Author: I'm a little disappointed by the lack of reviews for the last chapter, but I guess it's my fault for not updating sooner. Thank you to those who reviewed, glad to still have some loyal readers. Thankfully this chapter was a lot easier to think up then the last, but I don't know how good it will be. Oh well, it's up to the readers to decided, so enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Mai HiME or Lucky Channel.
Chapter 12
Déjà vu
Natsuki found herself once again sitting with a girl who is thought to be her 'Girlfriend', meanwhile on the other side of the table one figure is showing particular interest in her sister. Sharing an awkward look with Yukino, the pair turned their interest to Haruka who was busy squabbling about with Shizuru over some student council matter.
Haruka's very good at hiding her feelings from Shizuru, bah what am I saying, she's trying to get my sister's attention!
"Gomen nasai..." Yukino whispered into Natsuki's ear, giving the blunette one of her usual apologetic faces.
"It's okay, it's not your fault" Natsuki sighed deeply, recalling the previous night.
-0-0-
A DATE?
Natsuki's eyes scanned over the message, making sure she did not mistake it. 'Hey Natsuki, my sister was wondering if you and Shizuru would go on a double date with us. I'm sorry about this, please don't hate me :( -Yukino' much to her dislike, she tried to calm herself down.
Why has it been one shock after another, I feel like my life is just some dramatic story.
Sighing loudly to herself, the blunette kicked back against the bed, reaching aimlessly for her pillow before covering it over her head.
Great, that's all I need, another date. Geez, why on earth is Yukino so afraid, if she loves her sister so much, then she should just-
Her mind stopped, cutting off her thoughts as she stared with hollowed eyes towards the ceiling.
Tell... her. I guess I can't be one to talk, seeing my situation with Shizuru.
Reaching for her phone, Natsuki texted in reply to Yukino's message before throwing her phone aside.
How long can I go on like this? How long, can I hide my true feelings?
-0-0-
"How is Shizuru doing?" breaking from her trance, Natsuki found Yukino looking at her with expected eyes.
"She seems to be doing okay I guess, but..." turning her gaze over at Shizuru who seemed to be caught up in Haruka's argument.
"Haruka's really worried about her, it's so bad she's actually speaking properly most of the time" Natsuki widened her eyes at this, turning to Haruka who looked to be in her usual berserk mode.
"I do wish you would keep your school work at school, Haruka" Natsuki interrupted the pair, earning questioning looks from Shizuru and Haruka.
"Well, it's not your fault that your sister is the student council president and has been evioding her due ties" Haruka countered back in an easygoing manner.
"It's 'avoiding her duties' Haruka" Yukino chimed in, correcting the blonde's mistakes.
"That's what I said, anyway let's order" quickly escaping from the interruption, Haruka brought the menu to her and Shizuru. After the girls ordered their various foods (to the extent that Haruka and Shizuru allow a bowl of mayonnaise to be classified as a dish), the mood fell awkward before Haruka broke the silence (Which was nothing new).
"So Yukino, how come you and Natsuki aren't being... Uhh, what's the word?" Haruka stared aimlessly trying to find the right word.
"Romantically involved?" Shizuru suggested in which Haruka hastely complied.
"Um, well, you see" Yukino shifted nervously searching through her mind a possible excuse.
"Because Yukino said she wasn't ready" all eyes turned to Natsuki who sat there with a calm manner about her. "She wants to take it slowly, doing things bit by bit, Besides, if I did something she disliked, then I would have to face her pet lion or if you will, Haruka" Natsuki cheeky replied watching as the message slowly sunk into Haruka's mind.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Haruka quickly burst into another one of her berserk modes, whilst Yukino restrained her sister back.
-0-0-
"Exercise me Natsuki, could I take to you for a second, a cone?" Natsuki just stared at Haruka with narrowed eyes, translating her sentence to wanting to talk to her alone.
Haruka needs to learn to speak Japanese clearly, her language sucks.
"Excuse me" Natsuki excused herself from the table before following the busty blonde into the girls' bathroom.
A little strange to talk alone in there, wait! She's not going to do what Mai did, right?
Swallowing hard, Natsuki kept her cool following as Haruka led her over towards the sinks before facing her. "Excuse me Kuga"
Okay, quick scan. Exit, check! Body stance readying for sudden grabbing, check. A fair distance away for an attempt on kissing me, check!
