A/N:

First of all I want to apologize for the spelling errors in the last chapter. I was on the phone when I uploaded it and forgot to do my proofread.

Thank u again to everyone who reads and reviews. Without you guys I'd lose my ambition to finish lol

p.s. Last chapter I once again jumped the gun and promised a movie date between the two. Instead I didn't end up focusing on it and made it into a flashback scene. Sorry to disappoint anyone looking forward to that. It just seemed to work better this way. Hopefully only one more chapter after this, but I could see it turning into 2 ;)

Disclaimer:

I do not own Mai Hime/Mai Otome. I don't own the song Celebrity Skin. I also don't own Kill Bill. But I'd love to own Uma Thurman.

Chapter 6:

When I wake up in my makeup

Have you ever felt so used up as this

It's all so sugarless

Hooker/waitress, model/actress

Oh just go nameless

Honeysuckle

She's full of poison

She obliterated everyone she kissed

Now she's fading somewhere in Hollywood

I'm glad I came here with your pound of flesh

You want a part of me?

Well I'm not selling cheap

No I'm not selling cheap

Yuuki Nao strolled calmly down the street, loving the feel of the warm summer air on her face. She was currently downtown, checking out the night life. Everything seemed to come alive at night and Nao loved being a part of it all. Since the Hime Carnival, things had been different though. It was definitely a rough area, and no longer having Julia's protection could possibly cause problems. But Nao was smart and she knew if she stayed on the beaten path, she should be able to stay out of trouble.

Nao let her mind wander, thinking of her former CHILD. Julia had been Nao's only friend. The relationship was one that was easy for Nao to sustain as it didn't require much work. Julia was always there to listen to her. It was nice to have someone in your life that didn't question or judge you. Yes she definitely missed Julia. Nao was so busy reminiscing that she hadn't been watching where she was walking. She was used to meeting her victims around this area and, she knew it like the back of her hand. Not realizing that she had turned a corner, leading into a dark alley, Nao continued walking unaware of the danger she was about to encounter.

She didn't realize that she had instinctively headed down this path, until it was, in essence too late. She heard footsteps behind her and turned quickly to face a large middle aged man.

"Hey there sweetheart." he drawled. "Good girls know better than to come around here at night." he paused and began to close the gap, between himself and Nao. "Therefore that leads me to believe you must be a bad girl." he grinned evilly.

Nao looked for somewhere to run but she knew the alley eventually ran into a dead end. She knew it well, because it had been the spot she used for many of her past robberies. As the man got closer, he grabbed her roughly with two large hands. Nao fought him, trying to wriggle out of his grip, but to no avail. Her attacker leaned close again, running his hands up and down the front of her shirt. She turned her head away from him cursing inwardly. His breath reeked so badly of booze Nao had the sudden urge to puke.

The man was strong and Nao was no match as he pushed her back against the fence hard. "You like it rough don't you sweetie?" he asked as he reached out to run his hands through Nao's hair. "I like redheads." he stated, using one hand to pin Nao against the cold chain link fence, and the other to reach up under her skirt.

Nao flushed red in embarrassment. Although she had the reputation of being a slut, she had never actually gone "all the way" with anyone. The man's hand wandered slowly between her thighs, pushing them apart roughly. Nao felt tears begin to well up in her eyes. She had never imagined this is what her first time would be like. Still she had to try and fight, it wasn't over yet.

The man was enjoying playing with this young toy. He planned to take his sweet time with this one. Besides she looked like she'd probably enjoy it anyways. His fingers continued their assault, pushing her underwear aside, about to touch her most private place. Nao noticed how his eyes were fixated beneath her skirt, and while he was momentarily distracted by lustful thoughts, Nao sprang into action, kicking him hard in the gut.

"You stupid fucking bitch!" the man screamed as he backed away enough to allow Nao room to run.

Without wasting a moment Nao adjusted her skirt and took off towards the entrance of the alley. Unfortunately for her, the man himself recovered quickly and was right behind her. She was running as fast as she could, tears blinded her sight, causing her to trip, swiftly falling to the ground. She only had enough time to turn her head and look backwards, as her assailant jumped on top of her, reaching out to choke her with his meaty hands.

