A/N: Here we have the opening of the story. This will all make sense soon.

Disclaimer: Did you know I heard from a girl that Mai Hime is owned by Sunrise...what a shame.

Azure Monarchy Chapter 5 by Kara Papas

The acceptance of being a royal. All this had not really settled into her mind, but she was well aware that there were consequences in every walked of life. The azure haired woman slowly walked down the hallway heading outside after a three hour conversation with her ally, General Arisugawa.

-Flashback-

"Kruger, you must understand that being a monarchy isn't an easy job. However you could be something else other than a monarch." Juri chuckled.

"And what did you have in mind, General?" Natsuki asked in a relaxed tone.

"Perhaps, a warlord..." Juri said softly and then started laughing uncontrollably. Natsuki face was blank as she watched the normally mature immortal laugh like a child.

-End flashback-

That was the way the conversation had ended so Natsuki was left to her own thoughts on what a monarch should be. The leading the nation thing had never come across her thoughts in her 27 years of life. Yes, life consisted of trials and errors for her. She was on a good path from what she had assumed the previous year when she was sitting down a table with her two good friends Mai Tokiha and Mikoto Minagi. However life did not go that way. She learned of a friend's death while on a job to kill a diplomat from Saurus. She could not begin to console the loss of her friend's lover.

The doors were in front of her again. The large doors that beckoned her to walk in, and outside there would be at least eighty angry citizens and one very anxious newspaper editor waiting. Mai was not one to give up so easily when she knew more about Natsuki then the surrounding public. Natsuki huffed and nodded to the soldier at the door and he opened it slowly. First the light glared into her vision blinding her momentarily. The azure haired woman's vision cleared in the mere seconds it had been taken. She slowly descended the stairs seeing posters and hearing violent shouts from the masses. The crowd almost instantly rushed the former soldier of their beloved country. A coat flew out over no where covering Natsuki's torso and a hand appeared on her lower back pushing her through the crowd.

"Mai…" Natsuki whispered.

"Shut up Natsuki. I'm trying to help you out and find out what went on. Now I'm getting into the car with you." Mai grunted as she felt objects bounce off her body. Natsuki turned from Mai's grasp revealing herself in the crowd of angry citizen.

"What is wrong with you people?!" Natsuki shouted. "Do you have any idea who you are trying to pelt?" Natsuki's stance was strong and guarded pushing off an aura unlike any she had before. The crowd became silent and almost abashed from their own actions. Mai was still in a crouched position holding the coat like she was teasing a bull. The violet orbs where fixed on the tall statue of her friend and the strength of her voice. The crowd was silent and Natsuki glared at all of them slowly turn herself in a complete circle to gaze upon all of the citizens.

"I will have you know this. The next government that will being taking Webstein will not be a foreign entity. And actions shut as this will not be tolerated! Don't you have responsibilities to take care of? Or do I have to instate martial law in my capital city!!" Natsuki almost roared stomping on her feet down. "Go home and stop mocking your own government and those who are trying so hard to recover it." Natsuki whip around one more time to find Mai with her jaw hanging open. Natsuki smiled and extended a hand to help Mai up. The crowd was slowly dispersing as Natsuki caught Mai's hand and pulled her to her feet.

"How did you do that Natsuki?" Mai said seeing people with their head hung low as they walked away. Natsuki shrugged her shoulders and looked at the soldier that was acting as the valet. The soldier did a double take upon seeing the former Colonel as she approached with her busty orange haired guest.

"Ma'am!" The soldier stood in a saluting stance and Natsuki walked up suspiciously staring at the soldier.

"At ease, soldier…what seems to be the problem? My car isn't here, can you explain to me why you are late bring it up front." Natsuki said in a soft harsh tone. Mai giggled behind her because she loved watching Natsuki scare the crap out of people.

"You already came to pick it up….I swear and you were wearing something different! Ma'am!" the valet so in all earnest. Mai and Natsuki exchanged looks and Mai walked forward.

"How about my car?" Mai sweetly asked which was completely uncalled for since she was normally very snappish. Natsuki rolled her eyes and stood off to the side thinking who could have taken her car. No one looked like her, but her. The azure haired woman knew, to her knowledge, she was the only one in the world who carried her genetic code and that her carbon copy was decaying in a medical lab. However she was wrong; there was a person out there who carried the same genetic code as her. In fact, the genetic code came from them and was given to Natsuki in the form of life. This other azure haired woman was currently on her way back to where to autopilot was taking her; the penthouse where a sleeping Shizuru lay.

The penthouse was mostly silent as the occasional sigh could be heard. Shizuru sat out on the balcony in a bathrobe, her hair still damp and wild. An azure haired woman slowly approached the penthouse door with a strange glint in her eyes. The glint spoke of an unknown excitement as if she stood to learn much if she passed those doors and entered the inner sanctum of Natsuki Kuga, Kruger's current home. The azure haired woman was definitely in store for a surprise about the new monarch. The door to the penthouse house opened and closed just as Natsuki opened and closed the door to Mai's vehicle. Natsuki glanced at Mai wondering as they headed towards the penthouse if she should mention the strange voice she heard in the capital building. As those thoughts filtered through the mind of the new monarch the owner of the voice was walking through her penthouse and heading towards the balcony.

