Honestly I didn't think I would have many people read and enjoy this story. SO thank you readers, I really appreciated :D
As I was writing, I was thinking about making a prequeal to this. I don't know, give me a yeah or nay on the idea please :)
To the Uknown reader who made this omake for me:
U: Holy-
Shizuru: Ara. Not in front of my baby.
Natsuki: Shizuru, Shizuka is at your parents house.
Shizuru: Yes, I know that Na-tsu-ki. *sly grin*
Natsuki: ...gulp *blush*
U and Shizuru: Awwww
Natsuki: S-shut-up!
I really liked it. Made me laugh, can you do another one please :D
Thank You
Here we go
Change of Pace
"...M-Mom?"
"Natsuki..."
The two duplicates continued to stare at each other as I stood on the sidelines. I saw Natsuki's hand twitch for a moment, never a good sign. Saeko, my mother-in-law, looked nervous as a growing glare appeared on Natsuki's face. Saeko noticed this and whatever kind of hesitation she had, grew even more.
"N...Natsuki..."
"Why are you here?"
Saeko was taken a back by the anger that could be hinted in Natsuki's voice. She took control of herself and stood her ground.
"May I come in?"
"What makes you think-"
"Natsuki." I slightly glared at her as I interrupted her.
She looked at me, the glare less intense than before. She paused for a moment before sighing in defeat and moved away from the door. I'm glad I still have Natsuki under my spell, I remember that cold icy stare. I wouldn't wish that glare on anyone. I turned to Saeko and tired to smile. I wanted to get along with Saeko but she did hurt Natsuki...she did make Natsuki cold before I met and changed her.
Why did she come here after all these years?
"Please, come in."
Saeko stepped into our home and followed me to the dining room where Natsuki sat at the table. Saeko sat on the opposite side and I saw near Natsuki. I could feel the tension that was about to erupt.
"You...look well." Saeko started.
"Why are you here?" Natsuki repeated.
"I...I wanted to see you."
I looked at Saeko and realized why she had showed up today. She wanted...wants to make amends with Natsuki. I looked over at Natsuki and saw a dark expression I used to know grow on her face.
"Maybe you should of thought about that before you abandon me." Natsuki's voice grew dark.
"I know, and you have every right to hate me."
"What makes you think I don't hate you?"
"Natsuki!" I could hardly believe what she was saying.
"I know...I just-" Saeko began to speak.
"What? You came back 13 years later just to apologize? I think its I bit too late for that," Natsuki stood up, "Here let me show you the door so I can get you out of my life for good."
"Natsuki that's enough!" I stood up feeling angry at the way Natsuki was treating her mother.
"What?"
"Natsuki despite the fact she abandoned you, your mother came back. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"It means shit to me!"
"Look I'll just go." Saeko stood up.
"Why don't you?" Natsuki hissed.
"Both of you sit down." I felt my voice fill in with venom.
The duplicates sat down, the younger one more worried than the other. I smiled and rose up from my seat.
"I'm going to make tea."
I retreated to the kitchen to find the tea, and to calm myself down. I hate it when my darker side come out. It tends to hurt people. Even Natsuki.
I was reaching for a bag of tea when someone I love was walking towards me. I smiled at Shizuka, my anger disappearing as she began to suck on her blanket she had in her hands. I guess Natsuki wasn't finished dressing her as she was just in her t-shirt.
"Want to help me make tea?" I asked.
She just looked up at me with a blank face. I smiled as she continued to walk. I noticed talking coming from the living room, Shizuka noticed too and began to walk in that direction.
"Shizuka." I walked after her.
Shizuka entered the living room and noticed the two duplicates. I think she's confused as there are now two mamas sitting in the room. I looked at Saeko as she put a hand to her mouth.
"Who...who is this?" Saeko asked.
Natsuki turned in her chair and put her arms out for Shizuka. Our baby made a giggling sound as she walked over to Natsuki. Holding her close Natsuki placed a kiss on Shizuka's head before looking at Saeko.
"This is Shizuka Kuga, my daughter."
Saeko stood up and turned away. Shizuka noticed and had her full attention on her.
"I...I just came back to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything," Saeko turned her head towards Natsuki, "I hurt you, and there's no way I'll ever be able to fix that. It's too late, but I at least wanted to apologize. That's why I came looking for you."
She looked at me, I looked back at her.
"Thank you...for loving my daughter."
