Author's Note: Hey guys! Don't forget to write a review for this chapter.

13 The Labyrinth

Some people lose their way and find their way back. Some people lose their way forever. Some people lose their way and someone comes to lead them back.

Shizuru woke up early in the morning as she had planned. The room was still dark. She almost cried when she initiated the embrace in the evening. She knew that she's going to miss Natsuki and she doubted if her life would even return to normal after she completely hurts the sleeping angel beside her. "I have three days left with you." The sleeping Natsuki was cuddling her protectively. Her face was buried in the crook of Natsuki's neck while Natsuki's arm was wrapped around her back. Natsuki's smell was refreshing like mint and rain. She puckered her lips to plant a kiss on Natsuki's neck. It took all her willpower to extricate herself from Natsuki. She took out her toiletries and locked up herself in the bathroom.

Natsuki heard the sound of running water. Her eyes fluttered and she saw the light heralding the new day. She missed Shizuru's warmth. She took Shizuru's pillow and cuddled it while enjoying Shizuru's lingering smell. Shizuru soon came out in her underwears, her towel wrapped on her damp hair. She felt Natsuki move in an attempt to look away.

"Hey Natsuki, wake up," Shizuru mischievously said.

"I'm awake," Natsuki affirmed. Her voice was muffled by the pillow that she was hugging.

"Get to the bathroom then," Shizuru ordered. Natsuki sat up and mumbled a low 'okay'. When she turned around, Shizuru was still pulling her jeans and her torso was covered by a red lacy bra.

"Fuck, I thought you're done dressing up!" Natsuki yelled. Blood run up to her neck and cheeks to Shizuru's delight.

"As far as I know I'm not naked for you to react like that," Shizuru replied with a smile. Natsuki quickly took her toiletries before locking the bathroom door behind her. She stripped off her clothes and she let the water cool her down. Shizuru pulled her body-hugging shirt while smiling at Natsuki's cute reaction. "Now I officially seduced someone." She noticed that there was no phone inside their room so she went to the information counter to ask for food. Her orders were taken and the staff said they would deliver the food to their room shortly. When she came back, Natsuki was dressed in khakis and a short-sleeved checkered polo. A cowboy hat was hanging below her head.

"They will deliver breakfast soon," Shizuru announced as she sat beside Natsuki on the couch.

"The plantation is only fifteen minutes away from here. Takeda, the field manager, will come today. Basically, I'll introduce myself to the farmers, meet the number one among the farmers, and listen to the union. I need to establish my relationship with them and I need to assure them that their efforts would be properly compensated."

Shizuru listened to her and nodded. The food came soon and they ate silently. When they came out of the inn, a jeep pulled over in front of them. A fair-skinned man with dark brown hair got off the jeep and he grinned at them.

"Good morning Kuga-sama. You should have asked me to fetch you from Tokyo," Takeda said. "I already told the farmers that you are coming today. There should be no problems at all." Shizuru noticed that his grin could rival that of Reito's but this Takeda guy is a man while Reito is a boy. It was hard to ignore the fact that her entire attention was on Natsuki. Shizuru pushed herself closer to Natsuki's side.

"Thank you Takeda, this is Shizuru Viola by the way."

"Yeah, your Dad told me that you brought your secretary with you."

Takeda was true to his word. When they came to the plantation, the farmers have gathered under a sheltered area that they used for assemblies. They had a stereo and a microphone. They were welcomed by the president of the farmers' union and soon Natsuki was called to speak in front of about forty farmers. Natsuki was nervous but Shizuru cheered her on. Takeda noticed how the two looked at each other.

Natsuki introduced herself and her position in the company while the farmers intently listened. She tried to explain about production and mentioned her plans as the new director. She said she wanted to hear about the problems that they encounter in the plantation and the farmers spoke one-by-one while Natsuki intently listened to their pleas. Shizuru wrote down the comments, suggestions, and complaints of the farmers while Natsuki reassured them that she would do her best to meet their need. She also motivated them to cooperate in maximizing the production output.

Takeda, the field manager, is an agriculturist. After Natsuki spoke to the farmers, the microphone was handed to Takeda. He expertly answered problems about rice farming and Natsuki saw how the farmers expressed their agreement with him by constantly nodding. Takeda talked to the farmers with respect. He was the right man for his job. Shizuru saw that. After the customary round of applause for Takeda, the president of the farmers handed the microphone to Shizuru.

"I'm just an assistant," she whispered to the man but she wasn't understood so she had no choice but to say a few words. She had a worried look on her face but Natsuki's smile gave her courage.

