DISCLAIMER: Mai Otome and its characters are Sunrise property.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Anyone who hasn't yet read yurianimeotaku's 'Himitsu', I strongly suggest that you do. That dirty little secret has been around as long as there have been same sex couples. I find this piece to be a wake-up call to the ignorance of this issue. If you focus on the characters being OoC, then my dear reader's you are truly missing the point.

Our Legacy ch35

Garderobe Grounds,

As the car stopped at the stairway entrance to Garderobe, Haruka opened her door and stepped out still holding Little Kaede. Haruka walked around the car and opened Yukino's door extending her hand in order to help Yukino out. As Yukino stepped out Haruka smiled because as of this moment their Aries guards were no longer necessary. Haruka would be even happier to see their young companion's go away also, but that wasn't the case.

Neither girl wanted to get out of the car at that moment. The driver waited patiently even though Yukino and Haruka were already heading off towards the school. They didn't mind using this entrance because the view was absolutely breath-taking. Shiori looked over at Kaede and couldn't believe that she was crying. They had yet to step out of the car and yes Kaede was already in tears. Shiori leaned over and kissed Kaede's ear whispering as she did.

"We need to get out of the car, Kaede. I understand how you feel, but we can't sit here all day."

Kaede looked into Shiori's eyes and was thankful for this beautiful young woman's love and understanding. Kaede placed her hand under Shiori's chin and turned her face just slightly in order to kiss her fully on the lips. As they parted from that kiss, Kaede took a deep breath and stepped out of the car. Just as Haruka had done for Yukino, Kaede opened Shiori's door and helped her out of the car.

"Care to take the long way around or shall we just follow them?" Kaede asked as Shiori stepped into her arms.

"We are home so it doesn't matter. We can always walk around after the students are in on curfew," Shiori said leaning close for another kiss.

"I know that we all consider Garderobe our physical home Shiori, but you are home to me. I don't care where we live so long as you and I are together," Kaede looked deep into Shiori's green eyes and felt her heart dance.

"You always do this to me, Kaede. Every time we find ourselves in another one of these places or these moments you always get sentimental," Shiori's words were in jest as she took Kaede's hand and headed for the long flights of stairs.

Kaede smiled as they stopped at the bottom stair and looked up and then at each other. They let go of each other's hand and looked into each other's eyes and then at the stairs again. In a quick step, they were racing up the stairs steadily gaining ground on Haruka and Yukino. As they ran past them, Yukino could swear she saw them smiling. They had gone all out as usual and reached the top together as usual. Kaede swept Shiori up into her arms and spun her around.

Shiori stole another kiss as Kaede set her down and then they both heard…

"Excuse me girls, but public displays of affection are prohibited, as is running up the stairs in such a un-lady like manner."

The voice they heard brought them out of their kiss with shock and rather full faced blushes. Upon seeing Miss Maria though, both girls had to stop themselves from trying to hug her because she was holding Kimiko in the sling now. It was also hard to hold back the tears that threatened them. It had been many years since she had died, but here she was in front of them now.

"Are you girls with the President and Meister Armitage?" Miss Maria asked scowl present on her face because of their behavior.

"Yes, Meister Graceburt, we are," Shiori said as they both bowed to her.

"Then the two of you will learn and adhere to Academy rules while here. It seems we will have to prepare two more rooms since no one informed me of your arrival," Miss Maria said eyeing them intently; sizing them up rather quickly. Miss Maria recognized their facial similarities to their parents, but held her comment.

Yukino and Haruka had reached them at this moment and Haruka voiced a similar comment to Miss Maria's own.

"The two of you should know better by now then to behave as you just did. If you really respect this place then show it," Haruka said standing there trying to look rather serious.

"Madame President, Meister Armitage it is good to see you both again. I see the newest family members are ready for naps," Miss Maria said as she smiled at the twins resting comfortably in their mothers' arms. It amazed her that this couple had been blessed not once but twice over.

"Meister Graceburt, it is good to see you and your sleeping companion as well," Yukino said as Haruka bowed slightly.

