Garderobe's Finest

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Mai-Otome/Mai-HiME nor do I own Sailormoon characters in this particular chapter.

Episode One: Till Death Do Us Part

It was a tough day at Garderobe. But it was even a tougher way home. She had not realized the time she spent in the office since she liked the company. She only wished her superior would look her way. She sighed as she turned a corner.

A corner that led to a dimly lit alley.

Dark alleys are not for pretty girls to pass through. It was a reminder her parents uttered back when she was young. She didn't have a choice though. The outskirts of Windbloom were not too friendly at night. Cursing the cold night wind didn't help either. Perhaps it was really, really late.

Tap. Tap.

She turned around nervously but there was no one behind her. They were merely trashcans and little cats loitering around.

She continued to walk but with a faster pace. Her heart was pounding, louder and louder.

Tap. Tap.

She walked faster but was able to turn around. She saw a semblance of a shadow, but disappeared as fast as her eyes could follow.

She screamed. But she knew no one would hear her...

By the time the shadow caught up with her, she knew it was already too late.

Sirens rang all across the vicinity. It made the redhead frown in annoyance. She was supposed to have a date today but had to cancel because of the damn call. Sometimes she hated the job but could not turn away from it as well. It was a girl magnet or so she has impliedly said. At least that's what she thought till she met her immediate superior.

She had her pinned against the wall. Her strong arms holding the breathless woman in place. Her lips moved like there was no tomorrow, and the reply was even more earth shattering. They both wondered how long they would keep this up.

The younger woman removed a hand from the older woman's shoulder and placed them under the latter's skirt. She groaned when she felt the soft skin underneath. She disengaged her lips, placing it near the older woman's ear whispering.

"We haven't even taken our clothes off and you're already dripping wet…"

"Ara…" It was hardly audible because the older woman had to gasp.

"If Natsuki may want to know, she has been a perfect date all throughout the evening, I couldn't stop myself from wanting more…"

"I think I can manage to be a perfect partner in bed too…" Natsuki purred as she began her descent.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

"No…" Shizuru threw her head back, hitting the wall in the process.

"Shizuru…" Natsuki looked up pleadingly.

"No…"

"It might be an emergency…"

"No… No… No…!"

Natsuki stood up equally disappointed, equally frustrated. She managed to give her lover a gentle kiss on the lips, her one hand cupping Shizuru's tear-stained cheek.

"I'll call you… Ok?"

Against the sirens, a lone engine roared. A Ducati sped up into the scene, a Ducati she knew all too well. The motorcycle stopping inches from Nao.

Show off.

You can't really say that in front of your boss.

"Special Agent Zhang, report."

"Cadets First Class, Tenoh Haruka and Kaioh Michiru. Both found dead in their dorm room not longer than six hours as estimated by Dr. Yokho. No abrasions, no signs of struggle. No signs of sexual abuse though it was said the two have been in a consensual, intimate relationship. Room was clean. No trace of foreign particles that would indicate that there was someone else in the room. No hairs. No fibers. Their classmates, Cadets Kino Makoto and Mizuno Ami found them in their room lying beside each other in their casual clothes. Positioned as if they have just fallen asleep in each other's arms. They should have been in a party that was held three hours ago. They were never late for such gatherings which worried their friends. Thus, coming in to check them out. This is corroborated by the doorman. Here's the data of all people who came in and out of the building. Initial scans show no lethal poison or airborne viruses have been released in the room for the past 24 hours. Yukino and Haruka are checking the surveillance camera's as we speak."

"Any other important information, Nao?" The superior read the log data that was transferred to Nao's data pad.

"We're going to find trace outside the room's window. Mai and I would be handling that after this report, Captain."

The superior nodded then touched the transfer button from Nao's data pad delivering the redhead's report to her own data pad.

"So much for your date tonight, Captain Kruger. But I'm sure she would forgive you."

Climbing onto the Ducati, she turned to the redhead, letting out a breath.

"Tell that to the director, Special Agent Zhang. We have to meet up with her in five hours anyway." Natsuki grabbed her helmet then sped off to Garderobe.

"Why did she have to remind me that she's dating the director…?" Nao pouted as she went back to the crime scene.

