Hollowed-Words
Twisted Eternal Wolvetta

~O~

Opheliac

Gritting her teeth sharply, Tomoe looked about her dorm, glancing over her shoulder as she gave the Gakuenchou a stare who was watching her silently, almost leeringly from the door. "Can I at least have some privacy in my own room?" She hissed.

"Do you really want to be left alone?" Natsuki asked as she came in further, closing the door to the younger girl's dorm.

"I don't like people staring at me when I'm working things out." Tomoe replied simply. "What are you working out?" The Gakuenchou asked as she looked away from Tomoe, scanning about the room.

"Since I'm going on a mission, obviously there would be something I need to make sure I remember." Turning around, the Pearl motioned her eyes up to Natsuki's. "...Why are you so persistent?"

Turning her gaze back to the teal haired girl, Natsuki smiled. "I care about you, Tomoe." She spoke.

"Still...?" Tomoe sighed, brushing a hand through her hair softly. "Mm, never stopped." Natsuki murmured, coming close and brushing the hair over Tomoe's ear.

Pausing, Tomoe pushed the Gakuenchou away slightly, looking away. "I never asked for this." She said quietly. "...How long have you?"

Looking saddened, Natsuki backed off a bit more. "I don't remember when exactly, it's been too long since it first started." The older woman murmured.

Mumbling something under her breath, Tomoe went further into the room. Looking around the room some more, Natsuki lifted a hand to her head, idly stroking her temple.

Tomoe was confused, and that didn't only just involve the older woman's persistent attention over her. She had... Miya, one of her classmates had given her something earlier.

"Gakuenchou, what was...it like on your first mission?"

"I was terrified." Natsuki replied, staying where she was as she dropped her hand from her temple. "My first mission was to a dangerous place, and I was almost executed. Almost all of my scars are from it, but it's because I still hadn't excelled at my hand to hand combat training."

"Executed...which nation?" Tomoe asked, curiously bringing her attention back to Natsuki. The Gakuenchou had almost been killed?

"Artai." Natsuki answered, her eyebrows drawing together as if she remembered all the pain she ever endured there.

"A-ah." That was...suspiciously similar to the corridor, Tomoe's mind mused. "Artai?"

"Mm, they do not take well the spies." Natsuki spoke as she took a step closer to Tomoe.

Pushing the thought aside, the Pearl bit her lip. "But that's just a memory now, isn't it?"

"A memory, and an etching." Natsuki murmured, referring in her mind to the many scars that littered her back.

Idly, Tomoe sat down upon the bed, feeling exhausted all of a sudden.""My father was murdered by Artains during a pirate attack." She muttered.

Sitting by Tomoe, Natsuki turned towards the young girl and murmured her comfort, keeping her hands to herself.

"Y-its nothing." The student insisted. "It happened long ago..." Natsuki hummed low, reaching a hand and resting it on Tomoe's shoulder, rubbing softly.

Tomoe stared at the hand strangely, slowly, she brought her gaze back up to the Gakuenchou cautiously.

The raven haired woman met Tomoe's gaze, and smiled softly.

"You don't think...this mission will go terribly wrong, do you?" "

Absolutely not, I've seen you train." Natsuki gave a wider smile, then drew it back. Raking a hand through her hair, she slipped her hairpin out, holding the silver accessory to the girl. "Here, for luck."

Tomoe eyed the hairpin uncomfortably. "...I couldn't." "Please, it will make me feel better." The older woman murmured, her free hand taking Tomoe's and placing the silver pin into her hand, closing it gently.

Studying the item, the Pearl student opened her mouth as she looked back up to Natsuki, whether she was about to say anything at all, however, she quickly closed her mouth, deciding against it.

Natsuki patted Tomoe's hand, the withdrew her own from the girl as she looked down at her.

"What would you say-" '-to Shizuru Oneesama-' "-if someone asked where it is?"

"I would say I must have lost it." Natsuki answered simply. "They would just blame my forgetfulness on my head wound."

"Head wound?" Tomoe asked, her full attention now drawn to the older woman; what type of head wound? Maybe...no, it couldn't be true, could it? Tomoe inhaled a breath and lifted from the bed steadily.

"Tomoe?" Natsuki questioned, looking up at the girl with a confused expression.

"You're not well, are you?" The student asked, her back turned. 'This is the reason why..'

Standing, Natsuki looped her arms around Tomoe's stomach and pulled the girl into her front. "I am fine." She murmured.

"N-no." Tomoe mumbled, weakly pushing at the arms capturing her. Not this again.

Saddened again, Natsuki pulled away from the girl. "What's wrong?" She asked softly once she was a reasonable distance away.

"I'm not yet...comfortable with this." Tomoe replied, looking down to the hairpin still in her hand she frowned. "...Galleria is a hot place."

"We'll supply you with white robes, to help with the heat." The Gakuenchou stated, looking to the door.

Tomoe nodded quietly. "I'll go, if you want privacy." Natsuki spoke softly.

Saying nothing, the Trias member merely stared over to the Gakuenchou, just as confused. Why had it turned out like this? How could someone such as Natsuki 'not love' Shizuru Oneesama and yet...it scared her.

Snaking her tongue out to wet her dry lips, Natsuki stared back, before breaking their gaze. Turning slightly, she opened the door.

"A-c-come back." At the small plea of the younger girl, Natsuki closed the door and turned around, looking to Tomoe.

Her mind going blank, Tomoe strode over, utter confusion tearing her features but also a state of determination. What is she doing? Peering up to the Gakuenchou, she leaned up slightly onto her toes, and placed her lips softly to hers.

Eyes widening a bit, they soon closed as Natsuki cautiously kissed back, her hands going to Tomoe's hips and pulling the younger girl closer.

Hands clutching hold of the Gakuenchou's Column jacket, Tomoe shuddered, pulling away, but still keeping a firm hold of the material as she looked away, gnawing hastily on the inside of her lip.

Slightly dazed from the kiss, Natsuki swallowed softly. "Thank you." She whispered.

"It was...nothing." Tomoe murmured awkwardly, blankly staring over to the opposite wall.

A hand coming up from the younger girl's thigh, Natsuki cupped Tomoe's chin and brought her eyes back to gaze deeply into them.

"W-what?" Tomoe questioned roughly, her nerves beginning to get the better of her once more.

Her other hand coming up, Natsuki slowly smoothed down Tomoe's hair from her forehead, lightly cupping her face after. "Why are you so nervous?" She asked.

What was the reason exactly? Her mind thoughtlessly mused. Stiffening as the Column continued to touch her, Tomoe shook her head. "I'm not...used to having anyone feel for me, at least, not like this."

"Should I leave?" Natsuki asked, scanning the younger girl's face.

"I need to think about this." Tomoe replied honestly. Well...at least she would be able to do that during the mission. 'Two months.' Tomoe frowned.

"Alright." Natsuki murmured, coming close to kiss the younger girl's frown softly, moving back.

"Hm." The student hummed in reply. "I'll see you off for your mission in the morning, try to get a good nights sleep." Natsuki spoke softly, pulling herself away from the younger girl.


Awakening dully, Tomoe groaned as her eyes met with the ceiling of her dorm. Looking around, her eyes caught sight of the Gakuenchou's hairpin which was on the nightstand, beside her bed. Moving onto her side, she idly picked the silver item up, trailing her fingers along the slightly sharp edges for a while. Why would she give her this, of all things? Wasn't it one of the most important symbols a Kruger held for their identity?


Constantly pushing her hair out of her face as she stood by her desk, Natsuki sighed softly.

"Honestly, Natsuki, it is your own fault for losing it, I know how much you like that pin." Shizuru mused, pouring some tea into the Gakuenchou's cup beside her, Shizuru then came up with an idea suddenly. "Ah."

"Hm?" Turning to face Shizuru, Natsuki spoke. "What is it?" She quirked an eyebrow, pushing her hair out of her face once more.

Out of the blue, Shizuru strode out of them room. "Well...alright." Natsuki smirked, shifting her eyes as her sipped her tea.

A few minutes later, the Archmeister returned, her hand clasped hold of something, arm raised Shizuru grinned. "Na-tsu-ki."

"Shi-zu-ru." Natsuki grinned back, looking to the older woman's hand. Setting down her cup, she spoke. "What's in there?"

"That isn't any of Natsuki's business." Shizuru uttered, making a standstill behind the Gakuenchou as she gently, without disturbing the stitches, gathered the azure hair. Putting the younger woman's hair into a loose pony tail, she then threaded the band she had found. "...You thought it was something else, didn't you Natsuki." She hissed into her ear.

Chuckling, Natsuki turned to face Shizuru, feeling how the ponytail felt. "Maybe." She smirked, leaning close.

"No playtime for you." Placing a finger to Natsuki's lips, she ushered the younger Column to stand. "You have Marguerite-san to send off to Galleria, don't you?"

"Indeed I do." Natsuki spoke, before her eyes glinted deviously. Moving closer to Shizuru, she stole a long and sweet kiss before walking off.

"Your equipment shall be awaiting in the transport vehicle." Miss Maria reported, as Natsuki entered the Trias room. "However, please remember that you're on an official mission, Marguerite."

"Indeed." Natsuki nodded, coming closer. Placing her hands on Tomoe's shoulders, she spoke as she looked down into the girl's eyes. "For Garderobe's sake, come back safe."

'Or at least alive.' Miss Maria's mind mused, trailing off. "Marguerite, it is time." She stated.

Nodding down to Tomoe, Natsuki moved back and clasped her arms behind her back.

Following after the epitome silently, the Pearl took a glance over to Natsuki, studying her calmly. Discreetly, Natsuki blew a kiss to the young girl, nodding her off.

Tomoe stared. "Good luck." Natsuki spoke softly.

Nodding, Tomoe quickened her pace as to not cause embarrassment to herself in front of Miss Maria, with this, she soundlessly moved in place behind the silver Otome.

Watching until Tomoe was out of her sights, Natsuki sighed and turned to walk off.


Tapping a knuckle against her lips in thought, Shizuru absentmindedly stared out the window of the Gakuenchou's office, waiting for Natsuki who would be returning at any moment. There was seriously something happening with that woman, Shizuru was worried and she was having the feeling Natsuki believed she hadn't picked up anything yet.

"Beautiful." Natsuki whispered into Shizuru's ear as she snaked her arms around the woman's waist, bringing her into her front.

"A-ara." Shizuru breathed, surprise painting across her features as she turned around in the fellow Column's arms. "And how did you manage to enter so quietly?"

"I didn't, I actually kicked the door open, closed it and fell, then came over here." Natsuki spoke, face serious. "You must have been in such a deep thought."

Disbelievingly, Shizuru glanced over to the doors, taking note they were firmly closed without a hint of struggle Shizuru sighed lightly, rolling her eyes. "Silly Natsuki, and besides, if you were to fall over, a rather cute blush would be on that face of yours."

"Mm." Kissing Shizuru's lips softly, Natsuki moved back to whisper. "You got me." She grinned.

"Natsuki has never been very good in the teasing ritual for mere words." Shizuru uttered in amusement, wrapping her arms around the Gakuenchou's waist.

"But, I'm good at...teasing your body, yes?" Natsuki asked softly as she cupped the older woman's rear, sliding her hands up.

"I...guess." The Archmeister murmured, her lip curling she brought her body closer to Natsuki's, chuckling lowly.

"You...guess?" Natsuki quirked a brow, pulling back. "Well, that just won't do." She crossed her arms, looking the older woman over.

"The Gakuenchou has to prove herself." "That sounds like a challenge, Archmeister." Natsuki smirked.

"Is that so?" Mockingly, Shizuru cupped her cheek, smiling deviously. Raising a sharp eyebrow at Shizuru, Natsuki began to walk in a slow circle around her.

"And pray tell me, what the Gakuenchou is going to do to me now?" Shizuru questioned, her eyes watching the younger woman in silent amusement.

"I won't tell you." Natsuki spoke, still circling.

"Interesting." Shizuru murmured, clasping her hands before her, smirk in place. "Indeed." Natsuki murmured, continuing her circling as she pierced every part of Shizuru's body with her eyes.

"My." Shizuru cooed. Stopping in front of her desk, Natsuki reached into one of her drawers and brought out a sturdy ruler. Flicking it between her fingers, she grasped Shizuru's arm tight.

"W-what?" Bewilderment quickly altered to a concern as she stared up into Natsuki's emerald eyes, then she cautiously looked to the ruler.

"I'm going to punish you." Natsuki merely stated, sitting in her chair and bending Shizuru over her knees.

"I-is this supposed to be...?" Trailing, Shizuru quickly fell silent.

Chuckling, Natsuki used the ruler to flip Shizuru's dress up, exposing the woman's rear. "Well, hello there." She smirked, looking to the naughty piece of lingerie her lover was wearing, rubbing the side of the ruler against Shizuru's behind.

"Natsuki merely gets frisky these days." Shizuru acknowledged, unsure whether to be aroused or a little afraid of Natsuki's behavior.

Rubbing Shizuru behind with her hand, as she set the ruler on the desk, Natsuki took the woman's panties to her mid thighs, lightly rubbing at her lover's sex.

The Archmeister was surprised to say the least. With her breath hitching, Shizuru grasped hold of the fellow Column's sleeve. Natsuki hummed, licking her hand before returning it to rub slowly along Shizuru's slit, taking a few seconds to go faster before returning to the slow pace.

"Oh, this way?" Shizuru pondered. Natsuki smirked, licking her hand again once she had gotten Shizuru aroused enough. "This way." She gave the Archmeister's behind a smack, her palm landing over the woman's sex.

"A-Ah, this technique?" The Archmeister lightly groaned, planting her chin against the chair armrest. Smirking, Natsuki delivered another smack to her lover's slit, before picking the ruler up.

"...Wonder how...Natsuki became so-" Shizuru froze abruptly. "Became so, what?" Natsuki asked, her ruler resting on the armrest.

"Sadistic." Dropping her ruler, Natsuki brought Shizuru's panties up and made the woman stand, pushing her into her desk. "Sadistic?" She growled.

"...Yes." Shizuru replied slowly. "I'm not sadistic." Natsuki glared into her lover's eyes before rounding the desk, striding to her grand doors.

"Natsuki." Turning, the Gakuenchou looked back to the Archmeister. "What?"

"Come back to me, you are confusing me." The elder Column said, her tone slipping, a slight hint of masked emotion coming through with minor desperation.

Rubbing her forehead, and lightly tracing her stitched scar on her temple, Natsuki sighed. "Baby, I'm sorry." She spoke softly, coming closer to Shizuru.

Furrowing a brow, Shizuru opened her arms out for the younger woman, concerned. Rushing into Shizuru's arms, Natsuki hugged the older woman tight.

"I won't ask what it is like." The Archmeister stated gently, binding them closely. "I'm sorry, Shizuru." Natsuki spoke with a teary voice, her head in her lover's chest.

"Na-Natsuki?" Shizuru gasped, staring down to the Gakuenchou in her arms, she opened her mouth. The last time Natsuki had cried was...Quickly, she wrapped her arms around her more securely, gently rubbing her back, soothingly.

Tears streaming from the younger woman's eyes, Natsuki cried into her lover's chest as she wound her arms tighter around Shizuru.

Quietly, Shizuru cooed words of nothings into Natsuki's ear, continuing to rub her hands down her covered back. "...Let it all out." She uttered, pressing her cheek to dark azure.

Natsuki nuzzled up into Shizuru, giving a few hiccups as she stilled her tears, her hands gripping the woman's back tight.

"Do you need anything?" Shizuru asked, tightening her hold a little. Natsuki shook her head against Shizuru's chest. "Just you."

Shizuru smiled sadly, merely staying there. Done crying, Natsuki sighed against Shizuru, hugging her.

"You really have gone through a lot." Shizuru remarked solemnly, locking her hand around her wrist, keeping her hold secure but absentminded. "But we'll get through this together Natsuki."

"Yes." Natsuki promised her lover, looking up into her face and giving a soft smile.

"Tell me anything, alright?" Nodding, Natsuki spoke. "Everything."

The Archmeister sighed, leaning back into the younger woman. "Anything..."

Natsuki hugged Shizuru to her tight, kissing the woman's throat gently.

'Already?' Inhaling a breath of the Gakuenchou's scent, Shizuru moved backwards steadily, resting against the edge of the table.

Purring against Shizuru's neck, Natsuki smirked.

Slipping her fingers under Natsuki's jacket carefully, Shizuru idly trailed her fingertips across the old scars on the small of her back, knowing them by heart. "Always."

"Mm." Natsuki looked up to her lover with brilliant emerald eyes, smiling.

"Natsuki seems rather content." Shizuru murmured in puzzlement, pressing the younger Column against her more.

"I got the crying out of my system." Natsuki shrugged, smiling.

Nodding, the elder merely moved back some more on the desk, whilst in the meantime, pulling Natsuki up with her. "As long as Natsuki is alright."

