A.N ~ Wow. The response to last chapter was actually amazing. And the last section seemed oddly popular as well...*ponders* ...I am honestly so chuffed that so many people are enjoying this ^_^ Now I just need to lower the bar with a shit chapter! xD Aha, I hope you enjoy! Cheeky ones! x
She Will Rock You
The gleaming half of the moon highlighted every soft edge of glowing wispy cloud that covered the deep blackened sky. The air was warm and still. Summer was on its way. And right now, it seemed like the whole world was asleep.
Well, all except for three individuals, who had to shush each other every few seconds, and were failing miserably in the art of stealth…
The entire upper torso of a young girl dangled over the edge of her bedroom window as she waved down to her dear Stepmother and best friend in the private parking lot, three floors below. Natsuki's hair had fallen forward with her, obscuring her view slightly. She brushed the navy locks aside revealing two displeased looking women below, glaring at her.
"Nat! Will you get your rear inside! Now!" The dreadlocked woman hissed through gritted teeth. She was trying to convey just how serious she was to the girl without disturbing the neighbours too much. However, Natsuki was a little too merry to understand the severity of her Stepmother's mood.
"But, I'm only waving…" Natsuki proved by twiddling her fingers. Her features had also adopted an innocent puppy dog look, though it was completely wasted as neither lady below could see it.
It was well past midnight, and Jennifer had decided to take Shizuru home herself rather than risk the two girls travelling on that terrible motorbike. Especially as Natsuki may have had a little too much wine…
Shizuru's concerned gaze was held firmly by the darkened figure hanging over the window's edge, quite a distance up. Natsuki, you have a sinister fascination with heights…And…why must I always be too far away to pull you back?! She thought anxiously while drumming her fingers upon the cold roof of Jen's car.
Unlocking her 1955 Volkswagen Beetle, Jen turned her back to her dangling daughter, but continued to warn; "I swear to God, if you fall and die, I'll arrange your body in such a way that when rigor mortis sets in, they wont be able to fit your carcass in a coffin!"
Natsuki's body retreated some as she now leant on her elbows that rested on the frame. "You'd leave me for hours to go stiff?" The bluenette sniggered. "And it doesn't last long…you'll have less than two days to bury me like that." She informed, highly amused by her Stepmother's choice of punishment.
Smart arse. Jennie slid into the front seat and glanced back up at Natsuki. "I kid you not." She deadpanned, daring the bluenette to just try and push her luck. "How about a 'Y' shaped coffin?"
Shizuru was now very well versed in the bickering traditions of her two favourite Britons. They more often than not dealt with every issue with an underlying hint of humour, that most would find utterly irrational. And given that the initial warning had been in the interest of Natsuki's safety, Shizuru could already sense them slipping off into a tangent. She knew both would sooner forget the point of the conversation entirely. So before they could begin discussing a variety of coffin shapes and speed burials, Shizuru decided it best to cut in, even as a wine-induced vision of Natsuki – legs spread – flittered across her mind.
"Ara, just imagine what people would think?" She gasped, feigning shock at the very idea.
Strangely comprehending, the emerald-eyed girl paled in one instant and blushed in the next. She darted farther into the safety of her bedroom. "Always ganging up on me…" She mumbled to herself, trying incredibly hard to be moody.
Glad to see her girl was safely inside the walls of the building, Shizuru opened the front passenger side door. She heard the older woman's smoky chuckle and the rumble of the starting engine, followed by the slight slam of Jen's door closing. But couldn't help herself looking back up towards the third floor.
The Kyoto girl smiled as she saw Natsuki in the process of closing the window, which squeaked loudly in protest. The rebel paused halfway when their eyes managed to meet in the darkness.
"Good night, Natsuki." Shizuru winked before gliding into her seat and closing the door.
"N-?" Eh? Not even giving me enough time to answer? Natsuki blinked at the small yellow beetle as it reversed back, its headlights blinding her momentarily. Playing it cool are we? But you're mind games wont work this time! Natsuki mentally shook her fist at the girl.
She grinned, watching the little car pull away, "Night" She whispered. …Nevertheless, as Shizuru's distance became increasingly greater, an odd feeling of restlessness overcame the bluenette and a drunken pout quickly adorned her face…
Damn you woman! Well played. Indeed.
