45.

All Good Things…

"All things must come to an end…" Natsuki sighed, "Even the good ones."

"Ara, but I hope that Natsuki is not referring to our relationship when she says that."

Natsuki turned and smiled at Shizuru, "Anyone who would minimize our relationship by relegating it to the simplicity of a 'good thing' doesn't understand how the universe works. You and are a an absolute. At least, based on what Mai told me about what Nagi said."

Shizuru blinked, then looked away, "You…know about that?"

"That he visited you guys awhile back? Yeah. I figured that it's part of why you've been so maudlin about the Festival, lately."

"Then, what inspired you to wax philosophical?"

Natsuki held up a tablet with a news article, the headline reading "Scientists Unlock the Secret of Organizing Matter."

"I already know from Alyssa that the lab in question is one of the ones working on Materialization," Natsuki sighed, "Things are about to get a lot more complicated for this world, Shizuru. They won't say it, but there's a huge push to weaponize the power we had. But Mom says there's a tradeoff."

"Tradeoff?"

"We couldn't use our powers without making a contract. Our Child fed off the love we felt for our Precious ones. And if we were defeated…well, you and I experienced it firsthand."

"Death," Shizuru nodded, "Do you ever recall our brief sojourn to the undiscovered country, Natsuki?"

Natsuki shook her head, "Once in awhile, I have some strange dreams, that I know for sure are about the time we spent dead. But then, I wake up, and the details slip away from me, like quicksilver."

"I have memories of a black abyss. Of floating in emptiness, cold, unable to move, indeed, I had no body with which to move. It was empty, and all there was with me were my regrets. I believe that it was, in fact, Hell."

"Shizuru, you're not back on that whole 'I feel wicked love' thing, are you?"

"It wasn't about that, Natsuki. I had slain many people, not in self-defense, not to protect someone, and not in service of others. It was cold-blooded murder. And even if you are correct that I slew no one who was innocent, that doesn't justify my actions. Not the way I did it. And I had done nothing to repent or atone before I died in your arms. I felt the full weight of my sins, in that brief time. Including, and most damning of all, my betrayal of you."

"All you did was kiss me in my sleep," Natsuki said evenly, "Okay, I get it, you felt like it was as bad as what I thought it was at the time. But…"

"It was a betrayal of our friendship, in those days, Natsuki. It wasn't a kiss of friendship, or a kiss of well meaning for your swift recovery from your injuries. It was a kiss of lust, of physical desire. And as such," Shizuru smiled at her, "Well, that was ages ago, now, and you'd long forgiven me. But I was just focused on the things that I had experienced at that time. I have offered many prayers and repented of all my crimes for that time. But what you're saying is that no one can access that kind of power without sustaining that kind of risk."

"Essentially. Mom says they've developed black diamonds that could, in theory, summon creatures like a Child or an Orphan. But, to use it, the person accessing that power risks their own life. If their creation is defeated, destroyed, the person who summoned it would perish.

"And she says that there is a system whereby someone could access a higher level of materialization similar to our Elements. But, not without forming a contract with another person, and risking that person if you die."

"Horrifying. Two deaths for the price of one, and all to obtain more destructive power in warfare," Shizuru shook her head.

"I'm going to hire extra security for the children. And we may have to bring in the other HiME, as well. They can't be left to fend for themselves."

"Natsuki…" Shizuru went to her dresser and pulled out a small box, "I..I need you to be safe. This…Mashiro and Nagi gave me this. They said it would protect you. If it will keep you, and our children, safe, then…"

"What is it? And why give it to me?"

"Mashiro said it would only work for you. She said it was…forged from a version of you on another world."

Natsuki held out her hand and took the gem.

She felt a strange surge when she held it, and instinctively, she held it to her chest. There was heat, but not painful, and suddenly it merged into her flesh and vanished.

I am Natsuki Kuga. I am a HiME. I am a Pharaoh of the Nile. I am a schoolgirl struggling to get Shizuru to forgive herself. I am a doctor. I am a college student living a life of sleepy days with the woman I love. I am the Headmistress of an elite Academy for girls who wish to be Otome. I am the captive of a Pirate Queen. I am a demon of ice. I am an Angel of the snow. I am a skilled sharpshooter. I am a skilled warrior on another planet. I am a survivor. I am. I am. I am….

"I. Am. Me," Natsuki exhaled sharply, and she gasped, then her head was clear.

"Natsuki!" Shizuru shouted, "Are you…?"

Natsuki held up a hand, "I'm alright, Shizuru. For a moment, I felt all of me. Every Natsuki out there. And then it was gone. And, Sachiko seems contented," Natsuki patted her stomach gently, "She's doing her usual calisthenics in there."

"Mashiro told me…that you would have the power of every you out there."

"I only hope I never have to use it," Natsuki nodded.

8888888

Some wishes, unfortunately, do not come true.

The attack came three weeks later. Natsuki and Shizuru had made arrangements with Alyssa to shelter all of the HiME, and provide protection for them. The attack came when Natsuki was taken to the hospital to deliver Sachiko.

The delivery was surprisingly easy, and every precaution was taken to keep Sachiko protected.

Fortunately, it was not Sachiko that the agents came for.

To this day, no one knows that nation they hailed from. They didn't speak during their operation. They carried no identification. And their equipment was generic, easily obtainable in many places. Everything about them was designed to make them untraceable.

And that was unfortunate for them. Because when they abducted Shizuru Fujino, Natsuki Kuga sensed it. Apparently, she reflected grimly, one of the many hers out there had psychic rapport with her Shizuru, and now she did as well. And when she sensed it, she vanished from her hospital room and appeared on the roof of the hospital. She was no longer in her hospital gown, but instead a skin tight outfit that had the colors of her old riding leathers, only, instead of her jacket, she had glistening white wings with delicate looking feathers made of ice. She descended on their black sedan with amazing speed, destroying the engine block with a single punch. She felt the familiar grip of her old Elements in her hands, and a quick squeeze of the triggers, and she had dispatched all of Shizuru's kidnappers. She held Shizuru in her arms, carrying her like a Princess, high into the sky.

"Natsuki…"

Natsuki simply turned and smiled at her, soft green eyes meeting astonished crimson ones.

She leaned over and kissed Shizuru.

"Let's go home," She said, "Our adventure is just beginning."