Authors: Irinia67 & Sick Pimp Mighty Beta: Corona Series: Mai HiME Pairings: Mikoto's face and Mai's breasts, Shizuru and Natsuki, Julia and Kiyohime?
Chapter 1 – Set sail!
A huge hall filled with happy people everywhere one looks. A sudden explosion tears down a huge part in one of the walls. Before anyone can react an angry looking bluenette clad in some type of strange armour storms in through the opening.
She runs straight to the stage where two girls are standing. While she's running, she shoots snow from her hands in all directions covering most of the hall and all the people with it.
Surrounded by total chaos one blond manages to dig herself out of the snow and the sight that greets her makes a huge vein appear on her forehead. In all this freezing mayhem one girl stands calmly drinking a cup of tea.
"FUJINO! You are mine!"
Sighing she puts down her cup and materializes her weapon, facing her opponent who's holding a huge mace and is running towards her.
On the stage an orange haired girl is shooting fire from her hands at the angry bluenette who is countering with ice from her hands, there is already a large pool of water between them. Neither of them is gaining the upper hand.
At that moment a tiny girl drops from the ceiling aiming straight for the orange haired girl and knocking her out with single blow to her head with the hilt of her massive sword as she lands on top of her.
Both of them jump off the stage the tiny girl carrying the unconscious girl with her the bluenette taking a look around while she walks to the hole they came in, where the two girls from before are still fighting. Not in the mood to wait she shoots snow from both of her hands at the blond and covers her with it. The other girl just gives her a look and picks up her cup of tea.
They exit the hall, leaving behind total chaos and freezing people who have no idea what just happened.
---------
Five Days Ago.
Hot tea is poured into my cup as I take a seat at the table. I look at the person sitting opposite me. She pushes her blue hair over her shoulder just as she always does and picks up her own cup from the table.
Natsuki returns the smile I give her. I put the cup back down on the table, the movement of the ship making the tea move slightly in the cup. The weather today is perfect and the sea is calm and warm.
"Natsuki don't frown."
"I'm not frowning! I'm thinking!"
"I didn't know that Natsuki can think too!"
"Shizuru! I'm not going to bring this up in front of the others, but are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Of course I'm sure. I know this girl. Even when I was still training at the temple she was already quite strong but also very stubborn and often disagreed with Mashiro's philosophy. So if we could convince her to join us we would gain a very strong ally. If she doesn't want to join us then I'm sure that Mashiro would be willing to pay quite a bit of gold for her prodigy student and we would get a mighty ransom out of it. Either way we can only win."
"I see."
She walks to the porthole and looks outside. I walk and stand behind her. I look at her long blue hair. My hand pushes aside a tress that gets in the way while my other arm is wrapped around her waist.
"Natsuki." I whisper in her ear.
"Shizuru! Stop it!"
My clever Natsuki. She always knows what's on my mind. I lower my head and place a soft kiss on her neck.
"Stop thinking all the time!"
Another kiss. And another. I count kisses until she surrenders. She always does.
"Shizuru."
Her voice isn't angry anymore. I can hear her breathing getting faster and she turns around without leaving my arms. Her eyes have turned dark and I know that once again I've won.
Now she's the one who kisses me, with force and I don't blame her. If we weren't kissing she would see a smile on my lips. I can't help but wonder why she always resists when we both know that she wants it so much.
A kiss is never enough to me though. I try to unbutton her vest without my lips leaving hers. I want more and obviously I'm not the only one because now she helps me to get rid of the vest.
I hear a sound and a quick look at Natsuki's face tells me she heard it too. The sound is repeated, a knock on the door. I should let them in and get this meeting over with quickly.
I look at Natsuki and the sight makes me want to laugh out loud but I hold myself back. Her hair is messed up, her vest is open and her face, oh her face makes me want to pretend that we're not here and continue what we were doing.
She tried to fix herself as much as she can when I give permission to the person outside the door to come in. I smile when the door opens and Reito appears in the doorway with all the others behind him.
"Captain, I am sorry if I disturbed you. I didn't mean to interrupt anything."
"You didn't interrupt anything!"
While Natsuki yells at him Nao enters behind him and takes a look at Natsuki.
"Oh looks like the snake eater didn't get to finish her meal!"
"Shut up you Cthulhu freak!"
Nao looks about ready to materialize her gloves and I can already see a thin fog around Natsuki's body indicating her rapid drop of body temperature. How these two haven't killed each other yet is a mystery to me.
