Life Will Be Life
Disclaimer: I do not own My-HiME or My-Otome Sunrise owns the franchise. This fic is nonprofit.
Warnings: Girl/Girl romance, some cussing, possible mature content, most likely some violence. Don't like then get out cause I don't give a damn about you or you're narrow-minded views of the world.
As for the rest of you, thank you for being open minded and I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it.
Chapter 1
The palace of Fuka was very beautiful, built of all white stone in an architectural style that was both breathtaking and tasteful. The interior of the palace was designed with a similar theme in mind in that every square inch of the palace was both fashionable and functional. Everywhere one looked one could always find the national colors of Fuka proudly displayed in an elegant manner. Orange, blue, red, tan, and black were arranged in intricate patterns all over the palace. The landscape outside the palace also kept to the same feel as the interior with large picturesque gardens and lush forest with a surround white stonewall to serve as protection against an attack.
As for the nation itself, all was well as could be for the annual Conference was fast approaching. The Conference is a meeting of sorts between Fuka and it's sister nation, the Queendom of Garderobe and the Archduchy of Schwartz, in which diplomats negotiated with each other over various matters of international significance. Fuka unlike Garderobe is not a Queendom but a Principality and is neither small nor poor when compared to the other countries. The negotiations themselves were nothing new as they were an annual event that helped to strengthen Fuka's peaceful relationship with Garderobe.
Unfortunately the same sort of sentiments cannot be said for Fuka's relationship with Schwartz with whom they share a shaky sort of unofficial peace. The Archduke of Schwartz Nagi Dai Artai is a shifty fellow that no one is quick to trust no matter what is said by either side. The only good thing that could be said about Schwartz is that there have been no battles between Schwartz and either of the other two monarchies in three years at least.
The armies that each realm possessed were not what made a battle so devastating, what made each confrontation so disastrous were the main Guardian forces of each sovereignty. Fuka had the HiME Sentai, for Garderobe it was the Otome, and in Schwartz's case they depended on the Valkyries. The HiMEs are the oldest elite strickforce to have existed. The Otomes themselves are merely an advanced version of sorts of the original HiMEs while the Valkyries are just an upgrade Otome of sorts. Yet despite their differences not one of the three warrioress groups has ever proven to be stronger than the other. Another thing these special units shared in common was the fact that only the first-born girl of a noble family could become a sentry for their country. Though the number of members often varied between each.
The HiME Sentai is six members strong and though they are few in numbers they are more than enough to defend Fuka and it's Crown Princess, Fumi Himeno. The team is comprised of: Natsuki Kruga, Mikoto Minagi, Nao Yuuki, Yukino Kikukawa, Akira Okuzaki, and their leader Midori Suguira. Each girl is able to weald an Element and summon a Child to fight alongside them should a battle break out between the HiME and an enemy of Fuka. Natsuki's Child is Duran, Mikoto has Miroku, Nao's Child is called Julia, while Yukino's Child is Diana, Akira's Child is Gennai and Midori works with Gakutenou.
There are also just six Otomes and like their HiME counterparts the small number of fighters is perfectly sufficient for Garderobe's protection. Shizuru Fujiola is the leader of the Otomes along with Haruka Suzushiro; Mai Tokiha and Chie Hallard are also Otomes along with Nina Wang and Erstin Ho. Shizuru's GEM is the Bewitching Smile Amethyst, Haruka's is the Topaz of the Jewel Isle, Mai has the Fire Stirring Ruby, Chie's GEM is known as the Mystic Rumor Morganite, Nina possesses the Neptune Emerald, and Erstin uses the Rainbow Cloud Rhodonite. The six of them have a contract with Garderobe's Queen, Mashiro Kazahana.
The Valkyries are fewer in number than the others but they still manage to watch over Schwartz. Tomoe Marguerite is the lead Valkyrie followed by: Lee Mae, Noel, and Jan all for of which us the same type of GEM the Obsidians of the Darkness. They serve the Archduke of Schwartz.
