Fallen Darkness
I'm sure this chapter doesn't have much romance, and well I apologize since this is a new beginning to something. I would try to update soon enough, but there's no telling when it might be. Just a reminder please review, it is a way to support me. This chapter was shorter than chapter 6 and I am aware of that; which means chapter 8 would be much longer than this chapter—but I have no guarantee for now. Please enjoy XD
Editor: Hyournihime
Thank you for editing, i wouldn't had done this without you ^^ and my grammar does need help--it seems i would have to work harder DX but i am glad to have so many help from my friends: Peridot Tears and Hyournihime.
Chapter 7: Guardian Exam Begins
"As you all know, this is Luna Koizumi Rozhdestvensky." Ms. Syria announced. Once she walked into the classroom, the guys had hearts in their eyes, and the girls were burning with jealousy.
Well, how could they not?
Luna had strawberry blonde shoulder length hair, green eyes, and a nice girl appearance. She was cute too and seemed rather spoiled by her family. "Nice to meet you," Luna murmured and bowed to the class giving them her winning smile—at which most boys blushed fervently.
"Now let me present you Andou Tsubasa, He is two years older than you but he is here to guard Luna." The teacher spoke up in order to catch her students' attention.
"Yo! Nice to meet you kids," Tsubasa waved at then, a smirk plaster on his face.
"Now Luna and Tsubasa, please be seated in two empty chairs next to Natsume." They followed gladly—especially Luna—and although Natsume glared at her, she returned only a sweet smile. The problem is: with Luna here and Tsubasa as her guardian, things are going to get ugly.
Luna doesn't like me much since I am close to Natsume (she thinks, but I am only a guardian), while Natsume doesn't like Tsubasa 'cause he teased him too much. Is a bad combination indeed.
So as class started, the tension in the room doubled, Hotaru wasn't very happy of seeing her cousin either. Li-Ren was happy; after all Tsubasa is his friend and partner, for they train together. Me? Well I don't talk much, and I keep my duty in hand so I don't like or dislike anyone—which pisses Luna more—so somehow I gain more enemies because of that.
The class wasn't only filled with dark auras. Sure, Luna glared at my back, Natsume glared at his neighbor--a.k.a. Koizumi, and Hotaru glared at Luna. But Tsubasa and Li-Ren? They smiled at each other like long lost brothers. Our classmates and teacher were dumbfounded.
This is just the beginning…
Is lunch time, and Li-Ren is with Hotaru in the Feeders room. Luna is clinging onto Natsume; Tsubasa is talking—to me. I wonder how we had survived the English class, especially me.
"Natsume, I missed you!"
"Hn."
"Oh, did you hear about the field trip?"
"Hn."
"Other schools are gathering for the Annual Ceremony, right?"
"Hn."
"You know, this time we're going to Waikiki, in Hawaii. It's fun to go to the beach once in a while...isn't it?"
"Hn."
"Last time we went skiing. Do you remember?"
"Hn."
You get the conversation. It's a one-sided talk, but Luna doesn't mind since Natsume does it all the time. And really, Zou is laughing to no end. It seems Luna is amusing to no end for him, but I wonder how long that will last...
"Mikan, you haven't changed."
"…"
"Still taking duty first, huh? Well, that's just like you, but you know it hurts your brother when you're so cold."
"Tsubasa-san, I don't have a brother."
"What?! Mikan, you're so mean!" And then he began to brush away the invisible tears, making his famous puppy eyes. Which I never fall for. "Were you always like that? I'm sure you were once—"
"Tsubasa-san, please take your duty seriously."
"I am, and there's no danger right now."
"Sempai, you never know. The guardian exams are coming soon."
"Well yeah…but I don't—"
"You have to take it; our teacher told us 'no exceptions.'"
