Disclaimer: Mai Hime/ Mai Otome still and forever will not be mine. If it was, I wouldn't bother myself typing DISCLAIMER!! And yeah, if it was mine, Natsuki wouldn't be thick headed and would agree on going out with Shizuru right after she confessed! No MaixTate, Erstin is not going to die… hmmm what else… AHH! Miss Maria would have someone to date! Wahahaha!

thanks to all who read the previous chapter. heres another update! hope you like it.

Chapter 11

The rain poured hard on the two angels in the middle of the street. One was sitting on the pavement; the other was standing slightly behind her. No one could tell that the two were angels, to whoever that might see them; they just look like ordinary humans… hurting, suffering.

After seeing that the young cupid was certainly not in condition to walk the rest of the way home, Midori decided to teleport them, it's the only thing she can do in this situation. They appeared in the center of the living room, their positions were the same when they left the street. Both were drenched, making a little puddle of water under them. Erstin burst in the room with towels in hand, reaching one to the Cherubim while she decided to wipe Natsuki herself.

Just by touching Natsuki, Erstin could instantly feel what her Teichou was feeling. Pain, excruciating pain that no flesh wound could be compared and this was just a small amount of the actual emotions that was being channeled to her. "I..Ittai" The blond assistant whispered as she accidentally dropped the towel she was holding. Natsuki was still sobbing, her head hung low, trying to hide her tear stained face from everyone.

"Is.. is e…everything ready?" their teichou whispered shocking everyone.

"Yes it is Natsuki-neechan, we are prepared and ready to leave at any given time" Alyssa immediately answered, a little shaky than she hoped. Her face is no longer stoic but one that sported worry and concern.

I guess HE knows what's good for me better than myself… I shall forever trust YOU with YOUR decision and to YOU I shall trust my heart. Wiping her tears off, Natsuki stood up from the floor. Her eyes scanned the whole room. They have been in that apartment for merely 3 days yet a lot has happened. She remembered their first food disaster, the kissing spree, and oh Shizuru didn't even get the chance to visit this apartment yet" she thought. She approached the kitchen area and sat on one of the stools. She touched the smooth surface of the counter and then laid her cheeks on it.

The others were gathering their belongings in the living room to get ready for teleportation. In no more than 5 minutes, everything was piled up in a small heap in the middle of the room with the four angels standing beside it; eyes on a certain bluenette who was still sitting by the kitchen counter.

Midori cleared her throat. "Uhmm Natsuki… It's time"

The angel who was dazing off instantly snapped and lifted her head from the counter. She gave the kitchen one last look then stood up from the stool. She looked at Midori who was staring back at her. Natsuki gave a small smile, signaling that she was fine and there should be nothing to worry about.

The walk towards the center of the living room was by far the hardest walk of her entire existence, considering the distance was just roughly about 2-3 meters away. This is it. This short distance she was going to walk will mean everything to her. Once she gets by Midori's side, its time to say goodbye. Goodbye to this imperfect world, goodbye to those innocent people, goodbye to good friends and finally, goodbye to the person that has shown her so much more than merely seeing everything from above.

"Natsuki" Midori again called when she noticed the young bluenette stopped on her tracks.

"Yes, I'm coming" she instantly said. And then she stepped forward. With each step, a feather was being shed from her wings, a single tear drop falls. I am not leaving or shedding these memories because I want to forget, But by leaving a part of me, I hope they carry my memories to all of you and especially to you Shizuru. I hope it stays with you, in your heart forever.

Alyssa was reduced to a crying kid by this time; Miyu was comforting her, trying her best not to cry, though tears were starting to fall from the corner of her eyes. Erstin was sobbing on her towel being comforted by Midori.

"Neh, Erstin-san, d..did you bring the c..cookies that Yukino-san and Haruka-san gave us?" the little blond said between hiccups.

Erstin just nodded, not finding enough strength to answer back, and then she sobbed even harder. The moment Midori broke the news to them, Alyssa was the first one to fall down on the couch and cry. Her being stoic and emotionless was long forgotten. Erstin went to the kitchen and grabbed the cookie jar and the recipe that Yukino gave her. Hugging the jar, she joined Alyssa on the couch and her crying. Miyu was the one who packed almost everything, but Midori knew that the Power was sad judging by how slow she was moving.

At last, Natsuki was at Midori's side, her eyes swollen from the crying. Midori raised her hands to start the teleportation, but before they disappear from the room, Natsuki gave a bow. May we see each other again. It has been indeed a wonderful experience. Thank you very much. Sayonara.. And with a snap that echoed in the entire room, there was a blinding white light that vanished the instant it came. All that was left was slightly wet rug and the feathers, as white as snow being carried by the wind to its destination.

