A/R: Thank you so much for the review you guys! I really appreciate it but I almost killed myself because I made some stupid mistakes in the prologue! Here is Chapter One. I am sorry that it took too long. I had the constitution binder to work on, tons of other homework, then my dad disconnected the internet, and when it was reconnected, he was using my computer's output to set up another computer, and then I had to revise the chapter for the 10th time. But, here it is…
A/N: I see some people are afraid that I might kill them in the end. Well, my only warning is that I can be very cruel but still I am constantly debating with myself if I should kill them or not…~.~ (To kill or not to kill, that is the question.)
This chapter is goes back in time before the epilogue, strangely. So it's sort of a slow start to the story.
I am not going to go entirely with the story basis of R & J, most situation are similar but not entirely and I will be adding more stuff.
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There was no one in the colony L5 that didn't know about the deadly rivalry between two of the dominant clan. The powerful Chinese Long Clan of famous line of warriors and the Japanese Shimoyama Clan of power samurais had this hating enmity since who knows when. Descendants from each clan loathed each other so greatly that even when one accidental meets the other and associate in public, it usually comes to a fight containing bloodshed. The police would be extra cautious when one is around the other.
The current Head of the Family of the Shimoyama Clan was Shinji Hino with his wife Naoko Hino. And their only heir for the next generation was a fiery tempered 11 years girl by the name of Raye Hino— their love, pride and joy.
Raye, with her rich, long, dark purple highlighted, black hair and her clear dark violet eyes had everything she wanted. Caring parents (Depends on how you will define 'caring' though), exciting life of training, special tutors, private escorts and nurses and money, lots of it. She had the beautiful, mysterious, exotic ravishing look that most boys love, and had more admirers then anyone can count. Of course, none of them included anyone in and having anything to do with the Long Clan.
Raye was full of mischief. She was a mastermind of planning pranks and getting away with it. And with her, Aiko Hino, her cousin, aided her in stealth and being a companion. Aiko was from the father side, her mother being the younger sister, had pure warrior bloodline from Shimoyama Clan side. She, and her sister, Mitsuko was brought up especially in hating the Long Clan.
For Raye and Aiko, life couldn't get any better then it already was. They were a carefree two of a kind caring nothing about the brawls between the two rival clans. Even Aiko, who ignores everything her parents have taught her in hidden sight. She had a huge passion and interest for anything Chinese or European, which is forbidden by her parents, sadly.
Raye had two nurses, or rather escorts. One was the harsh, strict, grumpy and old Sayaka. The other was a young, joyous, romance and children loving, perky Akiko. Sayaka was racist and she had a medieval attitude. Akiko was a carefree nurse hired to take care of both Raye and Aiko because Sayaka was too old to chase them anymore. But Akiko herself was mischievous and let the pair do things against the family's order.
It was on Chinese New Year of their 12th age that this mischievous duo disguised themselves as Chinese girls and snuck off to a festival, just for fun. Not just any festival, the Festival hosted by the Long Clan. Aiko was unsure to actually go to a grand feast hosted by their enemy, but successful persuasion from Raye had forced her to come along both eagerly and hesitantly.
In the cheery, warm atmosphere of the brightly lighted festival, Raye and Aiko danced and enjoyed themselves as if they weren't even part of the Shimoyama clan. They were carried away by the music and were drunk with pleasure and excitement. No one, yet, recognized them for who they were. But someone had to for who would not know Raye, the dark haired beauty, heir to the Shimoyama clan?
It was a girl whom Raye and Aiko had fought against when they were young that had recognized them. Her name was Jin and she always wanted to get back at Raye for embarrassing her once before, and she was also a descendent of the Long Clan. Finding this to be the perfect situation, Jin quickly made for the current family master of the Long Clan. And with a devilish grin she pointed out Raye and Aiko for the Master, telling them that Raye was an heir of the Shimoyama clan and Aiko, a descendent. The master nodded but told her that he will not do anything now but will later. Jin, angered by the Master's unusual calmness, stomped over to Raye and Aiko, demanding loudly that they leave. People around them stopped dancing and hoped that this wasn't going to be a breakout of a fight for both Clans were known for their quick anger and their skills in fighting.
