This is my first fan fiction. This is an intent to develop the Otome Universe several thousand years after the anime events. Wondering how this could be developed I kept thinking about the Frank Herbert's Dune universe and mainly, the Bene Gesserit sisterhood. This story is not having the same exact features as Dune. I am only taking some ideas and developing the Otome universe based on these ideas. Since my true admiration of the Bene Gesserit (and Herbert's work) I am taking its native planet name (Wallach IX) and locating the main Garderobe's headquarters there. As well, if you are a fan of Dune you will find some other names (few, I think).

I edited the original chapter I published since I found several errors (HORRORS, I should say, so hopefully now it's better). Thanks to all that have read it.

I will rated M, (but this chapter won't have it, sorry) well, because it will be violence, strong language and let's say, intimate encounters between the characters. So, if you are under 18, please stop reading, if you like the story, I do not take any responsibility for further complains. By the way, these encounters will be between two so, If you do not like it, please do not keep reading. Warning: It will be mature content between two adult females (I can't be more specific than that)

Disclaimer: Sunrise owns Mai Otome, Mai Hime. Dune and all the related belongs to its Frank Herbert's heirs (or something like that). I only own my feverish imagination.

Tears of Warriors by Galadan

Chapter 1. Encounters in Time.

Wallach IX, Garderobe Headquarters.

She knew she was going to die. She was sitting alone in the darkness trying to steady her breathing, trying to hear the slightest sound, forcing her eyes to see into the pitch black around her. She could swear the beating of her hearth was louider than a drum. She could swear her red eyes were glowing in the dark pointing her position but shutting them close was worse, she had to see what was coming for her, she had to face it…

Suddendly, she heard an unbelievable strong roar cutting the air; the vibrations caused by it, spreading through her skin like fire sparks and then, the world exploded with debris flying against her while she was trying her best to cover herself with bare arms and legs. Just when she thought it was the end, she was pulled off like a leave in a store. Before her world fell into the darkness after the lightening exploding around her, she had a flash of deep green eyes.

Shizuru woke up suddenly, but didn't move a muscle. She just opened her eyes in the partially illuminated room. Her room at Garderobe native planet, Wallach IX, the only home she has known since that terrible night. The room of the Garderobe's Archmeister. It has been a long time ago since the last time she had the dream. Several years, in fact. But these days it has been showing up almost every night since she got her last assignment. She let out a small sigh while slowly closing her eyes controlling her heart beat and the breathing. Her body, mind and soul were too well trained for this. She was barely a five years old kid when that happened. Now she was no longer a scared child who lost everything and everyone in one night. She was now part of one of the most powerful organizations among the galactic Empire.

Lying on her bed, she remembered her meeting with the Garderobe's Headmistress earlier this week trying to figure out why she was so troubled by this new assignment.

Shizuru waited gracefully until she was announced to Uma Shamrock for making her way into the Headmistress' office. Even when she was a high level rank otome in the Garderobe organization, her politeness was always perfect; she was not the Bewitching Smile Amethyst for nothing.

"Good evening Shizuru-san," the Headmistress said standing up of her large desk and walking slowly towards Shizuru to greet her. She had known Shizuru since her childhood and never ceased to admire the extraordinary woman she has grown up to be. A strong beauty, a deadly warrior armed with sharply brilliant mind with yet, impenetrable, disturbing red eyes. Shizuru was the ultimate perfect otome. But… Uma waved away the bad thoughts before they showed at her light red eyes. This was going to be a hard one. Waving a hand, she indicated Shizuru to take sit at the couch.

"Would you like some tea?"

"Ara, Uma-san, since when have I missed the opportunity to taste your extraordinary red tea?" Shizuru said smiling. She knew by the second she looked at the Headmistress, that this talk was going to be a hard one as well. "Mainly when you have such a hard talking waiting for me," she teased. She also knew Uma very well and owed her a lot.

"You are always the same Shizuru-san," Uma said smiling while pouring tea for both of them and handing one cup to Shizuru. "I have never been able to hide anything from you. Even when you were a child, you always had the eye to see beyond people." Looking back at Shizuru, she knew that she had to handle this one not like Garderobe's Headmistress but like Shizuru's guardian and her only remaining family.