"Ladies please, behave yourselves, or perhaps you would like to spend the rest of the day up in the orphan trap."
That stops them instantly and I nod to Reito and the others who are all still standing outside.
"Please come in."
As well as Reito three other people enter my cabin. Taking a look at the four of them it's hard for me to suppress my urge to laugh. Next to three people dressed completely in black Shiho is standing in her frilly summer dress looking like she is about to go to a dance.
I gave up on Reito's and Nagi's choice of clothes a long time ago, both of them are beyond redemption, but I can still save little Mikoto. She loves her big brother so much that she even imitates his horrible sense of fashion. All three of them wear plain black trousers and plain black shirts. Both Reito and Nagi also wear a black hat while Mikoto has a black bandanna, Mikoto's trousers only reach her knees and she's missing the sleeves of her shirt and her shoes. I wonder if she's ever worn shoes in her life?
I sigh. I guess that's what happens when you grow up on a ship with role models like these two. I'm looking at one of said role models. Nagi is wearing a black eye patch over his left eye, which considering his lifestyle isn't too surprising. Also not surprising is Mikoto's scar from her right eyebrow across her nose to the middle of her left cheek. Never leaving Mikoto's side is her small monkey Mr Turtleneck and of course he is also dressed all in black, but well I knew when I chose to become captain that it wasn't going to be easy.
I clear the table of the cups and everything else and open the map. I sit down holding the still warm cup in my hands.
"Good morning everyone!"
"OK so yesterday I received a message from my spy at the HiME temple that the youngest HiME is about to graduate and I think I've come up with a plan that will allow us to kidnap her with minimal risk of getting caught.
In five days will be the annual seaslug festival, this will provide the perfect opportunity to strike. Security will be higher but all of Mashiro's high ranking HiME will be in the same place and we can take them out all at once."
Natsuki walks towards me and stands by my side. For a moment I keep my eyes on her. Natsuki notices that I'm staring and she blushes. It's so funny that even now she's so embarrassed. I can't wait for everyone to leave and us to be alone again.
Nao's face has the same grin she had a while ago. In fact everyone is smiling except Natsuki who is blushing more now.
"The plan?"
She sounds irritated and I decide to return my attention to the plan; I show everyone the map on the table.
"Here is a map of the main hall and the area around it. We will come from here since this provides also the fastest escape route. We'll take out the perimeter guard as we go. Once we attack the hall the noise will alarm the backup and they will come to our position. I trust Ms Nao and Ms Shiho won't have trouble dealing with a couple of armed men."
"No problem at all! No man has resisted me."
"You mean they don't attack you, because every time men face you they run away before they get blinded by the ugly sight!"
I smile amused listening to Shiho and Nao. Always fighting, but never without the other, trying to pretend they don't like each other.
"Mr Reito and Dr Nagi will keep the escape route clear while Natsuki, Mikoto and I take care of the guests and grab the girl."
"I'll keep your back clear but how do you plan to take out all the HiME at once and grab the girl?"
"Very simple Mr Reito. We hit them like a blizzard."
Natsuki is already smiling. She sees it as another opportunity to strike against the high class society she despises so much.
"Before they even know what is happening they'll all be covered in snow."
"Oh, I hear that is rather unpleasant in summer clothes."
I smile at Nagi. He has such a sadistic streak.
"The ship will be waiting there. So everything be ready for a quick retreat.
Mr Reito please prep the rest of the crew. Dismissed."
"Aye aye Cap'n!"
They all leave and we are left alone again, just the two of us.
Natsuki is looking at me and I can see that she can't wait anymore. Neither can I.
"I think everyone knew that we wanted to be alone."
"I don't care."
Sometimes Natsuki becomes a different person. The shy Natsuki that was here a minute ago is gone and now there is a demanding Natsuki facing me, one that wants only me and I'm willing to give her whatever she wants.
She comes closer and kisses me. I still can't believe that she loves me. I open my eyes just to make sure I'm not daydreaming. She's here with me and she's mine. I draw her towards the bed. Nobody is going to disturb us now.
----------
I don't know how long I've been here staring at Natsuki sleeping next to me. She fell asleep, she always does. I touch her soft blue hair trying not to wake her up. It's been quite a while since the others left. I have to get up.
I make my first move to get off the bed but just then the sound of my name stops me.
"Shizuru"
"What a pity, I woke the sleeping beauty!"
