Disclaimer: I do not own Mai-Otome/Mai-HiME or the characters here. Sunrise Does.

Dedication: I dedicate this to my friend and fellow author, xFireWorx, for being so cool and having such awesome stories!

Believing

4.

"Mashiro-sama, are you read-" Aoi stopped midsentence as she entered the room when she saw Mashiro. She was sitting on a chair with her legs pulled towards her chest. Dry tears were present in her swollen eyes as she stared blankly onto the bed. "Mashiro-sama…are you okay?" Aoi asked carefully as she stepped towards the girl slowly.

Mashiro did not move until she suddenly started to nod her head slowly. "Mashiro-sama…" Tears started to stream down the girl's face as she nodded, "She hates me…she hates me." Aoi hugged the girl as she started to sob onto Aoi's shoulder. "It's okay Mashiro-sama…she doesn't hate you. She loves you," Aoi said trying to cheer the younger girl up.

"No Aoi…yesterday…her eyes were full of…full of hate…" Mashiro whispered slowly as tears kept running down her cheeks. "She hates me…"

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Nina opened her eyes as the sun rays broke through the window into her face. She tried to roll over but was unable to as Arika held onto her. "Arika…" Nina tried to wake the other girl up but was unable, as Arika kept sleeping. 'I better let her sleep since she didn't fall asleep until a few hours ago…' Nina thought as she drifted off to sleep again. It had been a long night and they had fallen asleep just a few hours ago, when Arika was too exhausted from crying to stay awake.

A few hours passed until Nao stormed onto the room and was surprised to find both girls holding on to each other too tenderly to her liking. She walked over and pulled the cover off the girls. "Nina!" Nao said loudly making both girls sit up quickly and bumping their heads on the bunk above them. "Nao!" Nina said quickly as she rubbed her forehead. "Sorry to interrupt you girls…but the principal wants to speak with Arika." Nao said with a glare before she turned around and left the room. "What's wrong with Nao-sempai?" Arika asked as she too rubbed her forehead. "I don't know…" Nina said softly with a frown.

Nao walked down the hallway towards the office in fury. She didn't know what she was mad about exactly, since she knew Nina wasn't cheating on her, but for some reason, seeing Nina with Arika like that made her feel…Jealous. 'They looked…perfect together…' Nao shook the thought away as she reached the office and stepped in without even knocking. "Nao damn it! How many times do I have to tell you to knock?" Natsuki said loudly.

"Whatever…" Nao said offhandedly as she sat on the couch and started to flip through a magazine without interest. "So? Where are they?" Natsuki asked, seeing how no two girls followed the red head. "They're coming…they are getting dressed up…" Nao answered as she continued to flip through the magazine.

Natsuki smirked, "Well…dressing up huh'? Don't tell me you found them…doing the 'naughty'? So soon after Arika breaks up with Mashiro and she's already over Nina!" Natsuki teased and ducked down to avoid being hit by the magazine Nao threw at her. "Shut up!" Nao screamed at her as she stormed over to the desk before there was a knock on the door. Natsuki smiled, "Come in."

Nina and Arika stepped in and found Nao's face flushed with anger. "Nao-chan, are you okay?" Nina asked concerned as she stepped over to her girlfriend, who quickly retreated. "I'm fine. I'll see you around," Nao said as she stepped around her and left the room. Natsuki turned to the girls, "Arika-chan, how are you feeling?"

Arika looked down with a frown, "Not good at all." Natsuki also frowned, "I'm sorry Arika…I know it must be hard for you…but I am in the need to remind you about your contract with the queen." Arika's head shot up as she realized she had forgotten about that. Her hand shot up to her gem in a reflex, "my contract…"

Natsuki nodded her head. "Yes Arika-chan. This is one of the reasons why it isn't always a good idea to be involved with one's meister, because when things like this happen, the contract is also affected."

Arika turned to Nina with pleading eyes. "Well…isn't there something that can be done? Arika-chan isn't ready to face Mashiro-sama again yet," Nina explained. "I'm afraid the contract cannot be broken unless both parties agree, therefore, the queen would have to agree to break the contract first," Natsuki replied as she leaned back onto her chair, "You need to go see her Arika-chan…"

Arika nodded her head and bowed before leaving the room with Nina on tow. "Are you going?" Nina asked as she walked beside the girl. "I don't think there's an alternative…" Arika said softly as she clenched her palm into a fist, knowing that she would have to face her again, not knowing if she would be able to control her feelings when she saw her.

