Summary: Ito Risa is a designer child. Meaning that she was genetically engineered to be there if anything happened to either of her sisters. For a while, everything's been quiet, and no one has known, but it won't be long before the truth gets out. Let's just say, the media is very hungry for a such a piece of information, that the Ito company head has violated ethics by conceiving a designer child.

So, this story just suddenly came off the top of my head, I'm not sure if it'll continue though...

But, I have gotten a few promising reviews/messages, and I think for the time being, I'll try to find time to work on it. :)

Without further ado, enjoy~! :)

Designer baby

The colloquial term "designer baby" refers to a baby whose genetic makeup has been artificially selected by genetic engineering combined with in vitro fertilization to ensure the presence or absence of particular genes or term is derived by comparison with "designer clothing." It implies the ultimate modification of children and is therefore usually used pejoratively to signal opposition to such use of reprogenetics.

Genetic modification can be used to alter anything from gender to disease, and eventually appearance, personality, and even IQ. Another controversy facing the advancement of genetic modification technology is the price of such procedures and its ability to create a gap in society. Altering embryos is fairly recent technology and as it develops is a very costly procedure. With only the wealthy being able to pay for the modification that will eliminate disease for their children and eventually choose to treat people with disabilities or diseases and those used to enhance healthy people. Or, create things such as 'Organ Banks,' where one child will be used in a manner similar to spare parts. Of course, that of which is HIGHLY disapproved by society.

~oOo~

I was born in a test-tube, and no one had ever second-guessed the ethnics involved. The doctors turned a blind eye once my parents offered each of them a blank check, and the nurses wouldn't dare expose the dirty little secret of one of he wealthiest families in world. My mother never contradicted my father's wishes, and my father always got what he wanted. They told my other siblings that the stork was bringing them a little sibling. Conveniently they forgot to mention that they already knew exactly what they would look like, I'd have blue-gray eyes and dark brown hair, not at all unlike the traits of my older sister.

Thus, on one bright sunny day in March, approximately sixteen years ago, they walked into the Ootori hospital in Tokyo, Japan. Sometime later that day, a few different versions of a child they could have had been created in test tubes. They ruled out the ones that weren't what they wanted. A lot of possible brothers and sisters for me were just dumped into a biological waste bin. Luckily, I hadn't met the same fate. I had had the genes they'd wanted in their little girl.

The one that'd either be the walking organ bank lest one of their other daughters needed something, or a replacement if any of them died.

I wasn't sure whether to be happy, or horrified at their concern for their children. Even though my sister was only 5 years old, they'd already thought of any future complications, and took care of them.

They got their genetic baby by Christmas that year, and they'd named me Risa, after my sister Misaki . Initially, my parents had believed that I would be a clone of Misaki, and chopping me open would be a cinche as long as she was there to replace me. Even though I knew my purpose in their eyes, I only hoped that they felt remorse.

The only reason I knew, was because I was nosy. Going through some old documents in my parent's personal safe, trying to find an answer to as why I was so much like my sister.

Yet nothing changed.

I thought I was special, there was room enough for both Misaki and I inside our parents' hearts, especially father.

However, when they looked at me, they only saw 'Misaki's little helper' or 'the replacement child.' Not that they would ever admit to it. But, at least my mother had the decency to hide it.

Not that I acted like I knew it. I tried to ignore it.

It'd be a secret that I took to the grave with me. Hopefully.

~oOo~

Water made my eyes burn, compliments of the hygienic chlorine. As usual, my goggles had fallen off earlier in the match. As a result, my vision blurred slightly from all the splashing. Trying my best to see clearly, I squinted and ignored the stinging as I searched for an open teammate.

"Pass!" One of my teammates shouted from the middle of the pool, and before anyone could get on her, I passed the ball to her.

It was a relief to have the pressure on her; I hated it when the parents and coaches just screamed at you. I mean really, they tell us to concentrate when their yells are a distraction themselves!

Swimming, I raced towards the goal. While my head was underwater, I gasped, letting the blue water in my throat. I surfaced, panicking slightly, and coughed violently.

"Holy shi-" I began, but decided against swearing. Turning, I came face to face with the girl who had fouled me. Apparently she didn't want me moving ahead, and elbowed me beneath the water. Of course the referee failed to see, but then again anything under the water goes.

"What?" The brown haired girl said innocently, almost daring me to call the referee.

Unknown to her, the girl with the ball had neared the goal. Twisting her body and holding the ball away from the opposing player who now guarded her, she met my eyes. "Ito-san!" She shouted in frustration. "Stop talking!"

Pushing the same defender who had fouled me away, I broke free and lifted my arms into the air. Within seconds the ball was back in my grasp and I turned around kicking my legs hard to keep me afloat.