You don't really want to think about Director Viola when her date gets ruined by work.

"Obligations… Obligations…"

Special Agent Chrysant and HiME Field Officer Armitage collected the surveillance videos and transferred them to Chrysant's data pad. As she did this, Armitage played and inspected the most recent video feeds.

"Yukino…"

"Hai?"

"Look at these…"

Yukino peeked and observed the screen. Cadet First Class Tenoh Haruka left the room in a very bad mood.

"Lover's quarrel?" Yukino offered but Haruka shook her head.

"Look here." The blonde pointed first at the time stamp, eight hours before the victims' demise.

Then she pointed at the Cadet's hand which was still by the door.

"Engorge, Yukino."

"You mean, enlarge, Haruka-san."

Yukino touched the video screen and enlarged the video still. With a few clicks on her data pad she was able to reduce and clear out pixels redendering a much larger and clearer still photo. With that full blown photo, Yukino could understand Haruka's point.

"The hand Yukino. It's the other victim's. They are holding each other like how we would."

Their eyes met then the two officers abruptly faced away.

"Right. Right. Ehem… But it seems someone or something bothered them? Enough to make Cadet Tenoh leave the room." Yukino explained despite her blush.

Haruka pressed forward letting the video play on searching for a certain time stamp. Once she did, she pointed the still video to Yukino once more.

"That's thirty minutes later. With a very alive Cadet Kaioh and Tenoh." Yukino sighed, feeling bad for the victims.

"Yes, very much alive and in love…" Armitage replied placing a hand on top of Chrysant's.

"Zhang!"

The redhead tried to hide her annoyance but was unable to since the screaming didn't stop.

"What do you want probi?"

"Don't you probi me. Get down here this instant. We have three hours before we head back to Garderobe, so you better brief me while you're at it as well."

"Just gimme a second will you? I'm just trying to get trace and print scans here…" Nao held out her scanner, the device not detecting any harmful trace that would become a possible lead.

"That's odd…" Nao muttered to herself.

She glanced at the rest of the window panes across the wall she was in then scratched her head.

"This is the only one which is wet…"

"Kino Makoto, Correct…?" Natsuki glanced at the cadet's file that has sitting across her, cool as ice.

"Hai, Captain."

"Anything unusual that you could say aside from the statements you have already provided us with." Natsuki looked up with a smile on her face.

"Um… They have been together since first year Captain. They were inseparable, a sight for jealously for most people. But they were good to us, their friends."

"They come from wealthy families, yes?"

"Hai, Captain."

"Would these sources be people they have been betrothed to? Coming from the rich they must have been coerced into arranged marriages."

"Not that I know of Captain."

"Do they have enemies in the Academy?"

"You mean rivals?"

"Hai, Cadet. Enemies or rivals...?"

"Not that I know of, Captain... They were very private people. They hardly engage other students aside from our group. Since they were both on the top of our class, some students might feel the urge to put them out of the limelight."

"Would that include you?"

"Iie… Iie… They have been good to me. I would never try to hurt them. I was genuinely happy for them…"

"Is there anyone who comes to mind that might have gained anything if one of them died?" Natsuki asked writing some notes the case file.

"Kou Seiya. He used to court Michiru-San. But I don't believe he would be able to do this. He loved her. Or so he says…"

"Thank you, Cadet. We'll be in touch." Natsuki stood up and gave the cadet a salute.

As the door opened, the red eyed director had a teasing smile on her lips, making Natsuki roll her eyes.

"Ara… Is Natsuki handling this case well? It is after all a tragic tale of young lovers…"

Natsuki smiled as she walked towards the door. Stopping in front of the director, eyes half closed.

"Wouldn't you like to know…?" She smiled giving Shizuru a light kiss on the lips.

She walked passed her the smile never leaving but with Shizuru's grin. That was about to change.

"Make sure Natsuki will be done before dinner. Natsuki was too much in a hurry to get into action, she forgot my current dilemma…"

"Eh?" The Captain turned around only to find Shizuru's teasing red eyes.

"Natsuki left me alone in our room without making me reach an or…" Shizuru wasn't able to finish.