Dreadlocked-Jen had barely consumed half a glass of wine, but still decided to play it safe. She hardly reached over twenty-five in her Beetle, which luckily wasn't much of a problem given the empty roads. The car hummed along the street, taking two very contented looking women along with it.
Shizuru was indeed feeling very satisfied this evening. Her once tensed muscles had been pampered to jellified-putty thanks to her beloved best friend. And the ache that so often pulsed in her chest had been amazingly calmed and soothed. Shizuru had simply glowed under all the attention. It was so unexpected too…The cherry-eyed girl smiled, still feeling slightly intoxicated from the evening. Ara, perhaps it was not the wine after all.
45 minutes ago:
The silky smooth furred rug felt absolutely fantastic beneath the bluenette as she sprawled and stretched every muscle in her body, arching her back from the ground while tensing and then relaxing her shoulders in a long purring sigh.
Tired emerald eyes were closed as she grabbed onto the older girl, "Shizuru…" She moaned, "Be…gentle with me."
Adoring crimson eyes gazed down at the girl on the floor. Giggling quietly at Natsuki's words and little squeezes to her calves.
From up on the comfortable plush sofa, the Kyoto girl had been making use of Natsuki's position as a footstall. Resting her feet upon a very full tummy. Natsuki whimpered with the added pressure.
"Poor Natsuki," Shizuru cooed, gently rubbing the girl's tummy with her cotton socked feet. "Too much ice cream will burst your little tummy." Fingers slid up beneath the fabric of Shizuru's black trousers, lightly tickling her smooth skin.
"Stop poking it then." The biker muttered in warning.
"I'm not poking." Shizuru smiled innocently, though her stomach lurched from the chaotic butterflies assaulting her. "I am soothing."
The little Rock chick grumbled, while absentmindedly kneading Shizuru's ankle and calve. Her right hand ran up and down the back of her friend's leg, enjoying the silky texture and the curve of muscle. Green emeralds slowly blinked open, while rubies closed in relief.
"Wow…had a long day?" Natsuki spoke, watching the lazy content expression Shizuru now wore. "Even you're legs are tense."
"Ara…I suppose it has been a rather demanding one…" Shizuru sighed, leaning her body towards the arm of the sofa, where she placed her elbow, and rested her chin in her palm. "Mostly a lot of negotiating, and paperwork…and walking…and not nearly enough tea."
This earned her a chuckle from the girl on the floor, "Aw, poor Shizuru."
An amused smile crept across the golden-haired girl's face as a single cherry eye peeked open.
"Too much paperwork will deform your little hand." Natsuki stated as a matter of fact. "…Into a claw."
Shizuru quickly covered her face with a hand, hoping the lack of vision would help control the silent giggles that bubbled at the very brink of her throat. The Kyoto girl had been honestly exhausted by the multitude of hilarious fits from earlier, yet still, the slightest comment could set her off. …And Natsuki knows it too.
However, after hearing not a sound from her tormenting companion, and feeling much more in control, Shizuru removed the hand from her face to look down at the bluenette.
Unfortunately, Natsuki was still demonstrating. She held her hand in a menacing claw-like fashion, while blankly staring at Shizuru.
"A claw, Shizuru. You want a claw?"
The cherry-eyed girl's lips were held tightly together as they trembled, yet an adorable whimper still managed to sneak it's way out. "Ikezu…"
Natsuki let out a hearty laugh, looking very pleased indeed. Though, she had to hold her stomach with her 'claw' for all the ice cream still sitting inside. Meanwhile, the Kyoto girl simply watched, with a grin tugging on her lips, as her dark haired girl cheekily fluttered her fingertips against the back of her knee.
"Give it here." The biker suddenly said.
"Ara, give what?" Shizuru looked on puzzled as the bluenette rose from her place on the floor to lean back against the sofa, scooting right between Shizuru's legs.
"You're hand." The bluenette clarified, though had already reached back for it, pulling Shizuru forward.
A-Ara! The golden-haired girl was stunned to find herself so suddenly close to her heart's desire. She internally struggled to fight her momentary bewilderment and relax into her new position, as she was practically encircling the younger girl from behind. Thighs framed Natsuki's sides, while Shizuru's elbows rested on her knees so the bluenette could play freely with her hands.
