Her eyes scanned the aisles from the front of the bus, pausing momentarily on her friend. The girl was slumped in a back seat, the side of her face smashed up against the window she was gazing out through blankly. It never ceased to amaze her just how bored Natsuki could look, despite the fact that she knew the girl was enjoying herself. She'd have been happier if she'd been allowed to ride her bike instead of being stuck on a bus, but at least this way she had time to enjoy the scenery. Shizuru was simply happy Natsuki had agreed to come along. She finished her head count, checking off the names on her clipboard, and then brought the microphone to her lips.

Squeeling of assorted pitches rose from the seats.

My, everyone is having a good time, are they not?

The cheering became louder, and Shizuru smiled softly.

Seeing as we will be there so shortly, please remain in your places alright?

She handed the microphone to the bus driver, politely thanking him for it's use. While making her way back to sit by her seemingly bored companion, Shizuru was stopped by voices calling her name. She patiently stopped and answered each one with a smile. Natsuki watched her in the reflection of the bus windows. The queen of etiquette and grace, always knowing just what to say and doing so with a smile. Even when she scolded and reprimanded, she did so with a smile. Natsuki's ears burned slightly, remembering the repetitive teasing that also came with a smile.

Ara, what a face...

Startled, Natsuki shifted upright in her seat to let the student council president have more room to sit.

Sorry.

You look a bit feverish, are you not feeling well?

Shizuru's brow slightly creased in concern, and she placed a cool hand to Natsuki's continually reddening cheeks.

I'm fine, probably just sat up too fast.

Shizuru seemed to consider this a moment, and finding it satisfactory, relaxed into her seat.

Resuming her former slumped position, Natsuki leaned her head against the glass. She took note of the envious eyes in the reflection. They all wanted to be with or be Shizuru. It was well known to her that she had her own gaggle of admirers, but even some of those existed expressly as the result of her mysterious ability to be the only one that Shizuru kept close. There were some days she still didn't quite understand it herself, but it was something she'd come to accept- much as one accepts that the earth circles the sun, or that a rainbow is really just light reflected on water and not something that can be grabbed hold of. More than accept, perhaps, she knew that it was tiring for Shizuru to be constantly around people who treated her as if she were the Emperor's favorite tea cup, if not a kami. People like herself, Reito, and even Haruka were valuable to Shizuru. Though she was the only one that she knew the young woman to have deeper feelings for. It was that bit, her proclaimed love, that was what was truly incomprehensible. It was easy to see how someone could be in love with Shizuru- she was beautiful, well spoken, intelligent, mild mannered yet powerful, and born to a wealthy family. She was everything a good man could hope to marry, and a starry eyed school girl could hope to be. As for herself, she was reckless, insubordinate, smart but without patience to study, all she could cook were instant meals, and she might even use the back of her sleeve to wipe her mouth should her slurping get too out of hand. A decent body and face surely weren't enough to make up for all that?

Above the buzzing of her thoughts, and the rush of the world flying past her, she could hear the lyrical sound of the woman's Kyoto accent conversing with another underclassman. Letting her eyes slip back to the reflection, she watched her friend's lips move slowly, gently, and deliberately. Her words were never hurried, she spoke the way she drank tea. Natsuki felt a slight twinge of tightness in her chest, blood slowly coming to color her cheeks once more. She found herself imagining each word as something delicious, to be sipped and savored. The longer she stared at the young woman's lips, the delicate flip of a wrist while expressing a thought, the more heated she felt her complexion become. She wanted to look away, but she found herself unable to tear her gaze. Why had she agreed to go on this trip anyhow, she wondered. Just as the feeling in her chest was becoming unbearably confusing and painful, the bus came to a stop.

Shizuru's expression became dark when she turned and noted that Natsuki looked no less feverish than ten minutes ago.

Natsuki, you don't look well at all... don't move until I have everyone else off of the bus.

She gave the dark haired girl a firm look, and then walked to the front and off of the bus.

It took another fifteen minutes to assemble everyone, pair them up with the correct luggage from under the bus, and then read to them their respective room assignments. Shizuru designated a room leader to each room to be responsible for accepting and turning in the room key from the front desk upon check in and check out. Natsuki should have been collecting herself, but instead found herself staring out the window down at her smiling friend, and blushing at comparing the woman to engine oil in her mind. Everything ran smoothly when she was around, everything but Natsuki. She watched as Shizuru waved the last student into the lobby, her smile melting as soon as she turned around, replaced by a furrowed brow of concern. Natsuki thought she would like to see those things all the time, the real looks, the real feelings. She wanted it ever more deeply, as upon reaching the top step of the bus the small gentle smile had returned.

Ara, How cute Natsuki looks even when she's in such a bad way.

I told you, I'll be fine. You shouldn't worry about me so much, I've always managed to take care of myself.

So you have... I had one of the boys take our luggage inside. It will probably be upstairs by the time we get there. Shall we?

Sounds good to me.

