A Happy Ending? Hah! NONE FOR YOU!
The next day – Mid morning – Natsuki's apartment
The slight vibration under her pillow woke Natsuki up. It was her cell phone but she couldn't bother to pick it up. She breathed in a nose full of Shizuru's sweet scent and smiled when a possessive arm pulled her closer. She opened her eyes and was graced with the sight of a sleeping Shizuru. It made her want to coo. Sleeping Shizuru looked absolutely adorable.
Last night, they had played cards to the point where everyone could barely keep their eyes open. Natsuki had literally crawled to her bed. She didn't want Shizuru to sleep on the uncomfortable couch so she dragged a half-asleep Shizuru back to bed with her. The older girl was too tired to change and slept in her clothes. After Natsuki threw the covers on both of them, they were off to a dreamless sleep.
Natsuki sighed contently. If she knew that cuddling up to Shizuru felt this good, then she would have done it sooner. Shizuru had cushioned Natsuki head with one arm while her other arm was wrapped around Natsuki's waist. They were lying so close. Shizuru's embrace was so warm and comforting. Natsuki had never woken up like this before. She would probably never say this to Shizuru but - 'I wouldn't mind waking up like this more often.'
Natsuki blushed when she felt a second arm around her shoulders. She tried not to squeak when Shizuru spooned her from behind.
'Hold it!' Something was off. Natsuki rubbed her eyes. She checked if Shizuru was really sleeping in front of her. 'Okay, she is.' She checked Shizuru arms again. One was under Natsuki's head and the other was around her waist. She grabbed the extra arm around her shoulders. 'If Shizuru is front of me, then WHO'S SPOONING ME FROM BEHIND!'
Suddenly, Natsuki felt wide awake. She turned her head around and was greeted by Aoi's drooling face. It was enough to make her scream, "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"What's going on?" Chie's head popped up behind Aoi.
"CHIE?" Natsuki hollered. "WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING IN MY BED?"
"Damn, why the hell are you all so loud in the morning," a gruff voice came from behind Shizuru. Natsuki lifted her head and saw a blonde fuss. There was no doubt about it. It was Haruka.
Natsuki looked under the covers. She could see a bunch of bodies. She scampered up to get a better look at everyone on her bed. She saw Mai, Chie, Nao, Yukino- ... basically everyone from last night. "WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING HERE?" she shouted.
"Hrm … It's still early Natsuki. Go back to sleep," Mai mumbled drowsily.
"GET OUT! ALL OF YOU!" Sometimes, Natsuki felt like she and her friends were getting a little too close.
Same day – Mid morning – Natsuki's apartment
Half an hour later ... ... ...
Mai was making pancakes while the others were eating at the dining table. Everyone except Nao was present. The young red-head was still sound asleep back in Natsuki's room
Natsuki paced around her kitchen, muttering curses.
"Jeez, why you have to be so mad Kuga? You're the one who told us to come sleep in the bed because it's warmer," Haruka said through a mouthful of pancakes.
Natsuki rubbed her temples. "I was just asking Shizuru! Not all of you!" She couldn't imagine how they all managed to fit into her queen-sized bed.
"Well you should've made yourself clear," Haruka reproached.
"You didn't seem to mind when we got in bed with you, Natsuki-kun," Chie said.
"Yeah and I wasn't about to be left out in the cold," Haruka added.
"I was too sleepy notice anything- ... Argh!" She should pummel them all. Really, they had the nerve to sit there and complain while eating her pancakes. "Oh, what the heck," Natsuki threw up her hands in surrender. Her friends could be smart and insightful at times but other times they were just downright stupid.
"I have more pancakes!" Mai announced. "Natsuki, could you take this to the table?" She held up a plate of pancakes.
Now, Natsuki's title had been reduced from hostess to servant. She resigned to her fate. "Sure, why not?" she muttered. She was about to take the plate when it was intercepted by a hand.
A warm presence appeared behind her, accompanied by a voice. "Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you look in the morning?" an accented voice whispered in her ear.
"S-Shizuru!" The compliment embarrassed her but moreover, it surprised her. In addition to what she had on last night, Natsuki was wearing an oversized robe that she had thrown on herself when she got up. Furthermore, she had a serious case of bed head. Natsuki certainly wouldn't call herself beautiful right now so why would Shizuru? "Stop joking around," she chided with a blush.
Shizuru smiled fondly. "How cute. You really don't have any idea how gorgeous you are. Do you, my Natsuki?" Her typical reaction to this kind of line from Shizuru would be anger or embarassment. Yet, she found herself smiling along with the older girl. She was slowly getting used to the idea of being Shizuru's object of desire and honestly, she enjoyed the attention. 'I never really thought of myself as beautiful but if Shizuru thinks so then who am I to argue?'
