Hello everybody!
OMG it fells like a year has passed since the last time I posted an update here.
Please forgive me for the delay. Again I hope this chapter is worth of your waiting.

My huge THANKS to my beta Corona who corrected the errors in this chapter.

And my huge THANKS to everyone for reading this.

Please enjoy….

Mai HiME: A Second Chance - Chapter 6
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"Life had given her a second chance and she'd better not let it go wasted."

Mai was walking steadily towards Reito's mansion. The hot sun shining above her head blinding her with its brightness didn't bother her. Her pace was quick as she hurried to reach the mansion as rapidly as possible. Mikoto was rightfully hers. No man could take her away from her. Not even her brother!

She decided not to go by bus. It would only mean more time lost waiting for it. Too much time had passed already, she could not delay any longer. Mai didn't know what happened between Mikoto and Reito since the time they left her house. There was a possibility that they hadn't met yet, but if they had then a lot of things could have happened. She was sure that Reito wouldn't hurt his sister, he wouldn't dare to do something like that…would he?

She stopped walking when she reached the mansion. Mai raised her head and took a good look at the huge building. No matter how powerful Reito was, she would take back Mikoto. She pushed the heavy gate and entered the yard.

---

"Mai… Goodbye."

Goodbye, the most bitter of all words. A word she had said to her friend, her lover. She pushed her face on the pillow as if it was possible to stop the tears this way. But it didn't help. They just kept coming out, wetting her face and the pillow. Maybe crying was a good solution for her condition. Maybe it would take away some of the sorrow and afterwards she would be able to think more clearly. Although she had already made up her mind…

'Oh, I should stop crying! I'm not a little girl anymore!'

Hiding in her room, sobbing, leaving the world outside wasn't something she could do anymore. She closed her eyes, yet the tears kept coming. Why didn't her eyes obey her? Or her heart? She had lost control…

So she surrendered. She couldn't say how much time had passed until her eyes dried up. She didn't try to get up, to see how Reito was. Maybe she should check later, but not now…

---

At first it was completely dark. She looked around her but she could see absolutely nothing. She felt alone, cold, afraid. Afraid… She wasn't used to this emotion. Fear wasn't something she had felt many times in her life.

She turned around, not sure if she should walk. She wouldn't be able to see where she was going. Soon her eyes adjusted to the darkness and she noticed a small light dot ahead of her. Could it be her way out of this place? Mikoto smiled. She started walking towards it, slowly at first but quickly increasing her speed, impatient to see what was there, to get out of the darkness as soon as possible.

The dot was becoming bigger as she was approaching it and it transformed into a door. The light coming through it made her eyes hurt, but she chose to pass through anyway. She had no idea where this might lead but anywhere would be better than this emptiness.

Mikoto looked around her, waiting for her eyes to become accustomed to the brightness. This new place was warm and it gave her a feeling of security. She recognized the place at once. It was Mai's bedroom. Her eyes travelled around the room, until they found Mai sitting on the side of her bed. The only thing she could see was her back. She hesitantly moved nearer and sat just by her on the bed. She didn't speak to her, nor try to hug her or kiss her. She just waited to see her reaction. Mai didn't move. As if she hadn't noticed her. Her gaze was fixed on the floor. Mikoto saw her sadness, her unhappy face. It hurt to see her this way.

"Mai."

Mikoto called her name. Mai slowly turned her head and her bright eyes locked with Mikoto's. She gave her that special smile, the one that that made her heart ache; so much love couldn't fit in such a little heart…

"Mikoto!"

Mai's hand cupped her cheek. Mikoto closed her eyes and reached with her lips for this soft hand and kissed it. But as long as her lips left the hand she felt something else pressed on them. Mai's lips. Mikoto felt that at any second her heart might stop beating. This kiss was all she was waiting for, all she needed to forget everything about the darkness she was in only a few minutes ago, about the emptiness that it made her feel inside. She was full, happy.

As long as the kiss ended and their lips separated, Mikoto opened her eyes. The expression on Mai's face was different now. The smile hadn't left it but now it wasn't a happy smile anymore. It was full of bitterness, sadness. Mikoto opened her mouth to ask her why but the words never came out, because just then the strangest thing happened. Mai started to fade away! She was slowly becoming transparent!

