Chapter. 6

Natsuki's left eye started twitching as she arrived at the mall with her family….and cat. Her eye twitched even more as she noted that there were a lot more shoppers than usual, which could only mean one thing, there was a sale going on. 'Great, just what I need! A go-' Her thoughts were interrupted when an excited couple bumped into her as they rushed towards a sale. The blunette growled at the oblivious couple before turning back to her family to find them gone, except for an amazed Nao, who was looking at the mall in wonders. Natsuki glanced around the mall and caught a glimpse of a blue and yellow blur dashing over to closest sale.

'Damn it! They left me alone with Nao, and her eyes are glowing? Oh no, this trip is awaking her inner shopping spirit!' Natsuki started to look around frantically for an exit. Finding one, she made a dash to her new found escape when an excited Nao grabbed her right hand and dragged her int the opposite direction, towards the sale her family had ran to. Natsuki expression cringed as all the women at that particular sale were behaving like barbarians, tugging over certain article of clothing, fighting and yelling at each other. They were like hyenas fighting over the last scrap of meat, and in the middle of it all was her family. Alyssa was using her size to her advantage, running around taking other people's article of clothing as they argued amongst themselves while Saeko was yelling and grabbing clothes out of other woman's grasp.

"We are not going into that warzone." Natsuki stated as she gripped onto the redhead's hand and pulled her to the side as she felt the other want to join in on the madness.

"Ahhhh, why not? It looks like fun." Nao whined and pouted cutely as she looked up at the blunette. Natsuki was dumbfounded as she stared at Nao's adorable expression before she stuttered out her answer and she turning away with a light blush.

"B-Because it's dangerous, and besides considering those two," Natsuki said as she pointed to her family, who were now rolling and dodging others to get to the register making sure not to drop or get their prizes stolen, "they'll be done soon, so don't bother." Nao only pouted even more before looking around the mall once more anxiously.

"You look like you've never been to a mall before." Natsuki said with a chuckle as she noticed Nao's face.

"It's not like they would let a cat into a mall." The shorted girl replied as she continued to observe the mall, wanting to shop like the others.

Just as Natsuki predicted the mother and daughter duo were back with victorious grins and various bags in their arms.

"Sorry you two, but we just had to get these items before they were gone." Saeko said as she approached the pair while Alyssa nodded and agreed with her mother. Stopping in front of the couple Saeko's expression changed into a serious one. Natsuki could only sigh as she knew what was forming in her mother's mind.

"Considering the amount of enemies in the vicinity, it looks like we're gonna have to split up. Agent Mayo, it looks like you have already chosen your partner for this mission." Saeko said looking at their linked hand. The younger version looked down at her hand before quickly letting go with a blush. 'Damn, I can't believe that I forgot that I was still holding her hand.' Nao only smirked at the taller girl, though a little disappointed at the lost of contact before redirecting her gaze at Saeko as she started to speak once again.

"Agent Artemis, looks like you're coming with me." Saeko stated as she looked towards her youngest daughter who nodded back before a question floated into her mind.

"Commander BM, what will Nao-Onee-chan's codename be?"

"Hmmm, what do you suggest Agent Mayo?"

"Idiot." Natsuki suggested in a whisper as she looked around the mall with a bored face. Nao glared at the blunette before turning back to her commander.

"Can I suggest my own?"

"What do you propose?"

"I wanna be Agent Catnip." Natsuki just started laughing as she heard the redhead's suggestion.

"Why would you pick a name like that."

"Hey, you got to pick something you like so why can't I?"

"Because mayo is cooler."

"Would you rather have me pick Agent Mayo's Lover?" This instantly shut Natsuki up as she stared wide eye with a giant blush on her face before trying to stutter out an answer.

"NOO!" The other three just giggled at the blunette's face before resuming the 'briefing.'

"Okay, Agent Catnip it is. Back to what I was saying, we will split up into two groups, Agent Artemis and I will take the north and east side including the upper division, while you two take the south and west end. Agent Mayo, this is just like Operation Omega except you will be escorting our new agent around. We will meet back at the entrance in o-three hundred hours, where we will switch positions. Set your timers, agents." At their commander's order Alyssa and Natsuki started to set their watches, as they were doing that, Saeko turned towards Nao.

"Agent Catnip, you will have a specific job once you reach the rendezvous point, you are to give us some sort of signal of your location. Can you manage that?"

"Of course, Commander!" Nao stated with a nod with a mischievous smile, already having a signal in mind.

"Good, now here are your ammunition, use them wisely." Saeko said with a stern voice as she started to pass around different bills. All three nodded as they placed their 'ammunition' into their pockets or wallets.

"Oh and before I forget, Agent Mayo you are to put these into the battle vehicle before starting your mission." Saeko said as she shoved all the bags into Natsuki's arms.

"And no running away, got it? Who knows what might happen to your baby." Natsuki could only quickly nod her head nervously.