In Fuuka Dormitory

Mai and Mikoto's room:

The two was deep in sleep, the younger one clinging hard on the orange head. Their faces show happiness, happy to be in each other's arms. On Mai's study table, a white object, whiter than snow, was lying on it, sparkling against the moonlight.

Haruka and Yukino's room:

Sayonara…

Haruka and Yukino woke up when they heard something. Soft wind blew gently across their room, carrying a single feather with it, landing quietly on the carpeted floor.

"Did you hear that Yukino, just now?" Haruka immediately asked as her eyes met Yukino's.

"Yes. Who could it be?" the brunette eyes landed on the feather that was lying on the floor. Yukino got up from her bed and went to pick the white object. "Look Haruka-chan, it's a feather." Holding up the said object before Haruka. "I somehow felt this feather gives off a familiar feeling"

Haruka also got off her bed and took the said feather from Yukino. "Yeah, should we keep it?"

"I have a strong feeling that we should"

Presidential Suit:

Shizuru tossed and turned in her sleep. Her ever calm and peaceful sleeping face is now full of sadness. She lay on her back; her left hand was beside her head while the other hand was over her stomach. As the wind blew through her slightly open window, a feather sailed with it and gently landed on her chest. A single tear drop falls from her eyes as she mumble something in her sleep.

"Please don't leave me"

The next day, the occupants of the Fuuka dormitory woke up to a wonderful morning. The sky is clear, the birds are chirping, the students bustling outside the building and the smell of coffee wafted through the air. Shizuru was the first to wake up and was already down the canteen, drinking her usual tea and reading the newspaper. She loved this part of the day, since most of her fans/admirers had classes in the afternoon; they barely went to the canteen during this time. Shizuru would use this time to just sit back, relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the place, until of course Haruka comes down (with Yukino) and eats breakfast.

And indeed Haruka did just that, thundering her way to the canteen with Yukino in tow. After hearing Haruka's not-so-quiet canteen entrance, Shizuru looked up from her newspaper. She and Yukino made eye contact and the two immediately offered each other a warm smile. The blond proceeded to make them coffee while Yukino approached the Kaichou.

"Good Morning Shizuru-san, do you mind if we join you?"

The older brunette's smile grew wider. "Of course! You shouldn't be even asking". She always loved the company of those two.

Yukino muttered thank you and then seated herself in front of Shizuru. The two were talking about random things until Haruka joined them after a while. While quietly sipping her coffee, Yukino somehow couldn't shake the feeling that she was missing something. Haruka noticed this and gave her friend (ahemSecretLoveahem) a nudge. "Are you ok?" she asked.

Yukino looked at her and gave her a weak smile then she shifted her gaze to Shizuru.

"Neh, Shizuru-san, Haruka-chan"

"Hmm?" "Yes?"

"Are you also feeling that something is missing?"

Haruka nearly choked on her coffee while Shizuru gave her a surprised glance. Yukino did hit a bull's eye.

"Why did you ask?" The older brunette asked as soon as she composed herself. When she woke up that morning, she did felt something was amiss. She even rolled all over her bed and hugged all her pillows just to shake off the feeling.

"Well, when I woke up this morning, I felt like I was waiting for someone to come. I don't know who it was or who they were but…"

"I know what you are trying to say. I too had the same pilings."

"Its feelings Haruka-chan" .Yukino corrected.

"That's what I said. I have a sudden urge to eat cookies" Haruka grabbed a piece of cookie that she ordered from the canteen and shoved it into her mouth.

"It's just probably the weather. Today is especially beautiful and maybe its making us want to spend it with our special person" the younger brunette added.

"Maybe…. maybe…" Shizuru just made herself believe what Yukino just said but thinking about it now, she didn't have anyone in particular to share the day with. Or was there?

The day went normally. The three spend most of their time in the student council room with Mai and Mikoto occasionally visiting them. They had placed the weird feeling at the back of their minds since they don't know what it was. They continued to live like they should, not remembering about two young blond cupids who loves cookies so much, or a cyan haired girl who has a stoic face but a has a caring deposition. The spying in the park, the picnic under a tree or a certain blunette giving not just her first kiss but her heart to a mortal, nope, none of them would remember that one day in their lives, they have been touched by angels.

"FU-JI-NO!! are you even listening to me!!"

"Of course I am Suzushiro-san, like I said; I am approving your proposal"

"The birth rate has been stabilized, though there are still some minor problems but its something that we could fix ourselves" Reito said as he finished his report to Midori.

