Author's Note: Yay!!! I'm working on the next chapter early, though it might not be posted early. Lol So, I'm glad that people read my story. Lol Now that I think about it, I support pairings but for some reason I tend to write stories with oc's. Lol I don't think I do it on purpose really, I guess I just like adding my own element to something.
Summary: Like any popular boy, Ikuto has many girls that chase him on a daily basis besides his sister, so there's only one way, in Ikuto's mind, to stop them. Have a fake girlfriend of course!
Rating: T (for now I think, not sure.)
Dedication: Mysterious Shadow Girl, Thank you for the review!!! I'll take everything into consideration and don't worry, the tears will fall. lol And your review makes two!
Chapter 3: First hatching, Kia appears!
Hotaru slowly makes her way to school, making bentos and almost cooking one of her newfound eggs in the process having taken a lot out of her.
"Hotaru-chan!"
Hotaru looks up, a smile on her face, her thoughts concluding that this charade isn't so bad. Ikuto walks over from his group of friends, their eyes watching his back and the girl he's walking to.
"I-Ikuto-semp-kun."
He smiles at her correction, her stuttering cute to him.
"Good morning."
She smiles at him softly, a soft tint on her cheeks.
"Good morning."
As he stops in front of her, Ikuto tilts his head, his nose sniffing the air, his head leaning closer towards her as if searching for something.
"You…smell like eggs…"
Hotaru blushes before reaching into her bag gingerly, carefully avoiding the basket with her eggs inside, to pull out a bento box. She holds it out to him, the kerchief around it a dark blue.
"That's because I made omelets this morning. Here you go."
Ikuto takes the box, a bit surprised at first before smiling at her.
"Thank you…"
He begins to lean in close to her when he notices redness beneath the rim of her glasses, her eyes not very visible.
"Hotaru…why are your…?"
She looks up, a confused look on her face before she looks down rapidly, realizing what he's speaking about.
'I can't tell him the real reason…he might think ill of it, might think I'm a crybaby. Some weak crybaby…'
[Then change that. From one who holds their feelings in to a girl who can express herself freely with no regrets.]
'Huh?!?'
[Character Change!!]
Suddenly, the bow in Hotaru's hair turns to a crescent moon accessory, her face turning solemn.
"That's because I was crying last night because I was home alone."
Ikuto's eyes widen.
"Huh?"
Hotaru's accessory returns to normal, only to leave a confused expression on her face.
'What just happened?!'
She looks up to notice Ikuto staring at her, unable to read his face. Her face turns red, a hand covering her mouth as her eyes widen in shock.
"S-sorry Ikuto-kun! I have to…go to the bathroom!"
She runs off, embarrassed by her sudden outburst and the tears threatening to spill.
'Why did I say that?! I didn't want him to know that! Now, he's gonna think I'm weak or something.'
She dashes into a bathroom, her breathing rapid. She clutches her chest as she leans against a wall, her hand trying to soothe the pain there.
'I ran…not a good idea…'
She waits for her breathing to slow down, her ears only hearing the dripping sound of one of the faucets.
'I can't avoid him forever.'
She sighs, slowly walking out of the bathroom and beginning to head to class.
'The bell should be ringing soon anyways…'
Hotaru's ponytail swings behind her, her bangs shielding her face, her small footsteps echoing in the slightly crowded hallway. She raises a hand to her lavender locks, her fingers running through them. Her hair had always been pretty much the same since she was younger, not knowing how to style it. She sighs a bit when a sound causes her to stop.
"Hotaru-san!"
Hotaru turns around, looking for the source before noticing a young girl running towards her.
"Yes?"
The girl smiles softly, short brown hair touching her shoulders, a small clip pulling her bangs to the side.
"You mind coming with me? There's something I want to show you."
Hotaru nods her head, beginning to follow the girl as she turns down a hallway. After a few more turns, the girl suddenly pushes herself against the wall, motioning for Hotaru to do the same. The girl peeks around the corner, a small hand rising to her mouth. Hotaru's eyebrow raises, her curiosity getting the best of her as she peeks around the corner as well. Her eyes widen in shock as she sees Ikuto's back, an unknown girl talking to him.
"So…I wanted to tell you how I feel. I think you should break up with Hotaru and go out with someone who deserves you."
