Author Notes: Thank you all for your reviews. Sorry I left a few confused as to why Tsukushi got mistaken for a Hume and not Elvaan. If you remember earlier in the chapter it was said that Tsukushi's physical sign as to her heritage would become visible when she got older. Also Elvaan males show their elvaan characteristics at and early age unlike the females. In other words elvaan females look more Hume than elvaan when they are young. But I'll go more into it later. Also I would like to apologize early on for all who think that Tsukushi is a little out of character at times she's had a really hard life.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Yori Dango or any of its characters.

Estranghero- I'll try to update regularly

Crazy-Fairy- Shame all your work got erased your stories are all so good. I finally got around to making another story I hope you enjoy it.

Jay – Thank you hehe

Piglet- I'm sorry if it was a little confusing at first. I'll go into a little more detail as to why Tsukushi didn't get picked.

Abby- Thank you I'm glad I could invoke that wonder. I wanted the story to start out with some action in it and a little mystery.

akai chou- I hope you will enjoy how it progresses

Chi5- I'll try to get the chapters out fast.

Strangers Fantasy: Street Rat

Blood. Screaming. Pain. Hatred. Betrayal. Death. Images of all these things filled the dreams of a young girl who lay sleeping on the cold hard floor of a dirty kitchen. Soon it would be time for her to get on and go about her day as she usually did, trying to make money selling her potions and powders or coning her way through the day.

After all this was one of the only things a girl like her could do. The only other alternative was to sell her body like so many others did when faced with her situation. Things hadn't always been this bad but times were a changing. The raid on the town of Rainfell 15 years ago caused a major change in the attitudes of people.

The town had recovered from the fires and it actually seemed to prosper. Not to long after the raid the town rebuilt itself a very nice trade route was developed between the peoples of the town and the Elvaan that was felt caused the raid. Soon the town became a city taking advantage of its location being on the border of the elvaan lands and a large river that connected to many other towns.

It was in a prime location to do business. And with big business comes big crime either in the light of day or at night, under the table deals and fraud. But so was the way with any city.

Even though the raid was 15 years ago it still remained in the back of the minds of many. Where some viewed it as a curse some viewed it as a blessing to the new richer lives they have now. There was also the hidden prejudice against the Elvaan race by some people and also the disgusted of Humes in the Elvaan people.

Both sides had suffered casualties, it was still unknown how the fires started or why a lot of the Elvaan forest had been burned and no one would probable ever know.

I hate them. This was the thought that ran through the mind of the young girl that went by the name of Kushi Makino never using her real name of Tsukushi for reasons she couldn't remember. As she forced herself up off the floor.

(4:25am)

This was what she said every morning that she woke. It was their fault she was in her present condition and she never forgive them for what they did to her or some of the selfish Humes she'd dealt with.

Today she had to clean up this small kitchen and the other two rooms she rented at a discount price from the owner of the inn.

Because of the sad state of the place the owner gave it to her cheaper than usual. She still managed to get him to lower it even more with selective wording. She even had him draw up a contract; one can never be too careful in this day and age. The owner may change his mind and ask for additional non monetary compensation.

She set to work scrubbing floors airing out the rooms and sweeping dirt bugs and other filth out of her small apartment. Today she planned on finding a bed after she finished cleaning, getting a bath and selling a few of her wares.

By the time she finished her musings the rooms and kitchen were clean, unfurnished, but clean and that's what mattered. She may not be rich but that was no reason to live like a pig. She rummaged through the few belongings she had and took out two towels, a large and smaller on, some soap and a pan and wrapped them in a cloth. She couldn't get to work without looking her best.

(7:15am)

She walked the quiet streets as it was still early morning and headed out of the town and into the woods following the river. Many persons where afraid to venture into the elvaan lands, but Tsukushi had been coming here so long alone that it didn't phase her in the least. After about a 20 min walk into the woods she came to her destination, a big pond fed by a waterfall which cascaded down from an unknown area above one of the forest shelves. There was even a little alcove hidden behind the waterfall which Tsukushi often liked to go behind.

