Here's the next chapter. I wrote it in one day :) Hopefully you'll like it.

Disclaimer: Nothing's mine. . .

Chapter: 4

Shizuru wasn't sure, if she would see her new „friend" again, but she had to put this thought aside for now, because duty called. So she grabbed the telephone and called her superior.

"Kikukawa Yukino speaking."

"Hello Kikukawa-san. . ."

"F-fujino-san? It's you right? Where are you? Are you hurt. . ."

Shizuru waited patiently until Yukino gave her the peace to tell her the story. Of course she wouldn't tell her about Natsuki, because then she would definitely think, that Shizuru was crazy. She still couldn't believe it herself. It was like a dream to her.

"Hai, it's me. I am currently at the hospital, but don't worry. It's nothing serious. Mai and Mikoto told you what happened. Am I right?"

"Yes, but not the whole story. We searched the area after Tokiha's call immediately for any signs of you, but we couldn't find you. Your colleagues are still out there, trying to find you. I'm glad, that I can tell them, that you are fine."

"I'm sorry, that it didn't go like planed. If I had been a little bit more careful we. . . "

"Don't worry Shizuru. We will catch Takeda. But now rest and I tell everybody that your safe and sound. Call me if you need something."

Shizuru knew that Yukino cared for her very much and everytime she used her first name she knew that she was worried to death.

"Thank you Yukino."

"You're welcome."

After that the line went dead and Shizuru placed the phone back. She was grateful, that her superior didn't thought it was her fault. She would do what Yukino wanted and rest a bit. Until now she didn't know how tired she really was, but her eyes got heavy and a small yawn escaped her mouth.

I'm so tired. Maybe it's because of the medication.

She laid her head down on the soft cushions and was immediately asleep. The last thought flowing through her head was the name of a certain gargoyle, who had saved her life.

Natsuki.

A warehouse near the city border:

A young man was sitting on a couch. He was not the only one in this dark room, but the other people were afraid to get close to him. They had heard of the incident a few hours ago and they now saw burning rage in the man's eyes.

Silent whispers were heard. They spoke about him and the police officer who escaped. Some very brave ones laughed, because they remembered him saying what a brilliant plan he had to finally get rid of this officer.

But as his cold eyes travelled in their direction they were immediately silent and shivered in fear. He was not the same as before.

If you looked at him closely, you could see no life in his eyes. The only thought, that got him going was the thought about revenge. He would get the one, who did this to his face. And he would kill the police officer too. Nobody would be able to stop him this time. Even if it costs him his life. That didn't matter. He wanted his revenge and he wanted it as fast as possible.

His anger rising, he threw the glass in his hands at the nearest wall, scattering it into million pieces. His smile grew and an evil smirk adorned his face.

"I'll get you Shizuru and this time nobody will be there to save your sorry ass!"

With Natsuki:

Natsuki didn't know why, but every few seconds an image of the injured woman in her arms crossed her mind. She sat on a tree in the park she went through today with Shizuru and her thoughts run wild. But why, she didn't know. She wished she could have stayed in the hospital, but that would have been too much trouble for her. The doctors would have asked a lot of uncomfortable questions.

She looked up into the sky and watched the clouds slowly moving. It was very peaceful here. She found a secluded area, where not so many people walked around as at other places. This gave her the freedom to relax.

Shizuru. . .

Her thoughts were once again circling around a certain brunette. What was wrong with her? She met the woman only yesterday and was worried about her health. That was the first time after years that she felt this way and she didn't like this feeling one bit.

She would use this woman and then. . .Her thoughts stopped. What would she do after that? She was all alone in this world. All her friends, the few she had long ago, were all dead and because of a painful incident she never wanted to find new ones.

This was getting on her nerves. So she jumped down and walked to the only destination coming into mind. The hospital. She would sneak in, check on Shizuru and than disappear through the next door. Hopefully that was enough to stop her thoughts from worrying about Shizuru.

With Shizuru:

Shizuru awoke to silent whispers and she recognized the voices immediately. It was Mai and Mikoto. She smiled inwardly.

So they are safe.

Deciding to greet them properly, she opened her eyes and was faced with a crying Mai and a happy smiling Mikoto.

"Mai, Mai, look, Shizuru's awake."

Mai looked at the woman and saw her smiling. This brought fresh tears to her eyes.

"Shizuru-san, I thought, I. . ."

"It's ok Mai-san. Nothing happened. Everything's fine."

"Everything's fine? You got shot, because we weren't there to back you up. . .You could. . ."

"Please stop. It was not your fault. Takeda sat up a trap. You couldn't have done anything to help me. So stop crying and forget this incident. Okay?"

"Okay, if that's your wish. But you really had us worried. How did you get away?"

Shizuru told them the story about her escape and how she fought to stay alive. But she didn't tell them about Natsuki. She wanted to keep this a secret. And an inner voice told her, that Natsuki wanted this too.

"You were lucky, that Takeda's men didn't find you. I promise next time you'll definitely don't have to fight alone."

"Thank you." Shizuru smiled one of her rare real smiles at the two woman.

She knew that they cared for her deeply and she had a warm feeling inside her body. So she couldn't help but smile.

"So, I think we'll let you sleep a bit longer. You must be exhausted after the fight. We'll visit you tomorrow or are they going to release you that soon?"

"I don't know, but I would like to stay at my apartment. I am not very fond of hospitals, you know that."

"Yeah, let me know if you are at home or still here ok?"

"Yes, I'll give you a call."

"Thanks." Mai smiled. "Let's go Mikoto. Shizuru needs her rest."

"But Mai. . .I want to hear more. . . please. . ." Mikoto whined, but Mai showed no mercy. She grabbed Mikoto by the collar and carried her halfway out of the room.

