbed at the soft hair at the nape of Mai's neck as though it was a kitten's scruff. "Aren't you the naughty little pet trying to take things that belong to Shizuru-sama?" The witch whimpered quietly at the rough handling, squirming slightly in Natsuki's hold. "Answer me." She insisted, the familiar scent of her witch's arousal letting her know that Mai didn't really want her to stop.
"Yes." Her reply was almost too quiet for even Slayer-hearing.
"What was that?"
"Yes. I'd want that." She gazed up at Natsuki with submissive blue eyes, "If it would please Natsuki and Shizuru-sama."
It was Natsuki's turn to whimper at the truthfulness in Mai's tone. The mental image of her two girls together no longer caused any feelings of jealousy, and Natsuki thought that she would have given her right eye to see such a beautiful sight. Jesus, I am one lucky Slayer. Her eyes began to feel heavy as she yawned unexpectedly. The hell? I just woke up. She growled in annoyance even as Mai rubbed her t-shirt covered stomach soothingly. She wondered briefly how she'd gotten changed out of her school uniform, but soon the comfortable warmth and exhaustion from the spell overwhelmed her and she was once more drifting in darkness with only Mai's gentle touch to guide her home.
-MH-BtVS-MH-BtVS-MH-
"Always alone."
Natsuki knew that she was dreaming as she walked down a dark suburban street, a small blonde woman keeping stride beside her. Even though she hadn't seen the other Slayer when they were together during the spell, Natsuki knew from the strange tingling at the base of her skull that the woman beside her was Buffy. Both of them were armed as any Slayer should be at night, the blonde with a wooden stake and a small dagger, Natsuki with her old knife from when she was younger. She wondered absently why she wasn't using her claws.
"Did you bring me here?" Natsuki asked awkwardly, looking down at the tiny blonde walking beside her, smaller than Natsuki even in her impractical heels and tight red leather pants.
She flinched as she noticed that Shizuru's mother was walking beside them on Buffy's other side. Her lower jaw was missing, and empty eye sockets stared at Natsuki accusingly. Buffy didn't really look at either of them as they walked along silent, deserted streets, searching for something though Natsuki didn't know what.
"Your words won't be enough to save her. She will be mine." The rotting corpse of Sakuya proclaimed, but Natsuki recognized the dark creature that she fought to save her sister in the hollowed out eye sockets. Suddenly the road they were walking down came to an end in the form of a sheer cliff. Deep below them laid the rubble of an entire town, seemingly swallowed by the Earth itself.
"...Buffy? Please... would you let me help you?" Natsuki asked shyly when the other Slayer still did not speak. She was beginning to wonder if this was one of those dreams where she was invisible to everyone but the other dead. She had them sometimes when she thought about dying too much.
"No one can help me." The little blonde replied, her voice sounded husky and jaded, a sharp contrast to her sunny California girl appearance. Her dark hazel eyes were hard as they stared down into the wreckage below without sympathy, as though wishing the dead town a good riddance. "They need me to help them. It will take them if I don't go."
Natsuki nodded firmly, "Then you need to go. No matter what you can't lose them."
"How can I do anything else? No matter how hard I fight or how long, nothing ever gets better." Buffy let out a long tired sigh, using her high heeled boot to kick a broken off piece of asphalt down into the gaping pit below them. Natsuki wished she could find the courage to give the little blonde a hug or something, she'd never heard anyone sound so defeated.
But it seemed that words were all she had here. "No. But it would get a lot worse if we stopped. We need them."
"I know. But I'm going to let them down." Her voice cracked slightly as she spoke, but it sounded more like she had been breathing in too much smoke during a battle rather than being overcome with emotion.
Natsuki nodded sadly, "I'm afraid we both will, but we still have to try."
Finally those hard eyes looked at her, blinking with a bit of surprise as they finally took in the young girl standing at her side. "You keep saying 'we'."
"Yes, we." Natsuki gave the older girl a slight smile as she raised her clenched fist and showed the Slayer by her side her bloody boneclaws for the first time. "You're not alone here." She smiled at Buffy's widening eyes, "I'm not the important thing here though. Your friends are. They'll keep you human. I can't do that for you, I can only help you fight when the time comes."
