Chapter 2
I awoke to the sound of Arika's blaring alarm. Startled, I sat bolt upright and looked over to her bed in shock. Arika groaned and reached out to shut it off before sitting up with a sleepy expression. She caught my wide eyes and laughed.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," Arika giggled and I relaxed, my heartbeat slowing.
"I forgot about your alarm," I grumbled and got out of bed. Arika grinned.
"Nina-chan was scared…" She sung at my back as I walked over to my dresser. I ignored her and proceeded to make my way to the bathroom. I needed the shower; it was going to be a long day.
I took a calming breath as the hot water poured over my shoulders and back, waking me up easier then that alarm. I reached for my shampoo and almost slipped. Looking down in confusion I saw another stream of shampoo flowing down the drain.
"What the…?" I asked myself and found Arika's shampoo upside down again. "That girl…" I breathed and reached down to pick it up.
"Hurry up, Nina!" Arika called. "We're going to be late!"
I rolled my eyes and quickly lathered the hair and swiped soap over my skin before rinsing and toweling dry. In a matter of five minutes I was dressed and ready to go, leaning against the doorframe as Arika struggled to find some socks.
"Ahhh…" She whined. "I swear I had some clean ones yesterday…"
"Just use mine," I sighed and walked over to my dresser. Pulling open the top drawer I snatched a pair of socks and threw them at her. They hit her in the back and she gave a little 'eep' of surprise before turning to me with a scowl.
"Thanks," she mumbled and pulled them on quickly then ran over to jump into her shoes. Something registered in my mind.
"You're wearing a Garderobe uniform," I pointed out. Arika looked a little puzzled.
"Eh?" She looked down then smacked her forehead. "I wear my uniform here and my Windbloom uniform at the castle or to events."
"Oh…" I said then shrugged. "Ready?" I asked and headed out the door. Irina was just leaving and she gave me a friendly wave before following Yayoi down the hall.
"Let's go, Nina-chan!" She exclaimed and brushed past me on her way out. I followed her bouncing figure down the hall and tried to contain my nervousness. Students were filling out of their rooms in twos and fours to go meet in the courtyard for the few minutes we had before morning cleaning. Arika beckoned me over to a low wall and I stood next to her as she leaned against it, turning her face toward the morning sun. Her hair sparkled with light brown in its rays. I turned my attention to the students milling around and immediately looked down. A good deal of girls were looking at me with angry or cold faces. My stomach churned unpleasantly but I bit my lip and kept my posture confident even though I couldn't bring myself to look anyone in the eye. After a few minutes of tension Arika seemed to notice my discomfort and gave me a concerned look. I didn't return her gaze and focused on staying indifferent to the intense stares. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Arika scan the other students and her face went from confused to angry. She pushed off from the wall and took a couple steps forward so that she was standing closer to me. Crossing her arms in a look of distaste she turned her head ever so slightly so the Blue Sky Sapphire sparkled in her ear. Instantly, most girls had a look of shock on their faces at the obvious show of defense Arika was displaying for me. I nudged her lightly, trying to get her to ignore it but she only angled herself in a more protective way next to me and I watched as all but a few girls looked away from me in apology.
"Arika…" I said her name softly and she gave me a fond smile.
"Don't worry, Nina-chan," she whispered, her posture relaxing as she sat back up against the wall. "They just don't know the whole story."
I kept my eyes down but sat against the wall next to her, my silence enough to show her that I was grateful for what she did. Our shoulders brushed gently against each other and I started to pull away, embarrassed by the contact but Arika placed her hand between my thigh and my arm, resting her forearm securely over mine. The display of affection causing me to smile into my lap. We sat in a comfortable silence as we waited for morning cleaning to start.
"What are you all waiting for?" Miss Maria's voice sounded through the courtyard. The chatter died down quickly as all eyes turned to look at the stern Otome. Her eyes scanned the crowd until it they found me and she opened her mouth to say something but thought better of it and addressed Arika.
"Meistar Arika!" Miss Maria barked and Arika jumped.
"Yes, Miss Maria?" She asked and bowed.
"You will share your duties," she said curtly before turning around and walking back into Garderobe. I sighed in relief when she didn't mention my name.
"Let's go Nina," Arika said with a smirk. I felt a twang of dread.
"What exactly is your job?" I asked in a cautious tone.
