Disclaimer: I do not own Mai-Otome/Mai-HiME or the characters here. Sunrise Does.
Believing
2.
Arika walked impatiently around the room as she waited for Mashiro to come out of the bathroom. Mashiro had told her they would talk about it later, but she seemed to have forgotten about it, 'Or maybe she doesn't want to talk about it…but why?' thought Arika as she decided to lay on the bed before she made a hole on the ground.
Aoi came into the room with the queen's dress for the night. "Is she still inside?" she asked Arika who laid on the bed with her legs dangling off the side. "Yep." she said without looking up. Aoi nodded and walked to sit on a couch but Arika stopped her. "Ano…Aoi…do you think you could leave us alone for a second? I need to speak with Mashiro-chan when she comes out." Aoi nodded but as she started to leave Mashiro stepped out and asked her, "Where are you going? You're supposed to help me with my dress, Aoi." Aoi looked at Arika who quickly stepped in, "I will help you Mashiro-chan…I just need to talk to you."
"Oh…Okay," Mashiro replied as she nodded for Aoi to leave. She walked to the bed where the dress laid beside Arika. "Well, what is it you want to talk about?" Mashiro asked as she stepped into the dress. Arika walked behind her and started to zip it up. "Mashiro-chan…I know you said we would talk about…us… but it seems that you forgot, or maybe you're just avoiding it…"Arika felt Mashiro's body tense as she said those words. "I'm sorry Mashiro…maybe this isn't the right time…" she started to say but stopped as Mashiro turned around and pressed her lips against her own. Mashiro pulled away and hugged Arika, "No Arika, it is the right time. I'm sorry if I've been acting like I'm avoiding the subject, but I've been thinking and…I'm just so sorry for being selfish…" Mashiro said onto Arika's shoulder as tears started to fall from her eyes. "Mashiro…" Arika tried to stop the girl's tears but Mashiro continued, "I've been selfish and haven't made a formal commitment to you in fear of what others would think, but I have realized that I don't care what others think. I'm sure my kingdom, our kingdom will accept us in our love." Arika smiled as she kissed Mashiro pushing her onto the bed behind her. Mashiro pulled back from the girl as Arika's hands started to roam the queen's body.
Arika let out a small whimper at the action. "So I have decided that today would be great to make our relationship officially known," Mashiro said which caused large smile to spread through Arika's face. "Today? Really?" Mashiro nodded at the girl above her, "Yes, today's event will have many important people from most countries around us, so it will make it easier for everyone to know at the same time."
"Thank you." Arika said as she started kissing Mashiro's neck. "Arika…we have to go remember?" Arika nodded but did not stop. "A-Arika…we-we don't have time for this." Mashiro tried in between the moans the other girl was eliciting from her. Arika looked up and smiled, "Yes we do."
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"Wow, I've never seen so many politicians in one place that didn't involve someone getting in trouble," Chie said as she stood beside Shizuru and Natsuki. Shizuru nodded as she looked around the palace hall that was filled with politicians and ambassadors from all the countries in the peace treaty. "I agree Chie-chan, there are way more than we thought would show up, which is good, since that's what we need." Chie nodded her head in agreement knowing that they needed to show the nations that Otomes were not a danger to society as some claimed.
They stood around talking until a red head walked to them. "Well, I finally found you guys. I thought I would get lost in the seas of people out there." Nao said as she joined them. "Nao? Where the hell you've been?" Natsuki asked in surprise since it had been a couple of weeks since they had heard from the red head.
"Huh'? What's it to ya?" Nao asked with her usual annoyed tone. Natsuki threw her a death glare but Nao was unaffected, "Oh please, like that's ever worked on me, mutt," she said as she moved her hand as if waving it off. "But if you all must know, I've been on vacation with my girlfriend at the beach."
Chie looked at her surprised, "You went to the beach with Shiho? I just saw her a few days ago downtown," Nao looked at her as if she had just been insulted, "Shiho?! Who the hell said I was with Shiho?" Natsuki laughed, "Well, who else would be stupid enough to date you?"
