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Aww, so I gather new experiences. The ones for today are called: a flashback and a very rushed chapter. ;;
Ever After
Warning: Fluff
Chapter 5
Warning: -
„No!" to emphasize her words Natsuki banged her hand on the table. She looked really angry, but Shizuru was obviously unimpressed. The brunette knew that the reason her partner was in a bad mood was not serious. The problem was the same every year and was named Shizuru's birthday. Or to be more precise: Shizuru's birthday party.
Natsuki hated birthday parties. To be more precise: Natsuki hated to organize birthday parties. She avoided making her own with unusual care. She always was very careful to plan her and Shizuru's vacation on August. She never failed to spend her birthday as faraway from home as possible. All the harm she could get there were a few phone calls with birthday wishes from really desperate friends.
Shizuru's case was different. Her birthday in a natural way was the event belonging to before-New Year rush. People too often treated it as a bounenkai - the opportunity to meet just before the New Year and Christmas. Some of ex-Himes had this date marked in their schedule as the reunion meeting. It looked like the whole world remembered about Shizuru's birthday. There was no way she didn't make a birthday party – people were visiting anyway, without any announcement or invitation. Natsuki never forgot to point out that the guests came more to see each other and have some rest in the mad shopping time than to celebrate Shizuru's birthday.
Since they had bought the spacious apartment the tradition became to make an indoor party. This had made Natsuki even more nervous and edgy.
And so a week to the feral date they were standing in the kitchen, cloudy Natsuki and smiling Shizuru. The older woman ignored Natsuki's improper use of the table and made a little pout. "Natsuki, you should pay more attention to Miki when she visits. You don't have your sister around everyday."
"Thank god," Natsuki rolled her eyes. "Our budget wouldn't survive that."
"Ikezu. If she can't have your attention at least she should have nice and solid memories of you."
"Yeah, sure. It surprises me that you didn't offer her to move in with us already. Or better buy her a house in the neighborhood. Wait; there are some uninhabited islands on the Pacific Ocean for sale. Get one of them, it would be cheaper. Plus you can move there with your beloved Miki and finally I'll get some calm." Natsuki ranted letting her frustration out.
Shizuru waited patiently until the blue-haired woman finished, then asked with a wink. "Are you jealous?"
"No," Natsuki waved her hand in a gesture of apology, "just irritated."
"But you really should go out shopping with us. That's what older sister shall do."
And here was the reason for Natsuki's irritation: shopping. There was no way she would go to those over-crowded malls with people running around like in fever, Santa Clauses jumping from every corner and annoying Christmas songs killing one's ears. Even a rare visit of her younger step-sister was not the reason good enough to break her habit of ignoring New Year's rush.
"You are the last one to talk. You have no siblings. Besides I thought she had come here to help us with the party." Natsuki huffed.
"You have a point. I have no siblings and Miki came to help. But shopping is a part of her helping duties." Shizuru explained fluently. "And as far as I know there will be Miki's new boyfriend. I think you should meet him."
Natsuki's eyes widened. "What?! When had she got a boyfriend? And why am I the last one to know about this?" Seeing a smug smile on her partner's face Natsuki raised her hand in the warning. "And don't say because I never asked."
"Ara, you never asked." Shizuru smiled innocently. "If you don't like her boyfriend there will be occasion to scare him away," she suggested hoping that Natsuki would catch the bait.
"This is not an argument. I have you to scare the hell out of him." The shorter woman snorted.
Shizuru didn't give up. "But your little sister will be upset when she learns that you don't want to go out with her."
Natsuki smiled dryly. "We both know that she wouldn't care. She is Kuga and Kuga is not bothered by such trifles."
Shizuru had to admit that Natsuki was right. If Miki wasn't strong-willed they would never know her.
Flashback
Also this year Shizuru was dragged by Natsuki from her air-conditioning office and thrown into a scorching heat of Okinawa's summer. Shizuru made a weak effort of persuading the biker to stay in the city and make a proper birthday party for a change, but Natsuki was firm.
