DISCLAIMER: Mai Otome and its characters are Sunrise property.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: The torturous wait is over and I think it was well worth the wait. From here we return to having some fun as the rollercoaster cart reaches the top of the incline.


Our Legacy ch11

Yukino couldn't believe what was happening right now. Mashiro stood by the window; she was watching Arika hold her position, while Haruka screamed tearfully for Yukino. The sight of this strong woman on her knees in pain, heart breaking, was not something she expected.

"That kind of love is scary. She looks so desperate," Mashiro said not looking away. In a way, she hoped to never have to go through that kind of pain. What happened between her and Prince Takumi was nowhere near this level. The only thing she had that even came close was her attachment/commitment to Arika.

"I can't move and yet all I want to do is go to her right now," Yukino said weakly.

"I don't understand what is causing this and I won't ask. Arika will stay until I call for her," Mashiro said suddenly, she felt like she was intruding.

"Then call her back. I…it hurts to hear her screaming like that," Yukino said to the young Queen, "I can't move, but if you choose to allow her in I can't stop you."

"In this situation, I think I will not. You should really go to her. Armitage is more than your Otome. Arika admires you both, so do I," Mashiro said finally looking at Yukino. The sight of Armitage broken out at the gate was now hurting her. It made her think of her relationship with Arika differently.

"We have never…Haruka and I have so much more than most people or Otome's and their Masters," Yukino replied her will to remain seated slowly being relinquished.

"If that were Arika and I, I wouldn't have been able to stay here as long as you have. Not that we share the same kind of relationship, but if we had…" Mashiro walked over to Yukino and touched her arm. She remembered an argument that had passed that put a new spin on this. How different were they really?

"I think she has sufficiently learned her lesson, Madame President. Don't you…" Mashiro said stepping back, "Your Otome is out there like some broken doll needing a child's attention."

Yukino actually stood at these words .Though the reaction was to hit the young Queen, Yukino did not. Mashiro motioned for the window and Yukino looked out, heart breaking as she did. Haruka was on her knees at the gates. Her head was thrown back voice now almost hoarse. No more words… no more…tears.

Yukino did not say a word, she just left. Mashiro watched as the President walked up beside Arika and then dropped to her knees at the gates. It wasn't like Mashiro could hear them, but she knew that the scene outside was now over. Mashiro would have her people squash any news of this in the papers, giving them needed privacy.

Arika knew this was over and opened the gates for the President to leave with her Otome. Yukino authorized Haruka and they quickly returned to their temporary quarters at Garderobe. There were no words as Yukino lead Haruka in to the shower and took care of her. The tears were still falling, but Yukino knew that this was necessary for Haruka.

Yukino dried Haruka off and lead her to the bed they were sharing. Haruka was looking at her feet and Yukino needed her attention focused elsewhere. Yukino took Haruka into her arms and composed herself. With the day washed away they needed to talk.

"Now will you tell me?"

The dream started out really good for Haruka with the two of them raising a beautiful baby girl. They were happier than they had ever been. Then something went totally wrong. There was an attack while Haruka was out on maneuvers with the military forces of Aries for some training. Both Yukino and the baby were taken from her and then the child was returned, dead. Haruka went mad, storming off, looking for the responsible party. Hallard was following her trying to turn her back, but Haruka lashed out with all of her natural strength. Haruka knocked out the younger woman breaking her jaw in the process.

Haruka spent two days combing Aries in her beloved transport, ignoring every call from the military. She would find Yukino, even if she had to do it alone. What she did eventually find was a broken nearly dead Yukino not far from a spot she had passed more than three times already. Haruka rushed Yukino to the nearest hospital, only to lose her before she could get there. The light was now completely gone from Haruka's world. She had lost the only people she would ever truly love.

Haruka got in her transport and kicked the living Hell out of the vehicle as she heard the words, we got them trapped. Haruka needed no more incentive and drove to the site crashing into the building and taking on the trapped inhabitants. Haruka took three bullets without notice before killing two of the gunmen. All Haruka could see was her dead daughter and long time friend/lover as she snapped their necks quite easily before everything faded to black.

Haruka didn't know when she passed out, but woke in the hospital to Shizuru's saddened face and handcuffs keeping her attached to the bed. It was clear that her old friend had been here for awhile, as she seemed to be unable to move or speak. Shizuru nodded to Haruka who asked Shizuru loudly and repeatedly, "Kill me, Shizuru, please let me join them."