"All of you need to understand that I am NOT dating that witch," Nao said as she glared at the group. "You're not?" Shizuru asked joining the teasing, "NO! I AM NOT!" Nao practically screamed earning weird looks from guests who were close enough to hear her screaming.
"Then where is she?" Chie asked as she looked around trying to find Nao's companion. "Arika took her away to see Mashiro as soon as we stepped in. "No way…" Chie said as she realized who Nao was talking about.
"Ara…" Shizuru said softly as she too realized who was the only person who Arika would take to see Mashiro so hastily.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Natsuki started laughing uncontrollably which angered Nao. "What the hell you laughing at?"
"Hahahaha….you…..hahaha…are…hahaha….dating….Nina Wang!! Hahaha!" Natsuki said as she doubled over in laughter. Shizuru tried to calm her wife down as she patted her on the back. "Ara, Natsuki shouldn't be so mean."
"Why the hell you laughing mutt?! What the fuck is so funny?!" Nao shouted in anger as her face redden to a color similar as her hair.
"Nao…" Chie said as she tried hard not to join in Natsuki's fun, "We though you weren't gay, and that Shiho was just your fun."
"Yea, Yea! What happened to finding a rich man to buy you all the things you wanted huh? Gave up or what?" Natsuki teased as she tried to stop her laughter.
"I'm a fucking Otome! What the hell do you expect?!" Nao said still pissed when Natsuki kept laughing.
"Well Nao-san…are you serious with Nina-san? She's pretty young after all…" Shizuru asked the girl to try to divert her attention from the laughing principal.
"Well…yea, I mean…we've been going out for a few weeks now…" Nao said turning to Shizuru and ignoring Natsuki.
"What about Sergeant Wang?" Chie asked since she knew that back at Garderobe Nina had had some feelings for him. "What about him?" Nao asked already knowing the answer.
"Damn Nao! Don't tell me you didn't know about Nina's obsession with the guy? I though the chick was straight!" Natsuki said finally being able to control her laughter.
"It wasn't obsession. I talked to her and she was just confused. He was the only person that had given her protection and love, so she thought what she felt for him was more than one's love for their father." Nao explained to the group. She had already heard about Nina's obsession back at Garderobe, Nina having been her room attendant, but when she started getting closer to the girl, she had found out the real reason for her infatuation with the Sergeant. After he was injured in the war against Nagi, he had lost his memories and had become a completely different man, and it was then that Nina realized her true feelings for him were only immense gratitude. The only thing Nina regretted was realizing it too late. She had lost a dear friend to her obsession, killing her with her own hands. It was something that Nina regretted every day of her life.
"Principal Kruger, you are wanted by the council members in the library." Aoi said as she walked in to the group of Otomes who stood in a corner talking. "Oh, Okay. Thank you Aoi-san." Natsuki said, "Okay, I'll be back."
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"Nina!" Mashiro said as she hugged the blue haired girl. It had been a long time since she had seen the girl and she really did miss her. "How are you doing Mashiro-sama?" Nina asked returning the embrace.
"I'm doing good. Everything in the country is doing fine as well." Mashiro answered as she released the girl. Arika walked to stand beside the queen. "So you guys still together?" Nina asked when she saw the close proximity of the girls. "Yep. We are making it official today actually." Arika said with a large smile.
"Really?! That's amazing!" Nina exclaimed with a smile of her own. "How's Sergay doing?" Arika asked since last she had heard, Nina had gone back to the Sergeant. Nina's demeanor quickly changed at the question. "I…I don't really know…"
"What do you mean?" Arika asked concerned at the frown that formed in Nina's face. "Weren't you with him?"
"No, I moved out a few months after he got better. I didn't want to leave him sick or anything, so I just nursed him back to health and moved out." Nina explained softly.
"Ano…but weren't you…like…." Arika tried to continue but wasn't sure of what to say, so Mashiro, knowing the situation from Arika, helped her out. "Weren't you with him? Like in a relationship?"
