AN: So… I was inspired when I was stuck in my mom's office while they are in an outing. I guess this will sum it up. Sorry for the delay! I have to enroll and help organize an event (an anime event mind you) plus I need to design my costume for the cosplay event and set up a photo-shoot for October… I'm really busy and this is the only time I can write so GOMENASAI. Btw… visit some of my works at naomi1813.… Don't kill me!!

Sealed

by: nAoMi AyAmE

Chapter 21: The Devil's Thrill

"Is everything set in motion?"

"Yes, Milord"

"Very well, we attack their weakest point…"

Many nods agreed on the speaker.

"After all, the strongest asset is also its weakest link."

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Natsume was making his way to the throne room of the castle. He knew that the other three royalties are aware that he can enter and exit the third domain without a problem. But what they didn't know is how. Natsume snorted at the thought.

'Of course, they wouldn't know. Mama and I sworn secrecy.' thought Natsume 'Even if they are her sister by alice.'

He arrived at the double doors that held the throne room. Throne room was filled with the portraits of the previous rulers, the parents of Naomi. Marble cascades the whole floor and gothic designed pillars stood proudly at the four corners of the hall. The fragrant smell of the freshly bloomed flowers envelops the whole room, relaxing its audience. No extravagance, just the simplicity and the feeling of being equal to the one seated at the throne is just a bonus.

"Okairi (Welcome Home), Tsume-chan."

And that was what he have felt when he saw the smiling face of his mother, open arms waiting for him, he can't help but to run. Oh how he love to act like his age on the grounds of the academy. But alas, he can only do it on the set parameters of the palace. He immediately envelops the older alice into a tight hug which the other can't refuse to hug back and to chuckle. Naomi patted her lap indicating for him to rest in which he obliged.

"So… how was the academy?" asked Naomi teasingly while she stroke the raven locks.

Natsume snorted in which the high queen can't help but to laugh out loud.

"As if you weren't there ten minutes ago." the neko said sarcastically

"I know… I'm just teasing you."

Natsume rolled his eyes but placed a playful smirk. Naomi can't help but to ruffle the boy's hair that ended her with a half-hearted glare.

"Well, at least tell me something." said the young mother

Crimson eyes sparkle and got a giddy expression on his face. More like a cat that captured his prey.

"There is one thing…"

"Let me guess." Naomi interrupted "She said 'yes'"

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Preparations for the alice festivals that made the students of the academy buzz with excitement has ended and now the most awaited opening is all that they have been waiting. The principals of all year levels are sitting at the stage waiting for the students to take their places. No one had a clue as to why the four presidents insisted on standing with the students of their selected department. Well, Tsunami is reasonable for she is the adviser of the dangerous ability type. Ringo is with Mikan on the special ability type class and the other two has joined Ruka's and Hotaru's class. No one asked, after all, no one has the right to.

"Settle down…" announced Jinno as he was the one who is assigned to be the emcee of the day.

Silence envelops the whole assembly. Naomi stopped chatting with the animal pheromone alice and focus her attention at the ceremony.

"I would like to…"

With that, Naomi tuned out the rest of the conversation and focused on the last encounter that she had with Mikan. It was rather not a pleasant encounter and now they are on a cold war. Well, up until earlier that morning. She shuddered at the memory. Never did she dream of being chased by a huge fire dragon in her hundred of years of living. It's a good thing that her son made it on time and cleared thing up. Note to self, never try to clean on other's room particularly a Sakura princess' room.

Her own la-la world pop when she felt a nudge from one of her blonde co-captain.

"Hai?" asked Naomi

"You're name is being called in the stage for about five minutes already, Kazama-dono." was the reply

"Shoot…" mumbled Naomi and she disappeared on where she was standing to the stage along with her sisters.

"What took you so long?" hissed Heleyna

"Hn."

Helyna sighs. She doesn't know her sister anymore. It's been like that since they have returned. Is it a mistake that they have made? For their return? Is this the price that they have to pay in order to attain the peace that they have been awaiting for hundreds of years? The other three noticed it too but there is nothing that they can do but to accept it and wait for anymore changes.

"And now, may the four presidents formally open the festival?"

