Chapter Two
Yamato's feet hit the soft grass as thoughts of what just happened swirled around his head. That little slap stung me! Her eyes closed and then whack! She slapped me! I thought she wanted to be kissed. Well, at least she seemed to be sending me those signals. How can she just toy with me like that? Damn, my cheek hurts. His speed picked up and soon, he was gaining on her. The only question: Why was he so upset about this?
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Sora felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her from behind. "Let me go!" Sora struggled for a minute or two before giving up. The more she struggled, the tighter his grip became. "Yamato, get your hands off of me," she commanded. In one swift motion, he twirled her around so she was facing him. She immediately looked away as a faint rosy color settled on her cheeks. "Sora, you slapped me. Now I want to know why."
"Because…"
"Because?"
Oh great, I simply cannot tell him that I was nervous about being in his arms. He'd think I had some crush on him, which I don't. "Well, you wouldn't let me go and that was the only thing I could think of at the moment."
Her fiery eyes met his icy sapphires. "Sora-" Yamato was cut off by Takeru's voice in the distance.
"Sora! Yamato! Our parents are ready for dinner!"
Sora and Yamato sprang away from one another. "Listen, I don't want any unpleasantness this evening between us. So-"
Yamato cut Sora off. "How about we forget about this and not mention it to Takeru. Is that all right with you?" Sora nodded, still looking away. "Hey Sora," Yamato began as he gently lifted her chin up. "I guess I wasn't expecting that slap, although I did deserve it. I really am sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable," he apologized.
Sora stared at him bewildered. Why is he acting so nice all of a sudden? "It's all right. Come on, let's go find your brother before he and our parents think something has happened to us."
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After dinner and under the stars…
Takeru had sat near his brother at dinner and could easily see that something was different between Sora and his brother. He just couldn't figure out what. His eyes wandered around and stopped on the two, who sat with their parents, just watching them.
Sora sighed as her gaze turned upwards to the dark sky. Why must I feel all jittery with him? And why do I persist with arguing? I just don't understand…
"Forgive my intrusion, but there are two gentlemen here to see Lady Sora," Antoine (another servant) announced.
Sora looked to her parents in surprise. "Show them in Antoine," she heard her father say.
Lady Shannon Takenouchi smiled at her daughter and husband. "Looks like she already has suitors."
The not too thrilled Sora was about to comment when Antoine re-entered. "Presenting Lord Byron Farera and Lord Taichi Kamiya."
Lord and Lady Takenouchi rose from their seats to greet the two gentlemen. They were not thrilled to see those two, for Lord Byron's parents were the Takenouchi family's bitter enemies and Lord Taichi had a reputation for being a "player". Lord Takenouchi wanted nothing more than to throw them out, but there was no sense in making the Fareras even angrier. Usually the two families would steer clear of each other, but as always, each side waited for some incident to pounce on. Lady Takenouchi watched as her daughter reluctantly rose. "Good evening gentlemen, I would like you to meet Lord Giovanni and Lady Lorna Ishida, their sons, Lord Takeru and Lord Yamato."
Yamato and Takeru regarded the two with icy stares. They too knew of the Farera and Kamiya families. "Good evening," they heard their parents say.
Byron and Taichi's eyes wandered across Sora's body before asking, "And this must be the ever so lovely Lady Sora," Byron commented.
"It's a pleasure my lords," Sora replied as she curtsied. It disgusts me that they keep looking at me like that, although that Lord Byron with his blue eyes and black hair sure is cute...
"I'm afraid Lady Sora, Lady Ishida, and I cannot stay. We have some matters to attend," Lady Shannon apologized, rescuing her daughter.
"I'm sorry gentlemen. Perhaps another time," Sora said as she followed the two Ladies into the mansion.
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As soon as Lord Byron and Lord Taichi left, Lord Ishida turned to his friend. "You do know who they were, right?"
"Unfortunately. They're scoundrels who fancy my daughter and obviously want her hand in marriage. I'd rather kill myself before I'd let either one of them marry her." Lord Takenouchi clenched his fist.
"Farera has always been a bitter enemy of our family. The fact that their son has the nerve to come here angers me."
Takeru and Yamato looked at each other. This couldn't be good…
"I think it would be best if I sent her to my uncle's in Paris. At least I'll know she will be safe from those two hooligans," Lord Phillip said.
"Maybe you should just wait. She's not really in any danger and you make it sound like they're going to murder her," pointed out Lord Giovanni.
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The next few days flew by quickly as the annual Summer Ball at the palace was fast approaching. And things in the Takenouchi mansion were getting hectic…
"Sora! Stay still for Mrs. Kiwifruit," reprimanded Lady Shannon.
"I'm sorry," she apologized.
"It's all right Lady Sora. Your mother just wants to be sure you'll look perfect for the ball," Mrs. Kiwifruit, their faithful friend and seamstress, said.
"Oh you're too kind," Lady Shannon smiled. Out of the corner of her eye she could see her daughter start fidgeting again. "Sora! Stop that! You're not acting at all like a Lady should."
"I'm sorry mother, but it's just too hard for me to stand like this for so long," complained Sora.
Her mother frowned and shook her head in exasperation. What am I going to do with this girl? "Sora, you've only been standing there for no more than five minutes," she said, causing a blush to paint her daughter's cheeks as a giggle escaped from Mrs. Kiwifruit's lips.
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Later that day in the Ishida mansion…
"I hate going to these pointless balls. I mean, what's the point, they're all the same," said an exasperated Yamato.
"You're amazing! How can you not like all of those girls practically throwing themselves at you?" Takeru asked.
His older brother simply rolled his eyes. "Like them? They're all a bunch of rich pampered spoiled conceded shallow-"
"Okay, I get the point Mattie!"
"Don't call me that! That's what they call me," he shuddered.
"You know, not all of the girls are like that."
"Oh close your mouth. You're only happy because Lady Kari Kamiya will be there," he said, causing Takeru to blush. He couldn't help but smile at his brother's red face. "Seriously though, watch out for her brother. He's a no good trouble maker who tends to be a little too overprotective of his little sister."
"Matt," sighed Takeru. "You don't always have to warn me. But since you're giving me a warning, I will give you a warning. Sora will be there," he said in a syrupy voice as he batted his eyelashes playfully.
Before Yamato could say he didn't like her, his brother ran out of the room.
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It's been awhile but I finally have chapter two! Keep your eyes opened for chapter three (the night of the ball). I already started working on it and I have six pages typed already.