"I was wondering if..." falling quiet which was unusual for Haruka, she looked at Natsuki with concerned amethyst eyes sending the blunette to a slight state of panic. "If you knew anything about Shizuru's sudden change?"
What, she's not going to kiss me? Oh thank goodness, wait, she's asking about Shizuru.
Escaping the tensed up sigh, Natsuki rested gently against the nearby sink, crossing her arms in her usual manner. "What do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb with me Kuga; surely you've noticed that she's been acting different!" Haruka's eyes glared at Natsuki with such tension, but what caught the blunette off guard was Haruka pronouncing an entire sentence without screwing up.
"Hmph, why should you care, after all, you're always fighting against her" Natsuki's tongue was ahead from her mind that she took no notice on what she just said.
"Y-yeah, but..." Haruka was astounded for words, which nothing out of the ordinary really but this was a different situation.
"Why should you care for my sister, it's not like you love her" keeping her cool, Natsuki knew she hit a nail but waited to see if Haruka would react.
2000 yen betting she won't admit it.
"W-well I, I..." falling silent in her words, Haruka kept her mouth shut, shifting her eyes away from the blunette.
"If you've got nothing else to say, then I'm gon-" Natsuki was cut off by Haruka before she could even take a step.
"I do" although it was soft, Natsuki could hear it which brought a frown to the blunette's face. "I do love her" averting her eyes back to Natsuki, Haruka was expecting a surprised look on Natsuki's face but found her to be looking rather angry.
Shit, she actually admitted it. There goes 2000 yen
"I see"
"Did something happen between Shizuru and Rieto?" Haruka pleaded for the blunette to tell only to be shot by a death glare from Natsuki.
"It's none of your concern Haruka" Natsuki's voice was stern but sharp, restraining Haruka's tongue.
"Why are you so protective of her, she's my friend too!"
She's not my friend... she's my sister, that's something you don't seem to understand. .
"She's my sister, that's why! You wouldn't understand, not like you ever pay attention to your sister" silence fell upon the room by Natsuki's words. A brutal slap came to her cheek by Haruka's hand, drawing some blood from Natsuki's lip.
"Don't you dare say that!" Haruka's teeth clenched hard, her eyes were drenched in rage by the smirking blunette standing before her.
"It's the truth Haruka, you know nothing of Yukino's true desires" licking the small bit of blood, Natsuki's eyes narrowed fiercely at Haruka who was slightly taken aback by what she said.
"True desires? Just what are you talking about?"
"Why don't you go and ask her Haruka, perhaps then you'll be one less bit of an idiot" earning another slap to the cheek, Natsuki kept her ground watching as Haruka's eyes filled were filled with confusion and denial.
"Grrrr, SHUT UP!" Haruka yelled at the top of her lungs before storming out of the bathroom.
Whoa
Regaining her thoughts, the blunette's body slowly lowered towards the ground, resting her head against the sink.
I've really screwed Yukino up now; I doubt she's going to be too pleased about this.
"Natsuki?" drawing her hurt jade orbs over at the door, Natsuki found a familiar pair of scarlet eyes staring at her with pity.
Shizuru?
"Natsuki, are you okay?" Shizuru panicked as she rushed to Natsuki's side noticing the inflamed area on Natsuki's cheek. "What happen, are you-?"
"I'm fine Shizuru, don't worry about it" the blunette cut off, helplessly watching as Shizuru pressed lightly against her cheek with her fingers.
So warm, yet so delicate...
Running her hand through cold water, Shizuru rested her hands against Natsuki's inflamed cheek, hoping to stop the bruising. "Did Haruka do this to you?"
"What makes you say that?" Natsuki laughed cockily, trying to play innocent.
"I heard her yell from the bathroom before she stormed out taking Yukino with her. Not to mention, she's the only one I know who could hurt you like this" repeating her previous action, Shizuru continued to treat the hurt blunette.
"Haha, well it was my fault Shizuru. I think I ticked her off" Natsuki joked, laughing off the matter with ease.
"Still Natsuki, you know better than to provoke someone like her"
"I guess. I'm sorry for making you worry Shizuru" softening her eyes, Natsuki's mood completely changed as she stared up at Shizuru with an apologetic look.
"It's okay Natsuki, that's what sisters are for"
Sisters... Is that how you still see me as?
