DISCLAIMER: Mai Otome and its characters are Sunrise property.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Hey there, thanks for stopping by. Soon enough this story will get some 'new' life. In the meantime: read, review, and enjoy.

Our Legacy ch8

Nina Wang left Garderobe the next morning with her feet feeling like lead. Mikoto told her there could be consequences if she helped her. To see Erstin again was something she had come to long for so deeply. If necessary she would leave the school without a second thought. What good were dreams if you had no one to share them with?

Nina found herself not heading for the mountain, but the last place she had seen Erstin alive. As the memories of that fateful day washed through her, Nina felt a brush of warmth on her face. The devastation of the once beautiful place saddened Nina, but that warmth filled her soul.

"So you are still here with me?" Nina asked out loud touching her face. The tears started to well up in her eyes because this was all they had. Erstin's spirit should have moved on, but for some reason she was still here.

Nina realized that she could almost actually feel Erstin's presence here. Was it fair of her to want Erstin to come back, instead of moving on to the next life? Was there even a next life? As Nina pondered all of this, she sat for a moment. To leave now would pull her away from this place where she felt Erstin so strongly.

"Is it really this place, Ers? Or is it the fact that you now live so deeply in my heart? Why are we so close now, when it was me who ended your life?" Nina asked so many questions trying to get them all out of that empty place in her soul, "Why was it that you and Arika cared for me? You should have said something to me sooner. I know that was selfish of me, but I was blinded by my love for Sergay."

"All I want now is to have you back. The only things left in my world are Arika and my dream of becoming an Otome. Sergay is still there, but my Father is gone to me. His memories are left only in his journal and now I believe that they should remain there," Nina said continuing to purge herself.

"Are we damned? Have I damned you for your love with my actions? Even if only as friends, Ers this is killing me over and over," Nina dropped her head as the tears continued to rain.

There was a shadow over Nina, but she really didn't care or fear for her safety. Even though she was the Number One ranking Pearl, Nina had no fight left in her. If this was someone who would attack her, then Nina would so allow it. Instead of attacking, the shadow grew larger as it got closer, disappearing as the person sat beside Nina.

"She stays for you of her own free will. To be back is a wish you both share. It is your connection to her that brought you here," Mikoto said. She was looking out at the devastation being reminded of her own past and those long gone.

"Can you truly do this?" Nina asked not looking at the Nekogami.

"It is within my power, but I cannot promise how long you will have together. Her life was a sacrifice before she even understood those words. It was not her choice to be who she was," Mikoto answered, eyes closed unable to bear the sights around her.

"Erstin was a member of the Schwartz; they blindly followed their faith without true understanding of its consequence. How do you turn your back on that which you have been raised to believe is most sacred?" Nina asked again.

"Her heart found the truth in its final moments. The child was deceived and grew to question that. What you ask will take preparation on my behalf, I ask you to leave now," Mikoto said taking in the fearful truth. Erstin was given to sacrifice living on borrowed time from birth.

Nina stood and brushed herself off trying not to look at Mikoto. She was asked to leave, but she could not go back to Garderobe just yet. Everyone there was alive with hope in the possibility of the future. For now all Nina had was the present and so she turned to leave, but found herself unable to go.

"Mai will cook for you, if you go to the mountain. I have already spoken with her of this, though I must limit what I say. Just go Nina Wang …" Mikoto said as she stood stuffing her staff in the small of Nina's back. To be as old as Mikoto was, she had learned many things. This little display of patience was one of them.

There had been a lot of strange dreams last night, some were good, some were bad, and others unfortunately were downright nasty. Haruka had been running like a mad woman trying to stay busy all day because her dream still haunted her. Haruka knew she should talk to Yukino about it, instead she lied when Yukino had first asked her. The dream was too real for her and it scared her so badly. Haruka avoided the only two people she knew she could confide in because they were so prominent in her dream.

Yukino watched Haruka work, but she knew that Haruka had lied to her last night. Haruka had been screaming in her sleep, yelling for Shizuru to kill her, and this very well bothered Yukino. Though the true nature of their relationship was an amicable one, Haruka and Shizuru never openly displayed it. Whatever had happened in the dream to cause such a violent outburst from Haruka? Yukino could not help, but wonder because the Otome would not speak to her of it even now.

