A.N ~ Greetings! Life has been looking up, and I can't write when I'm happy xD lol So please forgive me for taking so long, and blame my girlfriend XP Also, I'd like to thank absolutely everyone for reviewing, favouting, and laughing at my work. Aha!
She will Rock you
(Saturday night at the duck pond ~ by The Cougars)
She was in trouble, and she knew it the moment those dangerously deep red depths twinkled so alluringly at her.
The swift flicker of heat in Shizuru's gaze made her jitter and want to flee - though not too quickly. After all, where was the thrill in the chase if there was no threat of being caught? Oh yes, somewhere in a part of her unfathomable soul was the desire, but to be baited so easily by a girl she had known barely a month…how was such a thing possible?
Natsuki's presence had been requested for an entire weekend, and it had taken no coaxing whatsoever. In fact, she couldn't even remember agreeing! At least not verbally… After the last chime of the school bell she had simply returned home, packed any and all essentials required and readied her mind for the inescapable torment that was sure to come. For according to her dearest best friend, Natsuki had been far too cheeky lately, and was well past due a lesson in complete humbling.
A sane person might have taken the opportunity to push Shizuru's wheelie chair away – for she is uncannily nimble on that thing – and run!
However the young Rocker's sense of self-preservation had been warped beyond repair long ago, apparently bordered on the insane, as all she found herself doing was staring straight back into those challenging crimsons with a twinkle all of her own.
Only now as she darted about her apartment – with music blaring – did she begin to question why she hadn't put up more of a fight; why had she so easily been lured to the woman's den?
It was fair she decided, that if she had been asked in a nicer manner, she may have declined…but with that look - conveying just enough threat - she had found the offer completely irrefutable! And the way that Kyoto-ben had purred in the council room, in front of everyone!
~"Ara, so Natsuki desperately needs some intensive therapy this weekend?" And then she had leant in closer, "you're lucky I always have an opening for you~."
The statement had been whispered yet still loud enough for all to hear, catapulting a spluttering Haruka out of the room, closely followed by a beat red Yukino who nearly crushed and snapped her clipboard in two! Anh had laughed despite herself, though it was understandable. How could anyone resist a giggle at the half-choking bluenette suffering on the verge of a meltdown? (Answer – No one!)
Natsuki huffed in amusement, Glutton for punishment, indeed. She believed she was finally done packing, but felt an undeniable fear for her life if she were to leave the living room in the mess it was in. Jennifer was surely going to be in a foul mood when she collapsed through the front door, especially if she'd already discovered Natsuki's latest detention schedule which was due to last a whole week! The bluenette had not been pleased with the harsh sentencing…until her clever girlfriend arranged to be in charge of the sessions that is.
Natsuki grumbled impatiently, running the vacuum cleaner across the carpeted floor. She stopped briefly and froze when the black machine sucked up something she was sure it shouldn't have. The loud gritty clanging inside lasted for a second or two before returning to normal, and Natsuki let out a breath. Ah, the force is strong with you my hoover.
But soon another aggravating noise managed to pierce through the loud apartment. She glanced about the room with a slightly confused scowl, until she spotted her rattlesnake-like phone performing a vibrating dance across the surface of the dinner table, she watched it drolly for a moment before killing power to Darth Vacuum and untangling her legs from the nearly inescapable cord. Natsuki smirked at the small screen as she felt her chest inflate with tingling warmth. A message from Shizuru?
'I am home now, yet you are not…Ara, the punishments are mounting. ; ) x'
The Rocker let out an amused scoff. However, she was secretly becoming a little anxious as to what these punishments entailed exactly. Hmm, at the very least I need to lessen the penalty somehow, she thought, before typing out her reply with great speed! -Gods forbid she make the Kyoto girl wait long for a simple text!
'Patience woman! I bring gifts x'
2 years ago…
England
The fourteen year old was utterly elated by the screams of terror around her. Her heartbeat quickened with excitement as her fingers gripped tighter on the steering wheel. She knew her targets, but could she reach them in time? Perhaps not all of them… So she used her predatory mind to single one out. She could go for the weakest, or even just the nearest…but there was little challenge in that. Suddenly she found her green eyes locked to those of sharp hazels, and the decision was taken from her. Almost circling before the strike, both vehicles suddenly swerved towards each other – colliding head on, shooting both drivers up from their seats before crashing down in a spine-jarring flop.
