MaiHime and MaiOtome are Sunrise property.

3…

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The Grand Theater was alive with activity. It was opening day and so far everything seemed to be running on schedule. Word had circled through the cast and crew that E.R. Jasper would be in attendance. While pulling the wine stock for this evening's half-time intermission and after party, there was a bottle sent to the playwright and one unaccounted for. A single bottle was pulled from another rack and added in its place. The racks were full of the same brand of wine just different vintage years.

Chisa and Tomoe helped with stock delivery to the Theater's Main floor. Chisa took the replacement bottle citing delivery to the lead actress' dressing room.

"You better be ready tonight, Tomoe," Chisa hissed as they headed back stage towards the dressing rooms.

"Stop reminding me. Why does it have to be on this night?" Tomoe asked firmly, she was two steps behind Chisa.

Chisa spun around and grabbed Tomoe by the hair pushing her into the wall. Chisa looked Tomoe in the eyes, "Their defenses will be down, and that's why. An evening at the Grand Theater is full of lively entertainment for all…remember."

Tomoe looked into Chisa's stoic expression and pulled her face closer, "Let go of me unless you have other plans?"

Chisa let go of Tomoe and continued towards the dressing rooms. Tomoe straightened her hair and followed behind once again, this time though she wore a wicked smile.

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Natsuki Kruger was standing out on the penthouse suite's balcony. Her silver shirt was only partially buttoned, because she had yet to find the cuff links and was unsure of whether or not she should wear the tie. Natsuki had come outside to get away from the group and get some solitary peace, even if momentary, peace. Inside the suite, there was surprisingly little noise considering the fact that there were twelve women, including Natsuki. From the balcony, the Grand Theater was well in view and it was shining like a beacon to all.

The peace inside was broken as Haruka started to tease Kaede, who seemed to be a bundle of nerves. Chie had walked by the balcony twice, but was too busy to step outside. Chie had been running between rooms delivering drinks and stealing kisses from Aoi. Natsuki heard Chie ask about her gopher status and laughed slightly, still in awe of the picturesque sight lay before her.

"I know you are there, Nina Wong. You can get a better view from here," Natsuki said not turning to look at the younger woman behind her in the doorway.

"I didn't want to disturb you," Nina replied from the doorway.

"You aren't…Come take a look," Natsuki answered turning to finally look at the young woman.

Nina stepped up beside Natsuki and was as captivated by the view as Natsuki had first been. Natsuki smiled at Nina and nodded her head in understanding. Nina shook off a chill as a breeze swept across the balcony. Nina was wearing a new long green dress from Zipang that had a hip length slit up her right leg. The dress hugged Nina's lithe muscular frame accentuating her natural curves. Like Natsuki her hair was free flowing down across her shoulders and back instead of being confined to her usual style.

"Why did Ambassador Senoh arrange this with you and Queen Mashiro?" Nina asked cautiously.

"Ask the Ambassador later," Natsuki replied as she turned and headed back into the suite.

Nina closed her eyes and sighed. Nina and Erstin had already parted ways, once for love and once for duty, now they would have to do it again. Although she was happy to be able to be with Erstin, Nina was choking internally over having to part ways again later.

Nina turned to follow Natsuki back in and bumped into a wall. OK so it wasn't a wall, Kaede was standing in the doorway facing the room. Haruka had cornered Kaede and was asking questions about the choice of suit once again.

"Why purple of all colors? Why not a nice dark green or even an olive green like mine?" Haruka asked teasingly. Haruka was up close and personal looking up into Kaede's eyes, "Okay so the color does bring out your eyes…but purple?"

"Its violet…besides it's a pin-stripe suit…see black and violet. What do you have against the color anyway?" Kaede asked holding her suit jacket in between them pointing to the stripes.

"Nothing really…I'm bored and you are too easy. Jeez, relax will you?" Haruka replied as she patted Kaede on the shoulder and headed out into the main sitting room in the elevator entrance with Chie and Natsuki.

"Excuse me, Miss Armitage, could I get by you?" Nina asked from behind Kaede.

"Sorry about that Meister Wong. I was thinking of jumping off the balcony to escape," Kaede said smiling as Nina passed by and nodded her head as if understanding completely.

Kaede followed behind Nina into the foyer and looked around at the stoic faces.

"What?" Kaede asked looking up and down her suit, "I couldn't have anything on this suit already Shiori would kill me."

"No nothing that I can see," Nina said looking her over carefully before sitting next to Chie.

"We were just trying to figure out why you are so…BIG," Chie replied as she slid her arms across the back rest of the sofa she and Nina was sitting on.

Kaede just shook her head in disbelief as they all smiled at her. Kaede cocked an eyebrow and then asked, "Where's that bottle of wine that was delivered earlier?"