"SHIZURU NO BAKA!" Natsuki blushed hard turning away before her girlfriend could utter another word.

"Ikezu…" The red-eyed vixen replied with a pout.

Midori tapped her pen on the examination table while cleaned the victim's bodies. They had just finished the autopsies and Midori was supposed to fill out the report for the Chief Coroner.

Natsuki bursts in the room all flustered.

Midori could only raise an eyebrow.

"Shizuru-san is giving you a hard time is she?" Dr. Helene asked without looking.

She simply stared at the aquamarine beauty that was on her examination table.

"Is there anything new about that Yokho? Midori, Report."

"Hai… Hai… The two died from asphyxiation. Though it seems they both died at the same time. We're waiting for toxicology reports. Otherwise, Captain, these two were so fit they may become Special agents someday."

"Such a waste…" Yokho muttered taking off her face mask.

"Are there any known substances that are harmful yet would not leave any trace that could have caused this?" Natsuki asked as she transferred that report to her data pad.

"There was a journal back in the archives. 2000 years ago, some used poisons pure forms to cause such damage. Some used lipsticks, injections. But these two…" Yokho pointed at the dead bodies.

"They don't have needle marks or any substance that could leave the residues from those elements or any other poisonous substance as well."

"They could have not inhaled it right? Nao didn't find any airborne substance that could kill." Natsuki replied opening Nao's report on her data pad.

"Then, it must be a substance that could easily evaporate, or is odorless, because these two would have reacted in such conditions. They are trained to do so."

Natsuki nodded then handed Midori's data pad to Yokho.

"Keep me posted. We need to find out what killed them."

At noon, there were still no concrete leads as to what or who could have done the crime. Natsuki took her seat at the head of the table while Shizuru quietly took a seat in the corner. Natsuki eyed her, and already knew she was troubled. But they have to put off whatever it is. There were more pressing matters.

"Special Agent Tokhia?" Natsuki began as Mai stood have to give her report.

"I have talked to Cadet Mizuno Ami and was given the following information. The couple are secretly engaged, reason which they needed to meet up with their friends. Cadet Mizuno was the only one informed about the detail because she was supposed to help them. Cadet Kino Makoto, her girlfriend did not know of the fact. Before they have gone to look for the dead couple. Cadet First Class Tenoh Haruka gave Cadet Mizuno a phone call complaining about a man named Seiya who has dropped by their apartment the previous night. There were no indications that Cadet First Class Tenoh and the civilian Kou Seiya had an altercation. When two hours have passed and still no sign of the dead couple, Cadets Mizuno Ami and Kino Makoto sent out to look for them."

"That corroborates the fact that Cadet Kino Makoto mentioned Kou Seiya and Cadet First Class Tenoh Haruka may have been interested in Cadet First Class Kaioh Michiru." Natsuki put a finger on her chin as she wrote down notes on the case file.

"Yukino, any more news aside from the report you sent me?" The Captain turned to her tech specialist.

"As of the moment, no other video or data that were found inside the building provides any other evidence of the evening. Haruka is trying to get surveillance video footages from outside and around the dorm. She is hoping to at least catch the perpetrator climbing to get to the room. Special Agent Zhang has mentioned the window of the crime scene was wet. No reported rain shower or drizzle for the last five days. The killer may have used the window."

"There were no fingerprints on that window. But I'm going to look for DNA at every inch of the room…" Nao put both her elbows on the table then sighed.

"There has to be something there. Something the forensics team overlooked. The room is still untouched and guarded so I can make another sweep worthwhile." Nao added and gained a nod from her superiors.

"Well then… I'll go with Lieutenant Hallard and have a chat with Kou Seiya. In the meantime, try to find more ways to acquire the identity of the killer. Act fast but be precise. We have yet to find out how he or she killed those two."

"That's odd…" Midori stared at the toxicology results.

"Everything is normal. No performance enhancers or whatsoever. Not even that old ecstasy drug."

"What are you getting at Midori?" Yokho inquired as she covered the victims' bodies.

"There is something in their blood Yokho. But how would they get poisoned or something without any trace?"

"Direct inhalation perhaps...?"

Midori tapped the side of her chin, thinking deeply.

