In the Darkness

A Mai Otome ShizNat Story

Chapter 2

Two Years Later

Natsuki stood by the window in her office. Her arms were folded over her chest. Her tired, Emerald eyes were staring at nothing in particular, not really settling on one specific thing.

The city of Wind Bloom, from this distance, looked so energetic, so lively at this time of night. Looked so pretty with all the colors and all the lights.

She could see bright reds, an array of oranges and yellows. She could see a large amount of whites as well. She could see as all the colors blurred in her eyes, meshing all together, becoming big, fuzzy blobs.

She felt as her lips quivered and heard as her throat let out a quiet sniffle. That's when she brought a hand up to her eyes to remove the tears of sadness that had accumulated there. A sadness in her heart that seemed to never end.

When she heard the door open and close behind her, she allowed herself to close her eyes for a moment. Just for a moment. She allowed herself to hear the steps that slowly approached her, allowed to let her mind wonder off for a little while, at least until the person spoke.

"I've brought you dinner, Natsuki"

That cheery, friendly voice, although it was nice to hear, wasn't the voice she wanted to hear. It wasn't her voice. Her beloved's voice. The accented voice that she dearly missed.

"We missed you downstairs" Mai added, standing a few steps away from the desk with a tray in hand.

"Thank you, Mai" Natsuki softly said, now turning around to face her friend. "You really shouldn't have, I'm not really hungry" She walked over to her desk and sat on her chair. Her hands reached for a document that had been there, staring at her for a few months now.

Natsuki had some big decisions to make and she had prolonged them long enough. She was taking too long, too long to let go, too long to realize that Shizuru wasn't coming back. That she needed to pick someone to permanently take her place.

Both spots, the one for the Third Column and the one for Headmistress Deputy needed to be filled. Shizuru had filled both positions before. She was a Column, and her second hand. She knew that Mai couldn't be on standby forever, couldn't stay in Garderobe forever.

Natsuki was thankful enough that her friend was able to substitute for Shizuru for a little while. Was thankful that she was able to take over some of her duties these past two years. She was glad that she was able to help out with missions when needed, since they were a little short staffed. But she knew the woman wanted to go back to Black Valley, the place she now calls home. Mai had told her that she'd only help out until the position was filled.

Natsuki was also grateful for Youko, who assisted her in the day to day, taking Shizuru's place as Headmistress Deputy. Assisting in meetings, helping her make decisions regarding the school, and so on. Youko had done it in the past. Whenever Shizuru was out on long missions, she would help from time to time. She willingly, wordlessly took that role the moment Shizuru had gone missing two years ago.

Natsuki heard as her friend approached her, placing the tray on her desk.

"I know you're not hungry, but you should still eat, Natsuki" Mai replied, staring at the all too familiar document on the blunette's hands.

Mai knew that this was difficult for Natsuki, that it was a difficult choice. She knew that Natsuki still held hope that the brunette was still alive, since there was no body left behind to mourn or bury. No actual proof that she was dead.

All Natsuki found when she had gone to where Shizuru had last been spotted was her suitcase. There weren't any signs of battle or foul play. The place was totally deserted. Untouched. As if nothing had happened. As if no one had been there.

Natsuki had gone to that desert everyday for almost six months, trying to make some sense of the situation, of her disappearance. Haruka had even joined her in that search, and Shizuru's previous Onee-sama, Ahn Lu, as well.

Plenty of people volunteered. Plenty of Otomes and experts alike, and found nothing. Nothing could explain where Shizuru was.

And so much time had passed since the brunette had gone missing. Every passing day diminishing the possibility of her return.

And this realization, it broke Natsuki's heart. She could literary hear it cracking to pieces every single night that the brunette wasn't around.

Every night, she'd silently cry into her pillow, asking her to return. Every night, she'd beg the higher powers to bring her back to her, that she'd do and give them anything they wanted. Every night she'd wish that, wherever Shizuru was, that she wasn't hurting, that she was safe.

"I know she meant-" Mai paused there, she didn't mean to say that word in the past tense. "Means a lot to you" She said as she stared at the woman who wouldn't remove her eyes from the document. The woman, whose Emerald eyes were greener, shinier than ever, only because of the redness that surrounded it. Now that she was close enough, she could tell that she had been crying. "Just because you're making decisions about this, it doesn't mean that you have to lose hope. I don't want you to lose hope, Natsuki"

Mai didn't think Natsuki could survive another year, not without that four-lettered word. Hope is what's keeping her alive right now. The hope that she'd see the brunette again someday. Mai was certain of it.

