DISCLAIMER: Mai Otome and its characters are Sunrise property.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: 11/17/09- No original chapter notes.

Our Legacy ch48

Haruka Armitage didn't want to stay in the ruined building any longer than necessary. Sarah and Mai had entered the room beyond the door leaving Haruka with Mikoto. Neither had much to say to the other, though Mikoto was starting to get on Haruka's nerves again. Mikoto had twice reached over and touched Haruka's grey hair and smiled. The first time, Haruka just seemed beyond words and the action was unnoticed. On the second time, Haruka shot Mikoto a hard glare, but voiced no reaction.

"Just like Mikoto's now," Mikoto said as she tried to touch Haruka again.

"Back off…" Haruka growled just as Sarah and Mai reentered the room.

"Well that was…Mikoto, leave Haruka alone, please?" Mai asked as she realized what was about to happen.

"They're all dead or dying in there. This building isn't going to last much longer. I recommend we leave," Sarah said as she looked back towards the door.

"We can't save anyone, Mai?" Mikoto asked tears forming in her golden eyes.

"Not without dying here ourselves, Mikoto. Sarah and I barely got back here. There's too much smoke and the flames are nearly out of control," Mai replied holding up the handkerchief she had used to cover her mouth. It was nearly black from the smoke as were both Mai's and Sarah's skin and clothing.

"Let's just try to get out of here then," Haruka said standing up and looking once at the door, "I don't want to run into that girl again, but dying here isn't optical either."

"You mean optional…" Sarah corrected. It had been sometime since Haruka had unintentionally voiced a malapropism.

"That's what I said. Now let's get out of here," Haruka said as she walked away down the corridor leading out of the ante room.

Once the four women were outside, it seemed as if the day had eclipsed the night. The flames from the building cast the surrounding area in an unearthly orange glow. Somewhere in the distance, there were loud sirens from approaching emergency vehicles. All had come to the same conclusion as to which direction they should go.

This clearly wasn't Zipang anymore and they were not about to wait for the local authorities. Mikoto lead the way considering she was the only one armed. Haruka sighed as she brought up the rear, glancing back at the burning building once more, before they entered the surrounding foliage.

"Yukino…"

About five miles outside of devastated Windbloom,

"What's gotten into Megumi, huh Nadia?" Katsumi asked as they landed.

"She's been thinking about Kaede," Nadia replied not looking at Katsumi and walking by her into the building.

Mitsuko Hallard had flown into the building and was with Megumi in the middle of the ring. Mitsuko was holding Megumi as she cried unable to do more than that. Nadia set down the lunch she had prepared to bring Megumi and ran for the ring. Nadia jumped over and motioned Mitsuko to let go of Megumi.

"She's my lover, Hallard, this is my responsibility," Nadia said as she pulled Megumi close to her. Nadia couldn't see Megumi's eyes, but knew those beautiful golden orbs would be surrounded by red and full of tears.

"Whatever, Wang, just calm her down enough to talk and eat. Katsumi and I will be outside," Mitsuko said biting back what she really wanted to say. Mitsuko jumped over the ring and lead Katsumi back outside.

Nadia watched as they left the building and embraced Megumi tighter. Nadia knew Mitsuko held back her anger, but didn't much care. Megumi was the one who chose Nadia over Mitsuko. Nadia never pursued her because she respected the relationship she thought Megumi and Mitsuko had shared. Megumi would later tell her the truth.

"I don't care what she wants, 'Gumi, we aren't going anywhere, even if it takes all night," Nadia said as she kissed the top of Megumi's head.

Once outside, Mitsuko walked over to and punched the side of the building. Still in materialized form, Mitsuko barely felt a thing though the area where she hit cracked and puffed cement dust. Katsumi knew of Mitsuko's feelings and had been trying to help her through them. Katsumi wanted to have a serious relationship with Mitsuko beyond the flirtation and the sex.

"Why can't you let that go already, Mitsu?" Katsumi asked leaning against the wall looking tired. Flying wasn't something she enjoyed and this tension was getting old.

"I don't need to be reminded every time, Katsumi. Not by Wang or by you," Mitsuko replied glaring at Katsumi.

Katsumi never flinched and ignored Mitsuko's words as she reached to gently touch Mitsuko's cheek, "I know that my love, it just hurts to see you tensed up over it."

"I know what feelings Megumi has for Nadia are love, I know that. I am just biased because of the years she and I spent trying to be what you and I are," Mitsuko said as she clutched Katsumi's hand on her cheek and closed her eyes.

Katsumi moved closer to Mitsuko and pressed their bodies together leaning against the wall. Mitsuko reached up and ran both hands through Katsumi's hair before pulling her into a strong passionate kiss. Katsumi loved this because every kiss felt like a little electric surge between them. As the kiss broke, Mitsuko cracked a half smile and a very naughty look.

"Care to take a walk?" Mitsuko asked leaning close to Katsumi's ear. Her warm breath caressed Katsumi's ear and caused the girl to shudder in Mitsuko's embrace.

