I did mention twists in my last chapter right? Well, here's one of them. Sorry for a kind of late update. This was supposed to be posted two days ago, but spring cleaning (thanks mom) and other stuff, I haven't gotten around to finishing it. Until today. But on the plus side, I'm going to have a lot of time updating this week, which in my opinion, is pretty cool.
But anyways, this story is still ooc, but I hope you all enjoy the read.
To my awesome Guests with no names: Thanks for all your positive reviews!
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Disclaimer: I don't own Mai HiME.
What are dreams? Dreams are thoughts, images that occur when one sleeps. To some people, dreams represent the future and what's to come. To others, dreams show what their inner self truly wants. The latter was the only answer that Natsuki could comprehend to justify what she had just dreamed.
Her heart was still thumping. She could hear it loud and clear. Hell, she could still feel the sweat dripping down her forehead from her hairline. It felt so real... Like it could be something that Natsuki could actually do. But she knew better. She was more of a coward than dream Natsuki was. Telling Shizuru about Yoshi-oji's wish is impossible.
But that kiss though... Oh that kiss is going to be on her mind for rest of the day. Natsuki internally groaned. Those really soft and kissable lips... It's going to be torture..
Natsuki sighed as her emerald eyes blinked tiredly at the living room ceiling. Lazing her arms underneath her head, Natsuki's mind continued to swim with her rather difficult situation with Shizuru. She liked Shizuru on more than a friend level, she knew that much. But did she love the brunette? They've only spent such a couple of days together. Was it even possible to love someone in that short of a time?
Also, what was she going to do? The reading of the will was today and she hasn't told Yoshi-oji's wish to Shizuru yet. With the way things were heading, it was going to be the old man's lawyer who was going to spill the whole thing to the brunette instead of her. Natsuki groaned as she opened her eyes. Speaking of the wish, what exactly was she going to do about the marriage after she tells Shizuru about it? It's not like she could just marry her best friend. There needs to feelings and love and she was back at square one... Natsuki sighed. She wasn't good at things like this. Emotions and feelings were the opposite of her.
"Good morning Natsuki!" greeted Shizuru happily as she peered down at the blunette. Natsuki responded to the sudden appearance by suddenly sitting up and slamming her forehead against Shizuru.
"Geez, Shizuru! Don't you know that its dangerous to scare a tired wolf?" Natsuki rubbed the red bump prodding from her forehead. Of all ways for a person to be greeted early in the morning, this sure was different.
"A wolf?" Shizuru grinned as she rubbed the spot on her forehead as well. "All I see is a cute little puppy with funny looking hair." The crimson eyed beauty was met with a pillow to the face and a huff coming from the blunette on the couch.
"Shut up, Shizuru!" Natsuki fumed, pouting that pout that made Shizuru squeel.
The older woman just laughed and ran for the kitchen, a fuming pajama clad Natsuki in tow.
After a rather amusing breakfast, one in which ended with a mischievous Shizuru and a blushing Natsuki, the two met in the living room after going through their morning routine. After a trip to the bathroom, both woman were finally presentable with Shizuru wearing some comfortable jeans with one of her casual blouses and Natsuki wearing her ripped jeans and one of her school shirts. There was something different about Natsuki though. Inside the bathroom, the blunette had decided that she wasn't going to think about her growing feelings for the brunette or Yoshi-oji's wish. She was just going to relax and let the moment to tell Shizuru that she liked her come find the two. It just had to be before the reading of the will. With her thoughts slightly organized, Natsuki began to feel calmer and more at peace.
"The reading of the will is going to be at noon today. So we have some time to ourselves. Is that alright, Natsuki?" asked Shizuru, locking the front door as the two stood on the porch.
Natsuki just gave a small sound of her affirmation, still lost within her thoughts. Preoccupied with little tidbits of Yoshi-oji's wish, the reading of the will, and her growing feelings to Shizuru, the emerald eyed woman didn't notice a pair of crimson orbs starring at her worriedly.
"Natsuki? Is something the matter?" wondered Shizuru, poking the distracted woman. Natsuki jumped back, unprepared for the sudden action.
