I had actually planned on typing chapter four the sunday after chapter three was posted, but something arosed and I had to complete a sonnet first. Also had to read Shakesphere's work for one of my classes.
So I now present chapter four- about a week later. I hope you're not at all disappointed. I did try to fit this in before studying for my finals. If it makes you all feel better, I'll be updating a lot during winter break so yay for me and you.
Here's to some of my guest reviewers:
Guests: Thank you all for all of your kind words. I did make a few mistakes and I've already fixed it. Thanks for pointing it out. And hey, thanks a lot for taking the time to read and review!
Anon101: Yea, I do like to occasionally mess with people. My friends have mentioned to me that I have a problem with it, but I can see it on their faces, they find it as amusing as I do. Thanks for your compliments. Here's chapter four so you all wouldn't have to wait too long to see what's next. Thanks for reviewing!
Cry: I did try to attempt not to cry, but considering I wrote the chapter, I'm not at all ashamed that I shed a few tears here and there. Thanks for telling me what you thought!
CXZ: I agree. I did like Yoshi too. He was the kind of person who didn't care about who you loved, just as long as they loved you back and protected you just as you would do for them. Honestly, it's hard to find a parent like that. And about Natsuki's father, I don't know for sure if he would actually appear, but I can guarantee that he won't be a problem... Much. We'll see. You've heard of the saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger?", right? It kinda applies into this story. I gave Natsuki a mysterious past because one- I like giving cool backgrounds and two- I have respect for the people who have gone through hell and lived to tell the tale. Natsuki is one of my favorite characters so I gave her the traits that I liked and the traits that fits her real character's personality. I hope that wasn't confusing. Ahhh- a lot of people have wondered that too. How did Shizuru and Natsuki play together with Natsuki's strict curfew? Well, that's gonna be explained later so I hope you keep reading. Thanks for letting me know what you think!
Platina GF: Thanks! I enjoyed writing it. Well, except for the crying part, but hey, who wouldn't cry when a good character dies? Thanks for reviewing!
Now that's out of the way, here's chapter four for you!
Disclaimer: I don't own Mai HiME
Two days. It had been two days since the passing of their loved one. The one who had brought them together in the past and then the future. Natsuki had never even thanked him for that. And it's one of the things that she regretted. The funeral for one Hideyoshi Viola was held on the last day of spring break and it was nothing like what the dark haired woman imagined. There were no grey skies or big fluffy grey clouds. There was no rain pouring down like in the movies. Rather, the funeral was bright. The sky was blue with not a cloud insight. The sun shined brightly, emitting warm rays that the dark haired woman would've welcomed at any other time, but at the moment, completely detested. Why? Because, the sun represented a happiness that was not present in any of the people there. And that included Natsuki and Shizuru.
Natsuki was not the nervous type. She didn't fiddle with her thumbs, chew her nails, or scratch her head, yet, here she was at her Yoshi-oji's funeral doing these things. That was exactly how the brunette found her companion. Sitting in the front row, scratching her head and fiddling with her thumbs every few minutes.
No words were exchanged between them when Shizuru sat down next to Natsuki. All the honey haired woman did was grab the younger woman's hands and held them in her own tightly. Natsuki nodded to the woman in gratitude and the two brought their attention forward to the man behind the podium.
The man said a few words about the old man in the casket that went unheard by the the women. Both were too dazed and distracted. It wasn't until people started standing up to put a rose on top of the casket did the duo snap out of their thoughts.
Natsuki stood up, dragging the older woman with her. Walking towards the casket, Natsuki lowered her pink rose onto a sea of red. She knew that the old man liked the type of flower from the many times he had put them in a vase. This was her way of showing her appreciation and admiration. Shizuru repeated the action. Both kissed the casket as a sign of love and respect and then headed back to their seats.
The man behind the podium said more words that Shizuru and Natsuki didn't need to hear. They knew that they didn't need to be reminded of the kind, funny, and caring that Yoshi-oji was. The duo experienced firsthand the kind of person that Hideyoshi was.
The casket was lowered slowly in the ground. A small thunk was heard as Yoshi-oji was into the six feet hole. Shizuru almost burst into tears at the finality of it all, but Natsuki just held the other's hand to ground her. They watched with utter devastation as people began to shovel dirt on top of their loved one. Natsuki had always been rational type, so when she had the urge to just run over there and take the shovels away, she knew that this wasn't something she would get over quickly. It was the same with her companion.
The end of the funeral was quiet as Natsuki and Shizuru walked hand in hand to the car. Along the way, people gave their condolences and gave teary eyed stares to the brunette. Shizuru didn't hear or notice. All she could focus on was the warm feeling of the dark haired woman's hand in her cold world. Shizuru suddenly felt everything disappear as she replayed all her fondest memories with her father. Natsuki was in all of them..
"Shizuru, it's time to leave..." Natsuki whispered to her dazed friend as they arrived to the car. Receiving no reaction, Natsuki pulled on the crimson eyed beauty softly causing unfocused eyes to stare blankly at her. Natsuki felt her heart shatter into a million pieces as lifeless eyes met dull emerald.
Opening the car, the younger woman gently pushed her companion in. Natsuki followed in right after her and closed the door. Telling the driver to head back to Shizuru's house, Natsuki relaxed back into her seat after fixing Shizuru's seatbelt.
