This is the third chapter to "My Fair Lady", a Fukuda x OC, and the author, Shirodachi, is stupid.
*climbs the platform and clears throat* I would like to thank Silhouette Panther (Eddie-san) for my free Chinese lessons. XD I am ever so grateful. Yes I'm not sarcastic. I'm not! I'm not! Believe me… *cries*
Can't believe I let a week pass before I finally finished this thing . I hope now to chuck out two chapters per week. The sooner I finish this, the better. And the chapters are getting longer and longer…the first one had 5 pages, the second 7, and this one 10.
Wow, I'm responding to reviews again.
SP: My ever-so-gracious teacher. =) I hope I did justice to your free lessons.
lambie: Thank my ever-so-gracious teacher for my little Chinese.
tensaispira: Hey, well, Fukuda's still young, and he's male…of course he's bound to have a crush!
Frack: *scratches head* I think it has something to do with the will. Actually I think Sakura and the others expected that Fukuda (whoever he was supposed to be) would LOVE to get married to someone like Houfa. (Think of all the perks!)
Lazuli: Ikaw din. XP
ayu: I never thought I'd fall for spiky too. *_* Did I just say that out loud…
Dinette: Wow! I portrayed him perfectly? x_X He's not majorly OOC!? *weeps*
frozenfemale: Aw, Angie, I love your fics too. XP Unfortunately, by not making Sendoh hentai, I am making Koshino… *gomengomengomen*
sLL: *cheers for Kitcho too XD*
Melpomene Melancholica: *glomps* Yes, Ryonan! hoo-hoo! I love writing about Ryonan!
Because I'm bad, I would like to plug. We have a Slam Dunk RP journals going on. Role-playing journals. ^^ Kindly read and comment on the journals! XD http://limitedhate.net/sdf/K Thanks!
Rukawa's journal is http://ujournal.org/users/super_rookie
Koshino's journal is http://ujournal.org/users/hirokun
And many more…
CHAPTER THREE - Seduction
How did such a splendid and ostentatious palace emerge in Kanagawa?
That was the question everyone had in mind that Friday afternoon. Of course, there was also the question Where's the beautiful princess? In front of the twelve-foot-high gates, a thousand or more young men gathered, wearing Ryonan uniforms. Murmurs resonated throughout the crowd.
Hikoichi's neck was hurting from the strain of looking up, but he continued to stare in awe, notebook in hand. "Is this - is this the palace of the Emperor?" he whispered to himself.
"Of course not, Hikoichi."
The deep voice made him turn around swiftly.
"We're still in Japan, Hikoichi, although the setting around here has quite changed." Taoka gestured to the high mountains and flowing rivers that surrounded the palace on the hill. "What's more, even though we Japanese still honor our Emperor, in China he doesn't exist anymore." He stroked his chin, the same way he did when he was analyzing a game. "Which bothers me. If the Chinese Emperor doesn't exist now, Houfa shouldn't really be here too. But what is this place then?"
"Uhh…Taoka-sensei! I didn't know you were here. You want to see Houfa-sama too?"
The Ryonan coach started fidgeting, uncomfortable. "I…was invited."
"Oi, Moichi! Come over here! We've seen a spot that may help us see the beautiful girl!" a voice yelled from the crowd. It sounded like one of the faculty. The old faculty. Taoka turned red, and hastily said good-bye to Hikoichi.
"This is rad, dude! At first I thought he was joking, but--"
"--can't get the princess, then I'll get my own share of treasure--"
"--you suck up to her, while I--"
Hikoichi's fist clenched around his pen. How dare those people talk about Houfa-sama like that! And in front of her house! When Fukuda told the whole team (in his usual sullen way) that he was inviting them to spend a weekend at the house, Hikoichi trembled with excitement. At least he had the opportunity to get to know the Princess better, before she got married to his teammate. But then, the PA system suddenly crackled with static early this afternoon, and the Principal announced:
"Fukuda Kitcho of Class 2-5 is inviting EVERYONE, I repeat - EVERYONE in Ryonan (that includes me) to spend the weekend at the Princess Lin Houfa's house. Assembly will be in front of the school after classes."
Hikoichi couldn't believe his ears.
And he couldn't believe his eyes either, when a swarm of high-school students - ALL BOYS - met him at the gate of the school. Apparently Houfa-sama's reputation (and beauty) preceded her.