"But you'll be here?" Buffy asked, the hardened warrior finally sounding vulnerable. Natsuki wondered if anyone had ever been able to say 'no' to that adorable pout.
She averted her green eyes so that she could answer truthfully instead of just telling the little cutie what she wanted to hear. "I won't be able to make it before dawn. Or even before the long darkness. But I'll be here before the waterfalls."
"I have to go or I'll be late." Buffy reached out and squeezed Natsuki's hand, heedless of the younger Slayer's claws as they scratched her slightly.
"I'll see you again when the night fades." Natsuki said softly as she watched Buffy walk away, her stride even and commanding despite the weight of the destiny on her tiny shoulders. "I wish I could help you sooner, but every warrior must face the darkness within alone." She said softly, her clenched fist resting over her fast beating heart as she wondered what trials she had yet before her, what darkness within she must face before she saw the little blonde again.
Natsuki turned away from Buffy's slowly retreating form and the world around her shifted and changed. Now she walked through a wintery ancient forest. The ground was covered in snow, and the branches of the massive trees were bare, allowing the faint light from the pale grey sky to fall on Natsuki unhindered and amplify as it reflected off the snow at her feet. Her snowshoed feet did not sink into the thick drifts of snow, despite the heavy burden of the felled buck deer with his impressive rack of antlers thrown across her leather-clad shoulders. Far ahead through the thick woods she could see a thin column of smoke circling lazily skywards and she knew instinctively that this was her destination. Home. Her heart beat faster in a happy rhythm as she thought of who might be waiting for her there.
But though the snowy forest was silent, save for the light crunching of her shoes on the snow and the occasional scraping of her kill's antlers against a nearby tree branch, Natsuki did not make her journey alone. The curvy blonde woman should have seemed out of place here in this world of winter, with her bare feet that seemed to float over the snow and her flowing pink dress that bared the soft tempting flesh of her belly to the biting winds. But those deep blue eyes that studied Natsuki quietly seemed to hold such wisdom that Natsuki was certain she walked next to a goddess of the Earth itself, at home anywhere in her domain. What need had such a creature of protection from her own elements?
"I was expecting Duran." Natsuki finally spoke somewhat rudely, wanting to break the uncomfortable silence, as though she would really rather have her wolf guardian here than a beautiful woman.
The woman simply chuckled softly, the sound of her voice smooth and rich like warm honey. "I am sorry great hunter. I did request that your source allow me to speak with you in his place."
Natsuki glanced at the strange woman with surprise, "Why? We don't know each other do we?"
She shook her head, deep blue eyes full of a sadness that seemed horribly unjust to the Slayer. Certainly Natsuki didn't know this woman, but it seemed wrong to her that someone who seemed the essence of kindness should be so sad. "I'm afraid we won't ever know each other. That's why I asked him. I wanted a chance to meet you, at least this once."
The burden that Natsuki carried on her shoulders suddenly seemed much heavier at the notion that she might never meet this woman. The forest around them became darker and more foreboding, as though the sun shrouded by the winter clouds was sinking closer to the horizon unseen. "Well I'm glad you're here for now. The journey is easier with someone to talk to." Natsuki replied, trying to focus on how lucky she was to meet this goddess now, realizing that their meeting here was a gift. She shifted the buck's weight on her shoulders, wincing slightly as one of his sharp hooves scraped uncomfortably against her gloveless hand.
"That's an impressive kill, but are you sure it will be enough?" The woman asked, her low voice full of genuine concern that warmed Natsuki despite the winter wind beginning to blow harder against her face, its cold nipping uncomfortably at her cheeks.
Natsuki nodded confidently, "It will be plenty enough for my girls anyway. That's the important thing. I need to make sure they have enough for the winter. The years seem longer now and spring won't come for a long time."
"Hmm." Full lips curved into a quirky smile and despite herself Natsuki felt herself reacting to it as long fingers caressed her arm, squeezing gently. She gasped at the feeling of warm magicks infusing her, and despite the protection they offered from the winter's cold she almost dropped her kill at the unexpected distracting pleasure. Only her long practiced stubborn strength kept her centre of gravity in place as she studied her strange temptress, pleading with her silently to stop the teasing so that Natsuki could finish her journey. "I'm sorry sweetie you're just too fun to tease and you did seem cold. They are very lucky to have such a dedicated protector, but why aren't you more worried about making sure there's enough for you too?"