The three great sovereignties are not the only countries in this world for there is several Free Nations which stand separately from the monarchies. These Free Nations exist in a constant state of anarchy and poverty. Several attempts to help them have been made by both Fuka and Garderobe while Schwartz has made every attempt to conquer them. Yet every time the Free Nations have rebelled to the point where war seemed inevitable.
In a last ditch effort Queen Mashiro had sent an Ambassador of Garderobe to the Free Nations in the hopes that some chance for a peaceful alliance can be found…
.
1 Month Later
It was the final day of the week long Conference and all the major dignitaries and nobles were gathered within Fuka Palace as they chattered aimlessly while they waited for the nights festivities to get underway. For while the Conferences main purpose was to improve and strengthen the relationships between the countries it was also treated as a makeshift celebration in which a large variety of exotic entertainment is provided.
Shizuru Fujiola stood dutifully by her young Queen as Mashiro sat and spoke with Crown Princess Fumi. Rena Sayers stood next to her behind Mashiro as the Queen's personal attendant for the night.
Glancing across the floor, Shizuru caught sight of Elliot Chandler who was nearly surrounded by various dignitaries, completely engrossed in some sort of discussion.
"Well, not completely engrossed." Shizuru mused after catching the fleeting glance the young Ambassador threw their way. At the age of thirty-three she was a fully accomplish Meister Otome, a well-known and respected noblewomen, and the Ambassador for Garderobe. The two of them were not exactly close friends but she knew more than enough about Elliot and her history.
The Chandler family was a sub branch of the house of Ho making Elliot the elder second cousin of Erstin Ho. Despite being second cousins the two females looked remarkably alike as both shared the characteristics of the females of their extended family, although there were some obvious and not so obvious differences between the two. Erstin was considered the ideal woman. She was demur and domestic, polite and friendly, beautiful but intelligent, and possessed a figure like no other with a bust that could rival even Mai's. Elliot on the other hand, though beautiful in her own right, was graced with a more modest frame. And while she was just as polite in her speech as Erstin she tended to speak in an informal and masculine style, a particular trait she had picked up from her father Ellian Chandler who had raised her alone since she was three when her mother died. Where as Erstin spoke in a definitively feminine style and almost always formally. Not that either of them ever minded such differences.
Another thing that the cousins shared in common was an attraction to dark haired women. Erstin harbored a long-standing crush on her fellow Guardian and childhood friend Nina Wang. Elliot herself was rather hopelessly in love with her childhood friend Rena Sayers an ex-Otome and the personal maidservant to the queen. While both of them were equally hopeless in their one sided loves their situations were entirely different. Nina was seventeen, just a year older than Erstin, she had yet to date anyone and her family had deigned to allow her to choose her own life mate. But Nina was oblivious to Erstin's feelings since the younger girl never spoke of them to her. Rena on the other hand was the thirty-four year old single mother of a little girl, four year old Arika Yumemiya. Arika's father had been an archeologist named Shiro, who had run off to the Free Nations and had been killed in a fight before Arika was born. Rena was more than aware of Elliot's affections for her, but did not return them in kind although that never stopped her from reminding the young Ambassador that she cared for her.
Elliot had been heartsick when she realized that Rena was pregnant. But, like a true friend, she had dutifully spent all of her free time comforting the grieving Rena and had even been present for Arika's birth. Looking at Arika sometimes made her heartache but she never blamed the child herself. To be honest she loved the little girl in the same way that an aunt wouldl love a niece. It was just that Arika looked so much like her father with her red hair and she also had Rena's startlingly blue eyes. Luckily that had done little to hinder her from babysitting whenever she could.
Shizuru smiled lightly as she turned her attention elsewhere and scanned the crowd again before spotting the object of her own fascination. The eldest daughter of the house of Kruga haled from the northern most region of Fuka where her family resided. A loner and a rebel, always quick to glare and slow to smile, she was a dark and brooding creature said to be as beautiful as Artemis herself while possessing one of the most frigid personalities she has ever seen. She was Shizuru's opposite in every way possible.
Having been born and raised in the southern most province of Garderobe in her families home Shizuru was the only child of Shizuka and Yuzuru Fujiola. Sociable, polite, and elegant, forever the perfect lady, Shizuru always wore a smile on her face in almost everything she did. Many had even likened her to Aphrodite for Shizuru had a beauty that could send both men and women to their knees in awe.