The swarm of boys marched, following Fukuda, to the house - which wasn't a house, in Hikoichi's opinion. It was a palace, fit for a Princess.
He opened his notebook to write again, but a picture stopped him. Oh yes, how could he have forgotten? He had inserted his picture of Lin Houfa inside the notebook.
"Houfa-sama…" Time seemed to stop for him. Thankfully, no drool came trickling out from him.
"What are you staring at, Hikoichi? You look like a zombie." A hand clapped on his shoulder, making him jump.
"Hikoichi? You're here too?" Sendoh appeared out of nowhere and asked the freshman. With him was a bored-looking Koshino and a sullen-faced Fukuda.
"Of course he is, Sendoh." Koshino said matter-of-factly. His hand was still on Hikoichi's shoulder. "Fukuda DID invite the WHOLE school into coming here--hey!" A glimpse, and Koshino knew what was inserted in Hikoichi's notebook. "You have a picture of Houfa! Where'd you get it?"
"It's Houfa-sama--" Hikoichi automatically corrected, but then realized what his senior just said. "Um…er…I have my sources."
Fukuda, who was silent for the most part, suddenly spoke up. "You showed her your notebook in exchange for that picture, didn't you?"
Hikoichi shrank back from everyone's gaze. "I…I…"
"Stop it Hikoichi." warned Koshino. "She's engaged already."
"She is not." Fukuda informed coldly.
"It doesn't matter. She knows she's going to get married soon. She's just flirting with you, Hikoichi. Don't let that beauty blind you."
"Oh really, Koshino?" Uekusa popped out from behind the Number 6 player. "Then why is your hand slinking to filch the picture out of Aida's notebook?"
Koshino quickly withdrew his hand and put it behind his back, blushing furiously. Sendoh burst out laughing, and didn't stop until Koshino glared daggers at him.
Now it was Fukuda who was looking bored. He kept looking at his watch. Hikoichi didn't even notice until now that Fukuda wore a watch. It was already four-thirty.
"Did you bring the things I told you to bring?" his quiet voice asked.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Uekusa said, confused.
"I told you about them during practice. I'm still not sure if you guys can handle her, so I reminded to bring earmuffs."
Uekusa did a double-take. "EARMUFFS?"
Hikoichi groped inside his bag, and pulled out a pair of pink earmuffs. "I've got mine!"
Koshino snickered. "Here's mine." He showed them his blue-and-white earmuffs. "Ryonan colors." He pulled out another pair, this time yellow. "Oi, Sendoh. You forgot yours in my house last winter. My mother found them. Didn't you ever think of looking for them?"
"Hey, thanks! I missed these." Sendoh grabbed the pair and fit them snugly over his ears.
By this time Uekusa was cracking up. "What are you three doing!" They were now trying on their own earmuffs. "What's a pair of earmuffs going to do to you?"
"You didn't bring earmuffs, Uekusa?" Fukuda asked.
"No, of course not! I thought you were just joking. Why'd you let them take you so seriously?"
Just then, from the top floor of the palatial Lin residence, a dark head poked out of an open window. Everyone looked up and gasped. "It's--!"
The head looked down. And shrieked.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
One by one, the men who gathered in front of the palace fell down in a dead faint. Only four people were left standing - Fukuda, Koshino, Sendoh, and Hikoichi. The air was silent once more.
"I knew she was going to do that." muttered Fukuda.
Koshino shuddered. "Thank goodness for these earmuffs." He looked around. "Uekusa?"
"He's not with us anymore." sobbed Hikoichi.
"Don't be silly!"
The conversation was broken when the twelve-foot high gates opened. They stood frozen. A girl came running outside, straight towards them. It was Houfa.
"Sendoh-saaaan!" She sang as she flew to the Ryonan ace.
Sendoh caught her in the middle before she could lock him in a tight embrace. "Houfa." he smiled helplessly.
"Sendoh-saaaan! I missed you soooooo much!" She squealed and tried to hug him again. Sendoh kept her at arm's length, however. The little princess only weighed about a half of his weight, and when he set her down, only reached to his elbow.
Fukuda looked away in disgust. Koshino and Hikoichi stared.
Houfa wasn't wearing a silk dress, the kind that she wore when they met her. She was wearing a white silk frock - that looked so much like a nightgown - and it reached only to her knees.