The said cherubim nodded. She was quite satisfied with the results. "Very good, that is good news Reito-kun"

"Thank you Midori-san."

"Anyways, how are Natsuki and the others doing?"

"Alyssa and Erstin are fine, though they seem a little sad, they fully understand and trust HIS decision. Miyu is back with the Powers."

Once again, Midori just nodded at the information.

"And the Master Cupid" Reito continued.

"Yes, how is Natsuki?"

"She is having a talk with Saeko-san right now"

"Okay then, thank you very much. That would be all."

With that, Reito exited the office. Midori was extremely worried with Natsuki when they first arrived. Though the angel was smiling, she could still see sadness in her eyes. She immediately went to her fellow cherubim to report or rather, seek her advice towards this. Saeko was more that willing to help. She had been worried sick about Natsuki when she first heard that the Master Cupid has finally found her better half, not to mention a mortal.

Natsuki and Saeko sat on the bench just outside the CD Division head office (Natsuki was more of lying on it rather than sitting). It's been a while since the two had this time together. The last time they did this is when Natsuki became the new Master Cupid. The cupid had her head on the cherubim's lap while the latter stroked her hair. It was a very affectionate moment; one that Natsuki needed badly this time.

"Nat-chan" Saeko whispered as she shifted her attention to the angel at her lap.

"Hmm?"

"Do you want to hear a story?"

The angel in her lap gave her a questioning look but still nodded anyway. "Sure." The Cherubim shifted in a more comfortable position before starting her story.

Saeko's narration:

Long time ago, there was a Master Cupid. Even though she is the Master of love, she has yet to experience it. She did have the love of her friends and family, yes but she has never been IN love. Then one day, one of the Cherubims had assigned her to a mission. She was best known for her accurate and superb shooting skills, she is the Master Cupid after all. Her mission was to aid the Power with their battle with the lesser demons. Since most of the Power that time was sent to Earth to guard humanity, a few were left to vanquish the demons that roamed around.

She was partnered with one of the best Power during that time. He was best at doing his job, but one angel alone could not face a fleet of demons. The two worked together, eventually became close and you very well know what happens next?

-End of Saeko's narration-

The young blunette pondered a bit then gave her answer. "They fell in love?" The cherubim smiled.

"Yes they did. Their love helped them through every battle that they went to, ready to sacrifice one's life for the another"

"Life? But I thought we angels are immortal?"

"Yes we are"

"But why are you saying about sacrificing life?"

"Ahh… Yes we angels are immortal but we do have a life. If our desire to live stops, that is where our life ends. Being able to breathe is just a connotation of life, but the true meaning of it is far from just being able to walk on solid ground. When I said "sacrificing your life", it means that the absence of the person you cherish the most, will be the beginning of not living life. Do you get me Natsuki?"

"Yes, sort of"

"And do you know what is eternal love?"

The cupid sat up so she could digest everything that the cherubim was saying. She thinks that every word the older woman says is vital to her hearts survival. Eternal love? She thought.

"No, will you tell me?"

The Cherubim chuckled. "I can't"

"Oh" Disappointment was apparent in her voice. Natsuki slumped on the bench, her thoughts ran back to the person she wish to see that very moment.

"As much as I want to, only you could explain to your self was eternal love is" Saeko continued.

"Huh?"

Saeko stood up from the bench hinting Natsuki its time for her to leave. The young blunette immediately stood up hugged the Cherubim. "I just need you to do one thing Natsuki" Saeko whispered.

Natsuki looked up at her expectantly. "What is it?"

"Be strong and trust your heart"

They just hugged each other for sometime, feeling each other's warmth. "Yes, I will be"

The two separated when Saeko felt that she should leave or else she will be late for the Cherubims meeting. Midori has been contacting her telepathically for the last 3 minutes. Giving one last good look at Natsuki, she gave her a kiss and waved goodbye. "Goodbye Nat-chan"

"Goodbye mother, keep in touch?"

"Yes my daughter"

Saeko was walking through the white halls on her way to the meeting room when someone telepathically contacted her.

"Hello Saeko, how are things there?"

The said Cherubim smiled. "Hello dear, everything is fine, how about you? How is the training of the new Power members going on?" She heard him sigh a little.

"It's a little hard but nothing is impossible with a little hard work. How is our little one? I am quite surprised about the news that she has finally found the one?"

"Ahh yes she indeed have."

"Don't worry my love. I'm sure she will pass the test. She is our daughter after all."

"Who said I was worried for a minute"

already working on chapter 12.. i hope my creative juices doesnt stop flowing!.