Author's Note: Ah....I realize I haven't updated in....oh....just shy of three
months, and I really don't have an excuse. However, since I didn't get any
reviews for chapter 4, I figure no one's reading this, so I'm gonna
continue posting because I just want to. So on the off chance that someone
/is/ actually hoping for a chapter 5, here it is (better late than never, I
suppose.) ~R.A.
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, never will.
~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~
Chapter 5: Miki's Past
Miki took a deep breath and plunged in.
"I don't really know why or how it all started, but I remember from a very young age how my mom would....parade me, I guess, in front of all her friends and colleagues. She has a very ambitious, but successful trade network with business in all four kingdoms. If someone wants something, she can, almost guaranteed, get it. But, she wanted more: more power, more wealth, more prestige. So...every chance she got, she would dress me up, put me on display, and start the bidding. She wanted to marry me off to a really rich and powerful family.
"No one ever seemed rich enough, 'cuz none of the marriages went through, but she kept looking. When I got a little older, I tried telling her that I wanted to be independent and marry who I wanted, when I wanted. I told her I was sick of old men feeling me up like a horse on sale. I refused to go on display for her anymore.
"See...I had started developing by the time I was 8 or 9...When I was 10, she dressed me in...older dresses. It made me feel like a whore in a peep show. When I told her that, she punished me for not obeying her. She said since I felt like a whore for what she was putting me through, she should let me see what it was really like. So, she let her guards have an afternoon with me."
Miki wiped off a stray tear with trembling hands. "That night, my nana had to tie me to my bed so I wouldn't jump out the window. I felt dirty...I just wanted to die." Miki drew herself up into a huddled position, shaking with the memory. "After that, I think my mother just got a twisted amusement out of having her men rape me, because it became the most frequent form of punishment she used if I ever even seemed to want more independence. She wouldn't let me go out or have friends. A boyfriend was /completely/ out of the question. She didn't want me 'tainted' (as if I already wasn't), besides...I had panic attacks whenever I was in a big crowd or if I saw big, muscular men, or men in uniforms.
"My nana would spend just about every night talking to me. She didn't want me to be /afraid/ of men—though she did warn me to be careful. I think it's only due to her help that I'm not totally terrified of the opposite sex. She was the only one who really loved me, and it killed her that she wasn't strong enough to stop what was being done to me. She could only get me medicine to keep me from getting pregnant and try to keep my hopes up.
"Nana had helped me to run away a few times, but I always got caught. Each punishment got progressively worse. She left me longer and longer with the guards, and even gave the male servants express orders to grope and take advantage of me.
"Then, when I was a little over 15, one of the male servants that had always been nice to me, in fact was my closest thing to a friend, felt me up. I was shocked and asked him why. He said that he finally realized that I /was/ a whore, since I was still here.
"I was sad, and furious at the same time. I was only 15 and I didn't have a lot of resources at my fingertips. I had /tried/ to run away, but each time I was caught.....but I finally realized that, no matter if the punishment got worse each time, I /had/ to keep trying to escape or I /would/ be no better than a whore.
"I was determined to get away, or die trying. But I knew that if I just rushed into it, I would get caught again, so nana and I spent over half a year coming up with the plan and lulling everyone into complacency. We decided that I should cross-dress to make it harder to recognize me. We gathered all the stuff I would need, since, sadly, my nana was too old to keep up with me.
"The day of my 16th birthday, my mother was on a business trip with about half the guard. The rest were ordered to watch me, but nana had gotten her friend in the kitchens to put sleeping powder in all the food. Thus, we were undisturbed while getting ready. Nana fixed me up to look like a boy, then helped me climb out the window.
"I had to leave in the afternoon since /she/ was supposed to return at night. So, that meant I had to walk through the city without the cover of darkness. Needless to say, I got out, and I met up with you guys the next morning.
"I haven't heard anything, but I have no doubt that she's still looking. That woman is not one to let /anyone/ get the best of her..."
Miki finished her rather long narrative with a slightly dry throat. At least I was able to get through it without breaking down too much, she thought.
Looking over at Nuriko, she saw that his eyes were closed, but she knew he wasn't asleep. She waited apprehensively for his reaction.
