"Author's" note: I'm not following my own updates. Sheesh. Bad Ashe. Somehow I never update when it comes to the holidays. Weird. Here comes chapter 12! Hope you like it. Thanks for your reviews, favourites, story alerts and support for Vampire Fangs. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice and it's a fact.
Chapter 12 – Photographs
I'll do anything
Even if it means damnation for eternity.
Just don't tell me that
You never loved me.
o.O.o.O.o
Flashback
"Ni-san…I'm scared…"
Natsume clutched the fingers of his sister. Uncertainty clouded his mind as he walked down the aisle. All around them were soft-spoken whispers, invisible fingers pointing accusingly at them. But he was sure of one thing: Never to let his sister's hand go. He was afraid that she would slip away from him, just like what their mother had done. Yes, he would never let go of it.
"Be still, Aoi. They will never harm you for I am here."
He shoved her behind of him, hiding her from the views of other. He could faintly feel the tremor that course through her small frame as she leaned close to him. Her hands desperately clung on to his coat.
"I will protect you," He whispered. His voice reaching only the one he wished for to hear. She did and she smiled, the very first time ever since their mother died - a radiant, beautiful smile.
"Ni-san, when are you coming back? Aoi is lonely without you…" she mumbled to herself as she straightened one of the large frames. It was her favourite, specially enlarged to occupy the entire wall. She smiled; fondly touching the photograph in it. It was a picture of herself clinging onto her brother when they were small. The only one Natsume would ever have agreed to take. Trailing her fingers to the side of the frame, she glanced through all the photos she had secretly snapped. They littered in the limited spaces left, squeezing into one enormous cluster and spilling over to the next wall. Some were pictures of flora and fauna, others were of large prestige places in the world, but the majority of the pictures were of her brother. She frowned as she noticed that not once had her brother look in the way of the camera. It was always his side view. But she was contented. They had still captured him onto paper. Even though they are so close to each other, why was it that she always felt a large wall barricading her from him? Was it because she was his sister? She leaned her cheeks towards one of the shots she loved. Her fingers stroked the figure affectionately. This was one of the reasons why she had never allowed her brother to enter the room.
A soft click and the chime of keys alerted her to the door. Ni-san was back. She grinned, flinging her door opened. Hurriedly, she locked her door. Her feet bounce in anticipation at each step she took down the stairs. She however failed to notice the extra footsteps heading towards the doorway.
" Tadaima,"
"Okaerinasai!" she chirped, ready to pounce on her prey, but stopped short as she saw their visitor.
"Mikan-chan!"
"Konbawa,"
The brunette smiled though her expression was pained. Aoi narrowed her eyes to their hands. It was plain to see that Natsume was gripping Mikan a little too tightly, but he was still holding her. An unrecognizable feeling bubbled inside her. Nasty thoughts strewed in her head. Why are they holding hands? Why, when she could not even hold hands with him without awkwardness. She had a sudden urge to break off the brunette's arm. At that thought, she suddenly felt shamefully ugly, shallow and cold-hearted. Wasn't Mikan her friend, didn't she love Mikan? Isn't this what they call "jealousy"?
"Aoi?"
Aoi broke off from her thoughts. A warm cheery smile replaced her twisted expression.
"We'll be going to my room,"
"Hai," She replied meekly, watching as her brother dragged the brunette past her. She waited until she heard the soft bang of the door before sliding against the wall. Sighing, she slumped onto the floor. Her heart and mind confused. Ni-san, do you not love me anymore?
o.O.o.O.o
"Natsume, release me. You're hurting me,"
She twisted her wrist, only to find it in immerse pain.
"Natsume, why are you so pissed off? What is your problem?"
"You agreed to it,"
"No, I didn't!"
"You didn't say anything,"
"I wanted to!"
"Oh, you need further punishment, do you?"
"Eh?! NO!" Mikan groaned. To wear such a ridiculous maid uniform as already a torture. She tugged self-consciously on the skirt which was way too short; the frills jutting out did not help either. The worse was the frilly head band on her head, completely the taste of a pervert.