"Mm." Natsuki agreed, kissing her lover gently.

"Tell me if it hurts, its about time I helped Natsuki." Shizuru breathed into the kiss. "No teasing this time, either." She smiled.

Natsuki softly chuckled, kissing her lover again. "Alright" She whispered against Shizuru's lips.

Turning them around, Shizuru gestured Natsuki to sit on the edge of the table, where she had just been sitting. Doing so, Natsuki spread her legs as she got comfortable, then gave her lover a crooked grin.

"I like your hair up." Shizuru whispered, smoothly tapping on the Gakuenchou's knees to motion her to wrap her legs around her waist. "It suits you."

"Oh?" Natsuki pulled Shizuru close into her as she wrapped her legs around the older woman. "I thought you liked it when it was down and sticking to my face with sweat." She purred.

"But I also like this side of her." Shizuru replied lowly, placing a soft batch of kisses along her jawline. "Perhaps...it goes well to describe Natsuki's adulthood."

"My adulthood?" Natsuki asked, purring to the kisses.

"Confidence." Moving down, Shizuru's lips met with the fellow Column's slender neck as she began to slip the jacket off of Natsuki's shoulders. "And perhaps a little kink to the edge."

Smirking at that, Natsuki softly moaned as her jacket hit the floor, her bare arms on Shizuru's hips. "Just a little."

"Hm." Shizuru chuckled, playfully nipping at the flesh on her neck. "Certainly."

"Mmm..." Natsuki pulled the older woman closer with her legs.

Hovering her fingers all across the back of the Column's shoulders and small of her back, Shizuru breathed. "I would very much like to stay to my word of what I said last time, that I want to devour you."

Shivering against her lover, Natsuki breathed a bit faster. "Then, devour me." She whispered.

Zipping Natsuki's shirt undone with a free hand, Shizuru leaned in further, kissing her on the lips gently as her other hand pushed down to her chest, forcing her to lie against the table. "...Perhaps bed would be better next time." She mused, mostly to herself as she got up onto the desk.

Laying, Natsuki gave another shiver to the cold wood beneath her, and she stared up at Shizuru.

"Shuffle up for me." Shizuru murmured. Doing so, Natsuki swallowed softly as she looked at Shizuru.

Smiling down to her, as she comfortably leaned over her, Shizuru brought her hands under the back of the shirt, a soft click sounding through the room as the Gakuenchou's bra was unclasped.

Lifting up so her bra and shirt could be removed, Natsuki shivered as the air assaulted her breasts, laying back down.

Staring at the sight before her for a few moments, the Archmeister chuckled lowly. "Really Natsuki? You are always so quiet, during these times."

Natsuki blushed softly, mewling up at Shizuru.

Resting a knee between Natsuki's legs, but not enough to touch the area, Shizuru leaned down further, pressing her lips gently down on onto her flesh. "...So cute."

Pressing her legs together against Shizuru's knee, Natsuki flushed as she gave a soft moan.

"So desperate." Shizuru cooed, moving to nip at her ear, lapping at the earlobe as she supported herself onto an arm and then brought her free hand to Natsuki's breast. "...I prefer earning her voice though."

"Mmm..." Natsuki mewled as she leaned into Shizuru's mouth, arching.

"Or perhaps..." Shuffling downwards, the elder woman pressed her lips firmly to the Column's chest, tucking her knee firmly in place. "Here...?"

"Ah..." Natsuki gave a short moan, wrapping both legs around the older woman's knee and lightly grinding into it, her hands clutching the desk.

Sinking lower, the Archmeister idly looked down to her knee and laughed, pushing her hand against Natsuki's navel as she leaned back down, closing her mouth around a lonesome nipple, humming.

Moaning louder, Natsuki tightened her legs and pulled the older woman's knee closer, her hands threading into Shizuru's hair as she arched into the woman's mouth.

Flickering her fingertips across the navel absentmindedly, Shizuru gently bit down and then raked her teeth along the breast. "Louder." She hissed, rocking her knee ever so slightly.

A louder moan escaped Natsuki's throat, and she gripped Shizuru's hair tight as she rocked onto the woman's leg.

Releasing her grip on the particular breast, Shizuru poked Natsuki's cheek, cooing. "That's it."

Blushing softly from the tease, Natsuki closed her eyes as she rocked harder, moans escaping past her lips as she began to lightly pant.

"Lift your hips." Shizuru whispered, bringing her attention onto the other breast. Arching into the older woman as she did so, Natsuki purred loudly as she slid over the knee, bringing it closer to grind.

Not caring for the messy trail of saliva which almost noticeably shown, the Archmeister, hooked her fingers around the rim of Natsuki's trousers. "If you get louder, I'll make your favorite dinner tomorrow."

Grinding harder as she was eager to get her pants off, Natsuki moaned louder, bouncing lightly on the desk.

"Yes...your hairstyle does suggest kinkiness..." Shizuru hissed silently, pushing down further she melded her lips to the Gakuenchou's leg as she pulled the tight trousers down, biting tenderly whenever the younger woman was to quiver upwards from the desk.

Crying out at the bites, Natsuki moaned as she licked her lips, eager.

Throwing the trousers to the floor thoughtlessly, Shizuru brought herself back up, sitting against Natsuki's hips, keeping them down she smirked. "Now. What do you want? Which...'technique'...?" She drawled, passionately kissing the woman underneath her.

Kissing back heatedly, Natsuki moaned into it as her hands gripped Shizuru's hair again.

"Which?" Shizuru repeated, hissing seductively. Eyes shifting, Natsuki leaned up to whisper heatedly into her lover's ear, blushing madly.

"Oh?" Laughing softly, she quickly spun the younger woman around onto her stomach who in turn yelped. "Shi-Shizuru?" Natsuki questioned, laying her cheek onto the desk.

"You asked for it." Shizuru leered. "You said..." Taking a hold of Natsuki's ear a little too roughly, she went straight for the underwear which still graced Natsuki's curvy hips. "...Anything."

Giving a small cry to the rough treatment of her ear, Natsuki purred lowly.

Trailing her fingers across Natsuki's lips contently, a smirk almost let out fully across Shizuru's features, her knee moving Natsuki's leg up slightly. "...Which scar, on the spine or the hip?"

"S-spine." Natsuki mewled, pressed against her desk.

"Such a wiggle..." Sighing, the elder Otome forced her front into Natsuki's backside, pinning her onto the table as she then began to direct her attention to an angry-looking scar which zig-zagged awkwardly across Natsuki's spine.

Natsuki gave a chuckle, then spoke. "Your fault for its pattern." She purred.

Shizuru said nothing, merely lapping and kissing at the old scar, fingers idly slipping into the underwear.

Purring harder, Natsuki lay more onto her cheek, looking back at Shizuru.

"If you keep looking at me like that, I'll get sidetracked." Shizuru warned, dragging her fingers.

Chuckling, Natsuki turned her gaze back to the side, purring louder.

Moving her arm still besides Natsuki's head, Shizuru leaned onto it for a few moments, soundlessly sliding a finger across Natsuki's core.

Moaning, Natsuki purred as she stole a glance back at Shizuru.

Doing for this a while, the Archmeister rested her chin against the fellow Column's back, humming under her breath. ".. Really now."

Resting on her cheek, Natsuki's eyes darkened as she stared at Shizuru, moaning again.

"Persistent." Removing her fingers with a groan, a mysterious smile appeared on her lips as she also stared back to Natsuki, pinching down sharply in a particular area.

"Ah!" Natsuki gave a soft scream, closing her eyes and returning her cheek to the desk and away from Shizuru.

"Ah...good." Shizuru cooed, gently kissing down onto another scar, she slipped two fingers in slowly, waiting for a moment.

"Anh..." Natsuki moaned, rolling her hips back a bit.

Shizuru pushed in further, staying put afterwards. Moaning louder, Natsuki mewled and rolled her hips back.

Forcing her front further into Natsuki's back, she hissed darkly into her ear. "Shi...Shizuru..." Natsuki moaned softly.

"Only you." The elder said, huskily. Moaning again, Natsuki panted into the desk.

Rocking her hips to gain reaction, the older woman muttered something under her breath, now enabled to slip her fingers into Natsuki with better ease.

"Ah...mm..." Natsuki moaned a bit louder, rocking her hips back as she felt Shizuru's fingers slide into her.

"Now..." Shizuru whispered. Believing the younger Otome was pleasured enough for a moment, she tugged her fingers loosely from her, flipping her back onto her back. "I am going to devour you..."

Biting her lip, Natsuki raked her eyes over Shizuru as she lay back.

Pulling the underwear away with ease, Shizuru chuckled at the sight of them. "Ara...someone has been naughty..."

Blushing hard at the thick line of fluid connecting her to her panties, Natsuki swallowed softly and mewled to her lover.

Throwing them away without another thought, they landed beside the trousers. Gently, Shizuru kissed her lips. "...Nat-su-ki."

"Shi-" Natsuki moaned a little. "Shizuru." She mewled.

Shizuru lowered down, kissing the Gakuenchou's navel, dangerously close to the core. "...I don't care how many times I have to take you."

Body trembling beneath Shizuru's lips, Natsuki swallowed, moaning with anticipation.

Grasping hold of Natsuki's hips, the chestnut brought her mouth gently onto her core, moaning as the sensation of pure heat rolled into her form.

Moaning back, Natsuki bit her lip as she arched into Shizuru.

"You've...always preferred it this way...haven't you?" Shizuru asked, bringing up a hand to clasp hold of Natsuki's own, squeezing.

Squeezing back, Natsuki mewled. "Y-yes..." She swallowed.

"Come for me." Moaning loud, Natsuki bit her lip and closed her eyes as she did what the older woman commanded.

Sighing, the elder waited for a second, until the Gakuenchou was over the edge. "Ah..." She groaned, crawling over her, she collapsed by her side, pulling Natsuki over.

Snuggling into the older woman, Natsuki began to chuckle softly as she kissed her lover thoroughly.

Sighing into the kiss, Shizuru began to pull away. Natsuki leaned back onto the desk, swallowing softly as she panted.

"How does Natsuki feel?" Shizuru inquired softly, brushing her uniform down smoothly she then headed over to the table, glancing over her shoulder.

"Good." The Gakuenchou answered, licking her lips.

Releasing a hearty laugh, Shizuru locked her gaze onto the tea set before her. Purring, Natsuki crawled to her knees and looked to Shizuru. "Who told you to stop?"

"Since Natsuki seems so exhausted, I thought I'd give her a moment." The Archmeister murmured, eying the Gakuenchou's body shamelessly. "...Honestly, Natsuki is like a child, so much energy." She mused.

"One of the many things you love about me." Natsuki stated, eyes raking over Shizuru's clothed form. Smirking, she posed herself and tackled the Archmeister to the floor.

Landing with a thud to the floor, Shizuru blinked for a few moments as the ceiling greeted her almost mockingly. Looking down curiously, she bit her lip, unmoving as her wrists were forced to the floor.

"Hello, lover." Darkened emerald eyes met rubies as Natsuki crawled up, sitting on the Archmeister's stomach.

"Ara..." Shizuru drawled thickly, carrying on with her intense study of Natsuki's body. "Hello there."

Idly, Natsuki took one hand from holding Shizuru, and unbuttoned the top button of the woman's dress.

Shizuru said nothing, merely watching the Gakuenchou work. Pushing Shizuru's dress down and over the woman's boots, Natsuki lay flush against the older woman, chin resting between her breasts.

"I pray...Natsuki will be gentle?" The elder woman pondered outwardly, mostly to herself, crimsons darkening considerably.

"You're free to pray all you want." Natsuki gave a mocking smirk, pressing a kiss to the older woman's nipple.

"My...mean." "I never said I wouldn't be gentle...but now you've called me a name." Natsuki gave a pout, pressing a kiss to the other nipple.

"Is that so? I cannot help but fear, because after all-" Opening her legs slightly, she hummed. "-Natsuki can be rather surprising at times."

"Fear may not be the best word to use right now." Natsuki smirked, kissing down Shizuru's stomach softly, trailing her tongue.

Ticklish, Shizuru squirmed underneath her, almost uttering a laugh from her throat. "P-perhaps not fear!"

"Perhaps not." Natsuki smirked, still kissing around her lover's ticklish area.

"A-s-stop!" The Archmeister begged, uncharacteristically laughing. Laughing back, Natsuki came forward, crawling between her lover's legs. "You're cute when you laugh."

"O-oh, really?" Shizuru gasped lightly, calming down somewhat she rested her head to the carpeted floor, lovingly gazing up to the younger woman.

"Mm." Natsuki nodded, then smirked as she brought her fingers up to lightly touch Shizuru's stomach.

"A-ah..." Clasping hold of the sides of Natsuki's head, the Archmeister pulled her towards her own body.

"Such a ticklish girl, why I wonder?" Natsuki softly murmured, moving up into Shizuru's touch.

"I...wouldn't know." Shizuru acknowledged, breath hitting Natsuki's lips. "Lack of scars, maybe." Natsuki purred, her tongue coming out to trace Shizuru's lips.

"Or perhaps...it's Natsuki's personality?" Shizuru mused. Giving a soft shrug, Natsuki moved closer, pushing her tongue further along Shizuru's lips.

Winding her arms around Natsuki's shoulders, Shizuru hummed into the kiss. Done circling Shizuru's mouth, Natsuki slipped her tongue in and clashed their lips together softly, tracing the older woman's tongue.

Without delay the elder fought back, sliding her own tongue against the other woman's, a growing feeling started to enter her stomach and stay there.

Capturing Shizuru's tongue, Natsuki began to softly suckle back and forth.

Idly, Shizuru wrapped a leg loosely around one of the fellow Column's, a hand lightly trailing down Natsuki's back, Shizuru smiled into the kiss.

Letting Shizuru's tongue go, Natsuki pulled back, a bit of saliva trailing from her tongue. Lapping the end of the strand up from Shizuru's tongue, the Gakuenchou softly swallowed as she stared at her lover.

"A naked Natsuki is always a sight to behold..." Shizuru groaned. "Mm." Natsuki pulled back further to sit on Shizuru's bare stomach. "And a naked Shizuru is heavenly." She smiled.

Fighting over the desire to jump the woman straddling her hips again, Shizuru bit the edge of her tongue sharply, teeth clamping onto the delicate skin as she pulled Natsuki back towards her. "...Your more heavenly." She uttered lowly.

Giving a bit of a slide over Shizuru's stomach as she came closer, Natsuki purred down to her lover.

Her breath hitching with the contact, Shizuru paused for a few moments, gazing up to the fellow Column silently.

"Hm?" Natsuki tilted her head to look at her lover.

The Archmeister simply shook her head softly, chuckling. "It is nothing." "Mm." Shrugging, Natsuki leaned her head down to nuzzle in between Shizuru's large breasts.

Patting the Gakuenchou's head softly, as to avoid hurting her, Shizuru murmured under her breath, staring at the tall ceiling which was still mockingly staring down to her.

Sliding her fingers under Shizuru's bra, Natsuki slid it up and took a lick of the woman's nipple.

Twitching under the touch, Shizuru shuddered. Taking the older woman's nipple into her mouth, Natsuki looked into Shizuru's eyes as she gently began to suckle.

Arching her back, the elder Column released another groan sharply, her arms unconsciously wrapping around Natsuki's head, binding her even closer to her own body. "N-Natsuki." She hissed.

A little bolt of pain shooting through her head as Shizuru brushed against her scar, her eyes closing as she sped her suckling up.

Squirming under the Gakuenchou's firm hold, Shizuru's legs curled, tightly wrapping them around Natsuki's waist, throwing her head back slightly.

Lightly, Natsuki bit down onto the older woman's nipple, giving her hips a rock into Shizuru's.

Humming pleasurably, the Archmeister shamelessly swayed her hips back, hands idly rubbing against Natsuki's shoulders, melding the flesh gently.

Biting more, Natsuki suckled faster as she rocked harder, purring.

Shizuru, who quietly sucked in a lung full of air, exhaled shakily, her nails slowly clawing down Natsuki's shoulders, her back arching again she moaned.

Pulling back from Shizuru's nipple, Natsuki licked around the erect nub as she gave a soft rock into the older woman's pelvis.

Raking the back of her knuckles against the azure-haired Column's spine, Shizuru leaned up a little. Pulling back completely from the older woman, Natsuki idly rubbed the back of her head as she stood, heading back to her desk as she pulled her pants on, her panties too wet.

"N-..." Shizuru stopped, frozen stiff on the floor she cautiously watched the naked back of the Gakuenchou.

Looking to her hand, Natsuki trailed her fingers over the smooth scar. "I'm done with you." She spoke, voice cold and commanding.

"Y-your head-" Turning swiftly, Natsuki glared down at the naked woman. "What about my head?" She asked, gritting her teeth.

"A...ah." Looking away cautiously, the Archmeister furrowed a brow sadly. It was just how she expected.

