Hime/Otome Love Part One
As They Should Be
Chapter One
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A dream shattered...
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“Stupid! I'm so stupid!” Arika wailed as she ran through the empty halls of the castle, tears streaming down her face, not knowing or caring where her feet took her. “I've ruined everything!” she continued, her voice managing the difficult task of reaching an even higher decibel than before. She reached up to rub at her eyes, forgetting in her sadness the golden rule of not running with your eyes covered, and slammed hard into what felt like a metal wall.
“Why you incontinent little...” a rather loud voice bellowed before being interrupted by a quiet, yet firm, second voice.
“That's incompetent, Haruka... eww,” Recognizing the unforgettable banter of the president of Aries and her Meister Otome, Arika's eyes raised to glare hotly at the pair from under her tears.
“That's what I said wasn't it?” Haruka asked, seemingly forgetting about the girl that had just steam rolled into her.
“You said incontinent, it means someone who cannot control their... bodily functions,” Yukino finished with a small grimace which Haruka mirrored. Arika's emotions were rapidly bouncing between rage and misery and being ignored only managed to ignite the fire that had been building. She rose and threw herself at Haruka, beating her fists against the golden plate mail and screaming at the top of her lungs.
“I'm so stupid! So stupid! I've ruined everything! And... and... and it's all your fault!” the girl shrieked. Haruka, upon recovering from her surprise, easily grabbed the girl’s wrists and pressed her against the nearby wall.
“Arika? What are you talking about? What could I have possible done to upset you so?!” Haruka shouted into the weeping girl's face, clearly irritated at having been accused of something she had no knowledge of. Arika however, resigned to her submission and weary with emotion, merely crumpled against the woman, sobbing into her neck and shaking her head.
“Arika dear,” Yukino began in a delicate voice, shooting Haruka a look that told her she wasn't to upset the girl any further, “we don't understand what has happened, could you please try and explain it to us so we know how to help?” Arika's sobs paused for a moment as rational thought began to kick in at the sound of Yukino's caring voice. She allowed her tears to slow before pulling away from Haruka who released her briefly only to catch her up again, this time more gently around the waist, as the exhausted girl began to sag to the floor.
“Our quarters, perhaps?” Haruka suggested, already scooping her other arm under the girl’s legs. Yukino merely nodded and took the lead for the short distance back to the rooms they had been given for their stay in Windbloom Castle. Upon entering, Yukino took a seat on the couch and motioned for Haruka to set the girl down beside her, the redhead instantly leaning onto the president’s shoulder.
“Now, Arika dear, why don't you tell us what happened?” The girl hitched twice before taking in a few deep breaths.
“I'm such an idiot… I let my feelings get the best of me… and I ruined everything...”
“What do you think you've ruined, Arika?” Yukino asked quietly. Arika turned her head to meet the president’s eyes and Yukino had to struggle to keep her composure. Arika's normally vibrant eyes, always so full of life, seemed dim, like shallow pools of misery. The only emotion left in them was heartbreak, slowly draining away through the tears that rimmed them.
“My Master, my Queen, my Mashiro-chan... she hates me...”
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The most wonderful day...
--
My eyes fluttered open as some tiny irritant tickled the tip of my nose. I glanced to the side as I always did upon waking to check the sunlight's position where it crept across the floor. 'Perfect!' I thought to myself as I found that it was sometime around noon, which was only an hour short of a decent time for one to wake and start the day. 'Mashiro-chan said she'd wanted to wake up early for some important... something-or-other. She's gonna be so proud of me for remembering!' I beamed, looking around for my sleeping Queen. I found myself slightly confused at first when I didn't notice her to either side of me on the bed, and a little frightened when I saw that her bedclothes weren't hung up. I was about to set off to search for her when...
“..rika... stay still..” It was only then that I noticed the weight pressing down on my chest and instantly calmed as I swept my eyes down to take in the sea of silky lavender hair. I have to say I was feeling pretty proud of myself at that moment. I'd remembered an order, found my missing Queen, and managed to identify the culprit that had tickled my nose all in one shot. I was about to wake her so I could brag about my accomplishments when I noticed that her head was resting quite comfortably in my rather ample cleavage. It seemed she was taking full advantage of my generous growth period over the last few years to acquire a natural pillow for herself.
