Disclaimer: I don't own MaiHime.
A/N: GAHHH! Updates are GO!! I still am addicted to Sakura from Eureka7 (drools over my player)... Playing a song over and over again helped me during my Canta per Me from Noir addiction, but-- oh well.. Back to the story..
So far, all of us guys got the main stream now; Shizuru doesn't 'recognize/know' Natsuki and Harumi is (BWAAHAHAHA) behind all of it.. for a cause, mind you...
The feeds are good... Like mayo.. hahah.. Thanks!! And because of that-- I actually edited the flow of this chappie...
YEP! I did!
As some of you might notice, I'm also greatly missing ShizNat in action (hence: the Cherry Blossom oneshot I made).. So.. enuf giveaways and yakkity yak from me..
Read on and hope you guys enjoy this one..
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Notes/ Lame translations:
hime - princess
goshujinsama - master of the house (or so.. gahh!)
ojiisama - honorable (sama) uncle (ojii)
sumimasen - excuse me/ sorry to bother / an apology made before making/doing a deed to apologize for
Wakarimasu - understood
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MAKI MAKI
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Chapter 7: Bite me, hard!
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"Hime-chan…?" Harumi walked slowly towards Shizuru's sleeping form. A smile graced her lips.
It was one of those rare moments where she felt her heart burst for this woman. "…Shizuru…" her voice shifted.
Pity?
Maybe…
The girl, Natsuki…
Harumi thought for awhile then shrugged. That will be dealt with later. She sat carefully by the bed. Her hand softly fixed a stray hair that fell across Shizuru's face.
"Such a peaceful face… Shizuru-hime…" She moved to plant a soft kiss on the sleeping girl's forehead.
"Sumimasen, Harumi-sama…" the voice almost startled her, but knew not to be.
She looked at the other girl, while the other just handed her a phone.
"Goshujin-sama desu…" Harumi stood up and took it.
"Thank you… Look after the princess for me…"
"Of course…"
Harumi walked out of the room. She answered it.
"Hai—ojiisama?"
"Hai, Harumi desu…"
"Soo ka… Wakarimasu…"
She came in as soon as the call ended and found the other sitting serenely by Shizuru's side.
"What was it about?" the person inquired.
"Nothing… He's just checking if I could handle Kuga." Harumi smiled weakly. She reached for the other's hand which was accepted readily.
"You're very patient… aren't you?" Harumi's voice felt soft. She glanced at the sleeping form. Her attention was snatched by the other girl who slowly moved to close the distance between them.
"Of course, Haru-kun…" The person reached to cup Harumi's face.
"I fell for her…" Harumi absent-mindedly twirled her fingers with the other's locks. Her smile completely fades.
"I know, Haru-kun… But…" The other girl gently traced her fingers on Harumi's face. Harumi didn't move; her lips pursed. The girl tip toed to level her lips with Harumi's ears.
"…Haru-kun fell for Alistia first…" Her words were only for Harumi, her smile hiding the mar of age.
--
"Thank you."
"Don't mind it, Kuga. We are on the same planting field now…"
"…playing field, Haruka-chan…" Yukino smiled.
"What I said…? Anyways, I would not have it otherwise…Please make yourself confrontable…"
"…comfortable… Haruka-chan…"
"What I said?"
Natsuki smiled at the two. She patted her bed.
The three decided to head back to Yukino's place instead of staying at the Tamagaki rest house. They agreed to redo things by tomorrow, unless of course, Natsuki backs out. Harumi was incredibly generous to them.
"I can't believe, Miyu and Alyssa are working for that Tamagaki…" Natsuki can't help but mutter. She earned a questioned look from Yukino and Haruka.
"Oh—that. Well… It's not actually that way before." Yukino began.
"What do you mean?"
"Well—it was Harumi-san working for Alyssa at the start." Yukino sat beside Haruka.
"Or—Harumi-san working ON Alyssa…" To this Natsuki's eyes widened.