"MAI!"

She shouted her name but she didn't seem to listen. Her hands tried to touch her, to prevent this. Agony filled her. Her fingers couldn't feel Mai, they just passed through her figure. Unable to do anything she watched her disappear. Within seconds Mai wasn't visible anymore. Mikoto stayed there looking at the empty bed. Mai was gone…

She stood up and opened the door. This room wasn't pleasant anymore. The feelings she had felt when she first entered it, when they kissed had vanished. This room had absolutely no meaning anymore, nothing in this house had meaning since their owner wasn't in this world. She wanted to leave.

She quickly passed the door and she found herself standing in her own room. The door closed behind her on its own. She turned around to look at it and she frowned. It wasn't there anymore! Mikoto examined around her the familiar environment. Everything was in place. And then she noticed it. It was placed a few meters away from her, leant against the wall. Her heart melted at this sight. So many years had passed! She had missed it so much!

Mikoto approached the black sword and with trembling hands she picked it up.

"Miroku!"

It seemed so different now! So light! She swung it around a couple of times. It was hard to believe that it was the same sword that she was dragging around when she was a HiME.

A HiME. Her hand reached for the place that the birthmark used to be. She smiled and looked at her arm. Her smile froze on her lips the same exact time that her gaze reached the pink flesh.

"What the hell!"

The birthmark was there! Her eyes opened wide, she checked again to make sure that she hadn't mistaken it! No, this wasn't a mistake. It was the HiME mark!

A sudden panic made her grab Miroku and run out of the room. She found herself standing in the dining room, where she had left Reito. He was still there, standing beside the window, looking outside. As soon as he sensed her he turned around. Reito was smiling… Terror filled her as a certain thought passed through her mind.

"Welcome my little Mikoto."

Mikoto suddenly felt Miroku coming to life. Many red signs appeared on its black blade, signs that resembled eyes opening. She had seen that happening countless times before.

"I can see you've found Miroku."

She looked carefully at his face. That smile, that evil smile… His eyes were different too. Their colour was different.

"NOOO!"

---

Mikoto woke up covered in sweat. It was a dream. A really scary and disturbing dream though. She got off the bed and looked at the alarm clock on her night table. She had slept for only a few minutes. Yet the dream seemed to last for hours! Her heart was still beating furiously. She could remember everything. Reito, Miroku, Mai…

She had lost Mai in that dream as she would lose her in her real life. This was the way that Mai would probably disappear from her memories until Mikoto wouldn't even remember her face, her sweet voice. It hurt so much to even think about it! But it was necessary…

And Reito. At the scene she saw happening in her dream she felt her heart full with fear. Even though it was a dream it was too vivid and too scary to leave her unaffected. Poor Reito! He suffered so much during the Festival! He was manipulated, used by this monster and he could do nothing about that… But it was a long time ago. Now he was free and everything was normal again. Well almost everything…

---

Mikoto had left. I had stood there, watched her turn around, walk out of the room. I had no idea where she was heading. I wondered if she was going to abandon me. I wouldn't blame her, I had said things that I didn't mean. I even said that she wasn't my sister anymore… What a terrible lie! How could I deny the only person that stood by me all these years, that loved me so much?

Relieved I heard the door of her room close. I lowered my gaze on my bleeding hand. The cut was quite deep but I didn't feel any pain. I had drunk a lot. I knew it just by looking at the empty bottle on the table. I could feel it just by looking around me. The room was spinning and I was desperately trying to surpass this dizziness. Maybe my condition was the reason for the absence of pain on my hand.

I had tried to drown my sorrow in sake. But that damn alcohol didn't help at all! My mind was still clear enough to remember everything. The beautiful smile disappearing on Mai's face, the tears on my little sister's eyes, them being together, me being alone…

I had tried so much to forget her. Or at least get over her! This wasn't normal anymore. So many people had forgotten their teenage loves and moved on with their lives. But it seemed to work differently with me. I guess because she was my first real love or because I felt back then that she wasn't uninterested in me…

The emptiness in my chest hurt. It felt as if my heart was ripped out leaving a hole in its place. I wondered if I could ever feel happiness again. Or at least any pleasant feelings.