"We have enough of a headache because of the party at your birthday." The younger girl replied invariably.
"We could save some money by staying in the city." Shizuru lured. Their finances weren't in the best condition lately and Natsuki was the one worrying about it endlessly.
"Don't make me laugh Shizuru. I am absolutely sure that your party's budget is bigger than all our travel expenses."
"But presents I receive cover costs."
"No, they don't. All they do is cluttering our apartment."
So it was decided.
Not that Shizuru didn't like their vacation. Natsuki was very creative during these trips; she never let them be bored and always put a great effort to make them relax. Shizuru enjoyed greatly this creative and unbend Natsuki.
Shizuru might not see the world beside her lover, but no cute girl would escape her attention. That's why while relaxing the best way she imagined what meant to lie lazily on the beach and to have Natsuki applying a sunscreen on her back, Shizuru spotted a young teen obviously observing them with a great interest.
Shizuru used to have some bunch of fan-girls around. The more mature, the more popular she was among younger ones. It happened not once that some girl shadowed her in a rather unhealthy manner. She knew how to deal with them (using Natsuki to scare fan-girls away was one of the most effective options). She thought that this time it was the same case, but after some observations she noticed with surprise that she was not the target.
The perceptive woman noticed with some uneasiness that a particular teenager stared quite openly at the love of her life. Oh, of course the pang she felt in her chest after this discovery had nothing to do with her jealousy, her infamous fondness of young girls or the fact that the girl was pretty. For all these non-existing reasons Shizuru didn't mention to Natsuki about her observation.
The next day the girl accidentally bumped on them in the hotel hall and blushed madly when Natsuki caught her saving from fall.
"Oi, be more careful." Natsuki admonished the teenager with a rather annoying tone and her attention went somewhere else. But to Shizuru a blush and a shy look of the other didn't go unnoticed. She decided to take care of the case personally.
The next morning, when they were about to leave a hotel hall for the beach, Shizuru spotted the girl hidden badly behind a column, obviously watching them.
She excused herself to clueless Natsuki, explaining that she forgot something and had to go back to their room. She chose a complicated route and unnoticed came close to the girl.
For a while they both watched Natsuki with adoration. The blue-haired beauty, oblivious to the presence of her observers, leaned against a wall, a frown on the face, arms crossed, one of her sandaled feet tapping the floor impatiently.
Shizuru had to admit that the girl had a good taste – the sight was so adorable. But as much as she liked it, she didn't come here to drool over Natsuki. It was the time to act.
"Ara, isn't it rude to stalk people?" Shizuru asked in her melodic voice, her lips dangerously close to the girl's ear.
The teenager yelped in surprise. Her face got flushed when she turned towards the older woman. She looked at Shizuru with fear, blinking rapidly. Shizuru thought the view was cute, but kept the observation to herself.
"Are you into older women?" The brunette continued her surprise verbal assault.
"No!" The girl pulled herself together enough to shout out her answer.
Shizuru winked playfully. "You don't need to be so shy about it. After all this woman you are interested in is a beauty."
The girl's face turned bright red. "It's not like that! You are totally wrong!"
"Am I?" Shizuru rested her finger on her chin in a gesture of contemplation. "So why have you followed us for few last days?"
The teen huffed. "You must imagine something."
"Is that so? And right now you were not so focused on this frowning lady that you didn't notice me coming?" The older woman asked with disbelief.
"I wasn't." The girl puffed her cheeks the way that made Shizuru smile.
"So stubborn child. Should I inform guards that a little girl wanders around alone and picks on innocent citizens?"
A flicker of worry flashed in hazel eyes. "No! Please no! They will tell my father and he would kill me if he knew I was talking to you!"
Shizuru debated for a while then smiled gracefully. "So this is a deal. I won't tell anybody about you but you will tell me why you are after this woman."
The teenager hesitated for a moment, then admitted reluctantly. "I… I just wanted to see my sister."
"And what it has to do with us?" The woman was intrigued.
