Hi all; hope everybody is having a very nice starting this year. Have my late wishes for a great year and my apologies for taking so long to updated this fic. I had sort of a tough time during december but now I am back. Lets start this year with this chapter, we are in the middle of the story and everything will start to get deeper and more intense by now. I had some time to organize and think about the whole story and hopefully it will be more constant in the developing.

Also I would to invite you to visit my deviant account for some fanart I am also doing and that I will keep updating as well until the story ends.

http : / / galadan-arcticwolf . deviantart . com / gallery /

Some fanart about my other fic and an update about it will come SOON... promise. Please remove the spaces and in case of any problem, visit my profile for the links.

Note: This chapter and the upcoming are VERY M. Please be aware of it. (Maybe the cold weather affected me...)

Disclaimer: Sunrise owns Mai Hime and Mai Otome characters. Dune is owned by Frank Herbert legal heirs. I only own my imagination.

Tears of Warriors by Galadan

CHAPTER 7. In your mistery

"Confine yourself to observing and you always miss the point of your life. The object can be stated this way: Live the best life you can. Life is a game whose rules you learn if you leap into it and play it to the hilt. Otherwise, you are caught off balance, continually surprised by the shifting play. Non-players often whine and complain that luck always passes them by. They refuse to see that they can create some of their own luck."

Darwi Odrade. Chapter House: Dune.

Aasgard, Imperial Capital, Hazakura House Home Planet.

It was the year 3027 A.M., Anri Hazakura was the 19th Emperor of the known universe since the 3rd Empire rose on 2012 A.M., and like many leaders after some centuries of peace and comfort, he didn't do anything to earn the title of Emperor. Everything was already conquered, everyone was already tamed, and all the targets were already reached. Anri only had to manage the family business: to preserve the most favorable status for the class in power. He believed that he did pretty well in his own opinion--mainly after the troublesome Duke Viola disappeared shortly after Anri's father, the 18th emperor, leaving him as the first son and heir to rise as the new Emperor and leader of the Hazakura House. Anri was a brilliant man but his mind and soul were corrupted by a false concept of life; the Hazakura's warrior legacy of having proudly fought and defeated Schwartz during the Dark Ages was dead long ago. The only proud warrior left on the Hazakura family was held by Anri's twin sisters, Ayane and Sakura, both of them Meister Otomes. The rest of his court was a crowd of useless flatterers only interested in keep their privileges and an easy life. The Imperial Army, once honored and feared among the Universe, was now weak and downsized.

When the young, clever and insidious Tomoe Marguerite made her appearance at the imperial court, Anri was caught by her poisonous personality. Sooner or later she became the official lover of the Emperor. After her adventure in Skáneland, Tomoe got an even more privileged position with the Emperor and now she was laying naked by his side after a very unusual lovemaking session where she let him subdue her.

"I love it when my Emperor takes me like that…" She said rubbing her breast against his upper arm and sliding a slender hand by his abdomen, teasing him and playing with the body hair in his lower abdomen.

Leaning on his elbow to look back at her and feeling his ego swelling up, he answered Tomoe as he got on top of her again, "I think I can get used to this."

"I can imagine so…" She said managing to slide a hand between their bodies while kissing him, massaging Anri's penis that was hard in less than a minute just by the thought of dominating Tomoe again. However, breaking the kiss she said, "But I am afraid it's my turn now…your Highness."

Saying that she squeezed his testes gently but firmly enough to take him by surprise. Pushing him, she moved him down on his back, straddled him, and quickly used the straps on the headboard to fasten him painfully by the wrists.

Anri was always amazed about how Tomoe could do those kinds of things to a man that was several inches taller and several pounds heavier than her, and the fact of having her dominate him like that, was intoxicating and exciting.

"Now I can give you the treatment you deserve …my imperial stud." She said kissing and biting his chest lustfully and getting down to his erection. Tomoe knew that Anri needed an heir and she was willing to offer one to him…after she became the Empress, but since he kept refusing, she was forced to keep working on Plan B. Maybe it was the time for the universe to have a powerful Empress in rule instead of an Emperor and his imperial consort.