Unlike a lot of the young ladies that liked to bath out in the open for all to see, she was a little more conservative. Maybe it was because of the prudish nature of the people who had taken her in when she younger, the Makinos…

Her mind stopped itself as it came across their name. She physically spit their name out. She couldn't believe that she at one time considered them her parents. She violently threw her cloths onto the side of the pond and took the soap and cloth she bought to wash herself with into the water passing through the waterfall and at on the shelf of the hidden alcove.

She let down her hair which fell far down her back. It had been a while since she had it cut, which seemed to be the style of a lot of the women her age. Not only did she not have the money to waste but the hair also covered, what she considered scars on, her back. She had a tattoo on her lower back that came up all of a sudden when she turned 18. The tattoo, along with a lot of other things, were the cause of her being poor and for a while homeless.

The tattoo resembled a flower similar to a rose that seemed to bend in on itself like a circle never ending. She also had faint burn marks which surrounded the area. Attempts, made to get rid of it. But no matter how much she tried to get rid of it the picture kept coming up so she gave up trying to be rid of it.

(8:20 am)

Lost in her thoughts Tsukushi didn't notice until too late that other people had come to pond. People or should she say elvaan had come. She felt the familiar anger begin to boil within her whenever she saw or heard them. There were three of them 2 males and a female. The blond female and male broke off from the dark-haired one laughing as they went to go to another area of the pond far from their friend.

She watched as he began to undress revealing a beautiful body. Even though she hated elvaan she couldn't stop her curiosity of seeing a naked male. She slowly crept from out of the waterfall grabbing the dagger that she always kept with her. She stayed low in the water only her nose eyes above the water with her nose coming out occasionally to get a breath of air.

She was somewhat close but still unseen by the young man with curly hair, she noted, when he began to unbutton his pants that he finally noticed the set of female clothes on the bank. He turned around looking across the pond to the waterfall and scanning the edges but didn't see anyone.

He bent down to check the clothes but was surprised when he found himself on his back with a dagger pointing at his throat, forced to stare into beautiful angry eyes.

"What did you think you were doing? Planning on robbing me?" she placed the dagger closer into the man's neck.

"No, I have no use for those rags you call clothes and I suggest you take that dagger from my neck. I don't want to be forced to hurt you." The man half smiled at the girl even though he was in a precarious situation.

"Ha, I'm not afraid of you. Not only that but if you make a move I will cut your throat Elvaan scum."

The half smile disappeared from the Elvaan's handsome face and was replaced by a scowl.

"You should be afraid…" With that he turned her over onto her back trapping her underneath him, holding both of her hands. She was barely able to hold the dagger.

"Now who has the upper hand?" He practically growled revealing straight teeth with canines that where sharper than a Hume's definitely identifying him with the Elvaan race. He took the opportunity to examine her from top to bottom. Taking in her face, which seemed strangely familiar but he passed it off thinking that all Hume's looked a like.

He allowed his eyes to fall over her body. Committing to memory the shape of her neck the curve of her breast as her hair fell in just the right place to cover up the important parts. He cursed the fact that he couldn't move it and continued his memorizing with the valley that lead down to her smooth stomach pass her belly button to the shape of her hips and the thighs that asked to be touched. He than traveled back up her body to memorize her face, the pouting lips that begged to be kissed… I'll come back to those... he made a mental note. He gazed up to her flushed cheeks and than her big almond shaped, angry eyes.

He found that while his anger disappeared his desire to touch this bad tempered beauty increased.

"Like what you see?" She growled at him. Embarrassed by the way he took the liberty of looking at her and mad at herself that she actually found this Elvaan dog attractive by the way her body responded to just him looking at her.

"Actually yes I do." He smirked and continued to look at her angry face and half glanced at her ears as was his custom to do when dealing with Humes, a habit of his which was hard to break. His eyes widened and he looked back at her face and her teeth as she was spitting curses as him.