Bringing her vest back onto her chest, Natsuki zipped it up and slipped her coat on. She looked back down to Shizuru on the floor, raising an eyebrow as she crossed her arms.

"You're not..." Shizuru bit her lip, making an unbalanced stand, she slowly straightened to her full height next to the Gakuenchou.

"I'm not, what?" Natsuki asked, brows furrowing. "And you should get dressed, you look like a whore in my office."

Shizuru narrowed her eyes, mask in place she turned her back, saying nothing. Natsuki tried to walk past the older woman, but a slightly wet feeling on the back of her head stopped her. "What the...?" She murmured, placing her hand into her hair.

Shizuru peered over her shoulder, unsure whether to reconsider the woman or walk away. What is wrong with her? Should she even care? 'Of course I should...'

Pulling her hand away to see it coated with her thick blood, Natsuki frowned. "I'm bleeding..." She whispered, mostly to herself.

Hearing this, but only just, Shizuru spun around instantly, her eyes widening as they were met with the thick life liquid upon the Gakuenchou's palm. "N-Natsuk-"

Slumping a bit into her desk, Natsuki looked to the Archmeister. "I'm quite sorry for being so mean to you Shizuru, but could you be a dear and go get Youko?" She asked.

Staring at the blood for a few more moments, Shizuru eventually snapped out of it, nodding she made a speedy route and gathered her clothes. "How do you think...?"

"I thought I felt some pain when we were...what were we doing?" Natsuki looked to the older woman, confused.

"H-..." Shizuru's lips quivered, swallowing, she shook her head quickly. "I'll be back with help, Natsuki." She promised, attempting to keep her posture level at all times she hurried out of the office.

Sitting in her chair, Natsuki braced her forehead on the desk, her bloodied hand clasped back over the open scar.

Storming into the office, Miss Maria paused, taking note of the frozen Gakuenchou and suspicious scent in the air. Straightening, she stated. "Gakuenchou."

Looking up, Natsuki took her bloodied hand from her head, her face paler than usual. "Miss Maria?" She asked softly.

"Good grief, child!" Maria exclaimed, wise emeralds widening ever so slightly she strode over steadily. Studying the wound, she quickly spoke into her GEM.

"I'm not feeling so well..." Natsuki murmured, her clean hand supporting her head on the desk.

"Helene, there is an emergency!" The epitome reported, her eyes locked onto Natsuki like a hawk.

Head nodding slightly, Natsuki sat back into her chair with her head against it, eyes closing slowly.

"The Archmeister is already there?" Miss Maria asked. Bringing her hand over to the weakening woman beside her, she lightly shook her shoulder. "Gakuenchou, you must stay awake!"

Swallowing softly, Natsuki opened her eyes as she felt the steady stream of blood, a bit coming onto her neck as she pressed the wound against the chair.

"Helene, hurry!" Miss Maria hissed darkly. "Gakuenchou of Garderobe...brought down by an old scar." Natsuki gave a soft chuckle, then began to laugh a bit more, her lips curled in a smirk.

Bursting through the doors, not caring whether the students saw, Shizuru, upon hearing Natsuki's insanity, halted, merely standing there, staring in horror at the site before her. "N-no..."

Her laughs stopping as her throat throbbed, Natsuki's eyes closed as she slumped back into her chair, head turning to the side.

"N-Na..." Youko quickly strode into the office, pushing Shizuru a bit to the side as she came in. "Don't be such a drama queen, Gakuenchou." She scolded the unconscious body, holding onto Natsuki's waist and lifting her onto the desk, laying her on her front.

"D-drama queen?" Shizuru gaped. "I blame you." The doctor pointed to Shizuru. "You baby her so much. Irina! Hurry up!" Youko turned back to Natsuki's head, the blood flowing freely down the side of the desk.

Swiftly running past Shizuru, with a medical box in her arms, she nodded to her. "Yes, sensei!" Dumping the large box onto the desk beside Natsuki, she quickly opened it.

"We'll do what we can here, but we need to get her down into the lab. Go get the gurney." Youko spoke to her student, grabbing a cloth and pressing it onto the Gakuenchou's wound.

Nodding, Irina ran out of the room, ushering Shizuru out the way who stood there stiffly, watching the scene blankly. "Archmeister." Miss Maria stated, heading over to her she clasped hold of Shizuru's arm. "This is no place for our presence."

"Miss Maria is right, Viola-san. You should leave." Youko spoke as she concentrated on getting the blood to stop. "This was so easier the first time." She murmured.

Technically having to pull the Archmeister out of the room, Miss Maria reported into her GEM, stating that all classes would be running 'longer'.

"This blood just doesn't want to stop..." Youko's brows drew together, now actually concerned for the Gakuenchou. "Hurry up, Irina!" She gave an impatient scream.

"Ah!" Irina sounded, charging in with the gurney. "Here!"

Taking Natsuki from the desk and gently laying her onto the gurney, Youko strapped her down and activated one of the IV's attached to the metal gurney, streaming it into Natsuki's veins. "Hurry, we need to get the Gakuenchou to the lab before she bleeds out." Youko told her assistant, pushing the wheeled table and running.

"Did Miss Maria tell the students?" Irina asked as they hurried through the corridors, glancing around cautiously. "I doubt she'd like the other students seeing the Gakuenchou like this."

"She has." Youko affirmed, hurrying faster.

Entering the lab quickly, Irina ran off, most likely fetching more equipment. "I need a bigger compress, if she loses anymore blood, she'll die." Youko barked orders at Irina.

Rattling and other such noises being heard from the backroom, Irina quickly returned, required equipment in hand. "The compressor and medical nanomachines!"

"Thank you." Youko stressed, taking the needle and plunging it into the IV, pressing the compressor down onto the wound.

"I'll go and tell Miss Maria of the Gakuenchou's condition." The assistant said, leaving the room.

"Good idea." Youko spoke, her attention on Natsuki as the steady blood flow began to slow.

"Miss Maria!" Glancing away from Shizuru, who was excessively pacing in front of the office window, Miss Maria brought her attention to the student levelly. "Woods."

"Good Gakuenchou..." Youko murmured down, the bleeding having stopped as the nanomachines began to work on the wound. "More stitches..." She sighed, heating the needle before beginning.

"The Gakuenchou is under heavy medical treatment, we aren't too sure when she is going to pull through."

Clicking her communicator, Irina spoke through to Youko. "Sensei, they know." "Alright, tell me, how does the Archmeister look?" Youko asked, thread in her mouth.

"Blank." Irina replied carefully, looking over to the woman out of the corner of her eye. "Dead almost."

"Mm, that's not good." Youko murmured, finishing the new stitches. "I'll need you to make sure she doesn't come down into the lab."

"Alright." Switching the device off, the assistant said to Miss Maria. "What are we to do with the other students Miss Maria?"

"They shall return to their dorms when their extended classes have finished" The epitome stated.

Heading over to the aging Otome, Irina whispered over. "Helene sensei warned to not allow Shizuru Oneesama anywhere near to the labs, in her current state, she is..." Glancing over to the older woman cautiously she continued, even more quietly. "Fragile."

Miss Maria nodded firmly, directing her attention back over to Shizuru she stopped beside her, halting her movement and saying something, clasping a hand onto the Archmeister's shoulder calmly.

Done, Youko washed her bloody hands, sighing to herself. "Haven't had to use that much adrenaline in a while." She murmured to herself, drying her hands and coming back to Natsuki's side.

The Gakuenchou had stabilized, but not awoken and her heartbeat was erratic, as was her breathing. Sighing again, Youko replaced the IV's, the liquid dripping slowly.

"Miss Maria is looking after her!" Irina called, returning. "Good, the last thing we need is an overprotective..." Trailing off as she heard footsteps on the stairs leading to the lab, Youko looked to them.

"Natsuki, I want to see her. Now." A voice sounded, deathly level. "I thought you said Miss Maria was looking after her?" Youko spoke to Irina, moving to the steps.

"Archmeister, your attitude to this situation is dreadful!" Another voice, Miss Maria's remarked loudly.

"I'm sorry Viola-san, but you cannot see Natsuki in her condition right now." Youko spoke, standing at the foot of the stairs.

"Can't?" "No, you can't." Youko affirmed, a hand going into her coat pocket.

A loud sigh was heard, Shizuru who was being restrained by Miss Maria merely looked down, dazed. "Can't...see her?"

"...Archmeister, are you alright?" Youko asked up to the woman, brows furrowing.

Looking up to the medical chef who was now standing in front of her, Shizuru opened her mouth, confusion setting in. "How could Natsuki do this...?"

"What did she do?" Youko asked.

"She's going insane, isn't she?" Shizuru asked quietly. Sighing, Youko spoke. "I don't exactly know what is happening to her. She has mood swings, and becomes violent." She looked to the Archmeister.

Shizuru said nothing and brought her attention over to Miss Maria who was standing beside her, hands clasped awkwardly. "I think I...need to lie down for a while. Excuse me..."

Youko watched, biting her lip and feeling slightly guilty for not telling Shizuru sooner.

"Sensei." Tugging on the doctor's coat, Irina gestured over to the Gakuenchou. "Her heart is stable now."

"Good, Archmeister if you still want to..." Youko trailed off, looking to the woman.

Glancing over her shoulder, Shizuru halted. "Want to...?" "The Gakuenchou has stabilized, if you still want to see her, now you are allowed." Youko finished.

Brushing past the two women, Shizuru however, came to an utter halt as Natsuki came into her sight. "What has..."

Natsuki was still strapped down, and as Youko saw no further need for them, she unbuckled the tight straps. As the nanomachines worked, Natsuki's eyes slowly opened, and she looked to her older lover. "Shi...zu...ru..." She groaned, lightly stretching a hand out.

Without a word, the older woman hurried over, taking no mind to the three other females in the lab. Youko put a hand on Shizuru's arm, halting the older woman before she touched the Gakuenchou, causing Natsuki's eyebrows to furrow.

"What is it...Helene-sensei?" Shizuru asked in confusion, her desire to touch Natsuki increasing as her heart clenched painfully.

"Just...be careful." Youko whispered to Shizuru, pulling away and going to stand with Irina.

"N-Natsuki..." Hesitating, the Archmeister unsteadily brought her hand forward towards her, lightly trailing her fingers over Natsuki's hand. "Natsuk-ki!"

"Don't cry, Shizuru." Natsuki struggled to speak, her throat closing and raw as she raised her hand into the older woman's touch.

"I thought I- tho...-" Natsuki smiled softly. "Hey, what did I say?" She asked, giving a small cough. "I told you I wouldn't die..." She looked up to her lover.

"You worry me." Shizuru quivered, leaning over her now. "I'm sorry." Natsuki murmured, lifting a hand with difficulty to cup Shizuru's face.

Avoiding the back of Natsuki's head at all costs, Shizuru gently took her hand firmly in hers. Giving a soft smile at that, Natsuki delicately pulled their hands closer, kissing the back of Shizuru's with love.

Shizuru sighed, wiping her eyes with a free hand, taking no mind of the walls she had carefully crafted over the years. "Natsuki..."

"I said no crying, big baby." Natsuki softly teased, holding Shizuru's hand to her cheek.

Shizuru rested her cheek against Natsuki's back, crying softly. "...You're...not leaving me."

"I'll never leave you." Natsuki murmured, kissing Shizuru's hand again as her eyes closed.

Staring at the stitches poking out of Natsuki's hair at random, it did nothing to settle Shizuru down. "Shh..." Natsuki softly cooed to her older lover.

Pressing her cheek to Natsuki's back closer, Shizuru wound an arm around her middle, her hand holding Natsuki's even more securely.

"I love you, Shizuru." Natsuki whispered, squeezing the older woman's hand.

"I love...Natsuki too." Murmuring something, Natsuki nuzzled into the hand she brought to her lips.

"Natsuki...Natsuki..." Shizuru whispered. Giving another soft cough, Natsuki kissed the Archmeister's hand. "Shizuru..."

"Sensei..." Shizuru acknowledged Youko silently. "Can I...stay here tonight?"

Biting her lip, Youko nodded. "Alright, I'll allow it, but don't stress the Gakuenchou." She warned, then ushered Irina and Miss Maria out.

Hearing the pair leave, Shizuru heaved a breath quietly, her sobs beginning to calm as she carried on with leaning her cheek against Natsuki's back.

"Shh, Shizuru..." Natsuki cooed once more, nuzzling the Column's fingers.

"...How are you feeling?" The older woman questioned, unsure. "Mm...my head hurts." Natsuki spoke softly, kissing the hand at her lips.


It was hot...

Peering up to the glaring sunlight, Tomoe strained her eyes, covering them with an arm protectively. This desert...was never ending.

Throat dry and tight, she licked her lips, only to wince as she found them chapped.

Not dangerous? Her arse more like. Stumbling, Tomoe caught herself, but only just in time, cursing. Reaching for the tin on her hip, she unscrewed it and took a gulp, licking her lips again as she closed the bottle, putting it back.

The Shinso said she would be able to get through this. But what did that mean? Travelling through the desert for the rest of her life until the heat kills her? She isn't an Aswad, nor a Gallerian for that matter!

"Did I even have an objective to complete?" Tomoe asked herself softly, a bead of sweat trickling down her brow.

"Oh...that's right, find people...study them..." She mumbled, trailing off. Throwing a rock she found, she yelled. "What people! This is an uninhabitable wasteland!"

"Dead...abandoned, too hot." She strayed, losing her footing. Falling to her knees in the sand, Tomoe sighed deeply. "I can't do this..."

Punching her hand into the white-hot sand, she trembled. "M-maybe I could use my Gem to call Garderobe and tell them I've failed..." Tomoe spoke to herself.

"W-why..." She had only ever wanted to impress her mother, and keep her safe. Ever since father had died...

Blinking back her tears, Tomoe choked a sob, brushing the sand from her fist. Everything was just too much!

Exhausted, Tomoe sat back on her knees, looking up into the hot sky. Eyelashes fluttering, she fell back to lay, passing out.

~O~

Tomoe was greeted by an odd scent to the air as she grumbled under her breath, a clanging following shortly afterwards as she moved slightly.

Eyes opening, they widened with fear as Tomoe faced a skull. Letting out a small breath, she forced herself backwards, the sounds of chains on the stone.

"W-wh-er-e!" Her breath catching in her throat, her heart leapt to her throat almost painfully. "Where am I?" She whispered to herself, the rank smell of the decayed in her nose.

Peering around whilst attempting not to gag on the foul stench, her eyes merely widened further. She took account of the iron bars keeping her in the small room with the skeleton, and looked to the chains.

The cuffs weighed her hands down, forcing her to have to tense her arms to simply lift the iron to a considerable amount. Brow quivering, her stormy orbs followed the routes of the chains, the large iron bolt connected to the wall looking as if it had been shoved into the cold, brittle stone with sheer power, cracks outlining it.

How to escape? Usually, it would have been easy, but this mission should have been friendly, she had no master with her.

Gritting her teeth, Tomoe forced herself to bring her arm up, exhaustion beginning to take over once more, a giddy faintness taking over as she touched her earlobe.

Eyes widening when she felt her Gem gone, Tomoe let her arms slam back down into her lap.

Gone...it was...gone. "N-no..." Tomoe whispered, eyes staring straight ahead.

The scorching sunlight came through the barred window, reflecting off of the last traces of shiny iron around the room, further increasing her desperation.

"How...do I get out of here..." She whispered, desolately staring.

"There is no escape." A deep voice mocked.

"When a runt enters this domain, they shall never survive to tell the tale." The man's voice spoke, coming into the light. Stormy eyes widened, and Tomoe gaped at the man.

"Especially Garderobe brats." The man snarled darkly, nearing the barred wall, leaning forward so he was Tomoe's level. "They have no idea what it is like, to live in conditions such as these." He drawled.

Tomoe shrank back from the bars, back hitting the wall as her chains dragged.

"There is no hiding in a place such as this." He smirked evilly.

"I-I recognize you!" Tomoe blurted, her eyes widening even more as she stared at the man.

"Oh?" Removing his hands from his pockets, he clasped them to the bars. Tomoe swallowed softly. "I've seen you, sometimes, with the Gakuenchou. One time, you punched her and I got a clear view of your face." She trailed off, remembering.

"Perhaps I did." The man drawled, straightening to his full height, he glared down to the chained student. "But she was suggesting that the Schwartz should back down."

"Oh well, excuse her for wanting to keep her students safe from people like you. Oh, what do you know, here I am." Tomoe sneered.

"Protect? The cowering rat has turned into the sneering cat." The scarred man mocked, putting his hand back into his pocket, rummaging around.

"If she was here, she would protect me." Tomoe spoke, knowing it was true yet hating it.

"But she isn't here, is she? Your precious Gakuenchou isn't here." He continued. "She's not precious." Tomoe growled, feeling dirty in her cell.