“You've grown into such a beautiful young woman, Mashiro-chan…” I whispered, reaching out to gently brush her hair aside to take in her angelic face. She smiled at my touch and wrapped her arms around my waist, managing to snuggle a little closer even though she'd already been lying on top of me. I let out a long, all too familiar, sigh. “I wish you'd hold me like this while you were awake though... feels so good...” I shook the gathering thoughts from my head and settled in to bask in the fuzzy feelings that came from not only hearing her sleeping breaths, but feeling the rise and fall of them where we were pressed together. Not to be cast aside so easily, an image of last nights dream flashed through my mind for barely more than a second but it was plenty enough to send all the blood in my body rushing into my cheeks.
Her lips trailing butterfly kisses across my collarbone as I ran my fingers through her silken locks... I noticed my hand was gently cupping her cheek. A gasp escapes my lips as her fingertips brush lightly across the swollen peaks of my chest... My face is inching closer and closer towards hers, I can feel her breaths tickling against my lips. Her fingers descend lower, dancing across my belly as they travel lower still, her lips press against mine to devour my cry as they reach my most sacred of places, a place that has belonged to her since the moment I laid eyes on her... So close... almost... there...
“Forgive me my Queen, I wasn't feeling well and overslept so I... oh god! I'm so sorry!” Aoi screamed in embarrassed shock upon seeing our position. I added my own shriek into the mix and bucked so hard I sent Mashiro sailing clear off the bed to land with a rather loud thud. I winced and quickly sprang clear of the bed to help my sputtering Queen, who was cursing and unceremoniously rubbing her butt, to her feet.
“W-Wh-What the hell!?” Mashiro finally managed to stammer out through her sleepy rage. Aoi quickly bowed her head and whimpered which, fortunately for me, made her the initial target of Mashiro's wrath. “Aoi, what the hell... oh that feels better,” she moaned as I took over massaging her sore rear end, “is happening?!” she finished, just as angry as when she'd started.
“Forgive me my Queen, I was just coming to wake you and apologize for being terribly late when I saw Arika..”
“..was going to wake you up because I'd remembered you saying you wanted to be up early!” I interrupted, begging the girl with my eyes to not give me away, thankfully she got the message and gave me a quick nod. I could feel some of the tension drain from Mashiro's backside from the explanation.
“Oh... okay... hey wait a minute! Why the hell did I end up on the floor then?!” She shouted, instantly tensing up again and fixing Aoi with what I'm sure was a vicious glare.
“Well... um... you were kinda sleeping on top of Arika-chan and,” she cleared her throat nervously, “when I came bursting in she was surprised and bounced you off,” she finished meekly, knowing that this was a very delicate subject, especially in the mornings. Mashiro let out an exasperated sigh and leaned back against me. Unsure of what to do I simply continued my ministrations to her bottom, learning very quickly that it was surprisingly supple considering the girl's small frame.
“Arika...” Though her voice was calm I could taste her anger in the air. Wait, does anger have a taste? It must because I tasted something and I knew she was a roiling volcano at that moment. “First of all, why were you sleeping with me in my bed again even thought I've told you not to like a hundred times? Second, why, if you were waking me up early like I asked, does it seem to be half past noon? And third... why are you giving my ass a deep tissue massage?!” I told myself that it was the ice cold fear gripping my heart that made me unable to remove my hands from her butt.
“Um.. let me think,” I murmured, knowing that I'd need to choose my words well if I was to walk away from this unharmed. “Well, I was sleeping with you because my room is really cold and has lots of spiders in it and I figured since you had such a big warm bed you wouldn't mind sharing. Uh, for the second one... you know I usually wake up late in the afternoon so I figured this would be early like you asked. And the third question, um,” I swallowed hard and tried to think of the answer she would want to hear, “because you're my master and I love you?” I offered meekly and apparently incorrectly when the volcano erupted.
“I meant early for normal human waking time! Not lazy ass couch potato Otome sleeping time!” she shouted furiously, pushing away from me and swatting at my hands. “And it's stuff like… like this that has everybody in the castle whispering about us! The butt rubbing and the sleeping together, everybody thinks we're all lovey lovey with each other!” I tried not to let the sting of her words show on my face but I must have done a bad job because her eyes softened a little.