Natsuki pursed her lips and nodded in understanding. She placed the document upside down on the desk, not wanting to look at it anymore. At least not for now.

She then stood and faced the window again, stared out into the vastness again. "By permanently replacing her, I feel like I'm giving up on her" Natsuki softly said. "When she returns, I don't want her to think that I gave up on her" And then, after a few seconds of silence, she whispered, "I know she's out there somewhere. I just know it, Mai… Someone can't just disappear, just like that"

That last part, Mai could understand. The world, the universe, was a magical, uncertain, and vast place with many mysteries. She herself had been stuck in a magical land for many years, unable to communicate with the outside world. She just hoped that wherever Shizuru was, if she was still in fact alive, that at least she was unharmed. Mai herself had been lucky to fall into the hands of the sweet demon, Mikoto. She just hoped that Shizuru was as lucky as her, if that were the case.

Same Time,

Unknown Location

"It's such a shame we have to send her back, she's far too precious…" A young man said as he touched the large, transparent, glassed capsule filled with cold water. There was a sleeping, naked brunette floating inside of it. "Can't we just keep her, father? Please?"

The older of the two occupants in the room sighed. He walked closer to the capsule, joining the young man. "We've got bigger plans for her, my boy" He said. In his hands, he carried a box, and inside that box, was the brunette's Gemstone.

"Oh, we're sending her back today?" The young man asked in both, disappointment and surprise, noticing the box in his father's hands.

"Yes, she's ready" The man then pushed a couple of buttons on the side of the capsule, this action that caused the water inside of it start to slowly flush.

"Do we have to send the Gemstone back as well? We don't know much about it yet" Then, added, "Besides the transformation and it's healing capabilities"

Yes, when they had first captured the wondering brunette, they found that she healed rather quickly when they tortured her. It took them a while to realize that it was the Gemstone, along with those curious particles they found in her blood, that did this, that was healing her so quickly.

They knew some things about it, about its power, but very little. They didn't think healing was one of its capabilities as well.

When they removed the Gem from her ear, when they had done the Blood Wash, their torture tactics, little by little, started to work. They didn't get one word out of the brunette though. Not a single one.

She just stared at them.

Stared.

That's all she ever did.

Now, the mysterious brunette's mind was a different story. She wasn't weak minded, like the others they had captured in the past.

Those whom they had captured in the past were simple commoners, vagabonds, they were the ones who had told them about people like the brunette. People, warriors with such immense power.

They had tried brainwashing the brunette for a few months, but it didn't quite work. They had tried persuasion, but it didn't work on her either.

No. Not on her.

She was too clever, and her mind was too strong.

So, they resulted to other tactics since they were wasting too much time. They resulted to completely erasing, completely clearing her mind. All memories, her very essence, her intellect, gone. This was the only way their plan would work. The only way they could take over when darkness fell.

"This Gemstone is worthless without the source, my boy. There's something in her bloodstream that enables her to use it" The man reminded, pushing another button that would open the capsule. "In order to obtain the Gem's full power, we need the particles and the source. The source is what helps her transform" Then, he explained, "And if we don't return the stone with her, they won't find her on time. I believe this Gem is also a tracking device... Without it, she'd probably die in that desert in a matter of days in her current state"

The young man understood, then asked, "Once it's back on her ear, won't it heal her mind though?" It was a possibility, it healed her wounds, and her mind was now wounded as well.

"I believe so, but only if they inject the curious particles again..." The had removed most of them already to examine them, "That's why time is of the essence. We need to act quickly before she recovers all her memories" He walked over to the wet, laying brunette. "We'll let her rest for a few days, not to cause any suspicions. Then, we'll go in"

He stared at her naked body for a moment, stared at her beautiful face, now realizing that his son was right. She was far too beautiful, far too precious, it would be crazy to let her go.

All this time, he had been focused on one particular thing about her.

Her fiery eyes.

When she had awoken the night that they had captured her, her demeanor seemed calm. Even when they tortured her, her demeanor seemed calm.

Yes, calm.

But her eyes, those Ruby eyes of hers told a different story. Told him that the moment she was free from his chains, that she would end him with her bare hands. That she would wrap her hands around his petty little neck and would squeeze so hard, so hard and would not let go, not until he was lying dead on the floor.

Those Ruby eyes haunted his dreams for many months, they still did to this day.

The man kneeled next to the naked woman, removing the breathing device from her nose and mouth. He went ahead and placed the purple Gem back on her left ear. Then, he leaned closer to her, and he couldn't help himself, just couldn't help it. He went ahead and placed a kiss on her cold, yet soft lips.

