Yours will lead mine.
A/N: Hello everyone! My muses are back, so here I bring you chapter 4 of this fic. My head was a mess when I wrote this chapter. After checking it, I liked how it turned out, which is good because it's better of what I have in my notebook. Thanks everyone for your kind reviews! And I decided that I'll make the 2 endings for the fic, just, I beg you, please be patient. I hope that a specific character I'll use here isn't too OOC. Tell me about any grammar mistake or typo you may find, English isn't my first language so pardon my English.
Now to the story! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Mai-Otome. Ah…reality is so sad sometimes…
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Chapter 4 – Head-Mistress
The corridors of Garderobe were awfully quiet that day, it seemed that for the first time all the Corals and Pearls were in class, no one ditching her lessons.
One figure was walking with fast steps along the corridor that led to the most important room in the building: Gakuenchou's office. In a few minutes she arrived to the door, knocking it three times she waited until a voice greeted her from inside. Opening the door she entered and saw all the people that were there. In the room were Natsuki, Shizuru, Miss Maria and Yukariko-sensei.
- "Good morning Miss Maria, Yukariko-sensei."
- "Ah, Meister Sara Gallagher, good morning."
- "Sara, good you could come" – said Natsuki.
- "I came as soon as you contacted me; you said it was very important Natsuki onee-sama."
- "Yes, it's a critical matter. Please sit down"
Sara took a seat in a couch of the small living room they had in the office. Natsuki stood up from her desk and with the help of Shizuru she seated in another couch.
- "So Natsuki-onee-sama. What is what you want to tell me?"
- "Many things had happened since my…accident" – she sighed – "So I've taken a decision. Shizuru the document please" – Shizuru handed Sara some papers – "Please, sign it."
Sara took the document, and like every good Meister and Diplomat, before signing anything, she read its content.
- "Gakuenchou! Please, think about it again."
- "Sorry, Miss Maria. I can't go back right now. "
- "I can't simply accept it"
- "Neither can I" – said Sara interrupting, placing the document in her lap.
- "What?"
- "Sorry Natsuki onee-sama, I can't agree with these conditions."
- "Sara…I can't continue, not like this. Please understand that this is the best for Garderobe"
- "I do understand however…I can't be your replacement."
- "Why not? You're the most reliable person I could think to leave this task, you have the skills."
- "Thank you for the compliment. Then, what about Shizuru onee-sama? Why didn't you name her as your replacement?"
- "She can't" – said Shizuru – "……because I'm going with her. I already have Shinso's-sama authorization."
Sara understood perfectly the situation, but if she accepted it as it was now…apparently Natsuki forgot about a little detail that was decisive for this.
- "Very well…" – Sara stood up and went to the desk to get a pen.
With the papers in hand she flipped page after page and then signed the last sheet. Shizuru, Miss Maria and Yukariko-sensei saw how she took her time to check the document again and sign it. Sara got back to her seat and handed the pen to Shizuru so she could give it to Natsuki.
- "Now you only have to sing it too, Natsuki onee-sama."
- "Alright, so you agree with what is written here?"
- "Totally."
- "Good."
Shizuru guided Natsuki's hand to where she needed to sign. Natsuki's neat and elegant signature was now written. She put the pen in the small table that was in the centre.
- "Thanks Sara. Let's go Shizuru, it's almost time."
They stood up heading for the bedroom when Sara spoke.
- "Wait. I can't let Shizuru onee-sama go."
- "What?!" – asked Natsuki perplexed – "Why not? What do you mean?"
- "You decided to quit from your position. On the other hand she's still a column, and you know what the duty of the five columns is as you're one yourself."
- "To protect and serve Garderobe and Shinso-sama, help Gakuenchou…" – thought Natsuki.
Sara saw Natsuki's expression, was one of surprise and sudden realization. Shizuru too understood what was happening. She thought that it wouldn't be any problem with this; that Sara would let her go with Natsuki, maybe she was wrong.
Natsuki clenched her hands into fists. How could Sara be saying all this? She was pretty confident that as the new head of the school she would let them leave Garderobe without trouble, that just this time she'll ignore the rules and let them have it their way. What had she done? She couldn't recant now. Sara now was……if that was her decision she had to accept it.
- "Shizuru…" – said Natsuki – "I'll go and finish to pack my belongings. You have to stay"
Natsuki started to walk away but Shizuru grabbed her hand.
- "Natsuki…"
- "Shizuru onee-sama, I have to discuss something with you. Also I want you to sign the document" – said Sara.
- "I have to go…"
Natsuki released Shizuru's hand and walked to the door, she opened it and said.
- "Farewell Miss Maria, Yukariko-sensei, Sara……thank you for everything."
- "Take care Meister Natsuki"
- "We'll plead Shinso-sama for your recovery"
- "Thanks"
With a bitter smile Natsuki Kruger left the room. Sara was standing near the desk when Shizuru started to walk towards her with a serious expression.
- "What do you want to discuss about? Sara-Gakuenchou?"
- "Please don't call me that. I'm no Gakuenchou."
- "Yes, that's true. Natsuki is the only Gakuenchou to me." – said Shizuru with determination and a slight threat tone in her voice.
- "I'm happy to hear that because, I feel the same" – replied Sara with a smile.
Shizuru was somewhat dumbfounded with these words.
- "But now you are…"
- "Shizuru onee-sama, you haven't read 'this' document yet."
- "What are you talking about? I helped Natsuki making it."
- "Please, read it again."
Sara handed the document to Shizuru. The brunette took it and began to read it. There were some lines that were crossed out and new lines written in specific points of the sheets. Shizuru opened her eyes a bit in surprise and a tiny smile appeared in her lips. So this was what Sara did before signing, this was why she took her time and agreed when Natsuki asked her if she accepted it. No wonder why Shinso-sama chose her as a column. Well, anyone who could deal and control Brigadier General Armitage was worthy to be a member of the five columns.
Shizuru took the pen and signed the last page of the document, her name and signature aside Natsuki's.
- "Why did you do this?" – Shizuru suddenly asked.
- "You mean the charade?" – Shizuru nodded – "I had to. It was the only way I could make her think she's not Gakuenchou anymore so she could leave without worries in her shoulders."
- "And you stopped me only to sign this new document."
- "That's correct. With this, you and Natsuki onee-sama are free to go. Shinso-sama approved it you know? So no matter what happens, it's official and you're doing your job, I'll just be in charge while you're out. Sorry if I made you thought I was being harsh."
- "Tell me, why you didn't accept the position?"
- "I couldn't. I feel the same as you. And not only me, the others think and feel the same. She's the only Gakuenchou to us." – Miss Maria and Yukariko-sensei nodded at Sara's statement.
- "Thank you Meister Sara."
- "No, no. You don't need to thank me about anything."
Sara looked out and saw Natsuki walking and talking with Youko-sensei, the doctor was helping her to carry her bags. They were heading to the main gate where a luxurious car was parked.
- "Oh…it seems that I stopped you more than I thought. I hope you had your things packed already." – said Sara smiling.
- "In fact yes, I've already packed everything last night."
- "You were ready to leave everything no matter what happened, weren't you?
- "Everything but not…"
- "Yeah, I know."
- "Good bye Meister Sara."
- "Good bye Meister Shizuru. I know it's pointless to say it but…take care of Gakuenchou. We'll be waiting; we don't care how long it takes."
- "Of course." – said Shizuru with a smile – "Thank you. Good bye Miss Maria, Yukariko-sensei."
- "You too take care, Meister Shizuru."
- "Please inform us how she's doing okay?"
- "I will."
Shizuru walked to the door, she opened it and left the office. Sara stood there looking in the direction of the main gate.
- "Yukariko-sensei, could you please rewrite this document in new sheets?"
- "Sure, I'll do it now."
Yukariko took the document and left the office. Miss Maria didn't say a word during the conversation; she didn't have to because Sara requested her to leave everything in her hands. The result was more than satisfactory however she still had her doubts. She walked to where Sara was and stood by her side.
- "Are you sure this is the best?" – asked Miss Maria.
- "Of course. After all, Shinso-sama has been protecting them since the beginning. How could I interfere with it?"
- "You have a point there."
Both figures watched in silence how the Head-mistress Kruger left Garderobe step by step, and how the most powerful member of the five columns was following her tracks.
- "Yeah, Shinso-sama knew since that moment, when Natsuki onee-sama met Shizuru onee-sama. That's why she made them columns; with no master to serve, only her. This way they wouldn't suffer and could be free. Really, how could I interfere with something like that?"
After some instructions and items that Youko-sensei had given her, Natsuki was getting in the car when she heard Shizuru calling her.
- "Natsuki!!"
- "Shi…zuru…" – Natsuki was stunned – "I…why are you here?"
- "You don't want me to be here?" – said Shizuru with fake sadness.
- "No! ah, Yes! I mean, of course I want you to be here…" – answered Natsuki hurriedly – "I thought you weren't coming."
- "Silly girl. How many times do I have to say that I'll go wherever you are?"
Natsuki unconsciously blushed.
- "Is just that…I thought they wouldn't let you come." – said Natsuki reaching out her hand, immediately Shizuru took it.
- "Well, I just told them something and they agreed. Meister Sara will do a great job. Also she told me that I had to continue with my duty as a column."
- "Is that so."
They entered the car and left Garderobe. They were in silence holding their hands when suddenly Natsuki asked a bit worried.
- "Wait, you said you're still a column?"
- "Yes. Is there a problem?"
- "If that's the case…if you are still a column…your duty is…" – Natsuki trailed off.
- "Help Gakuenchou" – answered Shizuru cupping Natsuki's cheek with her hand.
Natsuki realized what this meant. She tilted her head, her dark bangs covering her eyes now. Silent tears began to fall, landing in her lap.
- "Sara no Baka" – said Natsuki with a sob.
Shizuru hugged Natsuki and let the raven haired girl rest her head in her shoulder. Shizuru knew that Natsuki was grateful to Sara and the rest even if she called her idiot. Natsuki understood how her comrades felt and how much they trusted in her and her recovery. She had to work hard on it, and with Shizuru by her side, it didn't seem like an impossible task anymore.
The luxurious car crossed the city in no time, now taking the couple inside it to their final destination.
TBC………
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Yoo-hoo!! Chapter 4 done!
I hope you liked it.
Thanks for reading and don't forget to leave a review!!
See you around!
Shezaei neko