"And why do you say that?"
The girl smiles shyly, a small blush on her cheeks, a hand trying to hide it while the other fidgets with the bottom of her skirt.
"Well…I think Hotaru is only using you to become popular. C'mon, that cheesy story of how you two met? So stupid…and besides…"
Suddenly, the girl steps forward, her arms encircling Ikuto's thin waist, his body tensing a bit at the contact.
"…I love you."
Hotaru looks at the girl closely, her face and body prettier than her own. Her mind was too befuddled to recognize the small things of Ikuto's disapproval, her vision only showing his back. Tears fill her eyes before beginning to fall when she notices the girl tip-toeing to kiss Ikuto. She runs off, not wanting to see what happens next.
'She…she deserves him! It's not like we're really dating, so who am I to stop him?'
She turns a corner only from several hands to cover her mouth, her glasses getting removed before hands cover those as well. The hands drag her, where she's not sure, until suddenly she's pushed forward, her hands barely catching herself, her glasses tossed next to her. She quickly looks up.
"Hey!"
Hotaru begins to stand only to notice she's in a dark room, the sound of a lock clicking echoing through her ears.
Ikuto had gone looking for Hotaru after the initial shock had passed. Unfortunately, she was nowhere to be seen.
'Maybe she went to her class. If not, she has to go there sooner or later.'
His mind was muddled, his thoughts trying to figure out why Hotaru had run off, his look stoic and unmoving. He starts to head toward the office to ask when a small grip on his arm causes him to turn around. He smirks while turning, a smart, teasing retort about to escape his lips, his smirk vanishing as he realizes it's not who he was looking for. His frown becomes apparent.
"Can I help you?"
The girl only smiles.
"Are you looking for Hotaru-san?"
Ikuto nods his head, not wanting to speak.
"Well, we have the same first class. We can see if she's there."
"Alright."
Ikuto allows the girl to lead him, glad to not have to waste time to find out which class. Suddenly, the girl stops.
"Ikuto…"
Ikuto tilts his head in confusion.
"What?"
"I…there's something I need to tell you."
Ikuto's frown deepens, his mind not liking where this was leading to, her body now facing him.
"…I don't know where Hotaru's class is…"
'Yeah, kind of figured.'
"…but watching her….I know she's up to no good."
Ikuto raises an eyebrow.
"So?"
The girl frowns a bit before increasing the intensity of the sad expression on her face.
"So…I wanted to tell you how I feel….I…I think you should break up with Hotaru and go out with someone who deserves you."
Ikuto inwardly rolls his eyes.
'Here we go…'
"And why do you say that?"
The girl then smiles shyly, her hand trying to hide the blush on her face, the other fidgeting with the bottom of her school uniform skirt. Ikuto's anger seethes a bit, the actions only proving to further annoy him.
"Well…I think Hotaru is only using you to become popular. C'mon, that cheesy story of how you two met? So stupid…"
Ikuto mentally frowns.
'I thought it was a bit cheesy too…'
"…and besides…"
Ikuto snaps out of his thoughts when the girl's frail arms wrap around him, his body tensing at the unwanted contact.
"…I love you."
Ikuto's eyes widen in shock at the sudden confession, not realizing that her face was suddenly getting closer to his own.
'What the…?'
His frown intensifies before grabbing the girl's face in his hands and pulling her away at the last second.
"I've told you once before and obviously you didn't hear me, so I'll say it again. I have a girlfriend. Get over it. That cheesy story is actually how we met, so don't call it or her stupid."
He releases her, before beginning to walk away.
"Don't come near me anymore."
He sighs at the interference, his feet leading him to the main office.
"Somebody help!! Anyone!!"
Hotaru hangs her head in defeat, already knowing that the last bell rang awhile ago. Class had already started, no one could hear her. She sits on the ground, her arms hugging her legs, her eyes tearing up.
'I'm…so weak and stupid…I can't…'
She buries her face in her arms.
'…I can't even hang on to Ikuto…we're not even really dating…'
[Then change that…]
"Huh?"