"You'll see…" She replied mysteriously. I let out an annoyed breath and followed her to the supply shed. Students filled in and out in crowds, grabbing their cleaning supplies before they got boxed in by other girls trying to get out.
"Good morning, Arika-sama," a few girls murmured as we passed by them. Arika nodded and smiled at them, causing them to blush and talk amongst themselves. Wherever we went there were calls of 'Arika-sama' and 'do you need help today, Arika-sama?'. It would have been annoying if Arika hadn't handled it so well.
"They really like you, don't they?" I asked in amusement and Arika shot me a peeved look. I suppressed a giggle then stopped when more came by.
"Arika-sama," they bowed and then turned to me. Arika stopped and watched carefully then smiled when they started bowing to me also. "Nina-sama," they said and skittered away. If I listened carefully I could hear my name mixed in with the Arika's.
"You look so funny, Nina-chan," Arika laughed and I glared at her for a bit until her expression softened. "You see," she said and gestured to our classmates. "You're status hasn't left you."
I smiled; red hinting at my cheeks and Arika turned away from me with a satisfied look.
"Nina-san," I heard Miss Maria call and I tapped Arika on the shoulder.
"Be right back," I told her and walked over to Miss Maria.
"Good morning," I greeted and bowed. Miss Maria nodded and thrust her hand out.
"I have your GEM," she said shortly and I lifted my fingers to my ear to feel the gap in the metal. That's right, I remembered. I don't have a GEM. I answered a soft 'thank you' and took the Coral GEM out of her palm, the smooth stone feeling warm in my hands. With care I fitted it into my earring and looked up at Miss Maria. She gave me a curt nod before telling me to get back to cleaning. I took my leave to find Arika and saw her sweeping a part of the courtyard, the same job I did when I was number one here. A sense of recognition washed over me when I realized that me sharing her job meant that my status had indeed not changed. Arika and I must be sharing the number one title. I smirked; it was going to be a challenging competition.
"Nina-chan!" Arika called, waving a hand. When I reached her she pointed to where she left a broom for me. I nodded a thank you and went to sweeping. The gentle motion was calming, even if Arika's mutterings caught my attention now and again. We talked softly to one another about nothing in particular, Arika explaining something me listening carefully, so I could correct her. The day progressed the same way and then for a few weeks after that. It was peaceful and calm and I enjoyed the afternoon's I spent with Arika when she didn't have to go to the castle.
"So you already know about how Otome have to do a lot of paperwork," Arika was saying one day. I nodded. "But we have to do a lot of official balls and events for the bigwigs of Windbloom and the other nations. I have to admit though," she smirked. "It is fun to be in the same parties as Shizuru-sama and Haruka-sama."
I shared Arika's mirth, knowing full well of the history between the two classmates.
"This one time-" Arika started to say with a smile when she froze. I looked at her in alarm as her face took on a look of fear and disbelief.
"Arika?" I called, walking towards her; she turned abruptly as the Headmaster came running out of the school in a hurry and looked toward the castle. A roar tore through the air and I snapped my eyes to the sound, apprehension filling my veins.
"Was that a slave?" I heard someone whispered in fear. Ripples of murmurs went through the courtyard as the students shot looks over at the castle. I turned to Arika to ask if she heard it but stopped when I didn't see her next to me. Confused, I scanned the area and saw her sprinting toward the castle faster then I've ever seen her run. Realizing why she was running, I immediately started to follow her when a hand clasped down on my shoulder. I looked up in anger and came face to face with the Headmaster.
"Where are you going, Nina?" She asked with a resigned tone.
"She could get killed," I barked and tried to pull away but Natsuki's grip was iron tight.
"You cannot go," she said angrily but I wasn't listening. "Nina," she said loudly. "You are a member of Garderobe, Arika is the Otome for Windbloom! She has to go, it is her duty! But you cannot act until Windbloom asks us for assistance! Surely you know this!"
I pulled away from her grip and stood, my body tense and worried, a few feet away from her. She was right, of course she was. This was Arika's job; we had just been talking about it but…
"I thought Viola-sama said that nothing was supposed to happen for a long time," I said as another, angrier roar lashed through the air followed by the sound of a battle. Arika was fighting and I was just standing here. Arika, who was just smiling and talking to me, was now battling to protect Windbloom.