Yukino tried to ask Shizuru for some guidance earlier but the Third Column seemed almost as bad off as Haruka. Natsuki told her that Shizuru also had a bad night before leading her back to their shared quarters. Sarah Gallagher was working with Natsuki today while Ahn watched over Shizuru. No one could pry a word from her even Ahn.

Yukino herself had been having a pleasant dream of Haruka. The beloved Otome was holding their child walking through the garden back home. Instead of cuddling and cooing the baby Haruka spoke of being an Otome and… of all things, love. The image was still so refreshing that Yukino wondering why it was they could not share this feeling.

From the general discussion of those gathered about it seemed to be the consensus that most had good dreams last night. There was only one other person at Garderobe today who had seemed to have had a bad dream last night, Youko. Yukino only knew this because she had overheard Moira speaking of it with Miss Maria during breakfast.

It was strange for Natsuki to have Sarah here with her in place of Shizuru, but after last night she was not fit to be of any help. Natsuki had been having a really good dream when Shizuru started screaming incoherently. Natsuki sat bolt upright and turned to Shizuru, who was still sleeping with tears running down her cheeks. The woman she loved was caught in a horrifying nightmare that upon awakening had said only one thing.

"I can't Haruka…"

Done with her paperwork early, Natsuki went to look in on Shizuru. Ahn was sitting at the head of the bed on Natsuki's side cradling Shizuru. The woman was asleep only this time she seemed to be okay. Ahn acknowledged Natsuki's presence and just looked down again at Shizuru's sleeping face.

"Shizuru and Haruka were my room attendants when they were Corals. Now they are respectfully friends to me in this time of our lives. I love them both dearly, but cannot help either except in this way," Ahn said softly stroking Shizuru's hair.

"Have you been to see Haruka yet?" Natsuki asked coming to sit alongside them from Shizuru's side of the bed. Their feelings for Shizuru gave them common civil ground. Ahn understood why Shizuru loved Natsuki as she now sat there stroking Shizuru's back.

"Haruka is burying herself in work and gave me a very nasty gesture when Yukino wasn't looking," Ahn said reigning in the usual dignity to show Natsuki the gesture.

"Yeah that's the go away gesture," Natsuki said nodding her head trying not to laugh at Ahn's very good imitation.

"I believe that we all had very vivid dreams last night. For some reason, they shared one hell of a nightmare," Ahn said staring intently now at Natsuki. Someone was willing to talk at least.

"Youko had a bad one last night too. I called for her when Shizuru woke, but she wasn't any better. Shizuru waved to me, to knock it off, and this is what we got," Natsuki said pulling herself closer to Shizuru reaching across to hold her. Ahn felt Natsuki's hand on her arm and kept her peace unsure of the gesture.

Natsuki looked at Ahn trying to understand why their friendship never really took off. The whole rivalry thing didn't pan out because Shizuru made the choice. Shizuru loved them both, but knew that Natsuki was the one she would spend her life with. Ahn reached across and also held on enclosing Shizuru between them.

Just for a moment Natsuki had a Shizuru-like thought, blushing rather deeply, catching Ahn's attention. Ahn unfortunately understood that blush all too well, any of them would have even Haruka. Ahn sighed and told Natsuki, "If she were to wake right now you would have a lot of explaining to do."

"Please, do not curse me with such luck. OK that did not come out the way it was supposed to. Shutting my mouth now," Natsuki said becoming crimson once again as Ahn just gave her that come hither look.

"That is what she loves most about you. You Na-tsu-ki are such easy bait," Ahn said smiling and dipping her head into Shizuru's.

Natsuki jumped off the bed hearing such an evil similarity in how Ahn said her name. That wasn't the worse part of it all. Natsuki realized just how comfortable she was given the situation. Ahn trailed one eye up to Natsuki as she said, "You might want to leave before I wake her up on purpose."

"I'll send Sarah in to keep you company, while I go check on Haruka," Natsuki said turning swiftly, jacket flowing outward, as she left the room.

