Cinderella
Chapter 14
Disclaimer: I don't own DaaDaaDaa nor Gakuen Alice.
After a good thirty minutes, the four red-faced attendents went out of the room, fanning themselves to cool their bodies from the extremely high temperature. Narumi, however, seemed perky and nippy and did not even break a sweat. He grinned, swishing a whip in the air. Twirling his quill in his hand, he checked his papers.
"Well, dear prince, your measuring has finished, and together with my brilliant design, you will look extremely handsome at your wedding! Bon! Now I must go off quickly to cut out the cloth so I can finish within an hour. Good day!" With that, the tailor waltzed out of the room, humming a tune.
Natsume flopped back into the soft cushions, dragged one hand through his hair and emitted a groan. Finally, he was left alone. Narumi had been swishing his whip almost threateningly with a menacing, evil aura. As the temperature of the room had risen, the blonde man merely grinned widely and snapped his whip again. But before he could blow a kiss, laden with his alice, Natsume had brought down the temperature by a tad bit. For safety precautions.
But after being forced to stand still in awkward, useless positions and being poked and prodded in all places, he was now going to have to –he grimaced- attend his own wedding in an outfit made out of that disgusting teacher.
He would be lucky if it didn't contain a pink ballerina tutu.
Punching a cushion for a good measure, he was going to take a nap until-
BA-AM BAM BAM BAM!
"What the hell-" he shot up at the sudden sound of trumpets blasting throughout the castle.
The door flung open. "Natsume!" Ruka came in, his bunny safely in his arms. He had escaped this dangerous territory by chasing after his escaping rabbit after Narumi mentioned fashioning a rabbit fur pelt. "Sakura-san is here!" he shouted over the very noisy ruckus.
Natsume pressed his eyes. Great.
Hotaru and Mikan were inside a room, sitting on a velvet couch. They were both drinking the tea that the servants came in along with other fresh goodies. Hotaru sipped her Earl Grey calmly and elegantly. On the other hand, Mikan scalded her tongue with the "burning, hot liquid."
Mikan stuck her tongue out. "Ouch…" she sniffed, becoming cross-eyed as she tried to examine her tongue.
Hotaru almost rolled her eyes. She laid down her teacup every so refinely and picked up a nice little brownie to eat.
"Ne, Hotaru…"
Hotaru munched silently. She picked up an English carrot muffin and started to eat that as well.
"Hotaru…"
Finished with her muffin, she picked out three little chocolates that were beautifully shaped crabs. They were quite cute and creative. Placing one in her mouth, she swirled around it with her tongue. A bit bitter, but tasty. Though it tasted nothing like a crab.
"HOTARU! STOP EATING AND LISTEN TO ME!" yelled Mikan, only to be blasted with invention number 73.
"Shut up, you idiot. I need to make good use of the free food."
Mikan huffed, rubbing her sore face. Unfortunately, that just made the red spot redder. "Hotaru! Seriously! What's happening?"
Hotaru placed the second chocolate on her tongue. Ugh. Strawberry flavoured. "You're going to marry the prince."
Mikan's eyes widened. "B-but I thought you already thought of a way to escape this dream, or whatever it is! I'm too young to be married already!" Her expression turned from misery to anger. "And there's no way that I'm marrying Natsume, that perverted jerk!"
Hotaru's expressionless face turned slightly dark, her amethyst eyes glaring daggers. Hotaru would have been well fit with the evil spirit alice of Youichi's. "Mikan, you have absolutely no choice in this. Instead of owing me 5,000 rabbits for dragging me into this uncivilized era that holds no hint of technology, do you want to have a debt of 100,000 rabbits? And you already have a sentence of two weeks helping out in my laboratory."
Mikan gulped, inching away from the menancing aura. "B-but Hotaru! I'm failing Jin-Jin's math class, so I need to study for the upcoming algebra test!"
"Deal that on your own, baka. It's not my problem." She looked at another muffin contemplatively while she ate her third chocolate.
Mikan wanted to pull her hair out of her scalp. But her ancient dress was bad enough. A bad hair day to top it all of would not be graced by the royals.
A knock rapped.
A man dressed in a striped doublet strode in and bowed. "Lady Hotaru and Lady Mikan, Prince Natsume and Duke Ruka has arrived."
Mikan's eyebrow slightly rose. Weren't they supposed to go greet the prince?
