Disclaimer:well…I don't own anything…
Author's note: again thanks to all of you guys for reading and reviewing!
Alphawolf69I really liked your review! Thank you very much! But why didn't Natsuki killed them? Well to tell you the truth she was going to, but I think that it would have been too much for Shizuru to handle; after all, she was a little frightened by Natsuki's appearance. But don't worry Natsuki would definitely make them pay, when Shizuru is not present of course…
rainee-chanI'm sorry for revealing Natsuki's identity so soon…it just happened ? Shizuru is only a little scared of Natsuki, but she doesn't show it, I think that when Shizuru gets confident enough with Natsuki, she would let her know about it. What will they do later huh? Who knows… ?
Italics are for character thoughts.
Japanese words used in this chapter:
Okami: Wolf
Watashi no : my
Megami: goddess
The Silly Tactics to Make You Fall In Love
Chapter 4: Let The Tactics Begin!
Thanks to my transformation, I could escape with Shizuru-san unharmed, if I had let my Okami side to take over me, maybe I would have finished killing them all. That would have been a total disaster, if she had witnessed that bloodbath, she would be even more than terrified. She is a foreigner and she has never seen something like me, I am not so sure about what she actually thinks about me right now. I mean who wouldn't be frightened by the sight.
I am extremely nervous of her reaction, however she has not make an attempt to get out of my arms, should I take that as a good sign? Perhaps she is not so scared; well I would actually like to believe that. However, how I am supposed to act around her after everything that just happened? I lied to her by pretending not to be her fiancée; I transformed myself, scared her and acted boldly towards her, and the worst part of this is that she actually doesn't like me at all, what I can do to change her mind?
As I see the palace in the horizon I abruptly stop, and carefully drop her out of my arms. I have just remembered the previous events that leaved us in this situation! She actually was trying to escape, if the royal council knows about this she is going to be seriously punished, I must prevent that no matter the cost. I must tell her…what would happen if she actually says that she wants to cancel the marriage…
Since we escaped the raider's domain, I have been thinking about the previous events that have been unfolded, it is true that Kruger-san appearance was terrifying but her eagerness to protect me and the way that her eyes looked at me was truly overwhelming.
I have never seen a look like the one I saw in her eyes, could it be that she really cares about me? I really do not know Kruger-san, she is an enigma…I want to know more about her, I want to know what is behind her honorable and sweet behavior, but I find myself even more curious about her fierce, evil and frightening side…
Nobody has ever done something like that for me, people has always seen me as the epitome of perfection. Nobody dares to approach me because I am the daughter of the high and mighty emperor, they are afraid of my status, they are afraid of me. However, she even probably knowing who I was, took the risk to protect me twice, she really did not care who I was. I am still scared and disappointed because of this marriage, but I have to admit that in the only day that I have been by her side I have felt many things that I have never felt before.
We suddenly stop and Kruger-san drops me out of her arms, what is she intending to do? Why do I feel unsafe when she dropped me out of her arms, Kruger-san why are you making me feel like this?
Shizuru-san…how I wish for you to call me again by my name, since my transformation and the revelation of my identity, you have been calling me Kruger-san, could it be that you have lost your confidence because of the fear that I provoked you? I can't lose you, I would do anything for getting back your trust, I will try to be close to you even if you are afraid of me, so I must let you know what I'm feeling…
"Shizuru-san, I am so sorry about what you actually had to witness, please I beg of you to not judge me because of it. I understand that it wasn't your choice to get married with me; I know that to your eyes I always will be a mere savage, but even if you loathe me I still want the best for you…"
"Kruger-san does not need to worry about that, she was very sweet, when she protected me, however I think that this is not the correct time or place, to discuss such things" I don't see you as a savage anymore, you are my savior…
"Sw-sweet?...huh I don't think so…I " damn why does everything that she says makes my face feels kind of hot…I must stop blushing, she would think that I am an idiot or something…
"Ara?... but yes she was, does Kruger-san feels alright? Her face is-"
"Ye-yes I'm ok…but Shizuru-san I wanted to discuss something with you before we get to the palace…" Shizuru…I am not going to let anybody to harm you in any way and I am not going to let you go of my side, no without me even trying to change your mind…
"About what does Kruger-san wants to talk about? I hope it is not about her transformation…I do not think I am ready to talk about that yet…
"Shizuru-san…I know that you are not very pleased with our arranged marriage…but you must understand, that if you actually refuse it in front of the royal council you would be punished…and I…I don't want you to…N-no I would not allow it…why don't we make an agreement?"
