DISCLAIMER: Sunrise picked the winner, but we got the gravy. They can keep the money; this form of sharing is much more fun.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Read, review, and enjoy…unless of course you are a lurker, then it's just read and enjoy.

Our Legacy ch23

Tomoe Marguerite sat on the couch of this nasty little place she found wondering what cruel God brought her here. The man on the floor looked up at Tomoe with fear in his eyes and quite a bit of blood running from the gash in his forehead. All the man did was to have his wife go answer the door, his biggest mistake. Tomoe smiled sweetly as the woman looked to see just who was outside.

"My vehicle broke down and no one will seem to help or call help for me," Tomoe said as the woman noticed the cuts to her face.

The woman believed what she heard after turning on the light and seeing the messy state of Tomoe's clothes. As the door opened, Tomoe smiled and reached for the woman. All it took was two steps. First, in the door then snap her neck. Second, find the anonymous lazy him and beat him with the pan from the kitchen. That had been two days ago and all this man wanted now was to die.

"Just had to screw me over again didn't you. That's strike three for you dear. Don't you look at me like that, Hallard? This isn't Garderobe and I'm not your little slave anymore."

The man had been listening to this every time he was conscious. From listening he realized that she had been a former student of Garderobe, around the same time as the recently decorated Captain Hallard. In all the time she was there, why did she never once address him? The only time she even bothered to look his way was when he soiled himself. Even then she would just kick him and leave the room ranting again about Shizuru.

"You will play with me again my love, oh yes you will. Don't worry about Natsuki; she won't be of any trouble to us. I'll take care of her. Your child you say, well we'll just have to raise her away from all the insanity. She'll be a proper young woman unlike the heathens in Aries."

Tomoe had cleaned up most of her scratches and changed into some of the dead woman's clothes. There had been no use trying to check if her hair had changed color because Tomoe had cracked every mirror in the house not long after subduing the man. The mirrors were first, the bathroom to shower was next. In her raid of the cabinets, Tomoe had found an abundance of hair coloring products. The dead woman was no natural red head and by the time she was done with herself neither would Tomoe be. The clothes had been easier because they woman seemed to have been very conscious of her looks.

Though Tomoe herself would never wear such frilly, gaudy garments, right now she was not Tomoe Marguerite. Right now she was Abigail Burke, oh for crying out loud. She had adopted many names over the past year now, but had been fond of Junko Watanabe. Tomoe hated the house wife type and really needed to make contact with someone else soon. After the incident with Hallard, people were being stopped in and out of the city searching for her. Tomoe walked over and kicked the man in the face, then in the stomach for good measure and left the room.

"The nasty blonde and her simpleton Master will soon have enough problems to deal with and I'll take her office this time. Disgusting little freaks of nature all of them, they shouldn't be here."

"It is time for you to stop playing."

Tomoe walked into the room again, this time carrying a knife. The man was unconscious already and died rather quickly as Tomoe stuck him numerous times. Tomoe went to the bathroom washed up, went into the bedroom, and then masturbated. Tomoe did not enjoy herself; she was actually sickened by the touch, washed up again, this time scrubbing her skin very hard. Tomoe found a simple set of casual wear and left the house.

A lot of things had changed in Tomoe's life since her last effort against President Chrysant. There had been dreams, oh yes many horrible dreams. Always the same though, people laughing at her telling her she was unworthy. Natsuki Kruger in particular, teasing her about Shizuru, Shizuru making love to her, then killing her while laughing with Natsuki.

There were also the ones with Chie dogging her every step and trying to destroy her confidence. Haruka Armitage, in some dreams, would pull her aside saying that Tomoe would make a perfect partner for her in running Aries, those really sickened Tomoe. Each and every dream just got worse than the one before. But were they really dreams, can you dream while you are awake?

Tomoe would hear a voice in her head not her conscious though. No, this voice was not her own, this voice sounded like that of Nina Wang. This is the voice that would taunt her mercilessly. Yes, all the others were there doing the same, but Nina's voice had the control. It was this voice that lead her through things safely only to mock her.

"It is time to go get that lovely little virus back in Lutesia Remus. Your work is not yet done. Not while those disgusting little freaks still live. If you do this right, she will be yours and you can do whatever you chose, this time. Don't ask about the child again…"

Natsuki was walking around her office, trying to get Shiori back to sleep. Her daughter had been crying rather loudly, but she had been fed by Shizuru already. Natsuki checked off everything else in her mind that could be bothering Shiori. Shizuru was ready to take Shiori to calm her, but Natsuki insisted that she had to help.

