DISCLAIMER: Mai Otome and its characters are Sunrise property.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Profile page has been updated with the girls' names, GEM's, and Column rank, further profiling still in the works.

Our Legacy ch47

Natsuki stood in her office ready to explode after listening to what Nao had just told her. The usual eyebrow twitch was already on display but Natsuki had yet to say a word. Three times she opened her mouth only to receive a stern glare.

The first had been from Shizuru who was sitting on the sofa next to Nao. The second time it was Mai who was sitting next to Haruka on the opposite sofa, in Mai's arms was Little Shiori which just added to the effect. Natsuki paced like a caged tiger stopping by the playpen looking in at Ayame, Kimiko, Little Kaede and Megumi. Natsuki smiled momentarily, and then remembered why she was angry in the first place.

As Natsuki spun around to say something finally she found herself staring at Miss Maria. Somehow she had made her way behind Natsuki unnoticed by the Headmistress.

"If you can't say it calmly, Headmistress, please refrain from saying anything at all." Miss Maria said sternly as she moved aside to let Natsuki return to the group gathered on the two sofas.

"In my own damn office," Natsuki mumbled as she sat on the arm of the sofa across from Nao, "Answer my last question Juliet. How far along are you?"

"Far enough to start showing soon," Shizuru answered for Nao. Natsuki glared at Shizuru knowing that her lover had taken Nao's side and would not allow this to continue if Natsuki didn't calm down.

Natsuki looked at the gathered women realizing three quarters were now protecting Nao. Both Haruka and Sarah just looked at Natsuki and shook their heads. They had no say either way and wouldn't even venture past that simple gesture. Mikoto was standing by the windows keeping her peace and thinking distant thoughts.

Natsuki looked at the floor and brought her hand up to her forehead sighing as she asked, "You let me send you to Remus, why?"

"Someone had to go, Kruger, you wouldn't even know right now if not for those bloody Columns," Nao said as she took a deep breath thinking of Armitage and Kruger Junior, as she so lovingly dubbed Shiori.

Mai and Sarah just looked at each other, then around at the other women. No one else said a word as Natsuki stood up and walked back towards the playpen. Natsuki looked at Miss Maria and then at the children who were slowly settling into naps.

"You disappoint me, Zhang. You should have told me something this important sooner," Natsuki said as a knock broke the silence of the room, "Come…"

Erstin Ho entered the office followed closely by Chie and Aoi, "I was asked to escort Ambassador Senoh and Meister Hallard upon arrival directly to your office, Headmistress."

Natsuki tried to smile but barely made more than a resigned gesture of greeting. As everyone else greeted the young couple Erstin turned to leave the room. Barely two steps from the door, Nao stood and started to follow her.

"I think not Meister Zhang…we are not done yet," Natsuki said causing Nao to turn and curse, returning to her seat on the couch.

"Is my presence still necessary Headmistress?" Erstin asked feeling way out of place.

"Not right now Miss Ho, you will be called upon later. Be prepared…" Natsuki said gesturing for Erstin to leave.

As everyone resettled on the sofas Chie, Haruka and Sarah decided to separate from the group and joined Miss Maria by the playpen. Natsuki walked over to Mai and took Little Shiori in order to place her with the others. Shizuru smiled as Natsuki cradled Little Shiori and kissed her cheek. It was amazing how such a simple gesture showed so much depth to Natsuki's gentle character.

"Why are they not joining us?" Mikoto asked suddenly from the window not looking back.

"Why aren't who joining us, Mikoto?" Mai asked curiously.

"There are two Otome down by the tree line just standing there," Mikoto said not turning away.

"Helene, open a channel to the Twin Meisters…" Natsuki said as she joined Mikoto in the window.

"I was just preparing to do so anyway, Headmistress. Meister Kruger asked to speak with you personally." Youko replied cutting off and opening the link between mother and daughter.

"Why can't you just stay out of sight when asked?" Natsuki asked with a touch of mirth.