She was obviously disappointed when Sendoh let go of her. Then she glanced at the two who were staring at her like a pair of idiots. "Oh. You might like to give your friends these." She threw a glare to Fukuda before handing him two small, pink pills. "They're a secret concoction by our family. It's called 'The Precious Attraction-Inhibitor Pill'."
Fukuda's eyebrow raised in reply. Without a word, he gave one to Koshino and one to Hikoichi. "Eat this." When they wouldn't close their mouths, which were frozen in awe, he tapped their chins forcefully.
"Ow!" Koshino suddenly cried out. "I bit my tongue!"
Hikoichi didn't stop staring, however. At least the life in his eyes had returned. "Houfa-sama…" he mouthed.
"Oh. It's you, Hikoichi." She looked at him shortly and returned to worshipping Sendoh.
"Why did you scream like that?" Fukuda took a step forward. "So you wouldn't have to take in everyone I brought? I thought you said the whole school."
"Did you actually think my palace couldn't support all of you? And besides, I didn't scream intentionally. I just looked out the window to get a breath of fresh air - and then I saw Sendoh-san…" Her dark eyes turned dreamy.
Sendoh shrugged, a puzzled smile on his face.
"Or is it Aki-chan!" She clapped her hands in delight. Even Sendoh had to color a bit when she called him by her first name.
"O-hime-sama." A weak voice came from the gates. "It's time you let our guests in."
"I know, I know Sonoda-san." She grumbled. She turned to Sendoh and her face brightened. "Aki-chan? Would you like to accompany me to my house?" She offered with a sickly-sweet smile.
"I wouldn't mind." he blurted out. "Ouch!" Fukuda, of all people, had elbowed him.
Houfa glared at her supposed fiancé. "Oh, and you three. You can accompany me too." They entered the courtyard of the Lin residence, the princess latched on Sendoh's arm, while the other three followed.
"What's going to happen to our schoolmates?" Koshino asked Fukuda as they walked towards the inner palace. He looked back and shuddered. The fallen men looked like corpses from a battle.
"Oh, Sakura-san will see to them." Houfa answered lightly. "They're not going to stay there though. Instead, they'll be returned to your measly school."
"At least we go to school. You obviously don't." Fukuda retorted.
"Hah! You think so?" Houfa turned around and stuck out her tongue, un-princesslike. "Well it's because I'm obviously smarter than the rest of you that I don't have to go to school!"
Koshino, Fukuda, and Sendoh looked at each other. "Home-schooled."
"EH!?"
"Gong-zhu, welcome back." Female voices chorused when they were ushered into the palace proper. A line of women, ranging from all ages, greeted them.
"Yeah, yeah."
"Wow!" Hikoichi's jaw dropped. "You've…got a lot of helpers, Houfa-sama!"
"You think so, Hikoichi?" Houfa's face lit up. Then her eyes became suspicious. "You're not suggesting I need a lot of help to get around, aren't you?"
"No, no! Of course not!" The poor freshman looked like he was about to cry.
"What are they saying?" Koshino whispered to his teammates. "Doesn't sound like Japanese."
Houfa turned to him while still on Sendoh's arm. "All of those who work and care for this house are Chinese," she explained. "Except for Sonoda-san and Sakura-san. Sakura-san says it's so I can be at home."
"Oh. No wonder they all look good." Koshino stared at the line, unblinking. Fukuda jabbed him.
"Who are Sonoda-san and Sakura-san?" Hikoichi asked.
"You'll get to meet them later. Oh, Sonoda-san was at the gate a while ago. It doesn't matter anyway." A slow grin crept up on Houfa's stunningly beautiful face. "Sendoh-san…" she cooed, "please escort me to a tour of my house…"
They moved like a procession across the long hallway filled with muted orange lights.
"Do you need an escort to tour your own house?!" Koshino muttered.
Fukuda's head nodded sullenly in agreement. He certainly had no idea where they were getting to.
***
"And this is my exercise chamber!"
"Oh," panted Sendoh, "I see, I see…"
"Water…" Koshino's eyes were closing and his body swayed forward. Luckily the wall was there to catch him.
"What's wrong with you, Sendoh-san?" Houfa asked, concerned, but there was a puzzled look on her face.
Sendoh dismissed his obviously sweating face with a wave of his hand, and smiled. The other three weren't doing so well, however. Koshino was in a near-dead state from thirst, Hikoichi was only able to stand up with the presence of Houfa, and Fukuda--
Fukuda had a permanent frown fixed on his mouth.
