AN-2011: Republished chapter. Corrected and edited.
I want to thank Rile E. Coyote the suggestion about the name and the help with the Japanese. You were very kind. Thanks to you and everybody else for reading.
WARNING: Rated M for violence and mature content between two females. If you don't like or you aren't at least 18, please don't read it. (Or don't complain for it!)
Disclaimer: I don't own Mai Hime characters. All trademarks belong to his rightful owners.
Majutso No Hime by Galadan
Chapter 02.
"I have no home; I make saika tanden my home."
Vancouver Great Metro Area.
Natsuki left her Ducati parked closer to the faculty building where she was assigned as new assistant teacher for Asian Cultures Studies. She was motivated on her new job and really looked forward to work with the senior researcher on charge of that professorship. Entering the office they shared, she greeted the tall and handsome man.
"Good morning, Reito-san."
"Good morning, Natsuki-san." Reito Kanzaki was one of the most beloved teachers at the U; he was handsome, charming and interesting. His classes were always full and since Natsuki was working together with him, she became a new factor of interest. A lot of guys and gals were very interested in the new and young green eyed teacher. She was mysterious and beautiful. The animal grace in her movements as well as her athletic body were enough reason to have a horde behind her, but in addition, Natsuki was unapproachable and that only encouraged her fans to try harder.
The only ones who really could approach her were Mai and Mikoto. Mai was too reckless or maybe she didn't care at all about Natsuki's coldness and Mikoto was always behind the busty redhead. Mai and Mikoto were doing a postgraduate curse at the U and when they first met Natsuki at the same campus, Mai literally jumped in surprise and ran to meet her, squealing. Since that day, Mai did her best effort to get closer of an unwilling Natsuki and spend some time with her anytime they met.
After that much insistence, more than a month after their first meeting at the beach, Natsuki finally accepted Mai invitations and friendship attempts. At first, Natsuki thought the redhead had other motivations towards her but after a while; she realized that despite the reason, Mai was truly being friendly with her. Since she arrived to Canada, Chie had been her only friend and it was nice to develop a new relationship with someone. Mai had in fact, other interests towards her but not exactly the same that Natsuki was thinking.
"Hey! Natsuki, here we are!" Mai almost yelled, waving her hand to lead Natsuki to their position, as if Natsuki needed it to find them. She knew exactly were they were sited even before having them on sight. But it was no point in trying to explain it.
Approaching the table, Natsuki was purposely oblivious of the slyly and not so slyly gazes of the other students and teachers at the cafeteria at her, or at least, she pretended it very well.
"How are you doing today, Natsuki?" Mai greeted her more properly now she was sited with them. Mikoto was eating some ramen and only nodded at her, as usual.
"I am doing fine Mai, thanks. Reito and I are working with the upcoming examinations. Nothing really exciting, you know. What about you guys?" Natsuki was always not only the proper Japanese but the proper Japanese Warrior. Always contented, always with her emotions firmly hold, always in position. She had been trained too well by her family and her sensei at the Ryu.
Mai looked at her with thoroughness. It wasn't hard to read through Natsuki…It was just impossible.
"Mmmmm, Natsuki, I can't believe a young woman like you is having this ascetic kind of life. Come on, you need to leave out more." Mai said laying her elbows at the table and resting her chin at her hands. She looked like a little kid trying to convince her friend to do some escapade.
Before Natsuki could reply anything, Mai made her move. "Let's go out tonight, tomorrow is Saturday and you don't need to wake up early."
"I wake up early everyday, Mai. No matter the day of the week. I spend time with Duran in the morning and I also have to go to the dojo." Natsuki said seriously.
"Everyday!" Mai and Mikoto asked at the same time with the same surprised tone.
"You guys can yell it out louder so the whole University can hear about, thank you." Natsuki glared at them, but neither one of them cared that much. Maybe that was the reason Natsuki finally let them approach her. Those two seemed authentically offering friendship and comradeship.
"Ok, I am sorry about that Natsuki… But please, come with us tonight. Our friend Nao will have a presentation and I bet that you will like it." Mai said trying to convince her.