"And yet you seem confused?" "Confused about what?" Tomoe asked sharply.

"Many things." The man replied levelly, lips curling sickly as he finally found what he was searching for in his pocket.

"I've seen the look on your face too many times." Eyebrows furrowing, Tomoe looked up more. "What look?" She spat.

"Lust." "L-lust!" The teal haired Pearl stared incredulously at the man.

"You see, there are many forms of it." He remarked, taking the item out of his pocket, a rusty old key, thoughtlessly studying it. "Perhaps you are still in the first signs of it?"

Staring at the man, Tomoe's jaw dropped slowly. "What are you talking about!" She growled, lifting her hands regardless of the chains.

"You." He laughed darkly. "Just who do you think I am...'lusting' over?" Tomoe's lip curled in slight disgust.

"In your own mind, that is for you to find out." Placing the key into the lock of the cell, he spoke again. "Because that person shall become your worst nightmare."

Tomoe rolled her eyes carefully. "You and your riddles." The cell door clanged open.

Shrinking back more, the girl spoke. "If you're coming in, take this decaying body out."

"Why should I do that?" The captor smiled innocently. "He is...or was, your company after all."

Turning up her nose, Tomoe crossed her arms. "Should have known."

"The snide one you are." Coming closer he leaned down again, pulling at the chain. "It will be...interesting; breaking you."

"If you want to know information about Garderobe, I won't tell you." Tomoe spoke strongly.

"Maybe I don't want information." He replied, pulling at the chain further. Coming onto her hands and knees at the yank, Tomoe stared up at the man. "...what do you want?" She asked, cautious.

"You were trespassing on our land, you see, we do not take kindly to these situations." Lowering, he rested his arms on his legs, leaning on his toes. "Schwartz needs to stay hidden, after all."

Staying silent, Tomoe looked up at him with furrowed brows.

"We cannot have Garderobe brats yapping about us." "Are you going to kill me?" Tomoe asked, looking to him.

"Perhaps, perhaps not." Giving a soft sigh of irritation, Tomoe sat back on her knees, wiping her hands.

"And what do you think you're doing?" Standing the tall man took a hold of the back of her head by the hair, pulling her up. "Garderobe doesn't understand the extent of how cruel nature can be!" He hissed.

Softly crying out at the rough treatment, Tomoe sneered. "What do you want from me?"

"Questions, so many questions! I want answers, you see...the Aswad and Schwartz have come to an agreement." Throwing the student back to the floor harshly he smiled down deviously.

Hitting the ground, Tomoe's lip curled in disgust again at being treated this way. "Agreement?" She repeated.

"To find something rather important." "That being?" Tomoe quirked a brow, facing the floor still.

"Now where would the fun in telling you be? You can think of that once in misery." He laughed. Turning around he barked. "Nina, come, now!"

Rushing in, the young amber eyed girl looked between the man and Tomoe before returning her vision to the man.

"Fetch me the...equipment." He snarled down to the girl. "Right away." Nina spoke, leaving the room. "Equipment...don't you think that's a bit kinky, even for you?" Tomoe spat.

"'Kinky', you say?" Looking back down to the trapped girl, he tilted his head in amusement, shoving his hands in his pockets again. "Who said this was sexual?"

"Well, you've got me chained and bound to this small cage." Tomoe pointed out.

"Which has the fond company of a skeleton." He smirked, leaning down even closer, he supported his weight with a hand against the cracked bolt, staring into stormy orbs.

"For all I know, you could be into that sort of stuff." She smirked.

"And would that worry you?" He inquired. "Last I heard an Otome can't have interaction with a male."

"Technically..." Tomoe began, looking to him as she explained. "A male would just have to restrain himself from climaxing while inside."

"But we both know that is usually not the case, don't we?" He concluded. "Nina!"

"There's always protection." Tomoe quipped one last time before Nina came in.

"I trust the equipment is still running in perfect condition?" He asked Nina, looking her over for a few moments. "...It must be intense enough to bring the nightmares, after all..."

"Runs as good as it did last time." Nina reassured.

"Then that is good." "No fun before it begins, a shame." Tomoe gave a fake sigh.

"Seemingly brave for a weakling." The man mocked back, just as harshly. "Nina, you can leave us." He demanded.

The young girl bowed to the man before leaving, Tomoe smirking up.

Idly, the man, Sergay gazed down into the box, rummaging inside it for a moment he smirked, kicking the cell door shut after the young teenager had left. "The Schwartz' way of torture is simple, but very frightening."

"Like how sex is with Schwartz men?" Tomoe smirked wider as she looked up at the man.

"Worse."

Humming, Tomoe sat back onto her knees again. "With that knowledge, I think I would take the other option." She mumbled.

"I knew you would come around eventually." He barked a laugh. Pulling out some wires, he spun on his heel, nearing the woman. "Now, hold still swine." He wrenched at the chain, twisting it sharply.

Gritting her teeth at the pain, Tomoe's stormy eyes looked at at the man, defiant.

"I'm required to snatch those nanomachines of yours." He smirked, reaching for a syringe which was beside the box. "We don't need you healing."

"Well, at least with them gone, no one will need protection." The young girl quipped.

"To think, a Garderobe student wouldn't understand this." Sergay shook his head, tracing his scar absentmindedly. "Only because an Otome's nanomachines are gone, doesn't mean they'll not be damaged." Viciously, he plunged the needle into her arm. "Nanomachines regrow in the body, they'll come back in no time!"

Tomoe gave a cry at the strange pain the needle produced, her eyes closing.

Pushing Tomoe down into the wall, Sergay allowed her to rest a few moments before straightening up again and heading over to the equipment. Feeling drowsy, Tomoe slumped against the wall, trying not to breathe too deep.

Picking up the wires and some more equipment, Sergay went back to Tomoe, kneeling down in front of her. Vision blurring, Tomoe's last sight was Sergay hovering over her before she blacked out.


What felt like an eternity, Tomoe's grasp on consciousness slowly began to reform faintly, the flacks of black merging into shapes.

A set of slightly rough hands grasped her face, tilting it up.

Groaning, Tomoe's head pounded terribly, a wave of light-headedness following as her back slumped down the wall some more, eyes blinking, but unseeing.

"Can you see?" A voice that sounded like multiple people came into her senses.

"N-no..." She gasped, throat utterly dry. The rough hands came to cup her temples, massaging softly as the voices murmured.

"Wh-what?" Straining her arms to move, Tomoe hissed, head stinging. "Settle down, your vision will come back shortly." The echoes sounded within her head, throbbing around.

Tomoe shuddered as a breath was hissed into her ear. "Close your eyes tight, and open them again." The voice breathed.

Tomoe obeyed. "Can you see now?" The voice was more defined this time.

"A-ah...-" The Pearl's breath hitched as she gazed up to the woman before her. "Y-yes..."

"Good, what do you see?" The woman asked, peering down at the young girl.

"G-gakuen...chou?" Natsuki smirked widely down to Tomoe. "That's a good girl." Her hands came up to rub the girl's temples again.

"Y-you..." Tomoe trailed, gazing up to the older woman before her, twitching as the sharp pain twanged inside her head.

"What is it, Tomoe?" The Gakuenchou spoke, reaching down for something.

"What are you...doing here?" "Is my presence not wanted?" Natsuki murmured, looking into the stormy gray eyes of the girl.

"T-this is Galleria." Tomoe confirmed, allowing her arms to drop, exhaustion setting in, she sighed tiredly.

"Indeed it is." Natsuki smirked, then spoke again as she cupped Tomoe's face. "I came to check up on you."

"But I'm..." No. "This isn't...you." She murmured, eyes widening, staring up into shining, mocking emeralds.

"Not me? I can assure you, I am very much me." Natsuki whispered, coming close to the girl's face.

"A..." "Do you want me to kiss you?" Natsuki asked as her breath puffed against Tomoe's lips.

"N...no." The Pearl's heart throbbed, beating quickly as she blinked, staring directly into the older woman's eyes. "Not at...all."

Placing her palm onto Tomoe's left breast, Natsuki pressed down. "You're lying."

Tomoe twitched underneath her, arms tensing she tried to push herself further away from the woman. Natsuki moved closer, her mouth open against Tomoe's, not yet kissing as her eyes pierced the stormy gray orbs.

Panting shakily, the student moved her head to the side. "You said...you wouldn't!"

One hand grasping onto Tomoe's cheek, Natsuki forced the girl to face her again. "I lied." She snarled, pressing their lips together.

In shock, Tomoe forced her head back, her skull awkwardly pressing against the wall she whimpered, nails biting into the flesh of her palms. Natsuki's unusually hot tongue slid against the girl's, a slimy feeling in the kiss.

This wasn't like it was last time...Tomoe's mind vaguely thought, attempting to ground her feet into the floor as she tried to try and get further away from Natsuki still.

Pulling back from the kiss, Natsuki let out a chuckle, lifting a knife up.

Gazing down to the sharp weapon, Tomoe in turn froze in fear, a sickness entering her stomach as she gazed back up to the Gakuenchou, opening her mouth. She felt...betrayed.

"Little Tomoe...did you really think I would actually wait till you were ready?" The older woman barked with laughter, holding the knife under her chin.

Tomoe said nothing. This Gakuenchou...really is mad.

Lightly, Natsuki held the knife across Tomoe's cheek, barely touching.

"I should have...never have started to trust you." Tomoe whispered, cringing as she felt the cool metal touch her skin.

"No, you really shouldn't have." Natsuki smirked, kissing Tomoe's cheek as she slid the knife down to the girl's neck.

She felt like throwing up. Staring up to the older woman blankly, Tomoe narrowed her eyes, a feeling she couldn't quite place flooding through into the pit of her gut.

Chuckling softly, Natsuki pressed the knife more into the girl's skin, watching with great intensity as the tip lightly slice into Tomoe.

"N-no..." The Pearl groaned, feeling a warm ooze slide down her flesh. "...No...!"

"'No', is all I ever hear from you." Natsuki growled, taking the knife away to lick the blood.

"Because you are so-!" Gasping, she closed her eyes, pressing her back firmly to the wall as the Gakuenchou lapped at the wound. "I-I kissed you...didn't I?"

"Yes, you did. Regretting it?" The smirk on Natsuki's face widened.

"You're...a monster!" Tomoe hissed. "Why, thank you." The Gakuenchou smirked, knocking Tomoe out with the hilt of her knife.

Stars appearing before her eyes, Tomoe sluggishly fell forward, leaning heavily into Natsuki's front. Chuckling darkly, Natsuki returned to what she had been doing before Tomoe woke up.

A few hours past, or perhaps a few days. Tomoe couldn't be too sure as a groan escaped her lips, her head still throbbing nastily.

What happened? Her temples throbbed and her vision went black, the girl panting against the stone wall at her back.

Her head falling down slightly, Tomoe took note of the chains which were still bound to her wrists. "So it was real..." She whispered, her voice cracking from not being able to drink anything. Ah...she needed something to drink. And desperately, anything.

A clang was heard, and Tomoe jumped at the noise as Nina came in with a dog's bowl, filled to the brim with water. She avoided eye contact, and slid the bowl into the cell before leaving.

Watching Nina turn the corner sharply, Tomoe glanced down to the bowl, brows furrowing. How in the world was she supposed to drink that? She stared down at the water, its crystal clear surface making her lick her lips.

She hissed, having forgotten how chapped her lips were. Exhaling an un level breath, she pushed forward. It was too far away, wasn't it? Managing to bend over far enough, she gave a soft lap, collecting water. Pushing back, she drank the water she had gathered and licked her lips again.

When had she been brought here? Who had captured her, how many days had she been here? These questions spiralled inside her mind, twisting and bending. That tall, frightening man...or...

Her temples pulsed when she remembered seeing the Gakuenchou's face. "...Natsuki..." She softly murmured, eyes closing tight.

She must really be going insane. Sighing, Tomoe leaned back up, staring at the bowl in disgust. This wasn't going to work.

Another clang sounded, Tomoe jumping once more and berating herself for showing fear. "Little Tomoe, hard to get water?" The tall woman strode into the cell.

"A...ah." Tomoe swallowed hard, throat burning a little she cringed, staring as the Gakuenchou stood in front of her.

"Hmm..." Natsuki hummed lowly, taking the bowl into her hands and taking a mouthful of the water, setting the bowl down before pressing her lips to Tomoe's pushing the water into the girl's mouth.

Staying utterly still, Tomoe's eyes slowly closed as the water was pushed down into her throat. Either afraid or grateful, she couldn't be too sure.

Pulling back once all the water was out of her mouth, Natsuki licked her lips. "More?" She asked the younger girl.

"...Yes." Nodding, Natsuki repeated the action and pressed her lips back to Tomoe's, pushing the water once more.

"Ah..." Whimpering in pain as Natsuki's lips caught her chapped ones, the enslaved student swallowed as much of the water as she could down, a little escaping at the edge of her lips as Natsuki drew back.

Licking her own lips, Natsuki caught the water dripping from Tomoe's, drinking it. "Here." She dipped a hand into her pocket, bringing out lip balm and gently putting it onto the girl's lips.

"W-which one are you...?" Tomoe asked silently. Putting the lip balm back, the Gakuenchou looked to Tomoe. "There's more than one of me?"

"You...tried to kill me." Tomoe replied, quivering. "I think you're mistaken." The older woman mumbled, on her knees in front of Tomoe.

"You had a knife." She said more firmly, gazing up into emeralds, her stormy orbs widening. "I'm telling you, this is..."

"Tomoe...do you even know where you are right now?" Natsuki asked softly.

"Gall...eria." Natsuki gave a soft sigh, cupping Tomoe's head after pushing her hair back. "Not this again, love." She murmured, a slight glint in her eyes.

"Again?" Sitting up sluggishly, Tomoe merely kept her arms still, the heavy iron of the cuffs keeping them in place against the stone floor. "This couldn't be anywhere else..."

Natsuki rubbed her arms up and down Tomoe's, feeling the girl's skin under her robe as she looked into her eyes.

"This is Galleria." Tomoe said again, confused. "No love, this is Garderobe." Natsuki murmured softly.

"So does...your policy allow me to be chained?" She asked, nails scraping along the floor, thoughtlessly seeking the woman's contact. "...I couldn't see a student...like this."

"You've been...violent since your return." Natsuki spoke, her hands going to Tomoe's and letting the girls nails scrape her arms.

"Violent? Violent..." Tomoe murmured, releasing a breath. "What would mother think..." "Your mother...?" Natsuki trailed off, biting her bottom lip.

"Haven't I already told you about her?" "A-ah, yes, of course...but..." Natsuki looked into Tomoe's eyes, her hands cupping the girl's.

"She expects so much." Tomoe mused, fingers twitching and then digging into the Gakuenchou's flesh. "She...she wants the bath house to become more popular by me becoming a Meister."

"Mm." Natsuki hummed, coming closer to the girl.

"I hate her." Tomoe dragged her nails down the Gakuenchou's hand unconsciously. "She doesn't...understand my feelings."

"Feelings?" Natsuki repeated, holding onto the girl's hands and allowing the scratches.

"This is Garderobe then...?" Tomoe sighed, peering around the cell. "I was sure it was...Galleria, Schwartz..."

"We've been trying to find a way to erase those bad memories." Natsuki murmured, taking Tomoe's hands up to her mouth.

"There was a man, a tall man." Tomoe said, a little louder, orbs widening somewhat. "He..."

"What did he do to you?" Natsuki asked with a slight sense of urgency, pulling herself closer to the girl.

"S-something...I don't know what." "Did he touch you?" The Gakuenchou asked.

"...Equipment." The older woman repeated the word, brows coming together as she looked to Tomoe.

"He said...he would create my...nightmare." "What were they?" Natsuki softly caressed Tomoe's hands.

"I don't know." Tomoe breathed, clasping hold of Natsuki's wrists. "It's okay, I'm here." Natsuki softly kissed Tomoe's forehead.

"Not for long." Tomoe concluded. "You'll have to disappear." She quivered. The other Natsuki would appear.

"Disappear?" Natsuki questioned, pulling back to look into the teal haired girl's eyes.

"You have...work." Tomoe silently replied, gazing up to her frightfully. "To keep Garderobe in order." "Why would I leave you, right now?" Natsuki asked softly, brushing her hair.

"Everyone does." Natsuki leaned her forehead against Tomoe's. "I won't."

"I'm...I don't feel well." Tomoe uttered, in honesty. "What's wrong, love?" Natsuki asked softly.

"I-I feel...woozy." Natsuki sat against the wall next to Tomoe, setting the girl's head down on her shoulder. "Close your eyes." She murmured.

"H-mm." Tomoe closed her eyes, obeying, brows furrowing as the throbbing in her head came back.

Humming, Natsuki's voice began to fade away.


The rattling of chains sounded sharply, followed by Tomoe leaping in fright as she opened her eyes again. Looking around in a panic, she slowly began to realize that Natsuki wasn't sitting next to her anymore. "Wh-where..."

