Mai-X-Project Act II: Redemption of the Gods Part 1 [RP in session]

Midori sat up, as the air flowed through the apartment the smell of dirt, sweat, and blood off her body overtook the sweet air flowing in from the balcony. "Eugh! I need a bath, hey girls," she called out "let’s get cleaned up! Last one in the bath has to clean it after we're done" some of the other girls made worried looks at their bodies, still bearing the scars and grime of battle and rushed after Midori through the sliding door into bathhouse, only to stop in awe of how huge it was.

The first room they came into had large sections labeled for each of them with a laundry hamper and a set of towels, as well as a pair of Pajamas or a Nightgown depending on the locker, along with long fluffy white robes and slippers. as well as a set of mirrors and sinks, also labeled with their names and a set of different makeup and perfumes according to their taste, for Midori it was relatively empty, just a stick of deodorant and toothbrush and some hand soap, she smiled though...just the way she liked it most days, after all who needs all those extra touches when you are the perfect 17 year old.

Going through the next door she found a set of stools with tubs and taps for washing with a shelf with a collection of shampoos and bodywashes, and at the end of the room was something they would have never expected in any inside room "is that a hot spring?" through the magic of science and magic there was a hotspring right inside the hotel at the end of the long bathhouse, it was as large as a swimming pool with a fountain in the middle of models of each of the 13 Childs spouting the hot water up and back into the hotspring, as well as flowing down as a small waterfall. Inside a small blonde woman sat resting; Midori approached her to find Saber sitting in the hotspring,

"Welcome master, here to get cleaned up to? Oh! Did you need me to wash your back?" Midori looked at her in surprise "Saber? You're here?" Saber nodded "Yes Midori-sama,  there was a building that the tree spirits took me to that reminded me of my home in Britain, but my place in by your side" Saber said standing up revealing her body to Midori, as Saber walked towards a door on the side "Oh master, I'm going to spend some time in the Sauna, enjoy your talk with the rest of your friends" she said giving a quick point towards the entrance as the door to the sauna closed Midori turned and looked in near awe at her compatriots

Mai had really grown up, her mature body in high school had been one thing but now with the adage of the years they had been apart her body had been sculpted as if by a goddess, he breasts had clearly grown around a size, but her hips and waist were now as perfect as to match, her lips while serious had their own charm, Midori remembered her crush on her she had since all those years ago, the times she had wished that the two of them could have been a couple...but it was never to be, Mai had loved Tate and Midori had always lacked the courage to tell Mai her true feelings.

Midori distracted herself by looking at Natsuki, she had grown her long raven hair out longer over the years now reaching her buttocks and while she had a much smaller set of breasts than Mai her ass had remained tight and her lean body still had the muscular tint it had always retained, even as she had lived with Shizuru and her during their time in college after she had returned from her adventure seeking abroad.

Nao had grown up the most, from the teenage girl so obsessed with taking what was rightfully hers in her own sense of justice to the crimson haired woman in front of her, 10 years had matured her in more ways than one, her mind was less childish than before and her body had lost all signs of her early youth now taking on the beauty of an adult.

The reincarnated Shizuru was as beautiful as an angel, her near perfect body showing but a few signs of battle, but as she moved she showed as much elegance as their own Shizuru would, standing by Natsuki's side and looking her up and down when she wasn't looking, the sight was so familiar Midori had to stifle a laugh

Mikoto however still looked like the child she always had, however with a little more discipline than their own Mikoto had ever shown, still holding her staff as she came into the bathhouse

then there was the other Midori, now seeing her in the nude there was little to no doubt in her mind of one simple fact, this Midori was no mere reincarnation... along her beltline there was the same scar she had, a slash from Mikoto's sword Miroku from their fight after she had revived Miyu, either this Midori was a perfect copy or...she had never changed in the first place,

Shaking the thought from her head Midori lowered her body into the hotspring and with a happy sigh relaxed as the filth on her body began to wash away as her muscles relaxed. "Oh that is the stuff" she said with a sigh, looking at the mural at the back of the bathhouse of the battle they had when they defeated the Obsidian Prince, before Arika came and ruined everything.