"Yes! Natsuki will like it, A LOT. Nao-san is a great dancer, come on, come with us!" Mikoto added even more enthusiastically than Mai, focusing on something else than the food for a moment. She was a very tall and good looking young woman that behaved like a kid but for what Natsuki knew she was a terrific postgraduate student. Mai was doing a postgraduate in Graphic Design while Mikoto took her postgraduate in Computing Sciences. It was kind a combination but Natsuki liked the young women that way, so she risked asking.
"Your friend… Nao?" Natsuki remembered the unpleasant and coarse redhead that completed the trio that morning at the beach quite well, but she pretended she didn't to bring out more information about Mai´s friend without directly asking.
"Yes, Natsuki… I am sure you remember Nao from the beach the other day! She is a professional dancer and today is the opening season of her dancing company with a brand new play! She will have her first main role and we want to be there to support her. I am sure she will like to have all the support we can give." Mai said with enthusiasm. "We can have diner after the presentation to celebrate."
Natsuki considered it during a while, remembering Chie's recommendations from previous days. That Nao was a cute girl and maybe was not a bad idea just go out and have some fresh air, take it lighter.
"Come on! Trust me Natsuki, she is not that bad." Mai was pleading with puppy eyes.
After a couple of minutes weighting the possibilities and expectations with inscrutable face, Natsuki conceded. "Ok, I will go with you guys."
"Great Natsuki-san!"
"Bravo, Natsuki!" Mai and Mikoto yelled again with excitement, getting everybody's attention on them again.
Kanagawa, South of Yokohama and Tokyo Metro Area.
She was taking a hot, relaxing bath. Her small place was well hidden by the forest and the hills; the house was her little refugee and her sanctuary. Close enough of Yokohama but far away enough to spend time completely alone. Nobody knew it but her. It was the little reward she allowed to herself.
She had to be strong and purposeful and her only purpose in life was revenge. She was the fire demon of revenge that was unleashed against her master's enemies. She had no life but her purpose. Despite knowing and believing that fact, sometimes the small butterfly of life flapped lightly inside her. Those days her eyes weren't empty. Those days she needed to fulfill her eyes and refresh her soul with the green of the woods surrounding her refugee. Those days her hearth was eager of something more than blood, pain and darkness but she didn't have a name for that need. Her master taught everything to her but that.
She opened her red eyes to absorb her surrounding one more time. The next step of her purpose was starting tonight so maybe she wouldn't be able to come back in a while. Closing her red eyes again and breathing deep, she moved, standing up with one fluid and continuous, effortless movement. It was the slow and deadly movement of a serpent in the water. The hot water was wringing over her ivory skin, her perfect body steaming with the temperature change. Stepping out of the traditional wood tub she walked out of the private room, not bothering in covering her nakedness, passing the opened sliding door and heading out the beautiful Japanese garden she dearly built with the same dangerous hands that killed Hitomi Helene a month ago. With every movement, the tattoo covering her back moved as with own life. A very detailed dark purple hydra with six terrible heads was living in her back as a silent mark of what she was. The six long necks waved on an intricate design that only an experimented tattoo sensei could have done. Two of the necks, undulating symmetrically over the skin of her hips, crossed her groins with the terrible heads getting hide at her upper inner thighs and ending at her most private place. It was a master piece of art. And also, a deadly one, no one could see it and live. Only the person, the one who made it for her, lived beyond. That was the sign of the sorceress.
Shizuru stood there until the water was dried of her skin, enjoying the smell of the woods, the breeze and sight of the green. After a while she walked inside the house to get dressed and to get her katana.
Vancouver, University Area.
"Congratulations, Nao-san! Your presentation was great!" Mikoto and Mai were effusively greeting and congratulating both at the same time. Natsuki remained a little bit behind them silently admiring the redhead who was a bit overwhelmed by her friends. Nao did it really well that night, Natsuki had to admit. She was graceful but strong, her performance had its own temper and she was completely keeled over the role.
While smiling and talking with Mai, Mikoto and the other people around her, congratulating her, Nao was giving sneaky gazes to the dark haired woman waiting calmly behind Mai. Natsuki was admiring Nao discretely but she wasn't hiding it.
