SMOKE and MIRRORS
CHAPTER EIGHT: The Little Things
by: Indicaa
"I know I dream about her all day. Think about her with her clothes off. I'm ridin' 'round with my system pumping LSD. I look for ways to say "I Love You," but I ain't into making love songs, baby I'm just rapping to this LSD."
"LSD/LOVE/SEX/DREAMS"
A$AP Rocky
Shizuru woke the next morning to the sound of laughter and hurried footsteps. She blinked and sat up, tiredly rubbing her lovely crimson eyes while stifling a tiny yawn. She ran a hand through her messy brunette locks as she looked around the empty room.
Natsuki wasn't beside her, and judging by the coolness of the sheets and pillows she hadn't been for quite some time, but the noise coming from outside of the room could be an indication of where she might be.
She swung her legs over the bed and made her way to the bathroom across the hall where she proceeded to freshen up; brushing her teeth, washing her face, and combing her hair. When she was finished, she cleaned up after herself and made her way into the hallway.
She admired the photos decorating the large corridor. They were mostly of Natsuki and her father with various family members. She smiled; Natsuki had been a really cute kid. She particularly liked the one of her and a small dog.
She was sitting on her father's lap clutching onto the puppy's neck, staring into the camera with those enormous green eyes and that adorably perfect little smile of hers. There were pictures of her and Nao, Nina, her friends from school, and of her doing various things.
Her eyes roamed over to one of her and Nina. Apart from their eyes, they could've grown up as twins they looked so much alike. Nina was sitting on the lap of another dark-haired woman who possessed the same molten amber orbs while Natsuki was cradled against her father's chest, smiling tiredly.
She both envied and adored Natsuki and her father's relationship. It was adorably innocent, insanely cute, and filled with playful jabs, jokes, and laughter. She was happy to be able to witness it.
She walked to the balcony and peered over the edge, hoping to catch a glimpse of the commotion downstairs. And when she did, she outright laughed.
Natsuki and Regan were locked in a heated wrestling match on the floor in the center of the living room, both covered in white powder and various stains. Regan had the upper hand; she currently had her daughter in a very professional full-nelson.
However, she was in no way harming the girl. Only restraining.
"Swallow your pride and just admit they're canon!" Regan was saying to the struggling teenager.
"Never!" Natsuki barked defiantely.
Shaking her head sadly, Regan said, "For god's sakes, Natsuki, listen to your father for once."
Natsuki playfully rolled her eyes. "Oh, look where that's gotten me so far."
"Hard to tell which one's actually the adult around here." A new voice said, causing Shizuru to abandon the scene before her in favor of turning to see who it was.
Nao sauntered up beside her with a nail filer in hand and an unimpressed gleam in her eye.
"Ara, good-morning, Zhang-san." Shizuru greeted warmly.
Nao nodded in reply. "Saw you looking at the pictures in the hallway."
"Ara, yes," Shizuru admitted shyly, "Such a beautiful family."
"If by beautiful you mean mildly insane." Nao replied, but Shizuru could detect the fond gleam in her eye. She giggled, returning her eyes to the scene before them. The positions had been switched, but Regan still had the upper hand.
"They look freakishly alike, don't they?" Nao said. "The mutt and Nina, I mean."
"Ara, they could've been twins." Shizuru agreed.
"You're telling me. Thought it was weird at first, you know. Looking at Nina was like looking at a smarter, less annoying version of the mutt. But believe it or not, they've got different parents. Nina's dad is the daughter of Regan's first cousin or some shit like that." Nao said.
"Ara, is Nina's father…?" Shizuru inquired curiously.
"A woman? Yep, all members of the Kruger family are women. Some are packing, some aren't. Nina isn't though. Only Natsuki, not counting the adults, and seven of her other cousins are packing." Nao explained boredly.
"Nina's parents are divorced and her mom married some other bitch. Hence the name 'Wang.' Nina wanted to keep the Kruger name, but the step-terror's a real dick and convinced her otherwise."
"Ara, truly fascinating." Shizuru murmured as Natsuki's eyes suddenly found hers.
"Oh, hey, Shizuru," Natsuki called cheerfully despite her current predicament.
Shizuru smiled and waved rather shyly. "Ara, good-morning, Natsuki, Regan."
Regan saluted playfully before finally releasing her daughter. Natsuki tumbled forward, landing on her stomach and sending dark long, locks flying in all directions.
Nao sniffed. "Hey, you smell something burning?"
Regan's eyes widened. "Oh shit!" She bolted for the kitchen. She returned moments later with even more mysterious stains on her clothes and cheeks.
Natsuki groaned. "Damn, was that the pancakes?"
Her father nodded sadly.
Natsuki almost banged her head against the wall in frustration. "I'm going to die of starvation."
"Who knew I raised such a drama queen?" Regan sighed. "Oh well, cereal for everyone."
"Wait, wait, wait," Nao interjected, "You were in the kitchen. Cooking?"
"Why'd you say it like that?" The older woman asked, feigning hurt. "You act like I never cook."
Silence.
Regan's eyes twinkled. "Well, damn."