I wanted to say something, but no words came to mind. She walked a few steps forward before she spoke again.
"You have a beautiful family..." She began to leave.
"M-Mama!"
Natsuki looked down at Shizuka who dropped her blanket and extended her arms in Saeko's direction. Saeko stopped and looked back before she closed the door behind her. Shizuka had her arms extended out towards Saeko, her face almost on the edge of crying.
"Shizuka..." Natsuki looked down at Shizuka who was trying to get out of her arms.
Natsuki gently placed Shizuka on the ground. Our daughter quickly walked towards Saeko with tears running down her face. Saeko slightly let herself back into the house and knelt down to Shizuka.
"Mama!" Shizuka wrapped her arms around Saeko's leg.
I looked over at Natsuki and saw her staring at Saeko and Shizuka. I thought for a moment she was going blow up, but I saw something different.
She rose up from her chair and walked over to Saeko and Shizuka. Hearing the footsteps, Saeko looked up at her daughter and waited for hate filled words.
Instead Natsuki extended a hand to her.
XXXX
"Natsuki." I heard my name from behind me.
I turned around and saw Shizuru pick up Shizuka.
"Shizuka and I are going for a walk. Call me when everything is finished." Shizuru placed a quick kiss on my cheek.
"Wait what?" I watched her quickly walk out the door.
I felt alone, especially when my mother was still here. I looked up at her...why did Shi-
Oh...I see.
I took a deep breath and leaned against the wall. My mother took a deep breath too.
"Nats-"
"Why did you leave?" I interrupted her.
She remained silent, I wonder what kind of lame excuse she's trying to make up. I glared up at her, she seemed intimidated by it.
"I...I left...Natsuki I was foolish to leave you I know. But try to understand please."
"What's there to understand? You left me at the hospital and never came for me! When you abandon me I became heartless, cold bitch to everyone who got in my way."
"I'm sorry. I know...it was wrong but I was a young mother taking care of you by myself. I was 25, I was stupid."
"That's no excuse...if I were you back then-"
"What would you have done," She glared at me, "Do you even remember the life we were living? Living in the torn down house, barely having enough to eat, I was almost to the point of selling myself."
I did remember life being hard when I was a kid. But the anger in me wouldn't die.
"I love you, I did what I thought was right." My mother responded.
"By letting them put me in a orphanage? What gave you the idea that was any better than that house we lived in?"
"You had food didn't you? A roof over your head?"
"Life in an orphanage is no carnival."
"I know...but there would have been a slight chance someone better than me would have adopted you."
"But still-"
"Do you love Shizuka?" My mother asked.
"Of course I for. More than anything. But why are you-"
"Being a mother, you would do anything to protect her?"
Of course I would, I would do anything to protect her. I would destroy anyone who would try and harm her. Give her anything to give her a better childhood than what I had...
I turned my back to her. I didn't want to face the fact that somewhere in the back of my mind I would have done something similar for Shizuka.
"Look...I'll just say this because it's the right thing to do and Shizuru won't come back until I sat this."
My mother looked at me as I turned my face to her.
"I forgive you."
XXXX
"Natsuki?" I tapped her shoulder.
"Mmm?" She didn't turn around to face me.
"Natsuki?" I tapped her again.
"Mmm?" She somewhat moved the covers.
"Natsuki?"
She sighed and turned around to face me. I gave her smile, she seemed a bit confused.
"I'm so proud of you." I laid my head on her shoulder.
"Proud?"
"You finally have forgiven your mother, despite that she had hurt you so."
Natsuki laid a hand on my head and began to pet me.
"Yeah...I guess so. But...I couldn't have done it without you."
I smiled to myself as I wrapped my arms around her.
"Natsuki?"
"Mmm?"
"Let's go on a date."
"A date?"
"Yeah, just the two of us."
"Okay...what about Shizuka?"
I chuckled at my Natsuki's love for Shizuka.
"As much as I love Shizuka, we need some time for ourselves every now and then."
"I guess..."
"Does my Natsuki already miss Shizuka?"
"No, I mean yes, um aaa..." I smiled at her frustration.
"Kanin na."
"So I guess we'll have to get a babysitter?"
"Actually I was thinking-"
"No. I refuse."
"But she-"
"I said no." She slightly glared at me.
Ara, ara...
XXXX
"If something goes wrong, just call these numbers. The first one is her pediatrician, the second one is Shizuru's parent's house, the third one is my cell number, the fourth one is Shizuru's number, the fifth one-"
"Natsuki let's go." I felt Shizuru tug at my arm impatiently.
