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Cera: Rise of The Lost Princess
by: Sorrowful Princess
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Genre: Angst/Romance
Pairing: NatsumeXMikan
Summary: I couldn't move. I couldn't speak. I was too shocked, too stunned, too astounded with what I've heard. With what I've learned. My head is spinning because of everything that the Denitra had told me, and I felt sick. Not because I still wasn't able to make sense of it, but because everything felt so true. So real. And I hated it.
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-x- Prologue -x-
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I've never given much thought why we are living, or why we have life.
All I knew was that I came from my mother's womb, was carried by her for 9 stinking months, was delivered, and was exposed to Earth's lights and oxygen supplies. I learned to walk, to speak, to smile, to eat. I learned a whole bunch, considering those stinking hours I've devoted for studying... when I was little. I learned how to earn friends, pretty much how to get along with them. We talked, we laughed, we do whatever we want. But of course, everything has limitations. And so, our fun was suddenly cut off when we moved on to our newly-built house. To a new village. To a new world.
I was against it. God knows I've tried to prevent this from happening. I don't wanna leave. I put up a fight. My parents and I got into a big argument about that stuff. But after all the 'your father needs to find a new job on that place' reasoning, of course, they won. How could I? Sure, our new house looks awesome, considering all the appliances and stuffs dancing all over the place. But it lacks something. It lacks something I most want to feel. It lacks spirit, familiarity. All it has is beauty, but no warmth or anything I'd most be needing. But, as I said earlier, they won the hideous argument so I have no choice but to survive it all.
And now, I'm here, on the small town's only high school building (for girls only), sitting like an idiot on the very first day of class.
"Hi," someone suddenly interrupted my reverie.
I tilted my head to the side to see that someone's face. It was a girl, of course. She had long blonde curls, deep black eyes, full lips, and a fair skin complexion. She was smiling expectantly at me. I smiled back, but just to show her some politeness. I don't wanna hurt this girl's feelings by being a snob.
"Oh, hello," I said, staring at her as she smiled more widely with the sound of my voice.
"A junior, I suppose? We're on the same class." she said.
Obviously. "Um, yeah." I answered in a low voice.
She held up her hand in front of me, gesturing for a handshake. "I'm Fiona." I shook her hand. "You are?"
"Sakura."
"First name, please."
"Oh, I---" I stopped short, hesitating. "M-Mikan..." I told her in a small voice.
Her eyes widened and I believed it's my name's doing. "Mikan? Mikan Sakura?" she creased her eyebrows. "Wait, are you Japanese or something?" she asked suddenly.
"No." I answered without skipping a beat.
"Oh, just as I thought. You've got no trace of any other race in your face," she remarked. "So, what's the history of it? Your name, I mean. It's... very unique." she finished with his tone abruptly hesitating at the end. I know she wants to say 'weird' but thought better of it. Great. I, for goodness' sake, already knew it was weird. They don't need to tell me anymore. So I'm more of glad she didn't.
"I don't know." I told her honestly. "Whenever I ask my parents about it, they just tell me that they don't know either. So that name---my name, just popped in their mind out of nowhere. End of the story."
"Ah, I see." she suddenly looked over to the door. Someone's coming and everyone suddenly fixed themselves up. "Argh, great. Teacher's here." she muttered under her breath. She turned to look at me one more time before straightening herself. "By the way, nice meeting you, Mikan. Hope you'll enjoy here, in Sanders High." and then she smiled again.
I just nodded in return, not bothering to force myself to smile. "Thanks." I forced to throw the words out. Huh. As if I could really enjoy here. Huh.
Time passed slowly... slow enough to annoy me. Nothing really important happened while I was here. Like any other stinking events of oh-so-boring-life, I was introduced to the whole class, was the topic of the gossips for my weird name, was the object of every pair of eyes, and was already the teacher's favorite because of my strangely off attitude. I was sent outside the class twice this day. And I didn't mind it at all. Huh. As if I would bother myself to bring myself in. So I just stood there, leaning on the wall for support, as I stared at the not-so-good-looking ceiling above me. Geez, it looks old enough to fall and bury me beneath when it crumbles.
I waited for the time to pass. 20 minutes more and it's dismissal. Ah, heaven. But the more I wait, the more it wouldn't come. Damn this time. Couldn't it be a little faster? I sighed in frustration. My legs are already feeling tired. I honestly wanna sit. But heaven forbid sitting inside the classroom so I was here.
"Bored?" someone suddenly said. I jumped slightly. I was surprised. And even more surprised when I got to process that someone's voice. Surprised, because it doesn't seem that it came from a girl. Yeah, it was dark and deep. A guy. I turned to face him and I was right. A guy, no doubt.
"Ummm.. Excuse me?" I said, a hint of confusion in my voice. Why was he here? Isn't this place supposed to be on 'girls only' policy?