"Punished?" I thought that I was about to only lose my family honor…but I certainly know that in this country the word "punishment" has another meaning…
"Yes…that is the reason of why I must ask you to do as I say…If you do Shizuru-san…then I could cancel this marriage…" I just hope that she changes her opinion about the marriage…
"Then what does Kruger-san is suggesting me to do?"
"I just need you to…stay this month in the palace… just to pretend, until I figure out how to get you out of here Shizuru-san…and if the council summons us…I would be the one to talk…after all I would be the one to take the entire responsibility…so…do you agreed?"
"Yes…I do trust in Kruger-san words Ookini" ara…staying a month pretending...I wonder what does Kruger-san has in her mind…
"Then I think we should go now, everyone back in the palace is worried about us"
Finally I managed to make her stay, but what I told her was no a complete lie. If she refused the marriage…the law of the council says that she must be killed, and that is something that I am not going to allow, but what I am supposed to do now? I have only one month for making her stay with me, and I have never been in this kind of situation…maybe I should ask Nao for some help…unlike me she has plenty experience with this whole love stuff…
I grab Shizuru-san and we continue our way back to the palace. Wait a second…not AGAIN…I am holding her without her permission! I must get to the palace quickly! Before she notices my stupid blush…
Nordic Empire Palace Gates
It is almost morning and that stupid Tamed Pooch hasn't returned yet…hah! She has a hell of a lot of trouble, she just disappeared in the afternoon and the entire night, but that is not the bloody problem…her royal fiancée just managed to disappear too…Midori-sensei is so going to kill Natsuki…but I guess she has a good reason to disappear…maybe that fiancée of hers is smoking HOT! Heheh Natsuki you dog you! I wish that I was in your place…
"Hey stupid spider! Stop daydreaming and open the gates already! She is freezing!"
"Huh? Shut it you tamed pooch!!!" that idiot…wait! she is back??? Must open that door and see the reason of why she was out the entire night…
"You seriously need to focus more on your job Nao! I was standing here for 5 long minutes! And you didn't even notice me!" stupid spider…Shizuru-san must be freezing already…
"Like YOU are something to notice…sheesh you seriously need to calm down, Midori-sensei and everybody in the council are waiting for you and your fiancée…"
"Ara let us go Kruger-san we must not make them wait!" why does this red haired girl talks to Kruger-san so disrespectfully…are they very close?
"…………….." wow! Now I see why Natsuki just escaped with her, she is so FUCKING hot! I better ask that dog for the details later…
"Yes of course Shizuru-san…" huh? Did Nao just looked at her in a perverted way? I hope that she is not having dirty thoughts about Shizuru-san…or she will see…
"Oi Nao!"
"What the hell do you want Natsuki?"
"Don't even think about it…"
"Huh? No I wasn't! You idiot" what? Is not my fault that her fiancée is so hot…I couldn't help myself…anyways I already like someone else so that tamed pooch doesn't need to worry about that…
Royal council main room
I prepared myself for what was about to happen, I took a seat with Shizuru-san by my side, all the members of the council are already gathered in the room, and my baka-sensei is giving me a glare already, they are not going to know the truth…I must lie for Shizuru-san sake…
"Natsu-chin you are finally here…I think that you owe all of us an explanation…" what did you do Kiddo? You are in a lot of trouble right now…
"Kruger-sama, I must let you know that this council considers that your fiancée Shizuru Viola of Zipang, has very serious accusations towards her, could your majesty please enlighten us?"
