DISCLAIMER: Mai Otome and its characters are Sunrise property.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: A gold star and a word of 'thanks' to all of you for hanging out in the sandbox with me.
Our Legacy ch12
On that next day, life had been somewhat normal. I say normal because the past week had been pure insanity, even for Garderobe standards. It is kind of funny that I am putting this to paper because I like to keep my thoughts internal. I don't usually share them unless someone needs to be…scolded. I use that word because truth can hurt, especially coming from a sharp tongue.
Armitage and Viola are back to their abnormal selves, thankfully. Armitage made a formal apology to Miss Maria at breakfast in order to return to the construction crew. The old woman accepted, but smacked Armitage in the head anyway. I nearly hit the floor laughing my ass off until Viola shot me a look.
If Armitage is considered abnormally hyper, then well it fits that Viola is abnormally calm even by Otome standards. Viola told me earlier that our debt would be null if I became a little more …behaved. For me that would be near impossible, if it wasn't for that famous look quite a few of these women have learned.
Alright…enough already about the bull and the bitch, pains that they are. I have to say that my room never looked better than when that wild red head from the Aswad was strutting around it naked, looking for her clothes. I am still unsure why she decided to sleep with me, but the woman loves like she fights, all or nothing. Yeah we did both…that was the kicker.
Midori …that was the only thing she said "to" me, her bloody name. I never expected her to know mine until I heard it loud and clear during that insanely blissful moment. It was worth the treasury in Artai, hearing the way it rolled off her lips as she nearly tore every layer of skin from my back. That was definitely an attack, but I loved every second of it…
I'm not in love, but that kind of woman makes me think that this game I play will leave me all too lonely. Kruger gave me a look that told me half as much, when she saw me watching the woman leave my room. What the Hell does that idiot know? Kruger is the only Column that was born with her girlfriend's name tattooed to her ass.
My little chat with Nina was met with her usual shake and nod. In a way the girl was listening, but it's not like she really wanted to hear me. I nearly ate my words later when I found out that girl Nina was pining over was down in the infirmary. She looks the same as she did in those pictures. Nina hasn't left the infirmary since and I noticed that Midori was there also.
Irina told me that Midori's friend Reito was there also. That explained her wild attack on me when we crossed paths. Irina said that some mysterious woman dropped off that girl, Erstin, and then asked for Kruger. My head is hurting from all this thinking because there's just way too much to put on a page. That bloody Midori has me twisted now…
Natsuki Kruger had been asked to go to Mai by Miyu, as it seemed that Mikoto had been responsible for Erstin's return. Natsuki offered Mai to bring Mikoto to Garderobe. They would care for Mikoto until she woke, but Mai just couldn't make the decision. Shizuru had made it for both of them; she picked up the sleeping Mikoto, and carried her back to Garderobe.
Shizuru had more than enough drama thanks to the dream and hated indecision most of all. Shizuru had enough of that from Natsuki when they were younger. Shizuru had been very aggressive in the early years of their relationship. Now she was just straightforward with everything and well almost everyone.
Mai was sitting down in the infirmary with the others, waiting on whatever was to happen. Mai spoke with Youko earlier about having hers and Mikoto's sampling being done immediately. Mai did not want to lose her chance if she lost Mikoto. Mai wanted that beautiful child now even more. Mai had picked two names out already also, Keiko and Megumi; the choice would be Mikoto's if she ever woke from her slumber.
Mai was resting her head on the edge of the bed Mikoto was on, exhaustion etched into her entire body. When she felt the arms draw around her, Mai never even flinched. Haruka had come down to check on her and was now getting ready to carry her away. Mai had no strength to fight if Haruka did. Haruka just laid her on the bed next to Mikoto and left without a word.
Nina was holding Erstin's hand, trying to keep her grounded with her own spirit. If this was to be their only chance, Nina did not want to lose it now that she saw it's repercussions for Mikoto? Three people dearly loved were resting, with fate waiting to choose. Nina refused to think over the possibilities, nearly drifting off to sleep when Arika finally arrived.
Arika was so quiet that Nina at first didn't understand she then covered their joined hands with her own. Tears were already flowing, a relief for Nina because she too had started to cry. Queen Mashiro was standing with Midori, not saying a word not knowing what she could say.
Arika and Mashiro had a very serious talk after Haruka and Yukino left, but most of its contents were unresolved. They were very young and both very stupid. Mashiro was little wiser thanks to her realization when speaking with Yukino, but not by all that much. Mashiro knew how important Arika was to her, but that did not imply any intimacy, did it?
Even now her thoughts were chaos, trying to pick apart their meaning. Everything they had been through together, before becoming Master and Meister, paled to how they now were. Yes they needed each other dearly, but that was as friends' right? Then for some reason, Mashiro thought of their baths and blushed, she really needed to talk to someone else soon.
