DISCLAIMER: Mai Otome and its characters are Sunrise property.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Due to her transmission over the GEM comm. system, Natsuki Kruger's reputation will probably take quite a few hits. All of the research done for this fanfiction, starting with children's names, will start to pay off.
Our Legacy ch7
Two days later, Garderobe was crawling with many returning alumni and some outsiders who came with their Otome partners. There were so many famous Otome present that the students barely were able to contain their glee. There were also a few more nosebleeds than usual, from some of the more sexually inclined young girls. All of their control was lost to them as certain idols of affection were now within reach.
There were three students, the Trias, who seemed almost oblivious to the parade of Otome. More often than not only the First and Second Pearl were present, but the Third ranking Pearl had other duties off campus that took precedence. Right now she was with them discussing Erstin Ho.
"I think Erstin would have been totally wrapped up in this Nina," Arika said looking out the window at the crowd of women now gathered, out in one of the courtyards, just talking with people they had not seen since they were students.
"Ers would have been the first student to try to sign up. She loved her family almost as much as us…" Nina nearly choked on her words.
"Truth to be told Nina, you were all she ever really spoke of. I think Arika took a little of that when she arrived, but you were always first," Irina said going to stand next to Arika, who was wearing her Meister uniform, "I will miss your braids, Arika, but this look suits you much better."
"Thanks Irina. I think we should go down and try to help keep the students in line, what do you think?" Arika asked trying not to look at Nina, even though she just wanted to hug her right now. This happened every time Erstin's name came up.
"Irina, could you leave us alone for a minute?" Nina asked not trying to hide her pain. Irina looked at Arika as she nodded her consent and then she left them. Irina leaned against the door before leaving; praying silently that Erstin's love would guide their hearts to an understanding.
"She was right you know…what Irina said about you and Erstin? I love you both and every day I regret her sacrifice," Arika said, looking at Nina, as both girls were now allowing their tears to fully wash over their features.
"I carry her note with me as a reminder of everything I lost with her…" Nina choked by her tears, pain becoming almost unbearable. Miss Maria had been right about regretting her choices.
"I…I saw the two of you embrace, once when I was supposed to be sleeping you know. It was nice that you had her comfort, even if you and I could never be that close. When we were up there falling, I remembered that moment and it was all I could do to be your comfort in her absence," Arika said feeling all of that pain, from Nina as acutely as her own.
"Sometimes I think I will never be able to forgive myself. Then I see her face or remember us on the side of that hill," Nina said letting her tears finish their journey down her face before trying to compose herself, "I wanted to ask what you thought of this new breakthrough and if you had spoken of it with Mashiro yet."
Arika blushed as Nina said this, because yes they had talked about it, but not in the capacity she knew Nina meant. Arika's feelings for Mashiro were still only just making themselves known to her. If there was something she was afraid of it was those feelings. Nina just smiled sadly understanding that Arika was slow with these things.
"Be honest to yourself, Arika, and don't be blind. If there is something there between you and Mashiro don't wait until you can't say it to her. If you can learn anything from me, or about me through this, learn from my mistakes," Nina said putting her hand on Arika's as they sat finishing their talk. Arika cried a little and Nina just held her hand until it passed.
"Shall we join them?" Nina asked and Arika nodded as they headed to the door. Arika took Nina's hand and pulled her into a fierce hug.
"Thank you, Nina."
"Thank Erstin instead, I do every day."
Natsuki had yet to come down from her office. Shizuru stayed with her even though she knew it was only adding fuel to the fire. Word reached Shizuru that Ahn had arrived, with Sarah, and she really wanted to go greet them. Yukino and Haruka were also present; all had been extremely quiet, and subdued through most of the morning.
"Look at them, Shizuru, they're all smiling and being themselves," Natsuki said as she was buttoning her pants before going to the window. Her top still needed to be buttoned, but Natsuki was in no hurry.
"It is nice to see them being just women and not worrying over the politics," Shizuru said now standing beside Natsuki, finishing her last few buttons.
"I hope that the compatibility doesn't play too much of a factor for some of these women. Oi…" Natsuki said nearly jumping out of her skin as Nao was suddenly right in front of them holding up a sign.
ARE YOU DONE YET? Hahaha, it had been signed by nearly everyone outside.
"I do believe we are being called out to greet our sisters, Natsuki. I have one question for my puppy though. What is your answer to my question from last night?" Shizuru asked as she smiled and waved to Nao. She then pointed to the door behind them, to indicate that they would be arriving soon after.
Nao taped the sign to the window and then left them alone. As they headed for the door Natsuki just smiled.