"So, she's some kind of tech-freak?" Natsuki thoughtfully said. Haruka laughed at the comment. Yukino shook her head.
"No—Oh, no… She's—Well… she's gifted. She's a genius at things. A 'research' genius..." Yukino stood up. "Wait here, okay? I'll get us something to eat." As she left, Haruka looked at Natsuki then chuckled.
"Can't believe she pisses you off, too! Boy, was I stoned back there! " Which was followed by a robust laugh. Natsuki also gave in.
Haruka continued, staggering at her words as she laughed them out. "She—She looks… so, SO stern...--- I thought I'd ..---wet myself!"
Natsuki was caught, her eyes blurring. "And...-- …I almost… --Cried—Imagine?-- when…---… she neared me!" The laughter drowned them.
"No, don't punish me mama!" Haruka mimicked a child's voice while cowering to an invisible assaulter.
Natsuki clutched her belly, her laughter uncontrolled. The wetness of her cheek was unnoticed. "That—Now THAT… was classic! ---Never had my brain wrecked so much!"
"YOU were classic Kuga!" Haruka pointed, slamming her hand on the bed repeatedly.
"Yeah right... and you got pawned Suzushiro!" Natsuki sniffed, but continued on.
"Darn right you are!"
Natsuki felt her cheeks flushed from wetness, yet she continued to laugh. Haruka noticed this but didn't say a word of it. They laughed at their silliness that night, waiting for Yukino to fill in their hungry stomachs.
Natsuki laughed at her craziness. She looked foolish, her and Haruka, sharing this bellowed, frenzied laughter.
A laugh for today.
Just for today.
It was a request, of her sullen heart.
They ate and drank and fell and made fun of each other that night. Somehow, Natsuki needed a new inspiration to get her going. She needed a new push to reclaim Shizuru.
Better late than never.
Harumi and Shizuru are not, in any way, involved, according to Yukino. And based from the events earlier, she was employed.
But four years… Four years was more than enough. The others were stripped of their rights to visit Shizuru on their own accord. They all had to undergo Harumi's discretion. Shizuru's father gave full responsibility to someone who – according to Haruka- was a complete and utter stranger.
Or is she?
Looks like the Tamagaki's are not to be set aside. She helped Alyssa fix her gene problem, and funded Miyu's regeneration program. Yukino can't dig deeper on her profile, the only thing she has is that the Tamagaki and Fujino had been working side by side overseas for a very long time even during the HiMe festival.
The wine helped her sleep. She hadn't had any of it since she came back. She felt her stomach hurl.
Why did she come back?
Right—
Shizuru…
Those crimson eyes pained her. To not be recognized by the one who literally clung to you for so long was unbearable. Natsuki felt another hurl.
She was promised a chance by Harumi.
It was up to her, the girl said.
It was up to her if she can still take it.
She let sleep take over.
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The drive was not as long as it used to be, and when they arrived, she had enough vigor to actually face the waiting Alistia. Yukino wasn't able to come today but promised to follow later.
"Good morning, Haruka-san… and to you, too, Natsuki-kun..." The flirtatious move not escaping Natsuki. Haruka decided to handle the matter, shoving Natsuki away.
"Good morning Alistia. We are expected to be here…"
"Yes, of course, come in. She's waiting…"
She being Harumi got to Natsuki and Haruka's spine. They both shared the same hate and, surprisingly, panic, towards the other girl. Natsuki even learned that Haruka's protest in Harumi taking Shizuru in was turned down easily. Knowing the blonde girl's fury, Harumi must really be psychotic!
"Here, she's waiting in this room. I will leave you now." Alistia turned rather quickly for them to react. Shaking her head, Haruka knocked.
"Ohayo, Tamagaki-san. It's Suzushiro and Kuga."
The rustle from the other side made Natsuki restless.
When the door opened, the biker was expecting the same darkened expression from the snow-haired Harumi. She was taken aback when an unexpected person greeted them.
"Shi—Shizuru…" her voice caught up with her. Haruka almost stuttered.