"Mikaaaan... you're so cold." Tsubasa whined, jumping for a hug which I avoided by standing up fast enough. Yet, I bumped into someone, almost causing us both to land on the floor. But with my reflexes doing their job, I was able to avoid it and help the other person at the same time.
"You okay?" I held his arm firmly, and eyed him from the corner of my eye.
"What do you think?" His voice was filled with sarcasm. He pulled from my grip, almost falling again in the process.
"I think you are good enough to get lost," I snapped back with as just much sarcasm, folding my arms across my chest as glared at him. He stood and backed up.
He shot me a glare, "Shut up you low life," he hissed, ready to throw a punch--which, I would say, wouldn't work well with me. Tsubasa was about to step up and defend me, but I didn't need his help. Natsume and Luna watched as the commotion unfolded.
"At least I'm not the one with a bad fist form," He glanced at his folded tightly fist; his thump was in the wrong position, one punch of his on someone's face and he will get broken fingers.
"Are you saying I'm lower than you?" he yelled back, his face flushed red when he saw my 'duh' expression. He rushed toward me with his fist, his eyes blazed with anger.
As quick as it happened, it ended just as quickly. His punch was nearing my face when my palm pushed his punch to the side. With my other hand fisted tightly in a swing that could knock him down in a single hit, I stopped centimeters from his chin. I swear, the wind created by my swinging motion made a paper-thin cut in his skin. Victory.
"I am a Dhamphir trained in combat fight; you are a low rank Moroi who had never fought before. Who do you think will win?" I smirked, stepping back from him. I saw Raven-san approaching with other teachers.
I turned and went back to my seat, but before sitting down, I stopped in my tracks, feeling something rush toward me. Without thinking, my instincts made me turn and grasp the flying fist, twist the arm and push the body down to the floor. I held his arm to his back, pushing it so he wouldn't move. His struggles were fruitless, since I didn't budge.
"Attacking from behind? Very low for a Moroi." And one that had never trained, too…
"Let me handle this Mikan," Raven-san's commanding voice was heard, and I stood up and stepped aside. People who had gathered around eyed me uneasily, like I was some kind of monster or bully. "Sakura, please report to the head mistress now."
"Sakura, you are one of the best Dhamphir students. Why did you do such as this?" she waved her hand to show her point. I only studied the head mistress. I have seen her before…but where?
"He attacked me so I defended," my voice was uncaring and bored.
"But Sakura you are not supposed to—"
"I apologize for what happened, but he had resorted into a physical action which cannot be stopped verbally so I had to defend myself. Also I had trained for many years; my instincts are hard to stop when countering something like this." My voice still stoic as I spoke.
I'm sure the teachers standing behind with Raven-san and the boy were amazed to hear me speak to the head mistress like this. No one ever disagrees with her, but I had just done it.
"Am I wrong?" I asked, seeing that she hadn't spoken any further.
"No, but next time, please be more careful," She looked pissed and was glaring at me; I guess she doesn't like my guts.
"I understand." I stood ready to excuse myself.
"You may leave now," She said but I already was walking my way out of this big office. The boy was still yelling and saying this isn't fair, that it was my fault. Blah blah blah.
"You would be a good ruler; I like your cold attitude." Zou spoke, his arms folded across his chest. He was still humored by the scenario the boy had caused. Well, this demon can be entertained easily.
"Is that so?" my voice was the usual neutral bored tone.
"But you won't make it," His voice was suddenly indifferent but sad as the words rolled out. He is right, a Dhamphir can't be a ruler and even if my seal does break--he did come and take me, I still wouldn't hold the title of princess, and neither would I become the queen. Sometimes I wonder if my mother's choice was right.
Silence.
We never spoke about this topic; it was never brought back as I headed toward the library—where Natsume's group should be.
I was running since it was late, and the sun had already set. The library had been far from the head mistress office, and someone was following me…
I was running at top speed, so when something appeared in the middle of my path, I couldn't stop from crashing. "Ow, I'm sorry…are you okay?" I question, trying to stand up but finding it impossible.
