The Raven Bride
Chapter 6: Two Kisses in One Night
"So that's it. " I related as I leaned back on my chair.
Soheila sensei looked at me in a disbelieving manner which made me gulp internally, but I didn't regret telling lies to her and fabricating my story. I don't want to end up in the asylum.
She stared at me with those stunning eyes of hers, I stared back at her with my hazel orbs, trying to prove my point. I clenched my fists and concentrated as hard as I could to keep my mind blank as I stared at her, her eyes are full of intensity that I can't help but feel like she's hypnotizing me.
After a minute, she sighed.
"If that's what you want to do, Ms. Yukihara. " She said in surrender as she looked at her window. "You cannot expect me to believe that you got hit by a soccer ball that hit you on the face, and then because of your clumsiness, you hit a thick and huge branch which caught your sweater, and then as you tried to pry it off, you suddenly hit a stone which caused your sweater to get ripped. If you asked me, I think you're sweater was torn on purpose. And you looked so scared back then as if someone was running after you. " She noted.
I clenched my fists again. There is no way in heaven or hell that I will tell her what happened earlier.
I was about to say something when Soheila sensei spoke.
"What do you think of Memosa's portrait? "
I gulped internally. Oh God, is she going to remind me of that psychotic maiden who stripped me off my favourite sweater?
"She looked…mysterious. " I replied absently. "I heard a couple of girls talking about her earlier, they say that she was the daughter of a Persian merchant who sold her to Bram. And then, one of Bram's son, Rajhi, fell in love with her, but when Dajhi, his twin brother came, it all went into disarray since Dajhi and Memosa fell in love with each other. "
She nodded and stood up, then leaned the left side of her body near the window. "There were many stories that circulated about Memosa, and that is one of the versions. "
"Oh. " I uttered, a bit interested. "What else, there is to know about her sensei? " I asked, trying to be polite.
"Some legends say she's the human form of Lilith, The first wife of Adam in some creation legends, some say that Lilith bears a grudge on Bram because he never surrendered himself to her beauty and didn't wed her despite her efforts to seduce him, instead, Bram fell in love with a normal human woman who captivated and held his heart, therefore, she decided to take revenge by making his sons fall in love with her, some say, that Bram found out that Memosa was Lilith and then pleaded the Gods to save his family from her wrath, which caused countless thunder to befell on her when she reached the temple. Other legends say that Memosa is related to the ancient Incan princess of Peru who was sacrificed to the gods, and that, she's the reincarnation of her, so when she stepped in the temple, the gods saw her as a sacrificial lamb, therefore, took her in an array of thunder. Other stories said that she's a bad spirit, a succubus who gained a human form and fell in love with a human who turned out to be Dajhi. Other legends say that Memosa gained her life back after she was hit by the thunder and that she was the one who cursed Dajhi and Rajhi because they were the ones that put her in death's door. "
"I see…but which story is the real one, sensei? "
She smiled at me. "No one really knows, but one thing is certain, Memosa fell in love with the man who she shouldn't love. She turned her back on her destined life and lover, as a result, she was punished. "
"But that's what love is. " I contradicted, feeling a sudden remorse for her. "A heart can't predict who it can't love and who it should love. They can't just punish her because she fell in love with the wrong guy, that's just plain cruel. "
Soheila sensei turned to look at me and smirked, and in a blink of an eye, she was in front of me, and then she cupped my right cheek and neared her face to me, the tip of our noses almost touching which really made me shocked.
"But fate is a cruel bitch, Ms. Yukihara. " She said mysteriously, puffing some warm air on my blushing cheeks. "She's a manipulator, an evil mistress of time. She will grant you happiness that you deserve if she decided to give it to you, but if you don't bow to her graciously, then you will find yourself in a very sticky situation, she doesn't forgive any creatures who turn their back against her. You can beg and kiss her guts all you want, but you will never be able to gain her back again. And anyone who turned their backs on her suffered immensely. That I could tell you. "
I felt shivers run through my spine as I heard her say this. For some reason, I felt she was giving a meaning to her words, as if she was trying to imply something on me.
She looked at my eyes, and with a smile, the terrifying mask that she had worn suddenly disappeared.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. " She said and laughed, then turned her back on me. "You better go back to your class now, it's almost time.
I blinked, still dazed of what happened. It was like Soheila sensei had a multiple personality disorder, one minute, she's funny, then the next minute, she's observant, and the next minute, she's serious, then she'll get scary, and then finally, she will get back to her funny self again.
"I-I'll see you around, thank you for the tea and the sweater, sensei. " I murmured as I stood up, taking my torn cashmere sweater with me and trudged towards the door.
But before I could step out, she spoke again.
"Be careful, Ms. Yukihara, and always watch your back, you never know what might happen next. "
I flinched, but I just nodded in return, opened the door, and closed it.
"Mikan, are you alright? " Hotaru asked as she sat beside me.
I nodded, actually, I breathed a sigh of relief. The monster maiden didn't ran after me, thank goodness, I was praying a lot to Kami sama to guide me and shield me from any bad spirits that will come in my way.
I bit my lip as I remembered Soheila sensei's warning. What does she mean by watch my back?
