AN: 21/50 R&R. We are getting close to a meeting. Also sorry if there's any mistakes I'm doing the best I can I guess I have to get use to there being no beta around.

Disclaimer: I don't own Mai-hime. If I did I would be rich well not really yawl!

"Thinking"

Warning: Mild and heavy themes of profanity, Futa its fan fiction, not reality right?*

700 miles along The Blue Coast…

Dawn came with its creeping light. The tawny-haired empress had long since left the city of Ragnos since her conversation with the judge. Now with the great airship traveling along the vast sea of blue, she was reacquainted with the blue coast and all of its beauty. Tapping her clawed finger along the clear glass frame known as her desk; she looked over the documents that were placed on her desk. Looking over the same sentence within the document, the empress could no longer stand the view of the paper.

"Something wrong," called a sarcastic tone.

"Quite you," said the red-eyed demon looking over towards the cat demon that presently sat on the ground. Much to her annoyance, she knew the mystical far seer proved more useful then she led on. Keeping her around proved of great strength as well as great weakness, much to the dark-haired blonde's displeasure.

"I don't see why you couldn't have felt me in the care of Magnus," said the cat demon lying on her side. Looking up from her rimmed glasses, she stared coldly into the eyes of the cat-demon before looking down once again.

"I see…well I believe you are foolhardy to separate from that city knowing that your mate is there." Slamming her hand on to the desk she looked over with a glare at the cat demon before speaking.

"Look here cat; I will make this very clear this human is not my mate no matter what promise Orikumo wills." Looking over towards the flustered empress, a smug smile appeared in front of the goddess of the unknown.

"You may fool yourself and you may try to fool me, but you cannot fool the nobles of the royal city of Darsha. They will know everything as soon as they see you. Your go on a fool's errand to run away from this fox." Just before she was about to rebuttal her response frantic knocks came towards the door. Deciding to let the cat demon burgeon within her glory she looked over towards her door servants.

As soon as the doors opened a young solider appeared his fanged smile evident; signaling the good news that was to come from the scroll within his hands. Waving her hand in an attempt to order the solider to speak, she pushed her chair back knitting her hands together she looked in interest of the young man's news.

"My lady, Nao she has located the human," spoke the brightened solider. Looking brightly at the tawny-haired woman, the demon smiled before handing the assistant the scroll to pass over towards the empress. Unrolling the scroll and looking over the contents she looked up towards the soldier her eyes cold.

"Where was the human located?"

"Reports say that she was along The Outer Teal no specificity on her exact location," stated the soldier.

"I see you are dismissed. Tell Judge Steel Heart to make contact with Nao so I can hear her progress for myself."

"Yes my empress."

Looking with an impervious iron emotion Shizuru stood up looking towards the large window. She saw nothing but white sky and Blue Ocean she looked towards the north hoping to not see the city of Darsha anytime soon.

Meanwhile…The Outer Teal…Mai's house…

Natsuki awoke towards the day light, her mind in silent chaos as she made her final walk within the unknown demons house. Staring over she looked towards the faces of Aoi and the now transformed Chie, her heart heavy at there faces. With a sigh she looked towards the clock to see the light of day had appeared and noon had come into view. Knowing that words would prove as a lofty excuse to make Natsuki stay within the comfort of her friends; the teen looked with a commensurate look on her face delivering a silent message towards the three.

"Nao took the liberty of having someone get you, they are waiting outside." Picking at the loose string on her blazer Natsuki bit her lip not knowing what to say her worry evident on her facial features.

"What about you guys will you be alright?" Looking with a smug smile Chie gave a wink before speaking. "Nah Mai and I just dropped our names down and there was an agreement that we would not be hurt or taken into custody."

"Also, Nao said that she was going to take care of the clean up when it came to details in her report," said Aoi. Knowing that she could trust the word of her companions, Natsuki looked with a smile full of ease at the three.

"That's good to know I just want to…t-thank you for everything you have done for me. Words can't express how grateful I am to all of you and I will find a way to pay you back I promise."

"There's no need to do that we should be thanking you Natsuki. Due to your presence, we all remembered what it was like to be human. That emotion was precious to us and we will never forget it," said Aoi with a smile.

"Yeah and besides we will see you again don't worry," said Mai with a wink. The cobalt-haired teen felt her heart swell up with happiness. Natsuki ran up hugging the couple, then giving a hug to the lingering Mai who was on the side of them. Breaking apart quickly she smiled, hopeful and faithful smile. Looking over towards the door she saw the suited demon in wait for her presence.

"Before I forget take this I know you just woke up and I know you might be hungry," said Mai handing over a small bento. Taking it and holding it towards her chest, she smiled before bowing leaving a small trail of tears.

"I guess I'll see you then."

"Don't worry hang in there we will return you home," said Chie with a determined look. Walking out the door Natsuki felt naked as her skin felt peeled back at the absence of her friends. Walking towards the sidewalk, she noticed the black hover limo in its wake sliding into it she heard the doors lock towards her destiny.

AN: R&R Almost Shiz/Nat time

Preview: "Have you said your goodbyes?"

Zero