The girl straightened herself, her expression little hurt. "My name is Kuga Miki. This woman must be Kuga Natsuki, my older step-sister." She said in an official tone.
Puzzled Shizuru took a good look at the teen. A cute face, raven hair, hazel eyes, nicely shaped body, but still with some traces of immaturity. "Ara, now I see some similarities," she nodded in a deep contemplation. "But you are not very alike at the first sight. Tell me how did you know that Natsuki was your sister?" She asked with curiosity.
The girl grinned. "We have at home her graduation picture. Besides when we spotted her my father ordered me particularly to not get close to her."
"Why is that so?"
"I'm not sure… I think they don't get along well. When we noticed she was here I wanted to greet her, but dad said no. He said that she wouldn't be happy to see us; that we shouldn't destroy her vacation by showing ourselves." The girl pulled her hair in frustration. "But I'm curious about her."
The relation between Natsuki and her dad was something difficult to grasp even for Shizuru. Her situation was simple – she wasn't in speaking terms with her father. Natsuki's case was far more complicated. She didn't break her bonds to her dad but at the same time she obviously avoided him. Her father was acting the same way, what created quite weird situations. Shizuru used to call this 'Kuga syndrome' and a long time ago had given up on pondering on it.
"Well, you father was right more or less." The brunette said with consideration. "But I think that if we reached this point already, you should go and talk to her."
Eyes of the teen widened in horror. "No way! She will kill me. And father will kill me too."
"Why she would like to kill you?" Shizuru raised her brows in amusement.
Miki laughed dryly. "Don't kid. Look at her glare. It's scary. And she must hate me."
"Usually glares don't kill. But why would she hate you? She probably doesn't know that you exist." Feeling the girl's uneasiness Shizuru tried to be patient.
"You see," Miki pointed out, "it's better not to tell her about me. She never visited our house. She must be pretty pissed at my family."
"Ara, such a language. Actually I don't think she doesn't like your family. I think she might be very happy to hear she has a sister. And such pretty one." Shizuru smiled brightly.
Suddenly the girl ducked her head. "Oh crap, parents. I must go. Please, don't tell her… Don't tell anybody about me, please?" She pleaded hurriedly.
"I'll consider it if you promise to meet me again."
The teen nodded hesitantly and run away.
---
Natsuki was busy with tracing new freckles on the smooth skin the careless Shizuru had exposed too long to the sun today. When she spotted any, she took a great care of it with her lips and tongue. She was far from stopping her activity anytime soon.
But Shizuru had other plans. She noticed that her humorous girlfriend was in a good mood. She decided to use this opportunity for a serious conversation even if it meant to stop Natsuki's ministrations. "Natsuki, I think we should talk."
Natsuki didn't pause, busy with some mark near Shizuru's cleavage. Shizuru gently grabbed her arm and tugged it to pull Natsuki up. "Come here and kiss me."
"I thought I was just doing it." Natsuki murmured in Shizuru's skin, tickling it with her breath, then pulled herself up. "What's up?"
"Your family is here." Shizuru made her voice as calm as possible.
Natsuki didn't react, her look still cloudy with desire.
"Are you not surprised?" Shizuru raised her brows with bewilderment.
"No, silly. I know you are here." Natsuki gently brushed Shizuru's brow with her thumb, her soft gaze filled with affection.
"Ah. I love you." The older woman smiled warmly. "But I meant the other one. Your father."
Natsuki's smile faded when her brain assimilated the information. "Are you serious?"
"Very." Shizuru nodded with a serious expression. "I checked the guests list. The whole family is here: your father, his wife and their daughter. Actually I had a conversation with your sister already."
Natsuki stared at her speechless. Then she clenched her jaw. "We are leaving tomorrow."
Shizuru sighed. "You are really Kuga. She told me the same."
The raven-haired woman stared at her blankly. Finally she managed to ask. "Who told you what?"
"Your younger sister. She said that your father had told her that they would immediately leave if she spoke to you." Shizuru explained patiently.
