Bowstring

Chapter 1

The Boy with a Compound Bow

Draw back the string.

Hold for a few seconds.

Then release.

—-

A teenage boy awoke form his bed. He lazily grabbed his phone to check the time. When he saw it, his eyes widened.

"Oh, crap! I'm going to be late!"

The boy shot from his bed and quickly changed into his school uniform. He grabbed his bag and darted down the stairs. He found both his parents sitting at the table eating breakfast.

"Well someone decided to finally wake up," his mother said.

"I know," the boy said as he grabbed an apple and a pear from the fridge.

"You best hurry up," his father said in a playful tone.

"Later," the boy said as he sprinted out the door.

His mother released a sigh. "Honestly, that boy has no sense of urgency."

His father laughed, but did not respond.

—-

The boy arrived at school and made it to the gym just in time for the assembly. He assembled with the other first years and managed to find one of his friends, a boy with light brown hair and dark green eyes.

"You're lucky you live close by," the boy said.

"Sorry, Tetsuya," the boy said as he clapped his hand hands together.

Tetsuya Kirigaki was the boy's friend since elementary school and the two were rarely seen apart.

"Honestly Asahi, try to be a bit more diligent," Tetsuya said, exasperated.

Asahi let out out a laugh and placed a hand behind his head. Asahi Nakamura was a boy with auburn hair, which was almost always unkempt, and hazel colored eyes.

The gym began to quiet down as an older man walked onto the stage and stood in front of a podium. The man took a deep breath and began to speak.

"I'd like to welcome all the first years to Ginsekai High School."

—-

After the assembly, the first years spread out to get to their classrooms for a short orientation. Asahi found that he was in classroom 1-C, while Tetsuya was in 1-A; or as Asahi named it: the classroom full of smart people. Asahi sighed as he sat down at his desk in the middle, close to the window. A few moments later, the teacher walked in and introduced themselves.

By 1 pm, orientation had largely finished and the school day had ended. The sign ups for clubs would not be until the following day, so there was nothing else to do.

Asahi waited by the bike rack for Tetsuya. As he waited, he could hear some students murmuring amongst themselves. Asahi tried to block them out, but something caught his hear.

"He's a foreigner?"

"Yeah, it's pretty obvious too. That blonde hair and blue eyes, he had foreigner written all over him."

A foreigner? Asahi had never met a foreigner before. He had seen several around the city, normally tourists or businessmen, but never one in his own school. Asahi began to wonder of the foreigner was a teacher or a student, both possibilities made Asahi more curious.

"And that case he had, just what was in it?"

"Clearly the teacher had no problems with it."

"Yeah, she didn't even ask what was inside it."

Asahi's curiosity had now peaked. There was a foreigner at the same high school he was and was a student; based on what he had overheard.

"Hey, Asahi!" a voice called out.

Asahi looked up and saw Tetsuya walking towards him. Asahi waved.

Tetsuya grabbed his bike and the two began to walk. They walked in relative silence, Asahi's mind was too preoccupied with what he had overheard.

"Something on your mind?" Tetsuya asked, not looking towards him.

"How'd you know?"

"You're silent. You're only silent when you're thinking," Tetsuya answered.

Asahi chuckled. "You're right about that."

"And?"

"I overheard some students talking and they said something about a foreigner attending the school. Do you know anything about it?" Asahi asked turning to his friend.

Tetsuya nodded. "I heard something about that too. He's a new student and a second year."

"Our senpai?! Well technically, we're both first years."

"Technicalities aside, I hear he's a bit of a downer. You should just avoid him," Tetsuya said.

Asahi frowned and wondered just what kind of person the foreigner was and where he was from.

"Anyways, you know what club you're joining?" Tetsuya asked, changing the subject.

"I think you know the answer to that," Asahi said with a smile on his face.

Tetsuya sighed, but nonetheless, smiled. "You're lucky this school even had a kyudo club."

"You're such a downer, Tetsuya," Asahi complained.

Tetsuya rolled his eyes.

"Are you going to join too?"