"It must be strong…" Natsuki muttered and squinted. I watched as a flash of blue flew above the horizon and I recognized Arika's dagger. I took another step forward in worry. "But nothing Arika can't handle," Natsuki finished and turned to look at her. "She hasn't activated the second level of her robe."
"What is going on?" Shizuru asked in a worried tone as she walked up to Natsuki and I.
"A slave has attack Windbloom," she informed her and Shizuru looked shocked. "Meistar Arika has engaged in robed battle."
"Do we have permission to assist?" Shizuru asked, her voice betraying her calm exterior. Natsuki shook her head and Shizuru turned to watch Arika's battle from afar.
"Arika-sama," I heard a few people say worriedly.
"Arika-sama is fighting," they gasped and pointed. I clenched my fists and heard Natsuki let out a low growl.
"Why are all of you standing about?" She barked, her anger at the situation showing. "Garderobe has not been asked for it's assistance and there is work to be done." With that she turned on her heel and stormed back into the building. Shizuru lingered a moment longer, her eyes on where smoke was now rising in the distance then followed Natsuki.
I grabbed my broom begrudgingly and started to sweep again, sending glances over in the direction of the castle in-between brushes. Not long after, the air became silent, no sign of the battle progressing. It was over and since the sounds of the slave were gone, we could only assume that Arika had won.
Ten minutes later, cleaning was over and Arika had still not returned to Garderobe. I was feeling frantic. I needed to see her.
"Time for morning classes!" Miss Maria called and the students filed into the school slowly, stopping often to look at the entrance for any sign of Arika. I was the last one in, having lingered the longest. Miss Maria offered me a look of understanding but I kept my eyes on the floor. My brain was spinning. Is this just a coincidence? I wondered. I felt sick, my imagination running away with me. In class, I tried hard to concentrate but found it increasingly difficult. It seemed that it was that way for most everyone because the teacher was forced to address the issue. She calmly told us that Arika would be fine, she was the best in the class and could hold her own. I listened to her words and knew they were true but couldn't stem my worry. If anything happened to that girl…
The door slid open loudly and everyone looked up from their work to see what it was, a sense of foreboding in the air until the shock of red hair on top of a grinning Arika made the whole classes erupt in cheers.
"Sorry I'm late, Sensei," she said sheepishly and twiddled her fingers. "I had something I had to take care of." Relief washed through me in waves to see her standing and acting perfectly normal in the classroom.
"Just sit down, Arika," the sensei smiled and Arika made her way to her seat and slumped into it with a tired sigh before pulling out a pen and writing diligently, not missing a beat between her entrance and studying. I watched her carefully, looking for any signs of injury and narrowed my eyes when I saw her wince after a quick movement. She slipped her hand under the hem of her shirt to rub lightly along her ribs and I saw the end of a good amount of gauze wrapped around her torso. Arika glanced backwards at me quickly and saw my look. Her eyes flickered briefly when she noticed my clear worry over her well being but flashed me a reassuring smile and returned to her work.
The lunch bell rang some time later and in a flurry of movement my classmates surrounded Arika with eager faces. I watched from behind the crowd as Arika smiled and explained the battle and that she was all right.
"Nothing to worry about!" She chirped, failing to mention her ribs. The girls smiled and bowed and I heard them chattering about how great Arika was all the way out of the room. Once they were gone Arika slumped forward in her seat with a heavy sigh. I picked up my bag and walked over to stand next to her. She was staring at her desk, thinking hard about something.
"Do you want to go to lunch?" I asked, pulling her out of her thoughts. She blinked up at me and nodded with less vigor then she had when she was talking to the rest of the class. I waited for her to put her things in her bag before heading towards the door. She followed, her eyes troubled. I knew she was thinking about the fight and wanted to ask but something was keeping from talking about it. I was afraid that she would notice how worried I was so I kept my mouth shut. We walked to the cafeteria in silence, Arika following my lead through the crowds of students. Many asked if she was okay and she smiled and nodded, saying that a slave couldn't take her out. It was like that until we were inside the cafeteria. Arika walked straight to a table that was restricted to the Pearls and the Corals of ranks of ten or higher and sat down. I took a seat across from her thinking maybe she wasn't hungry when two young Corals placed a tray of food in front of Arika and I. Surprised, I looked around to see tons of young Corals carrying food trays to their favorite sempeis.