“What's so wrong with that?” I asked, my voice quivering slightly. She turned away, unable to meet my gaze.
“We both know it's not because your room is cold and there are no spiders...”
“That's not true, I saw...” my voice trailed off as she shook her head. I lowered my eyes, hating more than ever my inability to express myself properly. “It's just... you're my Master and my Queen and my best friend and... so much more than that! I can't even begin to explain it, you know how bad I am with words...”
“Arika...” I looked up to see her eyes filled with as much confusion and doubt as I felt were in mine.
“I just... every second I spend away from you feels wrong Mashiro-chan! And it's not just because of the contract either... it's something else that I can't explain and I think... I think deep down you feel it too!” I was out of breath by the time I finished, my lungs having forgotten to take in air as I bared my soul for her to see.
“Well it's... I... you see...” she mumbled, sighing in exasperation even as the hint of a blush crept across her cheeks. “It's not that I don't enjoy sleeping with... I mean, all the little things you do. It's sweet knowing that somebody like you who can't be anything but honest would ever feel that way about someone like me but...” She sighed again, this time out of frustration. “It's just that I have so many other things to worry about and besides,” she said, lowering her voice to a whisper, “I'm a little scared about going further and doing any of that stuff with you yet...” Even with my hearing strained to the limit I could just barely make out the last words, but quiet as they were they made my heart soar. I couldn't help the grin that would now be permanently plastered to my face after hearing those words. Aoi tactfully chose that moment to clear her throat and provide Mashiro with a distraction to hide her embarrassment with. Unfortunately for Aoi, grateful Mashiro was still Mashiro. “Wait a second. Aoi, we both know breasts for brains here is a worthless sot when it comes to remembering important things but why were you late?” The girl paled visibly, it was already over before it even began.
“Well, you see...”
“Isn't that the same dress you had on last night?”
“The thing is...”
“Is that lipstick on your collar?”
“I can explain that, it...”
“Those are hickeys on your neck, aren't they?” The girl knew she was busted and simply nodded in surrender. “That must mean...”
“Yukino and Haruka-chan are here! And they brought Chie with them!” I squealed in excitement, already bubbling over with all the good news this day had brought. I think I heard Mashiro saying something about not running off like a... something-or-other as I hurriedly made my way to the door.
“Stop right there Arika Yumemiya!” I instantly ground to a halt from the command in her voice. “Jeeze, don't you ever listen? I was just saying that you have to dress properly and accompany me to the meeting! Considering we're already two hours late, how would it look for our country if only a bubble headed Otome in her wrinkled shorts and tank top showed up to represent us?!” I knew there was some truth in what she was saying, however there was excitement and adventure waiting on the other side of that door. Luckily, my mind came up with a compromise.
“Can I help you get dressed if I stay?” I asked eagerly, soaking in her blush like it was water in the desert.
“What?! No you can't help me get dressed!” She sputtered angrily, already shoving me towards the side door that led to my room.
“Aww… why not? You used to let me dress and undress you all the time when we took baths together. Now you're always hiding behind a towel or something.” I said, puffing my cheeks out in agitation.
“That's a personal matter!” she all but shrieked, doubling her efforts to usher me out the door.
“Well it personally sucks if you ask me!”
“Nobody's asking you!” Aoi chose that moment to make the biggest mistake of her life.
“She's probably just feeling inadequate because your breasts are so big and hers are so small.” The sound of knuckles cracking was a good indicator that something very bad was about to happen, but thankfully, nothing seemed to be broken after I was tossed headfirst from the room without her even opening the door first. I distinctly remember Aoi, who had tried to follow me out, scrabbling for purchase as she was dragged back into the room, the now unhinged door being wrenched shut after her to silence whatever punishment was coming. Deciding to avoid further injury I dressed in my finest attire which consisted of an only slightly wrinkled summer dress and then materialized my Robe around it before making my way into the hall and waiting for my Master.
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“You look beautiful, Mashiro-chan,” I said idly, deciding to use my free time during the ceremonial oaths to interest myself in something more productive. She stepped on my foot and told me to face forward through clenched teeth unsuccessfully posing as a smile. Nevertheless I could see the hint of a blush in her cheeks which made me happy. With all my 'Mashiro watching' the end came quicker than expected and they blew the trumpets that meant we could turn and approach our guests. Something flared up inside me when I noticed that Yukino and Haruka were holding hands, causing me to quickly snatch up Mashiro's with my own and taking it a step further by interlacing our fingers together.