"You're Elvaan?" He said half surprised half confused.

Tsukushi took that opportunity to kick the perverted Elvaan in the stomach. She made a sweeping motion towards his neck as she moved fluidly from out of his reach.

He moved his neck in just enough time. The dagger barely missed his throat leaving a small cut in its wake. He moved back a little too hard and ended up falling on his behind.

The girl quickly grabbed her things and took off running into the woods. The Elvaan just sat there watching her retreating back noticing the dark tattoo. The other Elvaan male and female ran out to their friend half dressed and soaking wet.

"What happened Tsukasa? You look like an idiot sitting there with you face all red…and is that BLOOD? We leave you for a few and you get attacked and beat up…"

"Shut up Akira. I didn't get beat up and this wound is nothing more than a scratch. Do you know of any Elvaan that live in the town?"

Akira went silent and thought for a moment.

"Hmmm, I think there are a few but not too many. Most of them are merchants and whatnot or greedy guys looking to increase their power. Why do you ask?"

"Well I just met a very beautiful, very angry, and very naked girl that apparently hates Elves even though she's one herself. This trip to town seems to be an interesting one."

"I think Rui and Soujirou are there already, getting ready for our meeting with the man who claims to have found what we've been searching for. We need to make this trip fast before others get wind of the information and head this way also."

(9:00am)


That no good pervert…make a fool of me will he. This is why I hate them they think they can do whatever they want. They're cocky, pigheaded, handsome, no no no they're ignorant, selfish, sexy arg treacherous mind.

Tsukushi dressed as she walked back to the city by the time she reached her residence she was hot and sweaty ready to take another bath but not wanting to risk meeting up with the perverted elvaan.

She put on her working clothes, which consisted of black small circle glass, a cap that covered her ears and hair and a long white robe with splits on the side and black pants underneath. She made sure to wrap bandages around her bosom to give the illusion of a boys chest when dressed in her work attire. After that she put on her fake thin mustache and goatee.

She than picked up a medicine peddlers back case. It contained a lot of different drawers all with supposed cures, potions, and aphrodisiacs for the people that were constantly coming in and out of the city. It wasn't that they were fake; it was more that they were temporary. Each of the potions came with special instructions which required them to constantly come back for more. All was thanx to things she picked up here and there and a little hallucinogenic plant she found in the forest. It temporarily made whoever ingested it believe the first suggestion given.

So for each potion they were to read the directions first and drink the potion as they read the directions.

This little business had made Tsukushi a lot of money as well as a few enemies from those who didn't follow the directions and ended up making a fool of themselves, usually the ones buying the aphrodisiacs.

Tsukushi walked outside with her goods temporarily blinded by the afternoon sun. She quickly shoved this morning's event to the back of her head.

If I never meet another Elvaan it'll be too soon.

(12:28 pm)

She went to a corner that was usually populated by peddlers all selling their wears. She set up her stand and began her normal rounds of "come get it"; "wonder potion", "magic powders" competition could be harsh if she wasn't fast in getting her customers.

Tsukushi rolled her eyes as she saw a customer she sold a love potion to return. She knew this girl well even though the girl didn't recognize her.

She stood up to greet the girl.

"Hello Elvaan Princ…" A loud slap silenced the crowd for but a moment and than the noise of buying and selling continued, Tsukushi's glass flew to the ground as the angry girl tossed an empty bottle to the ground.

"That love potion you sold me didn't work." The girl's curls bounced around her face as she angrily stared at Tsukushi, who was retrieving her glasses from the floor.

After placing the lens back in place she gave the girl an icy look which made her step back somewhat.

"T-that potion didn't work. You scammed me out of my money and I want it back." The girl raised her voice higher.

"Look Sakurako you simply didn't follow the direction. Did you follow the directions exactly as they were given."

Sakurako looked stunned.

"N-No I thought it would be better if I tested it out on a dog or something first."