"Yeah right!"
She smiles and stretches her body on the bed. I do my best to control the sudden desire to make her tired again.
"Don't you think it's time to get up? My ship shouldn't be without her captain for so long."
"You have Reito who is good enough to take your place when you're occupied with me!"
She grabs my hand and draws me back onto the bed.
"Ara ara somebody woke up in a good mood!"
"That's because she had a good time before falling asleep."
I don't have an answer to that. I kiss my lover and she kisses me back. I sit back down on the bed.
"Shizuru you really think that everything will be OK?"
"Of course Natsuki! My plan is perfect!"
"You know you're amazing. Your perfect plan doesn't include you doing anything."
"Of course Natsuki! I'm the captain! I will supervise everything!"
I get off the bed laughing after seeing the scowl on her face.
"And speaking about supervising I think we should get dressed and go outside to check how things are."
"Since you're the captain you go outside. I'll stay here and sleep some more!"
"Natsuki."
"OK, OK I get dressed too. I was only joking anyway. I'm not sleepy anymore."
We both get dressed and I open the door. As soon as we get outside I can smell the sea. The weather is indeed wonderful today. I look at Natsuki and her face shows absolute satisfaction.
Just then Nao passes by her and speaks.
"Someone had a great time after we left!" She pauses for a second. "Snake eater!" Then continues walking away from Natsuki.
Natsuki's satisfaction is no longer visible. Her face takes a purple colour as she looks very angrily at Nao. I immediately feel a very cold chill coming of her body.
"Is the black widow jealous 'cos she didn't get a male to feed on for some time?" Natsuki screams after her then looks back at me irritated. I know that she expects me to say something to Nao but I can't even speak now because my mouth is occupied laughing so hard that tears come from my eyes.
Natsuki is now angry at me but I don't mind. Although I know that if I don't say anything she won't speak to me all day. Nao is yelling something at Shiho now. Maybe I should-
"Captain!"
It's her again. I already know that without seeing her. I turn around and face this girl staring up at me.
"Hello Tomoe."
I keep looking at her. Her blue hair is cut in a mohawk. I should comment on her hairstyle one day. Why doesn't anyone on this ship have even a little bit of taste?
Tomoe still stares at me. I notice that Natsuki isn't doing anything now. She's just glaring after Nao and she's still angry. For someone who has ice as her element she sure is hot headed.
My eyes return to the girl in front of me who smiles.
"This is great weather isn't it?"
"Yes it is! Not too hot, not too cold. It's just perfect!"
Natsuki is looking somewhere else now. She found Shiho and goes to speak with her, no doubt about something involving Nao. They both exchange some words before they start laughing. After a while Shiho leaves and Natsuki glances back at me for a second and then she walks off to look at the ocean.
"Captain, maybe you want me to help you with something?"
"Tomoe is so kind! I don't think I need something at this moment. If I need something you'll be the first that I call."
"I'm always at your service Captain."
I smile at the girl and sighing I put on my hat. The sun might not be too strong but it still shines brightly in my eyes. Why can't these hats be a little more fashionable they're so plain and boring. I leave the girl behind and walk towards my Natsuki.
Nagi is giving some instructions to a boy at the helm, probably trying to make it as painful as possible. Oh well the boy is still smiling so I guess he still enjoys the extra attention. Sometimes I really wonder what kind of people I have in my crew. Especially after my eyes fall on Reito. He is holding Mr Turtleneck who appears to be shaking with fear. I look up to see where he's looking and of course I see Mikoto, hanging upside down stuck in some ropes. I don't even want to know what happened for her to get stuck up there and scare that monkey to death.
That Mikoto, always messing around up there, I've seen her many times almost falling and breaking her neck. With a quick move she frees herself and climbs the rope back up.
"What happened here? He's terrified."
"I don't know really, by the time I looked up the monkey was falling towards me and screeching and Mikoto was already caught in the rope.
The monkey wraps his arms around Reito's neck, he really must haven gotten quite a scare. Mikoto on the other hand acts like nothing happened, her movements are fast and she reaches the orphan trap in no time.
"So what brings you here Captain?"
"I am just taking a walk making sure everything is OK."
"You don't have to worry about a thing. Everything is just fine up here. Besides if anything goes wrong I'd surely call for you."
I open my mouth to respond but I never say what I have on my mind. The monkey is making loud sounds and from the top of the pole Mikoto's voice is heard.
"Orphans!"
