Hi guys, here is the next chapter of my wonderful story :)

I wrote as fast as possible to update the next chapter before the weekend, because I'll be really busy then. . .

AND

Big thanks to all the people, who reviewed my story. I really appreciate the time you take to write one. I doesn't matter if it's a whole text or only a few words.

It makes me happy to read all of them :)

Dislaimer: Mai Hime belongs to sunrise!

Chapter 5:

Shizuru didn't know why and it didn't really matter to her, but looking into those forest green eyes, she lost the rest of fright she held for Natsuki. And this one sentence Natsuki said to her warmed her whole body with a completely new feeling. One she never got with someone else.

She gazed tenderly at the creature in front of her. She felt safe, albeit this gargoyle could tear her apart with only one hit. Her claws were sharp, she could see this. But even this fact didn't scare her anymore. She trusted Natsuki with every fiber of her body.

"Yes, I would like Natsuki to stay." Shizuru smiled sweetly at her. Her tiredness almost forgotten until a small yawn escaped her mouth.

This brought a smile to Natsuki's face. A smile, that she couldn't stop from appearing. It happened all automatically.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I should let you sleep. You must be tired. . ."

Natsuki now stood next to Shizuru's bed, ready to go, but a hand held her wrist, so she couldn't move away.

Her eyes travelled back to Shizuru's with a questioning look.

On the other hand Shizuru wasn't quite sure why she stopped Natsuki. She just got the feeling, that she wouldn't see her again, if she let her leave now.

"Yes?"

"Will. . .Will I see you again?" Shizuru's face adorned a small blush and she felt very shy at that moment. A feeling she very rarely got with other people.

Natsuki seeing the small blush smiled once again. It started to feel natural to smile in Shizuru's presence.

"I'll come back." Natsuki reassured Shizuru.

Then she walked to the window and opened it. She spread her wings and with a last glance at Shizuru she flew away into the night sky.

Shizuru placed a hand on her rapidly beating heart.

Natsuki.

It was very unusual for Shizuru to befriend a "person" this fast, but she felt that her and Natsuki had a special bond. As she saw Natsuki for the first time she was afraid, of course, but there was also another feeling, that wanted to tell her something. Something very important, like she had known Natsuki's kind for years and knew that she was real and not just a legend and that they were connected throughout time. But unfortunately that voice vanished short after. However the impression that a challenge awaited her in the future didn't leave her mind.

Shizuru shook her head. Maybe the lack of sleep was catching up to her. Her thoughts were in turmoil and she couldn't make sense of these thoughts.

So she decided to sleep and silenced her mind. The next day would be stressful enough without these thoughts. She had to convince the doctors to let her go. Hospitals were there to help people get well soon, but nonetheless she hated them. She felt a lot more alone in a room like this and this feeling brought back painful memories of her past.

So she would tell them, that she could get enough rest at home and wouldn't overdo things. This was just a little injury. Nothing to worry about and she would definitely feel a hundred times better at home.

With this in mind she let sleep overtake her.

With Natsuki:

Natsuki felt very insecure at this moment. Something drew her always back to this woman. Was this because of some connection? This worried her a lot. She never felt the need to convince others, that she was not dangerous. It didn't matter to her, that everybody screamed when they saw her. But with Shizuru that was a totally different story. She wanted the woman to trust her.

Maybe this is just because I need her. Yeah that must be it. There can't be anything behind this feeling. I'll use her, then I'm outta her.

Finally able to rationalize her new feelings she flew to the park, where she had sat on a tree today. She was tired. All this fighting, if you could call it like that was really exhausting. And she knew that Shizuru was safe.

Her goal was in reach and this brought a smile upon her face.

I will be a complete gargoyle once again.

Natsuki landed carefully on the ground between the big trees, careful that nobody saw her and sat down to lean with her back at one of them. Closing her eyes she let her body succumb to sleep. Her wings were wrapped around her body to keep her warm and to hide her better in the darkness.

