This chap took such a long time because my brother didn't want to let me use the computer. And that is all I have to say for myself.


Chapter 7: Benefits

"Stupidity is contagious. I must be infected."

The redhead stood outside the doors of the dormitory, shoulders slumped over, not even trying to stifle a yawn that inevitably came. She stretched her arms and shoulders before she reached into her pocket to take out her cell phone. She grimaced when she saw the time. Usually she'd still be sleeping around this time. Even the sun was still sleeping. What the hell is she doing? At least the look on her roommate's face when she left the room was satisfying. But not worth it. Definitely not worth it. She heard the door open and turned. Not surprisingly, standing there was the very cause of her early hours who, quite obviously looked a lot more awake than she is.

"Good morning. It seems that Yuuki-san managed to wake up."

"All thanks to you," Nao sneered, but it didn't quite come out the way she wanted it to and she blamed it on the fact that she wasn't fully awake yet. "I don't know how you managed to make me do this."

The person in question chuckled, before looking at Nao again. "Shall we go?"

Nao watched the person walk down the stairs and followed. "Whatever you say" They passed the stairs and were soon on the path that would eventually lead them to school. Nao walked closer to the person but still remained respectfully behind. "By the way, aren't we on first names basis already?"

The other didn't stop walking, but turned her head slightly to look in amusement at Nao. She smiled. "Ah, you'll have to forgive me, Nao."

Nao smirked. "All forgiven, Shizuru"

--

Natsuki rolled her right shoulder as she walked down the hallway, feeling it to be a little stiff. There's probably another ten minutes till class starts, and she might as well wait it up in class. She came to school an hour early today, because of the same reason she has been coming to school early everyday since the HiME festival. The past 50 minutes had been spent with her Ducati. Wiping places that were otherwise spotless anyway, checking the gears, lights, suspension, tyres, anything to kill time. She resisted the urge to go riding though. She had a feeling she'd only come back after school ended. It was a bad habit. And she couldn't afford to gaily skip school as she liked anymore.

She stopped the rolling of her shoulders as her eyes landed on a certain door to a certain room up ahead. She slowed her pace but kept walking. It shouldn't surprise as much as it did because after all, she was the one who chose to use this route to class. It's the longest route, so it'll kill more time, was what she reasoned. And as long as se believed that, it's true. She stopped in front of the door and stared at the sign bearing its name. 'Student Council Room'. It was written messily on a piece of paper and stuck onto the door because after all, this room was only temporary. Repairs had already begun on the original and it would probably be good to go by next spring. At most.

She read the words again and again in her head. When she finally realized what she was doing though, standing there in the middle of the hallway re-reading words messily written on a piece of paper and stuck to a door, she tore her eyes away. She exhaled a heavy breath. It's not like she was expecting anything to happen anyway. She took a step, then another, then another. And then the door opened. Almost automatically, she froze. Her ears picked up the sounds of footsteps, its pattern indicating that someone came out. But she didn't turn to look.

"Thank you for your hard work"

That voice was faint, but Natsuki didn't need to think twice to determine who it belonged to. She would be able to distinguish it from every other student in this school. And she wouldn't bat an eyelid doing so. That voice was too distinct. Shizuru.

"You really enjoyed that, didn't you?"

Natsuki's eyes widened. Another voice. One that held just a little resentment. And one she also recognized. It may not be as distinct as Shizuru's, but she wouldn't mistake it. Nao. Why was Nao with Shizuru?

'…you won't mind if I use this situation to my advantage, would you?'

'You're the living proof that knowing Fujino has certain…benefits'

Natsuki turned around, just as the door closed with a thud. Sure enough, the redhead stood there, staring back at her. Two pairs of eyes of the same color but different shade locked, one filled with confusion and a bit anger, the other slightly intrigued but otherwise disinterested. Nao created a distance between herself and the door, but kept the contact of their eyes. Though it was quickly becoming boring and tiresome.

"Kuga"

"Nao"

The redhead narrowed her stare before sighing. "See you" She turned and began walking away.

