Hm...I wasn't supposed to update this soon...I didn't even anticipate it being finished already BUT since it's my birthday today I'll make a quick update but it's a long chapter nonetheless! I can't even believe that I've actually written 7 chapters already. I'm impressed by myself since I often start things but don't finish 'em. Now I bring you the next chapter where the confrontation will take place. Oh, and also I apologize for grammar and spelling errors ok? So read and enjoy!
Third persons point of view
-"Talking"
(Natsuki's thoughts)
Shizuru's thoughts
--
Disclaimer: Nothing to own just something to share!
--
A lonesome figure was spotted walking down the roads of Fuuka. Numb to everything around her and lost
in thoughts of old memories. Her body was slumped forward with arms hanging at her side. Her face
showed no emotions. A sudden shrill from her cell phone made her jump.
-"Kuga."
-"Hello, Natsuki! Where are you now? My meeting has ended; shall I wait here for you to pick me up?"
-"No, I'll meet you at home..."
-"Is something wrong?"
-"I'll talk to you when we get home, okay?"
-"I guess...I love you."
-"Love you too...Shizuru."
She knew that her unexpected way of saying affectionate words would worry her lover greatly. But at
that time she felt the need to express it, to Shizuru and herself. A reminder of what she still felt.
Since she did not know what to feel at the present. Was she supposed to feel: happiness, sadness,
guilt or anger? Who would she direct her anger at? Tomoe for deceiving them both? Shizuru for her
foolishness of sacrificing so much without thinking, for her? Or herself for not seeing it? If she
would have listened earlier or at least tried harder then maybe, just maybe, nothing would have to be
this...complicated. She decided to talk things through with Shizuru. It would be the best thing to do,
now that she knew.
(How am I supposed to say it? I'm no good at this.)
She was so deep in thoughts that she failed to notice that somehow she had managed to walk the whole
way home. For her, she arrived too fast. She didn't feel ready to face Shizuru.
(Here goes nothing.)
--
Natsuki opened the door as slowly as possible, anything to prolong the dreaded conversation.
-"I'm home."
She closed the door and listened for any sounds. She thought she faintly could hear some footsteps and
then it became a blur of chestnut. She felt herself caught in a tight embrace. A whisper greeted her.
-"Welcome back."
It was not a genuine greeting for coming home, more of a relief that she actually came at all. It was
a desperate clinging and Natsuki felt guilty, for she knew that it was because of her...again.
-"Oi, Shizuru."
She nudged her scared lover.
-"I'm not going anywhere."
--
Those were murmurs of reassuring words and it eased Shizuru, did not matter if they were true or not,
just that it was from the one she loved was enough. She had waited patiently sitting in the couch. She
could sense the discomfort from Natsuki in the phone and itself made her want to get herself home as
soon as possible. She wanted to be the one to greet Natsuki or maybe that was a lie, she was just
afraid Natsuki would not return, forever. Sitting and waiting in a dark room where you could see
nothing, did not matter, since she her thoughts were somewhere else. When hearing the door finally as
if in a dream open she first could not believe her ears. It was an illusion created by her, she
thought. But then the familiar steps and breathing made her hope that it was in fact real. She was
quickly on her feet and running towards her protector. Scared that if she was too slow she might
disappear, like last time. Now she was in a warm embrace and she felt her mind being at peace.
-"Where were you today?"
-"I went and talked to my boss."
-"Is there a problem?"
Worry was present in her voice, carefully hidden but still visible.
-"No..."
Natsuki could feel her tensed lover relax.
-"...or not really. I know, Shizuru. I finally know...everything."
With this said Shizuru felt her heart stop. She slowly backed away from her source of comfort. Her
biggest fears had come true. Horror was clearly in her expression. Her eyes were widened in shock,
hands covering her slightly agape mouth and her shoulders were shaking. She was no longer staring at
Natsuki. She was not even present in that room anymore. Her mind had traveled back into the past where
she remembered every sound, action, feeling and thought. She was renewing everything that happened,
that shouldnot have happened. She was backing away. Denying herself what she really wanted because
she did not deserve any of it. Her guilty actions had now caught up with her, now she had to pay.
