Chapter 2: The Setting [Continued]
Author's Note: [4/5/09] So more rewriting than the first chapter in this one.
Changes I made that include something about the plot:
- I added background information about how the meeting started which includes a little tidbit about Mai's 'history' or whatever you'd like to call it.
-Sister's not involved anymore. I don't know what to really include her in .
-the ball gag is pink, does that count?
-I don't know I added what Chie's and Aoi's outfits were… I've read other fanfics where they don't even say the outfit o,o so I'm going to do that so you won't be like: WTF?! What's she wearing throughout the whole fic. I only stated theirs to make it clear of the time of the year… even more? Cause I felt like I didn't while I was editing.
An orange haired girl tapped consistently on a waiting microphone. "Mai-chan! Just sit down already!" A hiccup interrupted the drunken red haired girl. Mai was sitting next to the karaoke stage with a black feral haired girl on her lap. If the feral girl had a tail, it would've been waging as she stared at Mai with curious golden eyes. The busty girl sighed and petted the younger girl. "Come here and relax!!" The drunken girl got up from her seat and pushed the black haired girl off Mai's lap and pushed Mai into her set of breasts.
"Midori!!" Mai pushed her away from the suffocating hug.
Midori was not only pushed away by the orange haired girl, but the younger one as well. "MINE!" The younger girl went back into her original position.
"Come here, Mikoto. I can't believe you pushed her…" Mai petted the black haired girl as if she was a cat and stoked her hair till she, herself, calmed down.
"What!? I was just trying to help…!" Midori sat beside the two feeling the walk back to her seat was too far.
"God! When are they getting over here!?" Mai was ready to start without the rest of the group, but she knew it wouldn't have been as much fun if it was just her, Mikoto, and Midori, even though she didn't count since she'll pass out in the next 15 minutes or so. She pondered a bit about the sudden meaning and how it started. Oh yah… Her face drooped.
There were loud thumps originating from the front door of the apartment. Mai checked her alarm clock with drowsy eyes. 2:01 a. the hell would be awake at this hour?! She got up slowly making sure to not awake the two figures that sandwiched her. One was Mikoto, who always managed to 'sleep walk' her way into Mai's bed, even though it was across the hallway. After the carnival, Mai and Mikoto had to get their own apartment with the school's money. The school gave a certain amount of money for the girls and some boys to find reasonable temporary homes as the fixtures were being repaired.
And the other was a one-night stand.
Lately the busty girl was in a downward spiral. This wouldn't have happened if… She looked at both figures and glared at the naked man. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be doing this to myself! They would've been a happy family with two kids and a cat… maybe.
THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! The thumps interrupted her internal conflict. She fought back hard to not release a tear. She was supposed to be the strongest of all the HiMEs and their most important persons. She was the mother that everyone goes to and cries their hearts to. But, who can she cry to?
Mai walked to the front door and opened it without even looking at who it was. "Eh! Mai-chan! What took you soooooooooo long? Mai…-chan?" Midori was in front of a Mai she had never seen before. This Mai had a gloomy, dark aura around her with slight running waters slowly tearing their way down the soft, fair skin. Mai couldn't even look up to meet the sensei's eyes. Midori hugged her and offered her some beer to cheer her up. When Mai finished crying on the latter, Midori told Mai to call everyone while she went out to buy more beer. Mai looked at the clock: 5:34 a.m. She sighed to herself.
Midori reached for another beer from the coffee table in the middle of the room. The coffee table held about a giant pyramid of beer bottles. The floor had three lying around in random places. "Who else did you invite?" She said through hiccups.
Mai looked up and tapped her lip. "Hmm… well I know for sure Fujino-san and Natsuki… Yukino-chan and Suzushiro-san… Tate and Shiho said they'll be arriving a bit late. And… Takumi and Akira-kun are on a date sooo… I'm guessing they'll be a bit late as well. But Reito-san said he didn't want to come because he thought it would be a bad idea."
