A/N: HOLY CRAP AN UPDATE! The state of fanfiction is in turmoil...too many crappy shiznat stories that only get reviews cuz we are all rabid shiznat fans! In this time of great depression the world needs a hero and so as the neko symbol flashes thru the sky I have returned to hopefully battle the evil luring of my smexy gf and my own short attention span to finish a fic or two!
Ooooooo shiny paperclips! I mean uhhhhh I've updated the prior chapters because ffn messed them up a bit. Ooooooooo pretty string! I mean uhhhhhh onto the story!
Disclaimer: I own the paperclips and the string LOL.
Chapter 8:
Youko had slept from the time she had lay down and well into the evening. Midori had awoken when Yukino and Haruka had returned from school, but the two really seemed to be in their own little world. The red head had insisted that Haruka stay in the guest room, which she said would be far more comfortable for the Otome. Haruka had readily agreed, which had surprised Midori, but now Midori could rest easy knowing that Yukino's innocence was safe at least for a little while longer.
Poor Midori didn't realize that it had taken Haruka all of three seconds to fly out of the guest room window and land right on the balcony of Yukino's bedroom. It had only taken two more for her to slide in next to the young girl and wrap her arms tightly around what she claimed to be hers.
"Haruka-chan it's warm." Yukino said, turning to face the blonde.
"Too warm?" Haruka asked, loosening her grip.
"No. I think it's just the right amount of warm." Yukino smiled, settling back down.
"Good." Haruka murmured.
Yukino watched Haruka's face as it seemed her Otome was deep in thought. Every so often Haruka's mouth would twist into a strangely sadistic smile.
"Haruka-chan? What are you thinking?"
Haruka then blinked once before looking down at Yukino.
"Nothing." She said, as she swiftly pulled Yukino close to her.
Yukino felt the heat even more as their faces were only inches apart. Before she knew what she was doing her lips had moved the distance between them and she was now kissing Haruka slowly. She waited for resistance from the blonde but was met with none.
The kiss was much deeper and passionate then the earlier hungry, lust-filled kisses of the morning.
"Good night Yukino." Haruka said, as she abruptly broke the kiss.
"Good night Haruka-chan."
Haruka would not sleep, because she didn't need to, but she would lie as still as possible as she watched over her master. Every so often her face would twitch, and that sinister smile would once again grace her lips, as she mentally imagined Fuuka's prince, Chie Harada, dying a slow and painful death.
...
A dim light flickered in a small dark room as two figures sat silently together, a tea tray between them. They needed no words to communicate as a dark haired silhouette reached out for her partner's withered hand. They had waited a long time for this news to come. The Otomes had been awakened, Schwarz was up to something sinister and news of Alyssa Searrs passing had just graced the old thirteen inch television in the kitchen. The frail hand that was being held clenched angrily, making a fist.
"Alyssa..."
"There was nothing you could do."
"I know, but I would have done anything to save her...anything."
"Well, it may not seem important to you now," the soft voice replied. "but you saved me and I'll never ever forget it." she finished, bringing her lips slowly up to graze her partner's cheek.
The older woman smiled in the moon light, chuckling as she was kissed.
"I love you and I always will. I don't regret my actions involving that matter."
"Are you sure? It was your life's work and our family."
"I trusted Alyssa, and I trust Chie, Youko and the others. They will guide the new masters and we will finally win this war."
Her partner looked at her wistfully, pursing her lips into a small smile.
"I believe it may be time for you to re-enter the fight. They need you and I know you want to, don't deny it. You gave up everything for me." she said squeezing the tired hand again. "And now I will join you in battle with them, it is time for us to finally finish this and be able to live the rest of our lives in peace."
"Somehow, I had a feeling you would say that."
"Then it's decided, when the time is right, we will show our hand. Maybe we couldn't save Alyssa, but we can save other young girls who were used and abused by Schwarz and their human testing."
The other woman raised her teacup again, gently bringing her lover's hand to her lips and kissing it softly.
"You know I won't allow you to come with me. It's far too dangerous."
"And you know you never could say no to my powers of persuasion." The other woman giggled and slid into her partner's lap. "You never were good with the word together."
"Together." The older woman whispered, holding the love of her life.
