Disclaimer: I do not own Mai Otome.

Author's Note: Hello all. Thank you so much for all your lovely reviews. I tried to keep this one short, since there isn't much people-people interaction.

Disclaimer #2: I am not responsible for any facial expressions that get frozen on reader's faces…(non-refundable)

And yes, angst is coming, but it doesn't preclude lot's more fluff so don't get too worried. (all of you hopelessly sappy people.)

Kikyo4ever: So glad to see you here! (you were my first fic commenter ever!) Happy you liked it, and I wouldn't rule out Natsuki surprising Shizuru with a kiss quite yet…or winning for that matter. ;)

Also, in my head when I see Shiznat and shiznats' names I think of two chibi identical fangirls in my head. Is that weird? Ha.

Ch. 05 The End of Summer

Shizuru didn't have to wait very long before the car pulled up to the outer gates of Guarderobe. She stepped gracefully into the back door that was being held open, and situated herself for the ride as the driver placed her bags in the trunk. Although she had been able to see her parents on several occasions since she enrolled at the Otome Academy, this would be the first time in more than a year that she had actually been home. She was excited, but it was bittersweet. While she had been aware of the ephemeral nature of her time together with Natsuki, she couldn't help but feel a little reluctant to leave the place that had housed their brief interlude.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the car came to halt. As the door was opened she looked up to see her mother and father waiting at the front steps of the Viola Manor. Upon seeing her father her face lifted, and she had a rather childish urge to run towards him. She almost shook her head. Natsuki has surely left her mark on me. Then, like the lady she was raised to be, she smiled and walked towards her parents in a stately manner.

Crimson eyes met crimson eyes, and through them a deep understanding was passed between mother and daughter as polite greetings were exchanged. It wasn't just her extraordinary eyes that she shared with her mother. In almost every way Shizuru was like her. Her beauty, her grace, and the ease at which perfection came to her were all traits that Masami Viola had passed onto her daughter. However in spite of all this, she was truly her father's child.

She then turned to greet him.

"Good day, Father."

And for a second her humored her.

"Good day to you, my dear daughter."

Then he reached out and engulfed her roughly in his arms, ruffling her hair as her face awkwardly pressed against his chest.

"My precious daughter is growing up into a capable woman."

He held her out at arms length, as if to take a good look at her, and then smiling ruefully he sighed.

"In fact she is so grown up that she can't even give her father a kiss. How sad for me."

He pouted. Smiling, Shizuru stood up on her toes and pecked him on the cheek.

"That's more like it. Your mother and I wish to congratulate you on making Pearl No. 1, Shizuru. Didn't I always tell you that you could be anything you wanted to be? I can rest easy knowing I have such a capable daughter to follow in my footsteps."

"Thank you, Father."

Her mother spoke next.

"Dear, why don't we go to dinner? I'm sure Shizuru is hungry after such a long drive."

"Ah, quite right Love. Let's go."

He linked his arm with his wife's as they made their way inside. Shizuru smiled at them as they walked into the manor.

That night as she sat at her desk, she wondered what Natsuki was up to. She didn't know for sure (it had been an unspoken rule to not talk about their pasts), but she suspected the girl didn't have much in the way of a home. I could have invited her here I suppose. At first she laughed a little, thinking of how Natsuki would have reacted to her home life, but her face fell as she turned to stare at the reflection in the mirror. Her thoughts took on a on a darker note as she faced herself with lidded eyes.

"Shizuru Viola, you are nothing but an imposter."

Suddenly finding herself with nothing to do, Natsuki decided to walk around the woods. She enjoyed spending time here. It was peaceful, and even though she treaded the dense forest by herself, something about it made her feel as though she wasn't truly alone. It's familiar.

These past months had been a blur. She was so focused on mastering her lessons, staying in good physical condition, and fending off Shizuru's verbal attacks that she barely had time to sleep, much less stop and think about why she was here. A mere six days from now she would be moving into the dormitories and would finally be a student at the most prestigious academy in the world. She wondered how she would fit in. Probably not at all.

Intent on sorting her thoughts, Natsuki had allowed her feet to take her where they may. Naturally, it didn't take long before she found herself wandering the hallowed interior of the chapel. Dust hovered in the heavy air as the evening light beamed down on the wooden floor and benches. She thought back to the first day she came to this place, and how much life had changed since then. Considering her surroundings, her thoughts couldn't help but gravitate towards her summertime companion.

"Shizuru…"

The near whisper echoed into the stillness of the place.

Well, at least she knew she had one friend here, even if that person was a merciless demon masquerading as a well mannered student. She scowled.

Natsuki walked up to the front of the chapel and stood facing the immense amber window, wishing she could drown herself in the golden light. She took three more steps, positioning her face mere inches away from the words etched into the tinted glass.

She tried peering out through one of the characters. If only she could see things more clearly, then maybe she could figure out why she came here to begin with. After a moment she gave up and leaned one shoulder up against the thick glass. Ancient script projected clearly on the smooth skin of her face, skewing with the curve of her features. In order to get this close she had stepped up onto the shallow platform where guests placed lit candles and incense in memory of the dead. She was sure Shizuru would not approve. (Of course, in reality Shizuru would adore the way she had just been gazing out of the window, probably noting how the amber light contrasted perfectly with the clear green of her eyes.)

Walking away from the window, she ran her fingers over the stone placard that was set in the north wall honoring those others who had sacrificed their lives for Guarderobe. Her hand froze as she noticed for the first time a familiar name chizzled into the granite.

"Imeli Concordia"

Her mind raced as she took in the meaning of it all. …Mom? But I thought she died because… What!?

Quickly Natsuki looked towards the sky. It was still daylight; if she ran she might be able to make it to the lab before Saki left.

Anyone who happened to walk by the headmistress's office later that night would see nothing out of the ordinary. The tall double doors were shut and no light crept out from beneath them. However the truth was that inside a rather emotional dialogue was being played out in hushed tones between the headmistress and a certain blonde doctor.

"You can't possibly believe that Imeli would sell her only-"

"I will believe what I must Doctor, in order to maintain peace among the allies."

"How can you say that. It's her daughter, for goodness sake. She deserves to know the truth."

"We can't risk telling her anything that would make her want to leave the academy. You yourself said how talented the girl is. She's too much of a loose canon. It could mean international disaster."

The doctor looked towards the ground.

"You are right, Headmistress. It--just doesn't seem fair."

She sighed.

"I'm afraid fairness has nothing to do with it."

Meanwhile, on the dark streets of Windbloom City, a motorcycle sped dangerously along. If it's engine woke any sleeping citizens it's fading noise was the only trace it left behind.

Classified. Her grip on the bike tightened. Who do these people think they are?

The doctor had seemed surprised that Natsuki didn't know of the threats her mother had received while conducting research here. Apparently there were people who would go to great lengths for the technology Guarderobe housed. But when Natsuki grabbed the doctor by the collar of her lab coat and demanded to know names and details, the doctor sadly shook her head. Saki only apologized, saying that unfortunately the information was classified.

It had taken the rest of the evening to sneak back to the Icehouse, where her bike was stored.

"I will do whatever it takes to find out who killed her. And when I do…"

Light pulsed in her vision as she sped down vacant streets. She felt the familiar bite of cold steel against the small of her back where her pistols were pressed against her flesh. She glanced at her watch. It was getting late. She needed to find Yamada.

Next Chapter: School is in session. Be prepared to meet some new people!

To those of you with an opinion, I'm debating on how in depth I should go with Natsuki and Mai's friendship in this fic. If there are suggestions about this please let me know. We're going to be meeting her in the next chapter, so sooner rather than later