"What information do you have about the attempt at Count Kyler Kruger some days ago?" once at this point she had to keep it straight and direct, it was no other way she could get Shizuru into this target.

"The Garderobe's Intelligence team gave me a detail report and also the Scientific Guild. Yohko-san contacted me directly from Horus to share the information they had. They were very concern about the incident. We have no confirmation yet, but all the analysis indicates it was a deliberate attack to kill Count Kyler Kruger and not an accident as the Empire has insisted." Since the moment she knew about the notice, she has been trying to figure out how she was feeling. Beyond the fact that a truly menace was rising from an unknown origin and Garderobe's official position about the incident was still pending, Shizuru certainly doubted that position was what Uma wanted to discuss with her.

"Wil you tell me what is this about,?" Shizuru ask gently.

"We have to go to Skáneland, Shizuru" Uma keep her face and voice straight and steady.

"We…." Shizuru repeated, surprise almost showing in her eyes.

"We. A delegation from Garderobe, including me and you will attend to the designation ceremony of the new Count Kruger, Countess I should say." Now surprise and a little something else was showing in Shizuru's features. Uma turned right for more tea and give Shizuru some space. She won't show this little disturbance in front anybody else but Uma.

"I will do as the Headmistress thinks is the better" Shizuru said serious but controlled again while thinking "Maybe this is another test I have to comply, like all the others." However she couldn't unquote "However, I wonder why this ceremony requires both the Garderobe's Headmistress and Archmeister at the same time."

That was not was Uma wanted. She needed Shizuru wanting to go, not accepting orders but she could understand quite well Shizuru's resistance. By other hand her inquisitive mind can't be tricked, she will have to say the truth. The sense of truth deep in Shizuru's Otome soul will know it.

"Natsuki Kruger will become officially the new Countess Kruger and leader of the House." Uma said and at that name, Shizuru felt the slight tide of their memories agitating inside her. Adab, the memory who claims and asks was emerging inside her but she could not give it shape.

"Ara, that's unexpected. She is very young, isn't? I thought they were going to designate some else." She said in a light tone trying to recover as fast as possible; she didn't want to show that internal turmoil not even in front of Uma.

"Everybody thought that. The Krugers are quite known by doing unexpected moves. In fact, nobody could imagine this incident happening, however our good friends at Aries and Horus claim that the Count made last minute arrangements before departing at his last political task to Asgard," Uma was talking calmly but kept looking carefully at Shizuru's reaction. She needed her, too much depended on her. "Our source inside Kruger House has also confirmed that."

"Our source, as you called her, is so deep inside Kruger House?" Shizuru asked now truly surprised and concerned. "Count Kruger always sent second relatives to be trained at Garderobe and they are not high level advisors or military chiefs at Kruger House. Ray Jagger has been one of our best students, now a skillful Meister Otome but she plays absolutely no important role there." Shizuru was now serious but calm. "The same can be said for Nina Wang or Chie Hallard. I won't define relationship between Garderobe and Kruger House as the best one during the last two generations, Uma-san."

"All Noble Houses have otomes in the very root of their families, Shizuru. What you said is very true, however no other House in the Noble Council could say they have so many Meister otome of such level." Shizuru nooded concealing with Uma but the hard part was still to come. "The status of our relationship as you call it, may change now with new Countess, don't you think?"

Since Shizuru did not said a word and just grinned at her, she sighed and continue "Count Kruger always refused to sent her only daughter and heiress to be trained in Garderobe as otome. However, he married an otome. Saeko Kruger is a Meister otome too." She finally said calmly, waiting for the reaction.

Shizuru held her breath for seconds before saying "Why I didn't know about it?"

"It is a right time for everything Shizuru, you know why."

"Ara, I have resigned of any revenge desire since several years ago Uma. I am dissapointed you think the opposite," Shizuru said going familiar and wanting to know more now it was clear it was a personal issue.