I grumbled. I've been looking for myself for the past eleven years, and I dealt with it just fine.
Yet, when I came here, how come I feel like I'm not safe anymore?
"Mikan! "
I stopped my mental tirade when I heard Hotaru's annoyed voice.
"I'm sorry, what did you say? " I asked.
She rolled her lavender orbs. "I am calling you for the past 2 minutes and you're not responding. Did something happen? "
I repeated my fabrication fiasco, the one that I told Soheila sensei earlier, but she just glared at me.
"You're a bad liar. " She replied directly as she looked at me. "But if you wanted to keep it, its fine with me, I'm not your close friend anyway. " She replied as she angled herself to face the blackboard.
I bit my lip as I realized my mistake. I offended her by not telling her the real truth.
"I'm sorry, Hotaru, it's just- "
"Look, Mikan, aside from my family, you and Ruka, I don't know anyone around here, if something happens, I wanted a sense of security that there is someone that I could go to just in case I feel helpless, I know I'm asking too much, but we've got nothing in this school, and in this place but each other. So as much as possible, I want you to throw away the gift of doubts and have some trusts building among us. "
I nodded as I realized the merit in her thinking. I smiled at her and held her hand.
"Alright then, I'll tell you. " I said. Hotaru just let me get a glimpse of her side, and moreover, she implied that she's someone that I could trust, a friend that will be there when I need her.
"Just promise me that it will just be between us. " I said seriously. "And promise me that you won't think I'm crazy. "
She raised her eyebrow. "Fine, then tell it to me before we go home later. "
I smiled in assurance. "Alright then. "
After the final class, which was home economics, Hotaru immediately glided her table towards me.
"Now, spill it. " She commanded and glared at me. "And no editing, I can tell if you're lying to me. "
I nodded, then I related my story, the way I snuck up behind the bushes and eavesdropped on other girls about the history of the portrait, up until the time that Memosa went to life for some reason and attacked me.
"After that, I ran and ran until I bumped into Soheila sensei. " I related.
Hotaru just nodded. "I see. "
"You're not scared of me? "
"Why should I? " She shrugged. "Crazy things always happen to people. I've once heard of a man falling in love with a fairy, many people thought he was crazy, and the next day, he was gone. No traces. As in poof! He just disappeared in thin air. "
"And you believe that? "
"I do, he's our neighbour, and it's really suspicious because there were no evidences that he was killed. Many people say he migrated, but what kind of people migrates when all of his belongings where in the house? People say he was murdered, but if that's the case, then where was his body? And some of our neighbours say that when midnight comes, they will see him, happily walking alongside a very beautiful woman who seemed to be glowing. "
"That's scary. " I shuddered.
She shrugged again. "We're not the only one living in this world. There were a lot of mysteries surrounding the globe. And there were lots of places that weren't discovered yet. For instance, this place, this place alone had a lot of mysteries, and yet, a lot of Japanese people seemed to be ignorant about it."
"You're right… "
Suddenly, Hotaru's eyes gleamed at me.
"Why don't we go in the art hall tonight? " She suggested which caused me to back away.
"Are you crazy? " I exclaimed. "I almost lost my life in there! Why would I wanna go back? "
Her eyes showed dollar signs and I sweatdropped.
"If we could catch it, then we can show it to the world and we can earn lots of money. Or if the school won't permit, then I will use it as a decoration during horror festivals, and I could earn a lump sum of money for every customer she scares. " She said matter of fact as she packed her bags.
"But I don't want to! " I screamed.
She smirked evilly which caused me to step back.
"Face your fears, you baby! " She demanded as she pulled me back. "We're going in there tonight. What are you afraid of? You have me as a companion. "
"But - but! "
"No butts! You better prepare for tonight! "
I sighed. Hotaru is such a fanatic of money.
As much as I wanted to escape my fate, my conscience never left me, thinking that something bad might happen to Hotaru, but at the same time, annoyed at her greedy attitude.
Yet, she's my friend in this place, and friends always help each other out right?
So that night, I increased the load of the food that I made for supper, I reasoned to Uncle that I'm having late night cravings, which resulted on him raising his brow and lecturing me to watch my weight.
"You're still cute when you're chubby. " He lectured. "And I don't have any objections about feeding you more than you could eat or fattening you up, but I don't want you to be a subject of bullying and let you end up becoming suicidal or let you develop heart diseases. "
"It's just once in a blue moon. " I complained. What's wrong about bingeing for food at night? Eating sweets while watching tv is the best past time any normal girl would enjoy.
"Once in a blue moon? Then why is it that I can see lots of howalon boxes in your trash can while vacuuming your room last weekend? "
I huffed. "I can't resist them! " I exclaimed, blushing with embarrassment that Uncle caught me eating my favourite sweet howalon every night.
He rolled his eyes. "You better not complain to me when the time comes and you have to see a dentist and a dietician. " He said as he took my head gently and kissed my hair. "I have work to do tonight, behave okay? And lock all the doors. "
I was about to nod when the doorbell rang.
"Who might that be? " Uncle wondered as he went towards the door.
I smiled as I took the plates and put it on the sink.
"Mikan! Someone came to visit you! "
I blinked.