"There's nothing to see for miles around in any direction, love," Katsumi said as she settled her body firmly against Mitsuko's and kissed her neck.

"There won't be anything to hear either…"

Outside the Grand Theater, Florence,

They entire cast, crew, and production staff had gathered outside to see the large billboard being raised. Everyone had been working so hard that the director had called for a night off. Their opening night was a week away and tensions had been rising amongst the actresses'. Tomoe was smiling as she saw how strong and handsome Chisa looked on the billboard. Chisa embraced her tight and whisper something about dressing room later. Not caring who saw them Tomoe kissed Chisa and bit her lip playfully.

My Otome Lover

Screenplay by E.R. Jasper

Tomoe never finished reading the rest of the billboard as Chisa pulled her into the theater. During all this time Tomoe had become accustomed to this woman's strong, quite often sexual desire. Chisa had barely closed the door as she forcefully pushed Tomoe against it grabbing her hair, baring her neck.

"Chisa…oh…wait a minute, please?" Tomoe asked even though her body didn't agree.

"What, Michie, can't this wait?" Chisa asked as she pulled away but started to pull off Tomoe's clothes.

"Has anyone ever met the author of the play? Dammit, Chisa don't rip off my underwear like that," Tomoe said as the panties tore away from her and Chisa pushed her onto the couch.

"Who cares…?" Chisa growled as she forced Tomoe's legs apart taking her hard and fast.

Whatever Tomoe's argument or line of thought had been disappeared as the pain seared through her body and mind. Though it was brutal, Tomoe enjoyed the pain as it subsided being replaced with the perverse pleasure Tomoe had come to love.

Garderobe,

With the conversation in Natsuki's office now focused on Chie and Aoi, everyone else departed taking the now waking children with them. Sarah went to her room to take a shower and try to digest everything she had just heard. Sarah sat for a moment on her chair at her desk and looked at the picture of her family once again. Suddenly Sarah heard movement in her bedroom and rushed in to see who dared enter her personal space.

Sarah couldn't believe her eyes as she saw Cara lying in the middle of her bed asleep. Sarah's heart leapt into her throat as she looked towards the bathroom door and saw Ahn standing there smiling sadly. Everything she wanted to say was lost in her throat as Sarah walked over to Ahn and wrapped her arms around her crying once again.

Ahn had been waiting here for her ever since the phone call had been made to Natsuki's office earlier. Ahn was crying too and she held tighter to Sarah wanting to never let her go again. They stayed that way until a knock on her door broke the silence nearly waking Cara in the process. Ahn went for the door as Sarah went to her bed and lay next to Cara; it had been too long since she last held their daughter.

As Ahn opened the door she looked up to see the young woman's face and as she did words were lost.

"Good Evening, Meister …" Kaede was unable to finish her greeting as Ahn turned back towards Sarah's bedroom, leaving Kaede in the doorway.

"Sarah…you have a rather large young woman at the door," Ahn said as she entered Sarah's room looking concerned.

"That must be Meister Armitage…we'll talk in a minute, okay," Sarah said as she left the bedroom to dismiss Kaede, in order to spend time with Ahn and Cara.

Sarah still flinched at Kaede's size and strong facial resemblance to Haruka. Even being in the same room for almost an hour couldn't settle that momentary first reaction. Kaede offered Sarah a smile and tried to make the situation less tense.

"Since your family is together, once again, we can talk at another time," Kaede said smile genuine and playful.

"Thank you for coming anyway, Meister Armitage. If Ahn will agree, maybe we can all sit down together over tea tomorrow," Sarah said realizing that Yukino Chrysant's graceful mannerisms had not been lost in Kaede's character.

"I'm quite sure Shiori would love the opportunity as well. Have a Good Evening with your family, Meister Gallagher," Kaede said as she bowed and turned back towards her room.

"Thank you…" Sarah said as she watched Kaede walk down the corridor. As Kaede disappeared into her room, Sarah felt Ahn's hands around her waist and warm breath on the nape of her neck.

"So why does that young woman look like Haruka Armitage and wear a Column's Meister robe?" Ahn asked as she nibbled playful on Sarah's neck. She was already sure she had guessed correctly, but Ahn wanted to hear the words out loud.

"That is Kaede Armitage grown up…she and Shiori Kruger came here in hopes of changing our future. They are both Columns in their time, two of twelve," Sarah said as she closed the door and leaned back into Ahn's embrace. Sarah said the words she had heard earlier even though they still seemed so shocking to her.

Ahn asked no more questions as she lightly kissed and sucked on Sarah's neck, unable to sate her need. Sarah slowly turned to face Ahn not wanting to break their contact. They both knew they needed to talk, but they were both enraptured by the intimacy of their closeness once again.

Nao brought Kimiko to Youko's room instead of sending her off with Miss Maria. If Nao was going to help raise this child, as well as the one she was carrying, she needed to be alone with the child. Nao smiled at the child she was holding thinking of how much Kimiko resembled Midori. This was an odd yet comforting sensation for Nao as she sat with the baby in her arms on Youko's sofa.

