A.N. ~ Ok, so you know when you receive a compliment, and your first instinct is to say, "Oh, Stop!" and playfully shove he or she off of their chair? ...Well that's how I felt after reading all those great reviews! So, Playful shoves all round! Thank you guys so much for reading my guilty indulgence, and I hope you enjoy this next chapter. (which was meant to be longer...just sayin..)
She will Rock you
The howl of blasting air and roar of the engine allowed her to sing, or shout, as loud as she wanted! And the fact she still wore her helmet snugly on her head, meant no one could tell anyway. She preferred 'Casino Royal', but the 'Quantum of solace' theme track did have a most awesome bass rift.
So far, double O' Kuga had been very successful in her mission. As expected she'd managed to dodge the traffic, and any law abiding officers in her journey back home. She had proudly and somewhat over dramatically skidded her bike to a stop on the driveway. Drifting it around so fast that it faced back the very way she'd come.
After quickly switching off the ignition and propping her black and white speed line striped helmet on the handlebars, she hopped off the saddle and sprinted up the three flights of stairs to her apartment, which she shared with her stepmother. 'Shared' because the lease was in Natsuki's name.
Natsuki had changed quickly and picked up an extra spare jacket, which she tucked away in her rucksack. It was only 16:10 by the time she'd made it to the music store in town.
Hm. How speedy of me, she thought while checking the time on her shitty 'Samsung'. She slid it shut and placed it back in the inside pocket of her form fitting leather jacket. I may as well check out some gorgeous axes, that I will never own. She hummed. She walked around a stack of huge Amps and looked up at the glimmering Gibson's lining the walls. Ooooo, shinny…
Natsuki lost herself as she walked around the store admiring all the pretty and expensive things. She picked up a free magazine, which she planned to drool through later, and shimmied on over to the counter, passing a large white double bass along the way. …Cool.
"Ah, it's Kuga-san right?" a long-haired twenty-something guy asked from behind the counter. "What can I do ya for?" he said slamming a small 'Boss' distortion pedal on the countertop, like it was a shot glass.
"The usual." Natsuki replied in a wistful manor.
The guy grinned, "Coming right up!" He turned around to sift through a million brightly coloured packets hanging on the wall behind. Natsuki shoved her hands in her pockets while waiting, and gazed down at the glass counter, and what lay inside it.
"Yo, Joe? ...Isn't that…"
" – B.C. Rich 'Double Neck Bich'?" The guy dubbed Joe replied, spinning back around to face her. "Hells yeah. Just came in today." Joe announced proudly. The twelve string double-necked guitar's shape was curved and sharp, it was still good-looking as far as guitars went, though Natsuki doubted it'd suit her…even if she could play it. "I know she's gorgeous right? Someone's gonna pay big bucks! …Online of course."
"O' course" The bluenette agreed, still staring with glazed eyes.
"So no touching from you!"
"W-What!? Wait, since when was I such a liability!?" She argued, snapping her fierce green eyes to the man.
Joe pointed an accusing finger at his customer, "I've seen you! You and those sparkling eyes full of want and need! Drooling everywhere around my store! Why if I ever sold a guitar to you, I'm sure, no I'm positive you'd EAT it before you could play it!"
The blue haired biker was torn between being insulted or just damn amused. "Joe" Natsuki began, "What shit have you been smoking?" Joe almost looked guilty for a split second, "And for the record, like I need YOU to sell me a GUITAR!" She finished, yelling in his face.
Then it dawned on her, then struck her, and slapped her in the face. I have a…Shizuru! No wait, I have a guitar! Shizuru's guitar! A freaking PRS!!
Natsuki glanced at the counter seeing a luminous pink packet of 'Slinky' steel electric guitar strings. She swiped it into her hands and grinned excitedly. The long-haired dude looked at her oddly.
"Wait. Make that a double!" Natsuki ordered banging her fist on the glass countertop.
Suddenly frightened by the Teens abrupt mood swing Joe stumbled back a step. "Uh, wait, are you sure? You don't think you have enough?"
"It's been a long day Joe…" Natsuki leant forward on the desk, "If you know what's good for you..."