Choosing her next words carefully since everything depended on them, Uma said looking at Shizuru with an open heart. "After the attack to your family, Count Kruger was wrongly accused of betrayal," Shizuru noted the adverb used by Uma but kept waiting, her face impenetrable. "They were not the only ones who were good friends Shizuru, you mother and Saeko Kruger were also friends. WE were friends since long time before. They attended the same periods at Garderobe. They were the bests of their class. Airlie became an Otome earlier than Saeko. The Bewitching Smile Amethyst. You have her GEM not only for your proven skills and capacity; it also belongs to you by right."

Looking deep into her, Shizuru got her mother memories about her early years at Garderobe and knew that Uma was saying was true. Saeko's name at that time was different and that why she never realized that fact.

"It was no way Shizuru; absolutely no way Kyler would have betrayed your family. The position of Saeko at the Kruger House couldn't be compromised and her friendship with your mother couldn't be mentioned by the Count to defend himself. He had to take all the responsibility and he did it gladly. He was raged for the attack and he was a true friend of your father. He even understood that an otome never betrays an otome and never betrays Garderobe." "Maybe disobeys, but never betrays." Uma though for herself thinking about some Saeko's past decisions.

"You never told me about that before Uma-san, why are you doing it rigth now?" Shizuru said knowing that Uma was the only one who could have told her that because of her friendship with her mother and Saeko Kruger. Garderobe was very careful about handling classified information.

"We had to protect you Shizuru, until you were ready. This was the only way. I think you are ready now." Leaving the most important thing for the last she said "I suspect that the attack against Count Kruger and the one to your family are deeply related. And the real source could be something truly dark. That's why you have to come with me to Skáneland and meet the Kruger heiress, Shizuru". "I wonder if she will be ready, but soon enough we will know"

Looking at Shizuru she stood up saying "We are leaving in five days, the funeral ceremonies will end by then. Kruger House expects us to arrive earlier to attend some meetings before the ceremony. Nao, Laura, Rosalie and Erstin will be going with us as well."

With one last look, Shizuru stood up too saying

"Ara, are you going to war, Uma-san?" Shizuru said ligthly but the teasing never raised to her eyes. Bearing Uma's glare, she retired politely saying "At your command... Headmistress."

While Shizuru was leaving the office, Uma could not help herself but feel that something dark and dangerous was emerging and that maybe Shizuru's comment was very accurate.

Skáneland, Castle Skanien, Home of Kruger House.

Countess Saeko Kruger was watching her daugther daily training from the distance. She knew her daughter had had the best masters any noble born could ask. Her husband was always a wise man about trustfully collaborators; he always surrounded him with the best men.

Reito Kanzaki was the best sword master in the whole empire and one of the most loyal men to Count Kruger, who practically adopted him since his early childhood. Kyley Kurger took care of his education and everything the boy needed and after a while, Reito became Kyler's most trustworthy lieutenant. Kaiji Sakomizu, the master of assassins and the military Bashar of House Kruger was one the most feared men among the empire, and Armbrust Kruger closed the third of aces among the Kruger men. Her husband's cousin was Kruger House Chief of Security under Sakomizu's command was a deadly warrior with deceptive soft voice and nice manners. The three dangerous warriors have been Natsuki's companions, masters and friends since she born and even when they could not love her more, they were merciless masters. For them, not even the single weakness or mistake can be tolerated. She could not agree more…even when right now she was witnessing Sakomizu-san practically crushing her beloved daughter.

"The art of sword is not for lazy assholes!, what are you?, a little pup or a warrior?!" Sakomizu screamed out giving Natsuki a hard pushing back at the crash of their swords, almost smashing her in the wall of the open training area more than three feet away o n him. Not giving a second for breathe, he charged after her immediately; Natsuki barely had a chance to recover her balance, quickly blocking the attack and steping aside for some space and trying to make a fast counter attack.

"Hold it back old man… I do not wanna hurt you." With serious face and a deadly glare Natsuki tried the tease but before she can say anything else, another set of quick swords slices made her step back. She was barely defending and not really attacking Sakomizu. That was getting the Master of Assassins REALLY pissed off.

