Title: The Gatekeeper
Notes:This is just written for fun. It will go no longer than 10 to 20 chapters. And want to make this anime like as possible.
CHAPTER 1
“Mom, I'm home!”
The sound of my high voice echoes through the large mansion halls and I make my way through the foyer with numerous amounts of shopping bags. Another hard day of clothes shopping and I even got myself some nice shoes and a new phone. You know, all that normal girl stuff that I do. Just what I needed to save myself from boredom. Being in a three story house can get really boring fast. And all my friends I normally spend my evening with had something important to do. My mother didn't want me to travel out of Japan for some reason. She says I'm too spoiled. That is so not true! I don't think having everything you ask for means I'm spoiled. It just means I'm more fortunate than normal kids around here. Besides, what's the point of having your own plane if you can't ride it? I just got it last month. It's all pink and has my name on the tail wing in large letters. It's very nice might I say. My father gave it to me as a gift. He'll give me my own car next week. Why can't my mother be as yielding as my father when I ask for things. It would make me SO much happier! I think it has to do with the fact that she's immune to my cute charms. I hate that. Who could resist me?! Boys can't and I'm sure I can convince a girl to turn gay just for me! That's how confident I am. It upsets me how my mom can just so easily say no to me. But anyway, let's not get into detail as to why my mom didn't allow me to attend a house party in Florida. Which I've never been to by the way! Ugh. I approach the stairs, with my heavy bags in hand. Where the hell are our housemaids? They should be caring this stuff to my room, not me! My mom comes down the hall to greet me at the top of the stairs. I smile politely at her. No need to be angry at her forever, even if my friends will be talking about the party for weeks. I think I can forgive her...for now.
“Welcome home, Sayumi. Do you need help with those bags?”
“Yes please.”
She calls for our maids and in an instant they come scurrying over like little hidden mice from their holes. They take my belongings in. I let out a sigh of relief. My arms were starting to get tired from carrying them. I'm not exactly the strongest girl around here. I tend to keep my girly appearance and mannerisms. I let my servants do all the work. Seems fair to me since we pay them for this stuff anyway. That's how I see it. I walk up the stairs while the maids run to get to my room before me and when I reach the top, my mom pulls me into a quick hug. She pats down my bangs, smiling at me like a proud mother would do to their daughter.
“I see you got a hair cut. I like these bangs on you. It makes you look much more mature for a girl who is soon going to be twenty.”
She lets go of my black hair and I brush down the tips of my long strand of hair on the side of my face. I cut my hair so that it would be a little passed my shoulders and my bangs are no longer separated. At the ends of them there is a long piece of black hair that frames my round face perfectly. I thought it was time for a change. Though nothing drastic. I still am going to keep my jet black hair and I'm still going to continue being cute. I'll prove to my mom that I'm no brat. Hm.
“Go and put your things away. I'll send someone to let you know when dinner is ready.”
I nod and silently obey. I want to go over the things I bought anyway. That means I get to wear them again and see how cute I look in the mirror once more. That's always the fun part. I head over to my room, where my bags are already set neatly to the floor around my bed. I get the first bag and take out a black silk dress. I'm not sure if I'll ever wear this, but I bought in anyway because I liked how it fit me. No problem though, I can just put it in the pile of clothes I've never worn since I've got them. It's not like my parents will care. I put it down to my bed and go through the other bags. I decide to try on my a denim skirt with a soft pink colored long sleeve polyester shirt. I check myself into the full length mirror and smile.
“I look so cute.” I state to my reflection
I twirl and turn left to right in awe with myself. I'm so cute. Oh, yes I am! Just the cutest girl anyone has EVER seen! I stare making a bunch of poses in the mirror, caught up by my dazzling reflection. That's happened to me many times. I see any shinny surface and I'm there to adore myself and make sure my hair is fine and my make-up is still fresh. It isn't an easy thing to remain this beautiful you know. It requires a lot of work. It's a full time job. And can become very stressful. And stress causes many bad things to your skin, like rashes. Gross. So I just do whatever I need to remain calm and happy. Which is why I also go shopping, to relax and treat myself. Down the hall I start to hear yelling just a few rooms from me. Who is that? They're interrupting my alone time. How am I going to admire myself with all this noise? I look behind me and go to the door with my ear pressed to the polished surface of the oak wood. The voices become clearer and my curiosity heightens. Stupid door has to be so thick to hear through it! Well I know it's from my mother's room, we're very close. Are my parents home? I turn back to the rabbit clock ticking with a happy expression at me. No, he doesn't come from work until another two hours. But who else could she be arguing with? My sister maybe?