"Uhm, good morning. I'm Shizuru Viola, a member of Kuga-sama's staff. My parents are horticulturists so I grew up loving the soil. My Dad said if you love the soil, the soil will love you back." The farmers laughed at her and she smiled. She was embarrassed. Takeda seemed to scoff her. "I'll pray for a bountiful harvest this season." The farmers clapped their hands and then the snacks were served. The farmers were surprised when caterers came to deliver various dishes for lunch. Shizuru shook hands with the farmers and happily introduced herself to them. Natsuki saw her and she did the same. She stayed beside her and tried to imitate the way she dealt with people.

In the afternoon, the president of the farmers volunteered to tour the group around the plantation but Takeda said, he would do the job.

"Kuga-sama, why don't you leave your secretary here to take the attendance and do surveys?" Takeda suggested, in the hope that he would be able to have Natsuki's entire attention. Natsuki thought that Takeda was right. Besides, it's quite hot. Shizuru would only get tired.

"Viola-san, just stay here and do what Takeda said," Natsuki ordered despite the dejected face worn by Shizuru. Takeda grinned triumphantly.

Natsuki went with Takeda while Shizuru tried her best to quickly accomplish her task. She made a directory of all the farmers in the plantation and then she did a quick survey to accomplish the documents that she brought with her for monitoring. After more than an hour, she was done and she asked the farmers for directions so she could follow Natsuki and Takeda.

Takeda tried to get Natsuki to open up to him but his sense of humor didn't work. Natsuki couldn't pick up his jokes which were thrown to make her smile. Natsuki only asked questions about the plantation and agriculture in general. Their conversation never went personal and Takeda was frustrated. Soon, Natsuki got tired and they walked back to the farmer's assembly area. Only an old woman and a boy where left there to clean up.

"Obaa-sama, did you see my secretary?"

"Ah, the sweet girl with Kyoto-ben?"

"Yes, that's her," Natsuki said. She was starting to get worried.

"She followed you to the plantation a few minutes ago," the old woman replied. "If you didn't see her, it means she's still out there looking for you." Natsuki face turned white. The sun is starting to set. "Hiro, help them look for their friend."

The boy walked with Natsuki and Takeda back to the plantation. Natsuki was very upset and she was breathing heavily. Takeda was afraid that she would snap any moment.

"I think she followed the footpath to the east if you didn't meet her on your way back," the boy said. "Let's walk here. The rice field extends beyond those trees on that side and on that other side near the hills. Where do you want to go first?"

"Takeda, it would be faster if we split up. You go there and we go here," Natsuki declared.

"But-"

"Just go and if you find her, wait for us in this spot."

Natsuki followed the boy hastily. She was cursing herself for leaving Shizuru earlier. "I can't forgive myself if something happens to her."

Shizuru looked around and realized it's getting dark. It could have been easy to walk around if not for the trees scattered around the plantation. She felt the coldness of the air and as the darkness loomed around her, she felt lost. She looked around and there were no people. Her life was like that. There were no people and because she didn't know where to go she just wandered around. She walked telling herself that she would soon reach the boundary markers. Tears began to leak from her eyes. She was afraid. She was alone. "Dad, help me."

"Kuga-sama, there she is," the boy cried out. He pointed a finger to Shizuru's direction. Natsuki was relieved when she saw her from afar but she noticed that there was something wrong. Shizuru seemed to be in a trance she was shuddering.

"Shizuru!" Natsuki yelled but Shizuru wasn't looking back. She called her again but still Shizuru wasn't responding. Natsuki ran to her as quickly as she could. She didn't care about following the footpaths. She crossed the rice fields like a sprinter and then she pulled Shizuru in a tight embrace. "Shizuru, it's me. Everything is fine now. I'm here. I won't leave you."

"That's what Dad said but he left me anyway," Shizuru sobbed as if she was dreaming. Natsuki realized that it was a symptom of trauma. Something triggered the outburst probably when she got lost. Natsuki rubbed her back and murmured words to calm down Shizuru. She kissed her on the forehead and she realized that she couldn't lose her.

"SShhh, it's okay now. It's me, Natsuki. Shizuru, let's go home. Please," Natsuki pleaded with teary eyes. Shizuru slowly realized that Natsuki had been crying and she was asking her to come home. She responded to the hug by wrapping her arms around Natsuki's waist.

"Ookini Natsuki," Shizuru said and then she sobbed on Natsuki's chest.

Takeda saw them from afar and he sneered. "Too bad she's a prince."