DISCLAIMER: Mai Otome and its characters are Sunrise property. This ever expanding sandbox is mine.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: 11/09/09- Today I reworked the beginning of this chapter. It was nearly lost from the original document. This is an absolute favorite of mine and I'm glad it remains intact.
Our Legacy ch30
Three young women stood in this room arguing about their jobs. It would have seemed a normal daily activity if not for the large circle in the center of the room. There were colored ribbons tied around it, each bearing a name, and around it stood nine weary young women each in different colored and cut robes. Though most were weary, this was becoming a common occurrence. Only they could do this job, they had to change things or suffer the fate of the rest of Earl.
Two girls separated from the group in order to put a stop to the looming argument. Exhaustion would overwhelm the rest if they did not step in.
"Back off with the speeches already, Hallard. This is not why we were born okay. We weren't the ones who opened the door to technology best left to die with its creator. Like where the Hell did the power to do this come from because it's not Otome that's for sure?" The largest of the three girls stated, her voice nearly echoing in the chamber.
"Listen to me Armitage, I'm just as sick of this as you are, but 'none of us' can go so quit stalling. It's just you and Kruger. Stop complaining and get your ass in the center of that damn ring. We can't fix it here, they have to fix it. I haven't been warm in a very long time, but you are every time we do this. Quit complaining about this and get your ignorant ass into the ring with Kruger, unless of course you want to live in a wasteland for the rest of your life." Hallard retorted her lanky frame was dangerously close to Armitage's nearly face to face.
"It's not like I asked for it to be this way. I hate coming back and nothing has changed. I hate feeling like my insides are going to explode when we get ripped back because you didn't light the right path. If you think that fire is so great, Hallard, you are wrong." Armitage barked feeling insulted.
"Either fight or take your places, the rest of us would like to go home soon. I'm tired and Tokiha is ready to climb the walls in here. I swear her stomach is a black hole or something. If we wait long enough she'll hand all three of you a beating and then go eat. You know we need to keep her happy."
"Stay the Hell out of this Gallagher; I don't have to take her bullshit. I should just kick both of your…"
Armitage hit the floor after being hit mid-sentence by the red head that had slipped behind her. Knocking out Armitage before one of these jumps always made her sick. They were all tired, but Armitage had a point. What if they were not meant to change their pasts, what if they were meant to rebuild the future instead?
"I'll help Kruger haul her ass into the center, you two go get ready. Nao said there's a storm coming and if we want to get back we need to make it before it hits this area." The red head said to Hallard and Gallagher as she helped Kruger move Armitage.
As the others took their places around the ring, Kruger said, "Someday we'll go back to being friends and all of this will stop. I love you all, but she is my world. You guys know she wants this more than any of us, but it hurts a lot. There have been only three places in eleven trips where we spent any time. In every one of them she was alone. Tell Hallard…whatever happens next just keep the light on as long as she can."
"Stop being sentimental, Kruger. This is our legacy, Armitage is not alone. The two of you are never alone. Now wake sleeping beauty with that kiss of yours."
With Kruger waking Armitage, the other ten girls took their places. Twelve young women concentrated on the power of this place, a power that kept this lone building standing in the middle of their wasteland. Twelve GEM's activated at once engulfing everything in the room in blinding light. It seemed to last an eternity whenever they did this, but as soon as the light disappeared so did Kruger and Armitage.
Nao had just finished getting ready to go out and patrol or drink with the Stripes, when she heard her door open. Before Nao could say a word Midori entered the room and pulled her into a very powerful kiss. Oh yes, it was powerful alright because Nao barely felt Midori undoing her pants until they hit the floor. Nao wanted to break free and start an argument, but Midori refused to stop her kissing of Nao.
The moment the kiss had stopped on the lips it started on the neck right at Nao's pulse. Once again Nao wanted to voice something, but Midori had stopped that and all she could do was moan softly. Midori had such a tight grip on Nao that the young woman could barely do more than allow Midori whatever she wanted. Midori left Nao's neck only long enough to remove Nao's shirt and drop them both to the bed.
Whatever argument Nao wanted have with Midori had to wait. The red-head wanted nothing more than Nao's body. Nao really couldn't argue at this point because Midori was now working towards her chest. Midori slowly stopped to linger on her collar bone tracing it lightly with her tongue.
Nao really wanted to wait for the argument because her body was screaming for Midori. Suddenly Midori pulled away only long enough to remove her jacket and her ponytail. As Midori's hair cascaded its way over her shoulders Nao reached up and pulled her fiercely back into place. They were fighting each other for dominance right now as the last articles of clothing found their way to parts unknown. Nao stopped caring as Midori claimed her without hesitation and wild abandon something Nao had been yearning for all along.
