Time will tell.
Chapter 15: You didn't plan this, did you?
A/N: Thank you to all the reviewers and everyone who still reads this story, love ya 3. Here is a short update.
Disclaimer 1: I don't own Mai Hime.
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'I need to get married, will you marry me?'
The question made the brunette look up into the eyes of her lover. She wanted to ask to ask the woman if she was joking. The look on the green eyed woman told her otherwise.
The realization made the brunette blush and speechless. She loved the bluenette but marriage? Were they going too fast?
The bluenette noticed the awkwardness and shook her head with a sad smile.
'Then again, this may be sudden. Please forget what I just said.'
A pang of guilt hit Shizuru seeing the hurt on her lover's face.
'Natsuki…'
'I'm going to take a shower. Join me?'
Another blush was visible on Shizuru's face.
'Ah, no…'
'Okay.'
The bluenette stepped out of the bed stark naked and walked to the bathroom. Seeing Natsuki's naked body, Shizuru blushed redder and put her hands to her face to make it stop.
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Natsuki turned the knob to the hot water shower and let the water rain on her body. She stood still and tried to cool her head.
I guess, she doesn't want to marry me? Well, sure, I can't force her to marry me. I guess I'm a bit old fashioned, wanting to take responsibility, what am I thinking? It's stupid right? If Shizuru marries me, sure, it will solve the problem of me looking for another suitor but marrying the one you love, it's what people usually do right? Instead of marrying just for the sake of a saving my company…
Being too deep in thought, Natsuki didn't notice Shizuru had snuck into the bathroom until the brunette slipped her arms around her. Hiding her surprise, she relaxed into her lover's arms.
'Shizuru?'
The other girl rested her face on Natsuki's back and rubbed it against Natsuki's skin softly. Her hands wandered all over Natsuki's body making the bluenette shiver with each touch.
'I was serious, when I said I will take all your suffering. Now will you tell me why you're asking me to marry you? You can't be one of those old-fashioned people who intend on marriage after one night, can you?'
Seeing Shizuru had hit the nail on the head, Natsuki stiffened and blushed a bright red.
'Ara, you are…'
'So, what if I am?' Natsuki tried to hide her blush by turning the water to a lower temperature and it made Shizuru squeal and hug her lover tightly.
'Kyaaa, Natsuki is so cute. It makes me fall deeper in love with her.'
'Ba..baka Shizuru. I am many things, but cute? Not me!'
Shizuru clung to Natsuki more tightly and kissed Natsuki's back.
'You're cute and I love you Natsuki, that's the whole truth.'
Natsuki sighed and turned to face Shizuru before giving her a quick kiss on the lips
'If you say so, though I thoroughly deny it. Now shall I make love to you again or shall I lather some soap on you?'
'How about a bit of both?' Shizuru answered with a mischievous glint in her eye.'
'That's what I thought too,' said Natsuki with a smirk.
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After showering and borrowing some of Natsuki's clothes to wear, the both of them went to have a buffet breakfast at one of the restaurants in the hotel.
'I'll tell you.'
Shizuru was sipping her tea when she was startled with Natsuki's statement.
'I'll tell you why I need to get married soon.'
Shizuru nodded as she waited for Natsuki to tell her story.
'As you may or may not know, I founded Kuga Corp. From a small company we've grown as big as we are today. But in truth, the capital was funded by my aunt Saeko. I went to see my father's old business partner and we became business partners. Now the three of us are the main share holders of the company. I own 40 %, Aunt Saeko owns 30% whilst Mr. Ensui owns the remaining 30%.'
She paused to take a sip of her milk coffee and continued her story.
'Now the other day, she told me to get married or I would lose her support. She was rambling about being loved and loving someone. I'd say, it's an old woman's nostalgia. Even though she is forcing me to get married, I want to go by her wishes. The old woman did save my life and cared for me when I was hurt. I owe my life to her.'
Shizuru nodded as she watched her lover pretend to be all bothered by the arrangement. In truth, she could see how much Natsuki adored her aunt.
'You love her don't you?'
'She's all I've got left.'
Natsuki looked at Shizuru lovingly before continuing to speak.
'I know this really sudden. I would totally understand if you refuse to marry me. This marriage will be more like doing an old woman's last request. Sure, I'd hate to lose the company, but I'd hate to lose the old woman's smile. Even if she is a stubborn old woman who speaks harshly.'
'That reminds me of someone I once knew. A stubborn young girl who was really harsh to me, who was it again?'
Shizuru pretended to think as Natsuki's face turned to a light blush.
'Anyway, with you losing your fiancée and all, this is just another problem for you. Please forget I ever asked you to marry me. This is my problem…'
Natsuki was silence by Shizuru's finger. Shizuru took Natsuki's hands into her own and held it tightly.
