Timid
Tighter they pulled the string to the corset. I felt as if I was being accidentally strangled as the crushed my ribs further and further.
"Is this really necessary?" I asked the tailor.
"Just bare with it Karin," Yuzu says.
So then I bet you're wondering right about now, how I somehow say I'm a princess..But then I'm also a dancer of low placement in society. My stories contradict, right? Well actually, they're both true. My sister and I were both born into wealth; as time passed we became friends with many people - one of which turned out to be a noble. But, as fate would have it, she was lying.
Yuzu and I are both princesses of the dark realm. But as I mentioned before, we have a secret hobby. And that is professional dancing. Our friend was not of nobility, in fact she didn't even belong to the dark realm. She had painted her wings and subsequently was of the light realm. Though she did lie to us, she showed us the real world. Life in itself seemed to have a bit more meaning with her in it. And even though she was banished from both realms, we still go out secretly and witness the world we rule.
And from there, Yuzu and I happened to stumble upon a dancing teacher..This is where we began our double life. One appearance, twin princesses of the dark realm. Another, the twins born into poverty who managed to grasp at the aristocratic world by preforming in dances. That made us happy..The excitement in our lives..Returned.
Our mother was always that in our lives. The joy. However, she died... And dancing can never fill that void, but then again..I don't expect it to.
Yuzu and I have a cottage that we stay at in order to keep our image as princesses secret. That light angel boy, how did he find me? And how did I get in this situation? I'm having to buy expensive dresses with his money because he thinks I'm poor. But I have the money..So now I feel like I'm stealing..
"Yuzu tell me," I began.
She turned from looking at the gowns and muttered a 'hmm?'.
"How is it that I got in this situation? People are seriously going to start to noticing us if they see me with him..How did that boy just happen to notice me...God!" I slammed my foot on the ground, "He's going to ruin everything.."
The tailor dismissed herself as I began to Yuzu, "I screwed up...We're in up over our heads.."
She laughs and continues to look through the dresses saying, "You know, what's done is done, right? Why don't we just play our part to the end...We knew this'd happen eventually right?"
"But it didn't have to happen now.." I say.
Being with someone like a prince of the light realm would definitely put eyes on me. Then they'd get into my background and find who I really was, trace me back to Yuzu and we'd both be screwed. So what ever we do this boy gets in the way.
"I can't go to this party anyway, so why are you fitting me for a dress?" I asked.
"Because believe it our not, Karin, you need to get out more! You know why this boy picked you out. I bet it's because he thinks you're cute."
My eyes widened and I gave her a creeped out look, "As if he'd find me appealing in the least." I smile a bit.
"You know we're not kids anymore, boys have more intentions than just talking. Their definition of playing is not as it used to be, if you know what I mean." She winked at me.
"Oh shut up, think about what's you're saying." I walked up to the dresses and searched through them with her. A slim, silver dress covered in scaly sequences, reminds me of a fish...I move onto the next dress. Puffy, antebellum, yellow..Reminds me of that governess the other night. I frowned remembering her cocky aptitude. I moved onto the next.
"I mean..We're only eleven..." I mumbled.
"You know, Karin. You're move attractive than you think. Oh what am I saying, I don't even think you look in the mirror." Yuzu laughed, "Sometimes you can be so dense you know."
She pulled a dress off the rack and gasped in astonishment. I couldn't see what I looked like around her but once she sets her eyes on something, she won't let me change it. She swung the dress out and I caught a glimpse of the fabric. Glitter..Lots and lots of...Red glitter. I back up two steps.
"Ah hell no!" I say.
"Karin, you are wearing this. Especially if it's for a date."
"It's not a date. And it's two months away!" I say, avoiding her puppy eyes.
She showed me the dress and I shook my head in disapproval. "That's for a 20 year old with a model's body."
She laughs, "Quit making excuses and just try it on! It's about time you stop walking around in just your corset and short."
"About that, this thing is so tight, why do I have to wear it?" I try to reach the straps in the back, but to no avail.
"Complaints, complaints..Just try it on and be happy that you get to go a date with a prince!" She shoves me the dress.
I grab it and pull in away from my face angrily, "It's not a date!"
