A/N: Six frigging months. I think this might actually be the longest delay between chapters thus far. Ugh, just checked, and yes it is. Well, it's still going, I haven't abandoned this fic, and I never will. It shall be ended when it's good and ready, and no sooner. Hopefully, the gaps between chapters aren't going to get exponentially longer, and I may actually speed up even, but nevertheless, I won't stop until it's run its course, and that's a promise.

Spikesagitta: She can fix motorbikes, she can wipe the floor with street punks, she commands a giant beast... there's no way Natsuki would ever let herself choke at the prospect of making love to a woman. Oh, she'd be terrified at first, but she'd mask over it and push on regardless, and eventually losing herself in it. That to me, is quintessentially Natsuki; someone who beleives that if she puts enough effort into it, anything's possible. At first, this was limited to her revenge upon the First District, but as she's grown as a person, she's developed the ability to turn it to the other parts of her life.

-Rikku-Spira-: It's great to be updating. Believe me, it's just as frustrating at my end, or hell, even more so, to go so long between updates. I honestly enjoy writing, and for the motivation to actually do so being so sparse, it really infuriates me. In the end though, I do get the chapters out, and always will until this story is finished, you can count on that.

Thepillows93: I know, I know, way too long. But it's still great to see how happy people are to get another chapter from me. Honestly though, I don't want to sound like an arse, but I write for me, and me alone. That other people like my stuff is most definitely a boost to my ego, but if I didn't actually enjoy writing, I wouldn't do it. That's kind of why updates have been so sparse lately, I'm not in the greatest place offline, so I'm mostly too gloomy to get in the mood to write. Those times I do though, I'm a lot happier, and making other people happy too, makes me happier still. It might sound like I'm begging for reviews, but they do actually inspire me to write more, which I guess flies in the face of what I was saying before, but whatever. It's my author's note, so I'll say whatever I want to.

DemonicTwister: A stronger bond, eh? Well, we'll see. As for more challenges, they are definitely coming, just not necessarily in the way that you're expecting.

Icarium: It wouldn't be so bad, if I actually updated more often. Personally, I hate reading a chapter at a time, so finding large batches of 'em waiting for me is something I'd actually like. As for "Girls, Interrupted", it's a total pun, but I couldn't not make it. As you said, it fit so damn well.

Ari: Well, there's more Shizuru to come, if you can wade through all the NatNao for it.

ProjectGun: As I've said, Shizuru will be playing a larger part in the third and final act, and she'll get somewhat better treatment than she did in the first chapter of this fic. Whether she'll have a happy ending or not though, I'm not saying!

Vivio: Yes, but there's adult content, and then there's hardcore smut, the likes of which could get this fic deleted. I'd really rather that didn't happen!

firemaster101: Comparatively, you've gotten off easy. I mean, six months of waiting? I'd hate it myself, though burying myself into reading other fics makes the wait for certain ones more bearable. Hmm, maybe I should take the time I spend reading and use it for writing instead...

Shinjutsu13: It makes me really happy to get responses like this, telling me that I did infact do a good job with the explicit scenes in the previous chapter. As I've stated, I have ZERO confidence in my ability to write such things, they seem to come out too mechanical for my liking, but I was a lot happier with this one than previous attempts. I think it's down to trying to keep characterisation through it, instead of it being just a PWP, along with a little bit of comedy. I'm not sure that there'll be another scene of this type in the fic, but I hope it'll stand me in good stead for other fics in the future. And I'm glad this fic hasn't been deleted because of it, too!

Disable: Yes, fine, Shizuru is coming back. But that doesn't mean there won't be a happy ending. Just it might not be a happy ending for Nao. Mwahahahahaa.

Hopefully I'll update before the end of the year. Hell, if I got back to my old updating speed, I could finish it within the year, though I wouldn't get your hopes up for that! Thank you all for persevering so much with me!

Chapter Fifteen - Tower of Babel

Blue. That's what I see as I open my eyes. Craning my neck forwards and inhaling deeply, the smell of your hair fills my nose, causing me to moan softly. There are other scents there, mixed in as well, stale sweat and unmuted sighs, all bound together inimitably. Resting my head back down upon the pillow, I raise my hands upwards, smelling the scent of your still lingering on my fingers, and I remember the feel of you clenching around them, trapping them desperately inside you as you writhed beneath me.

