Okay, it's the first chapter, please humor me. This is a combination of Otome and Hime with some of my own ideas. The first part of this chapter takes place on a sand-ship while the second takes place in the rich country of Xeres. It's just an attempt so please don't send me any hate mail or kill mail containing smallpox.

Disclaimer: I don't own Mai Hime or Otome, Sunrise does.

Chapter 1

The desert sky seemed a darker shade of indigo on this dawn, though that may have just been a mere illusion to the girl's tired eyes. A star seemed to loom over the sand-ship, gently guiding the monstrous, ugly dragger to its far off destination. It was a calm night. The winds had died down significantly, which was a welcomed change to the violent sandstorms the ship had experienced the last three days. This had caused the entire bottom class passengers to scramble to steerage, unable to emerge up from the filthy, ill ventilated hellhole. Not to mention the lack of privacy, why just one night ago the redhead remembered becoming hot and trying to remove her sweatshirt. Her undershirt had become stuck to it due to intense sweating. As she attempted to take it off five old perverts were treated to a free strip show. She lowered her head in shame as the memory lingered. Her thoughts were immediately postponed as she heard a familiar voice.

Onee-chan

She looked up only to see her little brother clad in a dirty blanket. His eyes were black which immediately caused her concern.

Takumi! You should not be up! Someone will certainly take our spot!

It's okay Mai, most people have moved up here on deck. I just got worried when I couldn't find you.

Mai looked down at her brother and realized that it had been selfish of her to leave him in his sleep and venture out here without telling him first. He had become a little clingy ever since they started this less than pleasant voyage, but that was more than understandable. She patted his head.

You know I can take care of myself, I am much more worried about you. You know the kinds of people who travel this way.

Like the ones that are always looking up your clothes? Takumi asked

Mai's face turned a slight red as once again, the memory was brought up.

Yesss……just like them, she mumbled.

Takumi began to laugh at his older sister's humiliated expression, but was quickly stopped by a violent, dry cough, which was followed by a stinging pain in his heart. He grabbed his chest and began to moan then drop to his knees.

Takumi! Mai screamed in terror

Though frightened for her brother, Mai knew what to do right away. Stripping her pockets Mai pulled out a small white box. Opening it she took out a large pill and shoved it into Takumi's mouth with no hesitation at all. Takumi's coughs made it difficult for him to keep the pill in his mouth so Mai closed his jaws together like the way she had seen veterinarians administer pills to dogs. After a minute of odd looks from other passengers, Takumi's cough had stopped and he swallowed the pill. He then dropped onto his back with his head on Mai's lap. Both of them panted but were able to smile at one another.

I sorry I scared you Onee-chan, I must be a real pain to be with, said Takumi sincerely, sweat dripping from his brow.

Don't ever say that, replied Mai calmly as she wiped his face with her blouse

Takumi smiled as he closed his eyes. He always became exhausted after an attack like this one. What worried Mai though was that this was only a small one. Realizing she still had the pill box wide open she closed it, but then opened it again. She studied the pills, and in horror saw that there was less than a month's supply left.

She started to panic.

I had known that he was becoming low on medicine! Why didn't I do something earlier!

Her mind lecture became more intense. What the hell was I thinking! I should have stayed in Kelsor and taken a job there!

Takumi coughed lightly in his slumber.

And now he's sick! I bet he caught something on this germ-infested hellhole! He already had heart problems! What the hell was I thinking! I'm such an idiot! Baka! Baka! Did I think that he'd actually……

Mai paused and with her teary, frustrated eyes looked at the stars.

Come home

She held Takumi even tighter. He began to speak in his sleep

Mai….thank you.

Mai smiled at her sleeping brother.

Hold on there, you'll be somewhere safe soon, I promise

Her gazed shifted to the star again.

Father where are you?

Duchess Shizuru Fujino was by no means in a good mood on this gray morning. It had already started off quite badly with the bothersome news of her only Senshi being almost killed in a private battle that went horribly wrong. Not only had she spent a fortune on her now crippled Senshi, but also the fight was to entertain representatives from Athena, a country Xeres was desperately trying to form an alliance with. The sheer gore and brutality of the incident had left the representatives quite repulsed. They had stated it all very well in one short letter they had left.

To the leadership of The Kingdom of Xeres,

I am afraid that we must decline on the question of an alliance. Our government feels that a kingdom in which adolescent girls are forced to disembowel each other for entertainment holds no hope.

The Representatives of the Republic of Athena

Ara, Ara, how very discouraging, stated the Duchess as she elegantly sipped her tea.

Shizuru leaned back in her seat as she remembered the days in which Senshi battles were conducted with the utmost elegance. With every strike at the opponent being a graceful dance that left the audience in both awe and wonder. There was no country that did not think of the Kingdom of Xeres without thinking of the beautiful, glorious Senshi warriors that inspired both admiration and fear at the same time. For Senshi were not merely useless gladiators or prissy succubae for the men to drool at, but the king's imperial elite forces. Rarely was there a war when Senshi were called to fight, but the Duchess as well as other members of the Xeres government were obliged to train and sponsor Senshi as a sign of wealth, for their own protection, and most importantly for the kings forces if the duty called.