"That might be Hotaru. " I whispered as I wiped my hands and went towards the living room.
But to my surprise, it wasn't Hotaru, it was Yoichi!
He stood there grinning, with a bouquet of pink lilies on his hands.
"Good evening Yukihara san. " He greeted.
"Er…hi? " I greeted back as my eyes darted to Uncle who was eyeing him suspiciously.
"Um, Hijiri san, why don't you seat while I make some tea? " I motioned.
He nodded and sat on one of the couches.
"Alright, Hijiri san, may I know what are you doing in my abode at this time of night? " Uncle interrogated.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to court your niece, Principal. " I heard Yoichi said point blank with smugness on his voice which made me almost drop the cups.
"Mikan is too young to have a boyfriend- "
"But not too young to have a girlfriend? " He countered which made me widen my eyes. How the heck did he know that I've been in a lesbian relationship?
I heard Uncle sigh.
"Look, she just came from a bad relationship, she was just recovering from a heartache, Hijiri san, I know you wanted to court her, and I can see your efforts, but I don't think she's ready to enter in a relationship for now. "
"It doesn't matter. " I heard him reply which shocked me. "I'm willing to wait and willing to make her fall for me. "
I bit my lip at his direct confession, for some reason, my veins started to sing in excitement. The same feeling that I'm experiencing when I'm falling in love.
I suddenly want to slap myself for thinking that. Sweet Jesu, what's wrong with you, Mikan?
"What made you make a move all of a sudden? " Uncle asked as I put the tea, the cups and the cookies on the tray and walked towards the living room.
When I arrived, I saw Yoichi smirk at me, eyeing me as if I'm some kind of a precious prey that he would claim at all cost.
"For…some reasons… " He said mysteriously which caused Uncle to narrow his eyes at him. "I'm not ready to tell it yet, I don't want her to run away from me… " He added quickly.
Uncle sighed. "You better state your message to her before I go, I don't want to leave my niece alone in the hands of someone like you. "
"Ouch! Oh, Principal Yukihara, how dare you address me like I'm some kind of an unruly stallion! " Yoichi replied which caused me to bite my lip to prevent myself from laughing. That mock expression of his doesn't suit his serious and bored face, forced expressions looked ugly on many people, but on him, it looked so funny.
"And stallion brats like you are in need of a horsewhip. " Uncle retorted.
"Touché… " He replied and grinned at me. "I would want to talk with you more, my sweet Mikan, but I'm afraid your beloved Uncle doesn't permit me being here, oh what should I do to make him convince about my admiration to you? " He said in a mocked expression again.
I couldn't hold it any longer as I burst out laughing.
"Do you want me to let down my hair so that you could climb the window to my chamber and then we can start from there? " I joked. Two can play this game.
He halfsmiled. "That would work. "
I saw Uncle grunt as he shoved Yoichi towards the door. "Let's go, Hijiri san, your parents might be worried- "
I saw him narrow his eyes in an instant, befitting that of an angry crow.
"No they won't. " He replied harshly which surprised me.
Uncle lowered his eyelids. "Hijiri san… "
I saw Yoichi quickly averted his head away from us.
"They're worried not because they love me, they're worried because if I die, I'm going to forsake my clan to that useless Crimson clan. I'm only wanted in that stupid family because I was assigned as the heir of the Cerulean clan, if I'm not the heir of that idiotic bloodline, do you really think that they would give a shit about me? "
I bit my lip. I didn't know that being an heir means becoming lonely.
Silence fell upon us as for awhile, and then after some time, Yoichi spoke again.
"Good night, and I'll see you at school tomorrow, Yukihara san- "
"Call me Mikan. " I replied which caused him to turn his head towards me.
I smiled at him which caused him to widen his eyes.
"You called me Mikan earlier, so why not call me that from now on? " I said and stepped out towards him. "Besides, I don't want you to confuse me for my uncle. " I added, hoping to avert his feelings of loneliness.
He halfsmiled. "Arigatou, Mikan. " He whispered as he turned his back on me.
"Hijiri san, I could give you a ride home. " Uncle offered.
I saw Yoichi shook his head. "No thanks, I could manage. " He replied as he walked out of the door and into our steps.
But before he was out of our sight, he spoke.
"If you want me to call you Mikan, then you can call me Yoichi from now on as well, that will make us even. "
I smiled behind him. "Of course, see you tomorrow, Yoichi. "
He waived at me and ran into the darkness.
I looked at Uncle who was looking at the path that Yoichi had travelled.
"Do you think Yoichi kun has some family issues? " I wondered.
Uncle shrugged. "It's a long story, Mikan, and I don't know much about it, as I said, those two clans are very secretive. "
"But he was open about the topic. " I contradicted.
Uncle grinned. "That's the difference with Hyuuga san and Hijiri san. Hijiri san is willing to open himself to people he deems he trust, it's the same for Hyuuga san, except that it will take a long time for his trust to be gained. For Hijiri, as long as he feels that you can be trusted at one look, he will trust you. "
I blushed. "Are you saying that he trusts us? "
He smiled. " I think he does. " He said as he looked at his watch. "Anyway, I better go, I need to go to the school, I have a lot of work. "
"I was wondering, if you work a lot in the academy, then why didn't you rent an apartment in there or something? I heard that the academy is providing housing opportunities. "
He exhaled as he looked inside the house.
