Author's Note: So I had to fix this story and finally complete it. I'll try and get an epilogue up soon and I'll try and go back through looking for errors. Again this is unbeta'd and this was revised from the previous chapter. I simply didn't agree with part of what I wrote and when I read back on it I was like "...which plot bunny kicked me in the arse again?" Thanks for sticking to the story and perhaps if I don't get too busy with life again, I'll write a sequel or a different story.
Her Trust (Revised):
"Do I trust you?" Shizuma repeated Nagisa's words with a tilt of the head. Her eyes locking onto the redhead and giving Nagisa a look which clearly said: 'why are you me asking this?' To which the redhead merely rolled her eyes and inwardly asked herself why she even bothered. A frustrated noise came from her, alerting Shizuma that she needed to answer her little Nagisa.
"At times, I wonder..." The silver-haired goddess murmured, hesitating slightly. "You are still little Nagisa and there will always be a Tamoe. There will always be someone who wants you and someone who loves you probably just as much as I do."
To say that Nagisa was touched by Shizuma's words was quite the understatement, as the redhead found herself asking what she could do to improve the trust that she and Shizuma shared. Yet, also she found herself amazed at the fact that she and Shizuma were actually communicating and it had nothing to do with an argument or hormonal activities. 'Well... maybe that's it. If we were able to talk more, instead of fooling around, maybe we wouldn't be so damned scared of one another.' Guilt flowed through her as soon as the thought entered her mind, as she too was to in fault for their mistrust.
"I have to protect my little Nagisa," Shizuma continued while observing Nagisa's face with curiosity. 'What's going on in that head of hers?' Of course she had noticed the look of guilt in the redhead's face, but also she noticed the look of tenderness within Nagisa's eyes. 'Ah, looks like I did something right by talking.' "I have to fight for what is mine."
The last statement was purred out, causing Nagisa's eyes to widen slightly. 'Er, she's turned on again? The hell did I do now?' Rolling her eyes again, Nagisa remembered a errant thought that had passed through her mind not too long ago and at the thought - she couldn't help but grin.
"Good of you to see my logic!" Shizuma purred, happy to have finally pleased Nagisa outside of the bed - that is - and with words.
Nagisa snorted in response and replied: "No, Shizuma, the day I understand you're logic will be the day you are meek, docile and heterosexual."
"Hey!" An indignant Shizuma cried out, a slight flush added to her cheeks that made Nagisa giggle as soon as she seen it. A smile curled at the edges of Shizuma's mouth as she wrapped her arms around the redhead's shoulders and tugged her back into the king sized bed. "I'm sorry for being an idiot sometimes."
"Sometimes!" Nagsia snorted again.
"Well... most of the times," Shizuma amended quickly, and proceeded to speak her thoughts. "But you must understand that it's overwhelming at times... these people want to take you from me and with everything that has happened between you and - they might just be able to do it. While I am trying to repair our relationship, there is always someone at the door demanding for my tools, you see."
"Has it ever occurred to you that if I wanted them, I might be with them?" Nagisa quietly asked, as she turned to gaze into Shizuma's olive eyes with her own scarlet orbs. What she saw within Shizuma's gaze warmed her heart, but also made her consider the fact that Shizuma still felt guilty over something. 'But what?' It was obviously something serious, because of the way Shizuma's lips were pursed and her mind was focused somewhere else.
"Shizuma?" Nagisa finally called out, now slightly shaken by what Shizuma's eyes told her. "What is wrong?"
"I am upset with myself…" Shizuma spoke softly, her eyes raising to meet Nagisa's in a genuine expressive gaze. One that Nagisa had rarely ever seen. "This woman you've beautifully manifested into – I wish I had been there to partake and witness in your growth, instead of influencing the negativity and distrust I have done."
A soft gasp elicited from Nagisa's lips, as a severe feeling flooded through her chest. It was as if the wind had been knocked out of her, and it was one of those other moments that she was reminded of Shizuma's love for her. It was one of those moments where she wondered how she could doubt that love.
It took a few moments for Nagisa regain her voice, but when she did it was deep with emotion – a slight contradiction to the playful words she spoke: "Sometimes, I think you say those things just to have your way with me."
A playful grin overcame the older woman's face as she tackled the redhead gently against the bed. "What if I do, would you truly mind that?"
A giggle was her first response followed by: "Not really… no."