The four removed their cloaks. Biting their thumb, they smeared it simultaneously on their wrists and focused their elemental alices emitting the said force needed. Wind and air swirled together forming an endless tornado of water and wind. Ringo spread her arms and strings of red fire emitted at the tips of her fingers, twisting itself on the twister. Gripping it hard and pulling it, the tornado exploded. Black feathers, red leaves and white and blue petals fill the sky as it descends. Students watched in awe as Heleyna once again used her alice, and with a wave of a hand, the fallen confetti formed a figure. It was a woman with cerulean hair and eyes, pale colored skin and was dressed in white. Sprouting at her back was a pair of ebony wings.

"We officially open this years alice festival!"

The figure bowed before being enveloped with black fire. Naomi snapped her fingers and black roses replaced the ashes of the once fair lady. Each rose landed on the students of the academy.

"Everyone, that black rose is an invitation for tonight's concerto. It will be held on the auditorium, dress nice and enjoy the music." said Naomi

"Sore Ja!" exclaimed Ringo and with that the four vanished with the wind.

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The night came and the school auditorium was already filling up. Hotaru, who was escorted by Ruka Nogi, is wearing a purple dress that matches her eye. The black rose that sights as an invitation was made into a bracelet. Anna is with Nonoko, both being escorted by the mind reader while Sumire was with Yuu who has no choice but to escort the cat-dog girl.

The students are all settling down making chats with their friends. No once knew who would play at the concert nor what would be the theme of it. The light shuts at exactly seven in the night simultaneously with the bang of the front doors. A hunting melancholy was heard, but everything was dark. Finally, the front curtains opened up and the people started to applause. The spotlight was focused on the boy playing the grand white piano. Ebony hair cascades with the wind while he played in perfection the 'moonlight sonata'.

"I didn't know that Hyuuga can play the piano." murmured the lavender eyed genius

"Believe me… so am I."

The concert continued as the 'royal family' plays different compositions made by western composers. Even Youichi played "The amazing Grace" in a silver flute perfectly. Through out the whole event, not a single strand of hair was seen with the head alice which made one of the audience anxious, After an hour and a half performance, it is time for the last act.

Once again, the lights were shut off except for the spotlight. A tune of violin was heard followed by the back up. Striding from the side was Naomi, playing her violin, eyes closed.

'The moment I opened my crimson eyes

And played the sonata of a never ending hell

I think of your endless pool of orbs

That has eaten my whole being

The sadness that is behind your smile

Whenever you look into the space

The fake happiness fades away

And your beautiful face was painted with pain

As I continue to play the painful melody

And I reached the second part

A nostalgic feeling of happiness

Envelops my tainted soul

The first time I saw your real smile

Was when we met at the garden

When we both escaped from the blasted party

And caught ourselves playing on the first summer rain

Your melodious laughter that sings in my ears

And how the moon reflected on your pale skin

Your voluptuous lips that screams, begs for a kiss

And that was my biggest mistake

That was the last time I see you

Full of energy, full of joy, no problems

I never noticed that when I reached the climax

Of this melancholy that never seem to end

My tears have already spilled

I chocked on my sobs but I cannot stop

I will not stop because its for you

The sonata of agony

The concierto is over and applauses were heard

I bowed down painting myself with a bitter smile

I cannot get you, an angel of emptiness

I won't, can't touch you, for I am a filthy devil' (1)

Everyone was moved on how the head played the piece. As she emphasized on the last note, the crowd cannot help but to gave her a standing ovation. Naomi bowed before vanishing with the dark light. Finally, the concert is over and one by one the student filled out the auditorium, waiting for the musicians to give their congratulations on a job well done. Unknown to them, there would be something bad is going to happen that will affect their lives.

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Natsume was frantic when he did not felt the aura of his mama anywhere. It's been four hour since she vanished from the stage and once again she is missing in action. He went to her mama's office but she was not there. Forcing to calm his mind, he entered the third dimension and made his way to his mother's suite.

There he found a bouquet of fire flowers and a red card. Reading the said card, his eyes widen and dropped it on the floor along with the fire flowers. He immediately returned to the academy with a bad news.

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Naomi-hime

Come to me and settle this once and for all. I have implanted death on your love ones via my spy. If you would not come alone, I will kill them and you know I don't give empty threats. Come my sweetness and let's finish this.

Nathaniel

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AN:

– It is my self composition entitled 'The Devil's thrill', the song played by Naomi was also entitled the Devil's Thrill, listen to it… I know I love it. REVIEW! REVIEW!!