A/N:

Nao was not my original main character for this fic, but I think it will hopefully be more interesting this way. This fic was partially inspired by one of the first and best Haruka/Michuru fanfics I ever read by Jackie Chiang. Please read and review.

Disclaimer:

I do not own Mai Hime in any way shape or form. In fact I can't even buy the Mai Hime/Otome figurines I saw online at a discount store because they were sold out. Actually I could have bought an Arika figure, but I really wanted a Nao or some ShizNat. Hell I would have even settled for a Mikoto. But that's another story...

Saving Shizuru

The entire Kingdom of Windbloom was in a state of chaos. Two days ago, a strange event had occurred that had taken the entire city by surprise. Their beloved Graceful Amethyst, Shizuru Viola had for no apparent reason fallen to the ground, clutching her heart to her chest, before fainting and eventually slipping into a comatose state. She was currently being attended to by every possible doctor or physician in the state, but not one had found any reason for the woman to have had a reaction such as that. In fact the Meister Otome seemed to be in perfect health.

Natsuki Krueger paced back and forth outside Shizuru's room. She and Shizuru had been having tea in her office when Shizuru had suddenly collapsed. She had been the first one to attend to her.

Shizuru...I will never forget the look on your face before you went down. Your eyes...they seemed sad...as if you knew something...as if...I did something to hurt you...

"President, come quickly! I've discovered something extremely important" an urgent voice behind Natsuki yelled. Natsuki turned around to face the voice and saw Yoko and Irina running rapidly towards her.

As the teacher and student team ran past her, Yoko grabbed her hand and proceeded to pull her towards the doors that headed under Garderobe and into their control room. Natsuki wanted to ask questions, but stopped herself and let the other woman drag her along until all three of them had finally reached the inner confines of Yoko's office.

Technically the office was just a desk and chairs displayed out in the middle of the room but at this point, nobody seemed to notice or care.

"I know what's wrong with Shizuru" Yoko panted, out of breath. "Irina and I have been running diagnostic tests on events that have occurred in the past, present and future exactly two days ago."

"What did you find out?" questioned Natsuki anxiously. Her eyebrow twitched slightly. Any possible information was vital at this point to Shizuru's condition.

"You really should sit down for this President" Yoko said. "I am having a hard time believing it myself."

"I'm fine Yoko. But Shizuru isn't, so the faster you tell me, the faster we can make her well again." Natsuki argued.

"It seems that exactly two days ago, at the exact moment that Shizuru collapsed, a life changing event occurred in the year 2005. Your former self, or another incarnation of yourself 300 years ago, well...you did something, something that has gravely affected the Shizuru of that time period." Yoko blurted out.

"NANI???" Natsuki was completely lost.

Ridiculous!! I would never hurt Shizuru...and if...even if I had...What does any of this have to do with Shizuru's current condition?

"Shizuru is suffering from a broken heart, Natsuki." Yoko whispered. "Shizuru is a very passionate woman, and therefore very connected to anything that has to do with her love for you. If you, in your past life did something to hurt her deeply, it is possible it would affect the Shizuru of our time."

Natsuki shifted her feet and looked down. She was afraid to ask her next question. She had to know. What had her past self done? What was so terrible that it was killing her Shizuru here today?

As if reading her thoughts, Yoko spoke. "Well this is really awkward, and I don't know how to break it to you so I'm just going to spit it out. Two days ago KugaNatsukikissedYuukiNao" Yoko said as fast as she could , waiting for the explosion.

"NANNNIIIIII???" shouted Natsuki again. "The only thing I heard in that sentence was Natsuki kissed Nao." the president shook her head in disbelief.

" Well, at least one of you Natsukis has good taste." Nao grinned, and as if on command, appeared from behind a large white pillar.

"Nao—you freaking hussy" seethed Natsuki completely loosing her normally cool composure. Both Yoko and Irina looked amused.

"Hmmm I never heard her say Nao kissed Natsuki now did I? So this leads me to believe your the hussy Krueger." Nao looked please with herself as Natsuki turned red from the realization of truth in her nemesis' words.

Ignoring Nao and her catty remarks Natsuki asked solemnly "Is there anything we can do to fix it?" She was afraid of the answer. After all there is no cure for a broken heart. But if there was anything, anything at all that could be done for her girlfriend, she would do it, no matter what the consequence.

Irina spoke for the first time since arriving on the scene. "It seems that something in the time space continuum has been pushed out of balance. One would think it unlikely that a small event could change so much. But remember you and Shizuru are very powerful people in this present time. It is very likely that your past selves were quite powerful too, and their powers and abilities may depend heavily on emotion."

As Irina finished speaking, everyone's attention was drawn to the middle of the room. A bright light flashed and glowed from the floor to the ceiling as a soft soothing voice was heard.

"President of Garderobe Academy, Natsuki Krueger please step forward." said the unseen voice. "The course of two very important Meister Otome has been altered and you need to fix the mistake your past self made 300 years ago, if you wish to save the Graceful Amethyst.