Natsuki shrugged, continuing her long walk towards the safe smoke in the distance now that her legs were steady again. "I'm just not sure if I'll be around for long anyway, so I make sure that they'll be okay first. If something happens to me, I want to make sure that they at least have each other."
The woman nodded, some of her dark blonde hair falling in her eyes. "I understand wanting to make sure the ones you love will be safe even after you're gone." She spoke more softly now, seeming to understand Natsuki's concerns only too well, and the Slayer wondered what a goddess could possibly know about mortality. Amused blue eyes shifted back to Natsuki, "But you should know better than to try and solve the equation when you don't even know all of the variables."
"You think there's something I haven't thought of?" Natsuki asked, trying not to sound offended. After all she was talking to a goddess. There was every possibility that this being would know more of the future than she did. "And forgive me but you didn't seem like a math nerd."
The goddess actually giggled, the sound of her soft laughter seeming to brighten the forest again like the golden light of a harvest moon. "I'm really not a math nerd. I suppose I have just been spending too much time with one lately." Her smile remained even as her tone became more serious, "What I meant was that you shouldn't plan too carefully for things that aren't guaranteed. Your fate is not written, it is within your power to make your own."
Natsuki gave the kind woman her own smile, "I know. Thank you for telling me though... I guess I just worry that I can't keep winning forever. Eventually something's going to be stronger or smarter than me, or just get lucky. And it's not like I'll ever be able to stop fighting. This is what I am."
The woman laughed again, "You Slayers are all the same, even if you're so different." She reached out to straighten Natsuki's winter hat, "Just don't be too surprised when something completely unexpected happens." The goddess gave her a playful wink before turning to walk off into the silent forest, her curvy form soon disappearing in the blowing snow. Then Natsuki watched as her own burdened body began walking again in the direction of the curling smoke while she remained alone in the forest until her body was out of sight. She wasn't sure how much time passed, but soon she had been enclosed by the cold darkness.
-MH-BtVS-MH-BtVS-MH-
"Please teach me gently,
how to breathe."
When Natsuki's eyes opened again she found herself laying in bed in a painted cave that seemed similar to the one in the alien savannah. She could feel an impossibly warm, smooth sensation moving slightly along her side and she felt her breathing catch at the familiar yet impossible sight of Shizuru curled against her. The play of patches of sunlight over the perfect angles of a face she would know by touch alone was a sight Natsuki never wanted to forget. For long moments she simply watched her friend, trying to memorize how this felt. It wasn't long before Natsuki became aware that they were both naked under the covers, but strangely she had no feelings of embarrassment despite never having seen Shizuru naked before. She was now much more aware of the smooth skin sliding against her own with each breath.
Despite the pleasant sensations, Natsuki couldn't quite contain her confusion. "I don't understand. Were you here when I fell asleep?" she wondered aloud as she played with a strand of warm, dark golden hair.
Though Natsuki's voice had been only barely loud enough to be heard, as soon as she spoke rusty eyes opened and were gazing at her affectionately as Shizuru snuggled closer. "No matter where I am, part of me is always with Natsuki."
Natsuki purred contentedly at the feeling of Shizuru's skin against her own, basking in the feelings of warmth and comfort. Despite wanting to just lay still and enjoy the pleasant feelings, almost without her bidding her eyes looked around at her surroundings. She realized that they were definitely in the same cave where the spirit trial sent her to help save Alyssa. The paintings on the wall though were subtly different. It was still covered in various depictions of crudely painted demons of all shapes and sizes, many bearing sharp horns, spikes and thick plates of natural armour, not unlike dinosaurs from Earth's distant past. But it was different. Instead of the dark warrior with her body covered in skeletal white paint there was a poorly drawn Natsuki, her dark scars and claws exaggerated in size and darkness. At her side stood Shizuru and Mai, the witch was watching Natsuki with affection but Shizuru was gazing off into the distance longingly, even as the back of her left hand brushed against Natsuki's claws.