"We were trying to make breakfast for Shizuru." Natsuki said. "Until she got sidetracked and dragged me into this mess."
"Hey, you're the non-believer here." Her father shrugged. "We wanted to return the favor for last night."
"Wait," Nao said once more, "You made that?"
Shizuru blushed and nodded softly.
"I thought you guys went to some five star resturant without me again." Nao said, then quickly corrected herself. "I mean, it was alright…"
"Don't listen to her Shizuru," Natsuki rolled her eyes, "She's just mad because Nina can't cook."
"Hey, it's not my fault it doesn't run in the family. Seriously, the only one who can actually make something that won't kill you or have you contemplating suicide is granny." Nao retorted.
"Leave my mother out of this," Regan said jokingly as she took her mittens off and slammed them on the counter. "Let's go to Denny's."
"There are no Denny's is Japan, dad." Natsuki said sadly, remembering her trip to the States with her father when she was ten. "Besides, we have school."
"No, you have school." Regan teased, ignoring her daughter's pout. "I'm just messing around, kid. Stop giving me those damn puppy eyes. You know I hate it when you do that."
"Ara, I can make breakfast." Shizuru offered kindly. "It's really no trouble at all. I quite like cooking. I never got to do it much at home."
Regan internally fist-pumped. She loved the girl already, but she made sure to keep her features as calm and indifferent as ever. "Well, if you insist."
Natsuki flashed her a roguish grin as she made her way down the stairs. Natsuki seemed to be already dressed and ready for the day. She was wearing dark-wash skinny jeans, a dark blue long-sleeved cotton shirt, and a pair of expensive looking sneakers.
She always looked amazing.
Her style was very unique compared to other girls'. It was bold and daring and lacked many Japanese qualities. Her fashion sense, if anything, was 'Americanized.' From the foreign brand names on her clothes to the odd logos and strange music.
"You said there were no 'Denny's' in Japan. Does that imply that you've been elsewhere?" Shizuru questioned as she made her way to the kitchen.
Natsuki nodded. "Believe it or not Dad was actually born in the States, California to be exact."
"Yep," Regan interjected, "Mom liked to travel and decided to have me in America. Always had a soft spot for Japan, though and raised me out here while my Dad was off playing Rambo in the war. Went back to the states for college, graduated top of my class at UCLA."
"Even though she technically graduated through skype because she was on house-arrest..." Nao said.
"Always loved Cali, though. Brought the kid with me everytime I visited. Showed her around, took her to a few Laker games, ate a bunch of Dodger dogs, she loved LA." She winked at her kid.
"And Denny's," Natsuki said fondly, "Denny's is like the greatest place ever to go to when you've got the munchies."
"Ara, the what?"
"Munchies. The most intense, mind-boggling, heart-stopping, mouth-watering bout of starvation you could get after smoking." Natsuki shuddered just thinking about them.
"Marijuana." Nao clarified.
"Strictly for recreational use," Regan said, gesturing to Natsuki, "Kid's got anxiety and insomnia."
"Insomnia isn't all that bad, though," Natsuki said, "Nao bores me to sleep every night just by talking."
"Go play in traffic," Nao spat, flinging her nail-filer in Natsuki's direction and catching the girl right between the eyes.
"Hey, hey, no fighting." Regan said boredly. "Hey, Shiz."
"Ara, yes?" She asked as she flipped a few pancakes.
"Ever been out of Japan?"
"Ara, sadly no."
Regan frowned. "Damn, that's depressing. Japan can get really boring after a certain amount of time. Next time we visit the States, you're coming with. No if's and's or but's. Got it?"
Shizuru fought down the wide, shit-eating grin that threatened to take hold of her lips. She nodded warmly. "Ara, I would be delighted. Can Haruka come as well?"
"NO!" They yelled in unison.
Shizuru laughed.
/
An hour later they were walking through the halls of Fuuka High, Natsuki and Shizuru huddled close together while Nao trudged along behind. Without her overbearing father to tell her what to do anymore, Shizuru opted to let her inner style show.
She wore a beautiful grey winter sundress Reito had purchased for her birthday a few years ago she never got to wear, and a pair of grey pumps. Her hair was lightly curled and fell around her shoulders in magnificent waves of honey and silk.
Her makeup was flawless. Her smile was perfect. She honestly felt like a million bucks.
Reito was chatting with Tate near the boys' restroom clad in a simple dark T shirt and a pair of jeans tucked into dark Timberland boots. He looked different, and like herself, more radiant than ever, and he was sporting a new haircut.
Tate's hair was as wild and messy as usual. He wore a similar outfit, although his jeans were black, he wore Nikes, and his shirt was a dark button up. Reito chose that moment to look in their direction, running his hand through his comb over fade once before dashing over and sweeping his best-friend into his arms.
"Are you okay, sweetheart?" He murmured into her ear. "Where have you been? Where are you staying? Do you like my haircut?"
"Ara, Reito calm down." She chided. "I'm perfect. I've been with Natsuki and her family, and I'm staying with them. And yes, I like your haircut."
He blew out a breath of relief. "So, you told her? How'd she take it?"
She smiled as she recalled Natsuki's heartfelt and determined response to her pregnancy. "Ara, she is looking forward to being a father."