"Haha, okay, okay, I won't let you finish that sentence." Joe laughed throwing the second packet at Natsuki. She caught it with one hand and threw the money back at him with the other. Smooth Kuga, smooth "…Oh, and by the way, it's Josuke! Not Joe!"
The rebel didn't dignify that with an answer as she strut right out of the store.
Just outside the main gates of Fuuka high, Shizuru was watching the clouds roll by. Judging from the descending sun, it was only around five o' clock. The sky was still fairly blue and the clouds themselves had just started gaining an orangey hue.
Shizuru was tired. Today had felt particularly draining due to all the tournament preparations she had to oversee. And not getting the chance to see Natsuki all day had dampened her spirits some. Well, I did see her the once…Shizuru smiled as she walked over to a large oak tree by the road. She held her book bag in front of her and leant back against the tree. The image of Natsuki leaping over her favourite rose patch replayed in her mind. Blue-black hair streaming over her shoulders…I really should warn Natsuki about those new security cameras in the hall…
For some time now, Haruka and her collection of designated security guards had been on the hunt for the mysterious door basher. They had been thus far unsuccessful in capturing the culprit. No one was talking. And due to the criminal's sporadic behaviour, Haruka was lead to believe there was more than one individual involved. Although the rest of the counsel weren't convinced, the loud-mouthed blonde had already taken to putting up several hidden security cameras, which covered various angles of the side entrance door.
Haruka-han was so sure it was gang activity…yet all this time, Shizuru chuckled, …and I had no idea. Hmm, I shall have to get a hold of those tapes if my Natsuki continues being so rebellious.
"Well, well. Look here Reito-san,"
"Hm? Why what is it Anh?"
After hearing a familiar pair of voices, Shizuru turned to find her two oldest and dearest friends jauntily making their way over to her. She sent them a warm smile, but didn't move from her position against the tree. (She wanted to make certain Natsuki would see her when she arrived.) They stopped in front of her, continuing on with their conversation.
"Well I'm just not sure…" Anh replied, recreating Shizuru's own well renowned 'thinking' pose. "She seems like someone I used to know…oh what was her name?"
"Shizuru-san?" Reito offered.
Anh snapped her fingers, while the crimson-eyed President raised an eyebrow.
"Bingo! I had a dear friend who went by that name…" The short-haired brunette sighed. Reito laughed, then asked in earnest:
"Whatever happened to her?"
"Disappeared." She gestured vaguely with a hand.
"How cruel!" Shizuru gasped. Anh merely hummed while Reito grinned, absolutely amused. "We saw each other less than ten minutes ago!" she reasoned, trying to fight off a pout.
"Hah! Ten minutes ago I saw the Student Counsel President. In a meeting." argued Shizuru's violet-eyed friend. "I haven't seen my best buddy in over two weeks!"
Shizuru sighed feeling overwhelmingly tired all of a sudden. "Oh Anh, that's not fair. You know as well as anyone what a busy time this is, especially for the Student Counsel…" The golden haired girl pleaded. She would have preferred, like everyone else, that the Kendo tournament were held at another school. But unfortunately, the lot had been drawn, and Fuuka was to host the largest competition in history. And somehow find the space to accommodate twelve teams from opposing high schools.
"I'm not trying to make excuses," she added seeing as her friend wasn't at all appeased. "…But my priorities are-"
"-Screwed up?"
"Different." Shizuru corrected.
The Kyoto girl did feel genuinely guilty for neglecting her friends, but she wasn't going to be drawn into an argument by a miffed Anh. Not when she herself was so very exhausted. I'd rather not risk saying something I'll only regret. Oh Natsuki, hurry and take me home!
Reito placed a hand on Anh's shoulder, reassuring her, and yet warning at the same time to back off with the attitude. He had also missed his dear friend's company, and didn't mind having a little joke at her expense, though only if it were harmless of course.
"Shizuru-san, don't mind her. We are both very grateful for all the hard work you have done and continue to do for this school …besides, you know how she gets." The young man shrugged and unleashed his charming smile, which Shizuru returned. Anh simply winked at the girl, skilfully avoiding giving an apology.
"Indeed …and I have missed you both as well. And I promise, as soon as this is all taken care of -" A loud roar of an engine managed to cut into what Shizuru was trying to say, which didn't matter, because when she turned to see the source of it, she soon forgot what she was talking about.
