Chapter Title: Chapter 1:The Domino Effect
Songs: ??
A/N: Hotaru and Ruka appear in this chapter, and Natsume and Mikan meet. gasp
da1wholuvanime - I will give it my best! Definitely!
Alice as of 5-28-08 - Thank you! I tried not to let my bad grammatical skills get in my way this time!
A young girl who looks to be about 12 stirs from her fitful sleep, yawning hugely. She slowly rises up to her legs and combs her light brown hair into two pigtails. She yawns again and turns to the gigantic chalkboard behind her bed. On it is written:
1. Go see Daddy.
2. Go dress up for the big party.
3. Go to party.
The girl, Mikan, scans the board and then shrugs, moving out of the room and into a much larger one down the hallway.
Osamu is sitting at a table, studying a chessboard identical to the one 7 years ago but much more developed. "Ahhh. Mikan-chan, aren't you lovely today?"
Mikan bows and replies, "Not as lovely as you, my father."
Osamu laughs heartily and says, "Ahahaha! Mikan-chan, you never fail to cheer me up. Now, in a few hours, we will be going to a political party where you will be introduced into society. Remember to look out for Kimiko-sama there. She'll do anything to get to me."
Mikan nods, and Osamu laughs.
"Go ahead and dress, Mikan-chan."
Mikan nods, smiles, and waltzes off to find her personal designers.
Meanwhile...
"Why do I have to do this stupid party?" a 12 year old Natsume complains.
"Because of the political power you can gain," Kimiko says, adjusting the tie on Natsume's suit.
"The only thing I will gain is fangirls."
"Now, now, Natsume-chan," Kimiko sighs, brushing her child's hair back from his forehead. "See that chessboard?" She points to a worn one standing in front of her throne.
"Yes," Natsume replies, tugging at his tie.
"Good. You are the king, and I'm moving you out--here!" Kimiko exclaims, moving the white king into a spot threatening a black bishop.
Natsume snorts.
Kimiko ignores it and moves a pawn to follow up the king. "And, this is your subordinate, Ruka."
"He's not my subordinate," Natsume spits out. He watches as Kimiko shrugs her slender shoulders.
"Now, he is directly threatening the queen."
Natsume couldn't help himself. "Who's the queen?"
Kimiko looks at him directly and a sly smile is plastered on her face. "Why the queen is Omaru-sama's precious daughter, and if she tries to counter by taking Ruka...why you will just take her back...won't you?"
Natsume had heard the tone his mother was using many times and sighed. Yet another crazy plan to participate in.
2 hours later...
"Very lovely, Miss Mikan," says a violet haired girl.
Mikan blushes prettily. "Thank you, Hotaru."
Hotaru nods and picks up a glass of sparkling juice from a waiter's tray. "You should go socialize since this is your entrance into society."
Mikan tries to look calm but she fails miserably. "I don't wanna!" she wails to Hotaru, trying to hug her.
Hotaru merely pushes her away and sips her juice. "If you don't, who knows what will happen to you."
"What?"
"Don't you hear. The girls who don't socialize at their entrance to society are cursed by evil spirits for the rest of their life."
Mikan lifts her head, and her lips quiver. "R-really?"
Hotaru nods.
Mikan dashes off, and Hotaru sighs. Honestly, that girl was too easy to manipulate. That thought made her eyes darken, and she scans the room.
"Excuse me, did you drop this?"
Ching!
A silver bracelet is dangled in front of Hotaru. She blinks...once...twice...and then takes the bracelet nodding her thanks to the stranger who had given it to her.
"Aren't you going to say something?" Natsume asks, smiling at Hotaru.
Hotaru feels a rush of air poof out of her lungs as he smiles. The smile was absoluely predatory. However, she has her sources and knows that he is the son of Kimiko, Osamu-sama's worst enemy.
"Hoooooooooooooooooooooootaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrruuuuuuuuuuuu!"
Mentally, Hotaru curses Mikan for appearing at the wrong moment. "What is it?" she curtly asks.
Mikan looks hurt but answers, "Osamu-sama wants to see you."
"Very well," Hotaru snaps, putting down her glass and sending a message to Mikan with her eyes.
The man beside me is Natsume, daugther of Kimiko-sama.
Hotaru hesitates for the briefest of moments, waiting for Mikan's answer. A barely perceptible nod, and she's gone.
Natsume studies the girl in front of him. Her hair is in childish pigtails, but her complimentary eyes cancel that out. The red kimono she's wearing is a bit smaller than usual, accenting the slight curves that are developed at the age of 12. Funnily, she is wearing a silver bracelet identical to the other girl's, but he doesn't have time to think about her looks. "Miss..."
"Mikan," Mikan says, extending out her hand regally. Even though she has a bubbly attitude, that didn't mean she couldn't act the part of royal daughter.
"Miss Mikan," Natsume whispers, bringing Mikan's hand to his lips.
Mikan blushes. "And your name..."
"Natsume..."
Mikan watches as he lets go of her hand. Then...she lets out a little squeal and starts cursing at Natsume. "You little! How could you? Favorite kimono!"
Natsume is surprised by the change of attitude but bends down with a handkerchief to try to dry the juice he spilled on her. It sure wasn't his fault when the wind blew the bottom of her kimono slightly up. It sure wasn't his fault he was in the wrong position.
"P...p...p...PERVERT!" Mikan screams, pushing Natsume to the ground and rushing away.
Natsume blinks and runs a hand through his hair. Thankfully, no one was really watching since some dumb guy was proposing to a girl in the middle of the dance floor. Natsume was surprised that they weren't trampled yet. However, he was more surprised that the girl had rejected him. Gosh! He had tons of fangirls, and this girl had seemed like another one until she pushed him. I shouldn't think too much about it, he thought, and he didn't think much because at that very moment a fangirl chose to ambush him.
xOxOxOxOxOxOxOxOxOxOxOxO
Mikan wipes her eyes and looks at the ruined kimono. "Idiot!"
Suddenly, a handkerchief descends in front of her eyes. She looks up to see a handsome blonde boy with blue eyes.
"I don't think such a beautiful lady could be an idiot," the blonde smoothly says.
Mikan takes the handkerchief and dries her eyes. "Thank you, umm..."
"Ruka...Ruka Nogi."
"Thank you, Ruka," she says, and then looking at the handkerchief, "and sorry for ruining your handkerchief."
"That's fine," Ruka says, flashing her a brilliant smile. "You can keep it." And with those words, he's gone, and Mikan is standing...alone.
Later...
"Hotaru..."
"Yes, Miss Mikan," Hotaru says, combing out Mikan's hair slowly.
"I think I've met my prince..."
"Aa."
Meanwhile...
"What do you mean Ruka Nogi failed to initiate the first step of the plan?" Kimiko screams at the servant in front of her.
The servant nervously looks around. "The girl thinks that Ruka is her prince...however--"
"What? What however," Kimiko snaps and turns to look at the chessboard. All the pieces are in a perfect position to capture the black queen...except one.
"Damn you, Subaru Imai!"
Owari!
A/N: Now the plot is developing. I've taken it sky high. How is Hotaru's brother involved with the ruin of the first step of Kimiko's plan? The connection between the two silver bracelets? Ruka and Mikan?? Stay tuned for the next chappie!
R & R if you can.
Flames will be used to roast marshmallows.
Constructive criticism will be listened to.