All right, I am pretty proud of myself when it comes to updating like, only a week after the last chapter came out. This amazes me because I suck at updating, as we all know. Okay, this one is very technical and has a lot of information in it regarding the Himes, but to me it's a little bit longer. (Seven notebook pages! It's a record!) I have not watched Mai Hime itself in such a long time, and I actually had to go and re-watch the series AGAIN for the one-thousandth time. At any rate, I want to thank you all for your continuous support of the story; your comments keep me going. Well that's it for the babbling, so enjoy.
Chapter 4- Hybrid
The week up until the Fuuka orientation can only be appropriately described with such a simple word: amazing. There are so many poetic adjectives that could be sewn together to produce the exact picture that week, but truly it can all be summed up to that one very simplistic word. Amazing.
Natsuki and I shared each day and we clung to the late hours while holding onto the early mornings. We melted together, and for that week I have been able to reflect my most pure smile. My lips could easily reach my cheeks, and it felt so natural.
I was skipping classes, and I knew I was falling behind. At first it was just evening courses, but then that same being infected my mornings as well. I began only attending one class every other day, because I placed my life around her. I wanted my life to only touch her, and nothing else. The rest of the world decreased heavily in importance. I was head deep into my affection, and I knew full well that I was carried away. However, nothing mattered anymore as long as I was with her.
Natsuki was of course shy at the beginning, but her tough shell was easily cracked. By the end of the week near the orientation, we were toying with the idea of us living together, and possibly creating a life between us. The idea itself began as a modest tease, but evolved into something much deeper, and more like a very possible idea. I have already made a copy of my key, and hid it under one of the potted plants out front. I said the initial reason was just incase I were to ever lose my key, but I'm quite sure Natsuki had an idea of the true reason behind my motives. There are times when I am laying next to her and I ask of her opinion on whether or not we are running to fast, but she'd give me a grunt and bluntly say that I really do think too much.
Fuuka orientation crept up on us, and we found each other getting ready that night. I wore a simple dark dress that had a slit up the thigh, and I'll admit it showed a bit of the top of my chest area. I couldn't help but let out a chuckle when Natsuki chose the even simpler attire of a white wife-beater, and short jean shorts. She was lounging on the couch waiting for me to finish getting ready. I snuck behind her and wrapped my arms around the back of her neck.
"Natsuki… I can see a flash of undergarments," I grinned against her neck. Heat rushed from her chest and trailed to her face.
"Shi… Shizuru," she stuttered. I kissed the crook between her neck and shoulder.
"Are you ready, Nat-su-ki?" I stressed each syllable in a whisper against her ear. She shyly mumbled with a blush and we headed out for the school that left an imprint on our memories.
When we arrived, the academy was bustling with new students. Chatter reflected all throughout the courtyard and the air itself was moist and warm which came to be quite a surprise, considering it was the evening. Natsuki looked terribly cute, yet annoyed with the crowd and all the loud noises that trampled with them. Some students admired their new uniforms while the elder students kept their look of experience. I caught a few faces in each crowd that I recognized from my previous years here. Many of them stopped to chat with me, but only for polite conversation. Natsuki had already left and was on the stage, while I was running through the speech in my head.
Eventually, I made my way towards the middle of the courtyard where the stage was set. I could see Mai and Chie setting up the podium while Natsuki fiddled with the microphone. She seemed frustrated with the contraption, but she caught my eyes and flashed me a strained grin. My heart melted and I smiled back.
"Shizuru…" My name rose above the crowded voices. Young, soft hands lightly touched my arm. I turned my head and raised my eyebrows when a familiar face looked up at me.
"Good evening, Tomoe," I replied casually. "How have you been?" I tried to be quick yet polite.
She shrugged. A shade of red burrowed her young face.
"What happened with your... classes?" I could tell she chose her words carefully.
"I've been extremely busy," I glanced back at the stage. Natsuki seemed to be watching. "You'll have to excuse me, I have a speech to prepare," I smiled at her and almost rudely took my leave without her reply. As I left for the stage, I noticed her fists clinched and her head was bowed. Youthful innocence can be very harsh. I pitied her.
Fumi intercepted me before I reached the middle.
"Fujino-sama, pardon me for speaking to you so late, but have you prepared your speech?" I smiled and replied a polite yes. "Good, but just in case I left a copy on the podium. We will start when you are ready." She wore a darkened pink lipstick, with a pink suit. Her appearance was neat and professional. This school definitely has a well-rounded headmaster. "Oh, and also the new student council president has a speech right after yours, and then afterwards I would like to have a word with you and the rest of the… Himes," she had a look of concern and whispered the ending name. I nodded and thanked her.
While on the stage a wave of "Shizuru onee-samas!" roared throughout the courtyard. By time I was ready for my speech, Natsuki and the other volunteers wandered into the crowd to listen. She gave me a confident nod. The entire speech consisted of a lecture on the importance and greatness of Fuuka Academy.
