DISCLAIMER: Mai Otome and its characters are Sunrise property.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Author will use italics to separate larger dream or memory sequences.

Our Legacy ch44

Nao would be content to keep her secret until Midori's return on the full moon. As of her run-in with Kruger junior, Nao counted four people who knew and shared her secret. Two she had asked, threatening bodily harm if necessary, because they were present. The other two had the future on their side and as Nao thought of this she wondered what else they knew. Nao was readying herself to go out with the Stripes when there was a loud rap on her door.

Nao seriously didn't want to play with any Otome today so she set her most vicious mask before opening the door, "WHAT?"

Kaede just stood there smiling at Nao in her Stripes shirt and nothing else, "Well I guess I got here early. I came to ask you not to go out tonight."

"Take a hike, Armitage. I am not in the mood right now for any of this crap," Nao replied through gritted teeth as she tried unsuccessfully to close the door.

"Shiori told me about her words to you and I want to echo them. You shouldn't do these things anymore," Kaede said wincing as Nao decided to repeatedly slam the door against her foot. Nao finally gave up and opened the door allowing Kaede into the room.

"You've got two minutes to explain what you and Kruger junior think you know before I throw you back out," Nao said as she watched the large girl sit on her sofa.

"I know from personal experience that you can handle yourself in many different kinds of situations. I also know that your boys will watch over and protect you if necessary," Kaede said putting her hand behind her head rubbing it unconsciously.

"Minute and a half," Nao said unflinchingly.

"Otome's are not gods and we can't always predict what will happen, future or not. Shiori and I have ten very good friends back in our time and we'd like to make sure it remains that way. Please don't go taking any unnecessary chances because of whatever is going on between you and Kimiko's parents," Kaede said eyes turning quite serious.

"One minute," Nao replied gritting her teeth again. Nao was actually feeling quite hungry and this was just stalling her from getting a bit to eat.

Kaede stood up and walked over to Nao towering over her though not showing any signs of menace. Kaede took a few steps back and sat on the arm of the sofa she had just vacated.

"Thoughts of ice cream on the brain right now, Meister Zhang?" Kaede asked looking comically at Nao.

"Thirty seconds kid," Nao said unconsciously rubbing her stomach. Nao actually wished Kaede would just say the stupid words already.

"Why don't you reset that countdown clock? If you kick me out I could always go talk to Youko Helene or Headmistress Kruger and see what their reactions are. Let's just say we reset the clock to about two hundred and forty days give or take a week," Kaede said smiling broadly as Nao leaned against the wall and sighed.

"You wouldn't dare," Nao said trying to judge Kaede's intent.

"I left my lover skinny dipping in the swimming pool to be caught by Miss Maria, try me," Kaede replied grinning evilly.

Windbloom Castle,

Queen Mashiro had taken a walk with Nina in the garden. Mashiro wanted to make sure Nina wasn't being too hasty about her decision to have a child with Erstin. They were all still young and this was something that could eventually lead to the Otome wanting to leave her.

"Erstin and I have agreed to put it off for now. She graduates soon, ascending to Meister status, and this will separate us," Nina said as she scanned the garden not looking at Mashiro.

Mashiro had to laugh because even now Nina was on duty. Mashiro watched how she evaluated the area coolly not letting her guard down even behind palace walls.

"I see that the two of you are not trying to fight to stay here together," Mashiro said. Nina knew Mashiro wanted to have Erstin serve as Aoi's Otome, once Aoi was legally announced as the Windbloom Ambassador to Aries.

"There is still plenty of time for us in that respect. Even if she takes another offer instead," Nina said as they paced back towards the castle. Arika was standing at the top of the stairs watching them smiling.

"Aoi will be going to speak with her and the Headmistress tonight. I think Erstin will accept the offer. You should know that she'll put two and two together. Speaking of Aoi, isn't that Mitsuko that Arika is holding?" Mashiro asked becoming slightly distracted by the pleasing sight.

Arika was holding Mitsuko's little hand up waving it at Mashiro and Nina. Arika had asked to spend time with the child and Aoi and Chie happily handed her Mitsuko and an overnight bag. Arika laughed because she was going to ask for it anyway.

"That's a breath-taking sight," Mashiro said to Nina. Nina smiled as she noticed just how alight with pleasure Mashiro was right now.

"We are still too young remember?" Nina asked teasingly.

Mashiro slapped Nina in the arm and broke into laughter because she couldn't stop her blush at Nina's question.

"That doesn't stop me from imagining that child Arika is holding as ours. Even though she's matured in so many ways moments like this remind me just how much she hasn't changed," Mashiro said as they walked towards the stairs.

"In another life I would probably have wanted these things with her myself. The two of you deserve your happiness, that includes heirs too," Nina said looking up at Arika, reminded of how all three of their lives were changed nearly eighteen years ago, "I found my happiness outside these walls and some day hope to share it once again inside as well."

Windbloom station,

As Sarah departed the transport she realized that Natsuki had sent the car for her. Sarah was glad to be home in Windbloom again, returning to Garderobe, but glad and happy were separate things for her right now. Sarah watched as Natsuki got out of the car and stood by the door. Sarah had so many things she was feeling and right now if she spoke Natsuki might not like what she had to say. Of course Natsuki would understand, because she would be feeling the same things if she were in Sarah's place.

"Hey there stranger, thought you might like some company on the trip back to Garderobe from here for once," Natsuki said with a soft sad smile.

Before Sarah could reply to Natsuki someone else stepped out of the car and started walking towards Sarah. Seeing Mai get out of the car, Sarah choked back her words and thoughts. Sarah walked straight into Mai's arms, dropped her bag and started to cry. Sarah hadn't cried since she left Annam and right now she could do nothing else.