The opening of the cell clanged open, the room dark as night had fallen. "Tomoe." A voice called out.

Directing her gaze over to the swinging gate, Tomoe's eyes widened as she pressed her back firmly to the wall. "N-no... no!"

Coming closer, Sergay smirked. "Have a nice sleep?" He asked.

"Until you broke it." Tomoe hissed darkly. "How sad, did the Gakuenchou visit you in your dreams?" Sergay asked, crouching to look at Tomoe more.

"H-how...?" "Remember, I know of the lust that lives in your heart...and burns in your loins." Sergay smirked wide.

"You have no right." Tomoe narrowed her eyes, fingers digging into the cracks which surrounded the stone tiles of the floor. "You are...you take the Gakuenchou's place. You are pretending to be...her..."

"Do I, or are you merely replacing me with her?" Sergay cocked a brow, looking over the equipment.

"You are the one doing it!" "Perhaps, perhaps not." Sergay returned his gaze to Tomoe. "Hm, your lips aren't chapped anymore, strange."

Tomoe regarded Sergay suspiciously, lowering her head slightly. "They're not...?" A slow smirk spread across his lips once more, watching the young girl closely.

Tomoe looked up, glaring harshly. "Y-you are just!" "Alright, that's enough." Sergay stood, exiting the cell. "It's late, I need sleep." He spoke back to Tomoe, closing the door.

Sinking back, the teal haired student leaned her head against the wall, blankly staring up to the crumbling ceiling. "What is this mess...?"

Another loud clang brought in the old fear. "Tomoe!" Sergay shouted, coming in.

"W-why!" The student exclaimed loudly, voice cracking harshly from hours of misuse. "Why can't you just...l-leave me alone!"

"I need the technology you have knowledge of to merge Schwartz and Aswad." Sergay growled, stopping in front of the girl.

"K-knowledge? Why...would I?" Sergay slapped Tomoe across the face. "You attend Garderobe, you know of its inner workings." He hissed.

Her head swinging to the side harshly, Tomoe closed her eyes, fists tensing by her sides. "I'm a mere student..."

"I have a feeling this is useless." Sergay grumbled to himself. "The Gakuenchou must have given you something..."

"Why would she?" Bringing her gaze back towards Sergay, Tomoe clenched her jaw. "I'm a student!"

"Her favourite student." Sergay sneered.

"Either way...she would never give me anything important to Garderobe." Tomoe replied as firmly as she could, however her voice did quiver slightly, rough around the edges. "You've been taking my nanomachines, beating me, driving me insane; what else do you want?"

Sergay wrapped his hands around Tomoe's neck, screaming incoherent words as he began to choke the young girl.

Gasping as the hands tightened their grip dreadfully, Tomoe gagged. Forcefully, she strained her arms to move, the exhausted limbs failing, falling back to the floor as the back of her head knocked against the wall.

Sergay knelt down as he choked Tomoe tighter, leaning into her face and glaring.

Hearing something fall against the floor during the struggle, Tomoe's ear twitched, eyes narrowing, she stared venomously at Sergay.

Sweat getting into his eyes, Sergay blinked hard as his hold loosened slightly.

Noticing the man's steadily increasing distress, Tomoe grit her teeth, pushing the strain of air to the back of her mind, she clenched her hand.

Taking one hand from Tomoe's neck, Sergay used the back of his sleeve to wipe the sweat from his eyes.

With all her might, Tomoe shoved her arm to the side, away from Sergay. Making an unbalanced aim, she wildly swung the sharp side of the cuff towards Sergay.

Caught in the temple, the man went down, hitting the ground hard as blood pooled under his head.

Coughing loudly, the student gagged, hastily attempting to clear her throat as she stared at the blood gaining threateningly towards her knees.

Pulling her legs closer to herself, she felt a sharp metal poking into her side. A hand going into her dirty robe, she clutched the silver hairpin she had clipped to her panties. Laughing a sigh of relief, she used it to pick the lock on her shackles, not scratching it a bit.

She needed to get out of here...

Hearing a click from the first cuff, the heavy metal instantly fell from her wrist. Sickened, she tore her gaze away from her bruised wrist, the flesh stained with a blotchy purple.

Placing the hairpin back to clip onto her panties, she looked to where something had fell from Sergay, eyes widening when she realized what it was. Picking it up, she looked at it closer. "My Gem..." She smiled softly at it, relieved.

Her hands shaky, Tomoe clipped the GEM back into her ear, the woozy sensation of nanomachines flooding back into her body at fall force. Standing up, she staggered, just catching herself on the table she leaned onto it heavily.

Opening the door to the cell, she stumbled out, happy to still be alive. Licking her lips, she swallowed roughly and began to walk.

Sergay was probably dying now...wasn't he? Her mind concluded, leaning against the wall, her legs not used to walking. Now...how was she to get out of here?

"H-hey! How did you get out?" Came a voice as Nina ran up from behind Tomoe.

Tomoe stiffened. No...

Attempting to run, Tomoe's let out a scream of pain when she felt her back sliced open, Nina whipping a multiple interlocking blade at her.

Collapsing to the floor heavily, she groaned loudly as the torn flesh melded against her robe.


"Shizuru, are you sure about me helping you train today?" Natsuki whispered to her love.

"I am sure." Shizuru uttered quietly, walking beside her down the corridor slowly. "You've been inside the lab under heavy guard for so long. You need a rest."

"Alright, if you say so." The Gakuenchou spoke softly, the doors opening into the training fields.

"The moon class are to be trained this morning." Shizuru said. "They seem to be doing worse than the star group."

Blocking the sun from her eyes with her arm, Natsuki looked to Shizuru. "Is it the whole class, or a weak link?" She asked.

"One or two, but one student in particular." "That student being?" Natsuki looked back to the grounds.

"Miya Clochette." The Gakuenchou gave a nod, beginning to walk onto the grounds.

"The girl who is in love with Marguerite-san." Shizuru murmured under her breath, too silent for Natsuki to hear as she began to quicken her pace towards the training grounds.

"So, what do you usually do to train them?" Natsuki asked.

"Hand-to-hand with a little Element practice." Shizuru replied, taking a few longer strides to reach her side. Slowing so Shizuru could walk by her side, Natsuki flashed a sweet smile to her older lover.

"Don't overdo yourself." Shizuru reminded softly. "I'll try not to." Natsuki replied just as softly.

"Class, to the training grounds!" The Archmeister called over to the group, firmly but also levelly, strangely elegant. "The Gakuenchou shall be joining us!"

Natsuki gave a small yet grandeur wave, attempting to dispel the many rumors students had been spreading that she was indeed in ill health.

Making a stand in front of the Pearl students, who messily gathered in a line before them, Shizuru smiled, glancing over to Natsuki. "We shall be practicing a little more lightly this morning. You have only just returned from the half term after all."

The Gakuenchou stood beside Shizuru, hands clasped behind her as she studied the students her lover had been teaching, taking note of the messy line they made.

"Now, back up straight. This is the most difficult part of the year being a Pearl." Shizuru said smoothly, directing her gaze to each student, she inwardly sighed. 'Ara...I think I'm beginning to fail as an Archmeister.'

Her bright emerald eyes taking in each and every student's face, Natsuki recognized Miya, the weak link in this Otome chain. She gave a soft nod to Shizuru's teaching, looking to the Archmeister in a glance.

"Now...who should we choose for hand-to-hand combat?" The older woman mused aloud, fingers idly cupping her chin.

Natsuki tilted her head to the side, looking for one of the students to either volunteer or for Shizuru to pick one out.

A few students lifted their hands into the air cautiously, some of the class mates giving Natsuki a curious glance towards her temple, having never seen the jagged scar. The Gakuenchou looked to Shizuru, then nodded to the few students who volunteered.

Miya, Erstin and Arika approached. Natsuki looked to Shizuru warily, taking a small stance beside the Archmeister.

Noticing Natsuki's discomfort, Shizuru smiled sadly. Raising a hand to the three students, she headed over to them, leaving the Gakuenchou to herself for a few moments to gather herself.

Discreetly, Natsuki rubbed the jagged scar on her temple. She had been coddled back to health in the lab, staying out of everyone's sight. Taking a breath, she slowly walked over to Shizuru and the students.

"Yumemiya-san, I believe you are at full experience for now." Shizuru remarked kindly, tilting her head slightly down to the ginger-haired student. "You are being personally trained by Miss Maria after all."

"Mm!" Arika acknowledged the praise, stepping back into the line. "Thank you, Shizuru-onee-sama." She smiled kindly.

With the nervous blonde and curious brunette left, the Archmeister studied the two girls carefully, pinpointing weaknesses from memory and sight.

Natsuki was aware of most of her students staring at her scar on her forehead, and shifted lightly.

"Clochette-san." Shizuru stated finally. Natsuki watched the brunette step forward, narrowing her eyes in a side glance at the girls staring to her scar.

"Would you like to begin? Clochette-san?" Miya nodded once, taking another step forward.

As Erstin stepped back into line, Shizuru brought her attention fully over to the suffering student. Clasping her hands together she securely placed a masked smile upon her lips. "This is an excellent opportunity for you to earn a Heart or two from the Shinsho-sama."

Miya gave a slight smile, needing the Heart's to stay in the academy. Natsuki cleared her throat softly, awaiting orders from Shizuru.

"How about a new block technique?" She asked softly. Backing up, Natsuki gestured Miya over to her. "Since I have a ranged weapon for my Element, I have developed a special blocking technique. At it's full power, if it catches your opponent, it can cripple them." Natsuki explained.

Shizuru glanced over, a worrying edge to her eye. "Obviously, it's full power won't be used right now." Natsuki reassured the students, seeing Miya sigh in relief lightly.

"With the correct aim...a fully trained Meister is able to add this crippling force with their shield, a Zwei power level of the standard knock out attack a Coral and Pearl can use." Shizuru continued, eying Natsuki over for a few quick moments. "However, only a few Otome can summon its full power."

"Alright..." Rubbing her hands together, Natsuki took a stand and faced Miya with her right side, arms up. "Show me what you know."

Raising her fists, protecting herself carefully, Miya nodded slowly. "...Alright."

Natsuki nodded back, stance firm as she waited for the girl to strike. Arika watched intensely, the scars on the Gakuenchou's hands and temple creeping her out.

Staring at the Meister's hands cautiously, Miya swallowed unconsciously. Tensing her legs, she took an aim for the Gakuenchou's shoulder.

Natsuki quickly blocked, her own hand tensing on Miya's shoulder as her other grasped the girl's hip, pushing her back.

Pushing her fazed state to the back of her mind quickly, Miya calculated the woman quickly. Everything was too perfect...

Releasing a breath, she tried the Gakuenchou's abdomen. This time, Natsuki's right shoulder met with Miya's collarbone before the girl could touch her, and the Gakuenchou merely shrugged her off. "Good, good." Natsuki praised, raising her palms.

Instead of taking a direct approach this time, the student decided to take another route, lightly jumping on her feet to the side, hastily making a swing for the Column's side.

At this awkward position, Natsuki merely strafed to the side, the girl catching her coat.

Being dragged a little, Miya yelped, stumbling she did however manage to catch her footing. Softly chuckling, Natsuki smoothed her coat down and approached Miya. "You alright?" She asked.

"Y-yes." Miya nodded, taking a protective stance again. Nodding to Miya, Natsuki jumped back to her previous spot, taking her coat off and setting it to the ground, her stance back.

Gaining a little confidence, the student made another strike over to the Gakuenchou, a bit stronger and steady than the last.

Breaking through the student's strike, Natsuki pushed her arms apart and slid Miya back. The other students lightly flinched at the scars on the Gakuenchou's back, Arika's eyes widening.

Glancing over to her fellow class mates in confusion, she however quickly tore her attention away from them, peering back up to the older female she took a breath, unsure what to do.

At the flinches from the corner of her eye, Natsuki stood straight from her fighting stance, shrinking a bit into her small stance.

Taking note of the change in the Gakuenchou's stance, Miya quickly moved forward, rising a fist, she aimed it towards the Column, her other arm protectively barring access.

Natsuki flinched, her arm striking out and her elbow hitting Miya's temple.

Rasping a breath of bafflement, Miya staggered backwards, losing her footing this time, she went down with a dull thud. A woozy feeling entering her head, she attempted to stand hastily, merely pausing until she groaned; falling onto her side everything abruptly went black.

Natsuki's eyes widened and she went to Miya's side, a hand on her shoulder and lightly shaking. The students gave a collective gasp, backing away a few steps.

The Archmeister watched fearfully as the Gakuenchou continued with shaking the girl's shoulder lightly. Her nails digging into her flesh awkwardly hard as there was no response. 'N-no...there really is...'

Natsuki stopped shaking Miya, sighing deeply. "I knocked her out." She announced, ashamed as she picked the young girl up into her arms.

Looking between her class and Natsuki's retreating back hesitatingly, Shizuru inhaled a breath calmly, returning to the class. "Move along, class is...dismissed for today." She stated, firing a worried stare over towards the Gakuenchou.

Natsuki looked back at Shizuru, shrugging softly before heading back onto her path to the lab.


Roughly looking over her shoulder to the descending woman, Tomoe groaned loudly, agony tearing through her body as she pulled herself up forcefully, arm clasping around as much of the gash as she could which began at her right hip, travelling across her navel to the back of her left shoulder blade. She was...really going to die here, wasn't she?

Nina reared her blade back, blood whipping everywhere as she began another strike, only to be stopped by the wall near her exploding inwards, showering her in stone.

Smashing into the wall opposite Tomoe, Sara Gallagher slid against it. Stunned for a few seconds, she abruptly jumped up straight after, Elements materializing she threw them out of the huge hole she had made upon impact.

Underneath the stone, Nina clutched her blade as she growled, unable to move.

Watching the blonde make a hasty retreat out of the corridor suddenly, Tomoe grit her teeth sharply, grinding them together as another wave of agony tore through her, throwing her to her knees.

Standing by clutching the old stone wall, Tomoe slowly made her way down the corridor

"What do you think you are doing?" Sara screamed over the wind of the current sandstorm, grasping hold of her Elements with ease as she took a protective stance in the air above the Aswad, Rad.

"I received a distress signal from one of Aswad's allies. Get out of my way." Rad boomed in his robotic voice.

"Allies?" Sara inquired, not budging, GEM flashing brightly. "You are under arrest for betraying not only the Queen of Windbloom, Mashiro, but your people wrongfully trespassed on the sacred grounds of Garderobe and even attempted to murder the Gakuenchou, students and staff!"

Rad spoke no more, twirling his staff and charging Sara.

Dodging the heavily mechanical man quickly, Sara fazed in and out of visibility, throwing her Elements towards him one more.

Rad dodged as well. "That Schwartz fool is not worth this." He remarked, and took off.

Activating her mobile quickly, Sara typed a few codes into it with ease, reporting to the Garderobe lab what had just taken place. With this, she headed back over to the hole to inspect the damage. She was in Galleria to see if she could find ancient Earth technology after all...

"Sara-oneesama..." Tomoe called out softly, back burning.

Hearing the call, the Meister spun on her heel, eyes widening as she took in the detail of blood spilling from the familiar student's front and side. "Ma-Marguerite?"

"No idea...how happy I am to see you." Tomoe breathed softly, moving towards the Column.

Hurrying over towards the Trias member, Sara quickly caught hold of Tomoe as she stumbled.

"Get me out of this forsaken place." Tomoe pleaded, holding onto Sara tight.

The Column nodded, scooping the student up carefully, as to not harm her further she headed for the gap in the wall, activating her invisibility power once more, clocking them both.


Feeling guilty, even if it was an accident, Natsuki locked herself down into the lab again.

"Helene-sensei!" Echoed through the main section of the lab. Giving up trying to get the Gakuenchou out of the back part, Youko rushed into the main section with a concerned look.

"Helene-sensei!" The connection of the GEM crackling slightly as a loud breeze surrounded the voice. "I have an emergency!"

"Sara? What is it?" Youko spoke as she reached the speaker.

"Sandstorm discon- REM users- Uerite." Eyebrows furrowing, Youko quickly tried to fit the pieces together. "I don't understand that last part, you're breaking up." She spoke hurriedly.

Covering her GEM with her hand hastily, Sara spoke with more pace. "Rite, I've fou- Marguerite!"

Youko's eyes widened as she heard Natsuki moving frantically in the back room. "You've found Tomoe Marguerite?" She repeated.

"Es- serious condit-" "Ugh, I can't hear you through the damned sandstorm! Just get back as fast as you can, Gallagher!" Youko instructed.

Disconnecting her invisibility as her feet grounded on land, Sara ignored the eyes which followed her as she hurried into the direction of the lab through the corridors of Garderobe, ushering students out the way who gave her looks of horror. 'This isn't working...'

"Gallagher!" Youko rushed the Column, a gurney at her side.