"Who?" Natsuki, obviously dazed, furrowed her brows, a growing irritation noticeable in her voice.
Shizuru had a feeling that it would be a long evening. She motioned to Natsuki to sit beside her, and then made herself comfortable in the younger woman's arms. It looked like she needed all her skills to convince the younger woman into her plan. She carefully started her explanations. "You have a younger step-sister Natsuki. Her name is Miki. She was following us last week. She wanted to see you so badly. I think she adores you. But your father forced her to promise that she wouldn't get close to you. And she is afraid to break the promise. I think you should see her. I can arrange that."
---
Miki came only a little late to the arranged meeting. The raven-haired woman welcomed the raven-haired girl with a rather cold stare. They were sitting in a nice, small cafe hidden in the back of the hotel (Shizuru's find). The teen had no time to settle herself properly, when the biker spoke. "My name is Kuga Natsuki. And this is Fujino Shizuru…"
"I know already." The girl blurted in.
"… my spouse." Natsuki finished stressing the last word.
Shizuru got choked with her drink, probably the first time in her life. It was the first time ever Natsuki called her that – and in front of a stranger.
When Shizuru was able to catch her breath again, she realized that both girls were so busy with glaring at each other that they even didn't notice that she was in danger. 'Sisters indeed,' Shizuru thought with amusement.
After a moment Natsuki broke the silence. "If you don't like it, go away," she said harshly.
Shizuru observed the scene with great interest. She and Natsuki weren't very open with their relationship. Of course a quite a bit of people knew about it, but they were friends, acquaintances, or Natsuki's co-workers. Natsuki was always first to come with retard denials or explanations when strangers were implying that they were a couple. But now she put things in the open from the very beginning. And Shizuru understood it. Natsuki was hurt already by her family and she didn't want to be hurt again. If she was to have a sister, she had to be sure the girl would accept her fully. The sooner she knew that her style of life was not welcomed by Miki, the better. It would be better to go separated ways before Natsuki let her hopes high. Before she let herself to love this girl.
Miki grinned obviously unaffected by the unkind behavior of the woman in front of her. "It's Ok for me. Actually I think it's kinda cool."
"Cool?" Natsuki was taken aback by the answer.
"You really look good together." Miki admitted with honesty.
Natsuki coughed, averted her eyes, a slight flush coloring her cheeks. "Err... Thanks." She mumbled.
Shizuru smiled victoriously to herself. The first step was made. She promised herself to do everything within her power to help the sisters to get along. She and Natsuki lacked in the family department and every achievement was very welcomed. Besides she had no siblings so she was excited to get one, even if it was Natsuki's kin.
---
End of flashback
---
There was an hour to midnight. The party slowly was going to an end. Some people (the loudest and most annoying like Midori) went or were dragged home already; the rest, mostly those who would sleep over, spitted into groups and were busy with some quieter activities like chatting, playing cards, dozing off, watching movies or dancing to the soft slow music.
Natsuki let herself relax after few crazy hours of running around and serving their guests. People were so busy with themselves that they didn't need her for entertainment anymore. She sensed the whole tension she had felt for few last days was vanishing. She decided it was the best time to take care of Shizuru. But first she had to find her girl. It turned out to be not so easy – Natsuki unsuccessfully checked every room in their apartment until she came into the last one, completely dark aside the shining display of the stereo. A few pairs were dancing in tight embrace. Natsuki scanned the room and spotted a lonely silhouette sitting on the couch. Natsuki smiled at the clever hide the older woman made use of to keep herself away from the fuss.
Natsuki maneuvered herself between dancing pairs to the couch and offered her hand to sitting woman. "Will you dance with me?"
Shizuru smiled in the darkness and took her hand. Natsuki pulled her up and embraced her tightly. The biker relaxed feeling familiar curves pressing against her body. She rested her forehead against Shizuru's and let them lazily swing to the rhythm of slow music. Shizuru followed her lead, a tiredness noticeable in her movements.