"This house is not just plain block of cement and wall, for me, this my home, our home. This is the place where I and your father grew up, whenever I'm here, I feel safe and secure and truly at home, as much as possible, I want to spend time in here no matter how short it is because this house is sentimental to me. I can't explain it thoroughly, but I'm sure you know what it feels like to be living in a place that you love and living for so long, we humans know how to form attachment on many things, be it living or non- living. "
I smiled at him. I know what he means. And I did. Pink Rose high had been my home since childhood, and to be separated from that place really made me loose some of my self, but in return, I gained another home.
Here, in Uncle's abode.
"Alright, I better go now. " He said as he shoved me gently inside. "Remember what I said! " He reminded and slammed the door shut and locked it.
I grinned. He was acting more like a father than an uncle.
When I turned around, I found my cellphone vibrating on the couch.
Quickly, I unlocked the key and saw Hotaru's number.
I pressed the button and answered it.
"Hello, Hotaru? " I greeted.
"Good thing, you answered, I hate waiting. "
I chuckled. "Okay, so what's up? "
"I'm going to meet you outside, in less than two hours, after that, we will go to school, the security guard already finished his rounds for that night, and the second guard will come. "
"At around 10? "
"Yeah, and by that time, he will prepare to go home, of course, and then we will seize that opportunity to enter inside the academy. "
"Wow, you sound like an expert. "
From the other line, I felt her smirking.
"I have my ways. " She replied. "Alright, see you later Mikan, and pack some crab sandwiches for snacks later. "
"Yes, your highness. " I retorted.
"Good, now bye. " She said and ended the line.
I breathed as I looked outside. The sky is a perfect midnight black decorated with lovely white, golden stars.
I went towards the glass doors, and set the curtains aside.
Imagine my surprise when I saw Vermilion standing just outside our glass doors!
In response, I stepped back, only to feel the back of my legs hit the coffee table which caused me to tumble backwards and land on the floor with a loud thud!
"Ouch! " I groaned as I slowly sat up and glared at him. "Jesus Vermilion! You scared me! "
He shrugged, his raven feathers gleaming under the stars.
Breathing and rubbing my sore head, I stepped towards the glass doors and opened it.
Immediately, I blushed as I saw his naked torso. Quickly, I grabbed a pillow and shoved it at him.
"Cover yourself up and sit on the couch. " I commanded as I covered my eyes.
I heard him chuckle, but after a minute, I saw him sitting on the couch, covering his manhood with a pillow.
"It's about time you visit me. " I pouted as I sat across him. "You didn't visit me last week. "
"I visited you the day you had your accident which was last week. " He corrected.
"But it's only a day! " I whined.
He smirked under his beak. "Why, you want me to be here every night? " He responded slyly.
I blushed. Well, it's true, I love it when he flies and brings me to the sky, feeling those fluffy breathable clouds under my palms makes me want to travel there over and over again.
I looked away. "Only because you're giving me a free air ride. " I answered.
"Hn… "
"Anyway, do you want some tea? " I asked.
He shook his head. "I already ate. "
"Oh, you had a dinner already? "
"Yeah, I saw a huge earthworm travelling around earlier in the forest- "
"Okay, stop with the eewie food, you already gave me a picture. "
He chuckled. "I'm just answering your question, polkadots. "
"Whatever- wait, polka dots? " I asked as I widened my eyes in realization.
I grounded my teeth on him and pushed my palms over my skirt.
"You pervert! " I hissed.
"You were the one who was showing it to me. " He answered smugly.
"Shut up! "
"Yeah, whatever, polka dot panties girl. "
"You take that back! " I protested as I swooped across him on the couch. Never in my life was I've been humiliated before.
I tried punching him, but he kept on dodging them.
In my frustration, I took his large beak on my hands. I saw him flinch in pain, grinning, I quickly clamped my legs on his waist and punched his chest.
"Hey! Stop it, you amazon! " He complained. But I can sense a tone of playfulness in his voice which angered me a lot. It seems that my punches don't even work despite the fact that his chest is already blushing from the heat of pain.
He tried to wriggle me out of his body, in the process, he hit the coffee table and we both fell on the floor. Well, he did.
But when he hit the floor, my nose hit his beak as well! Urgh! Curse that beak!
I looked at him, grinning in triumph. "Now, who won? " I demanded smugly.
But he didn't respond, instead, he looked at me, with those huge crimson eyes of his.
I blinked, his stare was so intense that it makes me feel drawn at him.
Trying to avert my gaze, I looked around us, but it only compounded my feelings when I saw the position that we are in.
My legs were caging his thighs, my arms imprisoning his upper torso, and my chest towering his.
I'm on top of him…
In an ala carte position.
Quickly, I tried to stand up, but to my surprise, I felt his hands snake around my waist and pull me down closer to him, just an inch above his huge beak.
"Vermillion, what's- "
I stopped when I saw his eyes looked at me in admiration.
For some reason, my mind just went blank, like everything that I wanted to say just disappeared in a snap.