Movement caught her eye and turning she recognized Tomoe Marguerite, one of her least favorite fans. Luckily Chie Hallard was also there so the boyishly charming Otome would be able to distract Tomoe for a short time, though she suspected Chie would eventually disappeared with Aoi Senoh, one of the palace maids here in Fuka.
Shizuru glanced about once more, easily picking out the other HiMEs who were standing guard. She had gotten the chance to speak with Yukino Kikukawa earlier who was just as shy as always but had managed to ask after Haruka. Haruka Armitage was Shizuru's second in command and although Haruka is hotheaded she always means well no matter what. She noticed Nao Yuuki talking with some of the nobles of Schwartz, while Akira Okuzaki seemed less than inclined to talk as she hid away in a corner.
Mikoto Minagi was chatting happily with Mai Tokiha, the young HiME had meet the busty Otome at an official event some years before and had been quit taken by the cheerful redhead almost instantly. If asked how she truly felt about the elder Otome the cat-like girl would simply say that she loved Mai with such a childish innocence that many often wondered whether or not the petite girl really comprehended what she was saying. Shizuru on the other hand more often pondered which it was that the innocent girl loved more, Mai or Mai's cooking. After all, the fiery Otome's cooking skills were considered legendary even amoung chefs. Midori Suguira was proving, by far of course, to be the most sociable of the HiME Sentai as she loudly prattled on about the lack of alcohol and excitement as well as a need for the HiMEs and Otomes to hangout more if given the chance.
At that moment a man separated himself from the rest of the crowd, and after offering a quick bow proceeded to call attention to himself.
"Forgive the interruption, but if you're all ready the performers are prepared to begin." His announcement was met with much applause as he signaled for the entertainers to start their show.
A heavy set man slowly waddled forward, his large girth swathed in layer upon layers of fine fabric, a physical sign of prosperity, he was the showmaster. Bowing excessively to the crowd as he moved, a fairly impressive accomplishment considering his weight. Then turning he waved for several brightly dressed performers to come forward and begin.
The acts were much like those that one might have seen at a festival. First came a trio of agile acrobats. Then came a set of dancers. Followed by an animal act with wolves, tigers, bears, an eagle, and a huge snake. After that a quartet of jugglers came out. Each performance had been accompanied by a band of musicians.
Just when it seemed to be the end, one last entertainer came forward. A beautiful young woman of at least twenty-something wearing a sensual Gypsy costume sashayed her way to the center of the floor in time to a low ardurous drum beat. She moved smoothly and naturally, carrying herself with a steady flowing grace that never wasted even so much as an ounce of energy. Within seconds of starting her dance she took up song, a song that was no more than the simple flow of wordless notes that was none the less incredibly beautiful. Her hypnotic movements combined with the elegant song in such a way that it left her audience completely entranced.
Shizuru was, of course, one of the few unaffected and took a moment to look about at the rest of the audience. As one might expect a great many of the men were staring in almost outright desire as they watched the dancer move. Even some of the women seemed to be somewhat excited by her display.
But of all the observers the one who seemed most affected was Masashi Takeda, a nobleman of Garderobe and a famous swordsman. Takeda was blatantly drooling over the dancer. Shizuru's gaze soon wondered to Natsuki who was watching the act with stoic indifference as expected.
All too soon the dance was done, her song was ended, and the spell was broken. Only silence reigned for a short eternity. Then the room erupted into thunderous applause with impassioned demands for an encore. The dancer flushed lightly as she tried to bow her way out while several obvious fans moved forward to swarm her.
The wide man from before moved forward to try and assist the girl but to no avail. The sounds of a commotion drifted in from outside and the next moment two large men walked in dragging a small struggling figure between them, a third man followed behind carrying a long black bundle. They came to a stop just a short ways from the showmaster.
The showmaster bristled up at the sight of them. "What in the world do you think you're--?"
"He was caught fighting again." The man on the right interrupted.
"We figured it would be best to get him sorted out now rather than later." The man on the left offered.
