Sorry for the late update! I will tell you why I took so long later ^^

this is 27KB ^^

UM PLEASE R&R! or flame, thanks!

UM....some friend i have in real life said that if i cud write up to 30 chapt.s she wud treat me to BBT after school ^^

but...can I? XD

theres something wrong with 's file loader....so all the words become squeezed together as in the normal space between is

like this but bcuz of the satupid thing....it had bcome smaller...............i'm v angry cuz i spent alot of tme seperaing it...and now....damnit...

oh and i think this is my longest chat. yet o0 it has 4,050 words o0...

SORRY IF I FAILED YOUR EXPECTATIONS for this CHAPT.! o0

AND THANKS FOR BOTHERING TO READ!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Mai-hime or Mai-otome...can anyone tell me if u need ths in every chapt.? cuz i'm getting lazy to kerep writing this and legends.

Now for the legends in the story:

**=thoughts of the character because I am using Microsoft word2007 and I don't know if my italic words will be saved in the same format (Now i know it DOES save in the same format BUT i still wanna keep it ^^)

the line that is grayish = after a period of time

---------- = something that is happening at the SAME time the next scene happens

CHAPTER 13-MERGER

Natsuki slowly opened her eyes as the bright sunlight from the windows shone in.

"Yao pup how was your sleep" Nao said from her position at the dinning table.

Natsuki let out a groan as she slowly sat up, ignoring Nao's greeting.

"Mai?" she said when she saw Mai and her two room mates sitting opposite Nao at the kitchen table

"Hi Natsuki" Mai said in her usual cheery tone, "It's a Saturday so I thought I would just probably hang out with you like last time, it's been 3 months since I last spent a weekend with you ya' know?"

"Oh, I know why, cuz' you're always too busy with the big dog Tate" Natsuki said expressionlessly as she got up from her bed and headed for the bathroom.

Chie looked at Natsuki with a smirk and called out, "Quickly bathe pup! We'll be waiting".

"WHO THE HELL GAVE YOU THE PERMISSION TO CALL ME PUP?!?"

"Well, if Nao could I thought we could too" Chie shot her a grin, "Unless it's a- for Nao only thing"

"God! Natsuki! Not Nao too?" Aoi called out in a faux shocked voice.

"SHUT UP I don't know what you two are talking about!" Natsuki said as she slammed the bathroom door behind her.

Hidaru had slept in since she had been rushing her homework till 1am the night before.

"Hidaru-han?" Shizuru's voice rang from the other side of her door.

"Are you in there?" Shizuru continued when she heard no answer.

"We have to go visit our parents today, yes?" She said as she tried out the door knob, only to find it unlocked.

"I'm coming in" She said as she opened the door to the room.

"Ara…." Shizuru said as she saw a sleeping Hidaru hugging her pillow and whimpering.

Shizuru went over to the side of her bed and lightly tapped on her shoulder.

"WHAT IN THE FUCKING HELL IS-" Hidaru shouted out as she jumped into a defensive pose.

"Ara ara Hidaru should mind her language, if any fan of yours heard this they would be really shocked.

Hidaru stared at Shizuru, not fully awake yet, "Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck" she said, challenging Shizuru out of childish defiance.

Shizuru frowned at Hidaru disapprovingly.

"Fine, no saying fuck cuz fuck is bad and fuck makes Shizuru flinch and me look bad right? No saying fuck it is "Hidaru said, trying to use the word as many times as possible in the same sentence.

Shizuru smiled at her friend's antics as she pushed her friend into the bathroom.

Natsuki came out of the toilet, fully changed and ready to go out.

"Natsuki, today's outing will be with Chie, Aoi and Nao,kay?"

"Whatever, I'm only going to stay for a few hours anyway" Natsuki said as she sat down to eat the Mayo sandwich Mai had made for while she was in the toilet.

"Hey, Natsuki, I heard from Nao that you were sent home by that white haired student councilor right?"

"White haired…stu-"Natsuki said as she tried to remember what had happened last night. *GOD DAMNIT I THINK I FELL ASLEEP ON HER* Natsuki thought as she blushed.

"Oh, yeah, why?" She said as calmly as she could and stared at the two shocked girls in front of her.

Chie shot up from the table and stared at Natsuki in the eye, "Natsuki! What did you do? You have successfully attracted 'special' attention from the two most popular councilors!"

"And Nao even said that the girl had brought you back when you were asleep…"Aoi trailed off, thinking of the possibilities.

