The Knights Himura

Tsuki and Fumi wandered through the mall, and the whole time, they didn't see a single other soul inside. Eventually, they arrived at a big opening with huge sets of escalators and stairs, leading to a lower floor below.

"C'mon!" Fumi dragged Tsukiko onto an escalator.

Once they reached the bottom, they looked around and found more empty shops, and a big sign advertising a food court not too far away. That place too was empty, but for some reason, there was fresh made food already waiting for them. A little bakery had loaves of bread ready for them, and a ramen shop had dozens of bowls lined up for their choosing. Tsukiko couldn't help herself.

"Let's take a break." Tsuki stopped.

"Why?" Fumi pouted.

"I'm getting hungry just looking at this stuff." Tsuki rubbed her stomach.

Tsuki started browsing around till she found a little burger joint, a bell ringing as they entered through the big sliding glass doors, and just like all the other places, plates with burgers and fries were waiting for them on the counter.

"Burgers?" Fumi grabbed one and looked at it.

"What? I like 'em." Tsukiko grabbed one and dug through it to pull out the pickles.

"I don't even know why they put those in." Fumiko laughed.

"Some people like 'em, I guess."

Fumi took the bun off of her burger. "Well yeah, pickles are edible, but they're still god awful."

"Yeah, they're too damn sour." Tsuki took a bite of a cheeseburger.

Fumi sat down next to her and laid her head on her knight's shoulder. "You're too sweet."

Tsukiko's mouth curled into a small smile. "Heh."

"You said such sweet things last night, too." Fumi teased.

"Yeah… I was… emotional." Tsuki's face went red.

"Barely awake, too." Fumi nudged her.

"Can you blame me?" Tsuki took another bite.

"I'm just glad you're doing better now." Fumi sat back up.

Fumiko grabbed a plate of fries and started eating them one by one.

"I meant what I said, Fumi." Tsuki muttered.

"I know you did." Fumi took a bite of her burger.

"Huh?"

Fumi turned toward her, still chewing. "You're more honest when you're out of it."

"Am I?" Tsuki chuckled

"Lying's hard when you can't think straight." Fumi laughed. "Too tired for shame."

They kept eating in a comfortable, relaxing silence. The food was still fresh, like it'd just been made. It was seemingly impossible, but overthinking it would probably spoil the mood.

"Y'know." Fumi looked down at herself. "I was thinking earlier of getting a new look, y'know?"

"Ask Aurelia." Tsukiko suggested. "She got me this new look."

Fumi shook her head. "Nah, I don't wanna change it just yet. You bought me this jacket, remember?"

Tsuki looked down at the new well worn olive green jacket she'd bought for Fumi a long time ago. It wasn't the right size, a bit too big, and the fabric was a bit thin in places.

It was the first time she'd stopped to take another look at Fumiko in a while. She'd always loved to show off her legs, tight black leather look shorts and dark tights that led down to brown boots that came together to make her look at least somewhat classy. Her top half was a lot more casual, the olive jacket only loosely covering the deep red ribbed sweater underneath, a combo she'd only ever leave behind on the hottest of days.

"You gonna keep starin' all day? Or are you gonna finally reach out and touch me?" Fumiko laughed.

"I just… I dunno. It's been a while since I've taken a good look at you, that's all." Tsuki looked away.

Fumi put one hand on Tsukiko's other cheek and pulled her over so that her face was close to Tsuki's. "Get closer then, no distractions."

Tsukiko stared into Fumi's greenish, ocean blue eyes and looked at her brown, messy hair. Her own eyes started darting around and her face turned red. Fumiko held her there for a few excruciating seconds.

Fumi let her hand slip and she broke into laughter. "You should've seen the look on your face!"

Tsuki muttered. "It's not that funny…"

Fumi wrapped her arm around the Knight. "Don't act like you didn't enjoy it."

The Knight kept her head down in embarrassment.

"On a more serious note." Fumi put a hand on Tsukiko's shoulder. "What happened yesterday?"

"I thought I told you." Tsuki spoke after regaining her composure.

"You did, but… You got all emotional last night, and… Well, I'm a little worried." Fumi had a look of genuine concern on her face.

Tsukiko closed her eyes and smiled. "Worried about what?"

"Worried about your head." Fumi stared.

Tsukiko folded her arms on the counter, and laid her head down. "My head?"

"You just kinda… accepted all this. My head's still reeling from the whole Madame Jeanne and Aurelia thing." Fumi put a hand on Tsukiko's shoulder.

"And?"

Fumi sighed. "I don't wanna find out you went crazy out there or something."

Tsuki yawned. "You'd know by now if I'd gone crazy."

"Real funny." Fumi pouted.