"What you're doing? To keep me safe? It won't be enough." Shizuru spoke again, her smooth tones breaking the silence, resonating softly against stone walls. She didn't seem disturbed by what she said, raising her hand so that she could run her fingers over the defined ridge of Natsuki's collarbone.
"I don't know what else I could do. I've been doing everything that I can." Natsuki realized that her own throat was sore her voice sounding as though her vocal cords were badly burned, as though she were still recovering from the wounds she sustained the last time she was in this in between world.
"There is nothing you can do. Some things are meant to happen. It was decided as soon as your power was granted, to balance the scales." Shizuru brushed her lips lightly against Natsuki's jaw, and the Slayer felt her friend's smile against her skin when she whimpered softly in response to the kiss.
Natsuki sighed even here in Shizuru's comforting embrace, "No power is ever granted for free."
Shizuru nodded sadly reluctantly standing and walking over to the mouth of the cave, clearly unembarrassed by her nudity. Natsuki now knew for certain that this was a dream, because she didn't find Shizuru's body nearly as distracting as she would have in real life. Shizuru carefully opened the heavy treated leather curtain, revealing the vast grassy expanse of African savannah. This time the sun wasn't the foreboding red orb, but instead the more familiar yellow of home burning high overhead in the dark blue sky, its bright rays washing out the colours in the grasslands below. In the distance she could see a pack of hyenas lounging under a tree while some of their youngsters fought with each other, their high pitched yips and growls carrying even into the Slayer's rocky home. "But you accepted it without hearing the price."
"I was given a choice?"
Shizuru smiles wryly, "Not a good one. No one ever is. I don't regret it though. No matter what happens from now on, my Natsuki must know that I wouldn't want things any different." She stares at Natsuki longingly, "Though there is perhaps one thing I would have wanted. To kiss my Natsuki just once in the sunlight." Somehow even though they had just woken up naked in bed together, the simple request sent a flush to Natsuki's cheeks and set her heart pounding painfully hard in her chest. A tingle of awareness in her mind told her that on some level if she granted Shizuru's request here, even though it was a dream, anything they did here would be real. With Shizuru's full beauty on display in the warm sunlight even if she had only requested a kiss, it was impossible for Natsuki to avoid thinking of more.
Natsuki threw off the covers. She noted with approval that Shizuru's skin is so perfectly clean, pale and smooth, and she felt her tongue involuntarily swiping out to wet painfully dry lips and her hands twitching at her sides with an intense desire to feel that warm softness beneath them. Her own skin in addition to the old dark scars running across her chest and arms, was covered various patterns painted in dark war paint. Her dark hair instead of falling down her back completely unadorned, had many long small braids intermittently throughout it, each tied off at the end with a bit of leather, some with feathers hanging from them. Shizuru's hair simply flowed over her shoulders like liquid bronze, the only item adorning her body the Auryn on its plain leather cord.
Shizuru's look of affection was so possessive as Natsuki approached her. Even if Natsuki had never felt more the part of the chosen mystical warrior here in her primitive home, those intense rusty eyes moving over her painted body suggestively like the whole of it was Shizuru's to do with as she pleased sent a pleasurable shiver through her. Shizuru smiled as Natsuki finally stood before her, reaching out a gentle hand to tilt Natsuki's face up slightly so that she could press her lips against Natsuki's in an insistent kiss. Natsuki whimpered happily at the feeling of Shizuru's mouth moving softly against hers, her warm tongue gently caressing her lips and stroking teasingly against the point of a sharp canine as her hands gripped Natsuki's hips tightly. At this moment Natsuki felt as though everything she was belonged to Shizuru, her knees were weak as she allowed her friend to control the kiss, never had she felt so vulnerable and feminine. It was at once a feeling that was vaguely uncomfortable to her in its strangeness and yet it was exhilarating to just let go and simply trust Shizuru for a while.