"HELL NO! NOTHING HAPPENED! I just fell asleep after she had raced me on a bike competition!"Natsuki defended when she noticed what Aoi was trying to get at.

"You know,I cant help but feel that this thing seems familiar…" Mai said in a detective pose.

"Of course, the last time it was falling on that Fujino woman and landing in a compromising position." Nao said matter of factly as she filed her nails.

"Oh my god….Natsuki how did you get them t-" Chie said before getting cut-off by Natsuki.

"I DID NOTHING! Mai! Let's go I'm done with breakfast already" She said as she dragged Mai out of the room.

"So…She did nothing and got them to?...either the Councilors have a very *cough* or Natsuki is just too attractive for them" Chie said jokingly before following the two out.

"Well, one thing I know, you had better not joke like that when you're outside, either you get punched by Natsuki or Natsuki gets punched by fans" Nao said as she slowly made her way out of the room.

Aoi nodded with agreement as she locked the door behind her.

"Ara ara, otou-san is too kind, you shouldn't have sent anyone to fetch us, we could take Hidaru's car there" Shizuru said into the telephone as she looked out of the window.

"Well, take it as a small gesture of mine Shizuru and besides, Hidaru's parents doesn't want her to be driving unless it's an emergency, I'll meet you at the hotel later okay?" A man said from the other side of the phone.

"Hai, otou-san" Shizuru said before hanging up the phone.

Shizuru turned to her left as she saw Hidaru look out of the window with a forlorn look on her face.

Hidaru noticed Shizuru's stare as she turned her gaze to Shizuru, "Hey Shizuru?"

"Yes, Hidaru-chan?"

"You like Natsuki Kruger dontcha'?"

"Ara…I dont know what you are talking about Hidaru-chan" Shizuru said as she felt a sudden pang of sadness rush through her. *How does she know…I didn't even tell her…*

"Liar…"Hidaru whispered as she turned her gaze back to the window, deciding to drop the subject in case the chauffeur had decided to tell Shizuru's dad about what he had heard.

They soon reached the hotel they were supposed to meet their parents at as they got off and made their way to the café Shizuru's dad had told them to meet at.

"Why the hell must we be present every time our families make an important business deal?" Hidaru growled.

"Ara, I heard this time there will be another person too, yes?"

Hidaru let out a sigh as she straightened her skirt and entered the café, "Who cares?"

A man which Shizuru had identified as Hidaru's father saw them enter and eyed Hidaru with his black eyes as if to see if his daughter had met his 'requirements'.

They both sat down at the table, facing each other's dads, another tall man with emerald eyes was sat beside them.

"Kisaru Kruger, nice to meet you two" the tall man said as he held out his hand.

Shizuru took his hand and gave him a firm handshake. *Kruger…So this is Natsuki's dad* Shizuru said as she gave the man a small smile.

Kisaru smiled back at Shizuru charmingly as he shook Hidaru's hand.*that girl is the one I made Natsuki forget about isn't she? All grown up now…*

"The Kruger, Tsuki and Fujino companies have been working together for more than fifteen years now, and we are here to discuss a possible merger between the three companies, therefore it is important for our future heirs to all be present, Kruger's heir will be arriving in the afternoon, so Hidaru and Shizuru, you will be led to your rooms for the night in a few minutes time" Kazane Tsuki, Hidaru's father said, his voice as formal as usual.

*Natsuki…* Shizuru thought bitterly as she looked at Kisaru, who was staring back at her.

"May I know what school you two are from?" Kisaru said when Shizuru looked away.

"Fuuka" Hidaru said briefly, not wanting to make any 'mistakes' in front of her dad.

Kisaru's eyes widened as the word left Hidaru's mouth.

"Is there something wrong?"Hidaru said calmly.

"No, it's just that my daughter studies there too" He spoke up louder to hint Shizuru's dad about what he had meant.

"Well, I don't think they've met before since they are two years apart, I never knew your daughter studied there too" Shizuru's dad spoke up, indirectly answering Kisaru's 'accusation'.

"Ah, then they should make friends in this meeting, shouldn't they?" Kisaru said to no one in particular.

Shizuru was too busy thinking about Natsuki to notice.*Natsuki, why do you have to haunt me wherever I go?*She thought as she felt the dread of her unrequited feelings.

Hidaru though, had observed the entire conversation and smelt something fishy.

But before Shizuru's father could ask her if she knew Natsuki, a man in a black tux walked over to their table and bowed "Your rooms are ready, if you would like, I could show you to them now".

"That would be very appreciated, thank you" Hidaru said as she stood up and followed the man with Shizuru quietly following behind her.