Nao began to cough and the man let go of her neck. "So that's how it's going to be then." he seethed into her ear. "Too bad, I was going to play nice." he laughed "But little sluts like you don't deserve NICE." he clenched his teeth and made a fist, smashing it into Nao's face.

Nao could feel blood begin to pour down her nose and into her mouth. The man pushed her onto her stomach and roughly lifted her skirt once again, yanking her panties down, completely to her ankles. She was now exposed and at his mercy. She heard him unbuckle his belt and drop his pants and she felt the tears well up again.

Nao forced herself to go numb as she waited for what seemed like the inevitable.

I guess this is what I deserve for all the horrible things I've done to others...

Nao closed her eyes tightly, biting her lip and waited for the inevitable. At that moment a voice called out from behind them.

"It's extremely impolite to force yourself on a woman ."

The man and Nao both turned their attention to where the voice was coming from. From out of the shadows a leather-clad figure appeared. Nao's would be rescuer was dressed completely in black from head to toe and carrying a large bat in one hand. Leather riding gloves adorned the dark one's fingers as the bat tapped against the dark one's palm. The figure began walking towards Nao and the man.

"Time to teach you some manners."the muffled voice said again. Before Nao's attacker had time to react or even pull his pants up, the leather clad figure socked him right in the groin with the bat.

Crumpling to the ground in an absolute heap , the man rolled around with his hands on his groin as tears began to fall and curses we uttered.

The leather clad one looked at the attacker again and walked towards him, bat in tow. "Well that was definitely strike one, I get two more right?" Nao couldn't be sure but it seemed like the dark one was enjoying this.

The man quickly got up, clutching himself, cursing and trying to pull up his pants. He ran as best as he could away from the alley and it's two remaining occupants.

Nao lifted her hand to her face, it hurt immensely. The figure looked at Nao and coughed slightly, motioning to her state of undress and turning around to give her some privacy. Nao blushed slightly and quickly pulled her skirt and underwear up.

The figure then turned around and Nao looked at the face. Her savior donned a large black ski mask, and over top of that an old style hockey mask, like the one Jason used while terrorizing teenagers at summer camp.

Even though Nao had just been put through hell, she was still Nao and couldn't help but comment on the dark one's attire.

"Where's your golf club and hockey stick Casey Jones?" Nao asked, in a mocking tone.

"Argh" came the muffled reply. "Don't ever say that again." finished the irritated one, who obviously wasn't a big fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Nao was studying the leather clad one again wondering what his face looked like.

"Hey April are you ok?" the figure joked and walked over to where Nao was still sitting on the ground.

"April?" Nao questioned.

"Well yeah If I'm Casey Jones then that makes you April O'Neil." there was a pause.. "Cuz lady I just saved your life." The dark one finished, seemingly pleased.

Nao was about to make another smart ass remark before she had a sudden head rush. The dark one was by her side in a second offering a hand. "Are you ok?" her rescuer seemed concerned.

"Who...who are you?" Nao asked weakly, trying to keep her heavy eyes open.

"Right now, that's not important." the dark one said coolly, lifting Nao up to carry her bridal style. Nao pressed her head into the figure's chest. For some unknown reason, she felt safe with this person, and found a warm feeling washing over her. As she slowly slipped into unconsciousness, her last thought was how soft the dark one's chest was. Nao's eyes snapped open in sudden realization.

Soft chest?? OMG...HE'S A SHE!

Nao was about to say something, as she looked up at her masked savior, but the loss of blood and the trauma she had been through, wasn't going to allow her to stay awake a minute longer. As Nao closed her eyes for a final time, the woman spoke again.

"Hold on, ok? I'll get you help, just hold on." Nao was reassured as she drifted off to into a peaceful slumber.

