Hi all! This is my second story and I sort of had this crazy idea of putting my two most favorite shoujo-ai couple in one story. Needless to say, this is AU. I can't promise regular updates but I'll do my best. Please forgive me if the characters are a bit off-character. But there's a good reason why, I promise that! So anyway, I hope you enjoy this first chapter! Tell me how it goes! Reviews are always much appreciated!

Enjoy!

"Tadaima!" Natsuki shouted as she opened the door.

"Five, four, three, two, one" Natsuki counted on her mind. Right on cue, she heard footsteps rumbling down the stairs. After less than a second, a figure flashed before her eyes and she was suddenly caught in a life squeezing embrace by a blonde angel.

"Hime-chan, I can't breathe!" she muttered, tapping the angel on her waist as it was the only thing she could reach. She often thought that Hime isn't really a proper nickname for the angel. She wasn't a princess, definitely. Yes, she was more of an angel. But she kept that to herself.

"Natsuki-chan! Welcome home!" the angel said, letting go of Natsuki. "How was your day?" she asked with a very excited smile on her face.

"I don't think that's what you really want to know, Hime-chan." Natsuki answered---well she didn't really answer the question.

A week ago, Natsuki promised that she would treat the angel to a concert, Himemiya Chikane's concert, to be exact. She didn't know exactly what it was that Himeko loved about the Himemiya, but Himeko's room is filled to the ceiling with the pianist's pictures. She wouldn't eat or buy anything just to save money for cd's. She's a member of every Himemiya fan club there is in the internet. And, because she is so damn good with photography, drawing, painting, and Adobe Photoshop, she has like a hundred thousand pictures of Himemiya, hand-drawn, photoshopped, painted…and it was filling her 250 GB external hard drive. Natsuki was sick and tired of Himemiya's songs playing around their apartment every time she came home so she made a deal with the angel:

One week free of Himemiya songs and she would treat her to Himemiya's concert. Natsuki is still smiling as she remembered how Himeko looked when she heard Natsuki's proposal. After an hour of wrestling in her mind, Himeko finally agreed. Maybe it was because she knew she'd never have the money to pay for the concert tickets, but Himeko, to Natsuki's great relief, agreed.

"And to answer your question, your real question, yes, give me a minute to change and we'll go to the concert." Natsuki said after giving Himeko a proper look from head to toe. She was obviously dressed and ready to go. But Natsuki has been outside running errands and she knew she was filthy.

"Uhmmm..Natsuki-chan?" Himeko said, stopping Natsuki on her tracks. Natsuki turned to look at the angel. Himeko had an even wider, more expectant, beaming smile on her face. It almost made Natsuki flinch. Of course, how could she forget?

"Happy birthday, Himeko." Natsuki said.

Once again, Himeko jumped at Natsuki and hugged her. This time, one of Himeko's hand wrapped around Natsuki's neck, the other on her waist. "I can't thank you enough, Natsuki-chan. You've been so good to me all these years. I can't ask for a better friend." Himeko said, her voice muffled by Natsuki's neck.

Natsuki winced.

Friend.

Yes. She's a friend. That's all she's ever going to be.

A friend.

"Ara, birthday girl, don't you look even more dashing today?" Shizuru said, teasing the pianist. "I took a peek at the hall and it was filled with your screaming fan girls and about fifty dozen eligible bachelors, all expecting your hand in marriage."

A normal rich girl would have been pleased upon hearing that. But Shizuru knew her cousin better than anyone else. The girl was a sociopath. But then again, she could say the same thing for herself. In fact, she knew they had so much in common, it was almost weird: never had a boyfriend, was never interested in anything but excelled in everything, and could make anyone swoon without even trying. She had almost the same number of proposals from both gender every week. The only difference she had with her cousin was she was talkative, and talkative isn't the exact adjective she'd use. Perhaps for every sentence she would say, her cousin would say just a word. And to think that Shizuru was described as a quiet girl! Cool, calm, collected, indifferent, almost apathetic: those were the words that would best describe them.

"I would take that as a compliment, cousin." the Himemiya heiress answered.

Shizuru was about to say something that she thought would irritate her cousin when a blushing floor director entered the dressing room they were in. "One minute, Himemiya-sama" she said and looked as if the floor was about to swallow her alive. And then she went out in a hurry.