"Nina," Arika said after she had eaten for a few minutes.
"Hmm?" I responded as I finished my soup.
"Can you take notes for me in afternoon class?" She asked.
"Okay," I said a little confused. "But why?"
"I need to return to the castle," she said softly so only I would hear. I leaned in, sensing that this was something she shouldn't be discussing with me. She opened her mouth to say more then stopped and shook her head slowly. "I just need to return to the castle."
I nodded, thinking it obvious that after the slave attacked she would be needed.
"Arika," I heard Shizuru's voice from behind me and turned to look at the third column. "It's time to go."
Arika stood up and gave me an unreadable expression. I looked between her and Shizuru with slight apprehension. I understood Arika having to return, but Shizuru too? A quick glance at the door brought more mystery. The Headmaster was waiting for them.
Suddenly very concerned, I turned as Arika passed me and grabbed her wrist. She stopped and looked down. Slowly, I reached up and grazed my fingers over her ribs. She gave me a rueful smile.
"I'm okay, Nina-chan," she said. "It hurts but I'm okay."
The admission of pain caused me to start to curl my fingers around the hem of her shirt in some stupid way to make her stay here. I wasn't even sure what I was doing, the adrenaline I felt in her absence was leaving me and I would just rather she didn't go at the moment. Arika placed her hand around mine and pulled it gently off her shirt before giving it a squeeze and walking over to where Shizuru was waiting.
"Has everyone arrived yet?" Arika asked as her, Natsuki and Shizuru walked down the street toward the castle.
"I believe President Chrysant and Meistar Haruka are running a little late, having encountered a slave in Aries at the same time the one you fought attacked Windbloom," Natsuki said.
"Windbloom and Aries were attacked at the same time?" Arika said in a shocked tone.
"Aswald was also attacked," Natsuki informed.
"What's gong on…" Arika mumbled.
"Ara, I think we would all like to know," Shizuru said calmly, turning to face Arika. "Your ribs?" She questioned. Arika eyed her suspiciously, obviously confused as to how Shizuru found out.
"I'm fine," she retorted and clasped her hands behind her back before looking off into the distance.
They were silent, lost in their own thoughts for the remainder of the trip.
The castle was a bustle of people. Windbloom officials were trying to calm the people down as they surged on the steps, demanding in fear to know what was happening and why another slave attacked Windbloom.
"Everyone," Arika called stepping forward to address the public. They turned around and yelled out praise for the young Meistar before returning to shouting out demands for what was happening. "Every please calm down!" Arika said firmly and the noise subsided. "We do not why a slave attacked us but I assure that as soon as the Queen and I know, you will too, until then, please try to stay calm. Windbloom and myself will protect the city." Natsuki and Shizuru watched with admiration as the crowd's faces took on more relaxed tones and they smiled and bowed at the words of their Otome. Arika gave them all a reassuring nod before stepping past them and heading into the castle.
"Mashiro-chan!" Arika called in annoyance once she reached the privacy of the halls. A stressed face rushed over to Arika and took her by the hand for both support and to lead her to the meeting room. "Mashiro-chan," Arika said again.
"What?" Mashiro snapped.
"You forgot to deal with the public," Arika said in an amused tone. Natsuki and Shizuru shared a look.
"No I didn't," she started to say then stopped. "Oh, crap," she cursed and was about to turn around when Arika, still holding her hand, pulled her in the direction they were going.
"I just handled it," she said with a triumphant smirk. Mashiro scowled.
"This isn't the time for jokes, Arika!" Mashiro growled but relaxed when Arika squeezed her hand.
"You need to stay calm, Mashiro-chan," Arika said quietly and Mashiro took a deep breath.
"I know, I know," she mumbled and took the lead again towards the meeting room. The four arrived and took their places around the table, Natsuki and Shizuru heading to the seat at the front to observe.
"Good afternoon," Mashiro greeted the other officials as she took her seat. Arika bowed politely before taking hers.
"Now we must wait for Aries," Shizuru said lightly, seeing Midori who looked a little beat up.
"We're here!" Haruka's loud voice said from outside the room and sure enough both her and Yukino were walking into the room to hastily take their seats. Haruka sported a bandaged upper arm for her fight with the slave.
Natsuki nodded and the meeting began.