"Well, I guess a compliment or two can't hurt," Natsuki replied in a coy tone.
The older girl chortled, very tickled by Natsuki's reaction. "Why don't you come sit down and eat breakfast with me?" Shizuru put her free hand over Natsuki's back. She started to rub slow circles. Natsuki almost purred at the contact. "Does Natsuki want coffee? Anything?" she asked.
As much as she wanted to join her girlfriend. Natsuki decided to do the right thing. "It's all right," she said. "I'll help Mai out in the kitchen. It's my kitchen after all."
Shizuru kissed her temples. "If Natsuki insists. Let me know if you need any help." Natsuki felt her cheeks flair up. Those small acts of affection from Shizuru always caught her off guard but they also warmed her shot her a heart throbbing smile before turning back towards the dining table. Natsuki's eyes followed the older girl.
Shizuru's clothes were wrinkled and her hair was unkempt but Natsuki still thought she looked incredible. She observed Shizuru from where she stood. Natsuki couldn't help but admire her. She was tall and lean. Her body had a feminine beauty to it. Nevertheless, training with a weapon such as a naginata had helped Shizuru develop muscles in areas such as her arms and abs. Being a modest dresser, Shizuru rarely showed off her body but Natsuki had seen everything during the times Shizuru wore a two piece swimsuit. She always wanted to touch the older girl's abdomen, to feel how hard it was but deemed it to be inappropriate when they were still friends.
'Now that I'm her girlfriend, I'm allowed touch her any way I want!' With that happy thought, Natsuki made a mental note to give Shizuru's abs a good poking later. 'Hmmm, so I get to touch Shizuru any way I want ...' Her mind started to drift and so did her eyes, down Shizuru's retreating back. She bit her lips. She found herself imagining how it would be like to run her hand freely over Shizuru abdomen and ... other parts of that body. Her gaze came to rest on the older girl's shapely butt. 'Ekk! What am I doing?!' Natsuki shook her head. Her thoughts were quickly going south. "Coffee, yes I need coffee," she murmured. She busied herself with making a cup.
But Natsuki couldn't keep her mind off Shizuru for long. She couldn't help it. Shizuru had awakened feelings in her that she didn't know existed. Natsuki was starting to see everything in a new light. Before yesterday, she couldn't imagine being intimate with Shizuru but it was different now. Her cheeks turned rosy red when she remembered what they did last night. 'I didn't dislike what we did. The kissing was really not that bad ... It kinda felt nice.'
Several moments passed before Natsuki conscious gave an agonized groan. She couldn't lie to herself anymore. 'Ugh, who am I kidding. It was more than nice. It was SO GOOD.' She blushed at the memory of the tantalizing kisses. She wondered what could have happened if their friends didn't show up. Would Shizuru have done more than kissing? 'More than kissing ... ...,' Her mind started to drift again. Out of the nowhere, R-rated images started flashing inside Natsuki's head. Startled by her own indecent thoughts, she nearly dropped her coffee cup.
"Are you okay?" Mai asked. She stopped tending the pancakes to scrutinize Natsuki.
"Y-Yes! I was just-." Natsuki's phone began to vibrate on the counter. "Hold on." Glad to be saved of the trouble of explaining herself, she quickly picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Natsuki dear, is that you?" It was an elderly woman's voice. Natsuki knew exactly who it was."Nana?"
"Yes dear, it's your Nana. Are you at your apartment?" It was Nana, Natsuki's legal guardian. "I am. Why? What's up?"
"Well. I'm on my way over right now."
"Really? Nana, I didn't know you were in town!" The news made her happy. Nana was the closest thing Natsuki had to a real family. Her Nana ran a small business in Kyoto and could only visit every now and then.
'Indeed I am. I tried calling you earlier but you didn't pick up.'
Natsuki remembered the phone call that woke her up. "O-Oh yeah, I was still erm ... sleeping." 'More like too busy cuddling with Shizuru,' she thought. She decided to hold off on the truth for now. "So you just got here?"
"Oh no, I arrived in Fuuka a few days ago but I got tied up in something so I couldn't call you right away. I'll tell you all about it when I get there."
"Okay. But I have to warn you Nana. My place is a bit messy."
Natsuki heard a dry chuckle on the other line. "When is it not?"
"Hey! I clean up sometimes! It's just that I had my friends over last night!"
