Maki Maki Chapter 14: Stamina Rose, a mai hime fanfic

Disclaimer: I don't own MaiHime.

A/N: Hi Guys! Sorry for not updating fast enough. I've had problems.. hehe.. I believe some of you were informed by a good friend , Sky. She was taking care of my mails and all. Heck, if not-- I'll make sure I kill her. Hehehe..

Thanks for still reading MakiMaki. And also for the wonderful reviews. I knew I'd screw up somehow, but thanks anyway for the continueed support and the reviews. I have new readers...! but I'm also guessing I lost some.. Sad.. but well... I've enjoyed their company so much and I thank them, now if only they could read this. Hehehe...

The updates will be delayed and I hope you bear with me. Sky doesn't want to type my work, so I'll be doing my best to do updates. She said she might mess it up. LMAO! As if it's not messed up now! Haha..

Anyways, enjoy!

MAKI MAKI

Chapter 14: Stamina Rose

When she got the phone call, saying she was shocked was an understatement.

Her hands can't help but grip the item and let it go with a sigh. Something must be up. But she doesn't have the slightest idea what it could be.

She had alienated herself, confident that she need not worry of her anymore. She lurked in the shadows of the Fujino corporation and had agreed to place herself where she would be more useful to the one person she owe her and her mother's life.

But now, she was needed near the Fujino heir. And she was more than happy to oblige.

"--and I have also cleared your schedule for next month..." Alistia reiterated as she looked at the snow-haired 22 year old seated by the window. Looking out, the brown-haired secretary saw Shizuru outside and decided that Harumi's attention might as well be focused on the former.

So, she was caught off guard when the girl suddenly stood up and walked towards her, cupping her chin, rather stern than flirtatious.

"...H-Haru-kun?" her voice wavered but she smiled nonetheless. Harumi's eyes we're ambiguous.

"Neh, Alistia..." Harumi pried closer, it brought shivers to her spine. She remained silent, but stilled her smile.

"You were at the Kanzaki's the other day." Harumi stated simply. Alistia never bothered a reply, which passed as confirmation. Harumi let go of her chin, and sat back. Alistia tilted her head, her jaw aching at the loss.

"Is there something wrong, Haru-kun?" Alistia inched closer, glancing at the door, making sure that she can do anything if the need arises.

"Nothing... It's just that... You've been in touch with Kanzaki Reito a little too much to my liking..." Alistia stopped on her tracks, her grin widening.

"Hmm… I was just taking care of some business Tamagaki-sama has with the Kanzaki. And—" Alistia looked out the window. "—seeing that my beloved Oujosama is 'occupied' with better things, I, as the secretary, made it a point to finish things in her behalf…" Her tone was too sweet.

Harumi nodded absent mindedly, the motion of looking out the window caught her and she was now staring at the chestnut- haired who was now waving at her. The smile was automatic, as well as the wave. She didn't even notice the brown-haired lady leave her.

Alistia left a smile and closed the door, slipping out of an almost dangerous plunge.

"How was the trip, Nao-chan?" Reito's voice didn't spell anything to her but utter disgust. Not that it's Reito personally; the guy's a good person.

"It was fine." Her short reply was called for. Reito neared her and reached for her hand. A gentlemanly gesture, suited for her neat blouse and pretty skirt.

She tried to squirm at it, but dismissing the fact that this could just a sisterly manner was impossible. She gave her hand but took it back even before Reito could kiss it. She tilted her head, her long red hair swayed gorgeously on her back.

"I was called hear with your instruction of being 'needed' by Shizuru-sama…" the mention of the other girl's name left her breathless. She can't remember when, but as her anger faded for the girl, the love and undisclosed loyalty began. Her statement was stern and enough for Reito to cleverly divert to laughter.

"My…My… So, it's business then? But of course, I wouldn't want to delay matters, especially if it concerns our beloved Fuijino-sama…" turning around, he lead the way towards the car that waited patiently for Yuuki Nao's arrival.

Much as she would like to tolerate the slow-paced Kanzaki, her anxiety to know what's going on got the best of her. The car took them straight to the Fujino mansion located near the city limits.

To her dismay, the much longed-for Fujino heir was nowhere in sight.

"So, how was London?"

Even that greeting wasn't welcomed at all. Reito exquisitely enjoyed his tea as the composed 18 year old mentally butchered him.

"Please, Kanzaki-san. We all know the reason why I'm here is because of the pressing matter at hand." She glared at the cup to avoid directing it to the other.

She continued, when she got no reply. "Where is Shizuru-sama? I would like to request for her to grant me audience."

