This is my very first attempt to write a fan fiction of a different title other than Rurouni Kenshin. I thought that it would be a nice change for once since I have just hooked myself onto this short, sweet manga since February 2007. Furthermore, I am only borrowing the characters for entertainment purposes only.
This is my story, not Matsuri Hino's or anyone else's, so please do not assume that this is part of the original MeruPuri plot. The plot of this story took me about five minutes to sort out, including –minor and major-- details and character roles. It then took me about a week to straighten out my ideas and to get the flow of the story. It kind of blossomed from inspiration, which resulted with me scribbling furiously in my notebook, hence the name 'broken pencil'.
It is highly recommended that you have already finished the four volumes of MeruPuri for the sake of understanding my fan fiction. I do not want to have to go into details of the significant events regarding things that have happened in the book, nor do I want to spoil it for those who have not read it.
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Only For Her
Chapter 1
By Broken Pencil
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"Airi!" he exclaimed from the living room, pointing to the mountainous amounts of presents stacked all over the table. "Let's open our wedding gifts together!"
His wife walked out of the kitchen, carefully placing her apron on a chair nearby. She had her walnut-colored hair tied in loose ponytail, and cast her husband a serene smile. "Sure, Aram!" she answered excitedly, clapping her hands together to indicate how thrilled she was.
It's been a day after their official wedding celebration all over the Kingdom of Astale and they are currently at Airi's initial home—Earth—for a short honeymoon, as well as maintaining Airi's non-magical life there.
All her parents knew she was that she's in some "school" while "dating" a nice, young man. That was-- of course--not the truth, but it was a temporary reason that made sense at the moment. She was slightly irked at the initial idea of lying to her family, yet she didn't want to lose Aram. Surprisingly, her parents and grandparents didn't object to the news that she was living with her "boyfriend". She knew they probably felt horrible for being away all the time, and thought that she ought to share a house with someone other than herself and her two dogs, Pochirou and Koromi. She admitted that it was quite lonely before Aram appeared in her life.
Airi sat next to Aram on the couch and began to sort through the mass boxes of gifts. "I never imagined that I would ever receive so many gifts for my wedding," she confessed with modesty, a blush creeping to her face when she felt his eyes on her.
He smirked when she glanced at him, then shrugged carelessly and replied, "That's because I am the Kingdom's most beloved prince."
She hit him lightly on his shoulder, laughing, "Aram, you idiot!"
The truth was that her playful, affectionate smack was not gentle as she thinks and it actually stung his shoulder for a while. However, seeing her smile made the pain worth it. He leaned closer to her face and grasped the base of her chin to make her look at him.
"A-Aram?" she gasped when she found herself gazing into his intense hazel eyes. "W-what's wrong?"
"My country admires you, Airi," he said, not breaking his eye contact for a brief moment. "They love you as much as I do."
She nodded, still blushing when he pulled away and resume to sorting out the presents.
Airi was still blushing; it was a habit that never faded away after those years of being with Aram. He's always had an encouraging effect on her. He was reliable, caring, and sweet; however, he only reveals that side to her and no one else. Aram was born with an innate sense of deep responsibility and maturity. That was the side everyone in the kingdom has seen since his birth. During her stay at his Kingdom, she would stay up at night in bed, wondering how in the world she became the wife of the second prince.
The story of how she became his wife was impossible to forget. First of all, it was not completely romantic and it didn't start out with a question and ended with a kiss. Instead, it was at the sentencing of her punishment for coming back to Astale as the descendant of a traitor in her family. It started with a kiss—a kiss that created a mark she unintentionally put her life into. But whenever she thought back to the time she felt the most vulnerable, Aram was there to rescue her.
Aram came during her year in high school when she was fifteen. Ever since their first meeting, their lives were never the same again. She didn't anticipate in falling in love with the boy! She was certainly attracted to him, but it was not an intention of hers to marry him. Fate really had a way to make love spark under the most bizarre scenarios.
She felt Aram nudge her side softly enough to get her attention. "Yes?" she questioned, peering at the first opened gift in his hand.
"It's a pair of matching bracelets from Queen Nei," Aram held out the silver bracelets for her to see the details.
It was a very simple silver bracelet that was about half an inch wide. On the center of each bracelet was an oval gemstone.
"Congratulations, Aram and Airi. Regarding your wedding gift, the top of each bracelet is a gemstone, its colors have different meanings, and each one is specifically made for each of you," Airi read the card out loud. "The one with the pink gem goes to Airi, and the one with the green gem goes to Aram."
Aram identified the corresponding stones and frowned, "Apparently she had the wrong names carved into them."
