[Oh yay! someone joined! Nice to meet you bun-bun!]

Anoushka walked over and took her seat quietly. This was going to be an interesting adventure. Her twin was the social one of the two of them. He could almost make friends with anyone, though he didn’t try to fit in. Nikolai was who he was, and wasn’t going to change. If someone didn’t like it, well poor them. Though he was a daredevil and enjoyed having fun and rule breaking to an extent. Anoushka was much the same, nut only in what people thought. She just didn’t care. You hated her, you loved her, or you tolerated her it was all the same to her. People weren’t worth her notice. Before she had just been too shy, but since growing up without her big sister… She just learned to push everyone away before they could hurt you. The only one she trusted was her twin. And that was because he had always proved himself over and over again. And he hadn’t hurt her yet. Nikolai’s goal was to see her happy and protect her, he blamed himself for not being important enough for their mother to notice. His slacker and lazy attitude had caused her to dismiss him. While his twins quiet but intelligent attitude had gained her notice. He would never forgive himself for not protecting her. Though Asoka could put up her tough stoic front, he knew she was easily hurt and fragile from their mother’s treatment.

Nikolai dropped in his seat and lazily picked up his book her picked it up and started glancing through it. His father was important in Russia; he supposed he was as big as the current Minister. If it were in the past he had no doubt his father would have been the Czar by now. Anoushka sat down in her seat with a blank expression; she picked up the book and opened it only to blink in confusion. ‘Are we supposed to be reading the index?’ She thought. She glanced over as Nikolai looked up. He picked up his book and flipped it over opening it and reading backwards. Her eyes lit up in understanding and she nodded going back to the lesson. Niki usually slept through their old classes, so she had always taken notes ofr him. She didn’t think things would change here. Sure enough when she glanced over she could see his eyes moving over the pages but they were glazed, proving he was day dreaming.

She could help but jerk slightly at the bell that rang. They never had that in Russia. Everyone knew the exact moment and time. When class ended it ended. She jumped slightly leaning back when a girl appeared leaning over her. Anoushka’s eyes widened as she watched the girl in shock and blinked a few times when she understood what she was saying. She jerked her eyes over to her brother to see his head resting in his arms. She swallowed harshly and looked back to the girl. Her father had said to have fun. And she was sure friends were included in this. “Doe-brie Jen, Madailien,” She said quietly saying the girls name as correctly as she could in Russian. Luckily enough it sounded correct. “Yes I can speak English.” She said her Russian accent noticeable though not that much, it was honestly worse in English. “It is very nice to meet your acquaintance. Are you Scottish or Irish, if you don’t mind?” She asked slowly. Nikolai grinned in his arms at hearing her talking, although quietly.

Nikolai

A woman with white hair, with a blue tint, and silver green eyes stood walking back and forth in a large study, ranting. She wore expensive popper clothing, yet showed her figure and beauty. Sitting in a seat behind a desk was a silver haired man with grey eyes. He sat with his hands folded, and leaning his mouth on them, his eyes would close through most of the woman’s rant. He wore a silver suit and black tie, all expensive. Standing beside the door was a teenage boy with silver and white hair, two streaks of slate blue in his bangs. He had light green colored eyes. He wore a black long sleeves shirt with white string lacing up the sides with a blue shirt on underneath, black pants and black shoes. Sitting in from of the desk and woman was a teenage girl the same age as the boy. She had white hair with a blue tint, and silver eyes. She wore a sleeveless black turtleneck sweater. A red skirt, brown boots that laced up, black thick arm warmers that went over her fingers, a red pendent and a yellow and gold headband. “Truthfully we are getting sick and tired of the problems you are constantly causing. I don’t care if there not always you’re fault. You still get involved enough to get expelled. We can’t keep switching you to new schools. Private schools are expensive. Not that we have to worry but, paying a high tuition for a school you don’t even finish a year in is annoying. You never have trouble getting in because of your grades, but it’s still becoming hard to find one you haven’t been banned form. If it wasn’t for the fact that we refuse to send you to a public school you wouldn’t be a problem. There are more than enough to ship you off to.” The woman speaking paused for a moment to place her hands on her hips. “Well Anoushka, do you have anything to say in your defense?” She asked glaring at the girl before her tapping her foot. The girl averted her eyes and continued to stare at the floor. Her thumbs fiddling, while her hands were clasped in her lap. The woman growled lowly then took a deep breath. She suddenly reached up holding her head. “Just… go to your room. I don’t have the patience to deal with you.” She said. The girl nodded bowing her head and stood leaving the room, with the boy behind her.

