DISCLAIMER: Mai Otome and its characters are Sunrise property.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Note to self: please stop writing notes to self and chapter notes while at work. With that said, back to my insanity.
Our Legacy ch33
Aries-Windbloom transport
Natsuki got up off the floor after hearing Kaede's comment and looked at Shizuru who was still behind the two girls. Shizuru just shrugged her shoulders, but found she couldn't bring herself to move just yet. Natsuki looked at her again and again she shrugged.
Natsuki walked over to Shizuru and lead her to the couch next to Haruka and Little Kaede. Shizuru looked at the baby on Haruka's knee bouncing happily and smiled. Shizuru then remembered why she had been behind the girls and looked over at Ayame in the playpen.
Shizuru was so happy for Haruka and Yukino and couldn't wait to see both babies, but Yukino's words had actually stopped her in her tracks. No, Haruka's whisper to Natsuki did, but Yukino's caused her to grip the couch firmly in disbelief. For all her curiosity of the new GEM's and the mysterious Meisters', this was the last thing Shizuru had expected.
Everyone was quiet while they absorbed the information, Natsuki though couldn't keep from staring intently at the girls. There had to be some other excuse. They had the bearing of Meisters' and their features uncommonly matched well with their supposed parentage. Natsuki had to be sure though and so she blurted out her words without much thought.
"Materialize then, if you truly are the Heaven's Guide Pearl and the Earthbound Pearl."
Shiori had expected this and was ready to comply, but Kaede refused to move. Shiori whispered something to her, but Kaede was adamant and so Shiori sat down again. Shizuru looked at Shiori and couldn't help but feel her heart swell with pride and love. If this truly was her daughter she would become such a breathtaking young beauty. Shizuru looked over at Kaede and saw Haruka's face only as she had looked when they were younger.
"We did not identify our GEM's to you and we are not dogs to be given orders," Kaede said putting her arm protectively around Shiori.
"Kaede needs to play nicely right now," Shiori said softly knowing it would take so much more to sway her right now.
"I'll play nicely when she stops gritting her teeth and barking orders, Shi," Kaede said returning Natsuki's firm glare.
Natsuki's eyebrow was twitching and she was about to fly up off the couch at Kaede when Shizuru and Yukino spoke at the same time.
"Please."
Kaede looked to both women in awe forgetting how much she had admired both for their gentleness. Haruka just shook her head thinking that this was still some very bad joke. Seeing this Kaede ran her hand through her spiky hair and stood. Shiori stood up besides her smiling sadly, though happy inside.
"MATERIALIZE."
Little Kaede stopped bouncing and waved her fist as Ayame fell to her side in the playpen also shaking her little fist. Oh yes these babies would forever love the sight of a Meister materializing.
Even now, Kaede would watch Shiori materialize just to pass the time at home when working the board together. Their black and white uniforms were exact copies of each other in design. Kaede's was black with white trim and Shiori's was white with the black trim. There were no subtle differences to be seen marking them. All Meister uniforms had differences in appearance but these two had none whatsoever.
"Are you happy now Meister Kruger?" Kaede said flexing her hand calling forth her mace ball. The ball floated in front of her as if awaiting orders.
"Now doesn't that look familiar?" Natsuki said looking at Haruka who was surprised to see they shared somewhat similar weapons. Haruka's was attached to a chain, but the mace ball itself was identical to the very last spike.
"Put the pretty little ball away love," Shiori said placing her hand on Kaede's shoulder.
"Let her keep it out if she feels safer," Natsuki said now wanting to get up even more and belt Kaede.
"How's about we go outside and you see what this little ball really does? I'm quite sure that cannon of yours could use a good run through," Kaede said as Shiori dropped her hand and called forth her naginata. It was black with a blue edge and blue etching along the staff length.
"I said put the ball away Kaede, there are too many people here that we do not want to hurt. Both of you should stop being so angry and childish," Shiori said looking to Shizuru for help.
"Please Natsuki…" Shizuru whispered in Natsuki's ear releasing her hand from Natsuki's arm, only to take hold of her hand instead.
"Drop the weapons and the materializations please. The display of force is unnecessary," Yukino said looking rather surprised at Kaede's mace ball. It was Haruka's weapon given freedom from its master's hands following instead her will.
Kaede and Shiori dropped the materializations and once again sat. Kaede of course allowed Shiori to sit first then slid in ever so closely beside her. Shizuru watched every move wanting to ask so many questions, but unable to voice just one.
