Agents of HIME

Six: Christmas Party?!

One of Rena Sayers few flaws was that she sometimes drank a bit TOO much. She was an adult, she could do that. And she never did it on the job...

With a groan, Rena woke up. She could certainly feel a hangover coming on, though she vaguely remembered someone giving her water and asprin. She shifted in bed, then blinked as she bumped into something. 'What?' she thought sleepily. Rena sat up, then realized that she was naked... and there was another naked woman in her bed.

"Hmm," Nao Yuki made a soft noise, apparently still asleep.

'WHAT HAPPENED?' Rena thought frantically.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Christmas was a few weeks after the Suzushiro Industries operation. Mind you, HIME was almost always busy with various jobs, any time of year. Internationally they did various private military jobs, while in Japan they mostly did security/bodyguarding. But most of the 'elite' members of the staff were there.

Over at one corner of the party, a conversation began. "Good work," Shizuru congradulated her, the tall, elegant woman sipping her drink.

"Thanks," Rena Sayers answered, the slightly older woman carrying a half empty glass. "Though I hope Nao and Erstin got credit too. Both women were very good."

"Indeed," Shizuru nodded, "Nao has been my protege, somewhat."

"I wouldn't mind working with Nao again," Rena admitted. She added admiringly, "She's quite on the ball."

"I'll keep it in mind," Shizuru acknowledged.

Shizuru moved on to mingle, while looking for a certain agent. 'There,' she thought, seeing her with her mother, Saeko Kuga.

Natsuki Kuga was a striking figure, with long black hair, a nice figure and, sadly, a constant scowl. Not that Shizuru could blame her... while Natsuki had been okay about joining HIME, she was less pleased about having to cut ties with her past.

(As a test subject for dodgy biological experiments, getting back in tough with her friends might put them at risk too. So, for the time being, she had to just associate with HIME.)

"Doctor Kuga, Miss Kuga," Shizuru nodded to them formally.

"Ms Fujino, just call me Natsuki, please," she sighed before adding wryly, "Miss Kuga makes me feel old."

"Please, call me Shizuru, then," Shizuru smiled.

Saeko looked on, amused.

Shizuru blushed a little but forged on, "Are you settling in well in the new home?"

Saeko smiled, "Your employer has been quite generous, actually. It's very nice."

"The people are friendly too," Natsuki added. "Mai and her friends are very welcoming."

Shizuru felt a sudden but inexplicable spasm of jealousy against Mai.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Meanwhile, Mashiro was being rolled up to make a short speech. This was, functionally, the end of year for their company, so she couldn't really avoid it.

"Don't be concerned. I will get you out as quickly as possible," her servant and bodyguard Fumi noted blandly.

"Wish I could get drunk like everyone else," Mashiro muttered. Sadly, her injuries and medications made THAT a very bad idea. Damn it.

Fumi patted her on the shoulder as they reached the spot on the elevated stage, then they hooked up a microphone.

"Merry Christmas, all!" Mashiro smiled warmly. "I would like to personally thank you all for you hard work this year, the usual bonuses at end of year will be doubled."

There was a loud cheer.

"In addition, bar is free along with the buffet! Enjoy the party!" Mashiro added.

Louder cheers followed, and Mashiro waved as she was rolled away.

"Well done, ma'am," Fumi murmured.

"God I hate these people," Mashiro quietly said as she kept a sweet smile on her face.

"Yes, ma'am," Fumi answered as she wheeled her out of the building.

Out in the crowd, Mai and Mikoto were standing together. Mikoto was scarfing down food from a plate as she asked, "Does Mishiro-sama never stay for the party?"

"No," Mai said regretfully. "I can't really blame her, though."

"Oh?" Mikoto blinked.

Mai thought about explaining Mashiro's various injuries, but decided it wasn't worth the effort. "She just doesn't like events," she summarized.

"Oh," Mikoto accepted that. "Mai, can we dance later?"

"Sure," Mai agreed. She dropped her voice, "Want to come home with me later too?"

Mikoto grinned, "Sure!"

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Haruka Suzushiro danced with her wife, Yukino, both swaying close.

"Hmm," Yukino sighed happily. "When did you want to make the announcement?" she asked her softly.

"I'd like to break it to Suzushiro Industries first," Haruka smiled wryly.

On a impulse, along with the timing being right, the two women had gotten married in one of the Japanese districts allowing it. A civil ceremony (of course) but it was something they both had wanted. Of course, now they were figuring out how to tell everyone.

"We could always leak it to Chie," Yukino mentioned the top gossip they knew, "it would be all over HIME by tomorrow."

"Ha," Haruka smiled, "I'm tempted to do that."

"No," Yukino poked her, "we HAVE to do a announcement."

"You're no fun," Haruka sighed.

Yukino let Haruka twirl her around, then they swayed close together. "Did you thank Rena Sayers and her team for helping us?" she asked.

"Yes dear," Haruka smiled, "I gave them a few bottles of very expensive booze."

"Hmm. What say we sneak away, have some of our own exoensive liquor, and do what comes naturally?" Yukino purred.

"Lead the way," Haruka agreed.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"To a great year!" Rena toasted the group.

"Cheers!" Nao and Erstin tapped glasses with her.

"That bonus is going to buy me a nice gift this year," Erstin added.

"Hmm," Nao murmured. She was a bit conservative with her money,,, it was going into her savings. She wanted a nice nest egg for when she quit the HIME, eventually.

Rena nodded, "I'll probably save most of it."

Mai and Mikoto swung around to say hi, then Erstin left with Arika and their girlfriend, Nina.

"Wait a minute," Rena noted, "they're a trio?"

"Arika likes Nina, as does Erstin," Nao noted. "As neither Erstin or Arika is jealous, they kind of schedule Nina-time."

"Huh," Rena blinked. "I don't know if I could do that. I'm too possessive."

"Yeah, me too," Nao agreed. She sipped her drink, "You know, we have a surprising amount of things in common."

"Thanks," Rena smiled.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

'And that's all I remember,' Rena thought frantically.

"Morning," Nao said a bit sleepily, sitting up and stretching.

"Ah, morning," Rena replied as she frantically tried to remember how they got there.

Nao actually looked amused, "You don't remember, do you?" Dramatically she pouted, "I'm hurt."

Rena felt a bit relieved, knowing she wouldn't be teasing if it was that bad. "Just tell me what happened, please?" she asked plaintively.

Nao sighed, "Spoil sport."

"NAO...," Rena sighed.

"You drank a bit too much at the party, so I volunteered to walk you home," Nao said, "and once we got here, you got.. uhm, frisky."

"Oh god," Rena moaned.

"Not that I minded," Nao added, grinning. "But once we got undressed... you passed out." Nao added. "So I decided just to put us both to bed."

"Oh god," Rena groaned, covering her face with her hands. She paused, "You didn't mind?"

Nao winked, "You are kind of hot... for a old lady. Why don't we treat our hangovers, then we can talk about it?"

Rena smiled, "Please."

To be continued...

Notes: Before I get yelled at, this is a alternate universe to Mai Hime. All characters are at least in their twenties.