"I just want-" I began.
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of Shizuka," My mother smiled as she held my baby in her arms, "Right Zuka?"
"Mama!" Shizuka smiled at her.
"No she's grandma." I reminded Shizuka.
"Natsuki, ikezu she's barely one." Shizuru smiled.
"She could at least tell the difference between her grandmother and her real mother." I pouted.
"Like I said, she's only a year old." Shizuru chuckled.
"Just go have fun on your date. Don't worry about a thing." Saeko said.
I rose an eyebrow at my mother. I'm still in the doubt about my mother. I know I really shouldn't hate her, but the old me just won't let that go yet. Though there is still that small part of me that wants to bond with her again.
"Fine, just don't hurt my child." I turned my attention to Shizuka.
"Don't worry Shizuka, me and mama will be back." Shizuru placed a quick kiss on Shizuka's head.
Shizuka put her hand on her mouth and gave us an air kiss.
"Bye bye." She smiled.
I think my heart melted just hearing that.
As we walked away from the house, I felt my heart racing. Why am I so damn nervous?
"Natsuki, I want to show you something." Shizuru gripped my hand a little tighter.
"All right." I sighed.
"Natsuki."
"Mmm?" I looked at her.
"Don't worry about Shizuka. She'll be okay."
"Right..." I sighed.
I was totally against my mother looking after my precious child. There was no way, no how she was going to get near my baby girl.
Or so I thought.
I almost forgot that Shizuru has this cunning way of getting what she wants from me.
"Here we are."
I snapped back into reality and saw something amazing.
"Do you remember this place?" Shizuru asked.
"Remember it? Damn I almost feel like I'm back in college." I smiled at the place she had brought me to.
"Shall we?" She offered her hand for me to take.
I smiled as I took her hand. This is where we met for the first time, the food market. Lame place I know, but really this is were we first met. Probably cause its the cheapest and nearest to the university we attended. That and this store still sales mayonnaise.
"Wow, still smells the same."
"Even after all these years." Shizuru smiled.
"Hey we're not that old."
"Well, we've been married for almost two years. Before that we've known each other for about 4 years before we were married. A total of 6 years."
"We're not that old."
"Ara, at least I'm not." Shizuru stuck her tongue out at me.
"Hey your older than me." I wrapped my arms around her.
"Only by a year." She chuckled.
I smiled as we walked down a certain aisle. I felt myself smile when I saw the thing I craved most besides Shizuru.
"Where have you been all my life my mayonnaise?"
"Away from my Natsuki, except when you were pregnant, but today I suppose I can make an exception." Shizuru responded.
"Wait really? No kidding?"
"Just this once and only one bottle."
I took advantage of this very rare opportunity and grabbed the biggest bottle of mayonnaise I could find. Since we were married I promised Shizuru I'd lay off the mayo. So it's kind of a forbidden condiment in our kitchen. Though I did have a major craving for it when I was pregnant with Shizuka so there was an exception.
"Okay, ready." I smiled with a large jar of mayonnaise in my hands.
"Ara." Shizuru sighed but smiled.
We left the market, me holding hands with Shizuru and the other hand the other holding the bag with the precious mayonnaise.
"Alright, next." Shizuru directed me.
"Eh? Where are we going?" I kept up with her pace.
"You'll see." She smiled.
As we were walking I saw something that caught my attention.
"Oh! I want an ice cream." I noticed an ice cream stand nearby.
"Ara, I would have expected that from someone like our Shizuka." Shizuru chuckled.
"Well I figured we could share one, but okay if you think its childish we can go." I smiled and dragged Shizuru away from the ice cream stand.
Next thing I know I'm holding an ice cream cone with vanilla and sitting on a bench with Shizuru.
"Well that got me an ice cream quick." I grinned.
"Our ice cream." She grabbed the ice cream.
"Hey you already had your lick!" I complained.
"Ara, learn to share Natsuki." Shizuru began to lick the ice cream.
I watched her lick the ice cream and smiled at the thought that entered my head. When the ice cream was far enough from her face, I quickly tapped the cone and left ice cream on Shizuru's face. I laughed as she kind of gave me an evil glare.
"Sorry, couldn't help it."
"Nat-" Shizuru began to speak.
"Here, let me clean you up."
