AN-2011: While re-reading this story I remember how much I like it. I am sorry I left it hanging up for so long. I am retaking it story now for continuing it to the end. I have reviewed, adjusted and corrected this and the previously published chapters.
Story Summary:
Natsuki Kuga is a modern errant warrior. Warriors like her were called Ronin or Ninja during centuries. She left Japan for start a new life but a dark secret will follow her no matter where she goes. She will be hunted by a dark and powerful sorceress and warrior, a miko named Shizuru who became the ultimate weapon of a revenge that involves both Natsuki and the heiress of the most powerful Japanese corporation: Nao Yuuki. Natsuki will be trapped in the middle of two forces, two women and two destinies: life or death.
Original AN: This idea came to my mind while I was studying grammar for my first fic and decided to write it so I won't forget it. As I kept writing, more and more ideas showed up, so here we are. Any similarity with Eric Van Lustbader's books, The Ninja and Miko, well, maybe is not a coincidence. They were my first favorite books when I was a kid. I haven't read them again in years so let's see how it goes.
This story will have 21 chapters. One for each line of what I have called "the ronin prayer", you will find it at the start of each chapter and you will have it complete by the end of the story. This is an AU story on the Hime-verse and may have some "invited" characters from other series.
Mostly focus on Natsuki, Shizuru and Nao. If you want to know who will win Natsuki, you will have to keep reading to the end. Be aware this story might not be exactly canon on the characters.
WARNING: Rated M for explicit violence and mature content between two females. If you don't like or you aren't at least 18, please don't read it. (Or don't complain for it! You can complain for other reasons.)
Thanks for reading.
Disclaimer: I don't own Mai Hime characters. All trademarks belong to his rightful owners.
Majutso No Hime by Galadan
Chapter 01.
"I have no parents; I make the heavens and the earth my parents."
Vancouver Great Metro Area, University Coastal Area.
"Duran! Hey, Duran, come here!" Whistling, Natsuki Kuga, called for her friend, who right now was getting her into some troubles, busty troubles. "Damn dog!"
The beach was mostly deserted at that time of the day with the exception of few loners; Natsuki preferred to have her walking at that time and not when it was crowded. But just then, Duran chose to throw himself in a wild playing with a busty but nice redhead. It wasn't unusual for the big and hyperactive Alaskan malamute wanting to play all time but was rather unusual for him to be that friendly with strangers.
"Hey buddy! Stop it! I can see you. Good dog." The busty redhead was trying to hold him while Duran was jumping against her or standing on his back paws trying to smell... her breasts. "HEY!...Bad dog! Bad…dog."
Natsuki finally made her way to them and holding Duran by his collar locking him with the strap she shouldn't have removed on the first place. She settled him down. "Calm down Duran." And looking at the woman she tried to apologize not really having time of it.
"Oh, I am very..."
"Hey, you idiot! Take that furry flea bag of yours away of my friend!" Another redhead was approaching them followed by a young and tall dark haired girl. The one yelling on her was slender and even with the morning cold breeze, she was only wearing a pair of fitting exercise shorts and long sleeves top. From Natsuki's point of view, she looked great but no matter how cute, nobody called Duran a flea bag and her, an idiot.
"Hey, I was apologizing before you interrupt so rudely and you´d better don't call us like that." Natsuki replied calmly and coldly now with Duran already controlled on her hand. She was standing confidently almost arrogantly, with her deep green eyes fixed on the other woman eyes, which were also green but slightly lighter than hers. She was not trying to be defiant, that attitude was part of her as breathing, her training so impregnate on her that she wasn't conscious of the strength and power that her well trained body showed. The "offended" woman didn't take lightly.
"And you don't speak me like that." The other replied sustaining Natsuki´s gaze, standing in front of her with openly defiant attitude.
"Please, Nao, nothing happened. The puppy just wanted to play a bit." The busty one said smiling and trying to avoid a confrontation with her wild friend.
"If that monster is a puppy I am a damn super star, come on Mai!" The girl called Nao was now standing with her arms crossed over her chest looking at her friend but also very aware of the beautiful green eyed woman standing confident in front of them. Nao had the chance to look her at the distance when she was running to get her dog and the dark haired woman moved like the wind, fluidly and with controlled movements even through the sand.
"Are you really OK, Mai?" The other dark haired girl finally spoke after looking carefully at Mai and after, looking Natsuki in detail.
"Yes Mikoto! I told you guys, it's nothing, please don't bother this poor girl." Mai said still smiling, praying for the embarrassing moment to end .
Natsuki didn't like to be called "poor girl" but hid well, her face not moving a muscle. Damn dog. Duran was now sat breathing with his tongue out like if nothing of this was his fault at all.