After a few minutes, the purple-haired seishi opened his eyes and sat up. Looking at Miki, he searched her with his eyes. Finally, he sighed and gave her a small smile, "I believe you, Miki." The girl's eyes opened wide, then filled with tears.
That settled it for Nuriko. He had listened to her voice as well as her words throughout her story. The seishi hadn't thought he would believe her, but he did—completely. His opinion of her character hadn't changed—he still trusted her and knew she was loyal. The only difference between before and now was that he now knew she was a girl, and he knew more about Miki and her past. The fact that she reacted the way she did told Nuriko that Miki really wanted him to believe her.
Nuriko grinned and opened his arms, "C'mere you."
Miki went over hesitantly and Nuriko wrapped her in a bear hug (taking care not to crush the girl with his super strength, of course). "I'll always be your friend, Mi-chan," he whispered in her ear. "I'll be here if you ever need to talk or if you wanna hang out."
Miki burst into tears. "Thank you, Nuri-chan."
"Hey, what are friends for?"
She chuckled weakly.
"Hmmm... if your mom is still looking for you, I think we should just keep this between us for now. We can explain it to the others later, but the fewer people who know now, the better, ne? I will, though, tell Hotohori- sama that, under no circumstances, are you to be given back to your mother; especially since it's for your own safety."
Miki slumped in relief, "You are the most /awesome/ person I know, Nuri- chan!"
Nuriko put on a haughty air, "I know. Now," he turned serious, "you need to rest so your head can heal. I'll tell everyone at dinner not to bother you, and I'll bring you a tray later, 'k?"
"Alright," she said, nodding, then wincing. Now that the tension and excitement had worn off, Miki was feeling the pain in her head again.
~~~~~~
Nuriko left, closing the door, and Miki lay back carefully on her bed. Considering everything that had happened in the past half-hour or so, Miki realized how lucky she was to have a friend like Nuriko.
~@~@~
A/N: *Sigh* glancing through this chapter, I realize it's quite a lame way to get Mikaela's past out in the open (at least to Nuriko), but I also wrote this almost a year ago. I know I could've totally rewritten it, but with AP tests and studying for the SATs, etc, I didn't want to take on the project. Sorry it's probably not very believable, but "Ç'est La Vie", no? ~R.A.
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, never will.
~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~
Chapter 5: Miki's Past
Miki took a deep breath and plunged in.
"I don't really know why or how it all started, but I remember from a very young age how my mom would....parade me, I guess, in front of all her friends and colleagues. She has a very ambitious, but successful trade network with business in all four kingdoms. If someone wants something, she can, almost guaranteed, get it. But, she wanted more: more power, more wealth, more prestige. So...every chance she got, she would dress me up, put me on display, and start the bidding. She wanted to marry me off to a really rich and powerful family.
"No one ever seemed rich enough, 'cuz none of the marriages went through, but she kept looking. When I got a little older, I tried telling her that I wanted to be independent and marry who I wanted, when I wanted. I told her I was sick of old men feeling me up like a horse on sale. I refused to go on display for her anymore.
"See...I had started developing by the time I was 8 or 9...When I was 10, she dressed me in...older dresses. It made me feel like a whore in a peep show. When I told her that, she punished me for not obeying her. She said since I felt like a whore for what she was putting me through, she should let me see what it was really like. So, she let her guards have an afternoon with me."
Miki wiped off a stray tear with trembling hands. "That night, my nana had to tie me to my bed so I wouldn't jump out the window. I felt dirty...I just wanted to die." Miki drew herself up into a huddled position, shaking with the memory. "After that, I think my mother just got a twisted amusement out of having her men rape me, because it became the most frequent form of punishment she used if I ever even seemed to want more independence. She wouldn't let me go out or have friends. A boyfriend was /completely/ out of the question. She didn't want me 'tainted' (as if I already wasn't), besides...I had panic attacks whenever I was in a big crowd or if I saw big, muscular men, or men in uniforms.
"My nana would spend just about every night talking to me. She didn't want me to be /afraid/ of men—though she did warn me to be careful. I think it's only due to her help that I'm not totally terrified of the opposite sex. She was the only one who really loved me, and it killed her that she wasn't strong enough to stop what was being done to me. She could only get me medicine to keep me from getting pregnant and try to keep my hopes up.
