DISCLAIMER: Mai Otome and its characters are Sunrise property and we give thanks to them through clenched teeth.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: I love this story because every time I revisit I have fun.

Our Legacy ch19

Mikoto sat by the water staring at her reflection. She had grown a few inches and she had aged though only a little. Every day she would come here alone to hone her more human skills in fighting. It was not a regret, to lose that insane power she once controlled, more like a relief. Mai never looked back: too glad to enjoy their chance at a future they could share now.

Mikoto had a dream herself last night that made her very happy. Three little girls one not of her and Mai were playing by this very same water. They were beautiful children but Mikoto didn't want to dwell on that part of the dream it was the pregnant Mai that she loved to see.

With the cats as her companions, Mikoto never understood how lonely she once was. Then one day Mai was caught in her trap and again she had a companion, though at first she was a stubborn one. It wasn't until Erstin's spirit had come from the beyond that Mikoto realized Mai's presence in her life is truly meant. Everyday Mikoto felt so blessed and tried to share that blessing with Mai.

Mai was her beacon into the dark future ahead. For this Mikoto was happy, but what came later that day would fill the new void Mikoto had been recently trying to fill out here. They would walk a new road into that future darkness, no longer a thunder cloud on her horizon.

Haruka sat in the newly finished nursery at home looking around at the hard work she and Yukino had put into it. When they went to Garderobe two months ago, Haruka had it set in her mind what they would do with this room. Two days ago Yukino gave Haruka some news that had changed the original layout.

"I wanted to wait until we knew for sure, Haruka. You might want to take a seat," Yukino said to her earlier in such a kind and tender voice, her eyes were sparkling with laughter barely contained.

"This is good news right Yukino? No joking with me?" Haruka asked as Yukino held up her hand with a V-formation.

"Yes love it is good news. We are going to have twins," as soon as the words left her mouth Haruka did a double take at Yukino.

Haruka's heart near exploded from the outright joy she felt. She picked Yukino up and didn't want to let her go. Two babies was not something they had planned on. Yukino sat in her lap now resting as they looked at the larger crib. Haruka was becoming over whelmed with joy every time she thought of them now. Two beautiful little ones were now growing inside Yukino as she lay there content. Whenever off duty, President and Meister Otome would spend a lot of their free time in this nursery together just like this.

"Hey Yukino, I was just thinking about this. Now that we know for sure that we have twins, have you asked to make sure we weren't the only ones?" Haruka asked wondering if it was luck or a side effect.

"It's not a side effect dear Haruka, so just calm down. Even if it were a side effect it wouldn't change the way I feel," Yukino said taking Haruka's hand and resting it on her stomach. The news had been good for everyone, but they were the only twin births to be awaited. There would be one other lucky couple that year.

Aoi watched Arika as she talked softly to Mashiro about their future plans. It was not something either was ready for just yet, but it was an idea that Arika just couldn't shake. Mashiro was taken with the idea too, but knew that too many changes in their life together too soon would be no good. They had only recently started sharing a bed and their bodies completely.

Aoi thought of Chie's request for her to move to Aries a lot more often lately. She would have to decide soon, but there was still more than enough time to wait. The child now living inside of her was their commitment to one another and she wanted to be totally honest about her intentions first.

"I know that you are lonely there Chie, but we made our choices based on honesty and sharing. There is still plenty of time before we need to make a permanent decision," Aoi had told Chie earlier that day.

"I don't want to be selfish Aoi, but I want to be with you for everything. Every day I remind myself that we agreed to do what we loved. The things we had already committed ourselves to. Every night I want to reach out to hold you, but my bed and my embrace are empty without you," Chie said somberly Aoi hearing the deep regret so clearly.

"Neither of us can give up our positions as they are Chie. I don't want that to become a guilt we hold against ourselves," Aoi replied her tears now barely masked.

"I'm sorry Aoi. The last thing I wanted to do was make you cry right now. The news of Tomoe has stopped and so it seems have her movements. The woman seems to have completely disappeared from this world," Chie sighed as she thought just what she was saying.

"That should be a good thing for you Chie. She has been like a rock around your neck for quite some time now," Aoi said trying to compose her voice because of how Chie sounded just then, "It only worries you more though."

"Windbloom is not close enough for me to feel comfortable Aoi," Chie said.

That conversation had ended on a lighter note, but the news of Tomoe hung on as it always did. Aoi watched Mashiro playfully hit Arika and she had to smile. A plan was working in her mind now that might help both of them if only Mashiro would go for it. Time would tell, but Aoi was not ready yet.

Natsuki's eyebrow would twitch every time she saw the name Tomoe Marguerite in a report from Aries. The younger woman lusted after Shizuru as a student, kept her captive on these grounds during Nagi's coupe, lost her virginity to… Natsuki stopped herself as she busted the tea cup in her hand. Shizuru was hers and their child would be more than enough proof of that. But still, Natsuki fought the urge to leave Garderobe and hunt her down.