"It's Kaede…we are both starting to miss our families and our sister Columns. Seeing Mikoto walking around with Megumi got her thinking and…crying..." Shiori replied though the last part was almost unheard.

"Slap her in the back of the head for me and get your butts up here. One problem at a time today please…" Natsuki said as she close the link.

Standing there next to Mikoto, Natsuki wondered how she would feel in either of their places. Mikoto had started a new life when the old was long gone and seemed to not look back. As for Kaede and her daughter, Shiori, Natsuki wondered if they could ever get back to their home…

Mikoto reached over and touched Natsuki's arm briefly before leaving the window. Mikoto had given up everything she knew to be with Mai and start a family. It was understandable to want happiness, but Mikoto was proof that there was always a price.

"They are lost and all we can do is make things right," Mikoto said as she departed Natsuki's company to sit on the floor next to Mai on the sofa. Mikoto laid her head on Mai's knees and closed her eyes awaiting their companion's arrival.

Natsuki wanted to say something, to ask a question, but her words failed her. Even without immortality, Mikoto knew more than she let on or had to be told. Natsuki wished momentarily that Ahn had come with Sarah for Sarah's sake and for their daughter, Cara. The children would grow together and become the next generation in service to the Founder and it seemed only right.

Natsuki walked over to the playpen and found Haruka chiding Chie about her Meister robe in lieu of her Aries' uniform. Natsuki had to agree that Chie Hallard was a damn fine sight in her Otome robes as well they all were. Otome were trained protectors and their robes bespoke their personalities. Natsuki longed for a day when Otome would reach beyond Garderobe and the protection of a single master.

Both sofas were buzzing with comments on Nao's pregnancy and a stroll down memory lane for the already present mothers. Aoi's face nearly hit the floor when Yukino said the words to Nao about no turning back now that she was pregnant.

"CHIE!!!Meister Zhang is pregnant!" Aoi yelled nearly deafening Yukino and stirring the now sleeping babies.

"SSSHHH, I know Aoi, Haruka just informed me. I guess I should be congratulating you, Nao," Chie said as she walked over and greeted Nao with a hug. Nao slapped Chie in the arm and thanked her, forgoing the hug.

"Settled woman or not Hallard, I trust your hands as much as Viola's," Nao said as they both laughed. Shizuru gave Nao a look of mock reproach and sighed.

Just as Natsuki was about to make a comment the office phone rang. Seeing the little ones stir Natsuki answered the phone before it could ring a third time.

"Yes of course put him on. Good Afternoon Ki…oh it's you…Yes she is do you want to talk to her?...Alright …no, I understand perfectly we'll talk more about this at that time…Good Day." Natsuki hung up the phone and then pulled it off the receiver and walked into her quarters with it. Natsuki wanted no more distractions especially from that device.

There was a loud knock on the door just as Natsuki sat on the floor alongside Shizuru's legs as Mikoto had done with Mai. This had been a better choice to keep her from glaring at Nao.

"Come…"

As Shiori and Kaede entered the room Sarah, Chie, Aoi and Mai all looked completely dumbstruck. Kaede took a seat against the wall not far from the playpen as Shiori walked over to the playpen and looked in.

"You really should think of a better way of granting access to people," Shiori said with a knowing smile.

"My office, my choice…" Natsuki said as Shiori walked over and sat beside Kaede.

"Okay, Natsuki, I know I'm not seeing things, so just who are these girls, besides…Columns?" Mai asked as she noticed the Meister robes and the girls' resemblance to their parents.

The room was abnormally quite after Mai's words until Mikoto looked at them and then said, "They are lost, Mai, we must help them in order to help ourselves."

Founder Base corridor from the bedrooms,

Chiyako Hallard was laughing too hard as she ran and missed the turn in the corridor she wanted to take. As Chiyako slipped and recovered, Natsuki Kruger rounded the corner. Natsuki was in high blush but her temper was the reason for Chiyako's mad dash.