Ara… What she saw was the slightly silhouetted form of a motorbike and it's rider. Unmistakably female. The lowering sun seemed to have settled directly behind the figure, causing an odd bright flicker of a flaming halo to shine off her helmet. The engine was cut and the biker swung off the seat. Shizuru's heart immediately began hammering in her chest as the figure approached, seemingly in slow motion.
Oh, bloody hell…it's Shizuru's other best friend. Natsuki thought as she walked over, as casually as possible.
According to Chie and Aoi, the gossip queens of the school, Anh Lu was supposedly the girl she had inadvertently stolen Shizuru from. Natsuki didn't think the older girl hated her, …but I always feel like I need to justify my damn presence when she's around! Ugh! Goddamn, I will not be jealous…Shizuru can have as many best friends as she wants. I will not be childish…
As Natsuki approached the small group she took off her helmet and shook her hair loose. When she finally reached the fair-haired girl she took a moment to take in her rather mischievous expression. Shizuru was leaning up against an old oak, her right hand holding her bag idly by her side, and her left arm loosely draped around her stomach, fingers twiddling with a button on her thin blazer. The orangey light of the late afternoon was having a rather hypnotizing impact on her playful eyes, making them look darker and deeper. In contrast, Natsuki had noticed that the morning light also had an interesting effect on Shizuru's crimsons. The biker girl always thought them more of a vibrant cherry red, yet in the evenings they would phase into this mixture of burgundy and brown. …Or cranberry and chocolate, Ha ha! Okay, I'm over thinking this just a tad. I must be hungry or something.
Speaking of hungry, one burgundy-eyed girl hadn't been able to take her eyes off of a particularly attractive biker since she arrived. Natsuki was standing a respectable five feet away from her and was now returning the penetrating stare.
Natsuki was wearing her tight black leather jacket that had a bold white stripe down the length of each arm, it showed off her 'young lady curves', as the bluenette liked to call it. The zip was left halfway undone revealing a black cotton hoodie underneath. (Unfortunately, Natsuki's toned and flat belly was hidden from view.) A pair of denim jeans covered her long and shapely legs, ending with two black sneakers poking out from beneath the flares of her jeans.
Appreciative of the chosen tight fitting attire, Shizuru fixed her eyes back to Natsuki's face, only just now seeing a similar orange glow, shimmer across her dark hair like it had done on her helmet moments ago.
Ara, I can't take much more of this. Shizuru was finding it unquestionably harder to breath. I need to say something…anything! Just stop staring before she - "
" 'ello sexy." Natsuki smirked, simulating a deep East London accent.
Shizuru bit down on her bottom lip, hard. She wanted to fight off the unmerciful blush, but was already having a difficult time controlling the laugh that wanted to bubble up. Both Reito and Anh raised their eyebrows and looked at each other, completely unaccustomed to the bluenette's sense of humour. Natsuki grinned wickedly seeing her friend fighting so hard to suppress her amusement, her shoulders shook a little, but the bite on her lip seemed to grant some of her power back.
"Ara…you're late." Shizuru managed to smirk back. At times she was so glad Natsuki had the uncanny ability to ruin certain…atmospheres.
"What!?" Natsuki blinked and fumbled for her phone, "You're lying, there's no way I…" She mumbled off seeing the time displayed before her. Well, fuck a duck. Both girls looked at each other, suppressing grins.
They often appeared as though they were sharing a private joke that no one else would ever get, like one of those 'you just had to be there' moments that couldn't be explained. But really, there was no gag that either girl was aware of, it was just the effect they had.
A loud huffing sound brought Natsuki's attention back to Shizuru's other friends. The dark haired rocker was sure it must have come from Anh, as she couldn't imagine that Reito guy doing something like that. Green emeralds targeted violet orbs and narrowed. I will not be childish. I will not be childish!
"Well then," Natsuki started, giving Anh one last frown before turning back to an amused best friend. "We should get going." She finished, looking rather smug.
She plopped her black and white helmet on the floor by her feet and slipped off the rucksack from her leather-clad shoulder. Unzipping it, she revealed a short dark chocolate brown suede coat, which she promptly put over her friend's shoulders as Shizuru stepped away from the tree and eliminated the distance between them.