"I think I just met another would be suitor…or stalker." Shizuru quietly said as her cousin passed by her without even so much as a look and walked out of the door.

Any other person would take that as a sign of rudeness, or worse, of hate, but Shizuru knew better. In fact, she knew Himemiya may not have even heard the comment.

Shizuru stared at the cup of tea that was set in front of her. She heard a muffled introduction, and then a thundering applause. By now, Chikane would be walking toward the grand piano.

There was an eerie silence.

And then the music started.

Shizuru smiled sadly at her cup of tea. The music was a happy one, or at least that's what everyone heard. But Shizuru heard the undertones, and they were powerfully sad. Even the greatest musicians described Chikane's latest album as something "calming, dreamy and wonderful and happy". But only Shizuru knew the sadness, the longing and the misery Chikane weaved through her music. It was just like Chikane herself.

She felt her phone vibrate and took it out of her pocket. She took at one look at the caller's name and sighed. Time to play my music, she thought sadly.

She stood up and straightened her dress.

It's not so different from yours, cousin.

With another sigh, she flipped open the phone and smiled before saying, "Father!"

Himeko stared at her concert brochure in disbelief.

There was a fifteen minute break before the second half of the concert began and her spine was still tingling with excitement. She almost never blinked as she stared at Chikane as she played in front. She only took a few seconds to look at everyone around her and saw that they all had that calm, happy look on their faces…and this troubled Himeko a bit.

She never really thought of her idol's music as being happy. Yes, it was calming to an extent, but for her, it was really sad…as if Chikane was singing a song of lament more than joy.

It was the same for her pictures and posters. This was the reason Himeko had to retouch almost all of Chikane's pictures. She wanted to see her idol smile. And she was smiling…it just wasn't a happy smile.

Even the brochure she held had that same sad smile Chikane always had.

"Would that be okay, Hime-chan?" Natsuki asked, forcing Himeko out of her trance.

"What?" Himeko asked, confused.

"You really have to stop staring at Himemiya's pictures. Don't you have enough? Besides, that picture might melt." Natsuki teased.

"I am so sorry, Natsuki-chan. Anyway, what were you saying?" Himeko asked.

"I was asking if it would be okay if I went outside to smoke" Natsuki answered.

"Do you really have to? You know you have to quit that habit of yours, Natsuki-chan" Himeko said, concern heavy on her voice.

"Maybe, one day…if the right person asked me." Natsuki replied. "So, would you be okay here? I'll be just ten minutes."

Himeko nodded her agreement. She didn't really want Natsuki to go. But it was freezing outside and she didn't like the smell of cigarette smoke so she didn't have any choice. Besides, Himeko noticed Natsuki had that pale face Himeko knew meant that she badly needed to smoke.

"Ten minutes." Natsuki promised, and then ran off towards the exit.

Himeko turned around only to accidentally bump into someone, causing her to fall butt first.

"Ara, what is an angel doing here?" a cheerful voice with a very heavy Kyoto-ben accent asked.

Himeko looked up and saw a tall, sandy-haired, beautiful lady looking down at her, hands held out, offering to help her up. Judging by the dress she wore, Himeko knew the girl was rich---very rich.

She took the girl's hand anyway, while stammering her apology.

"No need to apologize, I wasn't really looking at where I was going." The girl said as soon as Himeko was upright.

"By the way, I'm Shizuru. Fujino Shizuru. You?" the tall girl asked with a smile on her lips.

"Kurusagawa Himeko." Himeko answered, again stammering.

"Well, Kurusagawa-san, it's a pleasure meeting you." Shizuru answered. "I didn't know angels are allowed to walk amongst us pitiful mortals."

Himeko was by then blushing furiously. She didn't know what to say so she stammered a thank you, even though she knew it wasn't the most appropriate response.

"A bit shy, aren't we?" Shizuru laughed quietly.

Again, Himeko was lost for words so she took to studying the red carpet intensely.

"Kurusagawa-san?"

Himeko looked at the tall girl and she was surprised at what she saw. There was a strange mix of mischief and hunger playing at the tall girl---Fujino Shizuru's---eyes. It made her uncomfortable and comfortable at the same time. She was even more confused when the other girl grabbed her, gently, by the wrist and led her away from the crowd waiting at the reception hall.

"Ano, Fujino-san-" Himeko started but was cut off immediately.

