Duran-kun and Kiyo-chan's Omake Theater!
(featuring the Kuga-Fujino family pets)
Shizuru had just stepped into the foyer, already planning how she could sneak Natsuki's birthday presents upstairs and hide them, when she suddenly heard Natsuki's voice raised in a shout of command.
"Duran! Load Silver Cartridge! Fire!"
Fear shot like a knife through Shizuru's heart. Why was Natsuki ordering Duran to launch his special ice-shell attack? Had someone broken in--a Searrs Foundation agent, some revenge-minded survivor of the First District, or even a common burglar? She was through the foyer and kitchen before a coherent thought could actually form in her mind, a flick of her hand as she passed the knife rack snatching up a long blade meant for carving meat but very suitable for anyone who dared to think that they could hurt Natsuki. Following the direction where she'd heard Natsuki's voice, she ran through the dining room and out the French doors onto the patio.
"Natsuki!"
"Oh, hey, Shizuru."
Natsuki was not apparently in trouble. Quite the opposite, she was reclining on a lounge chair, basking in the sunlight. She was scratching Duran behind the ears with one hand, his tail thumping on the deck, while her other hand held a frosty glass of cola. It was a testament to the power of the relief that swept through Shizuru that she did not stop to think about how good Natsuki looked in her skimpy black bikini for at least fifteen seconds.
"Um, Shizuru," Natsuki added, looking at her over the top of her sunglasses, "why are you holding a kitchen knife?"
"I...when I came through the door, I heard you order Duran to shoot. I thought you were in trouble."
"What? Oh, no, that was just--" She held up her frost-rimed glass. "We're out of ice cubes." She blushed a little. "Sorry that I worried you."
Shizuru smiled evilly at her.
"Ara, I think that a proper punishment can be arranged. Particularly as I can see that Natsuki has forgotten to put on sunblock."
"What? H-hey, Shizuru, wait a minute--"
"We can't risk the health of Natsuki's lovely skin!"
"Hold it, I can take off my own--"
Duran got up and padded inside. It was nice to lie in the warm sun, but experience had told him that he'd get a better nap if he was well away from the squealing.