“What are you doing?” she asked through her clenched smile.
“I... I don't know.” I whispered back, honestly unsure of why I'd reacted that way.
“Well, I guess it's okay, especially if it keeps you from...”
“Yukino! Haruka-chan!” I shouted gleefully, dragging Mashiro along as I ran forward to give both of the Aries leaders a great big hug.
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“I'd apologize for our late arrival and my Meister's behavior but... well, you've met her.”
“It's disregardful of a Meister Level Otome to..”
“That's disgraceful Haruka, and it's quite alright Lady Windbloom, we're all friends, are we not?”
“If we are friends then I insist you call me Mashiro, anything else makes me feel old and tired,” Mashiro said with a rather demure giggle that I didn't recognize.
“Very well, but I must insist you call me Yukino in return.”
“So, are you here for any... government stuff, or did you just miss me and come for a visit?” I asked, growing a little weary of the small talk.
“Arika!” Mashiro scolded so fast it was obviously done on reflex. “At least try to watch your manners!”
“Oh no, it's quite alright, Arika-chan just prefers to speak her mind.”
“What little is there to form words,” Mashiro muttered under her breath. Even though Yukino had clearly heard the teasing, the diplomat in her continued on as if she hadn't. I did, however, notice her eyes flick down to where my hand rested atop my Queen's on the table.
“It's a rather endearing quality in those we choose to keep close to us if you ask me. You'll always know that what they say to you is true and comes straight from the heart.” I could feel Mashiro's hand tense underneath mine for a moment and considered taking it away until she twisted her palm up to lace our fingers together and give my hand a gentle squeeze.
“I couldn't imagine things any other way,” Mashiro said with a genuine smile that she then turned on me.
'Would it be bad manners if I leaned in and kissed her right now?' I thought to myself. Mashiro had been acting strangely ever since my confession this morning. Actually, the more I thought about it the more I realized that she'd been acting strangely for a while now. Mostly just little things like showing more affection to me or complaining less and less about the things I did to be a little closer to her. For a moment I considered asking Aoi but she had been looking rather ill since we'd left the room earlier in the morning. 'Her punishment must have been pretty bad, I wonder what it...'
“Unfortunately,” Yukino started, effectively halting my wandering mind, “we are here on business Arika but it's nothing too serious so you needn't worry. In fact, why don't you and Haruka go outside and get some exercise or something? The two of you have been fidgeting non-stop since we sat down.”
“It would be fruitful for me to leave my post in such a manner!”
“That's shameful Haruka... well, actually, you're right, it would be fruitful because then I would have the chance to speak to Mashiro in private. Please do this... for me?” All the resistance in the golden haired General was obliterated by those last two words.
“I was just thinking I could go for a spar,” Haruka announced loudly as if this had been her intent all along, already on her feet. I made to follow suit but found that my fingers were still linked with Mashiro's.
“You'll be careful, right?” Mashiro asked with such heart warming concern in her voice. Caught up in the moment I leaned down to place a lasting kiss on her cheek which was flaming red by the time I pulled my lips away.
“I'll always be here to protect you,” I whispered before pulling my hand away and walking from the table.
--
“You know, you should really be more careful,” Haruka grunted, swinging her mace around her head a few times before hurling it at me, “about how you show your feelings in front of others.” I leaped over the spiked ball and ran along the chain, sending a kick at her face which she deftly avoided with a sideways leap. “It could cause problems for your Queen.”
“What kinda problems? Two women being together isn’t so rare is it?” I asked, flying towards her to throw a series of punches which she blocked and returned, forcing us to break apart apart. I couldn't help the miserable feeling from spreading in my stomach. I hated the thought that something big could be going wrong even though everything seemed to be going so well.
“No, but unforgettably it's still frowned upon by a lot of people, some of them very impotent.” I shook my head a little, sure that there was at least one word in there that was wrong. My distraction almost earned me a right hook to the chin but I was able to jump back just in time.
“But you and Yukino... everybody knows the two of you are together.”