"Please, I apologize for my dog behavior, I don't know what happened. He is not like that." Natsuki said at last, just wanting to leave as soon as possible.
"Oh, no problem at all. I have an idea of what could have happened. Mikoto and I have several cats and maybe he smelled their different scents and was just curious." Mai offered. She liked this serious girl and decided to be friendly with her on her own. "Tokiha Mai, very nice to meet you...?" She left the phrase unfinished, with a questioning look towards Natsuki and extending her hand.
"Kuga. Kuga Natsuki."
"Great Kuga-san." Mai said all excited, shaking Natsuki´s hand. "Please, meet with friends, Minagi Mikoto, she is my best friend and room mate." Pushing Mikoto towards Natsuki for the proper handshaking; then she proceeded to pull Nao that was still standing looking by other side and still with sullen gesture.
"Come here..." Mai whispered pulling harder, "and she is Yuuki Nao. She is also a good friend from college and is not as nasty as she pretends." After handshaking with Mikoto, Natsuki and Nao only stared at each other until Natsuki finally extended her hand.
"Yuuki-san, I understand that maybe it was scaring to see a big dog jumping on your friend. I apologize for that but as you can see, he is a quiet dog. Maybe Tokiha-san is right and the smell got his curiosity. But please, don't call us like that again." Natsuki was serious and still had her hand extended waiting for the other woman.
Nao had to admit that the girl had nerve. She didn't shrink a bit in front of Nao's angry look and harsh words and very few people could do that. Maybe her father was the only one able to do that with the same temple. Nao could see that this young woman was strong, fearless and with a strange aura of power emanating from her. Nao liked the way she looked back at her forthrightly, openly and even when her last sentence wasn't a threat, Nao felt deep in her guts that she didn't want to meet with this green eyed woman pissed off.
Conceding, Nao extended her hand shaking Natsuki's while saying seriously, "Ok, you are right Kuga-san." Natsuki was also aware that the woman was measuring her up and she was glad to avoid further arguments. This redhead wasn't as friendly as the one called Mai but Natsuki found Nao more attractive. A lot more.
"Great!" Mai yelled thrilled. She watched the duel Natsuki and Nao were having and felt relieved that everything was at ease now. "Let's drink something together to celebrate we meet then! That was the good thing of this, what do you say Kuga-san?"
"Well, I don't really have time right now but thanks, Tokiha-san." The last thing Natsuki wanted was fooling around with these women. She had far more important things to do. Like focus on her training at the Ryu and her classes as new teacher at the University. "It was nice to meet you all."
Mai didn't hide her face of disappointment and while Natsuki was walking away, she said, "I am sure we will meet around here, Kuga-san, and then we will do it, ok? Have a good day in the meantime!"
Natsuki only nodded saying goodbye to the others as well, her gaze taking a few more seconds on Nao before turning around and walking away with Duran at her side. She thought it was very unlikely that they will meet again.
A couple of hours later Natsuki walked into the training area of the Seimeiryoku No Ki Ryu wearing a black gi and ready for her first training class of the day.
"Good morning, Sensei." A tall and handsome young woman greeted Natsuki properly with the right and respectful tone deserved for the dojo but with a wide smile at her face. Natsuki, raised in a traditional Japanese home, found that behavior very unappropriated but it was no way with her partner at the dojo, she was just like that.
"Good morning, Chie-san," she answered, and then facing her students and taking her bokken, she stated, "Today, we will do kenjutsu. Let's see how you work on defense and attack. Let´s start on first position."
That was an advanced class; while Chie took care of the basic level she was reserved for the more advanced ones, so during the next two hours, she taught a new set of techniques to their students. All of them were sweaty and breathless by the end. Natsuki was not even slightly tousled after dueling with several of the students as part of the practice.
After the training, she remained some time her arranging things at the dojo before the closing. That was the first day they were closing early so her partner took advantage of that asking her, "So, what are you doing now, Natsuki? Aoi and I are going out for a coffee. Wanna join us?"
"You shouldn't be fooling around with a student Chie." Natsuki said glaring at Chie. "It's bad reputation for the Ryu."
"Natsuki," Chie said in serious whisper, and maybe that was the first time that Natsuki had seen her serious, "Don't tell anybody please, but maybe I am not fooling around with her."
That was a surprise for Natsuki. Her tall partner had a reputation as playgirl but it was true, Natsuki realized that since Chie started dating Aoi she had changed. Natsuki wondered then how it was, to be in love like that with someone.
Seeing Natsuki speechless after her confession, Chie said, "Come on; don't be sad, I will still love you too!"
"You are an idiot Chie."