“Will you just quit bothering me about this father! I've already said no. This is a bad idea.”
Father? She's fighting with...grandpa? But...why? He would never do such a thing to upset a baby. He's always so kind and to himself. He doesn't annoy anyone and he watches after my sister and I. I don't understand. I press my ear harder against the door. My curiosity has reached a new level. It must be something very big for it to get my mother to yell at him.
“Please, you must understand. Now is the time, you see I can't...”
“Not right now father. Do you want the girls to hear you?” My mother asks
They're silence after. What's going on?! What's happening?! I have to knowwww. They can't just keep it a secret. It isn't right! Not fair! My grandpa mumbles a few words then I hear the scraping of his sandles against the carpet. They can NOT do that! They can't argue out in the open like that and stop knowing that I'm listening! Whatever. I step away from the door going back to my mirror. I don't want to try on my clothes again though. My mind is thick with questions on what just went on. What if...we're losing money? That's awful! I can't work like those “normal” people! I would die out in the poor world! I haven't lifted a finger all my life. I have people do everything for me! Even buy stuff for me. I start to take my clothing off, thinking deeply as to what would result this recent event. I'm drawing up with nothing.
“Michishige-san.”
“UWAH!”
I jump up on one leg with a hand to my chest. I stand stiff, petrified. I gain back some control of my emotions and look into the mirror at the sudden voice to my silence. I spin around, angry, seeing who it is. I also remember that I'm starting to undress so I put my shirt back down. My servant before me stares to her hands, embarrassed, seeing that she's come in at the wrong time.
“What is it Koharu? Haven't I told you how I don't like it when you come in here without knocking?” I scold
She looks to the floor and nods. “I-I'm sorry Michishige-san. You must have not heard my knocking.”
I notice the name she's chosen to address me.
“You can just call me Sayumin. I've told you this many times.”
“Uh...I'm sorry but your mother wants me to call you that.”
“Well, when you're around me alone, Sayumin or Sayu is ok.”
She looks at me again and nods with a pinkish tint in her cheeks.
“So what is it that you came to tell me?”
She stands up straight, remembering the reason of her sudden entrance.
“Dinner is ready. Your mother wants you down stairs in the dining room.”
“Thank you.” I give her one of my cute smiles
And the pink returns in her face again. She bows her head then makes a hasty exit to the door. She's one strange girl. But she does her job well so I suppose it's ok to have her stick around. I'm not that one who hires the maids or servants around here anyway. My parents do that. I can't even fire one. Unless I have a reason to. Which would be hard to convince my dad, since he's positive each one is good enough to stay around and do their work. I finish undressing, knowing that my mom hates waiting for me to join her for dinner. I don't mind showing up either because I'm quite hungry from the constant walking in the mall all day. It isn't easy when you're walking in flats you know!? I exit my room and hurry up the hall to meet my awaiting family. I push through the red wood double doors and see through the dim lighting that my mother and everyone else is already here, eating at the long rectangular glass table. I wonder what we'll have today? It would be a miracle if my mother cooked this. She never does. She usually has our personal cook do it. She just tells him what she's in the mood for and he makes it. Sometimes she'll ask everyone what we want and she'll tell the cook to make individual dishes, that's about the most she'll do, but cooking she doesn't do at all. I find an empty seat and sit down near my sister who's engrossed either in the meal or her thoughts. I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't the food since my mom has the strangest taste sometimes, but my sister wants to be polite and not say anything. My mom probably won't notice if she doesn't eat it anyway. The second I'm seated, a maid comes over with a plate. The food is still hot, there's steam fuming from the top.
“Thank you Aika.”