After a couple of hours when Tomoe finally was on her way to her room, a dark figure showed up from the darkness of the corridor, pushing the Ambassador violently against the wall and proceeded to smash into her mouth with a kiss, while a knee made its way between her legs. Tomoe knew the taste in her mouth and the hands on her body too well. Ayane Hazakura, Anri's sister, and another peon of Tomoe's game of intrigues.

Breaking the kiss with effort since Ayane was a Meister Otome and was not easy to get free of, Tomoe said, "Ahh… that was unexpected, Ayane-chan. Were you waiting for me? I am flattered."

"Don't. Fool. With. Me…Ambassador," was the answer hissed on Tomoe's ear with restrained fury. "You told me I was the only one and up there, with Anri…"

"Ayane, you know I have to do that on behalf of our plan if we want to be together to the end. Don't be silly. You are the only one. Your brother can't compare with a Meister Otome like you."

"Our plan? I am the one doing the dirty part of 'our plan,' remember? I did what YOU asked me to do in Skáneland; however, all your attention and time is for him. You let him fuck you that way and…you liked it." Ayane said breathing heavily with tightened teeth, increasing the grip on Tomoe's wrists.

"She was watching us, somehow," was Tomoe's next thought, "I have to be very careful handling Ayane, she is not a fool, and I need her for my plans."

"Yes, I let him…but I didn't like it as you have said. I had to be convincing with him Ayane, he mustn't be suspicious…, but you have to know that no one makes me feel that way like you do," she said closing the distance between them with calculated hesitation and said with avidity "I was wishing that he could be or was you all the time."

Since Tomoe was crushed against the wall by the other woman, she only offered her half open lips to Ayane, who after a couple of seconds captured them in a hard kiss. With careful movements, Tomoe managed to move to Ayane's room, while the Otome was pulling off Tomoe's clothes along the way.

In the darkness of the corridor, a figure watched the whole scene with concern. She was the main reason why Anri was still refusing to marry Tomoe: Sakura Hazakura, Ayane's twin sister and the only person Anri truly loved. Sakura knew something really bad was going on between his brother and that "Ambassador" Marguerite but never imagined how bad it was until now. Ayane and she attended Garderobe together and both of them graduated as Meister Otomes to serve Hazakura House. The Imperial House was the only Noble House with five Meister Otomes and they were the only source of respect towards the Hazakura House as well as its main military power. Sakura was now happy that she kept all her doubts and suspicions against the ambassador to herself. If her sister was involved in whatever twisted plan Tomoe had, it wouldn't have been good for the Hazakura family. Ayane was always in conflict with Anri or competing against her, and she was sure that Ayane was an easy prey for the poisonous Tomoe. Sakura was considering her options, deciding to wait and get more information before asking for help. And she had only one option to choose from.

Looking at the closed door where her sister disappeared with Tomoe, Sakura tightened her fists with anger before disappearing in the darkness. Inside the room, Tomoe was making sure to give Ayane a very convincing love session where she made sure to surrender to Ayane in every way. It was not bad, but with her eyes closed, Tomoe was definitely imagining that the one fucking her hard like that was the beautiful and bewitching Archmeister of Garderobe, Shizuru Viola.

Skáneland, Castle Skánien.

It was the last day of Garderobe's visit at Skáneland. It was her last day with Shizuru and the morning found Natsuki at the castle library. Last night the Countess was barely able to get some sleep. After their gentle kiss on the cliff, she and Shizuru spent more time in silence, holding their hands and watching the sea. Natsuki didn't know what to say or do; she only knew that her heart was racing in her chest and a strange urgency was growing in her lower belly spreading warmness across her body.

Back at the castle, Shizuru walked Natsuki to her room but didn't try to get in with her or kiss her again. However, Natsuki could read restlessness in those red eyes, while Shizuru said goodbye and caressed her cheek with a finger like a feather. For the rest of the night, Natsuki became uneasy and anxious in her bed, bringing back the time of the kiss, imagining how it could go beyond kisses and wondered what caused Shizuru's restlessness.

Before dawn, she finally decided to go up and walked to the main library to look for the subject of her interest. The Kruger House's versatile digital database, which could connect with Garderobe's and Horus' universal mainframes through the most advanced stellar satellite networking system, soon flung out the results of her searches.

Natsuki was so absorbed watching the images and reading the files that she never heard the library's sliding door opening or noticed another presence in the room until the other presence spoke.

