Okay, so maybe it wasn't the next day or so, but here is the next chapter. Don't forget to R&R!

Disclaimer: As we all know, we don't own Mai-Hime or Otome, nor Amy of the characters, as much to our displeasure. Enjoy!

Chapter 10- All cards are shown
_

Natsuki shook her head back and forth, trying to get the bandana off of her and after a splitting headache, it worked. It fell off just like that, then Natsuki was seeing more than 5 sets of bars. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back and took in deep breaths to clam herself down so that she would not puke. Finally, she regained her stomach and she opened her eyes, looking down at the stuffed animal that was thrown harshly at her. She looked at it, past memories flowing into her as she just stared at it. It was like she was in a trance but not. She moved against the chains, but was thrown back and she was slammed against the wall. She winced out in pain, then she felt an invisible pain come hitting her right in the face. She yelled out in pain, then she held her side and winced out. She looked about, but no one was hurting her. Then that's when the big one came. She sat there, holding her pain when she felt it. She felt as if her body were on fire. She screamed out, clutching her body and tryong to regain her cool, but it did not work. She kept screaming out, then spitting up blood. She suddenly stopped and she fell to the floor, ignoring the pain of the chains.

Saeko called upon Dhuran, the nightly black wolf coming up from the ice shards. Saeko smiled as Shizuru then wavered an emotion called fear. But as soon as it came, it left and was replaced with anger. Shizuru gripped the red handle and swung at Saeko, but Dhuran came running in. Dhuran swims its tail hard at Shizuru, making her slam into the wall. Then Saeko quickly came up and punched her right in the face, then she fended off the inevitable Dhuran. She held him up, gelding him by the jaws, almost ready to rip it apart when she heard Saeko.
"Dhuran! Load silver cartridge!"
She looked to she the wolf's red eyes glare then leaped back as the duo pistols on the back began to shift and two large bullets came into the guns.
"Fire!"
The guns set off, going straight to Shizuru and she was late to defend it off. She thrusted her sword in the direction of Saeko, but one of the bullets defended it and the other struct her. It struck her hard and good. She screamed out, but not for long. Soon blood came from her mouth and she passed out, leaving her back to her original state. Saeko took a deep breath, closed her eyes and she called away Dhuran.
"Reito, seems like there appears to be new plans."
Saeko thought to herself as she tied up both Reito and Takeda. She dragged them all the way down into the cellar, but down the extra floor. Into the dungeon that was hidden underneath the castle, Saeko tossed them upon the floor, then locking the door and throwing the key out the window. She went back, and glad that Reito had the king tied up and had his sight blinded as well. She began to breath in fast, making herself seem like she was in a hurry. Soon, she was out of breath and holding the key and she ran to Natsuki's cell first. She shook on the bars, jerking Natsuki awake.
"What? Mom!"
"Natsuki oh god! I'm so happy to see you."
She fiddled with the keys until she reached hers and opened the door and ran straight to her daughter and pulled her in a tight hug. Tears began to form at the corner of her eyes, then falling onto Natsuki's shirt.
"Natsuki, I've missed you so much. God it's been heartbreaking to be apart from you."
Saeko said in between sobs. After Saeko released her, Natsuki held her, crying onto her.
"Natsuki, we've got to go. Reito is not whom he seems."
"I know that mother. He trapped the king, the princess, and me. I have no idea where the princess has went, but the king is over there."
Natsuki jerked her head in direction of the king and Saeko nodded her head.
"Okay. Lets hurry. I passed the princess on the way over."
"Really?"
