Here is the second chapter to this fic. By the way, if you've forgotten already, you are reading "My Fair Lady", and I am blatantly confessing that it is a Fukuda x OC. I hope I've intrigued you enough.
That's right, Houfa is a Chinese princess. I, unfortunately, am not - I'm not even Chinese. I'm doing my research though. I truly thank the people who have put up with me *waves to Silhouette Panther!!!* XD However, my true purpose in writing this fic was to have fun (don't we all?) So, I'm not trying to twist my brain into thinking of how to fit everything into the hole that is called "The Real World." Forgive me if the characters become OOC. I'm having fun with them. XD
Last but not the least, here are some replies to reviews: (Because we love to get replies)
Lazuli -- Hah! First to review… =P Read her fic 'The Fan' and 'Dilemma'! Dilemma's a Fujima fic by the way! XD
Frack -- Yes, the idea of Fukuda and a princess is amazing isn't it? XD Or OOC…I don't care anyway!
tensaispira -- You're behind me!? No! Go in front of me! I will worship the way you walk because you have reviewed my humble fic… *cries*
Silhouette Panther -- Hehehehehehe…Thanks for the fast reply. Thanks for the Chinese lesson too! *grins*
lambie -- You've forgotten about Fukuda!? Why!? Why forget Fukuda? ^^; Lol - Fukuda's not even a favorite of mine, but… *kicks fic*
ayu -- Yeah, too many fics about them ne? Why not Uozumi? Akagi? We need a change! *pumps fist* No offense to all of the other OC fics there. You're all good.
Dark Shadow -- I'm hurryin'! I'm hurryin'! =D
seiyo -- *sticks out tongue*
I seem to have gotten a lot of response from Chinese people *waves to all the Chinese* Houfa doesn't represent you too well, do you think *kicks Houfa* I'm so mean *cackles* Errr…yeah. Please don't kill me. Please.
CHAPTER TWO - Threats
Basketball player Fukuda stole into his classroom the same way he always did. Quietly. However, his mind certainly wasn't quiet today. The afternoon of yesterday had been utter pandemonium.
"Fu - ku - chan!" His seatmate greeted him cheerfully. His name, which we really have no business of knowing, but for purposes of convenience, was Murakami.
"Murakami." Fukuda acknowledged him with a slight cock of the head.
"Fuku-chan, is it true?"
Fukuda's ears pricked. Not again… "What?"
Murakami's eyes shone like pearls. "That you're actually the long-lost son of a princess!?"
"Che. For goodness's sake, if you're going to spread some gossip, get it right first." Fukuda gritted his teeth. He plopped his arms on the desk and dropped his head on top of them. He didn't need anyone's prying for now. Not only did he NOT get some sleep the night before - because everyone kept calling him on the phone - he was actually haunted by nightmares of someone chasing him with a lasso on one hand and a gold ring on the other.
"Lin Houfa…Princess Lin Houfa. Che." his thoughts sneered.
Who the hell was that girl, and why did she even introduce herself as a princess? Princesses didn't exist now… And most of all, why had she given him the most pathetic and unbelievable proposal of the century? What did she actually mean by:
I am seriously not getting hitched to the likes of you.
How detestable. If she really was a princess, her manners would have been definitely UNLIKE what she had already displayed. Everyone else in the basketball team (except for Sendoh, but that guy wasn't always right in the head anyway) seemed to be - no, was smitten by her. Yet to Fukuda, that screeching voice of hers was already a major turn-off. A sign which warned 'Danger! Here be witches' and could be seen from miles away.
Maybe if she was more refined, more temperate in her ways. If she was…if she was…
If she was someone like--
"Hey, Fukuda-kun!"
Fukuda's head raised upwards immediately at the sound of that female voice.
Inoue Ruriko. Short brown hair and big brown eyes. Not too tall nor too short. Wears conservative-length skirt. Doesn't wear make-up. Carries a cellphone in a pink bag attached to her pocket for easy contact. Soft-spoken unless in a meeting. President of Class 2-5.
In other words, Fukuda's longtime crush.
She was walking towards his desk, making him sit up immediately. Murakami pretended not to notice and checked his nails instead.
"Fukuda-kun?" Ruriko repeated, mouthing every syllable slowly.
"Ruriko-san." acknowledged Fukuda. Unlike other guys on campus, Fukuda could easily keep his cool around certain people. That didn't mean his mind wasn't running in all directions, however.
"I heard some strange rumors about you circulating throughout the school."
"Oh, I know, I know! Call on me!" Murakami started jumping in his seat. Fukuda threw him a deadly glare, which he found out was to no avail.
"It's about the princess, isn't it?"
Ruriko's precious face was scarred by the traces of confusion on it.
"Ruriko-san…!" was what Fukuda could only whisper.
She looked at him, to his secret delight. "Yes, it was about a princess." She clasped her hands together. "Fukuda-kun, you are engaged to a Chinese princess?"
Oh, she was certainly heavenly AND smart! She even got the rumor right! Fukuda's face was one of glee, but he suddenly realized where he was venturing. The stoic face returned. "I don't know. I don't know what's going on. They're just rumors." He shrugged.