A very disgruntled Natsume and a worried-looking Ruka came into the room. "Leave," growled Natsume. The poor messenger who had full knowledge of the prince's temper scuttled away, hastily bowing himself out.
Natsume's hair was more messy than ever. "So he finally found you." He examined Mikan's worn and faded dress. "What the hell are you wearing. You look like you rolled in the attic or something." He smirked.
Before Mikan could give an angry retort (something along the lines of "Well, and you look like you were forced to stand still to be fit for a dress or something"), Hotaru stood up. "Since Cinderella has been found now, we can proceed with the wedding. Since the actual fairy tale ends with the Cinderella and the Prince marrying, this fictional dream will end as well as soon as Mikan and Hyuuga marries." There was no doubt, only absolute certainty. She gazed at the boys silently.
"Um, Imai-san?" Ruka looked at the inventor hesistantly as if he was breaking a school rule. "What are you doing here?" he asked carefully.
"Escorting my sister so that the idiot won't do anything stupid during her wedding and we won't be stuck in this doom for eternity," came the cool reply.
It took three seconds for that to sink in.
The prince managed a snort while Ruka flushed and stuttered. "You're one of the evil stepsisters?"
Hotaru's eyes flashed dangerously. "What did you call me Nogi?"
A bead of sweat rolled down his pale face as he tried to correct his deathly mistake. "I-I meant, you're Mikan's sister. Cinderella's sister."
With her eyes still in narrowed position, Hotaru strode to the doors and called out for some attendants. Time could not be wasted, and enough had already gone down the drain with this useless bickering. She could always get her sweet revenge later. She had an especially huge stock of Nogi's photos specially preserved for a time of inflation. But it seems that those would be out into use real soon.
Instantly, a maid appeared, curtsying once. "Yes, milady?"
"Send a word throughout the castle and the entire country that the wedding banquet and ceremony will be held at once. THe prince is going to be wed. Preparations must commence immediately, and the ceremony will be held as soon as possible. Now."
The maid, bewildered, curtysied again. "At once, milady." She hurried down the long corridor to share the news to her co-workers.
"What the hell was that for Imai," hissed Natsume, glowering. The temperature of the room started to rise.
Hotaru glared right back at him. The two coldest people of Gakuen Alice was a deathly combination. Gentle Ruka and Mikan took safety precautions and quickly retreated to the other side of the room. "I, for one, am sick and tired of this place and would like to go back to my laboratory immediately. That will not happen until this wedding happens, so deal with it Hyuuga." Then without a backward glance, she took a bemused Mikan by the arm and dragged her out of the room, god knows where.
Natsume and Ruka stared at the swung open doors. Unfortunately, they had no time to think about anything else because a flowery voice that further irritated Natsume's mood could be heard echoing down the hallway.
"My Prince!" Narumi twirled in, clutching a long, black package. "Your outfit has been prepared! And just in time, I just heard from a guard that his friend's sister heard from a kitchen maid that she heard from a messenger that he heard from an archer that he heard from a lady-in-waiting that she heard from the laundry girl that she heard from her elder sister that she heard from her best friend that she heard from a maid that the ceremony will commence in an hour!" He finished splendidly in one breath.
News spread a bit too fast inside this castle.
"And now," he continued dramatically, using his arms with wide sweeping gestures, "you need to change!" He grinned maniacally. "Of course, if you don't cooperate, who knows what will happen during the wedding ceremony in front of all those people that are going to attend and watch you…" he trailed off, fingering his earring. His alice control device.
Natsume kicked the sofa for a good measure before he was swamped by Narumi's hesitant attendants.
In the background, Ruka slowly inched towards the door. But he was out of luck.
Narumi whipped around in a sparkle. "And where may you be going, milord?" He winked, laughing gaily. "I'm offended! You didn't think that I didn't prepare an outfit for the prince's best friend?" He snapped his fingers, and another two men came in, carrying a bundle of clothing. Ruka gulped. His wise rabbit jumped out of his arms to escape the oncoming torture.
"Dress them up, miboys!"
"Hotaru, where are we going?" Mikan panted, being pulled into various directions of the maze-like corridors. How did her best friend know where she was going anyways?
"To the kitchen. The menu needs to be issued with careful details."
Mikan sweatdropped. Since this is the royal castle, they would have the best cooks in the country…Which is a perfect opportunity for Hotaru to taste the fine culinary skills put into use with seafood.