A horn sounded signalling the end, leaving two dodgems facing one another and both occupants nearly crying with laughter.
"Shit, I thought we'd broken 'em!" beamed the bluenette as she leapt out of her car, slightly amazed.
The hazel-eyed boy was still too busy laughing to properly respond, it had been a highly dramatic end to the round after all. He did however make the effort to adjust his red cap, which he preferred to sit slightly askew on his head, revealing just a few of his bleached blonde curls that stuck outwards in mass rebellion.
Natalie smiled as she watched him clearly struggle to exit his vehicle, his foot snagged on the seat belt nearly sending him flying off onto the worn and shiny floor.
"Need a hand there Harvey?"
"Haha! Fuck off…" he quickly refused, kicking his leg free and diving his hand into his pockets searching for his tobacco.
Both jauntily made their way off the floor – trading minor shoves and jabs of the elbowed kind – and towards the rest of the lads leaning up against the glowing neon-covered burger stand. The group contained eight notorious brothers; (self proclaimed Sultans of Swing…) Harvey himself was already nineteen and the oldest, making a twelve-year-old Robert the youngest. The bluenette couldn't say they were all quite chums exactly…it was truly a case of being thrown together. Their parents were somewhat Work affiliated. Connected under the pay roll and protection of Mr Durant – Natalie's Grandfather.
Natalie had been commanded to stay with the boisterous lads at all times when she wasn't being chaperoned by her Grandfather or guardian. It was a recent change to the usual routine of the heiress' daily life, and steadily they had grown closer due to the amount of time they had been forced to spend together.
However, only Natalie was aware of the true scheme behind it all, and it disturbed her somewhat. While it was touching her Grandfather wanted to ensure her safety, she didn't like the thought of him arranging and grooming her future guards! Or Rottweilers – as she liked to call them. They were a vicious lot when provoked, and he wanted to encase an unbreakable sense of loyalty in these boys. The old man wanted to ensure his granddaughter would always have men she could count on when she inevitably took over from her Father… and her Father's men were far from trustworthy…as was the man himself.
The bluenette stole a small tuft of cotton candy from little Robert, sending him a cheeky wink when he scowled at her. "It's my birthday," she easily reasoned.
"It was yesterday!" Rob retorted, while Harvey chuckled rolling up his cigarette. "You don't get anymore privileges!"
Plopping the piece of pink cotton in her mouth she gave the boy a most horrified look. "Robby…you lie!" she declared before pouncing on his little curly-haired head.
Everything about 'the business' seemed to revolve around family devotion, and the thought that these guys were going to be apart of that was all it took to temporarily forget about her Grandfathers plans…and it was all for the greater good, wasn't it?
The young Rocker's tormenting of the boy was soon halted by the approach of old cousin Michael, whose voice was slurred with age, alcohol, and just sheer effort to form words.
"Ah! There she is! I been lookin' for ya, girly!"
"I am where you left me." Natalie answered in amusement, releasing little Robby from her grip.
The old bloke – while being known to all as 'cousin Michael' – was in fact turning sixty-eight in a weeks time, and had been a very good friend of Mr Durant since their younger days, and as such was an irreplaceable member of the powerful clan.
"Dun get smart wiv me missy!" He said handing her a surprisingly well-wrapped present. The package felt soft beneath the paper, thin almost, and Nat glanced back up questioningly to the drunkard. "I missed the celebrations…and wanted to give ya something before ya night ends."
The bluenette smiled shaking her head a little as she began unwrapping the gift in her hands. She didn't notice Harvey's pause and wary tense at Cousin Michael's words.
Harvey's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he watched the old man, dressed in his usual pin-stripped attire that always looked a size too small. The ever-calculating hazel-eyed protector could have choked on his long drag as Natalie's sudden outburst startled him from his thoughts. Harvey soon understood the reason, smirking just a tad, eyeing the frilly cooking apron in the navy-haired girl's hands.
"I can get ya the matching oven gloves too!" Michael stated excitedly, far too seriously for Natalie's liking. Her gang of boys were meanwhile sniggering away, putting in their own pennants worth of highly sexist ramblings involving feather dusters and bread baking…
"I appreciate the thought…" she grumbled, starting to grow miffed with the attention.