"Please, it's Shizuru. Fujino-san is my father." Shizuru said.

"Ah…yes…Fu- I mean Shizuru-san, where are you taking me?" Himeko asked, uncertain if she was being rude.

To her surprise, Shizuru suddenly stopped.

"Interesting question, Himeko-chan. Do you mind if I call you Himeko-chan?" Shizuru replied, still the same smile playing on her lips.

"Not at all, Shizuru-san." Himeko replied. She still wasn't sure what was happening.

"As to your question… There are a lot of…people…here. I thought we could go somewhere quiet and have a cup of tea…or does Himeko-chan prefer coffee?" Shizuru asked, her voice almost teasing.

"Uhmm…Thank you for the offer but you see my friend---" for the second time, Shizuru cut her off.

"Boyfriend?"

"Uhmm…no, my friend…she's a girl---"

"Ara! So you swing that way, huh?"

"Uhh..what? No… I mean my roommate…"

"Is she really your roommate? Or is she something more than a roommate?

"No! I mean yes! I mean no!" Himeko was by then beet red, and she knew she was going to faint form lack of blood to her other body parts.

"No? Yes? You confuse me Himeko-chan." Shizuru teased again.

"I mean we share the same apartment but---"

"I see… so you guys live together. How sweet!"

"Shizuru-san, please. Let me finish." Himeko was by then really pleading.

"Go ahead." Shizuru replied, obviously amused by Himeko's stammering.

"I'm here with a friend and she would be really worried if I left suddenly." Himeko finally managed to say, still stammering of course.

"So where is this friend of yours?"

Himeko obviously missed the special emphasis on the word "friend"

"She'll be here in a few minutes." she answered, looking around, desperate to find Natsuki.

"I see. Are you two going out for dinner afterwards?" Shizuru carefully structured her question.

"Yes." Himeko answered but it came off more as a question.

"Dinner, as in a date?" Shizuru was obviously fishing now, but Himeko caught none of it.

"Uhmm no. It's just dinner." Himeko answered still uncertain as to where the questioning was going. So she was surprised when the other girl clapped her hands happily.

"Perfect! Then you wouldn't mind if me and my…uhmm…friend… tagged along, would you?" and without waiting for a response from Himeko, she quickly added. "Wonderful! I'll see you after the show then. Please wait for me inside the concert hall."

And with that, Fujino Shizuru left an obviously confused Kurusagawa Himeko and calmly walked towards the concert hall.

"This better be good, Shizuru." Chikane muttered coldly.

The concert was a huge success, needless to say. And after waiving to the crowd, for a few minutes and mouthing her thank you's, the curtain went down and Chikane was escorted by her bodyguards past the awaiting production staff and crew, a few more fans, and some other people she didn't really have to greet but thanked politely anyway, and to her car. Everyone knew she didn't like staying for after parties as she always had an awaiting meeting afterwards.

So she was surprised when she was pulled by her cousin, Shizuru to her limo and quickly drove away.

It wasn't a normal thing for Shizuru to do. In fact, Shizuru took care to inform Chikane's bodyguards that she would be stealing her cousin away just so she won't alarm the army that flocked Chikane everywhere she went.

"Trust me, this will the greatest good you will ever have. And you will thank me for this later." Shizuru confidently answered.

Chikane said nothing and looked outside.

"Lee-san, kindly pull-over at the front. Thank you." Shizuru instructed quietly. And without batting an eyelash, she produced a cellphone on her hand and dialed her own number.

She waited for ten seconds before a girl answered on the other line.

"Kurusagawa-san! I'm here, outside, waiting for you…and your friend…Please meet me here." And with that, Shizuru disconnected the call and smiled at Chikane.

"What happened to your phone?" Chikane asked, motioning to the battered looking phone that was obviously not Shizuru's.

"Let's just say it was my…insurance. Wait here, dear cousin." Shizuru hurriedly opened the door and immediately, she was swarmed with photographers.

Chikane was in no danger of being seen because she facing Shizuru which meant that even if the door was opened, nobody was going to see her.

The limo had space so that ten people could seat comfortably, all facing each other. Instead of a mini-bar with champagne or wine, Shizuru made sure that there was tea in her own limo. The panels were all wooden and she was sure that the seats were covered with the best, softest, faux fur.

The glasses were tinted black so Shizuru could have her privacy. It was one thing, among so many, that they shared in common, their desire for privacy.

