Well, as promised here it is.
It is a short chapter but this is the close of the first halft of the story. A new chapter is coming soon.
Thanks eveyrbody that left a review. I am sorry as was not able to answer properly to each one. I will do it these days. I haven´t had internet access and a computer available all days but I am thankful to everybody.
Note: This story is rated M. It contents ntimate encounters between two females as well as other sexual content, strong language or violence (even if not in this chapter). If you dislike, please don´t read.
Disclaimer: Sunrise owns Mai Hime and Mai Otome characters. Dune is owned by Frank Herbert legal heirs. I only own my imagination.
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Tears of Warriors by Galadan
Chapter 8. Farewells
"The basic rule is this: Never support weakness; always support strength"
The Bene Gesserit Coda. Heretics of Dune.
"What is this Love that so many speak of with such apparent familiarity? Do they truly comprehend how unattainable it is? Are there not a many definitions of love as there are stars in the universe?
The Bene Gesserit Question Book. House Harkonnen, Dune.
Skáneland, Castle Skánien.
"So, are you really interested in my daughter, Shizuru-san"?
Despite Saeko's harsh tone, Shizuru was sure the reason of her visit wasn't Natsuki's interest in her. She was really surprised to find her daughter there at that time. However, she decided to close in on the issue the clearest way possible. If Natsuki was brave enough to accept her in front of her mother, Shizuru could do the same in front of Uma Shamrock once Saeko was finished with her.
"Ara…No, Saeko-san. I am not interested in your daughter. I am interested in a woman called Natsuki Kruger."
Neither Saeko nor Shizuru spoke during that time, just looking at each other. Saeko walked through the balcony stopping some seconds to look at the table where Natsuki had prepared her dinner and then opened the balcony doors.
"The first time your mother visited me in Skáneland she stayed in this very same room." Saeko said at last, turning to see Shizuru. It was really rare to be able to surprise Garderobe's Archmeister, but Saeko's comment was able to. She was expecting anything but that comment. However, that was the first of several surprises that meeting awaited for her.
"You have no idea Shizuru, how much I cared for Airlie. We grew up and became Otomes together." Saeko's eyes never left Shizuru while as she said, "As you probably know now there are two kinds Otomes with hidden rankings; those like me or your mother, who stay apart from Garderobe, forming families and those pointed for breeding purposes only that never will have one. Airlie and I didn't know where we came from. We never met our parents and even when we knew in the end who they were, we never had a family. We decided to be each other's family."
"We protect and support each other. All the time we had a way to keep in touch with the other. That's why when Kansai was attacked 20 years ago; I was the first to know. Fortunately, I was in Horus at that time. Unfortunately, not even the fastest Krasnikov Cruiser in the Portal was able to take me to Kansai in time."
During her speech, Saeko moved to face the sea, remembering how much Airlie liked it. Airlie, like Shizuru, grew up on Wallach IX, far away from the sea.
"When I arrived the attack was over. Even when I was the first to arrive there was nothing I could do, except look for some survivors." Saeko avoided telling Shizuru that she found some attackers and what happened to them was her own personal sin. No one else deserved that burden. Otomes were not supposed lose the grip of their emotions to the point of assassination.
With a deep breath, Saeko steeled herself for the upcoming. "When I found your family, only your mother was still alive Shizuru. She told me where she hid you, asking me to look and rescue you."
Despite all the years and all of Saeko's training and experience, she still trembled with rage at remembering her beloved friend's broken body.
"They used a primitive dematerializing device then like the one they used here. Airlie was the only Otome in Kansai at that time, and she was unable to materialize."
Shizuru could see Saeko's pain while speaking and now she understood why she had the image of the green eyes in the deep memories of her childhood and also knew she was taking in a lot of information. However, she had to know. "I have looked for the recordings of the rescue teams. I saw the city in ruins and the fate our citizens. However, I was never able to find the records of my family remains."
"That's because I destroyed them." Saeko said without regret. "Your mother wanted you to remember they way they were. I owned her at least that since I wasn't able to save her or her family."
"Did she ask to do you that?" Shizuru said diving into her inner memories desperately while asking.
"Don't do that." Saeko said. "You know the danger of diving too deep in the ocean of our inner memories. You earned your mother's GEM but those last memories aren't on it."