"So you think those dreams came from Mikoto's use of power?" Natsuki asked Shizuru.
"It would seem to fit wouldn't it?" Shizuru replied in question.
"Yes it would, but my question now…what do we tell Erstin's family?" Natsuki asked those sitting in her office.
Miss Maria shook her head no, Shizuru made no movement at all, Sarah was quiet also, Nao shook her head no like Miss Maria and now Natsuki looked to Ahn.
"We tell the Ho family nothing. The daughter they sacrificed is dead, this child is not their toy," Ahn said, anger brilliant in her usually calm countenance.
"Can we really make that decision, Ahn?" Natsuki asked looking for more reassurance. Natsuki felt the same but she felt it was not her decision alone to make.
"Sarah and I spoke of this earlier when she was brought in. Not all Schwartz were innocent and some are still evading capture. If necessary we will become her guardians come what may. The girl is nearly old enough to be without them or us anyway," Ahn said causing everyone to stare at her and Sarah.
"Noble to your very position in life and charitable to the lives of the people under your father's rule as always Miss Lu," Miss Maria said nodding at the truth of Ahn's statement.
Shizuru got up and went to the office window; she had similar feelings on this matter. The choice was truly not theirs to make. It was a heart breaking circumstance because Erstin's sacrifice was never her choice. Her life had been planned before she even knew what rebellion and revolution were.
"The choice has to belong to Miss Ho, if she wakes. This life will be of her choosing as the last truly was not," Shizuru said as she placed her hand against the cool glass.
"Shizuru is right and Hell…I think I am too young to make these decisions anyway," Nao replied making them all look to her except Shizuru.
"As true as that statement is Nao, you are the Fourth Column. We control all decisions pertaining to Otome in our care. We are Fumi's representatives to the world," Natsuki was just winding up for her grow up speech.
"I know this already and I'm tired of you using it on me all the time. Erstin Ho is not much younger than me so who am I to make these choices, Column or not. Besides that, do we still consider her to be Otome in training after her attack against Mashiro no matter the outcome…?" Nao said standing herself and pacing behind the couch.
Shizuru came over and wrapped her arms around Nao pulling her very close. Shizuru was not being intimate but understanding. Nao could very easily break if she kept up with this line of thinking.
"You are going to be strong and wise Nao. Until then we need you to be our link to our youth," Shizuru said letting go of the surprised girl. No one else spoke, but Nao knew truth when she heard it and just then in that room felt it.
Mai had fallen asleep once she was lying next to Mikoto and now woke to those amber eyes. Mikoto had awakened just shortly before Mai, though no one else seemed to notice. There was so much love in their gaze that Mai could feel it spreading through her as they held tight to one another.
"Whatever may come Mikoto will be with Mai, until one of us must go. I did not do this for them Mai, it was for you, for me too," Mikoto said softly not wanting to let go of Mai.
"You fool; you didn't have to go so far away to do this. I have been yours…" Mai said just as her happy tears started to fall.
"It was a gift of life, Mai. A gift to be given, that I had been waiting so very long for. I am no longer who I was, but I am still Mai's," Mikoto said her own tears very present.
Youko ticked Mikoto off her mental checklist. It was so good to see such happiness as there were still two left. Youko did not want to lose either patient, but Reito was still showing no signs of coming back. Erstin Ho only seemed to be sleeping, but she wasn't too sure as there had been no movement or REM.
Suddenly Youko realized why Reito was showing no signs; the equipment monitoring him had been turned off. Anger flowed through her body as she looked around. Midori had not moved and was showing no emotion. Just this simple piece of information sent Youko after Midori. Gal stood between the two women not saying a word. Gal followed every order Midori had ever given especially this last one.
"You ordered this," Youko said now screaming, "You cold, heartless, unforgiving bitch didn't you."
"I followed his last wishes, so don't you get sanctimonious with me," Midori said eyes red and slightly swollen.
"Why Midori…? How could he have wanted to die?" Youko said trying to move around Gal.
"Because he lived longer than most and made choices that he didn't share with everyone. Reito died long ago, that shell held very little of the man. I know what is going on in the House of Garderobe. You will make sure that he will live on, through one of us," Midori said tapping Gal on the shoulder as if to say move.
"If you want to strike me, Youko, do it now. I have given of myself, if it will mean his spirit will live on, will you?" Midori asked as Youko's hand was about to strike. Youko stepped away realizing what Midori meant.
"You gave…" Youko's voice was barely above a whisper.
"I will go back to our people with his body and he will be mourned properly. If it is possible you will find the way for us, you always have," Midori said taking Youko's hand and pulling her into a hug.