"No trace found in the room for such release." Midori stood up making Yokho confused.

"Where do you think you're going?" The latter asked.

"I'll go with Nao. She's supposed to sweep the room for more DNA. I think I have an idea but I need to know where they have placed the trigger."

Shizuru read through the case file and all the interviews done on scene. She tapped a few keys on her screen and highlighted a certain part of Nao's report.

Nina Wang entered her office and gave her a salute.

"Director, I have checked and called Miss Margaruite's parents and her personal home but there were no replies. Is there any way I could do the report? I apologize for my partner's incompetence."

"It's alright Nina-chan. I was merely worried because she was supposed to hand me the report herself. You may assist the Captain. I can manage with the report myself."

"As you wish, Director." Nina gave her a salute once more then left Shizuru by herself.

"This is unusual for her… Very unusual…"

The police cruiser went to a stop. The officers turned to the huge mansion then go out to continue their investigation.

Kou Seiya was one of the Three Lights. A boy band that was famous about five years ago till Seiya dropped out for a number of reasons. It was speculated that the man was heartbroken to find the famous Kaioh Michiru leaving her celebrity status to become a law enforcer, a HiME. Others say he was jealous of Tenoh Haruka for leaving her own world to be with Michiru.

Needless to say, Kou Seiya lost to Tenoh Haruka.

Chie pressed the buzzer and waited for a reply. Natsuki examined the surroundings. Everything was quiet. Eerily quiet.

Chie pressed the buzzer again. No reply.

"We can use the warrant, Lieutenant. No worries." Natsuki held out the document.

Lieutenant Hallard and her men went up the gates and opened it. Stealthily they made their way across a massive garden reaching the mansion in a constant pace.

"Nobody's home Captain…" Chie whispered as she directed her men to their positions.

"That's odd… He should be here the…" Before Natsuki could finish her sentence a roaring engine made pass them.

It was someone in a motorcycle flying across them, leaving the scene.

"Lieutenant, follow that damn motorcycle driver. You three, you come with me." Natsuki angrily shouted racing to get into the mansion.

"Did you find the source for the water, Nao?"

"Not yet, I'm trying to trace the dried stains here…" Nao religiously followed the stains only to find the direction pointing to the room heater directly above the window.

"That's an odd place for heaters." Midori replied swabbing the window pane.

"Room standard… It has a common switch located near the door man." Nao replied holding out her hand to get a swab kit.

"Check for swabs? Our devices can't detect such old school evidence."

"Tell Yokho to write a request to the director. Upgrading doesn't hurt."

The two kept silent but carefully swabbed every part of the window and the heater. Nao sighed with a smile.

She showed Midori a cotton bud with red pigment.

"Guess what Midori-chan. We got a winner!"

Kou Seiya sat quietly in the interrogation room. He had put Garderobe's officers into a chase but Lieutenant Hallard proved to be just as quick. His hands were cuffed, his eyes obviously bloodshot. It was obvious he hasn't slept in days.

"I think Mai should do the interrogation. I might slam his head onto the table." Natsuki gritted her teeth.

"Ara… Did he give my Natsuki a hard time?" Shizuru replied a finger placed on the corner of her lips.

"Captain… Ah… Director, you're here…." Midori smiled handing their findings to Natsuki.

Natsuki read the new reports then transferred the documents onto hers and Mai's data pad. She gave Mai the nod.

Kou Seiya was still silent but has regarded Mai when she entered the room. She took a seat across him. Setting the case file onto the table, Mai began the conversation.

"Do you know these two? They are Cadets First Class Kaioh Michiru and Tenoh Haruka." Mai began placing the pictures of Kaioh Michiru and Tenoh Haruka on the table.

Seiya winced but didn't reply.

"They died yesterday."

"Good riddance…" The man replied.

Mai looked onto the two-way mirror then asked again.

"You knew them because they were from the same circle as yours." Mai continued on placing photos of Seiya together with the dead cadets.

"You knew Kaioh Michiru because you courted her. You knew Tenoh Haruka because he was your brother's best friend…." Mai placed photos of Taiki and Haruka on the table.

Photos that were from different occasions.