"Deadly beautiful" He whispered against her lips, using the name his son had given her. Then, after a moment, he whispered in her ear: "In the darkness, find the source"

"Shall I get her things, father?" The young man interrupted.

"Yes, get her dressed and prepare the portal" He told his son as he rose, "She's going home"

Two Hours Later,

Garderobe

- Knock -

- Knock -

"Um… Kruger-san? Are you there?" Arika called as she knocked on Shizuru's door, having a feeling that she'd find the Gakuenchou there.

She had her heavy books in hand. Since Shizuru disappeared, the Headmistress had taken the responsibility of personally tutoring her. Arika wasn't sure if it was because she wanted to keep herself busy, or if it was because it was a way for her to feel closer to Shizuru, since Shizuru always helped her. Either way, she was glad for the help, although her grades weren't really improving. The way the Headmistress explained things just wasn't her cup of tea. It made her more confused sometimes.

"I-I'll be right there!"

She heard the woman shout, and then heard some shuffling and noise coming from inside the room. A few seconds later, the woman was at the door.

"A-Ah, is it that time already?" Natsuki nervously asked, a hand on the back of her head. She couldn't believe she had been caught in this room again, she meant to leave a little earlier.

"Yeah, but we can do this at another time. I'm not in a rush" Arika voiced, noticing the hint of pink on the Headmistress's nose.

"Ie, ie, don't be silly. Let's go to the library" The blunette definitely welcomed the distraction. "So, did you get your test results yet? Was Miss Maria impressed?"

"Well…" Arika didn't know how to break it to her. She had a very low score again. She wished all she had to do was fight, she was really good at fighting.

Studies?

Chemistry, History, Math?

Not so much.

"Did it at least raise a little?" Natsuki asked as she eyed the girl, an eyebrow raising. They had worked really hard the past few weeks, she wondered if she was doing something wrong.

"Well…"

Natsuki sighed, it wasn't her or the way she taught, this girl was just a lost cause.

"It's not my fault I don't understand chemistry or math" The student couldn't help and complaint. "What do we need these things for anyway? I don't see any Otomes doing chemistry or math"

Natsuki was about to explain to the teenager why it was important to be a well-rounded Otome, why it was important to know all these things, but was interrupted by Youko's voice.

"Natsuki. I need you to hurry to I.T., it's important"

"Okay" Natsuki said, her hand was touching her blue Gem.

"Arika, can you study on your own tonight? Something has come up" She apologized to the teenager.

She watched as Arika nodded and walked away. "She's a lost cause anyway" She couldn't help and mutter, scratching the side of her head.

Between the walk and the elevator ride, getting to I.T. took approximately fifteen minutes from her current position.

When she arrived, she calmly walked to Youko's side. Nao was there as well, standing next to Youko with both arms resting behind her head.

"What took you so long?" Nao snickered.

"I'm the Gakuenchou, I'm very busy" Natsuki narrowed her eyes at the insolent Column. "You don't seem so busy though, should I send you off somewhere for a couple of months?" She warned, "Somewhere cold?" Which caused Nao to humph and shut up.

Natsuki then turned her attention to Youko, "Is something wrong?" She asked, her arms folding below her chest as she looked at the massive screen ahead of them.

"I'm getting some strange readings" Youko answered, Indigo eyes never leaving the screen. Then, after a few moments, "I've- I've seen this before" She whispered with furrowed brows, and rapidly typed a few things on the keyboard. Then, she pushed a few buttons here and there. She brought up the readings she had recorded a couple of years ago, the morning Shizuru had gone missing.

The Chief of Technology looked at the readings intently for a few moments, eyes scanning all the similarities between the two. Eyes comparing each tremor, each wave, each line side by side.

"I-It's back" She whispered, then hit a few more buttons on the keyboard. By the readings she was receiving, by how rapidly its power was increasing, in just a matter of seconds something should happen.

And it did.

- Beep -

Natsuki's hands slightly twitched when hearing the beep, when seeing the information now displaying on the screen.

She took a step back, her hands slowly unfolding themselves from the current hold they had below her chest.

"I-Is that?" Her eyebrows furrowed, and her lips trembled, her mouth slightly agape.

On the screen, the Bewitching Smile Amethyst Gem had suddenly appeared. And with it, one by one, all of Shizuru's vital signs. It was constantly updating, her heart beat, her breathing, amongst other things. Her location showed up on the screen as well.

"Y-You're seeing what I'm seeing, right?" The Headmistress couldn't help and ask, trying to make sure it wasn't some sort of illusion that had presented itself in front of her eyes. "Right?!" She said, louder this time. Then, looked at the two other women standing next to her, they seemed as surprised as her. They were in shock.

