Disclaimer: I do not own Mai Otome.
Author's Note: Thank you so much for the reviews and many apologies on how long this one took me. Anyways...here you are.
CH12 Karaoke
The end of an exquisite day was nearing in the royal city of Windbloom. The dying sunlight cast long shadows on Guarderobe campus lawns, and bespeckled dim paths in the woods where two girls were surreptitiously making their way to the edge of school grounds. Well, to be fair, only the long dark haired girl practically skulking a few paces behind her friend truly looked suspicious. Mai, on the other hand, walked with a light spring in her step that made it seem like she was merely happy to be enjoying a lovely evening stroll on her day off of classes.
"…right in the middle of class! I thought Miss Maria was going to have a stroke. Poor girl. You could tell she had no idea…"
Mai's cheerful rambling trailed off as she looked back to find her roommate compulsively glancing over her shoulder. She sighed. You'd think with all the sneaking around she does…
"Geez Natsuki, don't look so worried, I do this all the time. No one is going to catch us."
Natsuki turned her head forward to respond to Mai, though her eyes remained squinted off to the side.
"It's not the authorities I'm worried about. It's Shizuru. She didn't sound very convinced that I was leaving practice early to go study…"
Mai rolled her eyes.
"It's not my fault you can't lie. Besides, I think you should have invited her anyways."
Natsuki stopped scrutinizing her surroundings long enough to give her accomplice an incredulous look.
"Are you kidding me! Do you know what kind of torture I'd-"
Natsuki cut herself off as she crossed her arms in a classic "it's cool" pose, made somewhat awkward by the fact that she was still walking.
"Besides, she's our upperclassman. It would be inappropriate."
"Pfft. Ha! Please Natsuki, tell me exactly what is appropriate about your relationship."
Natsuki blushed violently. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."
Twigs crackled loudly and low lying vines tripped up Natsuki's feet, doing nothing to help her mood.
"Where the hell are you taking us anyways?"
"Oh calm down, it's just a bit further. Seriously, if everyone knew that the school rebel was such a ninny…"
Mai's words trailed off, as she mumbled to herself.
"Ah, here we are."
--
They had, apparently, made it to Mai's "perfect spot." Standing between the two girls and the tall barred fence which marked the border of Guardrobe, was an enormous stump of a tree long dead. Looking at it, Natsuki couldn't help but think of just how old the trees in this part of the woods were. I wonder if this was one of the trees the Founders planted when they settled here… The sound of Mai's exasperated voice broke through her thoughts.
"Come on Natsuki, stop standing around and get changed! Geez, what's with her today..."
Natsuki looked over to see the grumbling redhead already stripped down to her underwear. Blood rushed to her cheeks as realization dawned.
"Hold on a second. You want me to change here!? Out in the open?"
"What? Did you think there would be a changing room out here for students trying to sneak out into the city past curfew?"
"Well, no. But…"
Scowling, Natsuki sidled over to a couple of bushes that at least gave her some sense of cover, and started to change into her civilian clothes.
When she was done, she quickly shoved her school uniform into her bag and walked back over to Mai who was already stashing her bag inside the hollow trunk. Natsuki then watched with some skepticism as her roommate, in an outfit that just had to be constricting her movement, hoisted herself up onto the top of the stump, leapt to catch hold of a limb, and from there swung herself over the tall fence. Natsuki wanted to ask Mai why she didn't just use the old gate that was only about 100 meters west of their current location (after all, that was how Natsuki herself came and went) however, she didn't want to remind the girl that there were still things about Natsuki's night life that she did not know. This whole trip is bad enough without a barrage of questions… She sighed. I guess it's up and over for me too.
She landed lightly with a soft thud and took a brief moment to admire the smell of damp soil that her landing rustled up from beneath the decomposing leaves. Both girls stopped to check over their outfits for dirt and tears before making their way down a brief, but steep decline in terrain to end up on a convenient little road that would lead them into downtown.
As they approached the karaoke bar, Natsuki became noticeably antsy. She said I wouldn't have to sing. She said so. Besides, it's not like she can make me. Yeah. That's right. She cant make me do anything I don't want to… Oh God.
"You know what, I'm not feeling so well. I think I'm just going to head back-"
"Natsuki! You promised!"
She halted and scowled. She's right. And I do owe her for saving me from room inspections last week…
"Listen, you don't have to sing or anything. Just say hello to Stefan. He's been wanting to meet you, and I know you don't like me meeting with him and all, but I really like him and…"
"Fine fine. I've already come this far."
Besides, what's the worst that could happen? Right?
--
Luka fingered the crisp edge of his cuffs as he glanced once more at his watch. It wasn't like Mai to be late. A devilishly curled smile graced his lips. Of course, he imagined she'd probably had to drag Kuga kicking and screaming.