This is stupid, I shouldn't be feeling this way, I shouldn't feel anything for someone who is not human, moreso, a bird.
But…
Vermilion is not just a bird, he was a human-raven hybrid. A magnificent human bird with elegant and regal raven head and possesses a masculine body that is much much hotter than male models and Japanese actors.
I didn't feel any protest in my body when he raised his left hand and started caressing my left cheek, his hand going up and down on my flesh in a very gentle manner.
"You've got a lovely skin… " He said in a hoarse voice which made me blush.
"Soft, smooth and warm… " He added as his hand crawled towards my jaw.
I blushed even more when I felt his index finger trace my lips, then afterwards, he caressed the lower part of my mouth, gently rubbing the finger according to the curve of my lower lips.
"Soft lips… " He said as he gently sat up, carrying me up with him in one stride. "They looked so sweet and luscious… "
His hand then dropped to my skirt, and before I know it, he raised the cloth up a little and caressed my thighs which made me grip his shoulders.
"You're a very lovely woman…Mikan… " He said my name as if he's uttering a goddess' name.
He then neared his face on me. He raised his head a little, showing me his thin, seductive lips.
My brain started protesting at this sudden invasion, but for some weird reason, my body didn't obey. I felt his hot breath scalding my skin and his lips seducing me.
"Mikan… " He said as he lowered his head and angled it in a way that his beak won't hit my face.
"No! Don't close your eyes! " My brain hissed. But my eyes didn't follow again, I found my eyelids closing despite my internal protests.
I felt his lips descend on me, and gently landed it on my lips.
It was a soft nibble at first, but then, he got impatient and started to force my lower lip to open.
In shock, I opened my mouth, giving him an access inside, he nibbled at me, tasted every corner of my mouth and forcing my tongue to clash with his.
In response, my hands descended on his warm chest.
He continued to search on me, urging me, forcing me, coaxing me to respond to his kiss, I may have granted him the access to my lips, but I didn't feel any excitement at his invasion, I felt forced in a good way, but I didn't feel any pleasure and enjoyment…
For some reason, I feel like there's something missing, like his kisses where just…
Plain pleasure, it was not filled with excitement nor affection at all…
Suddenly, I started to feel the need for air, using my palms, I quickly pushed him away, but he didn't let go, instead, he grabbed the back of my head, keeping it in place.
I tried to move my head away, but I can't.
"Let go of me! " I tried to scream, but instead, it went out as a low muffle.
My lungs started to work double time, God, I need air, I need oxygen, and I mean now!
"Stop! " I muffled.
He didn't stop, so I tried again.
His forceful dominance angered me which kicked my brain out of its haziness, my eyes then darted to his manhood.
He might be a bird, but he's still a man… I thought.
And I happen to know a male's weakness!
Slowly inserting my foot inside, I let out a mighty shove and kicked his genitals.
Instantly, he bolted out of me, effectively separating himself away from me and cupping his painful treasure.
"What was that for, you savage? " He growled.
I glared back at him.
"Don't call me a savage, you sexual fiend! " I retorted as I glowered at him, with my cheeks blushing in anger. "I'm telling you to stop because I need air! What are you planning to do? Kill me through kisses? "
His anger subsided, instead, it was replaced with shock, as if someone poured a pail of cold water on him.
Silence fell between us after that.
He breathed deeply and looked on the floor.
"I- I'm sorry. " He apologized. "I- I got carried away. " He said as he stood up and dashed towards the glass doors, in the bade of the dark night, he quickly unfurled his dark wings in the sky.
In response, I scampered towards him and took his leg.
He looked at me, and I looked at him in return, my hazel orbs clashing with his fiery crimson ones.
We just stared at each other, not speaking any word.
I found my free hand rising up, reaching him absently, I was halfway through when he looked away in a snap.
"I'm sorry. " He said again as he gently detached my arm from his leg. "I'll try and visit you again tomorrow. " He added as he turned his back on me and ejected himself towards the sky.
I just sat there, looking blankly at the path that he just took.
I don't know why, I just kept looking at the path that he just travelled, I felt like an idiot looking at nothing.
But I can't help it, as if his presence put me in a spell.
I found myself raising my hand in the cold open air, as if trying to reach him.
RING! RING! RING!
I bolted out of my own spell and quickly looked at my phone.
I quickly strode towards it and answered it.
"Mikan, are ready? I'll be there in your place within fifteen minutes. "
This seemed to put my sanity back into reality.
"But Hotaru! I thought you said in two hours? " I demanded as I locked the glass doors and quickly hurried towards the stairs.
"Yeah, and it's 30 minutes before 10 in the evening, Ms. Know it all. " Hotaru deadpanned from another line.
I stood there in shock.
"You mean, 1 hour and 30 minutes have passed? " I asked aloud. That's really odd, I was just liplocking with a human bird awhile ago, that shouldn't take for about half an hour.
I exhaled and quickly dismissed the event, I probably forgot the time.
"Seriously, where is your brain residing? In Mars? "
I sighed. "I'm sorry, Hotaru, I'm…a bit…nah, I'll tell it to you later. " I answered as I closed the glass doors and quickly ran towards my room.
"Good, now you better dress up, where on a maiden hunt tonight. " Hotaru concluded as I heard her shut her phone.