"Of course I have an answer for you. If it is to truly be my decision, then I say we name the child, Shiori Kruger."
When Nao got back to the crowd, she found Sarah and Ahn with Haruka and Yukino. This was quite the interesting sight as everyone seemed to be dropping the pretenses of their usual public faces.
"Mission completed as asked. The idiot was just getting dressed in front of the window as usual. They should be out soon, if Viola has any say," Nao said smiling at the group.
"Good because I owe that woman for ruining the mood the other night. I hope someone has a camera because she is going to pay upfront," Ahn said winking at Sarah and then Haruka, whom both understood completely.
"Mai is around here somewhere taking pictures of the troops," Haruka said looking around to where she had last seen Mai.
"Do you mean groups Haruka?" Sarah asked and Yukino nodded. Haruka looked at her and only smiled playing her part. The malapropisms were sometimes intentional and few close friends knew this. Sarah knew that Haruka did this to bait her and as usual it had worked.
Mai came back their way and said hello to both Sarah and Ahn, thinking how nicely they seemed to blend together. She held up the camera to ask, but received a nod from both. As Mai prepared the shot, Ahn turned kissing Sarah just as Mai clicked off the shot. Quite a few heads turned, as twice as many wolf whistles, and some actual howling greeted that kiss. Mai had blushed right along with Sarah and a few of the students could be seen reaching for hankies to staunch the blood flow.
"I guess you really aren't shy are you?" Mai asked as she looked at Ahn.
"Keep close because Kruger is going to need a few hankies before I'm done. I would like a picture to commemorate the moment," Ahn said wrapping an arm around Mai's waist and leaning very close to her ear.
'So very like Shizuru or is it so very Ahn?' Mai wondered remembering the relationship Shizuru had once had with this woman.
"Speaking of the whipped pup, here they come now," Nao said rejoining the group, wanting a ring side seat for this embarrassing Kruger moment.
As they got closer, Sarah and Yukino smiled, Haruka and Nao were both looking impatient smirking evilly, and poor Mai prepared for the moment. Poor Natsuki …
At this same time, both Nina and Arika were joining the group, not understanding what they had happened to come across.
"Natsuki, good to see you have been taking care of Shizuru," Ahn said calmly to Natsuki winking at Shizuru.
"Ahn…" Natsuki said just as the woman slipped past her and grabbed Shizuru for a deep exploratory kiss that caused three nosebleeds in the present company. Mai snapped off three quick pictures. The first was the kiss, the second pic was Natsuki's gusher of a nosebleed, and the last was of Nina and Arika reaching for their hankies, unprepared for the moment.
When Ahn let go of Shizuru, she handed her a hanky to add to the small collection that was coming their way for poor Natsuki. Haruka and Nao had both draped theirs over Natsuki's head as they burst into fits of uncontrolled laughter. The sight was that much more embarrassing for Natsuki, as she and two of her students were caught in complete surprise.
"Even after all these years Shizuru, I thought that libido of yours would have broken her in properly by now?" Ahn asked smiling at a still very flush Shizuru who was trying to stop Natsuki's nosebleed in the process.
"If that had been Natsuki you just kissed like that, I would have needed the hankies instead. You are still very amorous Ahn, not many people can say they can control that," Shizuru nodded toward poor Nina and Arika, who were laughing at themselves and at Natsuki. If they had looked around there were a few others putting away their hankies blushing.
When Natsuki recovered, both Haruka and Nao stopped laughing for a moment, only to start up again. Mai now had Mikoto attached to her side and the woman motioned for Mai to lean closer, only to plant a long breath-taking kiss on her while she cupped one of Mai's breasts. Once again Natsuki shot off, but this time she had company from Sarah and quite unexpectedly Nao. Nao grumbled about 'stupid nose' and stepped away. Once again the cheering started and Ahn just had to wonder what Mai had been feeding Mikoto in order to earn such attention.
"I thought I had that wrapped up, look at that. Someone might want to lay her on the ground with the amount of blood she's losing…Oi someone might want to help poor Arika, too," Ahn said as Arika nearly hit the ground and Mikoto finally came up for air, giving Mai second thoughts about heading back to the mountain.
From the ground, Natsuki whispered something that only Shizuru could understand coherently before blushing and putting a hanky to her own nose. Haruka couldn't say anything at the time; Yukino was pinching off her nose also. It seemed no one had ever suspected these two were so deeply into each other. Sarah recovered not long after Haruka and looked at Ahn.
"I thought I was a lucky woman the first time you kissed me liked that, wow," Sarah said as she offered her hand to help up Arika. Haruka pulled up Natsuki easily and conceded to her own weakness as Yukino put away her hanky.