Mai's plan was bringing the two of them to meet again in more… pleasant circumstances than the first time. During the whole month she was meeting and convincing Natsuki to get out with them, she kept telling Nao about their encounters with the young teacher and despite Nao's evident indifference, Mai was sure her friend found Natsuki attractive since that first day at the beach. Nao that bitchy only with those she liked, somehow. Mai knew it was long time ago since Nao's last date. After her mother´s death, Nao had become even more harsh and unapproachable. More than she used to be. They knew each other since childhood and after Mai got to know Natsuki better, she had the hunch that the serious and collected dark haired woman could be good for her friend. Well, that they could be good for each other, by the way. Mai was like that, always taking care of everybody.
"Hey, Natsuki come closer. Aren't you saying something to Nao?" Mai said pulling Natsuki closer grabbing her from the arm. "Wow, there is some muscle here, Natsuki-chan."
Natsuki blushed slightly at Mai's comment so when she talked to Nao, she had a blushed look, her deep green eyes brilliant and despite her confident attitude; her voice came out deep and husky. "Congratulations, Yuuki-san. Your performance was inspired and passionate. Thank you for that."
Nao felt her knees weaken at sigh and at the compliment. Everybody congratulated her but only Natsuki thanked her and somewhat, that made her feel more…happy than with any other of the congratulations. "My God, I must be very tired." She thought to herself trying to explain the light head and the increased hearth beat.
"Thanks for coming Kuga-san." She answered to Natsuki with both of them staring at each other.
Seeing her plan moving ahead fluidly, Mai hurried Nao, "Get ready Nao, we have to celebrate your success! I have reserved on the best restaurant."
The best restaurant for Mai was owned by some of her friends, of course. The food was good but the ambiance was the best of everything. They got several tables since other people of Nao's dancing company joined them; however Mai managed expertly to end up with Mikoto, Nao and Natsuki in one table. After a while talking and laughing, Mai left the two of them alone, pulling Mikoto with her to chat with the others and giving the two young women some space.
"So, Kuga…how are you doing with Mai and Mikoto?" Nao asked once they were alone, very conscious of an odd feeling at her stomach every time their eyes met, trying very hard to ignore it talking.
"They are nice, each one at their own style. I have learned to enjoy their company." Natsuki said looking at the brilliant eyes of her companion. Mai's friend's restaurant had an open terrace with trees, oil lamps nicely distributed among the tables and small candles on the tables as the only illumination, creating a cozy and intimate ambiance.
"Talking about friends, where is your fluffy friend?" Nao asked laying her elbows on the table and nearing her body to the table.
"Is he no longer a flea bag for you?" Natsuki teased at her.
Nao almost blushed at that but recovered fast to answer. "Oh, I am sure that you already washed him very thoroughly with anti-flea shampoo."
The grin was evident in both of faces and after a short while, they were both laughing releasing the tension but also acknowledging it. Green meeting green, after few seconds, Natsuki let her eyes travel slowly over Nao from the green eyes, her slightly open mouth, the curve of the neck, taking several seconds more on the small breasts and up again to the eyes. Nao felt almost touched by the intensity of the gaze.
"Enjoying the view, Kuga?" She asked with her voice two tones deeper than before.
"Certainly," was Natsuki's only answer sustaining Nao's gaze. It was long ago since she felt attracted by someone or she felt the need of intimacy.
"Would you like to say hello to Duran?" Natsuki asked calmly, not moving a muscle but with passion underneath the question.
"I guess that would be nice… for Duran, I mean." Nao answered holding her breathe. "Hell, she is asking you to go to her place, idiot! Why did you accept that easily?"
"I have my bike outside." Natsuki said, moving to stand up.
"Your bike? I thought you had a car." Nao said almost frightened. Unsure about what was most scaring; riding a bike with a stranger or the perspective of having that stranger's body in her arms. Mainly with the body that stranger had.
"Oh, I had a car. A Jeep Wrangler, but I only use it with Duran. My vehicle is my Ducati. Come on; don't tell me you are afraid of it, Yuuki. You will like it." Natsuki said grinning evilly. "Think better the next time you want to call Duran a flea bag".
Nao was caught; she didn't really have a good reason to deny, so she finally stood up asking, "Should we advise Mai and Mikoto?"
"Should we?" Natsuki asked calmly and as Nao hesitated, Natsuki extended her hand grabbing Nao's, walking across the tables without saying a word to anyone. It was a strange feeling for Nao but she accepted. The view of the two young and beautiful smiling young women walking on the subdued illumination was breathtaking. When they were finally at Natsuki's ducati, Nao held her breath. Natsuki's bike was imposing, big and in dark deep blue.