"Shizuru…"Natsuki whispered as she followed her friends around the mall. She had felt a little lost since she had not seen Shizuru for two days now. *Why the hell do I feel like something is missi-*

"Natsuki! Stop spacing out! We have to find some outfit for you to wear for the formal business thingy you're going to later on" Mai said.

"Cant I just wear this?" Natsuki said as she pointed at her dark brown pants and white polo-T.

"Are you crazy!?! You're meeting with important people who own companies that 'play' with the share prices and our income!" Mai waved her hands in the air to give the big effect.

"I think you're just plain exaggerating, Mai" Nao said from behind her.

"Aww, come on, we all just want to see Natsuki look good when she might meet some future suitor there right?"Chie grinned.

Natsuki glared at Chie , "Oh ye-" She said when her phone rang.

"Hello?!"She shouted into the phone.

"I've sent my chauffeur to pick you up already…he should reach soon" Natsuki's dad said as a Lamborghini Gallardo pulled up at the side-walk.

"Yep, it's here, so much for timing" She said as she went over to the car.

"Eh?! But we haven't chosen something for you to wear yet!" Mai wined.

"I toldja I'm goin' in this already!" Natsuki said as the chauffeur opened the car door for her to get in.

Mai gave Natsuki her motherly pose before finally giving up with a sigh.

"Wow…pup, nice car" Nao said with a smirk.

Chie and Aoi nodded with agreement.

"That had better be a complement Nao" Natsuki growled.

"Oh, yea it is, one that just shows how spoilt you are"

"Nao!" Natsuki shouted through the window before the chauffeur drove of.

Natsuki got off the car a she stepped into the hotel.

"Natsuki!" A tall man said as he signaled for his daughter to go over to him.

"Dad"

"I've been waiting for you to come, the other two heir are here already…you're very late, hopefully the Tsuki family doesn't see this as disrespect, their very strict you know?" Natsuki's dad said with a small frown as he put down the book he was reading earlier.

"Well, that's their problem then…" Natsuki said as she swept a few strands of stray hair behind her ear.

"Go up and take a shower first, we'll be having a small get-to-know-each-other meeting later".

"Heh?! But I forgot to bring any clothes!" Natsuki stiffened.

Her dad let out a small sigh as she looked at Natsuki with tired eyes.

"Don't stare at me like that" Natsuki said as she glared back at her father.

"I kind of knew this would happen, I've put some of your spare clothes in your designated hotel room"

Natsuki raised her left eyebrow.

"No skirts or dresses, promise"

"Thanks"

"Be at the restaurant by 6pm don't be late…or I'll take away your Ducati" Kisaru said, incase his daughter were to run off somewhere else.

"Gotcha" Natsuki replied before walking toward the lift.

Hidaru stared at the keychain she had hung on her phone, it wasn't really a keychain anymore since the item hung to it had been lost more than five years ago, but she still kept it since the part which once held the item made a small bell like sound when she shook it. * …she gave this t-*

Her thoughts were interrupted by the small knock she had heard on her door.

"Hidaru? It's 5:30 already, we should make our way there soon" Came Shizuru's Kyoto-ben from outside.

"Hai hai!" Hidaru said as she opened the door to see Shizuru in a white blouse with a beige vest, finished off with a gray skirt.

"Woof" Hidaru said as she stared at Shizuru's clothes.

"Ara?"

"You look like you're dressing in some kind of school uniform"

"My dad told me he would help me bring clothes…but I think he had asked one of the maids to just throw in some clothes…so…" Shizuru said as she looked down and re-assessed her dressing.

"Heh, I thought you would be wearing something formal like a dress…but oh well" Hidaru said as she stuffed her phone in her pocket.

Shizuru decided not to answer and walked toward the lift.

Hidaru chased up with Shizuru and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You sure the skirt ain't too short?"

"No, it isn't…and I do not see much of a need to dress up formally since it's only a small meeting…not even a business one to start with…"

"Or is it because we might be meeting Kruger-chan?"Hidaru said with a wink as she stepped into the lift.

Shizuru's eyes widened a bit.

Hidaru smirked at her friend's reaction as she played with the buttons of the lift.

"Hidaru, you shouldn't-" Shizuru stopped short when she saw Hidaru press all the buttons she could press.

"Woof" Was all Hidaru said as the door started to open at every floor.

Shizuru let out a tired sigh as she leaned onto the railing of the lift.

*Why did we have to be staying on the 48th floor…*She thought as she turned toward Hidaru who was staring at the doors, her eyes filled with amusement, increasing every time it opened.

