Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Kimi.
A/N: Sorry for the very late update! And it's too short, but I wanted to at least update for you guys when I can, so tell me what you think about this chapter! And I apologize in advance since I do not know when the next chapter will be, but if I see a lot of reviews, like way more than usual, say 20 or more for this chapter, I'll update fast. If not, I'll do it when I have time. Sorry my hw is just too much! But I do promise that I think you guys will enjoy the next few chapters in the Cruise ark! There's going to be a surprise appearance soon in about 3 chapters!
Chapter 15 – Ice Cream, Here I Come!
Mizuki slowly opened her delicate brown eyes, her vision quietly coming into focus. She took in the unfamiliar sight of the dark green curtains that were neatly tied by a couple of golden, silky strings. The ocean, Mizuki noticed as she glanced at the visible window, seemed so blue and clear. Oh, how she wanted to swim!
On her far right is the closet, she noticed as she continued to survey her new room. There is another forest green bed, identical to the one she occupied that was filled with the prince's duffel bag and belongings, half unpacked.
'How long had I been out? It must be around four by now' she noted to herself and changed into a pair of white shorts and a light green hoodie. 'I think I'll go exploring for a bit then.'
Tiptoeing out of her room, she looked both ways before bolting out to the elevators. Letting out a breath she didn't even know she held, the short haired princess entered the large glass elevator, her eyes glued to the scenery before her.
'Such pretty decorations' she mused happily. 'It's even more elegant than the castle! Is that even all right?!'
Her mind gawked at the fine artworks displayed along the walls, the high ceiling, and delicate tapestries that decorated the main building, erm, deck, in this case.
'Wa! It's ice cream!' Mizuki practically ran over to the ice cream machine and swirled some chocolate strawberry ice cream into a cone once she found the dining area. A young golden haired princess looked at Mizuki with surprise. A wide smile then graced her lips.
"Mizuki!" Princess Julia shouted.
Mizuki looked up momentarily from her cone, her smile widening more and more with each passing second. She ran quickly, the slight breeze pushing her hair back.
"Julia!" she calls out cheerfully.
"Mizuki!" Julia's arms widened to envelope her into a hug. However, she suddenly shrieked, looking a bit alarmed. Her hands frantically moved in different directions as if to convince Mizuki that something is wrong. Mizuki looked blankly at Julia and returned a puzzled look, completely oblivious to the ice cream that's dripping onto her hoodie.
"Your clothes!" Julia finally said, tilting her head slightly to the side.
"Eh?!" Mizuki yelled. "Oh no! What should I do? I can't go back like this to change. Prince Izumi might be back."
Julia pursed her lips in deep thought. Then she grabbed Mizuki's hand, saying "Okay, let's do this then. Let's go to my room for a moment," and pushed Mizuki lightly to make her way through the growing crowd of people.
"Okay, I'm not even going to ask why you brought along brunette colored wigs with you on a cruise. And it's not even your hair color!" Mizuki exclaimed as they sat on a pale, blue, seashell patterned covered bed.
'What does hair color have to do with anything? For all I know, people dye their hair' Julia sweat dropped at Mizuki's reaction, but nonetheless returned an innocent looking face towards her friend. Mizuki heard Julia murmur something close to "self interest and hobby" and was about to make a comment but decided against it, not wanting to delve into it deeper. After all, this layered bob haired wig makes her look like a girl enough.
Julia had mixed feelings about seeing Mizuki though. Sure, she was happy since she hasn't seen Mizuki for weeks, even months. She wanted to know about Mizuki's well being. Something about that girl's personality just makes Julia worry for Mizuki's just too innocent at times, for a lack of a better explanation. Julia could somehow tell that this trip will end up disastrous. It just is, or why else would her right eye twitch nonstop?
Mizuki raised an eyebrow, amused at Julia's different expressions. Giggling silently, Mizuki sneaked out from the patio and hunted for ice cream. A couple of strangers, three teenage guys to be exact, started to surround her. Apparently, she's their prey.
"Hey cutie!" a guy with a long ponytail appeared behind her and hugged her waist. Mizuki shrieked loudly, socking his groin.
"Common, don't be like this sweetheart," another guy smacked his lips, edging closer and closer, but leaving enough distance to save himself from her self defense.
"You look a bit worried. Common, let's have some fun," the last guy suggested, grabbing her right hand and pulling her close too him.
Mizuki tried to free her hand, but his grip didn't budge an inch. She looked around, but to her disappointment, there were no speculators to help her out. She continued struggling, silently hoping for Prince Izumi to come and rescue her.
'Hold on, what? Why Prince Izumi of all people?' she wondered. 'It could've been Julia, Nakatsu, or even Naba!'
"Let me go!" she continued to scream, at this point resorting to recklessly flinging her hands in all directions and trying to stomp on their feet. This would have worked well, except for the fact that the three men were stronger than her, and hence her flinging and thrashing had no impact on them. And her stomps would have been perfect, only if they landed on their feet.
"Didn't you guys hear her? The lady said to let…go…" a guy with dark, black sunglasses said from behind the three boys, sounding out each word carefully.
"What's it with you?" a stupid looking red haired punk asked. "She your girlfriend or something?"
The black haired stranger looked at them and smirked, "Let her go," he repeated. "…Or else I might do something I regret."
"Whoops, too late," he continued, his arm punching one of the guys in the face. "My hand slipped," he said sarcastically.
"We'll get you for this," the long haired guy squeaked and stumbled off after his two friends.
"You all right?" the cool looking guy with shades asked and he'd get out a hand.
"Thank you," Mizuki said. "You know, a small pretty girl like you shouldn't go to places alone," he whispered in her ear and walked off. He came and went like the silent wind.
"Mizuki stood there for a moment. 'Wait, did he say smell?!' she thought and wondered if that was an insult or a compliment.
Mizuki returned to her room around fifteen minutes later after bidding farewell to Julia. Glad that Prince Izumi hasn't returned yet, Mizuki changed out of Julia's blue halter dress and pulled off her wig. She looked out at the ocean and wondered why she felt like she knew the dark haired rescuer.
Outside in a resting room with a lot of soft sofa, Izumi slumped down, removing his black shades. 'Who was that girl?' he pondered. His mind automatically went to the time Mizuki wore girl's clothing to convince her brother. 'But it's a different wig. But if it were her, why doesn't she recognize me? Why doesn't she seem alarmed at all?' Deciding that he should return to his room to change for the evening, Izumi walked constantly to the room he shared with Mizuki. 'I wonder if she's up yet.'
A/N: Sorry again! Please review!