As Kimiko's eyes fell upon Nao's face, the baby gave her a sighing smile and kicked her little feet. Nao smiled also until she realized the duality of that smile and headed quickly for the bedroom. Nao stopped in the bedroom doorway and realized this was something she had never done before and from the rising odor never really wanted to do again.

"I'm glad you think this is something to smile about," Nao said as she placed Kimiko in her crib and tried to remember what needed to be done.

Nao gathered all of the items she remembered Miss Maria using, during the few times she had not headed for the nearest door. As Nao approached Kimiko again her eyes watered and her stomach turned, "How is that even humanly possible? Aaargh…"

Just as Nao took another breath, her stomach rolled sending Nao running for the bathroom. While losing the contents of her stomach, Nao felt a soft breeze and heard a light chuckle from the bedroom. Quite unable to tear herself away from the toilet, Nao wondered who was now with Kimiko.

"I'd say that was a valiant effort, if my favorite Otome hadn't lost her lunch first," Midori said playfully from the doorway holding a freshly changed Kimiko.

"Haha…uugh…go away," Nao said shortly before her stomach rolled again.

Midori walked out of the room and returned Kimiko to her crib. As Midori entered the bathroom, Nao sat against the wall giving her an evil glare. Before Midori could say another word or take another step Nao closed her eyes, "I did it Midori…"

"What did you do, Nao?" Midori asked wondering what else could have happened in one of her absences'.

"I'm carrying our child," Nao said as she pulled her legs closer to her chest and laid her head on her knees.

Midori hit the floor; butt first, with a resounding thud as those words sank in. Though shocked at first, Midori made her way closer to Nao and pulled the younger woman into her arms. Midori laid her head on Nao's and felt her world expand and contract once again in their embrace.

"I'm not sure I should ask how far along you are? I love you and that should be all that matters," Midori said as she kissed the top of Nao's head and gently rubbed her back. Powerful emotions were starting to surge through Midori as she realized how cursed and yet blessed she truly was.

"I…could you let go of me? I need to freshen up, before this taste in my mouth makes me sick again," Nao said pushing Midori away and trying to stand up. Midori helped Nao up and moved aside, letting Nao have access to the sink. Midori closed the toilet lid and flushed it as she sat down, watching Nao search Youko's medicine cabinet for mouthwash.

While rinsing that ghastly taste from her mouth, Nao caught Midori's gaze reflected at her in the mirror. Her large smile gave Nao a warm feeling she realized was the love she shared for this woman. Nao winked at Midori as she ran the water and took a small cold drink.

As she stood and looked into the mirror again, Midori was now behind her. Nao leaned back into Midori, as the Aswad leader softly folded her arms around Nao's stomach, resting her chin on the younger woman's shoulder.

They stayed there, in the mirror, for at least ten minutes before Kimiko started to cry for their attention, "So are you really sure you are ready for this?"

Nao walked over to Kimiko and picked her up, kissing the baby's tears and looking at Midori. It didn't matter what she was ready for, Nao would persevere no matter what came their way.

Maria Graceburt was cleaning her room, while waiting for Yukariko to join her for the evening. The elder Otome received a small package from the Windbloom postmaster earlier that morning. The contents were one of the many gifts she had been recently bestowing upon Yukariko. Looking at the package, Maria couldn't help but to smile. Just as Maria took a seat on her small sofa, Yukariko knocked on the door.

'Always the proper Otome,' Maria thought as she went to open the door.

As Maria opened the door, she stepped aside to allow her much younger companion entrance into her quarters as usual. Yukariko waited for Maria to close the door before hugging her. Maria returned the embrace firmly as she inhaled the freshly bathed scent lingering on her companion.

"Lavender, instead of jasmine this evening Yukariko," Maria said as she inhaled deeply once again holding the younger Otome.

"You liked it so much the last time that I decided to switch," Yukariko said as she felt a light kiss brush her neck.

Maria walked over to the sofa, allowing Yukariko to sit first before handing her a pink envelope. Yukariko's eyes filled with immense joy as she noticed the raised gold lettering. As she opened the envelope, Yukariko held her breath and withdrew two green floral print tickets to the Grand Theater in her home nation of Florence.

"Oh, Maria, you didn't have to do this for me," Yukariko said as tears started to well up in her eyes.

"There will never be enough I can do for you, Yukariko. You have graced my presence and blessed my life in more ways than I can count," Maria said as she took Yukariko's face into her hands, brushing away the tears with her thumbs.

"Still…these are box seats in the upper balcony over the stage. 'My Otome Lover' oh how wonderful, why?" Yukariko asked feeling overwhelmed.

"Of everything I have done or want to do for you, this one will bring you home," Maria said as she rested her forehead against Yukariko's before kissing her softly.

"The dress, the necklace and the perfume from Zipang…they were all leading up to this weren't they?" Yukariko asked as she noticed the smile on Maria's face.

"I wanted to see you dressed beautifully in something other than Otome clothing," Maria said as she winked at Yukariko.

"That's not a problem, I shouldn't start showing for four months at least," Yukariko said leaving Maria awestruck with the implications of her words.