Authors Note: An all nighter, ugh - I have serious insomnia. My prescription for sleeping pills is expired, and I had the last pill two days ago. Thankfully, I'm not dragging myself through classes while half asleep. Once again, I love the holidays. Babysitting nieces and nephews has been tiring. Friends think it fine to turn up in the middle of the night drunk to sleep in my bed and my parents have been acting strangely.
Life is chaos and my neck is cramped. Alcohol, anyone?
Disclaimer: I don't own Mai-HiME.
Enjoy.
Song - Full Circle - Miley Cyrus - And - Freeze - Jordin Sparks
-(-O-)-
Chapter Five: Without Words
It had been two weeks since she had spoken or seen Natsuki. Something akin to withdrawals had been wracking through her system during the extended time. Haruka was back, taking over as Natsuki's detention supervisor. Shizuru tried not to be jealous, though nothing seemed to quell the sensation; not even her beloved tea.
The dark-haired girl had been plaguing her mind—constant visions of her flustered face, of those embarrassed twinkling emerald eyes; the sensual curve of her lips, even the delicate arch of her eyebrows. The Kaichou was finding it hard to sleep, as her dreams were constantly visited by the mysterious motorcyclist. It was driving her insane. The flaxen-haired teenager couldn't deal with such intense feelings developing so quickly.
Maybe the saying was true, after all. Distance does make the heart grow fonder.
Shizuru sipped her rapidly cooling tea. An uncharacteristic frown tugging incessantly at the corner of her mouth. It was implausible. She had maybe spoken to the girl for an hour. What was making her crave her presence so? Crimson eye's flickered over to the window, fixating on a certain delinquent.
She tried to fight it and remained poised, she really did. But the sight of Haruka with a megaphone, shouting commands and raving about how much Natsuki is a delinquent while the said delinquent swings her pointed-trash stick around while screaming back was just too amusing.
Reito looked up from the documents he was reading when he heard the bell-like giggles escaping the Kaichou. Eyebrows raised almost to his hair line, he followed her line of sight and a reluctant smile tugged at his lips.
Yukino hid behind the screen of her laptop, sinking into her chair.
-(-O-)-
Fluidly, the punches hit their mark with pin point accuracy; velocity and acceleration making it so the attack would have been painful for anyone on the receiving end of the young girls fists. Lungs burning, and arms feeling as heavy as lead; the sweating Natsuki slipped off her blue boxing gloves and proceeded to use the soft, white hand towel to dab at the beads of perspiration gathering on her forehead and neck.
"Your improving." Yamada's voice echoed from behind her. Whirling around, Natsuki greeted him with a small, proud smile. She had always held him in high regard, as he was like a father figure. Though, as she'd gotten older he had started to slip into the background, only watching over her from the shadows.
That was how she liked it though, she enjoyed her relative freedom; and she knew with Yamada around she would usually be protected from any potential harm. He had his own family to look after, but he was always summoned when ever she was in danger automatically. It was something to do with the bond they had, as he was her 'Guardian Angel' a protector appointed to her from birth. She had briefly pondered why he hadn't appeared when Alyssa attacked her, but she chalked it up to the fact that they didn't actually want to harm each other.
"Thanks," she puffed, hands against her knees as she bent; trying to regain her breath. She peered up at the large, broad shouldered man through her hair. It had been nearly a year since she had last seen him in person. Even though he was bound to her by an unbreakable oath, he was always discreet when looking after her. "How's is Masumi and the kids? Well, I hope."
Yamada Masumi was a gentle, soft spoken woman that cooked the best miso soup Natsuki had ever been privileged to have tasted. She, like Yamada, had previously been a Guardian; though she retired and followed Yamada down to Earth when he took on the position of Natsuki's Guardian Angel. They had two kids; two seven-year old twin girls, and a little boy was on the way.
"Ah, they're all great," Yamada had a fond smile on his face, "I'm actually meant to be picking up some capsicum and apples. Masumi has the oddest cravings. I just thought it would be a good idea to check up on you. I saw your apartment," he frowned, looking concerned. "Were you attacked?"
"Yeah, but it was only Alyssa. Neither of us had killing intent, so that was probably why you weren't summoned. Unless she found a way to get around the Guardian Angel system, but I doubt it." Natsuki shrugged, standing up straight now she had caught her breath.
The Dark-Angel glared over at the person ogling her, a green-haired boy that she knew from school who apparently had a crush on her. Suddenly, she was wishing she had more on then a tube-top and shorts. Though, they were the best to box in. The older, tanned boy looked away, flushing profusely at being caught. Natsuki rolled her eyes.
"Well if your fine, I'll be off. I don't really want to be sleeping on the couch again. Pregnant women are so hard to please." Yamada grimaced, looking almost annoyed. His eyes were twinkling with love, though; contradicting his words.