"You've made friends? Oh my sweet child, that's so wonderful! Will I get to meet them?" Her Nana had always encouraged her to make new friends. Natsuki's refusal to open up to others always worried her guardian. She knew that her Nana would be overjoyed if she were to meet her friends.
"Do you really want to?"
"I would love to my dear."
"Cool. I'll ask if they want to stick around. When are you gonna get here?"
"Give me about thirty minutes."
"Okay. I'll see you soon Nana!"
"See you soon, dear."
By the time the call ended, Natsuki's face was beaming. "What got you all perky?" Haruka asked.
"Nana is coming!" Natsuki piped.
"Nana?" Yukino repeated. "As in grandmother?"
"I guess she's like a grandmother," Natsuki mused.
"Ara, I thought Natsuki does't have any living relatives," Shizuru asked.
"I don't. Nana's not a relative. She's a close family friend and my legal guardian. She just likes to check up on me sometimes. But I guess you could say she's kinda like family." Natsuki said. "Anyways, she's coming here in about thirty minutes."
"Should we leave before she comes?" Chie asked.
"About that, I wanted to ask you guys something," Natsuki chuckled nervously. She wanted them to meet her Nana but she felt like she owed them an explanation as to why. 'So here goes nothing ...' Natsuki crossed her fingers, in hopes that they wouldn't make fun of her for what she was about to say. "You know, I always thought I was unfortunate ... because of my parent's death and all ... but last night, I realized it wasn't true. I'm actually pretty lucky because I'm surrounded by good people ... ... A-After going through the Hime Carnival and the whole hospital-police incident, I've finally found friends I can count on when push comes to shove." She smiled gratefully. "I know I don't act like it but I do like having you guys around. You are all ... probably my first and only friends I've ever had since my dog Duran … and so it w-would m-mean a lot to m-me if you all could s-stay and meet my Nana."
The response she got was a bone crushing hug from Mai. "Of course we would!"
"Awww, that's the sweetest thing I've ever heard you say Natsuki-kun! I wish I could've recorded it," Chie said.
"Of course we would love to stay!" Yukino said.
"You can't not give me a hug after saying something so sweet Natsuki-san," Aoi charged at Natsuki with opens arms.
"Ackk! No! Stay away!" Natsuki's protests were futile. She was engulfed in multiple hugs.
Natsuki was usually a straight forward person but not when it involved people and trust. She always thought she was opening herself to danger if she let someone get close to her. It wasn't until she got her first friend, Shizuru, that she grasped how lonely she had been. After Shizuru, she met other friends and now, she couldn't imagine her life without any of them. Through her friends, Natsuki had begun to appreciate how it was like to be surrounded by people who cared about her. Now that she discovered that feeling, she never wanted to let it go.
And Natsuki couldn't have gotten this far without taking that first steps. That first step when she let Shizuru in her life. "Natsuki?" Shizuru stood in front of her, arms extended. She gladly accepted the warm embrace.
"Are you staying?" Natsuki asked the older girl.
"You don't even need to ask. Of course I'll stay my Natsuki," Shizuru replied, leaving a soft peck on Natsuki's cheek before letting her go.
Haruka coughed loudly. "Do we need to clean your apartment before your Nana gets here?" she asked.
Shizuru leaned over and whispered in Natsuki's ear. "That's Haruka's way of saying, she'll stay," she explained.
Natsuki nodded with an amused smile. "Thank you for staying Suzushiro!"
"T-That's not what I-...hrmmp whatever," Haruka mumbled with a small blush.
It was settled. Everyone was going to stay. "So! When is your Nana getting here again?" Mai asked
"Twenty to thirty minutes, give or take." Natsuki did a quick head count. There was still one person missing. "What about Nao?"
"Oh, she'll stay," Haruka said with finality like it wasn't a choice.
"She's still sleeping in your room Natsuki-san," Aoi said. "Nao sleeps like a rock so you'll need to shake her hard and yell real loud if you want to wake her." Aoi knew her roommate best.
"Heh. Figures. She slept through Kuga's tirade after all." Haruka joked.
"Hmm, can you all hear that?" Yukino asked out of the blue. Everyone stopped talking and listened. Then, they heard the noise
"... ow" *thump* " …. ow" *thump* " ow"
"What is that?" Haruka asked. The noise was getting louder and closer. Natsuki looked down the hallway leading to her bed room and saw what … or rather who was making the said noise. Nao was stumbling through the hallway with her eyes still closed. The thumping nose was made by Nao bumping into every piece of furniture in her way.