I smile. Orphans. We haven't seen Orphans for days. I take the telescope and take a look at the monsters. They are half covered by the water, I am sure Mikoto has a better view from up there.
"Ms Mikoto, how many of them?"
I can see three of them but I can't be sure since there might be more behind.
"Four."
"Captain, your orders?"
"Dr Nagi take the helm and keep her steady. Mr Reito inform the crew that we have encountered orphans. I think four orphans should provide some fun."
"Aye Captain!"
Reito runs off to inform the other girls, while Mikoto gets into fighting position on top of the pole. I hope she is not planning to jump from up there.
I walk down the stairs and my gaze falls on Natsuki. Shiho is standing next to her; Nao is still sitting, waiting for the Orphans to get closer. The rest of the crew has gathered on the deck. No one wants to miss a fight with orphans.
"Mr Masashi, where is my music?"
"I'm coming captain."
A boy with dark short hair squeezes through the girls carrying a violin. He comes running towards me and starts playing a fast tune near me.
"Ladies, get ready!"
In an instance four girls materialize their elements. Shiho blows her flute; her tune is different from the one she uses to hypnotize men. A big black crow-like bird is summoned above us. Yatagarasu, I briefly wonder if crows like eating squids.
Mikoto is holding Miroku, and she stares happily at the Orphans that are approaching us, she's jumps down onto Yatagarasu's back and they are flying towards them. A loud wolf howl is the sign that Natsuki has summoned her Duran. I look at her standing there in her ice armour and I admire her once more. I'm sure that armour is not part of her element but who am I to complain when it enhances her curves so perfectly. Duran flies off towards the orphans and Natsuki follows on an iceslide.
Nao materializes her claws but still hasn't summoned Julia. She is waiting on me. I stretch out my hand and I grab the large naginata that appears under it. The feeling of the cold metal in my palm makes me feel powerful once again. Now it's time for my Child.
"Kiyohime."
As soon as I say her name she appears out of the ocean. She's huge, more than large enough to swallow a person whole; two of her snake heads look at me while the rest look ahead at the enemy approaching. Just then Julia appears and lands on one of her heads. Yatagarasu and Mikoto reach the Orphans and Mikoto jumps at one while the crow attacks from the sky.
Natsuki slides around them and throws ice at the Orphans, making them fall back in the water. Duran does exactly the same, throwing huge amounts of ice from his mouth. Julia jumps on another one of Kiyohime's heads and throws her web at one of the Orphans, which is now all tied up floating helplessly and she jumps on another head to get closer to the next Orphan.
Natsuki uses her ice to make more slides, Mikoto uses them to jump between the Orphans and attack more of them, Natsuki stays close to her.
Natsuki steps back and I watch her bringing her hands together in front of her. Kiyohime bites a huge tentacle that comes out of the water aiming for Natsuki and Julia throws some more web at another one. The ice between Natsuki's palms is getting bigger and bigger. She throws it at the Orphan that tried to attack her, covering it in ice, Mikoto jumps at it swinging Miroku and hitting it with full force. The Orphan shatters into tiny shards.
Shiho is standing at the edge of the ship directing her Child with her flute. The huge crow drops down from the sky to attack the Orphans and then flies high again. Just then a long tentacle is raised from the sea and nearly hits the surprised Shiho. Before the tentacle reaches its destination Nao uses her claws to slice the tentacle, which falls to the deck writhing around.
"Hey! Mantrap! Be careful! I can't save you all the time"
Shiho exhales and returns her attention to the fight ahead of the ship. Mikoto
has sliced up another of the Orphans, cutting the spikes one after another
with strong blows of her sword, but the monster seems to grow them back.
"Die you bastard!"
Natsuki is so irritated now, that she's throwing ice towards the remaining Orphans. The sea water is filled with ice blocks and I'm glad that Kiyohime doesn't have a problem swimming in cold waters. Julia is still jumping from head to head and I wonder how she doesn't fall into the water since Kiyohime's snake heads are constantly moving, attacking the Orphans that swim next to her. These two seem to cooperate perfectly. It's almost like Julia knows Kiyohime intimately.
I haven't moved at all since the moment the fight started. Oh, how I'd enjoy a cup of tea now. I wonder if I should leave and prepare me some tea but then I see Nao standing next to me, also doing nothing. Julia seems to be doing fine without Nao close to her.
Natsuki's annoyed scream makes me look back at the fight.
"Duran!"
