Chapter Five

1 Month Later

I can't believe its been a month now. Lynara thought as she laid sprawled out under a shaded tree. Her eyes closed as she felt the gentle wind caress her face. The grass was soft and cool to the touch but wasn't too cold. This was what she needed and she basked in the peace that Saotome Manor offered her. The freedom away from those who had tried to use her when the war had ended.

"You seem content today Lynara." Natsuki mused as he leaned back against the tree he sat under. The very same tree that she was sprawled under. He was tuning his Viola and cleaning the bow. He liked to sit out here with Lynara and play for her. Just as Ren liked to play his Saxophone for her.

She was silent for a moment as she breathed in the pure scent of nature that was all around them. "Last night I actually slept through the night without a single nightmare." It was the first night she had been able to sleep without interruption. Her eyes opened as she turned her head to look at Natsuki. He was a constant shadow now when he wasn't busy. And she was truly grateful for his company.

"Thats good to hear. Are they starting to lessen you think?" He looked at her with a soft smile as he set his Viola and bow down to give her his full attention.

She sighed but folded her hands under her head. "Maybe. It might be because you all are giving me time to settle. Its been a month and already this place feels like a second home. Jinguji Manor was my first and always will be. But here at Saotome Manor, with all of nature around us. It feels like my soul is being cleansed little by little."

"How did you get adopted by the Jinguji family if you don't mind me asking." Natsuki was really curious about his soulmate. He has yet to ask her out but the urge to call her his girlfriend is pretty strong.

She smiled in rememberance of those early days. "I had been placed in the care of my moms sister when she died. Petunia never liked magic and made it point that she had never wanted to take care of me. So when Vernon, her husband, had a business trip here in Japan. He took me along with him and promptly abandoned me in front of a police station. I was sent then to one of the local orphanages. Renge Jinguji and her husband came to the orphanage and was looking for a daughter to adopt. Renge had clocked me the moment she saw me. After that I was adopted instantly into the family." She loved her brothers and though her time had been short with her adoptive mother. She loved Renge who had done all she could to show her that she was loved and wanted.

"I think your aunt was blind to the treasure that you are Lynara. Magic is a gift and I am glad you have it." Natsuki fixed his glasses before he crawled over and sprawled out beside her. His hands folded over his stomach as he looked up at the sky. "Would you be open to going out with me tomorrow? I have a photo shoot and I want you to go with me." He had a feeling that Syo would be sending Haruka with him as well. But this was his chance to be with Lynara in public, away from Saotome Manor.

She rolled onto her side to face Natsuki as she tentatively reached out. Tracing his jawline before cupping his cheek. "I would love to Natsuki." Her smile was soft and tender as she gazed at the man she was slowly falling for. His kindness, gentleness and his unwavering support. It meant so much to her that even without her magic picking him. She would have fallen for him regardless. "When I fall Natsuki, will you catch me?"

He too rolled onto his side and laid an arm over her hip. "I would catch you and never let you go." It may seem like they were moving fast but they weren't. Still strictly friends and he was following her lead. She had all the control and he was happy to follow. Every little step they took was always her decision.

She shifted just a fraction closer and lowered her hand from his cheek to his chest. "Would you stay here with me just a little bit longer?" Lynara didn't want to move from their spot just yet. She wanted to bask in Natsuki's warmth a little bit longer.

"I can stay as long as you want me to Lynara." Natsuki promised as he rubbed her hip soothingly.

Lynara yawned but smiled as she let the warmth lul her into a light doze. A perfect spot to take a nap and with Natsuki watching over her.

She's so much like a cat with how often she naps. He thought as he too closed his eyes and joined her. Though his nap was not as deep due to being on guard while she slept.

Ren looked down at his napping sister and Natsuki. Seeing her cuddled into his friends chest was a bit odd. But she looked so at peace that he didn't want to wake her. He had to though since the sun was beginning to set. "Little bird, Natsuki, wake up." He wasn't sure how much longer his sister would keep Natsuki in the friendzone when it was obvious that they were falling for one another. She may say she wasn't ready but he knew his sister well enough to know that she didn't let anything hold her back for long.

Lynara was the first to awaken when her brothers voice penetrated her sleep. With a soft groan she fought against the pull to fall back asleep. It took a few moments but she was finally able to open her eyes. Only to see she was alot closer to Natsuki than she had planned when she fell asleep. Turning her head she saw her brothers playful smirk and shot him a glare in return. It didn't help that her cheeks were warming due to her blushing.

"So Lyra..have a nice nap with Natsuki?" Ren grinned as he crossed his arms and shot the still sleeping man a brief look. "When are you going to stop holding back? I know you're still healing Lynara but I think being with Natsuki and letting him love you will help. You are both falling for each other and its obvious to all of us."

"Is it too soon though?" She sat up but made sure not to disturb Natsuki just yet. He looked so peaceful that she didn't have the heart to wake him. "Will it be okay to date him this soon after everything that has happened to me?" She wanted to be with him she truly did but she was scared.

Ren sighed as he knelt beside his sister and placed a hand on her head. "It doesn't matter how soon it is. I see the way you and he look at one another. Don't let what has happened hold you back from what you truly want Lynara. He's good for you and no matter what anyone thinks. All I want is to see you happy." He stood up then and smiled at his sister. "I will leave you to wake Natsuki. Come in once you do, its almost time for dinner." He then walked away letting his sister decide her next step.

Lynara watched him go before she dropped her gaze to the man she was falling for. Ren is right, I shouldn't let what's happened hold me back from being happy. She reached down and brushed Natsuki's bangs from his face. "Natsuki, time to wake up." She was of course scared at her decision but Natsuki has been so patient with her. She wanted to be his girlfriend and build something real and true with him.

Natsuki felt a soft touch before he heard Lynara's voice. Opening his eyes he smiled at her before he sat up. A hand covering his mouth to hide his yawn. "I slept longer than I planned." He noticed the setting sun and then looked at Lynara.

She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek. Letting her lips linger longer than they should. When she pulled away she felt her cheeks warm again. "I would like to be your girlfriend Natsuki. I may not be ready for a lot of things but I want to be with you as more than a friend."

He blinked in shock before he too blushed. But his eyes softened as he stood up and held out a hand for her. "It would be my honor to call you mine. As I will be yours." He was happy they were together now and like before he wouldn't do anything without her permission.

She took his hand and let him help her to her feet. "Tomorrow after your photo shoot I would like to show you my second animagus form." She had shown it to Ren via magical pictures. It hadn't been safe for her to return to Japan during her time in magical britain. So she had to use letters and pictures so they knew she was mostly okay.

"I would like that Lynara." He walked over to his stuff and put his Viola and bow away. Then picked the case up and held out his hand for her again. "Shall we head inside for dinner kitten?" He was finally able to use the nickname for her that he had been using in his own mind.

She took his hand and entwined their fingers together. "We shall dear, I am hungry after all." She needed to find the perfect nickname for her boyfriend. Natsuki was special to her and deserved an equally special nickname from her.

He squeezed her hand letting her know she could take her time. She would find something that only she could call him. And when she did he would treasure it just as he was going to treasure her. With that in mind he led her towards the manor and where he was sure everyone was waiting for them. This was a new step for them both and he would be sure she never had to walk it alone.