"We are here to discuss the attacks on Windbloom, Aries, and Aswald," Natsuki started then turned to each nation's head. Mashiro spoke first.
"Arika," she said solemnly and Arika stood.
"The monster I fought today was not a slave," Arika said and an eruption of murmurs and shocked looks went through the room with the exception of Aries and Aswald. "I'm not sure what I fought but it was faster and stronger and seemed to have no master controlling it," Arika paused and looked at Mashiro.
"We believe Swartz had nothing to do with this attack," she said and Arika nodded.
"If Swartz didn't do it," Jenra Dai Artai, the new and much improved leadership of Artai, said with a stern expression.
"We don't know," Yukino admitted, coming to Windbloom's aid and Jenra regarded her carefully. "We don't know what is attacking us or if they even have a nation pulling the strings."
"What did yours it look like?" Midori wondered.
"Mine looked like a big bug with fangs," Haruka grumbled.
"I guess mine looked a little like that but it had some type of fur…" Arika said. "But it vanished when killed, like a slave." Midori nodded in agreement, her slave matching the description of the others.
"Are you positive there wasn't a master?" Natsuki asked.
"Not 100," Yukino said. "But we haven't found any evidence that points to that. The monsters acted differently then slaves also. They were more self-serving."
"They looked like a bug?" Takumi of Zipang reaffirmed. Arika nodded and Takumi sighed.
"Then I believe we also had an attack," he said and startled eyes looked to him. "It didn't seem like a slave so I thought it didn't need to be said in this conversation."
Akira agreed and at closer inspection saw that she had also seen a fight. Arika opened her mouth to say something else when the doors burst open showing a battle worn Mai and angry Mikoto.
"Mai!" Natsuki said in alarm. "What-?"
"Something weird attacked the Black Valley," she explained and walked into the room. "The school said you were here discussing a similar attack on Windbloom and Aries. Mikoto insisted on coming."
"They aren't supposed to be here," the cat goddess muttered.
"Did it look like a bug-thing?" Arika asked Mai who nodded and came over to stand by her and Mashiro. She shot Natsuki a quick smile, which was returned before they turned serious again. Mikoto remained where she was, a look of distaste on her normally playful face.
"They aren't supposed to be here," she said again.
"What aren't?" Natsuki pressed.
"The Orphans," Mikoto said. "They shouldn't be able to appear."
"Orphan…?" Arika said and looked at Mashiro in confusion.
"What is an Orphan?" Shizuru questioned.
"They attacked the Valley and hurt Mai," Mikoto pouted and ran over to encircle one of Mai's arms.
"Orphan," Yukino said to a quiet room. "Well, at least we know the what they are."
"I've heard of that before…" Arika said thoughtfully.
"What have you heard?" Natsuki pressed, a look of surprise on her face.
"I think it was something Miyu said once…" Arika paused and twisted her face in concentration. "Oh, right… She said that Orphans were lost ones not from Earth…"
"Earth and not Earl?" Takumi asked in shock.
Arika shrugged. "I remember hearing her say Earth."
"Doesn't Fumi come from Earth?" Shizuru asked Natsuki and she nodded.
"It is said that the Otome came to Earl to escape extinction on Earth along with civilians and they built Garderobe to train future Otome," Natsuki recited. "But I thought that was a legend."
"Mikoto," Mai said. "What exactly are the Orphans? Is what Arika saying true?"
"Yes," Mikoto replied. "Orphans are lost because they are summoned by the Obsidian Lord to prepare the HiME for the Carnival."
Everyone in the room turned to the cat goddess with wide eyes.
"What?" Natsuki finally managed to ask. "The Obsidian Lord? The Carnival?"
"I'm confused…" Arika mumbled and put her head in her hands.
"Mai," Takumi spoke to his sister. "How old is Mikoto?"
"I'm not sure but when I first got lost in the Black Valley she said that I had returned…" She scratched her head. "Whatever that means…"
"Mai's cooking is the best," Mikoto said in terms of an explanation.
"Mikoto," Mai said firmly causing her to look up curiously. "Can you explain to the people here what you said to me before?" Mikoto looked around the room briefly then nodded.
