AN: 35/50 wow we almost there 15 more to go!

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?*

Shizuru woke up towards the sign of light noticing that the young teen within her arms remained still. Within her slumber noticing the adverse look on the teens face the fox-demon began to fancy the human features. After the message was delivered, she groggily made her way into bed without so much as a second thought of her human mate that was within it. Noticing that her propensity started to appear she relaxed only to tighten her grip on her still beating heart.

Slowly coming out of sleep herself, Natsuki's forest green everglades relaxed and opened to see twin ruby fires glancing back at her. Natsuki enforced her fast paced heart at the sight before her licking her lips she watched as the fox demons kimono slid slightly off her shoulders. Feeling the need to be commanded by the fox demon, she spoke changeling the demons integrity in a much harsher tone.

"So aren't you going to say anything?"

Looking in shock at the teen before her Shizuru alienated her growing emotions with her fangs bared she spoke. "What's there to say you're trespassing in my room human," said the creature folding her arms.

Remember watch your temper Shizuru.

I'm trying but this human is making it difficult!

For once just try to be nice and remember what it was like before when you were human a little chivalry wouldn't hurt.

Hnn…

"Alright, alright let's start over again this petty argument is getting us nowhere," suggested Shizuru.

"Ok fine…"

"Ok so first question why were you in my bed in the first place no one is allowed into these chambers but me," said Shizuru straightening up her kimono sleeves much to Natsuki's displeasure.

"It's nothing it's just that I wanted to…"

"To what…"

"I wanted to know where you were going so one night I snuck in here and I tried to find clues of where you went," said the teen looking down at the white sheets below her.

"I see…"

Getting up from her position she walked over towards the window, her tawny haired locks shown though her morning sun with envy. Natsuki resided the urge to run up and hug the woman before her, pulling back she made her way up towards the edge of the bed. With her feet hanging off the edge she watched as the woman hugged her lean but strong form within her own hands.

"Well you do know that sneaking to any royal chambers is a warrant of death to anyone."

"So you gonna kill me again?"

"No…I won't, but you will be punished," said the tawny-haired woman in a grave voice. Feeling her body tense up at the demonic aura, that the tawny haired-unknown demon before her produced Natsuki body felt hot and the sudden need to shed her cloths took place. Feeling a cool breeze come over her Shizuru settled her aura before coming towards the bright idea that she crafted within her head.

"You punishment is going to be in two parts, the first part is you will accompany towards the announcing of Judge Steel Hearts heir."

Natsuki scoffed at the woman's command watching the empress turn to look at her with stern eyes, she froze at the commanding passion that they fox radiated.

"Fine I'll go now what's the second punishment oh great ruler," said Natsuki in false rebelliousness.

"I want you to tell me what you were crying about within your sleep yesterday," said Shizuru allowing her mask to drop. Natsuki's heart warmed at the feeling that she was receiving from the fox demon. Slowly walking over towards the teen the reincarnation leaned down so she was within eye level of the human teen.

"I...I saw it…"

"You saw what?"

"You…I saw you, you were in such sadness I didn't know what to do I couldn't do anything but…watch." Reaching out and cupping the fox empress's face a reddened blush came up towards Shizuru's cheeks. "There is something I want to tell you it's something that I have been hiding from you and its very importa-"

With that last note being said a sharp knock came from the door standing up from the teen's warm finger tips that graced her skin like warmth on an ice filled day. The queen of Ethro's reluctantly made her way towards the door to retrieve the knock her mind full of endless questions. Once outside she saw a foot solider along with a maid who was carrying a wash bin of sorts.

"A messaged arrived for you for tonight's event." Taking the scroll she nodded the man off before turning towards the woman before her.

"I am here your grace to accompany you towards the baths," said the maid.

"Yes I will be there shortly just stand out here."

Going back in the woman looked towards the shaken up teen with tears trailing down her cheeks, Shizuru came into her blurry focus. Taking the younger teen into her arms Shizuru's heart lunged in agony at the sadness that she could not fill.