"Don't even think about Miss Armitage," Miss Maria said as she entered the room closing the double doors to the suite behind her, "That is for our return later tonight."

Miss Maria was wearing a black dress-style suit and appropriate but sensible heels. She looked at the younger women and nodded approvingly at their choice of suits and of course Nina's elegant dress.

"They are starting to remind me of a bunch of Corals just before their first dance lesson," Maria said as she walked up to Kaede and closed the two open buttons of her jacket, smoothing out the lapel, "That's much better."

"Seriously, how long does it take to get dressed?" Natsuki asked adjusting her last cuff link and throwing on her blue-silver pin stripe jacket.

Natsuki looked at Kaede feeling the tension coming off of her in waves. Natsuki took a seat next to Haruka, whose olive colored suit reminded Natsuki of the Aries military uniform. Haruka's suit though tailored to her curves and had a short tail to the jacket, as did Chie's charcoal grey suit.

"Standing there, even in a relaxed posture, isn't going to hasten things along, Miss Armitage," Miss Maria said as she looked at the large clock on the wall.

"Really Kaede, listen to Miss Maria and come take a seat," Haruka said looking at Natsuki just shaking her head questioningly.

"Oi…Kaede, would you listen? You look like a funeral attendant," Natsuki said noticing Kaede's somber expression and the momentary stiffening of her posture.

"That balcony escape is starting to seem like a good idea again," Kaede replied with a short laugh.

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Shiori was still sitting in front of the vanity in the room Shizuru and Natsuki were sleeping in. Shizuru was standing in the doorway smiling at Shiori who know bore such a strong resemblance to Natsuki. Aoi, Yukariko and Erstin had all tried different hair-styles on Shiori as requested. It was the smooth barrel curls style that Yukariko had tried that eventually won them over. It was not too fancy and added some maturity to Shiori's features.

"Are you okay?" Shizuru asked.

"I can't seem to stop shaking," Shiori replied as she held up her unsteady hands.

"Would you like me to get Kaede to help calm you down?" Shizuru said with a teasing smile.

"That's really not funny, Mother," Shiori replied feeling the butterfly ballet start in her stomach again.

Yukino came to the doorway and smiled at Shiori, "I was the same way you are now the day Haruka became my Otome. I thought I should let you know, we are getting ready to leave now."

"Go on ahead I'll be right out, I promise," Shiori said as she folded her hands in her lap trying to stop their shaking.

As she watched her mother and Yukino walk away Shiori said to herself out loud in jest, "I wonder if I could get over the balcony before they caught me."

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Kaede's vigil by the doorway lasted only about ten minutes, but to Kaede it felt like an eternity. As one of the doors opened partially, Kaede noticed Yukariko motioning to her for help.

"Erstin has no idea Nina is here, please make sure the dear girl doesn't hit the floor?" Yukariko asked as Kaede nodded.

Yukariko was the first out of the suite in her steel blue dress that Maria had given her for this evening. Maria had greeted her not even three steps from the door and headed towards the elevator with Yukariko to talk.

As Aoi and Erstin stepped through the double doors together, Erstin started to cry. Aoi let go of Erstin's arm and sent her straight into Nina's awaiting embrace. Nina mouthed the words 'thank you' as Aoi walked by to kiss Chie.

"I think the next time I see Tomoe Marguerite I'll have to thank her before I kill her," Chie said teasingly pulling Aoi in closer to her.

"And why is that?" Aoi asked hearing the tone of Chie's voice and getting complete chills as Chie pulled her in.

"Because for the rest of my life I'll be able to fully appreciate your beauty even more than I did before," Chie answered just before she leaned in and kissed Aoi's neck tenderly. Aoi's long white gown had a noticeable pink shimmer whenever she made even the slightest gesture.

Haruka smiled upon seeing Yukino but was speechless as she walked over and held out her hand. Yukino's simple yet elegant black dress formed snuggly to every curve, reminding Haruka once again of another reason she loved Yukino. Haruka lifted her hand to Yukino's palm up and drew it to her, placing a soft kiss just above her knuckles. With her free hand Haruka pulled Yukino closer then removed her glasses and kissed her as if they were the only people in the room.

"Ha…ru…ka," Yukino whispered as they broke their kiss feeling her knees shake slightly as the butterfly ballet visited her stomach, "I love it when you do that. Kiss me again."

Haruka stepped away instead after replacing Yukino's glasses delicately back in place. Yukino looked at Haruka wondering what was crossing her mind. Slowly Haruka dropped to one knee in front of Yukino, eyes never once looking away.