The words never sounded so sweet.
...
Yukino awoke to the sound of Haruka's footsteps leaving the bedroom. She shivered as she suddenly realized how cold it was without the comfort of her Otome's arms. The cold air was short lived though as Yukino felt a warm hand on her back.
"Hey." Haruka said gruffly.
"Hey..." Yukino blinked, rubbing her eyes as she turned to face Haruka.
"Sorry, did I wake you?" Haruka whispered, in an uncharacteristically soft voice.
"Mmmm...no..." Yukino said, gazing up at the blonde.
Haruka continued to apologize. "I heard the phone ring and then your mother and Midori were up and well, I do have sensitive hearing. I overheard them talking about Alyssa Searrs."
Yukino's ears perked as she sat up and grabbed Haruka's hand. "What is it? What did you hear?"
Haruka's face paled as she shook Yukino's hand off slowly. "She's gone Yukino, her heart failed, she was found dead this morning in her home."
Yukino gasped and threw herself at Haruka, squeezing her awkwardly as Haruka struggled against her."
"Haruka-chan! She was like...a sister to you...wasn't she?"
Haruka clenched her teeth. Emotion was hard for her, but somehow in Yukino's arms, things seemed a little easier.
"To be truthful, my memories are very skewed. I'm not sure what's real and what's not anymore."
Yukino nodded.
"But I promise you Yukino, I will make those jerks from Schwarz pay for this. I will."
Yukino squeezed Haruka's hands. At that moment, even though she knew the business with Schwarz was big and dangerous, she felt like she could follow Haruka into battle in a heatbeat.
Haruka looked Yukino up and down. They had shared some very intimate moments in the past couple days, and she was very confused. On one hand she was feeling something intense for her new master, and on the other she was torn between memories of the past and her first master, the amazing Yukino Chrysant.
"Yukino, we should talk about uhm...this thing between us." Haruka stated coldly, suddenly letting go of the younger girl's hands.
"Haruka-chan?" Yukino questioned.
"I don't want to lead you on. I am not going to lie to you. I feel things with you, intense, powerful things. I want to protect you, and keep you safe from harm, something I couldn't do for my previous master."
Yukino nodded as Haruka continued.
"I have to figure some things out Yukino. Take care of things from the past before I can deal with my feelings for you. I have to defeat Schwarz and I won't stop until I find them and defeat every last one of them."
"I can help you Haruka-chan, together we can-"
"No Yukino!" Haruka cut her off. "It's too dangerous. This is something I have to do on my own. But I promise you I will protect you and your family. Your mother may be in danger as well. Alyssa Searrs named her the new president of Searrs Corp. and now Schwarz may target her as well."
Yukino's mouth hung open as she processed the last thing Haruka said. Her mother was the new president of Searrs Corp.?
"Sorry Yukino, I'm sure your mom wanted to tell you, but I couldn't help overhearing the conversation." Haruka stated apologetically.
Yukino's thoughts wandered to her mother. She must be in quite a state of shock with first the news of Alyssa's death and then that of her promotion.
"Haruka-chan I understand what you are saying. Please know that I am here for you." she said softly as Haruka nodded.
A moment of silence passed between the two girls and then Haruka spoke.
"Hey maybe we should go downstairs and check on your mother and Midori. They were obviously close to Alyssa and I am sure it would make your mom feel better to see you."
Yukino smiled at Haruka. She suddenly wanted nothing more than to see her mother and Midori and hug them close.
Haruka held out her hand and Yukino graciously accepted the gesture as Haruka pulled her to her feet. Even with the news of Alyssa and the threat from Schwarz, somehow, as long as Haruka was around, Yukino truly felt protected.
...
Youko was jolted from her deep thought as Yukino and Haruka descended the stairs behind her.
"Mom!" Yukino cried out, rushing to her mother's side as Youko engulfed her in a huge hug.
"Yukino." Youko whispered as she held her only daughter tightly. "I am so glad to see you."
"I heard about Alyssa Searrs. I am so sorry mom."
"Alyssa was an amazing person. She was a mentor, a sister and most of all a dedicated friend. Without her encouragement all these years, I don't know where I'd be." Youko trailed off as her eyes misted for what seemed like the millionth time that morning.