“Well, yes,” she admitted, actually blushing slightly, “but we don't go around showing it off to everybody.” I couldn't help the flash of of anger that arose from hearing those words. Something about the whole thing just felt so wrong.
“Well maybe you should!” I shouted with enough force to catch the woman off guard. I charged forward, materializing my Element as I did so and swung the weapon like a bat, landing a heavy blow to her midsection with the flat of one of the crystals and sending her skidding backwards through the dirt. I flew forward and put the tip of the blade to her throat before she could recover her footing. “Why should you have to hide your love like it's something shameful?! It's so stupid!” I shouted, tears of frustration welling up in my eyes. She turned her face away, unable to meet my gaze.
“It's complicated, you wouldn't understand...” she said quietly. Hearing the normally headstrong woman's voice sound so broken and defeated weakened my resolve. I landed on the ground, my Element falling from my hands as I dropped to my knees.
“It's not fair! I could never hide my feelings like that! So I'd... I'll only be causing her more problems than I already do?” I asked, already feeling like I'd lost something precious. “It's not fair...” Haruka seemed to recover herself, bending down calmly to pick up my lance and hold it out to me.
“Someone able to strike with such force shouldn't say such weak words,” she said, clutching the shaft so tightly that I heard her knuckles pop. “If you truly care for her so much then find a way to make the situation better,” she said, her voice, though firm, was filled with desperation. I looked up and was stunned to see that she was on the brink of tears. “Do what I have been unable to do for my Yukino!”
“Haruka-chan... I...”
“Ariiiiiiiiiiika!” A far off voice shouted from behind me. I turned to see Mashiro running towards me from the castle. A hint of a smile managing to peek through my sadness at the mere sight of her. When she made it to us she had to hunch over for a few moments to catch her breath before falling to her knees in front of me. “Are you okay? She didn't hurt you or anything, did she? Oh god, we were just passing by the grounds and I saw you like this and thought you were injured. Are you cut anywhere? Is anything broken?” she chattered frantically while looking me up and down. My only response was to stare stupidly.
“Um... there's no need to worry yourself, Lady Windbloom, I was... defeated in our match without inflicting a serious injury,” Haruka said awkwardly, trying to diffuse the situation.
“Really?” Mashiro asked, looking at me hopefully. I was finally able to recover enough from my surprise at her reaction to nod. “Oh... I see,” she said, rising to her feet calmly only to knock me on the head. “Then say something before I go blathering on like an idiot! Here I was worried about you and you go and make me look like a fool! And my dress!” she shrieked, noticing a green smear where she had knelt. “You're going to be the one that scrubs this out! And... and...” her anger seemed to deflate as she let out a deep breath. “I'm glad you're okay,” she finished, giving me a shy smile. I stood and caught her up in a back breaking hug before dropping her and clutching her to my chest.
“You're so sweet to me Mashiro-chan!”
“Bah! Lemme go, you're gonna kill me with these things!” She screamed from my cleavage, struggling to push herself off of me.
“My my, this certainly is an... energetic Queendom, is it not, Haruka?” I could hear Yukino say, causing me and Mashiro to pause in our struggles. Upon realizing that she had her hands placed firmly on my breasts she quickly lowered them to her sides and turned away, blushing crimson. “Haruka, let's retire to our quarters, I have matters I need to discuss with you.” The woman nodded and handed me my Element, bowing slightly to me before turning and offering Yukino her arm.
“We'll see you at dinner, won't we?” I asked before they could go.
“Of course, Arika. If you'll excuse us.” Yukino said with a bow before looping her arm through Haruka's and leaning on her shoulder as they began their walk back to the castle. I watched them jealousy for a moment before turning to Mashiro and noticing that she too was staring after the departing women. I smiled as I dematerialized my Element and Robe, now standing next to her in a summer dress that matched her own.
“It doesn't look so bad, does it?” I asked.
“No, no it doesn't,” she said quietly. Then, upon realizing what she'd just agreed to. “Oh no, don't you go... getting any... ideas...” she said, voice trailing off as she noticed that I was no longer in my Robe and that our dresses complimented each other.
“You know me,” I said with a smile, offering her my arm. “I never think too far ahead.” She blushed and seemed to consider it for a moment before slowly slipping her arm through my own...
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To be continued...