Chie was sitting on the bed with Mitsuko as Aoi was taking a shower. Mitsuko had been fussy most of the day except when Chie would hold her. Mitsuko was laughing because Chie kept making faces and all manner of ungodly noises. As Chie bent over to kiss Mitsuko she stopped as she realized her daughter had grey eyes. Chie blinked a few times not so sure she wasn't dreaming until the smile spread across Mitsuko's face and her feet were coming dangerously close to Chie's nose. Chie spent the next minute and a half crying looking into those grey eyes and seeing her round slightly pink cheeks.
Chie thought to herself that Mitsuko would look a lot like her as she got older. Aoi could hear Chie crying as she wrapped a towel around herself. As she entered the room Chie looked up and took a deep breath.
"I thought I would never forget how beautiful you truly are. Seeing your face right now…" Chie was so overwhelmed that she started to cry again. Aoi went to Chie and took her close nearly forgetting to breathe.
Neither could move nor could they say a word. Everything was trapped in their powerful emotions. Mitsuko had fallen asleep during this and needed to be moved to the crib. Aoi went to do so but Chie stopped her and took Mitsuko herself. Chie kissed her daughter on the cheek and then the forehead as she lay Mitsuko down and covered her up.
As Chie turned around everything she wanted to say was lost in her throat as Aoi dropped her towel. Chie walked over and traced her face before kissing Aoi so passionately. Chie couldn't help but pull away and look at Aoi again. It had been to long since she had last seen Aoi and all she wanted to do was touch and remember.
Aoi lay on the bed and watched as Chie just stood there momentarily stunned. Chie lay next to Aoi and spent the rest of the evening tracing every curve so lightly. Aoi would fall asleep first, but Chie just couldn't because the world as she had once known it was back and even brighter than before.
Nao never had a chance to argue with Midori because she left before Nao woke. Nao would spend the day trying to think of everything she wanted to say to Midori once she saw her again. Nao found a note on her sofa that said 'Never doubt my love for you. I want us to have a future.' Midori would not get away from their argument so easily next time Nao would make sure of that.
Erstin loved walking grounds at night before curfew because it was always so peaceful. The moon was especially bright tonight and Erstin thought of Nina and Arika back when they were Corals together. The silence of the grounds was broken with a little cry as Erstin looked over and saw Natsuki and Shizuru sitting by a tree with Shiori fussing in Natsuki's arms. Erstin didn't want to disturb the moment but Shizuru waved her over.
"I really didn't want to intrude, you look so beautiful together the three of you. It still feels so rude of me even though you called me over," Erstin said as she sat politely across from them against another smaller tree.
"Natsuki felt that you should be aware of your choices. You are the top Pearl and the world is open to many possibilities," Shizuru said looking at Erstin. Shiori was Erstin's focal point at the moment and Shizuru nudged Natsuki.
"Do you want to hold her Erstin?" Natsuki said standing Shiori unsteadily on her feet holding her under her little arms for balance.
"No I'm just…I've been thinking about my future with Nina. I want us to have a child together eventually," Erstin said soft smile forming on her face.
"Then I insist that you hold Shiori even if only for a moment. You should know the weight of responsibility the two of you would bare," Natsuki said as she placed Shiori in Erstin's arms.
Shiori touched Erstin's face and pulled at her ear and then her hair. All Erstin could do was smile because this small beautiful child showed nothing but love in earnest. The resemblance to both of her parents was undoubtedly clear as Erstin looked into Shiori's eyes.
"Natsuki told me of her little session with your class a moment ago. You have become a surprise to all who know you," Shizuru said as Shiori laid her head against Erstin's chest fussing gone, sleep not far off.
"If I want to have any kind of future; I have to form it with my heart as well as my hands. The people who had no reason to forgive me took me in and gave me a home and a clean slate," Erstin said as she rubbed Shiori's back, "Those very same people have never once given me a reason to doubt my existence or beliefs. I will become an Otome to help those very same people to protect this world until my last breath."
"We have never doubted in you Erstin, you made a very large choice that day in my office," Natsuki said smiling at her. Natsuki was lying in Shizuru's arms looking up at the moon.
"I had a chance to become someone stronger before but I played into the fear and doubt of my family's choices for me. I failed to be anything more than decoration amongst my friends, my very strong and loving friends. Every breathe I take I owe to love," Erstin said as she noticed the rhythm of Shiori's heart was nearly in time with her own.
"You were never decoration to them Erstin. You had been their heart, they both fell from grace when you passed away," Shizuru said her eyes taking in every moment and movement.
"But I was never strong enough to look for my own future. I was here to be an Otome because my parents wanted it. By the time I wanted it my choice was gone. Nina shared so much of what happened from her point of view with me," Erstin said her heart was starting to ache with those sad memories.