'Baka Natsuki. I love you and I really don't want to see you marrying anyone else. How do think I would feel seeing you with someone else? How would you feel if I…'
Realizing the implication of what she just said, Shizuru thought hard. It was the same for her right? Seeing me get engaged with Reito? It must have been hard for her…
As if reading Shizuru's mind, Natsuki answered.
'Yes, it was hard seeing you with him. Truthfully, I was relieved he ran off. For saying that, I apologize, but that's what I thought at the time.'
'Apology accepted. I tried to forget you, that's why I agreed to his proposal. I thought I would never get to see you again. Never in my wildest imagination did I think that I would be loved by you.'
Natsuki held Shizuru's hand tightly and gazed lovingly into her lover's eyes. Shizuru blushed by look given and coughed slightly.
'Anyway, please let me think about it a bit? About your proposal?'
Natsuki nodded and stood up getting ready to leave.
'Thank you Shizuru, for even considering. Now let's get you home.
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They exchanged contact numbers and Natsuki sent Shizuru to her family home. Shizuru wanted to see her family and explain what had happened to her after leaving them last night. ('Seriously Shizuru? Your gonna tell them what happened last night?' Natsuki argued), She was greeted by her Mai who gestured her to join them for breakfast.
'So what happened?
'Nothing happened,' answered Shizuru nonchalantly making herself a pot of tea.
'Oh My God! You had sex.
Shizuru nearly dropped the pot in surprise. She frowned and turned to face Mai with a red face.
'Wh..why do you think I had …'
'Your face is glowing.'
Shizuru quickly touched her face.
'No way…'
'You look happy.' Kyoko added.
'Mother, not you too…'
'So did you?'
'I refuse to reveal my personal life even if I did..'
'So you did. Good. You're on the front page of the newspaper.'
'What?'
Shizuru quickly grabbed the newspaper and sure enough on the front page was a big picture of Shizuru and Natsuki with big bold letters 'NATSUKI KUGA IS DATING SHIZURU FUJINO? THEY WERE SEEN LEAVING THE BUILDING TOGETHER'. The article gave a brief summary of the events at the auction and a brief background on both of the girls.
'Oh no.'
'Don't worry; we are behind you all the way. We support you no matter what you do as long as you are happy. Tate and his family, now that's a different story.' Takumi spoke up.
Shizuru was touched by her family's declaration. She was going to thank them when her cellphone rang. She picked it up and noticed it was Natsuki's number.
'Hello?' A nervous voice answered.
'I'm so sorry Shizuru. Have you read the newspaper?'
'I have…'
'I'm so sorry. I didn't predict such a thing would escalate from my actions. How can I make it up to you? Want me to do damage control?
'No, it's fine Natsuki. I owe you for saving me from humiliation yesterday.'
'You do realize this will affect Fujino Corp. Specifically your company shares. As well as the sales on your new magazine as well as other projects..'
'Oh, I'm still in shock, I haven't thought that far…'
'I only have 2 solutions in mind. You lay low or give a press conference to say 'we are not dating' or something of the like to save face and the investor's confidence. Damage control is essential. Or…'
There was a long pause.
'Or marry me and merge our two companies. Your company will be more stable at least. Either way, your company shares will drop. Already has, by 4%.'
'So what do you think?'
'I guess, I have to get married with you after all Natsuki. You sure you didn't plan this?'
'Shizuru! Of course not!' Shizuru could already imagine her lover frowning and smiled.
'I'm really sorry Shizuru, how things have turned out. Associating with me has always been bad for you and your family.'
'Baka Natsuki. You shouldn't say such things; you have always made me happy. For example, last night..'
'I'm that good in bed huh?'
'Natsuki!' Natsuki laughed a gentle laugh.
'I mean it Natsuki. I'm the happiest when I'm with Natsuki.'
'Shizuru…'
There was an arkward silence.
'So, that concludes it. I will marry you Natsuki. Now I need to tell to tell my family now.'
'Then I'll start the damage control. You just relax and watch the outcome. See you later Mrs Kuga, hmm, I like the sound of that.'
'So do I Natsuki. See ya.'
Shizuru hung up and turned to face her family who were pretending that they had not been eavesdropping on the conversation.
'So, I agreed to get married with Natsuki.'
'Ara, ara Shizuru is so vulgar. One night and you've agreed to marry her? She MUST be good in bed.'
'Mother!'
Mai glomped Shizuru and gave her a hug.
'Yay, Shizuru. You've always liked her and now you marrying her. Congratulations!'
'You do realize this is a big decision that will affect all of us?' Takumi asked after congratulating his sister.
'I do and I'll stand firm on my decision. I love Natsuki and I won't let her go anymore.'
'As we said before we are behind you Shizuru.'
'Thank you.'
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TO be Continued.
A/N: I found this chapter to be rather sweet. I hope you liked it. R&R please.