"I'm gonna kick your butt Hallard, friggin' Jester's Tourmaline, Column or not you never learn," Natsuki said as she closed the gap between them. Natsuki was glad she stayed in good physical health because as Chiyako felt Natsuki's finger's brush her collar the girl dropped and spun back in the other direction to avoid Natsuki's wrath.

Around the corner and down the corridor she had originally started down, Chiyako ran into Grace Steinberg. With only a moment's hesitation Chiyako kissed Grace and ran twice as fast. Grace sighed as the kiss broke and wondered what Chiyako was running for. Chiyako ran by Shizuru who smiled at the girl and waved her on with a wink. Chiyako lost her focus and hit the wall instead of turning the corner. Natsuki turned the corner and nearly knocked over Grace in the process.

"I'm going to kill your girlfriend, Steinberg. Oh don't say it we all know already…" Natsuki said as she tried to side step Grace.

Now Grace understood why Chiyako was running and laughed as she headed for a bite to eat. As Chiyako stood and shook off the effects from running into the wall, Shizuru reached out and stopped Natsuki from continuing the chase.

"Come back to the room, Natsuki, it is not her fault this time either," Shizuru said as she wrapped her arms around Natsuki's waist and held tight.

"She entered the room without permission Shizuru…" Natsuki said blush creeping high again.

"I heard you say 'Come…' before I entered the damn room," Chiyako retorted as she leaned against the wall and blushed herself. Natsuki and Shizuru had been caught by the girl once again at the height of intimacy.

"That's not what I said Hallard, dammit, Shizuru let me hit her just this once, please," Natsuki asked as she stared into Shizuru's crimson eyes nearly ready to laugh.

"Natsuki should know better than that by now. Not striking another Column is number one on the list of things you know," Shizuru replied. For a moment she couldn't remember why but it had something to do with striking Kaede Armitage. That couldn't be because Shizuru couldn't remember Natsuki ever hitting the girl.

"Shizuru the top of that list is staying away from a pregnant Nao, remember? I've never struck another Column in my life…not in anger or outside of our Annual Competitions," Natsuki said looking at Shizuru wondering what her lover was thinking. Chiyako looked at the two of them and shook her head.

"Actually Headmistress Kruger that's not true…you beat Kaede in your office the day you found out she and Shiori had relations in Aries'. That was the same day Meister Graceburt passed away and they were assigned by the Founder," Chiyako said remembering what she had been told by Kaede and Shiori.

Shizuru nodded even though she wasn't sure she remembered it that way either. Natsuki remembered being angry, yes, but never striking Kaede knowing the rift it would cause between her and her daughter if she had. This memory didn't feel right and Natsuki just looked at them both realizing Chiyako had to be right.

Chiyako Hallard was definitely a constant joker and pain in the neck but not a liar. The eleventh Column was known for her truth and it made the contradiction of her GEM assignment almost laughable. In this circumstance though there was no room for laughter. How could they have such differing memories?

"Hallard, gather the Columns in the mess…" Natsuki said as she headed into her room to put on more clothes than just the simple negligee she was wearing.

"That might take some time. That's what I was coming to talk to you about, no pun intended," Chiyako said as Shizuru stopped Natsuki again.

"What now?" Natsuki asked even though she knew it couldn't be something she wanted to hear.

"Megumi has been gone most of the day, she missed lunch, and she never misses a meal. Nadia, Katsumi and my sister went to bring her home, well to the base in mean," Chiyako said as she handed Natsuki Megumi's note.

Gone to the ring… will be back for lunch. 'Gumi

"How long ago did they leave?" Shizuru asked noticing the shaky scrawl of Megumi's writing and what looked to be tears staining the paper.

"They left right after eating lunch. Nadia packed food for 'Gumi and they split just as I came to get you. They'll be unreachable by now…there's too much interference for base to GEM communication that way," Chiyako replied understanding what they were thinking.

"Just brilliant…how long should it take them to get there and back, worst case scenario?" Natsuki asked Chiyako as she felt her temper climbing again.

"Unfortunately I wouldn't hazard a guess on that. We are talking about Megumi…"