"Yes, I believe it is time to go." The Kyoto girl smiled contently as Natsuki carefully used her hands to pull golden hair free from the collar of the coat, fingers and palms tickling the sides of her neck as they passed. …Ara, I could melt right here.
Outwardly unaware of the rather intimate act she'd just performed, Natsuki picked up her helmet and grabbed the book bag from Shizuru's hand, she then wandered back over to her bike, hmm, that was an odd urge to say the least…Natsuki thought, while quickly placing the bag and rucksack in the compartment under the seat.
Trying to shake off her daze, Shizuru quickly turned back to her friends who were still standing on the sidewalk, looking a little dumbfounded. "I hope you both have a pleasant evening, Anh, Reito." She called, before turning and elegantly sliding on to the motorbike behind an already awaiting driver.
"Put this on." The biker girl handed Shizuru her only helmet. She hesitated for a second, but seeing as the dorms were only a four-minute ride away, (and they'd had this argument before) she gave in. She used her fingers to gently brush her golden hair back before slipping the helmet in place, already feeling very safe behind the protective visor, and even more so with her hold around Natsuki.
Snapping from amazement, or perhaps shock, Reito suddenly spoke up, "Ah, y-yes, have a wonderful evening Shizuru-san…Kuga-san." His smile appeared sincere.
The bluenette looked back at him rather blankly; a little surprised she was being spoken to. Well, half spoken to. She chanced a peek at Anh, who was sending something of an intense stare towards her passenger. Hmm, jealous are we? …What the hell am I saying? …Mental note; being hypocritical is as bad as being childish…in fact it's the same damn thing! Natsuki shook her head and started the engine.
Anh called out above the roar, "I'll see you tomorrow Shizuru! …Don't forget about our lunch!"
Ara…what lunch?
Eh? Shizuru never mentioned lunch…with Anh …or did she? My mind's been all over the place lately. Not to mention busy fighting off Shizuru's brain washing…..hmm…I seem to be loosing that particular battle…
Natsuki was just about to ask whether Shizuru was ready to go when she felt a slight joggle from behind her. Quickly noting how there seemed to be only one arm gripping around her waist, she realized Shizuru was waving back to her friends.
Hypocritically childish as she was, she revved her engine and jerked the bike forward, earning her a pleasing squeal and the delightful two-armed grip to return. The dark haired teen giggled cheekily and burnt rubber, leaving the world behind them in smoke.
Once they arrived at the Kyoto girl's lair, Shizuru immediately excused herself to take a quick shower, leaving the rock chick to occupy herself with her new instrument in the 'lounge area' of her dorm room. Shizuru still considered the guitar as Natsuki's, even if the blunette herself was, for the moment, unwilling to except it. However, Shizuru would persist. She had wanted to give it to the younger girl ever since she first heard her play. And though she hated seeing Natsuki so devastated from the loss of her previous guitar, she couldn't help but think of it as fate.
I have to admit, I'm not sure whether I want to thank Tomoe-san, or finish what my dear Natsuki started …Neither seems right however. She sighed, shutting the door of the bathroom.
Shizuru had heard many versions of the grand tale of Tomoe's demise, but she herself had not been there, nor had she been that close to Natsuki at the time. In truth, Shizuru had been dying to know what really happened between her rebel and the teal-haired tormenter, but she was still far too worried about Natsuki herself to risk bringing it up, just to satisfy her curiosity. And besides, if Natsuki wasn't speaking about it, that meant one thing. She didn't want to. …But it's not my mere curiosity…it's my Need. I have to know how and why…and, surely it is the duty of the best friend to know…to know so I can protect her…from all things…especially further pain.
Shizuru was beginning to feel increasingly aggravated. Is it selfish of me? ...Probably.
Is Natsuki being forced to relive it everyday with Midori-sensei? …Most certainly. That much I do know.
Shizuru had to concentrate considerably in order to take off her white blouse without ripping all the buttons away. Being denied knowledge concerning her precious friend felt the same as being denied a part of Natsuki. Which bordered on the unbearable.
