Chandni's POV
I have only in the Brawlers care for one day and already so much has changed. The mansion was no surprise. I never have much trouble finding my way, especially now that I know where everything is. The Brawlers had me join them for supper and made me sit at the head of the table. I found it really awkward because every time one of them asked me a question, eleven pairs of eyes would look at me for an answer. Other than that, it was pretty quiet. Right now, I'm in my room. Curiosity got the better of me so I decided to walk over to the mirror and observe the 'new' me; my new appearance. I still have not actually seen what I look like yet.
Standing in front of the mirror taking in every single detail brought a thought to my mind, 'Is this how they all see me?' I was interrupted by a bakugan; Skyress.
"You know, you are truly beautiful. No-one can deny it, not even you." I looked at the bakugan in the mirror then back at my reflection and closed my eyes. I know. I've seen this side of me before, but it did nothing for me. This is more depressing than how I looked before this.
I opened my eyes again, walked away from the mirror hiding my true feelings. I changed into the nightclothes and went to bed. Before I fell asleep I looked at Skyress who was on the bedside table.
"Good night, Chandni." I nodded my head returning the greeting. The Brawlers decided that each night a bakugan would stay with me to watch over and comfort me. To be honest, I felt like a prisoner, but I also appreciate their concern. One thought bothered me, the Brawlers had not asked me any questions or told me anything about the state of my health or the drugs at I have been taking. I know they are definitely hiding something from me. I slowly drifted off to sleep with that thought still in my mind.
I woke up a few hours later. I don't sleep much as you probably figured out why. Anyway, right now it's two in the morning. It would still be hours before anyone would awake. I decided to use this time to do some thinking. I couldn't leave the room; if I did I would wake Skyress up and be questioned about my doings. I remained in bed and just thought about my life, my current situation and the task at hand.
After ten minutes of laying in the bed, staring at the partially lit ceiling and thinking, I got up from the bed and strolled over to the window, the curtains already drawn back. I always slept with the curtains open. I sat down on the window sill and stared up into the sky and continued my thinking. Amongst my thinking a random thought came to mind, 'It's funny how light and darkness coexists. They can be found together and on their own. When only one is present, the other is waiting to be released. I wonder what the world would be like if only one of the existed.' I sighed and shook my head going back to my original thoughts.
A few more hours had passed when I heard something in the passage. Having nothing else to do I quickly made my way the door of the room and slowly opened the door and peeked my head out. I saw someone walking towards the stairs. I pulled my head back inside and looked at the clock. 04:23. Who would be up at this hour? To find out I would have to follow this person. I took one last look at Skyress to make sure she was still sleeping and she was. I walked out the door, still wearing my nightclothes, and slowly closed it behind me making sure not to wake anyone else up. I kept a safe distance from the person, but close enough not to lose him or her. The person finally stopped at a door. The door, if I remember correctly, leads to the back garden. The person gripped the handle, pulled it down and opened the door and closed it after passing through it. I waited five minutes before passing through the door. After entering the other side of the door, my memory was confirmed as I was greeted with the massive and extravagant garden. I hid in the shadows of some trees against a wall. I spotted the person. He or she was busy stretching and warming up for something, but for what? Once whoever it was, was done with that, turned around and faced the door. The little bit of light the moon provided shone on the person's face. Shun. I remained silent and still, not making a single sound or movement. After glancing at the door for a brief few seconds, he vanished.
Ten minutes after Shun disappeared; I decided to head back to my room. I'll find out. When I arrived to the door of the room I was staying in, I slowly pulled the handle down and entered the room. My eyes first found Skyress sleeping still just like I left her. Wondering how long I had been gone for, I looked for the clock and found it to be 05:09. I had been gone for more than half an hour. I ambled over to the bed laying down on it again and closed my eyes. I didn't fall asleep; I just closed them so whenever Skyress woke up she would see me still sleeping.
Alice's POV
I woke up to the sound of the alarm that I set last night. I set it for six so I would have enough time to make sure that there was plenty of food available for Chandni's new diet for her recovery and still write out a menu for Kato to follow. I lazily got out of bed, after having a wonderful, deep rest, and was stretching out my body. I shuffled over to the cupboard, opening it deciding which winter clothes I should wear. After about spending two minutes going through my small, basic wardrobe, I finally concluded the outfit and quickly slipped it on. Moving over to the full length mirror, I examined myself and my hair, wondering which style would go best with my outfit. Wow. I am starting to sound like Julie. After having that thought, it really didn't bother me anymore, which hair style would go with my outfit. I was just wasting time that cannot afford to be wasted. I dashed over into the bathroom and replaced the sleeping mask with the fresh, active one.
Now that I was ready to face the day, I headed to the bedroom door and waited for Hydranoid to catch up to me.
"Good morning, Alice!" Hydranoid's three heads greeted together.
"Good morning, Hydranoid! Sleep well?" I returned the greeting while smiling.
"I did, thank you. Where are you off to so early?"
"Just to the kitchen make sure that there is all the necessary food that Chandni needs for her restoration." I informed my bakugan as I was moving off to the said place.
"You don't have to worry so much about her while we are gone, Alice. The rest of the Brawlers will be here for her. I know Shun will keep a close eye on her." I nodded, understanding fully everything Hydranoid had said.
