Yo peoples,
Finally started doing some outlining for this story and it might be a long one, so keep sending those reviews. Flames widely accepted. Getting writers block but dealing with it modestly.
RxExR
Chapter 9: Protect My Heart?
Welcome to day three of my hell hole in a box. In a box, you ask? Well, let me elaborate for you. The spawn of Satan, who I unfortunately have the servant duty, to watch has decided that he wants a fort made. I know what you're thinking: A fort? How cute!
Stick that logic up your derriere, please.
Fort is not the correct word. The correct word would be a castle within a castle. Don't even start with the eye rolling and the 'Oh-she's-exaggerating' thing because I'm not. I've spent the last two hours gathering every sheet, every pillow, and every cushion available in this house, arranging them to the demon child's precise instruction.
I know what you're thinking now: What in the name of Sour Cream and Onion Pringles are you doing that for? Well, thanks to yesterday's kitchen fiasco (don't want to talk about it) I'm under careful watch. By whom, you may ask? Well, here's the real 'tee hee' of my situation - my warden or prison guard, whichever you prefer, is the wonderfully exquisite Hotaru Imai.
Push your eyeballs back in your head. No, that is not a typo of any sort. Now, I'm going to do my voodoo magic and tell what you're thinking again. You're thinking: Hotaru? Wait, what? Miss-Genius-girl-with-super-hot-blond-boyfriend watching you? And the answer is: No. She's not watching me, rather the house is. Being rich, the Hyuuga's have video surveillance, hence making it easier for Hotaru to stay in her room and make sure I don't maim her brother at the same time.
Awesome, isn't it?
So, I'm stuck slaving away at a fort that will be torn down in a quarter of the time it took to set up. The only upside to this is that the maids will be really pissed and unfortunately that's the only upside. I put the last pillow in place and watched Youichi scramble inside.
"Your work is satisfactory," his voice was muffled from inside.
I rolled my eyes response.
"But acceptable," he added.
"Glad you approve your royal shortness. Can I go now?"
"No," he answered, curtly.
"And why can't I? You have a gazillion maids and butlers, not to mention your sister is upstairs," I whined.
"Hotaru-nee doesn't like to be disturbed and it's not their job to watch me, it's yours," he answered.
"Brat," I muttered.
"Idiot," he replied.
"Midget," I spat.
"Hag," he retorted.
"Monkey butt."
"Cow."
"What's with all the noise?" a voice called.
Standing in the doorway, clad in a short jean skirt, black leggings, black tank top, silver choker and her hair down her back, was Imai Hotaru. We're about the same height and shape. Her violet eyes are cold and blank. How could anyone, let alone Ruka date this girl? I mean, she is really gorgeous but still, the look in her eyes creep me out. Like a cross between Dr. Evil and a snotty cheerleader.
"She speaks," I said, analyzing her outfit.
OK, now I'm not one to talk about fashion sense but aren't girls as rich as Hotaru usually dressed a little more... classy? I mean, I'm not complaining because that's something I'd wear but for Miss 5 million dollar license plate, I'd expect something a little more WOW.
"And I'd prefer if you didn't," she responded.
"And manages to say shut up so politely," I said, sarcastically.
"Whatever," she said turning to Youichi's fort. "Youichi, what are you doing in there?"
"Secret base stuff, nee-san," he said.
I rolled my eyes and picked up my messenger bag. "Well, I'll be going now."
"Who said you could leave?" Imai said, facing me.
"I did, are you deaf?" I responded, putting my bag on my shoulder.
"You had a deal with Natsume. You stay in exchange for your secret not being let out." she said.
"He told you?" I asked.
"I know everything," she stated simply.
"A little full of yourself, aren't you?" I said eyebrows arched.
"When you're the best, bragging rights are granted," she said.
"Good for you," I said, heading for the door.
"He'll tell, you know. He has a gift for making people do what he wants."
"That's exactly why I'm leaving. I'm not letting Hyuuga toy with me like a puppet."
"You just have to wait till he gets back."
"And when will that be? I'll tell you when. It's whenever the hell he feels like it. Where the hell does he go anyway?"
There was a pause, not an awkward one, but something else. I looked directly into her violet eyes.
"You don't know, do you?" It wasn't a question, and by the look on her face, it was a full blown fact.
"I guess the great and brilliant, Imai Hotaru doesn't know everything."
Her gaze intensified to the point where my retinas felt like they were burning but I didn't look away.
"What no educated, snappy comeback?" I asked playfully.
"You're different than I thought."
"Beg your pardon?"
"I thought that the whole make over thing was some ploy to attract my brother."
"Not even," I scoffed "My ploy is far more interesting."
"Oh really?" she said.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" I said with a smirk.
"I could be of help, you know."
"Is that so?"
"I am a genius."
