Hey sorry it's been a while…I had a lot of work through my second year and also my friend/beta reader was busy with work so it's been hard trying to sort it out but we managed too cut down some chapters now so hopefully that will have more chapters coming up lot more quickly.

Also if any of you who dosen't know that I do have a deviant art profile, which has my drawings of my story but recently I've been drawing the comic for it all in color! So as soon as I finished coloring them I post them up don't worry the story is still proof reading and I already done the chapters up till 13 but it's still on going because im now onto 14! this is just a side project since I'm now finished uni until September.

Anyway I would like to thank everyone who has been reading my story so far and also the reviews too and I do apologies for being late hope that you still stay with us.

Enjoy the story

HowlingSilverWolf

Chapter 9

Visitors

It has been a couple of days now since Natsuki went back home. Meanwhile, back at Windbloom, Arika and Nina were in the Windbloom library when a letter came through from Garderobe that asked Arika and Nina to begin searching through the library to see if they could find any clues whilst Queen Mashiro and Aoi are preparing for the visit of Mashiro's fiancé. The library was kept clean and was filled with old journals and books from the previous past of the kingdoms along with myths and legends.

With a loud thud, Nina stopped reading and turned to her side seeing Arika on floor with books spread out.

"B-A-K-A! You should watch where you are going." Nina said in an irritated voice.

"Mou, Nina-chan is so mean to me." Arika pouted.

"Sometimes I do wonder how you became a meister at times with all the clumsiness you have." Nina shook her head in disgust.

"Hey, I'm not clumsy all the time Nina-chan." Arika said

"Anyway, give us a hand would you?" Nina asked nonchalantly.

"Hai Nina-chan!" Arika said as she got up from the floor and started looking around.

"Mou… Nina-chan…. do we really need to read into these books it feels like it's going to take forever with this plus what exactly are we looking for?" Arika asked pitifully.

"It's important to look through these books to see if we could find any information about the marks or anything related to the mission since the mission is still classified."

"Classified into what? I dunno what to classify!?"

"DUH! ARIKA! C-L-A-S-S-I-F-I-E-D meaning we aren't allowed to speak of it so freely around here! Didn't you read the report from the principal, you idiot!?" Nina glared at her.

"Well…errr jus had a glimpse of it…." Arika said whilst scratching her head unconsciously.

"Arika, honestly you need to work harder since you are the meister of the Queen of Windbloom." Nina scolded her.

"But Nina is here now! We both can work together." Arika said delightfully.

"Honestly, you are hopeless, idiot!" Nina said

"Mou… Nina-chan, you've been calling me various names already!" Arika said sympathetically.

"Coz you are a one- an idiot, two- a hopeless and three – a hopeless idiot!" Nina counted in her hands the reasons then shook her head in disgust.

"You need to relax more Nina. You're always working so hard!" Arika said as she crept up behind Nina and tickled her sides.

"KYAAAAAA!" Nina let out a yelp.

"OOOOOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPSSSSSSSSSS! PEACE!" Arika smiled with V-signs in both her hands.

"ARRRRIIIIIKKAAAAA! YOU'RE SOOOO DEAD!" Nina shouted angrily as she chased Arika like a madman. Nina saw a thick book and sent it flying to Arika's head.

"THUUUGG!"

"OWWWWWWWWWCH!" Arika splattered on the floor like a frog while holding her head which almost split into two.

"BULL'S EYE!" Nina removed the dirt in her hands as she sat down on Arika's butt.

"NINA-CHAN! GOMENASAI!" Arika pleaded while still holding her throbbing head.

"DAME DAME!" Nina shook her head while slapping Arika's butt.

"MOU….NINA-CHAN! GOMENE!"

"URUSAI!" Nina shouted.

The two are busy fighting that neither notices a figure watching them.

"Well, well well! You two don't seem to change at all! Both so energetic as always!" she said while clapping her hands. Both Arika and Nina both turned around and were shocked to see who the speaker was.

"NAO-ONEESAN! TASUKETE!" Arika pleaded with both hands.

"Nao-oneesama!" Nina was embarrassed as she quickly got up and bowed towards the Meister.

"What help do you want, Arika, eh?" Nao said.

"Because….because Nina-chan is torturing me!" Arika quickly got up and hid in the bookshelves before another flying object hit her head.

"URUSAI, BAKA! You started it first, you idiot!" Nina closed her fist in embarrassment and annoyance.

"BLLEEEEEEEEHH!" Arika stuck her head and stuck her tongue out to Nina who at the same moment, sent a thicker flying volume towards the airhead.

"THHHHHHHHHUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGG!"

"OUCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Nice shot, Nina! I see you're practicing with Arika together!" Nao praised Nina who was rubbing off the dirt in her hands and skirt.

"I will never practice with that airhead! Anyway, what brings you here, Nao-oneesama?" Nao suddenly inquired.

"You know how it is with columns, we get one mission after another." Nao said

"Nao-oneesama what are you doing here anyway?" Arika asked. Nao took off her sunglasses.

"Shut up Arika! I already asked that!" Nina snapped.

"Actually, I came to talk to Nina. I'm sure you won't mind whilst I borrow Nina for abit eh Arika? Don't worry, she will come back later and you can continue your practice with her." Nao teased.

"Pfft!" Nina crossed her arms in disagreement.

"Of course Nao-oneesama! I can take care of things here." Arika said.

"YOU BETTER BE!" Nina mocked her.

"Let's take a walk shall we?" Nao said

"Yes Nao-oneesama!" Nina followed Nao out of the library and walked down a long corridor until they reach an opening on the right side that led to the large garden inside the palace with a water fountain. Nao and Nina walked up to the fountain and rested there.

"So Nao-oneesama, I assume you are here just like last time…" Nina said.

"Yep, I came to see how you are doing. Don't forget that idiot principal told me it's one of my mission but I'm also here as your oneesama too, It's part of my duty to look after my younger classmates." Nao said

"Seems that being a Meister changed you a lot." Nina observed.

"Hmmm….what makes you think I've changed?" Nao asked.

"You start caring for others now. Before you were closed off and kept to yourself…. being secretive. But now you come up to see me, to check on me and we have these conversations even when you said that it's your duty but it seems you look more free now." Nina said.

Nao was shocked at first but then she started thinking and what has Nina had said was true. She started to talk more and more with Nina now and she dosen't know why but she even actually enjoying these conversations.

"That's one heck of an observation coming from you."

"Well, I mean it."

"Oh well being one of the columns, I don't get a master although I'm connected with Shinso. With a 'pain in the ass job' coupled that when the principal annoys you as hell and makes you do these annoying missions, I guess you can count these as reasons why people can do crazy things. But at least I get to have the freedom where I can come and go as I please." Nao said proudly.

"Do you want to get a master before?" Nina asked curiously.

"Hmm.. what do you think, N-I-N-A-chan?" Nao smiled amusingly.

"Please stop teasing me." Nina said in embarrassment.

"Well, at first I wanted to find a rich guy and get married to him and live peacefully rich but now my reason changed. I kind of like being a column now." Nao said.

"What makes you changed your mind?" Nina pressed.

"Why do you ask?" Nao raised one eyebrow.

"Well.. hmm…nothing… just curious…" Nina stuttered.

"Come here and I'll tell you." Nao said seductively.

Nina reMain unmoving so Nao pulled her close to her. Nina could almost smell the strong perfume of Nao due to their proximity. Nao smiled amusingly.

"You want to know right?" Nao looked at her in the eyes while smiling wickedly. She leaned close to Nina and blew hot air on Nina's right ear. Nina suddenly turned tomato red and started to back away but Nao held her closely.

"I'm falling in love with you, Nina!" Nao whispered hotly and slowly while Nina turned even brighter red and felt like she's swaying and would fall.

Nao still held her tightly and grabbed a chair to let Nina have a seat.

"Daijobu desu ka, Nina-chan?" Nao bit her lip to stop from laughing out loud.

"J-j-just w-w-what y-y-you told me…." Nina began to stutter more.

"Okay, I'm just kidding." Nao raised both hands defensively.

"NAO-ONEESAN!" Nina almost shouted in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry Nina, you're just too cute! Kawaii!"

"Geez, you never get tired of teasing me, eh?"

"Okay, okay I'm sorry. So tell me Nina how are you doing?" Nao asked sincerely.

"I've been fine, I guess. I've already got used to the Queen's activities now and with the help of Arika, I've been used to being an Otome now especially being with a master." Nina said.

"Have you spoken to your Sergey recently?" Nao asked. Nina shut her eyes quickly and looked the other way from Nao because the topic was still a sensitive subject which makes Nina upset when being mentioned.

"He sent me a letter a couple of days ago. He still doesn't remember things but he likes living up in the mountains now and can look after himself." Nina's voice somehow faltered.

Nao noticed that there was a hint of sadness in Nina's eyes when she mentioned her father. Nao sighed

"I'm sure that your father would be pleased to see what you've become today." Nao said.

At first Nina was shocked at hearing her comment. She smiled and looked up at Nao .

"Thank you Nao-oneesama." Nina said as she bowed down.

