DISCLAIMER: Mai Otome and its characters are Sunrise property. I'm just playing in their sandbox.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Read, enjoy, review…

Our Legacy ch16

Natsuki was not really sure she wanted to sit and eat with these women. Especially after all of the ego bashing she had taken on the way back from the arena. True they stopped calling her the paper Otome, but the lust control deficit comments just made things worse. They had announced that Natsuki was the king to Shizuru's queen. Shizuru had blushed herself at first, but the woman had adopted the Otome stare as her neutral expression when the tirade became an ongoing thing. This last meal together was to keep the spirit of the past week alive, once people started to depart for their normal lives.

Haruka just couldn't get use to all of the praise, no matter how good it felt. In her mind, Haruka had only beaten two of the four women, and even they were distracted, if Haruka recalled the events correctly. Yukino had given Haruka a rather large smile in public, but was very amorous on the return by transport back to Garderobe. Winning as such wasn't necessarily bad in Haruka's mind, but she had been looking forward to the chance to mix it up with Shizuru once again.

As Haruka returned to the table with Yukino's plate of food she looked at Natsuki and Shizuru with her uneasy smile and winked at them. She really wanted to laugh, but it really was not funny seeing the bruise they each supported. Yukino wondered why Haruka didn't have a plate until Miss Maria came over and set one down for her and left without word.

"Since when does she serve anyone here?" Natsuki asked out loud.

Haruka didn't want to answer but Yukino was curious also. "Miss Maria said it was the least she could do since I gave her a new case subject for discipline during battle."

Everyone looked to Miss Maria as she was talking with Yukariko and Laura Bianchi. The older woman was genuinely smiling when she turned to face them and wink. Although it was not a real battle the woman clearly believed that etiquette had been rightly called for. That being true and she was now done with all of the mother hen duty.

"I swear we will never hear the end of this, thank you very much Shizuru," Natsuki said trying to avoid flipping the older Otome off.

"Natsuki was just too sexy in that tight shirt she wore. The jacket you wear hides much more of your natural beauty," Shizuru said taming her urge to kiss Natsuki. Her hand was not as easily tamed as she rode up Natsuki's thigh.

"Hands please, just until I at least eat…" Natsuki asked even though her temperature was climbing right along with Shizuru's hand.

The younger girls were disappointed that they could not share one last meal with their idols. Nina was just happy to be back in the dorms because she and Erstin had been very active earlier. All they wanted was a shower and a good meal before bed. Irina joined them because it had an appeal she couldn't say no to.

"So do you think Arika and Mashiro will become closer now?" Irina asked while they were soaking in the warm all too relaxing water.

"If she gives her one of Nao's favorite kind of baths they just might," Erstin replied laughing at the thought while Nina blushed.

"I think Arika enjoys them also," Nina said remembering the last time Arika had done that for Erstin.

"I remember your complaints did not hold much merit once you hit the water," Erstin said moving closer to Nina. Irina had to laugh because Nina was trying to get away when Erstin grabbed her in a firm embrace.

"I think you are easily one of the shyest Otome, Nina. Nao taught many girls that technique of hers." There was an unmistakable blush to Irina now. In order to avoid the question of her lesson in said technique Irina changed the subject.

"Everyone donated in the end, even Nao," Irina said remembering all of the bravado that had gone with it.

"By all rights, we all should have been allowed to not just some of us," Erstin said looking at Nina as if to make her point clear.

"So they allowed you to?" Nina asked shyness leaving her face as she remembered the child from her dreams.

"I'm considered a ward of Garderobe right now, so the Headmistress had to consent first," Erstin said warm breath exciting Nina visibly.

"I think this is my cue to leave," Irina said as she noticed Erstin had other intentions also, "Good night to you both."

As Nina watched Irina leave she knew she was defenseless to Erstin now. Erstin had been really forthright with her feelings earlier about what she wanted to do with Nina. It was harder to avoid every time they were alone. Erstin seemed to not want to wait any longer as she slid her leg between Nina's.

"I want us to do this Nina. I don't care if it is too soon," Erstin breathed heavily as she took Nina's hand and put it right where their legs were meeting, "My life isn't starting over, I am not a child. Nothing seems real until I'm with you. I want you, Nina; I want you to take me. I want to feel alive."

"Just not here Ers, my room is closer," Nina sighed as she slid her hand between Erstin's legs not sure if she could wait.

"We are here Nina, so let it be done here. Our promise be damned Nina," Erstin's voice was urgent and Nina's thoughts were losing cohesion.

"I was already damned Ers, now I just want to be loved," Nina said as she finally gave in to it all.

Nao wanted to scream at the red head that had opened a weak spot in her psyche. Normally Nao would seduce someone and fulfill every nasty desire she was feeling. She would leave them and not have a second thought. That night though Midori had fought with her, seduced her, and then later on left her. Nao had never been humbled in this way before.

Midori wrapped herself into Nao's desires and then slept so peacefully in her arms. That was something Nao had not expected to be open to. Nao wanted to kick her ass for it. Nao had been tempted to go to the Aswad woman for more than that reason too. When she realized this that was when she really wanted to scream. There was a room full of women she could choose from much closer yet they weren't what she wanted. All she needed was a bottle of alcohol now and she would be able to properly kick this feeling.

It wasn't hard to find considering she had helped to store them before the arrival of Ahn Lu. Feeling rather drunk, Nao thought of one of her baths to ease her wounded pride. All Nao needed now was one of those star struck students and she could go to bed without the image of Midori in the early hours sleeping beside her.

