Chapter 6: Embrace
Kruger took off the last piece of fabric on her, which happened to be an expensive-looking semi-transparent lacy purple panty, and tossed it on top of the rest of her clothes pile. Taking a deep breath, she leapt into a mountain stream and squealed as the cold water splashed onto her warm skin.
The raven-haired girl dived under the water for several seconds, and then resurfaced with a soft gasp. Oh, I really needed this. She brushed away the wet hair plastered on her face and started washing her dirt-covered body, humming to herself while picking out tiny glass shards that got stuck in her wounds. Those were not particularly painful, but rather itchy and annoying. She felt so much better after she got the last one out.
Takeda paused and listened. At first he thought it was only his own imagination, but then the sounds he heard only got louder. He tapped Tate's shoulder to get his attention and asked, "Did you hear that?"
Tate strained his ears and agreed after a few seconds, "Yeah, I heard it too. It sounded like water, and I think I also heard someone singing."
Shiho clung onto her onii-chan tightly, almost enough to cut off his arm's circulation, and whined, "Shiho hates scary stuff."
The kendo ace grinned at the pink-haired girl, showing off his glinting white set of teeth. "Don't worry, I'll protect you. So don't be scared, Shiho."
Tate also assured the frightened young girl. "We will both ensure your safety. Oh, and Tate, I think we should take a closer look. It sounded like a girl, so maybe she needs some help, you know, she might be lost."
"Good idea."
They headed toward the direction of the singing voice. Before long, they had reached a clearing and found themselves staring at the backside of someone standing half-immersed in the middle of the stream. It was a girl with a long, flowing, dark blue mane, who was singing and dancing to the beats.
Completely naked.
"Stalked in the forest, too close to hide. I'll be upon you by the moonlight side. Do do do do do do do...KYAAAAA!!!"
"ONII-CHAN DON'T LOOK!" Shiho headbutted Tate in the chin and knocked him over, covering his eyes with both her hands.
"Ku... Ku... IAMSOSORRYIDIDNOTSEEANYTHING!" Takeda turned her face away from the naked girl so fast, his neck almost snapped.
"MATERIALIZE!" The enraged Otome screamed and charged, pummelling her fists into the kendo captain's stomach repeatedly, sending the guy flying on a collision course with at least a dozen trees. After beating one of the perverts into a bloody pulp, Kruger turned and proceeded to deal with the remaining two.
Shiho almost pissed herself when Kruger's lips curled into a bloodthirsty sneer. "P...p...please, Ku... Kuga-sama, forgive us." The Otome replied simply by picking up the sideburn-boy by his shirt and smashing his skull against his buddy's, knocking both of them unconscious instantly.
Satisfied with her work, Kruger turned and set her icy green glare on the only person left. Shiho fell on her hands and knees, too scared to even move a muscle. Her tear-filled eyes widened in horror as the raven-haired demon incarnate stared down at her, ready to crush her like an ant.
"You saw nothing. Is that clear?"
Shiho nodded her head and squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the bone-crushing blow that was sure to come... Except that it never came. Puzzled, the pink-haired girl finally summoned enough courage to open her eyes and looked around, but her would-be attacker was nowhere to be found. "I thought I was gonna die..." She let out a long, trembling sigh but only shot her head up in alarm again.
"Ah! Onii-chan!"
Natsuki had thought about how Haruka and Yukino would react when the real Shizuru showed up, and all the possible scenarios made her giddy. But what she was really dying to see was Shizuru's reaction to her own double. Would the graceful former kaichou lose her usual composure?
The mental image of Shizuru freaking out and screaming "nandeyanen" like an Osaka comedian sent the injured girl reeling in a fit of insane laughter.
Haruka and Yukino exchanged a worried look, both thinking the same thing:The poor girl has lost her mind.
Natsuki's mad laughter, however, died down abruptly as she slumped forward and grimaced in pain. Note to self: no laughing until those damn ribs heal. She cradled her side with her good arm and let out a long, ragged breath. If I do that again, my side will split, literally.
Yukino put a hand on Natsuki's shoulder and said encouragingly, "Kuga-san, don't worry, everything will be all right. We'll take you to a hospital..."
Natsuki shook her head, interrupting the concerned girl. "No. I'm fine. Just had too much fun."
"But you are clearly in pain and confused..."
"I'm fine."