"She has been unconscious for about an hour now." Sara said hurriedly, placing the student down onto the surface quickly but carefully, panting slightly. "...Luckily, I found her after chasing off an Aswad."

"Let's get her to the lab." Youko spoke, eyes determined.

"This is like the time when Natsuki-Oneesama..." Trailing off suddenly, Sara quickened her speed, shaking her head she followed after Youko. "I believe she was attacked, I didn't get to see her attacker, since they were no where in sight."

"You're right..." Youko stared at the wound on Tomoe's back. "Her scar will match Natsuki's..."

Opening the doors for the medical doctor quickly, Sara ushered Irina over, the girl taking one glance to her fellow classmate and widened her eyes. This taking place however she brushed past, closing the doors behind them and locking them.

"Gakuenchou, if you're going to hide out here, at least help." Youko growled, Natsuki coming out from the back. "Wha-?" Her eyes widened when she saw Tomoe on the gurney. "Irina, compress and set the IV's up, Sara get the nanomachines." Youko demanded, disinfecting Tomoe's wounds.

Doing as she was told, Irina hooked the IV up above the student and went to get the compressor. Seriously, this whole week was turning into deja vu for her!

"I swear, if I had to do this many impromptu 'surgeries' in one week as I had to do before you gained that wound, I'd demand a pay raise." Youko smirked as she spoke to Natsuki, the Gakuenchou still staring down at Tomoe with shocked eyes.

"Kruger, either help, or get out!" Youko barked, snapping the older woman out of her gaze. Discreetly, Natsuki took the silver hairpin from Tomoe's panties, sliding it into her pocket as she came behind the doctor.

Fetching the compressor Irina re-entered the room, brushing past the Gakuenchou she quickly placed it on the small table beside the medical table. "Sensei, we are beginning to run out of supplies."

"You've got to be kidding me." Youko grumbled as she grabbed the compress, holding it to Tomoe's gash. "Kruger, I'm demanding that pay raise now." "You'll get your money." Natsuki grumbled, gathering a needle and the stitch thread.

"Sensei, should I go and report to Miss Maria?" Youko looked to Irina, giving a sharp nod as she mopped the blood from Tomoe's back. "Yes, hurry." Taking the needle from Natsuki, Youko quickly heated it.


"Marguerite has what?" Miss Maria exclaimed, firmly closing the door to her office she hurried after the assistant. "And how did this happen?"

"I do not know." Irina replied quickly, dodging a few students who watched them curiously.

"Sara-Oneesama brought her back, Miss Maria."


Back in the lab, Natsuki wiped Youko's forehead with a rag, the doctor finishing up the stitching. Sighing tiredly, she stood straight, cracking her back. "Well, that's done with." She mumbled, going to wash her hands.

"And just what has happened this time." Miss Maria inquired sternly, appearing by the doors followed by Irina.

"From what I gathered from Sara, Tomoe might have been captured. We'll have to wait until she wakes up to know for sure." Youko spoke, drying her hands.

"I see." Miss Maria replied, glancing down to the unconscious student who was still bloody in certain areas. "This week has been too drastic."

"Indeed." Youko agreed, soaking a cloth and beginning to gently clean the young girl. "I'll be taking my leave, then." Natsuki spoke, striding from the lab.

~O~

A silent bleeping echoing into the back of her mind constantly, Tomoe unconsciously twitched, brows furrowing. What is that noise? She mused, half asleep as she gradually opened her eyes, a blurry darkness greeting her.

"Tomoe?" A voice, so familiar yet haunting, echoed throughout her head.

"N-no...not a...g-ain..." She rasped, throat dry, voice cracking. Anything but that! "Tomoe, I'm here, it's me." The voice spoke softly in her ear.

"Wh-ich..."

"The one and only, please open your eyes." The voice pleaded.

"That's...what you said last time." Tomoe wheezed, stormy orbs half lidding. "Always said." She hissed up to the form over her.

A slightly rough hand covered her forehead, rubbing softly. "Shh, you're not in Galleria, you're in Garderobe. And you're not shackled."

"Y-you said that as well!" The student exclaimed hysterically. Shooting up, she cringed, a gasp trailing up and escaping her throat as she gripped hold of her front. "E-Every...thing is a lie!"

"Damnit Tomoe!" The rough hands clasped around her softly so as not to hurt her back. "This is real, this is your reality."

"N-no, no!" Struggling against the hands, Tomoe stiffened suddenly, letting out a cry as they stumbled.

Catching Tomoe, Natsuki stood firm as she hugged the girl as tightly as she dared.

Knees giving in, Tomoe hissed in pain, hands clenching around the Gakuenchou's arms, forehead pressed into her chest firmly.

"It's me." Natsuki murmured softly, looping an arm around Tomoe's legs and laying her back onto the bed. She gave the girl a soft kiss to the forehead, rubbing her stomach softly.

"He said it wasn't..." She murmured the edge of her mouth twitching, brows furrowed. "Shh, you're safe with me." The Gakuenchou spoke softly.

Tomoe sighed, staring up to the ceiling blankly. "What happened to you?" Natsuki spoke softly, pulling her hand up to cup the girl's face softly.

The Pearl said nothing, merely turning onto her side to face the Gakuenchou, deadly slowly as to not hurt herself. It was late at night, so Natsuki leaned close to Tomoe's face, glad for the privacy.

Watching Natsuki closely, Tomoe stared up into her emerald eyes, mouth slightly open, chest heaving delicately. The older woman lay her head onto the bed by Tomoe's, not coming any closer and just looking into her eyes intimately.

"W-what are you..."

"I'm not doing anything, just like I promised I would." The Gakuenchou whispered to the girl.

"A-ah..." It really was... Tearing up slightly, Tomoe continued to look at the older woman before her.

"Don't cry." Natsuki whispered softly, caressing Tomoe's cheek.

Grabbing the Column by the shoulders, and quickly winding her arms around her, Tomoe cried, chanting unintelligible words into the woman's chest repeatedly.

Natsuki softly rubbed up and down Tomoe's shoulders, not wanting to hurt the girl's injured back as she cooed to the student.

"I tried..." Tomoe murmured. "But I got captured." Natsuki held the girl closer, resting her head on Tomoe's. "Captured by who?" She asked softly.

"Sc-Schwartz." "Sergay...that bastard." The older woman hissed. "What did he do?"

"... Equip-" Swallowing the disgusting taste of having just woken up back down her throat, the Trias member continued shakily. "-ment."

Natsuki gave a low hum, reaching over and grabbing a bit of water for Tomoe.

Tomoe trembled, pushing the side of her head into the pillow, taking a shuddering breath. This was real...she was back in Garderobe, wasn't she?

Rubbing Tomoe's head softly, Natsuki offered the young girl the small cup of water.

"Y-you're real." Tomoe concluded, moving onto her back, pausing as she felt the stitches under the bandages wrapping across the whole of her torso.

"I am, would you like some water?" Natsuki asked softly.

"You would...?" Tomoe asked, gazing up to the woman. "Would what, give you water?" Natsuki asked, confused. "Oh, you mean that way. I can't really sit you up, so, I would." Natsuki nodded, understanding.

Biting her lip, Tomoe nodded. Natsuki took a small sip of the water, then leaned over Tomoe and pressed their lips together, softly pushing the water in.

Her eyelids dropping, Tomoe sank further into the mattress. Idly, her mind moved back to what Sergay had said. 'I...lust after this person?'

Breaking from the girl's lips, Natsuki licked her own. "Are you still thirsty?" She asked softly.

"I don't know." The Pearl replied quietly, closing her eyes, sighing. "Alright." Setting the cup of water back down to where it had been, Natsuki let the back of her hand softly caress the girl's forehead. "I'm glad my hairpin managed to help you after all." She murmured.

"W-wh, how did you?" Curiously, Tomoe opened her eyes again, gazing up to the older woman.

Pulling the silver pin out of her pocket, Natsuki showed Tomoe. "I saw the bruises on your wrists, and assumed you must have escaped by picking the locks." She murmured.

"Ah..." Pulling her arm weakly from the covers, Tomoe idly studied the wrist which was still bruised. "I guess..."

Natsuki leaned over to softly kiss the bruise, slipping the pin back into her pocket, her hair free from the ponytail it had been in hours earlier.

Tomoe stared up to her silently. Leaning back into her chair, Natsuki smiled down at the young girl. "I'm glad that you're back."

"I am as well..." Tomoe whispered. Natsuki smiled more, before going to stand. "I should let you sleep more."


Sitting on the edge of the bed, Tomoe listened to Miss Maria's reasoning with Youko, who was some way off, discussing the situation of her questioning. If they could call it that. Why should she be questioned for something which wasn't even her fault?

"Enough." The powerful voice of the Gakuenchou came into the conversation. "We shouldn't put too much stress upon her until she's fully healed." Natsuki reasoned.

"But Schwartz!" Miss Maria hissed over. "The Schwartz are dangerous enough alone, never mind having an alliance with the Aswad!"

"They obviously didn't get what they wanted, and Sergay is dead." Natsuki spoke again, her voice stern. "From what Sara told me, Aswad backed off from helping Schwartz."

"There is a possibility he isn't." The epitome concluded harshly. "There have been many assassination attempts fail over the years."

"Still, T-Marguerite should heal first." Natsuki spoke.

Eying the younger Otome over, Miss Maria eventually removed her attention from Natsuki, instead she brought it over to Youko. "When shall Marguerite restore up to eighty-percent of her health?"

Youko hummed softly, looking to the older Otome. "Her physical health will be sped along with the nanomachines, but her mental and emotional health will take time."

"What exactly did happen to her?" Miss Maria mused, glancing over to the student. Natsuki also glanced over, her eyes softening. "We'll only know when she gets better."

Biting the inside of her lip, Tomoe cast a brief look over to Natsuki, their gaze meeting. 'The person you lust for...is standing in this same room...?'

Natsuki gave a soft nod over to Tomoe before returning her gaze to Miss Maria, gesturing that she should go.

"Make sure to not strain yourself, Marguerite." Miss Maria remarked, making her brisk leave. Probably wanting to patrol the corridors ready for lunch.

Natsuki then turned to Youko, speaking softly and the woman left as well. Turning her gaze onto Tomoe again, the Gakuenchou strode over.

Holding a bruised wrist lightly, her legs hanging from the edge of the bed, Tomoe sighed. Natsuki sat on a chair in front of Tomoe, lifting her hands to the girl's wrist to inspect it before softly kissing the bruised skin.

Tomoe watched, swallowing a breath. "How are you feeling today?" The Gakuenchou asked softly.

"A little better." The student whispered, trying to push the sensation of the bandages and stitches rubbing to the back of her mind.

"That's good, do you need any water?" The older woman asked, looking Tomoe over.

"I'm alright for a while." "Mm...you know, that scar on your back matches mine." The Gakuenchou spoke as to distract the girl from the itching stitches.

Tomoe looked up, frowning. Natsuki tapped her lips softly. "Why the frown?"

"Its just..." Sighing, the Pearl shook her head. "It's just uncomfortable."

Natsuki hummed lowly in agreement, reaching her hand to lightly rub over the bandages, hopefully to help with the itching.

The student twitched in response, tensing she did eventually settle down, blinking a few times as the itching calmed down a little, eyes drooping closed.

"That feel good?" Natsuki asked softly, looking to the girl's face with a small smile.

She nodded wordlessly, leaning a little forward, over towards the Gakuenchou.

Natsuki smiled wider, rubbing a bit more.

"That man made you look evil." Tomoe uttered under her breath, forehead winkling slightly from worry. "Shh, don't think about that." Natsuki murmured, her other hand coming up and smoothing out Tomoe's forehead.

'Why does she care for me so much?' She pressed her palm to Natsuki's shoulder. Looking to the hand on her shoulder, Natsuki turned her gaze back to Tomoe.

"Miya said she loved me yesterday." Tomoe mumbled. "Oh?" Natsuki spoke, taking her hand from Tomoe's back.

"I don't know what to do anymore..." Tomoe trailed, opening her eyes, she frowned once more, looking away. "Whenever I look at her, I feel nothing, with Shizuru Oneesama she just...I don't know what the feeling is...but then..." She took her head in her hands, elbows leaning against her legs, she flinched at the sharpness of her wounds. "It's confusing."

Natsuki leaned a bit closer, putting a finger under Tomoe's chin and tilting the girl's head up to look at her.

"Y-you are the most...confusing." Lightly caressing Tomoe's face with her thumb, the Gakuenchou hummed. "Confusing?" She asked softly.

"You're two people." Tomoe stated, hands clutching the edge of the mattress. "Two?" Natsuki took Tomoe's hands from the bed, not wanting the girl to strain her bruises.

She wanted to... "A...confusing one, and an old one." Natsuki's eyebrows quirked, a pout coming onto her lips. "Old?"

"The normal one." Tomoe cracked a smile, glancing down to their interlaced hands, she stared blankly, however.

"Mm." Natsuki murmured, understanding. She also looked to their hands, her thumb rubbing the bruise on the girl's wrist.

Id she was to find out what she wanted, though... Tomoe wound her fingers around Natsuki's ever so gently.

Natsuki smiled softly, watching the younger girl's fingers and letting her wind them around hers.

"A-ah..." Nervously, the Pearl looked away. "What do you feel to make you so nervous?" Natsuki questioned softly, moving her head to regain Tomoe's gaze.

"I'm not used to this..." Tomoe said quietly. "Has no one held your hand before?" The Gakuenchou asked.

"Why would they?" Tomoe asked in confusion, tying their gaze back together. "Fondness, affection..." Natsuki trailed off as she blushed lightly. "Love."

"Love..." The Trias Pearl echoed silently, going over it for a few moments as she went over the meaning. "Mother never had time for me because she was keeping the business running by herself without help. I was...I grew up mainly by myself." Tomoe reasoned, an odd gnawing edging into her mind.

Feeling a bit bad for the girl, Natsuki came close and pressed a kiss to Tomoe's brow.

"What time is it?" Tomoe asked suddenly, just noticing the Gakuenchou's state of dress. "You haven't...been up all night have you?"

"I have." Natsuki smiled, her eyes having slight dark circles beneath them. "You were very...fitful during the night."

"Fitful...I-I'm sorry-" Natsuki lightly took her hand from Tomoe's, tapping the girl's lips softly again before lowering her hand back. "Shh, it wasn't that bad."

"It's embarrassing." "How?" The Gakuenchou asked softly, looking down as she returned her hand to the girl's.

"I don't- I don't know how to explain it." Natsuki nodded, understanding. "It wasn't too much, you settled down after a while, but I just couldn't sleep."

"Hm." Tomoe nodded, thinking this over. It was simple enough, believable. Inhaling deeply in a yawn, Natsuki brought her hand back up to cover her mouth. "I just rubbed your back and you went right to sleep." She smiled fondly at the girl.

"Right..." Tomoe murmured, bringing her hand up to her forehead, scratching the side of her head slightly.

"You said Sergay made me look evil..." Natsuki brought back the issue at hand, pulling away a bit.

"He...did something to me." Tomoe said uncomfortably, tearing her eyes away. "Before I knew it, I had been knocked out, and..."

"What happened next?" Natsuki asked softly, releasing her hold on Tomoe's hands in case the girl wanted to pull them away.

"He put me under some strange hypnosis...delusional." Natsuki hummed softly. "And what did you see?"

"You." "Me?" Natsuki asked, brows coming together. So, that's why the girl was so wary and scared when she woke up...

"Y-he did something to me, Gakuenchou." The student grasped hold of Natsuki's jacket, bringing her closer. "He wanted...to merge the Schwartz and Otome together."

Natsuki's breath gave a hitch, at the closeness and the information. "Schwartz and the Otome..." She murmured, looking to the ground in thought.

"An Otome who doesn't need to use her Element." Natsuki breathed. "An Otome with that kind of power..."

"I think he told me only because he was wanting to kill me afterwards." Tomoe said bitterly.

"I'm glad you escaped." Natsuki came a bit closer, eyes back on Tomoe.

"You're not going to...kill me, are you, ever?" Tomoe asked frightfully, brow quivering, grip tightening on the blue material of the Gakuenchou's jacket. "I-it's-"

"Why would I kill you?" Natsuki whispered down to the scared girl, her hands coming up to hold Tomoe's chin.

"If I ever...became a bad person..." Her eyes widening a little, she bit her lip harshly. "Sergay was evil..." The Pearl tucked her head under the Gakuenchou's chin.

Swallowing softly, Natsuki pet Tomoe's hair delicately. "I'll never hurt you, Tomoe." She promised gently.

Tomoe stayed there, sighing silently. "Why would you think I would hurt you?" Natsuki asked.

"I think...I think I'm going weird in the head." The younger female groaned. She couldn't understand what was happening, first she had been in Galleria and then suddenly she was back here!

Natsuki chuckled. "Well, that makes two of us." Tomoe merely held her tighter.