Haruka stared at Youko before bowing her head.
"I'll protect you and your family." She said in a whispered tone.
Youko smiled appreciatively at Haruka. "Please just look after Yukino, she is most important to me."
"Heyyyyy..." whined a voice from behind the counter. "What about me?" Midori pouted. "I thought I was the most important." she joked.
"You can take care of yourself you big baby." Youko joked back.
"Hey I can take care of myself too-" Yukino started then stopped as Haruka lifted an eyebrow.
Midori grinned. "That's not what I heard."
Yukino rolled her eyes. Sometimes her papa could be such a dork.
Haruka addressed Youko seriously. "Schwarz is lurking and ready to strike, I feel it in my gut. Please be careful Youko-sama, you could be a target. I will do my best to protect your family and I will enlist the help of my fellow sisters Aoi and Shizuru. We will not rest until the world is safe from Schwarz. Haruka vowed.
"Thank you Armitage-san."Youko bowed her head.
Youko's mind was already racing. She planned to have Midori by her side while at work. She didn't want to have to use Midori's strength and power but she would do what she could to protect her family and her employees. Searrs Corp. was depending on her now to lead them into the future and she would not disappoint or tarnish the legacy of Natsuki Kruger, Yukino Chrysant and Alyssa Searrs.
As Youko became once again lost in thought, the doorbell suddenly rang.
"I'll get it!" yelled Midori as she raced off to answer the door.
As she unlocked the latch and opened the door she was surprised to see Chie Hallard standing on her doorstep and from the look of the pile of people in her vehicle, she was not alone.
In the car were Natuski, Shizuru, Aoi and Hallard's niece, Chie Harada, who at the moment was looking quite smug.
"Hello family!" Hallard yelled happily, inviting herself in. "Isn't it a wonderful day for the beach?"
"The beach?" Youko stammered, unable to comprehend why Chie would want to venture to the beach on a solemn day like today.
"Yes, I can tell by your long faces you've heard the news of Alyssa's passing. But Alyssa wouldn't want us to sit around here being sad all day. In fact, I knew Alyssa better than anyone, and she would want us to go out and have some fun. Let's remember her the way she would want us to."
Youko's lips moved to argue but Midori interrupted. "Actually that sounds like a great idea. I haven't been to the beach in ages! Ahhh Yukino you can show off that cute new swimsuit you got last year to Haruka!"
Yukino suddenly went red as Haruka looked away, the image of Yukino in a revealing swimsuit plagued her mind, as she struggled to keep her nose from a small explosion of blood.
Youko looked on at her daughter and wife, then at Haruka and out to the carload of people in the driveway.
"Well, maybe getting out and letting off some steam, is a good idea." she agreed as Midori gave Chie a high five.
"Awesome! You guys get ready and we will meet you down there. Oh yeah I can't wait to introduce you to my niece Chie Harada. Yukino I hear you know her from school?" Chie questioned as Yukino blushed slightly.
Haruka grunted. Harada was coming along too? Well there was no way in hell she was letting that lecherous womanizer near Yukino.
"Your niece?" Youko questioned. "I didn't know you had family other than Alyssa."
"Well I've had time over the years and Alyssa's resources to help me look up my past. I found out a couple years ago I have a younger sister and Harada is her daughter. She just got a job transfer to North America and so, my niece will be moving into Garderobe with me and Aoi at the end of the month."
"How wonderful for you." Youko smiled. "Family is the most important thing."
"Absolutely." Chie agreed. "Now enough talking, let's go to the beach!"
End Chapter 8
Haruka : Damn I'm badass in this fic. When can I wreck Yukino? Imma wreck her so good...
Midori: NO WAY DADDY WON'T ALLOW THAT!
Haruka: Haven't you heard the news? I'm a Vagician! I practice Vagic...
Author: Oh damn...we need to stop watching Family Guy together.
Yukino: Giggity!...
Okay my first chapter back and holy hell that was hard work! I'm sure someone will complain about the lack of shiznat but in time good people in time. Can I bribe you with the promise of smexxy beach fun for everyone next chapter? Lol Read and Review if you remember you actually liked this fic three years ago lolz.
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