"Orphan's are called into existence by the Obsidian Lord, a force that controls destruction, to prepare the HiME for the Carnival." The room leaned in close as not to miss a single word. "The Carnival is an event in which the Obsidian Lord manipulates the HiME's emotions to fight and kill each other's Childs with their Element. A Child is a guardian that gains its power from the person most important to the HiME and when a Child is killed, that person also vanishes." Shocked looks scattered across the room at this news. "An Element is the weapon a HiME can use, sort of like Materializing a robe. The winner of the Carnival then joins with the Obsidian Lord to prevent the destruction of the Earth by the HiME star, a red star in the sky that is the source of the Obsidian Lord." Mikoto paused. "But we put a stop to that in the final Carnival," she said in a quieter tone, like she didn't enjoy remembering it. "Me and the other HiME along with one artificial HiME fought with each other until the winner of the Carnival, Mai." Mai shrugged when people looked to her. "Managed to summon her child even after her most important person was gone, allowing the previous winner of the Carnival to resurrect the fallen Childs and important persons of the other HiME. Mai and I fought but I remembered that I loved Mai the most so we were able to beat the Obsidian Lord as the other HiME destroyed the HiME star." Mikoto finished and smiled up at Mai who rubbed her head affectionately.
Everyone was silent as they digested what they just heard.
"And the Orphans are here again?" Natsuki asked at last, realizing the gravity of that statement.
"Yes, although they shouldn't be because the Obsidian Lord is gone as is the HiME star…" Mikoto looked frustrated.
"You forgot something," Mai said grimly and everyone focused on Mikoto once more.
"I did?" She asked and Mai nodded.
"The mark?" She reminded her and Mikoto nodded quickly.
"Right, right," she said. "The HiME marks are also returning which means that the Childs have been awakened again to protect the HiME's most precious person.
"Marks?" Arika asked in a slightly horrified tone. "What marks? What do they look like?"
"Like this," Mai said sadly and slid her shirt of her right breast a little so that we could see the red mark in her skin. Six people in the room widened their eyes in shock.
"Everyone has returned also," Mikoto said. "Everyone from the last Carnival."
"I have one of those marks…" Arika said very softly. She looked like she was about to faint.
"You do?" Mikoto looked lost.
"She does," a new voice said from the doorway. Everybody turned to look at the mysterious intruder.
"Miyu," Arika said standing up. "You know about my mark?"
"How does she have a mark?" Mikoto asked the android.
"She is a descendent of Alyssa Searrs," Miyu explained and Mikoto looked back at Arika.
"You mean Sayers?" Mashiro asked. "Like her mother?"
"The name has changed some over the generations but it is the same," Miyu affirmed. "Your mark should be on the bottom of your foot, is it?"
"Yes," Arika said. She looked frightened.
"I… have that mark also," Yukino said and placed her hand over her forearm. Haruka looked at her in alarm and Mikoto nodded.
"You two also," she said pointing towards Natsuki and Shizuru. Natsuki scowled and placed an arm on her lower back and Shizuru looked away, a hand on her stomach. Mikoto then eyed Akira.
"Yes," she said. "I also have it."
"Who else?" Natsuki asked, her voice tired.
"Are we saying that we believe this?" Haruka questioned incredulously. "Yukino, you can't…"
"I know your concerned, Haruka-chan," Yukino said softly then rolled up her sleeve to show off her mark. "But the evidence is right here. This mark can't be ignored and neither can those Orphans."
Haruka looked miffed but crossed her arms and kept quiet.
"The others?" Natsuki prompted.
"Hmmm…" Mikoto looked around for the people not here. "Nao," she said after some thought.
"You mean Juliet Nao Zhang?" Natsuki asked.
Mai nodded. "Most likely…"
"Shiho," Mikoto continued. "And… Akane and Sister Yukariko."
"Three more Otome," Natsuki muttered and put her head in her hand.
"And you," Mikoto said finally pointing at Midori. She smirked and ran a hand through her hair, the mark flashing under the bright red.
"I too," she admitted.
"That's everyone," Mikoto smiled like it was a happy reunion.
"I don't want to fight Mai and the Headmaster, or Shizuru-sama… or any of the people you just mentioned." Arika sulked, clearly disturbed by what she had just learned. She kept tapping one of her feet.
"We won't be fighting anyone," Natsuki said sternly.
"It might be inevitable," Mai said sadly. "If I ended up fighting with Mikoto…"
Everyone looked at the black haired goddess with painful expressions. Mikoto was devoted to Mai; it would take a strong force to make her turn against the red head.