"Ahh, I'm fine. Shiz. It's nothing." Natsuki looked away to hide her blushing face at being caught distracted. She was trying so hard to forget about all the complications, but she was failing. Miserably.
Shizuru stared at her best friend with analyzing eyes. Suddenly, mischief passed through crimson before settling back to its concerned glance. "Natsuki is lying. Now, why would she do such a thing?" A sad look appeared in crimson orbs as hands covered them. "Aren't we friends? Or maybe she finds me boring now." Shizuru threw Natsuki a teary gaze filled with sadness and fear. "Natsuki doesn't like me anymore!"
The emerald eyed biker's eyes widdened in suprise and she automatically entered her 'fretting' mode. Walking towards the brunette still standing in front of the door, Natsuki began to deny Shizuru's accusation with a deer -in-the-headlights look. "S-Shizuru! That's not it! I'm really fine! Just really sleepy and tired from the trip and please don't cry! I like Shizuru very much!"
The sobbing Shizuru emitted stopped at Natsuki's last statement. Ara..
Natsuki just continued to look frightened and worried. As if nothing happened, emerald eyes watched as hands came down to Shizuru's side, an amused look centered towards the biker.
"Oh.. well shit," Natsuki whispered as an incredulous look made its way onto her face as she realized what her best friend had done. "You tricked me!"
Shizuru just laughed and made her way towards her car, "Language, Nat-su-ki. Don't want to wash that pretty mouth of yours with soap, do we?" A sly smile was thrown to a gaping Natsuki.
"I-I umm.. Shizuru!" Natsuki yelled in slight frustration before following after her host.
"You have got to stop with the teasing, woman! I swear, I think I've lost a few years of my life." commented the blunette as she entered the passenger seat. Shizuru glanced at her with an amused look before she continued to adjust her mirrors.
"I must thank Natsuki for bringing my car back once again. It's very much appreciated." Shizuru said as she finally inserted the key into the ignition. The car gave a slight jerk as it came to life.
Natsuki shrugged as best as she could with a seat belt restricting her movement. "I already told you, it's no trouble."
It actually was, but there was no way was she going to tell her best friend that. Who knew that Japanese drivers were so careless? Natsuki sure didn't. With her bike running pretty fast, the nineteen year old usually missed these things. She usually was careful though whenever she drove fast. But with Shizuru's car, she couldn't do any of her road cheats. On her trip towards the brunette's house, Natsuki had almost gotten into a wreck with someone on the phone, had almost crashed into a pole because of a teenage boy drifting on her lane, and had almost turned over when another driver decided to move into her lane without giving a signal. The speed limit was at 60, for Kami's sake!
Shaking her head, Natsuki brought her attention to Shizuru, before the brunette would call her out again. "So," Natsuki began tapping her fingers on the arm rest, "what are we going to do before the will reading?"
Shizuru turned towards Natsuki with a thoughtful expression before answering. "We need to buy some food at the grocery store. I was rather busy for the past several days and haven't found the time to go to get the groceries."
Natsuki hummed in understanding. It hadn't been an easy week for her either. There were a lot of essays and course work that she had to finish before coming to Kyoto. She would never have gotten it done if she pushed it off to when she returned. Natsuki sure was lucky for thinking ahead.
The car gave a slight jerk as Shizuru turned the key in the ignition. Checking her mirrors and seeing absolutely no cars, Shizuru began to slowly drive out of her driveway, only to have a car honking at the two.
Shizuru gave a smile and a wave like it was just an everyday occurance. Natsuki on the other hand had a wide eye look at how close the other car had been to crashing Natsuki's side of the car.
The two drove off soon after, Natsuki yelling about how Shizuru's car was cursed. No thoughts of the will, her feelings, and Yoshi-oji's wish coming into mind.
10 AM and the supermarket was already packed. Kids of all ages were seen running around with their parents close behind, store clerks were helping the custumers check out, and couples were walking around picking off food from the shelves preparing for a new week.
Natsuki frowned at the very populated store, but Shizuru just smiled and grabbed a cart. The brunette began to walk towards the vegetables/fruits section, a slightly annoyed biker at her heel.
The two continued to walk around gathering what they need with very little chatter. They didn't need to. Shizuru picked whatever she needed from the shelves and Natsuki stood of to the side, a slight distant look on her face.
