Maki Maki Chapter 12: How the Dragon wished for the Sky, a mai hime fanfic

Disclaimer: I don't own MaiHime.

A/N: Hehe.. Sorry for the late update.. Got some... err.. okay.. no excuses this time.. STAB please? lmao!

Anyways.. here it is.. because you guys are so wonderful in giving feeds, I hope this one compensates for the lack of action last chappie.. Suggested music: Sora's Folktale. Or just check my new featured playlist... same place guys... homepage..

I promised to go 'deep'...and deeper I go... hehe..

Again, this is an experiment... The title is because of Shiho-sama, and my chap titles, most of the time, don't make sense... Unless you squint a little.. hehe...

I'm doing extensions soooo I need loops and the works.. sorry if this is not to your liking... but I promise to always give it my best!

"Banzai, kye no baka!!!!"

MAKI MAKI

Chapter 12: How the Dragon wished for the Sky

It came in as a surprise but welcomed nonetheless.

The logical nudging of Yukino to have her visit old friends was too much. It was fitting, yes, and she had to admit over the weeks she had stayed in the Kikukawa mansion, her attention focused solely on getting Fujino Shizuru back.

Selfishness on her part, yet again…

When she left, she was thinking of just how to get away from Shizuru – no, away from Shizuru's love. It wasn't of any other reason, really.

She only had one thing on her mind at that time.

Never did the thought of possibly hurting her friends' dawn on her. She wasn't someone who would leave clues for others.

And all those years, Fujino Shizuru occupied her mind. Shizuru only…

Was that even fair?

She hurt Shizuru—yes.

But what about Mai? Didn't she place the other girl on a tight circumstance, knowing full well that she may have given out clues of her ultimate escape?

Mai suffered. She carried the guilt of knowing first hand the tragedy of two people; the knowledge that it was Shizuru's love that drove Natsuki away, and the knowledge that it was Natsuki's cowardice that drove Shizuru to the edge.

And of the others? All the same, friends or not, her 'demise' was never taken easily.

But did she care?

No.

Not one bit.

All of those times, she pondered whether what she did was right. But she never intended it for the purpose of apologizing to her friends.

As always, it was Fujino Shizuru she had in mind.

It wasn't really fair.

The numerous people she had left out of this game she played; did she care?

When she snapped, woke up and decided to come back, only one name resounded:

Fujino Shizuru.

The older girl was the most hurt. But everyone else was also bruised because of her carelessness. Death was her excuse.

But even Kuga Natsuki feared the loneliness of years. And her heart ached.

She had only one person in mind.

Fujino Shizuru.

Now… was that even fair?

"So—" Natsuki looked up at Haruka. She was busy arranging her things in the room provided for her.

Prior to that, she shared to the Suzushiro-Kikukawa pair about her plans on rekindling friendship with the others. She wanted to at least apologize and, if possible, make up for lost time.

One thing that she decided to have was the resolve of actually becoming sensitive with the feelings of others.

With a certain chestnut-haired, it was difficult – so incredibly difficult.

Better start with friends, neh?

"A week? Don't you think that'll be – err—hard for you?" Haruka leaned in the door.

Natsuki placed her things aside; all pack and ready. "No. I'm optimistic about this. I—" She sighed before continuing. "I haven't said anything about this to Shizuru yet, though…"

Haruka shook her head. She had placed bets on this kid for said girl, and her candidate's been moving forward and back.

Not good.

"…All those 'dates'? And you haven't eased up on her? C'mon, Kuga, you don't want her thinking you left—again, do you?"

The words were heavy – but very true.

Although Shizuru never asked her where she had been all these years and she never offered any explanation, it was obvious that at some point in time, Natsuki left Shizuru.

For the reason why, Shizuru never pushed to know…

All the dates they shared were so light – but full. They never asked, never explained, never worried. They just enjoyed the day and dreaded the end of it. Then expect the other to visit and the other to wait.

Just like that.

Natsuki always reminds Shizuru not to go easy on her, She wanted to make sure that she earns Shizuru's love, above all else.

Earn… not just be remembered.

Countless of times, the crimson-eyed would try and tell her something, but Natsuki –knowing that it would be those three simply vast words – quickly stops any attempt.

Not yet, she would always say.

And understanding the depth of those words from the biker, seeing the guilt and desperation that wells up every now and then, Shizuru would always just lets it be.

"Yeah… I should tell her…" Natsuki finally said, though Haruka doubted the manner the other girl would.

"Hmm… A week…?"

They're at the same place, same spot, as the other day and are sitting next to each other. Natsuki tried her hardest not to sway.

"Yes… B-but… I'll see you as soon as I get back!" That came out rather loudly and Shizuru was quite shocked but giggled nonetheless.

