Disclaimer: I do not own Mai Otome.

Author's Note:

Hii-dollface: Sorry about the corny-ness. I tried to tone it down a tinsy bit this time, but I fear I am just a corny person. Please don't throw tomatoes! ;)

Toyatometesu: hmmm…I kinda like the idea of the whole meet-up-in-the-music-room idea. It reminds me of that scene in the series (don't remember what ep.) where Shizuru is playing and Natsuki is reading. I really like that scene, however I also really like the idea of them meeting in a chapel, since that is where they died in MH. So alas. However if someone…say you even(hint)…wanted to write them meeting for the first time in the music room(hint hint)…I would totally support it and review (hint hint hint!)! Also, I wonder at what you mean exactly by making Natsuki like Nina. In many ways I think they are already alike-especially in MO. Also I could never give up my blushing Natsuki-especially where Shizuru is involved!

For those of you who are wondering: Syndicate drama will be returning, and my goal (besides shiznat fluff) is to have Natsuki grow into the determined and self-confident woman we see in MO, and Shizuru be able to recognize her self-imposed prison. Sheesh. I've got my work cut out for me huh?

To everyone, thank you for the LUV and reviews. They make me want to keep updating. Now, without further adieu…

Ch. 3 OTOME MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Shizuru Viola smiled politely as she thought of the most efficient way to extricate herself from a flock of devoted classmates. The end of year exams were approaching, and she wanted some alone time to unwind. Well, to be honest, it wasn't quite "alone" time…

Sometimes, Shizuru enjoyed not really having to do the more menial tasks of school life, such as carrying her books and getting her own lunch, but being the No. 1 Coral had its drawbacks. She paid for it in personal privacy. Sometimes, she resented her admirers, hated them even, for blindly loving the perfect picture she worked so hard at presenting to the world.

She quickly dispelled that futile train of thought as she remembered her goal. She looked down at the girls who were asking her to sit with them at lunch.

"You will have to excuse me. I will be needing to go to my room during lunch today. Maybe next time, neh?"

She effortlessly finished off the lie with a tilt of her head and smiling eyes that never failed to make her admirers swoon, even in the face of their own disappointment. Without another word she walked away from the group, following a path that would eventually lead her to the chapel.

Of course she had heard the rumors of a mysterious rebel-type who had been staying in the guest quarters, but she had dismissed it as probably being some spoiled visiting noble's child. So three days ago, when she first happened upon Natsuki studying in the chapel, it took her a minute to realize that the beautiful girl who had entrenched herself in Shizuru's haven-from-fangirls was said infamous rebel. Luckily, Natsuki had been very focused on the book in her hands, and hadn't noticed Shizuru's appearance, or subsequent exit.

Unsure of what to do about the situation, Shizuru hadn't been back in several days, braving the public cafeteria. She had wanted to reclaim her small sanctuary, but some part of her was loathe to disrupt the dark haired beauty's peace. Ultimately though, she had to admit that she was curious; she wanted to learn more about this girl who embodied such an apparent contradiction of attitude.

Today the person in question was sprawled out on the open mahogany floor, propped up on her elbows with her notes off to the side. Shizuru took a moment to observe. She was fascinated by the way the girl took up space. It was something she rarely did herself, even in private (being a proper daughter of Viola). But the haphazard pose looked so natural, as if grace was something that merely happened upon this girl.

Suddenly, letting out a "harumph," Shizuru's subject flipped over, laid the book on her face, and sighed. There was a brief moment of total silence before a loud "grrrroowwwl" emanated from the girl's abdominal region, and Shizuru giggled aloud in spite of herself.

Well, she figured, now was just as good a time to make an entrance as ever.

Natsuki first learned of this place while looking at some of her "suggested" reading materials. The book, A Historical Guide to Guarderobe Academy, had this to say about it:

The Otome Memorial Chapel is by far the smallest of the four original structures built by the Founders. Being only about 1200 square feet, it is positioned on an outcropping, overlooking the forest and western horizon.

A simple exterior of aged white marble is interrupted by a series of tall arched windows. Inside, two rows of great mahogany columns curiously support the heavy walls, arching high overhead into a vaulted ceiling. Below, a matching hardwood floor houses hand-carved pews in its back portion, while the entire front half is left empty before meeting the western facade. The western facade is the building's defining characteristic; its entirety being made up of segmented amber glass, whose increasingly deeper shades are separated by a fine tracery. An inscription, along with the names of the dead, are etched into the glass, and the afternoon sun projects the words into the chapel, illuminating the faces of onlookers with their presence.

While there is no doubt as to who made the chapel, there is some speculation as to its original purpose--largely due to the indecipherability of the Founder's inscription. Citing its archaic designs and natural materials, some scholars argue that the chapel was built in memorandum of Earth itself, before technology overran the planet. Some take the argument a bit further. They say that the inscription is a warning; the impermanence of the structure representing how easily a greed for technology can crush our world. Many however, simply believe it was made in memory of all the lives sacrificed in the struggle to colonize this planet. Until more evidence is uncovered, no one can truly know.