"Are you sure you can drive that?" Nao asked with her heart beating faster.
Natsuki only laughed and mounted; taking the extra helmet she always had with her, she handed it to Nao. Chie was the only one who ever have ridden with her but now it proved to be helpful.
Just few seconds before Nao could put it in, Mai showed up at the restaurant entrance almost running, followed by Mikoto.
"Hey you guys, where are you going without telling us?" She was surprised to see Nao with Natsuki, for a moment she tough the two of them had an argument or something but now, she was not sure. She didn't know but her plan was going better than she expected. If fact, it was no longer her plan.
"Nao-san will go with me to say Duran hello," was Natsuki only answer and Nao felt that she was blushing under Mai's surprised gaze.
"That's great; can we go with you guys? I would like to see Duran too!" Mikoto said enthusiastically and Mai turned to see her tall friend almost wanting to hit her.
"Mikoto!...We can't go!"
"Why?" the alluded asked truly intrigued.
"Because… because we haven't finish our project and we had to speak of it Monday on class," pulling Mikoto's arm she moved to get into the restaurant again but she was unable to move her friend a single inch.
"Wait Mai, are you saying that we will let Nao-san alone with Natsuki-san?" Mikoto said frowning and looking seriously at Natsuki.
Natsuki was very amused but Mai and Nao were but blushing as caught in the middle of something embarrassing.
"Don't worry, Mikoto-san. I promise I will take care of Nao-san. It will be only a short ride and I will take her to her place safely." Natsuki assured to the tall young woman since she noticed how important Nao was for her. Natsuki and Mikoto stared at each other during few seconds. Mikoto liked Natsuki but adored Nao and she was naive but not idiot. Natsuki looked serious enough about what she was saying.
"And you will take care of her well?" the frown in Mikoto´s face was a bit threatening but Natsuki didn't take it personally.
"I will."
"Ok." Mikoto conceded. "See you tomorrow then, guys?"
Then it was Natsuki's turn to offer something in return.
"Yes, why don't you guys stop by the dojo tomorrow? One Saturday at month we have an open house. It's my partner's idea about disseminate Japanese culture through martial arts. We demonstrate techniques, explain them and tell some of the history. I think you will like it."
Mikoto but mostly Mai were speechless. That had been the longest sentence coming from Natsuki that they have heard since they met.
"Yes… that sounds like a plan, then." Mai said cheerfully, her plan was going even better than she expected.
They made the final agreements for the next day and then, Mai was finally able to drag Mikoto into the restaurant again and let the others go.
Alone again, Natsuki looked at Nao who hadn't spoke in the whole time and waited.
"Shall we go?" Natsuki said putting her helmet on and getting ready to have Nao on her back.
The redhead eased her mind thinking that she had gone too far to say no right now, so she steeled herself, put the helmet on and mounted on Natsuki's back.
"Have you done this before?" Natsuki asked, thinking just after that her question might have two edges. It will be interesting to see which one Nao will choose to answer.
"No…I haven't. I have never mounted on a bike …or accepted to go with a stranger at her place that easily, if that's what you are asking Kuga."
Natsuki smiled under the helmet, "Hold on strong, Yuuki."
When Natsuki powered up the Ducati, Nao felt a shiver running at her back and instinctively pull herself closer to Natsuki's body, strengthening her hold on her waist.
"That's fine, keep it that way and enjoy the ride." Natsuki said literally taking off.
It was a short ride to her place from there so Natsuki took the long way using the shoreline road, keeping the speed it not too fast as for frighten her passenger but enough to be consider a good first experience.
Natsuki had a nice house at the beach, small and modest but beautifully built. Nao was surprised when they took the cul-de-sac to Natsuki's main entrance. A professor at the University may not have enough money to buy a house like this one.
"So what do you think of the ride?" Natsuki asked removing her helmet and extending her hand to take Nao´s. She took care of both items and waved Nao to get into the house.
"Well, I have to admit that it was nice Kuga. You are a good driver. Do you do it faster when you are alone?"
Natsuki looked back at her a bit surprised. "Yes, I do it faster."