He looked through the bracelet to check once more. "See," he pointed to the engraving inside the bracelet, "Your bracelet has my name, and mine has yours."
Airi finished reading the card, and smiled. "No, Aram," she replied, taking her bracelet out of his hand, "the Queen intentionally did this to show that we belong together."
"Oh…" the amusement and realization in his voice was his only reply as he slipped on his bracelet with ease. "Put yours on, Airi!"
She giggled, lifting her left wrist to show him that she had already done so.
A proud smile spread on his lips while his eyes sparkled with pleasure, and he resumed to opening the next gift.
The next box he chose was particularly small. Airi opened the card and read, "This is to remind the Mountain Lily Maiden her desired gift…" She paused for a brief moment, confused by the meaning of the words. She finally gasped when she caught on to the gist of what was in the box. "Aram, do not…!"
It was too late…the black feather containing a fragment of darkness consumed his body. There was a brief glow in the room before the light dimmed down. The once form-fitting clothes on Aram became a gown on a little boy—specifically a seven year old boy.
"That stupid Jeile!" he cursed, pulling the large t-shirt off his small body. "I will make him lift this spell when we come back!" he vowed, blowing his dark brown, curly bangs away from his evergreen eyes.
Airi sighed as she mentally growled at Jeile's immature antics. He's the King of Astale and a father of two boys, yet he still enjoys putting his only brother in despair whenever the opportunity appears.
She picked up the next present. Its wrapping was simply ivory with a gold ribbon on top. There was no card, no name to identify-- nothing.
"That's quite odd…" she murmured, opening the top cautiously.
Aram turned his head slightly when he heard her comment, "What is it, Airi?"
She pulled her head back when she took out a heart-shaped locket and gaped in awe. In a breathy voice, she managed to say, "Aram, it's so pretty!"
It was a white-gold chain with a diamond embedded on the heart locket. It was so simple, yet so beautiful.
"It is pretty," he agreed, taking the chain in his little hand to put around her neck.
He fumbled over and over, groaning with impatience until he had finally managed to clasp the chain properly around her neck. He pulled back with a satisfied nod. She looked dazzling.
"How do I look?" she asked. The smile on her face was enough to make his heart beat erratically.
He blushed. She laughed.
"You're so cute!" she gushed, pulling his seven year old body into her arms.
"Hey!" he protested, pulling away from her crushing embrace. "I don't want to be 'cute'!" He pouted, crossing his arms.
Airi giggled. He tried to ignore her bubbly laughter. It was so melodic to his ears, almost pleasantly hypnotic.
"Stop acting like such a child," she teased, pointing at his obvious foul mood.
He glared at her. "I wouldn't be a child if my maiden would give me my kiss."
She pressed her lip tightly. It was tempting to keep Aram in his child form, but she knew his patience was wearing away with each word that came out of her mouth. She spent a moment in sorrow. There will be other opportunities, she supposed.
"Okay, Aram," she said, slowly walking to the boy. "I will kiss you…"
He smirked, tilting his head upward in time to interrupt her. "--right here," he commanded, hinting to his lips.
Airi nearly stumbled over her feet when she walked over to him. "Not until you're back to normal," she retorted, regaining her posture.
"Fine." He cocked his head to one side and waited rather impatiently.
What pride! She frowned as a surge of regret pumped through her body; she was too lenient for easily giving into his demand. But then again…he's always been lenient and patient with her.
Airi pushed a couple loose strands of her cinnamon-colored hair behind her ear. She leaned forward to the boy sitting on the couch. Her moist lips briefly met his soft skin when she suddenly jerked back, doubling over in agony.
Aram's protective instinct instantly took over as he held her shoulders and cried out her name.
Her entire body went numb, and her knees bucked to the floor. Through the blurry vision she could see Aram screaming, his face expressing fear and concern, yet she couldn't take her hands away from her head. The pain was so intense that it felt like there was an earthquake in her head. She groaned, unable to withstand the throbbing any further.
He was worried. Airi was in so much pain, yet he couldn't do anything but watch. What in the world was happening? She suddenly stopped with her hands still on her head. Aram held his breath. He loosened his hold on her shoulders, scared that he might have hurt her.
"Airi…?" he whispered.
She pulled her arms down, looking at him with unfamiliar eyes.
Right there, he knew that a spell had been triggered. The affectionate emotions in her eyes were gone, replaced with suspicion. There wasn't a welcoming smile gracing her lovely face that acknowledged him as her lover. She looked at him like as if he were a…stranger.
"Who are you?"
Those words sent his mind spiraling back to the events that happened five years ago. That time when everyone opposed his marriage to Airi and wanted to break them apart. It's happening all over again…not to him, but her.