Even as she concentrated on the amazing feeling of being kissed by Shizuru, Natsuki was aware of the intense sensation of Shizuru's naked body pressed against her own. The aroused points of their breasts sliding against each other as they breathed heavily and the smooth skin of Shizuru's thigh pressed lightly against the place between Natsuki's legs that burned for attention. Natsuki moaned quietly into their kiss, sharp teeth biting down lightly on Shizuru's lower lip as she tried to increase the pressure of Shizuru's thigh against her, seeking desperately to try and ease the intense burning sensation that demanded touch.
She growled softly when instead of giving into her demands, Shizuru instead broke their kiss and moved away from her, walking outside and into more direct sunlight. "Shizuru..." She pleaded softly as she followed her friend outside. Approaching more cautiously this time she wrapped her arms tightly around Shizuru pressing her body against Shizuru's side, standing up slightly on her toes so that she could kiss the tempting bare skin of Shizuru's neck. "Why did you leave?" She begged, pulling back just enough so that she could watch her friend's face, not sure what she had done wrong.
Shizuru smiled faintly at Natsuki's open and forward affections, but there was an intense sadness in her rusty eyes that Natsuki couldn't understand. After all, why should Shizuru be sad if they were together? "Natsuki... I don't think you have any idea what you do to me."
"Well if it's anything like what you do to me, I don't think you should be trying to get away from me. That's not going to help anything." The Slayer protested Shizuru's seemingly senseless insistence on stopping, her sharp teeth tracing the tantalizing pulse point on Shizuru's neck. "Please Shizuru." She whimpered softly as she could feel something inside her responding to the powerful blood that flowed just beneath the surface, what was it about Shizuru that made her so needy? "I need you."
For a time Shizuru stood unmoving, her arms falling loosely at her sides, unable to choose between pulling Natsuki closer or pushing her away. She hadn't really expected Natsuki to respond with so much enthusiasm, she'd always seemed awkward and shy about romantic things whenever Shizuru teased her. It seemed instead that once her initial nervousness was overcome, Natsuki was going to have a difficult time settling for just innocent cuddling and kissing. Shizuru shivered even in the hot sunlight as Natsuki's short blunt nails scratched lightly over sensitive skin until a small calloused hand was firmly gripping the swell of her ass, pulling her even closer against Natsuki.
Shizuru had fantasized about touching Natsuki like this for almost as long as she could remember, but she felt suddenly uncertain. Should they really share their bodies for the first time here? In this world that was not their own? She had wanted to be sure that Natsuki was really hers, but the insistent intimate caresses were becoming too intense for her to keep resisting, even if she feared that she might pay for this indulgence later. After all neither of them was ready for this emotionally, but gods forgive her, she needed this. If only this once. "Natsuki is always welcome to touch me. I am always hers."
"Are you sure?" Natsuki asked, pulling back slightly even as she reached out to take Shizuru's hand in her own. Her cheeks reddened, but she still had to say it, for some reason worried that Shizuru was agreeing to something she didn't really want. "You don't have to let me just because I'm horny... I could figure something out." Natsuki smiled even while she continued blushing as Shizuru giggled at her expense, happy that she hadn't made Shizuru too uncomfortable.
Shizuru nuzzled her face into Natsuki's hair as she tried to get her giggling under control, her nervousness over the new experiences that she had agreed to seeming to increase her amusement. "I'm sorry Natsuki." She said finally, though her tone was still light from her laughter, "I don't mean to make fun of you. It's just... I wanted us to be at home when I touched you for the first time." She smiled, her confidence returning more at the sight of that familiar blush. "So that I could make Natsuki as much mine as I am hers."
"Shizuru..." Natsuki breathed her name as though in prayer. "You know I love you right?" Shizuru nodded silently, even as wondered if Natsuki meant the same thing that she did when she said those words. "I mean... you're my best friend. Even if you weren't comfortable with this you'd still be my best friend..." She let out a sigh of relief as Shizuru cut off her rambling with a gentle kiss.
"Ssh. I already said that I am Natsuki's. She need not worry that anything could change how important she is to me." Shizuru's spoke softly, using her calm voice to sooth both of their nerves.
"...But you said that your first time to be special... I wouldn't want to rush you with my impatience." Natsuki's tone hardly indicated that she wanted Shizuru to agree with her though, and Shizuru noted with some amusement how those green eyes stayed focused on hers. She wondered if Natsuki was afraid she would lose control again if she let her eyes wander.