"They're just rumors…for now?" She pressed on.
"What's she look like, Fuku-chan? Is she beautiful? Is she rich? That guy from your team…number 6, I think…I heard he walked into a wall this morning. Was it because of the princess?"
Fukuda wished he had some tape right now. Heavy-duty scotch tape, to be exact. Suddenly, he heard the familiar, yet still uncanny sound of running feet. It sent shivers up his spine.
It was coming to the classroom.
Tables jiggled. Students fell out of their chairs. The ceiling shook and cement peeled.
"It's the end of the world!" someone shrieked, and a lot of screams followed.
Much to Fukuda's dismay, Ruriko was sensible enough to hide beneath a table. She didn't conveniently stumble to his arms, or something. Life was hard.
He waited for the doors to open. They did.
Sunlight shone, like a huge spotlight, on the tiny figure of the Princess Lin Houfa.
She wasn't wearing the jade silk dress, now. Instead, she was actually wearing a red silk dress, the silk fitting curves which actually seemed to be in the right places. The jet black hair was still in a bun, with curls dangling on the sides of her smooth and almost-perfect face. The mascara set off her dark eyes against creamy skin. She was alluring, Fukuda had to give her that. But not beautiful. His eyes flitted back to Ruriko (whose mouth was open, aghast) for good measure.
Beside him, Murakami fainted. Every other guy in the room followed his example.
Houfa's hand gripped the doorway tightly, as she panted.
Fukuda raised an eyebrow, and stepped forward, unconsciously trying to protect Ruriko.
Houfa took a deep breath.
"Ruriko-san, cover your ears--!"
"FUKUDA KITCHOOOOOOO!!! I'LL NEVER MARRY YOU, THEY'LL NEVER MAKE ME, AND ESPECIALLY YOU WON'T MAKE ME DO SUCH AN ABSURD THING!!!"
She was a second too late. Ruriko's eyes spiraled before she fell to the floor. Fukuda, however, was too intent at a staring match with the princess to catch her.
"Who said I wanted to marry you!?" He spat out.
She blinked, almost as if she was caught off-guard. It was only a split second, though.
"WELL I DON'T CARE ABOUT SUCH SMALL THINGS!!! THE THING I CAN'T TAKE IS WHY I HAVE TO SUFFER BROODING IN MY HOUSE JUST BECAUSE I STILL CAN'T GET MY RIGHTFUL INHERITANCE BECAUSE OF YOU!!! YOU'RE THE CAUSE OF ALL MY MISERIES!!!"
"I only met you yesterday!"
"DON'T TRY TO GET OUT OF THIS!!!"
"Stop yelling! See what you have done--" He angrily whipped his arm around, when he gasped. His voice shook. "Ruriko-san!" The fallen figure of Ruriko had pierced his heart.
"What?!" Houfa's voice softened a bit. Just A BIT.
***
He was in a grumbling sort of mood, coupled with worries making his heart thump against his chest, but there was also a twinge of glee as he stared at the figure of the Princess Lin Houfa-
Tied to a chair, that was.
With a gag over her mouth.
Just moments ago, Ruriko had been brought to the school clinic by Murakami and the other guys. Fukuda was almost at the edge of his seat, worrying if she was in good hands. (Murakami certainly didn't account for as good.) He couldn't go with them - he couldn't even remember what exactly happened, and why he was in the Head Office.
A woman in her early thirties, with Japanese features and stern looks, hovered in front of them. She held something in her hand - was that a whip?
Now he remembered why he had been bamboozled into going here. The Principal had also disappeared, scurrying off somewhere.
"Fukuda Kitcho-san, are we correct?" she asked, her voice crisp as toasted bread crusts.
He nodded grudgingly.
"I am Doi Hanako, but I am more commonly known as 'the Black Sakura'. You may call me Sakura then. I serve as the Princess Houfa's chief attendant during her stay here in Japan. Next to me is Sonoda-san. We are entrusted with the safety on the Princess-"
The black leather jacket she wore looked really convincing.
"-and of course, the task of finding you, her soon-to-be fiancee."
Houfa started squirming in her seat, trying to get out of the bonds. "Mmph nmph gmph umph mmph-mmph mmph!!!"
Fukuda translated it as: "I'm not going to marry him!"
Old man Sonoda was still cowering in the corner, intent on giving his superior the center stage.
"What do you…all of you have to do with me?" Fukuda asked. He couldn't stare into Sakura's eyes, though.
The whip cracked, making him - rather, his heart - jump slightly. His body remained impassive and his eyes blank.
"I will tell you why we are here.
The Princess Houfa is the only surviving descendant of the last emperor." Crack! This time everyone else jumped at the sound. "Her royal blood comes from her mother's side. A month ago, her grandfather and guardian (bless him) passed away, leaving her to inherit ALL of the family's remaining wealth and property."
Crack! Fukuda's eyes popped out - then they returned back in.
"However, Houfa-sama is not pleased, because she has not enjoyed her as much as she has wanted." Crack!
Houfa's head bobbed up and down frantically in reply, until Sakura threw an icy glare to her direction. She sat still immediately.
