Disclaimer: I do not own Mai Otome.

Author's Note: WARNING! This chapter contains a bit more violence than previous chapters. That being said, I think that it still qualifies as T-rated (although I was never really one for labels ;))

glowie: Ah, yes. It's good to be back. (and i think the chapter you are looking forward to is only 3 away...)

everybody else: Thank you so much for the reviews! Love 'em. :)

CH 11 -No Matter What

-!!-

…crunch crunch crunch crunch…

She was excited.

…crunch crunch crunch…

Immeasurably excited.

And running.

Though admittedly, that part was a bit odd.

A lady never runs.

"Come on Natsuki!"

But she couldn't help it.

She was just so happy.

Shizuru tugged harder at Natsuki's wrist, urging her friend to pick up the pace. For some reason she was having trouble making out the younger girl's expression, but they were already halfway down the gravel driveway. The front door was just a bit further. "I can't wait for you to meet my parents. They're going to love you."

Natsuki didn't respond. But that too didn't really matter. It was just a bit further. It was sure to be ok once she met them.

But before that could occur something strange happened. It was as if the world around her blinked, and appearing between the two girls and the tall double doors of the Viola estate stood a slender kimonoed figure. Shizuru's step faltered. Was it her eyes playing tricks on her? She let go of Natsuki's hand and more cautiously advanced.

Squinting, she tried to make out the woman's face, but the figure's head was hanging forward inertly, and sandy bangs cast a shadow on much of her features. "Mother?"

Why was it so hard to focus? "Mother is that y-?"

The woman's face turned up, as if in a delayed response to Shizuru's query. No. That's… A sick clenching twisted at her stomach as she locked onto the hollow expression that was her own. Me.

"No."

A hint of fear crept into Shizuru's voice as her face drained of all color. Dead-like crimson eyes snapped up to meet her own now widened in terror.

Reality flickered once more, and it was only then that she noticed the naginata hanging with deadly casualness in the hand of her robed double. She glanced back up in time to watch those coy lips, her coy lips, menacingly curve into a thin smile.

"Just who are you? What is it that you want?"

The smile only widened in response as the rest of the formerly still figure snapped into action. Oddly enough, the breathy whisp of purple silk was the only sound that reached Shizuru's ears as the blade of the naginata tore up the flesh of Natsuki's chest and throat, causing blood to pour out like rain.

"NO!"

The world spun. "Ara. What I want?"

She heard her own composed voice flung back at her in understated mockery, as she threw herself down beside Natsuki's body, vainly trying to stop the bleeding. However, upon catching the sight of those beloved green eyes staring lifelessly into nothing she froze. Recoiled. She looked down at her own hands--her arms covered up to the elbows in sticky blood. "No."

Shizuru clamped her eyes shut, shaking her head in dissent. "No!"

She felt the presence of her parents appear from behind, and she twisted her neck around to look up at them pleadingly. Something was wrong; she couldn't make out their faces either. There was only a flat blur where their faces should have been. At this point her voice was positively frantic, "Mother? Father?! Help, please!"Why weren't they moving!?

The kimonoed figure tilted her head and, resting the tip of her index finger on her lower lip in feigned dismay, mimicked Shizuru's words. "'Mother?' 'Father?'"

Shizuru snapped back around to watch the other Shizuru's face settle down in quiet disdain. "Did you really expect them to be ok with this?"

She gracefully waved one hand over the horrid scene, then sighed, glancing at Natsuki's doll-like body from the corner of her eyes. "A shame, yes. But you know, you would have ended up hurting her anyways."

The figure tucked the sleeves of her kimono towards herself to kneel slightly above Shizuru who had gone back to staring at her hands. The imposter reached out to tuck a strand of Shizuru's hair behind her ear. "Your teasing…"

Chill fingers lingered.

"Your kind words…"

Trailed down the length of her jaw line.

"Your… good deeds…"

The fingers paused, lightly cupping her chin, before ever so slowly lifting her face, forcing her to look at the other version of herself mere inches away. "…what you really want…"

Shizuru found herself unable to move as those dangerously cold lips met her own in a firm kiss. A single tear slipped down the contours of her cheek. The air around her mouth was moist as her double relented, pulling away to look back down at her, her expression half pout, half belied malice. "Making me do all her dirty work."

Shizuru felt a hand tauntingly making its way the front of her body as her own low voice whispered in her ear, "Really, Shizuru is so…"

Teeth and tongue played painfully at her earlobe.

"…mean."

An indescribable pain tore through her abdomen causing her to scream. Her kimonoed self abruptly stood, pulling the blade roughly out of her body, and through her agony Shizuru was able to glimpse one last time her own empty eyes reflected back at her before the other raised the naginata once more…

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"

Sweat and tears caused her hair to limply cling to her face as she started up from her pillows. A dream. It was just a dream. Gasps for air turned to quiet sobs as she tried to shake those images from her mind. Natsuki…

All further attempts at sleep would prove useless.

