Chapter 180 - Poison Ivy Part 5

*UNEDITED*

The last thing she expected was to run into Setsura here of all places.  But, there is no doubt that this woman talking away is Setsura. Natasha was only half listening though. It relieved her when somebody came and whisked Mori away. After he said such words with a serious look in his eyes, not even she could make a witty remark back. It was the first time she saw him act that way. Natasha has always remembered him as a brutal guy. A man who prioritised profits and benefits rather than people. To think he would show her such a face, maybe she misunderstood something.

"It seems like I am boring you Natasha."

"Oh, uh…" Natasha trailed off. "That's not it, I just had something on my mind."

Setsura scanned her up and down, "About a man?"

"You know how things are with Chauncey and I, lately…"

It's so convenient to use Chauncey during these times. Natasha knew that Chauncey used her as a shield for many things too.

Setsura however frowned at her words, "Are you sure it's about Chauncey?"

"I'm positive."

"Then, what about the man called Mori?"

At that comment Natasha froze, how on earth did she know that? Mori and Setsura don't know one another right? Only three days have passed since she started meeting with him again. Nobody else should know about it..If Setsura knew, does Akito too? Did Victor and Chauncey? 

"Don't make that face," Setsura sighed. "I only overheard, since he was sulking in the hallway."

Sulking? Mori?

"He kept mumbling something about you making an unhappy face."

"..."

Unhappy face, then he shouldn't have said those degrading things about her. Since she was found out, there is no use hiding it. Natasha felt very embarrassed speaking about the entire matter. Setsura is older than her, so -- she feared what the girls opinion would be.

To her surprise though, Setsura didn't reply in the way she thought.

Setsura smiles, "Let's hope you don't lose in love either."

"Don't say it so casually. I really didn't think it through. From the moment I saw him, I knew I should have just walked away. But, even I'm not that heartless. I could see how worn out he was, I intended to only amuse him with my company for a bit until he went back to sleep. No, I knew what he would do."

She knew what it meant, when she didn't draw away from his hold. It was meant to be a temporary one night thing. How did it end up like this?

Setsura head and pats her shoulder,  " You don't have to be so frantic Asuka. I'm not going to criticise you. I understand how you feel."

"Did you do something similar?" Natasha wondered.

She smiled bitterly, "In the past. No, in my time. I waited around for a long time before my boyfriend asked me out. I did fool around a bit to ease my loneliness. But, it never went very far, because I'm afraid of men."

Natasha blinked puzzled, "You..you are?" But she acts so naturally around Chauncey and Victor. Setsura is even dating Akito now.

"It got better, when I started dating that person. So when I came here it wasn't noticeable."

"I see, at least you have a justification for yours."

"There are no justifcation for sleeping with somebody other than the one your in love with. " she trails of,  "With me, it was before I entered a relationship. It was still bad and while nothing physical happened. I always felt like I had betrayed him. Those who do, have committed the worst of mistakes. Something that cannot be forgiven in the eyes of society; and yet we still remain together, not because there's no option. But because were genuinely in love with each other. Natasha, how do you feel about Mori genuinely?"

How does she feel? ' Natasha.' Even now when she closes her eyes, she can still hear him call her nickname tenderly. Despite how brutal he is with her; Natasha knows that before her consciousness fades, he gives her a tender kiss and she wakes up to find that the blanket is always dr.a.p.ed around her. There are other signs of kindness from time to time too. Even though he dismisses it as something else afterwards.

But, these acts of kindness are so small. Whenever she grasps it with her own hands, he tears it away from her. It's hard to believe that 

"I don't hate him"

"Good, good. Because Eita is actually a kind person. How to put it? He's a flirt and has done all that bad stuff with other woman. But towards the woman he loves and his friends, he's so very kind and gentle."

"Of course you know that the best."

Setsura sweat dropped, "Didn't you understand.."

Natasha chuckled. "I know that, or rather your able to boldly speak about this now."

"Don't say it so bluntly. I honestly gave it a lot of thought! During the talk I was so very nervous."

"I know." Natasha said with a smile, " You've always been like that after all. Back then, and even now."

Setsura has always been shining brightly, even during her darkest moments. There was something about her that attracted people towards her. She wasn't particularly surprised that Akito had fallen for her.

"Natasha, you know, I knew about it before. You and that person."

At that comment her eyes went wide in alarm; if she knew, then how come she's never once looked at her with disgust in her eyes? It doesn't make sense. But she spies the brunettes expression; even now, there really is no trade of disgust.

'There is only one requirement for the other person. It has to be someone you can trust with your whole heart. Well, that's the hardest part.

There's not many people you can trust with your heart. But I'm sure you have someone like that don't you? Someone who's important to you over a family member and a lover. '

She closed her eyes as she recalled the words Izu told her. That guy really has predicted so very far. It's somewhat frustrating. 

"He doesn't see me as anyone other than his little sisters friend and yet when we were often left alone together. He would casually touch me, and before I knew it we were having s.e.x quite often. During the first time, I was very confused and yet I didn't let it show on my face, the expression I wore then it's one I'd never thought possible. More embarrassment then shame; and yet I understood that it was nothing special. I, had wanted him to hold me in his arms, even if it meant me being one of many."

"I understand. To desire being held in the arms of the man you love to the point that you'd sacrifice your pride, isn't unusual. Most people would never do it though, since they are afraid of changing the status quo. But even if that's the case, those who do take such actions end up finding something more special." Setsura turned to her with a smile. "Natasha, too. You don't have to end anything with him now. But, I won't you to be able to have a talk with Chauncey. Just like I've been completely honest with Akito. I'm sure he's waiting for you."

Ah that last bit, it's the same as the other day. That's right, she too ought to be completely honest with herself.

"Yeah, I'll do that."

"There's something I wanted to ask too, Natasha. Do you know about the specimen case?"

"Uhh," Natasha looked at the girl dumbfounded. "You've already gotten this far it seems like."

"I didn't go back home for three days. Of course I have an answer."

Her sweat fell, she didn't go back to Akito's for three days? Judging from the eye bags on her Setsura's eyes, the girl has been investigating this entire time. What dedication, the current members of the police force could learn from her.