"Oh hell it would!!" Midori interjected and quickly relaxed as she chugged another beer. The thought of the Carnival plagued each of the HiMEs' and their most important persons' minds. They easily forgave Reito because they couldn't blame him for having a demon choosing him as his vessel. Well they could and subconsciously did. Reasoning: "He didn't have to look that good…" Almost all agreed to that except Natsuki and Nao.
"…Yah so anyways! Umm… I invited Sister and she said she can't make it."Again she was interrupted by Midori, but this time, it was because of her chuckling and ear-to-ear smirk. "…I don't want to know…"
"Haha… yah it's not for little kids…" She kept smiling.
Mai looked at her with a confused look. "But I'm the almost same age as you… supposedly…"
"Ooh… well… good point. Well! It's just for… people who actually have a career to know!" Midori finished another beer can. She quietly settled down and looked at the stage with a zoned-out face.
"And I invited Nao-san, but she refused, of course. So I had Aoi and Chie to take care of that for me, since they were—"
Speak of the devil; the flaming redhead was pushed through with rope constricting her movements as well as a leather gag with a glossy pink ball in her mouth that limited her from talking, at all. The two brunettes entered right after. "Special delivery! We take cash and credit!" Chie announced widely. The short haired girl with glasses walked in emitting charm and grace that almost rivaled Shizuru's. She wore an outfit fit for the new season: a thin black coat, dark denim jeans and a pair of slip-on black Vans. On the other hand, Aoi wore a pink scarf, white long-sleeve shirt, beige kakis and flats to match.
It barely started to cool.
Mikoto's head snapped up to the new voice. She looked at Nao debating whether she looked like she was in trouble or not but just settled with, "Ooo… Nao looks pretty. Mai! Mai! I want clothes like Nao!!"
Midori looked toward their direction. "Wow… Kinky!"
Mai covered Mikoto's eyes and took her off her lap. "No you don't. And where did you two get that?!"
Chie and Aoi looked at each other with confused looks. Aoi looked to where she was referring to. "Oh you mean this?" Aoi pointed to the gag that was locked behind Nao's head.
"Yes that!" Mai was almost shocked at their 'ignorance'.
"Oooh! Well… we just had it lying around somewhere…!" Aoi looked away with redness forming in her face.
"Kinky… Very kinky…" Midori said in a trance-like form, as she kept staring at the pink ball of the gag.
Nao became restless and wiggled around and yelled, as much as she could, to be freed. "Oh don't worry Nao-chan. We'll take your shackles off before we leave." She paused to add more effect as the younger girl looked at her with so much hate. "And that's when everyone gets here." Chie finished. Nao didn't like the idea. She continued to ravage on and on with Mikoto poking at her with full curiosity.
"Speaking of which," Aoi turn towards Mai, "where is everyone?"
"Ehh… that's what I don't know."
"YUKINO!!" A short-spikey haired brunette whipped by to the origin of the voice. She carried a laptop in one hand and a black school bag in the other. When she saw the other girl, she slowed her pace to a normal walking one to the older blonde, the one she always looked up to ever since she was little. Their close friendship grew into a noticeable crush ever since they got accepted to Fuuka Academy together when they were young.
"Yes, Haruka-chan?" She fixed her glasses, even though they didn't need to be fixed. It was one of her idiosyncrasy.
"I don't know where I left my flat…" Haruka looked around the room once more checking to see if she missed a place.
"Hat." She cheerfully corrected. She loved spending so much time with Haruka. When the latter vanished into green sparkles, it was the hardest thing she ever experienced. While she was gone, she promised to herself if she ever saw Haruka again, she would tell her how she truly felt. However, she hasn't yet. But she cherished her time with the blonde even more than before, if that was even possible. Now they were almost inseparable.
"I said that. So have you seen it?" Haruka exited the room and went to the kitchen.