Natsuki evaded Shizuru's held out hand, and used the back of the chair in front of her to leverage herself into a standing position. Her legs were sore and tight from sitting for so long. She slung her pack over her shoulder, and followed the other girl off the bus. The cool breeze that met her outside was welcome. She closed her eyes and stood still on the edge of the walkway, breathing deeply.

I think Natsuki will like it here.

Shizuru tried not to blush as she watched her friend's chest rise and fall, appearing to devour the evening air.

Yea, I'm pretty excited to see this place. You grew up here huh?

Until I was eleven. I've come for periodic visits since then.

Do I get to see your family home?

Would Natsuki like such a thing?

Sure, I'm a little curious.

We'll see then.

It's cool if we don't, don't worry about it... maybe that's kind of a weird thing to ask...

Natsuki flipped her long dark hair back over one of her shoulders, and shifted uncomfortably.

No, I don't think it is. Let's get upstairs though, I'd like to be sure you get some rest. Tomorrow we can think about more travel.

Natsuki nodded, and the two girls made their way into the lobby.

Fujino-sama

The gentleman behind the counter bowed.

Your father left this message for you, and of course, your key.

Again bowing, the man held out a white envelope and an electric key card with the emblem of the hotel printed upon it. Shizuru nodded and thanked him. Natsuki was slightly put off by the reverential treatment her friend seemed to be receiving even outside the confines of the academy. When she was outside of Fuuka spending time with Natsuki, she was in Natsuki's world. She was just another girl among thousands of girls. Here, Natsuki was in her world. Somehow she perceived it as simultaneously magical and oppressing. Not oppressing for her, but for her friend. Her mind again wandered and this time finally seemed to grasp exactly what it was that she gave Shizuru. With a small smile, she let herself careen into Shizuru, bumping her slightly.

OH, So sorry Fujino-sama!

Shizuru's head tilted slightly, looking puzzled at Natsuki from the corner of her eyes. She said nothing, and continued walking. This time Natsuki knocked into her with such force that she nearly lost her footing. Warm maple colored eyes opened wide in surprise at the near fall, and then at the hand on her wrist holding her upright.

ARA... I have NO idea whatsoever of what you speak!

Shizuru felt herself blush, and begin to laugh a little.

Oh, well in that case...Fujino-sama is going to KICK YOUR ASS!

Before Natsuki could blink, she found herself nearly falling to the floor. She caught her footing, however, and began to run full speed down the hallway. Shizuru chased after her, both girls laughing when they had enough breath for it.

Flopping down in front of the door to their room, her hair tangled and bangs flying every which way, Shizuru yelled down the hallway to the still running Natsuki.

Is it the roof you intend to sleep on? Or don't you know where you're going?

A tired Natsuki returned from the end of the hall. She leaned against the door above Shizuru.

Nah, I'm definitely sleeping in a bed tonight.

Shizuru was glad her face was already flushed, as the sight of Natsuki disheveled and breathing heavily, on top of the mention of the word bed, sent a shock straight through her entire body. She took a deep breath, and rose to her feet. She turned the handle as the light flickered from the sliding of the electric keycard. Taking note of their luggage by the closet, Shizuru moved to sit at the desk and read the note that her father had left.

Oh yea, this is what I'm talking about.

Natsuki lay face down on the bed, not seeming to have yet noticed that there was only one in the room. After a moment, she pushed herself off and wandered to the window.

Wow, this view is amazing. Will we get to go see some of the mountains around this place?

Of course, many of the famous temples are there.

Good. I wish I had my bike...

Her green eyes looked wistfully out onto the dusk painted city.

Like a puppy just arriving in a new home, Natsuki began to investigate every corner of the room. She peered into drawers, flipped on and off all the switches, rummaged through the cabinets in the bathroom, and gasped at the shower and tub, turning on and off the faucets for good measure. From her seat by the desk, Shizuru watched this with a terrible amount of amusement.

And? Is everything to your satisfaction, Kuga-san?

Natsuki's fingers tucked a few stray strands of hair behind her ear.

Ahaha... sorry, habits. I like to know the lay out, and make sure everything works I guess.

Shizuru smiled and nodded.

So, what did your father have to say? You said you're not real close with your family when we talked about it before..

The flaxen haired girl nodded.

We've been speaking more, trying to... repair things. We were all a bit of a mess before...

Her voice trailed off.

Mm... sorry to have brought up something painful...

No, no, it's alright. He just wants me to stop by home for a visit, so it looks like you'll get to see my family home after all.

Oh? Are you sure it would be alright with them if I came too? Did he say you could bring someone with you?

A dark shadow seemed to pass over the eyes of Fuuka's ever calm and confidant Kaichou.

It would be asking you too much, wouldn't it? Of course you don't have to come, Natsuki.

Shizuru's gaze shifted upward, the shadow passing out of view, replaced by the same warm gentle smile that replaced so many other hardly perceptible storms. Natsuki realized it wasn't a friendly gesture to let her come along, but that Shizuru was quietly begging her to stay at her side.