"Shiori, honey, don't cry momma's here. There is nothing that can hurt you because you are protected and loved. If you don't calm down though, Shizuru will never let me take you for these moments of quality time. Oi…you are mocking me, just like your mom does, aren't you?"

Natsuki was not paying attention or she would have seen Shizuru giggling in the doorway. No matter what Natsuki said or tried, Shiori just wouldn't stop. Shizuru knew she shouldn't, but she asked Natsuki for Shiori and headed back to the bedroom.

"I usually just rock her in times like this, Natsuki. Sometimes they just need to cry. Babies can't speak so we do everything we know and then we concede and pray," Shizuru said in a very hushed tone, keeping a slow perfect rhythm in the chair.

"Shizuru, please, let me do this with her. I've got to learn sometime, you can't do this all by yourself," Natsuki asked with her pleading puppy eyes.

"I could if I had to Natsuki, but you are here. Remember to cradle her like this, supporting her neck," Shizuru said as Natsuki sat in the rocker. Shizuru made one little adjustment of Natsuki's arm and then smiled.

Shizuru sat up for a few more minutes with Natsuki, in silence. Shiori had slowly drifted off and Natsuki just stayed there, rocking her contently. Natsuki looked into Shiori's little face and for a moment thought of her daughter's name. The meaning she had actually chosen, guide. When Shizuru had questioned Natsuki why, she just shrugged her shoulders. Natsuki said she liked the meaning better than the others.

"Shiori, you are our little guide to the future. Otome's were never supposed to be parents, we were supposed to retire first," Natsuki kissed Shiori then carefully laid her in the crib, "No matter what comes our way little one, remember that I love you."

Midori had been back again to see Kimiko, but she felt so many things unsaid, between her and Youko, just hanging there waiting for a voice. Youko was rocking the baby in her arms, speaking in techno terms. If the mood in the room hadn't been so strained Midori would have laughed. Midori thought back to the night Youko announced she was leaving the Aswad.

This woman, her best friend had left their people in order to help them. To Midori it was a betrayal because it was breaking her heart. Youko and Midori had spent a night of love together just recently and now she spoke of leaving. Youko had tried to reassure Midori, but her heart was crumbling. Yes everyone needed the help, but it was now Midori that needed it. It had been such a pleasure to wake up to that face like so many other mornings, yet safe in her arms sated. Midori left that night with Rad on patrol and did not return until after Youko was gone.

Suddenly they were back in each other's lives again. Midori took the realization like a slap in the face again, stating the words she burned into memory about desertion and betrayal. Youko had reached out to them with the new technology and gave Midori a REM that would sustain as long as she needed it. Then the word came of this technology, the science of life. In front of her was not life sustained by science, but life given form by it, a true new life. Every feeling of hate and fear had been completely demolished the moment this beautiful girl came into the world. What had been left, in the wake of that demolition, were the true feelings that they had shared that night.

They had moved forward in life, but never truly moved on. There had been casual acquaintances' and encounters, but never anything that could have built this wall that now separated them once again. Midori snapped to attention when she realized how close Youko now was and the baby was gone.

"I guess I should ask what you were just thinking about," Youko said as she returned to her seat fully.

"I was just thinking about two girls who made a promise and then life took away the chance to fulfill those words," Midori said looking at Youko, sadness clear in her features.

"That may be true, but we still hold half the blame for allowing it. That night I should have gone after you and I didn't," Youko said memory clear in her eyes.

"I should have staked my claim, as Dyne loves to put it. Dyne would get me drunk and curse me for never trying to see you," Midori said shaking her head because now he protested that she should stake her claim for another.

"We were young and foolish Midori. I never really held you to that promise after I left," Youko said as she leaned forward to take Midori's hand. Midori pulled away and just shook her head.

"Like anything else we do in life Youko, the Aswad uphold their promise of love. A promise we didn't keep and even if we wanted to…Nao. She and I, we've been very intimate Youko and we spoke those words to one another," Midori stated almost harshly even though it was killing her inside.

"I don't need to hear this Midori. I haven't said a word to keep you away from Nao, I won't," Youko replied just as harshly. The strength of her Aswad roots showing their true colors, "Curse you, Midori damn you huh, we were barely seventeen, we had no idea what love truly was."

"Don't sit there yelling at me Youko. We were old enough to know what it was we were truly giving each other that night," Midori felt a familiar heat rising in her now. Youko knew and felt it also, but grabbed a pillow from the couch and tucked it close.

"After all this time you choose to remind me of all these feelings, dammit Youko. All it took was one night with you in my arms just one. Then you were gone and I could barely get any sleep without you there again. We were happy with so little and each other's company…then this messed up world moved on. I've moved on…now this…I need to leave," Midori said getting up trying to get away fast.