In any event, today it's purpose is to memorialize the Meistar Otome who have sacrificed their lives for their masters, the people of this planet, and the ideals this academy represents. Their names, like our ancestors' inscription, are etched into the amber glass. As light from the dying day enters the chapel they are the last to leave this sanctuary, taking with them the truths of death, and immortality.

As soon as she read about it she decided to see it for herself. Of course, as flowery as the description was, it did no justice to the quiet dignity of the place. It could not describe the way that even with all the windows one still felt tucked away into a separate world.

And maybe it was because of this sense of separateness that Natsuki didn't feel the need to maintain the cold wall that protected her from weakness. Here, she found she could relax. In that sense it reminded her of the Icehouse--and she soon found herself coming here daily to study.

To her surprise, she discovered she rather enjoyed reading. Especially history. Unfortunately, right now she was reading grammar, a subject that gave her great amounts of trouble. With a frustrated sigh she flopped over onto her back and sighed. Maybe I'll be able to focus better after I eat. Her stomach growled as if in agreement. And, it wasn't until then that Natsuki realized she wasn't alone as a muffled giggle echoed into the still air.

"Oh my, it seems as though someone's hungry."

Natsuki struggled to sit up, her book tumbling to the floor, as she prepared a stern glare for the unwelcome intruder. Why now, of all times?

At first she was amused at the girls actions, but as the disgruntled scholar turned to face her, Shizuru was caught off guard by alarmingly emerald eyes that seemed to demand something of their object. Shizuru froze as her heart skipped a beat; she wasn't sure if she could lie to this person.

"Who are you?"

The younger girl grimly demanded, and Shizuru slowly shifted her gaze up towards the clerestory.

"The lighting in here is truly one of a kind, don't you think…"

She waited expectantly for the girl's name.

"Ah, Natsuki. Natsuki Kruger." Natsuki dumbly answered as she looked at the perfect beauty who now stood before her. Who is this airhead? Did she not hear what I said? Wait a second, how did that happen? Natsuki realized that not only had her demand been ignored, but she had just given this girl her name! Ah… Maybe airhead was the wrong word…

"Do you go to school here?" Natsuki asked.

Even though the girl was wearing a Coral uniform, she half-hoped to steer the conversation away from herself.

"I do. I often come here when I find myself wanting to get away from people."

Then with a hint of a smile she continued, "Of course, when I came here today I hardly expected to find an angel waiting for me."

"Angel?" Natsuki looked around thinking that perhaps someone else had arrived without notice.

"Wait? Me?! You can't possibly mean me." Natsuki exclaimed incredulously.

Placing a hand on her cheek in seeming dismay Shizuru replied, "Oh, maybe you are right…"

Natsuki started to congratulate herself, I am right…

"…an angel would definitely be wearing nicer clothes. Perhaps you are a ghost?"

Definitely not an airhead. Natsuki scowled at her jeans and t-shirt. They did seem a little rough, especially next to this girl who's graceful aura (evil teasing aside) seemed to complete the place. Then Natsuki's pride kicked in.

"Well, I don't know who you think you are… umm…"

She realized, a little too late, that she had still not gotten a name out of this girl.

"Shizuru Viola. But, just Shizuru please."

"Well, you'll have to excuse me Just Shizuru but I have to go."

Quickly trying to make her escape, Natsuki was halfway to door before she realized she had completely forgotten her things. Damnit! Prepared for the jibe that was sure to come, she turned around to see Shizuru already reading the cover of her book.

"So its grammar that has been giving you so much trouble."

She had said it so quietly that Natsuki wasn't sure if it was a question, or if the girl was merely thinking aloud. Just how long had she been watching me earlier? Natsuki decided it was definitely a question.

"Yeah, I have to understand it all before the exam, or I'll miss my chance to go to school here."

The older girl looked up at her from beneath soft bangs as if she had just realized something. There was a pause.

"I will help you with grammar if you wish."

The quiet sincerity of the statement made her want to affirm, but Natsuki hesitated, wondering at the girl's motives.

"…What do you get out of this?"

"In exchange for my tutoring…"

Shizuru pretended to think.

"You will join me everyday for lunch. How does that sound, Natsuki?"

Expecting an irritated reply, Shizuru was taken aback by the sudden vulnerability in the eyes that briefly held her own. For a moment Natsuki just stood there. It was the first time in eight years that anyone had called her by her first name. She realized suddenly, she wanted to hear it again.

"Good. Ah… I mean, sounds fair."

Natsuki felt heat accumulating in her cheeks and looked to the side.

For the first time in a long while, Shizuru found her mouth curving up in an honest smile. Until this moment, she had forgotten how truly effortless a smile could be.

Next Chapter: Flatlined...So far it's pretty much unabashed lunchtime fluff.