It wasn't until Natsuki finally snapped out of her thoughts and looked inside the cart did she finally speak.
"Shizuru.. Why are there only healthy stuff inside the cart?" questioned Natsuki, crossing her arms.
Shizuru just threw her one of her 'Natsuki, you are so cute when you're curious' smiles. "To keep us healthy."
Natsuki rolled her eyes, an act that Shizuru found adorable, and sarcastically replied, "Well I know that much. My question is why we don't have any junk food."
"It's bad for the body," was Shizuru's only comment as she began to put in some spices that she had ran out of.
"Yea, I get that, but the bad food balances out the healthy crap that we have to eat. It's like an equilibrium, you know?"
An amused look came to Shizuru's face as she realized how hard Natsuki was trying to get some junk food into her cart. On any occasion, Shizuru would allow Natsuki what she wanted, but not this time. She drew the line when it comes to staying healthy.
"Gomen, Natsuki. But no junk food."
Natsuki looked like someone had just taken her favorite snack away from her. And in a way, her snack was taken away from her. But Natsuki withdrew. The pleading look from the other woman was very convincing.
"Fine," Natsuki whispered through pouting lips, "no junk food." Natsuki was still slightly shocked that she had relented so easily. No one had ever done that before. Well, she really can't say that anymore. Shizuru had broken that.
The two continued to walk down the isle grabbing what they needed, except this time, Natsuki actually participated by asking what Shizuru needed and grabbing the item before the brunette could.
Grocery shopping with Shizuru was simple and relaxing, nothing that Natsuki had ever experienced. Usually, her food shopping trips with her friends were loud and annoying. Her group was always causing a loud rucus fighting over what they needed to get and food that they really didn't need. That was different with Shizuru. It was calm and just normal. No loud shouting from any of the employees about keeping their voices down. No verbal fights attracting strange and disappointed looks from strangers. And just no annoying idiots to give her headaches.
Natsuki gave a sigh of content and a small smile that caught her companion's attention.
"Did Natsuki see something she liked?"
The biker moved her eyes to meet a curious gaze. Shaking her head, Natsuki replied, "No, its just... this is different from what I'm used to."
"Because of the no junk food?"
"That has to do with it, but not exactly. I was just thinking about how I usually do this with my friends and they're always so loud and annoying and we're just so calm and relaxed."
Shizuru smiled at the slight flustered look on her best friend. She began to move the cart again with Natsuki still standing still. "Change isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes, it brings you exactly what you need."
Natsuki thought on Shizuru's words and couldn't help but agree. If she had never opened her door like what she normally would do, she wouldn't have met Shizuru again. And that, is something that she can't imagine.
After Natsuki payed for their groceries, the emerald eyed woman had given Shizuru a good argument as to why she wanted to pay, the two drove back to Shizuru's home. The ride had been quiet, but not at all tense. The sun was warm as it shined through Shizuru's un-tinted windows giving the vehicle a rather peaceful look. It didn't help that a small smile had creeped onto one blunette's face, replacing the scowl that usually graced her face. Shizuru couldn't help but sneak looks at her passenger.
"Natsuki looks like something's on her mind. Would you like to share with the rest of the class?"
Natsuki's smile slipped into a smirk as she propped her arm against the window. "It's just us, Shiz."
Shizuru glanced at her best friend before turning her eyes back towards the road. "Would you still like to share?"
"There's nothing to share."
"You're eyes tell me a whole different story."
Natsuki quirked an eyebrow at how easy Shizuru had seen through her. How odd. "Is that so? Well, my eyes don't always tell the truth." Natsuki had always been good at deflecting questions. She had to be when she was still with her father. The biker gave an involuntary shudder, one she hoped that Shizuru didn't notice. That was hard to do as Shizuru kept her eyes on the road.
Shizuru replied to Natsuki's statement with one of her own. "They show more of the Natsuki that I had grown up with. The honest child with the permanent blush." The one that I had fallen for..
The nineteen year old just laughed at that. "If it makes you feel any better, Shizuru. I didn't change that much. I'm still as blunt as ever. And I still blush occasionally. Only when you're around though.