Youko moved almost as fast to try to block the door and Midori stopped. Youko walked over to Midori and shoved her away from the door and then stepped up to do it again.

"I know you Midori and I know that you are running. All the pillow talk between you and Nao, would run right out that window if I asked you to take me right now right here in this very spot. She's been breaking down the walls that you put up, because of me," Youko stated anger rising along with her voice. Midori could feel it right there between them right now and it called out to her.

Midori grabbed Youko and dropped her to the floor, breathing hard. Midori's blood was boiling and her heart was breaking all at the same time. Youko reached up and grabbed a fist full of Midori's hair to pull her face closer to kiss her. Yes she kissed her hard and Midori returned it freely. As their kiss broke, Midori got up and looked down at Youko, Midori's blood was still on fire. Before a word was said though Midori bolted from the room and Kimiko started to cry.

"What was I thinking? I'm sorry Midori I really am," Youko said to the open door as she got up to get Kimiko.

Nao was supposed to go to Lutesia Remus, but made her first destination Artai. She knew it was the last place she should be without Kruger knowing, but this was Nao's game. The prison wasn't the most cheery of places, but it mattered not to Nao. Wherever the info lead she would go. Nagi knew more from behind bars than most knew on the streets. Nao wanted to talk to him because of this. Nagi couldn't ask her to make promises because Nao had no authority that was Kruger's game.

"I see someone thinks I might know something about Miss Marguerite's activities," Nagi said not looking at Nao. He was actually expecting Natsuki so he was disappointed when he heard Nao's voice.

"So how's the showers here Nagi? Are you playing nice with the big boys yet?" Nao asked clearly amused by his look of disdain.

"Miss Zhang, how I haven't missed your voice, what do you want?" Nagi asked though he knew.

"The truth, Nagi, that's what I want and why you haven't missed me. Tomoe Marguerite, what do you know?" Nao asked taunting him.

"She's been a very busy girl since that Aries incident with the Presidential election. So have the rest of you. Any baby pictures for good ole Uncle Nagi of all the new little Otome princesses. No, well I guess I'll have to make a call and ask for some, don't you think. I opened the door when I took over Windbloom and Kruger just kept the ball rolling," Nagi said not really answering her question, but Nao was patient.

"That twisted little girl is not one of mine. She was a useful tool as a Valkyrie, but now she's just a broken doll. A puppet without strings is no use to me. She's too unpredictable…"

"This we already know, Nagi, the girl is psychotic to the extreme. News, Nagi, something current that isn't in the file folder I read," Nao said reaching into the cell and smacking him in the head.

"The bodies they've been failing to get answers from in Aries are the key. They need a fresh sample wouldn't you think. I doubt there is anyone on this planet willing to be the rat for them, not even amongst you Otome," Nagi said with his cheerfully malicious face.

"If we don't find her that just might happen, I really hate this job sometimes. Thanks for a lot of nothing Nagi. Try to keep your spirits with your soap," Nao said as she left his eerie presence.

Nina was sitting with Erstin, earlier that day, in the palace courtyard just trying not to think of the things she had seen. Nina had done some terrible things herself, but found love and redemption though not in that order. Erstin took Nina's hand and kissed it softly.

"I wish I could take away whatever it is you are feeling," Erstin said as she looked into Nina's eyes.

"Just being here with me helps more than you know, Ers," Nina said though the sentiment was lost in the air.

"It really shook you up and I'm sorry for that Nina. Right now though you can do nothing but be who you truly are," Erstin replied touching Nina's face.

"The things I did were on such a large scale that it never occurred to me just what I had truly done. Well it did, but not to the extent that this stuff with Tomoe has made me see," Nina said hoping that Tomoe would just run out of steam, see the light, or at the very least get hit by an armored transport.

"You can't compare yourself to her Nina. You felt remorse; you acted to save someone you loved from death. Tomoe is beyond all that I would think from what I've heard," Erstin said gently stroking Nina's cheek, "That person you were doesn't exist anymore Nina, and so to me you are very different."

"Unfortunately Ers, she is still with me every time I look in the mirror. That Nina could come back again very easily without you to be my source," Nina said as the tears started to trail down her cheeks.

"We've already had this conversation love. No matter what happens to me you already promised to never become that person," Erstin said tears equally present in her green eyes.

"Whatever may come that is not a promise I want the chance to uphold. To love you, to be with you no matter the distance, these are things I know in my heart I can truthfully uphold," Nina said just as Arika came to sit with them.

"It's good to see you again Erstin," Arika said a little lackluster. There was something wrong, but Arika had yet to voice it.