Duran howls and does something I've never seen him do before. He opens his mouth and throws ice daggers at the Orphans. To my surprise the daggers are big enough to penetrate the body of an Orphan which explodes instantly. He shoots more daggers at another Orphan, but it uses its spikes to defend itself. Mikoto takes advantage of this to cut the Orphan in half. Natsuki freezes the arms of the remaining monster and Mikoto slices them off while Kiyohime and Julia finish it by tearing it into little pieces.
As soon as the last Orphan dies every Child disappears too.
"Thank you Masashi, that will be enough."
"Aye captain."
The boy disappears back between the girls.
Natsuki slides back on the ship with Mikoto holding on to her.
"Mantrap, I think you owe me for saving your life."
"Shut up you Cthulhu freak! Who said I needed you help? I won't have a debt for something I never asked for!" "Hmm, I wonder... how should I make you pay me?"
"Will you two shut up?!"
"I don't remember asking you! Snake eater!"
"Stop calling me that! And you little brat be careful next time! This is what you get for letting someone like her save you!"
"She didn't save me!"
Shiho turns around irritated. I signal for some of the girls to bring me some tea. The ice slide Natsuki used to get back to the ship has already started to melt and the deck is getting full of water. Shiho raises the hem of her dress and I wonder what she is thinking of dressing like that on a pirate ship. Mr. Turtleneck is playing in the small pool of water; it looks like he's calmed down.
"Mr. Turtleneck!"
The monkey stares up at his master and climbs up on her. Mikoto whispers something in his ear and he runs away disappearing somewhere inside the ship.
I take a sip from my tea and realize that it's too hot even for me. But why wait for the tea to get cold?
"Natsuki?"
"What?"
"Would you mind?"
I pass her my cup of tea and she looks irritated at me. She grabs the cup and holds it for a moment. Then she returns the cup and I taste my tea. Natsuki is great! She knows exactly at what temperature I like to drink it.
"Thank you!"
The monkey squeaks and Mikoto runs towards it. She is holding a big piece of meat and starts climbing the ropes up. So that's why the cook was complaining about missing food the other day!
Tomoe and a couple of girls start scrubbing the deck, they know I like my ship clean and without leftover Orphan goo. I take a look at Natsuki. The wind makes her hair flow and she looks astonishing. She looks back at me and I can see in the corner of my eye Nao whispering something in Shiho's ear. They both look at Natsuki and start laughing. Natsuki gives them her death glare, but this only amuses them and they laugh louder.
I can feel the temperature around Natsuki falling again and I am afraid that if she starts a fight with them they'll sink my ship. It would be such a pity to damage a beauty like my Purple Tea Leaf! Moreover I'd hate to wet my clothes, they would be ruined.
Nao's face has a look on it that says she's ready for a fight too.
"Ara ara. It's getting cold here."
"And it's about to get colder."
Natsuki's sounds angry as always.
"But Natsuki knows that I don't like the cold!"
"Then tell them to shut up!"
"I would recommend that you all learn to get along with each other or else..."
I stop there, letting them imagine what I mean. Why do they always have to ruin such a beautiful day like this? Why don't they all be like Mikoto, who is so silently playing with her monkey?
Just then something flies in front of me and lands on the deck. Horrified by what I thought I just saw I take a better look at that object. I refuse to believe that it's what I think it is.
"What is this?"
"Shit!"
As soon as Natsuki says that everybody starts laughing. Everybody except me! I turn to look at the source of this disaster. The small monkey is jumping up and down in front of a smiling Mikoto.
"Mmm!"
Mikoto nods agreeing with what Natsuki said, as if it's the most natural thing in the world! I look again at this thing on my deck. My beautiful always clean ship! My purple beauty!
They are still laughing but I think that they're laughing at me now! I stare at them and I know that I look frightening because they all stop.
"Tomoe!!"
The girl beams in front of me and stares at me in a puzzled way.
"Take this thing away and clean the deck again!"
She looks where I point and her eyes open even wider.
"NOW!!"
Nao is laughing again. How could they find it funny, dirtying my ship like that?!
"I think it's been a while since someone from the crew was tied up at the orphan trap, don't you think?"
Her laugh is cut off in an instance and I know that she wonders if I'm serious.
"Ms Mikoto! I don't want this to happen again, understood?"
"But Mr. Tutleneck was playing!"
I have no words to reply to that. Can't he play with something less messy?