Too many years as a cyborg had corrupted who the man once was and if there was a chance for him to pass on new life it had to be taken. There in Midori's arms Youko realized her dream was not what she had thought. Reito would live on, she would make sure of it, and Midori was calling her on it. They would both live on, thanks to Youko, for she would bear the child herself. Life anew…
Haruka sat against a tree holding Yukino close to her; the woman was asleep and unyielding. It was a sight so many of the younger students had been passing by just to see. Haruka could care less of what others thought because this woman represented her past, their present, and through her would come their future.
One of the Pearls had stopped to talk with them earlier, before Yukino had fallen asleep. The girl wanted to know how they knew they loved one another. Yukino was going to answer the girl, but Haruka stopped her.
"Imagine that everything in your life has been stripped away. Every last thing you have worked so hard for. Tell me what is left. Nothing right, now what is the one thing you would move heaven and earth to get back? Therein lays the answer to your own question."
The tall girl walked away nodding her head that she understood. There was a much shorter girl waiting for her, also a Pearl. When the taller girl got closer, she picked up the girl bridal style, and headed for the dorms.
Yukino remembered why she loved Haruka so dearly, in that moment, and told her so. As they watched the two girls going to the dorm, Yukino and Haruka remembered their first time together and a similar gesture.
Natsuki and the other three Columns escorted Midori and Youko back to the Aswad with Reito's body. It was a courtesy and an honor no matter their differences. Arika and Mashiro also joined them as they returned the fallen hero to his people. Midori did not want outsiders involved, but this matter called for their presence.
The four Columns of Garderobe materialized to carry his coffin to where it would be rested. Arika watched quietly remembering his apology about her mother's death. Arika never knew Rena because of him, but Arika bore Reito no ill will. The Aswad had tried to give her proper respect in death, only to be cheated of the chance by the Schwartz.
As Arika felt hatred of these people, the Schwartz, rising in her for taking two of the people most precious to her, Arika cried. Mashiro saw this and took her Otome's hand understanding slightly the heart break. Arika didn't notice or didn't say anything if she had. Arika was thinking of Nina, back at Garderobe, keeping her vigil with Erstin. Erstin had still not wakened, having to leave hurt Arika deeply.
As the coffin was buried, Arika realized a chapter of her life closed completely with each shovel of dirt. With this, Arika felt as though she couldn't stand anymore. Her eyes closed as Arika broke down playing things over in her head repeatedly. She had yet to fall feeling someone holding her close. Arika understood and grabbed the person tighter.
Mashiro did not care what would be said of their display here. Right now, this most precious gift to her sad life needed her to be strong emotionally as well as physically, so Mashiro endured. Mashiro felt Arika completely relax her strength giving way, so Mashiro grabbed tighter and whispered repeatedly, "I'll be your strength."
Irina and Lilie were now with Nina, as she sat with Erstin, just holding her hand. Lilie had come to talk to Irina about Yayoi, when she saw Erstin's prone body. In that moment, her heart went out to Nina for she totally understood the feelings involved now. None of them spoke because the words were too painful and unnecessary.
Nina was so sure that selfishness would deny them more than this, but schooled herself to remain strong. Nina had to believe her love would carry Erstin the rest of the way back to her and doubt could only hurt that chance. As Nina leaned forward to whisper in Erstin's ear, the young girl rolled onto her side as if accommodating the gesture. Both Nina and Irina stared intently waiting for her eyes to open, but they did not.
"This is the first sign of any movement since she came in. Nina, what did you say to her?" Irina asked smile plastered from ear to ear.
"I told Erstin that I was tired, but I was not leaving. I also said that I would probably join her, sleeping, if she didn't wake soon," Nina said looking down at Erstin. The gesture was made and so Nina did as Mai had earlier.
Lilie couldn't believe what she was seeing. Nina now laid down pulling Erstin to her. Even though Nina had changed so greatly, this was not something anyone ever saw. Erstin was the only person at school that ever had this kind of moment with that Nina. That had been a cold comfort because Nina only had thoughts of Sergay. Erstin never cared of that or said anything, because this was their moment as far as she was concerned.
Lilie had to excuse herself and go back to Yayoi, whom she had left smiling in her sleep. All Lilie wanted to do now, was hold firm to Yayoi, and thank the girl for letting her into her life. Irina smiled knowingly and waved her off. Irina herself had yet to find someone who held her heart this way, but she didn't much care.
Irina then smiled at Nina and left herself. Irina felt like she was being rude to their need for privacy. Nina mouthed a quick thank you, and then laid her head against Erstin's. In her head, Nina registered the disappearing cold of their first moment. Their bodies now so close were warming the other girl so that Nina could swear she heard Erstin heart and not the monitor, with that thought she fell asleep.
The dreams that came to Nina as she lay holding Erstin held no malice. They were comfortable together. Nina was happy in them, holding Erstin's hand, and between them was their daughter. When everyone returned from the Aswad much later in the night, they found Nina still in Erstin's bed, and now both were smiling in their sleep.