Disclaimer: I do not own Sunrise or any of its creations.

Three Wishes or You

Chapter 2

Nimara

The next morning I woke tangled in bed sheets, the comforter and pillows on the floor, and my clothing soaked in sweat. There were not many mornings that passed where things were different, and this was one of the better mornings. Sometimes I would wake in the middle of the night, the dreams still tangible at my fingers. I had slept through last night and that was a godsend in itself. I always passed the mirrors without looking in them as I made my way to the shower. I knew all that I would see staring back at me was a red-eyed, tear stained face. Long ago, I learned to quickly forget the dreams of the previous night as soon as I woke, but there was always visible evidence of their effect. Though, a hot shower always seemed to bring enough life back into me to go through the rest of my day.

It was a Saturday and I had a student coming a little past midday to practice lessons in etiquette. I always found these lessons an enjoyable part of my week, despite how patient I had to be with the children. On the rare occasion I accepted to tutored girls, and maybe a boy or two, in the rules of formal etiquette. This included, among other things, mannerisms, tea ceremony, flower arranging, and how to write calligraphy that rivaled imperial scholars.

I donned a casual lavender yukuta and went to the kitchen. My bare feet padded softly across the wood and the first thing that caught my attention was the blue tea pot on the counter. It had not moved or done anything strange. It was simply just there, clear evidence that whatever nonsense had occurred yesterday had indeed occurred. I did not see the Genie anywhere nor feel the warm wind that I had come to accept as her presence. More importantly, I did not see any floating kettles. With everything in place, I went through my regular daily routine.

At one point, right before my student arrived, curiosity got the better of me. Finishing off my tea, I went over to the cursed tea pot and lifted the lid. I peered down inside. I expected to see a little mini living room and a tiny Natsuki walking around inside but I just saw the dry stone walls of the pot. I picked the tea pot up and peered down the spout, which was empty. The doorbell ceased my foolish behavior and I placed the top back on the tea pot, curiosity sated.

My student, Rin-chan, was an aspiring teenage actress. She had the exact specifications of a classic Japanese beauty except that she lacked ample amounts of grace. Many of her roles were in dramas or historical movies and required much knowledge of old traditional culture. She was a regular student of mine, working lesson by lesson with me on how to be more graceful in everything she did. For our recent lessons, though, we concentrated on the procedures of a tea ceremony. Her character was supposed to perform a perfect tea ceremony as a part of one of the plot's climatic points. I was grateful she was a hard worker with steady determinacy because a perfect tea ceremony was extremely difficult to pull off.

The lesson went off without any snags and like usual, Rin-chan made great improvement. More than often, I found myself peering around my surroundings and over my shoulder to see if a certain blue-haired Genie was lurking about. To my relief, Natsuki did not make herself known or cause a disturbance of any kind. In my mind I wondered if the Genie was visible to others besides me or if she could remain invisible without me knowing.

During most of the lesson my mind was not on my student but on Natsuki and the wishes. As I quietly watched my student perform the tea ceremony countless times, my mind explored the idea of the mystical being. It was not until I escorted Rin-chan to the front door did I hear the distant jingle of Natsuki's earrings. Suddenly I was anxious to see her. I was not sure why but I figured it was because I had just spent four hours with nothing better to think about. She was in the kitchen, sitting at the table when I came in.

At the sight of her, my memory of when I last saw her was triggered. When she gave me warning about resurrecting the dead her eyes were lifeless and the both of us had shared a moment of grief. My heart throbbed dully at remembering her words of caution. She did not say she couldn't return life to an individual. All she said was not to. So it was possible...but what was the cost? It was more than just a wish, by the looks of it. I would have liked to question Natsuki on the meaning behind her words but she had clearly ended the topic with no room for discussion.

Yesterday, as I spoke to her, I had thought of everything I wanted. The conclusion was that my most desirable wish was to have her back in my arms again. I would give anything...

"Fujino." My head snapped up and I realized I had spaced out for several moments in front of Natsuki. Her eyes were narrowed at me and I automatically placed a smile on my face. On the inside though, my body had run cold at my thoughts.