"Ohayo…" Shizuru was smiling back at them.
"Please come in… "
Before Natsuki can ask, she felt Haruka push her.
"It's great to see you again…" Shizuru was saying not really addressing anyone, carefully sitting herself and offering the others to do as well. Natsuki looked at the girl before her.
Shizuru was still Shizuru. The aura of perfection glistened around her. She can't help but smile, and blushed as she noticed so.
Shizuru smiled at her again, but it was – different.
"Uhm, where is Tama—Harumi-san?" Haruka asked; the comic hostility from before she treated this woman as her rival no longer evident.
"Oh, Harumi-san is doing something else, but she'll be back later. She asked me to meet you both in her place in the meantime…Yukino-san is not with you… Is she alright?" Her voice was still as sultry as before. Natsuki felt her heart ache. She carefully searched Shizuru's face for anything—any sign of hysteria from yesterday.
There was none except for the accommodating smile of the former HiMe.
"Uhm, yes… She also needs to be somewhere, but she'll come here today." Haruka seemed stuck. She doesn't know how to introduce Natsuki, after what happened yesterday.
Darn you, Tamagaki! What are you planning?
Shizuru noticed Haruka's obvious glances at Natsuki then back at her. She smiled.
"Oh, so sorry… Harumi-san already introduced her to me yesterday, yes?" Natsuki and Haruka shot up. Shizuru's smile became a soft chuckle—to Natsuki's dismay. Her heart—it's failing her.
Harumi did this on purpose!
"Kuga Natsuki… Am I right?" Natsuki can only nod, her jade eyes greatly missing the dancing red orbs of the other; the ones that only smiled for her.
Wait—Has she forgotten yesterday too? Natsuki's mind lurched.
"Uhm, Shizuru-san, do you remember yesterday?' Haruka spoke for her.
"Yes, quite vaguely though. I may have had one of my occasional head aches at that time, neh, Haruka-san." Shizuru turned to Natsuki, who gasped at the sudden attention. Shizuru stood.
"I'm deeply sorry… I'm Fujino Shizuru. Harumi-san told me we met yesterday, but, unfortunately, I have problems—…remembering things…" Shizuru bowed and gracefully straightened. Natsuki fumbled to stand up and bow as well.
"Ah—Etou... Kuga Natsuki… It's… uh... A pleasure…"
"Ara…" the Kyoto mark, "… I thought Kuga-san was mute…" the teasing. Everything intoxicated Natsuki.
"Please, 'Natsuki' would be fine…"
"Natsuki-chan then…" the smile again. Natsuki's knees felt weak.
"Well, then, I don't suppose you remember anything at all, Shizuru-san…" Haruka interrupted. Natsuki muffled a comment on how blunt Haruka is.
"Yes, and I am really sorry for that." Shizuru doesn't mind, based from her calm response.
Please, stop apologizing…
"Well, that is no problem. What time do you think is Harumi-san going to be here…?" Haruka looked at the clock. "It's quite early for her to be in a meeting—" She grimaced at her own words. "… then again—my Yukino is at a meeting this earl—" Haruka's cheeks crimsoned at how she called Yukino. Natsuki's snicker escaped her before she could stop it. She looked at Shizuru who smiled warmly at her.
"Hmm, I think she'll be here around lunch. Is that an inconvenience?"
"Oh—no!" Haruka said. "We could—uh, hmmm…" Haruka's face brightened, which made Natsuki sweat. " Why don't we let you and Natsuki here—talk..neh, Natsuki?" Haruka gave Natsuki a warning look. Natsuki's sweat doubled.
The biker whispered lowly. "You can't possibly leave us here, can you??"
…which was answered by a lower scowl.
"Yes I can, this is your chance! Don't blow it!" Haruka stole a glance at Shizuru whose curiosity is evident. She turned to Natsuki again, putting edge on her already deadly whisper. "Start over! She seemed to have gotten over your name and face… whatever…"
"But—"
"Take it, Kuga!"