Shizuru’s head turned at the sound of Midori’s voice issuing a challenge to race to the bath. One eyebrow quirked up in response, and her eyes darkened considerably as she considered a deliciously naked Natsuki.

She noted the set-up of stools and tubs, each labeled, and hummed softly upon noting her set was a) directly next to Natsuki’s and b) held a pale lavender color scheme. But she could take ore time to explore that later; a bath really was in order, after the battle against herself-but-not.

Ruby lips curled into a predatory smirk upon sighting the hot spring, mind immediately coming up with thousands of ways to make the most of such a delightful surprise. She noted the odd statue in the center, noting that one of the creatures was the one that had killed Midnight.

Her brows knit together at that, temporarily distracting her from the parade of Natsuki-ideas, as she contemplated the statue. On one hand, she hated it on sight; that creature—Kiyohime, if she recalled correctly—was responsible for the death of one ally and for very nearly killing another. But on the other…it felt familiar, somehow.

Shizuru was unsure of what to make of that, but resolved to figure it out later in favor of pursuing one of her favorite past-times: observing her Natsuki.

Natsuki's skin become quilted with little goosebumps, the slight chill of the group passing her made the little hairs on her arm stick up. Her eyes traveled everywhere, to the water, ceiling the Hime's everywhere. Wandering eyes settled on Midori for a few seconds before watching Shizuru's jaw move.

She spoke. The movement of Shizuru's jaw made Natsuki's head turn with a start and then lingered there, staring at her like she was a model. A model that dared everyone to photograph her and become the biggest sensation for paparazzi. If hidden photographers were there, they wouldn't leave Shizuru's side.

Then following the gaze up to see a familiar statue. Kiyohime. Natsuki's long hair cascaded around her shoulders, covering her chest from her exposed body. It covered her back like it was a soft blanket.

"....Shizuru...." Natsuki's eyes dimmed. Following the events of Arika and her destruction, she had yet to wonder what it felt like to lose your life like that. Sure, it happened to the both of them before but what does it feel like to die in the arms of your lover. Natsuki herself couldn't handle the image of the life escaping her lover but she wondered what Shizuru felt. Back when they were fighting the Shadow Hime, Natsuki could almost feel the real Shizuru. That one that stood before her was fake obviously, but she couldn't help but feel her Shizuru there....for that fight. The group helped them defeat the enemy but Shizuru was there, looking out for them. Like Shizuru was looking out for her now.

Natsuki turned to face Shizuru with love in her eyes, for the first time since she laid eyes on this new Shizuru and smiled. It wasn't forced, it wasn't fake, it was true....her famous smile that she gives for one person, and one person only. Shizuru.

Cat goddess Mikoto's joyful expression faded quickly at the mention of bathing. Even after 1000 years, she still retained her cat like tendencies. Future Tokiha would always bait her into taking baths from time to time. All attempts were successful each time.

Out of habit, she would refuse, but after down at herself, she couldn't find a valid reason not to. Her clothes completely covered in grime and other filth were the clearest of evidence.

With a reluctant sigh, the golden eyed girl joined the other women to the bathhouse, staff clenched in her hand. She had a feeling there would be red butt monkeys soaking it up in the hot springs.

As she pouted and sulked, her grumpiness was washed away when she spotted Mai's ample bodice from the corner of her eye. Everyone had grown physically throughout their 10 years on Earth and it showed.

Mikoto still had her childish figure, for some reason. Perhaps she was an immortal? It didn't really bother her that much anyway.

With an impish smile, Mikoto lowered herself so only her black hair was showing. She slowly swam towards Mai's spot and pounced on her chest without warning. Then, she proceed to plant her face between those melons shamelessly.

"Meow!"