"Bye Shizuru-san. See you tomorrow."

"Bye Mai-san, Mikoto-chan."

Shizuru giggled as she saw the picture in front of her. She could hear the discussion going on even as her door was closed and the two woman walked along the hallway.

These two. . .

Her smile was still in place as she heard a soft knock at her door.

Who could this be.

Shizuru didn't expect another visitor, but she didn't want to be impolite so she spoke.

"Please come in."

Then she saw the one person she thought she wouldn't ever see again.

Natsuki.

"Hi Shizuru." Natsuki slowly approached the sitting woman and looked into her eyes for any signs that she was still afraid of her. Not seeing any she sat down next to her on the bed.

"Natsuki?"

"Yes, the one and only."

Natsuki saw that Shizuru was a little bit pale, but otherwise she looked fine. She was relieved that she brought the woman to the hospital just in time.

"What are you doing here?"

"Not happy to see me? I just wanted to check on you." She smiled.

"Ara, did Natsuki miss me already?"

Natsuki's face turned bright red, much to Shizuru's delight. She looked away to hide her face, until her blush died down.

Natsuki looked at Shizuru again and then her eyes travelled to the only window in the room. Her eyes got wide and she had a slightly panicked look on her face. She hadn't thought about the time. It was already that late. How stupid could she be?

"Natsuki? Are you alright?" Shizuru was worried after seeing the frightened look on the blunette's face. What was wrong. A few minutes ago everything seemed fine.

"I. . .I. . .I have to go. I. . ." Her eyes landed ones more on Shizuru.

Shizuru was confused. Did she do something wrong? She wanted to call out to Natsuki again, but was stopped as she saw the pained look on the blunette's face.

"Shit. . ."

That was the last word she heard from Natsuki.

The blunette stood next to the bed and Shizuru saw something, that let her eyes go wide and her hands get slightly sweaty.

In front of her the woman she talked to a few minutes ago was changing her form. Her body colour changed to a dark blue one, at her back grew two large wings and her hands changed into claws.

Shizuru could only watch this silently. The only thing she knew was, that Natsuki must be in a lot of pain.

Her eyes were pressed tightly together and her breathing quickened.

A few seconds later the transformation was complete and in her room was not a woman anymore, it was a gargoyle that was looking back at her with tired eyes.

Shizuru was speechless. What should she do or say? Should she comment on this transformation or keep quiet?

Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard another knock at the door.

The human and the gargoyle looked at each other with fear in their eyes. They only had seconds, before the door would be opened and the person would see Natsuki.

Shizuru regained her senses faster than Natsuki. She motioned for the gargoyle to hide in the next room. Fortunately her room got an own bathroom.

Natsuki just closed the door, as the other door was opened.

It was doctor Sagisawa.

"Hello Fujino-san. I just wanted to check on you. I hope I didn't wake you up?"

On the outside Shizuru had her mask built up and she looked calm, but on the inside she wanted to scream. This was very bad timing. Her only hope was, that the doctor would leave as fast as possible.

"Hello Yohko-sensei. Yes, everything's fine. I couldn't sleep and just wanted to start reading a book. Maybe this would make me a little bit sleepy." Shizuru smiled.

"Then I wish you a good night."

"Thanks."

Then the doctor left through the door and Shizuru fell back into the cushions. Her heart was beating like she had run for her life.

A few seconds later she heard the bathroom door and saw a head peeking through the door.

"Is it safe?"

She's so cute. Shizuru giggled and gave Natsuki the signal to leave the room.

"That was close." Natsuki sighed and rubbed her neck with her right hand.

She kept her distance to Shizuru, because she didn't know if her presence was still wanted as a gargoyle.

"Natsuki, you don't have to stay there."

Shizuru didn't know why she said that. She was still a bit afraid, especially after that show, she saw a few minutes ago. But then she remembered, that the gargoyle in front of her had saved her life and did nothing to threaten her in any way. So it was safe to trust her, wasn't it?

Natsuki sat down on the bed, but her whole body was tense and her eyes didn't meet Shizuru's.

I hope she isn't still afraid. I'm so stupid. How could I forget about such an important thing.

Natsuki was all the time thinking how stupid she was and she wore a frown. This brought a smile to the brunette. She wasn't afraid, if Natsuki held such a cute expression.

"Natsuki? Are you hurt?" She didn't know, if she offended the blunette with this question, but she was worried that this transformation had hurt the woman/gargoyle. After all this transformation was a complete restructuring process of Natsuki's body.

"Mh? Oh yeah, sorry. . .It's alright. You could say I'm used to this."

Natsuki had answered without thinking, but this one sentence brought a whole new flood of pain to her heart. She remembered why she had to endure such pain and her eyes got dangerously dark.

Even Shizuru thought, that it was better to keep quiet for a few minutes. The far away look in Natsuki's eyes scared her.

Then she heard suddenly a loud sigh coming from Natsuki and her eyes changed back to the gentle glance they held every time she laid eyes on Shizuru.

I should forget what happened in the past. Right in front of me is the solution for all the pain. Hopefully I can convince her to help me.

"I'm sorry, sometimes my thoughts are running to places I don't want them to go. It was not my intention to scare you. . .gomen." Natsuki lowered her head. But as she felt a soft hand covering hers, she looked back up and then returned the smile given by Shizuru.

"You don't need to apologize. It's just that I never saw a real gargoyle so I need a little bit time to get comfortable around you."

"That's alright with me. If you want me to stay, I will." Natsuki smiled at Shizuru, her eyes glowing with new life and energy. She felt at peace. It was a good feeling, but would she be able to hold onto it?

Natsuki didn't want to think about it now. She wanted to enjoy the moment as long as it will last.

That was chapter 4. . .

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I desperately want to know what you think about this :)