"I guess" paining at those last words Natsuki words, she concealed her emotions with a smile, basking in the warmth from Shizuru's hand.
-0-0-
"What did you call for me, Natsuki?" standing over the blunette's shoulders was a girl with short maroon hair and soft amethyst eyes and breasts that outranked the blunette's own.
Damn her breasts, I drank my milk as a child but this is what I'm left with.
Shaking the unrelated thought from her mind, Natsuki drifted her gaze over into the distance of the sun slowly descending behind the mountains. "Sorry for making you come all the way out here, Mai"
"It's okay, as long as I get to see you, I'm happy" taking a seat beside the blunette along the grassy hill, Mai kept her casual smile watching Natsuki blush slightly at her words.
"Yeah, whatever" Natsuki joked, trying to avoid Mai's loving stare at her. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"What is?"
"The sunset. I remember when I was young and my real parents would take me here, of course I was just a baby at the time but for some reason..." drifting her words away, her eyes continued to gaze into the distance, embracing its natural beauty. "This place stuck to my mind. I hope to bring the one I love, here one day"
"Well, you've got me" Natsuki rolled her eyes over at Mai, finding the girl's head leaning on her shoulder with cheerful amethyst eyes perking happily.
"Ahaha, don't say that" Natsuki laughed it off, but noticed the saddened look in Mai's eyes. "Sorry, I often forget how long you've stood by me after all these years"
"It's okay, that's what friends are for, right?"
"Friends or rather lover, do you mean?" Mai went silent at Natsuki's question, shifting rather awkwardly to herself. "If things go bad for me and Shizuru, I suppose I'll have your shoulder to lean on" comforting her friend, Natsuki turned her eyes back to the sunset. "But, I pray it doesn't happen"
"You need to tell her" the sudden burst caught Natsuki off guard as she swung her head at Mai with curious eyes. "You need to tell Shizuru everything, you're feelings, your desires, what she means to you" tears slowly began to sink down past Mai's cheeks as she wiped them away.
"Despite everything, you're still a cry baby" brushing her fingers against Mai's cheeks, Natsuki wiped away the small tears earning a small blush from Mai.
-Seven years ago-
"Shizuruuuuuuu!" emerging from out of the bush was a young girl with long cobalt hair and bright jaded eyes. Wondering around through the woods, the blunette continually called out her sister's name.
Damnit, where did she go? She may be the older sister but she's still a child at heart, especially when it comes to hide and seek.
"Shizu-ru?" halting her yells, the blunette cocked her head to the sound coming from behind the trees. Pushing away the few branches, the blunette stumbled upon a young girl crying.
She's not Shizuru, who is she?
"Are you, okay?" slowly approaching the maroon haired girl, Natsuki walk around the girl, approaching her from the front.
Lifting her tear filled eyes; the girl sniffled before diving onto the young blunette like a helpless child. "Waaaahhhhh" the girl cried, holding the blunette close as if she was her mother.
She won't stop crying, what do I do?
"Um, it's okay. Please stop crying, no one's going to hurt you" the blunette watched as the girl slowly calmed down before raising her amethyst eyes at Natsuki in gratitude. "I'm Kuga Natsuki, what's your name?"
"Mai, Tokiha Mai" Mai replied under her sniffle as she wiped her nose.
"Why were you crying Mai?"
"Well, I was having a picnic with my parents and then I ran off to go play. But then I got lost and... and..." feeling the tears coming back, Mai slowly drifted back into her tearful state.
Geez, is this what parents have to deal with? I'm never having kids
"I know my way around these parts, want me to get you back to your parents?" removing the girl from her waist, the blunette offered her hand to Mai as she stood up. Mai stared at her with tearful eyes before accepting her offer, walking with the blunette through the woods hand in hand.
"Arigato, Natsuki" Mai whispered under her breathe.
-0-0-
"I-I am not!" Mai protested as she playfully hit the laughing blunette's arm. The girls turned their attention back towards the sunset as it descended halfway behind the mountains. "What are you going to do Natsuki?"
"What do you mean?"
"What are you going to do about Shizuru?" a moment's pause fell between the two before Natsuki turned to her with a smile.
"I'll tell her" Natsuki watched the small glint of sadness roll over Mai's face before being replaced with a smile.
"You do that, Natsuki" Mai watched as the blunette rested her hands against her cheeks before bringing the maroon haired girl in for a kiss. A small gasp came to reaction from Mai, who sat there with open eyes before slowly closing them to capture the moment.