"Mai, when are we going to eat? Soon I hope or I will have to find something else to keep me busy," Mikoto said looking at Mai who was now turning a deep crimson as Mikoto's hand made its way to the edge of her skirt.
"Ask Natsuki, Mikoto, as she is supposed to be the hostess of this little get together," Mai said praying that the hand stopped or she would be materializing rather quickly to avoid anymore onlookers.
"Natsuki…food?" Mikoto asked leaning very closely and then wrapping her sharply on the head with her staff, "That was for the other night. You were very naughty interrupting my count…"
"Speaking of which, you interrupted or nearly killed most of the women here. What were you thinking Kruger?" Haruka asked as a crowd started to draw in closer, wanting to hear the explanation.
Suddenly someone shot by them all to grab Natsuki, taking her high above the gathering. When Natsuki saw it was Miss Maria she turned pink and mumbled a quick Thank You.
"You should be thanking our Blessed Lady and some quick thinking from Yukariko. If I had not been with you at the time of the announcement to see the punishment you were already receiving from Miss Viola, you would be falling right now. I was told to inform you that the students want to cook outdoors today. Sort of like a roast, because of the large group," Miss Maria said glaring at Natsuki and then the group below them.
"Those girls are going to need help. They might burn down the campus in the process," Natsuki said, thanking Fumi secretly that Maria had been present with Yukariko, "We are going to need volunteers or we will need to draw up a lottery."
"I will be the bad guy for this and have Yukariko help me with a lottery for the rest of the week. You do know we will need more food right?" Miss Maria said taking Natsuki back down safely, "You will owe me for this Miss Kruger."
Youko and her friends arrived to see Miss Maria drop Natsuki safely next to Shizuru before de-materializing and walking away. Many of the women watched her go, looking like an overgrown group of enamored fangirls. Next to Youko, Moira was nearly jumping up and down in place like a fangirl.
"The Eternal Recurrence Jasper, so cool…" Moira spoke barely above a whisper while Drue rolled her eyes.
"Yeah go figure, Moira is still a fangirl. She has some favorites among the younger groups too. I find some of them beautiful specimens of human nature and the woman I happen to fall in love with has a bookshelf in her office of Otome figurines she has collected over the years. You might want to keep her away from Miss Maria and from the Infinite Wisdom Azurite, as I may not be able to control her actions," Drue said good naturedly smiling at Moira.
"Ahn Lu is here and she is a terrible flirt. We may have to keep our eyes peeled," Youko replied finding this a little too humorous.
Drue interlocked her arm with Moira's before replying, "Otome or not, Moira is mine body and soul. I have nothing to fear except maybe a little impropriety."
"Then let's go introduce you to these women personally. I hope you got enough sleep as you can see the size of this crowd is more than twice what I expected," Youko said smilingly as she lead them through the crowd.
An hour and a half later, the lunch lottery for the day came up. The entire crowd groaned until Miss Maria shot them her look, which deflated the groan, and sent Moira into a giggle fit. Fangirl indeed…
As the list neared closing, Miss Maria motioned it towards Yukariko who nodded. Turning back to the group, she announced the lottery would end with Arika Yumemiya. There was a collective gasp; most had heard that the young girl could not cook.
"Arika will be helping with the service and cleaning crews for the rest of the week, unless you force me to rethink my decision," Miss Maria held the group hostage with that statement. When she walked away laughing openly and wickedly escorting off Yukariko, the entire crowd was left dumb struck except for Moira who once again whispered, "So cool…"
Mai couldn't believe she ended up cooking anyway. It was mainly because fire was her element when materialized and she could easily start the roasting pits to be used. Mikoto was not far away lying against the same tree as Nao was. The Fourth Column was napping also and they looked like matching book ends to Mai. The entire lottery cooking staff had changed clothes quickly before returning. Someone had brought out a volley ball that was now dangerously making its way through the group, until it reached Miss Maria who had materialized again and speared the ball with her rapier. Natsuki wondered who was at the system board to keep granting Miss Maria materialization access, until she realized that Irina Woods was nowhere to be seen.
"Oi Shizuru, what exactly did you tell Irina?" Natsuki asked trying to keep a running count of how often today the woman was in her youthful state.
"You can blame me, Natsuki. I have Maria on voice recognition for the whole week, to keep the group at large in line. She is the only Otome here who can stop you all dead in your tracks with just a word or a look. Just like you were school girls all over again," Youko said finally making her way to their group.