"That's a nice image," a deep voice pointed out referring to the image in Natsuki's screen picturing two women kissing passionately.

Natsuki almost jumped to the ceiling. Blushing furiously, she stood up and turned, blocking the screen of the terminal just to find a serious and formal Ray looking at her with serene blue gaze. Natsuki only noticed she was holding her breath when she released it.

"Dammit, Ray! Damn, I thought it was my mother." Natsuki said before she could stop herself.

Ray only arched an eyebrow in response.

"Well, you know, I…she may think me…But, no! I am…not," Natsuki stammered knowing that she failed miserably in whatever she was trying to say.

Imagining the reason of Natsuki's uneasiness, Ray stated, "You are the Countess, Natsuki. You can do whatever you want without giving explanations to anybody. Not even Lady Saeko."

"I…" Natsuki's jaw almost hit the floor hearing Ray say that. She was astonished, Ray was an Otome and Natsuki knew how much she idolized Saeko Kruger.

"Don't misunderstand me Natsuki," Ray said, breathing deeply and motioning Natsuki to take a seat again, sitting by her side too. Ray knew how Natsuki was feeling. Garderobe insisted that Candidates for Otomes have their own memories in different aspects of life, including sex or love, before taking the Otome way and linking with the GEM. Now, looking at her younger cousin, Ray remembered the first time she was worried about sex some years ago.

"I would never question Lady Saeko's authority or orders. However, besides being the Countess, you are a woman Natsuki. You have spent your whole life here, training and studying, thinking only in weapons, combats and politics. Sooner or later you will have to wonder about other 'aspects' of life that you also deserve to know….on a first hand basis."

Natsuki was speechless. Looking at Natsuki's screen, Ray added. "You won't find what you are looking for there."

Natsuki blushed again and tried to speak, to deny whatever Ray was thinking she was doing but nothing came out of her mouth.

"It's because of Shizuru-san, right?"

Now Natsuki's face was close to purple.

"Take it easy, Natsuki. It's ok." Ray said fearing Natsuki could have a heart attack.

"How did you know that?" Natsuki managed to ask finally, recovering slowly through Ray's serene presence and support.

Ray refrained from telling her that EVERYONE inside the Kruger Army was now commenting about last night's incident at the armory. A very excited Reito told her about it few minutes ago and that was when Ray decided look for Natsuki. Instead, Ray preferred to tell what she had seen. "Because the way you've been looking at her since some days ago."

"Well, yes. I was kind of researching about…" Natsuki blushed again and couldn't end the phrase because she couldn't convince herself that she was looking for information on how to have sex with another woman.

Breathing deeply, Ray only told her, "I was telling you that you won't find there…"

"I actually found some… info," Natsuki said shyly avoiding Ray's gaze.

"Yes, but not what you need to know."

"And what do I need to know, Ray? That Shizuru has the memories of dozens of women inside her and that sex has no secrets for her?" Natsuki said painfully.

"No," Ray said firmly after a short pause, and when Natsuki was finally looking back at her, she added, "No matter how many memories Shizuru-san has, she doesn't have any WITH YOU and trust me, she have never met someone like you."

"What you mean, Ray? What I am supposed to do if…" Natsuki interrupted her sentence thinking "DAMN, am I really thinking of having sex with Shizuru?!".

"I mean that you have to go out there and live it, Natsuki. Just do what you feel deep inside you. That is okay."

"But I don't know what to do Ray!" Natsuki almost screamed. It was awesome how the woman, who can lead an entire planetary army and stop an invasion on their planet, was panicked by the perspective of her first sexual intercourse.

"Just do like in a combat Natsuki." Ray said getting sudden inspiration. "In combat, you open your mind, soul, and body to the interaction with the other because your life depends on it. It's the same but in the opposite direction. Here your opponent is not trying to kill you but trying to give herself to you. Just let her."

As Natsuki remained silent, Ray added a final statement directly from her heart, letting all her dearness towards her cousin show in her blue eyes, "Looking for sex tips won't help you, Natsuki. You need to look inside you and face your feelings and desires for Shizuru-san. You can accept them or deny them. If you, as I believe, can accept them, then just embrace them, be proud of them, live them, and give a chance to Shizuru-san to live her own as well. There are no shortcuts, Natsuki; life has to be lived. You have to feel it in your own skin; nobody can tell you about it nor deny your right to live it."