Walking closer to Shizuru, Saeko grabbed her by the arm saying, "Your mother herself removed her GEM once she realized she was unable to materialize and saw the big threat that was menacing them. It was against Garderobe's rules but she knew you will grow up to become an Otome. Before…passing on, she asked me two things: to rescue you and to keep two things safe for you until the time was right: the Amethyst GEM ….and this." Saeko raised her left hand opening it and offering a small dark box to Shizuru.
Shizuru's heart jumped, so had to breathe deeply before taking it, almost with reverence. The controlled and polite Otome had to make her best effort and recall all her training to fight the tears burning in her eyes when she opened the box to find the Hydra Seal ring, the symbol of the Viola House.
Saeko decided it was time to leave Shizuru alone. Without any more comments, she turned to leave, but Shizuru's voice stopped her.
"Lady Saeko" and after a pause she added "Why now? How do you know it's the right time?"
"Dark times are coming my dear Shizuru," Saeko said gently for the first time since they have met. "You are not only one of the most powerful Otome; you are also the Duchess Viola, the rightful heiress of Viola House."
With a serene smile, Saeko added while walking to the door, "It is the time for the Hydra to come back and claim what belongs to her."
Saeko opened the sliding door and before leaving, she said to Shizuru without looking, "Besides, you should know that the Natsuki Kruger you are so interested in is a noble but also a reckless Countess. Maybe the Duchess Viola will have a bit more authority over her than Garderobe's Archmeister. Keep it a secret between you and me, but she dislikes Garderobe quite a lot."
When Saeko left, closing the door, Shizuru walked to the balcony where her mother watched the same sea she was looking now almost 30 years ago and stayed there until the dawn.
Cardair, Krauxeku House's Native Planet.
Akane was kissing the young and relentless Prince Kazuya almost tenderly. Straddling his chest, she was leaning forward, cradling his face with both hands while kissing him softly.
Kazuya was laying back on his fluffed bed; while Akane was kissing him, a young woman was riding him, her back to Akane, moaning and moving her hips with a wild rhythm, while Kazuya was penetrating her. Another two young women were at his sides, holding his arms, biting, licking and sucking every skin surface Akane's movements left free.
The contrast between the lusty treatments the three girls were giving while restraining him and Akane's soft kisses was a nice surprise. He liked surprises like those; however, Akane knew it won't last much longer. She had to take advantage now.
"Are you pleased, My Prince?" She asked between kisses.
"Very…much pleased…, Akane-chan." Kazuya hissed with a wild smile and gazing Akane's half naked body, imagining how he was going to fuck her shortly. "I never…imagined…you were this…creative, Akane-chan."
"I am just willing to please you…Kazu-kun," it was long ago since Akane called him that. They knew each other since childhood; Akane grew up to become an Otome and Kazuya grew up to become a blood-thirsty man. Akane loved him once but now she was an Otome on a mission and always the best weapon for an Otome was saying the truth. "I wish you could have the position you deserve among the Noble Council."
Kazuya laughed at Akane's naïve comment. HE will have the position he deserved. Soon, HE will have anything and everything HE wished for.
"My dear Akane, just wait and soon…you will be surprised." Now the woman riding him dismounted and was now sucking and licking his dick avidly. She was a sex expert Otome, not an imprinter, they were certainly preparing the terrain for the real imprinter, but in the meantime, she was helping Akane to do her move.
"There are a lot of people against you, Kazu-kun… I have heard…comments…"
Opening his eyes with sudden rage, Kazuya asked Akane. "What you mean, Akane? Tell me, now."
Looking shyly to Kazuya, Akane said, "I am so sorry Kazu-kun. I didn't mean to bother you, it is just that…"
"What, Akane? Tell me at once! I am ordering you!" He was getting pissed; a command from him was not to be discussed. It should be obeyed immediately.
He was ready, so Akane made her move. "I met recently with the Imperial Otome, Shiho Nuit. She told me that last time she was on Wallach IX with the Imperial Ambassador Marguerite, the Ambassador suggested that Prince Kazuya may be tied with the incident of Count Kyler Kruger, during a meeting with Headmistress Shamrock."
After a couple of seconds of disbelief, Kazuya burst out laughing. "That stupid woman!" He said after a while.
"She is so stupid!" When he pulled Akane close to him, Akane's young assistants increased the caresses to the Prince's body. "Don't worry Akane-chan, it doesn't matter what that bitch says."
Rubbing her bare breast against Kazuya's chest, Akane asked, "Are you sure Kazu-kun? Shiho-chan was sure she convinced the Headmistress about you."