She preferred practicing what she had learned all these years of being virtually part of the Fujino, just for the sake of not embarrassing her most adored.

Reito smirked at that and placed his own cup down. He took out his phone and made a call, signaling Nao to wait.

"This is Kanzaki. Good day to you too... Yes, she's here... And she's eager to see her as well... As expected, neh?" With the last word, Reito gave Nao a look that could pass on as flirting but the girl knew it was innate.

"Yes, we will be expecting you soon, then..."

As soon as Reito placed his phone down, he was faced with a scorn.

"Was that Alistia-san?" With Nao's voice holding edge to it, Reito raised a brow. He answered nonetheless.

"Yes. She'll--"

"I know you can explain everything to me, NOW... why wait for her?"

"Please understand that you are not supposed to be involved in the first place."

"Then why am I called for--"

"Shizuru-sama needs you... "

The name made her halt. She composed herself and decided to indulge into drinking her cold tea. Reito continued.

"Bur of course, I would give you some of the things I know... For review purposes. "He then placed a file in front of her, a file too familiar to her liking.

Whenever the Fujino's needed something to discuss, they go about this process which Reito Kanzaki also heftily adapted.

"An assignment?"

"Very good. You haven't forgotten."

"How can I?" she muttered, heavy on her breath. She once spoke with Fujino-sama about doing an 'assignment'.

It was nothing gruesome as to what she did before as a Hime, or a radical kid with a lost cause. It was just either keep an eye on, or search for something. If abolition is needed, she has her own especially skilled team right at her diposal.

She was promised freedom-- at all aspects.

"So, what's this all about?" she said again, not wanting to open the folder yet.

Reito quickly waved his hand.

"Oh, please do not be so worried about it Nao-chan... I'm sure Shizuru-sama wouldn't want to see or learn that you are exerting too much on anything other than your mom."

Yes... Shizuru-sama wouldn't wanna learn of her being 'dirtied', at any facet. She was almost treated delicately by the other.

And after what happened to the young Fujino, she wanted to make sure she'll never be a burden. And she laid her heart to rest, leaving everything to the young protégée that is Tamagaki Harumi.

She can't do anything anyway.

So she laid her heart at peace with the belief that her oneesama would be fine, as she knew that would be what Shizuru would've wanted at that time for her as well. All the more she found the older woman befitting her loyalty.

"Is this an observation?"

"No, Nao-chan... More on preclusion actually..."

"Preclusion? That's ridiculous..."

Her voice trailed. She opened the file and she was lost for words. Reito was pleased about what he's seeing.

"So... you haven't forgotten about her, either..."

Her hand shook.

"How can I?"

The picture on the file was smiling. Along side stood a shiny bike, her jade eyes taunting her. The sole face she wished she had at least found, soul or none, before everything collapsed for Shizuru.

"Kuga Natsuki..."

Reito smiled.

Nao scrutinized the picture. The paper is new, a new print. But the details of the biker's face are a little too different. She furrowed her brows.

"Is this tampered with? A joke perhaps?" she looked at the picture sadly. "This is not funny at all…" She faced Reito's incredulous grin.

"Oh, no Nao-chan." Reito reached for the picture and flipped it. "You see… this is a genuine picture of Kuga Natsuki."

"What?!" Nao's eyes widened. "That…can't be…"

"Yes. This was taken… hmmm… last year?" Reito was saying.

Nao gritted her teeth.

Darn it! She was right! She could kill Natsuki now, worry-free; a crime she wouldn't mind paying for! Now, with her connections, she can trace that woman even she has scourge heaven and hell at that!

"Fine woman she's grown into neh?" The Kanzaki continued as he pushed Nao furthermore. "You should've seen her up close, she has no scratches, what so ever!" With that, Nao's eyes squinted.

Now she definitely needs to get to Shizuru.

"I understand now." Nao stood up. "I'll be in my usual room, and I'll look through this. I'm expecting I'll be seeing Shizuru-sama…in a week perhaps?" She turned around and waited.

"Three days."

The answer was better than what she expected. She clutched the file at hand.

"Good." Her breathing was heavy with hate.

Reito smiled as she watched the young girl leave, another one of those people that Shizuru whole-heartedly helped. Nao was too much in love with Shizuru. And that makes it perfect.

He was also, unexplainably, drawn into Shizuru. Her devotion to one made him want to earn it himself.

But he accepted the fact that Shizuru loved Natsuki.

And he really hoped he did something about that.

"Even Mai…" He clenched his fist. "Your child's play was really extravagant… Kuga…" Reito's mind jumbled. His mutterings were left to himself.

"I would never let you off that easily…"

His words were heard by the walls and shared by the floor; his sad face drowned his cunning mask.

"Yuuki Nao…?"

Her voice carried a hint of worry. The name doesn't ring a bell. Well—almost all names don't ring at first. But she felt that she doesn't want to mess up too much for so long.

"Yes, Yuuki Nao… she was taken in by your father, through your request of course, along with her mother. And they were based overseas. She was especially trained by Alistia to handle business matters perfectly, neh, Alistia?" Harumi explained helpfully.

At this, the snow-haired was patient. She always explains everything, just to trigger Shizuru into remembering that certain person or event.

Not with the case of Kuga, who seemed to mean more to Shizuru than the chestnut haired hoped for.

"…You still can't remember her?"

Shizuru quickly waved a hand and motioned for Harumi to wait as Alistia looked on.

Now, why hasn't Yuuki Nao been introduced to her?

Right, overseas…

And… taken in by her father, through her own request?

"Anou… Harumi-san… Are we… close personally?" Shizuru muttered rather quietly, embarrassed at her own problem.

"Well… You could try thinking about Nao-chan tonight, Shizuru-sama… here…" Alistia handed her an envelope which she accepted gratefully. She smiled at the woman, marveling at how resourceful this lady is.

"Mou… Arigatou, Alistia-san… "

"It's nothing Shizuru-sama… That has her pictures and her mother's as well… Though, it won't have any descriptions…"Alistia added.

"Hai…" Harumi interjected. "You have to remember Nao-chan by yourself, okay?"

Shizuru beamed, too excited to learn something about her past. She resisted the urge to ask about how stiff they were at keeping Kuga Natsuki, yet so open when it comes to others.

"Well…" Harumi stood up. "You better start your 'lesson' Hime-chan… Nao-chan will be here in less than three days. "

Alistia also stood up and bowed, following Harumi to the door. Shizuru was left alone with the envelope.

"Yuuki Nao..." she muttered aloud.

Not wanting to waste time, she gently pried the envelope open and took out its contents.

She first saw a blurred image of a redhead sitting by a hospital bed, from what she could make out, and a smiling middle aged woman.

Then, she saw the redhead again, in a white sailor uniform and blue skirt, sitting—no, napping, under the shade of a tree.

"Yuuki…. Nao…" Shizuru smiled at the succeeding pictures.

Nao began to take form in her head… and heart.

Her hands stopped flipping through the pictures as she eyed one which made her heart sink.

It was the red-head again, pouting yet blushing at the same time. Around her wrapped arms so firm and possessive and caring.

It was hers.

Shizuru looked at the photo closer and she almost cried when she saw herself.

She was smiling… carefree and unscathed.

She was behind Nao and by the looks of it, her and the one who took the photo 'forced' the flushed Nao to take the picture.

"…She was even threatening me on handing the shot after… less I wanna get hurt…" Shizuru giggled to herself. The empty room was filled with the remnants of her memories flashing right on front of her.

She helped Nao with the latter's mother and had taken the young girl under her wing, pretty much making Nao her little rebellious, yet amazingly sweet fox of a sister.

"Kistune-chan… It has been so long…"

Ah—yes! She remembers!

It was always easy… Sad yet hurt-free. She got Nao's image, along with Nao's mother as well. That part of her past was easy to remember.

Shizuru kept the other pictures inside the envelope and just let one stay out, the one which had her on it.

Pictures…

Did she and Natsuki have any of it?

The pictures… where they taken by Natsuki, at some point?

If so, was this picture one of them?

Did she smile because she was the subject…?

…or because Natsuki was taking the picture?

Shizuru shook her head.

She looked at the picture again. Her happiness of before was… odd. She smiled with great abandon. And this photo could've been taken with other people looking. She can't really believe herself explicitly smiling like that. She can't imagine being too open with… a lot of people. Being open with Natsuki whenever they go out was different.

It was intimate.

But she has got to have a reason for being so plainly joyous before. There should be enough reason for her to have acted so open with others.

Natsuki, perhaps?

"Natsuki…" her mouth followed her trail of thoughts.

She unconsciously gritted her teeth.

Natsuki's not here.

But Nao will be coming in less than three days.

And she knows she has to learn how to smile honestly like that, once more.

Reason or no reason, she felt the need to do it. She has to! And besides, Nao is special to her, right?

Yes… she has to do it. She has to be openly happy about things… from now on.

Natsuki… or no Natsuki…

A/N: Well... yea, no Natsuki here.. And yeah... I'm sorry if it sucks.. haha! Please send in your reviews... Thanks!

I decided I'd lessen my ranting. So, yeah... till next update!