Natsuki never saw the rosy blush exploding behind her.
Using a thumb and forefinger, Natsuki began to massage every knuckle of every finger. The pressure should have been painful, but instead it brought an odd sense of relief to the overworked muscles of Shizuru's hand.
The older girl watched for a little while, marvelling at the rebellious beauty in her arms. I just want to stay here…with you. Shizuru hummed, resting her cheek atop a silken jet-blue crown. Natsuki. Do…do you need me…as much? At all?
Soft pale fingers continued to work out the knots in her hand. A hand that quickly grew limp as a thumb moved to massage little circles on her wrist.
"Better?" Natsuki asked, turning her head somewhat to look up at surprisingly emotional cranberry eyes. "Ah! D-Did I hurt you? I'm sorry!" Brilliant viridians were wide in startled panic. Oh shit! Curse my bloody man hands! I made her cry!!
Glossy cranberry eyes indeed looked on the verge of tears. Which truly frightened the poor bluenette. She had never seen the normally calm President looking so fragile!
And for her part, Shizuru seemed surprised as well. She took a shaky inhale looking down at the girl within her hold, and opened her mouth to speak - to reassure, yet no sound issued from her lips, save for another shakier exhale.
More worried than ever, Natsuki swivelled her body round to kneel before her best friend. Hands gripped her shoulders.
"Sh-Shizuru?"
Why do I find that frightened stutter so comforting? Shizuru wondered. Green emeralds looked up at her so earnestly, awaiting her reply. Ara! You will make her panic if this goes on!
Shizuru smiled, attempting to blink away the moistness that bordered on her eyes. She shook her head lightly and brought up a hand to gently stoke through raven tresses.
"It's nothing. You didn't hurt me Natsuki." She assured. "Really."
The blue-haired girl sighed, "I don't believe you." She said. Trying ever so hard not to lean into the distractingly pleasant hand that sent shivers radiating throughout her skull. "What did I do?"
The Kyoto girl paused. "Ara, what makes you think-?"
"Shizuru." The biker frowned at her like it should have been obvious. "I'm the only other person in the room." And she looked so guilty then. "So I must've -"
"No." The honey-haired girl said quickly. Shizuru you utter imbecile! Now you have hurt her! And then firmly, "Not so, Natsuki."
But still, the bluenette looked back on her with a disbelieving stare.
"So…what then?"
Shizuru returned to threading her fingers through Natsuki's dark locks. Should I tell her? It's such a silly thing. A silly thought. She would never…I'm sure…it's only the wine after all. And Natsuki is a good person. So good. She would not be with me still out of…out of debt?
If there was one thing Shizuru Fujino found completely insufferable, it was the illogical insecurities that had a tendency to invade her mind whenever she allowed herself to reflect on their relationship. …Whatever it was exactly.
She didn't want to give in to it. To her worries and self-doubting thoughts. She feared saying them out loud, just might make them more real. Give them some solid baring, empowering them to cause actual damage to a bond she felt so protective of.
And, what I want to ask…it will definitely…wound her. No, I can't do that.
However, being trapped by such fiercely determined emeralds, Shizuru found herself relenting quicker than she could've imagined. Free will be dammed!
"You…you know, that I care for you." She whispered to the girl. "Very much. And…I'd like to think, rather – I hope, you also feel some affection for me in return…" The nervousness quivered her voice just enough to make it sound like a question, to which Natsuki quickly answered with a smirk.
"Mm, rather fond. I'll admit."
A short gentle laugh passed between them, before the elder became all too serious once again. She seemed to pause, considering how to phrase what she had to say next.
"Natsuki," Crimson eyes unlocked from emeralds as she took both of the younger girl's hands in her own. "I don't want you to feel tied to me, because of what I've done."
"What you've done?" The rebel repeated, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion.
"Because of…the gift." Rubies flickered back up to delve into perplexed green orbs. Shizuru's heart pounded, yet her chest felt lighter. Lighter from revealing a secret dread, but painful still as she watched a distressing kind of comprehension aflame in the depths of her love's eyes.
Gift? Natsuki thought carefully over every word said, and every emotion that had flashed across her best friend's face. She means…the – the guitar? But what does she mean about being tied to her? Tied? Like…Like I'm only friends with her because she…she…
The dark-haired teen looked like she'd been physically slapped across the face.