Then I realized, the fact I was laying on the concrete and that someone was on top of me finally registered in my mind. "Ano…excuse me?" my chocolate eyes met jade irises. He was about my age, with grayish brown hair, and wore an unreadable face.
"Old hag," he whispered, standing up slowly and looking indifferent. Did he just call me an old hag? At first I was stunned, but soon I was enraged.
I'm a beautiful brunette, with warm mocha orbs, and a fit body--not too flat and skinny either, like those Moroi girls. I have a heart shaped face, pink lips, and I'm smart. How, exactly, do I look like an ugly old woman?! I was speechless, but on the other hand Zou was cracking up, and just as loud as before, when we met Ruka Nogi.
"Hey!" I yelled at him, but he only stared at me with the same nerve twitching expression.
"Leave me alone you old hag," he pointed a finger at me, glared, and then left.
"I'm not an old hag, you punk!" I yelled, for the first time since I came here. I kept my eyes fixed on the path he had walked: to the Boys' Moroi Dorm. But soon my eyebrows were twitching and I was trembling in anger, "Stop laughing Zou!!!" I shouted at the demon, who was almost rolling on the floor laughing.
"Haha I like hehe that hohohehaw kid. And this is the haha first time hohoho you've hawhaw shrieked hehahah."
I flushed in anger, annoyance, and irritation. Even after I'd told Zou not to laugh, he had laughed—if possible, even louder. He was blinking back tears, one hand on his stomach and the other covering his mouth. I stomped toward the library, and he eventually stopped and heaved a sigh and whispered "Good laugh," just to chuckle at what had happened a second ago. Stupid demon.
The next day, all the guardians in training were called to report in the vast training room. This room had punching bags, a bench press, lifting weights, stakes, fencing foil, and practically everything else that could kill or remotely harm a creature. Outside were the big tracks, and next to the training room was an indoor swimming pool.
Everyone had gathered around, and we were waiting for Raven-san to announce the name of the person we would be protecting during the exams. Our trainer explained how this exam would be -- how long it would last and whatever. I already know what it is; that if you don't pass, you must retake it again next year. Now, the the fun part—
Raven-san was then naming each guardian, informing them to go up and then telling them their Moroi's name. I sat next to Li-Ren, who appears to be the same as always, but was somehow anxious.
"Fang Li-Ren," Raven-san's voice was strong and commanding; I still can't believe he was 23. Li-Ren stood up, and glanced my way nervously, so I gave him a good luck gesture before he left. I wondered if I would have to care for Natsume. After all, they told us that is not definite who we will end up with…
"Sakura Mikan," I stood up. Since there was no one there to support me, I took a deep breath before nearing Raven-san. He looked the same as always; breathtaking with his emerald eyes, silky dark hair, tanned skin, and the six pack abs and biceps you can expect of a Dhamphir. While royal Morois don't have to work their ass off, Dhamphirs trained until they collapse; just to protect them. Life is unfair—and I realized that once my fate had been sealed.
I nodded at Raven-san, and he told me who I would be caring for. "Your assigned Moroi will be Ruka Nogi Tzushenkia." I was speechless—I mean, I knew I had possibility in ending up with someone other than Natsume but it never enter my mind that I would end up with Ruka. I mean, one out of practically 300 chances? NO WAY!
"Are you serious Raven-san?" it wasn't a question, I knew, and I groaned mentally.
"Are you questioning me?" Raven-san asked. He was in his business mode now, not the caring brother he was before.
"No, not at all." I heaved a sigh and walked dejectedly toward Li-Ren.
"Who is your assigned Moroi?" he asked.
"You first," I replied. I didn't want to admit who I would take care of— especially since he was someone as arrogant as Ruka. I already had to deal with Natsume but now Ruka? Good god.
"I'm taking care of…"
"Yeah?"
"Natsume."
