DISCLAIMER: Mai Otome and its characters are Sunrise property.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: 11/12/09- No original chapter notes.

Our Legacy ch37

Garderobe, present,

Shizuru had only just barely pulled Haruka off of Kaede when the younger girl screamed ALL OF YOU. That moment of freedom gave Kaede her window of opportunity to lash out. Her first punch was nothing more than a blur to everyone except Shiori. Kaede let all of her repressed emotions go and sent Haruka across the floor. Shiori's quick thinking and even quicker feet put her in between them as Kaede advanced on Haruka in the collapse of tables and chairs.

"KAEDE STOP THIS NOW." Shiori screamed as she made her own body a shield between them.

"MOVE…SHIORI," Kaede could barely say those two words. Haruka had regained her feet and was now coming around both Shizuru and Shiori to attack Kaede again. If necessary she would have gone through them to get to Kaede.

Haruka had no fear of this girl or anything she could throw at her. Kaede barely felt the sting from Haruka's fist as she grabbed her hand and pulled Haruka into a second powerhouse blow. Haruka took a few seconds to shake that one off, but they were both beyond simply giving in. Haruka broke Kaede's wrist lock and stepped around the next punch giving Kaede a kick to her thigh separating them.

"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TELL US OUR DAUGHTER WILL DIE!" Haruka's words tore through Yukino, hearing them from Haruka made it even worse. Natsuki had still as of yet to move, those words tearing into her as well. It was that bloody dream Haruka and Shizuru had shared that played in her head now.

"ALL OF YOU SHUT UP ALREADY AND STOP THIS MADNESS." Miss Maria said as she stood from her seat. They were talking of things yet to come as if they were written in stone. Maria Graceburt did not believe these events were unchangeable, "I SAID ENOUGH FROM YOU TWO THICK HEADED IDIOTS. HARUKA ARMITAGE, BRING YOUR ASS OVER HERE AND FULFILL YOUR DUTIES. AND YOU KAEDE ARMITAGE, IF YOU CAN'T CONTROL THAT TEMPER I'LL CONTROL IT FOR YOU."

Natsuki looked over her shoulder at Miss Maria as the older woman came walking by her, slapping her in the back of the head for good measure. Shizuru held back a smile because she agreed in the necessity of that hit.

Shizuru convinced Haruka to go to Yukino as she turned to face Kaede. Miss Maria was now in the young girl's face waiting for her to reply or concede. Shiori was now at Kaede's back watching her movements from behind. Natsuki was at Shizuru's side now and was mentally kicking herself for this little Q&A sideshow.

"Shizuru…"

"Yes Natsuki…"

"Add this one to your list of things I'll never do again." Natsuki replied with a straight serious face.

"That will be right on top next to traveling alone with Nao or Mai," Shizuru said as she walked away from Natsuki.

"Okay we'll just…hey wait a. ...Okay owned…dammit," Natsuki said as she realized what Shizuru said.

Kaede was seething with anger, but had yet to try and move. Shizuru found this rather interesting since Miss Maria was smaller in size and build. Shiori leaned closer to whisper in Kaede's ear just as Shizuru and then Natsuki approached them.

"Well child are you going to just stand there and make faces or are you going to fight me?" Miss Maria asked stoically.

"I have to concede out of respect for you," Kaede replied stepping back straight into Shiori's arms.

Miss Maria stepped forward and slapped Kaede unforgiving, "That woman you call your mother should have received twice the respect you are showing me. You bring shame to them, this school and the spirit of the Otome in name with your words and actions."

Miss Maria walked back to Yukino and Haruka leaving the four there standing silent. After a moment Shiori whispered something that made Kaede sit hard on the floor and then pass out. The whisper was an 'I'm sorry love' as Shiori powered a small blast to the back of Kaede's head.

"How is it that you are capable of doing this?" Shizuru asked Shiori in her devious yet most curious voice.

"It is rather easy if you understand an Armitage. Well this one at least, I'm not so sure about Meister Haruka," Shiori said not moving as she spoke. Kaede was out for now, but Shiori knew it was only temporary.