The older woman continued to softly pet Tomoe's hair, threading her fingers through.

"There was something said about an ancient project the Schwartz were developing."

"Do you remember what was said?" The raven haired woman asked, Tomoe's hair soft between her fingers.

"Val...kyries." Tomoe strained, unable to pronounce the odd word against her lips. "Under a different Shinso."

"That is not good." Natsuki spoke, pulling back to look at Tomoe. "Did he say if they were up yet?"

"I don't know." She whispered. "I only overheard it." Natsuki brought a hand up to her forehead, closing her eyes. "If he manages to actually pull this off, this will be a fierce war."

"I thought I killed him..." Natsuki pulled her other hand away from Tomoe, leaning back and rubbing her eyes.

"I don't know...I really want to sleep." Tomoe grumbled under her breath. "Alright, let's lay you down." Natsuki murmured, bringing her hands to the girl's shoulders gently.

Tomoe allowed her, her hands cautiously keeping a hold on the Gakuenchou as she was slowly lowered back down onto the mattress, frowning softly when the bandages and stitches awkwardly rubbed against each other.

"That feeling will go away soon." Natsuki murmured, resting her chin on the bed.

"Hmm." Tomoe murmured, mumbling under her breath. "Just sleep, I'll be here when you wake." Natsuki spoke.


"Out of my way, Kruger!" Sakura yelled, a native Zipang Princess. "I am not seeking butou!"

The Gakuenchou merely stared, materializing her massive cannon.

Narrowing her eyes, Sakura changed her flight of path. Seeing as her cannon was useless against a moving target, Natsuki dismissed it and charged Sakura.

Regarding the younger woman silently, Sakura floated back, materializing her own Element, a katana, she then spoke. "Do you honestly believe to take down someone without an Element?"

"I believe it is my duty to try." Natsuki responded.

"Then you shall be cut down!" Charging forward, the Princess clasped both hands around her katana firmly.

Charging as well, the Gakuenchou made a move to try and break Sakura's stance.

Flinging herself to the left, Sakura spun tightly, glancing over her shoulder to the Gakuenchou, aiming her katana.

Natsuki paused, a bit confused at the fast movement as she turned her head slightly to look behind her.

Swinging around sharply, Sakura sliced the Element towards the back of the Gakuenchou's head, blindingly fast.

Feeling the sharp steel cut into the base of her skull, Natsuki's eyes dimmed and the Gakuenchou began to fall.

Watching the Column fall to the desert of the Black Valley blankly, Sakura quickly departed.


Bolting up, Natsuki hit the back of her chair and toppled it back onto the floor.

Tomoe, who was still sound asleep, barely twitched, back facing Natsuki on her unharmed side.

Standing, Natsuki rubbed the back of her head as she righted the chair, sitting in it again and sighing softly.

The room stayed silent as the Column continued to sit in the chair, watching the sleeping Pearl thoughtlessly.

Tucking an errant strand of hair over her ear, Natsuki raised a hand and placed it on Tomoe's arm.

Tomoe shifted a little, seemingly getting more comfortable as she murmured something sleepily.

Humming softly down to the sleeping girl, Natsuki silently moved the chair closer and lay her head down beside the girl's shoulder.

"N-no..." Tomoe uttered. Natsuki gently kissed the girl's neck before sitting up, rubbing her arm softly.

Tomoe calmed, head burrowed into the pillow she unconsciously sighed, curling up.

Continuing to rub the girl's arm, Natsuki licked her lips and bent to softly kiss Tomoe's neck again.

Feeling the lips brush against the back of her neck, Tomoe sluggishly opened her eyes. Noticing the shift, Natsuki blushed lightly, sitting back up and stilling her hand on the students arm.

"Un...whats happening?" Tomoe mumbled, moaning as she buried her face further into the soft pillow, not daring to move else her wounds would strain.

"You're still in the lab." Natsuki responded softly, rubbing her palm delicately over Tomoe's back.

"You are still here." The student murmured in reply, eyelids threatening to close. "I promised I would." The Gakuenchou whispered, rubbing softly.

"Hold...me." Realizing what she had just said, her eyes widened. Shooting her gaze over her shoulder, a faint paint of crimson spread across her cheeks. Tearing her eyes away, she pressed her head even more firmly into the pillow.

Natsuki bit her lip softly, then spoke. "Do you want me to?" Tomoe nodded cautiously.

Setting a knee onto the bed after she stood, Natsuki carefully lay behind Tomoe, making sure she wouldn't fall to the ground and wrapped her arms delicately around the younger girl.

Rounding her fingers around the sleeve of the jacket, Tomoe stayed silently, merely lying there.

Natsuki brought Tomoe's back to her front, taking care of the fragile girl as her hands smoothed over her stomach.

"You're not...so bad." Tomoe remarked, brows furrowed faintly, leaning back slightly. "Not so bad?" Natsuki repeated softly, her nose nuzzling into the girl's hair.

"But me of all people..." Steadily, the extra warmth began to clash with the rest of Tomoe's senses, her breathing slowing. "I would have thought...Nao-sempai."

"Zhang? She's too...well, she's a lot of qualities I don't like." Natsuki murmured truthfully.

The teal haired student hummed, nodding. "But, I like you. You're very sweet." The Gakuenchou spoke.

With this comment, Tomoe awoke fully, awkwardly looking over her shoulder to the older woman. Natsuki pulled back, sitting up carefully. "Should I stop?" She asked.

Thinking for a moment, Tomoe shook her head. "...No." Nodding, the older woman lay back down, her nose softly nudging the back of the girl's neck.

'What does she feel for Shizuru Oneesama...?' Tomoe idly thought, staring at the opposite wall.

Taking a deep breath, Natsuki hummed softly as she stared at the smooth skin of Tomoe's neck.

What if Natsuki didn't even feel anything for the Archmeister anymore? Tomoe couldn't be too sure, she hadn't seen either of them for two months after all, she had only seen the Gakuenchou once or twice due to her constant slumber. The drugs Youko put her on to decrease pain and help her.

"I'm so glad you're back, Tomoe." Natsuki murmured softly, giving the girl's neck a soft kiss.

"A-ah...so am I." Tomoe breathed. "That was a cute sound." The older woman commented, pressing another soft kiss to the smooth skin.

"Hm." "I'll stop." Natsuki murmured, doing so.

"Hah..." Gritting her teeth in minor pain, the Pearl carefully turned around to face Natsuki, peering up to her. "I want to...find out..."

Helping the girl turn around after hearing the hiss of pain, the older woman looked down curiously at Tomoe. "Find out what?" She asked softly.

"What I feel." Tomoe replied simply. Looking into Tomoe's eyes, Natsuki scanned them. "How are you going to do that?"

Loosely, as to not pull on her wounds, Tomoe hooked her arms around the Gakuenchou's shoulders, pulling her in. "...Like...this."

Leaning down, Natsuki swallowed nervously as her lips neared Tomoe's.

Her breath lightly hitting the Column's lips, Tomoe paused, trying to get comfortable of their position. Licking her own lips carefully as she waited, the Gakuenchou felt her heart beat painfully fast.

She could hear the Gakuenchou's heartbeat...Staring up to her, Tomoe's lips quivered, dragging herself nearer, she pressed their lips together clumsily.

Once their lips met, Natsuki's eyes closed immediately, her lips moving slowly against Tomoe's and bringing the kiss into her lead.

A wave of emotion suddenly entered Tomoe's body as her eyes hesitatingly closed, a shocking sensation wrapping around her abruptly as their lips met. In shock, her eyes widened, groaning into the older woman's mouth quietly.

Natsuki also gave a soft groan, pulling back from the kiss after a few seconds, heart racing.

Regaining her breath, Tomoe hid her face into Natsuki's neck.

Body heating up, Natsuki cleared her throat. "H-how did that feel?" She asked softly.

"P...perfect." Came the student's muffled reply. Natsuki's lips twitched into a smug little smile, her arms tightening around Tomoe as her hands gently rubbed the girl's back.

'I kissed her...' Her brain gradually concluded. Blankly staring at the flesh of Natsuki's collarbone, Tomoe exhaled a breath, attempting to calm her raging heart.

Natsuki licked her lips, tasting the young girl upon them and blushed softly. Kissing the girl's head, she inhaled quietly.

"Again." Natsuki repeated the word with a confused look in her eyes.

"Again." Tomoe stated more firmly, leaning back up towards the Column's lips. "Again..."

Blushing harder as her heart pounded more fiercely against her ribs, Natsuki leaned down and captured Tomoe's lips, moaning at the contact softly.

"I need time to..." Trailing off, Tomoe pulled away barely a centimeter, her hands unwrapping from around Natsuki's shoulders to her arms. "Think about this properly."

"Of-" Natsuki's husky voice surprised herself, and she cleared her throat. "Of course."She whispered against the girl's lips.


"Sergay Taiki, leader of the Schwartz?" Miss Maria echoed in disbelief, staring down to the papers which were littered across the large table. "Valkyrie Project..." Where had she heard that from?

"That seems to be what's been gathered." The Gakuenchou spoke professionally, vision flicking to Tomoe as she stood beside Shizuru.

"But what of the girl?" Sara asked, picking up one of the papers and scanning it. "A REM user?"

Sitting on one of the chairs, Tomoe stayed quiet, unable to tear her thoughts away from what happened those few days ago. She had...kissed the Gakuenchou and meant it, following the fact that she liked it!

Idly tracing her lips discreetly, Natsuki quickly flashed another look to Tomoe, her silver hairpin in her hair once more.

"The Schwartz shall attempt to use the most powerful personnel available. But which one...?" Mayha mused, crossing her arms in thought. "They couldn't possibly be seeking Fumi-sama, could they?"

With a masked smile, Shizuru glanced over to Natsuki's hair clip with suspicion. Odd...

Natsuki glanced over when she felt eyes on her, giving a little smile and mouthing a question to the Archmeister.

Regarding the younger woman, Shizuru smiled, giving Miss Maria and the others her full attention once more.

"Does Garderobe have any records relating to these 'Valkyries'?" Sara asked. "They sound...I'm not too sure."

"No, I do not. But I cannot help but feel I have heard of these Valkyries before." Miss Maria murmured, furrowing her brow with a deep thought.

Fingers tracing the long scar on her temple, Natsuki looked as though she was thinking hard about the issue at hand, yet her mind was on the teal haired girl before her.

"The Schwartz have always-" Cutting off suddenly, the whole room glanced over to Miss Maria curiously, baffled with the epitome's sudden change in character.

Natsuki eyed the older Otome, her fingers still to her scar.

"Who is this girl you mentioned, Marguerite-san?" Shizuru asked softly, as to not disturb Miss Maria's raging thoughts who was glaring at the paper before her, attempting to remember.

"A-ah..." Tomoe swallowed uncomfortably, jaw clenching. "She...was with Sergay, he called her Nina."

"Nina." Natsuki hissed the name, pressing her palm against her temple.

"Nina? Nina Wáng?" Mayha asked. "She is a wanted criminal of Artai!" The Gakuenchou balled a fist to her side, grinding her teeth.

Mashiro shifted in her chair, complaining under her breath about the sturdiness. "I should have a better one." She spoke a bit louder.

Frowning, Tomoe glanced up to the Queen, gnawing on her lip cautiously. "Mashiro-sama." Mayha spoke levelly. "What do you think of this situation?"

"It's dangerous to us, yes, but perhaps we could also use this to our advantage?" The Queen spoke.

Her lips twitching in slight amusement, Natsuki addressed Mashiro. "My Queen, we are not as twisted as the Schwartz, our actions are used to protect and serve, not to murder.

"The Dragon Lord War." Miss Maria stated suddenly. "The Dragon Lord War?" Sara echoed in wonder.

Natsuki bit her lip softly, the mention of the war sparking a bit of fear in her.

"There was an old Project during the Twelve Nation War which was collapsed due to that eras international government, however Schwartz brought it back during the Dragon Lord War, which thankfully failed." Miss Maria explained, her frown deepening. "The Valkyries are powerful, and incredibly quick, their Robes are probably around our strength as well."

"And they don't need Masters?" Mashiro asked, beginning to see the seriousness of this situation.

"No, they do not." The epitome replied. Natsuki rubbed the back of her head, deep in thought when the Queen's voice startled her. "Where did you get your scar, Gakuenchou?" Mashiro asked.

"Ah, when the hallway collapsed." Natsuki answered, pointing to her temple. "No, the one on the back of your head. I notice you've been rubbing them as you think, so I assumed there was one there."

Natsuki's eyes widened slightly, keeping quiet. Shizuru and Tomoe peered over worryingly.

"Scar?" Miss Maria asked. "What scar?" She said more loudly.

Clearing her throat, Natsuki spoke. "I think we should get back to the matter at hand, I don't think the council is worried about my looks."

"How similar is this system to ours, Miss Maria?" Sara questioned, taking no mind to Mashiro who was now scowling.

"Frighteningly similar, perhaps the same." The silver epitome remarked, eyeing Natsuki suspiciously. "Except however, they have the advantage of using a Weaver as a Shinso placement."

Natsuki kept her hands clasped behind her back so as not to raise anymore suspicion, her gaze hovering over Tomoe again.

"A Weaver..." Shizuru murmured under her breath, her knuckles brushing against her lips. "Miss Maria, what of..." Cautiously Shizuru glanced over to Mashiro for a brief moment. "The Kazahana family?"

"My family?" Mashiro quirked a brow to Shizuru, her gaze ripped from Natsuki. The Gakuenchou's eyes drifted over to Tomoe once more, her hands clutching the sleeves of her jacket more.

Mayha and Sara looked over to each other. "She hasn't been told?" Mayha hissed over. "It appears not." Sara whispered back.

"Kazahana royal family...had strong bonds with the HiME during the Earth era." Shizuru said softly. "There is a possibility there is still Weaver blood in the family, especially considering Sifr Fran was a Weaver."

Natsuki put a hand to her forehead as the Queen took this in, a slight headache coming in.

"But what of other Weavers, and the Otome, Miss Maria?" Sara asked.

"They are most likely after Rena Sayers." Clasping her hands more tightly, Miss Maria continued. "She was reported missing during the fire of Windbloom Castle."

"Rena..." Natsuki rolled the name with her tongue, thinking to herself.

'Rena Sayers is a legendary Otome isn't she?' Tomoe pondered to herself thoughtfully, just like the Zipang Princess, except much more powerful.

"She has been missing for years, I doubt she is alive now." Mayha commented. "You would be surprised what one can live through." Natsuki pointed out to the other Column.

"Life has to end one day." The hooded Column shrugged. Nodding at that, Natsuki addressed the room. "I believe all that needs to be said has been spoken."

"So when shall the next meeting be? I must return to Aries shortly." Sara reported to the room, glancing at her watch momentarily. "Oh! I almost forgot." Heading over to the Gakuenchou she handed over a letter.

Taking the letter, Natsuki looked at down at it, confused.

"The President is quite angry with you." The blonde winked, even under the current situation. "She misses you, so does your sister."

"President..." Natsuki repeated with a soft murmur, her knuckles of her free hand brushing her lips.

"Ah, well, I have to make sure Akane isn't attempting to sneak out with the Cardair Prince." Mayha mumbled, walking out.

Mashiro also stood, nodding to everyone before she walked out after Mayha.

"Marguerite, Helene shall be discussing your further medical treatment later." The epitome said simply. Striding out, she called for Mashiro. The Queen looked back, stopping as she face Miss Maria.

"The Schwartz are a very dangerous group, Queen Mashiro, I wouldn't take them lightly." Miss Maria warned, walking away briskly.

Waving off the unwanted advice, Mashiro gave a huff and strode off. Looking to Shizuru, Natsuki slid the letter into her coat. "I'll be staying in the lab again, tonight." She whispered.

"Alright." Shizuru breathed, casting the younger woman a slow but sad smile. "You know where the key is, if you ever change your mind."

"Of course, darling." Natsuki murmured softly to Shizuru, turning to face her more. "I'm having a headache, and I don't want to scare you more than I already have." She smiled sadly at the Archmeister as well.

Shizuru brushed past, leaving a stale feeling in the air as she did so. Glaring at the empty spot in front of her now, Natsuki closed her eyes as her head pulsed, then she looked to Tomoe with a smile.

"Shizuru Oneesama...doesn't look well." Tomoe remarked, concerned. "She's a bit worried about you." Natsuki spoke, coming closer. "And about Schwartz."

"Me?" Giving Tomoe a small look, Natsuki stretched her hand out for the girl to stand. "We should get back to the lab."

"Ah, yes." Tomoe said softly. The Gakuenchou smiled to Tomoe, bracing her other hand on the girl's back delicately.

"I can see why you hate meetings." She mused, pausing as her stitches expressed their annoyance to her.

Chuckling, Natsuki rubbed down the girl's back gently. "What to do think happened to Rena Sayers?" "Maybe she's alive, maybe she's not." The Gakuenchou shrugged, gently standing Tomoe up.