"Oh" Natsuki choked leaning backwards in shock. If that isn't a kick in the teeth…
Several moments of stinging silence stifled the air around them. And Shizuru was at a loss at what to do. This is my fault. And now I have no idea what to say…except…
"Kanni-"
A pale hand was brought up, halting Shizuru's apology. Natsuki gestured for her to wait, so she could finish her trail of thought. However, with every passing second, the dark-haired teen's anger looked to be building to intimidating levels. Green eyes refused to meet Shizuru's. Brows furrowed and jaws clamped shut. Teeth clenching.
The honey-haired girl hid her jump when glowing emeralds finally snapped to her.
"Look." The wolf growled. "I don't know how it is with your other best friends, but I'm a little harder to impress." She sneered. "Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to test out that PRS…it's my dream guitar." She shrugged. "But I'm not so easily bought by material things. That's just not how I roll." Natsuki finished off with a powerful glare, "You, Shizuru Fujino, earned me all by yourself. And for the record…I never accepted your gift in the first place!"
Shizuru just about tackled the fuming girl to the floor, cradling her dark head into her neck. How on earth did this young creature always manage to rock about her emotions so much? She'd never experienced something so thrillingly intense! For an awful moment during Natsuki's declaration, the Kyoto beauty had felt her very soul frighteningly crumble, before being launched sky high into a supernova of pure bliss!
The bluenette now crushed between the soft rug, and a very soft Shizuru, huffed a breath into the older girl's neck. Blowing away some ticklish golden strands. Her arms wrapped around the elder's back and waist, returning the tight hug, albeit a little grumpily.
I'm not too good at this reassurance thing. The biker thought. Although to be fair, once she had realised that's what her friend was after, she'd given it a shot. Even if it had manifested in a kind of pathetic fury, it obviously worked. And I thought I was the insecure one! Shizuru, you pansy!
Natsuki restrained a dark chuckle. "Hopeless woman."
"Only for you." Shizuru mumbled back.
The biker refused to acknowledge the heat blossoming across her face and rolled her eyes. "Oh! You're so full of cheese!"
"Ara!" laughed the ruby-eyed romantic.
Jen had heard the whole drama from the kitchen, which she'd quickly found herself trapped in after realising the two girls in the living room were having something of an edgy moment.
She'd been secretly proud of the way her daughter had handled the situation…but that didn't stop her from skipping into the room and telling them to stop overzealously flirting with each other!
'Such horny buggers' She'd commented, wholly enjoying the embarrassed looks on their faces. Though Shizuru hid it better than her dear daughter, most certainly.
Jen flicked the indicator as she rounded a corner, half smiling to herself at the uselessness of it. The roads where empty after all.
"How are you feeling Shiz-dear? I've got to say I'm feeling guilty for letting you kids indulge in a little wine. It's not very teacher-like of me." She chuckled, glancing Shizuru's way.
"Ara, it was only a little, as you say." Shizuru smiled, "And it was a very enjoyable evening. Thank you very much for having me, Sensei."
Jen shifted the gear stick before replying. "Ha! You're always welcome to rescue the dinner, my dear. And please call me Jennie, hmm?"
Shizuru grinned at the thick and precise English accent that always rang out in her teacher's voice whenever she pronounced her own name. Natsuki did it as well from time to time. Ara, but Natsuki's husky tone brings an utterly sexy vibe to the lingo. She thought inwardly, secretly planning ways to make the younger girl slip into her British twang more often.
"As you wish, Jennie-han." Shizuru smiled graciously.
Jen took a hand off the steering wheel to wag a finger at the honey-haired girl. "Only after school hours mind you. I can't be playing favourites around the other students, you know. It's just not professional." The woman smirked, once again making a turn along the road.
Shizuru giggled, "So I am one of Jennie-han's favourites?"
"As a matter of fact, yes."
"Ara…" The cherry-eyed girl was taken aback by the blunt answer. She starred at the dreadlocked woman as the car slowly came to a stop alongside the curb. She didn't need to turn to see where they were; she knew they'd already arrived at the dormitories.