Yukino knew how to deal with a stubborn Haruka, but she had no idea how to deal with a stubborn Natsuki. She gave Haruka a pleading look, silently asking for her friend's help, but the blonde had other things in mind.
"What'cha looking at me for? If she is stupid enough not wanting your help, then just leave her alone. More importantly, can you find me some rope? I can't sit on top of this bubuzuke-onna all day."
"Ara, I don't really mind..." Viola mused.
"You shut up, Fujino." The former Executive Director barked at the Kyoto girl. Natsuki could feel another wave of giddiness brewing in her chest. If this Shizuru double were anything like the Shizuru she knew, then she would bet her precious lingerie collection that this wicked woman was actually enjoying having Suzushiro on top of her.
Yukino was torn between staying by the injured girl's side and finding a rope as she was told, but the sound of the doorbell helped her make up her mind. "I'll go get the door first."
Shizuru is here already? That's fast. Natsuki watched Yukino get out of the room, and a few seconds later, she heard the girl scream. So it's started.
"Yukino?" Haruka let go of Viola and stood up. Before she even got out of the room, Yukino had busted through the door and grabbed the blonde's shoulders. "Ka... ka... kai..."
"Calm down, I can't understand you."
A soft Kyoto-accented voice answered. "I believe she is trying to tell you that 'kaichou-san is here.'"
"I know you are here... Heh? EEEEEEK!!!" Haruka's purple eyes bulged to the size of tennis balls as she saw the person walking into the room; the flowing chestnut hair, the delicate face, the crimson eyes, the graceful and elegant air that always seemed to hang around like roses to yaoi lovers and lilies to yuri lovers in manga – it was none other than Fujino Shizuru.
"There are two of them..." The blonde pinched herself, but the pain told her that she was not dreaming.
Shizuru walked straight toward Natsuki, merely giving her own double a polite nod. She stood beside the bed and stared into the injured girl's guilty green eyes, her own crimson ones narrowed in unspoken rage.
"So, 'a little scratch' you said?"
Natsuki averted her friend's probing gaze. "Well, there are some scratches..."
"Actually, there was a broken arm, three cracked ribs, thirty five cuts and bruises. I counted. By the way, the head trauma was rather nasty and it kept her unconscious for three and a half days." Viola added.
Natsuki gave the nosy girl her best death glare, but it had absolutely no effect on her.
Shizuru closed her eyes and took in a controlled breath. "I assume you are the one who saved her? Thank you."
Viola looked at her own double and smiled. "You are welcome."
"What the hell?" Natsuki was very disappointed. "You two are not normal! Look at Suzushiro and Kikukawa, look at how surprised they are, that's a normal reaction. You don't just exchange pleasantries when you see your own double, you scream!"
"Ara, does Natsuki want me to scream?" asked Shizuru. For some reason, Natsuki blushed when she heard that.
"I was hoping you would at least say something like 'nandeyanen'." Natsuki mumbled.
Shizuru raised her eyebrows and exchanged a look with Viola. "Nandeyanen," both girls said that at the same time and hit each other's shoulders with the back of their hands.
The room was silent for a moment, and then Natsuki burst into laughter. Her broken ribs were killing her, but she just couldn't stop at all. It was so painful that she couldn't sit still. She curled up in the fetal position, tears streaming down her face, but laughing like a madman. "So... HAHAHA... painful... HAHAHA..."
"Natsuki..." Shizuru leaned in, wanting so much to touch the girl she loved, but stopped half way.
Viola noticed the girl's odd behaviour and frowned slightly. She turned to the still petrified pair and gently urged them out of the room. "They need some privacy. It's our cue to leave."
"Oi, oi. This is MY house..." the blonde protested. "And who the hell are you to tell me what to do?" Haruka was annoyed and was ready to throw another tantrum, but the soft and warm body between her own arms got her attention. She looked down and saw the top of her best friend's head. Earlier when she was surprised (more like ambushed) by the arrival of the real Fujino, she had grabbed onto Yukino's waist and held the girl in a tight embrace.
She could feel heat creeping up on her face. Haruka cleared her throat and said, "I guess it's alright to give them some space. We are leaving, Yukino."
The timid brown-haired girl didn't look up, she just nodded, apparently as embarrassed by the situation as her blonde friend.
Viola was about to follow them out of the room, but Shizuru called her. "Viola, right?"
The Otome froze and turned to stare at the HiME. "I don't think I've told you my name yet, Shizuru-han."