"I see." Said the showmaster, then turning to the smaller figure. "Take him outside, I'll deal with him later." He turned back to the audience as the men went back outside. "I beg your pardon for that terrible interruption! Please! Pay it no mind and allow us to make it up to you!"
Raucous applause answered him at that and he quickly motioned for more performers to begin. The show continued after that and lasted well into the night. It seemed that the incident had been forgotten.
.
Natsuki was bored.
Actually, bored was an understatement. As of now, watching grass grow would have seemed exciting. She thought about going to find one of the other HiMEs to do something, but unfortunately she got along with only a few of them. Midori was ridiculous, Nao was annoying, Akira rarely ever interacted with any of them, and while Yukino was intelligent she was often too shy for her own good. Mikoto was the only one who she liked at least a little, but she was currently following Mai around like love struck a kitten. So her only choice now was to wander around aimlessly.
Unfortunately many of the conference guests were still walking about Fuka Palace and in large groups at that. She had gone outside in the hopes of avoiding most of them. She soon found herself wondering through the part of the palace grounds where the performers had set up a temporary camp. She allowed herself to be distracted looking about at some of the curious items hanging off of the caravans that they used for housing. A soft and accented voice suddenly roused her from her musings.
"Having fun?"
Looking up she caught sight of a familiar figure.
"Shizuru! What are you doing out here?"
"Ara! I could ask you the same thing."
"I was bored."
"So it seems."
"Why are you out here?"
"Isn't it a lovely night?"
"Well, yeah I guess if you like this kind of thing."
"Shall we walk together? It may be better than wandering around on ones own."
"Sure."
They continued on together all the while talking about anything that came to mind.
Natsuki was starting to enjoy herself when she heard something.
"Did you hear that?" She asked.
"Hai." Shizuru replied.
"Let's check it out."
They moved towards the last caravan where the sounds seemed to be coming from. Now that they were closer she could make out low voices.
"Well boy, what do you have to say for yourself?"
They moved toward the back end of the caravan where she thought the voice was coming from. There, behind the caravan, stood five figures. Two large men stood holding down a smaller darker figure in front of the fat showmaster, while a third stood beside him holding a lng black bundle that was about half as tall as him.
"Shine, decchiri!" Snarled the small person as the two men continued to hold him down.
"You watch your mouth when you speak to me boy! You, give me that thing!" The third man came forward quickly and handed the now red faced showmaster the large bundle.
"Temee-ra, don't touch that! He's mine damnit! Give him back!"
"I think not. You see, this, is my property now. Just like you."
"Like hell, you fat piece of shit! You don't own me yet and you sure as hell don't own that!"
"That's not what your mother said when she sold you to me." The showmaster nodded to the third man who stepped forward with his hand raised high, holding a thin stick.
"You son of a--!" The boy was cut off as the stick was cracked down on his back. He bit his lip to keep from crying out. The other two men suddenly joined in and all three of them began to beat the smaller figure who continued to swear and struggle but it was all in vain.
"Hey!" Natsuki yelled as she and Shizuru dashed forward to stop them.
The boy struck one of the men across the face and he fell back. He leapt up at the showmaster but was struck down by the man with the stick just as he got a hold of the dark bundle.
"Just what the hell do you think your doing?" Natsuki demanded.
"My lady, please do not concern yourself with him. This boy--"
"Let him go!"
"But, my lady--"
"I suggest you let the boy go now, sir. Otherwise we'll be forced to call the guards and arrest you all." Shizuru spoke with a quiet seriousness that was enough to almost make Natsuki shiver. And what's more, she said it with that small nonchalant smile on her face.
"B-But I--?"
"Now."
"Release him." He told the men.
They hesitated unwilling to let their victim go.
"NOW!"
They immediately got off of the boy who struggled to stand, desperately reaching out for the bundle.
"K-ken… Kaishite… Chichiue-sama no ken… kaishite…" He passed out just as he finally managed to grasp the bundle.
**AN**
Shine decchiri - "Go die, fat ass!" Or at least that's how I've heard it translated.
Ken - "Sword"
Kaishite - "Return it"
Chichiue - "Honorable father" Or at least that's how I've heard it.