Title: The right look
Author: Ree
Theme: Preseries - Scandal
Genre: general
Version: Anime/Manga
Rating: G

I asked for their stories and this is what they told me. I can't guarantee they're the truth, you will have to ask Takeuchi Naoko, to whom they belong to.

The right look

A press meeting. That was the reason her father had sent for her. Rei stepped out of the car, her geta clacking slightly on the concrete.

The driver glanced at her, still stunned that she was a miko now. Three weeks ago, he had dropped her off at the shrine. She had looked consumed by grief. Today, dressed in the red hakama, she looked at peace.

Rei looked back at the driver. "Thanks, Mr. Hito."

"You're welcome, Miss Hino." He closed the car door softly behind her as she walked into the hotel.

"Miss Hino, come this way." Natsuko gestured her quickly into the elevator. As the doors closed them in, she let her eyes rack over Rei. "What are you wearing?"

Rei frowned. She knew that Natsuko knew what she was wearing. She could also tell she disapproved. 'Why? Being a miko is a prestigious thing. Maybe it is because it isn't with one of the major temples. ' Her frown remained as Natsuko ushered her into a hotel room as fast as she could.

NAtsuko shut the door behind them, relieved that no one saw them. "Why aren't you wearing black?"

Surprise coursed through Rei. "What?"

Natsuko strode across the room towards her. "Why aren't you wearing black? You are supposed to be wearing black." She waved her hand up and down, taking in the Rei's outfit. "And why are you dressed as a miko? You're not at a shrine or a temple."

"I was not informed about this. Mr. Hito arrived while I was sweeping the grounds. What is the problem with my outfit? Why do I still need to be wearing black?" Rei crossed her arms across her chest as Natsuko's disapproving look bore into her.

"You know that your father political base is the forward thinking, more modern section of the population. You... you are dressed as if you are trying to draw in the old fashion section."

Rei crossed the room and glowered out a window. "That doesn't explain why I still need to be wearing black."

Natsuko crossed the room quickly and pulled the curtain shut over the window. "It is a custom, one that is taking root in the more forward thinking section of the populace. And you must appear as if you are still mourning the death of your mother. Think of the scandal if you don't."

Rei hide her flinch behind a sullen glare. "I will not wear black. White is the color of mourning, not black." She fingered the sleeve of her white shirt.

"You will wear what you are supposed to wear. Your father wants you to wear black."

"He wants me to show that I am in mourning. To me, black doesn't mean I am in mourning. White does."

Natsuko glared at the stubborn eleven year that was staring her down. She knew she wasn't going to win on this issue. 'This is going to require a lot of clean up. The scandal is going to hit all the papers by night fall.' Compressing her lips, she crossed to the door. Cracking it open, she whispered to the guard that waited on the other side.

In a voice taunt with aggravation, Natsuko spoke quickly to Rei. "They are bringing you a white dress. You will change quickly. And during the press conference you will say nothing about being a miko."

Knowing how much of a concession she had just won, Rei nodded. "Are they bringing shoes as well?"

Mumbling words that a child was not supposed to hear, Natsuko opened the door again to ask for them.