"You were too young to know anything but what you had been taught. Don't cling to those memories. Your life now is the lesson you learned because of them, cleave them from your heart and mind as they no longer have a place there," Shizuru said as she noticed Natsuki was actually falling asleep also.
"Is it always like this looking back?" Erstin asked. Shizuru at first thought no then she changed her mind.
"The past is immutable no matter how we wish to change it in our hearts. You have grown strong and will grow even stronger as you face that future you are building. I have enough regrets in my own past that I would never trade for fear of losing the life I have now," Shizuru said eyes sad as she kissed Natsuki's head and wrapped her arms a little tighter.
"We never see our role models as people until they show weakness. Just now you made me realize that they too need someone to show them the way home from time to time," Erstin said as she thought of Nina and what she longed for. Watching this moment between these two powerful women Erstin felt the impact of her own words.
"Yukino, do you want the girls in their blue outfits or the green outfits? You have both of them laid out," Haruka called from the nursery. The phone started ringing and Haruka never got her answer.
"Why don't we see which one you girls' can agree on?" Haruka said as she brought one of each to the twins crib.
Haruka got no answer there either because her daughters found each other's feet more interesting. Haruka just went with one of each and dressed them as quickly as possible. Kaede was happier without clothes and Ayame was happy when Kaede was happy. Haruka picked up Ayame and brought her out to Yukino as she was getting off the phone.
"Was that an important call, Yukino?" Haruka asked as she kissed Yukino before handing over Ayame.
"No not really, just another meeting in the morning with the finance committee," Yukino said wishing Haruka would have held that kiss just a little longer.
"I thought you already settled the budget issues with them?" Haruka asked disappearing to get Kaede before hearing the answer.
"I did but they want to go over the revisions," Yukino said as Haruka returned with Kaede and sat beside her.
"So you will be in meetings all day tomorrow?" Haruka asked even though she knew it.
"We need to take a vacation after I settle things tomorrow. I love this country Haruka but I need a break and I need you," Yukino said making her point very clear.
"Do you want to try putting the girls down early?" Haruka asked.
"If we do they may get up earlier. Do you want to try dealing with them before the sun comes up or after?" Yukino asked even though it seemed Haruka didn't seem to mind.
"We have an early schedule anyway. During intermission sometime tomorrow we will schedule a nice vacation anywhere you want to go?" Haruka said as she got up and headed back to the nursery.
"Yeah Ayame did you hear that I get some me time tonight. Do you think you and Kaede can manage to sleep until morning?" Yukino asked looking into Ayame's eyes, so very like her own eyes. Ayame stretched and yawned as if to answer.
"Okay Ayame let's go before Kaede decides to stretch out. Maybe we should get you separate cribs what do you think?" Yukino asked as she got up to follow Haruka. Ayame nestled her head into Yukino's neck and just stretched some more.
Yukino had no sooner settled Ayame into the crib when Haruka pulled her into a kiss. Yukino felt all of the tension disappearing as Haruka caressed her lower back slowly. Haruka knew they needed the vacation and knew just what Yukino wanted right now.
As Haruka broke their kiss she started to undress Yukino not waiting to get to their room. Yukino took a step towards the doorway as Haruka removed an item of clothing.
"Wait one second Haruka, I want to take a bath before we go to bed," Yukino said still edging out of the room.
"That's kind of what I had in mind anyway Yukino," Haruka replied as she was starting to undress herself.
Yukino held her breath for a moment as Haruka's Meister robe slowly fell from her shoulders to the floor. It didn't matter how many times Yukino had seen Haruka do this, every time Haruka did this Yukino thought of the first time.
"Hey Haruka, I'll race you to the bathroom," Yukino said turning quickly dashing off before Haruka could react.
Haruka was right behind Yukino faster than usual scooping her up just before the bathroom door. Yukino planted a kiss on Haruka before anything could be said. Haruka loved to do this because Yukino always seemed to wait until her robe was gathered at her feet. Haruka had fallen more than enough times to know to step out as quickly as possible before trying to move.
"You know I love it when you get like this," Haruka said as she pushed open the door holding Yukino tightly in the process.
"No matter what happens in the course of our lives Haruka it is these moments in your arms that I will always treasure," Yukino said as she claimed another more passionate kiss.
There was a blinding flash and then there were two young women standing in the ring of this room. For a moment they smiled at each other, kissed briefly but passionately nonetheless before heading out. Their black and white Meister robes settled as they left the circle.
"I hope this isn't another wasted trip. I'm really starting to hate this, Shiori."
"Don't you dare give me any lip about this place or you'll end up sleeping alone, Kaede."