I really think that this story has potential... and thanks for the support you guys!
Enjoy.
Chapter 2
It's adoption/ pick-up day.
Many of us are excited. Some of the older ones, not so much.
Ruka, Youichi and I were in the 'not so much' group.
We were commanded to wear our cleanest and best clothing, despite the fact that they were all dirty, drenched in sweat from 'jogs' and ugly as hell.
We were, for the second time this season, allowed to have a short shower and make ourselves look presentable.
As usual, when everyone was in a hustle to get ready, and were fighting over the two small, grubby, cubicles, I stayed back and dressed as I usually did.
It was obvious that I wouldn't be leaving so why bother packing?
I waited for Youichi and Ruka to come out of the showers and then the three of us headed to the main room, or as we liked to call it, the Death Room.
The doors of the institute were closed and the windows were tinted black. The lights were slightly orange, to give one the feeling that our complexions were healthy and not sallow.
When everyone had gathered in the Death Room, Persona, clad in black and a mask, told us the 'rules' we had to abide by.
The gate swung open, revealing blindingly bright light. Most of us shifted to cover our eyes.
The doors closed once more. This time, the room was occupied by more people.
My eyes saw many different colours. It was so different compared to the bleak grey I was used to.
Smells were different too. There were stenches of perfume and spices, which made my nose wrinkle in disgust. Damn rich people.
Some of the 'others' rushed forward to greet the uniformed, aka, us. We stood stunned and uncomprehending. They knew us. We didn't know them.
"Ne, Hotaru. Look for the person I described to you."
"I still don't know why you dragged me here."
"I said that I was looking for him for a long time and I finally found him!"
"I still don't get why, but, whatever."
I turned around to see the people talking.
That was the first time I saw her.
She was small. Auburn hair framed a heart-shaped face, which was dominated by huge hazel eyes. Her expression was childish yet serious at the same time.
I looked at her again. She was too small. And flat-chested. Ugly, I could've said.
"Isn't that person him," the other girl said, pointing to Ruka.
She was small as well. Short dark hair and dark eyes. Her expression was one of pure boredom. In her arms, was a small white rabbit.
"It is! Usagi-chan, see if it is!" The first girl squealed.
The rabbit, Usagi, jumped out of the second girl's arms and onto Ruka.
Ruka, who was not expecting the small furry bundle, whirled around before he regained his balance.
A fat rabbit?
His eyes widened in surprise.
"Usa-chan?"
The rabbit looked back at Ruka knowingly.
Ruka glanced at where the rabbit had been flying from, seeing the first girl waving at him and the bored girl looking... bored.
"MIKAN-CHAN!"
"RUKA-PYON!"
I swear this was exactly like Catherine and Heathcliff.
The two hugged each other with the poor rabbit being strangled.
The bored girl, who was probably the Hotaru Mikan had said earlier, saw me looking at the reunion before turning away.
Ruka trotted over too me with Usagi in his arms and Mikan by his side.
"Natsume," he said, "this is my cousin, Mikan. Mikan, this is my best friend Natsume."
"Hello."
"Hn."
It seemed like after so long, Ruka would be finally returning home.
"Ne, Ruka-pyon."
"Hai, Mikan?"
"Is Youichi here as well?"
She knew Youichi too?
"Hai."
Speak of the devil, Youichi appeared.
"Mikan-nee."
"Youichi!"
Looking at her hopefully, Youichi asked, "did father want me back here?"
Mikan's smile faltered a bit.
"No, but I wanted you back so you're coming with me!"
Youichi hugged her.
"Are you ok, Ruka, Youichi? Did they treat you ok?"
"It was fine," Ruka said, hesitating a bit.
"You're lying," Hotaru's bored drawl sounded quietly.
"And you read people as well as ever, Imai-san."
"Adoption time is almost over. Please pick who you want to take and leave the institute without disturbing the remaining children," Persona announced.
Group by group, families left the institute and drove away. Soon, it was only Mikan, Hotaru, Youichi, Ruka and me.
"I guess we better get going," Mikan said, "Youichi, Ruka, come."
"What about Natsume?" Ruka asked.
"Er, there's no space in the car."
"But a small car would be able to fit four passengers."
"I can't afford another person."
"We're free."
"We just can't take him. Let's go."
Mikan ushered Ruka and Youichi out and Hotaru trailed behind.
"Goodbye, Natsume," Ruka and Youichi mouthed.
"Hn."
The doors swung shut, closing off me from the outside world.
It was always like this. Adoption day would come. Everyone would go except me, Ruka and Youichi, except, this time, the other two weren't with me.
I was alone.
I was, are and will be alone until the day I die.
"Natsume, go back to your room."
"If you can call it a room," I muttered under my breath.
I returned to my stink hole of a cell and once again, perfected my plan for escape. Youichi and Ruka were in my plan originally.
Seems like i have to start from scratch.
I picked a a stick that I had gathered on one of the runs and redrew my plan for escape.
Once again, it's useless.
Natume is all alone. I feel sorry for him.
Oh yeah, if you didn't get why Mikan didn't want Natsume come was because... well... I'll just tell you in the next chapter or something.
Review please!
Peace.
Sky~