"We've been through three floors and looked at ALL the rooms - study chambers, music chambers, sewing chambers, PILLOW-FIGHTING chambers - now this?" He counted with his fingers. "How long is this tour going to take? How many rooms does this damned place have?" He demanded in his quiet manner.
"That pillow-fighting chamber was nice."
"…shut up, Sendoh."
Houfa whirled around to point an accusing finger at Fukuda. "Hah! You didn't believe that I could accommodate your whole school, didn't you?" She made a face. Fukuda gritted his teeth as irritation gradually built up in him, ever since he had set foot in this palace.
There goes the wealthy lifestyle. He swore to himself that he would never, ever, marry someone as spoiled as this Chinese 'princess'.
Now if it was Ruriko-san…some stupid figures wouldn't really matter.
"The truth is, Houfa-san, we're a bit tired from all the walking." Sendoh interjected.
"Ehhhh!? But we've still got TWO more floors to go!" she exclaimed.
"You could tour this whole house in a span of a half-day, but we - we've never had the opportunity to look at a house such as yours until now. So forgive us if we're not in shape."
"Aw, why didn't you say you were tired already, Sendoh-san!" Again, Sendoh's charm had worked on the princess. No - Sendoh's charm worked on anybody.
Fukuda, being very un-Fukuda, rolled his eyes. "He just did." he muttered.
"Let me take you to my resting chamber." She tried to take his hand, but Sendoh (Fukuda didn't know if he intended to) stuck his hands in his pockets. She just giggled and clung to his arm though. "Of course, not my private chambers." She said teasingly.
Just him? But of course… He simmered, when she looked over her shoulder.
"And I'm sure you three can manage just fine. Especially you." She narrowed her eyes at Fukuda's direction.
Sendoh was forced to drag his feet as the little princess pulled his arm towards yet another flight of stairs. Upon seeing this new challenge, Koshino fainted.
"Houfa-sama..! Wait for me, please!" Hikoichi called with a pleading voice and ran towards the couple.
Fukuda stood where he was, his eyes following intensely as he watched the three go. Then he turned to the half-dead Koshino…and poked him.
"Can you stand up?
"Water…"
***
"How are you feeling, Sendoh-san?"
"I'm fine Houfa, thank you very much."
"Anything for you, Sendoh-san…!"
Sendoh laughed nervously.
"This room looks very nice, Houfa-sama!" praised Hikoichi. He was examining every nook and cranny, scrutinizing the drapes and inspecting the decor on the walls. He was also annoying Fukuda what with his restlessness and lack of aptitude in staying put.
"This is nothing compared to my private chambers." Houfa said haughtily. She was lounging on one of the small beds, surrounded by cushions. She was also showing a lot of leg by the way she was positioned.
Sendoh, of course, got the seat of honor on the dais, where the bed was located. Koshino was just blissful to have drunk a whole pitcher of water, and was contented to resting peacefully on the sofa across the room.
Fukuda sat brooding on the other end, staring out the window. The sky had become a velvet cloth of darkness with the stars as sparkling jewels sewn on it.
"Wow! What does this button do?"
"It makes a dress wearable..?" Koshino answered sarcastically, his eyes still closed.
There was a timid knock on the door, and it opened a crack.
"I TOLD YOU NOT TO DISTURB OUR REST!!!" Houfa's voice raised as she sat up on the bed.
A trembling maid entered, and immediately went to her knees and bowed. "Forgive me Gong-zhu, but this is a matter about your guests' rooms…they are all ready."
Koshino's eyes opened. "What did she say?" he asked out loud.
"Fine. Leave with my permission." Houfa waved the poor girl out, which Koshino followed with a gaze. She looked at the four young men. Somehow, Fukuda could tell she was up to something. There it was again - that sickeningly-sweet grin (which was mostly locked on the Ryonan ace):
"I'm afraid we only have three rooms left." She fluttered her eyes innocently.
Hikoichi returned to the middle of the room. "Okay, gotta check…there's me, Fukuda-san, Koshino-san, and Sendoh-san…" His face paled. "That makes four!"
"And there are only three rooms." Koshino said gravely.
Fukuda's eyes narrowed as he wondered what was going on in Houfa's mind. It was easy to guess however, the way she looked at Sendoh.
"So…Sendoh-saaaan…"
The spiky-haired ace turned to look at her, and blanched.