Why couldn't things have happened a different way? I could have Mai as my loving wife and Mikoto as my dear little sister. That way everything would be all right. A small smile appeared on my face as I thought Mai in a wedding dress. She would be astonishing, breathtaking. My bride…

Suddenly I felt no need to sit down. Maybe nothing was lost. Maybe it wasn't too late for me to live this happiness. I would have to make Mai love me. I almost succeeded in this when she still was a HiME. I had been so close to kissing her if that bastard Tate hadn't appeared and ruin everything!

I am handsome, there's no doubt about it. Women running behind me all the time, trying to please me in every possible way made me realize that I had become an attractive man. Some of the times I accepted their offer, accepted their company, even slept with them. But left aside the pleasure of a few moments, I felt nothing more for them. There were some times that I didn't even feel this pleasure. I was kissing a woman, fondling her and saw Mai's face on her face, it was Mai's body that I was touching. I don't know if any of them realized what I was thinking while having sex with them and the truth is that I didn't care if they did. I wanted her, I still do.

I should think of a way to make her love me. She had to feel for me or else there would be no meaning in us being together. I had thought so many times of making her mine. It wouldn't be difficult. But it wouldn't be enough for me. I wanted the whole Mai, body and soul.

I felt power running through my body. No matter how much I had drunk it had absolutely no effect on me anymore. My hands closed tightly into a fist. I wondered… Should I go to her place? I should talk to her, make her realize what her destiny was, how her future should be. Our future…

The sound of the doorbell ringing interrupted my thoughts. Who was it this time? I wanted to see no one. This wasn't a time for visitors now! I had to think about what to do next. Mikoto was in her room and I had decided not to go in there. Whoever this was would leave soon.

---

The sound of the doorbell puzzled her. Almost no one visited them in this house. During the last year Reito was always away working and she preferred not to meet her friends here. She liked to go out, to see people. So the sound of the doorbell was something unusual. She stared at herself in the mirror. She looked terrible. The black marks under her eyes showed that she had cried. She couldn't open the door like that! The visitor would ask questions, questions she wouldn't like to answer…

Besides Reito was in a really bad condition too. What if it was someone from his work? The doorbell rang again. And again. Maybe it was something important. She decided to go.

Mikoto quickly walked through the hall and reached the main door. The last thought before opening it was that she should get rid of the visitor before Reito comes out of the dining room. Despite everything she still loved him; she didn't want him to be humiliated.

Her hand reached for the doorknob. The door opened and behind it appeared the sun. The sun on a beautiful face. Mai's face. Why hadn't she thought of this earlier? She knew Mai so well! A person like her wouldn't just give up so easily! She felt more than ever the need to run to her, wrap her arms around her. But she didn't move. The dream was so vivid in her mind again. No matter how much this hurt she had to let Mai go. The only thing was that it was so difficult now that she was actually standing opposite of her, looking into her eyes.

Mai didn't speak. She just smiled. Her happy face made Mikoto's knees go weak. Mai moved closer and stopped right in front of her. She raised her arms and put them around the younger girl.

Suddenly Mikoto remembered about Reito. Maybe it wasn't the right time for Mai to meet with him.

"Mai I think you should leave."

She loosened her embrace over Mikoto so that she'd be able to look at her face.

"Mikoto… Don't ask me to leave. If I leave then you'll leave with me."

"Mai you don't understand-"

"Mikoto I do understand. That's why I'm here now."

"No, you don't know. Reito…"

Mikoto hesitated before continuing speaking. A thought passed through Mai's mind. 'Could it be?'

"Don't tell me he hurt you? Tell me, did he do anything to you?"

"No, no! But he's drunk. And really angry."

"Reito is drunk?"

Mai looked puzzled at her. She never expected to hear something like this. Reito seemed so gentle, so proper. Well time changes people and a lot of time had passed since their school years…

Mai grabbed Mikoto's wrist and talked in such a voice that showed how much confidence this woman had.

"We'll have to leave. I came to talk to him but this cannot happen if he's like that. And I cannot leave you alone with him now that I know that he's drunk!"

