Before by Elves13

hi all. here's part 3. sorry its so late. umm about 3
months but i did warn u i'd be inconsistant. but if
you'd like for more parts sooner...EMAIL ME!!!! that
is at elves13@wildmail.com
enjoy

standard disclaimers, rated: PG

Part 3

Today had been the same as yesterday, and the day
before and the same for the last two weeks. For two
weeks now, she had had the same dream, causing her to
be exhausted each and every day.

Dragging her feet ever so slightly she entered her
house.In her tired state, she didn?t notice the
butler until he made a sharp "Ahem" at her. In a
flash, Michiru was once again the dignified young
lady. Head held high, eyes not exactly looking at the
servant, back straight, and a cool emotionless mask
hiding all traces of weariness, she waited,
pretending uninterest.

"Your mother and father await you in the den." The
butler finally said after seeing Michiru was once
again a graceful lady instead of a sulking child.

Michiru nodded her head, and started heading to the
den in slow graceful steps, not even bothering to
look back and see the butler bow ever so slightly.

Just before entering the den, Michiru inhaled a small
amount of air, unconsciously checked herself to be
the perfect daughter, and entered, releasing her
breath.

Quickly, unnoticed by the room?s occupants, she took
a scan of them and their surrounding. Both sat in a
quiet dignified way. The den was arranged so that a
large window shone into the middle of the room where
the chairs were positioned in a semi-circle
surrounding a table with shelves of books along the
walls.

Her mother sat with her legs crossed, leaning ever so
slightly forward sipping tea. Her father sat, back
resting on the chair, drinking his tea. Both looked
so...perfect.

Upon her entrance, both put their teacups down on the
table raise and greet her with a hug and a kiss on
each cheek. So very polite, and formal. No other
overly excited or happy emotion shown. All three wore
masks of politeness that they would show to a
business acquaintance.

Her father gestured to her to sit, as he and her
mother did. Next came the customary offering of tea
from her mother. Michiru accepted, taking a sip.

A false calm silence descended until at last
Michiru?s father softly cleared his throat and began
to talk.

"Michiru, you must be wondering why we came home so
soon." Pause. He glances at her, then continues.
"Your mother and I decided that you should go to a
more...sophisticated school. One that reflects your
place in society more."

Silence again. Now both parents wait for a reaction
form her. At last, Michiru asks, "is that all?" Her
father nods. Quietly and gracefully she leaves and
retires to her room.

Once in her room, Michiru picks up her violin and
begins to play. Playing helps to clear her mind. It
removes all her worries and allows her to relax.

She could have questioned them about where she was
going and all the other such details, but she knew
the servants would inform her about such things later
when she needed it. She could have argued with them
about making her change school, but she knew that
would only disgrace her in their eyes, and that they
wouldn?t listen to her anyway. They never paid any
attention to her. Just as it didn?t matter with their
decision to get rid of her Nana, neither would her
opinion in this count for anything.

By the time dinner was ready, her parents were gone.
They had left to wherever they went all the time. By
the next day, all her belongings were packed, ready
for her to leave in the morning to her new home and
school.

-------

The Ambrai School for Young Ladies was in a small
town about 100km south of Paris. Close enough to
Paris, so it had all the luxuries of the big city but
far enough away that all the problems caused by big
cities didn?t exist.

And it a complete bore. Michiru was bored out of her
wits, but she didn?t show it in the way she acted. So
far, after two weeks here, she had made no friends.
Her reputation had succeeded her.

Once again she found herself locked outside of the
comforts of friends. She had tried to befriend
people, but for some reason, everyone was predisposed
to hate her. The minute they had found out who she
was, who she was related to and her perfectness, they
had turned away from her.

Now today, she was playing her violin in a quiet
corner on the campus. Her roommate frowned at her
every time she played so she preferred to be outside.
At the moment she was playing a sad slow piece.
Fitting her mood perfectly.

>From behind her, she heard a twig snap. Turning
around quickly, she saw a girl her age, with bright
red hair, just like autumn maple leaves.

"Umm...hi," she said. Michiru recognized her then,
she was the school troublemaker. What was her name?
Oh yes it was Shana, Lashana actually. Somewhere it
meant orphan.

"Hello, Shana. Is there something I can do for you?"
Michiru politely asked.

"Well...don?t you play any happy tunes?"

Michiru raised one eyebrow in an eliqute arch.

"Anything in particular you?d like to hear?"

She wasn?t actually expecting an answer for that one.
Yet the next thing she knew, Shana grinned, and asked
her to play "Mary had a little lamb." So she obliged.

Next thing she knew, she spent the whole afternoon
playing "happy tunes" for Shana. And it felt good.
For the first time in a long time, Michiru smiled and
laughed. And she actually meant it.

During the next few weeks, Michiru and Shana?s
friendship grew. They became the best of friends. Not
long after, Michiru was given permission to move into
Shana?s room, and the two would spend nights teasing
each other. And Michiru was happy. Happier then she?d
ever been.

*****************************************************
til next time,
elves13
PS send all comments to elves13@wildmail.com