"Concentrate!!..." Sakomizu was furious, Natsuki has been distracted during the whole training with Reito and Armbrust while Sakomizu was watching at the distance until he couldn't hold himself more and went down to put the things in order. At the shout, Reito and Armbrust, watching closely, standing side by side with their arms crossed over the chest just slightly looked at each other, sighing. They knew Sakomizu was right but they also felt a heavy heart after the lost of Natsuki's father merely 10 days ago. He was more than a master for them; he was the closest they had as a father and more. They truly knew how affected Natsuki was. The man was everything for her.

Finally, Natsuki failed to block effectively the last attack and Sakomizu's sword slide to cut Natsuki right rib. Againt her will, she left out a hurtled gasp. The big master of assassins quickly push her back to the wall, holding her right arm with his left and putting his strong forearm through her throat pushing her harder, making her growl in frustration.

Saeko gritted her teeth but kept her face and body steady, her hands calmly resting on the balustrade, feeling someone approaching. Her father in law, former Count Haakon Kruger walked silently stopping right by her side. She wondered for how long he has been watching and if the sudden rudeness of Sakomizu had something to do with him.

"Now are you happy?" Sakomizu furiously asked Natsuki, they are both staring at each other. He, like a big bear, is laying his body against Natsuki's not letting her to move or even breathe enough. Natsuki was fighting the pain at her side and gasping for air. "Let me tell you, now you are dead. Do you think that your enemy will be playing with you? What do you think your enemy will do to you once they have you like this?" Natsuki was furiously glaring at him. "Do you think this will make your father proud?" With this last sentence he rudely released the grip with her almost falling into the terrain while he walks some steps back to watch her.

Catching her breath, calming her mind and composing her body, she steadied herself to face her sensei green eyes on brown ones. "I am sorry Sakomizu sensei… I … I wasn't in the right mood today and…"

"Mood!... Mood is for the cows or for to make love kiddo… You fight when is NECESSARY to protect the most important, what you love most, what you care the most. You fight for win. You fight for your life. You fight for your country and for your people. It doesn't matter if you are in the mood for!" Sakomizu yelled at her dismissing her previous apology.

Natsuki eyes went slightly down at these words, feeling the pain raising in her chest; with her face blushing she fighted the tears in her throat. She won't break in front of her masters; it was no time to waste with tears for a warrior.

Saeko felt the urge to intervene but as if reading her mind, a strong hand softly touched her arm and made her turn to face Haakon. She was going to speak but the look in his deep blue eyes stopped her. "She is our only hope, Saeko-san. I know that you and I have had… let's say, a "stormy" relationship during all these years, but now he is gone… we have to stand together, we all need her. She must be strong and prepared. This is necessary. You are not in a position to tolerate weakness either".

"Keeping secrets from her is the right way to prepare her?" She asked contentedly not looking away, her green eyes flashing.

"It is necessary until the right time comes. There is a right time for everything. I though all Meister Otomes knew that." He said with a grin at his face.

Being said that, he walked away, quickly making his way to the training arena, walking slowly and firmly. He approached her granddaughter with serious look but love filling his eyes. "She has Saeko's look but the angles beneath the skin and the fire in the eyes are Kyler's. I can almost hear him right now". Watching the blood spreading at the white blouse where Sakomizu cut her, he looked up to meet her eyes and he found sadness, angriness….fury. Stopping in front of her, he was proud to see her maintain her look, her head steady and her shoulders straight. The three deadly masters slightly bow at the old Count.

"I remember Sakomizu training your father when Kyler was your about your age. He always preferred the guns to the sword, same as you." Natsuki's eyes slightly opened at her grandfather words as she never expected those words. Her grandfather was always a tough and serious man; her father always who made her feel love and care despite anything… More even than her mother who was…colder. No one smiled at her like as her father did to comfort, give courage or just because was happy to see her. Kyler Kruger was an implacable wolf with everybody but an implacable loving wolf with his daughter. She didn't say a word just stood firmly and proudly, keeping her gaze fixed with her grandfather's; knowing that the tears were barely contained she didn't want to risk speaking.