"Mai…"

Mikoto wanted to tell her about her decision. But there wasn't a way to say something like this without wiping the smile of her face. Without breaking her heart. She could tell that Mai had come to take her with her, to claim her love. She smiled. She would always have her love, no matter what would happen. But she couldn't go with her. She couldn't leave Reito alone. Would Mai be able to understand something like this?

She closed her eyes and gathered as much courage as she could in an attempt to say it.

"Mai… I… I can't come with you."

That's it! She had said it. Her eyes remained closed. Deep inside she didn't want to open them after saying this, she didn't want to see the sadness on her face…

"I know…"

Her voice didn't seem sad. She quickly opened her eyes and saw her face. Mai was still smiling! She wondered if Mai had really understood what she had just said.

"I know how you feel about Reito. I know that you want to be by his side, to take care of him, but Mikoto you should think about yourself too. Reito is a grown man, he can take care of himself. Many men at his age live all alone."

Mai's hand reached for her cheek, just like in the dream. This soft warm palm against her face… She wanted to touch this palm with her lips, to kiss it but in a silly way she was afraid that after that, the dream might come true and Mai would disappear once more. She tried to think about what Mai had just said. She was asking her to leave Reito and go with her, live her life side by side with Mai… Could she do something like this? And most importantly should she do something like this?

Suddenly she noticed a change on Mai's characteristics. Her beautiful face had taken a rough expression and she seemed to look at something behind her back.

'Reito?'

She turned around to see with her own eyes what Mai was looking. The image of Reito shouting at her, speaking these words that hurt, the image of the drunken Reito was still in her mind. But as soon as she had the chance to see him she stood there puzzled! Where was the Reito that she encountered just some time ago? This was strange…

---

Mai was ready to speak with him. She would do anything it'd take to get what she wanted. Honestly she felt a little relieved when Mikoto appeared behind the door.

Her heart broke at the sight of her lover. It was obvious Mikoto had been crying. Mai knew that she must be in pain; she knew that Mikoto loved her and she was denying her because of Reito. But she wouldn't allow this to continue. That was the reason that had brought her to this house. It sounded selfish but she wasn't doing this just for herself, she was doing this for both of them. She knew Mikoto like the back of her hand. The few hours that they had spent together after their reuniting showed her that the girl might look more grown, more mature but deep inside she was the same old Mikoto that was looking for love, tenderness, safety. And Mai knew that she was able to give to her everything she needed. In fact she would be more than willing to give them, because she loved Mikoto very much, more than she ever let herself believe before yesterday.

Mikoto tried to make her leave. As if it was so simple. She couldn't leave, she didn't want to. When Mikoto told her that Reito was drunk, panic filled her. Normally Reito wouldn't do anything stupid like hurt his sister but sometimes alcohol made even the kindest of people act in ways that they regretted later. Thank god Mikoto looked fine and she assured her that he hadn't harmed her but Mai wasn't sure that it would remain this way. She had to get Mikoto away from him. Well that was her original intention anyway, but now she had one more reason for not leaving without her.

When Mikoto started speaking, trying to explain why she couldn't go with her, Mai knew that all she had to do was look into these gorgeous golden eyes and try to convince her. Mikoto had to realize what needed to be done, what she should choose for her next action.

She started explaining to her that she should care more about herself and choose what was better for her. For a moment she had the impression that the girl was ready to give in and come with her. She could feel the hope in her chest, hope that maybe she was able to achieve her purpose. But within seconds her hopes were ripped off as Reito's figure appeared behind Mikoto. The wide smile on his face puzzled her. She looked at Mikoto, then back at him.

"Mai-san… you're here!"

'What is this?' Mai didn't know how she should react to this. The change from this morning's Reito was indescribable. He didn't seem angry or sad anymore. He seemed… pleased! She saw Mikoto staring at him with the same surprise she had. Maybe more…

Anyway Mikoto was the one who had seen him drunk only about an hour ago. She was the one that tried to warn Mai, that had asked her to leave before Reito appeared. She was expecting to see him in the same condition she had left him.

"Reito…"

It was Mai that had spoken first.

"Please come in! Don't stand in the doorway like that!"