Yawning, Midori covered her mouth with a hand and finally cleared up her tense expression. Just the steam of the baths wisking towards them was enough to trigger the tired ache in her muscles now that danger was past. Washing off before getting in, the steam only served to beckon her more along with the intricate statues standing sentinel. She spotted one of Gakutenou easily and smiled, despite those old memories she saw, the ones that were of her and her alone with the beast were firmly ingrained and ran the fondest for her. Still, she felt another presence on her back, instantly dragging her out of reminiscing as her eyes darted to find the observer. It was herself, and that made her tingle with a sense of self consciousness.

'If we're supposed to be the same why is she staring like that? She can just look at herself...'

Undeterred, she joined in the water and returned what had been the stare with some confusion and guard. The tough act started to slip away however as the water seemed to meld everything away and almost shut her eyes like magic, which she snapped out of as her head dipped.

Mai Tokiha was the last to step into the extravagant bath house. To Dita's credit (more so than Arika's "hospitality" ), this suite gave Mai the warmest feeling of security. She had decided earlier to not spoil herself with the bedroom. It was a reward she wanted to earn through bathing and dinner. Like her mother, Mai always considered entering a bedroom stinky and unclean bad luck. "Okay, well" she erased the thought of being stinky from her mind. It was common for her to smell like Potpourri; one of her most favorite fragrances.

Her old custom Fuka Academy clothes, worn solely for the 10 year anniversary occasion, was currently in the futuristic washing machine provided. Covered in lord knows what. Dust, blood, dirt...she could still smell the zombie mold from her first encounter. After everything that had transpired at the land once known as "Fuuka" ( "thank you for the study course, Midori-chan." ), Mai was actually proud of her time there. It was the missing piece in her life. Only, it came with an obvious price each time. Go figure.

Mai carefully made her way up the small step stool, carefully placing her bare feet into the water before removing her towel. She glanced over at both Midori for a second, then over at Nao who seemed to be lost in thought again. Mai frowned. Was Nao on the same page? It bothered her. To her relief, Natsuki Kuga and this new Shizuru, who calls herself Shizuru Viola, seem to be getting closer.

"Natsuki-chan. So much has happened since we were separated. At least you have a second chance at happiness, for mine manages to slip away."

The bath itself felt exquisite. Mai found a wide variety of body washes, each with it's own  sweet smell. Parking herself opposite of Nao, Mai began to apply this fragrant soap to her body. The HiME tattoo on her breast glimmering as usual. Bless Shiho. Had she survived, she would of given Mai another barrage of envy.

Cat Goddess Mikoto wrote:With an impish smile, Mikoto lowered herself so only her black hair was showing. She slowly swam towards Mai's spot and pounced on her chest without warning. Then, she proceed to plant her face between those melons shamelessly.

"Meow!"

"ACK! MIKOTO-CHAN!?" exclaimed Mai, quickly realizing how familiar and comforting this felt. Granted, her breasts being touched felt amazing...

"For dignity's sake, I wll always deny that."

...still, this wasn't a good time. Not when Mai wanted to be lock away in thought. Oh, what the Hell. This is Mikoto, so she allowed it to happen without any retort.

"Say, Mikoto-chan. Can I ask you something personal while you wash my back? It's something I never got a clear answer to."

It should be noted that Mai said this aloud, with the intention of getting everyone's attention. Her voice was a little hoarse, so something may or may not be amiss.

Sensing Natsuki’s eyes on her, Shizuru allowed her lips to curl into a little smirk. That smirk softened, however, when she caught her Natsuki’s genuine smile.

Her heart throbbed painfully, recalling that same look on a slightly older face. A face she would likely never see again. This Natsuki was not the one she had first fallen in love with, nor was she the Shizuru Kuga had first fallen for. There were differences, of course, like that curious mark on Natsuki’s back.

But, despite the differences, there was no small amount of reassurance in knowing that no matter the world—no matter the life— she would always have her Natsuki.

They would both need time to grieve, and would certainly need to have a serious conversation at some point…but for now Shizuru could content herself with the vision before her.

Mai wrote:

"Say, Mikoto-chan. Can I ask you something personal while you wash my back? It's something I never got a clear answer to."