Tetsuya turned towards his friend and could see the earnestness in his eyes. The two had taken up kyudo at a young age and had continued to practice. Granted, Tetsuya knew Asahi was more involved in the sport than he was, but he still had fun doing it.

"I might," Tetsuya said simply.

"Let's both check it out tomorrow," Asahi said, excited.

Tetsuya chuckled and went their separate ways along the road.

—-

The next morning, Asahi walked into the school's main courtyard to see all the clubs lined up and promoting towards the oncoming students. He walked around scanning all the tables. All of them were vibrantly decorated each with their own allure. As he walked, he found what he was looking for, the kyudo club.

At the table sat a boy with black hair that fell to his shoulders, and dark blue eyes. Also sitting was a girl with light brown hair tied back in a pony tail. Her green eyes were accentuated with simple black framed glasses.

As Asahi walked to the table, the two smiled at that made him feel all the more welcome.

"Interested in kyudo?" the girl asked.

Asahi nodded. "Yep, been doing it for a couple of years."

"Ah, someone with experience. That's good to hear," the boy said leaning back in his chair.

"Just sign your name here. Our first meeting is tomorrow," the girl said handing him a paper.

Asahi signed and handed it back to the girl, smiling as he did so. The two looked at the paper and turned back to Asahi.

"We'll be expecting you, Nakamura-kun," the girl said.

"You'll defiantly see me there," Asahi said with a thumbs up.

As Asahi walked away the boy and the girl kept their gazes fixed on him.

"I wonder how good he is?" the girl asked.

The boy shrugged. "Don't know, guess we'll find out tomorrow."

The morning classes were like any other, sit through the teacher describing the subject with occasional questions thrown towards the students. When the bell rang for lunch, Asahi went to find Tetsuya. As he walked down the hallway, he started to hear whispers about the foreigner again.

"They say that the teacher tried to ask him a question, but with a single glare they avoided him."

"Really?"

"I heard that his family is super rich."

"Pretty sure that's why all the girls are after him."

Ignore them Asahi. It's just dumb gossip. Asahi shoved his hands into his pockets and made his way to classroom 1-A. He slid the door open and found Tetsuya sitting in the back of the class, as he usually did.

"Hey, Tetsuya!"

Tetsuya turned back and smiled. Asahi joined a desk in front of his and the two began to eat lunch.

"So, did you sign up for kyudo?" Tetsuya asked, not looking up.

Asahi nodded. "Yep, did you?"

"Going to attend the first meeting and see how things are," Tetsuya said.

"Awww, come on."

Tetsuya smirked. "Don't worry, I'm sure it'll be fine."

Asahi laughed and the two continued to eat.

The school day ended Asahi met up with Tetsuya at the bike rack.

"Before we go, I want to check out the kyudo dojo at school," Asahi said.

Tetsuya sighed. "We're going to see it tomorrow. It's not going anywhere."

"Come on, please," Asahi begged.

Tetsuya rolled his eyes. "Fine."

"Awesome! Thanks, Tetsuya!" Asahi cheered.

The two walked around the campus until the found the kyudo dojo. Before they could get any closer, they heard the sound of an arrow hitting a target.

"Do you think someone from the club is practicing?" Asahi asked.

Tetsuya shrugged. "Don't know."

The two turned the corner and saw a boy with blonde hair. He wore the Ginsekai P.E. uniform, but what was unusual about him was what he was holding. In his hands he had a compound boy with an arrow nocked. The boy released, hitting the target right in the center.

Asahi had stars in his eyes. Everything about his release was flawless. "He's so good."

Tetsuya nodded. "Yeah, clearly feels comfortable with that bow."

The boy fired again, hitting the target dead center.

"Has he missed yet?" Asahi asked.

"Based on the arrows in the target, I'd say he hasn't," Tetsuya responded.

The boy drew back his bow and waited for a few moment.

"Hey! You're really good!" Asahi called.

The boy clicked his tongue and released. The arrow flew, but missed the target. The boy turned towards Asahi with an unhappy look on his face. His eyes were a cold icy blue.

Wait, is this the foreigner?

"Why did you open your mouth?" the boy asked.