"Accusations? Explain further Masashi-kun…" How dare them! Stupid council…they are disrespecting her…I would get you out of this mess Shizuru-san…
"Well…Kruger-sama…one of the soldiers that were guarding her carriage told us that she was trying to escape and that our majesty helped her to do so…"
"Nonsense! Members of this council! Do you really believe in the words of a foreigner soldier that is not loyal enough to defend his emperor precious daughter? He is giving false accusations to put her in danger! If I recall this same soldier called me a savage, Should all of you trust in the words of such a coward? Moreover, as all of you can see we are both here! She was not trying to escape! I have an explanation for this misunderstanding…" that bastard…nobody is going to do anything to Shizuru-san, not even the members of this council…just a little more and all be settled…Midori-sensei, please help me…
"Natsu-chin has given us a good reason to not to believe in the words of that insolent fool, so we should leave this matter as settled…" Natsuki-chin…I know you very well, and I know that you are lying, why are you intending to do?
"Wait Midori-sensei, we must listen to our majesty reasons first"
"You are right Sakomizu-san, so could you please Natsu-chin?" that sakomizu…Natsuki-chin please don't screw it…
"Well…first of all I have to do a confession…"
"And what could that confession be Natsu-chin?"
"I…I have been secretly sending letters to Shizuru-san …" I hope that they believe this…
"And what does something like this has to do with what actually happened Kruger-sama?"
"Sakomizu-san, since I have been sending letters to her, I already knew that she was coming, I desperately wanted to know her so…I just kidnapped her of the carriage. Because I knew that if I waited for her to arrive to the palace, we both have to assist to long boring council meetings like this one. And we would have to wait a lot of time to know each other better…" know each other better…that sounds bad…I hope that they don't think I am some kind of horny pervert that can't hold herself…
"huh…Shi-Shizuru-sama is this true?"
"Ara ara of course that it is true, Natsuki-san was so eager to know me that she couldn't wait any longer to have me all by herself! Natsuki-Ikezu…" ara how many seconds do I have to wait to see Kruger-san's blush?
That woman! Why did she just say such things? While blushing and giggling! They now really think that I am a huge pervert just like Nao. I just hope that my baka-sensei decides to not say a stupid thing or I'm going to be embarrassed forever…
"S-Shizuru-san! I…Tha-" all of them are starting to blush while looking at me…no way! I hope that they don't have any wrong ideas about me and Shizuru-san…although she doesn't seem to mind…
"Well it seems that our Natsu-chin grew up and needed some time alone for her and her fiancée, if you wanted that you could have just tell us…" well done Natsu-chin! You actually for the first time in your life managed to say a credible lie, hah! And all of the council members seem to have swallow it! But I'm going to give a hell of a time teasing you!
"I…I…I wasn't doing Inappropriate st-stuff Sensei…" argg!!! I hope that they stop thinking that I did something…
"I didn't mention anything about "inappropriate" natsu-chin! So you were indeed doing something?" hehehe that is payback Natsu-chin! For ditching my classes and yesterday's training!
"N..no I wasn't!!!" that Baka-sensei is making me look like an idiot! I would get her later for this!
"But Kruger-sama, your eyes are pale, did you transformed into an Okami?"
"Natsu-chin! You transformed yourself into an Okami just to do "inappropriate things" with Shizuru-hime? Natsuki-chin you naughty girl!"
Argggg masashi-kun you stupid idiot! Why did he just had to notice my eyes… that Baka-sensei!, I think my head is about to explode from embarrassment, and Shizuru-san is not going to be very pleased listening to this stuff…I better change the topic. It's better If I tell them about the raiders, maybe we can go there later and "fix" some unsettled business…
"Ara Midori-san, I don't think that we should be talking about what Natsuki-san and I were doing in the forest anymore, after all the first time of a la-" teasing Kruger-san is so much fun! I just can't help it…
NOOO! Shizuru-san! Why do you have to say such embarrassing things in front of them! And even worst in front of huge perverts like Masashi-kun and Baka-sensei!!! I am going to be teased for the rest of my life! I must change the topic NOW!
"Ahem…Mi-Midori-sensei… I transformed myself because the raiders attacked us while we were in the forest. They managed to capture us and I just had to teach them some manners..." pity that I couldn't do anything more…heh but there is always a next time!
"Teaching them some manners heh? Natsu-chin when you transform into Okami I doubt that "manners" was the only thing that you taught them" Natsuki…you must have been In a terrible situation to transform yourself, what is the truth behind this?
"I think that you are right Midori-sensei, but when we have some free time we should pay them a visit, I think that they are definitely going to enjoy our presence" my blood is still boiling from that…next time when Shizuru-san is not present I would make them pay for their insolence!