Natsuki can't remember a time when Ray spoke that much to her before, maybe there wasn't even a "before." However, she was feeling more calm now. What Ray told her was something that her beloved father would have told her. She never felt something like this before and Ray was right; Shizuru was always looking after her, even if she didn't have to do so. Nobody looked at her with the intensity Shizuru did or smiled at her as she did. Natsuki noticed that the smiles the Archmeister gave her were different than the ones she gave to the others---different even to her mother or Shamrock-san, who were somewhat close to her. Those smiles from Shizuru were priceless to her. Yes, Ray was right; she should give Shizuru a chance.

Smiling back at her tall cousin, Natsuki said, "Thank you Ray. I never imagined it that way. Thank you very much."

Looking back at Natsuki and realizing that what she had told to her cousin applied to herself as well in regards to a certain untamed, green-eyed Column, Ray said, "Anytime, Natsuki."

Babylon, D'Artai House Native Planet

Sergay Wang walked inside the spacious studio finding Baron Nagi D'Artai looking through the window towards the dark mountains under Babylon's gray sky.

"Highness," he said as introduction, standing a couple of footsteps behind the young man. Baron Nagi was, like Natsuki, twenty years old, but unlike the Countess who was trained as a warrior and soldier all her life, he was a delicate and refined slender man. Wiry enough just to be manly elegant. The Baron used to say that the use of his body for something other than physical pleasure was unnecessary. He had all his bodyguards -or Sergay- or his entire army for those matters. He was the mind, and they were the muscle.

"Sergay…what juicy news do you have for me?" He asked with a tuneful voice without turning his head.

"The arrangements for your meeting with Schwartz are almost complete, Your Highness. We will use the visit to Aries as an excuse for the trip and the use of the portal. Once we are there, our contacts will give us the meeting point coordinates. We will have little time left, but it should be enough."

"Perfect, Sergay! You are efficient as usual."

Since Nagi didn't looked back at him at all, Sergay cleared his throat, trying to find the best way to expose his concerns.

"What is bothering you my dear Sergay?" Nagi asked finally looking back at the other man like a cat playing with his prey.

"Well, Baron… I am not sure about the convenience of this meeting. The position of the House of Artai is at risk. On another hand, I don't trust those guys."

"I don't trust them either, Sergay. Nor do they trust us. You know they are using us and that we are not the only ones they are using, but unlike our 'conspiracy allies' we are not as predictable as they are."

Sergay kept silent, trying to understand what his master meant.

Laughing softly, Nagi continued, "Sergay, Sergay don't stress your mind, we will have our share on this party. Everyone else, that Krauxeku pervert, those ambitious traitors inside the Imperial House, and Schwartz itself….everybody wants the party all for themselves. What a shame, don't you think?"

With a cold shine in his eyes, Nagi continued, "I, on the opposite, want the party to include every single citizen, country, and planet on the known universe. That's what is really right for everybody, isn't it? Do you know what is the name of the party am I thinking of, Sergay?"

"Imperial power?" Sergay guessed knowing that the Artai family was the first noble family to hold Imperial power in the first millennium of A.M.; power that was usurped by Schwartz giving birth to the Dark Ages, bringing the fall of grace and dishonor for the Artai House for the upcoming centuries.

"No, Sergay, that's so worldly; that is only what our allies want: to preserve the status quo--just to change the hand that's holding the reins."

Not giving a second chance to his lieutenant, he stated "The universe is stemmed Sergay. Men no longer have motivations, reasons to live for--or to die for. They are too comfortable even in their misery. They could be already dead, but soon I will bring a new reason to their meaningless lives. I will bring them the first Universal War. I assure you Sergay, moistened with the blood of chaos, the Artai House will thrive."

Now Nagi was smiling again and Sergay, finally hearing a word he could plentifully understand, smiled back at him. War. If his master was getting ready to shake the Universe a little, that was a game he can surely play with the same joy.

Skáneland, Castle Skánien.