I took an intake of breath and scanned the crowd.
"As former president," I spoke clearly and loudly and emphasized my sentence. The crowd grew silent. "Welcome to Fuuka Academy."
"Welcome to Fuuka Academy."
A wave of cheers overtook the courtyard. I gazed up at her and flashed a small grin. She was in complete control of the crowd, and she knew it. Her lips danced with the words, and her eyes demanded every sight. She spoke with dignity, confidence, and overall professionalism. She was powerful, and ignited every new or returning student.
I looked through the crowd and tried to filter out a specific face. It took a few minutes, but I found her off in a group of girls to my left.
She had lighter blue hair than I did, but it was much shorter. To be specific, one side was to her shoulder, while the other side reached the topside of her jawbone. The style itself reminded me of the Flash Dance movie gone completely retarded. What was her name again? Shizuru mentioned it once I think… Todo? No… Tamika? Not quite.
"Good luck throughout your years, and never forget the restless memories of our noble Academy." Shizuru's last words boomed along with another tsunami of cheers. I kept my eyes on Todo, or Tamika, or whatever that whore's name was. She didn't wear the friendliest look, although I might've been too far away to really see, but I could have sworn I saw a deep look of anger and disgust all mixed into one, which glared right up at Shizuru. Then she began to move. Her fists were clenched and she made her way towards the stage, where Shizuru was exiting. I watched her oh so carefully, and I could tell that Shizuru noticed the girl as well. With a sneer and a glare, they passed each other and Todo walked to the microphone. Her eyes became deadest on the crowd. The cheering continued just as loud, if not louder than Shizuru's entrance.
"Thank you for the warm welcome, Fujino-sama," her clarity masked the sheer ice in her voice. "My name is Tomoe Marguerite, and I am entirely honored to be your new student council president."
At that moment, Mai tugged on my sleeve.
I stood dead in my tracks and averted my eyes back to the stage. Her expression conceived a calm gesture, but her eyes wore a set cold sneer. The screams and cheers from the students overwhelmed me. I didn't understand, for I was sure that Haruka would take my place as president, not a new student. I spotted Natsuki speaking with Mai, but by the time I reached them Mai had left with a worried expression.
"I need to help Mai find Mikoto, it seems she wandered off and nobody has been able to really find her." I nodded slightly
"All right. I must find Haruka, or at least see if she is present," I spoke gently. Tomoe's voice echoed throughout the courtyard. While on my quest, I caught a few words out of Tomoe's speech, concerning the future of Fuuka Academy, and what changes students should expect. She was an excellent speaker, especially considering her age. I noticed Fumi reviewing over a clipboard with unknown papers that she was revising while half listening to the presented lecture. She seemed extremely busy, but as politely as I could I gained her attention. Her eyes looked from her clipboard and gazed at me.
"Excuse me, Fumi-san, but I misunderstand," I tried to be collective, and concern shown through my voice. She smiled and asked me of what terms. "Well, I was almost certain that Haruka would take my place." Her smile faded to a serious matter. The crowd roared once more, symbolizing the end of the new president's introduction. She motioned me closer and whispered in my ear. My eyebrows rose to the information and I thanked her then left to reach Natsuki.
Her whisper was secretive, and very timid.
She's been looking for Yukino for quite sometime now. It seems Yukino has turned up missing, along with Sister and Nao. I wanted to address the issue with the other Himes, because this seems far too alarming to be a coincidence.
My eyes caught a young female student wandering into the gardens. I could safely identify that the girl was Mikoto, and she held hands with a taller male dressed in black. I assumed at first that Reito was ushering her, but I denied the assumption. The man had longer hair than Reito, and much less of a sense of style. Quietly, I took my leave and followed them carefully. Something has arisen.
In the middle of the gardens, the pair halted. I swiftly and delicately crouched behind a near bush. The scent of blooming flowers began to flood my scent. The pair stood still for moments longer. Footsteps rushed towards me and I quickly turned myself to face my opponent.
"Onee-sama?" The voice sounded sweet, but coated with mockery. Tomoe smiled at me. I glanced back to the gardens only to see the pair had disappeared. I stood and plastered a fake smile for the younger girl.
"Good evening, Tomoe. Congratulations," my voice poured with a delicate sugar. She cocked her head dumbfounded.
"Oh? For what reason?" She played along.
"For your new position, I am quite impressed." She presented me with a cocky grin.
"I try to be as great as you."
"You flatter me." I glanced back to the center of the gardens. No sign of them.
"A princess," she stated it short and simply. My stomach turned slightly to the word. "A princess always stays a princess, isn't that correct, Onee-sama?" I couldn't tell if the reference of the word was supposed to hint me to any information. "You were the princess that danced the best. Your tragic feelings collided with your dancing, but at the same time it created your dance as well." No one was supposed to know about Himes, because the data was destroyed. I myself personally did away with most written information on Himes. "Keep your eye on the one you love, Onee-same," her words dripped with mockery and my face sloped downward. Without any reply, I ran as hastily as I could in my attire, to my light. Behind me, I could hear a harsh laugh.
