DISCLAIMER: Mai Otome and its characters belong to Sunrise.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Okay so I added some angst to this, but the fun will return soon enough. Read, review, and most of all, enjoy.

Our Legacy ch10

Reito lay on the bed badly beaten with a leg missing at the knee and scorch marks covering his body. Midori was standing out of sight in a corner scowling. The young woman wouldn't show any other emotion until she knew that Reito would be better. Gal was not far off talking to her. Youko was too distracted to hear anything around her though.

The fight must have been really bad for Midori to bring him here, ran through Youko's mind as she touched the cool metal of his chest. No one said a word as she looked him over for herself. Youko turned on Midori afterwards ready to yell and fight, but she was in too much pain right now.

"What score had to be settled so badly as this, Midori?" Youko asked sarcastically but without anger.

"Men came from Cardair in the middle of the night. We were out on a patrol in the other direction when they attacked. Rad got his injuries trying to save people not kill them. Four families lost husbands tonight and you think I enjoy this," Midori said in return not hiding her anger but not raising her voice.

"They were probably supporters of the Argos line, Youko. Their new king wants no fight with anyone. I doubt his Otome would look so kindly upon him if he were another Argos," Natsuki said thinking of the young man from Maya's reports.

"I can't make any promises, Midori, except to do my best for him. It doesn't look as though any organs have sustained damage but I haven't run a full check on him. How Reito comes out of this will be dependent on Reito's will to continue living," Youko said walking back to his bed.

Youko would pay them no more attention and both Gal & Irina asked them to leave. Midori flashed an evil grin at Irina and then left quietly and quickly. Natsuki gave them a nod and did the same. Drue and Moira offered their help, even though this was way out of either's area of expertise.

"Leave this to the three of us. I'm not even really a necessity here, but I am her assistant. The files, the two of you requested, will be brought wherever you want. Just say the word," Irina told them as they made no movement to leave.

"If you want to watch that is up to the doctor and her patient. If you insist on staying in support capacity, then we can give you access to the files right here," Irina said just shaking her head smiling.

Haruka asked almost everyone she came across if they had seen Yukino. Every time she had received a resounding 'no' that ate her up. Haruka really didn't want to make a phone call to the embassy here in Windbloom, but it seemed her only recourse. What was troublesome about it was that Chie Hallard was there and Haruka knew her lover would be also.

The phone just rang and rang driving Haruka absolutely mad. The Otome refused to hang up for she knew someone should be there to answer. The veins in her forehead were bulging as the line just continued to annoy her.

"Aoi don't do that I need to answer that. Hey what do you plan on doing…" Haruka could hear them.

"Hallard get off your girlfriend and answer me! Hallard…"

"Aoi…be gentle"

"Damn that woman. Hallard…" the phone line went dead just as Haruka was ready to whistle into the phone. She had a good set of lungs and it would usually work if given the opportunity.

Instead of blowing her top, Haruka just sighed. This was just another reason for her to miss having Yukino beside her. They had a few similar moments in their younger years together. Haruka left the Trias' room and decided to go find Kruger. Hoping that Natsuki would know where Yukino was. As Haruka made her way through the staff living quarters she was greeted by similar sounds. It was hard for her not to blush or giggle as she walked by some of the rooms.

As Haruka got to the area where Yukariko's quarters were she blocked her ears and started whistling, just in case. This was not something she would be able to adjust to. Figuring she was safe as she got closer to the Columns quarters Haruka stopped only to hear stereo orgasms. This wasn't the first time in her life she had wished she were deaf. Haruka started to whistle again hoping to free herself from the sounds.

Not worrying about how loud she was, Haruka just kept whistling .Until of course she reached Sarah's quarters, the door opened and a very naked Sarah started to yell at her.

"That is a mood killer Haruka knock it off! Hey my face is right here. I am not the first naked woman or Otome you have seen!"Sarah said loudly pulling Haruka's head up to her face.

"No dear, Sarah, that would be me. Right, Haruka dear…" Ahn said suddenly from behind Sarah. Their height difference caught Haruka's attention sending her face to her feet again. It was at that moment that Yukariko let loose a scream to could rattle teeth.

"Oh okay now I understand. You need to go now thank you," Sarah said to Haruka. Then she said to Ahn as she closed the door, "That puts them one up on us dear."

Haruka couldn't believe what she was hearing around her. If she didn't get away quickly she would go mad. Now she knew people had way too much free time. Yukino's louder though, Haruka said to herself as she left the area. Haruka looked back at the building and shook her head in disbelief of such good Otome's behavior.

"So much for the Garden of Virgins," Haruka said laughing as she walked towards the area of the main entry stairway.

Nao had to leave her quarters because she was sandwiched in-between two rooms with some very loud displays of affection. It's not like they are going away from each other for long periods of time, she thought to herself. Then the other reason hit her again and Nao just shook violently.

"The next time she tries to give me a scolding for behavior, I think I'll mimic that scream of Yukariko's," Nao said to herself.