I walk out of the shop frustrated. It's not a date. And I don't appreciate her calling it that. Ahh! I need to blow off some steam and get out of this stupid outfit. Playing the part of a dancer in poverty, I always wore middle class outfits while shopping(because I wouldn't go out in royal clothing..If I ever did go out in the appearance of a princess..). And that includes, most of the time, dresses. I had shorts, and I wanted to wear them so bad! But Yuzu's been making me wear them day in and day out...
I winced as I felt that faint pang again that ran down my wings. The shopping bag in my hand suddenly felt so heavy. What is..What's going on with my wings?
From down the streets I saw a man walk up rather grandly, wearing black sunglasses. They had black hair and were in a suit. But surprisingly enough, as I kept walking, they did not walk by me, they stopped in front of me and through their dark glasses I could see them staring down on me. Looming over me.. This man was in his 20s.. Not a kidnapper..Not a stalker..No, his clothes didn't match the profile.
"Hello Ms." He said ominously. "If you don't mind I'd like to ask you a few questions."
"May I know who it is that's asking?"
"That's confidential, of course." He says.
"Then the answers to all your questions are confidential, of course," I say, turning and walking away. Who the hell was this guy anyway?
"Wait there miss Kurosaki! Do you have any connects to Prince Hitsugaya."
I stopped and turned around, " How do you know my last name?"
Then I caught a look at his wings. Those same feathers that are black in some places and gray in others...Like splotched..Paint! The same wings as her...They're fake! He painted them!
"You're a light angel!"
"What? That's insane I-" He lunged toward me and tied to grab me. I jumped back and spread my wings out, flying away.
What did a light angel reporter want with me? And why in the world did they care about how I was associated with him? Is it because I'm a dark angel? Or because they think there is something more to me just appearing as a favor. How did they find out in the first place. I looked in the bag to see it the dress was still in good condition. Thankfully, no harm was done.
I flew home and changed into my soccer clothes. I needed to blow off some steam.
"Wait, Kurosaki-sama!" My maid calls(obviously I was at palace, not the cottage).
I turn around, the soccer ball swinging up against my back. "What is it?"
She opens her mouth to say something but then shakes her head, "Have a great practice."
Hmm..What was that about? Oh well..
Walking down to the Soccer field, I caught wind of a scent in the air. It smelled...Burnt...The air...No, it was more musty. I didn't like it here..So I sped up and walked quickly to the fields.
"Even if you use magic to take the ball from me," I kick the ball up and hold it in my hand, "It'll always come right back."
"What's wrong? Cat got you tongues?" I asked, throwing the ball down.
I looked over all of them. Pathetic. What are they laying face down on the ground for? And why are all of them moaning? The last one left standing was panting and sweating like crazy, his hands hanging limply from his sides.
"I ain't getting beaten by a girl," He says, whipping away the sweat from his eyes.
"Give it rest, redhead," I laugh, "Soccer just doesn't seem to fit you."
"Yeah, well if it was baseball I'd kick your ass!" He said.
"Yeah well It's not. So then admit it, I'm better than you,"
"Jinta." I said.
He whipped the sweat from his brow again and spit in the dirt.
"It's not over til I say it is!" Jinta stubbornly ran again for the ball and I pulled my leg back and slammed the ball in his face.
"Quit it already! This is kinda insulting," I turned back to all the other guys, "None of you can stand up to me, seriously?"
"Pathetic," I walk over to the benches and grab water, throwing it next to each of them.
"Anyway, Good practice,"
I was..The captain of this pathetic team. And Jinta joined because he said he could beat me at anything and do whatever I could, including taking my place as the soccer captain within 3 weeks. Well he hasn't even come close. And this is the second week.
"Captain is so harsh... It's hard to believe she's some sort of princess," One boy said, finally coming to and rolling over on his back. He took the water thankfully and took a drink, proceeding to pour it all over his face.
"She's captain of the girl's and guy's teams," One boy replied, flipping over as well.
"What a kick," Another commented.
It was true; I had no talent for magic. However, they say my dark magic was fueled into my kicks...I sighed. That's why, even though people use magic all the time to take the ball from me, I excelled in strength and speed so much, I'd take it right back. It was kinda cheap I thought, they way I played. Because you're supposed to test your magic by stealing the ball quicker than others, but I actually use physical strength.