"Do you know Natsuki, why a master sensei in archery is just called "archer" or a lance master is just called "lancer", but the most skilled master with the sable is not just called a swordsman but a strategist?" He asked with the soft voice his subordinates have learned to fear the most.

"Yes, sir… my father taught me that the art of the sword gives the master the power to govern and control the surroundings and himself… with the secret art of the sword, the master can defeat any enemy or enemies he is facing." Natsuki answered proudly remembering the words of her father; she was far beyond fear now with her grandfather.

"Or she, my dearest… In three days time, you will be given with the Kruger Seal, the Wolf Ring that I gave your father more than 25 years ago. He won't be here to give it to you but you will have to carry a great responsibility since that moment. You won't be alone, but for some things…you will be. There is nothing, I or these men here can do to help you make the decisions you will have to make. You will become the new Countess Kruger and the leader of Kruger House, because your father thought you were ready and trust you to handle the huge responsibility of this planet and the lives of all we live here. Defeat an enemy may lead you to take his life in order to protect what you care the most. Are you ready my Natsuki?" It was the first time Natsuki could recall her grandfather calling her like this and looking at her that way.

"Yes!...grandfather, I am ready," Natsuki said in a deep voice her eyes more brilliant.

Letting the smile in his cold eyes finally reach his lips, Haakon said "Let's show then to my loyal Sakomizu how mistaken he was by calling you asshole and little pup."

Stepping back, the old Count joined Reito and Armbrust giving Sakomizu and Natsuki space. Natsuki slowly start breathing as her mother taught her, calming her senses and focusing all her mind and body which each breath, looking in the way. With her legs slightly open at her shoulders distance, she waited in a powerful first position for Sakomizu. All of them, even her mother at the distance could see the change in Natsuki's body.

At Sakomizu first charge, Natsuki quickly blocked it and started attacking so fast that the movement of the swords barely can be seen. Now was Sakomizu's turn to step back blocking. With a fast movement she pulled out her second short sword using it to block Sakomizu's sword while using the large sword to attack. Combining the otome movements her mother has taught her with the sword attacks, Sakomizu was soon cornered by every side he tried to move. Natsuki was moving just too fast for him.

A second person joined Countess Saeko looking the duel... from the distance they saw how after few minutes and with Sakomizu breathing heavily, Natsuki finally ended the training session with her short sword blocking an attack and her large sword stopping millimeters away of her sensei throat.

The two women silently watched the men and the girl now talking animated, they congratulating the young woman, teasing a very serious but very proud Sakomizu and asking Natsuki about her movements. They looked so similar, dark hair, white skin and pale cold eyes, only Sakomizu broken the Krugers' natural features in which also others in Kruger House like Reito, reassembled so well. Looking at them and at the tall serious young woman standing firmly by her side, she can't help herself but think "These Krugers are just too much like a Rya wolves pack, so wild, so bounded. Mess of with one and you will have the whole pack against you… I wonder if they have finally accepted me like one of them or if I am becoming a wolf myself."

"You have trained her so well Saeko-sama. She could be a powerful otome as anyone who could have attended Garderobe. I could not recall of anybody in the Noble Houses or Garderobe having the kind of training my cousin have had together with you and them." Ray Jagger said that with her pale blue eyes fixed at Saeko's and her short dark hair moving at her forehead with the light sea breeze.

Giving a last look at the five dark figures below and then back up to the tall young woman at her side she said softly, almost sadly "I count on you to support her when the tough times come Ray-san."

"With my life, my lady," Ray said her eyes never leaving Saeko's gaze who could only though "the statement of a fact, such fearless with such a confidence can be overwhelming."

Wallach IX, Garderobe Headquarters

"Can somebody explain me why in this age of advanced technology we have to travel to the middle of nowhere to attend a boring ceremony?" Juliet Nao Zhang was really pissed off with this "assignment". She was very busy at Garderobe meeting with the new transferred students to have her ass sent ligthyears away to watch some stupid noble people. "A hologram of our beloved Headmistress would have done the same and better, isn't?"

Before someone could warn her, a deep cough and a soft giggle were heard behind her. She didn't know which one made her freeze the most.

