In the Darkness

A Mai Otome ShizNat Story

Epilogue

~ o ~

Four Years Later…

It was a quiet, calm, spring morning in Garderobe.

Spring is the season of starting over, the season of new beginnings. The Academy had already had the graduation ceremony a few days ago, this event marking the end of the school year.

The Pearls who passed all their tasks and exams returned to their Nations as Meister Otomes. And those who didn't needed to stay in Garderobe another year, if their Nations allowed it, that is. Garderobe was very, very expensive, not everyone could afford it.

This little time in between, in between graduation and the opening ceremony that would take place in two weeks, was when students had a short break and went back to their Nations to pay a visit to their families. Most Corals and Pearls had already left the Academy, so the schoolgrounds were very quiet, too quiet... eerily quiet.

The day couldn't have been any better, to tell the truth. It was a good day, a cool day. The sun was shining, making everything in its path beautifully bright. The birds were flying, spiritedly chasing one another in the vast sky. The only sound that could be heard was that of the gentle breeze playing with the trees, the sound of the breeze caressing its flowers and radiant, green leaves.

"W-Where the hell is she?!"

Oh, and there was that as well.

That sound came from the Kruger-Viola quarters, from the Master bedroom to be precise. So, perhaps this spring morning wasn't so calm and quiet after all.

"D-Did you talk to her?!" Natsuki hissed. Her Emerald eyes shut tightly, her cheeks flushed, drops of sweat were forming on her creasing forehead again.

Her hands grabbed the white, silky sheets below her tightly, very tightly, making her knuckles white. She was preparing, preparing for the next wave of pain that was approaching. She could feel it coming. She could feel it.

Could feel it.

"K-Kami sama, please have mercy on me" Was the whisper, the husky shudder.

"Breathe slowly, Natsuki" Mai calmly advised her.

She was sitting behind the blunette on the bed, supporting her and gently rubbing her sweaty back. She was trying to soothe her, to make the contractions a little better. To keep her breathing at a normal pace. Doing what Shizuru was supposed to be doing right now.

"Shizuru's almost here, Natsuki, just focus on your breathing, just like you practiced, ne?" Youko answered, sitting at the foot of the bed, rubbing the woman's very swollen legs.

She was keeping track of how far apart the contractions were. By the closeness of them, it seemed like Natsuki was ready to give birth.

"D-Did… Did you call the hospital? W-Where they able to find my doctor?!" The blunette then asked between breaths.

"I'll call again and find out" Was Youko's response.

"T-This is a complete disaster" In Natsuki's eyes, everything that could've possibly gone wrong happened. Everything Natsuki feared.

First, the baby was way too early, Natsuki wasn't due for another three weeks.

Second, her wife was not in Wind Bloom right now. She was hundreds of miles north at a diplomatic conference and wasn't supposed to return until tomorrow. Mai had immediately called her when Natsuki woke up with labor pains, and Shizuru had said she'd be on her way to Garderobe right away.

Third, her doctor was nowhere to be found. They had called the hospital and the nurses had said that he had taken a couple of days off, but that they would find him, and that they would send another doctor to Garderobe in the meantime to help.

Fourth, her mother was supposed to be here with her on this scary, important day. But since the baby wasn't expected for another three weeks, her mother wouldn't be in Wind Bloom for another week or so.

Fifth, she wasn't supposed to give birth here, in her quarters, in her home. She was supposed to be at the hospital. But once again, since the baby was early, Natsuki hadn't expected that the pain she had been feeling the past twelve hours had anything to do with her being in labor. So, it was too late now to move, it was too late to go to the hospital.

And the list of wrongs kept piling up. Everything that wasn't supposed to happen, happened, and Natsuki was going insane, was a worried mess. Especially since Shizuru, her calmer half, wasn't around.

"Shizuru, p-please get here soon" Was all Natsuki could whisper once the pain had subsided a little.

Youko quickly left the bedroom to call the hospital again, but before doing so, she handed Nao, who was watching from the nearest wall, the stopwatch so that she could take her place in timing the contractions.