Late that afternoon, Shizuru and Uma Shamrock were walking towards the Kruger Main War Room for their last meeting before their departure. Uma was talking about the important points to emphasize, but Shizuru had only one thing on her mind: Natsuki. She will finally see Natsuki again.

Last night she had to use all of her will power to restrain the impulse to tighten the young Countess in a passionate embrace. The intensity of her own desire surprised her. Shizuru barely slept, trying to disperse the disturbing images of entangled bodies coming recurrently to her mind at first chance. She was an Otome; she wasn't a slave of her passions. But her passions were stubbornly trying to prove otherwise.

"Are you listening, Shizuru?" Uma Shamrock asked, looking intensely at her with almost identical, red eyes.

"Yes, Headmistress." Shizuru assured Uma, restoring her diplomatic mask. Not even Uma, who was the closest she had to a family, could suspect her weakness. What Shizuru's heart feared the most was Garderobe's strict code, which demanded Shizuru to stay away from Natsuki. No weakness can be tolerated for Garderobe's Archmeister; it was too dangerous for Garderobe's survival.

Still not completely convinced, Uma had to accept Shizuru's answer since they were already at the War Room's doors. With one last gaze, they announced their presence and got into the room. Only the main Kruger Family was there, Haakon, Saeko and Natsuki.

Haakon stood up, and smiling, approached Shizuru, greeting her cordially, "Good afternoon, my dear." Natsuki was still surprised at her grandfather's courteous behavior towards Shizuru, but she was no longer jealous. On the opposite, she was happy; maybe it was a good sign. She couldn't say the same for her mother's behavior.

Uma was ready to be ignored by Haakon. However, to her surprise, the tough man bowed slightly to her direction as greeting and helped both women to take seat at the meeting table.

During over than two hours they recapitulated the attack to Skáneland, the recent discoveries of Yohko and her team about the Schwartz spaceship, the enhanced soldiers, the prisoners, and the strategy for the upcoming danger they know was coming.

"So, Yohko-san is sure about it? And what was the name of those things again?" Natsuki asked frowning; she hated not knowing about their enemies and being unable to get any useful information from their two prisoners yet.

"Yes, based on the information Horus found on the spaceship, it was a Krasnikov cruiser, a bit old but modified to have five times more space than current Krasnikov ships. Definitely they are created for massive transportation." Uma Shamrock said and then looked at Shizuru for the rest of the information.

"The most concerning issues related to our attackers are those soldiers, Countess. Schwartz' code name for them is 'Krieger'. According to Miyu-san it means 'Warrior' in the old Schwartz native tongue. Yohko has confirmed an unknown kind of nanomachines in their bodies and is still analyzing them." Shizuru completed.

"It sounds too much like Kruger." Natsuki said with concern, not knowing exactly why.

"The migration from ancient Earth included several breeds, Natsuki. Our family is one of the oldest. It is a fact that Schwartz didn't come alone. They were part of the same migration and separated themselves sometime during the way." Saeko said. Only the Otomes could have the memories or the knowledge to sight the ancient origins of Schwartz and even they, didn't know enough.

"That's exactly my concern, mother. Who are they really? Where are they now? And most importantly, what do they want? We don't know ANYTHING about them!... Except that they want to erase us from the face of the universe--that we know at least!"

"Schwartz has ruled the universe using Artai's façade during the Dark Ages, and those were centuries of sorrow and fear, Kruger-san. Humankind paid a high price for that mistake. No matter what they are or what they want, we have only one choice: to destroy them." Uma Shamrock stated severely.

Natsuki interchanged a gaze with her grandfather. The Krugers disliked authoritarians and closed positions, knowing the enemy and what they wanted was the key to defeating them. She was amazed that Shamrock, Garderobe's leader, could not see that.

A gesture from Haakon in their secret hand language appeased Natsuki enough to continue with their discussions. They had to deliver the prisoners to the Imperial Court since the attack wasn't to Kruger House only; an Imperial Ambassador was there as well. Shizuru and Saeko won some time, but they were running out of it.

In the end Shamrock conceded, "There is something Schwartz and it puppets have always wanted, Countess Kruger. We talked about it when we have first arrived."

"Materializing power." Natsuki said somberly remembering the battle. "And they almost got it, according what we had to face."

"The power to Materializer is the final destination, and it's not that easy to reach it. To really get it, they also need the knowledge of the Garderobe protects."