"You should get a date too, Natsuki. How long you have been in the town, two years now? It's like time, don't you think?"
Natsuki's father was Canadian and her mother Japanese, she had both citizenship and that's why was relatively easy for her to move from Japan two years ago, looking for a new life. Getting a job was a bit more complicated. Ninjutsu was her life however she never thought she will end teaching it; so when the opportunity to start a Dojo in a partnership with Chie to showed up as a true possibility, she decided to stay. Chie also helped her to get an opportunity at the university as an expert in Asia cultures.
Life was good for her in this country but some days Natsuki found herself missing Japan deeply in her soul, in an almost painfully way.
But she couldn't go back. Maybe now she was settling down on a different country and moving on, she will be able to wake up some morning and feel in peace. Maybe someday.
"You know Chie? I think I would like a cup of coffee." Natsuki's face by saying that was the same as if she was telling Chie the time of the day, but after two years knowing her, Chie knew that was a big step ahead for Natsuki.
Almost jumping of excitement she grabbed Natsuki's arm and pulled with her, screaming to her girlfriend. "Great!... Aoi! Aoi! Guess who is coming with us!"
"Calm down, Chie. Dammit, you are worse than Duran!" Natsuki yelled at her blushing. Inside, she felt happy. Chie was a good friend and she owed her a lot. "It will be just a cup of coffee on my way the the University, ok?"
The three of them make their way out, with Chie and Aoi still teasing her. Maybe Chie was right and it was time for living normally for the first time in her life, away of violence and darkness.
Soon enough she will find that she was very wrong. Natsuki still didn't know it but her morning encounter was the start of a chain of events that was going to change her life, forever.
Tokyo, Yokohama coast.
The woman in her early forties was walking out of her office. She was the Executive VP of the most successful technology company in Japan and the world: Yuuki Technology Enterprises Inc. She had been working until late these days and almost no one was still around but her. Being a woman in a traditionally men environment demanded her more effort. It was amazing that after all those years; she still had to prove her value. Yuuki-san, the founder, CEO and owner of the company was a tough but fair man; however, some of the other executives were petty and misogynist. Working under Masamune Yuuki´s leadership as her mentor was the best part of her professional career; however the man will still have to make a lot of changes in his company if he wanted his daughter taking the lead of the business in the future. Aside of those cultural issues, Yuuki's relationship with his only daughter wasn't in the best terms since his wife's death in a tragic accident, three years ago. Sighing, lost in those thoughts, Hitomi Helene walked in the partially illuminated and elegant corridor when suddenly, she saw a dark figure standing ahead of her.
She stopped, surprised and trying to have a better look on the figure. No one should be there at that time. That was a restricted area. Strangely, the lights around were off with a suffocated pop.
"Who is there? What are you doing here at this time?" She asked with authority.
The figure in the dark didn't move or speak, so Hitomi carefully walked closer to get a better look. From the distance, seemed to her that was a woman. The person was in fact a woman, a tall one, with long blond hair wearing a traditional red kimono.
"Answer right now. You are in a restricted area. Identify yourself or..." When she got closer, the woman raised her head and she could have a glance of who the woman was. Hitomi knew her and was very disconcerted to find her there and that late at night.
"You? Oh, I am very sorry, Fujiwara-sama, please have my apologies" Hitomi said doing a deep reverence, "I am really surprised to see you here." Hitomi wondered why the woman looked so weird and why she was not saying a word.
Slowly, the woman ahead moved slightly and Hitomi could see the shine of long black katana's sheath on her left hand.
"What?" Hitomi couldn't say any other word. The blond woman unsheathed her katana a bandy movement so fast that Hitomi only saw a blurred glint and then, the feeling of an ardency warm spreading at her chest. With two halting steps backward, she opened her mouth in a silent scream realizing that the woman in front of her had cut sidelong through her chest.
As the pain grew at the wound, Hitomi fell on her knees, loosing her briefcase and raising her right hand to her chest. When she was trying to raise her left one as well, a second swiftly slice of the katana, cut her hand cleanly by the wrist.
Now Hitomi was screaming and a puddle of blood was growing around her. Panting with pain, hundreds of thoughts boiled in her mind. She couldn't understand what was happening or why. Maybe she fell asleep at her desk and this was a nightmare. She had to wake up. Humped, Hitomi felt the sharped tip of the katana in her throat forcing her gently to raise her head. After a quick look at the red eyes of the woman in front of her, the terror grew in her.
Hitomi realized it wasn't a nightmare but she was facing a demon; she realized with a deep certainty that she was going to die, hopeless and painfully. The red eyes of her killer were emotionless, empty.
No one was there to hear her screaming while the katana fell down four more times.
Thanks for reading.