Healing Kisses (ch23)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY $20+ PATRONS!!

A very fun concept and idea from nadie95! I did as best I could with the game info just based off the bond stories and cut scenes I've seen, so I hope I got the details down.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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												Chapter 23. Once Upon A Dream

Claudine blinks against the blinding blaze of an orange spotlight. Everything else is in darkness around her for the moment, but when she glances down she sees the wood of a familiar stage. And she recognizes the clothes she's wearing all too well.

Heaving a sigh, she reaches for her sword at her hip, wondering how many pesky Korosu there will be for her to fight this time.

But to her surprise, she doesn't feel the weight of her weapon, and when she touches her side it's not there at all.

Puzzled and cautious now, she glances around in the darkness, seeking out Elle, the giraffe, or even Andrew for some sort of explanation.

But there's no one.

Not until a suave, and very annoyingly-familiar voice sounds from right beside her.

"Oh, dear, there's no need for that."

Gasping, Claudine whirls back around as a second spotlight shines bright white, illuminating none other than Maya herself. Claudine puts a hand to her heart and sighs.

"It's just you… You scared me."

"My apologies."

But what surprises Claudine even more than Maya's sudden appearance is, well… her appearance.

She isn't dressed in her revue costume like Claudine is. Rather, she adorns a light, flowy outfit, one embroidered with tassels at the ends of her long, transparent pink skirt. Purples and whites cover her stomach and chest, though a fair amount of her skin is left visible. With see-through sleeves, an intricate golden necklace, and a matching tiara adorned with a purple gem and feather, Claudine recognizes the outfit immediately.

This is Maya's costume from their "Dream of A Thousand Nights" ReLIVE.

A ReLIVE that's already well over with.

Puzzled, Claudine tilts her head.

"Tendo Maya? Why are you dressed like that? Don't tell me we're doing that ReLIVE a second time… Are there Korosu to fight-?"

"Do not worry yourself, Ma Claudine," Maya smiles, taking her hand. "We are not here to do battle tonight, nor are we here to save any at-risk plays."

Claudine glances down at their hands that are now interlocked, then gives her a questioning look.

"Then why are we here?"

Maya doesn't answer right away. Instead, she gives Claudine a sudden tug and pulls her in. With a yelp, Claudine finds herself getting pressed close against her, until she's settled in Maya's arms. Maya leans over her very closely, enough to make Claudine's heart leap.

"H-Hey! Tendo Maya! What are you-?"

"We are here, tonight," Maya purrs. "To enjoy ourselves. Nothing more."

"Wh-"

But before Claudine can even finish asking her next question, Maya pulls her into a grandiose twirl. Lights and colors suddenly flash to life all around them, and the next thing Claudine knows, she's found herself at a lavish palace.

The floor is made of polished marble, the walls are covered in velvet tapestries of intricate patterns, explosive paintings of landscapes, realistic sculptures of animals, expensive furniture...

And beyond the balcony are foreign towers seemingly made of diamond, sparkling beneath a night sky sprinkled with stars.

And Claudine finds her own clothes have changed to match Maya's - she's now in her Aladdin costume, consisting of blues and whites with golden rims and accents. She's seated on a cream-colored couch at the center of the room, and Maya is already moving in beside her, draping an arm across her shoulders and pulling her in close. Claudine's breath hitches in her throat as she feels Maya's hand roaming the exposed skin of her stomach.

"H-Hold on just a second," Claudine rasps. "What's going on here? Why are we-?"

"I already told you, Ma Claudine," Maya hums. "You needn't worry yourself so needlessly."

"That only makes me worry even more."

Maya smiles and captures her lips in a kiss.

"Don't," she murmurs. "Simply let your mind and your heart be at ease."

Claudine turns her face away, her cheeks pink from the kiss.

"Mechante… Aladdin and the Genie aren't supposed to kiss…"

"It matters not," Maya assures her. "We are not performing any sort of play tonight. We may do as we please." Her hand snakes around to the small of Claudine's back, pulling her in closer now.

And Claudine doesn't fully understand what's going on here, but if she's allowed to show her affections for Maya without consequences, then who is she to oppose?