Mikoto's eyes tear up and she is starting to pout while she looks at me with her big golden eyes. Her usually cute face becomes even cuter now, too cute. I was thinking of saying more to her about keeping her pet under control, but the words just won't come out of my mouth now!
Ahhh!!! I can't take that look anymore!
I take off my hat and storm below deck. I open the door to my cabin and throw myself on the bed. Sometimes I think it's better not to exit my cabin. Although I'm afraid to imagine what could happen without me keeping things under control. It's really hard to be the captain after all.
The door opens and Natsuki comes into the cabin.
"Someone is helpless when she has to deal with cute little girls."
I look at her almost irritated. So it's teasing time for Natsuki now? Although she's absolutely right, Mikoto is too cute when she pouts to deny her anything.
"The fact that she's cute doesn't justify her actions! Letting her pet get my ship dirty like that!"
I am speaking to Natsuki but I already know that if I see Mikoto like that again I wouldn't even yell at her. I can't believe how cute that girl is!
"Shizuru I understand what you're saying but don't tell me it wasn't funny."
"Sometimes I wonder what kind of people my crew consists of."
"The best I'm sure!"
"You know I like all of you. Especially the one I'm facing now."
She comes closer and her emerald eyes capture mine. She places a soft kiss on my lips and then hugs me resting her head on my shoulder.
"Natsuki"
I know she's waiting on something else from me but now that I look at her again I can't help it.
"Yeah?"
"Can't you do something with your clothes? I mean you could-"
"Shizuru!!"
I sigh and give up. Today's not my day after all.
--------
Three Hours Ago.
I set my feet on solid ground and look around me. The sky is getting dark and with the darkness I have no need for that plain hat, I feel much better without it, after all I'm attending a celebration, I can't look anything but perfect.
Everything is going according to plan. I find the feeling of walking on land again strange. Some time ago I used to live here but now my home is elsewhere.
I start walking slowly, the rest walking with me. Nao and Shiho are walking together and a man walks past them looking towards the two girls. Lucky for him, he seems too drunk to recognize us.
I notice Nao smiling at him and obviously so does Shiho.
"Stop that stupid smile! We came here for business not your pleasure!"
"This is business too!"
"Yea right! Besides he was looking at me not you!"
I look at Shiho and wonder what's going through her head. Nao is wearing her usual black leather clothes and Shiho, well Shiho is wearing a pink dress! Who goes on a stealth mission wearing a pink dress?!
I let my eyes fall on Natsuki and I forget everything else around me. She walks ahead of me and I can't help but stare at her awesome body. I don't know how she notices that I stare, but she does every time. She turns around and a smile is her only response to my intense gaze. Sometimes I feel like I'm hypnotized. All I do is stare at Natsuki, forgetting even the importance of what we're going to do.
For a moment I stop walking and just stare at her. I remember that she was here before, we both were here and that was the first time that I laid my eyes on her, that I-
"Captain, are we going to stay here for long?"
I turn around and see an irritated Nao looking at me.
"I am just admiring the view."
"We all know what you're admiring Captain."
Natsuki's face is turned instantly purple. She becomes the centre of everybody's attention in an instance. She throws her hair over her shoulder and she turns her back to me.
Natsuki, always so short-tempered! I smile and continue walking ahead, leading them. I've checked the map before we come here although it wasn't necessary. I remember every part of this place pretty well. Soon we will arrive at the guarded area.
My pace is slow and my steps are as silent as possible. I hear absolutely no sound behind me, meaning that the others are following my example and try to keep their presence hidden.
We can hear a guard coming towards us and before he has a chance of seeing us we all disappear in the shadows. Natsuki and I are next to each other pressing close and staying quiet. The feeling of Natsuki's body against mine makes me forget for a moment the reason we're here now. All I can smell is her scent, but I return to reality as her body gets colder and ready for a fight.
I nod towards Natsuki to take him out before he can call for assistance. She waits until the guard gets closer. He whistles to himself not knowing what's awaiting him.
With a fast move Natsuki freezes him once he is close enough and just about to see us. The man stays there frozen, his body inside a huge ice cube, which Mikoto hits with Miroku, smashing it and shattering him into hundreds of tiny pieces which are impossible to spot in the dark. Silently we proceed towards the hall.
Another patrol is visible and we hide behind some bushes until Shiho uses her flute to grab him from behind and breaks his neck. That's an interesting use of her flute I must admit.
