Disclaimer: This is a fanfiction. I own nothing except the flow of the story.

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Chapter I

It was a Friday night. All the adults would prefer to stay in-door and start their weekend ahead. The young-adult or those 'cool' people? Well, they were at pub houses which they called 'lit', exhaling whatever gaseous chemical was served on them and chugging down liquid which will probably cause serious damage to their innocent liver. But who cares? They were wild, young, and free. They can do whatever they want, right? Just no telling on the parents, okay?

Doc Kuga was just opening the door to their humble home when he met his daughter halfway through the living room. "Where to this time?" He looked at his daughter who was clad in all black clothing. "Up to no good again?"

Natsuki fixed her black leather jacket and her black gloves. She was used to the remarks. It was not as if they were in good terms. "I thought I was the only person living in this house." She rolled her eyes in annoyance. "I'm 24. Financially independent. Don't need your approval. Neither your opinion."

"I'm still your father, young lady! Don't talk to me like that!" Doc Kuga burst out. Either from the anger or the stressed brought by the shift at the hospital or could be both. He was so done with the disrespect accorded to him by his daughter.

"I know. That's why I'm still living in this pathetic excuse of a house." Natsuki ignored the outburst. "Or would you prefer if I don't come back at all?" She fixed her boots. "I don't even know why you built this stupid house. You could have just simply live in the hospital with Mom. It's not as if you still have a minor child to check on every single minute."

"Your Mom and I are helping people. They need our care. We're saving lives for God's sake! Stop acting like a privileged brat." Doc Kuga gripped Natsuki's arm when the latter was about to exit the door.

"Of course those people are more important than your own daughter!" Natsuki fired back with gritted teeth and clenched fist. She glared at her father with her blazing emerald orbs.

"We put food on the table, roof on top of your head, and clothed you. The least you can do is to be grateful that you are not starving to death on the street, young lady." Doc Kuga held Natsuki's collar and said in a very low voice, trying to control his anger but failing miserably.

The two look like they were about to jump at each other and cut each other's head when the sound of a door opening was heard and a woman speak.

"Well, I did not know that we have a live fight match tonight. I could have brought more guests other than Shizuru-san here." Doc Saeko announced to get the attention of Natsuki and her father while subtlety announcing the presence of their guest.

Doc Kuga released his daughter's collar from his grip before releasing a sigh. Natsuki, on the other hand, just fixed her clothes before storming out of the door. Not even acknowledging the presence of the two additional occupants of the house.

"See what happened to your former friend, Shizuru? If only she went to Medical School just like you, her life would have been better. A lot better. Now, she's just being a pain in the ass." Doc Kuga threw his arms in the air in exasperation.

"That's enough, honey. Just give her some time. You need to rest. It is already late." Doc Saeko consoled her husband, trying to calm him down. "Shizuru-san, just put the files on the table. Thank you for your help today."

"You are very much welcome, Saeko-sama. I will just talk to her. If you will excuse me." Shizuru put down the files on the table before walking briskly to where Natsuki exited.

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Natsuki was striding her motorcycle and was waiting for the automatic gate to fully open. She started the engine and the motorbike roared to life, emitting an angry sound probably reflecting the rider's mood. She started to move when Shizuru suddenly appeared in front of her motorbike. Had it not been for Natsuki's fast reflex, the woman's body would have been slammed by the hard metal.

Natsuki harshly pulled up the visor of her helmet. "Are you trying to commit suicide, Fujino!" She yelled with obvious anger at the woman.

"We will talk." Shizuru maintained her arms still spread out, preventing Natsuki from further moving.

"Fucking move now." Natsuki glared at her and started the engine. The motorcycle roared louder this time. "Or else I will run you down, woman. I'm not kidding." She threatened.

"Do it." Shizuru challenged, while moving a little backward. "Come on. Do it, Natsuki-chan." She taunted, knowing full well how Natsuki abhorred the nickname.

Suddenly Natsuki maneuvered the motorbike which made Shizuru closed her eyes. In just split seconds, Natsuki, still on her bike, was already beside her. "Still treating me like a child unworthy of you, huh." Natsuki said with bitterness while giving Shizuru a longing look.

Natsuki's breath on her face made Shizuru opened her eyes. "Maybe if Natsuki will stop acting like a child deprived of her parents' attention and just be matured enough to handle things, I might consider her." Shizuru looked into emerald orbs and was about to hold Natsuki's helmet clad face.

"Don't." Natsuki moved away. "Please. Just don't, Shizuru." Natsuki almost whispered the words out. A lump suddenly formed on her throat. She shook her head, wanting to shake the hurt away. "I hope he treats you good." Natsuki smiled. One which did not reach her eyes.

