DISCLAIMER: These characters are Sunrise property and I am just twisting them through some turns of good natured fun.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoying writing it.


Mai Otome: Our Legacy

Director Helene was probably the only person at Garderobe Academy, other than her young apprentice Irina Woods, who was happy that young Queen Mashiro made peaceful relations with the people of Aswad. A promise was made to access the sealed technology that Garderobe was home to and protected by. Natsuki Kruger, the Garderobe Headmistress and Second Column, agreed only if the technology was beneficial and not to be used for war or military application. There were still so many Earth technologies left untouched in the library for many different reasons. The one reason that Natsuki herself did not agree with was to do with losing face. This was not about honor because the medical technology could be beneficial to everyone on Earl.

Because Youko cared more about this than even Natsuki herself, they agreed to oversee the task of access and application of any new technology. It went without saying that the good far outweighed the bad. To help the people of Earl was just the simple face, to the future Youko wanted to help create for the people she loved, and even the few who occasionally pushed her buttons. On more than one occasion Natsuki was tempted to throttle Arika, just to drag Miyu out of her wanderings to ask for help. During one long night in particular, Youko asked a rather serious question of Natsuki.

"Headmistress, what would you say if Viola wanted to retire and start a family?" Youko asked with a coy look and rather focused eyes.

"Who was the unlucky man so I could break his legs?" Natsuki asked not looking up, but clearly interested, "I really don't know as we have never discussed this before. Why are you interested in such matters all of a sudden?" Her tension headache had started earlier so Natsuki was glad for the break.

"Would you even consider the possibility?" Youko asked still searching in earnest for an answer.

"Are you feeling philosophical tonight or are you baiting me?" Natsuki asked in return, emerald eyes looking firmly into nothing in particular.

"It is an unfortunate consequence that Otome cannot bear children and continue to be Otome. The nanomachines are incompatible with one half of the reproductive equation, even though I know more than a few Otome who have no interest in those matters. If we found the technology to somehow bypass certain facets, would you consider the possibility?" Youko asked piquing Natsuki's curiosity now.

"In the hypothetical sense, of course I would…" Natsuki answered simply. Even knowing they were alone she still looked around to make sure Shizuru was nowhere in the area.

"Heart of the Otome, indeed… The future generations will have many more choices than are available to us now, because of what we are attempting to do here. I believe everyone should have the chance to leave behind their legacy. There are many who cannot bear children and then there are those who so frequently do without thought or care," Youko said trying not to sound preachy.

"Are you trying to tell me something Youko? Is it even possible considering the level of technology we have now?" Natsuki asked with hope and fear gnawing away at her.

"It may certainly be if some of this documentation is to be believed. I am going to ask you now if I can bring in some help from a few doctors I know in Aries. These men and women have been trying to do things of this nature for quite some time now. They work with married couples who want but cannot have children. I know that there are orphans out there also who could use families, but it takes someone of an extremely strong character to reach out to those poor abandoned children," Youko went on to say, her heart clearly screaming out these words, "I myself have thought of it more than once because of my cursed lineage, but my time is too severely devoted to finding a true cure for the Aswad. Reito and Midori are only still with me because of this accursed technology, but I would prefer to have them back in their original health. Though Reito is already beyond any doctors help with his almost complete cybernetics."

"So you are serious about this and not just playing with farfetched dreams?" Natsuki asked Youko, noticing her features soften at the mere mention of her oldest and closest friends.

"The Aswad technology is useful in some ways and limiting in too many others. Gal told me to look for certain references out of curiosity in hopes for her uncertain future. It is becoming a more common occurrence amongst the young Aswad now. So will you allow this?" Youko asked almost defiantly.

"I will, but under the conditions you and I had previously discussed. Two people only and they must come here. If they cannot agree to sign the non disclosure paperwork, prior to arrival, then they can go home," Natsuki said firmly ignoring Youko's obvious attempt to bait her temper, "There are too many people out there still who would find malicious use for such technology. It would be foolish of us to think that everyone has the betterment of mankind in their hearts." The last sentence was spoken as a weary sigh.

Natsuki got up from the table they were at feeling and looking worse for wear. It had never occurred to Natsuki before to think of these things, but now… Natsuki left without another word feeling the need to hold and make love to Shizuru screaming in her base brain.

Why was it that this conversation made her long so deeply just to hold her most precious person? One simple answer to that question: hope…

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