"Speak of the devil," Natsuki murmured. She went and got the red-head before she broke something. Too drowsy to resist, Nao let herself be dragged. When they stopped near the dining table, Nao smacked her lips. "Thirsty," she grumbled groggily.
Natsuki handed Nao a glass of water and seated her at the table. "Hungry …," Nao mumbled again. Natsuki dropped a plate of pancakes in front of the girl. Nao started sniffing. Her eyes opened in tiny cracks when she smelled the pancakes. "Oh hey! Pancakes! Ommm!" she exclaimed as she started shoving the food into her mouth. Nao's eyes opened a little wider when she tasted the pancakes. "Omm. Oh wow, this is really good! Nom."
Aoi giggled. "She's not quite awake yet but she's getting there."
Now that nearly everyone was awake, they could start preparing for Nana's arrival. "All right. I'm gonna go freshen up," Haruka announced.
"Oh, good idea. I need to wash my face too," said Yukino and the others soon followed.
"I'm going to use some of your mouth wash Natsuki-san," Aoi said.
"Dibs on the bathroom!" Chie shouted.
They didn't bother to wait for Natsuki's permission. The group charged down the hallway and into the bathroom. Natsuki just shook her head with an amused smile. Only Mai, Nao, Shizuru and herself were left. "I'll finish my breakfast first," Shizuru said. She returned to the dining table.
"And I'll clean the kitchen real quick," said Mai. "Natsuki, are you sure you don't need me to clean the house before your Nana comes?"
"It's fine Mai. You've done more than enough," Natsuki insisted. "I'll go clean the living room a bit. You should take a break."
"Well look at you, acting all grown up," Mai ruffled her hair, earning a low growl from Natsuki.
It was true that she wanted Mai to rest but Natsuki also had another reason. With a small smile playing on her lips, Natsuki headed towards the dining table. She stood behind Shizuru's chair and wrapped her arms around the older girl's neck. "Hey," she greeted.
Mildly surprised red eyes looked up to meet her own green ones. "Ara," Shizuru's hands immediately came up to caress her arm. "Natsuki is being quite affectionate."
"What? You don't want me to be?" Natsuki started to pull her arms back only to have Shizuru grab them and put them back around her neck.
The older girl chuckled. "No no please, I love it when Natsuki is being affectionate," she said. Natsuki was glad. She was a very private person, meaning she hated displaying emotions like affection but with Shizuru, it was different. Being with Shizuru this way just felt right.
"You haven't eaten breakfast yet," Shizuru observed.
"Breakfast can wait," Natsuki said. "I'm gonna go clean up last night's mess in the living room. Could you join me there after you're done with breakfast? I need to talk to you about Nana."
Shizuru quickly shoved the last of her pancakes into her mouth. "I'll join you now."
They both made their way to the living room. "What did Natsuki want to talk about?" Shizuru asked as soon as they were out of earshot of the others.
Natsuki geared up to ask the question that had been haunting her ever since her Nana called. She twiddled her fingers nervously as she spoke. "Well Shizuru ... erm ... I w-was wondering ... D-Do you think I should tell Nana about us?" she asked.
Shizuru stopped in her track, surprise clearly evident on her face. "Ara, Natsuki's Nana is your guardian isn't she? So, she's like a parent to you almost."
"Yeah, I guess you could say that."
"Ara!" A teasing smile emerged on Shizuru's face. "We haven't gone out on a date yet but you want me to meet your parents already? You moving quite fast, my Natsuki. I didn't know you were so serious about me."
When Natsuki finally caught on to Shizuru's suggestive statement, she turned into a tomato. "Idiot! I-It's not- ...," she sputtered. Her flustered state only caused Shizuru's smile to widen. Natsuki pouted and turned the other way. Seeing that teasing look on Shizuru was only going to get her worked up. But before she let her anger and shame get the best of her, she had to stop and wonder. 'Am I really moving too fast?' Shizuru did have a point 'We haven't gone out on a single date yet ... ... We haven't even spent a whole day as a couple.' Maybe Natsuki was moving too fast.
"Ara, did I make you mad Natsuki?" Shizuru asked. "I'm sorry. I couldn't stop myself from teasing you, again."
"No," Natsuki turned around. This was not the time for her to act childish. "You do have a point Shizuru. Maybe I'm doing this too fast. This whole couple thing is all new to me so I don't know what I'm doing. And my Nana is kinda old fashioned so I've no idea how she's going to feel about this. I'm sorry for asking you this out of the blue. I should've thought about it more. You're right. We've only just started going out. Couples introduce each other to their parents only if they're in a serious relationship right? ... I-I-It's not that I'm not serious about you! I t-think I am serious but I don't know about you. B-BUT it's okay if you don't know because we haven't been dating for very long so there's no way you would know- BUT that doesn't matter either because I-I ... y-you- I mean ..."