"They are definitely Meisters…not saying I like the whole idea much though. The last thing we need is another distraction right now," Natsuki said kicking back in her seat next to Shizuru also dropping her materialization finally. Her acquiescence seeming more like a pout, both Shizuru and Shiori realizing Natsuki and Kaede both would have preferred the fight.
"Not like I much care what you think of our presence here. I have a job to do and I'm going to do it," Kaede said looking at Natsuki.
"There's enough hostility already, Miss Armitage. If I am your mother as you say then listen to me when I say 'drop it now'," Yukino said in a very firm tone that all recognized.
"Playing the Mother card while you hold doubt will only get you so far. I was not kidding earlier about where we are from and who we are," Kaede replied using the very same tone in return.
"So you expect us to follow your words on what we've seen alone?" Yukino asked feeling very tired suddenly and very much in need of a drink.
Shiori stood up and walked towards the large window. Her tears fell silently as she watched the beauty pass them by. This world was barely more than a memory for her. There were two strong arms around her and Shiori saw Shizuru's reflection in the glass. This was her mother as Shiori remembered her; they had shared many moments like this in Natsuki's office talking about life and love. The mother/ child bond was so strong between them that both could feel it now in that moment.
"How is this even possible?" Shizuru asked, tears in her own eyes.
"We don't understand the connection completely ourselves, our control of it is minimal at best. It was never fully explained to us," Shiori said not realizing this was not the question she was asked to answer.
"I know you are my Shiori. I know it deep down and yet I also know that she is with Miss Maria right now," Shizuru said turning Shiori to look at her.
"We are not sure ourselves, but yes I do feel our connection as keenly as you," Shiori said trying to keep herself from hugging Shizuru.
Kaede came over to them and stood behind Shiori looking at Shizuru. Their shared memories of the last time they were with her brought tears to Kaede as well. It had been the last day they had seen either set of parents. Shizuru wanted so badly to ask those questions that were waiting for release.
"We need to talk more about this later. Right now we all need to take a moment to process this. You see we are true in our words, but for the rest our last piece is waiting at Garderobe," Kaede said to Shizuru as she pulled Shiori to her protectively.
Shizuru understood that gesture included her in it and went back to sitting with Natsuki. As she sat down, Shizuru cleared away her tears and noticed that Yukino was doing something similar. Yukino had taken Kaede from Haruka's knee and was holding her in the same protective manner. Yukino was focused on the two of them standing together in each other's arms by the window.
"Twin Meisters…please don't tell me that all of their uniforms are matching. That's bizarre and corny all in one," Natsuki said out loud not realizing she was saying it.
"So my Natsuki believes part of their story at least," Shizuru said composure returning slowly.
"Well I'm still freaking out here, so what the Hell are we doing," Haruka replied; her anxiety and headache were still on the rise. It was contained easily while holding Little Kaede, but now Yukino had her and wouldn't let go.
"Time travel is not something that you hear outside of children's stories; well except for the bad mags written about Meisters at BackStage," Natsuki said thinking of a recent copy lifted from a Coral by Miss Maria.
"They say Garderobe holds the last piece of their proof, so why don't we allow them to go?" Yukino asked Natsuki.
"What do we tell the others about them? Hey there Miss Maria, this is my daughter from the future coming for a visit," Natsuki replied as the thought echoed throughout the room.
Haruka flew off the couch as Natsuki's words finished, throwing herself in between Natsuki and Kaede. Haruka really wasn't sure why she should protect Natsuki at the moment, but realized that she was now in a struggle not only for her sanity, but her strength also. Kaede was still crying and Haruka thought that this situation would only get worse if she didn't get this girl to stop.
"I'm sorry but the proof still doesn't help me to get by the absurdity of this situation. That is really Shiori standing back there, give me a break…" Natsuki said not realizing the struggle going on behind her.
Kaede finally had enough of the barbs and pushed Haruka back against the couch with every last bit of strength she had. Haruka couldn't contain Kaede as she reached over her to try and grab Natsuki who was now standing watching this.
"Just let me shut her up already, Nao was right you…" Kaede was trying to completely push off Haruka, but she wouldn't let go.
"Kaede stop okay…Yukino talk to her please," Haruka said as Kaede freed one of her arms fire livid in her eyes.
Yukino walked over to Haruka and Kaede, she handed Shizuru the baby and then authorized Haruka.
"If she won't stop then I say give her a beating," Yukino replied.