They agreed that in the timeframe of a month a group from the Kruger House will travel to Wallach IX with the prisoners and altogether Garderobe and the Kruger House would travel to Aasgard to present the prisoners to the Imperial Court. In the meantime, Yohko and Miyu would stay in Skáneland trying a scientific approach with the prisoners in order to get any useful information. The rest of the Scientifics' group would be back at Horus with data to analyze there; Garderobe will search for all Schwartz's references they could gather and the Kruger House will prepare a war strategy. Despite their careful preparations, neither one of them could imagine the real extent of the shadows that was rising at the horizon.

It was close night when they ended. Uma called Saeko for a last talk and Natsuki took advantage of the situation to disappear, motioning Shizuru to follow her.

"Ara…my Countess, this is almost kidnapping," Shizuru said playfully, trying to throw off her concerns away by following Natsuki. It was their last night in Skáneland, and their plan was in motion; there was nothing else to do but to enjoy her last hours with Natsuki.

"Shizuru!" Natsuki said blushing.

"If Natsuki kidnaps me, I have no other choice but to surrender." Shizuru loved how Natsuki's blush increased at the tease and knew it was for her eyes only. Then, with some surprise, Shizuru found they were standing at her dorm room's door.

"I have a surprise for you," was all Natsuki said still blushing and motioning Shizuru to open the door.

Raising an eyebrow and keeping her smile from growing on her face, Shizuru opened the sliding door. When entered they the room, she held her breath looking at a small table in front of the balcony covered with white linen and illumination from two Skáneland candles. On the side, covered trays gave her a hint of Natsuki's surprise: a private dinner for two.

Letting her smile show up plentifully for Natsuki, Shizuru turned to her. "It is beautiful, Natsuki. Thank you very much."

Entering the room and closing the door behind her, Natsuki said, "I am to one who has to say thanks, Shizuru. You have been very kind in taking care of me these days. I…I really…"

Knowing Natsuki was running out of words, Shizuru approached her giggling, "Ara… my Countess should be very hungry since she can hardly speak," and holding Natsuki's arm amorously, she dragged her to the table.

They were alone, so Natsuki finally surrendered to Shizuru's playful mood, "I am certainly hungry even though our recent talks haven't helped my appetite…" Natsuki couldn't say more since she found a slender finger pressing against her lips.

Locking her gaze with Natsuki's, Shizuru only denied slowly with her head and getting closer, Natsuki froze, feeling Shizuru's proximity and smelling her scent. From the candle lights, Shizuru's eyes had a more intense red at some angles and Natsuki was lost in them.

Shizuru was debating between her inner voices, which warned her because of the intensity of her feelings and the painful need to touch Natsuki. Shizuru's inner struggle was interrupted when she felt Natsuki's lips parting and thinking Natsuki wanted to speak, she tried to move her hand but was stopped by Natsuki's hand keeping hers where it was. With the same movement and with her eyes never leaving Shizuru's, Natsuki gave soft kisses to the finger on her lips and afterwards, to Shizuru's palm. The Otome had to suppress a gasp when she felt the wetness and smoothness of Natsuki's inner lips. She was dying to feel both in her mouth.

The small gesture was but too much for Shizuru to handle and was enough to shut down all her inner concerns. With a slightly broken breath, Shizuru slid her right hand from Natsuki's lips to her scruff, pulling her and grabbing Natsuki's waist with her left arm, opening her mouth to catch Natsuki's lips in a first passionate kiss.

Natsuki was overwhelmed; it was different from their first kiss. She was feeling Shizuru's mouth moving, tasting her lips as if it was some exotic fruit, as if she was dying of thirst. Soon, she felt Shizuru's tongue joining the caresses and that sent a ray of heat through her body. The small core burned between Natsuki's legs and soon throbbed wildly when she opened her mouth and start tasting Shizuru's lips in the same way.

During the kiss, Natsuki interlaced her hands in Shizuru's hair, feeling the other woman's trembling hands moving, exploring her back and hips carefully but keeping her closely embraced. After long minutes kissing, they separated breathing deeply with brilliant eyes.