Shizuru smiled. "I heard it from a cute girl named Kruger. She's a feisty one."
"Do you know where my Kruger is now?"
Shizuru recognized that look in Viola's eyes; it was called 'hope', something she had lost a long time ago... She chuckled and answered, "Unfortunately, I have no idea where she is now. But about thirty minutes ago, the girl torn down a church in Fuuka Academy. She should still be around that area."
"I see. Thank you. I must hurry." Viola walked around the bed and opened the window. "Materialize." She transformed into her purple Otome robe and flew out of the window, never looking back.
Natsuki wanted to ask her Shizuru what was going on between her and Viola, but was too distracted to say anything. She had stopped laughing for a while now, but the pain on her side never really went away.
"Natsuki, are you alright? Does it hurt much?" Shizuru squeezed her hands together so tightly that all her knuckles turned white.
"I'm fine. Shizuru, have you thought about pursuing a career as comedian? 'Cause you are so damn funny." She brought her hand down to her heavily bandaged torso. I think I might have pulled something. The pain is getting worse. "You really crack me up."
Shizuru didn't buy it. She knew all too well that the girl was trying to hide her pain. "You are not fine, Natsuki. I'll call Youko-sensei and ask her to take a look at that. But before that, I'll get you some painkillers first. Alright?"
Knowing she couldn't fool her best friend, Natsuki nodded and apologized. "Sorry, Shizuru. I don't mean to make you worry."
"I understand. I'll be right back."
Shizuru left the room briefly and came back with two pills and a glass of water. Natsuki murmured a low "thanks" before she popped the pills and drank from the glass.
"It would take a while for the medicine to come in effect, so you should probably lie down." Shizuru took the empty glass from the injured girl's hand and put it on the nightstand.
"Shizuru." Natsuki suddenly grabbed the older girl's hand and pulled her closer. "What is that?" She frowned deeply at the ugly bruises on Shizuru's wrists. "How did you get hurt?"
The Kyoto girl quickly pulled her hand back from her friend's grip. "Nothing. I was just careless."
She's lying. Natsuki stared into Shizuru's calm, crimson eyes, searching for signs of her deception. There was nothing. She could hardly tell Shizuru was lying from her complacent face. "Why are you trying to hide them from me? Is that why you are wearing a long sleeve blouse in this weather? Let me see your wrist."
"Ara, is Natsuki trying to see my body? Natsuki… Ecchi."
"It won't work, Shizuru. Now let me see your wrist. Don't make me come over there." Natsuki didn't even blush at Shizuru's teasing remark because she knew that her friend was only trying to change the subject.
Shizuru stared back into Natsuki's steely green eyes; she understood that the younger girl meant every word, but she was not willing to do as she told. "Didn't I tell you? I was just careless. Natsuki should pay more attention to her own body."
Natsuki tried to grab the older girl's hand again, but this time Shizuru was prepared and she tucked both her hands behind her back just in time. The raven-haired girl smirked and grabbed the front of her friend's white blouse instead. Not expecting to get caught and with both her hands behind her back, Shizuru couldn't brace herself for when Natsuki pulled her down. She landed on top of the girl with a surprised yelp.
"Got you." Natsuki didn't even grunt when her friend's weight dropped painfully on her injured body. It really hurt, but at the same time oddly fulfilling. She latched her good arm securely around Shizuru's waist and grinned. "Now you can't go anywhere."
Funny. That's the exact same thing I told her.
Slowly, she wrapped her arms around the body underneath her, and embraced the girl she loved for the first time in months.
TBC
Author's Notes:
1. To new readers who just found this story: thank you for reading this. Please review if you have time, I would really appreciate it.
2. To readers who have been following this story: thank you for sticking with me. I've been meaning to go back and fix my early chapters, and please forgive me for taking so long.
3. Thank you so much, Dr. Leebot! You're an awesome beta. XD.
4. Kruger was singing Duran Duran's "Hungry Like The Wolf." I watched the MTV from YouTube, and I was listening to the song the whole time while I was writing this chapter. I have to say the song is rather catchy.
5. I have nothing against the male species in general, but I've been aching to give Tate and Takeda a good beating.
6. Oh, btw, "nandeyanen" (なんでやねん) is Osaka-ben for "what the hell?" If you've watched Azumanga Daioh before, you would understand what I mean.