"How incompetent and uncouth you are even daring to enter here!" Aki told them in rage. Raye stopped and faced Aki, so did Aiko after.
Oh shit, Raye thought to herself in panic, we weren't supposed to be here long! Even though panic-stricken, Raye managed a bold front. Then an idea clicked in her mind. She nudged Aiko beside her as if to say, 'Follow me.' She took deep breath and slowly took hold of Aiko's wrist. Then, without a slightest warning, Raye sprinted into the crowd behind them. Aki, taken by surprise, stared wide eye at where they had been and tried to follow them but was carried away by the flow of the crowd.
"We almost got caught," Aiko, muttered angrily through her tired heavy breath and clenched teeth. "I promised you that if we get caught Raye, I'll strangle you to death." They were a few blocks away from the party now and stood in a dark alley to rest and hide. Aiko was in raging rampant and Raye was congratulating herself on that clever and quick escape.
"But we didn't caught," Raye pointed out tiredly, "Wasn't that fun?"
"That was stupid and utterly injudicious!" Aiko answered in outrage.
"Ooh, don't use such big words Aiko," Raye warned sarcastically waving her left index finger playfully, "It might fry that small brain of yours."
"Would you—" Aiko was suddenly cut off by a quick streak of a silver flash that flew at her neck and stopped just before it slashed her. Raye jumped and parted her legs in a ready to fight position.
"I've heard," a cold voice of a male growled, "Its such a dishonor to your own clan don't you think?" Aiko whimpered. Raye cocked her eyebrows in a mild anger. She could only see the outlines of the figure.
"Weak," the voice said again, "Especially when you're a female of that petty Clan." Anger boiled inside the fiery mind of Raye. Her veins were throbbing angrily and her heart raced madly. Her hands shook with compressed fury and were clenched up so tightly that the light pale shade of the bone knuckles itself was shown.
"If we are so petty," Raye began in a trembling voice. But trembling not because of fright, but of rage and wrath. "Then why are you even rivaling us?"
"Because you wouldn't stand down and accept it," the voice replied. "Coming to this festival was a mistake."
"Is it?" Raye asked, "What're you going to do? Slash her throat? Go ahead…see if you can." A frightful, mad, and unbelieving whimper of astonishment was heard from Aiko. Raye ignored it.
"I don't bother with people who are weak," the voice replied. The blade lowered from Aiko's throat. "But you will the price for your intrusion."
"Try us," Raye said more bravely then she actually felt, "Come into the light so we can see you." He stepped into the streetlight and revealed himself.
"You're but a boy!" Raye gasped in astonishment. He was just a boy, probably older then her though but Raye had clearly thought he would've been much older. Dressed in Tang Dynasty robe of blue tank top and white, baggy pants held up by a sash, he stood tall, taller then her. His complexion was very lightly tanned with a fair muscular build. His eyes were a cold, gleaming black that stared out of the slanted almond eyes that was more slanted and pulled back by his seemingly tight, small ponytail at the back. To Raye, he was simply beautiful and she stared at him as if she had never seen anything like him before. His eyes and his stature both intimidated and amazed her.
Aiko watched Raye's eyes widen and her immediate reaction. She had never seen Raye like this before since the day they were given a real weapon to practice fighting with, but this was much more stronger somehow. She was marveling at him and Aiko had to admit, he was something to marvel at. But it astonished and panicked her that Raye might actually develop a crush on this guy, because Raye usually didn't like boys, especially boys who had almost cut her throat.
"You question age?" the boy asked in clear disgust.
"A bit," Raye replied, "Like you question genders."
What a clever answer, Aiko thought rolling her eyes.
He growled. "You're incompetent."