"I can't Haruka…"

Yukino understood what had been plaguing Haruka now. She probably would have done the same if she were the Otome. Hell if it had been the other way around, Yukino would have given the kill shot order to all troops.

"I am so sorry that you went through that Haruka. We face these situations from time to time, four by my count already. It was not something you had to face alone," Yukino said softly kissing Haruka lips.

"We face all of our life choices together and I will not allow fear to paralyze me on this one. I want that child Haruka. I want to share that last bond with you, even more so now," Yukino said pulling closer to Haruka. Their bodies were so close but neither woman wanted anything more than this simple moment.


Natsuki had been waiting for this moment to come. Shizuru was not one to be pushed. As the morning drew that much closer, they had given in to their desires, and Shizuru cried once again before telling Natsuki what she really didn't want to hear.

The dream had started with two beautiful children, one large with spiky brown hair and Haruka's eyes. The other was lean and smaller with Shizuru's light brown hair, Natsuki face and emerald eyes, both lying so close together. They were asleep in the office while their parents were discussing future vacation plans. It suddenly became a phone call from Aries that they were attacked by someone, Yukino and the baby missing. Shizuru panicked holding their daughter as the call chilled her to the bone.

The scene changed again with Shizuru heading for Aries in a blind rage. Natsuki would not allow her to materialize, because Shizuru was not answering her. Word had come of the baby's return to Haruka, dead as a warning. This pushed some button in Shizuru that she had not known was even there. She spent her time in Aries trying to track Haruka, even though she had no clue where to start. It had been Shizuru who found Hallard, radioed for medical assistance and then took the radio hoping to track Haruka through it.

When the call came through that they were trapped, Shizuru was not far off and headed for their position as well. Haruka had broken through the troops outside and into the building in her transport. Using the distraction, Shizuru followed and got to Haruka as she was snapping the second man's neck blood and fury overwhelming her old friend. A moment too late, Shizuru saw Haruka knocked unconscious by falling building material. Shizuru went in blind through the rising cloud of smoke, killing the man who nearly flattened Haruka as the troops came rushing in.

When the scene had changed again, Shizuru was unsure of her actions, but knew she was at least being allowed to stay with Haruka. Her friend was handcuffed to the bed even though they were now totally unnecessary. What had happened she wondered because she couldn't move either?

"Kill me, Shizuru; please let me join them…"

It was then that she realized why she couldn't move and where they were. Shizuru was handcuffed also and they were locked in.

"I can't Haruka…"

It was all she could say as the tears had consumed her again and she woke to Natsuki's panicked face on the phone to Youko.

Natsuki did not know what to say. She clearly saw everything in her mind, turning over as Shizuru explained the dream. What was even harder for Natsuki was that she knew that the dream could easily become reality. Natsuki kept her peace as all Shizuru really wanted was her embrace and soft kisses.

Natsuki knew she had nothing to fear for her own sake. Shizuru, on the other hand, was fiercely loyal and protective of those she loved. It amazed her how this dream had captured these two women solely, marking them as if to make a choice for them.


Mikoto watched as Miyu walked into the bright white light only to return holding the body of the girl. Mikoto could not do it or she would have, she was so physically drained. Mikoto would never use this power again for she could no longer feel it. As Miyu came closer Mikoto passed out.

Back on the mountain, Mai had not gone to sleep because she was worried for Haruka and she felt something was wrong with Mikoto. As Mai quickly dressed to go to Mikoto, she saw Miyu coming to her carrying a girl in her arms with Mikoto on her back. Why she did this Mai did not know? From her looks, it was clear that Mikoto had paid a price also for this action.

"Mai, I love you more than you will ever truly know. I am okay Mai, please take care of this girl," Mikoto said before she passed out. Mai took Mikoto from Miyu's back feeling how heavy she was. Mai got Mikoto to their bed and went to check on the girl Miyu had been carrying.

The girl was unconscious as Mikoto now was. Her face seemed familiar to Mai as did her presence. When Mai looked at the girl in better lighting she realized that she recognized the blonde from Nina's watch.

"So you are Erstin?"

That next day was a beautiful one for nearly everyone though three lives now hung in-between life and death. Only two were need for the balance to return. The third would leave the light that day for the long night that lay ahead.