"The dinner will get cold…" Shizuru tried in a last attempt to regain control but Natsuki's answer was to slide her hands slowly from Shizuru's shoulders to her waist, passing lightly over her breasts and taking her time caressing them on her way down. Natsuki was fascinated by Shizuru's breasts; it was the first time she touched another woman like that. A suffocated moan made her lift her gaze to find a slightly blushing Shizuru, almost causing her to lose the grip of her desire. "Natsuki…"

Whispering Shizuru's name, Natsuki jumped into the void of desire deciding that she would go all the way with the Archmeister. This time it was Natsuki who caught her mouth hungrily, fitting her body tightly into Shizuru.

Lifting Natsuki easily from the floor like the previous night, Shizuru carried her to her bed, only releasing Natsuki's mouth when she was lying on top of Natsuki and was exploring the soft skin of her neck, fulfilling her lungs with the scent of her dark hair. Shizuru's hands were opening Natsuki's front coat, leaving the white skin of her chest exposed to her mouth. Removing Natsuki's coat completely, Shizuru was concentrated in kissing Natsuki's shoulders, exploring with her mouth and tongue the sensitive areas of her inner arms, leaving wet traces from the elbow to Natsuki's collarbone and neck and then back to the half-open lips again.

Natsuki's breathing was getting more intense with every second, feeling Shizuru's caresses and the sensual body moving on top of her, so when Shizuru pushed her knee between her legs, Natsuki was unable to suppress a very feminine moan of pleasure at the intimate contact. The sound caused a shiver in Shizuru, who wanted to hear more, a lot more of those moans; however, a sudden and unexpected call to the door made them jump in surprise, breathing heavily.

They were looking at each other disconcertedly when the call was repeated at the door insistently. Natsuki, following an impulse, stood up impatiently ready to kill whoever it was outside and dared to interrupt them.

Shizuru, taken by surprise by Natsuki's movement, only could voice part of her concern while tried to regain the control of her senses, "Wait, Natsuki…we are…"

"What the hell do you want?" Natsuki said with a restrained but angry voice to the figure outside the door. Like a camera zooming out, Natsuki held her breath, paling and blushing furiously when she recognized the figure of her mother standing at the door.

Saeko's jaw transited from slightly open with surprise to severely tightened with anger, while the understanding finally reached her brain just by looking at her daughter guise, the brilliant eyes, the disordered hair, the blushing face. A quick glance inside showed her the intimate dinner scenario and a hurriedly composed but still overwhelmed Shizuru walking cautiously towards the door. All her Otome's senses were telling Saeko what was happening there before she arrived.

"I was expecting to have a talk with the Archmeister, Natsuki. That's 'what the hell I am doing here.'" Saeko said to her blushed daughter, ending with frozen tone, "May I do so…Countess Kruger?"

There was no way getting out harmless from this one. "Why did I screw up everything so badly, dammit!!!" Natsuki turned slightly to find a now serene Shizuru approaching, giving her one of those beautifully comforting smiles. Then, Ray's words from early in the morning came back to her mind, and Natsuki realized that she had to assume and embrace her feelings towards Shizuru. She couldn't let her mother intimidate her or blame Shizuru. It was her decision to be there. Steadying herself, she faced Saeko.

"Yes mother, of course you can talk with the Archmeister. Just…give us a minute, please." Natsuki said in a gazes duel with her mother for some seconds before turning to Shizuru, walking back to the bed to grab her coat and then approached the Otome.

"I will see you later, ok? Maybe we could have dinner then, Shizuru?" Natsuki said caressing Shizuru's cheek slightly.

Shizuru felt as if her chest was going to explode but managed take Natsuki's hand and answered steadily. "Yes, Natsuki that would be great."

After one last caress, Natsuki walked towards the open door and stopping for a last gaze with her mother, she walked out to the corridor.

After a couple of seconds watching her daughter walking away and steadying her mood, Saeko walked inside Shizuru's room and closed the door. Looking into her intense red eyes under the candle lights, Saeko stated seriously after a pause.

"Now Archmeister Viola, it is time for you and me to have a serious talk."

___________________________________________________________________________

End for now guys! Hope you liked. Stop by and drop your comments. Thank you very much for reading.

Atlantis... I am very sorry, your favs are coming next chapter just as you like them and I promise it will be next Thursday. I am fixing some things.