Natsuki quickly started for the door. She knew the location well, it was the same as before.

"Natsuki, wait!" Youko shouted after her. "We need more information! Wait!"

But Natsuki couldn't wait. She couldn't.

"Natsuki!"

Not even for Nao who was shouting behind her, who was running after her, asking her to wait for her. But Natsuki ignored her, waiting would only slow her down.

Natsuki quickly Materialized into her Robe as she ran, and once she was out in the open she immediately jumped into the air, flying as fast as she could. Flying as fast as the Robe would allow her to.

"Let it be real. Please... Please, please, let it be real" She chanted, whispered over and over.

She ignored the voice in her Gem. Youko's voice that warned her to be careful, that it might be a trap, to please come back. But Natsuki ignored her, she'd willingly fall for any trap as long as it led her to Shizuru.

It took her fifteen minutes to arrive at the desert. That damned desert that took Shizuru away from her. She suddenly came to a quick stop. It was dark, obscure, and although the moon was shining bright, she couldn't see a thing. The moonlight was not bright enough to distinguish person from sand.

"Shizuru!" She shouted from the top of her lungs, hoping to hear a reply, but only heard her own echo.

She quickly looked around, trying not to panic. She was trying to calm the fast beating of her heart so that she could focus, so that she could think clearly. That's when she suddenly spotted something black. It was slightly covered in sand not too far away.

She quickly made her way towards it. She could now hear Nao nearing her,

"Natsuki!"

She was behind her, shouting her name.

"Shizuru!" Natsuki shouted again once her feet had touch the sand. She ran the short distance towards her and collapsed on her knees once she was next to her. She recognized the clothing, what Shizuru had been wearing the day she had gone missing. She remembers every detail of it as clear as day.

"S-Shizuru" She whispered to her as she rolled her over, now able to see her sleeping face. She leaned forward, leaned towards the laying, unresponsive form. She couldn't believe it was really her. That she was really here. That she was really back.

"S-Shizuru" Natsuki whimpered the name as she touched her face, her trembling hands caressing her beloved's unusually cold cheeks for a hot, summer night.

"I-I missed you so much, Shizuru" She whispered to her as she leaned forward, her nose now touching the brunette's pointy nose. She could feel her shallow breathing hitting her lips.

"I love you" And she brushed her trembling lips against hers. Just a small caress of lips, nothing more. "I-I love you so much" She was now sobbing. Saying the words she had been dying to have a chance to say to her since the moment she had gone. "I love you so, so much, Shizuru" And then rested her forehead against the brunette's, staying that way for a few seconds as she tried to calm herself.

"We... we should probably head back" Nao said from a distance as she watched the scene. She wished she could give the woman some privacy, she hadn't seen her like this before. This affected. Her voice just a moment ago, the words she had just said, it sounded so desperate, so raw. It broke her heart.

"Do you need help?" Nao then asked, a small blush still on her cheeks because of what she had just seen. Because of the intimate interaction between the two.

"Ie" Natsuki replied as she kneeled and carefully picked up the unconscious brunette, carrying her in her arms. "I've got her" And she held on to her, resting her face against her chest, then slowly making her ascend.

It took them twice as long to arrive Garderobe since they were flying at a slow pace. The flight was silent, and felt extremely long.

When they arrived, Youko was already waiting for them outside the building.

They quickly headed for the Medical Building and tried to figure out what was wrong with Shizuru since she had yet to wake up.

Youko ran an excessive amount tests, but everything came back negative. Nothing seemed to be really wrong with the brunette. Her toxicology test did show a small amount of some type of unknown sedative in her bloodstream, but it wasn't anything harmful. It should quickly wear off overnight. For now, the brunette just needed to rest.

"You should go to bed, Natsuki. I'll let you know when she wakes up" Youko suggested to the blunette who wouldn't move away from the medical bed. She was standing next to Shizuru, holding her hand.

"Ie, I'm not leaving sights of her ever again" Natsuki softly told her. She'd wait forever if she had to. She'd never leave her side ever again.

Youko sighed in defeat, but couldn't help and smile. "Okay, let me know as soon as she wakes up" And decided to head back to I.T. to try and make some sense of today's readings, in hopes to figure out where the brunette had been all this time.

She also wanted to try and figure out what the sedative in her system was, it was nothing she'd ever seen or come across before.

And Natsuki?

All night long she stayed by Shizuru's side. She held her hand, kissed her head and whispered in her ear that she loved her, over and over and over again. And also thanked the higher powers for Shizuru's return.

- 0 -

Thanks for Reading!

And thanks for the Reviews/ Comments

"For the love of ShizNat"