However, I want her to be at ease whenever near me. Not feel interrogated! …No…no, I will not push my own selfish needs on her…
Shizuru let out a frustrated breath through her nose, giving up on unbuttoning the irritating top, which was beginning to feel all the more constraining, she simply pulled it over her head and threw it on the floor.
She had come to the conclusion that the persistent contradicting thoughts and feelings she had for the dark haired girl would forever cause a riot within her. And it had begun the moment she met her, rocking her so very badly she didn't know whether to cling to the girl, or run from her.
7 ½ weeks ago:
One Student Counsel President was standing at the front of a very large and rectangular classroom in the Art department of the school. She had been awaiting the new substitute teacher to return with the price estimates over the cost of posters and screen prints that were to be made for the coming Kendo Tournament.
A simple thing really, yet she was growing increasingly restless in the delay. Normally, she found this older part of the school had a calming effect on her. The high ceilings and large patio windows, which bathed the room with light, made it all rather tranquil. Not to mention the walls decorated with student artwork had always been pleasing to look at.
However, today was different. Today, something new and highly captivating was totally out doing the tranquillity of the room …or rather, someone. The golden-haired teenager hadn't even noticed the open door to the balcony, until she heard the distinctive sound of the plucking of strings.
For a few moments she simply listened to the relaxed melody, the blending hum of tones carried themselves into the room, reverberating around her in a hypnotizing way. And then curiosity got the better of her. Holding her hands behind her back she cautiously took a step forward in the direction of the large glass door. The long vertical blinds (which appeared broken) flapped gently in front of the open doorway, obstructing her view of the guitarist. She took a few more quiet steps forward, not at all nervous, but instead considerate of the musician's playing. She did not want to disturb whoever it was, and would probably leave once she discovered the identity.
Except then, she saw her.
A gentle breeze blew the flapping blinds inwards, catching them on the low cupboard and work surface at either side of the doorway. The blinds got themselves tangled and hooked there. It was just like large theatre curtains being pulled open unveiling the musician before her…the moment had been so perfect, that the golden-haired girl daren't not breath for fear of shattering it.
Facing her, perched on the rail of the balcony rather dangerously, was a young girl holding what Shizuru recognized as the acoustic guitar belonging to the art department. The instrument was old and scratched up, it's main use being an object to draw for still life pieces. …And it had only three strings intact! Yet, this girl, with navy blue hair was managing to get a very delightful tune out of it.
The President noticed the girl wore the familiar uniform; only she had on a white hoodie beneath the yellowy-gold jacket. So she's…a student? Shizuru's eyes wandered down to the matching light coloured skirt, which was slightly hitched up due to one raised knee that supported the weight of the acoustic. I've never seen her before…she must be new.
Shizuru's crimsons continued to scan the Teen sitting on the rail. She couldn't quite make out her face due to her head bent forward in concentration, but she took special note of everything else. Straight long hair…waist length I think, yes? It is hard to judge, with the breeze waving it about so. I wonder how tall she is? Ara! It is hard to tell much of anything with her curled around that instrument! Shizuru smiled. …But her hands…she has lovely hands. Cherry eyes softened. The appearance of this beautiful stranger upon a balcony over looking the lake, which was sparkling away in the spring sunshine, was quite possibly going to liquefy Shizuru on the spot…if not for her heart thumping erratically within her. It's almost painful! Shizuru had to take a sudden deep breath in order to get enough oxygen in her lungs. Unfortunately, it came out as a gasp.
Almost immediately the music changed, but the transition was so smooth Shizuru wasn't sure if her presence had really been detected. She listened carefully to the new theme, which had much more rhythm than the last more pretty and adlibbed piece.
Light brown eyebrows furrowed a little as she focused on the tune. Then once again Shizuru gasped unintentionally, eyes lighting up as she recognized the song. Somehow, this dark haired teen had worked out a way to play "Somewhere beyond the sea" with a three stringed acoustic guitar! Shizuru beamed with utter delight.
I don't know who you are, but I want to. Too enraptured with the moment, Shizuru hadn't yet realized her heart, though still drumming within her, had eased some while listening to the girl alternate between the vocal melody and the brass band parts of the song. You are playing one of my favourites you know…and you are doing so well!
