A/N: I'm being very strange in this chapter. I threw in A LOT of useless information. It has to do with the world's make up rather than the main character's. And just to let you know. The royal family of Webstein has one last living heir. However they don't know that. And this is how I plan to mess up my story. LOL Uhhh makng it weird.

A brief introduction to some Utena characters. hehehehehe Juri-sama...-drools- OO sorry. hmm Like I warned this chapter will not be as good, but it's a nice fall before I -information censor- and that is the next chapter in a nut shell.

Disclaimer: I don't own Mai Hime.

The Gala Pt 2

There was nothing more terrifying than knowing there was someone else other than me and Shizuru who knew what we were doing. However as it would seem this person did not seem to care too much about the fact that we were murdering people in order to secure our own freedom. This person was more concerned about us succeeding. They wanted us to succeed where they apparently had not. I stood there out on the veranda staring at the lonesome General of Roses, Juri Arisugawa. Her beauty was truly unique and probably never noticed because of her high status in the military. My heart went out to her. She loved as I do now and she lost her love.

"Juri, I'm so sorry." That's all I could say. This was all so sudden. The gala hadn't even picked up since the main guests hadn't all arrived.

"It's quite alright. It happened several lifetimes ago. Seeing you and Ms. Viola just brought back that feint memory of that love. Of course I'm not as fortunate as you are. Ms. Viola, or perhaps I should be calling her Ms. Fujino, is very beautiful." She smiled. "I can say for certain that you and she are a very rare and unique."

"Juri, no, General Arisugawa, I must ask you this. Is it true? The legend of Gaia; that Roses is enchanted with immortality?" I asked feeling very stupid. Juri looked at me with wide eyes and looked around and looked back at me.

"Yes." She just simply said and she smiled weakly. "We should go in. I have a feeling my pink haired monarch will be showing up anytime soon." I was dumbfounded as she ushered me inside the ball room to the table to sit by Shizuru.

"Natsuki, is everything okay?" Shizuru asked as I sat down keeping my eyes locked on Juri.

"She's fine. I just told her the secret on my country. Now Ms. Fujino, oops, Ms. Viola would you like to dance?" Juri teased. Shizuru joined me in being dumbfounded with a major hint of fear.

"Natsuki, she used my real last name…" Shizuru whispered. I nodded. "Should I go and dance with her." I shook my head from side to side slowly regaining my wits. Juri looked at me with a smirk.

"I'm sorry I cannot take no for answer my lovely princess." Juri said walking over to Shizuru. Shizuru blushed as Juri extended a hand to her. I watched quietly as my eyes locked on to a sorrowful gaze within the general's eyes. I patted Shizuru on the back and watched my lover go to the dance floor with the General of the Roses. I heard a chair move at the table and looked over to see a woman with pink flowing hair accompanied by a purple haired woman. The pinked woman must be the monarch of Roses. What I am supposed to do? I've never met a monarch before. I've killed monarchs before, but what am I to do with a living one? I must be gawking at them.

"I'm sorry for staring your Majesty." I said quickly getting up from the table to bow.

"It's alright Colonel Kuga. Please be seated." The pink haired monarch said in a very commanding but kind voice. "I am Utena Tenjou and this is Anthy Tenjou." Utena said introducing herself and Anthy.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm afraid I'll be very busy after all this is over, but I hope you enjoy the evening. I'm not certain if our president will show. He is a very busy man." I said looking back at the dance floor to see Reito approaching Juri and Shizuru. He had a murderous look on his face and something tucked under his sleeve.

"Is something wrong Colonel?" Anthy ask as if sensing the danger. There is nothing I can do. I only hope the General will take notice soon and protect Shizuru.

Reito's distance was closing on the two. Juri pulled Shizuru close to her and then released her and spun slowly to see Reito's eyes following Shizuru. He was not interested in anything else and started heading towards Shizuru who was returning to me without looking back. Juri must have warned her. I hope she warned her. I looked back to the General who had walked over to Reito. The two stood eye to eye and the General made no waste when grabbing his arm that had the concealed item. She was very quiet about the entire thing. She signaled a guard and he walked away with Reito. Juri watched from the dance floor and then walked towards the table. Shizuru came to me first.

"Natsuki, the General is a very charming woman. She explained some things to me." Shizuru said grabbing my hands ignoring the two other people.

I smiled and kissed Shizuru gently on the lips forgetting where I was.

"Very bold, Colonel." Juri's voice came from no where. "I remember when that would be looked down upon. PDA that is. So Tenjou what do you think of this young Colonel."

"I worry for her." Utena smiled. "However I think our allying this nation has come too late."

Shizuru and I sat down as the monarch of Roses said that. "What do mean, your Majesty?" Shizuru and I said in unison.

"It will all be clear tomorrow." Anthy said for Utena who just nodded.

"Karis will make its move and it will shift the balance of the power in the world." Utena said.

"Tenjou, it can't be? Can it?" Juri asked with shock as she sat down at the table.