I was aghast, and at that moment my mind was blank. Then who was taking care of Hotaru? What about Tsubasa? Who was he taking care of? And Luna? While I had a mental debate inside my own mind, Tsubasa was rushing toward us—he, too, didn't seem happy.
"Who did they assign you to?" Li-Ren said; his arms folded across his chest, not liking this test already.
"Well…um…Shoda Sumire," Tsubasa sighed, looking sad he didn't get Natsume. I bet he wanted to tease Natsume as much as possible. I guess no one got their pick.
"Mikan, what about you?" Tsubasa asked playfully, completely recovered now. Li-Ren also watched me. I guess they're curious.
"Ruka Nogi Tzu." My voice was emotionless, but this time was harder to cover my emotions and was rather forced.
Tsubasa eyed Li-Ren, giving him a 'who-is-that?' look which Li-Ren couldn't answer since he wasn't sure either. I answered for him in other words. "An arrogant rich spoiled kid, second family strongest after Natsume's." That should summarize it. Tsubasa had an 'I-get-it-now' look.
"Don't worry Mikan, it's only a week."
True, the exam was only a week but it was 24/7 watching our Moroi. We now attend their classes, watch them, and even spend the night with them. And while we do that we have to be on alert for any Strogoi--or, rather, teachers testing our fighting skills. It's an easy exam to tell the truth but now that I am with someone I don't know at all, it ruins everything.
"Who is taking care of Luna?" Li-Ren asked Tsubasa calmly.
"Harada Misaki," Tsubasa answered, walking toward the lunch room where our Moroi's should be. I followed behind them, still gloomy from the news.
"And Hotaru?" Li-Ren questioned, his face filled with worry.
"Yome Kokoro, i think." Tsubasa replied looking pensive, one hand rubbing his chin.
Once we arrived I waved goodbye, because my Moroi was on the other side of the lunch room. In case if you didn't know, the lunch room is big enough to fit 500 students and still have space—that's how big it is. Ruka was on the farthest corner, polar opposite to Natsume. Great.
I spotted Ruka with no effort at all, after all, with so many Moroi girls circling him it wasn't hard. And he looked totally fine. How did he handle them?
I neared their table, which brought the girls' attention to me. They knew me alright—they practically wanted to bite my head off—after seeing Ruka talking to me and ignoring them, we became enemies, rivals, archenemies, etc. But I never thought of them like that; this is how I build my enemies: they just come. This week would be a long one. I sighed.
"Hello Nogi-san. For this week, I will be your guardian." I pulled my most bright, sweet, and fakest smile as I stood next to him. He did what I didn't expect from a Moroi like him. He stood up and gave me his winning smile—one that knocked out most of the girls. He shook my hand causually.
"Mikan-chan, I am glad to see you again," And before I could move from his grip, I was pulled into a hug—causing the girls to shriek.
"Where is the attitude, princess?" Ruka's voice whispered softly into my ear, he hugged tighter.
"There's no atti—"
"I will only welcome you when your attitude returns," He smirked, like he knew I would come back—but I wouldn, not in a million years. And yet, here I am.
"My prince you are so rotten, this week we will have to fix it." I threw the smile away and muttered coldly into his ear. Then I pulled from the hug. But who said this was the end? He wants attitude, no? Then I would give him attitude.
"That includes those flat muscles," my finger traveled to his stomach, chest, neck, cheek, and lips. I could feel him shiver by my touch. I smirked, and he blushed as he saw me peer at him.
"And your ill-mannered behavior." Our face centimeters apart, his eyes were staring at my lips. Aha.
"I'm not kissing you," I tried my best to be seductive and it seems to had worked since his face was even redder. "You wanted attitude, no? Ruka-pyon."
I blew softly into his neck and pulled back; Ruka Nogi Tzushenskia for the first time had a priceless expression. Zou was laughing even harder than the time I was called 'Old hag'.
To be continued…