"Give it here," Harvey said suddenly, removing his hat and placing it on her head in exchange for the apron. His light blonde hair was wild without its taming cap, and he messed it up all the more as he put on the frilly white garment, tying it around his waist with his cigarette still hanging out the side of his mouth. "Whatcha think? Will I make someone a good wife one day?"
"Maybe, with the right shoes…" the bluenette laughed, sending him a thankful smile.
He returned a cheeky wink, "I do have the legs."
"Speaking of which," Michael interrupted, staring quite openly at a curvy woman approaching. "Look at that filth!" he practically howled, "I'd wear that round my face like a hockey mask!"
This time Harvey couldn't avoid choking on his smoke, and Nat on pure air as she recognized her stepmother powering towards them.
"Oh no, wait it's just Gen," Michael deflated, as she came within ear shot.
"Cousin Mike," the woman greeted rather steely. Genevieve may have been a short woman, but her presence oozed a very clear message of 'Do not fuck with me today.' Especially as she was in her dangerous heels, side slit black cocktail dress, and her maroon knee-length fur coat, which only meant one thing… Gen, why are you armed?
"Boys it's time to go…Nat, come with me," ordered her Stepmother.
Natalie moved to the woman obediently, feeling a sudden grave tension in the air as she nodded to her boys to disperse. They complied quickly, though Rob and Harvey showed more reluctance before they did so.
Michael gaped in pretend shock, "Already? But we only just arrived." His eyes seemed to twinkle in contrast to the displeasure in his voice as his hand slid behind his back. Genevieve carefully grabbed her daughter's wrist and pulled her slowly away. "The kids were having such a good time too."
A tensely long moment was spent watching over the boys as they left the park, Genevieve's head snapped back to the man as his eyes met hers simultaneously.
"What are you playing at Mike!" the woman hissed, angrily shaking her short dreadlocks away from her jet eyes.
"Playing? My dear, this is not a game." Mike's slur had completely vanished. He was obviously feeling much more confident with his firm grip on the weapon tucked against his back.
The bluenette noticed his movements with some surprise, What the hell is going on? …Cousin Michael…is betraying the family? But why! I don't understand. He's been Granddad's friend for years! …He's been there since I was born! Every year. Every birthday. And he brought me here to…to… Young green eyes watched his form that was hunched slightly in anticipation. A sneer marring his face in a confused mixture of joy and hatred, and she realized he was not the same man she had known. …He brought me here to kill me.
He spoke with a smile to her, "It's been a pleasure, Miss Natalie Durant."
Before disappointment could fully cloud in emerald eyes, her dearest Stepmother made her move. In a flash it was over – Natalie was being pulled away, held tightly against Genevieve's side as they walked away and out of the fairground.
During her daughter's moment of comprehension, Michael had flinched, his arm tensing just enough as though he were preparing to pull out his gun, after which perhaps he would have fallen to the floor to avoid the retaliating bullets…However, he had miscalculated. Unfortunately for him the dreadlocked woman did not need to spare the time and energy reaching for her silencer, as it simply sprung forth from the sleeve of her coat and into her waiting hand. She squeezed the trigger long before he could remove the barrel from his pants.
"Nat, I need you to focus here. I hurried to you. I came alone…" The woman stressed, her locks swishing about as she looked around constantly for enemies she couldn't see, "And I don't know if he did."
The bluenette was practically dragged down the street, it had all just happened so fast! "What's going on? Who…who would be with him? …I-I can't believe you shot cousin Mike in the head!" She could have laughed at the absurdness! This is insane.
"Nat!" Gen grabbed her daughter's face in her hands, "I need you to be calm. So breath."
It was only then the emerald-eyed girl noticed the fast thumping of her heart, and the slightly blurred vision of what must have been watery eyes, so she made an effort to steel her nerves. After a few deep breaths she locked her gaze with her guardian's.
"Tell me what's going on."
"…Not yet."
"MUM!" She snapped startling the woman still holding her. "I need to know."
Gen sighed, "Soon M'dear…for now though, we need to commandeer a vehicle and dispose of this here gun. Any ideas?"
…
Presently!
"Natsuki!" Shizuru beamed, opening the door a little wider for her dear girl, and eyeing the sheer mass of things the bluenette had brought with her. "…Are you moving in?"