Hotaru raises her head, her eyes looking around the dimly lit closet before she notices movement coming from her bag. She raises the flap to notice one of the eggs moving before opening up, a small person inside. Hotaru's eyes widen in shock, unsure of what to do. The little person floats out, their long aqua green hair pulled into a ponytail, square-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. Her outfit consisting of a long dress, the skirt split into two, the back half longer than the front, a thin, black turtleneck long-sleeved dress underneath, the end peeking out from the dress on top. Hotaru tilts her head, her eyebrow arched.
'A…a ninja?!'
"C'mon Hotaru-chan! Don't give up. Have courage. Be honest! You can win Ikuto's heart. You're not weak at all."
Hotaru is in awe at the compliments, the feeling of joy tingling in her stomach.
"Now, Character Change!"
Hotaru's bow turns into a crescent moon once more, determination setting into her facial features. She stands up, her hands clenched at her sides as she takes a deep breath. She slowly steps back until she feels the shelf behind her, using what space she has for a running start.
'She's right…I shouldn't give up…'
She stills before suddenly running forward, her shoulder hitting the door. It doesn't budge. Hotaru rubs her shoulder, trying to soothe the ache she instilled into it.
"Don't give up Hotaru-chan."
"Alright."
She rushes forward again.
"Ikuto-san, you alright?"
Ikuto turns his head towards one of his friends, his expression nonchalant.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
His friend shrugs.
"I don't know….you just seem like you're sulking."
Ikuto frowns.
"I'm not sulking."
His friend chuckles a bit before playfully punching his arm.
"Yeah, right. I bet it's because Hotaru-chan ran off suddenly."
Ikuto glares at him suddenly, his eyebrow twitching a bit. One; at the accusation of his so called moodiness, two; and he didn't really know why, at his friend using a certain suffix on Hotaru's name.
"I'm not sulking." Was his only response.
He turns back to the window at his friend's snickers.
'She didn't come to class…I wonder why?'
"Why are you sulking Iku-chan?"
Ikuto sighs in frustration.
"I'm not sulking Yoru. Did you finish your nap?"
Yoru happily nods his head, one his paws fixing the hair on his head.
"Yup, but mainly cause these girls chatting woke me up. They were talking about succeeding in their plan."
Ikuto raises an eyebrow, his interest barely peaked.
"Plan?"
Yoru begins playing with his tail a bit.
"Yeah…something about locking a girl in a closet. It was really weird…"
Ikuto's eyes widen a bit.
'It couldn't be…could it?'
"Which closet?"
Yoru raises his head, now noticing Ikuto's interest in the subject. He tilts his head in thought.
"I think I heard them say the closet near an auditorium or something like that…Why?"
Ikuto shifts his eyes a bit before nonchalantly raising his hand. The teacher stops mid-sentence at spotting the raised hand.
"Yes Tsukiyomi-san?"
"Need to go to the bathroom."
The teacher nods his head, placing the hall pass on the front of his desk for Ikuto. Ikuto grabs it before walking out of the classroom. As soon as the door shuts behind him, he takes off running. Yoru appears beside him after awhile, his eyes curious.
"What's up Ikuto?"
Ikuto looks around a bit, trying to remember the way to the auditorium.
"I think the girl locked in the closet is someone I know."
Hotaru's breath is coming out in heavy pants, sweat running down her ivory skin.
"You alright Hotaru-chan?"
Hotaru smiles faintly at her new found companion as she wipes her forehead a bit with her sleeve.
"Yeah…I'm fine. I can't…give up yet. Even if I am a bit tired."
Hotaru walks backwards again until she feels the shelves pressing into her back.
"Again…one more time….One…"
She digs her feet into the cement floor.
"…Two…"
Her eyes harden a bit, locked onto the door.
"…Three!"
A door clicks a she runs toward the door, bracing herself for the wooden door only to feel something soft and warm as she falls over.
"Ah!"
She opens her eyes a bit only to realize that she's on someone and not the cold floor.
"I thought so."
Hotaru raises her head at the familiar voice.
"I-Ikuto-kun!"
She looks around and noticing the position they're in, blushes deeply and quickly scrambles off of him.
"S-sorry Ikuto-kun."
Ikuto doesn't say a word as he stands up, brushing himself off a bit, before offering her a hand. She looks at it for awhile before hesitantly accepting it.
"How did you know I was here?"
Ikuto shrugs his shoulders.