In a moment Natsuki has cut in front of Nao and now stood blocking the redhead from further leaving. "Not so fast"

"What do you want?" Nao asked, annoyed.

"What were you doing in there?" Natsuki demanded.

"Ah, that," Nao said, glancing at the Student Council Room door. "I've been skipping too many classes the past few weeks and Aoi told me that some teachers are really getting into my back but our gracious kaichou-sama helped me out. It's amazing, all she had to do was open her mouth and suddenly I'm off the hook. So, to return the favor I'm helping out with some paperwork."

Natsuki's eyebrow twitched, as though Nao had just spoken to her with an alien language from Mars. "That wasn't what I was asking! What are you doing with Shizuru?!"

Nao poked her right little finger into her right ear, twisting it slightly. "Eh? Did I hear wrongly? I was pretty sure you asked what I was doing in there."

The blue head's brows knitted, and she grabbed the redhead's collar. "Nao!"

Immediately, a smirk grew across Nao's lips and her eyes took an unpleasant glint. "Didn't think I'd do it, did you? The olive branch" The smirk only grew wider when Natsuki didn't reply. "I see now how even the likes of you managed to become her close…friend."

Nao had purposely emphasized the word 'friend', and Natsuki heard it crystal clear. She tightened her grip of Nao's collar. "Cut the crap!"

"Calm down. There's no reason for you to be angry. She's not your property, is she?" Nao asked with a lop-sided grin. "I just want the benefits, not the bed. I'll leave that to you."

The sound of Nao's body crashing onto the floor mixed with the sound of the door gliding open, and for a moment Natsuki didn't know which to concentrate on. But upon catching sight of the person standing at the doorway, it suddenly wasn't an issue anymore. Her eyes darted to Nao, and then back.

"Natsuki"

She could hear the surprise, or was it shock? in that one calling of her name. "Shizuru"

Shizuru shifted her gaze onto Nao sprawled on the floor. "Nao"

Natsuki blinked.

Nao?

Nao, now on her elbows, looked up at Shizuru. "Shizuru"

Natsuki unconsciously flinched.

Shizuru? First name basis…already?

Shizuru looked back at Natsuki. "What's going on?"

Natsuki kept silent, eyes darting from Shizuru to Nao and back. Nao was glaring at her, not surprisingly. But Shizuru, Shizuru was looking at her but she couldn't detect any emotion there. It was just a look. Natsuki stepped back, just as Shizuru turned from her to Nao, and crouched down, hands around the younger girl to support.

"Are you okay?" Shizuru asked.

"Fine," Nao allowed herself to be pulled up to her feet. She glared at Natsuki again, finding only an empty space where Natsuki once stood. Her brows knitted. "Damn that Kuga!"

Shizuru's eyes followed Nao's, picking up the remnants of the thundering footsteps leading away which she assumed was Natsuki's. Slowly, Shizuru turned back to Nao. "What happened?"

--

Natsuki pulled her bike into the clearing, maneuvering perfectly between the trees and bushes. She parked, before her hands reached up to remove her helmet, settling it down on the body of her Ducati. The sun had set hours ago and her eyes squinted slightly, now that her bike's headlight was off too. For a while, her eyes were fixed to the top of her helmet, the black exterior blending well with the surroundings. Finally, she looked up, a sigh escaping as she turned to look at the direction of the school building. She couldn't see it through the trees though. She had just thought that morning that she couldn't afford to gaily skip school as she liked anymore. And now she did just that. But she couldn't help it. The moment she hit the road, she couldn't stop. She dismounted slowly, gaze lingering on her bike before she turned and headed to exit the bushes.

She breathed deeply, feeling anxiety filling her up. She didn't want to think about Shizuru, or Nao, or what happened that morning but now that she was in familiar school grounds, she couldn't stop the images that came flashing by. Strangely enough –or maybe not- the image that flashed by the most was not of her conversation with Nao, or what happened afterwards but of that emotionless look Shizuru gave her. It bothered her, because she wanted to know what Shizuru was thinking. What could Shizuru be thinking? It was painfully obvious what happened there, with Nao on the floor and her standing. No, she didn't regret throwing Nao on the floor. She enjoyed every single second. That bloody woman deserved it.