Don't be stupid, I wouldn't pass this up. You probably live in a mansion or something, I could sell tickets to this story.

Relief, very slightly crept it's way into the girl's crimson eyes.

Methinks you're learning bad things from spending time with Tokiha and Harada-san ...

You might be right about that

Natsuki thought she might be picking up some other things from Chie Harada that Shizuru wasn't accounting for. Feeling the need for a wall to bang her head against, she excused herself expressing the need for a shower after their run.

Showers seemed like such a luxury. The water cascaded down her face, filling her mouth, and then spilling back out again. It felt wonderful pounding down on her scalp and shoulders. She'd hoped that this would clear her mind, but her mind just kept wandering over the other thoughts she'd been having all day. Shizuru's lips... her calm, her control...how much those shadows of chaotic thought and emotion playing across the young woman's face made her feel...what was she feeling? The pain in her chest was back, but she wasn't sure if it was really pain or if it felt good. Pushing her hair away from her face, Natsuki began to wish that Shizuru could have just told her she wanted her there when she went to visit her family.

Please forgive me

Natsuki's eyes snapped open at the image of Shizuru begging for forgiveness that had found its way to the front of her mind. Her heart was beating quickly... why did she just think of that now. Why did it make her feel this way? She held a hand over her heart, and tried to make it slow. Her thoughts, however, were persistent. Finding herself ill equipped to battle such unfamiliar emotions, she had but to endure them and the accompanying thoughts.

Natsuki had passing fancies. She didn't want things. She didn't have uncontrollable urges for anything outside of cute lingerie, biking gear, and other frivolous material things. But more so than she'd ever wanted any of those things, she found herself uncontrollably focused on that blushing face. On that vulnerable face that needed her. It dawned on her more fully, that as much as she'd needed the kindness that Shizuru and the others had shown her. Shizuru needed her. Not only that, but she found herself enjoying the thought. In other people, that would have made her scoff, it would have been a weakness. In this woman, though, who was always so strong and composed...she found herself filled with longing and compassion...and... violence? She wanted to tear away at these constructs, obliterate those gentle smiles, reduce her to a teenage girl and nothing more. That's why Shizuru liked to be with her, because that was how Natsuki treated her.- as a normal human being, no better or different than any other. A girl and a friend. Natsuki wanted to destroy her as Kaichou.. as Fujino-sama, and then hold her as Shizuru... and... kiss her...

Hesitantly, the girl stepped into the bathroom. She found an unopened package of soap, and ripped off the paper. Natsuki slid the shower door open and held out a hand expectantly. Shizuru stretched her arm out to hand over the bar of soap, but gasped at the unexpectedly tight grip around her wrist that pulled her into the shower. Confused, she tried to gain footing, but slipped. Instead of falling she felt an arm wrap itself around her waist pulling her up. As soon as her feet leveraged ground, she found herself pressed between the shower wall and a very naked Natsuki. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could ask her head smacked lightly against the tiles on the wall. She was pinned so tightly, steam from the shower rising thickly around her, and locked in a kiss so ferocious that she found herself unable to breath. Her eyes closed and rolled back, partly from the light headed feeling of being near to passing out, and partly from pleasure. She gasped when Natsuki pulled back from the kiss, only to gasp again as she felt the kiss move from her lips to her neck. She moaned softly as she felt the pressure of teeth pulling at her skin.

She felt a hand slap over her mouth, forcing her quiet.

I didn't get a say then. You don't get a say now. Understood?

Shizuru was too overwhelmed to be sure she understood anything, yet she nodded. She moaned again into Natsuki's hand as she felt her ear lobe being pulled into the mouth of the latter, slowly sucked and bitten. Once the hand was removed, it was replaced by another kiss. This time deep and sensual. The water still running down Natsuki's face passed from one mouth to the other- warm, coppery, sweet. Water logged, the red tie pulled easily away from her neck, it was more difficult for Natsuki to pull away from the kiss.

Hands.

Shizuru lifted her arms up from her sides, and held them in front of her chest. The dark haired girl kissed them, before wrapping the long red cloth around her wrists. She had no idea what she was doing, only that she wanted this so badly she could only just keep going. Seeing the beautiful student council president, confused and willing to do anything she asked made her desire all the worse. She pulled the red tie to her own chest, dragging Shizuru toward her with it, and used the other hand to push the girl's bangs out of her eyes. Glancing upwards, she pulled the girls hands up to where she was gazing, and tied the remaining cloth to the shower head.

Don't break that.

Shizuru nodded again. Natsuki cupped her hands around the Kyoto-belle's flushed cheeks.

I hope you have another one of these outfits.

Her expression was for a moment apologetic, before turning to hard resolve. Hands slid from Shizuru's face, to her chest, and in a matter of seconds her shirt hung open. The shower rang with the echoes of buttons bouncing off tile. Shizuru shook slightly as she felt lips caressing her chest, her stomach, the pull of teeth at the button of her skirt. Not being able to touch the person kissing her was torture, but she'd given her silent consent for this. She wanted it.