"Honestly can't you at least call me Nao?" Nao said as she scratched her head lazily.

"I'm sorry but it's just too weird to call you by your name without any honorifics. I will try and get better at it." Nina smiled.

"Anyway recently I noticed whilst I've been away that there's been a very important mission that you went on along with few other Otomes. I'm on my way back to Garderobe to get the details of it all. This mission seemed to be very confidential I wonder what must cause suc h a ruckus." Nao said. Then she noticed Nina's lips curved into a tiny smile and for some strange reason, she started to like hearing her laugh and smile more.

"What's so funny eh!?" Nao asked.

"It's just that I get this feeling that you might actually find everything funny from what they will tell you because it's something you would do." Nina then laughed a bit more until eventually she calmed normally. She doesn't act like this but she wondered why did she do it and also why in front of her.

Nao shook her head again before she looked at Nina and smiled.

"You know you should really smile a lot more. It's nice to see you so happy and to be able to laugh like that." Nao commented.

At Nao's comment Nina blushed again. She was about to say something when they heard a familiar voice shouting from the other direction coming towards the two.

"Nina-chan! We have to go and see the Queen. There are upcoming meetings that she needs us attend too." Arika said she came closer to them and stopped in front panting. It looked like she ran all around the castle. She looked up and noticed that Nao and Nina were both acting strange but she lost her thought when Nao interrupted her.

"Well I guess that's my queue to leave then and head back to Garderobe and report to the principal. I'll come back and check on you again.' Nao clapped Nina's shoulder.

Nina snapped out of her blush and bowed at her Oneesama.

"Yes of course thank you for taking your time to talk to me." Nina waved goodbye.

"Don't worry about it. Anyway it's been fun seeing you guys again take care." She said and then walked off with her right hand waving to the side as a lazy goodbye wave.

Whilst Nao was walking away Nina was still looking at her but now she started to get this feeling growing inside of her stomach whenever she's with Nao but she doesn't know what these feelings are. She quickly dismissed the thought when Arika looked at her weirdly.

"Ne, ne, Nina-chan, why are you all red in the face?" Arika asked curiously while Nina just rolled her eyes at her.

"I'm serious here, you just get slapped all over the face? Or are you sick? Did Nao-oneesan do something bad to you?"

"Shut up will you!?" Nina shouted out loud then started pushing Arika forward.

"Come on, Hurry up! We're going to be late if you carry on like this!" Nina demanded.

"Nina-chan is mean." Arika pouted at her.

Both of them went to where the Queen was. Along the way, Nina was ignoring Arika. All she kept on thinking was a certain red head she still didn't know why.

Back at Garderobe….

Outside of Garderobe, Mai, Mikoto and Mia got out of the car when they were being met by a familiar grumbling noise.

"MAI…I'm hungry" Mikoto said out loud while rubbing her complaining stomach.

Mai scratched head and sighed as she forgot about Mikoto's food obsession.

"You just ate about 20 minutes ago. We are here to go and see Natsuki. If you wait just a little longer then I'll be able to cook you something but for now we need to wait for Natsuki. She will be coming back today. A little patience Mikoto okay?" Mai asked.

Mia was giggling at Mikoto's antics whilst kagusutchi was leaning on her shoulder. She started to get used to Mai very quickly and she likes Mikoto's bubbling personality because from the looks of her mother, she enjoys it.

" Ara… now what do we have? It seems that we have visitors." A cheerful voice behind them said.

All three turned around and noticed that it was Shizuru and Natsumi standing with smiles on their faces. Mia went over to Natsumi and gave her a hug whilst everyone enjoys the interaction between friends.

"Natsumi! It's so good to see you again." Mia said delightfully as she was choking Natsumi in her hold.

"Mi..Mia…can't …breath!" Mia instantly releases her and apologized embarrassingly.

"Honestly, Mia were you just trying to kill me there?" Natsumi coughed a little.

"I'm really sorry Natsumi… I just got excited to see you again. I miss you… Don't you miss me too?" Mia asked genuinely.

"Don't worry Mia I'm also glad to see you again." Natsumi said trying to act cool, Mia giggled at Natsumi because she usually doesn't see the girl being honest with herself.

"Ara! Doesn't my little Natsu-chan act so cute!?" Shizuru piped in.

"Err….Mama I'm not cute. I'm cool!" Natsumi disagreed as she pouted and crossed her arms.

"Ara, How could I ever forget that although with Natsu-chan's puppy pout, it just looks so cute." Shizuru giggled.

Then she noticed that although Natsumi is keeping up her tough act, the little girl was turning tomato red.

"Mama!" Natsumi protested then everyone started laughing at Natsumi. When she was about to walk away, Shizuru walked over to her and hugged her from behind.

"I'm sorry Natsu-chan. I couldn't resist you. Actually you reminded me of your mother." Shizuru said in a sad tone that only Mai could pick up and saw the sad look on her face.

"Hey guys, why don't we go in and I'll cook a nice meal. I'll explain to you why we're here and also take Mia to go and see Yohko." Mai said to change the topic.

" Yay! Mai! FOOOOOOOD! Come to me! I'm starving to death!" Mikoto said at the same time her angry stomach growled again.

"Ara! That sounds like a good idea. I would help you in the kitchen then whilst Mikoto can look after Natsumi and Mia." Shizuru said. Then, they walk into Garderobe.

Meanwhile on the way back to Garderobe….

Natsuki and Alyssa were both on their way back by using one of Natsuki's long white car. Both of them were sitting in the back. Alyssa was typing away on her minicomputer whilst Natsuki was leaning her arm on the window, staring outside, lost in thought. Ever since she got back from her home, she's been upset about how everything turned out for her. She had to get engaged with a stranger whom she didn't even know. What's worse is that she will have to not only break Shizuru's heart but she can't be with Natsumi too. She can't give the family that Natsumi wanted. Although she wasn't sure if she was ready to be a parent but if she was with Shizuru, then she would know that it would be okay. However, with how things were going, it even looked darker for her.

"Onee-chan…. are you alright?" Alyssa said in an uncertain voice. She had never seen Natsuki this sad since that time long ago. Natsuki looked so deep in her thought. If only she could help her older sister but so far she hasn't come up with any conclusions.

"I'll be fine. I don't exactly have a choice in this matter do I?" Natsuki said sadly.

Alyssa just sighed.

"It's not me that you should ask that question." Natsuki said again and got Alyssa's attention

"What do you mean?" Alyssa asked.

"I will think of something to try and get out of this. Anyway, let's change subject shall we." Natsuki said dismissively.

Alyssa thought that she really doesn't want to talk about this anymore.

"Alright, anyway I assume mother told you that I won't be staying in Garderobe but instead I will be staying in Windbloom at the Queen's castle" Alyssa looked at her.

"W-what! I was never told of this! Why are you able to stay at Windbloom?" Natsuki asked with a shockingly.

"Didn't mother told you that when she used to come to do business at Windbloom, she would always take me with her so when she was in a meeting I would play with the Young Queen Mashiro. We are old friends although she is few years younger than me. We're still friends and we always send letters to each other. In fact, in my last letter, I told her I would be coming down and she insisted that I would stay at her castle. She will also be meeting her fiancé too so she wanted me to be there for support… I guess." Alyssa smiled sheepishly.

"Mother never told me any of that. Geez, I'm shocked to know that you and Queen Mashiro are old friends! Well maybe I should give you a bit of a warning then from Arika." Natsuki said.

"Arika? As in Arika Yumemiya!? One of Mashiro's Otome?" Alyssa asked quickly.

"Exactly! Just make sure you're careful around her. She can be a playful at times but she is a good, kind person and has good power inside her. She is just like her mother." Natsuki said while reminiscing.

"Who was her mother?" Alyssa asked curiously.

"It was Rena Sayers, the original owner of the blue sky sapphire and also the previous otome for the last king and Queen of Windbloom." Natsuki answered.

"I see… So Arika has decided to follow her mother's dreams. So cool!" Alyssa admired.

"But now with the help of Nina Wong, Mashiro's other Otome, they both make a good team in helping the Queen with Windbloom." Natsuki further explained.

"Mashiro always talks about Arika and Nina in her letters to me. She cares for her otomes very much. They are her friends and now I've seen her changed. She becomes a good Queen for the kingdom.

"Well I guess the Queen will feel exactly how I feel now but she's still young though. Well, I'm not saying that I'm old or anything but the Queen… although she's at the age to get married, I think she will want to find someone who she loves instead of being forced to marry someone else." Natsuki sighed in a sad voice

"Onee-chan…" Alyssa asked but then the car stopped outside of Garderobe. Natsuki looked up at her.

"Would you like to meet your niece? I'm sure Natsumi would love to meet you and also it'll be good for you to see Shizuru again." Natsuki asked changing the topic suddenly.

"Of course I wouldn't want to miss meeting my own niece now." Alyssa said delightedly.

They both got out of the car and started walking up the entrance into Garderobe. Natsuki looked around. She had missed it whilst she was away but she wasn't thinking about that right now though. All she was thinking about was how was she going to tell Shizuru everything.