Jennifer cut the engine and rolled down the window to her vintage car. She plucked a cigarette from its perch behind her ear and turned to Shizuru, while rummaging in her pockets for her lighter.
Jet eyes softened as she spoke. "I wanted to thank you." She handled the lighter, flicking the thumbwheel three times. It sent off several bright sparks before igniting properly.
Shizuru tilted her head ever so slightly, watching the lighter's little flame catch paper. Her deep ruby eyes then naturally moved to Jennifer's mouth as the cigarette was removed, and thick swirling smoke escaped, momentarily creeping towards Shizuru before being sucked out into the night air.
Black met with questioning crimsons. "For everything you've done for Natsuki. And I'm not just talking about the guitar thing." She waved a hand, before taking a long pensive drag. "I'm talking about everything else, that came before that." She said in a serious tone, leaning back into the corner and resting her arm on the windowless edge of the door.
"Ara, there's no need for thanks. Our friendship is something of a mutual arrangement after all."
"Well that is a fair point." Jen chuckled. "I guess what I mean is, I'd like to show my gratitude…for making my daughter so happy."
The young President glanced down to her hands with a small smile tugging on her lips. She couldn't stop the small tinge of pink glowing upon her cheeks, so relented to it with a quiet sigh.
"I was so worried for her." Jen continued, as she gazed out through the front windscreen. "She never wanted to leave home. Or go back to high school for that matter…she'd already had five years of it, you know. Just hadn't had the chance to finish her exams and graduate properly." She tapped the cigarette with a finger, watching as a clump of ash fell away, landing on the pavement outside. "You can imagine Nat's horror when she realised she'd have another two years of it!"
"…I see. Our education systems are quite different."
"Very." The woman replied dryly. "Nat hated the very idea of going back to school. She was already so fed up of being a kid." Jen laughed, "At sixteen!"
Shizuru held a sad smile on her face as she listened on.
"And if we'd stayed in England, there's no doubt in my mind that she'd be in college by now…studying God-knows-what, but still!" Jennie sighed. "I'm sure you can understand why that would make her a little…depressed."
All traces of a smile vanished from the cherry-eyed teen as she frowned. Just thinking of a sad Natsuki upsets me. She thought. Gazing off into nothing.
"But then, you came along."
Crimson eyes snapped up to jet orbs. And Shizuru found her teacher smiling kindly to her.
"And from my recollection, all you did was smile at her in the corridors." Jen said with a cocked brow and a smirk.
"A-Ara, I'm sure I wasn't the only one smiling at Natsuki." While saying so she had mentally growled at the notion. Am I really jealous over such a trivial thing? ...
"Mm well, she only smiled back at you. …And whatever it was, you got her out of that bitter old lady routine. And I'm grateful for that. Even if thanks are unnecessary."
The constant barrages of flattering remarks were starting to make the Kyoto girl feel uncharacteristically bashful.
"You're too kind."
The multicolour-haired woman chuckled, stubbing out what was left of her cigarette in the ash trey. "Well, now that's said and done, you better get off to bed or else we'll be chit-chatting till dawn!"
"Indeed we shall!" Giggling, Shizuru took her cue to leave. After she exited the small yellow car she turned to give her farewells. "Good night, Jennie-han. Ookini for dinner."
"Sleep well darlin'. Oh, and drink plenty of water before bed." The older woman ordered, giving in to her mothering instincts. "Last thing we need is a hung over Student Council President!" Laughed Jen as her Beetle grumbled to life.
Shizuru grinned and made a small bow in submission, listening to Natsuki's stepmother chortle as the yellow Volkswagen pulled away.
That night, the usual aching throb that had become so familiar, never arrived. Shizuru was exhausted, so sleep was claiming her quickly, but it was with glowing warmth radiating throughout her that she gave in to her dreaming with a smile on her lips. For now, I shall sleep with content…She compromised with a yawn …tomorrow I can be giddy. Shizuru would've happily laughed at her own silliness, had she not fallen deep into sweet slumber moments later.
4 Weeks ago:
A dark haired girl sat motionless inside her mother's yellow Beetle. The salty trail of tears that had once run down to her chin had dried, leaving her with red-rimmed eyes and striking emeralds that were still vibrant with emotion.