"Yes, my little Otome…I am sure. All the Otome witches will be razed beyond any hope soon. And then, you will be the only one and you will be mine, Akane-chan." He said looking intensely at Akane's reaction.
"I am only concerned by your well being, Kazu-kun. What will happen if she turns the Emperor against you?"
"And you do well Akane but you don't have to worry; those idiots at Aasgard will be razed soon as well. I… will be the only one to prevail in the end." He was close to explode.
"Please let me stand with you Kazu-kun. I will protect you." Akane was kissing him again. Shamrock was right; they had to keep close as possible to this enemy.
"My little Otome, there is no need for that… I rather prefer to have you taking care of my other needs. I am perfectly able to take care of myself. Those stupid fanatics will do the dirty job for me. They will burn themselves against those Garderobe whores and Baron Nagi will gladly fuck up the Hazakuras. I will only have to wait until they wreck each other then I will collect the pieces and make my own Empire!..."
With that last sentence, Kazuya got off just lamenting he wasn't inside Akane this time.
Skáneland, Castle Skánien.
It was late at night and Ray was standing at the cliff looking out to the sea. Skáneland's cold weather was getting even colder those days--with winter approaching quickly. During the day Ray kept her mind busy with all her duties, but now, she can't avoid thinking about her: Nao. During all their years at Garderobe their antagonism was well known, even legendary. Ray was always number one in her classes. Nao was not interested in excelling anything. However, she was chosen as a Column right after becoming an Otome. Ray had to admit that she felt attracted to the sullen redhead since then. Nao always enjoyed teasing, inciting, behaving defiantly with Ray every time she could but Ray never fell…until now.
"What's up Jagger? Do you need a compass to find my room?" A well known voice teased behind Ray.
Ray didn't turn to see Nao; she wasn't sure if she was ready to face her own feeling towards Nao and having her closer made it harder.
"Damn Jagger, do you know how hard is to be here looking for you?" Nao was thinking. When she missed Ray after dinner, she did her best to look for the Chief Kruger Otome without seeming to be looking for her. Nao was sure Ray avoided her the whole day and the hole in her stomach was getting bigger and bigger with every hour. She needed to see Ray blue eyes looking at her with passion not Ray's back now that they were finally together.
"What the hell do you want from me, Jagger?" Nao asked grabbing Ray's arm and forcing her to look at her. Nao's green eyes were shinning, and Ray had to fight the sudden impulse to grab her in her arms.
"You. I want you. That's what I said the first night when came to my room, didn't I?" Ray said.
Ray's directness always disarmed her. Nao was still grabbing Ray's arm and stepping a bit closer she had to admit with restrained voice. "And you have me, damn Jagger…you have me right now." Nao said softly foreboding the reason of Ray's disturbance.
"I want you far beyond that." Ray said surprising Nao and herself with the intensity of her own voice. Touching Nao's face she added, "I want you everyday and every night with me." And thought but didn't have the courage to voice "…and I would like to be the only one you want."
"Will you ask me to be your little girlfriend, Jagger?" Nao said angrily, Ray wasn't making it easy. "Tell me, Jagger. How many Otome couples do you know?"
After a long pause, Ray said defensively, "It is not forbidden…I mean; there is no rule that forbids Otomes to be together."
"Tell me how many, Jagger" Nao was feeling hurt by doing so but she also needed it to hear it.
"None," Ray said finally.
"Don't you think there should be a reason for that?" Nao said softly again trying to hide her own pain of that fact.
"There was a reason when Otomes had a master, and they could end killing each other, no matter if they were friends or lovers… but now, there is no reason…" Ray argued, looking towards the sea as if the answer could be hidden there in the darkness.
"Ray, please." Something in Nao's voice made Ray stop talking and look back at Nao cautiously. Nao only called her "Ray" when they were making love or only when she was defenseless, at the highest peaks of pleasure.
Nao was looking intensely at Ray and pulling her closer by the coat while saying, "Tonight is our last night at Skáneland and I want to spend it, all of it… with you. That's what we have, tonight. As Otomes, as warriors, that's all we have in the path we have chosen Ray, the present."
Nao removed her long cape and let it fall to the ground, she felt a shiver ran down her back and she wondered if it was because of the cold or because of the fact that it was the first time she offered herself to someone so openly like that.