"I am so happy to hear how skilled about technology you are, Nao-san," Uma Shamrock said seriously. "You will be on charge to have all our technology equipment set up perfectly at Skanelandand and to coordinate with Saeko Kruger's and the Scientific Guild's teams during our whole trip. I trust you, Nao-san." She said with dangerously soft voice, walking away towards the main deck to talk with the Krasnikov crusier Capitan.

"Ara, Nao-san, seems that you won't be bored any more during this trip," smiling Shizuru teased slightly at the 4th Column who was fumed. Greeting the other otomes at the team she walked to join Uma.

"You made it Nao. Shamrock is not famous because of her tolerance," Laura said knowing that Nao will make all of them share her fate.

"I wonder if we will find something interesting at the Kruger House," Rosalie said giggling, ignoring Nao's disgrace. "This will be my first visit there. You were at the same class with Ray Jagger, right Nao? She is very good looking, I wonder if other people there are as cute as she is."

"Rosalie, you are a complete slut. What a hell are you thinking? That we are going in a pleasure trip?" Laura said angrily. "The Headmistress and the Archmeister are part of the delegation and no matter how reckless Nao-san is, she is also a column. Three Columns? Something really important must be happening there and you are thinking about getting laid!"

"Laura, don't be bored you too," Nao said even when she was thinking exactly the same than Laura. "At least we could expect some fun but unfortunately all the Krugers I know seems to be as funny as icebergs." Everybody laughed at the comment "And I heard that the weather there is as charming as the royal family."

At the distance Shizuru was hearing at the others chat, wondering what they were going to face at Skáneland. Even when she knew that Uma told her the truth, she also knew it was more there that remained unsaid. "Natsuki Kruger," the name still moved the water of her inner memories but yet she didn't know why.

Skáneland, Castle Skanien.

Natsuki was sitting at the nursery getting her little wound attended by the diligent Nina, her cousin and one of the three otomes at Kruger House.

"It is nothing Nina; just put a band on it."

"Is not that easy, cousin, even if not a deep wound is a long one. You should be more careful."

Saeko made her way at the nursery at that time followed by rest of the top female warriors in the Kruger army and security forces: Ray, Chie, Mikoto and Akira. The most respected warriors among the Empire, male and female were part of Kruger House. These five young women were the envy of all the other noble houses. Three of them graduated Otome and part of Kruger family. The remaining two were not otome but also deadly martial arts masters trained in Carthagos, formerly the old Zipang country at Earl, now a fully independent noble house. Saeko was truly proud of them and she would like Natsuki could spend more time with them and less with Reito and Armbrust at any chance she had.

"How are you doing Natsuki-chan," Chie greeted with her ever present smile walking towards Natsuki. "I knew from reliable sources that you gave a really tough time to an old grumpy Bashar using some otome movements. I bet he was annoyed."

"One, don't call me like that. Two, you should respect our Bashar or I will make sure to send you in a mission to the coldest place I can find in Skáneland. Three, there weren't "otome movements," it was a sword training Chie, give me a fucking break!"

"Natsuki," her mother looked at her very upset because her language. "Definitely she shouldn't spend more time with those men."

"Wow, we are in a combative mood today," Chie answered her smile intact; she knew how grumpy Natsuki was at teasing.

"Natsuki, do not move please. I will have to apply a couple of gun stitches here, then band it and we will be ready." Nina did it as quickly as possible knowing Natsuki's tolerance was close to zero regarding healing care and teasing "Thank you Chie," Nina thougth glaring at her other cousin.

"Natsuki, I asked them to come with me because I have something important to tell you." Saeko was serious. She had very clear objectives for Kruger House and Garderobe future and Natsuki was in the center of everything. Her husband was always angry with Garderobe after the incident almost destroyed the Viola House and she was agree with him disobeying Garderobe because of him several times, but something was too important and had to be done no matter what. Kyler and his men transferred their distrust about Garderobe to Natsuki but now, it had to change.

"A delegation from Garderobe will be arriving to Skáneland tomorrow first time in the morning to attend the ceremony of designation and to present their respects to your father."

"What? Why Garderobe has to come? Who did invite them?" Natsuki asked surprised. She didn't think her father would like to have "their respects" in any way.

