DISCLAIMER: Mai Otome and its characters are Sunrise property.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: This piece is a labor of love and I believe it has been worth the many hours of research. As always, read, enjoy, and review.

Our Legacy ch13

The very first time Erstin opened her eyes she almost screamed. There were two reasons for this. Firstly, because the light was intense and she hadn't actually had eyes for quite some time. Secondly, because as she was adjusting, she realized who was holding her. Thankfully, Nina was sound asleep so she couldn't do anything but readjust to her surroundings.

Erstin's hearing came to her a little easier. She was already used to the hush of voices that came and went, along with the hum of the equipment. Erstin's sense of touch was a little more awkward because right now she felt every last nerve sending info to her brain. The most calming of her senses, right now, was her sense of smell because there was some nostalgia to what she could smell from Nina.

Erstin knew her sense of taste would have to wait as her body drifted back to sleep. There were occasional muscle spasms, but nothing that either girl noticed as sleep folded them comfortably in an embrace. Nina woke for a moment and looked at Erstin, there was a smile on Erstin's face that Nina enjoyed as she went back to sleep smiling also.

The second time that Erstin woke was just after everyone had returned from the Aswad. Arika was not paying attention because she and Mashiro were now asleep in a chair holding each other still. Erstin returned to her blissful sleep after once again taking in Nina's scent.

The third time she opened her eyes, Erstin realized that crimson was a very beautiful color. Her reasoning was because that was the color of the eyes watching her right now. Then that soft husky voice greeted her.

"I've missed you so much, Ers," Nina said softly as she kissed Erstin's forehead.

Erstin tried to reply but her mouth was dry and her voice didn't seem to want to form. At first she wanted to cry, but then she remembered her hands and tried to move them. It was a clumsy movement at first, but then her body remembered. Erstin made the 'I need a drink' movement and Nina understood.

Nina stood up and noticed Arika and Mashiro asleep, still in the chair, wondering when they got back. Nina got a small glass of water from a nearby table and helped Erstin to take a small sip. Erstin took a deep breath and then another sip. Her sense of taste registered two things, warm and empty.

"N…Ni…Ni," Erstin tried to say Nina's name but it just wouldn't come.

"Give it time okay. I am not going anywhere," Nina said as she climbed back into bed next to Erstin. Nina could feel both of their hearts racing and it gave her an involuntary muscle spasm. At this Erstin gave a little chuckle that was actually formed coherently and Nina just stared at her smiling.

"That's from you. I can't believe you can do this to me?" Nina said her eyes trying to force their way into Erstin's soul.

"I…miss … missed you, too," Erstin was finally able to say and with that sound she did cry.

Nina took Erstin's face into her hands, quite gently, and used her thumbs to rub away Erstin's tears. As Nina thought of how beautiful this girl really was, her face moved closer to Erstin's. Erstin realized, through blurry vision, what Nina was about to do and closed her eyes anticipating that light brush of lips. Nina saw Erstin's eyes close and captured her lips with a soft but long kiss. When Nina ended the kiss they both felt cheated.

"I never thought I would be able to do that. I've only kissed two other people and it never felt this way," Nina said as she looked at Erstin.

"Kiss me again, please…" Erstin asked as her voice though huskier than previously shot through Nina like electricity. Nina did as she asked over and over again never pushing past Erstin's lips. They were found this way by Moira, who immediately left smiling to go get Youko.

When the good doctor arrived she woke the Queen and her Otome with a rather loud, "Wake up."

As they both fell out of the chair and each other's arms Arika realized that Nina was sitting up and that Erstin was also. Erstin was leaning into Nina for support smiling at Arika.

"Ersty…oh God, Ersty... I've missed you…" Arika said as she started to cry again. Mashiro helped Arika get up because the first time she tried she fell back to her hands and knees. Then with Mashiro's help Arika fell into a hug with Erstin that put Erstin in-between her dearest friends.

The hug was shortened as Youko asked them all to leave. Youko wanted to examine Erstin now that she was awake. Arika and the Queen left for the castle while Nina had returned to her dorm, but not before stealing a quick kiss.

It was two days before Youko would release Erstin to Natsuki Kruger for whatever judgment they had deemed was necessary for this girl. People had been allowed to visit but Erstin had to go through testing, biological and physical, before Youko was truly satisfied and more importantly Erstin herself was ready.

Now Erstin was in Natsuki Kruger's office sitting on one of the couches with the four out of five Columns, Miss Maria, and Ahn Lu, the King's Otome from her home nation of Annam. Even though the young girl knew she should be rightly scared, she found herself quite comfortable. Everyone present was relaxed, having gotten used to the girl's presence through short visits with her.

"Miss Erstin Ho, welcome back to the land of the living. Now I want you to understand this situation as it stands for us and for your future. Before your death, you had done the bidding of the Schwartz. We understand these actions and we do understand that you had been forced, by their representative John Smith, to act against your heart. Yes, Miss Ho, I said your heart. Both Arika and Nina spoke for you of what they could remember."

Natsuki stood now and walked behind her couch to face Erstin and allow herself the couch to grip.

"We know that you were planted here as a spy for them. Whether forcibly or not does not matter, because in the end Garderobe won you over. More to the point, your friendships became so strong, that had you been a stronger young woman things night have turned out differently."

"Natsuki, calm your voice. The poor child is but three days old, no matter her look or past offenses," Shizuru said calmly reaching behind to touch Natsuki's hand that had reflectively clenched the couch. The whole time though her eyes never left Erstin's.