"What troubles you mate," said the blonde with a low growl. Looking up she saw the warm affection that the demon ruler had to offer her. Never before had the teen her heard such affection come from the other, looking into the demons warm eyes she knew that something lay deep beneath the surface.

"Nothing I just want to go home that's all," said the teen with a graceful lie. The tawny-haired woman could smell the teen had lied but choose not to press the issue. Knowing that her friends waited down stairs she dropped her mask as well as her guarded heart. Placing a gentle kiss on the cobalt-haired mates head she watched as Natsuki blushed, getting up and pulling back at her work the tawny-haired woman feverishly wanted to see her blush again.

"Meet me down stairs after you bathe I have a surprise for you," said the woman before turning towards the door.

Meanwhile…

Yukino sipped her tea as her mate came from behind her to deliver a kiss towards her cheek as well as a rub towards her swollen tummy.

"Are you nervous about tonight mate?"

"Hmm…I can't say I know they will be in shock that the great lioness judge Steel Heart has a human mate."

"Do not worry those cur's will meet my claws before an insult can reach their lips," spoke the lioness in a harsh tone.

"Careful dear when you get riled up like that so does the little one here," said the mousy woman rubbing her belly. Leaning down towards her mate belly and nuzzling her nose in an apologetic manner her watched as her mate pulled back rubbing her cheek.

"I see he has a strong punch," said the judge pretending to rub her cheek.

"I see that our child has learned from the best Haruka dear," said the woman with a giggle.

"Indeed…well shall we go inside to entrain our guests?" The mate took her lovers arm as they watched in from the wide back patio towards the kitchen which supplied there sitting quarters for breakfast. Looking inside she saw the two mates were already at the table with a nervous concern on their faces.

Meanwhile…

Natsuki walked downstairs now sporting a new white summer dress that Shizuru's attendants suggested she wear looking down stairs her breath caught in her throat. Looking down from the steps Natsuki noticed Shizuru was now dressed in blue jeans and black boots with a somewhat large button down dark green dress shirt. With her hair wet and tie in a low pony tail Natsuki couldn't help, but think the empress came down in a rush.

As soon as she came down she looked at the stern woman known as Shizuru throw a smile her way, she watched as she threw her own smirked back. There moment was soon broken as they both heard the sound of a younger woman from upstairs.

"Empress where are you? We are to do your hair."

Taking the younger woman's hand Shizuru along with her mate made a sprint down the long hallway. Avoiding all attendants they rushed into the kitchen hand in hand both chest from both women rapidly came up and down. Everyone looked over at the two as they noticed the two hand in hand. Haruka rose a careful eye brow towards her mate who smiled into her tea as it stated pressed against her lips.

"Well I would like to be the first to extend my thank you for making your way here empress," said the judge bowing in the fox's presence. Breaking their hands apart in embarrassment Shizuru looked towards the smiling faces of the two mated women of the imperial court before slipping her mask on.

Natsuki looked over towards Shizuru then towards the table looking over she saw the face of Chie as well as Aoi. Tears quickly came towards her eyes as she covered her hands with her mouth. There before Natsuki stood a proud Chie with Darsharian armor handcrafted from the finest steel makers. Beside her stood Aoi with a blue and red kimono with brightened cranes decorated amongst the material.

"Are you going to stand there with tears in your eyes or are you going to hug us," said Chie with a smile. Natsuki ran up jumping into the couples arms kissing both their cheeks her tears mixed in with her happiness.

"How did you two get here? Who did this?"

"It was Shizuru that found us need-less to say she told us you were pretty lonely, so she came by and talked to us. Long story short I got my rank back and we are here to see you."

"We missed you so much Natsuki," said Aoi with a smile. Clapping her hands together everyone looked towards the judge before them.

"Now that everyone is here we can eat," said Haruka with a smile. Looking back towards Shizuru who was still in her original place Natsuki smiled with warmth before speaking.

"Yes let's eat."

AN: R&R

Preview: "It turns out that you have a way to get back home."

Zero