"I did," Saeko's said calmly. "The Garderobe's Headmistress and Archmeister are coming together with other high level otome warriors. That is a great honor, Natsuki. Soon you will be the leader of this house and you should take your place in the political scenario. This meeting is very important." Saeko walked closer to her daughter and putting a hand in her shoulder she said "Garderobe has resources to help us to figure out what really happened to your father. They can also help us in other ways, we need allies Natsuki."

"And how we know we can trust them?" Natsuki says more calmed but still in a stubbornly.

"All the noble houses have otomes Natsuki. Your cousins here are otomes and very loyal Kruger warriors. Your warriors. Garderobe is a powerful organization, I will ask you to give them a chance to talk with us."

Natsuki had no other chance to sigh and surrender. It was hard to be against her mother will. She always did her way with her father and she wondered how while her father could be so tough and implacable with anybody else, he was just disarmed for the looking of her mother. It was beyond her understanding.

"We all will be at space port early tomorrow to welcome them." Walking to the door, she added before leaving without looking back knowing that the women there will tease her daughter after her words. "Natsuki, I left your formal clothes ready at your room. Please dress properly. The Headmistress wants to meet with you immediately to her arriving."

She could hear her daugther protests and the other giggles even with the door closed.

At other part of Castle Skanien, Reito was having his oen share of surprises.

"We have to be ready to host our guests." Reito said dispatching orders and preparing everything together with Armbrust. The ceremony preparation, the invitees arriving and accommodations. They could expect to have very few resting in the next days.

"Take it easy Reito; we will be on time. The first delegation is expected in two days and everybody will be arriving after that one." Armbrust said sitting comfortably at the Kruger War Room.

"I am afraid you are wrong, my friend," Reito said calmly, looking directly to his friends eyes with that look in his face that meant troubles.

"What happened now?"

"Lady Saeko informed me just now, a Garderobe delegation will arrive tomorrow…early." Reito was calm at the exterior but Armbrust knew better. Reito loyalty was always for the Count. Even when he would have died defending the Kruger Family, he was not happy with the Countess. He was one of the very few people who knew the Countess was a high rank Otome. Kruger men always distrust otomes because of their permanent loyalty to Garderobe above everything else. He was happy Natsuki, who he loved like a sister, never attended that place.

"Don't be mad Reito, we can ask for help to Ray and the others." Armbrust said with light voice since he had not the same prejudices with otomes like Reito. "I wonder if they will bring some beautiful ladies with them."

"If they do so, maybe they won't be too much interested in you anyway Armbrust," this time was Reito's chance to tease his partner.

"Touché Reito-san, just remember that after three seconds any comment like that can be considered revenge and I will have the right to defy you."

Before they could keep talking, Natsuki entered the room.

"Who's going to defy who?" She asked while sitting in a very unlady manner putting her booted feet on top of Reito's desk.

"Those aren't lady's manners, Natsuki," He said smiling. "My desk just got polished and you are going to ruin it with your barbarian manners."

"Maybe because I am not a lady, Reito. What are you going to do about it?" She said calmly but a smile was dancing in her green eyes.

"Nothing really, I will let the tough otomes coming from Garderobe to visit you, the privilege to teach you some lady manners." He said now very amused at the look in Natsuki's face. "Maybe you will learn how to prepare a proper tea now." He continued giving a little sip to his own tea.

"Very funny, Reito. I can defeat any of those otome faster than you drink that damn tea of yours," Natsuki was not so sure about it, mainly after her training with Ray and the others but will never admit it.

Armbrust was very amused at the verbal fight they always had. They were like brothers really.

"Eh.. Natsuki, what will you do if some of them want to give you some private lessons about Garderobe's practices? Do you think you can defeat them at that?" That was Reito final shoot and he knew that will truly upset her.

"You idiot!" she angrily said standing up, "I don't need any private lessons from anybody."

