Author's note: Hey guys, thanks sooo much for the reviews. It makes me feel good. :) And I'm sorry it took so long to update, my computer would NOT load the second chapter. The next update will be a lot faster...as long as my computer cooperates!
P.S. Can anyone pick up on the...not-so-subtle subtleties I've put in this chapter? (example: sun and moon references, certain colors, etc.) If you can, you get a cookie. :P
Disclaimer: Again, I don't own squat. Just playing.
The club was definitely not classy, but it really was a good place to go for drinks and modern dance music. Multi-colored lights danced on the walls and floor, a disco ball's reflection shone in dazzling diamonds among the lights, and many men and women filled the bar and dance floor, most of which looking like they were trying to couple with their clothes on.
Himeko was used to this scene by now, so she strode into the club with barely a second glance. Makoto was at her side, dressed in a stunning low-cut, shimmery teal shirt and tight-fitting black shorts. Next to her, Himeko felt almost plain in the outfit Chikane had chosen for her…if not for the glitter that Mako-chan had applied to her shoulders and back and the elaborate makeup she had put on, she almost would have been.
Makoto pulled her straight to the bar and ordered the specialty drinks, not accepting Himeko's complaints about not wanting to drink. Shoving one drink into the blonde's hands, she settled in the bar seat and scoped the room. Himeko perched on the bar seat next to her friend and joined the search…but her search was for someone in particular this time.
"So," Makoto began, sipping at her drink, "what did you talk about with that Chikane girl anyway? You really haven't said a word since running after her like a lost puppy." Himeko blushed and said, "I merely asked her to meet us here tonight." When Makoto's jaw dropped, Himeko added, "She's new. She doesn't have any friends. I was hoping to make her feel more welcome." Makoto laughed and said, "I would expect no less of you, Hime." She took another sip and added, "I don't know, she's awfully cute. Think I have a chance at her?" Himeko choked and stared wide-eyed at her friend. "Are you serious?" she asked. Makoto shrugged and said, "Eh, I'm not having much luck with men. Why not play the field? Besides, I think we had a connection earlier." Himeko felt a pull at her heart, for some unknown reason, and a twinge of jealousy coursed through her.
"I think I'm going to go to the bathroom, Mako-chan," she said, not meeting her friend's eyes as she stood from the bar and made her way to the bathroom in the back. She stood there, staring at herself in the mirror, wondering what was going on in her head and body. She wasn't stupid; she knew the telltale signs of lust and attraction. Her cheeks flushed at the memory of being in Chikane's arms and feeling that warmth go through her body. She wanted to feel it again, but what if Chikane didn't feel the same? Himeko hung her head in shame. These thoughts weren't normal, not for a girl to have about a girl. But everything just felt so…right.
Taking a calming breath, she exited the bathroom and walked back towards Makoto, who, to Himeko's surprise, was now talking to someone with long blue-black hair, standing with her back to Himeko. As she got closer, the girl turned around, and Himeko nearly fainted.
Chikane was wearing a stunning red dress, with almost nothing to it. The dress ended only a few vital inches past her slender hips, and the neckline dropped almost to her navel, with just a small gold clasp that fastened just below and between her ample breasts.
Himeko had never seen a more amazing sight in her life. She felt frozen in place, her body completely wracked with desire, her gaze seemingly stuck on the clasp of Chikane's dress. Chikane looked uncomfortable that Himeko wasn't saying anything, but Makoto burst out laughing and jumped up to hug Himeko. "You look like you've never seen cleavage before, Hime!"
Himeko turned a bright shade of red then, and Chikane in turn covered herself. "Is it too much?" she asked Himeko softly. Himeko, snapping out of her reverie, exclaimed, "No! You look so beautiful!" Chikane smiled bashfully and sighed in relief. "Good." Then she held a hand out to Himeko. "Would you like to dance?" Himeko, afraid of what she would do if she got too close to Chikane, shook her head quickly. "No, I don't dance well, but Mako-chan sure can! I'll stay here and finish my drink, you two go dance."
Mako looked thrilled, but Chikane seemed resigned to do as Himeko said, albeit reluctantly. Mako grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor, where the two began to dance in time to the music. Mako seemed completely into it, and kept trying to get closer to Chikane, who seemed only to be dancing halfheartedly. Every time Mako would attempt to get close, Chikane would dance away. Finally, after two songs, Makoto came back to Himeko and said, "Whoo, she's a good dancer, huh? You should go dance with her. I bet she could teach you a couple things. I've got to go to the bathroom."
As soon as Makoto was gone from view, Chikane approached Himeko and enveloped her in a hug. Stricken, Himeko leaned back against the bar table as Chikane situated herself between Himeko's legs for a closer hug. "Chik…ane…" she said weakly, feeling electricity course through her every place that Chikane's body met her own.
"Himeko, I really need you to dance with me."
"I don't dance well…"
Chikane pulled her closer and put her mouth right at Himeko's ear and pressed, "Himeko. Look at me. Feel me. Feel this, whatever it is, between us. Dance with me."
"Chikane…"
"Please…" The whispered word was so full of lust and longing, of need and anguish, that Himeko gasped and nodded. "Okay." Chikane pulled away and grabbed Himeko's hand, leading her to a dark, secluded part of the dance floor. There she pulled the blonde into her arms and held her close.
Chikane wasn't sure she could remain standing. Feeling Himeko's silky hair brush her skin and inhaling her pure scent…it was intoxicating and breathtaking. Having lived her life so empty and cold, finally feeling the warmth of another person—no, not just another person…the warmth of Himeko—she had a hard time fighting the urge to faint. So she closed her eyes and focused on Himeko's heartbeat.
Himeko closed her eyes and felt Chikane's warm body moving rhythmically against hers. Chikane smelled so clean…almost like a moonlit beach after a rainstorm. She held Himeko tight, and it made her feel secure and safe. It felt so good, so right.
The dance ended way too soon, in Himeko's opinion. But Chikane took her hand and led her back to the bar, where she ordered two more mixed drinks and sat down beside each other. Himeko suddenly laughed, and when Chikane gave her a strange look she pointed over to the dance floor. Apparently Makoto had come back from the bathroom and had given up on Chikane. She was now dancing with a man nearly twice her height. Chikane laughed and said, "At least she found someone else to dance with. Saotome-san is a very kind girl and a good friend, but there's only one person for me." She looked pointedly at Himeko, who blushed and took a large gulp of her drink.
"Come back to my hotel with me."
Himeko nearly choked on her drink and stared at Chikane. "I…um…Mako-chan will worry, because she's so protective and she'd be upset because we don't know you that well…yet…so…um…"
Chikane giggled. "You're acting as though you're afraid of me, Himeko." Himeko blushed and held up her hands. "No, that's not it! Hey, how about you stay with us in our dorm tonight? So that you don't have to spend the money on another night at the hotel, I mean. And tomorrow I can show you around the campus."
Chikane touched her hand. "I appreciate it, Himeko. I'd love to stay with you tonight."
With that, the girls grew silent, watching the dance floor with distracted minds, both thinking about what would happen when they left the club.