"But what could you possibly have to offer?"
"State of the art technology and explicate knowledge of other people's lives."
"Hm, I'm intrigued but I'll have to consult my advisers."
"Anna and Nonoko Ogasawara?" she stated, rather than asked.
"Impressive. We'll need a more private place to discuss things," I said, nodding towards the silent fort.
"This way," she said, heading for the stairs.
I followed her up the stairs and down the left wing. We entered the double doors into her exotic bed room. Her room's main colors were purple and white. Her king-sized bed was well-made with beautiful purple and white sheets. Her giant ceiling to floor window stood next to her neat, white round table and her purple carpet looked as though it had never been walked on. There were four other doors, each of which had a gold plate on it. Bathroom, Laboratory, Closet and Privacy. Who knows what the last one was for - maybe a brainstorming room or a place to avoid parents.
We sat down at her white round table that had a set of tea perfectly set on it. Imai dinged a little silver bell and a maid came in pushing a silver cart. The cart carried loads of sweets. My salivary glands worked overtime as the maid set them on the table. I held myself back from diving head first into the German chocolate cake in front of me as the maid pour tea into our China cups.
Imai stirred her tea thoughtfully. "Well?"
"OK then," I said, pulling out my phone.
Half an hour later Imai, Anna, Nonoko and I were all seated at the table eating sweets and sipping tea.
"Let's make one thing clear," Nonoko started, "Everything that is said doesn't leave this room. Clear?"
Imai set down her cup. "Crystal."
"Alright then, lets get to it," Nonoko said, pulling out her laptop.
For the next hour, we discussed and planned. Hotaru was more of the observant type but that's okay. We all can't be speakers like Anna. Oh please, let's just face it, no one can speak as much as Anna can.
"One more thing," Hotaru said, as Nonoko was going over the check list.
"Nani?" Anna asked.
"We need to find out where he goes," Hotaru said.
"Huh? Why?" Nonoko asked.
I smirked knowingly. "Hotaru Imai can't stand not knowing everything."
Hotaru glared at me and I smirked in response. Realizing she wasn't going to faze me, she sighed in defeat and stood.
"I just like to be informed. Besides, Natsume is my brother and it's my job to invade his privacy."
"She has a point," Nonoko agreed.
Anna looked at her skeptically. "You read my diary again, didn't you?"
"So what's the plan, Imai?" Nonoko said, quickly.
"Investigate. I heard him talking about this place called, The Red Dragon. Upon further inspection, it turns out to be a night club."
"A night club in the afternoon? Weird," I commented.
"Well, during the afternoon, it serves more as a host club," she explained.
"In short, softer porn strip joint?"
"Yes, pretty much."
"How do we get in?" I asked.
"Security is pretty tight but there is one way to get in."
"And…?"
"Under cover infiltration, of course."
"Ok, we'll need disguises."
"No problem," she said.
She pulled a small, purple remote control out of her pocket. It was the size of a cell phone but thin like a notepad. The buttons on it were flat and black. She touched one of them and one of her walls went up and a table with sewing equipment was on it.
"I wonder if it's brilliance or just laziness," I thought out loud.
"It gets the job done easier and faster," she replied going to the table.
"So you're going to make the outfits for us?"
"I don't do manual labor. That's what my inventions are for," she stated simply.
She touched a button on the desk and a touch screen appeared. She hit several things on it and stepped back. The table and sewing supplies drew back and the wall came down. Imai made her way back to the table and finished her tea.
"Now what…?" Anna asked.
But her question was soon answered when the closet door flew open and a long silver rod drew out. When the rod was at full length, sticking out of the closet, four outfits on hangers slid out.
"No way, man. I may have bent the rules of my morals for you, Mikan but I refuse to be caught dead in that thing," Nonoko said.
"You're going to wear it and like it," Hotaru said. "Now everyone, get dressed."
Hotaru grabbed an outfit off the rack and went into her bathroom. After hearing the door lock, I went to the rack and pulled off another outfit. Anna was right beside me but Nonoko sat at the table in defiance.
"Come on Noko-chan, it won't be that bad. Besides, it's not like anyone we know will be there," I explained.
"I'll know and my dignity shall weep," she huffed.
"Onee-san, it'll be fun," Anna cheered.
Nonoko turned up her nose in disinterest. It was time to pull out the big guns. I got on my knees.
"Noko... I... I can't do this without you," I barely whispered.
3
2
1
"Fine!" she yelled, taking the last outfit off the rack and leaving the room to change.
Anna and I exchanged high fives and started to dress as well. Tonight was going to be eventful. That was for sure.