"MATERIALIZE"
Kaede was frozen on the spot as she watched Haruka's Meister uniform fall into place. Once again the twins were pumping their little fists; now Kaede was no longer struggling against Haruka either.
"It's been so long since I last saw you do that, it's still so cool," Kaede said her voice sounding so much younger and softer. The tears took over again and Kaede collapsed into Haruka's arms. Haruka felt extremely awkward at the moment, but in that momentary embrace her heart found the same resolution Shizuru's had.
"Okay enough already…everybody take a seat. Kruger sit down and bite your tongue for a moment or I'll let her attack you next time," Haruka said as Shiori came over and guided Kaede back to the couch.
Yukino went to the playpen and picked up Ayame and then sat with Shizuru who was still holding Little Kaede. Natsuki resigned herself to sitting with Haruka. Natsuki really didn't want to allow Kaede into Garderobe, even more so if Haruka couldn't contain her without materializing.
"I know your job as a Column is to protect your school and its students, but in that very same context it should include them," Haruka said shooting Natsuki a quick glance.
"She irritates me more than you do," Natsuki said in return.
"You started it…" Kaede answered barely lifting her head from Shiori's chest. It made both Shizuru and Yukino look up and smile.
"You've never given Kaede a chance not to. You were mad when we started dating. Kaede is not just arrogant and stubborn; she's kind, protective and very carefree. Kaede loves using that same strength she uses to fight," Shiori said holding Kaede tightly.
"That's too much information right now thanks," Natsuki answered seeing the fierce protective love in Shiori's eyes.
"No it isn't. I'm going to love Kaede no matter what anyone says and that includes you. Would you listen if you were in my shoes?" Shiori asked although both she and Shizuru were shaking their heads in a very similar no gesture.
Underground Bunker, Founder core room,
"This...ru...all of Annam…fallen. We failed again…too many…bury my friends…no…time."
Nao jumped up as soon as the transmission started, but could make out very little. Irina had tried boosting the signal to no avail. It repeated once more and was gone completely. Nao didn't want any of the girls to hear this transmission. It would hurt them even more than it was hurting her.
"Trash it Irina…"
"Come on Nao why?" Irina asked standing by the board stark naked.
"Trash it and then get out of here," Nao said again as she gathered up her clothes and took a seat.
"Screw you Nao, you figure out how to delete this recording. Someone is still alive out there unlike the other ones," Irina grabbed her clothes and stormed out right past a very stunned Mitsuko.
Nao was sitting in the chair trying to figure out who the voice belonged to. Mitsuko stood in the doorway listening to the message replay. Mitsuko had only come down to talk to Nao about her relationship with Katsumi. Nao started cursing and kicked her chair straight towards Mitsuko. Nao was pulling on her clothes not paying attention now.
"You should delete it. If you haven't figured out how I'll do it for you," Mitsuko said as she brought the chair back to Nao.
"I know how Hallard. Are you going to tell the others?" Nao said not looking at Mitsuko.
"To upset them or give them false hope, no way. I couldn't do that to them. It's easier living without the knowledge for some," Mitsuko said. Chie Hallard had been right Mitsuko did look like her; only Mitsuko had dark golden hair.
"I didn't want any of you to hear this one. So you heard about the others?" Nao asked fighting her urge to slap Mitsuko.
"I deleted one myself a few weeks ago. It was the last transmission between the Windbloom Meisters," Mitsuko took a seat next to Nao.
"Why haven't you said anything to anyone?" Nao asked.
"You are the only one who needed to know and I'm telling you now. It happens after we send Kaede and Shiori almost like clockwork," Mitsuko replied running her hand through her hair in a manner that reminded Nao of Chie.
"I don't know how many more I can take. I am here with you girls and Irina because they said you needed me more, most of my friends are gone now," Nao said getting up and playing the message again.
"I can't tell who it is, the signal's too broken to understand," Nao said as she hit the replay again.
"Do you recognize the voice?" Nao asked as Mitsuko stood beside her. Mitsuko leaned over and punched in her code, then deleted the transmission.
"I couldn't make it out either, but that doesn't matter anymore," Mitsuko said as she walked away holding her breath and emotions in.
"Thanks kid, I'm sorry if I've been giving you a hard time about you and Katsumi," Nao said stopping Mitsuko dead in her tracks.
"Sure thing, but I wasn't here so we never had this conversation," Mitsuko said walking away thinking about the transmission she just deleted.
"Viola…"