"Okay, agents let's move out." Their commander said as they all saluted each other, while Natsuki was trying to balance all the bags in her arms. After their salute, Saeko and Alyssa charged towards the north side with a battle cry, startling all the shoppers in their way. Natsuki could only sigh as she shook her head embarrassed by her family's antics. Nao, on the other just laughed already enjoying her first shopping trip.

"I'm gonna put these in our so called battle vehicle, so just stay here and do not go anywhere, okay?" The blunette ordered as she gave the redhead a stern look.

"Got it, Agent Catnip's Lover." Nao replied giddily as she saluted the older girl.

"MAY CODE NAME IS NOT AGENT CATNIP'S LOVER!" A red Natsuki yelled before bolted out towards the car, when she noticed that all the shoppers around her were staring.

Nao chuckled at the blunette's reaction before looking around the mall again with a childish glee. As she waited for Natsuki's return, one male decided to approach her.

"Hey there cutie, are you lost?" He asked as he looked at Nao with perverted eyes. Nao merely glared at the man before walking to the closest store, away from the man.

"Oh come on, don't be like that. I'm just trying to help a lost kitten." The man stated following the redhead.

"Get lost, pig!" The redhead hissed out as she gave him a disgusted look.

"Oh feisty, just the way I like it."

"I said get lost, creep!"

"I'm just trying to help." The guy tried once again as he reached towards Nao's right arm, but before he could touch her someone had intercepted him by grabbing painfully onto his forearm.

"She's with me." A cold voice said as the grip increased. The man yelped before looking up into glaring emerald eyes.

"S-Sorry, I didn't know she was taken! I'm sorry!" The man said in a terrified voice as the glare increased, before the grip around his arm was gone. He quickly bolted towards the exit. As her hero was still glaring at the man, Nao took this chance to congratulate her hero.

"My hero." Nao cooed as she embraced the other girl's body. Natsuki turned red once again before trying to get the younger girl off her.

"Damn it, Nao! Can't you stay out of trouble for one minute? And get off of me will you?" The blunette said as she was still struggling to pry the redhead off her.

"But I was so scared…" Nao fibbed quietly, using any excuse she could think of to snuggle into the blunette's neck. Natsuki stopped struggling as she heard the redhead's words.

'Some escort agent I am…I probably ruined her shopping trip' The blunette patted the other's head getting her attention as she looked up at her.

"Uhm, since you said that it's your first time in a mall, why don't we start shopping?" Natsuki suggested with an awkward smile while she scratched her cheek with one finger, trying to cheer the redhead up. Nao blushed lightly before trying to hide it by hugging the older girl enthusiastically.

'I'll take that as a yes.' Natsuki thought, as she tried to walk over to the directory with Nao still attached to her body.

"Damn." Natsuki cursed before sighing inwardly. Having heard the other curse, Nao looked up at the older girl before looking to the directory to find the problem.

"You don't have to be upset over something so small." Nao giggled as she went back to her place at Natsuki's neck.

"Like you would understand." Natsuki replied with a blush as she continued to look at the directory.

"Just because Agent Artemis and Commander BM gets to go to the lingerie store first, doesn't mean it's the end of the world."

"Their section isn't just the lingerie store, it has the motorcycle store, the pet store, and there are fewer clothing stores there. While our side has mostly clothing stores with the only the toy store as the good part."

"It's not that big of a deal, it's like saving the best for last."

"I guess we could look at it that way…" Natsuki sighed out as she glared at the directory.

"Hey, what does BM stand for anyways?" Nao asked curiously looking up at the taller girl. At the question, Natsuki just started to laugh out loud.

"What? What? I wanna know." Nao peered at the other girl anxious to know the answer.

"Sorry it's just funny." Natsuki replied as she regained her composure.

"Well?"

"BM stands for Big Mama." Natsuki answered as she started to laugh again, only this time she was joined in by Nao.

"She must really love being a mom."

"You don't even know the half of it." The two continued to laugh as they tried to calm themselves down.

"So…where do you want to go first?"

"Hmm, we can start here," Nao pointed at the west side of the mall before trailing her finger down south, "and then make our way down here?"

"Sounds good to me." The blunette agreed and started walking to where Nao had pointed only to stop when she noticed how difficult it was to walk with someone hugging her.

"Uhm, mind letting go of me now?"

"But I feel safer this way." Nao cooed replying from her position against Natsuki's neck.

"Well you're gonna have to let go if you want to shop."

"…Okay…" Nao sighed as she let go with disappointment, but looked up when she felt the other's hand intertwine with her own.

"D-Don't get the wrong idea, this is just so that you don't get lost and cause more trouble." Natsuki said quickly as she looked away with a blush. Nao gave the other a warm smile as a light blush appeared on her features.

"Now come on, let's get going." Natsuki muttered as she guided them to their first destination, missing Nao's smile.

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A/N: I'm really sorry that I haven't updated my story in awhile but I kind of just lost all inspiration to write. I would like to thank everyone for reviewing and being patient with me.