Thanks, Mai
-0-0-
Arriving outside of the mansion, Natsuki parked her motorbike before walking into the house casually. Upon entering, she found her mother walking past her with a wet towel in her hand. "Is something wrong, mother?"
"Oh it's Shizuru, she's sick" Shizuma replied in a rather distressed manner alerting the blunette's senses.
Sick? Shizuru!
TBC...
Omake:
Shizuru: HiME Channel! (Sign falls) Hiya HiME's! Welcome to a special episode of HiME Channel. I'm your ever so favourite host, Fujino Shizuru!
Natsuki: And I'm Shizuru-sama's faithful assistant, Kuga Natsuki, pleasure is mine.
Shizuru: We're reporting live from the land down under, Australia! (Pulls out a small Australian flag)
Natsuki: That's right viewers. For the past week, we have been travelling all around this country, seeing the sights and capturing the memories
Shizuru: Damn, it's so stinking hot right now though. Where's the air conditioning? (Looks to stagehand who whispers out loudly) What do you mean it's broken, fine, I'll do this the old fashion way. (Strips from her clothes revealing a lavendre coloured bikini)
Natsuki: (Nose bleeds)
Shizuru: Time to hit the waves! (Runs through the cardboard setting behind them as it falls revealing a beach)
Natsuki: Shizuru, we do have a show to do! Never mind, I'll fill in for her. Well viewers, we have with us today who willingly joined along for the ride, the author Ookami Z
Ookami Z: (Walks in from the beach taking a seat next to Natsuki) Hey Natsuki, glad to be back
Natsuki: Glad to have you back with us today, enjoying yourself?
Ookami Z: Definately, the beaches here are awesome!
Natsuki: Haha, well Ookami, are you ready to play (cues the drumroll) Find that Shizuru! (Bright lights and music plays as Natsuki waves her arms about) The rules are simple; you are to find Shizuru amongst the crowd of people. You may one object to use in order to hunt her out (Directs Ookami Z over to the various objects) We have the chibi Natsuki doll on a fishing rod, the unused set of tea bags attached to a remote control aeroplane or the Negi-bot (Reveals a robot the size of her in the form of a leek)
Ookami Z: I'll choose the... Chibi Natsuki on a fishing rod (Grabs the fishing rod with a chibi sized doll version of Natsuki tied to the hook)
Natsuki: Very well, begin in 3, 2, 1, go!
Ookami Z: (Takes a step of the set before being swarmed by a Natsuki fans) What the-?
Fans: We want the chibi Natsuki doll! (Carries Ookami Z away along with the doll)
Natsuki: (Takes off the disguise) Woah, can't believe me fans are like that. Well, I guess that ends the game then
Shizuru: (Walks back in drenched in sea water) Man, that was awesome
Natsuki: (Stares at the wet bikini Shizuru is wearing) droooolll... huh, what? Oh, glad you're back Shizuru
Shizuru: Look what I found Natsuki (Holds up a Koala)
Natsuki: Huh, what's that?
Shizuru: I believe they are called 'Drop bears' don't know why, they're just so cute (Cuddles the koala)
Natsuki: Huh, what the-? (Looks up to find Koalas falling from the sky around them) It's raining drop bears, run!
(Fanfare)
Shizuru: Oh dear, is time up already? Well viewers we'll back in good old Japan for the next instalment of HiME Channel. So until then...
Natsuki: Help meeeee!
(Sign pops up)
Shizuru: There you go Natsuki (Removes the koala from the blunette's arm)
Natsuki: Thanks Shizuru
Shizuru: No problem, I'm just going to go wash up in the showers, would you like to join me?
Natsuki: Um, I haven't really been in the water and- oh, right, of course
Shizuru: Great, I'll grab the body lotion
Natsuki: body lotion, wait Shizuru, what are you-
End of Omake
Author: Man, I'm glad to finally get this chapter out of the way. Finally after all these chapters, the big moment is coming. Hope this story doesn't drag out for too long, I'll try to keep it interesting if it does though. Thanks Ookami Z for willingly taking part in the Omake. And don't forget Mai HiME fans about the facebook page we have dedicated to the fanfiction of Mai HiME, the link's on my profile so don't forget to check it out! Anyway, thanks for reading and be sure to leave a review to let me know what you thought about it!