Author's Note: This chapter is not as long as I had hoped it would be. Thanks to Smiggers for beta'ing it, also changing the rating to T, but in further chapters, it'll be probably changed back to M. Just a warning!

Disclaimer: I don't own Strawberry Panic, or it's characters. I really, really wish I did own Shizuma. -fangirl aura-

Together Again:
"Her Memories"

'I wonder where this came from.' Nagisa pondered as she lowered herself onto the twin-sized feathered mattress of her dorm bed. Within her slender hands, the redhead held a small photograph. 'Must've been taken shortly after she graduated,' Nagisa guessed, as she looked down into the smiling images of Shizuma and herself.

'I wonder who took it.' She thought as she traced a digit over the luscious form of Shizuma. The silver-haired goddess was dressed in a three piece white corduroy business suit. 'She looked so good in that,' the redhead gushed before vividly recalling the events that had followed where she had stripped the expensive attire from Shizuma's body.

Nagisa shuddered slightly, as heat flooded throughout her. 'Jeez, have some control, already!' The redhead chided herself, as she tried to shake away the mental image of Shizuma's voluptuous naked form. Nagisa's eyes returned to the picture and a bittersweet smile curled onto her lips. 'Did she even bother then?'

A single tear slid down the length of Nagisa's cheek as a painful memory flashed through her mind. The details of the memory were so vivid that the emotions the redhead had felt then, resurfaced within Nagisa's heart.

***

"Nagisa, that's enough!" Shizuma yelled, her sienna eyes flashing as she glared at the figure of the younger redhead. "I can't do it!"

"You can't what?" Nagisa yelled back, her hands were balled into tight fists while her eyes leaked tears of anger, hurt and fear. It had been the same argument that they have repeated countless times ever since Shizuma graduated.

"You can't just leave me alone?" Nagisa muttered bitterly as she turned away from the one she loved the most. The redhead was angry and frustrated, then again, who wouldn't be? For over four months, Shizuma had been disappearing randomly without warning. Whenever that happened, she did not contact the redhead, neither did she ever inform her where she went, which made Nagisa a little more than suspicious. It also made Nagisa insecure, thereby causing her to fall into a deep depression. 'If she doesn't want me, then why won't she just go? Why doesn't she just leave me alone?'

A sharp gasp came from the silver-haired beauty and it wasn't long before Nagisa felt Shizuma's presence close behind her. The redhead soon felt the vice-like grip of Shizuma's slender hand on her shoulder. The hand soon gave a harsh tug which forced Nagisa to turn towards the older woman.

"If you're going to say that, at least look at me!" Shizuma growled, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

***

It was the last argument that Nagisa had had with Shizuma and it was the last time that they had seen one another. No contact whatsoever was maintained between the two. 'And here she is now,' Nagisa thought, trying to keep herself from crying. 'Wanting back into my life after all this time. Is it really worth the arguments or the pain?'

A knock on the door snapped Nagisa from her thoughts and she glanced at the entrance of her dorm room. Quickly, Nagisa wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand and made her way towards the door.

"Nagisa-chan," Tamao greeted, as soon as the redhead opened the door. "Are you done packing yet?"

"Well... no," Nagisa admitted, as she allowed her friend to enter her room. "I've very little to pack."

"I'll help," Tamao offered, as she made her way towards the redhead's bed and picked up the picture of Shizuma holding a uniformed Nagisa within her arms with curiosity. "...Nagisa-chan?"

"Yes?" Nagisa murmured as soon as she closed the door. When her eyes caught sight of Tamao holding the photograph, the redhead sighed. "Please, no more lectures, Tamao-chan. Not now..."

"...You've been crying again." The blue haired woman commented and sat herself down onto the feathered bed.

"I can't help it." Nagisa murmured as she took a seat next to her best friend.

"You can." Tamao assured as she grasped Nagisa's hand firmly. "You don't have to do this to yourself, Nagisa-chan... You don't have to move in with her."

"I do." Nagisa disagreed. "Even if I don't get back with her, Tamao, I need closure. I-I need to know that I can move on."

Tamao released a weary sigh as her sapphire orbs gazed into those of lilac. "If anything happens, Nagisa-chan, promise me that you'll come to me?"

"Don't I always?" The redhead responded as a fresh set of tears fell down her cheeks.

The blue haired woman sighed and soon her face held that of a sad smile. Nagisa soon felt herself being pulled into a tight embrace which made her feel somewhat consoled.