"No I haven't, but why do you need it?" Haruka had been looking in all the cupboards and inside every pot.
She opened the refrigerator and took something out. "It's not for me." She closed it and walked over to Yukino. "It's for you." She put a baseball cap over the spiked hair.
Yukino blushed at Haruka's simple gesture. Haruka seemed to be gentler as she was relieved of her duties in the Student Council. "Thank you, but how about you?"
Haruka was busy trying to fix the cap since Yukino's hair wouldn't cooperate. "I don't need it. You need it more than me. I can stand the weather!"
"But Haruka, the weatherman said it was going to be sunny with slight wind today."
"And that's why! The sun will get in your eyes and dry them up and burn your skin!" She kept fumbling with her hair but soon finally gave up as Yukino took over. Yukino could only sigh in agreement knowing very well that arguing with the blonde over a simple matter was futile. Plus she found it cute that the older girl was looking after her safety.
Yukino took the cap off and went to the sink to wet her hair. The hair magically fell down and lay to her shoulders. Haruka snagged the hat and put it on her head. "You look better with your hair like this… ehhh! Too much work! Nevermind!"
The younger girl laughed at Haruka's comment. "Haruka, why was the hat in the refrigerator?"
A tall black haired man, very similar looking to Mikoto and an aura of 'coolness', walked over to the slightly damaged boy's dormitory. A short octopus haired girl and an older looking guy walked out of the building. They were obviously in a rush as they bumped into the dark haired man. "Kanzaki-san!"
"Yuuichi," he slightly blushed a tint of red and heard a cough. He looked below him and saw a little girl. "Shiho-chan, how are you two doing today?" He gave them a fake smile hoping that the redness faded.
"We're kinda late Kanzaki-san, so…" Yuuichi was practically jogging in place. He was just waiting for Reito to move and say their farewells. He didn't want to disrespect him.
Reito struck his hand up, "Please call me Reito."
"Okay Reito-san…" Yuuichi felt very awkward calling his senpai in such a familiar tone that he didn't even notice that Shiho was tugging at his sleeve. He looked into the younger girl's worried yellow eyes. He knew that she looked up to Mai very much. She yearns for the girl's acceptance as a rival to his love. After a year of dealing with the love triangle, he gave up trying to get out of it. It's every guy's wish: having two girls fight over him. And decided to accept his fate and live it to its fullest potential. "Sorry Reito-san, but we really need to go."
Reito sighed to himself as Yuuichi kept referring to him in a semi-formal way. Well at least I got out of being addressed in a pure formal manner. "Where are you two going?"
"The HiME Ranger's meeting. Aren't you invited? Mai told me you might be going." Reito's ears popped up. He was being talked about, especially by Yuuichi.
"Oh yes," he dragged his 'yes' switching to a deeper thought process. To go or not. Oh well, those things can always be done later, I suppose. He made up his mind and decided if worse comes to shove, he could always talk to Shizuru. He and Shizuru had been very good friends ever since they were elected to be in the Student Council. He would often talk to her about his secret crush Yuuichi and she would confide in him about Natsuki. But he saw that he was no longer as needed by the end of the school year.
"Well let's go then! We're going to be late!" Yuuichi and Shiho started jogging. The things I do… Reito thought to himself before he followed after them in a fast paced walk.
"Hi Alyssa-chan and Miyu-san. Sugiura-san was wondering if you guys wanted to come to a HiME Ranger's meeting with the rest of the HiMEs. It's going to be at the karaoke place called Boom Boom tomorrow at noon-ish. Sorry for giving you a late notification. Mai."