"Yes we would discuss about that "visit" later Natsu-chin, but now could you please escort Shizuru-hime to her room? I guess that both of you are very tired, why don't you two go and get some rest or perhaps something els-"
"ye-yes of course SENSEI …" if I recall her room is next to my own room…I just hope that she is not angry for what my baka-sensei and those idiots of the council said…
"Ookini Midori-san, if you excuse us…" Kruger-san actually did an amazing job defending me…not only of those raiders; also from her own royal council…maybe staying here is not such a bad idea…
Royal bedroom headquarters
As I left the council main room, I feel somewhat relieved; I managed to get Shizuru-san unharmed. However, she is still without saying a word to me after we left the council room, maybe she didn't like what the members of the council said, but she is really good in this "pretend" stuff, I think that all of them actually believed that we are getting along! She even called me Natsuki-san again! But thanks to those idiots now I must work even harder to make her change her opinion about me. opinion…I just totally forgot about that! I must speak with Nao! I will look for her after I escort Shizuru-san to her room.
Now we are standing in front of her bedroom door, what should I said? Good night? No! Its already morning…have a good sleep?, that sounds terrible… Or sleep well? Then give her a kiss on her cheek? Or it would be kind of inappropr-
"Does Kruger-san want to say something? She has been standing there for a long time is something wrong?" Ara I wonder what is Kruger-san thinking?
"Uh…well…I..I just…wanted to...say.." it's now or never Natsuki! At least I have to find out if she dislikes me so much…
I just need to get closer and whisper it in her ear, Kami! Why I am so nervous! I need to focus! I can't screw it up!
I felt my heart starting to beat rapidly when I saw Kruger-san stiffly approaching me, with a blushed face she whispers in my ear "Sweet dreams watashi nomegami" and she gives me a kiss on the cheek, her lips are so soft, what is this sensation? and why do I feel my face slightly burning? Ara could it be that what I am feeling is…love? Do I really like Kruger-san in that way?
Damn it…that was very bold…I shouldn't have said that, I know that I am blushing, I must get out of her sight quickly before I embarrass myself further…
"ehh…if you excuse me Shizuru-san…I ha-have to go now…"
"Hai…Ookini Kruger-san…" I must be very lucky that she didn't looked at me, or she would have noticed me blushing…
"S-sure…" she keeps calling me Kruger-san…hell she really doesn't like me…was that kiss a bad idea?… I must find Nao! Or I would end up screwing it up even more!
I am in my way to find Nao, yeah I am exhausted but that doesn't mean that I am going to give up on trying to win Shizuru-san's heart, after all I only have one month to do it. No matter what difficulties it may bring, and I don't really care about doing or saying embarrassing things for Shizuru-san, my only priority is winning her heart, nothing else matters. As expected Nao is in her usually favorite place, the corner of the freshman quarters halls.
"Oi Nao! I need to talk to you!"
"Well…well what do we have here huh? I didn't knew that you were that perverted! Heh but I don't actually blame you pooch, who wouldn't do such a thing with a hottie like Shizuru-hime? You dog you! You better start by telling me what exactly happened in that forest!"
"Shut it you loser! I wish that something like that had actually happened…" I wish for something like that to…? Oh no what the HECK I'm thinking? I am such a pervert…
"Huh? So you didn't do ANYTHING??? How could you actually loose an opportunity like that Natsuki? Are you stupid or something?"
"Damn it! just listen to me…this is something serious! you are my best damn friend Nao, so I hope that you keep this as a secret"
"Come on Natsuki…you don't even need to say it, of course I will keep it as a secret"
"I'm sorry Nao… but it's about Shizuru-san…she…she was really trying to escape…"
"No way! You actually lied to the council just to save her? Do you know what could happen if the council knows about this? Midori-sensei is the only one in there that we can actually trust…but if the others managed to find out, that would be a huge problem! What are you planning to do pooch?"
"I have made a deal with Shizuru-san, I just asked her to stay for one month pretending, until I find a way to get her out of this mess…"
"So you are sacrificing your own neck for her Natsuki? You are going to get killed if she escapes with your help; there is no way in hell that I am allowing such a thing you stupid pooch!"