Which led her to something else she feared. Shizuru would surely ask Nao what happened, and though Nao had initially, like everyone else, agreed to keep quiet about Shizuru's memory loss, would she, in a fit of spite after being thrown to the floor, reveal everything to get back at her? The more she thought about it, the more she couldn't rule out the possibility. Nao had proven herself quite a vengeful person. The double attempt on her life spoke volumes. The only thing that made her doubt that Nao would do it is the fact that Nao would be treading dangerous waters. And Shizuru is not someone to be messed with. Nao came closer to death with Shizuru than she had with Nao. That, at least, would make Nao think twice and that relieved her a bit.

So, using the presumption that Nao played safe and just blurted anything to shake Shizuru off the topic, the only thing that she could do now is to find out what exactly Nao said to Shizuru in case Shizuru decides to question her as well so that their stories matched. She turned to head for the dorms, still not quite out of the bushes yet. She prayed that Nao was in and not out on her 'manhunt'. She needed to know what Nao said before any other run-in's with Shizuru, which seemed to be happening quite frequently lately. Tonight was safe though. At this hour, if not asleep, Shizuru would surely be in her room.

"Welcome back"

Natsuki jumped back, her heart literally skipping a beat at the scare of the voice that suddenly sounded. She clutched her chest before turning to the silhouette leaning on a nearby tree. But it was clear who it was. Shizuru, still in her uniform, indicating that she probably had been there since school ended. Natsuki struggled to compose herself. "Don't…Don't scare me like that. What are you doing here?"

Shizuru smiled apologetically for the scare. "I'm waiting for Natsuki, of course."

Natsuki stopped, feeling warm suddenly. But she didn't know whether it was caused by the speed of her blood pumping all over her body or Shizuru's blatant answer. The warmth gathered mostly in her cheeks, and she decided it was the latter. "Why-Why would you do that?"

Shizuru tilted her head to one side. "I want to"

Natsuki could've sworn her cheeks were getting hotter by the second. With haste she tore her eyes from Shizuru and focused on a single patch of grass on the ground. "You're going to ask me what happened this morning."

There was a slight pause on Shizuru's side, but then a reply came. "No"

Natsuki's head shot up, not hiding her surprise. For a moment she looked pass Shizuru and spotted the now visible dorm building. "Nao told you?"

Shizuru nodded. "But, if Natsuki wants to tell me your side of the story, then I will listen."

My side of the story? Crap. I don't know what Nao said

"I-It wouldn't be any different, would it?" Natsuki said hesitantly and walked pass Shizuru, heading for the dorms. "Nao's side is enough."

Shizuru eyed Natsuki, before silently following. Her footsteps were so light that Natsuki sometimes didn't know if she was still following or had stopped. Well, all should be fine as long as Shizuru doesn't ask further questions. Natsuki didn't know what Nao said but from the looks of it, Nao played safe and Shizuru bought it. She was just going to have to follow through.

"I'm honored, Natsuki," Shizuru said suddenly. "Why didn't Natsuki just tell me?"

Natsuki turned to Shizuru, still walking. Her brows furrowed in complete puzzlement. "What are you talking about? Honored?"

Shizuru grinned. "That a cute girl like Natsuki likes me."

Natsuki instantly froze.

Wha…?

She blinked, snapping out of her reverie. Shizuru was still grinning at her. "Wha-What are you saying?! Who told you that?!"

"Ara, does that mean that Natsuki doesn't like me?" Shizuru feigned a hurt expression. "I'm a little hurt."

Red creeped to her cheeks. "No! I didn't mean it that way," Natsuki frantically stressed.

Shizuru's laughter only served to brighten Natsuki's cheeks. "I'm sorry, I'm just joking," Shizuru said, having calmed down. "But, it seems that Natsuki's side of the story is different from Nao's after all."

"Nao?"

That bloody bitch!

"What the hell did Nao tell you?"

Shizuru seemed to have expected that and smiled calmly at Natsuki. "Nao said that Natsuki likes me and therefore is jealous that Nao is spending time with me. So Natsuki vented out your anger on Nao."