Looking up, he took the time to admire his outfit once more in the mirror behind the bar. The stylishly cut white button-up was probably a little too stiff for his personal tastes, but it did look good on him. He particularly liked the subtle embroidery running along the collar. Maybe I wouldn't wear it, but it's just the thing for Stefan. Ah, I must say, this is the most fun I've had on assignment in a long time.
His gaze traveled mirthfully up the length of his own reflection, eventually landing on his eyes. His smile faltered as his thoughts took a darker turn. As much as he enjoyed playing this role, it was truly small compensation for taking on such a dirty job. He had meant it, those months ago, when he had said he hoped to never meet Kuga again. Their reunion would not be a happy one on any terms, and she would especially not take well to being deceived like this. But still… there's no helping it.
The sounds of the outside world suddenly mingled with the muffled beat of the music in the back of the club, alerting Luka to the fact that someone had just entered. Putting on his most charming smile he slowly turned as he stood to greet who he knew must have just walked in.
"Stefan!"
Mai ran up to embrace him.
"Sorry we're late."
He smiled down at her.
"Ah. Don't worry, I've not been waiting too long."
He looked from over the top of Mai's head to look at Kuga. He could practically read the path of her thoughts as her eyes first registered recognition, flickered over to reexamine Mai, and then turn back to him once more.
"Well well, the infamous Natsuki. I'm Stefan. Mai has told me so much about you."
Releasing Mai, Luka held out his hand. Natsuki only stared at him with thinly veiled loathing, causing Mai to whisper at her rather loudly, "Natsuki. Don't be rude."
"Stefan. Nice name."
"Forgive her, she's not much of a people person… Ah! I know. Why don't you two get to know each other while I go see about a room."
"Ah, that sounds like a lovely idea. I'm sure we'll have plenty to talk about."
Luka's smile never faded as he watched Mai make her exit, but any restraint Natsuki had been practicing left the room along with her friend. The abrupt screech of a table being pushed across the tile floor preceded the clattering of a falling chair as she moved with deadly efficiency, pinning Luka to the wall before he had time to blink.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing!"
From the sharp hoarseness in her speech, to the violent trembling of her fingers wrapped around his throat he could quite literally feel her barely constrained rage. The bartender must have sensed the danger as well because he somewhat shakily spoke up from across the room, "H-hey now. This is a respectable place. I'll call the authorities!"
"You'll keep quiet if you know what's good for you."
The force of her full glare seemed to instill a cold dread for his wellbeing, if the weight of her words did not, and stuttering an apology he left the two to their business. The distraction, however, did cause her grip to loosen enough for Luka to speak.
"Come now Natsuki, you're going to wrinkle my shirt."
She turned back to face him.
"Don't call me that. Just shut up and tell me what the hell you're doing here."
"Now now, that's no way to treat a guy who went through all this trouble just to help you out."
Her grip tightened threateningly. Luka then dropped all pretence of frivolity. He had to get his point across, and quickly. Mai would be back any moment.
"Listen Kuga. You're in trouble. Serious trouble."
Natsuki stared into his eyes as if to seek out the truth of his words. Luka looked directly back into her gaze, willing her to believe him. Come on Kuga, I'm trying to help you.
"Ok. What kind of trouble."
"I'll explain everything, but why don't you let be go first? I don't think Mai would be too happy seeing us in this position."
Reluctantly conceding to his logic, she let him go with one final shove.
Luka stumbled a little after she released him, having lost his footing during assault. He rubbed at his neck, wondering if it would leave a mark. She's gotten better… Amazing. He cleared his throat.
"Look, there's a bar a coupla blocks down. Just say you're not feeling well, and when I'm finished up here I'll explain everything. That is…"
He grinned impishly.
"..unless you were looking forward to singing the night away…"
"Luka."
Natsuki stopped dusting herself to give him a disgusted look.
"Don't make me hurt you."
--
Natsuki was surprised that such a dingy little dive would exist in this part of town, but she supposed everyone had their secrets. In any case, she hoped Luka wouldn't take too long getting here.
Luckily for her, only an hour or so had passed before he flopped down on the wooden chair opposite of her with an exaggerated sigh. Natsuki waited patiently while he settled in, undoing the top two buttons of his shirt.
"So what's all this about Luka. I thought you were going to take care of things after I left."
"I know, I know, and normally I wouldn't have bothered to find you but something's not right."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I got a summons from one of the Five."
Natsuki raised an eyebrow. The Five were dangerous to be sure, but…
"So they want me to pay the blood price. Big deal. Just let it slip that I'm at the school. They would be suicidal to try and take out a student."
"That's the thing Kuga. They already know."
"But- What do you mean 'they already know'?"
"He knew already, and he wasn't asking for the blood price he was asking for you. Alive. And that's not the only thing funny. I got the impression that the Third was doing this one on his own. Without the knowledge of the others."
Natsuki's brow furrowed in thought. She didn't like the feel of this. Luka was right, it felt like something that needed to be taken care of.