He clenched his fists, eagerly seeking through the possibilities of who would do this. Who would have the idea to do this to his wife? He cleverly concealed his anger, replacing his face with a fake smile.
"I am Aram," he introduced, ignoring the ache tugging on his heart. "We met a few years ago and you told me I can stay with you as long as I want."
"Oh… I remember now!" she replied, pressing her lips together thoughtfully. "I'm sorry, Aram… I just had a memory lapse."
He tried to keep his smile from faltering. "I see…"
She grabbed her wallet on the table. "I am going to buy groceries to make dinner tonight!" she answered, walking out the door. "I will be back!"
He dropped his cheery façade and became serious. Airi seemed to remember the first time they met, but he wasn't sure if she remembered everything else.
Until he could come to a logical solution, he must remain like who he was five years ago-- before he fell in love Airi. He knew it was impossible, and it was difficult to stomach the thought of being a child to his chosen maiden, his wife. For now...it must remain this way.
His eyes wandered to their wedding presents on the table. He was mildly surprised that Airi didn't see the gifts piled there, but she was always dense when it came to her surroundings.
He began to pick up each box, tossing it into a closet nearby. He is in no condition to use his magic because of his false form; his magic will not work properly and might possibly do more damage like before.
He gripped tightly onto the box he was holding. What could have triggered Airi into forgetting him? He looked down and pieced the information together. They were just opening their wedding gifts, he turned into a child because of that stupid Jeile, Airi was about to kiss him, and there was that necklace prior to the kiss.
"The necklace," he growled. It must have functioned like the box of feelings given to him by Mariabel. His blood boiled as his fury rose. Who would have the nerve to insult royalty, especially disguising it as a humble wedding present? Who?
His palm slammed against the wall. He slowly fisted his throbbing hand, his eyes clouding with emotions. He won't lose her.
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"Hmm…" she hummed, carefully placing a couple of eggs into her shopping basket. "What else do I need?"
She rubbed her temple. Something odd happened back at her house. Something felt off as soon as she saw Aram. He was a boy she met around her neighborhood five years ago, and that was how it remained after all those years. Yet…his eyes pained her so. It felt like something important was torn from her.
Airi finished grabbing the rest of the items and went to the cashier to pay. She paid for her groceries and headed home.
Another image of Aram's troubled face flashed in her mind. She gripped her bag tightly and increased her walking pace. She will get home quickly and ask what's wrong.
She came across a corner and made a turn, unknown to her, there was a hooded figure coming from the opposite side. They instantly collided. The hooded figure was far larger than she, and knocked the surprised Airi to ground.
She rubbed her backside, picking up her fallen bags.
"I am so sorry!" an apologetic, masculine voice approached her ears.
Airi looked at him. "Huh?"
He pulled down his hood to reveal a sepia-colored spiky hair male with hazelnut eyes. She gasped when she recognized who he was, a blush creeping to her face. He held his hand out to pull her up.
"Nakaoji?" she uttered, holding tightly to his outstretched hand.
He started to pull her up until he heard her say his name, and then nearly released his hold on her.
She yelped when she nearly fell back to the ground; however, Nakaoji tugged her back once more with such force that she ended up leaning into his body.
He sighed in relief, looking down at the girl. It finally clicked when he saw her familiar face.
"Hoshina?" he asked, his lips forming into a sincere smile.
He hadn't realized how intimately he was holding her, but Airi was well aware of the closeness. She pulled back, straightening her clothes. It was Nakaoji's turn to blush when he noticed what he was doing earlier.
"I-it's been a while, Nakaoji," she stuttered, looping her hair behind her ear. "Aren't you supposed to be studying at Tokyo University?"
He rubbed the back of his head. "I'm here on an extended vacation since school won't resume for another month or two."
She grinned considerately.
There was an awkward pause between the two.
Nakaoji stared at his feet a while before inquiring, "How's you and your boyfriend?"
There was suddenly a whiplash added to the awkward silence. She cast him a puzzled expression. "What boyfriend?"
His friendly expression dropped as he gazed intensely into her eyes. She appeared to not understand what he had asked. He figured if she didn't want to talk about it then he wouldn't force her.
"Never mind," he drawled out, exhaling in relief. Somehow her reaction satisfied him. Perhaps there was still a chance.
"Would you like to come to my house to catch up?"
He nodded, offering to hold her grocery bag. "That would be nice."
They walked together. During that moment, Airi wondered what happened to that dream she had in high school. What happened to her dream of having Nakaoji as her husband, and getting married at the age of twenty?
Her heart beat irregularly at the thought. What happened during the last five years?
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To be continued…