Disclaimer: I don't own MaiHime.
A/N: This is an experiment story. Reviews may/may not affect the next chapter. To those who read and reviewed (or simply read) this, thank you kindly!
Warning: The title and chapter titles may not make sense for the simple reason that I don't want them to make sense. Make sense? Good.
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MAKI MAKI
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Chapter 2: One more then fall
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The bickering stopped and Natsuki knew she only needed one more- one more and she'll snap. Blood smelled too good for today. She marveled at how unfocused she had been.
She really messed up big time.
She knows it and admits it.
"My, My… Kuga—"
"Ani-ue!" What the man had to utter never left his thoughts. Mikoto stopped Reito from saying anything more; her still dazed companion lying limp in her arms.
Natsuki summoned the use of her voice, she wanted to say something. She can't expect help from Mai. Not now—seeing first hand the tremors of what happened. Now she regrets it even more!
"That was uncalled for, ani-ue!" Mikoto knew it was far too much for all of them. She really doesn't care, but as long as Mai turns jelly over that, she'll have to do anything to avoid it!
The glint of hate that shone on Reito's eyes melted. He looked at Mai and was a bit glad she's coming to. "I'm sorry, imouto… Mai –san…" turning to Mikoto earned him a defeated sigh. He glanced at the object of his lashing.
Natsuki stayed still, fist and lip clenched. He let out a barrage of words – hurtful, truthful words that cut deep. He knew she was expecting it; it may have come as a surprise that it came out of his mouth.
The silence made them uneasy. It made Natsuki squirm but somehow she realized that Mai is okay with this. She was more serene and her wailing stopped.
She felt her ears popped as her world whirled and shouted at her.
The bickering stopped-- and yet she felt the sting even more.
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"Four years, huh?"
Natsuki expected the hate to come back and Mikoto readied herself for more, instinctively covering Mai with her body, expecting the flurry of words to return.
But the hate never came.
Reito's voice was haunted, something really did happen. And Natsuki still doesn't know what that is...
"You already know," Reito continued, his eyes steady, his mouth churning, "…Shizuru-san is not in her old place anymore…The place doesn't even exist anymore…" Natsuki listened.
"Coming here… was the only thing you can do, and you did." She needed more, more than this play of words!
Reito's eyes roamed and locked with Mikoto who met it firmly. He sighed, tired and grieved.
"I must thank you, though. Somehow Mikoto's innocence brings her down. I'm glad she made it. She's now stronger, see?"
Natsuki's mind reeled, but what can she do? She can only listen, wait and be impatient about it inside her head. The pieces were blurred. But she has to wait. She doesn't deserve shortcuts this time.
"Reito-san…" Mai pulled Reito out of his trance. "Let us stop this… Not… now… please? " her eyes showed signs of sanity, she held on to Mikoto. Turning to her friend, she can only mutter a silent request."...Natsuki?"
Natsuki's eyes widened in panic but seeing Mai's tears threatening to fall again made her impede any protest.
But she didn't get enough yet! Not yet! Reito's words never made sense, and assuming never did well to her. She needed answers, information, anything—never mind if it's all coming from this man!
And yet…
It was her satisfaction versus Mai's fears, whatever they are.
She had enough of a leeway all those days of 'thinking'.
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Natsuki's pained eyes nudged at Mikoto. The younger girl frowned as, somehow, she remembered hating this girl. Natsuki was the one to blame for everything… She made Mai cry…
She made Mai suffer…
She made everyone suffer…
But can she really blame Natsuki?
The same girl is now sitting right next to her. One move and she can grab a knife and end it all here, make all that play or game, whatever hell that is, a reality. Everyone seemed to have accepted it anyway.
Her brother fuelled that. He made it worst. Not that his words are lies. She wanted to say them herself.
But she remembered Mai. And she forgave the former comrade only because Mai managed to survive. If the orange head didn't...
Ah Natsuki, even she won't be able to save you from me...
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Natsuki wavered. After seeing - hearing - all those things, vague as they may seem, she just can't get a grip of herself anymore...
Why did she comeback? It was… okay anyways, right? Reito… admittedly… was right…
She should have stayed dead.
"I'll help you."
Another confusion for the day.
Heads quickly turn to Mikoto, the younger girl flashing her child-like smile. She spoke directly to Natsuki while the latter stayed still.
"Today, we all rest. You rest. Don't ask about it, keep up what you're doing. Tomorrow, you'll get… closer… to what you want."
The words were spoken clearly -- too clearly. And Natsuki felt she could hit herself a thousand times and still not be satisfied. She managed a smile - a smile so weak and so brief.
Her smile was weak.
She was weak.
How could she forget?
She came back because of her.
Her.
"Shizuru…" her whisper reached Reito and somehow the air was jarringly calm. Mai stood, wobbly yet persistent, her grief washed away with the knowledge that the nightmare will now end. Finally.
"Yes, Natsuki. I don't have to open up today." Mai's smile returned. One may pass and say that nothing happened.
It stopped Natsuki's protest of speeding things a bit. Mai's smile was full-- yet fake. Still fake.
"Hurrying won't do you any good…" Mikoto hushed her restlessness. She can only nod her head.
Spending a whole day with the past didn't sound good to Natsuki. She asked herself to be excused and was given the option of staying upstairs. Sleeping won't be easy.
As she ascended, her mind wondered aimlessly, giving a quick recap of her plan. She stopped though, when she thought she saw something odd, but she shrugged her shoulders and continued on.
Somehow, she thought she saw Reito cry.
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A/N: BAM! weee.. Did I just made him cry? I did! haha+.+ Guys, thanks so much for reading the first chap.. reviews are very welcome.. so sorry for messing up, this IS an experiment... and I'm just a free loader.. hahaha! Shizuru? Oh.. I'm dating her for the time being.. hehehe... please be patient.. thanks!
Thankies to the following:
ALEXISSA2: As always... Thanks! I'll try not to dissappoint you.. hehehe..
Shiznat: So glad you enjoyed this fic, please feel free to comment on this chap..
Tenshi No Tsume: I hope you enjoyed this chap!
glowie: Hooked?? GREAT! That's a boost for me! Thanks for the review.. I'll do my best! haha!
NSKruger: Your name scares me.. Your not THE Natsuki "Touch-Shizuru-And-You-Die" Kruger, aren't you? hehe..kidding! I hope you don't mind me hiding Shizuru-sama for a little while.. hehe..
firstclasstroublemaker: Thank you Thank you! I'm nervous as heck because of this darn experiment! haha!!
kikyo4ever: Serve, I will.. haha!
shiznats: Arghh.. I will do my best! Thanks! ...the pressure... the pressure... hehe.. kidding! Thanks! Hope you enjoyed this one...
ChocolateKisses : I have yet to delve on a NatsuMai possibility.. Thanks for the boost! Hope you enjoy this one..
volk83: I can never kill my Shizuru... sees NSKruger Erhm.. ehem... Let me.. rephrase that... I can never kill Natsuki's Shizuru.. hehe.. eherm.. uh.. hope you enjoyeed this one..
Thank you for the support! As of this time, the above mentioned are the ones who have reviewed chapter one. Please feel free to review my work. Boosts are so very needed... hehe..