Nina's eyes widened in surprise. "What?! No! Not at all…" Mashiro looked at her skeptically, "Weren't you in love with him?"
"I…I was confused about him…I thought I loved him more than a father but…I was just thankful and…I've never been good understanding my feelings…." Nina said looking in the floor, a tear threatening to spill, "and because of that…I killed her…"
Arika went to Nina and grabbed her in a hug. "It was an accident Nina-chan…don't blame yourself…"
"Thank you Arika-chan…" Nina said onto her shoulder. "I'm much better now though…thanks to Nao…"
"Nao-sempai?!" Arika asked, "How is she helping you?"
Nina blushed slightly, and Mashiro automatically knew what that look meant, "You're dating her?" Nina nodded.
"Nina-chan! Congratulations! You're dating Nao-sempai!" Arika said as she jumped up and down with Nina still locked in her embrace. "Arika-chan…" Nina tried to brake free to get some air.
"Arika! Let Nina go! You're gonna kill her!" Mashiro said laughing.
"Mashiro-sama, are you ready to come out yet?" Aoi asked as she walked in to the room and saw Arika jumping up and down with Nina in her arms.
"Oh, yes Aoi. Well be there in a second." Mashiro replied as she tried to calm her girlfriend down enough to let the other girl breath.
"Okay, you're guests are waiting." Aoi said before leaving the room.
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"Hmmm….Natsuki is taking long…I wonder what the council wanted…" Shizuru said as she looked around trying to spot Natsuki.
"Probably some stupid SOLT shit. You know how those pricks are." Nao said as she leaned against the wall with some wine. "Perhaps we should take a seat?" Shizuru said leading them to a nearby table large enough for all of them and more. "This is so boring…" Nao said as she took her spot next to Chie. "So how's life for ya?"
"It's going good I guess." Chie said glancing at the floor. "What's wrong?" Nao asked noticing the expression on her face. "I…uh…well…I told Aoi we would have children soon…"
"About freaking time dude! I thought you would never do it." Nao said with a laugh.
"It's not that easy Nao." Chie said throwing a glare at her. "Not easy? Hell, if the mutt could do it, then anybody can, right Shizuru-san?" Nao said smirking.
Shizuru laughed, "Well I wouldn't say anybody, but I'm sure Chie-chan and Aoi-chan would make great parents," she finished with a smile.
Chie blushed and smile. "Well, I guess if the great Archmeister Shizuru Viola thinks so, then it must be true right?"
The girls laughed but were interrupted when a couple walked to their table. "Hey guys, mind if we sit here?"
"Ha-Ha-Haruka-san?" Chie asked in surprise. "Ara…Haruka-chan…" Shizuru said trying to remain calm at the figure before her.
"Holy Shit! Are you fucking pregnant?!" Nao asked as she stood up from the table and walked to stand in front of Haruka and started to poke the woman's belly. "Holy shit you are!"
"What the hell you think you're doing?!" Haruka said as she slapped the red head's hand away. Yukino laughed softly behind her wife. "Haruka-chan, calm down, we don't need you to get agitated, that's not good for the baby." she said as she pulled a chair for Haruka, "Here, take a seat."
Haruka took a seat and looked around the table, "Why are you guy's looking at me like that?!"
"Haruka-chan…we didn't know you were pregnant…" Shizuru said as she looked back and forth from the smiling Yukino and mad Haruka. 'Ara…I never thought it would be Haruka getting pregnant between the two…'
"Well Shizuru-san, it's been a few months since we came to Windbloom." Yukino explained as she rubbed her wife's thigh under the table, knowing that always relaxed her.
"How far along are you?" Chie asked still surprised seeing her commanding general pregnant. It had indeed been a few months since she had seen her. "5 months." Yukino replied for her wife.
"That's great! So do you know what you'll be having?" Shizuru asked, "A girl." Haruka replied feeling much better thanks to her wife's touch.
"See Chie? Her being pregnant proves my point." Nao said with a smirk, "What point Nao?!" Haruka asked knowing she was talking about her. "That ANYBODY can be a parent. Look at you." Nao pointed at Haruka.