"What?" he asked in the same confused tone.
I sighed. "Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be---" He cut me off before I could even finish.
"Whoa. Easy," he held his hands up. "You haven't even asked me my name yet. I'm Mark, by the way. And 'bout the thing you're saying, well, I don't give a damn. So what if this place is for girls only? It won't stop guys, like me, from wandering around here. Our school was just right across the street. So there's definitely no way they could keep us from hovering over the chicks. It's our right, you know. Damn this school and its rotten policies. How could they---"
"Okay, okay." I interrupted his speech. "So, you're from Henderson, I suppose? I don't care if you're here. I just asked, that's all. Just curious. No need to get all worked up with the explanation stuffs. And you're right. I'm bored. And telling you doesn't change that fact. So why ask?"
He raised his brow, amused. "Curious. Just like you. And wondering if there's something I could do to ease some of the boredom."
I sighed again. "Thanks for the offer. But I won't take it. There's nothing you could do."
"Oh, alright. Maybe you could at least tell me your name." he said, hopeful.
I looked at him intently. Why keep it from him? There's really no reason to do so. "Mikan." I told him.
"Mikan," he repeated, almost a whisper. "Cool!"
"Um, thanks."
"You're cute. Can I have your number?"
So this was what it's all about. As if I would give it to him.
"Sorry, but I don't have any number. I don't use cell phones." I lied, and it sounded like the truth. That's my specialty besides from eating, sleeping, and studying. How proud I am.
The bell rang. And I was glad it did. I slung my bag to my shoulder and looked at him one more time. "Nice meeting you, Mark. Try hitting on other chicks. Bye." I left him there but at least, he was not offended. I left him with an amused smile on his lips. What was amusing about my words, anyway? I knew the answer. Nothing. So why act like that? But honestly, he looked kinda cute. But not my type. Definitely not.
In my 17 years on planet Earth, I'm not ashamed to admit I've never had a boyfriend even once. It's not like no one fell for me. It's just that I don't fall for them. It was all my fault. I can't force myself to like them no matter how kind, rich, handsome, generous, or whatever they are. Well, I don't need them so why have them? It won't do me any good. Honestly, I just can't find someone I would truly like. I don't even know what qualities I'm searching. I don't know anything. It's like... no one in this world was destined for me. Oh well, maybe I should just apply for a Nun School. But they won't accept me there. I'm too sinful.
My house---not home---was just a walking distance so, obviously, I walked, seeing my neighbor's eyes glued on me. I don't care. They can stare as long as they want. Or if they're still not satisfied, they can try throwing their eyeballs at me. That would be something. It would ease some of the boredom. Yeah, I was bored. I was really, really, really bored to death. Isn't there anything exciting here at all? What's the point of asking when you already know the answer? Of course, nothing.
"I'm home," I muttered under my breath as I went inside the house. I threw my bag on the couch and went to the kitchen. As usual, mom was there, baking cookies.
"Oh, hey there, honey." she said, smiling, but not bothering to look at me. Her attention was fixed at the oven. "How's your first day at school?"
First day. Great. Well mom, I just sat there and slept until I became the teachers' favorite. I was sent outside the classroom, twice, to stand. And oh yeah, everything was so exciting, mom! Reading, writing, reading, writing. Argh! By the way, the food there sucks. Wanna try? I'll be glad to bring home some next time! Everyone was talking about me because of my weird name. Every pair of eyes was glued on me. Wow. Can you believe that?!
"Fine," I lied. "Great, actually. Why don't you try being there? I'm sure you'll like it." I said sarcastically.
She rolled her eyes. We're still not in good terms. Still has a hang-over out of our warlike argument. "Mikan, it was just the first day. I'm sure it'll get better the next day. You'll get used to it. So stop being so sour like you've been dipped on a vinegar tank."
This time, I'm the one who rolled my eyes. "Right." I said as I turned away from her, towards my room. "Where's dad?" I asked.
"Applying."
"And Brix?"
"Your brother's upstairs. In his room, I believe."
"Oh, okay." I started up the stairs.
"Mikan?" She called as I was just about to reach the last step of the stairs. I stopped short.
"Yes? What is it, mom?" I asked.
"Could you please clean up the attic? It's kinda dusty up there. And I can't afford to leave my cookies while they're baking so... do the job for now, will you?"
I winced. I hate cleaning. "Why me?! Just ask the nanny. I have a lot of homework to do."
"Well, honey, we don't have a nanny yet. The agency was still arranging her papers. She won't be here until next week so, for now, you'll have to help me do the house chores."
In answer, I just groaned. I hate cleaning. I hate dust.
"Aw, c'mon honey, help mommy clean! It was all you have to do."