We leave him behind in the bushes and continue towards two of the patrols who are talking with each other. This attack needs to be synchronized.
I point on Mikoto and then the left guard she nods in understanding.
I'm about to point at Natsuki but Nao is pulling my sleeve.
She doesn't say anything but I know what she wants.
I sigh and make a gesture towards Nao that means after you.
We stay behind and Nao makes her first step towards the men. They're not looking towards our side so she has the advantage of coming behind them without being noticed. Mikoto takes a slightly different route towards the men getting close to them. I already know what's going to happen and I'm so glad that my team knows how to cooperate with each other.
"What a nice night! What are you two boys doing here?"
Nao's voice sounds sweet and innocent, nothing like her real voice. This girl has potential, I must admit.
The two guards look at her drooling. Her tight leather outfit, leaving certain parts of her body uncovered, her appearance is perfect and that's exactly what she uses to charm the enemy. She brings her hands behind her back and I see her claws appearing, which is the sign for Mikoto to attack as well.
Two movements happen simultaneously, Mikoto jumping in the air and attacking the guard on the left and Nao striking the other using the red razor wires which come out of her claws. The one guard is split in half by the ultra sharp Miroku and the other is sliced into many cubes.
I look at the two guards, or rather what's left of them, and wonder; do they have to do everything so messily? Someone will have to teach them about style and grace.
I cease my musings and lead the team again. After a couple more patrols we finally reach the main wall of the hall. Another guard is standing there. He's alone and I wonder if this is the right moment to teach them about style, but I change my mind and leave it to Natsuki. A small nod and the man is covered with ice. Nagi gets to him before the others and repeating Mikoto's move the man ends up in tiny pieces courtesy of Nagi's huge hammer. Why did he have to pick such a non-stylish and crude weapon?
Reito and Nagi leave us to keep the escape route clear while we stay behind and take a look through one of the windows.
I see Mashiro and our target on the stage. I take a look around the hall and see various HiME I recognize. They are still students but they can't be underestimated. In a corner I see Youko-sensei and Midori-sensei; by the look of things they are already very much intoxicated, excellent Midori would have been a dangerous opponent otherwise. Luck seems to be on our side since I also can't find Yukariko-sensei. Both she and Ishigami-sensei are not present and taking a look back at the stage I'm not surprised. Mashiro is talking to the crowd holding some speech. Knowing her it's probably about the importance of the festival to the temple or some other similar boring topic. Natsuki looks irritated.
"We're not gonna wait for her to finish the speech are we?"
I don't answer yet I just pour some tea into my cup and I take my first sip. Tea is always welcomed at times like this. They don't speak; just stare at me and my cup.
"Shizuru, you're drinking tea? Now?"
"Yes, why not?"
Natsuki raises her eyebrow in question and I continue speaking, ignoring their puzzled expressions.
"We'll do everything as planned. Ms Shiho and Ms Nao you will stay here. When we break in we'll alarm the backup, you should have no trouble with them, they will be mostly men and no HiME among them.
I turn around and face Mikoto and Natsuki.
"Ms Mikoto would you be so kind to knock and announce our presence please."
A wide smile is Mikoto's answer and I take a couple of steps back.
"Arghhhhhhhhhh!"
Mikoto raises her sword up in the air and hits the wall, tearing down a huge part, leaving a big hole.
Instantly Natsuki storms inside and within seconds all I can see is a blizzard inside the room. Mikoto and I go in after her with Mikoto immediately climbing up a curtain. Natsuki is running towards the stage throwing snow in different directions. I take a couple more steps inside, it's rather cold and I don't want to be in more contact with snow than I have to. Outside I hear more people approaching then screams and faint music from Shiho's flute.
Natsuki has stopped running and throws an extra large amount of snow towards Mashiro. I can see the smile on her face as she jumps on the stage, a sure sign that she's enjoying this. Excellent, it couldn't have worked better. I take another sip of tea and it manages to warm me a bit.
"FUJINO! You are mine!"
I hear a familiar voice, but I can't remember where I know it from. A blond head covered in snow is the source of the angry voice. Oh I remember her, she was a student with me, I always did forget her name.
I sigh and put my cup down. Just when I thought I could avoid fighting today. What a pity. I materialize my weapon and it's just in time because the same time I feel the weapon in my palm she attacks me with her mace. I dodge her attack and make my own attempt to hit. Not matter how huge her weapon is I am not afraid of her. I might not remember her name but I remember that she knows nothing of elegance.