"Well than it's you're loss for acting foolishly it's of no concern of mine. If you want another you have to pay for another nothing comes free."

"I shouldn't have to pay for anything you're a fraud and a rip-off." She raised her voice and started to smile knowing she was beginning to draw attention and more people began to recognize who she was.

Tsukushi felt a wave of calm come over her as her anger had began to raise.

"Did you say I'm a fraud and a rip-off? Exactly who is the one seeking a LOVE potion…" Tsukushi made sure people heard that.

"…who is the one trying to trip some poor sap into marrying her or in your case into her bed. If anyone here is a fraud it's probably you."

The smile on Sakurako's face quickly vanished and a deep red blush colored her pale skin.

"Do you know who I am?"

"Yes I do and I have no use for Elvaan dogs such as you. If you want something from me than buy but if you want to continue embarrassing yourself I suggest you keep trying to throw your weight around."

"You may have made yourself pretty from the fat child you use to be but that can't hide the ugliness that's still there."

"H-how did you know?"

"I have my ways. Now I'll ask you again if you want to buy. I suggest you do because you will need it and also if you don't want all these people to know about your very ugly past." Tsukushi whispered this last part.

"T-that's blackmail."

"No its business."

"And seeing as how you seem unsatisfied I've got just the potion for you its something new that I've made and I'm sure it'll be even better than the one you wasted." Tsukushi now talked loud enough for the people around her to hear.

She turned her back on and began going though her drawers until she what she was looking for. She quickly switched the labels to two bottles and wrote down a new set of directions. She turned back around and handed her the bottle with a smile.

"This time don't waste it and be sure to follow the directions exactly as they're written."

"Ok." Sakurako took the bottle and walked away almost running.

"Unbelievable." Tsukushi turned around at the sound of a male's voice close to her ear.

She came face to face with a boy about her age with light hair and pretty gray eyes. Startled she jumped back a little as he flashed a lazy grin.

"I saw what you did back there."

Good lord another Elvaan I can't escape can I.

"So what I switch a few things around…"

"A potion for love switched with 'lover repellant', blackmail. I wouldn't say that's a few things I would say that's something major. But I won't tell because she deserves what she gets."

He began to brows through her thing, picking up potions and powders here and there. Tsukushi relaxed once he said that he wasn't going to report her. Even though Sakurako was a brat she was the heiress to a very important merchant who took her in once he found out that she was the long lost "Elvaan Princess" or something that everyone was talking about. She had been a fat girl when she was young but lost that weight when she was captured and forced to work almost as a slave a year or two after the raid so long ago.

She was sent to an orphanage and later adopted by the merchant whose own daughter died. The merchants business grew and he was now an important man in the city.

He hoped to forge a nice permanent trading business with the Elvaan boosting his name and his change coffers with his daughter the "Elvaan Princess".

Now that I think about it today is suppose to be the day some of the Elvaan Elite were to come here to pick up the "Elvaan Princess". Even though I don't see how she was a long lost princess. She been spouting that mess for a long time and now that the Elvaan are looking for this princess she suddenly has gained fame.

"Huh, sorry what was that?" She shook her head as the man waved his hand in front of her eyes.

"I was asking if you have anything like a beast tamer and that could help you find someone."

"Hmm I might have something like that." She turned around and rummaged though her drawers revealing two containers. One labeled "Beast Tamer" and the other "Extract of Dog".

"The directions are pretty straight forward and they're all temporary so if you want more you have to buy more."

"Well that's not fair."

"Life isn't fair and fairness never made me rich."

"Ok how much?"

"2 gold coins."

"That's robbery. How about I give you 1 gold as a buy one get one free deal for not telling on you."

"Hmmm point well taken ok 1 gold and 5 silver."

"You drive a hard bargain but I'll accept if you make this a standard price for me. I have a feeling that I'll be here again for more."

"Deal I like regular customers, just surprised that you would be interested in this kinda stuff."