"It doesn't always work though," Shiori said praying it wouldn't cause another argument between them. Kaede, like Haruka, was getting harder to knock out.

"And here I thought using rocks was such a drastic measure," Natsuki said in a serious tone though clearly about to laugh.

Shizuru slapped Natsuki just like Miss Maria had and gave her the look. Shizuru was upset with the outcome of this little game of theirs. Shiori kneeled down next to Kaede and lifted her head into her lap, stroking her face, wishing Kaede would have listened.

"Look obviously we can't finish this in this manner. I made an error in judgment and now it would seem poor Yukino had to pay for that," Natsuki said wanting to just finish the night without any more violence.

"I don't care what any of you want. I'm not done…" Shiori said as she leaned over and kissed Kaede gently. Shiori held on and started to whisper.

It took a moment before Kaede came to and looked at Shiori and then the floor. When Kaede looked back at Shiori, she bit her lip and shook her head. The argument was far from over for Kaede, but she understood not to push her lover again. Shiori and Kaede would spar occasionally, but they would never actually fight. They loved too deeply and depended upon each other too greatly. Shiori kissed Kaede again though much deeper this time prompting Shizuru to pull Natsuki away.

"I'm sorry I had to do that Kaede, but you gave me no other choice. They haven't lived through the events that we remember or have learned about," Shiori said still stroking Kaede's face.

"They had no right to act like she didn't even exist. You've seen the love they have for Ayame, Shiori, and yet they raised me in ignorance," Kaede said in a wounded tone.

"They did what they thought was right, Kae. It may not have been the best way to handle the situation, but look at what the words alone have done to your mother," Shiori replied turning Kaede's face towards Yukino who was still crying in Haruka's arms.

"You should have just let me use the Juggernaut and this wouldn't have had to happen," Kaede said as she tried to turn away from what she was seeing.

"Destroying the Mausoleum isn't the answer either, Kaede. It is our last resort; trust me if it comes to that I won't hesitate in helping you," Shiori said closing her eyes against the memory. The day they abandoned Garderobe, Shiori and Kaede had done that and cried as the building collapsed in on itself.

"Shiori…"

"Yes, love…" Shiori replied looking deep into Kaede's eyes.

"Can we get up now?" Kaede asked with a weak smile as Shiori gave Kaede a light tap to the cheek in response.

"I should make you finish this talk here on the floor, but you would only find a way to get comfortable anyway," Shiori said as she allowed Kaede to sit forward.

"I told you I was getting sick of these moments. This is our last one, Shiori, one way or another. If we go home then we are done," Kaede said as she stood and helped Shiori to stand as well.

"Don't you mean when we go?" Shiori asked looking rather pale.

"Do we go home and trust that they will change things? I'm really beginning to think we might not be able to Shi," Kaede replied not wanting to approach their parents or Miss Maria. Shizuru looked at them and waved them over. They had reset the table and put chairs on the floor side to keep at least minimal distance.

"We have to have faith, Kaede. We have to talk to them about the things we have learned and lived through," Shiori said pulling on Kaede's sleeve. Kaede was hesitant because Haruka was staring at her; fire still burning in her eyes.

Nao had heard quite a bit of what was going on, but was still trying to fight off Youko. Nao had been slammed against the doors the minute she stepped out and they had closed. Youko couldn't let the opportunity pass to return the hit she had taken. Nao was about to hit back when Youko grabbed her wrists and put her hands above her head and stole a fierce kiss.

"What the Hell are you thinking Helene?" Nao said as Youko pulled away from the kiss, but leaned her body closer to Nao's.

"I'm thinking I'm drunk and won't remember in the morning," Youko replied holding Nao there as she moved against Nao's body enjoying the feeling and the alcohol as they coursed through her.

"Midori will kill us both, Youko," Nao replied as she moved into Youko letting her hormones take momentary control.

"Then you should take me to my room and put me to bed," Youko said as she let go of Nao's hands.