Fukuda didn't know where he found the courage to speak up, but he did. "So she's a rich princess now, is she… what do you need me for then--"
CRACK!
Fukuda shuddered.
"Please do not interrupt Sakura-san while she is talking." Sonoda's trembling warning was too late.
Sakura cleared her throat. "She has not yet received a part of her inheritance - DUE to the fact that Lin-ojiisan has added this clause to his will: that Houfa-sama must marry a man named Fukuda Kitcho. Then she will receive them, and share them with the one named."
I am going crazy, Fukuda assured himself. I am being forced to marry someone I only met once, and by doing that, I will gain riches that are beyond my knowing.
Go me.
"We do not know how Lin-ojiisan has come to know of you, or what is your connection to him. But we have searched the whole of Japan for you, Fukuda Kitcho. Now you must work with us."
Was it just him or did that feel like a threat? Not that the whip didn't threaten him before…
"I am sure you will have no trouble agreeing to the terms."
Now that really seemed like a threat.
"You will marry the Princess Houfa-" Sakura glared at a squirming Houfa again, "-and in return get half of the Lin wealth, a prestigious status, and of course, a beautiful wife."
"I'm not--"
"Mmph mmph--!"
CRACK!
"However, even after stating these terms, I still sense a bit of disagreement from both sides. This cannot be. Sonoda-san and I must finish our tasks, being the Princess Houfa's attendants, serving the Lin family as their contact in Japan for years. We will take her back to China when she has her rightful inheritance. Therefore, I have thought of something that might make it easier for the both of you."
She walked towards Houfa's chair, the heels of her boots echoing in the room. With one hand she grasped the whip. Houfa looked at her with pleading eyes.
Even Fukuda's eyes widened. Is she… Is she going to get rid of her for me! The corners of his lips turned up. I knew this lady was on my side.
"Houfa-sama, we agreed to this."
Houfa shook her head, whining.
"You must stop acting like a child. You're going to get married soon."
She shook her head.
Sakura's eyes narrowed. "Please do not forget that Sonoda-san holds THE ONE THING that is most dearest to you."
The little princess's gasp could be heard, even through the gag. She glanced at Sonoda, her eyes scared, and immediately nodded back to Sakura. Fukuda, again, was confused. People could be so strange. Why was he the only normal one?
OH NO! His thoughts screamed. Sakura was taking off the gag!
Houfa shook his head, the curled locks on the sides of her head bouncing, as she tried to remove the feeling of the gag. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.
What followed surprised even the most dazed of people, namely Fukuda.
"Would Fukuda Kitcho-san kindly accept our invitation to stay for the weekend at the Lin residence and maybe adjust himself to his new home, earning the respect of his soon-to-be attendants and finally, agree to the terms of marrying ME." She said all of that in one breath, opened her eyes, and of course, glared.
It was surprising how different her voice was when she wasn't yelling or screaming. It was even child-like, innocent.
"Well?" Houfa demanded. Sakura shushed her.
"Can I bring friends?" He asked calmly.
"WHAT DO YOU NEED FRIENDS FOR!? IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE GOING TO EAT YOU! AS IF WE'D EVEN WISH TO EAT YOU!"
"Yes, you may. For your own protection." interrupted Sakura.
Fukuda didn't know whether to feel grateful or terrified.
Houfa sniffed. "Hmph! It doesn't matter anyway! My house can even support EVERYONE in this MEASLY SCHOOL OF YOURS!"
We'll see about that.
"We'll see you on Friday evening then, Fukuda Kitcho-san. Bring your friends."
"Yeah, whatever! Bring your friends as if they'd--" She suddenly gasped, and her face brightened like a thousand fireflies. "Ooooh! Yes, bring them with you! SENDOH-SAAAAAAAAN!!!" Houfa shrieked. She wriggled in her chair (Sakura didn't release her yet) and started singing and praising the name of the Ryonan ace.
He was surprised, but didn't show it. "Do you even know who Sendoh is?" Fukuda rolled his eyes.
"Of course! WHAT'D YOU TAKE ME FOR!? I have my sources."
CRACK! Sakura's whip shut them up again. "We're leaving, Houfa-sama. Come on, Sonoda-san." She beckoned to the old man at the corner, who all but jumped to follow the command.
Fukuda sighed, a sigh of pain, suffering, and bewilderment at the steaming pot of events that he had been mysteriously dropped in. Ruriko-san…where are you when I need you?
Oh yeah, the clinic. Must go to the clinic.
author's additions -- Hee. OOC madness. Anyway, some clarifications. Houfa isn't really a princess princess - she's just a descendant, because as Silhouette-san has pointed out many, many times now: princesses don't exist these times. XD On WHY Houfa exists…and insists being a princess…well, we'll see more about that in the next chapters hopefully. Or maybe because I just am weird. And on WHY Houfa doesn't act like a princess should… ^^; here's a clue however - culture shock.
Bai chi = me x_x
Please review. Onegaishimasu~~~!
Last note -- I love writing about Ryonan for some reason. =_= But Shohoku is my favorite team! *bites lip*