We arrived at the kitchen and I immediately started checking through all the cupboards, shelves and fridge. Nothing seemed to be lacking as usually, seeing that this is Marucho's house, or more politically correct his mansion. Seeing that nothing was short, I grabbed a sheet of paper and a pen, sat down at the counter and began writing down the eating plan – everything from main meals to drinks and nibbles. Chandni was given a strict diet from Dr. Mishti and Dr. James. I will do everything I can to help her. Just as I finished writing the menu out, Kato walked in.
"Mistress Alice, what are you doing up so early? I haven't even started making breakfast yet." I greeted Kato back and explained the whole scenario.
"Well then, I better hurry up and get started." With all that done and sorted out, I made my way out of the kitchen and took a quick peek down at my baku-pod and saw that was already 07:30.
"No need to rush, Alice. There is still plenty of time left." My bakugan assured me.
"I know, but I have to still tell everyone that we will be leaving." I said trying to think of when would be the best time to break it to them. "I think I should tell them after everyone's done eating. What do you think, Hydranoid?"
"I think that it would be the best time."
I started strolling down the corridors back to the bedrooms. I know that Shun is already up, Marucho might be up and Dan I know is still sleeping. The girls, Runo is probably waking up and Julie has maybe been up for about half an hour, trying to look her best and Chandni, I better check in on her. Arriving at her door, I stopped and leaned my ear against it to tried and hear if there was any movement inside. I couldn't tell if there was or wasn't any movement. I stood up properly and knocked three times. I waited a few seconds before I heard Skyress's voice from the other side. I turned the handle, opened the door and walked in. Skyress floated up in front of me and greeted me and Hydranoid. We both returned the greeting and saw that Chandni was still sleeping. I slowly advanced towards the bed, stopping next to the sleeping girl and as I was stretching my hand out to gentle shake the slumbering girl, her eyes unexpectedly burst open, staring dead at me. I jumped at her sudden motion, placing my out-reached arm over my frighten heart. Taking in a few quick breaths, I calmed my adrenaline enriched nerves. Chandni sat up on the edge of the bed with her legs hanging off the side and head looking down at the floor.
"It's time to get ready. Breakfast will be done in fifteen minutes. We'll meet you there, okay?" I calmly said as I have now managed to regain my original composure. I turned around, walking to the door and out the room. The two bakugan flew out behind me and I closed the door after they exited.
"Alice, Skyress and I need to talk. We will join up with you and the others after we are done. We won't be too long." Hydranoid informed me. I personally didn't mind and let them go do whatever it is that they needed to do.
Everyone was finally gathered in the dining hall, eating their breakfast; the bakugan all with their respective partners. Not much was being exchanged. It was unusual, though one could guess it would be awkward for Chandni if they carried on with normal conversations. There was nothing much the Brawlers could do at this stage. They had no leads on Masquerade and have to wait for Chandni to open up by herself and heal fully before any action can take place. Chandni's place at the table was still at the head. The Brawlers wanted a clear view of her if she ever said anything. Kato then walked into the room and started removing the empty dishes. Once Kato left with his trolley now filled with dirty dishes, Alice cleared her throat gathering everyone's attention.
"I have an announcement to make. In half an hour's time Hydranoid and I will be off to Moscow. My grandfather called me last night and he says that he needs my help for two days with the DNA testing and some other things." Everyone had surprised expression at the sudden departing news.
"We understand, Alice. It's totally okay with us." Julie piped up cheerfully.
"Yeah, Alice, go ahead. Your grandfather needs your help and besides, we all will be fine for the next two days." Runo reassured.
"That reminds me; I prepared an eating plan for Chandni while I'm gone. Kato has it and will prepare accordingly."
"Oh, Alice, you didn't have to worry about that. We all will take good care of her." Marucho joined in.
"Yeah, Alice! Stop worrying so much. Relax; she'll be fine with us, okay?" Dan said confidence, firm and strong in his voice.
Chandni's POV
They really do care about me. Eating plan? What haven't they told me? For a group of caring people they sure keep to themselves. I wonder what angle they are playing. After the table was cleared away I immediately drop my head again avoiding eye contact with anyone, even during Alice's announcement.
Now that Alice got her message out, I will have to confront her when she gets back, as for Shun I will study his morning habits. Three months. I sighed internally, wishing that is all would be over soon. I heard the sounds of chairs moving, I looked up to see everyone getting up. I got up as well and followed silently behind them. I didn't bother looking around as we were walking, as my guess is that today, the remaining Brawlers would most likely try and get me to communicate. One must always expect the unexpected.
Shun's POV
We were walking up to the roof where the heli-pad was. I saw Alice had no bags with her, it would only be a waste of time and she was only going for two days. When we arrived at heli-pad, Kato was ready and waiting for Alice. We all bid our goodbyes and Alice gave everyone a hug. After giving me a hug, she smiled and I could see the deep happiness in her eyes. That smile and look in her eyes really melted my heart. I wish I could capture that wonder expression of hers on paper. I watched her move on to the last person, Chandni. Once again she had her head low. No surprise there. Alice held her hands and told her to look up, which she did and whispered something to her before giving her a soft and gentle hug. Breaking away from the hug, Alice walked up the ramp to the hybrid aircraft. Kato closed the door behind her and two minutes later, took off.
Special thanks:
queen of games: the ribbon idea was just something random that popped up and seemed like something original, so I thought, "What the heck? Let me just add it in." Anyway, thanks for reviewing!
ShurisuFanatic: thanks for being the second reviewer for this story! I really appreciate it :) All in due time.
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