Shizuru cupped her cheeks. "Darling. Calm down," she said. "You look like you're about to have a panic attack."
Natsuki temporarily forgot what she was ranting about. She stared at Shizuru in awe. "You called me 'Darling,' " she murmured.
Shizuru frowned. "Ara, I did. Is something wrong with that?"
"No!" Natsuki said hurriedly. She blushed and began to fidget. "It's your first nickname for me and well ... I dunno. I feel like it make us more ... official," she said with an bashful smile.
Shizuru stared at her blankly. Then, she exploded into a hearty laugh. "God, you are just too adorable!"
Natsuki tried to run away out of embarrassment but strong arms gathered her up. Before she could struggle, Shizuru pressed their lips together. She felt Shizuru's arms tighten around her waist. Instinctively, Natsuki hugged Shizuru's neck. The older girl was quick to deepen their kiss and Natsuki succumbed to it with equal passion. Her mind literally went blank for a moment. By the time Shizuru pulled back, Natsuki had to fight hard to remember what she was worrying about.
Shizuru was gazing down at her with a doting smile. "Natsuki," she started. "I don't think we're moving fast at all. I actually think we're long overdue."
"Really?" Natsuki brightened up.
"Yes, and to answer your question. I am very serious about you," Shizuru said. "You have no idea how much." She added the last part with a mischievous smile.
Natsuki's interest was piqued. "Oh? How serious are you?"
"Very serious," Shizuru repeated in a teasing tone.
"You just said that!"
Shizuru laughed. "Because it's the truth!"
That answer wasn't good enough for Natsuki. "Shiiizuuuuruuu. Tell me! How much?" she whined.
"Maybe marriage serious," Shizuru answered with a playful shrug. "Maybe."
Natsuki gave a small indignant huff. "Just maybe? Am I that expendable?" She slapped Shizuru's arm. "I resent that! What kind of girl do you take me for?"
Shizuru chuckled. "Goodness, you're a sassy little thing aren't you?"
Natsuki scowled. "Deal with it," she said. She shot her most intimidating glare at her girlfriend which, in Natsuki's case was a petulant pout. "Fujino Shizuru! You promised! No secrets anymore! I command you to tell me!"
Natsuki's childish behaviour only made Shizuru grin grow winder. The older girl bit her lips to stop herself from laughing again. "Natsuki is so bossy. I already said I'm very serious about you!"
"But you said you're maybe marriage serious! That's doesn't sound 'very serious,' " Natsuki argued.
Shizuru exhaled deeply. "All right. Fine. I'm very serious about you and I hope to marry you one day if you're not against the idea. Are you happy now?" Natsuki didn't miss the small falter in Shizuru's perfect smile when she spoke. "Ah, you made me say it. Now, Natsuki won't be surprised when I finally propose to her."
Natsuki blushed. They were passing this whole conversation as a joke but she could tell that Shizuru was being half serious. However, what the older girl didn't know was that it was also half serious for Natsuki.
Natsuki stood on her toes and pecked Shizuru's lips. "Don't worry," she said. "I'll act really surprised when you do."
The older girl was stunned at first. Then, the most heart warming smile spread across her face. Soon, they were both smiling. Then, they were laughing. Now, Natsuki really had to wonder why she didn't do this sooner. She was having the time of her life.
When the laughter died down, Natsuki brought their attention back to their current issue. "Shizuru, about Nana ..." she started.
"Say no more." Shizuru nuzzled Natsuki's nose with hers. "It would be my greatest pleasure to be introduced to your Nana as your girlfriend."
"O-Okay." And just like that, Natsuki's worries were gone. No one could have this affect on her but Shizuru. The older girl knew just what to say to make her feel better. That was one of those things Natsuki loved about Shizuru. 'Love ..." Yes, she did love Shizuru. "I love you," Natsuki murmured shyly.
"I love you too my Natsuki," Shizuru replied. She met Natsuki's lip in a quick chaste kiss. "Is everything okay now?" she asked.
"No," Natsuki answered. "It's more than okay. Everything is perfect."
And things were perfect. For the first time since her mother's death, Natsuki didn't feel bitter about how her life went. She had friends who cared for her. She had an attentive girlfriend who loved her to bits and whom she loved in return. When the Hime Carnival started, Natsuki thought things could only get worse from then on but now, she could happily admit that she had been wrong. Now, Natsuki could finally look forward to happy days ahead. 'Yep, everything is just perfect right now.'
