What's up my readers?! Man, it feels like forever since I've updated, and I felt like the 4th of July, my country's Independence Day, would be the perfect time to publish another chapter of every KonoSetsu shipper's favorite comedic fairy tale parody, "The 7th Mouse"! Oh, yeah, and in case I forgot to do so last May, I wanted to wish all my Mexican fans (with special consideration to konochan-kaioh) a happy Cinco de Mayo! Moving on, I do apologize for the lack of length for this installment, but it's mainly a tool to wrap up the wicked step-people part of the story. I still hope you like it, and don't forget to…REVIEW!
And now for a little life update. For those of you who don't know, the US justice system has finally come to their senses and basically outlawed banning gay marriage in all states. A huge victory for the gay community, blah, blah, blah. However, prejudice is still quite rampant, especially in the more conservative regions, like…say…North Dakota. Specifically Fargo, which, although it does have a rather prominent gay community, has an equally abundant conservative side. And, let's face it, for a state comprised of pretty much nothing, it's fairly understandable that the minds of most of its people are comprised of the same thing. How does this involve me, you ask? Well, I was in the neighborhood, minding my own business and buying awesome fireworks to bring back home (which is completely illegal, btw) when I began to get these horrifically seething glares from people. I couldn't understand why, it's not like I looked gay (Extremely short cut hair up in a faux-hawk, with a guy's tank showing of my fairly defined arm muscles, and boy's cargo shorts, and custom made black and red converse) totally straight looking, right? The dirty looks lasted the entirety of the trip, and came to a head when this creepy looking dude began hovering around the vehicle my family had ridden in, death glaring me! Trust me, I was not imagining it. My mom and sister noticed too, and both were terrified. He just exuded malevolence from every pore. I coulda punched him, and I felt so guilty for possibly putting my family in danger. I'm a bit afraid to go back next year, actually. I'm sure I'll continue to receive more bad looks throughout my existence, but such is my lot in life. Oh, well…
Anywho, let's get this show on the road, shall we? I do not own Negima?! Or, Roger's and Hammerstein's "Cinderella". So, without further ado…
Chapter 8
The ride home was much smoother than their earlier trek as all eight girls rode in the royal carriage with the queen. Pulled by six cream colored geldings, the rig was the very essence of comfort, easily able to fit all nine passengers with plenty of room to spare. The queen bade them tell of how they came to be at the castle and in a duel with her nephew. Konoka, Setsuna, and Kaede were the main narrators, with a few details put in by the others. Once the queen had heard their full story she was surprised, to say the least.
"Seven white mice, three fairies, and a girl? Oh, my!" Arika giggled. "It seems you've all had quite the adventure. Well, if what my little spy here says is true you shall surely have your happily ever after. I can almost guarantee it." All eyes turned to Mana who still had that smirk on her face.
"You'll just have to wait until we get there. I'm not telling." Mana teased. The twins were plotting on how to take Mana down and force her to tell, when suddenly-
"Here we are." Konoka said. They had indeed arrived at the quaint yet elegant residence, Nekane's carriage pulling up shortly after theirs.
"Now we shall finally get to the bottom of this." The queen stated, rising from her seat and exiting the carriage. The others followed suit, Setsuna and Chachamaru thanking the footman for his help profusely. They knew what it was like being in his shoes. Not fun. They approached the door of the house, Nekane and her daughters waiting anxiously on the side of the walkway.
"Welcome to our humble home, your majesty." Nekane said as gracefully as her nervously chattering teeth would allow. Arika nodded and waited to be let in. But nobody moved. Nekane looked at Konoka expectantly. When there was still no movement Nekane sighed dramatically. "Cinder-Konoka, the door." She ordered.
"Oh, right away stepmother." Konoka quickly scurried over and opened the door, holding it for everyone before going in herself. Queen Arika noted that this behavior seemed to be habit. Konoka continued bustling about, taking her step-relative's hats and coats and hanging them up. Ayaka spoke up.
"Cinder-Konoka, hot water!" Then Asuna spoke.
"Cinder-Konoka, warm milk!" Then the queen intervened.
"Just a moment please, Cin…I mean Konoka." The queen called. Konoka paused in her doings.
"Yes your majesty?" Arika beckoned her over.
"Now that we are all gathered here let us get things underway. Mana, if you would please take us to the room you spoke of earlier."
"Hold on. Why on earth should a perfect stranger lead you through our home? She's never even been here before." Nekane protested.
