DISCLAIMER: I still don't own Mai HiME. (Damnit.)

A/N: Yes, long time. Well I'm on holidays for a little while now so I've had time to get a lot of writing done. I'm so sorry about this delay!

Chapter 4: Awkward Silences Suck

By the time 6pm had rolled around, Shizuru could've sworn her insides had turned into snakes and were wriggling around inside of her. Well, it felt that way at least. The nerves were settling in deeper as each slow minute ticked over to the next and she was finding it hard to focus on her work when it came to assisting and serving the customers. During the long periods between customers, Shizuru was also guilty of zoning out while her attractive jailbait co-worker, Tomoe, was trying to engage her in conversation (which was basically a lengthy monologue anyway, to Shizuru's defence.)

"... and thinking about it now, don't you think I should have fired him? Shizuru-san?"

Turning around at the absence of a reply, Tomoe found the object of her affections bent over the counter and checking her reflection in the metallic strip along the edge of the cash register. She watched for a few more moments as Shizuru used her fingers to comb through her fringe and the tip of her pinky finger to touch up her lip gloss. The younger girl let out a sigh.

"Shizuru-san, were you even listening to me?"

Turning around, Shizuru shot her companion a sheepish smile and clapped her hands together, bowing apologetically. She made sure to bend forward just enough to tease Tomoe with a glimpse of her cleavage, which would hopefully soften the sting of her rudeness. Really, she hadn't meant to ignore the poor girl but her mind was so preoccupied with thoughts of her upcoming dinner date with a most beautiful woman...

"Oh, Marguerite-san, kannin na! I am awfully sorry, unfortunately my mind was stolen away by other things..."

She rose from the bow just in time to catch Tomoe's eyes flick away from the tantalising view Shizuru had provided her, and back up to meet her smiling gaze. Earlier disappointment quickly forgotten, Tomoe launched into her query.

"Oh, that's okay Shizuru-san! I was only talking about an idiot down at father's firm anyway... But if you don't mind me asking, just what exactly is happening tonight for you to be constantly checking your appearance?"

The trace of suspicious curiosity wasn't hidden well enough for the ever-perceptive Shizuru to miss, and it made the university student wince inwardly. Ah, would it be wise to tell her that I have a date?

"I'm meeting up with a friend for dinner."

Tomoe scowled, despite her attempts to appear only politely interested. She couldn't help but voice her displeasure.

"Oh, a date then."

Shizuru chuckled.

"Ara, such an accusing tone... you make it sound as though you wish I weren't going out, Marguerite-san."

The younger girl flinched.

"I - Eh, well.." She cleared her throat a little, daintily raising her hand to her mouth as she did so.

"I have to admit, the thought of you stuck in the company of some boring man for the rest of the night plagues me just a little."

Shizuru chuckled some more at the way the girl ground out the word 'man' so distastefully. She had no idea why Tomoe was so opposed to men, but it amused her to no end. In fact, had she not been so set on having Natsuki, Shizuru secretly thought to herself that perhaps she would've enjoyed a brief fling with Tomoe.... but then she'd shake her head and remind herself that, although tempting, Tomoe was still a minor. Shizuru had standards, after all.

Deciding it would be best not to correct her, Shizuru broke away from the conversation to glance up at the clock - 6:45 - and back down at her work shirt. She sighed ruefully and plucked at the red fabric with her fingertips.

"Marguerite-san, is it okay to ask a favour of you?"

Looking eager, Tomoe nodded.

"You see, I am leaving here at exactly 7pm and I won't have time to change into my proper outfit... would Marguerite-san mind if I were to get changed now and she keep it a secret from our boss for me?"

Smiling sweetly, Shizuru inwardly cursed when she saw the hesitation flicker in Tomoe's eyes. Sigh. She knew it was a strict rule of Yukariko's to remain in uniform during your shifts, but surely nothing could go wrong in the last 15 minutes..?

Plotting in her mind, Shizuru smirked as she came to the resolution that she'd just have to manipulate Tomoe the same way she always does - which was borderline seduction.