"How will I know?" Nao asked with a raised, fine brow, looking at the white, small item now in her hand.

"Trust me, you'll know" Was the rushed reply.

Nao sighed and then stood next to a panting Natsuki by the bed, a hand on the back of her neck.

"Y-You!" Natsuki hissed at the now Second Column, heavily breathing through her mouth. She reached for the woman's collar and grabbed her tightly there. "W-Why did you have to send her away now?! Why?!" She was preparing again, another wave was coming soon, she could feel it, it was close, so, so close.

"You made the schedule, not me. Her not being here right now is your fault" Nao glared at the pregnant woman.

And Natsuki pursed her quivering lips, because Nao was right, she was the one who had made the schedule.

Shizuru being away the past three days was her own doing.

Now that she thought about it, she had a feeling that the stress of Shizuru being away while her due date was approaching was probably the cause of her early labor.

"Hands off, don't forget who I am now" Nao added with a huge smirk as she pointed to the trembling hands on her collar.

Natsuki was no longer a Column, was no longer the Headmistress of the Academy. She had renounced her position a year ago, along with the Silver Ice Crystal which was a property of Garderobe, to expand the Kruger-Viola family, to have children. She had promised her father that she would be the one to carry their first child, for the 'Kruger' blood, to keep the Kruger tradition alive.

When she talked about this, talked about retiring with the other Columns, they had decided that Nao should take on the responsibility instead of making one of the graduating Pearls the Second Column and have her carry this not-so-heavy burden. Not-so-heavy because the Nations were at peace now, the job was much easier to handle now. And Nao had made Wind Bloom her permanent home. She never left the Nation, unlike the other Columns, in everyone's eyes she was the best choice.

Nao had been hesitant at first. Being stuck in the 'old lady's club' was not her thing, was not in her plans, but she agreed in the end since it wouldn't interfere with her other nighttime activities. Actually, now that she didn't have to report to anyone or go out on random missions, which she was sure Natsuki had done to her on purpose, she had more liberty to do as she pleased.

Shizuru would've been the best replacement since she was Headmistress Deputy. But she was thinking of retiring in another couple of years herself to live a quieter life, a homey life with her growing family. And everyone knew that Shizuru was best out on the field anyway. She had immense talent, superb detective and persuading skills. The woman was too clever for her own good. No one did the job as fast and as meticulously as her.

And although Natsuki was no longer a Column, she still worked at Garderobe. She guided and advised the new Headmistress and was also the Political Science teacher. She was no longer an Otome, a Column, but she was very much a part of the Academy, very much a part of every decision that was made.

"K-Kami sama" Natsuki shuddered again, shutting her eyes and gritting her teeth, holding onto Nao even tighter. "Nnnnn~" letting out a long whimper in the process.

That's when Nao stopped the watch and looked at the time, engraving it in her brain, and then reset it and started it again.

"You're doing great, Natsuki. Keep breathing!" Mai cheerfully encouraged her friend, ignoring everything else around her, ignoring the conversations to be able to perform this task.

When Youko entered the room again, she didn't come empty handed. She came with a bucket of warm water, a few fresh towels, and her nurses kit.

"W-What- what are you doing? What's that for?" Natsuki warily asked as she let go of Nao, although she already knew the answer to those questions. It looked like Youko had prepared to deliver the baby herself.

When no answer came,

"I-Ie, not yet" Natsuki pleaded between labored breaths, instinctively closing her shaky legs. "S-She's not here, she's supposed to be here with me, w-we have to wait!"

"Natsuki, the baby can't wait any longer, she's ready to come out... She's been ready for some time now" Was the gentle, honest reply.

Yes, you heard that right. She. Shizuru and Natsuki were having a baby girl!

"S-Shizuru, please hurry…" And then another wave of pain hit her body, her legs trembled open, "P-Please" and then she shrieked in pain.

"N-Natsuki!"