"I wasn't sure when I should do this. I was going to wait for that ring and this GEM to come off at first. Thanks to this vacation and being amongst our 'family' I can't find a better time than now. Yukino Chrysant, will you do me the honor, of sharing the rest of our lives as my wife, mother of our children and the best friend any woman could ever ask for."

Yukino hadn't noticed the small white box in Haruka's hand until she heard it snap open. Yukino's voice had been spirited away by Haruka's words. Yukino looked deeper into Haruka's violet eyes and nodded yes. As Haruka stood once more she removed Yukino's glasses again, "I know all of this and the rings aren't necessary but I want everyone to know. You were the first and you are the only woman I want. I don't care what anyone outside of this room thinks, hell inside of it too. Just you and me…forever…" And with that last word Haruka stole another deep soulful kiss.

Natsuki's face not only spoke of her passion for Shizuru, but her love as well. The black dress Shizuru wore was similar to Yukino's except for the way it sparkled so brightly. The dress looked as if someone had crushed a handful of diamonds and sprinkled them delicately into the fabric.

Shizuru walked by Kaede and ran a reassuring hand across her shoulder and down her arm. Kaede took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. As Shizuru kissed Natsuki rather playfully she caught a glimpse of Haruka dropped to her knee. Shizuru broke their kiss and turned Natsuki towards Haruka and Yukino before she could protest. As Yukino nodded yes, Natsuki turned to Shizuru and smiled lovingly.

"You know Shizuru, I never thought of that. Well I did, but you answered me before I could ever think of the words," Natsuki said silently putting the right words together in her mind.

"And just when did I do such a thing for my Natsuki?" Shizuru asked pressing closer to Natsuki; their faces were so close that each word created a soft brush across their lips.

"Truth be told, Shizuru, it was the day you took that embryo into your womb and every day since then. Nothing I could ever say or do will ever come close to having so much meaning," Natsuki replied as she stole a soft kiss and stared deeply into her beloved's crimson eyes.

Natsuki nodded towards Kaede standing still in the doorway, still waiting for Shiori.

"Where's Shiori?" Natsuki asked softly noticing Kaede flinch even though.

"Still in our room I suppose. I will handle Kaede, if you will go for Shiori?" Shizuru asked and Natsuki nodded yes.

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Natsuki stood in the doorway for just a minute taking in how beautiful Shiori was and just how much Shiori actually resembled her. While Shiori had yet to speak, Natsuki moved up behind her and bent over placing her chin on Shiori's shoulder. Their faces in the mirror finally shook Shiori from her silent reverie.

"I can't do it…I can't," Shiori said as she lifted a shaky hand to Natsuki's face.

"You are a Kruger…you will do it. If it helps I'll tell you that you can't even though I'm here to escort you out," Natsuki replied taking Shiori's hand and standing, hoping Shiori would as well.

"I don't need to rebel anymore, but since you put it that way. Shall we?" Shiori said as she stood also taking Natsuki's arm, "This is such a symbolic gesture on your behalf."

"Yeah well hopefully the meaning is not lost in the years to come," Natsuki replied as they exited one room and headed for the other.

As they hit the open double doors Shiori's legs threatened to give beneath her.

"I've only got you for a few more steps…if Kaede Armitage is truly going to become the one you choose I won't stop the two of you. As my flesh and blood your true happiness is all that matters," Natsuki said holding Shiori up as they drew level with Kaede and Shizuru.

"Think of this as a new beginning between us, either way though she's always going to be my little girl," Natsuki said to Kaede as she released Shiori's arm and placed her hand into Kaede's before walking away with Shizuru.

"You are still the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on," Kaede said as she held Shiori close.

"And you my handsome brute…look at us, the beach is so far away from this moment and yet we act as if we never left," Shiori said running her hand down Kaede's lapel and wishing they were not going…

The elevator doors were closing as they turned around to join the group. Nina, Erstin, Chie and Aoi were waiting with them for the elevator's return.

"I say we meet them downstairs. There are currently three Meisters capable of materializing and three people in need of escort. So what do you think?" Kaede said with a serious smile.

As they headed for the balcony Aoi authorized Erstin while Kaede and Shiori tried to materialize with no luck. They tried again but still had no luck. By the time word had gotten to the palace Nina had already left to meet up with them. She was as clueless as they were. Erstin took Aoi and headed over the balcony to inform the others.

"Must be a decent sized problem if they haven't been able to send word sooner," Chie said watching Erstin and Aoi touch down safely feeling slightly jealous she couldn't have joined them

"Back to the elevator it seems," Shiori said as she and Nina left Kaede outside with Chie just a minute longer.

Kaede looked over the side also and then let out a slow whistle. Kaede then laughed as she remembered her earlier thought, "I guess it's a good thing I never actually tried to jump over to escape this room earlier, huh."