I can't keep the smile from my lips as we lie atop the covers, resting upon our sides face-to-face. How did I get so lucky that this could actually happen? A frown flickers across my features, before I shake it away. I'm not going to do this to myself; I won't let my own negative feelings drag me down. Instead I just watch you sleep, gently brushing away locks of blue hair that tickle your nose, causing your brow to furrow adorably.

Oh ew, now I have to get up; when I start thinking things are adorable, it's a sure sign of a sap overdose. Pushing myself up into a sitting position, I stretch my arms out over my head before looking over at the alarm clock. To my surprise, it's only a quarter-to-twelve; we haven't been asleep all that long. I look down at you for a few long moments, before making up my mind. Screw everyone at school, I don't care if they look at me with hatred or disgust in their eyes, so long as I have you by my side. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about us. I'll be strong for you, and I know you'll be strong for me.

Reaching out, I gently shake your shoulder once, twice, and your eyes flutter open, looking back up at me before a slow smile spreads across your face. "Hey," you murmur, quickly rubbing at your eyes, before sitting up beside me. A flicker of uncertainty crosses your face, before you lean in and press a soft kiss upon my lips, which I eagerly respond to.

I hum with satisfaction as we break apart, a warm feeling seeming to emanate from deep within myself. "We could continue from where we left off..." I trail off, a wolfish grin spreading across my face as you blush, "or, I was thinking we might head to class."

"You want to..." you start, surprise evident in your expression, before you give me another smile. "Sure, let's go to class," you say, quickly drawing me into a tight embrace. "I'm proud of you," you whisper into my ear, and this time it's my turn to blush, as I nuzzle into your neck.

We take turns in the bathroom, cleaning away the traces of our activities, and changing into our uniforms. You fiddle with my collar, straightening it out, before resting your hands upon my shoulders. "Shall we?" you ask, wearing a cocky smile and with an eyebrow raised as if daring me.

"Of course," I reply, winking back, before we leave your room. We walk side-by-side towards the school building, not a word said between us as we move along the path. Despite my decision earlier, I can feel myself getting tenser and tenser as we draw ever nearer to our destination. Your hand slips into mine, giving it a quick squeeze before our fingers intertwine, as you offer me a slightly nervous smile. I feel reassured that I'm not the only one who's nervous about this, but we're both still willing to do this, our strength bolstering each other.

As we finally reach the building, we pause just outside the entranceway, taking a few moments to steel ourselves for whatever may come. I glance over at you, the same time as you do to me, and we both give a soft nod, before each reaching out to pull open one of the twin doors, stepping inside, all without breaking our hold on each other's hand.

The hallways are fairly quiet, since mostly everyone is in class at the moment, as you walk me to my classroom on the second floor. Suddenly you whirl, and press me against the wall of the corridor, your lips claiming mine in a hard, fierce kiss. I moan into your mouth, my arms looping around your head as I push my body back against yours.

"What was that for?" I pant out, short of breath, as you disengage, your hands slipping down to rest upon my hips.

"Because... because I wanted to. Because you're my girlfriend, and damn anyone who wants to think less of us because of that. Because..." your eyes drop down to stare at the floor between our feet, before you take a deep breath and look back up at me, looking me right in the eyes, a determined expression on your face. "Because I love you, Nao."

I feel... I feel... I don't know how to express it, the way your words have lit me up inside. My heart swells, filled with happiness as I cling to you, my head resting on your shoulder. I feel out of control as tears well up in my eyes, yours hands rising to rub gently across my back, soft words whispered into my ear as I sob. I'm such an idiot, crying at a time like this when I'm so happy. Slowly pushing away from your shoulder, your hands cup my face, thumbs brushing away my tears with a look of wry contentment on you face. "I love you, Nao," you say again, and I feel the tears come even harder as I desperately crush my lips to yours.

"I love you too, Natsuki," I finally manage to whisper, pressing my forehead to yours, unwilling to end this physical intimacy we share. We stay like that for what seems like a few minutes, just revelling in each other's touch, before you finally push away.

"I hate to break this up, but we really should be getting to class, Nao. Let's get you cleaned up first though, alright?" you say, taking my hand in yours before leading me to the girl's toilet on this floor. After I splash some water on my face, you dab at it with paper towels from the dispenser, softly smiling the whole time. I think you just like taking care of me, but I'm not complaining, it's not like I've had anyone take care of me for a long time. The gentle reassurance of your presence envelops me and I feel like nothing can harm me.