"Good afternoon, Natsuki-san." Another pot of tea would do me some good.

She lazed back in the wooden chair and gave me a once-over. I had forgotten that I was still wearing my yukata. "Do you honestly enjoy that dull shit?"

It was instinctive of me to inwardly cringe at her brutish language. "What dull things?"

"I wasn't sure what I was hearing at first when your student came but sure enough you were actually going to practice tea ceremony and manners for four hours straight. Four hours? I pegged you for a boring woman but this is a bit too much."

I could see a smirk tug at her lips as she criticized me and knew she was more amused by my lifestyle than alarmed.

"A perfect tea ceremony is a show of intelligence, grace, and peace of mind." I admonished but Natsuki's look was still sour. I could see the little light bulb go off above her head as she perked up with a smile.

"You know, I could do a lot of things to improve such a boring lifestyle. With a couple of wishes I could make you a rockstar! No, better yet, you could be a motorcycle racer! I would kill to make that wish."

I watched as she practically gushed with excitement at the thought of motorcycles. Motorcycles seemed to fit the Genie but her gushing did not. I thought she was quite cute when she smiled openly like that and I could not help but laugh softly at her. She continued on and on about the details of a motorcycle racer which names of people and equipment I had never heard of.

"Ara, Natsuki-san, I don't believe being motorcycle racer would suit me very much." I looked down at my nice yukata and the cup of tea in my hands. She looked me over again, slightly peeved.

"You're right. Damn. I hope your wishes aren't too boring 'cause you're the last person I have to grant wishes for."

I took a seat and offered Natsuki a cup of tea which she looked at with slight disdain. "What do you mean by me being the last person?"

"Being a Genie is usually a temporary thing. After you grant so many wishes then you are free from the duties and restraints of being a Genie. For me, I have to grant wishes to seven people and you're my last one."

I could feel that she didn't want me to ask why someone became a Genie, or rather how she became one. "What happens when you are done being a Genie?"

She frowned and wiggled in her chair uncomfortably. "No one knows. I've never talked to an ex-Genie before. Most of us figured we just die or cease to exist. Go to Heaven or Hell. Some say we get one wish granted after we are done. Personally, I wouldn't mind dying. I've lived long enough."

"That sounds absolutely morbid. How long have you been a Genie?"

"432 years. 433, next Tuesday. It's not morbid, it's the truth. That's why I think people who wish for immortality are dumb-asses. It's damn boring to live that long. Nothing interesting happened in the last 433 years. Aliens haven't dropped down to visit us, we haven't gotten rid of leeks, and we haven't freaking trained polar bears to shoot lasers. I mean...come on!"

I giggled at her and she slipped a smile and laughed as well. The last four-hundred-and-thirty-three years must have been excruciatingly boring for her.

"I'm sorry I can't think of any good wishes, Natsuki-san." I offered, now knowing how badly she wanted to end her life as a Genie. I could see her blush softly.

"N-no, it's okay. I don't mind waiting until you find something good. The shitty part is waiting around for someone to pick you up."

I thanked her and then remembered the blue tea pot I had purchased yesterday. I gestured at it. "Ara, does this mean I can't drink out of that tea pot?"

Natsuki grimaced. "I wouldn't recommend it. It would freak me out for one thing. Just think of your damn wishes and you can have it when I'm gone. Ridiculous tea freak..."

After that afternoon I did not see Natsuki for an entire week but that did not mean she was in the tea pot the entire time. Throughout the day and even late at night, I'd hear her tell-tale jingle. Sometimes when I entered the kitchen I'd feel the familiar warm breeze. Over the days I came to also notice one more attribute of my Genie. She left behind a distinctive scent. It was fresh and light and smelled like an autumn wind. It was like going outside first thing in the morning and taking a breath of the cold fall air. I liked how the scent lingered in the room she was in for a while before dissipating. In the kitchen, the scent had become permanent and I took my tea there more often than in the living room.

Even though I've spoken to Natsuki only twice, so far, I'd find myself wanting her company. I would have been happy just to hear her complain. Sometimes, when I heard the sound of her earrings I would try and seek her out but she was never there. It had been a long time since I had wondered about anyone's coming and goings, as I did with Natsuki. That week I realized something very important.