Natsuki's voice held excitement as long with worry and her mother let that slide as she opened the kings cage. She released him and they ran and ran. They made their way into the hallways, finding Shizuru lying against the wall. They picked her up and soon they were off. The moon was set high in the sky, and the group of four were running fast in the forest. Natsuki stopped, remembering that this was the area of her place that she had her one an only 'getaway'. Saeko and the rest stopped with her, Saeko looking at her with curiosity.
"Natsuki, we have to go! We can't stand around here!"
Natsuki didn't reply, but turned to look at her mother.
"Mom, there is something that must say."
"That can wait! Right now we have to go."
"This can't wait!"
Natsuki shouted then looked away from her mother.
"Duran!"
Her mother gasped out lightly, not getting a response from the others as Natsuki waited and she looked around. Soon, the sound of wings flapping were heard. They looked around, and soon they heard a horse 'neigh' out, and they turned around to see a black horse, with pitch black wings. Saeko smiled softly, to hide her evilness behind her alluring smile. She dropped the smile and pretended to be in shock, for the creature that borne wings had never been born for over thousands of hundreds if years ago. And to think that it was still alive. Saeko wondered where her daughter always went whenever she left and when she went and tried to follow her. But it still never happened. The horse landed and Natsuki looked over to Saeko.
"Mom, this is Duran."
Saeko looked the horse up and down, then she 'hesitantly' walked towards it. (honestly, she wanted to run off with it herself.) Saeko did a small smile, full of happiness that was clouded with anger for it. Only the horse knew that. It snorted, starting to back away when Natsuki went and tried to clam it down.
"Natsuki, take the king and queen first."
Natsuki looked at Saeko, curiosity in her dark emerald eyes.
"Well, uh we need to make sure that the royalty is taken care of, is that not right?"
Saeko asked, looking at Natsuki. Natsuki slowly nodded her head, then she helps the king and Shizuru on. Then the horse took off, with the three flying away. Saeko turned around, placing her hand under her chin and she began to ponder.
"Natsuki, she has found this Duran. I wonder how looks it will take for her to full control it?"
Saeko pondered as she went to the spot of grass the horse stood on. She went over, exited the foot prints and instead of finding a hoof print, there was a wolfs paw indented in the soil. Saeko brought out a magnifying glass and she looked at it closely. That was until she heard wings flapping in the distance and quickly shoved it into her pocket and went back to here she was. Natsuki came back, which didn't surprise her, but it was the fact that she didn't bring Shizuru with her. Saeko nodded and 'hesitantly' approached the horse again, trying not to scare it then Natsuki held up a hand for her mother to hold onto and she did and Natsuki pulled her up on the horse.
"Duran! Lets go!"
The horse neighed then jumped up on two hooves and started running to the cliff. Soon, the wings tucked by the side of the horse came stretching out, expanding to their full size. Then it began to beat an beat, and they soon were off ground. Saeko held onto her daughter as she looked around. Nothing but the clouds and the sky surrounding them. Then she saw it. What looked like a small island in the sky. Then the horse landed, leaving them on the island by themselves, which pleased Saeko.
"We're here mother."
"Yes. Um, could you go and send a message to Alyssa and Miyu? I'm sure that they are worried about us."
"Sure mother."
Natsuki said with a hint of sadness at the sound of Alyssa's name. She got off the horse and helped her mother off then she led her to the cottage that was there. Nice Saeko went in, Natsuki took off before giving a sincere look to Shizuru and running off. Saeko looked at the two uneasy, but she excused herself and quickly went into the nearest room, (which luckily was the guest room) and she sighed and sat in the chair and leaned back. She took off her glasses and took a paper from her notebook in her pocket and pulled out a pen. She began writing on the paper, then satisfied with what she wrote.
"The plan to finally rid Natsuki."
Saeko said to herself as she re-looked over the plans.