So she wraps her arms around Maya's shoulders, feeling Maya's around her waist in turn.

"You…" she growls softly in warning. "You'd better not be messing with me, Tendo Maya."

Maya strokes her fingers gently though Claudine's hair, caressing her cheek.

"I would never."

And in spite of her initial misgivings and questions, Claudine can't help but let herself be swept along with all of this. She cranes her head back and closes her eyes, easing in against Maya who pulls her close.

They come together for another kiss, kindling a heat of their own in this desert setting.

That is, until a great clattering startles Claudine so badly she ends up biting Maya's lip as she jolts away.

"Wh-What was-?"

But before she can finish, a figure appears, leaping high over the rail of the balcony and landing with a thud there inside the room with them. Maya growls in the back of her throat and clicks her teeth as she turns slowly to glare at the intruder.

Claudine is about to stand up and demand they identify themselves…

Until she realizes she knows exactly who it is.

"T… Tendo Maya-?!" Her shriek of disbelief fills the room as Claudine rubs her eyes, hoping to see past whatever illusion this is.

But surely enough, the person standing in front of her now is none other than Maya.

She's dressed in another familiar outfit - a reddish-orange dress bordered with gold, with a long flowing white cape at her shoulders and a white-gold sword in her hand. The crown in her hair confirms the identity of the character she is portraying; the Sun Nation Army General.

Claudine's jaw goes slack as she looks back and forth between them - the Genie and the General.

Two Tendo Mayas.

As if one wasn't already too much for her to handle.

She feels faint.

"What on earth…?"

"Ah. So you've come after all." The Maya who'd been sitting beside Claudine on the couch - the Genie - stands now to face the General, who raises her sword defiantly.

"Indeed I have. I've come to reclaim my most worthy opponent - the Commander of the Black Lion Knights - Saijou Claudine!"

"Hah?!" Claudine jumps to her feet now, mildly outraged more so than confused. "First of all, I'm not something to be claimed! And second-!"

"Indeed," the Genie says. "And besides, Saijou-san is already quite busy with me tonight, you see. We were about to paint the night crimson with the heat of our passion."

"We were?!" Claudine shrieks. "Mechante! What is the matter with you? So you really did just whisk me away here to fool around? Unbelievable!"

"You see?" the General scoffs. "She doesn't wish to stay here with you and your promiscuous whims."

"Now hold on," Claudine stammers. "I didn't-"

"Go back to your lamp!" General Maya commands. "I will take care of my Saijou-san from here!"

"Y-Yours…?"

"Not a chance." Genie Maya wraps her arm around Claudine and pulls her close. "Saijou-san belongs to me."

Claudine growls.

"Actually, no I don't-"

"You're mistaken," the General says, advancing now with her sword aimed. "She is mine."

"I'm not yours either!" Claudine snaps. "I swear, you really never listen, do you? As if one of you wasn't infuriating enough-!"

"Fear not," the Sun Nation General proclaims. "I shall save you from this palace of trickery, Ma Claudine!"

"I'm telling you, I don't need saving!"

But of course, Maya doesn't listen. Neither of them do.

Both 'versions' of her charge at one another, uttering the exact same battle cry. Claudine watches, dumbfounded as the General swings her sword, but when it makes contact, it travels right through the Genie as if she were truly made of smoke from a magic lamp.

Claudine is only snapped out of it when she feels the tight grip of a hand on her wrist. Sun Nation General Maya has taken hold of her now, standing in front of her defensively.

"Come with me," she says. "I shall take you back to where you truly belong - at the head of the Black Lion Knights!"

"Now hold on just a-!?"

But Claudine can't say anymore as she's suddenly pulled close against Maya's chest, and a similar spinning sensation overtakes her.

When she next opens her eyes, she finds herself dressed in black and purple armor with a matching sword in her hands. She's out on the plains in a medieval setting, with ancient castles and architecture behind her, a wide open grassland around her, and a bright blue sky above her.

Maya - the Sun Nation General - stands before her now with a smirk on her lips.

"This is your preferred stage, is it not, Saijou Claudine?" She charges, raising her sword to engage in a mock sparring match.