I was lonely.

For the months that had passed in my life, I thought I sat in comfortable silence with myself. I thought there was nothing more that I wanted or needed than my own company and peaceful solitude. Now I realize that was all a sham. My short conversations with Natsuki slowly chipped away at the walls I had set up to guard myself from my own loneliness. I had become agitated as the week went by simply because Natsuki would not appear. I thought it was silly at first but it was actually a grave situation. I could no longer spend hours at peace with myself reading a book or writing in the garden. I wanted something more. I wanted to be with someone, talk with someone, and laugh with someone again.

The next time I saw Natsuki was after I had returned from shopping at the market. She was in the living room, sitting on the couch. I was so happy to see her and she greeted me with some excitement as well. Instantly, I was overcome by the sweet fall scent which was contrasting from walking in the stale summer air just moments ago. I placed the grocery bag in the kitchen, planning on putting the produce away later so I could talk to her. When I went back to the living room I noticed a thick album on Natsuki's lap. She quietly flipped through the heavy crème pages. I stopped dead in my walk and stared at the album. My heart squeezed and I choked on air as I recognized the photos that passed beneath her eyes.

She seemed to notice my pause and looked over at me. I could not keep the pained looked off my face as I clenched my fists at my side. I gritted out, "Where did you find that?"

Natsuki gave me somewhat surprised look. "Behind the bookshelf."

Exactly where I had placed it all those months ago. She flipped the page again and then pointed to a particular picture. It was one of me with her. Natsuki did not seem concerned about the other woman in the photo though. "There are quite a few pictures of you dressed up and some of these have your autograph on them. Why?"

She flipped the page again. And again. Each time she flipped the page my heart stopped at the sight of new pictures. Memories flooded back to me and I could feel tears stinging the corners of my eyes. Unable to contain myself, I strode over and tore the album from her hands. I closed it without looking down at the captured moments in time. She huffed and skewed her eyes in confusion.

"What the hell?"

My back was to her and I could feel a breeze blow as I heard her get off the couch. The album was clutched close to my chest even though all I wanted to do with it was cast it away. I knew I was shaking and my eyes were tightly shut to prevent tears from escaping. I couldn't take it. I didn't want to see her face over and over again.

"Shizuru?" Her voice was soft and I could feel a warm wind run across my back.

"Leave me," I choked out.

"We...can talk about this." Her voice was closer to my ear.

"Go away!" I turned angrily with an outstretched arm but when I looked she was no longer there. At the door way I could see her blue mist retreating back into the kitchen. I dropped the album on the couch and then sank to my knees. My body felt so heavy and my mind felt so tired. The first sob caught me by surprise, but when it escaped me, I knew I would not win. The tears burned my eyes and fell to the carpet and then the next sob was more strangled the first. Slowly but surely I fell into my own grief and pain. My cries echoed the house and my body shook with my lament. Somewhere I got lost to it all and I cried into my dreams and into the night.

The next morning I woke up on the couch with a blanket draped around my waist. The groceries had been put away and the album was nowhere to be seen.

A/N: Oh my Lord, you guys are the most wonderful group of readers EVER. Before I say anything else I just want to thank all of you who reviewed the last chapter! I never thought it would be that successful! Thank you so much! You have no idea how much it thrills me!

So at the same time, some of you may be still a bit frustrated at the vagueness of the plot and Shizuru's history. Please stay with me here, xD. The next chapter will make it much more clear. I'll be sure to add some more ShizNat-ness as well for you guys.

As always, please tell me what you think! I love hearing reviews from all of you.

A big thanks to my BETAs once again! 3 They are so amazing.

Roflroflrofl- I love your name, btw. XD Thanks! I feel flattered that my story can be related to crack and crack addiction (lol!)

Jyuami- I do plan on keeping this in Shizuru's POV. I hope the POV won't be too restricted. It would be my first time writing in a First person point of view. I can already tell I'm not too giddy about leaving Natsuki out but we'll see what I can do to show her emotions as well! Thanks!