Mikoto's eyes opened even wider. She fought the urge to scream. What was happening? She moved to one side so that Mai could enter the house. Mai's steps were steady and she slowly passed Mikoto and stood in front of Reito. Mikoto wanted to pull Mai by her clothes, by her arm, in any possible way in order to prevent this. She didn't want Mai to be so close to her brother. Something was definitely wrong with him. However, she didn't move. She stood still, watching Reito bending his body, bowing to Mai.

"Mai-san, we didn't have the chance to greet properly this morning. It's been a while since the last time we met, hasn't it?"

Reito acted weird. As if nothing had happened. As if someone had brainwashed him or just erased his memory. Mai felt the need to shout at him 'Hey it's me that have slept with Mikoto, your sister! I'm the same person that has come now to your house to take her away from you!'. She wondered if this smile would continue to shine on his face if she actually said those words to him. Mikoto closed the heavy door behind her and the hall lost most of its light.

"Reito we have to talk."

"I'd be more than pleased to speak with you. Please, come this way."

His arm was raised and he showed Mai the door to the dining room. Mai walked into the room and Mikoto tried to follow her but as soon as she reached the door Reito stopped her.

"Mikoto I'd like to speak with Mai… in private."

'WHAT!'

Mikoto's glare was capable of killing him. She looked at Mai. She didn't want to leave them alone. Her eyes were full of plead, begging Mai to say something. But she said absolutely nothing. Her nod showed that she would be all right. Mai wanted to have this conversation with Reito, it was one of the reasons she had come. And after their talk would be over she'd take Mikoto and leave this place. The disappointment was obvious on Mikoto's face. Mai knew how much she wanted to be there, to hear what they had to say but maybe talking in private was a better idea. This way Reito wouldn't hold back what he had to say and neither would she. They needed to be honest with each other, make things clear.

Mikoto left. Mai hoped that she wasn't angry at her. That she could understand the reason she left her out of this. Reito closed the door and headed to the table. He pulled out the chair and waited for Mai to sit down. Then he sat next to her.

The first minute was rather awkward for both of them. They didn't say a word. Just looked at each other for a second and then their eyes travelled around the room. Mai wasn't exactly sure what she should say, where she should begin. But she had to speak eventually. So she took a deep breath and started talking.

"Reito… one of the reasons I am here now is because I wanted to speak with you."

"Please forgive me for being rude. Do you want something to drink?"

Mai's eyes opened wide in surprise.

"No thank you."

She frowned. Why did he call her in here? Did he have no intention of talking with her about her relationship with Mikoto? Well maybe he hadn't but she had. There was no meaning in fooling around like that.

"Reito I love your sister."

The words came so easily, as if she was saying the most natural thing. She watched carefully at his expression, waiting for his reaction. Not even a single muscle moved. Mai had no idea what he was thinking; he was unreadable as usual. This reminded her of Shizuru; her face was most of the times unreadable as his. Many times she had wondered how this was possible for these two to be so similar…

"I love her too. Mikoto is my previous little sister."

"She's not a little girl anymore and you know than better than anyone. She's an adult and she's mature enough to know what she wants."

Mai didn't give him any chance to escape. She would say all these things that she wanted to tell him and he would listen whether he wanted to or not.

"And what is it that she wants?"

Mai could sense irony in the tone of his voice. Did he expect her to hesitate?

'She wants me!'

She wanted to shout it to him, to make him understand that they wanted to be together, but instead of this she heard herself saying something else.

"Mikoto needs love, affection, a person to care for her."

"She has more than enough from me. I'll always love her. Always be by her side protecting her, supporting her."

"Yes I know you will but this is not the kind of love I was referring to. When I said love I meant romantic love."

"Well romantic love isn't something you can force. I'm sure that someday she'll find a man perfect for her that will give her anything she needs."

Mai could feel the blood boiling in her veins. She knew that Reito understood perfectly what her point was but he was constantly twisting her words, leading the conversation where he wanted. And she had no time for games…

"She won't have to wait so long. She had found the person she needs by her side and it's not a man. Mikoto, your sister is in love with me. And I love her too in the same way. This love keeps us connected in the most inseparable way. You found out about us this morning and this scared Mikoto, made her ran away. I could easily leave things as they are, if I knew that she would be happy this way, but if I said something like that it would be a terrible lie. So I came to take her with me and inform you about what I'm going to do."