On the other side of town, another Nao was also enjoying a peaceful slumber. The reason? Shizuru had gotten up early this morning to go for a jog, leaving what she believed was her "precious Natsuki" all alone. Nao was having a great dream. She and Shizuru had caught the late night movie, the night before and it had been Kill Bill Volume 1. Nao had never seen anything like it . The action was spectacular, the story gripping, and Uma Thurman was SUPER HOT! Shizuru had agreed.

An ominous voice in her dream set the scene as the title of the movie flashed in Nao's sleep.

Kill Kruger Volume 1

"After defeating the crazy 88's, Naotrix Kiddo stood face to face with her greatest adversary yet". The narrator paused for dramatic effect.

"Oren I-Shiho!!" he continued loudly.

Oren I-Shiho and Naotrix, also known as the bride stared each other down, silently sizing up the enemy. I-Shiho was the first to draw her weapon of choice, a very rare maki maki stick made by the famous Hattori Hanzo. Unbeknownst to I-Shiho , Naotrix also had a weapon of choice. Naotrix grinned as she was about to exact her revenge on I-Shiho, and pulled out her own weapon.

"GASP." the announcer said, loudly again.

Naotrix had HER OWN specially crafted maki maki stick from the great Hattori Hanzo.

(flashback to Hanzo making her the maki maki stick)

"I can tell you with no ego, this is my finest maki maki stick. If on your journey you should encounter god, god will be spiraled." stated Hattori.

I-Shiho was shocked. This was an insult. As the two prepared their death battle they were suddenly interrupted. It was I-Shiho's best friend, lawyer and interpreter Shizuru Fatale.

"Ara? Black Mamba? I shoulda been Mother F-ing Black Mamba!" she exclaimed and wrapped her arms around Naotrix.

"That's not your line Shizuru" whispered the narrator into her ear. Wrong character.

"I know but I always wanted to say that" Shizuru giggled.

"Fatale, why are you ummmm fondling the enemy? Asked an irritated I-Shiho.

"Because I quit! I want to help Naotrix kill Kruger!" Shizuru grinned a very sadistic smile. "In fact I already disposed of your hired hand To-moe Yubari."

I-Shiho's eyes went wide. She had never believed the mighty and powerful To-moe Yubari would fall to small, slender Shizuru Fatale.

"So be it, you BOTH shall feel my circular wrath!" yelled I-Shiho.

Both I-Shiho and Naotrix draw their maki sticks and begin turning zealously.

The air was filled with one sound and one sound only.

"MAKI MAKI MAKI MAKI MAKI MAKI MAKI MAKI MAKI MAKI MAKI!!!" the girls spiraled in unison.

Shizuru Fatale had become bored and was sipping tea in the background, waiting for someone to be victorious.

Finally after a grueling match of spiraling awesomeness, I-shiho suddenly fell to the ground, dead.

Shizuru cheered her hero on.

"Why the hell do you wanna kill Kruger anyways?" asked Naotrix, raising her eyebrow

"Have you seen her lingerie collection?" Fatale replied.

"Sadly. Yes I have." said Naotrix dryly.

"Well guess who she makes wash all those large piles of bras and underwear?" Shizuru asked.

"Very well. I can see how that would be a daunting task. I will allow you to accompany me." Naotrix crossed I-Shiho's name off of her list.

"Ara, I mean, at first I didn't mind because I got to touch all that sexy lingerie..but then" Shizuru was interrupted by Naotrix.

"TOO MUCH INFORMATION." Naotrix yelled.

At that moment , Uma Thurman strutted into Nao's dream, in her very tight, very awesome yellow tracksuit. "Anyone for a threesome?" Uma asked.

And then Nao woke up.

Shizuru had been jogging. Well actually running. She had left the house early in the morning, as she had needed some time to think. Something was wrong with Natsuki. The object of her affection had now slept two consecutive days at Shizuru's house and it looked as though she wasn't going home anytime soon. Shizuru had a great time with Natsuki over the past couple of days, but she still couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The brunette wanted so desperately to believe that Natsuki truly was in love with her, but she was unsure if Natsuki meant what she said.

