Family

Interlude

Nagi Homura hadn't had his nose broken before. He decided almost instantly that he didn't like the sensation.

"HARUKA!" Yukino yelped in alarm as she grabbed the other girl by the arm before she could punch him again.

"My nodes," Nagi yelped nasally as blood dribbled down his face.

Haruka shook off Yukino's grip and advanced on the cringing Nagi. She grabbed him by the collar and jerked him up. "I do NOT appreciate being used," she growled at him.

"I..." Nagi trailed off as she shook him like a rag. He was a little astonished... who knew a enraged high school girl could be that strong?

"Don't lie to me, you little..." Haruka gave him another good shake. Flatly she continued, "Don't involve me or Yukino in your schemes again. Or you'll regret it."

Nagi watched rather dazedly as she stomped off. "Did she just threaten me?" Nagi asked Yukino disbelievingly.

"Yes, actually," Yukino nodded. She smiled grimly as she added, "Your plans are already in trouble with Nao gone."

"Yeah?" Nagi asked curiously.

"Just imagine what would happen if Suzushiro Industries paid for a vacation for ALL the remaining Hime?" Yukino smiled sweetly.

Nagi paused, visibly paling. "You wouldn't dare," he managed.

"I don't know everything about the Hime conflict, but I know it's time limited," Yukino added. "Don't push your luck."

Nagi slumped against the wall as they left. With a groan he leaned back, and soon the bleeding stopped. He hadn't realized Haruka could punch like that...

"Well, well," Mashiro noted as she rolled up in her wheelchair. "Are you all right?" she asked him with false concern.

"I'm fine," Nagi got up, noting with disgust he had blood on his uniform too.

Mashiro smiled back sweetly, "Good. You, of course, are aware that you can't retaliate against Haruka, right?"

"She's connected to Yukino, and I need all the Hime. I know," Nagi grumped.

"Correct," and with that Mashiro moved to go. "Oh, and don't think of just hurting Haruka, instead. You need my cooperation too."

Nagi just growled...

As Mashiro left, she let out a soft sigh of relief. While her supporters wanted the Hime battles to go on, she was quite content to have things be stalemated. There was only a limited amount of time to start the battles, and Nagi needed Nao involved.

'He can still try to start the conflicts here,' Mashiro reminded herself. Thankfully the Hime didn't want to fight, generally. There were only one or two who were really unstable, as well, and so far he hadn't managed to trigger them either.

Mashiro resolved to keep a closer eye on the crazier ones, as well as 'nudging' Midori-sensei a bit. If they were lucky, they all might get through this all right...

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Reito Kanzaki arrived at the student council room early, and was slightly surprised to see Shizuru Fujino waiting for him. She sat at the head of the table drinking her tea, her expression as usual quite serene.

"Reito-san, we need to talk," Shizuru said mildly.

Reito did NOT like that tone of voice. It was the same one she used when she was going to put Haruka in her place. Worrying. Clearing his throat he said pleasantly, "Of course, Miss President. How can I help you?"

"You can explain why you helped send Haruka after Nao," Shizuru said to him flatly.

Reito managed to keep his wince hidden. He should have known she would find out about that. Still, he said calmly, "Is that so?"

Shizuru gave him a look that bordered on faintly annoyed. "Don't evade, Kanzaki." she said to him dangerously.

Reito sighed, and decided to fall back on the literal truth. "Yes, I was asked to pass on the false rumours to Suzushiro," he conceded, adding regretfully "I could not refuse the person who gave me the request."

"I see," Shizuru mused.

Reito was relieved Shizuru was reading that as he intended. She had, at least once, had had to do something for the school's backers that she didn't really want to do. So she was logically assuming he was in the same boat.

"Understood," Shizuru said briskly, "but next time, tell me. There have been repercussions that I am having to deal with."

"Oh?" Reito asked.

Shizuru made a face, "Haruka mentioned she was from Fuka when she attempted to throw her weight around there. Their student council is, understandably, annoyed."

Reito had to fight back a smile. "And they are taking it out on you?" he asked.