"Cadet First Class Kaioh Michiru rejected you because she loved Cadet First Class Tenoh Haruka, correct?"

Seiya stared down at Mai, his hands still cuffed.

"What do you not know woman?"

"Tell me, Kou-kun… What do I don't know…?"

"That blonde seduced her. Seduced her to a life that is not for her. She let go of her dreams, her family. Just because she wanted a life with that stupid blonde. I'm not feeling any remorse that blonde died. I don't even care!"

"But you do care. Kaioh-san was the love of your life. It must have hurt to find out she has fallen in love with someone else."

Seiya closed his fists. He let his head down.

"She never felt anything for me. We knew each other for so long but she never had the heart to love me. The first time she ever did was because of the blonde. I… I didn't believe her… Not before I saw them…"

Seiya happily carried the roses in his arms hoping to make Michiru smile. The rest of the dorm was on a holiday. So he felt, yeah… this is going to be his lucky day. He whistled his way with such a happy face. Not caring if the snowy covered city of Windbloom was cold and dreary. He was going to make the night memorable for Michiru. He was going to ask her to marry her.

When he reached the Michiru's floor, it was dead silent. This would be a good chance for their first time. He wondered if Michiru's roommate, Haruka, left for the holidays. He could only hope.

He was about to open the door when he heard noises stopping him in his tracks. Slowly, he opened the door and took a peek. His eyes widened on what he saw.

He saw his princess, Michiru, riding Haruka's hand. Those lips he adored and dreamed of devouring Haruka's with so much passion he can't even comprehend. He could hear their moans and Michiru's request for more.

He turned around, his forehead forming beads of sweat.

How could they?

How could she?

"But you knew about the relationship Kou-kun. Why would you think she would accept you otherwise?"

"I thought I knew her well enough to think of her family. But she changed. She changed for the worse." Seiya replied throwing his chair.

Mai remained calm then continued on.

"Just because she loved another doesn't mean she's gotten worse. You're just too blind to accept the truth."

"BECAUSE SHE DESERVES MORE THAN THAT!"

"Really? That's why you killed them both?" Mai stood up throwing the picture that last showed the victims' positions.

Seiya stared at the photo then began to cry.

"You wanted to kill Haruka. But you weren't counting on how Michiru would stay with her. You didn't count on Michiru taking a nap with Haruka that day. That's why you're a wreck. This is your life Kou-kun." Mai threw a picture of the Kou mansion's various rooms.

All in disarray. Drugs everywhere.

"You had put dried ice a top their heater. You knew nobody would notice since it was covered with a curtain when not in use for the summer." Mai showed the picture of the heater.

"Those burns in your hands were because of the blocks of ice." She added now showing a tiny speck a top the heater.

"Burns that left your DNA a top the heater."

Seiya was at the corner now, crying in silence.

"The only evidence that remained was the water stained wall and the wet window pane." Mai added placing a photo of Seiya buying what seemed to be blocks of ice.

"Those two didn't know what hit them. They were trained for poisons but never for something so odorless they didn't know they were going to sleep to their death. But you knew didn't you, Kou-kun. You were doing these CSI episodes giving you information."

"She wasn't supposed to be there…" Seiya chuckled softly.

"I called her up to meet me to make sure nothing would happen to her. But that bitch got in the way… She went out to meet me instead. Then went back. She left Michiru to die…" Seiya slid to the floor.

"You're wrong, Kou-kun. Tenoh Haruka didn't leave her to die."

Mai placed Yukino's still photos of the duo still alive after what seemed to be a talked with Seiya.

"It was probably they fell asleep, knowing the party was not in a few hours. They slept in each other's arms, Kou-kun. They died happy."

Seiya let out a sad smile.

"They were always strong together. They were even strong enough to make their love known. To our families, it was hard. They were so convincing they were getting married after graduation."

"You mean their friends weren't the only ones who knew."

"They were close to their families, officer. Regardless, the families would know firsthand of the engagement. I'll never forget that day. That was the day I decided to act before I was too late…"

"Michiru-san!" Seiya gave her a hug but was ended all too soon.

"You're finally here. I'm glad you finally came home, Michiru-san."