The melodic laugh that Natsuki had craved drifted into the blunette's ears. "That does seem to be the old Natsuki. Does she still have Duran?"
Natsuki blinked in stupor as Shizuru brought up her favorite stuffed animal. It had been years since the two had last seen each other, but Shizuru still remembered her dog. "Uh yea. He's sitting on top of my cabinet."
Shizuru giggled. "Poor little Duran needs to be closer. Perhaps cuddling next to Natsuki?"
A slight blush covered Natsuki's cheeks. "I don't sleep with stuffed animals anymore. I'm not a little kid."
"But didn't Natsuki just say that she was still a little kid?"
"I didn't!"
A full on laugh left Shizuru's mouth as she turned a street. "Alright, I'll believe you."
The emerald eyed woman let a sigh leave her lips. "Kami, this was just like our conversation back in my apartment."
"I believe it was almost like it. Well, except for one little detail."
Natsuki tilted her head to the side in curiousity. "Yea, what was it?"
"Natsuki didn't show me her body." Shizuru said with the straightest face.
A full body blush crawled onto Natsuki's skin and a look of horror and shock crossed the blunette's face. "S-S-Shizuru!"
Shizuru, with her eyes still on the road, smirked. And there, with the sight of the sun shinning against a healthy head of honey colored hair and a victory smirk on her best friend's face, did Natsuki truly realize what was happening.
She was falling in love with the brunette.
The two arrived within a couple more minutes. The two quickly unloaded their groceries and brought the food inside. The duo just spent the rest of the time putting their purchases in the fridge or in the cabinet. All of this was done in silence.
"Say," Shizuru began, "It's about lunch time, no?"
Natsuki checked her watch. "About. Quarter to twelve."
"Perfect." Shizuru grabbed her cutting board out of its place and a knife from the hook hanging on the wall. "I'll go ahead and make lunch. Then we'll get dressed for the reading which I was informed, is being held at four."
Natsuki nodded from her position leaning on the kitchen table. "Sure. Sounds good. You need any help with lunch."
Shizuru shook her head and threw a smile. "That's quite alright, Natsuki. I'll get it done faster with it just being me."
Thinking that Shizuru was implying that her skill in the kitchen was lacking, a frown made its way onto Natsuki's face. "Hey, I'm not that slow."
"I didn't say you were. I just work faster when I'm alone. Now shoo, this is my kitchen."
Natsuki gave a pout, an action that seems to occur more so the past few weeks, than the rest of her life, and moved towards the living room to sit on the couch.
"Geez, I could've helped," Natsuki mumbled as she settled herself on the seat.
"No, you couldn't! I'm using a family recipe," Shizuru shouted from the kitchen as the sound of the knife chopping vegetables and meat made itself known.
Natsuki's emerald orbs widened. How the hell did she hear me?
The dark haired biker nervously chuckled. She needs to be careful about the things she says now that she knows of Shizuru's superhuman power. Seriously, the living room and the kitchen were pretty far apart.
I live with a superhuman.. Natsuki thought with amusement. Shizuru was just something different. Unique even. In a good way of course. Why Natsuki hadn't figured out her feelings for Shizuru, the blunette would never know. But in all honesty, she should really figure out what's going on with her feelings.
So Natsuki began to think back to when this whole feeling thing began. To Yoshi-oji's wish. Natsuki gulped at the mention of that day and took a shaky breath. It still was a sore subject to think or talk about, but she's getting better about it. She and Shizuru. Anyways, back to the subject at hand, when the old man brought up his wish for her and Shizuru to get married, she wasn't all for it. She wasn't against women marrying or anything like that, but this was her best friend she was to marry. There was just something weird about it... But anyways, over the course of the time that the two spent together, and the two weeks the two spent apart, Natsuki began to learn things about the other woman. Facts, quirks, and other interesting things that had the emerald eyed biker's heart beating. No one had ever had that ability on her. No one except the cute brunette that had given her a kiss on the cheek when they were little.
Everything she had been feeling pointed to falling in love. The lingering touches, the looks, the blushes, and that special smile that they only reserved for each other. If those signs weren't ringing alarms in Natsuki's mind, they were now.