"Am I?" Raye asked slyly, "Then why bother with me?" Raye could see he was actually taken surprise by the question and she was slightly shocked that he seemed surprised. He shook his head faintly. Raye watched his every move as if in a trance. She never took his eyes off him and gazed at him, observed him keenly.
He was watching her watching him. Her dark violet eyes slowly moved around in its socket as she silently surveyed him. Yes, he had heard of her from some of his lowly companions of the Clan. Yes, he had heard how very radiant and beautiful she was. And it was true, she was radiant and beautiful, though mysterious looking. She wasn't like any other girls he had ever met. Her hair, instead of being pure black, dark purple highlights and her eyes were a beautiful, ravishing black-violent color. He found himself staring straight into her eyes and being beguiled and strangely fascinated by it. Clearly admitting to himself, yes, she was evidently stunning and…No, hold that thought, he's not supposed to think like that.
"So…" he began in a low whisper. To bury his astonishment by her, he pointed his sword at her.
"Don't hurt her!" Aiko shrieked from afar, "Raye lets go!"
"You go ahead," Raye, whispered, "I'll fight him."
"Are you crazy?" Aiko shouted at the top of her lungs, "I mean, he has that sword and you don't and…Damn it Raye, please listen to me!" The walls sent back an eerie echo of her voice, chilling her spine and making her shudder.
"I command you to leave Aiko, NOW!" The echo followed.
"Fine…" With one final, disgusted glance at the boy, and another revengeful one at Raye, she hesitantly turned and ran away from them.
By now, he was a tad bit confused, reluctant and stunned. She was going to fight a fight she had already lost; yet she seemed so confident that she would win.
The mark of your weakness, he thought silently.
Raye turned to him; her eyes were large, observant and sparkled under the yellow light. She took a step forward, seemingly ignoring the sword. Then she took another cautious step, then another, then many more. She walked slowly until the very point of the sword was at her breast. His hands shook and slowly lowered. His emotionless face gave a spark of emotion. She smiled faintly at his progress. Finally, she locked her eyes with his and he was suddenly enraptured. He couldn't help but think, Eyes of dark purple velvet, beautiful. He certainly surprised his own conscience.
No words had been verbally spoken, but their eyes told thousands more. She was herself mesmerized like him, and coincidentally, it was a beautiful full moon.
"Onna…" he manage to say suddenly, "I'll let you leave…" She smiled brightly.
"Thanks," she whispered, "I told you I can fight you." He looked shocked at her. Then slowly, she went forward and touched his hands, "Thank you." He shuddered at her soft touch.
"Just go." He grunted looking away, his eyes was now soft.
"I owe you one…" she whispered and then ran way into the darkness.
*~*
"I mean, I understood when you wanted to fight him, and congrats that you won, but I will not, ever, ever, Raye, go near him again!!"
This was Aiko's loud rejection the next morning in Raye's room when Raye asked her to deliver a message.
"I as might as well kill myself!" she shrieked, "'Cause I'm already dead when I step into their house!"
"Please," Raye pleaded, "Just this letter to him."
"What is it, love at first sight?" Aiko asked coldly, "I'll tell you one thing, that's unreal. Only happens at Disney."
"But—"
"No buts, no no no no, I will not."
"Aiko," Raye started calmly and pulled Aiko down to the bed and stared threateningly into her eyes. "I've never asked you to do anything before, so do this for me."
"You don't even know his name for god's sake!"
"I can find out if you go to him, for me, 'cause I can't go, Sayaka is guarding me this evening."
"You have officially lost your mind," Aiko said in a quivering whisper, "First, we sneak off to their festival thing, second, I almost got my throat slashed by your Romeo, and what'd you think he'll do to me if I go to his house?!!"
"Aiko…"
*~*
Raye being such good at persuading Aiko, finally go her to agree. She wrote her letter and gave it to Aiko to deliver. Aiko dressed herself in a black ninja uniform ('When did you get that? Halloween?' Raye asked in amusement.) And, using the best of her skills in stealth sneaked off.
