Chapter 12: Influence

"Where are you going?" His hand grabbed my shoulders and pulled me back to a stop. His fingers were burying deep into my skin, making me twitch at the sting his fingers left.

"I have business to do with someone," I answered, burying my eyes in the shadows of my bangs. I forcefully removed his hand from my shoulders then walked away, leaving him staring at me.

I went on to the backyard of my fathers company, spotting Luna standing by the old warehouse. She was staring at the stars above that seemed to twinkle uncontrollably. There was no moon tonight so her face wasn't really recognizable under the dark shade that the warehouse left.

"About time," She rolled her eyes. I looked at her dress – obviously red and too revealing. I just can't believe I'm going to wear that kind of dress. I mean, I can't even imagine myself in one of her dresses.

"Shut up and let's exchange dresses already." The warehouse had two rooms, a window to look through each room. I was at the right and she was at the left, though we started undressing when we entered and locked the doors.

When I removed my dress, I tried my best as possible to hide the guns that were in utility belts tied on my thighs. I passed her my shoes, my dress and even my purse – which contains my phone and wallet. She passed hers too, I must admit, when I wore the dress it was kind of loose.

I grabbed the wig and contacts that I took from no where and put it both on. I did my make-up, Luna-style make-up. And it was so thick that I looked like a clown.

From the other side of the room, I heard the door click open. I was certain the she was done already. I went out too because I didn't wants her to sermon me. I suppose Shin and the others are preparing already.

"This dress is so not cool," I scoffed at her.

"Shut your crap Sakura. I have no time for this. I have an introduction to do," With that, she left. I stared after her.

"Stupid girl," I murmured to myself then rolled my eyes, stomping my way on to the assigned table she was supposed to sit in.

"Father!" I called over as I sat down in my best flirty, girly, slutty-ish voice I could produce with my tongue.

They didn't really seem to notice. When I sat beside her escort – her flirty boyfriend – I felt my skin shudder from his touch. Oh God, help me survive.

I glanced over at Shin, who was staring at me intently. Then after, he nodded and watched carefully as the lights dimmed and the red curtains slid to the sides, revealing my father standing by the microphone.

"Good evening," He greeted excitedly. "We hope that you enjoyed your fabulous dinner served and catered by the one and only Umenomiya family," Father waved and smiled at Anna and her family then continued on with his speech.

"I know all of you are certainly curious on why I gathered everyone today. Even the press of course. So, any guesses on why?" After that, I didn't bother to listen anymore so I just closed my eyes, completely irritated that Natsume was occasionally staring glances at me.

"Luna, keep your ears open." I heard Mr. Koizumi said through his gritted annoyed teeth. They look like they have some grudge on us or something like that.

"Yes, Father." I nodded, but didn't follow his command anyway. What's the point? I memorized father's speech already so I know what's going next. He rehearsed a few times at home and the whole conference room became a comedy theatre.

Bored, I excused myself from the table and went to the bathroom. I stared at myself in the mirror, I looked like a mess.

"Sometime now," I said to myself and took a deep breath, walking outside the bathroom as I did so.

But before I did walk out of the bathroom, I wasn't an idiot to not sense his presence outside. You know who I'm talking about… right? Natsume Hyuuga was standing outside. Yipee, trouble.

"What do you want, H-Hyuuga?" I stuttered by the sound of his family name. When he came into view, he was oh-so-ever emotionless.

"Stay away from Mikan, Koizumi." Whoa. Like Whoa. That actually made me felt good in the inside at least.

"And If I don't?" I answered back at him. He frowned at me, deep. His eyes started to narrow and the temperature suddenly rose up. What a devil.

"You'll see," He said and walked off, returning back to his table.

I sighed in relief that he didn't notice. I just hope that nobody I know well crosses my path ever again when I'm in this identity. It would be hard to impersonate Luna. Her actions are just so… I don't know – slutty?

When I got back to the table, the speech was already at that part. Luna sat there at my table with my friends looking so excited that I wanted to stand up and smash her face with a bottle of wine. But that just isn't proper for a lady like me. Oh who am I kidding. I would if I could.

"So, you all know my wife," Otou-san continued on with his thirty-minute speech. By the curtains, Mom eventually went out and waved to the audience. The cameras started to flash continuously. Some of the businessmen nodded respectfully and actually readied their sons/daughters to whoever may appear next in the stage. Which is supposed to be Youichi. A model. Of course he would be crowded later.

"Many have been wondering why we didn't have kids. And mostly, I know about this 'mysterious daughter' thing that everyone's been talking about lately. To tell you that I proudly introduce another member of my family, a beloved member, Please welcome…" Dad started to grin sheepishly as he held out his arms for a hug.

"My son," He slowly said. Many girls prepared and fixed their make-ups as their parent's instructed them to do so. "Youichi Hijiri Shoutaro Yukihara with her accompanying lady, Miss Aoi Hyuuga."

Youichi stepped out of the darkness grinning like an idiot, Aoi-chan linking arms with him. Well, he was always an idiot. I'm a bad sister, I know.

Aoi smiled shyly to the crowd. Youichi was smiling then his face turned into an emotionless stone after.

"What? You mean the ever-so-hot-model Youichi Hijiri-sama is actually a Yukihara?" Some girl in black shouted. Freaked out by the fact it was true. Freaky.

"Yes, my dear." Dad said gently and then smiled at Youichi. "It seems like the boys are somewhat disappointed. Why is it I suppose? Don't worry you'll have a chance when I introduce my daughter. Just remember, when I find out that you're flirting on her, you'll regret it really."

I rolled my eyes then listened intently. At the corner of my eyes, I saw Team-A staring at me, waiting for the signal and I nodded once.