The end beep echoed throughout the dark mahogany wooden halls of the mansion. After the Carnival, Alyssa received a bountiful amount of money from the Searss Corporation from her father's death. Apparently he left her all his money but no position in his company. Alyssa decided on buying a big home, enough to be considered a mansion, but not too big that they can't clean it themselves. They decided that it would be better if it was just them living in the mansion, alone. The privacy the place held was extremely calming to both. They had enough of the unnecessary chaos…
"Ojou-sama, shall I call back Tokiha-san and tell her we will not be able to make it?" The young blonde sat on a couch drinking tea and contemplating. She wanted to get to know the others and be more social. That was her new goal this upcoming school year: to make friends instead of plotting to killing like last year. But Miyu, her robotic guardian, also encouraged her to. Miyu feared for her master's safety. She wanted her to have someone else to help her master, if needed. She hated the unavoidable fact, but her master needed other people to depend on. She needed friends.
After the blonde haired child finished taking a sip from her cup, she spoke with a clear voice. "No. Tell her we'll go."
The teenaged robot was shocked and relived at the same time. "Are you sure, ojou-sama?"
"Yes. Please Miyu?" She looked over the couch to look at the pale blue haired girl. She always forgot she was a robot. But she didn't care, ever. She just wished to stay with her forever.
"Of course, ojou-sama."
"Takumi! Where are you!?" Mai yelled to the other side of the phone. She decided to call Takumi and Akira out of worry. They should have called by now. She checked her clock and saw that they were 30 minutes late of calling. First off in her check list was, always, Takumi.
"Sorry onee-chan. We took the wrong bus and it took us to the other side of the city. So we're waiting for the next bus. But don't worry! We still have the lunches you made for us! So we won't be starving." Takumi hoped with all his might that his sister won't start freaking. She deserved a stress free environment since she was still worrying about him once he came back from America. He remembered the times she would come to his dorm just to ask if he needed a check-up with his doctor about his pace-maker when she could just call. He sighed to himself knowing all too well that he was asking for too much.
"Do you know where on the other side? I could get Natsuki to pick you guys up!!" Mai started worrying frantically. Images of scary dark figures taking them hostage and raping them automatically came to her mind. Her face started to droop obviously showing that she was imagining horrific scenarios. She unconsciously dropped the phone.
Mikoto's hand waved in front of Mai's face. "Mai? Mai!" She started knocking on her forehead.
"Onee-chan, there's no need for that. We'll be fine! Plus I think it's illegal for three people to be on a motorcycle… and really unsafe…" He scratched the back of his head. A few seconds passed till he heard Mikoto yelling out Mai's name. "Onee-chan?"
Mikoto sat on Mai's lap still staring at the delusional girl. She tried figuring out a way to snap her out of her hysteria. "Eh, Mikoto." Mikoto turned to look at Nao. Nao's restraints were taken off after a good five minutes of picture taking. They knew that the redhead would have their heads if they wouldn't release her soon. "You should kiss her. That'll wake her up." She said with a sinister smile.
"What's wrong with Mai?" She stared at Nao with pleading tearing eyes hoping the other girl knew the answer.
"Uhhh…" she started out of awkwardness of the feral girl's expression, "her mind is in a dark place and needs a kiss to wake her up!" She wasn't lying. How else would one explain what it is to be delusional to someone that doesn't even know what 'masturbation' is?
"Okay! Thanks Nao! You're so smart! Mhm!" Nao just snickered to herself. She patted the younger girl's head and got up. She quickly jumped on Chie's back to get her phone to delete every single embarrassing picture taken of her.
Mikoto looked back at Mai and tilted her head to her side. She leaned in forward slowly. She closed her eyes, as she got close enough to be in breathing distance. She hesitated for a second when their noses touched. She tilted her head a little bit more and kissed her.
Mai's eyes widened in surprise of the touch. Something inside her felt a tiny electric pulse when the connection was made. Slowly she was able to see who was really in front of her. She slowly backed away with a slight regret. "Mikoto?"
The younger girl opened her eyes and then they were filled with innocence and energy. "MAI!" She hugged the older girl with all the strength she had not wanting to lose her again. Even though she really didn't.
