There will be Shiznat in the next chapter. I SWEAR! I repeat Shiznat in the next chapter.

Oh and because some people got confused, the bikers in the earlier chapters are not Senshi. They are simply performance killers for cruddy shows. Also the red and yellow bikers aren't anybody, I just added them for the theme. Maybe I'll do something with them though in the future. Thanks for all the reviews!

Disclaimer: I don't own Mai Hime or Otome, Sunrise does.

Chapter 4

"WHADAYA MEAN SHE'S STAYING HERE!!"

Takeda was throwing a tantrum. He swung his arms wildly in every direction and made childish faces at the ringmaster. A disgusting river of green snot trailed down his nose. Shizuru had never been so embarrassed in all her life. Was this anyway for a man of high position to act? Honestly, men could be so irrational.

The ringmaster's expression was a combination of puzzlement and annoyance. He stroked his unkempt beard in thought as he turned to Shizuru.

"I'm very sorry Madame, but I just cannot hand over my best biker. You saw how much the crowd loves her, and after that spectacle a while ago, well, I just can't let her go."

"GAHHHH!"

Takeda roared and then charged at the ringmaster but was quickly apprehended by two bodyguards. He kicked and even bit the two strong men but was thrown and held to the ground. They then dragged him out of the ringmaster's office. Now the Duchess had had enough. She would get the girl on her own terms and in her own way. Takeda had failed to realize that with a little charisma and some extra money anyone could be persuaded.

Shizuru put on her best smile, now it was all charm.

"I must apologize for my companion's behavior. He can get rather emotional sometimes."

The ringmaster rubbed his neck. The stout man sat in his chair and pulled out his whiskey bottle. He chugged down a large amount and then offered some to Shizuru who politely refused. After another gulp he proceeded to speak.

"It's all right. You would be surprised at how many people take a swing at me. I just don't have money to cover it."

Taking this as a hint Shizuru went into bargaining mode.

"Ara, if that's the case maybe we can work out an arrangement."

Sitting up right the ringmaster went into a somewhat drunken rage

"I already told ya! I'm not handing her over!"

"Oh no, not a hand over, I was thinking more of a…. ohhhhh trade? Grinned Shizuru as she kept all composure."

His sweaty face began to calm as he sat deep in his chair, now he seemed interested.

"Oh, a trade you say? What did you have in mind"

Shizuru gracefully placed a very large amount of money in front of the ringmaster.

Smiling like a demon he picked it up and started counting. Then he too regained some composure.

"Well Madame it seems as though you offer a fine tradeoff. However I feel as though everyone in my show is well…family. This girl she is a very valuable part of my family and I don't think she'd appreciate being given away by such a humble amount." His eyes went back on the money. His yellow teeth still showing.

'So he wants more does he? Very well I'll give this little warthog what he wants.' To Shizuru money was no option. Not in this matter anyway.

"How about this much for your family?" Shizuru placed twice the amount on the ringmaster's desk. He was practically drooling now. He snatched the money as though it would fly away and looked at Shizuru once more.

"My lady, you've got yourself a deal."

Shizuru smiled, she had gotten what she wanted. As the man finally stopped salivating over the money he handed Shizuru the blue rider's contract and other paperwork. He then started counting the money once more. As Shizuru left his office she remembered one last question that just had to be asked.

"I forgot to ask, what is her name?"

"Oh ahh……Natsuki or something like that." He still was counting.

"Thank you," she replied politely as she exited the office.

'So you finally have a name my beautiful warrior. Natsuki, soon you will be my Senshi.'

As Shizuru entered the hallway she saw Takeda quite disselved in the corner. It seemed the guards were a little too rough than they had to be. She giggled and approached the beat up man.

"Did you get her?" He asked weakly.

Shizuru patted the battered man's head.

"We certainly did Masashi-san."

Later that night the Natsuki sat on her bed and bandaged her injured leg. He had had far worse injuries than this and decided to get back to work the next day, besides it wasn't like the ringmaster would let her have recovery time anyway. Sighing she lay down and nettled her head on her pillow. A loud harsh knock pounded on her door. She knew right away it was the drunken ringmaster. Only he did these obnoxious, late night poundings.

"What the hell do you want!" She yelled in her husky voice

"Pack all your shit up! You're leaving tomorrow!"

'So, their already getting rid of me' she thought to herself. She really could care less were she went, she hated this place as was content as long as she was paid. Nonetheless she hobbled over to her dresser and started pulling out all her things. She really didn't care where she was going. Chances were she'd hate it there as well.

The rain began to pour down on the tired girl's shoulders. The city was a cold and awful place from what she had seen so far. Exhaustion and starvation hit her hard as she sat in an alley, wet and shivering. She was sure she had caught pneumonia as she developed a stinging persistent cough. She could care less though, she was certain that tonight she'd die in this alley.

The day before, she had already escaped death and snuck into this city though a drainage pipe. After parting ways with a mother and child she immediately tried to find a place to stay. It was then that she realized all her money had been lost, ether stolen or it fell it the earlier chaos. With nothing to eat and nowhere to go, Mai had become one of the many homeless living in the streets of Xeres. But if this was the way it was why did she come here?

She finally lost consciousness and passed out against a dumpster, half dead.

Suddenly she found herself all alone in a pitch-black area. Not a bit of light shined anywhere.

"Where am I?" she called.

"These are the caverns of you inner mind," echoed a voice that was similar to hers.

"Why did I come here, to the city?"

"You came here to find work."

"Is that all?"

"Well the money is definitely needed."

"But why should I even bother. I already escaped death once, now I'm faced with it again. It's all just too hard. I should just give in…"

"It's not all just about you, you know"

"What the hell would you know!" Mai shouted

"I am you, I've been here since the moment you were conceived. I've always known you and I know you are better than to give everything up."

"What do you mean "everything," I have no food, no home, no money, I have nothing whatsoever!"

"I wouldn't say that…"

"Yeah?! Well then what the hell do I have?"

"Remember….." The voice began to fade. Sudden a pool of colors twirled before Mai. They kept spinning then suddenly stopped. The image of a young boy appeared, he was coughing and holding his chest. To the sides of him sat many poor, all trying to sleep.

"Takumi!" Mai cried out.

"Yes, you have forgotten about him," said the voice.

Takumi opened his pillbox. There was very few tablets left. Reluctantly he popped one into his throat and began to shiver.

"There are not many pills left, he needs his medicine," stated the voice.

"How can I be so selfish. Look at him! He needs me!" Mai cried out.

"And you need him. Listen to me; do not give up on your life just yet. Your destiny has not yet been reached. It will be hard and painful but you must go on. For the sake of your brother you must live."

Suddenly a burst of warmth flowed though Mai's body. Life began to flow back into her limbs. It was as though someone was carrying her.

The young man dashed though the rain with the unconscious girl in his arms.

"Come on, please make it," he begged the girl as he ran toward a large mansion.

'I must go on,' Mai thought to herself in her dreams.

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