She was sitting alone in the teacher's parking lot. The complete quiet was suffocating. Natsuki idly considered turning the radio on, but dismissed the thought as her eyes locked themselves on the split knuckles of her hands.
She couldn't move. Or perhaps, she had absolutely no desire to move. Or think. Or feel. She decided she would be quite at piece to sit here forever, safe inside her bubble of metal and glass.
She vaguely recognised the presence of her Stepmother, standing outside her protective Beetle shell. Seething and chain-smoking. Natsuki couldn't bring herself to look at her…she could hardly move her gaze from bruised and swelling fists. Consuming her mind with analyzing the flesh, wondering how long it would take to heal…not that it mattered. She'd already planned to wither away in the car after all.
The loud clang of the opening door startled Natsuki enough to break free from her self-hypnotizing. She glanced over, watching, as Jennifer got comfortable in her seat slamming the door shut behind her.
"Stupid Bitch!"
That had hurt like a spear to the chest. The bluenette turned her head to the window, facing away from the livid black holes of Jen's eyes that had the power to suck her in and churn her up into oblivion. I've just fucked everything up…I deserve this. A new tear managed to drip down her cheek in shame.
"How dare -! Seriously, what was the thinking!?" Ms Kruger's temper hardly gave her enough coherent control to finish a sentence. "God, I could just strangle – RAH!" She slammed her hands upon the steering wheel with a growl.
Natsuki flinched but didn't dare to look at her.
"Did she really think she could get away with treating another human being like that?! It was by sheer fucking luck you didn't break your neck down those stairs!"
The rebel slowly turned back to her Stepmother with a stunned and confused expression etched on her face. Jennie was furious! But, not with me? …What?
Jen suddenly reached out grabbing Natsuki by the chin. The girl stayed silent as she let her mother turn her head this way and that. The black depths of Jen's eyes were misting over as she examined the bruising around Natsuki's left eye, and her bleeding bottom lip.
"I will fix this. Do you hear me Nat?" Kruger caught her daughter with an intense stare. "I'm on your side." She used her thumbs to thoroughly wipe away any hint of tears that had stained the bluenette's cheeks.
Natsuki managed a weak nod before turning away again. The Rocker's world was spinning. She'd been quite happy thinking about nothing in her little bubble. But now the reminder had caused the shielding glass walls to retract in on her. She remembered how to move again, but that did little good as she felt the sudden lack of oxygen pinning her to the seat. Her hands trembled on her lap and her breathing became shallow and laboured. It felt like a million needles were sitting inside her lungs, piercing through them with every intake of air. Her mind was spiralling from the mess of hurt and confusion.
"Natsuki?"
"Just get me…out of here. Now." The emerald-eyed girl pleaded with a shudder.
"Alright. Hold on sweetheart."
A few minutes of aimlessly driving with both front windows rolled all the way down, calmed the blue-haired girl enough to finally speak.
"H-How much trouble am I in?"
Jen answered without taking her eyes away from the road, which was fine, as Natsuki was also starring dead ahead. "With the school? ...A lot." She sighed, "But they won't expel you."
"…And with you?"
The cool gust of wind circulating throughout the little Beetle played with Natsuki's dark locks, blowing them about in front of her face. She let the navy threads settle where they wanted, a tangled veil hiding her away at will.
Jen shook her head softly. "None." Without needing to look, Jennie found her daughters hand a squeezed reassuringly. "Okay?"
"…Kay."
Jennie had to remove her hand for a moment to change gears, but quickly returned it enveloping the slightly smaller hand in hers, careful not to hurt the torn skin too much.
"Do you t-think…?" Natsuki croaked, and had to clear her throat before trying again. "Do you think what I did…was right then?" She asked, finally turning to Jen.
The older woman didn't answer straight away, as she squinted her eyes contemplating the question. "It was understandable." She finally said. "But was it right? Well…what do you think?"
Natsuki didn't turn away, but starred off through the glass pane of Jen's door.
"…I think I'm a bad person." The bluenette sighed. "What Tomoe did was…unforgivable. But that doesn't excuse my own actions. I could have stopped. I should have…but I didn't want to."
Jennifer let her talk. She viewed Natsuki from the corner of her eye, as her daughter's skull mutely impacted with the headrest while a pale hand ran through her deep blue ocean hair.