It was an eventful and long ride, Nagisa fearfully observed as she struggled to maintain a solid grip onto her seatbelt. Shizuma's driving skills were severely lacking and revealed that the older woman possessed a leaded foot. 'My god, who did she sleep with to get her license?' Quickly, as soon as the thought popped into her mind, Nagisa felt the faintest sense nausea. 'No, no - don't think of that.'
Wine-colored eyes, quickly darted over towards the driver seat – taking in a quick look at the smirking goddess beside her. 'Maybe leaving the Summerhouse was not such a good idea…' The younger woman mused, biting her lip and trying to control herself from calling out each time Shizuma drove around a winding curve without bothering to slow down. 'Please god, let me live…'
Beside her, Shizuma was doing her best not to show her amusement. The way Nagisa was holding onto her seatbelt and the way she was forcing her eyes closed as an almost comical hint. In all honesty, it reminded her of the much younger and naïve version of her love, and because of that, Shizuma damn near refused to halt her reckless driving, at least until they reached their destination. Although she was completely aware that once the car was stopped, Nagisa's wrath would descend upon her, fortunately for Shizuma, the only reason she hadn't faced said wrath yet was due to Nagisa's fear of making Shizuma lose control of her Audi R8 GT.
"This party, what is it for, exactly?" questioned Shizuma. Her food gently lifted off of the gas pedal, allowing the car to coast. Even though she loved seeing the remnants of the old Nagisa within her lover's expression – she was also curious.
After a few long seconds, the silver haired goddess decided that the spitfire was ignoring her, until she heard the faintest stutter from her beloved Nagisa: "T-to ce-celebrate graduation." A rare gleam flashed within Shizuma's olive eyes and a grin curled the edges of her lips. 'My! Nagisa, you have not changed at all, have you?' Briefly, the older woman considered taking pity on Nagisa, however those thoughts were vanquished by the impending hell she would receive once the car stopped. 'If I must be punished for it, I might as well go through with all of it. After all, the hell is enjoyable as well.'
"I thought you already had a party for that?" Shizuma commented idly, following the road now with her eyes instead of Nagisa. Despite her recklessness while driving, Shizuma did not wish to risk a chance of injuring Nagisa. "Also, what is in that box?"
"What box?" Nagisa stammered out and then flinched. 'Oh, right Amane-san's gift…' The answer she gave Shizuma in turn to that was just a mere shrug which wasn't seen by the platinum beauty. It wasn't until Shizuma cleared her throat that Nagisa answered with a slightly more detailed answer. "It is... a gift for Amane-san."
"I see," Shizuma said softly, tinges of jealousy picking at her just a bit. "Does Konohana-san know of your interest in Ootori-san?" It was too late to stop the barb, Shizuma found as she glanced towards Nagisa. What she saw pleased her and ended her jealousy, for the redhead's expression showed nothing less than pure amusement. Shizuma, herself, was amused by her own words, but decided not to speak further upon the subject – instead she took her right hand off of the steering wheel and gently grasped hold of Nagisa's.
"Baka," Nagisa murmured softly, returning Shizuma's squeeze but inwardly laughing at the irony of the situation. Was it not moments ago that she was slightly jealous at her own assumptions? And now here was Shizuma making a similar assumption… what a pair of fools they were.
"Nagisa-chan!" Tamao exclaimed, rushing to her friend and embracing her tightly. Slightly taken off guard, Nagisa let a startled yelp at the impact of the blunette's body crashing against hers. Although the shock was still present within Nagisa - another emotion was making it's way quickly through her: Worry. The faintest sound of someone growling - reminded Nagisa of a certain someone's possessiveness and inclined Nagisa to forcefully part away from Tamao.
"Tamao-chan, I've missed you!" Nagisa said quickly, hoping that she had not offended her best friend. Rust colored eyes looked into those of violet, quietly imploring for an understanding. The gaze that was returned to her was one of worry but also of an affirmative – Tamao understood.
"How have you been?" Tamao suddenly asked as she quickly looked over her best friends body. It was a quick glance that went mostly unnoticed. She hated being brief in her examination of Nagisa, but understood the redhead's plight. When it came down to it, Tamao simply did not want to bring Nagisa any sense of grief. 'Unlike some people…'
"I've been doing alright, Tamao-chan," Nagisa said softly, grabbing hold of Tamao's arm and pulling them both away from the growling figure at the doorway. "Granted some things could be better, but life is life."