As all of my team began to slowly get up and recover from the drills, I turned around and stated, "Who here thinks, in earnest, with their current abilities they can beat me in soccer," I glared at Jinta who was about to open his mouth again, he knows he's no match for me, so I'm just giving him a heads up to think about what he's going to say. He shuts his mouth and darts his eyes away from me.
I took a new clean ball and slammed it on the ground, placing my foot on top of it, "Do you think I was made captain of both soccer teams for not reason?"
I hears 'no's and 'no mam' s and 'no couch' es scattered throughout the exasperated team.
"So then suck it up! Training with me is going to be tough, but you know what," I dragged my finger to each and everyone one of them, "Every single one of you, is going to be able to beat me. And you know why?"
I kick the ball up into a boy's hands, "Because I'm gonna train you to do it! We'll be strong together! And when Regionals comes, we're going to take home the gold!"
I seemed to be catching the attention of a lot more of them now, and they all seemed to look up to listen.
"So you know what, you can moan and cry all you want, but that's not going to make you stronger! And that's not going to make me stop what I'm doing! We will move from Regionals to State and then Nationals! Hell, we'll become a professional team! But it's not without the participation of each and every one of you! That's why we're called a team!" I say.
"So are we gonna cry? Answer damn it!"
They all reply, even Jinta rather reluctantly, "No way in hell!" With much more energized voices.
"But are we going to give it our all!" They all respond, "Hell Yeah!"
"Are we going to reach farther than ever before?"
"Hell Yeah!"
"Are we going to take home the championship trophy!"
"Hell Yeah!"
"Then grab a partner and start those drills!" I say. They all do this weird 'hip, hip, hooray' think as they yell, "Hell Yeah!" and disperse into their drills.
After I hand out all the balls, I watch them all while I sit on the bench. A cool, wet, towel was around my neck and I could feel something of a disappointment in my mind. At this rate we'll never ever get passed Regionals. No one has the determination. They all gave up so easily.
"Impressive speech, so you not only dance but you're some sort of soccer captain as well."
Oh god. That voice again..Why was it everywhere I went?
"I thought our agreement was for you not to show up until the ball, Hitsugaya-ouji-sama," I taunted.
Everyone stopped practicing to set their eyes on a rare sight for common dark angels; the white wings of a light angel. That white hair, teal eyes, those wings. Everything was probably new to the team; Everything about him reeked of royalty.
"No way..It's a.." People started whispering and I could see out of the corner of my eye Jinta had thrown the ball over to his partner.
"Well what'd ya know? We've got ourselves a little albino," "I hope my ears where mistaken when I heard Karin say that you where a prince," He said.
"Why? Does it scare you that your in the presence of royalty," He retorted.
I could feel it coming on. Someone was going to say something about me being a princess. Damn it! How does Hitsugaya keep finding me in the first place?
"No, just the fact you're a Shiro-chan scares me." Jinta laughs. Everyone does too.
That, was a slang term for the light angels. It's because of their wings, they where white as snow. Ironically though, Toshiro's hair was also white so that could be a cause of his nickname or even by his name itself 'shiro' was one of the roots.
I cross my arms and and step in front of Hitsugaya.
"If you continue to show such prejudice actions toward this light angel you'll have to deal with me," and since I was pissed by how my own team was acting just like that governess, I took a ball from the bag and flung it at Jinta's head. He caught it with ease as it still spun round in his hand, almost steaming from the intensity of the throw.
"She's got a beast throw too.." A team member commented.
"Practice is over for today. Clear out!" I said.
As everyone placed their balls in the bag I glared at Toshiro and mumbled, "This better be good, you just broke up a crucial practice.."
And when Jinta made it up in the line and was about to throw in the ball he took it in his opposite hand and, before I could stop him, he flung it at Hitsugaya's face. But it stopped, just before it hit him. I leaned back a bit to see if he's stopped it with his hand, no, then it'd be spiraling like my throw to Jinta..When I leaned back though, I couldn't believe my eyes.