Near Garderobe entrance…

A lonely figure wearing an old motorcycle suit was hiding away in the shadows waiting for the opportunity to enter Garderobe. The communicator went off then the figure picked it up and answered it.

"What's your current situation on the infiltration of Garderobe?"

"I'm outside of Garderobe as we speak but I'm waiting until the right moment to enter. The principal with an unknown guest is walking beside her and entering Garderobe."

"When will you strike?" asked the unknown voice.

"When they least suspect it. I'll wait a little while longer. Hopefully, until the unknown guest leaves I will soon strike…so most probably at night time."

"Good Il hope you will not disappoint in this mission I have assigned for you."

"Don't worry. I'll get the job done whilst you sit around on your lazy ass all day whilst some of us do our jobs."

"Heh… just make sure you get me results or else…." then the phone line went dead. The figure put the communicator back and then stared back at Garderobe.

"Well isn't someone a little grumpy today…" the figure said to no one in particular.

Meanwhile in Garderobe…

Natsumi, Mia and Mikoto were all playing in the living room and Mikoto was showing kagutsuchi to them. Mai and Shizuru, on the other hand, were in the dining room having a conversation and a cup of tea.

"Ookini Mai for that delicious meal" Shizuru complimented.

"It's no problem Shizuru you know how I like to cook. Anyway, I heard the news that your parents accepted everything about Natsumi so well?" Mai asked.

"Ara yes my parents were indeed shocked about it at first but then they accepted it well. Also they think Natsumi is adorable and they always try and make her blush." Shizuru giggled.

Mai laughed as she remembered a few days ago when visiting her parents once. They got used to her that they kept on teasing her so much. It's a surprise that she didn't faint.

"So Natsuki comes back today. Have you heard from her in the last few days?" Mai questioned.

Shizuru tried to compose herself before answering.

"Ara the truth is… I haven't heard anything from Natsuki"

" What! She hasn't called you or contacted you at all?"Mai asked surprisingly.

"That worries me too. Usually she would always call me and I thought she would like to check up on Natsumi too. She also missed Natsuki too… I have a bad feeling about all this…" Shizuru said.

"Don't worry I'm sure Natsuki must be busy with her family. It been a while since she last seen them so I'm sure she was spending time with them." Mai was trying to reassure her but she was also doubting Natsuki.

What the hell is Natsuki thinking not talking to Shizuru and Natsumi. I'm gonna kill that brat! Her behavior is really strange… Could it be with this whole situation… with the mission and Natsumi is Shizuru's and her child? She must be feeling awkward about all this especially having a child with your ex but Natsuki still loves her though. I thought this might be the perfect opportunity for them to reunite….Why did she break up with her in the first place? Something doesn't add up in here…something Natsuki is hiding from everyone.

Mai snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Shizuru speaking again.

"But shouldn't she be checking up on Natsumi? I thought she would like to speak to her on too?" Shizuru asked.

"She knows that Natsumi is in good hands and doesn't need to worry about her but once Natsuki comes back you two can sort this whole thing out." Mai said reassuringly.

"Ara… ookini Mai. By the way, you never told me why you came up to visit?" Shizuru wondered.

"Well it's about Mia. I want Yohko to run a scan again on both Mia and kagutsuchi."

"Kagutsuchi? Why do you need to run a scan on both?" Shizuru asked.

"Well I'm not sure exactly but Mikoto knows a lot more about this than I do. Apparently without both of them noticing, they somehow have this special link together now which makes them like partners. I'm starting to worry about it and Mikoto thinks that it will also happen to Natsumi and Diana." Mai said with a worried tone.

All of a sudden Mia comes running up to both of them in a panic voice.

" MOMMY! COME QUICK SOMETHING HAPPEN TO NATSUMI!"

As soon as Shizuru heard Natsumi's name, she bolted straight out of her chair and went straight with Mai following her. When they reached into the living room, they saw Natsumi collapsed in Mikoto's arms. Hearing both Mai and Shizuru coming, Mikoto quickly gave Natsumi over to Shizuru who held and tried calling her name.

"Don't worry Shizuru. She's sleeping but for now I think it would be best to take her down to see doctor Yohko." Mikoto said.

At hearing Mikoto's words, Shizuru felt a bit relieved though she was still very worried about her. Because she was unsure what has happened, she will have to ask Mikoto about it after but for now she must get Natsumi to Yohko.

"Ookini Mikoto. We need to take her quickly. Mai could you contact Yohko and tell her we're on our way and explain the situation to her too." Shizuru asked.

"Of course Shizuru leave it to me." Mai said.

With that, Shizuru carried Natsumi. She looked down in her arms to see Natsumi sleeping.

please be alright my precious Natsumi…