DISCLAIMER: Mai Otome is Sunrise property.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thank you one and all for reading and reviewing and of course a heads up to those of you lurking out there.

Our Legacy ch3

Natsuki was trying to enjoy her day off, but so far no one agreed with her wishes. Nao had stopped by earlier just to get on her nerves, before disappearing as usual. As for Miss Maria and Shizuru, they decided to give Natsuki no measure of peace on what she and Youko were thinking with this new technology.

For Shizuru's part, it was an endless quest to tease and annoy her. With Miss Maria, it was two steps away from an interrogation into her current mental status. Natsuki locked herself in her room rather quickly, hoping for some relief, but the phone in her office changed that.

"Natsuki…that was Youko informing me that Chie Hallard has arrived. Ara, through this door is not a good way to hold a conversation with someone you love," Shizuru said calmly though Natsuki could hear the irritation in her voice.

"Inform Youko that we will greet her guests and escort them to a place to rest, before they go view the recently uncovered files," Natsuki said flatly leaning against the door.

Natsuki listened for a reply, but it never came. She knew that she was treading thin ice with Shizuru after their most recent conversation.

"My Natsuki, you cannot greet our guests properly from your position against the door. I will not brooch the subject of children with you again, so you may come out as duty beckons us," Shizuru said sounding hollow. Natsuki knew that this was because she had adopted her wounded demeanor and was now across the room.

Natsuki adjusted her jacket and took a deep sigh. This was truly not going to be her day. Shizuru was hurt and Miss Maria would find her soon enough to badger her again.

"What did I do to deserve this?" Natsuki wondered as she entered her office. Shizuru was across the room awaiting her and not looking at her, "Okay, so I'm an idiot, but are we really ready for this."

"Shizuru, I am sorry for running away earlier, and for the way our conversation turned out. I don't want this to be left out in the air between us. All I hope is that no one unnecessarily gets their hopes up," Natsuki said as she approached the woman she knew to be her soul mate and most trusted friend.

"Natsuki will promise to be honest later?" Shizuru asked looking into Natsuki's eyes with such intensity that it made Natsuki momentarily flinch.

"Only if Shizuru leaves the teasing in the office, while we talk in our bedroom," was Natsuki's reply as she took Shizuru's hand and tried to return that intense glare.

The smile that Shizuru now gave Natsuki was a genuine one, so one fence was temporarily mended. Shizuru took Natsuki's hand softly and gave a small tug. Natsuki eased into an embrace that few had ever seen them share as Shizuru whispered, "Only if Natsuki is wearing her birthday suit and nothing more."

Chie Hallard was parked by the front gate, waiting semi-patiently. The two women with her had presented Chie with an even better drive, thanks to their jovial conversation. Dr. Moira James was an older woman, with striking black hair and deep purple eyes which seemed to lighten her strong features. The woman was of medium build, and only slightly shorter than Chie. It was Chie's laughter that brought out her own inner desire. The good doctor asked about the young Otome's bemusement with a wink at her companion.

Dr. Drue Valencia was a few years younger than her partner, though no less striking, with her short brown hair and amber eyes. The woman spoke calmly and in even tone reminding Chie of Miss Maria on her good days. That calm tone of voice truly belied the mischievous soul that her partner could bring out with a simple look.

"Drue dear, get a good look at those steps, I swear this place must be a grand site to behold," Moira said placing her hand on her partner's left shoulder. They were much more casual now, since their unabashed teasing of Chie earlier.

"Moira, this place is not only a school, but it is the home of the Otome. The past, present, and future live here, are enshrined here and will forever roam about these grounds. Dear God, look at the two beautiful specimens coming down self same stairs," Drue replied with a hint of mirth.

"Whatever either of you say, please don't repeat that or we will never get anywhere," Chie said smiling, though she truly hoped they understood she was not joking.

All Chie wanted now was to go to Aoi and hold her close the rest of the evening. The ride was not so long, thanks in part to their talk, but each moment Chie was in Windbloom and not with Aoi, was like a lifetime in isolation. Chie could focus on her work, while in Aries, but here there were too many memories beckoning from nearly every square inch of land.

Maria Graceburt sat in the gazebo pondering everything the past few days had brought about. In her many years, Maria had never found someone to settle down with, having no children and remaining an Otome. It was now no longer a choice for her, due to her age. There had been a few casual acquaintances, but never anything more than a night of feeding the base animal.

Too many good friends and a lover or two had gone on to the next life before her. This reminded Maria of the solemnity of the Otome lifestyle. A certain younger Otome had recently cracked that wall, with her innocent demeanor and somewhat naivety of the true evils of man/woman in general. Arika Yumemiya was everything her mother Rena had once been. Arika's cheerful character spoke volumes to Maria on what kind of future the girl would have.

To the elder Otome's surprise there could be hope for future generations of Otome, now that there were choices previously denied. Speaking of choices, it was rather interesting that a certain teacher, now coming towards her, had shown a hint of interest in forging some kind of bond. Since she had seen the elder Otome materialize it had left something unspoken between them.

This was almost totally foreign to Maria, since the younger woman seemed to not care about her age, only wanting to spend time with her, whether talking or not. As a companion, she was very quiet and did not push for something that they did not yet have, other than mutual respect of each other and their way of life.