"When can my stitches be taken out, Sensei?" Tomoe asked, idly glancing around the lab which was now becoming very familiar. "I've had them in for...two weeks now?"

"How long were yours in, Gakuenchou?" Youko asked, turning to Natsuki. "I had them taken out?" The older woman smirked, then waved her off. "About maybe a month."

"A month." Tomoe echoed. "It won't take as long for you to heal, of course. The thing that struck you not being as large as the Archmeister's element." Youko explained.

"Archmei..." Tomoe glanced between the doctor and Gakuenchou curiously. "Shizuru Oneesama?"

"Mm, she got the Gakuenchou good." Youko teased, Natsuki's face darkening.

Tomoe pushed the thought aside, nodding. She wouldn't pry, or at least...not try too. With one final glance, Tomoe gave Natsuki a quick study before bringing her attention back over to Youko.

"We'll give it another week." Youko nodding to Tomoe, then getting a call. "I'll be back." She nodded, walking out.

Sighing, the Pearl shook her head. "What is it?" Natsuki asked, looking to Tomoe as she fiddled with one of the scalpels.

"These days...are just so abrupt." Shuffling back onto the bed she had been sitting on for the whole conversation between Youko, Tomoe folded a leg onto the edge of it.

"Abrupt?" Natsuki turned her gaze to Tomoe, putting the sharp instrument down.

"Happening so quickly without warning." The younger female explained. "It's...dramatic."

"Some things are happy though, right?" The older woman asked as she came to stand in front of Tomoe.

The student considered this, nodding as her mind came to an agreement for once. "It is..." She uttered, gazing up to the Gakuenchou.

Natsuki gave the girl a soft smile, and placed a hand onto Tomoe's head, petting softly.

Reaching for the hand, cautiously at first, Tomoe grabbed hold of it. "There are some things..." She just prayed nothing else would happen so drastically, at least for now.

Natsuki held Tomoe's hand gently, kneeling in front of the girl's legs.

"What if...Helene-sensei comes back?" "Do you want me to lock the door?" Natsuki asked softly.

"But wouldn't that make her suspicious?" Tomoe remarked, lifting a brow. "I'll just give her a call and tell her we're going to sleep." Natsuki stood, a hand going to her ear.

"Ah..." Tomoe blinked in response, watching Natsuki closely. Making the call, Natsuki kept her voice soft as if the younger girl was already sleeping, getting an affirmative from Youko that the doctor wouldn't come back to the lab.

"...I still can't believe it." Tomoe stated, slightly bewildered. "All of this, is just..." Sitting straighter, she looked back to the Column, smiling rigidly

"Are you alright?" Natsuki knelt again, a hand going to Tomoe's thigh.

"I'm alright." Tomoe responded, blinking a few times as tingling sensations ran through her leg because of the elder's touch.

"Good." Natsuki murmured softly, bringing her other hand up to rub Tomoe's thighs.

"Y-your-" "What is it?" The Gakuenchou asked.

Allowing her leg to fall back down the edge of the bed, Tomoe bit her lip, staring into emeralds. Subtly shivering, she reached back up. "You're going to be the death of me." She grumbled, pulling at Natsuki's arms to pull her closer.

Being pulled closer between Tomoe's legs, Natsuki blushed softly. She looked up at the girl, her hands grasping the girl's wrists.

Tomoe stared, hands shaking she threaded her fingers loosely around Natsuki's wrists. "I think..." "What?" Natsuki asked softly, her thumbs lightly caressing the girl's wrists.

"I feel that this is sudden but..." Inhaling a breath, Tomoe groaned in frustration, holding onto the wrists tighter. "... L-I like you."

A sweet smile spread across Natsuki's face, and she softly chuckled, pressing a kiss to both of the girl's wrists. "I like you too."

"But how...and why, I don't understand, I...just do." "Not everyone can understand everything." Natsuki murmured.

"Its annoying." Tomoe replied. "I'm sure it is." Natsuki gave a nod.

This being stated, Tomoe sighed, leaning back slightly. 'Maybe I'm just paranoid?'

Natsuki continued to hold the girl's wrists for as long as Tomoe held hers, eyes trying not to look in front but rather to the side.

"If we are both going insane, I guess I wouldn't mind joining you..." The student trailed off, her tone becoming more of a whisper as she peered up to the ceiling, eyes hovering over the pipes which sprawled across the dark slabs of metal.

Natsuki gave a soft smile at that, resting her cheek on Tomoe's thigh.

"But everyone else is annoying." Natsuki began to laugh at that, her eyes closing as her body lightly shook.

"What?" Tomoe inquired curiously, glancing down to the woman. "I just found it humorous, I suppose." Natsuki answered, her cheek still on the younger girl's thigh as she calmed herself.

"I guess." The Trias student mumbled, rolling her eyes, squeezing the woman's wrist. She could do this...the simple gestures were alright, but more intimate things...those could wait.

Tired of kneeling, Natsuki stood and took a seat beside the younger girl.

A thought entering her mind suddenly, Tomoe asked. "...Why did you become an Otome?" Her thoughts centered on the dream in the abandoned corridor underneath Garderobe.

Natsuki gave a bit of a sigh. "My mother made me." She answered, her right hand gently detaching from Tomoe's as the distance was too long, her other still holding the girl's softly.

"For the family?" Tomoe idly pondered outwardly. "Mm, she was already President by the time I was enrolled." Natsuki answered.

President of Aries Republic? "Ah...I've seen a few photos of her." Tomoe concluded. "You both look...similar." She remarked. They could be clones!

"Mm, the Kruger blood is very strong in the feminine line." Natsuki offered. "Except for Alyssa..."

Tomoe nodded, believing the Gakuenchou's answer. "Some genes stay alive for decades, I guess."

"I don't really know where Alyssa came from..." Natsuki murmured. "Sometimes I think mother just stole her."

Biting back a small laugh, the student shook her head, glancing up to Natsuki. "...Perhaps it was distant genes?"

"Perhaps, though I prefer the stolen idea. That way it at least explains why Alyssa is mother's favorite." Natsuki spoke, looking off into space.

"Ah..." Shifting to face the other woman on the bed a little better, Tomoe slowly brought her hand up, pressing her hand against the Column's arm. "I wouldn't say it is like that..." The student paused. "She isn't that old, is she?" Tomoe asked, running off memory from photographs. "She is still young so..."

"Mm...she's...nine. Or is it ten...I don't really remember." Natsuki confessed, looking to Tomoe.

"And you are..." Quickly, the student trailed her eyes across the Gakuenchou's body. "Twenty...two?" She wasn't quite sure to be honest, their age difference was a little...she wasn't sure how to explain it entirely.

"Close." Natsuki softly smiled. "Twenty-three."

"Six years difference." Tomoe murmured, pressing her tongue against her teeth, feeling the texture. "Isn't that bad."

Natsuki heard her, and gave a softer smile, squeezing the girl's hand gently. "I'll wait for you, you know. Whenever."

"...Thank you." Tomoe murmured. "Of course." Natsuki murmured back, bringing the hand she was holding up to her lips to kiss.

"But what if...someone finds out?" Tomoe side-glanced the door awkwardly. "I doubt it would go well, especially considering you are the Gakuenchou."

"No one will find out." Natsuki promised, kissing Tomoe's hand again before setting it back on the bed between them.

"It'll be hard." "But worth it." Natsuki finished.

"What is going to happen with my mission now, since it didn't go...as planned?" Tomoe strained the question, brows furrowing. "The Shinso doesn't issue others, does she?"

"We'll approach her again once you've fully healed." Natsuki spoke, playing with the girl's palm.

Tomoe shuddered. "There is just...something I don't like about that statue." "The Shinso can be quite unnerving." The Gakuenchou spoke. "There were times when I was a student I feared she might strike me down."

Tomoe weaved their fingers together, her fingertips experimentally rubbing the joints of the Column's fingers, curiously. "Always smiling as well..."

"Another reason why I never liked her. I felt she was always mocking me." Natsuki admitted, her own fingertips rubbing against Tomoe's knuckles.

"Even the purest of hearts has darkness." Realizing just how cheesy that sounded, Tomoe groaned, rubbing her forehead with a free hand. "Since when do I use pickup lines?"

Natsuki laughed softly, moving closer. "Trying to pick me up, are you?" She grinned.

"Considering this is about a talking statue..." Tomoe eyed her calmly. "It's strange...being cautious over a solid object which can somehow speak and move. It's like a fantasy."

"I hate it." Natsuki spoke. "I've always had a sort of fear for dolls and marionettes, so the Shinso sort of enhances that."

Brows quirking, the student smirked up to her. "Oh?" Natsuki smirked back. "Yeah, it's funny, I know."

"You don't look like the type of person to be that interested in them anyway." The younger female mused absentmindedly.

"Nope." Natsuki affirmed, giving a nod. "Alyssa likes them though, which is why I never stay long with her around."

"I had one or two, although one was an Otome, I've forgotten what the other was though, some crazy Windbloom police woman or something..." Tomoe rolled her eyes, remembering the battered blonde-haired doll. "They are amusing for a short while I guess."

"They have Otome dolls?" Natsuki asked, looking down at Tomoe. "Yes." Tomoe replied. "They were...popular back in Zipang when I was younger."

"Huh...didn't know that." Natsuki murmured, wondering if there was a doll version of her somewhere.

"I would have thought the developers would have gotten permission from Garderobe." Pondering this Tomoe shook her head. "Although, whenever I go back to Zipang these days, there are countless supplies of Shizuru Oneesama and Rena Sayers."

"Ugh, I don't think I want to imagine a doll version of myself..." Natsuki murmured, giving a light jump as she imagined herself sleeping and the doll at the foot of the bed. "...scary..."

"It would be...something." Imagining the thought of Natsuki as a doll, Tomoe snickered lightly.

"It's so creepy." Natsuki murmured, tightening her hold on Tomoe's hand.

The Gakuenchou of Garderobe, afraid of nothing except dolls? The concept itself was amusing enough, but Tomoe couldn't help but ponder. If Natsuki was so afraid of them, how had she managed to survive in Aries when ultimately, thousands of dolls of produced there still to this day? Thoughtlessly, as her train of pondering continued, Tomoe tightened her grip on Natsuki's hand.

Chuckling softly, Natsuki spoke. "I know it's funny, but I can't stand any dolls. They just creep me out and I can't be in the same room as one. Alyssa always tortured me with hiding them in my bed when I would visit."

"...Why do I imagine some cheesy horror movie?" Tomoe inquired. Unable to hold it, she laughed. "But..." Calming somewhat, she spoke. "It's alright."

"That girl is evil, just no one believes me." Natsuki mumbled, then held Tomoe's hand tighter. "Does your back hurt?"

"Hm." The girl shook her head in reply. "It only...hurts when I put weight on it heavily."

"Ah." Natsuki nodded. "Are you getting sleepy?"

"A little." Tomoe said after a while. Natsuki stood, her back a bit stiff from sitting for such a long time and eased the girl to lay down.

"What time is it anyway?" Tomoe mumbled, catching hold of the Gakuenchou's arms quickly. "...I've never been so...talkative before." Throwing the woman an odd stare, she closed her eyes, letting go of Natsuki.

"I'm glad you talked to me." Natsuki spoke, bringing over the chair she had sat in yesterday and leaned back in it, holding Tomoe's hand. Checking the time, she spoke again. "Late evening, are you hungry?"

"Late evening?" Tomoe mused, opening her stormy orbs, she brought her attention directly to Natsuki once more. "I would have thought it would be the middle of the night. I don't think I am hungry...are you...?"

Natsuki shook her head, looking to the younger girl. "Try to sleep." She murmured, kissing Tomoe's forehead softly.

The student attempted to do so. The situation was so complex for her, not the actual situation, but for how she was able to open up so quickly to someone she thought she was originally jealous of. She had...almost been to the level of both emotional and physical love for Shizuru Oneesama, and yet here she was. Being looked after by the most unlikely person; it was...almost disturbing.

She hated people, despised them.

The Gakuenchou sat back in her chair, her head cushioned by her free hand so her scar would not be disturbed. Closing her eyes, she listened.

"You aren't seriously going to sit there all night, are you?" Tomoe mused tiredly, sleep etching its way into her system as her blankets began to warm.

"What, you want me to leave?" Natsuki asked. "N-no, I was just..." Sighing, she turned onto her side, facing the elder, rubbing the bandages for a moment. "You seem uncomfortable."

"Well, it certainly isn't the best position to sleep in." Natsuki agreed.

The girl merely hummed, pressing her head into the pillow. Adjusting her hand behind her head, Natsuki gave a small flinch when her fingertips hit her scar.

"And you are going to hurt yourself." Tomoe remarked, watching her like a hawk. "Maybe." Natsuki murmured, sitting up and wiping the bit of blood onto her coat, shrugging it off.

Sighing, Tomoe shuffled forward to the edge of the bed, reaching out, she gripped hold of the Column's sleeve. "Come on, I don't care, its not like I'm going to understand why things are going so quickly anyhow." With this said, Tomoe let go, shifting back and closing her eyes.

"Eh?" Natsuki looked to the girl. Standing, she climbed onto the bed carefully.

"I don't mind you lying next to me." Tomoe acknowledged her, stormy orbs coming into view.

"Ah...alright." Natsuki lay down next to the girl, careful not to jostle her or the bed.

The silence was awkward as Tomoe lie there quietly, the soft breathing of the older woman luring her to sleep.


The bed was big without the presence of her lover, and much colder. And the current difficulty was as usual-attempting to sleep.

Sighing as she tossed and turned in the cold bed, Shizuru sat up, looking to the door that hadn't budged all night. "Mou...Natsuki..."

"Why can't you just come back?" She complained. Glancing down to her current clothing she sighed, standing.

Blushing slightly, as she was ashamed at having been stood up on a night where she had worn Natsuki's favourite lingerie, Shizuru quickly changed into a more comfortable nightgown, sighing softly.

Natsuki had seemed to be getting worse recently. And it was showing, not only through Natsuki herself, but Shizuru. Sitting back down onto the bed, she furrowed a brow, thinking back to those happy days during their student years.

"When did she change...was it merely because of that wound...or something else?" Shizuru mused to herself, a knuckle brushing her lips in thought.

Perhaps there were many reasons? Maybe she would never know entirely? Grabbing the pillow Natsuki always used, Shizuru snuggled it to her chest, breathing deep. "Oh Natsuki...I miss you." She whispered.

The blaring of the phone beside her on the nightstand leaping out suddenly, Shizuru quickly tore her attention away from the pillow. That phone was only for em-

Reaching out, Shizuru quickly answered the phone. "Deputy Gakuenchou." She spoke.

"A-ah! Can yo- Mikoto? No, you can't. Hang on...that voice..." "Ara?" The voice on the line sounded a bit familiar. "Could you state the emergency?" Shizuru asked, brows furrowed.

"Shizuru Oneesama?" "Ara..." Shizuru dropped the pillow on the floor as the owner of the voice came to the front of her mind. "Tokiha-san!"

"Ha...sorry for the long wait." Mai answered sheepishly, scratching her cheek beside a groaning Mikoto by her feet, the Cat Goddess's stomach rumbling loudly. "...I had a few..." She glanced down to Mikoto. "Difficulties."

"...We thought you had died, Tokiha-san!" Shizuru scolded.

"The communication networks are a little awkward over here." Mai replied, surveying the wilderness surrounding her. "Ah...one moment." Cupping the phone earpiece, Mai brought her attention to the desert-people. "Move a little to the side! I'm losing the connection!"With a rush the men staggered around, attempting to point the antenna correctly.

"Tokiha-san, just where are you?" Shizuru asked, immensely confused.

"The Black Valley."


Thanks for the reviews! PS: we merely made the pairing ShizNatsu to get a little attention to start off the story, after all, a lot of people wouldn't give the story a chance simply because it isn't 'canon'.

Character Key

Hollowed-Words:

Youko, Natsuki, Nina, Arika, Mashiro.

Twisted Eternal Wolvetta:

Shizuru, Tomoe, Miya, Sakura, Miss Maria, Mai.

Both:

Sergay.

Chapter Theme: Tomoe

Emilie Autumn: Mad Girl

Mad girl
Can you believe
What they've done to you?
Wouldn't they stop
When you asked them to leave you alone
In all your faerie tales
How did the prince say he loved you?
How did your father die?
Was he a good man?
Maybe someday you'll know

The beginning and the end
Much closer than they seem
Death is but a dream, I know
Dolls are meant to throw away
All broken and bent from petty play
My friend in this world
Is a bottle of nothing
Still I fly
Still I fall

Like the water in the well
My melancholy state
Folly, fear and hate, I know
Even time will never tell
She teetered, she tripped
And then she fell
My faith in this world
Is a bottle of nothing
Still I fly
Still I fall