"Alright. See ya around, 'kay? Keep the twins out of trouble. I might pay them a visit sometime soon." Natsuki replied, after she had pulled on a plain, loose white t-shirt. A fond smile of her own formed at her lips as she thought of the two little girls. For some reason, they seemed to love when she came around.
She had no idea why, as she really wasn't that good with kids, but they liked her well enough. Well, if calling her Onee-chan was any consolation, they practically considered her family. The fond smile faltered. She wondered how different things would have turned out between her and Alyssa if she had never had to leave, and their father wasn't who he was.
"Stay safe, kid." Yamada gave her a pat on the shoulder, before he headed in the direction of the dojo's doors. Natsuki hit the showers, but when she was about to leave to go home, Takeda got in her way.
Scowling, Natsuki stopped walking and stared at him as he blushed. "K-konichiwa, Kuga, ano, I was wondering if you would—"
"—get out of my way, moron." she growled cutting him off, her annoyance obvious. Emerald eyes rolled when he blushed even further, looking crestfallen.
The biker sighed, before softening her expression slightly and giving him a serious look. "Takeda," ignoring the way he lit up at the sound of his name, she continued, "I'm not going on a date with you. Not now, not ever. I'm just not interested. At all. Okay?"
The tanned boys face fell again, "Uh, right. I'll see you around, then." Natsuki watched him make a hasty retreat, almost feeling guilty for crushing his hopes. That didn't last long however, and soon enough she was exiting the dojo and heading home.
-(-O-)-
Natsuki pulled on her orange school vest, before flipping her hair. Gazing at her Ducati, she felt odd. It was still strange to come to school alone, as she was so used to picking up Nao every morning and arriving with her, usually late. But now the younger girl had begun riding the bus, to and fro. Natsuki hardly ever saw the snarky spider-girl anymore.
It made her feel unusual. One one hand, it was good not to be responsible for Nao, but then there was the fact that she sometimes enjoyed her company; no matter how sarcastic she was. It almost felt like she was being ditched by her younger sister, who had found new friends and decided hanging around her sibling was 'uncool', but she knew Nao didn't have any new friends; as she was nearly as anti-social Natsuki was herself.
Shrugging, she continued on to school; other more important thoughts rushing through her mind, like the fact that she needed to find a way to get information on the people employed at Fuuka Academy. It had been a few weeks since her chat with Sakomizu, and she still wasn't any closer to her goal.
So lost in her mind, Natsuki paid no attention to her surroundings as she walked along. People stared at her, some admiring, and others merely surprised that the famous, usually absent delinquent was actually as school early for once. It was widely known that most days she normally ended up arriving somewhere during the middle of lunch.
Now inside, Natsuki continued to idly walk along the narrow, people-filled hallways; still distracted with her thoughts. Leather briefcase slung over her shoulder, she absentmindedly fiddled with her keyring. Not going anywhere in particular, the biker took a random turn around a corner, and inadvertently bumped into someone.
"Oi—" Natsuki stopped herself from shouting at the person when she realized who it was. The Kaichou. Irritated that the person she'd run into was the infuriating teaser, she groaned. "Watch where you walk." not waiting for the older girl to answer, Natsuki was about to continue on her way, when that annoyingly smooth Kyoto-ben accented voice halted her movement.
"Itai, Natsuki-ikezu." there was a sniffle. "She didn't even stop to apologize." turning, emerald-eyes widened when she saw Shizuru with her hands covering her eyes; shoulders shaking. Panicking, Natsuki's gaze flickered around in alarm. Seeing no other options, the biker repressed a grimace and began attempting to console the crying Seitokaichou.
"Ano, uh. Don't cry, Fujino!" The dark-haired girl exclaimed, looking almost desperate as she heard Shizuru begin to sob. Feeling the glares of nosy onlookers burning into the back of her head, the motorcyclist ran a frustrated hand through her hair. Barely managing to stop herself from stomping her foot, frustrated. "Ah... mou, what can I do to make it up to you?"
The sobbing stopped, and Natsuki shifted her weight uncomfortably as a crimson eye peaked out between Shizuru's fingers. "What is Natsuki willing to do?"
The younger girl was too distressed to see the mischievous twinkle in the Kaichou's eyes. "Anything!" she answered immediately, still half-worried the other girl would burst into tears again. She had never been good with crying people. Natsuki herself hadn't cried for years, not since she was a child; having never let anything or anybody get close enough to hurt her enough to do so.
"Anything-?"
Nodding her head vehemently, she confirmed. "Yes. Just stop crying, please!"
"Have lunch with me today," Shizuru stood up straight, pretending to wipe the faux-tears from her cheeks. "I get terribly lonely sitting in the Seitokai room without company. Could Natsuki accompany me?" she tilted her head, purposefully making her eyes water slightly; though she go as far as pouting. That would wait for a later date.