And then and there, it was as if all of Natsuki's prayers and pleas had been answered.

"Natsuki!"

For she heard hurried steps, heard as worried Kyoto-ben had repeatedly shouted her name, had quickly ran inside the Master bedroom and had rushed to her side.

And rushing behind her was her doctor along with two nurses.

The heavens had answered her prayers, Shizuru was here, her doctor was here, everything was right in the world again.

"Natsuki, are you okay?" Shizuru quickly pushed Nao out of the way,

"HEY, watch it!"

hearing Nao complaint.

Her Ruby eyes desperately meeting Emerald ones, her trembling hands on her wife's sweaty and very blushing face. "T-Talk to me, Natsuki"

"W-What took you so damn long?!" Was the hissing, angry response. She quickly grabbed the brunette by the back of her neck. It had been three days since she had seen her, three days since she felt those lips on hers, so she pulled her in for a rough kiss, a rough press of lips before whimpering in pain again against those same lips. "Nnnnnnnnnnn~"

"Okay everyone, please clear the room" The doctor commanded as he came out of the restroom with his hands squeaky clean and his jacket off. "We have an impatient baby on the way"

And soon, everyone, except for the nurses and Shizuru, cleared the room. Shizuru took Mai's place behind Natsuki, being her rock, helping her stay in place.

"Hang in there just a little longer, Natsuki" Shizuru cooed, grabbing her wife's shaky hands after she had settled behind her. "You're doing great, my love. Do as we practiced, breathe…" She breathed in with her and then breathed out.

And twenty-five minutes later, after a lot of breathing and pushing and whimpering and screaming, after a lot of loving and encouraging Kyoto-ben accented words, the newest member of the Kruger-Viola family was born. A healthy, beautiful, Emerald eyed baby girl that resembled a little bit of them both.

"She's wonderful, Natsuki" A teary eyed Shizuru whispered to her very exhausted wife, giving her an amorous kiss on her sweaty, bare shoulder.

She was still behind her, still by her side as the doctor took care of her very tender, private area. The nurses had brought the baby over to them, had settled the baby on Natsuki's bare chest so that she could have the first mommy-daughter contact, skin to skin contact before taking her away to bathe her and clean her up, dress her and wrap her up nicely in a blanket.

"Thank you for this wonderful gift" Emotional Kyoto-ben whispered to the blunette, wishing she could embrace her wife and daughter tightly, but she couldn't, that would hurt them. "I love you, Natsuki… I love you so much"

"And I love you, Shizuru" Natsuki softly said, weakly smiling at their sleepy bundle of joy. And then, she adjusted her head just a little to the side, wanting her wife to kiss her, to feel her wife's lips on her own.

~ o ~

A Few Hours Later…

It was now late afternoon, and Shizuru was in the kitchen preparing supper, Mai right beside her helping her.

While Shizuru was away, she had asked Mai to stay with Natsuki and Miracle, to keep them company, and mostly to keep an eye on Natsuki since she was so close to the due date. Mai was going to stay a few more days to help until Saeko arrived.

Everyone else had already left. It was just Natsuki, Shizuru, Mai and the baby in the Kruger-Viola quarters.

They had cleaned the bedroom; fresh silky sheets were now covering the bed. Shizuru had helped Natsuki bathe and change into fresh, loose, maternity clothing. She was really going to miss seeing her wife with her big belly, she was just so cute, so moody and overly demanding when pregnant. It was really endearing.

Natsuki had been very tired and in need of a long nap after her shower. So, after having something light to eat she slept for a few hours. She was now awake, breastfeeding their hungry baby girl in the Master bedroom. The doctor had ordered her to rest, to stay in bed for a couple of days.

"She's so cute, Shizuru" Mai smiled as she made the noodles from scratch. Tonight, to everyone's delight, would be a Ramen night. Packed with meat and vegetables to give Natsuki all the strength she needs to recover.

