Chapter 3

She was alone with the sadness and solitude of her tiny bedroom; she was playing with her new doll, but was not motivated. She threw the object away from her, and curled up next to her bed. Today, it was her birthday, so she had to smile and be happy, right? She loved receiving gifts, but they were no longer wanted. All she wanted was to have someone to share this moment with.However, her father and mother weren't here with her. They probably would not be here to take part in this joyful event. She had a feeling that would happen often in her life.

She heard the doorbell, and climbed the radiator to see who had come to see her. There was a car in front of her home and she immediately recognized it. She didn't put on her slippers; she stamped in happiness as she ran up to her guests. In just a few seconds, she found herself in front of her door. She stood on her toes to reach the lock, which she unlocked with difficulty.

"Natsuki!" The crimson-eyed girl rushed to her best friend and hugged her. She felt an affectionate stroking on her head, and Shizuru almost purred in response.

"Hi…my…kitteb…n…neu…" Hi my kitten. A fragile and weak voice responded. Shizuru looked in worry at the blunette who was wearing a mask. Her face was extremely white.

"You are white…"

"I…know…I'mb…cool right…like a…bampire…" I know I'm cool right, like a vampire...Natsuki coughed several times in a row and she made a positive sign with her thumb. Shizuru wouldn't say cool, more like creepy, like those ghosts she watched on TV. Still, it was her Natsuki, and she didn't care about her appearance. If she looked like an alien, it did not matter as long as she did not want to eat her.

"Natsuki is sick, she has the flu, but she still wanted to see you today, because it's your birthday, even if she can't stand on her own legs," Natsuki's mother explained. She stayed behind her daughter, in case she collapsed. She was such a stubborn girl, despite her high fever, headache, and an infected throat, that she wanted to go out and not stay in bed. Saeko had offered to come the next day, but it was not good enough. Then she proposed to go alone so Natsuki could rest, but again it was a definite refusal.

Frightened, Shizuru asked with a trembling voice. "She won't die?"

"Pff…of…course bnot…" A nasal and hoarse voice responded, which did not seem to reassure anybody.

"Here your bre…ss….sent. Habby birzz…zday Ru…" Here your present, happy birthday Ru. The aforementioned saw a present wrapped in newspaper, and her hands trembled with joy. She took the object and removed the paper. She recognized a brown stuffed dog.

"It's Duran, Natsuki's best friend. She has had that stuffed dog since she was born. He was always by her side when she was sad or needed a companion. She wanted to give it to you for your birthday. If you feel alone, Duran will be here for you, always. " The little bluenette nodded vigorously in response to her mother. Her vocal cords made her suffer badly; she was glad that her mother perfectly vocalized her thoughts.

"I'm not your best friend?" Shizuru asked, upset, her voice cracking a bit. Some tears appeared, and Natsuki was speechless.

"Of…course…you are. It was before…when I didn't have…you…"

"You are giving it to me? Really? Me?" Shizuru asked apprehensively, because it was far too great a gift for a girl like her. She still could not believe it.

"Yes…"

"Natsuki, when I'm older and I have money, I will give you a big present," The chestnut-haired girl promised and she opened her arms wide to show her determination, making Natsuki and her mother chuckle.

"Okay…I will wait..."

Even if she was alone, now she had Duran in her side, and it smelled like her Natsuki. She would always think about her best friend. And it was true; it was the best present she ever had, even 10 years later.