"Uhmm… are you two okay?" Shizuru peered closed at the two. Haruka blushed and stood up, swatting Natsuki's hand tugging at her shirt.
"We're fine—hey! I'm sorry but I just need to make a—err…phone… call…? Yes! So…-- Hahaha... Natsuki…?" Haruka pulled Natsuki up and gave the other girl a push.
"Shizuru-san, since you two just –met-, it is just fitting to get to know each other, uhm, again… neh?" Haruka tried to smile, but it showed as a grin.
"Ah yes! Let us do so, Natsuki-chan, yes?" Natsuki wilted. She nodded and resignedly sat back again.
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As soon as Haruka left, Natsuki felt her mouth burn. She can't even look at the other girl, much more speak to her! And alone, on top of that! The two of them sat unmoving.
"…Natsuki-chan?" the voice almost made her jump.
Well, almost.
"H-Hai!"
Shizuru smiled and stood up. Natsuki's eyes unconsciously fixed on the other's body.
The years had been good… Natsuki was thinking.
MORE than good..
And though time had showed great embodiment in the older girl's physique, Shizuru's face remained unscathed.
It's angelic, as always…
…with a hint of insolence, at the side…
All in all an amazing cut.
Natsuki felt her vision change and was replaced by deep bloodied orbs.
"GAH!" Her surprise made her and her seat fall back. Shizuru was quick and reached for her in time before she falls butt first.
When Natsuki opened her eyes, she was held on by a worried Shizuru, the older girl's other hand clinging on the table side. Natsuki can only blink.
"N-Natsuki-chan, are you… okay…?" Shizuru's voice died away.
They are so close.
So incredibly close.
Natsuki steadied herself and was now standing face to face with Shizuru. She can see the change on the other's face; the sudden contortions and raggedness of breath.
They are still so very close.
Nostalgia took over the blue-haired as, without thinking, she cupped Shizuru's face. The other girl's gasp was too low a whisper.
Natsuki knew they are too close.
But she needed more.
She can almost hear Shizuru's heart.
Almost.
She neither felt resistance nor noticed any sign of it.
The urge of getting closer to Shizuru was devastating.
She faintly saw cognizance in those crimson eyes which now fluttered shut. Silence covered the room. Natsuki's world stopped.
After all these years...
...Natsuki decided…
...that Shizuru's lips…
...are still as soft as before.
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A/N: There she goes folks! NO, it's not over yet! I may be fluffly this time, but the cliffie remains! (someone will stab me soon!) LMAO
First: Yes, Harumi and Alistia are paired up in my original fic: Dolls. Hence the --bleep-- Haha! But wait-- there's more to come!
And Last: I inserted some of Haruka's canonness (the messing up of words) for lightness in this fic o' mine! There are a few humor here, but-- GAH.. I'm ranting.. LMAO
There, hope you guys enjoyed this one. THANK YOU, really for the last reviews.. I am forever grateful... You guys know how I crave and beg and plead for reviews.. Soo... Review.. please..?
Heheh.. to those who plainly read this one, thank you for giving time in checking this fic out. It's my first non one shot and so far, I've only incurred minor bruises...Especially when I announced a brewing NaoShiz.. I stopped thinking baout it.. I'll keep Nao to myself.. Haha!
Yes.. volk... No NaoShiz... P- please... stop.. wringing my n-neckk... ACK! -dies-
Anyways, do send in your comments and criticisms on this work of mine for future improvements on my other craziness, because this fic is, pretty much, finished in my PC. It's just a matter of uploading it. AGAIN, THIS IS AN EXPERIMENT. Please be kind...
Sorry for some grammar errors here, I think I may have some... I'll never know... Unless you tell me.. haha.. English and Jap is not my first language so.. there..Bite me! LOL
On the side: Do check my homepage, for Yuki Kajiura suckers like me, Lo and Behold! Collection desu!! Haha!
Again, Thank you and hope you guys check and enjoy my other fics.. Comments, reviews, flames are forever welcome!