Author: Chapter 8. I was planning to finish this by ten chapters but I think I need to go beyond it to be

able to complete this story. Sometimes I wish the computer would just read my mind and

record it, so I could finish my stories much faster.

Disclaimer: Characters are not mine

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"Here eat some more you need it. Mai san was here awhile ago but you were asleep, she didn't want to wake you up, she said she'll drop by later after work." Shizuru is feeding Natsuki two days have already passed since she was shot .

Natsuki pushed the spoon of soup away "Shizuru I'm full. Please."

"Fine, here drink some water." She handed her a glass of water.

After drinking Natsuki remembered something. She's still feeling a little uncomfortable about their situation but she just needs to ask "Shizuru?"

"Humm?" fixing things on the table, she's been trying to avoid looking at Natsuki eyes, she's still feeling guilty about what happened.

"Tell me what happened that day. I mean before our-ahm before we talked. What happened you sounded scared by the phone?" She's a little careful with her choice of words.

She went back on the chair beside Natsuki's bed "Like what I've told you, I went home and –" she started telling Natsuki about what happened that day.

She was still a little shaken by the stereo and the TV when the lights started to flicker. "what's happening in here. She grab her cell phone to call Natsuki when her land line rang.

She hesitant to pick it up, so she let the machine take the call. "Hello bright eyes..." the voice is raspy just like the one who called her by the office days ago. "Did you like my little show for you? Oh c'mon I know you're in there. Tsk…tsk…tsk. Well then suit your self. I still got a lot of gifts for you. *laugh* soon." And the line went dead.

"That's what he said and then you know the rest. I don't know Natsuki, this man is driving me crazy. I-I don't like this feeling of not knowing what to do, If I only know who he is I can handle him, but I'm blind sided here, it's a little difficult to think."

"We'll get through this, I will find who ever is doing this to and will make sure he'll pay it dearly. " Natsuki grim.

"I-I thought Natsuki said she will no longer look after me?" feeling unsure, and hurt.

Natsuki fell silent for awhile. "I know, but after what happened, I can't just go and leave all of this to your other incompetent body guards and-and I don't think you'll let me leave just like that *clear throat*. So uhm this threats? You started receiving them three months ago right?" Natsuki said in deep thought.

"Yes."

"Any particular reason that you can think of, I mean anyone with enough reason who would want to see you dead?" she's starting to analyze the situation.

"No…I can't think of anything or anyone, I mean the business world can be a little nasty sometimes but our company always play it safe. Making sure not to step on anyone, we even help small business men to improve their business. I can't think of anything, wait but it's almost two years ago and all who were involved were identified and the company checks their whereabouts every now and then and it has been two years, why bother now?" Her head is starting to ache.

"But according to the report that we've got the real person behind that case was not identified?"

"When I discovered all about that problem I let my father handled it, I still don't have enough authority at the company at that time, and I didn't bother checking on it after I took charge of the company, there were more important things that I need to handle let's just say I needed to work harder to save it ."

"What do you mean?" a little confused.

"Well, we had little problems like sales dropping, economy and all that stuff, after that incident the company faced a little difficulty in coping up we lost a lot after that, but we were able to handle it, we are practically doing it right now."

"Shizuru would it be alright if I check all the documents about that case, maybe we can find something there, maybe who ever it was is hungry for vengeance. We need to find who ever is behind this no matter what." Deep thought. "I need to get out of here, I hate hospitals."

Shizuru smile "I know that's why I asked the doctor if they could release you tomorrow, and-and Natsuki I'm s-sorry about all of this it's alright if you want to leave I'll understand *thinking* yes maybe it would be better if you just go, I can handle this, I don't want to put you into the same situation again. I-I can't-I wont be able to handle it." Guilt is all over her face.

Natsuki's brows rose "Shizuru we've been through this already, I'm going to help you get through this, and if you really want to get rid of me don't worry as soon as were finish with this you wont hear anything from me ever again." She's starting get tired of this conversation, they always ended up with this topic for the last two days and it's starting to get on her nerves.