"Why's that?"

"Well you're Elvaan I thought you had no need of these kinds of things." She tried to hide her disgust of the mans race.

"Meh, what's so different about Elvaan's after all we're the same."

"H-how…"

"You may live around Humes but there is no mistaking you for one even if you do try to hide it…girl." The guy turned around heading in about the same direction as Sakurako.

"W-wait, how did you know all that?" Tuskushi couldn't believe he saw through her disguise so easily.

"One I'm neither blind like these Humes nor deaf nor has my sense of smell been burned away by the stench that surrounds this place. I could tell right away you were female." He turned once again heading to his destination.

"Well at least tell me your name?" Tsukushi couldn't believe she actually found an interest in this elvaan. They were after all "evil, vile, heartless creatures"…right, not the same as Humes.

The guy turned around and whispered in her ear.

"My name is Rui." Tsukushi blinked as the name seemed so familiar to her and she wanted to question him more.

"And what's you're name seeing as how you now know mine?"

She paused not sure if she should tell him her real name or give him a fake.

"It's Makino." She grit her teeth as the name came out, even though it wasn't a lie she hated to attach herself to the people she at one time called her parents.

"Ah Makino I won't forget that." Rui turned and continued on his way.


He finally reached his destination by the time sun was to set, the home of the wealthiest merchant in the city. He made a few stops at different vendors to get gifts for Shizuka and Shigeru; they would be upset if he hadn't thought of them.

(6:50 pm)

He was greeted at the gates and showed into the drawing room of where the rest of his companions were.

"Hey Rui what took you so long man."

"Nothing Tsukasa just did a little shopping and met a very interesting street vendor." Rui waved it off as if his day wasn't very important."

"Too bad Rui you missed it. Today Tsukasa was actually touched by a female without him going into a rage."

The nonchalant look that Rui normally had changed to one of interest.

"Now that is something indeed, what happened to bring this about?" Rui took a seat next to Soujirou who had been out looking for a few Hume girls to seduce.

"I don't know actually, she surprised me to tell you the truth I almost had my throat slit by her."

Rui raised his eyebrow.

"Tell him how she was dressed."

Tsukasa blushed a deep red before turning angry eyes on Akira.

"Apparently, Tsukasa saw his first naked girl and he took a long hard look at her. Which cause the girl to retaliate and run away naked into the woods."

"Shut up Akira." Tsukasa warned.

"Tsukasa also said she was the prettiest thing he'd ever saw and that certain parts of his ana..."

Akira was cut short as a fist connected to his jaw leaving a mark in its wake.

"I said shut up. You need to learn to control that mouth of yours."

"And you need to learn to control your temper." Akira said as he massaged his jaw.

"Meh, whatever man." Tsukasa sat down in one of the empty seats close to the window and gazed out wondering if he would ever see the girl again. He wanted to take her back with them if at all possible. She belonged with her people not alone here.

Is she alone? Or does she live with someone else? Does she have a guardian a protector? If she did he wasn't doing his job. Is she safe now? And why am I thinking about another girl when I'm suppose to meet the person I've been waiting for so long to meet again. I should be happy I'll have finally found you Tsukushi.

The four guys were conversing with themselves when their nervous host entered the room.

"Sorry to keep you gentlemen waiting, but I'm uh…having a few problems. I'm Aoike Kazuya and this is my son jr." He introduced a skinny red headed young man.

"Hello sirs, my step sister won't come out cause of something she took. She said she feels ill and can't come down at the moment." The young man was bubbly and excitedly chatted about how pretty his sister was and how great to have guys his age here in the house.

While the younger Kazuya talked with Akira and Soujirou Rui and Tsukasa approached the older.

"Sir we are in a bit of a rush, to get back if certain people were to find out that we were here to pick up the lost princess her life could end up in danger. The longer we stay the more dangerous it gets for her perhaps you." Rui placed a firm hand on the man's shoulders as his eyes showed no emotion.