Natsuki paused with her struggle to pull everything through the threshold to give a blank stare. "Why yes. Yes I am."
"Really?"
"No."
"Ara! …Like knives through my heart!" Shizuru sighed dramatically.
"I'm sure." Natsuki smirked. I'm ready for your games woman!
Shizuru's pleased grin suddenly turned to one of excitement as her sparkling cherry-red eyes took note of the large black object Natsuki had been having most difficulty with.
"You brought your amplifier."
"Ah, yeah…hope that's okay?" Natsuki placed it down and rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. She'd really meant to ask beforehand. And it was a monstrous thing too, big enough to sit on and send vibrations through the walls and glass on its lowest setting! She wasn't entirely sure how her best friend would react to that, but the Rocker had desperately wanted to test out the guitar for real!
"Of course! I can't wait to see what Natsuki can do with her hands…" Shizuru's cherries flicked up and down the biker as she stepped back against her door, closing it, and keeping suddenly nervous emeralds firmly held in her gaze. "Especially if I can help improve any fingering technique…"
Natsuki barely managed to hold in a gasp, as her cheeks flamed beyond control! She bit down hard on her bottom lip instead, and watched the pleasure gleam in Shizuru's eyes. …So this is what you meant by punishment.
"How long…have you been waiting to say that?". Emerald's narrowed.
All day! "Ara, I'm just trying to seduce you," Shizuru smirked, loving how Natsuki's blush reddened all the more and began descending down her smooth neck. "But I think I over did it."
Damn woman! "…Are you done?" Natsuki nearly growled, intensely disliking not having a comeback.
Shizuru stalked forwards and taped her lightly on the nose, "Oh Natsuki, not even close." The Kyoto-girl purred before walking past her, and into the bedroom.
The biker girl froze, her pulse racing suddenly. Ah! Fight her damn it! She very nearly resorted to slapping herself as she slowly made to follow her honey-haired friend.
"I need Natsuki's help with something," Shizuru called out to her.
The biker girl froze again, though she had managed to get close enough to the doorway to hang on the frame and peer into the room. "Help with what exactly?" she swallowed.
She found Shizuru standing in front of a television that had been placed rather precariously upon a work desk, and a multitude of cables hanging in her hands.
"Well, I moved the telly in here so we can watch movies more comfortably, on the bed." She motioned with the mess of leads looping over her arms. "Only I can't quite remember which cable goes where…"
Shizuru looked a mite embarrassed, but Natsuki had found the entire explanation strangely adorable, and had unconsciously allowed one of those rare lovable smiles to form on her face. She was still hanging off the door frame, eyes shining delightfully and head tilted ever so slightly as though she were thinking, 'really woman, are you serious?' – Which was probably true…
All in all, Shizuru could swear the girl before her looked rather…taken? by me? And with great effort managed to break her gaze away from her love, and suddenly felt like a coward for doing so. This was so frustrating! Why was it Natsuki could take away her control – her bravery! She'd had countless imaginings declaring her feelings for the girl, and in each one she had always forgotten to take into account one most important thing: …Natsuki's effect.
Aw, she's so cute when…. when, what? When is she ever cute? Why do I find her cute? And I have this sudden sensation of wanting to hug her…or possibly wrestle? What the hell, Nat. you're going slightly mad methinks…and snap out of it!
"-Oh…OH!" Natsuki rushed into the bedroom, Stop thinking weird things! She took the many leads from her friend's hands and knelt down before the T.V. to organize the tangled mess.
Shizuru blinked as the cables where swiped out of her hands, and smiled down at the bluenette. Something about a kneeling Natsuki made her feel much more confident, and strangely smug. She allowed her hand to stroke through Natsuki's soft blue-jet hair, and then petted her crown in understanding as the girl let out an irritated groan.
"Ehhh!"
"My sentiments exactly," Shizuru answered, observing her girl's battle against the wired jumble. After another minute quietly watching Natsuki's steady breakthroughs and occasional new knots, Shizuru patted the girl's shoulder, "Well," and lent down, "while you're busy, I'll go for my shower." And quite naturally kissed the top of Natsuki's head.
"W-What?" The Rocker turned, one eyebrow raised in disbelief. "You're leaving me here to sort your mess while you have a nice shower?" Natsuki returned to her work, mumbling, "Oh, I see how it is…"
Shizuru smiled in amusement as she glided away, spinning around just as she reached the bedroom door. "Indeed you will see. After all, doesn't Natsuki want me to slip into something more comfortable?" she teased.