"It is not what-." Shizuru tried to explain but Natsuki already sped away. "—you are thinking." She finished, looking at Natsuki's back who was obviously driving faster than the allowed speed limit.

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They were now on the race track. The audience were too loud. Each was placing their bet on the racer whom they thought had a better chance of winning.

"Hey, Kuga. I don't think we should join tonight's race." Nao sheepishly scratched the back of her neck.

"Why? Chickening out, Yuuki?" Natsuki mocked while assessing the other racers.

"No! Of course, not!" Nao denied vehemently. "But the weather is not good and the track looks fishy to me." She glanced at the lightning and almost covered her ears with the loud boom of the thunder. "Yup, that's definitely not a good sign."

"Suit yourself, Yuuki. Not backing up on anything, Little Miss Sissy." Natsuki taunted while releasing a chuckle.

"Hey, idiot! I'm not a coward. I'm just using my brain here. You should try it sometimes. Helps you survive." Nao rolled her eyes and begun to check her perfectly manicured nails. "I'm just saying that this is an illegal drag race. Either we get caught by the sad man with poorly sewn black robe carrying an antique scythe which was probably not cleaned for ages by the way." She paused. "Or worse, we get caught by donut-munching cops."

"Have we ever joined a legal race?" Natsuki arched an eyebrow.

"You know what? I'm not joining. I'll just be watching your ass get beaten out there. Good luck, Kuga." Nao got tired of retorting and just made her way to the upper box where she had a better view than the rest of the audience.

"Not in my track records, Yuuki." Natsuki yelled back at Nao before she approached her motorbike after the mechanic made a little tinkering. "And will never be." She mounted her bike and prepared to proceed to the starting line.

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The race started five minutes ago and Natsuki felt something was not right with her motorbike. The rain poured hard and the thunder roared angrily.

"Yuuki, do you hear me?" Natsuki yelled through the microphone installed in her helmet. "Yuuki!"

"Yes, you're driving funny. What the hell is going on?" Nao yelled back as she looked at the screen monitor in front of her. The race track was clearly seen on the frames. Each frame was focused on one racer.

"I'm losing control!" Natsuki yelled back as she tried to see through her blurry visor. The rain was not really helping.

"What do you mean you're losing control?" Nao asked as she started to fumble on the monitor.

"The bike- shit!" Natsuki tried to make a curve. "The break, I mean. Not working." She shook her head before resuming. "I think they drugged me."

"What!" Nao started to panic. "Fucking assholes!"

"I can't feel my arms and I'm losing control." Natsuki said as she started to feel the energy of her body left her.

"Shit. Shit. Shitty losers and their dirty tactics." Nao cursed as she retrieved her phone and tried a speed dial.

Well, it was an illegal race after all. Some people were not happy losing a lot of money every single time there was a race.

"Yuuki, will you tell Shizuru something for me?" Natsuki asked as she tried to will all the energy in her body to keep her on the bike.

"No, Kuga. You will tell her yourself! You fucking idiot. I told you to ditch this race! Damn your hard head. Now is the time to keep them hard. I don't want your brain spilling on the race track, you ugly monkey!" Nao rambled as she dialed Shizuru's number.

"Hello." Shizuru picked up just in time for Natsuki to speak.

"Just tell Shizuru I'm sorry, Nao." Natsuki's voice was heard clearly in the control room.

"Shit. Hang in there. Help is on the way." Nao said through gritted teeth.

"Thank you, Yuuki. By the way I don't like that asshole you're dating." Natsuki released an almost fake laugh.

"Now is not the time to be talking about my dates, you asshole. Set your priority right!" Nao yelled, forgetting the phone on her hand.

"Yuuki-san, what is happening?" Shizuru asked with confusion.

"Natsuki is on the race track. Drugged and with malfunctioned motorcycle on this stormy night. You're smart. You can get the picture."

"I am on my way." Shizuru said with urgency.

"Too late." Nao whispered as the phone dropped on the floor. The monitor flashed an image of Natsuki diving down from a cliff and falling to the sea below just before an explosion occurred on the same spot where she fell.

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Hello, my dear readers! I know, I know. I told you that I will not be uploading any story soon due to my busy schedule. Guess what? I have a little spare time. We are encouraged to stay at home. That does not mean that I do not have anything to do, though. I still have work and deliverables. And class? Well, it still continues. So much about me. How are you? I hope you are following safety measures to fight this pandemic. Stay at home as much as possible and boost your immune system. We will get through this. Let us follow the protocols. To all our frontliners, thank you so much! Let us fight together. Once this is over, I hope we will learn something. Keep your sanity until then!

Drop your comments on this new story. I read them. All of them. This "might" be a 15-chapter story again. I decided to write this just to fill in the vacant time. Until the next chapter! Stay at home.