"Yes well, this is Kimiko Helene, the first of the Garderobe children to be born," Miss Maria said as she stroked the child's red hair. No one except Nao would voice the woman's growing attachment to both of the children she watched over.

"These two are our daughters Ayame and Kaede. As for our young companions here you can address them as Kaede and Shiori. I'm sorry not to have sent ahead earlier notification of their presence with us, but it was sort of last minute," Yukino said as she introduced the children to Miss Maria. Yukino noticed Miss Maria's smile for the twins and her contained urge to swat the other girls.

Kaede and Shiori watched silently as the others spoke tuning out their words. Their focus was tuned everywhere else, taking in all of what they could see around them. Shiori wanted to take Kaede's hand and run off to the garden, but she was rooted to the spot by Miss Maria's presence. Haruka noticed their expressions as they looked around. Haruka reached out and smacked Kaede in the back of the head with her free hand.

"Pay attention until you are excused from our presence girls, your manners are an insult to Meister Graceburt and this Academy," Haruka said in her usual gruff manner.

"Meister Armitage please don't trouble yourself as I remember one of your last encounters with me. These girls are not Otome and as guests shall be given a little leniency. Very little, of course, but I expect your behavior to be their guide," Miss Maria said as she studied the girls once again, noticing that their hands were now clasped together. She noticed their silver bands and realized the young girls must be a close couple.

Haruka grumbled her ascent to Miss Maria's comment as they started off towards their arranged suite. Once again neither of the girls moved until Miss Maria commented on their lack of proper manners.

"At least here at Garderobe our girls are taught to respect their elders properly," Miss Maria said finishing off her statement.

Kaede couldn't help but laugh as she replied, "I remember a lot more than respect going on behind some of those Pearl bedroom doors."

Shiori elbowed her roughly as Miss Maria turned and gave her the look. Shiori stepped up to follow as Kaede shook off the slight ache in her ribs.

"It slipped, give me a break, Shi," Kaede said as she followed along also.

Headmistress' quarters,

Shizuru had heard the glass shatter in the other room before Natsuki stormed out of her office, but didn't move. Natsuki would never hurt her or even think of it. Shizuru knew the glass was the physical manifestation of the things Natsuki couldn't control. Shizuru couldn't explain what it was about these two girls or Natsuki's reaction to them that had her so distressed. Holding Shiori in her arms, sitting in the rocking chair, Shizuru felt her connection so deeply, it was unmistakable.

Whether or not Natsuki would believe it, that girl was an older representation of their daughter. Shizuru wanted to know so much more now. What would happen in the future that would cause them to try something so dangerous and completely unheard of? The one thing that Shizuru found rather charming was her choice of partner. Shizuru and Haruka were friends and rivals while at Garderobe so the pairing seemed odd in itself. Kaede was Haruka all over again in so many ways, what was there that Shiori had found to love?

Underground Bunker,

Kimiko was in the hallway tossing a ball with Katsumi, they were discussing Mitsuko Hallard and Nao's dislike of her. Just as Katsumi threw the ball back to her older sister, one of the bedroom doors opened and its occupant took the ball in the face.

"Couldn't you think of somewhere else to toss this thing around?" Keiko Tokiha asked. The right side of her face was now glowing red to match the growing deep purple bruises to her left side.

"No we couldn't…" Kimiko answered as she walked over to collect the ball.

"I swear I just don't understand this immaturity," Keiko said as she headed down the hall.

"Better than having a pole arm stuffed up our…"Kimiko didn't finish responding as Katsumi glared at her.

"Kimiko…don't feed into her behavior. If it had been me, I would have let Megumi break your jaw. The two of you are sisters and yet you understand nothing about her," Katsumi said as she stood next to Kimiko. They were now standing in Keiko's path.

"It's not something I would expect any of you to understand anyway. Could the two of you please step aside I have the next shift on the board with Cara?" Keiko asked rather impatiently.

"I feel sorry for Cara," Katsumi said as she allowed Keiko to pass.

They watched as Keiko rigidly turned the corner out of sight. Katsumi wondered how Keiko could be so different from Megumi when they shared the same parents.

"I'm so glad we are nothing like the two of them," Katsumi said looking at her older sister.

"Who knows maybe it's our Aswad heritage?" Kimiko answered as she threw an arm around her sister and led her down the hall, "Let's go wait in Mitsuko's room so we can talk with her about Captain Tight-Ass."

Underground Bunker, Rec. Room,

Chiyako Hallard and Grace Steinberg were standing in the middle of the room mere inches apart from each other. As they split apart, Grace dropped her stance to the floor with a quick leg sweep that knocked Chiyako on her ass swiftly. Chiyako laughed even though it hurt and then rolled safely away to resume her standing position. Grace was on her just as Chiyako regained her feet and tackled the girl back to the floor, her hand held directly in front of Chiyako's nose.

"What part of this aren't you getting? How many times are you going to fall before this lesson sinks into that thick skull of yours?" Grace asked as she pulled her hand away and sat next to Chiyako on the floor.

"What if I told you…I only allow it so that you'll be on top of me?" Chiyako asked with a small laugh just as a smile spread across her face.

"I would say that you are spending too much time around Kimiko and Katsumi. There are better ways to get someone's attention," Grace answered seriously as she stood up.

"So I can't consider this foreplay?" Chiyako asked lying on her back in order to continue their conversation.

"No you can't, I'm not that kind of girl anymore. What happened between us at Garderobe was out of curiosity and nothing more." Grace replied as she walked away heading out the door.

Chiyako lay on the floor a moment longer, remembering every curve of her body and every simple embrace they shared. It never stopped playing in Chiyako's mind because she refused to believe those words. Grace could deny it all she wanted, but Chiyako wasn't about to stop. Thanks to those words Chiyako would try subtlety instead.

Chiyako got up off the floor and headed out of the room just as Keiko came walking by.

"Well, well if it isn't Captain Tight-Ass. Are you headed for your duty shift?" Chiyako asked even though Keiko gave her a deadly glare.

"Yes I am. I don't remember asking you to accompany me to the Founder Core?" Keiko said hating that nickname.

"I'm not really accompanying you. You are relieving Mitsuko and I need to talk to my older sister for a minute," Chiyako replied trying to cover a laugh.

"What's so funny Hallard?" Keiko asked through gritted teeth.

"I swear you must have picked up some bad luck or something. Just looking at you hurts, you're starting to get a bruise on your right side now too," Chiyako replied watching the anger grow in Keiko's eyes.

"Just do me a favor and keep your mouth shut the rest of this walk," Keiko said as she visibly stiffened her already rigid posture even more. Chiyako would have said that was impossible if she hadn't seen it for herself. Chiyako turned to Keiko and zipped her lips shut as they continued down the hall.

"Just for the record, I am not a tight-ass," Keiko said causing Chiyako to laugh and earn a swat to the back of her head from Keiko.

"Ouch hey, you said it not me."

Garderobe Grounds,

Natsuki was leaning against a tree near her garden watching as their visitors were being greeted by Miss Maria. Natsuki kept focusing on Shiori, even though she refused to believe who she was. Natsuki believed Kaede was Haruka's daughter easily, but the similarities were too numerous not to. Natsuki the parent couldn't fathom the idea because it meant too many things that Natsuki the Otome could, none of which were good.

The mag from BackStage had such a story in it and Natsuki had read it just for pure open-minded research. Those time travel type stories were never happy because there was always something bad to cause the need. Natsuki wanted a bright and happy future for her daughter not something like what she had read. In this time, Otome were slowly being recognized as more than the pretty but deadly bodyguards of royalty thanks to some of the preceding events.

The Twin Meisters however carried themselves differently. They seemed weary and full of a lingering pain that Natsuki couldn't identify with. This in itself was another reason Natsuki didn't want to believe them.

"Even if I don't show it, I do believe it though, Shiori." Natsuki said as she followed them. Their next stop eventually would be her office and Natsuki needed to put her game face on.

Miss Maria had escorted them to the suite Haruka and Yukino shared on their last visit. She then excused herself momentarily to check the one across the hall for the other two young women. As soon as Miss Maria left the room though Kaede sat down and kicked her feet up. Yukino noticed this and walked over to Kaede and smacked the back of her head.

"Get your feet off of the furniture, Kaede. Show some respect for the hospitality here at Garderobe. You weren't acting like this on the transport," Yukino said as Kaede just made a face. Yukino recognized this as one of Haruka's famous looks when she was being chastised for some reason.

"This was the room Shiori and I shared before we abandoned Garderobe. I'm sorry you'll have to excuse some of my bad habits," Kaede replied looking over her shoulder at Yukino.

"Be that as it…abandoned Garderobe, what kind of place are you girls from?" Yukino asked just as Miss Maria came back into the room.

"The room across the hall will be yours while you are here. If no one is in need of some rest I could escort you to the Headmistress' office right now," Miss Maria said glaring at Kaede who was only just taking her feet off of the small couch.

"It can wait Miss Maria. We should take a few moments to rest and freshen up first. It's been a long journey," Yukino said as Haruka came over to take Ayame and put her in the room with Little Kaede.

"Some even longer than others," Kaede said as she stood and looked at Shiori.

"Kaede and I could use a nap first anyway. Come Kaede let's leave them in peace," Shiori said with a look that spoke volumes.

"Aww… Shiori, don't look at me like that. I swear I was trying to be good," Kaede replied as they left the room and went to the suite across the hall.

As the door closed behind them Miss Maria stood momentarily looking at the closed door. The words she wanted to ask were stuck in her throat until Yukino spoke up.

"Are you okay Miss Maria?"

"As charming as they might look together, those girls are hiding something and you are helping them," Miss Maria said now turning to fully face Yukino. Neither woman put on airs about the situation for they needed no subterfuge.

"The answer to that is yes, I am going to help them. They have yet to show me any reason to believe that they are here to harm anyone," Yukino answered feeling momentarily protective and then entirely exhausted.

"I noticed you left out their family names Miss Chrysant? I know I am reaching across boundaries here, but I feel it is necessary," Miss Maria replied.

"I asked Natsuki Kruger to stay at Garderobe for my vacation because I love this school and I respect the women who have made it their lives. Right now though, I stand before you as a peer and not the President of Aries. Boundaries be damned I say," Yukino said as she sat down and took off her glasses, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Well then I say thank you for that, Miss Chrysant," Miss Maria said as she sat across from her.

"Yukino, please, I swear if I could I would legally take Haruka's name and be done with all the formalities. I'm tired of keeping things in a closet or behind closed doors so to speak. The most freedom we have ever enjoyed in all the years of our relationship came to us during the Homecoming. We are close at home, but it is not the same," Yukino said as she sat back and unbuttoned her overcoat. Neither woman had noticed that Haruka was standing in the bedroom doorway listening. What she heard from Yukino made her heart leap into her throat until she heard Miss Maria's reply.

"The girls here have always said that, what happens here, especially behind closed doors, stays here. We don't deny things that we know happen, but the world is changing Yukino. We are changing… those young girls are proof of that; I noticed they share a commitment to each other, without the airs of society. They wear matching silver bands on their hands like married couples would wear gold," Miss Maria said thinking of her recent, but strong relationship with Yukariko.

"True there is change, but people still try to explain it away with logical reasoning or lots of whispered truths. Anyways that was not the topic of our discussion for now anyway. We can save that one for a good bottle of wine some night after meals. The family names…" Yukino was cut off by Haruka as she knelt in front of Yukino, excusing herself to Miss Maria, and stole a kiss before sitting in the small chair across from them.

"Don't ask why I just kissed you… just tell her their names or I will. There aren't too many secrets in these walls and halls that Miss Maria doesn't already know," Haruka said looking fondly on her former instructor.

"Armitage and Kruger are their family names…" Yukino replied looking at Haruka with pure instinctual love.