The older girl smiled mischievously at that thought and decided immediately that she would test to see if it was true. She had decided to seize the moment, no matter what happened she would have no regrets. She ducked her head subtly so that she was looking up into Natsuki's eyes through her eyelashes, smiling inwardly at how even this small change in her demeanour seemed to cause the dark haired girl to start breathing harder. She trailed her fingers lightly over the scars on Natsuki's arm as she turned and took a few steps away, putting more of her body into view of smouldering green eyes. Slowly she made a show of stretching out her sleep sore muscles as she watched the horizon. When she turned back the Slayer was practically trembling where she stood, her fists clenching and unclenching as if only the greatest willpower kept her from simply claiming what she wanted.
Shizuru finally took pity on her, holding out her hand to Natsuki who tentatively stepped forward to again take it in her own, intertwining her still trembling fingers with Shizuru's. She leaned in to rest her forehead against Natsuki's, as she gazed into almost desperate green eyes, a smile played over her lips that were already nearly brushing against lightly tanned skin. For a moment she revelled in the caress of Natsuki's laboured breathing, and the trembling calloused fingers as they carefully touched her cheek as though afraid that they could scare Shizuru away. It always amazed her how much of an effect her simplest actions had on Natsuki. "I realize that I was being silly. I am with Natsuki. That should be enough to make anything special." She moved her lips closer to Natsuki's ear, making a show of sharing some dark secret. "And besides, Natsuki knows how much I love the sunshine. When else could we be like this outside together without drawing all sorts of unwanted attention or getting horribly sunburned in places that are difficult to explain?"
Natsuki giggled at Shizuru's silliness and her trembling lessened as she finally allowed herself to trust that her body wouldn't betray her, that she wouldn't do anything Shizuru wasn't ready for. "I really like that idea. So I take it you don't want to head back inside?" Natsuki teased and then blinked in surprise as she noticed that somehow their primitive bedding from the cave was laid out on the soft grass in front of them. "...How?"
Shizuru smirked, "You say that like you've never seen magicks before." Natsuki wisely decided to respond to Shizuru's teasing with a kiss as she urged her friend toward the blankets, giggling slightly when Shizuru's skill caused her to lose focus enough that she ended up tripping over the edge of one of the blankets and falling unceremoniously on her ass, pulling a laughing Shizuru down on top of her. "What happened to those supernatural reflexes of yours?" Shizuru teased.
"Heh, well they're why I fell on my own ass instead of landing on you."
Shizuru grinned as she rubbed her nose against Natsuki's affectionately, "Natsuki is so sweet. Her protective nature even extends to protecting my ass from unsightly bruising."
Gently Natsuki rolled them over so that Shizuru was laying on her back looking up at her. For long moments she couldn't even breathe at the sight of the simple open smile on Shizuru's face and the way the sun on her pale skin made her seem to almost glow like an angel. "Shizuru... you're so beautiful." She spoke softly and reverently, very aware that she was in the presence of something greater than herself as she gazed at the perfect goddess stretched out beneath her.
Remarkably Shizuru's cheeks pinkened slightly at the simple compliment, "I'm glad Natsuki thinks so."
"Of course I do." She murmured as she placed soft kisses along Shizuru's angular cheeks before nuzzling her nose gently against eyelids that had fluttered closed at her show of affection. She smiled at the feeling of Shizuru giggling quietly under her and the light, almost ghostly soft feeling of eyelashes brushing over her own skin. "Please..." She begged shamelessly, her calloused fingers of her right hand trailing gently along the perfect unscarred skin of Shizuru's side, enjoying the comforting feeling of her breathing. "Let me show you how much." Her tone was again that of a worshiper as she breathed out her prayer between slow kisses, Shizuru's full, slightly parted lips too tempting for her to resist.
"Please Natsuki." Shizuru replied almost too quietly for Natsuki to hear, and she pulled back slightly to see vulnerable red eyes staring up at her, full of trust and anticipation.
At first Natsuki could hardly believe what she was hearing, that Shizuru was really giving her this gift. "Are you sure?"