"Listen, Fumi." Tsuki sat up straight, grabbing another burger. "What happens behind these doors, stays behind these doors."

"Huh?"

Tsuki turned to Fumi. "I realized something when I saw that girl, y'know. None of this matters in the long run, does it?"

"Uhh…" Fumi looked as if she was about to speak, but decided not to.

Tsukiko cleared her throat before speaking. "Don't look at me like that. I mean, no matter what magic shit's getting tossed my way, I still have you. Inside a door, in France, in Spain, in Tokyo, hell, even here. I said I was gonna find that guy, and I'm doing my best."

Fumiko leaned over to get a bit closer to Tsuki. "Well, if I'm the only thing that matters, what's gonna happen if I get hurt? What if you get hurt?"

Tsuki shook her head. "You're not gonna get hurt. If I get hurt, I'll figure something out, like always. No matter what, though, I'll do everything I can to protect you"

"But…"

Tsuki leaned back, stretching her arms out. "Don't think about it too much, alright?"

Fumi looked a little disappointed. "Yeah, I guess…"

"People are tougher than you'd think, Fumi. After all, you saw what happened to Lily."

"Wait what?" Fumi jumped.

"...they didn't tell you?" Tsuki paused for a moment. "...that gang. They tried to set her on fire."

Fumi's eyes widened. "Oh god, is she okay?"

"Yeah, she's fine." Tsuki paused again before speaking. "Not a scratch on her. Even her hair didn't get burned. Clothes got ruined though."

"Really?" Fumi's face only grew more worried.

"Yeah, it's weird. I've been trying to forget about it. All's well that ends well, right?" Tsuki spoke with little confidence.

"I told you. You needed this break, Tsuki." Fumi scolded.

Tsukiko smiled. "Yeah, you're right."

"And Haruka?" Fumi asked.

"What about her?" Tsuki yawned again.

"You think she's alright?" Fumi spoke vaguely.

Tsuki shrugged. "She looks fine to me."

"Oh well." Fumi sighed. "I guess it's like you said, All's well that ends well."

Tsukiko nodded in agreement. "Nothing's changed, really. Other than us meeting that Madame Aurelia lady."

"She kinda bothers me." Fumiko spoke quietly, as if to avoid being overheard.

Tsuki laughed. "From the way you talked about her, I thought you were one of her most loyal customers."

"Yeah, but… This is all new to me. She knows everything. How the hell did she know your measurements? or Lily's?" Fumi spoke in a loud whisper.

Tsukiko reached over for a milkshake. "Lily's?"

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"Aurelia made her a new dress and everything. She didn't even measure her, she just knew!" Fumi's voice gradually went back to normal volume.

"Maybe someone else measured her? Maybe Haruka measured me?" Tsuki shoved Fumi weakly. "I thought I was supposed to be the crazy one."

"…you're right." Fumiko looked down, embarrassed.

Tsuki looked out the door. "Wait, holy shit…"

"What? What is it?"

Tsuki stood up and walked toward the door, squinting. "Never thought I'd see one of these in a mall."

Before Fumi could react, Tsukiko was already half way out the door, so she hopped onto her feet to follow. Tsuki led Fumi through some more glass doors to an outdoors area of the mall, revealing the deep blue sky and a small grassy area with more plants and even some palm trees. There was an open end of the mall where they could see out to the horizon, but they saw no mountains or cities on the horizon, not even the ocean, just more of the sky.

They didn't linger long, with Tsukiko pulling Fumiko into a fancy bar, with a wall of colored bottles, dim lights, big beer taps and the stereotypical set of red stools. There was a musky scent in the air, the smell of old wood, perfume, and nice liquor.

Tsuki perused the wall, taking in its grand selection of bourbons, whiskeys, and vodkas, and absinthes, their colorful bottles reflecting the warm light and giving the interior a nice splash of rainbow color. The place was stocked with everything anyone could ever need for mixing drinks, seltzers and syrups displayed proudly on the counter.

"This is my gift to you, Miss Nakano." Tsuki spoke in a strange, forced dialect, as she guided Fumi to a stool by the bar.

Fumi groaned. "Don't steal my gimmicks, damnit."

Tsuki hopped over the counter to man the bar. "Lighten up."

"You'd better not get trashed again." Fumi complained.

"I know what I'm doing." Tsuki laughed as she crouched down to look under the counter.

Tsuki pulled up a bottle of whiskey, on the cheaper side, and inspected it for a second, before pouring it into a glass. She held another glass under the bar's water faucet, pouring in a tiny amount of water, then poured a few drops of that water into her glass of whiskey.

"Yeah, I don't know what the hell you're doing right now." Fumi leaned forward.