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Natsuki frowned and rubbed her temples as she spun in her chair to see through the large glass wall. 'Damn it. Why must I always be the one to give bad news? I wish Shizuru was here…she would make it all seem better…she always does.' Natsuki smiled as she thought about her wife, who was currently away at her parent's house with the twins, but was coming back today. 'They should be here soon…' Natsuki looked at the clock on the wall and begged for the time to go by faster.

Natsuki closed her eyes and started to drift off to sleep until her telephone rang. Natsuki growled lowly and answered, "Yes?"

"Ano…principal…there is a man here to see you but he doesn't have an appointment." Natsuki rolled her eyes, 'My nap was interrupted for this?' "Then tell him to make one, I'm really busy right now." Natsuki was about to hang up when the voice of her receptionist came back on again, "Principal, I tried but he insists. He says it's really important that he sees you." Natsuki let out an exasperated sigh, "Fine, let him in."

Natsuki straightened herself on her chair as a man entered. "Principal Kruger, thank you for taking your time to see me."

"Masashi Takeda-san? What brings you here?" Natsuki asked surprised, not expecting to ever see the man again. "Well, I was hoping I could take you out for lunch today?" Takeda asked with a gallant smile.

Natsuki smiled politely back, "Thank you for the invitation, but I'm afraid I can't, since I have a lot of work to do." Takeda frowned, "Oh really? I thought that since they were closing the school down you'd be free."

Natsuki's eyebrow twitched in anger, "They will NOT close down my school, Takeda-san," Natsuki walked around her desk towards him and pushed him towards the door rudely, "Now if you don't mind, I have work to do."

Takeda turned around and took the hand that was shoving him, making Natsuki stumble towards him and falling against him. Takeda smiled as Natsuki blushed red with anger. She started to get up and froze when the door opened, praying that it wasn't who she thought it was. This wasn't a situation she wanted to find herself in.

Unfortunately, no one listened to her prayer as Shizuru walked in pushing the stroller where the twins slept. Shizuru stopped through the doorway as she saw her wife in top of Masashi. She felt anger shake her through her very core and wanted to kill the man right then and there, but a glance to her children helped her calm down.

Natsuki quickly jumped off of Takeda and stumbled backwards as she saw Shizuru's eyes. "Shizuru…you're back…" Natsuki tried to smile but was unsuccessful when her wife threw her a glare that made a chill run down her back. Takeda kept grinning as he stood up and dusted off his pants. "Shizuru-san, I see you're back. It's a pleasure to see you." He extended his hand to Shizuru, who took it and shook it gracefully while giving him a cold smile. "I wish I could say the same for you Masashi-san. What brings you around here?" Shizuru asked coldly as her blood boiled through her veins. Natsuki looked on as her wife threatened to kill Takeda with her stare.

Takeda chuckled, "I came to invite Natsuki-chan to lunch." 'Natsuki-chan?!' Shizuru's fist balled up as she prepared to strike him, but was stopped when Duri started to cry. Shizuru turned her attention to her daughter, sparing Takeda's life. Natsuki took Kiyo in her arms as the baby started to cry as well. Takeda's eyes widen in surprise as he now saw the babies clearly. He was amazed at the resemblance they had to the women, yet how they seemed like a perfect combination of both. He felt a pang of jealousy and anger as he realized who the children were. Although he already knew the answer, he decided to keep a little bit of hope as he asked, "Who are this lovely children? Your nieces?" Shizuru turned to him with Duri in her arms and laughed. "Nieces? Of course not. These are our children," Shizuru said making sure to emphasize the word 'our'. Takeda looked shocked towards Natsuki who beamed with a proud smiled as she nodded her head, "Yep. These are our two little angels."

Takeda's anger rose. "Well, isn't it sad?" He said as a smirk formed in his face. "Sad? Why?" Natsuki asked confused, while Shizuru's anger rose again as she heard him speak. "These lovely children are born into such…such life. And now they are going to be left without a home…I find it extremely sad don't you think?" Natsuki became enraged as she handed Kiyo to Shizuru before turning to Takeda. "It is NOT sad because THEY WILL NOT lose their home. I will make sure that Garderobe is not closed down. Now, leave before I call for you to be removed from the building."

Takeda shrugged as he turned towards the door. "You will regret this Natsuki-chan. You would've been off better with a real man like m-" Takeda was unable to finish his sentence as he was slammed onto the wall by Shizuru.

Natsuki turned stunned as she saw the twins back in the stroller. Her wife had materialized her robe and pinned Takeda to the wall as she held him by his collar. "It is you who will regret your words if you do not leave this instant," Shizuru spoke dangerously while wearing a threatening smile. Takeda was stunned and spoke through gritted teeth, "You…will…pay for this Viola…" Shizuru smiled as she took him off the wall and disappeared with him. Natsuki looked to the hallway as Shizuru flew to the exit while dragging him along.