Hearing Mai speak, Shizuru tilted her head slightly in the red-head’s direction, never actually taking her eyes off Natsuki as she prepared to eavesdrop.

Luu Sky Sapphire wrote:
"Say, Mikoto-chan. Can I ask you something personal while you wash my back? It's something I never got a clear answer to."

Midori hearing this silently swam to within perfect earshot and began eavesdropping out of curiosity, hiding behind the statue.

"could this be-" Midori stifles a gasp underwater "-love" she thinks to herself.

Mikoto looked up at Mai's face. She pulled back slightly and nodded eagerly.

"Sure, Mai! You know you can ask me anything."

She waited for Mai to adjust herself and turn around.
Then, Mikoto provided the soap and sponge. With surprisingly careful hands, the smaller girl began to scrub Mai's slender adult back thoroughly and smoothly.

"Well? Ask away."

Natsuki closed her eyes before breaking eye contact from Shizuru long enough to hear Mai mutter words. Natsuki followed her attention to Mai, who got their attention quickly.

She situated herself so that she was sitting slightly closer to Shizuru but kept a professional look about her.

Bluholic711 wrote:
She waited for Mai to adjust herself and turn around.
Then, Mikoto provided the soap and sponge. With surprisingly careful hands, the smaller girl began to scrub Mai's slender adult back thoroughly and smoothly.

"Well? Ask away."

Mai adjusted herself a little more, then felt the sublime touch of Mikoto's hands. This Mikoto was different; her hands, while small, were more powerful than Minagi's. Cracking a smile, Mai came out with it: "Who are you, Shizuru and the other Midori exactly? Are you really from some alternate dimension as Arika implied? Are you clones? You said yourself that you were a reincarnation, but that is not possible. How is that possible? And Shizuru-san, why do you remember Natsuki? It doesn't add up."

This has bothered the Flaming Princess for a long time. Deep down, she didn't want to come off as aggressive to these doppelgangers from the future. One possible future, perhaps? No. She couldn't believe that.

Shizuru’s lips quirked right back into that predatory smirk when Natsuki diverted her attention back to Mai.

Turning her head fully towards Mai as she spoke, and without moving her upper-body at all, the Otome lightly dragged her toes up Natsuki’s calf.

“Kanin na, Mai-san,” Shizuru lilted, calm mask perfectly in place. “It is not that I remember Natsuki, but that there is a Natsuki where I am from.” Her eyes darkened briefly, remembering her lover bleeding out in her arms.

She gathered herself quickly, though, smiling demurely at Mai even as she watched for Natsuki’s reaction.

WolvenBane08 wrote:
“Kanin na, Mai-san,” Shizuru lilted, calm mask perfectly in place. “It is not that I remember Natsuki, but that there is a Natsuki where I am from.” Her eyes darkened briefly, remembering her lover bleeding out in her arms.

She gathered herself quickly, though, smiling demurely at Mai even as she watched for Natsuki’s reaction.

Mai locked eyes with Shizuru Viola. Looking at her now, she was just as beautiful as Mai remembered. It was the her skin, Mai was always envious of Fujino-san's fair skin. No woman from Japan she'd known has had it since...until now.

"That's my point, Shizuru-san. Why is there another Natsuki. How did she..." Mai stopped. Perhaps too soon to dig that up. "Was your Natsuki's case like Mikoto? A reincarnation or Natsuki-chan with immortality?"

The carrot top HiME felt a tinge of embarrassment. Quickly crunching her fingers and toes out of frustration. But she had to press questions like this to get the answers she needed.

Midori popped from the water in her usual dramatic fashion "Hey Mikoto I have my own question, Midori 2.0 has the same scar as I do from my duel with your...what is the opposite of reincarnation, preincarnation maybe, but you don't have the scar from my labrys, do you have some form of a healing factor or..." Midori paused in her question turning to the other Midori "...unless you're me, oh god...I'm still alive that far in the future aren't I? I still am not free of this am I?" she added, the latter bit under her breath, her face turning solemn

Midori Sugiura wrote:oh god...I'm still alive that far in the future aren't I? I still am not free of this am I?" she added, the latter bit under her breath, her face turning solemn

Mai turned her head slightly, "that's one possibility," she murmured before focusing back on Shizuru. "It isn't the case with everyone, though, is it?"