Ray's gaze traveled over Nao's body knowing that this was the only chance she had. Closing the distance between them, Ray grabbed Nao with both hands by the waist and pulled her in a stretched embrace, while catching her mouth for a deep kiss. Nao's mouth opened avidly for it. They didn't need introductions; their bodies were aching for each other. Nao felt surprised when after several minutes kissing and exploring each other, Ray start undoing her clothes.
"Wait…what are you doing, Jagger?" Nao managed to break the kiss and ask.
"You said we have all night… for us." Ray said catching her mouth again and moving ahead unbuttoning the front of Nao's blouse.
"Yeah…but, at the castle…I…" Ray's mouth was at her collarbone and going down to her exposed nipples that erected instantly at the cold temperature, catching one with wet caresses and the other with her right hand. Ray's left arm was keeping Nao's butt firmly caught. Nao's complaint turned into gasps while Ray's caresses to her breasts went on.
Leaning to take Nao's cape, Ray suddenly carried her in her arms to softer ground. Putting Nao on the ground and laying on top of the cape, Ray straddle Nao's hips and keeping her gaze locked with Nao, removed her coat and her shirt slowly.
Nao admired Ray's white skin under the moon light, her heart beating like a wild drum. She desired that woman more than anything else in her life. Ray was right, there was no time to waste going to the castle.
When Ray finished removing her shirt, Nao lifted her upper body to hold Ray and now had her time to taste Ray's breasts while caressing her hips, her back, and her abdomen. Ray's fingers were interlaced in Nao's hair, feeling the heat between her legs increasing every second Nao spent kissing and touching her exposed skin. Ray lifted Nao's face and bringing down her head, kissed her, her tongue moving inside Nao's mouth and her arms squeezing Nao's upper body.
When both of them were breathing erratically, Ray felt Nao's hands undoing her belt and her trousers, so she pushed the redhead gently to lay her on the ground but Nao resisted.
"What?" Ray asked in a whisper.
"Stand up, Jagger," was the command given in a husky tone.
Obeying, Ray stood up and had to hold her breath seeing how Nao, kneeling in front of her, kissed her abs and the exposed skin of her hips and kept going down while removing her trousers with the rest of her undergarments; then, making Ray open her legs a bit more, Nao grabbed Ray's hips and explored with her mouth and tongue the messy dark hair on Ray's pubis. When, Nao's mouth closed covering her erected clit, Ray felt a streak of electricity that shook her body and almost made her scream and fall on the ground. Nao was now moving her head, opening her mouth to reach all of Ray's sex, her arms holding Ray by the hips, trying to continuously suck Ray's clit and follow the rhythm of the hips moving against her. Nao felt rewarded by hearing Ray moaning and gasping beyond control, while feeling the strong legs trembling and the slender hands squeezing her shoulders and messing her short red hair.
Nao could feel her own wetness flooding between her legs, so this time, when Ray pushed her to make her lean back on the ground; she didn't resist. Despite her urgency, Ray took some time taking Nao's clothes off. She wanted to imprint in her memory the sight of Nao's body under the silver light, the shine of her eyes when she kissed the exposed parts, the sound of her moaning when she touched intimately. Ray wanted to admire every inch of Nao's body and keep her in her mind. The next owners of her GEM will have a pretty nice memory after this.
Laying on top of Nao, Ray finally caught the other Otome lips in a deep kiss, feeling Nao's legs tighten around her hips and the slender figure below her arching; this urged Ray to move against her. Slowly at the beginning, Ray kept kissing Nao while rocking her harder each time, changing the rhythm of the lunges, pressing her core against Nao's, feeling it throbbing and then restarting the rocking movement again. Hearing Nao moaning uncontrollably through the kiss or crying her name in between was the most precious caress to her hearth.
Looking at Nao no longer worried of being out the open having sex with her, but instead groaning and melting so differently from her regular coarse and icy character, Ray realized suddenly how vulnerable Nao was in her arms right now. How vulnerable they were. Anyone could defeat them in this state. "Do you want her this vulnerable, Ray? She got hurt in the battle because she was concerned by you, you know that, right?" her inner voices were asking. Nao was right, they were warriors. Even if their only master was their own will; they chose the path as warriors; they had duties, responsibilities. Maybe that was the reason because there were no Otome couples. They became too vulnerable.