Ever so slowly thick crystals of ice in cased the ball and when it had reached half way around the ball, it dropped to the ground. The ice shattered in the grass as Toshiro began, "I suggest you not try that again. Because this time, you won't have the element of surprise."
"So cool.." The guy behind Jinta said.
Jinta darted his eyes away, bit his lip, and walked off. Toshiro propped the ball up on his shoe, kicked it up, and put it in my bag.
I smirked, "You play soccer?"
" A bit. I've given it a try a few times." He whispered in my ear, " And I'm sure I can give you a run for your money."
I smiled wider, "Is that a challenge?" I asked as the last guy put his ball in.
"Actually I have to take to you about something-"
I interrupt him saying, "You're on!"
Accidentally, I swing the sack of balls to my right as I turn to face him and it whacks to boy who just put his ball in the bag.
"Oh, sorry!" I say, turning back around. Perfect, I dart my eyes back to see what happened. I had deliberately turned around in a haste so that the balls would swing and hit Toshiro. This will test his reflexes.
He instinctively leans back as the bag glides over the open air, then he comes back up as I turn back around(slower this time so I don't hit anyone).
"Put up a good fight now." I tell him.
"Just don't disappoint me," He laughs, taking off the jacket he was wearing. I don't understand why he was wearing a jacket in the middle of summer anyway! Suits don't...suit him. That was comical. He rolls his sleeves up and gestures inward, "Give me all you got, and I'll be sure to take it easy on you."
I throw the wet towel over to the side and take a ball out of the bag, dropping it on the ground.
Everything I did didn't work. I did the angel play, he countered it with opposite spin, Then he'd steal the ball and score..AGAIN! How the hell does he get a score of me so effortlessly when it's never been done by another in my entire life! I put it into air play by kicking it up high, he'll to a legal jump(I swear, it looks like he's flying! But he's not) and kick it back down. It never got past him! How?
I follow him up to my goal and steal the ball, running back to his goal. When I'm about to send my kick which would be a definite score, toward his goal, it's as if he senses what's coming a steals the ball back. It's like he's letting me take the ball for kicks..He's taking it easy on me! He hasn't even used that magic I saw earlier! Just pure strength like I do! But then, how is he still beating me?
I slid for the ball and he steals it before I can touch it! Everything I did didn't work. And out game wasn't even close! By the end of 10 minutes, the score was zero to seven. We were playing to 20 minutes.
I put my hands on my knees, panting, "How the hell did you do that?"
"I haven't even gotten warmed up," I watched the ball roll over to him.
"I'm not even getting started!" I say, getting up and facing him again, "Bring it!"
Then, all of a sudden, things seem so slow. He runs slowly with the ball, he lets me steal it so easily, he's basically walking to try and stop me from scoring. Now he's looking down on me to the point where he's not even giving it a bit of effort! He's so infuriating! He's trying to joke with me!
As he slowly caught up to me, I kicked the ball to the left and tripped him with my other.
Surprised, he kinda just fell back and didn't even catch his step.
I got down on my knees and grabbed his collar, "Listen you, don't you ever taught me like that! You give it your all!" I say.
He looks at me strangely, his eyes as wide. Don't tell me he's going to play innocent! I get even more angry as I begin, "Let's keep going with the game." I start to get up off of him when he takes my hand and flips me over. I fidget, feeling how uncomfortable it was to be loomed over. As Hitsugaya looked down over me I remember what Yuzu was saying...No way, he's not like that..
"You're not telling me something," He says.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about-"
"Isn't it strange. I researched your sir name and found it to be the exact same as the royal families. And though it might have been a coincidence, I came here are one of your team mates called you a princess," He said. Snap, I shouldn't told him my name!
"That's..Just a nickname-"
"Just tell the truth already," He says, "You where on of the princesses of the dark realm! And you never told me!"
It's amazing how small you feel when someone's on top of you. It makes you feel helpless. I don't say anything and avoid eye contact.
"If you would, please don't tell anyone..." I request.
"What's there to tell?" He says.
"I'll give you a different sir name and background before we go to the ball so that you won't get figured out so easily.."
You mean..He's trying to help me?
