"Author's" note: Ekkk! I'm bad. I hadn't update since...let's say...a month? Gaboo! I feel simply horrid. R&R as usual and thank you for all the "recent" reviews. Happy reading: Like what I have done for chapter 3, I deleted the story, but I didn't add anything. So it should be fine if you skip this chapter for those who have read.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice and it's a fact.
Chapter 5 –Suspicions
Sun rays strayed passed the only pair of windows, illuminating the dark room in an instant. A brunette lay on the king-sized feathered bed, refusing to make the effort to move. Pillows sprayed all over the floor, while the exquisite silk blanket was ungratefully kicked aside.
Her chocolate brown eyes scanned her surroundings, fervently hoping that this was some kind of mistake, wishing that something would change this predicament of hers. But no, she was still in his room, facing the dark red ceiling with his pillow at hand (which smelt vaguely of pine trees rooted in damp forests, but that is beside the point) and with a wound that was inflicted on her just two days ago.
Something did change though. The wound did heal greatly to her relief. Compared to the first time she was aware of the wound, the pain had lessened by a fold. Still, this wasn't really the change she wanted. Nevertheless she was glad that she could finally put her feet to the ground. Cuddling the pillow closer to her chest, she proceeded to do her favourite hobby – daydreaming.
She really felt terribly guilty, having to deprive the owner of his own bed. But it was only deserving of him, since that pervert left her all alone in his room, injured, with no form of communication and caged like a bird. She grunted to herself in agreement. He certainly was not worthy of sleeping on such a fluffy bed.
Shifting her position to her side, she stared at the large pair of windows draped with translucent curtains. There were locked unfortunately. Her thoughts drifted to the owner of the room. He sure is one strange fellow with inhuman strength, astonishing speeds and perfect hearing that could probably even hear a pin dropping from a mile away if he concentrates. And those two canines of his, she wondered if they were for real. She had caught a glimpse of them, but was unable to make out anything else other than the fact they are pretty white teeth. His complexion was rather pale, though slightly better when she last saw him, but to say that he looks perfectly normal would generally be deceiving ones' self. All this traits do remind her of something though, some creature she simply could not think of now.
A sudden rumbling noise brought her to attention. Jolting up into a sitting position, the brunette attempted to locate the source of the noise. She was half annoyed and relieved when she realised that it was only her tummy. It could not be blamed though. Dinner last night was just a bowl of chicken porridge which she had "happened" to find on the table along with the note. But of course our dear brunette had set her eyes only on the food and not the note.
Her stomach gave another growl, warning her of the potential dangers that would happen to her if she did not find food soon. She needed to get out, not trapped in this room (though a very comfortable one) like some injured cat.
Sliding off the bed, she headed for the door in an attempt to open it. It had been locked before dinner time, but still it wouldn't hurt to try busting the door open. After all, she was meant to be free like a stray cat.
She swung her weight on the door, hand twisting the knot with all her might. Her reward? Emerging, to her surprise on the other side, but immediately feeling the wind gush past her as she fell flat on the floor. Her waist length hair swept after her as she disappeared behind the door. The door seizing its opportunity, slammed viciously shut, refusing to budge regardless of the times Mikan tried to force it open.
Mikan gulped. What has she gotten herself into now? There was only one thing to do in this situation – wander around.
She glanced around, aware of her surroundings. Walking forth, she turned to see a long stretch of corridor. One side leading to a lighted spiral staircase that lead to who knows where, the other side was suspiciously illuminated with small pools of lamps into an abyss of darkness. She would honestly prefer to take the stairs, but somewhere in that abyss, came the sweet melodious melody of the piano. Being the inquisitive fellow she was, Mikan headed in that direction. To her, her stomach was already full from the excitement, adventure and curiosity bubbling in her.
Meanwhile, a single note in the room lay innocently on the floor. In it contained the very important advice that the brunette had just blindly ignored: "Stay in the damn room".
o.O.o.O.o
He blinked, narrowing his ruby eyes. Somehow, he had foreshadowed that something was going terribly wrong for somewhere along the corridor, he could have sworn that he had heard the banging of a door, specifically near his door or even his door. He's guessing the latter, basing his analytical choice on the brains polka dot has. Didn't he lock the door? Damn, he forgotten to after he dumped that bowl of goo on the table. Still, hadn't he given that idiot a warning not to get out of the room?
Shrugging, he returned his gaze to his manga at hand. He had already done his part in helping her heal and graciously allowed the brunette to do more than step into his room. It was up to her whether to listen or not. Apparently, she hadn't. Therefore, should anything unspeakable happen to her, it was certainly none of his business. After all, she solely deserves it.
Despite having to confirm that fact, he could not concentrate on the pictures that flashed aimlessly past. Stupid girl, he silently cursed, shifting his position in a fruitless attempt to erase those ill feelings of unease, while listening more intently to his sister's soothing playing. It did not help much though.
A firm tug on his shirt brought his attention to the small figure beside him. He eyed the boy, puzzled at his actions.
"Natsume ni-chan, who's the other visitor," the child mouthed his concern, all the while having his eyes fixed on the pianist. They certainly did not want to disturb the engrossed musician, who was now running her fingers up and down the keys of the grand piano, producing a cheerful tune.
"An old hag" Natsume mouthed back, without giving a single glance at the kid. The child, used to his antics, merely shook his head sympathetically at his brother's pitiful plight. There will always be ugly old hags in this world chasing his brother, particularly those crazy vampire bitches that screeched every time like crows when they enter. Their desperate attempts to flirt with his brother were hilarious, but simply irritating like flies that just wouldn't buzz off.
Youichi observed his brother once more and couldn't help but raised an eyebrow in silent question. His brother had a bored expression on that face of his, but the child wasn't fooled. For all he knew, his brother would never allow any strange ape into the house. Even if a vampire fan did creep into the house, she would have been annihilated by now, but what is that look of unease on his brother's face. That was certainly unusual.
A suspicious look was plastered on the child's face as he sneaked a stoic gaze at his "brother", before turning his attention back to the pianist. Natsume rolled his eyes, slamming his fist into the boy's snow white hair, causing a bump to sprout out from the boy's head. He then returned to "reading" his manga. (OOC!!). Both however were well aware of the presence behind the door. The pianist was in bliss though, unable to hear the creak of the door, as the curious figure peeped in.
Youichi frowned. His lips parted to mouth another question, but the pianist crashed her fingers onto cords, making all who listened cringed and all to be silent. She glared venomously at the two boys with a fed up look on her face.
"Will you stop talking behind my back!" she cried in outrage, roasting them under her fiery gaze and this is why you shouldn't try and incur a lady's wrath. She had noticed it for quite a while already, her brother and her best friend whispering who knows what when she wasn't looking. It has caused her to miss a few keys and fumble with her cords, making the once perfect piece sound queer.
The two figures appeared unfazed by her sudden outburst of rage. Natsume had put down his manga, but was giving her an are-you-done yet looks, while Youichi was a direct imitation of her brother, just without the manga and with his stunning white hair. One can practically see that they hang out with each other too much. Letting out a sigh, Aoi knew very well that these two fellows do not fear anything, let along the wrath of her.
Youichi made a sudden movement and with inhuman speed, got a firm grip of the stranger's hand behind the door. Spirits swamped behind the girl, lurking to kill. With a rough jerk forth, Youichi revealed the uninvited guest.
Natsume was certainly not surprise to see the bubbly brunette edging in by force. He was only amazed at how different the brunette had appeared in his sister's nightgown than in school uniform now having a good look at her, without any obstructions, namely his silk red blanket. She looked…much more attractive.
'Eh? Oni-chan's girlfriend!" Aoi cried with an element of surprise in her voice.
"Aoi-chan?"
Mikan stared back at the girl, pausing to think a while before bursting with outrage, wringing her hand from Youichi's grip.
"GIRLFRIEND?!"
She glared at Natsume accusingly with an irritated and infuriated look.
"Aoi, don't sprout nonsense" Natsume addressed his sister sternly as he stood up from his comfy zone.
"But, but...you brought her home didn't you?" Aoi argued. Youichi stood, thoroughly confused by the series of event.
"She and I have some unfinished business," Natsume answered coldly, folding his hands before him as he leaned on the couch. Silence engulfed them as each of them studied the situation before them.
"Eh? Do I know you? You just called my name," Aoi randomly popped up. Mikan sweat dropped. Youichi looked slightly interested, while Natsume stared emotionlessly at the brunette.
"Mikan!Mikan! Invincible Punks? Running like mad?" the brunette hinted, flinging her arms dramatically up and down.
Natsume now looked amused. So the girl's name was Mikan, but what was up with the other words.
Aoi appeared to be in deep thoughts, murmuring Mikan's name over and over again. The words did seem to invoke some of Aoi's memories as a sudden light bulb flashed wildly on her head. Not literally of course.
The background undergo a sudden dramatic change of flowers as the two girls rushed forth for an embrace, a scene rather touching if not for the two possessive males stepping in between them with their arms outstretched. With a flick of their fingers, they sent the brunette wheeling to the corner of the room, away from their object of affection.
"No baka germs," they stated in a monotonous way, nodding to each other in agreement as they stood each on one side of Aoi.
"Ni-san! Youichi! She's injured. You should know better than to lift a finger on a woman," the ungrateful girl knocked both on the heads lightly. "Though I didn't recognised her when I dressed her. She had changed a lot." She whispered, enough for no human ears to detect.
"Oi Aoi, who is she?"
"O," she replied casually, "a girl who was working in a pathetic restaurant somewhere in the muddy streets one of the guys took me to. Not to mention it had a really measly pay." An imaginary knife struck Mikan at the word "measly" and "pathetic". After all, that pay had allowed her to survive and buy Hawalons. "The guys went too far though and Mikan tried to defeat them. She was a delinquent, I guess seeing the way she fought." Another knife stabbed Mikan as she heard the unintentional insult. The boys stared suspiciously at her.
"The boys however were stronger than we thought they were, so after we kicked them in between their legs (the guy's soft spot...) we had to run. And we went to her house to hide anyway. It was terribly worn down. There wasn't even a living room!" The third knife came smashing. Aoi was somewhat right about the living room, but to describe her living conditions as terrible would be quite wrong actually. She loved her "apartment", it was comfortable though...cold every time she returned. The boys now looked pretty determined to keep the "delinquent" away.
"O stop it, will you," Aoi eased her way pass the boys to help Mikan up. They then pass the boys and slump down on the sofa for a long awaited talk. The boys shrugged finding another place as they watch the girls. Never had they seen a smile so bright and cheerful on Aoi as now. This girl was certainly something.
Ending note: Review! (I know I crammed in some random ending, but I was eager to update. haha)