"Ara, Tomoe, there is merely 15 minutes left until I finish. And I trust you to keep this secret for me. Although, I will you need you to keep an eye out for customers whilst I change behind the counter..."

Tomoe's eyes clouded over and Shizuru knew she'd assured victory. Tomoe felt slightly light-headed - the combination of Shizuru addressing her in such an intimate way (without honorifics~!) and the fact that her extremely attractive co-worker was planning to undress right here, just 3 feet away from her!

"H-hai, Shizuru-san. The store's empty at the moment, so use your opportunity now to change."

Proud at her ability to win the younger girl over so easily, Shizuru ducked down behind the counter and retrieved her bag from beneath the counter. Pulling out a gently-folded short dress, Shizuru knelt down and proceeded to remove her work shirt.

Utterly transfixed, Tomoe was unable to focus on anything else around her other than the smooth, milky flesh that was being revealed to her with each passing second. Her peripheral vision all but disappeared as her eyesight honed in on the white lace bra, very simply but oh so freaking sexy.

Revelling in the strong, tingly feelings coursing through her system and unable to hear anything due to the blood pumping erratically through her heart and temples, Tomoe nearly jumped out of her skin when a damp cloth landed right next to her arm that was leaning on the counter. Tearing her eyes away from the wet dream material in front of her, Tomoe glanced nervously at Yukariko, who had entered the store and now stalked briskly over to one of the shelves and was straightening up DVDs.

"Come on, girls... you need to constantly be checking these shelves, you know how the little kids are when they just tear through the selections..."

Panicking, Tomoe locked eyes with Shizuru, who had frozen fearfully when Yukariko's voice was heard. She was in an awkward position - Sprawled out on her knees, button-up dress over one arm and hanging off of the opposite shoulder. The button of her jeans was undone and a hint of white lace underwear was peeking out. Whichever way you looked at it, she would be screwed if Yukariko saw her. Heartbeat pounding, Shizuru mouthed a set of instructions to Tomoe.

"Stall her."

"Tomoe, use that cloth I tossed you to wipe over the counter, please. And where on earth is Shizuru-san?"

"Eh- bathroom!" the green-haired girl stuttered.

She snatched up the cloth and began to wipe over the countertop, clearing her throat a little and reaffirming her excuse.

"Y-yes, Shizuru-san went to the bathroom."

Yukariko just nodded and, upon finishing the straightening of the shelves, began to approach the counter. Nervously, Tomoe dared not glance at Shizuru and instead reached out with her foot and discreetly nudged her, hoping that she'd get the message and move the hell out of view!

Below the counter, Shizuru understood Tomoe's sign but glanced around fearfully - there was no where to go! Instead, she furiously scrambled to get the half-dressed top off of her, and reached around for her work shirt which was lying on the floor a few feet away from her.

Yukariko was near the counter now, and with a jolt of fear for Shizuru, Tomoe blurted out the stupidest stalling method in history.

"Look over there!"

Blinking, Yukariko turned around and glanced to the back of the store.

"What? What is it?"

Tomoe didn't answer - instead, she had dropped into a crouch and faced Shizuru, who had already managed to get her head and arms back into the shirt. Grasping the hem, Tomoe yanked the shirt down until it covered Shizuru's form completely. Standing back up abruptly just in time for Yukariko to turn back around, Tomoe flashed a bright smile at her.

"Er, I thought I saw a mouse... it seems to be gone now."

After a few seconds of staring uncertainly at her employee, Yukariko just shook her head exasperatedly and stepped behind the counter... and nearly stepped right on Shizuru's hand, who was kneeling beneath the counter rummaging through the cleaning products stored in a cupboard down there.

"Oh! Sorry, Shizuru-san. I didn't even realise you were back from the bathroom yet."

Shizuru casually accepted the apology and withdrew a bottle of cleaning spray, standing up and smiling.

"It's alright, Yukariko-san, I was just going to do a little bit of cleaning before I finish shift. I leave early tonight, in a few minutes, to be exact."

Yukariko smiled, then nodded in Tomoe's direction.