"Yeah, a coma." The bluenette snort-giggled. However promptly found her self being hit over the head with something book-shaped. "Abuse!" was declared.
"Gomen, it was the closest thing to me!" Shizuru managed to splutter out in a laugh, before running down the hall and safely into the bathroom.
She felt the not so subtle thump of Natsuki slammed against the door behind her, and stifled her giggles behind a hand. She would have been worried for the bluenette's well being had she not heard laughter in the girl's voice, and something else…husky yet with a bite to it that sent a thrill of anticipation through Shizuru's body.
"Enjoy your shower my dear, dear, friend," spoke the Brit, "I'll be waiting here for you."
The tables had been turned it seemed.
Future glimpse
Enter Natalie Durant
Her high-heeled footsteps were muffled as they fell on the spiralling retro-carpeted floor, and a long leather coat made a gentle flapping sound against her knees as she walked. The coat was buttoned, revealing only a slight impression of the creamy-white blouse she wore and a glimmer of her long striding denim clad legs. She held a personal rule: to always be dressed well enough to enter the classiest restaurant if needed, yet also casual enough to blend in with the more laid-back members of society. The key was to not be noticed, which was becoming more of a challenge for the emerald-eyed beauty. Her exotic features set her apart from the general populace of Essex, though she couldn't be more thankful how quickly the county was growing with multi-culture.
Setting aside her worries of recognition, she shifted her bulky rucksack more comfortably on her shoulder and sent a nod of greeting to the doormen and bar staff. They certainly knew her well enough.
She manoeuvred around the tables with ease, picking up an empty glass in passing and placing it on the end of the marble top bar. Her confident strut seemed to convey a sense of ownership of the very ground she walked. Which was just as well…because she did.
A fine pale hand reached out, pushing open a door with a very clear 'staff only' sign stuck to it. She climbed the stairs, upwards to the main office where she was perfectly on time for a meeting with one of the duty managers.
Natalie did her best to be a reliable boss, but it was hard to not feel a little stretched sometimes. Miss Durant owned a chain of bars spreading across Essex, three she had personally set up herself, and the rest she had inherited. The older, experienced establishments really paid for themselves and rarely needed much of her attention. After becoming partners with her Grandfather, she was not much more than an invisible shareholder for most of the properties, which suited her well. The young businesswoman certainly didn't need a score of more people linking her face to the name, and by association – the family.
However it really couldn't be helped that these newer, younger public houses needed a greater deal of her supervision. Which is why she had been begged to travel miles for an emergency meeting.
Never forgetting her manors, Natalie knocked once before entering the little office room. The usual mess welcomed her, files clumped together and attached to clipboards that hung from nails all over the far wall. Cardboard boxes of newly delivered drink menus shoved beneath the long desk, which resembled more of a kitchen work surface. A computer was whirring to life as the motion censor blinked at her from the corner of the room.
The duty manager finally noticed her presence, and turned slightly on his chair to face her.
"Ah, great you're here," he stated rather obviously.
Miss Durant wasn't the kind for idle chitchat with her managers, so cut sharply to it.
"What is it then? You said we couldn't speak on the phone."
The shaven-head man took a deep breath, giving his boss a strangely apologetic expression. "Right, yeah. Well I thought it might be best if you handle this in person."
That piqued the bluenette's interest, and she put down her bag, signalling she was willing to listen.
"What needs handling?"
"He…he's been stealing from you. Again."
Emerald eyes flickered for a second, and she pursed her lips in thought. "…Robert?"
The manager gulped as silently as he could, he knew she wasn't really looking for conformation, but felt it best to offer it anyway.
"We've got him on camera…and…" He spun quickly on his chair, reaching for the remote, " – and I've got the recording here for you." He watched her from his chair, wishing he could get a clue as to what his boss was thinking, or feeling. She must be angry, he thought. But all he gained for his staring efforts was a beautifully statuesque woman. The only things that betrayed any kind of turmoil were her knotted brows, and piercingly electric eyes.
"I'll sort it," came the bluenette's husky voice before she left the room and descended down the stairs to find her dear little brother.
"This is the third strike Robby. I swear I will shoot off your knee caps when I find you."