A/N: This update is beta-ed by the awesome Crosswood.
It's not so much on the sweet or funny side – more slice of life-ish. Enjoy!

Vulnerable

I've left your woman, tied and gagged, at your place. Keep a leash on her!

I had received the text message a little over an hour ago - although I hadn't realised it at the time. I'd only spotted it when I had checked my phone as I waited for the elevator to reach our apartment floor. The sender wasn't in my contact list but their number sat above the message just waiting to be saved.

The digital message would have sent up blaring red flares if it hadn't been for the leash reference and the absence of anonymity – there was something about the message that didn't seem hostile – it was, at most, annoyed and maybe a little embarrassed.

I tucked away the device, pondering at the peculiar message.

The choice of "your woman" would mean the sender had a – let's say an "uneasy" relationship - with Shizuru, as they deemed it derogatory to refer her to being my possession. Not that that's not true, since I know a certain red-eyed girl that would be delighted to affirm that accusation.

And "tied and gagged" couldn't really mean anything more than something metaphoric – just the thought of finding Shizuru bound, blind-folded and silenced on our apartment floor brought an amused smile to my face. I considered maybe she was silenced by a crushing argument… but that seemed just as unlikely as the literal description. In addition, the last part - "Keep her on a leash!" - would indicate Shizuru was uncontrollable, which overturned any theories around crushing defeat in a verbal argument.

… Then what could it mean?

I continued to bemusedly ponder at my unexpected riddle even as my hands turned the key to our shared apartment door. What had she said about her plans today?

"I'm home." I called out from our threshold, taking off my shoes in the process.

"Ah, Natsuki! Welcome home." She called back from the living room/dining room. Her voice was relatively normal, with only the slightest hint of unease.

I walked further into our abode, swiftly catching sight of her brown hair swaying to the side as she turned awkwardly to me while seated on the dining room chair.

At first I was confused at her posture - the odd angle of her upper body to her seated lower made one of my brows to quirk up in question - but then my eyes travelled down from her sweetly smiling face… down to her hands, which were tied to the back of her chair.

The edges of my lips twitched in amusement as the text message crossed my mind.

Smiling widely, I strode over to the table and seated myself opposite my bound love. I couldn't help the laughter that shone through my eyes, but I managed to tame that wide, gleeful smile into a normal smile I reserve for when we're talking about nothing substantial.

"How was Natsuki's day?" She queried, creating small talk despite her current predicament.

I could see it; she knew I saw her restrained hands, and from my new angle I could also see the bandana-like cloth that hung limply around her neck. That had, no doubt, acted as a gag before my arrival.

Her face tried to hide her discomfort with her current situation – but her pride refused to address it, and my lips twitched to smile even wider.

"Well it's obviously not been as interesting as yours, Shizuru." I replied – trying my hardest to hold back my mocking tone and keep my nonchalant demeanour alive.

She gave me a chiding glare – she knew I was having a delightful time at her expense and could do nothing about it but glare warningly at me – daring me to laugh. I didn't. I was smart enough to know there's only so far you can push Shizuru before you regret it for the rest of your life.

"So what happened?" I finally asked with an even tone, but the sense of mirth never left my gaze.

"It appears Haruka was in a bad mood today." She replied diplomatically.

Even now she refused to admit defeat and ask for help – she could be stubborn and prideful at times. All the more reason to find this setting humorous.

"I think I got a text from Haruka, about this… ah, situation, around an hour ago," I said maintaining that even tone, a twinkle in my eyes.

I watched the subtle chewing of her lower lip, her eyes cast away in embarrassment, hands fidgeting behind her.

"I have it under control." She replied with false confidence, her eyes defiant.

"You know…" I said, as I stood up from my seat. Locking gazes with her, walking around the obstacle between us, I shoved one side of the chair around so she could face me. The foot of the chair scraped loudly against the faux wooden floor. She looked up to me with calculating eyes.

Shizuru waited, ready and poised, for me to laugh at her one and only humiliation; waited for me to claim that one victorious tease I unrightfully deserved; waited to turn it all back onto me. Even in her predicament, her skills of manipulation and words could have made it so I ultimately ended up as the red-faced tomato she loves me to be - but I didn't.

I didn't mock, I didn't laugh, I didn't ridicule or tease – I just looked down at her. Because as I stared into her eyes and took in her vulnerability, her helplessness, her powerlessness against me – instead of feeling childish triumph at her weakness, I felt… invigorated.

My lips pulled into a wide sly smile as I finally finished in a hush sultry sound of a whisper:

"… Haruka suggested I put a leash on you… I think I'll take that advice to heart."

Leaning in close, I sealed our lips and let the feeling of authority and power envelop her – us – and cast away any possible thoughts of revenge; of schemes to save face; of the world; of everything – from her mind.

It wasn't every day you got Fujino Shizuru unwillingly tied up in a chair in the middle of your living room.

A/N: Hehehe Natsuki skipped a step there. Shizuru would've made it this ending, regardless, to get some sort of benefit out of her situation. She got a pleasant surprise when she didn't have to do any of the work!

P.S. Early Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy holiday etc! Cya in 2011! Take care!

Omake:

Natsuki: So what did you do to the loud-mouth? You've pressed her buttons before, but it's never led to this.

Shizuru: You know… she came over, and we just got to talking…

N: About…?

S: … Her love life.

N: What the heck did you say… what the heck did you DO that she felt the need to gag you AND tie your hands up?

S: Let's just say she's more of a prude and tsundere than Natsuki is on these matters. I was just giving her some advice.

Haruka is currently somewhere, completely red-faced, trying to slam her head hard enough against the wall to forget certain things and become blissfully ignorant and innocent again.