"You see, Tomoe? You need to be as motivated as Shizuru-san here is. She's a perfect employee - I think I'll start putting you two on more shifts together, she's a good influence on you."

Tomoe, during the course of that sentence, went from being indignant at the semi-insult to elated at the prospect of spending more time with Shizuru. As she stepped past the two women to walk out to the storefront, Shizuru sighed in relief and allowed her racing heartbeat to clam down.

Ara, that was close...

It was now 6:59, and Shizuru was gathering up her things to leave. Standing up with her bag over her shoulder, Shizuru bid goodbye to Tomoe and Yukariko as she walked towards the exit.

"Shizuru-san, wait!"

Turning around at the girl's call, Shizuru blinked as Tomoe handed her the folded up dress that was supposed to change into.

"Uh, you left this under the counter."

Thanking her, Shizuru smiled cheerfully and reached out to take the dress. Tomoe purposely slid her hand against Shizuru's as they both reached out, prolonging the action and causing Shizuru to frown inwardly when she saw the smokey look in her co-worker's eyes.

"... Have fun, Shizuru-san. Don't let your male friend bore you too much."

Forcing herself to grin, Shizuru nodded wearily and turned back around, walking out the front door and thinking about the expression in Tomoe's eyes as their hands touched earlier. Ah, perhaps it was a bad idea to string her along so much today... she was looking at me like she was in love with me...

Shaking off the uncomfortable thoughts, Shizuru stepped out into the dusky evening, raising one hand to block the initial assault of dying sunlight as her eyes immediately searched the car park for any sign of her date.

Ara, not here yet it seems...

Waiting for a few moments, Shizuru was halfway through checking her messages on her phone when the roar of an engine alerted her to the presence of a motorcycle in the distance that drove up and slowed to a stop in front of her. Shizuru stood speechless for a moment as her eyes greedily trailed over the body sitting astride the vehicle.

Long, slim legs were covered by tight jeans and a white button-up dress shirt clung to the smooth dips and contours of the girl's torso - an open collar that showed a hint of collarbone and offered just the barest glimpse of a shadowy cleavage. Long, dark locks were visible from underneath the helmet, but the gorgeous face was currently hidden from view beneath a dark visor as the biker reached behind herself and withdrew a second helmet, offering it to Shizuru.

Still too spellbound, Shizuru absent mindedly took the helmet from Natsuki's grasp as she continued admiring the outfit her crush wore. She almost forgot how to breathe when a gloved hand reached up and flicked up the visor on her helmet, revealing piercing green eyes staring directly at Shizuru.

Shizuru didn't have time to lose herself in the possible romance of the moment however, as she realised with a start that Natsuki was actually staring at her weirdly; one thin eyebrow quirked as she regarded the store attendant before her.

"Uhh... are you really going to be wearing that? Coz this place we're going does have a dress code..."

Glancing down at herself, Shizuru caught sight of the now-crumpled red polo shirt that had been haphazardly thrown on during the panic a few minutes ago, and the faded jeans that ended in a pair of worn, white sneakers. Blushing slightly, Shizuru smiled sheepishly as she looked back up at Natsuki.

"Ara, yes, I do need to change when we arrive at our destination... I did bring a spare change of clothes. And shoes."

Nodding, Natsuki once again flicked her visor down and shuffled forward on the bike, leaving Shizuru to sit her helmet over her head and awkwardly climb onto the back of the bike. Lightly grasping Natsuki's hips, Shizuru stiffened up straight and prepared herself for the ride - she had never been on a motorcycle before.

She was a bit curious as to why Natsuki had not started moving yet, but before she could voice any questions the biker had reached behind her and took Shizuru's wrists, guiding them around her middle and pulling the girl tight against her back.

Over the sound of the engine, a euphoric Shizuru could just make out Natsuki's words.

"You need to hold on tighter - if you don't, you'll slip off as soon as we turn a corner. Got it?"

Shizuru nodded against the girl's shoulder blades, too dazed to form any words as she felt the warmth radiating from the strong body in front of her and felt her arms locked in an embrace around it. As a safety necessity or not, Shizuru was content to think of the situation as a bear hug.