Claudine reflexively raises her own weapon to block her, and then pushes her back before taking another swing.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," she grumbles.

"Oh?" Maya coos. "And why not? You are an excellent fighter, and extremely dedicated. You belong here on the battlefield, training with me."

"Don't go deciding what's best for me, you infuriating woman-" With a shove, she puts a good distance between Maya and herself, then charges forward, bringing her sword around from the side. Maya holds her ground and positions her sword vertically to stops hers.

"Heh. See? You are much better off here than in some palace."

"Ugh, you are so full of yourself!"

Claudine drives her back and continues sparring with her for a few more intense moments, until they come to a particularly hard blow where both girls lose grip on their weapons. The swords clatter into the dirt, leaving them both defenseless now. Maya shrugs and smiles.

"I believe it's a draw, then?"

"You wish. I absolutely won that fight."

"Then allow me to give you your reward."

Maya reaches out her hand to take Claudine's, swiftly pulling her into a warm kiss. Claudine grumbles against her lips, but allows the victory kiss for as long as it lasts.

Until another commotion happens. This time, from above.

The blue sky suddenly turns dark purple as the clouds split apart, and a blinding light pours through. A deeper, but still annoyingly-familiar, voice bellows through.

"What is this?"

Claudine breaks her current kiss and gasps as Maya - or rather, another Maya - ascends from the clouds, dressed all in white and gold Greek robes with sharp bull horns atop her head and a staff in her hand.

Sun Nation Maya turns to glare up at her, picking up her sword to aim at her other self.

"Zeus! Leave us!" she commands.

But the white-clad goddess simply points her finger, and a flash of lightning strikes the sword out of her land-bound self's hands.

"Be careful who you give orders to," she grumbles with a voice like thunder. But when she looks down at Claudine, her voice softens a little. "Saijou Claudine. You do not belong here. Come with me."

Claudine crosses her arms and huffs.

"You know, I'm getting really tired of Tendo Maya telling me where I do and don't belong-"

But before she can finish, a swirl of clouds suddenly appears at her boots and begins to lift her up into the sky. She yelps, having no choice but to grab onto Zeus Maya for support. The goddess smirks, wrapping a strong arm around her back.

"As it should be," she says. "Farewell, General."

And with a swing of her staff, Maya transports both herself and Claudine into a vortex of clouds and wind.

When she next opens her eyes, Claudine is dressed in the same white robes and sandals, and she's standing on a cloud as if it's the most natural thing in the world.

"Ah," Maya's voice rings out through the sky. "Now all is right with the universe that my queen is by my side once more."

Claudine glances back to find her seated on an extravagant throne, beckoning to her.

"Come, Ma Claudine. Join me so we may reign over the heavens together."

But rather than do any of that, Claudine begins making her way over for a different reason - though it's quite difficult to show her irksomeness by stomping when there's nothing but soft fluffy clouds beneath her feet.

"Now you listen here," she snaps as she reaches Maya's throne. "You have no right to-"

"Oh, but I have every right," Maya purrs. "After all, I am a god."

"You're unbelievable is what you are. Also infuriating and greedy."

Maya smiles.

"Yes. Greed is my dear friend, didn't you know? Everything in the world belongs to me."

"Everything else might, but I sure don't," Claudine corrects her.

"My dear, you are in denial."

"No. You're delusional."

"Very well," Maya nods. "A compromise, then. But you would still kiss me if I were to ask, no?"

Claudine crosses her arms and huffs, glaring sternly into her eyes.

"Only because you actually asked this time."

With a smirk, Maya opens her arms invitingly. And though Claudine knows she shouldn't be indulging her like this, she goes to her anyway, leaning down over the goddess and leaving a small kiss on her lips. Maya smirks against her mouth and takes her by the wrist, tugging her closer. With a yelp, Claudine finds herself being pulled across Maya's lap in a flutter of robes. Maya catches her readily, resting an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close until Claudine is pressed up against her.

"Ah," she sighs, and the golden sunlight glints off her horns. "This sense of power and unity… this is how it should always be, wouldn't you agree, Ma Claudine?"

Claudine swallows, heart in her throat.