Natsuki looked at Shizuru when Mai asked that question. She wanted to know as well, too many questions filled her mind and maybe this will help start a conversation with this Shizuru. They could use all of their time alone together to converse about what happened and explore each other.




"AYYYEEEEE!!" Natsuki blurted out. Natsuki's face turned bright when she heard her voice echo in the bathroom. The simple touch of Shizuru's toes sent tingles up her spine.

firesphere306 wrote:Natsuki looked at Shizuru when Mai asked that question. She wanted to know as well, too many questions filled her mind and maybe this will help start a conversation with this Shizuru. They could use all of their time alone together to converse about what happened and explore each other.



"AYYYEEEEE!!" Natsuki blurted out. Natsuki's face turned bright when she heard her voice echo in the bathroom. The simple touch of Shizuru's toes sent tingles up her spine.

Though restrained, Mai jerked her head out of impatience. "Stop that! Why must everything be a game to you!?"

Mai gasped at that second, remembering that was the last thing she said to Fujino-san before she was knocked out by Arika during the invasion of Earth 10 years ago. They were allies and friends, but the truth was that Shizuru invested everything in Natsuki. Mai admired Fujino-san's strong devotion. It just wasn't needed at this time.

Shizuru tilted her head in thought at Mai’s inquiry, sparing an innocently curious glance to her blue-haired counterpart.

“You and Natsuki share a mark,” Shizuru answered at length, indicating Mai’s plainly visible HiME mark. “The Natsuki I have known has no such mark on her back.”

To emphasize her point, Shizuru lightly placed a single finger on Natsuki’s HiME mark. She internally decided against mentioning that the Natsuki she had known had a delightful erogenous zone in the exact same location.

Mai’s outburst had Shizuru narrowing her eyes slightly. The finger on Natsuki’s HiME mark was replaced by the entirety of her hand in a decidedly possessive manner.

“Kanin na, Mai-san,” Shizuru spoke in entirely too sweet a voice, before it dropped abruptly to ice. “If I were playing a game, you would certainly not know of it.”

The cold, detached look in her eyes allowed no doubt to the veracity of her statement; she was a serpent coiled to strike if provoked.

Midori stood there still silent, unable to look anyone in the eye, she needed to get it off her chest, but with everything going on how was going to possibly say it to everyone just then she looked at Mai looking like she was about to explode

WolvenBane08 wrote:
“Kanin na, Mai-san,” Shizuru spoke in entirely too sweet a voice, before it dropped abruptly to ice. “If I were playing a game, you would certainly not know of it.”

Mai gritted her teeth and stood to face the bewitching woman before her.

"YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH!" screamed Mai, splashing water everywhere.

"You wouldn't, would you? You never cared about the rest of us, Fujino-san..." Rats. Almost let it slip. Not that it mattered. Mai had already raised her left hand to show that beautiful; ice-like woman some respect.

"MAI!!!!" Natsuki shifted over so that she was right in front of Shizuru, stopping the mid air hand that was coming for Shizuru.

Natsuki's hand intercepted Mai's and she held it in her hand and didn't let go. Her eyes stared straight into Mai, pleading, anything for a sign of life. "Stop it, Mai. Don't do anything that you're going to regret later. YES, each of us here have been through something horrible, YES...you are entitled to be this angry and lash out at us...but...when you feel like you have to strike one of us out of anger.....like this...when we know FULL well what you're feeling...I won't have it....on anyone here. Mai, listen to me when I say this. Everyone here has lost someone or something....we're searching for peace and life. That's something that we must accomplish again. Remember the carnival? The fun we had...at the bake off? At times like this...one must think back to those moments."