"Oh, I've been here lots of times." Mana replied. "In fact, you saw me just a few hours ago. Asuna tried to kill me with a broom. Luckily Miss Konoka was there to put her best foot forward. By the way, thank you for that, Miss K. You didn't have to save me, but you did and you got yelled at for it. But don't worry, your girlfriend here chewed me out quite thoroughly. You'll have to teach her that good girls don't use such…colorful language." Konoka raised an eyebrow at that and looked at Setsuna, who was blushing and wouldn't meet her gaze. Meanwhile, Nekane and company couldn't believe their ears.
"You're saying you were that mouse? That's ridiculous." Asuna said. Mana simply smirked before starting up the stairs. She strode through the house with ease, straight towards Nekane's bedroom.
"Why are we in here? This is my room." Nekane stated.
"You know exactly why we're here. Now, do you want to come clean, or shall I expose you?" Mana asked. Nekane remained silent. Mana shook her head before walking to the far corner of the room. She knelt down on the floor tapping each plank of wood until she heard a thunk that was lower than the others. Using the tips of her fingernails, she carefully pried off the board, setting it aside and putting her hands in the new hole. She felt around and quickly found what she was looking for. It was a box; a plain wooden box with a lock on it.
"Now we just need the key. Nekane, I believe it's around your neck. May I have it?" Mana asked politely. Nekane glared at her before reaching behind her neck for the clasp on her necklace. She began to get nervous and her hands shook, unable to undo the clasp.
"Allow me." Kaede offered, not waiting for a reply as she slipped behind the blonde, swiftly undoing the small latch and pulling the key from its hiding place within Nekane's brassiere. Kaede brought the key over to Mana who unlocked the box. Inside was a piece of paper; several pieces, in fact. Mana swiftly read over the content, smiling when she saw what she wanted. She walked over to the queen.
"Here, your majesty. First page, second paragraph." Arika read it over, then handed it to Nekane.
"Read it out loud, please." Nekane hesitated, swallowed loudly, and proceeded to read those fateful words.
"'I, K-K-Konoe Eishun, do hereby bequeath all my lands, properties, and wealth to my only daughter Konoe Konoka.' Your majesty, I can explain…"
"No, I don't think anyone here wishes to hear you explain anything. You are hereby under arrest for theft and charges of unlawful imprisonment and child abuse for your treatment of Miss Konoe. Guards, take her away." Arika's orders had sealed Nekane's fate. She was too shocked to resist and was led away in chains. Asuna and Ayaka were stunned. They flinched as the queen turned her hardened gaze on them.
"And were you two aware of this hidden will?" They both shook their heads vehemently. "Very well. But if I find out you're lying you shall both join your mother in prison. Do I make myself clear?" More head shaking. "Good. Then I will allow you to go with some friendly advice. I would treat people with more respect and courtesy than you did with Miss Konoe, because there are some people who aren't as nice as she is. You could very well find yourself lying in an alley somewhere, or worse…" She paused to make sure her message was received. Ayaka had tears in her eyes and was shaking, she was so scared. Asuna's face showed nothing, but her knees were trembling. Arika was satisfied with that.
"You may go now, or plead with Miss Konoe to let you stay. I'm afraid I must get back to my party. I wish you two every happiness." She addressed this last to Konoka and Setsuna.
"Thank you, your majesty. We hope you have a safe trip home." Setsuna replied. The group saw her to her carriage and waved farewell. Then they stepped back through the door's threshold and into a new life.
Aaaand scene! Well, it was bit short, but I thought it tied up the story quite nicely. However, I don't think it's nearly good enough to be called an ending for such a brilliant piece of literature, so I wrote an epilogue. Now, I will admit that I have never been in love, so romance scenes are not my strong point, but I did my best to try and give you all a satisfying ending to this hilarious little tale of mine. It will be published on my birthday, so you won't have to wait too much longer. I share my birthday with the day Wikipedia claims was the founding of the CIA with the signing of The National Security Act by US president Truman. I will be 27, single, and lonely. Oh, if only I wasn't so socially inept! I mean, I'm great at parties where I know most of the people, but I'm a total wallflower when in unfamiliar territory, and only speak if someone dares to talk to me first. My mom and sister suggested a lesbian dating site might be my answer, but my argument is that you never know what you're gonna get. I mean, people lie about themselves all the time online, right? Any opinions on this matter would be appreciated, so please include them when you REVIEW! Have a happy 4th, any of you US fans of mine. Oh, and Peace out, Readers!