"I…I don't think she deserved it. Not really. I mean, when I think about it…everything's so hazy, like grey pixelated fog…" She sighed, bringing her hand down from her head. It lightly slapped against her thigh as it landed on her lap. "Logically, I know what she did. But it's like I still can't get my head around it…how can such a fucking stuck-up merciless maniac exist?! …I must be making this shit up!"
"No," Jen cut in with a gentler tone. "I actually think you've described that troll's character perfectly."
A bitter half-hearted chuckle escaped the bluenette's lips. "You sound so sure."
"That's because I bloody am sure! It's like the great Patsy Stone once said…"
Natsuki looked drolly at her Stepmother with a quirked brow.
"She was so anally retentive she couldn't sit down for fear of sucking up the furniture."
Natsuki laughed before she could stop herself. And how strange it felt too. This day is just getting so surreal. She thought while trying hard to tame the grin still spreading on her face. It was difficult to get the image - of a wide-eyed, shocked Tomoe vacuuming up a chair – out of her mind. She shook her head in exasperation. Trust mum to think of something like that, at a time like this.
"You're not a bad person. She had it coming, Nat. If it weren't you, someone else would've done it…eventually." The woman nodded. "Better it happen in high school than in the real world…Not that I'm in anyway condoning your part in this!" She said with a raised finger.
Natsuki licked the cut along her lip before giving a small smirk. "O' course not."
The dark haired guitar-less musician didn't quite believe in what her Stepmother said. At least, not concerning the part that anyone else would have stood up to the teal-haired bully. There was a reason why Tomoe had gotten away with it for so long, and Natsuki supposed that her sudden transfer had shaken things up a bit.
Well, too right it should! Like I'm going to be the least bit intimidated by a twat who likes to play mafia.
The 'play' part of the equation was entirely a matter of opinion though. It turned out the Marguerite's were a family feared by most it seemed. And owned a fair amount of property throughout Fuuka.
But right there was the hilarity of it, they only existed in Fuuka! They were a small family of loan sharks and con artists, who likened themselves to Yakuza, using bluffs and empty threats to terrorize what they considered their province. And Tomoe was their little Mafia Princess.
It was laughable. Of course the bluenette couldn't take the bitch seriously…Natsuki's family were the real deal. Princess of Gangsters…a real Rock n' Rolla.
Friday morning:
Natsuki's fingers idly traced the long warped patterns of wood grain that decorated the school Counsellor's desk. It wasn't unusual to be called to her room first thing in the morning, way before the first lessons had even begun, but something seemed a little off today.
Midori-sensei was never the kind of teacher any student would take lightly. She was the sort who demanded respect, and often, rightly so. Sure, she could appear extremely lax in her ways, but Natsuki had simply come to understand that it was her method. And a damn good one too!
The dark haired rebel had dubbed it the pied piper technique! For the auburn haired woman was so good at lulling you into a veil of security, you couldn't help but spill your guts with the slightest prodding of her pipe!
And that wasn't all, Midori-sensei's mood could snap to extremes by the flick of a switch. She was a clever lady, able to control any student's reactions by the mere tone of her voice. Natsuki certainly respected that.
However, this morning her Counsellor or therapist, seemed a lot more subdued that usual. Like she was treading on eggshells. At first Midori's odd behaviour worried the bluenette. She couldn't understand where this had come from, why was the air around them so…tense?
The young teen could feel those hazel eyes on her. Analyzing her every move. But, why? She hasn't been this damn vigilant in weeks.
"…What have I done now?" The bluenette asked curiously, with hardly a drop of fear for punishment.
Midori was currently lounging back into her leather chair, arms crossed behind her head as she gazed at the girl at the other side of her desk. She raised an eyebrow at her.
"Hmmm, I was actually hoping we could sit out this edgy atmosphere and have you confess. Rather than me accuse." The red head replied with a level tone.
Natsuki cocked her own dark eyebrow back at her. So, she's in serious teacher mode…right then. "Well, as a student, by rights it's my duty to make things harder for you so, why not go ahead and accuse?" Natsuki dared, narrowing her emerald eyes. I haven't done anything wrong! …Lately!
The angered rebel was surprised by the red heads sudden bout of laughter. Midori leant forward on her desk, waving a dismissive hand.