When the song ended Natsuki brought her lips close to Shizuru's ear. "I would like to talk to you in private," she whispered.
Shizuru eyed her, trying to guess from Natsuki's expression what might be a reason of her statement. But Natsuki's face suggested nothing, so Shizuru tried other tactic. "Should we go to more private place then? Like the bedroom?"
Natsuki smirked at the suggestion. Her route in search of Shizuru convinced her that every available place was already taken. "Occupied."
Shizuru smiled playfully. "The bathroom?"
Natsuki winced at the memory of locked door and her failed attempts to persuade people inside to get out. "Busy."
"The kitchen?"
"Forget. This is the kingdom of canasta now."
Shizuru chuckled. It looked like their own home didn't belong to them tonight. "The rooftop?" She suggested after a while of consideration.
Natsuki grinned in agreement and leaded them to the door, catching her jacket on the way.
As every building in the area also theirs had usable rooftop. Towering surrounding houses, this one delivered quite great view of the city. This was one of reasons they had chosen this place.
The lonely bench (the witness of many intimate moments) placed in the far corner of the viewing terrace was their favorite spot. So when they reached the roof doors they instinctively made their way towards the best spot.
The night was cool, Shizuru shivered under the chill breeze. Seeing this Natsuki covered her love with her jacket. Shizuru smiled gratefully, took her lover's arm and nestled her chin atop Natsuki's shoulder. They sat comfortably admiring the view of the city below illuminated by thousands lights.
They sat for a long moment in complete silence, enjoying the view, the calmness of the night and each other presence. Natsuki took Shizuru's hand in hers and absent-mindedly played with slender fingers. The cobalt-haired woman tried to gather enough courage she had been seeking for months to tell finally Shizuru what she had on mind. She decided she shouldn't hold herself any longer. Tonight was the best opportunity. But to decide to do something and to do something were two different things. Her inner fears and uncertainty came back with full force keeping the words she was about to say deep in her throat. Natsuki sighed, angry at herself for being so miserable. Feeling her struggle the other woman decided to speak.
"Mai called." Shizuru said with a hint of worry in her voice.
Natsuki blinked, all her thoughts instantly forgotten. "How is Mai?"
Shizuru slightly shook her head. "Surprisingly well."
"Oh." The biker felt a lump in her throat preventing her from a further comment.
"I think you should consider visiting her." The brunette said quietly.
"Not now." The blue-haired woman retorted curtly, a flash of anger noticeable in her voice.
"She needs you." Shizuru insisted, her hand squeezing hers in comfort.
Natsuki dropped her head, the feeling of guilt rising in her chest. "I know. But… Mikoto said he was there. I'm positive that if I saw this jerk I would kill him. And this is not an option. I have a feeling Mai'll forgive him eventually." She tried to explain herself.
"I see." The older woman nodded. "An infidelity is a very serious matter, but you are probably right. Mai is such kind person."
Natsuki sighed and closed her eyes. Why Shizuru had to bring up this topic now of all moments? Why she had to remind her right now that -love- a relationship was something so fragile? How people – and people she thought she knew – were able to shatter so carelessly everything with one stupid act. She hoped, no, she knew that something like that would never happen to them. She and Shizuru might have different opinions; they might argue or be angry at each other, but these were ways people acted when living together. She had an unwavering faith – a primal feeling that she couldn't explain rationally - that she and Shizuru were destined to be together. She had no doubts that no one else could make her happy. She didn't want anybody else to make her happy. And she knew Shizuru felt the same.
This thought struck her. Was it simple like that? When you trust your significant other so much that you don't hesitate to entrust more than your life to her; when you want to share with her all the goods and ills of life; when you feel so happy when being with her that you want to share your happiness with the whole world – shouldn't you just do it and share all these precious feelings with someone who would be a evidence of the intimate bond between you and your beloved?
Suddenly all her fears and doubts looked so funny and irrational.
"Shizuru," she said into a cool Tokyo night, her voice steady and clear, "I want to have a baby with you."
-
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Happy birthday to Shizuru.