The woman suddenly spun around to the man that had sighed closing his eyes once more. “What are we going to do with her Vikenti?” She asked in annoyance. “I will not allow that brat to tarnish our name. I have worked too hard to get to the top of the food chain to drop back down.” She snarled in anger. The man glanced at her with blank eyes and turned to the fire in the fireplace. ‘My wife, you have become completely corrupt and greedy. I fear allowing either of our children to be around you any longer. Your violence and anger is becoming worse. You are merely lucky you have never struck them before me. However, that’s all I know you do…but I can’t help but wonder. Both Anoushka and Nikolai are becoming rebellious. And they had never been before; they had always been prim and proper children. They no longer like to listen or be how they are expected. I am glad they are choosing for themselves. But the fact that they suddenly become so meek before you…’ He thought glaring into the flames. “Vikenti, pay attention to me!” She snapped. He closed his eyes to hide his anger and sighed. “Iraina, go and retire. I will think of something and we can discuss it in the morning.” He said calmly if not blankly. Iraina smiled, and walked over kissing his cheek. “Of course my husband.” She said lowly and sauntered off. Vikenti sighed once more dropping his face into his hands. ‘How did this come to be? We were happy. But then Halinka went off to study abroad then chose to teach in Japan. Things started to fall apart. Iraina had always used Halinka as a stepping stone. She was her ticket and way to become famous. A doctor that also took teaching courses. Once she left, her attention turned to the twins. Though her attention mainly seems to be on Anoushka. Nikolai does a lot of things Iraina will never notice, but if Anoushka does the same…’ He sighed in sadness. ‘Anoushka has become so distant. She used to be my little girl, now she avoids me and seems to push away. Nikolai of course will follow his twin. Things were so much happier when Halinka was here….’ He thought. A moment later his eyes widened. ‘Of course Halinka! She’s a nurse and teacher at a private boarding school in Japan. It’s perfect, and I can get them away from here. My wife will be happy for it will allow her an excuse to get in contact with her perfect daughter once more.’ He nods, and turns to his computer and picks up his cell phone.


Helinka

“Asoka, are you alright?” She turned form her vanity’s mirror to see her twin sticking his head in the room. She smiled faintly and nodded. Her expression dropped and her hands landed limply in her lap. “I’ll live.” She muttered. “I just…” She paused and thought for a moment. “I wish father would notice… or that he would do something. I can’t take this much longer.” She muttered. Nikolai sighed and closed the door behind him and walked over to his twin. His hand rested on her shoulder while the other pulled down her arm glove. His fingers traced over the finger and palm bruise around her upper arm, his other hand coming to rest on the same bruise on her other arm through the glove. “I don’t know. Father loves mother. I know he loves us, but something people chose their mate over children. But I swear, rather father helps us or not I’ll get us out of here soon.” He said with a serious expression. Anoushka smiled slightly at her brother and nodded. “I believe you Niki. I miss big sister, but I’m glad she finally got out of mother’s hold.” She said. Nikolai nodded. “So am I Asoka, so am I. Did you treat your wounds?” He asked moving back to walk toward the bed. Anoushka sighed. “A few of them.” She said placing her brush on the vanity’s surface. Nikolai smiled faintly and patted the bed. “Sit down, and I’ll help you.” He said. She nodded and stood walking over. Nikolai grabbed some disinfectant and bandages. Anoushka removed her boots and arm warmers all the way. She then took a seat on the bed, while Nikolai took care of and wrapped the cuts on her arms and legs. She bent forward when he pulled her shirt up to fix her back. She hissed slightly at the burning sensation, but stayed still. Soon Nikolai finished patching up her back and moved from the bed. He wrapped his arms around his twin in a comforting hug. “It’ll be alright. Trust me.” He said. Anoushka nodded, holding onto his shirt tightly.

A week later

Vikenti stood before his twins at the airport. Iraina had stayed home to speak with Halinka over the phone, Halinka had agreed to try and keep her from the twins until they got there. He had made sure the twins or his wife always had something to do. They had seemed happier lately. When he had pulled them aside and told them of their new school they had been ecstatic. Anoushka had even hugged him. It was then he had realized how much their family had fallen apart. He missed his protective and mischievous Nikolai, his sweet and shy Anoushka, and his calm and collected Halinka. He knew he had made the right choice. He smiled down at them. “Be good for your sister. And enjoy your freedom. I ask you not give your teachers too much trouble and follow the rules. Other then that I want you two to enjoy yourselves and find your own lives. But most of all I want you both to be happy.” He said as a hand landed to rest on each of their heads. Anoushka smiled slightly, but he could see her normal shy smile hiding there. Nikolai allowed a small grin to cross his face, and he was glad to see the old protectiveness and sly nature their again. With a sigh he pulled them both in for a hug. “I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you. I’m trying to do better. And I’m sorry I never noticed. But I promise if you ever want to come back, even for the holidays things will be different. I have to remind your mother just who is the head of our family. Children should be protected and cherished not harmed.” He said in a serious low voice. He pulled back and smiled softly at them. “Take care of yourselves and each other.” He said with a nod. Nikolai nodded, reaching a hand out. “Thank you father.” He said. Vikenti smiled and shook the hand, reaching up and ruffling his hair as well gaining a shout form him and a small giggle form Anoushka. When they pulled away, Anoushka stepped forward wrapping her arms around him in a hug. “Love you, Papa.” She muttered in his shirt. Vikenti smiled sadly and brought an arm up to hug her bag. “Love you too, kotenok.” He said and released her. He stood there watching as they boarded the plane. A frown crossed his face as he left. ‘Now to deal with my beloved wife.’ He thought.


Anoushka

“Class we have two new students. They come to us from Russia. Please be kind to them and treat them with respect.” The teacher said, and turned to the twins. “Please introduce yourselves.” She said with a bow. Nikolai shrugged and stepped forward. “My name is Nikita Nikolai, pleased to meet you.” He said bluntly and bowing stiffly. Anoushka stepped up. “My name is Nikita Anoushka, pleased to meet you.” She said bowing slightly. The teacher smiled clapping her hands. “Good, now you too take a seat and we shall begin class.” She said happily. Anoushka and Nikolai walked to the seats open near the window. Once they sat down class began.