Finally, we return to the corridor just outside my classroom. Neither of us say a word, just share smiles before you turn and walk away towards the staircase. It hurts a little to see you leaving, but I know it's only for a short while, so I steel myself, before knocking on the door and then letting myself in. Immediately, everyone's attention turns to me, and I catch myself swallowing nervously under the weight of their collective gaze. "I'm sorry I'm late, sensei," I say after walking up to Sakomizu-sensei's desk.

He stares at me for a few long moment, before nodding his head. "Please take your seat, Yuuki-chan, and see me after class ends." Taking my chance to escape, I quickly hurry to my desk and sit myself down. The rest of the Biology class passes fairly quietly, an introduction to the topics we'd be covering throughout the year. I school myself to ignore the occasional glances I get from the other people in the classroom; the only one who doesn't seem to be paying me any attention is Mikoto, but that's because she's asleep at the back of the room. Not that she'd be that bothered by it, I think; I wouldn't be at all surprised if she didn't really understand what was going on.

As the bell for lunch goes and the lesson ends, people start filing out of the classroom, leaving me and Sakomizu-sensei, and a still-sleeping Mikoto, alone. I'm feeling nervous as I walk back up to his desk - since when did I become a scaredy-cat? - and wait for him to finish shuffling papers.

"Ah yes, Yuuki-chan," he says, before standing from his seat and perching himself on the edge of his desk. "While normally I'd be rather perturbed at having a student turn up for class that late so early on in the semester, I think it can be forgiven this one time. I'm sure you realise word of what happened yesterday has rapidly spread throughout the campus," I gulp involuntarily, "so the fact that I see you turning up to class at all is something I take great delight in. I can't imagine how... difficult this period in time might be for you, but so long as you carry yourself as well as you have done today, I believe you shall get through it perfectly well. Just keep believing in yourself, and ignore any spiteful words and accusations, and I'm sure with time that this will all die out. I believe in you, Yuuki-chan, and I know you can get through this. I've watched you grow since that terrible business last year, and if you managed to come through that stronger than ever, I'm sure this will be no problem at all for you." With a friendly pat to my shoulder, he rises once more, and slipping the stack of papers from the desk into his satchel, he quickly departs from the room, casting a glance at the still sleeping Mikoto.

Gently I reach out, placing a hand upon the desk to steady myself as I find my legs seem to have turned to jelly. Just what the hell was that? I really don't know what to make of it, so as I regain my composure, I push the thought of it away. Looking over at Mikoto, a sly expression steals across my face. Walking over to her, I reach out, pinching her nostrils closed, and wait. It only takes a few moments before she wakes in a startle, arms flailing about as she tears herself from my grip, falling backwards off her chair, much to my amusement. Blinking her eyes groggily, she gets to her feet at looks at me unseeingly for a moment, before cognisance fills her features.

"Nao! Nao!" She looks around the rest of the room, seeing it empty. "Where's everyone?"

"It's lunchtime, you dolt!" I respond. "I'm sure Tokiha's worried you haven't already turned up to eat all of her food."

She glows in response, a fearsome growl emerging from her belly, before she springs from the classroom in a rush. Shaking my head, I gather up her things that she left behind, and then make my way out of the classroom.

"Ah, um... Nao-sempai!" comes a voice from behind me. I turn to find Mizunashi standing there looking nervous, playing with her fingers. "Um, could I have a word with you, sempai?"

Suddenly I really don't want to be here, I hadn't thought about her since this morning, and I don't think I really want to hear what she has to say, but then I remember my resolve from earlier. "Go ahead, Mizunashi."

Casting nervous eyes around, she pushes her fingers against each other, before looking up at me, fear in her eyes, and I realise I think I know what she's going to say.

"I... I was the one who everyone about you and Kuga-sempai," she says in a quiet voice, tears dripping down her face.

I school my own expression as I respond with a simple, "Why?"

Unable to read my mood from my face, Mizunashi looks away. "Be- because... it was exciting. I knew something that nobody else knew, that it was such a surprising thing that no one would have thought could be true, and I didn't think about what would happen to you or Kuga-sempai if I told anyone, I was just so excited that I had news to tell e-e-everyone."