Shizuru nodded, a hint of her normal teasing smile playing over her lips, though the vulnerable look in her eyes didn't fade. "I know I'd only regret it forever if we didn't share this." She spoke simply, her normal showy way of speaking melting away in this private moment between them. Natsuki couldn't help the silly smile that she got in return, loving these rare moments when she got to see Shizuru as she truly was, completely unmasked. "Please Natsuki? Touch me."
For a moment Natsuki felt as though Shizuru was squeezing her very heart lightly in her fist as she struggled to breathe, her pauses between each breath used to shower Shizuru's face and neck with grateful kisses. She wondered if her entire life had been leading up to this, the two of them alone together, a whole world to themselves that seemed to exist only because they loved each other. Finally she allowed her eyes to trail slowly over Shizuru's body beneath her, long lean muscles from her weapons training, their strong swell covered with just the right amount of feminine softness. The full curves of her hips and breasts and her slightly wavy liquid bronze hair falling around her like a halo made Natsuki wonder if Shizuru was really Venus made mortal just for her.
Still hesitant at first she began kissing Shizuru deeply, her hands trailing innocently over the tempting curves of Shizuru's thighs and those soft hollow spots between the sharp bone of her hips and strong abs that just felt so amazingly female. She smiled as she felt Shizuru whimpering into their kiss and writhing against her, their smooth skin warmed by the sunlight covered in a thin sheen of sweat sliding easily as their bodies touched. Natsuki purred contentedly as she breathed in the scent of strange wildflowers and sun baked earth, and the enticing honey of Shizuru's aroused body. "Please Natsuki..." Shizuru spoke again, her normally smooth voice almost unrecognizable as she struggled to speak through the intense sensation of even these mostly innocent touches.
"Ssh. I won't tease you." Natsuki promised quietly as she kissed Shizuru's lightly flushed earlobe, her tongue trailing down that rapidly fluttering pulse point that she couldn't resist nipping at again, moaning softly when Shizuru's body jumped under her in response. She wondered how even if she'd never done this before she seemed to know exactly what to do, though she fought down a slaphappy giggle as she remembered that the internet was a most helpful research tool for the unwillingly innocent. "I love you so much." She said softly, bringing her hand up to brush her fingers lightly over the impossibly soft skin on the underside of a full breast, whimpering slightly as she drew out the moment. She gasped as Shizuru arched into her touch, their hard nipples sliding against each other as her normally restrained love tried to get even a little more direct contact to help ease her intense arousal.
"You said you wouldn't tease me." Shizuru accused roughly as she pulled Natsuki into a hard and demanding kiss.
Natsuki whimpered happily at Shizuru's possessive touches, wondering if her friend actually thought that such treatment was an effective punishment. Of course I really want to touch her, so I don't need to be encouraged. She smiled into their kiss as she grasped Shizuru's breasts more firmly, the light rasping sound of her rough calloused palms sliding against Shizuru's silky smooth skin almost as loud in her ears as the sound of her own thundering heartbeat. "You'd be disappointed if I didn't tease you just a little."
Shizuru smacked Natsuki's ass lightly as she let out a small growl, "Shut up and just touch me."
Natsuki giggled, the light slap registering only as pleasure to her Slayer-senses. "Yes ma'am." She teased a little more, enjoying the feeling of a few more rougher touches from Shizuru in response before she finally obeyed Shizuru's demand to put her mouth to better uses than talking.
She kept up her firmer caresses of Shizuru's breasts as she again found herself distracted by kissing that soft neck, wondering if she had been spending too much time around vampires lately that she found the soft flesh so tempting. She growled happily as she licked at the tempting hollow of Shizuru's throat and nipped affectionately at her sharp collarbone. Her hands trailed downward to grip the soft curve of Shizuru's hips as she pressed their bodies together, unable to resist thrusting gently into the warm wetness that she could feel sliding over the bare skin of her stomach.
Hard white teeth bit down more firmly on Shizuru's collarbone, trying in vain to cool her rising need. She wanted this to last forever, but she also wanted desperately to take and have. Shizuru pressing herself more firmly against Natsuki's stomach did nothing to help her slow things down, but at least she knew her love wanted this as badly as the Slayer did.