"Yeah, yeah." Tsukiko took a sip before coughing it back up. "What the hell?"

"What happened?" Fumi grabbed the bottle and inspected it.

"The taste… That's where the alcohol went. They used it to burn Lily." Tsuki slammed her hands on the counter.

"…what the hell, man?" Fumi frowned.

Tsuki planted both hands on the counter and stared down at the wood grain, staying like that for a while before she downed the rest of the glass.

"Mmm, yeah, that's good…"

"Really?" Fumi rolled her eyes.

"Don't you think it's as good a time as any to drink?" Tsuki grabbed the bottle out of Fumi's hand.

"Lily's okay. I thought you said all's well that ends well!" Fumi complained.

Tsukiko started to pour the whiskey out into a glass before she gave up and just started drinking straight out of the bottle.

"If you're gonna drink, at least be decent about it, Tsuki." Fumi looked angry.

"Fuck off." Tsuki said while gasping for air.

"It's noon and you're getting hammered." Fumi's eyes judged Tsuki harshly.

"It isn't noon!" Tsuki said after she got the last few drops out of the bottle.

Fumi looked out the window and saw the orange glow of a sunset. "How'd it get so late? We've only been here for like five minutes!"

Fumi looked back to see Tsukiko taking a swig out of another expensive looking bottle.

"Alright, that's enough." Fumi reached over and pulled the liquor out of Tsukiko's hand.

"That last bottle was rough." Tsuki coughed.

"You give Haruka and your Dad so much shit for drinking, but here you are chugging hard liquor." Fumi hissed.

"It's for my demons." Tsuki slurred a little.

Fumi narrowed her eyes. "Are you already-- nevermind, just don't get too sloshed, alright?"

Tsukiko coughed. "Nnnnnno, I'm not gonna drink no more."

"Good." Fumi crossed her arms.

Fumi looked annoyed, but her lips, curved ever so slightly, showed that she was holding back laughter.

Tsuki smiled with sharp teeth. "Y'know I can handle my liquor better than that, don't you, darling?"

"Oh Christ…" Fumi shook her head.

"You even wore the little red sweater I picked out for you, didn't you?" Tsuki's face was flushed.

"You just noticed?"

Tsuki hid her eyes under her hat. "Of course I noticed, Madame. How could I not help but admire your body?"

"You're a weird drunk, you know that?" Fumi chuckled.

"Why don't you drink too?" Tsuki laughed.

"Cuz I don't stumble back through those doors." Fumi scolded Tsukiko again.

"Live a little, slut." Tsuki's smile faded.

"What was that?" Fumi glared.

"I called you a slut." Tsuki laughed to herself.

"Don't call me a slut." Fumi glared.

Tsukiko leaned over the counter. "I bet you've been undressing me in your mind this whole time, haven't you?"

Fumi looked away. "No, I haven't."

Tsuki clapped. "You don't like it when I do it, do you?"

"Damnit, you always know how to push my buttons." Fumi whined.

"You're pushing my buttons! Wearin those short ass… shorts and that tight sweater…" Tsuki slurred.

"Again, you bought it for me." Fumi hid her face.

"Yeah, well, fuck me. I'm too good at this fashion thing." Tsuki tugged at her collar.

"You're turning into Haruka at this point." Fumi groaned.

"No, I'm not." Tsuki looked serious.

"Yes you are."

"Fuck off!" Tsuki swung her arm down in anger.

Fumi broke into laughter. "Christ, you're absolutely trashed right now!"

Tsuki hopped over the counter again, stumbling on the way down. "I'm not that drunk! See?"

"Nice jump, idiot!" Fumi started laughing so hard she couldn't breathe.

"You're mean…" Tsuki shook her head.

Fumiko smiled. "Nah, just having my fun too."

"Well, you're the one always teasing me, so it's time for me to flip the tables!" Tsuki shouted.

"How?"

"You'll see…" Tsuki sat down next to Fumiko and tore off her olive coat.

"What're you doing?" Fumi fidgeted.

"I just wanna spend some quality time with you. That jacket's been weighing you down." Tsukiko planted a hand on the girl's shoulder.

Fumi relented as Tsuki slipped the jacket off. "Ugh, fine. What else're you gonna take off?"

"Nothing. It would be a shame to get rid of that sweater if you look so damn good in it." Tsuki smiled.

"Stop." Fumi pushed her away.

"Nnnnnno." Tsuki smiled.

"Aren't we supposed to talk about important stuff? All this stuff that's been going on, it's--"

"…but I'm too drunk to talk about that." Tsuki mumbled.

"You weren't ten minutes ago!" Fumi pouted.