I feel a little bad, staring at her cry like this, but still, mostly I'm angry, I'm furious... and what good will showing it do? Will it make me feel better to treat Mizunashi like crap? Will it make any of this have no happened? No. And it's not like you were wrong when you said it was almost a relief that we're out in the open. I sigh, before pulling her small body into a close embrace. She clings closely to me, sobbing piteously while I just hold her.

After a few minutes, she starts to calm down a bit, seeming to realise that I'm not going to do anything horrible to her. Easing her away from my body, I look her in the eye. "I forgive you Mizunashi. After all, what kind of sempai would I be, if I were to get angry with my cute little kouhai?" She gives me a small smile, still sniffing somewhat. "That said," I continue, my voice turning cold, "if you ever do something like this again, I will make sure you regret it. Am I understood?" I snarl out the last three words, the harshness in my tone brooking no misunderstandings. She nods, briefly looking away. "Come on then," I say, my tone returning to normal, "let's go get some lunch. I didn't have any breakfast, so I'm starving."

We stop off in the cafeteria, getting some food, while I drop off Mikoto's stuff with the gluttonous beast, sharing a smile with Tokiha, before heading out to the gazebo, where we find you eating your lunch alone. "Hey," I say, as I draw near, a huge smile on my face, mirrored by the one on your own. It slips for a moment though as your eyes flick to Mizunashi, and then back to me, a look of question in your expression. I give a brief nod of my head, which you respond to with one of your own, before letting the smile return to your face.

"Hey," you finally respond, patting the stone beside you in a gesture for me to sit, which I gladly comply with, nudging you with my shoulder happily. You scowl at me playfully, and I actually find myself giggling, much to my own horror and your amusement. Looking back up at Mizunashi, who's standing by somewhat ill at ease, you tilt your head, indicating she should join us as well.

We sit and talk idly while we eat our lunches, passing the time simply. As it draws nearer to the end of lunch though, you get a serious expression on your face. "You know, you should probably apologise to Chie. Not that I think you have to, she understands what happened and doesn't blame you for it, but still, I think it'd be a nice thing to do. Especially since..." you pause, looking at Mizunashi for a moment, who looks down at her lap, before you continue, "well, you know."

I frown to myself, but I know you're right. She didn't deserve getting all caught up in that scene yesterday, and while I know she's alright about it from her words to you this morning, apologising is something I should do.

"Hey hey, I don't want to get you down or anything," you say, lifting my chin. "Like I said, you don't have to, she already understands."

"No, you're right. I should tell her that I'm sorry for what happened, and what nearly did happen."

"Do you want to go find her now?" you ask softly.

"Sure, let's get it over and done with, so we can all move on already," I reply, taking your hand as we both rise to our feet.

As we return to the school building though, we hear a message being broadcast over the tannoy system. "Would Yuuki Nao please report to the Principal's office? I repeat, would Yuuki Nao please report to the Principal's office?"

We turn and face each other, both knowing there's only one thing this could be about. You squeeze my hand, giving a nod of your head, before we both make our way towards the manor on the outskirts of the school's land.

"Ah, there you are, Yuuki-chan," Himeno-kouchou says brightly as we make our entrance, briefly glancing at you before continuing, "and I see you brought your... friend, too. That's good. Please, take a seat," she offers, gesturing with a hand.

We sit down awkwardly, somewhat put off by the principal's pleasant demeanour and words not exactly meshing with our expectations. "I imagine you believe this meeting was called on account of what happened yesterday? Please, allay your fears, I have already spoken to Harada-chan, and she wishes for no action to be taken against you because of your indiscretion. Nevertheless, this is still a very serious subject. I expect the two of you to be discreet within reason as to your relationship. I certainly have no wish to censor any romantic feelings the two of you have, I just ask that you be aware of the effect you may have upon the other members of the school's population. Does that sound fair to you?"

Sharing a glance with you, I turn back to face Himeno-kouchou and nod agreement, eliciting a smile upon her face, before her expression turns serious again. "However, this is not why I have called you here today, Yuuki-chan. We received word from the hospital earlier today."

My grip tightens on your hand, my other hand balling into a fist as my blood turns to ice.

"About two hours ago, your mother awoke from her coma."