Natsuki rode on Duran's back while they made their way into the city. She went straight to her house, knowing that Alyssa was there. She stopped in front of the three story houses and ran up to the door. She began to knock, (knowing her, she don't have a key) and soon Miyu opened the door, along with Alyssa clung to her leg. Once Alyssa saw Natsuki, she let go of Miyu and ran straight to Natsuki, engulfing her in a big hug that almost made Natsuki fall back.
"Onee Chan!"
"Gah!"
Natsuki put her arms around Alyssa, (practically pried her off) and she took her off of her and placed her on the ground.
"What's wrong Natsuki?"
Alyssa asked with worry in her voice.
"Everything. In the world of the humans, I got captured and mother helped us escape. I don't know but they seemed very knowledgable on us night creatures. But the humans that have captured us, well, their from the royal family."
"WHAT?! The royal family? Natsuki what did you do?"
"Hey! I-It wasn't my fault!"
"Then how did it start?"
Alyssa asked in an annoying tone. Natsuki soon blushed and looked away mumbling to herself as Alyssa got even more cocky.
"Oh? Don't tell me you fell for the prince or something."
"No! It's not like that. She came to me first!"
"SHE! NATSUKI WHAT THE HELL! DON'T TELL ME THAT YOU MESSED WITH THE PRINCESS!"
"Hey! I'm right next to you! And I told you, she started it. Now I got in this predicament."
"This sounds like a misinterpreted meeting."
"Exactly."
Natsuki mumbled then looked around. She noticed something when Duran began to neigh, then running away. Natsuki stood completely silent, then the sound of rushing feet began to fill her ears, then next thing they knew they were surrounded by hundreds of men wearing metal outfits. The had sword and shields ready for action, then the one on the horse came speaking up.
"What did you say? Something about Princess Viola?"
"N-No. I was talking about my princess. You know, the l-l-love of my life that's all."
Natsuki replied uneasily with the glares she got from the army. The man did no buy it, but he certainly tried to outfox her.
"Then may I ask what her name is?"
"Uh, her name is uh,"
Natsuki looked around, not meeting the mans dark pink eyes, then he smiled a wicked smile.
"Times up~"
He said in a mocking tone as he raised his sword at Natsuki. She raised her arm, letting it get cut in the process. She fended the sword off of her arm, holding it as she yelled out in pain. He smiled wickedly, then armed himself again as something grey flashed across, bestowing a large sword in his abdominal. Alyssa made a smile then went up to her.
"Good job Miyu. Now dispose of the unwanted."
"Yes lady Alyssa."
She took off to the large group of people, Alyssa running over to Natsuki.
"Quickly, lets go. Get Duran ready."
"How do you know his name is Duran?"
"I've only seen him once, but I remember you calling him Duran so, I just assumed that was his name."
"Smart little sis you are."
"Miyu taught me that trick."
Natsuki shrugged then they ran off once an opening came into. Miyu was left behind, buying them time to run away. Duran came running back, Natsuki wrapped a hand around Alyssa's waist before throwing her onto Duran's back and putting herself behind Alyssa. She quickly held onto Alyssa as Duran began to run even faster, his large back wings began to unfold, flapping them frantically to lift them off the ground. Natsuki took a look behind to see them overpowering Miyu, which was quite a shock. Natsuki clenched her bleeding arm and jumped off as Duran was already making it in air.
"Natsuki! What are you doing?!"
"Alyssa! You need to go to mother! Hurry! Duran!"
The horse neighed one more time and flew off as Natsuki readied herself and summoned fire to her.
"Miyu! Get out of there!"
She didn't even need to reply. She leaped away, leaving all the men confused until they ears the roaring of fire consume them. They began to scream, their armor not helping but getting hotter and hotter to burn their skin off. She looked over to Miyu and nodded her head when they took off. But one came running up to Natsuki, engulfed in blue flames as he was already losing his face. Already melting, he let out a low scarce scream before lunging at her, wrapping his arms around her leg, having her burned in the process. She screamed out, Miyu looking back and dashed to slam the guy off. He fell off, his arms already melting off. He screamed out, his face looking like a bloody skull, and it really was. His arms were burning to a crisp, while he stopped moving. Natsuki was being carried bridal style by Miyu, her ankle to shinbone was burned, bleeding while Miyu was frantically running away. She looked around and saw the fading black figure of Duran in the distance. She grunted and looked down to Natsuki before running faster.

Saeko grumbled as she heard the sound of horse's hooves and she took a peek out the window to see her beloved adopted and experimental daughter. She smiled grimly for a moment. Just a small moment that was all needed to concurrent up another plan for the wicked Saeko. With the horse out of the picture she knew what she can do. She ran outside, her face with a sadden expression and tears forming at the corner of her eyes at the sight of Alyssa when she dropped down from the horse. Alyssa also became full of tears and ran straight to Saeko, who hugged her like she never saw her in years. Tears were surfaced, Saeko hugging her child before looming ahead to see that Natsuki hasn't come back before Saeko smiled yet again, before she put her hand behind Alyssa more firmly, with a small gun before pointing it at Alyssa's head whispering a soft, "Mommy loves you Alyssa. Mommy loves you."
"I love you too mommy."
And that was it before she pulled the trigger, not making a sound as all you heard was a soft gasp then the wetness of blood was felt upon her as Alyssa fell back, blood flowing from her face and Saeko had a shocked expression as she looked at her daughter. Her dying daughter. Then the sound of an arriving Miyu interrupted her thoughts, already shoving her gun in her pocket.
"L-Lady-"
"ALYSSA!"
Natsuki yelled out before the house behind them blew up.

Please don't hate! R.I.P Alyssa!