"I'm here with Haruka, Seiya. Please take a seat." The blue-eyed maiden went straight to her partner who was standing by the fireplace.

Seiya began to get confused. Last year, Michiru's parents didn't want to see the blonde. They hated her for taking Michiru away. But why was she being served by Michiru's own mother. There was even a smile on her face for that matter.

"We asked you all here for a reason. But before that, we want to thank both our parents for accepting our relationship…" Michiru smiled at her parents who were in tears.

"It was a long journey for us. But we are happy to have finished Garderobe's training…"

"With flying colors!" Haruka's father screamed in delight making the rest of the lot to laugh.

"Hai… In flying colors, but as well as finally becoming one with our families. We thank you for the understanding. And to show our appreciation…" Michiru turned to Haruka who took the shorter girl's hand to show off the beautiful aquamarine ring.

Every one gasped. Seiya remained speechless.

"… Haruka decided it was time to prove she would love me for the rest of her life…" Michiru giggled earning applause.

"And Michiru to prove she would have me for the rest of hers…" Haruka smiled leaning to give Michiru a kiss on the lips.

The rest of the lot was happy for the newly engaged couple. All except for Seiya.

"They were fearless officer. They managed to change their world together."

"I apologize for your disappointment Kou-kun. But you and I both know it was no reason to cut short what could have been two of the best for Garderobe." Mai replied standing up.

Chie walked into the interrogation room with her men and took Kou-Seiya away, waiting for his day in court.

"Needless to say, this case is closed." Natsuki appeared looking quite satisfied.

"I believe everyone did their best today. Especially Nao-san and Midori-san. Ookini." Shizuru smiled.

All in the day's work.

"Aoi! Please serve us another round over here." Nao waved her hand trying to gain the barkeep's attention.

"Should I be jealous of you Special Agent Zhang?" Chie inquired raising a brow.

"Iie… Iie… Lieutenant Hallard."

"It was one of the worse days for couple's out there…" Mai sighed resting her chin on the bar.

Yukino placed her hand on Tokhia's orange hair as she turned to look at Haruka beside her.

"No room for happy readings." Haruka muttered then gulped her mug of beer.

"Endings Haruka-chan."

"I wonder where the Captain is…" Chie asked as she finished her round of Smirnoff.

"The director is probably draining all her remaining energy…" Nao replied with a grin.

"You two stop prying on the captain's life. You have your own love lives. Does it bother you that Natsuki likes older women?" Aoi raised an eyebrow effectively silencing the two gossipers.

Another day, another round of liquor for Garderobe's finest. One could only wish such peace could last.

She stood by the window in all her naked glory. She could care less about peeping toms around their house. They could drown themselves with the sight but could never touch.

Besides, there was more pressing news she was seriously worried about.

"Natsuki…"

The voice was tired, but always loving when she heard her name. Natsuki turns to gaze at Shizuru sitting up the bed not caring to cover her naked body.

"Get back to sleep Shizuru… I'll join you in a bit…"

"Ikezu… You're thinking about work when I'm here naked in bed…"

"Gomen… Gomen…" Natsuki chuckled and went straight to sit beside her lover.

She gently kissed the red-eyed beauty's lips, feeling the latter sigh into the kiss. Slowly she laid them both to bed, Shizuru letting her arm act as a pillow. Natsuki felt the other woman's palm on her chest caressing it with feather like touches.

"She is still an officer, Shizuru. And she has been missing for a day now…"

"I know… But can we talk about it tomorrow…? I'm really tired… I've been looking forward to be in my Natsuki's arms all throughout the day…"

"Hai... Hai…" Natsuki kissed Shizuru's forehead and smiled.

"Aishiteru Shizuru… Oyasumi…"

"Oyasumi…"

Her eyes were weary and she could hardly feel her limbs. She was blindfolded but she could still hear whispers and movements around her. Cold sweat formed on her forehead. Suddenly, she felt it. A hand on the back of her head. It was loosening the blindfold. Her eyes tried to open but it hurt. There was a lamp focused on her face. She squinted trying hard to recognize any of her captors. But then, the voice was so full of promise she had to listen.

"Margaruite-san, you and I have a lot to talk about."