"Ano," Natsuki paused, hesitant; before she nodded, feeling something flutter in her stomach. Great, she was probably getting sick. "... okay."
Shizuru was surprised the other girl actually agreed. She had been expecting her to decline immediately. Unknown to herself, she was giving Natsuki a strange stare, one that was making the younger girl feel uncomfortable again. "Stop looking at me like that." the motorcyclist snapped, a faint tint on red appearing on her cheeks.
Crimson eyes blinked, Shizuru realizing she had been gazing oddly at the younger girl easily managed to regain her composure; a mirthful, teasing smirk flirted with her lips. "Ara, does Natsuki not like me looking at her?" tilting her head, smirk widening Shizuru felt smug at seeing the small dusting of blush that had formed on the bikers cheeks darken.
"I-what? Shut up, you baka!" Shizuru's smirk widened, and she opened her mouth to make another teasing remark, but Natsuki spoke before she could gather the air into her lungs. The biker didn't want to be taunted further. "That's it, I'm leaving." Natsuki stomped off in a random direction, throwing her hands in the air.
Shizuru cupping her hands around her mouth; called out to the other girls rapidly retreating form. "I'll see you at lunch, Na-tsu-ki!"
Many envious eyes bored into Natsuki's back.
"Shut up!"
Shizuru smiled happily to herself.
-(-O-)-
Natsuki bit her lip nervously as she stood outside the Seitokai room. For some unknown reason, lost on her, she felt tentative and hesitant to enter. Why, she had no idea. It was so uncharacteristic to act this way. Constantly, she was confident and almost arrogant in the way she interacted with other people. Being straight forward and honest, that was what separated her so much from her deceitful, sly father.
Berating herself for her moronic behavior, Natsuki steeled herself and pushed the door open. Not bothering to know, as that would be what she would usually do. Shizuru's eyes flickered from her computer to her entering form instantly, and the motorcyclist wondered if she was only imagining the way they seemed to light up at her arrival.
"Natsuki." the Kaichou greeted with a smile.
There was a sort of tenderness, in the way she spoke her name. It simultaneously thrilled and frightened the Dark Angel. Leaning her back against the now closed door; she allowed a small smile as their eyes locked. A message passing between them. Natsuki felt stable. Content, warm and safe.
"Shizuru." she put the other girls desk, and moved to get seated.
She felt as if she belonged.
The next hour was spent in comfortable silence. Natsuki lounged, feet propped up against a desk lazily as she ate, her eyes watching Shizuru work on the computer; occasionally taking bites of her own food. Through the windows, she would glance and see students chatting and laughing; couples held hands and cuddled against each other. Rivals argued, and acquaintances waved to each other in mutual respect.
Humanity was a breathtaking thing, Natsuki mused. There was a selfishness in every relationship, and yet there wasn't. To have such a wild scale of intense emotions and thoughts. To love, to hate. It was all fueled by passion. It could make or break a person, and then line was ever so thin. The ugliness that was displayed in humanity only served to heighten its beauty.
In the way a child loved their parents and siblings unconditionally; to the way a bitter enemy could slaughter and massacre in their insanity and yearning for revenge. Such a complex, simplistic thing. It was a contradiction in itself. Impossible to understand, yet perfectly understandable at the same time.
To feel so powerfully—Natsuki shivered, emerald-eyes swiveled to rest on the work-absorbed Kaichou. Who, as though sensing that she was being watched, glanced up to lock gazes with the younger, pondering girl. Intense and smoldering, they stared in silence, before they both reluctantly looked away from each other.
Neither said a word, and the companionable silence was left undisturbed.
Yes, humanity was a pretty, heartbreaking, unfathomable thing. Push and pull, distance and closeness. Fascination swirled in a kaleidoscope of emotion within molten emerald-pools.
Soft, bewitching crimson watched on.
End Note: Hmm, I felt very introspective again. Humanity; you can't escape it, no matter how much you try. Yesterday, I was walking around my hometown, and I passed a little boy being picked on by some older teen, around my age.
I ended up punching the guy and giving him a black-eye. I think he was too embarrassed about the fact that I managed to hurt him to tell anybody. But such is the world, I guess. Can't have good without the bad. I don't condone violence, but honestly this guy deserved it.
Konichiwa - Hello, hi.
Seitokai - Student Council.
Itai - Ouch, or Oww.
Ikezu - Kyoto-ben, roughly meaning 'meanie'.
Baka - Moron, fool, idiot, ect.
Ano - literally means 'umm'
Bento - Like a lunch box you buy from the cafeteria in most Japanese schools. Or a homemade lunch. Consists of rice, fish or meat, and one or more pickled or cooked vegetables. (I'm pretty sure, anyway. I'm not Japanese. Wikipedia xD)
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