Natsuki almost couldn't believe her ears.

I…like Shizuru and I'm…jealous?

'She's not your property, is she?'

Could it be……? I just don't want Shizuru to be taken advantage of…

"Natsuki"

She quickly responded to her name, by looking at the caller.

"What happened?" Shizuru asked.

Natsuki dropped her gaze.

What happened? What happened?

She glanced inwardly. "Nao…is just using you. That's why I got angry."

Shizuru softened and walked towards Natsuki, circling around to stand in front of the younger girl. "Thank you, Natsuki, for caring," she smiled gently. "I know what Nao is doing."

Natsuki's eyes widened slightly. "You do?"

Shizuru maintained the smile, and stepped back. She looked up at the sky. "It's late now. Natsuki must be tired, no?"

"Eh? Aah," Natsuki automatically nodded before she even processed the question.

"In that case, goodnight Natsuki," Shizuru said, already backing away.

Natsuki scowled. "Wait, where are you going?" but the moment it left her she felt like an idiot. Where else could Shizuru be headed to?

Shizuru stopped, raising an eyebrow. "To my room of course. Or…does Natsuki wish for my company?" she added with a cheeky grin.

Natsuki turned bright red in an instant. She childishly turned away and folded her arms. "Baka!"

What followed was an unearthly silence, as though beckoning Natsuki to answer properly with a yes or no instead of 'baka!'. She gulped, the deathly calm unnerving her. Even Shizuru wasn't saying anything. Was she really meant to say something? Didn't 'baka!' get the massage across? What did her 'baka!' mean anyway? 'Baka! Yes, isn't it obvious?' or…she gasped. Is that what she wants? Or…'Baka! Who would want your company?' Who…indeed. Slowly, she rolled her eyes to peek at Shizuru, and froze. Shizuru stood right in front of her, with probably only inches of distance between them, but she never heard the approach. She stared into those pools of blood crimson, completely unable to look anywhere else. Maybe she was being paranoid, but she felt that Shizuru was getting closer.

Too close

"Does Natsuki wish for my company?" Shizuru whispered, the tone light, almost teasing but at the same time serious.

Natsuki forced herself to inhale an uncertain breath, gaze still trapped in those crimson pools. Her mouth opened. "Yes"

Too close. Too close. Too close.

"Then I will keep Natsuki company," Shizuru said and smiled. "What does Natsuki want to do?"

Natsuki swallowed. It was definitely her paranoia, somewhere in her right mind she knew that Shizuru wasn't coming close but even so, she was becoming more and more uneasy.

Too close. Too close. Too close. Too close. Too close. Close. Close. Close. Close. Closer. Closer. Closer…

Natsuki lifted her hands, and in one swift unsuspecting motion wrapped them around Shizuru's shoulders, pulling herself into Shizuru's body.

Shizuru stiffened, eyes widening slightly. "Natsuki? What's wrong?"

Natsuki felt Shizuru's hands on the back of her shoulders, as though to pull her away. She closed her eyes and wrapped her hands a little tighter. "You asked me what I want…," she paused. "I want you to stay just like this and keep me company."

Shizuru looked inwardly at the other wrapped around her, surprised at the request. "Natsuki…," she relaxed, and slowly slid her hands down Natsuki's body to wrap around the waist and back. "If that is what Natsuki wants."

Hearing and feeling Shizuru's answer, Natsuki opened her eyes and sighed internally. She mouthed a thank you; sure that Shizuru never heard it anyway. She didn't know what compelled her to do this, but she knew that she didn't want to let go anytime soon. Those arms around her, having those arms around her made her feel secure. Uneasy, but secure. A strange feeling. Natsuki closed her eyes again, whatever anxiety that she had before now gone. And in it's place, something else…


I have so much mixed feelings about this chap I don't even know where to start…Jyou, you understand how I feel don't you? You know, although I ranted SO MUCH the other day, as I typed this I realized I still forgot to ask your opinion on something that happened in this chap. So much for the list…

anyway, let me know what you think, as usual. hopefully I'll get the next chap up ASAP