"That's amazing. That way my little girls can have a playmate," Shizuru said with a smile before Haruka and Nao started to argue.
"What makes you think I'll let my child near your kids? Knowing the mother's they'll be a bad influence to my kid." Haruka said with an annoyed tone. Yukino laughed, "Haruka-chan's joking, of course our kids will be playmates," she said with a smile and putting a little pressure on her wife's thigh, sending her the message of 'be nice'.
Shizuru looked up from the table when she saw a certain blue haired girl pass through the crowd. "Ara, I think Natsuki is lost, I better go bring her back. Excuse me," she said as she stood up to follow Natsuki.
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"Where are they? How dare they leave me like this…" Natsuki mumbled as she looked around trying to find Shizuru and the others.
Takeda stood near the wall waiting for his friend when he spotted a certain blue-haired girl. 'Well…what have we here…Principal Kruger?' Takeda had never met Natsuki in person but he had been seen her on TV and other media. 'Well, she's way hotter in person…' Takeda walked over to Natsuki.
"Principal Kruger right?" Natsuki spun around at the sound of her name. "Yes…who are you?" Takeda smiled, "Masashi Takeda, Ambassador of Vreen. A pleasure to meet you," he said as he took the principal's hand and kissed it gently. "It is a great honor, Principal Kruger."
Shizuru froze as she spotted a man taking her Natsuki's hand and kissing it. 'What…does…he…think…he…is…doing…?' Shizuru tried to keep her calm as she walked faster to where her wife stood.
Natsuki was pissed at the man for touching her, but she knew she had to behave in order to show that Otomes were not barbarians, no matter how much she wanted to punch him. Takeda released her hand, "would you like to join me at my table?" he said charmingly, yet still very nervous. Natsuki was about to refuse politely but then felt an arm snake around her waist, and she did not need to turn around to know it was Shizuru. "Ara, Natsuki…I've been looking for you." Shizuru said as she stood beside Natsuki with an arm placed possessively over her. She saw the lust in his eyes and surprise when she came. 'This will show him.'
"Shizuru! I was looking for you guys too, but I couldn't find you. Where did you guys go?" Natsuki asked, "We took a table, and Haruka and Yukino joined us. They have a surprise." Shizuru replied with a smile.
"Let's go then." Natsuki said and turned to Takeda, "A pleasure to meet you Masashi-san, but we have to go. Enjoy the night." Shizuru took Natsuki's hand in her own and lead the way back to the table.
Takeda stood frozen in place until he was tapped on his shoulder from behind. "Takeda, what the hell are you doing?" the man asked from behind causing Takeda to turn around. "Did…did you see that?" he asked.
"What? The way you were left looking like a retard after Viola-san took Principal Kruger away? Yes, I saw that," the man answered with a tone of anger in his voice. "Don't tell me you are interested in that otome, Takeda.."
Takeda looked at him and his eyes held the answer. "Fuck Takeda! She's an Otome! A lesbian! She's with Viola!" the man said in anger. "So Tate…the rumors are true?" Takeda asked. "Rumors? What rumors. It's a fact. All otomes are the same. That's why we have to get rid of them and that school so they stop perverting the minds of young girls."
Takeda felt anger rising inside him. "Perhaps all she needs is a good man to show her what real love is. She must be confused." he tried to explain, earning an exasperated sigh from the older man. "Whatever Takeda. I warned you." Takeda looked at this friend questioningly. Yuiichi Tate was a strong politician in the council and was the one who had proposed to bring down Garderobe and the Otomes completely, Takeda being a simple, yet helpful, support for him.
"I'll show you." Takeda responded with a grin spreading across his face.
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Mashiro walked beside Arika and Nina towards the table where Chie and Nao sat with Yukino and Haruka. "There you guys are!" Arika said as she walked faster to the table. Her eyes went straight to Haruka's belly.
"Haruka-san! You're pregnant!" Arika exclaimed loudly as she went towards her. Haruka rolled her eyes.