"Thank you." Nagisa whispered as they parted.

"Nagisa-chan needs a hug every day." Tamao responded, flashing a cheerful smile. "Anyway, let's not dawdle and get you packed. Why are you taking so long?"

"I don't want to leave," Nagisa admitted, her lower lip jutting out into a pout. "I don't feel ready for it."

"Don't pout," Her best friend chided as she picked up an empty box and began to assist the redhead in packing. "You look like a child when you do and besides that, I can't give you what you want, so there's no point."

"Tamao-chan is mean!" Nagisa whined, feigning a look of a hurt and feeling her previous depression fading slightly. "I think you've been hanging around Yaya and Tsubomi too much."

"Jealous, Nagisa-chan?" Tamao giggled, glancing up from the partially filled box, and towards the matured redhead.

"You wish." Nagisa teased as she knelt down before Tamao. "I'm just afraid of entering the real world after being here for so long."

"You won't be alone." Tamao assured, offering a smile to Nagisa. "No matter what happens, Nagisa-chan, I'll be there when you need me."

A grateful smile played onto Nagisa's lips, as she nodded slightly. "Thank you and I'll be there for you too, Tamao-chan."

"So it's a no then?" Nanto Yaya asked as her facial expression turned into that of a pout. For the past fifteen minutes, she had been trying to persuade her beloved girlfriend into joining her on a road-trip to Kyoto.

A sigh came from the pink haired girl as she rolled her eyes at the older female before her. "You know as well as I do, that my parents wouldn't allow it. Not to mention - I have school to attend."

"Who said you can't take a break?" Yaya inquired softly as she took a step towards Tsubomi. Chocolate coloured eyes held golden orbs as Yaya snaked her arms around Tsubomi's waist.

The pink haired girl sighed as she felt herself relax. She knew that eventually she would give in to Yaya's request, yet she couldn't help but worry about what would happen if she went. She loved Yaya more than anything yet she didn't know if she could handle an extended car ride with her rebellious girlfriend.

"Yaya-chan," Tsubomi finally spoke as a plan formed in her mind. "If I agree, will you promise me that you won't do anything remotely foolish?"

"What?" Yaya feigned a puzzled look. "Why would I do anything foolish? I'm sure that you won't let me get into trouble, right?"

Tsubomi sighed loudly, and then muttered, "If that was so, then you would be a perfect angel."

"Hah!" Yaya snickered, and then leaned down to place a light kiss onto her girlfriend's lips. The dark haired girl was pleased with herself, and couldn't wait until the trip begin. 'A week away with Tsubomi-chan,' Yaya thought blissfully to herself as whilst her mind conjured up images of activities that she and her Tsubomi would share.

"You two will never change." A smooth voice commented, effectively drawing Yaya and Tsubomi away from one another.

'Jeez,' Yaya thought as her chocolate coloured eyes came to rest on the owner of the voice. 'Damn. She's still drop dead gorgeous.'

"Ah-ah... gomenasai." Tsubomi stuttered and bowed politely towards the casually dressed figure of Shizuma. Straightening gracefully, Tsubomi gave her girlfriend an apologetic look before turning away. Yaya watched in irritation as her beloved girlfriend ventured off.

'Damn it,' Yaya muttered inwardly. 'She can never stay in one place.' The dark haired girl sighed before returning her gaze to the silver-haired woman who stood directly in front of her.

"Don't be so annoyed." Shizuma chuckled, glancing towards the retreating figure of Tsubomi. "She'll return as soon as I leave. I promise."

"Am I really that readable?" Yaya murmured, her brow rising slightly in curiosity. "Anyway, to what do I owe the honour?"

A smile crossed Shizuma's face, "I'm here to see Nagisa-chan. Perhaps you can lead me to her, Nanto-san?"

Yaya was hesitant with her response. She didn't know whether she should lead Shizuma to Nagisa or not. After a short debate, the dark haired girl gave a slight nod. 'Forgive me, if this isn't what you want, Nagisa-chan, but I think it is the right decision.'

"Alright." The dark haired girl murmured and gestured for Shizuma to follow her. "Come this way."

'I wonder if she could tell me.' Shizuma thought to herself as she strode briskly beside the younger female. 'She would surely know better than anyone else,' Shizuma reasoned, glancing over towards the new graduate.

"Nanto-san," Shizuma began nonchalantly. "I would appreciate it, if you could answer a few questions for me."