*When she feels like being childish…* Shizuru let out another sigh.

Natsuki was already at the restaurant by 5:35. She was afraid her dad's watch would be faster and he would count it as her being late…which means her motorcycle being taken away.

"Hell…" She whispered to herself as she stood outside the restaurant.

"Ah- Nat-chan you're so early today…I wonder what made you come so early" Natsuki's father said from behind her.

"Don't ask the obvious" Natsuki gruffly replied as she followed her dad into the restaurant.

The restaurant was quiet even though there were at least a hundred people in the restaurant. A few waiters approached them.

"May I help you sire?" The waiter said with a bright smile.

"Reservation for a table on the second floor"

"Mr Tsuki, yes?"

"No, that would be the friend I am meeting up with"

"Ah sorry, I'll take you there now" The waiter said as he politely bowed and signaled for Kidaru to follow him.

"Pfft, Shiz, we're late" Hidaru said as she stood in front of the door a waiter had led them to.

"Ara ara…and who was it who made the lift stop at every floor?" Shizuru replied sarcastically as she opened the door.

Shizuru's eyes widened when she saw a blue-haired girl sitting at the table. *I didn't think that my guess was…*

Natsuki's eyes widened when she saw a chestnut haired lady enter the room. *WHAT THE HELL IS SHE DOING HERE!?!....oh yea…Fujino…great…but…she sure looks prett- Natsuki! What the hell are you thinking of?*

"I sincerely apologize for making everyone wait for so long, we were delayed by some…problems" Hidaru said when Shizuru had just stood there in shock.

"Gomenasai…" Shizuru trailed off as she recovered from her shock and slowly sat down.

"It's ok, you're only five minutes late anyway" Kisaru said with a smile.

"But I do hope you could be earlier in future, you should know the importance of punctuality by now, Hidaru" the man sitting opposite Natsuki said sternly with a disapproving stare.

"Hai, otou-sama" Hidaru said as she smoothed out her skirt and sat down.

Kisaru laughed awkwardly as he tried to warm up the icy atmosphere, "Shouldn't the heirs re-introduce themselves?"

"Umm..I'm Natsuki Kruger, nice to meet you" Natsuki said as she stared at Shizuru.

"Fujino Shizuru and Tsuki Hidaru from Fuuka University" Shizuru said with a smile.

*By the way those to talked earlier in the morning, It would probably be better to pretend we don't know each other* Hidaru assessed. "It's a pleasure to meet you, even though we might have met somewhere in school before..."

The door opened as the waiter came in with two dishes in hand.

The three fathers walked out of the lift at the third floor, where their rooms were located.

The other three heirs stood in the lift, trying to find words to break the silence.

Shizuru looked at the emerald eyed girl from the corner of her eye. *Natsuki….why must you be the Kruger heir?...If you keep appearing before me like this, It'll just make it harder for me to get rid of this…stupid…feeling* Shizuru thought in distress as she tightened her hold on her small hand bag.

*Shizuru…*Natsuki said as she tried her best to focus her attention on the lift doors. *Why do I feel like I'm going to suffocate just cause you're in the same lift as me?...and…It feels…good to be standing beside you…* Natsuki thought as she unconsciously shook her head to try and get the thoughts out.

Hidaru observed the two's body language and made a small smile. "Hey…"

"Yes?" both Shizuru and Natsuki said at the same time, only to turn away in embarrassment.

"Hidaru should be more specific as to who she's talking to, yes?" Shizuru said.

"Yea, idiot" Natsuki supported.

The doors of the lift opened as it's three occupants walked out.

"Seriously, you're so 'nice' when your dad's around…like you're another person" Natsuki said casually as they walked toward their respective rooms.

"Well…that's cause my dad isn't as nice as yours" Hidaru said defensively as she took out the keycard to her room.

"Whatever" Natsuki said as she entered her room hurriedly, feeling as though she had been working for a few days straight by just standing next to Shizuru in awkward silence.

"Night" Hidaru said as Shizuru entered her room after Natsuki.

PlEase R&R ^^

AND THANKS FOR READING!

Oh and I couldn't post at first was cause my keyboard had spoilt(then it miraculously could work again…but the space bar had a tad bit of problem so I wrote half the story and my finger felt like it was going to break from pressing the spacebar…so I stopped…and I didn't feel like writing much at that time too XD)

…then I went to watch two new animes

THEN…I didn't feel like writing…till I finished the second anime today…at around four then I continued writing..and…walla!

Um…flame if you wish…I'm not very good