"Alright calm down, clearly you have no idea what I'm taking about." The Counsellor chuckled. Natsuki's once tense shoulders sagged as she looked at her teacher in bewilderment. Midori sighed and continued, "I recently - as of five minutes ago, came into possession of some security tapes."
"…Okay."
"Featuring you."
That's not bloody creepy at all! "Doing?" She asked.
"I don't know, vandalism of some sort." The older woman waved it off.
"W-What? Wait, I! …You haven't seen the tapes?"
Midori sighed again. "Not much need. See I have a ten page report on it all…" She tapped the end of her pen on the stack beside her. "…From Suzushiro-chan."
Natsuki's mind was working double time, trying to figure out what it was she had supposedly done, or damaged. She frowned, "Whoa, hold on there. If I'm guilty here, why were the tapes sent to you? Isn't it the Student Council's job to dish out the discipline?"
The auburn haired woman smirked, this kid is quick. "Hai. It is. Though, I suppose Suzushiro-chan felt the need to bring this to my attention..."
"…Because?" Natsuki encouraged.
"Well, leaving the crime itself aside, it's my duty to determine whether my charge is mentally stable enough to continue here at Fuuka High. You know…like not taking out repressed anger on say, 'innocent doors'…" She quoted, flexing her fingers.
Natsuki laughed, having finally clicked on what this mess was all about. "Are you serious?"
Midori shook her head almost sadly, "I'm afraid with your past, it could very easily become serious."
The bluenette let a long sigh pass through her lips. I should have seen that coming. What a dip shit I am.
Meanwhile the counsellor straightened up, going into professional mode. She rested her chin on one hand, while the other held a pen, ready to jot down anything of importance…or doodle.
"So you know what comes next." Midori said, trying not to cringe at having to ask the question, "…How were you feeling at the time?"
The Rock chick had to stop herself from slamming her own head upon the desk. She cradled it in her right hand instead, groaning loudly. "Midori-sensei, please! I promise, there was nothing negative about the way I bashed that door!" …Why doesn't that sound right?
Her sensei regarded her for a moment, stroking her chin or imaginary beard, in thought. "Nothing negative you say?"
Natsuki's forest green orbs were shinny and pleading, but Midori had to be sure. Or at least drive home some kind of point…
"So what then? You were feeling positive about attacking a door?"
"Eh…rather indifferent actually." Natsuki replied sheepishly, and then thought she better explain herself quickly, lest her Counsellor think her any more mentally unstable. "Look, I do remember possibly-maybe side kicking a door yesterday…but that was only because I was in a rush!" And it makes a funky sound, "It's really just a habit. A bad habit. That I will stop." ...maybe.
The hazel-eyed teacher smiled at the biker's pure untainted explanation. She had no reason to doubt a word the girl had said. And considering she was something like a therapist to a lot of the kids in Fuuka High, she knew that not everything had to have a deeper meaning to it.
"…Well thank the Lord for that!" Midori threw her arms up in victory before falling back into her chair, reclining it halfway. "I was worried for a moment you'd done some major back-pedalling! Maybe started dwelling on the fight again. Or even acting out on a repressed memory of something I don't even know about in your past triggered by old decrepit doorways!" The red head joked.
The rebel grinned. "Nah, nothing like that…although, I recently discovered my Stepmother has been deceiving me." Natsuki's face became deathly serious all at once.
Midori didn't move from her relaxed position, but did raise both eyebrows in question. "Oh, Kruger-san? …How so?"
"All these years…she's been making Sheppard's pie, with beef."
Hazel eyes widened, "But it's meant to be lamb, ergo the Sheppard." Her eyes then narrowed as she spoke, "So, all this time, you've actually been eating…Cottage pie."
"Exactly." Natsuki whispered.
Midori let out a short laugh, "Well, how does that make you feel?"
"Quite traumatized actually." A wide contradicting grin graced the bluenette's features.
The woman all but whined, "Oh, get out and stop making a mockery of my profession!" she said, pointing her finger to the door.
Natsuki sniggered as she stood, swinging her rucksack over her shoulder.
"Oh, and one more thing. Remember to stop by the Student Counsel room at lunchtime to schedule your detention." Midori grinned, twirling her pen.
All sniggering stopped.