Revving the engine, Natsuki placed her feet back onto the pegs and gently guided the bike away from the sidewalk and back into traffic, laughing behind her helmet when she felt Shizuru's fingertips dig into her belly as the frightened girl clung on for dear life.

Shizuru glanced up at the sign perched above the front entrance as they dismounted from their bike. Carnivàle...? Strange name for a restaurant...

"So, I'll head inside and get our table while you get changed... or something?"

Shizuru turned to the beauty beside her, who looked rather impatient as they stood outside in the car park. Then again, since Shizuru first laid eyes on the girl, she had looked impatient 95 percent of the time. Shizuru herself, on the other hand, was bubbling with giddy glee that she kept well restrained behind her calmly smiling facade.

"Ara, I do believe that sounds like an ideal course of action."

Nodding, Natsuki moved to begin walking towards the front door, only to find an extra weight attached to her as Shizuru latched onto her arm.

"H-hey! Get off me!"

Trying to shake off the other girl, Natsuki reached up with her free hand and tried to pry her arm out of Shizuru's clutches, who by this point had successfully managed to nestle the limb snugly into her cleavage. Balking, Natsuki flailed her free arm around.

"What the hell are you doing?! Release my arm right now!"

Laughing at the flustered girl, Shizuru hugged her now-captive arm even tighter, for extra measure even daring to lean her head on Natsuki's arm.

"Araaa, this is a date is it not? It's customary for the girl to walk arm-in-arm with her date."

"The girl? Then what the hell am I, the guy?!"

"Mou, Natsuki always has to draw heterosexual parallels with everything... she really is very close-minded.."

"What?! I just - wait.... Gah!"

Throwing her free arm into the air in exasperation, Natsuki just groaned and shook her head, giving up on the argument and continuing towards the entrance with Shizuru practically glued to her side.

"Table for 'Kuga'."

"..... I see. Thank you. I shall guide you to your seat now. Would you like to wait for your partner before I bring over the menus?"

Natsuki, currently leaning against the wait stand, rubbed her temples and shook her head.

"Nah, Miyu... don't worry about the menus. I organised everything with Mai beforehand, she's got it all covered... Say, could you let Mai know I'm here when you go back into the kitchen?"

The grey-haired young waitress nodded dully, bowing stiffly at Natsuki as she headed towards the biker's designated table. Once Natsuki was sitting in her seat, the unemotional Miyu turned and walked off towards the kitchens. Sitting back in her chair, Natsuki let out a sigh as she thought of the long night she had ahead of her.

Now, you've only got to entertain her for a few hours and then you're free of her... She thought to herself, idly playing with the end of one of her long tresses that draped over her shoulder.

It wasn't that Natsuki was cold-hearted, but she just couldn't afford to get closer to anyone, especially not right now. It was bad enough that Mai and her few other friends were beginning to ask questions, and Natsuki really didn't need a perceptive annoyance like the Legend worker hanging around either...

At that moment, she looked up to see Shizuru walking towards her, dress fluttering around her mid-thigh and plunging neckline revealing a silver necklace that was nowhere near as sparkling as her eyes. Natsuki bit back a sigh.

... Even if she is beautiful.

Swallowing deeply, Natsuki reached up with her foot underneath the table and kicked Shizuru's chair outwards, effectively pulling it out for her without having to get up. Shizuru chuckled at the moody action as she sat down, placing her bag down beside her chair.

"Ara ara, very innovative gentleman." she teased, trying to gently rile the girl up who was currently leaning back in her chair, gaze fixed solidly at a spot on the table before her, arms folded. She didn't reply. For a few minutes they remained this way, untalking and barely moving.

Shizuru regarded the grouchy biker with an amused smile - while it seemed that Natsuki was nonchalantly ignoring her, Shizuru could see with each passing minute that the girl's cheeks were getting redder and redder, and that she was affected by the awkward silence.

Finally deciding to spare the girl her torture, Shizuru released a burst of breath as she looked around for a waitress, her sound breaking the silence and causing Natsuki to glance up at her.