"I-"

But again, just before Claudine can give a proper response, she's interrupted by the presence of yet another Tendo Maya. The sky parts yet again, from even higher than it had parted for Zeus. Claudine glances up in time to see the clouds turn red and gold. The Maya that appears before her now is clad in white and crimson. Amaterasu.

"Imposter," she claims, turning hard eyes upon her self in the form of Zeus. "You have stolen away my Tsukuyomi - my Saijou Claudine."

Claudine huffs.

"There you go again making such outlandish claims-"

"Blasphemy!" Zeus roars. She stands from her throne, keeping an arm around Claudine in the process. Her staff materializes in her other hand and she aims it at the opposing version of herself. "Saijou Claudine is my queen. I shall never surrender her to the likes of you."

Claudine groans again.

"Mechante! Why do all of you keep insisting that I'm some trophy to be passed around? I swear-"

"Then we shall do battle," Amaterasu declares.

"Hey!" Claudine snaps. "Listen when people are-"

"Very well," Zeus replies calmly, completely ignoring Claudine's outburst. Claudine feels like she's going to go insane if this continues for much longer.

But unfortunately for her, it does continue.

After she is inevitably whisked away by Amaterasu and made to be her Tsukuyomi, then it's Maya's character of Tamamo no Mae, followed by Maid Melissa, Tristan…

Each time they snatch Claudine from one another and whisk her away into their own respective worlds and stages, where Claudine is encouraged to play her role in 'their' stories.

It's all very exhausting and confusing, and it makes her heart an absolute mess. It feels like she's being tossed around without any control or say in things for herself, or when she does speak, the Maya she's currently stuck with doesn't ever listen. She starts to believe she's going to be trapped in a never-ending spiral.

Presently, the most absurd argument for Claudine's affections is going on between Tristan Maya and her Cheerleading self. And of course, Claudine is taken away by the latter somehow, and made to wear the same peppy outfit and hold the same pom-poms as Maya tries to encourage her into a lively routine where they're on the sidelines of some unknown girls' basketball game in a large gymnasium.

"Follow along, Saijou-san," she advises her. "We can end this cheer with you running into my arms for a kiss. What do you think?"

And it's finally gotten to the point where Claudine can't take this chaos any longer. She finally snaps.

"Enough!" she shrieks. "I can't do this anymore!" She throws down her pom-poms, and the cheering crowds all around her suddenly fall silent. Claudine freezes at the sound of something loud seeming to crack.

Suddenly, the world painted for this stage begins to crumble and shatter from her rejection, and the floor beneath her starts to shake. With a yelp, Claudine covers her ears and closes her eyes, feeling another strange rush of sensations.

When it all finally stops and she opens her eyes once more, Claudine finds herself dressed in her revue clothes again, back on the giraffe's stage. But she isn't alone. Not in the slightest.

Every single version of Maya she's seen tonight is standing around her now, appearing puzzled for a moment before their eyes harden at all the others.

"I see," Sun Nation General Maya declares. "So it's come to this."

"Evidently," projects Zeus Maya. "We must all do battle for the sake of winning Saijou Claudine."

"What?!" Claudine shrieks. "Absolutely not! You're all a bunch of hot-headed idiots! You can't just-!"

But just as they've been doing all night, the Mayas pay her no heed and instead all charge at one another at the same time. Claudine yelps, scrambling away from the fray as all forms of weapons, lightning, and magic suddenly explode across the stage.

"H-Hey!" she screams. "T-Tendo Maya! All of you! Listen to me!"

At the very least Claudine finds her sword at her hip now, and draws it before rushing into the fight. She parries Tristan Maya off of Maid Melissa, then defends Tamamo no Mae Maya from getting shocked by Zeus' lightning.

"Mehcante!" Claudine shouts. "Stop it! I swear, Tendo Maya, you are the greediest, most infuriating, thick-skulled-"

"That is quite enough."

Yet another voice - the same one Claudine's been hearing all night - now echoes out across the stage. All of the fighting forms of Maya, as well as Claudine herself, pause to look up now at the version of Tendo Maya she knows best.