I gathered up some of the ice cream on her cheek with my tongue. I almost chuckled when I saw a pink tint color come across her cheek. I slowly swallowed the ice cream and looked up at her. She looks so cute trying to hide that blush of hers.
"You taste so sweet." I licked off a small splash of ice cream I missed on her cheek.
She smiled and leaned in closer to me. I leaned in closer and felt her soft lips brush against mine. Suddenly my phone began to ring. I sighed as we parted so I could answer my phone. I looked at who was calling me and began to panic.
"Mom? What's wrong with Shizuka?"
"Nothing, just wanted to let you know that Shizuka's okay."
I felt my eye twitch for some reason.
"Mom, please don't call me unless its an emergency."
"Fine, fine. I just figured you'd like to know that your daughter is okay."
"Good to hear, okay bye."
I closed my phone and ended the conversation.
"Is Shizuka okay?" Shizuru looked a little worried.
"She's fine, my mom just wanted to let me know that."
"Ara, that's good to know." She sighed.
"Now, where were we?" I put a hand to her cheek and gently turned her head towards me.
"I think you were about to kiss me." She smiled and leaned towards me.
"I think so too." I placed my lips on hers.
It was soft and slow, usually how I liked it. Then our kiss began to escalate and get harder, like Shizuru liked it. I felt her thumb slightly rub my chin before she began to pull it down to slightly open my mouth. I pushed her away a little and felt my cheeks burn.
"Shizuru we can't do tongue out here!"
"Why not?" She pouted.
"Because...its a little embarrassing."
"So Natsuki can lick ice cream off my face but I can't give Natsuki a deep kiss? Ikezu!" Shizuru pouted.
"Um...well uh..." I felt my cheeks burn even more. She did have a point.
I heard her chuckle as she gave me a kiss on my forehead.
"Kanin na, okay no tongue in public."
"Sorry."
"That's okay, besides I might get too distracted not to take you where I intended to." She smiled as she took my hand and stood up.
"Where are we going now?"
"Just wait a moment my love." She smiled at me.
I smiled back and gripped her hand a little tighter. As we walked hand in hand I noticed a familiar sight up ahead.
"Is this date a walk down memory lane?"
"Maybe."
I smiled at the ramen shop that was before us. It was the place of our first date.
"Shall we?" Shizuru smiled.
"Of course."
"Iktademas!"
"Smells just as good as last time."
"It is."
I began to eat my ramen as Shizuru began to drink her tea. I smiled, I think both from Shizuru and the ramen.
"So what's up with going to all the first time places?" I asked.
"I thought it would be nice, especially when our anniversary is coming up soon."
I felt my heart pause for a moment. Anniversary? Oh crap, I almost forgot.
"Did you forget, my Nat~su~ki?"
I knew that tone, she made it sound cute but if I say I forgot I'm screwed.
"Of course I didn't, come on babe we're about to be married for 3 years. I would never forget something like our anniversary."
"Good." She smiled at me.
Looks like I stalled my death sentence for awhile.
We began to leave the ramen shop when I noticed the sky was darkening.
"It looks like rain." Shizuru stared up at the sky.
"Geez..."
"There's one more place I want to show you, come on."
She grabbed my hand and ran forward. I chuckled as I ran with her. I felt the rain coming down lightly on me, not that I cared. Shizuru is with me.
I realized where Shizuru had brought us. We entered the abandon building and began to walk up the stairs.
"Is this still safe?"
"Yes, but I wanted to go to the roof one last time before they tear it down."
"They're tearing this place down? Why?"
"Money issues." We reached the top.
I looked out into the open and saw our city along with the several parks. I felt Shizuru let go of my hand as she took a few step closer to the edge.
"My favorite place in town. This...this is where our first fight ended."
"Yeah...I remember now. I remember that, we were so mad at each other." I walked closer to her as I felt the light rain fall on us.
"I remember, we were yelling so loud at each other."
"Yeah..."
"But this was-"
I turned her around and cupped her face with my hands.
"I know." I smiled.
She smiled as she leaned in and kissed my lips. I kissed her back, but only softly. This wasn't a place for a rough kiss.
This was the place we shared our first kiss.
XXXX
"We're back." I locked the door behind me.
"Oh, your back." My mother looked up from a book she was reading.
"Where's Shizuka?" I asked.
"She's taking a nap. She should be waking up soon." My mother stood up.
"I'll go check up on her." Shizuru walked away.
