Ever After
Disclaimer: I do not own Mai Hime.
Warning: Fluff.
Set 10-15 years after the Carnival. May be OOC.
Neither English is my first language nor I am a writer. So I apologize for any trauma caused by this. But I have a wonderful beta to prevent a serious damage :D.
Chapter 1
Warning: Fanclub
As she left her office, Shizuru heard the soft distant laughs of her employees. Happy and relaxed after a hard day's work, they waited for her in the hall. When they noticed her gracefully walking towards them, they swarmed around her like honeybees to their queen.
"Kaichou-sama, you are welcome to join us in our celebration of today's success at work!"
"You will come with us, won't you? Please?" They all begged in unison.
Shizuru gently smiled. Indeed they had a reason to celebrate. Months of difficult negotiations had finally drawn to a close. A much awaited end for that matter because another triumphant deal was on their way.
Shizuru was content with her team, and to show them her appreciation she sometimes took part in the celebration parties.
The custom of bosses partying with workers was widely popular and even though Shizuru was not keen on partying (especially when it always ended with everybody drunk), she felt comfortable spending time with these young, passionate and joyous people that she had been working with for the past two years.
This time she had not reason to refuse, especially since she had nothing to do this Friday afternoon.
She was just about to answer them, when her cell phone rang from within her purse.
Shizuru excused herself and flipped open her cell phone to answer her call. She listened intently for a few seconds and then quickly replied, "I'm going right now," and hung up.
"Ara," she sent a charming smile to her employees. "I have to apologize, but I just got a very important call and I will not be able to join you today. I wish you all a nice evening."
Groans of disappointment emitted from the group. They were clearly crestfallen, but Shizuru had not the heart to care. The call she just received completely captivated her mind.
"Akito-san will substitute for me." She said smiling to the serious looking young man standing behind her, who was her assistant manager. Akito nodded in response and she politely excused herself again. Wishing everybody a nice weekend she elegantly turned toward the exit.
Outside the last rays of the setting sun colored the world in every shade of crimson.
At the very end of the driveway a familiar Nissan Fairlady Z was parked.
The driver was outside the car, nonchalantly leaning against the vehicle, with arms crossed over her chest.
The young woman had her raven hair tied in a loose braid and unlike her usually choice of clothing, she was wearing a dark suit with a white unbuttoned dress shirt underneath it. On her face appeared a strange mixture of boredom and impatience.
Seeing the familiar view, Shizuru smiled. Natsuki wasn't in the habit of picking up the older woman from work unless it was very important. Young woman claimed that she had an allergy to the white-collars this place was full of.
That was why Shizuru was immensely puzzled when Natsuki called saying she was waiting for her outside the building.
When Natsuki noticed her older companion, her bored expression disappeared. She straightened herself up, her face radiantly lit up and a small smile appeared on her lips. With growing interest, Shizuru recognized that Natsuki was in a good mood. Something truly exceptional had to have happened to make the cobalt-haired woman so excited. Shizuru was truthfully thankful to this something because she loved when Natsuki was in a good mood.
Their gaze met – dark green eyes full of joyful sparkles and burgundy ones, amused and curious.
Shizuru felt astonished when Natsuki moved forward to hug her. And even more surprised when she tried to kiss her. At this moment Shizuru was completely baffled – she never remembered Natsuki kissing her in public, in the middle of the street, among passing strangers.
Something really amazing must had happened.
When their lips were about to meet, Natsuki suddenly redirected her kiss to Shizuru's cheek.
"Your fan club is staring," she grumbled as an explanation when she saw the very clear disappointment on the other woman's face, and let go of their embrace. Shizuru looked back over her shoulder. Without any discretion, her employees curiously observed the two of them.
Shizuru understood their interest – she had a policy of being discrete about her private life in public, which gave the opposite effect from what was intended – everybody wanted to know more about her. Now she knew what would be the main subject of their chats during the party. She laughed quietly and waved her hand towards the crowd. Few hands shyly waved back and after a while people moved about with their own business.
For a brief moment Shizuru felt irritated – she would really love to have that kiss, but thanks to the inquisitiveness of her workers, she had lost the chance.
When she turned back around, Natsuki was already standing by the door of the car, impatiently holding it open. Shizuru carefully got inside, cursing mentally to the discomfort of sports cars.
A moment of silence followed after they departed, then Shizuru decided to start a conversation. "So, what made you appear in so dangerous a place as this fortress of white collars, Natsuki? To kidnap me? Ara, I just ditched a party for you."
"I was promoted," the ebony-haired woman answered with obvious satisfaction in her voice, fully ignoring the playful tone of the other, "so I'm taking you out to dinner."
"Congratulations! How important now are you among this collection of harmless lunatics?"
"I'm the draft manager."
"...draft?"
"Uh... I'll tell you later..."
Truly glad that Natsuki was happy, the chestnut-haired woman sincerely smiled. However, deep inside she was not sure if it indeed should be a reason for joy.
Basically, Natsuki was working for Searrs Foundation.
After failure of Carnival, Searrs took over the ruminants of First District, both its people and its data, and continued their research.
But ex-HiMEs strongly influenced the organization. Few decided not only to cooperate, but also to work for Searrs. Surprisingly, Natsuki was one of them.
It was not long before Minagi Reito used his powerful family to become the leader of the corporation.
Soon they managed to change the main aims of Searrs. Now their goal was to prevent anything like the Carnival from happening again in the future. They examined the nature of the HiMEs and tried to find the source of their powers, and probably to use it for good of the mankind, not for the game.