"No-no that's not what I meant –" she was not able to finish when Natsuki interrupted her.

"Shizuru, you can't go home it's no longer safe there, you need to go somewhere else for awhile."

"What? But where? I just can't go the company needs me."

"I know, I'm not telling you to leave it too, all I'm saying is your house is no longer safe, who ever this person is, can easily go in and out of your house he even manage to pass the security system and the security camera that I've installed." Both of them fell silent for awhile.

"Natsuki, I don't know what to do right now I can't think." Confused.

"Don't worry we'll get through this. You'll just have to stay with me for awhile. You must not tell anyone where you're going even your father. You'll have to rearrange your schedule, we have no choice you'll come to your office only when it's necessary, until we sort this things out."

"I'm going with you? Where?" Truth is she's getting excited about Natsuki's suggestion, this would mean that she'd be with her Natsuki all the time.

"My cabin."

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Natsuki stood up and check the locks of the cabin it has been two days. She felt Shizuru's eyes follow her every move and it's making her uneasy.

"Ahm, you better rest now, it's already late we'll drop by your office tomorrow to take a look at those files."

"Natsuki?"

"Yeah?" trying not to meet her eyes.

"You don't have to sleep at the couch you can sleep beside me, you're the one who's injured, but if you're not comfortable sleeping beside me, I'll take the couch."

"No we've already talked about this. I'll be alright." She answered in a tired voice.

"No, if Natsuki sleeps at the couch again tonight I'll sleep on the floor. I'll only sleep on the bed if you'll let me share it with you or if you'll let me take the couch." She firmly said.

Natsuki sigh she know Shizuru all too well, she had no choice well not on her favor anyway, but if you're going to think about it it's all on her favor but she can't " Do we really need to argue about this? Ahhhh! Fine" face red as an apple "we'll share the bed I can't let you sleep on that couch." Feeling defeated.

Shizuru smirk "Okini Natsuki, now come, let's sleep" Shizuru tap the space beside her and covered her lips to suppress her giggle.

This made Natsuki's face grow even redder. "What's so damn funny?"

"Oh nothing, I just realize I miss putting Natsuki to sleep *giggle*" teasing.

Natsuki froze. "Let's just call it a night." She slump on the bed turning her back on Shizuru.

She just stared at Natsuki's back, she miss those time when they would argue about little things, "I guess I could never have those times back." She said to her self before she lay beside her.

For a long tense moment nobody spoke. Shizuru tried to break the silence.

"Ne, Nat-su-ki?" she said eyes fixed on the ceiling.

"hmm?" sounded sleepy.

"W-why… why did you leave?" heart drumming fast.

Natsuki's eyes burst open "I told you I don't wanna talk about it." It was then when she felt Shizuru's cold hand on her shoulder, still she didn't turn around she doesn't want to see her face, her eyes, every time she looks at it she felt like she's being lured to it. She can't, she doesn't want to get hurt again.

Shizuru felt Natsuki's warm skin under her hand. "Na-natsuki I-I need…I want to know please. I know what my father told but I also know it was more than. You were never the like that would just believe about what my father told you. Please." She rubs her shoulders trying to persuade her.

Natsuki sigh and brush her hand off her shoulder, she can't get use to this again, she sat and face her "Fine!" she snap "why do you keep asking that question when you already know the answer anyway?! You're just making it hard for both of us." She stood up.

Shizuru remained calm she always knew how to handle Natsuki when she's at this stage and rule number one, never match her anger, it will just make matters worst, " I wouldn't ask Natsuk if I already know the answer, would I?"

"You-how-, how- and you act all innocent about it huh? After what you did you're asking me why I left?! You already knew why Shizuru, don't act as if you don't know anything." Her voice is full of accusations.

Confusion and frustration triggered Shizuru's anger, but still she managed to control it but her eyes can never lie it turned cold as ice "that's why I'm asking, how can I know what I did to make you leave if you wouldn't tell me." She said in controlled anger and it was not missed by Natsuki.