"She really is lovely, isn't she?" Was Kyoto-ben's happy reply. "I have a feeling she's going to be a little heartbreaker"

"Mommy, aunty Mai, I'm home~"

That was Miracle, who was now seven, about to turn eight years old in a few months.

She was just getting home from elementary school. After school was over, she had Kendo practice. She was interested in the sport and had joined the club, that's the reason she was getting home at this time.

After Shizuru had awoken from the darkness, had awoken from her long sleep, she had a serious conversation with Natsuki regarding the little girl's fate, about her future. She asked the blunette if they could adopt her, if they could be the family that she needed. And Natsuki had said yes without a second thought. She had grown to love the little girl, there was nothing to think about, to talk about. So, they adopted her right away. The little girl was now a Kruger-Viola, she had their love and shared their last name.

When the little girl was older, they would tell her where she came from, tell her what little they knew about her heroic father. Although, they were sure the little girl knew, that she remembered, because whenever talks about Earth came up at home, her pink eyes showed a glint of sadness that was then replaced with a gentle smile.

She definitely knew. They knew that she knew. Without a doubt.

The smell of delicious food guided Miracle straight to the kitchen, "Mommy!" then yelled in delight when she found a smiling Shizuru heading her way, she wasn't expecting her to be home.

She ran to her, and when Shizuru had kneeled on the floor she excitedly jumped on her. "I missed you, mommy!"

"I missed you too, love" Came the loving reply. She hugged her little girl tightly and then gave her a few pecks on the cheek.

"Have you been behaving?" She then asked her, removing her backpack for her, and then started to head towards the little girl's bedroom, holding her hand.

She left Mai alone, knowing she could handle herself well in the kitchen. She was a chef, a pro, she didn't need her help.

When the little girl nodded yes, "That's my girl…" Shizuru happily replied, "Ne, Miracle?" then added a few seconds later, "Guess who arrived today?" she kneeled in front of her again, wanting to see eye to eye.

"Who, mommy?" The girl quickly asked.

"She's very small, and mommy's belly used to be her home" Shizuru gave her a few hints as she took off her navy jacket and placed it on the floor with the backpack.

Miracle gasped, eyes wide. "Baby sister is here?"

"Hai" Came the soft reply.

"She's early!"

"She is..." Shizuru agreed, "Let's wash our hands and then go meet her, ne? She's very excited to meet her big sister"

Miracle nodded, but when Shizuru started walking away she didn't follow.

"Is something wrong?" Kyoto-ben asked in wonder, standing by the girl's door.

"Um… Mommy, what if the baby doesn't like me?"

"Ara~, why wouldn't she?" The brunette asked, walking back to the little girl and kneeling again. "She loved you when she was in mommy's belly, she'll love you even more now that she's out and can touch you and see you and play with you" She sweetly smiled at her.

"Okay…" But Miracle didn't sound too convinced.

"She's going to love you, ne?" Shizuru said, caressing her cheek, "I promise" and then, "Let's go, let's not keep her waiting, and mommy wants to see you as well" she stood and offered her hand, and Miracle happily accepted it.

They walked out of the bedroom and went straight for the restroom and washed and dried their hands. When they arrived at the Master bedroom, Miracle knocked on the door twice, and then opened it just a little bit, her head peaking through first before opening the door wider. "Mommy?"

"There you are…" Natsuki smiled when she saw her wife and child coming into the room. "We've been waiting for you to come home"

The blunette had already finished giving the baby her milk and had lay her gently in the comfortable bassinet next to the bed.

The baby would be sleeping in their bedroom for the next two to three months, since she would be waking up frequently in the nighttime to eat. Every three hours or so the doctor had explained. Once she was old enough, she would be sleeping in her crib in her own bedroom.

"How are you feeling?" Once they had reached the bed, Shizuru gently sat down next to the blunette, "Were you able to rest a little?" She asked the love of her life, a hand softly caressing her cheek while the other held her hand. And when Natsuki hummed in response, she leaned forward for a gentle kiss, together with an I love you afterwards.