"SHOOT!"

"GO FOR IT!"

"NOW!"

'You throw the damn ball!' I mentally remarked.

All sorts of yells came from the players, coach, and crowd and I gritted my teeth. Honestly, they never learned.

My burning eyes failed to see the goal net in detail, but I could make out the posts well enough. Throwing the ball into the corner, the goalkeeper jumped but failed to stop the ball. I suppose the past season on the water polo team had done me quite well.

The game didn't last much longer, good thing too because my side ached from the blow. Slowly making my way to one of the ladders, I shook hands with a handful of players from the other high school. It didn't hurt being a good sport, but I made sure to avoid the cheating defender. While all the while sending her a death glare that could put her six feet under, if only it came with a laser or something.

My arms were so tired, almost failing to hold onto the ladder's rails I climbed out into the cold air. Holding my arms around my soaked body, I looked around for my mom. She'd taken time off her schedule just to watch my game today. 'Good publicity, you know?' she'd told me earlier. But, by all means, it still felt good that she'd come to watch.

Suddenly, a familiar woman pushed her way through the crowd and rushed towards me. Anxious to get away from the cold pool, I padded over to her, listening to the squelch of water from my sopping wet feet with every step.

"Mom!" I was happy to see her, especially when I saw that she held out a towel to me. As a woman who never played sports but devoted all her time to a laptop, she began to fret about how dangerous water polo was.

"Mom-"

"And the referee can't possibly see everything, you know? You could get hurt-"

"Mom…"

"I'm always hearing about kids breaking bones or organs getting smashed or-"

"Mom…"

"They have to get things amputated, do you understand me? A-m-p-u-t-a-t-e-" She had an ongoing habit of spelling things out.

"Mom!"

"Hmm? Yes?"

"Can I have the towel now?" I asked, laughing. She looked down and saw that she still clung onto the towel in a death grip.

Sheepishly, she let it go. "Sorry." Slowly, people began filing orderly out of Ouran's massive indoor poolroom.

The game took place after school, so after a trip to the locker rooms, she took me home. Or at least told the chauffeur that we wanted to go home, if that counts.

Unlike most rich families at Ouran, our house wasn't obscenely big; it was on the larger side compared to the homes of commoners. But, it featured only three floors and a large wine cellar that took up the majority of the basement. In comparison to most Japanese rich families, we had multiple large houses, instead of one humongous house.

Only my car was parked in the driveway, my father's black Mercedes was nowhere to be seen. I hadn't seen my sister's white Lotus in our driveway for almost a year now, she'd moved (with her car,) over to America to attend college, and never really came home. My brother's cars were also gone. It didn't make any difference; no one in our family really drove anyway, and when we did, it was to make sure our parents didn't know where we were going.

My mom excused herself, and told me that there was something she needed to take care of back at my father's company, you see, she manages the Japan and Chinese branches, while my dad spends the majority of the year in America.

So, after her departure, I had the house to myself, all alone.

Well not really alone, Touya-tan was always there. The huge golden retriever was incredibly loyal to me, for reasons I'll never know since I don't do anything for him, its my parents' maids and butlers who feed him, wash him, and trained him. Me? I just played with him a lot as a puppy and soon I was his favorite.

But, I wasn't complaining. If I ever fell down a well or something, I could always count on 'Lassie.'

After unlocking the tall black door, I entered the living room and as usual was greeted by Touya.

"Hey you. Have you been keeping the house safe and sound?" I grinned bending over to scratch behind his ears.

A few years back, when we brought him home from the pound as a puppy (courtesy of a Humane Society event, my father thought it'd bring in some good publicity,) I spoke to him with the baby voice everyone uses when they talk to their pets. I then realized I hated being spoken to in a baby voice from my aunts and uncles- so the Touya-tan probably hated it too. So I talked to him like I would talk to my friends, except about the most private matters, my arguments with my parents and troubles with my sister or brothers. He sat there with me on my bed, just listening and licking my face whenever I felt down.

I almost finished my shower when my phone rang, causing me to jump out with only a towel, and race to my bag where my cell phone was stored.

"Hello?' I angled the phone so none of the water from my wet hair would get on it.

"Ito-san?" The voice on the other side was light, and rather apprehensive, I took a look at the caller ID, and realized it was my lab partner.

"Haruhi, hello."

"Ugh, I'm sorry, I forgot my copy of the lab sheet, could you bring me one when you get a chance?"

"I'm not that busy, I'll bring it to you right after my shower, where are you?"

"Music room 3, but maybe later, the club is pretty busy. How about 5ish?" I smiled, and told him that that that would be fine.

~oOo~

Hope you enjoyed, sorry for the low quality grammar-wise, I'm a little out of practice.