Shizuru sat in the back of her limousine, still enjoying her tea. She had not been in power long, specifically 2 years, but she was getting accustomed to these sudden meetings. Though in a bad mood she knew that her mystic smile would be enough to mask the ever-growing rage inside her. This meeting, to her, was a fairly petty one. She was to meet with Takeda Masashi, the person in charge of Senshi drafts. They were to decide on whom would be taking the place of her current Senshi, Tomoe Marguerite. It was not an easy task, first of all the injury of Tomoe and the alliance refusal of Athena were to be kept in secret and away from the public and other political personnel. This meant that she would not be taking a person from the usual location, that being the Senshi Academy were young Senshi were trained, but, as described by Takeda on the phone an "outside," place. What this meant, Shizuru was soon to find out.

Duchess Fujino, we have arrived, called her driver.

Indeed, outside the limousine stood the glorious white Xeres town hall, decorated in red banners for the upcoming celebration of Xexes's independence holiday.

Grinning at the pleasant sight Shizuru thanked her driver and elegantly stepped out of the vehicle. As she headed toward the enormous building, many citizens pointed and whispered as walked by. This was not because of the fact that she looked extremely wealthy, wearing an elegant beige evening gown, or the fact that she was an incredibly beautiful young woman that made the stiffest necks turn. The Duchess herself knew, yet continued on her way, ignoring the people, stupefied in their reverence toward her. She was not in the mood for being friendly, not now anyway.

Once she entered the building, Shizuru went strait into the Grand Meeting Hall. With the town hall being so gigantic it would be easy to be lost in minutes but Shizuru was able to get there without any thought due to the thousands of meetings she had attended. It was all part of becoming a Duchess. Upon opening the large doors Shizuru was a bit baffled to see a lone Takeda sitting in a chair on the exact opposite side of the room with the 60-foot table separating them. She had had a feeling that this meeting was exaggerated in importance.

Hello Duchess Fujino welcomed Takeda though it was mostly an echo.

And hello to you Masashi-san, replied Shizuru

Please have a seat, beckoned Takeda as he pointed to the seat closest to Shizuru, which also happened to be the seat farthest away from him.

Despite this Shizuru nodded and took the seat. Takeda's mouth started moving and he appeared to be speaking, however due to the monstrous size of the table and the considerable distance between them Shizuru could not make out a single word he said.

Ara, if Masahi-san wishes to have a serious meeting I believe it is necessary to hear him, Shizuru yelled, yet her voice was still gentle and calm.

Ah, of course, said Takeda as he got up and made his way across the long room to the seat next to Shizuru.

Now perhaps we may get started, he suggested

Yes, of course, replied Shizuru

First off with the question of your Senshi, Miss Marguerite. She has taken a serious puncture wound to her chest and will be out for quite some time. Are you willing to take another young woman under your care?

Shizuru took a second to think. She knew that in the short month she had taken in the green haired girl that the young fighter became extremely attached to her, sometimes disturbingly so. Shizuru sensed jealously in the Senshi in simple tasks, such as when the Duchess engaged in conversation with others while at Senshi Battles. Tomoe's eyes would get small, her expression would change to madness and she would fight recklessly and gracelessly. It was never a pleasant sight. How would Tomoe feel about this? Should she even tell her?

Remember, as a member the Xeres Senshi Association you are obligated to take in at least one capable, war worthy Senshi and with the holiday coming up you will be expected to have one for the Independence Day Battle, Takeda stated somewhat grimly.

There they go again, using my XSA contract against me again. I guess I really have no other choice thought Shizuru.

Masashi-san, I myself was once a Senshi and I do know the regulations, Shizuru said firmly but calmly.

Yes, How could I ever forget. The Amethyst Serpent. It seems the public still hasn't stopped raving about that. You're still their favorite from my understanding.

Shizuru sighed

Yes, but they must remember I have retired from all that. Shizuru sipped some tea that was just handed to her.

Takeda nodded then proceeded

Indeed, well moving on. Finding a new Senshi was not an easy accomplishment. Although the Senshi Academy is filled to the brim with worthy students and there are more than a few young girls who want this position enough to chop off their right arm, my staff has finally found a location in which we can quietly find a girl with no fear of fighting. Takeda took out his briefcase.

Shizuru smiled in approval

I most warn you though Duchess Fujino, this location is not exactly for a lady of your standards but this is really the only choice we have with the small amount of time. Said Takeda as he opened his briefcase nervously.

I am just content that you were able to find such a Takeda-san. Replied Shizuru gratefully as she took another sip of tea.

Takeda quickly placed a paper in front of Shizuru. To her surprise it was a promotional poster for an event.

For one week only! The Warrior Society proudly present-

THE VALKARIES OF BLOOD

Blood! Guns!

Bikes! Girls!

Don't miss this night of carnage!

Ara, I think I will need to change tonight, grinned Shizuru.

-Please review-

Oh by the way tell me which of Natsuki's last names do you like better? Kruger or Kuga?