As I fight I notice Natsuki on the stage of the room, throwing ice at an orange haired girl. Our target. Where is Mikoto? She should be there.
I hear someone drop out of the air behind me. I quickly jump to the side keeping the blond and whoever tried to sneak up on me in front of me. I'm puzzled, I didn't expect to find Mikoto there. What is she doing? She's swinging Miroku wildly.
It looks like Mikoto is fighting, but what? My surprise allows the mace woman to catch me off guard but even then I manage to shield myself.
It think Mikoto is fighting an invisible opponent because I can see that her sword is stopped by something that I am not able to see and I see footprints appear in the snow. I have no idea how she knows exactly where the enemy is, but she seems to know when and where to hit. I'll have to ask her about it later. I return my attention to the blond opposite me who's grinding her teeth and seems angrier than I have ever seen her.
Natsuki is still fighting this girl and they've made a big mess of the room. Her ice is melted by the fire that the girl's hands generate and they're standing in a large pool of water on the stage. Natsuki runs around her, throwing ice, one shot after another, her shots never reaching their destination.
Between defending myself, blocking the huge weapon that is aiming for my head, and attacking the irritating blond with my sharp weapon I notice that Mikoto is gone and where she fought I can finally see a brown haired girl with glasses lying in the snow. I remember her, it's Yukino and now everything makes sense. Her element is able to generate some type of field around her making her invisible.
I turn towards the stage and see that Natsuki has stopped playing around and is keeping a steady flow of ice towards our target, who just as persistently returns with fire from her hands, both waiting for the other to get weaker. Just then Mikoto once again drops from the ceiling and knocks out our target with a blow to the head from the hilt of her sword. I hope that blow hasn't permanently damaged her. I must teach Mikoto how to handle some things more delicately, because she also lost her balance and fell on top of her, face first into the girls breasts.
Natsuki doesn't even bother to help Mikoto she just turns around and jumps off the stage. That girl must have irritated her a great deal. She marches straight to me. Still on the stage Mikoto gets up and throws the girl on her shoulder and hurries after Natsuki.
I smile at the blond and attack, my weapon wrapping around her huge mace and immobilizing her. She pulls with both hands her weapon trying to free it and I notice Natsuki behind her. Oh Natsuki, always a pleasurable sight even angry like she is now. My smile gets wider and the blond notices that I'm looking behind her, but before she has time to turn around Natsuki has covered her in a huge amount of snow, not even her huge weapon is visible anymore. I throw a scolding look at Natsuki's direction and pick up my cup of tea. Helping me getting rid of my opponent by almost ruining my clothes in the process, how inconsiderate of her.
Natsuki turns around and throws more snow, making sure that none of the HiME in the room will follow us as we leave. Mikoto has already exited the hall with the unconscious girl on her shoulder, making me wonder where she finds the strength to lift her.
I follow her and Natsuki runs behind us. As we exit the hall Nao and Shiho are waiting there and judging from the expressions on their faces they were definitely fighting on who defeated more enemies again.
We all run towards the ship and on our way back we meet Reito and Nagi, both grinning. Mikoto still runs ahead and as we walk behind her I can't avoid noticing that the orange haired girl's feet are dragging on the ground behind her.
"Mikoto."
Mikoto stops and turns around.
"She must be heavy for you. Mr Reito would you mind taking her?"
"No problem captain, but I think Mikoto likes to-"
"NO!"
Mikoto looks irritated at me.
"She's my catch! Get your own hostage!"
And she continues running towards the ship, leaving us behind. I'm speechless.
"I'm sorry about that captain. I tried to tell you."
"Don't worry about it. I'm not even sure why I asked. That girl can't be heavier than her sword."
I take another sip from my cup. I cringe when I taste it. It's ice cold of course. I hand it to Natsuki.
"Here, just as you like it"
"Thanks Shizuru."
She gulps it down and I sigh again, no matter how much I try none of them will really change. Shiho and Nao have already started walking towards the ship and I can hear them arguing, behind them Nagi is telling Reito how he disfigured some poor guard while we were inside the hall. I'm surrounded by very unique individuals that's for sure.
Natsuki is staying behind waiting for me. In all the hurry I didn't notice that due to the fire melting her ice all the time Natsuki is soaking wet and that all her clothes are clinging tightly to her body even her very large white shirt.
I quickly grab her hand and run towards the ship. Maybe I was wrong and some things shouldn't change even if a year has passed.