My mother and I were alone, it was a bit eerie. She coughed and grabbed my attention.
"She's a lot like you, your Shizuka."
"I think she's more like her mother."
"Maybe, you can never tell at that age." She smiled.
I tried to smiled back but I think it died.
"Well...I better get going." She gathered her things.
"Yeah...I guess."
"I enjoyed spending time with Shizuka. She's a beautiful little girl." She touched the handle of the door.
"You...you should come by more often. She is your granddaughter you know."
"I'd like that." She smiled at me.
I think I gave her a small smile
Maybe.
XXXX
I held back the scream I had in my throat. After the waves died down I laid back on my pillow and held Shizuru close to me. I felt her heavy breathing on my neck as I wrapped my legs around her. I heard a small chuckle and felt a small kiss on my neck. She wrapped her arms around me once her breathing and mine began to calm down.
"I...I l-love you." I gasped out.
"I love you too." She whispered.
I smiled and began to kiss her lips once more. I rolled her over making myself on top of my beloved. We parted lips and I began to slowly kiss her neck, enjoying the small noises she was making. I lightly bit the base of her neck as her hands began to caresses my back. I began to kiss lower on her body, between her breast, her stomach, her navel, all the way to the inside of her leg. I placed one last kiss near her knee before I looked up at her. She was trying to hold back the moans as she smiled at me. I decided to show her mercy and went back to her face.
"I had fun today." I wrapped my arms around her and laid by her side.
"Me too." She kissed my forehead.
"Let's go on another date."
"Okay."
"Let's take Shizuka with us next time."
"Ara, ara." She chuckled.
XXXX
"Okay, ready to go?" I asked as I finished dressing Shizuka.
She just smiled and made a cooing sound. I smiled and picked her up. Shizuru was waiting outside with the stroller. She smiled at me and Shizuka when we arrived.
"How's my little hime?" Shizuru smiled as I put Shizuka on the ground.
"A new nick name?" I asked.
"Do you object?" Shizuru asked as Shizuka walked over to her.
"Not at all." I smiled as Shizuka began to cling onto Shizuru's leg.
"Where to, my lady?" Shizuru slightly bowed.
"Eh, just a stroll in town," I then noticed Shizuka walking away from us, "Oi Speedy, get back here."
So there we were, Shizuka in her stroller while I was pushing it alongside Shizuru. I was happy being with my family like this. Nothing could top this.
"Natsuki?"
"Yeah?"
"I just realized that Shizuka's almost about to be two."
"But that's 5 months from now."
"I know...but its heartbreaking."
"How so?"
"She's growing up so fast. I feel like it was just yesterday she was just born."
I smiled and placed a quick kiss on her cheek.
"Yeah, our little hime."
"Ne Natsuki."
"Yeah?"
"My mother is still wondering when she's going to meet her other grandchildren."
"Uh...did you say not any time soon?"
"Ara, she's just like me. Stubborn."
I groaned but I heard Shizuka giggle and smiled.
"Does Natsuki not want any more children?"
"No I do, its just are we ready to have more kids?"
"Sure why not?"
"Shizuka's only a year old, we would have to take care of her and a newborn. I mean we do have more experience now but it won't be easy."
"I know, I'll be with you every step of the way though." She smiled.
I sighed and continued to push Shizuka's stroller.
"Well...I guess we could start-"
"Tonight?" Shizuru smiled seductively.
"Um, maybe." I felt my cheeks burn.
"Good because my mother and father are coming over and they want to have Shizuka all to their selves for a few days."
"Wait, what?"
"That way you won't wake her up with your loud love noises." She chuckled.
I felt the burn grow hotter.
"Mama."
"Eh?" I looked down at Shizuka.
"Out, out." She wave her arms back and forth.
That's another word she learned. She usually hates being in the stroller so one day she spoke her mind. It was cute.
Shizuru sighed and let Shizuka out of her stroller. She let out a giggle being set free from the stroller. She began to walk forward with Shizuru besides her.
"Why do we even have this stroller?" I asked as I began to fold it.
"For our future children." Shizuru smiled.
More children? I sighed to myself as I put the now folded stroller under my arm. Not that I don't want more kids but-
"Mama." I heard Shizuka call out for me.
I looked up and saw her smile. She put her hand to her mouth and gave me an air kiss. I smiled and felt my heart melt once more.
Maybe...maybe we should give Shizuka a sibling.
Thanks for reading! R&R please