Grit from the training grounds scratched at her skin as she wiped the sweat off of her face with the back of her free hand. It wasn't really all that hot outside, but the sky was clear and they had been going at it for nearly two hours. She stared for a moment at her "tutor"; scowling at how Shizuru seemed untouched by the clouds of dust and sand generated in the wake of their blows while she on the other hand looked as if she had just been dragged across a small desert.

Of course her expression wasn't helped by the fact that Shizuru had won that last bout solely on her ability to tease Natsuki at the most unfortunate of moments. Right. Just one more chance… I can get her this time.

"Dear, Natsuki's face is so red. I wonder if she is tired."

"Not a chance, Shizuru."

Natsuki acted like these one-on-one training sessions were a hassle, but really she cherished them. Miss Maria wouldn't allow for Natsuki's street style fighting seeing as it lacked "the grace befitting an Otome's battle." This had put her at quite a disadvantage in class. During her first rather embarrassing go at materialized combat, Mai had knocked her back through 4 concrete columns and her ego back even further. So while it took up much of her day off, Natsuki never skipped out. Besides, since they were able to get the training grounds all to themselves on these days, they were able to really let loose.

"One more time. And since you used 'unorthodox tactics' last time, this time we fight freestyle."

Shizuru raised an eyebrow. "As Natsuki wishes."

Natsuki quickly grabbed her staff that had been knocked free from before and made herself ready.

"Go."

Dust flew as the two girls leapt at one another. Natsuki knew that choosing freestyle was a real gamble, since it allowed Shizuru the full capabilities of her Pearl GEM while she was more or less tied to the ground, but this time she had a plan. It wasn't too long before the ribbons at Shizuru's back straightened and she took off backwards into the air. Natsuki watched carefully as Shizuru's weapon unlinked and came hurtling at her with the speed and grace of a snake. Natsuki however, anticipated this and angled her staff, squinting. Wait for it, wait for it… There! She tightened her grip and, using the lengthening capabilities of the Coral staff, shot one end of it through the momentary opening in Shizuru's attack. In order to defend herself Shizuru pulled back on her weapon causing it to wrap tightly around Natsuki's own. Natsuki, hoping for this reaction, quickly pulled to the left with all her strength using her grounding to her advantage. The airborne Pearl came crashing to the ground. Yes! That's right. If you want to win, you'll have to come down here to get me.

Natsuki, however, didn't have much time for self-congratulation before she found herself being violently knocked backwards through the air. A concrete pillar rather painfully halted her trajectory, and in the time it took for her to look up Shizuru was on top of her.

Their fighting was fierce, as it usually was when they fought freestyle, and if any unsuspecting student were to happen across them during these bouts they would undoubtedly be frightened by the vicious expression on their beloved Viola's face.

As such, it wasn't long before Natsuki began to tire. If she was going to win this she needed to make her move soon. Deciding quickly she feigned a thrust, forcing Shizuru to bring her staff up at her from below giving Natsuki her opening. Or at least that was how it should have happened.

---

Shizuru was genuinely taken by surprise when Natsuki whipped her to the ground. Enough so that she may have even been a little too satisfied when her blow to the younger girl's abdomen sufficiently knocked that smug grin off her face. But at the same time Shizuru couldn't help but feel a little proud. Turning your disadvantage into a strength. Good job Natsuki. The girl was so clever, and she was getting better at battle by the day. Now if I could just get her to show up to class on time…

Of course, now was hardly the time to be thinking of how to get her helper underclassman to the top of her class. Natsuki's attacks rather demanded her full attention. She's getting tired. She'll make her move soon.

She instantly saw through Natsuki's feign. Yes, Natsuki is clever, but I won't make the same mistake twice. Making it look like she took the bait, she simultaneously unlocked the Pearl capabilities of her staff. The extra length should ensure that her blow hit Natsuki right in the chest. Right in the chest… The sudden image of her dream self slashing at Natsuki in the same manner overtook her, and a look of terror washed over her face.

The tendons in Shizuru's arms strained as she completely reversed the direction of her attack. Her serpentine weapon left burnt trenches in the ground as she struggled to control its trajectory.

"Shizuru! Are you ok?"

What the hell was that about? Natsuki dematerialized her staff and jogged over to where Shizuru landed.

"Ah, it seems that I am no match for my streetwise Natsuki."

"Oi, Shizuru don't say that. You had me just now but then you-"

Natsuki recalled with some confusion the look that had broken through Shizuru's game face.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"I am fine Natsuki, but I am a bit tired. Perhaps we should call it a day?"

"…yeah, I'm starving anyways."

Natsuki offered Shizuru a hand up. Shizuru grinned.

"Maybe if Natsuki helps me in the shower I'll even give her a surprise with her lunch."

It was very amusing to watch Natsuki's face first redden, then turn gleeful as she translated "surprise-with-lunch" into mayo, and finally settle into a scowl once more.

"I'm not taking a shower with you."

"Meanie."

Both girls left the grounds with high spirits as they dematerialized and walked towards the locker rooms.