Later at her bed she was thinking she knew very few about Garderobe, except her father didn't like them and never accepted to send her to Wallach IX to become an Otome. They never spoke about it. Years ago, when she saw her cousins Ray, Nina and Chie leave for years to get trained there and then came back as respected warriors, she felt jealous and disappointed. She never saw her parents fight for anything but the matter of having her attending Garderobe. The only thing that matter to her was her father must have had a reason.

Early in the morning at the space port, the Kruger group was headed by Natsuki and her mother, with the three otomes in the family Nina, Chie and Ray. Natsuki requested that Reito and Armbrust joined to them and her mother had no other choice but accept. As she had to accept that Natsuki chosen to wear the Kruger military formal uniform and not the formal femenine clothes she left for her. She knew Natsuki was still angry for the way the visit was set. She only hoped that everything will be ok for Natsuki and Uma knew what she was doing. She had to stop looking at Natsuki as her daughter and now as the leader of Kruger House.

At the distance, stepping outside the space crusier, the Garderobe group was headed by Uma Shamrock, sided by Shizuru and Nao as Columns, followed behind by Laura, Rosalie and Erstin. From the distance, Shizuru could not avoid to think how alike the welcome group looked. They were all wearing the Kruger military uniform in black and navy blue, with the exception of Saeko, who was wearing a blue dress with Natsuki at her side, impeccable with her military uniform, black trousers and navy blue coat with no other garment but the silver wolf seal at her chest. "The famous Kruger wolves, with dark hair and pale eyes," just after thinking that she froze and stop walking, when her crimson eyes meet with Natsuki's deep green eyes. "No," her mind was screaming and the Adab inside her turned from a wave into a tsunami.

Uma Shamrock turned left to watch her in surprise. Touching Shizuru's right arm she asked concerned "Shizuru?"

Without answering or looking back to Uma, Shizuru recalled her training and slowly, started walking again, stealing her heart and mind, realizing she no longer had the green in her mind; it was right in front of her.

Natsuki noticed the pause and tensed, wondering what was wrong with that woman. She surprised herself staring at the woman with crimson eyes she met seconds ago but finally the otome group was there and she had to compose herlself.

"Saeko," a surprisingly smiling Uma Shamrock started but was promptly cut by a husky young voice.

"Countess Kruger," Natsuki said coarsely while Saeko turn right with wide eyes to face her daughter who was steadily looking at Uma Shamrock.

"You shall address the Countess properly, you woman." Natsuki ended angrily.

"Natsuki!" was the only word whispered by the mouths of Saeko and Ray.

"What?!" That was too much for Nao "Who the hell do you think you are for talking the Headmistress that way?" almost giving a step ahead, she was stopped by Uma's right hand.

"Please," Shizuru said finally, equally surprise for such a display of rudeness. "May I assume, you are Natsuki Kruger-san? The future Countess Kruger?" She had her polite mask perfect now and was making sure to emphasize the word countess, looking directly at Natsuki's green eyes.

Natsuki started to blush slightly, she really screwed up, now feeling more angry at the intense gaze of those red eyes, blush increasing with every second but never breaking the eye contact. "This woman thinks she has the right to speak me in this way?"

"Uma-san, Shizuru Viola-san?" Saeko asked regaining composure after her daughter show of disrespect. "I am very happy to have you in Skáneland… and very sorry for this misunderstanding. Please met my daughter, Natsuki Kruger." Saeko could not believe what Natsuki just did but had to move ahead.

"Nice to meet you, Kruger-san." Uma said her face serious. Her head was slightly inclined as greeting while thinking about Krugers loathe against Garderbore. "Maybe this will be harder than I thought."

"Please let me introduce you, Garderobe's Archmeister Shizuru Viola, the Bewitching Smile Amethyst." They merely stared at each other, no one making a move to bow, incline or at least handshake. "What a hell of a name," Natsuki was thinking but in fact was impressed by the woman who so gently and effectively stopped her in her angry. "Ara, what a perfect and… handsome barbarian for a countess," Shizuru was thinking but in fact was both thrilled and disturbed by meeting those eyes and the waves of her inner memories were not helping at all.

Uma Shamrock last though at the uncomfortable silence was "This definitely, will be a lot harder than I thought."

Thanks everybody for reading and reviewing.