--
If my life were a movie, the perfect background music to this scene would be, "Piece of Me" by Britney Spears. We just stepped out of Hotaru's BMW wearing our Red Dragon Girl outfits; red leather mini skirts that hugged our hips, red leather tops that ended right below our chests revealing our stomachs to the night air, knee high red leather boots with skinny heels and black accents to make the outfit look more menacing. Accessories included: devil's maiden mask that only hid around our eyes, black skull earrings and matching chokers. And ze piece de resistance, a fake red dragon tattoo around our abdominal areas.
You can't help but feel extremely sexy in this kind of outfit. Hotaru said it would be wise to hide our identities just in case anyone spotted us. She couldn't risk ruining her reputation. So we all had to wear wigs: Anna had a short red one that just barely touched her ears, Nonoko had a long blond one that embraced her waist, Hotaru had a shoulder length violet purple one and as for me, I got to wear a medium length black wig.
Under the Alias', Amy (Anna), Nicole (Nonoko), Heather (Hotaru) and Mia (Mikan), we entered the club with fake employee badges Hota- I mean Heather made us.
The Red Dragon was loud and packed. Despite the central air conditioning in the ceiling, it was still a bit warm. It was a large room that was spread out, stairs elevated platforms to keep the bar and dining area away from the main dance floor. It was dark, the dining area was barely lit with small lamps and the dance floor was accented with flashing lights to match the upbeat music.
Girls in outfits similar to ours served drinks and worked the bar. I looked around the place searching for Hyuuga. No use though, there were too many bodies moving around and way too much distractions. Hotaru/Heather drew our attention.
"Alright, here's the plan. Anna, you go into the kitchens and see what you can dig up about this place," Hotaru instructed.
"Right," Anna agreed.
"Nonoko, you go and work the bar and see what you can get out of the other employees and the customers," she continued.
"If I must," Nonoko sighed.
"I'll go and see what's behind that 'Employees Only' door over there," Hotaru said.
"What about me?" I perked up.
"You get to look for my brother," Hotaru said.
"Oh sure, stick me with the suck-y job," I muttered.
"We'll meet in the Ladies Room at midnight," Hotaru said, sauntering off.
Anna and Nonoko followed suit and left to man their stations. I sighed. Alrighty then, Hyuuga. Come out, come out where ever you are.
I picked up a tray of shots and tried to look inconspicuous. It didn't take me long to find the little pervert. With his left arm wrapped around a blond, his right arm wrapped around a red head and his tongue occupied by a brunette.
My face burned slightly. I feel like I'm watching something X-rated. I shook my head and remembered that I'm not Mikan. I'm Mia, that is until I get him alone. Then, he'll be crying Mama Mia when I get through with that jerk. I stood perfectly still and took a deep breath. Then, with a playful smirk dancing across my face, I walked up to where they were sitting. I cleared my throat to get their attention.
"Complimentary drinks, sir?" I asked, in a lightly touched Spanish accent. I was bent at the waist to meet his eye level.
He grabbed a shot glass off my platter and downed it quickly. His ruby eyes pierced into my green ones as he did so.
"What's your name?" he asked, setting the glass down.
"Mia," I answered seductively or at least, I think so.
He detangled himself from the girls and they glared at me before stomping off. I stood upright as he rose from his seat. I set the tray down, trying to act hesitant and sexy.
"Have you worked here long?" he asked, standing close to me.
I glanced up at him and then back down. "Not really."
I touched his forearm gently. "Maybe we could go somewhere and have a private conversation."
I started walking away slowly and as predicted, he followed me closely. Very closely – too close to be precise. We made our way to the 'Employee's Only' door which led to a hallway and three more doors. He stepped in front of me and opened the second one and I tried to mask my surprise.
"You certainly know your way around, senor," I purred, walking into the room.
He closed the door behind us. "You could say that."
"Mm-hm," I said, running my fingers along the back of the couch and staring absently at things around the room.
It was just a small room with a couch, a rug and some posters on the wall. A table and an ashtray were there, too. Probably a break room, I thought. Hyuuga seated himself on the couch as I read the posters. I could feel his eyes trailing me, etching out a sketch of his next score in his mind. I could throw up but that would ruin my sexy Latina routine.
"Why don't you come over here?" he asked.
I looked at him with a smirk and leaned on the wall like I saw Shakira do in a video once. "Why?"
"Because you're too far away," he replied.
"Oh Hyuuga, you're too much," I said, pulling off my mask and wig.
His calm features faltered as he tried to register what just happened in his brain. I figure I'll fluff my hair while I wait.
"What the hell are you doing here, baka?"
"The better question is, what are you doing here?" I retorted.
"Tch. What are you talking about?"
"This is what you call having a life?" I spat. "Drinking the night away, kissing, and flirting, doing god knows whatever else with the girls who work here."
"Yes, I do and I'd appreciate it if you stayed out of my business, loner boy," he said.