"Yukariko…" the elder Otome said as she stood in greeting.

"Maria…" the younger Otome replied keeping respective distance, looking somewhat pensive.

Natsuki dismissed Chie after introductions and reminded her to report in to President Chrysant, before becoming side-tracked with her lover. Chie gave all four women respectful goodbyes and drove off as if the earth was slowly swallowing the ground behind her. The call of Chie's base animal needs was reflected in the speed in which she left.

"That is one desperate young woman," Drue said with a smile at the women with her.

"Not everyone is fortunate enough to live and work beside the one they love dearest. I would probably be the same way in her place," Shizuru added as they headed towards the grounds proper.

"No probably even worse…" Shizuru thought to herself.

"I surely agree with you. If I had to spend so much time away from Moira, I think my brain would shut down," Drue replied just before she lost all speech at the sight of Garderobe and all of its glory.

"I think we should go home to Aries and pack Drue. This place is even more beautiful than Chie described to us earlier. Would you have any teaching spots open on your staff, Headmistress Kruger?" Moira asked as they calmly headed by a few reflecting pools.

"As beautiful as all of this may seem to you now, it is a different story when the girls are all out here. I doubt either of you would happily give up your careers to teach even here, even if I had the spots," Natsuki replied stealing a glance at Shizuru, who was smiling at her in that Cheshire cat sort of way.

"That is true, but dear God, this place is breath taking and inspiring. I can understand why so many of you still call it home," Drue said finding her voice once again.

"Could you be any slower with the meet and greet, Headmistress?" Youko asked, waiting outside the staff dormitory building for them.

The woman was impatient to say the least, but her overly confident smile and open expression was endearing. Now that these women were here, Youko's focus had shifted to working. Her friends were too happy to see her and opted to forgo a quick respite. Opting instead to get down to the real reason they were there, the newly uncovered Old Earth files.

Shizuru did not mind as it freed up the rest of her day to be with Natsuki. As the three women walked off chatting animatedly, Natsuki felt a moment of fear pass, as Shizuru's breath grazed her neck and her hand found a home on her waist.

"Na-tsu-ki…" Shizuru said with a purring voice.

"N-nno-not here, Shizuru," Natsuki tried to reply as her body tensed, relaxed, and finally gave in allowing Shizuru to openly kiss her. Shizuru took Natsuki's hand and lead her back to their quarters, in no haste, as soon as their lips parted.

"Since you are mine for the rest of the day, I will wait. I think we shall have our conversation after Natsuki has properly apologized for her earlier statements," Shizuru said not looking at Natsuki, but knowing that the woman was going slightly pink.

"You never cease to amaze me with the limitless boundaries of your libido," Natsuki said going completely red and causing Shizuru to momentarily blush also.

Mai was playing hostess to young Queen Mashiro and her maid, Aoi, while Mikoto and Arika were off somewhere releasing one of Mikoto's old traps. The three women were enjoying a good laugh as screeching tires broke the quiet mountain. Queen Mashiro let out a sigh as she noticed Captain Hallard nearly running, instead of walking, towards them. Mai had to smile as Aoi also let out a sigh, though hers was one of great relief. Every time they saw each other it took their breath away, feeling the love for one another barrel through their bodies, and winding its way into their soul.

"If I am intruding, I sincerely apologize to you, Queen Mashiro," Chie said briefly glancing at Mashiro before drowning in the vision that was her Aoi.

"Not at all, Captain Hallard, are you on business?" Mashiro asked praying that the woman would say no.

"No, I am on a break, and wanted to speak with Aoi," Chie replied nodding at Mai, "Princess Mai, of Zipang, the Fire Stirring Ruby, correct?"

"Please, just call me Mai, since the whole Princess and Otome thing can give me a terrible headache. Captain Hallard, is it?" Mai asked as she stood with Chie, next to Aoi, offering the young Otome her hand in friendship.

"Call me Chie, please, no formalities when I'm not on duty," Chie replied taking the woman's hand and softly kissing the back of it, before turning to Mashiro.

The young queen understood, only slightly, and allowed her maid to leave with the charming young Otome. If she had someone who cared for her, as they seemed to care for one another, Mashiro would want privacy too. Mai just smiled, laughing softly, as they took off towards the still running vehicle. The pace of the exiting vehicle now mimicked that of its retreat from Garderobe. Mai laughed even harder to herself and then stopped short as her thoughts went out to what Mikoto was doing.

"What the Hell am I thinking?" Mai asked herself as she couldn't shake the image of Mikoto.

On the other side of the mountain Mikoto stopped and smiled.

"Why now after all of these years did these feelings come up?" Mikoto wondered momentarily. Since the trap was empty and unharmed, all Mikoto wanted to do was get back to Mai and ask about these feelings she sensed from the Otome.

Maria and Yukariko were still sitting in the gazebo, not saying a word. Their talk had already exhausted both women; the silence between them was a temporary necessity. The day was beautiful and this moment, however quiet, was enchanting. There was a sudden shift and Maria felt a slight brush of skin as Yukariko placed her hand near. Without a word or second thought, Maria reached over and took the hand into her own.