"Clean my room,"
"Then get out!"
"Why? It's my room,"
"Fine! But don't stare at me"
"Hn…"
"You're still staring,"
The brunette drew the curtains apart, tying them loosely to the side. This was the last task she had to do. She was amazed to see a properly maintained garden. Bushes were nicely trimmed into shapes, pruned to perfection. Roses twined around the metal poles, their buds yet to bloom. Other flowers gave the garden a dash of colours, outstanding in their own ways. She giggled as she spot one that look like a hawalon. Fingering the sides of the window planes, she played with the lock. Her mind drifted off to her own world. She could not help but feel worried. Aoi…she had such a sorrowful expression back then.
"Ne, Natsume,"
There was no response.
"Natsume?"
Once again, the prince was silent.
Annoyed, the brunette turned around, only to be granted the rare sight of Natsume Hyuga sleeping. This time, he seemed completely at ease. Blissful, one might describe it. A small smile hovered on the brunette's lips. If he did not open his mouth and do away with his perverted antics, Mikan might actually think that he is beautiful on the outside, not that he already is. Her cheeks flushed red at her thoughts. She inched closer, settling herself on the bed. Her gaze switched from the window and Natsume. He is cute. She upgraded him from beautiful to cute. She leaned forward, cursing as the bed sank under her weight.
"Are you tempting me to drink your blood, youjo?"
Mikan jerked back, startled. He's awake.
"Nnnooo…"She stuttered in reply.
"Well, too late. Your scent is intoxicating." The vampire pulled the brunette towards him. His lips brushing pass her ear, his voice hushed and somber "I want you."
The blush intensified. Natsume smirked. His slender fingers worked towards her neck, brushing strands of brown back to reveal his mark. He licked the wound as if tasting it. His eyes focused on the place where he had marked her. It was fading. In three days, it would probably disappear and he would have to release her.
"Matte, Natsume!" She shoved the guy back. Her irritation was returning upon seeing that arrogant smirk on the guy whom she had deemed cute a few moments ago. He had been toying with her. She frowned. She didn't like being played with, but somehow she felt that his thirst for blood was real.
"Ne, Natsume, do you want my blood?"
Chocolate eyes held his crimson eyes. The brunette raised a finger to his lips. She watched as he tensed. Maneuvering the finger, she placed it under his canine. Just a small force was needed to prick her finger and sent blood oozing out. Before she could act, he pulled her hand away. His eyes grew distant as he widened the distance between them in a moment.
"You don't know what you are messing with, youjo. And I don't suggest you try."
"Natsume…"
"Your job here is done, leave,"
"Natsume?"
Go," he snarled, turning his back on her, but the brunette stayed put, hesitating with a puzzled look.
"Go," he repeated, baring his teeth at her. This time, Mikan took the warning and made her way to the door. As she allowed the door to creak open, she uttered softly, knowing full well that Natsume would be able to hear.
"Ne, Natsume, we are friends right?"
As the door closed behind her, she believed she heard Natsume's response - an "hn…".
Just this little response had made her day. Her lips broke out in a smile.
o.O.o.O.o
"A test...huh?"
The lady leaned back towards her chair. She lifted her fingers to examine her manicure. Her eyes suddenly focused on a small chip in the nail of her index finger. With one vicious kick, she sent her servant sprawling several feet away. She watched in contentment as the servant scrambled to her feet. Her shivering figure limped towards the door.
"Insolent wretch," she hissed, "Only the strong will survive in this vampire society."
"Very well, let's see how you fare, Mikan Sakura. Perhaps you will be a more valuable assert than your useless mother."
Her fingers flipped opened a lock to reveal a photograph.
"Or a tool to destroy him"
Ending note: If you haven't notice, Aoi's likes her brother. Wait…like me rephrase it. She loves him literally. Let's see how their relationships develop and what happens when the mark on Mikan officially vanish.