She goes away and I pick up the nicely carved fork on my right and poke at the roast chicken on my plate. It seems good. Something I'll be sure to like this time. I cut away at the meat and put it in my mouth. It's tasty. Actually something I enjoy. I go to take another bite. Enjoying the stillness around us. About half way in my meal, I see that my grandfather is glancing at me from across the table. I pick up my head and lock eyes with him. He smiles at me, sweetly, showing the wrinkles around his eyes, making them seem smaller. I smile back, feeling slightly weird-ed out from his strange behavior. I know he likes to see his grandchildren since he's been with us since we were babies, but this is just too much. I pay no mind and continue to eat. I'm nearly done and the clearing of my grandpa's throat gets me to look again. He has on another smile, only this one seems like some type of proud smile. Like he has something amazing to announce. I sit up straight, my ears perked to catch his every word. He has my attention, gladly.
“There's been something I want to show you Sayumi.” He speaks, in his soft, hushed voice “Something VERY important to give you. So be sure to take good care of this, ok?”
I automatically nod, inquisitive to what he has to hand me. He's never sounded so serious in giving me something before. It makes me wonder. I can feel my mom's eyes on me and to my grandfather's, switching back and forth. My grandpa's left hand that I didn't notice was underneath the table, rests next to his dish, with a velvet covered case. My eyes widen. He didn't buy me jewelry did he?! Wow. He's so caring. I always knew I was his favorite granddaughter. I mean, who could NOT find me cute? Pffh.
“Father, don't! We've spoke about this.”
This is what my mom was so worked up over? A piece of jewelry? That's a little stupid don't you think? I have plenty of rings and earrings in my room. She hasn't had a problem with it before. I stare at the indigo blue case, ambitious to the prize inside. It better be a golden bunny necklace. I've been meaning to get that, but I had to leave that time for a birthday party. And everyone knows how much I want it since I've ranted about it for days before. My grandpa ignores my mother's pleas and slides the box towards me. Yeah don't listen to her. Give it to me! I want to see what's inside already. Damn you for being so slow in your actions. Speed it up a little will ya?
“Once you put this on I'll explain how important the necklace is to me and soon to you.”
Oh, yay! It IS a necklace! One extra cute bunny necklace, coming right up! Not as cute as me, of course. I stretch my arm out, about to grab on to it with my fingers, but another hand beats me to it and snatches it, easily out of my grandpa's little wrinkly hands. HUH?! I glare up into my mother's eyes.
“You can't have this.”
“WHAT?!” I scream
My sister jolts beside me. I've screamed so loud you can hear the walls shake. I cross my arms over my chest. Stopping me from getting a pretty gift. That just isn't right! It should be illegal! It's MINE! Grandpa is giving it to ME not to YOU! I glare at her like I've just ate a bunch of lemons. Who does she think she is?! Yeah, so she's my mother, but can she for once stop being so motherly and let me have the damn thing already?!
“Why?!”
“Because I said so.” she snaps back
“Psh, some answer.” I grumble, under my breath
I sulk into my chicken, no longer hungry. She's spoiled my appetite, I hope she's happy! I push my plate away, showing her my displeasure. I get up from my chair without a word and walk out. Now I can't keep my mind off it! I need to know what it looks like. It must be so shinny...oh and expensive. I want it! I walk to the living room to catch up on some dramas since I don't feel like sitting in my room alone with nothing to do. I'll just end up thinking about the necklace some more. I flick on the TV and sit there to keep my mind busy. This is the most thinking I've ever done in one day! My head will start to hurt.