"So, wanna help me clean up?" Natsuki asked.
Same day – About fifteen minutes later – Natsuki's apartment
There was nothing much to be done in the living room. Natsuki and Shizuru collected the dirty plates and glasses. They put away the cards and dusted the coffee table. When they got done with the cleaning, they both joined Nao at the dining table. The red-head was still eating her pancakes.
Everyone else was still in the bathroom, making themselves presentable. Natsuki was currently in the process of combing down Nao's unruly mane while Shizuru tried to straighten the red-head's clothes. Upon Nao's request, Mai had started making pancakes again.
They were making small talk when the knock came.
"Nana's here!" Natsuki said excitedly. She dropped the comb and ran to the door.
When she finally opened it, she was greeted with the sight of an elderly woman with short silver hair. The woman was wearing a white blouse with a long black skirt that went down to her ankles. She wore a small shoulder bag and had a black umbrella hooked on her arm. The woman looked to be around her seventies but she stood tall and carried herself with an air of pride and dignity.
"Nana!"
"Natsuki dear. It's so good to see you." The old woman pulled her into a short but firm hug.
Natsuki made way for her Nana to come in. "Come inside Nana. Have you eaten? Do you want anything to drink?"
"Oh, I'm quite all right dear. I'm not hungry but I'm parched."
"I'll make you some tea!"
Her Nana gave her a dubious look. "You are going to make me tea? I'm not too sure about that. I could just put a kettle on myself."
Natsuki huffed. Here was another person who didn't like seeing her in the kitchen. "H-Hey! I can make tea! It's not that hard!" she said crossly.
Her Nana smiled. "If you say so. I will clean your living room while you brew me a cup. It is such a mess in here."
Natsuki rolled her eyes. "I just cleaned it!"
The old woman raised a subtle brow. "Good grief. I can't imagine how it must look when you don't."
Natsuki linked their arms together. "No cleaning while you're here Nana. Come on. Come sit in the kitchen and meet my friends."
"Your friends are still here? How lovely. Yes, I would like meet them."
Natsuki led her Nana to the dining table.
When the two of them entered the dining area, the others were still not back. Only Shizuru, Mai and Nao were there. Shizuru, being the polite person that she was, immediately stood up when she saw Natsuki and her Nana.
"Hey guys! This is my Nana!" Natsuki said. She decided to introduce everyone as her friend first. She would tell her Nana about Shizuru later. "Nana, that's my best friend Shizuru. The one's eating pancakes is Nao and the one near the stove is Mai."
After that, the room was deadly quiet. "Hmmm?" Natsuki was suddenly confused. Why was everyone quiet? Why weren't they greeting each other? Natsuki set her eyes on Shizuru. The sight made her gasp. Shizuru face had that look. The last time she saw that look on the older girl was when Natsuki rejected her love during the Hime Carnival. Natsuki could never forget the fear in Shizuru's eyes.
But Natsuki was confused. What in the world was putting that fearful look on Shizuru's face again?
The deafening silence was broken by a surprised chirp from Nao. "Heyyyyy! It's the crazy sword fighter lady from the hospital!"
"Ne Natsuki. By any chance, is your Nana's name 'Miss Maria' ..." Mai asked.
Now, Natsuki was really confused. "How did you know?"
"Ohhh boy," Mai whimpered.
Miss Maria pointed her parasol at Shizuru. "YOU! YOU'RE THAT PERVERT!" she bellowed.
"W-What's going on?" Natsuki asked.
An uneasy chuckle escaped from Shizuru. "N-Natsuki, do you remember the elderly woman I met at the hospital? I used ... a walking stick to fight her? Well, this is ... her." she said.
"That can't be-" Natsuki gave her Nana a questioning look. "Were you at the hospital?" she asked.
Miss Maria gave a curt nod. "I had a small accident in my hotel room. I had to be hospitalized for a few days. That's when I met this- this- this PERVERT!" she said. Natsuki was shocked to hear the venom and anger in her Nana's voice. She could literally see fire in Miss Maria's eyes. Natsuki knew about her Nana's temperament. Something needed to be done or the situation was going to spiral out of control.
'What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?' Natsuki was beginning to panic. Shizuru and Mai were currently frozen in fear while the last useless person in the room was only making matters worse. "Woahhhh." Nao rubbed her eyes. "I am seeing her right? Is the crazy sword fighter lady really here?" She poked at her pancakes. "Am I like, trippin' or something? Mai? Did you put crack in my pancakes?"