The kitchen was full of bustling people rushing back and forth. If the girls entered, they would surely be trampled to their deaths. But it was pretty much obvious that the kitchen workers were busy.
"AKI! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!"
"WE DON'T HAVE TIME -HURRY UP! WHERE IS THE SALAD DRESSING? DO YOU WANT THE SALAD SERVED NUDE?"
"THE PLATES, WOMAN! CATCH THOSE PLATES!"
"KNIFE HERE!"
"I NEED MORE APPLES HERE! AND THIS PHEASANT NEEDS TO BE IN THE FIRE, NOT LYING OUTSIDE LIKE A DEAD BIRD!"
"THE BREAD! SAVE THE BREAD!"
"FIRE!"
"NO, THE SALMON!"
Another havoc arrived. But this time, it was outside of the kitchen.
"Milady!" Three women dressed in fine gowns was running towards them. Without further ado, they seized Mikan's arms and dragged her off without missing a beat.
"Hey! What-"
"You must be prepared for the wedding! You can't marry a Prince in that ancient looking rag!"
And so, Hotaru was left behind alone in front of the chaotic kitchen with her invention 73. She cooly surveyed the scene. Then with a evil smile, she drew out a baka stone from her pocket and lifted her slingshot.
CRASH. The stone flew home to a pile of dirty dishes. Everyone stopped in their tracks and whipped around to give the most Satan glare to the culprit.
Instead of daggers of fury, their expressions turned frozen with fright at the sight of the girl. Though her face was expressionless, her dark and evil aura was emanating from her in rapids. And there was a simmering glint in those amethyst eyes. This girl was truly a witch! The kitchen workers all gulped as the atmosphere became chilly.
Hotaru spoke with a straight, nonchalant face. She hefted the slingshot in her right hand.
"I am here to adjust the menu for the wedding banquet."
An hour later, the trumpets were blowing and the bells were ringing. And on the red carpet, Natsume and Mikan were walking down, side-by-side. Small giggling children danced around them and showered them with multi-coloured confetti and flowers. Surrounding them, the whole kingdom had gathered to watch the joyful wedding and was shouting out in loud, happy celebratory cheers.
"Long live the Prince!"
"Congratulations!"
But the fan girls' woes could not be drowned out.
"NO!! Prince Natsume, please don't cancel your status as a bachelor!"
The Prince Natsume, although wearing a deathly I'm-going-to-kill-you expression, looked absolutely striking. Narumi proved his prediction wrong; there was no sight of a pink tutu. Instead, he was wearing a black velvet hose, a white silk shirt with a doublet embroidered with gold thread on top, pointed leather boots, and a handsome red cape. Even his hair was in a more tidy position. He was striding down quite fast instead of the slow, step by step march.
Mikan, on the other hand, could barely walk with the weight of her jewel encrusted dress, and the bodice was choking her terribly. The ladies dressing her up insisted it to be as tight as possible to get a waist impossibly narrow. She did look beautiful in the damask silk gown with fine needlework of orange blossom designs. Her elaborately updone hair held back by an ruby ornament was covered with a transparent, filmy train that was held up by a flower girl walking behind her. And the sun shone down on her, making her sparkle brilliantly.
Anyways, the couple, one fuming and one desperately trying to walk, awkwardly made their way to the priest holding a scroll. Out in the corner of Mikan's eye, she saw Hotaru in a elaborate plum dress working on something furiously with a platter laden with lobsters, clams, seashells, and crabs beside her. Ruka's blonde hair shone in the sun, making him impossible to miss, and he too was dressed well in an ocean blue cape. He seemed a bit flustered and was balancing two platters of clams and crabs. Her eyes travelled down the long bouquet table, and her stomach grumbled. She could see roast quail, boar, basically every type of meat prepared on gleaming silver platters. Fresh fruit, cheese, bread could also be seen. And smelled. She almost tripped and stepped on her partner's boot, making Natsume hiss out a string of curses again.
"Polka, don't step on my foot again," he shot out venemously.
"Geesh Natsume!" she whispered indignantly. "You try walking in high heels and a bridal gown that nearly matches your weight with all these jewels!" In fact, she should have just asked Hotaru to take them off so she could at least walk freely. She knew her money-obsessed friend would gladly do so.
They finally stopped in front of the priest. Natsume glared a glare filled with a get-this-over-soon meaning at the unperturbed holy father.