"Exactly," Shizuru said.

Reito gave her a sympatrhetic look. "When can we expect Haruka to return?" he changed the subject slightly.

"I spoke with her on the phone today, she expects to be back attending meetings tomorrow," Shizuru noted.

"I see," Reito nodded. He had also heard a rumor that she was back on campus already... and apparently had punched out Nagi. If that was true, it could be a VERY interesting meeting tomorrow.

Thoughtfully Reito added, "Normally she'd be here, even jet lagged from a trip. I wonder what's going on?"

"Maybe she has something more important to do?" Shizuru mused. "I understand Yukino went with her," she winked.

Reito laughed. "You don't think that they...?" he grinned, well aware of Yukino's crush on Haruka.

"I don't know, but it'd be funny," Shizuru smiled.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Midori Sugiura was feeling vaguely annoyed. The part time teacher at Fuka Academy was juggling multiple jobs... reasearching the Hime conflict, teaching classes and trying to find the last three of the Hime too.

The Hime question was particularly urgent. One of her goals was to stop the Hime from killing each other, and doing that would be a bitch if she didn't know who they all were!

Midori sighed. There was herself, Mai, Natsuki, Nao, Yukino, Mikoto... poor Akane, Akira and Sister Yukariko. There were three other Hime out there, and so far at least she had no idea who they were. Worse, all Nagi had to do was convince one of them to go after the other Hime...

The only bright spot so far was that with Nao off campus, they couldn't DO the whole 'Battle Royal' thing they planned. They had to have everyone there. So as long as they kept Nao away, the other side was stopped...

The loud knocking on her office door jerked Midori from her thoughts. "Yes?" she called.

"Excuse us," Yukino smiled shyly as she and Haruka entered.

Midori looked curiously at Haruka. Yukino visiting her made sense, since Yukino was one of her Hime Rangers, so to speak. But Haruka?

"Sensei," Haruka smiled faintly.

"Ladies, what can I do for you?" Midori asked.

"We .. uhm, have a request," Yukino started hesitantly.

Boldly Haruka took over, "I need you to tell me everything you know about the Hime and this stupid mortal combat thing."

Midori blinked in surprise then looked at Yukino. "I sort of HAD to tell her," Yukino admitted, "it's complicated..."

"Well, take a seat... it's going to take awhile," Midori ordered, somewhat bemused.

"I have time," Haruka sat, looking determined.

Midori organized some documents that would help explain as she asked, "Why do you want to know, anyway?"

"Because I won't have Yukino hurt by such things," Haruka said firmly.

Yukino, interestingly, went bright pink at THAT.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

The student council didn't have a official private phone line, so mostly the calls went to Reito or Shizuru. She picked up the phone and sighed, "President Shizuku, nice to hear from you." 'Again' she didn't add.

Shizuku actually sounded apologetic as she said, "Actually, I wanted to apologize about my earlier calls."

"Oh?" Shizuru raised her eyebrows.

"I spoke with Nao about it, she convinced me that Haruka's intentions, at least, were good," Shizuku admitted.

Shizuru was rather intrigued by the almost tender tone of voice she heard. Was the other woman and Nao...? "Well, I'm glad that's straightened out. I'd have to see trouble between our schools," she said diplomatically.

"Oh, agreed," Shizuku said. "In fact, I was going to invite you to our student fair. The cosplay fashion show is quite entertaining."

"There's a thought," Shizuru mused, imagining Natsuki in such costumes.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Mai, I feel a chill," Natsuki noted as she and Mai were sneaking around on HIME business.

"Someone's talking about you again?" Mai suggested reasonably.

"That's sneezing. Chills mean someones thinking lewd thoughts about you," Natsuki corrected.

"There ya go...," Mai shrugged.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"I'll certainly consider it," Shizuru agreed.

To be continued...

Notes: Catching up on the Mai Hime side of the crossover. Also trying not to spoil the later half of Mai Hime, too. Shizuru at this point does not know Reito is tied to Nagi, so she just assumes he is doing what he does for other reasons.