The young girl's eyes were closed. Or perhaps they were just staring intently on the copper strings, which her fingers held and plucked. Either way, she did not look up when Shizuru took a step onto the balcony. You already know I'm here, so are you showing off then? Shizuru inwardly chuckled.
"You like?" The girl suddenly spoke.
Just when Shizuru was beginning to feel more confident once again, the sudden question crumbled her calm. She was secretly grateful she hadn't physically jumped out of her skin, though she was fearful a certain thumping organ might.
Shizuru Fujino get a grip! You are Student Counsel President of Fuuka High school. She reminded herself. Nearly eighteen years old. Well mannered and efficient in everything you do. You have a fan club! …You can talk to one girl! For crying out loud! Say something!
"A-Ara, you're very good…" Shizuru answered a little breathlessly. Well, that was smooth.
The playing stopped, and the blunette's head snapped up. Unlike Shizuru, the girl was unable to hide the visible shock that jolted throughout her whole body, unfortunately sending her off balance. Her left arm waved about in momentary panic, but she managed to lean herself forward just in time. As her legs dropped to the ground to steady herself the guitar slid off her knee. Her strong slender hands caught it, creating a rather loud and duff sound against the remaining strings.
The sour note echoed off. And the two girls stood in a very awkward silence. The bluenette was scrutinizing the instrument in her hands, while the Student Counsel President stared in half fright at the schoolgirl before her.
Wow…I nearly fell from a balcony whilst strumming…How tragic would that be? Deadly Three String Kills Local Teen! Natsuki smirked at her amusingly morbid thought. Oh my God…that girl just saw me. And I must've looked like a complete twat!
Meanwhile, the staring Kyoto girl couldn't help but feel complete relief. Thank God she didn't fall the other way! I don't think I would've been able to stop her fall…I seem to be rather…stuck…She unconsciously shuffled her feet as though testing her position. Wait…is…is that a blush?
Shy green eyes peeked up at Shizuru. And once again Shizuru's whole demeanour, which had been frozen stiff from the fright, thawed and melted away by the adorable expression. Her shoulders relaxed and her head tilted ever so slightly to the side while she gazed at the young girl, unthinkingly a real smile gracing her lips.
"So…Sorry about that." The shy girl mumbled, yet seemed to hold a cheeky smirk along with the embarrassment.
Shizuru continued to smile but raised both eyebrows as if to ask, 'What for?'
She continued, "I didn't realize…well…I thought you were…her." Green eyes looked past Shizuru as she motioned to someone approaching from behind.
"Excuse me? What kind of manor is that to address me?" A woman looking to be in her late thirties burst out onto the small balcony, she was a short curvy lady with dreadlocks of multicoloured dyed hair that was being kept out of her face by a plum and lime patterned head scarf.
"It's 'Sensei' not 'her'." She added, whacking the blushing bluenette in the face with the sheets of paper she held. Shizuru blinked. The girl had not even protested against the papers being hit on her face. In fact she hadn't even moved. Had she been expecting it? Perhaps they know each other then? Shizuru continued to study the girl who was only three feet away from her, leaning casually against the railing she'd almost fallen from two minutes ago. She's got an annoyed expression though. How cute.
The teacher ceased her pretend scolding and turned her attention back to the Kyoto girl standing quietly by the doorway. "Ah! Shizuru-san, I'm sorry for the wait, here are the price estimates you wanted." She smiled, sending the blunette a backhanded whack with the papers once more before handing them to the President. The teacher's jet black eyes were laughing.
Shizuru smiled in amusement as she accepted the papers. "Ara, do not worry, the wait was rather pleasant." Cherry eyes flickered over to the dark haired guitarist, who was watching her…or analyzing her, with a quirked brow.
And all of a sudden, Shizuru lost her nerve. "Thank you very much for these, Kruger-sensei." She bowed her head to the woman, and then spun on her heel, quite ready to dash from the room. The way she looked at me…those eyes are far too intense!