I breathed deeply as I put both of my palms and covered my face.
"God, what's happening to me? " I asked myself as I slumped on the floor. "All my high school life, I was involved in a lesbian relationship, then a few weeks ago, I was broken hearted, and now, I found myself desiring someone, someone who is not human, but a human raven hybrid, that although he wasn't able to put my senses on a thrill spinning manner through his kisses, managed to make my whole body ache for his presence…"
God, I'm such an idiot…
And what I did earlier was a stupid mistake.
A very very stupid mistake.
"I can't help but to shiver in fear. " I said out aloud as we walked towards the hall where the paintings are located. "Seriously, if I went out of here alive, I'll be the goodest of all the good girl. "
"Don't be so over dramatic. " Hotaru deadpanned as she walked in front of me and swinging her flashlight in the darkness. "This is our one chance to fame and you're going to let fear override you? "
"Tell it to me after you see her. " I grumbled as I covered myself even more with my jacket.
My heart froze when we reached our destination.
Hotaru stood up across Memosa's painting and looked blankly at it.
"There's nothing wrong with her, if you ask me. " Hotaru said.
"Let me come there and I'll show you. " I said as I stepped next to her and bravely looked at Memosa's portrait.
I bit my lip as I looked at the painting. Hotaru was right. There is nothing wrong with the painting.
"Now you saw it, and now you probably think that I'm a crazy loser right now, so let's go and have a good night's sleep, what do you say? " I exhaled. Maybe, I smelled marijuana earlier that's why I have hallucinations this afternoon.
Hotaru pushed her lips to the side. "What a bummer, I would've earned a lot of cash for her appearance. Anyway, I just have to stick with Ruka for my source of money. "
"Eh? How? " I asked curiously.
She shrugged. "By taking pictures of him and selling it to his fangirls. I earn a lot of money from those. I thought I told you that. "
I sweatdropped, seriously, she does that to her boyfriend?
"Okay, now let's- " I stopped when I felt a cold hand clamp my throat.
I saw Hotaru's eyes widened.
Slowly, I moved my eyeballs to the side, and to my horror, I saw a thatch of curly brown hair behind me.
"Mikan…it's her… " She managed to say.
"Me…mo…sa… " I choked out.
I heard a sinister laugh after that.
"Bingo! You got me there, sweetie! Now come give me kis- "
BAKA! BAKA! BAKA! BAKA!
Quickly, I breathed in relief as I unclamped her hand out of my neck and ran towards Hotaru.
She blew a slim, mini bazooka from her right hand.
"What a psychotic bitch. " She said emotionlessly as her lavender eyes darted over to the painting and raised her eyebrow.
"That's odd, Memosa is still in this painting. " She said as she looked at the portrait in a swift manner then bravely walked towards Memosa's fainted body.
"What are you doing? " I shouted at her. "Get away from her, Hotaru! She's dangerous! "
"Dangerous, my butt. " Hotaru replied emotionlessly as she pulled Memosa's hair as hard as she could.
After a few tugs, Hotaru managed to pull away a brown, curly wig.
Underneath it is a bald, ebony hair, and the face was obviously not that of female, it was that of a man.
"What a drag, it's just Mochu, one of Hyuuga's croons. " She snorted as she kicked the young man in a supine position.
Blinking at her discovery, I quickly walked towards Hotaru and was able to see a glimpse of the fake Memosa. He was handsome though, but he was bald, and his face mirrored arrogance and loyalty at the same time.
I blinked, then crouched beside him, curious, I poked his cheek. Yup, he was human alright.
"But why would he scare me like that? " I asked. "And not to mention he ripped my sweater as well. " I grounded.
"The Crimson clan loves to scare new students. " Hotaru replied in a matter of fact tone. "Because on a normal basis, Cerulean clan are far more friendlier than the Crimson clan, they are more open in some ways, therefore, making them gain the trust of others easily, as for the Crimson clan, they are more reserved, people are wary of them at first glance because of their fiery and cutting edge attitude. And after noticing that the Cerulean clan had gained a lot of advantage in befriending strangers and extending their allies, the Crimson clan started to fear its own dominance, as they say, more allies mean more strength and advantage. And being the Cerulean clan's most number one enemy, they don't want and never want to be deferred by other clans, just to let you know, I'm not being biased. "
She was right about that, Yoichi was more friendlier that the other leader…Hyuuga san.
Yet, for some reason, I felt that he was familiar to me, as if I've met him before...
"I see. " I replied as I looked at the tough face of the Mochu guy.
"So by scaring me away, he was hoping that I would go back to Tokyo and leave this place? " I asked.
"As usual. " She said as she wiped her bazooka. "Probably, he was planning to scare the life out of you, thinking that you were cursed and push you to the edge of fear so that you will go away forever. "
"But that will never happen, Uncle needs me and I have nothing to go back to in Tokyo. "
Hotaru halfsmiled at me.
"Step aside, We're going to interrogate him. " Hotaru said as she pointed her bazooka on him.
I shook my head in disdain as I heard Mochu's cries in the air.
"Wow, Hotaru, you're speculations about their intentions are right. " I said in wonder as she ate her crab sandwich.