"I knew I liked her!" Reito said loudly, drawing looks from other students gathered in the hallway. "You're the real MVP," He told Natsuki, who raised an eyebrow.
"Yo, what up, dawg!" Tate sauntered up with a foolhardy grin. "What it do?"
"What did what do?" Nao asked.
"Come on, player," Tate groaned, "You're cramping my style."
"I regret introducing him to Gangster Rap already." Natsuki said.
"What do you mean? Tupac, Biggie, Easy E, Nate Dogg, Snoop Dog, Warren G, Afro-man, and Ice Cube really opened my eyes, son! I thought I'd be stuck with sucky Japanese trap and Unravel forever!" Tate cried.
"Great," Nao grumbled, "Now he thinks he's a rapper."
"T-Nasty, what ya'll think about that?" Tate said seriously as he turned around and began pondering possible stage names. "Or T-Raw? Asian Persuasion? The Jap Attack? Come on you guys, help me…"
However, as soon as he turned back around to look at his friends, he found that they were nowhere to be found. Even Reito had abandoned him. His shoulders slumped.
"Out…"
Further down the hallway…
Shizuru was rummaging through her own locker while Natsuki leaned against the ones next to it.
"How're you feeling?" She asked softly, flashing her a gentle sidelong glance.
"Ara, I don't feel nauseous at the moment."
"What about your feet?"
"They feel much better today, thank you." Shizuru retrieved her Chemistry book and ran her fingers over its worn spine fondly. She loved the subject. It was her utmost favorite class of the day.
"I'll walk you to class." Natsuki offered. "I-I mean, if that's cool with you."
Shizuru smiled and took Natsuki's arm. "Ara, I would love you to walk me to class. Room 2A."
Natsuki groaned. "2A? Isn't that up like three flights of stairs?"
"Ara, perfect for those who enjoy fitness, such as myself." Shizuru teased.
"Oh, it's okay, I'll be with you in spirit," Natsuki said as she playfully walked in the other direction, causing Shizuru to grab her arm lightly with a light giggle.
"Ara, come now. It'll be good for you to work off all the mayo you drenched on top of your pancakes this morning." She replied.
Natsuki blinked. "Did you just call me fat? How rude…"
Shizuru outwardly laughed for the second time that morning.
/
When the school day was done and the sun began its descent across the horizon, Shizuru and Natsuki returned home and made their way onto the couch they'd both come to love and cherish. Natsuki was draped across Shizuru's lap with her ear pressed against her belly.
"I can't feel anything." She almost whined.
"Ara, she isn't even a fetus yet Natsuki." Shizuru giggled.
"I know but she's still in there… Do you think she'll look like me?" Natsuki asked cutely.
Shizuru reached out and stroked her cheek. "Ara, I certainly hope so. Has anyone ever told you how gorgeous your eyes are?"
Natsuki blushed furiously and tried to hide her face in Shizuru's shirt, like a nervous child would do so with their mother. "Oi, Shizuru…"
Shizuru placed both hands on Natsuki's cheeks to bring her back to eye level, softly stroking the smooth, flawless skin there. She gazed into Natsuki's gorgeous eyes fondly, wondering how it was possible that she so completely adored her in such a short amount of time.
"Ara, Natsuki," She whispered, her gaze falling to her lips, "May I kiss you?"
She felt the girl's pulse gradually pick up beneath her fingertips. Natsuki blushed again and cleared her throat. "Do ya really have to ask? The answer is always yes…"
Shizuru tangled her hands into Natsuki's dark hair and pressed their lips together, softly gliding her tongue over a plump bottom lip. Natsuki's fingers grazed her thighs as she quickly granted Shizuru entrance to her mouth. Her lips tasted of strawberries and the pineapples she'd eaten a half hour before. It mixed with Natsuki's applebom chapstick, exposing them to delicious new fusions of flavors.
Shizuru pulled back after a moment and rested their foreheads together. "Ara, you are an amazing kisser, Nat~Su~Ki."
A shy smirk. "You're not so bad yourself."
She stroked her cheek again absently as she thought. She liked Natsuki; a lot. It was far more than the adoring crush she had a few weeks ago. New feelings were blossoming deep within her core, and she was intent on acting on them. She'd never truly been one to deny her heart's content, despite the strict upbringing she was exposed to.
"Natsuki," She breathed, "I really like you."
"I really like you too," Natsuki replied in that deep, earnest voice of hers. "I've been wanting to ask you this since the day you owned Chie in the cafeteria, but I didn't know if you felt the same… although, now I do, so…"
She brushed her lips across the back of Shizuru's knuckles before her lovely green gaze snapped to hers. "Will you be my girl?" She shyly added, "Please?"
Shizuru threw her arms around Natsuki's neck, inconspicuously hiding a furious blush in the crook of her shoulder. Natsuki's arms gently rubbed her back and shoulders as soft chuckles caressed her ears.
"So that's a yes?" She asked hopefully.
Shizuru pulled back and plopped a loud, wet kiss on her lips.
"Ara, did you really have to ask?"
/
Sorry for the lateness!
Write Sober, or wait much longer!