"Say, where are our menus? Have you not been served while I was absent, Natsuki?"

Unfolding her arms, Natsuki sat up a bit higher in her chair and glanced over to the kitchens.

"Um... well, I know the chef here and she was supposed to come out here and serve us personally, but..." trailing off into a mumble, Natsuki peered at the tawny-haired girl curiously when she released a chuckle.

"Ara, what a nice surprise for our date. I'm glad you went out of your way to organise it."

Natsuki just cleared her throat and nodded, avoiding eye contact with the other girl as her ears turned red. Cute, Shizuru thought endearingly. I really hope she'll agree to a second date after tonight... Ara, it seems I am more infatuated then I first realised...

Natsuki seemed to relax as a buxom young woman with fiery-coloured hair approached their table.

"Hey Natsuki! And hello, Natsuki's date!"

Shizuru smiled at the girl who looked close to her own age, sporting a flour-covered apron and currently wiping her hands on a tea towel that she held.

"How pleasant to meet you, my name is Fujino Shizuru."

Grinning, the chef reached out with a now-clean hand to grasp Shizuru's in a friendly shake. Her cheerful demeanour was nearly infectious.

"Nice to meet you too, Fujino-san. I'm Tokiha Mai, the head chef here. Wow, it's so great that Natsuki's finally on a date!"

Sputtering, the girl in question shot a glare at her giggling friend.

"Shut up Mai! Just because you're off gallivanting with that Tate idiot every 5 minutes doesn't mean everyone needs to scramble around for a date!"

"Natsuki! Be more polite! It's pretty darn rare that anyone is even brave enough to approach you so you better not go scaring off your chance for a loving relationship!"

Shizuru laughed, amused, watching the back and forth banter between the two. It was obvious that they were quite close friends. Eventually deciding to cut short their little fight, by which point Mai was childishly poking her tongue out at Natsuki and the icy beauty herself was halfway out of her seat and growling, Shizuru spoke up again.

"So, Tokiha-san, my co-worker's boyfriend mentioned he had a sister who was friends with Natsuki... are you Tokiha Takumi's sibling, perhaps?"

Mai flicked the tea towel to rest over her shoulder as she placed both hands on her hips.

"Hey, you work with Akira-chan? Yeah, Takumi's my little brother alright... In fact, he's working in there right now."

She pointed her thumb over her shoulder at the kitchens.

"Little guy's the best pastry chef this side of town, hahaha. So, Natsuki never told me you work at the video store."

Shizuru leaned back in her seat, currently in her most comfortable element - Polite conversation.

"Ara, well I am studying law at Fuka University for the time being, as I'm aiming for an LL.D. and I pick up a few shifts a week at Legend to cover my personal expenses."

Natsuki and Mai both gaped at her. The former was first to actually speak.

"Fuka U...? You must be loaded to afford that place..."

Shizuru felt a little jolt of pride at the measure of awe she could hear in her date's tone. Frowning at Natsuki, the well-endowed chef reached out and smacked her friend on the back of the head.

"Ow! Frick!"

"Natsuki! I can't believe you don't already know these things about your partner!"

"Damnit Mai, this is our first date! Back off already!"

After a few moments, interrupted constantly by the two friend's tendency to argue over everything, their food was ordered and Mai returned to her kitchen, winking at the both of them and parting with a cheeky "Enjoy yourselves!" as she returned to her station. Now both alone, Shizuru was dismayed to find that she was once again left with a scowling statue.

Sighing, Shizuru tried to think of a topic that the two of them could discuss. Really, unless she got Natsuki to open up more before the end of the night, there was practically zero chance of securing a second date. Looking at Natsuki's bored and disinterested expression, Shizuru felt a twinge stab at her heart as she began rapidly losing confidence.

Oh, what am I doing... it's obvious she's not interested in me in the slightest. The only reason she's here in the first place is because I tricked her into it, there's no way she'll want to see me after this. It's like she just wants to hurry up and get this over with...

Feeling the uncomfortable sensation of tears welling up from the back of her eyes, Shizuru blinked a few times to push the annoying feeling away and focused her gaze on her silver bracelet.