"Yes, Kaoru sent word today about the storm. We have to leave. I've already discussed the issue with the President of Webstein. It's such a shame the man is coward. I pity this nation. And I miss the monarchy." Utena said looking at me really quick. "Should I tell her?" Juri and Anthy shook their heads at that comment. I was more concerned about what Karis was going to do. I wish they wouldn't speak in code.

"What is going on?" I demanded. Utena, Anthy, and Juri just looked at me for a moment and then the Tenjous stood up getting ready to leave. "You're leaving?"

"Colonel, I wish you luck. It was wrong of my nation to come out of isolation." Juri said standing as well. "Watch out for grey clouds." The three disappeared through the back door. As I just sat there wondering about this very strange encounter.

"Natsuki, I'm lost. What just happened? I wonder if they are referring to Project Grey Cloud, but it can't be. They haven't even tested it." Shizuru said quietly.

"I'm not certain, but I think it is something for everyone else to worry about." I said as I sat back. "What shall we do now, Shizuru? What shall we do?" Shizuru laughed and smiled. The gala went on throughout the night although I could not say how well it went. This was my last night as a soldier of Webstein but not my last night with Shizuru. I took Shizuru to the spacious veranda which was amazingly empty. My heart was heavy. I am a killer by trade, but the soldier in me in gone. I am now her killer and she is mine. I took off my family heirloom and leaned it against the veranda door. Shizuru walked over to the railing on the veranda and gazed at the night sky. Right now, this moment, she is the only one in the entire world who is real to me. She is exquisite, ravishing, and broken.

"Natsuki, since this appears to be a private area I wanted to tell what I can remember of my past." Shizuru said out loud avoiding looking at me. It must be a painful past. Shizuru sighed and I could tell she was becoming tense. This bothered her.

"No, Shizuru, you don't have to." I said wondering whether I should keep my distance or not.

"I have to. There maybe a chance, that you still may want, no need, to kill me." Shizuru said coldly.

"Don't start this Shizuru. My mind is made up. What will happen tomorrow has been planned out. I will not hate you because of your past." I said definitely.

"I wish someone would kill me for my past." Shizuru said in a weakened voice looking at the railing.

P.O.V. shift –Shizuru-

I could not look at her no matter what. I am sully compared to her. She is a tainted hero but she is not broken. What of my life should I tell her? Until I met Natsuki nothing else mattered, it was task for my superiors. I had solace once in Tomoe, but she became an insidious girl thanks to my superiors. They slowly brainwashed her into a demon, which was used to fuel my hatred, making me a heartless killer. If I hadn't ended our relationship I would have gone completely heartless. I did my job. I killed my targets, their families, and any possible witnesses. Red Princess wasn't a code name for the color of my eyes that would have been a nice treat from my barbaric overloads, but no.

I am the Red Princess due to how many die in my assignments. Ultimately it is always the fault of the target. Men are the same. They love to flaunt the newest toy. My last run before Natsuki was a politician in the southeastern suburb of Ohm. I had to kill his entire family. He had a three year old boy, an eight year old boy, a sickly thirteen year old boy, and a very beautiful eighteen year old daughter. He was a sick man. His wife had died the year the youngest was born and left the man unsatisfied. So the pervert enjoyed his daughter. When I came into the picture he took the stance of a voyeur. He wanted to enjoy me having sex with his eighteen year old daughter. I do what I am told to do, after all, I had just ended a relationship with my 17 year old lover. I was cold and harsh in my movement making it appear violating, but I whispered in her ear telling her it would all be over soon. Her death at my hands was a release from this life. I took great pleasure in killing the politician and his sons. I'm below regular evil.

Then I met you; Natsuki, my hero, my fallen hero who so valiantly tries to lift me from my hell. There you are Natsuki saying you will not judge me for my past. You tell me to believe and I will, painfully, for you, I will. These few days have been too surreal. I often wonder when this beautiful dream will end and I have to return to the nightmare of my life. Although I know, I'm really here and I'm not totally heartless because she loves me the way I love her. I wonder if she feels it too; the feeling that we were meant to be together; that it is destined and forever. She has the courage to abandon everything. I must have the courage to abandon my past for I believe we will succeed.

Mini Feed

Shizuru: - hack into Kara's Myspace account and starts changing her profile-

Chuckabutt: -comes in after Shizuru turns off computer- Oh hey can you turn that back on?

Shizuru: Of course -chuckles-

Chuckabutt: -raises one eyebrow- Hmmm strange...check my myspace today. -loads of messages...rather graphic messages-

Natsuki: Shizuru what did you do? -Shizuru whispers in Natsuki's ear- Oh that's evil...

Chuckabutt: -goes to profile- "I will practice what I write. Message me now" -turns bright red- I'm going to kill both of you!

-Natsuki and Shizuru quickly duck out-

Well, I hope you enjoyed learning about Shizuru's past because that is just the beginning. She hasn't yet start to talk to Natsuki. I said I was going to give Shizuru a dark past.