"If she won't come out make her come out, you're her step father she will listen to you. Or would you like for me to bring her out." Tsukasa placed a steely hand on the poor mans shoulders and smiled revealing straight white teeth and slightly sharp canines.

"She uh… she can be very difficult but I'll try my best if she doesn't come out please make yourselves at home. The servants have already taken your things to you're respective rooms. You should get some rest. Come jr." The man quickly made an exit fearing what the wretch elvanan may do.

"Ok father, well nice talking to you guys I'll be sure to talk to you in the morning."

When father and son left the room Akira and Soujirou released a loud sigh.

"Glad that chatter box left. I thought my ears would fall off he talked so much."

"Well we can only stay here for 3 days at the most so its best we get as much rest as we can because the journey back will be a rough one especially if we leave late. Let's go to our rooms and rest for a while and enjoy these Humes hospitality."

"Hopefully we gave that man added incentive to get his daughter out here to us so we can be on our way sooner rather than later." Tsukasa smiled wickedly.

As they headed to their rooms Rui pulled out one of the potions, "Extract of Dog". When he got to his room he read the directions and chuckled slightly. That girl

Directions:

Take potion and pour half of the bottle into warm liquid.

Mix thoroughly

Drink

Potion will go into effect at exactly 1 hour after usage.

If needed to find item or person:

Be sure to have the scent of item or person present at time of activation.

Caution

Potion is temporary

Strong Caution

Suggestion of name of object at time of activation will speed along search.

Rui ordered a cup of tea to be brought to his room, after which he mixed the drink and walked next door.

"Hey Tsukasa I have something that will help you sleep tonight. Some kind of special sleeping drink or something."

He handed the tea to Tsukasa who began to drink it.

(8:45pm)

"Ugh, this smells like dog."

"Just drink it forget the smell. I'll talk to you tomorrow." Rui walked out the room and left the door slightly open before walking back to his room.

Tsukasa removed his shirt and pants leaving him in only shorts he liked to call "boxers". He opened his bag and pulled out a necklace with a blue stone that gleamed beautifully in the moon light. As a cool breeze drifted in from the balcony door left open earlier by a servant. He fingered the gem and his heart raced at the thought of seeing Tsukushi again. The face of the girl he met earlier flashed across his mind.

Why did that happen? Arg why can't I not stop thinking about her.

He replaced the jewel and got into bed.

(9:25pm)

Rui waited a little before taking out a small shirt that Tsukasa usually kept with him but thought he should leave on this trip to the Hume city. It was the shirt he wore the night of the raid so long ago.

He walked to Tsukasa's room and waited silently by his bed placing the shirt gently over Tsukasa's face.

(9:43pm)

Rui noticed that Tsukasa stirred a little in his sleep.

(9:44)

Tsukasa took a deep breath as he woke up. Rui leaned close to his ear, now was the time.

"Go find Tsukushi the one we are supposed to protect." He backed up quickly as Tsukasa jumped out of the bed. Landing on his hands and feet a feral look in his eye.

"Find her for us GO! NOW!" Nothing else was said as Tsukasa leaped from off the balcony and cleared with relative ease the gates surrounding the property.

Rui grinned half to himself as he exited the room stopping in midair when he heard the sound of a wolf cry.

Wolves in the City…He paused and than ran to his room and picked up the directions to the potion. He scanned everything nodding his head as he went through everything he did. Confused he accidentally dropped the paper. He reached to pick it up and his hand froze as he read the back of the paper.

SUPER CAUTION VERY IMPORTANT

Active ingredient -

Werewolf broth

Symptoms will last 3 days if used as directed. If shorter duration desired use only half a teaspoon for 1-2 hours.

Always remember to follow directions completely. Have a good day! b


SO what did you think. This is a serious story but seeing as how I'm not a serious person comedy sneaks its way in here. And sorry to all those I didn't mention individually in my thank you, I can't get into my email at time of posting but I will be able to later. R&R and tell me what u think.