That Was Then, This Is Now
Chapter 2: Unaware
Hello everyone! Here's the next chapter! Thanks for waiting! I did my best for this chapter, I even edited it and re-edited it just for all of you!
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN GAKUEN ALICE! kay? (: I respect the author's work and I would never claim it as my own.
Read and Enjoy!
Tokyo National Museum, Present day
The night was silent, and everything seemed at peace. There was a sudden breeze, making the leaves of the trees rustle, catching the attention of a security guard. He beamed his flashlight up at the trees but saw nothing, he then turned and walked away.
"That was close." A handsome boy with blond hair and gray blue eyes peeked through the leaves. Next to him was another boy who had deep crimson eyes and black hair. They were both dressed in black.
"You call that close?" The boy with crimson eyes leaped from the trees and made a thud on the edge of the building's balusters. The thud wasn't glaringly disruptive, but it was loud enough for the security guard to hear. The blond haired boy almost groaned but he stopped himself from doing so. "Huh, must be a cat or something," muttered the security guard, and off he went to patrol the rest of the area.
The boy leaped out from the shadows of the trees and landed quietly next to the crimson eyed boy. "You did that on purpose, Natsume!" he accused.
"Now that was close." Natsume noticed that his companion wasn't too pleased with what he just pulled off. "Ruka, let's go." Ruka sighed and followed quietly.
"Where did Ando say the Lily of Purity is located," Natsume asked Ruka.
"It's located in the third exhibit room nearest to the west exit." Both crept quietly to the west exit. At the corner of the ceiling was a security camera, filming everything it sees. Natsume and Ruka remained hidden in the shadows. Natsume didn't even glance at Ruka when he said, "You know what to do." Ruka nodded and did quick hand signals. The hand signals he made were to create an illusion that will help them get by the security cameras. The illusion was what the security camera saw, and Natsume and Ruka appeared out from the darkness that cloaked them.
The west exit door was secured with an extremely enhanced lock. Ruka looked at Natsume, "I entered the code last time." Natsume answered with a "Hn" and took a moment to think. He then punched in a code quickly and they were accessed to go in. It wasn't a surprise that they knew what to do. They've been trained to do this since they were little.
But soon, their reason for doing this seemed to have been fading. It seemed as if they were doing it because it was the only thing they knew how to do..
When they entered, the doors closed with a quiet shut. They made their way to the third exhibit room. "Make sure you make illusions for all the cameras," Natsume cautioned Ruka who just nodded.
The third exhibit room was vast, with only a few paintings and statues. But there in the middle was the famous Lily of Purity. It was encased in a glass box. The petals that were made of diamonds had hints of light pink while the leaves shimmered with a silver hue. The moonlight that beamed through the glass roof only accentuated its radiance.
Natsume made a slight frown, "We came here for a glass flower." It wasn't a question, he meant for it to be a fact.
Ruka just smiled at his friend and took out a petite glass cutter. Right when he was about to cut a circle out of the glass, Natsume grabbed his wrist. Ruka looked at his friend's face then realized what he was doing. Taking out a substance, he carefully spreads it around the glass box, revealing red motion detectors.
"That's original," though meaning it to be sarcastic, Natsume said it without any emotion in his voice. Without even moving a muscle, he quickly got rid of where the motion detectors were coming from. Ruka continued to cut out a circle and retrieved the work of art. Carefully, he put it in a container that would keep it in the best condition. "Okay, we're out of here."
"Impressive."
They froze. How could they not have sensed someone coming? They both turned around to see a tall man with black hair. His face was pale and looked as if he wanted nothing but to cause them immense pain.
"Persona." The two said at the same time. The pale man grinned, "I see you haven't forgotten about me. It's been much too long since our last meeting."
Natsume sent him a deadly glare, "Are you still trying to catch us?"
"Well, of course. I've spent half my life tracking you and your race down," Persona snickered.
"No one will ever believe you. You say you've been learning everything about us, then you should've known that we don't exist," Ruka glared fiercely at Persona, trying not to show how nervous he really was.
Persona slowly approached them, "We'll see about that," and he quickly ran towards them. Natsume braced himself. They were throwing kicks and punches that could not be seen by any ordinary person. They blocked and disappeared from one area of the room to another.
"Ruka! Hurry up and get out of here!"
Ruka's eyes grew hesitant. If he did not leave, Natsume would surely be angry at him. But he would be angry at himself for leaving his best friend behind. Then, he saw an opening. Persona would block with both his arms, leaving him with less defense.
He waited for the next opportunity. 'Wait for it…there!' Ruka ran quickly to Persona punched him in the gut. With that, Natsume kicked him and sent Persona crashing into a statue, making the alarms go off.
Persona stood up smirking, "Very good. But that won't stop me."
They heard the security guards shouting, they were coming their way. The two boys looked straight at Persona who just gave him a wicked smile. Natsume turned away and black wings suddenly appeared from his back. He shot up through the glass roof and hovered there, waiting for Ruka. The blond boy grabbed the container which held the Lily of Purity, and then black wings sprouted from his back. Ruka flew through the opening and he was now next to Natsume. Both leaving behind black feathers that floated back down to where Persona was standing.