When she heard that HiMEs were needed to watch over Searrs, Natsuki volunteered herself immediately. At first Shizuru was a little shocked. She knew how uneasy Natsuki was when these people, who hurt her – who hurt them- so badly, were mentioned. Shizuru didn't like Natsuki working with people who once were her –their- enemies. Not one bit. Despite the passage of time, her mental wounds were not completely healed. She learned to live with them, although bad memories were threatening to awaken in any unsuitable moment. She envied Natsuki for her ability of forgiving so easily, of moving on so smoothly, of distancing herself from the past.
Shizuru respected and understood Natsuki's will. Natsuki was desperate to protect the ones she cared about at any cost. The rebellious biker decided that a direct control would be the most effective and there was nothing that could change her mind.
Shizuru considered for a brief moment in working for Searrs (just to keep an eye on Natsuki), but the younger girl easily persuaded her not to, using surprisingly logical arguments. Although Searrs paid well, Shizuru was able to earn much more using her skills in the world of business. Young women learned early that money guaranteed them independence, freedom and security. Thus, Shizuru busied herself with pursuing a career as a businesswoman. She also took it as a very personal challenge – it was something she wanted to prove to her family.
Unexpectedly for everybody, Natsuki came to like her job. She shamelessly took advantages of being operative, but also liked to research. With excitement, she found tracks of her mother's work in surviving archives. To find and to follow everything her mother did when worked for First District –when she was alive-, became Natsuki's small obsession. This was her way to pay tribute to her mother -to know her mother better.
Shizuru – as expected- successfully climbed up in her career. Two years ago, she managed to set up her own small company. Her motivation …her need for success was intensified by the adversity she had to face – her father.
When the old man found out that his only daughter desired to spend the rest of her life with another woman, he was not happy. He was so displeased that he tried every possible way to make her change her mind. He was desperate but Shizuru remained adamant. When both sides were persistently stubborn, there was no way to find an agreement. Finally, her father disowned Shizuru and cut off all bounds to her. He was certain that without the support of her family, Shizuru would be lost and broken, eventually crawling back home. What he did not comprehend was that Shizuru already had somebody to rely on and to make her strong – she had somebody who loved, wanted and needed her. That she had Natsuki. That she had her home.
"Ok, we're here!" Natsuki happily sighed, breaking Shizuru's train of thoughts. Older woman noticed with astonishment that they parked in front of a familiar French restaurant, only few blocks from their apartment. Natsuki noticed her amused look.
"A dinner for my promotion should be celebrated with toasts," she explained matter-of-factly, "and after dinner driving is unsafe. That's why I thought we could walk back home. You like walks, don't you?"
---
Indeed Shizuru liked walks, especially during the night, and this one she enjoyed particularly. How could she not, with her ice queen of no-touching-in-public desperately holding onto her arm for support.
Dinner turned out to be highly amusing for Shizuru.
Natsuki was acting strangely, to say the least. She was visibly nervous and excited at the same time. Obviously there was more to this than a promotion. Shizuru was waiting patiently for her lover to gain the courage and finally to spill it out. But to make herself brave, Natsuki ordered another bottle of wine. It didn't make her speak, but it put both women in a good mood. With the blue-haired girl being drunk and losing her composure, Shizuru decided to call it a night.
She knew that sooner or later Natsuki would let her know what she had in mind. Shizuru would wait patiently for that moment – she learned long time ago to never press matters on Natsuki.
…so they walked around on the empty streets, with Natsuki plastered to the older woman's arm, and Shizuru doing her best to keep them walking straight. Briefly, she remembered of good old times when this method of going home was more common.
"Shizuru?" Suddenly Natsuki stopped and Shizuru used all her strength not to reel with her.
"Yes, Natsuki?"
The cobalt-haired beauty was standing and swaying a little, with her brow furrowed and a difficult process of thinking visible on her face.
"Say," she asked finally, stammering slightly, "at these parties with this fan club of yours… Do you let them make you drunk?"
Shizuru couldn't stop herself from giggling. She didn't expect this kind of question.
"Of course. I let them do whatever they want with me," she whispered with playful tone into Natsuki's ear.
"LIES!" the younger woman shouted with disbelief.
"Ara, why Natsuki thinks it would not be true?" Shizuru couldn't stop herself from teasing. In this state Natsuki was much more defenseless than usual. The Fujinoism immunity she was building up for years was gone.
"B-because… that… uh…" Natsuki couldn't gather her thoughts. With every moment she felt more lost, more irritated and more red. Shizuru watched her closely. Despite the many years passed, Natsuki managed to stay innocent and sweet. And so perfect.
Following her sudden need, Shizuru leaned forward and tenderly nibbled Natsuki's earlobe, cutting at once her incoherent babble.
"Because you love me and only I can do whatever I want with you," she suggested with low voice.
Natsuki blinked while Shizuru's words were slowly sinking into her head. At last she happily nodded and with a drunken grin she cupped Shizuru's face with her unsteady hands, and kissed her fiercely.
Oh.
So Shizuru finally got what she wanted.
After a moment taller woman reluctantly separated from Natsuki.
"Let's go home," she said to her bewildered companion. "Tomorrow you won't be happy remembering this," she sighed.
Chestnut-haired woman knew her beloved too well and she knew that tomorrow she would be to blame for this incident. She was the sober one and should be sensible after all.
Understanding flashed in Natsuki's eyes. With a lovely blush on her cheeks she looked around for any staring passersby. Seeing none, she grabbed Shizuru's arm and readied herself for the walk.
For a long moment they walked in the silence. Then Natsuki spoke again.
"Shizuru?"
"Yes Natsuki?"
"I feel sick."
A/N Many thanks goes to Setenshi who made this story readable. It was a hard task, believe me.