"I'm not a genius for nothing. " She shrugged.
My eyes darted to poor Mochu, who was then tied up in a pole and was now filled with huge bumps on his head.
"But how come when I looked back at the painting this morning, Memosa was gone in the portrait? " I asked him again.
He glared at me. "I told you, it was Sumire! While you were looking at me in shock, she quickly pressed the button and opened the chamber that serves as the hiding place of the paintings. Inside there was the perfect copy of Memosa's portrait, except that she absent in there. And by doing that, she managed to quickly switch both paintings in a snap, which caused you to believe that Memosa went out from the portrait. "
"But do you have to rip my sweater off? " I demanded.
He sighed. "It was a mistake, I'm sorry… "
"You pervert. " Hotaru said as she fired her baka gun at him. (well that's what she called her bazooka.)
He started to cry waterfalls. "Please, Hotaru sama! I swear, I'm not going to do it anymore! I'll leave her alone! We'll leave her alone! Just stop hurting me! "
Hotaru smirked as she stood up from her seat and walked towards Mochu, and in a blink of an eye, she produced a few pictures in her hands.
"You better leave us alone Mochu… " She said in a sugary sweet tone that made me and Mochu uncomfortable.
"Because if you do, I'm going to spread all your shameless pictures around the net and you will be a laughing stock in no time. " She finished.
Mochu nodded eagerly and cried waterfalls. "Yes! Please! Just let go of me! "
Hotaru then nodded at me and I stepped down and took off Mochu's ropes.
Quickly, Mochu took out a wad of cash and slapped it on the ground and ran away as fast as his feet could take.
Hotaru took off the wad of bills and handed it to me.
I took it and bit my lip. "This is too much, I could buy ten cashmere sweaters with this. "
"Good, because I'm getting half of it. " She replied as she snatched half of the bills out of my hands. "That's your payment for acquiring my services. "
"I don't remember asking you in the first place. " I noted acidly.
She shrugged. "But it's because of me that you found out the truth, that you've been purposely scared by Memosa's portrait in the hopes that you will go away from here, if I didn't intervene, you might still be living in fear up until now. "
I sighed. "Fine. " I replied. I suppose that would be enough to serve as a thank you for her help in discovering the truth.
I smiled as I took her hand.
"Come on now, Hotaru! Let's go- "
FWOOOSH!
Before I knew it, I felt myself being lifted off the ground.
"AHHHHHH! Hotaru! " I screamed as I felt myself being taken higher and higher.
"Mikan! " Hotaru screamed back.
I wriggled my way out, but the claws that dug on my flesh were so sharp-
Wait, claws?
Slowly, I looked around, only to see huge, gigantic bird claws clamping my shoulders.
I slowly tilted my head, to my horror, it was a huge Raven!
At first glance, I thought it was Vermillion, but then, as I looked around, there were no red tips glowing on its feathers, instead, the tips ended in a glowing green fashion.
I observed the raven even more, the wings of the raven is more gracefully curved, and the ends of her tail ended in sparkling light green glitters. It was a beautiful bird, but not as magnificent as Vermillion, but this one is special too. I also noticed that the claws of the raven were more shiny, more polished, and shaped in a sophisticated way. Green, sophisticated and sparkly are the best ways to describe the said raven.
I continued to fly with the green hued raven until we reach a deserted forest, the moment we were almost at landing, the green raven quickly threw me to the side, grazing my knee and my arms in the process.
"Ouch! " I hissed in pain as I massaged my bleeding knee.
I was about to stand up when I saw a huge shadow hovering around me.
When I looked up, it was the green hued raven.
The raven did not have any swirls atop its head, but it's green hued tips signify it's rarity and specialty. Its eyes are bright green, though, it looked like the eyes of a bitch. Its beak were slightly red and it's grace feminine.
I saw the raven dart its eyes dangerously at me.
"Er… "
Before I could utter another word, a flash of green light enveloped the raven, and in a blink of an eye, the light formed a shapely silhouette, more specifically, a figure that resembles that of a woman.
When the transformation was completed, I gulped.
The raven this time is a female. Her assets matched perfectly to that of any normal female, but like Vermilion, her head were shaped like that of a raven, with huge beak and five huge, sharp pointy claws at their feet. Greenish, black feathers grew from her wrist to her elbows and from her ankles to her knees, except that it was finer and silkier, and she has an olive complexion and her skin is smoother and softer, and long greenish hair grew from her nape down to her bum.
I saw her glare at me, she stepped towards me, preparing to attack, in response, I scampered back,
But it was all in futile.
As quick as a snake, she lunged at me and dug her fingernails on my cheek, the cheek that Vermilion was caressing earlier, the flesh bled, and in the process, left five bloody diagonal marks on its trail.
"What did he see in you? " She screamed in a shrill voice. As her hands went to my neck and shook me in frustration.
"I don't know what you're talking about! " I screamed back at her as I winced at the burning pain on my cheek.
"I'm more beautiful, more powerful, more perfect, and more deserving than a human like you! " How could he? " She screamed as she threw me to the nearest tree trunk.
I winced at the pain. But I tried my best to sit up.