After a long pause, I sighed, resigning. "Alright." I said, unwillingly. "I'll clean it up. Clean as a cloud."
"Thanks." she said and even though I can't see her face, I could tell that she was smiling.
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The attic was what I expected it to be. Very dirty, very dusty, very uninvitingly, with the smell of old papers and woods. It hit my nose like fire. Or rather, an itching device. It makes me wanna sneeze. God knows I'm allergic with these dirty things. I sighed. Why did I agree on cleaning this, in the first place? My mother's plea. Right.
"Mom says you've got to finish cleaning this in an hour. Dinner would be ready by then." A familiar voice suddenly spoke, startling me and sending an electric shock through my bones. Instinctively, I placed my hand on my chest. I turned around and saw my big brother's face.
"Gosh!" I said, almost shouting, breathless. "You scared the hell out of me, brother!" By the way, he's already 24.
He grinned teasingly. "I didn't scare you, silly. You scared yourself. Your face was the only thing that frightens you, remember?"
"Huh. I'm not as ugly as you think! You're uglier than I am!" I teased back, though the ugly part about him was an absolute lie. As far as I'm concern, he's the most handsome guy in this town. No wonder why girls chase him.
"Yeah, right. Whatever." he turned to leave. "Remember, 1 hour. You know well how particular mom always is when it comes to time. Better not be late for dinner." and then he went out, closing the door as he passed by, leaving me in total darkness.
Damn. He knew very well how much darkness frightens me. But still, he did this. He really wanted to annoy me. Moving as if I'm a blind man, I fumbled for the switch until the light flicked in. When there's finally light all over the place, I got to work.
I dusted, moved boxes and stuffs, arranged, organized, swept, polished the floor, and everything. Just like I said earlier, clean as a cloud. I'll keep my word. This little attic would be the cleanest place in the house, no doubt. When I was finally finished, my word was turned to reality. Clean as a cloud. Not a single dust resting anywhere. Not a single stuff unarranged. I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand, the same time that my stomach growled. Whoa. I'm starving.
I began to walk towards the door, looking at my left and right, proud of the work I had done in this little room. It's true; I'm lazy, yet too magnificent when I get too worked up. That's just how things are. Simple. As I was reaching for the door knob, I stepped onto something. Something hard, and round perhaps. Curious of what it was, I bent down to look and get it. It was a medallion, big as an orange, less half an inch wide. It was coated with gold, with a strange looking bird carved in the middle of it. There were strange linings around the bird, like flames. Yes, that must be it. The bird looked like it was burned on flames. No, I was wrong. It was not being burned. The bird was with the flames. They're together.
I flipped it over to the other side. No birds were carved on it. Instead, three strange, unintelligible words written on a fancy writing were on it.
"Mutila Eszpits Curaga..." I read it aloud to myself. Strange words, indeed. I wonder what it could possibly mean. And I wonder why it's here. I didn't see anything like it while I'm cleaning the whole place, so why was it here right now? Why on the floor? Didn't I sweep and polish it? So why didn't I get to see it a little earlier? Really strange... and weird. Oh well, I'll just ask mom. Maybe she knows---
I stopped short, as I felt a gush of strong wind enveloped my whole body. I looked around, searching for any opening where the wind must've come but I found nothing. It was a completely closed place. Suddenly, my surroundings whirled before me. Spinning and spinning like I'm inside a tornado or something. I looked at the medallion in my hands and gasped. It was glowing, a faint glint of red light. And then the light got stronger and stronger. The spinning got faster and faster. I got dizzy, and my knees weakened.
What's happening?! I wanted to ask out loud. I wanted to shout. I wanted to scream, cry for help. But something was caught in my throat. I can't speak. The light got stronger and stronger, until it began to hurt my hands. It was not light, after all. It was fire and it's burning my hands. Yet, I didn't let go of the medallion. I don't know why I didn't. I just can't let go of it even though it's burning me. Then, as light turns to dark, the fire rose up to my body, engulfing me with unbearable heat. I, too, was burning. The fire burned like sharp razors, piercing my body with unbearable pain.
I turned to look at myself, and found out that the lower part of my body was already in flames, too. But strange enough, my hair's not burning. And the pain... it's finally weakening. Fading. But not the flames, not the red orange one that now enveloped my body. As the pain continued to fade, my vision started to blur... until I can no longer see anything but darkness. Soon, I felt numb. I can no longer feel anything. Why? Am I dying? Or am I already dead?
I couldn't really tell.
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to be continued...
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A/N: Thanks for reading. I hope you liked my new story. Well, it's just the prologue so I understand if you find it boring. However, I can say that this story will get interesting in the upcoming chapters so bear with me for now, will you?
Review please. Feedbacks would be such a great help in my writing skills. Thanks again. Ja ne!
Lovelots,
-Eurice-