*~*
Raye pretended to pour over her books while really she was thinking and worrying about Aiko. Sayaka sat across from her, watching her intently, being convinced that she was really reading.
"Where were you last night?" Sayaka asked suddenly. Oh shit…
"I was with Aiko," she said truthfully, she turned the page, "You know, hanging out." Amazingly, there was no hint of shakiness in her tone that suggested she had done this millions of times before.
"Yes? Where?"
"At the park."
"Did you go somewhere else? I didn't find you at the park." Both Raye's mind and heart started racing rapidly, but very amazingly, she was cool as ice on the outside.
"Walking around."
"And?" The ice melted.
"Damn Sayaka!" she suddenly screamed in Rage, "I'm 12, and I can take care of myself."
"Young lady, don't you dare use that tone on me!" Sayaka roared, she grabbed Raye's wrist and slammed it on the table. "Tell me the truth!"
"It is the truth," Raye shrieked trying to pry Sayaka's hands off of her. Sayaka, put more force on her hands. Raye groaned painfully.
"Sayaka please…" she pleaded, "My hands."
"The truth." She snarled.
"Sayaka!" Raye sobbed, "Please." Pain, she felt pressuring pain from her left hands. It felt as if a ton of weight was slowly pushing down on it and crushing her bones.
"SAYAKA!" a voice shrieked suddenly. Both turned their heads to the door and found Akiko glaring wrathfully at them. Sayaka instantly let Raye's hands go and looked up coolly up to Akiko. Raye, with eyes sparkling with tears ran up to Akiko and fell into her arms
"What are you doing to her?" Akiko whispered lifting up Raye's limp left hand.
"I'm teaching her discipline…"
"Oh, by breaking her wrist?" Akiko growled angrily, "You have no rights to abuse her like this…"
Sayaka suddenly stood up and stared strictly at them. Raye, from fright, rushed behind Akiko and hid behind her kimono.
"That girl needs more and more discipline everyday," Sayaka whispered coldly, "I will be needing her back this evening." Raye whimpered more and hugged Akiko's legs and edged away from Sayaka as she passed her to leave.
Akiko turned to Raye and frowned with utmost pity and sympathy. She took Raye's swollen wrist in her hands and gently rubbed it.
"You poor thing," she whispered, "What happened dear?"
"She was asking me about last night." Raye whispered in a barely audible tone, "She…she didn't believe me…"
"Where were you last night though?" Akiko asked softly, "We were searching all over."
Raye thought about her answer. To lie, or not to lie? She trusted Akiko with her life, but she was doubtful that she could trust her with this. Raye stared absent-mindedly up at her Akiko, her tear soaked face now in an unusually calm state. This doubt was written all over her face and Akiko grinned.
"I won't tell," she assured Raye. Raye nodded.
"I was at the Long Clan's festival," Raye confessed, "Me and Aiko, but we got caught by Jin but we…ran away. Then we were caught by this boy…" She trailed off, his image flashed in her mind.
"I…he was so…beautiful…" She closed her eyes meekly, "He let me go."
Akiko was shining greatly with delight. "He was beautiful you say?" Raye nodded.
"Simply beautiful…yet so complicated…"
"So, why couldn't you just tell Sayaka this?"
"He's from the Long Clan, a direct descendent," Raye whispered painfully. Silent. Painfully silent. Raye started sobbing miserably. Akiko sighed sorrowfully.
"Oh child…" Akiko whispered and pulled Raye close for a hug, "It hurt doesn't it…?"
"Do you know him Akiko?" Raye asked through her tears, "He's about 13 or so, maybe older, and he…"
"I'm sorry sweetie, I don't."
*~*
A/R: Well, I was a bit unsatisfied with the last two events but I went a bit brain dead even when I revised it a million time. (I really need a beta reader.)
A/N: Note, I did warn you it was a slow and boring start. I have that curse on writing…