In her dreams she was a young gargoyle once again. Playing and laughing with her old friends. Among them were humans too. The ones she hated now with all her might.

Hundred of years ago her life was wonderful. She didn't know the feeling of betrayal nor did she know the pain of losing a dear person.

She was carefree. Never imagining, that her life could change from one second to another. The person, who betrayed her had been one of her closest friends. At a young age, she would face the consequences of false trust.

This was the last time she would let someone in her heart. The once small icy wall engulfing her fragile heart, since that time, had grown over the years to an insuperable ice wall. Nothing would ever break through it to get the chance to hurt Natsuki once more.

Suddenly she stirred slightly in her dream as it changed into the nightmare she now lived. It was dark and desolate. Everyone was gone. Dead body's laid all across the place. Friends she held dear almost her entire life.

She sank to her knees and an agonizing scream of pain echoed through the empty place.

This woke Natsuki up. Feeling the wetness trail down her cheeks, she allowed herself one moment of weakness. Her knees were bent and her head rested on them. Her tears trailing down her cheeks, sobs were heard in the otherwise empty park.

Why can't I forget all this? It's been such a long time, but it's still so painful.

Natsuki looked up into the sky. Faces of long lost friends showing before her eyes.

I miss you all so very much.

It didn't happen often, but sometimes when she was alone and sure that nobody was around watching her, she let her guard down. Then her feelings flowed out and she couldn't control the deep sadness that engulfed her then.

She knew that she had to live with this pain her whole life, but eventually it would get better with time.

Knowing that she wouldn't get anymore sleep she just sat there in silence and let her happy memories resurface again. She wanted to remember the good times, not the ones, which were responsible for the misery she was in now.

Then all of a sudden an image of Shizuru replaced all her other thoughts. This brought a smile to her face. Only thinking about Shizuru made her feel happy all over again. What was this feeling?

Sigh, better not get too accustomed to this feeling. It will vanish just as fast as it appeared. I'm sure. It's always like this.

Shizuru's dream:

She was alone, but where? She turned around and her eyes grew wide.

That. . .that is. . .a castle.

Shizuru was in front of a huge castle. People passing her like nobody could see her.

"Hello?"

No answer. She was a mere shadow walking through the castle gates.

She looked around and saw many different people chatting with each other or trying to sell something, but what surprised her the most was, that not only humans walked around the castle. There were gargoyles, too.

Humans and gargoyles? Where am I?

The two species interacted peacefully with each other. But what caught her attention was one specific gargoyle.

Could it be. . .

Even if it was a small one, she recognized her immediately.

Natsuki. . .

Right in front of her walked a younger version of Natsuki with someone who was obviously Natsuki's mother. The older gargoyle held Natsuki's hand tenderly, both smiling at each other as they walked down the street.

She followed them and watched the pair closely. She felt that they were happy.

A small boy stopped in front of Natsuki and poked her on the shoulder. Then he started running and shouted back.

"Catch me if you can."

Natsuki only smiled and followed the boy. They played together happily. Trying to catch each other and not long after they had started, others joined them. Gargoyles or humans that didn't matter. They all got along very well.

This brought a real smile to Shizuru's face.

Then the scenery abruptly changed.

Shizuru was speechless. The just so lively place was empty, only dead body's laying on the ground. The whole castle was burning.

She heard a loud scream and searched the place for the source of this pained scream. She found it as a gargoyle walked in her direction.

Natsuki had grown, so this scene must be a few years in the future.

In her hands she held an older gargoyle. A dead body, hanging limply in her arms. Tears trailed down her face and her body was covered in fresh blood.

Shizuru could hear small whispers.

"Mother. . ."

After a few steps Natsuki fell down onto her knees, to weak to carry the dead body any longer. She knelt next to her mother's body.

Shizuru stepped closer, but stilled her movement as Natsuki raised her head. Her eyes glowed blood red and they showed the rage burning inside her body.

Her voice suddenly piercing through the silent and empty streets.