Nao stumbled to the student bath and noticed that Irina was already too far away to stop without making some foolish gesture. Where there's one, Nao reasoned as she entered the bath. After noticing no one in the changing rooms Nao stumbled towards the shower proper only to hear the last words Erstin and Nina had spoken to each other. "Okay I am not drunk enough to deal with this," Nao thought as she stumbled back for another bottle before going to her room.

As Nao got to her room she noticed the door was slightly open, not how she left it. Nao set the bottle down outside the door and slowly pushed her room door open as she crouched in the frame. No target no hit, Nao thought to herself. Across the room Nao saw that blasted red head sitting in her window waiting and watching the night.

"What do you think you are doing here dammit?" Nao asked Midori trying to sound outraged. The woman didn't answer her she just sat there. Nao stepped into the room and slammed the door forgetting the bottle of liquor in the process.

"Answer me Midori, before I beat it out of you," Nao said trying to sound threatening around the alcohol.

"I came because I needed something, only you are drunk so I should go," Midori was about to jump out the window when Nao found her voice betray her.

"I'm drunk because I wanted to find a way to forget our first encounter. They handed me my ass in the arena because of it," Nao explained unsure why she felt she had to.

"I hadn't seen that fight, I left after you bloodied up your first opponent. My people needed me to return at the time because all they have left as true protectors are me and Dyne," Midori answered feeling every anger wash away. With Gal here at Garderobe there was so much more to be done. Many of the Aswad men were coming forward to help as they could but they were easy pickings for trained soldiers.

"So then answer me Midori, why are you here?" Nao asked as she sat on her bed feeling the alcohol really finally hit her.

"I came because Dyne and the men told me to take a break. I came because you, Juliet Nao Zhang, do not need me to lead you. I need to be with someone who doesn't need me to be the strong one," Midori replied still looking out the window.

"Aren't we just a pair? I had the urge to come kick your ass and here you are to get l…"Nao was about to say as Midori finally turned to face her with eyes red and swollen.

"I'll go if that is what you truly think. Yes I came to you for comfort, but not to be debased in this manner," Midori was halfway out the window, but not moving any further.

"Damn you woman, get back in here before I drop you," Nao seethed with anger that gave her slight clarity.

Midori did as she was told by the younger woman, but went no further than her original spot on the sill.

"All the way Midori, I am not kidding now. Everyone wants something in return Midori, some of us aren't afraid to say it. I've got no one that makes me feel as open and wounded as you do," Nao said forcing the woman over to her bed.

Midori felt the same way. Their first encounter had been rough and unyielding, but in the same respect it broke down long since constructed walls of will. They both had to break, in order to be able to give so freely and so fiercely.

"I usually get to get up and walk away Midori no nice cuddling, no emotion however raw or malicious. You spent the time in my arms afterward that I would never have given anyone," Nao told her as she started to take Midori's clothes off.

Midori did not try to stop her as every article removed took another wall down in the process. Nao just stood back and admired her with no hint of malice. Midori stood and then did the same to Nao without a word. They lay together just holding each other no words, no tears, and no pain.

When Mai brought Mikoto back to the mountain it was to be a new start for them. Mikoto was still an agile and strong fighter but now she was human too. It was strange for both of them but Mai couldn't shake the fact that Mikoto would age and grow older with her. Mai did not want to leave the mountain for the tournament because she wanted to give in to every selfish desire that Mikoto had.

Mikoto was unsure how long she would have with Mai now that she no longer had the powers. Mikoto knew that she would grow old and die, but not how quickly would that happen. She felt selfish wanting so much of Mai's attention and time, but she was scared too. The fact that they may be able to have a child together was of some comfort, but very little if she couldn't be there to help raise the child.

Their first night they just lay outside looking up into the night sky not saying a word. Their next night Mai gave Mikoto so much pleasure that she knew if she died she would do so complete and happy. Mikoto never wanted to look back again, but the future was very uncertain and Mai's breathing beside her was becoming her strongest lifeline.

Five months had since passed when suddenly three were asked to report to Youko for good news. There were four lucky people but one was already present. Garderobe was buzzing with student activities, but no one was too busy to wonder just who the lucky people were. Erstin tried to weasel the info out of Irina, but she too was out of the loop.

"I'm in university most of the time now Erstin, so I am as clueless as you are," Irina said to the new number three Pearl.

"The entire school is buzzing right now wondering just who they are. I can't believe that the Headmistress has administered the sample donation as an option to Pearls ready to graduate," Erstin said remembering when her friends had graduated almost three months ago now.

"The speech we were given about our futures and how dangerous our jobs were helped to make a lot of those there decide. I'm guessing it is a selfish desire, but very understandable now. Did you hear the news about Miya Clochette?" Irina asked though it was clearly not good.

"So it is true about her being with Tomoe Marguerite?" Erstin asked having heard already from Nina two nights before.

"I haven't heard any more, except that Tomoe has been very vocal against the President and Meister Armitage," Irina replied remembering the rumors going around her dorm in university.

"Words are just that right, I'm sure that Aries has her under surveillance right?" Erstin questioned even though Irina seemed to be uncertain.

"Captain Hallard just told me to mind my business and watch my back. Chie has never been so quick to anger before," Irina said as they made their way towards the street where they would have to separate. Sometimes they really were better off not knowing things, all Erstin wanted now was to be held by her friend and lover. "Come home soon Nina please."