"Women cannot love women this way. It is totally wrong. I won't let her disgrace our family, disgrace me this way. You know I won't permit something like this."

Mai smiled. It was safe to do so, because he had stood up and wasn't facing her anymore. His voice was serious and she was pleased. Finally they would have a decent conversation, without evasions. She hurried to respond to his latest words.

"There isn't right or wrong when it's about love. You cannot choose who you love. The only think you can do is accepting your feelings and aim for happiness beside the person you care for. Besides I don't remember asking your permission."

"Then you should! Because Mikoto is my sister. My sister that I took care of during all these years that you were away from her, I worked hard to make her the woman that you see now. So don't you ever say that I don't have the right to say what is right and what is wrong for her!"

He was yelling. His expression emitted pure anger, but Mai's was calm. She felt annoyed by him and the way that he was thinking, but she didn't want to lower the level of this conversation. Reito was ready for a fight but she wouldn't give it to him. Although she was hardly holding herself back…

"You don't own people Reito. Nobody does. Not even if they are members of your family. You can advise them, suggest what they should do with their life but you can never demand from them to follow your advice, because they have will of their own and in the end they do what they think that is better, not what you command them to do!"

"I'D NEVER LET MIKOTO LEAVE WITH YOU!"

He punched with his closed fist the table and he yelled so loud that his voice must have echoed in the whole mansion. Mai wondered if Mikoto was far enough away or if she had heard him. His wound started bleeding again, but his clenched fingers didn't allow the blood out of his palm.

Mai thought that this was more than enough. She was doing her best to keep calm, but this wasn't something she could accept so simply. She stood up and pinned her angry glare to his face.

"WATCH US! WE'RE LEAVING TOGETHER WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!"

She started walking towards the door, feeling her heart beating furiously. She was done with trying to hide her feelings from him.

"Our conversation is over Reito!"

She reached for the door when suddenly his hand grabbed her arm. Her body was stopped by the strong pull.

"Mai I won't let Mikoto leave with you. I can't let her leave with you. Not with you…"

His voice was a whisper. She turned around to face him. What was wrong with this man? Why couldn't he understand what she was saying to him? She kept staring at him in surprise. His mood had changed to incredibly fast! He didn't dare to look at her face now. His gaze was fixed on their touch, on his hand that was firmly holding her.

"I was angry when I saw you with Mikoto this morning. But the sadness that followed this anger was stronger. I was sad because I love you. Because I want you by my side. I had told this to you a long time ago and you rejected me. I hoped that time was the cure, that it could change the way I was feeling about you, but it just made my emotions stronger. You are the only woman that can make me happy, that can make me whole. I know that you need someone like me in your life so please don't reject my feelings again."

Mai had frozen. She was expecting to hear something like this from him, but not after what she had just said about his sister. Every single second that she was spending with Reito was making her even angrier!

"And what makes you think that I need a person like you?"

"Mai let's face the truth. A little girl like Mikoto cannot offer what a real woman like you wants. You need to feel safe, loved, to rest between the strong arms of a man, a man that could provide you with anything you need. A man like me. Nobody in this world could love you more than I do. I admire you and respect you. I understand you more than anybody else. For your whole life until now you were the protector of the people you loved. I think it's time to be the protected."

He was smilling. She looked annoyed at him. This smile was driving her crazy! She saw his head rising until their eyes met.

"So just a second ago you knew what Mikoto wanted. Now you know what I want too! And you say you understand me. If you really understood then this conversation would have ended a long time ago."

His face was slowly taking the sad expression he had this morning. Suddenly she felt sorry for him. He was in love, desperately, she knew that he was selfish enough to hide his true feelings all this time. For him to expose himself like this showed that he had no other resort. But she couldn't help him. Her heart belonged to another person.

"Reito, I'm sorry. I don't love you. I really like you and it's unpleasant to break you heart like that but it's the truth. I want to be honest with you. You must forget about me."

His hand slipped down her arm, leaving a small trace of blood on her skin. Mai noticed the wetness and when she saw the read line she realized that it was his blood.