"Uhmmm, I suppose I have to thank you for be considered with me. I knew that deep there you were kind and gentle under that rough exterior." Nao said grinning.
"I was not being kind! I was just being careful." Natsuki protested blushing a bit but they didn't have much time to keep on the teasing and counter teasing because as soon as she opened the door, Duran jumped up waving his tail, greeting Natsuki and then focusing his happiness in greeting Nao.
"Take it easy pal." Nao said and for Natsuki´s surprise, her guest was patting Duran's head gently, cherishing him behind the ears and letting her hands run over his smooth fur, smiling. Natsuki was staring at her thinking that she should smile that way more frequently, she looked younger and definitely, beautiful. Natsuki could not help herself but look at Nao's butt while she inclined to pat Duran again.
"Did you lose something Kuga?" Nao said straightening and driving Natsuki to make eye contact with her again.
Natsuki was caught with the hands on. Or the eyes, for that matter, but still managed to answer steadily.
"Not yet." Natsuki smiled, "Come on with me Yuuki, I want to show you something."
While walking inside Natsuki's house Nao took time to admire the minimalist, very Japanese furniture and design. Natsuki's taste was sober and discreet. The house had an interesting modern design inspired on the traditional Japanese house, with a spacious living room with very few pieces of furniture in polished wood, mostly Japanese tables strategically located with lamps and without inner walls, just partial wood and paper panels as divisions.
What caught Nao's well educated eye was the absence of adornments. Natsuki only had a few calligraphy prints, that looked old and original, and weapons. Nao´s eyes were got almost immediately by a special set of swords on top of a table, getting closer to them; she slid her finger very carefully and smoothly on the brilliant sheath. She wasn't an expert but being raised in a Japanese wealthy family gave her an extended cultural background.
Raising her head to meet Natsuki's eyes she pointed, "These daishō are originals."
"Yes, they are. Nao-san please meet "Ginsei no Ookami", my long sword. Together, the two of them are known as "Shinu Ookami" since a couple of centuries ago. My father gave them to me as a present when I started my formal Ninjutsu training in Japan." Natsuki said formally as if she was introducing a beloved and respected friend.
"Wolves, uh." Nao was feeling more and more intrigued by this woman. She didn't seem to be concerned to have her, a stranger at her house. She looked confident and calm. They were clearly attracted for each other but she wasn't trying to impress her or to get into her panties as soon as possible. Natsuki was just being her.
Natsuki by her own felt surprised that Nao actually knew enough about katanas to not make stupid questions or to try to remove them from the case.
"They are beautiful Kuga and your place too."
"Thank you very much, Nao-san. Come on; let's go outside, to the back yard."
During the short walk to the back yard, they passed the bedroom space and Nao could not avoid taking a glimpse at room and the big bed on the penumbra. Walking behind Natsuki, Nao had all the freedom to admire her host's well shaped figure, the sharp angles of her shoulders, her slender but well defined back; she could imagine herself perfectly sliding her fingers on that back.
Outside, Nao got an outstanding view of the sea. Natsuki had chosen that place more for the view than any other thing. Taking Nao's hand, she pulled the redhead gently to walk with her. Nao open her mouth to say something but a sudden bump at her butt, more specifically between her buttocks make her jump and literally, fall into Natsuki's arms.
"Hey, you! Kuga you shall teach Duran that he can't do that," and pointing Duran at the snout, "Bad dog, touching people's butt like that is VERY bad manners."
Still holding Nao close to her body, Natsuki teased her, "Well, I can't say I don't understand him. Maybe I will do the same to you…if I was in his place, of course."
Now was Nao's turn to blush. Natsuki was taller than her and her holding was firm but gentle. They locked gazes; Nao looked puzzled as if confronting opposite feelings between Natsuki's arms but wasn't really trying to get apart.
Natsuki didn't want to ruin a nice evening rushing anything, so she didn't try to go further and just raised a hand to slide a finger on Nao's cheek very gently; then she took the redhead's hand and pulled her to the shoreline for a walk.
Nao almost regretted being released but after a while she felt more comfortable and internally, felt grateful that Natsuki was taking the things with slow pace. For the first time in months, in years maybe, Nao felt really attracted by someone.