"You didn't go to class and then I heard some girls talking about locking someone up."
Hotaru nods her head a bit, realizing that he must've gone looking for her, before remembering why she had ran off in the first place which ended up in her capture. She looks down sadly, her eyes averted to the ground.
"What's wrong Hotaru-chan?"
Hotaru turns to her new friend, a sigh escaping her lips.
"Well…"
"You have a Guardian Character?"
Both look up, Ikuto's eyes set in an amused expression.
"Guardian Character?"
Yoru appears on Ikuto's shoulder.
"Like me!"
Hotaru jumps back a bit, a hand on her chest to try and cease her fast beating heart. She turns to Ikuto.
"Guardian Character..?"
Hotaru's guardian nods her head.
"Yup. I, Kia, am a guardian character. The "self" you want to be."
Hotaru nods her head, trying to take everything in calmly.
"So, who is this Hotaru-chan?"
Hotaru looks around real quick before whispering softly, a small blush adorning her cheeks.
"My pretend boyfriend…"
Kia turns to Hotaru as Yoru looks at Ikuto wide-eyed.
"Wow Iku-chan. You got a girlfriend? How long have I been asleep?"
Ikuto simply nods his head, ignoring the teasing tone, as Yoru floats over to Hotaru, his body spinning around her own.
"Seems small and dainty…"
Kia begins following Yoru, obviously not pleased with the inspection.
"May I ask what you are doing?"
Yoru only smiles cheekily at her.
"Inspecting Ikuto's catch."
Kia frowns, irritation in her eyes.
"Catch?"
Yoru snickers as he stops at Hotaru's face. He tilts his head one way, then the other before peering closely, past Hotaru's bangs. Yoru's face only turns a deep red before he suddenly floats to the top of her head to lie down, his purring obvious. Kia 'humphs' as she crosses her arms.
"Well…I have the same right then."
Ikuto smiles a bit, his arrogant smirk in place.
"Take your time."
Kia blushes at the smirk, trying to keep her composure. Hotaru giggles, Yoru having fallen asleep on her head.
"So, what's his name?"
She points a finger toward Yoru as Ikuto smirks.
"Yoru."
Kia suddenly appears in his face, finally done with her own assessment.
"I guess he passes….for a fake boyfriend."
At those words, Hotaru's head hangs a bit.
"So…how'd you get locked in there?"
Hotaru shrugs, not really wanting to recall the experience.
"I don't know. Several people dragged me away all of a sudden as I turned a corner."
Ikuto nods his head, the sad look on her face bothering him.
'She's hiding something…'
"Hotar-"
"Ikuto…"
Ikuto tilts his head, not noticing Hotaru's bow had changed.
"I…I know we're not really dating. So…I don't care if you talk to other girls."
Ikuto's eyes widen at the sudden conversation change. Hotaru looks down meekly, her courage faltering a bit.
"I saw you talking to that girl so…she's pretty…"
Hotaru waits, unsure of what to say now, her body bracing itself for Ikuto's response. Her eyes widen as she hears him sigh.
"Obviously you didn't see me push her away then when she tried to kiss me."
Hotaru looks up in shock, never having imagined that outcome.
"You…you did?"
Ikuto nods his head, his dark blue hair swaying with the action a bit.
"You're my pretend girlfriend for a reason. I hate girls like that. So…pushy. It's annoying."
Hotaru smiles softly to herself, Kia now on her shoulder smiling.
"I…understand."
Ikuto looks around a bit before wrapping an arm around Hotaru's shoulders.
"C'mon, I'll walk you to the nurses. I gotta return the janitor's keys anyways."
Hotaru nods her head, keeping her cool composure despite her beating heart.
"Alright…"
'More and more…'
She leans her head on Ikuto a bit, her body a bit sore.
'…I fall in love with him.'
Author's Note: And there you have it!! Their relationship heats up a bit and Hotaru's first egg makes her appearance. I will post a link for a picture of Kia later. She's my Naruto OC, I just thought I'd use her again since she's a favorite. Lol If you're wondering what Kia represents, she's Hotaru's wish to be strong and calm, able to freely express herself and still act cool. Her next egg will surprise you a bit. Lol Well, let me know what you think! Thank you!!