"Please welcome, my daughter, Mikan Sakura Angelia Yukihara with her escort, Shin Yamamoto." Luna walked out of the shadows, disguised as me. It's all up to Shin and the others now.

God help me if this plan ruins my father's reputation.

Its better at least – watching the Koizumi's in shame rather than having my father killed. It's not like Team-A was the only team out of the twenty-six letters of the alphabet was here. Mostly I guess the teams that are present here consisted of Team-A to Team-J (Every team had five to six members in it so when you multiply it, it can range up to 60). Sorry for being geeky.

When every family in the crowd heard my name, the sons of those families were looking oh-so-dumbstruck over her – or you could say 'her' as 'myself'. Of course, I didn't forget to take a glance at Persona who was also dumbstruck by the fact he just slapped a Yukihara in the face. I'll be sure to get back at him someday.

"Wait!" Shuji slammed the doors open, grabbing everyone's attention. Everyone turned to face him with curiosity, even my father who was now frowning.

"What is it that you are here for Okimura-kun?" Father checked as his voice echoed throughout the room as he spoke through the microphone. His frown got deeper when he heard murmurs escape the room.

"Shin," Shuji signaled as Shin grabbed Luna's hands from behind and sealed it together with a pair of hand cuffs. Luna's eyes widened, panic evident in her eyes.

"Dad!" Luna called out to my father. "What did I do wrong?"

"Release my daughter this instant Shin," Otou-san ordered but Shin ignored it anyways.

"You ma'am are under arrest for trying to impersonate and disguising as the real daughter of Yukihara-sama," Ryo leaned by the doorway, as usual, a rose was twirling by his thumbs. He grinned sheepishly. The spotlight turned to him as he said those words.

"What?" Luna shrieked. I didn't budge a bit then watched the scene as it goes by the plan. Luna struggled to get her hands free, but failed in the process. Though her eyes were still wide but I know she was faking all of it. Everything she did was an act.

"What's the meaning of this Yukihara?" Some businessman who obviously wanted to ruin our company's reputation stood up and demanded for an answer.

Father remained silenced and shocked by the scene before him but answered the question truthfully anyway. "I have no idea,"

Murmurs started to erupt again. I stole a glance at the table beside us – the table where the Hyuuga's sat. Kaoru-san had a worried expression on her face and Persona was confused by the look on his eyes but didn't show it.

"Wait," Youichi walked towards her and took a look at her face closely.

Luna struggle to get free then sighed in relief. "Youichi, thank God! Help me get out of this cuffs will you?"

Youichi's eyes narrowed. Way to go brother. "You're not my sister," He declared as people stared at him confusedly.

"My sister won't panic in such way. And she knows how to break those cuffs easily. I've seen it for myself. You're not her," He shrugged then stepped back, reaching for the wig and pulling it off by one hand. Long, blonde hair flowed below and the contacts came falling off to the ground. And then the room started panicking. Mr. Koizumi stared at me with shocked eyes, so did her boyfriend.

I ignored their gazes and pretended that I had nothing to do about this.

"Oi," One boy stood up to break the noise as it got replaced by silence. He slammed his fists at the table, making Luna step back a little as he approached her. "What did you do to my girl?"

Doing the best he could, my father tried to stop the nonsense and continue on with the speech but failed miserable as mother dragged him down off the stage. From there on, all he could do was watch and stare.

BAKA BAKA BAKA

Everyone turned to stare at Hotaru who just fired three bullets of her BAKA gun to Luna. "Where is she?"

Making the first move, the rest of my friends from France demanded an answer. They know I'm a Yukihara anyways. But it feels so good to have your friends standing up for you, supporting you and being there for you.

I stood up quietly and silently that Luna's father didn't seem to notice. I walked up to the stage, grabbing attention from the crowd. By the time I reached the stage, I faced Luna then smiled at her face.

"Stop hiding it," I said to her, pointing at the man beside the entrance door. I noticed this from the start. That man just happened to have a gun under those thick set of clothes and a killer smile as he was facing Luna. "I know that man is the one you hired in case cases like this happen,"

My smile went to a grin. "And it happened. Don't think that these three –"I pointed at Shuji, Ryo and Shin then went on at pointing Chris, Shiro and Kei leaning at the shadows of the corners of the room. " – are the only ones who came with me. There are actually six of them,"

From the corners of my eye, I saw Natsume walk off to his table. He was actually called by Persona. But at first, I ignored it and thought it was just a caution but things turned out to get worse.

By the minute Natsume got there, a scream went out of Kaoru-san's mouth. Glasses were shattered at the floor and the table was turned upside down. I shuddered by the sound of Natsume growling and struggling for his life.

When I turned, I immediately regretted it.

"Shin, take care of Luna for me will you?" I ordered, jumping down the stage and walking cautiously towards them.

"Drop the gun Persona,"

Sorry for not updating so long :((

I was supposed to update by the 12th but something came up and I had a lot to do. Anyways, I wasted like 1000 pesos/20 bucks on books and finished reading them in two days. I bought Avalon High by Meg Cabot which is a lot awesome! The movie sucked and had a lot of changes but at least the book was better. I also bought the new book of the Maximum Ride series which is titled as Angel and written by James Patterson. I'm really a bookworm. I know.

After that, I like read a story which I forgot the title. But its about a boy and a girl who got close in the internet and decided to meet up but then the boy was actually the school hottie who is bullying the girl. Its really sweet.

Now, enough nonsense. Thanks for the reviews again and of course, I polished my guitar skills when I meant I had a lot to do up there ^. We have a recital coming up by the 1st of March.

That's all I think.

Ja ne!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN.