Not mine, not even the plot! These are just translations.
Summary:
We now enter the main part of the story. It continues from Natsuki's promise in their previous lives to be the one loving Shizuru. We now move to a somewhat Mai-Otome world with a magical twist. Do however, keep in mind this is an Alternate Universe (AU) so do not be surprise if things are different from Mai-Otome.
Note:
I've taken the liberty to include remarks to clarify certain scenes for those who are confused or would like details. (Please ignore if your imagination managed to fill in the gap because these remarks are just my own deductions and might not reflect the author's original intent) These sections are marked with (-#-); refer to bottom of chapter for details.
Entangled Love
Chapter 5 - Eternity (Part 3)
Authored by asuka
Translated by glowie
-- Mai, I can't do it anymore...
-- Hold on Natsuki, just a little longer.
-- No, I can't. I can't take it anymore.
"Bang!"
Slamming both her hands onto the table, Natsuki finally managed to get the person before her to stop his senseless unending banter.
"Natsuki? What's wrong?"
As these words left his mouth, his hands reached to feel her forehand. Luckily for him, his actions were stopped in midair by a pair of slender hands.
Owner of said hands smiled warmly towards a confused Philip the Third as her mind worked in overdrive to prevent the situation from turning life threatening.
"Your highness, I am so sorry. Natsuki had been worrying over the issues regarding the Seal Stone and have not been getting any rest. I think she is too tired."
"Ahh... I see." He nodded with understanding.
"In that case, let the meeting adjourned. Natsuki, you'd better get some rest. We would be at a loss if you were to fall sick. Moreover... it'll break my heart."
His voice was overflowing with loving care and his face took on a reddish hue as he said that.
Outwardly, Mai was still smiling warmly but in her heart she was in tears... tears of desperation! 'Please... can't you see I am trying to save your hide? Stop talking already!'
Steeling her grip on Natsuki's hands; fearful of what her friend might do in case she goes berserk, she could sense the blue-haired woman's sudden stiffness when the last line was spoken.
"I guess we'd better take our leave then."
She quips before dragging a thankfully still stoned Natsuki with blazing speed away from the conference room.
Still recovering from shock, a pale-faced Natsuki quickly gulped down a cup of red tea to calm herself down.
Mai quickly refills the tea while being thankful that it wasn't scalding hot.
"Argh! I can't stand him!"
Our blue-haired Gakuenchou originally planned to quickly explain the situation and dispatch 'that guy' as soon as possible. Instead, he started to talk about the stars and moon. It was painfully obvious that he was trying to drag out the conversation in an attempt to spend more time with the ice beauty.
Unfortunately, his intentions are all lost upon the intended audience as Natsuki's heart is solely occupied with a certain crimson orbed beauty.
"Alright. Calm down already. You are so edgy today."
Quietly, her hands reached out secretly caresses strands of midnight blue.
"... I am very worried about Shizuru. To be honest, I am not in the mood to handle anything right now."
With her back towards Mai, Natsuki was totally oblivious to her friend's subtle movements. Her attention was solely focused on the object of her affection; jaded green orbs gaze longingly out of the window towards the distance.
"You... you really can't live without her can't you?"
Trembling hands quietly pulled away from the midnight tresses.
"Yes. I cannot be without her by my side, even if its for but a moment. I cannot live in a world without her presence."
"I know..."
Mai's voice was uncharacteristically hoarse but Natsuki being preoccupied with her thoughts on Shizuru failed to notice this.
A sudden knock on the door snapped the usually cheery 4th column from her brooding; she turned to face the door.
Mai turned back to glance at Natsuki who was oblivious to the intrusion. Returning her attention to the messenger she asked softly. "What is it?"
"We've received news from the escort guards, Shizuru-sama has returned safely..."
Not waiting for Mai's reply, a streak of blue dashed out of the door almost colliding with the shocked messenger.
Peering outside the window, she quietly watched as the blue-haired figure ran towards the landing dock. Struggling to contain the tears that were gathering within purple orbs, Mai squeezed shut her eyes.
"Natsuki..."
Softly, she murmured the person's name. Within her voice a bitter helplessness that she secretly kept to herself.
Before she could steady herself from her dismount from the flying dragon, Shizuru was wrapped in a tight embrace.
"Shizuru, Shizuru. I'm so glad you're back safely. I was so worried."
So tight was Natsuki's hold that Shizuru actually had trouble breathing.
"Natsuki, I am alright. You can stop worrying now."
"Hai! Hai!" Natsuki said as she nodded to indicate her agreement enthusiastically.
Burying her face into soft brown tresses, Natsuki breathe in her scent as her hand squeezed tighter around her most precious; hungrily drinking in the feel of her warmth and presence.
"Shizuru, Shizuru, you are finally back. Heavens knows how much I've missed you. Without you beside me, I couldn't do anything except thinking about you."
As she continued to pour out her longing verbally, her lips started to reacquaint themselves with her delicious white neck. Her voice becoming urgent, her breathing labored.
Taking in all this are the personal escort guards and the students who were welcoming the return of their favorite column. Gapping red, they instinctively looked to the side but unconsciously most of them stole secret glances at the two.
"Natsuki, release me please?"
"Never!"
It's not that Natsuki didn't notice the commotion they had caused, she just couldn't care less.
"But..."
"No buts!"
Not wanting to give her the opportunity to argue, she drowned her protests and forced them back with her adamant lips.
"Oooohhhh"
Screams of startlement of the students filled the place.
"Fu fu fu... little Natsuki-chan is as passionate as always I see..."
An aged voice filled with amused mirth crackled through the commotion.
A more than familiar voice.
The kissing couple immediately broke apart. Looking towards the direction of the voice, sure enough, it belonged to none other than their most respected person. Adorned in snow white garment with a smile full of gentle kindness, his long white beard was fluttering in the wind while his golden staff glittered brightly under the noon day sun.
"Teacher! You're back!"
Except for Natsuki and Shizuru, the rest of the crowd half knelt before the wise sage to show their utmost respect.
"Welcome back, High Priest."
The people cheered ecstatically for they believe no matter what the situation, the wise and powerful 1st column will be able to handle the situation.
"Teacher, why didn't you inform us of your return? We would have greeted you personally."
Looking at his favorite student, he strokes his beard while smilingly said. "I did, but after hearing about Shizuru's return, I guess my little Natsuki-chan didn't have the patience to listen to the rest of the message."
'Voomph' -- Quick as lightning, Natsuki's face was popping red.
It seemed apart from Shizuru, the beautiful 3rd column, this old man, who was currently enjoying his handiwork, is the only other that could muster such a response from Natsuki, the Ice Mage.
"Mou..."
Due to it being the actual truth, Natsuki couldn't find anything to retort her teacher but she couldn't help but wonder how did he know?
With a knowing look, his smile widens. "Isn't that obvious? The answer's right before our eyes is it not?"
Pouting in silent admission, our blue-haired beauty is plagued with another nagging question.
"Teacher, please don't call me little Natsuki-chan already. I don't see you addressing Shizuru nor any of the others like that. Why is it only me?"
Not at all happy that she was singled out with the embarrassing nickname, she continued to pout like a child... something she tends to do a lot unconsciously in the presence of the elder.
"Because Natsuki is a very cute person."
A pleasant and unique accent answered the question perfectly on behalf of the wise elder.
"Precisely." The High Priest nodded to reaffirm Shizuru's observation.
"I think so too." A clear but childish voice joined in on the discussion.
Massaging her temples, Natsuki groaned. The last thing she needed was more people making fun of her.
"Akane... even you..."
Shortly after, Mai arrived to join them. The five columns are reunited and started reminiscing joyfully.
More students swamped in to witness the gathering, leaving them no choice but to move their catching up within the confines of the Gakuenchou's office.
At the same time the parasol tree within the academy shed its last leaf as the crowd disperse, heralding the presence of late autumn.
Unbeknownst to them, this was to be the last happy moments for the academy.
So much so that in the years to come, many of those that were present this day would still grieve for those that were lost... never to return to their midst.
TBC
Notes:
Sorry, I wanted to updated this earlier but my internet provider decided to do a service "upgrade". Nice name for service interuption. Anyways... I hope you guys like it. It's short and not much storyline except to bring to light Mai's err... inner feelings. -grins-
Again, I would like to thank those who reviewed. As for the name... sigh... I am definitely gonna change it. Its meaning is actually used later in the story... but I guess I can forgo that sentence... since it's just a minor mention. I don't think pegasus is suitable because I see it more of a white-colored winged lion. Proud and ferocious. Ya... white wind has NOTHING to do with it... apart from it being white part. LOL. A white-colored winged beast --- white wind comes naturally to my mind... that shows how creative i really am. -cries-
(To those who wondered if I will produce some of my own fics... ya... creativeness is what I lack)
Hrmm... maybe silly crackfics... but I don't wanna scare you guys off.
Contrarily to popular belief... I do care for your well-being. -grins-
Thank you all for your kind words, I'll be lying if I said I wasn't encourage by them. -basking-
SychoBabbleX, glad you're out of your depression... I just hope you don't get into one... anytime soon.
To those who were wondering about the angst factor... This piece of fic is rated WMD... what does it mean? Yeah... I actually asked that question.
WMD - Weapons of Mass Destruction Despite that... it's a really beautiful piece so I hope you guys will tag along. I promise to give a pleasant surprise to lessen the damage when I upload the last chapter of this story. It SHOULD help you guys recover a bit... I HOPE... -glups-
Ohh... Ya... I was sooo hoping I don't need to do this... I WANT TO APOLOGIZE for messing up the 1st column's sex. The High Priest is a man... not a woman. I am so sorry. I just naturally assumed he's a woman because I cannot imagine Natsuki warming up like that to a man. I was translating halfway when I noticed... BEARD?? Huh? Doh! a MAN! Arggh... -blushes profusely-
(Sorry ya... I'll be more careful in the future)
Saw NSKruger's review and felt that it's a burning question that others would be asking as well. So I am adding it here. Well... the setting here is definitely different from Mai-Otome. Do remember the story continues from their previous lives. Natsuki here is definitely different because of her promise to love Shizuru as much as she did in My-Hime. Natsuki here is obsessed with Shizuru and thus openly shows her affection. In the same way their past lives also affects Shizuru to some extend.
Remarks:
Thank goodness there's no need for that this chapter. Else my ramblings will be longer than the story. Sorry about that. I tend to ramble... like what I am doing now...
Mai: You're worst than Philip the Third! -Bonk- Take THAT! and ThAT!