"If what you say is true, and the Third is acting solo, then we have an advantage. No one else knows…"
Luka held his breath as she paused.
"I think we can flush him out. If we can get some more information we can turn the tables on him."
Luka smiled, relaxing a little.
"I was hoping you would say something like that, but how exactly were you planning on getting that information?"
How indeed. A feral grin came over her face. Well, if I'm going to have to deal with this I may as well have fun…
"I don't know, it's been a while since I've thrown a party. Do you think we can get the place ready in time?"
Luka's smile widened.
"You just go to school and leave the arrangements to me. Just be sure to clear your schedule."
Natsuki stood, shouldering her jacket.
"Oh, and Luka. I'm going to tell you this once: stay away from Mai."
She then turned and walked out of the bar.
--
The false smile Shizuru had been maintaining dropped as soon as Natsuki turned to exit the practice grounds. Going to study indeed. Come Natsuki, you could have at least thought of a better lie. Her narrowed eyes followed the younger girl's diminishing figure, but she didn't let her negative energy dwell on Natsuki for long. After all, it's not Natsuki's fault I'm…
Jealousy. It had taken the always-adored-Shizuru a while to recognize the sick clenching feeling that appeared in her chest every time she thought of the younger girl hiding things from her. She hated it. It made her feel helpless. Vulnerable. To think that some vital part of her needed Natsuki. Needed to… Well… She didn't know what.
Naturally, this feeling--this weakness--was something that she took special care to keep from Natsuki. And that was what made it even worse. Somehow she had allowed all of this to put up a barrier between them. Things just weren't as easy as they used to me. Especially now that…
With an almost annoyed wave at her ear, Shizuru dematerialized as she started to walk towards the dorms.
Of course, she hardly needed to remind herself that there were there were activities that she herself kept from Natsuki; namely her "internship" with the Headmistriss. Even though technically she wasn't doing anything wrong (and sometimes she could even convince herself of that), she knew that it was a sin to be investigating the past that the girl kept so close to herself. I should just talk to her about it.
But she knew she could not. She remembered how Natsuki had reacted the day of the commencement battle, when the girl found out about Shizuru's status, and feared what would happen if Natsuki were to find out that Shizuru was deceiving her again. No. She can never find out.
The more she learned about the case the more confusing it became. The headmistress and the doctor had been very careful to keep Natsuki's identity as Imeli's daughter a secret, but the connection was blatantly apparent to anyone who knew the girl. Not only did they look almost exactly alike, but Shizuru also knew the type of scholarship that Natsuki came to school here on. Only the children of graduated meistars or head staff qualified. But why are they trying to keep it a secret?
Somehow Shizuru didn't believe that it was for the sake of Natsuki's privacy. Furthermore, she didn't understand why they had changed her name. Shizuru had ran "Kruger" through the school database, and as she suspected, there were no matches, which should not have been the case if she truly qualified for the scholarship. This wasn't the only thing that didn't add up in her mind. Why would Imeli Concordia who had a successful career and a loving family risk all of that by leaking information to thugs? Why was it that the headmistress was interested in finding out only after Natsuki enrolled in this academy?
It was a bitter irony that Shizuru had discovered the reasons for Natsuki's chronic distrust only after joining them. She simply did not have enough information to know, but she was sure of one thing: that Natsuki was an innocent in all of this.
Shizuru did not trust the Headmistress, and if she found out that she or anyone else had hurt or used Natsuki to get what they wanted with her own hands she would make them pay.
For this sin, she owed her that much.
--
"…and that concludes our report for this week, Headmistress."
"Very good. I am pleased to hear you have been able to make some more direct connections. Of course, I trust that I need not remind you to be careful as you become more involved with members of that particular group."
From over her desk Sadako leaned forward to look both of the girls sitting before her squarely in the eye. Neither so much as flinched.
"Yes, Headmistress."
She sighed and sank back into her chair.
"Very well, then. I look forward to your next report."
Making their bows, the girls handed their papers to the doctor and exited the room. The eyes of the two older women followed them out the door and lingered there long after the soft click of the latch. Saki's voice slipped out into the following silence, "Are you sure this is a good idea Sadako? Sending them out on this case?"
"Hmm. I wonder."
Saki turned to face the Headmistress, somewhat miffed at the response.
"It's too risky. Sending her classmates out to go rummaging around in her mother's past?! What if they figure it out? That Viola in particular worries me. Did you know that she has taken Natsuki as her helper underclassman? She's hardly an idiot, she'll be able to put two and two together... Sadako, aren't you the least bit worried?"
"For goodness sake Saki, stop your prattling."
The doctor's mouth clamped shut, while her eyes defiantly waited for an explanation. The headmistress wearily continued.
"Of course I am aware of the likelihood of Viola "putting two and two together. In fact, I'm counting on it."