"Why are you still alive, Mikoto?" Midori wondered.
"I was born for Ani-ue," she said simply.
"Ani-ue is the Obsidian Lord," Mai explained.
"You're not human," Midori stated and Mikoto regarded her passively then shrugged.
"What do we do if this Carnival starts?" Yukino asked. "And what of our Childs?"
"We will try to prevent the Carnival from starting and I don't know how to even reach my Child if I do have one…" Natsuki said.
"Be careful," Mikoto said very seriously. "Your very important person is at stake since those marks have appeared. Protect your Child."
Arika visibly paled while Shizuru gave Natsuki an intense look. The Headmaster clenched her fist and looked at Mai, who looked bleakly back. Yukino glanced at Haruka and Akira stepped closer to Takumi. Mikoto tightened her hold on Mai at the same time Midori closed her eyes, her face troubled.
The tension was running high until Natsuki asked one last question.
"Who is the last? We are missing someone."
"Fumi," Mikoto said then shrugged. "But since she isn't exactly walking among us, we don't have to worry about her."
"I need… I need to go," Arika mumbled and there was a murmur of agreement from all the officials.
"For the countries that do not have any of other the people that have been named here," Natsuki concluded. "Your nations seem to be safe."
Several ambassadors nodded their heads and left.
"What role do you play, Miyu?" Natsuki asked after only the people involved were left.
"I will protect the bloodline of Alyssa Searrs at whatever price that may be," Miyu stated firmly.
"If this Carnival begins, will you go as far as to kill a Child?" Natsuki wanted to know.
"If there is a threat," Miyu said, her stare deadly serious. "I will eliminate it."
Natsuki nodded, chewing on that piece of information as the android left. Yukino and Haruka left as well, talking in low voices.
"Will you be all right?" Shizuru walked over to stand next to Natsuki.
"Fine," she said looking at Mai. "I'll be fine."
Shizuru nodded even though it was clear that she didn't believe the Headmaster. After a light squeeze of Natsuki's shoulder she left after taking another look back at Arika.
"It'll be okay," Mashiro tried to cheer Arika up. "You're my Otome after all."
Arika gave a small smile. Mai placed a gentle hand on Arika's shoulder and leaned in close so that only she could hear.
"It's very important that you don't pull away from Nina," Mai said softly causing Arika to blanch.
"How-" she whispered but Mai shook her head.
"I know you pretty well, Arika-chan," Mai continued to speak. "Trying to distance yourself won't change anything. It will only make you and Nina more miserable."
Arika clenched her fists but nodded.
"If my Child gets killed, Natsuki will vanish," Mai said, her voice still whispering in Arika's ear. "And vice versa but we're not going to let that keep us apart." She paused then smiled. "And I know it won't stop Mikoto from hanging off me all the time."
"I will always protect Mai," Mikoto said with conviction and Arika managed to laugh a little.
"I'm sure all the others are afraid of losing their important person also but just remember what I said, okay Arika?" Mai said in a sisterly tone and Arika nodded again.
"I also don't think Natsuki would mind too much if you talked to Nina about this," Mai also said.
"I give you permission," Mashiro jumped in at once before Natsuki could say anything. "And when it comes to you I have more authority so the Headmaster can't say a thing."
"Thanks, Mashiro-chan," Arika said sincerely while Mai laughed.
"You're losing your authority, Kruger," Mai pointed out stepping up next to her.
Natsuki glared at her and scoffed.
"This is getting difficult, isn't it?" Mai asked in a subdued voice, her tone changing. Natsuki reached out to cup Mai's face.
"It'll be fine. Don't worry so much," she said softly. Mai closed her eyes to the touch and nodded. "I have to go but I'll see you later," Natsuki told the redhead and kissed her gently before departing. Mai sighed then smiled.
"Let's go Mikoto," Mai called.
"Just make sure you don't get killed along with your Child because we're still under contract and I have a nation to run so I can't be disappearing!" Mashiro crossed her arms and yelled, her concern showing through the tirade.
"I'm your Otome, after all," Arika said, the bright look returning to her face. Mai's words helped.
Mashiro smirked. "Now get out of my castle."
Arika laughed and stuck her tongue out before leaving with Mai and Mikoto.