"Woah, Japanese," Asahi murmured. "I mean, I'm sorry!" Asahi bowed in apology. "It's just that my friend and I were watching and I thought you were amazing.

The boy rose an eyebrow. "Friend?"

"Yeah, he's right here," Asahi said pointing next to him.

The boy sighed. "There's no one there."

Asahi looked to his side and jumped back. Tetsuya was no longer standing next to him. He looked towards the other direction and saw Tetsuya walking back to the bike rack. Damn, Tetsuya.

"Look, I don't like it when people watch me shoot, so beat it," the boy said, angrily.

"I'm sorry, but are you an archer?" Asahi asked.

"Are you dumb? Of course I am, I'm holding a bow and I was firing arrows," the boy said, irritated.

"Sorry, dumb question," Asahi responded.

"Quit apologizing," the boy said. He then let out a sigh. "Whatever, I was about to wrap up any way."

The boy set down his bow and walked over to the target. He carefully took out the arrows and dismounted the target.

Asahi noticed the quiver of arrows at his side and began to wonder what kind of archer he was.

"Are you in a club?" Asahi asked.

"Nope, and don't plan on joining one," the boy said as he opened a briefcase.

The boy placed his bow and quiver into the briefcase and closed it.

"How about kyudo?" Asahi asked.

"Kyudo? What's that?" the boy asked.

"It's a sport about archery. You are in a kyudo dojo after all," Asahi said, with his arms gesturing to the area around him.

"That's what this place is," the boy murmured. "Archery, huh?"

Asahi nodded enthusiastically. "It's super fun, you should try it."

"Sure," the boy muttered.

The boy exited the dojo and hung his briefcase over his shoulder with his school bag at his side. Asahi walked at his side as the two exited the school. The blonde eyed him for a moment but turned away.

"You know," Asahi said breaking the silence, "there's a kyudo dojo not too far from here. It's open to the public and there should be someone there for rental equipment. Wanna go try it out over there?"

The blonde shrugged. "I guess. Might as well."

The two walked around the city in relative silence. Whenever Asahi tried to start a conversation, the blonde would reply in few words. When the two reached their destination, Asahi stopped walking while the blonde continued.

"Um, hey!" Asahi called out.

The blonde stopped walked and turned back to Asahi.

"It's here," Asahi said pointing.

The blonde nodded and walked back to Asahi.

"Here?" the blonde said glancing up the steps.

Asahi nodded. "Yep, this place is also a shrine so people come here to pray often."

Oliver nodded and the two began to walk up the steps. As they walked up, the two could hear the sound of arrows hitting targets. Asahi's smile widened while the blonde's curiosity increased. Asahi could see out of the corner of his eye, the blonde's lips slightly curled upwards.

The two boys arrived at the dojo and they could see a large group practicing the sport. Asahi turned to the blonde who had a perplexed expression on his face.

"What's wrong?" Asahi asked.

"Their bows are so weird. They're not long bows or compound bows," the blonde said.

"Well yeah, those are traditional Japanese bows. They were used by archers a long time ago," Asahi explained.

"I see."

"Come on, let's see if you can try to shoot one,"Asahi said, grabbing the blonde by the arm.

"Hey, wait!"

But Asahi pulled the blonde along to the entrance. Asahi slid the door open and they were quickly noticed by an older woman, and from the looks of things she was already acquainted with Asahi.

"Well, Nakamura-san, stopping by again?"

Asahi nodded. "Yep, but this time, I brought someone with me." Asahi pulled the blonde forwards, presenting him.

"Oh, and who're you?" the woman asked.

"Just someone who goes to school with him," the blonde said gesturing to Asahi.

"He's a foreigner and he does archery," Asahi said taking the reins of the conversation.

"Oh, archery? I'm assuming you brought him to try kyudo?" the woman asked.

"Let him shoot a couple, please," Asahi said as he clapped his hands together.

The woman seemed to ponder the request. The boy slightly bowed his head, seeming to also ask please.

"Okay, a few is fine."

Asahi smiled. "Thanks a bunch!" Asahi turned to the blonde. "Come on, I'l help you choose out a bow."