The car began to move as Natsuki grabbed Shizuru's hand. The emerald eyed woman was never comfortable with comforting people, but holding Shizuru's hand, Natsuki couldn't help but feel that she wasn't alone. She was with Shizuru, her best friend. And in this moment, that was all she could've wished for. Natsuki froze at her thoughts. Since when did she like holding people's hands? And why Shizuru's in general? Now that she thought about it, the blushing, the butterfly feeling in her stomach, and the urge to always touch Shizuru... Was she attracted to the brunette?
Shizuru blinked hazily as she felt the car jerk to a stop. She felt someone move next to her to open the door. The person guided her out of the vehicle. It was then that crimson eyes finally stared at the woman in the dark collared shirt. Natsuki smiled as Shizuru's eyes grew more focused. Natsuki might've changed, but one thing stayed the same, it was that she hated, more than anything, to see her friend sad. Natsuki watched her fragile friend move around. Her movements still corresponded to the way that young Shizuru had moved, but more exhausted. Shizuru looked like she needed Natsuki... And Natsuki was going to help her. With that resolution in mind, the blunette decided that she, Natsuki Kruger, was going to give a relationship with Shizuru and herself a try. Not for the money, but per request of the old man and Shizuru. Also, she wanted to see what her newfound feelings meant..
"Natsuki..." Shizuru smiled weakly and moved the both of them inside the house. The car exited the driveway as she shredded her coat onto the coat stand and took a seat on the couch. Natsuki followed her.
Shizuru instantly drew to Natsuki as the other woman sat down. The biker instantly responded by slipping her arm around the other woman's waist. She had never done things like this before, but there was a first time for everything. And she can't really deny the fact that this was making her feel better as well.
The older woman smiled again as she snuggled closer to the warmth that seemed to follow Natsuki wherever she went. After such a traumatic event, Shizuru was craving a source of warmth from someone. Someone dear to her heart. Natsuki was the answer to her prayers.
The two continued their easy silence as time ticked by. They didn't need to talk to each other; they were just fine soaking in the moment. It wasn't until the sun began to set did Natsuki spoke up.
"Ne, Shizuru, you know I'll always be here, right?" Natsuki asked breaking the silence.
"Ara...does that mean Natsuki wants to stay with me?" Shizuru smiled weakly as she saw a soft blush grace her companion's face. The crimson eyed beauty found it absolutely addicting.
Natsuki was happy that Shizuru's turning back into her old self and allowed a strained smile to slip into her lips. She still didn't like being teased. "N-no, that's not what I meant. I-I mean, I do like to stay with you.. wait no. Uhm, I mean I'll be by your side whenever you need me. I'm like, a phone call away.." Not even. If it were up to me, I'll be by your side every second of the day... Natsuki slightly froze, wondering where that thought had come from.
Shizuru nodded as she felt happier with her counterpart's words. Natsuki's so sweet for saying that..
Glad that what she was trying to convey was reached, Natsuki felt that it was time to break the bad news. Standing up, the emerald eyed woman took a deep breath, "Shiz... It's just time for me to go back. School starts again tomorrow..." Honestly, Natsuki had just recently remembered that all of this happened during spring break. Just seven days of no school. (I know that's not how they do it in Japan, but I'm typing this up rather quickly so I don't really have time to search it up. Thank you all for understanding) The emerald eyed woman wasn't big on going to school, but she needed to keep her grades up to graduate.
Shizuru's good mood suddenly vanished as those words came out. She too had forgotten about their short break, which was unlike her. But given the circumstance, it was explainable. Still, Shizuru replied the only she could. "But didn't Natsuki say she was always going to be here for me?" By teasing her friend.
Natsuki wasn't going to blush this time. This was a serious question hidden by the jokes the other woman had thrown out. She had to give a rational answer. "I did. And I am. But I have to go back. I need to finish with my studies..." (Kinda weird that Natsuki's the educational stuff, but it's needed for the story)
Shizuru smiled sadly. When they were younger, Natsuki was never one for grades, yet here she was, leaving her to go back to school. Once again, the crimson eyed woman felt alone. "Of course... Natsuki's education is very important. She needs to leave now if she wants to be able to get back to Tokyo.."
Even with Shizuru's approaved response, Natsuki still didn't want to go. But she needed to... Natsuki sighed. She didn't want to leave her best friend like this... All by herself.. Then don't. Forget about grades right now. Shizuru needs you. I'm sure you can miss one day and make it up some other time.. Her inner said. Maybe that was the answer. Natsuki could stay for another day. It's not like she'd miss much. And she had a pretty good excuse.
Shizuru didn't want to see Natsuki leave so she turned her attention to the setting sun outside her window. It was beautiful, but at the same time, rather depressing. Not only was Natsuki leaving, but the sun as well. It was going to be a cold night for the honey haired woman, she could feel it. Suddenly, Shizuru suddenly felt someone sit behind her. Arms occupied her waist once again. "I guess I can miss a day. Not like they'd miss me anyways.." Natsuki whispered in her ear. Shizuru almost jumped in happiness, but just snuggled back to Natsuki. Who cares about the sun when she has Natsuki to make her happy. Even if it's just for one more day.
So, I don't think I did very well in this chapter. I typed this really fast because I'm rather pressed for time. I've also got to study for a lot of exams as well. I'm sorry that this chapter is so short... I'm make it up on the next one.
Wow, no flashbacks.. Weird.
I hope that this is satisfactory. Not usually up to my standards, but I hate it whenever someone doesn't do what they promised they would. So that's why I didn't push this off any longer.
Please excuse my grammar and spelling mistakes. Review if you have the time. I'd love to know how I did.