Shizuru had already left the classroom, and in fact had already left the colourful halls of the art department far behind her. She descended the stairs to the ground floor quickly, half tempted to jump down them all at once. An odd excitement was tingling throughout her body. Her flexing fingers were creasing the papers she held, and she was pretty sure she was shaking all over. What on earth is wrong with me? Am I really trembling? I'll…I'll have a nice cup of tea when I return home. Yes, I must be going through withdrawal. Tea is all I need. Shizuru wasn't quite sure where she was exactly headed anymore. She really needed to return to the Student Counsel room, but that was back up on the second floor, and for some unexplainable reason, she couldn't yet bring herself to travel back up there. Shizuru bit her bottom lip to still it's tremors as she continued to decipher the cause, but her mind wandered back relentlessly to those emerald green eyes…and that smile…those hands…that long dark hair…and that blush.
Ara! Where is my tea when I need it!
Deliciously hot water gently pounded on the crown of her head and through her honey blonde hair. She could feel the humidity of the steam surrounding her, and took in a depth breath of it. Exhaling, eyes closed, she leant forward bending her neck to allow the pressured water to massage her shoulders. Wet hair clung to her face, and she smiled, feeling the near boiling water cascade down her body, relieving all the tension in her muscles.
She had been long finished, but reliving those first memories of meeting Natsuki had her somewhat distracted. The taps squeaked as she twisted them, stopping the lovely liquid heat immediately. With the sudden vacant sounds of the pattering shower, Shizuru could now make out a repetitive twanging of a guitar string.
Tuning it already? That was fast. My, you are eager Natsuki.
Shizuru drew the curtain back and stepped carefully out of the tub. Steam still swirled around her and she noticed the bathroom cabinet's mirror was covered in condensation, making it annoyingly unusable for the moment. She settled for quickly towel drying her body before slipping on a thick white bathrobe.
I can't believe it took me nearly three weeks to make sense of my feelings towards her. I could feel my attraction to her…unbelievably so. But no one before had ever made me feel so…giddy!
It was true, Shizuru had not been able to fully concentrate on a single thing after meeting the mysterious balcony musician – a title she'd dubbed the girl after having failed to introduce herself that day. She of course, had the power to find out the new students name, however, she rather wanted to hear it from the musician's lips instead.
To Shizuru's further aggravation, she had still not gained the chance or the courage to start a conversation with the girl! It had already been two days, but the only times the golden-haired president had seen the dark teen was in passing. But my, they were wonderful moments…
The young girl clearly recognized Shizuru whenever they would pass in the corridors, or make eye contact in the assembly hall, (which Shizuru always made sure they did) the bluenette would send Shizuru something of an embarrassed smile, like she were remembering a certain incident, and Shizuru found herself always returning it, with an added wink.
Yes, I am a flirt, and a complete and utter coward!
The next week of school their odd way of acknowledging one another was stepped up a peg. And it happened after having their first silent conversation from either ends of the tennis court.
Shizuru had been waiting for Anh, when she spotted her sexy balcony musician sitting, or rather balancing on top of a low black bared gate at the other end of the court. It was actually much like a railing, only with the slight extra danger of being able to move.
The dark haired girl thankfully wasn't alone, as Shizuru recognized three other students hovering about her. Shizuru's crimsons narrowed at the girl's swinging legs before she could stop herself. Navy hair flicked back as green eyes caught her stare.
Ara, this is not good… But just before Shizuru allowed her fleeing instinct to kick in, a green eye winked at her, followed by the most adorably cheeky grin Shizuru had ever seen! Did she just…she's…returning my wink? Ara, what a lovely mischievous smile…but I can be playful too.
And so, tapping into her more disciplinary side, Shizuru sent a pointedly disapproving look towards the girl and her chosen activity. Flicking her wine red eyes up and down the rebel. Her answer to that was at first a look of surprise as two dark eyebrows raised, then as Shizuru watched the girls eyes dart about on the object she was perched on, a cute look of comprehension finally washed over her features.
Shizuru smiled when emeralds met her gaze again.
…But…the girl hadn't moved! A light brown eyebrow rose in question, 'Well?'
'Well what?' The girl's head tilted to the side as an innocent smirk appeared.
Shizuru lowered her chin and nodded to the side, gesturing for the younger girl to 'Get off' and 'Do as you're told.'
The navy haired rebel appeared to think about that for a moment, before lifting one knee over the other, crossing her legs, 'Make me.' She shrugged.