Natsuki had after all found Shizuru in a very bad situation, and Shizuru was worried Natsuki was doing all of this out of guilt. She had never wanted Natsuki to find her like that, in fact that was why she had set the text message to Mai, timed an hour later. Although the ex-kaichou had at first intended to end her own life, as she stared at the cold, unforgiving blade, too many thoughts had kept her from actually going through with it.

She hated feeling vulnerable, and now Natsuki had seen her at her most vulnerable. She had to know how Natsuki really felt about her. Shizuru did not want her pity, only her love.

Last night, when they had returned from their afternoon of Karaoke fun, they had gone to the super market and bought groceries for supper. Then Shizuru had cooked a nice healthy supper, which Natsuki had eaten ravenously. Shizuru usually enjoyed pushing the younger girl into embarrassing situations, but last night she had felt content with just having Natsuki there with her. The two had curled up on the couch and watched a rather violent movie. Shizuru's only consolation was that Uma Thurman made it hot. Deadly, powerful women definitely turned her on.

After re-living the events of last night in her head, Shizuru resolved to find out if Natsuki really loved her. She wanted Natsuki to take the next step. If Natsuki loved her like she loved Natsuki, then the answer would be easy.

Shizuru could see her apartment complex in the distance and slowed down her pace. She resolved when she got home, she would put Natsuki to the test.

Nao stirred in the bed and look at the alarm clock. It read 11:04. She quickly rolled over to the other side of the bed, and once again was relieved Shizuru wasn't there. Last night had been great. She had expected Shizuru to be trying to jump her bones at every opportunity, but the Kyoto-beauty had been well behaved.

I don't know if I should be happy or worried...what does this mean? Am I losing my touch? Does she suspect somethings wrong? Or should I just be happy she wasn't trying to seduce me all night long?

Nao had been doing much thinking as she laid beside Shizuru last night, listening to her rhythmic breathing as she slept. She had come to the realization that the only way to go home was to give Shizuru what she wanted. Shizuru would not truly be happy until she had Natsuki's mind and BODY. Nao had been freaking about this all night long. She wasn't sure how she felt about anything anymore.

Three days ago, the thought of bedding the Graceful Amethyst of her own time, would have made her laugh. Today she was actually considering it. She kept telling herself it was for the greater good, to save Shizuru, but she wasn't so sure she believed that.

Nao's thoughts were interrupted by a blinding white light, once again appearing on the far wall.

"Nao can u hear me?" asked a shaky voice.

She recognized the principal's voice right away and couldn't help but play with her.

"Yes I hear you loud and clear Kruger, but can I call you back? I'm busy sexing up Shizuru at the moment." she joked and waited for the cursing.

"NAOOO!!!" the principal hollered in anger.

Oh Kruger, you make it too easy

"Are you ok Nao?" asked a concerned Yoko.

"Yes Yoko. I'm fine. Thank you for asking though, it's nice to know SOMEONE appreciates my efforts." she emphasized.

Natsuki grumbled in the background. Then Nao made a decision. If she was going to go through with her newly formed plan, she needed to acquire Natsuki's blessing.

Good luck with that...

She knew it was far fetched to believe Natsuki would be okay with this. But because Shizuru's life hung in the balance, she knew she had a bargaining tool.

"Hey Yoko can I speak with Natsuki alone please?" Nao asked.

Yoko and Natsuki exchanged glances, before Yoko shrugged and gave Nao what she wanted. Now the two girls were alone.

"Natsuki..." Nao began. "I'm sorry that this had to happen to you, I know how heart-broken you must be about Shizuru's condition." she said, referring to Viola.

Natsuki was not expecting such emotional words from her sometimes nemesis and was at a loss for what to say.

"I'm really...trying ya know?" Nao was struggling with the words. She didn't know what had come over her. She felt extremely emotional.

What is wrong with me? What is this feeling in my chest? Could it be love? Do I love Shizuru? No...that could never happen...Then why do I feel so good when I'm around her? Why does she make me smile?