Weird haircut

Psychotic two faced bitch

Weird obsession with Shizuru

Conniving liar

Fetish queen

Helped in takeover of Garderobe

Kissed Shizuru

Slept in same bed with Shizuru

Tried to kill people

Idiot, idiot, idiot

Kissed Shizuru

Played house and other games with Shizuru

Kept Shizuru captive to kiss and sleep with her

TOMOE MUST DIE/WILL DIE

Natsuki was not paying attention too caught up in the list and didn't realize that Shizuru was now reading over her shoulder. It wasn't until Shizuru took the pen away that Natsuki noticed her and became flustered though not vocal. Shizuru wrote something and handed the paper back to Natsuki with a quick kiss before returning to the window once again.

SHIZURU LOVES NATSUKI, and only did what she had to in order to be with Natsuki again.

"Oi Shizuru, true as that may be, the thought of her lips and hands on you makes me very angry," Natsuki replied though she was smiling. She had been lucky not to get cut by the shattered glass and to have this phenomenal woman in her life.

"She was a distraction, Natsuki. You do remember the position I was in? Do you really think being her plaything was a whole lot of fun for me," Shizuru asked from the window her reflection as smooth as the glass.

"I remember our talks afterward Shizuru. I've never been angry at you for anything you did," Natsuki replied restraining her anger.

"Then Natsuki should remember that the young girl was foolish to believe she could win my love in such a way. She kept me a hostage yes, but also alive," Shizuru said remembering being in solitary confinement in handcuffs.

"That only makes me want to kill her more Shizuru. Every day without you, I feared they hurt you or tortured you," Natsuki said standing behind Shizuru now holding her close.

"I was only a hostage to keep Tomoe in her place. Nagi had no other use for me because he wanted the Harmonium. I was just a pawn to motivate the movement of a bishop," Shizuru reminded Natsuki again.

"Pawn or not back then Shizuru, Tomoe had her own agenda when she made her decision to become a Valkyrie. Just like she does now and the longer she evades capture, the more it plagues me," Natsuki said looking into the glass at Shizuru.

"We are not alone in this Natsuki; she has set her sights on our friends this time. There are new lives to be considered as well," Shizuru replied holding Natsuki's hands on her stomach, "Not just the one living in here either."

There would soon be new life on the mountain. Mikoto was so happy that at first she cried while holding Mai once they were home again. Every prior wish had been fulfilled and this one now brought so many new ones with it. Mikoto took great pleasure in this new life, her desire and daily drive was to become stronger once more.

"You don't wish to have those powers back again do you?" Mai asked as they lie in bed holding each other.

"I only wish to be able to protect what we share. The new life inside of you is our greatest gift; I would be remiss if I contemplated going back Mai. We only gave to help Youko and have this opportunity because I am no longer a god. I would not have contemplated it before," Mikoto answered as she moved her head gently to Mai's stomach.

"You gave up immortal life to be with me in order to share this?" Mai asked running her hand through Mikoto's hair. It was so soft from their bath and felt so cool and smooth to her touch.

"My eternal life without Mai or a life to share with her, those were the choices? You can see I had no other choice. I already watched too many people I loved leave this life without me," Mikoto said now looking deeply into Mai's eyes.

"Eternity was never really a choice was it?" Mai asked Mikoto knowing her answer already.

"Our eternity now lies in here," Mikoto answered with a smile that once again stole Mai's heart.

Youko had been examining a new Pearl GEM that had been created for Erstin; amazingly she overloaded and destroyed her previous GEM. It happened during materialization with both her teacher and the Headmistress present. The details were rather vague on how the girl had done it, but that didn't change the situation. When Youko returned the Gem she realized that there were others forming also. The system had only been set for the one replacement GEM, but here they were. Five new GEM's from the Founder herself.

They were still in the early formation stage but this intrigued Youko. The system was not malfunctioning and had never done this before. GEMs were only manufactured for students.

"What are you saying Fumi?" Youko silently asked.

"Helene to Kruger"

"Kruger"

"I need to see you immediately. Don't worry it's not about any of the pregnancies. Just come at once," Youko said as she cut the line. Fumi created the GEM's only as necessary so why were these five necessary?

Five minutes later Natsuki was staring at the newly forming GEM's also.

"The system did this all on its own huh. That is the new GEM for Erstin Ho you are holding," Natsuki asked trying to fit her mind around the whole jagged puzzle.

"Fumi hasn't created a new Meister GEM since before the retirement of Rena Sayers. That's going back about twenty or so years," Youko said though they both knew it.

"Youko, Shizuru, any ideas either of you can think of why the Founder felt it necessary?" Natsuki asked guessing silently herself.

"I'll keep my peace on this subject for now," Shizuru replied even though the scenarios were endless in her mind right now. She knew that Natsuki had to have been thinking along similar lines to have even asked.

"I think random guessing should be avoided for now Headmistress. We should wait for the end results before playing with fire. The Founder doesn't just create new life without reason," Youko said hoping to effectively stave off anymore questions.

"That's fine with me. I want these GEM's under wraps until we know more though," Natsuki said before leaving with Shizuru.