Little did they know that there were reporters outside of the museum.
"We are live outside of Tokyo's National Museum. There seems to have been a break in and the police have already arrived," announced a woman in her mid thirties.
There were many other reporters, and people started to crowd around the museum. The police were having a hard time trying to keep people away from the museum's premises when they heard a loud shatter.
The reporter turned to the cameraman,"Get the camera ready!"
"What was that?!"
"You think someone got shot?"
"This is so exciting!"
People kept shouting amongst the chaos. Then, a little boy shouted and pointed towards the roof. "Mommy, Mommy! There's a big bird on the roof!" Everyone turned to look at the toddler and then gave their attention to the top of the museum.
"Are you getting this?!" Many reporters exclaimed. The police beamed a spotlight onto the 'big bird'. There was not one, but two.
Gasps and shouts were heard amongst the crowd. Those birds were boys!
"It seems that the museum is being infiltrated by two teenage boys! Zoom in on them!" The reporter ordered the cameraman, and he did what he was told. He zoomed in onto the two boys' faces. He couldn't get a good view of their facial features, but he definitely caught the clear sight of his wings. "This is unreal…"
"Who are those two boys?!" With just that single question, Persona walked out of the museum with the police following after him.
Ruka and Natsume froze for a minute in the spotlight. When did all these people show up?! They were in serious trouble, especially when the unknown would find out about this. They looked down and saw that Persona exited the building and looked directly at them. It was obvious that he planned this, how else would all these policemen and reporters get here so fast.
Persona grinned. He won't expose their identity just yet. First, he had to make everyone aware of them that they were thieves. He wouldn't reveal to them what they really were. He had to catch one before he would do that. His ancestors were Senros, people that wielded a form of dark magic. His father had been researching the darklores and so has his ancestors. What brought this up? His ancestors had caught a glimpse of one. They were so sure that the legendary darklores existed. So, they started to research and track them down. Many didn't believe them, many thought they were crazy. But this time, Persona would prove it and his ancestors hard work would be awarded.
Ruka and Natsume had already disappeared from the sight of the police and crowds. They were heading back home.
"Commander! They're getting away!" yelled the chief of the police department.
Persona didn't even glance at him, "I thought you said you had everything under control."
"I..we have the most advanced security systems!"
"Yet they managed to get away? Two teenage boys against the most trusted security systems in Tokyo?"
The chief was getting really pissed at the Commander, but he knew his place. He didn't say a word. Just then, a reporter came up to the commander.
"Sir, may we ask you a few questions?" Persona just gave her a nod to go on. The reporter brightened, usually people would refuse to answer her questions. Other reporters began to crowd around Persona.
"How do you explain that the most enhanced and efficient security systems failed against two teenage boys?"
Persona answered, "Lets just say that the chief of police here didn't make sure all our systems were checked." This made the chief boil with anger, but he remained silent.
"You called us here because you wanted us to witness something, right?"
At this, Persona grinned, "Yes." He positioned himself so that he would be in all the camera's views. "I have been investigating this for a while. But these two boys are from a secret organization. They have been stealing works of arts for years. No one has been able to catch them. Now that you have all witnessed it, I suggest that all the museum owners be aware of them. The disappearance of some works of arts have been traced back to them."
"Do you know what they're called?"
Persona knew that they were called darklores, but he replied, "No. But I call them Kuroi Tsubasa."
"You've been investigating it for a while, so why only now that you announced it?"
"I've been investigating this for half my life. I wanted to make sure of the evidence. This was a good time to announce it, being that you have already witnessed their appearance."
"What was on their backs? Were those wings?"
Persona quickly answered, "They're not real. They're just their trademark. Hence the name Kuroi Tsubasa." If he had revealed that they were real, no one would believe him until he had solid evidence. He then turned to the chief, "Get these people out of here," then he walked away.
"Yes, sir! You heard him men! Make sure everyone is gone!" the chief yelled. 'The commander really gets on my nerves...what a show off.'
A Two story house; Hyuuga Residence
"Natsumeee!! You're in serious trouble!!" A girl with short black hair and crimson red eyes resembling Natsume's approached her brother and Ruka. "The unknown are sending a representative here immediately!"
An older boy with spiky black hair approached them. He had a tattoo shaped as a star by his right eye and his right ear was pierced. "We saw it all on tv."
"Tch. Why'd we have to be assigned to a stupid glass flower anyway," Natsume practically growled at the older boy as he tossed him the container that held the fargile piece of art.
"Careful! This is worth millions!"
"Tsubasa. Natsume. That's enough." A woman who resembled Natsume in her facial appearances entered the living room. She was beautiful and her eyes shown with much wisdom, but also with as much fierce. "Aoi, go to your room." Aoi followed her mother's order and went straight to her room. "Ruka, you're mother will be arriving shortly."
After waiting for a while, Ruka, Natsume and their parents were now all in the living room, waiting for the unknown representatives. Suddenly, a swirl of white light became visible and a girl with pink shoulder length hair appeared. She was wearing a white skirt that reached just above her knees. She had a white halter top that revealed her abdomen. The white mitts, with a gold sequin trim, she wore on her arms reached above her elbow. She had a golden necklace that accentuated her clothes. There was a golden chain around her hip with little charms that jingled as she moved.