"I WILL GET YOU FOR THAT! YOU HEAR ME!?"

With one final look at her mother she spread her wings and flew away. Her destination unknown to Shizuru.

Shizuru awoke heavily breathing, one hand clutching her chest to still her beating heart.

What was that just now? A dream?

Shizuru wasn't quite sure what this dream meant, but one thing was as clear as daylight. She had seen Natsuki's tragic past.

Tears, that were held back throughout the dream now streamed down her cheeks. The pain she felt was only a part of the pain Natsuki must have felt all these years.

Oh Natsuki. . .I wish I could ease your pain. . .

She didn't know why she was able to see Natsuki's past, but that didn't matter. All that mattered at the moment was Natsuki.

She never felt so connected to someone. Whatever it was that let her feel this way, she prayed that it would never stop.

Deep within her heart the decision was made to help Natsuki in whichever way she needed her.

Two souls, both wounded deeply throughout time were now reaching out to each other. Time will tell, if they'll find each other and heal their wounds or if they'll stay alone until eternity ends.

Hours later the night as gone and a new day greeted humans, animals and our still slightly sleeping gargoyle. Her transformation complete, she opened her eyes slowly and inhaled the fresh scent of the new morning.

This was the time she liked best. It was silent and you could breathe freely. Filled with new energy she lifted her body. Today she would work on getting Shizuru to fully trust her. The first step was made yesterday. She knew that Shizuru was not afraid of her anymore.

But the problem was, that she had to "work" slowly. Every other approach would make Shizuru suspicious.

She walked out of the small "forest" and decided to visit the brunette. This time sure, that she wouldn't change back into a gargoyle.

With Shizuru:

"Fujino-san, are you sure you want leave already?"

Shizuru was fully dressed and ready to go. The only thing stopping her, was the conversation with Doctor Yohko. Her face showing concern.

"Yes, Yohko-sensei. I promise to rest properly at home."

"Sigh. . .I see, arguing with you would definitely be pointless. Okay, you are free to go."

"Thank you very much." Shizuru smiled, bowed and then left the room happily. One more day and she would have tried to escape through the window.

Just as she stepped out of the front door, her eyes caught one person, she didn't expect to show up this fast.

Walking up the few stairs, Natsuki stopped and locked eyes with the woman she couldn't resist to see as often as possible.

"Shizuru. . ."

"Ara Natsuki, did you miss me that much, that you came to rescue me?"

"B-baka. . ." Her face was already bright red.

Deciding to not comment on Shizuru's tease any further, she decided to change the subject.

"Why are you out of bed Shizuru?"

"Ara? If Natsuki wants me back into bed, maybe we can arrange something." Shizuru's voice was low and seductive as she slowly approached Natsuki.

Natsuki's blush had died down, but this tease brought it back in full force.

"Sh-Shizuru!" This was all she could get out with her face burning like a fire extinguisher.

She's so cute with this blush. I think I just found a new hobby to occupy me.

Smiling she stopped right in front of the blunette, who had her face tilted to the side to avoid being seen with her furious blush.

"Does Natsuki want to accompany me?"

Hearing the soft Kyoto-ben Natsuki gazed back into the wine-red eyes and replied.

"Where do you want to go?"

"Mmh. . .the doctor said, that I still need a lot of rest, so I think it's best if we went straight back to my apartment."

"Sounds like a plan."

Both woman walked smiling to Shizuru's apartment. Natsuki had offered to take a cab, but Shizuru wanted to walk, because she had to lay in bed and could only look out of the window. Now she wanted to enjoy the first day out of hospital.

Natsuki argued, that she was still weak and could collapse any minute, but this brought only a smile onto Shizuru's face and she answered.

"Then Natsuki has to carry me back."

Seeing the blushing face was all she needed to know, that if she really collapsed, Natsuki would definitely carry her.

Wow, this is one of my longest chapters :)

Hope you'll like it.

Let me know what you think. . .please.

See ya

dreamfall07