"Concerning?" Yaya asked and stopped to look at the silver-haired woman. Confusion was written all over the dark haired girl's face as she studied the stoic mask Shizuma wore. 'I don't want to get involved in this. But it doesn't look like I have a choice do I?' Yaya thought and sighed inwardly.

"Is is true that Nagisa and Suzumi-san were... together?" Shizuma asked carefully trying but failing to hide a cache of emotions fluttering across her face.

The dark haired girl flinched slightly and tried to conjure up an answer. 'Should I tell her?' Yaya pondered, whilst watching the silver-haired beauty. 'I really don't want to be involved in this.' Yaya complained as she sighed softly.

"Forgive me, Hanazono-sama," Yaya finally spoke out. "But I don't think I should get involved in this. I don't want Nagisa-chan to be angry at me should I tell you something that she has not."

Shizuma nodded in understanding. She could understand the difficult position she had just put the younger woman in yet a part of her still wanted to know. 'Looks like I'm going to have to ask Nagisa myself.' Shizuma thought and shook her head slightly in frustration. 'I just hope Nagisa doesn't blow up about it.'

A memory flashed through Shizuma's mind then, making her flinch. It was a memory of the last fight between Nagisa and herself. 'Why did I leave her like that?' Shizuma thought in disgust. 'What a fool I was. So caught up in my own problems that I didn't even realize that I was dragging my Nagisa into hell with me.'

"Are you alright?" Yaya's voice interrupted the former Etoile from her inward reflection.

Sienna eyes glanced towards chocolate brown for a brief moment.

"I'm fine." Shizuma lied, gesturing for Yaya to lead. "Please go ahead. I wish to see Nagisa before someone takes her away."

Confusion infiltrated Yaya's expression. 'What a strange woman.' Yaya thought and proceeded to lead Shizuma deeper into the Strawberry Dorms. 'Forgive me, Nagisa-chan, but I believe I am doing the right thing here.'

"Jeez," Tamao commented as she scrutinized the newly packed boxes. "And I thought I had a lot to pack..."

"Shush." Nagisa grumbled irritably as she sat on the edge of her bed. "It couldn't be help. It's all very precious to me."

"Sure." Tamao chuckled and lifted up a small key chain, dangling it between her fingers. "I take that this too, is very precious to you as well?"

A gasp came from the redhead, as she snatched the key chain from the blunette. A small smile graced Nagisa's face as she held the pink stuffed animal close to her chest. 'I was wondering where it went... Ah to think... I almost lost it.' Nagisa thought to herself as the memory of the first time she had met Shizuma in the forest flashed through her mind. 'I was so young and stupid then.'

"Must mean a lot to you." Tamao murmured as she watched Nagisa cradle the pink key chain. 'If only she would hold me like that.' Tamao thought sadly and sighed.

"Tamao-chan, I thought we were over that," The redhead stated softly, as her lilac coloured eyes met of wistful sapphire.

'Stupid! I can't believe I said that out loud!' Tamao chided herself as she tore her gaze from Nagisa. "I'm sorry, Nagisa-chan... I didn't realize I spoke aloud."

The redhead merely shook her head as her eyes glanced over the room once more. "I didn't realize that this day would come so fast."

"You really don't want to leave do you?" Tamao inquired, leaning forward to look into her best friend's face.

"No, I don't." Nagisa answered honestly. "I'm going to miss it."

Just as Tamao was about to voice her reply, a sharp knock came on the door, making both the redhead and the blunette jump slightly. 'Whoa, talk about coming out from nowhere.' Tamao thought, as she tried to calm her rapidly pounding heart.

Nagisa laughed softly as she gazed at the blunette's startled expression. Her tone that of teasing, she commented. "Tamao-chan's expression was priceless!"

"Nagisa-chan should've seen her own face." Tamao stuck out her tongue at the redhead as she joined in the laughter.

Nagisa chuckled, rising to open the wooden door to her room. "Just a second." She called out before twisting the knob and pulling the door open. The sight that greeted her, forced her laughter to a halt as she met hauntingly familiar sienna orbs.

Yaya gulped loudly as she moved to the side and glanced towards Tamao's frozen figure. 'This could end badly for me…' The dark haired girl thought to herself as she raised a hand to massage her temple, easing the beginning of a headache. 'Tsubomi will kill me if things go wrong here.'

Author's Footnote: Okay, here's the 1st chapter... It looked longer on my word processor... o.o Anyhow, read, review, and enjoy. For the previous reviews - thanks!