Tsukiko sighed and rested her hand on the girl's leg. "How often do we get to spend time with just the two of us?"

Fumiko leaned back and let Tsukiko's hand explore her thigh. "Fine, fine. I know it's been a while, but--"

Tsukiko's hand squeezed. "See? That's more like it."

"You've turned into a real pervert." Fumi sighed.

Tsuki mocked her voice. "You've turned into a real hypocrite."

"I'll give you that one." Fumiko chuckled.

They both silently for a while, as Tsuki rubbed and squeezed Fumi's leg.

"Goddamn, you're beautiful." Tsuki suddenly remarked.

Maybe it was the alcohol, but Fumi looked beautiful in that light, her eyes as deep as the ocean and her skin so soft and smooth, that weak little smile on her face making Tsuki's heart melt. Her clothes were tight enough to show off the nice, fit body underneath, and her shorts and tights left just enough to the imagination to keep things interesting. The way her legs dangled, so delicately, off the bar stool made Tsuki wanna pick her up and carry her away, bridal style.

"Huh?" Fumi was caught off guard.

"I feel like the luckiest girl in the world." Tsuki spoke quietly.

"Oh, thanks." Fumi blushed.

"I mean that."

Fumi shook her head. "Yeah, maybe you're too honest when you're drunk."

"It's not my fault you're so pretty when I'm drunk." Tsuki slurred again.

Fumiko pouted. "So I only look pretty when you're drunk?"

"Don't say that." Tsuki took back her words immediately.

Fumi shook her head. "I know, I just don't wanna be the only one being messed with tonight."

Tsuki put her head on Fumiko's shoulder. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"I thought I was gonna lose you, but here we are. It made me realize how much you mean to me." Tsukiko spoke clearly.

"That's surprisingly coherent for a drunk." Fumi mocked.

Tsuki wrapped her arms around her love. "You're amazing, Fumi. You're the best girl in the world."

"Where's this even coming from?" Fumi smiled.

"I dunno… Maybe it's cuz I'm drunk, and the mood seems right, and…" Tsuki trailed off.

Fumiko pulled off Tsuki's hat.

Fumi's hand rubbing the top of her head. "Trying to act all tough, but deep down you're so innocent".

"Guhhhhh, I love when you do that." Tsuki writhed around in pleasure.

"Do what?" Fumi rubbed in circles.

"Why do I like this so muuuuuuch?" Tsuki moved her head closer to Fumi, like a dog trying to get its owner to pet it.

"Who knows? It's fun though. Your hair's so soft." Fumi ran her fingers through the Knight's hair.

They sat like that for a while, Tsuki writing around like a puppy under Fumiko's hand, her greatest weakness revealed. She was probably weaker, thanks to the whiskey, but even when she was sober, she loved that kind of affection. Tsuki closed her eyes and let herself relax.

"It's kinda weird how much you enjoy this." Fumi pulled away her hand.

"Why'd you stop?" Tsuki sat back up.

"Cuz you looked like you were about to start drooling."

"No, I wasn't." The smile on Tsuki's face turned into a frown.

"Too bad." Fumi stuck her tongue out.

"Okay, fine, just a little…"

"Too much." Fumi scolded her.

"Can you blame me, I was in heaven for a second there." Tsuki had no real filter when she was drunk.

"I don't get it."

"It's like this."

Tsukiko moved her head close to Fumiko's. She started planting light kisses along her neck and collar. She struggled against Tsuki's affection, but she released her.

"I didn't tell you to stop." Fumi turned red.

"That's what I thought." The black haired girl laughed.

"Damnit." Fumi sighed.

Fumi looked out the window, and Tsuki followed. Through a window, they noticed a grey sky with droplets of rain sliding down the pane.

"Guess we aren't leaving anytime soon." Fumi yawned.

"Is that such a bad thing?"

"Of course not." Fumi smiled.

Tsukiko moved in close. "What're we waiting for, then?"

"What do you mean?"

Tsukiko put her hands on Fumi's waist. "I said I was gonna shut you up."

"Huh?"

Tsukiko dragged Fumi off the stool and onto the ground, positioning herself over Fumi with a toothy grin on her face.

"W-what? Here?" Fumi looked up at Tsukiko.

"Yeah, why not? Not like anyone's gonna find us." Tsuki spoke casually.

"It's still weird, y'know!"

Tsuki got lower, putting her face inches away from Fumi's. "Consider it payback."

"Payback for what?"

"This time, I'm the one in control." Tsuki grinned.

"What if we get caught?" Fumi's voice was less fearful.

"It's empty out there. Besides, I don't care if someone sees us. The only thing I want right now is you." Tsuki leaned forward to kiss Fumi.