"Reito you are bleeding. Let me see that."

She caught his hand but he quickly pulled it back. She understood that he was angry. It was to be expected. She had just turned him down; a man with even the smallest amount of self respect would be at least a little angry. She saw him walking away, turning his back to her. This was the announcement of the end of their talk. Mai didn't have anything else to tell him. She opened the door and went out in the hall. Now she had to find Mikoto…

---

Mikoto had walked into her room. Mai was with Reito in the dining room and they didn't want her there. Moreover Reito was acting really strange. She didn't know what the reason for this change in his mood was. He seemed absolutely sober when only a while ago he was a Reito she couldn't even recognize as her brother…

From the quick look of the inside of the room she had stolen, she noticed that the bottle wasn't on the table anymore. The broken glass wasn't there either. Was it possible that Reito had guessed who their visitor was? In an instance every piece of the puzzle came in place. That was the reason he behaved like that! He was trying to charm Mai. And he had all the equipment to achieve something like this. He was handsome, polite, smart, humorous. Women were constantly running after him. Even Mai seemed to like him back at school. The strong pang in her chest stopped her breath, probably her heart too!

What if Mai falls for him? If she still likes him then it would be a piece of cake for Reito to make her love him… Suddenly her room was too small. She felt the urge to get out, to rush into the dining room and take Mai away from him.

She had completely forgotten about her decision to forget Mai. All she could think of was Reito trying to make her love him, while they were shut up in that damn room! She ran down the hall and stood just outside the door. The sound of their voices reached her ears like a whisper. Her imagination was picturing Reito carrying Mai's hand, trying to seduce her, kiss her…

NO! This wasn't right! He couldn't do these things to Mai! She wouldn't allow this! She grabbed the knob but before she had the time to open the door she heard something that made her blood froze in her veins.

"I'D NEVER LET MIKOTO LEAVE WITH YOU!"

It was Reito. And he was really really pissed off. She had never heard him shout so loud before. He would definitely have a sore throat tomorrow. By the time that her brain processed the words she had heard a smile had appeared on her face. So Mai still insisted in leaving with her.

"WATCH US! WE'RE LEAVING TOGETHER WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!"

This voice was Mai's. She sounded angry too. Mikoto realized that their conversation would soon be over. No matter how much she wanted to see what they were doing or to hear what they were saying, she had to return to her room. It wouldn't be good if someone got out of the room and found her standing there, behind the door.

In her room she stood in front of the mirror and looked at her reflection. These feelings she was experiencing were totally new for her. The truth is that she had never felt for someone so deep and strong feelings she had for Mai and she had never risked of losing a person she loved like this. She wondered if this emotion really had a basis or if she was exaggerating.
She stared into her own eyes. Most of the times her image in this mirror was satisfying but now… She couldn't tell now.

The sound of the door opening made her realize that Reito and Mai had finished talking. She wondered in what condition they both were now. She run out of her room and she found herself face to face with Mai.

'Why am I waiting for her to tell me that she's leaving without me?'

"Mikoto I'm leaving…"

'I knew it! Why did I have to follow Reito in the first place? I abandoned her…'

It didn't matter anymore if Mai had accepted Reito's feelings or if she didn't. The only thing that mattered was that she was leaving without her.

"I understand."

No, she shouldn't cry now. This could only make things harder. She should be strong and respect her friend's decision.

"Goodbye."

Mai looked puzzled at her. What was Mikoto saying?

"Mikoto, I'm not the person you should say goodbye. I think Reito is the right person for this. Because you are coming with me."

Mikoto blinked.

"Why are you looking me like that? I told you that I love you more than anything. What could possible change this love in only a few minutes? Reito can't, if that's what you're thinking about."

Mikoto couldn't remember moving so quickly before. In an instance her hands were wrapped around Mai's body and she was holding her so tightly that Mai thought for a moment that she would break her ribs. Mikoto's lips were pressed on Mai's kissing her with far more love and passion than Mai ever expected to feel from a kiss.