Emerald eyes closed as she thought deeper. She was a dense idiot, that fact is certain. Why hadn't she noticed, damn it. If she had, this whole confusing mess wouldn't have been so bad with Shizuru to talk to.
Natsuki shook her head. Her mind wasn't always this messy. She had little categories in her mind that used to sort all of her thoughts. None had love in it. And definitely none about the crimson eyed beauty. But that had changed. Now, her whole mind consisted of three subjects. The will. The wish. And Shizuru. It was tearing her apart, but she can't seem to stop. Every moment of the day for the past three weeks, were centered on the will, wish, and Shizuru. Nothing else seem to occupy her time.
The biker's growing feelings, though, was a game changer. With the new fact that she was falling for Shizuru changed all the possible outcomes that the past Natsuki had previously thought of. The Natsuki with no inkling of her feelings for the brunette. The present Natsuki knew what to do now.
Confess to Shizuru of her growing feelings before they leave. Tell the brunette about Yoshi-oji's wish (Natsuki was still thinking of how she's going to spill that.) And listen to the reading of the will. The rest of the factors that she had equated into the whole messy situation she'll just have to let run its course.
Natsuki finally opened her eyes, tired but resolute. Never had she felt so relieved. Everything was answered, her problems on their way to being solved. And her feelings had reached a better understanding. All that's left to do is start the domino effect.
"Natsuki! Lunch is ready!" shouted Shizuru from the kitchen. Sounds of forks, spoons, and plates being layed out echoed out towards Natsuki.
"Coming," replied the nineteen year old as she got of the couch and into the kitchen. As always, the spread of food that Shizuru had made impressed the younger woman. Natsuki smiled at the happy look on Shizuru's face. It was like seeing everything in a brighter light and the blunette was loving every minute of it.
The two sat down and mumbled their prayers before digging in. Well, Natsuki dug in with Shizuru pacing herself. But the sight of the two was something to behold. Especially when looks of adoration and affection were thrown back and forth when the other wasn't looking.
Lunch had been an eye opener for Natsuki as she began to notice more of Shizuru. Like the way that the older woman ate with grace. And how Shizuru wiped her mouth after she finished her meal. The biker had never noticed that before. Natsuki mentally filed the scene within her 'Shizuru' folder before standing and taking both their empty plates.
Shizuru was about to protest only for the landline to ring. The brunette excused herself from the table with a slight pout at the smirking Natsuki. The crimson eyed beauty mouthed a 'we'll finish this later' before exiting the kitchen to get the phone in the living room. The conversation between Shizuru and the caller faded into the background as Natsuki began to wash the dishes.
It wasn't until Shizuru entered the area again did Natsuki look up to meet confused crimson eyes.
Natsuki set down the towel she had used to dry their plates before making her way towards the sitting brunette. "Hey Shiz, something wrong?"
Shizuru just stared up to concerned emerald. "I don't think it is. That was just oto-san's lawyer."
The blunette sat down besides Shizuru, egging the other woman to finish. "Yea, what about him?"
"He moved the reading of the will to the first week of summer instead of today."
I think that makes for a great cliffy. I mean, it was kinda cruel of me to end it there, but it was a good way to end a chapter. But anyways, this chapter might've seen kinda confusing so if anyone has questions, there's a little button on the bottom for you to ask.
I'm pretty glad that I finished this chapter. We're finally out of all the heavy feelings stuff and into a more relaxed style of writing. Thank God.
Natsuki's growing soft? Perhaps.. And what's with the reading of the will being pushed back?
Anyone know the average speed limit in Japan? Cause I think I got it wrong. Also, I don't really know if they're careless drivers or not. I just went ahead and added that in there to add some humor.
Has anyone ever experienced that moment of clarity whenever you finish a whole week of quizzes and exams? Yea, that's exactly how our dear Natsuki felt when she sorted through her messy feelings and problems.
Am I the only one who finds it funny that I updated during Spring Break?
I think I'm rambling now, so I'm gonna stop while I'm ahead. Sorry for the grammar and spelling as usual. I get pretty tired when I've been starring at a computer screen for more than a couple of hours. You know you've got to stop when the words start to float...
Yea... I hope you all enjoy the break! Oh, and please review and let me know what you think!