"..Ara…" Shizuru placed a hand on Natsuki's shoulder, almost making the younger girl jump, and tried to bring the other girl to look at her. "…Natsuki is free to go anywhere…"

And that didn't sound good for Natsuki. The sadness was there, she knows it. Natsuki tried to contradict the statement but all too sudden, Shizuru's face contorted in pain, the older girl's hand supported her forehead.

"M-Maa… Shi-Shizuru, what is it?"

"...It hurts… my…head…" Shizuru managed a smile through pained expression. She unconsciously clutched her chest. Natsuki noticed it. Shizuru's mind is in turmoil…as well as her heart.

It broke her.

Somehow, Shizuru's statement earlier made the older girl remember and was now struggling to ease the pain. Shizuru mumbled something about Natsuki not worrying, and that it will pass.

This is what scares Natsuki, the process of healing was really never easy. And although she promised herself that she will be the one who'll make Shizuru remember, seeing the girl in pain kills her.

Slowly she got up. And did the next thing that came into her mind.

Shizuru, amidst her twitching, felt strong arms surround her. Natsuki's soft words of comfort filled her senses. And though Natsuki's scent is too familiar it hurt, Shizuru managed a smile. She twitched every now and then, hurt every now and then. And Natsuki inched closer, as if wanting to partake to any ache Shizuru is feeling.

It was impossible, physically impossible.

But somehow, Shizuru felt her hand respond and wrapped them to Natsuki, making their body closer than possible.

Natsuki knew her shirt was wet. Shizuru quietly sobbed, her fingers dug deeply to her back. The blue-haired didn't mind.

The hurt was shared.

"…I'm sorry… Natsuki… I don't know why—"

"Hush… No need to say sorry… Please…"

Shizuru smelled sweet. And Natsuki knew Shizuru is now intoxicated by her scent as well. But the consequence of that, instead of romance, was of nightmare. Natsuki felt the older girl convulse, then stop, then shake again.

Shizuru was trying to remember. Because she knows somehow, she remembered something.

"Please… stop…"

Natsuki's voice was fevered. Shizuru's mumbling continued.

"Please…"

The pleading continued. The sobbing never stopped.

"…stop now… Shizuru…"

The plead never reached anyone's ear. The pain heightened.

"You can't… please… just… stop…"

Natsuki's words ran around. Over and over. Shizuru's hand fell on the ground.

"Sh-Shizuru… you don't… have to…"

Her eyes are shut. But her heart was bare. Natsuki saw it, but refused to acknowledge the fact that Shizuru wanted to remember her.

No matter what.

"NO! No, Shizuru…!"

She was just too scared.

"Na-Natsuki…"

The voice was faint. Shizuru's face lay limp on Natsuki's chest.

"Shizuru! Stop this!"

The maddening pain blocked everything… but ironically, her heart lay open. Natsuki wanted to shake Shizuru out of her reverie.

"Please!"

"N-Natsuki…"

"Shizuru… Please…!"

Natsuki's arms tightened around the girl. Shizuru opened her eyes, red and dull. The pain was there.

"I'm…"

"No! Shizuru… please…"

Leisurely, as if waking up, Shizuru pushed Natsuki. And with one sudden sigh, she ended her tears.

Her hands move swiftly, wiping her face and fixing stray hair. Natsuki stayed in position, immobile and astounded.

Now what just happened?

"…Shi…Shizuru…?" her mouth formed the syllables but it went out as air.

The girl looked at her and smiled; no trace of pain.

No nothing.

It ended.

"I'm quite fine now, Natsuki…" the playfulness. Natsuki sighed, letting out a smile of her own.

"…I'm glad…" She reluctantly reached for the girl's hand and was accepted generously.

"Maa… Natsuki was very helpful… I—Ara!" Shizuru quickly pointed at Natsuki's wet shirt. The biker blushed.

"…Gomen, Natsuki… I'm so clumsy…" Shizuru tried to wipe her shirt with a piece of cloth she got from their things but – ofcourse – it was of no use.

Natsuki tried her hardest not to blush some more because of the contact. "…Etou… No… Don't mind it…" Natsuki caught Shizuru's frantic hands.

"Natsuki…"

The biker looked at Shizuru quizzically.

"It's okay, you know… Be sure to come back after you're done with things…"

Natsuki's eyes widened. Her smile failed to hide. Shizuru also gave her a joyful beam, but the seriousness of her tone was not ignored.

"… I'll be back… A week, only… Shizuru…" Natsuki can't help but hug the other girl tight. The chestnut-haired, although very much surprised and elated, hugged back.

"Promise…?" Shizuru was asking to tease Natsuki's rather solemn take.

"Promise..." Natsuki answered to appease Shizuru's failing heart.

"Hmmm, back early Shizuru-hime?" Harumi was indeed amazed to see Shizuru in the house at this time. Usually, the girl is with the biker for the whole day and would only come back late at night.