"What?!" Natsuki said when she heard Arika's loud statement as she and Shizuru got to the table. "What the fu-"
"Watch you mouth Kruger." Haruka said looking up at Natsuki while trying to keep Arika's hands from her stomach. "Can somebody help me with Ant girl?" she asked.
"Arika, leave Haruka alone," Mashiro said trying to get the girl off Haruka. Nina walked around to sit beside Nao. "Isn't that a surprise huh'?" Nao said to her girlfriend pointing at Haruka.
"How the hell did you get pregnant Haruka?!" Natsuki asked. "The same way you did Kruger!" Haruka replied annoyed, his was worst then she had thought. "I know that, baka, I mean, why you and not Yukino?" Natsuki asked as if her question had been obvious.
"Because she has way too much work and responsibilities to have to worry about carrying a baby around." Haruka said now more annoyed, which she didn't think was possible.
'Huh…" Natsuki said still confused. She never thought Haruka seemed like the motherly type. "Well how's it going Yukino-san? I mean, when my Natsuki was pregnant with the twins she was quite…moody…" Shizuru said with a chuckle.
Nao laughed, "Holy shit, I can't imagine how that was for you Shizuru-san. Kruger's temper is normally bad, I can't start to imagine how bad it was with her hormones all over the place."
"Shut up Nao!" Natsuki said as the whole table laughed.
The last couple that they were expecting arrived to join in the fun. "What's so funny guys?" Mai asked as she sat on a chair with Mikoto beside her. Mikoto of course already carrying a dish full of appetizers. "Well, Haruka-san is pregnant and Nao is dating Nina-chan." Chie explained to them as Mikoto gorged herself on the food. "Haruka is pregnant?" Mikoto asked as she looked up from her plate. She looked at Arika who stood beside Haruka trying to rub her belly and decided to join her. She leaped from her chair and landed right beside Haruka and started to rub her belly, much to Haruka's dislike. "Mai! Mai! Look!" Mikoto called pointing to Haruka, "I want Mai's baby too!" she said making Mai blush and everyone laugh.
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Tate looked over at the table where the girls sat laughing and enjoying themselves. "Look at those perverts. Having fun while young girls get lost in their perverted ways." Takeda looked over to the table where Tate's gaze led. "You know, not all Otomes are like that…there's that one girl…Akane Soir I believe." Takeda explained.
"Right." Tate huffed. "One out of the many that walk through that path of darkness," he said directing his gaze to the orange haired otome who was trying to pry the cat goddess off the continental otome. 'She should've been mine…how did I lose her to a…a girl….' Much of Tate's opposition to the Otome was his own hidden rage against Mai. His family had sponsored her education at Garderobe hoping to get her as an Otome and then making her marry Tate, the heir to the family, but when she disappeared, all their plans had been foiled. 'I will make them pay…'
Tate stood up from the table abruptly. "What are you doing?" Takeda asked startled. The look of rage on Tate's face was one that concerned him. "This is the perfect time to show the nations the danger that the Otome present to society." Tate rose and walked towards a platform that had been set up for Mashiro.
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"You ready Arika?" Mashiro asked as she took the girl by the hand and started towards her platform. "You sure you want to do this Mashiro-chan?" Arika asked nervously, since she didn't want the queen to feel pressured. "I'm sure." Mashiro asked as she smiled at Arika with assurance. "Okay." Arika said and smiled back.
The two walked until Mashiro stopped looking up at a man who stood on the podium. "What is he doing?" she asked, but before she could do anything else, he spoke.
"Could I please have everyone's attention?" Tate asked as he spoke with authority onto the microphone. 'I will show them…' he thought as all heads turned towards him. 'I will definitely show them…'
A/N: Well guys, here's chapter two! Sorry for the long wait and I hope you liked it. I worked really hard on this and I hope you didn't get bored with this long chapter, (or it was for me, this is the longest chapter I have ever written :D ) Thanks to all the reviews and for everything. Please keep reviewing if you can. That really makes me smile :)
Next Chapter: Tate spills his venom. How will this affect the Otomes and their relationships?