-"No...no...no..."
She was shaking her head and begging for everything to stop, just put her out of her misery and when
she felt far away enough she turned the other way and attempted to run. Her wrist got caught with a
determined hand. It was a strong and firm grip, or maybe it was just that she was weak. Her legs
stopped supporting her and she dropped to the floor. Curling herself to a ball and continued pleading
for an end. She felt strong arms encircle her and safely carry her to the couch. Gently placing her
down in a sitting position and cupping her chin, tenderly force her to look into her loved ones eyes.
She had no will to protest anymore, she just sat there and existed. Her hands were carefully
intertwined with Natsuki's. In her whole life she had never become so panicked before, it had only
happened once. Still there was no one who seemed to remember her distressed condition. Her break-up
with Natsuki had been none dramatically at all for the public. No one could see the signs or rather
there was no reason to see them. Who wanted to look for flaws in a supposed faultless object? It was a
waste of time and so it was dismissed as nothing.
-"Stop doing this to yourself, Shizuru. I'm not worth any of it."
Natsuki softly took her thumb to caress away those precious tears from her lover's face. If the
circumstances were different Shizuru would have cherished those affectionate words but right not did
not feel like she was worthy of such tenderness.
-"Why didn't you tell me? Explain what really happened? Why did it take three years for me to know?
And why weren't you the one to tell me?"
-"...you never gave me the chance...and at that point I did not consider myself in any sense of
deserving it."
--
Flashback
After a lot of yelling and intimidation, Tomoe finally made the reasonable decision to leave before
Natsuki actually made her threats reality about bashing her head against the wall. Now left in the
apartment was a furious and hurt Natsuki along with a pained Shizuru. Natsuki was staring outside
through the window, refusing to look at Shizuru. She was desperately trying to control her anger but
no one could really blame her for being furious. Shizuru was standing behind; unsure of what will
happen and dreading the consequences she knew would come. Neither wanted to speak since it would mean
an exchange of words meant that they actually had to move forward instead of letting everything remain
tranquil like this. Nothing said and nothing done would freeze time, or they hoped so. But patience
was running out and the bonds of trust were thinning out to nonentity. The flow of time could not be
stopped and it could neither be reversed.
-"Why...why, Shizuru? Did I do something wrong? Do you regret choosing me now? Is that why?"
-"No, that's not true...please let me explain-"
Tears were starting to form in Shizuru's eyes. Tears of guilt and pain threatened to pour out. Natsuki
abruptly turned around, now facing Shizuru. Emerald eyes shining in the dark but they were not shining
out of love.
"No! I don't want to hear it! I don't want to hear any more lies! If you regretted coming with me
then why didn't you juts tell me!? Say it to my face! End it with me first! Or is that too much to
ask for? Couldn't you wait?!"
-"Natsuki...please just listen to me I-"
"Shut up! Just shut up! I don't believe you...I can't trust you...not anymore. Your words mean
nothing to me now."
-"What else can I do to convince you otherwise if not with words? I have nothing left."
-"Then perhaps you should have thought of that before!"
Natsuki now headed for the door. This meant goodbye. It was no longer a choice but a necessity,
something that must be done. But before she closed the door to her past life she had one more
question, a slim chance left.
-"Did she force you?"
It was a simple question that may have meant nothing to either of us. But for Natsuki it meant the
world and now it was in Shizuru's hands. Hope had glistened in her eyes when Natsuki stopped her walk.
She wanted Natsuki to stay but she couldn't bring herself to lie. Her head dropped in shame. She
managed to choke out a single answer.
-"No."
-"Then I guess this is it."
(Goodbye Shizuru.)
She slammed the door shut and ran. Ran from everything she had and from everything she wanted.
Somewhere along the way she had started crying but she noticed nothing. Nothing except the pain and
aching in her soul along with crying pleads from her heart.
End of Flashback
--
-"But you said-"
-"I did admit it was not involuntarily and I still stand by that answer. In the end I did act it out
of free will. It was either that or she would..."