It actually made her heart jump.

"Ah, yes! Harumi-san doesn't want to see me around…?" Shizuru's voice mirrored her happiness from the date with Natsuki. Harumi smiled evenly.

"Of course not, Hime-chan…" Harumi bowed the turned her back, much to Shizuru's surprise. Normally, the snow-haired would invite her to tea, or a stroll in the gardens.

But considering what she had been doing these past weeks; wasn't she the first to ignore…?

Shizuru felt her heart ache again.

She felt the need to do something.

"Harumi-san…"

Sure enough, Harumi turned to her, quite surprised but still composed.

"Would you like… to go for a walk?"

At first, Harumi looked as if she would mutter a decline but Shizuru actually felt relieved when the other girl answered her with a smile.

"Of course, Hime-chan…"

Shizuru knew that although Natsuki had occupied her days and even dreams for almost a month now, they have never bordered to newer grounds. It was always just the enjoyment of the day.

She likes Natsuki. Now.

But she really wanted to know whether she had feelings for the girl before.

Because that actually holds them both back.

Somehow, Natsuki seemed reluctant in fully accepting the fact that she might really be in love with her NOW, regardless of the past. Shizuru learned those little traits because they all seemed familiar.

Her head ached.

Again, whenever she tried to remember, her head and heart ached.

It all ached.

And what she wanted Natsuki to do was actually tell her everything, just to make the pain go all at once.

But Natsuki is Natsuki. And the older girl feels that this could go on if Natsuki stays the way she is.

But then again, can she make a difference?

"…Hime-chan…?"

She was so caught up with her thought that she forgot where she was… more importantly, who she was with…

"...H-Harumi-san…?" Shizuru can only mutter a question, which was answered by a hearty laugh.

It pained her.

If twins could feel what the other feels, then maybe Harumi is related to her. Because Shizuru knows that those red sharp eyes are feeling more…something more…

Had she been leeching so eagerly?

"You're tired. It wasn't wise to stroll around after being out for so long already…" Harumi was saying, retreating back to the mansion, the pained eyes well-hidden.

But Shizuru can see it, still. And the transparency of it is unnerving.

Yes, Harumi devoted herself to making the Fujino heir happy. But did she ask for the snow-haired to do it? It's not as if she wanted it!

But... She needed it.

At one point, she needed someone.

And Harumi was there.

What happened to me?

Why is Harumi so eager to please her… that she is so willing to stay a wallflower? The slightly taller girl always puts her first, doesn't matter if the gesture was appreciated or not.

The presents...

Always... always for her.

And then there's the last 'gift' the snow-haired gave her… A gift she knew she wanted...knew she needed the most… but, the gift...it's—

Natsuki… why do I hurt whenever I'm with you…? And yet.. I can't stop...

She needed answers. Asking it from Harumi would be too much.

Harumi gave me everything… And what do I do in return?

Harumi was something she can lean on… Only lean on…

I need someone I can walk with…

God, her head ached.

But how can I want someone who actually makes me hurt someone else in the process…? That's… unfair…

It darn ached so badly.

"Sh-Shizuru?"

Harumi is close, but she can't see her.

"N.nnn…"

Her mouth's shut, like a doll trapped in a nightmare. Her hand clamped on her face.

"Shh… It'll be alright…"

Her body was lifted from the ground; she felt the strength and the uninvited warmth of arms so familiar, yet sadly not enough. But—what is enough?

"…I'll take care of you… just relax okay…I'll get us in..."

"NNnnn…"

"Shh… Just relax, neh? I'll get you to your room..."

They moved swiftly and she felt the pain easing away. Harumi can always make the pain go away.

"Shizuru-hime… I have a present for you…" Harumi laid a box on her bed, but she ignored it.

"Go on… don't you want it?"

"No…" Her voice was not cold anymore. Not with Harumi.

"Oh..? Hmm, what a shame…What do you want then…Hime-chan?"

Her head shot up and searched the crimson eyed, testing the truthfulness in them, daring the limit.

"Truth."

"Hmm?"

"I want… I need the truth…"

"I see..." Harumi's smile never did give answers. So she pushed.

"That's the only gift I want…"

The silence was longer. But the wait…

"…The truth…? Of course Hime-chan… I'll give you the gift that you want…"

…was worth it.

Shizuru still can't move, think, speak… But her tears flowed.

And this time, it was because she remembered something else other than Natsuki.

A/N: Annndddd... I'm running for cover! -grins-

So, how was it? Review this one please? Tell me anything.. hehe.. Then again, this is an experiment..so yeah..stabbing? Be my guest! LMAO! Again, anything is accepted. My mood set? FEATURED PLAYLIST comrades!! click my homepage and-- BANZAI!!

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