"Nana had helped me to run away a few times, but I always got caught. Each punishment got progressively worse. She left me longer and longer with the guards, and even gave the male servants express orders to grope and take advantage of me.
"Then, when I was a little over 15, one of the male servants that had always been nice to me, in fact was my closest thing to a friend, felt me up. I was shocked and asked him why. He said that he finally realized that I /was/ a whore, since I was still here.
"I was sad, and furious at the same time. I was only 15 and I didn't have a lot of resources at my fingertips. I had /tried/ to run away, but each time I was caught.....but I finally realized that, no matter if the punishment got worse each time, I /had/ to keep trying to escape or I /would/ be no better than a whore.
"I was determined to get away, or die trying. But I knew that if I just rushed into it, I would get caught again, so nana and I spent over half a year coming up with the plan and lulling everyone into complacency. We decided that I should cross-dress to make it harder to recognize me. We gathered all the stuff I would need, since, sadly, my nana was too old to keep up with me.
"The day of my 16th birthday, my mother was on a business trip with about half the guard. The rest were ordered to watch me, but nana had gotten her friend in the kitchens to put sleeping powder in all the food. Thus, we were undisturbed while getting ready. Nana fixed me up to look like a boy, then helped me climb out the window.
"I had to leave in the afternoon since /she/ was supposed to return at night. So, that meant I had to walk through the city without the cover of darkness. Needless to say, I got out, and I met up with you guys the next morning.
"I haven't heard anything, but I have no doubt that she's still looking. That woman is not one to let /anyone/ get the best of her..."
Miki finished her rather long narrative with a slightly dry throat. At least I was able to get through it without breaking down too much, she thought.
Looking over at Nuriko, she saw that his eyes were closed, but she knew he wasn't asleep. She waited apprehensively for his reaction.
After a few minutes, the purple-haired seishi opened his eyes and sat up. Looking at Miki, he searched her with his eyes. Finally, he sighed and gave her a small smile, "I believe you, Miki." The girl's eyes opened wide, then filled with tears.
That settled it for Nuriko. He had listened to her voice as well as her words throughout her story. The seishi hadn't thought he would believe her, but he did—completely. His opinion of her character hadn't changed—he still trusted her and knew she was loyal. The only difference between before and now was that he now knew she was a girl, and he knew more about Miki and her past. The fact that she reacted the way she did told Nuriko that Miki really wanted him to believe her.
Nuriko grinned and opened his arms, "C'mere you."
Miki went over hesitantly and Nuriko wrapped her in a bear hug (taking care not to crush the girl with his super strength, of course). "I'll always be your friend, Mi-chan," he whispered in her ear. "I'll be here if you ever need to talk or if you wanna hang out."
Miki burst into tears. "Thank you, Nuri-chan."
"Hey, what are friends for?"
She chuckled weakly.
"Hmmm... if your mom is still looking for you, I think we should just keep this between us for now. We can explain it to the others later, but the fewer people who know now, the better, ne? I will, though, tell Hotohori- sama that, under no circumstances, are you to be given back to your mother; especially since it's for your own safety."
Miki slumped in relief, "You are the most /awesome/ person I know, Nuri- chan!"
Nuriko put on a haughty air, "I know. Now," he turned serious, "you need to rest so your head can heal. I'll tell everyone at dinner not to bother you, and I'll bring you a tray later, 'k?"
"Alright," she said, nodding, then wincing. Now that the tension and excitement had worn off, Miki was feeling the pain in her head again.
~~~~~~
Nuriko left, closing the door, and Miki lay back carefully on her bed. Considering everything that had happened in the past half-hour or so, Miki realized how lucky she was to have a friend like Nuriko.
~@~@~
A/N: *Sigh* glancing through this chapter, I realize it's quite a lame way to get Mikaela's past out in the open (at least to Nuriko), but I also wrote this almost a year ago. I know I could've totally rewritten it, but with AP tests and studying for the SATs, etc, I didn't want to take on the project. Sorry it's probably not very believable, but "Ç'est La Vie", no? ~R.A.