Illusions of a Promise
Chapter 1
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He is coming home for Christmas, and so is she.
'But Christmas is 7 months away!', the thought ran through her mind.
It was May and the last day of school and Council work before summer break. One whole month of a bit of relief, and some serious studying for the entrance exams early next year.
Years had seemed to fly away; two years being in the Council, two years with Akira and Suoh; and Nokoru, and it seemed just like yesterday that they had been in the same place, just yesterday that she joined to work as a temporary member.
Two years.
But as time passes, worries and thoughts pushed to the back of the mind are brought to the fore; decision time awaits.
College. She had always thought to pursue music, since her mother had been a music student in high school, and though she couldn't pursue it further, she had always encouraged them to follow their dreams, of what they wished to be. And she had lived in a dream, hoping to follow through her passion for music.
Never had she hoped the same people who encouraged her to ask her to give up her dream. Her all.
Music had been in Nadeshiko's life for as long as she could remember. The cello, the heart filling sound it produced, what she loved about it so much—she could not bear to be torn apart from it.
It is one thing to wish to be a classical musician and make it a success, fulfill the dream, was another story altogether. There is nothing like hard work; makes dreams happen. And that's how she planned it, no matter how hard it may be.
But nothing ever proceeds in the path to success, in the path to accomplishment, without the support of family. The one thing she thought she always had. Just an illusion. Nothing more.
Nadeshiko stopped in front of the gates to her home, and looked at the fading sunset. The sky was bathed in the most beautiful of golden shades; a vast ocean of amber-gold, asking to reach for it and take a dip, feel in the freedom.
An illusion…as was a promise for freedom.
She pushed open the gates, and then, shutting them behind her, made to walk down the pathway. The pathway lead to her home, a two-story mansion, and the pathway which lead to the house, was in a garden, tended carefully to it's present beauty, over time. So occupied was she with her thoughts, that the sight, which normally made her forget her woes, pulled none of its effect on her.
"Welcome home, Nadeshiko," her brother called. Kanata had seen her come through with a pensive look, and cast her a questioning face. "Just thoughts, Kanata, jumbled up ones, don't worry," she said in response, his look registering in her mind.
"Hmm, unwind over some chocolate?" he asked, a smile on his lips.
She hummed and nodded in reply.
Changing into the warm slippers and taking off her blazer, she sat in the kitchen, watching her twin make cold chocolate shakes.
"So," he said, placing her tall glass before her, "care to share what you are thinking about?"
She murmured her thanks and replied, while taking a sip from her glass, " Whether I should run away to Obaa-sama after school ends next March. Better than studying for a masters in business and ruin my wishes," she ended with a grumble.
He chuckled at her expression and said, " Ah, well, I have been thinking about that as well. But I think I am interested enough in the business. I better be, so that none of our parents end up with heart attacks."
She harrumphed and replied, while frowning, " Why lead your children to believe in their freedom when all you gave was an illusion and wanted them to stick to your work anyway? Should have let us know before, and not let me, at least, live in a bubble."
"Break from the bubble, after all the life is yours, isn't it, Onee-chan, Onii-chan?" a voice came from the doorway. They looked up to find their younger sister smiling at them.
"You are early, Ayala-chan! Want some chocolate?" Kanata asked her while bidding her to come sit with them.
"That would be nice, onii-chan," she replied.
"How's school?" Nadeshiko asked.
"Good, as usual. Just wondering these days if I am causing my parents too much angst by refusing to be in the business unless it's absolutely necessary. Not that I am disgruntled, I am artistically satiated. But such thoughts and the consequent looks from my parents are quite disconcerting to be honest," she ended on an incoherent note, her head falling into her palms, hands propped on the dining table.
"I am yet to reach that level of emotional onslaught, but I think…I would love to know what it likes to feel free…" she said softly.
"We would all do, wouldn't we?" said Kanata, placing her filled glass of chocolate in front of her.
Ayala thanked him and taking a sip, said, "It feels great to be able to do what you want, but, it should feel great when you have your parents supporting you. Mom does in her own way, but still..it's incomplete."
"Speaking of incomplete, I think representatives of the Abaharaki will be coming today evening, possibly to renege on that deal they made with Otou-sama's company. A letter came from them, and I read the mail."
Nadeshiko's look of frustration disappeared to be replaced by one of apprehension and shock.
"T..tonight?" she stuttered. 'Not today of all days, and why come home?
Kanata took in the information and let out a frustrated sigh, running his hand through his hair.
"Are you sure it's them?" Nadeshiko asked nervously.
"No doubt, the envelope was sealed with the seal of the clan on the back," Ayala replied, casting a worried look at her older sibling.
"Now wonder Okaa-sama asked us to be home early," said Kanata.
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Nadeshiko stood in front of the full size mirror, pulling her hair up into a French twist.
Abaharaki.
The world did not know of it's existence, the way the clan patrons and members had intended it to be.
Be it by a mocking twist of fate, or a damned coincidence, she has been an active part of it. Partly due to the fact that the façade of the clan, the company that they owned was a client of her father's company. A result of which, they had trained her in martial arts and in the use of a pair of Sai from a young age.
Of course, other than the business dealings with her father, they had been conniving enough to request her 'services' in the 'business and welfare of the clan'.
The opportunistic businessman, the Clan head had quickly realized that she was gifted, be it music or the martial arts. They wanted her to be their member, and had asked her to solve a 'problem' many a time. She had, as an excuse and a deal to not bother her father with difficult demands and baffling problems, that came with being his clientele.
'But to annihilate someone is sin, even if that person is a criminal. What right do I have—what right do you have—to decide whether a person lives or not? I refuse to be part of this charade and movement. I have every right to refuse, since I wasn't the one to ask you teach me the arts in the first place.'
They were worried she would be closer to the Takamura Clan, since Suoh was her brother, and that she would work against them.
'You have my word that I will not be with any other clan that doesn't look for your goodwill. Besides, what will I do being in the business? It's Suoh-kun's family and business, not mine. I have no part in it. And I want no part in this either.'
They had let her go quite reluctantly, but they had been keeping tabs on her, she knew. Still, they hadn't been difficult as clients, and had been quite amiable, knowing that Nadeshiko had kept her promise.
Until now.
She stopped.
'They haven't done anything that indicates otherwise, but what's with the sudden visit? Father never brings home business.'
She rubbed her temple to shove away the disturbing thoughts, when a knock on the door brought her attention back to the present.
"Yes?" she called out.
The door opened softly and her mother peeked in. "You ready, dear? They are here already."
"Why the world are they here?" she said in an irritated tone.
Her mother sighed. "I don't know, but I have an ominous feeling about it. Just don't accept anything that seems a bit out of it. They are businessmen after all."
She looked at her mother for a moment and nodding, followed her out of the room.
She was right, no matter what, she should be careful.
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Author's note: Hello there!! Did you like the chapter? Sure as hell hope you did. I am planning on making the fic a bit angsty with a lot of action, so reviews and comments and criticism is much appreciated.
The Abaharaki is something I came up with. I felt like there was a mention of this clan once in Escaflowne, but that's it. Just a mention, not an inkling of anything else. So decided to use the Clan name here and make the plot a bit more serious.
One thing: I hope all of you have noticed the rating? Yes, there will be some scenes that may require reader discretion, but I won't do a lemon fic, but that is not what I intended in the first place. I will provide a line or so when such scenes come up. Thanks for reading this jumbled rant!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Happy reading!! ^__^