I saw the fiery raven, (excuse my language) bitch positioned herself to attack me again, but before she could do so, I saw an azure hue blur move behind her.
The female raven let out a scream of rage, and with a flash, she disappeared in my sight.
I blinked, then afterwards, I heard some trees falling from different directions, the way they break makes me think that they were uprooted in a rough way.
I looked at the path where I heard the trees breaking apart, and all I saw are a couple of laser like lights, one green and one blue.
The laser lights clashed at each other, fiery and menacing, then afterwards, the laser of lights went past each other, forming a spiral of green and blue colours alternating while traversing towards the sky, when the lasers reached the stars, the clashing of the lights began again.
Once, twice, thrice, and then afterwards, I heard a painful shrill, and then both lights weakened and weakened until it revealed two ravens.
One raven was the green hued raven, I saw the female raven glare at the other raven, afterwards, I gasped as I saw her back had a huge diagonal cut and was bleeding.
I looked at the other raven that was flapping its wings and I gasped even more.
Those turquoise eyes, the blue swirl on its head, the blue tipped feathers, and the magnificent and dominating aura that Vermilion also possess.
It was, no doubt, Vermilion's enemy.
The green raven hissed, and then in a snap, a green light flashed on her, then straightened out and quickly formed into laser, I thought she was going to attack again, but then, I saw the green light curve outward, there was no doubt that she admitted her defeat from the blue hued raven.
I froze as I saw the blue raven look at me from above. I know it was looking at me because its eyes was angled on my direction.
In a snap, he quickly ejaculated himself downwards, hitting the ground 200 hundred miles every second.
I stepped back as I heard a loud crashing sound on the ground. Trees were thrown aside, and the sand formed clouds of dirt in the air.
When I looked up, I saw myself face to face with the blue raven.
A light enveloped the giant crow, and following the morph of the female raven, it also transformed into something.
But…
She wasn't a female, he was a male. His built and appearance where the same and magnificent just like Vermilion, except that he's black feathers were tipped with glowing blue tips, and the air around him was cold, unlike Vermilion's hot presence. And his claws don't end in cream colour, its nails where tinged with ice blue colour.
If Vermilion is tan, then he's fairer, not albino, but just enough, just neutral. His body is as hot and drool inspiring like him. They have the same magnificence and dominating beauty. And looking at him makes me want to call Vermilion and compare them to each other who's the best.
But…
No one could ever compare them, they have similarities and differences, but they both deserve the same thousand praises, both of them are qualified to be Mr. Raven of the Universe.
I saw him walk towards me and I stepped back.
I continued to step back while he walked near me. I stepped and I stepped until I felt my back leaning on a tree trunk.
I shivered when I felt his hand cup my injured cheek. I blinked as I felt a soothing feeling that he had bestowed upon me that I can't help but to lean on his hand.
After a while, I felt my head being turned upright again, this time, my eyes were now looking at his reddish, plump lips.
I felt his other hand cup my other cheek, holding my face in place, he started to near his face on me, his dazzling turquoise eyes never leaving me behind.
I gulped. Oh God, please don't make me kiss another raven! I've had enough of-
I stopped my mental tirade when I felt a pair of cold lips crash on me…
Oh my goodness!
He was coaxing me in a calm, teasing way, unlike Vermilion's wild forceful gestures. He was more of a playful kisser, teasing you and making your lips dance with him.
It's my first time seeing this blue raven up close, and I do not desire him, yet his kiss sends my blood rushing to my veins, my feelings into excitement, and my whole being into a complete frenzy.
This raven was able to give me the feelings that I've been searching for a kiss. His is affectionate, filled with emotion, soul taking, something that I didn't feel while kissing Vermilion.
I widened my eyes as I realized another stupid notion that entered on my brain.
At this point, all those happy feelings dissipated in a snap.
Right now, I wanted to cry, I wanted to throw a pair of hissy fits, I so badly wanted to talk to Hotaru because I'm so confused.
This is the first time that these things happen to me.
Who would've known that receiving two kisses from two gorgeous human raven guys in one night can make you a confused and shameless moron?
Well, I do.
And this is not a pleasant feeling at all.
Please review!
Thank you for reading!
Many of you might ask why I'm always placing Mikan in danger, well, my lovelies, I kind of planned it that way, you will understand my reasons why as the chapters will go on.
I asked my friend to make a drawing of Natsume and Yoichi in their raven forms, and she illustrated it perfectly! :) I'm so happy! Her drawings are even more beautiful than the ones that I have imagined. She had won lots of art competitions with her perfect interpretation of every details that many people envision in their minds and is very good in executing her own imagination through art, so I figured that she's the best one to interpret my wacky and wild imaginations.
However, my friend is a very private and paranoid person. I thought that she will permit me displaying the finished artwork in the web, I let her do an illustration in the hopes of giving you a perfect picture since I was inspired of you guys giving me your own version of Natsume and Yoichi in their raven forms, but she declined the moment I told her that, and being a good friend, I have to respect her wishes. I wanted to draw it myself, but I suck at drawing, no matter how hard I work, it never turns out good :(
Anyway, sorry to make you wait, but I'm trying my best to update because I love this story as much as you do.
Thank you and have a good day:)