The blonde sighed and followed Asahi into the dojo.

—

After getting a bow that suited the blonde and getting arrows plus a shooting glove, Asahi and the blonde set up in front of a target.

"So, there are a few steps to take before actually firing a shot in kyudo. Granted, that can be explained later. For now, I'll give you a quick tutorial on how to handle the bow," Asahi explained.

"I know how to fire a bow," the blonde said, slightly irritated.

"I know that, but it's a bit different for kyudo. Just trust me," Asahi said.

The blonde let out a defeated sigh. "Fine."

Asahi smiled. "Great, let's get started."

"The first thing you're going to want to do it hold up the bow and nock your arrow," Asahi explained as he did the motion.

The blonde nodded and followed Asahi's example.

"Great, now as you draw back the string, bring it closer to you."

The blonde followed Asahi's motion. When he drew back the string, he could hear Asahi whisper something. "And release."

The blonde released his arrow and it flew down the range. A sound rang out as the arrow his the target. The two got a good look and saw the arrow had hit the outermost ring.

"Not back for your first try. Still though you should take things slow," Asahi said as he still looked at the target. Asahi turned back to the blonde to his already drawing back for another shot. "Hey wait a sec."

However, the blonde seemed to not hear and he released another shot. Asahi turned the target and saw the arrow had hit the third ring from the center.

What the? That was only his second shot and it hit that close to the center? Asahi thought.

Asahi was broken from his thoughts, when the sound of an arrow hitting the target rang out. The blonde hand landed another shot, this time hitting the first ring from the center. Around them, the others there stopped to watch the blonde fire his fourth shot.

The blonde drew back his bow, this time while also pulling the bow forwards. He held it for a few seconds, but the seconds seemed to pass like hours. Then he released. As the strong returned to its original position, a beautiful sound rang out.

Incredible, that's his tsurune, Asahi thought.

Then arrow hit the target. Asahi turned towards the target and saw that the blond hit dead center.

"Amazing," Asahi whispered.

"Can I get one more shot?" the blonde asked, still looking towards the target.

"Uh, sure, let me just get you an arrow," Asahi said.

Once he gave the blonde an arrow, he went through the motions. As the arrow was fired and the string returned to its original position, the same sound rang out followed by the sound of the arrow hitting the target. Asahi looked at the target and saw the arrow had landed right next to the other one.

"Wow, that was amazing!"

"Thanks, I guess. It's the first time I shoot one of these bows, but the principal is the same I think," the blonde said as he stared at the bow in his hands.

"So, will you join the kyudo club?" Asahi asked.

"I think I'll give it a go," the blonde said.

"Great!"

The blonde let out a chuckle towards Asai's enthusiasm.

—

After returning the equipment they borrowed and collecting the arrows they fired, the blonde and Asahi walked down the steps of the shrine with the sun setting in front of them. The blonde seemed to go down at a faster pace than Asahi, as he was a few steps ahead of him.

"Hey, uh, I just realized, but I don't know your name," Asahi said.

The blonde stopped walking and turned towards Asahi. The wind picked up causing leaves to flutter with it and the two boys' hair to blow with it.

"Oliver. Oliver Queen. That's my name," the blonde, now called Oliver, said.

"Well, I'm Nakamura Asahi. But you can call me Asahi if that's easier," Asahi said.

"Please to meet you, Asahi," Oliver said.

"Likewise, Oliver."

AN: And here starts a new story. This time a crossover between the anime Tsurune and Arrow. Why did I do this you might be asking. Well I did it because I found the Tsurune anime to be such a great show and I really wanted to make a fic about it. Why cross it over with Arrow? Well, I thought it would be fun. Anyways, this is the first fic about Tsurne on this site, so I don't expect to get a lot of readers. But if you do find this story and are enjoying it, then I hope you'll support it. Quick disclaimer, I do NOT own Tsurune or Arrow! I just own the characters I'm going to be creating. With all that out of the way, I hope you enjoy this story and if you are, feel free to follow, favorite, and/or review if you haven't already. See you guys in the next update.