"In that respect, we here at Garderobe failed you. You should have been able to come to any of us for help. We should have seen it, but we missed many things during that time. Thanks to that we have learned a few things. Now back to point, your actions against Queen Mashiro have long since been forgiven, in formal pardon by the Queen herself. We here at Garderobe have taken that into account, though we cannot allow it to go unpunished. You are still considered to be a student in our care and we must treat you as such. Do you still wish to study at this Academy, Miss Ho?"

Erstin had not been expecting this when she answered, "I…I can still become an Otome if I choose? I don't have, God my family…"

"Answer the question Miss Ho." Miss Maria said as the thoughts threatened to overwhelm the girl.

"Yes, I do," Erstin replied weakly.

"Did anyone else understand what Miss Ho said, because I couldn't hear her reply?" Nao retorted from the end of the couch Erstin herself was sitting on. Everyone replied no to Nao's comment and this time Erstin prepared appropriately, remembering her training and replied loud and clear.

"Yes I do."

"Well, now that that is said. We understand that your family paid for your training because you were/ are of nobility. We must now ask, do you wish us to inform your family of your return and your desire to return to training here," Shizuru said watching Erstin rub her hands together. Erstin would do this when something in particular troubled her.

"Do I really have a choice to say no, because I have no other sponsors?" Erstin replied her heart feeling heavy now.

At this Ahn Lu came and sat next to Erstin and put an arm around her. "There are always choices, but this one does not have to be forced upon you. If it is truly your desire to continue you will have sponsorship from me and Miss Gallagher," Ahn said her actions and voice very soothing for Erstin.

"In all actuality Miss Ho those of us present, even Miss Zhang would sponsor you. There isn't a woman here that would send you back to people who sacrificed you so cruelly," Miss Maria said her voice stern but sad.

"I don't have to go back, thank you. They will eventually find out though," Erstin said happy but sad as well. It was Nao who replied again.

"You are a ward of Garderobe and will remain so. If you choose we can change your last name to reflect your choice or you can keep their name to spite them. I would in your shoes. The people who give us birth are not always necessarily our true family."

"Garderobe is your home and home is where your family is child. Miss Zhang is correct in what she says. We have seen many lost children here and many that return when there is no place left to go," Miss Maria replied to Nao's statement.

"I will keep their name. I will accept the sponsorship, in whatever form it takes. As an Otome, I will face whatever you choose to do to me willingly," Erstin replied as joy and love flooded her heart.

"Good reply Miss Ho. The Pearls are not far from graduating so you cannot return to this class. That does not mean that you will not be studying though. You will receive the Pearl uniforms and eventually the earring. You will also receive study lessons scheduled for you from the Columns including Miss Gallagher, who is remaining with us until the start of the new class," Shizuru said speaking calmly and sternly.

"Now, Miss Ho, we ask you to please leave the room until recalled while we discuss your punishment," Miss Maria said as she stood to escort the girl from the room.

Ahn winked at the young girl as she stood to follow Miss Maria. Erstin slowly looked at each of them, trying to understand what she had done to deserve such favor from these women. The door opened to find Nina and Irina awaiting her in the hallway. They were the top two Pearls and were here in that capacity, but also to help support their friend as necessary. Looking down the hallway, Erstin noticed that all of the Pearl class had come to hear the decision.

"So how long do you think we should keep her out there?" Nao asked smiling at them all.

"I think twenty minutes will be torture enough for the girl. Poor Erstin has been through torture enough, no," Shizuru said smiling also.

"Twenty minutes it is then. Now for the other matter at hand, Nao, why haven't you joined the others here in donating samples for Youko?" Natsuki asked the younger woman.

"If you must know Kruger, it is because it was a voluntary thing for those who wished to have a child. This is not currently in my foreseeable future," Nao said crossing her arms and legs, declaring the subject closed with her body language, but not her voice.

"It's not like you are the only one Nao. Maya chose to opt out also," Sarah said as Ahn sat very close.

"Nao it doesn't have to be because you want kids right now. Suppose something happens to you in the line of duty rendering you incapable in the future. This would still allow you the choice if you found someone you wanted to share that blessing with male or female," Natsuki said even though she knew she didn't need to make the last part of her statement.

"Look at it this way Miss Zhang, even if you never choose to have children, you can donate in the interest of scientific research," Miss Maria said looking kindly at the young woman.

"Have you Miss Maria?" Nao asked minus the sarcasm, but with her usual steel.

"Of course I have Miss Zhang. First, because it was never an opportunity in my youth too, that was the easy reason. Secondly, because it is now and there is someone who chooses to share their blessing with me. Third, how many people have ever been chosen to wear this GEM," Miss Maria answered smiling more broadly now at Nao.

"You are one scary woman. I mean that in a good way so please spare me the look. How many of us do you think will live to see your age or agility," Nao said trying to compliment the woman and diffuse the Otome stare.

"Well, thank you for that candid compliment, Miss Zhang," Miss Maria replied.

"Come on Nao, we aren't asking you to do this for any other reason than to keep the hope alive. Just think about how much trouble a little Nao or two could get into," Natsuki said giving Nao sudden chills.

"That part is not even funny, Kruger. I will reconsider my decision, but don't expect me to change my mind," Nao replied as she thought of two smaller versions of herself doing the things she did.

"Okay we'll accept that. Miss Maria, could you please bring Miss Ho back in," Natsuki said settling the matter as everyone awaited Erstin's return.