I found Natsuki with little difficulty, and she was entirely fine. I shared my news to an angered Mai. The three of us met with Fumi and organized a Hime meeting. She volunteered to contact the remaining Himes and set up the meeting the day after tomorrow in the evening. So far, I left out the suspicion of Tomoe and shared that specific information with Natsuki in the security of my own home.
"She must be involved then," Natsuki spoke with anger and her usual bluntness.
"Yes, that seems to be the case, or it proves she does a lot of homework on bizarre happenings around Fuuka."
"Nobody knows about the Himes except the few who were involved with them and the corporations that were destroyed. If she hinted that she knows about us, then obviously she is involved with the kidnappings."
"You're so smart, Natsuki…" I spoke slowly and wrapped my arms around her neck. She noticeably blushed and looked away to try to hide it. "But… Why would they want us? They don't have any reason to dispose of us, for we are no longer a threat. Our childs are nonexistent." I kissed the side of her jawbone. She slid her arms around my waist and brought my body closer. The question lingered in our air and suffocated our affection.
Why?
The professor stood tall in the large college classroom that replaced students with businessmen and scientists. They were all there specifically to see him, and this was his main time to rise above all others and dominate science as it stood.
"Hime," his lips caressed and emphasized each syllable. "Or better known as "The Dancing Princess." He clicked a small mouse and images on the screen behind him flashed at the audience. "Twelve genetically official Himes took part in battle in just under a year ago," all twelve Himes were shown on the screen. The audience looked doubtful and was restless in their seats. "Within each princess, a Hime gene laid dormant until they reacted with the Hime star," he took a suspenseful pause. "The damage could have easily amounted to a World War." He clicked the mouse again and flashes of destruction captured the audience's gasps of air. Bridges blown apart, mountains on fire, an entire mass production organization destroyed. The room was silent.
"Now the Himes have been silenced, for the star was destroyed. The Hime cells however… they are still present, but simply back to their dormant state within each princess," he created his voice to be louder. "With studies and technology, we can create our OWN Hime, but this one will dance much better than any other princess could ever dream to dance. This princess will dance with the power of all twelve Hime," he took another pause. "Combined." Chatter and whispers pierced the silence. He couldn't help but grin. "All this destruction… Times it by twelve and you will see the precise damage my princess could cause," the room became silence once more.
Finally, recognition for everything he has discovered. He was gaining attention.
Peak their interests
"My princess is artificial, but much more effective. By extracting the Hime cells from each princess's DNA… We can eject every significant cell into a compatible and willing female body. However, the cells are still dormant, so I devised nano-machines that run through the blood of our artificial Hime, and are awaken by one simple action." Curious expressions flooded the room. "A kiss. A kiss given by an official Hime." Snickers ran through the classroom. "But in order to be successful, all of the twelve different types of Hime cells must already be injected, and together they will collide to create the ultimate super human… Or should I say, princess? Not only that, but a genius weapon. So powerful, that this being cannot even be defined any longer as a Hime. I myself have taken the honor to name my princess." He took a longer pause. The silence crept up on the classroom.
"Otome."
Reports of missing Hime flooded in, and soon enough the only Himes that could be contacted were a remaining six. From what was recorded, Yukino was the first Hime to turn up missing, quite sometime before the orientation. Following her, Sister and Nao vanished as well. However, because of Yukino's absence, Haruka decided to resign as president to focus her energy more on the search for her friend.
Police reports then state that shortly after those disappearances, Akane was reported missing outside of town. Fumi had to stay in close contact with police files, because not every missing Hime was reported to her. Soon we realized there were more Himes missing than what we could ever imagine. The kidnappings were beginning to take place in a swifter pattern throughout the recent two weeks. The day after orientation, Mai's brother Takumi had contacted her overseas, to state that even Akira had vanished.
With this information, we could safely establish that the kidnappings were connected to a funded organization. At first, the Searrs Corporation came into our minds, but then we have heard a direct confirmation that they had nothing to do with it. The corporation itself was completely destroyed, and the building was set ablaze that left behind only ashes. Eventually, we confirmed that a newer corporation fell upon the classified information that was bound to the Himes.
By time the day of the meeting, there were still the six remaining. Akane, Yukino, Akira, Sister, Nao, and Makoto were the specific ones reported missing. The meeting was constricted to only the remaining Himes, and we all gathered with our differences aside, and with only one purpose.
We were oblivious to what was happening and we were helpless. Our child can no longer hear our cry.
All right, so that was the end of that chapter, and like I said a lot more technical and not as mushier gushy love stuff. Transitioning I'm trying to work on, so bear with me. Anyway, comments are good for your soul. Yeah.
.Tsukaru.