This caused Nao to get an idea that she quickly set aside as she saw Haruka talking to Mai & Nina at the top of the stairs. Nao noticed the look of Nina and how tired she appeared. Her former room attendant, now friend, would not talk about the girl that was haunting her thoughts. Nina agreed to talk to Nao, if she needed a shoulder, but the girl had yet to come to her.

Without a second thought of Haruka's earlier attack, Nao went over to them. Nao would pull Nina aside and put the girl in her place if no one else would. As she approached them Haruka excused herself and confronted Nao.

"I would like to apologize to you for slamming you on the ground earlier," Haruka said staring directly into Nao's eyes.

"You what…?" Nao asked unbelievingly, stepping back sure the woman was joking.

"Call it humility and let's be done with this. Have you seen Yukino?" Haruka asked not expecting an answer.

"You apologizing, Shizuru saving me from your wrath earlier…what the Hell did the two of you dream about?" Nao said taking another step back. Mai and Nina were looking at them as if this were natural.

"No one else knows until I talk to Yukino. Do you know where she is?" Haruka asked voice growing heavy and gruff.

"She left for Windbloom castle earlier and asked that you not be told. I think she is quite pissed off with you. What the Hell did you say to her after you left?" Nao said unable to stop herself.

"Thank you for the honesty and well whether or not you believe me, I am sorry," Haruka said walking back to Mai.

Nina came to Nao as Haruka and Mai left in the direction of Windbloom castle. Nina stood in front of Nao waving her hand back and forth in front of her eyes. Everything Nao had been thinking of was completely lost in the time it took to say those few words.

Ever since Nao became the Fourth Column her life had become one strange day after another.

Just maybe, Nao said to herself, I am going quite mad indeed.

Nao took Nina by the hand and took her for a walk. At least this girl's company would find her some semblance of normalcy.

"What have I missed since I left this morning Nao?" Nina asked.

"Well that depends. Were you here to see Miss Maria pin Haruka to the tree earlier?" Nao asked trying to wrap her head around this day's events.

"I left after breakfast this morning. I had another dream of Erstin and I needed to get away from all the happy people here," Nina said not looking at Nao as she tried to hide a tear.

"Don't you start that right now Nina Wang? My day has been twisted enough. I'll get to that with you after I tell you about Garderobe's lunacy. Come on…" Nao said taking the girl to the one spot everyone seemed to love: the gazebo.

Mai left Haruka as they reached the castle. Mai did not want to get too involved in whatever happened between Haruka and Yukino earlier. Mai had love and respect for Haruka because she had been the woman's room attendant as a Coral. This was a little strange for Mai also. Mai understood that sometimes people change.

"Good Luck to you, Haruka. If things don't go so well come to the mountain and we'll talk," Mai said noticing that Haruka wore a sad smile.

Arika was standing inside the castle's main gate waiting, dressed in her robe, materialized. Haruka wondered just what the Hell she was going to have to do now that she wanted to apologize to Yukino. Arika did not say a word as Haruka approached but it was clear that she wanted to.

"I know Yukino is here Arika. Just let me in, so I can apologize to her," Haruka said plainly.

"By the orders of her Highness, Queen Mashiro Blan de Windbloom, I am not allowed to let you pass, Haruka Armitage," Arika said as sternly as she could. The threat was clearly missing from her voice. Arika did not want to do this to Haruka, whom she loved as much as she loved Shizuru.

"Arika, please, I am begging you. Open this gate. I need to talk to Yukino. I need to tell her I'm sorry for hurting her with my words earlier," Haruka begged her voice losing its life.

"I cannot as protector of this country and her people allow you to pass. Yukino is here under the Queen's protection and therefore, my protection Haruka. Please go back to Garderobe and let this pass," Arika said trying to be a good Otome. This was killing her watching one of her idols become so very human.

"Pass Arika… this isn't going to pass. Not until I am holding the only woman I have ever truly loved in my arms again. I need her to know…" Haruka's voice cut out with disparity etched into her features.

That was when Haruka started screaming and crying.

"Thank you for your help tonight, Gal. I think Reito will be quite appreciative also when he finally wakes," Youko said looking down at the cyborg remembering only the man.

"Don't thank me until then, Youko. We repaired his shell, but there is still no brain activity. I find this to be cruel, but he deserves a chance to come back. If it is his wish," Gal said disappearing to go find Midori.

Youko went to check on Irina. She had wanted to check in on the other doctors before heading back to her dorm. Youko found the young girl, with her head on the table in front of her, asleep. Drue and Moira were just discussing whether to wake her or have Drue carry her to her room. They looked up at Youko as she came upon them and smiled. Irina had told them the whole story from her perspective earlier.

"So he has been repaired, but his brain isn't working," Moira said trying to be as delicate as possible.

"We lost what little activity there was while we were working on him. I don't know what he went through. I can't say if he will come back," Youko said sitting next to Irina, removing the young girl's glasses.

"If it is his will, then time will bear fruit. If not, then you have to let him go," Drue said always devil's advocate.

"He is one of the few remaining protectors of the Aswad. As doctor and friend, I will do what I must. All I can do for him now is watch and wait. It is Midori I am really concerned for," Youko said wondering how her oldest and dearest friend would take this latest news.