"I do not want to see you anywhere near my wife or Garderobe again, understand?" Shizuru said as she dropped Takeda off a couple of feet from the ground outside the gate. She lowered herself and helped him up by his collar, pulling him close as she whispered to his ear, "You better be glad I pity you, or else, I would break every bone in your body until you took back your words." Shizuru released him and smiled, "Sayonara, Masashi-san."

Takeda's hands shook from the anger of not being able to do anything. Although he had not been really hurt, his pride had been harmed…greatly. He looked on to the retreating figure of Viola, a wicked grin forming on his face, 'I will make you regret this. You have no idea…'

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"Mashiro-sama," Aoi said as she entered the office where Mashiro sat looking out a large bay window that overlooked the garden. Aoi had convinced the queen to pull herself together and do some work, but she was unable to concentrate when all that was on her mind was Arika.

"Yes Aoi?" Mashiro asked without turning around. "Arika-san is here to see you," Mashiro spun around quickly and she stood from the chair as a smile formed in her face. "Arika?! Hurry Aoi! Make her come in."

Aoi nodded and left the room. A few seconds after that Arika stepped into the large office.

Nina stood outside waiting with Aoi, since she thought it would be better for Arika to speak with Mashiro alone. "How's Chie-san doing?" Nina asked as she tried to make conversation to avoid being nervous for Arika. "She's doing fine, thank you for asking," Aoi replied with a smile, "she's actually over at Aries with the Delta force to do routine training."

"That's nice. I bet you miss her right?" Aoi smiled and nodded, "More than I thought possible. And actually…" Aoi blushed as she continued, "Chie and I have decided that we would start the process to have a child once she gets back."

Nina smiled with a wide grin, "Really?! I'm so happy for you!" Nina stepped over and hugged Aoi. "Thank you," Aoi replied with a smile of her own.

Arika stepped into the office with her eyes glued to the ceramic tile that adorned the floor. She looked up when she heard steps coming towards her but was too late as Mashiro took her in an embrace. Arika felt a mixture of emotions wash through her as she melted into the embrace slowly. This felt so…so right for her. She knew this was how things were supposed to be. She tried to return the hug but pulled back violently as she recalled last night. The way Mashiro had openly denied their relationship as if it had never existed to being with. She had denied her. The love of her life had denied her own existence, for she could not exist if it did not involve loving her.

Mashiro was shocked when Arika pulled back. Tears that she had controlled earlier came back flooding her eyes. She had thought it would all be alright, that Arika would forgive her. Now she realized how wrong she had been. "Arika…" Mashiro tried to grab the girl's hand but Arika pulled back and decided to get it over with before her feelings overtook her reasoning.

"I want to end our contract…" Arika said as she looked deep into the other girl's eyes, feeling guilt when she saw pain in them, 'She made me feel pain too…remember Arika…she doesn't love you…' Arika thought as she continued, "I don't want to be your Otome anymore…"

Mashiro felt like the whole world had come crashing atop of her. She could not believe what she had just heard. Did Arika really say she wanted to end the contract? That would break all ties between them…

Mashiro felt her legs quiver below her, threatening to give up. She walked back to her desk and sat on her chair, spinning it around to avoid seeing Arika. She didn't want to seem weak in front her. "Is…is that what you really want?" Mashiro asked carefully, afraid of the known answer.

"Yes," Arika replied as she felt tears roll down her face. "The principal said you have to end it willingly…so give me your ring." Arika said as she stepped to the desk. Mashiro turned around surprised to see tears in Arika's face. 'I will not keep you unhappy…' Mashiro removed her meister ring and extended her hand towards Arika.

Arika took it from her hand slowly, lavishing the feeling of Mashiro's hand over her own. 'Remember…she denied you…' Arika quickly pulled back and bowed before leaving quickly.

Mashiro turned to the window as her control gave up. She stared blankly outside as she felt her soul having been shred to pieces. She regretted her words more than anything she had ever regretted in her life. She knew it was her fault that she had lost the most important thing for her. 'I lost my love by my own fault…'

A/N: Well, here's the next chapter. I want to thank all of you for all the reviews I have received for this story (and the other one too.) I am overwhelmed by how many people are liking this story. I am also glad to see so many people hate Tate too :D He's an asshole :p and I am glad to be able to contribute to that lol. Well, sorry for the long time it took me to update this, it usually doesn't take this long. Also, I have decided where I want to take the story, and as a warning, it's going to be quite…dramatic :D and it will involve some heavy action. (Not that kind ;D…or maybe :D )

Thank you all again for the reviews and please keep reviewing if you can :D

Next Chapter: Takeda gets his revenge.