"Now," he boomed, making the crowd quieten, "cut the wedding cake together to symbolize unity and taking your first step together." The huge wedding cake was brought out on a cart. It was beautiful, red with roses and strawberries scattered throughout, dusted with chocolate powder. And it did look quite delicious however much it was obvious that Hotaru's taste definitely influenced this cake. Natsume stiffened at the sight.
The cake was red and grand in the shape of a lobster.
Holding her bouquet of lilies in one hand, Mikan hesitantly put her other hand on the large knife then glared at the person beside her to do the same. After an incoherent noise, Natsume put his hand on the knife as well. As his hand brushed hers slightly, she blushed slightly. Their faces were rather close. And they (or he, rather) sliced the lobster's head from its body with one quick stroke.
Natsume turned his head slightly and met Mikan's gaze. She, for a reason unknown to her, felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. The crimson eyes turned away, nonchalant.
The Father serenly continued. "And now, bestow your kiss of oath."
Nothing except for the chirps of the wild birds were heard.
"EH!" Mikan shrieked. "I never heard about this!"
"Whatever the circumstances may be, I'm not kissing a stupid idiot," Natsume spat out almost at the same time.
A familiar voice smiled. "The wedding must go on smoothly like music, my prince." There was Narumi who popped out of nowhere beside the priest. He was grinning, and his left index finger twirled his own lock of blond hair quite dangerously near his earring.
Mikan did not hear nor see this newcomer as the words Natsume said replayed in her mind. She was red again, but this time with anger. Drawing in a deep breath, she drew to her full height, on the very tips of her toes. "Natsume! You mean JERK! I'm not an idiot, but obviously you are since it seems you don't even know my name! It's MIKAN, M-I-K-A-N! And I definitely do not want to kiss –"
In the middle of her rant, she accidentally stepped on her uselessly long train, wobbled and lost her balance, and tipped forward, her bouquet sailing over her head, her arms flailing wildly like an agitated bird.
Uh oh. Mikan squeezed her eyes shut and gave in to gravity.
She crashed into Natsume.
"What the hell-" At the sudden weight, he staggered, trying to regain balance unsuccessfully, then went down backwards on the floor.
The sea of attendents watched as the unmoving almost-newlywed in a heap on the floor, the girl on top of the boy. The crowd was deathly silent except for some muttering, and they could not catch a glimpse since the mass of cloth from the bridal dress and the long veil hid everything from view.
Then there was absolute silence.
-
The choking feeling around her waist was gone. The heavy garment did not weigh much anymore.
Mikan slowly opened her eyes. She blinked. She saw a familiar looking ceiling and heard the familiar chirps of the birds. She was back in her one star room in Gakuen Alice. She got up slowly from the floor, her legs tangled with the blanket that seemed to have fallen off the bed with her. It was morning, and she needed to get to class. But she was still in a daze.
Slowly, as it were a dream, she raised two fingers and rested them upon her bottom lip. She sat still as her mind replayed the scene again.
Oh. My. God.
She kissed Natsume.
A/N: Hahahaha! I'm so evil, aren't I?
Mikan and Natsume gets married! Well, kind of. How did you like the lobster cake? Don't worry, it's only shaped like one…at least I hope it doesn't taste like one.
My transition from the dream world to the real world is too…weird. But I can't describe it. The whole real world scene…I don't like it. Could you please help?????
And should it be "She kissed Natsume" or "She had just kissed Natsume"? The latter is the gramatically correct one, but...well, which one sounds better?
Thank you to all my reviewers! The reviewers of chapter 13 that gets the limited edition lobster-shaped cake are: nightraven54, animegodess1118, Huyutfsakura, azn-teddy, blackcat9517, keraii, mistress tee, GoldenDragonClouds, CARohanne, Larsie0316, JuSt To RaNdOm, and bluegirl330817! Sorry if I let anyone out, let me know!
Do people want a more of a hint for Ruka x Hotaru? If you do, guess what the next hint is! My hint to you is: flowers.
I'm finally over 100 reviews! *does a little congratulatory dance* Hehehe.
Review! I know, I'm too obsessed with reviews. But I do have fun writing my stories :)
Oh, and revised chapter 6 for Fuki Enro will be coming out soon. After the failing of exams is over...T_T Anyways, please read that story as well.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Oh, and what do people want next? I have no idea what's going to happen next, so I'll be looking forward to what the readers want, k?
--mikancchi