Of course she couldn't tell Kruger her true feelings. In fact she wasn't even sure how she really felt. But she felt as though she needed to say something to the principal, give her some sort of re-assurance that she was working as hard as she could to save Shizuru.

Natsuki cleared her throat. "Thank you Nao...for everything...for trying. I know this must be just as hard for you as it is on me." she paused. "and believe it or not I trust you."

Nao was shocked to hear the principal's words. It wasn't often Natsuki shared her true feelings with anyone, let anyone Nao.

"I need your blessing Natsuki..." Nao trailed off. "I need your blessing to do what I have to do to truly fix this." Nao resolved.

Natsuki's eyes went wide as she realized the implication of what Nao was saying. Nao braced herself for the principal's wrath, and when none came she spoke again.

"Shizuru loves you Natsuki. She loves you more then any one person could ever love anyone else. She needs Natsuki to prove this love and I need YOU to be ok with that." she reasoned. "It's for the greater good. Trust me I never thought I'd ever care about the greater good...but now...I've seen and felt things I never thought possible" she cast her eyes downwards.

The principal spoke. "And how do you feel about all of this? Would you truly do that for me? For Shizuru?" Natsuki questioned calmly.

Nao had not expected Natsuki's question and needed a moment to think.

Am I really suggesting this for the greater good? Or am I feeding my own selfish curiosity and desire? How will I know? What if she consents to letting me make love to Shizuru? Make love? Yuck that word is lame...Nao ...get a grip...what are you doing? You can't SEAL THE DEAL with Shizuru!!!!!!!!

Her mind continued it's back and forth battle and was once again interrupted by Natsuki.

"Nao, Shizuru's condition here seems to be getting worse everyday." her voice was pained. "As much as I hate the thought of you and Shizuru together, I am not petty enough to let that get in the way of saving her life. I am also comforted by the fact that Shizuru believes it's Natsuki with her, not you, and therefore it's still ShizNat." the principal smiled at her conjoining of their two names.

Damn there's that word again...ShizNat...she's right though...it will never be ShizNao...is this what I want? Mental note...conjoining names is kinda fun...ARRGH what am i saying...FOCUS NAO focus..

"My time is up. Shizuru's time will be up soon. Do what you have to do Nao, you have my blessing." Kruger said before the white light disappeared and she was once again alone.

Do what I have to do?? What do I have to do?

Nao didn't have long to think as she heard the door to the small apartment open and close. Shizuru was home. Shizuru was ready for Natsuki to prove herself in EVERY way. Nao was about to make the biggest decision of her life. But how was she going to do that when she, herself was undecided??

Everything was about to change in a matter of seconds. How would this affect Natsuki, Shizuru and Nao's lives?

End Chap 6

The "This Conversation Really Took Place" Omake

Author's gf: What are you doing?

Author: Writing fanfiction for Mai Hime of course.

Author's gf: Why don't you write me a love story for Valentine's Day?

Author: Nah! That's boring

Author's gf: ((pissed)) Fine go write your stupid Yugi-OH

Nao: Someone's in the doghouse

Author: ((yelling)) It's not Yugi-Oh it's Mai-Hime

Author's gf: I don't care anymore! Love your digimons more than me!

Author: arrghhh!!! It's not yugi-oh or digimons or bakugans or anything silly like that. It's MAI HIME!

Nao: ((laughing hysterically))

Author: Shut up Nao or I'll make you sex Shizuru up for reals!!

Nao: ((backs up)) I was just kiddin...really...please don't do that...you know the ShizNAT fans will hate you.

Author: We'll see won't we?? ((evil grin))

END OMAKE

LOL the omake actually was a real conversation up until the point Nao jumped in! My gf hates me! I better woo her with some flowers, chocolates and promises I don't intend to keep...

p.s. For anyone who hasn't watched Kill Bill I apologize for the dream sequence.

Things are coming to a close...What will Nao decide? And just who is the masked vigilante of justice? Any guesses?

Answers to come! In the meantime keep reading and reviewing. ;)