Nao shook her head trying to clear her senses. Nao had a lot less alcohol than this woman, but yet Youko seemed to be the one in control still. Youko leaned in and kissed Nao again, waiting for the girl to push her away. Instead Nao put one hand on Youko's thigh right where the slit was and slid her hand underneath the material and around the bare thigh. Youko moaned lightly into their kiss as Nao reached up a little higher shifting the material as well.

Nao knew she was gone as she felt more bare skin and no obstacles to her touch. Nao moved her hands and spun Youko around and slammed her into the door in return.

"I can't let you go out and get drunk and I can't do this…" Nao said as she buried her head into Youko's bare chest.

"Take me to bed Nao and then you can do whatever you think is right," Youko said as she grabbed a handful of Nao's hair and pulled her face up for a light kiss, "Stay or go, it's your decision."

Nao reached for the high slit and moved it aside, delicately brushing Youko's thigh with her finger as she did. This woman was not fighting her anymore about anything and yet Nao was still waiting for a fight. Nao traced her way closer to the heat and desire as Youko shifted her leg just slightly.

"If this is what you want then take me to bed and let's be done with it," Youko said as she pulled Nao's hair again as she shivered from the contact. Nao had not planned on this when they left the room and now all she could think of was nothing else. Nao pulled away and started down the hall. After a few steps she stopped and reached her hand back for Youko. As their hands met, Nao continued down the hall and straight into Youko's room.

Underground Bunker,

Nao and Irina were sitting in bed together reading, even though they weren't talking. When Nao had come to her room, Irina opened the door and let her in, but refused to be the one to start the conversation. Nao didn't come for sex and she didn't come to apologize either, truth was she just didn't want to be alone. While they were reading, Nao had shifted slightly on the bed and was lying with her head on Irina's stomach as she read. Irina didn't tell her to move and acted as if she didn't care.

There was a loud thunderous boom throughout the bunker and then there was laughter. Nao flew off the bed and out of the room into the hall just as it seemed the rest of the girls were doing also. The minute the door opened, Nao was greeted with a cold breeze and much more laughter from down the hall.

"What the Hell is going on down there?" Nao asked as she took a head count of the girls. Irina had been right behind Nao and was now touching her shoulder.

Grace and Chiyako were the only two not in the hall and Keiko and Cara were supposed to be on the board in the Founder core room. Irina whispered as she handed Nao a blanket to warm herself against the chill.

"Kimiko, you have a better view down the hall. Can you see anything?" Nao asked.

"No I can't but I'm going to go take a closer look," Kimiko said as she disappeared down the hall. There was even more laughter as Kimiko came back.

"I guess the storm stopped. Those idiots opened the doors, the hard way," Kimiko said thinking of how long it was going to take them to replace the doors.

"Did you see who was out there?" Nao asked moving closer to Kimiko.

"No, I'm going to get dressed warmer and check it out. Anyone else care to join me?" Kimiko asked knowing full well they all would.

"Stupid kids…I'm going to join them," Nao said as she handed Irina the blanket and turned towards her own room. Irina grabbed Nao's wrist and pulled her back for a quick light kiss.

"Should I ask what that was for?" Nao asked.

"I may not agree with the things you say and do Nao, but that doesn't mean I don't want your touch or your company. There's enough cold around here without having an empty bed at night," Irina said hoping she made her point clear enough.

"I'll have to remember that the next time. Right now though it's too cold and that door is open. Go get dressed and let's go outside with the girls," Nao said as she turned back towards her room again.

"Bring the Garderobe flag and the Windbloom flag with you," Irina said to Nao's retreating form.

"Why should I?" Nao asked standing in her doorway.

"It's been a long time, but why don't we put them up if the wind isn't too strong," Irina said. Suddenly a fast moving white ball came flying down the hall, they both laughed as they realized it was a snowball.

"I'll bring them, but I can think of something better to do with them," Nao said as she disappeared into her room.

"So can I," Irina said smiling as she went back into her room to put on warmer clothes.