"Come, Miracle" Natsuki padded to the empty space next to her, and Miracle happily obliged. "Are you ready to meet your little sister?" She asked her, feeling as Shizuru left her side, left the bed to get the baby.

Once the cooing baby was in her arms, Shizuru couldn't contain her smile. This was one of the happiest days of her life.

She gently rocked the baby in her arms for a few seconds as she admired her. Her Ruby eyes met tiny Emerald ones for the fourth time today. Those beautiful eyes that smiled at her every time they met, that were so precious to her, just like her family, like her wife and eldest daughter.

Shizuru couldn't contain her emotions, her emotions that were running wild. She was teary eyed again, letting out a shuddering breath.

"You okay, Shizuru?" Natsuki had to ask, for Shizuru had yet to face their direction and she could see a slight tremble in her posture.

"Hai…" Shizuru then softly answered, a hand going for her eyes to wipe the salty liquid that had accumulated there. "Hai, I'm fine" Then, she slowly turned around and joined the two occupants on the bed. "I'm just so happy, Natsuki" She told her, was completely honest with her, "Tell me this is real" then asked.

Ever since she woke up from her long sleep, she was afraid that she was stuck in a dream. An eternal dream. A happy dream. Afraid that she was still in the darkness somewhere, that her mind was trapped in there, playing games with her, creating a perfect illusion for her.

Nightmares clouded her sleep from time to time. Not often, not as before, just sometimes. And she woke up covered in sweat when she dreamt of those two years she was away. Woke up screaming when dreaming of a dead blunette. There were times she was afraid of the dark, and she had to remind herself that those were nightmares, and this, this happiness, it felt like a dream, a dream that had become her reality.

This wasn't a dream. This was reality. It was. It had to be.

Natsuki placed a hand on her thigh, giving her a little tug. "This is real" She smiled at her, "You're safe…" and whispered, "You're with me now"

Shizuru swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat and then nodded. She then placed her attention to the baby in her arms again, placing a soft kiss on the baby's Chestnut mane, sweetly smiling at her again.

"Miracle" Shizuru then said, facing the girl, "This is Shiaki, your baby sister" she carefully leaned forward and gently placed the baby in the girl's soft arms.

And Miracle smiled widely, her pink eyes on the cooing baby the whole time, totally happy. "It's nice to meet you Shiaki-chan" Excitedly adding, "I promise to be the best big sister ever!"

And Shizuru and Natsuki gazed into each other's eyes, a smile appearing on their lips, listening as Miracle described in detail how much fun they're going to have, all the games they would play, and all the things they would do once Shiaki was older.

"One more time, just this once... Tell me this is real" Shizuru whispered to her, "Tell me I'm not stuck in a dream" her forehead resting against the blunette's.

"This is real" Natsuki happily complied, a hand caressing the brunette's cheek, "You're safe, Shizuru, you're with me…" And then corrected, "You're with us"

And that's all Shizuru needed to hear. She never asked that question again, never doubted it again.

She was safe, she was with her family, she was with Natsuki.

And in the darkness, Natsuki was her light.

~ o ~

Thanks for Reading!

And thanks for the Reviews/ PMs/ Comments

I'm very happy a lot of you liked this story, and I'm happy to have completed it in less than 4 months, YAY!

To the reviewer who asked about the people who tried to kill Natsuki: I thought I had cleared that up in Chapter 15 but after reading it yesterday again, I realized I posted the wrong version of the document. It was some random little Nation who hired them, who was clearly not happy about giving up their Otomes. I will review chapter 15 at a later time to add this. It was only a few sentences though if I remember correctly. Doesn't interfere or change the story.

And I shall continue writing ShizNat in the future, just not riiiight now :) need a long break.

Now I will read ShizNat facfics. I have years of catching up to do, excited to see what others are writing (hopefully something good and original lol)

Let me know what you guys think of the Epilogue. I warned you guys it'd be short and very sweet :p

THANK YOU ALL again for the wonderful support!

"For the love of ShizNat"