Ducking her head she sighed contentedly as she took a wonderfully hard nipple into her mouth, the act of suckling it a delicious combination of comforting and arousing. She wondered at how amazingly soft and smooth the flesh in her mouth was even as it was hard and unyielding as she teased it gently with her teeth. She smiled as she felt one of Shizuru's hands tangling gently in her hair, encouraging her to continue lavishing affection on her breasts, as though Natsuki would want to stop for anything.
She loosened the grip of one of her hands on Shizuru's curves, trailing her fingers over soft skin as she carefully moved her hand between their bodies. She gasped around the hard nipple in her mouth as the tips of her fingers finally encountered the hot slick heat of Shizuru's centre. Reluctantly she released Shizuru's breast from her mouth moving again to kiss the tempting flesh of her neck as she concentrated on the amazing feeling of the liquid heat against her fingers. She'd touched herself before when she needed to take the edge off, but it never felt so amazing, like warm wet silk. "Can I...?" She breathed, wondering at her own restraint.
Shizuru merely nodded wordlessly, suddenly completely still and Natsuki pulled back as she noticed silent tears trailing down her friend's cheeks. "...Shizuru?" She questioned softly, kissing away the tears as stopped moving, her fingers resting motionless despite her desire to make Shizuru hers right now. "Are you sure...?"
Shizuru nodded again, "Please." She managed to get out, thrusting her hips lightly against Natsuki's hand. The Slayer whimpered as Shizuru's movement caused the tips of two of her fingers to slip effortlessly inside, the feeling of soft warmth gripping at her so tightly overwhelming her. Unable to resist she pushed her fingers in deeper, moaning as her palm came to rest against an impossibly hard raised bit of flesh.
"I love you so much Shizuru." She murmured as she moved her fingers slowly inside. Her rough calloused palm kept catching slightly on the hardened nub with each slow thrust, causing Shizuru to make delightful little pleasured noises that only served to add fuel to Natsuki's already overwhelming desire. The Slayer tried valiantly to keep things slow, to draw out Shizuru's pleasure as long as she could, but the intense new sensations of wet warmth gripping her fingers so lovingly and the feeling of her own clit rubbing rhythmically against the back of her own hand all too quickly proved too much. Soon she felt that wet silk gripping her fingers even more tightly as Shizuru's arms desperately held her close, her legs stiffening against Natsuki's own. Another thrust of her hips against her own hand was all it took for Natsuki to feel herself exploding and following Shizuru into bliss, her eyes closing even as lights seemed to flash in them. Nothing had ever felt this intense. "I love you Shizuru." She repeated breathlessly in another prayer, "Thank you so much."
Shizuru just nodded wordlessly, still overwhelmed. Suddenly Natsuki realized that her vision was darkening around the edges, and she growled loudly as she fought against the sensation of the world around them slowly losing its form. No! I just want to stay here forever, please don't make me leave. She pleaded loudly in her mind with the unforgiving universe, her unheeded yell of frustration cut short as the darkness became complete.
-MH-BtVS-MH-BtVS-MH-
Natsuki awoke in darkness, Mai's comforting arms wrapped tightly around her and the peacefully sleeping witch's breaths brushing lightly against her neck. Her heavily sweating body trembled as the pleasant aftershocks from her recent release fought with vague feelings of guilt for dominance. She whimpered slightly at the faint traces of Shizuru's unmistakable scent that she would know anywhere inexplicably lingering on her fingers despite the fact that they'd touched in another world.
Only a short distance away, red eyes opened in panic, though at this moment even this small distance felt to the two old friends as large as the dark ever-expanding distance of the universe. The loud sound of Haruka's snoring echoed through the otherwise silent room as Shizuru fought to control her heavy breathing, the memory of her recent dream as vivid and real as if it had really just happened. Oh gods Natsuki, what have I done? She wondered silently as she slowly rose from her sweat soaked sheets. She was still shaking as she walked unsteadily down the short hallway of her shared dorm room for a long cold shower. But even as she tried to use cold water and soap to wash away her guilt, Shizuru smiled slightly. She had no regrets.
"I don't care if forever never comes,
cause I'm holding out for that teenage feeling."