The sliding door to the balcony was open and the wind wafted in revealing no sitting outside. The azure haired woman rubbed the back of her neck in the same fashion that Natsuki did. Red eyes looked over the woman very cautiously. The Karis beauty knew that this person was not her lover, but born an incredible similarity to Natsuki. However Shizuru knew Natsuki had no living relatives so this made Shizuru all the more cautious.

"Don't stare it's rude…" The voice sound almost like Natsuki's but older in tone. "Why don't you come back outside and I will join you; if you get me a cup of tea too." Shizuru heart skipped a beat and she shook her head. The woman would not turn to show her face to Shizuru which meant Shizuru had to trust the woman. So the Karisan woman slowly walked outside and placed her tea cup on the table on the balcony when the Karisan woman shut the sliding down. Shizuru's back went rigid.

"No, no…it's okay. Don't be afraid. Sit down. I was just teasing you about the tea." The voice said. So Shizuru sat down and another chair creaked as the azure hair woman sat down with her. Now, finally Shizuru eyes glazed over this woman's features. They were not Natsuki, but in some almost unbelievable sense, this woman could have been Natsuki's mother. The woman's eyes were a tad little in their green color the facial structure was the same too. Shizuru lips pursed as she was getting ready to ask a question when the woman extend her hand and used a single finger to silence Shizuru. A faint pink color grew on Shizuru face making the woman smile.

"I am waiting for Natsuki to get home. Like you I guess." The woman said while staring at the horizon. "It's amazing how geography can change because of mankind. This horizon was so much more impressive five hundred years ago. So tell me, what is your relation with Natsuki?" The woman asked watching lips carefully leave the rim on the tea cup.

"This is rather odd for me. I must ask, who are you or am I allowed to ask that because I know you are, you have to be related to my Natsuki." Shizuru said letting the curiosity in her eyes show. The woman's eyebrows raise upon hearing, "my Natsuki", and she looked carefully at Shizuru. Shizuru red eyes seemed to be not phased by the expression upon the other woman's face.

"I've overstayed my welcome. I know what Natsuki means to you now, so I can trust you with her. I cannot let her see me, yet. She has to meet me on her own accord. Please, only tell her you heard my voice. I think she will understand." The azure haired woman stood and Shizuru reached out and gently took her hand and kissed it. The azure haired woman's eyes went wide and her jaw hit the ground. "Why…are you doing this?"

Shizuru's eyes showed a warmth and a slight pain that made the woman kneel down by Shizuru. "Why, because you look like my Natsuki…and I believe. I'm certain I know who you are. So please be safe and thank you for accepting me." The azure haired woman smiled and rubbed Shizuru's face affectionately and left as Natsuki and Mai were riding the other elevator up. The elevator dinged right as the other closed. Natsuki stepped out seeing the door ajar and she drew her gun.

"Shizuru!" Natsuki came running in and found Shizuru sitting on the balcony with tears running down her face Natsuki holstered her gun and knelt down by Shizuru. Natsuki grabbed Shizuru's left hand and kissed the palm making Shizuru look at her. "Shizuru…" Natsuki said in very quiet voice. "Why are you crying? I'm home, I didn't mean to leave you here by yourself." Natsuki as she felt Shizuru sudden pull her into arms and on her lap. "Hey, Shizuru when did you get so sensitive to things like this? Besides…we have a guest…Shizuru." Shizuru sniffed and nodded releasing her hold on Natsuki. Natsuki step back inside holding Shizuru's hand looking for Mai who was cautious ducking around the penthouse as if she was trying to find some unknown assailant.

"Mai…" Natsuki chortled. Mai looked over to them and smiled a stupid grin and wlaked over.

"Ms. Tokiha, its good to see you again." Shizuru said smiling wiping the tears from her face. Natsuki glanced over at Shizuru and kissed her gently on the cheek. Mai gacked and slapped her thigh.

"I would have paid money to have Natsuki plant one on me in college!" Mai laughed and Shizuru rested her forehead against Natsuki's.

"Mmm, is that so…" Shizuru said smoothly.


Mini Feed:

Shizuru: Nat-su-ki

Natsuki: -playign video games- mmm?

Shizuru: Nat-su-ki... -walking to Natsuki-

Natsuki: yeah what is it? Damn I almost got it...

Kara: -sitting on couch reading homework stuff-

Shizuru: ... -whispers somethign in Natsuki's ear-

Natsuki: -nosebleed- Uhnmmmm...okay..

Shizuru: walks away smiling-

Kara: -totally lost in her own world-

Natsuki: -in frotn of Kara- Hey author...get lost...

Kara:- looks around- what did I do this time to get kicked out...-hears shizuru calling Natsuki from the back-

-Natsuki grins stupidly and Kara frowns intensely-


Oooo reviewage!