---

It was a short but refreshing walk to where they ate lunch on these days. The practice grounds were close to the edge of campus, and there was a small clearing on a ledge that overlooked a small community park. After unpacking their food, both girls would slip their legs between the metal bars of the fence to let them dangle over the edge. Well, only Natsuki's feet truly dangled. Shizuru's legs remained politely crossed at the ankles.

They ate in a comfortable silence, letting their hair air dry in the light breeze that drifted up on the ledge. Shizuru closed her eyes and smiled into the open space before her. This time right now was her absolute favorite part of the week. She allowed her thoughts to drift.

It was like there were two of her. There was the Shizuru that she was when she was around Natsuki, free and full of desire and love, and then there was Shizuru Viola the noble, the daughter who had to learn to leave things behind. She sighed.

But that was the reality of things. At least, that's what you would say wouldn't you Natsuki?

Today a father was playing with two young children on the equipment below and, watching them, she couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic. A little sad.

Shizuru turned her face away from the smiling children to catch a glimpse of Natsuki contentedly munching away at her food. (She was not able to refuse Natsuki the mayo after all -So mean!) Natsuki was looking on at the scene below with green eyes that held a cold disinterested look and, Shizuru thought, a little bit of disgust. She wondered if the girl was even aware of it herself.

"Does it really taste that bad? Even after the mayo?"

"Mhuh?" Natsuki exclaimed with a full mouth, turning her head to face Shizuru. Shizuru couldn't help but giggle.

"Hey Shizuru, stop making fun of me already. I'm trying to eat."

"Ah yes. I suppose even Natsuki shouldn't be made fun of on an empty stomach."

They both turned back to watch the scene below. Faint sounds of laughter lazily drifted up to where they sat.

After a bit, and almost as if to herself, Shizuru softly mused, "I often wonder what it would have been like to have a childhood like that."

Natsuki paused her munching.

"What do you mean? You never played in the park like that with your parents?"

"Well, it's true we had a playground on the estate, but Mother and Father were often too busy. Besides I started my training full time when I was four."

Natsuki looked at Shizuru surprised, "Really? Four?"

Still facing forward Shizuru asked, "What about you Natsuki?"

Natsuki paused, and leaned her forehead back onto the metal bar of the fence in front of her. She picked up a strand of her hair between her thumb and index finger, as if looking for split ends.

"When I was younger we did. Mom and I would play with our dog in the park. All the time but then…"

"She died." Shizuru quietly filled in the space.

Natsuki nodded once.

"That must have been difficult."

Natsuki shrugged, "Yeah, but you know I've learned a lot since then. A lot about how to survive on my own."

Shizuru smiled, "I've always admired that about you Natsuki. I sometimes think it must be nice to be in control of the direction of ones own life."

Natski's brow crinkled. "What do you mean, "in control" of your life?"

"Privilege can be a burden at times. In a way it limits one's choices. Ever since I was born there has been a single path set before me."

"…So? What's stopping you from leaving it?"

"To have not only you parents but the rest of the world expect such things of you is--"

"The world?." Natsuki cut her off. "So maybe a few noblemen here and there are waiting to see what the No.1 Pearl is going to do. So what? The rest of the world could care less what Shizuru Viola chooses to do or not to do with her life. Think about it, what irreplaceable things do you really have to lose? Money? Fame? You could spend your life working for a living like the rest of the world. Hell, you could even leave right now. It all depends on what you really want."

Shizuru caught her breath. 'What you really want…' A fresh sense of freedom swept over her as she thought about it. What I really want is… Then it vanished. She lived too much in the possibilities of regret.

"Love."

"Huh?"

"That's irreplaceable. If I left all this, I'd lose people that I love."

"Psht. If you'd lose them over that then those people don't love you. They're only concerned for themselves."

"My, how cynical. Are you saying there is no such thing as love? I might not care to live anywhere if that were the case."

"No. I'm not saying that. But--"

"If what you say is true, that all of these things are not important. Then why are you here Natsuki?"

"I…"

Natsuki hesitated. The reasons why she was here were ever eluding and bothering her. "…I have some things to find out before I leave this place."

"Besides Shizuru, you would be loved no matter what you did."

Not like me.

The look of sadness that would sometimes sweep over Natsuki's being was there, her protective anger having lost at that last line. Shizuru decided it was time to lighten the conversation.

"Did Natsuki just say she would love me no matter what?!"

"What!?! Idiot! I did no-"

Shizuru ignored the younger girl's protests.

"Ah!"

She clasped her hands and affected dream like eyes.

"Your offer to run off into the real world with me is very tempting Natsuki…"

Quite literally rendered speechless at that remark, Natsuki only sputtered as her facial hue spoke for her.

"…but I think I'll stay in school for now."

"Shizuru!" was the only word she could manage before stalking off into the woods.

Her tormentor briefly let a genuine smile cross her lips before she sweeping up the remains of their lunches and jogging after her.

When she finally caught up with the fuming Coral, Shizuru grasped Natsuki's hand in her own and whispered in a low voice, "I love you too, Natsuki."

No matter what.

Author's Note: Ok... so that didn't turn out to be all the fluff i thought it was going to be but, eh. Whatever.

Next Chapter: Karaoke