"You can sleep in my room if you want to…"
Smooth, creamy legs slowly slid down from the bed. Sendoh clenched the arms of his chair as the voluptuous, albeit little princess shook her head, letting her long jet-black hair fall across her shoulders. She advanced on the Ryonan ace, letting her tongue slide seductively on her pink lips.
The nightgown was really too short.
Koshino was having a hard time breathing. The floor had already caught a fainted Hikoichi moments ago.
"Ready for your wedding night, Houfa-sama?"
Houfa jumped at the sound of the bland voice, and stopped in her tracks. Sendoh let out a sigh of relief. The double doors opened and the imperial form of Doi Hanako, or Sakura as she was called, entered the room, whip in hand. She was wearing a black leather trenchcoat today, making her look more menacing. Fukuda shuddered, remembering the viciousness of that whip.
"Sakura-san!" gasped Houfa, and quickly scurried off back to the bed.
The boots made no sound on the carpeted floor, and stopped just in front of the fainted body of Hikoichi. She looked down. "One. Two. Three." Sakura counted, and fixed her eyes on Fukuda last. "You have brought three friends with you, Fukuda Kitcho. Are you sure that's enough?"
I have no idea what you're talking about, lady… He watched as Sakura woke up the freshman on the floor.
"Who is that?" Koshino asked Fukuda, his breathing back to normal. Before Fukuda could answer (or if he even had the mind to answer), Sakura spoke up.
"Fukuda Kitcho already knows who I am, but you three do not." Her crisp voice rang out, reminding Fukuda of a strict school teacher back in his elementary days. "That is why I have come here to introduce myself. I am Doi Hanako, but more commonly known as 'The Black Sakura'."
"Black Sakura?" Hikoichi blurted out, and almost bit his tongue when he was thrown a glare.
She crossed her arms over her chest. "If you do not wish to know more about me you may say so."
Hikoichi's heart pounded. "No, no, of course not Sakura-san…" He was close to fainting again.
"Very well. I am the chief attendant to Houfa-sama during her stay here in Japan. I have personally extended an invitation to Fukuda Kitcho and by his request, he has invited you here as well. Please enjoy the comforts of the Imperial home while you are here. If you need anything, call on the myriad of servants that we have."
Thank goodness she wasn't cracking the whip this time. A strained silence fell upon the room as the Black Sakura finished talking. Houfa sulked on the bed, not daring to look at her guardian. Instead, it was Sakura who looked at her.
"Houfa-sama. Let me remind you that I will be expecting results by the end of the weekend. As for all of you," she turned to the young men in the room, "you may now go to your rooms."
There was a pause. No one moved. Finally, Hikoichi managed to speak up again. "But…Houfa-sama said there were only three rooms free."
This was the first time Fukuda had seen Sakura with a different facial expression. She raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"What a good lie you tell, Houfa-sama." she said, a hint of impression in her voice. "If what you say is true, we can easily throw one of your maids out. Or we can clear a room." The harshness in her nature was still evident.
Houfa jumped to her feet, and stamped her foot. "But I want Sendoh-san to STAY WITH ME!!!"
Sendoh blinked and actually colored a bit.
"Nonsense." Sakura looked - she looked apologetically at Sendoh. "Please forgive the Princess's… blunt remarks." she finished. "I'm afraid she still think she can play with other people even though she is engaged already."
"I am NOT!" Houfa screeched.
Hikoichi's face fell as Koshino whispered to him. "I told you, Hikoichi. Stay away from her, she's only flirting with you." The older boy patted the younger one's shoulder. "Besides, you're much better off with a younger girl. Houfa is too old for you."
"We permit her to act this way because she is only fifteen years old."
"And I take it back." Koshino mechanically announced.
Collective apoplexy ensued.
Koshino's jaw dropped. Fukuda's eyes widened. Hikoichi stood like an ice block. Sendoh blinked. Crickets chirped.
Hikoichi was the first one to recover. "Houfa…Houfa-sama…is…fifteen years old?" he whispered.
"Oh my God, and here I was…how could she have developed…I thought she was eighteen already…" Koshino stared at somewhere he had never let his eyes traveled before. "Sendoh, you pedophile!" he suddenly accused. Sendoh looked back at him blankly.
"WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME BEING FIFTEEN!?" Houfa demanded.
Fukuda's voice cut through them all. He stared at Houfa like she had some sort of communicable disease. Taking a leaf out of Hikoichi's book, he could only utter,
"Unbelievable…"