Drue firmly held Moira by her side as they spoke with Ahn. She greeted both women with a slight kiss on the cheek. Thankfully the only alcohol on campus was well hidden prior to Ahn's arrival, though even without it she could be a deceptive flirt. They spoke briefly of the Otome collection Moira had, Ahn and Miss Maria being the only two Otome on the top shelf, before leaving to speak with another group.
"I hope I can survive my first night home. After all that fangirl like attention her ego is going to be rather imposing tonight," Sarah said while Ahn was distracted by some of the students asking for her opinion.
"Enjoy the ride dear. The woman is uncontrollable in those situations," Shizuru said looking at Sarah smiling knowledgably with Haruka behind her. Haruka nodded also before bending over to kiss Yukino then returning to her pit next to Mai's.
As Ahn sat down once again, Sarah kissed her hoping to focus her attention back to the group, and deflate some of the ego. It temporarily worked until the young fangirls returned to serve their meals.
After everyone ate, Youko and her friends took turns talking to the group at large from an impromptu podium. The plans for the week ahead would include a work schedule to put up a makeshift lab, storage facility, and an area for the beginning rounds of testing. Youko thought they would need to bring Miss Maria forward and was pleasantly surprised when they didn't.
The group at large was more than happy to help in order to move things along. They would set the pace needed in order to finish before the end of the coming week. A schedule for the building crew and it's to be announced members would be released in two parts tomorrow. The first would handle the more arduous task of construction, while the other group would care for implementation of its interior.
The group then started to disperse to points unknown. Afterward half would be returning to the school for the night, while others would be staying either in Windbloom Castle or their countries local embassy. Thankfully there was little mess to be found, Arika and the cleaning crew were able to clear it away with relative ease.
Nina watched as Arika seemed to fidget while working, trying to postpone her return to the castle. Nina approached Arika to calm her down, when Mashiro was seen watching from across the courtyard. Mashiro was smiling sweetly, with Aoi and Chie not far away, speaking with Youko. Mashiro waved to Nina as she approached Arika, who momentarily dropped her head then broke into her easy going smile.
Nina decided to avoid them for Arika's sake. She had to fight the urge to smack Arika and throw her into Mashiro's arms with many explicit words of their foolishness. Nina headed for the gazebo to be alone. The cancelled school week left her way too much free time to think of Erstin. If only wishes could bring her back, Nina knew she would never let her go.
Back on the mountain for an afternoon nap, Mikoto lay with her head nestled to Mai's bosom. Mikoto softly asked if this was truly Mai's wish. Mai knew that Mikoto was special beyond her simple imagining could define, so she answered most firmly yes. Mikoto took Mai's hand into her own and closed her eyes. Mai on the other hand, took to imagining a little red headed Mikoto running around with the cats, and calling forth a fire barrier to protect herself from any harm.
Mai wondered where that thought came from. Mai then looked down to see that Mikoto's eyes had gone red and she was just staring at her. Mai wondered what it was that Mikoto was showing her, just as she suddenly felt her hand on her thigh signaling Mikoto's intention to be with Mai. Mai looked down once again to see amber eyes waiting for Mai's okay. Though Mikoto would be the one to initiate their contact, it was always only if Mai was allowing.
What Mikoto had shown Mai, so briefly, had to have been a possible future she told herself, before she drifted off to sleep satisfied and feeling safe. Mai was not really sure, but by the time she woke later the image and its memory would be gone. While Mai slept Mikoto felt a presence come towards them pleading for help. Mikoto knew she was the only one who could help, but it would change part of the natural order. Would Mikoto grant this spirit's return from the other side?
Mikoto got up and went outside to greet the young woman this spirit so desperately longed to be with once more.
"Is it true, that you can help bring her back to me?"
"There are limits to what I can do and for how long I can do them. Would you be happy with just a moment, I can feel the burning desire to be with her in your heart? There is also desperation to join her beyond this life… you must decide but not now. She is no longer present, so you must leave and make your decision." Mikoto turned and walked away once again eyes glowing red. This was not part of her powers that Mikoto liked to use as it brought her closer to the long dormant power that allowed her to be here.
The young girl walked down the mountain path back into the city, not following any particular route, she was lost as Mai had been two weeks ago. Live with the possibility of brief happiness or join her beyond with no guarantees. That was some choice, but she did go to the Nekogami out of desperation, even if it was with free will. The girl did not want to be lonely anymore. If the possibility of children in the here and now was true, then she would take her chance with brief happiness. Instead of going home, the girl wandered about the city until she came back to the mountain path looked up, then finally returned home to her bed, and the long night of tears that awaited her.