"It'll be okay, Sarah. No matter what happens we are here for you." Mai said as she held Sarah. Natsuki had to help guide her into the car, but Sarah just held on to Mai all the way to Garderobe, crying.

Windbloom Castle,

Aoi was trying to get Chie into her Meister uniform while Chie was trying to get Aoi out of her dress. It was becoming rather comical. Chie could only think of nothing more than Aoi's naked form, even though they'd just shared a rather pleasurable bath together. Arika had Mitsuko for the evening and Chie felt that they should spend the time enjoying the finer pleasures.

"Knock it off already you insatiable flirt," Aoi said laughing as she finished the last touches of Chie's Meister robe.

"Now come on, Aoi, we still have plenty of time to get to Garderobe. Natsuki went to pick up Sarah so it's not like we are going to be late," Chie said stealing a kiss.

Aoi smacked Chie's shoulder playfully before pushing her away, "I swear you have forgotten what the word no means."

"Not really…I just think it doesn't apply here. Can we hit the room before seeing Kruger when we get to Garderobe then?" Chie asked as she pulled Aoi close again and buried her face into Aoi's neck.

Aoi couldn't believe Chie was feeling so amorous right now. Just the simplest of touches was bringing Aoi right into Chie's mood as well.

"Damn you, Hallard. You dress yourself afterwards."

Founder Base Transport number four,

Nao wanted to smack Keiko for not getting Kohanna to leave the greenery, but she knew it wasn't for lack of trying. Megumi refused to come with them also which just pissed Nao off even more. Nadia stayed with Megumi because she had no desire to see the stone if it made Megumi uncomfortable.

Nao couldn't keep the other seven from flying off and spent the entire ride cursing the fact that she wasn't a Meister anymore. Irina tried to keep Nao calm, but words never really worked when she was feeling like this.

"I wonder why none of them has bothered coming back this way yet. It's just a bloody stone right?" Nao asked three quarters of the way through with the ride.

"It has to be more than that for you too if we are out here," Irina replied keeping her eyes open for any sign of the girls.

"Stupid curiosity…" Nao said as she stopped the transport slowly.

"Why are we stopping here?" Irina asked as she looked at Nao.

"I thought I caught a brief flash off to the left," Nao said as they both reached to drop the transports outer lights. Suddenly the flash was a steady set of lights.

"Could it be?" Irina asked. Nao was already out the door and heading for the transport's hatch. Irina followed and found Nao climbing to the top of the transport.

"It's them Irina, its Natsuki's group. Oh crap, the girls…" Nao was happy to see the transport coming until she thought of her charges. Nao didn't catch Irina's expression and wouldn't know how much this was soon to hurt her as well.

Garderobe Twelve Memorial stone location,

All seven girls were sitting or lying down in the snow near the stone. Each had found her name and touched the stone still not believing it could be real. They were waiting for Nao and Irina to show up. Chiyako was sitting quietly in Grace's arms after Mitsuko put a beating on her. Mitsuko was not in the joking mood and wouldn't let any of them sit with her.

"Ok girls head on back towards the transport," Nao's voice came across the GEM's.

"We thought you were coming here?" Kimiko asked.

"Change of plans, Irina and I can come out here some other time. Haul ass girls," Nao said cutting out the connection.

Grace led Chiyako out of there as soon as she heard Nao the first time. Chiyako no longer needed to pursue her, after seeing the stone Grace would embrace her willingly. The others took their sweet time leaving and flying back. Grace and Chiyako had flown back just as fast as they had flown out to the stone.

"Okay girls' enough with the screwing around. Sort your feeling…hey watch the hands dammit… shut it Nao…grow up and start acting like Otome's. Get back here now." The voice had started out as Nao's, but that second voice had belonged to Natsuki Kruger.

"Well it's about time." Keiko said as she flew out ahead of the others.

"I heard that Tokiha, I want no excuses and I 'm not in the mood for any lip." Natsuki's voice growled once again.

The other four came up alongside Keiko and smiled at her. All of them knew that Natsuki would be bringing news and possibly their parents. Arriving at the transport the girls were in for a rude awakening as Natsuki refused to answer any immediate questions until they were back at the Founder Base.

Garderobe,

Nao really wanted to slap the smug look off Kaede's face while she ate. Shiori agreed to cook them some ramen in order to keep Nao from making her run into Wind. Nao only agreed to stop and eat before leaving, but she wasn't telling either of these girls this.

"Oh please don't try to deny the fact that you slept with Youko Helene. Shiori said she could hear you two that night when she got back to our room," Kaede said unfazed by Nao's argument.

"That was Helene screwing around as I tried to get her into bed for the night. The woman was drunk and horny, I didn't do a thing except try to fight off her wandering hands," Nao said as she looked into her empty bowl of ramen.

"I seem to recall your voice being the louder of the two," Shiori replied as she took Nao's bowl to wash it.

"Well I have no recollection of whatever it is you are referring to. Bring me more ramen," Nao said before Shiori disappeared into the kitchen.

"Hey the woman looked really hot in that dress, I would have slept with her in your shoes," Kaede said with a nasty little grin. Shiori stuck her head out of the door and shot Kaede an evil glare. Kaede just smiled and shook her head.

"That I doubt by the look on her face, kid. You weren't in my shoes so it doesn't matter what you heard or thought you heard. The only person I've been sleeping with recently is Midori," Nao said as she broke into a smile. Shiori would have Kaede on a short leash, so very Viola-like.

"So 'when' are you going to tell the 'only' woman you are sleeping with that you're pregnant?" Kaede asked.