Natsume's mother sighed, "Oh..it's only you Misaki."
The pink haired girl gave her a small apologizing smile, "I didn't come alone.." Another swirl of white light appeared, and along with it was a man with glasses.
Ruka's mother spoke up, "Ah...it's only Jinno."
There was an angry vain on Jinno's head, "What do you mean 'It's only Jinno'?! This situation is serious!"
Natsume's father just chuckled, "Please go on then." Jinno and Misaki were only two of the many unknowns that they knew very well. So, it seemed that the tension died down.
"Your sons have caused quite a lot of trouble tonight."
Misaki nodded, "Our superiors wanted to let you know that you came very close to breaking a law. You're not allowed to show your true appearance in front of humans."
"We already know that," the reply came from Natsume who obviously looked bored.
Jinno continued, "But that certain person, Persona, has made it look like you are ordinary thieves from a secret organization."
"And your faces were blurry so no one could recognize you," Misaki smiled brightly.
In a stern voice, Jinno announced, "Our superiors wanted us to give you a warning. Persona's ancestors have been tracking your race down for centuries. It seems that it's his turn to take on the duty."
Misaki looked at all of them, "You all know what will happen if our superiors were to find out if any of you have willingly let a human see your true form. They will plunge you in complete darkness. Living alone."
"That is part of this curse," Jinno then disappeared.
Misaki looked at them sadly, "The superiors understand your reason to follow the lives of thieves. As long as you remain hidden, it's fine. Jinno is actually very worried about you all." Misaki glanced at Tsubasa and smiled. "Take care of those two while they're in their true forms, Tsubasa."
Before Tsubasa could say anything, Natsume's mother replied, "Thank you." And with that, Misaki disappeared.
Ruka and his mother departed and headed back to their home that was only two houses from the Hyuugas.
"All this on the night before your first day at a new school." Natsume's mother sighed while his father just smiled. A smile that said 'everything will be just fine'.
Natsume, Tsubasa, Misaki and Ruka were going to a new school tomorrow morning. Who said that they coudn't try to live a normal life? As long as they don't show their true forms, they were fine. Misaki went along just to keep an eye on things. It was decided by the superiors that the two families would have to move since there were too much darklores living in the same area.
A/N: Misaki lives with Jinno, he's supposed to be her uncle(: and Tsubasa lives with Natsume
"Natsume, get some rest," his father told his 14-year old son. Natsume walked upstairs to his bedroom and got ready to get some sleep.
Morning; Sakura Residence
BRRRRIIIIINNGGGGG!!!!
A brunette slowly sat up and turned the alarm clock off. 'Wha? Where am I? What day is it? Who am I?' thought Sakura Mikan. She was totally out of it and it took her a minute or two to finally get out of bed. She took a shower and blow dried her brown hair. Her hair was long enough to reach the middle of her back. 'I wonder if I should trim my hair?' Mikan brushed her hair and put on her uniform. It was a very cute uniform. The skirt was short, but not too short, the upper part came in two. A white collared long sleeve and a maroon long sleeve button up coat to go over it. The buttons were black with the skirt also being black with maroon lines on the edge. The uniform came with a black tie with the academy's logo. Mikan wore the tie, but left her coat unbutton. She then walked downstairs to find her mother and father in the kitchen.
Mikan resembled her mother a lot when it came to physical features. But her personality was more like her father's.
Her father smiled at her, "Ready for your first day?"
"You're acting as if she hasn't gone to the school before," her mother frowned. It was true, Mikan has been attending Alice Academy since she was a little kid. Now she was a third year student in the Middle School branch.
Mikan smiled, "I can't wait to start the year!" 'I wonder if I'll make any new friends?'
Hyuuga Residence
"Are you looking forward to your first day?" Natsume's mother asked while setting his breakfast in front of him.
"No." And he ate.
They were all unaware of what was ahead of them...
This chapter is DONE!
-_- phew...that was really long...
I made it that way just for all of you readers! So..what did you think?
Just so you know, I suck at describing clothes, so let your imagination go wild for that part! :D
I bet you all wanna hear the whole story of Persona. What? You didn't think he had a story?! Haha! XD Don't worry, I'll make his story clear later in the story.
And why's Tsubasa living with Natsume?! That's a secret yet to be revealed!
Please review! 5-10 more reviews and I'll put up the next chapter! I already have it half way finished! ;) I bet you hate me for it :P But I really do like knowing what you think about my story, so even if you don't have an account just send me an anonymous review! It really gives me the support I need to keep on working on this story!
Anyways, give me advice but no flames please!
Oh, yeah. And if you're confused about anything at all, message me and I'll answer any of your questions!
See ya next time!
-yumesakura ;)
Author's Notes:
The name Senro (senros) I used for Persona's ancestors means 'track'.
And 'Mahou' from the previous chapter means 'magic'.
Kuroi Tsubasa means black wings. This is what Persona will be calling them in front of people. But they're still darklores, in case you were wondering.