The other friends who went to beautify themselves had returned at that moment. Aoi walked into the dining area. "What about Mai-san and crack?" she asked, repeating the bits of a conversation she had heard just then.
Chie followed close behind. "Hmm? Why are we talking about Mai-kun's crack?"
A very confused Yukino walked in behind Chie. "Mai-san's crack?" she uttered.
Haruka followed her girlfriend in. "Mai's crack? That's disgusting. Why are we talking about it again?"
"MY CRACK IS NOT-" Mai rubbed her face. She reigned her outburst back in. This was not the time to get mad. "Can you all just please, stop saying that," she said between gritted teeth.
Miss Maria's glare shifted to Natsuki. "Don't tell me these people are your friends?"
The newcomers took notice of Miss Maria in the room for the first time. Haruka pointed a finger at the elderly lady. "Hey! You're that sword fighter lady from the hospital. What are you doing- ... Oh shit, don't tell me you are-"
Natsuki started to chew on her fingers. Her friends were definitely not helping the situation. Definitely not. She looked over at her Nana who had her eyes closed. She looked like she was having to hold back from exploding. Miss Maria spoke with an ominous growl. "Don't tell me you are friends with these imbeciles and that pervert!"
Shizuru, who finally found her voice, spoke up for the first time. "Madam, I assure you this is all a big misunderstanding. If you would sit down and let me explain-"
"THERE IS NOTHING TO EXPLAIN!" the old woman hollered. "You disgusting pervert! You are wanted by the police! What are you doing here?"
"I am not wanted-"
"LIES! What are you low lives doing here? What are you doing with Natsuki?" Miss Maria demanded.
"Nana! They're not low lives!" Natsuki defended.
"Oh, they're not are they? This," Miss Maria pointed at Shizuru. "conniving pervert left me, AN OLD LADY! To take her place in the hands of the police. And this," Miss Maria pointed at Mai, "girl is talking openly about her cra- cra- cra- ... " Miss Maria rubbed her temples in distress. "Oh, I can't even say it. You shouldn't go around and talk openly about your genitalia or let others talk about it! That's something private! No respectable lady should act that way!"
Natsuki smacked her forehead. The generation gap between Miss Maria and them was proving to be hazardous. "Nana that's not the sort of crac-"
"DON'T!" Miss Maria shouted. "Natsuki, for the love of god please do not say that indecent word out loud if you don't want to break my heart!" she said putting a hand to her chest.
Natsuki sweat-dropped. "But- but ..."
Shizuru cleared her throat. "Madam, when we say crack in this case, we're actually talking about a type of street drug-"
"DON'T LIE TO ME YOU FIEND! You think I don't know what a woman's crack is!" Miss Maria fumed. "Now, look what you made me do! I've said that disgusting word!" Miss Maria gave Natsuki an admonishing glare. "Do not be fooled by their pretty faces, Natsuki. These people are as low as they come!"
"You've got it all wrong!" Mai tried to explain. "About the crack, Kaichou-sama and well ... EVERYTHING! You got it all wrong!"
Mai, just like anyone else was trying to control the situation but Haruka decided that she wasn't doing it right. "Tokiha! Just tell the woman already!" she shouted. "You can't beat around your bush ... No! I mean- beat her bush! NO! I meant to say beat around the bush! GAH!" Haruka had picked the worst time possible to trip over her tongue and it would cost her dearly. A certain absentminded red-head was there to make sure of it.
"Whaaaaaaaa?" Nao drawled. "Mai's gonna beat her own bush then she's gonna beat the old lady's bush? Woah woah, that's kinky and all but I'm confused dude. I thought Mai was straight!"
"NAO! SHUT UP!" Utterly mortified, Mai tried to put a hand over Nao's mouth to stop her sleepy ranting but it was too late. Miss Maria had heard.
The elderly woman's face was red, either from anger or embarrassment, or both. She was looking at all the girls with much disdain. "How dare you talk about me this way! I am old enough to be your grandmother you little twats!" She shook her head in disgust. "You are all REVOLTING!"
Haruka was desperate now. Things were starting to go from bad to apocalyptic "No! No! It was a mistake Madam! Tokiha does not want to beat your bush! " Haruka cried. "Or anyone else's bush for that matter," she added hurriedly.