It is the Tendo Maya she stands with together on this revue stage, her clothes matching Claudine's, and her rapier glinting in the white spotlight that illuminates her now. Claudine doesn't know if she feels more relieved or annoyed. But as her Maya approaches now, she pauses to offer her hand.

"Come, Ma Claudine. This is the stage you truly belong on. Together with me, and everyone else. You know it in your heart."

And Claudine refuses to admit it, but she's right. This is 'her' Tendo Maya.

So she slowly steps away from all the others and makes her way to her stage partner, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she places her hand in hers.

"I suppose," she says importantly. "That you're the only one actually genuine enough to be in my league."

Maya smiles, squeezing her hand gently before pulling her in to her side.

"I am honored."

Claudine's heart flutters again, but it's different from how it had sped up with all the other Maya's. This one is truly hers, and she knows it.

Maya keeps her close before raising her rapier to all the other versions of herself.

"Now then," she declares. "Begone, all of you! You have your own co-stars in your plays - your own 'Claudines'! You shall not be taking mine from me! For this is my stage!"

Then she pauses, sharing a rather tender look with Claudine now. Claudine huffs in minor disapproval. Maya dips her head in quiet apology and kisses her forehead.

"Rather, this is our stage. Ours - Tendo Maya's and Saijou Claudine's!"

With this, the lights shining down on all the other versions of Maya are blacked out, leaving only this Maya and Claudine left. Claudine heaves a massive sigh now that it's finally over.

"Thank goodness…"

Maya lays down her sword and has Claudine do the same, then pulls her in for a small kiss.

"You must've endured quite a lot of strife tonight, Ma Claudine."

"You have no idea."

"My apologies. Then allow me to make amends for the actions of my lesser selves."

In one smooth motion, Maya crouches forward to loop her other arm beneath the crook of Claudine's knees, hoisting her up into her arms bridal style. Claudine blushes.

"H-Hey! Tendo Maya! You're as brazen as ever…"

"You'll have to forgive me." Maya rests her forehead affectionately against hers before slowly walking forward. Claudine huffs again.

"Where exactly are we going now?"

"Oh, you shall see…"

That's when the entire stage goes black, to the point where Claudine can't see a single thing…

"Claudine…?"

"Ah-"

Claudine opens her eyes to find herself looking up at the cream-colored canopy of her own bed. The lighting suggests it's just early morning. When she turns her head, she finds Maya blinking down at her with a hint of concern in her eyes. Claudine rubs her arm over her face groggily.

"Tendo… Maya…?"

Maya reaches out a hand to touch her face gently.

"You were tossing and moaning in your sleep. Are you all right? Did you have a bad dream?"

Claudine huffs, but leans her face into Maya's palm.

"I guess you could say that…"

She explains her strange dream as Maya listens quietly until the very end, then makes a pensive expression.

"That is quite odd," she murmurs. "I believe I had a similar dream. Rather, I was wandering the stage aimlessly all alone searching for something… but then I finally ended up finding you, though I can't remember much else…"

"That's so bizarre," Claudine sighs. "It was nice in a way, but also kind of stressful. I mean… I enjoy all of the characters and roles you've played… But I much prefer the real Tendo Maya."

Maya actually blushes a little this time, bringing her free hand to the back of her neck in a show of bashfulness.

"That makes me… very happy to hear."

"Even so," Claudine continues with a pout. "You were highly annoying. I feel like I didn't get to sleep that much…"

Maya gingerly strokes her fingers across her partner's cheek.

"My apologies. But it's over now. And do you know what else it is?"

Claudine blinks tiredly up at her.

"What?"

Maya smiles.

"Saturday."

"Oh, thank god…"

Chuckling, Maya lays herself lightly down over her and gives Claudine a long hug. Claudine wraps both arms around her back and squeezes.

"I'm going back to bed."

"That sounds like a wonderful plan. I shall accompany you."

Claudine pulls the blankets up to Maya's shoulders as Maya settles on top of her, kissing her lips sweetly before nestling into the side of her neck.

With a long and mutual sigh, both girls drift back off into a much less hectic sleep together.

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A/N: I'd like to thank nadie95 and the people over on twitter who helped me out with all the versions of Maya to choose from! This was certainly a fun one haha