"Maybe we should make that a bottle of something stronger …" Miss Maria replied looking at them trying to find the jester behind this mad joke.

Across the hall, Kaede was stretched out on the couch with her feet up and boots off. Shiori was stroking her hair, feeling every little emotion ready to overwhelm her. Kaede broke into laughter as they entered the suite and closed the door. It was certainly good to be back in Garderobe, but to be chastised by Maria Graceburt within the first five minutes was just too over the top. The fact that she had been holding baby Kimiko made the sight and impression even funnier for Kaede.

"I've got to say, Shi, that I really wish the others could be here with us," Kaede said as she closed her eyes enjoying the comfort of Shiori's touch.

"I'm starting to miss them, too. I couldn't believe that was Kimiko, Miss Maria was holding. I know we've seen these people before in our travels, but those times it never felt like this," Shiori replied looking down into Kaede's relaxing features. Shiori was enjoying this moment twice as much as Kaede.

Kaede knew Shiori would be doubly overwhelmed by this because Garderobe had been her lifelong home. When they had to abandon Garderobe, Shiori and Kimiko were the last to leave. Katsumi had called Garderobe her lifelong home as well, but she was like her mother, Nao, and guarded her emotions carefully. Kaede and Shiori stayed like this for quite some time until Kaede noticed a subtle change in Shiori's breathing. Shiori's hand had started straying from Kaede's head to her shoulders and back again.

Shiori tapped Kaede on the shoulder, motioning for her to sit up. Kaede complied willingly feeling her nerve's tingle with the anticipated rush of her lover's kiss. Kaede didn't want this moment to end, but her body felt more urgent desires calling to her. Shiori started to slowly undress Kaede right there on the couch, slowly removing each article with light brushing strokes against her skin. Before Kaede could get too lost in the moment she stopped Shiori and stood up.

Shiori looked at her before standing and smiled softly, taking in every muscular curve that she had now exposed. After a quick kiss Kaede picked up Shiori and carried her into the bedroom. They took their time remembering each touch, each breath and every last emotion until they could bear no more. Haruka would come for them later to invite them to dinner. Kaede told Haruka that she and Shiori would respectfully decline the invitation until after speaking with Natsuki Kruger again.

"Go take a shower and dress accordingly, you idiot. The invitation is from the Headmistress and you cannot decline," Haruka said as she passed their travel bags through the door to Kaede, "I'm guessing your formal attire is in here, Yukino has requested that you wear them."

"I…" Kaede wasn't sure what see was going to say as she looked at Haruka and felt so small once again.

"Whatever it is don't say it okay. I'm not ready and Yukino is the one who made me do this. Just be ready when we knock again," Haruka said just before she turned back to the door of her suite.

Kaede stepped out into the hallway and put her arms around Haruka. Haruka tensed momentarily then reached for the girls hands and held onto them not saying a word. Kaede could feel her tears starting again so she tried to pull away, but found that Haruka wouldn't let her.

"I know what you said earlier on the transport is true, Kaede, but like Shizuru I didn't need to hear the words. Go back to your room now and get ready okay," Haruka said not looking back as she reached for the door.

"Haru…Mom, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for everything you have yet to do and have already done," Kaede's tears were trailing down her cheeks, but her words were not choked by them, her words were loud and clear.

"Like I said, Kaede, I'm not ready okay," Haruka said as she entered the room and closed the door.

Kaede couldn't move from her spot as her emotions took hold of her rooting her where she stood. Shiori came out of their suite and touched her bare back lightly with a kiss between her shoulder blades. Kaede wanted to pound on the door, she wanted to make Haruka listen to what she had to say. Shiori understood those feelings because there were things Kaede had never before acknowledged to her hero.

"Come on now Kae, we've got to put on our best masks and give them what they don't want to hear. Come on, back in the room now and let me take care of you for a change," Shiori said as she walked into the room and waited in the doorway for Kaede's embrace as acknowledgment. Yes it had been Kaede who wanted to rush the moment initially, but now there were knots in her stomach.