"She's right! I can prove it! I have a boyfriend!" Mai said but realized they were going off in tangents. She feared it would only serve to aggravate Miss Maria more. "B-But that's not the point here!" she said. "This is all a big misunderstanding! You have to believe-"
"SILENCE!" Miss Maria shouted, now pointing her parasol at Mai. She was in no mood to listen to anyone. "I've heard enough! I will not allow you to corrupt someone innocent like Natsuki anymore. I would personally deliver you all to the police but those fools can't tell the difference between a criminal and an harmless old lady! SO! I shall take it upon myself to bring justice! PREPARE TO FEEL MY WRATH YOU LOW LIVES!" she shouted and charged at Mai.
"No! Nana!" Natsuki tried to hang onto Miss Maria's arm but her Nana was surprisingly strong and fast.
Mai, on the other hand, realized that she should fear for her safety. "AHHHHH! SHE'S NOT LISTENING! SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING!" she screamed.
"Mai-san!" Aoi called out. "You're holding a spatula! Use it like a weapon! Defend yourself!" she said.
"ARE YOU SERIOUS?" Mai hollered. However, she was out of options. Miss Maria was hurling at her with the parasol held high.
The old woman let out a battle cry. "UN GARDE!"
"AHHHHHH!" Taking Aoi's advice, Mai tried retaliating with the spatula but alas, it was no match for Miss Maria's parasol. The elderly woman knocked the offending object out of Mai's hands. "AHHH! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!" Mai pleaded, using her hands to shield any oncoming attack from Miss Maria.
"WHAT ARE YOU SORRY ABOUT?" Miss Maria roared.
"I DON'T KNOW BUT PLEASE DON'T HURT ME!" Mai made a mad dash towards her group of friends.
Shizuru also made a run for it but not before grabbing the still drowsy Nao. She headed for the group too. Shizuru had done it because the group gave her a sense of protection but she soon realized she had made a big mistake.
The group was standing near the hallway that led to Natsuki's bed room. Shizuru had ran in the opposite direction of the only true escape- ... the front door. Miss Maria would only need to take a few steps to position herself between the group of girls and their only escape. They were all trapped.
"Please Nana, don't!" Natsuki didn't know whether to jump in front of Miss Maria or tackle her. The first option would be useless because her Nana was acting like a mad bull. The second option was simply inappropriate.
While Natsuki was pulling her hair out, the group of terrified girls were running out options. Escape was futile. The only choice they had left was to decide who to use as a human shield. Haruka pushed Shizuru to the front. "This is your mess!" she accused.
Shizuru grabbed Haruka's pushing arm and quickly switched their position. "But you always clean up my messes Haruka!"
Haruka turned herself around bumped Shizuru towards Miss Maria. "Like hell I will. You are on your own!"
Shizuru grabbed onto Haruka with a steel like grip. "Aren't we childhood friends?" she begged.
"Not anymore!"
"I've got you now," said the bone chilling voice. Shizuru and Haruka stopped arguing. Their hairs started to stand. The elderly woman's voice was filled with promises of pain. With a menacing smile, Miss Maria took a step towards the group with her ever trustworthy parasol held above her like a claymore.
"Guys, she's coming!" Chie warned.
Nao, still oblivious to the looming danger snorted when she heard Chie's words. "Nyahaha! That what's she saiddd!"
"SHUT UP!" Haruka's fist connected with Nao's head but she didn't get to stay angry for long.
"PREPARE YOURSELF YOU WRETCHED FOOLS!" Miss Maria screamed. She suddenly bolted toward them like a blitz.
"Ah shit," Haruka and Shizuru clutched each other.
"This is not happening," Shizuru whimpered.
"NANA! DON'T!" Natsuki begged but it was no use. The girls were now only an umbrella swing away from imminent pain.
"DIIIIEEEE!" Miss Maria bellowed.
"HEY! IS SHE REALLY PLANNING ON KILLING US?" Mai screamed. "SOMEBODY HEEEELP!"
"NO! NANA!"
Then, with unthinkable strength, Miss Maria brought her wrath down on the group of screaming girls.
In the end, the day did not go as Natsuki planned. She had intended for her friends and new girlfriends to get to know her Nana, Miss Maria.
In reality, everyone got to know Miss Maria a little while Miss Maria made sure they all got to know her parasol a lot.
THE END
Hey folks! It's the Author again.
I hope you all enjoyed the story. I want to thank you for taking the time to read through it.
I would also like to apologize to Shizuru. I made her go through all this crap and I couldn't even write a decent smut scene for her. It's not that I don't want to. I'm just really bad at it and things tend to go horribly wrong when I do.
So, I hope Shizuru is not too mad. Just in case, I will be checking under my bed every night from now on. If you never hear from me again, you'll know who to blame XD
Best regards!
Bpython.