Then the door opened. Shizuru, Natsuki, Yukino and Haruka entered the room. As they entered, they were continuing their conversation from the other side of the door. "Ha! Fujino! I'm going to be the bitch vice-president of Fuuka University!" Haruka stated in a very loud flaunting manner. Natsuki and Nao laughed hysterically while most of the others tried hiding their on-coming giggles.
Yukino sighed and hints of blush were on her cheeks. Sometimes she gets embarrassed about Haruka and her bad choice of words. "Best. It's best vice-president."
"Isn't that what I said?" Haruka was obviously unaware she said the wrong word until she actually noticed everyone laughing. "What?! I will be!" That only prompted more laughing from the rest of the group.
She gave up.
Yukino led Haruka to a seat on the couch. "What about you, Fujino?" Haruka couldn't stop. She wanted to desperately top her 'rival.' When she got accepted to Fuuka University, which was next to the academy, the representatives thought she would be good material as the vice-president, especially since Reito was going to a different university. She sought this as an opportunity to finally be ahead of Shizuru.
"Oh me?" Shizuru wiped the droplets of tears from her laughter. "I'm going to Fuuka University as well."
"Really, Fujino-san?" Yukino was slightly surprised. She knew that Shizuru first wanted to go to Harvard University in America and that she had the grades for a better school than Fuuka University. The school was more like a community college since it mostly only accepted students from the academy. But all-in-all, she knew that Shizuru's feelings for Natsuki were far greater than her need to have an education at some prestigious American school.
"Yah! But don't be so modest Shizuru!" Natsuki interjected. She wanted to see how much of a fool Haruka can make herself seem. Man I'm evil, hahaha!
Haruka's ears popped-up. "Modest? What's that suppose to mean!" Bait taken.
She cleared her throat so she could speak calmly. "I'm going to be the Student Council's president." Haruka's mouth dropped and all color she retained was lost. She slumped onto Yukino's shoulders. Yukino tried comforting the older girl by rubbing her back and with condoling words. Natsuki laughed so much to the brink of tearing as much as a sprinkler shot out water. "But Suzushiro-san," Haruka snapped out immediately, "I know you can do a better job than Reito-san. So please continue your superior work."
"You can count on me!!" Haruka automatically stood up with fiery passion burning in her eyes.
"Of course… Can you get me some Green Tea please?"
"Okay!" Haruka marched out of the room leaving a sighing Yukino and a chuckling room. When the door finally closed, Shizuru couldn't help herself.
"Good one, Shizuru!" Natsuki tried saying in between breaths.
"Yah! Good one Shizuru-…san." Nao came up from behind the couple nervously. She didn't know what to call Shizuru, especially after the Carnival. There were some tensions right after, as in they were always arguing every time they saw each other, but it seemed that they have finally calmed down.
"Ara, Yuuki-san calling me with my first name. What a rare event!" Nao blushed at the comment. She quickly diverted her eyes when they came in contact with Shizuru's crimson ones.
"Too rare even for you, Nao. Wait! What are you even doing here?!" Natsuki pulled back Shizuru to a reasonable distance. Then she heard a click sound and the door closing. Of course Chie would capture a heated moment even if she's in a hurry to leave with Aoi in hand. It was an obvious reaction to run away once things got started with Nao and Natsuki. But Natsuki's friends learned to deal with it. Sometimes they'd let it continue, walk away or stop it.
Nao could feel the heat rising. "HEY! I was invited! And!! I was a HiME after all! So I have every right to be here!" She started getting into Natsuki's face. How she hated her. She hated her having everything she always wanted, especially…
"Ara, she's right Natsuki." Shizuru tugged on the younger girl's sleeve simply trying to imply: 'not now.'
"Fine." Natsuki stepped back from the intense green eyes that only rivaled hers. Then their staring contest turned into a tongue-sticking-out contest.
"Ara…" Shizuru sighed and could only hope that Haruka would come back soon so she could have some tea to relax her.