"God! Shizuru… I know about everything that you did. And this is about asking for forgiveness, then I forgive you. Now can we end this conversation? Were here not because of what happened between us before, it was over, were here because some jerk is trying to kill you let's keep our heads about that shall we?"

"No…"
"What?! I told you what you want to know, what else do you want?" frustrated and angry.

"I want to know what exactly Natsuki thought I did?" though she has a pretty good Idea about it.

"Shizuru please it's long been over let just-"

"Just tell me Natsuki…" She stood in front of her. If looks can kill she would have been dead by now. She heard the rain poured heavily. "Are you going to tell me or not?" she moved closer to the door.

Natsuki stubborn as ever didn't gave up that easily. "I already told you what you need to know there's nothing else left to tell, we'll go our separate ways after this anyway what's the point of discussing this?."

"So Natsuki hates me and I don't know the reason why *deep sigh* well then I can't be with the person who hates me right?" she opened the door and walked outside under the pouring rain, wearing only her lingerie. She felt the coldness but she didn't care, she'll stay outside until Natsuki tells her what she needed to know.

Natsuki rushed to the door, she tried to stop Shizuru from coming out to the rain but she was too late before she get there Shizuru is already soaking wet "What the hell do you think your doing get in here , you'll get sick!" she saw her tremble when the wind blew, she curse before she walked out of the cabin her self, and tried to pull her back inside, but shizuru pulled her hand back.

"No!" she needed to shout the rain is drowns their voice. "Tell me what I did, please! It's been haunting me all this years, I-I just want to know please." She didn't bother to stop her tears, thinking that the rain would cover it anyway.

Natsuki felt wreck inside, ever since she didn't like to see her cry, it's her weakness. She moved closer to her and gently held her hand "Alright but let talk inside." She pulled her with her this time she felt her moved with her back inside the cabin. "Let's change first, then we'll talk." But Shizuru couldn't wait any longer.

"No. Just tell me what I need to know."

"*Sigh* Alright" she sat at the couch not even caring that she's all wet, she knew she needed to seat, to hide the trembling of her legs. "You were right; I didn't believe what your father said. So he told me to come and snoop around your house that night, which I did. I saw a man just like what your father said. Then I began to think that maybe your father was right, he was everything that I'm not, not to mention his a man *sarcastic laugh* but you know me I don't give up that easily, so there I waited. And then I thought maybe your father was just playing on me, not until I saw it." She felt her throat tightened, she looked away to hide her tears.

Shizuru almost gasp but she manage to hold it "What exactly did Natsuki see?" she just started at her not even moving.

"I-I saw you two k-kissed" this time she didn't manage to hold back the tears so she covered her face with her hands. "I-I felt like I-I lost everything that time, I felt like the world stopped and-"

Shizuru gasp, she kneeled in front of her but she didn't know how to hold her, so she just pulled her hands away from her face and looked at her in the eyes, but Natsuki turned her face away, so she held her chin and turn her face towards her. "Natsuki, that kiss. I was not expecting that. How far have you seen ?" she spoke softly.

Natsuki tried to pull her self away but Shizuru's cold hand wont let her "Why does it matter?"

"it does, if you really saw us that night you should have seen me pushed him away and left him by the porch I was just thinking about my parents that's why I didn't slap him."

"Really huh? Are you going to deny that he was the reason why you were rejecting most of my calls and that when I asked you where you where you told me you were with your parents? Oh and before I forget you've been going out for quite a while, while I was there in my apartment , waiting for you to call or even send a message?!" She tried to stand up but Shizuru pushed her back to the couch.

She needed to clear things up, she never thought Natsuki would know about it. "Wait! Let me explain." Natsuki is struggling, she had no other choice, she pinned her on the couch and straddled her, just incase she tried to ran away.

"Hey! Shizuru get off me!" She tried to push her but Shizuru grab her hands and held it above her head, she could maneuver off her easily but she might hurt her, she chose to wait and find the right time to escape.