She let go of Mai and looked back at Shizuru. "I may not know what you and everyone else did in your time, Shizuru, but I'm sure that you had moments like that. So, may I say this to you both, to everyone here. Let's talk civil and try to focus on what want in the end. Figure out who we all are....." Natsuki go of both their gazes and ran her fingers through her hair.

Mikoto's hands stopped dead in her tracks. She wasn't expecting a heavy questions such as that. For the first time in a long time, the cat goddess was shocked. She couldn't find the precise words to formulate a valid answer. She was at a complete loss.

"Well..."

Was she truly a reincarnation? Was she really a clone? Or was she just some fake? And imposter blowing smoke and wisdom around? She remembered her previous life back in Fuuka with Mai and the others. She remembered the hideous carnival arc. She remembered the final bout with Mai and the aftermath. Mikoto even remembered her time at the beach with everyone, including her unlucky big brother.

The rest was all a blur. She didn't really know how she was able to live in a world 1000 years from the future.

While Mikoto was trying to think of a answer, tensions were raising, now of all times. Mai was losing her patience and Viola wasn't really helping matters.

Like a mighty military figure in charge, Mikoto rose from the waters and slammed her golden staff on the ground violently.

"ENOUGH!!!"

The frustrated and outraged roar shook the hot spring area and even the entire suite. The red butt monkeys were long gone, scared away by the mighty and powerful outburst.
Everyone stared at the usually cheerful, upbeat girl, even Nao Yuuki, of all people, flinched with surprise.

With a deep breathe, Cat goddess Mikoto glared down at Mai and replied with the most sincerity she could muster.

"You mean...you mean you don't believe that we exist? That we don't have our own world? From the beginning, I was known as Mikoto Minagi long ago. And I still am but with a new title and different clothes. I don't have Miroku anymore. I've casted away my sword long ago. When everyone else was growing older and older, I remained the same. I was cursed with watching everyone grow up and grow apart in time." 

Golden eyes glistening, Mikoto looked up at the night sky.

"One by one, through old age, my friends passed on. I suffered a lot worse than I ever had back at the Carnival event. I had suffered an even greater loss when you, Mai, was taken from me. You say that you have been through a lot, but you wouldn't really know it once you've heard everyone else's story, right? Especially mine."

Mikoto remained still, like a statue.

"At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if Viola, Aswald, and myself are clones, reincarnations, cyborgs, or whatever the like. We are still Shizuru, Midori, and Mikoto respectively. Isn't that enough?"

Luu Sky Sapphire wrote:Mai turned her head slightly, "that's one possibility," she murmured before focusing back on Shizuru. "It isn't the case with everyone, though, is it?"

Midori looked away as she shook her head eventually speaking up "I’m sorry but you’re wrong Mai” Midori said standing her eyes beginning to water  “I'm sorry Mai, Natsuki, Nao…" she said avoiding eye contact "I've been keeping a secret from you guys for a while now, and the scar proves it sadly, the Other Midori isn't a reincarnation, she is me just a few thousand years older, and unless you were somehow fighting in the last few carnivals before the one you and I met in, then I don't feel they are in the same situation" she looked down at her hands as tears began to fall into them,

"this was the price of losing the first time, the thing I cared most about was maturing into an adult more than anyone else, it was selfish but after she died it was all I had left, then I was beaten...now I'm trapped...forever 17"  she said forcing a grin "kind of crazy huh, what happens when you care about no one else, I was selfish and now I am cursed for it. Bet you guys just hate me now, a person who was more concerned with their future than anyone else, I would despise me too." Midori said tears in her eyes beginning to walk out of the hot spring. "I'm sorry."

Shizuru refused to rise, choosing instead to hold her head high as her frozen ruby chips bore unflinchingly into Mai.

Her eyes widened, though, and returned to their usual warm crimson when Natsuki intervened. A slight facial tic was the only indication of her surprise over Mikoto’s outburst, but she listened to what was said.

She held her Natsuki’s gaze and nodded slightly once. She would hold her peace and not openly antagonize her new allies.