Catching the hint, Tamao giggled in response, she too, by now had heard the growling and was completely amused by Shizuma's behavior. Briefly she considered how Shizuma would react when the former-Etoile discovered Antoinette was attending the party. That thought was interrupted by the presence of Hikari, swooping by and quickly plucking a black box out of Nagisa's hand.
"Forgive me, Nagisa-chan, but if I don't hide this now, she will find it."
Nodding in understanding the redhead, giggled and winked at the blonde. "Good luck, Hikari, she deserves this, though I wish I could see it."
"See what?" Tamao asked quickly, feeling a bit more than a little curious as she gazed onto the small box. However upon a closer observation, Tamao found herself giggling. "Is she really…?"
"Yep!" giggled Nagisa, though the giggling stopped at once. Her arm felt as if had caught fire for some reason and when she looked up she noticed intense olive eyes glaring at the arm which was holding Tamao's. Again, Nagisa felt like giggling. 'So what? She tormented me while riding here- can I not torment her some with this?' A faint smirk found it's way onto Nagisa's face, which did not go unnoticed by Shizuma.
'I see. She wants to play this game, does she?' Shizuma thought sourly, crossing her arms over her ample bosom and leaning against the wall. 'Very well, my little Nagisa, but tonight can't last forever.' Tearing her gaze away from her current annoyance, Shizuma finally took time to take in her surroundings. The apartment in which the party was being held was small, by her opinion, yet it was slightly fascinating how Hikari and Amane managed to fit so many people within it. There had to be over thirty guests at this party, Shizuma included. Furniture was temporary pushed aside to provide more room for their guests while small tables provided small treats and drinks for their guests.
'Considering Amane spent most of her time within a barn…' mused Shizuma quietly, only to be scolded by her conscious for her inferior attitude. Becoming increasingly annoyed at herself and slightly more bored, Shizuma's eyes continued to search the crowd until olive eyes landed on a familiar blonde. 'She's here?' A low groan worked it's way up from the former-Etoile's throat, as her eyes rolled into the back of her head. 'Of course she's here… Nagisa's here.'
"Nagisa-koi!" rang out Antoinette's accented voice, which went unanswered by Nagisa. The redhead stiffened at the sound, turning her gaze to look at Shizuma. A recent conversation passed through her mind and the former-Miatorian understood then that if she didn't dispel the issue as soon as possible, Shizuma would definitely fight for what was hers.
A sigh escaped Nagisa's lips before she could stop it and as it did, Nagisa felt Tamao's arm tighten on hers with support. A feeling of gratitude rose from Nagisa as she prepared to try and stop any current and future advancements from Antoinette, however before she could a voice, she had not expected to hear spoke up for her.
"Enough, Antoinette!" said Tamao sternly, her violet eyes locking onto the tall figure . "You know fully well that you're advances are unwelcomed now, and they present a problem to Nagisa-chan. I won't have it."
"What? What is this then?" Antoinette asked, as she turned her glare onto Tamao. "Will I be told what to do by someone who has failed at her chance to have the one she wants?"
Again, pandemonium spread throughout the room. A shocked Shizuma, stood back and decided to simply watch unless she felt she was needed. Nagisa on the other hand was a different story. Immediately she went to speak up in defense of Tamao, but was once again halted by the bluenette.
"No this is coming from someone who is her friend and supports her," Tamao voice remained unshaken by the blonde's words. Her gaze betrayed nothing but the assertiveness. "Unlike some people I stand beside my friend's decisions and do not try to bring discomfort to them. Perhaps a lesson in humility from Shizuma-sama would do you some good."
"How dare-!"
"No," Shizuma said finally speaking up after hearing her name coming from Tamao's lips. She would never admit it, but she was both glad and appreciative of the blunette's defense of her Nagisa. She would not forget this. "How dare you to belittle Nagisa so and claim affection for her. She is more than capable of making her own decisions. I'll not tolerate you harassing us any further."
A snort came from Antoinette, along with the roll of her eyes. "You can not stop me."
"Yes, I can," smirked Shizuma as she offered her arm to Nagisa. "Shall we leave, my love?"
To say that Nagisa was impressed was an understatement, to say that she was speechless – even more so. She found herself not wanting to do anything but take Shizuma's arm and leave. It wasn't until a few seconds that Nagisa finally whispered to Shizuma softly: "Thank you, my love." A warm smile played across Shizuma's face as she gently nodded and guided Nagisa away from the party and to their home.