"But that is why I need your help you damn spider! If you help me with your "skills", I can actually win Shizuru-san's heart and make her change her opinion about this marriage!"
"Hahah so you finally say something worth to hear pooch! Of course that I will help you! I don't want you loser to get killed for such a thing!, I know that you are really stupid with this kind of stuff so you really need to work hard you know!"
"You don't even need to repeat that! I would win her heart no matter what!"
"awwww the pooch is in love! I didn't think that I would actually live to see this day!"
"Hey what is that supposed to mean you loser?"
"Exactly what you heard idiot! I have never seen you so desperate about something like this; even worst I have never seen you having any kind of love interest…"
"To tell you the truth…I have never felt something like this for anybody, but since I saw her… I know it's difficult to believe, but I thought that we were made for each other… I just realized that I am in love with her…"
"Eww stop it pooch! You are going to make me puke! Damn it! You are so cheesy…"
"Shut up! Now start helping me! So what are your suggestions, what should I do first?"
"Well the first step is… you need to start hitting on her!"
"Hitting her?..." isn't that extremely brutal? How is she going to like me if I kick her ass? I don't want to hurt her… well! Nao is an expert on this field so I should listen to what she is saying…
"Yeah, you must start hitting on her! That is the first step pooch…"
"Ok I think I get it! However, when I am supposed to start hitting her? During the trainings? Or in the coliseum as an official battle? I doubt that she would stand a fight against me, so are you sure about this Nao?"
"YOU I-IDIOT!!!!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!!! IS NOT THAT KIND OF HIT YOU SUCKER! YOU ARE SO BLOODY NAÏVE!"
"Huh? Why are you so angry spider? What do you mean by "not that kind of hit", I am soooo not going to use weapons! I would not do her any harm!" naïve? But why? She told me that I had to hit her so…
"This is going to be harder that I thought pooch…how should I explain this to your naïve and retarded mind?" I can't believe this idiot…the only thing she thinks about is battles, fighting and weapons…how can I? That's it! Battle and fights! That's the answer!
"Hey I am not retarded or naïve you stupid!"
"Yeah right…hey pooch when you are in the battlefield commanding your troops or trying to win a fight, apart from your strength what do you use?" I hope that this actually gets into her socially retarded brain…
"And what the hell something like this has to do with me winning Shizuru-san's heart you loser?"
"Just answer idiot!"
"Ok…well that's an easy one… you analyze your opponent movements, then you make an imaginary pattern of them, so you are able to predict what they are going to do next, giving you the advantage of the situation, so you are able to think of the best strategy to send them down and of course win the battle…"
"Ok pooch…if you could actually gather all that stuff that you just mentioned in one word, what would that word be?"
"Huh? Why are you asking me these weird questions…are you really sure abou-"
"ANSWER ME! WHAT WOULD BE THE BLOODY WORD NATSUKI???"
"SHUT UP! THE STUPID WORD IS TACTIC!!!!"
"That's it! Your first step to win Shizuru-hime's heart is to use Tactics!" well in my vocabulary is hitting on someone, but I guess that in that idiot's vocabulary hitting on someone is translated into "tactic"…
"Use tactics…I guess that you are right! I must analyze Shizuru-san; I just need to do an imaginary list of what she probably would like me to do. by her reactions I would be able to predict if she likes me or not, get the upper hand of this love situation and by knowing all of this things about her, being able to win her heart!" yeah!!! I finally know what to do! Shizuru-san please just wait a little longer for my tactics! I would make myself worthy of your heart and your love!
"Well you now know what to do pooch, but remember that for this "tactics" you need the help of others, so it wouldn't be a bad idea if you actually ask for some tips, from people that you trust; maybe you should ask Midori-sensei about it too…"
"You are right spider…I would ask baka-sensei about it! Thanks for your help Nao I really appreciate it…"
" Oh come on! Don't get all mushy on me pooch! Now move that lazy ass of yours, and start planning your first and next tactic!"
"Heh you are right…I hope that you are ready for them Shizuru…"
A/N: Now you guys know why the fic is called like this…heh let's see if Natsuki can actually handle these "tactics" and Shizuru's reaction towards them! heheh advice from Midori and Nao? That could be dangerous…If you have, any suggestions I would like to hear them! Thanks for reading! And please review!!!