"I'm still going to the ball?" Is all I can think to say. I mean, If he figured out I was a princess, the right minded person wouldn't have anything to do with me. Especially because of our wings..
"Well you just spent 2,000 dollars on the dress, so,"
"You already checked the tab?" I said in dismay.
"I believe it's red, right," He was talking about the dress.
I ignore what he says and begin, "Thanks.." "For keeping it secret. Not just for me, but for my sister.."
He doesn't answer. And as I get up I say, "Let's get the game started."
"No wait, you just reminded me, I have to tell you-"
And then I could feel it again. That sting of pain down my wings. Only it was much worse. I could say it was excruciating and I wouldn't be kidding. What was going on with my wings. I flung them out violently as the pain rushed down through each feather. I could feel my feathers flying out from the sudden movement. And then my wings came in again as the pain faded a bit.
"Is something wrong?"
"Hell something's wrong! My wings hurt you ass!" I say, falling down on my knees.
"Didn't you go to a doctor to get those checked out?" His eyes then glanced at my leg which was not bandaged a second time since Yesterday or even properly re-wrapped.
"You didn't even have your maids redress your wound!"
"Oh lay off it, just tell me what you where going to say and stay out of my business.." He walks over to me and holds the tip of my wings.
I let out a little yelp, wincing, and my wings instinctively shake from the pain.
"That can wait. You need to go to a doctor."
"Wait, what're you-" He takes me up in his arms and starts to carry me over into the town.
"The hell're you doing, let me down!"
"You'll just run if I do that." He says. Well, he's right about that...He was smart to carry me in the first place. So? I'm gonna make him put me down.
I kick around and thrash in his arms.
"Cut it out!" He says, "I might drop you."
"That's the idea," I say.
"Stop it!" He says.
"Put me down! I-" And I'm surprised then by what happens following this. He stops and presses his lips against mine. What in the world? What is he doing? I stop thrashing and widen my eyes. I think I'm having me..First kiss... I felt something like butterflies in my stomach. Why in the world..Would I ever feel that? I try for a little bit to fight it, but as the air to my lungs fades, I can't to anything but close I my eyes and let it happen. Fighting takes most of your air from you..When was he going to...Stop? I had time to think about it, what his aura felt like. When angels kiss, they can feel the magical aura around the other. His, was winter. Snow. Ice. Cold...But his lips where definitely the opposite. Warm..Soft..Passionate? Wait..Why the hell was I analyzing this situation?
And when he finally pulls away, I'm out of breath and all I can do is pant, "Why..Did..You do that?"
He keeps walking and chuckles a bit, "They always stop struggling after you kiss them.."
Ah! That little- I slap him in the back of the head, "You just stole my first kiss you pervert, idiot, cocky, brat!"
"You sure put up a tough fight..I didn't know girls like you cared about things like a first kiss," He said while dodging my punches.
I stopped and blushed, "Sh-shut up.." I said, looking away.
"I'll be back tomorrow then.." He says after awhile.
"What? Oh no, you've already screwed up my life enough-"
"I still haven't told you.." He began, "What I needed to say.." This he said, with a serious expression. What was it that was so important? Did it concern the reported.
The suddenly Toshiro stopped. I could feel it too. Someone was nearby. And then out from the trees a dagger is sent straight for me. As I see the blade coming closer and closer I just don't know what to think. Why the hell am I being assassinated now..I mean, there're a lot of people in this world that hate me but..Why now?
Then I watch the silver stop in mid air, a spot of blue..Something blue..Spreads out. It was ice! Just as Toshiro did before. He set me down and began, "Looks like I'll have to do some explaining before that..."
He took his and and faced it toward the ground and in his hand..A sword made of ice formed. He grabbed it and stood in front of me.
"Let's get this party started." He laughs.
"Such a boring way to fight, get out here and face me," He began.
"Alice angels!"
Author's Notes:
Nothin' really... Just a shout out to meggie-moo s who gave my story a shout out. As a girl of my word, everyone read JACKEDUP FAIRYTALE plz! Thanks! Review review review!
Reviewers to thank:
Blueberry Absinth
Tobiyuki
meggie-moo s
keroneko13
yellowbutterfly93
Thanks,
~*RukiaRocks*~