"Okay Arika, spill already, you've been like this since the meeting this morning," Nina said wondering just what it was that had Arika so bound up.

"I read all of those files Nina. I saw everything in all its bloody detail. How do we stop someone like Tomoe?" Arika asked looking as if she were that same little girl Nina first met.

"That may be in someone else's hands to do Arika. Tomoe hasn't been here in Windbloom so for now all we can do is bide our time of peace," Nina said taking Arika's hand trying to reassure her.

"Yeah… I guess we can leave it up to Nao," Arika said not really feeling much better.

"Natsuki Kruger sent Nao out to take care of this?" Nina asked as the thought of those bodies ran through her mind once again.

"She sure did and when I asked Mashiro gave me the idiot speech. Natsuki sent Nao for the same reason Mashiro had sent you," Arika said remembering that hurt in Mashiro's voice.

"What to be cannon fodder for that psycho?" Nina said nearly rising out of her seat.

Erstin pulled her back down and said with a little too much clarity, "No not as cannon fodder, but because there was no one else. Also, because well in your case, I think the Queen knew you would do whatever it took if necessary."

Sarah was drinking tea with Ahn trying to be quiet because Cara had only just fallen asleep. Sarah was angry with Natsuki at this moment and Ahn could not agree with her point of view. For the first time Sarah's long existence on the road for Garderobe finally played against her. Not true, it was truly in her favor to take this mission, but Natsuki had sent Nao instead.

"Natsuki could not in all good faith send you out on such a mission Sarah. It would be like going on this one herself. You have a family outside of Garderobe now," Ahn said in warm and even tones though Sarah could hear the thinly veiled pleas behind them.

"I know you are right Ahn. I love you and Cara so much that it would pain me to leave, but it is my job. I'm the only Otome with invisibility to cloak her so it's always been my place to do these things. I'm really worried for Nao, there's just too much to lose with this one," Sarah said holding Ahn's hand.

"Nao is a very intelligent young woman and more than capable of hiding out if necessary," Ahn said thinking of how many times Nao escaped Natsuki's wrath by hiding in plain sight.

"That is just her survival reflex, Ahn. Nao gets out before everything falls apart," Sarah said thinking of what Natsuki had told her about Nao during Nagi's occupation of Windbloom and Garderobe. Natsuki had quite a few little tales of Nao's mischievous adventures as a student and as a Column.

"Like the rat from the sinking ship, she heads for safety. That is unfair Sarah; she is young and sometimes too smart. That girl knows truth in these situations and people around her, Natsuki knows this also," Ahn said knowing that no matter how Sarah felt on the subject, the matter was closed to dispute. Nao was already in the field of play and no one could stop her now, except for Natsuki.

"The reports just scare the Hell out of me, Ahn. I would feel negligent of duty if Nao became another of this cur's victim. Where there is unpredictability, the danger is that much more. Look what happened to poor Chie," Sarah said thinking of how Tomoe had played them in Aries.

Tomoe was on a bus to Lutesia Remus sleeping fitfully, but undisturbed. The border patrol had taken a quick look on the bus, but never asked for any ID. These were some of the laziest soldiers Tomoe had ever seen. Tomoe didn't bother acknowledging them with more than a simple glance. These men had been at this most of the day, though not really busy. Everyone on the bus had been given a quick run through when they first got on the bus.

The driver told them, he had not picked up anyone else since then, so the men were lax in their jobs. As the bus rolled off again for their next destination, Tomoe had drifted off to sleep. The ever present dreams couldn't keep her tired body awake any longer. In Lutesia Remus, Tomoe would do what she had to in order to disappear. This unfortunately would leave a few more bodies in her wake. Tomoe had become very adept at disappearing, she would do so again.

The lovely little virus Tomoe had in her possession was a deadly weapon. Once ingested it would turn the host body on itself. It was painful and cruel, but Tomoe had never heard much of her victims' cry of pain. Tomoe would add injury to insult by slitting their throats, after giving them a drink of water laced with the virus. The virus worked whether the host was dead or alive, all it needed was to get into the stomach. Tomoe learned this little tidbit from the idiots who procured it for her. The part that really worked to her advantage had been the fact that the body's natural rate of decomposition multiplied as it sat.

Tomoe would take her little care package and find a new identity that suited her needs much better. By the time Abigail Burke and her husband were found, Tomoe would be setting her trap for someone new. The people who frequented the back alleys of most major cities had nothing left to lose and more often than not no one who cared. How interesting that was because Tomoe herself was one such person? The only person that had ever truly given Tomoe a chance, died by her hand also.