She choked on the next words. She started crying again.
-"Did you ever find out that I paid my debt, the very same day before she visited you?"
-"Yes, but it was already too late. My act of adultery could not be erased and my betrayal to you
would never disappear. I had lost you because of my lack of faith in you. I had to pay the price...but
I refused to do it unaccompanied."
Her red eyes shined red, deadly red. Shizuru could be terrifying when angry and her eyes shined
brighter than the hells of fire. She was out for blood and would not stop until she accomplished
vengeance.
-"I buried myself in self-pity for some time, cared for nothing but you. I wanted to find you but you
had simply vanished. One day I luckily stumbled upon Suzushiro-san and Kikukawa-san who offered me
some shelter. At that time I could care less about what I consumed and where I slept. It could go days
without me having anything. Then I remember after a while Suzushiro-san slammed my door open and gave
me "a slice of her mind" which I suspect was "a piece of her mind"."
Shizuru now laughed quietly to herself at the thought, still with tears in her eyes.
-"Mostly it was nothing but incoherent yelling but someway along the way a couple of sentences made
sense. She lectured me that I required some fighting spirit. If I truly desire something I need to
fight for it, nothing came for free. That was when I started to make the arrangements and planned
everything out in detail. I was going to make Marquerite Tomoe suffer as I had. With a broken will and
nothing left in the world."
-"Shizuru..."
-"I succeeded. I managed to tear down her entire organization but I gained nothing. I thought I would
feel content, that I would feel anything. I was wrong. I accomplished nothing and afterwards felt
nothing. There was no joy, satisfaction or relief of any sort. I only felt empty...and lonely."
Fresh tears were rolling down her chins even though she felt as if she had no tears left. Banished
memories resurfaced causing misery and ache once more. Overwhelming feelings she was not used to
filled her entire being. She was feeling the feelings of being...alive. To be alive it would mean to
feel, good or bad emotions did not matter as long as you felt them. Natsuki was now also
crying...crying over foolishness, stubbornness and most importantly over lost time. It took them three
years to come to this point. She embraced her love while silently vowing to never let go, never again.
-"I am sorry, Natsuki."
-"I'm sorry too, Shizuru."
-"It was my entire fault. If I had-"
-"No! Don't go there again, Shizuru. Don't do this to yourself. It was my fault as much as yours.
Please...don't cry anymore. I don't deserve it. You shouldn't be crying over me. I should never be
the reason you cry. Maybe your mother was right...I can never give you the happiness you deserve."
-"That is not true. You are the only one to accomplish such a task. You represent everything to me."
-"I'm so stupid for letting you go...I love you Shizuru...I...really love you."
Shizuru held on tighter to Natsuki. They stayed like that in silence and cherished each others
presence. Natsuki had a goofy smile on her face and Shizuru was close to sleeping. All the crying had
taken her energy and the warmth she felt were slowly making her nod off.
-"Neh, Shizuru?"
-"Hm?"
-"Can you promise me one thing?"
-"Anything for you within or outside of my power, I would do my all."
-"Promise me...no more secrets and...no more lies."
-"Does it apply to you also?"
Natsuki could feel how her lover smiled which made her chuckle herself.
-"Yeah."
-"Then I promise."
--
Harada Chie, CEO of the SK corporation and highly respected within society for her assembling skills.
She was well-known and very much feared. She was sitting in her luxurious office leaning against her
leather chair, in deep thoughts. There was a knock at her door, but it went unnoticed. The door was
opened and it was her most trusted secretary Senou Aoi, wanting to inform about a meeting that was
suddenly cancelled. Noticing her lack of attention when Chie otherwise always were vigilant and eager
for action.
-"Chie?"
Our preoccupied chief was snapped out of thoughts by a welcomed sweet voice, one she did not mind
hearing too much from.
-"Yes, my dear?"
She had her suggestive voice and added a wink.
-"Oh, stop that! People will get the wrong idea about us."
This made our shy secretary blush a deep color of red, not as red as Natsuki of course who were in a
league of her own.