"FYI Hyuuga, I couldn't give a damn about you but I do have a tiny, microscopic feeling for your brother, who for some reason wants you to pay him a little attention."
"I--"
"Don't even. Spending time with some girls is not getting him a new nanny every week."
"You talk like you know me or something," he huffed.
"Like you don't? Besides, I know enough about you to evaluate that you're a stuck-up bastard," I spat.
"..."
"And another thing; half these girls don't even like you. All they see is a pocket full of cash and a pretty face. So stay here, you and all your skank hoes will have a real bitching time," I finished.
I walked to the door and pulled it open, only to feel it slam shut and Hyuuga's hand on the door parallel to my face.
"So that's what this is about. You're jealous," he droned.
I turned towards him which was a bad move since that only made him put his face closer to mine. "What are you talking about?"
"You're quarrel with Permy, the new look and you're even wearing a Red Dragon girl outfit - all for me," he concluded.
"You're crazy," I said, my face red at our close proximity.
"Am I? Or are you just ashamed at being caught?" he asked.
"Don't be so full of yourself. You're so arrogant," I said.
"I think I know you very well," he whispered to my ear.
"Just the opposite, actually. You don't know me at all and you don't know your brother either because you're never around," I said.
He stepped back and looked me straight in the eyes.
"Fine."
He pushed me to the side and opened the door. I stood there for a moment, trying to slow my heart rate. I'm not embarrassed; my face is just red with anger. I peeked out into the hallway.
Empty.
That's a relief. Walking back to loudness outside, I could see Amy, Nicole and Heather standing together by the bar. I rushed up to them.
"There you are," Amy/Anna squealed.
I raised an eyebrow at her.
"Don't worry; she's just excited that guys are paying attention to her. Where were you?" Nonoko asked.
"Look! It's Natsume-kun," Amy/Anna said.
We watched him exit the club. I turned to Hotaru/Heather. "What now?"
"Nothing left to do. We know where he goes."
"But don't you find it strange that he comes here alone?" Nonoko asked.
"My brother is a man of mystery," Hotaru replied, "Come to think of it; he's always been like that. We all have."
We stood there in silence waiting for her to continue.
"Always alone and withdrawn from others. Even though we have friends and we have a good time with others, we always draw away from all of that."
"I see," Nonoko nodded.
"Let's get out of here," Anna said.
"Definitely," I added.
We walked out of the club and into the chill. We piled into Hotaru's car and headed off. After ten minutes of sitting in silence, I turned on the radio.
They're gonna clean up your looks
With all the lies in the books
To make a citizen out of you
Because they sleep with a gun
And keep an eye on you, son
So they can watch all the things you do
I tapped my foot and nodded my head and heard Anna singing. Then, I cranked it.
Because the drugs never work
They're gonna give you a smirk
'Cause they got methods of keeping you clean
They're gonna rip up your heads,
Your aspirations to shreds
Another cog in the murder machine
I drummed to the beat on my knees as Anna, Nonoko and I screamed at the top of our lungs. Hotaru looked amused as she kept her eyes on the road. They said all teenagers scare the living shit out of me
They could care less as long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone, but not me
The boys and girls in the clique
The awful names that they stick
You're never gonna fit in much, kid
But if you're troubled and hurt
What you got under your shirt
Will make them pay for the things that they did
Now we're all singing/screaming. Hotaru included.
They said all teenagers scare the living shit out of me
They could care less as long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone, but not me
Ohhh yeah!
They said all teenagers scare the living shit out of me
They could care less as long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone, but not me
All together now!
Teenagers scare the living shit out of me
They could care less as long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone, but not me
x2
We dropped off Anna and Nonoko, who were giggling like morons as they snuck back into their house. We finally pulled up to my house and I was about to exit when Hotaru's words stopped me.
"Don't fall in love with my brother," she said sternly.
"Excuse me?" I said, not knowing if I heard her right.
"Don't fall in love with him. You'll only get hurt like everyone else," she clarified.
"I have no intention of--"
"You were alone with him in that room. That's how it always starts. He plays games with you until you're convinced that he likes you and you like him. Romance is a game to Natsume; it always has been. So protect your heart."
I silently got out of the car and watched her drive away. I climbed the back wall and up the gate to my room. I changed into my red satin pajamas and stared out the window at the grinning moon.
Protect my heart? My hand found its way to my chest. I shook my head vigorously. What is she talking about?! I have no intention whatsoever to be with Hyuuga, so there's no reason to be thinking of such dumb things. I closed my curtains, cloaking my room in darkness. I petted Usagi's head and made myself comfortable on my bed.
She can't be right about everything.
Can she? Did you like? Not like? Let me know. More NxM moments coming up not mention Akira makes his appearance. What will happen? Only time will tell. You Know you love me XOXO Chi-chan Thanks to my awesome editor Anna-chan. Thanks so much!
