Change of Heart

Part II

Hiroko left the room and Mika closed the door, going to her closet to pick something presentable to wear. After 20 min of indecesion, she pulled out a black pleated mini skirt, high black socks, and a white sleeveless tunic that had spades and hearts that opened into slits and long gloves to accompany them. She checked herself out in the mirror and smiled to herself, striking a few poses, her honey brown eyes twinkling with excitement. Even to herself, she looked hot.

With one final glance at the mirror, she quickly left her room and hurried out to the main hall where there was probably already a crowd of girls waiting for the arrival of the Queens. All of them would be on their best behavior, but Mika didn't put it past anyone of those girls to stab her in the back if it meant getting closer to Deushi oujo-sama or Shiraishi oujo-sama. Not that it meant anything to her. The Current Queens of Midgard and Niflheim were there to see her, the Princess of Dark, who had a chance at being the next Queen of Midgard. Oh and that other skank. But she was better.

"Miss Okakura. I take it you heard the news already?" came a quiet and cold voice.

Mika turned to see Mrs. Nimura, the head of the Unmei Academy.

"Yes, Nimura-sensei. Hiroko told me about it this morning."

An amused expression mixed with disdain crossed the teachers face as she commented, "Ah. Miss Abe. Indeed, she is quite the gossiper. Well, you better hurry along now, the Queens should be arriving any moment now."

Mika gave a hasty bow and quickly walked off so she didn't have to be around that woman anymore. she totally gives me the creeps Mika thought to herself. It's like she's pissed at me for being the next in line to the thrown. Like I asked for it.

Lost in thought, Mika wasn't aware that she was headed straight into another person. It wasn't until she collided with the stranger that she was snapped out of her thoughts.

"AH! Gomen! I'm sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going and I-"

"It's fine, are you hurt?" interrupted the stranger.

Mika, who had been staring at the floor in embarrassment finally looked up and was slightly shocked at what she saw.

The stranger stood taller than here by a good 4 inches, and had the most stunning gold eyes that poked out from behind flaming red hair that partially covered them. Mika couldn't tell if it was a guy or girl, cause the wild and shaggy hair stopped around the person's jaw, and was tied back, hanging in a long ponytail in back. On top of that, the person was toned, with partial armor on one arm, and a weird shirt jacket thing that only covered the upper chest and left the abdomen exposed, fanning out into a long trench coat feel. Barely visible was a long and dark scar that ran from the inside of the ribs, down the side of the abs and stopped shortly before the hips. The pants were secured at the hips and fanned out in a fashion that reminded Mika of a samurai or a sorcerer.

"I-I'm fine," Mika managed to utter, still looking at the stranger in awe.

"Well that's good to hear. I'm afraid I must be off. Sure I'll see you later," the red head said with a soft half smile, leaving Mika to watch after.

Mika watched until the red head and completely disappeared around the corner and then shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts and continued on her way. Who was that? And why did I stand there like a complete moron?! Gah! The person even smiled at me! How embarrassing! I felt so fooli-Mika stopped dead in her tracks, her face draining of all blood. That smile seemed so familiar...like she had seen it before somewhere...not the smile maybe, but more the feeling behind the smile...

"Mika-chan! There you are!" Hiroko squealed, running up to her best friend. "C'mon! The Queens have just arrived!"

The previous thought's lost from her mind, Mika grew excited once again and ran with her friend to the main entrance, adrenaline pumping through her veins.