***
Watching dramas got dull real fast after about the second hour so I'm on my way to bed. I walk through the narrow halls all the way to my room and grab the golden handle to enter. That's when I see my mom's room open and she comes out to get ready for bed as well. That's when I get an idea. I feel myself beginning to smirk. My mom took the necklace from me so that means...she must have put it in her room. I can still get it back! Cute AND smart. I amaze myself sometimes. When she enters the bathroom I tip toe, silently to her door and walk in. I'm alone. My dad isn't home still I guess. Whatever. Ok, the necklace, the necklace, where could it be? Come on. My eyes scan the room, carefully hoping I can spot it through the pale yellow light. I squint to try and see better. Where are you little precious box? Show up so I can have you! Found it! I take it from the mini shelf next to my parents' draw. Ha! Can't hide stuff from ME. I'm too smart. He-he. I dash for the door and run to my room. I lock the door and lean against it. Smirking from my victory. There is no stopping me. I'm too fast. I lift the lid to get my first glance to what's in side. Tucked neatly into the black cushion is a thin black leather necklace, with a heart shape green gem, surrounded by white gold. Well this isn't exactly my ideal necklace. Where's the gold chain necklace with the cute little bunny in the middle with a pink bow on it's head? Some gift. I should just throw it away. Or maybe give it to Koharu to keep. I go to close it, then the gem in the center of it glows. Weird. I'm drawn to it's strange glow. It wouldn't hurt to try it on first before just giving it away. I take it out of it's container and walk to my mirror. I set the box on the draw and grab both sides of the necklace with two hands. I stare into the mirror as if in a daze and bring it towards my neck. This isn't such a bad necklace after all. The rough leather touches my skin and in an instant the necklace wraps it's self around my neck as if it has a mind of it's own. The two ends of it lock firmly around me and I let out a gasp in fear. I'm blinded quickly with a flash of bright light and strong wind starts blowing around me, sending my hair everywhere. AH! This is going to mess up my hair! I can't do anything to stop it or to protect my hair because of the light, so I stand there, with my hands over my eyes. Is this all coming from the necklace?! I feel something strong surge though me. That's when the light and the wind stops. I pull my arms down and stare at the heart shaped gem around me. What the HELL just happened?! What is this...a necklace from hell?! I gotta get this thing off me! I thread my fingers through thick hair, to the back of my neck, but when I get there I find that the necklace has no hook to take off. It was just there before?! How can it just go away like that?! I yank my hand away, startled.
“This isn't...I'm dreaming. It's all a dream. There's no way a necklace as hideous as this is stuck on my neck forever! It has to...come off!”
I grab it harshly and start pulling with all my strength, but nothing.
“Get off me you ugly thing!” I pull it again “Do you have any idea how many outfits you'll clash with?!”
I give up again and dart around my room for something to help me ditch it.
“Scissors, I need scissors.”
I open one of my dressers and find a pair of small scissors. I take them in my right hand, opening them before I direct it to the leather thing. I'll have to be careful so I won't cut myself. I sigh and hold my breath as I bring it in. Before it can reach just an inch a tiny bolt of lighting zaps at my hand, causing me to drop the scissors.
“Ouch!”
I hold my hand and stand there, freaking out.
“There's no way this is a dream. You can't feel pain in dreams!”
What do I do? Mom! Wait no...I can't tell her! Then she'll know I stole this from her room! Oh crap! If I can't take this off how can I hide it from her?! I'm dead either way! I start pulling at it furiously, hoping at one point it'll snap.
“Get...off...of...my neck!” I scream at the top of my lungs
There's a knock on my door and I jump again. I'm on edge. The door opens and I move my hair to try and cover the necklace.
“Michishige-san?” Aika questions
I can hear another pair of footsteps at the door. Koharu is in the door way too, I think. Uh oh.
“Are you ok, Sayu?” Koharu asks “We heard yelling.”
“Uh...I'm fine! Everything is just...perfect! Really, you two don't need to worry.” I assure
“What was the light earlier, Michishige-san?” Aika mentions
I gulp. Crap. How can I think my way out of this one?
“Light? WHAT light? Haha, you both must be more tired than you think.” I let out a nervous giggle
Just go away! My hands shake. Why aren't they leaving?!
“Are you sure?” Koharu whispers
I nod. “Of course! I'm just very tired. If you don't mind I would like to sleep now.”
I stretch my arms upward and fake a yawn, hoping they buy it. Stop standing in my damn doorway!
“Ok, good night Michishige-san.” Aika agrees
The door closes, putting me into darkness again and my two maids walk away. I let out the biggest sigh and bend over exhausted. I'm in so much shit right now! I run a hand through my hair. I eye the necklace, mocking me in the mirror. I glare. How am I going to hide this? I shake my head of any growing worries and get ready for bed. I doubt I'll sleep, but at least it's an excuse for now to not face my parents with this thing on my neck that just won't leave! I lay my head on the pillow and look at my wall, wide awake. Maybe I should go to grandpa and tell him about this? No, he'll never believe me. I don't even believe this! I'll just...keep it a secret. I don't know how, but I will! I give out one last exhale and close my eyes. Yeah...a secret.
Topic: The Gatekeeper [CLOSED] (Read 14028 times)