After a minute or so, a harassed looking blonde girl and a disapproving raven-haired girl was hauled, Shizuru-style (She didn't really haul people. But Chikane knew Shizuru had a very interesting talent of making people do what she wants despite obvious disapproval), to the limo, followed by an obviously pleased Shizuru. As soon as she closed the door, she said, "Let's go, Lee-san."

The limo was dead silent except for Shizuru, who had gotten her phone back from Himeko. She was talking to someone on the phone.

"Don't worry, Otoha-san. Your dear pet will be back before sunrise"

Pause.

"I'm sure you'll come up with a wonderful explanation."

Another pause. This one longer than the previous one.

"You can always blame me. Good night, Otoha-san."

And with that she flipped her phone and turned it off.

She looked at the three people inside the limo.

Chikane was staring at her coldly. Himeko was staring in awe and utter disbelief at Chikane, obviously blushing despite the darkness. Himeko's friend, whom Himeko introduced to her as Kuga Natsuki, was looking simultaneously at Himeko questioningly and at her with obvious disdain. She didn't even seem to notice Chikane.

Shizuru smiled at Chikane, gestured at the other two girls, and said, "This is Kurusagawa Himeko and her roommate Kuga Natsuki. They will be joining us for dinner. I'm sure you're starving."

She turned to smile at Himeko and Natsuki. "Himeko-chan, Natsuki-san, I'm sure you know my cousin, Himemiya Chikane."

And with that, she flicked a button no one even knew existed and out came in front of her a china tea set. She poured tea for herself.

And calmly took a sip.

"Where are you taking us?" Natsuki was the first one to find her voice. There was an edge of anger and confusion in her voice.

Shizuru took another sip before answering.

"You'll know when we get there." she answered, staring at Natsuki calmly. Natsuki didn't know what else to say so she just glared furiously at Shizuru.

"Himeko-chan, since you're the only one not glaring at me, I'd like to know whether you'd like Chinese or Italian better. Or is traditional Japanese your preference?" Shizuru asked, smiling at Himeko who was still dumbfounded. "?"

"Traditional Japanese."

To everyone's surprise, it was Chikane who answered, who was now looking at Himeko, her face unreadable.

"Glad to see you're part of the conversation, cousin." Shizuru replied. She again turned to the other two girls. "Since no one is objecting, traditional Japanese it is."

"Lee-san, you can drop us here."

Without another word, the car swerved to stop at the sidewalk.

As soon as the car halted, Chikane opened the door beside her and got out. Shizuru did the same thing to her door. Himeko and Natsuki followed suit.

The limo then drove away, leaving the four girls.

"Where are we?" Natsuki asked suspiciously, looking around.

They were standing at a dark, abandoned parking lot, it seemed. It held nothing but a black car sitting quietly at one far end of the lot.

Chikane spotted the car and walked towards it. Shizuru gestured for Natsuki and Himeko to follow. Himeko was about to do so when Natsuki grabbed her by the wrist and said "We are not going anywhere unless you tell us where we are going."

By then Natsuki had gained her composure and was back to her usual cool self. But her words were dripping with undeniable suspicion.

Shizuru was about to answer Natsuki but Chikane, who was already waiting in front of the car, answered first.

"We are going to my house." she said, looking not at Natsuki but at Himeko. Himeko in turn was a deeper shade of red now.

"I'm sorry but Himeko and I have made reservations." Natsuki answered, staring defiantly back at Chikane."

"I don't think you'll go very far in this blistering cold. Taxi's do not go here often so you will have no choice but walk." Shizuru said, adding, "And I don't think Himeko-chan here can walk all the way to the nearest restaurant."

Natsuki looked at Himeko who was shivering badly despite the fact that she was still staring at Chikane and that they were inside an impossibly warm parking lot.

"Please?" Shizuru begged. "Himeko-chan?"

Himeko forced her stare away from the Himemiya heiress and looked at Natsuki, assuring her. "I trust them, Natsuki-chan."

Sighing in defeat, Natsuki allowed herself to be dragged by Himeko towards the black car.

Chikane was seated at the driver's seat and had already started the black car when the three others got there. She put the car in reverse and, without even looking at the rearview mirror or behind her, gently backed the car out of the parking lot and into the cold highway.

a/n: so how was it?