But they only had tonight and Ray was planning to make it worth for both of them. They were safe there; they could take a break on their personal journey. Even if she didn't tell her the words, she would still make love to Nao with all her heart. She could tell Nao how much she loved her with every caress, every kiss, and every touch. Nao was clawing Ray's sweating back despite the cold while the orgasm was spreading through her body like the waves of Skáneland breaking on the cliffs. After a while when both of their spasms calmed down, Nao kissed Ray deeply and messed her hair thinking that was the exact metaphor to describe both of them; she was like the Skáneland Ocean, the dark, deep, and wild tide that possessively licked the cliffs every night. And Ray was like the cliffs, always steady and confident waiting for the high tide. They were linked in the same way, and there was nothing they could to avoid it.
Ray was so sure they were safe there that she didn't feel or see, hidden by darkness and the rocks, a figure that was spying them the whole time, on their way back to the castle.
Skáneland, Spaceport.
The Kruger farewell committee was bigger than the one giving the welcoming almost two months ago and a lot less formal. Natsuki was sad because she and Shizuru didn't have more time together, and Shizuru noticed that at first glance. Shizuru promised to make it up for her soon.
"We will meet in a month in Wallach IX, Natsuki… trust me, until then, please." Shizuru begged her with one of those warm smiles reserved for the Countess only.
"I trust you Shizuru; I just want to be sure you are ok." Natsuki said, taking Shizuru's hand naturally.
"I am fine, my Countess." They stared at each other, holding hands until they realized that too many gazes were fixed upon them. Smiling but keeping their fingers interlaced, they walked back to the group.
They were waiting for Nao Zhang who was "a bit" delayed. She showed up with Ray escorting two steps behind her just when Uma Shamrock was asking Rosalie to look for her.
"It was like time Zhang. Do you think we have no other business but to wait for you?" Natsuki pointed coarsely to the Column. "I am so glad that you won't keep wasting my Chief Otome's time now that I am here just to make sure that you are really leaving."
"Natsuki!" Saeko tried to reprimand her daughter but there was no way with those two, and before she can add anything, Nao was counter-attacking. In fact, Nao was so thankful Natsuki motivated her rebellious mood; during their walk to the spaceport, she felt like bleeding inside after the last deep kiss she shared with Ray, literally tearing herself away from Ray's blue eyes with all her will power.
"Don't worry Kruger, I won't stay in this iceberg not even if I got paid for it. In fact, you should pay us back the effort to abide to the nasty weather with some other company."
"Meister Zhang…" Uma Shamrock tightened her fist feeling really tempted to use it against that hard head.
Passing through Shamrock's side without looking at the Headmistress, Nao clarified, "She started it…"
The truth was that the balance between Garderobe and the Kruger House was a lot different after all this time. Natsuki on behalf of the Kruger House thanked them for helping and officially announced the new alliance between the Kruger House and Garderobe. Internally Uma Shamrock was more than satisfied; she almost got everything she wanted after they've arrived. Her plan towards Natsuki and Shizuru was in the most favorable conditions, thenceforth she had to move ahead.
After Natsuki's words, Uma thanked and acknowledged Natsuki's braveness, Haakon's wisdom, and as well as all the Kruger members' courage.
When the Garderobe group headed towards the Space Cruiser to Wallach IX, Nao casually sent a last tease to both Natsuki and Ray.
"Try to not kill your boss with that big sword of yours during training, Jagger. She has some nice qualities after all." Nao said without looking back and getting ahead the other Columns.
Uma Shamrock only wagged her head in disapproval and Shizuru giggled knowing how annoying that attitude was for Uma. Shizuru was sure Nao wanted to stay at Skáneland as much as she had wanted to but the Fourth Column was not yet ready to admit it.
"Hell Ray, how can you bear that woman? She is the most annoying person I have ever met. I am sorry I had to ask you to work together with her all this time." Natsuki said to Ray noting that her cousin was a bit distant. If she didn't know her that well Natsuki could almost swear she was sad.
"She has some nice qualities after all," was Ray's only answer for Natsuki annoyance.
Saeko looking at them while getting back to the castle, knew that despite their serene exteriors, both of the young women were feeling the same pain, and her voices whispered an ancient saying from a wise Otome during the Dark Ages: "Brutality breeds brutality. Love breeds love." Saeko was concerned about what the future had reserved for her beloved ones once they've realized what they will have to face and to do in order to protect what they cared for the most.
Ray and Natsuki stayed silently at the spaceport until the big Krasnikov cruisier disappeared off Skáneland's deep blue sky.
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End of this chapter. Be ready for the next one that will be a long one!
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I will answer to all reviewers properly this time as well as the ones pending from last chapter.
See you guys around.