"Let me explain first. I wasn't lying when I said that my parents were watching my every move. They were the one who set those dates up."

"So you're admitting hat you were going out with him, huh! Get off me!" she tried to push her off again, but Shizuru held her tighter.

" Let me finish, I had nothing to do about it, and I tried a lot of times, to call you but my father checks on me every minute, if they learned that I was calling you by my cell phone, they would take it, I can no longer use the land line coz my father, put a tracer on it, and every call being made is recorded, especially mine, they even put a tracking device on my car so they'll know where I'm going." She explained fast, not giving Natsuki any chance to speak, "And that time my mother's condition is starting to get worst that's why I'm trying to please her and tried to give her what she wants."

"Oh yeah! And your relationship with me is not part of it. Lucky me!" She struggled harder, but Shizuru is also strong, you should never under estimate her strength.

" How can Natsuki be so shallow? Natsuki should know I lover her so much and that I can never lover anyone else but her *sob* You should have given me a chance to explain it would have save us all this trouble. You could have been there, when I needed you the most." She looked at her accusingly.

"I almost did." Natsuki mumbled.

"What?"

"I-I almost did. After that-that thing that I saw I came back, to confront you all about it, I was about to climb up your window when I heard your father talking with that guy. And-and" she swallowed hard "they were talking, a-about your engagement, and wedding plans." Pain crosses her eyes, but she tried to hide it with her anger.

"My what?! God Natsuki!" she gets off her and looked her like she has never seen her before. "You believed that shit!"

Natsuki's mouth dropped, she wasn't expecting that kind of reaction from her, not to mention she's still not use on hearing her curse.

She walks around the cabin while she's delivering her speech "Idiot! I was not engage with him! Maybe my father was planning about it but do you think I would just let them do what ever they want with me? I was planning to run away with you remember? How can you believe those-Ah! " She throw her hands up as a sign of exasperation.

Natsuki can't find the words to say still shock about everything that had happened "I-I" she swallowed hard she can feel her mouth run dry, palms sweating, she trembled even more not juts from the cold but also because of Shizuru "I –I" and she said nothing else.

"What?! Your just going to seat there and look at me all night? What were you thinking? I cant believe-"

"I-I was confused and angry I was not thinking straight, you didn't call, you don't seem want to talk or want to see me so I assume- your father sounded so sure about the engagement. "

"Well Natsuki assumed wrong how-how can –*sob-sob*" She didn't bother to hide her tears this time, she let it all out, she cried like she never did for a long time.

Natsuki not knowing what to do sat quietly, she can't even think, but she cant stand watching Shizuru wept, she held her hand and pulled her close to her, she didn't feel any restrain so she pulled her in an embrace, she felt Shizuru's arms circled her waist, she let her cry on her shoulder and tried to sooth her back. She then let her own tears fall.

They stayed like that for a while before they change into something dry, nobody has spoken any word, and they lay back on the bed both trying to pretend asleep.

"I felt like dying that night." Natsuki said in a small voice.

Shizuru didn't quite hear Natsuki said, her mind is into a different trance "I-I'm sorry what was that?" she turned a little bit to face her.

It took awhile for Natsuki to speak again, she was not sure how she said it, it just came out in her mouth and now she can't find that strength to say it again. "Nothing?"

With a heavy sigh Shizuru returned her eyes on the ceiling, she had no idea how long have she been staring coz the next time she looked at the window light is peeking at it.

She turns on Natsuki side and saw her sleeping so peacefully. After their confrontation last night she's hoping that things would run a little smoothly between them. She decided to make breakfast.

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So my little bright eyes went on a little field trip ey… She'll be back I know and I'll be here waiting. It's almost finish, all the preparations. It's been long over due, maybe I should give my future father in law a call…he…he…for old time sake.

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Author: Wish I could go somewhere else and write, I'm BOOOOOOOORRRREEEED! Next Chapter's up…. Review please Thank you!!!