-"Is it so bad then?"
Yes, Aoi was merely a secretary but she had some fame of her own. Being the only person in the world
who Chie actually listens to has made her one of the most powerful women in her own way. Nobody dared
to offend her since they would make an enemy out of Chie, who happened to be very protective when it
came to Aoi.
-"Oh, stop it you flirt!"
-"I resent that! I am not a flirt, I'm simply charming."
-"That is no difference!"
-"Yes, there is! ...it sounds better."
They both laughed.
-"You're hopelessly silly sometimes."
-"And yet you stay and put up with me."
-"Somebody has to do it."
-"Yes, and I'm glad it's you. Now I'd like some tea."
-"I'm not your maid, those are not included in my work as a secretary."
-"Fine, then be my wife."
Aoi just stared at Chie, clearly in shock and looking for signs that it was just a joke. But Chie
looked deadly serious. Aoi simply sighed.
-"You're an incurable flirt."
Her change of subject hurt Chie but she quickly covered it up with a forced smile.
-"I can't help it. You're simply too attractive for me to not make any moves on you and not wanting
you for myself."
Chie flashed a smile only reserved for Aoi. So maybe they were an item or maybe they were not but they
were close to each other, which were obvious.
-"Care to tell me what's on your mind?"
-"I'm just having a bad feeling."
-"About?"
-"Natsuki...and Fujino-san."
-"You're worried?"
-"Yes."
-"For what?"
-"Something's going to happen, Aoi. And I don't think it will be any good, it's going to be
something huge and unpredicted. I'm not sure they're ready for it."
-"You mean Marquerite?"
-"I believe so. Especially since nobody knows where she is and that's a problem."
-"It can't be that bad."
-"Aoi, nobody knows where she is and this time that includes me."
Aoi's mouth formed a "O". She now understood why Chie was so concerned. For someone to have the
capability to conceal them even from her must be well-prepared. She did not have a time to reply when
the door was suddenly slammed open. With such a rude entry was the ever gracious Fujino Shizuru, who
looked everything but refined. She was furious.
-"Ah, Fujino-san! To what do I owe this pleasure of acquiring a personal visit from you in person?"
-"I am not in a temper of sweet talking, Harada-san. I demand to know the current whereabouts of
Natsuki and I insist you notify me as of this very moment!"
-"I'm sorry, Fujino-san. But I assigned Natsuki to you so if anyone should know about her present
location it should be none other than yourself."
Our fuming president was eyeing Chie carefully, trying to decide what she should believe. But seeing
as Chie was not nervous or trying to explain herself she must be speaking the truth, this made Shizuru
even more worried since now she had nowhere else to search.
-"I apologize for my behavior. It was very rude of me to barge into your office in this manner.
Forgive me."
-"No need to apologize, Fujino-san. I understand your concern over Natsuki-chan. Please have a
seat."
Giving a thankful nod Shizuru slowly seated herself in front of Chie.
-"Now what makes you think Natsuki-chan is here?"
-"She received a call last night...after our "disagreement". It seemed to be of most importance
since she quickly took off and when I asked about who it was she only gave me a quick reply of that it
was from you or "the boss" as she put it. She has not returned or contacted me in any way."
-"I see. But that's really strange. I haven't called her. Last time I saw her was yesterday."
Certain things were cleared for Shizuru now.
-"I assume it was you who told her?"
-"I'm sorry to be the one telling Natsuki-chan but I do stand by my opinion that I believe she had
the right to know. And if it angered you then it's something I have to take."
-"No, I agree with you. It was just that I could not convince myself to do so and I realize it was a
selfish decision so in any way I am thankful, that she has such friends here. But that brings other
questions into my mind. If she is not with you then where could she possibly be?"
--
Ohhh...aren't you curious to where she is? Care to guess?If you thought the last one counted as a cliffhanger then what is this? Oh, anyway either you'll guess right or not but you'll have to wait for the next chapter to know the answer. Now how fast to you want to know it? Better review to make me update faster you know? Thanks for reading!