"Fumi—No I mean Shinso-sama?" Natsuki asked in shock.

"Yes Principal it is I. I am only appearing to you now because things are not as they were intended to be. In seconds another light will appear to my left and you must decide what path you will take. If you choose to save your beloved Shizuru, then you must travel to the past and investigate the incident that occurred and find some solution to restore her life. You will become your former self, and in doing so act accordingly as she would, to fix things between the two of you.

"Why is it so important to save her anyways?" questioned Nao. "I mean really what's the big deal, she dies, we get a new amethyst yadda yadda and happily ever after." Nao finished, flashing a delighted look at Natsuki.

"Shizuru has not fulfilled her full potential here in our time. She has yet to do many important things for the world of Otome. Therefore I must do everything in my power to make sure that she is not taken before she completes her life properly." Fumi answered.

"What will happen to Kuga-san while I am occupying her body and mind?" Natsuki asked sternly. She couldn't believe she was even considering this.

If it's for Shizuru you have to do anything you can. I wish I had told you I loved you more often Shizuru...I wish I had shown you...every minute...how much I need you...no...how much I wanted you...

"I will only temporarily be able to render her unconscious while you are completing your mission. You have exactly one week from the time you leave to save Shizuru's life and possibly your own as well. As soon as you fix the wrong that has been done, you will return to your own time and hopefully if everything works out, Shizuru will be waiting for you." Fumi smiled as she said the last words. "Please Natsuki it is important that you don't make things worse..." Fumi trailed off.

"Fumi-san I promise you I won't allow Shizuru to leave me...us." Natsuki slowly got up and began to walk towards the light.

"Yoko, everyday for only a few short minutes, I will allow you to communicate with Natsuki. Please use this time to update each other on the situations concerning both past and present Shizurus. I am sorry the window of opportunity is so small, but I am using all the power I have to help you and that is all that can be spared." Fumi instructed.

"Hai Shinso-sama" replied Yoko.

"Allright, let's do this." Natsuki clenched her fist and closed her eyes, letting the light engulf her. As she began to feel it's warmth, a loud commotion erupted as Arika Yumemiya crashed through the door roughly. Arika was one of the most powerful of the Otome, but unfortunately for everyone involved, extremely clumsy. As Arika was coming through, she noticed the large crowd and the blinding light. Momentarily distracted, the not so graceful girl tripped over Irina's foot, causing her to collide with Nao.

"What the hell?" Nao panicked, flailing her arms. "Look out Krueger, I can't stop."

Nao didn't even have time to change her course of direction as the momentum from Arika's body check sent her hurdling into Natsuki. All anybody could do was watch in shock and disbelief as the force of Nao's hit sent the principal reeling out of the light. The light grew brighter and twitched as it swallowed Nao's body.

"Hey, what the..get me out of here." was the last sound heard from Nao as she disappeared into thin air.

Silence fell over the entire group of people. This was definitely an unexpected turn of events. As Natsuki sunk to the ground, realization that Shizuru's life was resting on Nao's shoulders, made the principal suddenly sick to her stomach.

End of Chap 1.

Nao's superfab omake 1

Nao: ((reading other fanfiction about herself)) How come almost every story I'm in, I'm in love with that god damn doggie doo?

Author: ((shrugs)) I guess writers want you to find love ((grins))

Nao: Blech...

Author: I was actually going to do a Strawberry Panic crossover starring you. In stead of Aoi Nagisa transferring to Astrea Hill, you would be Tamao's new roomate. ((snickers))

Nao: Nani?? That would mean i'd have to kiss that old lady Shizuma. No freakin way...she has gray hair ...and wears a sweater vest.

Author: umm Nao? i think it's called a cardigan...((wonders how Nao confused the two))

Nao: Yeah i know but i like the word sweater vest...and propeller cap...((pictures Natsuki in a sweater vest and propeller hat))...hmmm not quite right...((mentally adds a bowtie that spins))... PERFECT! ((laughs hysetericall clutching her tummy))

Tamao-chan: NAOgisa-chan are you in here???

Author and Nao: ((sweatdrops))

Nao: what did you just call me ??

Tamao-chan: ((takes out measuring tape and starts writing down numbers to add to her precious treasure collection)) Now hold still NAOgisa-chan so i can figure out what size lingerie...er i mean dress you need. ((evil gleam in eyes))

Nao:((being pulled away by a hormone induced Tamao-chan)) HELPPPP...I take it back...bring on the puppy...author...help...

Author: ((grins)) there there...Nao-chan needs love too!

End Omake.

p.s. I don't own Strawberry Panic or Tamao-chan either. In fact I don't think i've ever eaten strawberry shortcake. Maybe strawberry rhubarb pie? But I think I'm rambling again...

If you are still with me by now KUDOS! Please read and review. I am not gonna drag this fic out, so here's an idea of chapters to come ;)

Nao is trapped in Natsuki's body! Shizuru wants Natsuki's body! Oh the horror!