CAIE: Hi folks! Here to twist minds again ( hehehehe).

A major revelation is about to be uncovered! (Suspense music playing)

Time to connect the dots.

Disclaimer: I do not own MAi HIME.

A woman in her late forties watched the sun slowly rose from its slumber. She put on a straw hat to cover her faded red hair. She took her basket and her garden trowel and basket. She was heading towards the shore to dig up clams when she saw a girl's body being washed by the waves. She ran towards the body immediately and checked for signs of life. She felt a faint pulse. She carried the wounded worn out body and brought it to the community doctor. They managed to save the blue haired girl.

Weeks later, the girl woke up. She was not able to tell anything about herself. She asked many questions instead.

It was annoying. Indeed it was but Nao felt responsible for the girl. She brushed the girl's shiny dark blue hair careful not to touch the dressed wound on the girl's head. She took a deep breath. "Natsuki. That's what you will be called for now until you regain your memory."

"N-Natsuki…" the girl repeated. A smile slowly formed on the girl's face.

Nao heaved a relieved sigh. 'This girl…really…'

She looked at the bed. Underneath it is a box where she kept precious things. 'What am I thinking? This is crazy. She can't be that little girl.'

A four stringed instrument, a girl with red eyes and a sweet gentle voice always filled Natsuki's dreams.

Nao said it was a good sign but couldn't help feeling a bit down. The girl has an attachment to her and she's afraid of what she might feel when the girl recalls all her memories. 'Have I become too soft?'

Indeed, her neighbors in that island noticed the drastic changes that occurred to the woman ever since she rescued Natsuki. She was no longer too harsh, too grim, and too bitter.

'This is too much. What am I to do, Alyssa?'

"Natsuki. Let's not meet this Shizuru," Shiho uttered when they stopped a few blocks from where the 32nd Shizuru lives. She had a strange look on her face: indescribable fear.

"Why?"

Concern was painted on her friend's face. Shiho didn't answer. 'Why didn't it occur to me? This place…The nightmares are coming back!'

Her silence made Natsuki worried. Then the blue haired lady decided they stop by for a while at the town's mini mart.

A thud behind them caught their attention. A woman stared, eyes widened and mouth agape at them especially Natsuki.

"You…You're alive!"

Shiho suddenly froze. 'Miyu-san…'

The woman rushed towards the puzzled Natsuki and hugged her tightly. "It's really you! We thought you were dead…"the woman sobbed.

"W-Who are you?" Natsuki asked after recovering from the shock.

Miyu was confused by her question. "Why, I'm your na—"

"She doesn't remember anything. She lost her memories," Shiho cut in.

The two looked at Shiho.

"What do you mean? And you sound familiar. Have we met before?"

The red head looked away. "No. I'm Natsuki's co-worker by the way. You seem to know something about Natsuki."

"I do. In fact I've known her ever since she was a baby."

Shiho held her breath. 'This s not the way I've imagined her discovering the truth. I should have told her then.' But the red head knew it would turn out difficult either way. 'Fate has synchronized a cruel meeting for us all…'

Miyu's words rattled Natsuki. Something dawned to her. "C-Could it be…A-are you my mother?"

Mai gave Natsuki a worried look. "Natsuki, are you sick? And who's there?"

The blue haired lady was red all over the face. "I….I…"

"What are you hiding Natsuki? Is it food?" Mikoto asked eagerly.

"A-Actually…" She rubbed her nape then suddenly bowed."T-Tokiha,Mai. P-Please allow her to stay here!"

She pulled the lady behind her. The lady looked at Natsuki with shock but bowed gracefully to Mai.

Mai couldn't help but laugh so hard. Natsuki grew redder all the more. 'Crap! I knew it. She's going to laugh at me!'

"You pulled a good one there, Natsuki," her boss said between laughs.

"Who's your friend?" Mai asked after finally calming up a bit.

Natsuki suddenly froze. 'Shoot! I forgot to ask her!'

The red head looked at her then smiled. " My name is Shi…Shiho," replied a gentle voice.

"Th-That's right! Her name's Shiho," Natsuki repeated with a forced laugh.

Mai eyed her suspiciously but let it pass. "Well then, welcome to my humble place Shiho-chan," the owner said gladly.

Mai eagerly introduced the lady to the staff who immediately took a great liking to the red head.

Natsuki's face brightened at what she's seeing. The lady looked back at her as if sensing her. She blushed. The lady's lips raised a little, a spark ignited in her orange eyes.

The woman gently laughed. "No. I'm not your mother. I'm your mother's servant and am your nanny."

"Nanny?"

"Yes, little one. I have served your mother's family ever since I was a child. I was your mother's personal maid and childhood friend."

"Wh-Where is she now?"

The woman's face saddened. "She passed away after giving birth to you…"

Natsuki choked. "H-How about my father?"

Miyu looked away. "He re-married after two years since your mother died. He has another family now but made sure you always had what you needed."

Natsuki fought back bitter tears. "Sounds like my father never fancy me being part of the picture."

Miyu was silent for a moment.

"Would you like to go home, Natsuki?"

Green eyes widened. She looked back at her speechless friend them back to the woman. She nodded her head hesitantly.

It was one of those days where they would just sit in the garden and drink tea when she took out a small wooden box and handed it shyly to her friend.

Her friend didn't dare question it. The girl silently opened it. Two platinum rings studded with azure gems caught the girl's eyes.

She took one ring and placed it on her friend's ring finger.

"This is a symbol…" 'Of my undying love for you'

"…of my great friendship with you…"

Her friend had a panicked look but hid it with a smile. "Hmm… Feels more like you're proposing marriage to me," the girl teased.

She flushed. 'Did she just saw through me?' "Th-That's not it!"

Miyu grabbed the young lady by the shoulder. "You seem to know your way around the house. Who are you?"

It had been hours when they entered the Roman inspired mansion. Natsuki was busy exploring and the two were left together.

Shiho remained silent. Miyu suddenly had a confused look on her face. Both of them got startled by a rushing Natsuki. Her face was a picture of horror and hostility.

"We have to leave now."

"Natsuki-"

The blue haired lady went past the woman and grabbed Shiho's hand. "We have to find Shizuru as soon as we can," she said in a quivering voice.

The woman lowered her head. "Don't look for her anymore. It's no use."

Natsuki whipped her head back to Miyu, her eyes dangerous. "And why is that?"

Miyu looked at Shiho. The lady's expression was unreadable. "She committed suicide months ago. She's already dead."

"N-No…That's a lie! She's still alive! I can feel it!"

She felt tears flowing from her eyes. She's not sure anymore.

"She drowned herself to rid herself of the guilt. She had always blamed herself that she had caused your death and had attempted suicide the when the day when we all thought you have died comes."

"Usotsuki!"

Natsuki ran away from that place

"Natsuki!"

Shiho went after her friend.

Miyu stared at the door sadly. 'Natsuki…'

To be continued…

CAIE: Bet you did a great job uncovering something. Hmmn. Prize? Hahaha. NAH.

What do you think?