Shizuru resisted gaping at the girl, and was instead very amused by the 'back talk' of the radical at the other end of the court.
Ever since then, the days that followed became better and better for Shizuru Fujino. Her crush now gave her a generous amount of attention whenever they passed, which was amazing considering they'd still not been officially introduced.
It started off with the polite 'hi' or nod of the head, until it seemed the girl got bored of that and spiced things up a bit with the odd 'howdy' or 'bonjour'. The greetings were always different, and it became a game between the two.
The rebel's playful mood escalated one day when the game became physical. In the Student President's defense, the trip up she caused the girl had been completely accidental! But it seemed all that was needed to boast both girls confidence with each other was the contact.
The rules had changed, and Shizuru found herself completely drawn into the childish fun. During the bustling walks through the hallways both girls were now on the look out for one another. Ready to trip.
Shizuru was rarely caught, but when she was the hallways were often so packed no one noticed her little stagger.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" The bluenette would claim.
"Ara, please I am fine. Do not trouble yourself over it." Shizuru would reply while proceeding to trip up the younger girl.
Using a random passing boy to balance herself, the teen laughed, "Easy! Watch my guitar." She said with the ring of humour still in her voice.
Shizuru eyed the case still firmly in place on her back. Her own silver guitar flashed through her mind. "Excuses, excuses. You're guitar won't save you now, little miss balcony musician."
"Little miss what?" The girl chuckled, turning to face her with a questioning eyebrow. But before Shizuru could answer the girl suddenly spoke again, "It's Nat…Natsuki."
Red eyes widened in shock. "Oh…are you sure? You seem a little uncertain?" Shizuru teased. Though inside she was jumping with glee!
"Eheh, yeah…I was…thinking of my other name…" She looked away.
"Ara." Shizuru pondered this for only a moment. "How many names do you have?"
"A few." Natsuki looked back and smirked.
I now have a name, but you are becoming even more mysterious than ever.
The Kyoto girl grinned, "Well, my name is Shizuru."
"Mm, I know." She replied smugly.
Shizuru's cherry eyes were sparkling. "Mmm, then do you know you are still attached to that boy?" ...And three, two, one…
Natsuki turned, "WAAHH!" She quickly released the human leaning post and blushed madly.
…And we have ignition. Her heart thumped insanely at the sight, along with the very strong urge to envelope the girl in her arms. How I wish I could!
Tying up her robe Shizuru chuckled at the thought. Now I hardly need a reason to pull her close to me. I really am such an opportunist. Shizuru was well aware of how inexperienced Natsuki really was when it came to having female friends. She'd actually confided in Shizuru sometime ago that every one of her past best friends had been a guy.
To Natsuki they were just easier to get along with. She enjoyed mucking in, having a kick-about and even the occasional wrestling match. Back home, her group of friends treated her like one of the lads. She was one of them. Equal. And best of all, guys weren't afraid to bare their knuckles and stick up for you! Girls on the other hand …well; Natsuki had had her fair share of disappointments.
So by Natsuki's logic, as trusted best friends went, a boy was the way to go…at least, until he remembered you were actually a girl…and asked you out.
The biker girl had lost many decent friends that way, because at the end of the day, she was not a guy. And the so-called best friend saw any small 'friendly' gesture she made, very differently. Natsuki would be accused of leading them on and eventually just hurting them. So it was really no wonder why the girl had become such a lone wolf.
Shizuru secured the tie around her waist and opened the bathroom door, a gust of steam following her out. I am probably just as bad as those boys. And I fear Anh was right, my priorities are somewhat 'screwed' up…
Shizuru walked silently into the kitchenette and stood by the island counter that over looked the living space. Natsuki sat cross-legged on a beanbag, completely submerged in the music she made. The grey PRS had been entirely re-strung and it looked magnificent on her. Quite the pair…Shizuru thought as she tucked some wet hair behind her ear and turned to the kettle.
After filling it with water and leaving to boil, Shizuru grabbed two china cups and set them down on the island. She leant forward on her elbows and rested her chin in her hand. She wanted to watch her Natsuki play.
Anh, my dear friend, please forgive my neglect…for I am in love.