Wow, real tears for once... Ara, aren't they rare. Normally most girls are throwing themselves at me just to get my attention, but the only one I actually want won't even look at me... Ah, the irony.

As Shizuru sat self-wallowing, Natsuki fought against every muscle in her body to not look up at the girl opposite her.

Don't be stupid, Natsuki... you'll look like a weirdo if you stare at her!

Part of her mind argued that it was Shizuru's own fault for wearing such provocative clothing - her body was just screaming to be leered at! Luckily for Natsuki, focus and control were something she was able to pull off flawlessly... Well, they had been, until she met Shizuru.

The weird shop assistant kept managing to throw her concentration off and send her into a flustered mess with her damned teasing, every time she entered the bloody store. And now, somehow, the same girl had managed to get her dressed up and sitting down, awaiting a romantic dinner. What the hell?! The girl was definitely skilled, that's for sure...

Fingertips grasping the butter knife that was laid out neatly on the table, Natsuki began to fidget with it while they waited in awkward silence for their food. Secretly, Natsuki tilted the cutlery to an angle until she found a clear reflection of Shizuru.

Man, she's really gorgeous... I feel kinda bad for having to keep her at arm's length like this. Sure, she's an insufferable nut, but Mai's right... where am I gonna find a catch like this again? A beautiful, intelligent, rich catch?! Argh, what a shame that she is pursuing me so much... I just... Sorry, I really can't let you get close to me, Shizuru... It's dangerous...

Unaware of the attractive rebel spying on her through the silver reflection, Shizuru drew in a shaky breath and taped her fingers along the white tablecloth. Ok, so as soon as we've eaten I'll get her to drop me off home and I won't bother her again... I'm obviously a burden...

Both women, deep in their own thoughts about the other, were startled when a loud voice called out in their direction.

"Oi! If it isn't Kuga, on a date of all things...?!"

Shizuru snapped her eyes away from the approaching girl with vivd red hair when she heard a low growl escape Natsuki's throat. Turning to look at her date, she saw a pissed off expression darkening Natsuki's eyes as she glared at the newcomer.

"What the hell do you want, Nao?"

"Hey, no need for that kind of tone mutt. The little brat's sent me here to pick up Miyu once she's knocked off work."

Snaring a chair from a nearby unoccupied table, Nao swung it around to their table and sat down backwards in it, folding her arms over the backrest in front of her and leaning her chin on them. She swerved unnerving jade eyes to meet Shizuru's crimson ones for a split second, before moving them to roam all over Shizuru's form briefly and then turning back to meet Natsuki's.

"So, there's no way in hell you could've gotten this on your own," glancing back at Shizuru, the girl known as Nao smirked.

"How much did she pay you for your company?"

Shizuru was stunned for the slightest second. A multitude of feelings were colliding inside her at once. Offense, annoyance, and indignation to name a few. Was this girl implying that she was an escort...?!

Or was she simply insulting Natsuki? Either way before Shizuru could open her mouth and correct the girl, tell her that the date was of her own will, that Natsuki actually wanted nothing to do with her and she'd forced the biker into dinner, Natsuki's next set of actions silenced her.

Reaching across the table, Natsuki grabbed Shizuru's hands and held them in her own, scowling at Nao as she pulled a stunned Shizuru's hands towards her and kissed them. Not letting go of the hands, Natsuki shot Nao an irritated look.

"For your information, Yuuki, this is my beloved girlfriend Shizuru and I'd be thankful if you stopped intruding on our intimate date, thank you very much."

Shizuru just nodded blankly in support of Natsuki's words, barely registering what was happening around her as those words kept echoing in her mind and her hands remained encased in Natsuki's warm soft ones.

A-ara...

Next Time:

So Shizuru is Natsuki's beloved girlfriend? What the heck is going on?! Shizuru doesn't care, because all of a sudden Natsuki is all over her and seemingly head over heels for her. But just who is this Nao girl? And she's a friend of Tomoe's?!

A/N: Hopefully there's enough stuff in this chapter as an apology *bows to readers*

Please review!