They spend almost an hour walking at sand with Duran, just watching the sky and the sea, talking, teasing and flirting at each other every now and then, just enjoying each other company without expecting anything. It was refreshing for both of them.
Despite she enjoyed the ride at the bike; Nao convinced Natsuki to give her ride back home at the Wrangler taking Duran with them. So, a very happy Duran was standing at the back of the Jeep, with his big head in the middle of the front seats. Nao laughed all the way to her place while they talked and found she was content watching the regularly serious Natsuki smiling too.
When Natsuki parked in front of Nao's building in a pretty nice area of Vancouver, she wondered how a dancer could afford an apartment like that in that area of the city. A tense silence was floating between them, Natsuki knew Nao will not ask her to get in but Nao seemed to be conflicted again so Natsuki decided to help her a bit.
"Thank you for a very pleasant evening, Yuuki-san. Your performance was great and well, it has been very long since I had visits at my place, having you was really…nice"
"It was a pleasant evening for me too, Kuga…and just call me Nao, would you?" Nao was still thinking if she should ask her to get in or something. She felt that just a handshake would be an understatement of what they both know were feeling.
Blushing, she looked deep into Natsuki's eyes trying to make a decision but again, Natsuki did it for her. Cherishing Nao's cheek gently she said, "Keep it for our first date."
"Keep what, Kuga?"
"The kiss," Natsuki said smiling and blushing as well despite her confident attitude.
"So, you are so sure I am going to kiss you?" Nao grinned but felt an odd feeling at her stomach by knowing that Natsuki wanted the same as her.
"I am sure I am going to kiss you." Natsuki said smiling. The tension was gone now and they were in a playful mood. Good. She will be ready for that date. Nao didn't deny that they will be having one.
"Watch out Kuga, even if you are a deadly warrior I know how to stop harriers". Saying an enthusiast goodbye to Duran messing his fur with on hand, Nao kissed her other hand's finger and put it in Natsuki's cheek quickly and then left the car.
On her way to her building entrance, she turned to say sensually, "Be good kids until tomorrow, will you?" and then getting in, smiling all the way to her apartment.
"It seems that I will have my first date in this country, my friend." Natsuki told Duran and smiled all the way back to her place.
About the same time, but more than 4,500 miles away in Tokyo, the general CEO of Yuuki Enterprises, Nao's father, Masamune Yuuki was getting the news that a second assassination had occurred in his corporate offices. Some executives had found the body of other executive VP with the same strange mutilations.
Despite the grievousness of the situation he glared severely at his young assistant, a slender young woman. He was having a late lunch at his penthouse with his fiance and having such details was very rude and inappropriate. He was very concerned; first it was Hitomi Helene and now, his VP of Operations and one of his best friends, Kenji Suzushiro. He can't let anybody but him to give that news to Kenji's only daughter and Masamune's protegee, Haruka. In addition, he had to keep to police and the press out of this at any price.
"Ara, ara, Yuuki-san, you are looking so concerned, maybe my presence is a nuisance for you?" The beautiful woman, elegantly dressed with a fine kimono, asked him.
"Of course no, my beautiful Shizuru. I apologize; I have some problems at the corporation. Unexpected and very unpleasant problems I should say. I have to give bad news to someone I care very much". Masamune said trying to compose his features for his fiancé's tranquility.
"Do you care about this person more than you care about me?" She asked innocently, looking hurt by the possibility.
"No, my dear, I don't care for anyone more than I care for you. Please don't worry with this. Everything will be fine. Let me set up some things with Yukino and I will be back with you for the rest of the day. We won't have more interruptions." Masamune stood up taking the beautiful woman hand, kissing it gently.
Once Masamune got out the dining room with Yukino, Shizuru relaxed back at her comfortable seat, thinking, "It took them a while to find you Suzushiro-san. I trust I honored you properly as I did with Helene-san. "
She sipped the hot green tea, regretting that they were not having a traditional tea ceremony. Yuuki-san had a very western behavior for some things. She could not wait to meet his young daughter. Nao was her name. She was one of the last ones on her list but they will meet inevitably, when the right time will come.
Closing her red eyes and relaxing her polite mask a bit, Shizuru allowed herself to think on the last item on her list; picturing the images she had memorized of her master's worst enemy: Kuga, Natsuki Kuga.
Thanks for reading.