Heheh- Lol don't we all. XD Oh that would be the perfect wish

Heart-san- Yay you like it! :DDD

Nya- Honestly I wasn't going for an amusing story but I'm glad a crap load of people think so!

Krugern- Love your reviews, btw. You tell me everything you like in detail. XD Yeah I gave Shizuru a bit of a new personality twist. She's got a bit of OCD

dsaANON- You'll have to see teehee

Wolvenkite- Thank you! Come again! (chigong)

bored an' sleepy- Yup! The history is coming right up. The chapters are short (about 5 pages) and I want to keep it that way for now. Most, if not all, of the history is going to come out in the next two chapters. I don't want to rush anything and I want to take my time putting out some sort of quality work. Btw, Natsuki DOES remember her past.

Kikyo4ever- I actually started watching Ah My Goddess like last week! I did debate switching the roles before I sent this out but I think it's been done already (don't ask me where xD).

Tiroskan- Stick around! More funness (and drama) to come!

Sonar de Mercury- OH YES! AN ISLAND OMG! That's such an amaazing wish, yes yes. Yeah, most of the time the wishes are misinterpruted but that's up to the Genie's descretion. We'll see how nice Natsuki wants to be with her wish giving.

Zaki-kun- I think Natsuki would make a really cute genie especially as the relationship progresses! Thanks!

Depression76- Yup hope you enjoyed it! Like I've said before, Natsuki as a genie is going to be really interesting as their relationship becomes more concrete

Gale- AH someone like the Genie-san from Tokyo! YAY! Haha Enjoy

Sylverlyf- Thank you so much for saying that. My Betas and I thought so too but I hope I can keep it up! Either way I can only get better if I keep writing! Thanks!

Stavri – Oh my if Natsuki becomes more cuter than she already is...(nosebleed) ''I wish Natsui could stay by my side forever'' I can imagine that wish becoming an Ah My Goddess plot filled with hilariousness

MyPennamehasebeentaken – Teapot Genie! :D Yeah I can't do the lamp thing but of course Shizuru provides an excellent idea of a tea pot. Tsh, silly tea lady.

Saphire - Wheeeeee thaaanks~

Wikked Wolfie – THANKS! :D Hope you'll stay for the whole story! I promise the plot does progress more and more! Haha

SpiderLilies2007 – Genie is like 10000000x Sexier and so is the person getting the wishes. Tsk, Aladin has got nothing on Shizuru and Natsuki xD Thanks!

Natsuki-X – Yeah Natsuki the Genie is pretty cute. She's wearing cute jingly earrings as well! Wahhhh, just thinking about her (nosebleed) thanks for reviewing

Alphawolf69 – I felt that Shizuru needed another twist on her. Some slight OCDness is quite nice! It'll show up again...and again. XD Hope you liked this chapter!

DreamShadower – Hmmmm -contemplative- Veerrry Interesting. -wink- Thanks sweetie

Ume sama - :D Hope you liked it! Greatness in a tea pot, that's what I say!

Graceful Amethyst- Sweetie, I'm sooooo proud. You've been such a great help. Thank you sooo much! Tsk, I bet some of these people are jealous you get to see the chapters way in advance. Haha! Look foward to me sending the next chapter your way! (hopefully soon...stupid school work) xD

Sneak Peak Quotes, Chapter 3:

She shoved her hands into her pajama pockets. "I was wondering...if I could pop some popcorn from your cuboard."
"Popcorn? Whatever for?"
Her typical 'that's-a-stupid-question' glare came to her face. "To eat." She looked away wtih a huff.
What she made was the most disgusting concoction of popcorn I've ever seen.

I entered the house. A distant jingle and a waft of her autumn scent told me she was about.
"I'm home," I called out. Such commonly said traditional words were foreign on my tongue. It felt nice to hear them again.
"Welcome home," she replied from the living room. The response surprised me and I couldn't help but feel flustered. Walking to the living room my ears picked up a melody that made my blood run cold.

"No one has heard or seen of you in over two years. Why?"
…"Why?" Her voice raised.
… "Stop shutting down and answer me! I already know what happened!"

-Nimara