Youko had refused to discuss her dream with anyone. Even though it was very disturbing for her, it would prove not to be as bad as the one Haruka and Shizuru had shared. When Natsuki called her last night, the anxiety in her voice was something that Youko had never heard before. They had known each other long enough now for her to sense how wrong it sounded.

"Irina run a system diagnostic for me, please," Youko said rubbing her temples.

"Already done, Miss Maria asked me to do that about half an hour ago. Fumi is fine though some of the Meisters seem to be having some problems. Meister Armitage is showing signs of …wait a minute so is Meister Viola," Irina said not finishing her sentence.

"I know that already Irina. They have been like that since last night. No system anomalies to report though are there?" Youko asked not looking at Irina.

"Are you okay?" Irina asked rather concerned.

"I'm just trying to forget a particularly bad dream I had last night that's all. If you want to go for the day you can. I can handle things here," Youko said standing from her chair then deciding to sit once again.

"No I'll stay instead. Why don't you go get some fresh air or maybe even a nap? I can handle this alone you know," Irina said lifting Youko from her chair and guiding her towards the stairs, "You may not be able to talk to me about what's bothering you, but you do have friends here you know."

"Thank you Irina. It's not really something I want to share just now. You are my assistant dear and that means that if and when I am ready I will tell you. We have to be able to rely on one another," Youko said as she made her way up the stairs.

"Thank you for including me in that group. I didn't know that assistant meant friend to you as well," Irina said watching her go, prepared to run if she should fall.

"I trust you with Fumi, why shouldn't I call you a friend?" Youko said as she neared the top, "Remember to take a break yourself, Irina."

Youko looked down to the young girl who was now sitting in her chair. Irina was not ready to take Youko's place and Youko herself was not ready to give it up. As brilliant as the young woman was, Youko knew she needed more training. Irina would get it too as long as Youko lived long enough to pass on what she knew.

Last night Youko dreamed of new GEM's and those who would wear them. Unfortunately, she would not be a part of this. If her dream was true Irina would be taking over all too soon. Reito would join her shortly afterward and unfortunately Midori would live to see the Aswad exterminated. If it was just a dream, why did it feel so damn real? Youko asked herself as she climbed the last few stairs.

In the hallway, Youko nearly knocked Yukariko over as she was heading for the kitchen. Yukariko just smiled and stated that she would be bringing out refreshments for the construction crew. Youko understood because she knew that Miss Maria was also out there watching over the crew and their progress.

Youko gave Yukariko a hand and was greeted by the site of Miss Maria pinning Haruka against a tree with her right arm chicken winged. Not a soul was moving or breathing as Haruka's litany of curses only seemed to further irritate the older woman.

"You will curb that nasty tongue Armitage or President Chrysant will be visiting you in the hospital wing. You are off the crew for the rest of the day. Go take a shower and for Fumi's sake get laid," Miss Maria growled loudly. She applied more pressure to Haruka's arm and used her free hand to put Haruka's head against the tree also.

"I am not a student anymore Miss Maria and out of respect, I will only ask once more. Please let me go or I will give your girlfriend over there a new hole to explore," Haruka said very calmly. Miss Maria smacked her head into the tree and then smacked Haruka across the face.

"Listen child, I may be old, but even as I am right now I can and will kick your ass. First thing I'll do is break your jaw so that you will learn to watch your language," Miss Maria said into Haruka's ear waiting for the reply. It didn't come because Yukino was there to calm her down.

"You can safely let her go, Miss Maria. I will take her to our quarters. Behave now Haruka or I will allow her to do whatever it is she just threatened you with," Yukino said evenly with no smile to be found, even in her eyes.

Haruka nodded to Yukino and Miss Maria let her go. As she walked away Miss Maria heard Yukino whisper something to Haruka. The Otome turned back to say, "Don't worry Miss Chrysant, I've heard worse and little Haruka couldn't hurt me if she tried. I've been up against far worse as a teacher here."

As they started to walk away Haruka turned back and gave Miss Maria a very rude hand gesture. Yukino caught this and swatted the backside of Haruka's head.

"I'll let her break it Haruka, just so you'll never be able to use it again," Yukino replied swatting down the offending hand also.

"That would suck for both of us," Haruka said softly earning another swat.