Mikoto was happy. Happier than she had ever been, happier that she had ever even dreamt of being. Mai had asked her to follow her and she would, no matter where they were going. She would follow her to the end of the world! All her worries just a few seconds ago, about Reito trying to take Mai from her, the fear that she might lose her forever, seemed stupid now. The long years that had passed without her had absolutely no meaning anymore…

She had obviously changed her mind. Reito was her brother, she loved him and she always would. And if he really loved her too and wanted her happiness then he would understand why she was leaving him to live with Mai. Reito was a remarkable man. Soon he'd find a woman suitable for him and he would experience the satisfaction she felt now, of receiving as much love as you are giving, of being with the person you love.

Mai had responded at once to her kiss. Mikoto didn't care if Reito saw them kissing like that. He'd have to get used to this sight, because tenderness and caring would be the only thing he'd ever have the chance of seeing between her and Mai in the future.

Their kiss continued, getting deeper until Mikoto felt desire filling her. Right then she broke the kiss and looked at Mai, trying to catch her breath. This wasn't the time or the place for this now. They'd have all they time they wanted as soon as they return to Mai's house… What had to be done next was talking to Reito, letting him know that she was leaving with Mai.

"I think we should get going."

Mai had spoken her thoughts. Their fingers entangled and they smiled to each other.

"We'll have to speak to Reito."

"I have. Now it's your turn."

Mai prayed that Mikoto wouldn't lose her determination when she faced him. She walked in front and her friend followed her. They both entered the room, but the youngest woman was the one that came near him. He turned to look at his companions. His expression showed nothing about his feelings. Mikoto wondered if he was doing it on purpose, if he was trying to shield himself this way. She took a deep breath. What she was going to say wasn't easy.

"Ani-ue… I'm going with Mai."

"So you're leaving…"

His eyes darted from Mikoto to Mai and back to Mikoto.

"Then there is only one thing left to say. Goodbye."

Mikoto watched him turn his back to her. She could sense sadness in his voice and something more… Something like restrained anger. She didn't want their separation to be this cold. She didn't even want this to be a separation. She had chosen to live with Mai but this didn't mean that she would stop caring for him… There were so many things that she wanted to tell him, so many things to explain about herself and the way she was feeling. But maybe this had to wait until Reito was in a better mood. If only she could do something about it!

"I love you Ani-ue."

She got no response. He didn't turn around to see her leaving, he didn't say to her that he loved her too.

"Goodbye."

Mikoto had whisper this last word. She wondered if she had made the right decision. The warm hand that reached for hers made her realize that it was the best decision she could make.

She was still holding her hand when they left the room, and still as they exited the mansion and walked towards Mai's house. They both knew that they had left behind them a man in pain. However they couldn't help but feel relieved that they were together again, that they had found each other for one more time. Only this time… this time it would last forever…

---

I had lost again. Mai didn't accept my feelings. I had once again opened my heart to her… It wasn't easy. But she didn't take what I had to offer. Was I really so insignificant to her? And not only this, but she had also taken my sister with her!

Nobody had ever humiliated me this way before! I could feel the blood pumping in my veins, my blood pressure getting higher and higher. I wasn't sad anymore. I was angry. Angry at both of them, anger that they chose to leave me alone when they should both stand by my side.

Mai was the woman I wanted more than any other woman on earth. She had to be mine or else I would never find peace…

Mai is rightfully yours.

Yes she was! She was mine!

Destiny has brought you and her together. Why did you think that she was chosen to be a HiME and you were chosen to be the vessel for him?

Yes, we are meant to be together! Mai was ignorant and she didn't realize that the pure truth was, but I would make her understand!

Nothing is over yet. You have to fight to get what you deserve. And you deserve the best. The woman of all women. Only she should stand by your side.

Mai's opinion had absolutely no meaning. I'd take her and she could thank me afterwards, when she realized what was better for her.

You were weak but not anymore. You will win this time. You are not alone now….

Yes, I would win. I had to win! A wide smile spread on my face as I recognized the source of my determination. I was powerful once again.

"Welcome back my friend…"

end of chapter

That's it guys.

I hope you liked the chapter and the way the story develops.
And for anyone who wonders I have plans for the future, so don't worry! -

I'm impatiently waiting for your reviews.
PLEASE give me your reviews! I can't leave without them!

Thank you!
We'll talk again soon.

KISSES
Irina67